Monday, June 16, 2008

Finding True Happiness: Part Two - Four Sources of Divine Contentment

By Maurice Perry There are four sources from which we can experience true divine contentment. Contentment, as defined in part one, is a plateau of the Christian life that every believer must reach in order to be fulfilled spiritually, mentally and emotionally. That being said, lets look at these four sources of divine contentment in which are sure to provide ways to reach a state of fulfillment. John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Source #1 - When we see God as our Father We cannot reach a state of divine contentment until we know and understand inexplicably who our Father truly is. Not knowing who our Father is will leave us in darkness. We will not be able to discern His voice from all of the other voices that are trying to be influences in our lives. Our Father God wants us to call Him Daddy, Abba, Father. Some of us may have earthly, biological fathers, and a number of us have never met our biological fathers, nor even know where he can be found. But our Father in heaven wants us to know that He is there when we call. Our Father God wants us to commune with Him as if He were the only father that weve ever known. He wants to be there for us in all of our situations and circumstances. He longs for an eternal dialog with us. John 15:10-11 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Fathers commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. Source # 2 - Live by the Word of God Knowing the voice of God is critical in the days that we live in because there are many false prophets, pastors and teachers that are leading Gods sheep down wrong paths. This is due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. We must possess logos (literal word) and the rhema (revealed word) Word of God in our inner man to be able to persevere. We must abide in Gods Word daily, consistently and with passion. Having His commandments etched onto our hearts is what our Father God longs for. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of having Gods commandments etched onto the heart. It is through the keeping of the commandments of God that we experience the love of God and the presence of God. Abiding in Gods love is our purpose. To accomplish this, keeping the commandments of God is mandatory. The most beautiful part about this passage is in verse 11. After keeping the commandments, and after abiding in the love of God, then, and only then, will the joy of the Holy Spirit dwell within us. Joy is the end result of our obedience and our abiding in the love of God. Joy is our reward for staying steadfast and unmovable in the things of God. Joy is our source of contentment and happiness. Romans 8:28-29 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Source #3 - Be who we are born to be It was no accident that we fell into the arms of our Father God and came into the knowledge of His Son. Many people struggle with their attempted relationship with God because they were not called. For those who are called to the knowledge and understanding of who God is and what Jesus Christ has already done for us, there is a divine purpose behind the call. The purpose of the call is to raise up a group of dedicated individuals who would press into the things of the kingdom of God, magnify the kingdom of God, and do the will and work of the Father. God called us from birth to be His foot soldiers on earth to establish His kingdom. God knew us before our birth, and predestinated us to be His, and His alone. But not only has He pre-chosen us before our birth, but he wants us to be mirror images of His Son. Jesus Christ is our big brother, according to verse 29 - that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. We are the brethren. So if he is to be the firstborn of many brethren, that makes us His little brothers and sisters. II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. It is in the place of beholding the glory of the Lord that we are transformed into His image. Being in the persistent presence of God is what we should desire. We are a product of our environment. If our environment consists of violence and murder, our children will be influence by the spirit of violence and murder and there will be a good chance that they will fall into the snare of violence or murder. The same thing is the case with an environment of holiness and sanctification. If our children grow up in an environment that fears the Lord, and is clean, righteous and holy, then our children will be influenced by these things and therefore grow up to be fearful of the Lord, clean at heart and mind, righteous in the eyes of God and man - holy and separated unto God. Being in the presence of God changes us overtime. It is the consistent purging by the water of the Word of God that cleanses, purifies our spirit, and transforms us into the likeness of God. But we must understand that this transformation is usually not something that happens overnight. Persistency and consistency is the key to being taken from glory to glory. The Spirit of the Lord purges us by stripping layers of ungodliness, one at a time. With each level of glory that we come into, a layer of ungodliness is shed. Continued pressing into the glory of God allows the stripping of our old man (flesh, sin) so that the new man (Christ) that has been supplied by the Spirit of the Lord will be able to show and do His work - being a reflection of the anointing of God, the oil of joy that he wants to pour into our lives. Adam and Eve forgot who they were in God. They forgot that they were made in the image and likeness of God. Sin and disobedience led to the lack of knowledge of who they were in God. The same thing happens to us. Sin and disobedience places a barrier in front of our eyes. This barrier of sin blocks our vision of the image of God, and then we forget who we are in Christ and how we are to be like Christ. We must always keep God in remembrance so that His glory will continue to shine upon us and change us into His image. Mark 8:14-21 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. 15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. 16 And they reasoned among themselves saying, it is because we have no bread. 17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? Perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart yet hardened? 18 Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not? And do ye not remember? 19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. 21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand? Source #4 - To remember what God has already done Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is the testimony of what God has already done in our lives that will allow us to always remember that God is able in all circumstances and situations. It is in remembering how we were delivered and set free from past bondages and pitfalls that increases our faithfulness in God and our belief in His Word. In Mark 8, Jesus fed the multitude with only two fish and five loaves of bread. This miracle was seen by the masses, including the disciples with a front row seat! And yet, only a few verses later in the same chapter, they had already forgotten what God had done for the people. A miracle, sign and wonder that was done in their presence had been forgotten in so short a period of time. We are guilty of this also! We become so consumed with our problems that we forget about the miraculous power of our Lord, Jesus Christ! He wants us to remember what He has done for us in times past. We must always carry a testimony of how good God has been to us in the past and how he has delivered us from the snares and traps of the enemy. It is Satan that wants to erase our minds of the goodness of God. Satan longs to trap us in sin so that we are incapable of recalling our testimonies of what God has done for us. A lot of us are probably still living because of the grace of God, and His grace alone. Let us not forget who we are in Christ, and how he has set us free from the captivity and bondage of sin. In closing, these four sources of divine contentment - 1) seeing God as our Father, 2) Living by the Word of God, 3) Being who we are born to be, and 4) remembering what God has already done, will allow us to experience the fullness of God. This fullness encompasses all that God wants us to possess in His kingdom. Joy is a possession in the kingdom of God. Happiness is a benefactor of that joy. Lets make it a priority in our lives to strive for happiness by seeking the joy of the Lord. The joy of the Lord is the result of the kingdom of God becoming our environment. Our environment will be permanently changed by these four sources of divine contentment. Be content in the Lord! Be happy! Be filled with joy, in Jesus name! Maurice Perry is an up and coming author in the kingdom of God. He is currently writing his first two books on spiritual warfare in the urban community. If you are interested in knowing more about this anointed young man of God, sign up for his Christian Newsletter today at http://www.todays-word.com/signup.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maurice_Perry http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-True-Happiness:-Part-Two—Four-Sources-of-Divine-Contentment&id=82323 buying a short sale with fha loan fast cash online reviews fax free cash advance how to calculate taxes for paycheck in sc
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Thursday, June 12, 2008

