Preparing for Your Move to Atlanta

Being relocated to any part of the country can be a very complicated endeavor. It is not just a matter of packing and hauling your things and then unloading them to your new place; it involves so much preparation for things to go well. And even if you think everything has been planned very efficiently, things may not always go as expected. But the challenges of moving can also be fun and exciting, a great learning experience that would toughen you up for more of life?s tests. If you know what you need and how to get them, then you would probably not have much trouble.

Like moving to any other location, preparing for you move to Atlanta can be both thrilling and stressful. There are many things to have in mind before being able to successfully make the move. First you have to know about the city, then you need to know what to look for before and during your move to your new neighborhood, finally you need to let yourself be settled to make the new place your home.

Knowing About Atlanta

Atlanta is the capital city of Georgia, the second most populous state in America. The city is relatively small when compared to other major cities with only about 131 square miles of land area, but it is booming with life and activity. Despite its size, Atlanta comfortably houses a lot of people, over 4 million residents occupy the metropolis, but the place does not seem to be too crowded, except during rush hour when the traffic is at its most notorious peak.

The city is very friendly and accommodating. The characteristic Southern hospitality is still very much in Atlanta. You may just walk along most streets and say hi to anybody without ever fearing of being ridiculed or snubbed at. Shady trees line the charming streets of this city?s lovely neighborhoods. Quaint and cozy little restaurants are plentiful as well as interesting shops that serve most anyone?s tastes desires. The commercial scene is very active with corporate bigwigs such as beverage giant Coca-Cola, whose headquarters lie securely on the city?s grounds.

What to Look for Before the Move

The very first thing you need to find when moving to Atlanta is of course a place to live. Fortunately, there are many residential places in the metropolis and also along the suburbs. Homes are reasonably priced. You may buy a house starting at 125,000 dollars for modest single-family homes to around 300,000 dollars for newer houses within spectacular communities featuring great amenities.

Settling in the City

Atlanta is a good place to raise a family or to find one?s own niche. There are many good schools both public and private that can surely provide quality education to children. The city is also full of fun activities for all ages and tastes. The entertainment scene is very much alive in Atlanta. Musicians of different genres perform regularly and cater to different tastes, whether pop, jazz, classical, or Latin. Dance and theater companies, both local and visiting, make great productions year round. Movie theaters and shopping centers also thrive featuring the latest trends.

Preparing your move to Atlanta can be quite easy when you get acquainted to the city, when you know what to look for, and when you know what to do once you have settled. Your move to Atlanta could be one of the most significant choices you would ever make.

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Are you thinking of relocating to the Atlanta, Georgia area but don't know where to start? Bettye Prothro is available to become your Personal Connection for Atlanta Homes and Real Estate information. Visit http://www.AtlantaHomesAdvisor.com for Atlanta Homes & Real Estate Information and Resources.

How to Organize for School Success

How many times has your child told you that night that they need a poster for a project that is due tomorrow and you have to run to the store at 7pm? What about the permission slip for a field trip that forgot to get signed the night before and now you find yourself rushing to the school that morning to sign it?
Don't worry. You are not the only parent going through this! The biggest problem most students have is a lack of organizational skills. Here are some strategies that might help make this your student's best year yet!
Issue: The homework gets finished nightly, but not handed in the next day. The homework gets haphazardly tossed into the backpack but then lost in a sea of papers by the next day.
Solution? In a two pocket folder, designated just for homework, the left hand side becomes the assignments to do side and the right side becomes the work to turn in side. For the early grades you can check with your student to see that the left side is empty and the right side is full. This will help train them for the later grades when they should be doing this on their own. This strategy also gives them the feelings of accomplishment thus helping to reinforce their self-confidence.
Issue: A large project is suddenly due tomorrow!
Solution? On the family calendar have each child mark long-term projects in a signature marker color along with important tests and anything else that needs to be prepared for in advance. Each night that can be looked at and short term goals can be attained over the long run rather than one BIG push to get it done the night before!
Issue: School news and activities are over before you ever hear about them.
Solution? Although older students need to be somewhat independent, parents still need to know what is going on with their school. Instead of snooping and having to go through the backpack when you student gets home, be in the habit of asking for all papers that require you to look at them when he/she is doing homework or at dinnertime. You might also have a pocket designated in their back pack that is only papers for mom so that they won't feel that you are constantly questioning them or going through the rest of their backpack.
Starting now with good habits will help them through the rest of their school career and putting these into practice will eventually result in habits that are formed to help them with their organizational skills throughout their lifetimes. An organized adult will be a decided asset for any job or career.
About the Author

Jane Saeman runs an In-Home Tutoring service called Aim High Tutors. Find out about how to help your student reach their full potential at http://www.aimhightutors.com/blog

Ten Famous Toy Recalls

The number of recalls issued by toy manufacturers is staggering. Today there seems to be little attention and thought in the design of children's toys, other than to make them as cheaply as possible. The design level is certainly lacking the element of making safety first. It is apparent the parents or those buying the toys are purchasing them without the knowledge of reading the box which will say Parts that can cause a choking accident. We have to be more vigilant in the supervision of children and look to see if a situation is life threatening.

Here is a list of a few products that have been listed on the top ten list of recalls:

1. Toy Mobile Phones Recalled for Choking Hazard
International Playthings Inc., of Parsippany, N.J. recalled 50,500 iPlay My First Mobile Phones. The toy phone's yellow antenna could detach and posed a choking hazard to young children.

2. Next Marketing Inc. Recalls Youth Hooded Fleece with Drawstring for Strangulation Hazard

Next Marketing Inc., of Wabash, Ind. recalled 22,000 Youth Hooded Fleeces with Drawstrings. The drawstring, which went through the hood of the fleece, posed a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

3. Simplicity Cribs

After the death of a 19-month baby in Myrtle Creek, Ore., the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Simplicity Inc., of Reading Pa., renewed their search for recalled Aspen 3 in 1 Cribs with Graco logos. The child died on Jan. 6, 2006, after two of the mattress support slats came out of his recalled crib. The infant was trapped between the mattress and the foot board of the crib and suffocated.

4. Fisher-Price Infant Musical Toy ChairHazard

Fisher-Price, one of the most well-known toy manufacturers in the world, voluntarily recalled about 614,000 Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn & Trade Musical Learning Chairs. It was possible for a child to get stuck between the back of the seat and the side table attached to the chair, which could cause the child's neck to become stuck as well and posed a strangulation hazard.

5. Mattel Polly Pocket magnetic play sets

Mattel Inc. recalled 4.4 million Polly Pocket magnetic play sets after they found out that three children had been hospitalized with serious injuries after swallowing tiny magnets which fell off of the toys.

6. Mega Brands Inc. Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets

3.8 million of these Magnetix sets were recalled after a 19-month old, and three other children were injured from parts of the toy, one fatally. The magnets were distributed loose in the box and were fairly small. If swallowed, several of them could magnetically bond together inside the digestive track and cause serious blockage.

7. Riding Toys

There were 20 toy-related deaths and 152,400 toy-related injuries involving children under age 15. Although no deaths occurred, The majority of injuries were sustained from riding toys.

8. KFC Tangled Treeples Toy

These toys came with KFC kids meals in June and July of 2000. The container the toys came in could fit over a child's nose and mouth, posing a suffocation hazard to children.

9. Playskool Toy Tool Bench

Playskool voluntarily recalled this toy after it resulted in the death of two toddlers.

10. Children's Cooking Sets

A popular Children's Cooking Set was recalled because the glass lids were considered a laceration Hazard.

When it comes to children, toy manufacturers need to think safety first. Children are vulnerable and need constant supervision, but parents have learned to depend on and trust the judgment of companies like Playskool and Fisher Price. Like it or not, those companies have, at least in the opinion of this writer, a responsibility that is inherent to the industry they've chosen.

About the Author:

Alex consults for a hobby shop mainly for older kids, but their model cars appeal to car lovers of all ages and their plush toys can light up the smile of any child.

Family Board Game Fun

A family that plays together, stays together. Family Board Games are a great way to spend time with your children and help them to learn valuable skills at the same time. And, best of all, playing board games with your children can be a whole lot of fun.

Traditional board games are educational, meaningful, and authentic hands-on activities. Parents can use Educational Board Games to motivate children to learn and practice academic skills and develop essential social and life skills such as: Math, Reading, History, Geography, Science, taking turns, sportsmanship, weighing choices, team work, patience and many other life skills.

Some of the more popular board games today that are appropriate for children 6+ include,Apples to Apples, Blokus, Blink, Rumis, Hey That's My Fish and Gobblet. Older children and teenagers will enjoy Talisman, Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride and Carcassonne. These games are just as enjoyable for adults, and they never play the same way twice.

Playing board games also provides some health benefits to you and your children. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, challenging your brain with mentally stimulating activities, (like playing board games), is great for your mind and can help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's and dementia. More quality family time, (like a family game night), often results in children with more self-esteem and better grades in school. Finally, according to RealNetworks, Inc., a casual games developer, playing board games is an excellent way to relax and relieve stress.

So, the next time that you're thinking about buying the kids a new video game, why not find your local game/hobby store and try out some Family board games instead. You'll be glad that you did.

