Designing Web Success

In our homes, as in other parts of our lives, we are happier when we live with balance and harmony. Just like the rest of our lives, balance in the rooms of our homes is sometimes hard to create.



For many years, decorators and home owners tried to create this physical balance by having pairs of everything: 2 matching end tables, a matched pair of wing chairs, even sets of twin beds in the master bedroom. This certainly created a balanced room. It also created rooms that were sterile, formal and visually boring. In a formal setting or a Federal or Georgian home, this is still the way things should be to look ‘right.’ Our ancestors valued this perfect balance so highly that they created false doors in hallways so that both sides matched or doors that looked like windows so that the right and left sides of the back of a house matched perfectly. This can still be seen if you go to visit some of our historic homes. A notable example is the Hammond-Harwood House in Annapolis, Md.
We, however, tend to prefer a more relaxed approach to our homes.



So how do we create a feeling of balance without matched pairs of everything? You can use:

Color

Dark colors have more ‘weight’ than light colors.

Actual size

Height, depth and width of an object

Mass

A thick bulky looking object has more ‘weight’ than a fragile, delicate one. Just visualize a blown glass vase and a terracotta pot of the same size.

Number

A group of several like objects in different sizes grouped together creates ‘weight.’ Think of an assortment of silver candlesticks.

Light

A dark corner has more ‘weight’ than one filled with light.

If you want to prove this to yourself, gather together a group of assorted objects and use a tabletop/mantel and try out different scenarios. Be sure you have different sizes, colors, textures and shapes. You can put a larger framed picture against one end and a slightly smaller one in front of it. On the other end of your table put a heavy pot. Do the same thing with a matching pot at each end. Try pairing the picture group with an assortment of candles in candlesticks. Each time you create an arrangement, step back and look at it. In fact, if you have a digital camera, take a picture of it. If you do this for a while you will start to get a feel for balance. You can actually give the illusion that the tabletop is tilted slightly by throwing off the visual balance.



The same effect can occur in your room arrangements. If you doubt this, close your eyes and try to ’see’ a room in which you felt physically uncomfortable or slightly disoriented even though there was no obvious reason. A room in which the heavy items are all on one side of the room, almost feels as though the floor tilts. Once you have a feel for balance you can start to create a harmonious home.



Stand in the doorway of any room in your house that you feel isn’t ‘right.’ What do you see? Does the burgundy chair stick out like there is a spotlight on it? Does the entertainment center overwhelm the room? Do you have a TV and a fireplace battling for focal point? Do your easy chairs look like they were made for children next to your mammoth sofa? Does your fireplace mantel look like you are setting up for a tag sale? Your room is out of balance.



Move the furniture around and try different arrangements until you have one that works. Unless you have a room that is just for show like a Victorian parlor, you need to be able to use the room comfortably. Once the practical set-up is done, look at the room from different angles. If the room is out of balance use color and accessories, plants and pictures, groups of like objects, light and volume to create an illusion of balance.



Try grouping the accessories on your mantels and tabletops. Balance the entertainment center on one side of the fireplace with a tall plant or group of plants on the other. Note: avoid having the tops of everything at the same height. You might as well draw a line around your room. Repeat the color of the chair in pillows, throws, lampshades or the matting around a group of pictures. You really will be amazed at the difference it makes.



We may all be born craving balance but except for the lucky few, we have to learn to achieve it. There is a myriad of books on the subject and it can help to read them and look at the pictures, but the best way to get a feel for balance is ‘hands on.’ Experiment with portable objects until you get a feel for what works and then enjoy creating your harmonious home.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company’s creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net



Content for this article was provided by Suzanne Copenhaver, Design Consultant to ON THE GO 4 U. Suzanne has years of experience decorating in less than ideal situations and always provides us with tons of insight.



© 2005 Indra Books for ON THE GO 4 U

One question I am continually asked is, “Is it possible to lose body fat and gain muscle at the same time?” My answer is an emphatic YES!

First of all, to build muscle, you must constantly overload the muscles in the gym. Heavy training is of utmost importance. Even when you are on a calorie-deprived diet to lose body fat, you must be mentally tough and continue to train heavily to preserve-and even build-muscle mass. And, as I’ve discussed several times already, back up heavy training by eating high-quality protein on a consistent basis.

To lose body fat and still gain muscle, you must really watch your diet closely. Keep your daily caloric intake below your maintenance level. When you reduce your calories, be sure to keep your diet high in quality protein. Most of your calories should come from your carbohydrate consumption. Of course, watch your fat intake.

