Friday, September 30, 2011

Developing Your Materials List for Constructing Your Chicken Coop

Look, let's convey it like it is; there are choices out there that do not require you to construct your chicken coop. Pre-built chicken houses of all types from any number of companies are available for purchase in the marketplace. When you think on it though this new-found hobby of caring for chickens was your personal decision, and with that decision, the desire to get directly involved in the venture from the ground level up. After all, there is a certain feeling of gratification in getting involved at that level. And when you glimpse at the whole picture and begin to focus in on the yield of your self-gratification efforts -- a regular batch of freshly laid organic eggs -- you just may wish to reduce your project costs where you can and start looking at materials for constructing the project yourself.

In mulling over the list of chicken coop materials needed for your project, don't discount what you may already have leftover from past undertakings. More so than you could imagine, coops of all types have been put together from a hodgepodge of odd materials which is a part of the allurement of getting into this past time.

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However, should you find yourself without of the blessing of having leftovers, it's time to bite the bullet and go on over to your local Lowes. And in so doing here is where you need to be mindful in putting together your list. Undoubtedly your plan is to construct an inexpensive chicken coop, however resist the temptation of buying inferior materials. Speak to any seasoned veteran and they will advise you -- take the cheap route and you're going to be back there in short order purchasing replacement pieces.

Let's glance at the materials for your list:

Board Lumber/Plywood: Board lumber, 2x4 or 2x3, are your best bets for framing up your undertaking. For flooring joists, boards that are 2x6 are recommended, and if you wish to raise your project off the ground, corner posts that are 4x4 are recommended. And whenever it's time to trim, 1x4s will conclude your framing. Plywood, treated for water proofing as will all of your wood selections, will serve as wall material for your undertaking as well as the ground material of your roofing to which shingles will be affixed.

Wire for Fencing: Wire fencing affixed between posts will make the circumference of your chickens' yard. This is referred to as a "run", their outdoor place to bask in the sunshine and suck up fresh air. It also serves as their fortification from the advances of predators, therefore selecting the right grade of fencing is crucial. Of the many choices, the general consensus is that a heavy grade mesh is the best selection in protection against the broad array of marauder types. And it would be a really sound suggestion to take the added time and effort to string the mesh across the top to protect against those that climb and those that soar.

Windows: The advice is to frame in a minimum of one window, one foot square, for each ten feet square of coop area. Windows are important for bringing natural light into your hen house as well as allowing a source of refreshing air flow for your birds.

Insulation: It will get hot in your hen house in the months of summertime and bitterly frigid in the dead of winter. Your chickens' body will respond most effectively in between 40 and 85 degrees, hence temperature control in their house is no minor matter. Construct into your undertaking sufficient insulation for keeping your flock healthy year round.

Well, that ought to provide you a roadmap for getting your materials list together. Remember, you are going to require a plan, an easy to follow guidebook, to assist you in keeping your project moving onward and on course.

Developing Your Materials List for Constructing Your Chicken Coop

Lowes Build

Calendars Are Innovative Marketing Materials

People are constantly looking for something new. When they deal with businesses, they always choose those who are able to offer them something fresh and exciting. For this reason, it is important that you continuously offer something new to your customers. This way you get to keep the interest of your customers.

So, how do you make your business exciting? You can start with your marketing materials. Why not provide new and refreshing materials to your customers. You can always design a unique business card, an impressive post card, or a compelling brochure. But chances are everyone else will be doing that. So, how do you make your materials stand out in the market?

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Well, for starters, you can always consider custom calendars. Aside from helping people keep track of their appointments or organize their schedules, the calendar can also be used as an effective and out of the ordinary marketing material. Why not consider designing your own impressive calendar that will stay with your customers for the whole year.

A lot of business owners though are hesitant in using these materials because they believe that they are expensive to produce. You need to make sure that you use high quality materials to guarantee that you materials will last for the whole years. This makes it look expensive to create these materials. However, with the technology and machineries available today, it is easy to find a printing company that will be able to provide you high quality printing at the most affordable rate.

You do not actually have to get rid of the important features of the calendar just to afford printing. You can still strike a balance between good design, quality and cost if you are able to find the right printer. In fact, if you are able to find the printing company that offers discounts in bulk printing, the better. You can be sure to save a bundle in these companies.

If you truly want the most practical way of printing your calendar templates, then why not try online printing. A lot printing companies are available on the internet these days, each offering high quality printing services. With the convenience they offer, you can be sure that your materials will be delivered to you on time and in less hassle. But you have to make sure that you are hiring the right online printer as there are plenty of fraud companies out there today. Do your research and price comparison in order to come up with the right printer. It is best if you read testimonials or ask for samples from the printers to see the quality of their work.

Once you find the right printer, it will help you save more if you order you materials ahead of time. Do not go with the rush such as having your calendars printed at the end of the year as you can be sure that everyone will be printing their calendars during this time. Plan ahead to eliminate the hassles and problems you may encounter when printing on a rush. In the end, this will give you great savings and less stress.

If you have not tried calendar marketing in the past, this is the best time to see what this marketing technique can do to your business. Produce your own calendars today and stay in the minds of your customers for the entire year.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Calendar Templates

Calendars Are Innovative Marketing Materials

Grow Calendar 2011

Michael Jackson - The Man-Child Who Could Not Grow Up

The uniqueness that was Michael Jackson left many people watching his memorial with ambivalence. Is it OK to care about him? Should his alleged actions - remember he was never found guilty of being a pedophile - overshadow his amazing talent and accomplishments? Dare I say I liked him? His fans will say yes - and his critics will say no. But most people just aren't sure how to feel.

Certainly his talent is undeniable. We spent our entire childhoods dancing and singing to Michael Jackson songs. His appeal spanned generations. We got out of our chairs and danced along. He was a "thriller" for us for years. As we adored him, he clearly did not adore himself. He was constantly tearing away his face, repeatedly going through surgeries to recreate another self; changing his skin color, keeping himself frighteningly thin as if hoping to not be seen and to disappear. Until he accomplished his goal. And now he has disappeared.

Grow Calendar 2011

It's easy to criticize a 50 year old man whose most fervent desire was to be Peter Pan, not grow up, and live his life in Neverland. And it's easy to believe that anyone who would spend millions to create a playland might be using it to lure youngsters to satisfy deviant desires. Maybe his money allowed him to be more blatant then a pedophile would ever be. But with all the possibilities one thing is clear. Michael Jackson had a severe maturational lag and emotionally was a very young child. Though the calendar said he was 50 his extremely limited childhood experiences left a hole in him he could never fill.

Try as he might, he couldn't get past never having any of the expected, normal childhood life experiences that kids need to mature and function successfully in the society they live in. If someone put you in a closet for a month you would be a month older when you came out. But would you be smarter? Or have matured at all. All of that would have been totally stifled. If I took you out of the closet and taught you to read, that would be all you would know. You might be smarter but still not more mature. Maturity comes from having constant and various life experiences.

Children who have been very sick, kids who use drugs, those who have experienced abuse and neglect, and any other situation which pulled them from the mainstream of what is considered a "normal" childhood can experience a maturational lag. Many people have this to one degree or another. Today, child protégés are given the opportunity to socialize and be a child. People know how important this is. Michael's maturational lag was extreme. And though his agile body amazed us, he was crippled by his inability to function as a normal adult in the world in which he lived.

Seeing him this way may help to alleviate the ambivalence in how people mourn him. This man-child was a giant in his field and changed the world of music and entertainment forever. It's a tragedy that he could not fill his own shoes.

Michael Jackson - The Man-Child Who Could Not Grow Up

Grow Calendar 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Latest Furniture Trends 2011

Future trends 2011 would focus upon the styles that are not only contemporary but also multifunctional. The furniture for this year would be modular and ecofriendly. It should not only be modern but durable and lightweight. In order to blend with the fast-paced lifestyles all the home furnishing objects should be easy to maintain and clean. Another feature that is most look forward is resistance to stains. Last but not the least; the focus shall be on the affordability and ease of ordering online.

Modern is on the calendar if we talk about furniture trends 2011. Homeowners looking for a makeover or renovation should keep an eye on these trends and use the power of internet to locate the best dealers, suppliers, manufacturers and designers. Following trends is not difficult if you have planned so make lists of whichever new objects you require to replace your old stuff. You can contribute some money to purchase new items by selling the used ones at either yard sales or auctions online.

Grow Calendar 2011

The awareness for the protection of our environment is growing and those people who love their home planet and in favor of ecofriendly products, are prone to buy green furniture this year. Many aspiring and talented designers are into designing green furniture for the environment friendly people. The green revolution will take over all the rest in the coming years so you can make a sound planning right now. Invest in the green products to declare your own fashion statement.

Multifunctional is another feature introduced by the manufacturers to their customers. Modular furniture can be the best choice for those living in small houses, flats or apartments. Sofa cum bed is one good example that can be bed or packed back into the shape of sofa when not required. Therefore, look for these features when you go on to buy new home furnishing for you.

Latest Furniture Trends 2011

Grow Calendar 2011

Jefferson City, Missouri

Jefferson City was chosen as Missouri's state capital in 1821 and was named after Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States of America. Jefferson City is nestled in the Ozarks on the banks of the Missouri River and is near the geographical center of the state. The city is located along Hwy 54, Hwy 50 and Hwy 63, is 30 miles south of Columbia, Missouri and almost centered between Missouri's major cities of St. Louis and Kansas City. The City of Jefferson had a total of 39,636 residents, as of 2000 and the median age was 36 years.

