1. Choose stretchy fabric. Buy clothing with a lot of stretch but that fits snuggly around the belly and your curves. Wearing bigger clothes may sound comfortable and practical, but clothes that do not hug your figure will actually make you look bigger than you are and you may be mistaken for overweight rather than pregnant. Choose clothing that emphasizes the parts of your that are not expanding - such as ruched sleeves to show off your arms, cropped pants or skinny jeans if you have trim legs.
2. Buy tops with ruching designs. Ruching is when the fabric is gathered on the sides with elastic in a stylish way to fit snuggly and stretch with your body as it expands. This type of styling is perfect for maternity because it actually trims down your silhouette and allows you to look pregnant and sexy at the same time. Ruching at the sides allows a snug fit over the belly and ruching at the bust also allows for an attractive fitted look with room for expansion.
3. Try leggings. Leggings which used to be so taboo after the 80s are back in style and so much better than they ever were. Today's leggings come in all colors, lengths and fabrics for any season- there are cropped leggings with lace, leggings with ruching detail below the knee and leggings that hit ankle length for the colder months. Today's leggings come in all different colors and styles, so choose a good weight legging for the weather with a lot of stretch and pair with a tunic, longer maternity top or sweater. Best of all leggings are super comfortable for maternity and can fit either below, across or over the belly depending on the style you choose.
4. Show some skin. By showing a little skin, you can show you are still sexy when you are pregnant. Pregnancy is not a time to hide behind your clothes and cover up your whole body in shame. Be proud and show off your new curves. For many women this is the first time they can experience some cleavage, so take advantage of this life changing event and try out some new necklines. Scoop necks, cross over style V necks and sexy maternity tanks and tubes are all popular styles in maternity today, so now is the time to try out some new looks with your new enhancements!
5. Dress with color. Although everyone likes black and denim, don't get stuck in rut with all neutrals for 9 months or you will tire of your maternity clothes very quickly. Instead, mix it up a bit with some pastels and bright tees and tanks for summer and a colorful sweater or two for Fall and Winter. After all, if you already have a lot of neutrals, chances are your colorful items will mix and match very well with your existing wardrobe.
6. Be Decorative. Every wardrobe needs a few decorative accents to keep it interesting. It's important to invest in a few fashion items with color so you can keep your maternity wardrobe interesting. Try some ruffled trims or embroidered tops and tunics to mix up the fabric a bit. Beaded accents on a halter top can make an otherwise ordinary looking top take on new life. Pick some items with some decorative detail you really like and you will find yourself reaching for them in your closet when you want jazz it up a bit. Small details such as fashion pieces with a styling detail can make pregnancy an even more enjoyable time.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Fix Computer Registry Problems
The Problems of A Corrupt Registry File Every time you run your computer and add or remove files or programs, there are pieces of programs and extra files left behind.
Oftentimes, the invalid entries in your registry will cause problems with the operation. The system of spy ware or ad ware works to track your every move and create difficult technical problems to work.
However, your main concern should be to opt for software downloads from a reputable web site, in order to avoid problems such as damaging your hard drive or tampering with the normal functioning is due to viruses or other problems.
With Vista there is not even someone who has to get onto to see what the problem is, instead there is an application that can be used to see if any problems exist and what can be done about it.
You will know that you need to download software for removing ad ware or spy ware when you experience problems. If you are not wary of the activities happening, there are several problems which might affect it.
Its diagnosis tool will tell you what type of problems you have. One of the common problems that users deal with every day is the deletion of recent files. You can have more than one computer hooked up to Internet without any problems.
These updates are created by the engineers of the company in order to keep you free from viruses and other problems. Just these mistakes will lead to several problems like generally poor performance, screen freezes, crashes in the PC and even will slow PC startup and shutdown.
Registry Easy repairs problems to make your computer run like new again! A firewall is not going to eliminate virus problems, but when used in conjunction with regular operating system updates and reliable anti-virus software, it can provide additional security and protection.
Sometimes, you just have to search for the root of the problem and you will realize that you can save so much money just by downloading free software from the net to solve the problems your are facing. Of course some of common problems are a result of hardware and mechanical failures.
All of these common problems can be fixed manually and there are a number of easy to follow tutorials that you can find on the Internet that will tell you how to fix them. The most common problem is a lack of speed.
Almost all of the common problems can be avoided by some simple maintenance that gets done on a regular basis. The good news is that most problems are easily fixed. Everybody has PC problems from time to time.
If you have a PC set and you have been using it for some time to store data, one of the most dreaded problems that you might and you will encounter is a hard drive crash. In order to solve any of these problems and be safe from break down, the best option you have is contacting an external hard drive data recovery specialist.
One of the major problems that people face with free movie downloads is the infection of spy ware and other viruses. Studies show that the majority of related problems originate from registry error.
But, a registry cleaner, comes in useful when you need something more to help you sort out the problems. Problems in the registry can affect the performance level of the computer and cause it to slow down, freeze or even crash. A lot of people are having problems because they downloaded something from the Internet.
A quick Windows scan is able to make a diagnosis of the existing problems, to repair crashed components, to release equipment that has remained jammed and to get back on the track.
You can clean your PC with a reliable Windows scan tool, and thus have all problems related to poor performance is eliminated. The saddest part about computer problems is that most of us are close to clueless when it comes to figuring out what is wrong with the computer and trying to fix it. Ronald W.
Firquain is a auto mechanic, musician, Arabian horse owner for 20 years, writer, marketer, entrepreneur, webmaster and has 18 years of computer experience.
Oftentimes, the invalid entries in your registry will cause problems with the operation. The system of spy ware or ad ware works to track your every move and create difficult technical problems to work.
However, your main concern should be to opt for software downloads from a reputable web site, in order to avoid problems such as damaging your hard drive or tampering with the normal functioning is due to viruses or other problems.
With Vista there is not even someone who has to get onto to see what the problem is, instead there is an application that can be used to see if any problems exist and what can be done about it.
You will know that you need to download software for removing ad ware or spy ware when you experience problems. If you are not wary of the activities happening, there are several problems which might affect it.
Its diagnosis tool will tell you what type of problems you have. One of the common problems that users deal with every day is the deletion of recent files. You can have more than one computer hooked up to Internet without any problems.
These updates are created by the engineers of the company in order to keep you free from viruses and other problems. Just these mistakes will lead to several problems like generally poor performance, screen freezes, crashes in the PC and even will slow PC startup and shutdown.
Registry Easy repairs problems to make your computer run like new again! A firewall is not going to eliminate virus problems, but when used in conjunction with regular operating system updates and reliable anti-virus software, it can provide additional security and protection.
Sometimes, you just have to search for the root of the problem and you will realize that you can save so much money just by downloading free software from the net to solve the problems your are facing. Of course some of common problems are a result of hardware and mechanical failures.
All of these common problems can be fixed manually and there are a number of easy to follow tutorials that you can find on the Internet that will tell you how to fix them. The most common problem is a lack of speed.
Almost all of the common problems can be avoided by some simple maintenance that gets done on a regular basis. The good news is that most problems are easily fixed. Everybody has PC problems from time to time.
If you have a PC set and you have been using it for some time to store data, one of the most dreaded problems that you might and you will encounter is a hard drive crash. In order to solve any of these problems and be safe from break down, the best option you have is contacting an external hard drive data recovery specialist.
One of the major problems that people face with free movie downloads is the infection of spy ware and other viruses. Studies show that the majority of related problems originate from registry error.
But, a registry cleaner, comes in useful when you need something more to help you sort out the problems. Problems in the registry can affect the performance level of the computer and cause it to slow down, freeze or even crash. A lot of people are having problems because they downloaded something from the Internet.
A quick Windows scan is able to make a diagnosis of the existing problems, to repair crashed components, to release equipment that has remained jammed and to get back on the track.
You can clean your PC with a reliable Windows scan tool, and thus have all problems related to poor performance is eliminated. The saddest part about computer problems is that most of us are close to clueless when it comes to figuring out what is wrong with the computer and trying to fix it. Ronald W.
Firquain is a auto mechanic, musician, Arabian horse owner for 20 years, writer, marketer, entrepreneur, webmaster and has 18 years of computer experience.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Fast Weight Loss Tips
There are many, many things that we will wish for and yearn for in our lives, but among these, the one thing that seems to be a favorite with many of us, seems to be that of finding fast weight loss tips and fast weight loss diet plans.
And this doesn’t apply only to those of us who are overweight or even obese. No, even people who would have in earlier days been considered to be of a good healthy weight and size are now devoting considerably more time and effort to finding fast weight loss tips to help them look the image of the ideal person of today.
Unfortunately over time, this image has become so distorted that the goal which most of us are heading towards, is not something that can be considered as healthy. It is this issue that you need to address first of all.
You need to decide early on what type of image you’re trying to project and what your ideal body weight is, don’t fall for the stereotyped images that you see so constantly flashed back at you these days.
From this point then, once you have decided on a ideal target weight that is, you can set about finding a healthy diet and exercise plan that will help you achieve the weight loss that you want. And meanwhile, you can even intersperse some of the fast weight loss tips that you find here and there as well.
These can give your flagging enthusiasm a much needed boost, because if you just sit down and think about it, you will find that it is inherently easier to continue on with the hard task of losing weight, if you at least have some successes under your belt.
To this end, doing things like taking smaller portion sizes during meal times, or even resolving not to take seconds, or even thirds, during meal times can be a great way for you to lose weight.
Then again, other fast weight loss tips can include such sundry things as using smaller plates and glasses and even cups. By using smaller things you will then still be able to fill up on your favorite foods and beverages but with the knowledge that you are taking less than you would otherwise have done.
As you can see these types of fast weight loss tips are psychological in nature, but in the end every little helps, and if it helps you to lose weight, then there’s really nothing to complain about, is there?
And this doesn’t apply only to those of us who are overweight or even obese. No, even people who would have in earlier days been considered to be of a good healthy weight and size are now devoting considerably more time and effort to finding fast weight loss tips to help them look the image of the ideal person of today.
Unfortunately over time, this image has become so distorted that the goal which most of us are heading towards, is not something that can be considered as healthy. It is this issue that you need to address first of all.
You need to decide early on what type of image you’re trying to project and what your ideal body weight is, don’t fall for the stereotyped images that you see so constantly flashed back at you these days.
From this point then, once you have decided on a ideal target weight that is, you can set about finding a healthy diet and exercise plan that will help you achieve the weight loss that you want. And meanwhile, you can even intersperse some of the fast weight loss tips that you find here and there as well.
These can give your flagging enthusiasm a much needed boost, because if you just sit down and think about it, you will find that it is inherently easier to continue on with the hard task of losing weight, if you at least have some successes under your belt.
To this end, doing things like taking smaller portion sizes during meal times, or even resolving not to take seconds, or even thirds, during meal times can be a great way for you to lose weight.
Then again, other fast weight loss tips can include such sundry things as using smaller plates and glasses and even cups. By using smaller things you will then still be able to fill up on your favorite foods and beverages but with the knowledge that you are taking less than you would otherwise have done.
As you can see these types of fast weight loss tips are psychological in nature, but in the end every little helps, and if it helps you to lose weight, then there’s really nothing to complain about, is there?
3 Exercises to Workout to Give Your Triceps a Blast
While your biceps and your triceps are both located in your arms, not all arm exercises work perfectly on both the biceps and the triceps. In fact, most of the routines are geared to target a particular muscle group.
Among those that perfectly work on your triceps are the close grip bench press, the dumbbell kick backs and the overhead triceps extensions. The close grip bench press is a mid range exercise, the dumbbell is a peak contraction exercise, while the overhead triceps extension is a full stretch exercise. Here are the 3 exercises to give your triceps a blast.
1. The Close Grip Bench Press - To start this routine, just sit on the bench press with bar that has a torso-wide grip. Do not hold the bar with hand spacing too close so as not to strain your wrist and to increase your load capacity. Then make progressive heavy warm up sets and make three sets of ten repetitions for every set. After every set, rest your arms for at least two minutes before you start with another set.
2. The Dumbbell Kick backs - To execute the routine, brace yourself against the exercise bench and then grab a dumbbell on your one hand and place your other hand for support on the bench. Your upper arm should be placed on the side of your torso and just moving your forearm to lift the dumbbell in arc motion until you attain the straight position of your arm and then hold it there for a second just to feel the contraction of the triceps. Then in a slow motion, return the arm to the start position and repeat the process in three sets of ten repetitions for every arm with one minute rest every after set.
3. The Overhead Tricep Extension – In this routine, you have to use full range motion in order to lift the weights back making again progressive heavy warm up of two to three sets and routine sets of three in ten repetitions with 2 minutes interval in every set.
With these routines, you are sure to give your arms particularly your triceps a blast and at the same time allow greater range of motion in your arms.
Among those that perfectly work on your triceps are the close grip bench press, the dumbbell kick backs and the overhead triceps extensions. The close grip bench press is a mid range exercise, the dumbbell is a peak contraction exercise, while the overhead triceps extension is a full stretch exercise. Here are the 3 exercises to give your triceps a blast.
1. The Close Grip Bench Press - To start this routine, just sit on the bench press with bar that has a torso-wide grip. Do not hold the bar with hand spacing too close so as not to strain your wrist and to increase your load capacity. Then make progressive heavy warm up sets and make three sets of ten repetitions for every set. After every set, rest your arms for at least two minutes before you start with another set.
2. The Dumbbell Kick backs - To execute the routine, brace yourself against the exercise bench and then grab a dumbbell on your one hand and place your other hand for support on the bench. Your upper arm should be placed on the side of your torso and just moving your forearm to lift the dumbbell in arc motion until you attain the straight position of your arm and then hold it there for a second just to feel the contraction of the triceps. Then in a slow motion, return the arm to the start position and repeat the process in three sets of ten repetitions for every arm with one minute rest every after set.
3. The Overhead Tricep Extension – In this routine, you have to use full range motion in order to lift the weights back making again progressive heavy warm up of two to three sets and routine sets of three in ten repetitions with 2 minutes interval in every set.
With these routines, you are sure to give your arms particularly your triceps a blast and at the same time allow greater range of motion in your arms.
Education Supplies - Saving Money on Back to School Items
While August is the popular month for saving money on education supplies, there are other places you can look to find discount school supplies and clothes. With a little creativity and planning, you will find all the education supplies your children need whether you are a parent or a teacher.
1. Let's get sales on education supplies out of the way. If it is already August the smart thing to do is to check out the supplies for school at local drug, discount and school supply stores. National chains offer tremendous savings on school supplies this time of year. Get to the sales early and you will find what you need and save a bundle in the process. Teachers can find many classroom supplies on sale at this time as well. If you are a teacher, be sure to take advantage of tax free discounts!
2. Close out stores like Big Lots have school supplies year-round. Notebooks, pencils, rulers, lined paper and folders usually line at least one shelf. While your kids may not appreciate the choice they have in clothing, education supplies can be bought anywhere.
3. Yard sales are a great place to find some of your children's clothing. If you go to the right neighborhoods, you can find fashionable clothes for a few bucks. It may take some looking, but it is possible to find cute jeans and tops. If your kids balk at the idea of yard sale clothes, just take their measurements and go to them yourself. If you have a bit of fashion savvy, you can get great deals without letting your children know where you got them.
4. For supplies for school, dollar stores are a great place to look. You can buy packages of pens, pencils, erasers and folders for $1 each. Be careful, though. Sometimes you can find even better deals on paper and notebooks on sale at other stores. Why pay a dollar for a notebook when you can pay fifty cents at Target?
5. Warehouse outlets carry name brand clothing at discount prices. Most children -- even teenagers don't care about the "discount" clothes when the store sign and clothing tags have brand names written on them. Many of these places offer savings of up to 50% on clothes and shoes.
6. If you have you have children of the same gender that are a year or so apart in age, the chances are that you can get away with passing down some clothes. This only works if you make sure to get your younger children something extra which the older child won't get -- like a brand new lunch box, backpack or purse. You can pretend they are missing out anyway. It's deceptive, but believe me, the plan does work sometimes.
7. Search online for discount school supplies. Teachers can find fantastic prices on classroom supplies if they get a head start on shopping. Parents can find some of the education supplies their children need by going to places like Amazon and eBay. If your children need specific books for literature classes, online bookstores such as Amazon offer used books as well as new. Scientific calculators can break your budget. They are not cheap, but you can find them cheaper if you look on eBay and other auction sites. There are online school supply stores which carry all such items all year long. Often they will have sales on school supplies at the same time as the brick and mortar stores. If you can be sure the items will get to you on time, this is a great way to shop without having to brave the traffic. With the price of gas these days, the shipping costs may be worth it in terms of time and money.
Whether you are a parent or a teacher trying to find classroom supplies, you can find bargains any time of year. Give these pieces of advice some consideration and you will find everything you need in education supplies and school clothes without breaking the bank to do it.
1. Let's get sales on education supplies out of the way. If it is already August the smart thing to do is to check out the supplies for school at local drug, discount and school supply stores. National chains offer tremendous savings on school supplies this time of year. Get to the sales early and you will find what you need and save a bundle in the process. Teachers can find many classroom supplies on sale at this time as well. If you are a teacher, be sure to take advantage of tax free discounts!