Here is how I suggest you manipulate your carbohydrate consumption: For a couple of days, eat only vegetables for carbohydrates then go back to grains like rice, potatoes, and pasta for a couple of days. Rotate in this manner and see how quickly you start melting the fat. Because carbohydrates give you energy, this may become difficult at times. Nevertheless, it is a very effective strategy.

Naveen Kumar is the author related to www.terepharmacy.com
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An autoresponder course is a group of articles or information set up to be sent out separately over a set period of time by e-mail. People just e-mail your autoresponder to receive the free course and it is sent out automatically over time. You can find free follow-up autoresponders to use by typing it into any search engine. Below are ten ways to use them to increase your traffic and sales.

1. Offer your course as a free bonus for purchasing one of your main products or services. People will buy your products quicker when you offer a bonus.

2. When you write and give away a free course you will become known as an expert. This’ll gain people’s trust and they will buy your main product quicker.

3. Allow others to add your free course to their own product packages. Their customers will see your ad when they purchase.

4. People love to get freebies. A free autoresponder course is perfect. They will visit your web site to get the free valuable information.

5. Allow people to receive your course for free, if they give you the e-mail addresses of 3 to 5 friends or associates that would be interested.

6. Allow other people to give away your free course. This will increase the number of people that will see your ad in the course.

7. You could trade advertising space in your course for other forms of advertising. It could be banner ads, e-zine ads, web site ads, etc.

8. Gain new leads by having people sign up and give you their contact info before they can receive your autoresponder course.

9. Give away the autoresponder course as a free gift to your current customers as a way of letting them know you appreciate their business.

10. Give away the course to people that join your affiliate program. This will increase the number of people that sign-up.

11. Make money selling advertising space in your course. You could charge for small classified ads or sponsor ads.

12. Get free advertising by submitting your course to freebie web sites. This will increase the number of people that will see your ads in the course.

13. Make money by selling the reprint rights to those people that would like to sell the course. You could make more money by selling the master rights.

14. Hold a contest on your web site so people could win your course. You will get free advertising when you submit your contest to free contest directories.

15. You’ll gain valuable referrals from people telling others about your course. Word of mouth advertising can be very effective.

16. Make money cross promoting your course with other people’s products or services. This technique will double your marketing effort

17. Increase your e-zine subscribers by giving your course to people that subscribe to your e-zine. This’ll give people an incentive to subscribe.

18. Allow your affiliates to use the free course as a promotional tool for your product. Each lesson could include their affiliate link.

19. Promote other businesses affiliate programs you join with your free autoresponder course. Include a different affiliate link on each lesson.

20. Advertise a different product or service on each lesson. If you only have one, use different emotional response ads on each lesson.

———————————————————
Julia Tang publishes “Smart Online Business Tips”, a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you. To find out the best online business opportunities,
to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com
———————————————————-

Free adware and spyware scans are something that you should
certainly take advantage of if your computer is running slow and
you do not presently use an adware program. They can easily be
utilized in one of 2 varying ways.

Firstly you can actually get an online scan without downloading
any software’s. The disadvantage of this is that this method is
usually not as accurate and will more often than not leave some
hidden malwares or adwares lurking deep within the depths of
your pc files.

Secondly you can take advantage of the free adware scans that
are all over the internet. These take just minutes to install
and are very easy to work. These free scan software’s will
usually carry out a more thorough job of locating and isolating
any adware of spyware problems that you may have picked up
whilst surfing the net.

You will find that a free scan software will carry out what is
called a deep system scan and the adware that has locked itself
in the deepest and most intricate workings of your computer will
easily be located in order for you to destroy it.

You might also wonder how did the adware get into your system in
the first place? You know you did not download any program’s so
how did this happen? Well unfortunately it is all to easy to
pick up these nasty viruses simply by visiting a website or
portal. Some unscrupulous webmasters will plant scripts or codes
on their WebPages in order to infiltrate your pc.

Adware / spyware viruses from websites will usually try to carry
out tasks such as hijacking your net browser or home page in
order to get you to come back to their site and purchase. Others
might probably have darker intensions such as stealing your
personal information and data, This is not to be taken lightly
if you store such things as your financial details or passwords
within your pc.

With such dastardly deeds taking place on the net I am afraid
that only an idiot would go unprotected, for the sake of a free
spyware or adware scan please check out your computer as soon as
you can.

