Posts Tagged ‘family’
Prepare for YOUR Future now –
All Presidential candidates (before and after) make all kinds of promises about YOUR ’social security’ when running for the top job. Regardless of the promises, YOU are the one who has to live or die by the future plans made on your behalf.
Future plans that YOU make and control. It’s your actions that count. No one else is going to make sure that you are cared for in your old age. At street intersections in every city there’s the guys and gals with a sign (hungry, homeless, work for food, etc.). The ‘Government’ will not meet your needs when you are down and out or feeble and too old to work.
BELIEVE the truth –
NO one is concerned about YOUR welfare more than you should be. Statistical data indicates that most of us (85%) will be broke at 65, the retirement age (for most). Does that sound very inviting to you and your family? Probably not! It certainly is not very exciting for any of us.
Your FUTURE is the result of what YOU do today and tomorrow and the next day. Every single day has some impact on how comfortably you will retire. How much money you will have to live on. Travel. Fish. Go hunting. All those fun things you have always wanted to do.
DON’T PUT IT OFF
Good advice coming from one who did. I put it off. Not my retirement, but failing to have more FUN along the way. No real vacations. Business was always demanding my attention. Nose to the grindstone. Work – work – Work!
No rest for the weary was the norm. I could not believe that my business could get along without me. Could it have? Absolutely. Most of the time. YES! The Janitor and cleaning crews are missed far more than the CEO or the boss.
I had a great staff who ran the daily business without a problem. Few situations required my constant presence on the job. I can think of NONE right now since I sold my business several years ago.
What did I believe? WHY?
History! GUILT! My Dad never took a vacation that I can remember. He worked (it seemed) all the time. He worked 8 to 5 in his warehousing business and then he brought home a “set of books” from another company each night. His second “job” was “bookkeeping” at the dining room table from 7 to 12 midnight. At least he was at home in body but little else.
On Sunday he was the church treasurer. Another “job” to do on Sunday afternoon or in the evening. At least we went to the farm most Sunday afternoons to visit family. It was great but not the same as a vacation. Just a quick trip and then back home to more work.
My first trip to the coast of South Carolina, Windy Hill (near Myrtle Beach) was with a younger neighbor (I had worked with him in the summer) who took me along with his family. I was 14 at the time and had never before seen the ocean.
Our kids can’t believe that! NO vacation. No play time. All work and little play time. Was it really work or was it dealing with a guilt complex?
How do YOU fit into this equasion? Are you taking your vacation time? Spending time with your spouse and children? Working 80 hour weeks? 100 hours? Something for you to think about. What is really important in your life?
WHO IS IN CONTROL
Your own mind should be. However, many of our decisions in life are often influenced by our childhood experiences. GUILT can be a tremendous factor. Not so much a top level conscious decision but a subtle feeling of wasting time. No one said, don’t take a vacation. “Kinda” just felt “bad” doing it. Leaving work behind and unfinished.
Work is always UN-finished. There is always something more to be done. Something to begin. Fires to put out. Employees to guide to the next level. You face a never- ending challenge to make your business bigger and better. You can’t slow down or the competition will “eat your lunch” and you’ll be left behind.
What is the TRUTH?
Vacation time is very valuable and a good business investment. You and your family need time to grow together; to appreciate each other; get to know your spouse and the children. Listen to them. Love them. Everyone needs to get away from the daily “grind” and renew his/her batteries.
“Recharge” your “internal” energies and new insights will appear. Your value to the company will grow. You’ll have more to give when you return from vacation. It is NOT a waste of your time.
Taking time off with your family is good “modeling” that you can do for your employees. Set the pace. Show the value of “time off” by your example. Encourage EVERY one of your employees to take their vacation. It’s extremely important for the health of the employee as well as the benefit to the company.
Yes, I know! Not everyone has a “guilt” complex. Vacation is NOT lacking and more would be taken if offered. It just goes without saying that all of us are influenced by different role models in our lives. You have to make the judgment call at your company. Give your employees time to “forget” about work for short periods of vacation time.