2. Close out stores like Big Lots have school supplies year-round. Notebooks, pencils, rulers, lined paper and folders usually line at least one shelf. While your kids may not appreciate the choice they have in clothing, education supplies can be bought anywhere.
3. Yard sales are a great place to find some of your children's clothing. If you go to the right neighborhoods, you can find fashionable clothes for a few bucks. It may take some looking, but it is possible to find cute jeans and tops. If your kids balk at the idea of yard sale clothes, just take their measurements and go to them yourself. If you have a bit of fashion savvy, you can get great deals without letting your children know where you got them.
4. For supplies for school, dollar stores are a great place to look. You can buy packages of pens, pencils, erasers and folders for $1 each. Be careful, though. Sometimes you can find even better deals on paper and notebooks on sale at other stores. Why pay a dollar for a notebook when you can pay fifty cents at Target?
5. Warehouse outlets carry name brand clothing at discount prices. Most children -- even teenagers don't care about the "discount" clothes when the store sign and clothing tags have brand names written on them. Many of these places offer savings of up to 50% on clothes and shoes.
6. If you have you have children of the same gender that are a year or so apart in age, the chances are that you can get away with passing down some clothes. This only works if you make sure to get your younger children something extra which the older child won't get -- like a brand new lunch box, backpack or purse. You can pretend they are missing out anyway. It's deceptive, but believe me, the plan does work sometimes.
7. Search online for discount school supplies. Teachers can find fantastic prices on classroom supplies if they get a head start on shopping. Parents can find some of the education supplies their children need by going to places like Amazon and eBay. If your children need specific books for literature classes, online bookstores such as Amazon offer used books as well as new. Scientific calculators can break your budget. They are not cheap, but you can find them cheaper if you look on eBay and other auction sites. There are online school supply stores which carry all such items all year long. Often they will have sales on school supplies at the same time as the brick and mortar stores. If you can be sure the items will get to you on time, this is a great way to shop without having to brave the traffic. With the price of gas these days, the shipping costs may be worth it in terms of time and money.
Whether you are a parent or a teacher trying to find classroom supplies, you can find bargains any time of year. Give these pieces of advice some consideration and you will find everything you need in education supplies and school clothes without breaking the bank to do it.
13 Steps to Total Online Pc Security
The proliferation of Internet has delivered convenience and connectivity to the average person. No more geographical, racial, financial barriers are there, and you can freely do what you want to do online.
But it has also brought many ills.
And the biggest problem is the dark side of Internet. This means the ever increasing threat of viruses, spyware, Trojans and many such malware, which always try to harm you, your machine and your identity.
But it has been seen that most of these Internet threats can be avoided if you take a few precautionary measures. You have to be careful, vigilant and exercise restraint while you are online. It is a jungle out there, you have to be careful on this safari.
Here are the 13 crucial steps, which will help you a lot in your efforts towards a complete Online PC Security.
Step 1: Schedule your Windows Updates – know the best option
Step 2: Change your Email Client
Step 3: Tweak Your Browser Settings
Step 4: Install a dependable Anti-Spyware
Step 5: Don’t forget a good quality Anti-virus
Step 6: Disappear behind a robust Firewall
Step 7: Know advanced ways to create and manage Hack-proof password
Step 8: Know your options on how to Backup your data
Step 9: Know why you need data encryption
Step 10: Arm yourself against any phishing attack
Step 11: Safeguard yourself against Wireless Internet threats
Step 12: Be prepared to protect against theft and robbery
Step 13: Change your online behavior – Follow Do’s and Don’ts of safe browsing
But it has also brought many ills.
And the biggest problem is the dark side of Internet. This means the ever increasing threat of viruses, spyware, Trojans and many such malware, which always try to harm you, your machine and your identity.
But it has been seen that most of these Internet threats can be avoided if you take a few precautionary measures. You have to be careful, vigilant and exercise restraint while you are online. It is a jungle out there, you have to be careful on this safari.
Here are the 13 crucial steps, which will help you a lot in your efforts towards a complete Online PC Security.
Step 1: Schedule your Windows Updates – know the best option
Step 2: Change your Email Client
Step 3: Tweak Your Browser Settings
Step 4: Install a dependable Anti-Spyware
Step 5: Don’t forget a good quality Anti-virus
Step 6: Disappear behind a robust Firewall
Step 7: Know advanced ways to create and manage Hack-proof password
Step 8: Know your options on how to Backup your data
Step 9: Know why you need data encryption
Step 10: Arm yourself against any phishing attack
Step 11: Safeguard yourself against Wireless Internet threats
Step 12: Be prepared to protect against theft and robbery
Step 13: Change your online behavior – Follow Do’s and Don’ts of safe browsing
The Consumers Apple Computer Buying Guide
Laptops are small sized portable computers that can sit on someone's lap. Since you place the computer on top of your lap, the term laptop has been coined. Often, Apple laptops my go under the name of notebooks due to its size and to a lesser extent its functions.
These portable computers serve the same purpose of regular computers but they are convenient to carry around and travel with. In the case of Apple made laptops, they are referred to as iBooks or simply the MacBooks. The Mac is short for Macintosh, which is Apple's brand name for their computers.
Apple computers can vary drastically from other laptops on the market. One of the primary differences is that they come equipped with Apple operating systems instead of Microsoft based operating systems. However, the ability to run other operating systems on Apple laptops can be done.
If your laptop comes with Mac OS X Leopard and you are used to using Windows XP, this can require some knowledge of Mac products. This in itself isn't a problem but trying to find computer software that's compatible with Apple may be.
Nevertheless, graphic design artist and musicians often prefer Apple based laptops over competitors. This is because Apple clearly has the upper hand in several key points of computer technology.
Over the last couple of years, students have left their standard laptop models and have switched to Apple in large numbers. Here are some popular Apple laptops detailing some of there many features.
Apple iBook G3
integrated ethernet/Apple G3 800MHz processor/256 MB of RAM/Mac OS 10 pre-installed/30 GB hard drive/56K modem/airport wireless card/Cdrom drive ready to access media/12.1-inch TFT LCD
Apple Powerbook G4
60GB Ultra ATA 100 hard driveAirPort Extreme wireless networking and internal Bluetooth/DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support/Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive/two USB 2.0 ports and FireWire 400/256MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM
Prices for Apple laptops are consistent with other brands that are out. Prices can range from a little over one thousand dollars all the way up to three thousand dollars for new Apple laptops. It's roughly the same for other models as well. Below are other models out that can be customized to your liking by interchanging parts.
Other Apple laptop models
Apple MacBook Air
Apple MacBook
Apple MacBook Pro
Apple iBook G4
Apple laptops parts
OEM Batteries/Hard Drive Caddies/Internal Drives/CPU's/Circuit Boards/Keyboards/Cooling Fans/Miscellaneous Items/Inverters/OEM AC Adapters/DC Power Jacks/OEM Memory/Cables/Hard Drive Adapters/LCD Displays/Plastic Case
Not all laptop parts will work with Apple computers. Research should be done beforehand to determine if problems that may arise can be fixed in your area.
This is because not all computer technicians are familiar with Apple products since Microsoft based computers dominate the market. Finding parts and people to install them may be very limited.
Conclusion
Ultimately what it all comes down to is your own personal taste. All laptops work primarily the same and have the same parts but things such as speed, weight and look are often the main areas laptop buyers look into when trying to decide on a laptop.
Price and feature wise, Apple laptops are well worth the price. However, as I mentioned earlier, Microsoft, Windows users will need to prepare to get acquainted with the Apple based applications before they make the switch.
These portable computers serve the same purpose of regular computers but they are convenient to carry around and travel with. In the case of Apple made laptops, they are referred to as iBooks or simply the MacBooks. The Mac is short for Macintosh, which is Apple's brand name for their computers.
Apple computers can vary drastically from other laptops on the market. One of the primary differences is that they come equipped with Apple operating systems instead of Microsoft based operating systems. However, the ability to run other operating systems on Apple laptops can be done.
If your laptop comes with Mac OS X Leopard and you are used to using Windows XP, this can require some knowledge of Mac products. This in itself isn't a problem but trying to find computer software that's compatible with Apple may be.
Nevertheless, graphic design artist and musicians often prefer Apple based laptops over competitors. This is because Apple clearly has the upper hand in several key points of computer technology.
Over the last couple of years, students have left their standard laptop models and have switched to Apple in large numbers. Here are some popular Apple laptops detailing some of there many features.
Apple iBook G3
integrated ethernet/Apple G3 800MHz processor/256 MB of RAM/Mac OS 10 pre-installed/30 GB hard drive/56K modem/airport wireless card/Cdrom drive ready to access media/12.1-inch TFT LCD
Apple Powerbook G4
60GB Ultra ATA 100 hard driveAirPort Extreme wireless networking and internal Bluetooth/DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support/Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive/two USB 2.0 ports and FireWire 400/256MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM
Prices for Apple laptops are consistent with other brands that are out. Prices can range from a little over one thousand dollars all the way up to three thousand dollars for new Apple laptops. It's roughly the same for other models as well. Below are other models out that can be customized to your liking by interchanging parts.
Other Apple laptop models
Apple MacBook Air
Apple MacBook
Apple MacBook Pro
Apple iBook G4
Apple laptops parts
OEM Batteries/Hard Drive Caddies/Internal Drives/CPU's/Circuit Boards/Keyboards/Cooling Fans/Miscellaneous Items/Inverters/OEM AC Adapters/DC Power Jacks/OEM Memory/Cables/Hard Drive Adapters/LCD Displays/Plastic Case
Not all laptop parts will work with Apple computers. Research should be done beforehand to determine if problems that may arise can be fixed in your area.
This is because not all computer technicians are familiar with Apple products since Microsoft based computers dominate the market. Finding parts and people to install them may be very limited.
Conclusion
Ultimately what it all comes down to is your own personal taste. All laptops work primarily the same and have the same parts but things such as speed, weight and look are often the main areas laptop buyers look into when trying to decide on a laptop.
Price and feature wise, Apple laptops are well worth the price. However, as I mentioned earlier, Microsoft, Windows users will need to prepare to get acquainted with the Apple based applications before they make the switch.
Tips For Car Rust Treatment
Cars are now a days very expensive. Even some of them cost much more than the salary of an average American. Most Americans buy car on car loan scheme.
They have to pay the money in installments for 60 or 72 months. The interest rate is very high for this e.m.i. thus the owner has to pay heavy amount in installments.
Since we are paying heavy amount for the car then its our duty to protect them as long as possible. Foremost problem that the car suffers is the problem of rust. Either you have to prevent it or use rust products to remove rust from the body of the car.
If you say in medical terms then you can say that rust is like cancer for the car. It becomes worst when gets started and slowly spreads to entire body.
The body of the car is made of metal sheet and we all know that metals are prone to get rusted. Rust is seen in areas like extreme weather, moisture or road side salt used in the winter climate.
There are various ways to have treatment against rust and it can be cured if proper care is taken.
Though the vehicle sheet metal is covered with thin coat of primer paint but this is not enough. Roadside dirt, debris or even hail is enough to damage this thin coat. Even the small scratch on the body will make the body naked to the environment. Then moisture, salt of the atmosphere will come in contact with the naked part of the metal body.
Oxidation of the metal will start. This chemical reaction on the metal is known as rust. In Chemistry rust is nothing less than simply loss of electron for which the metal gets weak which helps more in rusting.
It is always recommended that you should clean and wax the car in every two week. Carefully observe the body parts of the car from where rust can start. Look for the scratches, nicks and dings which caused some naked part in the body of the paint. Take special care for this part so that rust can't be started in this area.
Cover these naked parts and seal them so that moisture can't come in contact with the metal body. Touch up paint is best suitable for this situation. Chose the best suitable touch up paint which matches your car color and use it over the affected area.
These can act as effective rust treatment for the car. As first-aid you can also use nail polish. In small scratch area toothpick is always a better option than included brush for the touch up paint.
Most important thing is for rust treatments always go to an automotive dealer. The way they will give treatment to the car rust is not comparable with the way you will treat the car rust at home. Their treatment will always be better. They can give you the best color matches with the car color. So the exact paint will again give the car new look.
These will definitely seal out the naked part and prevent the moisture to come in contact with the body part thus keeping the car body rust free.
They have to pay the money in installments for 60 or 72 months. The interest rate is very high for this e.m.i. thus the owner has to pay heavy amount in installments.
Since we are paying heavy amount for the car then its our duty to protect them as long as possible. Foremost problem that the car suffers is the problem of rust. Either you have to prevent it or use rust products to remove rust from the body of the car.
If you say in medical terms then you can say that rust is like cancer for the car. It becomes worst when gets started and slowly spreads to entire body.
The body of the car is made of metal sheet and we all know that metals are prone to get rusted. Rust is seen in areas like extreme weather, moisture or road side salt used in the winter climate.
There are various ways to have treatment against rust and it can be cured if proper care is taken.
Though the vehicle sheet metal is covered with thin coat of primer paint but this is not enough. Roadside dirt, debris or even hail is enough to damage this thin coat. Even the small scratch on the body will make the body naked to the environment. Then moisture, salt of the atmosphere will come in contact with the naked part of the metal body.
Oxidation of the metal will start. This chemical reaction on the metal is known as rust. In Chemistry rust is nothing less than simply loss of electron for which the metal gets weak which helps more in rusting.
It is always recommended that you should clean and wax the car in every two week. Carefully observe the body parts of the car from where rust can start. Look for the scratches, nicks and dings which caused some naked part in the body of the paint. Take special care for this part so that rust can't be started in this area.
Cover these naked parts and seal them so that moisture can't come in contact with the metal body. Touch up paint is best suitable for this situation. Chose the best suitable touch up paint which matches your car color and use it over the affected area.
These can act as effective rust treatment for the car. As first-aid you can also use nail polish. In small scratch area toothpick is always a better option than included brush for the touch up paint.
Most important thing is for rust treatments always go to an automotive dealer. The way they will give treatment to the car rust is not comparable with the way you will treat the car rust at home. Their treatment will always be better. They can give you the best color matches with the car color. So the exact paint will again give the car new look.
These will definitely seal out the naked part and prevent the moisture to come in contact with the body part thus keeping the car body rust free.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Low-Calorie Recipes For Weight Loss
Idlis (different version)
Idlis are considered a great low-calorie health diet because there is
virtually no use of oil and the idlis are steamed. Typically, idlis are
made from washed urad dal, but this particular version also includes
green grams (moong dal), which is a rich source of iron and easy to
digest.
Ingredients
1 cup rice
1 cup washed moong dal (yellow in colour)
3/4 cup urad dal (white)
Salt to taste
1 tsp soda bicarb or leavening agent (you can also use yeast)
1 tbsp oil (for greasing the moulds)
Preparation
Soak the dals and rice in water for 4-5 hours (you can use warm water if
you want them to be soaked faster)
Grind together in a mixer to a thick paste adding little water if
necessary to make it into dropping consistency.
Mix soda bicarb (in a spoon of water) in the mixture and leave it to
ferment for 2-3 hours.
Add salt to taste.
Grease idli moulds. Fill each mould with the mixture and steam the idlis.
Serve hot with sambar or coconut chutney.
Rice and Lemon Soup
This is a low-calorie exotic soup, which nourishes you with nutrients
from all food categories. This has both vegetarian as well as non-
vegetarian variants. Please ensure that you take lean portions (breast
being the best) while preparing the chicken stock. You can also add
chillies or pepper to enhance taste.
Ingredients
5 cups chicken stock or com stock
3 tbsp long-grained rice
1 or 2 lemons
Salt to taste
Soya sauce - optional
Preparation
Simmer the stock with rice, lemon juice and half to one tsp of finely
grated lemon rind.
Let it slimmer for about 20 minutes.
Idlis are considered a great low-calorie health diet because there is
virtually no use of oil and the idlis are steamed. Typically, idlis are
made from washed urad dal, but this particular version also includes
green grams (moong dal), which is a rich source of iron and easy to
digest.
Ingredients
1 cup rice
1 cup washed moong dal (yellow in colour)
3/4 cup urad dal (white)
Salt to taste
1 tsp soda bicarb or leavening agent (you can also use yeast)
1 tbsp oil (for greasing the moulds)
Preparation
Soak the dals and rice in water for 4-5 hours (you can use warm water if
you want them to be soaked faster)
Grind together in a mixer to a thick paste adding little water if
necessary to make it into dropping consistency.
Mix soda bicarb (in a spoon of water) in the mixture and leave it to
ferment for 2-3 hours.
Add salt to taste.
Grease idli moulds. Fill each mould with the mixture and steam the idlis.
Serve hot with sambar or coconut chutney.
Rice and Lemon Soup
This is a low-calorie exotic soup, which nourishes you with nutrients
from all food categories. This has both vegetarian as well as non-
vegetarian variants. Please ensure that you take lean portions (breast
being the best) while preparing the chicken stock. You can also add
chillies or pepper to enhance taste.
Ingredients
5 cups chicken stock or com stock
3 tbsp long-grained rice
1 or 2 lemons
Salt to taste
Soya sauce - optional
Preparation
Simmer the stock with rice, lemon juice and half to one tsp of finely
grated lemon rind.
