Child's First Garden: Easy Herbs and Flowers

It is never too early to get children involved with gardening. It is suggested that not having enough contact with nature can affect their health, academic performance and overall well-being in a negative way. Not to mention, gardening teaches them to appreciate nature, and gives them a little exercise and vitamin D. Ideally, when you hire a nanny, you should make sure that they share your same passion for nature so they will be thrilled to help your child with their garden.

Herbs
Some people assume that children can only grow flowers and basic plants, but there are a few herbs that they can easily grow as well. They will love knowing that something they grow with their own two hands contributed to the delicious meal being put on the table.

• Basil – Can you really ever have too much basil in the house? It can be used for pesto, mixed in salads or used in a ton of recipes. Be sure to purchase seeds that are guaranteed to be fusarium-free.

• Thyme – This evergreen offers a lovely fragrance early in the season, and is ideal for making spice rubs.

• Chives – The great thing about chives is that they will come back year after year.

• Oregano – If you want a plant that is a little different, opt for Bristol Cross oregano; it can be placed in a hanging basket, and it grows in a unique ball shape.

• Mint – This is the perfect herb for beginners because it is one of the easiest plants to grow. If you hire a nanny without a green thumb, even they will be able to help your child grow mint.

• Others – Although not all herbs are safe  for children to handle, they can also grow dill, tarragon, sage, parsley, chervil, rosemary, coriander and savory.

Flowers

• Sunflowers – Children love sunflowers because they are so cheerful and vibrant. The seeds are large so they are easy to plant and when they ripen at the end of season, they can eat them.

• Snapdragons – These flowers are as fun to play with as they are to grow. They can easily be planted in beds or containers.

• Daisies – These are often favorites of little girls because they are simple yet pretty. There are many different varieties and some are easier to plant than others.

• Lady’s Mantle – Although not a common plant, these flowers are easy to grow and turn a child’s garden into a magical place. They have large leaves that manage to hold onto drops of morning dew, which sparkles like diamonds in the morning sunshine.

• Pansies – It is pretty much impossible to kill pansies. They come in a multitude of colors from black to purple to blue to yellow so they can mix and match and create a unique display.

Vegetables

• Cherry Tomatoes – These are a must in a child’s vegetable garden. They need full sun, a stake and a lot of compost.

• Snow Peas – This is a quick growing crop that does well in a small space. Snow peas prefer a partially shaded location.

• Potatoes – Here is a crop that is nearly guaranteed to be delivered every time. When the leaves die and the plant collapses, the potatoes are ready to harvest. These can even be grown in old garbage pails or large Rubbermaid containers too.

• Pumpkin – Every child must have a pumpkin growing in their garden so they have their very own one to cut come Halloween. Hopefully you hire a nanny that understands how to use those pumpkin stencils better than you, right? When the pumpkin feels hollow when you tap it, it is ready to harvest. This often takes up to 120 days!

Article provided by nanny.net, your #1 source for everything nanny-related.

Five New Sports to Try in 2012

With the Olympics returning to the UK this summer the country will be going sports mad. It may be too late for you to make it into the squad for this year’s Games, but you can always take inspiration from Britain’s Olympians and try out some new sporting pursuits. Trying a new sport is a great way to stay fit and doing something you haven’t done before keeps you motivated as well. Here are five new sports for you to try to follow in the spirit of the 2012 Games:

Archery
One of the less gruelling but most skillful sports that will be on show at this summer’s Games, it’s the sort of activity you can start off no matter what your fitness level or physical attributes. An ancient pursuit dating back 10,000 years, it has been an Olympic sport since 1900 and calls for a steady hand, perfect precision and nerves of steel. There are plenty of sites across the country to get a taster and challenge your friends to the highest score.

Windsurfing
Watersport experience days are a great chance to get wet and wild, trying out a new sport and having plenty of laughs at the same time. Windsurfing is one of the toughest to master but most fun to try. You don’t even need to live near the sea, with manmade and natural lakes at landlocked destinations across the British Isles offering the chance to enjoy a taste of this sport which combines elements of sailing and surfing for thrills and spills on the water.

Fencing
If you’ve dreamed of being a swashbuckling hero but never knew where to start, then trying out Olympic-style fencing will give you a good taste of life as a swordsman. Safe and fun, you can learn about all the elements of the sport and get an essential guide to help you make sense of it at this year’s Games, but the best part is when you don the outfit and mask and try it out for yourself.

Trampolining
It seems there’s barely a family garden in the UK these days that doesn’t have a trampoline, but trying it out on Olympic-sized adult trampolines is a different game altogether. Athletes will put on dazzling displays of gymnastic trampolining in London in August, a discipline which has only been an Olympic sport since 2000. But it’s not hard to see why it is growing in popularity, awe-inspiring to watch and great fun to try out – it’s probably as close a feeling as you’ll get to flying as you spring metres into the air.

Walking
There’s a fine line between walking being a sport and walking being, well...just walking. But it’s a sport that you really need nothing to try out and is still a great way to stay fit and see the world. You may not want to adopt the unusual waddle that Olympic race walkers employ as you’re sure to get some funny looks when you head down to the shops, but setting yourself challenging walks around the park or through picturesque beauty spots is a wonderfully refreshing and accessible activity.

Produced by Activity Superstore, the leading gift experience supplier in the UK. With over 1,000 Gift Ideas from supercar experiences to pamper days, you're sure to find the perfect gift.

Just What Is A Guitar Anyway?