Jefferson City has a deep historical background and illustrates a romantic atmosphere with many buildings dating back to the 1800's. The Lohman building was built in the late 1830's and is believed to be the oldest structure in the city. This three-story limestone treasure now exhibits transportation of the nineteenth century. Other historical attractions include the Missouri State Governor's Mansion, the Carnahan Memorial Garden which was renamed in 2001 after the death of Governor Mel Carnahan, the Cole County Historical Museum and the Missouri Supreme Court Building. The city also embraces a long list of historical homes such as the Schmidt Apartments, Ivy Terrace, Towles-Buckner House, Oscar Birch House, Villa Panorama, Cole County Historical Society, Wendielin Buehrle House, Dix House, Upshulte House, Hugh Stevens House, Orchard Acres, Jefferson Female Seminary, Schroeder House, Oberman House, Parson's House and Sinclair-Hagner House that each add to the richness and ambiance found there.

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Perhaps the most sought after attraction in Missouri is the Missouri State Capitol Building. The Capitol's dome rises 238 feet about ground level and is perched on the bluffs of the Missouri River. The building creates a picturesque view of the city for travelers arriving from the north. Completed in 1918, the Capitol offers exhibits and tours that give a superb historical education of the State of Missouri as well as the building itself. Other museums and attractions in the city include the Missouri Veterans Memorial, Cole County Historical Museum, Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial, Missouri Veterinary Museum, Museum of Missouri Military History and Missouri River Regional Library.

Jefferson City sits on some of Missouri's most beautiful terrain and offers an outdoor retreat with various parks and golf courses. Eagle Knoll golf course is ranked as the third best value in the nation and challenges all levels of play. Oak Hills Golf Center, Railwood Golf Course, Turkey Creek Golf Center and Redfield Golf Course are favorite places for visitors and residents alike. The City of Jefferson has numerous parks including Binder Park, Joseph C. Miller Park, Ellis Porter/ Riverside Park, McClung Park, McKay Park, Memorial Park and Family Aquatic Center, Miller Street Park, Washington Park and Cole County Park. Most notable is the city's portion of the famous Katy Trail.

Classic entertainment for the whole family can be found at the Marvic Skate Center, The Washington Park Skate Park, Washington Park Ice Arena, West Gate Lanes, Capital 4 Theatres and Capital 8 Theatres. The city also has a shooting range at the United Sportsman Club. City night life can be enjoyed at several night clubs such as Mike's Corner Pocket, Bones, Pitchers, College Club, Spectators and the Budweiser Inn Bar & Lounge.

The City of Jefferson appreciates fine art and is home to the Miller Performing Arts Center, Jefferson City Community Concert Association, Jefferson City Symphony, Little Theatre, Capital City Players and Stained Glass Theatre.

The Jefferson City Public School District operates Jefferson City High School. There is also a private school, Helias. Lincoln University is also a landmark institution and in 2004 was ranked fifth in diversity for graduates and seventh for having the most international students.

The shopping experience in Jefferson City ranges from quaint "Mom and Pop" specialty shops to chain stores as well as the Capital Mall. Downtown Jefferson City, on High Street, has been a focal point of the city for over 150 years and yet the city is continuously expanding to offer more to its residents and visitors.

Wildwood Crossing offers familiar stores such as Pier 1 Imports, Old Navy, MC Sports, Goody's, Petco, TJ Maxx, Shoe Carnival, Barnes and Noble, Cingular Wireless and more. Chain stores such as Best Buy , Lowes and Wal-Mart are also along Missouri Boulevard. The Capital Mall holds major department stores such as JCPenney, Sears and Dillard's as well as stores like Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Buckle, Tuesday Morning, Payless Shoe Source, American Eagle Outfitters, Christopher & Banks, Claire's Boutique, Deb, Dollar Tree, EB Games, Foot Locker, Hot Topic, JoAnn Fabrics, Kay Jewelers, KB Toys, Maurice's, Radio Shack, Rex TV & Appliance Center, Shoe Department, Things Remembered, Trade Secret, Zales and more.

Dining in Jefferson City ranges from fast food to fine dining and caters to every occasion. With restaurants like Madison's Café, Arri's Pizza Palace, Michael's Unforgetable BBQ, McDonald's, Roly Poly, Paddy Malone's Pub, Capital City Steak House, Pizza Hut, Sonic, Subway, O'Donoghue's, Colton's Steakhouse, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday's, Dairy Queen, Fazoli's, Taco Bell, El Jimador, China Garden, High Street Pub, Zesto Drive-In, Kate & Ally's, Old Brick House Deli, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, Alexandro's and more, choosing just one place at a time will be the hardest part.

The City of Jefferson is a gracious host to travelers looking for the charm of a small town with the amenities of a city. It honors a rich past and embraces a prosperous future.

Jefferson City, Missouri

Lowes Build

3 Hair Crimes To Avoid: The Correct Ways Of How To Make Your Hair Grow Longer

Having slow-growing hair can be really frustrating especially if you are looking forward to attending an event with your hair long and beautiful. That is why finding the best ways of how to make your hair grow longer is very popular with people who find their hair growing so slowly.

It becomes so easy to understand why people continue to strive looking for the best techniques to grow hair because there are indeed ways to do so. You will just have to be more patient in finding the ones that will truly work for you. Considering the top three hair crimes listed below might just be what you need to do in order for you to grow your hair longer once and for all:

Grow Calendar 2011

1. Brushing hair ruthlessly.

If you have a bad habit of brushing your hair so cruelly, then make sure to stop doing so right away. The last thing your hair needs is cruel treatment from you. If you are serious about growing your hair, then you should be bent on finding the best strategies of how to make your hair grow longer as well.

All you need to do is find the most gentle hair brush or comb for your mane. Make sure you buy the hair brush that is boar-bristled and the comb that is wide-toothed. In that way, there will be no tangles and at the same time, your mane will receive the gentle treatment that it needs.

2. Using extreme heat to fix hair.

Get rid of the electric irons, straightening irons, hair dryers and blowers that have kept you company for a long time. You may not know it but they have already caused your mane great damage than you can ever imagine. Now it is time to do away with them if you are serious about making your hair grow longer any minute. But then again, take note that growing your hair will not happen in just a blink of an eye, or a snap of your fingers. It is not and will never be an overnight thing. The first best thing to do is get rid of the hair crimes you commit to your mane, then follow-up with the tips on how to further stimulate your hair to grow.

3. Eating unhealthy.

Eating too many junk foods, canned goods, processed and frozen foods are actually a crime you should not commit to your locks. If you have developed the habit of eating such unhealthy foods, make it a point to stop at once. Otherwise, if you continue eating such foods that will not give your body the nutritional value it needs to help your hair become healthy, you can be assured that you will grow brittle, limp and lifeless hair. Therefore, go for more protein-enriched diets so that you will have healthier hair follicles that will produce more growth hormones responsible for growing hair.

By getting rid of these three hair crimes, you will surely be on your way to developing beautiful, longer and healthier mane just in time for the event you are going to attend (that is, if you allotted a long time for preparing your hair to grow). Truly, how to make your hair grow longer is not a very difficult job to pull off after all.

3 Hair Crimes To Avoid: The Correct Ways Of How To Make Your Hair Grow Longer

Grow Calendar 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Promote Your Business With The Latest Advertising Tools

Most of us think that if business is running well, there is no need to promote it more. People might name their laid-back attitude- lack of time or contentment.

Business is like a human being, it can be developed to any extent if you keep on improving and becoming better. We all know what we have become and achieved but we don't know what we could be. Certainly, we stop ourselves from growing further after a point and accept the things as they are. Your business and its state is an extension of your personality. If you fail to understand that why your business is still there where it was long back and, others have gone way ahead- here is the answer: You don't want to grow.

Grow Calendar 2011

Were you equally concerned about expansion as much as you were about setting a shop, you would have reached the sky. Sky is the limit for those who want to grow. Well you might be wondering what if we wish to grow but don't know how. The first step is to start promoting it. Promotion is challenging process. One needs patience for a constant and on-going marketing.

There are various tools to keep your advertising on forever without worrying much. Here are some other tips that can help you grow and make your business a success.

Promotion is a dire need of today's business if you want to keep it alive even in the future and many years to come. It is usually misunderstood as a one-time step and linked with a new business. Even an old business must promote in different ways to reach and amass new customers. Marketing a product may seem easy but it's not just distributing leaflets. Of course making your existence known to others is important but to keep a spark in the business, you should bring something new for the customers every now and then.

You can't completely rely on just your regular customers. There is always a need to add more customers to increase your business, and that can happen if you know how to attract them. Entire setting of the shop should appeal the customer even before he enters the shop.

Replace your boring banners with more stylish ones and give your store a refreshing look. Banners should sum up everything about your business. Style is an important term that is impacting everybody these days. There is a wide variety of display solution available in the market. One can go for classy bamboo Banner stands and customized postures fixed on it. It's about how you package your shop even before packaging your products.

Promotion material should be distributed on and off. One should keep festive discounts or off-season sale (if applicable) to attract customers. Give regular advertisements in print and always provide brochures to the customers.

Promote Your Business With The Latest Advertising Tools

Grow Calendar 2011

How to Grow Japanese Red Maple Trees from Seed

Most Japanese Maple seeds ripen in the fall. Watch the tree and wait for the seeds to turn brown. The seeds are ready to be harvested when they are brown and can be easily removed from the tree.