Marketing Goals and Objectives

By Lance Winslow Do you have a good marketing plan as part of your business plan for your small company? All large corporations and companies do or think they do. It seems rather odd that many small businesses do not be achieve the goals and objectives they wish to achieve when investing in their marketing dollars. Many small businesses do not plan very well their marketing and have a mix-matched message to the customer and worse off a patchwork of marketing techniques that are hard to track and deliver a disarrayed message to the public. If you want to achieve results in marketing you must establish goals and objectives of what you wish to achieve; that makes sense right? Why would you do with any other way? When we talk about marketing goals and objectives often, small business owners will say that they want to beat the competition. In fact as a founder of a franchising company many of my franchisees made this their main goal; to crush the competition. I must admit I have a lot of fun slamming the competition and crushing them into submission. But after awhile I learned that the competition was not doing anything very well and it was really no contest. Sometimes it is better to set your own marketing goals and objectives and beat your best. In other words set the bar very very high and reach for the stars. Once you capture the moon you will be much further ahead and then you can keep going. Simply wanting to beat the competition should not be considered the only goal or objective. Now then, sometimes it is easy to build up a team by picking an enemy. The competition could be considered enemy in order to build team. But the competition should not be set as a measuring stick for your goals and objectives in marketing. You must shoot higher than the competition and make them eat your dust. That’s what I have always done and you should to. Consider all this in 2006. “Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; www.WorldThinkTank.net/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow http://EzineArticles.com/?Marketing-Goals-and-Objectives&id=219421 cash advances money tree loans how to get a poor credit loan 5000 instant loan in 24 hrs online
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Sunday, June 8, 2008

