Years ago when I trained managers and trainers, I liked to be playful with the group. The company I was working with one day had a culture that was closest to acronym heaven than I had ever before or since experienced. So, I wrote on the flip chart in large letters: B O Q.

“Today we are going to learn about the BOQ,” I said, pronouncing it Bock. My demeanor suggested they already knew or should know what the letters stood for, just the way that most acronyms are stated. Came a flurry of activity as they wrote the letters, trying to jog their collective memories of the words that B, O, and Q might possibly represent.

I did not leave them long in this state of mild confusion. They knew me well enough to know that I liked to play. They rose to the occasion and expressed their relief in laughter as I said, pointing letter by letter: Basic Operating Question.

One way of thinking of the Basic Operating Question is to consider it your default question. It is the question you think of first when you view a certain type of situation.

For example, when the phone rings, the BOQ that comes into your mind is usually something like, “Who’s that? If you have a tense relationship with your boss who motions you to his or her office, your BOQ might be “What have I done wrong now?” You walk into a room with others present and your BOQ might “What’s going on here?”

A BOQ can be positive, negative, or neutral. It can be empowering or disempowering. It can be easy to answer or not. It can be verbalized out loud or only thought about. The question itself as well as the quality and resonance of the question guides the quality and resonance of the answer.

The purpose of identifying your Basic Operating Questions is to discover if they are helpful and empowering. And, if not, to craft more helpful and empowering ones. A long-time habit of asking a particular Basic Operating Question will not necessarily be instantly changed just because of discovering one that you consider better, but that is a good starting place. After identifying one or more of these, it is important to practice your new Basic Operating Questions, as often as possible.

What is your BOQ in each of the situations you regularly face in your life? Once you have identified it, remember that the only way to incorporate a new skill is to practice, practice, practice.

bio = Jeanie Marshall, Empowerment Consultant and Coach with Marshall House, produces Guided Meditations on CD albums and MP3 downloads and writes extensively on subjects related to personal development and empowerment.
Voice of Jeanie Marshall, http://www.jmvoice.com

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As a Consultant, I attend a lot of networking events, industry association programs, and one-on-one meetings for breakfast, coffee or other food-related events. Whenever I network or attend events, I always tell people that it was worth my time and money if I gained just one creative idea or contact from the experience. This past month I really put that concept to the test by attending numerous networking meetings, including one tele-networking event!

Here are a few nuggets that I picked up as I networked my way through the past month.

1. Be Bold! The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis recently featured motivational speaker Ann Ulrich, who said, “We create our own possibilities for success by boldly creating opportunity from possibility.” According to Ann, combine possibility with perseverance and professionalism and you have your own personalized recipe for success. How do you create your own possibilities? By being bold of course.

2. Think Big. Sandra Wakefield, an advocate of Brilliant Living (her TV program bears that name), is also an advocate of brilliant networking. She recently brought together a group of like-minded women with the intent of connecting them with an organization that could help make their business goals and personal dreams come true. Not only did she inspire these women to think big she inspired them to think about how taking their businesses to the million dollar (or more!) level. Now that’s thinking big.

3. Tell Your Stories. Tom Bengtson, owner, publisher and editor of Northwestern Financial Review, has been in the industry long enough to know what connects a writer to the reader or a speaker to the audience: personal stories. He encouraged me to share my own personal stories in my writing and my speaking engagements. According to Tom, “We learn something about the person who shares their stories, and there is value in that. But the real reason to share your stories is to learn something about yourself.” The message? Sometimes the best lessons in life we teach ourselves.

4. Develop a “kitchen cabinet.” Erin Dady works closely with aspiring women political candidates. A panelist at the recent Joint Dinner of Women’s Professional Associations, Erin shared some advice that highlighted the importance of having a trusted group of advisors on your team that she called, “your kitchen cabinet.” These were the trusted men and women that you surround yourself with around your kitchen table. This powerful network is a key success factor when running for office. It can also be the key to success if you are climbing the corporate ladder (think mentors) or a growing a successful small business (think advisory board). Net, net, regardless of what you call them, no woman should be without the equivalent of a powerful “kitchen cabinet.”

5. Filter Advice. Judge Susan Burke, recent panelist at the Joint Dinner of Women’s Professional Associations, spoke about her recent experience in running for public office. In the early stages, every person she encountered (including her boss, husband and parents) gave her a list of reasons why she shouldn’t run for office. That being the case, what finally compelled her to run for office? “I learned to beware advice from people who have a vested interest in the outcome,” stated Judge Burke. The lesson? Seek advice but ultimately you need to make the final decision.

This past month I was lucky enough to obtain the five great nuggets I shared with you above. To recap: don’t be afraid to be bold, think big, or tell your stories. But during the process, remember to surround yourself with trusted advisors but be sure to filter any advice you receive. Not bad for a month’s worth of networking. Don’t you agree?

bio = Regina Barr is a management consultant and speaker who helps companies develop strategies to attract, develop and retain women leaders. Sign up for her FREE Ezine, Developing People…Inspiring Success at http://www.RedLadder.com .

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My daughter’s 4th grade basketball team has a problem. Their problem isn’t a lack of desire to win the game, or even a lack of talent. Actually, they’re GUNG HO to do whatever it takes to score. So, what’s the problem? When they get the ball, they often find themselves in a big huddle with the other team. Before they know what hit them, they find themselves in cramped quarters, unable to think clearly, pass the ball, set up a play, or take a shot.

And so it goes for many of us. We dream of a life that feels better than the one we have, so we set goals to get us where we want to go. Our desire for a better life leads the way. And then it happens. Life gets in the way. Other people, events and situations seem to pop out of nowhere – challenging us, questioning us and leading us to doubt our best intentions. Before we know it, we can’t think straight or hear our own thoughts. We lose our desire. We may even forget we once had a goal we cared about.

For example: Perhaps you’ve tried to lose weight in the past. You set a goal to lose 10 pounds. Your goal makes you feel in control of your life and that makes you feel great. You exercise more, eat less and your jeans start feeling a little looser, until..you go to that wedding! Or, you get invited to a party. Or, your friends ask you to lunch, where low-fat, low-carb isn’t on the menu. Suddenly, there is very little space between you, your goal to lose weight and the outside world. And before you know it, the outside world dictates your next move and that leads you to eat the cake you’re desperately trying to stay away from.

What’s the solution? How can you stay on track, no matter what the outside world dishes out?

In the case of my daughter’s team, they’re learning to spread out. By putting more space between each other and the other team, they create an environment in which they can succeed. This one simple strategy gives them the space they need to think clearly, set up their play and take the shot.

You can create the space you need to succeed too, with these 5 tips.

1. Set GOALS that EXCITE you and then take action. Setting goals that excite you give you the energy boost and focus you need to see them through to the end. Don’t even think of taking action on a goal that feels ho-hum. When you find a goal that excites you, then, and only then, take action.

2. Every so often, PAUSE and get a view of what’s going on around you. Starting out GUNG HO is great, but don’t forget to pause every so often to regain your perspective. Pay attention to what’s going on in the world around you. By doing so, you’ll notice upcoming challenges that could derail your best intentions.

3. Re-CENTER yourself. Re-centering yourself requires a re-balancing of where you are in relationship to what’s happening in the world around you. Re-centering allows you to notice what’s happening, as an observer, before you become a participant in something that doesn’t serve your higher purpose.

4. CHOOSE your next best move. When you react to the world around you, you’ve thrown your ability to choose right out the window. By taking the steps above you’ll give yourself more time to think, plan and take action on the next best move you can take to keep yourself on track.

5. REPEAT 1-4, as needed. Have you heard the term “zig zag” your way to success? Said in a different way, the road to success is never a straight line. You will encounter obstacles along the way. But as they say in sports, the best defense is a great offense, so repeat steps 1-4 often.

bio = Cari Vollmer, personal growth expert, is the founder of LifeOnTrack.com and InspireYourDay.com. For practical life strategies and success tips, sign up for LifeOnTrack.com’s FREE e-zine, LivingOnTrack, at http://www.LifeOnTrack.com

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Some snakes will need to be fed shortly after hatching from their eggs. Others may wait until after they shed. Do not be concerned, as this is quite normal. Different species of snakes have different tendencies, and in many cases you just need to wait and find out. Feeding the snakes for the first time can be a tricky process, as some species are very picky. You can avoid complications by following some basic hatchling snake feeding guidelines.

Once the snakes are hatched, keep them dry at all times. Make sure the room you keep them in is always warm, and that there is no temperature drops at any time. Place an individual snake in a small container, like a margarine container, small box, or bag. Simply place the food item in the container as well. This way, the snake will definitely come across its food, and not have to hunt for it. You obviously want the snake to develop its own hunting tactics, but they may want to feed shortly after hatching. Never place two or more snakes in the same container at the same time. Give each snake their own container, with their own food, to avoid ‘fighting.’ Many snake varieties will need to be separated every time you feed them, as certain members of the group may intimidate the others.

You should feed the snakes a mouse no larger than the width of the snake itself. If possible, provide the snake with a hide-box of some sort in the container, so the snake can hide. This will make it more comfortable, and allow the snake to eat when it is ready. It is always better to have your snakes feed as soon as possible though. If it does not eat for more than 1 month, you may have a problem with the environment. Check the temperature levels for your particular species, and any other environmental anomalies. If your snake is not very active, this could be an indication of a problem as well. If nothing comes up, take the snake to your veterinarian.

If you are feeding your snake live pinky mice, with no luck, try offering it a dead one. If this doesn’t work, wash the mice with soap, and rinse very well. Snakes will oftentimes not eat their food due to a scent they do not like. Washing the mice will remove a part of the scent. You may also want to try using different food sources. If the snake is very small, crickets can be offered. Crickets do not have much in the way of nutrition, and must be dusted with a multi-vitamin or calcium supplement. Snakes will also readily eat frogs and lizards. It may be hard to find either of these in a pet store that is suitable for food. They can also be much more expensive than using pinky mice.

bio = Snake-Skin.com provides a resource for people interested about snakes. We offer message forums, articles, care sheets

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Lizards need heat to survive, since they are cold blooded. The normal heat source for most lizard habitats are incandescent lighting, or ceramic heat emitters. You can use any incandescent bulb during the day. Any bulb you find in your house can be used, you just need to pay attention to the wattage of the bulb. Play around with different bulbs (with an empty habitat) until you get the temperature right. This type of lighting is sufficient for heat, but offers no type of vitamins. Incandescent bulbs do not give of any UVB rays, and very little UVA.

You may have heard the term ‘full-spectrum’ many times when reading about lizards. Full-spectrum refers to light that offers UVB, UVA, infrared and the visible light that illuminates the habitat. ‘Broad-spectrum’ is another term commonly used, referring to a light source that offers multiple rays. Be careful when you are buying a full-spectrum bulb. Many manufacturers use this term very loosely, and you may find your bulb does nothing for your lizard.

UVB lighting is essential for the healthy development, and long life of most lizards. There are a few exceptions however. Nocturnal lizards do not require UVB, as in nature, they are awake at night. Snakes, amphibians and some turtles also do not require UVB lighting. If your lizard is diurnal (awake during the day), it needs UVB lighting. UVB lighting aids the lizard in digesting and absorbing the proper and necessary vitamins needed to be healthy. UVB lighting does not give off heat, and needs to be used in conjunction with incandescent bulbs, ceramic heat emitters, or with heating pads (for some species only).

There is a vast difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. Broad-spectrum bulbs are essentially incandescent bulbs that offer some of the other rays. These bulbs are completely ineffective in offering your lizards the needs rays. Many manufacturers market their products this way, attempting to trick the non-savvy lizard keeper into getting their inexpensive versions. You need full-spectrum lighting. Read the packaging of all lights when you are buying one. Make sure it lists the levels of UVB lighting the bulb gives off. Full-spectrum bulbs are normally fluorescent tubes, although not all fluorescent lights offer the full-spectrum light. You must be diligent in this matter, as a lizard living without UVB lighting for a period of type will develop metabolic bone disease.

You will see the levels of UVB light in a percentage. You must compare products when doing this. The package will give a percentage of the UV light emitted by the bulb, and a percentage of the UVB light emitted. The UVB is a percentage of the UV light, not the total. Take this into consideration when purchasing a bulb for your lizard. Take a look at these UVB lights for lizards.

bio = The Lizard Lounge provides a resource for people interested about lizards. We offer message forums, articles, care sheets

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Since the beginning of the understanding of Search Engine Optimization – SEO – there have been tons of different theories developed about how to do it “right”. The truth is, however, that there is no one single method that is one hundred percent known to be better than the rest. Since the large search engines such as Google and Yahoo! don’t release the details of their ranking elements – in addition to the fact that they are constantly changing what these elements are, and how they are weighted in the grand scheme of things – we can only apply the efforts that have been tested and have worked for a given online marketing effort.

