Tuesday, November 27, 2012

QualityTips For Do It Yourself Home Improvement

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Home improvements can increase the value of a home. There are easy tips below that can help you boost your property. These tips are easy, cheap methods of improving your home.

Use wallpaper to decorate a book case. Pick a unique and interesting design. Line the back of the bookcase with wallpaper for an added design flare when you place your books. This little glimpse of wallpaper will attract attention from across the room.

Choose which color scheme you would like in your room. Complementary colors look nice in formal rooms of the home. Colors that are opposite on the color chart complement each other. This would include yellow and blue, red and green, etc. This color scheme is visually striking and effective.

Heed the advice given to you by your contractor. Since you have put the necessary work into finding a reputable and trustworthy contractor, you can probably count on the fact that his advice is reliable. If your contractor advises against a particular change, trust him or her. This rule is especially true when it comes to maintaining a budget, as the contractor knows the costs involved. Listen to your contractor.

TIP! In an area where you relax, apply analogous colors. Analogous colors sit next to each other on a color wheel, such as red and orange, green and yellow or violet and blue.

To lower the electric costs associated to illuminating your yard, you can change your regular light to one that contains a motion sensor. These types of lights can be manually turned on and the sensitivity can also be adjusted.

An easy home improvement idea is to replace old appliances with newer, cost effective ones. Replacing aging appliances with energy-efficient upgrades will reduce your utility bills and improve the value of your home. That makes them a great home improvement investment. Installing appliances is generally easy, making these upgrades a quick and painless way to improve your home.

If a contractor offers you a cash discount, you need to choose a different one. Paying with cash is risky. If you must pay with cash you can protect yourself by getting a signed copy of the contract prior to any work or payment and of course, get a written receipt for any cash you do give them.

TIP! If you hire a professional for home improvements, check credentials carefully. You should always be sure that anyone you hire is qualified for the work they will be doing, and that they employ the high standards in their work.

When you can, use materials that are natural for your home improvement projects. Natural materials, such as wood, ceramic, and stone, are typically much better to use then synthetic ones. They?re better looking and also a lot more durable. Choosing natural materials over synthetics can prove more cost effective as synthetics will need replacement more frequently.

Hire a professional when there is major work to be done. Home improvement professionals have their jobs because they have skills. Skilled professionals will be able to ensure that the job is done correctly. Don?t go it alone. Get the help of a professional on large home improvement jobs to avoid the hassle and expense of ?do-overs.?.

Do not hire a contractor without checking their references first. Pretend like you?re hiring someone at your own business. You want to look into their background as much as possible and make sure that other people have been pleased with their service.

Is your flooring looking a bit old? You can always rip out your floor and put down wood flooring. While this type of flooring is considered cheap by many, it is a very nice alternative. It is also so easy to install that you can do it yourself.

TIP! Replacing your existing front door with a new, steel entry door is a home improvement project that offers great value for your money. Surprisingly, steel doors are a good investment.

Do you want new appliances? Consider how long they will last. Your refrigerator should last two decades and your dryer and washer should last around 10 years. Make sure you look at reviews before you buy.

Getting rid of your waste is an important thing to consider when undertaking a construction project. Demolishing walls or appliances creates a lot of garbage. Before you begin your project, you should allocate some space to hold the garbage.

It is extremely helpful to make a step by step list before starting any project. Have someone else look over your list, preferably someone experienced in home improvement who can make sure you didn?t leave anything out. Set aside lots of time for the project, as these things often take much longer than initially expected.

Keep a drain snake on hand to save yourself money. You will avoid the cost of buying expensive drain cleaners. Drain snakes shouldn?t be used unless you are experienced using them. Get a snake that?s the proper size so you don?t cause any damage.

TIP! It is important that you have a contractor that is willing to listen to what you have to say. It is important to find a contractor who listens to you and who you can trust.

