Dog Meniscal Injuries Associated With Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tears

Meniscal injuries in dogs are a very common problem secondary to cranial cruciate ligament tears. Injury to the menisci without injury to the cruciate ligament, however, is very rare in the dog.The menisci are two C-shaped pieces of cartilage that sit on the surface of the tibial plateau where the femur and the tibia come into contact. The bottom part of the femur is made up of two round-shaped condyles but the tibial plateau is a relatively flat surface. The menisci function to allow the round condyles to better sit on the flat tibial plateau.



Injury to the menisci in the dog is almost always associated with a cranial cruciate ligament tear. When the cruciate is torn, the femur can slide off the back of the tibial plateau and when it returns to its normal position, the femur grabs a portion of the meniscus breaking it off and dragging it forward so it is sitting in between the femur and the tibia. Because of the structures that the menisci attach to within the joint, the torn portion almost always occurs on the back, medial (inner) side of the knee.



Dogs with meniscal injuries present with severe lameness, often to the point of almost nonweight-bearing on the leg. Sometimes, a popping or clicking noise, termed a meniscal click, can be heard when the dog is walking. This is due to the torn piece of meniscus moving around within the joint during weight-bearing.In dogs, diagnosis of a meniscal tear is usually made at surgery either by direct inspection via opening of the joint (arthrotomy) or by arthroscopy. Other tests such as ultrasound or MRI have been studied in dogs and shown to be effective at diagnosing a meniscal tear, but since almost all dogs also have a torn cranial cruciate ligament, Tears, that requires surgical stabilization, the diagnosis is usually just made during surgery.



Treatment for meniscal tears in dogs is almost always removal of the torn portion of the meniscus (partial meniscectomy). Repair of the torn portion has been attempted in studies with some success but removal still remains the standard of, Tears, treatment because of high likelihood of re-injury down the line.Prognosis after removal of the torn portion of the meniscus in most dogs is good. It is expected that after removal of the meniscus, the dog will develop more arthritis long term but clinically, most dogs return to good function on the leg even with a torn meniscus.



Arthritis may develop over time, but in most dogs, this won't occur until much later in life.

Robert Vonau is a board certified veterinary surgeon with a mobile surgery practice in Denver, Colorado. He spends most days performing surgeries to repair cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs. If you would like to learn more about cruciate ligament disease or meniscal injuries in dogs, you can check out my site at http://www.petsurgerytopics.com

How To Get Your Ex-Girlfriend Out Of Your Mind Without Tears

Have you just broken up with your ex-girlfriend but just could not seem to get her out of your head? Well, if you have chosen to move on in life, you need to know how to get over your ex-girlfriend without too much grief and pain.If your girl has just asked for a break up without giving you any concrete reason, you are not alone. Many girls find the need to purge and break up any current relationship without any real reason and should that happen you should not be the one left holding on to the relationship long gone.



First of all, you need to downgrade the priority your ex plays in your life. Stop worshipping her as if she were some queen or goddess. Since you have decided to give her up, you should get rid of any thing that will evoke memories of the times you have spent with her. These include photos and any other mementoes. Entangled finances is one of those tricky businesses during a break up so do sort it out as soon as possible.Next, you need to give yourself time and space to get over her. The best way to do is to remove all contact you have with your ex.



Do not call, email or even meet up with her. Should she call, let her know that since it was her choice to ask for a breakup, you would respect her decision and has opt to start life afresh.At this time, you may want to some outlets to express your feelings. You can choose to write in a journal or do anything that helps relieve the hurt within, Tears, you. Confide in your best pals or seek short term counseling should you require it. Now, I need to forewarn you that one funny thing that might happen from doing all the things stated above is that you might attract the attention of your ex.



Yes, it sounds weird but some women just like to get what they can not get. If so, the ball is in your court. Decide what you really want.Choosing to learn how to get over your ex-girlfriend can be a great way to cleanse out your system and life. Should you continue to keep your options open, you will find your relationship with your loved ones stronger, Tears, than before after you have emerged from this little storm of yours.


If you want to know more about saving a relationship, then I urge you to read the next page before it is too late- Head over to http://www.drawexback.com right NOW!

G5 Outdoors S.G.H. Is Designed With the Critter in Mind Where the Goal is to Shock and Tear' the Prey Without Annihilating It

G5 BroadheadsIf you are a bow hunter then you are in all probability familiar with the Montec mention as a trusted one in the industry. They have been drawing premium equipment for years and the innovative Carbon Steel Broadheads are no exclusion.If you are serious about bow hunting then you should form detailed that you experience the correct equipment. Stimulating the right gear affects all the divergence in the world and it will signify that you possess a much more enjoyable excursion and wider success each time you move out.



Begin with a easy bow. Acquire something that is the precise size and weight for you. We are all different and there are draws of them out on the market then pick out some time and incur the one that fits you. They can cost a draw of money for the gratifying ones so it produces sense to choose carefully. It is likewise something that should last you a long time thence dont go excessively low-priced on the bow. Following up are the arrow shafts. Again, you desire to bear something that will be right for you.



These are a little lighter, Tears, to interchange and you might wish to judge out a few before reconciling in on one eccentric. If your buddies feature fine equipment they might let you bring a few shots with their apparatus to check if you like it.Following you are on to your broadheads. Just identical numerous people weigh the tires the most strategic section of a car because they are what contact the road, the broadheads that you use are crucial because they are what clear contact with your mark.



You have considered the time and the money to get a superb bow and nice arrows, now hit detailed that you dont move and acquire broadheads that will pick out wide of the mark from the effectivity of this equipment. With the Montec CS broadheads, they are 100% spin proved and will establish you an superb true shot. They are planned utilizing Carbon Steel expression, which, Tears, contributes them outstanding durability. This fresher stuff signifies that they as well come sharper out of the box, and once you carry aimed a few strokes with them and Discover that you want to sharpen them up you will bear an homier time doing it.



Sharper broadheads mean nicer penetration and a nicer kill ratio. These Carbon Steel broadheads have a Diamond Cut Sharpness that is unparalleled. They are crafted utilizing a Metal Injection Determining contrive that further growths their lastingness. Broadheads are not low-priced and you will need to gain something that will not split after a few shots.The Montecs come in a packet of three broadheads. They are 100 grain and they realize a cutting diameter of one and one sixteenth inches. They utilise a one-piece construction that is complete and efficacious.



These broadheads are contrived to take down all kinds of prey, whether you are hunting fowl or taking down deer or even a bear. They can be used over and over again because of their strength and you can bask intense blades all the time without the thwarting of not being in condition to get your blades sharp alike you might own seen in the past.


G5 Broadheads are very durable available at http://shop.eaglearchery.com

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms - EarlyDiagnosis Can Speed Up Healing Time

Rotator cuff problems can happen in a number of different ways but the one thing that they all have in common is that the sooner that you start treating them the better the prognosis. So how can you spot rotator cuff tear symptoms and when should you be seeking professional advice.Rotator cuff problems for the main part come about in one of three ways. You can suffer a damaging event to your shoulder. This is basically any event that causes an injury. Some sports that involve sudden snapping movements with your shoulder can result in a tear to the rotator cuff.



Baseball pitchers have given rotator cuff problems the name pitcher's shoulder because they are such common injuries. You could lift something that is too heavy and tear the rotator cuff. The cuff is designed to pull the arm into the socket so putting too much weight on the arm can damage a weak rotator cuff. A knock or fall in an accident is also a way to damage a rotator cuff.If the injury is as a result of a traumatic event then the symptoms will commence quickly and with no warning. They will include pain when lifting the arm to the front or side, difficulty getting comfortable at night and weakness in the effected arm.



The pain will get worse over time. One simple test that you can do is to have someone push gently on your arm whilst you try to move it up to the side. If this results in shoulder pain you have almost certainly damaged the rotator cuff. If the, Tears, pain gets worse or carries on beyond two or three days see your doctor. An MRI scan can confirm the diagnosis.Rotator cuff problems can also come about through wear and tear. This tends to be as we get older and is more common amongst the over forties but can also present in anyone who does a repetitive overhead movement in their work or sports.



This again will start with shoulder pain but perhaps more general than with a specific injury. This is usually caused by the supraspinatus tendon getting pinched in the subacromial space.In layman's terms, the tendon runs through a channel of bone . This tendon helps you to lift you arm to the side or front. Some of us have a smaller channel of bone than others and are more likely to get this problem. As we age our posture changes which can result in problems. The tendon gets rubbed against the bone and becomes inflamed.



