Ideas For Organizing Storage

Organize Any Room in Your home

Organizing a room, office or garage is never easy. It takes focus, consideration for space and some imagination. You never want to just store items, label them and then close the door. Instead, opt for a system that allows for easy handling and access regardless of how your needs might change. Learn a few strategies for organizing storage. Does this Spark an idea?

Consolidate When Possible

Consider ways to consolidate storage space. Instead of packing clothes away in large closets, inside cabinets or under beds and other furniture, consider storage units that allow you to stack the items throughout the rooms in the house, office or garage. By seeking out multi-functional storage units, you can begin to store items while still focusing on the overall design and layout of the room. Forget about just storing out-of-season clothes or moving old curtains and linen into spare rooms, and instead think of creative ways to organize these and other items in containers that can add color and flare as well as allow for easy storage and handling when needed.

Fit Smaller Items Into Larger Items

Put storage items together by size. Forget trying to house items just in terms of how they are used. Instead, take into consideration how similarly sized items can be stored together. Now take your thinking one step forward and consider how you can use larger items to store medium or smaller sized items. For example, consider using old shoe boxes to store toys or markers and crayons. While these items do not belong in the same category, as neither would be considered as a complimentary item to the other, they work as a great storage idea.

Consider the Season

For clothes, always consider how often you will use the item. The best strategy is to consider how often you will use the item when it is out-of-season. For example, though the spring brings warm and cool nights, it rarely brings a bitter cold night. Thus, it would be safe to store large, faux fur or heavy winter coats in the back of a closet. You might want to store medium sized sweaters in front of the heavy winter ware and then position light jackets at the front of the storage area. This will allow you to access storage items that may require some handling periodically. Remember to always think in terms of how you can make your storage system easy regardless of what your needs may be.

Tags: consider often, consider often will, heavy winter, office garage, often will, often will item, sized items

Ideas For Kitchen Remodels

Remodeling a kitchen can be a tough job, as the aesthetic aspect is not the only thing you should consider; functionality is also what you should keep in mind. Unlike the living room or the bedroom, the kitchen is your important work space. It is the place where you should be able to move around conveniently, and everything should be handy for you to grab. Here are some nifty remodeling ideas that will bring both practicality and charm to your beloved kitchen. Does this Spark an idea?

New Colorful Walls

Rather than one solid color, add a visual quirk to your kitchen by repainting the walls in horizontal bands of coordinated shades. Paint the darker color up to picture-rail height and paint the lighter color on top. This way the room will appear both wider and taller. Choose any colors you like, but make sure they are not contrasting with each other or with the colors of the furniture in the room.

Light from the Roof

A skylight is great for the kitchen, as it increases the amount of natural light in the room and also makes a small kitchen appear loftier. So if you have enough budget to install a skylight in your kitchen, just pounce on it. It will help you save electricity during the day. Why turn on an artificial light when the refreshing bright sunshine is shimmering down through your roof?

Divide Up the Kitchen

If your kitchen also includes a dining area, try defining the cooking and eating spaces with half-height walls. Unlike full-height walls, the good thing about half-height walls is that they simultaneously link and separate the two areas. They keep the two spaces well-defined without cutting them apart from each other completely.

Get Fancier with the Backsplash

Instead of using boring conventional tiles, try making your backsplash appear more interesting and modern with shiny steel tiles. If you are ready to be bold with your kitchen remodeling, this is an unusual look. The metallic reflective surface can add the "wow factor" to your plain kitchen and make the room seem double in size.

Make Things Handier with Open Shelves

Closed wall cabinets are good for keeping dust away from your kitchen stuff, but open shelves and racks can be very useful as well. First of all, they allow you to grab your kitchen items more promptly. You can also put your favorite coffee mugs and china on display. And lastly, unlike closed wall cabinets, they tend to add a sense of space and airiness to a small room.

Tags: your kitchen, each other, half-height walls, wall cabinets

Ideas For Painting A Living Room

You don't have to be a professional interior designer to give your living room a fresh, new look. Adding a fresh coat of paint in a different color or in a creative way is an effective and inexpensive way to give your living room the face-lift that it may need. Some of the most popular techniques include stenciling, sponge painting and rag rolling. Does this Spark an idea?

Choosing the Right Color

When choosing the right color for your living room, consider the largest pieces of furniture in the room. You should also think about the overall mood that you want the room to have, the lighting, and the size of the room. Designers at Home Decorating Made Easy recommend using neutral versions of shades that you like instead of bright colors, unless you want your walls to become the room's focal point. Choose at least three colors that you like, so when you test an area, you will know which one looks the best on the wall.

Test an Area

Once you have found at least three colors that appeal to you, purchase a small can of each and a few inexpensive brushes. Paint a square on one of the walls with each color; the square can be as large or small as you prefer, but keep in mind it should be large enough to gauge how the entire wall will look. Let the colors dry and take at least a day or two to view them during day and evening hours. This way you will get an idea of how the colors will look in different types of lighting. If you are going to be using more than one color on your walls, this step is very important because it allows you to make sure that the colors complement each other nicely; you can also try out different color combinations before making the final decision.

Creative Techniques

Stenciling has become one of the most popular and easy painting techniques. A stencil is a plastic sheet with a design cut out of it. To transfer the design onto a wall you simply place the sheet on the wall and paint over the cutout. Although they can be placed anywhere on the wall, stencils work best on borders. You can create your own stencils with plastic sheets, or purchase premade stencils at craft stores.

Sponge Painting has also become a popular and easy painting technique. The only tools that you need are sea sponges and paint trays. Using a damp sponge to soak up the paint, you can apply it to the wall to create the look of stone.

Rag rolling is also an inexpensive and creative way to add color to your living room walls. After you have painted a wall with a roller, and while the paint is still wet, take a rag that has been rolled up, and roll it over the wet wall. This creates an attractive tissue-paper effect on the walls.

Tags: your living, your living room, color your, living room, color your living

Search For Cms Schools

Of the seven cities in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Charlotte is the largest. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district boasts scores of schools covering all age groups. There are five pre-K schools; 104 elementary schools; 38 middle schools and 34 high schools, as well as one alternative school and two for exceptional children. All are accessible through the website of the county school system.

Instructions

1. Visit the school district's website at cms.k12.nc.us as well as their Facebook page for information about education levels, school locations and activities. The school district website offers guidance on find the school your child will attend. The Student Placement section of the site provides contact information. The Facebook page features updates on county school activities. Learn about donations from local businesses to the school district.

2. Learn about an individual school by visiting the website next to the school's name on the district's Schools page. The page will display a list of schools for each grade tier, along with telephone numbers and email contacts. For instance, click on the Pre-Kindergarten section, then click on the name of the school, such as Plaza Road Pre-Kindergarten. The site lists the school name, address, telephone number, principal, school zone and bell hours.

3. Use the district site to investigate opportunities offered by the schools in the Finding Opportunities; Creating Unparalleled Success (FOCUS) subsystem. FOCUS schools are those in which students receive more individualized attention and extra support.

The 65 FOCUS schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg feature resources and support including reduced student-teacher ratios, and they have signing bonus opportunities for new teachers and financial assistance for those enrolled in a master's degree program.

4. Explore the eligibility of your child for one of the magnet programs, which offer students opportunities to develop their special interests and talents. According to the website, magnet programs use innovation in teaching and increased parental involvement, which can "lead to higher student achievement."

Magnet programs in the CMS district are available to students who meet certain eligibility requirements, including minimum scores on standardized tests. Contact the Magnet Office to schedule an open house visit, and if you wish to place your child in such an environment, submit a CMS Magnet Lottery Application.

Tags: school district, your child, county school, district website, Facebook page, FOCUS schools

Make A Rope Bottomed Chair

A rope bottomed chair is an attractive piece of furniture for both porch sitting and regular living room use. Aside from its rustic attractiveness, a rope bottomed chair is also extremely sturdy while retaining its comfort. Rope bottoms are a great way to restore cane bottomed chairs that are beginning to fall apart. With a little elbow grease and patience, practically anyone can use strong hemp rope to create a lovely addition to his or her household. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Restoring a chair

1. Remove any caning or other seating material from the frame completely. This may take some time to make sure all of the remaining material is pulled off; however, even the slightest oversight will make the weaving process much more difficult.

2. Use quality hemp rope for the seating. Skimping on quality materials only increases the chances that the seating will sag and rot in a short period of time, making all of your hard work got for naught.

3. Cut bights of rope that leave you with adequate overhang of at least six inches on either side of the chair frame. This extra material will be how you adjust the tightness of the weaving. Leaving too little will make the finer work of tying off virtually impossible.

4. Knot the rope to one side of the frame and draw the other end across the seat frame so that the strand runs parallel to the chair's back rest. While some weavers use diagonal patterns for a more artistic look, this weaving pattern is easiest to use for beginners.

5. Tie off the strand on the opposite side of the frame once the rope is suitably taut. The rope should remain fixed in place when gentle pressure from above is applied. Be sure not to draw the strands too tight or risk doing permanent damage to the frame itself.

6. Repeat the parallel strands until you have completely covered the entire chair frame. Once this is done, you can clip off the excess rope material past the tie points.

