When nice feelings are gone and divorce becomes a must

Divorce is the legal breakup of a marriage. Almost half of all U.S. marriages end in divorce. Like every major life change, divorce is stressful. It affects finances, living arrangements, household jobs, schedules and more. If the family includes children, they may be deeply affected.
Every year, more than one million children in the United States experience the divorce of their parents. The average divorce takes place within the first seven years of marriage, so many of these children are under the age of 6. For many children, divorce can be as difficult as the death of a parent. The entire family is faced with the challenge of adjusting to a new way of life. When this happens, children need the guidance, patience, and love of both parents to help them through.
The most important factor in how divorce affects a child's life is how parents treat each other and their children during and after the divorce. Keep in mind, divorce is a major event in your child's life, one that she has no control over. Parents must work together to make the changes as easy as possible for everyone. Even as the marriage ends, your role as a parent continues. In fact, it becomes more important than ever. Set aside your differences with your child's other parent and put your child first.
Never force your child to take sides. Every child will have loyalties to both parents.
Do not involve your child in arguments between the two of you.
Do not criticize each other in front of your child or when your child might be listening to a conversation you are having with someone else. Even if you find out the other parent is saying bad things about you, explain to your child that when people get angry they sometimes say things that are hurtful.
Discuss your concerns and feelings with your child's other parent when and where your child cannot hear.
Avoid fighting in front of your child.

Is there love?!

There is a thin line between reality and fantasy especially when we’re talking about love. We have such great expectations for the ones we love and sometimes that perfect soul mate we are all waiting for just can’t materialize itself into a real person.
I like dreaming a lot. I used to dream that my knight in shining armor will come to rescue me and take me away from my pathetic little life to his castle far away. That of course never happened. So I’m not so sure anymore that love, as I understand and feel this concept, really exists.
So I guess now I have to tell you what love means to me.
It’s hard to talk about love, because love is an intimate feeling. So let me describe some pictures to you.
First of all do you know that feeling when you think of the one you love, or just look at his/her picture, and you feel so alive; you feel all the blood in your body boiling and every cell trembling…and you have a big smile on your face and you can’t wait to see him/her to hold him/her close, to feel his/her warm and heart beating. That’s love all right.
Now picture this: two old people holding hands while walking in the park, smiling at each other with that accomplice look on their faces. When you will find that person that makes you dream about this day, walking hand in hand till the age of eighty as in love as teenagers feel, you must know you just found love.
There is no love without understanding, respect and passion. And if you do find that special person that makes you feel like yin and yang, black and white combined, just keep it close and cherish him/her because not many people have as much luck.

Friends

Friends, such a beautiful word, such a beautiful feeling.
A good friend is always by your side, listening, understanding.
The most beautiful thing in a friendship is that you don't feel alone anymore, that special someone called your best friend is always there, laughing with you, crying with you.
There are all kind of friends and I'll show you that even if your friend is "different", you still love him and he loves you right back.










Now hurry up, go call your friend to tell him how much you love him!

My baby rocks!

Shopping online for my eleven months old son I discovered the coolest site for baby clothes- My Rockstar Baby.
Is your baby a rockstar just like you?
Indeed I love rock music since I was 13, but this has nothing to do with the music. These "My rockstar bay" clothes really rock!

These are the perfect, one of a kind, baby shower gifts! My Rockstar Baby clothes are adorable onesies with printed sayings on the bum and coordinating designs on the front.

Moms... this is a fun and challenging time in your life, so why not lighten up the mood with our onesies that are both entertaining and unique?!

Birthmarks

What is a birthmark? A birthmark is a blemish on the skin and there are many different types. Some are present at birth, others appear in the first few weeks of life. They can be red (blood vessel marks), brown (moles) or blue-ish birthmarks. They can also vary in size.

What are blood vessel birthmarks? The most common are blood vessel marks known as "stork marks" and strawberry marks. They are caused by an abnormality in the way that blood vessels form just beneath the surface of the skin as the baby is developing in the womb. They occur spontaneously and, in almost all cases, are not inherited from parents.

What are permanent birthmarks? Sometimes a birthmark is permanent. Port wine stains are a red or purple area of skin present at birth - they affect three in 1,000 babies. In about two thirds of affected babies they appear on the face. A port wine stain usually becomes darker and thicker with age and, having been flat, may develop surface lumps. These birthmarks can occur due to lack of smooth muscle lining around thin-walled blood vessels (capillaries), or they can be due to lack of nerve fibres which usually supply the blood vessels.