By Marc Bowker

A Double Baby Jogging Stroller To Keep Up Exercise

If you're a new mother of twins, get ready I'm about to let you in on a secret which is quite possibly the best purchase you could make. A double baby jogging stroller. Now while you might not believe me right now hear me out and make your decision once you've read through the article Trying to find time for work, meals, sleeping and everything else life requires us to do can be tough, so it's twice as tough trying to get it all done with twins. How about regular exercise, do you get out for a brisk walk a few times a week? If not a double baby jogging stroller can help you manage your two little ones and get outside for some exercise.

Trying to get out after you've had one child is difficult. Now if you need to get two children ready and out the door you've got twice the trouble. If you have two strollers that's great if your spouse or a friend can come for a walk with you, but it doesn't help if you're on your own. The obvious benefit of having a double baby jogging strollers is that you can operate it all on your own.

Of course this stroller is a wonder for exercise, but that's not it's only use. Consider the benefit if you took it along to the mall. It's easy to maneuver, and is great for taking both your children around the store. In fact I'm sure there are some parents that utilize the mall and their double baby jogging stroller solely for exercise.

The only thing that is cuter than a baby is two babies. Nothing is more adorable than twins in a double baby jogging stroller. I love seeing this site when I am walking in my local park or at the mall. I?m sure that the parents of these little treasures don?t mind having the extra work involved with having twins.

Of course it's not just mothers of twins that can benefit from have a double stroller. What if you had two children a year or less apart. That might as well be twins right, they'll both be at similar stages in their life when their babies. Both will need similar attention and help, having a double baby jogging stroller offers the same benefits to a family with Irish Twins as it does with maternal twins.

So now do you believe me that this is a great purchase for a new mom with twins to contend with? If you're struggling to be able to get in your exercise, or just can't take a trip to the mall because you don't know how you'd manage both your children at once, consider a double baby jogging stroller, it'll keep you in shape and probably help keep you sane.

About the Author:

For more baby related articles and items visit our website about babies and more at baby Tips.

Are Ethics Important For Professional Accountants?

Ethics in professional accountancy are of utmost importance. Now as the business and financial world is adopting international accounting and auditing standards, it is becoming all the more necessary to adhere to certain Code of Ethics prescribed by international and national accountancy bodies. Before arguing in favour of the topic, let?s have a look at some basic concepts:

Profession

A profession is an occupation that requires extensive training and the study and mastery of specialized knowledge, and usually has a professional association, ethical code and process of certification or licensing; for example engineering, medicine, social work, teaching, law, finance, the military, nursing and Accountancy etc. Classically there were only three professions: military, medicine and law. Each of these professions holds to a specific code of ethics and members are almost universally required to swear some form of oath to uphold those ethics, therefore ?professing? to a higher standard of accountability. Each of these professions also provides and requires extensive training in the meaning, value and importance of its particular oath in practice of that profession.

Accountant

Practitioner of Accountancy is known as Accountant. Accountant, Qualified Accountant, Professional Accountant or Accountancy Practitioner is a legally certified accountancy and financial expert. Accountants not only work in public practice but many of them are working within private corporations, in financial industry and in various government bodies. Accountancy (profession) or accounting (methodology) is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities, lenders and other stakeholders and decision makers to make resource allocation and policy making decisions.

Like many other professions there are many professional bodies for accountants throughout the world. Some of them are legally recognized in their jurisdictions such as British qualified accountants including Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA or FCCA), Chartered Accountant (CA, ACA or FCA), Canadian qualified accountants such as Chartered Accountant and Certified General Accountants (CA or CGA) and American qualified Accountants such as Certified Public Accountants (CPA) etc. Some other statutory and non-statutory accountancy qualifications are Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Associated Cost and Management Accountant (ACMA), Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) etc.

In Pakistan, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan is the sole professional and accountancy body with the right to award the Chartered Accountant designation. ICAP is the member of IFAC (International Federation of Accountants, IASB (International Accounting Standards Board), Confederation of Asian & Pacific Accountants (CAPA) and South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA). The members of ICAP have reached to 4,089 as of March 1, 2007 data.

Role of Professional Accountants:

Accountants are independent business advisors. Accountants can offer an extensive range of services. Accountants can be registered auditors, can set up client?s accounting systems, can be an advisor on tax planning, or a detector of frauds and embezzlements, can do budgeting and financial statement analysis, advise clients on financing decisions, provide specialist knowledge and can help maintaining an ethical environment.

After discussing the basic concepts and role of professional accountants we are in a better position to ponder on what professional ethics is and why it is important in the field of accountancy.

Definition of Ethics

The word ?Ethics? is derived from the Ancient Greek word ethikos, the adjective of ethos, means customs and habits. A major branch of philosophy which is the study of values and customs of a person or group and covers the analysis and employment of concepts such as right and wrong, good and evil and do?s and don?ts.

Code of Ethics:

In the context of a code adopted by a profession or by a governmental organization to regulate that profession, an ethical code may be styled as a code of professional responsibility, which may dispense with difficult issues of what behaviour is ?ethical?. A code of ethics is often a formal statement of the organization?s values on certain ethical and social issues relating to the profession and practice of the professional knowledge. This also includes the principles and procedures for specific ethical situations.

Ethics in Professional Accountancy:

The general ethical standards of society apply to people in professions such as medicine, law, nursing and accountancy etc just as much as to anyone else. However society places even higher expectations on professionals. People need to have confidence in the quality of the complex services provided by professionals

Ethics in accountancy profession is of utmost importance to accounting professionals and to those who rely on their services. Stakeholders including clients, credit grantors, governments, taxation authorities, employees, investors, the business and financial community etc perceive them as highly competent, reliable, objective and neutral people. Professional accountants therefore, must not only be well qualified but also possess a high degree of professional integrity. Because of these high expectations, professionals have adopted codes of ethics; also known as codes of professional conduct. These ethical codes call for their members to maintain a level of self-discipline that goes beyond the requirements of laws and regulations. Each of the major professional association for accountants has a code of ethics.

As mentioned earlier, professional accountants can be of two types. One who work in firms or independently run those firms that provide accounting, auditing and other advisory services to clients; these are called public practitioners. Others are those who are employees of organizations and may serve as internal auditors, management accountants, financial managers and financial analysts. Regardless of the role of accountants they are adhered to code of ethics which are applied to their professional conduct although there are some special provisions for those in public practice [Reference: Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants-International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

International Federation of Accountants-IFAC:

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is a federation of all accountancy bodies throughout the world. All the major international and national associations like ACCA, AICPA, ICMA, ICAP, IASB etc are all its member organizations. The mission of IFAC, as set out in its constitution, is ?the worldwide development and enhancement of an accountancy profession with harmonized standards, able to provide services of consistently high quality in the public interest? [Ref: Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants-IFAC. In pursuing this mission, the IFAC Board has established the IFAC Ethics Committee to develop and issue, under its own authority, high quality ethical standards and other pronouncements for professional accountants for use around the world. The Code of Ethics establishes ethical requirements for professional accountants. A member body or firm may not apply less stringent standards than those stated in this Code.

The objective of setting this code of conduct is to harmonize these standards and practices on a global perspective. Public can only trust these highly professionals when it is made mandatory to observe and follow strict regulations and codes throughout the world. A professional accountant is required to comply with the following fundamental principles mentioned in this Code of Ethics:[Ref: Section 100.4 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants

?Integrity: A professional accountant should be honest and straightforward in all professional and business relationship.
?Objectivity: A professional accountant should not allow bias, conflict of interest or undue influence of others to override professional or business judgments.
?Professional Competence & Due Care: A professional accountant has a continuing duty to maintain professional knowledge and skills at the level required to ensure that a client or employer receives competent professional service. A professional accountant should act diligently and in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards when providing professional services.
?Confidentiality: A professional accountant should respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships and should not disclose nay such information to third parties without proper and specific authority unless there is a legal or professional right or duty to disclose. This information should not be used for personal advantage by professional accountant.
?Professional Behaviour: A professional accountant should comply with relevant laws and regulations and should avoid any action that discredits the profession.

Code of Ethics defined in ?Members Handbook? for members of ICAP Pakistan is in conformity with:
?IFAC Code of Ethics and International Auditing Standards
?International Accounting Standards
?The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan ? ICAP
?Relevant legislation

[Ref: Members Handbook-ICAP

This Code of Ethics has discussed in detail the role of Chartered Accountants in given situations. For example there are clear directives on prohibition of acceptance of gifts, long association with clients, advertising of firm?s name exceeding prescribed limits, holding client?s monies for no sound reason, disclosure of client?s records (except ones that are allowed), acceptance of fees offered by client which is less than that prevailing in market etc.

After discussing in detail the importance of ethics in accounting profession, we are to conclude the topic with this final note that accountancy as a profession is acceptable and relied upon only when ability to exercise professional judgment based on a foundation of ethics; broad but deep technical excellence and strategic awareness are exercised by a professional accountant. Only then general public can trust the integrity of this profession.

The Author is an ACCA student and is working for United Nations Population Fund, Peshawar Pakistan

Increase the Value of California Homes for Sale by Preparing in Advance

Increasing the value of homes for sale can increase the asking price. Though realtors suggest improvements that can be made to increase home values, there are many things that can be done by owners in advance of listing their California homes for sale.