The following are the SEO techniques that have been known to work for marketing strategies used by experienced web designers and webmasters. Keep in mind that SEO is an ever-changing experience, and that while these techniques will work for you today, they may not be the same when tomorrow arrives.

1. Google AdWords – this is an SEO technique specifically offered by Google to make certain that you are indeed getting use out of the keywords you want to use. This technique is considered to be quite cost-effective for achieving good search results for your website. It works by allowing you to state the maximum amount that you are willing to spend on a daily basis on your chosen keywords. This can be changed monthly as you witness the results that the Google AdWords SEO technique brings you.

2. Overture Keywords – similar to Google’s AdWords, you can choose the keywords you want, however, you cannot limit your daily spending, so this may be an issue if you’re on a tight budget. However, it has been found to be quite cost effective when balanced against the number of new visitors and active customers created.

3. Yahoo! Regional Directories – when you have your site indexed by Yahoo! Regional Directories – a place where submission is free – then you will always be in their list. Many new clients are found through this reliable process.

4. Keywords, Site Descriptions, Alt-Tags, Title Tags, and Page Content – these are the main focus of SEO experts and SEO businesses today. These are the five elements that take the most amount of effort when optimizing websites. It all has to do with what is contained within the coding of your website. Unless you are truly confident that you know what you’re doing, it is very beneficial to hire a professional SEO company to ensure that you’re including all of the right elements, and doing it properly. Have this done before you submit your site to the different search engines, or re-submit your site after you’ve done your SEO for your website. SEO is well worth paying for to ensure that it is done properly. Professionals will know which keywords to use, how to use them, and how to make sure that they are properly laid out for search engine spiders to crawl the site. Furthermore “illegal” tactics will never be used, which can result in having your website permanently banned from search engines.

5. Online Directories – by submitting your website to any number of different free online directories, you will have an excellent new path for prospective customers to follow to find you. Many are free, others include a nominal charge. If there is a fee involved, do some investigation into the directory first, to make sure that it is worth the money.

6. The Open Directory Project – this is one of the primary resources utilized by the big search engines such as Google for sending their spiders out to crawl new sites. The directory is entirely maintained by humans – that is, every site submitted is reviewed and indexed by a person, not a spider. This does mean that it takes additional time to have your site indexed, but it is well worth the wait.

7. A Blog – adding a blog to your website is a fantastic method for continuing to attract new and repeat visitors to your website. They are drawn to the fresh new content that is constantly being added.

8. Make It Great – Search Engine Optimizing (SEO) is only as good as the website it supports. If you bring lots of visitors to your website, and it has nothing to offer them, or the content is terrible, all of your efforts will be in vain.

bio = Mark Nenadic
Mark is the director and face behind FifteenDegrees-North http://www.15dn.com , where you will find articles and resources to help with SEO, marketing and Web design.

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If you’re like me then you are probably wondering how you can make a living working from home. I want to warn you on the dangers involved in starting your own Internet business. If you plan on starting a website then you had better know what you’re doing. Simply creating a website does not mean that you will become rich. If fact, it’s usually the exact opposite. There is a growing trend of people wishing to work for themselves and why not really? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could be your own boss, make your own time schedule. Set your own rules? You can do all of these things but just like with any business you must first have a plan. There are so many scams out there that it can really cloud your judgement when it comes to selecting the right tools for the job. Oh and anyone that thinks they can start an Internet business without tools is crazy. Just because your business will be online doesn’t mean that you will get out of making some kind of investment.

The hard part is really deciding which tools you are going to need and which tools you can live without. Obviously you are going to need accounting software. You are going to need a business license and a business checking or savings account. I would shop around before going to your local bank to see if you can get free business checking. You’ll need to watch expenses and this is one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about.

You’ll also be needing some other tools for instance, a computer or one! Hey if you’re gonna have an Internet business you better be able to get to it right? You will also need to decide if you are going to build your own website. Now I must issue a word of caution, stay away from cookie cutter sites that build a website for you.

Like I said earlier, simply building a website will not bring traffic to your site. This is were it stops being easy and starts getting very diffecult. You’ll have to submit your site to search engines which sounds easy until you understand the rules for how you need to accomplish this. You can’t simply submit a website to a search engine and consider it done. As a matter of fact, you’ll never be done submitting. Most search engines need to be submitted to on a regular basis at least twice a month.

If you aren’t building a website and you have thought of other ways to make money online then good for you! Here are a couple other ways to make money online. You can take surveys online, this can be a decent passion income if you are hooked up with the right company that will show you the ropes. You can try selling on Ebay but remember Ebay may not be right for you because of the added fees and charges you will be required to pay.

Whatever you decide to do I would make sure you look at all of your options. It’s ok to try new things to see if they will work for you. Just be careful and make smart decisions and you will be on your way to a successful business.

bio = To find more easy ways to make money online visit http://www.linkbrander.com/go/13664

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People hire a residential cleaning service to make their lives easier. As a cleaning contractor, you not only need to provide a good service, but you also need frequent communication with your client to ensure that both parties understand their responsibilities and that there are no misunderstandings.

Before taking on a new client, it is important to specify what services are included in their cleaning service. As you walk through the home with the client discussing the specifications list of what will be cleaned, be sure to ask plenty of clarifying questions. For example, “so you DON’T want us to dust the curio cabinet?”

Give your client the written specifications list so they know what is covered in their routine cleaning. Your specifications list may also include the additional services you can provide such as carpet cleaning or window washing, the fees for those services, and how much advance notice you need before taking on any additional tasks.

You may need to explain to your clients that your crews are scheduled to clean several homes on a particular day and therefore, any added services must be requested in advance. This not only ensures that your crew can spend the additional time needed to clean, but that they will have the right supplies for the job.

Good communication is also important in the case of accidents, mishaps or broken items. Instruct your employees to leave a note whenever a problem or accident occurs, and to contact you immediately so you are aware of the situation. It is handy to have a pre-printed form that contains a check off list (broken item, stain that would not come out, cracked window, etc.) to leave at the home and contact information for your cleaning company.

Your cleaning crew can also leave notes if they notice additional tasks that need to be done. Is it springtime and the windows need washing? Are the carpets looking soiled and need cleaning? This not only shows the client that you care about their home but can also lead to additional services you can provide and charge for.

Cancelled appointments or missed appointments can cause problems if you don’t communicate with your client about your policies. Outline your cancellation policy in your customer contract and discuss it with your customer so they are fully aware of your policy. Conversely, if your employees miss an appointment, you need to have a policy in place that will keep the customer happy – perhaps a discount on the next service.

Don’t let a simple misunderstanding of the services you provide escalate into losing a client. Keep open a good line of communication to help ensure your success. Make sure your crew leaves notes and check up with follow-up phone calls to keep your clients happy and your profits flowing!

bio = Steve Hanson is co-founding member of TheJanitorialStore.com, an online community for owners and managers of cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift. Read cleaning success stories from owners of cleaning companies at http://www.cleaning-success.com/ .

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Many business owners agree that starting a small business will involve the personal finances of the owner, even though the business may be formally regarded as separate entities. This is probably due to the fact that the business owner may be likely to lose his source of income during the initial operations period, especially during the first 3 to 6 months. With this, adequate planning, budgeting and saving should be done by the business owner prior to starting the business so as to have a pool of funds to support personal expenses.

One of the first steps to do this would be to track your monthly expenses on a daily basis in order to adequately determine your actual personal costs. Be sure to include buffers for emergency or surprise expenses. Once you have a clear idea where your monthly expenses go to, you can then create a budget for the period that your income may be affected. It may also be a good idea to pay off any outstanding debt such as home loans or car loans, so that you have less to pay for during the critical period.

It is of utmost importance that you ensure that you have enough to sustain you, as many new business owners overlook this factor, and end up going back to employment while still maintaining their business after a few months, due to the lack of personal funds.

Apart from that, if you are starting a business for the first time and are in need of obtaining a business loan, the bank or credit union will evaluate your application based on your personal credit rating. This is due to the fact the company’s credit history is not yet available for references by these financial institutions. Therefore, the best history that they can base their judgment on your creditworthiness would be the credit history of the business owner.

What is the implication of this? This means if you are planning to start a business and obtain financing for it, it is best for you to run a check on your credit report in the event of errors and flaws. There have been cases where loans were rejected due to an unfavorable credit report, which was actually due to errors made by the system. With this, months may be needed to correct these problems, which may cause delays for the business owner to obtain the required start-up funding for the new business.

In conclusion, the business is a separate entity when it is registered as a private limited company. However, small business owners still may not escape entirely from being regarded as separate entities if they are the only owners of the businesses that they are running. Therefore, business owners should be well-informed on the areas that would require more focus on before they start their businesses.

bio = Matt Bacak, The Powerful Promoter and Entrepreneur Magazine e-Biz radio show host, became a “#1 Best Selling Author” in just a few short hours. He has helped a number of clients target his specialty, opt-in email direct marketing systems. The Powerful Promoter is not only a sought-after internet marketer but has also marketed for some of the world’s top experts whose reputations would shrivel if their followers ever found out someone else coached them on their online marketing strategies. For more information, visit Bacak’s site at
http://www.powerfulpromoter.com or sign up for his Powerful Promoting
Tips at http://www.promotingtips.com

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There are 2 basic steps you need to do, when you invent your marketing niche. First, discover a market that is niche and ‘uncharted’. Second, invent or explore the right product to feed your market. By ‘uncharted’, I means it has not been saturated with competitors.

1.How to Find the Right Market that is Niched and ‘uncharted’? The first thing to do internet marketing is not to sell first but to do your own research first?

Don’t just go blindly into selling something! It’s better to sell something that the customers want than they need!

You need to find the hole in the market that you can fill in. This hole is actually the market gap and could be your “money holes” that can generate top profits.

Find out what is the latest trend or buzz that is currently generating alot of traffic or having a hot craze. Good place to look for is go to buzz.yahoo.com and inventory.overture.com. Search for the keywords that generate huge search hits. Find out from google whether these keywords have advertisers in sponsorsed links. If there are few sponsored links, then you could be hitting a ‘hole’.

Find out related keywords and ‘dig’ down to more specific keywords. These keywords will be the ‘want’ that customers really like to have. This is a ready market!

Find out whether the market is really profitable. The customers who really want something must be able to afford whatever things that you going to sell them. If all your research has hinted there are holes which is really money holes, then you got your own ‘uncharted’ niche market!

2.How to Invent or Explore the Right Product to feed the Market? Alot of marketers will tell you to create your own products. But, my advise is try not to ‘reinvent the wheel’ if there is a ready-made good product in the market.

You ‘invent’ or create your product only when there is no product available or the current products in the market are not as good as the one will going to create.

The good thing about internet is we can outsource our ‘invention’ process entirely to people and claim ownership on them. For digital products like eBooks, articles, software, etc., we can go elance.com or writerassist.com to hire someone to do for us.

If you only want to sell someone else products, there’s a few places we can explore our products to sell. For digital products, we can go to clickbank.com to find affiliates program to join to promote. For physical products, likewise we can go to CJ.com (commission junction) to join the affiliates program.

There are alot of other resources on internet that will help us in getting the right product out to feed the market. Whether is it ‘invention’ or ‘exploration’, one thing we need to keep in mind. That is, the products must be able to deliver what they are suppose to do to the market.

bio = Jason Chew is an aspiring Internet Marketer and Entrepreneur.
Get the free $100K Report on how to bring in $100k a year in just 7 days here: http://100k.7daysto100kprofit.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

Warning: First and foremost, if you are plagued with severe migraines or headaches, you should have a medical examination that will rule out any physiological reality you might have to deal with in order to heal. But, if you have migraines that appear to accompany your PMS or surround your menstrual cycles, I invite you to read on.

Diane spent a third of each month with migraines for which nobody in the medical world advised her to consult in therapy for. Synchronicity had it such that we met at a three-day workshop on art therapy. A very nice woman indeed. We had our meals together and learned about each other’s life and career. On the last day of our workshop, she claims she will probably have to cut it short for her monthly ordeal of migraines is showing its nose. A light throbbing has worked its way up her neck and this is how it normally starts. I can see pain in her eyes and face; I can imagine what an ordeal it must be to have that ghost show up every month. She literally becomes paralyzed for days and all her life is put on a stand still. She is 38 years young. She has 2 young children and a comprehensive husband who helps her as much as he can during those moments.