What treatment is available? For children with port wine stains, laser treatment can produce a significant lightening in colour for the majority or in some cases you get near complete clearance. Treatments are scheduled for four to six months apart. Younger children between the ages of six months and four years tend to have a better response to laser treatment than older children and adults. This may be because their birthmarks are generally pinker in colour, smaller, more superficial and the vessels are more immature.

Cold

Winter is approaching rapidly and the temperatures are already low. With this weather is not at all hard to catch a cold. I know I did and I don't feel very well...So I thought I should write about cold and cold medicine today.

Common cold, in specific terms known as acute viral nasopharyngitis, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, meaning nose and throat. The symptoms may include: sneezing, sniffling, runny nose, nasal congestion, which implies scratchy, sore, or phlegm throat. In this situation, people are coughing, complaining about headaches and a never-ending feeling of tiredness. Also, the common cold may be accompanied as well by symptoms of conjunctivitis, such as red, itchy or watery eyes, but only in rare cases.

In order to get read of colds, people make appeal to cold medicine in order to regain their health and lose the feeling of tiredness.
Cold medicines provide you with a very complex multitude of solutions and alternatives. There are cold medicines for all sorts of states of illness.

There are cold medicines for all sorts of states of illness.
Let’s take as an example the cold sore. It is caused by the herpes virus that enters your body, forming painful white blisters inside your mouth, This is one type of common problems we are all facing one time or another, during our lives. So, the question everybody asks is how to get read of cold sores? One solution is to put ice on the cold sore until the ice melts, in order to prevent the chance of blister formation at the site of cold sore It is required you put the ice regularly, preventing the infection to spread to other parts of the mouth. This improvised cold medicine can be applied on skin by using a towel.

These cold sores are very painful, therefore it is advised you take painkillers as many as possible. The pain these cold sores cause can be unbearable. That is a good reason why you should avoid citrus fruits. The citric acid increases pain and the blister formation, allowing the infection to spread towards other parts of the mouth. Also, as long as the cold causes you these sores, try to avoid as much as possible salty foods because they can cause you serious irritations. Even more, in this situation you really need to consult your healthcare provider, in order to prescribe you a cold medicine that will help you get through the cold. Also consult the doctor when taking cold medicines over the counter, in order to prevent any unwanted complications.

There is another solution that may help you get read of the infections caused to you by cold. For example, there are people who apply garlic at the site of cold sores and obtain a remarkable state of relief. It is said and proven that the consume of garlic fruit is beneficial, especially in this state of illness which requires fast relief.
It is well known that food allergies can also cause cold sores and blisters. Therefore, it is better to know which food causes you this kind of damage and to stop consuming it, for your own good.

Also, people use as an alternative to cold medicine, alcohol. Rubbed at the popped blister, alcohol is very efficient in stopping herpes virus from spreading. It is very important to use it careful in order to destroy completely the herpes virus. Even more, until you get read of the virus for good, it is better not to kiss anyone, because cold sores are extremely contagious.

Getting read of cold can be very expensive. Therefore, you may try steam inhalation, for it is a well known modality to cure or substantially limit the cold’s symptoms. Or, for the ones preferring stronger cold medicines, there are anti-viral drugs that are able to target the viruses that cause the majority of common colds.

Breast cancer

This is a very important subject for me because breast cancer runs in my family. My grandmother had it and she suffered a lot and I am really scared.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (I.B.C.) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer. Rather than creating lumps or tumors it obstructs the breast tissue vessels. It is often more full blown by the time that it is detected. I.B.C. is more likely to metastasize than non-I.B.C. cases, and has a lower survival rate than non-I.B.C. cases.

Routine mammograms are recommended for women by the time they reach 40 years of age. This breast cancer does not usually start with a lump and is not often detected by a routine mammogram, in fact it often is found in women who have never had a mammogram.
Inflammatory breast cancer is striking victims at the age of 16 and up.

Here are several of the warning signs that may be present in I.B.C.; however, one or more of these signs or symptoms may also be present in non-cancerous breast disorders. A doctor should be consulted immediately for a proper diagnosis.
Possible Symptoms of I.B.C. :
• Rapid, unusual increase in breast size
• Redness, rash or itchinesses on breast
• Persistent itchiness of breast area
• Feverish breast
• Swelling of lymph nodes or above the collar bone area
• Dimpling or ridging of the breast
• Flattening or retracting of the nipple
• Discoloration of the breast or nipple area
• Nipple discharge
• A hardness or firmness of the breast
• Change of the skin texture of the breast area

If any these symptoms are present a doctor should be consulted. Remember that time is of the essence, as this form of cancer is extremely aggressive. Many of these signs can be present in non-cancerous breast disorders, so rather than be alarmed, be cautious and safe. Consult your physician.

