Boost your child s vision

Vision problems often run in families, but there are some factors that you can control in your child’s environment to help their eyesight. Try these tips to give your child’s vision a better chance.

Brighten things up.

Unfortunately, your mom was right: reading in dim light can wreak havoc on your eyes. Buy your child a good reading light, or make sure that homework is done in plenty of natural light.

Give them space.

Place a pillow about eight feet away from the TV, and tell your child they have to watch it from that distance. Sitting too close to a television leads to the same focus problems that your child can develop from using computers and video games.

Take breaks.

Experts agree that kids’ increased computer use can cause focus problems, particularly the ability to refocus on objects far away. Take note of how much time they spend in front of the computer, and make sure they take a ten-minute break every hour.

Buy shades.

Your child may not need glasses, but it’s a good idea to buy them sunglasses. UV exposure can lead to macular degeneration or the early development of cataracts.

Don’t skip eye exams.

Children should be screened by an eye doctor or pediatrician between 6 and 12 months, 3 and 3 Ѕ years, at 5, and then annually after that.

It’s not too late for adults to start practicing these techniques, also. Make them a family habit, and you could slow the loss of your vision as you age. It’s important to set a good example for your children, too.

Aga cookers are the heart of any family home

Over the past 70 years the aga cooker has been haled as the symbol of uk cookware. It is with out a doubt the reigning champion through out the uk and even over the water in the states it is growning with immense popularity.

The aga was invented by a physicist, what makes the Aga is unique because it cooks with brilliant heat, keeping in all the aromas flavours and juices from the oven. You will find it common in most houses that have an aga cooker that people tend to congregate in that general vicinity.

The nobel physicist that created the aga was awarded the nobel prize for making lighthouse automated his name was Nils Gustaf Dalen and the aga was his baby. One of the pivotal turning points for creating the aga was an accident at an industrial plant which subsequently blinded Dalen, the genius then spent a great deal of time at home and camr to the conclusion that the cooker his wife used just didnt cut the mustard and he deemed it inefficient. After 10 years of tremendous efforts at improving the cooker, the aga was born, the first model was then patented in 1922. It was named after Dalen's firm Akteibolaget Gas Accumulator, the Aga then made its way over to the uk sometime around 1930.

The aga cooker is powered by a single burner, most Agas run on either propane or natural gas. Although a few newer models have electric ovens as well, a good feature to an aga cooker is that you never have to turn them off thus there is no need to preheat the oven for when you are cooking. When entertaining, it is easy to cook many courses at the same time.

The premium aga cooker has to be the four oven aga, it has 4 separate ovens for baking, roasting, simmering and warming. These four ovens all keep a different temperature for their distinct tasks. Other good features that come with a four oven aga are a hotplate, a warming plate and an optional gas cook-top. The aga is made out of solid cast iron and coated with a fibre glass like resin, the aga cooker is available in 14 separate colours ranging from the conservative black or white to the exciting claret or aubergine and the aga has a very impressive life span of 100 years or maybe a while longer, thats some cooking!

Naturally light n strong cedar furniture

Asian and North African People in the mountain region used cedar trees for several centuries which also known as the” Thunja plicate “in all activities of their life. They used cedar for making their homes, canoes, coffins, and even used it for cooking. The most sacred function of the cedar tree was when it was carved into a pole and placed at tribal ceremonies. The cedar tree was named “Tree of Life” and it was monumental in their history. Cedar is considered to be the most valuable wood, because it is naturally highly resistant to rot, insect damage, and weathering. It will last for decades as cedar furniture. Cedar Wood is a smooth surfaced wood and aromatic. It weathers to a silvery gray when left untreated. Cedar Furniture can be used both as Home Dйcor and Outdoor Dйcor. Cedar Furniture has several classic designs and handcrafted. This furniture has its origin in the Adirondack Mountain region of New York.

