Easter Envelopes: "My Easter Gift" - Offering Envelopes

Easter Envelopes: "My Easter Gift" - Offering Envelopes Review






Easter Envelopes: "My Easter Gift" - Offering Envelopes Feature


  • 100 High Quality Offering Envelopes
  • Matching Letterhead Available: "He is not here: He has risen! Alleluia!"








Visit : Easter Product Store

Read more

Easter Magic Spring School Pencil. 36 Each D1543

Easter Magic Spring School Pencil. 36 Each D1543 Review






Easter Magic Spring School Pencil. 36 Each D1543 Feature


  • Unsharpened, round assorted color barrel, eraser.
  • Glitter barrel with colorful easter bunnies and eggs.








Thanks To : Easter Product Store

Read more

A Car Donation Is A Great Way to Reduce Your Taxes


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Cars that have been in use for around twenty years readily show their age. From overheating engines, wiggling joints, creaking windows and deteriorating paint, cars become less and less desirable as well as becoming less reliable, as they get older.

As it ages, a car becomes a stronger candidate to become a item for donation to charities. The habit of participating in a car donation drive is supposedly a no-lose strategy for both owners and charities.

Owners who donate their cars are eligible for large tax deductions, while recipient charities generate assets that are not usually received through cash contributions. Charities have quite a few choices on what ways to use the donated vehicle.

The car is often used for transportation for food, or to drive officials to appointments or to run errands. The evolution of car donation drives has a short history. The Washington-based Davis Memorial Foundation conducted the first car donation drive in 1978. The project was started by the organization in order to compete for the small quantity of donations that were available in the US at that time.

Davis Memorial only received five cars during the first year of the program, but that was sufficient to persuade other charities to initiate their own car donation ideas. Shortly thereafter, private fundraising groups came forth and made their services available to charities. The private entities took care of logistics, which happened to be a significant rallying point for charities and they made the programs financially rewarding and simple to carry out.

Charities discovered a fresh source of money and they only needed to cash in on the checks that come each month. The larger charities that conduct their own car donations include the Red Cross, Easter Seals, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the United Way, Big Brothers/Sisters, and the American Cancer Society.

How much is your car worth?

Many resources on the Internet such as the web sites of the National Automobile Dealers Association and the Kelley Blue Book are very useful in helping owners find the fair market value of their old cars. The tax advantage is determined by the way the car is categorized in terms of its appraisal.

An auto categorized as "low value" brings the owner a tax exemption of $500. Transactions are easily closed, as supplemental paperwork is not really needed. The tax advantage would be restricted to the sale price of the car donation if the vehicle's value goes over $500.

The majority of autos are sold using an auction or dealerships and are usually sold at less than their true book value. Cars deemed safe to drive and in satisfactory running condition are able to be used for various charity functions or can be rehabilitated might bring in a tax deduction of as much as $5,000 for the owner.

A few issues against car donation

A study from the United States General Accounting Office discovered that almost 75% of charities with car donation efforts only ended up getting 5% or less of the fair market value of a car that was included as a charitable donation in an individual's tax return. One of the big reasons for the difference is that expenses to advertise the vehicle in newspapers and television is deducted from the amount received from the auction.

Charities will see returns become smaller, as they need to come up with the costs to tow and overhaul the auto's condition and finalize associated paperwork. Some charities can receive a flat fee for each car donation without regard to its fair market value. Donors have also been known to inflate the value of the vehicle in order to increase their possible tax deductions.

My Links : Easter Product Store

Read more

Cheap Investment Ideas Under $100 Dollars


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Many people understand as time goes on that investing is by far the best thing you can do with your discretionary income. After buying the latest CD or going to yet another night out at the movies, one begins to get jaded about spending ones money in such a futile way. It is obvious as time goes on, that our money working for us, and not the other way around is the best idea for a brighter future, so lets explore some low entry investment ideas for under $100 dollars.

Often, investing in the stock market or real estate which are the traditional vehicles to wealth, can have prohibitive entry costs. The amount of cash you have to invest is staggering to the average person and so, looking for smaller sized investment vehicles may be necessary.

When investing small amounts of money of $100 to $500 dollars, one needs to take a different strategy. Traditional investments are typically very conservative and a return at the end of the year of a mere 10% is an excellent return. But with small seed capital, waiting a year to make $10 on your $100 dollar investment is not exactly going to make you rich.

The strategy to use with small investments is to be aggressive and seek out returns of 1000% or more per year. If you could turn your initial $100 into $1000 dollars then we have something to work with. To achieve this you need short cycle investments of a week or a few weeks and also this point of having speed of returns makes it possible over a year to get a %1000 result.

The other point with low seed capital investments is to invest in many and hedge your bets. By this I mean, when you invest aggressively for high and fast returns you expect that on occasion you will not get a return or even see your money. This wont happen every time but will happen in high risk high return ventures. Say for example, you divided your money into 10 separate investments and on average, 6 made a return but 4 made nothing or you even lose your $50 on a few of those. In this way, your returns are covering your losses and still making you a return over and above your losing choices. Of course, you don't WANT to lose money, but hedging your bets and understanding the approach you can clearly make far superior returns with small investment seed capital, to the stock market or real estate.

See Also : Easter Product Store

Read more

Araucana Chickens


Image : http://www.flickr.com


If you're interested in raising unique egg-laying chickens, then you'll want to consider the Araucana.

