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Home Improvement

2009-11-12T05:01:00.001-08:00

Termites invite themselves into your home, but you may not know it. If they go unnoticed for a long time, they can cause tremendous damage. When your home inspector conducts his inspection, a home inspection engineer should thoroughly check for evidence of termites. Your mortgage lender may ask for a clear termite certificate.

Some homes are at greater risk of termite problems. For example, slab on grade homes with radiant floor heating are a natural breeding ground for termites. If you own a home with radiant floor heating, a wise maintenance procedure is to periodically have inspections done by a competent and qualified exterminator.

As cold weather arrives, the mice and rats start searching for more comfortable places to live than outside in those harsh winter environments. If your home is close to their summer homes you're at risk for rodent invasion.ct now to defend your home from the rodent onslaught, and minimize the threats to your family's health that rat and mouse infestation brings to your home.

Check the foundation for any openings large enough for a mouse or rat to fit through. Plug all that you find. The best materials for this purpose are metal, or concrete, that completely closes the hole. Wood works if you make the plug thick enough. Just remember that mice and rats can chew through wood. The more solid the closure looks, the more motivation for the rodent to look for entry elsewhere.

Instructing a Child

2009-10-26T22:07:00.000-07:00

Are you having difficult time to make your child follow your instruction? It is a normal behavior for children. But you can still make them do what you ask them without necessarily blowing your top. here are effective steps to gain compliance from your child. These are guarantees to prevent frustration, anger and resentment. Stop and decide what you want your child to do.

Get the child’s attention. Move closer to him or call him to come to you. make direct eye contact.Consistency in child behavior modification comprises the key to successfully instructing your child in right from wrong while correcting them. The key to child behavior modification is in keeping little misbehavior and poor conduct from later on becoming larger misbehavior and less desirable behaviors.

Tell him what to do directly and firmly. Don’t ask, though you may offer a choice if you wish. Don’t end your instruction with “ OK”? Don’t let him sidetrack you with whining, excuses, or arguing. Restate your instructions one more time if necessary then watch to make sure he begins. Praise him when he does the task quickly and well. You find a good job with those dishes. If he doesn’t begin doing what you said or doesn’t finish, say: “ What did i tell you to do?”

Simple ways to be a happier mom

2009-10-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

Ask a mom if she’s happier now that she has a child, and she’ll usually say yes. But psychologists who study happiness often report a different picture. Being the mom of a young child (especially one under 3) is rewarding, but also a real strain on your mood. Moment to moment, you may be exhausted, frustrated, sometimes angry. In fact, on their list of pleasurable activities, moms rank childcare lower than eating, exercising, or watching TV. And kid care rates only slightly higher than housework, working, or ! Kids do bring joy. They bring transcendent moments that outweigh all the hard work. It’s just that children do not increase your average daily enjoyment.

The happiness paradox one reason for the discrepancy between moms and experts: selective memory. When psychologists ask moms in a general way if they like spending time with their kids, the overwhelming majority say they do because they’re thinking of fun activities like reading a book or playing in the park. When they’re specifically asked to describe their actual daily routine, they remember the hours they spent struggling to get their child dressed or ready for bed. Maybe, though, the cold calculus of psychological science is missing the intensity of joy that time spent with your child can bring. There are little spent with your child can bring. There are little moments that moments can overcome your daily frustrations. Happiness is more than just that smiley feeling. It’s also feeling a connection to something larger than yourself. When people are in service to something bigger, they describe their lives as filled with meaning. It’s not the smiley face, but when it’s all over, you realize happier mom, then, is to value what you do to. The next step is to find ways to make it more enjoyable.

Admit when you’re stressed ironically, once you stop expecting motherhood to feel warm and fuzzy all the time, life as a mom gets easier. It’s okay to feel frustrated, angry, or irritable sometimes. You’re not a bad parent. It’s not even a experience. It’s just normal.

Get enough sleep most of us know that money can’t buy happiness, but who knew that a good night’s sleep just might? So how can you sneak in that extra hour or two? One mom says her husband takes over on the weekends so she can sleep in. It makes a big difference in the way she feels. And she’s more willing to do something active, like take he daughter to the park. If she’s tired, the most she can do is sit there and read to her.