7. Measure and cut rope strands to run across the chair frame from the front to the back. Like before, remember to leave adequate rope on both sides of the tying points so that you can easily adjust the tautness.

8. Tie at the front of the frame and weave across the previously laid strands, knitting in and out in predictable patterns of every four to five strands until you reach the back of the chair frame. There, tie off the top strand.

9. Repeat this weaving process until you have covered the entire width of the chair frame. Once all of the strands are securely tied, you should clip the excess rope material as you did with the first layer before.

Tags: chair frame, bottomed chair, chair frame Once, clip excess, clip excess rope

Ideas For French Country Decor

French country style is ideal for people who want to incorporate family heirlooms, flea market finds, repurposed junkyard gems and other sentimental pieces into a home that is eclectic and bohemian. French country decor also blends well with other popular design trends such as shabby chic, bohemian modern, rustic, Mediterranean and Spanish hacienda. Does this Spark an idea?

Palette

A French country palette must involve blue and antique white. The blue may be as light as cornflower or as intense as cobalt, and the antique white is preferably distressed and matte rather than glossy. French country also integrates sunshine yellow, deep red and pale lavender as accent shades. Floors look beautiful in natural wood tones. Textiles are predominantly of the faded, timeworn variety and may feature flowers, paisley or fleur-de-lis. Avoid furniture and finishes that are overly coordinated. The French country look is about effortlessly combining beautifully crafted pieces, such as a faded chintz sofa next to a vintage cream-colored coffee table.

Furniture

Comfort is key in French country decor. Cushions, throw pillows, blankets, quilts, throws, comforters and upholstered armchairs provide soft landings for family and friends. Try a flowered love seat on an antique Oriental rug or a faded blue cabinet stacked with persimmon plates and cobalt glass vases.

In the bedroom, a wrought-iron bed frame looks beautiful dressed with a sheer white canopy and topped with a patchwork quilt. In the kitchen, keep fruit, flowers, wine and herbs on display with open shelves, painted ceramic bowls and corner niches.

Avoid interrupting the flow of your updated decor with too many gadgets on view. Instead, hide the television and computer equipment in an armoire or cabinet. Paint the cabinet a cheerful yellow and add a blue trim of wildflowers, or try your hand at a faux finish using an antiquing kit or a thin coat of whitewash. Remember to cut a hole in the back of the cabinet to connect cords to outlets.

Garden

Transform your home into the quintessential French country home by extending the look to your landscape. Open your doors to a beautiful porch, patio, deck or garden, filled with flowering vines or an herb garden. Plant window boxes to afford a lovely view from the kitchen. Place bistro-style furniture for guests and set the table with espresso cups and small bottles filled with wildflowers. Decorate a garden wall with hand-painted tile, a trademark of many French country homes. Use garden architecture such as gazebos, trellises or overhead beams as a frame for climbing vines.

Tags: French country, antique white, country decor, filled with, French country decor

Replace A Speaker Woofer

Removing a woofer is simple, and so are the most common repairs.

The woofer is the biggest speaker in a speaker cabinet. It is removed simply by unscrewing and gently prying the basket from the cabinet face. Oftentimes, woofer repair is as simple as replacing speaker surrounds or patching a tear in the cone. The former requires no removal of the entire woofer assembly; the cone patching is best done by removing the speaker basket (the metal frame). Detach the speaker wires for complete removal of the woofer and replace it with a new woofer.

Instructions

1. Remove the speaker grill (if there is one on the cabinet).

2. Unscrew the woofer basket from the cabinet. The screws are usually Phillips-head, although they can be any type of wood screw.

3. Use a knife or flat-head screwdriver to ease the basket from the wood frame.

4. Lift the woofer out of the cabinet. Once the woofer is removed, detach the wires from the woofer's contacts.

5. Cones can be patched with paper of an equivalent weight and a little white glue. Spread a thin film of glue on a paper patch and attach the patch to the rear of the cone.

6. Foam surrounds can be replaced separately. Clean the metal frame of old surround residue. Apply adhesive to the metal frame (supplied with repair kits) and press down with your fingers until bonded.

7. Apply a thin bead of adhesive around the perimeter of the cone front and press the surround repeatedly around the cone circumference until bonded.

Tags: basket from, metal frame, basket from cabinet, from cabinet, until bonded

Open Wrapped Gifts In "Smallworlds"

SmallWorlds is available on both Windows and Mac operating systems and runs in-browser, as opposed to with a disk.

SmallWorlds is a free online virtual game for anyone that is a member on various popular social networking communities. SmallWorlds members have the opportunity to explore the world while creating a virtual character and home to interact with other members of the community. Opening wrapped gifts is simple and only requires a few clicks in-game to do so.

Instructions

1. Visit the social networking website associated with your SmallWorlds; you could be a member of SmallWorlds on Facebook (facebook.com) or MySpace (myspace.com), for example.

2. Locate and load the SmallWorlds application or search the social networking website for "SmallWorlds" to install the application to your account. Upon logging in to SmallWorlds, you will have the ability to accessorize your character, shop for virtual items or decorate your own SmallWorlds home.

3. Click on the "My Place" icon upon logging in and connecting with the SmallWorlds application.

4. Select the "Inventory" icon, located near the bottom of the main screen in-game. This will open a window of all of the virtual items and accessories your character currently owns.

5. Scroll through the inventory window and locate the gift box you would like to unwrap. Click and drag the gift and place it on your floor within your SmallWorlds house.

6. Click the gift on the floor to confirm you would like to unwrap and open the present. Without unwrapping it, you can leave it as a decoration for visiting guests in your home.

Tags: social networking, your SmallWorlds, like unwrap, networking website, SmallWorlds application

Ideas For Decorating A Home In Mission Style

Ideas for Decorating a Home in Mission Style

Mission style--also known as arts and crafts or craftsman style--is a design style characterized by clean, straight lines, geometric shapes, natural elements and handcrafted pieces. Common materials associated with this decorating style include wrought iron, stained glass and hardwood. If you want to give your home a warm and inviting feel, considering decorating in mission style. Does this Spark an idea?

Natural Color

Since this decorating style centers around natural elements, the colors you use should also reflect nature. Common colors associated with mission style include brown, tan, beige and muted green, red and yellow. Showcase these colors in the walls, furniture, linens and area rugs. The woods, stained glass and wrought iron elements featured in this design pop against these natural colors.

Windows

Stained glass windows should feature somewhere in a mission style home, as this type of window is handcrafted and typically showcases the geometric shapes and clean lines common to mission style. Incorporate large panels of stained glass in the front windows of your home or opt to feature it in a small window, such as in your front door. While stained glass is eye-catching, it may not provide the privacy you seek. In this case, choose a window covering that compliments the mission style look--such as simple, solid colored cotton drapes or wood plantation shutters.

Furniture

When furnishing a mission style home, choose handcrafted pieces made from natural woods. Cherry, oak and walnut are medium-colored woods that work well with this decorating style. Simplistic furniture that features clean, straight lines will suit the style. Couches and chairs should be upholstered with natural fabrics, such as leather or cotton.

Floors

Natural materials should also feature prominently in your mission style home's floors. Wide planked hardwood is commonly used for flooring. Other durable natural materials that work well for flooring include slate and terracotta. To add softness and warmth to your natural floors, bring in simple-colored throw rugs made of organic fibers like cotton or jute. To add interest to the floors, toss about some braided throw rugs in basic colors.

Finishing Touches

Since mission style is simple, you don't need a lot of accessories--though that's not to say that you shouldn't incorporate any accessories. Tiffany style lamps are a striking accessory commonly featured in this design style. Wood carvings and wrought iron decorations will also complement mission style decor.

Tags: mission style, stained glass, decorating style, mission style home, style home, this decorating

Own A Storage Unit Facility

Storage Units are Easy to Maintain

Owning a storage unit facility can be lucrative and rewarding. Storage units can provide a consistent stream of monthly income for the owner and requires little work once it is operational. Most storage units don't require employees and usually the owner does not have to remain on site.

Instructions

1. Find the right location, usually a large, flat plot of land that is close to new construction. Storage unit businesses tend to thrive in cities and towns growing in population. This growth leads to families moving into the area and this movement often results in a need to store excess items. Close proximity to a lake or recreation area will also help keep storage units full with boats, bikes and motorcycles.

2. Find a builder who has experience building storage units and ask to see samples of his or her work. A simple Google search for the term "storage unit construction" will garner plenty of companies that specialze in this type of construction. The best part about most storage units is that that they don't require plumbing, heating, air conditioning or other amenities that are typical in a commercial building. It is a good idea to fence your property and install a gate with a coded entry system. This system will allow customers to enter their pass code and drive through the gate -- gaining access to their storage unit 24/7. This will also keep you from having to keep an employee on site at all times.

3. Advertise your storage unit facility in the yellow pages as well as online listings on such popular search engine websites as Google, Yahoo and MSN. Hand out fliers to the contractors of new construction residences in your area as well as to homes in more affluent sections of town. Proper signage in and around your facility will attract drive-by customers and solidify your business name in the community.

4. Be prepared for the downside of owning a storage unit facility. This predominantly consists of collecting past due payments from tenants and handling auctions of items in storage units where the rent has gone unpaid. Contact your local authorities to find out when and go about auctioning items from delinquent customers. These auctions can sometimes result in an irate customer showing up and creating havoc.