Many owners of homes for sale make the mistake of doing costly but unnecessary upgrades, making the wrong improvements, or trying to do too much. Costly upgrade costs are seldom recouped, and many types of improvements add no additional value to the homes.

Trying to do too many improvements is the biggest mistake made by owners of homes for sale. The objective is to do a few strategic and important projects really well with quality materials and workmanship. Doing many projects using mediocre materials, nonprofessional labor, and/or doing them only halfway can, in the end, decrease the value of the homes for sale.

Let?s look at some improvements that will add value to homes for sale:

?Yards
oMany owners think first of their back yard, since they have spent so many hours there compared to the front. The front yard, however, takes precedence over the back for homes for sale ? if sellers cannot get potential buyers through the front doors, then the back yards do not matter!

oOverall, patios add the most value to homes for sale; irrigation and then landscaping follow as value-added improvements.

oMany owners overplant, assuming elaborate landscaping will bring a higher selling price. Chaotic landscapes, however, do not impact potential buyers as much as lots of attractive lawn space. The new owners will add more landscaping if that is what they prefer; so, sellers should keep such planting to one area versus many.

oA little lighting goes a long way, so owners should use it sparingly and spend their money for other improvements.

oIf pavements are added or replaced, owners should focus on areas where people gather or frequently walk and not over do the paving for walkways and pool areas.

?Buildings ? Home, Garages and Any Additional Buildings
oCosmetic improvements add the most value. Painting and replacing carpet, however, give the best payback. Fixtures are next for increasing the value for homes for sale.

oThis is the time to do any maintenance that has been postponed ? whether it can be seen or not and especially any structural damage. Here are items that need to be checked for needed maintenance, repair or replacement:

?Items that generally need replacing or repaired after ten years of use are dishwashers, disposals, washer/dryers, and built in microwaves. Also look at fiberglass tubs and showers, laminate countertops, water heaters, carpeting, wooden decks, and asphalt driveways.

?Items that usually need replacing or repaired between 15 and 20 years are central air conditioning, all types of heating units, ranges, ovens, kitchen cabinets, and all types of fixtures, including water faucets and lighting.

?Items to look at that are 20 or more years old are sinks, granite countertops, and concrete, stone or brick walls and patios.

oAs to siding on the homes for sale, stucco or wood siding give the most value. Brick gives absolutely no value, and vinyl siding actually takes away from the asking price.

oThe features that add the most value to homes for sale are an extra full bathroom, half baths, fireplaces (two are better than one), and a garage for two or more vehicles.

oThe next added-value features for homes for sale are double oven, den or study, kitchen island, pantry, utility room, extra bedroom, cathedral ceilings, skylights, decks and an elevator.

Before deciding on any improvement projects, owners should do a buyer evaluation, beginning by standing on the street in front of their homes for sale. Using a notepad, they will write down their first impressions of the lawn and buildings. They must be objective, as if they are looking at their homes for the first time as potential buyers. They should walk through their entire property, making notes of their impressions. If owners have a difficult time separating themselves from the memories that are tied to the homes for sale, then they should ask a friend do this for them. They can even contact a realtor and ask him/her to evaluate the property for value-added improvements, with the promise or signed contract of listing the homes for sale with the realtor later.

The time to evaluate homes for sale is at the first decision to sell them, giving time to make improvements that may substantially increase your selling price.

John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more on San Diego Homes for Sale visit http://www.twtrealestate.com

How To Make Money On No Equity Properties

As a real estate entrepreneur, you will often run against problems with no equity properties. This is because; you will be buying property from homeowners who sell foreclosed property. This is the reason why most real estate investors do not buy no equity property. The only way to deal with it is to persuade the credit-lending bank to take less than the amount owed to it.

Making Profits on the No Equity Property; Discussed below are some ways to make money on no equity properties.

Deal directly with the Homeowners: Until the time the court orders the foreclosure of property, the banks are not the owners of the home. You need to deal directly with the homeowners to buy the property, and then buy the mortgage from the bank to transfer the ownership of the property to you.

After getting in touch with the homeowner, get him or her to sign a release Information form that will allow the bank to talk to you about the homeowners? mortgage.

Now you need to convince the bank to discount mortgage. Once you can prove that the property is in a bad shape and needs extensive repairs, and the owner is unable to repay the mortgage loan, the bank will probably agree to lower the amount. You may need to negotiate a little, but most banks do not want real estate on their hands, they just need some way to recover the money owed.

Once you have bought the property, you can sell it for a higher amount. The bank is relieved to have the real estate off its hands and get back some of the loan, you have made a profit, and the buyers of the house will probably have some equity on it.

Why Homeowners Will Want to Sell to You. A no equity property is a liability for the homeowner, especially if he is making a distressed sale. The options he has are limited; paying off the mortgage is difficult, renting out the property means spending money on maintenance and repairs, foreclosure means a bad credit record, and short sale could invite a huge tax penalty.

If you make a reasonable offer to the homeowner, chances are that it will be accepted. Since what you pay will get her more money than what the above options could get, he/she will accept your terms. Then you will draw up a sale contract and discuss it with the bank.

With a little creativity and out of the box thinking, you can convert a no equity property into a money making proposition. So the next time you come across a no equity property, do not walk away from it. It may be your chance to make significant profits.

Alexander Gordon is a writer for www.smallbusinessconsulting.com - The Small Business Consulting Community. Sign-up for the free success steps newsletter and get our booklet valued at $24.95 for free as a special bonus. The newsletter provides daily strategies on starting and significantly growing a business.

Business Owners all across the country are joining The Community of Small Business Owners? to receive and provide strategies, insight, tips, support and more on starting, managing, growing, and selling their businesses. As a member, you will have access to true Millionaire Business Owners who will provide strategies and tips from their real-life experiences.

Importance of Wearing the Right Bra

Do you know a good bra of the correct fit is essential to a woman's breast? Majority of women are still unaware that they are not wearing the right bra.

Women today should be aware that wearing the wrong bra size could cause all sorts of medical problems. Some of these symptoms includes backache, shoulder pain, neck ache, tender, aching bust, soreness under bust, grooves in shoulders, and bad posture.

Because you either have too much bust or not enough. 'We are never happy with our lot.' These are just a few of the very real problems that can be put right with a good bra. There are so many women out there buying their bras assuming that their size is the same or some guesses their bra size and without trying them on or seeking expert advise. The result is usually more discomfort. The most common complaints are

1. the back riding up,
2. straps slipping off the shoulders,
3. wrinkled cups,
4. unsightly bumps and ridges.

Better fitting bras not only feel comfortable but also help your clothes to look better. A well-fitted bra is similar to a pair of well-fitting shoes. Women should re-measured regularly especially during pregnancy, following childbirth, weight loss or weight gain - as the breast size can change dramatically.

The advantages of a correct fit bra includes no more soreness under the bust, pulling the back down, lifting the shoulder swaps and popping back in what has flowed out, making four boobs.

It takes an expert eye to find the size and style that will make the very best of each woman's figure. It also required in-depth knowledge of the wide variety of bras now available. Although manufacturers use what appears to be standard sizing on their labels, every bra is in fact slightly different. This means that a particular cup size in one style may not give you the right fit with another style or manufacturer.

Measuring your bra size and bra cup of exact fit is not difficult, however most women find it unnecessary and a nuisance. This is the major mistake as a good fitted bra brings about many benefits and eliminates unnecessary aliments. The following is some information for you while taking the measurement for yourself.

Your bra size consist of two figures; your back size and your cup. You will need to take two measurements using a tape measure.

Back Size : The measurement is taken around the body directly under the bust or your breasts (over your present bra).

Especially when buying a strapless bra, the bra has to fit slightly tighter but not too tight otherwise unsightly bulges would be formed. Use the following table to find your exact bra size.

Back Measurement (cms) Bra back size
63 - 67 30
68 - 72 32
73 - 77 34
78 - 82 36
83 - 87 38
88 - 92 40

Cup size: this is determined the difference between bra back size and the measurement around the fullest part of the bust.

Calculate the difference of the 2 measurements, rounding it off to the nearest inch. Use the value to find out its corresponding cup size in the table below.

Difference Cup size
1 A
2 B
3 C
4 D
5 E
6 F

After you have obtained both values, combine the two to get your exact fit size.

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Gift Ideas For Those Living In A Nursing Home

Elderly people who dwell in a nursing home have needs that are considerably different from those living in their own home, not to mention being constrained by a limited space. Nevertheless, the confines of a nursing home do not exclude these people from receiving tokens of appreciation. Indeed, there are still numerous valuable gift ideas for those residing in nursing homes. Not knowing what these people need or want is no excuse for not giving them gifts. Gifts are small tokens that express concern and care. Everyone longs to be remembered, most especially elderly people in nursing homes who do not experience the proximity of family and loved ones. Most people agree that thinking of gift ideas for people dwelling in nursing homes can be painstaking. The following ideas discussed in this article may help provide a spark of thought. These gift ideas for nursing home residents are generally practical and useful, and most importantly, these gift ideas embody thoughtfulness.

Those who reside in nursing homes are sometimes unable to shop for stationery, note cards, greeting cards, writing supplies, and postage stamps. A nursing home resident, who is fond of filling out letters and cards, may be given a gift of postage stamps, writing supplies, and greeting cards for all occasions. Furthermore, include an address book that contain with the names and addresses of relatives and friends. Bestowing a nursing home resident the facility to stay in touch with family and friends is a wonderful and thoughtful gift.

