Sunday, March 29, 2009

Fisher-Price Go Baby Go! Bounce & Spin Zebra

Bounce, spin, and dance away with the Fisher Price Baby Gymtastics Bounce and Spin Zebra. Ideal for ages 12 to 36 months this lively zebra enhances motor skills as the child learns coordination, balance, and how to climb on and off. Sure to become every youngster's favorite toy, five uplifting songs play as the child bounces and turns 360 degrees. Fun sounds reward movement and strengthen auditory skills. The Bounce and Spin also has an activity handlebar with a rolling ball to encourage eye-hand coordination.

Fun for the Little One
The wide, sturdy base of the Bounce and Spin Zebra provides stability and support, even with hard bouncing and spinning. And to prevent falls, the Zebra locks until the child is sitting properly in the seat. It also has an off-soft-loud switch that little fingers can't turn. Orange, easy-grip handlebars allow the toddler to hold tight as they take their wild ride. For even more fun, a ball spins in the center with lights and music. This toy is relatively low to the ground, so that most children can climb on and off by themselves. Putting together the Zebra is easy, but be aware that the carton contains small parts for adult use only. This product requires 3 AAA batteries (not included).

Features
Better than a boring old horse, this lively Zebra really encourages physical development. It comes as no surprise that the Bounce and Spin Zebra won the Hot Toy award from Toys 'R Us in 2006, and accolades from other companies. Parents get a lot of use out of this toy, as children can play with it until they are about three years old. The zany Zebra won't tilt under pressure and it has an irresistibly cute appearance that kids love. Five fun songs and activity handlebars keeps active kids bouncing, busy, and happy.



This toy encourages baby's physical development through bouncing and spinning.




The old, traditional idea is that senior citizens do not have to work; they can sit back and enjoy the fruits of years of labor while the young take care of them. The generation of baby boomers created a long of change in the world. Now they are drawing closer to the age of retirement and soon will be retiring in large numbers. Is it possible to imaging them spending a leisurely life at home, doing nothing?

The generation of baby boomers is know for their uniqueness. They have redefined and reshaped several aspects of social culture. They made their presence felt in the past, and they will surely do so again in the future. Right from the beginning, baby boomers have thought differently and made different types of choices and decisions. Getting old has not changed them in any way.

Close to retirement, they are faced with making a big personal choice again. They have to either retire in the traditional way or continue in the workforce. Being a baby boomer, he or she will probably prefer to remain in the workforce as long as possible. In fact, about 76 percent of working baby boomers intend to extend their stay in the workforce although they have reached the age of retirement.

Most senior citizens consider retirement as the end . However, baby boomers consider it to be the most important phase of their lives. This does not mean that baby boomers want to continue working at a nine-to-five job till the end of their lives. Some of them would prefer to work part-time, and others want to pursue their dreams of starting an enterprise of their own. Some baby boomers want to take a break and enjoy a life of leisure after working for so many years; others would love to travel because, after all, they have made enough money to spend on travelling.

Several external factors have shaped these decisions made by baby boomers. For one, baby boomers comprise the largest section of the population. America's labor force will be greatly depleted if they retire in large numbers, and the state will find it extremely difficult to pay out so many retirement benefits. The other consequences of boomer retirements are:

Boomers are expected to live long because of the development made by technology and medical science. However, if boomers live longer, they have to spend more, and their retirement funds may not be enough to take care of all their requirements.

Companies that offer pension plans are planning to change their plans and lower retirement benefits to employees. Since boomers are already close to retirement, this leaves them with little time save for their life in the future.

Medical costs are soaring. Companies expect a ten percent annual increase of boomers seeking medical products or services where they can save or pay on medical costs or services.

These factors greatly influence a baby boomer's decision. They can't depend on their children because their children might have their own families to take care of. Baby boomer retirement, therefore, is a cause for concern not only for baby boomers, but also for the sate.

Baby boomers impact the country's economy in a large way. They were responsible for the rapid rise of American economy when they were working and spending powerfully back in the nineties. When they quit the workforce in large numbers, the country's economy is bound to suffer. The United States and other countries are now faced with this powerful challenge. And companies and organization have already come up with some solutions.

Baby boomers are more interested in self-welfare than in anything else. A boomer does not really take the other into consideration while he or she makes a decision. If baby boomers decide to extend their stay in the workforce or quit and start businesses of their own, no force on earth can convince them to change their mind.

Abhishek has got some great Baby Boomer Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 97 Pages Ebook, "All About Baby Boomers" from his website http://www.Senior-Guides.com/124/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes - Health Insurance

You may feel great but it is important for you to have a good health insurance policy because you never know when something may happen and you need to go to the doctor. Many people are able to get low cost affordable health insurance through there employer but this is not always the case. If you are in need of a good health insurance policy then the first thing you need to do is search and get multiple quotes. The advantage you will have is that you can compare the cost of your insurance with the policy that is offered. It is important to get a good policy as well as am affordable price.

There are many people that feel like they do not need health insurance or that it is too expensive. You need to realize that at any time something can go wrong with your body and you may be hospitalized and if you do not have insurance then it can cost you everything. You do not want to be in a situation where you need to be admitted and they do not accept you because you are without health insurance. If you were to get into a car accident then you may find yourself in trouble without a policy.

