Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Measuring Your Shadow

Have you ever shined a flashlight against a surface in the dark. If you point the flashlight straight toward a wall, for instance, you'd see a small circle of light. But if you slant the flashlight upward, the circle gets larger. In the same way, sunlight is more concentrated in one area when it hits the earth directly, and when the sunlight hits the earth at a slant, the sunlight spreads out, . . .

That's the Christmas Spirit

Last Christmas, Uncle Albert promised his neighbor, Wilson, to find a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year. You know, just like Wilson and everybody else wishes people each year.Yesterday I was checking my calendar. "Holy smokes! It's almost Christmas. I better check to see if Uncle Albert found a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year."So I put on my boots and buttoned . . .

Can We Talk?

What is a chat room? It's an area of a website set aside for people to chat in 'real' time. In other words, messages appear on a screen as soon as they are typed, and are responded to immediately.Let's go to an established chat room for our first visit -- Yahoo Chat. Go to http://www.yahoo.com After the home page loads, click on the 'chat' link, at the left side of the page right by Connect.You. . .

Expand Your Child's Knowledge, Part 2

Let's begin with primary school learning. Reading and storytelling are the keys for primary school children. One of the best sites for primary school children is: http://www.storybrooklane.org/index.jsp Here you will find picture stories, sing-alongs and other fun things to do. Click on a section header to open the link. The Story Brook Lane website also provides a history of the site for bo. . .

Expand Your Child's Knowledge, Part 1

There are thousands of educational sites on the internet. There are also sites that will help prepare your children for high school. Not only are these sites fun, but they give primary childrenlearning skills that they can use through-out their school years and beyond. To begin you, as the parent, should make a daily study plan of the subjects to be studied and when. This will organize the ti. . .

Let's Protect Our Children

There are software programs that you can purchase to keep your children from accessing undesirable websites. There are two good ones, Cyber Patrol and Net Nanny. There is also software that will create a log of all the sites that have been visited by your PC. It allows you to check on the sites your children are visiting. You can also use your History Button on your web browser. If you are r. . .

Defending Your Relationship

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to dictate who you would like to make decisions on your behalf. While there are many useful purposes for a power of attorney, they are especially important to unmarried couples, which live together, when a partner becomes incapacitated and unable to make decisions. In such situations, the law usually designates the incapacitated person's n. . .

Valentines Day! The Sweet and Romantic Holiday

When I think of Valentines Day I think of Chocolates and Flowers. Others might think of a more romantic subject too. What ever it means to you it should be made fun and can offer another reason to think of giving someone special a gift during this holiday. There are many ways to shop for valentine gift ideas. Some options you might think of are to browse through the catalogs we all receive in t. . .

Give-And-Take: Recipe for Success in Marriage?

A woman once visited a counselor to ask a question about her marriage. I have a funny feeling that you might not be especially impressed with the answer she was given.All the same, I'll take my chances. I think my shoulders are broad enough.I stand by the counselor's response 100%.The questioner (let's call her Jane) was married to a divorcee. Her husband (John) had to pay a certain sum of mone. . .

Lost and Found (A Valentine's Day Story)

I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of a wedding ring and an engagement ring, there was only the narrow gold band."Randy!" I yelped. "My engagement ring is gone."It was Valentine's Day, and my husband, Randy, and I were on our way from my niece's wedding, which had taken place in one town, to the reception, which was being held in another city about fifteen miles away.If there hadn'. . .

“Anticipating” Your IRS Refund Can Cost You Plenty

While accountants are reaching for aspirin, millions of Americans are reaching for some fast cash this tax season. Unfortunately, those who reach for fast cash in the form of a “refund anticipation loan” are getting hit with interest rates and fees that are out of this world.The tempting ads are plastered in newspapers and on television for “fast cash refunds”, “express refunds”, or “instant r. . .

Credit Help For Renters And Others On The Horizon

Sue is a homeowner and pays her mortgage and other bills on time like a good credit consumer. Sue’s on-time mortgage payments are reflected in her credit score profiled by the three major credit bureaus; Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.Joe on the other hand is a renter, who wants to buy his first home in the near future. He pays his rent on time every month as well as his phone and utility . . .

True Romance for Couples with Kids: 10 Inexpensive Ideas

Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey bottle of perfume, but it takes creativity and forethought to be truly romantic. The key lies in personalizing your celebration. Here are ten ideas to fuel your own creativity: 1. Empty a box of chocolates. Then cut out 50 to 100 hearts from lace doilies, construction paper, or fabric. On each cutout, record something about your mate that . . .

