Set The Classpath In Eclipse

A classpath is a parameter that indicates to the Java Virtual Machine where user-defined classes and packages are located. Are you working on a project in Eclipse and need to set the classpath? You can set the classpath in a few steps.

With Eclipse, you don't actually type out a classpath as you would in a normal Java application. Instead you just add libraries, folders and projects in the Properties window of your Project in Project Explorer. Eclipse makes it quite easy to manage your classpath.

Instructions

1. Open Eclipse. Look for the Project Explorer. You should have a project there. (If not, you won't have a need to set the classpath.)

2. Right-click on the project name and select "Properties." Alternately, you can click on the project name and press the "Alt" and "Enter" keys simultaneously. A window will appear.

3. Select "Java Build Path." Several tabs will appear, including "Source," "Projects" and "Libraries."

4. If you want to add source code from the current project, select the "Source" tab and then click the "Add Folder" button.

5. If you want to add the code from another project in Eclipse to the classpath of this project, then select the "Projects" tab. Then click on the "Add" button. You'll be able to select and add projects from there.

6. Finally, if you want to add jar files, select the "Libraries" tab. From there, you can add either internal or external jars. An internal jar is a jar that is located in the directories of your project. To add an internal jar, click the "Add Jar" button and then navigate to the jar and add it. Click "Add External Jar" if you want to add a jar that is located on your computer hard drive but not in this project.

7. If you want to add classes instead of a jar file, then just click on the "Add Class Folder" under the "Libraries" tab.

Tags: click button, code from, need classpath, project Eclipse, Project Explorer, project name

The Best Birthday Ideas For A Girlfriend In Dallas Texas

Treat the birthday girl to a relaxing day at the spa.

As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas. That includes the number of birthday ideas for a girlfriend in Dallas. With 13 entertainment districts, world-class shopping, the largest urban district in the country, bars, clubs, restaurants and more than 30,000 hotel rooms in the city, birthday entertainment options are practically limitless. Does this Spark an idea?

Weekend Getaway

If your sweetheart is looking to get away from the daily grind, consider a weekend trip. Dallas is home to many bed and breakfast homes, inns and hotels. Treat your girlfriend to a stay at the First Lady Suite at the Corinthian Inn (corinthianbanb.com) and enjoy luxurious accommodations as well as a breakfast specially made by the inn keeper. Or enjoy heart-shaped scones with fresh whipped cream from the comfort of your room at Bailey's Uptown Inn (baileysuptowninn.com). If your girlfriend loves the outdoors, the Guesthouse (adallasguesthouse.com) on Allen Street features your own private rose garden.

Arts and Entertainment

Treat your girlfriend to a trip to the largest urban entertainment district in the country. "New York" magazine ranks the Dallas Arts District as the No. 1 place worldwide for art lovers. Check out live music performances at Deep Ellum (ondaweb.com/deep_ellum), or take her to Campisi's Restaurant (campisis.us) in downtown for great pizza, according to "Bon Appetit" magazine. Treat her to a high-end boutique shopping spree at Highland Park or check out the South Side for country line-dancing at South Side Music Hall.

Theme Park

Experience thrills and chills at Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park (gojump.com). Be warned that this is not your average roller-coaster park. Jump off a seven-story structure with the park's bungee jump. Ride together as you are lifted 110 feet then go soaring through the sky at 60 mph. Or see what it feels like to ride a slingshot that shoots you and your sweetheart 150 feet into the sky. Other attractions include a 16-story free fall and a ride called the Skyscraper, voted by visitors as the best thing to do in Dallas.

Pamper and Indulge

Help your girlfriend relax with a visit to Hiatus Spa and Retreat (hiatusspa.com), named the Best Spa in Dallas 2010 by AOL City's Best. The Chakra balancing massage focuses on the seven energy centers of the body that help uplift, calm and enhance your girlfriend's well-being. At Pure Day Spa and Salon (purespaandsalon.com), your girlfriend can enjoy a steam cave or a foot massage and whirlpool bath. Or treat her to a 24K gold facial at Luxury on Lovers (luxuryonlovers.com) spa. Many Dallas spas also provide couples massage and other special packages.

Tags: your girlfriend, district country, largest urban, South Side, Treat your

Tent Food Sale Ideas

Macaroni and cheese is a simple and delicious dish.

In cities that hold yearly Summer carnivals, tent food sales are common. A food tent gives hungry passers-by an opportunity to obtain refreshment, while the city earns revenue. In smaller cities, the revenue earned at a facility such as a food tent can be quite important, as some Summer carnivals are large enough to bring visitors from miles around. With all of this riding on your event, you want to make sure that your food tent caters to as many different tastes as possible.

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food for both the young and old, and macaroni and cheese made from scratch tastes far better than the boxed variety. Customers know this and will be encouraged to buy a small portion as either a light meal or a side dish. Consider making the macaroni and cheese in large batches prior to the event and freezing it for reheating. Freeze the batches in large foil dishes and reheat in a convection or toaster oven. Serve in plastic or foam bowls with forks. One serving of macaroni and cheese weighs 8 oz, or one-half pound. You will need one pound of macaroni and cheese for every two sales that you expect to make.

Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are one of the most popular concession stand foods around and can function extremely well as a tent sale food because the customers do the majority of the work. Customers need only be given the cooked hot dug in a bun, and cashiers are free to move on quickly to a new customer. Fill a condiment table with ketchup, mustard, onions, relish and sauerkraut, and let customers dress their hot dogs to taste. Consider purchasing bags of potato chips in bulk to offer customers as a side dish. Stock at least one hot dog and one bag of chips for each sale you expect to make, and bring a few extras as well--some customers will order two hot dogs. When serving hot dogs in large quantities, use a cooking method that allows you to stagger starting each hot dog by a few seconds such as an electric griddle. You might also use a charcoal or gas grill. Transfer the completed hot dogs to buns using metal or plastic serving tongs.

Sandwiches

Like macaroni and cheese, sandwiches can largely be assembled in advance, before the event. Select a few meat, bread and cheese combinations and assemble them before the event begins. Avoid storing the sandwiches with vegetables, as the bread can become soggy. Instead, keep a few bowls stocked with cut vegetables and ask customers what they would like when they order. Bring extra vegetables, a cutting board and knives to the event in case you run out of a sandwich topping. For serving, because sandwiches are difficult to handle with tools, use plastic gloves and transfer them to plates by hand. Suggested sandwich toppings include lettuce, tomato, onions, mustard and mayonnaise. You might also consider giving each customer a bag of chips as a side dish. Prepare at least one sandwich for every sale you expect to make.

Snow Cones

While cotton candy may be considered the quintessential carnival food to sell from a tent, snow cones could arguably be more successful during the hot Summer months. A great snow cone usually requires an ice grinder or shaver specifically tailored for the job, but you can use a powerful blender in a pinch. Grind ice as finely as possible and pack it into a paper cone. Drizzle flavored syrup over the top and serve. Flavored syrup is available at many coffee shops. Alternatively, look for it at a restaurant supply store, where you can also find a snow cone machine. If your local restaurant supply outlet does not carry snow cone machines, you can purchase one online. You will also need paper cones for serving. When purchasing supplies, purchase two pounds of ice for every five customers you expect to serve, and one quart of flavored syrup for every 20 customers. Each snow cone should contain approximately 6 oz of crushed ice and 1.5 oz of syrup.

Tags: snow cone, expect make, food tent, macaroni cheese, side dish, before event

Sing Like Steven Tyler

Sing Like Steven Tyler

Aerosmith is one of the greatest bands of all time. Much of that is due to the unique vocal styling of lead singer Steven Tyler. Whether you want to belt out "Love in an Elevator", "Pink" or "Crazy"; a quick study of Steven Tyler's singing style helps you karaoke with the best of them. Singing like Steven Tyler is about taking your own special voice and imitating Steven's soulful riffs.

Instructions

1. Warm up your vocal chords by performing voice exercises. Sing scales using vowel sounds behind various consonants (ma, me mi, mo, mu, etc.) and stretch your mouth as wide. Inhale and take a deep supporting breath right before you belt out the note.

2. Practice projecting your voice and using your diaphragm to support the sound. Drink plenty of liquids such as warm tea with lemon and honey. Breathe properly to keep from going hoarse or losing your voice due to straining the vocal chords. Do some light calisthenics to get your blood pumping and increase vocal stamina.

3. Internalize the words and feelings associated with the songs. Think about the lyrics of the song as you sing them. Steven Tyler's voice conveys a lot of intense emotional feelings in his singing.

4. Learn to strut. Own the microphone and the song. Steven Tyler is sexy because he is confident. Nail the voice by embodying self confidence. This noticeable trait about Steven's persona sets him apart from other singers with similar styles.

5. Sing along to Aerosmith songs and practice matching Steven's yowls and notes. Consider taking voice lessons with an experienced coach.

Tags: Steven Tyler, Like Steven, Sing Like, Sing Like Steven, vocal chords

Make A Craftsmanstyle Wood Garden Gate

Combining integrity in design with a high level of craftsmanship is the fundamental principle of Craftsman style. The emphasis on simplicity and workmanship is a natural fit for the design and construction of landscape structures. A wooden garden gate in the Craftsman style visually connects the outdoor environment with the architecture of the house. Does this Spark an idea?

Craftsman Style

Craftsman style has its roots in the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 1800s, which was a reaction to introduction of mass production in the Industrial Revolution and the contrived nature of much of the design in the Victorian era. Arts and Crafts emphasized authentic materials and craftsmanship in a variety of design applications. Craftsman style evolved from the Arts and Crafts tradition, and is characterized by simplicity, function and skilled workmanship.