Everyone enjoys reminiscing happy moments in one?s life, and for the elderly, the past is oftentimes more revered than the present. Anyone would certainly love to receive a scrapbook or a photo album that depict valuable memories. Pictures, as the old adage says, ?are worth a thousand words,? and sending someone a gift book containing familiar faces, smiles, as well as places is something that can be appreciated and looked at again and again. If the nursing resident is a friend or a family member, make copies of photographs in your possession, and solicit photographs from other family members or from mutual friends. Select a cheerful motif for the photo album, and fill the album not only with cherished photos of family, pets, friends, happy occasions, and vacations but also perhaps, some personal notes from the people whose faces appear in the album. The recipient will surely love a thoughtful gift as this, and they will be able to relive the past with each turn of a page.

Gift certificates are popular for all occasions, and fortunately gift certificates are available for every interest and age group. A gift certificate might be a very appropriate choice to give to a nursing home resident who can go outside of the facility to have a massage, professional pedicure, manicure, or hairstyle. A restaurant gift certificate might also be considered, so the recipient can use it, for instance, to treat a guest to a meal out. Also consider services and entertainment that cater the interests or the needs of the nursing home resident, and purchase a gift certificate that they can make use of.

Lastly, one might consider making a gift basket filled with useful items such as washable slippers, cologne, lip balm, small decorative trinkets, word puzzles, magazines, or books, etc. If the nursing home resident is not undergoing a restricted diet, also consider a gift basket that includes a selection of tasty snacks or fruits.

Dranreb Earl Juanico
http://www.celebrateahero.com/othergiftidea.html

Do Language Learning Audio Tapes Really Work?

The audio tape language learning technique took a boost in popularity in the early 90s, when it was considered one of the most prolific learning methods of those times. As with all things that grow too popular for their own good, competition tried to take advantage and turn this popularity into something negative, stating that they can teach you the language better and faster than hose stereotypical, boring, inefficient audio tapes. Slowly, their fame went down and people started wondering if they actually work, after hearing how numerous competitors in the language learning market can do better and how they can do it faster. This article will try to shed some light on this subject and answer the question as to whether audio language learning tapes really work or not.

Most language learning specialists will agree that reading and listening are two extremely important factors for getting the basics and for improving the vocabulary of any given foreign language. Although reading sources are extremely easy to find (in local libraries, on the Internet, etc) listening ones aren't. Audio language learning tapes and the country's media culture are pretty much the only things that offer you something to listen to (and if that particular country's media culture is not very developed or it lacks completely, audio tapes are all you have left).

No one can really decide on which of the two methods, reading or listening, is better for learning a new language. Reading has the advantage of allowing you to memorize words quicker and for longer periods of time (cause visual memory is more powerful than audio memory) but then again you only have a rough idea on how to pronounce these new words. Audio tapes on the other hand, provide a good way to get your pronunciation skills up and running and also have the advantage of getting you familiar with using the foreign language in an actual conversation.

Truth be told, the best audio language learning tapes come together with reading material that complement what you hear. Some come with exact transcriptions of the audio, so you can read through while you're hearing things (helping you understand and memorize what the tape is saying better) while others provide translations of the stuff said on tape, which allows you to compare words, grammar rules, etc. If you have a choice, I would recommend getting an audio tape that has an exact transcription attached to it, since this helps a lot in attaining a powerful vocabulary and in learning how to pronounce words correctly.

So to answer the question, do language learning audio tapes really work? Yes they do, provided they have a decent quality and they take the learning process up gradually. Despite the slight fall in popularity, audio tapes remain one of the main language learning methods and if you've considered starting a new language at home, an audio tape might be the thing for you. Please note that you can order or download several such audio language learning recordings over the internet.
About the Author

Nursery Decoration Is Fun

If you have a new baby on the way then decorating the nursery is key to prepare for your baby?s arrival. You?ll want to decide on a budget and then take an inventory of everything you need for your nursery. You?ll need furniture such as a crib, lighting for the room, paint for the walls, pictures to go up, bedding for the crib, and shades or drapes to cover the windows. You?ll probably be focused first and foremost on the crib. If you don?t have a lot of money to spend then try to find your furniture on the cheap.

You can go to thrift stores or flea markets to find furniture. You could also ask around to your family and friends for any baby furniture they may have for you to use. You can get a great crib at a garage sale too. You should also look at large retailers like Walmart or Target for a good crib. You can save a lot of money shopping at a big store like this. You should look at furniture by Graco, Century, or Bassett Baby Furniture if you want to save money on baby furniture. You can get a lot of decorating help if you go to a Bassett store for your furniture needs.

You can also consider buying Baby Dream Furniture if you have a tight budget to work with. They have a great selection of furniture to choose from and you find it in over 300 stores all over the US. If you want a more refined and elegant look than discover Pali. Pali is an Italian brand that makes lovely baby furniture that would look great in any nursery. Pali offers baby furniture in a wide array of classic looks and their furniture is very comfortable for babies and small children to use.

Another great brand to try out is Delta Baby Furniture which combines a great look with high quality. Their products last for many years and you can pass them on to your grandkids to use! You will want to buy their products if you want something really durable. They have bassinets, changing tables, toddler beds, strollers/walkers, and portable cribs. The Jardine baby furniture company can give you a great assortment of rocking chairs, toddler beds, and tables to choose from. They have great products and good prices.

Once you have your furniture all sorted then you can decorate your nursery as you wish. Do the furniture part first and then work on the walls and the wall hangings. You?ll want to have the furniture selected before you choose the d?cor since it is the most important part of the room.

About the Author:

Concentrating on informating about woodworking tools, Ray Walberg wrote normally for http://www.insidewoodworking.com . His writings on wood working patterns can be found on his website .

Finding the Right Laptop Backpack For You

You have spent a lot of money on your laptop. You want to make sure you have the best way of carrying it with you. Laptop backpacks have become the trendiest answer to this need. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect laptop backpack.

Laptop backpacks are a casual looking and easy way to carry your laptop and other mobile gear hands-free. They provide plenty of storage space and using the adjustable shoulder straps will ensure a secure and bounce free way to carry your laptop. A laptop backpack with an included laptop sleeve is especially good to have, and increases the security and safety of your laptop.

First consideration in finding the perfect laptop backpack is comfort. If you're not happy with the way it feels on you then you really are not going to care about the other features. Make sure your laptop backpack manufacturer has taken your comfort into consideration. Simple things like a variety of choices on how you can wear the straps show that the creator was thinking of comfort.

Another big consideration is padding. No matter how far laptops have advanced they are still fragile pieces of equipment. Accidents do happen. Make sure your laptop backpack is equipped with enough padding to protect your expensive cargo.

Next on your laptop backpack consideration hit list should be workmanship. You bought a laptop because of its portability and that means you want to take it everywhere. Make sure your laptop backpack can handle an extended period of use with little wear and tear.

Another important but often overlooked aspect to consider in your search for the perfect laptop backpack is creativity. Laptops come with a lot of accessories and more are being created every day. Make sure your laptop backpack has lots of compartments for all these little, but important, extras.

Finally, if budget allows, look for the wow factor. Laptop backpack manufacturers are starting to add things like water-resistant outer fabric and closed-cell shock absorption foam padding for the laptop backpack owner that has everything.

This is the type of thing that deveopers have included in the latest laptop backpacks:
multi-compartment design for maximum organization, water-resistant hidden hood and hidden side water-bottle pocket, side-access zipper, CD pocket with headphone port, deluxe organizer with zippered mesh pocket, pen pockets and removable key fob, s-shaped padded shoulder straps with suspension system, thumb-ring pulls and removable cell phone pocket.

Adjustable side compression straps, zippered front pocket with contoured daisy chain and monster hook, mesh padded back panel and tuck-away waist belt, ribbed grab handle

So now you have the essentials needed to go out and find the best laptop backpack for you. Have fun.
About the Author

Laptop Backpack

Ultralight Backpacking Getting Started

Want to run up that ridge, just to see what's there? Want to easily carry your pack up those fourteener's, so you can go down by any route you choose? Want to feel good at the end of a twenty-mile day? It's time to liighten your load.

Ultralight Backpacking - The First 3 Steps

1. Buy a light backpack. Mine weighs 14 ounces, and I've used it on week-long trips. Don't go over two pounds.

2. Buy a light sleeping bag. I stay warm in my 17-ounce bag down to freezing. Don't go over three pounds.

3. Buy a light shelter. My tarp weighs just 16 ounces with all strings, but if you prefer a tent, keep it to three pounds.

The ig three above are where you save the most weight. After those, consider each item carefully. Do you need it? What happens if you don't bring it? Are there lighter alternatives? After you've cut down your weight, you can always add back a luxury or two. But then, ultralight backpacking is a luxury in itself.

Money helps reduce weight. The lightest gear can be expensive. If you don't have much money, well...decent rain jackets cost a sixth of the great ones, and weigh almost the same. There are many options.

Learning Ultralight Techniques

Knowledge allows you to use a tarp instead of a tent, to carry only a pint of water (depending on location) by filling up at every stream, and to eat a belly full of berries instead of carrying fruit. Read, learn, practice, and backpacking will be lighter AND more safe.

