The Best Christmas Gift You Can Give Yourself or Anyone Else: Simplicity

Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach�

I had to laugh when I read that quote recently. I particularly remember a time in my merry life when I had two sons, 3 dogs, my clothes filled two
closets in my home, I owned Madeleine pans, exotic juicers, a regular and a gourmet coffeemaker, 3 sets of flatware, 10 tableclothes, 10 sets of
placemats for 6 or 8, and formal china
tablesettings for 12 - and most "cluttering" of all, a social calendar that was unmanageable.

Life is a series of stages, and there is the "acquiring" stage.

However, there came a point where I felt
overwhelmed by my "blessings" and took a look at what was going on. At the time, my boyfriend, who was a stock broker, kept saying, "Simplify,
simplify." He lived what I considered a "Sparten existence."

It caused me to take a look at the whole picture. I was exhausted all the time. I went to a therapist; too bad there weren't coaches then. She said I was "trying to do too much." I
interpreted it that I wasn't capable of handling all these things, and redoubled my efforts.

Coaches make things more clear. "Why are you doing what doesn't bring you pleasure?" would've been the question to ask. Eventually I asked myself that question and here are some of the things I did.

THE CLOTHES
I was still operating from an old childhood scarcity-mentality. I never had "enough" clothes in high school, not because my parents couldn't afford it, just that they didn't want to spend
their money on that. I started babysitting rigorously to buy myself clothes and makeup and stuff. Not a bad thing to do, but I realized that
time was over. I gave a number of things to Goodwill, set aside a space-allotment, and stuck to it.

I did have to "dress" for my profession at the time (PR), so I chose two outfits I could accessorize in infinite ways. Scarves, jewelry and pins take far less storage space!

THE DOGS
Two were strays we had "adopted," under pressure from my good-hearted son. However, they were difficult dogs, not having been well-raised, and took far more work than our original family pet.
I decided to give up this rescuing mentality and at the same time educate my children. We found good homes for two of them, and the family pact
was "no more." We stuck with our one chosen, well-cared for, and well-trained dog.

THE ENTERTAINING WARE
That's a hard one. It's been an abiding interest and love in my life, to entertain with all the accoutrements. I decided that was an okay hobby, but to stick with what I had for a long time. How many sets of Christmas tablemats does one really
need?

THE COOKWARE
Life is choices. I could eliminate a lot of these things by turning to fast food, eating out, less elaborate meals. I decided this was not something
to sacrifice. There are health benefits to wok cooking, steamers, double boilers, etc., and "happy"
benefits to beautiful Bundt cakes. My youngest son particularly enjoyed the camaraderie of a fondue meal. Our family dinners were fun for all of us, and a good thing, and I didn't want to sacrifice that for "convenience."

Not everything in the enriched life should be "efficient."

THE FINANCIAL PICTURE
My stocks were scattered all over the place, and we consolidated. It seemed risky to me to "put all my eggs in one basket," but we did, and it resulted in a nice financial gain.

THE ORGANIZATION
I decided it wasn't all that I had that was the problem - many of them were valuable to me and my lifestyle - it was the organization of it all.

One thing I did was buy containers, for instance, "fall decorations" and got everything in one place. I added to the box my apparel for that time of year - autumn sweaters, accessories, and
jewelry. I labeled them clearly, stacked them in one place, and felt better about it all.

I tackled the gift-producing area. I had a bow maker, rolls of paper, ribbons, ready for every occasion. It was a time when the boys would be
invited to a birthday party quite suddenly, and it kept me from "running out" at the last minute to buy the wrapping. This I decided to eliminate.
The storage space required and the clutter were not worth it, and it seemed I never had the right thing anyway. I bought 10 generic gift bags with white tissue, appropriate for any age or occasion.

Also, seeing myself "burdened" by the gifts coming my way - that teddy bear statuette just wasn't "me" even if it was expensive crystal - I switched
to what I call "disposable" gifts. Sending someone a floral arrangement, or a basket of fruit, or a Honey-baked ham would note the occasion, but it would "go away" and they wouldn't
have to find a place for it.

I have never been comfortable giving money, but gift certificates seemed possible. It showed at least a little "thought" and "effort," the two
things I find missing in gifts of money. (Not that I've ever refused one!)

For those with no material needs whatsoever, I would donate money to a charity close to their heart. That is greatly appreciated by most people. Charities list in their newsletter the
gifts made in honor of, or in memory of, others, and that's a nice touch.

Re: the people in my life, I took a look at the investment-return ratio. Some of them, I had to admit, were a drain. With me being in a helping
profession, some were "using" me for free counseling, while making no improvements in their lives, and that didn't give me the friendship I needed, or provide for them the counseling or
coaching they needed.

I made a list of the people who really meant something to me, with whom I had strong mutual bonds, and I whittled away at the ones who didn't contribute anything to my life. We call this in
coaching, "getting rid of tolerations." Yes, people can be "tolerations" and I think this is
one of the more important "ah hahs" Thomas Leonard, the founder of coaching, gave to the world.

I eliminated immediately the ones who were a negative drain on me, and took a closer look at ones wanting entry. I quietly discouraged some "friendships" from ever occurring in the first place. Life is choices.

I believe that our lives are greatly influenced by the 5 people we spend the most time with. I made sure the Top 5 were the ones I wanted and needed them to be.

META-THEORY
I decided to slow myself down at the checkout counter. I disciplined myself for 6 months. I would not make any impulse buys. I would go home and consider it. Usually it wasn't worth the effort to go back.

I would not go shopping to "window shop." There's no such thing! There's always something attracts my eye I think I "must have."

Shopping would be a necessity for essentials, not Saturday afternoon entertainment for me and the kids.

I put more thought into the things I gave others so as to slow the flow into their lives as well.

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR
As you participate in, or observe, the shopping frenzy of the holiday season. Ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?"

Good reasons are:
�It's meaningful
�I enjoy it
�I know it's something I can afford and know it's
something they need or would like

Bad reasons are:
�I don't know why
�To keep up with the Joneses
�Because I always have
�Because you're supposed to

Oserve closely your own behavior. That's the beginning of making positive changes.

It's the emotionally intelligent thing to do!

©Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach�,
http://www.susandunn.cc . Author of "How to Live
Your Life with Emotional Intelligence," (
http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html )
and The EQ Foundation Course©, 12 modules on the
Internet that can change your life:
http://www.webstrategies.cc/EQcourse.htm .
Coaching for all yours needs; Emotional
Intelligence always included.
Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE eZine.

What Is Homeowners Insurance Coverage?
Tim Gorman

Before attempting to find the best homeowners insurance coverage you should make sure that you are familiar with what homeowners insurance is and what it can do for you. A standard policy provides financial coverage to your house and the property within the house. Natural disasters, theft and other maladies that can occur are usually covered in your policy. Some exceptions include flood and earthquake protection, which require additional coverage. Another feature that home insurance covers is damage caused by household pets and any legal liabilities to anyone caused harm by yourself or family members on your property.

The amount of house insurance you may require is based on 4 areas: Home structure, personal property, liability for protection to others and some additional costs associated with repairs to your home.

House Structure - Always make sure you obtain enough insurance to cover the cost incurred to rebuild your current home at today's market prices in the event a natural disaster should take place. You don't really need to include the cost of the land and you shouldn't base the amount on the price you paid for your house as the cost of rebuilding fluctuates.

Personal Property - As much as you value your personal possessions many insurance policies will only provide coverage between 50% and 70% based on your current homeowners insurance coverage. You play a big part in making sure your property is properly covered so make sure to do an inventory listing all of your possessions. Try to be as detailed as possible, after all this is your property and you deserve to be reimbursed if anything bas happens. You'll have to be careful in this area. If you own expensive jewelry or furs then you should seek out additional coverage through a floater or endorsement policy. In most cases an insurance company will only compensate you $1000 to $2000 for jewelry or furs that are stolen or lost in a fire. I can relate a true story to you where my wife and I had $12,000 worth of jewelry stolen and were only reimbursed $1000 because we didn't have additional coverage for her jewelry collection with a floater. The lesson learned was always to make sure our possessions were accurately and correctly insured against future losses.