Araucana chickens are raised primarily for their egg-laying, and not as meat birds. They lay blue eggs!

They come in all colors and shades, and have two small tufts of feathers on both sides of their cheeks. True Araucanas are also known for being "rumpless," meaning they actually have no tail or rump.

Tufted Gene Problem

There is a problem with the tufted gene that results in rather high chick mortality for Araucanas. As a result, many hatcheries have hybridized their Araucana chicken breeding programs to include Easter Egger and Ameraucana chickens.

This means that the typical Araucana chicks you may receive from a hatchery could be a mixture of two or three different breeds of chicken. If you're looking for a show quality chick to take to your county fair, this type of hybrid bird will not get you a show winner.

Hybrid Vigor

However, it does mean that your chicks can have what's called "hybrid vigor." Your chicks will be stronger for having the qualities of a few different poultry breeds. And by stronger, I mean better health, better laying qualities, and just plain more vigorous and long-lived chickens.

We've raised hatchery Araucana chicks and loved it! They look unique to begin with since the chicks are different shades. Then as their feathers begin to come in, their looks change. You can end up with hens and roosters of all different colors. We had one chick that grew up to look like a bald eagle!

Colored Eggs

Hybrid Araucana chickens today can lay eggs that come in a variety of shades as well. The eggs can be blue, green, pink, brown, and any shade in between. Araucanas don't lay as many eggs as the traditional egg layers like the Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock, Black Australorp or Wyandottes. On average, you can expect about four eggs per week from an Aracaunana. On the other hand, it's nice to have a varied flock since they, like people, can have differing personalities and strengths.

There are no special health benefits imbued in the Araucana's colored eggs. Studies have shown that their eggs have the same nutritional qualities as regular brown or white eggs. Their appeal lies in their varied appearance and colored eggs.

One tremendous benefit of raising your own eggs is that your eggs will have the gifts of sunshine, fresh air, grass and other green plants, and lots of bugs! When your flock is able to take advantage of good food and good nutrition, they'll pass that on in their eggs. And you and your family profit!

True Araucana chickens came originally from Chile in South America.

Visit : Easter Product Store

Read more

Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy & Being a Millionaire: The Power of Money Beliefs


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Kids make money with the same creative genius that they make up stories - in fact, given a direction, the belief that powers that super imagination will power their money beliefs.

In first grade, I was the one who spoiled it. I told all the kids that there was no such thing as Santa Claus.

As a child, I was never told to believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. They were just figments of someone's imagination. My family focused instead on the religious aspects of both holidays. Now why there was a "Tooth Fairy" in our house is still a mystery. I mean, out of the 3, the Tooth Fairy seems to be the most ridiculous. Who really wants your tooth? The idea of somebody sneaking into your bedroom at night and getting all the way to your pillow is actually pretty scary when you think about it. But the money found there in the morning was concrete proof that my faith was founded on reality. I was a believer.

However, no one had to talk me into the boogie man who lived in the basement closet though; that was set in stone. There was incontrovertible evidence of his existence, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on edge whenever I would pass by the door, the lump in my throat when I would turn the handle to open that door and reach inside; the lightening speed with which I would grab whatever I had come for, slam the door and run back upstairs. Yup, he was real. I was a believer.

Then as years passed, I stopped losing teeth and we moved and cleaned out the closet. It was time for me to grow up.

It's a sad day when common sense and logic set in and "reality" rules. We don't realize it at the time; it just seems that we're doing what we were told and growing up. We don't understand until later that the unshakable faith and the magic contained in the power of our belief would carry us so much farther than logic.

Read through almost any inspirational or positive thinking program. Pick up any book, attend any seminar, what do you always find? No matter what other hints or advice or success training you'll receive, invariably the first step is to believe that you can have it, change it or do it. There is always a call to action which includes a knowing that it is possible, there's a flutter of hope, something that defies logic and yet rings true.

Kind of like when you were five and you slipped that first tooth under your pillow. You had been told that money would show up in exchange for that tooth in the morning. Even if you were a know-it-all and had some doubt, you believed enough to try it. Then, when the money was there, you knew it was right all along. There had been the ring of truth, that little possibility that made you think, "Could it really happen?" Your faith produced the hoped for result. You were a believer.

How much easier would success come to us as adults if we always retained that unshakable faith?

How much easier would success come to our children if they always retained that unshakable faith?

If the expectation that Santa Claus was definitely coming down the chimney was somehow bottled up so that long after you stop believing in Santa (or become Santa), the belief in knowing that what you choose to see in your life will show up, where would that mustard seed of faith take us?

Would we have started that business, knowing that we believed that we could do it, so it was possible? Would we have gone ahead and invested in that vacant land that our adult, logical brain called a crazy chance? Would we have met that person, taken that job in another city or gone for that promotion?

Rather than working hard at regaining that childish faith, let's work at encouraging our children to retain that faith. Sure, Santa and the Easter Bunny won't last forever, neither thankfully will that monster that lives in the closet. But the power of knowing that something is real and possible and a belief in yourself and your creative power - that is the key to success! That is the engine that drives us to the money, to the person of our dreams, to whatever goal we're reaching for: the belief that we can get there.

Let's give our children the opportunity to take the shortcut directly to what they truly wish to achieve. Encourage and nurture that unshakable faith and watch how far it will take them. If we put half the effort into growing our child's money beliefs as we do squeezing that one last year of faith in Santa, we would watch our kids make money with just as much enthusiasm as they make that Christmas list!