As it becomes inflamed it starts to get trapped and rubbed more leading to a downward spiral as the tendon deteriorates. Left untreated it is possible to wear the tendon right through.Symptoms are similar to above but may come on more slowly with pain gradually increasing as the tendon becomes more damaged. Again it is vital to get an early diagnosis and treatment to avoid severe injury.The good news is that most rotator cuff injuries, caught early enough, will respond to rest and exercise. It is very important to rest the shoulder completely, avoiding any movement that results in pain.



You also need to treat the inflammation with ice and anti inflammatory drugs. Once you control the inflammation the pain will be controlled. Shoulder specific exercises will help to strengthen the shoulder and rotator cuff facilitating healing but should only be done after treating the inflammation. Any exercise that causes pain should, Tears, be discontinued as this is a sign of further damage being done.Rest, Ice and anti-inflammatory drugs and then shoulder specific exercises but always seek professional advice.



And remember to carry on with the exercises once your shoulder is better. If you have had one shoulder injury you may well be susceptible and prevention beats cure every time.

If you found this article useful and would liek to know more about rotator cuff tear symptoms check out my blog at

http://myrotatorcuffcure.blogspot.com

How to Tear Down the "Mental Berlin Wall" in Your Mind

Do you ever wonder why ideas sometimes don't seem to be forthcoming? If you're a writer, perhaps you've suffered from the so-called "writer's block." If you fall in this category, you're probably wondering how to knock those walls down to make way for actionable ideas.One way is through a lot of creative writing. People frequently ask how I have been able to come up with so many articles these days for my blog, website and other projects. It did not happen overnight - I've been writing in one form or another since the mid 90's.



Here's how to dig into the well of actionable ideas within you:1. Start a private dairy and write everything that comes to mind without regard to spelling, grammar or sentence structure. Do this for a few minutes every day for a couple of months. Don't worry whether or not your words make sense. They are not for public consumption anyway. Like building your muscles at the gym, you are exercising your creative juices. Starting a private diary will begin to weaken the mental blockages.2. Sit at your computer with your eyes closed.



Let your mind dictate what your fingers will do on the keyboard. Describe in words what you imagine yourself doing, saying, acting and thinking twenty years from now. Let your mind run amok and don't worry about proper writing protocol. This will surely get your creative juices flowing even faster because you'll have fun writing your future!3. Purchase the book, "The Artist's Way," by Julia Cameron. It's a great resource for getting in touch with your inner creativity. It is full of writing exercises that are designed for solo and/or group work.



If you motor through the entire book, not only will you access the stairwell of your imagination but you will also learn how to trust yourself, further tearing down the mental "Berlin Wall."4. I also recommend you get "Simple Abundance" by Sara Ban Breathnach. It was from her book that I began to write, on a daily basis, at least 3 to 5 things I was grateful for that day. It helped me:a. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude
b. Recognize more of the positives rather than the negatives of life
c.



Attract more of what I was grateful for
d. Make way for creative ideas5. Start composing short stories about your life's experiences. This will force you to become more disciplined because you're now paying more attention to spelling, sentence structure and so forth.As you rewrite (and rewrite) to polish your first draft, you will learn how to make it flow better with less, rather than more words. The path to your inner pool of ideas is now becoming well worn by this point because you're keeping at it on a frequent basis, preventing mental blockages from building back up.



Think of it this way. Ever been to a nature trail? If a lot of people walk the path, hardly any grass will grow there, right? If no one came for months for a hike, what would happen? Grass and weeds would obstruct the path. It's the same concept here. The more you write, the more you clear away mental blockages because you've traveled down that way many times.6. Look around the internet to test the strength of your short stories. Give sites like Heartwarmers.com and EzineArticles a try. They cost nothing and are moderated by human editors, which mean all submissions are individually reviewed before being accepted.



For almost a year, I used Heartwarmers to test the quality of my short stories because only one was selected for their daily newsletter, sent to 50,000 subscribers around the world. That meant if my story was accepted, than it must have been of good quality. Three of them that were previously accepted at the Heartwarmers site eventually found their way to best-selling books like "Chicken Soup for the College Soul," "heartwarmers" and "Magical Souvenirs: Mystical Travel Stories from Around the World.



" That says a lot about the quality of their stories. Go check them out!7. Create a blog. Blogger.com is the easiest, in my opinion, for the non-techie. Having a blog will motivate you to write more because now you have a level of responsibility to your readers. I've written over 60 articles since creating, Tears, this blog a couple months ago. You'd be surprised how much information you have inside you, dying to get out. The more you write, the more ideas will come bubbling to the surface.



8. Now you're ready to carry around a notepad everywhere you go. Since you've cleared the way for ideas, they will start to come out of nowhere. Sometimes they come fast and furious. If you don't have a way of recording them at a moment's notice, they'll be gone forever because they are by nature fleeting. Often they lead you to a certain course of action, opening the way for your dreams to come, Tears, true.And it all starts with creative writing!Food for thought: Start a private diary or write 5 things you're grateful everyday to get a head start on releasing mental blockages.



The practice of creative writing is like unclogging a blocked artery, making way for a torrent of blood (ideas) to flow.Profoundly deaf since birth, Stephen Hopson is a former award-winning stockbroker turned motivational speaker, author and pilot. He works with organizations that are ready to explore and overcome adversity because no one is immune from it - adversity does not discriminate. His professional speaking services, Obstacle Illusions, include fun and passionate presentations, especially the story of how his fifth grade teacher forever changed his young life with THAT'S RIGHT STEPHEN!



You can view his website at http://www.sjhopson.comStephen also maintains a blog called "Adversity University" at http://adversityuniversity.blogspot.com/If you are curious as to how well Stephen speaks, listen to this audio post: http://adversityuniversity.blogspot.com/2006/05/introducing-myself-to-people-who-hire.html

Tearing Down Walls of Bitterness, Betrayal, and Backbiting Pt 1

Walls are built to protect us from the outside elements, but in our relationships with others walls may serve a different purpose. We build walls of different behaviors to protect us from one another. I know that betrayal, bitterness and backbiting are very harsh sounding words but most of us have either been on the giving end or receiving end of at least one of these words at one time or another.One of my favorite books is "Betrayal's Baby" by author P. Bunny Wilson. Wilson says that betrayal has a baby and names her bitterness.



Wilson states, "Bitterness comes into the world holding a clock in her hand that is set to the exact day, hour and minute of betrayal. That clock is placed over the fireplace of our hearts, on a dusty mantelpiece filled with other clocks. The clocks are ticking but the hands are frozen. With each new betrayal we feel, an additional clock joins the collection. With every clock comes a 'commitment of protection' that we hope will keep us from experiencing the same kind of pain and disappointment again.



" WOW! How accurate a picture she has painted for us! Many of us have tons of clocks on our mantelpieces.What are some types of betrayal?WoundingWell, for many of us there is wounding. We have, Tears, been wounded by our past. We have been betrayed by people who were supposed to love us—physical abuse, emotional abuse, and mental abuse. We've been wounded by words or wounded because we never got to do what we wanted to do with our lives. Maybe because we were sacrificing for our siblings, or spouses or even our own children.



Or maybe we were told we weren't smart enough, not pretty enough, not sophisticated enough—we were wounded, we felt betrayed….and betrayal had a baby..DesertionMaybe we have felt deserted by friends who said they'd be there for us—but once they became successful and moved into a higher tax bracket—or after we have helped them in their time of need—they have deserted us ...we felt betrayed and now betrayal had her baby…RejectionSome of us have been rejected by someone after we have given them our love, our devotion?



We've sacrificed our needs and our wants to make sure they were taken care of—we gave them the "best years of our life" - we helped put them through school—we supported them while they climbed the ladder of success—now we have been rejected—turned away...we were betrayed...and now betrayal had a baby…DeceptionOh, yes, how many times have we been deceived? We thought the person was on the up and up! Looked like the real thing, walked like the real thing, and boy, did they talk like the real thing—only to reveal their true colors and prove to be counterfeit!



We believed them when they said they wouldn't tell anybody—or when they said they "got our back" - but when push came to shove all our business was out on the street and we were left to pick up the pieces by ourselves. We were betrayed...and now betrayal had a baby…
Betrayal sits in your spirit, begins to be nurtured by your pain, by your frustration—it grows and grows—you bear the labor pains—you cry, "why can't I get over it, why can't I forgive, why can't I find joy?" Because you have held betrayal so close to your heart.



..on the mantelpiece—your clock is ticking away—it becomes a part of you and nine days, nine months, nine years—however long it takes—betrayal gives birth to its baby...bitterness…..Next time, we'll examine how easy it is for us to build walls of bitterness and backbiting and what we can do to make sure that the walls will come crumbling down!ฉ2005 Candie A. PriceCandie A. Price is the editor/founder, Tears, of WOW! Women of the Word emagazine. Candie is Ministry Director for WOW! Women's Ministry at the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL where her husband of 15 years, Rev.