On the other side of the coin, these migraines have literally stopped her advancement on the work force; everybody knows about her absence from work and compensates for her. Pills help her a bit but they never lead her back to a normal life. The rest of the time she is fine and catches up with her routine. Who would want that life? Nor you or me! Not Diane either. For the last ten years, I have researched PMS and its links to our subconscious. You read well. We all have unknown and unconscious situations that we have far too long left aside, unattended, unlooked and misunderstood. We also have a myriad of limiting beliefs about anything and everything.

So it is about your many physical and emotional symptoms whether medicine calls it PMS or cancer. Did you know that 39% of the women I surveyed have similar symptoms if not every month, more often than they should? Ten years ago when I discovered my first link between PMS and the subconscious, I was totally flabbergasted about my own discovery and results. I kept researching PMS and its links to our subconscious, and migraines came up too often. I offered Diane to look at the possible links and the reasons why her body was reacting as such in her life. She happily consented. After an hour together, she realized how much she had just adopted a pattern that came from her own mother. As we were doing this introspection, she was amazed her pain had not become worse as it would have done in the past. “My mother used to have that same symptom month after month after month all her life. I can see how Mom also had developed a pattern of her own.”

I offered to Diane that we keep in touch and that I help her during the following months. Along the way in our conversation, she also discovered she was a savior with everybody around her. I told her that Mother Teresa had a perfect role cut out for her and she never burned out while alive. Diane, I discovered, has concerns and issues she allowed the world to put in front of her. Like so many women, she has been educated to care and had not granted herself the permission to set healthy limits. Most of us have to learn to say “NO!” at times. She reflected long and hard to realize she did not have to be SO GOOD! Because the one who ends up paying after all, IS HER. And at what price?

Every symptom has its own limiting belief. What is yours? Where does it come from? From whom have you copied it or believed you had no choice but go along with it? All these simple yet profound questions will help you finally connect to your own true self. You may find in the process that it becomes important you take some parts of your life in your own hands. I wish you great success and please let me know how you are doing.

bio = Pauline Houle is Therapist with 20 years experience. She has a background in Social Work and Psychodynamic trainings that really make a difference in people’s lives. She has a Masters Degree in Transpersonal Studies, which has been a great help in keeping her focused on the big picture of PMS and what women need to know in order to heal it.
Contact: Pauline Houle : pms@paulinehoule.com
514-277-6097 or 518-563-6834

http://www.paulinehoule.com

http://www.pmscramprelief.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

High protein diets have always been popular with athletes. Their popularity increased tenfold during the past 5 years with the introduction of the low carb type diets to the public that include high protein foods.

Regular people who do not exercise can eat moderately high protein foods. On the other hand athletes and people on muscle building diets must eat at least 1gram per lb of bodyweight in order to build muscle. A high protein diet is the staple of bodybuilders. Bodybuilding athletes always include a high protein food source in their daily diet.

High protein foods you can include in your diet are:

Turkey breast Chicken breast Lean cuts of red meat Lean cuts of pork Fish (most fish is high in protein) Eggs & Egg Whites Skim Milk Low fat cottage cheese Protein powders & bars

Whether you are going for muscle building or fat loss, a high protein diet plan can certainly help you either way.

If you are trying to build muscle, you need a high protein intake in your daily diet in order to recover from workouts and build muscle tissue. Protein provides the building blocks for muscle and without it muscle building and growth simply will not occur. During weightlifting and hard training, muscle tissue is broken down. In order for that muscle tissue to be rebuilt and grow stronger, we need to eat a diet high in protein. It’s pretty simple.

If fat loss is one’s goal, a high protein diet is also an absolute must. Most high protein foods are very low in carbs and saturated fats. Therefore by eating high protein foods in your diet, you also also eating quality low calorie foods. In order to accelerate the fat loss process, reducing carbs and overall calories is usually recommended. High protein foods can help you in achieving that.

An average person who trains hard and weighs 180lbs requires a minimum of 180grams of protein in his diet per day. This means at least 1gram of protein per pound of bodyweight. Anything less and muscle building/recovery will not be optimal. Some hard training athletes consume up to 2 grams of protein per lb of bodyweight in order to accelerate the muscle building process. This is not recommended for most people who require a moderately high protein intake. The total amount of protein taken every day should be spread over 5 to 6 meals throughout the course of a day.

Timing of high protein foods is also very important. You should be consuming high protein foods at all times but more for your breakfast, post workout meal and before-bed meal. Start your high protein daily diet by giving your body good quality protein to start the day. Then, right after your workout, consume a protein shake that will help kick start the muscle repairing process. Last but not least you have your before bed meal where you must consume a slow digesting form of protein (casein mostly) that will give you a steady release of high quality amino acids throughout the night.

Eating high amounts of protein in your diet can be very demanding. It requires a lot of time to cook high protein foods like chicken and turkey. The best way to get all of your protein is to use protein powders. Protein powders are extremely high in protein and they are very convenient to use. Just one small scoop of protein can provide 20-24 grams of the highest quality protein available. Make sure you choose your high protein supplements wisely. Do not get caught up in the marketing frenzy of magazines. A tub of high quality protein should not cost you more than $30 at any given time.

For more information on protein foods vs. protein supplements, check out: http://www.bodybuildingapplied.com/index_center_articles.asp?newsId=88

If you decide to embark upon a high protein diet, make sure you include a lot of vegetables and fibrous carbs with your meals in order to help protein digestion. Try to eat at least two salads per day and/or steamed vegetables. Furthermore, try to stay consistent with your high protein diet, day in day out, in order to keep a steady influx of aminos to your muscles. Always remember that if you are not eating enough protein & calories in your diet, your body will use existing muscle tissue to repair itself.

bio = Kostas Marangopoulos is a certified personal trainer, natural bodybuilder and owner of one of the best natural bodybuilding websites on the web, Bodybuilding Applied.com. To get Kostas’ free monthy bodybuilding diet & training secrets newsletter, please visit http://www.BodybuildingApplied.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

Marketing is painted up to be a big deal, let’s get rid of the smoke and mirrors and see “The Marketing Wizard of Oz” for what he really is … a form of communication that we already know how to do. Once we get past the illusion that marketing is a mysterious activity that stands between us and success… the next thing we need to do is reduce marketing to language we can understand and then create activities around its intention. I like to use the RECDV acronym to make it very simple.

RECDV stands for Reach, Engage, Connect, and Deliver Value.

Once you have identified your Ideal Customer (IC) and the problem or desire you are going to address for her or him then you must plan how you will RECDV.

Reaching is about getting in front of your ideal customer. To do this you have to know where your ideal customer gathers, physically or metaphorically. Where do they gather, what web sites do they visit, what search terms do they use when searching for help, who is already in contact with them, what causes do they support, what organizations do they belong to, what publications do they read, what mailing lists are they on, what hobbies do they have, where do they eat, where do they shop, where do they live, where do they work, and this list of questions go on and on. Be an IC detective and start asking questions that take you deeper into your IC’s world.

If you don’t know who your IC is, your first assignment is to find out. If your customer doesn’t have natural affinity for your solution, you have a mismatch and this is not an IC. If your product or service does not solve or address the IC’s concerns and needs, you have a mismatch, and you don’t have an IC. Reaching is about locating the IC and positioning yourself in front of them so that they know you are there.

Engaging is about eliciting their interest in you and what you have to offer to help them solve their pressing problems or fulfill their strong desires. Notice the focus is on them not you. How you get their attention is by speaking to their wants and needs and temporarily setting yours aside. Standing in their shoes, ask yourself, what form of communication would be most appropriate and most effective. How do you engage your IC into going on the “first date”, i.e. to check out your offer to see if it meets their needs? This is where your knock-out 30-second elevator speech comes in. When someone asks you what do you do, your answer should be intriguing, interesting to someone who is your IC or someone who knows people who are, it should create curiosity and cause the person to ask for more info, it should be on-target – no being vague allowed, it should be professional, and credible, and you should feel passionate about telling people – “this is what I do”. Don’t try and create demand, reach for those who are already want what you have.

Connecting is about making sure that once you have your IC’s attention, you carry-through with the communication so that it resonates with them. It’s the follow-up that reels them in and makes them feel you totally understand the problem and probably have just the solution they were looking for. Don’t ask for marriage on the first date, inject the appropriate amount of time to move the person from the first date, to dating, to engagement, then to marriage. you get the point don’t you?

Have you ever gone on a first date with someone who seemed like a good fit only to discover they were from another planet? That’s called disconnecting … in marketing it looks like you trying to sell ice to an Eskimo. Although some sales-types pride themselves on forcing or manipulating a sale, that is not the way to deliver genuine value – not to mention such tactics lack integrity. When you know who your IC is and the value you can bring to them, these kinds of tactics are totally unnecessary.

Delivering Value is the way I recommend making the connection and then when you make the sale, deliver even more value. I highly recommend using strategies to allow your IC to receive some value prior to beginning an official “sales cycle”. This can be accomplished with samples, free newsletters, free classes, informational website, brochures, audio CDs, public speaking, consultations, and more. The point is that you begin to deliver value to your IC before you ask for money. Once they know you have something of value to offer, you can begin the sales cycle but without any pressure tactics. Delivering value is critical to maintaining a relationship with your IC and it is absolutely essential for follow-up sales and future referrals. It includes good customer service but goes far beyond that – you treat your IC as if they matter not just when you are trying to make the first sale but throughout the relationship.

That’s RECDV. It makes good marketing sense, doesn’t it?

There is no shortage of ways to RECVD. Don’t box yourself in and don’t be afraid to try something new. You will have to test everything you do – marketing is experiential and no one can teach you to be successful at it if you won’t get on the court and take some risks. Even experienced marketers have to venture out and try new things when the old things stop working or new techniques emerge. Let this be okay and you will be okay.

RECDV is not a one size fits all approach to marketing. Your RECVD is going to be unique and will have to be constantly refined as you grow and as the world changes.

bio = Robin Harris, The DesignerLife Coach, is a Certified Comprehensive Coach and Guerilla Marketing Coach, Instructional Designer, Prosperity Trainer, and founder of http://www.TheSuccessCafe.com , the virtual gathering place for Prosperity-Central, the free community of excellence that offers free training and coaching for Prosperity Seeking Entrepreneurs. For more help with marketing visit Robin’s Marketing site: http://www.Marketing-With-A-Story.com and learn how to set up a marketing system that works for you 24/7.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Looking to consolidate or even improve the efficiency of your portfolio financially? Geoff Morris, of Property Horizons, discusses some interesting ways in which to finance your investment property portfolio with Suzanna Grey, an Independent Financial Advisor at Beacon Financial Limited.

As a property professional, are you looking for a different approach to your borrowing requirements? There is a company specialising in professional landlords that many are unaware of. They are unique in the market place and approach buy-to-let in a very different way to high street lenders. They are from a commercial background and approach the property investment market from that perspective.

They are one of the UK’s leading providers of residential buy-to-let mortgages, winning the Buy-to-Let Lender of the Year award at the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Business Finance Awards. They made their first specifically targeted buy-to-let mortgage in 1995 and are unique in being the only UK lender to offer a service totally dedicated to the professional residential property investor.

They provide a bespoke professional service, competitive interest rates and a wide range of products designed specifically with the professional property investor in mind. As a centralised lender a good intermediary is vital to ensure the most appropriate product is selected.

As buy-to-let specialists they have a comprehensive understanding of the market and are able to create mortgage solutions to meet your needs. They are an ARLA affiliated lender and carry out regular research into the buy-to-let market.

Many landlords approach me to help ‘tidy’ the borrowing they have on their portfolios. Often they have loans with several different lenders, on a range of different products, devised by mortgage brokers who did not view the portfolio holistically – but from a ‘best rate for that property’ view point.

For those of you who are used to paying high valuation fees, redemption penalties when you remortgage to raise they deposit for the next property, or who are simply frustrated with the onerous administration, I have the solution.

This specialist lender offers a maximum of £20 million to professional landlords. They can pre-underwrite you on the basis of your existing portfolio so your income separate to the portfolio is not considered. This means it is possible to have an offer very quickly without pages of forms to complete. The only item they require will be the valuation, which at a maximum of £125 per property, and with in-house surveyors who understand the investment market, is very competitive.

You no longer need to re-broke your loans if you need to raise capital, simply apply for a further advance. Should your property require updating when you purchase it they are able to pre-underwrite the completed value and will release the additional funds once works have been completed.