Craftsman Characteristics

American Craftsman style often reflects the simplicity of Shaker and Japanese design, with clean lines and natural materials chosen to harmonize with the setting. Structures are pleasing in scale, and present welcoming facades. In practice, Craftsman-style is associated with timber frame construction, exposed beams, rafters, and rafter ends, dormer windows and hip roofs. Combining materials such as wood, metal, glass and stone is another hallmark of the style. Unnecessary decoration is avoided in the Craftsman style.

Craftsman-Style Garden Gates

A Craftsman-style wood gate should be simple in design, but constructed with a high level of skill. Post and beam construction is a classic Craftsman construction method. Gate design can repeat elements of a Craftsman house, such as an overhead roof or trellis with an exposed frame, but a simple, modestly scaled gate may be more suited to the ideals of the style. Consider incorporating a stone path or place an ornament near the gate to build on the theme.

Craftsman-Style Gate Construction

Choose water-resistant wood such as cedar or redwood rather than pressure-treated wood, and construct the gate with careful joinery detailing. Consider special techniques such as mortise-and-tenon or dovetail joints for wood members, to highlight craftsmanship. Pay special attention to the hardware for the gate, using heavy-duty, high-quality metals for hinges and latches, to complement the wood. Combine other materials as well, such as a stained glass window for a full-length gate, to add a distinctive detail.

Tags: Craftsman style, Arts Crafts, Craftsman style, design with, high level, with high

Refinish And Restore Old Wood Furniture

Old wood furniture

Old wood furniture is vintage or antique. Many pieces of old furniture show their age through damage, dirt or from fireplace smoke soot. This can altar the appearance of wood furniture by darkening the wood, dulling the wood, and detracting from its natural beauty. There are simple steps for refinishing old wood furniture to bring it back to original condition, and to restore the beauty and charm of a valuable or cherished piece. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Spread old newspaper around the floor if refinishing the furniture inside. Open up windows, for proper ventilation. Put on a chemical fume mask and disposable gloves. Apply a chemical stripping agent with a paintbrush. Wait five minutes, and before the stripping agent dries, take a scraping tool and scrape away top layers of old paint or varnish.

2. Go over surface of the wood with an electric sander. Fill in any hairline splits with wood sealant. Glue any raised sections of wood back into place with wood glue, and let dry. Go over all reglued and sealed spots after it is dry with 150 grit sandpaper. Remove wood dust with a clean paintbrush.

3. Apply a wood stain to the grain of the wood that is similar in color for the restoration of an original piece of old wood furniture. A wood stain will enhance the natural color of the wood if matched correctly and not altar it. Choose latex enamel paint for color, and prime the wood. After the stain or paint is dry, apply two coats of waterproof and insect-repellent varnish. Let the first coat dry before applying the second coat.

4. Repair veneer on an old wood table by gluing down loose sections with wood glue. Replace the veneer with new veneer if there is total surface damage.

5. Remove old veneer with lacquer thinner. Open windows to properly ventilate, put on protective gloves and a chemical fume mask, and apply the lacquer thinner to the seam where it is attached to the surface. Take a sharp tool and lift the veneer in small sections. Continue applying lacquer thinner, and remove the rest. Get a presized piece of veneer made to fit the furniture.

6. Apply contact cement to the surface, and then to the underside of the new veneer. Line up the veneer and carefully place on top of the surface, making sure that the fit is precise. Press down, and scrape away any excess contact cement with a putty knife. Allow to dry, and apply a veneer sealant all around the edges.

7. Reglue old wood joints on chairs and small decorative tables. Take sandpaper and remove old glue from the joint. Fill in any gaps or cracks near the joint with wood sealant. Apply wood glue to the end of the piece that is inserted, and insert back into the joint. Clamp the joint, wipe off excess glue and let dry.

Tags: with wood, lacquer thinner, wood furniture, wood glue, Apply wood, back into, chemical fume

Mix Style & Modern Furniture

Mixing modern furniture with more traditional styles is easy if you follow a few simple rules.

Today's style is all about finding your own look. No one wants a room that looks like it came off a furniture showroom floor. You want to infuse it with your own personality. But with blending of households, gifts from well-meaning friends, inherited furniture, and impulse buying, it's hard to combine all those assorted styles into one cohesive unit. Finding the right balance is the key. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Go through magazines and pull out the furniture photos that appeal to you.

Go through magazines and start collecting pictures of furniture that appeal to you. Pay attention to what draws you to that piece. You will either be driven by color, texture, or line. Once you determine what your basic style is, you can embellish it with other styles that either create harmony or contrast.

2. Keep the style of your house in mind when selecting your furniture.

Keep in mind the style of the house. If you live in a classic Victorian or an Art Deco house, you're probably in love with that look anyway, so your basic style is a given. Use the house's style as your starting point to assemble a collection of furniture.

3. Follow the 80/20 rule when decorating.

Follow the 80/20 rule. Mixing styles can easily become chaotic unless you let one style dominate the others. Once you figure out your style, let 80 percent of the furniture and fixtures be in that style. The other 20 percent can be given over to the different style or styles that you also enjoy. You can create harmony by using similar woods or colors, or you can create contrast by adding a totally different color to the mix.

4. Understand that some styles just won't go together. For instance, Victorian works with Edwardian, Asian, formal English, and French but not with contemporary; Arts & Crafts style blends well with contemporary or country but not with formal English.

5. Add accessories. If your style is contemporary, 80 percent of your furniture and accessories should be solid colors and 20 percent should add in multiple hues or patterns. If you're more traditional, patterns should dominate, and the solids should add visual breathing space to your decor. Include some decorative lighting to create interest. Choose rugs that complement each other, not ones that match each other.

Tags: basic style, create harmony, each other, Follow rule, formal English

Make Cuts For Crown Molding

Make Cuts for Crown Molding

Cutting trim is more complicated than it looks, and cutting crown molding is the most complicated of all. Crown molding is designed to span the upper horizontal corners of the room, stretching from the edge of the ceiling to the edge of the wall. It doesn't sit flat against the wall like baseboard does, but is tucked up at an angle. So when you cut pieces to go around a corner, the cuts have to be angled to accommodate the angle of the wood. The cuts through the thickness of the wood also have to be angled so they fit together in the corners. A compound double-angle is needed, in other words, and both parts of it have to be right. A tilting power miter saw is essential, because it allows you to deal with both angles at once. But the real trick is to constantly visualize how the trim pieces will fit together and cut the correct angles, even when you've got the trim upside-down and backward on your saw. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Standing on your ladder, measure the shortest wall of the room, going from the upper top corner, where the wall meets the ceiling.

2. Lay your first piece of molding face-down on your workbench, so you're working on its back side. With your tri-square and pencil, mark a 45-degree angled line across the width of the trim, starting about two inches from the end of the trim and angling inward toward the middle. If it is going to an inner corner, the bottom side of the piece should be at the outer point of the angle; if it's for an outer corner, the top of the piece should be at the point.

3. Now hold the piece up horizontally, the face toward you, with the wall in the background and the piece positioned the way will it go on the wall. This allows you to visually confirm the direction that the angled cut through the wood needs to go so it will be flush to the other corner piece. If it's an inner corner, the cut will angle outward from the face toward the back, so the back of the piece is longer; for an outer corner, the angle will travel inward, so the face of the trim is longer.

4. Still holding the piece horizontally in front of you, mark lightly with your pencil on the edge of the trim, drawing the angle of the line going in the direction that it will need to go through the thickness of the wood. Do this freehand; it doesn't need to be the right degree of angle, it just needs to be pointing in the right direction.

5. Put the piece down on your miter saw platform, face down, with the line that you drew on the back facing up at the blade. Swivel the blade to the correct 45-degree side so it is directly over the angle line across the back. The bottom of the piece, where you marked your freehand angled line through the thickness of the wood, should be facing you as well, so you can see the direction of the angle by looking down at the edge of the trim. Now tilt your miter blade in the same direction as the angle, setting the tilt of the blade at 45 degrees.

6. Cut down into the line you've marked on the back of the piece, making sure that you're accounting for the thickness of the blade. It should come down to the wood entirely on one side of the straight line, and then angle into the wood in the direction you marked.

7. Measure the trim from your new cut to get the full size you originally determined you needed for the first wall. Measure from the longest point of the cut you just made (i.e., if the face side is longer, measure the face; if the back side is longer, measure on the back). Either way, transfer the measurement onto the back of the piece and proceed as before, marking a line across the width, finding the correct angle from there and cutting on the miter. The piece is now ready to be hung.

Tags: back piece, line across, thickness wood, through thickness, through thickness wood, across width, angle line

Set Specific Measurable Goals

The SMART goal-setting system can guide you in setting goals.

Whether your goal is to lose weight, find a different job or become a better parent, you can achieve that objective by setting specific and measurable goals. Goals that are both specific and measurable have a higher chance of succeeding than those that are general or not well-defined because you will know whether and when you have achieved them. The SMART system identifies five aspects of a goal that makes it effective: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timed.

Instructions

1. Generate several goals, using either a computer or a piece of paper. At this point, do not worry whether it is specific, measurable or actionable. State each goal in positive terms, for example "Become a better musician." Avoid stating your goal in negative terms, such as "Stop being a bad musician."

2. Review each goal as to whether it is specific enough. To be specific, it must be possible to envision what successful completion would look like. For example, "lose weight" is not specific enough because you don't know how much weight loss would be considered success or when you should stop losing weight. On the other hand, "lose 20 pounds" is a specific goal because it specifies how much is involved. Revise each goal (if needed) to make it more specific.

