Sunday, November 30, 2008

The Perfect Prom Dress

Want a prom dress that?s going to turn everyone?s head when you walk into the room? Want a prom dress that is different from everyone else?s prom dress? Well you can have that perfect prom dress. What colors are in style for prom dresses? For the prom in 2007 you will see some new colors you have not seen in fashion for a while like navy and burgundy gold, raspberry, purple orange, black and white, and all the fun prom colors like turquoise, lime and fuchsia. Girls always love purple and this year for the prom you will see the best purple gowns. Royal blue is making a comeback big time for 2007--a sure winner. Royal blue is a real hot color this year. Gold and silver will be important and the new metallic lam? fabrics will show you off to the limit.

What kind of style should I focus on if I want to look sexy in my prom dress? Sexy prom dresses for 2007 are everywhere. Want to know what styles are hot? Glad you asked. I?ll tell you. Ruffles (the french look), drapes, tiers, high slits, lace; hi-low hemlines and mermaid silhouettes are the sexy favorites for this year. They are making their way back into the heart of many teens for the prom. You'll see lots of sexy ball gowns. Everyone wants to like a princess.

What type of prom dress should I look for if I?m not that tall? Many girls that aren?t so tall (like me) are going toward fitted silhouettes and flirty, little short dresses. These prom dresses come in an array of fun colors. Remember, you got to use what you got! Flaunt all your assets! Helpful tips to finding the perfect prom dress:

Now keep in mind, any dress can look great on the hanger but remember you have to purchase a style and look that goes with your height, body shape, hair and skin coloring. Don't buy into the belief that there are a limited number of colors that work for you; instead, be your own best fashion designer and hold up dresses to your face to see which ones bring out your skin tones, eyes and hair the best.

Warm colors like fire engine red and coral look best on brunettes with darker coloring; cool pastels work for blondes. But there are a myriad of colors -- metallic gold and silver included -- that work for all colorings. If you're not sure what type of prom dress style to go with for the prom drag a friend to a store and get a second opinion while trying on lots of colors to see which ones compliment your look best. Learn to embrace your body, too. If you aren't comfortable in curve-hugging dresses because of too much jiggle, then try a body slimmer underneath for more control. Everyone has at least one great asset, even if it's something as simple as thick hair, white teeth or nice legs.

You don't have to do anything too extravagant to show off your best feature, just make sure that your look shows it off and enhances it. If your best feature is great skin, the last thing you'd want to do is cover up every inch of it with clothing. Dressing for your best feature is less about dressing for size or age and more about making the best of what you have to work with. One important thing to remember is when you?re looking to buy a prom dress focus on a bling bling dress or bling bling accessories not both. If you have both it would be to overwhelming to the naked eye and one will take away from the other. The idea here is to make either the dress or the accessories the focus, not both.

For example, a bronze strapless gown with no adornment could carry a chunky diamond bracelet and necklace or a pair of chandelier earrings. Solid color dresses and neutrals are a great backdrop for colorful jewels. On the other hand, the more ruffles, tiers and beading a dress has, the simpler the accessories should be. It doesn't mean you have to go bare but you need to use self-control and choose smaller pieces.

The difficulty to dressing for special occasions such as homecoming or the prom is that young women look wrong if they dress their age: in froufrou dress, young women/girls look ready for prom. Look at magazines web sites and see what?s in style. You don?t want to go looking like grandma just run over by a reindeer!

Different styles to consider:

Movie Star Style Want to look like a movie star? Show your sense of style with a designer-inspired gown: many labels create their own jazzed-up versions of celebrity-chic dresses. Dresses by Jovani, Paris, Clarisse, Mori Lee, and Niteline, are famous for producing red-carpet looks at an affordable price. Important red carpet looks this year include one-shoulder Grecian gown and empire waist dresses.

Elegance If the movie star prom dress isn?t for you then tone down the look and choose a cool cocktail dress look. Whether you favor aristocratic circle skirts or sleek, trimmer hems, this dress will come in handy for other occasions

Princess Look Elegant trains add serious punch. Go for a small drape (called a duster) or full-on train (called chapel) ? either way, your exit leaves a definite lasting impression.

Covering Dresses A movie star favorite, covering dresses are as comfortable as they are stunning. Keep in mind that with a simple dress like this, accessories are a must! From pearls to diamonds to a mix of pendants, anything goes. Bling bling all the way!

The Wow Look Let the little Marilyn Monroe come out with a mega feminine, hip-hugging gown. Select dresses made with delicate fabrics, like satin or silk, that drapes well and creates curves. To keep with the retro tone, finish with a clutch purse and peep-toe pumps.

Girly Girl Skirts Stemmed from summer?s plain skirt rage, tiered skirts are having a serious comeback. This trend can go two very unique routes: the sophisticated ballroom skirt or the breezy ?plain dress?. Black is Back If you plan on sporting your prom dress again, the little black dress is a classic. Choose a sleek string dress, flirty shift, or take your look from Audrey Hepburn with a chic prom dress.

It?s high but Boy Is It Low. Last year?s asymmetrical hem has been replaced by the ?high-low? dress. The hem, which is short in the front and longer in the back, is so unique and adorable; you'll have all eyes on you! It's a great alternative because it's short enough to dance in but long enough to look dressy.

Strapless Baby Strapless prom dresses have become a prom staple for great reason. They are equal parts sassy and classy. They flatter any figure. And they don?t require a necklace. Keep your eyes out for dresses with beautiful beading and elegant embroidery around the bust?a big style this year.

Homecoming Queen The ultimate Cinderella-at-the-ball dress and accessories. A bouffant skirt and otherwise simple top combination is for the homecoming queens at style. These gowns require minimal accessories because they?re so show stopping. But make sure you get home before midnight. Yeah right!

The best advice I tell young girls looking for the perfect prom dress is to have fun with fashion. Try something new: venture into a store that you've never shopped in, try on dresses that you always wanted to wear, but was afraid to try on. The idea is to push the limits of your prom wardrobe and experience innovative looks.

Pictures of prom dresses can be seen at Prom dresses - Promgirl and at Prom dresses - 4prom


Saturday, November 29, 2008

Friday, November 28, 2008

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Royalty trusts, in Finance, are classic flow-through investments vehicles. The trust, like a mutual fund, holds a portfolio of assets, which can be anything from producing oil and gas wells to power generating stations to interests in land. The net cash flow, i.e. the total cash flow minus revenues, is passed on to the unit-holders as distribution.

The purpose of a Real Estate Investment Trusts is to reduce or eliminate corporate income taxes. In the United States, where they are generally more widespread as investment vehicles, Real Estate Investment Trusts pay little or no federal income tax but are subject to a number of special requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, one of which is the requirement to distribute annually at least 90 percent of their taxable income in the form of dividends to shareholders.

Real Estate Investment Trusts are, therefore, a special type of royalty trust. They specialize in real property, anything from office buildings to long-term care facilities. For illiquid assets like real estate, closed-end funds of this type make good sense. Open-end or ‘mutual' real estate funds are subject to new money and redemption problems, entirely absent in closed-end trusts. The first Real Estate Investment Trust was introduced in the United States in 1960. The vehicle was designed to facilitate investments in large-scale income-producing real estate by smaller investors. The US model was simple, enabling small investors to acquire equity interests in vehicles holding large-scale commercial property.

But the birth of Real Estate Investments Trusts as a mass investment vehicle can be traced directly to the liquidity crisis encountered by open-end real estate mutual funds all the way back to 1991-92, during the slowdown of real estate that characterized those years. Faced with redemption demands on the part of unit-holders, real estate mutual funds were presented with the unpalatable option of selling valuable real properties into a distressed market to raise cash. Many of them, therefore, chose to close off redemptions and converted into Real Estate Investment Trusts, since then most commonly known as REIT's. Only a few open-end real estate mutual funds continue to own real estate directly. Most now invest in shares of real estate-related companies.

The typical REIT usually distributes about 85 to 95 percent of its income (rental income from properties) to the shareholders, usually on a quarterly basis. This income gets a special tax break, because REIT's shareholders are entitled to a deduction for the pro-rata share of capital cost allowance (depreciation on the real properties). As a result, a high percentage of the distributions are normally tax-deferred. However, the amount will vary from year to year and will differ depending on the particular REIT.

As with royalty trust, the value of tax-deferred income will reduce the adjusted cost base of the shares owned. For example, if an investor purchases 1,000 units at $15.50 per unit, receives $3,000 ($3.00 per share) in aggregate tax-deferred distribution over time, and the sells the shares for $17.50 each, the capital gain will be calculated as follows:

[1,000 x ($17.50 - $15.50 + $3.00) = $5,000 before adjustments for commissions. In Canada, this gain will be subjected to capital gain treatment, so only 50 percent or $2,500 will be included in income and taxed accordingly. In fact, Canada allows preferential tax treatment to REIT's by making them RRSP-eligible and by not considering them foreign property (which would taxed at a higher rate), so long as the real estate portfolio does not contain non-Canadian property in excess of the allowable limit.

REIT's yields and the market price of units tend to be strongly influenced by interest rates movements. As rates drop, prices of REIT's rise thus causing yields to drop. On the other hand, when interest rates rise, prices of REIT's drop thus causing yields to rise.