Caregiver Contracts Make Things Clear

By Clay Cotton Caregiving is not the kind of topic that makes for pleasant chit-chat over tea, much like long term care and long term care insurance. Yet these are crucial issues to address boldly with vigor and verve, if you want future years to unfold gracefully. So often our tendancies to ignore, deny, procrastinate and avoid can leave these issues unaddressed, and when the time for care is upon us (care which will VERY likely be needed, at least for half the population), then we could be left in an ugly, ugly situation. Caregiver contracts are a new option for caring for aging elders. Use these formal agreements set up by an attorney. A growing number of families are setting up caregiver contracts, in which relatives are formally hired to take care of elderly or disabled family members. These new arrangements, which can also be called personal-care or personal-service agreements, can help to reduce the size of a parent’s estate. They can also minimize battles between siblings and various family members. And for many other families, these contracts can help compensate for the huge amounts of time, effort and money that family members all-too-often often spend watching over and taking care of an elderly relative. Amazingly, some 44.4 million adult caregivers, or over 21% of the U.S. adult population, now provide unpaid care to frail adults with disabilities. On average, those caregivers provide 21 hours of care a week, and what’s more, the average length of time spent providing care is 4.3 years. Another reason to have a carefully-worded caregiver contract in place: Recent legislation now makes it much tougher to qualify for Medicaid long-term-care assistance by faking impoverishment through outright gifts to family members. These laws were passed to prevent folks who have the means to pay for their own care from obtaining Medicaid, which is intended only for poor patients. Attorneys say that if set up properly, a caregiver contract shouldn’t be considered as a gift to children, because the patient is receiving a true, real service in return. Still, there’s stigma to overcome when recommending the idea to families. The main reason: Some people can still be uncomfortable with the idea of paying their own kids, say lawyers, and many folks choose to use long term care insurance coverage, instead of trying to fake their way onto the Medicaid welfare roles. Long term care insurance activist, Clay Cotton, writes for www.PrepSmart.com - The Online Baby Boomers Decision Assistance Center, where you get Free Long Term Care Insurance advice, comparative rate quotes and personal guidance, all while safely at home in your favorite pajamas and bunny slippers. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clay_Cotton http://EzineArticles.com/?Caregiver-Contracts-Make-Things-Clear&id=359769 small loans until pay day for georgians pay day loan offices in spokane wa lenders for autofinancing bad credit national money store payday loan
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Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Five Deadly Small Business Marketing Mistakes

