Do All Russian Women Want To Escape From Russia ???

When someone searches through the Internet seeking a Russian women, he will be very surprised by the large number of Russian dating services. There are literally thousands of them on the Internet! Have you ever asked yourself; why is that?.

From all appearances it seems that all women want to escape from Russia because Russia is in a very difficult social and political and economic situation. I hate to disappoint you, but that type of thinking is just a stereotype.
Growing up, it seems that each generation has their own stereotypical idea about what Russia is and how her citizens respond.

For almost seventy years, Russia was a very closed nation and outsiders (other nations), could not see or for that matter, interact with the Russian citizenry. From this action of closed borders, somehow, was borne the stereotype of what Russian women looked like, peasant stock, with stern looks and aged appearances.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the opening of borders and the birth of the Internet, the whole world astonishingly discovered just how beautiful, feminine, slender and educated, Russian women are! Foreign men who were finally allowed to travel to Russia, saw, with amazement, the beauty and grace of the Russian woman.
They looked upon these women just like kids in a candy store.The typical stereotype disappeared as quickly as melting snow in spring!

Unfortunately, as quickly as the old stereotype of Russian females disappeared, a new stereotype emerged; All Russian women want to escape from Russia and because of this new labeling, the Internet has so many Russian Dating agencies.

The truth of the matter is, that the percentage of Russian women who are looking for their soulmates through the internet is no greater than the percentage of women from western countries such as England, Canada, Australia and the United States who are searching the Internet for their future intended !!!!

Here is an interesting tidbit: With the population of Russia at approximately 170 million people as compared to the United State's population of more than 250 million people, why is it that you don't see as many dating agencies from other countries?
The answer, you guys, is a simple one..... CHOICE!!!

Women, from the USA and most other Western Nations have choices to use or not to use a dating agency service. Almost all women from western countries have computers at home or at the job. Also, Internet services in most of these countries is ridiculously low compared with Russia.

Only a few very big Russian cities such as Moscow and St. Peterburg have Internet services which are more or less affordable for the average person. Also, Russia is very huge country, with its eleven time zones from East To West is now just getting Internet services established.
It is only within the last three to four years that Internet service providers have begun to take hold within Russia and the fees for monthly service are out of the reach of most Russian citizens.

It is not uncommon for internet services to cost $100.00 or more, a month. With the average salary, for example, for a Russian doctor being around a $100.00, it is a luxury few citizens can afford. But, we are talking about a single woman or a one parent household. Do you think that the average American single mother could afford this kind of money for Internet services? So, this is the reason why you see so many Russian dating agency!
Russian women HAVE TO USE their service !

Another reason for these dating services is the language barrier.
For a very long time, Russia was a closed border country and even when Russians learned English at school, without the ability to practice the use of the language on a daily basis, English was basically a dead language and these agencies also became translators.

Now that everything in Russia has changed. It is a country that is open to the world and people are now stimulated to learn English.
Internet providers are popping up all over Russia and Internet cafes are entrenching themselves in cities, big and small. In this situation more and more women can communicate with their soulmates through the Internet without any help of any marriage agency.
They don't need translating services as they did in the past. Many women prefer to spend money on English lessons, than to pay very high prices for dating services.

People all over the world are generally the same. Nobody likes to show private letters to a stranger or to convey their most private thoughts and Internet conversations to a dating service employee for translation.

At the present time, Internet services are grows dramatically in Russia.
Yes, it is a difficult time in this vast country but it is impossible to stop progress. Russians are beginning to communicate with the rest of the world through their own computer.
In the very near future you will see a dramatic reduction of Russian dating services, the Russian Women Eager to Escape myth, and the typical stereotype about Russian women totally disappears.

Copyright 2003 International Soulmate Marina Smiley is the author of Your Russian Bride- The Shocking Truth
This eBook is available through http://www.truthaboutrussianbrides.com Get Your Free Report
The 5 Key Tips That You Have To Know About Russian Women mailto:russianbrides@getresponse.com

Discover The Shocking Truth About Russian Women.Marina Smiley

Every agency on the Internet features young,
captivating Russian girls on their feature pages.
Beautiful to look at, alluring, smiling, just waiting
for you to take them as a bride.
As you look at these beautiful young women, you ask
yourself, will these women be able to love ME, as the
agencies promise!!??
Are they as beautiful in person as they are in their
photos, which are plastered all over the Internet?
Well, the short answer to your question is.....Yes,
they are beautiful, just as most young girls,
all over the world, are and as all young girls,
they dream about a handsome young man, coming to sweep
them of their feet.
The key word here is YOUNG, so how can you believe
a agency who promises you that these young women
will be happy to marry a man much older then they are?
What do you think? Is it possible?
What about young women in your own country?

You need to understand that this is a business.
A business promoting foreign women, willing to leave
their country for a husband and new life.
Every dating/marriage agency on the web has
their share of fairy tales about these May to December
marriages How some young thing just adores her old,
aging foreign husband. Be very careful when you see
these kind of testimonials.

If it was true, you would see a lot of these kinds
of marriages in Russia. It is very seldom that you
will meet a family or couple, where the husband is
more than 3-5 years older. In fact, in Russia, people
who are in the midst of trying to marry, are almost
the same age, usually no more than a one - three year
age difference.

Human nature being what it is, we all want to believe
in some for of magic and the advertising business
attempts to use our belief in magical things happening
to us very much to their advantage.
This scenario of young Russian women wanting to meet
and marry older men is no different than believing
in the advertisements that there are magic pills
to make you lose 20 pounds in 2 days, or some scheme
to GET RICH in 24 hours.