For example, when interest rates were pushed up by both the Federal Reserve Board and the Bank of Canada all the way back in 2000, the typical REIT was yielding close to 14 percent as prices per share fell. When interest rates subsequently dropped, yields fell to less than 10 percent as demand for REIT's increased thus pushing share prices higher.

This is a very important consideration to be kept in mind when investing or otherwise trading units involving this type of trusts. If interest rates appear to be poised to rise, investors may want to defer purchases, and those who own this type of shares already may consider reducing their exposure by selling and take in some profit.

There are typically two catches with REIT's. The first is that since investors are ‘unit-holders' rather than shareholders, they are potentially jointly and severally liable together with all other unit-holders (plus the trust itself) in the eventuality of insolvency. Instead of limited liability, investors rely on the REIT's management to have property, casualty and liability insurance, prudent lending policies and other reasonable safeguards in place. Nevertheless there is always the possibility of a problem - say a catastrophic fire or a building collapse - that is not covered by insurance. This may have seemed like a very small matter prior to the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. Since then, however, it is something that has to be taken seriously.

The second problem with REIT's is less transparent. All real estate properties depreciate in value over time (not the land, only the buildings). Depreciation can be somewhat slowed down by earmarking at times significant amounts of money for maintenance and renewal of facilities. Since most of the REIT's income is being distributed and the capital cost allowance is being allocated to investors, investors are factually getting their own capital back over time. As such, the book value of the underlying real properties will be steadily depleting.

Obviously, if real estate markets are on the upswing the depreciation factor will not be overly important, since it will be offset by the appreciation of the underlying assets. But in essence, the point is that the long-term income stream is quite variable, certainly more variable than some managers would have investors believe.

As stated above, the inverse relationship between interest rates and prices of REIT's shares plays an important role. On average, it is safe to assume that interest rate increases are likely to be met by REIT's price declines in the Stock Exchange, because increasing rates correspond to a slowdown in the economic growth and less demand. But out of the context of the frantic buy and sell of Wall Street, even a slowdown in the market for single-family houses can actually benefit REIT's. This is so, because even though real property prices are in decline, it is still cheaper to rent than to own, especially during a period of rising interest rates. And REIT's thrive on rentals. In fact, no city is a better environment for REIT's to operate in than New York City, where some 70 percent of residents rent.

Luigi Frascati

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Lotus Elise A supreme sportscar


Lotus Elise is a good looking and high performance sports car developed by the Lotus Company. When the first Lotus Elise was released, it received a lot of attention for its remarkably low weight and striking design. The first Lotus Elise hit the marked in September 1995. Today, there are two main types Lotus Elise available for the car enthusiast: Lotus Elise Series 1 cars and Lotus Elise series 2 cars.


The creator of the first Lotus Elise was named Max David and worked from London. The founder of the Lotus Company, Colin Chapman, had always dreamed about a car that combined extremely light weight with superb performance, and Max David took these dreams to heart. The remarkably low weight of the Lotus Elise is what makes fantastic performance possible even with a modest engine. The shape of the Lotus Elise has been created with dynamics and driving purity in focus.


The first Lotus Elise weighed no more than 1500 lb (680 kg). Driving this car is amazing, due to its remarkable ability to accelerate, brake and corner. The weight of the first Lotus Elise can be compared to the Porsche Boxter, which is considered a low-weight sports car and still weigh almost as much as two Lotus Elise cars - 2756 lb (1250 kg). This means that while the 1997 Porsche Boxter requires and engine output of 201 bhp (149 kW), the Lotus Elise works brilliant with only 120 bhp (89 kW).


As mentioned above, the first Lotus Elise was released in September 1995. The year after the Lotus Company released an even lighter Lotus Elise that weighed an astonishingly low 1488 lb (675 kg). This car was followed by the Lotus Elise 111S three years later. The Lotus Elise 111S is faster than the preceding Lotus Elise cars and is fitted with a Variable Valve Control (VVC) engine. This engine has been developed from the Rover K series and equipped with Variable valve timing (VVT). You will also find more comfortable seats in the Lotus Elise 111S, since some customers found the first two Elise versions uncomfortable. The new seats are filled with more padding.


The next step for the Lotus Elise developers was the roofless Lotus Elise 340R. This cabriolet version of the Elise car was released in a limited edition in 2000 and was equipped with a 177 bhp (131 kW) engine. The name 340R was derived from the first prototype; it had a 340 bhp/ton power to weight ratio. The prototype had a 170 bhp engine, and weighed no more than 500 kg. In accordance with this, the limited edition consisted of exactly 340 cars. Later in the year 2000, the Lotus Company released the Exige. The Exige was similar to the Lotus Elise 340R, but had a hardtop. The engine was exactly the same; 177 bhp (131 kW).


The next step for the Lotus Company was to embark on the construction of the Series 2 Lotus Elise car. The first of the Series 2 Lotus Elise cars was actually announced the same year as the Lotus Elise 340R and the Exige was released. The car from the Series 2 was designed directly on the computer, which was a totally new way of working for the Lotus Company.
About the Author

Read more about Lotus Elise and the new 2006 Lotus Elise

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Rules Of Backgammon

When you find something really good, there's no need to improve upon it. Take the game of backgammon for instance. It's been around for a long, long time, but the game of backgammon has not changed. No one has created a version with blinking lights, or made it more extreme. That's because backgammon is easy to learn, fun to play and you can finish a game in just a few minutes. How can you improve on that?

The main objective in backgammon is to move all of your game pieces from one side of the playing board to the other, eventually removing your pieces from the board. If you are the first player to move all of your pieces off the board, congratulations--you are the winner.

On alternate turns, each player rolls two dice. The numbers rolled will determine how many spaces the game pieces can be moved. The individual number on each dice represents each of two different moves. For example, if you roll a 4 and a 3, then you can move one game piece four spaces and the other piece three spaces. You also have the option of moving one game piece seven spaces.

Whenever possible, it is essential that the active player use both of the numbers rolled. When only one number can be used, the player must play that number. If neither of the numbers can be used, play moves on to the opponent. If they roll two many numbers, then the player can move as many spaces as there are available. On each move, a game piece can be moved on to an open point, a point protected by you, or a point with only one of your opponent's pieces on in.

If you roll a double, you are able to play twice the number shown on the dice. For example, if you roll two threes, then you can move four pieces each three spaces, or you can move one piece twelve spaces.

The game is finished when one player removes all of his or her playing pieces by counting off. The loser then determines how many points are lost. If the loser has removed at least one game piece, he or she loses only the value showing on the doubling cube. If, however, no pieces have yet been removed, the losing player is gammoned and loses twice the value of the doubling cube. Backgammon occurs when the losing player has not yet taken pieces from the board AND still has pieces in play in the vertical area of the board. In this case, that player loses triple the value of the doubling cube dice.

Backgammon rules can seem confusing at first, but it really is a very easy game to learn and to play. The best way to learn is to play with someone who understands the game, and keep a copy of your backgammon rules close at hand.


About the Author:

Nancy Anderson contributes articles to several popular Internet magazines, on hobbies and sports and travel and hobbies topics.


Monday, November 24, 2008

Miserable Man Boobs!




 



Miserable Man Boobs!Submitted By: C.M. Britt  
















S ome guys at work were getting together to play basketball and asked if I wanted to come along. Since I was new on the job and also in town, it felt great to be included. So, I ran by my apartment and grabbed a T-shirt, shorts and shoes and headed out to meet the guys down at the gym.


It had to have been 500 degrees in that gym that day. We decided to play ?Skins?! You divide up into two teams, one team wears shirts and the other ?lucky? team goes shirtless. Well, some would call that lucky, while others like me?call that a living nightmare. Immediately, I became aware of this old familiar sick feeling, the same one that had haunted me since junior high.


About the same time that girls started growing breasts, so did I. There was only one problem, I was a MALE. I got so freaked out in junior high that I was afraid that my other private parts would start falling off too. It was a miserable time in my life! I, of course, did everything to hide the unwanted growths on my chest. I never EVER talked of them and I certainly didn?t want anyone else to mention them either. Oh, how I hated the puffy growths on my chest and I even hated myself for having them.


When I watched sporting events, specifically boxing matches, I zeroed in on the boxers dancing around in the ring. Did I see puffy boobs bouncing up and down on their chests? No, they were real men. Why wasn?t I, why was this happening to me? I thought, I need to do more push-ups, lift more weights, add more butterfly reps. Nothing, absolutely nothing that I tried helped; they just stayed puffy. Then they grew so large, you could see them through my shirt. Crapola, this can?t be happening to me. I would have loved to have gone to the beach, washed the car or really done anything with my shirt off and not been ridiculed and laughed at.


I started having nightmares about bra shopping with my Mom and getting bras for Christmas gifts. This entire humiliating scenario flashed through my mind that day as I, a grown man, standing on the basketball court, got myself into such a state that I almost had chocolate pudding pants. I thought, that?s right just keep it up and you will have to quit your job!


Trying to calm myself, I thought, maybe it won?t be so bad after all. I haven?t taken my shirt off in public since I can?t remember when. These guys are more much mature; I work with them for God?s sake, maybe they will be different. I knew they would notice, but I hoped against all hope that they wouldn?t say anything. At that exact moment, I heard my name called, my own name echoed in my ears. Yep, you guessed it, I had been chosen for the Skins team. I thought, this is appropriate; I feel like I am getting ready to be skinned


So, in self-conscious agony, with fingers trembling and knowing the shame and humiliation I was about to face, I moved my hands to the bottom of my shirt. Although my heart was racing fast enough to power the city of Denver, I was desperately trying to act like everything was just everyday okay normal.