Liability Coverage - This part of your homeowners insurance coverage provides protection for you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by pets. It pays for both the cost of defending you in court and for any damages a court rules you must pay. Although many insurance companies provide $100,000 worth of coverage, it's a good idea to increase that amount to $300,000 or more.

Additional Costs - This pays the additional costs of temporarily living away from your home if you can't live in it due to a fire, severe storm or other insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt. If you live in an area with a high propensity of natural disasters then you definitely want to make sure you're adequately covered here.

Hopefully this information detailing what homeowners insurance coverage was helpful and gave you a better idea of what your standard house insurance policy is comprised of.


Timothy Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Best-Free-Insurance-Quotes.com. He provides more insurance information and offers discount auto, life and home insurance

Wonderful White Gold Wedding Rings

Donna Monday

The elegant and sophisticated look of glittering, gleaming gold. There's nothing quite like it.

Some people never grow tired of the look of pure gold jewelry. Gold, being our most precious metal, is often a first choice among couples looking for that perfect gold wedding ring.

While yellow gold remains very popular with the wedding crowd. Many people prefer the brilliant hue of a white gold wedding ring.

White gold will look beautiful on you whether you're a man or a woman. You can find online a great selection of white gold diamond wedding rings and white gold wedding ring sets. Also, if you're looking for something a little fancier that can also become a piece of wonderful keepsake jewelry, white gold makes a very elegant engraved wedding ring that can be passed on to future generations.

The one thing you need to be aware of when buying a white gold wedding ring is that it will need periodic maintenance in order to keep it's luster.

To obtain it's much desired glittering white color, white gold is coated with another alloy called Rhodium (the natural color of white gold is really light gray). Rhodium will wear down after a while, so to maintain your ring's luster, you'll need to visit your local jeweler about every 12-18 months and have it re-plated with a new coating of Rhodium. The cost for this should be very reasonable.

Whether you're looking for a plain gold wedding band, or a wedding ring with sparkling diamonds, white gold is an excellent choice for those looking for something a little extra special.


Copyright 2004
Donna Monday
One special moment. One special ring.
http://www.1-love-rings.com


Hill tribe silver jewelry from northern Thailand
Susi at Jewelry Crossings

Hill tribe silver jewelry from northern Thailand, though hundreds of years old in its distinct design, works well accessorizing even the most up-to-date fashion trend. Hill tribe bracelets, for instance, can feel classic or contemporary or ethnic, depending upon their individual motif and design.
Over 100 years ago, the Hilltribe peoples migrated south from China into what are now Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. The main profession of all these tribes is farming, and all of them tend to migrate whenever they feel that the soil at their present location is becoming depleted.
Approximately twenty distinct tribes of semi-nomadic peoples, collectively called hill tribes, live in the mountains along the Burmese and Laotian borders of northern Thailand. The largest and most prominent hill tribes are the H'mong, Akha, Lisu, Lahu, Meo, and Karen. Culturally the tribes are of interest because their relative isolation has enabled them to retain almost unchanged customs and traditions that go back centuries.
Each tribe is district, with its own culture, religion, language, art, and dress. With Thailand undergoing rapid modern development, it is difficult yet to say whether these tribes will continue in there traditional ways of life, or whether they will eventually be absorbed into the surrounding and ever more-encroaching Thai society.
A rich part of their cultural tradition is the making and wearing of silver jewelry. What once was a artistic skill honed in the tiny tribal villages in the mountains of northern Thailand now can be found produced in the factories of Thailand's second largest city, Chang Mai. On Wualai Street in Chang Mai all manners of silver jewelry and silver objects are crafted. Intricate patterns of hill tribe-inspired designs-bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings-are hammered out by Thai silversmiths.
Aside from the work of the Chang Mai city artisans, a buyer of silver in northern Thailand can still purchase the less refined silverwork of the hill tribes.
Surprisingly enough, most hill tribes even today prefer silver to paper for money; the women usually wear their wealth in heavy chunky necklaces and earrings. Hill tribe jewelry purchased in northern Thailand is usually sold by the actual gram weight multiplied by the gram price of the day.
On the web site, www.jewelrycrossings.com, several beautiful designs of hill tribe bangles and bracelets are available in sterling silver. Intricate designs of woven or braided sterling as well as delicate sterling silver mesh work capture the spirit and essence of this ancient craft. You can also find authentic Thai baht chain necklaces made in polished sterling silver. The baht chains are available in four popular lengths: 16", 18", 24" and 30". The classic baht chain necklace is comprised of small rectangular links weighing a particular "baht" weight.
- Susi, Silver Jewelry Crossings
For twenty-two years I have been involved in the gemstone and jewelry trade-first as owner of an incorporated company in Singapore, then Thailand, and for the last ten years in Northern California. Throughout my career my reward has come from the knowledge that I have gone the extra steps to ensure my customers' absolute satisfaction.

Import - Export Business Opportunities With Mexico ..... The cheaper you buy the more money you make

Mexico-Store.com

Are You Interested in Importing Products from Mexico ?
Would You Like to Resell Mexican Products for Great Profits ?

+ Get access to The hard - to - find - low - cost sources

+ Get in touch with real Mexican manufacturers that you most likely won't find on the web.

+ Suppliers of beautiful art and lucrative hand crafted products like wrought / forged iron, ceramic crafts, blown crystal, talavera pottery, taxco silver, rustic furniture, luxurious clay and a great variety of handmade leather products among many more.

+ Cut the extra middle men and take their BIG profits to YOUR bank account, and...

+ Give better prices to your clients !

+ Increase your product offerings and never depend on a single provider



At Mexico Store.com You can access these 3 incredible and updated sources of information:

1- The Mexican Rustic Handcrafts Manufacturers Directory

2- The Mexican Taxco Silver Jewelry Manufacturers Directory, and

3- The Mexican Leather Products Manufacturers Directory


These 3 trade directories are an excellent source for low cost products if you plan to sell silver jewelry, art, hand crafts or first class leather products on Ebay or start a wholesale or retail operation on the web and any where else.



Business Fact #1: There is no such thing as Free Lunch .-

We know that you can probably find some Mexican silver, leather products, rustic handcrafts or furniture marketers on the web for free. But those "sources" will most likely be American companies or individuals that are basically resellers. The truth is that with them as your sources you won't even get close to having the best possible wholesale prices.

To make JUICY profits in the import / export business you definitely MUST get in touch with the real - hard - to - find - low - cost - sources. There is simply no other way to make it BIG in this business. You NEED the Low cost SOURCES. Find them today at Mexico-Store.com

The problem is that discovering real low cost sources can be a difficult, time consuming and expensive mission. Some information providers on the web are charging $30 per manufacturer profile, while others can charge you more than $1000 per business directory, or even a subcription fee to access their trade leads database. But who do you think is listed on their databases? The Mexican manufacturers? or just another reseller eager to sell at a nice profit? Exactly!. Those trade leads databases are mainly filled with lists and lists of intermediaries and marketers that want to make money reselling the product for a heavy profit.





Its all about the profits. YOUR Profits! at Mexico-Store.com .-

Don't get us wrong. We don't have any problem with being a product reseller. But being a reseller your self, wouldn't it be better if you could cut the extra middleman and offer a better price to your customers ?

Order the updated Mexico Trade Manufacturers Directories today and Get access to manufacturers of thousands of Mexican products that sell incredibly well in the USA and other countries.

Our trade directories contain low cost Mexican manufacturers of beautiful rustic wrought iron, taxco silver bracelets, earrings and more elegant jewelry, leather briefcases, folk art, leather clothing, blown crystal, luxurius leather furniture, Talavera pottery, textile and gift items, pewter d�cor, wood hand crafts, leather shoes and exotic boots, crocodile leather, swine, lamb and ostrich, oil paintings all made by skilled craftsmen and RELIABLE suppliers at incredible low prices.





Avoid those expensive resellers and get in touch with the real Mexican manufacturers today ! .-


We provide you with all the neccessary contact information including email in many cases.

