Life Is What You Make It: 2008

Hold an Elegant Ball for New Year's Eve

Eating chips while wearing New Year tiaras and glasses getting boring? Have an Elegant ball. It's just the thing you need.
    Reserve a room at a restaurant, inn, or any other place where you would like to hold the event. If you are going to hold it at your home, you may want to decide where to move the furniture, where the coats will go, is there enough parking, is there enough seating areas, is it inviting, is it formal enough.
    Consider the decorations, or theme of the party. For example: masquerade ball. If you choose to have a theme mention it in your invitations
    The day after Thanksgiving (otherwise known as Black Friday) send out invitations. They should read something along the lines of:
           Please join us in celebrating the new year
           New Year Inn, Newyearsville 09923
           R.S.V.P 3-456-657-5467 (please do not call, this is a random number)
          Black Tie
    Once you have a general idea of how many people are going to come talk to caterers and tell them a general idea of the amount of people, and throw some idea around of the food they will serve.
    Consider hiring a pianist or cabaret singer to perform at your party. Otherwise you may want to stock up on some music for background noise or ballroom dance.
           If you are going to hire entertainment (dancers, fire breather, whatever you think would go best with your theme) book them.
    Find the perfect outfit for you.
    Host the party. You may want to turn on the television (on mute) to a channel that will show the ball dropping.

SpitzTunes -- Bring on that New Year!

The holidays is a musical season ... can we continue that in the New Year? I wish I could ... I try ... but so often the non-musical parts of my life takes over. I really believe that if I could increase the musical me by 10%, I'd reap more than a 10% benefit in my life.

Choose a Dress for New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is a big enough night without the added stress of worrying about choosing the perfect dress. Here's a simple guide to help.
    List some stores you want to go in, and your shopping budget. Write down your thoughts about hemlines and necklines. Do you want a short prom style dress, or a long evening gown? It's also a good idea to think about colors which suit you. For New Years Eve, its usually better to pick "party colors" when buying a dress, such as gold, silver, purple, maroon, navy and black. Set some time aside for shopping. A good time to buy your dress is after Christmas, as shops are usually quiet then. It's best to avoid the first two days straight after Christmas though as stores are crowded because of the sales. December 28th or 29th are good days to go.
    Choose a dress which will suit whatever event your going to. If your going to a party which will have fireworks, buy a shrug or stylish shawl to go over what your wearing for when you go outside. If you know you'll be staying inside, then you probably won't need one. If the entire party is going to be hosted outdoors, a dress past the knee with cap sleeves may be an appropriate choice. Dress accordingly.
    Make sure the dresses fabric is suitable. Satin and cotton are good choices, however linen or suede may be less appropriate.
    Think about decoration. Bows, sequins, embroidery, and beads all look pretty on dresses, however certain types of decoration suit certain dresses. Embroidery is more suited to classical evening gowns, whereas bows can look better on prom dresses.
     Make sure your dress isn't too long or tight to dance in, if you're going to be dancing.
     Choose a matching or similar color to your dress for your handbag or clutch bag.
     Keep jewelry simple. It shouldn't outshine your dress, just accessorise it. Stick to silver or gold, and wear a maximum of three pieces.
     Have fun!

Organize Your Closet

Sometimes, looking in your closet, clothes are everywhere. You reach for your suit, clothes pile on you. You open the closet door, you get avalanche. How can I prevent this?
    Take all the clothes out of your closet. This might take a while.
    Donate clothes that don't fit, that you never wear, or that don't make you feel great when you do(this is the key).
    Separate out items that are out-of-season. Sometimes you don't have anywhere to put your winter coat. Perhaps you don't have room under your bed, or even have an under-the-bed space. In summer, store your winter-season clothes at one end of your closet and summer-season at the other end.
    Organize all your in-season clothing while putting it back in your closet. The best way to do this is by type of clothing, occasion, hem and sleeve length, and then color. For example, first you might organize your skirts. You'd put all your skirts together, but you'd separate work skirts from casual skirts, and from special fancy going-out skirts. Then, within each category, you'd put the shortest ones first, so a miniskirt that you'd wear to work would come before a knee-length one. Finally, you'd organize by color, so that a red miniskirt would go before an orange miniskirt. If you do it this way, getting dressed in the morning will be WAY easier than ever before. You'll really be able to zero in on the right parts of your closet for wherever you're going and immediately see what your options are.
    Put different types of clothing in piles on shelves in walk-in closets. If you have a regular closet, you can put something in between clothes that organizes them.
   Put another piece of wood in your closet if your clothes don't fit properly. If you have more bedrooms in your house, do those!

Give Your Home a Beautiful New Look and Save Money

Would you like a new home without buying a new one or spending a fortune? Just a few changes and affordable touches,and you can have one. Using the things you already have allows you to invite yourself into your own space and show others who you are. Decorating your home can be a very personal and creative experience, not just a chore. Follow this guide to make where you live to look beautiful and save money too.
    Choose a room in your home where you and your family will spend most of their leisure time.
    Make a list of the problems you see and the things that you feel you need, such as a bookshelf, more space, etc.
    Ponder a passion you have, such as the outdoors, animals, golf, family, etc.
    Take everything off of your walls and place it on a table in the room, pull out anything that is special to you such as family heirlooms, pictures, or just items that have a special place in your heart.
    Consider how you would like the room to feel. For example, more open, larger, safe, cozy, or organized.
    Place the largest pieces of furniture in first, such as the sofa. It is a common mistake to push all the furniture against the walls, and have too much empty space in the middle. Try to avoid this.
    After hanging of all the other pictures or wall coverings, add other pieces of who you are around them, preferably in threes.
    Place rugs in entry ways of high traffic areas to protect flooring and accent furniture pieces.
    After you have the room the way you like it and it feels right, you may want to consider accenting the room by painting a few walls.(The color will be determined by the effect you would like to achieve; whether adding depth or width to the room.) Doing the painting yourself will save you hundreds of dollar.
     One picture is all that is needed to create a color scheme for your new room.
     Hang all pictures at eye level as if you were standing in your room.
     For a cozier look, angle all furniture so as to imagine people sitting on each piece having a get together and talking about the most meberable time in their life.
     Aim for harmony, mixing and matching colors, of using many shades of one main color.
     Vary the size of objects you use as accent pieces.
     Varying the size and shape makes a more interesting composition.
     If additional items are needed visit your local Goodwill, they have great deals on beautiful things that will be just enough to make your room complete and save you money too.
    Place lamps at the end of tables to create more space for your room.
     Be careful not to clutter an area causing one's eye to lose the focal point of the room.
     Be careful to stay within your budget when purchasing paint and brushes.
     If you are going to paint your walls

Create Christmas Games

Want to create great Chrstmas party games? Then just look here, this article has some great games to play over the Christmas period! Just like Headbandz This game is a different based game to HeadBandz

Get some sticky notes and write/draw random objects on them.
Write out questions according to the objects these can be Yes or No or random anwser questions.
Sit everyone down and Play! (putting the sticky notes on your head of course)
Rockin Around The Christmas Tree For this game you will have to put your Christmas tree in the centre of a room
Choose a hunter then spread chairs around the room these will be hides.
The Hunter has to find the others the room is dark but the tree will have lights on and the Hunter has a torch. The tree can also be used as a hide.

For RATCT, the room must be spacious and the tree is best of being a small size.

Buy Inexpensive Quality Computers and Electronics

This is a simple guide for getting the best price on computer parts and consumer electronics.
    Make a habit of continuously visiting the websites listed below and try to keep from buying an item at the first advertised bargain. Do this for about 1-2 months; this will accustom you to the types of items they usually have listed and the prices they are listed at. This way you'll know if you're getting a good deal.
    Read the comments and forums on Slickdeals. The feedback from users will usually confirm a truly "slickdeal".
    Research product reviews on Google to see if a product is actually worth buying.
    When a product goes on sale for the 2nd or 3rd time, and all the research points to buying it... go for it!

     Dell products are always on sale. So if you're looking at a Dell computer, keep track of what computers go on sale until you find one you actually need.
     Rebates take a long time to come in.
     Remember "Cheap is not always Good" and some brands like Gateway and Compaq offer you a low budget cost, but a high cost on hassles.
     Acer offers you a great product too, with a low price guaranteed.
     If is a laptop you need to buy, nothing gives you better performance for the price than Toshiba, in other words is the best option for Laptops.
     Get accustomed to the terms: i.e. YMMV= Your mileage may vary, B&M = Brick and Mortar (meaning at the store only), PM = price match, BB= Best Buy, OD= Office Depot, BYOKAD (Bring Your Own Keyboard And Mouse)
     If you live near/in Portland, OR; consider FreeGeek, or their thrift store.
     Try online stores such as Newegg.com, Geeks.com, or other online stores. The prices there are usually much cheaper than in physical stores.
     If you really want a great computer with only what you need or simply the best you can get, just Do It Your Self, is not as cheap as it could be but as an IT let me tell you, it could be your best option.