Up over the belly, here they come, OMG, here they are in all their hideous glory, big and pointy and puffy as ever. I can feel the breeze on them now. I?m feverishly talking to myself, ok, you?ve made it this far, keep going; ok, I?ve got the shirt around my neck. Wait, should I pull it back down and run out the door? I can?t do this, I simply can?t do this; I can?t suffer this humiliation again. If I run, then how can I go back to work tomorrow. Ok, ok, keep going, keep going, up over my head, ok, finally the shirt is off and here I am with my pathetic man boobs showing for all the guys to see.


I feel like my heart is going to explode; I am breathing so fast. I have even broken out in a sweat. I just want to start running and never stop. Why did I ever agree to this? Ok, let me turn around and face someone. Ok, so far so good, he didn?t seem to notice anything. Ok, maybe we will get started and I will blend in with the others, besides there are some chubs out here, maybe no one will notice.


Then it started. Hey, the girls aren?t playing today. Then it was like?oh man I am sorry?I didn?t mean anything by it. Then it was, ok Moobs, why don?t you play point guard, since point seems to fit you so naturally. There it was, it was said! Even though everyone was laughing good naturedly, everything in me stopped. It was like the blood drained out of my body. What a complete Jerk!


What did I do, I laughed too, and of course I acted like it was no big deal. On the outside, I acted like it didn?t bother me at all, while on the inside, I felt dejected and sadly pathetic. I would do anything to prove that I could play and to prove that I was a man. That was how I had handled these heart stopping embarrassing situations so many times before, and, yes there had been many times before.


But something entirely different happened that night. As I was leaving the gym, I decided that I was through suffering. I had finally had enough. Instead of feeling miserable and depressed, I felt empowered by the incident. There just has to be something that can be done for my man boob condition.


So, I went home and started researching on the Internet and I came across several all-natural (without surgery) programs for reducing breasts in men. No more puffs and no more pointy nipples; now I could be just a regular guy. I was determined to get my confidence and masculinity back.


While there are several 100% guaranteed effective male breast reduction programs to be found on the Internet, I used The Chest Coach System with completely satisfactory results. Its system addresses all the many reasons for Man Boobs or gynecomastia (not just one or two).











About the Author:

C. M. Brett is the creator of the Squidoo site, Exercises For Gynecomastia. If you enjoyed this Man Boobs story and would like more exciting information on this embarrassing condition in males visit: Exercises For Gynecomastia!




Article Tags: didnt, shirt, started













Sunday, November 23, 2008

Breast Cancer Treatment: Coping With A Mastectomy

As women, especially American women, much of our femininity is centered on our breasts. No matter where you look, there are pictures, billboards, commercials, television shows, and movies with women with these beautiful breasts and ample cleavage. The thought of losing one or both breasts, to breast cancer, can be devastating for many of us. Sure, there's reconstruction, but will it ever really look the same again? Even if you have reconstruction, you'll never have sensation there again and, for many of us, that definitely affects our sexuality.



I went through two separate mastectomies, for my breast cancer, despite the fact that I wanted them both done at the same time. Two different surgeons told me that wasn't necessary. They found out, later, that it was, as I had the same breast cancer in both breasts. Through these surgeries, I learned a few things about what to expect, and how to get up and running again, after a mastectomy for breast cancer.



The first thing to realize is that, apart from the emotional aspect of such an operation, this is a simple surgery. The breast is composed, mostly, of fatty tissue and, of course, milk ducts and lobes. The removal of this breast tissue is way easier than operating on an organ, but carries much more emotional impact for most of us. Most surgeons will get as much of the breast tissue out as they can to help alleviate the chance of a recurrence of your breast cancer. You will typically wind up with a horizontal scar about four inches long. The scar may be red for quite a while but, ultimately, should fade to where you can hardly see it anymore.



You want to be sure to take loose-fitting, button-down shirts (raiding your hubby's closet is helpful) with you, to the hospital, as you won't be able to raise your arms over your head for a while. You will also need a sports bra and I would highly recommend one that fastens in the front. They will put that on you after your surgery. Typically, you should be able to stay in the hospital for one night. If you're going to have lymph nodes removed, a small pillow, to slip under that arm, will help make you more comfortable. Check with your local American Cancer Society as they may have small pillows for you. An extra pillow to hold to your chest, if you need to cough, sneeze, or laugh, can help keep your incision from hurting.



When you wake up, you will have a couple of drain tubes for each side you have done. These tubes are important as they allow the excess fluid, which your body will produce, to drain out. If you didn't have them, the fluid would have to be aspirated with a needle. The drains, even though they're no fun, are better than that. These drains will have to be emptied a couple of times a day and you will have to write down how much fluid you drain so the doctor will know when you've slowed down enough to remove them. You may not know where to put these drains under your clothing. I pinned mine up to the sports bra and that way, they didn't pull when I moved.



When you get home, plan on having someone there to help you for the first few days. You won't be allowed to reach into your cabinets and definitely won't be able to clean house or pick up your children, if you have little ones. You'll be sent home with pain meds and definitely take them if you need them. Studies show that you will heal faster if you keep yourself out of pain, so don't be afraid to take them as prescribed.



If you have a recliner, you might consider moving it into the bedroom as you won't be able to lie flat for a while. You'll need to sleep in a partial sitting position. If you don't have one, or don't have space for it in your bedroom, lots of pillows will work, too. That's what I used. Just be sure you have enough pillows to keep yourself comfortable propped up.



If you would like someone who's been there before you to visit with, be sure to call your local American Cancer Society and ask for a Reach 2 Recovery volunteer. This is an American Cancer Society program where they try to match you with one of their volunteers who have as similar experience as you're facing. This woman will come visit you and will bring you all sorts of brochures and information on conventional treatment. She will also bring you a list of exercises you can start to do to regain your mobility and range of motion.



This is VERY important. It hurts to stretch your arm up, after surgery, but if you haven't had reconstruction, and you don't start soon, you will lose that range of motion. I would recommend starting to gently, slowly reach your arm up ? let your body be your guide ? the day after your surgery. This is ONLY if you have not had reconstruction. If you have, let your plastic surgeon tell you when to start stretching. Push to where it hurts just a little, but do not push too far past that. Little by little, you'll find yourself able to stretch a little farther every couple of days.



Most of all, allow yourself to heal emotionally, as well as physically. Some of us just can't look at that incision right away. That's OK. Take as much time as you need. I know I felt like some kind of freak with no breasts and, even six years later, I still do sometimes. But remind yourself that these scars are your battle scars. They do not make you less of a woman. They make you a warrior.





Saturday, November 22, 2008

Free Cooking Games For Kids




 



Free Cooking Games For KidsSubmitted By: Kenny Vanderburen  
















On the Internet there are many many free cooking games for kids, but are they as fun as the real thing? It doesn't matter if you have children that are fussy eaters or if your children will eat just about anything that is in front of them, cooking is something most children like. That is why there are so many free cooking games for kids online. You can put your child in front of the computer and let them play a free cooking games for kids, or you can take some time and truly start cooking for and with your kids. It is the perfect way to combine your love for food and your love for your children.


In the free cooking games for kids, there are games where they are shown how to cook breakfast, they need to stir the eggs and so on. Cooking with kids in real life can be done whether it is for the morning meal, the evening meal, or for those many snacks in between. You can use the free cooking games for kids as an excellent way to get the kids involved in real cooking as well so this can be used as a valuable teaching time for you and your little ones.


When children get themselves involved in the free cooking games for kids, they are more likely to help you cook and they will eat what was made more quickly. This can be very beneficial for those who have children who are difficult eaters. Starting with free games to take on cooking for kids is also an excellent way to get in ingredients that you would normally wont get them to eat, you can dress up the ingredient as something fun and exciting. Many parents find cooking for kids an excellent way to get nutrients into their children, and the free cooking games for kids can help them with that.


Where do you find these free cooking games for kids?


First you find a recipe that you would like to make for your kids and then you go find the cooking game on the internet, 99% they are free, pick one out yourself, that is related to what you are going to cook in real life, there are so many that it should be easy to do.


About the recipes


There are probably millions of recipes to choose from because parents and daycare workers have posted their recipes and ideas on the Internet so you can start cooking for kids.


The free cooking games for kids, are often in some kind of Asian language (Japanese), but that is really no problem, most of the games are so intuitive and simple to understand that your children wont even notice that they are in Japanese. And when they are done playing you have already set up the same cooking tools or ingredients in the kitchen so they can play the same game in real life.


Teaching your children cooking with the help of free games can be fun. And in the end your children will learn that repeating the game in the kitchen together with you is double the fun. So start cooking with your kids today.











About the Author:

Kenny Vanderburen is the main blogger at www.kitchencookings.com. The kitchen might as well be his living room, that's how much time he spends there.




Article Tags: cooking, games, kids











Friday, November 21, 2008

Everything You Need To Know About Buying The Perfect Backpacking Tent

Whether alone or with friends, backpacking can be a fun and adventurous way to spend a weekend. It gives you a chance to escape the madness of the city, explore a natural surrounding and get some great exercise to boot.