Cedar Furniture comes out in different types and styles. They include Classic Folding, Adirondack Chairs, Adirondack Rocker, Lake Placid Cedar Chair, Keene Valley Rocker etc. The White Cedar when superbly crafted, does a great job with indoor furniture too. Cedar furniture is all season furniture. It is cool and comfortable outdoor furniture in the summer and cozy with rustic natural indoor furniture in the winter. Cedar is handcrafted in the Adirondack State this furniture comes from the area originally known for this design. It is made of sustainable cut white cedar that grows in the Adirondacks. This has excellent weather resistance and can be used for seasons to come. Lawns and Gardens look elegant with Cedar Garden Benches. Cedar Swings can dress up any lawn, porch or deck!

Cedar furniture will enhance any garden space and add to the natural beauty. Any garden with cedar furniture pieces like, arbors, chairs, benches, looks remarkable. Any one can add to beauty with cedar products like Potting Benches, Tree Benches, Planter Boxes, Chairs, and Garden Arbors & Accents. Pet Products like dog boxes and pet feeders are also available in Cedar Timber. Aromatic cedar hangers freshen clothing while discouraging moths and mildew. Red Cedar Wood Fence can be used for several purposes. . Cedar wood fencing will provide shelter, create visual points of interest in the streetscapes, prevent unwanted views. It is also works as boundary marker and acts as a climate controlling shield. Different sizes and types of Cedar wood fence is designed from strong boards that obstruct intruders. Red Cedar is more used as a fence material.

Cedar fence material must be the choice considering its quality, style and durability. The Cedar wood contains natural oil which helps the wood material to resist decay and insect attack without the addition of any chemicals. Cedar fence is much more stable than other woods to minimize shrinkage. Working with Cedar is a child’s play and doesn’t involve any complexity. The cedar wood’s texture and stability is unmatched and unparalleled. This can be easily stained to get various colored outputs. When constructed and maintained with care, a cedar wood fence will look excellent for ages, adding prestige and value to home and garden.

Inspecting a home s sprinkler system-before you buy

Many homebuyers know to thoroughly inspect a home's foundation, electrical system and plumbing before agreeing to buy a house. But experts say it's important to check out what's outside a home's walls as well.

For instance, taking a few steps to inspect a property's sprinkler system could keep you from waking up to a problem down the road. Old sprinkler systems or systems in ill repair are vulnerable to a variety of problems-from leaks to blockage. These problems can harm the health of your lawn and even cause serious damage to your yard and landscaping. To help homeowners avoid buying someone else's outdoor irrigation issue, Dave Johnson, an irrigation expert at Rain Bird, offers these tips:

• Find and check the automatic sprinkler timer and make sure it is plugged into an unobstructed and visibly safe power supply in a weather-safe environment. An improperly placed electrical timer box is more susceptible to an electrical short, which can wreak havoc on an automatic irrigation system.

• Test the timer to make sure that each individual sprinkler zone can be turned on manually from the timer itself.

• After the system has been turned on for a few minutes, stroll around the yard to check for any moisture in unusual spots: exposed pipes that may be prone to cracking, major brown spots around sprinkler heads, saturated turf or soil, sick and diseased plants.

• Open and close each individual valve, checking for moisture caused by cracks or broken seals in the pipes or exterior casing. Most valves contain a screw or knob on top that can be easily turned by hand.

• Turn on each watering zone and check each sprinkler head. Any head that does not pop up or otherwise operates improperly may need to be replaced. It is also possible that a sprinkler head that does not pop up is a sign of a problem with the water pressure, and may indicate that there is a leak in the system somewhere.

• If the system is connected to a rain sensor, test the sensor by first turning on one of the zones, and then giving the rain sensor a good soaking with a garden hose. If the irrigation system does not stop, there may be a problem.

• Ask the sellers if they have a maintenance record, or a receipt from the last time they had the system winterized by a professional.

• If you are not comfortable conducting an inspection of the sprinkler system yourself, find an area landscape professional to do a routine inspection.

Changing a nappy

Congratulations! It's a boy... or a girl... You've imagined those words throughout your nine magical months. But, what you probably have not thought about is the part where you need to put a fresh nappy on the little person!