The guitar as we know it has a long history and there will be many an argument to its true origins and it begs us to ask what is a guitar anyway?

The Basic Design And Origins
The basic design of a guitar goes all the way back to many civilizations.  As far back as ancient Persia and the Indus valley regions there were people who strung a piece of string or animal gut or hair across a hollowed out gourd and made sounds.  As civilizations evolved they played with the basic design of a body with long neck attached with strings of varying materials are strung from the top of the neck down over the body allowing the strings to be plucked producing combinations of sounds.  These sounds produced by the guitar become music.

There literally is no telling who invented the basic guitars but we can trace the modern guitar's roots to various cultures around the world.  It appears that trade and conquest accelerated the design of the guitar to what it is today.  From ancient India to Persia, to African countries such as Egypt and Timbuktu, to Greece, Rome and more, the path of the guitar is clearly seen yet its modern manifestation is something quite to take note of. 

The Renaissance And Antonio de Torres Jurado
Mainly the guitar got its major once over during the years of the Renaissance and then from the area we call Spain.  Actually when all is said and done, it finally turns out the Spanish hold the banner of having developed the guitar to what we use today.  It was a man named  Antonio de Torres Jurado who was born in the 1800s he spent his life developing the guitar to what we know of today which lead to the classical, acoustic, electric guitars.  He is literally the father of guitars.  The added sixth string then enabled for greater range and more manipulation of the guitar.  So now instead of five strings it is six strings and changed the way theory and practical are applied today. 

Noted Maestros
It is funny that from earlier instruments we now have such renown players such as Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Les Paul who revolutionized the electric guitar first developed in the 1930s,  Carlos Santana who has kept the Spanish tradition of masterful performances, are all descendents of the earlier masters of guitar like Agustin Barrios from South America. 

Needless to say, the guitar has a great history and will continue to do so.

Thank you to EasilyPlayGuitar for giving us the information that was used into todays article, without them we would not have been able to write for you today.

World's Best Guitarists

If there’s one sure fire way to get music fans into a heated argument, it’s to start a discussion about who are the world’s best guitarists. It’s a very emotive and subjective issue, and the answers will vary depending on musical taste and personal preferences. There are however some names which keep coming up again and again in these sorts of discussions.

Jimi Hendrix
There are only a very few people who have changed the face of world music forever, and one of these is Jimi Hendrix, who exploded onto the rock scene in the late 1960s. The sound he got out of his guitar was like nothing the world had heard before, and his untimely death at the age of 27 guarantees that his music remained high profile through the 1970s too. He was the first to use the pedal extensively in his guitar playing and this added to the unusual sounds. He is one of the most influential guitar players of all time, and was named the best guitar player ever in a survey by Rolling
Stone magazine.

Eric Clapton
Clapton was originally a blues player, and found fame with the Yardbirds before breaking away and forming his own band, Cream. He was well-known for writing his own material and his guitar solos as he was for cover versions of songs by the likes of Bob Marley, and although he has retired from the music scene in recent years he still features highly on lists of the world’s best guitar players. Clapton was a seasoned performer in his own right, and sang as well as playing on most of his most memorable hits. Clapton is unusual in that he does not have a preferred brand of instrument and has played many different types of guitars over his career.

Edge
There was a point in the 1980s when U2 were Ireland’s biggest export, and it would be difficult to name a band which had had more international success over the past 30 years. The Edge’s distinctive guitar sounds is what made the band stand out from the crowd, and many have tried to emulate his sound on their own Rickenbacker 620 Fireglo, with varying degrees of success. U2 may not have as a high a profile as they did a few years ago, but they have an extensive back catalogue of hits and have influenced many of the next generation of guitarists.

George Harrison
The two high profile members of the Beatles were John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and guitarist George Harrison is often overlooked in the popularity stakes. However, his guitar sound contributed greatly to the success of the band, and the Beatles transformed the face of popular music across the world in the 1960s. Harrison had solo success after the break up of the band, and was a high profile campaigner for human rights until his death in 2001. Harrison was a fan of the Rickenbacker brand of guitars, and many a young player wishing to emulate his style has picked up a Rickenbacker 620 Fireglo and strummed a few chords. 

Citations:

• Image courtesy of Matt Gibbons

Peterborough Music offer the Rickenbacker 620 Fireglo guitar, a favourite of The Edge and many other top guitarists.

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Top 7 Impossible Gardens

Have you ever grown a garden in a piece of furniture, or decided to have your ashes sprinkled in a coral garden shaped like the lost city of Atlantis?

Well get your green fingers at the ready, as these are some of the strangest gardens around!

Image by Joel Olives

1) Splice Garden (USA) 

Our first contender for the top impossible garden is the Splice Garden at the White Head Institute in the USA.

Now there are some very strange gardens coming up, but the reason that this garden is impossible is due to the fact that it defies a very basic principle of what a garden is.

It doesn’t grow!

The Splice Garden is entirely plastic!

The garden is supposed to reflect the dangers of gene splicing. It’s apparently still a relaxing space for the scientists to sit in, but I’m not sure that I fancy it!

Impossibility Factor: 5/10

2) Musee du quai Branly (France)

Image by Isamiga76

Our second contender is across the channel in France.

The Musee du quai Branly is where you’ll find the garden -but it won’t take you long to find it! Instead of growing in the museum’s grounds, the garden grows on the side of the building!
Vertical gardening has gained popularity in the last few years, and the museum is a great example!

It may be rather difficult to relax in this garden, but it’s certainly an amazing feat of urban gardening!