5. Be patient with your storage unit facility because it may take time before you are at full capacity. If you offer good service and reasonable rates, you will be sure to attract customers to your storage units. Most storage unit customers wind up being long-time clients, which means month after month of residual income for you and your business.

Tags: storage unit, storage unit facility, storage units, storage units, unit facility

Start Your Health Consulting Business

You can run a health-consulting business out of your home.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, consulting is projected to be one of the fastest growing and highest-paying industries, with employment increasing 83 percent from 2008 to 2018. This should be welcome news if you are considering starting a health-consulting business. However, before you start your business, there are a series of steps you should take to help increase your chances of a successful endeavor.

Instructions

1. Write a business plan. Include several important sections. Write your objectives, which describe what you hope to accomplish with your business. For example, "Gain 10 health-consulting clients by May 2012" or "Partner with local gyms to generate an additional $20,000 in health-consulting revenue." Describe your market, including demographic characteristics of the people you will be targeting with your health-consulting services and competitors in the health-consulting field. Outline how you will organize your health-consulting business. Communicate the legal structure of your business, whether or not you will have employees and how your management team will be structured. Describe the marketing strategies and tactics you will use to promote your health-consulting business.

2. Determine how you will finance your business. Create a list of all the things you will need to start, including any health licenses and training, office supplies and expenses, building costs, and exercise equipment. If you determine you don't have enough money to pay for all your start-up expenses, consider financing options like asking friends and family for a loan, business credit cards, small business loans, government grants or venture capital.

3. Obtain a federal tax identification number, also known as an "EIN." Apply for an EIN online or by contacting the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-4933.

4. Apply for state taxes. Each state has different requirements for registering new businesses, so check with your secretary of state to figure out your state's requirements.

5. Apply for any necessary business licenses. Some states require specific licenses for health consultants, depending on the type of services you offer. Use the free tool on the business.gov website to search for any licenses and permits applicable to your health-consulting business in your state.

6. Start marketing your health-consulting business. There's no "right" way to begin your marketing and promotional efforts. Experiment with several tactics and keep using the ones that work. Create a brochure and business card, and then pass them out to the managers and owners of local health-themed businesses and gyms. Develop a "fan" page for your health-consulting business on Facebook, and ask your friends to help spread the word for you. Develop an email marketing campaign, and send weekly health tips and specials you are offering.

Tags: health-consulting business, your health-consulting, your health-consulting business, your business, with your, business your, health-consulting business your

Materials Used To Recover Patio Swing

Outdoor furniture comes in a variety of fabrics, colors and styles.

The proper maintenance of outdoor furniture can reduce the need for repairs and replacement. However, with age and excessive use, materials can wear away or become less resistant to water damage. Patio swings accommodate more than one person, exposing the fabric to more stress than other pieces of outdoor furniture. Choosing the appropriate fabric and materials can be a daunting task, but one that can turn out to be a fun and educational experience. Does this Spark an idea?

Fabric

The fabrics available to recover your patio swing must have the qualities required to withstand outdoor use. They must be liquid-, stain-, fade-, rot- and mildew-resistant. They can be vinyl, polyester or chemically treated, along with a host of other features. You can purchase solids, stripes, prints, mesh or any custom design you like.

Acrylics

Acrylic is a soft cloth textured material with the feel of canvas. Acrylic linen has a much softer feel and lacks the tight weave of acrylic-only fabric. Both are dyed with a solution and then woven into fabric. Each retains its color for years and cleans easily.

Spun Polyester

Made of 100 percent polyester, this fabric is similar to canvas with a soft cloth fabric feel, and sometimes offered with a silky texture. Its open-weave design allows the fabric to stay cool and inviting.

PVC

This fabric begins with a resilient, thread-like polyester core that is layered with pigmented PVC and then woven into an extremely enduring fabric. It retains its color and is resistant to mildew, heat, stains, soil and abrasions. The material is not very flexible but it does have a slick plastic texture.

Woven

Solution-dyed woven threads are used to weave a fabric whose pattern is created by weaving colored threads. Woven fabrics have a soft texture but often feel bumpy or a little coarse. The open-weave construction assures a cool and comfortable fabric.

Olefin

Woven fabric made from solution-dyed olefin fiber has the texture of a soft cloth and the feel of canvas. Its fade-resistant, open-weave design stays cool and resists abrasions, stains and mildew.

Marquesa Blend

This unique fabric blend combines the stability of PVC and the softness of olefin. This textured fabric has a smooth but rippled feel and can be considered slightly coarse. Its ease of care, water-repellent and antimicrobial properties make it a prime candidate for industrial use.

Tags: soft cloth, feel canvas, open-weave design, outdoor furniture, retains color, then woven

Rv Sofa Bed Ideas

Long road trips with the comfort and conveniences of home are what an RV vacation offers. Cooking, restroom, lounging and on-the-road entertainment are the mainstays of traveling in an RV. The pleasure of RV travel is not just limited to where you can go. Custom designing and decorating your RV makes it a home away from home. RV sofa bed ideas offer ways to make your sitting and sleeping areas both comfortable to use and pleasant to see.

Measurements

Measure the free space within your RV to determine what sofa bed options will work best in the space. Record the length of the space available as well as the total width of the floor space, including the expected width of your RV sofa bed. This is important to determine how slim your RV sofa bed can be constructed for your space. Also note the height of the space between the floor and any overhead storage. This may help to determine how high your sofa can sit if adding storage cabinetry underneath and for head clearance above.

Style

The styles of sofa beds are numerous, leaving no design taste ignored. Of course, contemporary is the style of the day, but options range from the traditional, classic and retro designs to the most popular in-home styles of sofas.

Choose from slim designs to overstuffed sofa bed options. Some sofa beds have arms at the ends while others are armless, allowing for easy maneuverability between furniture pieces in the tight space of an RV. Some sofa beds may have pullout mattresses just as standard sofa beds do, but for space and convenience, many RV sofa beds simply pull down--with the back laying flat with the seat--into a flat bed.

RV sofa beds come in various shapes as well. Straight sofas, curved sofas, corner sofas and J-shaped sofas are the common options available for customizing your RV's sofa bed design. The space and your usage determine which shape will best suit your sofa bed. Keep in mind that RV furniture is typically slimmer than standard house furniture to afford more floor space, compact storage and easy accessibility to all of the RV's conveniences. The slim design also affords room to open out the RV sofa bed when it is time for resting.

Many RV owners choose to have as much functional sleeping space as possible, and this allows them to install several RV sofa beds, both in the RV living space and in the dining space.

Fabrics

Fabric selections make it very easy to give your RV sofa beds a unique and custom appearance. Color coordinate your sofa with your cabinetry, wood trimmings, floor color and tone, and wall coverings. The three main types of RV sofa bed materials are leather, vinyl and fabrics. Leather and vinyl give the furniture a smooth, water-repellent surface that is easy to wipe clean. While high-quality leather is the more expensive option, it will last much longer than vinyl.

Fabrics provide a more porous yet comfortable surface to sit and rest upon. Woven upholstery fabrics are amongst the most durable options for RV sofa beds. The fabric prints and designs are numerous to choose from. Coordinate window treatments and accessories with your RV sofa bed covering to complete your RV interior design.

Tags: sofa beds, your sofa, beds have, floor space, sofa beds have

Tell An Antique Chinese Desk From A Reproduction

Inspect purported antique furniture before purchasing it.

Buyers of antique furniture must be on guard against cleverly disguised reproduction pieces sold at antique prices. This is especially true when shopping for antique furniture purportedly from foreign lands and when these pieces are sold online. While there are many legitimate dealers for true Chinese antique desks and other furnishings, many of these companies also "specialize" in "authentic reproductions". Use your common sense and these investigative tools when shopping for antique furniture from these kinds of dealerships.

Instructions

Examining Desk In Person

1. Examine the desk very carefully. Look for any indications that the piece was manufactured with power tools or with methods more suitable for periods before 1910. Anything made after 1910 is not an "Antique." It may be a Vintage piece (younger than 100 years) or a Collectible (special interest), however. Look for any joints or wood cuts that are modern in manufacturing method. Furniture made in China before 1910 was, more often than not, entirely hand made so there will be slight variations in the joints. If all joints and all cuts are completely consistent, that's the mark of a machine-made piece.

2. Inspect the piece in terms of the type of wood used. An antique Chinese desk is not made of American or European woods (like walnut). A Chinese desk would most likely be made of elm or camphor wood. If the piece is painted, look under surfaces that are painted or inside the drawers to inspect the bare wood.

3. Examine the paint job on any decorative artwork on the piece. It was common for Chinese desks to feature elaborately painted scenes on the drawer fronts in particular. Use a magnifying glass to make sure the decorations are hand painted and not decals. Look at the designs and ask yourself if the flowers or scenes look "Chinese," or "Western." An example would be if you see roses painted on the desk. Roses are not a Chinese flower motif; chrysanthemums are.