SIMPLY GOOD BUSINESS –
Insist on vacation time being taken by everyone. Make NO exceptions. In most cases, you will not have any problem. However, there are some rare “birds” (employees) that love their job and don’t want to take a vacation. You must set the policy. EVERYONE has to take a minimum of one-week (7 days) at one time.
When employees are on vacation is a GOOD time for you to handle incoming MAIL and phone calls. Be aware of EVERYTHING going on in your business. If you have the time and “know how” then take over the daily activity of your vacationing employee. You’ll interact with others in the department and learn a bunch.
NOW IS YOUR BEST TIME
There is NO best time for anything. You simply have to move when the iron is HOT. A good time is always NOW. There is no better time than the present. Why wait? You’ll only delay the desired result and putting off never works in your favor.
Put it off another day and soon you have put it off “forever”. Next time it does not seem as pressing or as important. No big deal. It will wait. There is No rush. I’ll get “around” to it next week or month or the year 2010!
TODAY Vs TOMORROW
TODAY is YESTERDAYS tomorrow! That’s FUTURE! Our point is that you cannot keep putting off until tomorrow the things that should be done today. If we do, there is a heavy price to pay. Before long we will have put everything beyond reach and never arrive at our GOAL.
ACTION TIP: Plan for YOUR financial security. Do everything you can TODAY. Live your life in the NOW. Don’t let guilt control your decisions. Take family vacations and spend quality time together. Set vacation policy and model it. Change comes quickly. Proper planning is the KEY to a pleasant “landing” into retirement or old age.
Don Monteith spent 32 years in the Staffing Business. His firm placed thousands of job candidates in their dream job. Today, he continues to share his expertise. Learn more by visiting his website at: http://www.HowToGetYourDreamJob.com
10 Impressions on Online Dating
Are you a little uncomfortable with the idea of Internet dating? Have you thought about how great it is for busy people; how convenient? Don’t ever be duped by an online dating suitor. There are tales of deceit and heartbreak, don’t be one of them.
1. It is easy to get involved in online dating relationships; for some it can lead to an addiction. Some find themselves enjoying the flirtatious advances of the opposite sex, both in chat rooms and with on-line dating services. People get sucked into on-line relationships and become addicted to the world of on-line dating and chat rooms. For some it becomes an obsession. The classic story is a person who finds himself or herself divorced after 20+ years, followed by a string of unhappy relationships, then entering a Chat Room.
2. Because there is anonymity, there is deceit and lies in chat rooms. Deception lurks around every corner. You can create a persona, quite different from yourself. You can act out a part, instead of being a real person. There are characters online ready to predate on the unwary and naive.
3. Online dating is every bit real. There is addiction, obsessiveness, vindictiveness, desperation, impulsiveness, and even downright guilt. Love is a powerful emotion. Do not follow your heart and not your head. Don’t journey outside your comfort zone and be overtaken by a seductive search for true companionship.
4. Are you smart about online dating? Do you tell yourself, “I’ll keep the relationship at the e-mail level before deciding to talk on the phone!” Yes, take baby steps to discover if you have a great deal in common. You can enjoy Chat Rooms, but be aware where it can lead you if you are not savvy.
5. Are you the kind of person that never thought about online dating? Did a friend convinced you to give online dating a try? You’ve read the success stories of how people met on the Internet: it was “a miracle” for them. Are you curious about online dating? Lots of books have been written on this subject. You must read a few if you are thinking of entering this medium.
6. For parents, know that there are millions of predators out there, so put the right safeguards in effect to protect your family. There are online safety tips that must be followed for children, not just yourself.
7. It’s easy to build relationships via Chat and the Net. The attraction to online dating is how easy it is to fill out a profile and suddenly have a list of “Top 10″ matches. If you’re too needy, you think how close you are to long walks on the beach and even experiencing a falling star together! And for every one of the stories that you hear about meeting and dating the perfect man, there are stories of relationships that end traumatically when a date’s wife answers the phone. Don’t let a true life online dating experience that started in a Chat Room, end with yourself in counseling, a total wreck.