Indoor Winter Fun

Tell the cold weather to take a hike, and get ready to have some fun!* Winter Beach PartyBring that fun-in-the-sun feeling into your home with a winter beach bash. Spread beach towels on the living room floor; wear your swimsuit and a pair of flippers (why not?); feast on hot dogs; make castles out of clay and play- dough; and don’t forget to take pictures!* Winter Word RaceChallenge your frien. . .

How to Paint Your Cat

Why paint your cat? After all cats are beautiful creatures if you want to appreciate the appearance of a feline, you look at the cat not at a painting.Some of the reasons that you may want to paint your cat are:To capture your pet at a particular age, in a particular pose, in a particular place. To have a permanent reminder of your companion when she has moved on to feline afterlife. To give a. . .

Valentine's Day — Where Did THAT Come From?

Just as soon as the stores put away their Christmas merchandise, out comes the Valentine’s Day items — even though Valentine’s is still more than six weeks away.I don’t know why, but it always takes me by surprise to see Valentine’s Day merchandise so soon after Christmas.I’ve always wondered where Valentine’s Day came from, and under those circumstances, a person could be forgiven for thinking. . .

Create Beautifully Wrapped Wedding Gifts

Weddings are always such special days. Gifts are often given not only at the wedding – but often at an engagement shower and a bridal shower. How can you make your gifts look special? Many people wrap gifts for weddings in white, but this is not a strict rule by any means. You could also select gift-wrapping and accessories that complement the theme of the wedding. So a winder wedding gift coul. . .

Make Gift Wrapping Paper With Kids

Making your own wrapping paper is a fun activity that children or adults can do. With some creativity you can create gift wrap that is unique and different – everyone will know the gift is from you! When making gift wrap with children you will probably want to use either craft white paper or craft brown paper (like the grocery bags). You could even use the inside of a grocery bag if the gift is. . .

Wrap Adorable Baby Shower Gifts

Are you going to a baby shower? Gifts for babies are always so cute – here are some ideas to create gift wrapping that is just as adorable as the gift you are giving. If you know the baby is expected to be a boy or a girl, sometimes it is fun to wrap a gift in “baby boy blue” or “baby girl pink” – but remember we have many other colors in the rainbow to choose from! Here are some other option. . .

Make Gift Wrap Paper

Chances are at the holidays you’ve been tempted to make holiday wrapping paper. But you may have heard too many stories about needing to use potatoes and tempura paint that bring you back to your grade school days. Have no fear – you do have options! Here are some suggestions to get your creative juices flowing. Okay this one does involve a potato….. but it’s good: For this one you need to get . . .

Yard Sale Finds: Trash To Treasure

The weather gets warmer and many of us know this means one thing: yard sales. If you are a crafter, yard sales can be great places to find someone elses castaways and turn them into your treasures. As a person that loves to do decoupage, I am forever on the lookout for wooden boxes to decoupage. But remember that yard sale bargains can also inspire you to try a craft you havent done befo. . .

Easy & Fun Craft! Make Ladybug Rocks

With summer coming many of us see ladybugs everywhere. Why not create some special ladybugs you can keep on the porch or even inside in some special places? This is a fun craft that kids can do. They may need some help with putting the tape on to evenly paint a straight line, and you also may want to handle the permanent marker (for putting dots onto the ladybug) – but otherwise should be a. . .

Make Your Own Bubble Bath

Indulge yourself and make your own bubble bath. Wouldn’t it be nice to relax into a bubble bath that you’d created? Making bubble bath is simple & fun. They can also make wonderful gifts for friends and loved ones for the holidays or other special occasions. The ingredients used to make bubble bath can be found in most large grocery stores or health food stores. You can also find all of the. . .

Toy Dog Breeds

Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese, spaniels--the official list of the AKC is quite extensive. Regardless of breed, toy dogs are desired for their cuteness and cuddle-ability. Many retain the characteristics of a puppy for their entire lives. This may be one of the big attractions that toy dog breeds hold over larger breed dogs.Diminutive size, h. . .

How to build a dog house for your puppy

So you'd like to know how to build a dog house? Well, that means we're talking to less than 50% of all dog owners. Why? Because current survey information at OpinionTrone says most dog owners (over 50%) allow their pets on the family couch. Furthermore, if you allow your pet on the couch, chances are that you do not HAVE a dog house!But for those of you who do, there are really good things to r. . .