By Rick Weaver Here are some marketing mistakes that take a heavy toll on small businesses. They have been very harmful to businesses at any stage, but especially harmful for new businesses. 1. Not having a marketing plan. Studies show that having a marketing plan equates to a 24 to 30% improvement in sales over those without a marketing plan. Writing a comprehensive marketing plan takes time, thought, and rethought, they help a business owner to focus on new products and services. A marketing plan will help someone to determine if the product or service will take too much time, energy, or resources to make it a proper addition to the existing array of products and services. 2. Executing “Hit or Miss” marketing techniques. Many entrepreneurs and small business owners buy advertising without exploring whether or not the venue is appropriate for them, or if it will appear in a place or manner that potential customers will respond to - or even see. Marketing dollars spent correctly will bring you sales. Marketing dollars spent incorrectly will not only cost you money, but will cost you your business-esteem. All marketing needs to have a “fit” with an overall initiative. They must convey a consistent message. Using advertising for name recognition is felt to be a good move by inexperienced business people. Experience dictates that success is best when even your “name recognition advertising” relates to a common theme. 3. Negative networking. Networking is one of the most important parts of marketing for the small business person. Many entrepreneurs look to groups such as Chamber of Commerces, Business Network International, and Local Business Network to build business through networking. They attend networking functions and seem to feel that the more business cards they give out, the more business they will get. They are generally disappointed and reject networking as a false prophet. Positive networking takes a different approach. Networking events are an opportunity to find synergies upon which relationships can be built. Successful networking is not how many business cards you give out, it is how many quality business cards you gather. Opportunities such as Catapult allow individuals a networking opportunity to find those synergies while learning business skills. 4. Not seeking appropriate support. Most entrepreneurs are people that have decided to leave corporate America in search of a better lifestyle with less stress. They find a great product or service and think they have it made. Unfortunately they do not have the focus and motivation they need to survive. In the corporate world they had a boss to continually set deadlines and goals, and to hold them accountable for hitting the deadlines and goals. They also had a boss to mentor and coach them. In the small business and entrepreneurial world, this important need is overlooked. People need accountability partners and/or mentors to keep them on track. 5. Inability to distinguish between being talented and being business savvy. Too many small business owners and entrepreneurs feel that having talent is sufficient to attain success. They feel that if they are good at what they do, word of mouth advertising will supply a constant stream of customers. Talent may help you find excellent investments, glean out the best mortgage rate, repair the most difficult automotive challenge, or any of numerous other potential examples. However without business savvy in the form of a marketing system, the endless stream of customers will never materialize. You must wrap a marketing program around it to encourage or solicit additional referrals. To be a success in your business, it is essential to focus on preventing these marketing mistakes. Be sure to make a plan and get the support to validate the plan and help you bring it to fruition. Rick Weaver is President of Max Impact, a national leadership and organization development company based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Rick is an accomplished business executive with experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain and project management, team building, and process improvement. He has worked with hundreds of companies to improve sales, processes, and bottom-line results. MaxImpact offers leadership and organizational development services along with employee assessments and background checks. Contact Rick at 248-802-6138 or via email, rick@getmaximpact.com. MaxImpact is on the web at http://www.getmaximpact.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Weaver http://EzineArticles.com/?Five-Deadly-Small-Business-Marketing-Mistakes&id=25767 secured personal loan collateral bombay money lenders act no credit check furniture financing in northeast ohio deleware cash advance no teletrak no verify no fax all approved
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Friday, May 30, 2008

Tanning Beds and Eye Damage: What You Need to Know

By Ken Marlborough A tanning bed or sun bed is a device structured with sunlamps in which one stands or reclines in order to acquire a suntan. Tanning beds emit 2 types of UV radiation, UVA and UVB rays. In general, tanning beds predominantly emit UVA radiation. However, in recent years, tanning beds are manufactured in such a way as to produce the same effects of the solar spectrum, which in turn produces higher levels of UVB rays. From an industrial point of view, this speeds up the tanning process. The cornea and lens of the eye absorb UV radiation. Exposure to natural sunlight activates the defense mechanism of the eyes such as constriction of the pupil and squinting reflex, which minimizes penetration of the sun’s rays into the eye. When a person is exposed to UV radiation under controlled conditions such as a tanning bed, the body reacts in such a way that the defense mechanism of the eyes will be minimal, thus resulting in photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis. Photokeratitis is inflammation of the cornea and photoconjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva. Over exposure to UVB could cause arc-eye and snow blindness, which are extreme forms of photokeratitis. Researches show that UV radiation levels to the eye is 100 times greater in a tanning bed than outside in the sun. Thus increased exposure to UVB increases the risk of developing certain types of cataracts. This leads to unraveling of the proteins in the eye lens, which tangle and accumulate pigments and finally may cause blindness. The risk of this happening can be reduced to 40% if ocular exposure to UVB is halved. Over exposure can also cause other eye problems such as pterygium and macula degeneration. Pterygium is tissue growth on the white part of the eye and macula degeneration is damage to the retina. Ultraviolet radiation is a well-established human carcinogen, so the probability of malignant melanoma of the eye cannot be precluded. Wearing eye glasses or keeping the eyes closed will not be sufficient to keep this from happening. Tanning Beds provides detailed information on Tanning Beds, Tanning Bed Lotion, Home Tanning Beds, Commercial Tanning Beds and more. Tanning Beds is affiliated with Sunless Tanning Lotion. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Marlborough http://EzineArticles.com/?Tanning-Beds-and-Eye-Damage:-What-You-Need-to-Know&id=353658 no fax cash loans overnight personal loans private money lenders in colorado short term loans dallas
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Independent Financial Advisors