Citroen Xsara Picasso

I must admit that Citroen Xsara Picasso is my favorite kind of car : beautiful, big enough for my family and really practical. The cute little Picasso has a lot to offer.
The Citroen Xsara Picasso boasts class-leading levels of space, high levels of safety and comfort, and a great price as well. There are several engines on offer that will prove to be more than competent including a very attractive diesel option.

The Citroen Picasso comes with a five-speed manual transmission with front wheel drive. The car’s steering is assisted and the suspension helps to absorb road imperfections.

The Xsara Picasso is wider than most rivals and is able to provide a good deal of interior space and comfort. The rear seats fold forward and increase an already very large boot area. The load lip is low for easy loading and unloading. The seats can be arranged in a variety of ways for added versatility, and the center seat in the rear slides forward and back.

The car is above average in almost all areas in its class. Despite this fact the car’s looks may count against it somewhat and it may lose some buyers to rival brands. All-in-all the Picasso provides a really good package at a fantastic price.

The overall costs of the Xsara Picasso are low. Along with being an inexpensive car to purchase, you won’t pay much in insurance or gas, seeing as the diesel is very frugal.

The Citroen Xsara Picasso offers extremely good amounts of cabin space. The cabin can seat five passengers comfortably and the car’s boot is very large. Rear seats fold to increase cargo space as well. Most passengers should find the Picasso’s cabin space to be more than adequate.

The fascia boasts controls and dials that are straightforward and easy to use. The fascia is uncluttered and is not complicated or difficult to use in any sense of the word. The fascia lacks a rev counter and is difficult to read in bright sunlight.

The Citroen Xsara Picasso scores well in comfort. The cabin is very spacious and provides good passenger space. The boot is large and can accommodate most items easily. The seats are comfortable and the overall quality of the ride is good.

The Picasso provides excellent accessibility. The car’s doors are light and large enough that they provide good access to the car’s cabin. The tailgate lifts in two stages and further accommodates access to the boot area. The car’s load lip is low and makes access the boot even easier.

Parking the Xsara Picasso is an easy task. The car’s relatively small size and light steering make it easy to maneuver. The car’s large side mirrors help out a lot and parking shouldn’t pose any problems for most drivers.

HALLOWEEN

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31st. Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, costume parties, viewing horror films, visiting "haunted houses", and participating in traditional autumn activities such as hayrides (which may have "haunted" themes).
Halloween originated under the name of Samhain as a Pagan festival among the Celts of Ireland and Great Britain. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries have embraced the holiday as a part of American pop culture in the late twentieth century.
The term Halloween (and its older rendering Hallowe'en) is shortened from All-hallow-even, as it is the evening of/before "All Hallows' Day", also known as "All Saints' Day".

Halloween did not become a holiday in America until the 19th century.
In the United States, Halloween has become the sixth most profitable holiday (after Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentines Day, Easter, and Father's Day). In the 1990s, many manufacturers began producing a larger variety of Halloween yard decorations; prior to this a majority of decorations were homemade. Some of the most popular yard decorations are jack-o'-lanterns, scarecrows, witches, orange and purple string lights, inflatable decorations (such as spiders, pumpkins, mummies and vampires), and animatronic window and door decorations. Other popular decorations are foam tombstones and gargoyles.
The carved pumpkin, lit by a candle inside, is one of Halloween's most prominent symbols.