Some of these silver jewelry, hand crafts and leather products manufacturers do have a website. But that doesn't mean you can easily find them on the search engines. As we all know, its very hard to make it to the top of the search engine rankings and it can take more than 6 months to even get a website listed with them. That and the fact that most Mexican artisans are not as computer savvy as "we all think" are the main reason why you won't find that many websites at all of Mexican manufacturers listed on Google or Yahoo. In many cases their websites are not even optimized for the search engines to list them.



Don't expect to get the best possible prices from those "mexican products providers" that you can find on the web for free.-


Most of the guys and companies that are ranking at the top of the search engine results are basically American companies that are reselling Mexican products. So don't expect to get the best possible prices from them. Don't kid your self.



Get our updated Mexico trade directories and start getting incredible low prices per silver gram or per handcrafted product that you can easily resell twice as much or translate into GREATER profit margins for your self.



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Low cost Mexican products that sell incredibly well worldwide ! at
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1- With our Mexican Silver Manufacturers Directory you will great deals on silver rings for men and women in all sizes, earrings, necklaces, bangles, charms, chains and bracelets at incredible low prices per gram !



2- With the updated Mexican hand crafts and rustic furniture manufacturers you can get access to thousands of Mexican products that sell incredibly well in the USA and other countries.

Our hand craftfs directory contains Mexican manufacturers of beautiful rustic wrought iron, folk art, blown crystal, talavera pottery, textile and gift items, pewter d�cor, wood hand crafts and oil paintings all made by skilled craftsmen at incredible low prices.



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We are talking about leather clothing, exotic boots and leather footware for men, woman and children, made of crocodile leather, ostrich, goat, swine, bovine and lamb, handbags, purses, elegant briefcases, soccer balls, wallets, leather cigar cases, laptop cases, sport and casual cloths among many more great products.



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Mexico-Store.com helps importers from every country in the world get access to low cost Mexican products with high resell value.

Collection of Jewelry from I800's through mid 1900's
Laura Thykeson - Owner of "Ice Originals II - Vintage Collectibles, Music and Jewelry"

A special collection of jewelry, some of European descent, from a New York Estate, has recently been offered to the public for sale. Quite a few extroadinary pieces, especially for collectors and researchers of the time frame are available.
Body Copy: Recently "Ice Originals II", a collectibles and antique website, had the pleasure of acquiring a portion of a large New York Estate that includes jewelry items from the 1800's through the mid 1900's. Quite a few of the earlier pieces are of definite European manufacture, as they feature the European style clasps and hinges and definite European designs. There are some very interesting pieces, that appear as if they could have historic and research value, as well as the normal interest related to collectors.

Several of the pieces feature hand chasing and enamel, inlaid into the gold. Several are watch pins, as well as sash pins, brooches, and some very nice cut steel and gold earrings. The art deco and art nouveau movements are clearly represented as well as some transition pieces. These jewelry items, each very well designed and crafted, are true representations of the jewelry of these early decades. The collection can be viewed at "Ice Originals II" which is located at:

http://www.tias.com/stores/iceorig/

Anyone who is a serious collector, as well as anyone researching this period of jewelry in encouraged to visit this website and view these beautiful pieces. Along with all the items described, there is also a collection of hand carved shell and hard stone cameos, as well as cameo rings. Some of these pieces pre-date the 1860's, and have been so carefully protected and stored that they appear to be in nearly new condition! As said previously, these items are part of a New York Estate, passed down though a family, and only a portion of this beautiful collection has recently been placed up for sale to the public. Other pieces not for sale include an entire suite of mourning jewelry, made of jet, that is just phenomenal, as well as several pre-1860 pieces that are just perfect, in gold, and containing precious stones such as diamonds and rubies. Many appear to be custom made pieces and contain strong European influences, most likely originating in the UK or surrounding areas. The owner of the collection is not completely sure of all lineage of the family, so any viewers of the pieces up for sale are welcomed to email any input they may have on the items and their origins to the owner of the website, as the collection owner is eager to learn more about the items before they are sold. These pieces are offered on consignment basis to the seller, so therefore, prices are firm, although most are moderately priced, well within the serious collectors price range.

Whether looking for that special gift for a special lady,interested in Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Edwardian design, or doing research of the time frames indicated this is definitely a visit worth your time!



Laura Thykeson owns "Ice Originals II", a collectibles and antique website, as well as being an artist, published poet, freelance writer, and owner of two other websites dealing with the arts and collectibles venue. She researches items for others as well as selling on consignment. She is also a big advocate for "unknown" artists and artisans and enjoys promoting new Artists and their works.

Does Your Copy Look "Fake" To the Search Engines?

Karon Thackston

by Karon Thackston © 2004
http://www.copywritingcourse.com/keyword

From the early days of search engine optimization, keywords and content have always been vital to achieving your goals. Starting back in the days when we used to shove every slightly relevant keyword into our Meta tags, it has been obvious that search engines love text. The more advanced the engines have gotten over the years, the more complex and sophisticated many writers have gotten with their search engine copywriting.

Supposed formulas, saturation levels, and other mysterious concoctions have been developed to help us outsmart the engines. However, what we should have been doing all along was writing for the visitor first and the engines second. Why? Because creating a site that's loved by visitors is a prime factor in linking, ranking, and marketing as a whole. As the engines make great strides with more personalized and efficient searches (such as semantic search) natural search engine optimization writing is even more important.

Rather than just indexing the copy on your site, engines are learning to "understand" what a page is about. The ironic thing is, as the search engines get more complex the "formula" for SEO copywriting is actually getting more simple.

Write Naturally

In the future, search engines will be looking for Web pages that reflect a natural tone with the copy. Is it obvious that keyphrases are being shoved in wherever possible? Does every headline/sub-head, image tag, and comment tag have a keyphrase included? Does the copy sound fake, unnatural, and stiff? If so, then spiders and bots will recognize it and possibly flag it as something to be wary of.

Take a look at this lovely piece of copy I found while surfing just the other day. (I've replaced the keyphrases used in the original copy with the word "wherever" so as not to embarrass the site owner.)

Wherever Holiday Rentals

Holiday rentals in Wherever for holidays in Wherever

Wherever holiday rentals directly from the owners. Rent a holiday villa in Wherever or perhaps a 2-6 bedroom apartment in Wherever. Wherever vacation rentals for holidays in Wherever are easily located by searching the Wherever Holiday website. Wherever Holiday Rentals offer holiday apartments in Wherever and holiday villas.

Find accommodation in Wherever by clicking on the Wherever map or the active links. You will then see holiday rental apartments, villas and townhouses in stunning Wherever accommodation.

Let's suppose someone walked into your travel agency and asked for help. You would most likely ask what they were looking for. They would reply, "Holiday rentals in Wherever. What can you show me?" Would you honestly take off on the spiel above? Can you see yourself talking to a real client face-to-face and saying, "We offer Wherever holiday rentals in Wherever and can find you many apartments, villas, and houses in Wherever"? I don't think so.

Tips for Writing In Natural Language

1) Vary your keywords/phrases. For example, if a keyphrase you particularly want to target is "14k gold jewelry" consider also using keyphrases like "14k gold watches" or "gold wedding bands" or others along those lines. This will give you a variety of phrases within your copy.

2) Read it out loud. When you read your copy out loud you'll get a better sense of whether it sounds unnatural. If you wouldn't say, "We make 14k gold jewelry and have made 14k gold jewelry for 10 years. If you need 14k gold jewelry just view our catalog" out loud, then don't put it in your copy, either.

3) Break up keyphrases. As searchers get more knowledgeable about finding what they want in the engines, they use longer and longer search queries some of which just don't make any sense. For instance, I recently had to use the phrase "real estate Pittsburg downtown" when writing a page of SEO copy. Since this search string was not easily worked in as that exact phrase, I broke it up. One sentence I used it in said: "When looking for commercial real estate in Pittsburg check the downtown listings first for exceptional locations and prices." The words are still in the same order with minor breaks in between. When you can't use a phrase "as is" this is a very viable alternative.