4. Assess the finish of the desk by looking at it closely, and even smelling it. Chinese antique furniture usually features a very thick, glossy or matte clear coat finish that was made from animal hides and other organic products. You can smell the difference between antique and modern finishing products. Modern materials smell like petroleum products. If the piece is truly antique in age, this finish would also be yellowed. Any white paint under the finish would appear yellow. Any green paint would appear to be slightly olive in color. If the colors seem "too new," they probably are.

5. Discount a "beat up" condition as a sign of authenticity. It is easy for reproductionists to distress new furniture to make it look old. But do examine the inside of any desk drawers. The wood on a 100-year-old desk should be very dry to the touch, almost brittle feeling.

6. Look at any hardware on the desk. If you see any Phillips head metal screws, the piece is a clever reproduction since Phillips head screws did not come into vogue in furniture making (even in America) until the 1950s. Small brass flat-head screws will be rare on an antique Chinese desk too. Hand-hewn mortise-and-tenon joints will be more prevalent.

7. Ask the seller about the history of the piece after you've inspected it and formed a preliminary conclusion. The seller should be able to identify the Period that the piece came from, such as Shanxi period (a Vintage, not Antique period). Listen carefully for "explanations" that you know aren't valid because of your close examination of the piece. If they say they have no knowledge about the piece whatsoever, go with your intuition and don't pay antique prices for this desk.

8. Offer the seller a price at the end of this process that is 50% less than the price he is asking for if you are very suspicious and still want to buy. Tell the seller "No offense--I'll take it because I like the look, but I doubt it's a real antique." If the seller is willing to part with the piece at half price, your intuition was right.

Desks for Sale Online

9. Contact the seller by phone or email and ask for detailed photographs and a history of the piece. Or ask for a written guarantee of authenticity.

10. Ask a pop question: "Can I order two of these?" If the seller instantly says "Yes," the piece is most likely a reproduction. Few dealers have more than one of an item laying around if it is a true antique.

11. Haggle for a lower price, if you are suspicious, and purchase the desk using a credit card that offers a money back guarantee, not a money order. You can get a refund from your credit card if it turns out the piece is a mere reproduction. You will have no recourse if you pay by cash in the form of a money order.

Tags: antique furniture, Chinese desk, antique Chinese, antique Chinese desk, antique prices, before 1910, Chinese antique

Things To Do In San Francisco Indoors

San Francisco has lots of things to do outdoors, but if you are visiting or a local, be sure to check out what is going on inside. The city has plenty of cultural activities that take place inside four walls and are just as intriguing as the ocean or trolley cars that run through the city streets.

San Francisco Opera

For a one-of-a-kind experience, visit one of the nation's largest opera companies, second only to New York's Metropolitan Opera. The San Francisco Opera opened in 1923 and continues to wow audiences with spectacular performances from some of the most talented opera stars. Each year, the company puts on around 75 performances of 10 different operas between September and July. If you can swing it, attend the Opening Night Gala, as it is said to be one of the most memorable events by seasoned opera patrons.

San Francisco Opera

301 Van Ness Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94102

Ph: (415) 861-4008

sfopera.com

San Francisco Walt Disney Family Museum

An attraction that is sure to bring a smile to adults and children is the Walt Disney Family Museum. The museum includes 10 galleries that lead visitors through the life of Walt Disney, from his hometown all the way to his success in Hollywood. Other notable pieces include some of the earliest known drawings of Mickey Mouse, interactive displays and more than 200 video monitors. The museum is open every day except Tuesday, so plan your trip accordingly.

San Francisco Walt Disney Family Museum

104 Montgomery St.

The Presidio of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA 94129

Ph: (415) 345-6800

disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

For an afternoon stroll through incredible works of modern art, check out San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art. The museum is internationally recognized for its collection that includes both permanent installations and temporary exhibitions from local and international modern and contemporary artists. Paintings, sculptures, architecture and photography are only a few of the vast array of media the museum has on display, as there are 26,000 pieces currently housed--and that number grows each year. After all of your perusing through the galleries, stop in at the museum rooftop coffee bar or cafe for a quick snack.

151 3rd St.

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 357-4000

sfmoma.org/pages/visit

Tags: Walt Disney, Disney Family, Disney Family Museum, Family Museum, Francisco Opera, Walt Disney Family, Francisco Museum

Italian Restaurants In San Fernando Valley California

The San Fernando Valley is the northernmost region of Los Angeles, California, and offers Italian dining eateries in cities such as Burbank, Northridge and Sherman Oaks. Many of the Italian restaurants in the San Fernando Valley have casual atmospheres and serve both northern and southern Italian cuisine. Some of these restaurants have adjacent delis, including Pinocchio's in Burbank. Does this Spark an idea?

Monte Carlo Deli & Pinocchio's Restaurant

The family-operated Monte Carlo Deli is on Magnolia Boulevard and has served the Burbank community since the 1960s; it's adjacent restaurant, Pinocchio, has been open since 1971. This casual Italian eatery serves its patrons sandwiches at the counter and traditional waiter service is provided. Prices range from $5 to $10, as of winter 2010. The deli section of the establishment features a grocery with Italian breads, wines and sauces. This restaurant is open seven days a week. Dinner entrees include the potato gnocchi, linguine with clams and meat tortellini. The restaurant offers a catering service.

Sisley Italian Kitchen

Situated in Sherman Oaks, Sisley Italian Kitchen is a trendy Italian eatery right off Ventura Boulevard, less than a mile from the Sherman Oaks Galleria Mall. This restaurant has a vibrant atmosphere and the dining room resembles an Italian piazza with brick walls and columns. As of winter 2010, the price range is $12 to $20. Valet parking is available. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner every day of the week; reservations are recommended. The menu offers lasagna bolognese and cioppino--a seafood combination of calamari, shrimp and scallops; panini selections include the grilled ahi tuna and Sisley Panini, which has eggplant, mozzarella cheese and tomatoes.

Buon Gusto Ristorante and Bar

Buon Gusto is in the northern San Fernando Valley city of Mission Hills, right off the San Diego Freeway. This restaurant's dining room has a casual atmosphere with fresh flowers on the tables and a full-service bar in the back of the room. The restaurant's price range is $17 to $22, as of winter 2010. Buon Gusto waiters wear dark aprons; the patron dress code is casual. The restaurant hosts wine tasting events throughout the year. The menu features the seafood paella--a stew with shrimp, mussels and rice; veal alla paillard--or veal with virgin oil and lemon; and the Buon Gusto Special pizza, which has tomatoes, artichokes and roasted peppers. Reservations are recommended for the restaurant.

Bistro Alessio

Bistro Alessio, located in Northridge, is a casual restaurant in the northern region of the San Fernando Valley. During evening hours, the restaurant dims the lights, setting a romantic ambiance. Price range, as of winter 2010, is $15 to $25. The restaurant serves lunch on weekdays and dinner every night of the week. Reservations are suggested. Take-out and catering services are available; the restaurant hosts private parties upon request. The menu features scampi fra diavolo--shrimp and linguini in spicy tomato sauce; and farfalle salmon--or cubed salmon in vodka pink sauce.

Tags: Fernando Valley, Buon Gusto, winter 2010, Sherman Oaks, This restaurant, available restaurant

Phrases For Performance Reviews

Set the tone for your employee's performance review by staying positive.

Annual performance reviews are valuable tools when used properly. But many managers and employees simply go through the motions when review time rolls around, robbing both parties of a real opportunity for interaction and instruction on work together to improve job performance.

Reviews: A Two-Way Street

No matter the frequency of reviews, the performance review process should be a two-way street. Managers should use performance reviews as a coaching mechanism and a as means for helping employees excel, while employees should use the review process as a means for growing their skills and enhancing their career paths.

Set the Right Tone

For optimal benefit, managers should set the right tone for all performance reviews. The right tone is vital whether the employees are doing a good job or a poor job. For exceptional performance, give your star workers the praise (and the rewards) they deserve. When performance is marginal, use the review process as a coaching opportunity.

When coaching a worker whose performance is unsatisfactory, couch any criticism in positive terms. This provides the worker the opportunity to improve his or her performance. Setting a negative term accomplishes nothing, and sets up a combative and unproductive climate for the balance of the performance review.

Some Handy Performance Review Phrases

Using the right phrases during performance reviews can set a positive tone while fending off potential problems.

For instance, a manager might say, "Our department counts on you to get the job done," for a worker who goes above and beyond what is expected. The manager might say, "You are a great worker, but need to focus a bit more on your attendance," for the otherwise good employee with absenteeism issues. Use phrases like, "You are a real team player" for recognizing a committed worker, and "You need to focus more on the big picture," to coach a worker who is too focused on small details to see the true scope of her job.

Tags: performance reviews, review process, focus more, improve performance, manager might, need focus

Victorian Furniture Information

Victorian furniture paralled changes in Victorian architecture.

Although the Victorian era (1837 to 1901) was defined by the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom, changes in material culture and styles were the result of the rise of a prosperous middle class in both Europe and the United States. Romanticism characterized the era and was reflected in changes in furniture styles. An eclectic mix of revival styles (i.e., Gothic, Rococo and Renaissance) found their way during the Victorian era, and furniture styles also changed with the mechanization of production. Does this Spark an idea?