How food affects a child's mood

Have you ever picked up your child from a birthday party only to be greeted by a roomful of hyperactive children? If so, you’ve witnessed the impact food can have on our mood. A short burst of sugar will make your child excitable, but what goes up must come down, and later comes the dip in energy, over-tiredness, irritability and grizzly tears. The trick is to create a healthy diet that will minimize these downward swings.
Not surprisingly, sugar is one of the worst culprits in the battle with mood swings. In the form of glucose, it’s an essential fuel for the brain, but overdoing the sweet stuff not only affects your child’s behavior, it also has an impact on their ability to learn. High blood-sugar levels are toxic to nerves and blood vessels, prompting the body to react to what it sees as an emergency. This results in low blood-sugar levels, which leads to irritability, mood swings, insomnia, poor concentration, aggressive behavior and cravings for more sugary things.
So you will have to remove as many of the fast-releasing sugars from your child’s diet as possible.
Carbohydrates are also broken down into sugar during digestion – but slowly. Ideally, your child should get all their sugar intake from these slow-releasing carbohydrates, thus avoiding blood-sugar peaks and troughs. Wholegrain breads and wholemeal pasta are great choices; oatcakes make great snacks, and oat porridge is one of the best ways to start the day. For snacks, you could also try corn on the cob instead of crisps, and fresh fruit instead of dried. Essentially, look for the most unrefined forms of carbohydrate.
Combining non-carbohydrate foods with carbohydrates also slows down the sugar release. This means adding protein to meals, which is great for growing children. Try unsweetened peanut butter, an egg on wholemeal toast, and pasta sauce with chickpeas served over wholemeal pasta. Seeds and nuts can also be introduced with a piece of fruit for a snack.
Omega-3 essential fats are receiving a great deal of publicity at present as a result of their positive impact on behavior, reading, writing, lifting depression, reducing aggression and raising the IQ of children.
The good fats can be found in oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and fresh tuna, as well as linseed and pumpkin seeds.

Your child’s mental and emotional wellbeing also depends on a variety of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Amino acids are well known as the building blocks of protein, as well as neurotransmitters – the molecules that carry messages around the brain. All of the vital neurotransmitters that keep your child’s brain chemistry in balance come from the proteins he eats, so include protein in every meal. You could add seeds to cereal at breakfast, make a turkey sandwich for lunch and add borlotti beans to bolognese for your evening meal.
Remember that if the majority of food your child is eating is provided by you, there’s no need to be too concerned about what he’s eating when he is out of sight. By the time your child is making his own choices, he is more likely to make healthier ones if that’s the food he is accustomed to eating. Encouraging a varied diet is the best way to ensure he gets the nutrients he needs. Not only will he reap the health benefits but he will also grow up in a happy frame of mind.

Pregnancy and smoking

More than one in 10 pregnant women smoke, and new research suggests many of them also may suffer from depression, making kicking the habit even harder.
The emerging science suggests that decades-old “quit for your baby” messages are too simplistic an approach for many women — and that perhaps prenatal checkups should include screening pregnant smokers for mental health disorders that themselves require care.
“These ladies all know, I promise you, about the health risks. That’s not what it is,” says Dr. Jan Blalock of the University of Texas M.D Anderson Cancer Center, which has begun a first-of-a-kind study, Project Baby Steps, to test whether non-drug depression therapy helps pregnant smokers quit. “We should at least understand more about why these ladies don’t quit. We should be looking more carefully.
Nearly 45 million Americans, or one in five adults, smoke. Quitting takes on average three to five attempts, and scientists know it’s harder if the smoker has depression or anxiety disorders.
Certainly learning how dangerous smoking is to their developing baby can prompt women to try to quit. It increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birthweight, death from SIDS, and learning and behavior disorders.
The government estimates about 12 percent of pregnant women smoke. But how to treat pregnant smokers? While many smokers turn to medication to ease quitting pangs, doctors hesitate to prescribe even nicotine patches during pregnancy. Studies so far haven’t proven the patches’ role in pregnancy, and some suggest pregnant women metabolize nicotine faster and thus need higher doses, raising fetal safety questions. Antidepressants haven’t been studied specifically in pregnant smokers. Generally, those drugs are reserved for severe symptoms during pregnancy, although recent studies suggest the risk of birth defects is low.

26 years old

I'm 26 years old, I'm a woman, a wife and a mother. Here are some things other people accomplished when they were my age.
At age 26:

American anthropologist Margaret Mead wrote her famous dissertation, Coming of Age in Samoa, which claimed that in some societies adolescence is not a particularly difficult time.

Albert Einstein published five major research papers in a German physics jornal, fundamentally changing man's view of the universe and leading to such inventions as television and the atomic bomb.

Benjamin Franklin published the first edition of Poor Richard's Almanac, which was to play a large role in molding the diverse American character.

Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Chereshkova became the first woman to travel in space.

College dropout Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple Computer.

Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, revolutionizing the economies of the United States and Britain.

Antoine Joseph Sax invented the brass saxophone.

"Johnny Appleseed" brought apple seeds to the Ohio Valley.

Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Italy.

Gon Yangling memorized more than 15,000 telephone numbers in Harbin, China.

Orion Krynen of Denver, CO reached this age without much incident.

British ethologist Jane Goodall set up camp in the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve on Lake Tanganyika and began studying the lives of chimpanzees.

