Personalized Baby Blankets 5 Quick Ideas for an Original and Cherished Gift

A baby is the pride and joy of any new parents. For the parents, life changes, and their focus shifts to providing for baby and learning new things about baby. On special occasions in the baby's life they like to lavish attention on the baby and give special gifts as a measure of their love. Personalizing a gift is a great way to create a unique and lasting present. Personalized baby blankets are ideal because they can be put to good uses yet are flexible enough to create a unique and cherished gift. Here are five quick ideas to get you thinking when it comes to personalized baby blankets.

1. Do-it-yourself knit patterns are very easy to find on the Internet. They give details of yarn that go well with certain blanket fabrics and instructions on how to create an original pattern. The traditional approach with homemade patterns is to put the name and date of birth of the baby on the blanket.

2. Theme blankets are a way to introduce a baby to a new world and let him/her develop their own personality. Popular themes for boys are sports related. Your favorite football, baseball or basketball team logo or best player can be printed on the blanket. Classic, general themes are Disney titles like The Jungle book, Finding Nemo or The Lion king. Children and babies respond to most cartoon characters so most Disney theme blankets popular.

3. Famous or cute sayings can be printed or embroidered onto the blanket. This can be done personally or by a professional, as it is the thoughts on the blanket that are important. Ideas for sayings can be found on the Internet. Simply search for famous quotes or people. Find a quote that inspires you and these ideas will rub off on your baby.

4. Blankets can be personalized around an event in the baby's life. Common events are baby showers, baptisms or first birthdays. Baby showers are more aimed at the parents and can be a celebratory verse or saying. Baptisms can be direct quotes from the bible or other pertinent religious texts. Draw your inspiration from the religious texts or ask a religious leader for ideas. Birthdays can be quotes much like you would find in a birthday card so get ideas from the local card store.

5. Nursery Rhymes are a great way to personalize a blanket. They can introduce the baby to wonderfully imaginative stories and help parents to remember the words if they choose to sing the infant to sleep.

Hopefully these ideas can help you to create a present that can be loved and cherished by your baby, the most precious gift of all.

Adrian Whittle is a writer for http://www.blanketsnquilts.com a site that focuses on blankets, quilts and much more. Be sure to visit the site for more useful ideas on personalized baby blankets and gift ideas for crotchet baby blankets

The State of the Real Estate Market is the Housing Bubble Bursting in Tampa Bay?

If your local Realtor? is to be believed, the stabilization of housing prices and the cooling of the housing market is good for the entire community. But, how can such a slowdown possibly be a good thing? Homeowners, used to seeing double digit gains in their homes values, are concerned when their home does not sell in a matter days with multiple offers, as homes were doing until the end of 2005.

Surprisingly enough a more stable market is better for everyone, and a slowdown is not a stop. David Lereah, NAR's chief economist states, 2006 is still expected to be the third strongest on record. In this case, experiencing a slowing from a hot market is a good thing because we need a solid housing sector to provide an underlying base to the economy, and slower appreciation will help to preserve long-term affordability.

In general, the overwhelming opinion of those in the know, is this slowdown will result in a stable housing market through the end of 2006. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan on May 18, 2006 said that Americans' consumption could taper off somewhat now that the U.S. housing market's extraordinary boom has ended. Greenspan, in his first public U.S. speech since retiring in January, predicted there is no danger of a total collapse of the housing market.

UCLA Anderson Forecast Director Edward Leamer, who also does not expect real estate prices to fall significantly, notes that sales volume is what typically drops, and drops more precipitously than prices, as the price cycle lags behind the volume cycle. Locally we have seen this as homes have stayed on the market longer, although prices have remained stable.

According to the NAR (National Association of Realtors), Two conditions are necessary for price softness in a given area: an oversupply of homes available for sale, and adverse economic conditions ? generally a weak local job market. Fortunately, our local job market continues to be strong, with Florida's unemployment rate at 3.2 percent in May, up only slightly from 3.0 in April. Florida's May 2006 rate was 1.4 percentage points lower than the national rate of 4.6 percent.

We are fortunate in the Tampa Bay area that Florida continues to be the destination for aging Baby Boomers and others looking for vacation properties and second homes. With a strong economic forecast and a desirable destination, Tampa Bay should be able to weather the housing bubble rumors and come through the remainder of the 2006 housing market safely.

Visit http://realestatemarketingpro.blogspot.com for free real estate marketing tips or see these tips and tricks in action at http://www.ComeToClearwater.com

Realtors and mortgage bankers/brokers, please feel free to use this article provided this reference is included and all links remain active.

For holistic corporate recovery finish the full course of antibiotics of surgery resuscitation and nursing .

Seriously ill companies need to be placed in intensive care unit. As with grave medical crisis, dealing with the business failure quickly becomes extremely exhausting and requiring special care and medical attention. You need a team of specialists to intervene and take the swift control of events. This is akin to the manner that doctors, counsellors and insurance companies step in to sort out the problems in the life of a gravely ill patient.

As in a medical crisis, a company's initial ill health may suddenly deteriorate into life threatening mode. The ailment appears mild initially and may have already established a foothold in the patient much earlier. Sometimes, it can be a case of bad DNA in its business model or a genetic flaw in its corporate culture. These weaknesses predispose the firm to failure. As with very sick patients, the company's health may spiral quickly downward and eventually become irreversible. It is at this stage that these symptoms of failure become apparent. By the time the management and all the other interested parties are aware of the problem, the crisis has already escalated beyond redemption.

Many companies are falling sick due to corporate diseases such as global economic recession, competition brought forth by globalization, terrorist attacks and diseases such as SARS and bird flu. When a company falls ill, it needs to undergo the three phases of corporate turnaround, namely:

Phase 1: Surgery: This is to restructure the troubled organisation to face the harsh and new reality and quickly improve its cash flow. During this phase, the company may need to downsize, right size, re-engineer or delayer in order to turn the ailing company around. The use of financial control is critical in this phase.

Phase 2: Resuscitation: This is to revitalise the business so as to increase its sales revenues and profits. After obtaining a brief reprieve from cash flow collapse, the company has to grow its business quickly. The use of marketing strategy is important during this phase.

Phase 3: Nursing: This is to nurture and establish a strong and healthy corporate immune system in order to sustain long-term growth. After growing the business, the company needs to be strengthened to prevent a recurrence of the problems while equipping itself to handle future changes in the marketplace. The emphasis here is on innovation.

For complete corporate recovery, it is important to finish the full course of antibiotics prescribed in all the three phases. Some companies may need heavier dosages of surgery while others may require more of resuscitation and nursing. Mere restructuring through surgery alone is not good enough. As a doctor once said: The surgery was good but the patient died. Without the resuscitation and nursing phases, it is akin to not completing your antibiotics and the bacteria are not completely eradicated from the system. During the next attack, the bacteria may become more virulent as they have built up resistance against the antibiotics. Then, you may need a stronger spectrum of antibiotics to treat the mutated bacteria.

Building a strong and healthy company takes a long time in Phase 3 - it is not a one-time inoculation. It is like taking vitamin pills every day for the rest of your life in order to build a strong corporate culture, which can embrace changes.

There is another medical parallel in the deployment of techniques used in the three phases. Phases 1 and 2 can be compared to the use of Western medical system with its invasive, scientific and chemical approaches. The Western medical approach is very suitable for acute and life threatening situations where time is of essence. Phase 1 and 2 are the science of the corporate turnaround process. In phase 3, the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is more applicable, natural, holistic and philosophical. This renders it suitable for chronic and comprehensive cures. Phase 3 is the art of the corporate turnaround process.

To ensure full recovery, remember to finish the full course of antibiotics of surgery, resuscitation and nursing by the turnaround doctor.

About the Author

http://www.corporateturnaroundexpert.com

Dr Mike Teng (DBA, MBA, BEng, FIMechE, FIEE, CEng, PEng, FCMI, FCIM, SMCS) is the author of the best-selling business book Corporate Turnaround: Nursing a sick company back to health, in 2002. In 2006, he authored another book entitled, Corporate Wellness: 101 Principles in Turnaround and Transformation. Dr Teng is widely recognized as a turnaround CEO in Asia.