By Elizabeth Morgan Independent financial advisors are independent, as the name suggests. They are professionals who give unbiased opinions on financial affairs. Independent Financial Advisers will do a detailed study of their client’s financial position, preferences and objectives before giving advice on any financial matter. They will then suggest a solution to meet the client’s objectives. In other words, they work in tune with the philosophy of their clients. Independent financial advisors give solutions on matters like investment, insurance, retirement planning, mortgages and tax matters. The premise behind employing an independent financial advisor is that he is not ‘tied’ to any financial services or products in the market. So it is unlikely that he would force you to buy certain financial products in the market and risk your money. To be precise, independent financial advisors are professionals who follow an ethical code of conduct. The service of financial advisors can be hired by paying a fee. But most of the independent financial advisors accept a commission for their service or consultation. If the business offered is a small one, independent financial advisors may work for a fee than commission. A combination of fee and commission is also proposed in some cases when the investment or the financial service provided is quite large. Regarding qualifications, make sure that the independent financial advisor you choose is a certified professional who has seen many market fluctuations. He should have professional qualifications and membership in professional associations. You can ask about his credentials. Also, check whether he is a CFP or CFA certified professional. Or you can check out the profile of the independent financial advisor of your choice by examining both the parts of the “Form ADV.” Financial Advisor provides detailed information on Financial Advisor, Certified Financial Advisors, Independent Financial Advisors, Financial Advisor Careers and more. Financial Advisor is affiliated with Free Financial Help. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan http://EzineArticles.com/?Independent-Financial-Advisors&id=276926 auto loans bad credit loan car financing cash advance structured settlement last chance second chance payday loan all approved no credit check houses los angeles
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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Wild Flowers of New York

By Kent Pinkerton Wild Flowers of New York are of great species and with a large variety. It certainly interests any kind of flower lover. Wild flowers are beautiful, fragrant and colorful. Wild flowers also can be grown in gardens as well. These flowers have mixed hybrid varieties that are grown in different colors and characteristics. There are wide varieties of New York wild flowers. Trout lily, wild daffodil, common dandelion, yellow hawkweed, common blue violet, sweet white violet, ground ivy, garlic mustard, greater celandine, agave, alder, and periwinkle are a few of the most common wild flowers. The New York State Thruway Authoritys Wildflower program was implemented in 2000 to improve the visual attraction and aesthetics of the Thruway system. It also saves on maintenance costs by reducing the amount of grass to mow and to make the travel more enjoyable. The program selected various locations in New York City. Different species of wildflowers are planted by monitoring growth rate, weed growth and aesthetic value. Wild flowers mostly come in purple and blue flowers; pink, red and orange flowers; yellow and gold flowers; and white flowers. Wild flowers such as desert lupine, sand verbena, and desert willow are a few of the wild flower types available in the purple and blue colors. Ocotillo, strawberry cactus and fairy duster are a few wild flowers which come under the pink, red and orange colors. Creosote bush, cinchweed, desert sunflower, and dune sunflower are a few of the wild flowers which are available in the yellow and gold colors. The popularity of wild flower gardens is increasing as gardeners in general are more concerned with nature. A few wild flowers, such as the New York aster, are also known for their edible usage and medicinal purposes. New York wildflowers are seasonal in nature. The Spring wildflowers are those that bloom from late April through early June, the Summer wildflowers are those that bloom from late June through August, the Fall wildflowers are generally those that bloom in September through November, and the Winter wildflowers are those that bloom December into January, or March through early April. One is gifted to see these wild flowers from early spring to late fall, in a multitude of colors, sizes, and shapes. New York City is blessed to have these flowers in abundance. New York Flowers provides detailed information on New York Flower Delivery, New York Flower District, New York Flower Market, New York Flower Shops and more. New York Flowers is affiliated with Thanksgiving Flower Gifts. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton http://EzineArticles.com/?Wild-Flowers-of-New-York&id=272129 instructions for payday by parker brothers fast easy loan no credit cheap secured personal loan apartments to rent in birminghama alabama with no credit check
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Tips and Techniques on Applying Mascara - Get Your Strokes Right