One should never go unprepared, however. Take it from me, not having the right gear or equipment can make a backpacking trip go from an exciting weekend to a frightening two day disaster with no end in sight. There's nothing worse than being stuck on a mountain in a sudden and unexpected rainstorm, without the right water resistant protection. One of the most very important items a backpacker should bring to avoid such a watery suffering is a good backpacking tent.

Though important, backpacking tents are a tricky commodity it can be difficult to pin down exactly the kind you should get. If you are planning on going backing soon and are in the market for a tent, here are some simple tips that may give you a place to start.

First of all, the kind of environment you plan to be mountain climbing through is important to keep in mind as you choose your tent. Even if it is suspect to rain, it is a good idea to purchase a tent that is completely water resistant and closed on all sides.

Even though a 'lean to' or cover like tent with open sides is an well organized and simple form of shelter, these kinds of tents can only protect from the mildest of weather conditions. Additionally, most wilderness areas popular for backpackings are safe places for insects, such as mosquitoes, and an open tent will offer no protection against these pests.

Secondly, you should consider the length of your trip when looking for a backpacking tent. Also, what kind of land are you going to pass through? Are you going for a rough and nearly vertical thirty mile plus climb, or a pleasant and easy five mile trip through the woods? If the latter is the case, weight is not an issue and you can purchase as large a tent as you please. The larger the better; you can house all your equipment inside to avoid damage from morning dew or from night animals with a sufficiently large tent. If you are taking a more arduous journey, you'll want the lightest possible tent you can get that offers adequate protection.

Lastly, choose a good brand name. Ask for advice at the store you visit, or if you are ordering one online, choose a name that you are familiar with. Backpacking tents are important, and not an area to hold back on on financially speaking. If you are pressed for cash, bring cheaper food items. I'd rather eat freeze dried sauce while warm and dry in a nice, functional tent, than eat bone mignon while soaking wet in a heap of junk that fell apart as soon as it started really pouring.

Personally I prefer to sleep under the stars while backpacking, if the weather permits. A good insect disgusting can reduce the mosquito problem and there is something refreshing about waking up covered in dew. However, it only took one bad and very wet experience for me to learn that you should always bring a tent on a backpacking trip, whether or not you plan to use it.

Tavis J. Cooper provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for travel, leisure and other related issues.


Thursday, November 20, 2008

Know The Pieces In Your Backgammon Set

When you are shopping for a backgammon set, it is important to know what to look for. No two backgammon sets are the same, unless they are made that way purposely, such as by the same manufacturer. Some are fancy and some are plain. Some are cheaper than others and some can be really expensive. It all depends on what you are looking for.

What is great about a backgammon set is that the board doubles as a case to carry the different pieces. The board itself can be made of several different types of materials such as magnetic, vinyl, plastic, leather, aluminum, and wood. Some backgammon sets come included in certain pieces of furniture such as an ottoman or end table. Other sets are very small with magnetic pieces for travel. With backgammon, there is something to suit every taste and a set for everyone.

Because backgammon sets vary so greatly in sizes, shapes, and materials, you can expect to pay between twenty and one-thousand dollars for a set, it all depends on how fancy or plain you want to get. Within the backgammon set itself, you will find a variety of different pieces. Again, these pieces can be made of a variety of different materials such as wood or plastic. Depending you your budget, you can buy sets that are made from the finest materials. If you are really hooked on the game, having a nice expensive set can help add to the experience of playing.

Each backgammon set comes with thirty backgammon chips. Fifteen white and fifteen black chips. Of course, this could vary as well, depending on the manufacturer; they can be of different colors such as two different shades of brown. The chips are typically made from a heavy type of plastic that feels rather nice to the touch and makes handling the pieces fun, but they can also be made from wood and other materials. Typically, most backgammon sets come with two shakers as well, one for each player. They may be of the same color or of two different colors. They too may be made out of different materials, such as wood, plastic, or even leather.

Dice are also standard with a backgammon set. This could mean two dice, which the players would have to share, or four, in which each player would have their own set. Another standard in a backgammon set is the doubling cube. The doubling cube is a six sided dice, which has the numbers 2, 4, 18, 16, 32, and 64. However, most people playing for fun avoid using the doubling cube. The doubling cube generally only comes into play when money is at stake.

So there you have it. Now you have a good idea of what pieces are involved in a backgammon set.


About the Author:

Lee Dobbins writes for http://backgammon.games-webzone.com where you can find out more about playing backgammon and backgammon sets.


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What Is The Right Amount Of Computer Time?


In a country that settles each night in front of the television, it just seems strange that more and more people are finding the allure of the computer screen sometimes more important. There is no doubt that children do as their parents do. They enjoy exploring the vast world of the Internet. They are excited to get that new computer game. But, how much time in front of the computer screen is the right amount of time?


There is no doubt going to be a number of people that come out and say that children are spending far too much time in front of the computer. They may end up telling us that their eyes will go back or something. Regardless of what they will say, we know now that it is important to limit the amount of time children use the computer. We know this because we know that it just makes sense that children who play on the computer too much loose the physical aspects of life along with the elements of pretend play that actually teach them quite a bit.


As parents, it is up to us to limit what the child is doing. It is up to us to provide for them something worthwhile to do while they are on the web as well. In this, we mean that you, Mom or Dad, need to commit to knowing which games they are playing and which websites they plan to visit. Here's a great way to limit what they are actually doing.


Instead of allowing them to surf and end up on some bad website out there, go ahead and download a game or two for them. Games that are available on the web are fun, but when the parent gets to do the picking, they can be fun and educational at the same time. Does your child need math help? Then go ahead and give them a fun math game that teaches what they need in an easy to get along with manner. This can be done for a number of subjects like spelling, science, history and language. By giving them a computer game like these, they can make their computer time, well, worth it in your eyes.


You would be surprised by how many parents simply say, Yes, you can play on the internet. Many of them do not know what their child is doing let alone know that he or she is playing an educational game! Yeah right! Most kids are going to find and play a game that interests them with flashing colors and graphics. That doesn't mean that they won't like games that don't provide this element. But, the websites they tend to visit are full of advertisements that lure them in. Your job is to point them in the right direction.


So, back to our question; how much is the right amount of time for computer time for your child? Well, inside that question is the word, your and that means that it is at your discretion that you should consider their need. Balance their day with physical, emotional, pretend and all those other important educational elements then add in a little time for computer play. Believe it or not, they are building skills that they will need later in life too.
About the Author

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Breastfeeding Health Benefits for the Baby and the Mother

Breastfeeding is now accepted in our communities. The problem remains that most women who intend to breastfeed will give-up in the first six months. There are tangible measures we can take to help and support breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding would be made easier for new mothers if there were more private areas where they could nurse their baby. Support groups and forums devoted to breastfeeding mothers have proven to encourage mothers to nurse longer.

More clinics solely devoted to breastfeeding mothers and their babies are needed countrywide.

Most women are convinced of the benefits of nursing their babies, they just give-up when faced with challenges they are not prepared or equipped to deal with. Among the many benefits for the baby to be nursed, there are: Breastfed babies are less sick, have fewer ear and pulmonary infections and are less hospitalized.

One of the greatest benefits of breastfeeding is the special bond it provides both the mother and the baby.

Breastfed babies have fewer allergies and are less prone to the dreaded sudden infant death syndrome. On the overall, breast milk provides the baby with the proper nutrients to its developing brain and is easily digested. It needs no preparation and is very economical.

For the nursing mother, there are also health benefits such as lowering their risk of post-partum hemorrhages, fewer risk of developing breast cancer later on in life and some types of ovarian cancers.

Our society needs to take tangible actions to facilitate breastfeeding and improve the long term persistence. Fathers can play a crucial role in supporting the breastfeeding mother by taking over the other tasks like preparing meals, changing the baby?s diaper or giving the baby a bath, etc

A long term plan is well needed is governments really want to help new mothers continue breastfeeding for longer periods and diminish the important drop rate after a few months.

Support groups and complete information web sites on breastfeeding and solutions to the usual problem encountered by breastfeeding mothers are a must. Such information as what to do if baby seams not satisfied? How to deal with sensible skin in the first few weeks of breastfeeding? The proper positions while breastfeeding, etc would be of great help to nursing mothers.

The overall benefits of breastfeeding are tremendous for the baby and the mother. By encouraging and supporting breastfeeding mothers, society would insure a healthier and happier generation of developing babies.

For more information now go to: http://www.hypno-beginning.com/yourpregnancy.htm http://www.hypno-beginning.com


Monday, November 17, 2008

Vermont Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in Vermont

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Vermont, or perhaps you?re relocating to Vermont from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Vermont home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Vermont:

The median price of a home in Vermont is $111,500. Recently, homes in Vermont have been appreciating at rates above the national average. As a result, income levels in many parts of Vermont are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many Vermont cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

The price of homes in Vermont varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Burlington, Vermont, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $338,000; however, in Montpelier, Vermont, the median price of a home was $294,000, and in Rutland, Vermont, it was $288,000. Average interest rates in Vermont are below the national average, and job growth rates are comparable to the national average.

Vermont state law prohibits the issuance of home equity lines of credit. Additionally, it requires that a defective mortgage be treated as though it had never been recorded.