In the meantime, walk a few times a week on uneven ground (not down the sidewalk). This strengthens your ankles. You'll love hiking in running shoes instead of clunky boots, and you can safely do this if your ankles are ready.

Problems Of Ultralight Backpacking

There are limitations to consider with lightweight backpacking. Some techniques require practice, for example. Learn to pitch your tarp, or you'll get wet. Keep your down sleeping bag dry, or you'll get cold. Don't try to carry thirty-five pounds in your new ultralight backpack, which brings up the next point.

Ultralight gear can be fragile. My 14-ounce waterproof/breathable rainsuit, for example, is not as tough as an expensive, heavier nylon/Gortex one. Still, I've used it for ten years, from Michigan forests to Ecuadorian glaciers. At $50, compared to $300 for high-tech rainsuits, I figure I can replace it a couple times in my life, and still save money and weight.

Bottom line: The problems of ultralight backpacking are small compared to the advantages. Become an ultralight backpacker and you won't go back to the traditional routine of struggling and suffering.


About the author:
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of lightweight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Prom Trends 2007 Top Prom Jewelry Looks

You?ve pored through prom magazines, hit all the hot shops and finally selected the perfect prom dress. Your shoes are gorgeous. Your date is too. You know how you?ll wear your hair and makeup, and you?ve booked your limo and decided which after-party to attend. But have you thought about your prom jewelry? If you?re like many girls, the answer is probably no.

Why is prom jewelry an afterthought for so many? Even prom checklists published in major magazines rarely include jewelry in their ?To Do? timelines. Strange, because jewelry can make or break your look. Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany?s: Holly Golightly would have looked decidedly naked without her beautiful multi-strand pearl necklace!

When choosing the perfect prom jewelry, which, ideally, you should do weeks before your big night, there are a few things to consider. First, what style is your dress? Second, how will you wear your hair? And third, what?s your personal style? Finally, you?ll need to work within a budget that makes sense (unless you?ve been saving your babysitting money since you were 11).

Your Prom Dress
This year?s prom dresses are all about vibrant colors?bold silvery metallics and jewel tones are everywhere, and designers have shown them off dramatically on two key dress styles: the strapless and the plunging neckline. Your jewelry choice is clear here: Bold pieces are the only way to carry bold dresses. Think chandelier earrings, oversize cocktail rings, and wide cuff bracelets. One exception: Delicate pendants are hot right now, and they can work with a bold style if you pair them with dramatic earrings or a big bracelet in a similar style. For example, a lavender pearl pendant set with white gold will look stunning with a lavender or white gold cuff.

Keep things simple and keep in mind that you should choose pieces that will complement your look. For example, if you?re wearing a simple strapless sheath in a bold color, you want to accessorize with a bold piece of jewelry. But don?t overwhelm your look with jewelry in the same color as your dress?that?s too much of a good thing. Pick one or two standout pieces?both diamond jewelry and pearl jewelry will look stunning against jewel tones or metallics?such as chandelier earrings and a cocktail ring, or earrings and a cuff. Don?t do a bold necklace and chandelier earrings, however; that?s too much bling too close together.

Of course, you might choose to go with a soft and romantic dress instead of the season?s bold styles. In that case, stick to classic jewelry like pearls, diamonds and yellow gold. Consider wearing several styles for a modern look. Layer long, thin gold chain necklaces with shorter pearl strands, or wrap multiple pearl strands and gold chains around your wrist. These options are gorgeous and fresh.

Your Prom Hairstyle
If your hair is short or you?ll be wearing an updo, the sky?s the limit as far as prom earrings go. You can do a dainty stud?pearl studs and diamond studs always look classic?delicate hoops, or a long chandelier-style earring. Remember, if you choose a chandelier earring, keep your necklace simple, or don?t wear one at all. If you choose studs or small hoops you can get away with a big bold necklace, like gobstopper size faux pearls or big, chunky gemstones, or you can try the layered look. If your hair is long and you?ll be wearing it down, chandelier earrings are your best bet?it?s the only style people will actually see, and, luckily, as you?ve learned, chandelier earrings are all the rage this year. Just keep flowers and other adornments out of your hair so you won?t overwhelm your look. Remember, less is more!

Your Personal Style
If your style is more goth than Vogue, for Pete?s sake don?t get talked into wearing your grandmother?s dainty pearl necklace, your mother?s diamond pendant, or something that just isn?t you. After all, this is your big night, and you?ll have the pictures forever to remind you. Stay true to who you are and you?ll look and feel like a prom queen no matter how the voting goes.

Go Shopping
Now that you?ve examined your dress, your hair and your personal style and decided on the prom jewelry that will best accessorize your look, it?s time to go shopping. You can always hit the mall, but your best bet is to go online (unless you can raid your mother?s or sister?s jewelry box). Sites that allow you to comparison shop will let you find the pieces you love that fit into your budget. Or you can use a search engine to return multiple sites that have, say, pearl stud earrings and narrow it down by color, price, etc. Shopping online allows you to view pearl prom jewelry such as pearl pendants, chandelier earrings, cuff bracelets and the like in just about every price bracket. It also saves time. One caveat: Only purchase jewelry from trusted stores?sites that clearly post their phone number and address and have a Verisign or other secure shopping logo. Before you buy, also check out return policies in case something is wrong with the jewelry or you just don?t like it. Many sites offer free shipping, too, which is a plus. Make sure you order in time for prom.

Last point to keep in mind when you?re buying prom jewelry: Unlike your prom dress or dyed shoes, jewelry is something you will wear throughout your life and maybe even pass down to a daughter or granddaughter. So if you splurge a bit on, say, a classic piece such as a white pearl necklace, don?t worry, you will definitely have countless opportunities to wear it throughout your life. Don?t overspend on trendy pieces, though. They?re not worth the investment. A big faux emerald cocktail ring probably won?t be in fashion forever, but good quality classic pearl pendant or pair of diamond studs will stand the test of time.

A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America?s Graduate Pearls program, Amy Drescher is a fashion and lifestyle writer and accessories buyer for http://www.moonriverpearls.com. She welcomes your questions. Reach her at adrescher@moonriverpearls.com.

Condo Hotels: Baby Boomer's New Retirement Option

Despite national reports citing the real estate frenzy is approaching a freeze, there is a rising demographic that will continue to heat the market: The Baby Boomers. As they pursue their quest for the ideal vacation or retirement home, analysts suspect that this equity-rich group of retirees will keep the momentum of the market at a steady pace.

The historical components of the last 50 years helped to shape the profile of the Baby Boomer. Absorbing the examples of their parents, who experienced the economic constriction of the Depression and rationing of World War II, Boomers have been traditionally conservative spenders. Snapping up real estate, flipping properties and trading up houses during the time when Boomers were having their children in the late 60?s and early 70?s was not common. All changed with the red hot economy of the mid 90?s. Riding the wave of the peaking economy, the conservative spenders soon became savvy investors. Though the sizzling stock market burned out with the dot-com bust of the late 90?s, low interest rates coupled with amended tax laws fueled the housing boom of the early 2000?s. With children exiting college and retirement on the horizon, Boomers redirected their investing in real estate.

New research indicates that the number of second homes purchased between 2000 ? 2004 has nearly doubled. The value of homes doubled as well, with the average home rising 55% during these 4 years. Keunwon Chung, a statistical economist at the National Association of Realtors, says the Baby Boomers, especially those with above average incomes, are primarily motivating the second home market. Chung cites one reason these Boomers are snapping up homes is to diversify their financial portfolio. Another reason is to position themselves for their golden years. Tax friendly retirement states such as Florida, Arizona, and Nevada already have witnessed an explosive growth in both home construction and appreciation. Florida experienced a 25% increase in home prices last year, with one in five of those homes being purchased as a second home or investment property. Nevada?s home prices increased 17%, with a comparable rate being purchased as an investment property. The U.S. Census Bureau expects this rate to steadily continue and predicts second home purchases from Baby Boomers will reach 6.4 million units by 2010.

Most Baby Boomers are seeking luxury in their second home purchases. According to a Coldwell Banker survey, the Boomer generation ??wants luxurious homes and wants to remain active.? Neil Howe, author and expert on generational theory, confirms this by stating, ?Boomers want to live somewhere where they can remain active. They want to be near cultural and spiritual hubs that keep them connected with community and culture.? And this generation can afford their desires. From the accumulation of wealth through the stock market, home equity, and inheritance, along with the earning power of working during retirement years, Boomers have more money than any previous retiree generation. Studies from Harvard, NAR, and NAHB all agree that Boomers will most likely use their cash resources and home equity to purchase multiple residences that focus on prime location and amenities. While condos traditionally filled this requirement, a growing number of Boomers are now turning to condo hotels, condotels, and other various resort style residential options.