Choosing Moving Dates for Your Relocation

Setting a move date can be important for getting the best price for your move and for getting the best quality movers on the job. Although most movers like to move during the summer when the children aren't in school, selecting a move date off season provides several benefits.

In addition to picking the right time of year, there are certain days of the week and times of the day that are better than others for moving so you can increase your chances of having a smooth move.

In addition to being the busiest season of the year for moving companies, moving during the summer can create other problems. Many movers need to hire temporary helpers to get them through the busy season. This means that it's more likely the moving laborers handling your move will be less experienced and may be less committed to doing a good job than their year-round counterparts.

If you have to move during the summer, set your move date as far in advance as possible to increase your chances of getting your ideal dates to move.

When setting a move date you should also stay way from the very beginning of the month and the end of the month, though you may not be able to avoid it. Leases usually expire during those times of the month so moving companies see added demand.

If you have a choice, choose the morning over the afternoon on moves that take less than a full day to complete. The crew will be fresher and you'll have more hours of daylight to complete the move, if you need them. Likewise, early to mid-week is usually less busy than Friday for local movers. If they can't move on a Saturday, many people like to move on a Friday so they can have the benefit of the weekend to get moved in.

For the complete moving guide and useful storage and packing tips visit the =>Moving Companies Directory

Horizon Elliptical Trainer Review

Horizon elliptical trainers are inexpensive machines designed for the budget-minded. They compete heavily in the $500-$1,000 price range with brands like ProForm and Nordic Track. Before I proceed with this review, I must state that I am never comfortable recommending elliptical trainers for less than $1,000. They generally are equipped with cheap components, and are not well engineered. Spending $1,000 or less is not going to buy you a precision machine. That is evident when you test the Horizon elliptical trainers.

Most of my fitness equipment testing is at stores like Dick?s Sporting or Sports Authority. Testing equipment in these mass retail environments can be very revealing. That is due to the fact these machines are abused. You get a real sense of the durability of a particular model.

My experience is that the Horizon elliptical trainers do not hold up well under strenuous use. At least half the machines I tested had loose handlebars. Of course, all you have to do is tighten them, but few other machines had that problem. Some of the Horizon ellipticals developed squeaks, while others seemed less than stable. I

Small Stride Lengths

My biggest complaint about the Horizon elliptical trainers is the stride. Although this is not true with all their machines, I find many have a very small stride. I am average height, and when I get on the lower cost Horizon ellipticals, the stride seems short and restricting. It is less of an elliptical motion, and more circular. You tend to bounce. This is particularly true with the ellipticals that have the 14? stride. They are designed for little people. The 18? stride machines are preferable.

If you are shopping for a Horizon elliptical trainer, you will notice they have numerous models. They sell in two series, the Elite and the Horizon. On their web site, I counted 13 models. On Dick?s Sporting Goods site, I counted several more models that are not listed on the Horizon site.

If you were considering purchasing a Horizon, I would recommend staying away from the low-end models. Consider the CSE 4.6 or the EX44. Both are available at Dick?s, and have 18? strides, with a nice range of resistance levels. Call first to see if the store in your area carries these models. You may also want to consider an extended warranty, particularly if you plan to use the machine extensively.

So should you purchase a Horizon elliptical trainer? It depends! If your budget is limited and you cannot spend more than $1,000, the Horizon is definitely a contender, and one of the better values. However, if you plan to workout regularly, and want quality and durability, you need to move up to the $1,500+ price range.

Fred Waters worked in the fitness equipment industry for a number of years. He is author of the Fitness Equipment Source where you can get expert reviews on Horizon Elliptical Trainers, in addition to numerous other brands and models.

Choosing To Play Backgammon Online Or Offline

 



Choosing To Play Backgammon Online Or OfflineSubmitted By: Gene Marshall  

Today?s backgammon enthusiasts are presented with a wide variety of opportunities to play backgammon in a way that previous generations could never even have envisaged in their wildest dreams. For the thousands of years people have been playing backgammon, games have been commonly played in family homes, or in popular meeting places. Since most of the world?s population lived in the countryside or small villages, the likelihood was that the same players would compete against each other time after time. For players who were particularly skilled at the game, the lack of players of similar skills levels can only have served to detract from their interest in the game.

The move from the countryside to the cities, and the creation of backgammon clubs widened players? horizons. Whether attracted by the prospects of winning at backgammon gambling or simply interested in the playing for enjoyment alone, in schools, work places and places of entertainment, people starting coming together much more to learn how to play backgammon and make new friends. This is still very much the case today. For example, it would be interesting to see what percentage of successful backgammon players learn the backgammon game at school.

Although the game has had its ups and downs in popularity in the course of its history, for instance, the introduction of the doubling cube in 1920?s America added to the appeal of backgammon as a casino game, the development of backgammon software over the last fifteen years has propelled backgammon into a new place of prominence on the international gaming scene. It seems that not only have traditional backgammon players been attracted to online backgammon but also a new generation of players are being drawn to the game. Although these players are not exclusively in the under thirty-age group, it seems a fair guess that backgammon online attracts primarily younger players. In part this can be accounted for by their greater familiarity with Internet technology, but there is also a youth culture of which the Internet has become an integral part.

Besides the factor of age, there are a number of other considerations at play in determining whether a person prefers to play with a traditional backgammon set or play with a virtual set online. For some players, there can be no substitute for a face-to-face game. Exchanging typed messages with the other players can never compete with genuine social contact. These players may well belong to a backgammon club they have been patronizing for years and feel content to keep their game at this level.

Many other players are drawn by the prospect of competing with players from around the world brought together by Internet gaming. They also enjoy the chance of testing out their skills against a backgammon computer. If they are primarily interested in gaming opportunities, the ability to play backgammon on the Internet is valued for the substantial prizes they think they have a chance of winning. Certainly the convenience factor must not be underrated, with the Internet offering games at a time and location that players find convenient.

Article Tags: backgammon, game, players

Tension Fabric Structures Offer Trade Show Drama

Swooping shapes, extreme flexibility, ease of assembly and an ability to reach up to 3-story high projections are just a few of the reasons why smart trade show exhibitors are using tension fabrics in their trade show displays' towers, hanging signs, backwalls, wings and conference areas.

Today's lightweight, aircraft grade tension fabrics offer dramatic shapes, colors, and add scope to the trade show booth. When Nintendo used tension fabric that soared to the sky with their 3- story high wall at the E3 conference, their large scale trade show exhibit was highly visible throughout the exhibit hall. Tension fabric can also create an element of surprise. Boeing inspired intrigue when they rolled out the introduction of their new $200 million airplane hidden behind a 50' tension fabric banner. Boeing was able to unveil in a suspenseful manner their massive plane by slowly stripping away the fabric piece by piece before a fascinated audience.

According to Todd Bell, President of Warp Corp -a tension fabric exhibit manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Seattle, Washington -fabric and aluminum tubing trade show exhibit structures have the advantage of being dramatic, lightweight, easy to pack, and travel smoothly.

The trade show exhibitor uses tension fabric structures with a variety of interesting shapes as an attention-getter to show strollers within view of their trade show booth. From curvy conference rooms to rocket- like towers, to hanging signs shaped as cones, disks, dishes, rounds, triangles, etc., to imaginatively shaped backwalls and wings at the trade show display, these tension fabrics are artfully designed and stretched over aluminum frames. The fabric can offer flexibility in size since it is cut, dyed, and sewn, and then stretched onto aluminum tubing that is welded and rolled to the required dimensions of the trade show exhibit designer.

The use of a dye-sublimation process, that transfers digital color images to fabric, enhances the design of the tension fabric. The process involves heat and pressure, creating a very vibrant and durable image, capable of withstanding abuse and exposure. The image embedded onto the fabric does not run, smear, or peel off the underlying fabric. Among the advantages of dye-sublimation are color saturation, durability, and choice of substrates to match most needs.

Depending on the look and use of the trade show display designer's graphics, there are an enormous variety of fabrics to choose from. Lycra and metallic fabrics are very popular. Some fabric is sheer while other material is heavy and opaque. The use of thin, gauzy fabric allows light diffusion which can become translucent and allow images to appear and disappear. Hanging banners from suspended truss work can also be used for blocking light. The trade show exhibitor can choose from a selection of aluminum frame tension fabric structures that can stand alone, suspend overhead, or complete a trade show exhibit booth or space.

