Switchplate Covers - Make Sure You Install New Ones When Remodeling

This past summer, you decided to take on a major remodeling project and now you are just a few short days of way from completing the whole thing. Before you consider it done though, make sure that you have all the little details in place and that includes installing new switchplate covers on your newly painted walls.

Why is installing new switchplate covers so important you ask? Well, look at it this way. You do not want to end up going through all this backbreaking work to improve the appearance of your home, only to thwart your efforts by putting the old, shoddy ones back on the walls, do you? Seriously, if you go with the old ones, you are going to ruin your homes whole new, beautiful motif by creating this weird, mismatched look.

So as you can see, it is pretty imperative that you go with new switchplate covers. The great thing about this wonderful fixture is that there are a wide variety of options available, making it pretty simple to find the perfect ones to match the style that you have going on in your space. For example, maybe the new decorative theme in your home is an antique one. Then, a great option for you would be ones crafted out of copper that feature rich, detailed scrollwork. Another lovely antique selection is one made out of brass that has a stunning oil rubbed bronze finish. Or, maybe you have more of a down home, country feel going on in your space. What would be ideal for you then is something crafted out of wood that is finished a rich color. Probably something that has a cherry or oak finish and you could even go with something crafted out of ceramic for this type of themed space as well. If you have more of a modern thing going on in your home, then you could turn to a number of brushed metal selections including antique pewter finished ones that feature a forged design and even a satin nickel finished one would work well.

And, those just mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how many there are to choose from. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and designs, do not believe it, just hit the web and do some online shopping. Some online vendors boast that they have hundreds of thousands of options, plus, if you buy from them, they will ship it right to you. That way you do not even have to hassle with leaving your home to get what you want. Now, it does not get any better than that.

In the end, if you want to complete that remodeling project of yours the right way, make sure that you have everything in place. That includes the little things, especially switchplate covers because you want to make sure that the look of your space is consistent and beautiful.

As the owner of many online sites, author Jennifer Akre, shares her insight on how to make a decorative impact in your space by installing fabulous switchplate covers, stylish switch plates, and luxurious light switch plate.

Pocket Door Problems

Lessons for Life: Charity

The Purpose: To teach that charity not only takes care of the needs of people that receive it, but warms the heart of the provider.

The Lesson

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling bell."
Bible, 1 Corinthians 13.1

So What is Charity Anyway?

For our purposes let's say it is a benevolent good well toward all mankind that is reflected in our actions toward those who are in need.

Some say that charity is the true love of God.

Did you really say that, Margaret?

Margaret Thatcher said that nobody would remember the Good Samaritan if he had not had money.

Really?

Such a silly statement!

It's true that he went out of his way to see that the man taken by robbers by paying for his care after he got the man into town.

But that is not the real story of the Good Samaritan.

Do you remember the story?

A man was taken by robbers and lay on the road near death. A Priest passed by, feared for his own life, and took a wide birth of the man. So did a Levite!

The man robbed was a Jew. The Priest was obligated to help the man, but he didn't help him.

Now the Levites were to look out for the down and out. Right? They even had cities of refuge for criminals.

Because of fear and indifference, he hurriedly passed by.

Then comes the Samaritan who has nothing to do with the Jews. He goes out of his way to help the man. He gets him into town where he is safe.

We would remember him just for that, wouldn't we?

Of course we would!

He did what the Priest or Levite should have done.

That was the point of the story. So Mrs. Thatcher isn't so smart after all.

Yes, the Samaritan's money improved the robbed man's condition, but that is not what saved the man's life.

Test Question: Which of the three, the Priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan (not counting the fact that the Samaritan had some money), had charity?

If you said, the Samaritan, give yourself a gold star.

Yes, he had a benevolent good well toward all mankind that was reflected in his actions toward those who are in need.

Just hearing the story of the Good Samaritan makes you want to do the right thing. When we see the good acts of others, it influences our actions. When we show charity, it helps others to see their potential to help others.