Early Victorian

Early Victorian furniture did not differ greatly from that of the early decades of the 1800s. Pieces became heavier and carried more ornamentation. They catered more to the whims of the increasing middle class than to the wealthy, who changed preferences more conservatively. Experimentation with different types of wood such as rosewood and mahogany likewise increased. Mass production lessened the quality of much of the furniture of the period, and veneer became widely used.

Gothic Revival (ca. 1830 to 1860)

During the early Victorian era, a revival of medieval themes became prominent in architecture, which filtered down into furniture design. Gothic Revival was the earliest of the Victorian revival movements. Arch designs on pieces characterized a Gothic form, and elements such as rosettes and finials were prominent. Spool-turned legs and spindles were widely used. Americans used this style of furniture to complement their Gothic Revival homes, since Gothic became a popular Early Victorian architectural style as well.

Rococo Revival (ca. 1840+)

Through the second half of the nineteenth century, Rococo Revival became the most popular furniture in America, according to Your Antique Furniture Guide. Rococo was a revival of high-style, French-influenced furniture inspired by the courts of Louis XIV and XV. Curvilinear forms and fanciful designs, particularly floral motifs, are reflective of Rococo revival. The cabriole leg and the use of S- and C-scrolls also characterize Rococo furniture.

Renaissance Revival (ca. 1860 to 1890)

Like Gothic Revival, Renaissance Revival furniture was meant to complement Renaissance Revival architecture. The furniture is noted for its massive form, squarish appearance and baluster legs. Metal and ceramic elements were added to furniture pieces, and ebonizing began to appear. Renaissance Revival was essentially an amalgamation of elements of the other revival styles and is reflective of the era of mechanized production, as opposed to the handmade furniture of earlier eras. The furniture was marketed as an alternative to Rococo.

Late Victorian

The Late Victorian era (ca. 1880 to 1900) was characterized by the Eastlake and Aesthetic Movements. Eastlake furniture moved away from the romanticized designs of the revival forms. Although it had a somewhat Gothic form, inspired by Charles Lock Eastlake (1836 to 1906), Eastlake furniture was simplified and contained much less ornamentation compared to its Gothic counterparts. Much of the furniture was characterized by straight lines and less upholstery. Japanese ebonized furniture became more prominent.

Tags: Gothic Revival, Renaissance Revival, Early Victorian, Victorian furniture, Eastlake furniture, furniture styles

Ideas For A Birthday In Dallas Texas

Dallas has many options when it comes to planning a birthday party.

Birthdays are always special occasions and those living in the Dallas, Texas area have many options when planning a birthday party. When planning a Dallas party, think about what the guest of honor enjoys and tailor the day around that. No matter what the birthday person likes, you can plan a fun party in Dallas. Does this Spark an idea?

Sporting Events

Dallas is one of the few cities that has four major professional sports teams, each of which provides special birthday packages for the sports fan in your life. The Texas Rangers (texas.rangers.mlb.com), Dallas Stars (stars.nhl.com), Dallas Cowboys (dallascowboys.com) and Dallas Mavericks (nba.com/mavericks) all have different packages that allow birthday groups to buy tickets together, along with food and drink vouchers. Some venues even put the name of the birthday boy or girl on the big screen. These sporting event parties are great for both kids and adults alike.

Beer Tasting

If the guest of honor loves barley and hops, consider planning a party around tasting many fine beers. The Flying Saucer in nearby Fort Worth (beerknurd.com) has hundreds of beers available and can hold parties for large or small groups. The Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (rahrbrewing.com), also in Fort Worth, offers brewery tours every Wednesday and Saturday for anyone who wants to see how beer is made. This option can be especially popular for 21st birthday parties.

Indoor Amusements

Take your birthday group to an indoor amusement center. Dave and Busters (daveandbusters.com), an arcade and restaurant, offers activities and games for adults and kids with two locations in Dallas -- on Composite Drive and Walnut Hill Drive. You can organize a party, or just show up with a group, whichever is easier. Main Event Entertainment (maineventusa.com), which has four locations in the Dallas area, offers bowling, billiards and arcade games for kids or adults.

Outdoor Amusements

If the weather is nice, consider taking your party outside. Six Flags Over Texas (sixflags.com/overTexas), located in nearby Arlington, has roller coasters, midway games and even a water park. The amusement park offers group discounts if your party has more than 10 guests. For paintball enthusiasts, Xdrenaline Zone (xdrenalinzone.com) has two parks available for your party. Join an open game or play amongst yourselves for a fun day.

Tags: your party, birthday party, Dallas Texas, Fort Worth, guest honor, kids adults, locations Dallas

Protect Plants From Freezing In Florida

Tropical and subtropical plants need winter protection in Florida.

In December 2010, when freezing weather was expected to descend on Lake Alfred, a town of citrus groves and sweet cornfields in central Florida, farmers hired helicopter pilots to fly back and forth over their crops to move warm air close to them. No doubt it would be an extreme measure for you to call a chopper to fan your ornamentals next time a meteorologist predicts a freeze for your part of Florida. But it isn't a bad idea to take simpler steps on the ground to protect your garden from frigid weather. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Plan for freezing weather as you plant your garden. Place tender tropical and subtropical edible and ornamental crops out of the wind's path and in the highest spot in your garden. Cold air sinks into low areas, causing injury to plants.

2. Plant shade-tolerant ornamentals under evergreen trees, as the foliage prevents heat from escaping from below the canopy. It also insulates the plants from incoming cold air.

3. Care for each plant according to its specific requirements. Feed and water them on the recommended schedule; prune if necessary and treat disease and insect infestations as the problem appears. Vigorous, healthy plants fare better than neglected ones in adverse weather. Contact your cooperative extension office or local nursery if you need information on care for the plants in your garden. Feed plants in north and north central Florida in March, June, September and December, for example. In south and south central Florida, fertilize your garden in February, May, August and November, recommends the University of Florida. Apply 1 pound of a 6-6-6 formula per 100 square feet at each feeding through August. In the fall months, decrease the amount by half in the northern part of the state and by one-third in the south.

4. Water plants to the root zone the morning before you expect a freeze, as the moisture holds heat.

5. Throw blankets or burlap over short shrubs, using material long enough to reach the ground. Anchor it by tying the cover to stakes or weighing its edges down with rocks and bricks. Remove this protection when the temperature rises above freezing again.

6. Take potted plants, such as pothos, aglaonemas, diffenbachia and ficus, indoors when the weather report predicts freezing conditions.

7. Paint plastic jugs black and fill them with water. Place them around your smaller plants in the day to collect heat from the sun. At night, the warmth trapped in the water will protect the vegetation.

Tags: your garden, central Florida, freezing weather, heat from

Play Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 is a popular horror/survival game that was originally released for the PlayStation. In it, you are a police officer that has to kill infected citizens of Raccoon City. Since its release in 1998, it has been released for other consoles, such as Nintendo 64, GameCube and Dreamcast. The PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 also have the capability of playing this PlayStation game.

Instructions

1. Decide what disc you want to play. There are 2 discs for Resident Evil 2; each disc is for a separate character with an alternate scenario for the same plot. With 1 disc, you can be Leon Kennedy; with the other, you can be Claire Redfield. Press "Start" to begin the game once you've decided on a disc and begin following the cut scenes that introduce the plot. Once the game begins and your character is free to roam around, you will need to know utilize the controls.

2. Use the analog stick to move. Move the analog stick to move your character backward, and move it forward to move your character in the direction the camera angle is faces. Press the square or circle button to run when you are moving the analog stick.

3. Press "R1" to aim your weapon. You will start with a knife and you can use it by pressing "R1" and then the circle or square button to attack with it. You use the control when you have a gun as well. Once you find a new weapon, press "Select" and go to your weapon. Choose which weapon you want your character to use.

4. Press "Select" when you are out of bullets for your gun. You cannot reload in real time so you will have to click on the bullets you collected and then click on the gun you want them to go into.

Tags: your character, analog stick, Resident Evil, analog stick move, move your, move your character

Repair & Identify An Antique Roll Top Desk

Roll Top Desks can enhance any home or business.

The roll-top desk was popular at the beginning of the last century. They were mass produced to satisfy the demand. Today, buying and restoring a roll-top desk can be rewarding if you give it careful attention. There are many markers that can help you identify the age and value of a roll-top desk. Roll tops can start about $100 and range to more than $1,000, depending on the condition and manufacturer.

Instructions

1. Examine the desk's details to determine its age and condition. When you find an interesting desk, check the condition of the wood first. It should not have cigarette burns, cracks or missing slats. Determine if the desk has been painted or recently refinished, as these two details may negatively affect the value. Examine thoroughly the carvings and moldings on the desk; this will help you to determine the approximate year it was built. Look at the drawers to see if they were made out of plywood, which would indicate a desk that was produced later or possibly repaired. Some sellers may even have the history of the desk, which can help identify its age.

2. Does the desk need to be repaired?

Decide if repair is necessary. Sometimes buyers want the desk in its original condition. Only remove paint or stain if it is discolored or badly worn. The wood should not need repairing. You may want to contact an antique dealer that you trust to help you decide if the desk needs repair.