Ken Kesey published his first novel, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Thomas Pynchon published V., for which he won the William Faulkner First Novel Award.

Kirsteene Luhrmann of Melburne, Victoria quit smoking.

Stephen Breen from Dublin, Ireland found this site.

Darren Blackburn became the first and only athlete of the Principality of Sealand, despite being somewhat lacking in athletic ability.

Syd Jesus co-founded the dUdU Art Collective in Oakland, California and turned an entire warehouse space into a conceptual art piece entitled "The $5000 Gallery."

Matthew Royer took a dog for a walk every day of the year in Minnesota, with a coldest daytime high of 0 degrees F. The average walk time was 30 minutes.

Derrick Pallas was horrified to realize he was losing his hair, just like Dad.

Jan Birkeland from Norway managed to get to work without hitting a single red light.

Katherine Blauvelt in a skirt was deemed "all grown-up" by her boyfriend.

Kristen finally was able to get her fingernails to grow without chipping and peeling because she started taking a multi-vitamin on a daily basis.

Angie Olson got so drunk on her 26th birthday, her friends were able to dress her up as a clown.

Getting married in Vermont

I used to dream to get married in Vermont. This dream did not come true, but I have no regrets because my marriage is perfect anyway. But if there are some people that consider the wedding day the most important one of their lives, I recommend them to get married in Vermont. Of course, in order to get married in Vermont you should know some information about Vermont marriage laws.

You must buy a Vermont marriage license before your ceremony. The license must be given to the officiant before the marriage is performed. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. But you do not need blood tests. For Vermont residents, you may buy the license at the Town Clerk's office in your legal town of residence (either the bride or groom's if both are residents). For non-residents, you must buy your license in the county you wish to be married in (any town in that county will do). The cost for the license is $23.00 and $7.00 for a certified copy of the license (subject to change).
You must be at least 18 to marry in Vermont (16 or over with the consent of a parent/legal guardian).

How to lose weight

Although many people who lose weight may eventually gain it back, it's a myth that this happens to everyone. The successful weight losers report four common behaviors: they eat a low-calorie, low-fat diet, they monitor themselves by weighing in frequently, they are very physically active, and they eat breakfast.
The first step to weight loss is setting a realistic goal.To reach your goal safely, plan to lose weight gradually.
There are some things that you need to do: change your eating habits, increase your physical activity and watch out for the number of calories.
Here are some tips for eating out and staying slim:
* Ask for nutrition information (for example, calories, saturated fat, and sodium) before you order when eating out.
* Choose foods that are steamed, broiled, baked, roasted, poached, or stir-fried, but not deep-fat fried.
* Share food, such as a main dish or dessert, with your dining partner.
* Take part of the food home with you and refrigerate immediately. You may want to ask for a take-home container when the meal arrives. Spoon half the meal into it, so you're more likely to eat only what's left on your plate.
* Request your meal to be served without gravy, sauces, butter or margarine.
* Ask for salad dressing on the side, and use only small amounts of full-fat dressings.

FUN FUN FUN

An Illinois man left the snowballed streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick e-mail.

Unable to find the scrap of paper on which he had written her e-mail address, he did his best to type it in from memory. Unfortunately, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her e-mail, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor dead.

At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:

Dearest Wife,

Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow.

Your Loving Husband.

P.S. Sure is hot down here.




A blind man walks into a restaurant and sits down. The waiter, who is also the owner, walks up to the blind man and hands him a menu. “I’m sorry, sir, but I am blind and can’t read the menu. Just bring me a dirty fork from a previous customer. I’ll smell it and order from there.”
A little confused, the owner walks over to the dirty dish pile and picks up a greasy fork. He returns to the blind man’s table and hands it to him. The blind man puts the fork to his nose and takes in a deep breath.
“Ah, yes, that’s what I’ll have — meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”
Unbelievable, the owner thinks as he walks toward the kitchen. The cook happens to be the owner’s wife. He tells her what had just happened.
The blind man eats his meal and leaves.
Several days later, the blind man returns and the owner mistakenly brings him a menu again.
“Sir, remember me? I’m the blind man.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you. I’ll go get you a dirty fork.”
The owner retrieves a dirty fork and brings it to the blind man.
After another deep breath, the blind man says, “That smells great. I’ll take the macaroni and cheese with broccoli.”
Walking away in disbelief, the owner thinks the blind man is screwing around with him and tells his wife that the next time the blind man comes in, he’s going to test him.
The blind man eats and leaves.
He returns the following week, but this time the owner sees him coming and runs to the kitchen.
He tells his wife, “Sue, rub this fork on your panties before I take it to the blind man.”
Sue complies and hands her husband the fork. As the blind man walks in and sits down, the owner is ready and waiting.
“Good afternoon, sir, this time I remembered you and I already have the fork ready for you.”
The blind man puts the fork to his nose, takes a deep whiff, and says, “Hey I didn’t know that Sue worked here…”