How to Make a Watermelon Martini

Take out your Martini Glass, pick up a good book, and enjoy a Delicious Martini with a different twist. Make enough for two, when you want to share it with a special friend. Either way, this is a new twist on the use for watermelon.

This recipe serves one.

   Place all ingredients in a shaker and shake until very well chilled, about 30 seconds.

    Strain into a chilled martini glass. A properly shaken Martini will have a very thin layer of ice crystals floating on top after it is strained into the glass.

     Shake the Martini long enough and with enough vigor to get the layer of crystals.

     This is habit forming, because it is so refreshing and has a different taste than the usual Martini.

     This contains alcohol. Be careful, don't drink to much!

Things You'll Need

    * 1 1/2 oz. vodka

    * ½ ounce lime juice

    * ½ ounce Triple Sec

    * 6 frozen watermelon cubes (about ½ inch square each)

    * ½ shaker of ice

    * ½ ounce Chambord

Enjoy!

Where Do We Go From Here?

Thursday night will be clearing and cold, with lows in 15-21 range. That means a hard freeze to all that is on the ground today.

Friday should be a lot like earlier this week -- sunny but
continued cold -- possibly a few degrees colder than this current spell
-- with highs 25-28 and lows Friday night from 10-18.

Saturday also looks dry and continued cold with highs in the
mid 20s. But clouds will increase Saturday night, keeping lows around
20.

Those clouds are a signal of our next great forecasting
challenge -- a storm heading in for Sunday. This one presents a whole
new set of variables, because Mother Nature has a devious sense of
humor and a thick playbook, it seems.

This storm is coming in from the west/northwest, and it looks
pretty wet. Second, we'll not only have some arctic air here in Western
Washington, but even more in Eastern Washington. That air is very
dense, and thus has higher pressure.

As the low pressure of the storm approaches, forecasting models
are hinting now that we could see some very strong, gusty east winds in
the passes to the usual North Bend, Enumclaw, Gold Bar east-windy
places -- perhaps as high as 40-50 mph.

That's challenge A. Challenge B -- if so, that would be blowing
in a lot of cold air from Eastern Washington into Western Washington --
the "North Bend gets to feel like Bellingham does now for a while"
scenario, getting even more cold air into the region ahead of this
storm.

So when the storm arrives, in the areas outside the wind,
depending on how warm the storm is and how much cold air is around,
it'll likely start as heavy snow, then gradually change to rain.

But in areas where that east wind keeps feeding the cold air
in, this could present some freezing rain problems along the I-90
corridor. (Portland people can tell us all about this, since they have
frequent experience with a similar set up with the east wind blowing
out from the Columbia Gorge. In fact, this set up presents them with
similar freezing rain problems for their area.)

Bottom line: Sunday could be real messy. It might be lucky for
us if the system comes in cooler and it stays as snow because while
it'd be quite a bit of snow, ice/freezing rain would be worse. (About
all that's left is the blizzard and we'd have collected the entire set
of weather problems :) ) Highs will be somewhere between 31-38.

Some lingering snow showers Monday, then we dry out again for
the afternoon into Tuesday with partly to mostly sunny skies and highs
in the low-mid 30s and lows still in the 20s.

Another not-so-frigid system moves through on Christmas Eve,
but at this point, this is looking like the kicker of just snow to rain
and highs into the 40s, perhaps ending the cold spell. But a more
southerly track, and we could get that White Christmas after all :)

What's Up With This Convergence Zone

Convergence Zones are caused by colliding winds -- a north wind
from the north and a south wind from the south. When those winds
collide, they get forced upward, where the air condenses into clouds
and storms form.

Zones historically are responsible for some of the area's greatest
snows, and this one was no different. Arlington had a snow report of
23" as of 10 p.m. Wednesday, and all that snow that fell into Skagit
and Snohomish County from about noon on has been at the hand of these
colliding winds.

The massive snow storm of Dec. 18, 1990, was also born from a
Convergence Zone that set up shop over Downtown Seattle, as was the
snow and freeze of Nov. 29, 2006 (sort of a mix of a convergence zone
and arctic front for that event).

This time, the zone had a stronger southerly component, keeping the
zone up north for most of the day Wednesday. Computer forecasting
models correctly predicted this zone's formation, leading to forecasts
of heavy snow in the Seattle area Wednesday afternoon, but
underestimated the storm's southerly wind component, keeping the zone
north of the city. It wasn't until Thursday morning that this southerly
component weakened, allowing the north wind to gain strength and push
the zone south.

Zones form quickly and can shift very quickly, and many times
there is not much time to react, as many motirists found Thursday
morning. As much as it snarled the Thursday morning commute, imagine
if this happened at 1 p.m. Wednesday when everyone would have been in
school.

Winter Storm in Seattle

Snow tapered off Thursday evening across much of central Puget Sound
after snarling the morning commute in the Seattle metro area with
hundreds of spinouts, nightmarish traffic backups and stranded vehicles
on many highways and side streets.
The storm left behind a slick, frozen mess of icy roads and highways
that continued to bedevil the evening commute and threatened more havoc
for Friday morning, as temperatures plunge far below freezing overnight.

Snow continued falling Thursday evening in parts of south Puget Sound
and Tacoma. State Route 167 was shut down in both directions at State
Route 410 between mileposts 8 to 10 around 4 p.m. leaving drivers to
wait several hours in their cars for the road to clear. The road was
not expected to open until after 11 p.m., causing some drivers to panic
in the cold.

Many school districts throughout the region again closed or delayed
classes Thursday due to ice and snow, and a few had already announced
schedule changes for Friday as well.

Dozens of Metro transit routes were disrupted by the snow and by
collisions, leaving many commuters waiting in the subfreezing cold at
stops for buses that often never arrived.

The snowstorm was ushered in at about 5 a.m. by booming thunder that
echoed eerily across the region and sent flashes of lightning piercing
through the early morning darkness.

But as the day wore on, snow showers decreased in intensity and
frequency. Only a few flurries remained in most of the central Puget
Sound as darkness moved in, and the snow was expected to decrease in
the south Sound as well later this evening.

That opened the door for the next act in the wintry drama - a deep
freeze that could push overnight temperatures into the upper teens or
low 20s.

Areas especially hard hit Thursday included parts of State
Route 520 on the Eastside as snow buried the highway and drivers
abandoned their vehicles on the roadway. By Thursday evening,
transportation officials pleaded with motorists to avoid 520 and
Interstate 90 if at all possible.

Seattle-area motorists more accustomed to rainfall did their
level best to battle with the snow, but often the snow came out the
winner.

One of those who lost the battle was Mary Prince, who got caught in a 12-car pileup near Kirkland Thursday morning.

Earlier in the day, Bellevue city officials asked people to stay off of
the roads as near white-out conditions brought 3 to 5 inches of snow
throughout the city.

Throughout the region, crews worked all day to clear emergency routes
and primary arterials routes before the forecasted hard freeze settles
in and turns the snow to ice overnight.

State troopers and local law enforcement officers responded to
spinouts and crashes all day Thursday as drivers encountered compact
snow and ice in areas that saw snowfall Wednesday, and new snow showers
were catching many drivers off guard.

On I-405, I-5 and I-90 in King County, traffic was snarled in many
areas. DOT officials have plow and de-icer crews out, but the snow was
coming down faster than it could be cleared earlier in the day.

Throughout the region, side streets and hills continued to pose a
problem for drivers, with a steady stream of collisions being reported.
Those who decided to leave their cars at home and take public
transportation were only a little better off, as many buses could not
reach all roads on the schedule routes, and some were involved in
accidents.

Despite the large number of collisions Thursday, there were no serious injuries reported.

In Kitsap County officials said freezing weather may have claimed the
life of a man who wandered from his house wearing only light clothing.
The sheriff's office said John Clarence Makepa Basso, 36, had been
suffering from a medical condition and had observed him behaving
erratically recently. He was found dead in a heavily wooded area near
his residence Wednesday afternoon.

In addition, a boy was seriously injured in a sledding accident
in Kent. Officials said the boy was riding on a sled being towed by a
car when the sled went under the back end of a parked vehicle near
226th Street and 127th Avenue.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY will expire at 6 p.m. for the greater
Puget Sound area. In the Strait of Juan de Fuca area, the advisory
expired at 4 p.m.