Let it slimmer for about 20 minutes.
Fat Loss Diet Review - Proactol Diet Pill Review
Proactol is a new weight loss drug that is designed to reduce caloric intake by binding to fat and preventing it from being digested. The main ingredient in Proactol is NeOpuntia, which comes from the Opuntia ficus indica plant, or prickly pear cactus.
Proactol claims to work by binding up to 28% of dietary fat intake, suppressing appetite, reducing cholesterol levels, and improving the overall health of your body.
The best thing about Proactol is that its main ingredient is completely natural and organic. The benefit of choosing an organic weight loss product is that a great deal of weight gain in America can be attributed to the extra chemicals we take in from processed and refined foods.
By taking Proactol, you will be sure that the products you are putting into your body are natural, GMO-free, and allergen-free. NeOpuntia is also approved for kosher and vegetarian diets.
The claim that Proactol suppresses appetite can be attributed to its fiber content. NeOpuntia is a healthy lipophilic fiber, which means that it effects the amount of fat absorbed by your diet for blood lipid levels. Proactol works by combining fat grams in the stomach with fiber, allowing them to effectively pass through the body unabsorbed.
How Proactol Work?
But how does fat binding work? After having a meal, the fat content of the food eaten floats at the surface of the stomach. The binding ingredients of the product interact with the food lipids found in the upper portion of the stomach. These ingredients immediately bind with these fats and form a liquid gel around them.
The fat then becomes too large to be absorbed by the body. Since the small intestine cannot process them for absorption, these fats are naturally and safely eliminated from the body. The process reduces the amount of fat and calorie stored in one’s body
I would definitely advise the use of Proactol to anyone looking to jumpstart their weight loss efforts. The claim that 28% of your fat intake will be bound in the stomach does correlate with recent medical research, as a study posted on www.Pubmed.com shows that the ingredients in prickly pear cactus do reduce blood lipid levels.
The extra fiber present in Proactol makes your meals more satisfying and long-lasting, meaning that you feel full and are less susceptible to food and sugar cravings. Proactol does reduce your cholesterol level, as long as you maintain a healthy diet while on the pill.
Benefits of Proactol Fat binding pills
* Proactol is 100% vegetable fat binder. It is ideal for vegetarians and those prone to allergies.
* When the active ingredients in Proactol come into contact with fats in the stomach, it binds to them, locking them in a fluid-like gel that cannot be absorbed by the body.
* It reduces food cravings and reduces calorie intake and makes our body burn fat for energy.
* Proactol has no known side effects even after conducting many clinical tests. NeOpuntia from the cactus is totally safe and non-chemical.
Instructions for taking Proactol include consuming 2-3 pills after every meal. Because Proactol is so effective in binding fat molecules, one thing I worried about while taking it was getting the proper vitamins and minerals from my diet.
Certain vitamins, such as vitamins A and E, bind to fat when being digested, which means they will be passed through the body of a person using Proactol. The Proactol website suggests taking a multivitamin to counteract this effect, so each evening I took a multivitamin along with a small snack right before bed.
Another great thing about Proactol is that when you order 4 or more boxes of their product, they send you a number of free materials to maximize your weight loss results.
By giving you a one-year subscription to Home-WeightLoss.com, you have access to a variety of low-fat recipes, fitness plans, exercise guides, and weight loss articles. You can also join support groups and community forums for motivational support.
Proactol is currently one of the best weight loss pills on the market. It utilizes organic ingredients, and delivers on its promises to reduce fat absorption, suppress appetite, and reduce cholesterol levels.
By purchasing Proactol, you are not only getting a powerful weight loss tool, but a wealth of material regarding diet and fitness. Proactol is definitely worth the money.
Proactol claims to work by binding up to 28% of dietary fat intake, suppressing appetite, reducing cholesterol levels, and improving the overall health of your body.
The best thing about Proactol is that its main ingredient is completely natural and organic. The benefit of choosing an organic weight loss product is that a great deal of weight gain in America can be attributed to the extra chemicals we take in from processed and refined foods.
By taking Proactol, you will be sure that the products you are putting into your body are natural, GMO-free, and allergen-free. NeOpuntia is also approved for kosher and vegetarian diets.
The claim that Proactol suppresses appetite can be attributed to its fiber content. NeOpuntia is a healthy lipophilic fiber, which means that it effects the amount of fat absorbed by your diet for blood lipid levels. Proactol works by combining fat grams in the stomach with fiber, allowing them to effectively pass through the body unabsorbed.
How Proactol Work?
But how does fat binding work? After having a meal, the fat content of the food eaten floats at the surface of the stomach. The binding ingredients of the product interact with the food lipids found in the upper portion of the stomach. These ingredients immediately bind with these fats and form a liquid gel around them.
The fat then becomes too large to be absorbed by the body. Since the small intestine cannot process them for absorption, these fats are naturally and safely eliminated from the body. The process reduces the amount of fat and calorie stored in one’s body
I would definitely advise the use of Proactol to anyone looking to jumpstart their weight loss efforts. The claim that 28% of your fat intake will be bound in the stomach does correlate with recent medical research, as a study posted on www.Pubmed.com shows that the ingredients in prickly pear cactus do reduce blood lipid levels.
The extra fiber present in Proactol makes your meals more satisfying and long-lasting, meaning that you feel full and are less susceptible to food and sugar cravings. Proactol does reduce your cholesterol level, as long as you maintain a healthy diet while on the pill.
Benefits of Proactol Fat binding pills
* Proactol is 100% vegetable fat binder. It is ideal for vegetarians and those prone to allergies.
* When the active ingredients in Proactol come into contact with fats in the stomach, it binds to them, locking them in a fluid-like gel that cannot be absorbed by the body.
* It reduces food cravings and reduces calorie intake and makes our body burn fat for energy.
* Proactol has no known side effects even after conducting many clinical tests. NeOpuntia from the cactus is totally safe and non-chemical.
Instructions for taking Proactol include consuming 2-3 pills after every meal. Because Proactol is so effective in binding fat molecules, one thing I worried about while taking it was getting the proper vitamins and minerals from my diet.
Certain vitamins, such as vitamins A and E, bind to fat when being digested, which means they will be passed through the body of a person using Proactol. The Proactol website suggests taking a multivitamin to counteract this effect, so each evening I took a multivitamin along with a small snack right before bed.
Another great thing about Proactol is that when you order 4 or more boxes of their product, they send you a number of free materials to maximize your weight loss results.
By giving you a one-year subscription to Home-WeightLoss.com, you have access to a variety of low-fat recipes, fitness plans, exercise guides, and weight loss articles. You can also join support groups and community forums for motivational support.
Proactol is currently one of the best weight loss pills on the market. It utilizes organic ingredients, and delivers on its promises to reduce fat absorption, suppress appetite, and reduce cholesterol levels.
By purchasing Proactol, you are not only getting a powerful weight loss tool, but a wealth of material regarding diet and fitness. Proactol is definitely worth the money.
Ten Tips To Get a Software Job in 30 Days
Tips To Get Software Job Fast & Easily:
1. Learn a good technology like System Programming, System Administration,
Software Programming, - seems boring & time consuming - Learn fast seeing Videos
& just do a little lab session where you do hands on work to learn what you have
understood & are able to talk confidently in an interview.
2. Prepare your Resume fast (This is where everyone delays)
Visit http://Storage-Jobs.BlogSpot.COM to know all the Tips & see the Videos
3. Your Resume lists your skillset - perfect these Skillset is got by working on Projects or being through some training - Your projects define the technology & a lot of related
4. Once Resume is ready make sure you research online about job openings in
various software companies, Understand their job descriptions, make modifications
to align your resume with the high demand technology & make sure you have done it
in your projects or learned about it some where else.
5. Researching online about software companies & their job openings gives you a
very strong mindset which helps you build more seriousness in your interview
preparation.
6. Start giving mock interviews to your friends who act like a Real Interviewer
taking tough & rapid fire interview questions. Give a lot of Mock interviews this
really is the most crucial step which none I would say 90% people do not do. If
you do this then you are in a far better position to clear & win a software job
offer.
7. Start uploading your website to all the major Career portals like seek , dice,
monster, etc - Make sure you have an impressive resume when you are uploading your
resume & fill every parameter like keywords, salary details etc.
8. Network & make sure your resume reaches more people & companies using Hiring
consultants. Job recruiter consultants have a far better reach than conventional
internet job portals websites. They are having a person to person touch with the
managers of the teams or the software companies so hiring consultants are much
strongly networked to help you get interviews scheduled. Get Interviews As Soon
As Possible. Make sure you have a very strong preparation before you actually go
and attend that interview.
9. Interviews come very fast, Managers from Software companies want suitable
candidates faster they want to finish the interviews faster , they want to get the
right candidates who can get onboard & start working faster - if you understand
their expectations & if you can understand their job descriptions - make yourself
come upto their expectations then you can clear all the interview rounds.
10. Interview Process is a delayed thing there will be several rounds there will
be several interviewer's & also they may take time to actually decide on whom to
give the job offer. so have patience have a lot of patience & instead of just
waiting for one interview's result make sure you improve on your preparation. The
stronger you are in your preparation higher your chance of clearing all rounds of
interviews & winning the software job.
Keep reading on Storage Jobs Blog to learn more Tips & See the Proof that these
Tips make a huge difference in your Job Success.
Search in Google for "How To Get Software Jobs" or search for "Storage Jobs" or
"Storage Jobs Blog".
1. Learn a good technology like System Programming, System Administration,
Software Programming, - seems boring & time consuming - Learn fast seeing Videos
& just do a little lab session where you do hands on work to learn what you have
understood & are able to talk confidently in an interview.
2. Prepare your Resume fast (This is where everyone delays)
Visit http://Storage-Jobs.BlogSpot.COM to know all the Tips & see the Videos
3. Your Resume lists your skillset - perfect these Skillset is got by working on Projects or being through some training - Your projects define the technology & a lot of related
4. Once Resume is ready make sure you research online about job openings in
various software companies, Understand their job descriptions, make modifications
to align your resume with the high demand technology & make sure you have done it
in your projects or learned about it some where else.
5. Researching online about software companies & their job openings gives you a
very strong mindset which helps you build more seriousness in your interview
preparation.
6. Start giving mock interviews to your friends who act like a Real Interviewer
taking tough & rapid fire interview questions. Give a lot of Mock interviews this
really is the most crucial step which none I would say 90% people do not do. If
you do this then you are in a far better position to clear & win a software job
offer.
7. Start uploading your website to all the major Career portals like seek , dice,
monster, etc - Make sure you have an impressive resume when you are uploading your
resume & fill every parameter like keywords, salary details etc.
8. Network & make sure your resume reaches more people & companies using Hiring
consultants. Job recruiter consultants have a far better reach than conventional
internet job portals websites. They are having a person to person touch with the
managers of the teams or the software companies so hiring consultants are much
strongly networked to help you get interviews scheduled. Get Interviews As Soon
As Possible. Make sure you have a very strong preparation before you actually go
and attend that interview.
9. Interviews come very fast, Managers from Software companies want suitable
candidates faster they want to finish the interviews faster , they want to get the
right candidates who can get onboard & start working faster - if you understand
their expectations & if you can understand their job descriptions - make yourself
come upto their expectations then you can clear all the interview rounds.
10. Interview Process is a delayed thing there will be several rounds there will
be several interviewer's & also they may take time to actually decide on whom to
give the job offer. so have patience have a lot of patience & instead of just
waiting for one interview's result make sure you improve on your preparation. The
stronger you are in your preparation higher your chance of clearing all rounds of
interviews & winning the software job.
Keep reading on Storage Jobs Blog to learn more Tips & See the Proof that these
Tips make a huge difference in your Job Success.
Search in Google for "How To Get Software Jobs" or search for "Storage Jobs" or
"Storage Jobs Blog".
Web hosting guides: Selecting the right hosting for your website
In the market, there are many web hosting companies offering different packages. Is a bit different for us to choose which one is the best. If we do not study well on features of each package, we may get inferior products which may cause lots of problems. Worst case will cause your website down for long period until make huge losses to your company.
There is no web hosting provider which can guarantee a 100% great performance in terms of security or server/network troubles. But you can minimize the risk to lowest by choosing a well known provider. Below, I will provide you all some guidelines how to select a reliable web hosting provider.
Choose the web hosting company which established for years and have strong supports by any prominent corporate.
Always the case where people will feel that big company will give you good service, but actual fact it is not true. When you want to choose a reliable web hosting company, you should do some company research on their background like years of operation, customer comments, etc; especially when the company is a new.
You are advised not to choose a small company as they can’t afford to buy good facilities like servers, bandwidth, etc. All these are important to support clients’ websites in tip top performance. Also, try to choose companies which have strong backup from big company like Google, Yahoo, etc.
Choose the web hosting company which offering lots of features and stuffs
If you shilly-shally on web hosting provider to be chosen, the simplest way for you to select a good one is by comparing the features offered by each provider. It will be good if you can find a provider which can give you heaps of features and stuffs with reasonable price.
Choose the web hosting company which offering the best customer support
Customer supports always the prior attribute for consideration when choosing a web hosting provider. A good provider able to help you solve problems 24/7 through many communication methods like email, phone, live chat, etc without bringing you any hassle.
Choose the web hosting company which possess user friendly control panel
Many people will overlook this feature during their web host consideration. A control panel is the platform for you to customize your websites. It can allow you to add database, users and email accounts, etc.
Some web hosting providers have the demo type control panel which you can learn how to use the features embedded. Choose the most user friendly one as this is make you work easier in the future.
Do not let hosting charges affect your judgment
Although money is important, but bear in mind that don’t let this affect your consideration; as nowadays many packages with cheap prices available in the market but not all of them are good. Most of them only can offer the fundamental features only.
Many side charges will be incurred if you want to upgrade the packages to advanced one. So before you decide to use which provider, do some study on the reputation, customer services, features offered, etc.
Need more help in picking up the right web hosting service? Visit Squidoo lens "Web Hosting Review: Real Customer Honest Reviews" or check out Bluehost hosting review at ReviewBluehost.com.
There is no web hosting provider which can guarantee a 100% great performance in terms of security or server/network troubles. But you can minimize the risk to lowest by choosing a well known provider. Below, I will provide you all some guidelines how to select a reliable web hosting provider.
Choose the web hosting company which established for years and have strong supports by any prominent corporate.
Always the case where people will feel that big company will give you good service, but actual fact it is not true. When you want to choose a reliable web hosting company, you should do some company research on their background like years of operation, customer comments, etc; especially when the company is a new.
You are advised not to choose a small company as they can’t afford to buy good facilities like servers, bandwidth, etc. All these are important to support clients’ websites in tip top performance. Also, try to choose companies which have strong backup from big company like Google, Yahoo, etc.
Choose the web hosting company which offering lots of features and stuffs
If you shilly-shally on web hosting provider to be chosen, the simplest way for you to select a good one is by comparing the features offered by each provider. It will be good if you can find a provider which can give you heaps of features and stuffs with reasonable price.
Choose the web hosting company which offering the best customer support
Customer supports always the prior attribute for consideration when choosing a web hosting provider. A good provider able to help you solve problems 24/7 through many communication methods like email, phone, live chat, etc without bringing you any hassle.
Choose the web hosting company which possess user friendly control panel
Many people will overlook this feature during their web host consideration. A control panel is the platform for you to customize your websites. It can allow you to add database, users and email accounts, etc.
Some web hosting providers have the demo type control panel which you can learn how to use the features embedded. Choose the most user friendly one as this is make you work easier in the future.
Do not let hosting charges affect your judgment
Although money is important, but bear in mind that don’t let this affect your consideration; as nowadays many packages with cheap prices available in the market but not all of them are good. Most of them only can offer the fundamental features only.
Many side charges will be incurred if you want to upgrade the packages to advanced one. So before you decide to use which provider, do some study on the reputation, customer services, features offered, etc.
Need more help in picking up the right web hosting service? Visit Squidoo lens "Web Hosting Review: Real Customer Honest Reviews" or check out Bluehost hosting review at ReviewBluehost.com.
Breast Cancer Survival Clues
If an abnormality of the breast is detected on a mammogram or by
physical exam, then the patient will usually be referred for additional
diagnostic imaging tests, such as an ultrasound. Depending upon the test
results, the patient may be sent for a biopsy of the breast. The only way
to definitely rule in breast cancer is by biopsy. This discussion
concerns breast cancer survival, and aspects of the process of diagnoses
and treatment, including recent advances.
Beginning in the early 1970's modern mammography techniques began to
become widely accessible for all women. Breast cancer survival beame a
real possiblity for many women as screening and diagnostic tools were
refined and perfected. Investment in research studies began to bear fruit
and the process of diagnosing and treating breast cancer is very precise
now.
The decision-making algorithm for breast cancer diagnosis and detection
has become very advanced. But the actual statistics displayed below tend
to vary greatly from area to area as a function of the patient and
population demographics.
The discovery of a breast lump can be very stressful for a woman, no
matter whether that lump was discovered by accident, by a routine breast
self assessment exam, or by a clinical examination. Breast lumps can be a
sign of breast cancer. Therefore, breast lumps should be examined by a
doctor. Fortunately, most breast lumps are not caused by cancer.