Keep in mind the direction search engine optimization is taking. The closer you can get to writing in natural language, the better off you'll be. It only makes sense to create a site now that will last through the long haul. Especially when that site will have a better chance of favorably appealing to the engines and your visitors.



Karon is author of "How To Increase Keyword Saturation (Without Destroying the Flow of Your Copy)." Discover the secrets to creating SEO copy with a perfect balance between keywords and natural language. http://www.copywritingcourse.com/keyword

Don't Let A Home Business Cost You Your Family
Craig Binkley

Does the title of this article sound funny to you? To some, it may not only seem funny but downright silly. To others, it may be offensive also. On the surface, it does sound like a funny topic for an article. When we look deeper, it can be a very serious problem that needs to be addressed.

Now I'm sure that most of us have either heard, or even personally known a family that has been damaged because the husband/father pours all of his time and efforts into a job or career. His wife never sees him. His children don't know him. He may try to make up for it with all kinds of "worldly" gifts, when all the while what is really needed is him to be there.

I know what you are thinking. This couldn't, or shouldn't, happen with a home based business. I am here to tell you that it not only can, but also it does. It doesn't matter if the husband/father is devoting all his time to his career away from the home or tucked away in his cozy office at home. The outcome is going to be the same.

The question that needs to asked is "How can a father/husband run a home based business, at times while still working full-time outside the home, without causing irreparable damage to his marriage and family?" Hopefully, the following things will help him keep his priorities in line and not be "sucked in" to the "succeed at all costs" mentality that is so prevalent in this day and age.

1) The most important recommendation I can offer, the reason it is at the top of my list, is to trust in God to provide. If we learn to trust HIM rather than feeling that is all up to us, the better off we will be (I used to struggle with this BIG time).
2) If you are building a home business while working outside the home, you MUST understand that your family needs you. I'm not talking about being able to purchase the newest home video center to keep everyone busy either. Set aside some time to spend with the family. Make your wife feel special (surprise her with a rose) and remember that you kids are only kids FOR A SHORT WHILE.

3) Set your goals according to the items listed in #2 above. Don't let your goals run your life. Goals are important, but they are worthless if you lose your family in the pursuit of them.

4) Try to get your wife and/or children involved in your business. The home should be a place of commerce. Children are a blessing, not a curse. Let them bless your business. Our oldest daughter has designed her own line of jewelry that we sell on our website. It started as a hobby, and then naturally progressed into a small business. Let your children do things for you, even if it is just filing papers or searching a topic on the Internet that you may need. Make them feel like they are a part of the business and it will go a long way to keeping your family together.

There are many other things that can be done to keep your home business from adversely affecting your marriage and family life. Some of them are OBVIOUS while others are not. A good rule of thumb is to remember that your family should be the most important thing in your life next to your relationship with God. If you keep this in mind, and work your business with this as your primary "goal", not only will you not cause damage, but I truly believe you will be blessed in whatever endeavor you are undertaking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Craig Binkley, husband and father
assisting in the restoration of the
"traditional" family through home
business ownership.
http://www.bornagainbargains.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Import - Export Business Opportunities With Mexico ..... The cheaper you buy the more money you make

Mexico-Store.com

Are You Interested in Importing Products from Mexico ?
Would You Like to Resell Mexican Products for Great Profits ?

+ Get access to The hard - to - find - low - cost sources

+ Get in touch with real Mexican manufacturers that you most likely won't find on the web.

+ Suppliers of beautiful art and lucrative hand crafted products like wrought / forged iron, ceramic crafts, blown crystal, talavera pottery, taxco silver, rustic furniture, luxurious clay and a great variety of handmade leather products among many more.

+ Cut the extra middle men and take their BIG profits to YOUR bank account, and...

+ Give better prices to your clients !

+ Increase your product offerings and never depend on a single provider



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The History Of The Watch: From The Early 19th Century To Present Day Timepieces!
Chris Vorelli

The watch has made many transformations through the years. There have been many modifications and technological advancements that have made it possible to wear them on your wrist and tell the time with a push of a button! Unlike the watches made many centuries ago, the watches of today offer cutting edge technology and modern day convenience features. The watch is steeped in history and has seen us through World Wars and Nuclear Warfare. At the end of time, there's no doubt that we'll use a watch to make note of the date/time!

To truly understand the evolution of the watch, we must take a journey into the past. The first timekeeping device was actually a pocket watch. Though, back in the day, they were worn around the neck. I guess we know the occupation of Flava Flav's early ancestors!

After the railroad began using the pocket watch, the watch industry grew by leaps and bounds! With the invention of the wristwatch, watches became increasingly popular among professionals and everyday folk. The LED digital watch and the Pilot's watch have taken the watch designs and functions to a whole new level. To date, there are many watchmakers vying for your business! Your best bet is to hop online and view the many different styles, models and prices before you purchase another watch.

The pocket watch is the oldest form of watch in production. In the beginning, they were completely customized pieces of jewelry that were mainly owned by royalty or the rich. Encrusted with jewels and made of the finest quality materials, the early pocket watches were not easily affordable. Eventually made into smaller versions and worn around the neck, the pocket watch was still mostly considered a fashion accessory. That was until the development of the railroad. Using the pocket watch as a means to schedule train departures and arrivals, the pocket watch became a time telling necessity. Unfortunately, though, the early pocket watch models did not accurately tell time; they "lost" time as the day progressed, making it impossible to synchronize times among a group of people. Following a train collision, it was deemed that the pocket watch needed to undergo a technological improvement to tell time more accurately.

The revised technology made it possible to begin making the pocket watch smaller and smaller, until it eventually began to be worn on the wrist. The wristwatch began to see a dramatic burst of production during wartimes. The military saw a use for a watch that could be easily read while performing duties. The chronograph wristwatches with luminous hands were in high demand! Today, there are a multitude of watch manufacturers that specialize in wristwatch production. There are watches sporting beautiful jewels and watches that are mostly geared toward function. Some are battery operated, while others operate from the power of the sun! There are watches that will fit into any price range, too. Shopping online will allow you to view and compare many wristwatches so that you can pick the one that is most perfect for your wants and needs!

The LED Digital wrist watch came about in the late 1960's and early 1970's. These watches were very unique in that they require no moving parts to tell the time of day! Passing an electrical charge through inorganic materials creates the LED digital technology. In other words, you simply press a button and the watch lights up with the dime/date! The Americans and the Japanese have been the forerunners in the development of the LED digital watch. Early models were expensive, but are inexpensive to date. They are the best watches to learn how to tell time by!

The Aviation Watch (Pilot Watch) is a very functional timepiece.. These watches actually help to maintain flight plans, perform pre-flight planning and navigate flights, so they are extremely important for pilots! Used primarily by the military and aircrew, the Aviation style watches are also popular among avid outdoorsmen and athletes. Today, the aviation world has seen a great improvement in a plane's instrumentation panel, so the Aviation watch isn't quite as important, but they are very useful to have just in case you need a back up!

All watches are analog or digital in nature, some are even both! Men, women and children will be able to find a wrist watch that is just perfect for their needs/desires. Shopping on the Internet, you'll find many merchants that sell watches. There are places to find some really great discounted selections, too! When it comes to watches, there are many factors you should consider before you purchase, including: functions needed, size, style and price. Once you have your choices narrowed down, shopping online is the quickest and most convenient way to go. Whether you are an avid watch collector or you are purchasing a time teaching model, remember that your choices have been made possible thanks to the many talented designers and engineers through the years!