Condo hotels appeal to Boomers because it markets luxury and location, the two main ideals these Boomers are looking for to sustain their dynamic lifestyle. ?Why buy a condo in town that sits empty for ? of a year when they can own a condo hotel, have to five star amenities available to them, be centrally located in a top vacation destination, and receive rental income?? says Steven Roszell, owner of CondoHotels.com and HotelsForSale.com. The rental of the condos, provided by the hotel management company when the condo is unoccupied, is another main attraction of condo hotels for Boomers. Bob Waun, of vacation-finance.com, says that although Boomers desire resort style living and luxurious amenities, not all Boomers may afford it. Says Waun, ?Fewer than 20 million (26.5%) of US Boomers will be wealthy enough to afford a whole-ownership second home without rental income.? But because of the rent potential, condo hotels offer ?subsidized luxury that will be a growing choice among savvy Boomers.? Waun also believes sheer Boomer demand will motivate the condo hotel market. He cites, ?if only 1% of this generation demands condo hotel as a second home option, 1.45 million units will be needed. That?s 96,000 condo [hotel units per year, every year?.? for the next fifteen years that Boomers will be retiring. Considering that currently the US has only a handful of markets for condo hotel resorts, it is probable that that demand will supersede supply.

78 million US Baby Boomers retiring over the span of the next 15 years will undoubtedly make an impact on the real estate market. With the oldest of the Boomers turning 60 this year, realtors are getting reading to accommodate their demand. ?We will see large market cycles in the condo hotel market,? says Roszell, ?and CondoHotels.com is ready for it.? Though explosive appreciation and development is not anticipated, analysts do agree that the Boomers will help sustain a buoyant real estate market.

Steven Roszell is owner and operator of CondoHotels.com and HotelsForSale.com and specializes in the sale of Lodging and Hospitality properties around the world. Based out of Denver, Colorado, Steve has been hailed by the Denver Business Journal as one of Colorado's Heavy Hitters.

Steven brings 15 years of real estate knowledge to his businesses. Being a licensed real estate broker in Colorado and Florida, Steven has been able to build a vast network with both real estate developers and owners. Throughout his career, he has worked with several high profile clients including Turnberry Associates, Millennium Partners, W Hotels, WCI Communities, Citibank, and the United States Government.

Steven remains current with real estate industry news by attending trade shows and conferenes. He is considered an expert in his field and has been quoted in many internet newswires.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Back to School!

We have all seen the commercial where the parent is prancing around the office supply store gleefully filling the cart with school supplies. What they don't show you is the panic that sets in when school begins and hoards of paper pile up on the kitchen table like Mount Everest. But fear not, there are some strategies that you can begin to put in place now so that you will actually be able to eat at the kitchen table!

Start with the basics - a place for everything and everything in its place. Create a drop spot in your home where your kids (and you) can put their backpacks, keys, coats, shoes and anything else that consistently comes and goes in your home. Hooks are best for backpacks and coats. Baskets or bins are great for hats, gloves, and work papers; and a shoe rack is a must for keeping the shoes in pairs.

A school supply zone is a must. In this area you should put all the necessary school and craft supplies. Clear plastic stackable or drawer bins with labels work great for corralling paper, glue, scissors, note cards, pencils, markers, etc. Best of all, by having all the supplies in one place you will save yourself and your child time and frustration when they sit down to do their homework or project.

Create an In Box for incoming paper. Remind everyone in the family that all incoming paper, from school, work or the mailbox, must be placed here so that it can be handled. Then start the habit of emptying the bin every night before bed, taking the necessary action: trash/shed it, file it, delegate it or act upon it. Tossing, shredding and filing are self-explanatory. Delegating indicates that you give it to the person who has to read it, sign it or do something else with it. Acting upon it simply means that you will to do something now with the paper - sign it, pay it, read it or post it.

With younger children (preschool and elementary school), the amount of papers and art work that come from school is tremendous. The basic rule of thumb is: if it needs a signature, sign it immediately and place it back in their backpack or school bag; if it is a notice with an important date, mark it on the family calendar and then either file or toss it; and if it is art work, write the date on the back and display it. A great tip for hanging papers is to tie a piece of string, strung with clothes pins, between to cup hooks that have been screwed into the wall. The clothes pins can be embellished to fit the d?cor of the room. As new art comes in for display, place the old pieces in a bin.

At the end of every season group the items together and take a picture or two. Have your child stand with the three dimensional projects and the ones you particularly love so you have a photo of them with their masterpieces. Then pick a few choice pieces to keep and toss the rest (when they are not around of course).

For older children, the system is the same except they need to be involved in the decision of what stays and what goes. Scrapbooks, notebooks, storage bins or portable file holders are a great place for middle and high school kids to keep those papers, tests, ribbons, pictures, certificates and concert programs. It is important to label what ever organizing product you choose and be sure to stay within its boundaries For example, if you choose to keep school papers in a notebook, then limit yourself to a 3 binder and when it is full you need to purge before you can add anymore to it.

Create a family calendar that is visible and accessible to everyone. Let each person choose their own color for recording their appointments and activities. This way you can easily see who has to do what and when. And while we are on the subject, make sure that you plan time for being a family. These days everyone is so busy running from one activity to another - soccer, Tae Kwon Do, scouts, etc. - that we forget to make time for our family. Keep in mind, if you are stressed running your kids around from thing to thing, imagine how stressed they feel!

With a little planning and some new habits and routines, this really can be the most wonderful time of the year - for everyone!

Kathy Jenkins is a Professional Organizer based in Mechanicsville, VA. Through her business, Come To Order, she offers residential professional organizing services tailored to meet the specific needs of her clients, and operates a retail site for organizing products, OrganizedAtoZ.com. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD), Faithful Organizers, and Women Entrepreneurs of Virginia, and serves as marketing director of NAPO Richmond. You may contact her through her website at http://www.cometoorderva.com.

By Kathy Jenkins

Losing Pregnancy Weight

Losing weight after pregnancy presents a special type of problem. At no other time in a woman's life is she likely to gain as much weight in as short a period. And after having a baby, especially your first baby, life changes drastically. You might find it hard to make time to exercise. If you're nursing, you can't restrict calories. It seems as though many of the usual avenues to losing weight have been cut off.

Though experts recommend that a woman gain no more than about 27 pounds during pregnancy, for some of us, that's easier said than done. Some women report that they gained weight during pregnancy regardless of how carefully they controlled their eating, even if they made a point of exercising. Some pregnancies just seem to demand weight gain - interestingly, this seems to be particularly true of women who are naturally thinner than average to begin with. For a naturally 'skinny' woman to gain what might seem to be a huge amount of weight - sometimes up to sixty or even seventy pounds - during pregnancy seems to be a rather common phenomenon. Pregnancy seems to change the way that food is metabolized and fat is stored. The amount of weight you gain during pregnancy may even be genetic.

Of course, pregnancy food cravings also have something to do with it! We've all heard of some of the bizarre cravings that pregnant women can get, but in fact, most crave the nutrients they need the most. It's not uncommon for a woman who is normally a vegetarian to have strong cravings for meat while she is pregnant, for instance. These are cravings you can and should give in to, because your body is telling you what it needs.

Some women also find that they need to eat during the first trimester, because it keeps morning sickness at bay. 'Morning sickness' is actually a bit of a misnomer, as it can happen at any time of day or night. It tends to happen the most when your stomach is empty and your blood sugar is low. Some women pack on the pounds during these first few months of pregnancy just to keep from feeling sick all the time.

So, for one reason or another, many women find that it's very difficult or impossible to control their weight gain during pregnancy. That's not to say that you shouldn't try, of course, but if you know that you're eating healthy foods and the weight is coming on regardless, let it. You'll do more harm than good by trying to diet during pregnancy. As long as you aren't binging or eating unhealthy foods, rest assured that your body has its own wisdom and you are gaining weight because you need to.

Though only about ten or fifteen pounds are lost during delivery, there are plenty of opportunities to lose weight after the baby is born. For one thing, if you give it a month or so, you might find that most of the weight disappears on its own during nursing. In fact, that's one of the reasons why women are programmed to gain weight during pregnancy - after the baby's born, you need that extra weight. It all gets converted to milk to feed your baby. In fact, nursing full time burns about 500 calories a day - the same as a good workout. At that rate, you could lose a pound a week without even trying.

That having been said, there may come a time when you do have to put some effort into losing those last few pounds. After your baby is weaned, that natural means of weight loss isn't there anymore. It's time to start adding some workouts to your daily schedule. If you don't have the opportunity to exercise without the baby, take him along - that's why jogging strollers were invented. Or boost your calorie burning by carrying your baby in a front or back carrier while you go for a walk or hike. The babies love it, and for you, it's like carrying a constantly increasing weight around with your for hours at a time - great for burning fat.

After you have a baby, you may feel as though the baby has taken over your entire existence. It doesn't have to be that way. Take the time to reclaim your body and your time, and you'll have more energy to take on the hectic schedule of a new mother.
About the Author

As a Teacher of Sport and Physical Education, Tony Robinson has a keen interest in Health and Weight Loss issues.

How to Buy Atlanta Real Estate

Prices of Atlanta real estate vary considerably. Atlanta has recorded one of Southeast's highest office sale prices recently, when an investment management company paid $168 million for an office building. The standing record in Atlanta is $343 a square foot for a building.

The first step in buying a home or other property in Atlanta is to go through the current listings of properties available in the Atlanta real estate market. A proper study of the current real estate trends in Atlanta is essential for making wise decisions. Atlanta magazines, newspapers, and websites help you make this preliminary study. It is a good idea to browse the advertisements in Atlanta newspapers and journals. You can also approach an agent who can give you proper guidance in purchasing Atlanta real estate. Atlanta has lots of reliable real estate brokers and agents.