As you have seen, with a few easy tips, you can do a lot to raise your home?s value without taking a loss. When selling time comes, you won?t regret the work you put into it.

To read more visit Home Improvement.

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Source: http://www.findinfo.co.nz/qualitytips-for-do-it-yourself-home-improvement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qualitytips-for-do-it-yourself-home-improvement

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Friday, November 16, 2012

Mitchel Homes - East Meadow, NY - Health Apps: Track Your Wellness

We all rely on our phones to keep us connected, so why not use your phone to keep you healthy as well? There are hundreds of health apps available that all promise that their offerings are the best, but we?ve sorted through and found the most useful health apps to help maintain your wellness

Google Goggles
Take a picture of a food label and this app tells you everything you want ? or perhaps don?t want ? to know about the product such as nutritional information, the manufacturer?s website, where it's available, and more.

WebMD Mobile
Look up symptoms, learn how to handle an emergency and more with this app version of the popular health website. Just remember that if it?s a true emergency ? call your doctor for the most reliable information.

RunKeeper
This app uses your phone?s built in GPS technology to track your fitness excursions. You can use it to monitor running, walking, cycling and more. Once you?ve completed a workout, show off your fitness skills on Facebook and Twitter!

Full Fitness
This personal trainer style app offers over 300 exercises all explained in detail using pictures, videos and written instructions. Exercises are sorted by body region, muscle target and the equipment needed, and you can easily create your own exercise program or use one of the 20 built in programs that comes with this app.

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Source: http://blog.mitchelhomes.com/2012/11/15/health-apps-track-your-wellness/

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

FBI terror expert started Petraeus probe

The FBI agent who investigated harassing emails to a Florida socialite, a probe that set off a chain of events leading to the resignation of CIA director David Petraeus over an extramarital affair, was a veteran investigator who has worked on high-profile terrorism cases.

The agent was identified as Frederick Humphries by a former federal agent, a source familiar with the Petraeus investigation and Humphries' attorney, Lawrence Berger.

Humphries, 47, received the initial complaint from Jill Kelley, 37, a Tampa, Fla., socialite, about "harassing" emails that an investigation traced back to Paula Broadwell, a 40-year-old author who co-wrote a biography of Petraeus, 60.

The investigation ultimately uncovered evidence of an affair between Broadwell and Petraeus, prompting Petraeus to resign last week.

Berger said his client's family "knew the Kelley family socially for several years." Jill Kelley asked Humphries for advice on what she perceived to be threatening e-mails and he "referred the matter to the bureau as appropriate."

Berger said his client has been wrongly characterized as a "whistleblower," but there is "no action pending against him, nor does he anticipate any future action."

Humphries "referred the matter to the FBI in accordance to proper protocol," Berger added, and the FBI investigation is taking its course.

AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey, AP Photo/Christopher Berkey, File

Classified Documents Taken from Alleged Petraeus Mistress' Home Watch Video General John Allen's Relationship With Jill Kelley Watch Video Gen. John Allen Scandal: Investigation of 'Inappropriate Relationship' Watch Video

Berger flatly declined to confirm or provide any details at all regarding Humphries' alleged contacts with the offices of either Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., or House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va.

According to the New York Times, Humphries was allegedly concerned the case had been stalled for political reasons, and in late October contacted Reichert, whom he knew from his time working in Washington. The Times reported that Reichert put him in touch with Cantor, who then passed the message to FBI director, Robert Mueller.

An associate of Humphries told ABC News that it was hard to believe that Humphries had contacted elected officials about the case because "everyone knows that's professional suicide" and Humphries is "top notch."

Humphries has worked as a supervisor on Joint Terrorism Task Force in Tampa and has worked on high-profile terrorism cases.

In Seattle, Humphries worked the so-called Millenium terror plot in 1999, which prevented an Algerian al Qaeda member from bombing Los Angeles International Airport.

More recently, he testified in Florida in a terrorism case of Florida student Youssef Megahed and his associates.

