Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Keeping Your Dog Healthy

Feed him a balanced diet. Additional tips from owners include:Give an occasional yogurt treat Ask your vet about giving Boxers calcium tablets as they could have some problems later on in life! Keep him comfortable so his immune system can remain strong. Boxers are shorthaired and sensitive to extreme elements of the weather and thus must be kept a housedog. His shortened muzzle also makes hot. . .

Craft Supply Checklist for Kid's Crafts

I often get asked, "What types of craft supplies do I need to keep on hand for kids crafts?"So, I've come up with a list of basic crafting supplies that will keep your kids creative and crafting up a storm! It's a good idea to keep all of your crafting supplies organized and labeled so they are easy to find. I suggest three sizes of containers: plastic shoe boxes, empty baby wipe containers, an. . .

Weddings - Wedding Plan - Wedding Planner Tools - Ten Ess...

Getting Married? Congratulations! You just set the date for the most important day in your life. Your wedding day. Imagine...It is your wedding day. Your very own wedding day! It will be fun.Here are ten essential steps that will make the preparation fun too. Keep within your financial limits. Budget your wedding. You do not want to start your married life in debt. If you are organized have a . . .

Spring Cleaning - Time to Tackle Your Closet

Spring is on it’s way and even though it may already be tempting to spend the day outside, take a few hours to clean out your closet. You’ll be glad you did when it is finally time to dig out those t-shirts and shorts. Before you start: Try to have all your clothes washed and in your closet before you start, so you have a good idea of what you actually own at this point. Wear some comfortable c. . .

Forever And Ever Amen

I'm gonna love you forever & ever, forever & ever Amen. I love that song by Randy Travis. I have to ask why it is that so many people are looking for greener grass. You know there may be times, when the grass isn't really greener on the other side of that fence. Are you looking to spark a new flame instead of relighting the one already lit? Ask yourself why, yes a new relationship is new and ex. . .

Tips to Avoid Overspending on Credit Cards

Shopping or buying things is one of the guilty pleasures in life and with the presence of credit cards, spending seems to be more like a habit and way of life. Credit cards make one’s life easier but it could also make one’s life a living hell once you find yourself drowning with credit card debt. For people that are not yet in this situation, good for you (and read on anyway to make sure you r. . .

A Gathering Of Friends For The Fall Season

The signs of fall are unmistakable in my part of the country. Golden aspens shimmer in the crisp breeze and crimson leaves float through the air. Weekend visitors flock to apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and intricate corn mazes that farmers have carved into their fields. Canned food drives and Coats for Kids programs are in full swing. The comforting aromas of warm soup and a crackling fi. . .

How to Remove Cat Urine

There are a number of reasons that cats, who are fastidious creatures, may choose to urinate outside their litterbox. The primary causes are a box that is dirty, and hasn't been kept scooped or cleaned, and urinary tract infection. If your cat's litterbox is pristine, then you may want to take them to the vet for a urinalysis, and then a discussion of possible behavioral causes.But when a cat u. . .

Gift Cards - Does The Perfect Gift Need Perfecting?

Gift cards seemed to be the ideal way to please every recipient. But gift card recipients are realizing that not all gift cards are alike. And gift card givers are learning the same goes for recipients. Does the perfect gift need perfecting? Is there a way to get around this?You have a list of folks you want to send gifts to. Many are out of state. Then there are your immediate siblings. Some y. . .

Organizing a Successful Family Reunion Event

Since the advent of the personal computer and network technology genealogy research by family members has become an addictive pastime that has contributed to many happy family reunions. But what if you were asked to organize the next event? Where would you start? When should you start? Should you hire a family reunion planner? The answers to these questions are three fold.Since the advent of th. . .

Mom's Imagination - Open 24/7

Walking on one of the wooded trails around my older son’s school, I noticed a man walking with a child that resembled my toddler, clothes and all. They were on the trail a small distance above mine separated by a ravine. I was not absolutely sure about the accuracy of my increasingly-aged vision, but nevertheless hurried to reach the trail head where we would both merge upon the parking lot. . . .

The Easy Way To Do Your Wedding Planning

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting, and yet one of the most nerve wracking, times in any person’s life. There are many things that must be done in order to successfully host a wedding and the reception. It is important to start planning as early as possible to make sure your big day is even more special than you have always imagined.== The Rings ==Of course, choosing the ring is a. . .