The rates are competitive and they understand the professional landlord as this is the market in which they exclusively deal. They will run suitability checks on new areas to ensure they are appropriate for the rental market, free of charge, to help diversify the portfolio geographically to spread the risk. This ensures that you can invest in new areas with confidence.

This type of lender can help you gear your portfolio effectively in order to maximise the available capital and expand your properties. They can also assist you to access the auction deals and special offer properties where fast exchange is crucial.

It makes a refreshing change for a lender to be supportive in your investment strategy, rather than prohibitive.

Suzie Grey is an Independent Financial Advisor at Beacon Financial Limited and can be reached by phone (01480 869466). Beacon Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by The Financial Services Authority. She will be a regular guest on the Property Horizons Teleseminars, and mini-conferences.

bio = Geoff Morris has built up a multi-million dollar property portfolio in less than 18 months. He has written a number of articles aimed to help others follow the same path to financial freedom. Imagine the peace of mind that you would achieve if you follow the advice to be found in his Free reports and consumer guides to be found at http://www.propertyprofits4you.com . To see the latest news and views on property investing, visit http://www.propertyhorizons.blogspot.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

It wasn’t until his mid-fifties that my father started losing his hair. I remember the boxes of lotions, creams, heating massage pads that kept coming to his house (much to my stepmother’s chagrin). But his hairline kept receding and a decade later, only a well-greased tuft remained on the crown of his head.

Genetics had a lot to do with his situation. My older brother, almost 60 now, is showing the same pattern of thinning hair. But, unlike my father, he has a lot more treatment options at his disposal.

Causes for hair loss can run the gamut from genetics, medical treatments like chemotherapy, skin eczema or allergies, excessive stress, poor nutrition, hormonal changes like menopause and “andropause”, under-active thyroid, immune disorders to trichotillomania, a psychological disorder in which people are compelled to pull out their hair. A study in England has also shown a direct connection between smoking and hair loss. It also showed that smokers were 4 times more likely to have gray hair than non-smokers.

Some conditions can be treated medically through drugs like minoxidil and corticosteroids. Others might require something more drastic, like follicular hair transplant, a form of surgical hair restoration that does provide lasting benefits. The cost, however, can be prohibitive.

But for us normal folks in our 30′s, 40′s, even 50′s, who are just starting to notice our thinning hair, what preventative measures or supplementation can we take to minimize hair loss?

Because healthy hair is dependent on the health of the scalp (hair requires a plentiful supply of nutrient-rich blood to nourish the hair follicles in the scalp) it makes sense that eating nutritionally balanced meals will promote healthy follicles and healthy hair growth. In a recent interview, Dr. Shari Lieberman Ph.D CNS, a nutrition scientist and exercise physiologist at the University of Bridgeport, CT, claims that crash diets have been responsible for many cases of hair loss: “I’m seeing a lot of women not eating enough protein. A lot of them are eating vegetables; they’re eating carbs. They’ve really gone off a lot of protein and sometimes I’ll see hair loss in women for that.”

There is no doubt that a daily diet rich in protein, good carbs and essential fats is important for hair health. Hair is very sensitive to vitamin or mineral imbalances in the body. A flaky scalp can be caused by too little vitamin A; however, too much vitamin A can also bring about hair loss. Supplements, when taken on a consistent basis, at the average or standard dosage suggested below or at a dosage recommended by your physician, can be a strong deterrent to premature hair loss. Consider the following:

a) Evening Primrose Oil and Flaxseed Oil. Both of these are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for strong, healthy hair. Evening primrose oil contains a special fat called gamma-linolenic acid( GLA) which the body converts to hormonelike compounds called prostaglandins. The GLA in evening primrose oil is directly converted to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins which are effective against eczema and skin allergies. Taking evening primrose oil (1000mg 3 times a day) will prevent hair loss that is caused by excess flaking and shedding of skin on the scalp.

b) Flaxseed Oil (14 g a day) provides substances called lignans which may help fight cancer, bacteria, viruses and fungi. Flaxseed oil boosts the health of hair and nail and speeds the healing of scalp lesions that may contribute to hair loss. A recent study involving 10 men between the ages of 20 and 70 in varying stages of male pattern baldness ( AGA) showed that 8 of the subjects reported modest improvement of their hair loss condition, one reported much improvement and one subject reported no effect. Throughout the study, the daily numbers of hair loss decreased and 50 percent of the subjects noticed a decrease in oil secretion in their scalp.

c) Zinc (30mg) can boost thyroid function and reduce hair loss that comes from an underactive thyroid. Zinc must be taken with its companion Copper (2 mg a day) in order to maintain proper mineral balance in the body. Copper also contains melanin, the pigment that colors hair and skin and can help reverse or delay premature graying. Zinc can also affect the levels of androgens, the hormones involved in some form of genetic hair loss.

d) Biotin (1000 mcg a day) and Vitamin B-50 Complex (1 tablet twice a day) can also reduce the oiliness and flakiness of the scalp and strengthen the condition of the hair.

Other preventative procedures could include a weekly scalp massage to stimulate blood flow and reduce stress which can contribute to hair loss, wearing a hat to protect hair and scalp from sun damage and avoiding abrasive hair treatment like permanents or coloring.

bio = A runner for 27 years, retired schoolteacher and writer, Mary is helping people reclaim their bodies. Nutrition, exercise, positive vision and purposeful engagement are the tools used to turn their bodies into creative selves. You can visit her at http://www.GreatBodyat50.com or learn how she lost her weight at http://www.greatbodyproteinpower.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

You’re interested in RSS marketing, but there either seem to be so many options of how to do it or you’ve only ever come accross simple RSS feeds that just don’t seem to be the approach you’re looking for.

The problem with most RSS marketing plans is that the marketer doesn’t really go beyond providing a simple RSS feed for all of his online news or his blog. But since you’ve been reading this column for a while now you know for a fact that RSS offers so much more.

To get started the right way you need to correctly plan your RSS Marketing strategy, starting by deciding how you are going to deliver your RSS content.

The right way to go, even if you’re only starting out with a simple RSS strategy, is to provide individual RSS feeds for:

–> your individual target audiences,
–> your different types of content and
–> even your different content topics.

Think of this as a consequtive list of how to develop your RSS strategy.

–> TARGET AUDIENCES Start by listing the target audiences you want to deliver your content to via RSS. Each of your audiences has different content needs, resulting in different groups of RSS feeds that need to be created for these target audiences. One group for the media, the other for your employees, the other for the general public, the other for your existing customers and so on. You can even go further and divide your master groups in sub-groups, based on their prevailing interests.

–> CONTENT TYPES Now consider the different types of content you want to deliver to these audiences. For example your latest news, your blog posts, your how-to articles, your press releases, your podcasts, the latest posts from your forums, direct communications messages and so on. In most cases these types of content don’t mix well together. If someone wants to receive your blog updates, which are full of your company representatives’ personal opinions and commentary, they don’t want to receive your corporate-speak press releases.

If someone is interested in what’s happening in your forum and what the latest forum posts are, they don’t want to receive your how-to articles in the same RSS feed, simply because these two types of content are so much different. And so on. Essentially, you will need to provide separate feeds for each of the different content types, and you will need to determine what content types you wish to deliver to each of your target audience groups and sub-groups.

–> CONTENT TOPICS Finally take a look at each individual content type for each individual target audience and further break that down by content topic, if needed. And if you’re trying to cover many different topics for each content type, you will need to provide different RSS feeds for these different topics, because, again, people interested in topic A are not neccessarily also interested in topic B.

While this may sound complicated, it’s really simple once you start doing it.

The point is, this is about giving your subscribers choice of what they subscribe to. Instead of forcing them to subscribe to everything, allow them to subscribe to only what they want and need.

Quite simple, right?

Just remember that you should only break this down as far as it makes sense, keeping in mind the actual content that your target audiences want from you.

Depending on your business, you just might only need to communicate with one target audience, deliver only one content type and deliver only one content topic for that target audience.

DECIDE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO DELIVER THIS CONTENT

Once you have your RSS content mapped-out, you need to consider how you are going to make this content available to your target audiences. This is especially important since it’s going to influence the tools you need to get started with RSS publishing

ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL RSS FEEDS

This is about as standard as it gets — publishing one RSS feed to meet the needs of all of your target audiences at once or publishing multiple topical RSS feeds, which always remain the same. The easiest to do, can be done with any RSS publishing tool on the market .

CUSTOMIZABLE RSS FEEDS

The more and more complex you get with the different feeds you’re offering, the more difficult it is for your visitors to select what exactly they want, simply because an individual subscriber might be interested in 10 of your 100 feeds, but he doesn’t want to be subscribed to that many feeds by your company.

In this case the best way to go is to also offer your visitors the opportunity to customize your RSS feed à they decide exactly what content type and content topics they want to receive in one or a few RSS feeds they’ll be subscribing from you.

The opportunities here are quite endless, as you can allow them to customize their feeds based on topics, content types, authors and more.

If this is the way you need to go because you are offering so much content via your RSS feeds that it makes it difficult for someone to subscribe to only one or a few feeds from you, you will need your RSS publishing solution to support feed customization.

SEARCH-BASED RSS FEEDS

Search-based RSS feeds are a subset of customizable RSS feeds, and they work just like a search engine. You type in a certain keyword or keyword combinations and the search engine gives you the most relevant or the latest results for that keyword combination.

You can do the same with RSS, allowing your visitors to enter specific keywords and then get the content from you only based on those keywords.

PERSONALIZED RSS FEEDS

Giving users the choice to customize the content they are receiving from you is one thing, but certain content may actually demand you to personalize the feed using your subscribers personal information.

The most basic variation, used to lift response, is addressing your subscribers by name or using other data about the customer from your database, such as his address, previous purchases etc.

In other cases a bank might want to deliver information directly relating to your bank account, directly via RSS, such as your latest credit card transactions, and so on.

RSS FEEDS WITH CONTENT TARGETING

Now imagine that you want to create individualized campaigns to individual subscribers, based on the information you already have in your database about their activities, demographics and so on, for example to send a promotion for product A only to those subscribers that might be most interested in product A.

In this case you will need an RSS solution that can pull this data from your database and then segment your subscribers based on the actual data.

AUTORESPONDER RSS FEEDS

Since their introduction, e-mail autoresponders have become a relatively mainstream internet direct marketing tool, although they haven’t really made their way to the world of public relations.

The concept is simple à a certain action by your visitors on your website triggers a sequence of e-mail messages, delivered to that visitor, provided you have his e-mail address, over a period of several days.

Direct marketers use this to automatically communicate with the prospect after a certain action, trying to get him to do what they want.

The most common application is offering your visitors a free report, delivered to them via e-mail. After subscribing they start receiving consequtive parts of the report day after day or a every few days, receiving both new information as well as being exposed to the marketer’s promotional message.

Other applications include autoresponder messages in relation to transactional e-mail:

–> Subscribe to a free e-mail newsletter. The first autoresponder message thanks you for the subscription and also gives you access to one of the newsletter issues. A couple of days later, while you’re still “hot as a lead”, you receive another e-mail, pertaining to the newsletter topic, giving you more advice or information on the topic and trying achieve a sales conversion. And so on.

–> Complete a webstore order. The first message thanks you for the purchase and recommends an additional product at a lower price. The second message tells you more about the product you purchased. The third messages makes a special additional purchase offer. The fourths message gives you some great additional tips, and so on.

–> Start an online order, but don’t finish it. The first message reminds you that there are still products in your shopping cart. The second message reminds you again, giving you added inscentive to complete the order. And so on .

The opportunities are practically limitless, but you get the picture.

Now simply transform this concept into the realm of RSS.

Someone subscribes to your RSS feed. The first couple of content items, spread-out through the first week, serve as a series of welcome messages giving the new subscriber access to your top content and inviting him to actively participate. Your latest feed updates come through as well, but your new subscriber also gets the extra treatment (content) in the same feed.

And now apply this to anything you’re doing with RSS, where it makes sense to follow-up with additional information to your new subscribers once they subscribe, of course depending on the feed topic and target audience.

Very few RSS tools today offer autoresponder capabilities, but some do.

TO RECAP.

Think of your RSS publishing strategy and try to establish which of the these publishing models your RSS publishing tool should support:

–> Topical or Target Audience Oriented RSS Feeds –> Customizable RSS Feeds –> Search-Based RSS Feeds –> Personalized RSS Feeds –> RSS Feeds With Content Targeting –> Autoresponder RSS Feeds

bio = Get the easy way to mastering RSS marketing today. Click here now to get all the details on how to make RSS marketing work for you and help you increase your online profits: http://rss.marketingstudies.net/book/c/?src=sa31 . Includes free tips and reports!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Are you looking for a great place to retire to, a great place to live or heck, maybe just a really neat place to visit?