3. Review each goal again to determine if it is measurable. A measurable goal has a concrete number or visible outcome attached to it. For example, "lose 20 pounds" is both a specific and measurable goal because you will know when you have lost 20 pounds. On the other hand, "find a better job" is not a measurable goal. Revise each goal so that it has either a number, amount or a specific outcome associated with it. For example, you might revise "find a better job" as "find a job that has a shorter commute than my current job" or "find a job that has health benefits." In both case the word "better" was reframed as an action or outcome that you can measure.

4. Identify whether your goals are attainable. Revise or eliminate the goals that seem unattainable. Attainable goals are ones that are possible for you to achieve.

5. Identify whether your goals are realistic. You need to strike a balance between realistic and challenging goals. You are unlikely to attain wildly unrealistic goals; likewise, if your goals are too small or lacking in challenge, they will be too easy to achieve and you may not feel as motivated to work on them.

6. Set a deadline for each goal. Goals that are specific or measurable have no impact if there is no deadline associated with them. A set deadline will help you answer the question of whether you have achieved your goal or not.

Tags: each goal, specific measurable, measurable goal, your goal, your goals

Sew Patio Chair Cushions

The biggest difference between patio cushions and any other cushions is that patio cushions need to be made of fabric that is meant to be used outside. The foam that fills it should be made for the outdoors as well. Even if you've never sewn a chair cushion before, you'll find it can be done relatively easily with a few careful preparations. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Measure the width and length of the chair's seat. If you want a cushion for the back of the chair, measure the width and height of the back. If you have a chair that has a non-rectangular seat or back, make sure you get the measurements of all of the sides of the surface that the cushion will cover.

2. Make a pattern. Use any paper you have available. An old newspaper works well. Cut out a shape that will correspond to each surface of the cushion. Add 1/2 inch on each side to the desired size of the finished piece. If the cushion has sides, you should cut out a pattern piece for each side as well as the top and bottom.

3. Cut the foam filling. This should be the same shape and size as the cushion will be.

4. Cut the fabric using the pattern pieces you created.

5. Sew the cushion on three sides. Always place the right sides of the fabric together, and sew with the wrong sides facing out.

6. Turn the cover right-side-out and insert the foam filling inside the cushion. Optionally, you can press the cushion cover with a warm iron before filling it.

7. Sew the final side. It's best to hand sew the last seam, to ensure a neat and tidy look.

Tags: cushion will, each side, foam filling, patio cushions

Sew A Stool Cover

Sewing a new stool cover for your bar stools is an easy way to quickly make a decor change. You need very few supplies and crafting skills for this project. If you want to save money, recycle vintage textiles such as tablecloths, bedspreads, quilts or curtains. For these instructions, use a standard bar stool with a 13-inch seat top. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Lay your fabric on a flat surface with the wrong side up. Turn the bar stool upside down and set it on the fabric. Cut around the bar stool seat 2 1/2 inches from the seat.

2. Turn the fabric circle over with the right side up. Unfold one long edge of the bias binding and pin the right side down, matching to the edges of the circle. Sew the bias binding to the circle using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Cut the binding where the two ends meet. You will need approximately 57 inches, but do not cut until after the bias binding has been attached.

3. Turn the fabric circle over with the wrong side up. Fold the bias binding over to the wrong side of the fabric and press the seam. Pin the other long side of the bias binding to the fabric circle with the binding fold underneath. Top stitch along the folded edge of the bias binding.

4. Cut a 48-inch length of cording. Attach one end of the cording to the safety pin or bodkin. Insert the cording where the bias binding ends meet, and thread the cording through the binding casing. Tie knots to the ends of the cording. Set the fabric stool cover aside.

5. Set the foam cushion on your work surface. Turn the stool upside down on the foam. Draw around the bar stool seat. Cut the foam cushion using the electric carving knife.

6. Place the foam circle on top of the batting. Cut the batting 2 inches larger than the foam cushion.

7. Place the foam cushion on the bar stool seat. Cover the foam with the batting. Place the stool cover over the seat padding and cinch the cording underneath the stool seat, gathering the circle. Tie the cording in a bow to secure it.

Tags: bias binding, foam cushion, stool seat, fabric circle, wrong side, around stool

"Moshi Monsters" Time Card Cheats

In "Moshi Monsters" for the PC, you can use Time Cards to purchase credits that give you extra game hours. As of publication, Time Cards cost $5.95 a month, and you can purchase them either online and Moshi Monsters.com or from various retailers. However, you can also use the following cheats to get more time and fun out of the game.

Free Gingersnap Cat

Instead of wasting hours searching around the Moshi World for Gingersnap Engineer Cat, you can grow your own. To do so, you need to purchase love berries, hot silly peppers and magic bean seeds and plant them. Once you have watered your plant, you should leave the area. You will find a fully grown feline waiting for you upon your return.

Speedier Seeds

Don't wait around for your seeds to grow. You should plant them immediately upon logging on to Moshi Monsters, then play three or four mini-games and immediately return. You should find fully grown Moshlings waiting for you.

Fast Friends

You should not have to worry about using up time trying to find friends in "Moshi Monsters." Find one friend and go to her room and click on her tree of friends. Use the tree to send a friend request and enter the new person's room. Use the friend tree in the new room to send another friend request. Repeat this process as often as you want to earn friends.

Double Moshlings

Why get one Moshling at a time when you could get two instead? Gather a dragon fruit, a love berry and several magic beans. Plant them near each other to find two Moshlings sprout up.

Tags: Moshi Monsters, find fully, find fully grown, friend request, fully grown, Monsters Time, Moshi Monsters Time

Set Up Zone & Rule For Eset

ESET Smart Security includes antivirus, antispyware, antispam and firewall features. The program automatically blocks incoming traffic by default, but includes advanced firewall zone and rule settings which allow you to block or allow traffic that matches specified rules or zones. Rules allow you to manage traffic on a per-port or application basis. Zones allow you to configure certain IPs to be trusted or untrusted and allow or deny all traffic to these addresses.

Instructions

1. Click the "Setup" link at the left side of the ESET window and click "Entire Advanced Setup Tree" in the main window.

2. Click "Personal Firewall" in the list at the left side of the options window.

3. Click the "Filtering Mode" box and click "Automatic Mode with Exceptions (User-Defined Rules)."

4. Click "Rules and Zones" under the "Personal Firewall" header.

5. Click the "Setup" button in the "Zone and Rule Editor" section.

6. Create a new rule by clicking "New."

7. Configure a name, direction, action and protocol for the rule using the "Name," "Direction," "Action" and "Protocol" boxes on the page.

8. Restrict the rule to a specific application by clicking the "Local" tab, clicking "Browse," browsing to the application's .exe file on your computer and double-clicking it. You can also restrict the rule to a specific local or remote port by clicking the "Local" or "Remote" tabs and typing the port's number into the "Port" box.

9. Save the rule by clicking "OK."

10. Click the "Zones" tab.

11. Add an IP address to a zone such as the "Trusted Zone" by clicking the zone's name in the list, clicking "Edit," clicking "Add IPv4 Address," typing the IP address into the "Address" box and clicking "OK" twice.

12. Save the zone and rule settings by clicking "OK."

Tags: Click Setup, clicking Local, left side, Personal Firewall, rule clicking

Reupholster Office Furniture

Sometimes your office just needs a new look. You can add new life to tired, old looking office furniture by simply reupholstering it. It's much easier than you might think and reupholstering office furniture yourself will save you quite a bit of money. Follow these steps to get the job done.

Instructions

1. Repair any desk or workstation surfaces that are wood and peeling. Simply strip and sand it, then stain the wood and varnish or lacquer it. Before you work on the wood, remove the upholstery. Keep the removed upholstery to act as a pattern when you cut the new upholstery.

2. Select an appropriate upholstery fabric for the type of office you're running and in a color and style that will match the office's decor. The use of color is perfectly acceptable in some businesses. Make sure the fabric you choose is of high quality so that it will last for years of heavy use. Medium-weight fabrics are a good option.

3. Replace any seat cushions before you reupholster the fabric. If you're looking for a sustainable way to reupholster your office furniture, be sure to select foam that hasn't been treated with bioaccumulative. Natural latex foam is a good option and is also very durable.

4. Place the removed pieces of upholstery on the new fabric and use the pieces as a pattern to help you cut the correct sized pieces. Give yourself an extra inch around the edges for give. Staple the upholstery to the furniture. Treat the new upholstery with a stain guard if desired.

Tags: office furniture, good option, that will, upholstery fabric, your office

Set Up A Home Office

Set Up a Home Office

Once you're ready to set up shop in your home, it's time to turn your little corner into a real corner office.

Instructions

1. Establish a permanent space within your home for your office. A separate room is ideal.

2. Decide on an office arrangement. The best is a U-shaped arrangement, which lets you use three surfaces to keep everything within reach.

3. Choose an L-shaped arrangement that provides a secondary surface if space is limited. A parallel arrangement can provide two full-sized working surfaces if they are placed opposite each other.

4. Consider a V-shaped arrangement, which consists of a small working area in front of you (generally used for a computer monitor) and two surfaces angled to your left and right if your office area is very small. This is similar to a U-shape, except the central working area is much smaller.

5. Establish two business-only phone lines (one for voice and one for fax and/or Internet) for your office. If you'll need to forward calls to other offices, ask your phone company about related services.