Each and every day new adwares are making their way onto the
world wide web, This is why it is essential to get an adware
eraser that is regularly updated with the newest and most deadly
of spywares and adwares.

So first.

Get a free scan.

Use the erase function it if you are infected with an adware.

Regularly check your computer and cleanse it.

Regularly update your adware/spyware software [ this will be
free of charge ]

If you follow all the above your computer should be adware free
and running like new for as long as you keep to your anti adware
regime in place.

If you are applying for a job abroad (particularly in Europe or South America), a Motivation Letter For Work Abroad takes the place of a Cover Letter. Both resumes and Motivation Letters are much less formal than their United States equivalents. The Motivation Letter, as its name implies, tells your prospective employers why you are motivated to work for their companies. It gives you a chance to describe your personality, the languages you speak, any awards you may have won, and what motivates you to work abroad.

The Motivation Letter is constructed like a formal business letter, with your name and address in the top right corner. Beneath this and against the left margin should be the name, job title, company and address of the recipient. (It is worth doing a little digging to find out the name, if you don’t know it.) European countries don’t put a period after title abbreviations, so remember to leave them off ; i.e., “Mr” instead of “Mr.” and “Dr” rather than “Dr.”. Spell out the name of the month and use the order “day-month-year.”

The first paragraph of your Motivation Letter describes the job for which you are applying, and how you learned about it. The second paragraph should address your qualifications for the job; don’t just list them, talk about them. Show yourself to be a person of initiative and creativity ; in short, motivated! In the third paragraph, talk about why you want this particular job. What skills do you bring to it? What do you hope to learn? Finally, in the fourth paragraph give your contact information and times you are available for interview.

If you used the recipient’s name, close “Yours sincerely;” if you used “Dear Sir or Madam,” close “Yours faithfully.” Type your name four spaces down and two spaces under that, against the left margin, type “Enclosure.” Sign your name in the space above your typed name, attach a resume to your Motivation Letter For Work Abroad, and you’ve done it!

Motivation begins with you. Whether you are an employer of thousands or sitting in you room, struggling to get your day going. Motivation Letter for Work Abroad

Did you know that you should always create a process map for every procedure or system of procedures that you develop? And did you know that, like a table of contents, this will create stronger communication and better understanding in your organization?

How do you do this?

Identify Core Processes

Last time, we followed the money trail and identified your business’ core processes. We discussed where to best start a change in one of those core processes. And we introduced the technique of producing a process map. So this week, let’s take a further look at how to create a process map - and see how it creates knowledge to benefit you and your organization.

Use Process Map as Communication Tool

A process map is a flow diagram of the primary processes within an organization. It very specifically shows you both who and what is involved in a process, as well as the requirements for that process to be effective. The primary goal is to use the map as a communication tool. It is to show the sequence of interactions of the elements involved in the process. And so process maps are drawn and used by organizations to achieve several benefits:

• Increase process understanding

• Clarify process boundaries, ownership and effectiveness measures

• Identify process sequences

• Isolate core processes, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement

• Clarify the interaction of Customer, Supplier, Management and Operations processes

• Provide a tool for training and discussion

In other words, a process map details what happens first, second and third in a process. It shows what happens in each step along the way. And this is drawn in graphical form for easier communication and understanding.

This type of map shows the “big picture” of 10-20 core processes within an organization. The map also shows the critical elements within each section and its importance within the whole system. And these sections, or bands, are what relate the processes to each other AND to the outside suppliers and customers.

Link Suppliers and Customers

Although there are several ways to draw a process map, the basic diagram is typically constructed in four bands. And these four bands link together Customers, Primary Processes, Secondary Processes and Suppliers.

You improve effectiveness by showing the specifics of a process. And sometimes we’ve learned the hard way that the development phase of a project or a process is far more expensive than the planning phase. And so by thinking through and perfecting your processes beforehand, you decrease waste in development time. With a detailed process map, you identify and decrease such waste wherever it occurs in the process.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind while process mapping:

• Identify core processes to support mission and goals

• Determine how to create value for the customer throughout the process

• Map ownership and performance metrics along with the process

• Engage your people in process mapping to define problems and solutions

Now, let’s break down the process map even further.