You don't need money to be benevolent. A charitable act does not have to require money. In fact, most of the charitable acts we see are a simple offering of time and energy.

Let's say the snow is twelve inches deep. You shovel your driveway and then help the old fellow next door shovel his. Now what did you offer? Money? No! Just some time and energy.

What are the benefits of charity?

The main benefit is to the person receiving the service, right? It may be, but there is something in benevolence that warms your soul. You did the right thing. You helped someone in need.

Yes, Charity can require money or assets.

It's hard to help starving children in Afghanistan if you live in Florida. But you can through a charity that services those children by donating money or clothing or whatever is required.

You can rush aid to disaster victims by donating to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Habitat for Humanity is building homes right now in the Southeast where we have so much damage. I worked on four such homes in Arizona. I gave more time than money to Habitat for Humanity. Now that I live in Idaho, I haven't worked for Habitat. But now I hear they are going to build in our little town. I'll try to be there swinging my hammer.

Your church or community might have a program that allows you to make blankets, or health kits, or teaching kits. That way, you can put your energy and time to a good cause.

Society depends on your benevolent good will.

The government can't do everything, can they? Recently, we have learned that they don't even know how! They need our know-how and help in these tough times.

Governments doesn't provide men in trucks to rush around after a snow storm to shovel the walks of widows.

They don't send the food trucks up and down city streets to feed the homeless. They don't pass out warm sleeping bags to these people. (Some won't go indoors.)

No, we should do our part.

It's true, we can't do everything, but we can do something.

We may restrict our activities to our neighborhood.

We may expand our activities to the world.

It's up to each of us to decide what our resources and limitations are.

Many wealthy persons have created foundations for charitable purposes. These foundations are very important to society.
They provide funding for charity, education, health services, museums, and a multitude of other purposes that benefit society.

Some wouldn't give a tinker's bell to a starving nun.

It's true that many who could make a difference in this world fail to give support where needed due to their own greed.

Now, Scrooge became a repentant man.

Yes, old Ebenezer Scrooge was a greedy critter that said, Send the poor to the poorhouse! That's what they are for!

Well, not exactly in those words.

He kept both hands on his purse less some poor soul needing a shilling or tuppence came by asking for help. He could use the purse to give the asker a whip across the face.

The Ghosts saved Scrooge

Scrooge saw the past, the present, and the future.

He saw his old partner, Marley, in chains!

He saw the straits of the Crockett family and Tiny Tim.

Scrooge changed his ways! Yes, he found Charity. Scrooge became a jolly old soul, tossing coins around like they were candy.
He rejoined his family and blessed the Crockett family with food and help for Tiny Tim. Why, Scrooge couldn't have been happier!

And maybe, that is the greatest thing about Charity.

It brings happiness to those who practice it.

For The Little Children

Billy was in the first grade. He lived with his four sisters and his two brothers on the poor side of town by the fair grounds. It was during the Great Depression before World War II when men could not get work to feed their families.

Billy had a loving mother who made bread every other day. She always had a big pot of beans or a pot of soup on the stove. Billy's daddy was out of work, but friends from the church made sure that the family did not go hungry. These same friends made sure that the family did not suffer from the cold. They made sure that the family had wood and coal to burn in their stoves.

Some of Billy's friends made fun of Billy because the family was poorer than their family. Some men were able to keep their jobs, but Billy's daddy ran a lumber yard and when people couldn't afford to buy lumber, the lumber yard closed. His daddy was out of work.

Billy felt sad that his daddy couldn't get work and that some of the other kids made fun of him. Then one day, a friend of Billy's named Bruce invited Billy to come home with him after school. Billy went with Bruce to his house a few blocks away from the school.

When they got to the house, Bruce said, Come on in! Bruce walked across the rickety boards of the porch and into the house. The house was dark and cold. When Bruce turned on the light in the kitchen, Billy looked down at the floor and could see dirt between the boards.