Today's fabrics are not only dramatic, durable and cost efficient, and but also they are fire retardant for additional safety assurance at the trade show.

So wherever you exhibit--be it the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center--using new tension fabrics will put your trade show display in the forefront of trade show booth design.

Remember, by choosing tension fabric structures for your trade show display, you can add
drama and scope to your trade show exhibit and have a more impactful trade show experience.

About the Author

Playtime Is Meant To Be Fun And Safe: How To Make It That Way

Playtime is important in the development of a child?s imagination and social skills. However, how a child plays and what the child plays with is equally as important. Playtime should be safe for the child and age appropriate. It should also be fun and encourage imagination. Parents can do several things to help ensure their child?s safety when playing.

To ensure safety during playtime, it is important for parents to choose the correct toys. It is very tempting to always buy the latest, greatest popular toy on the market or to buy your older child the fun technology oriented toys that are so prevalent. However, a parent should be aware that there are certain physical and developmental dangers in choosing certain toys or allowing too much access to particular toys. Safety starts at the toy store with parents and caregivers choosing toys that are safe and age appropriate for the child.

?Look at the design of the toys to ensure they are well made and will not break easily.

?Toys that are very small can be a choking hazard for young children. Even if you do not think your child will put a toy in their mouth or lodge it elsewhere, do not choose these types of toys for small children. It only takes a moment for a fun toy to become a hazard.

?Do not buy toys that have loud noises that can potentially impair hearing.

?Toys that propel objects can be a danger to eyes. If older children have such toys, make sure they are not accessible to the younger children in the house and that the older children do not play with these in the vicinity of younger children.

?Watch out for toys that have sharp edges, small parts, or sharp points. Avoid toys that produce extremely loud noises that can damage hearing and propelled objects that can injure eyes.

?Read the labels for safety information such as suggested age ranges, hygiene information and toxicity issues.

?If you are buying an electrical toy, make sure there is a UL seal that proves the product was safety tested.

In addition to safety, it is also important to let the child know the parent is willing to play with them. A parent?s involvement with a child can be a great bonding experience for the entire family, bringing the family closer. Babies and small children learn skills and develop through play and interaction. If a parent actively plays with their child, studies indicate that they will develop faster.

Today, many children are exposed to large amounts of television, computers and video games. While these items can be helpful in learning certain skills, too much exposure to them will quell a child?s imagination. Make sure to limit television time and allow children to use their imagination. Playtime outside is also healthy for the child. Let the child run and play and toss a ball around so they can practice motor skills and get some exercise. Parents should get involved.

?Parents can read to their child and encourage reading once the child is able to read alone. This will help cognitive skills and develop the imagination. Make story time part of the bedtime ritual so it is a fun way to end the evening and a great bonding experience.

?Play games with your children. This will help teach sharing, taking turns, patience and rules. Card games, puzzle games and board games are a great way to interact. If you are in a car together, play games such as ?I Spy?.

?Create imaginative activities such as putting on plays or musicals. Playing dress up or house with your child can expand the imagination and can be a lot of fun.

?Play with action figures, stuffed animals and dolls with your children. This can add to social interaction by giving the child the tools to act out what the feel is appropriate and you can guide them by teaching appropriate play and manners.

?Sing songs with your children. Children love to sing and it can be fun for everyone. It is also a great opportunity to learn the alphabet and rhyming.

Playtime is an important activity in a child?s life. It will help teach them and can help parents and children form a stronger relationship. It is necessary to choose toys and activities that are both fun and safe. With a parent?s involvement and attention, this can be an easy task to accomplish.

About the Author:

If you would like more information on wooden toys for your child please visit our site. MonkeyBeanToys specializes in traditional wooden toys that will last longer than cheap plastic toys.

Housing Starts Fall 2.5%

The building of new homes has fallen to the lowest level in nearly two years, according to the Commerce Department on Wednesday.

Housing starts fell 2.5% for July to 1.8 million on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. This marks the fifth decline in housing starts in the last six months. It is also the lowest level seen in construction of new homes since November 2004.

Economists had expected a decline, just not as large as today's report indicated.

Building permits fell drastically in July, by 6.5% to 1.75 million units. This is the largest drop seen since September of 1999. Building permits are an indication of future construction activity. Permits are at the lowest level since August 2002.

The Commerce Department also revised June's housing starts downwards, to an annualized rate of 1.84 million, down from 1.85 million.

When compared to one year ago, housing starts are down 13.3% for July.

The confidence of US home builders has continued to fall, according to the National Association of Home Builders. At 32, confidence is at the lowest level since 1991.

Economists agree that the housing market is changing. The debate continues as to the size of the decline and the potential impact to the economy.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!

Top 10 Critical Mistakes Homebuyers Make and How to Avoid Them (Part One)

1.Using an out-of-town lender.

Getting a mortgage in a timely and hassle-free manner is the ?key that opens the door? to your new home.

Lenders who don?t live in the area you are buying in will not have the contacts needed to process your loan in an efficient and timely manner. Are you aware that if your lender fails to get you your loan on time, that your earnest money deposit may be at risk of being forfeited?

Your best bet is to ask your real estate agent whom they have used before and who they trust.

If it is important to you to use a lender from out-of-state (family member, friend etc.), your best bet is to have your lender refer your business to a local lender. This will help insure that your out-of-state lender receives a referral fee, they don?t violate state mortgage laws, and most importantly you are able to close on the home you want to buy.

Mortgage story: The very first transaction I was involved in after I got my real estate license was a nightmare due to a negligent lender. I was representing a buyer from Las Vegas (I live in St. George, Utah) that insisted on using a Las Vegas lender. Unfortunately the lender would rarely return calls or answer his phone. He failed to close on time. We extended the closing date time and again, and time and again the out-of-state lender failed to have the loan ready. The buyers were frantic and the sellers were angry. Finally eight weeks after we were supposed to close my buyers finally dropped the lousy lender and went with a local lender that I recommended. To my buyer?s amazement, by using the local lender, we closed the transaction 10 days later.

2.Not using a loan approval letter when making an offer on a property.

You?ve found ?The Home? and want to make an offer to buy it. Now anybody can make a full price offer and get it accepted.

What if ?The Home? is priced at $275,000 but you offer $250,000 and say that you will pay for the home by getting a new loan?

The sellers, when presented with your $250,000 offer, know nothing about you except that you seem to think their home is worth less than they feel its worth. At that point they will probably do one of two things. They might reject your offer outright. Or they might counter your offer at close to their asking price. As far as they?re concerned they never considered your original offer to be a ?real? offer.

Do you think that they would have taken your $250,000 offer more seriously if you had said you could pay cash? Of course they would have, after all money talks.

What if you had already received full loan approval from a lender. Not just pre-qualified, or pre-approved (Being pre-approved is kinda like being pre-pregnant), but fully approved for a home loan with a letter from the underwriter to prove it. A letter that is as good as ?cash in the bank?. You?ve become a ?Power Buyer?! You never know, maybe the seller would accept your offer, rather than letting a good buyer get away.

Wow, if your offer was accepted, you just saved $25,000 on the purchase of your home! And all you had to do was meet with the lender before you went house hunting.

3.Buying too much house for your income.

I used to do ?Broker Price Opinions, or BPO? for banks. This is where a bank would contact me to find out the value of a home that they had given a loan on. Often times this ?BPO? was because the homeowner was losing or had lost their home because they could no longer afford the home. What a terribly sad event for that family.

Things happen in life that you might never expect. Don?t unknowingly ?open the door? to future foreclosure and bankruptcy by getting a mortgage that you can ?grow into?. Life rarely works out the way you expect.

One of the best moves I?ve ever made was purchasing my current home. When I bought this home I qualified for a home twice as expensive as the one I bought. Payments on my home rarely cause me stress or concern.

4.Thinking ?short-term?.

Want to really scare me? Tell me you want to buy a home today and that you will want sell it in two, three or four years. Yikes! Talk about wanting to lose money.