Each year the Vermont Housing Finance Agency hosts a Home Buyer Fair where potential homeowners can meet and talk to mortgage lenders, realtors, attorneys, home energy specialists, among others. The Home Buyer Fair offers homebuyer education workshops, credit and budget counseling, post-purchase counseling, and post-purchase workshops.

Vermont?s Housing Finance Agency provides low interest financing to homeowners who meet certain income and purchase price limits. Information on these programs is also available at the Home Buyer Fair.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Vermont Mortgage Rates and Loans .

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Tips For Choosing The Right Camping Backpack

A person who is not experienced with camping or hiking may think that all backpacks are the same, but that is far from the truth. For a camper who is serious about making the most out of a camping trip, a backpack can make or break an excursion to the woods.

Take the plight of a trekker who traveled to the Appalachians in 1994. Rather than a thrilling camping expedition, he needed to return home injured from the weight of an ill-fitted backpack that damaged his hips. A decade later, the same hiker, utilizing a backpack more suited to his needs, walked over 950 miles of terrain, turning what could have been another ugly experience into a more pleasant memory.

There are a few key tips you should bear in mind when selecting a backpack for the outdoors.

First, you need to assemble a fairly comprehensive list of gear you need to bring on the trip. Whereas some campers prefer to haul a bare minimum, others like to be well equipped and ready for almost any eventuality. Consequently, the size of your backpack is important. If you intend to camp or hike for several days - or even simply overnight -you need a sufficient amount of supplies to cover your time and prospective needs.

Second, make sure your backpack is comfortable to wear for a lengthy period of time. The best styles of backpacks distribute the weight in the bag evenly so that you can wear it comfortably for a few hours while hiking. Try it on at the store to ensure it meets your need. Some camping stores even provide weights inside so you get the full effect of the backpack. By placing these in the pack, you can walk around the store to get a sense of how well the weight distributes and how much you can actually hold while remaining comfortable and not overly straining your back or shoulders.

Third, select a frame for the backpack. You can choose between an internal and external frame, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. Internal frames are more slender and allow the pack to remain close to your body which makes it great for densely wooded and more narrow trails. They do not restrain your ability to move in the least, but are admittedly more cumbersome to load and sometimes do not hold as much gear.

External frames, on the other hand, are great for clear walking paths and wider trails and are generally easier to pack. However, they tend to restrict mobility because they are larger and less flexible, making them seem more uncomfortable at first. External frames are the best option, though, when buying a backpack for beginners or children.

Finally, when purchasing a backpack, take into consideration whether it is designed to work efficiently with weather sheets that help protect your pack against dew and rain. Also assess how attachments can be accommodated for your pack. Most backpacks have either rings or snap-ons (or both), allowing the convenient integration of accessories with your pack.

Finding a backpack doesn't need to be a challenge if you familiarize yourself with options ahead of time. By following these few tips, you should be able to purchase one that fits your budget and your camping experience needs, helping to make sure you have a wonderful adventure in the woods.

By: Arthur Fletcher

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Real Estate Q & A

Q. My property went into a sixty day escrow. The escrow amount was $3,000.00. Five days prior to closing the buyer's agent notified me that the contract would be cancelled due to the fact that the property did not appraise for the agreed upon value. Is the buyer's escrow forfeited?

A. In any situation, you must first turn to the closing contract itself. You should look for deadlines for certain things to occur, such as appraisals. Did this appraisal occur after the deadline? Were any other terms involving deadlines not met by the buyer? This will give you some insight as to whether or not the escrow monies must be returned. A general rule of thumb is that escrow monies cannot be released without the consent of all parties.

Q. We had a closing date set. I have just been informed that the seller is requesting a delay in the closing date. Do I have legitimate grounds for renogiation of the purchase price?

A. The reasons that a seller may wish to delay closing may vary, from the legitimate to outright procrastination. If you attempt to renegotiate the purchase price, it may be considered as a new offer, which replaces the original offer. This may therefore void the original offer and all terms negotiated pursuant to that offer. The safest way to approach this is to simply ask yourself if you are willing to wait for the property at the originally agreed upon price.

Q. I am purchasing a property. The seller has not found a replacement property, and has requested an extension of the escrow period. If I do not agree to the extension, do I lose appraisal and inspection fees, as well as my deposit?

A. The deposit will likely be refunded less a small cancellation fee. The appraisal and inspection fees will most likely be lost. If you agree to the extension, be sure to place deadlines on the seller, such as a time by which a replacement property must be found.

Q. I decided to purchase a particular home, however I have now changed my mind. How do I go about cancelling the contract?

A. A contract is a legal document which you have made with the seller. Cancellation for certain reasons may be allowed, however cancellation on the sole basis of changing your mind will likely come with ramifications. You should strongly consider these ramifications prior to backing out of the deal. You should consult an attorney regarding your potential liability in this situation. Typically, a contract cannot force parties to a transaction, however you may be responsible for paying damages to the seller. These damages can take many forms, including the lost opportunities that the seller missed as the result of taking his or her home off the market.

Q. I signed a contract to sell my home. Now I have changed my mind and want to keep the property. Must we sell our home?

A. Again, the first thing to do is to look at the legal document itself. Look for contingencies which will allow you to back out of the transaction. The buyer may decide to enforce the contract in court. You should consult an attorney. It would be wise to make the cancellation more palatable to the buyer by compensating him or her for all of their out of pocket expenses, and maybe an additional amount for their time and effort in negotiating the transaction.

Q. I made an offer on a property. The seller came back with a counter offer. May the seller subsequently sell the property to another buyer?

A. Typically, the seller is free to sell the property to the first buyer who accepts an offer. If you have not accepted the counter offer, chances are the seller is free to do as he or she pleases.

Q. Can I negotiate the selling price of a newly-constructed home?

A. You can always negotiate the selling price of any real estate. However, the seller of a newly-constructed home is usually not willing to budge on the price, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the small profit margin for transactions involving newly constructed homes.

About the Author:

Catherine Nguyen was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and is a licensed real estate agent. Ms. Nguyen specializes in Dallas real estate and has a career with Renowned Realty Group ? Dallas/Ft. Worth RE/MAX.

Friday, November 14, 2008

How to Choose a Right Backpack?


Undoubtedly, backpack is an essential gear for every outdoor event to carry your world along with you. Experts believe that when it comes to choosing a right backpack a good rule of thumb is, Buy right and pack light. There is a large variety available in the market ranging from expensive to cheap, lightweight to ultra-lightweight and highly fashionable to real basic. So it may turn out to be a real daunting and challenging task when it comes to choosing a right backpack for your outdoor activity. Most of us don't know what exactly a right backpack is.


Well, a right backpack is the one that sits comfortably on your shoulders and back and make you comfortable to carry your load during long and short trips alike. To select a right backpack you need to consider many things, such as comfort, load distribution on your spine, important features and functionalities you required in your back pack and finally the budget. Among other things, comfort should be on your first priority, because you are buying backpack for comfortable journey. Therefore, to make a good selection decide which feature is important for you, how long is your journey, what is the actual weight you wish to carry etc.


Literally, there is a large variety available in the market to choose from, such as crush resistance, frameless backpack, internal & external backpack, lumbar & torso packs, lightweight, single strap & double strap backpacks, infant & child backpacks, hydration etc. Remember, they are all different so try them actually to see which ones suit you better. Before answering these questions, some important elements should be considered, such as purpose of your trip, duration of your trip along with the capacity you'll need and the features you demand in a backpack.


First of all, remember the golden rule of backpacking uy right and pack light. That means you should buy the right backpack according to your needs and pack it light with essential things only. A right backpack is the one with the right size to fit your torso. It is the first and most important step to safe backpack use. If you can bring one of your friends with you while buying any backpack then it is ok, otherwise ask the salesperson to help you measure your backpack properly.


Next important point can be to purchase adjustable backpacks. Nowadays market is full of good quality adjustable backpacks. No doubt, adjustable back systems are great, but will cost you a bit extra than your bulk standard pack. Actually, adjustable backpacks will allow you to set the height and weight of the pack in the perfect position on your back. Either you can set it yourself or ask your friend or salesperson to adjust and fit your pack on your back by sliding it up and down until you are comfortable. So, when you feel it is right, you lock it off.


Next is to choose the correct frame size. Remember every backpack is useless (regardless of your good height and top quality of backpack) unless it has a correct frame size according to your body and shape. Gone were the days when people think 'one-size-fits-all'--it far from the truth. Experts strongly believe that your torso size and your overall height are two completely separate measurements when it comes to backpacks. Actually Wayne Gregory was the first backpack designer who thought seriously about the importance of correct frame size to fit your torso.


According to him, your correct frame size can be found by measuring your torso from the seventh vertebra down the spine to the point in the small of your back which is horizontally level with the top of your hip bones. To find this point, use your fingers to trace the hip bone upwards till you feel the point where the top edge of your hip bones curve inwards, on the side of the hip, creating something of a shelf. This measurement is the torso length, especially useful to consider those packs with non-adjustable back system. In fact this system that is used throughout the outdoor industry today to measure the exact body size and to determine the correct frame's size.