Remember that finding a good insurance policy at a good price is not hard to do but you must search online until you find one that fits your needs. It is important that you get a low cost health insurance policy that covers you in a time of need.

Find : Discount Health Insurance

Get: Health Insurance Quotes

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Discount Insurance.

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Friday, March 27, 2009

The Mystery Shopper Scam

"All that glistens is not gold."

That quote comes from Shakespeare. Do you think he was ever asked to be a mystery shopper? Not a chance. But he really nailed the topic of "the mystery shopper scam."

Yes, there really are people out there who are true mystery shoppers. They who work for a retail outlet and just go to various stores, buy an array of items and grade the individual store, clerk and in effect manager on their services.

It's been an effective approach in discovering the true level of quality of customer service for decades. Sometimes these are called secret shoppers. Because the store obviously doesn't know that their assessment will be reported back to the main office of the company.

But like every apparently easy job, there always appears to be some people who need to prey on it and trick people out of their money. And this niche is no different. Here's how the scam works.

An individual reads an ad for a mystery shopper. They're told the basics of the job; you get paid for shopping at different stores or eating at various restaurants. (It sounds like a perfect job for the shopaholic)

The company sends them the employment package. Along with all the typical forms, the package includes a cashier's check, ranging between $2,000 and $4,000. This is your "training assignment". You have to go to the bank, cash the check and wire the money to an address in Canada.

Sounds cool, right? Wrong! Because, the check is fake. But it doesn't "bounce back" until after you've wired the money to Canada. Now, the anonymous person in Canada is several thousand dollars richer and you ... well, you'll find a huge deficit in your checking account!

So why do people wire the money even before the cashier's check clears. Firstly, cashier's checks are in theory guaranteed money ... that is when they're legitimate. That's the only reason the bank will dole out the money to you instantly like that. Secondly, cashing a personal or even payroll check that size at any bank would, in fact, mean waiting several days to a week for it to clear.

But the scam artists also state in the employment packet that you must complete the first assignment within 48 hours in order to keep your job. Who wants to lose a cool job like that?

Keep in mind, a legitimate mystery shopper position will never ask you to cash a check and wire it to an address unknown to you ... in Canada or anywhere! If you've answered an ad and that's what you find, just throw it away and keep looking! There really are legitimate mystery shopping positions available.

Agus Budi is a mystery shopping enthusiast. For more information about spotting a mystery shopper scam check out: http://www.mysteryshopperzone.com/Mystery-Shopping-Scams.html

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Lullabies From Many Lands

Track Listing 1)Russia: Sleep Now and Rest 2)Norway: Daddy's Gone To Town 3)Congo: Kum Ba Yah 4)Ireland: Golden Cradle 5)Hungary: Gently Sleep 6)Poland: Stars in the Sky 7)China: Baby's Birthday 8) Italy: Sleep My Child 9)Armenia: Armenian Lullaby 10)Albania: My Son 11)African American: Gone to the Mailboat 12)Chile: Sleep Sweet Baby 13)Germany: Can You Count The Stars


Baby boomers did so much for the United States and changed so much in the culture that many didn't start thinking about the effects of their retirement until it was too late. The baby boomers are beginning to retire. Those born in the earliest part of the baby boom phase are getting extremely close to the required age that there is more talk about what the government is going to do to help out this generation.

When the baby boomers retire they are going to need Medicare and Social Security. However, there are those concerned that there isn't going to be enough money to cover all of the baby boomers. There are few important facts about the baby boomer generation that they have to realize before retiring.

- They need more money than previous generations to live comfortably.
- Baby boomers are more self indulgent, which means the type of things are they are going to want come retirement will differ than their parents.
- They are going to healthier and live longer.

Because of these reasons many boomers feel they are going to work into their retirement age, some part time. Many feel they want to work until retirement age, but then join a new field or career come 64. This plays into the idea of baby boomers being indulgent. They will take the money they worked for in the first job and do the thing they always dreamed about in their second job. The normal idea of retirement won't happen for many baby boomers until their late 60's. This is being called the new retirement.

Luckily, there are some who have saved money over the years and created retirement accounts. This type of behavior has to do with what many of the baby boomers saw growing up. There were gas shortages and an energy crisis. They saw what not having money to pay bills and not having enough of a certain need could do to a family. They didn't want to allow that to happen to themselves.

This generation is one of the most prosperous in American history. They have worked in jobs that have paid well and helped stimulate the economy. Many are going to be happy when they retire because they will be getting pensions and retirement accounts. They aren't going to rely too much on the government to help them out.

But what about the people who didn't save enough? What about the people who don't have enough money in the bank to last through retirement? These are the people that are going to rely on the government for assistance. The only problem is no one knows if the government is going to be there for everyone when the time comes because the baby boomers represent 28 percent of the current population.

Starting in 2008, the first of the baby boomers will start collecting retirement. This is going to be a time of great uncertainty because there is no way of knowing how the economy and government is going to hold up over the next 20 years. The government's social security could take a huge financial hit or it could run smoothly.