Before you buy a property, find out how much money you can invest, keeping all your income and debt in mind. Get a copy of your credit report from the bank. Availability of cash for a down payment, the type of mortgage you select, and the current interest rates are important factors you should consider. You must be prepared for other charges including the closing costs that include attorney's fee, taxes, and other transfer fees.

Make sure to tailor your need needs and comforts to go with your finances. Also, see that the property you intend to buy, whether a new or an existing property, has all the features you need. Look for a location with nearby schools, recreational facilities, and safety facilities.

Atlanta Real Estate provides detailed information on Atlanta Real Estate, Atlanta Real Estate Agents, Atlanta Commercial Real Estate, Atlanta Real Estate Listings and more. Atlanta Real Estate is affiliated with Chicago Suburb Real Estate.

Choosing a Baby Car Seat

What are the best baby car seats? The best baby car seat is the car seat that fits your baby and your car best. Check to make sure the seat is appropriate for your child?s height, weight, and size. The price is not always the most important consideration. For good guidelines on how to choose a car seat that fits your baby, check out the safety standards of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.?

Important Safety Considerations for Baby Car Seats?

No matter how old, tall, or heavy your baby is, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration now says that all children less than one year old should be in rear-facing baby car seats when they are in the car. This supercedes earlier guidelines that stated that said whether a baby under one year old should be in a rear-facing seat depended on the baby?s size. The NHTSA still says that babies older than one year should be in forward-facing car seats if they weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. Babies older than one year who weigh more than 40 pounds need to be in special ?toddler? car seats.?

What Kind of Baby Car Seat to Buy??

There are essentially three categories of baby car seats, when it comes to safety: ?infant-only? car seats that only face toward the rear, ?toddler-only? car seats that only face forward, and ?convertible? car seats that can switched from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows older than one year and weighs more than 20 pounds.?

Advantages of ?Infant-Only? Baby Car Seats?

?Infant only? baby car seats are the smallest, and therefore the most portable and the best fit for newborns. ?Infant only? baby car seats often have great features such as a detachable base, so you can simply unlock the seat proper from the base, which stays in the car. This can save time buckling the seat into the car every time you want to take it out. Just make sure the base fits your car properly.

Advantages of ?Convertible? Baby Car Seats?

The obvious advantage of ?convertible? baby car seats is that they do not have to be replaced when the baby gets older than one year and heavier than 20 pounds.

You might need to buy a ?convertible? car seat anyway. ?Infant-only? baby car seats can usually only hold babies who weigh up to 22 pounds. If your baby grows to more than 22 pounds while still less than a year old, you will have to buy a convertible seat and face it toward the rear. Check to make sure the convertible baby car seat you buy can handle your baby?s weight when it is in rear-facing mode, since the rear-facing weight limit is usually lower than the forward-facing limit.

No matter what kind of baby car seat you buy, make sure to register the product by sending in the registration card, or using the telephone number, email or web site set up for registration by the manufacturer. If you can?t find the registration, call the manufacturer; the telephone number should be with the manual, and possibly printed on the seat itself. Registering the seat means that you will be notified in the case of a recall or other safety warning.

For lots of helpful information on

baby

clothes and other baby related topics, visit Nr1 Baby Products at

http://www.nr1-baby-products.com

3 Tips To Choose The Camping Backpack That's Right For You

When asked about the right camping backpack, most people who do not have any experience in camping will say that it is just a bag. The kind of back one chooses is not a small issue to people who have experience in camping. You will never be grateful for a good backpack until and unless you have bad experience with a bad one.

For instance, a trekker who went on a trip to Appalachians in the year 1994 went back home broken and bleeding from the heaviness of a bad backpack which caused his hips to be injured. Ten years later, he was a lot wiser and experienced than he was before; he took a better backpack and had a better and much more fun-filled experience.

Since we have decided the necessity of a good pack, given below are few tips that will help you choose a good backpack for your camping trip:

1. Recognize your requirements- The preferences of trekkers and campers are different. Some people take as minimum instruments as possible on their trips where as some take more.

Whatever that is that you may take with you, it will be a basis for what kind of backpack you will require. Assess your space requirements. In fact, most of the capable sales persons can assist you choose the right pack with the amount of space you need. While you are on this, try measuring the instrument that you may want to take for the longest trip that you intend to go.

2. Is the pack comfortable- When selecting a backpack, this is possibly the most essential point that you should keep in mind. Every person who intends to go camping would like to get a pack that can take most amount of weight with only a slight effort or difficulty.

When you have a good pack, it allocates the weight evenly and effectively. As a result, you do not face any problem while carrying it. In order to know how a pack can help in this, you will have to check out the pack yourself. Usually most camp stores have sand weights to put in the pack. You can examine how this pack can hold the weight and before deciding to buy it, make sure that the pack is comfortable.

The most important point that you should remember is that shoulder strap should carry about three-tenth of the weight where as the rest of the weight should be carried by the hips. While you are examining the pack, ensure that the shoulder straps are comfortable. It would be advisable to move about with the pack in order to determine how much mobility the pack can provide.

Usually most pack have sternum strap with them and these strap helps in stabilizing the pack. These straps are usually situated below to collar bone to guarantee comfort and steadiness.

Hip belts should not restrict your respiration nor should it be too broad that it hinders in the way of your steadiness.

The designs of the backpack will always be different and the backpack companies will always claim to have a new and improved pack for the purpose of camping. In order to know how good they are, just try them out.

3. Select your frame- You can choose between internal and external frames. The frames that are thinner and that hug your body closer are internal frames. These frames are perfect for hard paths as they are easily maneuvered and do not restrict the movements. However, these frames are a little difficult to load.

External frames are usually perfect for the beginners as they are not difficult to pack but they are a little stiff and may restrain the movements. This is the best kind of pack for children and the starters.

4. Miscellaneous- While you are buying your backpack, ask if the pack is well-suited to the different kinds of weather in order to protect your pack. You should also think about how the other attachments can be adjusted with it. Usually pack rings and snap-on(s) permit accessories to join together with the backpack.

Conclusion

Ultimately what matters the most is a good backpack. Selecting a good pack will certainly improve your camping experience. Remember to choose cautiously as your backpack will be your most trusted companion. Have a great trip!

About the Author:

Julio Marice is involved with an online camping project that informs and educates the camping enthusiast through well-written articles. Discover great camping tips, camping tent reviews, camping supply reviews, amd much more...!

Real Estate Market Reaches Equilibrium between Buyers and Sellers

The latest quarterly survey shows that equilibrium has been achieved -- 41% of real estate agents said more buyers than sellers; 40% said there were more sellers than buyers, and 19% reported a 50-50 balance.

Most notable exceptions are in the Northeast, Chicago metro area, and in the Western states. (See Second Quarter chart.) Home buyers outnumber sellers by considerable margins in Chicago and the West, while sellers outnumber buyers in the Northeast. Additional proof of a balanced nationwide housing market between buyers and sellers was reported by the National Association of Realtors, which estimated a 6.5 month supply of unsold homes in its May report. An inventory supply of 5.5 to 6.0 months is considered balanced. The second quarter national survey also found:

? Fifty-six percent of real estate agents said it is now on average, taking more than 60 days from listing to contract to sell a house. This is up from 55% in the first quarter and 35% a year ago. Twenty- eight percent said it is taking more than 90 days to contract. Only 15% of existing homes for sale are selling in 30 days or less.

? Housing inventories are continuing to increase: 86% now report a good supply of homes in virtually all price ranges. This is up from 81% in the first quarter and 38% a year ago.

? Sixty-six percent of member agents reported that annual home price appreciation is now five percent or less. This is down from 8-10% a year ago. Home price appreciation of more than 10% is now 16%, on average.

? The percentage of home sellers getting 95% or more of asking prices is currently 68%, compared to 90% a year ago. Three months ago it was 75%.

? Multiple offers from home buyers are also down substantially. Currently, the estimate is 32%. It was 39% in the first quarter and 70% a year ago.

? First-time buyers still account for one of three sales of homes nationally. Repeat and move-up buyers are most active in higher priced markets. Recent home price appreciation and rising mortgage rates & interest rates have had only a minimal negative effect on first-time buyers, on average. Exceptions are marginal qualifiers.

?We welcome a balanced, more orderly marketplace for both the consumer and real estate professionals,? said Michael Bearden, president and CEO ?Double-digit price appreciation is simply not sustainable for a multi-year period and will eventually drive away entry level buyers.?

Second Quarter Current Market Conditions Survey: Regional Results

U.S. South Midwest Northeast West California* Chicago*

More Buyers

41% 40% 49% 30% 47% 39% 50%

More Sellers

40% 44% 30% 50% 34% 41%

19% 50-50

19% 16% 21% 20% 19% 20% 31%

Time on Market:

0-60 days

44% 35% 31% 48% 49% 49% 35%

More than 60 days

56% 65% 69% 51% 51% 51% 65%

Sale vs. Ask Price:

90-95%

35% 35% 29% 37% 26% 29% 34%

95% -100% Plus

65% 65% 71% 63% 74% 71% 66%

Annual Apprec.:

5% or less

66% 57% 70% 73% 65% 75% 61%

5-10%

18% 30% 20% 19% 15% 11% 31%

More than 10%

16% 13% 10% 8% 20% 14% 8%

Inventory:

Good Supply

86% 86% 90% 96% 83%90% 92%

Limited Supply

14% 14% 10% 4% 17% 10% 8%

Multiple offers:

Yes

32% 35% 33% 34% 32%18% 55%

No

68% 65% 67% 66% 68%82% 45%

Activity:

First Time Buyers

33% 34% 41% 47% 42%44% 35%

Move-Up & Repeat

67% 66% 59% 53% 58%56% 65%

*California survey percentages are included in both U.S. and West results. **Chicago Metro survey percentages are included in both .U.S. and Midwest results.