Recommend : Easter Product Store

Read more

Start a Catering Business - Develop a Menu Plan


Image : http://www.flickr.com


One of the important steps in setting up your catering business is the creation of a menu plan. You should have a variety of options on your companies menus so that you are able to offer clients a wide selection and have something that suits every event.

The following are the top ten points to consider when making a menu:

1) Event- Menus for weddings differ from that of a sweet sixteen's or a product launching. You should always keep in mind the kind people who will be attending the event. The guests of a tea party may likely consume scones and other pastries while you have to serve up a large volume of hot dogs and burgers in a birthday party for a 5-year old. Dishes served during Christmas may not be appropriate to serve during Easter.

2) Time of the Event- Different menus should be created for the time of day that events will be held. A good caterer will have options for breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as afternoon teas and suppers.

3) Budget- This will dictate the ingredients you can possibly buy and use and what dishes you can serve and also the volume.

4) Number of Guests- You have to coordinate with your client the number of guests who will be attending the event so you can work out the appropriate food quantities to prepare to ensure that all guests will be satisfied and no food will go to waste.

5) The Kitchen- The menu will depend on the kind of equipment that you have. You cannot prepare something that your kitchen is not capable of making. So if your kitchen has a shortage of steamers for example, obviously you'll have to cross dumplings off the menu.

6) Food Compatibility- Taste and visual appeal is also important in making a menu. One way of achieving this is by imagining if certain foods look good when served together on a tray. A menu should have the right balance of meats, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and so on.

7) Special Dietary Requirements- Most people now are into special diets. You may have to come up with dishes that will satisfy vegans or you may have to consider coming up with a menu that is either fat-free to cater to clients who are trying to eliminate fat in their diet. Food allergies are another thing to consider. Be sure to inform your serving staff about the ingredients of your dishes so that they are ready to answer any questions that guests may have.

8) Current Trends- You may encounter clients or even guests who are adventurous eaters so in order to inspire them, come up with unique dishes and keep up to date with food trends.

9) Profitability- Encourage the client to upgrade to more expensive dishes using more expensive ingredients. Always have more expensive options available so that you can up-sell clients on more expensive dishes that improve your profit margin.

10) Courses per meal - The way that you cater to an event and the menu that you prepare will also be influenced by the number of courses that clients want.

Once your catering business has established its menu policy, you can make small revisions in your menu like removing unpopular dishes and trying out new things occasionally. Make your catering business a success by giving menu preparation the time and attention that it deserves.

Related : Easter Product Store

Read more

Easter Egg Hunt (Strawberry Shortcake)

Easter Egg Hunt (Strawberry Shortcake) Review






Easter Egg Hunt (Strawberry Shortcake) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780448447131
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed








My Links : Easter Product Store

Read more

Evangelism - 'Connections' Day 1 "Let's Get Serious"


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Evangelism, JESUS Centred, resources for the Christian Church. Biblical, Scripture audio for ideas. Witnessing skills for church builders, including youth and Evangelism.
As John the Baptist (quoting Isaiah 40) said: "Prepare the way for the lord, make straight paths for him"

'Connections', a 7 day "Everyday Evangelism" mini seminar.

Day 1: "Let's get serious"

I want to open with a question. Do you really know Jesus?
By this I mean do you have an intimate relationship with Him? Have you invited Him to be the Boss of your life? Do you know the God of the Bible who created you and all that is from the very beginning? Do you know really how much God loves you? Do you know He sent his only Son to die a hideous death for you and me so we could be with him forever? Do you know the Jesus that will return to take all His people to our true home to enjoy Him forever?

...Or do you only know ABOUT Jesus. There is A DIFFERENCE!
This is fundamental to everything I say here. The majority (if not the whole thing!) revolves around you introducing people to the Lord Jesus Christ. It's pretty hard to introduce people to somebody you don't know personally. Please, if you don't know our wonderful savoir and his intense love for you visit.

Knowing God and having an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus is the single most important decision of our existence. I use 'existence' instead of 'lives' on purpose. I say existence because our answer to His call will go beyond this life. Our very existence is tied to our creator, regardless of what we believe. No matter who we are and what station we have here on earth, the day will come when we have to face God. On that day, everything we care and long for will pale into insignificance compared with God who now stands before us. Please, I urge you now, give your life to the Lord Jesus and follow Him!

If you know the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please read on. If we know how serious God is to connect with us, we will be driven to do the same with others. I say 'driven' not to scare you, but to encourage you. 'Driven' does not mean working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 'Driven' does not mean feeling guilty because we could have squeezed more into our time. It also doesn't mean we must be crippled by constantly worrying about the quality of our performance. What it does mean is we never forget God. We revel in God's presence 24 hours a day. We actively thank Him and constantly look out for what He is doing. It also means we strive to give God our best, knowing He only gives us His best. It can mean many more things. God is our focus. We do our best to reflect Him. We strive to see people and His world through His eyes. We love passionately because we know we are loved beyond measure. We give our best because we are given the best. We know we are loved when the hands that flung stars into space let 9-inch nails be driven into them for us.

I came across an old Easter post here: post

There is a post from Lady Haleth. I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her here, but it really says it all.

Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!
He did all this for us, and what are we doing for Him? Just a thought. I saw The Passion on Thursday and... wow, my world is changing. Easter has come alive for me! In the words of the old song:

When I survey the wondrous Cross,

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God,

All the vain things that charm me most

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Amen!!