Even after having two little girls I worried about changing my little boy's nappy for the first time. For some reason I thought it was going to be really difficult. But actually it was easier!

So how do you change a baby's nappy? Assuming you are using disposable nappies, as most mums do, at least in the beginning, here are some tips:

Lie your baby on a flat surface, preferably on a soft changing mat; this allows little accidents to be wiped up quickly. If you are placing your baby on a raised surface or a changing station, never leave him unattended for even the slightest moment. Babies can and do fall off raised surfaces, often with disastrous consequences.

Advances in technology allow us to keep the wet surface of the nappy away from the baby. Although this is great for your baby, it can make it difficult to tell if the nappy is wet. So how will you know if the nappy needs to be changed? A wet nappy will feel soft and squishy on the outside. It may also have increased in size. The moisture absorbing material within the nappy swells when it comes into contact with urine making it easy to tell if the nappy is wet.

Obviously, a soiled nappy is easier to detect as you can just peep inside; or, more often than not, you can smell it!

As your baby gets older he will become more wriggly at every nappy change. A good tip is to hang a mobile above his changing station or give him a different toy to keep his interest at changing time - making nappy changes much less tiring for mum!

Remove the old nappy. Wipe the baby's bottom with some cotton wool pads soaked in warm water. You do not need to use soap or scented wipes on a newborn baby. Newborns have extremely soft, sensitive skin which is easily irritated. A so-called top and tail, or a warm bath once a day, is enough. When the baby is a few weeks old you can wash him with a warm soapy cloth or some sensitive baby wipes at each nappy change.

Wipe baby girls from front to back to avoid the risk of cross infection. With baby boys you will need to ensure you wipe around and under their little bits! However, never pull back the foreskin. You may cause damage and infection if you attempt to.

Creams and talc are unnecessary. Nappies today are so effective at keeping moisture away from the skin that creams are not required. In fact, creams can actually hinder the nappy's performance, making irritation more likely.

If your baby has nappy rash, and you really feel that cream is required, apply it very thinly before putting on the fresh nappy. Also, let the air at your baby's bottom. Let him lie on the changing mat on the floor for a while without a nappy. You may want to put an old towel or absorbant bed cloth under him so that he will not be lying in a puddle getting cold, if he does wet it.

Put the fresh nappy under the baby's bottom, with the sticky seals at the back!

Lift the front of the nappy up over the baby's bottom and fasten it closed. Do not fasten it too tightly as this will be uncomfortable. Allow the baby some room to breath!

Voila! All Done... until the next one!

Digging up your family roots part 1

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Digging up Your Family Roots: Part 1

You’ve begun delving into your family history. You’ve already filled in all the names of your great-grandparents on your family tree. You’ve begun collecting the legal documents that record the milestones of your ancestors’ lives: birth, marriage and death certificates. You’ve even located your family in a few census records. But before you push further back, why not stop and really get to know these people? After all, that’s the purpose of tracing your family roots: knowing more about your ancestors.

If you have names, dates and records through your great-grandparents, you have fifteen lineal ancestors to get to know, both living and dead. To get to know your deceased ancestors better, you have to dig deeper on the paper trail. To better acquaint yourself with your living ancestors, start conducting oral history interviews. Both of these techniques are explained in more depth in this set of articles. Part one will discuss digging deeper on the paper trail, while part two is an introduction to conducting oral history interviews.

Digging up Your Family Roots: Filling in Your Ancestors’ Lives

Documentary support is vital in genealogical research. Even the oral histories of your living relatives will require supporting documents, which they would hopefully be able to provide for you. While these documents include things like birth, marriage and death certificates, it will involve more than just these documents to get to know your deceased ancestors better.

This part of your research might begin with your oldest living relative. He or she might be able to tell you of books or newspaper articles mentioning relatives, even if he or she doesn’t have copies of them. The resources your relatives share with you are also a good starting place, including newspaper clippings, photos, books, Bibles, journals, etc.

