For the love of Home Ownership

Easy to say and yes I am happy, actually I am ecstatic that I finally entered the home owner elite. Well it seems that way at the moment even though I know we are no more elite than anyone else. In actual fact nothing has really changed. I have to pay money to someone else every month for the privileged of staying in a house. I do not like where I am going with this. I love my new house, all mine now I need to make it my own. The mortgage and insurance are taken care of and I have my new carpets arriving next week so all is well.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Child Bedding: Baby Bed Security is Crucial

By Dorothea Frankson

Being a part of a throwaway society, something about our baby things tells us to hang on to them. In addition to that, when you are pregnant, there will be a handful amount of people satisfied enough to give you their old nursery furniture and crib bedding. As baby rearing is very costly, one should be grateful for the baby bedding offered. You must ensure, nevertheless, that the bedding and crib that you will use for your baby are safe before you put your baby in them.

Whether it is a Moses basket or a crib, your baby's first crib is the most memorable. While you are refinishing your used baby crib, take the time to make sure it will be safe for your baby. Always check baby bedding to assure safety. If you are using a wicker cradle, check the ends to make sure there are no loose or broken bits and that all the connections are secure, and always use a new mattress because these wear out quickest. Babies like to put things in their mouth, so be sure that no loose ends or pieces of material are left over when fitting the skirt.

The drapes should be fixed properly. Loose materials might be caught by the child to put inside the mouth. Juvenile Products Manufacturer's Association (JPMA) and British Standards (BS) recommend new bedding for baby's crib as a safety precaution. JPMA seal of approval or the BS 'Kite' mark are the products that you should stick with as they have been extensively tested for safety and meet all requirement guidelines.

I have no problem with second-hand baby things as long as you make sure that they are perfectly safe - it isn't environmentally sound to throw away good furniture and baby bedding. As your baby will spend quite a good time in the crib, it is worth spending time on it to see whether it is safe and comfortable. Here are some tips to bear in mind when assessing the safety of the equipment you have for your baby. Before anything else, you want to make sure there is no chipped, loose, or dangerous paint and no jagged edges that your baby's clothes will get caught on. Most importantly check the bars of the crib to assure that they are closer than 2 3/8 inches apart. The header and footer boards need to be solid having no holes, this will protect your infant from getting his/her head caught. To prevent the crib from wobbling, I would check all connections, screws and make sure that all the pieces are in place. Then go around the crib and double check again. You will want to make sure the side rail can be lowered or raised using one hand and when it is all the way up is is securely in place. The mattress should be solid and clean and the side rails of the crib should be no less than 22 inches higher than the crib mattress.

A new baby deserves a new mattress that is safe and securely fits into the crib. Nursery bedding can lead to a possibility of suffocation; to reduce this, remove the bumper or keep it very tightly tied so that the baby cannot grab it and pull it down. Babies under the age of 12 months should not have access to the following in their cribs: duvets, quilts, sheepskin or pillows, while use of these items could cause overheating. Blankets and sheets with a good thermometer in the babies room will help assure comfort. You will be astonished at a baby's ability to climb and reach things, so cribs must be kept away from curtains, window blinds, cords, lamps or nearby furniture onto which they might lift themselves.

Always remember your children grow up quickly so it is great to have a wonderful, safe, and fun time with your child.

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The Cause Of Stuttering And How To Deal With Them

By Marc Marseille

There are many different opinions on the causes of stuttering. Some people believe that stuttering is more a mental condition while others believe stuttering is hereditary. No one however has been able to pinpoint an exact cause.

The mental aspects of the cause of stuttering are often categorized as fear(fear of speaking in public) trauma (bad childhood experiences) and ancestral (runs in the family).

Fear can cause many to stutter. The fear of public speaking can cause someone to breathe heavily causing hesitation and stuttering that is uncontrollable.

Trauma can cause stuttering by triggering episodes of shortness of breath. Whenever someone is unable to maintain proper breathing techniques, this can also lead to stuttering.

Anxiety is directly related to both trauma and fear. Anxiety can usually be controlled once a person becomes relaxed. The key is finding the right techniques to help sufferers to relax.

It is also not uncommon for stuttering to run in the family. Many times the cause of stuttering is attributed to a parent or relative. This analogy supports that theory that the cause of stuttering is a learned behavior.

The answer to the question of what are the causes of stuttering is rather simple; There is no real answer. Frankly, It is more conducive to concentrate on the solutions.

The many theories on the cause of stuttering are not definitive. The only thing that someone suffering with stuttering issues should be concerned with is finding answers. The more you seek answers the better your chances of becoming fluent.

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Overhaul Your Rec Room

By Patrick Stanley

Have you had a good look lately at your rec room, a room where you planned to have a space for you and your family to be comfortable? Do you think it looks more like a 'wreck' than a rec room? Is the floor a minefield of toys, and do you have trouble seeing the television yourself because the kids who want to play are always in the way? If so, then maybe your rec room needs an overhaul, so that it really is the comfortable space you once envisaged.