The key for baby boomers is to have a plan once they retire. Don't think that once you retire you are going to spend your days relaxing on a beach for the rest of your life. Many retirees don't take into account the psychological aspects of retiring. This is what baby boomers have to think about. It isn't just about having enough money for retirement, though this is important, you have to know what you want to do once that day comes.

Abhishek has got some great Baby Boomer Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 97 Pages Ebook, "All About Baby Boomers" from his website http://www.Senior-Guides.com/124/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

denise austi set 5 pack: Denise Austin - TrimWalk:, Denise Austin - Blast Away 10 Lbs , denise austin exercise ball, Step Workout Step Rebok, Bounce Back After Baby




Rupert Steiner in his book My First Break attempted to define the secret of becoming an entrepreneur and following interviews with over one hundred entrepreneurs, Steiner concluded that there was not one defined path. He has, however, drawn out observations of an entrepreneurs personality traits. They have a tendency to be rebels, outsiders, original thinkers, risk takers and break new ground. Entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for new business opportunities and have the guts it needs to start up a business. They have total commitment to what they are doing, which verges on obsession behaviour.

Although some of the traits that they exhibit are similar to those of ordinary businessmen, entrepreneurs have a tendency to come up with good ideas, which they execute better than anyone else. The have the flair to identify niche opportunities and are able to secure finances and to build an infrastructure and to keep the organisation afloat until it starts to make a profit.

Sue Birley, Imperial College Management School Professor of Entrepreneurship has tried to identify when the spark of an entrepreneur comes from. She concluded that to get a business established you need someone with persuasion, persistence with no inhibitions about identifying resources to transform the vision into reality.

People do not typically switch on being an entrepreneur. Some comes from nature, some from nurture. It is hard for people to be taught to be entrepreneurial: they either have it in their genes or in their upbringing or not at all. People cannot be taught to relish risk taking. Imagination is not taught in the classroom.

However, academics believe that education can help to provide those with a spark with at least some of the skills they will need to turn that spark into something more substantive. Michael Hay, Director for the Foundation for Entrepreneurial Management at the London Business School says it is possible to give aspiring entrepreneurs some insight and help to build their confidence. He says that you cannot teach people to have a good idea but you can develop inter-personal skills, sales and marketing and general management skills. You can make them better prepared and increase the odds for success. He says that it is crude to say that people are born entrepreneurs but thinks they are shaped by early experiences and role models.

Other theories regarding the psychological traits of an entrepreneur suggest that they are driven by specific psychological traits or even flaws. Some have a passion to be able to prove to themselves and to others that they can achieve although deep down they are suffering from low self-esteem. It has been found that some entrepreneurs are profoundly insecure and they strive to prove to themselves that they are better than they perceive themselves to be. However, they do tend to have an insight into other peoples strengths and weaknesses and have a great ability to lead and motivate their staff. They generally have a gut feel for what customers want.

Extensive research has been carried out on the psychology of entrepreneurs by Cary Cooper who is Bupa Professor of Organisational Psychology at Manchester Universitys Institute of Science and Technology and he states that many entrepreneurs are bounce-back people with a powerful desire to achieve. He says that .they do not get distracted by either success or failure; they just plough on, never satisfied and constantly in fear of being found out. Often after one success they think I fooled them and need to do it again to prove it was not just a freak event.

Cooper also says that entrepreneurs see failure as confirming their inner fears but following failure they do not give up; they just get started again to try and prove that they can get it right a second time. Cooper also observes that being an entrepreneur has negative aspects to it. They tend to be unable to have and miss out on close relationships and the family life that others have. Their focus is only on the business to an obsessional degree, which can be likened to a drug. Only a few entrepreneurs actually set out to build big businesses and to attain wealth and, interestingly, money I is not a prime motivator.

Cooper has classified entrepreneurs into two categories; those who are functional and those who are real. He suggests that functional types are not genuine entrepreneurs. They tend to have one success and subsequently live off that success and need to show to people that they have been successful. They like to be seen with their money as they have little drive to establish another success. This varies significantly from the real entrepreneur. They keep coming up with new ideas to prove to themselves and to their peers that they are capable to doing so. Their main driver is a fear of failure and not for tangible wealth benefits. A real entrepreneur never stops.

It has been demonstrated that many entrepreneurs grow tired of their business after a while and sell them or recruit fresh managers to free them up from day to day involvement. Once the buzz has gone from the original risk, many are on the look for their next entrepreneurial fix.

By definition they are risk takers, modern merchant adventurers avoiding the stifling bureaucracy and politics of big companies.

Cooper notes that many entrepreneurs are actually incapable of running a business. They do not like the tedium of building a company. They employ a strong team of managers to do this

Cooper says entrepreneurs are driven by a need to control the world in a way that they were unable to control in their childhoods. In a survey he discovered many were inspired by a caring parent or a mentor. More than 70% of entrepreneurs could identify some significant shaping event in their childhood. A factor common too many entrepreneurs Cooper has researched are the number who suffered bereavement at an early age.

Richard Branson of the Virgin Group says that he would not have been able to start Virgin if he had not done so whilst he was a teenager, with no mortgage, dependants or ties. He states that half of his success is getting the right people around him and encouraging them to be committed to what he is doing. He states the importance of having a passion for what you are doing.