3. Joints are the first parts of an antique desk to need repair.

Begin the repair by first checking the joints. Antique desks were usually assembled with pegs, glue or screws. The easiest and most cost-effective way to repair joints is with glue. Broken hardware is often another quick and easy fix. Visit metal shops and antique dealers for appropriate hardware. For larger repairs such as painting or restoring veneer, consult your local library or bookstore for books on restoring antique desks.These books should show you how your desk was constructed and properly restore your investment.

Tags: roll-top desk, desk need, help identify

Start A Group Home For Teens

Start a Group Home for Teens

Group homes serve many purposes--from monitoring a troubled teen's day-to-day activities to offering peer support in a residential therapeutic setting that allows children to reset their moral compasses away from bad influences. If your idea of a great way to help troubled teens is to start a group home, you'll have the respect of your peers, the gratitude of your community and the thanks of the teens who are turned around as a result of the haven you have provided.

Instructions

1. Research the current availability of group homes for teens in your community. Find out who underwrites these group homes, what criteria are used to qualify a child for admission, the living structure under which a child must abide and the ratio of teens to caretakers in the home.

2. Write a mission statement and a business plan. Your mission statement should consist of a single sentence that outlines what your teen group home hopes to accomplish once it's up and running. The business plan outlines how the facility will operate, where funding will originate, rules and regulations under which it will be managed and oversight to which the home will be subjected over time.

3. Appoint a board of directors. Mix influential community members with professionals focused on teen mental health. Add ordinary citizens with an interest in teen rehabilitation and educators. The right board mix will help you get cash, build the facility and keep the community's focus on the residential setting by continuing to raise money and awareness over time.

4. Find funding for your teen sanctuary. Resources for group homes for teens may fall under numerous categories, and thus the home may qualify for a variety of grants and loans. The umbrella may be mental health, but beneath this standard you may also be able to tap education, health and other children-centered granting agencies.

5. Apply for licensing, nonprofit tax exemption, incorporation and other legal protections and sanctions your board recommends. As a 501(c) 3 charity, the home will benefit from an impressive number of tax exemptions the IRS offers. You'll be able to raise funds more efficiently as a nonprofit. Your Secretary of State can give you all of the information you need to consider many of these steps, so visit their website or call. Legal oversight will be required as well.

6. Buy an existing building and hire a contractor to refurbish the structure, or purchase property on which your group home will be built. You'll be required to adhere to zoning laws created to mandate where group homes can be built in your area. If necessary, apply to your zoning board for one or more construction or occupancy variances.

7. Solicit community help to build your teen group home so you can save money on construction. Local carpenters, brick layers, plumbers and electricians may be willing to lend a hand to get your project off the ground. Ask your board of directors to help find pro bono labor and assistance.

8. Get occupancy permits and submit to inspections from village, city, township and/or county authorities. Once approved, you can begin to furnish and decorate the group home. Again, this is where fundraisers and donations of in-kind goods like beds, linens, chairs, kitchen appliances, tabletop and linen supplies and other household necessities can help outfit your facility.

9. Hire staff and conduct criminal background checks. On-site employee numbers may be mandated, so adhere to the teen-to-adult ratio that's stipulated by law. The group will also require insurance on the building and contents and liability coverages. Premiums for high-risk populations can be steep, so get help from an insurance broker to sample various carriers.

10. Keep a wait-list of clients to fill beds as residents age out, move out or leave. Creating and maintaining a handbook on the rules and regulations teens must obey while living in your group home will go a long way to keeping residents on the straight-and-narrow while legally protecting you and your board.

Tags: home will, group home, group homes, your board, your teen, board directors, business plan

Write Business Concepts

A business concept includes data that lenders want to know about the company.

Companies define their business by concepts that they market to potential investors, customers and advertisers. In a business plan or proposal, the concept comes immediately after the executive summary, which is a paragraph that sums up the company. The business concepts expand upon what products and services offer to customers. The business concept also elaborates why your company has the qualifications to deliver the product or service.

Instructions

1. Write out a preliminary business model with products and services, your target market, your value proposition and advertising campaigns to promote your business. Provide all the basic details that define what your business does and what you want to achieve. Potential investors and lenders need to know this information.

2. Study and research any competition. Businesses compete with one another to provide the best products to customers, so understanding competition shows current trends. If you recognize any flaws or thin sales tactics, then note how your business is better and provides services not offered by the competition. Substantiate any claims with evidence of why your business offers more quality products.

3. Add value to business concepts by elaborating on how products and services work for the customer and why in particular your business is the better choice. Distinguish your business from competition, using the research from earlier. Note the differences that put your product ahead of others.

4. Highlight the important financial data of the business. Include start-up costs, running costs future sales, profits, cash flows and return on investment. Indicate clearly the start-up costs required for the business to take off and expand. Detail each expense. Specify if the loan for the initial capital is for security or equity and disclose the source of collateral.

5. Include the current business position in the business concept, providing relevant information on the company, its legal form of operation, formation date, the principal owner and any employees or personnel involved in the business. Indicate which companies you think of as competition.

6. Edit the final business concepts for spelling, grammar and concise wording. Use powerful language that sells your ideas. Show your business concepts to a trusted friend or business partner and make note of any comments and suggestions.

Tags: your business, business concepts, business concept, products services, business better

Start A Group Home Business

Group homes for teenagers are common.

Some businesses are a labor of love. That doesn't mean, however, that they shouldn't run like a business. It is possible to help the community and start a profitable business at the same time. Group homes that help the mentally disabled and others who need help becoming independent are great businesses. If you want to start a group home, research your area and plan for your business.

Instructions

Group Homes: Become a Business

1. Promote a giving attitude. It is crucial that group homes be about more than making a profit. The individuals who depend on this type of service need people with open minds and big hearts to help them through what may be challenging times in their lives.

2. Become licensed per state standards. Each state has a Department of Health and Human Services that administers the rules governing group home programs. The license is often called a "community care license." Contact the department in your state of residence to determine specific rules surrounding group homes.

3. Determine the population that will be served. Unfortunately, the country is not at a loss for people in need of help. Mentally disabled, pregnant teens and low-functioning young adults are all demographics that would benefit from a group home environment. As an owner, decide what group is in most need of help. This should be an emotional decision.

4. Find the appropriate staff to work in the group home. Wanting to help is not enough. It takes trained professionals to work with people who have real problems. Licensed social workers are often good choices to run group homes; hiring for group home jobs should never be done in haste.

5. Create a budget that ensures that the business will run profitably on the stipend issued by the state. This is where some astute business acumen comes into play. Owners must decide how they will direct funds to best manage the group home and create a budget to communicate those decisions.

6. Ensure that the staff receive ongoing training. The methods to challenge youth and other needy populations are constantly evolving. Make sure that staff knowledge is up to date and everyone involved in dealing with the group home population understands the challenges facing everyone.

Tags: group home, group home, group homes, need help, that staff

Restore Antique Iron Beds

Restore Antique Iron Beds

Unrestored antique iron beds aren't that easy to come by. They have been snatched up because of the charm they add to a room's decor. However, you can search at antique stores, flea markets, garage sales or on online sites like eBay. If you find one in good shape, following tried-and-true procedures will make the restoring of an antique iron bed faster and easier. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Wash the whole bed with a soapy water mixture to remove any grime. Wash a section at a time, rinsing and drying as you go. An alternate method of cleaning is to use mineral spirits.

2. Rub off any paint chips, if the bed was previously painted. If you cannot remove the paint in this manner, you may need to have it sandblasted by a professional. If you prefer the shabby chic look, leave the layers of paint, with the lose chips removed.

3. Kill the rust, if there is any on the antique iron bed. If you are going to repaint it, use a rust-killing primer as the first coat. It will be a phosphoric acid mixture that will stop the rust, which can damage the iron.

4. Remove rust from your antique iron bed when you will not be painting it as well. There are several substances and methods for removing rust. Spray WD-40 on the rusted area, and then use a wire brush to scrape the rust off. Navel jelly has also been used successfully. Just smear it on the affected areas, and wipe with a clean cloth. If the rust is extreme, have the bed sandblasted by a professional.

5. Paint your antique iron bed in your chosen color. White or black are the most common colors used. Spray painting will give the most even surface coverage. Use any paint specifically manufactured for metal. Follow all package instructions.

6. Leave the iron bed in a natural condition. To do this, you should still apply a clear acrylic urethane topcoat to your antique iron bed. This will seal the surface and keep it protected from any future rust erosion.

Tags: your antique, your antique iron, antique iron, antique iron, antique iron, Antique Iron Beds, have sandblasted

Restore Old Oak Furniture

Save money by restoring old oak furniture instead of buying new pieces.

Part of the beauty of having old oak furniture is being able to refinish damaged finishes and tighten joints to restore the furniture to a visually appealing and useful state. Turning a yard sale find or grandma's hand-me down into an attractive addition to the home is possible with a little work. Old oak furniture offers desirable wood grains and generally good furniture craftsmanship. Refurbishing old oak furniture is less expensive than buying new furniture, making restoration a wise decision. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Set the old oak furniture in the workspace. Remove all hardware including drawer pulls, knobs and decorations.

2. Equip an orbital palm sander or sanding block with 120-grit sandpaper and sand the old finish off the furniture. Sand legs, spindles and other rounded pieces or curves by hand. Turn the furniture over to sand the underside.

