Students Of Success

Did you know that during the Civil War, more than 1000 different
types of bullets were used? This is one reason Civil War bullet
collecting has become a popular hobby. Another reason is that
the time of the Civil War saw changes taking place in the
development of firearms and ammunition. The old round musket
balls of the Revolution were being replaced with bullets in the
shape we are accustomed to. While musket balls are found on
Civil War battlefields, the most common type of bullet used was
the .58-caliber bullet with three rings around the base. Many
bullets found are splattered out of shape. If you’ve always been
fascinated by the Civil War and firearms, Civil War bullet
collecting is a hobby you will enjoy.

With the advent of Internet buying and selling, Civil War
bullets have become more collectible, and the prices have gone
up quickly. Not only this, sometimes sellers are not informed
and ask more than the bullet is worth. For these reasons, if you
are just starting out in Civil War bullet collecting, you will
want to buy a good price guide. You can even find a price guide
online if that works better for you.

Many Civil War bullet collectors also collect bullet molds and
other relics from the Civil War era. A real enthusiast might
even investigate the possibility of becoming a Civil War
re-enactor, acting out battles with others in towns and fields
across the Southeast.

Civil War bullets can be collected by buying from other
collectors, or you can begin by going directly to the
battlefields to dig and search. A metal detector will make Civil
War bullet collecting easier. You may also find buttons from
uniforms, bullet molds, belt buckles, and other metal items from
the battle. Some of the bullets may be buried quite deep. You
will need to wear a headset and pay close attention to the
changes in tone in your metal detector. Hunting Civil War relics
is prohibited on protected battlefields, but there are still old
home sites where battles were fought. Be sure to get permission
from the owner and fill any holes you dig.

Some people have the idea that hunting for bullets with a metal
detector indicates a lack of respect for the soldiers who died
there. They get this idea because sometimes bullet hunters find
bones along with the bullet. The fact is, however, that many of
the bullet hunters who have found bullets this way have
chronicled and mapped out there finds, resulting in many of the
facts that we now know about the Civil War.

The Civil War fascinates Americans because of everything it
stands for. While everyone agrees that slavery is a terrible
blot on the history of the U.S., there are some people who still
discuss the issue of states’ rights versus a strong central
government. Civil War bullet collecting is an interesting hobby,
though somewhat sobering at times when considering the great
number of casualties. The memory of brother fighting against
brother out in the cornfields and pastures will never go away.
Civil War bullet collecting is one way to commemorate this
monumental historical event.

Kid Birthday Party - Birthday Video

Most people shoot some random video of their child’s birthday
party, then toss the video in a drawer and forget about it.

Hey, we’re talking about some precious video of an important
event in your child’s life.

So if you’re going to shoot some video of your child’s birthday
party, why not make it into a video everyone will want to see?

With just a little planning you can turn your child’s birthday
party video footage into a fun music video that’s sure to become
a treasured family keepsake and heirloom.

Choose A Favorite Song

Before you shoot your video, choose the song you want to use for
your completed music video. It can be one of your child’s
favorites, or one that fits your party theme. Now you can shoot
your video to go along with the music. Most songs are about 2
and a half minutes long which tells you how long your completed
music video will be.

10 Things You Need To Shoot

Putting up the decorations

Party guests arriving

Activities and crafts

Party Games

Bringing out the birthday cake

Opening cards and gifts

Finished decorations and balloons

Parents, brothers, sisters, family members and pets

Staged shots of your birthday child and guests being silly

Guests saying good-by and leaving

The birthday child’s parents collapsing on a chair after the
party.

You may find other shots you want to include as well.

Fun Camera Angles

Make your shots at least 5 to 10 seconds in length. A series of
short but fun shots will help make your music video more fun to
watch.

Stay away from using the zoom lens. Unless a zoom is done very
well it tends to look amateurish.

Get lots of candid wide shots of your group.

Then move in and shoot medium shots of 2 or 3 people together.