For South Sound and Southwestern Washington, the advisory has
been extended until midnight, where scattered snow showers will
continue until then, putting down 1-3" in individual cells.

Thursday's snow is just part two of a major snowfall that
dumped 1-2 feet in parts of Skagit, Island and northern Snohomish
County through the day Wednesday. Steady snow fell for most of the day
there as the Convergence Zone stalled over the area. A spotter outside
of Arlington reported 23" as of late Wednesday afternoon.

Snow Totals So Far

Here are some unofficial snow totals with this storm:

Arlington (Outskirts): 23"

Darrington: 23"

Concrete: 21"

Elwha: 20"

Sedro-Woolley: 18.5"

Mount Vernon: 14.5"

Randle: 14"

Sultan: 13"

Bellingham: 13"

Monroe: 12.5

Port Angeles Outskirts: 10-15"

Hamilton: 12"

Redmond (Novelty Hill): 10"

Hoodsport: 10"

Stanwood: 10"

Onalaska: 10"

Grand Mound: 9"

Oak Harbor: 7"

Anacortes: 6.5"

Hamilton: 6.2"

Kirkland (Rose Hill): 6"

Beacon Hill: 6"

Olympia: 6"

Marysville: 6"

Woodinville: 6"

Rochester: 6"

Granite Falls: 5.5"

Clearview: 5.5"

Sekiu: 5"

Mercer Island: 5"

Tumwater: 5"

Neah Bay: 5"

Chimacum: 5"

Orcas Isl: 5"

Mukilteo: 3"

Ferndale: 4.5"

Bainbridge Island: 4"

Lynnwood: 4"

Port Townsend: 4"

Port Orchard: 4"

West Seattle: 4"

Potlatch: 4"

Lacey: 4"

Arlington: 4"

South Everett: 4"

Friday Harbor: 4"

Mill Creek: 4"

Ravensdale: 4"

Bellevue: 3-4"

Redmond: 3-4"

Ferndale: 3.5"

Gig Harbor: 3"

Lopez Island: 3"

Hoodsport: 3"

Freeland: 2.5"

Shelton: 2"

Kingston: 2"

Bothell: 2"

Seattle (Seattle Center): 2"

Tacoma: 1"

Mountlake Terrace: 1"

Duvall: 11"

Sammamish: 5"

Bainbridge: 5-6"

North Bend: 7"

North Tukwila: 7"

Graham: 6.5"

Bonney Lake: 5"

Parkland: 4"

Throw a Cocktail Party

Cocktail parties are a great way to entertain because they accommodate any kind of guest list, ranging from neighbors to business associates. Regardless of what kind of crowd you're entertaining, however, there are a few basic guidelines to throwing a fabulous cocktail party...

   Set the appropriate time. The traditional time frame for a cocktail party is two to three hours in length held between 6 P.M. and 10 P.M. tst

      On the rocks
      On the rocks
      Buy more than enough ice. Remember that you're not just using it for drinks, but also for chilling bottles and cans. Generally, having 1 lb. of ice per guest should be adequate.

      Mojitos
      Mojitos
      Have a variety of glasses on hand, depending on the variety of drinks you plan to offer. You should offer wine glasses for wines, juice and water; straight-sided highballs for tall drinks; tumblers for spirits and juices; and martini glasses. In terms of quantity, be ready with approximately twice as many glasses as you'll have guests.
   Stock your bar.

           For the wine drinkers, have one bottle for every two people, assuming five servings per bottle.
           For the beer drinkers, have one six-pack for every two people, assuming 12 oz. servings.
           Get one or two liquors that can be made into a variety of cocktails (probably vodka, rum, gin, scotch, bourbon, blended whiskey, or tequila)

            Don't forget mixers and garnishes, including orange juice, soda, tonic, ginger ale, cola, grenadine, tomato juice, Tabasco, lemons, limes, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce. The most important mixer, however, is seltzer (club soda - if you must).
    Prepare the menu. Aim for variety (meat, vegetarian, hot, cold, spicy, and sweet). If you're not serving dinner, estimate 6 bites per person, but remember that it's better to have too much food than not enough.
    Offer coffee to your guests towards the end of the party as a courtesy, but remember that coffee does not help increase sobriety. Keep the number of a local taxi service handy for those guests lacking a designated driver.

     Catering your cocktail party costs about $12 per person
     At a cocktail party, it is easy to mix guests who might not feel comfortable sitting across from one another at a dinner party.
     If it is not a dinner party, a good rule of thumb is to provide 1 seat for every 2 invitees. People circulate more and have a better time.
     For a 2-hour party where you only plan on serving wine and/or champagne, you'll need to have one bottle for every two guests. Have a mix of white and red varieties.
     If you anticipate your guests will be wine drinkers, you can prepare by uncorking a few bottles in advance, and then replacing the corks, however, reds are always best left to breathe.
     Ask your guests to dress up for the cocktail party. More formal attire will add to the experience - and guests are less likely to over-imbibe and get out of hand if they feel more respectable.
     Also, if you have invited guests to a party who may not have met other guests you may consider having a bar area where you would make cocktails and entertain people who might have problems socializing with strangers.
     If you see a guest who doesn't seem fit to drive home, offer to pay for their taxi, or give them a ride home yourself. It's your responsibility as host not only to make sure they have a good time, but also to be certain they make it home safely.

Get it going with dNeero

How to Eat Healthily over the Holidays

Eating rich meals for one or two days of the year won’t hurt you, but problems will arise if you're tempted to over-indulgence over several days, or even weeks. Follow these simple holiday eating tips, and you'll find it easier to make healthy choices.
    Don't serve enormous portions. The danger lies not in what you eat, but in how much you eat. Having a healthy snack before you go to a party can help to take the edge off your hunger.
    Don’t leave bowls of chocolate, candy and nuts standing on kitchen counters where it’s all too easy to dip in each time you pass. Serve nuts in the shell. Cracking them takes time, and stops you cramming them into your mouth in handfuls.
    At a buffet table, use a small plate and fill it just once. Help yourself to less meat, more vegetables and salads, but go easy on creamy sauces and dressings.
    Stock up with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables over the holiday season. Keep a stack of easy-peel citrus where people can help themselves. Before a meal, put a bowl of celery sticks, apple pieces or carrot curls on the table – kids and adults love to nibble on these.
    If you’re keen not to gain over the holidays, ration yourself to one or two unhealthy foods a day. Take time choosing the treats of the day, savour the flavour - then stop.

     Do your health an even bigger favour, and get off the couch and out of the door at least once a day. A brisk 30 minute walk helps you digest efficiently, and burns off some of those extra calories

Help Unhealthy People

Many people all over the world are dying of health problems. You don't want to be one of them and you want to help save other people too. Both kids and adults necessitate facilitate and both kids and adults can help the unhealthy people. Soon this world will be safer and healthier.

    First, you should go to a neighbor and help them out if they need your help and ask for it.
    Next, you should talk to them about healthy lifestyle options which they could undertake.
    After, you should help a neighbor exercise by offering to go along with them for moral support.
    Then, you can learn from elder neighbors and provide companionship to them.

    You shouldn't go rigid on the people you are helping
     You should also make a fund for a hospital for all the people who need help.
     You should never ever tell them it is hopeless, because when you say that word it will turn out hopeless
     Lastly, tell how well they are doing the exercise every day, don't run them down.

     You should never impose your personal beliefs on others, but support them to find their own answers.

Find Something to Do for People of All Ages

Get involved in a new activity the easier and more exciting way! Find something to do for adults, kids, seniors, and all ages.

Decide that you are going to find a way to incorporate a new activity into your life that is fun and healthy.
The next thing you need to do is spark your interest so you'll take the remaining steps to follow through with your decision. We recommend finding an activity that's right for your family, you and your significant other, or just you. The short descriptions are great for scanning while it provides guidance on each activity and resources for following through.
Once you choose an activity and your level of interest is high, try to identify some possible obstacles with a plan of action to overcome them. For example, if kids consume a lot of your time, find a way to incorporate them into the activity or try to get a babysitter so that you can spend some quality time on the activity.
After finding a way to overcome potential obstacles, it's time to starting learning about the activity and investigating resources that can provide guidance.

Remember that the entire process should be approached as though it is an exciting recreational experience. Even stuff like browsing the internet and reading different activities should be viewed as part of the experience.
Be lighthearted and be okay with being a beginner. After a little time and effort, you'll probably become an expert.