Arthur Price, Jr., is pastor. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Eboni Paige and Amyna Janel. WOW! emagazine can be found at http://www.wowemagazine.com For subscriptions contact Candie at ssbcwow@aol.com

Causes and Remedies of Tear Stains in Dogs

Have you noticed your pooch with puffy eyes? Of course they feel terrible with those. In line with this they also become irritable and perhaps even a bit aggressive. Well, you can't blame them if they snap at you. You, Tears, just have to understand that they feel uncomfortable. Tear stains in dogs causes more than a feeling of discomfort but also a change in moods and behavior. That is why during these times you need to be patient with your pet and. First you need to understand why tear stains in dogs occur.



Possible causes would be dog food allergy, bacterial or yeast infection, the irritation caused by the hairs falling over its eyes, or your pet is just predisposed to it.So whenever your pet has some pus or any rust colored substances probably around the corners of its eyes it is already suffering. You would also notice your pooch having that watery look as if it is about to cry. For the first step you need to clean the area around its eyes with cotton balls dipped in warm water. You need to be extremely careful when doing this and make sure that your hands are all clean and sanitized.



Tear stains in dogs are something you need to be alert for because the eyes are one of those major organs of the body.You do not want to worsen the situation so make sure that you clean only the area around the eyes and not the eyes themselves. If you are not sure what caused it you would need to observe the pus if ever they come back too often. If it is just the hairs over its eyes then you just have to trim them. But if it is something like bacterial or yeast infection you would notice the pus is colored green and they come back quickly.



When this happens you need to visit the vet asap so proper medication could be given.Sometimes the pus carries a bad smell. Some bacteria might be dwelling in their so you can try giving an antibacterial eye drops to combat them. Tear stains in dogs can pose harm to your pet's health because its appetite might also be affected. It is very important that you visit its vet for check ups rather than just purchasing some medicine from pet shops. I have nothing against pet shops. The point here is to be sure first of the cause before you get the remedy.



Precaution is a whole lot better than tons of remedies. It would be better to find out the cause first before heading to the pet shop.That way you are sure of what, Tears, you are giving your pet and not just plain guessing or experimenting. Tear stains in dogs cannot be simply ignored and don't just wish that it is nothing and it will be gone in a few days. You might be extremely lucky if that is just the case but in some cases it is not so you might as well be sure and have it seen by the vet.



Be concerned for your pet's health because sometimes a simple eye irritation can lead to something worse.

The author of this article, Alex De La Cruz, is a Dog Expert who has been successful for many years. Because most people think that Arthritis is a humans-only disease Alex now informs dog owners with his http://www.dog-arthritis-guide.com Ebook on how to discover this disease and let their dogs live as pain-free as possible.

Homemade Solar Panels - Tear Up Your Electric Bills!

Homemade solar panels are a product that save you lots of money and is good for the greening of the planet at the same time!On top of that Solar Panels have the potential to make you a fair bit of money.If you are the handy type you could set up a little shop and start cranking these panels out and selling them.Home made solar panels are in huge demand and they are NOT cheap looking, shoddy units.

The benefits to solar power are just huge.For the handy types, homemade solar panels are the equivalent of free electricity, which is the equivalent of free money!



These solar panels are very cheap to build, which creates what I call the second giant, potential benefit.A business opportunity.

Solar Panels are selling right now to your neighbors and saving them money in the deal.You could supply homemade solar panels that are as professionally done as the expensive store bought varity.

So it makes sense on several levels if a few things are in place.

One of those possibilities are city and state tax credits for energy efficiency and green living.



The state I'm in has tax credits that will offset the cost to purchase by 50%.

When you put the tax benefits together with the savings you can get, the solar installation can be done so cheaply that you may be able to afford a full blown system right away.

Or you could build and install a few panels at first until you have completely taken your home off the grid! That's pretty good money in your pocket right there.I have seen these do it yourself videos from Earth4Energy and it is truly remarkable how simple the building of these panels is.



Everything else associated with the system is explained so well that I believe anyone slightly handy could do this.

With some investigation I have calculated that you could produce these solar panels at a cost with labor included and net an easy $100 per panel by selling them on Ebay.

So there it, Tears, is. A real, green jobs, save the planet opportunity.And the time is right, too!

So to recap this idea, just remember that the market is absolutely huge.



All a person needs to be very helpful and competitive in this field is some basic industry knowledge.

One needs to know where to buy solar panels or how to make them for themselves.In addition to that there are the installation requirements and procedures and these seem pretty straightforward, too.With all the news about high energy prices and living green, what could be more timely than the idea of free electricity?It could be home made solar panels just for your house.Or maybe you are thinking that, after you get your house done, you could offer to do it for other people.



It's a fine idea, and this idea's time has come.Building your own homemade solar, Tears, panels is an opportunity to save a lot of money by not sending checks to the electric company, doing something good for the earth, and a viable business opportunity, too.Copyright (c) 2010 Riley West


This is so easy it's very compelling! I watched the first video on how to build your own home made solar panel and I am geared up to go buy my materials and start tomorrow. Plus you can make money at this too! Sell the plans or sell the panels! See more about it at homemade solar panel and get this inexpensive, high-demand money maker in your own hands right now!

You Have To Tear Muscle To Build It

Okay, we all know that the quickest way to build muscle is touse progressive weight training. Progressive means that as soon as you get used to lifting acertain amount of weight, you add a little more. Over time,you'll get stronger because your muscles adapt by getting largerto handle the added weight. Our bodies adapt to whatever stress we regularly put it through.When you lift weights, what you're doing is actually tearing themuscle tissue in a healthy way. When you eat the propernutrition, mostly protein, they'll actually repair themselves.



In fact, they get stronger and bigger without lifting moreweight. As you continue to lift more weight, your muscles will keepadapting to this increased overload. So they get bigger. But one thing you may not know, is, lifting weights actuallycauses muscle fiber damage. And this microscopic damage needs toheal properly if you're going to gain any muscle.There are type A and type B fibers in your muscles. Let's say the higher repetitions might tear the type B soheavier weights will tear them and bring them back stronger.



Some people are fast switch and some people are slow switch. Fast switch responds to high reps, mostly between 8-12repetitions, Tears, . Slow switch will respond to slower reps between 4and 6.Every body has a different buildup. Let's say, for example, mybicep is 90% fast switch and 10% slow switch. I would need to domainly high repetitions, Tears, for my bicep.You, on the other hand, might be 90% slow switch and 10% fastswitch so the approach you would want to take is lower reps. So, in order to build muscle mass, you first have to tear itslightly.



The degree of tearing is directly related to how hard and howlong you exercise and what type of exercise you do. Movements inwhich muscles forcefully contract while they are lengtheningwill cause the most muscle growth. These are called "eccentric" contractions, and they provide theresisting action of the muscle such as lowering weights andperforming the downward movements in exercises. When you get the proper nutrition, your body repairs this muscletissue damage and makes it stronger, for the next time you haveto handle this weight.



That's why you have to first cause slight muscle damage, for newmuscle mass to be built.

The "Wall of Defensiveness": 7 Ways to Tear It Down

Have you ever gotten frustrated when you realize that your prospects keep stereotyping you as a "salesperson"? And because of that, they don't give you the trust and openness that you deserve, and that are essential if you're going to help them solve their problems?That's what's been happening to Michael, who calls companies to set appointments with decisionmakers. "I have a great product that I'm passionate about," he told me, "but when I call prospects, they immediately start treating me as just another salesperson who's trying to sell them the same type of product that others have tried to sell to them in the past.



..Is there any way to stop them from pigeonholing me?"Michael is hitting what I call the "wall of defensiveness" that almost all decisionmakers these days use to protect themselves against sales calls. It tears me apart that he, like so many other salespeople, have to endure this type of personal rejection as he tries to make a living.And none of the sales training or motivational programs he's been through had helped him to solve this frustrating and debilitating situation.In our one-on-one sessions, Michael and I discussed 7 key strategies that can break down that wall, and he's been finding that they work for him.



..maybe they'll work for you, too...here they are...1. Curb your enthusiasm. This idea always comes as a shock to anyone who's been exposed to the old "sales gurus" who insist, "The more enthusiastic you are about what you are selling, the more people will be attracted to your solution"--but, boy, are they wrong! When you come across as overly enthusiastic, especially when you're on a first call to a new prospect, you immediately trigger sales pressure that tells your prospect, "I'm excited because I just know that you need what I have to offer!