Impossibility Factor: 6/10

3) EDITT Tower (Singapore)
Ok, so this third entry is a little bit of a cheat, as this building is pending construction. But it only takes a quick glance at the plans to realise that this could be one of the strangest gardens of the future!

The EDITT Tower takes urban gardening to the extreme, with the garden appearing to overtake the building!

If you’ve been following the recent Chelsea Flower Show, then consider this to be Diarmuid Gavin’s ‘Magic Pyramid’ in skyscraper form!

The building collects rainwater and light, so not only does it look pretty amazing, it’s also energy efficient!

Impossibility Factor: 9/10

4) The Garden of Cosmic Speculation (Scotland)
Image by Yellow Book

In this strange garden you may feel like you’ve slipped into Wonderland!

The 30-acre Garden of Cosmic Speculation took nearly 20 years to complete. But the garden wasn’t inspired by Lewis Carroll; it was inspired by physics!

Chequered floors, curving mounds and double helix staircases, come together in a surreal landscape where nothing is quite as it seems.

Pay a visit and you too can speculate on black holes and parallel universes!

Impossibility Factor: 8/10

5) Furni Bloom (Icelandic Designer)

The exciting thing about this impossible garden is that you could have one of your own!
Furni Bloom was designed by Icelandic landscape architect Dagný Bjarnadóttir. It’s garden furniture with a twist; the garden is inside the furniture!

The chairs and table are made of transparent acrylic glass and are hollow inside. This enables you to plant a garden inside the furniture and then watch it grow!

Impossibility Factor: 7/10

6) Giant Hanging Basket (UK)

Lots of people have hanging baskets, but not many have decided to plant an entire garden in one!

But in 2009 the Hotel Indigo in London decided to install a giant hanging basket outside. How giant you ask? Well it weighed more than a quarter of a ton and contained over 100 varieties of flowers!

Sadly it’s long gone, but while it was around it would certainly have caught your eye!

Impossibility Factor: 8/10

7) Neptune Memorial Reef (USA)

There are many strange things about our last contender, but one of the most obvious is that it’s underwater!

Instead of growing flowers, this is a coral garden.

This garden can be found at Key Biscayne in Florida, and is designed as a resting place for the dearly departed.

Modelled in the style of the lost city of Atlantis, the memorial garden is formed of statues that are made up of ashes and cement.

It certainly looks very peaceful, and I love that new life comes from old!

Impossibility Factor: 10/10

So the Neptune Memorial Reef comes top for me, but which is your most impossible garden?

Or do you know a better candidate?

Gavin Harvey is a personal trainer with a passion for travel! A lover of all things weird and wonderful, he’s always in search of the next big adventure. When he’s not working, he can be found partying at music festivals, and he’s also a part time blogger for Out There Interiors.

A Look at Modern-Day Laser Tag

Laser Tag is a fun, non-contact sport with its origins in combat training. Laser tag perhaps reached its peak in the 1980’s in popularity; however, it’s seen a revitalization in this decade as well due to advancements in equipment and the explosion in popularity of “first person shooter” video games.

When one thinks of “laser tag” cheesy weapons, gaudy outfits and facilities with neon lights often come to mind. That’s just not the case any longer. Modern day facilities offer experiences similar to what law enforcement or military personnel use. Individuals are given a blaster or infrared emitting weapon that tags a sensor on another participant. Advancements in weaponry have come a long way since the 80’s but the basic premise is still the same. Players wear infrared-sensitive instruments; generally, these targets are integrated into vests that register points when tagged. Sometimes these targets are even incorporated with the gaming arena, depending on the mechanics of the chosen adventure. Some people see it as a safe and appealing pastime, while others enjoy getting family or friends together for an adventure.

Laser Tag – What’s the Point?
The principal intent is to score points for you and your team by tagging the challenger; normally sensors are found on the front and back of their vest and on the laser guns themselves. You should avoid being tagged, because aside from giving them more counts, usually this renders you immobile and unable to use your equipment for a few seconds, or in other cases indicates that you are out of the game.

The regulations vary from each activity, but these are general guidelines one might expect to see at a modern-day laser tag arena:

Laser Tag – The Rules
Physical contact must be avoided.

One must be cautious when moving around the amusement area and handling the tools and outfit. One must be careful not to damage the gear or facilities.

Medical conditions that may affect one during the activity must be disclosed. Some battlegrounds employ flashing lights, fog machines, and other paraphernalia to make the experience more entertaining but could agitate some allergy or launch some condition like asthma or epilepsy.

There are also codes of conduct players have come to abide by making for a fair and fruitful competition.

Rough housing is never favored. This is a game and it should be fun.

Participants should not block their sensors, detach the targets, or some other scheme to make it difficult for the opponent to tag them.

Make sure that your device and suit is working, that the sensors are turned on and functioning.
If there is malfunctioning gears, one must inform the conductor and participants of the situation and get out of the game until it is resolved.

Laser tag, as a sport, isn’t what it used to be, that’s for sure. But not all facilities are created equal. If you’re up for some modern-day first-person combat simulation, be sure you choose the right facility with the most modern equipment, adequate combat space and the proper rules and employees to enforce those rules.

Image by mek22 via Flickr.

About the Author:

Daniel Ruyter lives in the Orlando, Florida area and frequents Hard Knocks - Orlando's best laser tag facility.

#Crafts That All Children Enjoy

Summer is here and now the kids are here with us parents full time. Well, unless they are going to camp. Now it is time to pull out the arts and crafts to keep them entertained and out of trouble yet what is there to do? This article explains five of the crafts that your children will not only enjoy but you will find yourself enjoying as well. The best part is they work well with children of almost any age.