The seeds are attached to a wing, it's best to break the wing off before storing or planting the seeds. Japanese Maple seeds have a very hard outer coating as do many ornamental plants. Under natural conditions the seeds would have to be on the ground for almost two years before they would germinate. All that happens the first winter is the moisture softens the hard outer shell, and the second winter germination is beginning to take place.

Grow Calendar 2011

In order for all of this to happen in the proper sequence so the seedlings actually sprout at a time of the year when freezing temperatures or hot summer sun doesn't kill them, takes a tremendous amount of luck.

You can improve the odds by controlling some of these conditions, and shorten the cycle. Once you have picked the seeds and removed the wing just place them in a paper bag and store them in a cool dry place until you are ready for them. You don't want to plant your seeds out in the spring until the danger of frost has past. Here in the north May 15th is a safe bet.

If May 15th is your target date you should count backwards on the calendar 100 days. That will take you to about February 5th if my math is correct. On or about the 100th day prior to your target planting date, take the seeds and place them in a Styrofoam cup or other container that will withstand some hot water. Draw warm to hot water from your kitchen faucet and pour it over the seeds. Most of the seeds will float, just leave them in the water overnight as the water cools down. 24 hours later most of the seeds will have settled to the bottom of the cup.

Drain off the water. Place the seeds in a plastic bag with a mixture of sand and peat or other suitable growing mix. Even light potting soil will work. The peat or soil should be moist, but not soaking wet. Poke some holes in the bag so there is some air circulation, and place the bag in your refrigerator for a period of 100 days.

After 100 days you can plant the seeds outside. If you have timed it correctly, you should be at or close to your target planting date.

To plant the seeds just sow them on top of a bed of well drained topsoil or sterilized potting soil, and cover with approximately 3/8" of soil. Water them thoroughly, but allow the soil to dry out completely before watering thoroughly again. If you water them frequently, not only do you stand a chance of the seeds rotting from being too wet, but you will also keep them cool, which will slow down the germination process.

Once they start to germinate provide about 50% shade to keep the sun from burning them. Snow fence suspended about 30" above the bed will provide about 50% shade. Japanese Maples will tolerate some shade so it isn't too important to transplant them too quickly. Depending on how close together they are, you might be able to leave them in the same bed for one or two growing seasons. Don't transplant until they are completely dormant.

You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htm

How to Grow Japanese Red Maple Trees from Seed

Grow Calendar 2011

Professional Advertising

There are so many places to advertise these days. It could be on websites where people go to find services; it could be in telephone books, signs, etc. No matter what way you decide to advertise your business, people will see it as long as you chose the right places. If you have the right supplies or access to them such as prepress equipment and CTP, which stands for computer to plate, then you can have all the supplies you need to make a sign that looks professional and appealing to people. If people find an ad that fits their needs, they will use the services you provide and will most likely recommend you to friends.

When friends need advice on something, they usually ask their friends and this is how businesses grow. If you know how to put yourself out there and update your advertisements due to what is 'in' at the time, you will be able to appeal to more people. You also need to take into consideration the people who you are aiming the advertisements at. If you want to advertise or produce a commercial and you are aiming to parents or an older crowd, a later time would be best and if you are aiming at younger children, the morning or afternoon would be the best. If you want to attract a teenage crowd, put your advertisements on websites that they are sure to visit such as blog websites or social websites where they spend most of their time and talk to friends.

Grow Calendar 2011

Advertisements can be very manipulative and unfortunately some companies have to be like that in order to get business. There are many studies that have proven the fact that we see many advertisements every day. When we watch television, go on the computer, drive down the road, read a magazine or newspaper, etc. we see things and do not even realize that we see them. When we see them in the store, we think we recognize the product and buy it because it seems reliable and familiar. The trick to this type of advertisement is to make it very noticeable. No one reads a magazine for the ads, but if one is bright and looks appealing to our eyes, we will look at it and move on without even realizing it and this is how they pull us into the trap.

You do not have to be manipulative in order to get customers and you do not even have to be flashy, but you do want to relate to the customer. If they can relate to you, they will most likely trust you; that is how the human species works.

By looking professional and acting in a way that serves your customers, they will come back and bring people with them. No matter what your service provides, you can help anyone by providing one thing for them and remember that the customer must come first. If you do not have customers, then you will not have a business.

Professional Advertising

Grow Calendar 2011

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

4 Things Hair Loss Sufferers Do Not Know About How To Grow Long Hair Fast

Many people think that the best solution for how to grow long hair fast, long and beautiful is that of not cutting it at all. But then if you will research further, you will find out that you will actually need to have your regular hair trims; that is, one half-inch every month, to effectively grow your hair back.

That and eating a well-balanced diet have long been known as truly effective ways of combating hair loss problems among hair loss sufferers. Do not underestimate the power of good nutrition in getting the kind of hair that you want. In fact, there are a lot of people who until now do not realize the importance of eating healthy foods as far as having healthy hair is concerned. Here are a few other things that hair loss sufferers fail to recognize when they want to grow their hair:

Grow Calendar 2011

1. Exercising Can Stimulate Production Of Growth Hormones

Yes, not too many people know it that exercising regularly can actually be very good in trying to grow hair back. By getting the correct exercises and doing them regularly, you will be able to improve your blood circulation. With that, it will follow that you will have better blood flow within your body which is very necessary to have healthy hair follicles. You may be asking, so what if I do not have healthy hair follicles! Well, it is very important that you have healthy hair follicles since they are the ones that will produce the growth hormones you need to grow hair.

2. Regular Head Massage Triggers Hair Growth

What is more, people think that using hair products such as shampoos and conditioners that have the labels "hair growing" or "volume optimizing" is enough to get the long hair they want. They fail to see that it takes more than these cleaning and conditioning solutions to make hair grow. In fact, it would be better to just shampoo your hair with a very mild or hypoallergenic shampoo twice to three times a week. After which do your own hot oil treatment at home by using pre-warmed which you will need to deeply massage to your scalp.

3. Healthy Lifestyle Can Effect Hair Growth

Another misconception of people about how to grow long hair fast is that they can easily get away with hair loss problems for as long they use hair products that are known to trigger hair growth. They do not understand that there are actually a lot of other underlying factors that can help them grow their hair back such as keeping a healthy lifestyle. This would include taking on the adequate number of hours to sleep; eating the healthy foods necessary to have fuller and longer hair and many others.

4. Stress Can Make You Lose Your Hair

Last but not least, most hair loss sufferers do not know that by getting too much stressed out with their work or their personal life, they can actually grow bald sooner or later. Yes, stress is known as one of the most prevalent causes of hair loss in both men and women.

After knowing all these common misconceptions about why people suffer from hair loss, now you know better what to do. Keep these things in mind and you will finally find yourself stopping asking how to grow long hair fast!

4 Things Hair Loss Sufferers Do Not Know About How To Grow Long Hair Fast

Grow Calendar 2011

Increase Business with Promotional Gifts

We all like to receive Promotional items and gifts handed out by the companies during trade shows, conventions, exhibitions, and conferences. Distributing promotional gifts are keystone in your company branding and marketing strategies and they help you grow your business and enhance existing and budding relationships. For making any business grow and increase sales, one ought to do a lot of planning, go through a thorough thought process, and decide the selection of appropriate promotional gifts. Promotional gifts should be chosen as per your business nature so that people can relate it to your gifted item.

Promotional gifts are one of the most popular and widely used techniques of marketing and advertising the company name and brand. Promotional gifts can be easily customized by imprinting your company name, brand, slogan, logo, message, website URL, and contact details on their surface. Promotional free gifts are also used to attract new customers for trying your recently launched services or product. The most striking point behind promotional gifts is that they actually and effectively create brand recognition by exposing your current and potential customers to your company logo and business information.

Grow Calendar 2011

Promotional gifts are not very difficult to afford, particularly with a little planning. Buying them in bulk won't burn a hole in your pocket, rather you can avail huge discounts. For using and selecting promotional gifts you have to know how to deal with the changing market. Various promotional gifts solve different purposes. Some of the popular and widely used promotional gifts are as follows:

Promotional pens: Pens are one of the most popular and widely distributed promotional gifts. Any company with limited budget usually goes for promotional pens. These pens are easily embellished with your company name, logo, slogan, and message. We all use pens everyday and every time. That's why; gifting promotional pens is one of the best choices.

Promotional calendars: Promotional calendars are distributed out by nearly 50% of small businesses each holiday season. They actually are one of the least expensive gifts. The biggest advantage of gifting calendars as your promotional gifts is that everyone uses them and they stay around for the entire year, flaunting your name and contact.

Computer accessories and other office supplies: Whenever a business decides to distribute promotional gifts, the first choice that strikes their mind is computer accessories. Giveaway packages of computer accessories mainly include pen tubs, imprinted pens, personalised sticky notes, mouse mats, and clocks. These are usually placed right next to the calendar and computer on the desk and hence, ensure great visibility.

There are various companies in UK offering a wide range of promotional gifts. But if you want someone popular and reliable, contact us at Ideasbynet. With two decades of experience, it offers a massive range of promotional gifts and that too at an affordable price. Visit http://www.ideasbynet.com for knowing more about promotional gifts and promotional items.

Increase Business with Promotional Gifts

Grow Calendar 2011

Build Your Fishing Boat Now!

Most likely, fishing boats are usually just about the most popular boats occupying the waters nowadays. But could you really create a fishing boat?

When you initially notice the word what construct normally just what comes up is actually work. Nevertheless, with regards to creating a fishing boat it's much less tough as it can seem to be. Many individuals consider looks at boats and say, Man I certain want to possess some of those! but are these people conscious of that they might really develop one very much the same or even far better.