Shoot close-ups of individual faces

Have fun by shooting some shots that are tilted to one side or
you can stand on a chair and shoot down on the party. Put the
camera on the floor and shoot up.

Editing Your Birthday Video - Music Video

If you have video editing software in your computer, you first
need to digitize (load) the footage you’ve shot into your
editing program. Then lay down your music track (the song you’ve
selected).

Now start your music video with a simple but creative title like
“Mary’s 6th Birthday Party” with a sub title related to your
birthday theme like “A Royal Celebration.”

>From the title you can use a fun wipe to your first shot. Try to
keep your shots about 5 seconds long. That will keep the music
video moving nicely without being too fast and visually
annoying. Also try to edit your footage together to tell the
story of your party rather than just randomly mixing everything
together.

Titles within your music video can also be fun. A title leading
into some party game footage might read “Extreme Musical Chairs”
or “Time To Pop The Balloons.”

As you edit your footage together, take a minute and preview the
entire video from the beginning. This will help you to get a
better feel for the overall pace. You might need to slow things
down or speed then up. Check your video from the beginning when
you have 30 seconds, then 60 seconds then 90 seconds of edited
video just to make sure the video is coming together the way you
want it to.

Save a little song time at the end to add your closing titles.
Give yourself a screen credit, your party producer, and of
course this video stars your birthday child.

Then at the very end of your credits you can have a little fun
by cutting to one last silly shot.

If you don’t have access to a video editor, take a quick look at

Fun-Kid-Birthday-Parties.com

Your Birthday Video - Music Video “World Premiere”

After you’ve edited your music video together it’s time for your
world premiere. Why not invite all your party guests and parents
over for a private screening? Make some popcorn and have some
fun.

Years From Now

Imagine some years from now when you and your child sit down to
watch their birthday video together. You’ll both be very happy
you made this fun video out of all that precious footage.

And as even more years pass, you might just get to watch your
treasured family keepsake DVD with your grandchildren… I
wonder if they’ll still call them “Music Videos?”

Tantrums don’t suddenly appear. They are learned. Controlling or
eliminating tantrums is not complicated, but it is hard work. It
will be easier if you keep one simple premise in mind:

Tantrums aren’t personal. Toddlers and pre-school children don’t
throw tantrums because they want to be naughty. They don’t
scream and yell because they want to hurt you. Children throw
tantrums because they work. It is your job to make tantrums
fail. “Can I have a lollipop?”

This sentence has the power to invoke a racing heart and
sweating palms in many parents.

The answer is no. The child raises her voice. The answer is
still no. The child drops to the floor. The answer turns into a
discussion and the child’s voice increases in volume. The tears
flow, the shrieks begin and, after a few parental self-conscious
glances at near by shoppers … the answer becomes yes.

Sound familiar?

What makes the child in the next aisle accept ‘no’ with a shrug
of the shoulders or a nod? Why is your child the one who throw
tantrums?

There is no easy answer to this question, but there are some
patterns of thinking and practical methods that you can use to
break the cycle.

It is a simple, yet powerful fact. A child’s behavior can be
modified. Rewarding a behavior will increase the occurrence of
that behavior. Ignoring it will decrease and often eliminate the
behavior.

A child who throws tantrums gets this message: If I yell loud
enough and long enough, I’ll get what I want.

The message you want them to get is: It doesn’t matter how long
or hard I yell, I’m not going to get what I want.

The tantrums may be just developing. They may have been an
unhappy part of family life for months or even years. Whatever
the situation, if they’re still happening, they’re working.

So, how do you start?

* Commit yourself. When you decide to eliminate tantrums from
your life, you are not fighting your child. You are in a battle
for the good of your child. You will create a more peaceful home
environment and closer relationships within your family. You
will also teach your child self-discipline. This is a vital
skill when dealing with society. Teachers, bosses and most
friends will not crumble under the weight of your child’s
demands.