Gods Eye
Gods Eye is one of the crafts that seems like it has been around for forever yet it is still something that children of all ages love to do and many parents find it to be a pretty fun and unique craft as well. Then, of course there is the fact that it is very budget friendly and it is not messy either. If you are looking for something that requires very little adult guidance this is the perfect craft for you to consider introducing to your children.

Pillow
Pillows are another craft that can be fun for children of all ages. However, if you have younger children you will have to do the sewing to insure that they do not get hurt but they can assist with all of the other steps such as cutting the fabric and stuffing the pillow. Older children enjoy doing this as well. Not to mention this is a frugal way to replace the pillows in your home as well.

Coloring
Yes, we all have that artist that lies beneath us all. No matter what age your child is you would be surprised to know that they are still interested in coloring. Coloring is something that relaxes the mind and with all of the different coloring print outs that can be printed offline it is the perfect craft to occupy your child’s time while you try and get some of the things that you need to do done without interruptions.

Painting
Since it is summer why not save some money and gather the kids together and allow them to paint their rooms instead of calling in a professional. It is something that you will have to guide them on but it is a fun thing to do as a family. They can feel as though they have helped you do something great while also being able to express their personalities in their rooms as well. Many ideas can be found online as far as design wise or you can even let them do something creative such as leave their hand prints on their walls. When it comes to teenagers they may feel as though doing this is an extra chore at first but you can be sure that they will get in the mood and start enjoying themselves as well.

Book Blanket
We all know that after summer school season will be back into full effect. So, why not save money on having to buy book covers and have your child make them themselves. This is another craft that is going to require your assistance when it comes to younger children because of the sewing put they can help out with the cutting and designing process. Older children will even enjoy this because it will help them make sure that they are unique and do not have the same thing as their friends when returning to school.

Overall, these five crafts are just starting points as to the thousands of crafts that are out there for you to introduce to your children. Just make sure to have fun as a family because one day these simple, budget friendly crafts will be what you have in your memory box.

This guest post comes from freelance writer Victoria. Victoria writes on a bunch of different children’s topics ranging from crafts to party bag ideas. 

All About Matchbox

There are certain toys nearly every boy has growing up. Footballs and action figures of some kind are just to name a few. However there are some that are even more common than that. We are talking about Matchbox cars and as it turns out they have quite they history behind their name.

Matchbox was created and owned by the British die-cast toy manufacturer called Lesney Products.  Lesney was founded in 1947 Rodney Smith and Leslie Smith. A quick read of Lesney will reveal the company got its name by combing the last names of the owners.  Back then die-cast toys like Corgi and Dinky were extremely popular and Lesney hoped to break into this market. That same year a die-casting engineer they hired named Jack Odell became one of their partners as well.  The Matchbox name would come about through an interesting story of his creation.

In 1953 Odell’s daughter informed him that they were only allowed to take toys to school that would fit into a matchbox. This inspired Odell to come up with a line of toys that students could take to school and it wasn’t before long when the first Matchbox cars were produced. Popular among collectors, these early toys are often referred to as the “Golden Age” of toy collecting.

 The first series of Matchbox cars were known as the I-75 series, although it only contained a few models.  Up until then Lesney’s best-selling product had been a replica of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation coach which sold roughly one million units but Matchbox changed everything for them as the toys became a huge hit. Matchbox was so successful that the term became synonymous with small cars everywhere. One of its most successful series was the Models of Yesteryear, a line of classic cars from the early days of automobiles. It is slightly ironic since these Matchbox cars are now considered classics as well. Another popular series was the Major’s Packs which consisted of larger construction vehicles and the King Sized sets which was made up of larger trucks and tractors.

Matchbox dominated the die cast toy industry for over a decade and nobody could touch but then in 1968 something would happen that would change everything. Mattel invented the Hot Wheels. The Hot Wheels were painted bright metallic colors, had fancy wheels, slick accurate designs and featured the popular low friction, high speed “racing” wheels. For Matchbox it was a disaster as every kind in America wanted the new, shiny Hot Wheels. 

Matchbox, and everyone else for that matter, desperately tried to come up with something to rival the Hot Wheels. Their answer was the “Superfast” series that could also be bought with tracks and accessories. Matchbox made another bold move by reworking their cars and parts to be the same size as Hot Wheels. This would allow kids to buy Matchbox cars to use their Hot Wheels tracks. The plan worked well and by the 1970’s they were back on track.

The 1980’s saw a rough time for England’s economy and due to financial problems Lesney was sold to Universal Toys who moved production to China. It would be the beginning of a series of sales for the Matchbox brand. While they survived the 1980’s Universal Toys decided to go ahead and sell Matchbox to Tyco Toy is in 1992. Tyco did continue to produce the Matchbox name. Then in 1997 Tyco was sold to its fiercest competitor and ultimate rival: Mattel. This sparked outrage and fear among Matchbox fans who were afraid that Mattel would change or even discontinue the line. Fortunately Mattel realized the value of this brand and had no intention of changing it what-so-ever. Thanks to this bit of wisdom both collectors and children can continue on in enjoying these iconic toys.

RJ plays with toys and writes in sunny Southern California. He writes about pop culture, toy collecting and history. Enterprise Car Sales is one place to find great used vehicles.