First of all, it's critical for every woman to practice a monthly breast
self-exams starting at age 20 for breast cancer survival. Such self-exams
let women become familiar with how the breasts look and feel so that they
may more quickly detect any changes that might occur. A lot of women have
some natural lumpiness and asymmetry (differences between the left and
right breast).
The main point of the breast self-exam to realize how the breasts change
over time. If you find a new lump and it does not go away after
menstruation, then you should discuss it with a doctor to have it
evaluated.
It is impossible for a woman or a doctor to be sure if a breast lump
means that breast cancer exists until an examination using imaging
technology such as a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy are taken. A
biopsy consist of removing a piece of tissue from the breast and looking
at it through a microscope to figure out if it has cancer cells. But
there are specific characteristics that lumps have that could indicate if
there is a greater chance that you could have cancer or you don't have
cancer.
To discover a lump in the breast, by accident, an exam, or a self
assessment can be a symptom of breast cancer. Any lump that remains for
an extended period of time should receive a thorough evaluation by a
doctor. It is crucial for women to have the custom of doing breast-self
exams monthly starting at 20 years old for breast cancer survival. The
key to an effective self examination is to recognize any changes in your
breasts that continue over time. A physician or a woman may not be able
to know for sure if the lump is cancerous unless a mammogram, ultrasound
and biopsy are done.
physical exam, then the patient will usually be referred for additional
diagnostic imaging tests, such as an ultrasound. Depending upon the test
results, the patient may be sent for a biopsy of the breast. The only way
to definitely rule in breast cancer is by biopsy. This discussion
concerns breast cancer survival, and aspects of the process of diagnoses
and treatment, including recent advances.
Beginning in the early 1970's modern mammography techniques began to
become widely accessible for all women. Breast cancer survival beame a
real possiblity for many women as screening and diagnostic tools were
refined and perfected. Investment in research studies began to bear fruit
and the process of diagnosing and treating breast cancer is very precise
now.
The decision-making algorithm for breast cancer diagnosis and detection
has become very advanced. But the actual statistics displayed below tend
to vary greatly from area to area as a function of the patient and
population demographics.
The discovery of a breast lump can be very stressful for a woman, no
matter whether that lump was discovered by accident, by a routine breast
self assessment exam, or by a clinical examination. Breast lumps can be a
sign of breast cancer. Therefore, breast lumps should be examined by a
doctor. Fortunately, most breast lumps are not caused by cancer.
First of all, it's critical for every woman to practice a monthly breast
self-exams starting at age 20 for breast cancer survival. Such self-exams
let women become familiar with how the breasts look and feel so that they
may more quickly detect any changes that might occur. A lot of women have
some natural lumpiness and asymmetry (differences between the left and
right breast).
The main point of the breast self-exam to realize how the breasts change
over time. If you find a new lump and it does not go away after
menstruation, then you should discuss it with a doctor to have it
evaluated.
It is impossible for a woman or a doctor to be sure if a breast lump
means that breast cancer exists until an examination using imaging
technology such as a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy are taken. A
biopsy consist of removing a piece of tissue from the breast and looking
at it through a microscope to figure out if it has cancer cells. But
there are specific characteristics that lumps have that could indicate if
there is a greater chance that you could have cancer or you don't have
cancer.
To discover a lump in the breast, by accident, an exam, or a self
assessment can be a symptom of breast cancer. Any lump that remains for
an extended period of time should receive a thorough evaluation by a
doctor. It is crucial for women to have the custom of doing breast-self
exams monthly starting at 20 years old for breast cancer survival. The
key to an effective self examination is to recognize any changes in your
breasts that continue over time. A physician or a woman may not be able
to know for sure if the lump is cancerous unless a mammogram, ultrasound
and biopsy are done.
Friday, September 26, 2008
How To Tell If You Are A Compulsive Shopper
Do you tend to “shop ‘till you drop” only realizing in the end that you have once again exceeded your credit card limit? Unfortunately, that means you are a shopping addict.
You have a problem and so stressed out at work that you felt like window shopping? Does it feel like shopping can make you feel any better? Generally, shopping and spending compulsively only makes you feel worse.
It is quite similar to other addictive behaviors and characteristics of problem drinkers, gamblers and overeating addicts.
Holidays can trigger feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness and compulsive shopping and spending can be a seasonal cure.
It can also occur when a person feels angry. Shopping and spending cannot buy love, boost self-esteem, nor can it heal wounds, regrets, stress, and the problems of daily living.
The increased financial debt one has obtained from compulsive shopping undeniably makes these feelings worse.
How to tell if you are a compulsive shopper?
• When shopaholics feel “out-of-sorts” they shop for a “pick-me-up.”
• They get high or “rush” when they go out and buy just like a drug or alcohol addict.
• Often buy things you do not need.
• Those who are not compulsive the rest of the year indulge on a shopping spree during Christmas or holiday seasons.
• Shopping addicts go on binges all year long becomes compulsive about buying specific items, such as shoes, collector’s items or clothing; others will buy anything.
• People with compulsive disorders often have racks of clothes and possessions with price tags still attached to it an indication it has never been used.
• The intention of buying one or two items end up with bags and bags of purchases.
• Shopaholics have this emotional black-out where they don’t even recall buying such items.
• They hide the things they buy when their family and friends start to complain about their purchases.
• Bills don’t get paid and their credit rating suffers and since they are often in denial about their problems, collection agencies attempts to get what is owed, may have legal, social and relationship problems.
• Takes on an extra job to pay for bills, an attempt to hide their problems.
So, how do we know or say that one is compulsively spending and shopping? It’s like living an extravagant life now. Extravagance or profligacy is characterized by excessive buying of unnecessary things. True, once in a while we do need to reward ourselves.
However, when we buy things that are beyond our fiscal resources we resort to burying ourselves in debts and loans to justify our buying or shopping urges, well stop and think first. Got the hint? Mentally ask yourself if the item you are purchasing is worth it before the craving of buying or shopping takes over you.
And why not use an online payment processor that has low transactions fees? At least, your purchases are kept to a minimum.
You have a problem and so stressed out at work that you felt like window shopping? Does it feel like shopping can make you feel any better? Generally, shopping and spending compulsively only makes you feel worse.
It is quite similar to other addictive behaviors and characteristics of problem drinkers, gamblers and overeating addicts.
Holidays can trigger feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness and compulsive shopping and spending can be a seasonal cure.
It can also occur when a person feels angry. Shopping and spending cannot buy love, boost self-esteem, nor can it heal wounds, regrets, stress, and the problems of daily living.
The increased financial debt one has obtained from compulsive shopping undeniably makes these feelings worse.
How to tell if you are a compulsive shopper?
• When shopaholics feel “out-of-sorts” they shop for a “pick-me-up.”
• They get high or “rush” when they go out and buy just like a drug or alcohol addict.
• Often buy things you do not need.
• Those who are not compulsive the rest of the year indulge on a shopping spree during Christmas or holiday seasons.
• Shopping addicts go on binges all year long becomes compulsive about buying specific items, such as shoes, collector’s items or clothing; others will buy anything.
• People with compulsive disorders often have racks of clothes and possessions with price tags still attached to it an indication it has never been used.
• The intention of buying one or two items end up with bags and bags of purchases.
• Shopaholics have this emotional black-out where they don’t even recall buying such items.
• They hide the things they buy when their family and friends start to complain about their purchases.
• Bills don’t get paid and their credit rating suffers and since they are often in denial about their problems, collection agencies attempts to get what is owed, may have legal, social and relationship problems.
• Takes on an extra job to pay for bills, an attempt to hide their problems.
So, how do we know or say that one is compulsively spending and shopping? It’s like living an extravagant life now. Extravagance or profligacy is characterized by excessive buying of unnecessary things. True, once in a while we do need to reward ourselves.
However, when we buy things that are beyond our fiscal resources we resort to burying ourselves in debts and loans to justify our buying or shopping urges, well stop and think first. Got the hint? Mentally ask yourself if the item you are purchasing is worth it before the craving of buying or shopping takes over you.
And why not use an online payment processor that has low transactions fees? At least, your purchases are kept to a minimum.
Fully-Grown Love Never Fails
By Dr. Charles D. Schmitz and Dr. Elizabeth A. Schmitz "the marriage doctors"
Award Winning Authors of the NEW Hardback Book Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.? It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.? It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.? Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. ?It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” ?(I Corinthians 13:4-8)
As we sit at our desk today we are listening to a gentle rain. Spring is only a few days away. You can smell it in the air. You can see it. After several months of Winter you look forward to the pretty flowers, the budding trees, and the gentle springing to life of nature.
You see it all around you. Hope springs eternal in the Spring and it makes you feel good. It always reminds us of what is truly important in life and in love.
And the birds seem to be looking forward to it as they are frolicking around the backyard trees in search it seems of other birds to hang around with. Maybe they are looking for love. They surely will find it today. Spring has sprung!
We have always felt that Spring, in so many ways, is a great metaphor for the evolution of true love. You start with a gentle rain and the seeds of love you planted start to grow until some day the love is real and fully-grown.
Nature has a wonderful way of making us reflect on our life, our love, and all the good that surrounds us. Spring reminds us that fully-grown love never fails.
The amazing thing about fully-grown true love is that it adds so much to your life and to the life of the one you love. And interestingly enough we have found the above quote from the Bible (I Corinthians 13:4-8) to be awfully apropos as a way of describing all of the successfully married couples we have interviewed over the years.
Irrespective of your spiritual persuasion, these words written so long ago still apply today. Successfully married couples engage in fully-grown love and we believe this passage describes such love in all the right ways.
All marriages go through seasons – much like the seasons of nature. It is born in the Spring, blossoms over the Summer, grows to maturity in the Fall, and settles in over the Winter. When we find true love, most of us find it for a lifetime – we find it for the four seasons of life.
Those marriages and relationships that last over time started with the simple planting of a seed. The seed was nourished over time. Love grown with tender and loving care matures into fully-grown love that can withstand the tests of time.
Fully-grown love never fails and to hear the refrain tells us why. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.? It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.?
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.? Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. ?It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:4-8).
Enjoy love. Enjoy life. Relish the seasons. Love never fails.
Award Winning Authors of the NEW Hardback Book Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.? It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.? It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.? Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. ?It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” ?(I Corinthians 13:4-8)
As we sit at our desk today we are listening to a gentle rain. Spring is only a few days away. You can smell it in the air. You can see it. After several months of Winter you look forward to the pretty flowers, the budding trees, and the gentle springing to life of nature.
You see it all around you. Hope springs eternal in the Spring and it makes you feel good. It always reminds us of what is truly important in life and in love.
And the birds seem to be looking forward to it as they are frolicking around the backyard trees in search it seems of other birds to hang around with. Maybe they are looking for love. They surely will find it today. Spring has sprung!
We have always felt that Spring, in so many ways, is a great metaphor for the evolution of true love. You start with a gentle rain and the seeds of love you planted start to grow until some day the love is real and fully-grown.
Nature has a wonderful way of making us reflect on our life, our love, and all the good that surrounds us. Spring reminds us that fully-grown love never fails.
The amazing thing about fully-grown true love is that it adds so much to your life and to the life of the one you love. And interestingly enough we have found the above quote from the Bible (I Corinthians 13:4-8) to be awfully apropos as a way of describing all of the successfully married couples we have interviewed over the years.
Irrespective of your spiritual persuasion, these words written so long ago still apply today. Successfully married couples engage in fully-grown love and we believe this passage describes such love in all the right ways.
All marriages go through seasons – much like the seasons of nature. It is born in the Spring, blossoms over the Summer, grows to maturity in the Fall, and settles in over the Winter. When we find true love, most of us find it for a lifetime – we find it for the four seasons of life.
Those marriages and relationships that last over time started with the simple planting of a seed. The seed was nourished over time. Love grown with tender and loving care matures into fully-grown love that can withstand the tests of time.
Fully-grown love never fails and to hear the refrain tells us why. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.? It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.?
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.? Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. ?It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:4-8).
Enjoy love. Enjoy life. Relish the seasons. Love never fails.
Love Is Never Going To Bed Mad
By Dr. Charles D. Schmitz and Dr. Elizabeth A. Schmitz "the marriage doctors"
Award Winning Authors of the NEW Hardback Book Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage
On the Today Show this morning a remarkable segment aired. It was remarkable not because it was good or enlightening, but because it wasn’t. In fact, it was downright misleading and irresponsible based upon the research evidence, and we want to comment on it.
A psychologist and the managing editor of Good Housekeeping were on the Today Show to proclaim that the notion of “never go to bed mad at each other” was a myth. Imagine, calling such a time-honored notion a myth. Listening to them made our skin crawl and here’s why – credible research does not support what they said.
As many of our readers know, we have been researching successful marriages for over 25 years. We have interviewed hundreds of successfully married couples representing some 15,000 years of marital wisdom. We have learned a lot about what makes good marriages work.
Towards the end of our interview protocol we ask these wonderful couples if they could offer three pieces of advice that we could share with newlyweds. And guess what, the number one piece of advice they have given, and it is has been consistent over the years, is “Never go to bed mad at each other!”
Remember, this advice comes from happily married couples. The advice they give isn’t designed to shock the media with something unusual or out of the ordinary. These are the words of couples with a proven track record.
Frankly, we got the impression when we watched the Today Show that the purpose of referring to “Never go to bed mad at each other” as a myth was to get a spot on a highly watched morning television show! But the sad truth is, their message was a terrible message to send to newly married couples. Our fear – they just might listen to the advice they heard on TV and that would be a big mistake in our judgment.
From time to time you hear so-called experts throw out information as if it were scientific fact. People believe it as if it were gospel. The problem is, much of what you hear has no scientific or research base.
The good news about the notion of “Never go to bed made at each other” – it is based on research from those who would know best – those who have been happily, blissfully, and successfully married for 30-60 years! The lessons learned from 15,000 years of successful marriage speaks for itself.
Married couples do, from time to time, have disagreements. They argue over big things and little things. They argue over stuff that doesn’t matter and stuff that does.
But here is what we have learned from 25 years of research – successfully married couples rarely ever go to bed without resolving their differences on an issue, be it big or small. Many report to us that they have stayed up all night trying to bring closure to an issue that has divided them.
They know that gaining resolution is far more important than getting a good night’s sleep. And remember this, issues that are not attended to more often than not fester through the night and only appear worse in the morning.
Do not be fooled by those who tell you that it is not important to resolve divisive issues before you go to bed. They are simply misguided and the advice they give can be hurtful to your relationship.
Accept the advice of those who know – those whose marriages are happy and have stood the test of time.
Love well!
Award Winning Authors of the NEW Hardback Book Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage
On the Today Show this morning a remarkable segment aired. It was remarkable not because it was good or enlightening, but because it wasn’t. In fact, it was downright misleading and irresponsible based upon the research evidence, and we want to comment on it.
A psychologist and the managing editor of Good Housekeeping were on the Today Show to proclaim that the notion of “never go to bed mad at each other” was a myth. Imagine, calling such a time-honored notion a myth. Listening to them made our skin crawl and here’s why – credible research does not support what they said.
As many of our readers know, we have been researching successful marriages for over 25 years. We have interviewed hundreds of successfully married couples representing some 15,000 years of marital wisdom. We have learned a lot about what makes good marriages work.
Towards the end of our interview protocol we ask these wonderful couples if they could offer three pieces of advice that we could share with newlyweds. And guess what, the number one piece of advice they have given, and it is has been consistent over the years, is “Never go to bed mad at each other!”
Remember, this advice comes from happily married couples. The advice they give isn’t designed to shock the media with something unusual or out of the ordinary. These are the words of couples with a proven track record.
Frankly, we got the impression when we watched the Today Show that the purpose of referring to “Never go to bed mad at each other” as a myth was to get a spot on a highly watched morning television show! But the sad truth is, their message was a terrible message to send to newly married couples. Our fear – they just might listen to the advice they heard on TV and that would be a big mistake in our judgment.
From time to time you hear so-called experts throw out information as if it were scientific fact. People believe it as if it were gospel. The problem is, much of what you hear has no scientific or research base.
The good news about the notion of “Never go to bed made at each other” – it is based on research from those who would know best – those who have been happily, blissfully, and successfully married for 30-60 years! The lessons learned from 15,000 years of successful marriage speaks for itself.
Married couples do, from time to time, have disagreements. They argue over big things and little things. They argue over stuff that doesn’t matter and stuff that does.
But here is what we have learned from 25 years of research – successfully married couples rarely ever go to bed without resolving their differences on an issue, be it big or small. Many report to us that they have stayed up all night trying to bring closure to an issue that has divided them.
They know that gaining resolution is far more important than getting a good night’s sleep. And remember this, issues that are not attended to more often than not fester through the night and only appear worse in the morning.
Do not be fooled by those who tell you that it is not important to resolve divisive issues before you go to bed. They are simply misguided and the advice they give can be hurtful to your relationship.
Accept the advice of those who know – those whose marriages are happy and have stood the test of time.
Love well!