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Choose an Outfit That Suits You

Do you hate shopping for clothes and often waste time wandering from store to store? Do you have a closet full of clothes that you don't like and never wear? Here are some suggestions for building a wardrobe of clothes that you will love to wear and that flatter your figure.

   Before going shopping, ask a friend to go with you. Choose someone who has a good sense of style, and whose dress sense you admire.
    Go to two or three of your favorite clothes shops.
    Select and try on anything you think you might like, but be open to try on things that your friend might suggest (even if normally you wouldn't try it on).
    When you've got an item of clothing on, ask your friend whether it suits you. If they say no, do NOT buy it! This is very important.
    If your friend does think that it looks good on you, check the price and also the brand. (Of course if it is a well known brand you can expect to pay more than if it is a cheap brand, eg. Grand People.)
    If it is something you really need do not hesitate to buy it. However, if it is something that you don't really need, stop and think about a: what other items of clothing, footwear, accessories etc you could spend this money on (do you want/need something else even more?), and b: what the money you are spending could do for people less fortunate then yourself (you could choose to donate it!)
    If you buy the item of clothing, remember to wear it or you will have wasted your money. However, if after a few times of wearing it you decide (or someone tells you!) that it looks really awful on you, donate it to a charity shop rather than leave it in the back of your wardrobe. Someone else will probably buy it, and you will have helped a charity!

     Go through your closet at the end of each season and remove anything you haven't worn that season. Donate these items to a worthy cause. You can deduct them on your income tax. Consignment is another alternative for higher-end clothing.
     Don't save clothes that do not fit. The chances are that they will never fit. Other people could use them.
     If you are a female who is 5'4" or under, you are considered petite.
     Make sure you have the proper basics first. It's hard to coordinate outfits if all your clothing is very stylized, loud or unique.
     Once you start to put these steps into practice you will feel better about your wardrobe and have more room in your closet.
     do not throw away old t-shirts or tops. If you buy another top then you can layer them over each other to create a brand new look!

     Make sure to pick someone who really knows about style to go shopping with you. Don't take just anyone with no fashion knowledge. This could prove to be more of a hindrance than a help.
     Think about what is already in your closet that you could pair with new items before you buy things.

How to Afford Clothes and Accessories by Top Designers

Finding the latest runway fashions can be easier and cheaper than you think. These days there are lots of top fashion designers producing apparel for the under $100 market.

    Determine your style. Designers are designers because they are different. Research and decide which designers you like best. Look at current designers and past designers as well.
    Determine which designer brands you want and make those your targets. Go to vintage and thrift store first (if applicable). Many times you can find vintage designer duds, but you must be diligent and frequent in your search (it will pay off).
    Go to Last Chance, Nordstrom's "Off the Rack", Marshall's, etc to search. I've seen Versace jackets at Marshall's for much less than retail.
    Bluefly.com is also a good place to get high fashion for less than you would normally pay, but it can still be expensive.
   Peruse the outlet malls in your area.

     Remember, even though $300 might seem like a lot of money for one dress, if you make this dress last for 10 years it is worth it.
     Buy expensive items that will stand the test of time - go for classic looks not momentary fads.

Be As High Class As You Can

Be high-class without going into debt!

Clean your house thoroughly, especially the common and guest rooms.
Organize everything to appear competent.
Bathe every day: proper hygiene is essential to any social interaction.
Cull your wardrobe (including undergarments). If anything is not new-looking or not perfectly white, donate it or take it to a tailor - they can do wonders for a low price! Then go to thrift stores/outlets and buy a new wardrobe.
Clean your shoes. High society notices things that you might not. Make them look brand new all the time.
Get brand-name sunglasses and bags, or knockoffs. Be sure to do your research though because high society can tell the difference.
Invest in a reliable, nice-looking car, but avoid anything too fancy or fad-ish. Camrys are very nice.
Speak proper English and pay attention to grammar. Using a dictionary, randomly choose one word per week (or per day depending on how much of a life you have) and learn to use it in your daily conversations.
Educate yourself, with special attention to history.
Make your teeth as white as possible.
Shave and wax regularly. Eyebrows can make or break your look; make sure yours are perfect.
Keep nails natural-looking and clean. Please don't bite, and always keep them French manicured.
Attempt to get clear skin. Buy lots of facial and acne washes and of course moisturizer.
Get a better job if you feel your potential is going untapped. You could always sell things on eBay.
Make your car shine. Clean any dead insects off your number plate and wipe away any bird manure.

Don't pretend to be someone you're not just to make people like you. Just be yourself.
People may find you out and lose trust in you.

I Dont Get Blogvertise!

I subcribe to blogvertise a while back. Which is lst year. My blog was approved. Since then I'd only gotten two task from them. I reviewed the two task that has been given to me. One was for $8.00 & the other one was for $9.00 .Guess what both got rejected. I corrected it according to the message that I got from blogvertise. I have followed all the requirement that was needed to do.

It came back to me again & again & again. They rejected it several time. I was so mad and ending up letting go those task. I just don't undestand. I have done some oppss form different Social marketing and my post has always been approved. But the blogvertise! I don't get it. They have rejected my task over and over again. Eventhough I have followed all the requirements. Oh well! I guess blogvertise isn't for me.

Balance Work and Going to the Gym

Making physical activity part of your routine starts with the right mindset.

   Set your mind about going to the gym as a necessity, not a optional activity. Your body is the most important thing you own. If you go to work, even when you don't feel like it to maintain the things you own; you can certainly go to the gym, even when you don't feel like it, to maintain your body.
    Make it all one trip. If possible go to the gym before your workday begins, bring all that you need for work so you can head to work after you shower. Alternatively bring you gym gear to work and hit the gym on your return home.
    Make it a lunch. If your work is close to your gym, head over for a lunch time workout. If possible negotiate a longer lunch hour with your boss by coming in earlier or staying later to make up the extra time.
     Associate the gym with positive thoughts. Before arriving at the gym, close your eyes and visualize the happiest moment of your life. Picture it in all it's details, focus on how you felt at that moment. While visualizing squeeze your wedding finger and your thumb together. Continue this for several minutes. When you're in the gym you'll be able to recall the positive emotions by squeezing your thumb and ring finger together.

Looking for a great gifts this coming Christmas? There is an awesome and mindblowing Black Friday Promotion from Nikon Sport Optics, NikonProGear and NikonHunting.com . If you are your other half enjoy hunting for hobbies .And when it comes to hunting optics .Nikon is your ultimate choice. And when it comes to Nikon Hunting Optics .You have arrived to the right place.Nikon.com presents the Nikon Ultimate Hunter's Package Promo .ProStaff 3-9x40 Riflescope with BDC Reticle.ProStaff Laser Rangefinder.Silent Technology Rangefinder Case.Mastering a Long-range shot with BDC DVD.$50 NikonProGear Gift Card . This great package comes together with high quality great equipment and save $144.90 . If you still looking for additional high quality,rugged binoculars, Nikon Sport Optics has got something for you – for a limited time only, get an extra $20 off on Nikon Action Extreme ATB 10x50 Binoculars! Nikon.com has them all.

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Purchase any best selling Nikon ATB binocular and get a Nikon pro gear gift card up $50.00 value.Shop at Nikon.com and give ATB Nikon this Christmas.

Cope With False Hopes

Have you ever had false hopes? For example, let's say a friend says something like, "if you complete this task for me, I'll give you something in return" and you expected something in return, but didn't get anything. You feel cheated and used. Imagine the feeling...what do you do?

    Don't expect too much. You won't always get everything you expect, so you have to be prepared for a letdown.
    Know the people you're dealing with. If someone has let you down before, he or she is more likely to let you down again.
    Beware of NATO behavior. NATO = No Action Talk Only. Some people just talk as if things are simple, and that they will definitely help you, but when it comes to the real situation, they are the first ones to run away or make themselves unavailable. Cowards.
    Confront the person to explain how you feel. If you're a little wary of talking to the person, you can use text messages or e-mail. If they still can't get it, tell them not to make empty promises or say things like, "you are not man enough to keep promises, please don't give false hopes."
    Spread the word to others and tell them to beware of that person. If they don't appreciate it, once they experience, they will soon realize.
    Don't trust promises from a forgetful person. This is common sense.

     The steps depend on varying situations, there's no hard and fast rule here.
     Don't be too soft-hearted, and taken in by empty promises, as you will feel cheated over and over again.
     Have a backup plan and be prepared if someone who is a frequent empty promiser, promises you things that sounds too good to be true. Write it down on notebook.