Real Estate home values generally rise very slowly in a slow or soft real estate market. In St. George, where I live, our average time between hot markets (when home values rise quickly, usually doubling) is ten years. If you bought $250,000 home in a slow market, in three years it might be worth $265,000. Your cost to sell with commission and other costs would be $18,200. You would lose $8,200 for your short term thinking.

If you have to move within three years of buying a home, it would be better to use the home as a rental for a few years, and sell it when the market will allow you to make a profit. Better yet rent it out until the top of the next hot market, then sell it and potentially make $250,000 profit.

5.Using 1031 exchange money to buy personal property.

Do you really want to risk having the IRS charge you with fraud? Enough said.

This article is continued in Part 2?

About Me:
I have lived in beautiful St. George, Utah since 1998. I have been a real estate agent here (Washington County, Utah) since 1999. I have survived terrible housing markets and thrived in amazing markets (38% home appreciation in St. George in 2005). For more interesting articles, or to sign up for receiving my weekly St. George foreclosures email please visit my website: DonGlasgow.net. I also provide homebuyers with instant access to the Washington County MLS. I have gotten tons of compliments on my website, so make sure and check it out!

More Cash From Your Real Estate

Real estate. . . No matter what kind you own or want to buy it?s still an investment. In fact, many people buy and sell real estate as a business and I?m not talking brokers or agents here. You know who they are. They?re the ones who tell you about a deal they just did and boy did they ever make a bundle on it! How?d they do that? They made the property look good. It?s what buyers interested in. How a property looks. So you see curb appeal really IS important.

Curb appeal takes a lot into consideration: Paint, siding, windows, doors, roofing, driveways, and yes, landscaping. How many times have you driven past a property for sale and said to yourself: ?That landscaping is really ugly. Why doesn?t somebody do something about it?? I know I have. If you?ve bought real estate as an investment, did you concentrate on improving the landscaping or somewhere else first? Most leave the landscaping ?till last or just don?t do anything to it at all. Rumor has it, though, between 20 and 30% of the value of a property is in the landscaping. And it doesn?t matter if it?s income, industrial, commercial, or residential property either. Landscaping plays a big part in curb appeal and value of your investment. It can even draw customers to your business.

Let?s say that there were two homes for sale right next to each other. One looked great and the other looked lousy. It doesn?t matter what shape the inside is in, people still look at the outside and determine the value. Guaranteed, the one with the better landscaping will command a higher price and probably sell faster. What would you do if you bought the one with the lousy landscaping? Leave it for the next guy or make it look nice. If you were going to turn it and get your price, rent it out, or keep it as an investment you?d be putting something into the landscaping if you were smart. Admittedly, I?ve bought on potential and just sat on the property, but, sooner or later I had to pay to get the landscaping done. You better believe that landscaping looked great before it went on the market. And I got my price!

When I was going to list one of my properties my broker told me: ?You?ll never sell it for that much? and I proved him wrong. I didn?t understand why he was so reluctant to list at my price. I figured he was just going to make more on the sale if he did. Besides, I thought, we could have dropped the price if it didn?t sell, right? Well, he didn?t see what this place was going to look like like I could in my mind. Anyway, the landscaping wasn?t going to be done until after I listed it. Now if I could have shown him what it was GOING to look like, maybe he would have agreed with me on the listing price. And if I just could have shown him in 3-D what the place was going to look like he, and the landscaper, would?ve had a better idea where I was going with it. They probably would have helped me with a few suggestions to increase the value while saving some money on the landscaping, so, I probably would have made a little more on it than I did.

People know what?s goin? on. It?s better to start with the outside. Shows pride of ownership, care for the neighborhood, for them, smart thinking, and being serious. Improves comps and re-finance values, too! So, at the very least, get a 3-D landscape plan either before you close the deal or right after you do so you can show your broker, landscaper, appraiser, and re-financing specialist what your real estate deal will look like when you?re done with it. Did you know that if you?re planning on re-financing, your appraiser will include the landscaping as part of the value of your property? It?s a win-win situation. You get more cash because you up?d the value of your investment by improving the landscaping. And more for you is always good, right?

About the author: John Schmidt is a recognized authority on the subject of landscaping. His web site, www.Landscape-Montana.com, a wealth of information, info on 3-D landscape plans, and links on everything you?ll ever need to know about landscaping your real estate.

How to Choose the Right Paper Part 1

Choosing the right paper for your project is more complex than just picking the most expensive sheet and keeping your fingers crossed.

In fact, you shouldn?t think about choosing paper based on the highest quality available, or the highest quality you can afford. Rather, you should figure out the most appropriate quality paper for your needs because most appropriate equals best.

The point is -- no one sheet fits every project. Paper is complicated. It is three-dimensional and, in addition, no two print jobs are ever alike. The ink coverage, batch of paper, and moisture in the air -- all will affect the production of a printed piece.

We?ve compiled our top ten tips to help you find the right paper for your projects and here in Part 1, are 3 priorities to consider when making your selection.

Consider Paper Early On
As soon as the preliminary design is done, spec your paper and get quotes from printers. Tell your printer you are open to suggestions, not substitutes, but suggestions.

Depending on the sheet size your printer plans to use, small changes like 1/16th of an inch in the width of your piece can sometimes make a big difference to allow the job to fit better on the sheet. At this stage, you can still make small adjustments to the design, but not when the client has signed-off on the final proof.

Getting your quotes early will also make you aware of any turn-around times you should consider in your deadline. Make adjustments if the paper you have specked is readily available from your local merchant (1 day) or has to be shipped from the mill?s warehouse (2-5 days).

A lot of mills also offer custom sheet sizes to minimize your paper waste and help you save on your overall paper cost. But you need to know early, which paper you want to print on, as these orders can take anywhere from 5-14 days.

I know paper availability is a big concern for many of you, so we will have an extra Paper Tip about this in a week or two.

Personality
Consider the life span of your printed piece. Is it a direct marketing piece, that on a good day, 5% of the recipients will look at? Or does your piece have a longer life span like an annual report, a marketing brochure or catalogue?

The personality of your piece, its life span, texture, color and coating determine the price range and quality of your paper, in addition to your budget.

Ask yourself what impression the piece should make. A non-profit organization asking for financial support sends a mixed message when its mailer is printed on a premium stock. Premium paper suggests luxury and the recipient may think, ?why bother, they seem to have enough money anyway.?

If you are printing a job that reflects environmental issues, choose papers with recycled content, visible fibers or a mixed composition with a lower brightness and a texture that conveys the environmental feel.

For projects that suggest luxury, metallics, iridescents, suede, leather and other specialty papers create a stunning first impression.

Finish
When designing a piece, we designers have a very clear idea of what kind of finish will enhance our design. Some designs ask for gloss, some need a matte finish -- don?t mess with us, we know what we want.

If color and crisp image or photographic reproduction is your concern, a coated gloss, matte or silk sheet is always a great and safe choice. But, there is definitely a trend toward uncoated sheets.

Large corporations are aiming to portrait a softer, more understated image. With fluorescent inks and knowledgeable prepress technology, the natural surface of uncoated papers is an ideal background for four-color process printing.

The paper is not only there to give the ink a foundation, but to enhance the design of the image you want to portray. A great example is the Eddie Bauer piece that fits the company?s personality to a ?T.? The texture and feel of the uncoated Neenah stock gives the impression of a sketchbook or diary kept while on a relaxing trip through the great outdoors.

Create a special interest even with a one-color print job. Don?t shy away from trying something new, like unusually textured or specialty papers that already are a trend in Europe and are gaining more and more popularity here. The new generation of production techniques make it easier to convert, print and finish these sheets.

Check back for Part 2 and Part 3 of How to Choose the Right Paper.

Sabine Lenz is the founder of PaperSpecs, the first interactive paper guide specifically designed for the design/print industry. For more than 15 years, she has been a graphic designer in Germany, Australia, and the U.S.

Ms Lenz worked on design projects ranging from corporate identities to major road shows and product launches. From start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, her list of clients included Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Deutsche Bank, IBM and KPMG.