DIY Projects Using Construction Pallets

Not everyone is cut out to handle a do-it-yourself project.  While many homes are equipped with table saws and sanders, it is not a staple in all homes.  DIY projects are great because they are inexpensive and create unique looking furniture.  There is a simpler solution to make your own decorations without having to go out and buy heavy machinery or learn how to use equipment without injuring yourself.  Pallets that are used to haul food, materials, and other products can be taken apart and can serve a completely different service.

Tables
A very easy way to make an end table out of pallets is to stack them together and place a top on it.  Plywood or Plexiglas will work well for a study top.  Another way to is lay them out side by side to elongate the table.  Legs can be nailed to the table top buy taking apart other pallets.  It is probably a good idea to sand down the pallets to keep people from getting splinters.

Wallpaper
A lot of rooms will have an accent wall that is a little more colorful.  Rather than coming up with an elaborate paint job, pallets planks can be taken apart and nailed to the wall.  They can be stained to any color to match the surrounding painted walls.  Instead of staining it, paint can be applied over the wood and sanded down.  This will make it look like the outside of an old warn out house. 

Shelves
Pallets can be cut to form a shelf.  Since pallets already form a container it is easy to go from pallet to a set of shelves.  The first step is to cut it to the size you want it.  The back should be the side that has less space between planks.  More space in the front will give the selves a rustic look.  After they are nailed to the wall, they can be filled with books, pictures, and other forms of art.

Pallet Projects
Do-it-yourself projects using pallets are relatively simple.  Construction mats have a unique look to them and create a fun and different center piece in any home no matter if it is rustic or modern.  Even people that are not good at DIY projects will be able to handle using pallets.  Plus the great thing about this material is that it is relatively cheap and can be recycled.  That way if you screw up, you will not be out very much money. 

Garnett Wood Products is the leading provider in mat construction and manufactures a variety of crane mats, pipeline skids, and other specialty wood products.  Garnett Wood can deliver its poducts all over the US.

Tips for Getting Free Stuff

When you are trying to build your savings, nothing is better than receiving free products or services. Believe it or not, there are plenty of free things out there waiting to be claimed by you. You are probably thinking that nothing is ever really free; so, there must be a catch somewhere. Well, the payment that you will have to put into your free items will only be your time and attention, but never cash. That price has to be pretty attractive to anyone interested in saving money.

1.    Find Free Samples
There are plenty of companies out there that are either new, or are offering a new product or service. These companies are often willing to give you a free sample in the hopes that that sample will entice you to return and spend your money on more items. A great way to stay in tuned to these offers is to sign up for free newsletters and electronic offers. If you’re like me, you typically choose to opt out when a company asks for your email address because the spam emails can become annoying. This is why you should create a second free email address just for these situations. You can have your personal email address separate from your free offer email address. You can then periodically scour your second email address for emails containing valuable deals and precious free samples.

2.    Complete Surveys
Companies want information from you. They want to learn the tastes and preferences of different demographics. This is why your survey answers are quite valuable. In return for answering a few questions, many companies will offer you a free gift to compensate you for your time.

3.    Visit Trade Shows
Stay aware of when trade shows are being held in your area. You may be required to pay a small entrance fee to enter the show, in some cases you will not, but once you are inside, you can find that many of the businesses at the show will have great samples and giveaways. Many businesses will give away small items such as shirts, pens, or other items with their business information printed on the side so that you will remember them later.

4.    Volunteer
You can get many services performed for free if you are willing to volunteer for students. This can range from getting your hair cut to having dental work completed. The students need practice and you can often get this work completed for free if you are willing to be a test subject of sorts. This might sound risky, but remember, these students are always supervised and the instructors would not allow them to work with the public if they did not show the competency to do so.

5.    Review 
Companies are always looking for ways to get their brand out into the public eye. If you enjoy being creative and writing about your opinions and experiences, start a blog in which you review products and services. If you generate enough buzz, companies will be willing to send you free items or give you free services in exchange for a review on your blog. Obviously, in this case, you would want to concentrate your review topics on the types of items in which you personally like, want, or need.

As you can see, if you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can get plenty of goods and services for free or next to nothing. Of course, in some of these cases you are going to have to do a little bit of work on your end, but in many cases the value will greatly outweigh the cost. 

Debbie Phillips enjoys writing about ideas to help stay at home moms from saving money to keeping the kids busy at FreeStuffandSamples.com.

Why Collect Coins?

Collecting Coins is an interesting hobby that’s fun for young and old. A lot of our customers are grandparents that are building their collections for their grandchildren and it becomes a positive medium for the grandchildren to work on, to get them out of the modes of looking at some of the drugs and the gangs and some of the negative places they have to put their energy, coin collecting is a very positive place to put energy for young and old.

Isn't Coin Collecting Expensive?
Most people think that coin collecting is a very expensive hobby that all these coins cost lots and lots of money, it is true that we have expensive coins in our inventory; we have coins that sell for 3-5 thousand dollars in our inventory, but the majority of coins sell for under $50. I have 3 coins that I’d like to show you today that are fun, interesting, and a good place to start that don’t require a lot of money. In fact, they’re less than $20 a coin. In 1897, which was exactly 110 years ago today, the mint made a silver dollar; they’re 90% silver and a little bit less than an ounce of silver, (with silver around the $12-$13 mark these coins melt around $10-$11 a coin).