Finding Love Again
By Dr. Charles D. Schmitz and Dr. Elizabeth A. Schmitz "the marriage doctors"
Award Winning Authors of the NEW Hardback Book Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage
Let’s be honest here – finding love the second time around is tough – it is difficult. Sometimes, it is downright painful. Oftentimes, searching for love again ends in failure. There are no magic elixirs when it comes to finding love again the second time around.
Following the death of a spouse or the loss of a spouse through divorce, many individuals are “thrown on the street again” when it comes to finding love. And let’s face it; finding love again can be very, very challenging.
We have interviewed individuals over the years that confided in us that they doubted they could ever “strike another match” again when it came to finding new love.
We have met with many people who wanted new love so desperately. Most of these good people indicated to us that they did not want to grow old by themselves, but they admitted that finding love again wasn’t easy. And, if you are one of those people who spent much of your life with someone you truly loved, finding new love again is especially complicated.
Truth is, good people are so desperate for love sometimes, that they will forget their basic value system and look for love – any love – regardless of the consequence! Those that fall into this trap usually regret it.
Here’s what we have found from our research over the years – finding love again is different than finding it the first time around. Make no mistake about that.
For example, the education level of your potential new partner is much more important the second time around. If you have a Ph.D. and you are dating a high school graduate, the chance of a lasting love is slim. Educational compatibility is far more important the second time around. Find someone whose education attainment is similar to yours.
Secondly, finding love again requires that you find someone who is secure within themselves – someone who likes living in their own skin.
Do they feel secure? Do they need external validation or are they content with their own validation? Falling in love again requires that you fall in love with someone who feels secure and self-confident. You cannot take the risk of falling in love all over gain with someone who is insecure. Trust us on this. The research evidence is overwhelming.
Moreover, does your potential lover have a good self-concept? Do they feel good about themselves? Are they proud of themselves and their accomplishments? If they wallow in self-pity and self-doubt, they are probably not the one for you.
And here is a big one when it comes to finding love all over again. Are you falling in love with someone who has a sense of adventure with it comes to life? Are they content with the status quo or are they willing to “step outside the line” and be adventuresome, be daring, and live life to the fullest?
Sitting in a rocking chair is not the way to blissful life and love! Going to museums, zoos, concerts, and plays is fun and exhilarating. Hiking, biking, diving, gardening, dancing, and walking/jogging are fun. If you desire these things, it stands to reason that you must find someone who values the same things as well.
And finally, does your new love interest like to read the newspaper, watch the news on television, keep informed about world events, and, in general, be an informed person? If they don’t, perhaps, you should find someone who does.
Our point in all this should be clear – if you want to find love the second time around you must look for someone who values and cherishes the things that matter the most to you. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can find love the second time around with someone who is not like you.
When we are older and lose the one we love, we often find ourselves searching for true love again. Frankly, we must remember the most important lesson of all – finding true love again requires that we find someone we are compatible with, someone we are willing to share our life with, and someone who values what we believe to be important. To not recognize these things is to find yourself out of love again. Don’t make that mistake.
Finding love again is never easy. Of that you can be sure. But one thing is for certain, you will not find true love again with someone whose likes and dislikes are not compatible with your own. It is not in the cards.
Love well!
Award Winning Authors of the NEW Hardback Book Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage
Let’s be honest here – finding love the second time around is tough – it is difficult. Sometimes, it is downright painful. Oftentimes, searching for love again ends in failure. There are no magic elixirs when it comes to finding love again the second time around.
Following the death of a spouse or the loss of a spouse through divorce, many individuals are “thrown on the street again” when it comes to finding love. And let’s face it; finding love again can be very, very challenging.
We have interviewed individuals over the years that confided in us that they doubted they could ever “strike another match” again when it came to finding new love.
We have met with many people who wanted new love so desperately. Most of these good people indicated to us that they did not want to grow old by themselves, but they admitted that finding love again wasn’t easy. And, if you are one of those people who spent much of your life with someone you truly loved, finding new love again is especially complicated.
Truth is, good people are so desperate for love sometimes, that they will forget their basic value system and look for love – any love – regardless of the consequence! Those that fall into this trap usually regret it.
Here’s what we have found from our research over the years – finding love again is different than finding it the first time around. Make no mistake about that.
For example, the education level of your potential new partner is much more important the second time around. If you have a Ph.D. and you are dating a high school graduate, the chance of a lasting love is slim. Educational compatibility is far more important the second time around. Find someone whose education attainment is similar to yours.
Secondly, finding love again requires that you find someone who is secure within themselves – someone who likes living in their own skin.
Do they feel secure? Do they need external validation or are they content with their own validation? Falling in love again requires that you fall in love with someone who feels secure and self-confident. You cannot take the risk of falling in love all over gain with someone who is insecure. Trust us on this. The research evidence is overwhelming.
Moreover, does your potential lover have a good self-concept? Do they feel good about themselves? Are they proud of themselves and their accomplishments? If they wallow in self-pity and self-doubt, they are probably not the one for you.
And here is a big one when it comes to finding love all over again. Are you falling in love with someone who has a sense of adventure with it comes to life? Are they content with the status quo or are they willing to “step outside the line” and be adventuresome, be daring, and live life to the fullest?
Sitting in a rocking chair is not the way to blissful life and love! Going to museums, zoos, concerts, and plays is fun and exhilarating. Hiking, biking, diving, gardening, dancing, and walking/jogging are fun. If you desire these things, it stands to reason that you must find someone who values the same things as well.
And finally, does your new love interest like to read the newspaper, watch the news on television, keep informed about world events, and, in general, be an informed person? If they don’t, perhaps, you should find someone who does.
Our point in all this should be clear – if you want to find love the second time around you must look for someone who values and cherishes the things that matter the most to you. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can find love the second time around with someone who is not like you.
When we are older and lose the one we love, we often find ourselves searching for true love again. Frankly, we must remember the most important lesson of all – finding true love again requires that we find someone we are compatible with, someone we are willing to share our life with, and someone who values what we believe to be important. To not recognize these things is to find yourself out of love again. Don’t make that mistake.
Finding love again is never easy. Of that you can be sure. But one thing is for certain, you will not find true love again with someone whose likes and dislikes are not compatible with your own. It is not in the cards.
Love well!
A Perfect Wedding Gift
By Dr. Charles D. Schmitz and Dr. Elizabeth A. Schmitz "the marriage doctors"
Award Winning Authors of the NEW Hardback Book Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage
The best wedding gift of all is the gift of marital success! While we tend to shower newlyweds with material gifts, perhaps, the best gift of all would be to share with them the secrets of a successful marriage.
In other words, maybe we should help those who are getting married learn how to get it right the first time. A happy and successful marriage could be the greatest gift of all.
You cannot learn or understand success by studying failure. That’s a fact! We understood this notion more than 25 years ago when we began our research. By interviewing couples with successful marriages lasting from 30 to 60 years, we learned a lot about successful marriage.
We discovered the “Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage” by gathering data from hundreds of interviews with long-time, happily married couples and their own extraordinarily successful 41-year marriage.
We have determined over the years that the best way to understand successful marriage is to study successful marriages. Our research protocol is a very different approach from the one employed by most relationship experts. Frankly, we do not believe you learn a lot about success by studying failure. You learn about success by studying success. So study success we did.
The criteria for determining a successful marriage (i.e., qualified to be interviewed for our study) were stringent: • First, the couple had to be married to each other for at least 30 years; • Second, in response to the question “How would you rate the overall happiness of your marriage on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 the highest)?” The couple being interviewed had to agree that it was a 9 or 10. • Third, we developed a field-tested research protocol that determined if their marriage was truly a successful one.
From these successful marriages we gathered more than 15,000 years of collective wisdom from couples in the United States — people of different faiths, ages and ethnicities, including Caucasians, African-Americans, Latinos and Asian-Americans married in the Judeo-Christian tradition. In addition, we interviewed successfully married couples in China, France, Great Britain, Argentina, Chile, Taiwan, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and Canada.
After 25 years and hundreds of interviews with successfully married couples (as well as our own successful 41 years of marriage), we discovered seven pervasive characteristics present in all successful marriages.
The central point of our research is that successful love and relationships are an accumulation of the “little things.” It isn’t enough to just think about the little things or just talk about the little things. You have to just DO the little things every day.
That’s what makes love and relationships last! If you understand and implement the simple ideas presented in our book, a newly married couple will be well on their way to having a successful and long-lasting marriage.
While successful marriage isn’t difficult to understand, many couples fail to do the simple things required to make their marriages work. They either forget to do them or they haven’t learned them in the first place.
As a candid glimpse into the lives of successfully married couples, Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage, provides a uniquely positive perspective on what makes marriages survive and thrive.
Using poignant, real life stories to uncover the “Seven Secrets for Successful Marriage,” we have captured the essence of more than 25 years of interviews with successfully married couples in the United States and around the world. And you will love the results! Newly married couples will certainly benefit their marriage by knowing them.
Successful couples also talked about their marriages going through cycles similar to the stages of life. Many of the couples described experiencing difficulties and turmoil with the transition into a different stage, such as the addition of children, the increased pressures of striving for success in their careers or the empty nest syndrome.
While each change brought its own rewards, it also brought with it stress on each individual and on the relationship within the marriage itself. Their stories shed light on ways to use the “Seven Secrets” to effectively handle the stress of these anticipated transitions.
By reading our “labor of love,” you will learn that understanding successful marriage is a prerequisite to understanding why most marriages succeed and some fail. This book gives you the power to make your marriage a success so you can celebrate your Golden Anniversaries together.
A successful marriage is the perfect gift! Make no mistake about that.
Love well!
Award Winning Authors of the NEW Hardback Book Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage
The best wedding gift of all is the gift of marital success! While we tend to shower newlyweds with material gifts, perhaps, the best gift of all would be to share with them the secrets of a successful marriage.
In other words, maybe we should help those who are getting married learn how to get it right the first time. A happy and successful marriage could be the greatest gift of all.
You cannot learn or understand success by studying failure. That’s a fact! We understood this notion more than 25 years ago when we began our research. By interviewing couples with successful marriages lasting from 30 to 60 years, we learned a lot about successful marriage.
We discovered the “Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage” by gathering data from hundreds of interviews with long-time, happily married couples and their own extraordinarily successful 41-year marriage.
We have determined over the years that the best way to understand successful marriage is to study successful marriages. Our research protocol is a very different approach from the one employed by most relationship experts. Frankly, we do not believe you learn a lot about success by studying failure. You learn about success by studying success. So study success we did.
The criteria for determining a successful marriage (i.e., qualified to be interviewed for our study) were stringent: • First, the couple had to be married to each other for at least 30 years; • Second, in response to the question “How would you rate the overall happiness of your marriage on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 the highest)?” The couple being interviewed had to agree that it was a 9 or 10. • Third, we developed a field-tested research protocol that determined if their marriage was truly a successful one.
From these successful marriages we gathered more than 15,000 years of collective wisdom from couples in the United States — people of different faiths, ages and ethnicities, including Caucasians, African-Americans, Latinos and Asian-Americans married in the Judeo-Christian tradition. In addition, we interviewed successfully married couples in China, France, Great Britain, Argentina, Chile, Taiwan, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and Canada.
After 25 years and hundreds of interviews with successfully married couples (as well as our own successful 41 years of marriage), we discovered seven pervasive characteristics present in all successful marriages.
The central point of our research is that successful love and relationships are an accumulation of the “little things.” It isn’t enough to just think about the little things or just talk about the little things. You have to just DO the little things every day.
That’s what makes love and relationships last! If you understand and implement the simple ideas presented in our book, a newly married couple will be well on their way to having a successful and long-lasting marriage.
While successful marriage isn’t difficult to understand, many couples fail to do the simple things required to make their marriages work. They either forget to do them or they haven’t learned them in the first place.
As a candid glimpse into the lives of successfully married couples, Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage, provides a uniquely positive perspective on what makes marriages survive and thrive.
Using poignant, real life stories to uncover the “Seven Secrets for Successful Marriage,” we have captured the essence of more than 25 years of interviews with successfully married couples in the United States and around the world. And you will love the results! Newly married couples will certainly benefit their marriage by knowing them.
Successful couples also talked about their marriages going through cycles similar to the stages of life. Many of the couples described experiencing difficulties and turmoil with the transition into a different stage, such as the addition of children, the increased pressures of striving for success in their careers or the empty nest syndrome.
While each change brought its own rewards, it also brought with it stress on each individual and on the relationship within the marriage itself. Their stories shed light on ways to use the “Seven Secrets” to effectively handle the stress of these anticipated transitions.
By reading our “labor of love,” you will learn that understanding successful marriage is a prerequisite to understanding why most marriages succeed and some fail. This book gives you the power to make your marriage a success so you can celebrate your Golden Anniversaries together.
A successful marriage is the perfect gift! Make no mistake about that.
Love well!
Testimony of a Suicide Survivor
Copyright: Ed Coet
I am a suicide survivor. I am also a Christian. This article explains how anyone, but especially people of faith, can survive or help others to survive the tragedy of a suicidal death of a family member or close friend.
My father committed suicide with an overdose of prescription medicine taken in conjunction with alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant that exacerbates suicidal tendencies in those who are prone to such self-destructive acts.
I was 16 years old at the time. I was wrongly ashamed of my father’s suicide for most of my life. In fact, that feeling of shame is one of the great regrets of my life. With the combination of drugs and alcohol my dad might not have even intended to take his life.
It could have been an accident. Their was no suicide note. He had no previous declaration of intent to commit suicide. The answer to that mystery we will never know. Still, officially his death certificate declared it a suicide.
If someone asked how my father died, I would say that he died of a heart attack. That is the response my mother repeatedly instructed me to say. The manner in which my father died was not about him in her mind. Rather, it was about us.
My mother was concerned about what others would think of us if they knew my dad had committed suicide. Perhaps, she thought, they would blame us.
They might suggest that we drove him to it. They might suggest that we failed to appropriately respond to his suicidal tendencies. In short, my mother worried that they might blame us for my father’s suicide.
Thoughts of if only we had done or said this or that constantly crept in to our minds. It was an emotionally destructive self-imposed guilt trip. Guilt can cripple. When guilt is unjustified it is especially damaging.
The Christian approach to guilt, real and imagined, is in recognition and confession of sin, and faith in the love, goodness, and power of God --"casting one's cares upon him," not -- in no way-- upon the probability of one's own, or the suicide's, lack of, or diminished-under-the-circumstances (mental illness), guilt.
To cope with suicide one must dump their guilt. It doesn’t belong in the grieving process. Grief is plenty enough to cope with without the burden of unnecessary and undeserved guilt.
Even in cases where no guilt is present the conscience will find occasion for and evidence to accuse. It’s a struggle I call the blame game. The blame game is a method of coping by blaming someone else for the suicidal death that torments you. Sometimes you blame another relative.
Sometimes you blame the person who committed the suicide. Often it’s a combination thereof. This venting of anger on someone else tends to provide some measure of relief in the short term. It doesn’t work in the long term. Blaming anyone for suicide is wrong most of the time.
Where metal illness is the culprit, nobody and nothing except the mental illness itself is to blame. The sooner people come to terms with this truth the sooner they’ll be on the path to recovery.
Most people are ignorant about suicide. That is why they often shy away from family members or friends who are struggling with suicide. It is wrong to be ashamed of or by the suicidal death of a family member or friend. It is cruel to desert those who are suffering.
Feeling uncomfortable with suicide is never an excuse for rejecting those who struggle with this most tragic of deaths. Ask yourself, would you desert them if the person died of a heart attack or cancer? How can you desert them if their loved one died from suicidal mental illness?
Mental illness can kill just like cancer and heart disease. In suicide, most often it is the mental illness that kills, not the person. A mentally stable person does not react to angry words or events by killing themselves. Only mentally and emotionally sick people do that. That is why their response to anger or any other stimuli is irrational and illogical. If they were healthy it is unlikely their response would be suicide.
Depression affects your mental and emotional state of mind but it has a biological origin. Depression can be triggered by anger and resentment which have physiological effects. While the anger can elicit an emotional response, it is the biological mental illness (depression) that is the culprit.
People get angry everyday but they don't kill themselves because they are mentally healthy. Hence, you ought not blame or exculpate the person who committed suicide.
This brings us to the mercy of God. He knows all, He is just and He is merciful. Take comfort in Gods mercy. Also take comfort in understanding that with few exceptions suicide is faultless and blameless.
Some 20 years after my fathers death I had to cope with multiple suicide attempts by my brother. It was scary and emotionally draining. My brother is still living - thank God. However, he had a lot of close calls.
More than once death was knocking at his door. The family was notified to get to the hospital quickly. Doctors doubted my brother would survive his latest suicide attempt. After every attempt he would be grateful for his life.
He would also feel incredible guilt for the fear and heartache his suicide attempts brought on his family. Then he would get depressed and regress. Eventfully, like a vicious cycle, he’d attempt it again and again.
My brother is a Viet Nam veteran. Like so many vets who endured that conflict, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He is designated as a service connected 100% disabled veteran.
Depression is a consequence of PTSD. Fortunately my brother came to terms with his mental illness and sought treatment. I have no doubt that treatment, medication, and prayer are what saved his life.
It has allowed him to live a mostly productive life although he still struggles with his illness. Treatment, medication, and prayer are the difference between my brother and our father. Our dad had none of these and, of course, he died.