6. Buy office furniture that suits the arrangement you've chosen. Include desks and tables, chairs and desk lamps.

7. Buy a phone with a built-in answering machine and a hold button. If you'll be transferring calls from within your home office, make sure your phone has a transfer button.

8. Buy a computer system, including a printer. Consider built-in fax software if you'll be sending and receiving files created on a PC.

9. Purchase a separate fax machine if you'll be sending and receiving photos or articles from newspapers or magazines by fax. To save money, consider buying a fax machine that can also serve as a photocopier.

10. Stock your office with standard office supplies. If you're self-employed, budget the cost of these items in your monthly business expenses; otherwise, your employer may provide these supplies for you.

Tags: your office, your home, arrangement which, Home Office, sending receiving, within your, within your home

Schools Offering Mri Technician Training

MRI technician training programs cover all aspects of magnetic resonance imaging.

MRI technician training programs are available through several vocational and trade schools around the United States. They give students a chance to learn through classroom training and hands-on instruction. MRI technician training programs teach students the practical skills they need to fulfill their job duties as an MRI technician. These duties include using different types of magnetic resonance imaging equipment, working with patients, conducting and delivering diagnostic reports, documenting a diagnosis and following safety protocol. An MRI technician is a vital part of hospitals and medical centers.

Types

MRI technician training programs are available in both online and offline settings. Offline MRI technician training programs are available through the University of Texas, Concorde Career College, Sanford-Brown Institute, the Ultimate Medical Academy, Argosy University and Bohecker College.

Online MRI technician training programs are available through Keiser University, Grand Canyon University, Virginia College Online, American Intercontinental University and DeVry University. No matter which type of MRI technician training program you choose, you'll gain the skills needed fora great career in this field.

Requirements

Admission requirements for schools that offer MRI technician training programs may vary by state, but most require the student to have at least an associate's degree, preferably in a health-related field. Some schools, such as the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in California, require students to pass an entrance exam and complete prerequisite courses such as Essential Medical Bioscience and Anatomy & Physiology before they can be accepted into the MRI technician program. If you don't have these courses completed already, it's a good idea to fully research what's required for the MRI technician training program in which you're interested.

Accreditation

Schools that offer MRI technician education programs must be accredited by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists. Accreditation tells employers that the student has completed a high-quality MRI technician training program and has the experience he needs to get started in the field. Some MRI technician training programs may also be accredited or approved by the American College of Radiology. Be sure to fully research the MRI technician schools you are interested in before you choose one to attend.

Considerations

Students of MRI technician training programs will need to attend classes in a traditional classroom setting or complete coursework online, and also participate in clinical training or an internship. The hands-on training component is an important element of the MRI technician training program because it gives aspiring MRI technicians the opportunity to work with the latest computer systems and technologies, use magnetic resonance imaging scanners under the supervision of the instructor, prepare different types of MRI equipment for patient screenings and work directly with patients. MRI technician training programs can last from 12 months to 18 months, according to Healthcare-Programs.com. Many MRI technologist training programs can be intense, but the rewards are many.

Courses

Most MRI technician training programs have a curriculum that addresses the following subjects: cross-sectional anatomy, scanning parameters, safety and screening protocols, quality assurance, history of magnetic resonance imaging, computer simulation, surface coils, imaging features and MRI scan setup. These components of the MRI technician training program help prepare the student for real-world MRI scenarios.

Tags: technician training, training programs, technician training programs, technician training program, training program, programs available, resonance imaging

Sew Camper Slipcovers

Give the seat cushions in your camper a fresh, clean look with new slipcovers. Camper cushions generally are simple rectangles, which means that slipcovers for them won't require you to configure any complicated angles. Because camping almost always includes a little dirt, a dark-colored fabric with a pattern is recommended. These slipcovers are secured with Velcro at the back so they can be removed for washing. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Measure the length, width and depth of the seat cushion.

2. For the top and bottom, cut two pieces of fabric 1 inch wider than the seat cushion's width from side to side, and 6 inches longer than the length from front to back.

3. For the edge, cut a strip of fabric 1 inch wider than the depth of the seat cushion and 3 inches longer than the total length of the front and sides. The edge strip is slightly longer than the sides and front of the cushion, which is needed to ease the strip around the corners.

4. With right sides together, sew the sides and front of the top and bottom pieces to the edge strip, starting and ending the edge piece 4 1/2 inches from the back of the main sections. This creates a type of wide pillowcase. Sew seam again for durability. Turn right side out.

5. The back section that is not attached to the edge creates a flap that folds both up and down to overlap across the back of the cushion. Sew Velcro pieces to this flap approximately every 12 inches.

6. Slip the cushion into the new cover. The fit will be tight, requiring you to squeeze the foam and work it all the way to the corners. When it is in place, overlap the back flaps and stick the Velcro pieces together to hold in place.

Tags: edge strip, longer than, seat cushion, bottom pieces, depth seat, depth seat cushion, fabric inch

Set Individual Customer Service Goals

Setting goals is vital for customer service success.

Setting individual customer service goals remains one of the most beneficial methods of improving the performance of a representative that struggles to complete his job responsibilities. Multiple goals or a wide range of goals makes it difficult for a representative to focus and improve. This generally results in a poor customer experience and an increase in employee attrition. Specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-based goals that are narrow in focus help to drive consistent performance and a higher level of goal achievement.

Instructions

1. Analyze the representative's statistics for the current month and the last three months. Inspect for overlapping statistical trends that the representative struggles with. For example, many companies measure the customer's opinion via customer surveys and they measure the representative's performance via an internal scoring system. If the customer and the company both feel the representative struggles with offering concern to the customer, a focus on concern has the ability to move multiple metrics in a positive direction. Therefore, you get more improvement from the same level of coaching.

2. Observe multiple customer interactions or refer to documented feedback that was given to the representative over the last three months. Look for and identify trends that correlate to the identified metric that the representative struggles the most in. Again, for example, if the representative struggles with concern, the most impacting behavior might be that he overlooks negative statements the customer makes about their services.

3. Formulate an action plan that clearly defines one objective for the representative to focus on. For example, the action step could be to focus on actively listening for customer frustration and respond appropriately to the customer. This is specific to the needs and will help the representative understand exactly what is expected of him. Document examples of what this might sound like to the representative.

4. Define the level of improvement you expect to see and define the time frame for improvement. For example, if your company measures concern on a scale of one to five, with three being the business standard, and the rep has consistently delivered sub-business standard results, set the expectation that the representative must reach the business standard goal within two weeks. This is measurable, obtainable and has a realistic time frame for improvement.

5. Draft a document that has all relevant information on it. Include the goal, examples, expected metric improvement and the time frame. Have the representative post their action plan in her seating area where she can easily see it and have her bring the action plan to all scheduled coaching sessions.

Tags: representative struggles, action plan, representative struggles with, struggles with, that representative, time frame

Write The Implementation Of Your Solution In A Proposal Essay

A proposal essay is often required in business.

There are many different types of proposal essays that you might need to write at some point. One thing that all proposal essays have in common is that they present the audience with an issue or problem and propose an action or solution. Your essay will be about implementing your solution.

Instructions

1. State the general solution to the issue or problem you are addressing. For example, if your proposal is about fix a training program, your general solution might be something like, "Bringing in a professional trainer can help resolve many of the issues surrounding the current company training program."

2. Break down the implementation of your solution into individual tasks. Each task should require just one step. For example, the first step in the above proposed solution might be to get recommendations for professional trainers.

3. Explain how each separate task of your solution will be completed. Use action verbs and specific details.

4. Include what materials will be needed for each task. For example, getting recommendations for a professional trainer involves extra work by staff members who have to get the recommendations. Other tasks might require special equipment or additional business materials.

5. Add the cost of each task and then the total cost of the implementation of the proposed solution. For example, each task in the previous example might cost a number of overtime hours for staff members completing the tasks. Then, you would need to add the cost of actually hiring a professional trainer. Include this information in your proposal essay.

Tags: each task, professional trainer, general solution, issue problem, proposal essay, proposal essays, proposed solution

Things To Do For Valentine'S Day In San Francisco

San Francisco

San Francisco hosts an eclectic array of events year-round, so it's no wonder that the city would offer unique events for Valentine's Day as well. Whether it's a romantic evening with your honey that includes chocolate and wine, celebrating the bitterness you feel toward an ex or just a fun date night, the City by the Bay will have what you're looking for.

Valentine's Cruise

Get a beautiful view of San Francisco, sip on your favorite wine and enjoy a four-course dinner, all while floating around the bay with Hornblower Cruises. The company usually offers about seven different Valentine's Day-themed cruises, including dinner and brunch options. All cruises include cocktails, food, music, dancing, scenery and, of course, romance.

Special Events

For Valentine's Day 2009, the Hotel Rex held a cabaret night with live music, dancing and a three-course dinner. The San Francisco Sinfonietta also held an event that included a catered dinner, live music and drinks. And the Regency Center held a Valentine's Day "hot spot" with club music, drinks and dancing. San Francisco coffee shops are known to post fliers advertising interesting Valentine's Day events every year.

Singles Parties

Not everyone in San Francisco has a sweetie with whom to share Valentine's Day, but there are plenty of events for singles. The Society of Single Professionals holds singles parties all year long, but none are as exciting as the party on Valentine's Day, which includes champagne, dinner, music and dancing. If partying isn't enough, a "Meet Your Valentine" convention was also held in 2009 at the Westin St. Francis Union Square. DateandDash, a speed-dating service, also held a Valentine's Day matchmaking event, with plans to continue it every year.