Morgan Silver Dollar:

The second coin that I want to talk about today is a – and I have it right here – it’s a Morgan silver dollar but it’s in mint condition;mint condition meaning it was never circulated, it was never put in change. The 1897 that I spoke about earlier is a circulated coin, it’s a coin that was put in circulation, it’s a coin that was spent and it over the bar a few times in the wild west and it circulated but it’s 110 years old and it dated 1897. The 1921 Morgan is the last year that they made Morgan dollars before they started the Peace Dollar, and this coin is in mint condition, it’s never been in circulation and we have it in an air-tight holder to preserve the quality of the coin. 

Mercury Dime:
The third coin that I want to talk about is a coin that I am really excited about, I saved the best coin for last, and this coin sells for under $20. The US mint made mercury dimes, (pictured left). We call them the winged mercury and it has a little branch on the back and they were made from 1916-1945, they’re made of 90% silver, if you were to have a few Mercurys today they’d melt at probably over a dollar a coin just for the silver. But these coins have not been made since 1945, the end of the second World War, if you can remember back to the end of the second World War, all you veterans out there this is a great coin because the second World War ended in 1945. This is a mercury dime and it is the last year of issue, it’s 1945, but it’s in mint condition; mint condition means that the coin was never spent, was never passed over the bar, it never was used for change.  It’s probably the history that fascinates me personally the most.
Every coin has a story to tell. So whatever your motives for collecting coins, have fun with you endeavors.  

The Tower Mint are producers of custom coins and medals in the UK. 

Image: Credit Credit

Ultra-Fandom: Five Perplexing Fan Followings

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Fandom is nothing new. There have been fan clubs popping up for all manner of TV shows, films, products and more for as long as people have had the means to share their interests. While most of these tend to fall within relatively tame boundaries, there are some fan followings that just take it to the next level. So read on and check out five media ventures that have found followings fanatical to the point of being just a bit puzzling!

The 'Bronies'

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It’s surprising at all that there’s a fan club for those devoted to My Little Pony. Kids love all that stuff, right? Well, not quite. There’s a clique amongst fans of this particular kids’ cartoon series known as the ‘Bronies’, who are adult, male fans who openly and proudly profess their love for the multi-coloured little equine critters. Activities of this loose association of fanatics mainly include hair-dyeing, dressing up, uploading videos of MLP collectables and getting together at annual conventions to discuss all things pony related.

The Juggalos

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We’re not sure why (we’ve never been huge fans) but the Insane Clown Posse are one of those who just managed to draw a huge fan following. Rather than meekly getting together to listen to ICP records and ruminate on the quality of the band, Juggalos don full face-paint in honour of their chosen idols and go into the world to sing their praises. Also having their own greetings and dress codes, the puzzling thing about the Juggalos is just that it’s hard to tell how serious they are. Is it a real, earnest lifestyle choice, or just some tongue-in-cheek fun? Impossible to say!


To get a feel for the Juggalo way of life, check out this hilarious sketch from Funny or Die:

The Trekkies

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Trekkies have been around for years, and everyone is familiar with the level of devotion and attention to detail brought to the table by these fans. Perhaps the original cult fan following, Trekkies have set the bar and defined the stereotype of all that is geeky. To this day, the Star Trek devotee remains symbolic of the sci-fi subculture, and parodies have cropped up in countless films and TV shows. With an encyclopaedic knowledge of every episode and a solid technical grasp of the show’s gadgets, Trekkies are known for their willingness to really go the extra mile and can often be seen at sci-fi conventions in immaculately presented costumes.


Whovians

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Whovians are dedicated fans of the British science fiction series, Doctor Who. Conventions are held worldwide with the first being held in 1977. Fanzines first appeared in the 1970s took the form of hand-written and mail-distributed newsletters. In recent years, since the show’s revival on the BBC, Dr Who fandom has grown hugely and now groups of fans can be found in costume, wielding sonic screwdrivers and congregating at numerous gathers for just such people.


WD-40

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Before you think this is a mistake, please note this is not a misprint. The water displacing spray does have a fan club, who would have thought? The fan club for this spray which was developed in 1953 is large and while the spray is useful to have in your toolbox, fans enjoy sharing their stories, tips and tricks and they even have their own newsletter. Hey, whatever floats your boat.

Want to get in on the Bronie action? Get the best broadband prices with broadband comparison from Broadband Choices.

Record Breaking Jigsaws

The humble jigsaw puzzle remains as popular as ever and this boredom-busting form of entertainment is loved by people of all ages and from all walks of life. Jigsaw puzzles first became popular in the 1700’s and the very earliest types of jigsaw were actually made from maps, cut up into smaller pieces. By the late 1700’s jigsaws were selling well commercially and the rest, as they say, is history. With advances in printing technology, jigsaws are able to break boundaries and enter the world record books. Here are a few of the most outstanding examples:

Image courtesy of jhritz, Flickr.

Largest Jigsaw Puzzle Ever Made:  According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest ever jigsaw puzzle was assembled at the former Kai Tak Hong Kong Airport on 3 November 2002. It took 777 people to construct the enormous puzzle, which measured 5428.8 m² and was made up of 21,600 pieces, each measuring 0.5 x 0.5 m. The puzzle was created by the Great East Asia Surveyors and Consultants Co LTD.

The largest commercially available jigsaw:  The previous record in this category was broken in 2011 when Ravensburger released the colossal “Keith Haring: Double Retrospect” puzzle. The puzzle only consists of 7 colours and contains 32,256 individual pieces, meaning that large areas of the puzzle contain blocks of a single colour. The finished puzzle measures 17’ x 6’, which would pose a challenge, as it would be difficult to find a large enough space in which to complete the puzzle in the average home. The box containing the pieces weighs in at a massive 42lb and comes with wheels and a handle for easy transportation.