A little over 20 years after my father’s death I had to deal with the suicidal death of the 14-year-old son of very close and dear friends. It was shocking and traumatic. Losing ones child unexpectedly is about the worst heartache one can ever endure. To lose that child as a result of suicide is far worse; it is indeed grief to the extreme.
There were warning signs, but they were not apparent to his parents. He experienced slight personality and behavioral changes that were more observable at school and with his friends, especially his girlfriend, then at home. That’s why it’s important to communicate in the family setting.
Depression is often difficult to see if you are not looking for it. School officials and friends either didn’t know the warning signs or they disregarded them. Families can’t rely on others to inform them.
Symptoms of depression or suicidal feelings may include a change in eating or sleeping habits, withdrawal from friends and family, giving away valued possessions, rebellious behavior, running away, drug and alcohol abuse, unexplained obsessions, decline in the quality of work or school work, and marked personality changes. It is important that parents, teachers, counselors, and pastors know and recognize these signs. It could save someone’s life.
Everything seemed normal that evening. Nothing seemed different or peculiar. It was a pleasant evening until his mother heard the gun shot that would be the beginning of grief on a huge scale.
This would be compounded by the prevalent why questions. It would be accompanied by the expected guilt and blame which his family didn’t deserve to feel. It wasn’t their fault. Nor was it his fault.
His mental illness killed him as surely as cancer takes its victims if left untreated. But a parent can’t seek treatment or medication for their child unless they know that the child is sick.
It was difficult to go through this ordeal with them. I genuinely felt their pain and shared their grief. Still, it was important to be there for them. It cemented our friendship and even took it to a new level.
That is something to remember if you know someone who is trying to survive suicide. Be there for them. It’s the right thing to do. It’s the Christian thing to do. Don’t just offer help and wait for a call that never comes. Insist on sharing their grief.
If nothing else be there to sit with them, hold them, listen to them, or just silently occupy space with them. They will gain a measure of comfort just from your presence. They will know you are genuinely there for them if the grief becomes too much for them to bear alone.
Our most recent loss was the suicidal death of my niece. This was especially difficult to cope with. My mother is not very stable and I already explained my brother’s history. This was his daughter, his first-born. Worrying about how grief would impact them while dealing with my own grief was a monumental emotional undertaking. It took the saying be strong for them to a new level.
I watched my niece grow up in to a gem of a woman. She was as pure as the driven snow. She was devout in her Christian faith. She was a registered nurse who took pride in providing for the health care of others. She served her country honorably as a commissioned officer in the US Air Force. She was only in her early thirties but she was very sick. She was mentally ill.
My niece was bipolar. She had the most severe form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that her psychiatrists had ever seen. She also suffered from schizophrenic episodes and severe clinical depression. As an RN she understood her condition.
She wanted to live but she didn’t know how to with so much mental anguish. Nobody could help her. No medications sufficed. As a woman of faith she struggled desperately and prayed continuously, on her knees, for hours at a time.
She had several suicide attempts that failed. It was destined that she would succeed at some point. When people are that sick they are unable to reason. They can’t think clearly or rationalize effectively. All they do is suffer. It’s not surprising that they are focused on placing an end to that suffering. Mental illness can be very deadly.
It’s important to understand that healthy people do not kill themselves. A person who is depressed does not think like a typical person who feels good. They live in the here and now. Depression keeps them from looking forward to a better time. They can’t comprehend positive thinking.
Sometimes they don’t even realize they are sick much like my dad and our friend’s son. Sometimes they are very much aware of their mental illness like my brother and my niece. They seek help and struggle as best they can but sometimes nothing works for them.
Not medication, not therapy; absolutely nothing helps them. These are the most severely afflicted with suicidal mental illness. My niece was one of these. They will continue to attempt suicide until they succeed. You cannot help them. You cannot save them. All you can do is pray for them.
It is disturbing when some so called experts say that suicide is preventable. It suggests that everyone who ever committed suicide could have been saved. While it is true that suicide is often preventable it is like wise true that sometimes it not.
Suggesting otherwise can lead to endless suffering and needless guilt by suicide survivors. The reality is that in sever cases of metal illness nothing short of divine intervention can save a suicidal person.
Remember, nobody who commits suicide asked for their depression. They would do anything to rid themselves of it. Being depressed isn’t the result of life choices any more than catching a cold is. Some people get it, and some don’t. Such is life.
It is hard to imagine suicide being a sin in these clinically depressed people. One cannot offend God by involuntarily contracting an illness, regardless of what the illness may be. If suicide in such a circumstance constituted sin, then it would be sinful to catch the flu or die of pneumonia.
It is comforting to know that most mainstream religions understand and share this viewpoint, especially Christian denominations. The Catholic church of my faith was once notorious about guilt associated with suicide. It taught that the commission of suicide was a mortal sin. This explains why my mother is still living a lie about her husband’s death.
However, the Catholic Church has since clarified their position on the issue of suicide. The Catechism of the Catholic Church plainly states, “We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who take their own lives…” (2282 - 83).
This does not mean that suicide is never sinful. If someone is of sound mind and premeditatedly acts to kill himself/herself for the purpose of punishing or harming another, that would be a sin. If they avoid deserved punishment by the state for a criminal conviction by committing suicide that is arguably a sin.
Anyone who commits a suicidal act with malice aforethought for evil purposes is at grave risk of mortal sin. That is tantamount to murder, which is a crystal clear violation of Gods commandment: “Thou shall not kill.”
If a person, because of mental illness, sincerely believes with their heart and soul that dying will somehow end the suffering and anguish of others,regardless of how wrong they may be, who could doubt that it is nonetheless a selfless act in the eyes of God. Remember, “No greater love has a man than to give his life for another.”
Some people who commit suicide exhibit enormous courage in the undertaking. Consider the soldier who deliberately throws himself on a hand grenade or a land mine to save the lives of his comrades. Did he knowingly kill himself (i.e., commit suicide)? Yes, of course he did. Was it also a courageous and self-less act of courage? Absolutely! It was courageous and selfless.
We correctly label this soldier a hero. People who commit suicide are not cowards as some suggest. Jesus serves as a perfect example of one who suffered immensely and sacrificed his very life for the salvation of others. Sometimes we do need reminding.
Depression is usually a treatable disease. Most people who are depressed do not commit suicide or even attempt it. But they are more vulnerable to the risk of suicidal thoughts and they and their family members should be aware of this.
Most people, who suffer from mental illness, unless it is extreme, will benefit from therapy, medication, or a combination of these. In the case of depression medication very often can permit these people to live completely normal and happy lives. The key is first to recognize the problem and then obtain treatment as soon as possible.
Some people are more prone to suicide than others. They should be particularly alert to the warning signs of depression. Suicide tends to run in families. My family is living proof of this.
Suicide most often results from brain disorders such as clinical depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, and severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. All of these brain disorders have a genetic component that, if left untreated or mistreated, can result in suicide.
The risks of suicide increase considerably the longer a person goes without treatment. That is why it is dangerous for a depressed person to avoid treatment for fear that he or she might be labeled as being crazy. We are living in modern times. We are way beyond such foolishness; at least we ought to be.
If you suffer from depression don’t take a chance - get help. If your child is depressed, get your child help and do it quickly. Do this even in the face of resistance. You just might be saving their lives.
It is estimated that mental illness is the cause of 95% of all suicides. The #1 cause of suicide is untreated depression. Ninety-five percent of all suicides are the direct result of the aforementioned brain disorders. According to the National Mental Health Association the teen suicide rate has risen an astonishing 200% in the last 40 years.
That is a rate three times what it was in 1960. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 - 24 year-olds. About five thousand 15 - 24 year-olds kill themselves every year. These are alarming figures.
In conclusion, it is important to point out that maintaining your faith will increase your rate of recover from the tragedy of suicide. Don’t pray less. Instead pray more. Your faith will be your greatest source of comfort. Don’t be mad at God. God did not betray you by letting your loved one die. He understands the pain of death.
He endured it with the sacrificial death of his only begotten son for your sake and everyone else’s. Jesus understands the pain of death. Remember how He wept for Lazarus. Remember how He suffered in His own blameless death. Remember how His blessed mother Mary suffered when He died. Remember the painful deaths of His Apostles.
Remember, everyone dies of something; it’s preordained. We cannot escape death, at least not in this worldly life. Your loved one just happened to die of mental illness that resulted in suicide. Even in this worldly death we still remain spiritually linked. You have not lost your loved ones. You have merely postponed being in their company until such time as God calls you home. He will do that plenty soon enough so don’t try to rush the process. Remember it’s about His will, not yours.
If ever you have to endure being a suicide survivor take comfort in knowing that you can survive even though the anguish of your loss may at first seem to be insurmountable. Everyone must go through a grieving process when a loved one dies.
The grief associated with the suicidal death of a loved one is manifestly more difficult to cope with than other types of death. But, it is also similar in that it will likewise end. You don’t necessarily get over your loss; that void is always there. However, you do learn to cope and deal with it. Your pain will go away. You will come to understand that your loved one remains with you in spirit and you with him or her.
You will laugh again. You will experience love and joy. You will obtain peace of mind even though you‘ll always have the sorrow associated with loss. But we feel sorry when we lose our youth and vitality too. That doesn’t mean that we stay miserable because of it.
Definitely grieve, but also let go. Get professional, spiritual, or other help if you need it. Accept the fate that you are dealt just as Jesus and his blessed mother accepted the fate of the Holy sacrifice at Calvary. Jesus, while suffering the pains of crucifixion asked of his heavenly father, “Why hast thou forsaken me.”
Even the Son of man asked why. He also said “Thy will be done.” Our Lord in faith accepted his fate and in so doing taught us to do the same. We don’t have to know and understand everything.
In faith we must just believe, as Jesus did, that God understands and knows what is best. He will take care of things, perfectly. Accept, as Jesus did, the fate you are dealt no matter how much it hurts at the time. After all, you can’t change it and you are not responsible for it.
Understand the difference between holding on to a memory and clinging to a soul. Release the soul from your mind so that your loved one can be with our Lord where he or she will prepare a place for you when your time comes.
You will be together again and the next time it will be for all eternity. That will be a joyful eternity with God almighty. Trust in God and maintain your faith. God will make it right. You will survive.
I am a suicide survivor. I am also a Christian. This article explains how anyone, but especially people of faith, can survive or help others to survive the tragedy of a suicidal death of a family member or close friend.
My father committed suicide with an overdose of prescription medicine taken in conjunction with alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant that exacerbates suicidal tendencies in those who are prone to such self-destructive acts.
I was 16 years old at the time. I was wrongly ashamed of my father’s suicide for most of my life. In fact, that feeling of shame is one of the great regrets of my life. With the combination of drugs and alcohol my dad might not have even intended to take his life.
It could have been an accident. Their was no suicide note. He had no previous declaration of intent to commit suicide. The answer to that mystery we will never know. Still, officially his death certificate declared it a suicide.
If someone asked how my father died, I would say that he died of a heart attack. That is the response my mother repeatedly instructed me to say. The manner in which my father died was not about him in her mind. Rather, it was about us.
My mother was concerned about what others would think of us if they knew my dad had committed suicide. Perhaps, she thought, they would blame us.
They might suggest that we drove him to it. They might suggest that we failed to appropriately respond to his suicidal tendencies. In short, my mother worried that they might blame us for my father’s suicide.
Thoughts of if only we had done or said this or that constantly crept in to our minds. It was an emotionally destructive self-imposed guilt trip. Guilt can cripple. When guilt is unjustified it is especially damaging.
The Christian approach to guilt, real and imagined, is in recognition and confession of sin, and faith in the love, goodness, and power of God --"casting one's cares upon him," not -- in no way-- upon the probability of one's own, or the suicide's, lack of, or diminished-under-the-circumstances (mental illness), guilt.
To cope with suicide one must dump their guilt. It doesn’t belong in the grieving process. Grief is plenty enough to cope with without the burden of unnecessary and undeserved guilt.
Even in cases where no guilt is present the conscience will find occasion for and evidence to accuse. It’s a struggle I call the blame game. The blame game is a method of coping by blaming someone else for the suicidal death that torments you. Sometimes you blame another relative.
Sometimes you blame the person who committed the suicide. Often it’s a combination thereof. This venting of anger on someone else tends to provide some measure of relief in the short term. It doesn’t work in the long term. Blaming anyone for suicide is wrong most of the time.
Where metal illness is the culprit, nobody and nothing except the mental illness itself is to blame. The sooner people come to terms with this truth the sooner they’ll be on the path to recovery.
Most people are ignorant about suicide. That is why they often shy away from family members or friends who are struggling with suicide. It is wrong to be ashamed of or by the suicidal death of a family member or friend. It is cruel to desert those who are suffering.
Feeling uncomfortable with suicide is never an excuse for rejecting those who struggle with this most tragic of deaths. Ask yourself, would you desert them if the person died of a heart attack or cancer? How can you desert them if their loved one died from suicidal mental illness?
Mental illness can kill just like cancer and heart disease. In suicide, most often it is the mental illness that kills, not the person. A mentally stable person does not react to angry words or events by killing themselves. Only mentally and emotionally sick people do that. That is why their response to anger or any other stimuli is irrational and illogical. If they were healthy it is unlikely their response would be suicide.
Depression affects your mental and emotional state of mind but it has a biological origin. Depression can be triggered by anger and resentment which have physiological effects. While the anger can elicit an emotional response, it is the biological mental illness (depression) that is the culprit.
People get angry everyday but they don't kill themselves because they are mentally healthy. Hence, you ought not blame or exculpate the person who committed suicide.
This brings us to the mercy of God. He knows all, He is just and He is merciful. Take comfort in Gods mercy. Also take comfort in understanding that with few exceptions suicide is faultless and blameless.
Some 20 years after my fathers death I had to cope with multiple suicide attempts by my brother. It was scary and emotionally draining. My brother is still living - thank God. However, he had a lot of close calls.
More than once death was knocking at his door. The family was notified to get to the hospital quickly. Doctors doubted my brother would survive his latest suicide attempt. After every attempt he would be grateful for his life.
He would also feel incredible guilt for the fear and heartache his suicide attempts brought on his family. Then he would get depressed and regress. Eventfully, like a vicious cycle, he’d attempt it again and again.
My brother is a Viet Nam veteran. Like so many vets who endured that conflict, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He is designated as a service connected 100% disabled veteran.
Depression is a consequence of PTSD. Fortunately my brother came to terms with his mental illness and sought treatment. I have no doubt that treatment, medication, and prayer are what saved his life.
It has allowed him to live a mostly productive life although he still struggles with his illness. Treatment, medication, and prayer are the difference between my brother and our father. Our dad had none of these and, of course, he died.
A little over 20 years after my father’s death I had to deal with the suicidal death of the 14-year-old son of very close and dear friends. It was shocking and traumatic. Losing ones child unexpectedly is about the worst heartache one can ever endure. To lose that child as a result of suicide is far worse; it is indeed grief to the extreme.
There were warning signs, but they were not apparent to his parents. He experienced slight personality and behavioral changes that were more observable at school and with his friends, especially his girlfriend, then at home. That’s why it’s important to communicate in the family setting.
Depression is often difficult to see if you are not looking for it. School officials and friends either didn’t know the warning signs or they disregarded them. Families can’t rely on others to inform them.
Symptoms of depression or suicidal feelings may include a change in eating or sleeping habits, withdrawal from friends and family, giving away valued possessions, rebellious behavior, running away, drug and alcohol abuse, unexplained obsessions, decline in the quality of work or school work, and marked personality changes. It is important that parents, teachers, counselors, and pastors know and recognize these signs. It could save someone’s life.
Everything seemed normal that evening. Nothing seemed different or peculiar. It was a pleasant evening until his mother heard the gun shot that would be the beginning of grief on a huge scale.
This would be compounded by the prevalent why questions. It would be accompanied by the expected guilt and blame which his family didn’t deserve to feel. It wasn’t their fault. Nor was it his fault.
His mental illness killed him as surely as cancer takes its victims if left untreated. But a parent can’t seek treatment or medication for their child unless they know that the child is sick.
It was difficult to go through this ordeal with them. I genuinely felt their pain and shared their grief. Still, it was important to be there for them. It cemented our friendship and even took it to a new level.
That is something to remember if you know someone who is trying to survive suicide. Be there for them. It’s the right thing to do. It’s the Christian thing to do. Don’t just offer help and wait for a call that never comes. Insist on sharing their grief.
If nothing else be there to sit with them, hold them, listen to them, or just silently occupy space with them. They will gain a measure of comfort just from your presence. They will know you are genuinely there for them if the grief becomes too much for them to bear alone.
Our most recent loss was the suicidal death of my niece. This was especially difficult to cope with. My mother is not very stable and I already explained my brother’s history. This was his daughter, his first-born. Worrying about how grief would impact them while dealing with my own grief was a monumental emotional undertaking. It took the saying be strong for them to a new level.
I watched my niece grow up in to a gem of a woman. She was as pure as the driven snow. She was devout in her Christian faith. She was a registered nurse who took pride in providing for the health care of others. She served her country honorably as a commissioned officer in the US Air Force. She was only in her early thirties but she was very sick. She was mentally ill.