Gadsden Alabama is just such a place.

One of the things that makes Gadsden so attractive is the low cost of living and it’s locality to bigger cities.

So just where is Gadsden? We’re located in Northeast Alabama in Etowah county. From Birmingham, we’re less than an hour’s drive north on I-59. From Atlanta, we’re only two or so hours away. From Chattanooga we’re only 1½ hours away.

Gadsden has a mild climate, great school systems (The Gadsden city school system is completing a new large state of the art high school) , churches, restaurants, theatre, shopping and more.

What’s there to do here? Depending on what time of the year it is, you may find any number of things going on for you to watch or get involved with such as:

Fishing tournaments being held on the Coosa river. (There are dozens of fishing tournaments held here each year by various groups.)

The world’s longest yard sale. (a 93 mile fantastic yard sale adventure from Gadsden, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee)

Listening to Bluegrass at the Foggy Hollow Bluegrass Gatherin’?

Sit at the docks watching the drag boat races (The Southern Thunder National Drag Boat Races are held here)

Watch kids feed the fish while you enjoy some of the best catfish you’ve ever had while eating at Top O’ The River.

Take a picnic lunch up to Noccalula falls and spend the day. (Noccalula falls has just undergone a renovation and is now back open better than ever)

Play tennis at the Gadsden sports complex.

Go to a flea market. (There are two large ones to choose from. One held on Saturday at Collinsville and one held on Sunday at mountaintop off 278)

Attend Riverfest to watch world famous musicians perform. (each year Gadsden attracts some big name country and rock performers to it’s stages set up next to the Coosa river for a 3 day event)

Play golf at one of the many top rated courses in the area. (Gadsden has golf courses ranked in the to 100 places to play in the United States)

Nascar racing (Gadsden is only 20 minutes from the Talladega Speedway)

Well, I think you probably get the idea. There’s always something going on here for all age groups and interests.

We’ve love to have you come by for a while and maybe even stay.

bio = Gadsden Alabama is a great place to visit and to live. Be sure and visit our site and check out our forums. http://www.Gadsden-Alabama.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

A few years back I wrote here about Kathryn Weber, whose beautiful ezine, The Red Lotus Letter, is one of the top Feng Shui ezines out there. (Feng Shui is the Chinese art of using interior decoration to create an auspicious life.) It’s a great mix of the practical and the mysterious. To that end, Kathryn has shared with us some tips on how to set up a more creative office, using Feng Shui concepts. (Fellow skeptics, please stay open and read on. You may find some surprises here.)

And, as someone who has RADICALLY overhauled my office, my files and my systems lately, I can’t urge you enough to dig in and clean up . it feels amazing! And boy, ideas are flowing through me like mad.

Here are Katherine’s thoughts:

On Setting Up Your Office If someone wants to begin a home business, typically they have a space to dedicate for that purpose. Maybe a spare bedroom, the dining room that’s not used. Sometimes their business doesn’t take off because they’re trying to get something started on a card table and a folding chair. This is not an inspiring environment; it doesn’t get you started in a fruitful way. Offices are really symbolic of the amount of success you have.

If you can’t get a query letter to pique interest, why? Take a look around. Are there kid’s toys and other crud in the corner? Is this truly a dedicated work space? You need to really give your chosen space over to your new endeavor. Then outfit it for success. You’ll need storage for pens, papers, filing beyond milk crates, real working office furniture, etc.. If you want your business to be a real success, make it a real office.

Desk Placement Many people push their desk against a wall because that’s where plug is. Yet, then you’re in a place of arrested development, because a wall represents an obstacle. That puts you in a subordinate position; for instance, policemen always say ‘turn and face the wall.’

High level executives often turn their desk so it can face the door. This is a command position, so you can look up and see who comes in the door; it puts you in command of your career. Ideally, your desk needs to be turned so there’s a solid wall behind you, yet it still faces the door. You won’t feel supported unless it’s solid behind you.

L-shaped desks can be a problem. People work at the small part, and whole big desk is not used. so they confine themselves to small area. The Chinese look at L-shaped desk as a hatchet or cleaver, so you’re getting cut in half. The 45 degree angle puts you at odds with your work space.

Decorating Make your office a visually appealing space. Paint it a favorite color, or one that’s auspicious for you. The Kua Calculator is a Chinese Feng Shui tool that helps you pick your auspicious color based on the time of your birth, date of birth and your gender. That will help you figure out which element is associated with you. Then you can also decorate with whatever nourishes that element. If your element is wood, water feeds trees, for instance. So watercolors, water-themed visuals, pictures of turtles, lakes, and boats on lakes . these are good for a ‘wood’ element person.

Don’t be shy Hang up your accomplishments. Some will post their goals, but they don’t post accomplishments that show how far they’ve come. Post published articles, photos of significant moments or famous people you’ve met, awards or kudos, thank you letters or from happy customers, anything significant. Frame them right on a South wall as inspiring artwork; this is the wall of fame. I would not leave a blank area, because that’s a vacuum. Attention is always drawn to a negative . so fill it up.

Display a symbolic mentor Most of us would love to have a coach or mentor, but we may not be able to make that happen. So display a picture in your office of someone you’d like to be like, or whom you’d like to have as a mentor. I have a picture of Oprah in my office because of her biz acumen, her truth, and her caring for people. The way she goes about her business is my model.

How to arrange your desktop Arrange your desk according to Feng Shui. Water or coffee goes in the north; a picture of your inspirational person or mentor is in the northwest. In the northeast, put a book of inspiration. In the east, a vase of flowers; southeast, a small green plant. To the south put a lamp or something red, the southwest a crystal paperweight, and to the west, electronic equipment such as computer or radio. That’s a more auspicious arrangement.

Want to know more? Kathryn’s available to consult long distance via phone, photograph, video, etc…Check out additional tips in her good article, http://www.redlotusconsulting.com/PowerOffice.html

bio = For information on how to find the time, energy, money to live your purpose in life, get Suzanne’s free workbook, The Living Your Joy Companion Workbook at http://www.howmuchjoy.com . And get a daily blast of joyful tips from the Blast o’ Joy blog at http://www.blastojoy.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

Do you have a product or service that you want to sell on the Internet? If so, there are a few fundamental components that you must know. Putting your product or service up for sale is easy. You can find a cheap hosting plan and get a 1-5 page site up within a few hours. But what happens next?

Unfortunately, most businesses will never sell their product successfully on the Internet. Their sites may be flashy, but they are not receiving visitors. To receive an endless supply of free, targeted, leads from the search engines you should consider a few of the 5 tips below.

Tip #1- Provide High Quality Content

Providing content does more than give out generic information. Providing content builds trust between you and your visitor. The more content you give, the bigger the bond. Your content should focus around very specific keywords. Each page on your website should be optimized and focused on one keyword.

Finding keywords is a task in and of itself. I will be the first to admit that hunting down keywords with a high demand and low supply is not the easiest task in the world. It can be boring and repetitive. After awhile the numbers will blend together and you will feel a bit dazed. But do not stop now! Keywords are the foundation for your content pages and for your business.

Tip #2- Find Relevant Linking Partners

The days of trading links with any old site are gone. There was a period in time when search engines counted how many links in you had to your site. They factored that and determined if your site was good or not. So if your site had 300 other sites linking to it, search engines would have probably considered it a better site than one with only 10 incoming links.

Search engines have wised up since those days. Now search engines place more emphasis on relevant links. Your site should only link to other sites that are high quality and relevant. If your site is about cookies then you should not be linking to a site about gambling. It doesn’t make sense for your site visitors, and it doesn’t make sense to the search engines.

When you trade links with a relevant, high quality site be sure you specify where your link should be placed, for how long, and what it should say. I often see people exchange links and within a few days the linking partner has taken down the link. Only do business with trusted webmasters.

Tip #3- Submit Your Site to Site Directories

This is a great way to get high quality and high ranked sites to link to you. Think of a link to your site as a vote of confidence. Site directories are less popular than search engines, but their link to you helps you increase in search engine rankings. Be wary of any site directory that makes you pay for submission. There are plenty of great directories that allow you to submit your site for free.

Getting as specific as possible with site directories is a great idea. If your site is about cookies, you should try to find a site directory that only deals with desserts or foods. General directories are fine, but be sure you submit your site to the appropriate category. General directories tend to have a category for almost any topic.

Some site directories will ask you to link to them first. This is your choice. I do not link or pay to get into any site directory. There are too many free ones that do not require a link back. Remember to place only relevant links on your site. Would your cookie site visitors want to click on a link for a site directory?

Tip #4- Add a Site Map

A site map is a single webpage that contains links to all the other pages on your site. Adding a map will help your visitors find information quickly. Besides being a helpful tool for visitors a site map also helps search engines find pages. When a search engine spider visits your site it crawls through a page. It visits all the links on your page and it checks for keywords. This is why keywords and relevant linking partners are recommended above.

Once the search engine spider finds the site map it will find all of your other pages. Search engine spiders do not like to dig very deep into sites. They like to search through 2 or 3 ‘levels’ of information. So pages that are hard to find will not rank well or they will take much longer to rank well. A site map helps the engines find all your pages at once.

Tip #5- Be Patient and Find Other Means of Traffic

Waiting for the search engines to scour your site and rank it could take a bit of time. I recommend a lot of patience. When I post a new content page on my website, it takes a few weeks to get noticed. Some search engines are fast and rank the page immediately. Others are a bit slower.

While you wait for your pages to rank well I recommend finding alternative ways to drive traffic to your site. You can look into PPC (pay-per-click advertising), article writing, off-line ads, buying ad space in newsletters, doing a joint venture with a fellow webmaster or post in relevant forums.

These 5 tips to ranking well at the search engines are tried and true methods. I have built a site using these 5 tips and can personally attest to their sheer power. Patience is the hardest part. Keep building relevant content, link to relevant partners, submit to site directories, add a site map and then keep going.

Persistence pays off. Building a web business takes time. Your business needs to develop and mature. Using some or all of the above tips can ensure a big payoff down the road.

bio = Lynn VanDyke builds successful websites. She provides several options for business owners including a “Jump Start Your Online Business” CD-ROM. Visit http://www.LynnVanDyke.com to learn more about her and her services. Lynn’s content website is ranked in all 3 major search engines and is in the top 1% of all websites worldwide according to Alexa.

Popularity: 2% [?]

There are a few things that you will want to consistently communicate to every borrower no matter who they are or how much they know about the loan process. Keeping your borrower informed about the things that matter most to them will help build their trust in your ability as a mortgage professional. The more they trust you, the less frustration they’ll experience along the way. Here are a few answers you’ll always want to provide:

1. What’s it gonna cost me? Everyone wants to know this whether they’re paying the costs from their savings or rolling them into the loan. Take the time to review the details of the Good Faith Estimate so that your borrower has a full understanding of what they’re paying and why.

2. Why should I trust you? Let them know who you are and give them reason to trust in your ability to get the job done. If you’re a veteran with a great track record, let them know that. If you’re new to the business, let them know about your company’s great track record. Assure them that you have the resources to make it happen.

3. When will my loan close? Always, always, always set a realistic expectation here. If you tell them three weeks and then close in five, that last two weeks is guaranteed to bring you pressure. It’s far better to give them a worse case estimate on closing time and then get it done faster.

4. Who will be in contact with me through the loan process? If you don’t know, find out. If you will be the main contact throughout, inform them of the personal service you offer. If your processor or the lender’s processor will be the primary contact, advise the borrower of this. Many borrowers are not receptive to talking to or giving information to someone who has not been previously identified as an employee of the broker or lender.

5. What should I expect next? When will I hear back from you? Let your borrower know what to expect at every stage of the game. If you know it takes 72 hours to hear back from underwriting, tell them that. It will usually keep them from calling in 24 hours inquiring about a loan status.

6. Is this really the best deal for me? Let them know what you’ve based their loan terms on. If a customer is not confident that you have their best interest at heart, they are likely to keep shopping around for something better while you are

bio = Stephanie Graham is a mortgage trainer, coach, and consultant with more than 21 years of industry experience. Stephanie’s creation of the self-study workbook series, Loan Processor In-A-Box (LPIAB) has allowed her to enhance the careers of mortgage professionals nationwide. The LPIAB series is designed for loan officers, in-house processors, and contract processors who need reliable tips and tools to close loans faster. No matter where you are or where you want to be in the business, this handy reference tool can help you along the way. There’s no other mortgage training series like Loan Processor In-A-Box. You’ll learn why when you visit http://www.completemortgageprocessing.com .