By Michael Douglas Mascara completes your eye make up and makes you ready for that gorgeous look. Mascara adds volume and length to the lashes and make your eyes appear brighter and more beautiful. Basically there are two types of cosmetic mascara: waterproof and regular. Regular mascara is easier to remove at the end of the day but to remove waterproof, you need an eye make up remover. Then, looking straight into the mirror apply the mascara lightly to the bottom lashes, first with one horizontal stroke from the inner to the outer corner of the eye and then with short vertical strokes from root to tip. Switch off the fans while applying mascara, as the air will dry it up. Wait for each coat to dry before applying the next. Less mascara is used on the lower lashes and extra color should be blotted off using the tissue paper. Usually women opt for more than one coat of the mascara, which combs the lashes too so that they do not look stuck together. Here are the few tips to get your strokes right 1) Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, if desired, and apply all other eye makeup prior to your mascara. 2) For your upper lashes, wiggle the mascara wand back and forth at the base of the lashes to deposit colour before rolling the brush through your lasheS. Coat lashes from the very base to the tips with full strokes. This method creates a thicker looking lash with the ends separated and the base well defined. 3) Hold the wand vertically when applying mascara to lower lashes, running this from side to side. Be extremely careful as to avoid smudging the under eye area. Use less mascara for the lower lashes. 4) When applying more than one coat, combing through lashes between coats will help prevent clumping and separates the wet lashes. Also blot the lashes with tissue paper if necessary to remove excess mascara. 5) If your mascara is new and the deposit on the wand is plentiful, tissue off the wand before applying to prevent smudging. 6) To get more product on the mascara brush try twirling the brush. Pumping the mascara will push air into the tube, potentially drying out the formula and introducing bacteria into it. 7) Remove any stray mascara around the eye with a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of eye makeup remover. Mascara is the most essential makeup product and choosing the right mascara is of vital importance. To master the art of applying make up perfectly, and DIY guide to makeup…. please visit http://www.time4tips.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Douglas http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-and-Techniques-on-Applying-Mascara—Get-Your-Strokes-Right&id=367100 get fast cash unsecure loans personal no credit check apartments in richmond va no credit check apartments in austin tx
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Monday, May 19, 2008