Seeing designers struggle worldwide to stay current with new papers and paper trends inspired Ms Lenz to create PaperSpecs, an independent, comprehensive web-based paper guide and to publish a weekly e-zine. She is also a speaker on paper issues and educational topics related to the paper industry.

http://www.paperspecs.com

Phoenix Real Estate Schools

Travel and home magazines describe Phoenix as a tropical paradise. Financial and investment publications feature articles about the real estate situation in Phoenix and its rich economic vitality. As a result of this demand for property, real estate brokers and agents have a thriving practice. This has motivated many people to seek a career in the real estate business. As in any other field, professionals in the real estate business require specialized education.

Real estate schools coach and train aspiring real estate agents and guide them through the mandatory certification and examination process. These schools also offer their expertise in helping a student acquire real estate licenses.

Real estate schools in Phoenix offer online courses and the duration ranges from a month to a year. Typically, one year of study is required to complete a pre-license course. Completing a pre-license course gives students 63 hours of credit, which is required as a prerequisite for the real estate sales associate license. On completion, a student would have met the educational prerequisite to appear for the Phoenix State Exam. It is not necessary to be a U.S. Citizen or a Phoenix resident to obtain a Phoenix real estate license. The eligibility criterion are that the applicant must be at least 18 years of age, he/she should not have had a real estate license denied within one year or revoked within the two years prior to the application date.

Phoenix real estate schools provide adequate knowledge and support to its students in order to make them masters of the profession. It is advisable to plan the course as per each individual?s requirements and availability of time.

In recent times, many real estate schools have sprung up in Phoenix. Experts advise caution when choosing one for enrollment. Some of these schools are relatively new and do not have sufficient credentials to back their claims. It is believed that many don't even have a standardized curriculum. Choosing a reputed real estate school with a updated curriculum and practical sessions is critical to becoming a successful real estate professional.

Real Estate Schools provides detailed information on Real Estate Schools, Online Real Estate Schools, Phoenix Real Estate Schools, Scottsdale Real Estate Schools and more. Real Estate Schools is affiliated with Real Estate Agent Courses.

Travelers Check

What Are The Important Things I Should Know To Take When I Pack For My Cruise?

South Bend on the Web's Hottest House Sites

With the advent of Web 2.0, many real estate Web-sites are offering new services and new hype. Though well-funded national Web-sites can offer staggering technical services, much of real estate remains local and beyond their ken. Additionally, South Bend is a secondary market, so many services aren?t active in our area. Below is a look at four of the best new real estate Web-sites and their performance in South Bend. The sites are often entertaining and useful, but they lack the local knowledge and human touch real estate often requires.

Zillow

Experience: Zillow offers a map based search of homes, allowing you to learn Zillow?s estimated value of each property. While the idea of easy access to every homes value is compelling, these estimates reportedly vary wildly. Phoenix based Greg Swann recently wrote a lengthy article about the inaccuracy of their ?Zestimates.? Regardless of their accuracy, Zillow has NO data on South Bend homes.

Analysis: A great technical format with a possibly flawed premise. Estimated home values created sight unseen or by a formula should not be considered authoritative. You can check the assessed tax value of your South Bend home to see another often innacurate formula-based valuation.

Realtor.com

Experience: This is the most established player, run by the National Association of Realtors. A quick search returned 1,644 properties for sale in South Bend. Their ?request a showing? button summons a form for you to enter your contact information, which will be sent to a Realtor as a ?lead.? Searching for a realtor in South Bend returns seven pages of Realtor mug shots and Web-site links with little to differentiate them.

Analysis: An ad-heavy but functional way to view properties in the area, but a poor way to choose a Realtor.

Redfin

Experience: This is a limited service online brokerage with the motto ?we refund 2/3 of your commission.? It?s an interesting addition to brokerage options where it is available, currently only in San Francisco and Seattle (not in South Bend). It is also for those who are already VERY comfortable with buying and selling homes. If successful it will eventually reach Indiana.

Analysis: The search is akin to Realtor.com with a limited scope but better technology. You use a map and search for active listings based on your criteria. After you find a property the difference is stark. Redfin offers only on-line and phone support. This is as close as you can currently come to buying a home on the Web. Don?t expect much guidance or much of a personal touch.

Craig?s List

Experience: This is the local version of the popular, text-based on-line classified. It?s worth scanning for hidden gems, but contains many ads which are not for South Bend real estate, e.g. ?great leads for Realtors? and ?Invest or Retire in Arizona.? Analysis: Craig?s List?>South Bend?>Real Estate has its place, but is better for apartments and rentals than for residential homes.

Nick Molnar is founder and editor of the South Bend Area Blog, and resident of South Bend, Indiana. He can be reached by e-mail at nick@realst8.com.

Real Estate Agent Web Sites Penny Wise and Content Rich

Do you need a Realtor website that manages all your leads? One that streamlines your work for efficiency, and has the automated real estate marketing solutions you can rely on while you're busy working all your leads and clients?

Let me answer for you. Yes, you do!

Whether you're starting a new real estate agency or are looking for a new design for your real estate agent web site, some other things to consider when designing a web site include the level of support you'll receive from your site builder, the resources that a web designer offers and the search engine friendliness of your web site package.

Well designed sites allow agents to receive vital information about their visitors and facilitate immediate follow up! A few Agent and Realtor tools offered by the better sites included the following

Lead Generating Guest Book Package
VIP Home Buyer Program
Community Subdivisions
Online Home Loan Prequalification
Virtual Tours
And Much, Much More!

Many companies also offer automated email follow up systems, aka drip systems, for sales agents who wish to augment their lead follow up process with a tool that automatically stays in touch with potential customers. This is a pretty cool feature, as once you set up the email messages you can put it on automatic and it'll automatically follow-up on every lead that emails for information.

Content Is King!

Your web site should include lots of relevant content to increase your chances of being found in the search engines. You should also be able to customize titles, descriptions and keywords. And the ability to generate reports and perform FREE Auto/Manual submissions to select search engines is a must. If not you'll end up having to extra for what some web site building programs provide as a free service.

Don't have time to create content for your site? Join the club, as many other real estate agents are in the same predicament. They need web content to increase site visits and boost search engine rankings, but don't have the time to devote to everything else that they need to be doing. So, they use pre-written content, which I highly recommend!

Good Web Site Design

Good web site design is a critical element of designing a user friendly web site. The design and layout are important features that actually bring users to your site and keep them there.

A major aspect of your web site design is the web site navigation. If the navigation of your site is poor the user will leave the web site quickly, without taking the time to look at your content. If your web site is difficult to read, or has unappealing font size and colors and is otherwise unappealing the visitors may leave because of it, too. Consequently, a good, clean, simple and easily navigated web site is the best type of site to create.

Some people like to use side navigation bars to guide visitors through their sites, while others like to use navigation bars found at the top of the web site pages. But placement is not as important as consistency, so that whichever you use it is consistent and visitors will always know where to go to move to another page. I don't have a personal preference, and am usually guided by the look and feel that I want to project.

The most successful real estate agents and brokers realize the value of agency websites and are constantly working to improve them. Still, many have web sites that are difficult and costly to maintain. Some of the questions to ask are:

Should your agents have access only to certain parts of your administration panel, and not others? How will you manage listings? Are you using a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? How Can A Real Estate Web Site Boost Your Business? These are just a few of the questions you'll have to answer as you move forward with building or improving your web site.

Summarily, the most successful real estate agents usually have lots of leads, buyers and sellers. And one lead generating system that works well is online marketing with Real Estate Agent Web Sites. They're relatively inexpensive these days, but can give a serious boost to your real estate marketing result

Visit Real Estate Marketing Talk for more information about Real Estate Agent Web Sites.

When Oncologists Said Elevated Platelets Count After chemotherapy Was Good!

Jenny (not real name), 53 years old, was diagnosed with left breast cancer in January 2006. A mastectomy was done followed by chemotherapy. After her first chemotherapy on 22 February 2006, Jenny felt weak with a heavy head. She vomited for three days. Jenny was supposed to have 8 cycles of chemotherapy but after her fourth chemotherapy, she decided to stop chemotherapy totally. This was because of the severe side effects.

On 29 November 2006, we interviewed Jenny. Below is the transcript of our conversation.

Question: Okay, when you did your second, third and fourth chemo, did the doctor know you were on herbs?