Monte Helme is a national public relations consultant with HouseHunt, Inc. Visit real estate listings and search MLS to find homes for sale or search current home prices in your area.

Protect Your Child With a Britax Car Seat

Car seats are one of the most important things that you will
ever buy for your baby. However, you have to use the car
seat for it to be effective. Britax car seats are well known
and trusted by many mom??s alike. They are well known for
their car seats as well as their strollers and many other baby
items that you might need. Making sure that your child is
safe while riding the car should be a high priority on your list.

Britax car seats have excellent safety ratings. Because safety
is important in the car, this should be something that is
highly considered about any car seat you are thinking about
using. Keeping your baby safe in the car is important, and
you can accomplish this with a car seat made by Britax.

Although you may think the hard part is over by buying the
safety car seat, you may be in for a surprise. The car seat is
not that safe unless installed correctly. Installing the car seat
correctly will ensure that your baby has a safe ride.

If you have an infant Britax car seat, you should be sure that
your baby is in the back seat, as well as facing backwards in
the car. Making sure that the car seat is installed the right
way will be sure that your baby is safer in the event of any
accident. Toddler car seats should be facing the front of the
car, as well as booster seats that are made by Britax or
anyone else.

Be sure that you check the weight requirements for the
Britax car seat before you purchase it. Make sure that you
child fits the requirements for the best results as well. Once
you have installed the car seat into the car, be sure that you
double check the seat belt to make sure it is secure, and
also make sure that the car seat will not move. This will help
make sure that if you were to get in an accident that your
child will not fly all over the vehicle.

Having a safe car seat does little good if you do not use it,
or make sure it is properly installed. Be sure that you keep
your child as safe as possible and read the manual and follow
all instructions before you hit the road.

About the Author

Rina has been a kindergarten teacher for more than 20 years and has 3 children of her own. She has also written several articles for a municipal magazine on raising children. At http://www.childcarenet.com , you can find these articles for free which include researched findings from experts all around the world. Visit the daycare software website to learn more.

Bridal Lingerie Explained

 



Bridal Lingerie ExplainedSubmitted By: Jason Mark Hulott   

A wedding gown is the centerpiece of a wedding. But if the gown is the centerpiece, the lingerie is the largest flower in the centerpiece. Without the right lingerie, a wedding dress doesn't fit the theme. Who would think to wear cotton panties and a simple bra underneath a wedding dress? Bridal lingerie can make or break the effects of a wedding dress. Different styles of lingerie can enhance or hide parts of the body that the bride feels are prominent.

What type of lingerie a bride gets depends on the style and length of the wedding gown. The choice also varies with the bride's body shape. Dresses that show some skin, or shorter dresses, will need an invisible undergarment that doesn't get in the way. Women who wear strapless dresses cannot wear a bra. In this case, adhesive cups or breast petals are tasteful and attractive. Breast petals cover the nipple and center of the breast. They can be made of polyester or silicone gel, and ensure that nothing comes through the gown that doesn't belong. For women who need to enhance their breasts, a bustier or push-up bra can do wonders to make them appear larger and fuller.

Bridal lingerie is reminiscent of the old corset/bustier style of the Victorian Era. But unlike the old style, newer types actually emulate comfort. They also offer the control that brides need underneath all that fancy ribbon and lace. Modern corsets tighten and form the waistline. They can be of a lace-up style or made from naturally stretchy material like spandex. Bustiers are also popular wedding lingerie. They emphasize and control the bust. And a simple pair of panty hose or control-top panties can support and tighten the rear.

It is usually the maid of honor who chooses the bridal lingerie. However, she only chooses lingerie for the wedding day itself. Sometimes the wedding night. It will be up to the bride to choose lingerie for the honeymoon. Each occasion will dictate a different kind of lingerie, since each has its own emotional context. For the wedding ceremony, lacy or patterned fabrics are not recommended. They can show through the gown, making it look somewhat sloppy and distasteful. Seamless undergarments and thongs are good for those who are comfortable in them. Especially if the bride wears a short dress or one that reveals the panty line. A bodysuit that covers both the breast and the torso will serve as a slimming garment, if the wedding dress is thin.

Finding bridal lingerie is a very important job. The bride will be wearing the wedding lingerie for more than twelve hours. She will need something that is comfortable while still being classy. Lingerie for the wedding night is easier to choose. No one but the bride and her new husband will see this lingerie. It's all about romance. Frilly, lacy lingerie is sexy and provocative without heading into pornographic. For the honeymoon, pornographic is good. Almost expected. But the theme doesn't have to be taken too far. The maid outfits and the fishnet stockings should be spared for later, when men and women need to spice up their sex lives, not on the honeymoon, when sex is most of the reason for celebrating!

About the Author:

Jason Hulott is Editor of My Lingerie Expert, please drop by for Cheap Lingerie and Lingerie News. Visit http://www.mylingerieexpert.co.uk.

Article Tags: bride, lingerie, wedding

Advanced Backgammon Strategies Using the Doubling Cube

Although, the Doubling Cube is unknown to most of the backgammon casual players, it is an essential tool in advanced backgammon strategies and in money matches and tournaments.



This cube is designated for raising the stakes of the match and its introduction to the backgammon world is one of the main reasons for the rise of popularity of backgammon.



The cube has 6 faces and the numbers written on it- 2, 4, 8,16,32,64.



At the beginning of the match, the doubling cube is placed beside the board or on the Bar between the players.



Any player, who feels at any stage of the match, that he is leading sufficiently in the match, before throwing his dice, may suggest to double the stakes by placing the doubling cube with the number 2 facing up.



For example player A decided to raise the stakes.



Player B, his opponent, the player the offer is given to, after reviewing his situation, has two options:



He may refuse the offer and thus lose the game and one unit.



He may agree to double the stakes, and in this case the match continues with higher stakes.



Player B, who agreed to the offer, is now the owner of the doubling cube, meaning only him (player B) has the option to double the stakes again at any stage of the game.



If player B decides to do so, he has to do it on his turn before throwing his dice.



Now he takes the dice and places it so that the number 4 is facing up.



Player A, has now the same two options, only this time if he declines the offer he will lose two units, and if he agrees the stakes will rise to 4 times the original and the doubling cube returns to his control.



The cube can pass from player to player, each time raising the stakes.



The Crawford rule-



If you are playing a game until N- points, and your opponent is leading and reaches N-1 points, meaning he is short one point from winning the game, you are not allowed to use the Doubling cube in the following game, however, you can use the dice in the following matches if the game continues.



The reason is the weaker player will always want to raise the stakes because he has nothing to lose anymore and we want keep the use of the dice in fairness of both sides.



The Jacoby rule-



This rule is used in money games and never in match games. It decides that a backgammon or gammon may not be scored as such only if the cube has been passed and accepted. The reason behind this rule is speeding up.



The Holland rule-



The Holland rule is used in match games and decides that in post-Crawford games, the trailer can only double after both sides have played two rolls. The rule makes the free drop more valuable to the leading player but generally just confuses the issue.



Unlike the Crawford rule, this rule isn't popular, and is rarely used today.



The beavers, raccoons, otters and any other animals in the backgammon game-



These animals appear only, if wanted by both sides, in money games and never in match games.



If player A, doubles the stakes, and player B believes A is wrong and he (player B) has the advantage, B can double the stakes and keep the doubling cube on his side. For example, if A makes the initial double and puts the doubling cube on 2, B can say Beaver, turn the cube to 4 and keep the cube at his side. If A believes B is wrong he can say Raccoon and turn the cube to 8. All this time, B remains the owner of the doubling cube. If B wishes to raise the stakes once more, he only needs to say another silly name (the animal's name is a controversy among players) and so on.



The Chouette-



Chouette is a version of backgammon for more than 2 players. One of the players is the Box and plays against the rest of the group on a single board.



Another player is the Captain of the group, who throws the dice and makes the moves for the group playing against the box.



If the Box wins, the Captain goes to the back of the line and the next player becomes the Captain of the team. If the Captain wins, he becomes the new Box, and the old Box goes to the end of the line.



The rules regarding the ability of the group to consult with the Captain changes from



version to version. In some versions of the Chouette the group can freely give advice to the Captain, and in other versions, consulting is strictly forbidden.



The compromised version is the most popular- consulting is legitimate only after the dice have been thrown.



Originally, Chouette was played with a single die .The only decisions that players other than the Captain were allowed to make on their own was concerning the takes: If the Box had doubled, each player on the team could take or drop independently. Today, a multiple-cube Chouette is more popular; each player on the team has his own cube, and all doubling, dropping, and taking decisions are made independently by all players.