Smallest Commercially Available Jigsaw:  According the Guinness Book of Records, the jigsaw in this category has to contain 500-1000 pieces for the record to be valid. The record goes to a 500 piece jigsaw depicting Macchu Picchu which measures 21 x 29.6 cm. The jigsaw is available from Tomax, who are based in China.
 
Image courtesy of The Travelling Bum, Flickr

Most Expensive Jigsaw:  The most expensive jigsaw ever sold at auction was sold in September 2005 for a bid of $27,000. The money raised from the sale went to a charity called the Golden Retriever Foundation. The puzzle was a handmade wooden puzzle by artist Rachel Paige Elliot. Elliot has a reputation for detailed craftsmanship and has won many awards for her work. The puzzle depicted a Golden retriever and her five puppies, and was entitled “The Outing”. The artist was 92 years old at the time of the sale.

It is easy to see that the world of jigsaw puzzles has created some fascinating and unique world records. These popular brainteasers that are even available as online jigsaws today, delight, relax and frustrate in equal measure, will surely continue to break new ground with the development of new technology which will create even greater extremes in the years to come.

This article has been produced on behalf of Feel Good Games, the free online games specialists offering you jigsaws, puzzles and other such games.

Can Numerology Work For You?

Numerology is the study of the symbolism of numbers. It is a type of applied mysticism, which connects a mystical symbol with the ability to give insight into a person’s character. Numerology can be traced back 10,000 years, to Egypt and Babylonia, but it is Greek mathematician Pythagoras, who is accredited with developing numerology and laying the foundations for numerology. In more recent years, numerologist L. Dow Balliet incorporated Pythagorean principles with the concepts of numerology that we use today.

Your Personality?
Numerologists claim that numerology can give insight into what kind of personality you have, your strengths and weaknesses, and what your talents are. Numerology also claims to be able to tell you what kinds of stresses currently exist in your life, and in the lives of those around you. Numerologists state that numerology can help employers see if someone can fulfil their job requirements, or can help someone who is having difficulty in a relationship to work out what is going wrong. Numerologists also believe numbers can be used to advise on when is the best time to marry, change jobs, or any other life changing decisions.


How It Works
Numerology works on the principle that everything in the universe has a specific vibration. According to Balliet, people, objects, food and colours all vibrate. Numbers also have their own vibration rate, according to numerologists, and by finding out the vibration rate of an object, you can find out the qualities associated with it. In numerology, all numbers are reduced to single digits 1-9. Numerologists work out what a person’s number is, and then that person can live their life by making choices that are compatible with their number, by making choices that have the same vibration as them.

How to Work out Your Number
Numerologists commonly use a person’s name or birth date to determine their number. It might seem strange to have your personality governed by your name, which is chosen by your parents, but numerologists argue that unborn babies actually choose their names themselves and communicate their name choice to their parents through psychic links, thus making sure they have a name with the correct number to match their personality. Different numerologists use different ways to work out a person’s number, but one often used is based on the position of each letter in the alphabet:
A=1
B=2
C=3 etc.
A numerologist picks the numbers that match the letters, adding the numbers together when a digit is over 9. For example, the number of the letter K would be 2, as its number 11 in the alphabet, so we add 1 and 1 together to get 2. Joe Bloggs’s number would be 165 236111. The total for Joe is 12, and Bloggs is 14. Adding these two numbers together gets us 26. 2 plus 6 is 8, which gives us Joe Blogg’s number.

What Your Number Means
Different numerologists apply different concepts to different numbers, but here are some common numerical concepts:
1: willpower, ambition, leadership, success
2: emotional, harmonious, peacemaker, un-confrontational
3: imagination, happiness, creativity
4: practicality, instinctive, endurance
5: outgoing, curious, committed
6: honesty, faithful, domestic, optimist
7: cleverness, introvert, mysterious
8: natural leadership, wealth, authoritative, contrite
9: possessiveness, spirituality, empathy

A numerologist makes recommendations about a person’s future based on their number. Topics numerologists often cover are lucky numbers (might be a good time to buy a lottery ticket), career paths, qualities to look for in a partner, negative personality traits to avoid, and positive ones to emphasise. By giving you insight into your own personality, numerology can help equip you to make more informed decisions, and manage your relationships with others.

Many people use the services of numerologists to give them guidance in their life, and credit numerology with helping them make personal and business decisions. There has however, been little scientific research into numerology, and there's no proof that the there is any real correlation between numbers and the qualities they are each associated with. For this reason, you might want to keep an open mind if you employ a numerologist. However, even if you’re not sure if you believe in it, talking to someone about your problems will help you work through them, and the guidance they give can help you get your life in order and feel more positive.

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This article by Alice from horoscopes.org.uk explains how numerology could be important for you, and exactly what it is and how it is worked out.

Craftsy Crafting ~ Sewing Machine 911 ~ FREE Online Classes with Claudia Miller

Sewing Machine 911

 Enjoy your class as many times as you want, whenever you want. 

Your access never expires. In my free online Craftsy class, Sewing Machine 911, I teach all about the typical ills most machines suffer from, and how to easily remedy those pesky problems. 

Gain confidence in troubleshooting your own machine issues with my tips and tricks. In this class, I discuss both vintage and modern machines, new and used. 

All of these machines can sew, and they can sew well when the user understands them correctly. Work with me and get to know the ins and outs of your sewing machine, including the basic components of each machine, spotting symptoms, knowing when to take your machine to a professional, and much more! 