Please meditate on the above words from Lady Haleth.

May God bless you in all your endeavors.

My parting thoughts for now:

Have you invited the risen Lord Jesus to be in charge of your life?


(Echoing Lady Haleth) If so, how has this changed the way you think?

Visit : Easter Product Store

Read more

Water Makes Muscles More Elastic?!


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Before you say, "yeah, yeah, yeah I know to drink 8 cups a day and live until a hundred. Boring, heard it all before" and close the page... your best bet would be to read on, for what you are about to learn may indeed not only broaden your circle of knowledge, but save your life.

I feel like the end of June is the perfect time to bring the topic of "water" to the attention of my fellow athletes.

We all heard stories of dehydration. Temperature climbs over a hundred. A senior citizen is taken to the emergency room due to a heat stroke. An overeager jogger collapses experiencing muscle spasms while exercising. These stories go on and on.

I have to say that the majority of Martial Arts instructors do not have degrees in Exercise Physiology. What they do have is tradition. We can only hope that the tradition they follow is safe. For instance, when I was a student, my master never allowed his students to drink water. He would turn on the fan, and spray the water on every student, yet would not allow us to actually consume it. It was considered as "lack of self discipline" to drink during a workout session. I guess marathon runners don't have any discipline, for all I know.

The fact is that a properly hydrated body can withstand a workout session 30-45 minutes in length without water. After that it must be hydrated. Yes, we all heard about the Special Operation Forces; they workout the whole day and don't eat or drink. That may be true, but this type of training doesn't last long. Few days, a week at most. However, most of us are not training for special missions (although we sure do wish we were). We want to know how to defend ourselves, or win a tournament. Going for a long time without water, is not a requirement for us.

Let's look at some facts. I am not trying to bring back H.S. biology class. Just want to give you some general ideas. An average human body is 80% water. Muscles however are 75% water. The fact is that muscles loose elasticity with diminishing water content. They get tight and if nothing is done, spasms might develop.

Martial Artists happens to be on the higher end of the water loss, as compared to other athletes. Our sport is highly aerobic, thus highly heat producing. When sweat is excreted to cool the body, water is lost. Let's not forget about exercise metabolism. Fat is burned, sugar is burned, and protein is converted. Metabolic products are produced. Some are very toxic. If they are to sit in a body for too long, illness can develop. Our bodies try to prevent it from happening. Toxic metabolites are quickly diluted and excreted. There goes water loss through the kidneys.

Oh, and let's not forget about shouting. Most martial arts styles yell, like there is no tomorrow. There goes water loss, and a lot of it. Lungs facilitate water loss, just as much as the next guy. Who is "kia- ing" now? Don't take my word for it. Remember what happens when you speak a lot? Long speeches make the throat mouth and lips dry. That's what most of us notice, but the train doesn't stop there. To hydrate those areas, water is drawn out of the muscles. No wonder your performance suffers. Remember drinking water is not only necessary to keep the mouth moist, but everything else as well.

It is safe to say that most people are dehydrated but don't even know it. Thirst is not the fist signal of dehydration. It' may not even be the second. So if you do experience thirst, watch out.

Here are some very common symptoms of dehydration:

Fatigue

Digestive discomfort

Headaches

Constipation

Anger

Etc.

As a matter of fact, some experts related dehydration to more serious conditions, such as:

Ulcers

Obesity

Asthma

Allergies

If you want to know more, feel free to do some research.

Remember an elder person, will experience these symptoms more than a youngster, even if the level of dehydration is the same.

If after reading this you decide to drink more water. Remember pure water is the best choice. Go for bottled or filtered variety. If you are active 10-12 glasses will serve you right.

Tip:

Heard about athletic drinks?
To replace expensive and artificial re-hydration beverages, try this:

Into a litter of water add sea salt and raw organic dehydrated cane juice. These substances are the most natural and pure sources of salt and sugar. They are not refined and contain many useful vitamins and minerals. The pureness of this substances, minimizes the negative effects of salt and sugar that we are used to hear about. Experiment with taste. Besides replenishing nutrients lost while sweating, this drink helps to prevent water loss, and facilitates water retention in your cells.

Try this for a few weeks as a supplementation to your ElasticSteel program, and you may be marveled by the results.

Best Wishes,

PAUL

ElasticSteel.com

ElasticSteel - Method of Athletic Conditioning

Get Your copy Today!

Got questions? Post them on ElasticSteel.com's Forum and ElasticSteel Team and your fellow Martial Artists will answer them for you in no time. Click here now!

The statements put force in this newsletter had not been evaluated by the FDA or the Main Stream Medical Community and is for investigative and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Before trying anything suggested in this and future newsletters, Paul Zaichik, ElasticSteel.com and its Affiliates, urge you to seek the advice of a Physician.

Friends Link : Easter Product Store

Read more

Why Gift Baskets Make Great Gifts


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Perhaps you are facing a dilemma: you need to give a special family member, friend or work associate a lovely gift, but you are not sure what gift. You go online and there are so many choices that it is hard to know where to begin searching. There is one easy solution, however, that is sure to please everyone on your list, and that is a gift basket. Gift baskets make great gifts because of their versatility. They can be personalized to each recipient's particular tastes, can be designed around particular themes, and their presentation makes them a delight to receive.