Similarly, another important consideration is proper fit of waist belt by knowing its correct size. In simpler words, the hip belt is meant for hips and not for your waist. Therefore hip belt should rest on your hipbone, not on your waist, because if it is on your waist then you will carry too much weight on your shoulder. In the same way if it is too low, it is bound to interfere with your walking. Quite frankly, both are undesirable. Ideally with a full pack on, the top edge of the waist belt should ride one inch above the top of the hip bone. Lastly, you should also pay attention to shoulder straps. These days many good quality backpacks are available in the market with adjustable shoulder straps. Backpacks with self-adjustable shoulder are regarded as top backpacks, because in these backpacks the shoulder straps can be rotated to accommodate individual neck and shoulder shapes.


Well folks, these were just few considerations for choosing a right backpack for your hiking or trekking. Your backpack contains all of your surviving things in a wilderness so you always try to select a good and comfortable backpack. The only cause behind the selection of an expensive backpack is comfort, so while purchasing any backpack, do some research to find the pack that's right for you.

About the Author

Passionate hiker and avid backpacker with exceptional field experience. Lundkvist combines his education and career with his love of nature and being outdoors. Trekking is his call to fame. Find him at: www.mytrekkingpoles.com

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Buying Real Estate: Understand Landfill Gas Risks before Buying Land Near a Landfill

The ability of landfill sites to emit methane has been recognised for very many years by site operators who appeared until the mid-seventies to accept small fires, caused by ignition of methane, as one of the minor problems associated with waste disposal. Methane problems were of little consequence when sites were small and situated outside the boundaries of towns or villages.

However in recent years there has been great pressure to acquire land for building so that in many instances real estate has been developed close to old, and not so old, filled and disused landfill sites (tips).

All real estate buyers are recommended to take great care when considering purchases close to landfills, or land which may have once been landfilled. These landfills can continue to generate methane for very many years.

Many old landfills have been restored and their sites have been incorporated into urban areas. Often such sites have been levelled and grassed over to be used for recreational purposes, and indeed this can be a very satisfactory end-use especially as any settlement which occurs can be filled in.

However, problems can arise if the landfill gas migrates sideways or upwards, as in the case studies which follow. These examples are quite old ? newer ones are hard to come by as no-one likes to admit such problems, or risk publicity. Although implementation of preventative measures is much better nowadays and pretty much the norm, all those in real estate should be aware that landfill gas fire and explosion risks can still exist today.

Case Histories from the USA

Case A

One of the first explosions thought to involve landfill gas in a building occurred in Atlanta, Georgia in December 1967. Originally the building was constructed with one storey and a basement and the latter was eventually bricked off thus isolating it. The only connecting passage from the basement to the upper storey was a 6 inch diameter pipe through which a 3 inch gas pipe ran. The gap between the pipes was not sealed, landfill gas escaping through the gap was ignited by a cigarette which resulted in an explosion. This completely demolished the building with two people being killed and two suffering serious injury.

Case B

In 1962 an armoury was built close to an operating landfill in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The landfill was from 3-13 m deep and during the mid-60's combustible gases accumulated in nearby sewers and minor fires/ explosions occurred. In September 1969 an explosion, thought to be caused by smoking, occurred in the building in which 25 people were injured and 3 died. Migration of landfill gas into the building may have been encouraged by the placement of additional cover material on the fill about a week before the incident. The building was abandoned and the site used for the evaluation of various designs of gas migration prevention systems.

Case C

In Los Angeles, at the Branford landfill, which was situated in a gravel pit concentrations of methane well above the lower explosive limit were found up to about 150 m from the edge of the fill. Initial attempts to control migration by installation of standpipes and trenches were unsuccessful. The reason for the failure is not clear but is probably due to the depth of the site being considerable.

Case D

Also in Los Angeles, at the Sheldon-Arleta landfill, similar gas migration problems were encountered to those in case 11. Since the Sheldon-Arleta site is in a residential neighbourhood it was essential to take rapid remedial action. A series of wells 8 m deep, spaced on 50 m centres were-installed just within the landfill boundary. Each well had a designed withdrawal rate of 200 cubic ft/min each and were linked together with the landfill gas being flared off.

This site is of particular interest since it demonstrates that the need to install a gas migration control system can give rise to a vigorous industry based on extraction of landfill gas with subsequent utilisation. This experience in California gave impetus to the new technology of landfill gas utilisation for power generation, which is noteworthy for the real estate buyer as it shows just how much energy is present in the landfill gas.

CONTROL OF LANDFILL GAS MIGRATION

The most important step is to recognise that if any development is to take place either on or near to a landfill site then problems can occur. Planners, architects and developers are normally aware of these risks and take measures to overcome potential hazards. Special features have usually been incorporated into building designs to reduce this risks to acceptably low levels before these buildings are put up for sale, nevertheless, real estate buyers should carry out their own independent checks.

If development has taken place in close proximity to landfill then a survey of methane concentrations on the site is recommended.

This can be done by drilling boreholes and fitting these with perforated liners and measuring methane concentrations after a few days. A cheaper but in many instances equally satisfactory option, is to dig pits with a mechanical excavator to a depth of 3-4 m, install perforated pipe, back-fill and again measure methane after several days. Measurements of gas concentrations can be made either on site using commercially available instruments such as a Gas Tec or Gas Scope and must be assessed by suitably qualified experts.

The astute real estate buyer will ensure that by understanding landfill gas aspects when buying property near landfills to avoid losses later.

Steve Last is an environmental engineer who is also a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), and lives in the county of Shropshire, UK. CEnv is a new and growing academic discipline created in the last two years. All Chartered Environmentalists further the principles of sustainability.

Visit our expert Expert Landfill Gas web site

Independent climate change web site

Visit the atex and dsear web guidance.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Your Guide To Preventive Healthcare

Your Guide To Preventive Healthcare

By Irina

========================================================== The author grants permission to publish this article, in its entirety, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included. Other articles by Irina are available from http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/articles.html ==========================================================

Your Guide To Preventive Healthcare

Medical experts all agree that good health depends on improved access to and increased use of preventive services. With health insurance premiums being what they are and skyrocketing even further year after year, the first part (affordable access to quality healthcare) can serve as a worthy subject for a whole book. Notwithstanding the significance of the problem, it is beyond the scope of this article. More information on getting affordable access to quality healthcare is available from http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/affordable.html

If you already have access to preventive services, you are responsible, in large part, for managing your own care. Your primary-care practitioner is your partner, but numerous decisions of paramount importance are up to you. The following should help to decide if you need any of the tests listed below. You should, if possible, have a copy of your test results and records.

These are the major screening tests (that is, routine tests for people without symptoms) and adult immunizations. The advice is based largely on the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Most HMOs and Medicare cover these services; fewer traditional insurers pay for them. Infants, children, and pregnant women need other kinds of preventive care not described here.

- Blood pressure measurement (to detect hypertension) Who needs: All adults. How often: Once every 2 years for those with normal blood pressure.
Comments: More frequent monitoring for those with readings of 130/85 or higher.

- Cholesterol measurement Who needs: All adults. How often: Once every 5 years. More often if total or LDL (ad) cholesterol is high, HDL (good) is low, and/or you have risk factors. Comments: Those at high risk for heart disease need medical advice about life-style changes and possibly drug therapy.

- Diabetes screening (fasting blood glucose test) Who needs: Everyone 45 and older; earlier for those at high risk.
How often: Every 3 years. Comments: Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, obese people, and those with a strong family history need more frequent screening, starting at age 30.

- Dental checkup
Who needs: All adults. How often: Every 6 months, or on professional advice. Comments: Should include cleaning and exam for oral cancer.

- Tetanus/diphtheria booster Who needs: All adults. How often: Every 10 years. Comments: People over 50 are least likely to be adequately immunized.

- Hepatitis B vaccine
Who needs: All young adults, as well as adults at high risk.
How often: On professional advice. Comments: All newborns should be vaccinated.

- Chickenpox vaccine
Who needs: Anyone who has never had chickenpox. How often: Once. But above age 13 it requires two shots. Comments: Not recommended for pregnant women or those with compromised immunity.

- Pap smear (for early detection of cervical cancer) Who needs: All women with a cervix, starting at age 18, or earlier if sexually active. How often: If 3 annual tests are normal, then once every 3 years. More often if you smoke, have multiple sex partners or other risk factors. Comments: Some experts advise that women who have never had an abnormal result can stop being screened after age 65.

- Breast cancer screening (mammography) Who needs: All women 50 and over; those 40-49 should discuss riskfactors with a doctor. How often: Annually. Medicare reimburses for it. Comments: Clinical breast exams are also important-consult your doctor.

- Colorectal cancer screening (fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy) Who needs: Everyone 50 and over; earlier for those at high risk.
How often: Occult blood test annually; sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or colonoscopy every 10 years. Comments: Digital rectal exam and X-ray with barium enema may also be done. Medicare now pays for colonoscopy.

- Prostate cancer screening (prostate specific antigen, or PSA, test; and digital rectal exam, or DRE) Who needs: Blacks and men with family history, DRE and PSA starting at age 40. For others, DRE, and possibly PSA, starting at 50.
How often: DRE annually; PSA on professional advice. Comments: Usefulness of PSA screening for all men remains controversial.

- Thyroid disease screening Who needs: Women 50 and over; those with high cholesterol or family history of thyroid disease. How often: On professional advice. Comments: Routine screening remains controversial. Talk to your doctor about risk factors.

- Chlamydia screening
Who needs: Women 25 and younger, if sexually active. How often: Annually, or more often. Comments: Men and women of any age who are at risk for STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV) should be tested.