Table Toppers

2009-10-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

The table is the most important thing to decorate. A table centerpiece is to the party's food, as a husband is to a wife on a chilly night it makes everything warm and cozy. Flowers have been tried and tested for this job, but there are other options aside from fragrant blooms when deciding on your table decor. There are those that add extra lighting. Others you'd find everywhere but the table. And there are other that serve a dual purpose as appetizer and party trimming. When putting together your centerpiece, remember these tips. make sure your guests can see each other above or through your decor, and don't forget to leave space for the food. MOOD LIGHTING You may already be using candles for mood lighting, but how about putting them front and center instead of scattered all around? With a pretty tray of non-flammable metal or glass as a base, group together at least five candles of similar shape and color. Play around with varying heights and widths to make it more eye catching. Check for possible sources of wind when positioning your candles, so you can avoid"dashing around with a lighter all night." By keeping candles away from an open window or the breeze of a fun, they'll stay lit and burn longer. TABLE BAUBLES Assorted Christmas balls, whether of glass or plastic, make for a colorful and fun centerpiece when piled generously into fluted bowls, cake stands, and baskets. Scatte a few stray balls around the base of your main arrangement. That a mix of glossy and matte surfaces work well together; rough surfaces balance out smooth ones, making for more interesting decor. You can do this by mixing shiny and matte balls, and putting them in a roughly woven basket. Another accent he likes throwing in the mix feathers. PRETTY TASTY try using fresh fruits and vegetables as decor elements suggests. A bowlful of shiny red or green apples looks festive when perched atop a table. You can go monochromatic and stick to one color for a more sophisticated look, or you can mix things up. Play around with other colorful fruits and vegetables, like lemons and limes, orange, and bunches of green herbs. Don't limit yourself to bowl and vases. Interesting containers even a shiny silver colander can make for fun conversation pieces. And if you thought sweets were just for dessert, think again. Perch delectable sweets on vases of dufferent heights to lead the eye on an adventurous tour, up and down, and across a dynamic spread of colorful treats. Candies are innately colorful and come in a rainbow of hues. You'll find colors to match the rest of your decor with ease. By using colorful edibles, your guests can grab a treat before and after the meal, or tear off a bunch of herbs for a fresh and fast seasoning for their dinner entree.

FEEDING THE FIRE

2009-10-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

When it comes to brain health, it's not only the foods you eat, but when you eat them that matters. the brain is an organ with high energy needs, so it requires a steady source of fuel for optimal performance that means regularly spaced meals and snacks. Skipping meals and eating at irregular times robs the brain of much needed energy and can affect short term brain functions such as memory, concentration and mood. One of the most important meals when it comes to brain function is breakfast. The morning meal is an ideal time to stock up on important nutrients that supply the brain with much needed energy after the overnight fast. It's not surprising that numerous studies have shown that people who eat breakfast are better able throughout the day compared to those who skip the first meal of the day.