If you are interested in a Russian woman, at least
be wise enough and choose a Russian woman who will match
your life interests and your age. Don't believe these
advertisements that tell you that young Russian girls
are happy to marry men much, much older than they are.

Copyright 2003 International Soulmate
Marina Smiley is the author of Your Russian Bride-
The Shocking Truth
This eBook is available through
http://www.truthaboutrussianbrides.com
Get Your Free Report
The 5 Key Tips That You Have To Know About Russian Women
mailto:russianbrides@getresponse.com

How to Hire an Escort without Worry or Embarressment.Lovely LeaH

How to Hire an Escort without Worry or Embarrassment By Lovely Leah

There is a good chance that you are reading this article because you are considering hiring an Escort for some companionship. Hiring an Escort is an opportunity for you to meet beautiful women that want to be your fantasy lover! No matter what you look like, how smart you are, or what type of car you drive you can have the company of any woman you want, anytime, anywhere! All you have to be is a Gentleman and generous with your wallet. Yes in all honesty a woman loves to be showered with money and gifts. Its as old as the hills!

This article will show you the finer points of Escorting and help you to arrange the date of your dreams! You will need a fair bit of cash but if you follow my advice you will never get ripped off and you will have a night to remember!

I would like you to know that you can trust my advice. I own and operate a companion/escort referral service in Palm Springs, CA. I have found Escorting to be both rewarding and fun but only when I observe certain rules and my clients do likewise.

NOW imagine how surrounding yourself with beautiful women will enhance your life!

The first thing you need to understand is how the business works. I suggest you go to a search engine and search for escorts in your city. For example if you live in Toronto put Toronto Escorts.

Check out some sites and make sure you read everything on the site. You dont want to be wasting your potential dates time by asking questions that could have been answered on her Website. You will find on some sites that some ladies call themselves Independent and some work for an Agency. I recommend you stick with the ladies that are Independent.

Independents can be more flexible with you. They can negotiate different prices. They generally are not Clock Watchers and you will get more bang for your buck.

Independent ladies are not cheaper then the agencies; its just that the Independents see ALL of the money, and agency girls see very little of the initial fee you agreed to on the phone. Often the agency will take 100% of the fee and you are stuck there with a date that has just taken your money and won't do a thing! Now you have to renegotiate to have any fun!

You can be tricked by an agency into thinking all kinds of things about what you are getting. With an Independent you can talk to her on the phone. An agency wont let you do that. Agencies also place ads that are misleading causing you to believe you are calling an Independent when you are not.

How do you cut though all the BS, connect with a real Independent, and not get yourself burned? After you have checked out some escorts websites I suggest you read reviews.

On the Internet there are review boards for Participants and Escorts. The best one is BigDoggie.net Click this link to see what I am talking about. http://www.bigdoggie.net/scgi-perl/affiliate-referral.cgi?id=1815

You can read reviews by other gentlemen that have actually visited the escort you are considering. Also the ladies will probably trust you a bit more if say you found them on a review board. You will then have a head start on your date. Trust is a very important issue for these ladies and you need to know how to create that trust and not blow it before you are completely satisfied.

So now you have found a potential escort and you are ready to make the call. When she answers speak clearly and intelligently. If you mumble, talk while you are extremely intoxicated, or use profanity you will instantly turn the escort off. . Money may be a big turn on for these women but so are simple old-fashioned manners.

The escort will ask you questions about who you are and where you are from, maybe what you do for a living. Answer these questions and use your real name. She may ask you for ID when you meet. You dont need to worry about this, as an Independent Escort probably wants to be as discreet as you. These questions are for her security and remember the more she can trust you the better the time you will have. You dont want to blow it!

Let her talk each lady has her own way of getting to know you. She may tell you a flat out price or wait for you to ask; either way dont try to ask her anything as blatant as How much for a blow job? I will guarantee she will hang up on you. Remember the trust issue. You cant honestly expect someone to say Fifty bucks for a BJ! over the phone when such a statement could land a girl in jail!

Be cool and also trust her. She will take care of you. If you have picked an Independent Escort from a review board like BigDoggie.net ( http://www.bigdoggie.net/scgi-perl/affiliate-referral.cgi?id=1815 ) then probably you already know a lot about what she will and will not do... I think by now you can imagine how valuable review boards are!

Make sure you know how the escort wants to receive payment when you meet. Make sure to honor her request. Some want it in an envelope on the dresser; some will take it from your hand. It's up to her. When you meet just get the money out of the way as fast as you can! You both will relax. Offer her a drink, room service, and if you are really smart you will have gotten her a small gift. The best are gift-certificates, flowers, Massage Lotions, Lingerie. Your escort will appreciate the extra touch and effort.

From this point on I can only suggest that you let the escort lead the way. Since you have done some research you will probably have chosen a professional and beautiful woman and you will have avoided the pitfalls of doing this without any knowledge. I know you will have the time of you life! Enjoy and always be safe. Take care and have fun!

******************************************************
Lovely Leah runs a companion referral service in Palm Springs, CA. The name of her business is Palm Springs Companions and you can find details about this at www.palmspringscompanions.com Leah also publishes a Bi-Weekly E-Zine ON THE SIDE Articles about sexuality, escorting, adult entertainment, and more! Visit www.palmspringscompanins.com/ezine to subscribe.
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Lovely Leah runs a companion referral service in Palm Springs, CA. The name of her business is Palm Springs Companions and you can find details about this at www.palmspringscompanions.com Leah also publishes a Bi-Weekly E-Zine ON THE SIDE Articles about sexuality, escorting, adult entertainment, and more! Visit www.palmspringscompanins.com to subscribe.