Popularity: 1% [?]

If you read the internet and all of the websites dedicated to Asp.Net you will inevitably read about the wonders of the DataGrid, DataList, and Repeater controls. While each of these has its place, if you are only displaying data there is a much faster and more efficient means to do so.

Let’s say you have a page that displays articles based on a query string. Take my article pages for instance. Each article is stored in a database and displayed on the page based on the unique id of the article as stored in the database.

A normal asp page execution procedure goes something like this. The code queries the database based on the Article I.D. and then brings back that information to the page where you display it in the fashion that you would like. This is a fairly straight forward approach with asp and is done all the time.

So how do we speed up our asp.net pages?

Number 1: Use Asp.Net Caching!

This is a no-brainer, and I won’t go into the brilliance or details of asp.net caching here because at the time of this writing Google has 2,780,000 articles on the topic. Basically instead of querying the database each time the page is loaded you only query the database once and load that result into the system cache. Subsequent calls to load the page retrieve the data from the cache as opposed to the database which gives you an instant and considerable performance boost. You can then set the cache for how long the cache should store the information as well as many other features. If you are not using the cache, you should be whenever possible!

Number 2: If possible, do NOT use the standard Asp.Net controls.

That’s right. The standard asp.net controls are designed for rapid development and not page performance. They allow you to design pages that grab and display data very quickly but their actual performance suffers because of the extra overhead which is there for ease and speed of development time and not page execution speed.

Instead, create either a User Control or even better yet a Web Custom Control which is by far the fastest performance wise and really quite easy to create and use.

Number 3: Use an SqlDataReader or even better yet use a set based command for Sql Server data retrieval and simply execute that one command against the database.

An asp.net SqlDataReader is a fast forward only datareader that closes the connection after it reads the last set of results. Now for my article pages we are only returning 1 particular result. In this case we would opt for the set based command. If you had more than 1 result returned, in your table of contents for instance, you would use the SqlDataReader because you are returning multiple results.

Set based commands are stored procedures that bring back data through parameters as opposed to a result set which then in turn needs to be looped through to obtain your data. So instead of writing your stored procedure like the following which brings back 1 result set:

Select Title, Body, Author
>From Articles
Where ArtID = 215

We can write it using a set based command like this.

Create Procedure mysp_GetArticle

@Title varchar(200) Output,
@Body varchar(8000) Output,
@Author varchar(500) Output

As

Select @Title = Title, @Body = Body, @Author = Author
>From Articles
Where ArtID = 215

GO

The above query will return only the three parameters called for and not a result or record set so you don’t have to then walk through the returned record set that has only 1 result in it anyway. This second little process of work decreases your performance so do not use it if you can. Combine this technique with the asp.net cache.

Number 4: Use Classes and ArrayLists as opposed to returning an SqlDataReader.

Create a class and then if there are more than one set of results store those results into individual instantiations of that class. Finally store each of those classes into an ArrayList. You can then store only that ArrayList into the asp.net cache. So instead of getting the results back from a SqlDataReader when loading your page you get them from the ArrayList which is stored in the cache. Nice huh?

Finally… you want to incorporate all of these techniques into your final results which would be performed in the following manner and sequence.

On the first time the page loads, query the database and return all of your data storing it into individual classes. Then store each of those classes into an ArrayList. If you only have one single result you may store only the class into the cache. Then take your ArrayList and store it into the cache.

Next create a Web Custom Control and pass the cached ArrayList to the custom control and loop out your data using the HtmlTextWriter which is very fast. Remember each subsequent call to load the page will be called from the cache which stores your ArraList of classes or your single class.

Certainly it takes a significant amount of additional coding to do it in this fashion, especially when you take proper error handling into consideration, but if you follow this approach your pages will be screeching fast, you will immediately notice the difference, and your asp.net pages will execute in the proper sequence – Data handling in the Page_Load function and the html display in the Page_Render function. Further, you will be glad you did and so will your visitors.

Happy Programming!

bio = John Belthoff is an avid web developer who writes about Asp.Net in his spare time. He owns a Windows Asp.Net Web Hosting Company: http://www.hostsstation.com where you can contact him about hosting your website/blog or just to learn more.

Popularity: 2% [?]

If you think music doesn’t affect you, you’ll be changing your tune after reading this. This is a true story of a recent study from Leicester University in England.

You’re off to the supermarket and decide to stop by some shelves offering French and German wine. You make up your mind to buy a bottle of the French wine.

While checking out, you’re asked why you picked the wine. You respond “The label looked great”, or “I liked the price”. Then you’re asked if you noticed the French accordion music that was playing when you took that bottle off the shelf. You say that you did. Did it affect your choice of wine today? No, of course not, you answer.

That’s funny because on the days that French music is played nearly 80% of shoppers chose the French wine. On the days that German music the Opposite happens.

In other words, this study found that if you bought some wine from their shelves you were 3 or 4 times more likely to choose a wine that matched the music than the wine that didn’t match the music.

Guess what these wine-buyers responded when asked at the checkout if the music influenced their choice. Only 1 out of 44 customers said that the music was the reason they bought the wine. That’s 2%!

The influence of the music was Huge but the customers Didn’t Notice or Believe that it was affecting them. It only took a matter of minutes or seconds for music to get into these people’s brains in a powerful way.

Similar experiments have shown that classical music can make people buy more expensive wine.

Here’s another study to chew on. Most of us go out to eat at least once a week. Do you know which music makes you spend more when you’re at a restaurant?

In this study, a British restaurant played pop music, classical music and no music over the course of 18 evenings. Average spending prices per person were calculated for the following categories:

Appetizers, Main Courses, Desserts, Coffee, Drinks from the Bar, Wine, Overall Beverage Bill, Overall Food Bill, and Total Amount Spent

They also measured the total time people spent in the restaurant. Here’s what they found.

There was a Significant difference between evenings when classical music was played and no music or pop music were played. Classical music resulted in higher spending. Across the board in all categories. Other restaurants here and abroad have had similar results.

What does this mean? It’s pretty simple. Classical music relaxes and makes you feel good. And feeling good makes you want the best.

That’s why so many successful people listen to high frequency classical music. They know it helps them work better, think better, and get higher levels of energy. They know it won’t deplete them, get them distracted and raise their heart rates, like hard-hitting low frequency music does.

The amazing effect that music has on your mind and body is being proven in study after study. It’s information that should not be ignored. Especially these days, when we’re exposed to music anytime we enter a building.

bio = Composer Tania Gabrielle French has enjoyed performances and radio broadcasts of her music worldwide by Grammy Award winning artists. Her popular newsletter tells all about the secret effect of music on your mind and body. Subscribe now at http://www.artabundance.com © 2006 Tania Gabrielle French. All Rights Reserved.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The following information is an excerpt from the DVD series Love My Image.

Hairstyle and Eyewear Secrets

If you’ve ever struggled with trying to find the right hairstyle (and I think most women have at some point in their lives), you’re about to discover how easy it really can be! If you’ve given up on your hair you’re about to read some encouraging information. You see, just like choosing the right style of glasses, the right hairstyle is based on one key principle: the shape of your face. That’s it.

Now that you know that, all you need to do is learn the basic “rules” that go with your particular face shape. First though, let’s talk about the different face shapes & the characteristics of each.

1. The Round Face: this is a full-looking face with a round hairline and chin. The cheeks/ears tend to be the widest point.

2. The Square Face: this face shape has a strong, square jaw line and usually a square hairline.

3. The Oval Face: the oval shape has a gently rounded hairline and is only slightly narrower at the jaw than at the temples. Very balanced.

4. The Diamond Face: the widest point on this face is at the cheekbones, and is equally narrow at the jaw line & forehead.

5. The Oblong Face: this face is long and slender. The area just below the cheekbones and the forehead are about the same width. Could have a high forehead or a narrow chin.

6. The Triangular Face: has a dominant jaw line and narrows at the cheekbones and temples.

7. The Heart Shaped Face: the face is widest at the hairline and temples and narrows to a small chin. The opposite of the triangular face.

Now that we’ve covered the characteristics of the different face shapes.

Let’s Get Started!

As we discuss this further we’ll talk about some do’s and don’ts for hairstyling and picking out the proper eye wear.

The Round Face: The goal of the person with the round face is to lengthen it. This can be done by adding height and fullness at the crown. Layering will help to achieve this. An off centre part will help to make the face appear longer. The rest of the cut should stay close to the side of the head to avoid adding more fullness.

Length: A round face can wear a shorter cut but hair should be swept back. Or a cut longer than the chin will also work.

Avoid: Hair that’s chin length with a rounded line, like a bob. This will only make the face appear even more round. Bangs cut straight across the forehead and short crops. Also avoid a centre part. It tends to accentuate the roundness.

GLASSES: The best shaped frame for the round face is a rectangular one. This frame contrasts the round face, making it appear thinner and longer. Frames with clear bridges make close-set eyes appear further apart. Frames with higher, coloured temples will lengthen the appearance of the round face.

The Square Face: The goal of the person with a square face is to soften it. Hair with lots of waves and roundness will help to achieve this. If your hair is straight you may want to consider a soft perm to offset the straight lines of your face. Layers and wispy bangs work well. Off centre parts and height at the crown will help to elongate the face.

Length: Short to medium length hair works best for this shaped face. Long hair, straight bangs and centre parts tend to emphasize the square features. Just make sure your cut ends just above or a little below your chin.

Avoid: Centre parts and hairstyles ending at the jaw line.

GLASSES: Look for frames where the lower part is curved with some weight on top as well. Centred temples are desirable. Look for a frame wider than the widest part of the face. This will soften the angular appearance of the square face. Stay away from rectangular frames.

The Oval Face: Most any hairstyle looks good on an oval face. The goal is not to hide your features. Slicked back styles also work very well. Length: You can wear short, medium or longer styles.

Avoid: Remember not to cover up your balanced features with your hair.

GLASSES: Look for frames that will maintain the balance of your oval face. Frames should be as least as wide as the broadest part of your face. You can wear round, square or rectangular shapes. Avoid frames with low or “dropped” temples. This will detract from your face’s natural features.

The Diamond Face: You also have balanced features so you can wear a variety of styles. If you are going with a shorter style make sure you have weight in the nape area to help balance your high cheekbones and delicate chin.

Length: You can wear short, medium or longer styles.

Avoid: Hiding your features with your hair.

GLASSES: Select a frame that will accent the forehead and jaw and draw attention away from the temple. Choose frames that are decorated along the top. Rimless frames are also nice. You can wear glasses with geometric or oval shapes to minimize the distance between your temples.

The Oblong Face: The person with the oblong/rectangular face wants to make it appear fuller. Try to create fullness at the sides of your face. Layers will help to achieve this and to add softness to the lines of your face. Try off centre parts and wispy bangs to shorten the appearance of length.

Length: Short to medium lengths work best.

Avoid: Longer styles tend to drag the oblong face down, making it appear longer. Also avoid straight hairstyles and centre parts.

GLASSES: Choose frames with equal top to bottom depth and decorative or contrasting temples. Avoid frames that have too much weight on the bottom. They tend to make the face appear even longer. Round or square frames work well but make sure they don’t extend beyond the widest part of the face.

The Triangular Face: Choose styles that are fuller at the temples and taper at the jaw. Lots of layers will help you to achieve this. This style will help to balance your prominent jaw. Off centre parts work best for you. Also hair can be tucked behind ears, still working to achieve the fullness at the temple area.

Length: Shorter hair works best to help balance the prominent jaw line. If wearing long hair, make sure it’s pulled back at the nape.

Avoid: Centre parts, longer hairstyles that have fullness at the jaw- gives the appearance of extra weight in the face.

GLASSES: Look for a frame that is slightly top heavy. Decorative accents on top of the frame will draw attention away from the wide jaw line. A frame that has no lower rim is an excellent choice.

The Heart Shaped Face: Chin length styles work best. This creates a more balanced look, adding fullness where you need it most. An off-centre part is a good choice. Wispy bangs and soft layers swept forward work well. If you have a dramatic heart shaped face (high cheekbones) make sure you have weight in the nape area to help balance the look of the dramatic cheekbones and delicate chin.

Length: Chin length works best.

Avoid: Short, full styles-they emphasize the upper face, making the chin look even narrower. Height at the crown- makes the chin look narrower and longer. Avoid severe looks.

GLASSES: An excellent choice is light coloured or rimless frames with low temples. Frames that are wider at the bottom will also help to balance the face by drawing the eye away from the wider temple area.