- Glaucoma screening
Who needs: People at high risk: those over 65, very nearsighted, or diabetic; blacks over 40; those with sleep apnea or family history of glaucoma. How often: On professional advice of eye specialist. Comments: Many eye specialists advise screening all adults every 3-5 years, starting at age 39.

- Influenza vaccine
Who needs: Everyone 50 and over, people with lung or heart disease or cancer, and others at high risk. How often: Annually, in autumn. Comments: Even healthy younger adults can benefit and should consider getting the shot.

- Pneumococcal vaccine Who needs: Everyone 65 and over, and others at high risk for complications.
How often: At least once. Comments: Effective against most strains of pneumococcal pneumonia; lasts at least 5-10 years.

- Rubella vaccine
Who needs: All women of childbearing age. How often: Once.
Comments: Avoid during pregnancy.

There are other important preventive measures not listed above-the kind of commonsense steps that could save millions of medical dollars and prevent injury, illness, disability, and premature death. Here's a checklist:

- Don't smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.

- Maintain a healthy weight.

- Get regular exercise. Brisk walking for just half an hour every day can be a big factor in weight control and in staying healthy.

- Choose a diet low in animal fat and sodium, and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products. Eat at least two servings of fish a week.

- Keep alcohol consumption moderate: no more than one drink daily for a woman, two drinks for a man. If you are a heavy drinker, seek counseling, and cut back or quit.

- Do self-exams of your breasts or testes, as well as skin.

- Fasten seat belts, see that kids ride in proper restraints, and obey the law. Drive sober and defensively.

- Brush and floss to prevent dental disease.

Someday there may be one magic test that will accurately detect anything and everything. Until then, this guide may be useful in making the right healthcare decision for yourself and your family.

(C) by Irina 2003.

========================================================== About the Author:
Irina helps people save money on healthcare and create steady stream of residual income working from home http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/ ==========================================================

Irina helps people save money on healthcare and create steady stream of residual income working from home http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/


Monday, November 10, 2008

Maine Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in Maine

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Maine, or perhaps you?re relocating to Maine from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Maine home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Maine:

The median price of a home in Maine is $98,700. Recently, homes in Maine have been appreciating at rates comparable to the national average. However, in some parts of Maine, appreciation rates are at an all time high. As a result, income levels in many parts of Maine are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many Maine cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

The state of Maine does not regulate home radon levels. This means that home buyers must test for radon levels in the home they are purchasing and decide for themselves how much radon is acceptable in their home. Additionally, Maine has certain state environmental laws that are used to upkeep Maine?s shoreline.

Maine law prohibits prepayment penalties and reduced rate options on adjustable-rate mortgages and fixed-period adjustable-rate mortgages. Fixed-period adjustable rate mortgages are only allowed in the state of Maine if the start rate is below the indexed rate at loan closing.

Maine?s Truth-In-Lending law is an anti-predatory lending law that prohibits high-rate high-fee mortgages from charging defaults in excess of 5% of the default amount and limits the fees that may be charged during multiple refinancing, deferrals, and extensions of these mortgages. The Bureau of Financial Institutions and Office of Consumer Credit Regulation preside over lenders that issue high-rate high-fee mortgages.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Maine Mortgage Rates and Loans.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

For Some Fun And Stress Release Why Not Buy A Toy Airsoft Gun And Play Airsoft


So you like playing outdoor combat games such as paintball for instance. These games are great fun for all. Have you ever tried airsoft? This game is similar except you use a toy airsoft gun instead of a paintball gun. With this game you have to use the honor system when you are hit because you do not get shot by visible balls of paint.


You can play the game the same though and you can have teams or individual pursuits if you like. These games have been played by people who just wish to get out and have some fun and also by corporations who send their employees to get in deep with teem work. Some people just love using a toy airsoft gun in games like this so they can play out fantasies from when they were children or because they imagine themselves action heroes from the movies. Whatever the reason it is true that they have a lot of fun.


It is true that these guns are just toys but they really do look and feel like the real thing. You can find replicas of handguns, shot guns and rifles. You can get metal, spring, gas and electric versions of a toy airsoft gun. Depending on how seriously you like to play this game you can have the biggest and the best toy airsoft gun available.


What you do need to realize though is that just because these guns are toys it doesn't mean that they should be treated without respect. They should be used correctly as they can still injure you. If you have children then you should supervise them if they are to use one.


Another thing to consider is that because they are such amazing replicas, others may believe them to be real. So for your own safety and that of others you should not wave them around in public as though they are real. Many accidents happen this way because people do not know that it really is a toy airsoft gun that you are holding.


This is also true for when boarding planes. We know that since September 11 the security at airports has become very in-depth and the last thing you want is to be taken into custody over a toy. You should also remember that if you are planning on giving one of these guns to someone as a present especially if it is a child that you discuss this first with the parent as there are lots of people who do not believe in guns as toys.


It is funny as over the years these toys have become more prevalent with adults than children. We find that as we have grown up some of us still want to play games just like we did when we were kids. And we generally do not have to go far to find willing participants to join us. Especially boys or grown men. I think it is a way for them to de-stress away from the real world of work and family commitments.


I think it is a good thing for adults to go into an imaginary world occasionally. I mean lets face it why should only the kids have all the fun. And as long as it is done in a safe environment with safe accessories then it should do no harm at all. So if you wish to play this game with your friends, family or co-workers then find the best toy airsoft gun to suit you and your imagination and start shooting!
About the Author

Susan Dean is a successful webmaster and publisher of
http://www.airsoftguns-reviews.com
She provides lots of handy hints and advice on

Friday, November 7, 2008

Diaper Caddies as Baby Gift Baskets for New Parents

When I was first home with my newborn baby girl I often found as I was trying to feed and care for her, that what I needed always seemed to be in another room. If I needed a burp cloth, I had left the clean one in the kitchen. If I was up to my elbows in a dirty diaper in the nursery and desperately needed the box of baby wipes, I had left that in the livingroom. I did a lot of sprinting from room to room retrieving supplies.

When I was first home with my newborn baby girl I often found as I was trying to feed and care for her, that what I needed always seemed to be in another room. If I needed a burp cloth, I had left the clean one in the kitchen. If I was up to my elbows in a dirty diaper in the nursery and desperately needed the box of baby wipes, I had left that in the livingroom. I did a lot of sprinting from room to room retrieving supplies.

Once my daughter was a few months old, an idea came to me for a diaper caddy. The caddy could be stocked with a days worth of supplies and easily carried from room to room. The caddy would hold a wipes container snuggly in place and, of course, it had to be well-made and stylish. I made a prototype and upon demand from friends and family began selling them as baby shower gifts. Let us look at some suggestions for its use.

This caddy is made of a very high quality shaker-style basket, which, unless jumped on by your child, will last until the little cherub goes to college. Real wood dividers are crafted and set inside the fabric-lined basket - this creates cubbies and a center compartment which will hold any of the major-brand plastic wipes containers.

New moms have told me that they restock the caddy usually in the morning, with 4-6 burp cloths and 10-12 diapers. The most popular finds in the other four compartments are diaper cream, cornstarch powder, pacifiers, the nasal bulb syringe (as all new parents know as he sucker), lanolin (for the nursing moms), rattles and I've been told it's a great t.v. remote holder (although I do not promote this use, I will admit the importance of knowing the proximity of the remote during middle-of-the-night feedings).

I know a mom whose baby is 7 months old who stocks the basket in the a.m. with a days worth of clean outfits. She brings the basket downstairs to the livingroom for the day. Because the wooden dividers are removable, the basket can be used to store memorabilia such as photos and baby's firsts' when its use as a diaper caddy is no longer needed.

The SaraBear Diaper Caddy makes a unique and stylish new baby gift for the new parents. They can be purchased online as is or as beautiful baby gift baskets at www.sarabearbaskets.com.

Copyright Melissa Bramlage, All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa is a mother of one with a baby on the way, a Registered Nurse and owner of http://www.sarabearbaskets.com where you will find her original diaper caddy and baby gift baskets.


Thursday, November 6, 2008

Adlai Library on Drug Abuse

Adai Library Biographies on Substance Abuse are available in the Reference Section of the ADAI Library. However, you can also find them on the web. The references in the bibliographies are taken from the ADAI Library catalogs. These references include journal articles, books, chapters, and miscellaneous reports and unpublished documents in the Library.

The Adai Library Biographies on Substance Abuse are now being converted from static reference lists to canned searches of the ADAI Library Catalogs that are run each time a user clicks on the bibliography title. These biographies represent the spectrum of research and scientific literature on alcohol and other drug use from all relevant disciplines, including medicine, nursing, social work, criminal justice, sociology, and psychology.

These Adai Library Biographies on Substance Abuse serve as a focal point for alcohol and drug abuse research at the University of Washington and in the region, benefiting the citizens of Washington State by expanding their knowledge and making information available to health and social service professionals and policy makers.

The Adai Library Biographies on Substance Abuse play a key role in working to understand and reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drug abuse. These biographies work as a good reference for the intramural research by ADAI Research Scientists supported through federal, state, and other grants and contracts. They also serve as an ideal tool for dissemination of research findings through its Library and Information Service, publications and presentations by ADAI scientists, web page, listservs, newsletters, and symposia. These biographies have been designed to address the enormous problems caused by alcohol and drug abuse.