Top 5 Brain Foods

2009-10-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

1. Clams and Oysters What they do: Cobalamin, otherwise known as vitamin B12, stands out for its role in brain health. A deficiency of this vitamin has been linked to everything from depression to decreased memory and concentration. To top it off, research finding published last year found that older adults with the lowest levels of vitamin B12 were more than six times more likely to experience brain shrinkage, which is strongly linked to a higher risk of dementia. Alzheimer's disease and cognitive dynfunction. 2.Blueberries and Strawberries
What they do: It makes sense that berries get the need when it comes to brain health, seeing as they are one of the best food sources for disease fighting antioxidants. While most of the evidence of their brain benefits comes from animal studies, more and more reseach is showing they have a protective effect against the ageing brain. British researchers found that adding blueberries to the diet for as little as three weeks showed significant improvements in memory capacity, by reversing age related deficits.3. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage
What they do: Cruferous vegetables are quickly becoming known as all star foods that help fight a variety of diseases. Their popularity is well earned not only is this group of vegetables tied to better brain function, they have been shown to reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including breast, lung and prostate, and protect against stoke. When it comes to brain health, it pays to get your daily dose of these vegetables. One study found that women who ate the most broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables perfomed better on memory tests than women of the same age who ate the least amount. In fact, having five servings of cruciferous vegetables per week put the brakes on age related mental decline, and turned back the cognitive clock. Women who ate the most cruciferous vegetablea were cognitively about a year and a half younger.
4.Salmon, Mackerel and Herring
What it does: Omega 3 fatty acids the healthy fat found in some fish, are perhaps most well known for their link to heart health but thanks to a growing body for research, these oils are starting to make waves when it comes to brain health as well. There's no doubt omega 3 fatty acids top the list when it comes to brain development, and their protective properties againts age related mental decline. Numerous studies finding have linked fish consumption during pregnancy with improved brain development in young children. One notable study published in the journal, found that children whose mothers ate fist at least once per week during pregnancy scored seven per cent higher on word tests, compared to those whose mother never ate fish. Similar difference in scores were also seen in tests measuring social activity and language development. Another recent study found that children whose mother consumed at least two serving of fish per week had the highest test scores when it came to memory.
5.,Spinach, Kale and Chard
What they do: These nutrient dense vegetables get two thumbs up when it comes to brain health. dark leafy vegetables offer an abundance of folate a water soluble vitamin that plays a role in brain development and also as excellent source of disease fighting antioxidants, including vitamin E, making them a good choice all round. If you're looking to sharpen your memory, attention span and verbal ability-it's tome to stock up on up on your green leafy vegetables. Middle aged women who ate generous portions of green leafy vegetables preserved more cognitive abilities as they aged. Women who consumed eight or more servings of green leafy vegetables per week, or at least one serving per day, had the cognitive function of someone almost two years younger, compared to those women who ate fewer than three serving per week.

The Church in northern Luzon

2009-08-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Baguio Cathedral is the biggest catholic church in Baguio

St. Augustine Church (most popularly known as “Paoay Church”) was built in 1694 commissioned by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo.

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral (Vigan City).

Basilica Minore of our Lady of Charity (Agoo, La Union) CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF CHARITY, AGOO.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan

T
This historical fact can be clearly seen from the Camiling Church which is the oldest and biggest church in Tarlac province

San Bartolome Chruch in Pampanga

Altered Lunch Box

2009-08-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

Shopping for new supplies is one of the most exciting parts about getting ready for school. take it to another level. With a little paper, glue, and imagination, your child can personalize his school gear-and earn 'coolness points" with his classmates before the end of the first day.

Convert last year's lunch box into a handy container for art supplies and school memorabilia. You can also use ti to:
* hold small toy cars, small books, or small toy train sets
* organize photos and greeting cards
* file recipes
* give to a teacher (fill with cookies,stamps or stickers)
The lunch box can also be converted into an album. Stick photos, decorate with leftover scrapbook paper, and write down anecdotes on the side.

Material
* lunch box
* embellishments: ribbons, letter stickers (other option: buttons, flowers,diecuts, chipboard, stamps etc.)
* cutting tools
* heavy duty or double-sider tape
* corner punch (optional)
* mod podge or any decoupage medium
* sponge brush (used for applying the decoupage medium

Instructions
1 Measure the part of the lunchbox you want to decorate. This can include the front, back and sides, but it's really up to you! You can decorate one side and paint the rest, or add a simple border with the original color peeking through.
2 Cut paper according to your measurements This can be a big block, or several strips (leave room so you can averlap). We used several scrapbook papers from one school-themed collection (it comes with matching embellishments too!).
3 Trim the excess paper. Since this lunchbox had rounded edges, we trimmed the excess with a corner punch for a more uniform shape. You can also use scissors.
4 Glue. apply with a brush (spreads more evenly) on the lunchbox, and then align the paper on one side. Press down with your hand, ironing out the bubbles. Tip: Choose paper that's thick enough to handle a lot of glue without warping or discoloring.
5 Embellish. In this box, Usually one side has a solid color, and the other has a coordinated pattern which you can cut out and turn into embellishment." Most scrapbook lines also have coordinating stickers, ribbons,paper flowers. Use a strong glue, or attach with brads to the paper before ou stick.
6 Finish. you can paint a thin layer of decoupage glue for a glossy finish (it also halps stick everything down, some stickers tend to peel off!). We also tied different coordinating ribbons around the handle.