Live Music

Each year, a number of groups get together to perform either love songs or anti-love songs in honor of Valentine's Day. In 2009, actor John Cameron Mitchell sang love songs from his independent movie "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," after which the film was shown. The Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco also gave a performance at the Women's Building, singing 40 hits about betrayal and bitterness. For those without a valentine, this could be just the fix.

Tags: also held, music dancing, every year, held Valentine, live music

The Best House Construction Types

What is the best construction method for your new home?

When it comes to building a house, the newest construction methods are not necessarily the best, although considerations such as energy efficiency and environmental responsibility may be better addressed by the latest innovations in the construction industry. The best house construction type for your family depends on a number of individual factors, including your location, your vision, and your budget Does this Spark an idea?

Wood Frame Construction

An example of timber frame construction.

Wood frame houses are the gold standard of the American construction industry. Builders are most familiar with this type of construction, and materials are readily available. The major component of wood frame construction--wood--is a renewable resource, with regulations for harvest geared towards preserving forested lands for continued use. Most house styles lend themselves to wood frame construction, and because it is so common, it is one of the most economical mainstream construction types. Too common for your dream home? Consider a timber frame house. The heavy, squared timbers--or logs--typical of timber framing give a house a rustic look. One drawback of wood or timber framing is the material's susceptibility to termite damage.

ICF Construction

Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) are the main element of this type of construction. Arguably a better method than wood framing, ICF ensures maximum energy efficiency in the resulting structure. The forms themselves are made of rigid polystyrene foam which serves as a mold for the concrete during pouring and curing, then becomes an integral part of the house structure, staying in place to add thermal insulation to the concrete walls. The insulating forms come in panels, planks, and blocks, and are adaptable to many home styles. While the initial construction cost is higher than wood framing--as much as 8 percent higher--future energy savings will quickly make up for the discrepancy. If you cannot visualize living in a concrete house, rest assured that you can apply interior and exterior wall finishes of your choice, which are more in keeping with your aesthetic. Unlike wood-framed houses, ICF houses are not susceptible to insect damage or dry rot.

System-built Homes

A log house kit, cut and assembled in the manufacturer's facility.

System-built housing utilizes your choice of construction materials to produce pre-fabricated components for your house. The components, either entire room modules or smaller structural panels, are constructed at the manufacturer's site using precision equipment for a better-built home. Once the components arrive at your construction site, your builder can complete the house faster, allowing you to move in quicker--in as little as 90 days after on-site construction begins. System-built houses can be customized to your specifications. They are subject to local building codes just like any other construction type, and the components are built to withstand the greater stress of transportation to your location, so they may be more durable than traditional construction. System-built houses can be made of logs, lumber, concrete, or other materials.

More Construction Types

"Best" is in the eye of the beholder.

If none of the above types is exactly what you have in mind, perhaps another construction method is best for your house. If you live in a dry climate, look into straw bale construction, a method with superior insulating properties and low environmental impact. If you are a traditionalist, you may like brick construction best, a method which produces durable, long-lasting houses with a classical look. Stone house construction is another method which uses natural resources that have good insulating value and are readily available in many regions of the country.

Tags: construction method, construction industry, construction materials, construction type, Construction Types, energy efficiency, frame construction

Kids' Birthday Party Ideas In Dallas

Like most large cities, Dallas offers a variety of options for any occasion. You can host your own party at home and choose your theme there, or pick from the great variety of birthday party options out on the town. Your birthday party options all depend on what your child is most interested in. Buying a birthday party package may sound expensive, but if you add up what you would spend on supplies and food, and your energy to clean up, you might find that these are equally affordable options. Does this Spark an idea?

For the animal lover

For the animal lover, the Dallas Zoo offers birthday party options. For $265 for non-members of the zoo, you will rent the party room, get entrance to the zoo for 30 people, and goodie bags. Your child and guests will also get some special time with one of the zoo animals. Imagine your child getting to celebrate with his or her friends and then spending time with the zoo animals for the rest of the day. The children will find it unforgettable. Find out reserve at www.dallaszoo.com.

For the athlete

Children who are into physical activities, or have winter birthdays, leaving pool parties out of the picture, will be thrilled to have their party with their friends at the ice skating rink. The Parks Mall in Arlington has their own ice skating rink which offers two party packages. The $99 package includes a hostess to help you for an hour, invitations, beverages, 16-inch cookie cakes, balloons and more. They also offer a $199 package which includes skate rental and entrance for one session to the rink to skate. They can be contacted through www.iceattheparks.net.

For the art-lover

Lastly, if your child is an art lover, or enjoys doing things with their hands, Smashing Times has a fantastic option for you. Smashing Times specializes in making mosaic crafts such as picture frames and has plenty of variety in the colors and textures of their materials. For $180 you can host your party for 10 children, additional children are $18 each. They will get to create their own mosaic masterpiece. Children under five will have to be supervised by adults. You can bring your own cake or order one of theirs to continue the celebration. Children will get to take home their works of art to remember the occasion. Learn more at www.smashingtimes.com.

Tags: birthday party, birthday party options, party options, your child, animal lover, Dallas offers, host your

Sell Collectible Cups & Saucers

Sell Collectible Cups & Saucers

China tea cups and saucers are a fun collector's item due to the diversity of styles out in the market. If you've inherited a tea set or found eclectic tea cups and saucers at an estate sale, you can try to re-sell them to collectors. Unless you're an expert, however, you run the risk of setting too high or too low a price on your items. The best way to ensure you're getting a good price for your collectible cups and saucers is to get an appraised value before you sell. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Locate an appraiser near you using the American Society of Appraisers' website. If you're unable to find a china appraiser near you, you can find one who can use photos of the items to offer you an appraisal. Don't settle for a photograph appraisal if you can find someone to do the appraisal in person, since you'll get a more accurate estimate from an appraiser who can handle the objects herself.

2. Schedule an appraisal. Keep your collectible cups and saucers in a clean, dry room while you're waiting for the appraisal appointment.

3. Discuss the appraised value of your wares with the appraiser and also discuss sales strategies. Some tea cups and saucers may be highly valuable, while others may have been mass produced and command little resale value on the antique market.

4. Photograph all collectible cups and saucers. You can use the images to post on auction sites or to email antique dealers when determining where you'll sell your collectibles.

5. Research local antiques dealers. Call to see if they would be interested in selling your cups and saucers on commission. If so, discuss the percentage you would get beforehand. Since your cups and saucers are fragile, you don't want to drive them to an antique shop only to drive them home if you can't reach an acceptable sales arrangement with the proprietor.

6. List collectibles on eBay and other online auction sites. Include a description of your item, its date, its condition and at least one good photograph. Set a minimum sale price so you're sure to get a fair price for the item. Signs of wear such as chips, mold, stains or cracking can affect the value of your collectibles so be sure to mention these things in your listing.

Tags: cups saucers, appraised value, appraiser near, auction sites, collectible cups

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

You can add space and functionality when you remodel your kitchen.

When you remodel your kitchen, you should have some goals in mind. Whether you are remodeling to give yourself more counter space or making some changes to the overall theme of your kitchen, you should have a plan in advance so you can set a budget. Once you have your plan in mind and your budget set, you can begin to explore a variety of kitchen remodeling ideas. Does this Spark an idea?

Kitchen Island

A kitchen island can add countertop space, storage space and even an additional sink to your kitchen. If you have the room in the center of your kitchen, then consider installing an island. You do not have to build a permanent island in your kitchen. There are portable islands available that can still offer water and power hook-ups for all of your food preparation needs. If you do install a permanent island, consider putting a pots and pans rack over the island to free up more storage space in your cabinets.

Heated Floor

A heated floor may sound like a luxury, but if you live in an area that has cold winters, then a heated floor may be a necessity in preventing your floor tiles from cracking and your pipes from freezing. There are many different ways to install a heated floor including using heated floor tiles, installing a mesh heating system under the floor or installing baseboard heating along the floor perimeter. There are kitchen floor heating kits available at any home improvement store that can make the job easier.

Natural Light

You can save money on electricity by opening up your kitchen to more natural light. One way to get more natural light into your kitchen is to install larger windows or more windows in the kitchen. You can also open up the kitchen to the rest of the house by removing some of the walls that separate the kitchen from other rooms that have large picture windows, thus allowing more natural light to enter. You may also want to consider installing a skylight in your kitchen if your kitchen ceiling has direct access to the roof.

Tags: your kitchen, heated floor, more natural, more natural light, natural light

Toddler Activities In Dallas

A view of downtown Dallas

Dallas, Texas, the eighth largest city in the United States, plays host to more than 27 million tourists annually and 1.2 million residents. With average summer temperatures hovering around 80 degrees, the city features its fair share of outdoor attractions, many of which are appropriate for children and toddlers.

Dallas Zoo

The Dallas Zoo covers 95 acres of land, making it the largest zoo in all of Texas. The zoo serves as the home to the thousands of animals, including endangered species. Guests can view animals from the Australian outback, a gorilla conservation research center and endangered tigers. A children's zoo resides on the premises, offering pony rides, a play zone, an interactive bird exhibit and the Discovery House filled with games and crafts. The zoo remains open daily, except Christmas Day.

Dallas Zoo

650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway

Dallas, TX 75203

214-670-5656

dallaszoo.com

The Children's Museum at the Museum of Nature & Science

Residing just south of downtown Dallas, the Children's Museum at the Museum of Nature & Science features exhibits appropriate for toddlers. Comprised of five galleries, children can learn about the science behind urban farms, water, backyards, homes and individual towns. The museum offers a Little Explorers program which promotes self-expression through art and exploration through scientific experiments. The program is geared towards children, ages six months to four years.