Science of Getting Rich

A few days ago, on my usual daily session of surfing the net, I discovered an intriguing site, www.Rich4Life.Us. On this site they promise to let up the secret of getting rich for life. Of course,as a mother I really want a wealthy life for me, my son and my family, so I signed up for the 7 free lessons from the "science of getting rich" and I also signed up for the contest they have-"The Monthly $1,000 Cold Hard Cash Contest!". Maybe I am naive, maybe some will laugh, but I really hope the law of attraction works and the science of getting rich is for real because I know that the power of faith is measureless.
I really want a decent living, a house of my own, a new beautiful car, a good salary... I don't want to worry anymore about the money, the food, the clothes...I want to be able to offer my son anything he needs and wants. And I will try anything for this!

SEX is good for your health

Yes, it seems that having fun in bed can not only be good for your relationship, but it can also be good for you!
Many people simply enjoy a healthy sex life because sex is pleasurable. Now there's another reason to stay in bed; there are substantial health benefits of sex. It seems that enjoying sex regularly (which means at least twice a week), can do wonders for everyone both physically and psychologically.
Here are a few benefits:

* Having regular sex, reduces the risk for heart disease
* Weight loss and overall fitness
* Bladder control in women
* Natural release of endorphins, which relieves stress
* Women and men who feel more confident with sex are also more confident in life

The health benefits of sex will make you feel wonderful and you will gradually notice that the more sex you have, the more bounce you will have in each step (and the more sex you'll want.) Happiness isn't sex itself, but sex does ultimately play a role in human happiness. And, that something to smile about.

Creative Kids

Do you want to raise a creative child? One who can come up with amazing ideas, amuse himself, solve problems and enjoy the magical side of childhood? The problem is, today it seems like every toy and every children’s program focuses on education, not creativity.
The greatest thing about being creative with music is how much fun it is. "It’s immediate, the response kids have," says Mike Whitla, director of Rainbow Songs, a preschool music program. Encourage your child to sing (and make up their own words or use funny voices), dance and try their hand at various instruments. And remember that the more children learn about music — how it works, how to play an instrument — the more they’ll be able to creatively experiment with it.
Every child loves books, and every parent loves a child who reads: they’ll do well in school. But books and stores are also a great source of creative fun. When children learn they have the ability to take stories off the page, they feel empowered to let their own amazing ideas take over. Children of almost any age have the ability to compose their own tales, they just need some encouragement from you.
Combine a very basic recipe, messy ingredients such as dough and sugar and a hands-off attitude and you have a recipe for fun and creativity. "Once you deal with the safety issues, you’ve got to give them room," suggests food writer Evelyn Raab, "Allow them the freedom to create things the way they want." While it’s best to ensure there will be some success, once you know the end result will be at least edible, let them go to it unfettered.
Isn’t doing crafts just creative by nature? Not always. Choose hand-on projects that include a component that your child contributes. Sometimes that’s as basic as choosing the colors they wish (No, the sky does not have to be blue!), or doing a project where you don’t have to follow the instructions word-for-word to get a fun result.

AVON

Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $8 billion in annual revenue. As the world’s largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in well over 100 countries through over five million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon’s product line includes beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Solutions, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, Mark, and Avon Wellness.

I am an Avon Sales Representative for over a year but I use Avon products for a very long time. I became an Avon Sales Representative just because I wanted to be the first to know about the new Avon products and to order them whenever I want. Now all my family uses Avon and we are very pleased: deodorants, perfumes, face creams and body lotions, makeup, shower gels, shampoo and conditioner, we tried all the Avon products and we will keep on using them while they are so good quality and inexpensive.