How to Remove a Permanent Marker Stain

Due to the unique contents of various inks, not to mention the color and materials of a garment, no one solution works for all clothing or all types of markers. Remember when trying to remove a permanent marker stain, that you should first check the garment for its content, as well as any manufacturer's instructions.Make sure you have a pad of paper towels underneath the area of material that y. . .

How to Remove Hair Dye

Most women who choose to color their hair, do it at home. It's not that difficult, and you get it done just the way you want. Unfortunately, you often do a little more than you want, and are left wondering how to remove hair dye from a variety of surfaces, including you!The first tip, is that when dying your hair, apply a border of Vaseline around the edge of your scalp. Make it an area perhaps. . .

Planning Events

Whether you are planning a wedding, a picnic, or just a get together, there are solutions that you need to consider to make your event a success. These guidelines will provide a basis for any type of event you may wish to undertake.Firstly, your event planning should begin with a budget. Spending without taking a budget into account can cause disasters at every level of planning. You should kno. . .

Twelve Easy Steps to a Great Kid Party Video

Do you have a history of shaky videos and shaken confidence?Want a quality kid party video of your child's next party or other special event? Just follow these 12 Easy Steps to a Great Kid Party Video - it’s easier than you think! Sensible tips on preparation, composition, and filming.PREPARATION:1. Familiarize yourself with your camera by thoroughly reading the owner's manual. A complete knowl. . .

Marriage, Children and Divorce: When "Le Music" Stops

It can happen in many ways. Sometimes, suddenly, out of the blue, with no warning whatsoever. Other times, the music slowly, gradually, fades to a deafening silence.Divorce is the great plague on American families today. More than 40% of adults under 40 are children of divorced parents. The U.S. now has the highest divorce rate (roughly 44%) of the Western nations, though it's slightly decl. . .

How To Research Your Family Name

You’ll be surprised with the kind of information you’ll unearth when you do a research on your own family name. People you’ve never known existed, long-lost relatives, and friends who share the same lineage as you! This is what researching your own surname can do for you. If you’re not ready for some surprise findings, you’re better off leaving all this researching to others in your family. Res. . .

Saving Money, Simply

We all know how to spend our money, but do we fully understand how to save it? I am not talking about setting aside a reserve for an investment or rainy day purposes – both of which are good things – rather, saving money on everyday items. Here are some simple ways you can save money:Clip Coupons. You can save on your shopping excursions by clipping coupons. Some stores will even double or trip. . .

The 10 Christmas Decoration Tips You Must Know

Decorating for Christmas is one of the best things about the holidays. The twinkling of lights, the sight of a perfectly trimmed tree and a perfectly placed wreath adorning your front door are all gentle reminders of the joyous Christmas season.When decorating your home, you want the décor to reflect your own personal style while keeping the Christmas tradition always present. A few tips can he. . .

April Fools Day

April Fool's Day, is not officially considered a holiday, is most definitely a notable day that is celebrated in many countries on April 1. The thing that is so special about April 1 (April Fools) is that it is the day for playing hoaxes and practical jokes of varied sophistication on others. The aim of these jokes is to bring embarrassment to the gullible.Superstitions have it that the practic. . .

Will Jewelry Make Them Happy?

It can be anything but simple when trying to find the right gift for our loved ones. Bombarded by advertisers using catchy songs and flashy models, we can be tempted to buy the latest craze. Although such gifts are sold at nearly every major department store in town, this means that everyone will have one. In a couple of months, the thrill will be gone and the gift will be tossed to the back. . .

Unique Gifts Show You Really Care

In these rushed times filled with blackberries, multi-tasking, and the never-ending rush to meet one deadline or another, it is a necessity to search for ways to save time. Oversized “Super Centers” the size of some small malls have emerged as the one-stop-shop solutions to serve our shopping needs. Combining the typical grocery store, pharmacy, shoe store, clothing outlet, and department sto. . .

4 Fun And Easy To Make Homemade Christmas Decorations

Homemade Christmas decorations are some of the most unique. They are also a lot of fun because you can enjoy them with your family. Below are 4 fun and easy to make homemade Christmas decorations:Popcorn Stringing If you like strung popcorn, it’s really simple to make. Start with a big bowl of popcorn (unbuttered, of course) and string it piece by piece using a standard sewing needle and thread. . .

6 Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas For Her

How can you shop for a woman who already owns everything she wants? It’s not as difficult as you may think because there’s always a unique approach at buying for the woman who seemingly has a closet full of clothes or a box full of jewelry. Besides, there’s always room for one more outfit or piece of jewelry.Gift Idea For Her #1: DiamondsDiamonds are timeless and always in style. The most commo. . .