Chris Vorelli is a successful freelance writer, providing useful
articles and info on where to buy
discount watches, replacement bands

How to Choose Fine Pearls

Amanda Raab

Pearls are very alluring and hold a quality that both defines elegance and natural beauty. There are more varieties and availability of pearls today than ever before. The "cultured pearl" now rivals with fine diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
Today most pearls are cultured, meaning that the mollusk is purposely inserted with an irritant or "nucleus" from which it creates a pearl. A better way to think of the difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls is to think of the natural pearl as a result of the mollusk working alone and the cultured pearls as a product of nature being helped by science. Cultured pearls are not "fake" like many people may think. The culturing process takes from two to three years and is a very delicate process. The pearl farmers have little control on what the outcome of the pearl will look like or if the mollusk will reject the nucleus. Not all pearls are fine quality or even desirable at all. The end result is ultimately a consequence of nature.
Choosing pearls that are of the best quality are determined by luster, nacre thickness and quality (the outer layer), color, surface perfection, shape, and size. The biggest factor of pearl quality is nacre thickness and quality which determines how long the pearl will last. Nacre thickness determines the longevity of the pearl and nacre quality determines how light reflects through the layers of the pearls. High luster and iridescence come from high quality nacre and any pearl with these characteristics has quality, thick nacre. When judging nacre look for uniform iridescence, intensity of luster, cracks and peeling, estimate thickness near the drill hole between the nacre and the shell bead (nacre is lighter). Pearls are very thick with at least .5 mm on all pearls, thick with at least.5mm on most pearls, medium with between .35 and .5 mm on most pearls, and thin with .25 mm or less on most pearls.
Luster is also important and one of the first factors to notice. Luster is an intense brightness that illuminates from within the pearl rather than just being "shiny" like in imitation pearls. The intense brightness results from light being reflected throughout the numerous layers of nacre. Quality pearls will have a sharp contrast between the brightest area where direct light is hitting the pearls and the shaded area creating an illusion of a "ball within the pearl." Check for luster by examining them under a fluorescent lamp and rolling them from side to side to examine uniform luster. Examine pearls over a light gray or white material and never black because it is harder to see the true quality of the pearl.
Pearl color is also important. When choosing pearls note there body color and overtones. The most desirable and more rare white pearls have "rose" colored overtones. Cream colored pearls are more affordable because they are less rare. Also, pearls can have tones rated in intensity. Darker toned pearls are more desirable and expensive compared to lighter toned pearls. Many natural body colors are available in pearls including white, black, gray, blue, gold, pink, and green. Distinctive colored pearls are rarer and harder to find. Have a qualified gemologist check the pearls to make sure they have not been dyed, especially for costlier pearls like the black or golden varieties.
Examine pearls' surface for blemishes. Although is best to check for most pearl characteristics on a light background, it is best to check for blemishes on a dark background. Check in both intense and diffused light. No pearls are perfect and small blemishes can be sacrificed for more important quality like nacre and luster. Pearls with higher luster conceal blemishes better.
When choosing pearls also consider shape. There are three pearl shapes including symmetrical, spherical, and baroque. The spherical is the rarest and most desirable. Symmetrical pearls include teardrop or pear-shaped pearls and desirable but usually less expensive than spherical pearls. Baroque pearls are irregularly shaped and often the least expensive.
Size should also be taken into consideration. Larger cultured pearls are rarer and more expensive. Akoya pearls over 7 � millimeters are much more costly and prices dramatically rise with each � millimeter over 8 millimeters. South Sea and Tahitian pearls also have high increase in price when size is over 15 millimeters.
One more factor to consider in pearls is the precision in matching the pearl quality in a string of pearls. It is important to take all of the above factors in consideration when matching the pearls. Graduated pearls also take careful matching. Pearl matching affects the value of the jewelry because when pearls are not matched properly it takes away from the appearance of the jewelry. Also, make sure the pearls are all drilled in the center so they lay properly. Off-center drilled pearls will not lay correctly and reduces the value of the piece.
It is always important to get a independent laboratory report when in doubt of pearl enhancements that may have been employed to make the pearls appear more valuable. Make sure the person appraising the pearls is a Graduate Gemologist (GG) which is the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA)highest award.
Other things to consider when purchasing pearls include finding out what the merchant's return policy is. Make sure they have at least a 30-day full refund policy.
Pure Pearls at www.purepearls.com is an excellent place to find fine quality pearl jewelry including Akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls, and Freshwater pearls. Pure Pearls has all of its pearl pieces appraised by a Graduate Gemologist and offers a 45-day guaranteed satisfaction policy.

President Of Pure Pearls
http://www.purepearls.com
Classic. Timeless. Luxury

Look Good & Have Fun This Summer With The Perfect
Sher Matsen

It's that time of year when we pack up our bags and head to the beach for the day to enjoy those warm sunrays and the refreshing sound of the lapping water.

So what constitutes a good beach wardrobe. Well there are certain essentials that none of us forget. On goes the swimsuit and bathing suit cover, flip flops on our feet. Beach bag has been packed with the essentials - sunglasses, floppy hat, towel and a good book. Great - got the basics covered but what about the rest.

So if we are so prepared for a day at the beach, why is it by the time we get home we look pretty worn. Here are some helpful tips to make your day at the beach fun and keep you looking fashion fresh all day and all the way home.

First before you leave home, if you've got long hair pull it into a high pony tail or fun knot. Use some funky hair accessories that will stay in place when you're swimming. Try a fun colored bobble or some firm fastening clips in bright summer colors. If you pull your hair up your neck will stay cool and you'll look fresh all day with your neat hairdo.

Second slather yourself in sunscreen before leaving the house, then toss the sunscreen in your bag so you can reapply after a swim or every few hours. A sunburn is not only unhealthy and painful, it's unattractive, so don't let yourself turn into the lobster of the day. Your sunscreen should be a SPF of 15. It doesn't hurt to use a strong SPF on your face or your entire body if you burn easily.

Your beach bag should be large enough to hold your supplies for the day. Why not get something fun and fashionable to keep you looking fashion fresh. Make sure you've got all the daily essentials in your bag - sunglasses, sunscreen, a good book, a floppy hat, some lip gloss, and any other makeup touch ups you'll want. If you plan to wear eye makeup make sure it's waterproof. Stay away from heavy foundations. If you must apply something use a bronzer moisturizer. It's also a good idea to bring lip balm with an SPF15 to protect your lips. It never hurts to put some moisturizer in the bag. Include a snack and plenty of fluids. It's important not to get dehydrated.

Okay great we've got the basics covered now what about the wardrobe basics? If you're planning to wear a swimsuit it's usually easiest to put it on at home, that way you're not chasing down change rooms. So great - first on goes the swimsuit. Now what to wear for a cover? Well you've got plenty of choices. A tank top and shorts, tank and skort, or a nice light cotton dress all work well over top. Choose something that's easy to put on and take off, and choose fabrics that breathe to keep you cool. I also suggest including a long sleeved cotton blouse just incase you start to burn you can protect your shoulders and arms.

If you're planning on heading out later in the day without returning home you might want to toss a pair of jeans or long skirt into your bag. If your outing is going to extend into the evening you'll want to include a sweater for the cooler evening air. If you're worried about your evening wear getting sandy or wet at the beach, then place them in a separate bag and leave them in the trunk of your car. That way you are guaranteed they'll remain fresh.

My favorite beach look is this. And what's perfect is it keeps me looking fashion fresh throughout the day and takes me right into the evening. First I like a swimsuit that's got lots of support and is bright and cheerful. I throw a fitted tank on top and throw on a loose flouncy long skirt. The long skirt serves me through the evening and also works great to cover up if I'm starting to burn. I choose a lightweight material in a darker color with a pattern that accents the colors in my swimsuit. Flip flops are my footwear. Depending on where I'm heading after the beach I choose either a basic pair or one of my funky pair with rhinestones or crystals. Easy to walk in, feet breath, and terrific for an evening out. I keep a fitted light weight sweater in my car, and take a long sleeved cotton blouse down to the beach. I usually choose a long sleeved and long length blouse because it's versatile. I can knot it to create a short blouse, wear it long as a beach cover, and put it on if I start to burn on my upper body. I usually choose white or a soft pastel depending on my other colors. I like white because it's cool to wear and refreshing to look at. Every year I buy a fun new beach tote that's big enough for the beach but not too big as to take it with me for an evening out. I like a fun bag that's full of character.