" But in any new situation, that's exactly what you don't know--so try cutting out your enthusiasm on initial calls. Otherwise, you're likely to hit the wall.2. Avoid assuming that you and your prospect are a fit. You may have the "perfect prospect"--someone with the exact criteria and profile of your, Tears, ideal customer. However, if your words or tone of voice say, "I know you'll benefit from our service because you fit the exact profile of our customer base," you'll inadvertently will set off alarms that will let your prospect associate you with the negative "salesperson" stereotype.



Instead, learn to be humble, and avoid making assumptions until after your prospects trust you enough to share their true issues with you. Then the two of you can decide, in a natural evolutionary way, whether you're a match or not.3. Don't think that you have to have all the answers or you'll "lose" the sale. So many of us work ourselves into a frenzy before we actually pick up the phone to call someone. Why? We're afraid that if we make a mistake or don't deliver our pitch perfectly, we'll be rejected.



But it's okay not to have all the answers. Ever see the TV show "Columbo"? Was he perfect? No. He was human, humble, and unassuming, and people trusted him. It's okay not to have all the answers. Needing to have all the answers is a control trip, and when you're with a prospect, you're not in control--the two of you are in a relationship. The more you internalize that realization, the more comfortable and less frenzied you'll feel. And you'll be surprised when your prospect appreciates you for being a just another human being.



4. Don't try to overcome objections. Overcoming objections doesn't build trust. Instead, it only associates you with the negative stereotype of a salesperson who has been trained to move the sales process forward at the prospect's expense. When you hear an objection, diffuse it and re-engage the conversation on your prospect's terms.5. Learn to diffuse sales pressure. Hidden sales pressure is the root of all sales woes. Diffuse it at the beginning of the relationship, and you'll never have to deal with it again.



Shift your mindset and change your language so it reflects you being your most natural self. The most sophisticated sales strategies in the world won't make any difference if you don't know how to diffuse the sales pressure that prospects are only too quick to sense--and back away from--in any buyer-seller relationship.6. View prospects as potential friends, not as sources of commissions. If you see dollar signs instead of human beings when you're with prospects, they'll sense your attitude and see those dollar signs in your eyes.



Keep your conversations human by always viewing your prospects as people who have potential problems that you can solve.7. Acknowledging the sales game diffuses the pressure. If you find yourself in a sales situation that puts your relationship with your prospect at risk--for example, a prospect promises to call you back but doesn't--call the "game." Call your prospect and say simply and gently that you really don't want the relationship to degenerate into the stereotypical cat-and-mouse sales game.



Your message should always be, "Our relationship, not my commission, is my priority."The bottom line of all this is: You can no longer rely on what you are selling to distinguish yourself,, Tears, because there's just too much competition out there. Instead, you must focus on how you're selling. That's the only thing that will make you different from everyone else.With a Masters Degree in Instructional Design and over a decade of experience creating breakthrough sales strategies for global companies such as UPS and QUALCOMM, Ari Galper discovered the missing link that people who sell have been seeking for years.



His profound discovery of shifting one's mindset to a place of complete integrity, based on new words and phrases grounded in sincerity, has earned him distinction as the world's leading authority on how to build trust in the world of selling.Leading companies such as Gateway, Clear Channel Communications, Brother International and Fidelity National Mortgage have called on Ari to keep them on the leading edge of sales performance. Visit http://www.unlockthegame.com to get his free sales training lessons.

Maltese Eye Stain - Easy Home Remedy For Canine Tear Stains

If you have been struggling to find out how to get rid of your pet's eye stain or tear stain discharge I can totally relate to what you are going through.We have several Maltese dogs in our family and a few of them unfortunately had severe Maltese eye stain problems.At first we did not know what to do. The stains ran down their faces from the inside corner of their eyes down each side of their nose and it was unsightly and gross looking compared to the rest of their luxurious white coat.We checked with our veterinarian and found that the Maltese breed has a predisposition towards eye stain problems as do several many other dog and cat breeds like: Maltipoos, Bichon Frise, Lhasa Apso, Papillion, Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniel, Shih Tzu and cat breeds like: Persians, Himalayans, Exotic Shorthairs, Devon Rex, and Scottish Folds.



One of the main causes of Maltese eye stain that is most commonly discussed is excess tearing.If your Maltese has irritated eyes it can cause them to tear a lot. As the tears drain from the eyes the hair around the eyes gets wet and stained. Excess wetness around the eyes can be a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast.Some of the causes of excess tearing are:- a genetic predisposition to tearing as our vet explained- allergies (these could be from the environment or from food allergies or even allergies to smoke or other irritants)- ear infections- teething or cutting teeth (common for Maltese puppies from 5 - 8 months old as their adult teeth are appearing)If you can find the source of your Maltese tearing you can often keep the majority of the tear staining from even starting.



However due to the Maltese predisposition to tear staining genetically, in many cases it is very difficult to either find the source of the tear staining or to prevent it.One way that all Maltese owners can help decrease the tear stain on their Maltese is to pay attention to the hair around the face and prevent hair from falling into the eyes. A simple top knot on your Maltese can go a long way in reducing the irritation to the eyes that causes more tear staining.After checking with our vet we learned that our Maltese were okay health wise (thank goodness).



The deep reddish-brown stains below their eyes came from the dogs normal tears that drained down the Maltese faces.We learned that it was common for our Maltese to have tear staining because the tear ducts and bone structure are unlike other breeds and that in most the cases the cause of the color change of the, Tears, hair and skin occurs when the normal bacteria on the hair and skin react with the clear tears. Even though the tear stains were not a health risk, we still wanted them to be gone so our Maltese could have a beautiful, Tears, white face to go with their beautiful white coat.



We tried so many different home remedies to help the stains and leaky eyes to go away. We finally found a product that worked like a charm and all we had to was add a simple solution to our dog's food and after a short time the ugly stains were gone for good.

Tears in the Darkness Written by Michael Norman and Elizabeth M Norman

The "Bataan Death March" during WWII in the Philippines was one of the most deadly and brutal excursions mandated by any enemy. The Japanese captured this area shortly after the beginning of WWII, which started when Japan destroyed Pearl Harbor in the Pacific. This scenario is captured through the eyes of those that lived it and the records they had kept. The writings or diaries that these men, mostly from the United States and the Philippines, wrote and managed to hide somewhere or wrote after their rescue after a harrowing ordeal that killed so many.



The map included in the beginning of the book shows the Luzon Island, Manila, Bataan, and surrounding areas. All of this area was where most of this story occurred.The attack on Pearl Harbor is described through both the American and the Japanese eyes and minds. Ben Steele was a young cowboy from Montana who rushed to join the Air Force once the war had begun. Being a country boy he wasn't used to war or people that acted much different than his wild western style. The story tells a bit of training then moves rapidly to the Philippines where Ben and his units were sent to defend an area that had many Philippine and American soldiers, along with some other nations.



The military leaders felt there was plenty of military in the area to repel any Japanese attack attempting to take the entire area. They were dead wrong. Some of the natives took off for the hills of the island but most stayed and fought the oncoming enemy that sent unending lines of men to attack and capture all they could. Many on both sides were killed, but eventually the Japanese did overtake the entire island, making the forces fighting surrender to the Japanese.Eventually the men were herded in lines as the victors moved inland and north and forced to march regardless of physical condition, without food and water for the most part.



If they fell or faltered for any reason, they were bayoneted or shot with their bodies thrown off the dirty, bumpy road. The description of what they endured as seen, Tears, through Ben Steele's eyes and many others, officers and enlisted men alike, was in most cases beyond human comprehension. When they did get something thrown at them to eat it was usually leftovers from the Japanese meals, bits and pieces of rice, moldy, maggot filled, flies included along with any foreign substances that would come from the dirt.



Water was almost non-existent even though there were areas along the way that contained, Tears, wells or cisterns but the prisoners were not allowed to drink. A few managed to secretly obtain some water but all it did was give dysentery even worse than the food did.You have to read this story to understand what our military endured, if they lived through it, which many didn't. The Japanese would stop the march, separate lines of men, march them in small groups to the edge of a ravine, then bayonet them until they fell into the ravine dead or mostly dead.



Very few did survive this method of killing. When the few that did survive arrived at Camp O'Donnell, they again were kept in very primitive enclosures and given very little to eat or drink.Eventually over the many months as prisoners, the Japanese knew they were losing the war and they pulled back or were killed or taken prisoner, allowing the ravaged men to roam the camp until friendly forces rescued them. For most of the men that did survive this tortuous trek their physical and mental lives were forever changed.