3. Wipe all of the furniture surfaces with a tack cloth to remove the dust and debris. Vacuum the dust and debris from the work area with a shop vacuum.

4. Equip the palm sander or sanding block with 220-grit sandpaper and sand all of the surfaces of the furniture a second time, following the direction of the wood grain. Wipe the furniture with a tack cloth and vacuum the work area with a shop vacuum. Sand the furniture in the direction of the wood grain a third time with 320-grit sandpaper using a palm sander or sanding block. Wipe the furniture with a tack cloth and vacuum the work area again.

5. Examine all of the furniture joints to determine if they are loose or wobbly. If a joint is loose, add wood glue and clamp the joint to hold it firmly in place. If the joint is dangerously loose, remove the joint, sand off the old adhesive, apply wood glue, put the joint back in place and clamp it with a hand-screw-clamp. Let the wood glue dry for four to six hours.

6. Check the surface for scratches, deep gouges or chips. Fill in damaged areas with wood filler. Let the wood filler dry for two to three hours. Sand the wood with 320-grit sandpaper to make the repair flush with the existing surface. Wipe the surface with a tack cloth.

7. Dip a small section of a clean, lint-free rag into a gel wood stain, if you desire a color other than natural oak. Wipe off excess stain on the edge of the stain can. Place the rag on the edge of the furniture and wipe the stain onto the surface in one smooth motion, following the wood grain from one side to the other side of the furniture. Do not move the staining rag back and forth over the area; only move in one direction. Continue to dip the rag into the stain, remove excess stain and wipe the stain across the furniture until stain covers all surfaces. Let the stain dry for three to four hours. Turn the furniture over and stain parts of the furniture that were out of sight using the same method as you did for the rest of the piece.

8. Continue to add layers of stain until you reach your desired depth of color. Let the final coat of stain dry overnight.

9. Sand the oak furniture surface lightly with 400-grit sandpaper, following the wood grain. Wipe the surface with a tack cloth.

10. Dip a foam applicator into polyurethane and apply two to three coats, allowing each coat to dry for three to four hours.

Tags: tack cloth, with tack, with tack cloth, wood grain, four hours, palm sander, palm sander sanding

Spanishstyle Kitchen Decorating

Spanish-Style Kitchen Decorating

One attractive and exciting way in which to decorate a kitchen is by giving it a warm, Spanish-style influence. To achieve a kitchen that is inspired by Spain, focus on vibrant colors and dramatic contrasts, combining a sense of light and earthiness. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Use natural materials, such as wood or stone or clay tiles for flooring. Paint walls in a strong and vibrant color, such as deep yellow, that will also infuse the kitchen with light. Apply a rough faux finish on the walls to give them a rugged look.

2. Choose a rustic dark wood for cabinets and kitchen furniture. Use deep green, dark blue or fiery red for accent colors in table linens, appliances, containers and other objects throughout the kitchen.

3. Incorporate wrought-iron details. Wrought iron is a very common feature in many traditional Spanish kitchens. Look for wrought-iron fixtures such knobs, light fittings, racks, hooks and handles.

4. Accessorize, Spanish-style. Hang fresh herbs on strings or grow herbs in pots on the windowsill. Set out decorative olive oil bottles. Place Spanish cookware such as cazuelas, or terracotta dishes, and paella pans on display. Use earthenware jars to hold cooking utensils. An arrangement of brightly colored bowls and plates also can add to the overall Spanish look of the kitchen.

5. Install ceramic tiles. Hand-painted tiles appear frequently in Spanish kitchens. For a more "Old World" Spanish ambiance, use mosaic tiles instead.

Tags: Kitchen Decorating, Spanish kitchens

Make A Nightcrawler Worm Farm

Nightcrawlers--worms--like moist non-compacted soil. They also like nitrogen-based, non-acidic organic material to eat. In exchange they aerate our soil and release much-needed nutrients (called castings) that plants thrive on--and they are a wonderful bait when fishing. Raising these little marvels is easy and takes up very little space. A worm farm can be a very complex and elegant multi-storied affair or it can be a much simpler box farm. With just a little care, your nightcrawler farm can produce thousands of nightcrawlers a month for your own personal use or to give or sell to others. Follow these steps.

Instructions

1. Buy a simple plastic box approximately 7 inches deep by 9 inches wide and 14 inches long. Your box can be a different size--whatever is convenient for you. Your box should not be clear. If it is clear, cover it with newspaper to keep the light out.

2. Shred newspaper and place in plastic box. Spray the shredded newspaper (black and white pages only) with water from your spray bottle until the paper is damp, but not dripping wet.

3. Add garden soil to the box and thoroughly mix the soil and the shredded newspaper. Spray with the water bottle to moisten the soil. Do not pack it down.

4. Crush two or three cooked (not raw) eggs shells and mix them into the soil and newspaper.

5. Add red worms or tiger worms. Garden worms and true night crawlers do not do as well in a worm farm. Bait shops and many hobby store sell worms. Place the box in an out of the way place away from the light. Never set the box in direct sunlight. Keep the box at room temperature.

6. Add a few table scraps to your worm farm. Pieces of fruit and vegetables are good. Citrus fruits have too much acid and are not good. Coffee and tea also have too much acid and should not be added to your farm. Do not add salty products such as potato chips.

7. Harvest approximately half of your worm farm every month. If you continue adding crush cooked egg shell, your worms will reproduce with abandon. Approximately half to three quarters of the soil can be removed each month and used as fertilizer. Add new shredded newspaper and garden soil each month to make up for the soil you remove. Spray with water every couple of days to keep the farm moist but not soaking wet.

Tags: shredded newspaper, with water, worm farm, each month, garden soil, have much

Start A Business Presenting A Business Case

Start with a plan!

Running a business demands many skills---marketing, accounting, management, etc. The most difficult part is entering the industry, and the start-up stage involves persuading people and organizations to offer financing.

An entrepreneur needs a strong business plan to obtain financial support for the enterprise. The business plan must show that you have a clear vision for your business and that you are able to respond to the challenges you may meet. Show reasonable expectations of costs and revenue, an understanding of your industry and market, and a niche for your product.

Instructions

The Plan

1. Show that you have a deep understanding of the industry you are about to enter, its size and complexity, and identify potential competitors. Present a thorough portrait of the field, and identifying potential competitors is particularly important.

2. Clearly define the market fro the product. For a consumer product, the businessman must show the demographics and habits of his target population. For a business product, he needs to describe the target industry as well as his own.

3. Demonstrate that a new product will be able to claim a quality that differentiates it from competitors. Without this, the product won't be able to compete with established brands that the market is already familiar with.

Pricing is an element of the product---a good sold at a lower price than comparable goods is a new product. It may define the product's niche.

4. Your plan needs to be promoted to reach the market. It must be clear how the brand is defined, and advertising channels must suit the target audience.

The opening of a new business is a good opportunity for publicity, or free promotion. The business owner should be able to show in his business plan that he knows exploit the chance.

5. Create a budget for the first year, and a longer-term budget for the first five years. Financing should include your own investment, raised investment and debt.

Although the business plan needs to show that the owner anticipates negative events, the budget should also plan for positive outcomes.

The Audience

6. Approach banks for loans. Present a strong credit rating and a projected cash flow that will allow you to repay the debt.

7. Network to find individual investors. Anyone familiar with the industry should be approached with the business plan. The wise entrepreneur will ask for advice before he asks for backing.

8. Approach angel investors and venture capital firms on your second round of funding. They are generally interested in established businesses.

Tags: business plan, budget first, familiar with, must show, plan needs, potential competitors

Southwest Furniture On A Budget

Southwest-style furniture is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners from all walks of life. This unique style of furniture can look great in a modest cabin or in the most handsome dream home. No matter what your style, chances are Southwest furniture can fit into your home and your budget. With a few shopping tips and some careful planning, you can have a houseful of beautiful Southwest furniture without breaking the bank. Does this Spark an idea?

Check Your Local Consignment Store

Furniture is designed to be sturdy and durable, and a well-made living room, dining room or bedroom set can look great for decades. The problem is that many people change the decor of their homes and their furniture long before the old set has lost its luster. When this happens, those homeowners often send the old furniture to a consignment store.

Furniture consignment stores have been popping up all over the place, many of them in wealthy, upscale neighborhoods. These consignment stores are able to sell top-quality furniture, including wonderful Southwest designs, at highly competitive prices. Homeowners can save thousands of dollars compared to the price of buying new furniture.

Refinish Your Own Furniture and Save

If you have some woodworking tools available and a modicum of talent, you may want to create your own masterpiece by stripping and refinishing Southwest-style dining room, living room and bedroom furniture. A quick trip to your local yard sales or thrift stores should give you a good idea of what is available. Chances are there are plenty of Southwest furniture pieces out there in need of a little TLC, and the good news is that you should be able to pick them up for a song.

With a little bit of elbow grease, you can transform those ugly pieces of furniture into the dream dining room, living room or bedroom you have always wanted. This strategy can save you thousands of dollars while giving you the satisfaction of a job well done.

Shop Around

Southwestern furniture is one of the most beautiful and versatile styles of furniture on the market. Its bright, vibrant colors work in virtually any room, and its unique style fits in any type of house. Many homeowners worry that they will not be able to afford new furniture for their entire house, but with some smart shopping, they may find that they can outfit their homes with beautiful Southwest furniture at a price they can afford.