Since I always feel naked without my jewelry I wear fashion jewelry to the beach. That way should I loose something I won't be out a lot of money and I won't feel so bad. I like to keep the earrings simple and elegant. I may or may not wear a necklace. Often I'll toss a funky wood necklace in the bag to add to the evening outfit. I like to wear a couple of fashion rings just to add the finishing touches. Now if you're fussy about tan lines you'll probably want to forgo the rings. I toss my watch in the bottom of my bag so I can put it on later.

That's it - simple is the key. Keep your beach wardrobe choices simple but fashionable. Think ahead so you can go from beach to an evening out without hassle. Remember to always make
your fashion statement!

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

Loose Moissanite Stones, A Great Way to Buy Your Moissanite Wedding Jewelry.

Peter Crump

Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry stone on the market, moissanite is fashionable. Moissanite stones are manufactured to exacting standards, and so produce fine quality jewelry. And loose moissanite stones, being
cheaper, can offer a choice of much larger stone sizes than diamonds.

Just witness the number of "stars" who have been seen recently wearing stunning moissanite jewelry. Moissanite jewelry is the new jewelry for the discriminating buyer.

Not only does moissanite look as good as diamonds, it's much cheaper.

However before you decide to rush out and buy some moissanite jewelry, think about the range of options available to you for your jewelry purchase. And think about buying loose moissanite stones.

Lets say you want to buy a stunning moissanite engagement ring.

Firstly, shop on the net. Moissanite is more easily sourced on the net than at your regular stores, and you usually get a bigger range. Online stores can be much cheaper when buying moissanite than your normal offline store. There are several
reasons for this, but it generally boils down to overheads.

Regular stores need to bring their customers to the store. So the store needs to be near the customers. So there need to be lots of stores to be near lots of customers. So high overheads.

However on the net the customers come to the store. So there is only one location needed, and it can be located on cheaper real estate.

So, lower overheads equals lower prices.

When shopping on the net there are usually a range of settings to choose from. And whilst women love their moissanite jewelry, they usually have exact ideas about the setting they want. Sometimes the merchants offer the setting they want, sometimes they don't.

There is, however, the perfect solution. Loose moissanite stones. The stone is usually the more expensive part of the ring. The setting is usually cheaper than the stone.

It is perfectly possible to buy loose moissanite stones on the net. Why would you buy loose moissanite stones? One reason.

If you buy the stone on the net you take advantage of the prices and availability. If you then take your moissanite stone to your local store you can browse at your leisure and pick out the exact setting that suits you and get your jeweller to set the stone for you.

It's the best of both worlds. The low price of buying a moissanite stone on the net, and the range of choice and the enjoyment of browsing in your local store for the perfect setting. And the option of getting your favourite jeweller to set it for you.

So for those who are looking for that perfect moissanite engagement ring, look for moissanite stones on the net. You will get a stone that compares very favourably to a diamond at a much cheaper price.

And select your favourite setting from your favourite jeweller.

A loose moissanite stone plus your favourite ring setting makes for the perfect moissanite engagement ring!



Find out more about Moissanite Stones as well as Moissanite engagement rings, moissanite bridal rings and moissanite earrings at Peter's website, The Magic of Moissanite.
© 2005 Peter Crump.

Buying Jewelry for Mother's Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off
Sam Serio

Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother's Day, but there are pitfalls, especially if you rush at the last minute. Procrastination and a lack of knowledge can be rewarded with overpaying for a piece of jewelry or even worse, being ripped-off.
A gift of jewelry can be expensive. Asking friends, family and co-workers if they can recommend a website, brick and mortar store or local crafts person can help. Checking with the better business bureau is also a commendable approach.
When you are shopping, ask the salesperson to write down any information you might rely on to make your purchase and before you buy, ask for the store's refund and return policy. When ordering online, keep printouts of the web pages with details about the transaction, including refund and return policies if you're not satisfied.
Six Smart Shopping Tips for Mother's Day and Beyond
1. There's a big difference between 14 karat gold and gold-plated jewelry. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. Gold-plated describes jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold bonded to a base metal. Gold plating eventually wears away, depending on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.
2. If you're buying a watch, determine whether you want one that runs on a battery or one that must be wound daily. Ask if a warranty or guarantee is included, how long it lasts, and what parts and repair problems it covers. Also ask how and where you can get the watch serviced and repaired.
3. Know the difference between laboratory-created gemstones and naturally mined stones. Stones created in the lab are visually identical to stones mined from the earth. The big difference is in the cost: laboratory-created stones are less expensive then naturally mined stones. But because they look must like stones mined from the earth, they must be identified as lab-created. If you want a naturally mined stone, ask if it has been treated. Gemstone treatments- such as heating, dyeing or bleaching- can improve a stone's appearance or durability. Some treatments are permanent; some may create special care requirements. Treatments also may affect the stone's value.
4. Ask whether pearls are imitation or real. Real pearls are made by oysters or other mollusks; imitation pearls are man-made. Cultured pearls are made by mollusks with human intervention; and irritant introduced into their shells causes a pearl to grow. Real pearls that are not cultured are fairly rare and expensive. The cost depends on the size, usually stated in millimeters, and the coating or "nacre" on a real pearl, which gives it its iridescence.
5. When you're buying a diamond, consider four criteria: cut, color, clarity and weight, usually stated as carats. Each factor affects the price. Color is sometimes "graded" on a scale. However, scales are not uniform: a "D" may be the best color for one scale, but not for another. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color of the diamond you're considering. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no visible surface cracks or other imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.
6. One final tip, Mom's love longer (i.e. 24") gold or sterling chains with gemstone pendants. And you can almost never go wrong with the very popular omega-style chains in various widths in sterling silver or gold.


For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Author Interview - Shower of Heavenly Roses

Lisa M. Hendey

Author Interview - Shower of Heavenly Roses by Elizabeth Ficocelli
By Lisa M. Hendey

I believe that my own strong devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux, lovingly known as "The Little Flower", stems from the fact that she gives me such great hope - hope that someone who spends most of every day doing mundane little tasks (like washing laundry and driving car pools), can make these little acts holy by offering them to God with a loving heart.

In her new book Shower of Heavenly Roses: Stories of the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux (Crossroad Publishing Company, September 2004, paperback, 227 pages), author Elizabeth Ficocelli shares stories of countless hearts touched through the intercession of St. Therese. For those not acquainted with St. Therese and her wonderful autobiography Story of a Soul, Ficocelli's introduction relates the life history and spirituality of this magnificent woman. In her Prologue, Ficocelli shares her own personal faith journey and the role in that journey played by St. Therese, as well as the meaning of the sign of the rose.

Millions have turned to St. Therese for aid and intercession in times of difficulty and despair. The stories shared in Shower of Heavenly Roses are stirring accounts of prayers answered by miracles, great and small. St. Therese inspired many with her words "I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth." Shower of Heavenly Roses shows that St. Therese's spirit of love and service, her "little way", lives on in our world.

I am pleased to share the following interview with author Elizabeth Ficocelli.

LH: It's a pleasure to be able to share the following interview with Elizabeth Ficocelli, author of Shower of Heavenly Roses: Stories of the Intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux. Elizabeth, first off let me say that this book is a treasure! Would you please begin by telling our readers a bit about yourself and your family?

EF: I am a Catholic convert who entered the Church in 1983. I have been married to a wonderful man for 19 years, the man who first introduced me to the Faith. I am a stay-at-home mom and my husband and I are raising four boys -- ages 13, 9, 6 and 4 -- in central Ohio. For the last five years, I have been writing books and magazine articles to share my love and enthusiasm of the Faith with others. My desire is to excite and educate people about the sacraments and the other treasures that our Church offers.

LH: Elizabeth, this book has a great deal of personal meaning for you as you share your own story of conversion. Can you briefly relate to our readers your own personal experience with St. Therese during your faith journey?