Tantrums won’t disappear immediately. If your child is just
beginning to learn the components of a truly inspired tantrum,
you may not have far to go. A few unwavering sessions may be all
that is needed. If, however, your child has been honing his
tantrum technique for months or even years, success may take a
little longer. Even so, with consistency and perseverance, it
will work.

* Identify the triggers. When do most tantrums occur? Are they
sparked by bedtime? Meal times? When shopping? While you are on
the phone? Make a list and be aware. Figure out ways to help
your child succeed. If eating dinner is a problem, give her tiny
portions. If too much TV is a problem, offer more interesting
alternatives.

* Clarify the rules to yourself. Before you enter a
tantrum-triggering zone, make sure that your rules are
reasonable and consistent. There are no compromises at this
stage. If your child refuses to eat dinner but insists on
dessert, choose one phrase. “Dinner, then dessert.” This way,
when the begging starts or questions are fired at you, you can
respond with a simple, sanity-saving comment, almost like a
mantra.

* Clarify the rules to your child. Before entering a situation
that is likely to provoke a tantrum, quietly, but firmly explain
what is expected of your child. “You may watch this program.
When it is over, the TV is turned off. Do you agree?” If a
tantrum occurs when the TV is turned off after the program, your
phrase can be, “We agreed, no more TV today.”

* Stay Calm. Easier said than done. Try to tune out. Try to
ignore the unwanted behavior by not responding or responding
only with your practiced phrase. A child will realize that she’s
getting nowhere and be confused. She’ll turn up the heat. The
cries may become screeches and the dinner may be thrown across
the room (although it might be a good idea to remove the dinner
after a few refusals, just in case). That’s OK. She’s getting
the message. If you do not react, she will eventually realize.
The tantrum isn’t working.

* Don’t give up. This is imperative at this stage. If you
usually give in after five minutes and this time, you held out
for ten, next time you’re in for a longer stint. In your child’s
mind, the tantrum still worked, she just had to work a little
harder. So will you.

* Reward immediately. If you stick with it, eventually your
child will see that the tantrums no longer have any effect. As
soon as you see the tiniest improvement, offer a reward. I don’t
mean to change your rules. If your child screams for only two
minutes instead of three and then agrees to turn off the TV,
don’t reward her with more TV. She will be confused. You will be
sending her a mixed message. Reward her with a story or a walk
or a cuddle. “You cried much less today than you did last time.
Good for you.”

Taming tantrums is challenging and rewarding. Be gentle with
yourself. There will be setbacks and days when things seem
worse. It can be difficult but it’s temporary. When your child’s
eyes begin to shine through the haze of anger and frustration,
you will agree. The long-term benefits are worth it.

Giving unique gifts at Christmas does not have to break the bank. These are some of my favorite unique gift ideas. Each of these can be made or bought for under $10. Check your shopping list and begin finding a unique gift for each of them. They will thank you and so will your bank account.

No matter what the occasion you will find a unique gift idea to suit your purpose. These will make unique gifts for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas presents, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, and pretty much any event that calls for a bargain priced gift idea.

It has been said many times that a thoughtful gift is often more appreciated than an expensive one. Our friends and family enjoy seeing that we took the time and poured our love into a well intentioned gift.