My niece was bipolar. She had the most severe form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that her psychiatrists had ever seen. She also suffered from schizophrenic episodes and severe clinical depression. As an RN she understood her condition.
She wanted to live but she didn’t know how to with so much mental anguish. Nobody could help her. No medications sufficed. As a woman of faith she struggled desperately and prayed continuously, on her knees, for hours at a time.
She had several suicide attempts that failed. It was destined that she would succeed at some point. When people are that sick they are unable to reason. They can’t think clearly or rationalize effectively. All they do is suffer. It’s not surprising that they are focused on placing an end to that suffering. Mental illness can be very deadly.
It’s important to understand that healthy people do not kill themselves. A person who is depressed does not think like a typical person who feels good. They live in the here and now. Depression keeps them from looking forward to a better time. They can’t comprehend positive thinking.
Sometimes they don’t even realize they are sick much like my dad and our friend’s son. Sometimes they are very much aware of their mental illness like my brother and my niece. They seek help and struggle as best they can but sometimes nothing works for them.
Not medication, not therapy; absolutely nothing helps them. These are the most severely afflicted with suicidal mental illness. My niece was one of these. They will continue to attempt suicide until they succeed. You cannot help them. You cannot save them. All you can do is pray for them.
It is disturbing when some so called experts say that suicide is preventable. It suggests that everyone who ever committed suicide could have been saved. While it is true that suicide is often preventable it is like wise true that sometimes it not.
Suggesting otherwise can lead to endless suffering and needless guilt by suicide survivors. The reality is that in sever cases of metal illness nothing short of divine intervention can save a suicidal person.
Remember, nobody who commits suicide asked for their depression. They would do anything to rid themselves of it. Being depressed isn’t the result of life choices any more than catching a cold is. Some people get it, and some don’t. Such is life.
It is hard to imagine suicide being a sin in these clinically depressed people. One cannot offend God by involuntarily contracting an illness, regardless of what the illness may be. If suicide in such a circumstance constituted sin, then it would be sinful to catch the flu or die of pneumonia.
It is comforting to know that most mainstream religions understand and share this viewpoint, especially Christian denominations. The Catholic church of my faith was once notorious about guilt associated with suicide. It taught that the commission of suicide was a mortal sin. This explains why my mother is still living a lie about her husband’s death.
However, the Catholic Church has since clarified their position on the issue of suicide. The Catechism of the Catholic Church plainly states, “We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who take their own lives…” (2282 - 83).
This does not mean that suicide is never sinful. If someone is of sound mind and premeditatedly acts to kill himself/herself for the purpose of punishing or harming another, that would be a sin. If they avoid deserved punishment by the state for a criminal conviction by committing suicide that is arguably a sin.
Anyone who commits a suicidal act with malice aforethought for evil purposes is at grave risk of mortal sin. That is tantamount to murder, which is a crystal clear violation of Gods commandment: “Thou shall not kill.”
If a person, because of mental illness, sincerely believes with their heart and soul that dying will somehow end the suffering and anguish of others,regardless of how wrong they may be, who could doubt that it is nonetheless a selfless act in the eyes of God. Remember, “No greater love has a man than to give his life for another.”
Some people who commit suicide exhibit enormous courage in the undertaking. Consider the soldier who deliberately throws himself on a hand grenade or a land mine to save the lives of his comrades. Did he knowingly kill himself (i.e., commit suicide)? Yes, of course he did. Was it also a courageous and self-less act of courage? Absolutely! It was courageous and selfless.
We correctly label this soldier a hero. People who commit suicide are not cowards as some suggest. Jesus serves as a perfect example of one who suffered immensely and sacrificed his very life for the salvation of others. Sometimes we do need reminding.
Depression is usually a treatable disease. Most people who are depressed do not commit suicide or even attempt it. But they are more vulnerable to the risk of suicidal thoughts and they and their family members should be aware of this.
Most people, who suffer from mental illness, unless it is extreme, will benefit from therapy, medication, or a combination of these. In the case of depression medication very often can permit these people to live completely normal and happy lives. The key is first to recognize the problem and then obtain treatment as soon as possible.
Some people are more prone to suicide than others. They should be particularly alert to the warning signs of depression. Suicide tends to run in families. My family is living proof of this.
Suicide most often results from brain disorders such as clinical depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, and severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. All of these brain disorders have a genetic component that, if left untreated or mistreated, can result in suicide.
The risks of suicide increase considerably the longer a person goes without treatment. That is why it is dangerous for a depressed person to avoid treatment for fear that he or she might be labeled as being crazy. We are living in modern times. We are way beyond such foolishness; at least we ought to be.
If you suffer from depression don’t take a chance - get help. If your child is depressed, get your child help and do it quickly. Do this even in the face of resistance. You just might be saving their lives.
It is estimated that mental illness is the cause of 95% of all suicides. The #1 cause of suicide is untreated depression. Ninety-five percent of all suicides are the direct result of the aforementioned brain disorders. According to the National Mental Health Association the teen suicide rate has risen an astonishing 200% in the last 40 years.
That is a rate three times what it was in 1960. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 - 24 year-olds. About five thousand 15 - 24 year-olds kill themselves every year. These are alarming figures.
In conclusion, it is important to point out that maintaining your faith will increase your rate of recover from the tragedy of suicide. Don’t pray less. Instead pray more. Your faith will be your greatest source of comfort. Don’t be mad at God. God did not betray you by letting your loved one die. He understands the pain of death.
He endured it with the sacrificial death of his only begotten son for your sake and everyone else’s. Jesus understands the pain of death. Remember how He wept for Lazarus. Remember how He suffered in His own blameless death. Remember how His blessed mother Mary suffered when He died. Remember the painful deaths of His Apostles.
Remember, everyone dies of something; it’s preordained. We cannot escape death, at least not in this worldly life. Your loved one just happened to die of mental illness that resulted in suicide. Even in this worldly death we still remain spiritually linked. You have not lost your loved ones. You have merely postponed being in their company until such time as God calls you home. He will do that plenty soon enough so don’t try to rush the process. Remember it’s about His will, not yours.
If ever you have to endure being a suicide survivor take comfort in knowing that you can survive even though the anguish of your loss may at first seem to be insurmountable. Everyone must go through a grieving process when a loved one dies.
The grief associated with the suicidal death of a loved one is manifestly more difficult to cope with than other types of death. But, it is also similar in that it will likewise end. You don’t necessarily get over your loss; that void is always there. However, you do learn to cope and deal with it. Your pain will go away. You will come to understand that your loved one remains with you in spirit and you with him or her.
You will laugh again. You will experience love and joy. You will obtain peace of mind even though you‘ll always have the sorrow associated with loss. But we feel sorry when we lose our youth and vitality too. That doesn’t mean that we stay miserable because of it.
Definitely grieve, but also let go. Get professional, spiritual, or other help if you need it. Accept the fate that you are dealt just as Jesus and his blessed mother accepted the fate of the Holy sacrifice at Calvary. Jesus, while suffering the pains of crucifixion asked of his heavenly father, “Why hast thou forsaken me.”
Even the Son of man asked why. He also said “Thy will be done.” Our Lord in faith accepted his fate and in so doing taught us to do the same. We don’t have to know and understand everything.
In faith we must just believe, as Jesus did, that God understands and knows what is best. He will take care of things, perfectly. Accept, as Jesus did, the fate you are dealt no matter how much it hurts at the time. After all, you can’t change it and you are not responsible for it.
Understand the difference between holding on to a memory and clinging to a soul. Release the soul from your mind so that your loved one can be with our Lord where he or she will prepare a place for you when your time comes.
You will be together again and the next time it will be for all eternity. That will be a joyful eternity with God almighty. Trust in God and maintain your faith. God will make it right. You will survive.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Practical Tips For Writing Quality Essays
Are you running into problems with your essay writing? If you are, chances are there may be some problems that you have been unable to overcome. Let's discuss briefly some of the more common problems that writers usually face:
1) Don't know where to start. - This is one of the most common problems that many writers face. If you are a student looking to meet a tight deadline for an essay assignment, this problem can give you a lot of unnecessary stress. It's unnecessary stress because this problem can be easily overcome.
If you find yourself facing this problem, take a short break from your writing. The key here is to relax. When you relax, you allow your brain to rest. Only with enough rest will ideas flow more freely. Don't fight the ideas. Just let them flow. Make a list of the ideas that come to mind if want. But don't strike them out yet.
Just allow them to keep coming. Once you feel that you have enough ideas, proceed to work on the ones that you feel could be worth developing. Before you know it, you would have written your first paragraph. Hurray! Problem solved!
2) Writer's block. - This is similar in nature to the first problem, except that you get stuck half way through your writing. No matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to continue.
When that happens, adopt the same approach as outlined for the first problem. Take deep breaths, and relax. Do something else, and take your mind off the writing for a while. Taking slow walks in a peaceful environment will help as well. Come back to the writing only when you feel ready. If time is limited, take short breaks instead of long walks. This will allow you to concentrate better when you resume your writing.
3) Organization, formatting and proof reading. - Don't be lazy. Most writers make the mistake of skipping this important step. As a result, a potentially first class essay turns out to be just average. Content is not everything in an essay. Your presentation is just as important. No one likes to read an essay that's full of spelling and grammar mistakes, and doesn't flow properly.
So killer content, organization, and presentation are key elements to writing a top quality essays. They are simple enough enough to understand, but they do require time and concentration to implement.
If you are in a hurry to write an essay, and writing is not your greatest strength, you may want to hire a skilled writer. A skilled writer can help to overcome all the above problems for you. But don't just go out and hire any writer. Assess the writer using the tips above.
You can ask for sample articles. Place your order only when you are happy with the samples. Also, you can ask for essays to be of similar quality as the sample articles. If not, you may activate the money back guarantee.
Most writing services suppliers that provide quality writing have no problems offering money back guarantees, so always verify that such guarantees are offered before engaging a writing service.
1) Don't know where to start. - This is one of the most common problems that many writers face. If you are a student looking to meet a tight deadline for an essay assignment, this problem can give you a lot of unnecessary stress. It's unnecessary stress because this problem can be easily overcome.
If you find yourself facing this problem, take a short break from your writing. The key here is to relax. When you relax, you allow your brain to rest. Only with enough rest will ideas flow more freely. Don't fight the ideas. Just let them flow. Make a list of the ideas that come to mind if want. But don't strike them out yet.
Just allow them to keep coming. Once you feel that you have enough ideas, proceed to work on the ones that you feel could be worth developing. Before you know it, you would have written your first paragraph. Hurray! Problem solved!
2) Writer's block. - This is similar in nature to the first problem, except that you get stuck half way through your writing. No matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to continue.
When that happens, adopt the same approach as outlined for the first problem. Take deep breaths, and relax. Do something else, and take your mind off the writing for a while. Taking slow walks in a peaceful environment will help as well. Come back to the writing only when you feel ready. If time is limited, take short breaks instead of long walks. This will allow you to concentrate better when you resume your writing.
3) Organization, formatting and proof reading. - Don't be lazy. Most writers make the mistake of skipping this important step. As a result, a potentially first class essay turns out to be just average. Content is not everything in an essay. Your presentation is just as important. No one likes to read an essay that's full of spelling and grammar mistakes, and doesn't flow properly.
So killer content, organization, and presentation are key elements to writing a top quality essays. They are simple enough enough to understand, but they do require time and concentration to implement.
If you are in a hurry to write an essay, and writing is not your greatest strength, you may want to hire a skilled writer. A skilled writer can help to overcome all the above problems for you. But don't just go out and hire any writer. Assess the writer using the tips above.
You can ask for sample articles. Place your order only when you are happy with the samples. Also, you can ask for essays to be of similar quality as the sample articles. If not, you may activate the money back guarantee.
Most writing services suppliers that provide quality writing have no problems offering money back guarantees, so always verify that such guarantees are offered before engaging a writing service.
Alpha Lipoic Acid Has Great Nutritional Value For You
What neutralizes free radicals in both watery and fatty regions of cells? What produces energy by converting glucose for our body's normal function? Alpha lipoic acid or ALA. ALA is used to treat diabetic neuropathy, hepatitis and more.
Our bodies produce this antioxidant nutrition in small amounts and it occurs naturally in organ meats, peas, rice bran, Brewer's yeast, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Supplementation is a good way to get an added boost. What other ailments is it used to treat and how much should you take? Why don't we take a look?
What makes ALA unique and gives it nutritional value is that it is both water and fat soluble, unlike the more common antioxidants vitamins C and E, and it appears to be able to recycle and extend the metabolic lifespan of antioxidants such as of vitamin C, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10, and it indirectly renews vitamin E. Vitamin C lessens oxidative stress while glutathione helps detoxify the liver. Coenzyme Q10 helps convert food energy into energy inside every cell while vitamin E helps with nerve conduction.
Used to treat a common complication of diabetes called peripheral neuropathy, alpha lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream. It enhances insulin function and reduces insulin resistance, which are the basis of most cases of obesity and coronary heart disease. ALA quickly and greatly reduces the severity and incidence of symptoms like burning and sharply cutting pain, numbness and prickling sensations felt in diabetic neuropathy.
Free radical damage is thought to contribute to aging and chronic illness. ALA helps neutralize those harmful chemicals. ALA can cross the blood-brain barrier; a wall of tiny vessels and structural cells, and pass easily into the brain.
It is thought to protect brain and nerve tissue by preventing free radical damage and is used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Because of those reasons, ALA is also used to treat a myriad of other illnesses and diseases like cataracts, hardening of the arteries, hepatitis, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol levels, and even human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Alpha lipoic acid has very few side effects. Some that have been reported include headache, tingling or a "pins and needles" sensation, skin rash, or muscle cramps. Since ALA may improve blood sugar control, people with diabetes who are taking medication to lower blood sugar should only take ALA under the supervision of a qualified health professional and have their blood sugar levels carefully monitored. It may alter thyroid hormone levels, so people taking thyroid medications should be monitored by their healthcare provider.
Mike Selvon has some informative antioxidant nutrition articles for the creative mind. Find out more about the alpha lipoic acid at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our powerful antioxidant blog.
Our bodies produce this antioxidant nutrition in small amounts and it occurs naturally in organ meats, peas, rice bran, Brewer's yeast, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Supplementation is a good way to get an added boost. What other ailments is it used to treat and how much should you take? Why don't we take a look?
What makes ALA unique and gives it nutritional value is that it is both water and fat soluble, unlike the more common antioxidants vitamins C and E, and it appears to be able to recycle and extend the metabolic lifespan of antioxidants such as of vitamin C, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10, and it indirectly renews vitamin E. Vitamin C lessens oxidative stress while glutathione helps detoxify the liver. Coenzyme Q10 helps convert food energy into energy inside every cell while vitamin E helps with nerve conduction.
Used to treat a common complication of diabetes called peripheral neuropathy, alpha lipoic acid speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream. It enhances insulin function and reduces insulin resistance, which are the basis of most cases of obesity and coronary heart disease. ALA quickly and greatly reduces the severity and incidence of symptoms like burning and sharply cutting pain, numbness and prickling sensations felt in diabetic neuropathy.
Free radical damage is thought to contribute to aging and chronic illness. ALA helps neutralize those harmful chemicals. ALA can cross the blood-brain barrier; a wall of tiny vessels and structural cells, and pass easily into the brain.
It is thought to protect brain and nerve tissue by preventing free radical damage and is used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Because of those reasons, ALA is also used to treat a myriad of other illnesses and diseases like cataracts, hardening of the arteries, hepatitis, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol levels, and even human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Alpha lipoic acid has very few side effects. Some that have been reported include headache, tingling or a "pins and needles" sensation, skin rash, or muscle cramps. Since ALA may improve blood sugar control, people with diabetes who are taking medication to lower blood sugar should only take ALA under the supervision of a qualified health professional and have their blood sugar levels carefully monitored. It may alter thyroid hormone levels, so people taking thyroid medications should be monitored by their healthcare provider.
Mike Selvon has some informative antioxidant nutrition articles for the creative mind. Find out more about the alpha lipoic acid at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our powerful antioxidant blog.
Your E-book could be a top seller if you follow these tips
First, you need to decide what format you want your Ebook in. The two most popular formats are HTML and PDF. So far, PDF has been the choice of most Ebook authors, but HTML is gaining ground.
If you know your topic you can kick out a 50-page Ebook in no time. But should you write it yourself? It depends. How much time and money do you have?
There are advantages to having your Ebook ghostwritten. You can be doing something else while the product is being produced You can play the role of editor and director while other people do the work Or you can take a vacation
If you do decide to hire a ghostwriter to handle your Ebook project for you, you'll want to keep a few things in mind: 1. Give the writer a thorough outline - You have to operate on the assumption that the writer will include only what you put into the outline.
I recommend that you, as the expert, write the outline for your Ebook project. Make sure everything you want included in your Ebook is in the outline. Do it this way: Start with chapters. Those are your broad topics. Next, add sub-chapters or section headings.
Make sure your outline is written so that each point is a heading and all the writer has to do is keep those headings and write each section according to you guidelines. Include graphic notes. What graphics do you want and where do you want them? Be specific.