Newspapers are an excellent resource. If your relatives have provided you with clippings describing a big event, locate the actual newspapers (usually on microfilm or microfiche by now) and search the following days for follow-up stories. For example, I have a great-great-great uncle who was a police officer. He was shot and killed in the line of duty. Not only do we have newspaper records of the stories about him, but we also have stories about the criminal who shot him: the pursuit, the murder of my relative, the shootout, the dynamiting of his hideout, the holding cell, the trial. This event happened nearly a century ago, yet we have it well documented.

The Internet is a good place to start your search. Search engines may be able to provide reliable and helpful information, or even photographs of ancestors. However, as with all things on the Internet, don’t trust everything you read, and do record the URL or source of all information.

To find newspaper clippings offline, use indexes of newspapers from areas where your relatives lived. An excellent resource might be the obituary of deceased relatives. You’ve already gathered the death date and place, so you know where and when to look to find the obituary in their local newspaper. Many places are served by more than one newspaper, so search all those you can find. The availability of other milestones like birth, engagement and wedding announcements vary, but try to find those as well. If possible, search for your surname in the newspaper index. Be sure to check for “alternative” spellings of your last name as well.

Newspaper resources are only one resource. Military, probate, immigration, court, deed, and church records are each invaluable sources of information. It might be wise to employ a professional genealogy research service to help you with these aspects of your family history. Not only will this save you time, but you can benefit from professional genealogists’ years of experience. Professional genealogy research can be well worth the cost when it means that you get to spend more time reading about your ancestors and getting to know them and less time looking for your resources and getting to know the archives.

The largest repository of genealogical data is the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this resource can be a one-stop genealogical gold mine. However, traveling to Salt Lake may not be in your budget. Retaining the services of a professional genealogy researcher located near the FHL is another way to take advantage of the millions of records found there.

Real family history research is more than recording names and dates. Digging up your family roots is more than gathering birth, marriage and death certificates. The goal of family history is coming to know your ancestors better. Start getting acquainted by fleshing out your family roots for both your living and dead ancestors.

New vs used mobility scooters

Many people who consider buying a mobility scooter to restore their mobility and independence often consider purchasing a used one mobility scooter to save money. Auctions sites, such as Ebay, offer what seems to be good deals on power wheel chairs and scooters. The rule for buying merchandise off of Ebay and similar web sites is caveat emptor. Caveat Emptor is a Latin phrase that means let the buyer beware.

Even the new mobility scooters that are sold on Ebay can suffer from poor quality, especially if the product is not made by a reliable manufacturer. Many new discount scooters sold on online auction sites are mass produced in China, where the labor costs are low. The concern of discount scooter manufacturers is quantity rather than quantity. The best strategy for buying a reliable new mobility scooter is to purchase only brand names that you recognize that are known to be of consistent quality.

Buying any used product involves certain inherent risks. Anyone who has bought a used car knows this rule, as dealers are known to not tell a buyer about mechanical faults t in the vehicles they sell. The private deals under which used mobility scooters are purchased may not suffer from this sort of dishonest behavior, but the scooters former owner who does not need the product or never needed the mobility scooter in the first place are not professional mechanics in most cases. The batteries of used mobility scooters may be worn down, and brake problems often develop after prolonged use. Buying a new battery or having someone available to fix the brakes of a used scooter may be a solution, but it is often more trouble than it is worth. The seat likely has also conformed to the body contours of the scooter's previous owner.

Buying a new mobility scooter made by a recognized manufacturer ensures that mechanical faults are not present, and if faults are present, a manufacturer's warranty covers the cost or repairs or replacement parts. In extreme cases where the vehicle is beyond repair, provision may be made for a new scooter to be sent to the buyer.

You can save money buying a used mobility scooter if you shop around carefully. Considering that it is often a medical necessity for the user to buy one, it is better to buy a brand new scooter to avoid many of the pitfalls and frustrations that come with buying a used product. Manufacturer warranties change the buyer's guideline from caveat emptor to caveat vendor. The latter Latin phrase simply means let the seller beware. Which is just a fancy way of saying sellers make mechanical faults in the scooter the responsibility of the manufacturer.