All About Baby Highchairs

Baby highchairs are not necessary for your child if s/he is under six months of age. Although some companies make them so they recline for infants, they are not necessary until your child is able to sit up. The choice is yours. Highchairs currently come with all kinds of features that are really more for the parent or caregiver than the child. Although the nicely padded seat covers make the sea. . .

Defensive Driving - What Are The Choices?

At some point in our driving years I suspect most all of us have to take defensive driving, whether to get rid of a ticket or maybe to just lower our insurance. For many years you only had one option, traffic school. But times and the options have changed. Traffic school used to consist of getting up early on a Saturday morning or spending two nights during the week sitting in a classroom, list. . .

Kangaroo Pouches (Hot Sandwiches)

Use your imagination to fill these hot sandwiches. The recipe makes 15 or 16 sandwiches. Leftovers can be used for snacks and to take to work for lunch.Sandwich Pouches1 1/2 cups warm water1 package dry yeast (or 2 teaspoons bulk yeast)1/3 cup canola oil1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup dry oatmeal4 1/2 to 5 cups flourDissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in remaining ingredients. Knead for a couple of min. . .

What to do With Pesky Packing Peanuts

We do everything we can to do our part in the effort to protect the environment. We recycle. We take extra care to combine errands so we don't waste gasoline (especially at these prices). We even make purchases online to save energy and keep the paper catalogs at bay. And if you are like me, you just love getting packages in the mail. Except... when I open the package and find that my item has . . .

Children's Entertainment - Who Needs Entertaining?

What price to entertain our children? How much entertainment do our children need? At the risk of sounding like an old fuddy duddy, how were children entertained a 100 years ago when there were no television or computer games? Very simply I would imagine.Imagination - The key to all adventures. Babies and small children will play with simple things like empty boxes, clothes pegs, pots and pa. . .

Caring For and Planting a Balled in Burlap Christmas Tree

Tis the season when lots of people drag a real tree into their house and decorate it. Some people buy live trees that are balled in burlap instead of a cut tree. A live tree is a great idea, but many people make serious mistakes when it comes to handling a live tree, and they end up losing their money. The information in this article also pertains to any live tree you are planting, be it now du. . .

The History of the Christmas Card

The Christmas card, as we know it, originated in England in the year 1843. An artist named John Calcott Horsley was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy and successful London businessman, to create a card that could be sent out to his friends and clients to wish them a merry Christmas.Sir Henry Cole was very well known at the time, for a number of reasons. He had a helping hand in helpin. . .

Was That A Letter From Santa?

Christmas was a magical time for us as children, with the thoughts of Santa Claus coming to visit on every special Christmas Eve night. Thinking back, I remember waiting to visit Santa in the line up with all the other children. We eagerly waited for our chance to sit with Santa, to give him our list for Christmas and to express how we were all good boys and girls that year. I remember visiting. . .

How To Choose the Right Baby Stroller

New parents struggle with the decision of which baby stroller they should buy when they are expecting an addition to the family. There are so many different models on the market, all with attractive features, that the choices parents are faced with when they start shopping are staggering.Many of them rely on advice from family and friends and many turn to reviews of different strollers through . . .

Puppets turned into Muppets - Under Age Drinkers

What is it coming too when the law can not uphold the law? with Under age drinkersIn their powerless efforts to control the rising problem with under age drinkers the numbers are increasing day by day. How sad for the parents who have tried in vain to put the kids on the straight and narrow. These kids may as well be walking arm in arm with a suicide bomber.Even adults over the years think they. . .

You Lucky Dog You

You lucky Dog you, that is until baby comes along. Is it possible for pets and babies to co-exist in peace! From every corner I received advice on how things will have to change with our dog once the baby comes along. Everyone said there is no way they can live together in the same house without baby getting sick or worse still being bitten. How wrong they all were! There is no doubt about it, . . .

Three Lessons Katrina Should Have Taught Us

I have listened with a certain degree of sad amusement to all the political and media hoopla about "what went wrong" with the Hurricane Katrina disaster response. Fingers are pointed in every direction, resignations have occurred, and shrill voices demand explanations and investigations.The truth of the matter is that the Hurricane Katrina disaster was very much a textbook case. Though unpreced. . .

Finding an Apartment on the 'Net.

Sometimes, the best way in finding cheap rental apartments is the cheapest and fastest way – through the Internet. If jobs, cars, and second-hand stuff can be found on the Internet, it should be easy finding cheap rental apartments on the Internet as well. Instead of browsing through the papers, squinting at the small prints in the classifieds, what you can do is to log onto the Internet, go to. . .