In that case, back in 2007, a sheriff's deputy with the Berkeley County Sherriff's Office in South Carolina became suspicious when University of South Florida student Ahmed Mohamed and his companion, fellow USF student Megahed, did not initially stop when they were pulled over for speeding. The officer said he saw Megahed disconnect a power cord from a laptop computer as he approached the car. The deputy searched the vehicle. According to court records, he found safety fuses, several sections of cut PVC piping containing a potassium nitrate explosive mixture and containers filled with gasoline.

The pair was arrested that night for transporting explosives. Following the arrest, the FBI in Tampa and South Carolina began an investigation with the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/veteran-fbi-agent-frederick-humphries-ball-rolling-petraeus/story?id=17722771

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Sunday, November 11, 2012

PUYB Blog Tour: 5 Things You Should Know ... - Workflow: Writing

  • Chris Shella?s Best Advice Ever for Writing Urban Fiction Legal Thriller Novels

    5304 readers Chris Shella?s Best Advice Ever for Writing Urban Fiction? Legal Thriller Novels By Chris Shella Advice, Advice Advice?. What advice could I give new writers on how to write Urban Fiction Legal Thrillers? HMMMM. Well you do know as a lawyer I?m allergic to giving free advice. So instead of charging my usual 500 hour fee

  • Use of the word ?Latest?

    2207 readersEnglish is often blamed for confusion and ambiguity that stems not from the language, but from the use of the language. Your eBook: Click here to download the Basic English Grammar ebook. Original Post: Use of the word ?Latest?

  • Bios and Nonfiction

    2345 readersI realize that the agent reading the bio of a query wants to see relatedness between the writer and the subject about which they write, so with that in mind - can revealing help or hinder in any way what a prospective agent thinks when weighing the...

  • Pump Up Your Book February 2011 Authors on Tour Facebook Party this Friday!

    2723 readersWE?RE HAVING A FACEBOOK PARTY!!!! Pump Up Your Book will be hosting the February 2011 Authors on Tour on Friday February 25, 2011 at 9 ? 11 p.m. (eastern time ? adjust to your time zone). Tell your book friends that not only will this give them an opportunity to chat with their favorite authors

  • Credit cards Fran?ais : Cartes de cr?dit Itali...

    25 Tips on How to Improve your Credit Rating

    1773 readers(Photo credit: Wikipedia) A bad or poor credit rating can boundary your borrowing options. It is the worst feeling in the world when your credit has been declined. This is an especially painful situation for a person who works as a freelancer who does not have a lot of regular work engagements and will need to

  • Pump Up Your Book Announces Charles Rosenberg?s ?Death on a High Floor Virtual Book Publicity Tour 2011?

    8297 readers Join Charles Rosenberg, author of the legal thriller, Death on a High Floor (Sliding Hill Press), as he virtually tours the blogosphere December 5 ? 16 2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Charles Rosenberg Charles B. (?Chuck?) Rosenberg has been the credited legal script consultant to three prime time television

  • Ben Marcus

    InDefinite Podcast Episode #35: Ben Marcus

    5757 readersListen: Episode #35: Ben Marcus Ben Marcus reads for the InDefinite Podcast this week from his new novel The Flame Alphabet. Ben Marcus is the author of Notable American Women, The Father Costume, and The Age of Wire and String, and just released novel, The Flame Alphabet. His writing has appeared in Harper?s, The New

  • This is Your Life! with Frank Zaccari, author of ?Inside the Spaghetti Bowl?