Barbie and Ken: Santa and Mrs.Claus Suits Made Easy

By Fran Matthews Would you like to have Santa and Mrs. Claus suits for your Barbie and Ken dolls this year? How about a toy sack to go along with the ensemble? You can sew these outfits for your dolls in just a short time. The following are some suggestions to consider as you create your holiday doll costumes. 1. Use doll patterns that you already have. You dont have to go out and buy a special pattern made just for Santa and Mrs. Claus suits. With a few modifications, you can create your own unique designs. For Santa, you will need a long sleeve jacket, a pair of pants, a belt, and a hat. For Mrs. Claus, you will want a long dress. 2. Find fabrics you are comfortable with. Suitable materials include red polyester, fleece, or panne velvet. All of these choices sew up very nicely with a low shred factor. White fur or fleece works well for the trim. Black vinyl with a faux leather appearance makes a nice belt. Use a small square of yellow or gold vinyl for the belt buckle. The same red and white materials can be used for the Mrs. Claus costume, too. 3. Design a beard for Santa and attach it to the hat. I like to use white fleece for my trims and beard just because its easier to control. Fur has a more realistic look, but can shred when you cut it. White fleece has a soft texture, and a warm, finished appearance. If you choose white fleece for Santas beard, use a double layer and add a few vertical seam lines to create a realistic look. Then, sew it to the hat so that “it fits just right” when you slip the hat onto your Ken dolls head. 4. Sew up some black boots to complete Santas suit. I used black polyester with white fleece trim because I like working with those fabrics. But, you can use other ones, such as polyester, panne velvet, fleece, felt, or velour. Secure two 3-inch strips of 1/4-inch elastic in each boot. Sew one along the ankle line, and the other along the top of the boot. These elastic strips will help to hold Santas boots in place. 5. For the Mrs. Claus dress, add some white fleece to the sleeves and at the bottom of the dress hemline. Gold trim around the neckline and bottom edge will give her dress a fancy, holiday style. For her hat, start with a circle of red fabric, and add white lace trim around the outer edge. Then, add 4 1/2 inches of 1/4-inch elastic to keep the hat on her head. I sewed the elastic about 1/2 inch just inside the outer edge. 6. Remember to sew up a drawstring sack for Santas toys. The sack could be made of a fabric with reindeer, bells, elves or a festive holiday scene. Follow basic steps to make a drawstring bag. For presentation purposes, fill the sack with stuffing or whatever you have around to give it a full appearance. Keep in mind that these are just suggestions to help you as you design your own unique Santa and Mrs. Claus suits for your Barbie and Ken dolls. There are no right or wrong materials to use. Have fun creating your individual style! Fran Matthews is a mom who enjoys crafts and cooking. For photos of this project, see http://www.bestdesignercrafts.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Matthews http://EzineArticles.com/?Barbie-and-Ken:-Santa-and-Mrs.Claus-Suits-Made-Easy&id=357180 moneytree payday loans hard money lenders in ky personal loans secured by auto payday loans for tennessee
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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Collecting Overdue Debt: A Course of Action

By Jeremy Maddock If you are a business owner, you will likely encounter overdue debt on a very routine basis. A huge number of customers both individuals and other businesses will inevitably forget, not bother, or refuse to pay their bills. Its easy enough to deal with the forgetful procrastinators with a couple of firmly worded overdue notices, but for those who still dont pay, there is a time to turn things over the a debt collection agency. When it becomes clear that a customer doesnt intend to pay you of their own free will, turning things over to another party probably isnt a bad idea. For example, customers that flatly deny owing you money, despite your records, are very difficult to deal with without help. A customer making repeated, groundless claims and complaints for the sole reason of getting out of a payment, is another tell-tale sign that your business may have a problem on its hands. In cases like this, it is a good idea to send a final warning notice, attempting to create a fair repayment plan. If no action is taken by the other party, it is then time to seek help from professional debt collectors. Another obvious sign of trouble is when a delinquent debtor changes their address or telephone number without notifying you or providing forwarding information. In cases like this, you should immediately get assistance from an agency that is willing to track down the customer and act upon the debt. About the Author: Jeremy Maddock is a successful web-based freelancer, who writes articles about debt collection and other business finance services. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Maddock http://EzineArticles.com/?Collecting-Overdue-Debt:-A-Course-of-Action&id=297872 bad credit personal installment loan accredited bad credit personal loans personal loan income taxz how to take a personal bank loan
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