Jenny: No. I hinted about taking herbs during my consultation. They said: ?No, no, no. Don?t take herbs.? But I took it quietly without their knowledge. After the fourth chemo and it was time for the fifth chemo, I called and informed them that I intended to stop the treatment. I told them that I am a Christian and I believe in God?s healing. I heard from God to stop the chemo. And I said I wanted to go for herbs. Initially the oncologist said, ?Okay, it?s your choice. Do whatever you want. If you have any problems you can come back here.? I accepted that.

Jenny?s Platelet Count Went Up

Jenny: Every few weeks I had my blood test done before this. Every blood test, the blood platelets kept going up. My friends told me through their experiences the blood platelets usually go ?down? not ?up?. If it is ?up? it is not good. Also the red blood cells must go up, white blood cells must go up but the blood platelets must come down. When I saw my blood platelets went up, I asked the oncologist. He told me, ?No, it is okay. All must go up. Then your body is responding to the chemo.? So, I was very happy and continued with my second, third and fourth chemo. The platelets went up higher and higher until it exceeded the range. So, for the third and fourth chemo, the platelets already exceeded the range. I asked the oncologist: ?The platelet had already exceeded the range! Is it dangerous?? The doctor replied, ?No, it?s good! It must go up?.

One month after I stopped the chemotherapy, I went back to him again for a check up. They did a blood test and found that the platelets count was dropping. The red blood cells and the white blood cells were up, but the platelets came down. Seeing this I panicked because the oncologist said the platelet count must go up. Initially, when I entered the room, the oncologist said: ?You are doing very well. You are okay.? But as we went through the readings of the blood and came to the part on platelets count, from 600+ it dropped to 300, I asked him, ?How? Why it dropped so much? Last time you said 600+ is good. Now, it has dropped to 300+. What is wrong with this? Is it okay?? Then he said, ?Well, you go for herbs. That is why it is like this. You go for organic food, you believe in God?s healing ? that is why it is like that! What organic food you are talking about. What is organic food?? I was very confused. I felt like crying. I had no one to consult.

I went to have another test done at the Wellness Laboratory. Yes, the platelets dropped to half the amount! I enquired from the technician about this drop in platelet count. He told me it was good for me. Eh? I was dumbfounded. There were two opposing views and I didn?t know whom to believe. Then I waited until you (Dr. Teo) came and spoke to you. Then, you clarified that it was good that the platelet count went down.

Question: Your impression was that you were doing badly after the blood test showed a drop in the platelet reading?

Jenny: Yes.

Comment:

With regards to the platelet count, when the oncologist said: It is good. It must go up! The body is responding to the chemo, he was both deadly wrong and also right. He was deadly wrong because a rise in platelet count or thrombocythemia, may cause clotting in blood vessels and abnormal bleeding. Abnormal clotting of the blood is a more common complication than abnormal bleeding. A blood clot can occur in either an artery or less frequently, in a vein. This complication can be very serious if the clot blocks blood flow to an organ, such as the brain (causing a stroke) or heart (causing a heart attack). The oncologist was absolutely right when he said abnormal elevation of platelets was the body?s response to chemotherapy except that it is NOT for good, it could be deadly!

What is real sad about this case is that the oncologist did not tell his patient the truth! He misled her ? either deliberately or through sheer ignorance!

For more information about complementary cancer therapy visit: http://www.cacare.com, http://www.NaturalHealingForYou.com, http://www.BookOnCancer.com

Covenants Easements Eminent Domain and Restrictions in Real Estate

Owning property and it's legislated bundle of legal rights can become complex when you aren't aware when your rights are being violated. Once a property survey is done, it might include easements and encroachments which might affect the value of your property. Or, if you're purchasing a home in a Homeowners Association (HOA), you will be presented with the covenants and restrictions, and most deeds carry covenants on animals and other non-residential uses, make sure you read them carefully. Eminent domain has been a hot topic in 2006, as the Federal Courts have ruled in a new direction that has wide implications for homeowners across the nation.

Covenants. Is an agreement contained in a deed or Homeowners Association to limit or deny certain uses such as barnyard animals, industrial noise or waste. In HOA's covenants can eliminate motor homes or dictate that garbage cans are hidden from view.

Easements. A right given and assigned to a specific third party to use land for a specific function. Most properties grant easements to utility companies for water, sewer, cable, power and telephone lines. You can also give a neighbor an easement for their driveway to run over your property if theirs is land-locked. Many resort subdivisions grant easements to lake front beaches to homeowners who do not have lake frontage.

Eminent Domain.The power of local, county, state or U.S. Government to condemn and purchase at current market value a property to be used for public use; such as a road, school or hospital. Recent rulings have changed this to include the highest and best use for a property, including purchasing a single-family home for re-development as condominiums.

Restrictions. Similar to covenants in that they restrict fence heights or the number of cars you can park overnight outside a garage, the number and type of pets in a HOA or the style and color of alterations to your home.

? Copyright 2006 Mark Nash

Mark Nash, is a residential real estate author, broker, columnist and writer based in Chicago. His fourth book 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home received eighteen five star reviews on Amazon.com. His latest book; Real Estate A-Z for Buying & Selling a Home will be published in December 2006. Mark publishes a free monthly ezine for real estate professionals. Agent to Agent features ten articles that offer free reprints for agents, home buyers and sellers through EzineArticles.com . Real estate news and book reviews, Celebrity Homestyles, Home selling and buying tips and advice, Joke-of-the-Month, Help this Agent, and agent marketing tips. Over 5000 subscribers in the U.S. & Canada. Subscribe at: http://www.1001realestatetips.com/forrealestateagents.html

The Causes of Child Obesity

Real Estate Schools

When a person is looking for the right living or office space, but does not know how to go about the buying process, then a real estate broker or agent is the person to approach. These professionals not only help a buyer find and select the right property, but also get some of the best deals for their customers. Today, careers in the real estate industry are highly rewarding. Hence, the importance of real estate schools arises.

Aspiring real estate agents are offered real estate pre-license, post-license and continuing education courses in the classroom. They are also provided with online courses. There are various schools that pass knowledge in this faculty. Conveniently located in various states, these schools have been training real estate professionals for more than 20 years. They help a majority of students obtain real estate licenses.

Online real estate courses offered are also second to none. Students are offered online sales associate pre-licensing and online post-licensing courses, with a wide variety of supplemental material to help students pass the real estate exam. Real estate schools offer thorough training to the candidates, making sure they will be prepared the day of their exams.

It is said that choosing the best real estate school can be a tough decision. There is an eligibility criterion that needs to be fulfilled in order to apply for the real estate license. To begin with, the student must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED. In order to apply, a candidate needs to submit application to the Division of Real Estate with the appropriate fee. He must also complete and pass the state approved 63-hour sales associate pre-license course.

Real estate schools have grown in popularity over the years. Most of what is taught in real estate pre-license classes, courses, and training is designed to help the student know what is required to be a qualified licensed real estate professional. In addition to this, one needs good communication and persuasion skills to make a successful career in real estate.

Real Estate Schools provides detailed information on Real Estate Schools, Online Real Estate Schools, Phoenix Real Estate Schools, Scottsdale Real Estate Schools and more. Real Estate Schools is affiliated with Real Estate Agent Courses.

Custom Steel Buildings

Custom steel buildings offer a fast track approach to traditional methods of construction. Custom steel buildings are designed for unique application. The customer can design the size, shape or color and can include any equipment to custom steel buildings. Custom steel buildings offer high quality construction, engineering service, special size, quick assembly time, controlled factory service and customer service. Custom steel buildings are widely used for offices, schools, warehouses, wineries, hangars, churches and in recreation areas.

Custom steel building design is based on certain factors. They include determining the size, analyzing situations and recommending alternatives. In custom design of buildings, multiple arch spans share a common structural support system. Low profile roof systems are designed to traditional wall design systems. In custom steel building system, only side wall support systems are designed by the customer. Support arch structures are also planned with a traditional interior support system. Various department personnel review the designs of custom steel buildings and their scope. Some companies accept online quotes for designs. Others take orders directly from customers through sales personnel. Companies assist customers in designing their buildings in the most economical way.

Custom steel buildings offer better quality at lower cost. They have many advantages over traditional buildings. Construction costs of customized steel buildings are always less than that of traditional buildings. Custom steel buildings can reduce the labor cost and procurement time for construction. It is easy to assemble and maintain custom steel buildings. In custom steel building, customized interior and exterior can be added to the basic model of the building.