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It's really less difficult and a hell-of-a-lot cheaper to set up your boat, particularly when you are knowledgeable at utilizing basic hand tools such as handsaws, electric saws, hammers and also nails. In the event that you are no less than modestly experienced from running easy wood working tools, and you may set aside a couple of months for the project, and also have some extra change in the financial institution account; then you might end up being on your way to going through some fun and excitement in creating a fishing boat.

Before you begin in on the procedure concerning how to develop a fishing boat you'd like to learn exactly what materials you may be using. Just about all boats may be constructed of sometimes plywood or even planked design. As soon as you have made your choice, then you're on the right path to be able to creating your perfect fishing boat.

Check out your personal computer and layout the actual boat you've always dreamt of, print it and check out your neighborhood Home Depot or Lowes and get all of the materials required and begin constructing.

It is possible to actually efficiently develop a fishing boat for those who have persistence and also inspiration. The biggest thing to keep in mind is always to keep basic safety out front and that it's for the thoughts associated with other people that's taking part in the actual opportunity. Have a happy as well as risk-free building!

Build Your Fishing Boat Now!

Lowes Build

Monday, September 26, 2011

Best Upcoming Smartphones 2011

For the past two years, clearly the best-selling tech item around the world became the smartphone, the device that conveniently places the Internet in your pocket. This week, it has been announced that Research In Motion shipped 14.2 million BlackBerry in the quarter ending in September 2010, narrowly beating Apple's iPhone sales. These are huge numbers for smartphones sales.

The best way to shop around for a smartphone is firstly, to select a carrier with adequate coverage and a price plan that fits your needs. However, if you're going firstly to select the best smartphone, you should start by selecting its operating system (OS).

Grow Calendar 2011

Right now, you have five Operating Systems (in the United States):

BlackBerry's OS by Research in Motion (RIM); HP's web OS; Apple's IOS, the software for the iPhone; Google's Android; and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7;1) Concerning BlackBerries, while carriers such as Sprint and AT&T already sell smartphones running RIM's upgraded BlackBerry 6 software, others (e.g. T-Mobile and Verizon) still have to make such adjustment. Anyway, BlackBerry 6 won't probably be around for long, as RIM will be using a newer operating system on its coming tablet computer, in early 2011.

2) HP's web-OS just got a major update, however the current lineup is badly due for a replacement, and apparently HP's upcoming smartphone (i.e. Verizon-first Pre 2) doesn't look like it will count as such. Web-OS also badly trails other operating systems in its selection of apps, though it remains better off than Windows Phone 7.

3) Apple's i-OS does multimedia, calendar and contacts organization and Web browsing better than all the others smartphones. It also has the widest selection of add-on apps. Its FaceTime video-calling software is excellent in terms of ease of use and reach on other smartphones. But the iPhone runs only on AT&T, right now. That carrier also locks every iPhone sold in the US against transfer to other services, limiting you to expensive roaming plans while you travel abroad. And the major drawback with the iPhone is its phone service, particularly the issue of dropped calls.

4) Android OS's major strength is its diversity, because every major US carrier offers an Android smartphone which has led to a good selection of hardware designs and prices as low as .01. And the choice of Android apps might be limited, but fortunately it is not subject to the sort of freaky control Apple exercises over its App Store.

5) Windows Phone 7 to some extent is an unfinished product: it is a decent Web smartphone with weak apps. And Windows Phone 7 smartphones are overpriced for what they do. And their current limited availability is a serious drawback: only T-Mobile and AT&T sell Windows Phone 7 smartphones, but other carriers should join them by mid-2011.

Obviously, smartphones running Microsoft's older Windows Mobile software should not even be considered in your shopping requirements, in 2011.

After you select the operating system, then you should choose a carrier that will offer you coverage and a flexible price plan. Right now, your best choice for mobile-broadband coverage are with Verizon and Sprint (2nd choice). AT&T and T-Mobile are distant competitors. Why? Let me give you an example: in 2009, AT&T refused to allow iPhone users to make Skype calls over AT&T's 3G wireless network. In 2010, AT&T eventually relented. However, Verizon Wireless offers more than twenty smartphones that are compatible with Skype, and about half of them sold with Skype's mobile app already on the smartphone.

HTC DROID Incredible Android SmartPhone review, here.

Best Upcoming Smartphones 2011

Grow Calendar 2011

Pregnancy - Pregnancy in the Seventh Week

There are usually early pregnancy classes for you and your partner. Always keep a pregnancy calendar that will provide a week by week display of your pregnancy and will attempt to calculate a probable conception date. As the fetus develops, your healthy baby now has reflexes, so can move spontaneously. The muscles and nerves begin to function. Week seven of your pregnancy is very much the same in terms of pregnancy first weeks. You are now probably in the throes of morning sickness.

Pregnancy first weeks can have you craving certain foods. This may be the body's way of getting the nutrients it needs. Sometimes, food you loved before may be repulsive to you now. Always bear in mind that a healthy balance of foods will produce a healthy baby as the growing fetus should get the correct nutrients. Keep a pregnancy calendar to track your pregnancy and development milestones.

Grow Calendar 2011

If you could see inside yourself, you would find the fetus has an oversized head in proportion to its body. Pregnancy first weeks shows the changes taking place as the embryo's facial features are forming - also the baby's hands and feet look like paddles. At the beginning of the 7th week, a healthy baby is approximately 1/4 inch, but by the end of this week will grow to about 1/2 inch. Use your personal pregnancy calendar to follow your baby's development from conception to birth.

By the seventh week of pregnancy, the fetus is growing rapidly and the umbilical cord is formed and a healthy baby is growing rapidly within the uterus. Pregnancy first weeks shows the development of the features of the baby like its eyes, nose and ears. The thorax and abdomen are entirely formed and lungs begin its slow development. The baby can open its mouth during the seventh week and you can see the development of the baby's fingers. Your pregnancy calendar is an important aspect of keeping track of your baby's development.

Pregnancy - Pregnancy in the Seventh Week

Grow Calendar 2011

Adding Captions to your Photo Calendar

Many photo editing or publishing programs have a calendar feature that enables you to add comments in the form of text or drawings to your photo calendar. Although captions add humor or inspiration to your calendars, it's often hard to come up with clever comments to give your creation just the right flavor. Here are some ideas to help you on your way.

Motivational/Inspirational

Grow Calendar 2011

Motivational comments can add inspiration to your calendars. Sometimes if you're feeling down, all you need is a little push to help you reach your goals. A beautiful picture along side a motivational comment can make a calendar that's both attractive and inspiring. Online there are millions of quotes available for use, here are a few to consider for your next calendar:

"Whatever you are, be a good one." --Abraham Lincoln

"I am always doing things I can't do, that's how I get to do them." --Pablo Picasso

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles, which he has overcome while trying to succeed." --Booker T. Washington

"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that is your own self."--Aldous Leonard Huxley

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." --George Bernard Shaw

"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions." --Benjamin Franklin

"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." --Albert Einstein

"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out." --Ray Bradbury

"Joy is not in things! It is in us!"--Benjamin Franklin

"Definition of courage: 'Grace under pressure.'"--Ernest Hemingway

"The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important." --Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them"--A. A. Milne Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Many people like to take digital picture of their children or grandchildren to share with loved ones. Humor comes naturally to children, so through the year keep record of the cute things they say to use on your next calendar. For example, my son once asked me for a piece of candy, and I told him he could have "one", than he said, "Can I have two ones?" So, a picture of him with this comment along with some candy images would have made an adorable calendar page.

You could even use fonts that resemble child handwriting with their comments, or captions that look like they are crayon drawings.

You might even ask them what they want to put with their picture, what they want to tell the person that is receiving the calendar, or what they were thinking when the picture was taken.

If you still cannot think of what to add to your calendar look for famous quotes online or from books that relate to children such as:

"Children have more need of models, than of critics."--Joseph Joubert

"Children need your presence more than your presents." --Jesse Jackson

"I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it." --Harry S. Truman

"You know your children are growing up when they stop asking you where they came from and refuse to tell you where they're going."--P. J. O'Rourke

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance."--Franklin P. Adams American journalist

"Children have never been very good at listening to adults but they have never failed to imitate them."--James Baldwyn

Holidays

There is a holiday for every month of the year. In December, you could include a line from your favorite Christmas carol, or a phrase or saying that fits your families holiday season. In the fall, you could find a phrase from a favorite poem that reflects on the change of the color of the leaves or on the harvest. If you are not a poet yourself, you can find a poem or a song phrase that mirrors the way you feel about a season or a photograph.

Humor

Humor can brighten any day. If you have funny pictures that you want to incorporate into you photo calendar, you could include jokes that you have heard, or most people are open to you poking a little fun at their silly picture.

Some calendar creation programs will even let you draw over the pictures, so you could add fangs to your friends for a funny Halloween picture, or a bikini to someone for an August month.

If you are the type that cannot remember the jokes you hear, an example of some humorous phrases that can be found online:

I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it."--Jack Handey

"If it's free, it's advice; if you pay for it, it's counseling; if you can use either one, it's a miracle."--Jack Adams

"Income tax has made liars out of more Americans than golf."--Will Rogers

"No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens."--Abraham Lincoln

"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died."--Erma Bombeck

"I love deadlines. I especially love the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."--Douglas Adams, Author, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

"You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake."--Bob Hope

Birthdays--On Getting Older

Some people like to make birthday calendars to share with their family, so that everyone can remember birthdays and stay in touch on those special days.