Define Steps of the Process

We’ve just defined the big picture process map as a sequence of interactions of multiple processes. These multiple processes consist of multiple steps. As we’ve discussed, the benefits are better communication and understanding and a decrease in waste. And this offers a great “big picture” view of your organization’s processes. But…

When you go to write your organization’s procedures, you need more detail. You’ll need a method to define the sequence of interactions of each step. And you do this with a procedure map. Here’s an example of a typical procedure map:

With this refined procedure map, you can see the steps that go into an organization’s competency process, including the suppliers and customers for each of those steps. This is also called the SIPOC method. This method identifies the Suppliers of the specific data used as an Input for the Process to create Outputs for the Customer. The map also gives you both effectiveness and performance criteria for this process’ owner(s). With such measurement criteria, you set the mark for continuous improvement of the process.

And so by creating a procedure map, you will further increase communication and understanding within your organization. Procedure maps become a strong tool in training, either to familiarize new employees to their jobs or to increase efficiency and performance with current employees.

Communicate, Understand and Apply Knowledge

Both process and procedure maps are crucial in an organization. And so as a rule of thumb, never develop a procedure or system of procedures without first creating a process and procedure map. Acting like a table of contents, a process map helps organize the chapters of a complex book in a way that this knowledge can easily be communicated, understood and applied.

Next time, we will discuss Six Sigma problem-solving tools and answer the question: how do you move from seat-of-the-pants decision making to measurable and continuous process improvement?

Chris Anderson is the managing director of Bizmanualz, Inc. and co-author of policies and procedures manuals, producing the layout, process design and implementation to increase performance.

To learn how to increase your business performance, visit: Bizmanualz, Inc.
or email sean@bizmanualz.com

Splogging is the creation of spam blogs, either automatically or manually. Spam is spam regardless of how it’s done. The main idea behind splogging is to create as many websites as possible and fill them with links to a particular site that sells some product. As I was reading this description, I thought that this is what many people are doing with their blogs, site promotion. The difference between a splog and a legitimate blog used for site promotion is that splogs have no real content, generally no articles are written by the author of the splog, and splogs are created en masse. This means you will find the same content on several blogs if not hundreds to thousands of blogs. All of them filled with the same uninteresting useless content, but links and comments to the same sites. Their only purpose is to create backlinks. What they achieve is useless information in the search engines.

Sites like Blogger are aware of splogs and their use. Recently they have started deleting spam blogs in their system and have implemented ways to prevent automatic post submissions and comment submission for those sites that have splog properties. Since identifying splog properties on a blog is an automatic process, don’t worry if you are targeted. Blogger has implemented ways for legitimate sites to have their blog looked at by a real person in order to change the splog status. Other groups are actually going to the extent of having splogs and the websites they point to banned from search engines.

The best way not to get your blog banned is not to participate in splogging and be wary of the programs you participate in. If they sound too good to be true, they probably are and they will probably get your site and your blog banned without recourse. In addition, you may also have adsense or any other advertising program you participate in discontinued permanently.

This year we will be celebrating Advent for the first time. Although I have a Christian background, I only just discovered this often overlooked celebration. In my research on Advent I came up with some very interesting activities I can do with my boys. I am really looking forward to it and pray that they enjoy it as much as I will.

What is Advent?

The word Advent means the coming or arrival. Advent is separated into two events - the Advent of the Christ child and the Advent of the Second Christ. Thus Advent is the celebration or anticipation of the Christ child and Christ’s Return. Historically Advent is also known as the start of the Church Calendar.

When?

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Colors of Advent:

Purple - to welcome the Advent of the King (4 purple candles)
Blue - sometimes blue is used as well as a symbol of Royalty
Rose - 1 rose colored Candle (3rd lighted candle)

How?

Celebrations of Advent vary depending on the church you attend and which parts you’d like to emphasize for your family. Below you will find what we have chosen to include in our celebration. Please feel free to use these ideas in your own celebrations.

This year we will be purchasing a live wreath for our Advent wreath. The wreath is used to symbolize the new and everlasting life given to us through Jesus the Christ. The wreath has 5 candles - 4 go around the circular wreath and 1 goes in the middle. We will be making Bees Wax Candles this year in preparation of lighting the Advent Wreath.

Symbolism of the Advent Wreath:

The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ

. http://cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html

Colors of the Advent Candles:

Each Candle is lit on a Sunday. The first is the Candle of HOPE. The second is Joy, the third (rose colored) is Peace, and the fourth is Love. The final candle - Center - is the Christ Candle and is white and is lit on Christmas Eve.

The Jesse Tree:

You could also make a Jesse Tree during this time. A Jesse tree traces the lineage of Jesse to the Christ Child. You can make the symbols with your children while sharing the stories of each symbol.