The Children's Museum at the Museum of Nature & Science

1318 S. 2nd Avenue

Dallas, TX 75210

214-428-5555

natureandscience.org/dcm

Sandy Lake Amusement Park

Located 20 minutes north of downtown Dallas, Sandy Lake Amusement Park offers a host of attractions for children. The park features more than 60 acres of picnic grounds, including shaded pavilions. Guests will also find carnival rides, an arcade and a miniature golf course located on the premises. Guests can also rent paddle boats for a ride out on Sandy Lake. During the warm summer months, Sandy Lake Amusement Park opens its two massive swimming pools, although it does require a fee.

Sandy Lake Amusement Park

1800 Sandy Lake Rd.

Carrollton, TX 75006

972-242-7449

sandylake.com

Tags: Sandy Lake, Amusement Park, Lake Amusement, Lake Amusement Park, Sandy Lake Amusement, Children Museum

Types Of Dressers

Dressers are the most used piece of furniture second to beds. Consumers can now choose between a wide variety of different dresser types. From traditional wooden chests to new contemporary style armoires, there are decor styles for every taste and dressers for every storage resolution. Does this Spark an idea?

Wardrobe Armoire

Wardrobe armoires are customarily tall, wide dressers with two panel doors and one to three pull-out drawers beneath. Some armoires have only the two panel doors. The height of an armoire ranges from 48 to 81 inches. Armoires are built for hanging clothes and storing clothes in drawers. Armoires bring character and style into any bedroom.

Storage Chest

Chests are the oldest types of furniture. Traditionally, chests were sturdily made of wood with four walls, a bottom and heavy hinged lids that closed for the purpose of storing clothing, quilts and more. Modern chests are wooden and vary in size and type. Now storage chests are used in master bedrooms, guest rooms, children's play areas and garages. Whether purchased brand new or refurbished, any place where extra storage is needed, a chest is a great option.

Double Dresser

Double dressers are the type of dressers most commonly found in bedrooms. Double dressers are usually low profile and wide. The number of drawers on the dresser range from six to nine and are lined up evenly in two to three rows of drawers. Dressers can come with a matching mirror that sits atop of the dresser or hangs on the wall above it. Double dressers provide a maximum amount of clothing storage.

Vanity Dresser

Vanity dressers are used for exactly what their name says---vanity. These dressers are normally constructed on a small scale with a mirror attached and a small bench for sitting. Vanity dressers bring style and elegance into bedrooms, sitting rooms, and bathrooms alike. Most vanities sport an antique look and have built-in jewelry armoires.

Changing Station

Changing stations are usually not the first piece of furniture that comes to mind when a dresser is mentioned, but changing tables with drawers attached are used as dressers in many nurseries. Many of these changing stations are equipped with a changing table on top of a mid-size dresser that can be used in the room long after the baby is out of diapers.

Jewelry Armoires

Tall and narrow in stature, stacked with pull-out drawers, a jewelry armoire is a dresser for your jewelry. Jewelry armoires make organizing jewelry easy. Jewelry armoires have hooks, felt-lined drawers and removable trays. They are also available with mirrors and pop-out side-storage compartments for even more storage.

Tags: Double dressers, armoires have, Jewelry armoires, panel doors, piece furniture, pull-out drawers, Vanity dressers

Sell A 1940 Dining Room Set

Sell a 1940 Dining Room Set

You've inherited a gorgeous 1940 dining room set, an antique from your great-aunt's estate. The set, consisting of a pedestal table and six chairs, has taken up residence in your tiny second bedroom. Although you appreciate the workmanship, you prefer contemporary furniture. You briefly consider calling the thrift shop to pick up the dining room set. However, it's in good condition and most likely has considerable value. If you sell the set, you can use the money to buy the contemporary furniture you prefer, or you can use the money for another purchase. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Prepare the set for sale. Repair any obvious defects and give the set the best possible level of finish. If you have the resources, have the wood refinished and the hardware refurbished.

2. Determine the dining set's value. Unless you are an antiques expert, don't try to value the set yourself. Consult a local antique dealer familiar with furniture from the 1930s and 1940s. If that's not feasible, use an online appraisal service to obtain an affordable valuation, using photographs you provide. Although these services cannot provide foolproof opinions, the experts have experience with a wide variety of antiques. The appraiser can give you a good ballpark estimate on the set's value.

3. Consign the set at a reputable antique store. If you're not in a hurry to receive the proceeds, the store will provide a good viewing platform for buyers looking for antique furniture. It's also likely that the store has a list of customers searching for specific pieces. In addition, many shops list their inventory on their websites.

4. Advertise the set to a targeted local audience. If you live in an area with many historic homes, a display ad in the local newspaper may pique some interest. Include a good quality photograph and thorough description of the item.

5. Target an online antique marketplace. A brick-and-mortar antique shop provides steady foot traffic; however, an online antique marketplace will greatly magnify the number of potential buyers. Although some online shops are structured for licensed dealers, The Antique & Collectible Exchange (TACE) is open to anyone through a subscription service.

6. Sell the set at auction. If you need to sell the dining set relatively quickly, this option may work best for you. It's likely that your proceeds will be lower than those realized from a conventional sale, and some expenses will be associated with the auction. However, you should have cash in hand in a short period of time.

Tags: 1940 Dining, 1940 Dining Room, antique marketplace, contemporary furniture, dining room

Pet Friendly Hotels On Treasure Island

Treasure Island is a great pet-friendly vacation destination.

Treasure Island, Florida, has miles of white sandy beaches. The warm and gentle waters of the Gulf of Mexico make it a perfect destination for vacations but what about your pet? If you would like to share your vacation with a favorite furry friend, finding a hotel that will accept pets is of utmost importance. Treasure Island is home to a few hotels that cater to pet owners, making it possible to include Fido in those wonderful vacation memories.

Residence Inn Treasure Island

All the rooms at the Residence Inn Treasure Island are suites with full kitchens. Th inn's amenities include free Wi-Fi access, swimming pool, room service and a fitness center. Every hotel stay includes a hot buffet breakfast. This hotel is priced a bit higher than others in the area but it offers such services as grocery shopping for guests. This is a chain hotel and high standards are the norm. Pets are allowed for a fee of $100 per stay. Rates range from $139 per night up to $260 per night, as of 2010, depending on the season.

Shell Haven

Every window at Shell Haven cottage faces the beach and the one-bedroom unit that sleeps up to six has been fully renovated. There is a private dock on one side of the cottage and a sandy beach leading from the private backyard on the other. There is a fully-equipped kitchen, giving guests the option to cook meals in rather than spending money at local restaurants. Complimentary Wi-Fi access is provided to guests. Pets must be approved prior to arrival and there is a $50 deposit per pet, per month. Daily rates, as of 2010, range from $99 to $140, depending on the season.

Sea Oats by the Gulf

Sea Oats is located on a quiet section of the Treasure Island beach. This hotel only has six units, making it very private. All the rooms are completely different from each other, this is not a corporate hotel. You may book one unit or you may book the entire resort for a large group. All units include individual climate control, TV cable and a kitchenette with microwave. Rates range from $59 per night to $125 per night, as of 2010. There is a 15 percent discount for off-season rentals, which begins May 1 through August 31; a 20 percent discount from September 1 through December 15. There is a $30 pet fee.

Lorelei Resort Motel

Lorelei Resort Motel is located on the Gulf of Mexico. Rooms include a stove, toaster, refrigerator, microwave and separate dining area, free Wi-Fi, a water-front patio and a sauna and spa. The beautiful white sandy beach of St. Petersburg Municipal Beach is steps away. Enjoy a fun-filled day of activities or take in a marvelous sunset. Rates, as of 2010, range from $59 to $79 per night, depending on the season. There is a small pet area; the first two pets are free but additional pets may require a fee. Please contact the hotel directly.

Tags: Treasure Island, range from, depending season, from night, range from night, 2010 range, 2010 range from

What Is A Rice Bed

A rice bed contains four carved posts.

Reminiscent of the "Old South," a rice bed brings back the elegance and intricate carvings of a forgotten era. A wealthy plantation, plentiful wood, a master craftsman and money combined to create a bed to reflect the style and grace of the antebellum south before its decline. Although locating an authentic rice bed may be difficult, reproductions are available. Does this Spark an idea?

History

The history of the rice bed originates in 1750, when furniture craftsman Thomas Elfe received a commission to design several pieces of furniture for a wealthy landowner in North Carolina. One of the requested pieces included the rice bed, also known as the Charleston rice bed or a plantation bed. The plantation owner who commissioned the four-poster bed, supposedly required that the symbols of his wealth be intricately carved into the posts of the bed.

Design

A traditional rice bed is carved out of a rich mahogany or cherry wood. The headboard is normally taller than the footboard and shaped in a rounded style, similar to a camel hump. Posts stand at the four corners of the bed. These rounded posts contain elaborate carvings -- primarily of rice or tobacco, as these two crops were prevalent in the South at the time and provided a good source of income to plantation owners.

Difference Between Other Four-Poster Beds

Rice beds differ from other four-poster beds. Unlike most four-poster beds that contain a rail between each post, the four posts in a rice bed do not connect to each other but stand alone. There is no area to drape curtains or method to close the bed off.

Another difference is a rice bed has no canopy. Rather than a fabric topping over the bed or even a wooden one, a rice bed is bare.