8. We live in an age of instant communication with mobile phones, sms, internet relay Chat, instant messaging, ICQ. You surf the Web and up pops a message from a potential lover. The nice thing about Internet dating is that you can do it at your own pace without taking time away from work. But don’t let that rush you into anything. There are unfortunately a lot of opportunities for the unsavory members of our society.
9. Many more millions are entering online dating unarmed and this is why the reported number of dangers is increasing. Many stories of unsavory online dating liaisons are taking place. Imagine the horrible dates and unpleasant experiences that are not being reported, because people are either too embarrassed or afraid to share their online dating experiences with anyone.
10. Don’t ever be duped by an online dating suitor. There are tales of deceit and heartbreak, don’t be one of them.
Constancia Cruise is dedicated to offering news, articles, and instruction on online dating. You have a definite choice in how you play the dating game!
Visit http://www.askonlinedating.com for more information.
Kitchen Design Online ? Understanding the Work Triangle and Kitchen Layouts
Good kitchen design online means having a layout for your kitchen that provides an efficient and pleasant area in which to prepare meals and do related tasks. Understanding the kitchen work triangle concept and basic kitchen layout types is a valuable starting point to design a kitchen online that you like.
The kitchen work triangle consists of the distance between the sink, refrigerator and range or cooktop. Each one of these areas becomes a focal point in the kitchen and forms the three points of a triangle with different distances between them. Done correctly, proper kitchen design online will give you the most efficient food preparation area layout in your kitchen.
Whether you’re remodeling an existing kitchen or building a new one, an efficient kitchen design online means that your work triangle minimizes the number of steps the cook must take between the three areas during meal preparation and cleanup. The total distance from the sink to the stove to the refrigerator and back to the sink should be not less than 12 feet total nor more than 27 feet. Each triangle leg should measure between 4 and 9 feet in length. The kitchen isles should be at least 42 to 48 inches wide to allow people to move around easily and for appliances to be opened with ease.
When selecting the floor plan for your kitchen design online, here are basic kitchen layouts to consider:
* L-Shaped Kitchen – this is the most popular kitchen design. It consists of a long leg and a shorter one and this type of design can be used in small and large kitchens. The L-shaped kitchen gives you the possibility of having a center island depending on the space available. In general, this design will have 2 or 3 appliances on one wall. The usual arrangement is to have the refrigerator at one end, the range or cooktop at the other end with the sink located in the middle. This shape of kitchen generally provides good traffic flow.
* Double L-Shaped Kitchen – this kitchen design has a lot of cabinet space and plenty of counter space. This design is used in large kitchens with two cooks, and it has two or more entering areas, which can cause traffic flow problems. To avoid some of these problems, create two separate working areas on each L of the kitchen so that work flow does not get interrupted by human traffic.
* U-Shaped Kitchen – this kitchen design online shape has three walls instead of two, and the sink usually is located in the middle wall section. The refrigerator and range or cooktop are usually on the side walls opposite each other. The U-shaped kitchen design gives room for ample countertop space, and you have three walls for cabinets and appliances. This kitchen layout tends to create a working triangle that is very efficient.
The working triangle for the U-shaped kitchen should be around 26 feet or less. The only problem with this type of kitchen design online is that sometimes the two U corners are not used appropriately. Make sure you buy the appropriate storage items for the corner cabinets created by the U shape design. The U shape design can also create dark kitchens because of the shape and the quantity of cabinets. Using skylights, large windows, lots of under-cabinet task lighting and light colors will help keep the kitchen bright with sufficient light to see what you’re doing.
* G-Shaped Kitchen – this type of kitchen shape is becoming very popular, and it gives you a fourth wall to use. The G-shape can be used if you have more than one cook in the house. This fourth wall section can be used for a counter, island and storage space. With this kitchen layout you can have two sinks, perhaps two cooktops or two ranges. You could have two working triangles — one for sink, cook top or range and refrigerator and a second working triangle with another sink, built-in grill and cooktop. It allows two cooks to do different things at the same time and entertain large groups of people.