One reason why gift baskets make such fantastic gifts is their ability to be arranged to each recipient's specific tastes. An empty basket is an open vessel waiting to be filled, and you can make sure each and every gift recipient is happy when you take advantage of personalized gift baskets. If you have a sports enthusiast on your list, for example, you can include sports-related gift items focused on this special someone's activity. It might be tennis or golf, or any host of other athletics, but a basket can hold several different accessories or supplies that will make your friend or relative smile with delight. Maybe you would like to pamper someone. One way to do that would be to give a gift basket that offers spa treatments, lotions, body creams and sponges, and other special items that your friend would especially enjoy.

Gift baskets also make great gifts because they can be arranged around a particular theme. Some common themes include holidays, events, and even colors. Let's say it is Easter, and you would like to give some children lovely Easter holiday gift baskets. The holiday of Easter sets the theme of the basket, and items such as chocolate rabbits and eggs, marshmallow chicks, and other confections can go inside the basket. Also plush toys such as rabbits and chicks make enjoyable additions. Pastel colors are often associated with spring, and the season in which Easter falls, so you might opt for the candy and toys to be in pastel colors. Finally, you can select your recipient's favorite colors and use them as a focus for not only the gift items in the basket, but also for the colorful wraps, ribbons and bows, as well as gift cards.

Another example of why gift baskets make an outstanding gift is that they are gorgeous to look at even before you open them up. You can go all out with presentation. Color-coordinated ribbons and bows allow you to layer on colors, and achieve a richer overall effect. No matter who gets the gift, they will be delighted with your thoughtful gift basket.

Recommend : Easter Product Store

Read more

Where Did the Laptop Come From?


Image : http://www.flickr.com


You see them everywhere; laptop computers used by consumers, regardless of their location - on the bus, train, at work and at home. But how did they actually come about? Who had the first idea to take a large personal computer and turn it into a small, compact, transportable device?

The first recorded idea of a laptop computer was penned by William Moggridge in 1979. He designed a computer that was one fifth of the weight of a desk computer, and which was first used by NASA on the space shuttle program. It did not, however, appear anything like the laptops we have today. This was largely due to the fact that smaller versions of the components that are necessary to run a computer had not yet been invented. As such, this first effort for a laptop was not surprisingly bulky, slow and had to be connected to a mains power supply. Nevertheless, you could still use it on your lap.

As the 1980's progressed, many other designers came up with ideas for portable computers. Manny Fernandez is believed to be the first to promote the term 'laptop' for his 1983 Gavilan computer. Furthermore, Adam Osborne was the creator of what is thought to be the first laptop to resemble what we now have today, although it only had a five inch screen and weighed twenty-four pounds.

The term 'notebook computer' began being used in association with laptops toward the end of the 1980's as the designs headed more for a folding book-like appearance. These laptops were still incredibly expensive, however, with many only being able to be afforded by top executives from large companies.

As demand increased for the new portable computers, so did their design and function. Technological advancements and innovations in computer parts led to the ability to further reduce a laptop's size, therefore making them easier to transport for the daily commute. The newer laptops had improved their battery power, whilst more applications were available that allowed a user to simulate their office access, and environment almost anywhere.

Of course the evolution of the internet has played a large role in the development of the laptop. Wireless internet receivers are now a necessary component of any laptop, especially if you wish to take advantage of the integration of wireless internet into public areas such as cafes and trains - an option that has become very popular in recent times amongst individuals. Programs utilising this wireless technology to create a secure connection with a fixed server in an office have also improved the ability to work remotely.

Laptops are now a coveted commodity. Luckily they are more affordable these days with some great laptop deals [https://www.computacenterexpress.com/connect/primary/vendor/vendor.jsp?PAGE_FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026165&Site=CCDirect] available both online and in retail stores. With a varied range of specifications available, the most difficult decision may be selecting the laptop that best suits one's needs.

Tags : Easter Product Store

Read more

SmudgeArt Bunny Art Design - Easter Bunny - Colored Eggs - Greeting Cards-12 Greeting Cards with envelopes

SmudgeArt Bunny Art Design - Easter Bunny - Colored Eggs - Greeting Cards-12 Greeting Cards with envelopes Review












Friends Link : Easter Product Store

Read more

24 Packs of 8 Easter Bunny Party Hats

24 Packs of 8 Easter Bunny Party Hats Review












Related : Easter Product Store

Read more

Selecting Schools in Paris France


Image : http://www.flickr.com


One of the hardest parts of our move was finding schools in Paris.

We moved to Paris France in August 2008 when our children were ages ten and twelve and neither of them spoke any French. Now that we've lived in Paris for a year I realize that finding schools is one of the biggest challenges faced by all families relocating to Paris, including French families moving home after living overseas.

My strongest advice with regards to schools is to investigate the different options early, apply to a few schools and don't assume you have a place until after you receive your acceptance letter.

Things to consider when choosing a school include; whether or not your children speak French, their general scholastic aptitude, their personality, the length of your stay in France, where you will be livings and your budget.

French Public Schools

Public schools in France are free and offer a generally high level of French education. Many children integrate perfectly well into the French-only classroom. The younger your children are the easier this is going to be. In France you can send children to school starting at age 3 "Maternelle". The elementary school is called "ecole elementaire", middle school is the "college" and high school is "lycee".

The French education system is successful but old fashioned. Children still learn to write with an ink pen and daily dictations are normal. Some public schools will accept children who do not speak any French but not all of them have programs to help the students.