To Signup for Craftsy Crafting Daily Deals click on one of the deals, after signing up you get the full information about the deals offered. 

Craftsy is the fastest growing online community for Crafters - with over 500,000 monthly unique visitors, having just launched in May 2011. This rapid growth results from two primary offerings which Craftsy users love: 

1) Terrific online classes from amazing instructors for beginning, intermediate and advanced quilters, knitters, crocheters, sewists, jewelry makers, and other crafters. 
2) Astonishingly good deals on crafting supplies: organic yarn, lovely fabrics and fat quarters from top designers, high quality needles, etc... 

Astrology - Why People Love it So

Just like the moon and the sun affect all life on Earth and the tides, these celestial beings have an effect on humans, their emotions and their overall makeup. Astrology is the study of how all these different forces work to make your life what it is. The study is about you as a person as well as the current environmental situations that make things harder or easier for you. When you understand more about where you come from and why you are the way you are, you can better focus your life and energy to be the person you want to be. Astrology does not tell you what your life has to be but rather helps you navigate the rough waters of life with a little more purpose.

When you were Born
The placement of the stars when you were born puts you in a particular zodiac sign which gives you a simplified list of some of your personality traits. While these traits manifest differently in every person, there are certain things that are similar. By recognizing these traits you can decide how you want to work them so that you are as successful as possible. For example, if you are a Taurus you are most likely stubborn. Just knowing this can help you open up to those around you and try and put aside your differences if you know you are just digging in because of your tendencies rather than fact.

Why Does this Pull Effect You?
The gravitational pull to your person is based on when you were born and the placement of the stars at that time. Astrology puts a lot of emphasis on how this gravity affects your path throughout your life. As the stars move around this changes your mood and your purpose. By knowing what these effects are you can plan to focus your energies according to where your strengths lie at any given time in your life.

What Your Horoscope Means
Horoscopes are generalized studies for your sign as a whole. They give you information regarding what the stars pull is currently doing to you and people like you. These changes can affect your relationships both personally and at work. There are times when it is better to be more outgoing while other times it is better to be reflective. Astrology tries to guide you in a direction that will be the best use of your time rather than wasting your time if the stars are not in the right place for you right now.

The Study of Birthdays
Astrology also believes in the placement of certain traits based on your birthday as well. Zodiac signs are a general belief for a whole group of people while birthdays can be much more specific. Those born on certain days tend to have some similar traits and can focus their particular skills in one way. If everyone under every sign was exactly the same we would only have 12 personality types which is not realistic. The study of more specific Astrology accounts for all the differences between humans as a whole. There are certain areas of your sign that affect you more than others.

Your Year and Your Life Path
Even further than your date of birth is your year of birth. When you are born the stars are differently placed depending on the year and this pull can push you in a particular direction. These are considered your destiny paths and when paired with your birthday information can be quite accurate in determining the type of life you can lead. When you look at the whole picture you can make some decisions based on what is likely to work best for you.

Many people don't believe in Astrology. Those who do tend to use it as a basic blue print for choices they make. This does not mean that it is the end all but it is a good guidepost when you are facing rough decisions or you are trying to determine your next step. It sometimes gives you just the inspiration you need to keep moving forward and get where you want to in your life.

Want to learn more about Astrology?

This post was written by Love Horoscope, a fun website with hundreds of articles about Zodiac signs, Astrology, horoscopes and more! Visit their site today or check them out on Facebook to get free daily horoscopes!

Off Roading – The Ultimate 4x4 Hobby

If you’re thinking of starting a new hobby and you like fun, excitement and you enjoy building your skills, then you should consider off roading.

Off roading has been around for several decades as a leisure activity. It all started after the Second World War when GI’s began buying the same types of Jeep they had used during the war and driving them around America’s countryside.

Since then off roading has grown into a massive industry with millions of people all over the world taking part in off roading holidays or even investing in their own off road vehicle to drive whenever they like.

Where can I go Off Roading?
In the UK there are hundreds of places where you can try off roading out. Try searching the internet to look for a provider that’s close to you if you just want to give it a try; or if you want to really go for it you can book an off roading holiday in various rural areas throughout Britain.

Who goes off roading?
People of all types and ages go off roading so joining a 4x4 club is a great way to meet people. You can be any age or sex and you can consider yourself a great driver or want to build your confidence. As long as you’ve got a driving licence you can have a go.

Is Off Roading Expensive?
Off roading doesn’t have to be expensive. You can book an activity day for under £50 and if you have a large group it becomes even cheaper. Of course if you want to invest in your own 4x4 then you will have to spend some money, but when you consider the use you’ll get out of your vehicle and the enjoyable times you’ll experience it’s well worth it.

Can I go off roading abroad?
There are hundreds of holiday destinations that offer 4x4 experiences but in some areas you may require extra insurance if you want to take part. Off roading is a great way to explore holiday destinations from a different angle and fantastic for beach holidays where you might want a break from the towns and beaches.

What can I gain from off roading
Driving a 4x4 across difficult terrain is an ideal way to improve your driving skills and be a more confident driver in your daily life. Once you’ve negotiated rocks, rivers and rugged landscapes then a spin through the city centre will seem like a doddle.

Driving a 4x4 can really get the adrenalin pumping so it’s a great way to inject some excitement into your life and relieve all that work stress.

Off roaders are a friendly bunch so if you want to get out there and meet like minded people then it could be the perfect activity for you.

Jade Coleman enjoys blogging about action packed sports and motor racing experiences.