Billy said, Where is your mother and father?

Bruce said, Mother is at work. My father went away a long time ago. We don't know where he is. We think he jumped the train.

Billy knew the men that rode the train. Some called them bums or hobos. Billy often watched a hobo walk the two-and-a-half blocks from the tracks to his house. His mother always gave them bread and a plate of beans out the back door. If Father was home, he allowed the man to come in. Only one man was bad, and father sent him out the door with a stove poker.

The reason the hobos did not stop at the other houses was because they knew they would not be fed. Billy's address was written on a switch control box down by the tracks. The hobos would read the address and walk straight to Billy's house. They knew they would be fed there.

Billy felt sorry for Bruce and his mother, having no father to take care of them. Bruce opened the wood ice box. It was empty except for a metal bowl which had macaroni in it. The macaroni was as white as chalk. There was no cheese in it. Billy knew it had been cooked in water with nothing else added.

Bruce said, Do you want some macaroni?

Billy knew that there was hardly enough for Bruce. He said, No, thank you. I'm not hungry. You eat it, Bruce.

Bruce wolfed down the macaroni like he was starving. Billy thought that maybe he was, he was so skinny. Billy felt so sad that he had to leave Bruce. He said, I better be going home now, Bruce. My mother will wonder where I am.

When Billy got home, he was greeted by the warmth of the kitchen. Mother had made bread and there was the pot of beans on the stove. Billy knew that despite the fact that some of the other kids made fun of him for being poor, that he was rich indeed. He told Mother about how poor Bruce and his mother were. He knew that mother would try to do something about it.

What do you think his mother might have done?

(Yes, this is a true story.)

THE END

CopyrightJohn Taylor Jones, Ph.D. 2002-2005

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com), a retired college professor and business executive, Former editor of an international engineering magazine. To learn more about Wealthy Affiliate University go to his info site. If you desire a flagpole to Fly Old Glory, go to the business site.

More info: http://www.InternetBusinessToolCenter.com

Business web site: http://www.AAAFlagpoles.com

Electrical Outlet Problems

Why Choose Wood and How to Do it

Wood, as a durable material, does more good than just staying in our rainforests and providing homes for the animals in the wild. Wood provides lumber that is used for building homes and installation; hobbies such as sculpting and making furniture and a whole lot more. Techniques involving with woodworking as an art are carving, sawing, sanding, painting, laminating and finishing. So why choose wood? Lumber is readily available and it's a replaceable resource which can figure into plenty of resale value. This material never goes out of style. Some materials like vinyl may be pretty and are prominent on the market; however it is costly and lacks artistic detail. Using metal would mean having lack of strength causing it to dent, and in time it may rust.

Wood, as a choice, offers a sophisticated and personal look. Each section is as exclusive as ones fingerprints. Each variety has a diverse feel and a clear-cut personality. From an entirely aesthetic point of view, nothing matches the elegance and appeal that wood offers. Synthetic materials mimic wood, but they can only try. How can the quality, intensity and beauty be captured?

Unprocessed, untreated, natural or organic wood has massive ecological benefits against building materials that exist today. Wood is a hundred percent biodegradable, it functions as an excellent insulator, it is easier to process and uses a reduced amount of energy to manage than does steel, aluminum, concrete or plastic.

Many high class efficient construction techniques exist today. Conventionally, the use of wood framing isn't the most efficient in house production. Although it is undeniable that it has certain advantages. Constructing homes using wood is also inexpensive and cost-effective. What's more is that experienced contractors aren't difficult to find when building framed walls.

In choosing the right flooring for a house, would you rather choose carpet, tile or wood? What are the advantages of having carpet? Sure it is slip resistant, comes in beautiful colors, and has a nice feel on the toes. Carpet may be all that but it can cause allergies especially with children. Given its texture, it traps in bacteria, dust and mold. Tile is easy to clean, but it can have a cold feel when walking barefoot. Hardwood is pretty easy to maintain and can cut down the number of allergy causing particles inside the home. Stepping on to any flooring made out of wood will make you appreciate the welcoming tones and shades.