    5504 readers This is Your Life! is Literarily Speaking?s newest feature.? Here we spotlight different authors to find out who they are behind the book.? Where were they born?? What?s their family life like?? What did they play with as a child?? All these things mold them into the talented authors they are today. Today?s guest is

  • The Pirate?s Guide to Blogging ? International Talk Like a Pirate Day

    4291 readersYarr and avast there me hearties! It be International Talk Like a Pirate Day again, and that can mean only two things: Firstly, it be meaning that people across the globe will be saying "it be" when they mean "it is". And secondly, it be meaning that I be divulgin' the most well kept secret

  • A Tip for the First Time Novelist

    5519 readersKath here.? Please welcome first time author Adam Mitzner to WU today. Adam?s?debut thriller, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, is garnering terrific reviews.? Publishers Weekly, in a?Starred Review calls it an ?assured debut, a legal thriller, compares favorably to Presumed Innocent? Mitzner tosses in a number of twists, but his strength lies in his characters and

  • Source: http://workflowwriting.com/680559/puyb-blog-tour-5-things-you-should-know-with-v-frank-asaro-author-of-the-tortoise-shell-code.php

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    Saturday, November 10, 2012

    Obama to visit Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand

    WASHINGTON (AP) ? Less than two weeks after his re-election, President Barack Obama will become the first U.S. president to visit the once pariah nation of Myanmar, drawing attention to the country's shift to democracy and highlighting what his administration regards as a marquee foreign policy achievement.

    Obama will also travel to Cambodia, a first for a U.S. president as well, and to Thailand during the Nov. 17-20 trip. In Cambodia, the president will attend the East Asia summit in Phnom Penh and meet with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

    The symbolic highlight of the trip, no doubt, is Obama's stop in Myanmar, also known as Burma, a country emerging from five decades of ruinous military rule. While there, Obama will meet with President Thein Sein and also with Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the White House said.

    While the trip places new focus on Obama's foreign policy and to American attention to the Asia and Pacific region, it also comes at as Obama begins sensitive negotiations with congressional leaders about how to avoid looming tax increases and steep cuts in defense and domestic spending.

    Obama ended the longstanding U.S. isolation of Myanmar's generals, which has played a part in coaxing them into political reforms that have unfolded with surprising speed in the past year. The U.S. has appointed a full ambassador and suspended sanctions to reward Myanmar for political prisoner releases and Suu Kyi's election to parliament.

    In a statement, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Obama intended to "speak to civil society to encourage Burma's ongoing democratic transition."

    A procession of senior diplomats and world leaders have traveled to the country, stopping both in the remote, opulent capital city Naypyitaw, built by the former ruling junta, and at Suu Kyi's dilapidated lakeside villa in the main city Yangon, where she spent 15 years under house arrest.

    The East Asia Summit in Cambodia will also provide Obama with opportunities for possible sideline discussions with a number of fellow heads of state, including leaders such as outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Also expected to attend are Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

    "The Myanmar trip is potentially historic, and for that reason has both tremendous opportunity and risk associated with," said Matthew Goodman, a former Obama international economics adviser.

    But the East Asia Summit, he added, is also important "as an opportunity to reaffirm U.S. engagement as an Asia-Pacific power in regional affairs and for the newly re-elected president to touch base with all the relevant regional allies, partners and other countries."

    "There's going to be great interest in understanding his aspirations for his second term, and on Obama's side for reassuring these other countries about continuity and desire for continued engagement," Goodman, now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said.

    As for Myanmar, the most senior U.S. official to visit previously is Hillary Rodham Clinton who in December became the first U.S. secretary of state to travel to Myanmar in 56 years.

    The Obama administration regards the political changes in Myanmar as one that could dilute the influence of China in a country that has a strategic location between South Asia and Southeast Asia, regions of growing economic importance.

    But exiled Myanmar activists and human rights groups are likely to criticize an Obama visit as premature and one that rewards Thein Sein before his political and economic reforms have been consolidated. The military is still dominant and implicated in rights abuses. It has failed to prevent vicious outbreaks of communal violence in the west of the country that have left scores dead.

    In a statement Friday, the government of Myanmar said it "warmly welcomes" Obama's upcoming visit and a spokesman for the country's president said the U.S. support would strengthen Myanmar's commitment to reform.