A Super-Simple Guide to Being the Best Man at a Wedding

You've been asked to be best man at a wedding. What an honor! Someone clearly thinks very highly of you - you must be quite the guy.Flattered to the hilt, you happily agreed, but now that you've gotten yourself into this, you realize you may not be entirely sure what you supposed to do as the best man. Just what exactly are the responsibilities of the best man?Yeah, I know, you're usually a pre. . .

Wedding Theme; Picking The Best One For The Both Of You

Planning a wedding is certainly an exciting time in the life of any couple. There are so many things to do, and so many things to consider, however, that it can be somewhat of an overwhelming experience as well. == Planning Your Theme Together ==Planning a wedding may well be the first big thing you do as a couple, and it is important to go through that planning process as a team.There are ma. . .

Common Criteria: A Prime Factor In Information Security F...

Is your vital selective information secure. How do you know. There ar several ways to increase confidence in the security measures of your vital entropy. The data could be moved to a non-accessible location. A security system firm could be hired to install, update, and monitor the system. But perhaps the easiest method, and one that is now mandatory for the Department of Defense, is the manipul. . .

Crafts for Baby Shower Decorating

Planning a baby shower? Baby showers are a great opportunity for artistic people to make their own decorations and gifts. Here are some fine ideas for baby shower crafts:1) Baby shower gift baskets - Gift baskets are a great baby shower centerpiece or gift. Many of the items in the basket can be handcrafted. Some ideas include candles, soap, ceramic figurines, and personalized jelly jars. 2) Di. . .

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” Reminds Us to Set Bou...

Have you seen Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?” Watching the movie recently caused me to think about boundaries, and how children desperately need them. To recap the movie, Willy Wonka is a famous candy maker who opens his doors to the five lucky children who have found his Golden Tickets inside chocolate bars. When Charlie and the other children go inside the secluded factory, . . .

Three Important House Selling Tips

There are hundreds of good house selling tips that can help you when the time comes to put that sign in the yard. Some are more important than others though. Here are three of the most important points.1. Understand Value. Your home is not worth more because you like it, and it may not even be worth more after you spend $10,000 making it the way you like it. It is worth what others will pay. On. . .

The Barney Cure: A Cooperayion Technique for Preschoolers

Every parent has dealt with a preschooler who won’t cooperate. They’re crying, screaming, kicking, waving their arms, or dropping to the ground and refusing to walk. Parents and preschoolers have two different agendas. Your preschooler wants to play, watch TV, color with crayons, or whatever. As a parent, you have to be somewhere in 15 minutes, or you’re running late. If you’re not going somewh. . .

Is Cord Blood Banking Right For You?

Saving your baby's umbilical cord blood allows it to be cryogenically stored, and then available if your child later becomes sick and needs a bone marrow transplant. Umbilical cord blood was discarded until the 1970's, when researchers discovered that umbilical cord blood could save lives under certain circumstances.How do you decide on cord blood banking? Many soon-to-be parents ask this very . . .

Improving Spelling with Games

You got it! You can do just about any type of learning for a child or an individual learning a second language through the use of various computer games. You are sure to find something that will fit with their needs. You are also able to find a game that will keep them interested. Let's take spelling as an example.Many kids struggle each and every year at school with that dreaded Friday spellin. . .

Family Journals

Keeping a journal or diary, cannot only be beneficial to you as an individual, but it can also be a benefit to your family. Do you remember the family vacation to Disneyland when you were 12? What about your parent's 20-year anniversary? Or your birthday party when you turned 15? The new house you moved into in 8th grade? High school graduation?All those family memories from family events -- al. . .

7 Ways To Celebrate Your Wedding Anniversary

Your wedding anniversary is a major event. Prepare for your wedding anniversary celebration in advance so that everything goes smoothly. 1. Start off right. Get up before she does to prepare a quick breakfast. Serve her breakfast in bed. You might want to plan out the menu and buy the necessary things you need to cook a great breakfast the day before your anniversary. Take a shower after that a. . .

The “Disaster Dozen” Top Twelve Myths Of Disaster Prepare...

Hurricane Katrina and others in the season have given us yet another disaster preparedness wake-up call. Do we pay attention now or hit the snooze button again? Pushing past the debates over government reaction, we come to the bottom line conclusion that, “Yes, more could have been done.” In other articles we’ll get into some of those debates, but for now, let’s look at the most important part . . .