Chapter summaries. Do you want them? Be sure you state how you want them handled - bullet points, paragraphs, sidebars, etc. All of it has to be in writing and outlined if you want it in the book. Don't experiment - Stick to the tried and true methods, especially on your first Ebook.
I made the mistake of switching from MS Word to Open Office, an open source word processor. It was a great program and made PDF conversion very easy (easier than MS Word); however, formatting graphics proved to be a nightmare and I ended up spending twice as long as I needed to on the project. For PDF e-books, use MS Word and CutePDF - This is the best way.
Do all of your writing in MS Word and convert to PDF using CutePDFs professional edition. It costs less than $50 and is more than adequate for the job. You have to format all of your links in CutePDF rather than MS Word but if you do it in Word first then you'll see the blue underlines where the hyperlinks are supposed to go and you can use that as your guide once you open up CutePDF.
Be clear with your ghostwriter about whom will do the conversion - You can do it yourself or let the writer do it, but be sure you have an understanding before you start the project. Some writers charge extra for this service and some don't offer it at all.
Make sure you know what you're getting. Don't pay too much - The Internet has brought down the fees for writing services. Ebooks, especially, do not have to cost an arm and a leg to produce. However, if you want excellent writing, you'll have to pay for it. Just don't overpay and make sure you get samples of your writer's work before you hire him.
Finally, don't bite off more than you can chew - Be realistic about your expectations. Does your topic need a 500-page Ebook?
If you know your topic you can kick out a 50-page Ebook in no time. But should you write it yourself? It depends. How much time and money do you have?
There are advantages to having your Ebook ghostwritten. You can be doing something else while the product is being produced You can play the role of editor and director while other people do the work Or you can take a vacation
If you do decide to hire a ghostwriter to handle your Ebook project for you, you'll want to keep a few things in mind: 1. Give the writer a thorough outline - You have to operate on the assumption that the writer will include only what you put into the outline.
I recommend that you, as the expert, write the outline for your Ebook project. Make sure everything you want included in your Ebook is in the outline. Do it this way: Start with chapters. Those are your broad topics. Next, add sub-chapters or section headings.
Make sure your outline is written so that each point is a heading and all the writer has to do is keep those headings and write each section according to you guidelines. Include graphic notes. What graphics do you want and where do you want them? Be specific.
Chapter summaries. Do you want them? Be sure you state how you want them handled - bullet points, paragraphs, sidebars, etc. All of it has to be in writing and outlined if you want it in the book. Don't experiment - Stick to the tried and true methods, especially on your first Ebook.
I made the mistake of switching from MS Word to Open Office, an open source word processor. It was a great program and made PDF conversion very easy (easier than MS Word); however, formatting graphics proved to be a nightmare and I ended up spending twice as long as I needed to on the project. For PDF e-books, use MS Word and CutePDF - This is the best way.
Do all of your writing in MS Word and convert to PDF using CutePDFs professional edition. It costs less than $50 and is more than adequate for the job. You have to format all of your links in CutePDF rather than MS Word but if you do it in Word first then you'll see the blue underlines where the hyperlinks are supposed to go and you can use that as your guide once you open up CutePDF.
Be clear with your ghostwriter about whom will do the conversion - You can do it yourself or let the writer do it, but be sure you have an understanding before you start the project. Some writers charge extra for this service and some don't offer it at all.
Make sure you know what you're getting. Don't pay too much - The Internet has brought down the fees for writing services. Ebooks, especially, do not have to cost an arm and a leg to produce. However, if you want excellent writing, you'll have to pay for it. Just don't overpay and make sure you get samples of your writer's work before you hire him.
Finally, don't bite off more than you can chew - Be realistic about your expectations. Does your topic need a 500-page Ebook?
11 Steps To Selecting A Software Requirements Management Tool
If you know ahead of time that the software is going to be purchased instead of built, how does the requirements process differ from that of a standard development project?
I think a key difference in a supplier selection project comes from the fact that you are buying functionality that already exists. And while you will probably customize and configure the software, it is not necessarily going to be exactly the same end result as if you developed it internally.
Given that difference, it makes sense to gather high-level requirements and select the supplier using that level of detail. Then work with the supplier to specify the detailed requirements necessary to configure and implement the supplier solution, integrate it to existing systems and custom build any missing functionality.
Inherently, you will be forced to really focus on the core requirements and leave design out of the picture while you choose the supplier. Once you have selected a supplier, you will find it very challenging to speak about requirements without talking about the design of the solution you selected.
As you compare supplier software, you will probably have to make some tough decisions. For example let’s say you have 4 features. One supplier may support features 1 through 3. Another supplier supports features 2 through 4. A decision maker on the project has to weigh all of the factors to make a choice including things like: price to buy and implement each solution, price to build the missing feature in each case, cost of not having one of the features, time to implement. But the reality of this situation is that someone may decide that feature 4 wasn’t really a requirement after all!
A proposed approach to selecting a supplier For the actual requirements process, here is an idea of what we follow to select a supplier:
1. Define the high-level requirements. This may take the form of named use cases or features.
2. Define the actors that will use the functionality.
3. Specify more detailed requirements based on the highest risk areas.
4. Research the marketplace to identify a list of potential suppliers. This can be done by surveying SMEs, doing web research or talking with colleagues.
5. Narrow the list of suppliers down to the top three to five, based on how closely they match the requirements gathered.
6. Have the suppliers do high-level demos of the solution. Eliminate any suppliers that do not seem to be a fit at this point.
7. Create test cases using the requirements gathered to sufficiently demonstrate how each supplier measures against the requirements.
8. Have the suppliers demonstrate how their solution satisfies the detailed requirements, measured by execution of the test cases.
9. Create a comparison matrix with each test case (and all other measurement criteria you care about) to directly compare the suppliers.
10. Gather information from the supplier, beyond just the functional capabilities.
a. Gather pricing data – licenses, support, installation, training, etc.
b. Ensure the supplier’s business operations are acceptable
c. Determine if their support structure is acceptable d. Understand what their development roadmap looks like
e. Perform reference checks with colleague
11. Decision maker chooses a supplier.
Once a supplier is selected, the detailed requirements gathering process should continue. Your detailed requirements should be focused on the scope dictated by the supplier you selected. In standard development projects you would expect to go into more detail on most areas of the system, to ensure you understood the requirements to build a complete solution. However in supplier selection projects, there will likely be pieces of functionality that they demonstrate to you and based on the high-level requirements and risk, you realize that their solution is sufficient and do not need to explore it further.
However, if there is an area in which there is a lot of flexibility in the supplier solution, you should specify that in more detail. Obviously If there is a gap between critical requirements and the solution the supplier provides, you should go into greater depth on those requirements. Points of integration should be explored in detail. Also, it is worth noting that typically you will also spend more time on updating existing processes to work with the supplier solution, whereas in standard software development you may build software that fits into existing processes.
At a low level, you can still follow the same requirements techniques on supplier selection projects. However, realistically your approach to the requirements process should be very different to ensure you select a good software solution and that you minimize throwaway work.
I think a key difference in a supplier selection project comes from the fact that you are buying functionality that already exists. And while you will probably customize and configure the software, it is not necessarily going to be exactly the same end result as if you developed it internally.
Given that difference, it makes sense to gather high-level requirements and select the supplier using that level of detail. Then work with the supplier to specify the detailed requirements necessary to configure and implement the supplier solution, integrate it to existing systems and custom build any missing functionality.
Inherently, you will be forced to really focus on the core requirements and leave design out of the picture while you choose the supplier. Once you have selected a supplier, you will find it very challenging to speak about requirements without talking about the design of the solution you selected.
As you compare supplier software, you will probably have to make some tough decisions. For example let’s say you have 4 features. One supplier may support features 1 through 3. Another supplier supports features 2 through 4. A decision maker on the project has to weigh all of the factors to make a choice including things like: price to buy and implement each solution, price to build the missing feature in each case, cost of not having one of the features, time to implement. But the reality of this situation is that someone may decide that feature 4 wasn’t really a requirement after all!
A proposed approach to selecting a supplier For the actual requirements process, here is an idea of what we follow to select a supplier:
1. Define the high-level requirements. This may take the form of named use cases or features.
2. Define the actors that will use the functionality.
3. Specify more detailed requirements based on the highest risk areas.
4. Research the marketplace to identify a list of potential suppliers. This can be done by surveying SMEs, doing web research or talking with colleagues.
5. Narrow the list of suppliers down to the top three to five, based on how closely they match the requirements gathered.
6. Have the suppliers do high-level demos of the solution. Eliminate any suppliers that do not seem to be a fit at this point.
7. Create test cases using the requirements gathered to sufficiently demonstrate how each supplier measures against the requirements.
8. Have the suppliers demonstrate how their solution satisfies the detailed requirements, measured by execution of the test cases.
9. Create a comparison matrix with each test case (and all other measurement criteria you care about) to directly compare the suppliers.
10. Gather information from the supplier, beyond just the functional capabilities.
a. Gather pricing data – licenses, support, installation, training, etc.
b. Ensure the supplier’s business operations are acceptable
c. Determine if their support structure is acceptable d. Understand what their development roadmap looks like
e. Perform reference checks with colleague
11. Decision maker chooses a supplier.
Once a supplier is selected, the detailed requirements gathering process should continue. Your detailed requirements should be focused on the scope dictated by the supplier you selected. In standard development projects you would expect to go into more detail on most areas of the system, to ensure you understood the requirements to build a complete solution. However in supplier selection projects, there will likely be pieces of functionality that they demonstrate to you and based on the high-level requirements and risk, you realize that their solution is sufficient and do not need to explore it further.
However, if there is an area in which there is a lot of flexibility in the supplier solution, you should specify that in more detail. Obviously If there is a gap between critical requirements and the solution the supplier provides, you should go into greater depth on those requirements. Points of integration should be explored in detail. Also, it is worth noting that typically you will also spend more time on updating existing processes to work with the supplier solution, whereas in standard software development you may build software that fits into existing processes.
At a low level, you can still follow the same requirements techniques on supplier selection projects. However, realistically your approach to the requirements process should be very different to ensure you select a good software solution and that you minimize throwaway work.
Enjoy a new way of reading with Audio books
Reading is a habit that allows the users to gain knowledge in a very proper manner. It is said that every person should devote some time of his day to reading only. As reading helps the person to evolve into a more matured human being. In addition to imparting mental growth, it also helps the person to develop a better understanding of relations and surrounding phenomenon. However but in today's fast and hectic life schedule, people hardly find time for reading. And today it is a habit that is quickly loosing its existence among the adult and most importantly among young kids, who hardly find time for reading after spending their energy on video games and other activities.
At this point of time audio books can play a very vital role in reviving this trend among the people again. As the name itself suggests, audio books are a completely advanced version of the modern day books. Hence, it is quite ideal for all those people who hardly find time or are lazy enough to read books.
Users of audio books can read or listen to the bestsellers of past and present, depending upon their choice of kinds of books. These books are widely available in all the categories, ranging from romance to spiritual and to many other genres. This version of books is an ideal one for people who are visually challenged. As they cannot afford to read a book, so for them this form of modern day reading fills for the emptiness in their life.
So the parents who don't have the time to tell tales to their children, they can afford to relax, as they can buy these types of voice books for them. These books which come in the form of CD's and MP3 can be played and can serve the same purpose for the children. These are even much better for the old age people, whose eye-sights are quite weak and cannot afford to devote much time to reading books. These audio books will just help them to listen, what they actually want to read. For example, both New Testament and Old Testament are available in these forms.
Another best thing about these digital version of books is that users can also rewind and re-listen to the favourite part of the book again and again. What is more interesting about these audio books is that, since these books are in the narrative form therefore the readers get to listen to an account influenced by personal touch, which adds more value to this form of reading book. These books come at quite cheap prices, which is why now more and more people are now preferring these above other mediums of entertainment such as television, radio and other forms.
Audio books have been the result of the incredible growth in technology. Thus, users can play these digital books on their Ipod's and MP3 player. So while commuting or relaxing, users can just listen to these books and can make the most of their idle or leisure time. Users can even download these audio books on their music players and Ipod's. Seeing the popularity of these version of books, the publishers are even making efforts to bring the Online version of these books.
Widely recognised authors like John Grisham, Michael Connelly, Michael Marshall, Stephen King are the few authors whose bestsellers can be found easily in the forms of audio books. John Grisham, one of the best writer, when it comes to legal thrillers, is the main centre of attraction in these type of books. So if as a reader, you are looking for some interesting way of enjoying reading, then
Cheap Books, Price comparison
At this point of time audio books can play a very vital role in reviving this trend among the people again. As the name itself suggests, audio books are a completely advanced version of the modern day books. Hence, it is quite ideal for all those people who hardly find time or are lazy enough to read books.
Users of audio books can read or listen to the bestsellers of past and present, depending upon their choice of kinds of books. These books are widely available in all the categories, ranging from romance to spiritual and to many other genres. This version of books is an ideal one for people who are visually challenged. As they cannot afford to read a book, so for them this form of modern day reading fills for the emptiness in their life.
So the parents who don't have the time to tell tales to their children, they can afford to relax, as they can buy these types of voice books for them. These books which come in the form of CD's and MP3 can be played and can serve the same purpose for the children. These are even much better for the old age people, whose eye-sights are quite weak and cannot afford to devote much time to reading books. These audio books will just help them to listen, what they actually want to read. For example, both New Testament and Old Testament are available in these forms.
Another best thing about these digital version of books is that users can also rewind and re-listen to the favourite part of the book again and again. What is more interesting about these audio books is that, since these books are in the narrative form therefore the readers get to listen to an account influenced by personal touch, which adds more value to this form of reading book. These books come at quite cheap prices, which is why now more and more people are now preferring these above other mediums of entertainment such as television, radio and other forms.
Audio books have been the result of the incredible growth in technology. Thus, users can play these digital books on their Ipod's and MP3 player. So while commuting or relaxing, users can just listen to these books and can make the most of their idle or leisure time. Users can even download these audio books on their music players and Ipod's. Seeing the popularity of these version of books, the publishers are even making efforts to bring the Online version of these books.
Widely recognised authors like John Grisham, Michael Connelly, Michael Marshall, Stephen King are the few authors whose bestsellers can be found easily in the forms of audio books. John Grisham, one of the best writer, when it comes to legal thrillers, is the main centre of attraction in these type of books. So if as a reader, you are looking for some interesting way of enjoying reading, then
Cheap Books, Price comparison
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
University Ranking - Top Online Universities in the World
Author: Loke Yuen Wong
Want to study for an online degree program? There are many online universities and colleges offering high quality education online.
Online Degree Programs:
Online degree programs offer many advantages such as flexibility and cost savings. Learning can take place at anywhere in the world, individual student can choose where, when and how to study.
Online programs are offered at different levels ranging from Certificate program, Diploma program, Associate degree, Bachelor degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master degree to Doctorate degree. Subject areas include business, psychology, nursing, education, sociology, information technology and so on.
Top 10 Online Universities:
According to “The Best and Worst Online Degree Programs” 2007, the top ten online universities in the world are as follows:
(1) The University of London (UoL)
(2) The University of South Africa
(3) The University of Phoenix
(4) The University of Texas
(5) University of South Australia (UniSA)
(6) University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
(7) The University of Maryland University College
(8) Golden Gate University
(9) Ellis College of NYIT
(10) Stanford University
The University of London is ranked number one in the world for its outstanding online degree programs. It offers more than 100 online and distance qualifications through the University of London External Programme. Students studying through the External Programme are examined to the same standard as full-time on-campus students.
The University of South Australia is the leading provider of distance education in Australia. With more than 32000 on campus and offshore students, it is now the largest university in South Australia.
Prospective students are advised to check the accreditation and reputation of online universities and colleges before enrolling into a program of study.
Please refer to the relevant guides for more information on the latest university ranking and world university ranking.
Want to study for an online degree program? There are many online universities and colleges offering high quality education online.
Online Degree Programs:
Online degree programs offer many advantages such as flexibility and cost savings. Learning can take place at anywhere in the world, individual student can choose where, when and how to study.
Online programs are offered at different levels ranging from Certificate program, Diploma program, Associate degree, Bachelor degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master degree to Doctorate degree. Subject areas include business, psychology, nursing, education, sociology, information technology and so on.
Top 10 Online Universities:
According to “The Best and Worst Online Degree Programs” 2007, the top ten online universities in the world are as follows:
(1) The University of London (UoL)
(2) The University of South Africa
(3) The University of Phoenix
(4) The University of Texas
(5) University of South Australia (UniSA)
(6) University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
(7) The University of Maryland University College
(8) Golden Gate University
(9) Ellis College of NYIT
(10) Stanford University
The University of London is ranked number one in the world for its outstanding online degree programs. It offers more than 100 online and distance qualifications through the University of London External Programme. Students studying through the External Programme are examined to the same standard as full-time on-campus students.
The University of South Australia is the leading provider of distance education in Australia. With more than 32000 on campus and offshore students, it is now the largest university in South Australia.
Prospective students are advised to check the accreditation and reputation of online universities and colleges before enrolling into a program of study.
Please refer to the relevant guides for more information on the latest university ranking and world university ranking.
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