Using wood isn't the only thing there is. The most important part is how to choose the material carefully for the purpose of protecting it from termites and from rotting. Outdoor decks or those used for landscaping are mostly unprotected and are housed by termites and therefore will decay. There are types of woods that are naturally resistant. These types include the cedar, cyprus and redwood. Problems with pest infestation is the result of a wood with soil contact. Treated wood made of composite materials is advisable when constructing wooden decks or porches or anything that may come in contact with soil. There are lumbers that are pressure-treated and are very much resistant to termites, other insects and rotting. They are processed with a sequence of pressure cycles forcing the wood preservative deep into the pores of the wood, therefore developing a chemical barricade against insects and decay.

There is available treated wood that has been observed to be successful with its performance. Its durability depends on its location and its use. The use of treated wood is determined by the retention of the wood, or the quantity of wood preservative placed. The lowest retention property (0.15 plus water repellant) mostly are used for gazebos, fence boards, hand rails, trellises, and decks. Retention property of 0.25 is used for trim and fascia, framing, flooring and sill plates. A retention property of 0.40 is mostly used with deck fence posts, deck support posts, and landscaping. Lastly, retention property of 0.60 is used for making permanent wood foundation and building poles.

The above article was written by Sarah Miller on behalf of a buzzing online Home Improvement community where homeowners easily and painlessly find the right contractor for their home improvement projects and in turn, contractors can find the right Home Improvement Leads! Also check out the QuoteCity.com Blog for more related Home Improvement Articles and Ideas.

Ice Dam Problems And Solutions

Deep Fried Turkey

The turkey is a large bird that is used for many delicacies. Deep frying turkey is very popular in the Southern United States, especially Louisiana. It is ideal for barbecues and outdoor parties. Deep frying retains the juiciness inside the turkey, while making the skin crispy. For deep frying, the ideal temperature is between 325 and 365 degrees F. For turkeys that are less than 12 lbs in weight, the frying time is 2 minutes/pound. It is more than 3 minutes/pound for turkeys that are more than 12 lbs in weight.

Deep frying turkey requires certain equipment like a burner, pot, lifting rack, thermometer and more. Around 1 to 2 gallons of oil is required for frying a 12-15 lb turkey. The oil can be strained and filtered and used again. Peanut oil can be used 3 or 4 times, or until the oil turns bad. This can mean foaming, darkening, smelling or excessive smoking. Deep frying of turkey is best done outdoors, because it can be dangerous indoors.

Deep-Fried Turkeys may be seasoned with garlic, tiger sauce, red pepper, salt, kosher salt, or any other ready-to-use seasonings available in the market. Cajun seasoning is very popular. Paul Prudhomme's Poultry Magic, Creole seasoning, or Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning are other commonly used seasonings. Do not stuff the turkey.

The basic method for deep frying turkey is to heat oil in a pan up to 360 degrees. Temperature can be checked with an oil thermometer attached to the pan. You can use a big pan like the King Cooker or a large, thick stockpot (30-quart or bigger). Inject the marinade into the turkey using a flavor injector. Sprinkle the turkey with a dry rub, kosher salt, and other seasonings till the skin is dry. Insert the turkey slowly into the frying pan. Cook for some time, depending on the size of the turkey. Remove from pan and wrap it with aluminum foil. Wait for 30 minutes before carving it.

Here are some safety tips: Deep-Fried Turkey should be consumed immediately; the leftovers should be stored in the fridge within 2 hours after cooking; the areas which have come into contact with the raw turkey should be cleaned properly, and the oil should be completely cool before filtering and stoning.