You can register for the French public school in your neighborhood by going to your local "Marie". Make sure you ask what the school will do to help your child transition. Check to see if the school has a program for non-French speaking children. These program places all non-French speaking children in a separate classroom where they work with a teacher specialized in transitioning children into the French system. Depending on the grade level the goal is to move the children into their regular French classroom by Easter of their first year.

I would definitely check out this option as I have recently met two American families who moved to Paris with children from kindergarten to high school and who have had very good experiences with their local schools.

French Public Schools with Tuition Based Immersion Programs

Fees for these schools range from 3000 to 6000 euro a year with the exception of the Lycee Honore de Balzac which is the only French public school I'm aware of that offers a "free" international program.

The principle of these schools is that students who speak French must be bilingual when they enter whereas international students who speak a foreign tongue will grow, either to become bilingual or multilingual with the teaching of the French language.

Unlike regular French Public Schools these schools also offer lessons in literature, geography and history (from 6 to 8 hours a week according to the grade) in the students mother tongue.

EaB Park Monceau (private school subsidized by the French government) and International Sections of Sevres offer immersion programs that are very successful but not as stringent in their academic demands as St. Germain En Laye or Jeannine Manuel. Severs also offers a very strong French/German program for German speakers moving to Paris.

Two of the top rated public schools in Paris offering immersion programs are Jeannine Manuel in the 15th arrondissement and the Lycee International in St. Germain En Laye (a suburb 20 km west of Paris). Although applications typically exceed available spaces by a wide margin, both schools reserve space for international applicants, including children of families who expect to remain in France for a limited period of time.

WARNING! Getting into the top public schools is like getting into college! The application forms are lengthy, you need report cards, references from teachers and principles, samples of the children's work and test results. If everything looks good on paper you might have to fly to France so the children can be tested and the families interviewed. Jeannine Manuel often requires a special IQ test if they do not recognize the educational system of your home country or previous posting.

The schools are very clear about the level of commitment required and explain that there is a lot of pressure on the children and that if they do not meet the required level they will be asked to leave at the end of the year. These schools maintain their top academic ranking by shedding their weaker students every year and continuing to teach to the top of class.

We know students who have had wonderful experiences at these schools and some who have melted under the pressure. Whether or not this is a good option for your family really depends on your children's personalities and on how much time you can commit to helping them with the transition.

Both of our children were accepted on paper at St. Germain En Laye and we had to fly to France just for them to take the entrance tests. We were told that the tests were just a formality but when neither of them passed this left us scrambling to find other schools.

I have meet a number of other families since moving here who had similar experiences and this is why it's important to check out more than one school. I would not recommend trying out for both Jeannine Manuel and St. Germain En Laye in the same year as their entrance criteria is very similar and if you do not make it into one it is very unlikely you will make the other.

Private International Schools

Most subjects are taught in English and the curriculum is either American, British or an international standard designed to help the children transition easily when they return back to their countries of origin or move on to their parents next posting. These schools tend to be very expensive but do provide the easiest transition for non-french speaking children.

The downside to choosing an international option is obviously that the children do not learn to speak fluent french. The academic standard is hard to track as most children only spend one or two years at these schools before moving on.

Both of our children currently attend EaB Victor Hugo which is by far the most affordable of all the international schools. At EaB the school is small with only one class for each grade level. The school is well run, there is a very friendly parent teacher association but the academic standard is harder to judge especially when it comes to middle school and high school where teaching standards very from class to class. On the whole I would have to say I'm happy with the school but if we were planning to stay in Paris for longer than two years we would have gone with an immersion program in one of the French public schools.

Other Things to Consider When Selecting Schools in Paris

If possible find an apartment or house close to the school with good metro, bus or tram options. The school day is long in France and there are no school buses unless you are at private school and even then you can expect to pay around 3000 euro a year for the school bus.

My Links : Easter Product Store

Read more

36 Packs of 2 Easter Cello Bags

36 Packs of 2 Easter Cello Bags Review












Related : Easter Product Store

Read more

Corduroy's Easter Lift-the-Flap

Corduroy's Easter Lift-the-Flap Review






Corduroy's Easter Lift-the-Flap Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780670881017
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed








Visit : Easter Product Store

Read more

Interested in Making Money? Easy Business Ideas You Can Start Up Today


Image : http://www.flickr.com


If you are looking for information on making money, easy business ideas like the following can help make your life easier.

Starting a business can be difficult and it can cost a great deal of money, but that doesn't have to be the case. Here are some easy business ideas which can be set up without a huge amount of capital.

Tutoring

If you have knowledge in an area which is in demand, you could become a tutor, either for adults or children. You need to be able to get on well with people and have the ability to explain information or demonstrate skills clearly.

Depending on the subject, you can teach online or offline or a combination of both. If you are teaching exam subjects you charge competitive rates, especially if your students get good results.

But there are many other subjects which can be taught, including hobbies, sports, music and work-related skills. So you don't need to worry if you didn't get good grades in school subjects!

Pet Feeding

Looking after other people's animals while they are on holiday is an easy way to make some extra cash. You can visit the animal's home, feed it, clean up after it, which is usually all that is required for animals like cats, or you might have to exercise it and groom it, as you would with dogs. You can charge different fees, according to the number of animals and the level of care required.

House Sitting

This is another service which can be offered when people are on holiday. Those with large houses often prefer to have their property occupied when they are away. In some cases you will have very little to do, in others you'll be expected to look after pets and plants. Again, you can charge according to the amount of work you do.