40 Unique Gift Ideas

1. Unique glass candy dish filled with candy.
2. Collectible sports cards
3. Books check for clearance books or online for deals.
4. Personalized Set of dish cloths and dish towels.
5. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets and time savers.
6. Gift certificates for free movie or video game rentals.
7. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes.
8. For the pets, doggy bones, catnip balls, should do nicely.
9. Gift Certificates for their favorite restaurant.
10. Hand decorated keepsake box for their little treasures.
11. Designer sticky notes with colorful designs.
12. Personalized Address book with their name written on it.
13. Serving bowl or platter with a holiday theme.
14. Decorative basket with jams, bbq sauces, mustards, etc.
15. Themed Cloth Napkins and Napkin holders.
16. Flower seeds, or a small plant, throw in gloves for a complete package.
17. Personalized and hand decorated photo album.
18. Old fashioned cookie mix with baking instructions.
19. Unique coffee cup filled with candy.
20. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon.
21. Gourmet popcorn in a unique holiday canister.
22. Homemade barbeque or steak sauce with basting brush.
23. Movie theater gift certificates.
24. Board games like Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble, etc.
25. Personalized note cards and a book of stamps.
26. Picture frames check the clearance bins for deals!
27. A unique cookbook with colorful recipes and pictures.
28. Christmas ornaments, use your imagination on this one.
29. Puzzles or even put one together and glue it, then have it framed. Instant artwork!
30. Create a video or cassette recording telling them how much you love them.
31. Put a small emergency kit together for the kitchen, or the car.
32. Favorite proverb or saying sewn into a pillow or wall hanging.
33. Basket with decorative soaps, bath salts, and a puff.
34. Personalized coffee mug, with gourmet coffee.
35. Take a child’s artwork and place it in a unique frame.
36. Create your own Cocoa mix and place it a decorative canister.
37. Create a collage using photos having sentimental value.
38. Fancy Pen & Pencil set with designer stationary.
39. Home Baked Amish bread, include a complete recipe.
40. A simple Fruit basket with Crackers and fine cheeses.

Hopefully this short list of unique gift ideas spurred your imagination to think of inexpensive but unique gift ideas you can give to your friends and family in the future. Just think you can use the savings to go on that vacation you always dreamed about.
About the Author

Jason Richards is the owner of BargainBooths.com(http://store.bargainbooths.com) a bargain gift store that offers thousands of quality gifts both online and through the use of mail order catalogs. He has been in the gift business for the past 7 years.

Most people associate embroidery with a boring way to fill up a
housewife’s daily life. The uninteresting procedure of producing
a stitched picture on a cloth may seem to many uninitiated a
sheer waste of time. But, once you learn more about it, you may
come to discover how incredibly fascinating it is. To begin
with, embroidery has a long history, which dates back to more
than 3000 years B.C.It is probably the first form of art, as man
has used decoration with aesthetic purposes as early as the
invention of the needle and thread themselves. What is more: you
may not be aware but actually embroidery was a man’s not a
woman’s invention! In ancient cultures from every part of the
world, embroidery and needlework was regarded as a priority only
for the chosen and talented boys. The embroiderers-to-be had to
study the fine craft under the supervision of a master. It took
them more than ten years’ apprenticeship until they were
approved to practice on their own. Embroidery has not only a
long history. The most amazing fact is that it had evolved
simultaneously in almost every part of the world where people
practiced sewing. Different cultures formed different embroidery
types. The development of needlework also depended on the
various materials used by a certain culture. The styles of
embroidery, which different nations invented, were passed on
generations to generations and many of them have survived till
nowadays. We know of the embroidery work practiced by the
ancient Egyptians. It was done with white threads on a white
canvas. This embroidery is so sophisticated that even nowadays
the modern technologies have difficulty doing it the same way.
Another type of finest quality was the Chinese silk embroidery,
known as the two-sided embroidery. It is amasingly intricate and
it takes years of hard efforts to complete. Also famous is the
“raised” embroidery, practiced in the 16th century. It is better
known as the Elizabethan embroidery. It involved stitching
decorations like butterflies, leaves and other beautiful designs
with the usage of wool, leather and wood padding. Still popular
today is the Western European embroidery called crewel. This
technique uses two-ply wool stitching on linen twill and is
practiced when making decorations on different household cloths,
such as counterpanes, wall hangings, draperies, chair coverings.
What strikes most in these embroidery styles is that they are
incredibly difficult to produce and many people lose their
patience before completing one canvas. Nowadays, embroidery has
developed so far, that even the clumsiest novice can try and
stitch something beautiful by using computer software or
high-tech sewing machines. That makes things more pleasant for
the new beginner. Despite the available technology, artistic
embroiderers prefer authenticity and still spend their time
doing everything themselves. The finest details cannot be
produced by technologically-based machines, because embroidery
is most of all a kind of art, and all art needs its talented
artists.