* Single-Wall Kitchen – if you do not have much space, you may only be able to have an I-shaped kitchen. No problem. Just be sure the sink is placed between the refrigerator and the stove. Locate the refrigerator so that the refrigerator door opens away from the kitchen sink. This is a very common arrangement for small kitchen design online where narrow spaces exists.
* Galley-Shaped Kitchen – this type of kitchen design is more common in apartments or in homes where space is limited. It is often called the corridor style. The kitchen cabinets and the appliances can be located on opposite walls for better work flow. Place the range or cooktop on one side of the kitchen along one wall and the refrigerator and sink on the opposite wall.
To eliminate traffic issues in this type of kitchen design online, one entry is often closed off. This type of layout should only be used by one cook. If you want to maintain both exits, place the refrigerator near the end of the galley kitchen for easy access. This way, your family and friends can reach the refrigerator without interfering with the person who is cooking.
If you need extra storage in the galley kitchen, install tall kitchen cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling. Wall storage is crucial. Buy a stepladder to use when you need to reach the upper shelf of the cabinets, and place the items you use less frequently on the upper shelves.
By understanding the kitchen work triangle concept and how you want your kitchen to function, you’ll be more likely to create the kind of kitchen design online you’ve always wanted. Today, kitchens are often viewed as the hub of the home as well as a social center for family and friends. Planning your kitchen and doing kitchen design online can be a challenge, but the rewards you’ll receive are very much worth the time and effort.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
Read more about how to design a kitchen online that’s right for you at kitchen design online. David Buster is webmaster of http://www.newsletterjournal.com and VP of InfoSearch Publishing – visit the website and learn more about home decorating and remodeling, bathroom design and décor tips, home plans, storage, fireplaces, log cabin rentals and more.
The Great American Dream Challenge
Pull Quote: “the secret to living a “dream come true” life is to believe in your dream simply because it matters to you.”
Making Your Dreams Come True
Years ago, people came to America in pursuit of their dreams-work hard, stay focused and you can achieve the American Dream. For many who have attained the basic American Dream?basic freedom, own a home, own a car, have a family, finding a dream that takes us to the next level of achievement can become a fragmented experience. We want this. We want that. We want everything. And ever since September 11th, we want to feel safer and more connected to family, friends and community.
There’s never been a more important time to set forth to achieve your dreams. Without dreams and vision, companies and countries fail, and without our personal dreams, hopes and aspirations, life can become meaningless. For this reason, I propose “The Great Dream Challenge” and I encourage you to take advantage of this support system to achieve your dreams.
The Challenge
If we define a dream as something that you want, that has heart and meaning for you and that you believe in, than what are your dreams? Even if you tend to be overly realistic, you still have dreams or things that you want for yourself and others.
Whether you have a dream or are in need of a new one, whether your dream is for yourself, your community or the world, this is your chance to act, to get help in making it happen and to support others in doing the same. The Challenge here is simple, yet powerful. Pick a dream, at least one, small or large, personal or professional that matters to you and make the commitment to achieve it (or a portion of it) by a certain date.
Here’s how The Dream Challenge works:
- Identify a dream that you are passionate about-something that matters to you.
- Put it in writing, tell others about it who will support you and is committed to helping you overcome obstacles and achieve results.
- Join an organization or online community that will help you get closer to your dreams through volunteering, helping you to build skills, or providing support.
- Learn to make specific requests that will help you achieve your dreams and then share those resources with others.
- Create a broad “Dream Circle” for support and accountability.
- Take serious action.
Many of us think, “I’ll believe in my dream when I see that it’s a sure thing or at least when there’s proof that it’s likely to happen.” But the secret to living a “dream come true” life is to believe in your dream simply because it matters to you. In other words, looking for certainty out in the world is not the place to begin. The place to look is in your own heart. Choose to believe in your dream. Then take action to demonstrate ? to yourself and others ? you really do believe.
My Dream Circle
During tough times or those days when there is no evidence that your dream is possible, much less a good idea, it’s essential to have a place to turn for encouragement. It is important to have a support group around you who are also working to achieve their dreams. When we see dreams can come true, we are willing to dream bigger dreams. That is why I encourage you to create a Dream Circle of friends and accountability partners who are committed to be there to spur you on.