Crafts

If you are good at crafts you can make things and sell them. You can have a seasonal business, for example making Christmas decorations or a range of products which are popular at all times of the year. Or you could have several product lines meeting the demand for holidays such as Easter, Halloween, Valentine's Day and so on. These crafts can be sold in local markets or craft fairs and also marketed online, giving you the possibility of a much broader customer base.

Ghostwriter

If you enjoy writing, you can write for other people. In the past, ghostwriters generally wrote novels or autobiographies for writers or celebrities. However nowadays many web site publishers are on the lookout for good writers and will pay for many different types of writing.

Related : Easter Product Store

Read more

Great Ideas For Crafts For Kids


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Crafts for kids are very popular with parents. It helps them educate their child and enhance their creativity. To make simple crafts all you will need are some supplies like construction paper, pipe cleaners, toothpicks, and macaroni.

Helpful Tips on Crafts For Kids

Tip 1 - Macaroni Necklaces

This is a traditional craft that your kids will surely have fun in doing. All you will need is some yarn and colored macaroni. Then teach your kids to string the macaroni and fashion it into a necklace.

Tip 2 - Pipe Cleaner Construction

With this craft you can use different colored pipe cleaners. By twisting them into shapes they can make animals, building, and anything that fancies your child. Then you can place it on a cardboard and arrange them to make a mini zoo or town.

Tip 3 - Sponge Decors
With the help of sponges you can help enhance the creativity of your kid in drawing. You cut the sponges into shapes like stars, moon, circles, squares, or flowers. Then dip them into paint and apply it on a construction paper. Then you can help your kid frame their artwork.

Tip 4 - Toothpick Art

This particular craft would need lots of toothpicks, gumdrops, marshmallows. Insert toothpicks in marshmallows or gumdrops then you can start building your own bridge or building.

Tip 5 - Paper Chains

You will need to cut strips of paper and glue both ends together to form a circle. Then insert another strip in the circle and glue again both ends until you will form a chain. You can use the paper chains to decorate your room.

Tip 6 - Puppets

With some sheets of foam you can cut out butterflies, flowers, dogs, trees, fishes, and so many more. After painting the cutouts your kids can glue them into Popsicle sticks and start their own puppet show.

Tip 7 - Headbands
You can make simple headbands out of construction paper. Make sure it is the right size of your child's head. You can add some glitzy accessories.

These crafts for kids will surely be an enjoyable pastime. Even the whole family can join and have fun in doing these artsy projects.

Thanks To : Easter Product Store

Read more

New Triple Ways To Make-Money-With-Affiliate-Programs


Image : http://www.flickr.com


People love everything new and better. This is true especially in the Internet market. Affiliate-programs marketers are always eager to discover new ways to make-money-with-affiliate-programs.

In this article I present an overview of the affiliate-program, which offers three new income sourches to make-money-with-affiliate-programs from affiliate-program owners (downline), from online and off-line merchants and from internet customers.

The idea of this new system to make-money-with-affiliate-programs is based on money-saving coupons, which internet customers can print from the company`s web site and get discounts, when they buy products and services online and off-line, even from the customers local shop.

The new system works in 10 different languages and all shops in the system can be found from the company`s web site. For an affiliate-program entrepreneur the system offers a new and unique ways to make-money-with-affiliate-programs.

An affiliate-program owner can join the system for free, but to make-money-with-affiliate-programs, a bigger money, it is wise to upgrade to Executive Affiliate.

An affiliate-program owner can make an income online by referring new affiliates, new merchants and new customers, which means three streams of internet income. An affiliate can also join as a merchant and earn a nice extra income.

This new system to make-money-with-affiliate-program is 100 % digital, so there is no currency or shipping issues and it works both online and off-line. All necessary promòtional material are ready-made.

Merchants can join the system for free and make-money-with-affiliate-programs, they can even decide how big commissions they are willing to pay per product. This is however the biggest benefit: all affiliates in over 200 countries worldwide will promote his business. Merchants will pay only, when actual sales has happened.

This is a tremendous business opportunity for a small business to market products globally in over 200 countries and at the same time for an affiliate to make an income online.

Recommend : Easter Product Store

Read more

Debt! Time to Thrust a Spear Right Through its Ugly Heart


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Do you hold your breath every time the mail delivery person calls? Do you dread Christmas, Easter and the birthdays of family and close relatives? Do you look forward to getting holiday pay and bonuses only because it allows you a little more money to pay the never-ending flood of bills? Like the song by Simply Red... "money's too tight to mention." Is it?

Does any of the above sound just a bit like YOU? Or maybe even... a LOT like you?

Don't worry. I have just described the feelings of millions upon millions of people. BUT... that does not mean that YOU have to accept it. Well, not unless you have already given up and surrendered the rest of your life to the tyranny of debt. Have you already done that? I hope not.

How would you like to put a spear right through the ugly heart of debt forever? You can, you know. All it takes is a decision and then some positive action.

But, the REAL question is this - is the pain of doing something about killing your debt worse than the pain of debt itself?

Maybe you should read that last sentence again just to make sure that you UNDERSTAND what I said.

Are you MORE fearful of changing your habits than the reward of creating a better financial future for yourself? In other words, is it worth the EFFORT that you will need to put in? Only you can answer that.

Nothing worth anything was ever achieved without effort. For many people "effort" is a dirty word. It's far easier to whinge and whine and complain about how bad things are.