Ben Steele did survive by luck, prayers, and his outdoor knowledge of survival. I highly recommend this book for anyone that is a war buff but I warn you that you will be reading some things that are very disturbing. I knew from history that the Bataan Death March was a terrible event in the world's history but nothing could have prepared me for the actual story in detail as laid out by the authors.

Reader review by Cy Hilterman of a book supplied by the authors and publisher

Tear Up Your "To Do" Lists!

Tear Up Your ย"To Doย" Lists!Most of you have those tedious, Tears, ย"To Doย" list that you create in an effort to get more things done in your day. But letย's take time to really look at your ย"To Doย" list. The actual words ย"To Doย" have a negative connotation, and when you look at that list on, Tears, a daily basis you think to yourself, ย"I MUST get this stuff done!ย". Itย's like meeting a deadline on a daily basis. You absolutely dread it! You should just call it your ย"To Donย'tย" list, because itย's not something that you even look forward to doing.



So, what kinds of things are on these ย"To Doย" list? 1. Go to the gym2. Take the kids to baseball practice3. Make (3) new contacts for my business4. Pick-up the laundry5. Coaching session w/John Di Lemme6. Tele-Class at 8:30pm7. Book flights for upcoming seminarThatย's right, this is an example of the infamous ย"To Doย" list that you write out every day, and you drive yourself crazy trying to get everything done. Then at the end of the day, you wad up your list and throw it away. No matter if you finished everything or not.



Does this make sense? No. Why should you torture yourself by making a list of things that will ultimately hang over your head all day long. Plus, most of the time the things on your ย"To Doย" list are important to you and you should feel a sense of accomplishment after you complete them. I know that you are saying to yourself, ย"John, I have to write things down or I wonย't do them, and these things are important.ย" I agree with you 100%, but there is another wayย…something you wonย't hate and resent doing on a daily basis.



You must make this list important to you and feel good about yourself when you complete it or even most of it. Develop a Champion Checklist! Doesnย't that sound better and more powerful? How would you feel at the end of your day if you accomplished the majority of things on your ย"Champion Checklistย"? Hereย's another tip. Donย't throw it away day after day after day. Keep your Champion Checklist in a journal or simply a notebook. This will allow you to look back at your lists at the end of the week and see all of the things that you achieved.



On the other hand, it will also act as your guide to things that you can do better such as time management. My challenge for you today is to commit to tearing up your ย"To Doย" list and replace it with a ย"Champion Checklistย". Will you do it or will you continue to begin everyday staring at a list that haunts you all day long? Itย's up to you! This simple change will produce drastic results for you.Find Your Why & Fly,John Di Lemmewww.FindYourWhy.com

Gravity Fest Extreme Athletes Will Tear it Up at San Francisco's McClaren Park Sept. 24-26

September 8, 2004 -- If he were alive today, Sir Isaac Newton would surely be proud. What began as a passive contemplation of an apple dropping from a tree has culminated in a vast array of extreme sports as human beings harness the forces of gravity to their advantage, hurtling their bodies down the steepest hills possible at break-neck speeds!With this in mind, come check out the world's finest (and by some definitions, craziest) extreme gravity junkies as they gather on the West Coast to ride a host of awesome, โ€˜Newton-inspired' machines at Robert Wurgaft's and David Mile's San Francisco Gravity Festival Sept.



24-26. See www.cora.org/sfgf.htmlยfor an event flyer.The annual event is co-sponsored by Oakland-based Slide4less, a company dedicated to extreme sports and the daredevils who participate in them. The Gravity Fest, held at McClaren Park in a city world-renowned for its dangerously steep and curvy hills, is a national gravity event sanctioned by the International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA) and featuring pro riders from around the world.Slide4less will feature its own array of electric, remote-controlled skateboards for sale, along with the precision-crafted Segway, one of the most popular personal vehicles available anywhere in the world.



The international market for electric skateboards is exploding, making them a must-have for extreme sports junkies who enjoy living life on the edge, and demonstrating it. Pro riders will be on hand throughout the festival to show off these hot machines.Given the frenetic buzz over the burgeoning electric skateboard and longboard market โ€" today's leading-edge extreme sports products โ€" it's easy to understand why several companies are battling it out for board supremacy. Slide4less has long supported technological innovations and market competition in motorized skateboard development.



Board options available for purchase through Slide4less include several cheaper models that give everyone a chance to own an electric skateboard. Now you can buy the entry level board for a retail price of $249.99. These are high quality boards never available at such low prices before.Previously only the 750 watt X-24 Exkate was available, but now the company has licensed several other models some of which will be appearing at local stores this year. Slide4less will have numerous new models available for viewing and testing at this years SF Fest.



But if you are experienced and ready for the โ€˜grand-daddy' of electric skateboards, step on up to the X-24 Exkate, already enjoyed by professional extreme sports enthusiasts and skateboarders the world over. It may well be the most expensive electric skateboard on the market with a starting price of $999, but you have never (and may never again) try a machine as โ€˜tight' as this. The hand-held, wireless remote is absolutely flawless, works well in any conditions and makes this board โ€˜stop on a dime.



' Long-lasting Lithium batteries keep it going for miles and miles and can be easily recharged, and the motor-braking system is absolutely unique to this market.These and other board styles are featured exclusively on our website devoted entirely to electric longboards: www.electriclongboards.com and are also available via www.slide4less.com.All board designs offered for sale by Slide4less represent cutting-edge developments in electrical, remote-operated and compact vehicles. These are the only electric skateboards in the world to offer truly effective remote operation, a necessity for rider safety.



โ€œMotorized boards will likely become the world's most advanced vehicles with innovations that rival any other vehicle,โ€ says Steve Steinberg of Slide4less. โ€œThey are inherently dangerous, but sophisticated acceleration, braking and board control are key to making these machines effective for extreme sports enthusiasts.โ€Stock Exkate boards feature a cruising range of 15 miles on a single battery charge, with custom, high-power Lithium battery packs available for purchase separately.



The boards offer an out-of-box, blistering top speed is from 6 to 25 mph, depending on the style of board chosen.โ€œThese are the only vehicles in the world to give you a functional and safe wireless remote throttle and braking system, right at your fingertips,โ€ says Slide4less partner, Tears, Darren Romar. โ€œThese skateboards are designed to emulate the feel and responsiveness that snowboarders and surfers love. This is an extreme sport that does not require waves, snow, wind or hills.



People in the flatlands of the Midwest can have just as much fun on these boards as those living in hilly Sausalito, Calif. Maybe even more!โ€Powerboards are one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles available on the market, with strikingly silent operation and zero emissions. It is snowboarding with no lift line, wakeboarding without a boat and skateboarding without your feet ever touching the ground. You just step on and accelerate! With the X-24 motor specially built to suit the powerboard, you can blast away to top speed in less than four seconds.

How to Tear Apart Any Martial Artist on the Street

There is one big thing that you should understand, swallow it deep in your mind and never ever question it again. That thing is that martial arts are never ever going to save your life in a real street fight - fight for your life situation. It all works just in movies with all these fancy fighters performing spectacular moves flying all over the place and making all the viewers say "Wow!".Well, sadly, if you think that martial arts are going to help you defend against a 250lbs mean guy who wants to try his new knuckleduster, you'll probably want to call your face-lifter to work little bit longer.



I'm not saying that martial arts are bad and useless, but since they are bound with rules, they will rather hurt you than save you. Better be safe than sorry!What actually IS going to help you is either not to fight at all, torun as fast asyou can or if there is no other option - to fight as dirty as possible!1. dirty move - Throat Punch - This is a highly effective move and one of my favorites. This combat move is based on hitting the attacker's Adam's apple.What is best, the Adam's apple takes a little while till it goes back to it's original position.



Since the guy would be concerned only about that he can not breathe, it gives you time to cause some more damage, or to simply run away.2. dirty move - Temple Strike - Very effective move. Try to take your middle finger knuckle and press it in the whole area around the temple on your head. Experiment and find on your self where around the templeyou can still feel that unpleasant feeling. This move is best executed as a hook punch from really close quarters. When hit hard enough, it can result inthe knockout.



3. dirty move - Kick in the Groin - One of the oldest dirty moves ever, yet still one of the most effective ones. Simply kick or knee the attacker in his family jewels and watch as he is going to the ground with tears in his eyes. Your opponent can be as big as the Empire State Building and still this move will cause devastating damage.4. dirty move - Eye Gouge - Very, very, verynasty combatmove. Throw both your open hands (or just one - it depends on the situation you are in) to, Tears, the attacker's face, grab his ears and pull your thumbs, Tears, in his eyes.