There are many more dishes that can be prepared from Deep-Fried Turkey. These can be obtained from family members and friends. The best source is the Internet, which contains many sites that have Deep-Fried Turkey recipes.

Turkey provides detailed information about turkey, turkey hunting, turkey recipes, deep fried turkey and more. Turkey is the sister site of 1200 Calorie Diabetic Diets.

Strengthening the Grandparent Bond

Grandparents are an important part of every childs life because they can give a valuable gift: unconditional love. A warm, strong bond can enrich the lives of both generations. To succeed, it takes a partnership between parents and grandparents. Both need to respect each others role and keep the childs best interest in mind.

The mutual goal should be to encourage the bond between child and grandparent without putting Mom and Dad in an awkward middle position: Some suggestions:

Watch out for overindulgence. Its natural for grandparents to drop in, shower gifts on the kids, and then go home. Grandparents need to recognize that this can hurt parents, who need to maintain daily discipline. Before bringing gifts or treats, grandparents could ask if their plan is okay with the parents.

If grandparents tend to overindulge a child, parents can let them know how important they are in the childs life, but emphasize that affection and attention are more important than gifts. A parent might say, You dont have to buy Roger a new toy whenever you visit. What he really loves is going to the playground with you.

Know the ground rules, but expect some flexibility. If grandparents are lax about enforcing parents rules, parents should remember the priority is to let a child develop a close, lasting relationship with grandparents. This can be difficult if you say, Its time for bed, and Grandpa says, Oh, let her stay up another hour. Its a challenge if both child and grandparent align themselves against a parent, as when Grandma slips a child candy and says, Dont tell your Dad.

Grandparents should know what the parents rules are and not undercut them. But theres room for flexibility as long as both parents and grandparents agree in advance. For example, if bedtime is 9 p.m. at home, parents could okay a 10 oclock bedtime when the child visits Grandma on the weekend.

It helps to relax some rules when grandparents are around but parents should make it clear ahead of time that this is a special occasion. For example, When Grandpa visits this weekend, you wont have to go to bed quite so early or we may have some special treats we dont usually have. Parents can step out of the way for a while and let child and grandparent enjoy their time together.

Watch the criticism. In many families, grandparents still carry old criticisms of their adult child (Youre so unorganized), while parents still hang on to old reproaches from their youth (Youre too rigid) Voicing critical words in front of children can be harmful, especially if the discord focuses on how parents are raising their children.

Parents need to accept that many grandparents are unlikely to change. Its best to listen but if the criticism seems unwarranted, reply with a non-committal, Uh-huh. If a grandparent expresses differing opinions about health or food issues, a parent can simply say, The pediatrician said

Sometimes parents reject a grandparents directions because they resent the interference, but Grandpa may have some good advice. A useful tactic for parents: Occasionally ask for opinions before theyre offered.

Grandparents should remember to keep their advice to a minimum. When it is invited, express it in non-critical words. If its rejected, drop it.

Focus on the childs best interests. Its common for grandparents to voice disapproval of a childs dress, language, or behavior. But the bond between them is often damaged because grandparents dont recognize how important their views are to a child. Parents can remind grandparents in a non-confrontational way, I know you dislike the way Suzie dresses, but it hurts her feelings when you comment about it, and she really cares what you think of her.

Try not to play favorites. Its impossible to like all children equally, but its important not to show favoritism that hurts a childs feelings. Some grandparents are more comfortable with girls than boys and vice versa, or enjoy older rather than younger kids. Many grandparents may not realize theyre harming the less preferred child. The solution is as simple as becoming aware of the unintended favoritism.

If parents or grandparents notice that theyre showering one child with extra attention, try to foster a relationship with the other child by playing games or going to a movie with that child alone. Gradually, the relationship will grow, or another grandparent may step in to show more attention to that child.