Malls are everywhere - in every town, city, village and nook.
They house thousands of storefronts and assorted units. The
products they stock are numerous and the array is mind-boggling.
There are items for the home, clothing, jewelry, plants,
furniture, and gift assortments to pick and choose from. All
these offerings lack one very special component - a personal
touch. There is absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing a
ready-made item - we are not all carpenters, gardeners, and
artists. All people are not gifted with the same talents and
abilities. We are unique and what we produce or create is a
shadow of ourselves. But mass-produced items are nameless, and
machines will never add that very “special” touch that makes a
gift item or home decor piece something that reflects the person
who bought it, the person it is intended for, or the lifestyle
it is to be a part of.

The key to all this - the best option, of course, is to make an
item for someone else yourself. If you sew, quilt, write, or
draw you have the potential of dispersing treasures that are not
duplicated, but are a memory in the making. With time restraints
and family and job commitments, many times making “things”
yourself is out of the question, or basically impractical. So,
what does a person do then - simple, add a “touch” to whatever
you buy whether for yourself or someone else. Look at your
purchase as a base, a canvas that is incomplete and needs a
little “help” in becoming a beautiful gift or addition to your
home. Just adding a ribbon, or ornamental “pick” that matches
the Holiday Season or a touch of nature, such as a dried flower
or leaf arrangement, will allow your purchase to cross over to
“special”. There is a coldness to just buying something,
wrapping it up and handing it to someone. Take the time, just a
moment or two, and write a short verse, a favorite saying, sign
a book with a date and the occasion, etc. A simple, affectionate
“touch” that will add so much value to whatever it is you are
giving or placing in your home. a quick tuck here or there, a
touch of glitter, or sparkle, and you have a “work of art”, a
symbol of friendship, or a token to hold near to the heart.

You are blessed with imagination and creativity. It is your own
special style - it is an outward gesture of who you are and what
you want to convey. Use this precious endowment - otherwise,
even imagination will tarnish and lose its shine. It is,
however, very easy to bring it back, to instill new life in
creativity, and to put your personal “stamp” on everything that
crosses your path. Holidays are especially great times to start
a journey back to taking a “cookie cutter” environment and
placing feeling, friendship, and love in all you do for
yourself, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.

This Holiday Season give a little of yourself in gift items,
decorating selections, and simple touches that show that you
cared enough to take the time to personalize, or add “love” to
everything. Even mealtimes are potential moments to show how
blessed you are to have a family member, a friend, or someone
you care about. A simple garnish or a colorful napkin and it is
no longer a “time to eat” - it is a moment to share food, fun,
and laughter. ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 October

When you sign a lease committing yourself to a unit in an
apartment complex or building, you’re agreeing to live in close
quarters with strangers. You’re also making the assumption that
your building will be properly managed and maintained. That
includes such factors as air quality and adequate pest control.
As a tenant, you have rights, of course, but some of the most
serious threats to your health — such as carbon monoxide — are
ones you can’t even see or smell.

Particularly scary is the prospect of seepage through soil. A
landlord’s efforts to maintain his or her own property can be
nullified by pollution from a nearby commercial facility or
poorly maintained residential property. Chemicals such as lead,
pesticides can seep into the soil and find their way into the
water and air of tenants living in better-maintained properties
nearby. An environmental inspection is a landlord’s best defense
against allegations or plummeting property values.