Recognize a Controlling Person

Those who try to control other people are, simply put, not nice-and probably have deeper issues . Here are some ways to recognize a controlling person and respond accordingly.

    Think about your own actions. Do you often find yourself altering your own personality, plans or views to fit someone else's, even if you are a strong person? If so, you might have been dealing with a controlling person.
    Keep track of your relationships. A controlling person will try to cause trouble between you and your family or friends. This is in order to isolate you from others. Be sure to stay aware of these traits.
    Be on the lookout for moodiness. People with moody personalities are often unhappy with their own lives and try to improve their situation by controlling others.
    Consider if you are often expected to change your plans for this person. Let's say you have your day all planned out and then you receive a phone call from a friend, and you tell them your plans. The person wants to join in with your plans, with the exception that your time doesn't work well for them, or maybe that isn't the place they want to go. The next thing that you know, your plans have totally changed. You end up seeing a movie that you didn't care to see, at a time that you didn't really care to go.
    Listen for compliments. Often people with control issues are not very good at giving sincere compliments. They do not want you to feel good about yourself because it may take control and attention away from them.
   Watch out for controlling people if you are very attractive, for they can make your life miserable. Your looks will become a handicap in a controlling relationship, for they probably have a jealousy problem too.
    Be on the lookout for not only moodiness, but temper outbursts by the other person when you disagree with them or don't do exactly what they want you to do. In their minds, you are challenging their authority over you.
    Remember just because someone is opinionated doesn't mean they are controlling. A good test to tell the difference between someone who is just very opinionated or controlling is if they willingly accept or tolerate differences between you and them and don't try to change any part of your core person or personality.
    While relationships are not democracies, neither are they dictatorships; seek a balance you are comfortable with.

     Controlling people often have difficulty dealing with problems objectively and will manipulate the conversation to blame others when their own mistakes are pointed out. Be prepared to firmly make your point, then end the discussion without allowing the controlling person to successfully shift the blame to you or others.
     If you are a person who likes to control others, step back and take a long look at the stress that you may be causing someone else.
     When controlling personalities sense that they are losing control, they can psychologically induce physical problems such as back pain, stomach pains, fainting or hives. This is simply their way of gaining control of the situation again by gaining the attention, sypmathy and concern of others.
     Controlling people often do not have close friends, and rarely are friends with others who are more attractive, intelligent, or well-liked than themselves. They tend to be jealous of popular, successful people, and will criticize those held in high-regard by others.
     Listen for compliments. Controlling people will rarely compliment others as this would divert attention from themselves and their desire to be the center of attention. Compliments, when given, are backhanded and actually point out some flaw or defect in the other person.
     Controlling people often demean or criticize others as a means of building theirselves up and appearing superior and in control.
     Trust your feelings and try to be honest with yourself. Don't be afraid to reach out to others you trust for your emotional needs.
     Relationships and friendship are not built on who is in control.
     The stronger a person that you are, the harder a controlling person will work to tear you down. It's like an ego trip for them.
     A controlling person may try to control the way you dress and speak, or they may even criticize your opinion.
     Controlling people can be both male and female; both romantic and platonic. Be just as wary of a jealous friend who hates your significant other as you are of your significant other especially if your friend is unhappy with his/her romances.
     if you are being isolated or pushed into spending time with only "their" family and friends without respect to your feelings or wants.
     It is likely that a controlling person plays head games, in order to hide this major fault that they have.
     Special note: there is a big difference between being in control of one's self, and trying to control other people. Having good self-esteem is a good thing, the other isn't.
     If you are a strong, secure person you may over time start to feel a bit weird about how you can never be correct in much of anything around this person. Especially if it is a topic they feel they know a lot about. Listen to these feelings, they are there to guide you.
     Controlling people are very manipulative. They will not like it when you try to stand up for yourself about something that is important to you. Always try to stay calm in conflicted conversations and do not lose your cool. Keep in mind that they probably will because you are challenging their control. End conversations immediately if they start to get verbally violent either by leaving or saying goodbye and hanging up the phone.
     When possible, force yourself to distance yourself from someone you believe to be controlling you. Avoid conversations, interactions, mutual interests and friendships/relationships where you are in their presence. Doing so will allow you to gain a more healthy perspective about your life, as well as force you to seek out your own individuality and independence away from this person. Do not provide an explanation to this person for your need for these changes. That will only invoke more attempts at control since they will know what you're up to and their manipulations will prevail. Just make the changes. Remember that the problem of control is theirs and not yours. The goal is to liberate yourself, not fix the problem.
     The longer that you allow other people to control you, the weaker you may become.
     If you find yourself changing your interests to those of the other person or giving up former hobbies or friends - you are probably in a controlling relationship.
     Remember- we teach people how to treat us. If you find yourself constantly "giving in" to the other person; you are not being yourself and are being controlled.
     Set firm boundary lines of what is and isn't acceptable to you when dealing with a controlling person. They will push these limits to test you. Stay firm and don't back down.
     Just because someone has a forceful personality doesn't make them a controlling personality. The test is " DO they allow you to be yourself or do they unduly influence your behavior ". You should know this instinctivly.
     Watch for people who try to play on the emotional side of you to gain your trust early in the friendship. Such as telling you what a hard life they had because they were bullied 6 years ago but they feel they can only trust telling you. Then when they find out what others have said to hurt you they'll bring it up constantly like

"How did you feel again when you were cheated on? Don't you think that you did something to deserve it?" They will seem sincere and caring at first but then they bring it up and use it to subtley insult you until you agree with them. This is sort of a mind game, influencing you to think of yourself the way they want you to. You will often find yourself feeling upset, angry and deflated after a conversation and then they will try to persuade you to do other things they know you don't like.

My friend marife (AKA angelrose from SF called me last night and chat for a while.While we were talking on the phone, I can hear her daughter talking on the phone. Angel said she got so quiet, and there she was sleep . Then asked her to send me a picture of my inaanak, and there she is.
Here is my inaanak, here mom took this picture after her nap. That is why her hair is all over the place, but she still cute. She is almost two. A terrible 2's .

Online University Degree

Did you know that you can earn your degree without attending school physically? Yes! You heard me right. Now , you will be able to attend school and earn the degree you ever dream of .Capella.edu is an online university degree , it's an online accredited University.It's a new kind of university that adult learners could attend from any location.Capella University provides a high-caliber educational experience that moves you forward toward achieving your dreams and fulfilling your aspirations. Visit the link above , browse the program. Request a university guide and start your online application for admission.

Follow your dream , change your life ,take one step forward and follow your dream , pursue your degree at www,Capella.edu . Find the degree online that is right for you.This following blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com

Look Good on a Lazy Day

Having a lazy day in is great, but there's always the nagging doubt someone might call round or your brothers cute friends might arrive! You don't want to be looking a total mess, but you must still be comfortably unkempt. This look also works great for sleepovers.

   In the morning (when you eventually get up!) you face an important decision: to shower, or not to shower. As you're aiming to look mildly acceptable, with the worry that someone might see you, you should probably shower, although having a bath would be a better alternative, for extra chilling out. Freshen yourself up well, and brush your teeth, apply deodorant etc. If a friend calls around you don't want to smell gross.
    Next put on some comfy clothes. Pajamas are best, but whatever you feel most relaxed in is fine. Add some cosy socks or slippers, and something to keep you warm (bath robe or snuggly jumper). You obviously want to look presentable if you are called upon, so don't wear last weeks stained t-shirt or your oldest socks with the huge hole in.
    This IS your lazy day, so don't get hung up on make up or styling your hair. Just leave your hair to air dry, and if you must use make up, use it very lightly. Perhaps just some concealer and lip balm. You can't get comfy if you're worrying about your mascara smudging!
    Think about what you will do all day (see related articles). When you are getting comfy on the couch, try not to spill drinks or crumbs everywhere, and make sure the cushions and blankets don't stink.
    Enjoy your day, happy in the knowledge that if someone was to unexpectedly interrupt your day you wouldn't look like a total slob!

    Don't worry too much about looking nice. Your day is meant to be for chilling, but just in case someone calls for you, you don't want to have to dash around frantically sprucing up before opening the door.
    If you think you might have to go out make sure you have some clean clothes at the ready.
     To avoid someone ruining your day (therefore meaning you can totally slob out, woo!) unplug your landline phone, turn off your mobile, appear offline on instant messengers, and turn off lights so it looks like you're out. Obviously, if all else fails, don't answer the door!

    Having too many lazy days means you will damage friendships and become unhealthy due to eating junk food and not exercising.
     Trying to look great on a lazy day will ruin your fun, so just make yourself look presentable.