The reality is we all have good and bad days. Personally, there are days that I get distracted and forget my dreams. And then there are the days when the doubters and dream killers ? internally and externally ? become so overwhelming I want to give up. That’s when I turn to My Dream Circle who help me remember and reclaim my belief in myself and in my dreams.
This support system has assisted me through many hard times and the great thing is that it is reciprocal. I can to do the same for them daily. My Dream Circle provides support through ongoing encouragement, coaching, inspiration and, most importantly, accountability for taking risks. We are finding new dreams, partners, investors, volunteers, answers, creative ideas, mentors, friends and fellow dreamers. But beyond networking, educating, challenging and celebrating, we are a community with a shared commitment that is profoundly impacting our lives.
Your Invitation to Dream
If we bring our intentions, offer support and resources to aid each other, what could happen? During a time when many have lost hope, are afraid of dreaming or taking risks, this is the essential time for us to be bold. What would you do if you believed in yourself? What might you change if you believed in your dreams? And how would you alter your life if you knew people would stand by and help you to achieve your heart’s desire?
Dreams are precious and essential and can change your family, community and the world. Your dreams can make you a better and more passionate human being. If no dream is too big or too small, the real question becomes, simply: What matters to you and what are you willing to do about it?
The Great Dream Challenge is to believe in yourself, create a Dream Circle of support, take action and risk and to encourage others to achieve their dreams along the way. I challenge you to do what you need to do now to achieve your dreams and make them happen. The only thing you have to lose by not doing taking the challenge is your dream.
Marcia Wieder, America’s Dream Coach, is a best-selling author and speaker known for giving inspiring and moving talks to AT&T, The Gap and American Express. She appeared several times on Oprah and The Today Show. She’s also writes for The San Francisco Chronicle. To receive Marcia’s free e-book filled with simple steps you can take to act on any dream. Send a request to: info@dreamcoach.com. To experience a Powerful Weekend Designed to Help You Exceed Your Expectations & Achieve Your Dreams, visit http://www.dreamcoach.com
Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is an exciting night for children and a busy time for their parents. With such excitement, it’s easy for children to forget basic safety rules.
When emotions are running high, it’s a good time to remember to “use your head.” Plan ahead and plan to have a safe Halloween. Raise safety awareness with your family before the festivities begin. We do the right thing, but we don’t always explain it to children. As you place a saucer under each tea light, or “stop, look and listen” at street corners and in parking lots, tell your child why. They don’t always connect the dots unless you point it out.
Here are some Halloween Safety Tips to keep in mind:
1. Stay sober and alert.
It’s amazing how many family Halloween celebrations involve adults drinking. It’s impossible to monitor children’s safety or your own when you’ve had too much to drink, so don’t.
2. Avoid cuts and burns when decorating.
Carving the pumpkin, placing luminaria in the driveway, and hanging spooky skeletons all present opportunities for injury. If you’re decorating with candles, observe fires safety. Have a good fire extinguisher handy and make sure everyone knows where it is.
3. Observe ladder safety regulations.
According to the NASD, accidents involving ladders cause an estimated 300 death a year in the US, and 130,000 injuries requiring medical attention. Review ladder safety rules and observe them.
4. Make sure “treats” aren’t “tricks.”
Many people these days choose to go to fairs or private parties instead of trick or treating for safety reasons. If your child is going trick or treating, go with them. Make it a rule that nothing is to be eaten until it’s first been inspected by you.
5. Caution your child about strangers and dogs.
Keep your children with you and remind them to avoid people and dogs they don’t know. Many people are taking their dog companions out in costume these days, and even the most gentle of family pets can do something unexpected with all the excitement.
6. Accidental falls is the number one cause of injuries on Halloween night (National Safety Council).
Choose your child’s costume with this in mind. Hem up the hemlines. If you choose a mask, choose one that doesn’t obstruct sight. Stay sober and observe safety rules when decorating.
7. Four times more children are killed in pedestrian/automobile accidents on Halloween night than on any other night of the year.