    The spokesman, Maj. Zaw Htay, said the government hopes "bilateral relations and cooperation will significantly increase after this historic visit."

    While no U.S. president has ever visited Cambodia or Myanmar, Thailand is one of the America's oldest allies in Asia and has been a stop for American commanders in chief since the mid-1960s, according to the State Department historian's office, which compiles records on presidential travel.

    George W. Bush visited Thailand twice while president, in 2003 and 2008, Bill Clinton visited in 1996. During the war in neighboring Vietnam, Richard Nixon traveled there in 1969 and Lyndon Johnson in 1966 and 1967, the records show.

    ___

    Associated Press writers Matthew Pennington and Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-visit-myanmar-cambodia-thailand-190753640--politics.html

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    Friday, November 9, 2012

    Leave a comment - Women's Health News Blog

    If you commute by car, there may be more to worry about beyond the price of gas: Commuting by car, rather than by bike or foot, could increase your risk of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey.

    Survey administrators polled 9,933 adults about their transportation habits and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Three out of four respondents reported spending less than 10 minutes a week biking or walking for transportation. Meanwhile, people who reported biking or walking had 24 percent lower risk of hypertension, 31 percent lower risk of diabetes, and on average, lower BMI and waist circumference than the car commuters.

    But unless you live in an intimate urban city, walking to work is probably not a viable option. However, cycling may be. It?s a fairly efficient way to get around ? depending on your speed, you can pedal a two-mile route in just 10 or 15 minutes. Plus, it saves you money on gas, and time spent searching for parking. And if you?re already spending a chunk of your day driving to a gym and working out there, you can count your commute toward your gym time.

    That said, becoming a bike commuter isn?t as simple as just planting your buns on a bike seat. Prepare for your daily ride with this checklist:

    ? Bike: You can buy a basic bike for as little as $200 at a local bike shop, where you?ll get better service, advice, and knowledge than you might receive at a chain store, says Rich Conroy, education director and Bike Commuting 101 instructor of Bike New York, who regularly bikes 10 miles to work. (Note: Bike shop attendants can also help fit you and your bike for most of the cycling gear suggested below.) Alternatively, dust off your old two-wheeler and take it to your bike shop for a tune up, which can cost about $50 to $60. They?ll check the brakes, wheel alignment, and gears and adjust the seat to a comfortable height. You should also swap your mountain bike tires (they have tread and resemble car tires) for smoother tires, which are easier for traveling and more efficient. Every week, pump the tires and oil the chain (a bike shop mechanic can show you how), and bring your bike in for a checkup at least once a year.

    ? Lights: Not unlike an automobile, you?ll need a white light in front and a red light in the rear so other drivers and bikers see you coming and going.

    ? Basket or rack: Instead of carrying your stuff in a backpack or messenger bag, make the bike haul it. Attach a basket in the front or a rack or bike panniers (water-resistant saddle bags) in the back.

    ? Fenders: In bad weather, a pair of fenders will cover your tires to keep muddy puddles from messing with your clothes and keep your bike in better, cleaner shape. Your bike shop can fit your cycle and install them. Still, you don?t have to ride through miserable conditions. ?It?s not all or nothing. If the weather is bad, bail,? says Conroy. ?And if you have a really long commute, you don?t have to make it a daily grind. Do it one day a week, and drive the other days. Like a workout, it?s good to take a break,? he says.

    ? Lock: ?Always lock up your bike like you?d like lock your car,? says Conroy. Your workplace may provide indoor parking or a bike rack, but if not, you can lock your bike to a signpost, parking meter, railing, or scaffolding. When leaving your bike in a high-theft area in public view, use a heavy chain and padlock. In a parking garage or indoors, you can get away with a lighter and less expensive cable lock. Ask a bike shop attendant to recommend a lock that fits your bike and your needs.