When shopping for Southwest furniture, it is a good idea to cast your net as widely as possible. You will of course want to shop at traditional furniture stores, but you should also look at discount furniture and consignment stores as well. By shopping around as much as possible, you can get a good idea of the price you will be paying and compare prices and quality across a wide variety of brands and styles.

Tags: Southwest furniture, consignment stores, dining room, good idea, living room, room bedroom

Metal Gear Solid 1 The Twin Snakes List Of Bosses

Beat 10 diverse bosses in "The Twin Snakes."

"Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes" features an impressive list of bosses. The game is a remake of the original "Metal Gear Solid" and its sequel, "The Sons of Liberty," made exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube. The bosses encountered in "Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes" include both new characters and old favorites.

Revolver Ocelot

Revolver Ocelot is the first boss encountered in "Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes." He can be defeated by shooting him three times in the head while dodging the bullets he fires.

M1 Tank

The M1 Tank appears halfway through the snowfield. The best strategy is to use claymores to disable the tank and then use grenades to kill the gunner while crouching below his line of sight.

Ninja

The Ninja requires quick reflexes and punch/kick combos to defeat when he appears as the third boss in "Metal Gear Solid." The Ninja uses a stealth suit and can teleport, but his attacks are limited to close range. He can be defeated using thermal goggles and quickly rolling out of range of his attacks, then counter-punching.

Psycho Mantis

The fourth boss in "Twin Snakes," Psycho Mantis, has the ability to cloak himself and throws deadly balls of energy as well as objects from around the room. Use the thermal goggles and the "Nikitas" to punch him when he is in range. When the "HIDEO" message appears onscreen, pause the game and change the controller from the first port to the fourth port.

Sniper Wolf

The fifth boss battle in "Metal Gear Solid" is a sniper's duel. The elusive Sniper Wolf is very accurate with her sniper rifle and will cause heavy damage with each hit scored. Use night-vision goggles and the pillars as cover. Once the laser of her sniper rifle is no longer visible, equip the PSG1-T sniper rifle and crouch in the center of the room. Shoot her in the head three times to quickly defeat her.

Hind D

The Russian-made Hind D makes for an interesting battle during the sixth boss encounter in "Metal Gear Solid." The Hind circles your position firing missiles and machine gun bursts. Use the Stinger missile and fire from the cover of the doorway to down the attack helicopter.

Sniper Wolf-2

This is the second encounter with Sniper Wolf and the seventh boss battle in "Metal Gear Solid." The woodland setting of this battle makes using the cover of the hills and trees a necessity. Use them in a similar fashion as the pillars in the first encounter. Run from cover when possible and shoot her with the PSG1-T sniper rifle.

Vulcan Raven

Vulcan Raven, the eighth boss in "Twin Snakes," always follows the same path through the crates in the room. Quickly defeat him without being seen by using claymore mines set along his route through the room.

Metal Gear Rex

Metal Gear Rex is a heavily armed giant robot that has lasers, machine guns and missiles. When "Rex" fires, there is enough time to dodge his attack and return fire on the ray dome on his head. Use body armor to reduce the damage if he scores a hit. Avoid the machine guns and laser by running left and right, and dodge the missiles by running towards him.

Liquid Snake

The final boss in "Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes" is the evil twin brother of the main character, Liquid Snake. This is a hand-to-hand battle with a time limit that adds a degree of difficulty to the encounter. Use punch and kick combos to defeat him with counterattacks. Avoid knocking him over the ledge unless it is absolutely necessary, because it will waste valuable time as he climbs back up.

Tags: Metal Gear, Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid, Twin Snakes, Gear Solid Twin

Job Description For Health Care Management

Health care managers supervise other workers.

There's a lot of money on the health care system, and like any other business, health care needs managers to run the day-to-day operations of providing health services. Health care management is the field where executives, administrators and other workers provide managerial services to the health care industry. These workers can be found in hospitals, elder-care facilities, and any place where health services are provided and need to be managed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Health care managers spend much of their time dealing with the various business needs of the health care facility in which they work. Whether it's integrating new technology into the facility, managing specific departments within an organization or overseeing financial matters, they are intimately involved with the daily operations of the health care industry. Beginning managers will often supervise a department, such as accounting, physical therapy, information systems or other areas. More experienced managers can supervise multiple departments and manage an entire hospital, nursing home or even multiple facilities.

Work Environment

Most health care managers work in a comfortable office setting. Many work extended hours, especially in environments where round-the-clock operations are necessary. Some health care managers can spend a lot of time traveling, such as those who work for companies with numerous facilities located in different area. Top level managers can often spend long hours, nights and weekends working.

Education and Training

Like other business managers, health care managers must be experienced and knowledgeable with the principles involved in managing people and organizations. Entry-level jobs in this area typically require at least a bachelor's degree in business management, health care administration, and similar fields. Upper level management typically requires a master's degree along with relevant work experience. Nursing home managers must be licensed by their state, while other managers may require additional certification and training.

Skills

Health care managers must not only have a broad knowledge base about the health care industry, but they must also be able to supervise and manage workers from broad backgrounds. Coordinating the activities of physicians, nurses, support staff, and anyone else involved in the health care process requires leadership and motivational skills, as well as the ability to plan and communicate effectively. Health care managers must have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills.

Jobs and Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates about 283,000 health services manager positions existed in 2008. Between 2008 and 2018, these jobs are expected to grow faster than average, with good job opportunities for those with relevant managerial work experience. These workers earned an average salary of about $80,000 in 2008, with the top 10 percent earning over $137,000 per year.

Tags: care managers, health care, managers must, care industry, care managers must

What Equipment To Take On A Gem Mining Trip

A gem mining trip allows you to go prospecting for gems like sapphire, garnet and topaz. There are different ways of prospecting, but all require little equipment. Before you decide on which mine you want to prospect, call ahead to find out the kinds of prospecting you can do and whether the mine rents equipment for the purpose.

Sluicing

Sluicing is common in gem mining operations. You sit before a sluiceway or a flume, which is a channel of running water, and wash scoops of ore and dirt with a framed screen so that only stones are left. The personnel of the mining operation can help you identify which stones are actually gems in the rough.

Buckets or bags of dirt and ore are provided, along with the screens and shovels/scoops, so you don't need to bring much. If you will be sluicing awhile, a cushion makes it easier. This is an outdoor activity, and the water can get cold in the winter. Wear warm clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and latex or rubber gloves to keep hands dry.

Creeking/Panning

Mountain mining operations may have creeks flowing through the terrain that are available for prospecting. The creeks will be up to knee-deep and can contain gems that have been deposited in the waters from surrounding mines through erosion.

Some people like to look for gems by peering at the exposed gravel and rock. Screening, or panning, is more common and more productive. To pan, you need a hand shovel and a screen, which is some type of metal grid enclosed in a frame. Screening is similar to straining things in the kitchen: dump a shovelful of gravel on the screen and strain with the available water. Mining operations will rent or sell you equipment if you don't have your own. Bring sunblock and, perhaps, insect repellent. Wear shoes that can take a splash.

Digging

To dig for gems is to cut into the ground or in a mine's vein, hoping to find a mother lode that yields a valuable find. This kind of prospecting is real labor and requires a rock hammer, shovel and bucket. Mining operations will usually supply them for a fee. Equipment you bring from home might have to be approved before you can use it.

Other Bring-alongs

If you find gems, you'll need something in which to take them home. Sealable plastic bags work fine. A lot of gem mining can be wet and/or dirty, so old towels are a good idea. Your shoes might get muddy, so bring an extra pair plus a large plastic bag for the dirtied ones. Don't forget extra socks. You might find yourself kneeling, so kneepads can help. Besides hand shovels, a folding shovel can come in handy for times you need to dig while standing.

Tags: Mining operations, Mining operations will, operations will

Spanish Interior Decoration

Mexican Decorative Pattern

Want to add a little more Latin spice to your life? Latin decorations exude that energetic and positive vibe that everyone can benefit from. The colorful patterns can wow you and make you upbeat and happy. Just like Spanish music, a splendid Spanish interior decoration can make you feel like everything is OK, even when it's not.

Painting

Avoid using wallpaper when decorating homes Spanish-style. This would cost far too much money. Instead, paint your walls with colors other than white. Orange, yellow, green and red are the trendiest colors. Avoid using more than two colors on each wall, as this could result in a gaudy-looking and unattractive wall.

Sculptures/Folk Art

Adobe sculptures are the essence of Latin decor. Make sure that the piece will fit or meshes well with the color of your walls. Place the sculptures in appropriate spots of the room you wish to decorate. Also, buy some cheap folk art such as clay plates, cups and jars that blend with the color of your furniture.

Artwork/Flooring

Search for framed artwork of famous Latin painters to put on your walls. Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo have created some of the most beautiful masterpieces known to man. For flooring, use hardwood floors instead of carpet. If you prefer tiled flooring, choose ceramic or terracotta tiles. For rugs, go with an rustic, ethnic-style rug to get that authentic Spanish aura.

Tags: your walls, Avoid using, color your, with color, with color your