Krueger and Thueson using the Myers-Briggs Type Personality Indicator would describe an entrepreneur as having an ENTP type of personality extrovert, intuitive, thinker, and perceiver. An ENTP looks for one exciting challenge after another. They are highly inventive types whose enthusiasm leads to a variety of activities. Their inventiveness is attributable to their rich intuition which gives them a world of endless possibilities, which, when combined with their objective decision making facility and directed outwardly converts everything to ideas and schemes.

During an interview with a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, he described entrepreneurs as extroverts. Serebriakoff describes entrepreneurs as an outward looking, socially friendly and uninhibited type of person. Enjoys company, feels at ease in a large circle and tends to form a large number of relatively shallow relationships. They are confident, assertive and friendly, we can represent this extreme type as a boisterous, talkative and friendly commercial traveler who is very much at home in a bar or at the club.

The constant variable in being an entrepreneur is getting a break.

Any country that ignores its entrepreneurs quickly runs into trouble!

Aurel Voiculescu MBA http://www.aurelvoiculescu.com Corporate strategy research - Media Industry - The honey pot for entrepreneurs. http://www.aurelvoiculescu.com/mba/strategy.htm For a full list of references follow the links in the resource box.

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Bright Starts Bounce Bounce Baby Activity Zone in Pink

With the Bright Starts Bounce Bounce Baby Activity Zone in Pink, your baby can have all the exploratory fun and exercise that's found in bigger activity centers, but in a compact package. Designed for babies ages 4 months and up, this activity center lets babies bounce, develop leg coordination, and learn and play with the many fun-filled activities.

What We Think


Fun Factor:

Durability:

(what this means)

The Good: Compact design saves space while offering baby developmentally rich activities

The Bad: Pretty pastel motif might not be every parent's cup of tea

In a Nutshell: Lets babies exercise their legs and offers plenty of interactive activities

At a Glance

Ages: 4 months and up
Requires: Phillips screwdriver, 2 AA batteries


View Product Demo


Baby activity centers are safer than infant walkers for leg exercise. View larger.


There is no lack of fun activities to keep babies entertained. View larger.
Help Baby Develop Leg Coordination
The Bounce Bounce activity center is constructed with sturdy yet lightweight molded plastic. Standing on three wide legs, the toy has a bucket seat in the center for the baby, surrounded by a triangle of fun, interactive activities. The bouncing platform is attached to the sturdy legs with short bungee cords that allow the baby the perfect amount of bouncing and wobbling, helping her develop balance and strengthen her leg muscles in a safe and secure environment.

The seat, which is height adjustable, rotates 360 degrees. When your baby is seated, she can use her feet to push off the platform, turning herself all the way around to play with the toys.

Fun Toys Offer Exploratory Fun
With an adorable, pastel bug-and-flower motif, the activity center's toys are cute -- and they're educational and functional as well, providing plenty of exploratory, interactive fun for infants. They include bendable stalk toys, with interesting textures and spinning balls, a removable, plush butterfly with pretty chimes, a hanging mirror, sliding, caterpillar-shaped beads, and more.

We especially like that a water-filled teething toy is included. And the light-up keyboard, which plays six different melodies, helps babies learn about cause and effect while providing creative auditory and visual stimulation.

Convenient, Space-Saving Design
Baby activity centers are a wonderful and safe way to help satisfy your baby's need for leg exercise while providing plenty of educational stimulation. But so many of them are really cumbersome! So we especially like the streamlined, compact size of the Bounce Bounce activity center. Even though it's smaller in size, it still provides baby with plenty of fun things to do. Other perks: the removable seat cover is washable, for those inevitable spit-ups and diaper leaks, and the activity center includes a snack tray for convenient playtime snacking.

With its lovely pink, green, and lavender colors, this particular model is definitely geared towards girls. It certainly is cute and pretty -- but if you're not keen on "girly" stuff, or if you intend to use this activity center for a boy, Bright Starts also makes a unisex Bounce Bounce center in primary colors.

The toy requires some rather serious assembly. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver. 2 AA batteries are required for the keyboard.

What's in the Box
Activity station, assembly hardware, and instruction guide.



In a society that claims that we are "all created equal," some folks have a hard time with differences, especially when others seem naturally better or better off than they are. There is a tendency to put down people who stand out in a crowd, achieve more, and are rewarded more-a desire to "bring the stars back down to earth" as it were. In Australia there is an expression for this practice: "cutting down the tall poppies."

Children who are gifted and talented have to deal with poppy-cutters early in life. During middle school in particular, kids desperately want to feel 'normal.' They want to feel like they belong, and being different, smarter, or better in any way can feel to them like a disadvantage. Jeffrey did not want to boast about his high grades and he actually hid them from his friends. "It's not cool to be really smart," said Suzanna, "especially for girls." She added, "but I don't care," with a tone of resignation about the anti-intellectual attitudes she had to battle every day.

It's a sad situation when kids (or adults) are made to feel ashamed of their gifts. Discover how your child feels about being different, or about being around people who are different from him. Encourage him to feel secure about his differences. Teach him to separate cultural messages from his own self-worth.

Here are some strategies for protecting self-esteem that you can use and teach to your kids:

Inquire. If someone insults you, ask "Is something wrong?" or "What do you mean by that?" This puts the responsibility back on the insult-giver and gives them the opportunity to express and clarify themselves.