In Birthday calendars you could include a little family history, such as where people were born, or a favorite birthday memory. You could add history, such as, in 1963 when Uncle Steve was born, John F. Kennedy was the president of the United States.

You could add birthday cakes or party hat images, or draw the birthday party hats over the photographs. Calendar creations software will also allow you to insert pictures into the calendar grid, so you can include multiple birthday pictures in one month.

Some famous quotes, on getting older, you could add are:

"Youth has no age."--Pablo Picasso

"To me, old age is always fifteen years older than I am."--Bernard M. Baruch

"Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live."
--Unknown

"Middle age is when you've met so many people that every new person you meet reminds you of someone else."--Ogden Nash

"Adults are obsolete children."--Dr. Seuss [Theodor Seuss Geisel] (03/02/1904-1991)

"Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age."
--French proverb

"The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity."
--Thomas Henry Huxley

"The older I grow, the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom."
--H. L. Mencken

"Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everybody agrees that it is old enough to know better."
--Unknown

"When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old."--Bill Clinton

"A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age."--Robert Frost

There really are endless possibilities to the type of captions you could add to your photo calendars. Just keep some notes on the funny things you hear, or do some online research for a famous quote or poem. For history, there are websites that you could look up a month and year a person was born to add historic facts to their images. You could add favorite songs or sayings, comedic drawings, or change fonts to match the images.

The most important thing - let your imagination and humor run wild.

Adding Captions to your Photo Calendar

Grow Calendar 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Maintain Good Organization with a Lawn Care Calendar

It can be extremely difficult and time consuming caring for your lawn and it can be difficult at times to remember everything that needs doing at certain periods of the year. To prevent you from forgetting anything, you should consider using a lawn care calendar where you can keep tabs on everything that needs doing when it needs doing. By doing this you can ensure that your lawn looks healthy and visually appealing at the same time.

There are quite a few different established lawn calendars out there to go for, but it may be a better idea to customize a plan that will best suit your own lawn. The use of a calendar will help to make things a lot simpler and therefore it is certainly worth considering.

Grow Calendar 2011

Keeping on Top of Lawn Maintenance with the Use of a Calendar

You will be able to mark down certain dates to do certain things when it comes to the maintenance of your lawns and you can make your very own customized plan. You will want to start marking things down in the calendar from March, with the preparation of the soil to promote the new growth. You should rake up the soil to warm up everything, as well as keeping it all refreshed and you should find that this is a very good start.
At this point in time you may also want to test the soil as well as use some herbicides to help to make the grass grow better. Around April time you may have to start mowing the lawn which is a very important step to keeping the grass healthy and to make it look as good as possible. You may want to mark this time period on your lawn care calendar and also the aerating of the soil may be something that you will need to jot down for this time frame. In the month of May you will then want to concentrate on using fertilizers, as well as insecticides and even herbicides if needed to help to take care of the lawn.
In June, the weather will start to pick up and therefore you will have to water the lawn but - do be careful not to overdo it.
For all of the different months, you will need to keep an eye on your grass. So it is always a great idea to mark it down on a calendar to make sure that you are doing everything that is needed to look after the lawn.

Maintain Good Organization with a Lawn Care Calendar

Grow Calendar 2011

Are the Chile and Haiti Earthquakes Related to the 2012 Mayan Calendar?

Is it possible that the Chile earthquake coupled with the Haiti earthquake, are precursors of the coming 2012 Mayan calamity? A growing number of internet searches suggest that the thought is catching on.

Without a doubt, these two earthquakes have shocked and horrified the world like nothing else in recent history. The degree of damage and the astronomical loss of life is staggering. Many of us, including this author, know people who are living and serving in those countries. These catastrophies have hit very close to home.

Grow Calendar 2011

But do these tragedies necessarily prove that something of a grander scale is coming in 2012? Are they a pre-cursor? Of course, only history will tell. But there are some things we can be sure of.

1. There is no proof that any calamity is going to happen in 2012.

2. The Bible is still true, no matter what happens in our hemisphere this year, or in 2012.

3. People who look to the "super natural" or the "occult" will always be fooled and deceived.

4. We should look to the infallible, inerrant, perfect Word of God (The Bible) for answers when tragedies of this nature occur.

5. Earthquakes have occurred from the beginning of time, and shall continue until Revelation 16:18 when THE BIG ONE hits, according to the Bible.

6. Instead of allowing our hearts to fill with fear and trepidation when "Acts of God" come our way, we should turn our hearts to the Lord Jesus, and give Him His rightful place in our life as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

There is hope and comfort in God's Word for times like these.

Are the Chile and Haiti Earthquakes Related to the 2012 Mayan Calendar?

Grow Calendar 2011

3 Tips On How To Grow Long Hair Fast: After All - There's No Need To Grow Old Bald

In case you do not know it, it actually takes full commitment and a lot of dedication to grow long hair fast. That is why if you are in a dilemma of finding your hair thinning out and not growing back at all, then you must make it a point that you read this article from top to bottom. Otherwise, you might just grow old bald. You would not want that to happen to you of course, now would you? To help you solve your hair problems without having to spend a lot on treatments and medications, simply take heed of the following hair advices and tips on how you could possibly grow long hair fast:

1. Be Committed.

Grow Calendar 2011

Yes, commitment is one of the most important things that anyone who wishes to grow his or her hair back should have. Keep in mind that without it, there is no way you can bring back your old crowning glory to how you would want it to look and feel. In other words, be dedicated to growing your hair if you seriously want to grow it. Be devoted to the idea of sacrificing your old habits and practices to ensure your optimum hair growth. Once you have the sense of commitment you need to grow your hair back, there is no way you will have to ask the same question you have been asking all this time - that of "how can I ever grow my hair back once again?"

2. Be On Guard At All Times

By this, it only means that you should always be watchful about how you nourish your scalp or treat your mane. For one, check your lifestyle as well as your diet and you can say you are doing a good job of guarding your hair.

Take the time out to check on your diet. Are you eating enough foods that are rich in protein? Do you drink lots of water to replenish the lost fluids in your scalp? Are you always relaxed or perhaps stressed out which can be one of the most known causative factors in losing hair? By being on guard about such things, you can easily identify where you are going wrong which can be causing the hair problems in you. As soon as you have identified each, then you will know how you can best attack the problem and therefore grow your hair back sooner or later.

3. A Little Vitamin D: All The Heat Your Hair Needs

Last of all; make sure that you give your mane a little dose of Vitamin D which you can of course get by regularly exposing yourself to the morning sunshine. But then, take note that such heat is all your hair should get. Other sources of heat apart from the sun will not do your mane any good but damage. That is why it is very crucial to stay away from hair appliances that use electrical heat in styling or fixing your mane.

Take heed of these 3 hair tips and advices and you will surely be surprised when you finally find your hair growing back once more. Then, you will not have to worry about finding the best solutions of how you can grow long hair fast!

3 Tips On How To Grow Long Hair Fast: After All - There's No Need To Grow Old Bald

Grow Calendar 2011

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Tips For Chicken Coop Building Plans

Before you actually sit down and construct a home for your chickens, it's a very good idea to have a set of chicken coop building plans that you've either made yourself or received from a reputable source.

Here is a list of commonly used materials:

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* 2" x 4" planks. These make great planks for making sturdy walls for your coop to keep predators out, and can also serve as roosts for your birds to sleep on. 2" x 2" planks or thick wooden dowels are also good materials to use for roosting.

* Large sheets of plywood or some other similarly weighted wood. These sheets makes excellent floors, ceilings, and can serve as the basic layer for the walls of your coop. However, it is not a good idea to have them as the only thing in your walls, because they are not particularly sturdy and may not be predator-proof.

* Chicken wire or a similar commercial-grade wire. You will need a lot of this, as it will keep your chicken run enclosed and safe from any wild animals that might wish to harm your birds. However, make sure that the holes are not large enough for your chickens to escape from! Chicken wire does not make a good wall for the coop itself, as birds like to have something to hide in and feel safe.

Of course, you will also need nails, and other common construction materials to actually put your chicken coop building plans into action, as well as any paint that you want for cosmetic purposes. Make sure you don't paint the inside of your coop though, nor finish it with anything that will be harmful to your birds. A natural (unfinished) surface is better to avoid having your chickens accidentally inhale chemicals from finished woods. Painting the outside is okay.

After you have a good workable set of chicken coop building plans, you'll want to go about procuring the materials to use when actually building it. Hardware stores like Lowes or Home Improvement are obviously a great place to start looking. Make sure you know exactly how much you need of each material before you go shopping around, as this will save you time and keep your expenses low. If you're not sure how to figure out what you'll need, make an educated estimate.

But don't feel that you absolutely have to go to a commercial store to get your materials. In many cases, it's possible to build a coop entirely for free. That's right, free! How you do this is by looking around at garbage dumps, furniture stores, or on the sides of the street after people have put out their garbage. People will often throw out perfectly good construction materials that you can use to complete your chicken coop building plans.

In addition, you can often make parts of your chicken coops out of discarded furniture or other items. Old lockers can make great nesting boxes, since they are already the right size. Just make sure, again, to remove any paint from their insides, or to cover the metal up with wood inside in addition to bedding material. Other great "second-hand coop" materials include chests of drawers for nesting boxes, wooden clothes hangers for roosts, and cat doors for easy entry flaps. You're limited only by your imagination and the sturdiness of the materials.