Thomas Elfe

The originator of the rice bed, Thomas Elfe, was based in Charleston, South Carolina. One of the premier cabinetmakers of the 18th century, Elfe followed the Chippendale school of design in his furniture pieces. A highly sought-after tradesperson, Elfe averaged between 17 to 30 pieces a month, leading historians to believe he employed others for assistance. Elfe left behind an accounting for the last eight years of his life detailing the pieces he created.

Tags: Thomas Elfe

Transform A Ranchstyle House Into A Craftsman'S Bungalow

The craftsman home has simplistic, earthy features inside and out.

The ranch house and craftsman's bungalow have some similarities, including easy access to the yard. Depending on the designer and the decade in which your ranch-style home was built, its simple architecture might consist of a low roofline, multiple small windows, an open floor plan and centered entranceway, making it a basic, blank canvas ready for change. With the exception of altering the roof's pitch, the transformation into a craftsman's bungalow requires adding a few 19th-century English, Arts and Crafts movement features, such as a covered porch, hand-crafted details, interior walls and rustic attributes. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Incorporate a covered porch. If your ranch-style house has the common side-facing gable roof (the vertical triangles on the ends or front created by a sloping roofline), add a front-facing gable extending out from the roof as a covered porch over the entrance. Because you likely exit your ranch house at ground level, a basic concrete slab or inset flat rock patio will suffice as a "porch." This alteration provides two craftsman-style features in one.

2. Add columns. For a hand-crafted effect, wrap your covered porch's plain support beams to either create the look of a tapered or pedestal column.

3. Apply wood siding to the exterior. Trim the windows with rich wood planks. Layer the gables with cedar shakes and top them with decorative brackets, knee braces or corbels. Use river rock to fill the lower level and flank the doorway to create a nature-inspired bungalow effect.

4. Separate large, open spaces with interior walls. Although this might seem extreme and may not appeal to everyone, smaller rooms give you cozy, craftsman ambiance. To make this transformation less drastic, use simple, folding room dividers to break up a space. Simply fold up and remove these temporary walls whenever you like.

5. Change a small window into a stained glass window. If your ranch home has a lot of windows, choose one you rarely open in the entranceway or hall to make an Arts and Crafts period statement. The colorful glass will still allow light to filter through while casting a rich glow and artsy feel.

6. Inlay wood medallions in the floor. Line a feature ceiling with tongue and groove pine. Build in an oak buffet, desk, butcher-block island, and cedar-lined storage center. Use barn doors for closets. Handmade wooden features inside the home spark a sense of rustic charm, indicative of the craftsman's bungalow design.

Tags: covered porch, Arts Crafts, craftsman bungalow, features inside, interior walls, ranch house

Make A Baby Cradle At Home

Building a baby cradle for your child can serve as both a custom-created piece of furniture for your new baby's nursery and a family heirloom for future generations. By following woodworking plans and utilizing the proper tools, a handmade baby cradle can provide a secure and soothing place for baby to rest. Crafting a baby cradle requires skill, but an experienced woodworker or dedicated novice may find the project rewarding long after construction of the cradle has been completed. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Decide where the cradle will be used. Some parents may wish to use the cradle in their bedroom the first few weeks after the baby is born, some may want it as a permanent fixture in the baby's own nursery, and others may want a mobile crib so it can be used in different rooms throughout the house. Measure the space where the cradle will be used to determine the maximum size of the cradle to be built.

2. Determine the type of cradle to be made and find corresponding woodworking plans or drawings. Cradles are available in traditional rocker styles, modern glider styles or swinging cradle baskets that can be made with or without casters. Depending on your woodworking expertise, certain types of gliders may be more challenging than others. A traditional rocker cradle requires the least woodworking expertise. Cradle drawings are available for purchase from woodworking magazines or web sites.

3. Buy all necessary cradle materials. When purchasing the wood for the cradle, consider the potential for its future use. Lower-quality, less-expensive wood, such as pine or plywood, may be adequate for construction, but are not as durable as oak, cherry or walnut. An heirloom piece should be made of higher quality lumber to ensure longevity.

4. Cut the lumber. Begin by cutting the wood pieces that will make the support pieces, rockers, headboard, foot board and sides of the cradle. Trace the woodworking pattern onto the wood pieces before cutting with an electric saw. Alternatively, the drawings may be fastened to a piece of thin hardboard with spray adhesive and then cut. This hardboard may then used as a template and traced onto the wood that will construct the cradle.

5. Assemble the cradle. Begin by attaching the support pieces to the sides of the cradle with wood glue and wood screws. Next, apply wood glue to the side edges of the headboard and attach the cradle sides, reinforcing again with wood screws until the sides are attached securely. Repeat this step to secure the foot board. Place the bottom of the cradle inside the cradle frame (resting on the support pieces that were previously attached) and attach with wood screws. The rockers should be the last pieces attached to the cradle. Use wood glue to adhere the rockers to the cradle bottom. Finally, drill wood screws into the cradle bottom where the support pieces are to ensure the rockers are securely attached.

6. Inspect the cradle for safety purposes. After assembly is complete, inspect the cradle to ensure it has been constructed securely. If using wooden plug covers to cover the countersink screw holes, add wood glue to the hole before tapping the plug into the hole with a hammer. Make sure all surfaces are sanded smoothly with a high grit sandpaper and that the wood is finished with latex based paint or a clear sealant that is non-toxic. Test the cradle's rocking ability, sanding any significantly uneven portions on the rockers that may result in an uneven or jerky rock.

Tags: support pieces, wood glue, wood screws, with wood, baby cradle, baby nursery

Make An Antique Farm Table

A farm table fits with simple country decor.

You can build your own antique-style farm table with hand tools and basic woodworking skills. The classic design uses traditional cabinetmaking skills, while the table itself is a popular style in country decor. Drawing the plans from scratch will give you practice for designing more complicated furniture.

At a minimum, you'll need to be able to cut a mortise, and tenon and peg joint. If you have the tools to join boards with splines, turn wood on a lathe or make a tongue-and-groove beadboard top, you can add a few fancier touches. A final coat of milk paint will turn your handmade table into a brand-new old-fashioned family heirloom.

Instructions

1. Visit a few antique shops or look at images online of farm tables to get a general idea of the style and the construction. Pay special attention to the way the aprons (side rails) are joined to the legs and how the top is joined to the aprons. Each craftsman created his tables slightly differently, so you may want to copy one original exactly or incorporate elements of several tables in yours.

2. Calculate the dimensions of your table, using an original table or one that's a convenient size as a guideline. Measure the length of the legs, the length of the aprons including their tenons that fit into the legs, and the width and length of the top. A typical length for dining table legs might be 28 inches long, cut in a tapered shape from a 2-by-4.

3. Build a small tabletop that's 36 inches long and 28 inches wide using three 1-by-10 boards joined edge to edge. Your four aprons should be 6 to 12 inches shorter than the length and width of the tabletop. For a 36-by-28 tabletop, you might have two aprons that are 30 inches long and two that are 22 inches long. You'll also need a few smaller pieces of wood for cleats, buttoning or beadboard ends. Sketch out the plans, and purchase the necessary wood.

4. Cut the legs to length with a hand-saw. Create simple tapered legs from 2-by-4 boards by sawing down their length, beginning at full width and ending 1 1/2 inches wide at the bottom. If you want fancier turned legs but don't have a lathe, purchase them ready-made from an antique furniture restoration catalog or look for legs to recycle from old furniture at an antique or junk shop.

5. Cut two mortises in the top of each leg by drilling auger holes and chiseling out the remaining wood to make a square mortise. Cut corresponding tenons in the end of each apron. Insert the tenons into the mortises, drill holes for pegs, and assemble them with hide glue.

6. If the table legs are slightly uneven despite careful measurement, adjust them now. Set the table level on a smooth floor, measure how high off the floor the shortest leg is and mark a line that height on the other legs. Cut on the lines, and the table will sit level.

7. Saw three 1-by-10 boards 36 inches long, and glue them edge to edge to form a tabletop that's 36-by-28. Cut two 19-inch-long cleats out of 1-by-2 boards. Reinforce the tabletop by pegging or screwing the two cleats to the underside. If you have the tools and skill, join the boards with splines in the edges instead. You can also make a beadboard-style top by adding narrow boards along the ends of the 1-by-10 boards, to help prevent them from warping or cupping when the humidity changes.

8. Chisel several short slots into the inside of the aprons, fit small pieces of wood with tongues into them, and screw the pieces to the underside of the top. Since the top may expand or contract depending on the humidity, farm tabletops are generally attached by these tongues and slots, which is called "buttoning." The tongues can move within the slots as the tabletop expands or shrinks.

9. Finish with a coat of traditional milk paint or oil paint. You can purchase milk paint in easy-to-mix form, with powdered milk, lime and pigments pre-measured.

Tags: inches long, 1-by-10 boards, milk paint, that inches, that inches long, boards with, boards with splines

Restore Office Furniture

Office furniture takes a lot of abuse from workers who slam drawers and cabinet doors, leave ink marks on wood surfaces, and spill beverages and food. You can often find used office furniture for attractive prices and, with a little refinishing, end up with a good-looking office for a fraction of the price of new furniture. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Remove drawer pulls or tape them with masking tape prior to undertaking any restoration involving painting or staining. You don't want to end up with paint on those very visible surfaces.

2. Sand and restain wooden office furniture like desks and credenzas to bring them back to their original glory. Use an electric hand sander with a fine-grade sandpaper to remove old varnish first. Conceal any deep scratches on the wood with wood filler in a matching color. Let dry before sanding. Select a stain color to match the existing color of the furniture. Apply two coats of stain. Let the furniture dry between stain applications. Use tung oil or polyurethane as the final protective coat. Let dry at least 48 hours.