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Creating Sacred Space in Your Home Office or Garden

The environments we surround ourselves with contribute to our sense of well-being as well as to our creativity and productivity. There is a direct link between inner peace and the spaces in which we live and spend our time. It is possible to create harmony and abundance by enhancing home and workplace energies. The idea of sacred space is as old as humanity itself. The ancient oriental art of feng shui teaches that the buildings and space one occupies affects personal, mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Sacred Space is a physical place where the Divine or the supernatural can be glimpsed or experienced, where we can get in touch with that which is larger than ourselves, where we can experience harmony and inner peace. It is also a place where, as Joseph Campbell put it, wonder can be revealed, and you can experience who you are and who you might be. By acknowledging that something larger than ourselves with greater purpose exists, we create an environment where a sense of the sacred can be realized in the details of our everyday lives and in ourselves. Lets look at three environments in which you might create sacred space: your home, office, and garden. The intention behind creating the space may be the same for each area, but the questions you ask yourself, and the objects you place there, will be different in each case. Creating Sacred Space in Your Home Bringing the sacred into the everyday, carving out sacred space in the domestic sphere, can be done in any number of ways. Creating this space becomes a search for meaning, or a process of discovering what has meaning for you. It involves putting spirituality into physical form. In our contemporary times, creating personal places of prayer, ritual, and meditation is one way of acknowledging the sacredness of all the space we inhabit. It can serve as a reminder of the role spirit plays in your life. We can create a space where we can come into contact with all that lies both within us and outside us. Creating and maintaining a regular spiritual practice is the best way to make your spiritual self-care a priority. Creating a sacred space to honor your spiritual well being on a regular basis means deciding on an actual location, the best time of day, and the right frequency for you. You may want to find a place in your home that you can set aside for spiritual rejuvenation. It may be the corner of a room, or the whole room. Find a space that looks, feels, and smells right to you. As you chose the place in your home to establish your sacred space, listen to the voice within: - Will you be comfortable here?- What does this piece of your home actually feel like to you?- What kinds of associations does it bring forth? Clean the area well - vacuum, dust, polish - whatever it takes to have the space feel fresh and clear. Next, check the lighting. Is it appropriate day or night for your optimum comfort? Then, gather any items that that trigger a feeling of spirit in you in your daily life and may help make it a sacred space for you. Listening to yourself is an important part too of choosing objects for your sacred space. Permit yourself time to visualize your sacred space and decide what you need in it. Think about what is important or meaningful to you at this time in your life. The items might include pictures, candles, symbols, books, pillows, flowers, statues, mementos, blankets, sage or incense. Once you have created your space, sit in it and notice how you feel. Does the energy feel peaceful? Is it quiet enough? Make any necessary adjustments. Have it be a place that calls to you, a place that you look forward to spending time in. Look for ways to incorporate other rituals into your daily life. The intentional use of rituals can be a powerful reminder to hold ordinary events a sacred. The simple act of blessing a meal, burning incense while reading a book, or lighting a candle while you work can add a sacred quality to everyday life. Creating Sacred Space in Your Office Just as your emotions and energy are affected by your home, so too can they be influenced by your office space. If your office or work space is humane, loving and sacred, then what you produce there will have a sense of humanity and integrity. The challenge is not to change yourself to fit the space, but to seek a way to occupy your office space in a way that harmonizes with your personality and energy. Also, it is important to see your work in the greater context of the world at large. You must know that your work can make a contribution to the world and that your office space can reflect this intention. Bring to mind an image of your workspace. What do you see that stimulates your creativity and calls to your muse? Can you see the cool green of trees and grass? Hear music or a fountain? Write or draw with a rainbow of colors? Feel the warmth of polished wood? Smell fresh flowers from your garden? Is your office, cubicle or desk visually stimulating with lots of pictures, quotes and memorabilia? Or, do you prefer a clean, uncluttered space for working? Before you begin to implement any changes in your office, take a moment to still your mind and ask yourself: What is the message that my office or work space currently communicates to myself and others? What is my long-term intention for myself and for others in the work that I do? Think about what changes you can make to the layout and design of your workspace to create an environment that inspires your best work, and what objects you will place in your ideal work space to give you a sense of the sacred. Creating Sacred Space in Your Garden Understanding your garden as a sacred space helps focus both intentions and thoughts. Creating sacred space is a process. An entire garden can become a sacred space, or just an area in the garden, so that the upkeep is manageable and you have time to benefit from the haven it offers. You can create a special corner of your garden with a bench for sitting, a small waterfall, or a living altar to Mother Earth, one that attracts birds and butterflies and other living creatures to your sacred space. Creating altars outdoors permits us to get back in touch with the cycle and beauty of natural light that most of us - spending our days in offices, our nights in apartments and houses - no longer experience on a regular basis. Sacred objects can be arranged here on an altar - candles, stones, found objects from nature, statues or figurines, bowls, crystals, flowers, rocks, pebbles - whatever appeals to you. A fountain, bird feeder or a bench can be added. Even the simple act of digging in the earth seems to connect us to the ancient rhythms of nature; the scent, color and texture of the soil combine to wake us up. The forms of life we discover in the ground are a small epiphany of the unseen web of nature. Bringing our spiritual life out of doors is a very humbling experience for it reminds us that each of us is only a very small part of the natural world. To create sacred space in your garden, begin by really looking at your surroundings. What does the natural landscape say to you? What is its spirit? Look at the land, and pay attention to the wind and the sun: is there movement and light? Does the landscape make you more aware? Listen to the place: is it filled with natural sounds or is it still? Look and listen at different times of day and night to heighten your awareness of the sacred space. Think about what objects will you bring into a special place in your garden to provide a haven of peaceful surroundings and remind you of the larger context of your life.Special altars can be created in your garden for special occasions and to mark earth-honoring ceremonies from the traditional calendar - the summer and winter solstices, the spring and fall equinoxes. For example, the equinox - the twice yearly moment when day and night are precisely the same length - is a time of balance, so objects could be chosen to represents pairs of opposites - heavy and light, wet and dry, light and dark, etc. The solstices can be honored as times of transformation by aligning the altar with the sunrise so as to catch the first ray of light. Written prayers or intentions can be burned to signify the transformation and release of the old.Creating a sacred space represents your conscious intention to make time for both the needs and goals of the spirit. The very act of creating a physical place that represents what is sacred to you makes you spiritually receptive and helps you stay connected to something larger than yourself.