Build upon common interests. If a grandparent is uninvolved or ignores a grandchild, both parent and child feel hurt. Many parents expect grandparents to be doting, bake cookies, and always be available to babysit, but their lifestyles and personalities dont always fit the parents ideals. Both parents and grandparents need to be aware of these differences, respect them, but at the same time discover ways to strengthen the child-grandparent bond in ways that are comfortable to both.

Look for activities suited to the grandparents interests. If Grandpa is an avid golfer, maybe hed enjoy taking the kids to a miniature golf course once in a while. If Grandma loves to read, she could take the kids to the library. Such directed activities enable grandparent and child discover common interests more than simply spending unstructured time at home.

Dont give up if your efforts to strengthen the grandparent-grandchild bond seem to stall. Keep trying, but it may take more time until children are older and both generations discover more in common.

Two thought to keep in mind: Grandparents, a little spoiling is fine, but dont undercut the childs parents. Parents, sometimes youll need to step out of the way and allow children and grandparents to grow closer by allowing their relationship develop on its own.

Nancy Samalin, M.S., is one of today's foremost experts on parenting and a best-selling author of several books including LOVING YOUR CHILD IS NOT ENOUGH. Her fourth and newest book, LOVING WITHOUT SPOILING & 100 Other Timeless Tips for Raising Terrific Kids, is now available in paperback.

For more than two decades Nancy has been giving keynote speeches and workshops throughout the U.S. and internationally. She has appeared on many national TV & radio shows including, "The Today Show", "20/20", "Good Morning America" NPR and "Dateline NBC". Further information on Nancy's work and books is available at http://www.samalin.com.

Ideas For A Second Wedding Anniversary Gift

The strict followers of tradition tell you that a second wedding anniversary gift item should be of cotton. Cotton doesnt translate into a plain cotton sheet or a pillow. Too little creativity makes your second wedding anniversary gift a little colorless. Think out of the box and you will hit on an innovative idea that can change your gift giving into an exciting experience.

The man or woman for whom you want to honor with second wedding anniversary gift will be a close friend of you. And you will have fairly good idea about their personal likes and dislikes. Just as you can see, they have gathered all the essentials for their home. Chances are higher that the bed sheet that you would give them will only join a huge pile. Bring your thought process to outside the existing norms. Hey, to live is to change constantly.

A personalized notepad or some enveloped with cotton paper would make a nice second wedding anniversary gift idea. You can bring in any number of innovations with your cotton notepad. No, dont stop your thinking of cotton gift here. You honor our cotton tradition here and shows a good gesture that you have some thoughts reserved for your friend.

What if you look to modern traditions of second wedding anniversary? You can think of china as a second anniversary gift. If you have a chance check to make sure your friend doesnt have a big collection of china. Even then the appeal of china is unmistakable and almost everyone likes to occasionally add a set of two of china to their collection.

Everything Chinese also can make good second wedding anniversary gift item. It can be a gift certificate to enjoy always demanded Chinese cuisine at a local Chinese restaurant or a gift basket treasure hunt with Chinese items like Feng Shui crystals or fortune cookies.

The options dont end here; in fact this is your starting point of finding a unique second wedding anniversary gift. Just make a search at eBay.com or Froogle.com to find out the rich variety of cotton and Chinese jewelry and craft items available.

It is the relationship between you and your friend and your simple gesture of thoughtfulness will be remembered for a long time.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning wedding. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Wedding Anniversary Gift

Keeping Grandparents Involved Across the Miles

Many miles separate some grandparents and grandchildren. Having grandparents involved in a child's life is very important. Grandparents can teach children about their family history, spoil them, and love them unconditionally. After all, the more people who love a child the better.

With a little imagination and time, grandparents who don't live close by can still maintain a close relationship with their grandchildren. Here are some ways to keep in touch with those far away grandparents:

Send lots of photos, videos, drawings and craftwork so grandparents can keep up with milestones in their grandchildren's lives. With the technology today, it is even easier to email pictures. You can even use of a fax machine or scanner to send just-completed artwork to grandparents. Many grandparents are "hip" with Internet skills nowadays, but if there not send them the old-fashioned way.