Have you had a design for this room but didn't know where to start? Are the walls uneven in size and you aren't quite sure where to place what? Well try placing the television on the smallest wall in the room so then you'll use this as the focal point. Placing the seating area round on the other walls along with even the center facing the television is a great start. You'll be able to view the television no matter where you're sitting in the room.

Now get rid of other furnishings. Remove anything you don't use regularly. People often store items in their rec room because they can't think of a better place for them. This turns your rec room into a junk room, and makes it less than functional. Once you've removed those items you should have some free floor space.

Now that you have added area for your design you may be overwhelmed. Try to break the rec room up into different spaced. One could be the area where you can relax and watch television where the other side of the room can be for the children to play with their toys without getting in the way of the television shows. Make sure they are aware of what space is their and where their toys should say to reduce the clutter.

It has been shown in research that children can be encouraged to read if you have specific reading areas for them. So not only can you divide your rec room into areas for specific types of play, you can also incorporate a reading area. Here you should have a thick, soft rug and some comfy cushions. Add a bookshelf, well stocked with books, and some bean bags and pillows so every child can be comfortable. Kids will be drawn to this area where they can sit, be cozy, relax and read. You need to make a rule here, too, that books stay in their designated area.

The use of rugs for these designated areas help in your organization of the room. Call it the 'rule of the rug', if you like. Area rugs help to define each area so that everyone can be comfortable in their chosen activity.

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Old Coin Prices: How Much Is Too Much?

By Sylvie Clashmire

When it comes buying and selling old coins, different people end up paying different amounts. The actual value of the coin is rarely how much the coin sells for. So how does a collector decide what old coin prices are acceptable?

Investing Versus Collecting

Old coin prices mean different things to different people. For instance, an avid coin collector might spend months searching for the best price on a sought after coin. Perhaps he will attend trade shows, consult with friends that are into coin collecting, or even search the many auctions for the best possible old coin prices.

On the other hand, someone who is buying old coins as an investment opportunity might not be so patient. Many coin investors will pay higher old coin prices because the value added to their investment portfolio will negate the extra cost of the particular coin. Investors also want to start making returns on their investment right away. If that means paying steeper old coin prices to have the coin today instead of later in the year, then so be it.

Old Coin Prices And The Art Of Haggling

Haggling over old coin prices is certainly acceptable. Most dealers will mark their coins up 100% or more so it is good to know what the coin is really worth. There are two pieces of info you need to know about old coin prices. You need to learn the wholesale price and you want to know the consumer old coin prices. Check the Blue Book and Red Book values, respectively, for this info.

Once you are armed with this knowledge then you are ready to get the best possible old coin prices. The key is to offer above the wholesale value but bellow the commercial value. This way you get a good deal and the dealer will sell.

This is true when buying coins at trade shows or auctions too. Knowing how much that coin is worth to a dealer and a consumer will ensure that you get a great deal every time. You will notice that many collectors don't know enough about old coin prices and so you will be in a position to get some great deals.

Making Money On Your Coin

Similarly a little knowledge goes a long way when selling your coin. By knowing the various old coin prices for your coin you will be able to sell it at a price that buyers can resist while still making a tidy profit.

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Healthy Dog Food Recipes

By Moses Wright

Some dog owners like to make their dogs food for a variety of reasons. Many dog owners feel that making dog food for their dog is a way to show that they care. If the dog has a health problem such as diabetes or obesity, dog health food recipes can help a concerned dog owner provide an ideal meal for their dog.

A dog health food recipe is not usually designed to treat a health problem. Rather, healthy dog food recipes are meant to provide a nutritious meal for any dog including those with a health problem. Dog owners of dogs with health problems should consult a veterinarian about the best meal preparation for the dog.

One easy dog health food recipe is for lamb stew. The ingredients are: one pound lamb, three diced potatoes, two chopped celery sticks, two chopped carrots, two pints of chicken broth, and two tablespoons of olive oil.

The meat should be cooked thoroughly in the olive oil before adding the chicken broth. The lamb and chicken broth should cook for forty-five minutes. The vegetables should be added and stewed for forty-five more minutes. The dog owner should make sure the lamb stew is cooled before it is served to the dog.

In that recipe, low fat beef can be substituted for lamb. The dog owner could add other ingredients like rice or corn. The dog owner should avoid the temptation of giving the dog extra food just because the food is healthy for the dog.

Another dog health food recipe is dog cabbage rolls. The ingredients are four large cabbage leaves, one fourth cup of plain yogurt, one half cup of white rice, chicken broth, and one half cup of cooked, shredded chicken breast. The cabbage leaves should be boiled after the large vein is removed.

Mix the other ingredients. The cabbage leaves should be removed from the water and cooled. Divide the mixture of the other ingredients among the cabbage leaves. Roll up the cabbage leaves and place in a baking dish with chicken broth to cover the bottom and part of the cabbage rolls before baking for thirty minutes.

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