Jan Marie Dore, Professional Certified Life Coach, Speaker, and Writer, publishes articles like this one in her free ezine 'The Balance Sheet', designed to inspire, challenge, and support you in living your best life, both personally and professionally, and creating a life that is meaningful, authentic, and a joy to wake up to every day. You can sign up for your own subscription by sending a blank email to balance@janmariedore.com. For free resources and programs on living a great life, visit Jan's website: http://www. janmariedore.com

Copyright 2004 Jan Marie Dore. All Rights Reserved. Newsletter publishers are most welcome to reprint this article provided it is published in its entirety, without change, including contact and copyright information. Please send an email to admin@janmariedore.com advising the ezines name & URL, and the date the article appeared.

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Embellishing and Customizing Your Cell Phone

There are many ways to customize and embellish your cell phone to make it reflect your personality and lifestyle.

Here are a few of the most popular ways to customize and embellish your new cell phone:

Ringtones

A new cell phone comes with a boring standard cell phone ring. Fortunately, you can change your cell phone's ring to a different ring, called a ringtone. Ringtones are available in many different types including standard midi music type rings, actual audio of songs, a sound or speech. You can even set your phone to use a different ringtone for different incoming callers. Mainstream music ringtones are available and very popular. You can get a ringtone for just about any current popular song and many older songs as well. You can download these to your phone online or using your phone.

Wallpaper

Most phones have wallpaper backgrounds that can be changed. There are wallpapers available depicting symbols, nature, wildlife, landscapes, cities, people, TV and music stars, movie stars, and you can even make your own very easily should your phone be equipped with a camera.

Screensavers

Some phones use a screensaver, which traditionally were used on computers to prevent screen burn in from images present on computer monitors for many hours or days at a time. Today, screesavers are available with animation, music, photos and slideshows.

Skins

There are also skins or stickers available for many cell phone models. These encase you phone in an image or color and can come in officially licensed versions for sports teams, tv series, cartoons, movies and more. Usually made of flexible vinyl, they can be taken off if needed.

Jewelry

There's all kinds of jewelry you can stick on your phone, including rhinestones in all shapes, sizes and colors, faux pearls, faux colored stones plus fake flowers and frilly ribbons. Decorate your phone with clear rhinestones to add a diamond like sparkle to your cell phone.

Accessories

Phone straps are available in many colors and styles and even in Hello Kitty themes. There are also neck straps, pouches and toys that are available to attach to your cell phone or cell phone case.

Downloads & Settings

Don't forget to set up your phone to give you the latest weather, sports scores, horoscope and news according to your interests. You can also download games for when you are stuck at the airport waiting for a flight or stuck in traffic.

Whatever customizations and embellishments you choose, make sure they reflect you and your unique personality and sense of style.

Lydia Quinn writes for Free-Ringtones.uk.net, where you can get ringtones for your cell phone for free. Visit us at: http://www.free-ringtones.uk.net/

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You Are The Tea: The Crucial Role Of Image In Law Firm Marketing

Imagine, for a moment that, instead of being an attorney, you are a pile of tea.

I?m fairly certain no one has ever asked you to do so before, but bear with me.

You are a pile of tea. Not a big pile. A few ounces.

And, truth be told, you aren?t much different than any other pile of tea. You might be a slightly different flavor. You might be decaffeinated. And, while tea connoisseurs might disagree, to almost everyone else, let?s face it, tea is tea.

Now, here?s your choice: You can put yourself in a generic box with the local supermarket chain?s logo on it and sell on aisle 14 for $1.99, or you can pack yourself into a fancy white box decorated with Japanese higura characters with delicate cranes and bonsai trees, call yourself Tazo, and sell at Starbucks for $4.99.

It?s up to you.

As a law firm marketer, you?re in a worse position than the tea in this analogy. At least tea has a tangible physical reality. What you are selling ? a service ? is invisible.

As best-selling author and marketing expert Harry Beckwith emphasizes in his book, The Invisible Touch: ?Products are made; services are delivered. Products are used; services are experienced. Products possess physical characteristics that we can evaluate before we buy; services do not even exist before we buy them. We request them, often paying in advance. Then we receive them.?

That?s why image marketing ? packaging ? is important for products, and even more important for services. This is a truth that can be difficult to accept, but one you ignore at your peril. The buying process is an emotional process.

In marketing, packaging is more important than quality. Perhaps this is not such a difficult concept to comprehend, and yet attorneys often balk at the idea. It?s easy to understand why. They work hard to develop expertise in their given field. They?ve gone to expensive schools to garner prestigious credentials. They are experts.