Cosmetic Surgery

Plastic surgery is very popular this days. Specially at the Hollywood world. It's amazing how a surgeon can change the appearance of a person into an amazing look because of the advance technology we have this days.Grossmanplasticsurgery.com is one among many cosmetic surgery out here that you can rely one. And it's one among those finest corporate industry finest technological advancements in surgical procedures with an uncompromising commitment to achieving the most excellent result. Grossmanplasticsurgery.com is located in two location, which is you will find them in Hollywood and in Denver Plastic Surgery in Colorado.

If you want to turn the old you into new you by getting a cosmetic surgery? No matter what kind of surgery you are looking for . From breast augmentation,lift; tummy tuck or maybe just a simple VASER liposelection.Here is your chance.Visit grossmanplasticsurgery.com . Take one step forward and get the cosmetic look you deserved. You would not be sorry you did it. You will get an amazing result.

Become Fall Festival Queen

Does your small-town school have an annual Fall Festival Queen? If this interests you, there are some things to think about.

    Decide for certain if you really want to be the Queen candidate for your class. Be aware that there are a lot of pressures, like if you don't win, your classmates may isolate you!
    Start making yourself visible to the "In" crowd.. they could be your sure ticket in.
    Hint to your closest pals that you would really like to do it but be subtle. (For example, instead of saying "I really want to be the Junior Queen Candidate!", say "I wouldn't mind if I were Queen this year, it may be fun!")
    Be nice to everybody. When it gets close to voting day, be extremely nice to everyone because you are seeking votes. You don't have to be subtle; just flat out say "Vote for me!"
    Be proud. On voting day, wear your class colors proudly! Don't overdo it, keep things simple. Pick out your cutest jeans and tie a ribbon in your hair to coordinate. Smile a lot and don't let anyone know you are nervous.
    Sit somewhere sensible. At the voting assembly, don't sit in the front row. That is too obvious and people will view you as desperate. Sit in the 3rd or 4th row, so it's not too hard to walk down if your name is called.
    Keep calm if you are picked. Do not cry or your makeup will run and that does not look good on the front page of the newspaper! If you're not picked, again don't cry because some people will try to make fun of you and there are plenty of other festivals to try out for.

     You don't have to be so-called perfect; you just have be determined, dedicated and consistent. And be nice to people; it's a good habit to learn young.
     Dress, float, skit, hair, pictures, etc all add up, so make sure you have some cash stashed back. Or, more sensibly and in line with reusing and recycling, ask around for donations of items to save costs.
    Sometimes acting like you don't want it at all is the best way to actually get it. If you take this route, be very nonchalant about it, and always reply very broadly when someone asks "Do you want to be candidate?"
    If your class has won three years in a row, it may not be such a good idea to get your hopes up, as the system will try to even things out.
     Have fun! It's really not that serious, so if you don't win, get over it.

     Don't overdo it on the make-up.
     Try not to cry; it's just not worth the energy expended.
     Do not force people to vote for you. You'll look desperate, mean or just plain pushy.

Have a Great Sense of Style

Fashion is a great way to express yourself and show your personality through what you wear. That's why having your own style is so important. You need to have your own personal style, just like you have your own individual personality. For example, to show your bubbly and outgoing, you can wear bright, fun stuff. If you're more quiet and sophisticated, you can wear something to reflect that as well. And a great part about fashion and clothes is that you don't need a million bucks to LOOK like a million bucks!

    Find your style. In other words, find clothes you like, then look back at everything that caught your eye, and try to classify it all. For example, if you find yourself being drawn to bright, colorful, and bold pieces, you're style is probably very bold and maybe risky (in a good way). If you notice that you love to buy lots of skirts and dresses, your style is probably leaning toward a flirty, girly aesthetic. If you liked a mix of everything, then you're free-spirited and your style has no boundaries.
    Go to the mall and try out some new places. Now that you've figured your style out, you have a general idea of what to look for. Once you're at the mall, try out as many stores as you can, even if it means going somewhere you've never been into before. Some good, affordable places are Forever 21, Wet Seal, Rue 21, Charlotte Russe, Steve and Barry's, and The Buckle. Try any place that catches your eye.
    Stay away from Aeropostale, Abercrombie, American Eagle Outfitters, and Hollister (especially if you're a teen). Yes, they may have cute clothes, but everybody shops there, and you don't want to look like all the others, right? But, if you absolutely must buy something from one of those places, only buy 1 or 2 things.
    The mall is not your only hope. If you think the mall is too expensive or if you dislike it, try out other retailers. Kohls and JC Penny have awesome stuff. Other great places are T.J Maxx, Marshall's, Macy's, Boston Store, Target, or Sears. For especially unique and cheap items, hit your local thrift stores. Goodwill and Salvation Army have many one-of-a-kind items for under $10. Look for skirts, vintage dresses, cute purses, scarves, and jewelry.
    Remember: FIT is important, NOT SIZE. If you find something you like in a store, try it on! Look for a good fit, not size. You might have to bring a few different sizes into a dressing room, but what difference does it make? You could have the most perfect top in the world but it would look terrible if it's too loose or too tight. Don't get all hung up if you have to buy a size larger or smaller than what you usually wear. Remember, all stores are different; their fits are rarely identical. If you really like something, try on various sizes until you find one that looks best. If none of them do, don't buy it. It may be adorable, but if it's unflattering, you won't enjoy wearing it.
   Keep your body type in mind. Flattering your body type is key to looking stylish.

      Thin and Short: Look for medium-length shorts, loose minidresses, skinny jeans, and fitted jackets that end at your waist.

      Thin and Tall: You can pull off many different looks, but keep proportions in mind. Go for dramatic garments like ankle-length skirts and dresses, wide-leg jeans, and sweater dresses.

      Curvy: You should try wrap dresses, tops with vertical details (such as thin stripes or pin tucks), jackets that tie around your natural waist, and boot-leg jeans.

      Athletic: Look for pieces that create curves, like flair-leg pants, v-neck blouses,, ruffly tops, and skirts with pleats.Try wearing a wide belt around your waist.
    Choose flattering colors to complement your skin tone. If your skin is tan or if you're African-American,try warm colors, like orange, yellow, and red. If your skin is light you should go with cooler colors like blue, green, or purple. Don't worry though, even if you have light skin it doesn't mean you'll never wear orange again. If you'd like to wear warm colors and you're cool (or vice versa) then look for a different shade of that color; i.e.,f you're warm and you want to wear green, look for a deep, forest green. If you're cool and want to wear red, go for a cherry red.
    The Internet is a very stylish place. You can find extremely cute clothes online as well! It's perfect because if you buy your clothes from sites that don't have stores, it's very unlikely that someone will have the same piece as you. Some great sites are:

      gojane.com

      alloy.com

      davidandgolliathtees.com

      The only downside to online shopping is that you can't try on anything. Be sure to take a look at the sizing charts and return policies and you should be fine.
    Shoes rule!! Shoes are a very important part of an outfit. Be sure to keep in mind your style and the season while shoe shopping.

      Sandals are good for spring.

      Flip flops are great for summer (buy lots of cheap, solid color pairs so you can mix and match).

      Ballet flats are perfect for fall.Boots and clogs are best for winter. Sneakers are also good options for cooler months. But if you are going to chose to wear sneakers, don't pick out just plain old athletic shoes: save those for the gym. Instead get stylish ones, such as Converses or Vans. Another fabulous option is to personalize your own! You can design your own Nike, Converses, or Vans at each of their respective websites. (Beware, though, this can be expensive.) A cheaper way to personalize is to buy different laces. One more option could even be to buy a cheap pair in a light color and draw on them in Sharpie! I recently bought these tan sneakers for $15 at Kohls and I took them home and drew all over them! I get so many compliments on them now. You could draw anything you like on them, from song lyrics to cartoons to patterns! The choice is yours.
   Accessories can turn a blah outfit into a wow outfit! Just like shoes, accessories like jewelry, belts, purses, hats, and sunglasses can make or break your style. The best place in the world for jewelry is Claire's! Their necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are super cute and very affordable. They even offer ear piercings from professionals! Get some basic hoop and stud earrings that will go with anything, and it would also be a good idea to get a cute, versatile charm necklace too. Bangle bracelets look great with loads of things. For belts, don't spend a whole lot of money on them. Just get two or three. Target has loads of belts and they're pretty affordable. Studded or braided belts look nice with pretty much everything. Also, at some stores a belt comes with a pair of jeans, so look out for that too. (I know Kohl's juniors does this.) Chunky belts that go around your waist look fabulous with a slouchy-neck or cashmere sweater. It really gives you an hourglass figure. Target is a great place to get cheap purses, too. I know, most articles will tell you that a designer purse is essential, but really, not all of them are that great and a lot of people don't like spending $200 that a purse that will barely hold their keys and their cell phone. (I know I don't!) Get something that's a medium-ish size, so you're not lugging around this giant thing wherever you go. (Unless you're into tote bags! American Eagle has some great ones, and it's one of the few times you should buy something from one of those teeny-bopper stores.) But whether or not you're into large purses, be sure it isn't too big. Put it over your shoulder in the store. If it's way longer than your waist, or way thicker than your side, it's too big. You don't want to look ridiculous lugging around something that looks like you could fit a body in. As for sunglasses, find out your face shape and what shape of sunglasses would look best on you. Round shaped faces should get square shaped sunglasses, and square shaped faces should get round-ish sunglasses, or aviators. They should be big, but not huge like Nicole Richie or Paris Hilton's. It looks ridiculous. But over all, for accessories, the general rule is don't over accessorize. If you're wearing five necklaces, a stack of bangles up your arms, a belt, big earrings, big sunglasses, and carrying a purse the size of a small elephant, you're not going to be able to walk. If you think it looks like too much (if you need to ask, it probably is) then take off one item before you leave the house.