Ask grandparents to tape-record or videotape themselves reading a bedtime story, singing a lullaby or telling a funny, well-loved family story. Children will love to listen to the story again and again.

Plan regular phone conversations, especially if you have very young children. Try and plan them for the same day and time each week so children have something to look forward to. Talk with your child ahead of time to give them some ideas of interesting things to tell their grandparents when the call arrives.

Grandparents can send a "goodie" package once a month with letters, inexpensive toys, photographs or anything that lets the grandchildren know they are loved. It gives the kids something to look forward to.

Suggest that grandparents work on a scrapbook or memory book, including stories they want to tell their grandchildren, pictures from their own childhoods and favorite family traditions.

Let your kids work on a scrapbook for their grandparents, perhaps as a holiday or birthday gift; this can include photos, artwork and even journal entries if the children are old enough.

Inform grandparents regularly about the activities, hobbies, likes and dislikes of their grandchildren; this will stimulate communication, as well as help them choose appropriate gifts.

At holiday times, ask grandparents to suggest special holiday traditions or provide recipes from their family or ethnic backgrounds. Even if they can't be there to share in the activity they suggest, it's one way to get children talking about their family history. Maybe even grandma could mail some of her home-baked goodies to the kids.

Invest in a web camera for your computer so children can see and talk to grandparents often. This is a great thing to have during birthday parties and holidays so grandparents can see first hand what is going on. It's the next best thing to them being there.

When grandparents visit make the most of that time. Invite grandparents to visit your child's school, maybe even have lunch with them if possible if the child is in school during the visit. Plan some special outings for the grandparents and grandchildren so they can spend time together.

Find helpful and creative ideas for parents and grandparents while you shop our great selection of kids furniture (including our popular toddler beds and cots) and classic toys. Visit http://www.TheMagicalRockingHorse.com today!

Grandparenting and Technology

Many children grow up and move away from their parents and have children of their own leaving the grand parents to become long-distance grandparents. Grand parenting long-distance can be a struggle at first but as you become more agreeable with the idea of bonding with your grandchildren through other means, it will become easier on both you and the grandchildren. Best of all, the experience can still be absolutely wonderful.

With today's technology grandparents can video conference with their grandchildren, asking them how their day was, who they play with and what is going on in their lives - where in the old days it was a letter once a week that took another week to return. There are also instant photographs through the Internet so that grandma or grandpa can see exactly how big their grandchildren are growing on a daily basis. Even small children can benefit from videoconferencing with grandma and grandpa, that way when they come to visit, the child will know who they are and remember them from the videoconferencing. Videoconferencing over the internet is practically free - with just minimal equipment costs.

It's important for grandparents to have a bond with their grandchildren early on especially when they live far away from one another. The exchanging of pictures through the Internet, e-mails and phone calls all help to strengthen the bonds of grandparents and grandchildren. As the children get older they will be able to e-mail or make phone calls on their own to their grandparents.

A parent doesn't have to get a child their own computer or cell phone in order to allow them to keep them in touch with their grandparents. The family computer or the regular phone will do for all the children. Yet, a few basic pieces of computer equipment like: an internet connected PC and a basic web camera on the part of the grandparents and the kids will keep everyone seamlessly in touch.

Brad Percival is a consultant, author and family trends expert. He recommends this great site for grandparenting information as it has helped countless grandparents understand their roles in our modern society. Percival blogs regularly at the Bigger Buzz.

Getting Your Cheese Facts Straight

People all around the globe love their cheese. It doesn't matter if you love good ole' American cheese or if you enjoy Feta cheese, there is a flavor and texture out there for everyone to enjoy. Whether you just enjoy your cheese or you are a cheese connoisseur many people are unaware of the multitude of cheese facts that are available. Many people just know that they love cheese, but don't know anything about the lengthy history or the actually process required to make their favorite cheese. On the internet you can find a wealth of cheese facts for any flavor or brand that has piqued your interest. Another way to find out cheese facts about your favorite brand is to visit the company's website; they have lots of interesting particulars about their products.