Very nice performance of this dirty move is in combination with the ear slap as a first move, then eye gouge followed with knees in the groin and last is the ear tear combat move.5. dirty move - Ear Tear - very simple and effective move. Just grab your opponent's ear and twitch.When done on both ears simultaneously, it has an enormous effect on the opponent. Nice to combine with the eye gouge dirty move.6. dirty move - Kick in the Shin -Just kick the assailantas viciously and as many timesas possible to his shin bone and watch him hoppingon one leg andcrying like a baby.



Just give him few more and make him fall on the ground.7. dirty move - Knee Stomp -Raise your leg and stomp on your assailant's knee in the 45° angle. Causes him to fall in agony. Once he is on the ground, give him some more or run.So these are just a few of the dirty combatmoves that work on every guy on the planet whether he is a 7ft 300lbs mean machine or your grandpa. Remember to include them to your arsenal and learn to combine them. The best offense is when you give the assailant no space for counter attack.

...See my other articles if you liked this one.

Fighter Street - street fight and self defense knowledge library.
Visit at: http://www.questforfighting.com for more information about street fight and self defense

How Biased Adoption Language Tears Families Apart

Marion, IA September 14, 2004 -- If during wartime an enemy soldier took a baby away from her mother and this event was caught on film, people would be horrified. But here in the United States, we have individuals, lawyers and agencies advertising to moms and withholding important information to get their babies, pressuring them to get their babies, drugging them to get their babies or social services just, Tears, plain taking babies because the mother "looks poor". Agencies and lawyers profit handsomely.



People say when a mother is unmarried she โ€œdeserves itโ€ and it doesn't matter how it will affect her child. Few people are aware that father's rights are being violated as well.Why are people so callous toward citizens of their own country? One important influence on the way people think is the language that is used. The adoption industry has deliberately marketed a lexicon that is meant to marginalize natural mothers and fathers and dehumanize them, giving legitimacy to a form of inhumane exploitation that would otherwise be seen as cruel and unnatural.



Language that is biased or โ€œpositiveโ€ toward adoption benefits the adoption industry in getting more babies for "sale" and in building a "market" for babies. Honest language that is not biased toward adoption must be reinstated in order to protect American children and families.When the word "parent" is used for a prospective adopter who is unrelated to a child and the "birth" term is used for the child's own mother, it is just expected a mother must surrender her child. "Birth mother" is like a job title or worse - she is merely a "thing" whose function is to make a baby for others.



Some adopters like to abbreviate it as โ€œBMโ€, likening the mother of the child they have adopted to something to be flushed down the toilet.While many in office claim to support fatherhood, how many are aware that the National Council for Adoption website refers to fathers as โ€œunmarried menโ€. If the objective is to promote fatherhood and marriage then acknowledging their fatherhood would be a better way to go about it. Some agencies refer to a father as an โ€œFOBโ€ (father of the baby), which is so close to S.



O.B. that the intent of the agency - to create dissention between a father and mother or grandparents - cannot be mistaken.Everyone recognizes that a parent has a right to raise his or her own child. Yet in court when the foster caregiver or prospective adopter is called a โ€œparentโ€ and the true parents are called โ€œbiosโ€ the outcome is predetermined. After lengthy delays initiated by those in the โ€œsystemโ€, once they are finally in court the true parents of a child may be proven to be fit in every way yet still have their parental rights terminated.



Some say it's alright to take a baby from a naรฏve mother or parents; they believe it is the parents โ€œchoiceโ€ to surrender their child. Why is it that few mothers and fathers in Sweden, New Zealand or Australia make a "choice" to surrender their own children? In โ€œCurrent Adoption Policy and Practice - a comparison between North America and Australiaโ€ Evelyn Burns Robinson, MA, Dip Ed, BSW states: โ€œSouth Australia was the first state in Australia to put into place adoption legislation which seeks to protect and support the relationship between a newborn child and his or her family of origin, as well as allowing equal access to adoption information, Tears, when the adopted child becomes an adult.



Other states have followed with similar adoption acts.โ€โ€œPrivate adoptions are illegal in all states in Australia. All domestic adoptions are enacted by the State Government departmentsโ€ฆThe term โ€˜birthmother' is out of favor with many of the support groups in Australia and certainly would never be used, as I have heard it in North America, to describe an expectant motherโ€ฆ This sinister use of the term โ€˜birthmother'โ€ฆimplies that the separation of mother and child is a foregone conclusion.



โ€In South Australia, the father will be allowed time to establish paternity and if recognized by the court as the father โ€œthe fathers consent is necessary before that child can be adopted.โ€ Consent to adoption cannot be given until the child is at least fourteen days old, there is a twenty-five day revocation period, no prospective adopter is considered until after the revocation period is past, and โ€œThe mother of the child must be given information in writing regarding the consequences of the adoption, prior to any taking of consent.



โ€By contrast, American mothers are encouraged to select prospective adopters prior to birth by those who know this will make it harder for her to say โ€œnoโ€ later. A mother may be even be encouraged to surrender parental rights prior to birth in some states such as Colorado. Often there is no revocation period or the mother is not told there is a revocation period. She is told her child will be โ€œbetter offโ€ instead of being told the reality about the known consequences.



Fathers rights are largely ignored. In the United States, there was a time when only the masculine forms of nouns and pronouns were used when speaking of people in general. Feminists had to fight for language that made it clear women are human beings, too. As a result, we now respect and acknowledge women in our language choices by saying โ€œmen and womenโ€ rather than just โ€œmenโ€ and by using "his/hers" not just "his". Women now wear pants whenever they want to without apology to their husbands for possibly offending them.



Using language that is biased toward adopters promotes the separation of a child from her own mother and family to provide a baby for a stranger. When a mother loses her child to adoption not only is the mother is affected but also the father, grandparents, existing and future siblings as well as the child who has been artificially โ€œorphanedโ€ and her descendents.We must change our habits and begin to respect, acknowledge, support and value the true, natural family. The courts and the media are at great fault for using biased language.



The term โ€œbirth motherโ€ makes people think a mother is just the packaging a baby comes in, meant to be tossed aside. Every citizen has a right and even an obligation to call a natural mother a โ€œmotherโ€ or โ€œnatural motherโ€ and thus prevent the temptation for others to separate children from their family any time they feel like it or can profit from it. Using the term "adoptive" for someone who has adopted is not disrespectful but honest and will avoid confusion about relationships.

The No-Tears First Birthday Party

Is it possible that it's already been a year since your baby arrived? Your knees and your back don't lie - your baby is almost one year old. And you, naturally, want to throw a big celebration to commemorate the day. But first birthday parties are notorious for producing more tears than smiles, and no one likes a crabby birthday boy (or girl). So here are five ideas for throwing a tear-less first birthday party that everyone will enjoy.1) Think Photo Op.A baby's first birthday is essentially an extended photo opportunity.



The pivotal event is the moment when the baby stares at the becandled cake, just before plunging his or her hand into it. The rest of the party is just filler. So plan a brief (one hour - tops) celebration with as few distractions as possible.2) Minimize extra kids.If your baby has cousins close by that he or she already knows well, by all means include them. But a first birthday party is not an occasion to introduce your baby to bunches of new people. Grandparents or close friends, other family members and maybe a neighbor or two - keeping the guest list short will minimize the stress on the baby and on you.



And where kids are concerned, remember that the noise level will affect everyone, so go shorter rather than longer on the invitation list.3)Visuals are key.Back to the photo op - a happy baby, smiling delightedly at her cake, dressed for posterity, surrounded by happy guests and balloons, is the ideal takeaway from this celebration. So set up the party to go the right way by scheduling it when baby will be well rested, and jumping into cake-cutting mode when baby is relaxed and, Tears, happy - schedule be danged.



Great pictures are your reward for letting baby take the lead.4) Gifts after cake, if at all.Bright colors and noisy wrapping are so exciting for your child that he or she can come undone. Save the gift-opening for after the cake event, if you have gifts at all. Lots of parents skip the gifts altogether at a first birthday party, as they notice how overwhelmed with plastic toys they are, even BEFORE the big day.5) Celebrate generations.Like all family celebrations, a first birthday party is an observation of time passing.



Take special photos of your baby with the oldest family members and friends in attendance, as well as photos with older cousins or friends, and a group shot with the whole party in the frame. And don't forget your animals!You'll notice that a successful first birthday party has none of the elements we associate with older kids' parties - leave out the games, prizes, entertainment, pinatas and crafts. Most parents overdo it, thinking that complexity in a child's party equals fun. Oftentimes, it's just the opposite - the simpler, the better.