    A good way to keep up on current trends and find new outfits you like is to subscribe to a fashion magazine. Seventeen is a very good one, as it has quite a lot about fashion and the clothes are affordable for the most part. But don't rely on trends too much, because trend means something everyone wears, and like I mentioned early, you do not want to look like everyone else.
     A cool thing to do is to keep a fashion scrapbook! Take an old, empty notebook (like one you'd use for school) cut out clothes you like from a fashion magazine you're subscribed to, and glue them into the notebook! It's really fun and it's cool to look back and see how your style has changed or stayed the same through the years.
     If you really like something, but it's too long, don't be afraid to get it tailored! Find a tailor nearby your neighborhood and have him or her change it to what you'd like. Most of the time it isn't too expensive, roughly $20 I think. But it will be worth it to have that dress altered to the perfect height to make you look like a goddess!
     Don't be afraid to take risks in the dressing rooms! If you see something you like but are hesitant to buy it because you aren't sure if it would flatter your body type, then try it on. For example, if you really like those shorts but have curvier legs, then why not take it to the dressing room? You'll never know until you actually put it on! And if it does look bad, who cares? It's not like anybody has to see you.
     Always flatter your favorite body parts! If you love your long, beautiful legs, show them off in miniskirts and short-shorts with flats! If you adore your skinny, tanned arms, flaunt them with halter and tank tops! You like your curvy butt? Proudly display it to the world with capri pants and jeans with designs on the pockets! Like they say, if you've got it, flaunt it.

     Dress respectably. In other words, don't look like a slut. There's nothing wrong with drawing attention to certain parts of your body, but know where to draw the line. The rule of thumb is that if you're going to show off your legs, wear a modest shirt. If you're wearing a low cut top, then replace your shorts with jeans. Never do it all at once. Don't wear skin tight, low riding jeans (especially with thongs!). Don't wear paper thin, super low cut tops either. Be sure you're bra isn't showing. (Straps are okay most of the time, only if it's a little bit. Like with tank tops it might even look good if it's colored.) You don't want that sort of attention.
    Never, ever change your style for somebody else! Now that you have a new style, a new wardrobe, some people will love it and some won't. Some may even be jealous! Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Ignore the dirty looks you might get. Who cares what those other people think? You're dressing for you, not for some living Barbie doll in your geography class. Accept compliments you get with a smile, and simply ignore the icy ones. What matters is reflecting yourself as a person through you're clothes, not the opinion of some jealous female dog. :)

Cope With Living in a Boring Town

Whether it is Irvine, Singapore, Vermont, or Laguna Niguel, there are still ways you can have a little more fun than you can expect in even the most boring residences! Boring towns can be depressing, and they can REALLY screw up your life and make you feel like a total loser and that you're missing out on all the fun, but DON'T WORRY!

    Explore as much as you can! Go to every restaurant, club (if there even is one), neighborhood, and at least TRY to find something exciting! Excitement won't just come to you, you've got to find it for yourself! If things are STILL not interesting, then try looking in every nook and cranny, or you could try graffiti (except that is vandalism, and is NOT recommended at all, DO NOT ATTEMPT, UNLESS YOU ARE REALLY WILLING TO).
    Make some friends! Even the most boring of places can have the most interesting people! Try meeting someone new, and you will be surprised of the outcome. There may not be much to do around town, but you can always watch movies or play video games and what-not. You can even try to get yourself in a relationship.
    Explore nearby places. There could be some other towns around your own that may be interesting, but don't always expect that you can just mosey on over there anytime you want. Laguna Niguel may seem close to Los Angeles, but it's still 20 hours away!! Try starting out with closer towns, and if you're not interested, then try aiming for even farther towns.
    Find out where everyone is hanging. Find where all the cliques are at and you may just find out where the fun is at!
    Persuade your guardian(s)/spouse to move. It may never work for many reasons, but if you're lucky...
    Complain to the Mayor. If you're lucky, he/she may accept your opinions about the town, but you have to NOT be rude no matter HOW much he/she has virtually "killed" your life. They may most likely not accept your opinion, especially if you're a teenager, so this option may be used as your last chance.
   Screw around! Go crazy! Go through the streets and cause trouble! (not recommended, your faults are your responsibility)
    Use the library...

    Dig out local history, look for "interesting characters and dark skeletons".
          o Visit the "interesting characters"
          o Rattle the skeletons.
    Dig out statistical data and maps. Look for those "Hey that's weird!" numbers and "I don't know whats there gaps" in maps.

    Talk to old folk about yesteryear, it's what made this year.
    Go "urban exploring.

     Don't give up! There has got to be something there for you to do! Nobody makes a town for nothing!
     If you plan on becoming a carpenter, you may gladly make whatever you wished your town had to compensate on it not being there in the first place. It would gladly save the town, and it's better to make others happy rather than just yourself.
     Some towns will be boring, but remember that it is never your fault :)

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How to Recognize Symptoms of Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

What kinds of behaviors should you expect from a loved one who has just been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease? Here 10 common symptoms of early Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's disease is progressive, meaning it worsens over time. It is also terminal, meaning all who develop it will eventually succumb to it. As Alzheimer's rides its course, it renders those who suffer from it increasingly dependent on the care of others. This is true for all people who develop Alzheimer's, but the particular symptoms and the degree to which they show themselves vary among individuals.

For convenience, the progression of Alzheimer's is often divided into three stages: early/mild, middle/moderate, and late/severe. The symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's have been identified by observing people with Alzheimer's disease as a group.

An individual may not show all of the symptoms in each stage of progression. For example, many -- but not all – Alzheimer's patients develop severe psychiatric problems, such as delusions and hallucinations. Among those who do, the symptoms appear in the middle to late stages of Alzheimer's.

It may help friends and family to familiarize themselves with the typical stages of Alzheimer's disease so that they know what to expect in the coming years. The early/mild stage of Alzheimer's is characterized by declining ability to form new memories, impaired ability to organize and manipulate complex ideas, and, sometimes, by personality changes.

Symptoms Mild Dementia/Early Stage Alzheimer's disease

     Diminished short-term memory
     Misplacing belongings in odd places; losing valuable belongings, like wallet or purse
     Difficulty finding the right word: "Tip of the tongue" syndrome
     Person seems "not himself" and shows uncharacteristic behaviors
     Lapses in judgment
     Difficulty with mental arithmetic and handling money
     Disorientation in unfamiliar places or situations
     May become apathetic or withdrawn, avoiding social situations
     More difficulty with routine tasks at work or at home, or may take longer to complete tasks
     Irritation or anger in response to increasing memory lapses

Specific Examples
     Asks the same question repeatedly within the same conversation
     Puts car keys away in refrigerator
     Unable to recall word for "car" and then says in frustration, "The thing you drive to work in."
     A normally shy person becomes uncharacteristically outgoing or talkative at a family gathering
     Agrees to buy services or products he/she doesn't need from telephone sales person
     Finds it difficult to balance checkbook or figure out correct amount of money to pay for an item
     while shopping Forgets to eat, skips meals, or eats the same food every meal

Exercise and
adopt a healthy diet. This age-old advice still holds true for those of
us who need to improve our cholesterol profiles. In this Health Alert,
Johns Hopkins nutritionists provide practical advice to help you
achieve your cholesterol goals – even if you also take statin
medication.