Confront. No one needs to "grin and bear it" or be martyr. If a put-down hurts, simply say, "Ouch," and stand your ground. Letting the insult-giver know you have feelings might make him or her think twice about being mean.

Withdraw. We don't want to be around people who are nasty or cruel. It's smart to get out of harm's way; it might even save your life. But don't get in the habit of running away from your problems.

Consider the Source. Some people seem to wallow in negativity. Let them express whatever emotions they choose, remembering that those opinions have little or nothing to do with you.

Don't take it personally. People cut poppies to make themselves feel better, or at least better than you. Instead of reacting, you might try to figure out what's underneath the barb. The put-down may have absolutely nothing to do with you!

Humor. Many bright people have discovered that making others laugh is a good way to win them over. It's also a wonderful skill for defusing tension. When teased about her coke-bottle glasses, for example, Helen would cheerfully reply, "Well, four eyes are better than none!" It always helps to think of a comeback before you need it so you don't feel put on the spot.

Make a Neutral Remark. When they finish their hurtful comment say, "Oh," or "I see," and leave it at that.

Disagree. If someone called you a green kangaroo, would it hurt your feelings? Of course not, because you know that it isn't true. What others say about you is just their opinion. You know the truth about yourself.

Sift Through. There may be a grain of truth in what they're saying, but they haven't learned how to tactfully give you helpful feedback. For example, if someone calls you "slow poke," explore that some more. You might actually need to speed things up a bit.

If an insult gets to you, don't dwell on it. Try the following:

Talk to a Friend. Find someone who is a good listener. Talking about it can help you think it through; it can also help you get perspective and release negative feelings. That's one reason people go to counselors and therapists.

Use Positive Self-Talk. Repeat this phrase to yourself over and over: "No matter what you say or do to me, I am a worthwhile person."

Give Yourself a Hug. Give one to your child. Hugs are great for a send-off in the morning, a welcome home later on, or an affectionate goodnight ritual. Life goes better with hugs!

Use your imagination to support yourself:

Wear a Shield. Imagine yourself wrapped in an invisible bubble of protection or white light. Negativity that comes your way will bounce right off.

"Wax Your Back." Each morning, pretend to coat yourself with wax or Teflon so insults and negativity slide off you like water off a duck's back.

Talismans. A piece of jewelry or a "lucky" garment that has special meaning to you can be a source of personal strength and power. (Super heroes do this all the time.)

Permission to Be Different. Teach your kids that there is no one like them in the whole world. They are unique and they should be proud of that. This attitude can help them deal with pressure to conform. Give them permission to be who they really are.

Try these strategies and come up with new ones to protect self-esteem. You can even combine strategies. You don't have to put up with put-downs. Practice the strategies with your children.
Above all else, increase the number of positive interactions you have, as well as the number of supportive people with whom you surround yourself. Bolster your self-esteem and self-worth on a daily basis. Just as enhancing the immune system can increase health and protect you from illness, enhancing self-esteem can increase well-being and protect you from social problems.

If all kids and parents could discover their abilities and find ways to express their gifts, the whole poppy field might stand a little taller and be more beautiful than ever!

2008 Dr. Louise Hart is Community Psychologist, professional speaker, grandmother and author of two books:

On the Wings of Self-Esteem: Jack Canfield (author of Chicken Soup for the Soul) said: "It's a wonderful book! If everyone in America read this book and did the recommended exercises, half of all the pain and suffering we now experience would disappear."

The Winning Family: Increasing Self-Esteem in Your Children and Yourself, a guide to Positive Parenting, praised by Dr. Barry Brazelton and also Mothering Magazine: "Uniquely inspiring, accessible, an non-guilt provoking!"

Sign up for her free, inspiring newsletter at http://www.drlouisehart.com

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Luna Lullaby Bounce-a-Bye Baby ball Flutter By




Perched atop a vineyard-covered hill, the lonely Wuerttemberg Memorial Chapel enjoys a magnificent view of the Stuttgart areas wine country. Although it sits in reverent silence, the chapel proclaims the timeless love of King Wilhelm I for his deceased bride, Katharina. The two now share this secluded resting place, together for eternity.

In 1819, Wilhelm and the people of Wuerttemberg lost their beloved queen at the tender age of 31. This queen had given much of her own money to further the social development of the area, including a girls school, hospitals, and an institution for charity even during the extremely difficult years of famine. The enormous Wuerttemberg Hill, home to the familys old 11th century fortress, had been a favorite place of Katharinas. Shortly after her death, Wilhelm had the ancient fortress leveled so he could build something truly symbolic of his devotion for her. Italian architect Giovanni Salucci had been employed as the court architect and was soon put to work designing an appropriate new haunt for young queen.