Various companies offer sophisticated techniques and systems for custom steel buildings. Some companies have a resource library that consists of products and services. The cost of custom steel buildings cannot be predicted. It varies with building dimensions and unit mix within the structure. Companies have pre-designed plans for cost savings and speed of delivery. Some companies offer software through which customers can design and quote building prices within minutes. Custom steel building systems provide service to traditional and non-traditional building customers. Traditional building customers include construction and design for professional service. Non-traditional building customers include companies, religious organizations and real estate developers.

Steel Buildings provides detailed information on Steel Buildings, Commercial Steel Buildings, Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Storage Buildings and more. Steel Buildings is affiliated with Metal Building Kits.

Backgammon Board Setup

If you want to learn to play backgammon and you already know how to play checkers it would be piece of cake as it is very muck like checkers. Basically it is the same concept except some little differences. The board set up is quite simple and you can have a backgammon game ready to be played in a couple of minutes.

Backgammon set up is easy. Both the game pieces and the board come in the same box. The more experienced players may already own a complete set with board and game pieces; they could choose to personalize it.

You can purchase the boards from any game store or department. They are pretty cheap and are perfect gifts for your kinds or friends.

Into a backgammon box you should find a board and thirty checkers of two colors. Take out the board from the box and split the game pieces by color, one color for each of the two players. They will be placed on the board in a specific order before the game starts.

Also in the box should be a pair of dice which will be rolled and each player will take turn and move his checkers with the number marked on the dice to the opposite end of the board.

Each player will try to get all of his fifteen checkers to the home board and then bear them off. The first player to bear off all of their checkers wins the game.

It is a very fun game that you can even play on the go. The board set up is fun and easy and the clean up is even faster. If you choose for a travel board, they are smaller and more compact so they are easier to keep in the car or in the office so you can play the game whenever and where you please. The game cases are useful for keeping all the pieces together so you don't misplace them.

You can even choose to have your game board and checkers custom made. They can be made of wood, plastic or even glass if you want. And if you like to play a lot you can have them made from lasting material so they don't get worn out for several years.
About the Author

New trend has Christians becomming walking billboards

There's a a growing movement that has everyday Christians sharing their faith in untraditional ways.

Its called lifestyle evangelism - using the places and situations you find yourself in each day to share your faith.

And it's often done without words at all, through the wearing of Christian clothing and Christian jewelry.

The design and style of religious clothing has changed greatly over the years. This year, it's as sophisticated, stylish and trendy as regular clothing.

The big difference is in the message. Christian T- Shirts, for example, deliver catch Bible verses in sharp and bold designs.
For example, one shirt aimed at sportsmen is in camo green and emblazoned with the image of a huge buck deer. The message reads: Are you Hunting.... For God. A subtle Bible verse accompanies the design.

Another, aimed at football nuts, has the image of a referee with the words Penalty Declined boldly splashed across the chest, followed by Romans 4:8, which says Blessed are they whose sin the Lord does not charge against them.

There are other Christian shirts that parody top TV shows, pop advertising campaigns, slogans and images. One of the most popular sold by by the Christian Christian Shopper Web store is a dark navy shirt that mimmicks the style of the wellknown Abercrombie and Fitch logo.... except the words on this shirt read A Breadcrumb and a Fish and tell the story of the feeding of the 5,000 from Matthew 15, noting that He still works miracles.

Mike Fletcher, the owner of Online Christian Shopper, says Christian clothing has extremely popular this year.

We live in a T-Shirt culture, he says. Too often, the messages on secular T-Shirts is crude or offensive. Christian T-Shirts bring a message of hope and joy. You should hear the stories I get from customers who wear them and end up having very meaningful spiritual conversations with total strangers. They are a great evangelism tool and today's shirts are so sharp and stylish that they can be worn just about everywhere.

Fletcher says industry experts say that a Christian T-Shirt is typically read by over 3,000 people during its lifetime of wear.
They let people literally become living, walking around, breathing billboards for Christ, he says.

While Christian shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and the like are appropriate for everyday wear, there are some situations where they just don't work - like the office or at formal gatherings.

That's where Christian jewelery comes in. It used to be a simple cross was the only choice in Christian jewelry.

That's all changed now as the lifestyle evangelism trend has taken off. Christian rings, necklaces, earrings and braclets have become hugely popular in recent years. Rings in the design of a crown of thorns, with the name Jesus, or bearing the image of a dove or the ancient fish symbol for a Christian are hot sellers. There are even toe rings now for Christians.

The success of Christian clothing and Christian jewelry has spread to other areas.

One of the hottest items this year picks up on the digital music craze. An item just released in time for the 2006 holiday shopping season is a suit for the Apple Computer iPod. The iPod suit is a case that wraps around either the nano or the larger iPod video model. Constructed from soft Neoprene and flexible vinyl, the Pod Suit allows full access to all controls and comes with a sturdy clip is perfect for attaching the iPod to a belt, purse or backpack. It's message? Tune in to God.

Fletcher says Christians are embracing the lifestyle evangelism movement because they have grown tired of being marginalized by society.
People tell me all the time that they want to share their faith but they didn't know how until they realized that they could make a statement by the clothes they wear, he says. They love being able to let the world know that they follow Christ and that all is not gloom and doom out there.

About the Author

Online Christian Shopper (http://www.onlinechristianshopper.com) is one of the Internet's most popular Christian Websites, specializing in Christian clothing, Christian jewelry and Christian art posters. The site's companion Web log is at http://www.faithfulchristian.com/blog

Panama Real Estate Market

Panama has been the center of attention of late for not only its growing tourism sector and international banking hub, but most notably its real estate boom. Panama is in the midst of a real estate gold rush right now, and it seems like everyone and their cousin is out panning.

Today?s Panamanian economy is growing more than 6% annually with the possibility of exceeding 7% in 2006 according to The Latin Business Chronicle (9-19-2006). Additionally, the IMF has said that Panama is set to grow more than any other country in Latin America next year. With speculations like these, it becomes clear why people, the world over, are migrating to Panama to invest their money.

Arrive today in Panama and you?ll see masses of cranes in use, building projects in the heart of Panama City as well as along the coast. Donald Trump recently decided to get in on the action by stamping his name on a project that?s now being touted as the finest luxury condo building in the continent. Located near the high-end Multiplaza mall and Johns Hopkins hospital (the first outside of the USA), Trump?s neighborhood appears to be getting all the attention it deserves.

The development isn?t limited to the city though. Just one hour outside the city sits Coronado and its surrounding towns, where beach condominiums, residential communities and all-inclusive resorts nudge right up against the quiet beaches of the Pacific. Further West sits Boquete, and their northern neighbor Bocas del Toro where real estate has taken off like a bottle rocket.

Certain celebrities are getting in on the action as well: The Robb Report?s Joan Tapper reports that Mick Jagger, Bruce Willis, and Tommy Lee Jones are among Hollywood?s elite investing in their own little piece of heaven. The Azuero Peninsula seems to have grasped Panama?s dark horse status, as an area with so much to offer yet so little development?yet, that is.

The government has invented a bunch of friendly investment laws encouraging foreigners to invest and with its northern neighbor, Costa Rica now making so much noise, Panama is getting more and more attention. Investors are impressed with its stable economy, sturdy political system, and first-rate infrastructure, and while many just come down for vacation, they often don?t want to leave.

Matt works on Land for sale in Panama as well as Panama properties.

The Trick To Life

What forces that first step, when you first go travelling or make that first big decision at life?s major crossroads?

For me it was when I'd left school and worked for about a year and a half. I was going to travel, but began to drift and get into a comfort zone. Then the guy who owned the business came in and said, 'We have to start talking about your pension scheme Rob, for when you retire.

The Earth tilted.

At lunch I went into town and bought a tent, sleeping bag, backpack and a train ticket to Paris for that night, then went back to work and handed in an instant notice.

The next day I was outside Paris with my thumb in the air, with a bottle of red win, lump of cheese, a French loaf, an apple and a bar of chocolate in my bag. I walked passed over a hundred people hitching and got to the back of the line, turned and the first car that passed, stopped and picked me up.