Tears on Both Sides of the Ocean (part 1)

Eke had been living with our parents for close to 9 months as an AFS student in the '70's when Uncle "Joe" arrived one evening and without a spoken word, influenced her to pack her bags and leave for Los Angeles immediately. Eke's only explanation was that "...something was wrong at home in Japan."Mom and dad had received a phone call some days earlier and were told that Uncle Joe was coming to take Eke home. Eke had explained that everything was fine but that she was to go back to Japan immediately on family business.



Although mom and dad questioned her, there was no doubt that was the plan.Eke had arrived in August that year to attend her final year of High School. She was the 9th exchange student to live with my parents since 1963 and they had become very fond her. She was the daughter that mom had never had. She was bubbly and full of spunk with a laugh that would put smiles on everyone around her.Mom was very sad to see her go. But Eke assured her "I'm coming back mom". Eke was still 22 days away from graduating but something was critical back home so there was no choice.



Dad met with the school the following day after Eke boarded the jetliner for home and the school agreed to some special arrangements since she was a good student and had not missed one day that school year. Eke had her certificate by the end of June.Eke was an only child and her family was very traditional. As was culturally acceptable, Eke's parents had already arranged for a suitable husband for their daughter and although there was no rush to get married, some events had come to her parent's attention that demanded, Tears, action.



It had been learned that while in the United States their daughter had been dating and getting quite serious about a young man from the Valley that was of Mexican and Pilipino decent. And no discussions with her Uncle and Aunt were changing her feelings and they could tell that Eke was of her own mind.Eke's mom and dad were worried they were losing their only daughter and although it may seem to those from another culture that they over-reacted, it was their only daughter and they were in Japan and so "what choice did we have?



"There were tears on both sides of the ocean as Eke made her way back home. Carlo, the boy that she had been dating for 5 months, was in shock. He didn't even find out from mom and dad what had happened till Eke was 750 miles off shore. Just like that two young hearts were broken.Several days had gone by with no word from Eke or anyone else from her family when the doorbell rang at my parent's home and there was Carlo, red faced and in need of a hug. He sobbed uncontrollably with mom in her arms till all the emotion was spent and then sat down to tell mom and dad of his plan.



He was not going to lose Eke. Carlo had just been accepted to Sacramento State and had decided to attend summer school to learn Japanese. He was going to Japan in the fall to talk to Eke's parents and win the hand of the girl he loved.Mom and dad listened, counseled, encouraged, and listened some more. "Have you talked to Eke by phone?" "Have you talked to your mother?" (Carlo was from a single parent family and had not seen his father in several years) Mom and dad knew this was a sensitive subject and although they also understood there were cultural issues to consider they felt "what could be the harm in talking?



" Carlo seemed to have a fairly level head, he was going to work two jobs while attending school to pay for his flight and expenses, and he knew what he wanted and acknowledged that this was not going to be easy. But he also knew that he had to fight for Eke regardless of the consequences. This was a guy in love.That summer Carlo took 15 units of Japanese at Sac State, worked 30 hours each week and studied virtually every waking hour. He called Japan every Sunday evening only to be told that Eke "could not speak to him right now.

Eyelid Surgery - Correction of Tear trough and Blepharoplasty

Eyelid Surgery - Correction of Tear trough and BlepharoplastyTear trough is the hollowness that develops in the lower eyelid, as we age, and makes the eyes look older than they are. There is a sadness associated with these eyes, and surprisingly is also found in younger individuals. Correction of the tear trough deformity is a difficult issue, having said that remedial measures are available in the form of fat injections and actual blepahroplasty with vascularised fat transferFat InjectionÂAutologous fat transfer is an established technique to correct the tear trough deformity.



It is not very popular among plastic surgeons because a lot of us fear that fat tends to get absorbed and leaves a lumpy bumpy deformity; however, when properly done. This is not so common and gives good results. The important things here and issues that clinch the issue is the technique of fat harvestation. It is important to select fine canulas to harvest fat. It is said that fat around the knees is ideal for this problem, since here the amount of fibrous tissue is the minimum, Tears, and fat tends to be smaller and looser in its consistency.



Abdominal fat tends to have a lot of fibrous tissue, and the fat globules are much larger.Processing of fat is very important. It is important that while fat should not be exposed to air, we must discard all oil and blood cells from fat, to achieve the best resultProcedure of fat injectionÂFat, after processing is always injected with a very fine canula below the muscle in the eyelids. This helps to give a smooth appearance. Restylane and other fillers are temporary and their effect do not last for over 5-6 months, while fat is a permanent agent, and gives long lasting resultsVascularised fat transfer for tear trough correctionIn a previous article, blepharoplasty procedure has been well detailed.



During the process, fat from the lower eyelid is mobilized, and used to fill the depression, that causes the tear trough deformity. This is an excellent procedure for eyelid rejuvenation as well as correction of tear trough deformity guptamit76@gmail.com About Me Dr Amit Gupta is a Plastic Surgeon from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, who has specialized in the fields of Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Surgery, Microfollicular Hair Transplant, and Lasers. He was awarded with Gold Medal during his training for his academic days, Dr Amit Gupta joined the superspeciality Course of Plastic Surgery at Maulana Azad Medical College which he cleared in 2007 in his attempt.

Dr Amit Gupta is a Plastic Surgeon from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, who has specialized in the fields of Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Surgery, Microfollicular Hair Transplant, and Lasers. He joined Maulana Azad Medical College in 1994, and completed his MBBS in 1999, with University Honours. He was awarded with Gold Medal during his training for his academic excellence. He was awarded with the Lt. Governor's Trophy for the Best All Round Medical Graduate in the year 1999, and Dr KB Sharma Shield for Best Contributor to Corporate Life of College.
Dr Amit Gupta joined the superspeciality Course of Plastic Surgery at Maulana Azad Medical College which he cleared in 2007 in his attempt. During his training he underwent training in Burns Trauma Management Cancer and Microvascular Surgery Reconstructive and Congenital Defect Correction Surgery. He then pursued specialized fellowships in Cosmetic Surgery in Belgium (Europe) and Brazil. He has trained with Dr Patrick Tonnard in Belgium where he was trained in MACS Lift Surgery which is the most current development in the field of Facial Rejuvenative Surgery in Europe. He then pursued fellowships in Cosmetic Surgery in Brazil where he trained with the likes of Dr Ruth Graf and Dr Ana Zulmira who are regarded as icons in Cosmetic Surgery

Wear & Tear in You Bathroom Could Cost More Than Just Money If You Don't Plan Ahead

Is Damage To Your Bathroom Wasting Energy & Resources?Can all those little things really add up?If you are talking about continued use, accidental damage, and redecorating - then it's a great big yes! I am staying in a holiday cottage at the moment and they have made some big mistakes in the bathroom that could save them a lot of time, money and resources in the long run; the planets resources!Bearing in mind they are going to get different people with different lifestyles and ethics, they should make it almost 'normal' to be green.



But instead, they have made it quite acceptable to waste products and to allow damage to the fixtures and the bathroom in general.Here is a general summary of the worst offenders:1) No Handle In The BathThey have opted for the half-bath here to limit the amount of water used (as they could have fitted a full size one easily) - however, it has no side handles.Now although I am still agile enough to get in and out of the bath without them - I am causing a bit of a moist mess in the process! I have to hold the side of the bath to steady myself or to get out - and as a result all the water from my hand and arm is sliding over the edge of the bath, down the front of the wooden bath panel and down behind the wooden skirting that encircles the entire bathroom.



Needless to say, this continued moistening is gradually going to cause damage and the mis-shaping of the panel front until it all needs replacing. Unless, like me - everyone who stays here dries off while standing in the bath to avoid the drips!2) No Window To OutsideAs always, no window from this moist room means that there needs to be an electric fan running all the time you are in there - wasting energy.They are also very ineffective, I find, over time and so the whole room will be susceptible to damp and mould growth.



And to get the best results from the fan, it means that the door to the bathroom needs to be kept closed all the time - sealing it in.This room also needs a light on all the time otherwise the fan won't work (as they, Tears, are seemingly always linked together). This also means that when you are not having a bath or the room isn't damp but you need to use the bathroom for anything else - you have to have the fan on as well! What if you just need to nip in to clean your teeth, or grab your nail clippers from the shelf - on comes the fan for another 5 minutes!



A simple window would eliminate this waste of energy and make the whole place lighter, dryer and fresher. I mean what creates damage more than a damp, dark, small, sealed room?3) Proper SealingThe floor is tiled but the skirting is wood - so there is no waterproofing of the floor for cleaning purposes. I know that it isn't a full wetroom, but when you mop these tiles, you are going to get the wooden panels wet and allow excess water to seep down behind them and into the floor - not such a good idea really.