The CDC suggests these factors make it a high risk: short stature, inability to react quickly enough to avoid a car or evaluate a potential traffic threat, lack of impulse control, and all the exciting distractions.
8. The holiday syndrome.
The excitement, more candy, more parties, less sleep, less nutritious food, and getting off schedule all mean less attentiveness and also possibly illness. Keep routines as normal as you can.
9. Choose safe and sensible costumes.
Choose fire retardant costumes that allow children free movement and good visibility. Be careful about accessories. Even toy knives and swords can cause harm. Give each child a flashlight.
10. Set a good example.
Show that you care about safety and make it a top priority.
About The Author
© Susan Dunn, MA, Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc. Coaching, Internet courses and ebooks for your personal and professional development. Career, relationships, transition, midlife. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for free ezine.
Baby Shower Invitations Add Style To Baby Announcements
Baby shower invitations set the tone for the big day
Baby shower invitations reflect the joy you feel at this special time in your life. Pregnancy is often a time for people to reflect on the meaning of family. A baby shower is an opportunity to gather family for laughter, stories, celebration and advice.
Shower invitations share the joy
Shower invitations and especially printable baby shower invitations should be of the finest quality. Shower invitations are not simply devices of practicality. If they were, you would just make the announcements to everyone via e mail. People send printed shower invitations in order to commemorate the importance of the event and make baby announcements in style.
For style, for beauty, and for durability, handmade shower invitations are the best. Acid free paper ensures the shower invitations will last a lifetime. Mass-produced shower invitations can show age within decades and by the time your child is grown, the shower invitations may have yellowed or faded. With acid free shower invitations, you know that your children may see these shower invitations and announcements in the future.
If you save one of these shower invitations to place in your child’s baby book where you keep the birth announcements notices, he or she will undoubtedly spend time marveling at it. The beauty of the shower invitations will let him or her know just how anticipated they were, and how much you thought of them, even before they were born. Beautiful, handmade shower invitations will help your son or daughter reflect on their entrance into this world.
Looking for baby bedding, baby gift baskets, baby furniture, baby shower invitations, baby strollers, Robeez shoes, baby shower games or themes, please visit http://www.baby-shower-4u.com
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A Beginner?s Guide to Buying House Plans
Learn How to Select a House Plan That Will Result in The Home of Your Dreams
Building a home for most people is one of the most adventurous and time consuming projects a family can invest in during a lifetime. Because of that, it is important that care be taken when buying, selecting and implementing a house plan.
Before buying a house plan, you should first ensure you know what you are getting into.
Home Plans: A Beginner’s Guide
So what are house plans? House plans easily defined are the blueprints for a home that hasn’t been constructed yet.
Some home plans are very detailed and concise, whereas others meet only the bare minimum requirements for a house plan. One of the more common forms of house plans are stock home plans, which are very detailed blueprints that contain everything a person would need to build a home from scratch.
Stock home plans are the same as custom blueprints, but less expensive. One of the benefits of buying house plans online in fact is the relative costs savings realized with such a purchase. Most home plans offered online are fashioned after homes that have been built before, yet are also unique house plans because you have the ability to customize them in any way you see fit.
How does buying house plans online save you money? If you had to hire a licensed architect or home designer to come out to your plot, examine it and create a custom blueprint from scratch, you’ll be charged up to thousands of dollars more than if you search for stock home plans such as those offered online.
Searching for house plans has never been easier thanks to the advent of the internet. Even better, because the world wide web allows so many different designers to contribute their blueprints, you can rest assured you will find unique house plans ever where you turn. Your house will be different from your neighbors, unless the two of you get together and purposefully plan on building the same house.
Benefits of Buying House Plans Online
What are some of the other benefits of buying house plans online?
- Style — You get to choose the style of your home from a selection of thousands of different unique designs
- Size — You can modify the size and select a plan that meets your unique requirements
- Amenities — When buying online, you can pick and choose amenities from literally thousands of different choices. You never have to ’settle’ for something when shopping online.
- Specificity — You even have the ability to specify your requirements online!