You’ve almost certainly heard of “Sick Building Syndrome,” which
has almost become a cliche in recent years. While this condition
often is associated with office facilities, home environments
are not exempt from this plague by any means. Common symptoms of
Sick Building Syndrome — including eye irritation and
respiratory difficulties — may be traced to a variety of
sources in your apartment building, including your the paint on
your walls, a chemical used anywhere on the property (such as
toluene, for example), your air conditioning unit, clogged air
filters in need of changing, and/or the growth of bacteria
spurred by high humidity, poor maintenance or both.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome on a
persistent basis, you should report them immediately to your
landlord. Your lease should include a clause in reference to
your landlord’s obligation to see that such duties as changing
air filters are performed regularly. If it doesn’t contain such
language, make sure you get it in writing before you sign a
lease. Furthermore, tenants should be entitled to regular
equipment inspection and timely maintenance.

Another air pollutant of which you should be aware is asbestos
– again, usually associated with commercial properties, but
multifamily housing is not exempt. Within multifamily
properties, asbestos has been found in caulking, in material
wrapped around pipes, and in ceiling material. According to
environmental scientists, insulation installed in multifamily,
single-family and commericial properties between 1935 and 1978
contained as much as 50 percent asbestos. Insulation in the vast
majority of such properties has been replaced or contained;
however, some poorly maintained buildings continue to present a
threat to their tenants. When inhaled over a prolonged period,
asbestos can cause lung tissue to stiffen, contributing to lung
cancer and/or heart disease. Landlords who are notified after an
inspection that their properties contain asbestos must take
appropriate action, which includes disclosing this information
to present and prospective tenants.

Lead-based paint and other lead-containing materials (including
mini-blinds) also have received considerable attention in recent
years. The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazards Reduction Act,
passed in 1992, requires landlords and sellers of pre-1978
properties to disclose the presence of lead-based paint or other
lead-based materials to prospective buyers or tenants.

The subject of numerous articles in recent years, carbon
monoxide is one of the most serious and most common air
pollutants present in multifamily housing. Fireplaces, gas or
oil stoves, or gas or kerosene space heaters are all common
emitters of carbon monoxide. The good news is that you can
protect yourself by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. You
can’t always assume that your landlord has purchased one because
these detectors are somewhat expensive. By all means, ask.
Chances are good that you’re going to have to take matters into
your own hands and purchase one yourself. It won’t hurt to ask
if the purchase can be deducted from this month’s rent, but
don’t count on it.

Turning to the subject of pest control, before you sign a lease,
ask your landlord how often the property is sprayed to prevent
infestation. Can you get his or her response in writing?
Ground-floor residents are particularly prone to pesky visitors,
including cockroaches, fleas, ants and rodents. If you spot any
of these creatures even occasionally, call your landlord and
report the problem immediately. Rodents, of course, are
transmitters of disease, but roaches’ bodies and their droppings
actually contain substances which contribute to poor air quality
and even respiratory problems — most notably, asthma.

If your prospective landlord doesn’t volunteer information about
the environmental quality of the building to which you’re
considering a move, ask. Odds are, of course, that you’re going
to hear a glowing report of the building’s environmental
quality, and while you shouldn’t be cynical, get it in writing.
After all, you’re making a financial investment with your
signature on that lease. If the landlord wants your patronage,
he or she will comply without resistance. And if not, the
renters’ market is a competitive one; you won’t have to look far
to find a landlord who won’t blink at your request. Happy — and
healthy — hunting.

Anyone who is seriously into tattoos will tell you how long it takes to choose the right one. After all they should last a lifetime so are not something to be rushed. It can take up to 20-30 hours to find the right tattoo design. But that is only the first step.

If you are serious you will want to have something that is unique and not taken from a book or or copied from a picture in a tattoo gallery. A tattoo should speak about who you are and not be ripped off someone else. Not only that but a lot of artists will refuse to copy another artists work. And quite rightly. While you can be done for copyright infringement for copying another person’s work in other mediums the same rules don’t seem to apply to tattoo art.

It is still a form of plagiarism to take another persons artwork and reproduce it as your own. In any other form this would result in legal action. So just because there is no precendent set for copyright infringement does not mean its is cool to claim another tattooists work.