Now that we’ve covered off what hairstyles and glasses work best for each particular face shape, don’t be afraid to make some changes to your image. If you’re not sure where to start, start small. Maybe start by styling your hair differently or changing your frames.

If you’re ready to make some big changes, talk to your stylist about what kind of cut you want. You’ve got the right information now. Don’t rely on your stylist to choose the appropriate style for you. Good luck and have fun!

bio = Donna Lewczuk has been helping women perfect their image for over 9 years. She has enjoyed working one on one with clients and also teaching in a seminar setting. Donna believes that all women want to look their best, and helps to provide the tools to achieve this. http://www.lovemyimage.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

Kissimmee is proving a great place to buy Florida investment property.

About Kissimmee The city of Kissimmee is one of the fastest growing communities in central Florida. The growths areas are business; industry; tourism; and a residential population.

Overseas property buyers just love Kissimmee, Florida With easy access to Disney and all the superb Orlando attractions Kissimmee is the ideal location for investing in Florida in real estate. From theme parks to bass fishing, Kissimmee has something for every member of the family.

Kissimmee growing population reflects how popular the area is for those thinking bout investing in the Kissimmee property market

A GROWING POPULATION

2004- 55,856

2003- 52,749

200-50,978

2001- 49,574

2000- 47,814

1990- 30,337

1980- 15,487

Thinking about moving to Kissimmee? Relocating to Kissimmee like any area requires lots of research. Information concerning Kissimmee tourism; Orlando; Kissimmee Main Street; Kissimmee Gateway Airport; Visitors Center; Relocating and Kissimmee Economic Development can be found at the City of Kissimmee official web site at http://www.kissimmee.org/

Kissimmee Old Town Kissimmee Old Town Shopping, Dining, & Entertainment Attraction Saturday Nite Cruise® with over 300 classic cars all 1972 and older starting at 1pm. http://www.old-town.com/

Kissimmee natural beauty -Lake Kissimmee State Park White-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and bobcats have been seen in the park, located on the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie. Six miles of trails are open to equestrians.

Kissimmee gateway airport Kissimmee’s 900-acre airport provides excellent service to corporate and leisure flyers, offering hotels, restaurants and entertainment nearby. Kissimmee Gateway Airport is the closest general aviation facility to Walt Disney World, Sea World Adventure Park, UNIVERSAL Orlando, the Orlando-Orange County Convention Center….and just minutes from Central Florida’s major highways

Kissimmee night life Ask any local in Kissimmee about the hottest nightlife and Universal CityWalk® in Orlando’ will always be mentioned. Universal City walk is the hottest spot for dining and entertainment. It’s a 30-acre entertainment complex where you can experience the best of the best in live music, casual and fine dining, dancing, shopping, movies, and more.

Kissimmee, Orlando and Disney Disney attractions make property investment in Florida an attractive proposition for overseas property buyers Kissimmee is ideally located for Disney with good roads that lead to Florida Disney

Kissimmee nearby attractions include:

Kennedy Space Center

Orlando Science Center

Sea World

Universal Orlando

Walt Disney World

Florida property investors have always loved investing in the sunshine state and Kissimmee is proving no exception.

bio = Nicholas Marr is a lifetime property investor his UK based company Marr International owns http://www.homesgofast.com and is one of the fastest growing overseas property websites in Europe

Popularity: 1% [?]

You receive a phone call from the CEO who asks whether you’d be interested in taking on a special assignment. In this assignment you would report directly to the CEO and participate in making some of the important strategic decisions facing the company. This assignment would provide you personally with major growth and career opportunities. The offer has only one catch; because the assignment is only part time requiring about one day per week, you would have to do your present job in the remaining four days. Would you take the assignment?

Before reading any further please answer “”Yes” or “No” – Would you take the assignment?

HBR (October 2002) reports that this question has been posed to hundreds of managers, most of whom believed that they already lacked the time to do their jobs properly. Yet, ninety nine percent of them take the assignment. Why?

Are these managers (and perhaps we could include ourselves):  Admitting that if the motivation were powerful enough, they could eliminate or do in much less time eight to ten hours worth of current activities each week without negative consequences?  Currently spending time performing unproductive, time wasting activities (that they could easily drop) to avoid or escape job related anxiety?

Like the other 99% of managers, did you answer “Yes”?. If so, what activities that you currently do, could you eliminate or do less of to free up some of your time for the more important things you need to do?

As the HBR article points out, almost all managers escape some job-induced anxiety through a variety of unproductive, often unconscious, psychological mechanisms – rationalization, denial, blaming and so forth. One of the most costly is busyness; the escape into time consuming activities that managers find less threatening to perform (though much less productive) than the tough aspects of their jobs. I call these “comfort tasks” – comfort because they are generally mindless and easy to do. However, having done them, have we progressed any of the major tasks we need to achieve? The answer is almost certainly “No”. And like good food, “comfort tasks” make us feel good, but if we have too much, we feel bloated. The trick is to keep the comfort tasks to an enjoyable minimum and thus not become “time management obese”.

So, how do you reduce the amount of time spent on “comfort tasks”?

The first step is to become aware of how much time each of us spends on these comfort tasks. Remember, for most of us, these comfort tasks are done unconsciously, so we need to find out what they are.

For the next week:

. Place a very bright post-it note somewhere visible with a large question: “Is this a comfort task?” (You will quickly learn to identify them because they are the things that you start to do when your mind wanders AND you find yourself not working on the required major goals, tasks or activities)

. Take a note of the things you do that are comfort tasks (i.e. they are not progressing your major goals or activities)

During the following week:

. Make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of time you spend on identified comfort tasks.

. Keep in mind, that some time spent is ok (and healthy), but overdoing it is overdosing!

In the future, should you find your mind wandering, remember the “comfort task” trick and get back on track. This simple technique is bound to free up some of your time to focus on the really important things either within your job or private life.

bio = Bob Selden, of the National Learning Institute, has previously taught time management techniques to managers with varying degrees of success. Over the years, he has found this one simple technique outperforms all others. If you have another time management idea that you’d like to share with Bob, or pose him a question regarding time management, he can be contacted via http://www.nationallearning.com.au

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Whenever a large investment has been made in a particular area, whenever there is a lot capital, people, and ego tied up with some operation, the transition away from that operation is apt to be far slower than what an objective observer would have expected.

As an investor, it’s easy to look at a corporation from afar and see the business the way a rational capital allocator would see it. But, very few people within the organization are able to take such a farsighted view. They are not able to asses the matter dispassionately. There are jobs at stake. There is the admission of defeat. And there is the question of identity. Just as importantly, these problems hang over the managers every day. Staying too long in a dying business is rarely the result of one major misstep – rather, it is the result of a series of seemingly innocent steps that merely serve to delay the inevitable.

Recognizing the terrible importance of the inflexibility of an enterprise that is tied to a particular line of business, mode of production, or labor force is a difficult task. Many value investors have been caught in this trap. Some business appears to offer excellent value today; but, if it should cling too long to its old ways, that value will be destroyed. It’s tempting to think that managers will see the obvious danger, act to remedy the problem, and forever change the organization, before the inevitable occurs. But, that kind of thinking requires a leap of faith. It is too easy for the investor to believe what he wants to believe – to assume that somehow tomorrow will take care of itself.

Even Warren Buffett, a man who has been ever vigilant in his efforts to avoid prolonged entanglements in businesses with poor economics, has suffered from delusions of an easy transition. There are probably three good examples of such delusions from Buffett’s career. Discussing only two will be sufficient (the third would be Baltimore department store Hochschild-Kohn).

Buffett suffered from his most recent delusion in late 1993. That’s when Berkshire Hathaway acquired Dexter Shoe. Buffett now realizes that deal was a mistake. In the 2001 annual letter to shareholders he wrote:

“I’ve made three decisions relating to Dexter that have hurt you in a major way: (1) buying it in the first place; (2) paying for it with stock and (3) procrastinating when the need for changes in its operations was obvious.Dexter, prior to our purchase – and indeed for a few years after – prospered despite low-cost foreign competition that was brutal. I concluded that Dexter could continue to cope with that problem, and I was wrong.”

Buffett lists three separate decisions. I don’t think the way he presents the Dexter Shoe debacle is simply a thoughtless arrangement. Buffett is admitting he shouldn’t have bought Dexter Shoe at all. He shouldn’t have bought it with stock or cash.

His purchase was based on a false premise. It wasn’t simply a matter of overpaying (by using stock). It’s also interesting to note the third decision he describes: “procrastinating when the need for changes in its operations was obvious”. That’s a pretty harsh admission.

Buffett refers to procrastinating as a decision. No doubt it was a daily decision, not a one-time choice between two separate paths; nevertheless, it was a costly decision. Excusing inaction as being somehow a lesser offense than an incorrect action is a common occurrence in business; but, it is not a productive way to learn from one’s own mistakes. Especially in investing, inaction must be judged just as harshly as action.

The most interesting part of all this is the fact that Buffett separates the purchase itself from his failure to push for change at Dexter Shoe. He does not suggest that buying the business and then trying to change it would have worked well. Buffett seems to be saying the best course would have been not to buy the business in the first place.

I think he’s right. The risks involved in purchasing an inflexible business are difficult to quantify. However, they are real. These risks are frequently large enough to destroy any apparent value that comes in the form of a bargain price relative to high current earnings (or cash flow).

A business that is purchased because it can throw off cash can quickly become a money pit. Often, the buyer is well aware of this possibility. However, he manages to convince himself that the necessary transition will be made with the speed demanded by a rational assessment of the facts and a desire to put capital to its best possible use.

Operating managers rarely see things so clearly. Even when the road ahead is clear, the will is often lacking. It is easy to rationalize decisions that seem to offer a middle course. A gradual transition is always a tempting possibility. Who wouldn’t want to convince themself that a retreat is really a fighting withdrawal?

In the 1985 annual letter to shareholders, Buffett gave Berkshire’s reasons for remaining in the textile business as long as it did:

“(1) Our textile businesses are very important employers in their communities, (2) management has been straightforward in reporting on problems and energetic in attacking them, (3) labor has been cooperative and understanding in facing our common problems, and (4) the business should average modest cash returns relative to investment.”

“It turned out I was very wrong about (4).I won’t close down a business of sub-normal profitability merely to add a fraction of a point to out corporate rate of return. However, I also feel it is inappropriate for even an exceptionally profitable company to fund an operation once it appears to have unending losses in prospect.”

The delusion Buffett suffered under was only in regard to his fourth reason for remaining in the textile business. The belief that modest returns will be realized from a sub-par business is an attractive one.

A rational assessment of the facts would have lead to the opposing conclusion. Past experience demonstrated that apparent possibilities of future profitability based on greater efficiencies and improved conditions within the industry rarely lead to any actual profits. There was always hope. But, there was rarely any proof that such hope was justified.

“Over the years, we had the option of making large capital expenditures in the textile operation that would have allowed us to somewhat reduce variable costs. Each proposal to do so looked like an immediate winner. Measured by standard return-on-investment tests, in fact, these proposals usually promised greater economic benefits than would have resulted from comparable expenditures in our highly-profitable candy and newspaper businesses.But the promised benefits from these textile investments were illusory.”

An objective observer would have seen the flaw in the arguments offered in support of such investments. The industry was plagued by an overabundance of capacity. In the past, there had been a terrible misinvestment of capital that diverted a great flood of money into a seemingly attractive industry.

Unfortunately, that capital did not go into easy to recoup investments. It went into massive expenditures that saddled the owners with high fixed costs. A factory that produces nothing is worse less than nothing. It’s a money pit. The owner has only two choices: exit the business or attempt to obtain the most favorable variable costs by any means necessary. If enough players opt for the latter the game is no fun for anyone.

“Many of our competitors, both domestic and foreign, were stepping up to the same kind of expenditures and, once enough companies did so, their reduced costs became the baseline for reduced prices industrywide. Viewed individually, each company’s capital investment decision appeared cost-effective and rational; viewed collectively, the decisions neutralized each other and were irrational (just as happens when each person watching a parade decides he can see a little better if he stands on tiptoes). After each round of investment, all the players had more money in the game and returns remained anemic.”

The image of a crowd of parade watchers on tiptoes is a good one for investors to keep in mind. This is what a bad business looks like. This is the kind of investment you want to avoid. A corporation rarely exits a business on economically beneficial terms. It does so in its own time – long after the unending decline becomes obvious.

An inflexible enterprise is one that is tied to a particular line of business, mode of production, or labor force. Most businesses are not as closely tied to these things as you might think.