Tips For Chicken Coop Building Plans

Lowes Build

How to Bend Wood Handrails

I've been getting a lot of calls lately regarding, "How do I bend a wood handrail?" Bending handrails, even for some of the most experienced carpenters causes fear and trepidation. Well, fear not!

Here are some beginning base tips:

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If the net length on the rail you are bending is 12-ft, a 14-ft bender rail is best to insure that the ends are pulled around the desired radius in order to hold its form when removing rail from its clamps. If you have 13 "steps or treads", you are safe with a 14-foot bender for an inside radius. If an outside radius going up a stair, figure 2-foot per step. Bending rail is understood when imagining a standard handrail profile cut into thin strips and keyed together (tongue and groove bead to create alignment). Bending mould should also be included as it is moulded to the outside profile of the handrail and is used to sandwich the handrail and allow clamping without damage to the handrail itself.

Weldwood's Plastic Resin Glue (a DAP product) is perhaps the most ideal glue for bending handrails. It has a curing time of 24 hours, allowing for ample time for one to bend rails without feeling rushed. It also sands easily once dried and works with stains. The best place to find this product is a True Value Ace Hardware Store. I understand that they bought the rights to sell this product, which pulled it off of the shelves at all Home Depot and Lowes. It comes in a one pound plastic container and is mixed with water until soupy. Apply it to both sides of the bending rail keys, tape or shrink wrap the rails together, and you can start bending!

When considering steam bending, Weldwood is best applied once the handrail has been steamed and bent on the forms. Remove it from the forms once dried, apply the Weldwood, and reattach to the forms. Steaming handrail, for most styles, is not an option unless your bending rail is less than an 18-inch radius. For some handrail styles the minimum before steam may be a 24-inch radius.

One key to keeping the stress points on the rail's shoulder from cracking or breaking is to apply vinegar on the stress areas of the wood. Vinegar reacts with the woods fibers to relieve stress. Don't use bleach! It will permanently stain some hardwoods black.

Once a handrail is bent, use an orbital or belt sander to finish the job. Make sure all glue is properly sanded, otherwise one will have blotches where the stain cannot penetrate since glue acts as a sealer.

C-Clamps or bar clamps are the best two tool choices for bending handrail.

Also, as a helpful hint, there is a book out there call "The Stair Builder's Guide", by Coffman stairs that has an entire chapter on bending handrails (with pictures!) The book is no longer in print but there are copies out there to be had through Amazon.com.

How to Bend Wood Handrails

Lowes Build

Promotional Ideas - DO's and DON'Ts in 2011

If you're running a business, there will come a time when you want to step up your marketing campaign in order to grow your business. Promotional ideas come thick and fast but how do you know which is best for your company and your market?

The Old and the New

Grow Calendar 2011

Social media is the new wave to hit marketing techniques and it's certainly worked to the advantage of some small businesses. Many people still ponder whether it's worth the time and effort to join the social media bandwagon and indeed if it's suitable for their business. While the answer to this should always be 'yes', we must not forget: for many businesses there will always be a need for a physical message, it's up to you to make the them work together.

While we would always advocate the use of new technologies (social media included) you need to be clear on the goals of your business and how best to reach that market. Your target audience, time, resources and marketing strategy are all factors that need to be considered. Sometimes this means using tried and tested methods, sometimes something unique and original. Ultimately objective will always remain the same: Spread the word about your business and encourage the use of your services.

As a small business it's more crucial to see an immediate return on money spent. Big companies have the resources to throw huge sums of money on digital marketing and can weather storms and losses if it doesn't work as planned. Small businesses need some degree of certainty that their money and effort will produce the right results.

What's best for my company?

There are several factors to consider in deciding which is the most appropriate promotion to your business. Minimise risks by assessing your market and investing in a solution that will work for you.

What are the aims of your campaign? Are you selling product or service? Does your customer hold high value? Can you afford to giveaway items? Resources available? What is a responsible and realistic advertising budget? What are your long and short-term goals? You can't afford to slip behind the times!

Right promotion for the right business

Looking at the car and automotive industries shows a great example of using the right product for the right occasion. In terms of promotional ideas the 'Ad Loop' keyring is a fairly simple one, but none the less it provides a unique solution to a fairly common problem.

'How do you make sure YOUR customer has YOUR number in that time of need'?

For garages most trade is based around when something goes wrong with an existing product. The same can be said for any trade of repairs business. The simple answer to increase business is to make sure your number is the first number available when that car or washing machine breaks down. For this there is nothing better than an Ad Loop keyring or that magical sticker that reappears on your car after every MOT.

The Ad Loop is a free giveaway that most garages will attach to their customers keys after working on their vehicle. It's association with keys (after all it is a keyring) and therefore car garages in invaluable, but above all it is a simple method of making sure your number is the one they call first. It is a simple but highly successful promotion that guarantees an increase in sales and profit through return custom.

The Answer: Don't put all your Eggs in one Basket!!

Such a guaranteed return makes the Ad Loop a promotional item without equal. However, as with all marketing techniques it's just one step in a thousand that can benefit your business. In our modern world of techno savvy kids and marketing evolutions you would be doomed to failure if you were to ignore new marketing techniques. Social media can complement orthodox marketing techniques and there will always be a place for billboard and TV advertising. There is no 'one size fits all' strategy to business marketing. The key to success is understanding why something will work for you and more importantly how to make the best use out of it.

Promotional Ideas - DO's and DON'Ts in 2011

Grow Calendar 2011

Friday, September 23, 2011

How to Make Your Penis Thicker Naturally and Grow a 9-Inch Monster!

I am going to share some secrets and explain how to make your penis thicker naturally and grow a 9 inch Monster! There is something magic about the sound of having a 9 inch penis, it seems to be the ultimate goal for a lot of men.

I agree, it is a great thing to have. However you need to have girth as well as length. Above all, you need to have good health. If you are not healthy you will not be able to use it, right? So make sure you stick to natural methods.

Grow Calendar 2011

I am going to give you 2 tips that will explain how to make your penis thicker naturally. You can start from today to increase your penis size substantially:

1) Penis Enlargement Plan: Yes, you heard right! You need a penis enlargement plan to see any real results. If you want a 9 inch penis you have to work hard and stay focused.

The plan will focus your mind on the tasks that you need to perform on a daily basis. All you need is a calender or personal organizer. Write down what you are going to do each day to achieve your goal, which is to learn how to make your penis longer and thicker!

2) Daily Natural Penis Exercise: You need to make sure you do daily exercise. The aim is to gradually stretch your penis to the size you desire. This will allow you to learn how to make your penis longer and thicker, and see results first hand. However this is not an over night exercise, you have to stick with it. Clamp your hand around the head of your manhood, not too hard.

Stretch your penis to your left, and hold it there for a short while, 5 seconds is fine. Do that again, that will represent one repetition. In total you want to perform 5 repetitions per day. Each of the repetitions will point your penis in a different direction, are you with me? So you should be directing it straight, up, down, left and right.

Follow these tips to finally learn how to make your penis thicker naturally and get the 9 inch monster that you crave for.

How to Make Your Penis Thicker Naturally and Grow a 9-Inch Monster!

Grow Calendar 2011

How to Grow Long Hair and Keep It Looking Healthy and Shiny

Beautiful, flowing tresses aren't just for Rapunzel! Women everywhere love the elegant look and versatility that a longer mane can give, but many wonder how they can get the look when they are dealing with so many frustrating problems that cause breakage, damage, and frizziness. If you have always wondered how to grow long hair but haven't been able to keep it looking healthy and shiny, try out one or more of the following ideas.

· The first step may be the hardest - It's time to head to your local stylist. The only way to get the look you want is to start with a healthy base. Your scalp and all of the hair close to it must be in the best possible condition... Split or frayed ends, dry or straw like strands, or overly processed styles will not grow out well. You may need to cut off as much as several inches to get the look you are going for. Ask for a great shorter style that will continue to look good as it grows--even short styles look better than damaged and dry longer looks.

Grow Calendar 2011

· After your original trim, you will need to keep going back to your stylist for maintenance trims to make sure that your body is growing only healthy locks. You don't need to chop off all your hair each time, but you do need to get a half inch or so removed every six weeks. Make sure your stylist uses very short scissors so that he or she will not damage your existing tresses or cause more split ends.

· Next, you need to kick the heat habit. Any styling appliance like a blow dryer, curling iron, hot roller, or flat iron that uses heat to style hair also causes damage. Try to let your locks air-dry, and learn to create styles that don't require heat. When you want to know how to grow long hair, you should also learn about what causes damage and avoid anything that may lead to breakage.

· On the same note, you will want to avoid using chemicals as often as possible. One of the tips for how to grow long hair is to stop bleaching and perming your mane. While those cute curls may look great, they can cause breakage and drying that will last long after the style is gone. If you want to add color, look for formulas that do not contain peroxide.

· Chlorine and saltwater are some of your mane enemies. If you enjoy going swimming, make sure to wash your locks as soon as possible with a shampoo that is designed for this purpose. If you swim more than a couple of times a week, purchase a cap that protects your mane and scalp from sun and chemicals.

Other tips for how to grow long hair include using supplements that encourage faster growth, purchasing shampoo and conditioner that prevents damage and strengthens strands, and washing your locks less frequently to reduce damage. Avoid heat styling as much as possible, and have fun coming up with new styles for your rapidly growing tresses.

How to Grow Long Hair and Keep It Looking Healthy and Shiny

Grow Calendar 2011

Cat House Plans - Options Abound When Building Your Kitty's Dream Home!