So, is that what you will do? Whinge and whine and complain? It's just SO EASY to do nothing. Isn't it? Or...

... are you prepared to confront your debts, put a plan in action, create a wealth building program for yourself and lead a less stressful life? You can beat debt. You CAN thrust a spear right through its heart and never have to worry about it again. If you want to.

Very simply, here are THREE steps:

make a decision

get a plan

work the plan.

If you cannot think of your own plan then - NO PROBLEM - borrow somebody else's.

A little bit of pain now will prevent a lifetime of continuous pain and struggle for you in the future. You can defeat crippling, worrisome debt. But do you REALLY want to? It's YOUR future. Only YOU can decide. Are you ready to take the spear?

Friends Link : Easter Product Store

Read more

Free Sample Donation Thank You Letter For a Fundraising Gift Or Contribution


Image : http://www.flickr.com


The most important letter in direct mail fundraising never aks for a donation. Thank-you letters increase donor loyalty, strengthen relationships and increase your chances of receiving more gifts in the future, including major gifts and legacy gifts.

But only if you get them right.

Direct mail fundraising is about relationships, not revenue. The only way to generate sustainable income through the mail is to thank donors promptly, personally, particularly and positively.

Here is a sample donation thank-you letter.

Friday, January 16, 2006

Samantha Yordvick
363 Blandon Crescent
Tulsa, OK 19188

Dear Samantha:

This is just a quick note, but it comes from my heart to yours as I head out the door for my flight to Bombay.

Thank you for your very kind gift of $100, which we received today. Your generosity will make an immediate difference in the lives of mothers in Calcutta. I'm going to make sure of that on this trip.

For one thing, we are going to use your gift to fund our early intervention program. Your generosity is going to help us buy the formula and fortified milk that our mothers give to their babies and toddlers. Good nutrition, as you know, is so vital in fighting off the diseases and infections that are so prevalent in Calcutta.

You can read about this exciting initiative-and your important part in it-in the upcoming issue of our newsletter, which we will mail to you in January.

Thanks again for your kindness,

[real, actual, live signature]

Bill Bladstone
President
CalcuttaConcern

About this letter

Here are a few things to notice about this letter.


Not "Dear Friend." This letter is a personal thank you from the heart of the president to this donor. Even though the president does not know Samantha personally, he writes to her as a friend, which is to say, by name.
The opening sentence reveals the personality of the writer and clearly shows that this letter was written on a particular day, by a particular person, for a particular reason. Openings like this resonate with donors, who want to be acknowledged by a human being and not a computer.
The writer acknowledges the donor's gift by date received and amount given, specific details that make the letter personal instead of generic.
The writer shows in concrete, easy-to-understand ways how the donor's gift will be put to work today, changing lives and making a difference in the world. Donors need to know that their contribution, however small, accomplishes the goals of the donor in supporting your organization.

Related : Easter Product Store

Read more

The Best Thank You Gift Ideas From Online Chocolate Stores


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Chocolates and lollies are a perfect way to say Thank You. It's simple, it's easy and it really shows your appreciation to the people who have helped you out. Whether you are looking for thank you business gifts, or just thank you gifts for friends and family, there are a few choices provided by online chocolate stores in how to dress your gift up.

Below we have listed what we believe are the best ways to present your thank you gift. Hopefully our choices will help you pick what's best for the lucky person receiving your gift. Remember it's the thought that counts, so there is no such thing as a bad choice, just choose one, and have fun.

Chocolate Gift Baskets

Choosing a chocolate gift basket is a great way of saying "thank you." With different designs and endless assortment of chocolates and lollies available, your gift's recipient will appreciate the effort you put in. Also giving chocolate gift baskets as business gifts to your favourite customers and best employees is a great way to show your appreciation of their loyalty.

Chocolate Gift Boxes

Chocolate gift boxes are one of the more popular ways to say Thank You. Chocolate boxes are available in different sizes and shapes in order to match your needs. These can be made of a simple cardboard or an expensive laminate material. A customised chocolate gift box can have stickers on it showing the types of chocolates inside, configured with different storage compartments for various types of chocolate candies and gourmet chocolates, and/ or decorated with a customised logo and fancy gift wrap.

Chocolate Gift Bags

Chocolate gift bags can contain all sorts of favourite lollies and chocolates such as M&M's, Hershey's Kisses, jellybeans, or fun-sized Mars and Snickers chocolate bars. All you need is a good gift bag and a selection of chocolate products that are small and handy. To spice things up, tie a piece of ribbon to your bag of chocolates.

Personalised Chocolates

Personalised chocolates are a great way to not only say thank you but also show that you care enough to know what chocolates they like best. In fact, when it comes to business gifts you would be surprised how far writing down your client's favourite lollies in your CRM can go in landing that deal. Find an online chocolate store that allows you to select from a variety of chocolates and lollies so you can customise each box of treats with a personalised touch.

There are, our four favourite ways to dress up chocolate thank you gifts. At the end of the day the most important this is the effort you put in saying Thank You in the first place. So don't stress, just pick one of the choices above, go to your favourite online chocolate store and spoil that person that did so much for you.

Also remember that once you have found an online chocolate store that matches your needs, keep it in mind for all your thank you gifts or gifts in general. Most online stores will provide you with some sort of loyalty program, so the more you buy the more you save.

Related : Easter Product Store

Read more