- Selection — From the comfort of your home, you can sort through our database of house plans until you find the one that perfectly matches your unique needs. No need to meet with hundreds of different architects or designers to negotiate price, and no need to tear your hair out trying to find the house plans that best suit your needs.
You also have the ability to change a home plan that almost, but does not quite meet your needs. If you need to make a few changes, no problem.
Finding the Perfect House Plan
How do you find the perfect house plan for the home of your dreams? Finding the right house plan requires a little planning. There are several things you should take into consideration when looking at unique house plans such as:
Family Size — You want to ensure you select a plan that will result in a home large enough to accommodate your needs. Consider how big your family is presently, whether or not you plan on expanding and how your life might change 3, 5, 10 and 20 years down the line. The whole point of building a custom home is to be comfortable in it for a long time.
Lifestyle — Consider what demands your lifestyle will place on your new home. For example, do you plan on entertaining? This will require additional space. Do you prefer a separate living and family area? What about the dining area. Do you plan on entertaining for large family gatherings (such as during Thanksgiving) or by and large will you be eating most of your meals in the kitchen? If you love to cook, you’ll want to plan for adequate space in the kitchen. Remember that style considerations are also a factor.
Some people prefer a country style kitchen whereas others are looking for something more modern. Also take into consideration personal hobbies and interests. For example, will you need a library or exercise area? Write down all of your ideas and intentions before you begin looking at online house plans, and your more likely to find what you are looking for quickly.
A Word on Size
The size of a home is often one of the most critical considerations. Keep in mind that no matter what type of house plan you purchase, you may decide to add on at some point in the future. One of the benefits of buying house plans online is you can see several different versions of a home in many different sizes.
You should make every effort to take into consideration the actual size you will need. The square footage of the home you are planning on building will impact the amount of money you’ll need to invest.
Style Perhaps the best benefit of buying house plans online is having the ability to look at multiple different style homes. You can check out both exterior and interior designs when shopping, without having to leave your home. Some of the more popular exterior styles include the following:
- Country — characterized by a large front porch, gabled roofline, may be two story
- Traditional — styles in this category are often labeled ranch, Federal and Cape Cod. Most traditional homes are simply constructed with little extraneous décor
- Victorian — Victorian house plans are a variation of the traditional style. Rooflines are often more intricate in this type of home, and may include towers and bay windows. Victorian homes are often more ornamentally decorated than traditional homes, and usually this type of home is a two story design.
- Mediterranean — This style is popular along the East and West Coastlines. Usually the exterior on this style home is stucco. Roofs may be tiled and open air verandas are not uncommon. Many Mediterranean style homes are one story, but it isn’t uncommon to see two story as well.
Building your own home from a unique house plan is an exciting adventure. Be sure to enjoy every moment of it, and take care when selecting the house plan t hat will result in the home of your dreams.
About The Author:
Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as home floor plans, and house designs.
Family Reunion Cruises – Something Everyone Can Live With
The mere thought of getting together for a family reunion can strike terror into even the most stalwart of human beings. Don’t get me wrong. We love our families — but usually we prefer to do that loving from afar — often several states afar! Even so, there is something inexplicably appealing about getting together with our relatives every once in a while for a reunion.
When that urge strikes (and believe me, it will strike), you’ve got to be prepared with a plan of action. If you mention the idea of a “family reunion” to your family members without a plan, you’ll most likely end up with mayhem on your hands. The next thing you know you’ll have relatives camping out on every square inch of your floor, piling your sink sky high with dirty dishes, and making executive decisions with your remote control. In addition, you’ll become far too acquainted with the health problems and bodily functions of some of your senior relatives (Who knew that toenail fungus was so prevalent?).
So, what’s the plan of action? You’ve got to head off those pesky relatives at the pass and make sure they never plan that family reunion at your house. What’s the alternative? You’ve got to plan your family reunion on a cruise ship!