The Festival of Light:

You can celebrate this festival in a number of ways. It is celebrated in many cultures throughout the world. The celebration we have chosen to do this year is the Spiral. This is especially nice with a large number of children.

Foods of Advent:

Stir Up Sunday Bread Pudding
Saffron buns
St. Lucia
Advent Biscuits
Recipes for Advent
Advent Cookies
Advent Recipe Calendar - (christmas-baking.com)A recipe for everyday
Cookie Advent Calendar for Children - (easyfunschool.com)

Sara Duggan is the mom of 2 boys wife to her sweet heart for 11 years and loves to write and crochet in her spare time. For more information on festivals and celebrations for families visit http://mommie-care.com

Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer is yes! Far more studies show that a
typical ‘Western Diet’ has deleterious effects on health compared to the risks of a
vegan diet. In fact, vegetarian diets are associated with disease resistance and even
higher I.Q.’s in children. (1-5)

With proper planning and a bit of self-education, parents should feel confident in
giving their child a diet free of animal products.

Healthy food choices include the following:

Protein dense foods: beans, soy, whole grains, nuts, etc.

Calcium sources: beans, leafy greens, figs, blackstrap molasses, fortified beverages,
etc.

Iron sources: grains, dried fruit, coconut milk, blackstrap molasses, soybeans,
beans, etc.

Zinc sources: nuts, seeds, grains, chickpeas, soybeans, etc.

Avoid wheat and nuts until after one year of age, to avoid possible food sensitivities.

Supplementation may be necessary for children who are picky eaters, but most
nutritional needs can be met through diet. Vitamins D and B12 may be the
exception, and parents should ensure an optimal supply through fortified foods or
supplements.

Finding community support can be very important in helping your child maintain
healthy eating habits, as vegan diets are often misunderstood and even feared by
well-meaning family members, neighbours, and teachers. Many excellent resources
exist that can help educate those in your child’s life who have concerns, and
possibly alleviate any misconceptions they may have.

Raising a child on a vegan diet can be challenging in today’s world of hot-dogs and
ice cream, but parents should be assured that research is on their side.

The following sources are particularly supportive of vegan diets for children:

The Vegetarian Society UK http://www.vegsoc.org

The Vegetarian Resource Group http://www.vrg.org

European Vegetarian Union http://www.ivu.org

Physician’s Committee For Responsible Medicine http://www.pcrm.org

Becoming Vegan Brenda Davis, R.D., and Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.

1. O’Connell JM, Dibley MJ, Sierra J et al: Growth of vegetarian children: The Farm
Study. Pediatrics 1989;84:475-481.

2. Fisher M, Levine PH, Weiner B, et al. The effects of vegetarian diets on plasma
lipid and platelet levels. Arch Inter Med 1986;146:1193-1197.

3. Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme R, Eilber U. Mortality pattern of German
vegetarians after 11 years of follow-up. Epidemiology 1992;3:395-401.

4. Thorogood M, Mann J, Appleby P, McPherson K. Risk of death from cancer and
ischaemic heart disease in meat and non-meat eaters. Brit Med J 1994;308:1667
-1670.

5. Dwyer JT, Miller LG, Arduino NL, et al. Mental age and I.Q. of predominately
vegetarian children. J Am Dietetic Assoc 1980;76:142-147.

Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes
in pregnancy, birth and childhood. She is currently the editor of http://www.motherandchildhealth.com an online resource for women looking for
information on natural health and healing for themselves and their families.

On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. On this day they formally declared that these colonies were free and independent states, not subject to the government of Great Britain.

The Declaration of Independence was signed by leaders from the colonies, and for the first time in an official document the colonies were referred to as the United States of America.

It is a day to be celebrated by all, by patriotic parades, picnics and fireworks. The flying of the American flag is widespread.
July 4th gifts are given to family and friends to celebrate this special occasion.

Show your true American patriotism this year by wearing a fabulous piece of American jewelry that is made in America by Americans. One of the easiest by stylish ways is to wear the American Flag as a lapel pin or pendant. The diamonds within these shine the light of freedom in the eyes of all beholders. Another way could be to wear a Statue of Liberty pendant.

This seasons must have item of jewelry for the ladies to celebrate Independence Day would have to be a Diamond Heart US Flag Pendent Belly Ring.
Other gift ideas could be a ‘$’ shaped money clip or Presidential Seal or US Marine Cuff Links.

However and wherever you choose to spend July 4th show your Patriotism with a piece of fine crafted American jewelry.

To view a selection of fine Patriotic Jewelry visit http://www.shiningsparklers.com