So how do you come up with original tattoo designs?

If you are like me you have looked at literally thousands of tattoo pictures and tattoo designs from a variety of different tattooists from around the world. Or maybe you keep visiting your local tattoo studio and have started getting dirty looks from the tattoo artist who thinks you are stalking him because you go there every weekend and still haven’t chosen a tattoo!

There are so many different styles of so you need to be really clear about what you want before you get inked. It is a good idea ot visualize the type of tattoo you want before you even get it. You need to be able to see yourself with a particular tattoo before you get it. If is a tribal tattoo on your arm imagine yourself walking down the street with the tattoo for all the world to see.

Next view some examples of different styles that you like. So if it is tribal tattoos source pictures of that particular tattoo style. If it is work from another artist do not take it to your nearest tattoo studio and ask for it to be copied onto you. Tell the tattoo artist that you like that particular style and would like a tattoo designed for YOU. This is where the visualisation exercise comes into play. Tattoo artists are very visual people and are highly talented at rendering an nebulous idea into a full on customized tattoo.

Think of the bigger picture. Don’t be tempted to choose some generic tattoo flash off the wall because you can’t make up your mind. Don’t settle for something less if you cannot afford the tattoo you really want. Tattoos are organic and are constantly changing and growing with you. Avoid painful mistakes!

Tattoo Pictures : Tattoo Art : Tattoo Designs
Tao of Tattoos

Infant soft leather shoes will never be the same as TrendyKid brings you the Starchild Shoes Summer 2004 Collection consisting of Tutti Frutti, Urban and Country & Western. Starchild Shoes lead the market once again with their innovative designs and mix of both contemporary and traditional styles. Acclaimed British footwear designer Janet Middleton, who designed for Vivian Westwood before starting her own range of infant shoes, does it again with her inspiration and imagination to show why she is at the top of the industry.

Washington, DC June 21, 2004 — TrendyKid the leading importer of UK and European products is pleased to announce their Starchild Shoes Summer 2004 Collection. This Summer 2004 collection of soft leather shoe designs has three new ranges, Country & Western, Tutti Frutti and Urban. Country & Western classic ginghams in various color waves with slip on designs as well as pretty ankle ribbons. Tutti Frutti brings vibrant fruits such as melon and cherry that will add zest to any young ones wardrobe. The new urban line reflects today’s trends of urban sport and combat wear for parents who like to keep little feet up to date. The inspiration for the urban line of shoes is taken from street wear fashions and trends of casual chic.

Starchild Shoes lead the market once again with their innovative designs and mix of both contemporary and traditional styles. Acclaimed British footwear designer Janet Middleton, who designed for Vivian Westwood before starting her own range of infant shoes, does it again with her inspiration and imagination to show why she is at the top of the industry.

Starchild Shoes provide growing feet with the protection they need. Hand made in Britain from the finest Italian leather. Every pair comes with durable non-skid sueded soles that are ideal for bouncing, crawling, and early walking, even on tile or wooden floors. Colored with non-toxic dyes, they are safe for “toe suckers” and other orally curious infants.

Starchild shoes are elasticized at the ankles to make sure shoes stay on, even through the most active play. Four sizes are available for ages up to 24 months. Presented in a unique Starchild gift box or clear pouch bag with attractive swing tag.

About TrendyKid
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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 of a
comprehensive emergency readiness plan, and that is the
preparedness levels of individuals and families.

We find that the biggest obstacles to comprehensive family
emergency readiness education are the misconceptions surrounding
the true nature of preparedness. So, to set the stage for better
education, and ultimately better public safety, let’s take a
look at some of these myths.

1. “If something happens all I have to do is call 911.” Help can
only go so far, or be there so quickly. Security, like charity,
begins at home and the responsibility for your family’s safety
rests on your shoulders. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t
call for help when it’s truly needed, it’s to remind you that
you may be on your own for while, especially if the situation is
an expansive, or severe one.