Boy, Do We Get The Garbage!

For the most part I view our family as the typical nuclear family.. reflecting the personal and practical living priorities of the times we live in. It's certainly not reflective of the family in which I was raised, but those times were different. The parents of us boomers not only had their Depression Era work ethic but also a strong family ethic; dad worked and mom maintained the home front. . . .

The Perfect String Quartet Repertoire for your Wedding

Here follows suggestions and tips that will help you determine the ideal programme for your Wedding day. A String Quartet can provide music for every stage of your Wedding. First of all, we have the Brides breakfast. If you are hiring the services of a String quartet for the whole day, you may be able to arrange for one or two of the players to come along for this early stage of the wedding at . . .

Coping With an Unplanned Pregnancy

Your period is late and you start to think maybe you might be pregnant. Maybe you are afraid to go take a test because you don't want to find out the results. You may be asking yourself "how could this happen"? If you find yourself pregnant with an unplanned pregnancy all kinds of emotions may run through your mind. Perhaps you are secretly excited about this but scared to tell your husband. Ma. . .

5 Ways to Deal With ADHD

With an increasing number of our youths suffering ADHD, stress syndromes, unemployment, depression, drug use, crime and higher rates of youth suicide than ever before, today’s parents and teachers are finding their roles more and more difficult.According to renowned family relationships specialist, Marguerite Clancy, there are no overnight solutions for issues such as ADHD, but there are a few . . .

Book Review: The Male Gift Giving Survival Guide

This extraordinary book was recommended to me by a colleague after he visited my new web site, Gift Ideas For Women. The Male Gift Giving Survival Guide compliments my website perfectly, untangling for men the web of gifts for women. It deciphers the components of the complex female psyche to its most logical terms. And no, that's not a misprint...I just used the words "female" and "logical" in. . .

Tips On Coping With A Child With ADHD

I am a mother of a 6 year old son who was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I am by no means a expert on this subject - I am only a mom who struggles to help my ADHD child. Listed below are some tips I have learned from experience along the way. 1. Life with a child who has ADHD has its challenges, but remember that your child is not acting up because they. . .

ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Child's Best Friend

Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If so-- my hat is off to you! ADD / ADHD children are brilliant, full of energy, smart as a whip (as grandma says), and tons of work. They are also the rising sun and the setting star: meaning much of life revolves around them in one way or another. One tactic you might employ is to: be your child's best friend.Hear me out just a bit. I am not promoting par. . .

Your Dog is a Social Animal - and Needs You!

Your dog is a social being, just like you! He/she loves walking in the park with you, playing ball or chase with you, and just being with you. Even when he/she’s lying around the house or the backyard having a snooze, your dog is well aware of your presence, or absence, and appreciates every minute you spend with him/her. If you have a family, your dog loves being part of your family and no dou. . .

How To Deal With A Baby That Has Colic

Colic is still a mystery to Doctors. They still do not know what cause colic in babies. They will tell you that there is no known cure for colic. I have always heard of colic, and heard from mothers that have dealt with this problem. I have never had to deal with a colicky baby, until my fourth child Nicholas was born. Colic is hard not just for the mother, it is hard on the whole family. There. . .

Should You Forgive Infidelity?

If you're asking yourself that question, then somewhere within you there must be a desire to forgive the other person. After all, if you knew 100% for sure without doubts that you definitely should NOT forgive, then you wouldn't be entertaining the question, right? You would have already said your goodbyes and would be moving on with your new life and licking your wounds. You may or may not . . .

"Does Your Sexless Marriage Have You Thinking About Divor...

If you are in a sexless marriage and are unhappy because of it, don't worry, it isn't unrecoverable but it is serious cause for concern. You may even be thinking that you need a divorce because of your sexless marriage, that's only natural. But, in order to really decide what to do, some thinking needs to be done so you feel good about your decision, regardless if you stay married or not.Being . . .

How To Boost Your Credit Score

Years ago your credit score was a big secret, known only to a select few such as your mortgage and credit card companies. In 2000, Fair, Isaac Co., the major supplier of credit scoring software, announced they would begin sharing credit scores, also known as FICO scores, with consumers.What is a credit score? A credit score is a tool used by credit grantors to determine your ability to repay . . .

What Is Homeschooling And How Do I know If It's Right For...

Do you know what these famous people have in common? Alexander Graham Bell George Patton Albert Einstein Benjamin Franklin Winston Churchill Agatha Christie George Bernard Shaw Will Rogers If you guessed that they were all homeschoolers, you'd be correct. This is a very short list of famous and successful people who were educated at home. If you would like to expand this list, do a sear. . .