The result of Saluccis work was a neo-classic rotunda with an airy, arching dome inspired by Romes Pantheon. Towering Corinthian columns, stucco rosettes, and marble statues all of the palest hues reflect peace and rest as the domes incoming sunlight is subdued to a gentle glow. Warmly detailed cast iron accents the coolness of the circular room and is used for the doors, window frames, and a ventilated portion of the floor directly under the soaring dome. Since Katharina was a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, Wilhelm made sure that this aspect of his wifes existence was also remembered with fitting icons and services. Even to this day, Orthodox worship is conducted in the chapel once a year on Whit Monday. Katharina quietly sleeps below in the chapels dark crypt, surrounded by a massive white sarcophagus, where she patiently waited for Wilhelm to join her 45 years later. Their daughter, Marie, lies nearby and remains the only other soul in the tomb. Although the crypt is simple and unadorned in dcor, the cast iron floor above allows light to pour in and paint decorative patterns on the cold stones that support the chapels foundation. Since this iron floor/ceiling lies right under the dome, the royal couple enjoys an everlasting view of the heavens.

In addition to being a monument of love and Italian architecture, the chapel is something of an acoustical phenomenon. Sounds originating in the crypt reverberate off the hard stone walls as well as travel up through the cast iron floor to bounce around the spacious dome. Secondary echoes from the crypt also travel skyward to create deafening slap-echoes which live several seconds before dissipating. This amazing sound effect brings an unusual energy and life to a place enveloped in death and remembrance.

On its isolated peak on Wuerttemberg Hill, the memorial chapel leaves the visitor with a profound sense of marital love. Visible from even miles away, the structure immortalizes one mans devotion to his wife. Romantic, too in the sense that the pair have this secluded spot to themselves forever.

See more of Europes hidden treasures in Europe for the Senses A Photographic Journal by Vicki Landes. Available at Amazon.com and other major bookseller sites. http://www.EuropeForTheSenses.com

Initially a skeptic, Vicki Landes was not thrilled when her military husband moved her and their new baby to Stuttgart, Germany in fact, she went kicking and screaming. She quickly took to Europe and ended up living in Germany for a full seven years. During that time, Landes became an avid world traveler and published author. With a current list of 45 countries under her belt, Landes strives to find the overlooked details that make each place distinctive and unique. Europe for the Senses A Photographic Journal is her first book.

Visit her website: http://www.EuropeForTheSenses.com access information on the book, Landes blog, book reviews, press spots, book trailers, links to purchasing options, sign up for Landes weekly newsletter, and her new online photography galleries!

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Monday, March 16, 2009

Health Insurance - How to Get Covered

Having health insurance is very important in today's society. Without it, you are like living with a ticking time bomb where it can explode anytime and anywhere. However, the fact still remains that there are over 46 million Americans who doesn't have any health care plan. If you take a look at the figures, it's definitely something that you should be worried about. If you are not covered with a health care plan, then it may be time to get one now.

You may want to keep in mind that it is much more expensive to live without health insurance than living with one.

You also need to keep in mind that health insurance is important because you don't know when something bad will happen to you. It can be an accident while you are working on your roof, it can be a sudden affliction of a very serious disease, or it can be something like getting involved in a head on collision with a drunk driver.

If you have health insurance, you will be comforted by the fact that someone will shoulder or at least share the medical expenses you incur when you are in the hospital.

To get covered, the first thing that you need to do is find out what's available. This is the easiest part as you will be presented with different health care plans with different coverage. Try calling your state insurance office and ask them what your options are. They will be able to give you a run down of the different types of health care plans available for you as well as give you a comparison sheet and even health care plan quotes.

The next thing that you need to do is decide on what you want. List down the things you want in your health care plan, such as being able to stay with your current physician, preventive care programs, dental care programs, or a prescription drug plan.

After this, you need to start shopping for quotes.

You have to remember that different health care plan providers have different rates. Try to find the most affordable with the best possible coverage. Also, try to know if the insurance company is reliable and has a good reputation.

After you compare the different quotes you make and after comparing the companies, the last step is to choose. This is the time where you will decide what health insurance plan you should purchase and which company you plan on going with. These are the steps on how you can get covered.

Please visit my website to discover more about health insurance.

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How to Get More Party Bookings - Top Ten Tips to Success

How to get more party bookings is the heart-cry of most people in the party plan business. These ideas work. I really hope they help.

1. Always offer! (Notice I say 'offer' rather than ask - it suggests there is more in it for the other person than for you) Offer buyers the opportunity of hosting a party, offer hostesses a date for her next party, or the opportunity to build their own business. Whenever you have the opportunity, offer an opportunity.

2. Expect a positive response! You will get more party bookings if you expect to get more party bookings. Your body language and tone of voice say more than you realise. People often respond by subconsciously following the clues you give and acted as you expect. Expect what you want. You may get it!

3. Get some good quality flyers and post them everywhere! Waiting rooms, staff rooms, shops, schools, offices... Get your local school to send them out with the latest bulletin. And please, make sure your contact details are correct and clear.

4. See your party plan business for what it is: your business! Don't just look at it as a 'sideline' -
get some business cards made and dress the part. People do respond to a professional approach - it builds trust.

5. Set yourself some clear goals and know what steps you need to take to get there. If your goal is to get more party bookings, how many more do you want? And what are you going to do next to accomplish that? (Start here!) Write them down. If something is committed to paper you are more likely to accomplish it.

6. Do something every day for your business. Even if it is just one phone call, keep the momentum going and know the next step you need to take in order to reach those goals you set. (Even a baby step will get you closer)

7. Have a system. Some people are naturally organised, and some of us aren't (!) But it will help your business if you have a accounting system (however basic) and a system for following up leads and keeping your hostesses up to date with the latest offers etc.