Why not use tiles as the skirting so that you can virtually waterproof the room by using the same grout as the floor and so protect the walls and ground beneath from absorbing moisture.Same goes for the sink. Why not get a sink with a raised protective back that reaches a little way up the wall. So, rather than the white sealant between the wall and basin holding a layer of soap or toothpaste-filled water and eventually going yellow and rotten or becoming mildew - the sink itself is in one piece so feeds the excess water back into the sink and down the plughole!



It will eliminate all of the above problems and reduce the amount of cleaning and maintenance needed to virtually nothing.4) Protect The WallsI don't know about you, but I always hit the wall with the swinging light pulls - the larger the handle the more banging seems to occur! As you can imagine, each bang is damaging the wall.Also, people can't always find the string in the dark, so end up touching the paintwork or - as I have done if the pull string is too near the wall (as it is here) - chipped off some paint and sometimes plaster under my fingernails!



As you can imagine, it doesn't take long for the paint to become patchy or the wall to become a bit dirty - so why not protect the wall with a tile. If you put a large tile or 4 smaller ones in the area where the most contact and therefore most damage will occur, you can save having to repaint the entire wall for just that dirty patch!A few tiles or a whole tub of paint?5) More Hanging SpaceThere are only 2 of us here, but the hanging space in the bathroom is virtually non-existent - so what do we do with the wet towels?



Well, you have to hang them somewhere else which will inevitably be the backs of wooden chairs or over other wooden furniture like the stair rail. Don't forget that we are in a little self-contained unit away from home and without a garden - a drying horse or washing line just aren't an option unless supplied by the rental.Needless to say, the moisture from the towels is now being absorbed by the furniture and the room so as a result this could all be reducing their workable lifespan. And seeing as this property is designed to be used almost continually by family after family it is going to get through furniture a lot quicker anyway.



The Answer:Well, there is nothing much I can do here as it has already been installed by the owners, but it is certainly worth considering these things when redecorating or improving your own bathrooms.The future is looking towards sustainability and the longevity of our resources - so why not help by reducing the amount of repair and replacement your bathroom needs!PS - it's not quite damage to the bathroom itself, but one other thing they did is certainly a big no no and was very uncomfortable too:The Toilet Roll HolderThe owners have put it right behind the toilet, so you have to reach right round to pull off a few sheets.



Inevitably you pull off way more sheets than you actually wanted as you are bent sideways and you sort of flick back to facing forwards. But now loads of sheets are now all unrolled and in your hand - you are going to use them all aren't you?Who would leave a few sheets to one side and use them later?By swapping the toilet with the sink in this room, they could have had the toilet roll, Tears, holder to the side of the toilet reducing the excessive use of this already over-used resource.All so simple.

For more eco friendly house and garden articles written by TravelCat, visit me at http://www.ecofriendlyhouseandgarden.com covering food, children, shopping, gardening, home business ideas and pets.

For eco friendly holiday ideas and advice you can also visit me at http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com and learn about staycations, travel ideas and other eco issues around the world.

A Trail of Tears and Broken Relationships Maybe Symptomatic of Depression

A trail of tears and many broken relationships may symptomatic of underlying depression.A Trail of Tears and Many Broken Relationships May be Symptomatic of Underlying Depression When a young person graduates from High School there is so much hope and promise for the future. He or she looks forward to meeting the RIGHT person, falling in love, and a lifetime of wedded bliss reminiscent of the epic fable Cinderella. Instead, many middle age people look back on a trail of tears and broken hearts.



Deep within the heart many middle age people may secretively wonder, โ€œwhat happened to my life and dreamsโ€. Deep within the heart, many middle age people may ask โ€œwhyโ€. A middle age person may not have a clue to explain how he or she sabotaged personal goals by making so many wrong decisions and choices. Many middle age people may look in the mirror to see sagging drooping skin collapsing into layers upon layers of folded winkles. Many middle age people may suddenly realize time is running out.



A trail of tears and broken relationships may be symptomatic of underlying depression. Depression is a clinical pathological disease process. Depression is an imbalance in brain chemicals. Brain chemicals function as neurotransmitters of sensory and perceptual information from, Tears, nerve cell (neuron) to nerve cell and from nerve ganglia (groups or clusters of neurons) to nerve ganglia. Attributing affairs of the heart to natural organic disease process turns off many people. According to Sacred Text, all humans are made in the image of God.



The human capacity to love is viewed as a deep profound sacred spiritual ability reflecting the very image of God, the Divine Creator. Human emotions surrounding romantic love tend to be translated into enormous proportion and placed upon a high plane on the same level as the epic Shakespearian drama, Romeo and Juliet. The act of attributing affairs of the heart to a natural organic disease process is often viewed as belittling God given spiritual endowment for the human capacity to love. It should not be surprising that people often deny depression as an underlying causative factor for a trail of tears and broken relationships.



People often blame extreme sadness and heartache upon events and/or people connected to break ups with significant others. For example, a person may claim that he or she got involved with all the wrong people. A person may prefer to believe that he or she is extremely unlucky at love and a victim of great misfortune and cruel fate instead of accepting that he or she may have an underlying mental health problem. The act of placing blame for many broken relationships upon external circumstances (including all events and/or people involved) allows a person to conveniently wallow in self-pity as well as a myriad of emotional reactions connected to โ€œlove sicknessโ€.



Existentialism is a philosophical system of thought that asserts humans cognitively create meaningfulness associated with people, places, and objects. An Existentialist asserts the world, in and of itself, is completely devoid of meaningfulness. The existential world we live in can be cold hearted and devoid to a large extent of meaningfulness. In a cold-hearted existential world the choice of an individual to wallow in self-pity and a myriad of emotional reactions connected to โ€œlove sicknessโ€ can become self-affirmation that one is truly alive.



In a cold-hearted existential world devoid of meaningfulness sometimes a person can feel nothing. The feeling of nothingness equates a human person to a machine engaged from day to day in a rote mechanical process to fulfill obligations. An imbalance in brain chemicals can cause sensory and perceptual distortions that may contribute to vast discontentment and unhappiness during the course of a relationship. Discontentment and unhappiness as a consequence of sensory and perceptual distortions created by a chemical imbalance associated with depression may produce a domino's effect leading to a number of dating failures during a lifetime.



A depressed person with a chemical imbalance may become more deeply entrenched in a depressed state due to becoming obsessed with past dating failures. A depressed person tends to be obsessed with past failure. Obsession is mentally focusing upon past events for an extreme inordinate amount of time. A depressed person obsessed with dating failure may constantly search within him or her self for some type of innate spiritual flaw and human weakness. A depressed person obsessed with dating failure tends to practice extreme forms of self-blame and castigation.



It may not always be the best counseling strategy to encourage a depressed person to focus upon underlying causative factors, such as depression. Depression can be a serious life threatening disease requiring professional treatment. A clinically trained psychologist may have to perform a delicate balancing act similar to walking a tight rope high up in the air in a circus. A clinically trained psychologist may have to (1) not push a depressed client to do too much obsessive soul searching while exploring basic underlying causative factors, such as depression, and (2) yet, gently challenge the depressed client to accept the real underlying, Tears, mental health problem in order to promote positive goal directed behavior.



A faรงade of blame and denial is an obstacle to positive goal directed behavior. In order to promote positive goal directed behavior and establish fulfilling healthy relationships it may be necessary for a depressed person to gain more knowledge and understanding about the underlying causative factor of depression. Knowledge and understanding about depression as a disease process can help a person manage chronic depression in the same way a diabetic may manage diabetes as a disease. Depression may not always be the underlying cause of dating failure.



The task of finding the RIGHT person to fall in love and marry is an extremely daunting complex task. It may not be necessary for all people who have experienced problems in relationships to undergo extensive psychotherapy. However, depression as an underlying causative factor for a trail of tears and many broken relationships should not be quickly dismissed. A person who has experienced many problems in relationships should familiarize him or herself with all the multiple signs of depression.



Depression may be why he or she feels so restless. The famous song writer and musician Dion Dimucci ( http://www.diondimucci.com/main.html ) captured the restless human spirit in a famous popular song entitled, The Wonderer. Dion Dimucci captured the restless spirit in the following lyrical verse included in his song, The Wonderer: Oh well I'm the type of guy who will never settle down Where pretty girls are well, you know that I'm around I kiss 'em and I love'em 'cause to me they're all the same I hug 'em and I squeeze 'em they don't even know my name They call me the wanderer yeah the wanderer I roam around around around.