Attorneys often operate under the mistaken assumption that potential clients will see or hear about the attorney?s wonderful process and methods, great experience and tremendous education. They expect potential clients to rationally evaluate all this and choose the correct attorney to be the steward of their fortune.

Often the selection of an attorney comes down to something more simple: whether or not the prospect likes your tie.

I?m not saying that the quality of work or service is unimportant. I?m not suggesting that style is more important than substance. I?m not asking anyone to be fake, or insincere, or flashy.

What I am saying is that people are attracted to (and buy on the basis of) surfaces. Common sense will tell you this is true. There are all kinds of studies to show that the number one factor in used car sales is the cosmetic appearance of the car, not the mechanical condition. People who want to sell their homes create ?curb appeal? by landscaping attractively, or spending extra money on doors and driveways. People who really, really want to sell their homes light candles inside, play wonderful music, buy some fragrant potpourri and have plenty of fresh cut flowers on display.

We live through our senses. We make initial judgments based on surface impressions. We have no choice. We are not blessed with X-ray vision. As with most facts of reality, those who choose to battle this phenomenon will lose. Those who use it to their advantage will win.

Again, I?m not advocating that firms or attorneys be deceitful. I?m not advocating that you present yourself as something you are not. I urge you, in Beckwith?s words, to ?look as great as you are.?

Remember, we?re speaking here of the buying process only ? not fulfillment, not client retention.

Most of us believe that our success ultimately will be determined by old-fashioned virtues: How hard we work; how effective our process; how great our knowledge; how special our service; and how inviolate our integrity. And when it comes to keeping clients, these qualities are crucial.

When it comes to acquiring clients, an attorney?s talent, credentials, and experience are largely useless. They are simply claims that you make. In any case, potential clients are in no position to judge an attorney?s expertise. They know little or nothing about the law, and are unable to distinguish between a C-plus attorney and an A-minus attorney.

People will not engage an attorney?s services because that attorney is the best estate planner. They will engage those services because they like the attorney?s clothes, or office, or assistant, or brochure, or business card, or seminar, or smile. They won?t tell the attorney that this is the reason. They will tell him or her, that ?it?s because I like you. I feel comfortable with you. I have confidence in you.?

In fact, since most of us are uncomfortable with the knowledge that we choose things based on looks and surface impressions, your potential clients will make large, subconscious efforts to convince themselves they have very good substantive reasons for choosing you.

All the better. You?ve closed the deal. You can now set about proving your new clients right.

In marketing, perception is reality, and image creates perception. You are the tea. Now go out and get yourself a compelling package.

For more information on Mark Merenda or more marketing for attorney articles and information you can visit the Smart Marketing Web Site: http://www.smartmarketingnow.com.

Mark Merenda is the founder of Smart Marketing of Naples, FL. He can be contacted at: 239.403.7755. Read his blog (featuring information for marketing for attorneys) at http://www.smartblog.typepad.com.

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Old Lawns Need Landscaping Too

People who move into new houses are able to have their front and back yards designed anyway they wish. But people with long-established yards can give their landscape a new look with some easy techniques.

It's easy to landscape your lawn when you're moving into a brand-new house and you're faced with an empty canvas on to work your magic. It's only slightly more difficult to landscape a yard that has been in existence for several years and has grown set in its ways.

Whether your yard is new or old, the key to getting everything done quickly, efficiently, and with a minimum of muss and fuss is to make a plan before hand. Know what you want to do, know what you have to do...and then do it.

Just as you would before you plan a new or major renovation of your yard, take some time to learn about its features. Do more than observe where the sun shines best and when - write it down so you can take advantage of it. Note where water collects after spring thaw or heavy rain. What is the direction of the prevailing wind? Where does your lawn slope? Where are the best views?

It's not necessary to redo the entire yard just to fix a few localized problems. If you have places where the grass has died, figure out why. Does it not get enough sun? It's difficult to grow grass underneath shade trees, for example, but it can be done. Simply water the tree extremely well so that the water goes down to the roots, so that the roots don't have to come up to the surface to compete with the grass. However long you like to mow the rest of your grass, set your mower to allow the grass underneath the trees to grow slightly longer, so it is better able to absorb the sunlight.

No problems, just bored with the old?
Again, there's no need for a major facelift. Simply add a few new features which will end up making the whole yard look new.

Re-painting or re-staining your fences are always a good idea. If you don't like the look of a fence you can always put a line of shrubberies against the public sidewalk and let their beauty add to your privacy. Of course you'll have to prune them frequently to keep them looking neat.

Do you like your flower beds and vegetable garden but simply feel that there's something missing? The finishing touch can often be as simple as a piece of statuary, or other ornament. Visit your local garden store to see what types of items they offer, or search the web.

Adding statues and different fixtures is cheaper way to bring a new look to a landscape. You'll probably be able to find local businesses offering statuary, but there's no reason not to surf the web and see what else is out there. is a company that offers dragons, eagles, gargoyles and even humorous pigs as well as the more typical types of ornamentation. Hastings Architectural is one of many sites that also offer statues, and planters of all kinds.

Brighten up your lawn
The easiest way to brighten up your backyard - or your front yard, come to that, is by adding new flowers. It's not even necessary to dig up a portion of your yard and plant flower beds. Simply grow the flowers in portable pots and you can move the pots around from spot to spot as the spirit moves you, as a sort of moveable feast for the eyes.

If you do want to add flower beds, make sure you choose the right location that gets plenty of sunlight, and that the soil pH balance is adequate for your needs. Then discuss what you'd like to have with the people at your local garden store who can advise you on what flowers grow best in your area, when they bloom, and other considerations.