John Gutenburg has written many more articles about alcoholism and drug abuse and acne, zits, and pimples


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Help Your Teenager Get Organized For Back To School

You can create a better homework environment for your teenager by providing at least six feet of desk surface. The old three foot desks aren?t large enough to hold the computers, printers, cell phones and oh yes, the books, that are a daily part of your teenager?s school life. Teach them how to deal with their school papers, this skill will be used for the rest of their life.

Organizing Solutions For Teenagers Heading Back to School - Tips From a Professional Organizer

Educational tools have certainly changed in the last decade. The old three foot desks aren?t large enough to hold the computers, printers, cell phones and oh yes, the books, that are a daily part of your teenager?s school life.

Many older desks have a row of small shallow drawers and no space for hanging files. These inefficient small drawers usually become junk zones.

Create a better homework environment by providing at least six feet of desk surface. This space will accommodate a computer and leave a large open surface for book studies, homework and special projects. Make sure to leave at least 4 feet of open surface.

Keep the hard drive off of the desk surface as well as the keyboard and mouse if possible. Place the hard drive below the desk and off to the side. Use a keyboard tray. If the desk doesn?t come with a keyboard tray, purchase it separately and install it under the existing desktop.

Stagger two?three shelves above the desk opposite the computer. Shelves that are12 inches deep will fit three ring binders, dictionaries and the printer. The printer shelf will need a groove cut into the wall edge to accommodate the cables. These shelves will hold binders, textbooks and memorabilia without cluttering up the desk surface. U-shaped shelves that have side brackets built in help keep the larger books upright without the need for wobbly bookends.

Install the first shelf 8-10 inches above the desktop and the other shelves staggered above and to the sides of the centered shelf. The space below the lowest shelf will accommodate items used regularly.

If there is a telephone on the desk, mount it on the wall. If there is a cell phone, mount or place the charger off of the desk surface as well.

A small drawer for tape, scissors and pens along with a file drawer will complete the study area. Consider teaching your kids a filing system this year. This skill will be used for years.

A file drawer will help sort papers by subject. This is the perfect time to develop paper flow skills. Work with your child to create a file system that makes sense to them. Possible organizational categories for folders could be: by the subject, by the project, or simply homework completed, current projects etc. Make sure there are extra tabs and empty folders in this drawer so they can easily add new folders throughout the year.

Every summer sort through the file drawer with your child and purge the old papers to make way for new files the next school year. Developing the regular habit of purging old books and paperwork is an invaluable skill and worth the time and resistance you might encounter as you exercise this new habit.

Teach your child how to save and file warranties and manuals for all of the electronic gadgets they own. Again ? a valuable life skill to impart. Do this for your own records and lead by example. Staple the receipt into the front cover of the manual for easy access with warranty concerns.

Install a few hooks on the wall or a coat rack by the desk area to keep backpacks and other gear off the floor.

Help your teenage organize their backpack with plastic folders and small satchels for pens and discs.

There are amazing new organizational products designed specifically for school lockers. Check out all of the magnetic bins and discover all of the endless options for designing a custom locker space. Have fun shopping, you will be amazed at all of the options!


About the Author:

Kathi Burns is a syndicated columnist and the founder of AddSpaceToYourLife! A Professional Organizing and Image Agency. If you are ready to jump-start getting organized or create a new image, get your free tips now atSan Diego Professional Organizer.




Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Tips To Look Sexy Valentines Day


Would you like to look leaner, shapelier on Valentine's day?


You could cheat to get that leaner, shapelier look for valentines day. Dressing right for your coloring and your figure type and straightening your posture visually takes at least ten pounds off your frame.


The fastest way to look slimmer is to stand up straight and to sit up straight. Imagine a string attached to your head, pulling you up. Make a conscious effort to pull your belly button into your spine. That alone would make you look 5 pounds slimmer.


Ever wondered how the stars look so stunning at the awards. Yes, they have the money to pay people make them look good. Top designers clamour to put these stars in their most beautiful creations. Still, they have to take care of their figures. Most have a personal trainer. Some of the women might hardly eat or drink anything the day they have to look their best in skin tight dresses. Notice how the tummy bulges after a heavy meal. How you seem to bloat up due to water retention if you take too much salt. Some go so far as to starve themselves and drink the bare minimum to keep their tummies flat and the bloat away. Sounds drastic to me. Something I doubt I'd want to try. Still, for an emergency, it is a possibility.


The next slimming cheat is by wearing something that holds in and cinches your waist. Problem with control top panties is that all the blubber would bulge right above the waist-line. Not an appealing sight. Since the fat would be forced to bulge where the underwear ends, go for a teddy. Think they fit only the stick thin models? These plus size teddys fit big women too and take pounds off your waist, visibly, and give you a sleeker silhouette. Pick one that covers your waist completely so that the excess bulges at your bustline, for that hourglass effect.


Speaking of the hourglass effect, there's something about the male fixation on breasts that women have exploited for centuries. Even stick thin models have unnaturally large breasts, due to surgery, stuffing wads of tissue paper into the bra, using padded bras or other means. Women do it because of the effect large breasts on a thin body have on the typical red blooded male. Want to look sexy? Wear a push up bra. It does wonders for your figure. If you have to go bra-less. Consider getting duct tape to tape your breasts together for a better cleavage.


If you're concerned that faking it would turn him off when he finally sees what you've really got, consider using herbs to improve your bustline. There's a herb from Thailand that does just that. You'll find the details about this breast enhancement herb at http://www.shoppingsuzy.com/biggerbreastswithoutsurgery.htm


With your foundation in place, the rest of your look should be a breeze. If you want to look slimmer, go for darker colors. Black or dark plum or dark brown are slimming colors. Dark colors recede. Use dark colors around your waist and wherever else you wish to slim down. Use light colors or shimmering fabrics where you want to highlight. Pick colors that suit you. Not everyone looks great in black. Maybe plum suits you better? Maybe burnt orange? Wear the colors that suit you best.


From now until Valentines day, you can still trim down in time for that big day. With a smart diet and a great exercise plan, you can see lasting results in seven days. Imagine the results you can get if you keep at your workout program. You'll find the details at http://www.getyouthful.com/billyexercise.html


Here's to a sexy valentines day.
About the Author

You'll find more weight loss tips at http://www.cheapestsale.com/health/weight-loss.html

Monday, November 3, 2008

Five Stunning Ways to Accessorize Prom Dresses for 2007

Prom night only happens once in a lifetime and you want it to be very special. You have found your favorite prom dress and now you are shopping for the accessories that will flatter you and your dress.

Here are 5 Stunning Ways to Accessorize Prom Dresses 2007

1. Accent Your Prom Dress with Stunning Jewelry

Your jewelry plays a big role in accenting your gown and adding to your beautiful look. Always keep the jewelry simple, but elegant. When choosing jewelry for your prom dress, always consider the color carefully.

With a strapless style gown, a choker necklace would be the perfect choice. For a little extra charm, add earrings or a bracelet. For the spaghetti strap gown, you can choose a pair of stud earrings. Along with the earrings, you can wear a bracelet, but be sure your date will not be bringing a wrist corsage. You can be stunning in your deep V-neck gown with a delicate choker or long lariat. Just remember, do not go overboard with your jewelry. Your jewelry should compliment and not take away from your attire.

2. Hair Style Hints

Your hairstyle plays a very important role in the way your prom dress looks on you. Several weeks before the prom, experiment with your hair and see what style best suits you. This will also help you determine if you can style your hair yourself or if you will need to go to a beauty salon. If you have long hair, wearing your hair up will give you the elegant look, especially with a strapless gown. With short hair, try a new outrageous style where you will look entirely different than usual. If you have length hair, go for a bob. This is a great look especially when blown-out. Whether you style your own hair or go to a stylist, be sure your hairstyle compliments you and your prom dress.

3. Make-up and Prom Dresses 2007

One big step for looking beautiful is the way you apply your make-up for the prom. It is very important to find a foundation color that matches your skin tone and gives you that healthy glow.

For those small blemishes and dark circles under the eyes, you can use a concealer that is a little lighter than the foundation makeup. You should cover the top eyelid with an even coat of a light eye shadow. If you feel you need more color, add a little darker shadow in the crease of the lid. Next, apply your mascara, but don't overdo it. Too much mascara will weigh down the lashes and give a clumpy appearance. For the finishing touch, add some light loose powder on the face. This will keep the shine off when you are having your prom photos made. Just remember, your facial look will be remembered just as much as your prom dress.

4. Prom Shoes

Don't forget the prom shoes. The shoes must be matched with your gown in order to make this a stunning combination. If you're wearing an elegant formal dress, try low-heeled slingback or satin shoes. These will compliment your outfit. With a simpler dress, wear prom shoes that feature beadwork or rhinestones. For a more casual dress, sandals would be an excellent choice. If you are wearing sandals, just be sure to have that pedicure!

5. Prom Handbags

Remember, the right handbag can compliment your gown and your figure. If you are a tall and slim person, you should carry a purse that is round or square shaped. A bottle-shaped handbag would look best for the not-so-tall person. Handbags come in so many assorted colors and sizes. Remember to purchase the handbag that is the right color for your dress and the right size for you.

Your prom is a special night for you to remember and have some fun. There will be many more special nights. Search online for more stunning dresses for 2007 such as homecoming gowns and Quinceanera gowns.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about prom dresses.