8. Smile when you speak on the phone! It sounds daft but it really works. You will both feel and sound more positive and people like doing business with positive people. Try it next time the phone rings!

9. Use your own products. You are your own best advertisement and when people see you using your products enthusiastically and to good effect (depending on what type of party plan business you are in), you could well find that you get more party bookings without even trying.

10. Be enthusiastic! even on the days when you feel like packing it in. Smile! Bounce! Promote! Let the world see that you are having a great time with your party plan business, and they might well want a part of that too.

For more ideas on building your party plan business, or for tips, tools and resources for any other home based business, come to http://www.IdeasForWAHMs.com All the best with your business!

bounce bounce baby

Friday, March 13, 2009

Los Angeles Dodgers Child and Toddler Baby Bounce Cap

Features embroidered team logo on the front with stretch fit sizing. The Bounce cap features a ball bouncing with childlike writing.


Its official. Spring has sprung. Goodbye, Mister Gray Skies. Hello, Miss Sunshine.

I hope you have walked around your house and de-winterized it. Threw away anything resembling that season. Pinecones, evergreens boughs and holly berries have got to go. Its time to display bird nests and eggs, daffodils and butterflies. Open your windows. Wash the blankets. Get a puppy.

Winter and spring have become for methis week especiallymetaphors for everyday living. I have noticedmore than usuala predominant and unfriendly ethos floating around the world. A winter-like graying of people and their zest for life. With the arrival of spring, its time to change that. And for good.

Just last week, when I was changing in the gym locker room, a fellow lap swimmer waltzed in donning the cutest bathing suit. Totally fabulous. Orange tankini. So I commented (couldnt help it of course): Wow! Thats a great suit!

No response.

Thinking she was hard of hearing, I looked her in the eye and repeated myself. GREAT suit! inflecting my voice so she would really take note.

She looked straight at me, kept walking and said nothing. Just opened the door towards the pool.

Whats up with that?!?

I stood back and shook my head. What a hag, I thought. She couldnt have even stopped to say thank you?

And so it goes. People in their own little worlds. Without thought or time for anyone else. Wandering around with no bounce in their steps nor sparkle in their eyes. Living in winter moments of gray rather than spring moments of (lime) green.

My plea this week is simple: Live as if you believe in the hopes and promises of spring. Greet others with a smile. Say good morning to a complete stranger. Look at a colleague in the eyes and ask how he is doing. Laugh with your eyes. Shake someones hand firmly. Answer the phone cheerfully. Open the door for the mailman gratefully. Drive courteously.

You will stand out in the world. And be respected and admired for embracing life with spring-like exuberance. With joie de vivre. Its not difficult. Takes very little extra energy. Just requires thinking about others. Of shifting ones mindset.

Its what the world needs at spring. Totally. Spring has sprung. Live it.

Carolina Fernandez has been guiding mothers through the trenches of frontline motherhood for almost twenty years. She wholeheartedly embraces her role as mother mentor to todays young moms all over the world. Through her own observations and experiences of the oftentimes lonely and painful unchartered waters of parenting while raising her own four kids away from family, friends and hometown, she helps other moms navigate similar waters. She founded the ROCKET MOM SOCIETY, an international club for moms, where she hopes to encourage, equip and empower moms for excellence. To become a member or for more details, please visit http://rms.clubexpress.com

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

bounce bounce baby

bounce bounce baby

Due to increased medical costs, rising malpractice insurance rates, and increased longevity rates, health insurance premiums have doubled in the last few years. But you can still get a cheap rate on Maryland health insurance if you know how.

Government Health Insurance Programs

Maryland offers a number of government sponsored health insurance programs. Depending on your level of eligibility, these programs are either very cheap or cost nothing at all. These programs include:

* Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) for low-income families, children, pregnant women, women with breast or cervical cancer, the elderly, and people who are blind or disabled.

* Maryland's Children's Health Program (MCHP) for uninsured children under the age of 19 whose family's income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

* Maryland's Children's Health Program Premium (MCHP) for uninsured children under the age of 19 whose family's income is more than 200% but less than 300% of the federal poverty level.

* Maryland's Primary Adult Care Program (PAC) for low-income individuals, 19 or older, who are not on Medicare and who don't qualify for Medicaid.

*Maryland's Family Planning Program for women who have lost their Medicaid coverage after being covered for a pregnancy under MCHP.

To find out if you're eligible for any of these programs go to the Maryland Department of Health website - dhmh.state.md.us - click on "Health Care Programs," then click on "Medicaid and Health Insurance Programs."

Private Health Insurance Programs

If you're not eligible for any of Maryland's state health insurance programs, you can still get inexpensive health insurance through a private carrier.

With private health insurance you have two basic types of plans - indemnity plans and managed health care plans. Indemnity plans let you choose your own doctors and hospitals, but they are much more expensive than managed health care plans. Managed health care plans assign you to a network of doctors and hospitals you must use for your medical needs, and are the cheapest health care plans.