That whole decision, choice process, finally led me to Australia seven years later. Providence stepped in and led the way.

The evening before I caught the train, I nearly didn't. It was so hard to leave the house, my family, my comfort zone, but that first step was magic, because the second was easier, and after that it was just adventure.

Nothing compares to that sense of total freedom. For some it drives them insane, but for me the not knowing what?s going to happen or where I?m going to be, or even where I am, from one moment to the next is the most exhilarating feeling I have found.

Twenty-one years later I am still in Australia, but see it as still part of the trip. I have two wonderful teenage children, a marriage that sadly didn?t work but one that most definitely is working and a long list of successes and interesting learning curves we wont call failures. Businesses, jobs, adventures, life, and all because I took that first step out of the house.

People like to plan their future, but the planning can stop them from getting to where they really want to be. With a plan there is often little room for the unexpected, and life is all about the unexpected.

Sitting back and waiting for things to happen the way you want them is a recipe for dying sad and full of regrets. There is no second-guessing the Universe. We have no idea what?s going to happen once we make the step to where we want to be, because Providence will step in as well and lead us to places we never dreamed.

And what may seem the worst possible luck, often leads to the best possible outcome.

I fell down a donkey track on a Greek Island and fractured my ankle. It was agony, and the injury swelled up so I couldn?t put any weight on it. 27 years later it?s still swollen.

I?d been running to meet a boat, as in return for free accommodation, food and copious amounts of wine the old lady of the house asked me to meet all the ferries and bring paying customers back to her ?Rooms For Let? in the village.

This was a great deal, but I was late and ran instead of walked down a donkey path. For an hour I lay there, missing all the big ferries carrying thousands of people, before finally hobbling to the port and watching a tiny, twenty person ferry pull alongside the jetty.

A girl walked off, and I asked her if she wanted a room. She said yes, and as a result I travelled to Australia four and a half years later to visit this girl for a holiday, and ended up staying. We didn?t stay together, but we still see each other sometimes, and our children have been in the same class together for most of their schooling. If I hadn?t fallen over, this simply wouldn?t have happened. I would have gone in another direction.

Life is full of these twists and turns. Full of ?what if? moments that if we thought about them, would send us crazy and paralyse us into not moving ? in case we got it wrong.

But there is no ?wrong?. There is what works and what doesn?t work sure, but right and wrong, these are concepts we?ve made up and we?re the only species to do it.

We?re the only species that do a lot of things that maybe it shouldn?t. Our planet is in crisis because of our actions, but this is just an example of what works and what doesn?t, if only we?d learn!

The secret is so simple. We are in charge of our lives in that we get to choose whether to live a life of doing, or watching other people do. Living a life of fear, of worrying about what others will think or believing a lifelong belief we made up about not being good at or able to do what we want, is a choice we make. It isn?t forced upon us.

I have been privileged recently to work with a small group of severely disabled children and their families. I have been humbled, touched, moved and inspired by who these people are and I swear, I will never take ANYTHING I do for granted again.

For all our complaining about what is and isn?t right about our lives and the world, these children cannot do anything for themselves, yet they smile, they laugh in spite of the fact their brains are functioning just like ours and they can think, reason, dream and imagine just like us, but they cannot ?do?. Many cannot communicate in any way.

If you?re dreaming about doing something, take the first step and try not to have pre-conceived ideas of what it will all look like. It?s all about the first step, and having the courage to make it AND accept; to go with whatever comes next.

And the trick to life is simple. Find whatever it is you?re passionate about. If you don?t know, go on a quest to find out. Try everything until you find it.

And you?ll know when you do, because your heart will race faster, your tummy will turn and there will be a zithering sensation through your body that you get from nothing else. It?s the thing that makes you jump out of bed in the morning and cant wait to get started on.

If you don?t have this now, then change. Life is a stunning adventure in which we take the lead. And then ? it?s over.

Take the step, hold on tight, and don?t forget to breathe and enjoy the moment.

Rob Daniel is a children?s author and presenter, who visits schools to run workshops in creative writing, memory and self-esteem. He also runs a creative writing online studio at: http://www.chocmint.com for aspiring writers and illustrators of all ages. Rob is also doing his TEFL course to teach English overseas because it provides him with both his passions. Travelling, and making a positive difference to young people.

Is Property in the South of France Really That Expensive?

It is true that the South of France is one of the most expensive areas of France for property for sale. However, if you are prepared to compromise a little on size there are plenty of lovely little apartments and houses available for under 200,000 Euros.

At the time of writing, one incredibly good value residence on the Riviera just 20 minutes from the beach in Signes is situated in an activity park surrounded by lush pine forest. This residence was designed as a hamlet and is an excellent place from which to explore the rest of Provence - from its medieval villages to its colourful landscape and Mediterranean coastline. Prices for studios start at 75,000 Euros and offer either classic freehold or leaseback purchase with guaranteed rental income of up to 5% which is unusually high for this part of France with prices equally low.

Another highly sought after location in France is Uzes with its historical centre with remnants of its Roman past. Small boutiques, unassuming restaurants tucked away in tiny alleyways and its local markets rich in local produce fill the charming town. There is a luxury development only a few minutes walk from the historical centre at a prestigious address surrounded by landscaped gardens with its own private pool for the residents. It is not often you see such a well located new build residence and even less at such keen prices: from just 113,000 Euros you can invest in a spacious 1 bedroom apartment with a terrace and with the option for guaranteed rental of up to 4.78%.

New Build Property for Sale:

New build property has many advantages:

- Small notary fees of just 2 to 3% compared to 7 to 10% for a traditional sale

- Very low maintenance costs as repairs are negligible

- Off-plan property will usually increase in value considerably by completion date 24-18 months later

- Builders guarantee for 10 years

- You can often modify designs and choose interiors to suit your personal taste

- Often an option for guaranteed rental income (depending on development)

but perhaps older character property is more to your taste? If you are looking for a small house in a rural provencal village then with a budget of 200,000 Euros you can get on the proverbial ladder.

So even in the South of France you can find great value property for sale....

Nick Dowlatshahi is the managing director of Leapfrog Properties, a UK specialist agency in French property. Leapfrog offer an online database of up to 200,000 properties for sale in France plus a personal service from fluent French speakers to help you find, view and buy your property. Leapfrog Properties website is at http://www.leapfrog-properties.com.

2007 Fiesta BowlA Game Never To Be ForgottenAnd A Team Still Without A Shot At 1

Who would have ever thought? Who could have ever predicted? Who could have ever imagined? The answer to all of the above is NO ONE! It would have been virtually impossible for any body to envision that the 2007 Fiesta Bowl would unfold the way it did, in an unthinkable fashion!

At the end of a long and gut wrenching night, the Boise State Broncos prevailed. The underdog Broncos upended the Oklahoma Sooners 43-42 in overtime in one of the most dramatic finishes in BCS history. A statue of liberty, a hook and ladder, and last but night least, an engagement capped off the Boise State Broncos season in very impressive fashion.

So, the question remains? How does the BCS fix the problem that the Boise State Broncos created in deciding who should be number one? Or, at least have the shot at playing the best of the best! Yes, the Florida Gators proved to be a worthy national champion considering the way they defeated The Ohio State Buckeyes. But, how can you tell the players and coaches at Boise State that they don?t deserve a shot at playing Ohio State? The only two undefeated teams in the country! I guess we will never know.

The debate and conflict over the BCS will go on and on until it is fixed. Personally, I think it makes for great college football discussion, entertainment, and drama from a fans perspective. I just feel bad for the players and the coaches who put in such a terrible situation after practicing and playing their hearts out for months in hopes of being national champions of college football.

I leave you with this. Everyone has their own opinions, thoughts, and arguments about the BCS. I think that is what the BCS committee wants. They want 100% fan indulgence in college football and in the BCS?regardless of the ultimate end result it has on players and coaches. Don?t ever forget, that to the BCS committee, it is a business, not a game. They will do what sells tickets?and nothing less.

Ryan Rutman is an avid sports fan who loves to talk about sports and loves to share his thoughts on college sports. If you are an avid fan, visit Ryan?s website, http://www.collegesportsdvdstore.com, to view his library of some of the greatest moments in college sports history on DVD.