EF: As I mentioned, I am a convert. I was raised Lutheran, and when I was eight years old, I found a medal on the sidewalk as I was walking to school. I thought the woman on the medal was Mary. For some reason, I kept that medal in my jewelry box, and it wasn't until I was an adult Catholic that I discovered the meaning of the mysterious message imprinted on the back, "After my death I will let fall a shower of roses." It was the famous quotation of St. Therese of Lisieux. This prompted me to read her autobiography, Story of a Soul, and like so many others, I fell in love with her. I felt she had always been present in my life, from my youth. Years later, I wrote a magazine article about the intercession of this saint in my life and the life of my son. It was my first published work, and it ran in Catholic Parent in January 2000. Interestingly, this was exactly when the relics of St. Therese were touring this country and creating quite a fervor, as they seem to do in every country they visit. I did not know about the relics tour when I wrote the article. The timing was all her doing. She accomplished this a second time with my book, Shower of Heavenly Roses. Due to the overwhelming response to my call for stories, the book was completed a full year ahead of schedule. It was released in September 2004, a few weeks before the launch of the major motion picture, Therese. I was aware that a movie had been made about her, but I had no idea it was going to be released this year until my manuscript was well into production.

LH: For our readers who have not yet had the opportunity to read Shower of Heavenly Roses please give us a description of the book.

EF: Shower of Heavenly Roses is a compilation of 65 stories that depict the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux in the lives of a variety of people. The stories are beautiful and inspiring examples of faith that I think the world needs to hear right now. But I wanted to do more than present some beautiful stories. I wanted to make the world aware of this special Saint and the lesson of love that she teaches us all. That's why I provide an introduction about her life, her spirituality, and why she was named Saint and Doctor of the Church. In my prologue, I talk about saintly intercession in general, and I address how this idea can be easily be misconstrued or self-serving. And that's not the point at all. The saints are one of our terrific gifts from God, an example to us all, and yes, their help is available for the asking. But we should not limit ourselves to simply asking for personal favors. We really should be asking these holy men and women to help us follow the wonderful example they left us.

LH: In reading the stories included in Shower of Heavenly Roses, I was deeply moved by the impact that St. Therese has had on so many lives. The stories come from such a broad cross section - old and young, lay and religious, male and female...how did you go about collecting the stories for the book?

EF: I used the Internet for my primary research. I discovered many organizations, publications and private web sites dedicated to St. Therese, in addition to lay and religious orders. I contacted organizers of the relics tour and was able to get a list of most of the churches and monasteries that hosted the relics. A few Catholic publications posted my call for stories, but for the most part, the word was spread electronically.

LH: Of the stories you share in Shower of Heavenly Roses, do you have a favorite?

EF: That's a tough question. All of the stories have special meaning to me; that's why I selected them for the book. I have developed friendships with the contributors -- many of them have become like family. I had the great pleasure of meeting two of the contributors in person when I did a book signing at the National Shrine of St. Therese on October 1st. They were delightful -- I wish I could meet each one. A few of the stories do have an extra special place in my heart. The very first story to come in, within 24 hours after I sent my call for stories, came from Brazil. It's about a mother who locates her grown children halfway around the world after many years of separation, thanks to the intercession of St. Therese. This story set the tone of the book for me, and therefore I placed it as the first story that appears in the book. There are some "wow" stories, like St. Therese making her presence known in a wedding photo. A quieter story that touches me is called, "My Dad's Devotion." It is written by a grown daughter, recalling her father's love/hate relationship with St. Therese. By "hate" I mean that when things weren't working out as the father would have liked, his statue of St. Therese would be turned around with her nose against the wall. When things were okay, she was facing front again. I found this very open, honest and human relationship with the Saint very real and simple, like St. Therese herself.

LH: Elizabeth, St. Therese has long been one of my favorite spiritual friends and confidants so I am pleased with the influx of recent projects about her such as your book and the Therese movie. What message do you hope to share through Shower of Heavenly Roses?

EF: I hope the book will inspire people to learn more about St. Therese and her little way of great love, particularly through her autobiography, Story of a Soul. I also hope the book will lead people to discover other saints and the blessing they are to all of us. I think most importantly, I would like people to come away with the realization that God exists and loves us very much, and that His community of saints is just one more way He shows us that love in our daily lives. That's why I'm personally sharing this book with people of other faiths and those with no faith at all.

LH: As a fan of your books for children, Child's Guide to First Holy Communion and Child's Guide to Reconciliation, and now this latest book, I'm curious to hear about your plans for upcoming projects. What are you working on next?

EF: I am currently writing another adult book that will have a similar format to Shower of Heavenly Roses. This book is going to be about Medjugorje. I attribute Medjugorje and its call for peace, prayer, fasting, conversion and the sacraments as having a significant influence on my own Catholicism today. Since my pilgrimage there in 1989, Medjugorje has really helped to make my faith come alive. Because there is much controversy about these apparitions, my intention is to release a book in 2006 (the 25th anniversary of the apparitions) that will bring healing and understanding to this controversy. Therefore, I am compiling stories of how individuals have been converted by their exposure to Medjugorje and its messages, and what is happening as a result of that conversion, 25 years later. For many people, it has spawned new ministries. The stories I have been receiving are wonderful testaments that these apparitions continue to bear good fruit in the world. I think the Church needs to hear these stories as it continues to observe the events happening in Medjugorje.

LH: Elizabeth Ficocelli, author of Shower of Heavenly Roses, thank you so much for your time and for this gift of this wonderful book. I know that it will touch many hearts and bring many into a closer prayer relationship with St. Therese of Lisieux. Are there any closing thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?

EF: I thank you for your web site that provides such helpful information for Catholic moms like me. I also appreciate this unique opportunity to talk about my own writing ministry. Readers are invited to visit my web site at www.elizabethficocelli.com for a complete list of books and magazine articles, or to submit a Medjugorje story. Books can be ordered through this web site or by contacting your local bookseller. Thank you, and God Bless!

For more information or to order Shower of Heavenly Roses: Stories of the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0824522567/digitalcropper-20 or www.elizabethficocelli.com

Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christincoloring.com, and an avid reader.




Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christincoloring.com, and an avid reader.


Gem and Crystal Jewelry...the Power to Heal?
Sam Serio

References to the power of crystals and gems and their use in spiritual and healing rituals can be found in the ancient Mayan and Hebrew civilizations. Today the practice of using stones and crystals continues with ordinary people across the world who claim extraordinary results.
By stimulating a person's thought, it is believed that crystals stimulate healing - both physical and non-physical. Stones in the red family -- red, yellow and orange -- are prized for their ability to produce energy. On the other end of the spectrum, blue, violet, and lavender stones have a calming effect. In between are the clear and aquamarine stones that having healing properties.
Many people use and combine crystals to improve a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual conditions based on the healing properties attributed to each stone:
� Amethyst - This "spiritually uplifting" stone can reduce anger, and impatience.
� Aquamarine - This beautiful stone protects your heart and your immune system and aids communications on all levels-especially on the physical and spiritual planes
� Carnelian - The perfect stone for targeting your body's system, carnelian is a "stimulant" for your circulatory system, kidneys, appetite, emotions, and sexuality. It bestows confidence, assertiveness, and an unstoppable drive to succeed.
� Citrine - Citrine can help with acid indigestion, food disorders, and allergies with cleansing powers aimed at your spleen, kidneys, liver, urinary system, and intestines. Mentally, citrine is valuable for emotional clarity, willpower, optimism, and self-discipline.
� Coral - Use coral to strengthen your muscles and spine, and to promote bone and tissue regeneration. When it comes to your feels, coral can enliven and enrich your experience of emotions.
� Diamond - A symbol of prosperity and love, diamonds increase personal clarity, trust, and confidence. They also amplify your thoughts and allow you to expand your strengths and positive attitudes.
� Emerald: You'll breathe easier thanks to the positive effect of emeralds on your respiratory system. Emeralds can also help you get a good night's sleep and are believed to reduce the pain of childbirth.
� Jade: The crystal of choice for courage, knowledge, justice, compassion, emotional balance, humility, generosity, harmony, wealth, and long life.
� Lapis: Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, shyness, nervous system, speech, hearing, pituitary, inflammation, pain. Mind expansion, intuition, creativity, spiritual connection. Organize, quiet the mind.
� Malachite: Let go with malachite. Use it to release pain, reduce inflammation, and rid yourself of anger and depression.
� Ruby: It seems only natural that the red, red ruby is valuable for blood clots, blood cleansing, menstrual pain, and even impotency. Rubies simulate circulation and "amp up" the pituitary gland.
� Sapphire: Sapphires are used to reduce inflammation, lower fevers, and put an end to nosebleeds. They are also valuable for helping you tap into your intution.