Enjoy It
It's hard to enjoy your yard if you can't view it comfortably except from your kitchen windows. So consider picking up some comfortable wicker furniture, or even a couple of rocking chairs, for use in your garden.

About the Author:

Andrew Caxton enjoys writing about gardening for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A website with tips on landscaping, amongst many related topics.

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Silk Flower Ideas and Tips for Wedding

With these EASY Silk Flower ideas for wedding, you'll see how you CAN make your own simple, yet elegant, wedding flower centerpiece and reception table arrangements with silk flower stems. There are also tips on making silk flower bundles and drop-ins, which you can create and store well in advance of the big day. You can even use them to make a bridal bouquet or throw bouquet for yourself.

Of course, the silk flower arrangement ideas you find here can apply to any celebration - Engagement, Anniversary, Bridal Shower, Baby Shower, Mother's Day, Birthday - for which you want to make your own floral decorations.

How to Make a Simple Silk Wedding Flower Arrangement

I know this example is very obvious, but it is important because it happens to be in stride with the latest floral design trend (2005) in which floral arrangements exhibit a classic, fresh-cut garden look.

To make your own trendy silk wedding flower arrangement in it's simplest form, all you need is 7 to 12 silk flower stems of one variety, all of the same color, to place in a plain, clear glass or plastic vase.

Try to buy stems with large blossoms and some leaves, as in the pink Dutch Tulip arrangement (15 inch height) at top, left. Notice how the attached, large leaves fill the vase and serve as a backdrop to enhance the colorful blossoms.

The red Dutch Tulip floral centerpiece at bottom left shows a slight variation in which the leaves and blossoms lean outward and are spread more apart. See the effect which only a small change can have?

Either way, in minutes you have created a quick, easy and elegant silk wedding flower centerpiece!

If you don't want to make your own wedding flower decorations, there are fabulous Ready-Made (also called Pre-Made) artificial and silk flower arrangement displays now available that are truly amazing. Pictures on this page are examples of pre-made artistry.

Ideas for Silk Wedding Flower Arrangement Variations

If the thought of ten to twelve of the same simple silk wedding flower design sounds uninspiring, why not create variations in pairs containing six stems each? (Buying by the dozen, or as boxed, usually qualifies for wholesale silk flower pricing.)

For example, with a dozen pink Tulips you could make 2 arrangements with 6 stems each. With a dozen white roses you could make 2 arrangements with 6 stems each, and so on with a dozen purple Ranunculus, etc. Add some silk greenery to fill out the designs. Display them in classy glass containers - you could have a different vase style for each flower variety.

Spread these throughout the reception hall, and the overall effect is pleasing, refined and unified. If you want to spice things up by combining a few flower varieties and colors, visit this easy guide to color combination ideas.

Monochromatic Can Be Classy

A single color (monochromatic) floral display can be very interesting with a combination of different shapes and sizes to entice and delight the eye.

Here is a classy suggestion for a silk wedding flower table arrangement. It's a medium-sized (about 13 inches high) combination of white or cream flowers - a mix of small and large blossomed flowers, with some sprigs of greenery - in a low glass container.

This one has large Lilies, a central stem of Hydrangea (snowball), and a stem of Queen Anne's Lace (top right). You could substitute Lily of the Valley instead.

This is Elegance! Don't you agree? Could you make something like this? Of course you could!

Make a Low Silk Wedding Flower Table Arrangement

How can you make a low reception table arrangement? If you answered, 'one way is to just cut the stems shorter', you are right!

Here is a small (but cute!) display of pink rose blossoms, with the green stems trimmed to about 3 inches long. It measures about 5x5 inches, but makes a lovely little table accent.

For a fuller bouquet with a bit more height, add a few more stems, use a larger round glass bowl, trim stem length to about 6 inches (blossoms add about 2 inches beyond this, so total length would be 8 inches) and insert at angles, with the blossoms resting over the rim of the bowl. Before trimming, be sure to measure stems so they will touch the bottom of the vase when in position.

This ready-made water garden design measures about 8 inches high. Notice how the stems crisscross within the glass bowl, providing visual interest and giving an impression that this is an 'arrangement'.

Make Your Own Water Garden Table Arrangement

The picture examples above are pre-made Water Garden arrangements, from Aldik's artificial flower product line. Buying a ready-made silk flower arrangement or pre-made water garden display will save you time, but will be more costly than if you make it yourself. The 'water' is actually an acrylic solution which dries clear and rock-hard (commonly called Illusion Water).

Yes, you can buy Illusion Water kits and do it yourself. I'm sure you realize that you will be making a permanent floral design - the silk flowers and vase will be forever joined together with the acrylic. Be sure to follow instructions carefully, and be aware that the process may be influenced by the atmospheric conditions where you live. So allow for extra drying time, and be patient.

But here is a short-term display option: while most artificial silk flower stems are not manufactured to be displayed in water in a clear container for long periods, you could probably do so for an evening without negative results. This is suggested for plastic stems only, not for stems that are hand-wrapped with floral tape. The drawback here is that stems are not secured in place, and will likely shift or even fall out if not handled carefully.

TIP: To overcome this, try crisscrossing a few strips of clear cellophane tape across the neck of the glass vase, leaving small openings between the strips. Slip silk flower stems into the openings. (Add water before stem placement.)

Or, instead of water, another idea would be to surround the stems with clear or colored glass rocks or pebbles - quite a nice effect in a plain plastic or glass vase. One advantage is that they can help to keep the stems in position.

Making Your Own Silk Wedding Flower Drop-ins or Bundles

A Bundle or Drop-in is a group of loose stems tied together with a short length of twine, raffia or ribbon. It can consist of a single flower variety or a coordinated selection of flowers and foliage, or even just foliage and branches.