You hear it all the time: Watch your cholesterol. Elevated cholesterol
levels, along with high blood pressure, smoking, and excess weight,
increase your risk of coronary heart disease. But what exactly does
watching your cholesterol entail?

It means lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the type
that narrows arteries, while striving to boost high-density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol ("good" cholesterol), which helps remove LDL
cholesterol deposited in artery walls.

Total cholesterol levels should be less than 200 mg/dL, with LDL
cholesterol as low as 70 mg/dL if you have coronary heart disease and
as high as 160 mg/dL if you have no risk factors for coronary heart
disease. Ideally, HDL cholesterol should be above 60 mg/dL or at least
above 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women.

But to take the next step by making lifestyle changes to get your
cholesterol levels in the right range, you need a game plan. That
applies whether or not you've been prescribed a cholesterol-lowering
medication.

Small Changes, Big Impact -- Try making gradual heart-healthy
changes in your current diet. You're more likely to stick with your new
eating plan if you start slowly:

Add a vegetable serving to your lunch or dinner.

Substitute a piece of fruit for cookies, cake, or ice cream as your dessert or snack.

Drink low-fat or skim milk at lunch instead of soda.

Cut back on meat portions by a half or a third at each meal. (Shoot
to eat 3 oz, the size of a deck of cards.) Select only lean cuts; trim
away fat; broil, roast, or boil (don't fry!); and remove skin from
poultry.

Eat one or two meatless meals a week.

Choose whole-grain foods. (Look for the word "whole" instead of
"unbleached" or "enriched" as part of the first ingredient listed in a
product.)

In addition to dietary changes, experts recommend burning 1,500
calories a week with exercise to impact levels of cholesterol and
especially triglycerides, which breaks down to about 20–30 minutes of
daily moderate-intensity activity like walking, swimming, or cycling.

While lifestyle is important, oftentimes using a medication, like a
statin, is the most effective way to reduce LDL cholesterol. Still,
dietary changes can help ward off the need for drugs or help your
medication work more effectively.

Get Moving To Lower Your Blood Pressure

If you are like many older Americans with high blood pressure, you probably lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle. But studies show that beginning a physical activity program at any age can improve your heart health. And the good news is that the studies also show that the level of physical activity does not have to be strenuous to reap the benefits.

Some of the heart benefits of physical activity are related to lowering of blood pressure. What's more, getting moving will also help reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, and body weight and lower the likelihood of such hypertension complications as heart attacks and strokes.

Physical Activity and Blood Pressure -- How does physical activity lower blood pressure? Part of the explanation is that exercise produces weight loss and increased sensitivity to insulin (a hormone involved in the control of blood sugar), which in turn decrease blood pressure. But more directly, physical activity makes the heart stronger, and a stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. This means less pressure on the walls of the arteries as blood flows from the heart to your tissues.

Physical activity also appears to improve endothelial function, the ability of blood vessels to dilate in response to increased blood flow, and may decrease the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which causes blood pressure to rise when you are under stress.

Getting Started -- The key to getting started is to find a physical activity that is safe for your specific health situation and enjoyable enough to do on a regular basis. For most people, that's a simple walking routine.

   Talk to your doctor. The first step is to check in with your doctor. This is particularly important if you have any chronic health problems like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or arthritis; are over age 50; or haven't exercised in a long time.

     Start slowly. If that means you walk for only 10 minutes every other day for the first week, that's fine. But over the next weeks and months, slowly increase the frequency and duration of your walks. Ideally, you want to build up to exercising five to seven days a week, for 30-60 minutes at a time. But studies show that less frequent activity (such as three times a week) and shorter bouts of activity (for example, three 10-minute sessions a day) can be beneficial as well, so don't give up on exercise just because you are unable to do the ideal amount. Every little bit does count.
   Keep it moderate. Walking and other aerobic activities should be at moderate intensity. You should be able to carry on a conversation while exercising. If you are gasping for breath, it's not moderate. The actual definition of moderate intensity is based on heart rate.
      Maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. For most people, moderate is 50–70% of that number. For example, if you are age 60, your maximum heart rate is 220 – 60 = 160. Then multiply 160 x 0.50 = 80 and 160 x 0.70 = 112. A moderate heart rate for you is between 80 and 112 beats per minute. However, if you've not been physically active in a while, moderate might be starting at 30–40% of maximal heart effort and building up slowly over a month or more.
      You can check your heart rate by finding the pulse in your neck or wrist, counting the number of beats in 10 seconds, and then multiplying that number by six. Alternatively, you can purchase a sensor to monitor heart rate.
    Add some strength and balance exercises. Once you're comfortable with a walking routine, you can start some light weight training and balance exercises two to three times per week.

Prepare a Turkey Dinner

Thanksgiving is a time to share your love and thanks for all you've been given in the past year. But this holiday is also focused on food! Are you in charge of the meal this year? Recently married, divorced, or out on your own? Create a delicious Thanksgiving dinner using these tips.

   Decide on your menu, which usually includes turkey and/or ham. Prepare it the night before because you will have to put into the oven early in the morning. Baked at a low heat, it usually takes 7 to 8 hrs to roast, depending on the size. Start to bake it, tent covered with aluminum foil, so it cooks well. About an hour before it is done, remove the foil, and allow the skin to get browned and crisp. Check the packaging on your turkey for more specific directions.
      Serve scalloped corn as a side dish. This is a baked corn dish using cream-style corn, eggs, and crackers. Put it into an 8x8 dish into the stove so the top gets golden brown and the whole dish is crunchy and sweet.
    Remember the creamy mashed potatoes. Use fresh, or boxed, which ever is easier, and consider adding garlic or cheese for a fresh twist. Hard-boiled eggs cut in half and stuffed with a mixture of yolk, mustard, and mayo also belong on the table. Another favorite? Classic cranberry sauce, either canned or homemade.
      You may also want to serve sweet potato casserole, made with yams, marshmallows, and brown sugar. This dish caramelizes in the oven and becomes sweet and tender. Alongside this serve the stuffing, made from a box or from scratch.

      Decorate your dinner table to fit the festive holiday spirit. Place a simple tablecloth on the table and use your holiday plates and glasses.

    Are you one of those families with more children than adults? If the kids are fairly young (under 9) and close to the same age, consider designating a "kid's table" just for them. Set out some crayons, coloring books, and snacks. When dinner is ready prepare them their plates and serve them like grown-ups. They'll create some wonderful Thanksgiving Day memories. Beware, however--not every child will want to sit at the kid's table, and the older ones may be offended if you suggest they sit there.
     Before eating, it is proper to say a few words of thanks. Each person should tell what they are thankful for. Go around the table until everyone has spoken.
     Place the food on the table and eat family style. However, buffet-style may be better for those with smaller dining tables.
     Having new guests at the table this year? Be sure to ask what their preferences are--are they allergic to paprika? Leave a few deviled eggs plain. Are they a vegetarian? Consider preparing a few all-veggie dishes. The last thing you want is to make everyone feel awkward when your son's new girlfriend has to sit at the table and not eat. Welcome all guests with open arms and a varied table!
     Do not expect to clean up the table right away. It is very nice for family and friends, to sit around the table, drinking coffee or tea, and just relax. Dishes can wait. Family conversation comes first.
     When cooking the chicken, do not let small children go near the oven to avoid burns.

It's traditional to send holiday cards to friends and family in December. And in recent years, businesses have realized that it's also a great way to connect with clients and create a friendly atmosphere for employees. Ordering, writing, addressing and sending all of those cards while also dealing with holiday gifts, decorating, parties and guests can be exhausting! This year, consider sending Thanksgiving cards instead!
   Create a mailing list including all of the family members, friends and/or business associates and employees to whom you want to send a Thanksgiving card.

    Shop online for bulk Thanksgiving cards. If you're sending Thanksgiving cards in lieu of December holiday cards, it would be too expensive to buy them one by one at the local card shop or discount store.
    Make sure the site can print your sentiment on the cards.
    See if they can print a return address as well. It will save you time and cramped hands!
    Make sure the order will be delivered well before Thanksgiving to allow for signing, addressing and mailing the cards.
    Write a newsletter for family and friends if you typically would send one in December. Be sure to include a section about why you are grateful for dear friends and family members.
    Business owners, include a note or comment telling clients or employees why you are grateful for them.
    Include a photo for family and friends
   Set up a website to allow recipients to add their blessings and gratitude to create a virtual Thanksgiving community. Businesses could do this as well, and allow customers to post personal or business points of gratitude.
     Make sure everyone you're sending it to celebrates Thanksgiving. Customers in other countries might not understand the purpose of the the holiday or the card.

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