Building a cat house is different than building a dog house in that cats are most often indoors & also need the ability to jump, sharpen their claws & be agile. Here are some design options and things to consider when choosing your cat house plans.

There are many pre-fab cat houses on the market but they are expensive & may not fit your tastes. Your cat may have similar feelings. (We all know that cats are not pets, they just agree to tolerate you in exchange for food & warm lodging). These are probably the reasons you are building yours yourself.

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There are three general designs available when it comes to cat house plans. One is the traditional dog house type, the second is the cat tree type, & the third is a kitty condo made from carpet tubing or molds for concrete pillars. If you are very ambitious, you can combine elements from all 3 designs!

Many of the materials required to build your own house from a set of cat house plans are very inexpensive & the end result will be superior to anything you buy at the pet store. In addition, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.

Nearly every set of cat house plans you can get will require carpeting. You should be able to save money by asking your local carpet dealer for their carpet remainders. May times they will just toss them out in the dumpster. You can also purchase plywood remainders very cheaply in this manner at Lowes or Home Depot. You can also get the cores from rolls of carpet, probably for free, to use in your cat tree houses. Another inexpensive option when you need a larger diameter tube is a concrete pouring form for pillars.

When placing carpet on a square or rectangular piece of plywood, cut it so there is about 5 inches of extra length on each side of the plywood. Place the carpet carpet side down, & center the plywood on the carpet. Trace the plywood with a marker, & then tack the down the carpet to the centered plywood with a staple gun. Now take a utility knife & cut a square section out of each corner of the carpet. you can now fold the carpet under & tack it snugly to the underside, much like you would wrap a Christmas present.

The concrete tubes & carpet roll cores can be used whole. Or the larger tubes can be cut into 3 equal sections to create curved perches. The curved pieces will require a little more creativity to cover in carpet, but it can be done.

Plywood rounds can be used to create multiple stories inside a concrete tube. You can cut a section out of the round to allow the cat access & use plywood ramps to connect the levels.

Finally, you may want to use some sisal or jute rope on some of the round surfaces to give kitty a place to sharpen claws. Adding cat toys placed on strings to strategic places will keep kitty active & energetic.

Cat House Plans - Options Abound When Building Your Kitty's Dream Home!

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Being An Adult

I have always thought that grandparents were the icons of wisdom, the "go to" person with he answers, the epitome of patience.

When I was young, I often thought, "When I grow up, I want to be like Grandpa". I looked forward with anxious anticipation to the time when I would have all the answers and all the sage advice.

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All of our parents are gone, now, and I have discovered, as I suppose they discovered, that all I have really done is gotten older.

I have learned that being a wise parent and grandparent is not so much what I know, but what I do. And the greatest truth I have learned is that one does not need to grow old to grow wise. The reality is that everyone grows older. What matters is what we keep and/or lose in the process.

We need to keep a sense of humor, but lose the mindless silliness of adolescence. We need to somehow keep our internal youthfulness but lose the irresponsibleness of adolescence. We need to retain our integrity while acknowledging the reality of shades of truth. We must struggle to maintain our health without the obsession of the fitness of youth. We need to encourage sympathy and empathy, while shunning the devastation of "attitude". We learn to put aside the "me first" approach in favor of a sincere desire to share beyond ourselves and out families.

Being an adult simply means that we now know what we should be doing and we move ahead without supervision and do it, even when we really may not feel much like doing it at the time. And so it is and should be in all aspects and areas of our life.

Being An Adult

Grow Calendar 2011

Promotional Campaign With Promotional Merchandise Help Your Business Grow

Advertising your business using promotional merchandise is among the best advertising methods as it drives your business towards the right direction. In fact, promoting your business in order to get noticed by prospective clients is made easier with promotional products, especially when there are hundreds of competitors looking to target the same clientele as yours.

There are so many ways to promote your company which include radio, television and magazines but a prospective customer may possibly not be able to provide undivided attention to these adverts. However, with a promotional gift which is a physical item in possession of the customer positioned in front of him will keep him reminding about you as well as your business.

Grow Calendar 2011

There is an endless list of promotional gifts that can be presented to your customers and make them remember your company as long as they possess it. These products can subsist of anything from office related items like pens, calendars etc to house ware and every day use gadgets like key chains, cups, clocks etc to toys, novelties, cloths, accessories and so many other items. Just imprint your company name on it and see the magic.

Advertising your business using promotional products is much better than any other way like publishing in newspapers, radio or television. On the other hand, everyone like being gifted with everyday use items like pens, mugs etcetera. The main part is no one even realizes that you are marketing your company as these gifts are a lot less intrusive than interrupted by an advertisement in between a show on television.

The usual types of advertising like television and radio does not formulate an impact on the potential customers because advertisements on these media last only for thirty seconds. The customer will forget about your advertisement as soon as another advertisement starts. In case, the customer decides to use your promotional product, he is continuously been reminded about your business and the chances are that he will use your services when required.

Promotional campaign done using promotional merchandise really does well. However, you have to make sure that right product reaches the right person. For instance, office related equipments or items gifted to office going person will definitely make use of the gift. In the same way, gifting children with toys and other useful novelties will make them remind their parents about your business.

Special events like exhibitions and tradeshows are very important to start your promotional campaign and start gifting the visitors with promotional product. During exhibitions and tradeshows people come in search of good business where they would like to do business. At this moment, if your present these visitors with special products with your company name on it, it will certainly boost your business.

Every single company should learn to work hard and make marketing strategies in order to grow. To grow on a regular basis, you need to maintain a group of loyal customers who do business with you but also refer your business as well. Promotional merchandise will help your company to imprint the name of your company in their minds.

Promotional Campaign With Promotional Merchandise Help Your Business Grow

Grow Calendar 2011

QuickBooks Integration a Perfect Pairing With Online Scheduling Calendars

Service-based organizations of all kinds-from "mom-and-pop" businesses to Fortune 500 companies and corporations-have quickly adopted Software as a Service (SaaS) applications to improve the efficiency of their operations. These Web-based applications are typically affordable, easy-to-learn, and more affordable than the traditional software and accompanying hardware and programming that comes with it. And they run the gamut of tasks businesses can use them for, from online appointment-scheduling and customer payment-processing, to accounting and human resources programs.

As stand-alone services, these applications are often the best option for the specific task they're designed for. But a growing number of businesses and organizations are looking to integrate these services with other applications they use on a daily or regular basis. Because of this need, many SaaS providers have begun offering integrations between their products and these other programs.

Grow Calendar 2011

In many instances, this can be the perfect pairing. Case in point: The integration between online scheduling calendars and QuickBooks accounting software.

A LOGICAL INTEGRATION

Online scheduling calendar software is a proven way for businesses to automate and streamline their appointment- and reservation-booking procedures. Additionally, depending on the service provider the business uses, a customer scheduling his or her appointment or reservation may also have the ability to pay for it at the same time, with the scheduler automatically managing the transactions through a payment-processing application. If the business uses QuickBooks for its accounting tasks, the owner or staff must then manually input the customer and payment-transaction information into their QuickBooks account.

Recognizing the need business owners and staff have for a more automated and easier process, some online scheduler calendar providers like Appointment-Plus have developed integrations between their scheduling systems and accounting programs like QuickBooks. These are generally very user-friendly and require only a minimal amount of time and effort to set up. Once connected, most allow the seamless transfer of payment and customer information from the online scheduler to the appropriate QuickBooks fields, without having to manually enter it.

HOW ONLINE SCHEDULING CALENDARS CAN INCREASE BUSINESS

The growing need for integrations between online scheduling calendars and QuickBooks illustrates the important role Web-based booking systems play in service-based businesses that depend on accurate and efficient appointment-scheduling. Throw online payment-processing into the mix, and a business owner now has the tools in place to increase revenues and keep appointment or reservation slots full.

In today's Internet-driven society, most people have come to expect their service providers to offer online functionality that makes it easier to interact with them, such as self-scheduling. More and more people are also quite comfortable paying for items online, including services. This creates a perfect scenario to increase sales right through the Internet, as it not only provides a more convenient way for customers to book and pay for their appointments and reservations online without having to pick up the phone, it also gives businesses the ability to automatically conduct transactions 24 hours a day.

In addition to the benefit online scheduling calendars offer customers, they can have a positive and almost immediate impact in how a business or organization manages its appointment- and reservation-booking processes.

In the traditional manner, booking appointments and managing customer information can be quite tedious and time-consuming. And in most cases, it typically involves over-the-phone appointments and manual input of appointment and customer details into a paper schedule book, spreadsheet or the like. This equates into considerable commitments of time and staff resources, which could be used for more pressing tasks.

An online scheduler calendar can automate and streamline the entire process from start to finish, without any additional action from owners, operators and staff. A customer accesses the scheduler through any Internet connection, views services and availability, selects a day and time for the appointment or reservation, and then books the appointment. The online scheduler does the rest; some services can even send out e-mail and text message reminders automatically to booked individuals.

QuickBooks is a common application at most small businesses. Online scheduling calendars are becoming more and more common at these locations. Together, they can form a perfect pairing for businesses to operate more efficiently and profitably.

QuickBooks Integration a Perfect Pairing With Online Scheduling Calendars

Grow Calendar 2011

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

It Is Time For A Small Bathroom Remodeling Project

If you live in a small home chances are you have the same problem as millions of people who struggle with ideas for remodeling a small bathroom. Small bathroom remodeling can be tricky, but not overwhelming. This article will examine a few tips, tricks, and suggestions to make your next small bathroom remodeling project better.