Inexpensive Health Care Plans

To get the best rate on a health insurance plan you have to compare rates from a number of different insurance companies. Thanks to the Internet and the advent of insurance comparison websites, it only takes a few minutes to get health insurance quotes you can compare in order to get a cheap rate.

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get Maryland health insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

The author, Brian Stevens, is a former insurance agent and financial consultant who has written a number of articles on Maryland health insurance.

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Bright Starts Bounce Bounce Baby Activity Zone in Pink

With the Bright Starts Bounce Bounce Baby Activity Zone in Pink, your baby can have all the exploratory fun and exercise that's found in bigger activity centers, but in a compact package. Designed for babies ages 4 months and up, this activity center lets babies bounce, develop leg coordination, and learn and play with the many fun-filled activities.

What We Think


Fun Factor:

Durability:

(what this means)

The Good: Compact design saves space while offering baby developmentally rich activities

The Bad: Pretty pastel motif might not be every parent's cup of tea

In a Nutshell: Lets babies exercise their legs and offers plenty of interactive activities

At a Glance

Ages: 4 months and up
Requires: Phillips screwdriver, 2 AA batteries


View Product Demo


Baby activity centers are safer than infant walkers for leg exercise. View larger.


There is no lack of fun activities to keep babies entertained. View larger.
Help Baby Develop Leg Coordination
The Bounce Bounce activity center is constructed with sturdy yet lightweight molded plastic. Standing on three wide legs, the toy has a bucket seat in the center for the baby, surrounded by a triangle of fun, interactive activities. The bouncing platform is attached to the sturdy legs with short bungee cords that allow the baby the perfect amount of bouncing and wobbling, helping her develop balance and strengthen her leg muscles in a safe and secure environment.

The seat, which is height adjustable, rotates 360 degrees. When your baby is seated, she can use her feet to push off the platform, turning herself all the way around to play with the toys.

Fun Toys Offer Exploratory Fun
With an adorable, pastel bug-and-flower motif, the activity center's toys are cute -- and they're educational and functional as well, providing plenty of exploratory, interactive fun for infants. They include bendable stalk toys, with interesting textures and spinning balls, a removable, plush butterfly with pretty chimes, a hanging mirror, sliding, caterpillar-shaped beads, and more.

We especially like that a water-filled teething toy is included. And the light-up keyboard, which plays six different melodies, helps babies learn about cause and effect while providing creative auditory and visual stimulation.

Convenient, Space-Saving Design
Baby activity centers are a wonderful and safe way to help satisfy your baby's need for leg exercise while providing plenty of educational stimulation. But so many of them are really cumbersome! So we especially like the streamlined, compact size of the Bounce Bounce activity center. Even though it's smaller in size, it still provides baby with plenty of fun things to do. Other perks: the removable seat cover is washable, for those inevitable spit-ups and diaper leaks, and the activity center includes a snack tray for convenient playtime snacking.

With its lovely pink, green, and lavender colors, this particular model is definitely geared towards girls. It certainly is cute and pretty -- but if you're not keen on "girly" stuff, or if you intend to use this activity center for a boy, Bright Starts also makes a unisex Bounce Bounce center in primary colors.

The toy requires some rather serious assembly. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver. 2 AA batteries are required for the keyboard.

What's in the Box
Activity station, assembly hardware, and instruction guide.



"What goes up must come down." - A saying that is so familiar that you seem to forget especially when you are happily jumping off the trampoline. Suddenly, you realize that you are lying on your back after a hard fall. Or worst, your child falls hard on his back 10 feet from the air after jumping off from your newly purchased trampoline.

Year after year, tens of thousands of children had been rushed to the emergency room simply because they forgot all about trampoline safety and gravity. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that in 1998, 95,000 Americans had been involved with trampoline-related accidents. The worst was that 75 percent of them were children at the age under 14 and under. Injuries ranged from simple bruises to broken bones and trauma. Fortunately, death was a very rare occurrence.

Nevertheless, you need to know how to protect yourselves and your children when using trampoline.

Trampoline basic safety tips are the following:

1. Setting up

Read carefully the instructions and users manual provided by the trampoline manufacturer. Take note of the weight capacity, materials used, and other safety accessories that must be purchased.

When setting up your trampoline, choose a safe place away from trees, low ceiling, swimming pool, and furniture. As a rule, place your trampoline on an area with at least 6 meters (20 unobstructed feet) of ceiling or any overhead obstruction and a minimum of 3 meters away (10 feet) from any obstructions on all sides of the trampoline bouncing surface.

When you did not finish the set up, keep your trampoline in places where your children do not have access to. Since children are more excited to use it than you do, they may try it whether it is complete or half-built.

2. You and your trampoline

Do not jump off from the trampoline.

Control your jump at all times. Keep it low especially if you are only a beginner.

Learn how to land before jumping off.

Do not bounce when you are tired. Observe a period of rest after jumping for a while.

Never use the trampoline when you are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. (Never use prohibited drugs.)

Do not attempt stunts such as twisting somersaults, multiple somersaults, back flips, and other acrobatics on your backyard trampoline.

Trampolines are great for having fun and even better for fitness and exercise and workouts, even young children can learn how to use the trampoline for better fitness and a healthy fun time. Learn about Trampoline Tips and much more about trampolines at http://trampoline.zupatips.com/

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