A Chance for a Home

"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home." - Johann von Goethe Home. Family. Backyard cookouts. A table laden with more than we can eat on Thanksgiving day. These things ground us, offer us stability, and give us an environment where we can learn, explore, grow, and even self-actualize. Yet for 210 million children, these basic human needs will never be met becau. . .

It's a Sick World

It's no joy to be sick. It's even less joy when your child is sick. But the most unjoy is when you AND your child are sick together.That happened to my poor wife a few weeks ago. She and Little Lady, going on three years old, both had a cold -- with all the sneezing and wheezing, hacking and coughing, wailing and whining required for a certificate of authenticity.Little Lady normally bubble-. . .

Managers: Get Real, Please!

Personnel mentions in the newspaper and product plugs on radio hardly qualify as an adequate return on your public relations dollar, and you probably know it! Especially unfortunate when your PR budget could be doing something really positive about the behaviors of those outside audiences that most affect your business, non-profit or association. And also when it could be delivering extern. . .

Make A Patriotic Fourth Of July Wreath

Celebrate the Nation’s birthday by hanging the flag outside of your home, and create a special wreath for your door. This is an easy craft that you can complete in an afternoon – and it can be a good craft for children (supervision with the glue gun may be necessary). You will need: a wreath - grapevine or other style of your choice 9 wooden stars red, white and blue acrylic paint red, white. . .

Are You Listening To Your Cat Talking?

Is your cat talking to you?Many cat lovers claim that their feline pets talk to them. They believe their cats can communicate vocally with them and tell them what they want, how they are feeling, and ask how their day has been! So, can domestic cats talk? Can the meows and trills that emanate from your kitty really be described as your cat talking to you?Yes it can!, and no it can't...Cats can . . .

"Divorce Advice: Getting Divorce Advice From the Right So...

Getting the right type of divorce advice depends on what type of divorce advice you want and what you want to use it for. When looking for advice about divorce, it is smart to clearly define what you are seeking the advice for so you can be sure to look in the right places. Seems simple enough right? Yes, but...lots of people who are deciding about divorce and seeking divorce advice lump the ca. . .

Son, Can I Use The Car Tonight?

I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain a time past when kids actually asked to borrow the family car for the evening. Heck, I even recall myself uttering that request to my folks many times. In fact, it was a science. If you had a hot date (in my case that was more a generic term for any reason to get away) you waited all day for the right time to pop the request. Sometimes doing . . .

How To Run A Successful Fundraiser

This is the Fundraising Connection newsletter which begins with the Free Special Report: How To Run A Successful Fundraiser. Part One of this SPECIAL REPORT is about: Organizing Your Group Would you agree that it's easier complete a job when you have a blueprint to follow? Yes?Also, the exact opposite maybe true which brings us to the old axiom: "Fail to plan, plan to fail" Usually most groups . . .

Ways To Beat Rip Off Britain & Start Paying Far Less...Fo...

It's a well known fact that Britain is one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in. Whatever we buy - whether it's clothes and electronics to cars, computers, DVDs or food - in the UK we seem to have "settled for paying more". When most people shop they go into a normal retail store and buy a product at a price that they consider to be standard. Well let me tell you, the prices . . .

Helping a Friend Through a Miscarriage

When you have a friend that has had a miscarriage there is a lot you can do to help her. Many times we are afraid to say anything because we don’t want to say the wrong thing but not saying anything at all can be just as bad. So what should you say and what shouldn’t you say. I have had three miscarriages myself and have heard a lot of things that were just not the right things to say. I have p. . .

Rates May Be Rising. Mortgage And Refinancing Preparation...

Buying a home is probably the single largest investment most people make in a lifetime. By preparing yourself and your credit before a home purchase or refinance, you can ensure a smooth finance process and can potentially save thousands on your loan. Improve your financial profile now so you can take advantage of the low interest rates before they disappear. Start by checking your credit To ge. . .

Choosing The Right Shoes, Golf Shoes, Wedding Shoes And O...

Wearing a comfortable pair of shoes is very important if you spend much time on your feet. Whether you’re standing, walking or running, all of your weight falls directly onto the bottom of your feet. That’s why the shoes you wear are critical to the long term comfort and health of your feet and ankles. Whether you’re wearing sandals, boots or running shoes it’s crucial that your feet are suppor. . .