    ? Helmet: ?It?s like a seatbelt for your head,? says Conroy. ?It won?t prevent you from crashing, but it?s what you need when you do have a crash.? Because an ill-fitting helmet won?t protect you, buy the smallest helmet size that fits your head for a snug fit, and adjust the strap so the buckle is snug below your chin when your mouth is completely open. Also known that a helmet isn?t the be-all end-all of bike safety. Follow the same rules as motorists, ride with the traffic, stop at lights and stop signs, and avoid distractions such as headphones and texting to take safety into your own hands.

    ? Route: Quieter roads with less traffic are ideal for cyclists, but if your only option is akin to a high-speed racetrack, you don?t want to ride there, says Conroy. Instead of riding all the way to work on a route with poor road choices, consider breaking up your commute into two or three modes of transportation. (Think about it: You might already drive your car to the train, or take a bus and a subway.) If you live in a suburban or rural area, or a large city, use a bike rack to drive your cycle through less desirable areas, or consider buying a public-transit-friendly folding bike, which are often allowed on buses and trains.

    ? Stash: While peddling in work attire might be uncomfortable, it?s not as big a problem as people make it out to be. ?Riding a bike won?t make you smell like a week-old dead animal. Just don?t bike fast, and you won?t get sweaty,? says Conroy. For a one or two mile trip, you can wear whatever you wear to work?just roll up baggy pants or tuck them into your sock so they don?t interfere with the gears and get dirty. For longer trips, wear moisture-wicking clothes while you cycle, and leave a week?s worth of clothes at your office. Keep deodorant, wet wipes, a hairbrush, and some makeup in your desk to freshen up after you change.

    photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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    The Women's Health Big Book of Yoga Get a Sexy Yoga Body! Discover the power of yoga to tighten, tone, and calm. Buy The Women?s Health Big Book of Yoga today!

    Source: http://blog.womenshealthmag.com/thisjustin/the-healthiest-way-to-get-to-work/

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    Monday, November 5, 2012

    VIDEO: How to Save Money and Energy With a ... - A Green Living

    November 5, 2012 by ?
    Filed under Eco, Green

    If your wallet is already feeling the pinch from your monthly energy bill as we head into the colder months, you?ll be happy to know that you can keep those expenses down using a simple device called a programmable thermostat . We introduced these handy gadgets to you back in October and now we have a handy video that makes it even easier to understand what programmable thermostats do and how they can save the average household about $180* a year. Click the video above to get the full scoop on how this advanced technology works and what kinds of perks the latest models offer ? including the ability to control your home?s temperature from bed, your office or even while you?re on vacation. * Based on ENERGY STAR averages. The $180 savings assumes a typical, single-family home with a 10 hour daytime setback of 8? F in winter and setup of 7? F in summer, and an 8 hour nighttime setback of 8? F in winter and a setup of 4? F in summer. At? The Home Depot , we pride ourselves on being? sustainability minded . To make saving energy and money even easier, we?ve launched our? EcoOptions ?website dedicated to? green products ?such as WaterSense? and ENERGY STAR? labeled products and wood harvested from sustainable forests.? EcoOptions ?also offers helpful tips for homeowners trying to? go green ?to help you every step of the way. Whatever your home improvement project, we?ve got the? organic solutions ?that can help make your? home healthier ?and air cleaner; and products that can help you conserve water, be more? energy-efficient ?and save money. Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: ?energy efficiency? , cut energy bill , Energy Savings , honeywell programmable thermostat , how to save energy , how to save money , how to use a programmable thermostat , programmable thermostat , programmable thermostats , save money in your home , save money with a programmable thermostat , thermostat , wifi enabled thermostat , wifi thermostat

    Read the rest here: 
    VIDEO: How to Save Money and Energy With a Programmable Thermostat

    Tags: energy efficiency, energy-savings, Green, green appliances, money, programmable, save-money, video, wifi thermostat, wifi-enabled, your-home

    Source: http://agreenliving.org/video-how-to-save-money-and-energy-with-a-programmable-thermostat/

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