3. Repaint metal office furniture. Used metal furniture may have both scratches and dents that need attention. You can use a special dent removal tool to assist with dent remediation. Sand the surface of the metal furniture in preparation for painting. Apply a primer coat of paint for use on metal. Let dry overnight. Apply two coats of a paint color made for use on metal furniture.

4. Repair any desk drawers that may be off their tracks, and reassemble built-in file holder racks that may be missing screws. Consider replacing drawer pulls if necessary to refresh the look generally. Replace or repair any missing wheels from chairs or other furniture. You can find replacement ball wheels in a variety of sizes at any hardware store. If special wheels are needed, you may need to contact the manufacturer to determine if replacement parts are available for your item's model number.

5. Repair file cabinets, whether wood or metal, in the same way as you would a desk. If security is an issue, you might want to bring in a locksmith to create new keys for drawers or file cabinets.

Tags: metal furniture, Apply coats, drawer pulls, file cabinets, office furniture

North Carolina High Schools

North Carolina high schools are ranked 19th in overall educational quality.

There are hundreds of high schools in the state of North Carolina and hundreds of thousands of students. According to a state-by-state statistics ranking in 2009, North Carolina was ranked 19th in overall high school educational quality. The largest cities in North Carolina are Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Durham, and they have the largest, most well-known public high schools due to their population size.

Charlotte High Schools

Charlotte is the most populated city in North Carolina and has many high schools. The public high schools in Charlotte are Providence, Kell, Myers Park, Independence, South Mecklenburg, Mallard Creek, West Mecklenburg, East Mecklenburg, West Charlotte, Vance, Waddell, Hawthorne, Midwood, and Rocky River High School. There are other private and charter high schools as well but those are much smaller schools. Charlotte is in Mecklenburg County, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system is one of the nation's 25 largest school districts and ranks in the top five national school districts that has the most teachers who are National Board Certified. Charlotte is also an up and coming booming metropolis, as it is the second largest banking center in the nation.

Raleigh High Schools

As the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is densely populated as well and have a lot of well known high schools that are decades old. The list of public high schools in Raleigh are Athens Drive, Apex, Broughton, Cary, Enloe, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Green Hope, Heritage, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Leesville Road, Middle Creek, Millbrook, Panther Creek, Sanderson, Southeast Raleigh, Wake Forest-Rolesville and Wakefield. Raleigh is in Wake County, and the Wake County Public School System is the second in the state of North Carolina after Charlotte. Raleigh is also home of many successful magnet schools. Fifteen of the Raleigh Magnet Schools were honored by Magnet Schools of America as the top magnet schools in the nation.

Greensboro High Schools

The list of Greensboro public high schools is slightly smaller. The schools include Northwest Guilford, Grimsley, Northern Guilford, Page, Southeast Guilford, Western Guilford, Southern Guilford, Dudley and Smith. Greensboro is in Guilford county and has the third largest school system in the state with just over 71,000 students. Guilford County School System offers great opportunity to its students to achieve their very best. There are 18 magnet schools in the system and 4 International Baccalaureate programs which partners with other schools and universities in 140 different countries to maximize student exploration and knowledge.

Durham High Schools

Durham and Greensboro high schools are pretty comparable in size and amount. Durham public high schools include Northern, Riverside, Hillside, Southern and Jordan. Durham also has its very own school of the arts, aptly named Durham School of the Arts, as well as being home to the North Carolina School of Math and Science. The School of Math and Science is competitive and challenging to get into but its nationally recognized in its quality of teaching and students. Durham itself is becoming more and more known for being a community that is very open and accepting of the arts and the city also has a new and extremely popular arts center, called Durham Performing Arts Center, or DPAC, that has off-Broadway hits. High schoolers interested in the arts also have the opportunity to perform here through their association with Durham High Schools.

Tags: North Carolina, high schools, public high, public high schools, High Schools, 19th overall

Select Patterns For Wood Carving

Sometimes, a wood carving project manifests itself, unbidden, in your mind and you carve the piece based on what you see in your imagination. At other times, you may want to follow a pattern to create something specific. Patterns are especially good tools for beginning wood carvers. If you want to use patterns for wood carving, you must first know select them.

Instructions

Select Wood Carving Patterns

1. Select patterns that fit the type of wood you have on hand. Intricate projects with a lot of fine details work better with soft woods, as soft woods are easier to carve. Patterns for projects that are not as detailed and have lots of smooth, rounded lines are good choices for hard woods.

2. Try to find a pattern that someone has actually carved before. This way you will know before you start that it is possible to create the item and to have it look like it does in the pattern. Lots of websites that have free wood carving patterns also have information about the histories of the patterns and even comments from people who have tried them.

3. Look for patterns that match your skill level. Ideally, you want to find a pattern that appears to be challenging enough to hold your attention, but not so difficult that you give up in frustration. If you see a pattern that appeals to you, but you're not quite sure how difficult it will be to carve, ask another carver for input.

4. Ask for advice at your local wood carving supply store. Let the clerk or store manager know your skill level, what type of wood you work with and what your interests are. Store personnel will be able to direct you to wood carving patterns in the store that match your needs.

5. Consider the intended use of the carving, how large it will be and how much time you have to devote to it. Plan realistically. You don't want to choose a difficult and unfamiliar pattern when you have less than a week to make a Christmas present for Aunt Betty.

Tags: pattern that, wood carving, your skill level, carving patterns, find pattern, find pattern that

Shaker Furniture History

The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Coming, popularly known as the Shakers, is a Christian religious group founded in Great Britain around 1750 by James and Jane Wardley. Originally known as the Shaking Quakers due to the trembling religious fervor that characterized their services, the group came to North America in 1774, led by Mother Ann Lee, and became famous for their sense of design. Does this Spark an idea?

Motivation

The Shakers condemned beauty for beauty's sake, leading them to strip away unnecessary ornament. At the same time, the quality of their furniture attests to their striving for perfection on earth.

Characteristics

Shaker furniture design is functional and well built, with straight, uniform lines. The chairs feature woven seats, such as the famous straight chair, with its tall back posts and smooth curved slats, from the Canterbury, New Hampshire, community, circa 1850.

Construction

The pieces of Shaker furniture are fit together using traditional tenon and mortise joinery and dovetailing, meaning there are no screws, nails or braces.

Considerations

With the disappearance of Shaker communities, most Shaker-style furniture today is produced by custom furniture builders following the Shaker tradition. Almost all Shaker originals are either in museums or private collections.

Original Furniture

Museums with original Shaker furniture include the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, Massachusetts, and the Living History Museum at the restored Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Kentucky.

Tags: Shaker furniture

Wedding Sand Ceremony In Southern California

Wedding sand ceremonies have become a new American tradition.

In a wedding sand ceremony the couple and their chosen participants recite vows or prose in a two to three minute ceremony. The bride and groom then pour their individual vessels of sand to into a new vessel that holds the blended sand. Once the bride and groom combine the sands, they can no longer separate them. The sands symbolize the couple's lifetime commitment and the enduring nature of marriage.

Details

The vase from the sand ceremony can be a keepsake.

The wedding sand ceremony is very flexible. The ceremony's vows or readings can follow the traditional wedding vows, or they can serve in the place of traditional wedding vows. The bride and groom decide who participates in the sand ceremony. They select or compose readings and decide who will speak them; they choose the colors and origin of the sand and who pours it; and they select the vessels to pour from and to. The speakers usually go first, speaking the vows or readings that hold meaning for the bride and groom. Participants then pour the individual vessels of sand into the larger vessel that holds the blended sand. Once blended in one vessel, the sands cannot return to their original state, symbolizing how families blend and become one when two people marry.

Who Participates and How

Southern California is a perfect place for a wedding.

While the wedding sand ceremony can be just between the bride and groom, it can also include any number of participants. The wedding sand ceremony accommodates blended families and is an excellent way for children and other relatives to feel a part of the wedding ceremony. Couples can ask their minister or officiant to read parts of the ceremony or they can read or recite the parts themselves. They may opt to assign parts to those participating in the ceremony with them.

Southern California

In Southern California, there is an abundance of venues for weddings. The Wedding Celebrations website says Southern California weddings are popular because of "the fabulous year-round weather, the calming ocean breezes, the awesome natural beauty of the local beaches and the beauty and charm of the surrounding mountains." Most ministers and officiants in Southern California have experience with the wedding sand ceremony and can help couples make important decisions about it. The wedding sand ceremony is easy to include in a service, whether you marry at the beach, a private home, a garden or indoors.

Creative Freedom

The ceremony gives couples creative license to write their own vows or reading. The Southern California Wedding website says of the wedding sand ceremony, "... there are many ways to make it your own. Some couples choose to leave a small amount of sand in their original containers to show that even though they are coming together, they still function as individuals." Another advantage of the wedding sand ceremony is that the bride and groom can customize the words and readings for their religious or cultural preferences.

Considerations

It is smart to decide early what type of readings you want to use for the ceremony and who you would like to say the various parts. Take the wedding as a whole into consideration. Make sure the vows or prose you select fits in with the overall theme of your wedding. Ministers and wedding officiants are excellent resources for what you are looking for and are usually happy to help. Make sure to select sand vessels carefully, and practice pouring sand with them so you know everything fits and works well. If you and your spouse-to-be plan to memorize the vows for the sand ceremony, begin to practice early and keep practicing until it becomes second nature to you.

Tags: sand ceremony, Southern California, wedding sand ceremony, bride groom, wedding sand, blended sand