They are available pre-assembled by the manufacturer, although it's certainly easy enough to make your own drop-ins.

In the pre-made Narcissus bundle (15 inches high) pictured here, notice how blossom heights vary, and that one leaf on each side was folded downward to embrace the stems - a neat artistic touch! Wouldn't this be a nice hand-tied wedding bouquet for you?

Stem ends usually meet evenly across the bottom. For bundles of pleasing girth, I suggest grouping no less than 8 silk flower stems. Wrap raffia, twine, or ribbon around the stems several times to your liking, then tie with a knot or small 'shoelace' bow. After tying, trim the tail ends very close to the knot.

TIP: If the stems are on the thin side, try slipping a slim, green-colored tapered wax candle to hide in their midst to increase the circumference. (Cut candle as needed so it won't be visible at top or bottom of bundle.)

Get Creative With a Silk Wedding Flower Centerpiece

Go ahead - mix flower varieties, experiment with uneven quantities, such as 3 Rose stems and 5 Ranunculus stems. If using one type of flower you can use mixed colors, such as 3 pink, 3 cream and 2 red Roses. Be sure to include a bit of artificial foliage to help colorful blossoms stand out.

For tall displays, such as the 36 inch tropical silk flower drop-in shown in picture at left, you can use larger mixed floral and foliage elements, but fewer stems. These can be displayed in clear or opaque containers.

Wouldn't this look great in that glazed porcelain bamboo vase shown alongside? This would certainly make an impressive and unique silk wedding flower arrangement!

Remember that different kinds of containers will influence the character of a floral display - short, tall, brassy, classy, shiny, dull. Choosing one is part of the art, so be sure to give some thought to this important design aspect.

So, you see, you can make your own silk wedding flower bundles way ahead of time, store them, and be all set to 'drop-in' to a container when ready.

Also, based on the ideas presented here, you could make an easy - yet stylish - silk wedding bouquet, in the hand-wrapped, hand-tied, or arm bouquet style.

Visit this article for advice and pictures of bridal bouquet styles and popular wedding flowers used in bouquets and floral arrangements for ceremony and reception.

Making silk wedding flower decorations yourself doesn't get much easier than this - go ahead, give it a try!

Feeling creative? Here is a link to photo-illustrated, step-by-step instructions for how to make a simple, classy silk flower centerpiece in FIVE easy steps!
About the Author

Silk Flower Arrangement Expert for Wedding

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Can You Hear Me Now?Dave Russ

by Dave Russ

Way back in 1996, Congrss passed the Telecommunications
Act. This ground breaking piece of legislation was enacted
to loosen the death grip that incumbent Bell monopolies
held on consumers wallets... as well as foster competition
in the long distance and broadband arenas.

In the FCCs own modest declaration... The
Telecommunications Act of 1996 has the potential to change
the way we work, live and learn. It will affect telephone
service -- local and long distance, cable programming and
other video services, broadcast services and services
provided to schools.

Potential being the key word here.

Oh, it started out well enough... with the usual hype and
fanfare associated with the Internet heyday. New players,
fueled by the 90s investment frenzy, arose like wildflowers
in May... collectively spending billions of dollars on the
race to blur the line between the old switched networks and
the new IP pipelines.

Breakthrough technologies, such as VOIP
(Voice-over-Internet Protocol), threatened to shake the
very foundation of the telecommunications world, offering
consumers viable new choices. Companies like Net2Phone and
Dialpad gave anyone with a computer, microphone and dialup
connection, the ability to do an end around the established
long distance carriers.

Soon, VOIP went mainstream, finding its way directly to the
telephone and bypassing the need for a computer. Pay by
the month, not by the minute became the rallying cry of a
new generation of long distance marketers... as the concept
of flat-rate and unlimited long distance blossomed.
Consumers and small businesses no longer needed to fear
receiving a huge long distance bill come months end... as
they stepped off the per-minute treadmill.

And all was well... or so it seemed.

But did these cutting edge Internet technologies forever
change the telecom landscape, as promised? Was it time yet
for high-fives at the FCC... and was a victory parade in
order for consumers?

In a word... No.

Quality and reliability issues, indifferent customer
service and unsound business practices... exacerbated by
the overall telecom meltdown, wiped out most of these
alternate providers... burying them in the dot.com
graveyard.

Meanwhile, the Big Three (AT&T, MCI and Sprint) still enjoy
the lions share of US long distance revenues.

And has the local market fared much better? Not really.
The 1996 Act required the regional Bell incumbents to grant
access to their UNE-P (Unbundled Network Element-Platform).
But like all good monopolies, the Baby Bells have done
everything humanly possible to prevent this access. Just
ask Covad, NorthPoint and Rhythms... companies that all had
far-reaching aspirations of bringing high speed DSL to
everyones doorstep.

So much for competition, right?

Well, dont give up quite yet. There is some good news.
Despite the carnage, there has been a survivor or two.
Companies that refused to be stonewalled and have remained
true to their vision.

One in particular that stands out is a CLEC called Z-Tel
Communications (Nasdaq: ZTEL). For the past few years,
Z-Tel has valiantly battled the huge Bell monopolies to try
and gain entry into the local telephone markets. And
believe it or not, theyre succeeding... having quietly
acquired over 350,000 paying customers in 47 states.

Even more impressive has been Z-Tels commitment to
innovation and value. They recently introduced Z-LineHOME
Unlimited, a bundled package ($49.99 in most states) of
unlimited local calling, unlimited nationwide long distance
and popular calling features like Voicemail, Caller ID,
Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling, Find Me and Notify Me.