How to buy a used car from a private individual

Have you ever wished you could buy a car and did not have to put up with car salesmen and their "haggling?" Say no more, follow these steps and you'll be on the highway in no time.
1. Contact your credit union and obtain the latest rate information. Speak with them about your automobile goals. For example, "I'd like to buy a car from a private individual, and I can afford $150 per month. What kind of interest rate / term of loan does that look like?" Submit a loan application if necessary to determine your spending limit.
2. Find your vehicle. Scour the internet and the local newspaper classifieds. Search on the internet to find an approximate value of the vehicle you want. This should be a target amount for sellers to price their vehicle.
3. After finding several vehicles that all fit your requirements, call sellers and ask to come take a look at their vehicle. You know you already like the make/model of the vehicle, so go look at the CONDITION. Are the tires worn? Is the engine wet on the underside? Does everything work on the vehicle? Has the vehicle ever been in an accident?
4. Be ready to leave without the vehicle. Do not become emotionally attached to the vehicle. If you see evidence of abuse, graciously thank the seller for their time and let them know you're looking at others and will let them know. If you want the vehicle, then tell them you are interested and ask them if they mind if you make an appointment for a mechanic to look the car over. Their response should be no problem. Additionally, tell the seller that if you purchase the car, then you will need to have closing at your credit union. As this could be a couple of days, do they want a deposit to hold the car in good faith ( a check for $100 should suffice).
5. Call a local dealership (associated with the make of the car, for example a Ford garage for a Ford vehicle) and speak to the service manager. Tell him you need some help as you want to buy a car, but need it checked out by a top-rate mechanic. Schedule the appointment with them and the seller. Coordinate with the seller how the vehicle will get to the dealer.
6. Once the vehicle passes inspection, let your seller know that you would like to purchase the vehicle, however you are on a limited budget and really need to know what their bottom dollar is. They will tell you if there is room for negotiating the price. Make sure this amount is less than the bluebook value or be prepared to put a down-payment on the loan. Once the selling price is determined, contact the credit union to let them know what you want to do. They will provide you with a list of information they need from you and the seller and setup closing.
7. At closing, the credit union will pay the seller with guaranteed funds, and you will sign loan paperwork to pay the credit union back. They will provide you with a letter. This enables you to obtain an insurance card and temporary license plate. In the interim, use this letter and your existing insurance card to drive your vehicle legally.

Children's Shoes

Wait to buy shoes until your child starts to walk. Research suggests that children develop healthy, well-developed feet when they learn to walk barefoot. Keep their feet toasty and unrestricted with soft booties or warm skid-free socks. Robeez makes thin but warm leather moccasins in a range of colors and sizes that actually stay on little crawlers' feet.
When it's time for your baby's first pair of shoes, take your well rested, recently fed child to a quality children's shoe store that stock brands such as Stride Rite and Elefanten. The best stores have patient and knowledgeable salespeople who are expert at fitting children's feet.
Have the salesperson measure the length and width of both of the child's feet. Many babies have an extra wide foot and may need a special size.
Make sure the shoes aren't too big, which can cause a baby to trip. First shoes should be soft and pliable to let new walkers feel the ground.

Short haircut

Thinking of loosing that extra hair and going for a short pixie-like haircut? Before you shed that excess hair, do your homework and find a style that will suit your hair and face. Here are some tips for choosing a short haircut that’s perfect for you.
1. Get to know your face shape. Not all faces will compliment short hair. Find out what face shape you have and find a short or shorter style that will balance out your the angles of your face and suit you best. See the resource box at the end of this article for a link to determining your face shape.
2. Determine your hair type. The type of hair you have will play a huge role in what haircut will work best for you.
3. Find pictures either in magazines or the Internet and cut, or print, the styles you like. Keep these handy as you’ll want to show them to your stylist at the beginning of your appointment.

4. * If you’re nervous about cutting your long hair short do it in stages. Try a shoulder length cut first to lessen the shock and go shorter yet on your next haircut if you can handle it.
* Pomade is a must for short hairstyles. This versatile styling product adds definition to layers, tames frizz and adds shine.
* Find hair needs to go super short or keep the layers around chin length or slightly shorter for best results. Layers in between can fall flat so unless you’re looking for a super flat hairstyle watch the length of those layers.
* It’s often assumed that short hair is easier to style. While there is less hair to work with, if you’re used to putting your long hair up in a ponytail everyday short hair may add to your styling time. Before getting your short haircut ask your stylist what’s involved in styling your chosen haircut. There may be more work involved than you think.