2. “All I need is a 72-hour kit with a flashlight, first aid
kit, some food and water, and a radio.” We’re not sure where the
“72 hour” figure came from, but it’s an extremely minimal amount
of time and not very realistic. A more practical goal is to be
self-sufficient for a minimum of 2 weeks. Why 2 weeks? As bad as
Katrina was, there are numerous disaster and terrorism scenarios
that could see substantially more damage, and a disruption of
local services for three weeks or more. Also, many biological
scenarios may see a 2-week quarantine. Regarding supplies and
equipment, avoid the “one-size-fits-all simpleton lists” and
customize yours to your family’s unique threats, needs, and
assets.

3. “My insurance policy will take care of everything.” SWAT
teams of insurance agents aren’t going to instantly rebuild your
life like on TV. Insurance companies will be far more concerned
about their own bottom line than yours. In fact, many insurance
companies are rewriting policies to redefine some rather common
terrorism or disaster related incidents as being excluded and
not coverable. Check your policies closely!

4. “Good preparedness is too expensive and too complicated.”
Nothing could be further from the truth. The problem is, we
haven’t made preparedness a part of our overall education. We
get more preparedness info on an airline flight than we get as
citizens. Most of us aren’t taught that there are literally
thousands of subtle, simple, and economical things we can do to
drastically improve our emergency readiness. The notion that it
might be expensive or complicated has come from companies that
aggressively market high-priced unnecessary gear.

5. “We can only form a neighborhood group through FEMA, the Red
Cross, or local Law Enforcement.” Neighbor helping neighbor is
one of our highest civic duties. No one regulates this and you
don’t have to get anyone’s permission to coordinate your safety
with others. Working with these groups is rather advantageous,
but not required.

6. “In a ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ terrorist attack, we’re
all dead anyway.” “WMDs” might kill larger numbers of people,
but that doesn’t mean widespread destruction is a guaranteed
thing. In fact, for widespread destruction, a top-grade WMD must
be expertly and precisely applied under ideal conditions. This
does not mean that WMDs are to be ignored or that they’re
nothing to fear, it’s just that “Mass Destruction” does NOT mean
“Total Destruction” at all.

7. “Nothing like that could ever happen here.” Though some areas
are more prone to certain types of disasters, say earthquakes in
California, or terror attacks in New York, no area on earth is
completely immune. Too, with as much as people travel, you might
travel somewhere and wind up in a disaster you never thought
about.

8. “All I have to worry about is my own family.” Technically
yes, but the more you’re able to care for your own family, the
more you can and should help others.

9. “If preparedness were really important it would be taught in
school.” Preparedness really is that important, but schools only
have so much time and budget to teach the things they already
do. This is one of the many things we’re trying to change, but
for now, you’re going to have to not only realize the importance
of thorough emergency readiness, but to teach your family
yourself.

10. “I can get free preparedness information on the Internet.”
Many free sources contain really good information. However, it
takes time and experience to filter the trash from the treasure.
Worse, some of these free sites have “information” that could
actually cause more problems than they cure. This is why we
spent years in gathering the over 400 additional books and
training manuals on the CDs in “Disaster Prep 101.”

11. “Full preparedness means I have to get a lot of guns and be
a ‘Survivalist.” While personal security and family safety are
valid concerns, the vast majority of people around you will not
be a threat. In fact, though looters gained a lot of media
attention after Katrina, there were far more numerous stories of
heroism. We suggest you balance your personal security needs
with your desire to help those around you and strive to reach
the best of both worlds.

12. “If something really bad happens, NO one will help.” There’s
no such thing as “no one helping.” However, the best thing
people can do to is to prepare their families so they need as
little outside help as possible. There’s always someone needier
than you and the more prepared you are, the more you free up
assistance resources so they can help those less fortunate.

Copyright 2005, Paul Purcell.