Plan A Map

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Before you begin your small bathroom remodeling project you must have a plan of attack. You need to make a list of your goals for your bathroom room. If expanding the room to make it larger is not an option then you must decide if you are looking to use the space to make it roomier looking or are you just after making it as nice as possible for what you have to work with.

If a roomier look is what you desire you may try adding an extra mirror on a different wall or making your existing mirror much larger, proving the wall will accommodate this. Mirrors are a gateway to a roomier look and feel. You may also consider a different paint scheme to give the appearance of larger bath room.

One of the best small bathroom remodeling ideas you can incorporate is by adding a deluxe sink to your bathroom. Sinks can speak volumes about a room and should not be overlooked. You may be able to find some wonderful examples online, but the best way to really see how nice a new sink can add to your bathroom is by visiting your local building supply.

If you are on a tight budget then the plumbing items such as sinks, toilet, and showers are not going to be a good idea. Instead you may want to consider a unique paint scheme for your next small bathroom remodeling project. Maybe a combination of lighter and darker colors may spice up the bathroom, but also give it the appearance of a larger space than it really is.

Small bathroom remodeling is a challenge but one that can bring great joy and satisfaction when done with a little planning and creativity. Check with your local building supplies and also some of the larger companies like Home Depot or Lowes to get some ideas and advice.

It Is Time For A Small Bathroom Remodeling Project

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Adding a Shower Enclosure to Your Vintage Claw Foot Tub

One drawback to owning a vintage claw foot bathtub can be the lack of having a shower. If your claw foot tub doesn't currently have a shower feature, there are several options you can choose to add that modern, yet important feature. You could add a separate shower enclosure to the bathroom, but this is a much more costly option and some bathrooms may not be able to fit a full shower enclosure. Plus, this would add an additional chore to bathroom cleaning. The most ideal situation is to add a shower enclosure and curtain to your existing claw foot tub. Luckily, there are some available options to making this task fairly easy to achieve.

To add a shower to your existing claw foot tub, you can hire a contractor or plumber to do the work for you and they can recommend several options. One of those options is to add a shower to the claw foot tub and put in a surrounding shower rod and curtain. This allows the shower curtain to completely surround the tub, therefore minimizing water splashing and leaks. Another option for tubs near a wall is to tile the existing wall, add tiled water "detractors" around the wall sides of the tub and put an "L" shaped shower rod and curtain to cover the exposed sides of the tub. The drawback to this option, of course, is that it is more costly and takes away from the freestanding look of the claw foot tub.

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There are basically two options to installing the plumbing for the shower. One is to have the pipes hidden within the wall, which only works if the tub is close to an existing bathroom wall. The other option is to have the exposed pipes that are mounted directly on the tub. The latter is the most common choice and there are some various decorative styles that make the exposed pipes and knobs have a nice finished look.

There are several "do-it-yourself" options available for those who are willing to take on the task themselves. Home improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot carry various kits that are predesigned to fit most claw foot tubs. There are shower kits designed to work with existing pipes and others that add the exposed pipes to the freestanding tub. Both types of kits are affordable, easy to install and only require the use of a few basic tools. Both Lowes and Home Depot have staff in the plumbing department that can make some recommendations based on the set up that you currently have. Still, it might help to get someone who is familiar with plumbing to help out or the check the job once it is complete.

Regardless of the type of shower option you choose, you can easily add a shower to your claw foot tub to make it more convenient and useful. This will allow you to have the best of both worlds, a nice large tub to take a long, leisurely bath or a shower that you can use quickly and efficiently thus making your bathroom more functional and enjoyable.

Adding a Shower Enclosure to Your Vintage Claw Foot Tub

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Real Estate Investing - The Marvel Of Home Depot And Lowe's

Repairing a rental home (or your own home) use to require running down to the local hardware store or to the nearby building supply house. After several stops around town, you found everything you needed to solve your maintenance problem.

If you are a fixer upper or tenant landlord today, you now have the marvel of Home Depot and Lowe's!

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Now we have one-stop shopping for virtually everything needed at one of these two stores.

But more than that efficient feature for saving time (and often cost), you can get instruction for repairs from either experienced employees and/or special classes of instruction. If you don't know how to perform the job, you will often find it easier than you imagined. I had never laid any tile, until I discovered that an experienced tile-layer-turned-Home Depot-employee showed me how easy it is. And I found I could get my tile cut free at the store to fit those difficult spots around the tub faucets.

And add to these attractive store features the ease of acquiring commercial and consumer credit, often with promotions of 9 or more purchases at 0% interest for 6 months or more.

I was in Phoenix many years ago when I visited my first Home Depot. It was love at first sight. I had always wanted good quality tools fit for the job at hand at discount prices, and what I saw was a dream come true. I walked that store in amazement as I saw row after row of ceiling-high supplies of every sort of tool and construction material imaginable. It was an awesome experience, and I have never lost that euphoria in walking into a Home Depot or Lowe's. I have become increasingly appreciative over the years at this luxury of shopping at these two stores. Shopping is time-saving, and I leave it to Home Depot and Lowe's to do the research on discovering which suppliers manufacture the best tools, equipment and supplies for the job at hand.

Even if you are a real estate investor who does NONE of your own labor, these stores are a great place to learn how a job should be done right.

But if you perform the repair work on your own properties, you can find the materials and instruction at Home Depot and Lowe's.

It seems Home Depot and Lowe's are gonna slug it out for the predominant position in the marketplace. In some areas, when one new store is opened, the other store buys the lot next door for its own new location. America loves these two competitive stores. Some individual stores do a million dollars of business a week. I find both stores are excellent sources for the best tools and materials I've ever found. And it's hard to beat their prices.

Home Depot and Lowe's fill a void for real estate investors with convenience, pricing, instruction and availability.

Real Estate Investing - The Marvel Of Home Depot And Lowe's

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

How To Create Your Own Dog Calendar For 2011

Got 12 good pictures of your dog? Then you're ready to make a colourful wall calendar for 2011 for yourself or to give as gifts. You can use simple freeware to design a special month-at-a-time calendar or go with a commercial service to create something really professional-looking. Then print at home, order it online or send it to your local business centre.

Step One: Pick the photos

Grow Calendar 2011

You'll need at least 12 good-quality, horizontal photos. Pix you've taken with your phone won't work; they need to be as large as possible to reproduce well. Kodak for example, suggests that photos that will be printed around 8" x 10" should be at least 1200 by 1500 pixels.

Once you've selected your photos, duplicate them into a separate file. Now you're ready to crop, enhance and resize them. When you're cropping, don't keep the subject dead centre, and come in close. (Remember though, that your final size has to be at least 1200 x 1500 pixels.)

Step Two: Pick the program

There are several routes you can take to make your calendar, from simple to wildly sophisticated. At the 'cheap and cheerful' end of the spectrum you can google "freeware calendar creation" and see what software is available for free download.

One good choice can be found at CalendarHome.com. You don't download the software; but instead you create your calendar online then output it yourself. Either print it directly or "print as" a pdf file and you can print it later or take it to an office supply store like Staples and get them to print it out on good quality, glossy paper.

Another choice is inexpensive software like Broderbund's Calendar Creator. It's around and offers you lots of templates and options. Again, print it out at home, or save as a pdf file and send it out for printing. (This software also offers other formats like large, year-at-a-glance wall calendars, pocket calendars, etc.)

Or, go with an online calendar creator

Instead of working with your own software, you can go with an online calendar creation service like VistaPrint or Smilebox by Hallmark. VistaPrint.com offers you a number of good looking designs and templates; you simply upload your photos and you'll be guided through the process.

You'll even get a heads up if your image won't reproduce well because it's too small or fuzzy. The "catch" with VistaPrint, is that they do the printing. However, the good news is that they do a great job and you'll have a really professional, high quality product in your hands in about a week. A 12 month calendar will run about plus shipping. (The more copies you order, the lower the unit price.)

Hallmark's Smilebox program gets my vote for the best calendar creator around. For 2011, there are 11 very cool designs, and lots of guidance on putting the calendar together. In fact, you just drag 'n' drop, and there's your calendar. In one version, you can even add little colour photos in the empty squares at the end or beginning of the month. Like VistaPrint, Smilebox will print your calendar and deliver a great looking end-product within a few days. BUT, you can also simply print your calendar yourself when it's done, or save it to pdf and have a local office supply store print it out. So high marks for cool designs, ease of use and flexible production.

Step Three: the finishing touches

Before your finalize you calendar, why not add in your local holidays, special events and yes, birthday and anniversaries. (Don't forget your dog's birthday, since this calendar is all-about-him!)

If you're sending your calendar out for printing, ask that it be spiral bound - looks really great, and makes it easy to use. And get a single hole punched in the middle of the top edge, for hanging up your creation.

If you're printing your calendar at home, you can get the same easy-to-use effect by using a 3-hole punch and tiny rings from the dollar store.

A couple of design tips

vary the photos in colour and composition crop in close as you can but don't forget to keep the final photo large (1500 pixels by 1200 or so) try to match each one up with the season - a cute Valentine's photo in February for example don't overdo the fonts - one or two styles is plenty!

Five ways to make your dog photos better and more interesting

take lots get down to your dog's level let your dog sniff out the camera go outside on a shady or overcast day - flash or sunlight makes the picture harsh, with hard shadows and red puppy eyes check the background - no trees "growing" out of your dog's head please!

How To Create Your Own Dog Calendar For 2011

Grow Calendar 2011