Every company has their own unique technique for making their brand even though the basic steps may be the same. Everything from the ingredients, machinery, and equipment will affect the end product's flavor and consistency. If you are unable to find a particular cheese fact on a company's website you can phone, email or write to get the information. Many companies will mail you literature in the form of a brochure detailing the history and cheese related facts of their company.

Some Little-Known Cheese Facts

Many cheese producers have found that in order to retain customer loyalty to their brand they should make their information readily available. One of the little-known cheese facts is the fact that the female cows that are used for cheese production do have horns. These horns are then later removed to help the cow prevent hurting itself. These businesses have discovered that while the cows wander around grazing the risk for injury is just too great, so to avoid that possibility they are simply removed.

Most people don't want to know that type of information about the production part of cheese. Many cheese lovers would sooner just learn about history and enjoy their cheeses, discovering past times to learn the way cheese was first created, and why it has gained its present star popularity. Anyone who would like a little extra history with your cheese factoids, will find many more little snippets available. Did you know that cheese was once used as a currency in Denmark way back in the sixteenth century? Cheese and other food products were regularly used to pay their church taxes.

Facts about cheese can be very informative and fun and all the while give you more insight about the history of several societies. Have you any idea where your favorite cheese is made? Invest some of your time today and you will be pleasantly surprised at what there is to learn.

Christopher Jay has many more cheese facts available at Cheese Varieites.com Discover Cheese Facts and find some answers today.

Antique Mirrors Make Historically Elegant Home Decor

And beyond the authentic mirroring itself, the exquisite detail and hand carving of antique mirror frames are also quite attractive.

Antique Mirrors Offer Historical Elegance

From one form to another, mirrors have been used in the home for practical reasons and for decorating for many centuries. In the earliest days of their existence-thousands of years ago-mirrors were created by polishing metals and other naturally occurring substances to a nicely reflective sheen.

As mirrors evolved over the centuries, glass became a common component, while the mirror reflection itself was created from specially formulated coatings. Believe it or not, at one point in history, mercury was actually used to create the mirroring. Don't worry though-more recent antique mirrors switched to a much safer silvering process. Today, most mirrors are created from a combination of glass substrate and aluminum.

While the methods of actually creating the mirror surface have changed over history, they still serve the same timeless purpose as they did a hundred years ago. The thing is today, the historical look of antique mirrors is so desirable, but the chipping, fading, and unevenness of vintage mirror glass is not always quite as popular with modern homeowners. Thankfully there are solutions to this dilemma - highly detailed and accurate reproductions of antique mirrors and frames offer the look of an era bygone without looking overly grungy or decrepit.

Home Dcor And Antique Mirrors Go Hand In Hand

Antique mirrors that blend brand new mirror glass with actual antique frames or quality reproduction wooden frames are becoming increasingly popular in home dcor. Because mirrors so efficiently duplicate the light and reflections of their surroundings, they are just a perfect way to make almost any room of the house much bigger and brighter. In fact, many have effectively used mirrors as dcor to make a room seem twice the size it really is-it really works!

Of course, if you're decorating an older home, or a home furnished with quality antique furniture pieces throughout, it only makes sense that antique mirrors (instead of modern looking mirrors found at the discount stores) will fit in nicely with the dcor and theme of your home. And if you so choose, custom reproduction vintage mirrors can even be created to show a little of the "distressing" that's all the rage these days.

Whether choosing true antiques or finely crafted reproduction antique mirrors, using the mirrors as dcor is certain to be a superb choice for those seeking to restore the gilded glory of a beautiful old home, as well as for those just looking to bring a little of the cherished past to modern decorating. Antique mirrors really do make historically elegant home dcor!

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