Cruise ships are the perfect setting for a family reunion. This is neutral territory, so people don’t feel they are imposing on others. It levels the playing field and takes away the control that can sometimes come into play when reunions are held on a family member’s “turf.” Plus, the best part is the cruise line does all the work — the cleaning, the cooking, and the entertaining. All your family members have to do is relax and enjoy their time together. Plus, lest we forget to mention one of the most important factors — the variety of activities onboard the ship and at the various ports of call is a perfect fit for groups who want to do some of their activities together and some separately. In other words, you’re not trapped in “family reunion” bedlam the entire time. You can take a breather at one of the many bars or lounges onboard your ship, catch a current movie in the ship’s theater, put on your dancin’ shoes for the disco, try your luck at the casino, or simply hide out in your stateroom and order complimentary room service.
If your family group has children, traditional reunions can be horrible experiences for kids! You know what I’m talking about — the endless “remember when” discussions they overhear about things they’re too young to understand, the frequent rebukes for running through the house making too much noise, and the obligatory playing with the dreadful cousins. Yikes! What kid would look forward to that? But, tell a kid they’re going on a cruise ship with a miniature golf course, a pool, a sports court, an ice rink, and a really cool kid’s activity program, and they won’t grumble about having to endure a few hours of interaction with the relatives.
Most cruise lines offer attractive rates for groups — and some offer special packages specifically for family reunions. With their all-inclusive approach (meals and entertainment are included) and hassle-free planning, booking your family reunion aboard a cruise ship is the only way to go.
Because there are so many cruise ships in the water these days, it can take a huge amount of research to determine which ship and itinerary would be the best match for your family’s reunion. So, before you plunk down the dough for a family reunion cruise, make sure you’ve consulted with an experienced travel agent — preferably one who specializes in group cruises. The service is complimentary (agents receive their commission from the cruise line) and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
Tracey Amino is the CEO of Sapphire Cruises, originators of the Home Cruise Party for family reunions and groups. Be sure to visit her site at: Sapphire Cruises
Scrapbooking Teen Memories
By the time your teen is in high school, you probably aren’t taking as many pictures of them as you used to. I have to keep reminding myself that I only have a couple of years left and no time to waste trying to capture fleeing teenage memories.
You might be thinking that I’m really organized to be already working on scrapbooking my daughter’s high school memories. To be honest, I have a shoe box full of pictures of my daughter waiting for me to get to someday.
But if I wait until “someday” to continue taking pictures because I already have so many pictures I haven’t done anything with, then my daughter’s teenage years will come and go while I try to catch up.
I don’t want to chronicle every detail of my daughter’s life (nor would she want me to!), but I was trying to think of some memories that she might want to laugh about and maybe even treasure someday. So how do you do that without ending up with pages and pages of memories?
I decided to do two large (12×12) pages (facing each other in the album) for each year of high school. I will challenge myself to use this space creatively to tell the story of each year. When I started thinking of all the the possibilities, it really inspired me to start getting organized and collecting some great memories. And don’t limit yourself to just photographs, your scrapbook pages can really be accentuated by other types of memories. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Photograph Ideas:
- High School Dances
- First Date/Boyfriend
- School Building
- Church Events/Retreats
- Braces (the day they’re removed)
- Hair Styles
- Clothing Fads
- Learning to Drive
- First Job
- First Car
- Best Friends
- School Plays/Concerts
- Family Vacations
- Favorite Family Pets
- Babysitting
- Sports/Band/Cheerleading
- Musical Instrument Practice
Other:
- CD Covers (scanned)
- Favorite Song Lyrics
- Drivers’ Permit
- First Pay Stub
- Programs from Play/Concerts
- College Brochures
- School Newspapers
- ASB Card
- Awards/Certificates
- Ticket Stubs (concert, movie, sporting events)
- Report Cards
You can be creative when you’re arranging your layouts. Don’t be afraid to cut pictures down or cut out portions of play programs or school newspapers. Just cut out enough to accentuate the other items on the page. You will create the overall effect from the entire page, not necessarily from an individual item.
Have fun and don’t worry if you don’t get it done all at one time. I figure if I can do one every summer for the previous school year, by the time she finishes high school (she’s a freshman this year), all of her high school memories will be recorded in the family archives.
About The Author
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For more inspirational articles and tips for everyday living, visit her web sites at http://www.creativehomemaking.com and http://www.crafty-moms.com