A few are. Xerox and Kodak (EK) are two examples from the recent past. General Motors (GM) is still tied to a labor force from a bygone era. GM is an example of a business that is so inflexible it is tied not only to a particular industry but to a particular position within the industry. The company was not structured in a way that allowed it to slim down in the event of a loss of market share. For some businesses, a shift in the structure of their market can be as disastrous as a shift in technology.

The consequences of such shifts can be dire. The good news is that it is not difficult to see which companies are exposed to these future threats. General Motors was a huge, unionized enterprise. It held a very large share of the U.S. market. It obviously had to maintain its market share. That may not have on the mind of investors a few decades ago, because the idea that GM would lose market share might have seemed absurd. But, if they had considered the matter, they would have seen that GM’s survival was largely dependent upon maintaining a very large share of the U.S. market.

Likewise, if Intel (INTC) or Microsoft (MSFT) lost much market share, they’d have to make huge changes very quickly. The current structure of those companies can’t be supported by a small share of the market. Of course, it would be much easier for these businesses to shed tens of thousands of employees than it is for General Motors. At the same time, no sane investor is buying shares of Intel or Microsoft unless he expects them to maintain roughly the same share of the market for their products that they currently control.

Future market share is a key consideration at both these firms, because the weight of the expenses they have taken on would crush any company that is not the biggest player in the industry. The companies literally employ small armies. In fact, the combined workforce of these two companies is no less than the number of U.S. troops in Iraq. So, clearly both companies have made rather large commitments predicated upon their continued dominance. Without that dominance, these commitments would become crushing burdens.

You need to give some thought to the flexibility of any business you invest in. The greatest risk facing a large enterprise is a decrease in revenues that can not (or will not) be offset by a similar decrease in expenses.

The “will not” part is important, because I’ve learned that it is easy to put too much faith in management. No one likes to make tough decisions. The fact that a problem is obvious does not mean those who understand the problem will necessarily seek to solve it. I have no doubt that many in Congress recognize that the national debt is a problem. I also have no doubt that they recognize it is not in their interest to address the problem. They would like to see someone else address it at a later date. Everyone would.

It is too easy to rationalize a thousand small steps. Then, you never have to admit your one big mistake. It may be that no one consciously chooses to tie a business to an inflexible and potentially perilous position. Likewise, it may be that no one consciously chooses to continue down that path. But, that is often precisely what happens. If the problem is not addressed until it must be addressed, it is too late for the owners. The losses in both time and money are already too great.

Therefore, it may be best to look for businesses where managers will not be required to make tough decisions. An investment based upon the belief that managers will make tough decisions is always a risky investment – regardless of the fundamentals.

bio = Geoff Gannon writes a daily value investing blog and produces a twice weekly (half hour) value investing podcast at:

http://www.gannononinvesting.com

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There are many criteria to selecting the school that is worthy of the investment, and this is not an exhaustive list. However, consider these to get you focused on what is important to you.

Key #1) Golfing style
As with any topic or subject matter to learn, golf can be played in many styles. Most of them based on your personality and skill level. Some play aggressively, others, like me, more conservatively. But ultimately you have to choose a school or instructor that matches you.

Your skills, your personality, your style.

Key #2) Problem areas
I have trouble with slicing. Consistently I find that my shots slice to the right. You, to be sure, have at least one issue with your game or specific shots. You may want to find a school to address and help correct that shortcoming. If you come back from a long weekend and your slice has vanished, you would have had time (and money) well spent.

Key #3) Instructor to class-size ratio
This is a personal preference item. Some people learn in a group setting (even craze the interaction). Others of you need the attention that a one or two person class offers. It may also depend on what you are trying to gain from the school which one you actually choose.

Key #4) Price
For some this may not be an issue. Golf is your life and no amount of money is too much if you improve your game, and thus your enjoyment. For others, big obstacle. If you are considering a golf school then you know that most start above $1500. There are some “big name” instructors offering half day lessons for $10,000.

You know your budget. If you are price sensitive then, by all means, do not forget to add in travel, lodging, and food costs. Many times these “incidentals” can double the overall cost.

Key #5) Proximity
What is your traveling distance? Is your schedule tight so slipping off within 100 miles for a half day lesson is all you can squeeze. Or, are you planning your school around a vacation so distance is not really an issue. One plus of keeping tabs on those schools “in your own backyard” is when these offer last-minute specials you can jump on those quickly.

Key #6) Length of training
How long can you take off from your profession to pursue your passion? Like any good consultant would answer, it depends. It depends on whether you are looking for a long weekend, a one day seminar, or wrapping a vacation around your training. This is an important factor in choosing a school so compare wisely.

bio = For more insights into choosing the golf school that is right for you check out http://TheGolfSchoolGuru.com/index1.html

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When we’re under stress as caregivers, it’s important to have outlets for relief and to periodically rejuvenate ourselves. Otherwise we do harm to ourselves and everyone around us.

Now, getting relief is more easily said than done. Sometimes there’s just no alternative but to buck up under the load. However, even a small gesture can often be tremendously beneficial. One of these assists that meant a great deal to me was offered by my sister Laura when I was the primary caregiver for my 93-year-old father.

Laura lived miles away and could not physically be there to help more than two or three times a year, but she allowed me to call her as often as I needed to and listened with a supportive ear to all my complaints. I referred to her then as “my priest, my shrink and my rock.”

Having an outlet to vent your frustrations, fears and anger can help dissipate the feeling that you are alone on an island with the family member you are caring for. I had that feeling about my Dad many times, but then I would call Laura, and I felt better.

As an artist, I found solace in my work, too, though often the caregiving interfered with my time to paint. When I could, however, I expressed my feelings through the painting process, turning pain into a visual statement that had intrinsic worth in itself. Writing in a journal every day helped, also, to give me a tiny bit of distance and perspective on what I was going through.

Any creative outlet can be soothing in a time of stress. Just the fact that it becomes totally absorbing helps take you out of your pressure-cooker situation. Whether you express yourself through art, music, dance, writing, knitting, cooking, gardening-anything that absorbs your attention and engages your senses-you’ll find relief and rejuvenation through the process.

One of the best ways to take a break is to actually go “off duty” for a week, a weekend, a day, or even a few hours. This is not always easy to arrange, and family members may not realize how important it is for you to get that opportunity. They can’t possibly understand what you are going through. You need to insist, however, that they make whatever effort is necessary to relieve you as often as possible.

If family or friends can’t help, and money is not an issue, there are 24-hour care providers who can relieve you. The important thing is to check references carefully so that you’ll be comfortable leaving. As caregivers, we often think that no one but us can do the job right.

I remember leaving the most detailed, anal-retentive list of instructions for my brothers to follow when I went away on vacation, and I worried that they wouldn’t do things right. My father was fine under their care, of course, but I worried about everything at first. Finally, as I stood on a beach in Santa Cruz watching the waves break, I felt a sense of freedom and relaxed.

Adult day-care centers are another option to explore. Often they will bus your loved one to and from the center for a few hours of supervised care and entertainment, giving you some measure of respite. Check your local Department of Aging for information on such programs. The local one in my town also keeps a list of volunteers who will go to your home and provide companionship for your loved one so that you can get a break.

Your first job as a caregiver is to take care of yourself. That’s often difficult to do, and an afterthought for many of us, but we need to make sure we survive and stay strong, in order to do the best job we can.

bio = Lynne Taetzsch is an artist and writer who became the primary caregiver for her father when he was 93 years old and had severe short-term memory loss. She is the author of The Bipolar Dementia Art Chronicles, a memoir about her experience which is available at Amazon.com. She also writes a blog on Caregiving, Aging and Alzheimer’s at

http://artbylt.blogs.com/caregiving/

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Small and spunky, the pug dates back over 2000 years. Their story is rich in history and they have been favorite subjects for many painters. They weigh between 14-18 pounds and are 10 inches to 14 inches in height. They are known as Mops in Germany and Carlin in France.

The Pug comes in many colors including black, apricot-fawn or silver. They are AKC recognized. Their short, smooth, glossy, fine coat is very easy to groom. They only need an occasional brushing and only need bathed with necessary. Be sure to clean the creases in their face regularly. Pugs have been known to love attention and they typically enjoy the attention that a good brushing gives them. Their curly tail, flat muzzle and prominent eyes are three of their best known appearance traits.

Born to be a companion dog, the Pug loves attention and being with their family. They need a family that will not leave them alone for long periods of time on a regular basis and do best in homes where someone is around most of the time. They are a lap dog and enjoy relaxing with their family, but they also have an energetic side and need plenty of play time. Be sure that you don’t over exert them. They are happy-go-lucky little dogs. They do well with other pets and dogs, but early socialization is recommended. They have an *I’m in charge* attitude with their family and other pets. Due to this reason and their small size, they work best with older, well behaved children. They will let you know if they hear an unfamiliar sound or if someone is at the door making them excellent watchdogs.

Dating back to 700 BC, the Pug originated in China. There is a debate among many groups as to which dogs were used to develop the pug. Pugs were mainly used as companion dogs for royalty and nobility. They were introduced to Europe through trade ships traveling between China and Europe. It is said that a Pug saved the life of William, Prince of Orange by alerting him that the Spaniards were approaching. Napoleon’s wife used a Pug to send a secret message to him when she was in prison. Winston Churchill’s wife called him by the nickname Pug. Many of you might be familiar with the famous pug Frank that appeared in the movies Men in Black and Men in Black II.

With their loveable, happy nature and need for affection and companionship, the Pug makes an excellent dog for families looking for a lap dog with a take charge attitude. They enjoy traveling or staying at home as they are happy whenever and wherever they are with their family. Their whimsical looks and nature make them hard to resist.

bio= Learn more about the Pug or visit us online to talk about Dogs or to see Dog Pictures

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When planning a camping trip, there are some things that you can pack or do before you leave for your trip that will help you to spend your vacation relaxing and having fun rather than cleaning your site, making trips to the local store to buy accessories or having to deal with something that your forgot because there isn’t a store around.

The first thing you should do is to make a check list of what you want to take with you on the trip. Aside from clothing and the basics there are some other things that can help to make your trip a success. Be sure to include waterproof matches because you never know when rain or some other type of liquid might get your supplies wet. Wet matches equal no fire and no fire can be a real problem. You can buy waterproof matches or you can waterproof your own by dipping them in paraffin wax.

Pack a survival kit with enough supplies for everyone on the trip and a few extra. Include band-aids, wet wipes and power bars. Sun screen and bug spray are essential for outdoor activities as well as citronella candles to help keep bugs away at night. Take along plastic bags to put wet things in or things you need to discard. It is also good to pack anything that you don’t want to get wet into plastic bags.

Pack a sweatshirt and pants even if it is the middle of summer. At night you will probably be glad that you have them and it will keep you from being miserable, shivering by the fire. Lay out your own clothing and clothing for everyone in the family to make sure that you have something for every day and pack it in your suitcase by outfit so that you can just grab your outfit and get dressed without having to dig through your suitcase. Take along a pop-up mesh container for your dirty clothes to keep them separate from the clean stuff.

Get to your campsite early so that you can set up your tent or camper and still have plenty of time to explore the area and know your surroundings before night time arrives. Keep food locked in a cooler or in the car to avoid animals and bugs getting into it. Remove dirty shoes and clothing before entering your tent or camper so that you don’t have to constantly sweep the floor. You will find this particularly helpful if you are camping at the beach. Take a small broom with you just in case your tent or camper floor does get dirty.

Bring along cards, other games and reading materials in case you encounter some rainy weather. There is nothing worse then sitting in your campsite in the rain with nothing to do. Some of your best camping memories might just be playing these games or relaxing with a book.

A battery free radio is good to check up on news or impending inclement weather. You should also have some sort of hand held radio to use in case of emergencies. Bring flashlights with extra batteries. Pack maps and travel brochures in your car and your suitcase or camper. If you lose or misplace one, you will have a backup waiting for you.

Set up your campsite and tent or camper so that you can get to things easily but you still have room to move around. Keep other things away from your sleeping bags and a clear path to the door to avoid bumping into things in the middle of the night on your way to the bathroom.

Experience is the best source for ideas of what can make your camping trip fun and worry free. Talk to others who camp to see if they have any ideas. If you go on a trip and think about something that you could really use, write it down, buy it as soon as you get home and pack it with your camping supplies so you will be ready to go on your next camping trip.

It doesn’t take a lot to help make your camping vacation fun and carefree. With a little pre-planning and some organization once you get to your site, you can avoid many mishaps or emergencies that could spoil your vacation.

Bio= Steve is a vacation lover and webmaster of This Cruise and This Vacation Websites

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