In addition, Z-Tel is poised to roll out their exclusive
Personal Voice Assistant (PVA). The Personal Voice
Assistant is a revolutionary step forward in voice
activated communications... and will soon be included in
the Z-LineHOME Unlimited feature set at no extra charge.

Gregg Smith, president and chief executive officer for
Z-Tel, in recent meetings with the FCC and Congressional
leaders, stated:

Due in large part to UNE-P, competition is generating
improved services for consumers every day. For example,
Z-Tel is actively investing in and developing
next-generation dial tone services that we believe will
change the way people communicate, like voice recognition
technology and personalized online directories. Soon,
instead of looking up phone numbers, our subscribers will
be able to simply say, call Aunt Tracy on her cell phone
and be connected.

And today, for a flat monthly fee, Z-Tel subscribers can
call anywhere in the U.S., talk as long as they want and
take advantage of advanced services that make their
communications more powerful.

These are exactly the kinds of services that the 1996 Act
sought to deliver.

Yes they certainly are. What do you know... maybe telecom
deregulation is finally working after all.

Can you hear me now?
by Dave Russ

Way back in 1996, Congrss passed the Telecommunications
Act. This ground breaking piece of legislation was enacted
to loosen the death grip that incumbent Bell monopolies
held on consumers wallets... as well as foster competition
in the long distance and broadband arenas.

In the FCCs own modest declaration... The
Telecommunications Act of 1996 has the potential to change
the way we work, live and learn. It will affect telephone
service -- local and long distance, cable programming and
other video services, broadcast services and services
provided to schools.

Potential being the key word here.

Oh, it started out well enough... with the usual hype and
fanfare associated with the Internet heyday. New players,
fueled by the 90s investment frenzy, arose like wildflowers
in May... collectively spending billions of dollars on the
race to blur the line between the old switched networks and
the new IP pipelines.

Breakthrough technologies, such as VOIP
(Voice-over-Internet Protocol), threatened to shake the
very foundation of the telecommunications world, offering
consumers viable new choices. Companies like Net2Phone and
Dialpad gave anyone with a computer, microphone and dialup
connection, the ability to do an end around the established
long distance carriers.

Soon, VOIP went mainstream, finding its way directly to the
telephone and bypassing the need for a computer. Pay by
the month, not by the minute became the rallying cry of a
new generation of long distance marketers... as the concept
of flat-rate and unlimited long distance blossomed.
Consumers and small businesses no longer needed to fear
receiving a huge long distance bill come months end... as
they stepped off the per-minute treadmill.

And all was well... or so it seemed.

But did these cutting edge Internet technologies forever
change the telecom landscape, as promised? Was it time yet
for high-fives at the FCC... and was a victory parade in
order for consumers?

In a word... No.

Quality and reliability issues, indifferent customer
service and unsound business practices... exacerbated by
the overall telecom meltdown, wiped out most of these
alternate providers... burying them in the dot.com
graveyard.

Meanwhile, the Big Three (AT&T, MCI and Sprint) still enjoy
the lions share of US long distance revenues.

And has the local market fared much better? Not really.
The 1996 Act required the regional Bell incumbents to grant
access to their UNE-P (Unbundled Network Element-Platform).
But like all good monopolies, the Baby Bells have done
everything humanly possible to prevent this access. Just
ask Covad, NorthPoint and Rhythms... companies that all had
far-reaching aspirations of bringing high speed DSL to
everyones doorstep.

So much for competition, right?

Well, dont give up quite yet. There is some good news.
Despite the carnage, there has been a survivor or two.
Companies that refused to be stonewalled and have remained
true to their vision.

One in particular that stands out is a CLEC called Z-Tel
Communications (Nasdaq: ZTEL). For the past few years,
Z-Tel has valiantly battled the huge Bell monopolies to try
and gain entry into the local telephone markets. And
believe it or not, theyre succeeding... having quietly
acquired over 350,000 paying customers in 47 states.

Even more impressive has been Z-Tels commitment to
innovation and value. They recently introduced Z-LineHOME
Unlimited, a bundled package ($49.99 in most states) of
unlimited local calling, unlimited nationwide long distance
and popular calling features like Voicemail, Caller ID,
Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling, Find Me and Notify Me.

In addition, Z-Tel is poised to roll out their exclusive
Personal Voice Assistant (PVA). The Personal Voice
Assistant is a revolutionary step forward in voice
activated communications... and will soon be included in
the Z-LineHOME Unlimited feature set at no extra charge.

Gregg Smith, president and chief executive officer for
Z-Tel, in recent meetings with the FCC and Congressional
leaders, stated:

Due in large part to UNE-P, competition is generating
improved services for consumers every day. For example,
Z-Tel is actively investing in and developing
next-generation dial tone services that we believe will
change the way people communicate, like voice recognition
technology and personalized online directories. Soon,
instead of looking up phone numbers, our subscribers will
be able to simply say, call Aunt Tracy on her cell phone
and be connected.

And today, for a flat monthly fee, Z-Tel subscribers can
call anywhere in the U.S., talk as long as they want and
take advantage of advanced services that make their
communications more powerful.

These are exactly the kinds of services that the 1996 Act
sought to deliver.

Yes they certainly are. What do you know... maybe telecom
deregulation is finally working after all.

Can you hear me now?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dave Russ, Partner
Unlimited Long Distance 4U
Helping Smart Consumers Save Money
With Unlimited Local Home Phone Service
and Expanding Communcation Power with the PVA
http://www.unlimitedlongdistance4u.com

Read More