THE ARABIAN RACE HORSE

Any purebred Arabian is a potential racehorse. To compete in a race, an Arabian must be at least three years of age. While there is no maximum age limit, few horses of other racing breeds compete beyond the age of 10. All manner of pedigrees have produced winners, and there is no evidence to indicate that any particular line of family will prove overwhelmingly superior on the track. If all Arabians were raced, it would be obvious in a short time that some lines were superior to others in producing runners.
Conformation remains the best guide in the selection of the potential racehorse. A well made horse will move more efficiently and be far less prone to injury than a poorly built one. A powerful set of shoulders, sloping and well muscled, coupled with a long hip will provide the driving power required. Straight legs with clearly defined tendons and short cannon bones will best carry the runner. A neck of average length, set not too high and having a generous windpipe will balance the horse running at speed. The race prospect should move freely at all gaits with no waste motion.
Size is not a primary consideration. A small Arabian, agile and quick and well made is preferable to a 16 hand Arabian who is clumsy and awkward.
Temperament is an important consideration. A racehorse is a finely tuned athlete, not a runaway, and it is highly desirable that he have excellent manners.

United States Flag

No one knows with absolute certainty who designed the first stars and stripes or who made it.

Until the Executive Order of June 24, 1912, neither the order of the stars nor the proportions of the flag was prescribed. Consequently, flags dating before this period sometimes shows unusual arrangements of the stars and odd proportions, these features being left to the discretion of the flag maker. In general, however, straight rows of stars and proportions similar to those later adopted officially were used. The principal acts affecting the flag of the United States are the following:

• On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
• Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

• Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.

• Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.

• Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

• Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

The true history of the origin of the flag of the USA has become so overcrowded with traditions and legends that at times it is next to impossible to establish the true facts.

The US flag was raised in its first unified form on January 2, 1776 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It consisted of 13 alternate red and white straps (stripes), equal to the number of states. The original states were Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. For that flag, on June 14, 1777, "Flag Day", Congress sub-stituted a similarly striped flag with 13 white stars on a blue field in the left-hand corner.

In 1794, with the admission of Vermont and Kentucky, Congress added two more stripes and two more stars. The new country began to grow. More states joined it. But there was no place on the flag for more stripes. So in 1818 the original 13 stripes were restored, to remain unchanged thereafter; for each new state admitted to the Union, however, a new star was to be added. Today the USA flag has 13 horizontal (7 red and 6 white) stripes and 50 white stars on the blue background representing the 50 states. The red stripes proclaim courage, the white stripes proclaim liberty, and the field of blue stands for loyalty. The US flag is known as "Old Glory", the "Stars and Stripes" or the "Star-spangled Banner". The latter name comes from the title of the national anthem of the USA, beginning with "Oh, say can you see by the dawns early light ... the Star-Spangled Banner...” The words were created by Francis Scott Key who watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry in September 1814, during the war between the USA and Great Britain in 1812-1815. The melody was taken from an English song composed by John Stafford Smith (1750-1836).
The US flag is the symbol of the revolutionary struggle of the American people, of the American Revolution. The coat of arms of the US represents an eagle with wings outspread, holding a bundle of rods - the symbol of administering - in the left claw and an olive twig - the emblem of love - in the right claw. The motto on the coat of arms is "E Pluribus Unum".

Badgley Mischka

Teri Hatcher, the star from "Desperate Housewives", became the image of Badgley Mischka.
Badgley Mischka dressed lots of Hollywood stars in the last few years.
The 42 years old actress accepted to be the star of the autumn collection Badgley Mischka with only one condition: that the Badgley Mischka clothes she wears to be suitable to her part in the movie.
"Badgley and Mischka were the first designers who created my clothes for my first apparition on the red carpet" declared Teri Hatcher.
In 1995 Teri Hatcher wore a Badgley Mischka creation for the Emmys.

Great winter cities

Everybody loves Paris in the spring, but I love it better in the winter...Rome, Vienna, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, New York...They all have twice their standard summer brochure charm when the trees are bare.
No sun, no moon, no morn, no noon, no dawn, no dusk, no shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, November- as the Thomas Hood rhyme goes. And soon November will come. And there will be no tourists either. The pragmatic advantages of going to somebody else's city in winter are without number. You can find a taxi, you can get theater seats, you can insist on a good table in a good restaurant, you can get within ten feet of your favorite Impressionists in the museum, and the department stores are pleasantly busy than frenetically full.
That's why I love Paris better in the winter when the boulevard cafes are closed in, the radiators are glowing warmly and there's the best of excuses for lingering an hour over that last cup of coffee, that it's raining cats and dogs.
Rome, Vienna, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, New York... I love them all better in the winter when the prevailing street smell is no longer vanilla ice cream and fried onions, but roasting chestnuts from the only vendors still bothering to do business. London, as Sherlock Holmes would be the first to tell you, is at its most appealing in November.