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The Gifts We Give Our Dogs

Carolyn Schweitzer

Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar with 21st century dogs. Time was when the average canine slept outside, ate whatever scraps of food were tossed his way, and if he was lucky, was thrown the occasional bone. He was even expected to earn his keep!
Times have changed. As the world has grown more affluent, so have our pets. We're obsessed with keeping our canine companions happy, healthy, and properly accessorized. So much so that many of us worry about our own welfare less than that of our dog. This didn't happen overnight-- the trend started decades ago.
Take, for example, my grandmother Rose. During the 60's and 70's, Rose and Henry discovered cruise vacations. On every cruise, whenever they pulled into port to "shop", Rosie made it her mission to find stray dogs and feed them. She'd head straight for the butcher, buy a few pounds of fresh meat, and comb the islands for the hungry and homeless. She would exclaim, "It's a crime the way these animals live!"-- in spite of the fact that the people of those islands were desperately poor!
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not passing judgment on Grandma, or anyone else. I spoil my pets as much as the next guy or gal, and take immense pleasure in it. Truth be told, I'd rather hang out with my dog than with a whole lot of people I know. We share a special bond, my best friend and I. Hey, admit it... lots of you feel the same way!
The fact is, man has always had a close relationship with animals, and has enjoyed having pets around for companionship. Having a pet can bring great pleasure into our lives, and is believed to have a therapeutic effect on the owner. For empty nesters and those who've delayed or opted out of having kids, pets almost take the place of children. We bond with our pets especially because they don't judge us. Dogs in particular offer the kind of unconditional love we all crave. They're always thrilled to have us around!
So, how do we spoil our pets?
Probably in much the same way that we spoil our children! Aside from all of the care attention lavished on America's pets, a tremendous amount of money is spent providing goods and services that were once deemed a luxury-- but are now considered essential.
Today's dog sees the vet for regular checkups. She eats premium dog food and munches on gourmet doggie treats, is enrolled in obedience classes, and runs agility courses. She has her own collections of toys, clothing, and possibly even dog jewelry and canine cologne. She sleeps indoors on a luxury orthopedic bed and takes shelter outdoors in her cedar dog house. She wears a safety harness when riding in the family car, a reflective vest on hunting trips, and rain gear in foul weather. She can even dodge UV rays with a pair of doggie sunglasses. Her responsibilities are few.
I could go on (don't worry, at some point I will!). But one of the most notable signs that we regard our dogs as members of our family is the fact that we buy them gifts. A dog gift for the holidays, a dog gift for a special occasion, or a dog gift to show our appreciation for how much our dogs appreciate us. Any reason will do. Heck, we even wrap our dog gifts!
Here are some very interesting statistics regarding gifts for pets:

* More than half of U.S. households have pets, and many of them are including their "best friends" in holiday plans.
* According to a survey conducted by the Pet Supplies "Plus" chain, 97% of its customers will buy gifts for their animals this Yuletide season.
* 28% of owners will spend more on their pets than on their spouses when buying gifts.
* 47% will spend more on their pets than on relatives other than their spouse.
* 54% will spend more on their pets than on their in-laws.
* 83% will wrap their pets' gifts.
* 68% claim that their pets will unwrap presents themselves with their paws.
* 71% will buy something practical for them.

Buying gifts for our pets is only the half it. If someone we know is a pet lover, we often show our support by giving the person a pet-related gift. And, since the saying goes, "love me, love my dog", there's often pressure to throw in a little dog gift for Spike too. For a casual dog-loving aquaintance, our dog lover gift might be a simple coffee mug with a picture of their favorite dog breed. A set of plush doggie-themed golf club covers could make an amusing gift for a colleague. Maybe Aunt Janine has a collection of dog figurines we can add to. Or, at the other end of the spectrum, one could splurge on a diamond-studded doggie themed bracelet for the wife (although I wouldn't recommend this as an anniversary gift. Unless you're verrry sure.) and a new house for Spike.
The good news is, there's no shortage of goods and services to inspire even the most rabid of dog lovers and dog gift shoppers. And dog lover gift shoppers. Whether the names on your gift list are human or canine, you'll never run out of things to buy and places to shop. If you're one of those gifted gift givers who's never at a loss for what to get and where to find it I envy you. If you're more like the rest of us, and you need a little help, you'll find plenty of ideas online (Ahem!). You can also look for future articles in this series, in which I'll hone in on various ways you can pamper and reward the dogs and dog lovers in your life.
So go ahead, spoil your furry friends. Celebrate your love for your dog, and your sister in law's love for her dog. Shower them with goodies and gifts. It's a dog's life. And if I get to come back for another round, I want it to be as one of those lucky dogs!!



© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of http://www.great-dog-gift.com. The site offers choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. She's always looking for new dog gift ideas and dog stories to share with her readers. You can reach her by email at netbrainer@verizon.net

Get Free Publicity by Pushing the Media's "Hot Buttons"
George McKenzie

Early in my TV career, a consultant from the Magid Company, the people who practically invented TV news research, told me something that helped me enormously through the years.

'There are no dull stories,' she said. 'Just dull approaches to interesting stories.'

It's true. And it's critical to remember if you want to get
free publicity from any working journalist in any medium.

All journalists want information that's 'newsworthy.' But just how do you 'make' a story newsworthy?

Here's an example.

One of my customers, James Wilson, recently sent me a draft
of a press release he'd written and asked me to critique it
for him.

He was hoping to generate some media interest in a
report he'd authored about writing copy for newspaper ads.

He said he wanted to strengthen the lead sentence in the
body of the copy, which read something like:

'Newspaper ads can be a powerful and productive part of
anyone's marketing campaign...'

That's definitely true, I pointed out...but it has ALWAYS
been true. An editor would be likely to ask, 'What's new
about that?'

Reporters, producers and editors are always looking for
'news value' in a press release. To get a positive
response, your release has to say 'I've got news
for you!'

So I suggested a slightly different approach.

Here's the revision I sent back to him:

(Headline) It all 'Ads' Up--Newspaper Classifieds Are Back

(Subheadline) Whether you're selling jewelry or jalopies,
classifieds are a potent promotional vehicle for small
business -- but only if they've got the 'write stuff.'

(Body) In the dash to board what looked like the 'new
economy' gravy train a few years ago, millions of business
owners switched advertising dollars away from traditional
ads in newspapers.

'A lot of them now wish they hadn't,' according to business
expert James Wilson.

'While many internet advertising initiatives never delivered
on expectations,' Wilson adds, 'the old tried-and-true
newspaper ad still seems to provide a good return on
investment.'

'But,' he continues, 'You've got to make sure the ad is well
written. Advertising budgets have become so stretched, you
can't afford sloppy copy that doesn't get the results you
need.' (end of revised release)

Now the copy is hitting a news 'hot button.'

'Hot buttons' are certain universal themes, story lines,
hooks, tie-ins and angles that make something 'newsworthy.'

There are dozens of them. Controversy, record-breakers,
milestones, celebrities, human interest stories, scandal,
conspiracy, government malfeasance, etc.

I call the hot button in this particular case 'myth-
busting.'

Myth-busting occurs when evidence surfaces disputing
conventional wisdom or accepted patterns of thought.

What's the myth in this case?

The idea that the internet is going to make newspaper ads
obsolete.

The report James wrote 'busts' that myth.

Editors, reporters, and producers love to bust myths. It's
a big hot button.

So when you're composing a release, remember--you have to
find a way to connect your release to a hot button.

Without it...your press release will never 'make the news.'

Instead, it will become 'history.'



During his 31 year broadcasting career, George's
TV Reports have appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, ESPN
George offers a free 7-day mini course to
anyone who subscribes to his free weekly ezine,
Register at http://www.publicitygoldmine.com/ea