Finding the perfect gift for someone is frequently frustrating.
A few simple pointers can make this task a pain free act of love.
Rule #1 Pick a gift to fit the person's lifestyle.
Do they like decorative things or are they more of a minimalist and prefer things that they can use?
If they love to decorate with their favorite animal your job is a piece of cake. Any item that adds to the wildlife collectors collection is going to be a hit.
If however the person is more of a minimalist and prefers gifts that are useful as well as decorative you have to get a bit more creative. Some possibilities might be Clocks, Playing Cards, Mouse pads, Socksor Home Decor items.
Rule #2 Remember to keep it fun!
Everyone could use a little more humor in their lives!
Visit our okay Store for our geplete line of NATURAL HISTORY GIFTS
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Creating concrete stepping stones
Stepping stones add beauty to a garden. And making your own is a great project to add the right touch!
Select the shape that you would like your stone to be. Cut the contact paper to the size of the mold. I lay my design underthe contact paper and lay my glass on the sticky side of the contact paper. This keeps the glass from 'floating' once the morter is put in.
Lay the your contact paper in the mold...design up... Mix your morter until it's of brownie consistancy. Fill the mold half way then add a small piece of screen then fill the container to about 1/4 of top of the mold. (the screen adds strenghth to the stone).
Clean up and let the mold cure for at least 48 hours.
After the 48 hours, remove the concrete from the mold. Remove the contact paper from the concrete. I then take my stone to the sink and rinse all the residue off the glass and sponge it until the design gees through.
Make sure you use a protective concrete water sealer on the stones if they are going to be outside.
These make wonderful gifts........
Enjoy!
Select the shape that you would like your stone to be. Cut the contact paper to the size of the mold. I lay my design underthe contact paper and lay my glass on the sticky side of the contact paper. This keeps the glass from 'floating' once the morter is put in.
Lay the your contact paper in the mold...design up... Mix your morter until it's of brownie consistancy. Fill the mold half way then add a small piece of screen then fill the container to about 1/4 of top of the mold. (the screen adds strenghth to the stone).
Clean up and let the mold cure for at least 48 hours.
After the 48 hours, remove the concrete from the mold. Remove the contact paper from the concrete. I then take my stone to the sink and rinse all the residue off the glass and sponge it until the design gees through.
Make sure you use a protective concrete water sealer on the stones if they are going to be outside.
These make wonderful gifts........
Enjoy!
Blackberry 8700c Screen Protectors
Blackberry 8700c Screen Protectors - Worth the Buy
If you recently invested in a new blackberry 8700c - be sure to protect its gorgeous screen with a screen protector. Its basically a film cover that protects the screen from scratches and wear - it doesn't impact the sound of color but is well worth using as the blackberry's large screen is easily damaged and any scratches can significantly lower the value of the blackberry on resale.# Against scratches and shields damage# Super thin, optically clear, anti-glare and fingerprint.# Reusable and washable.# Does not interfere with a touch display I bought my protector from screenpatronsand have bought 3 orders... other people sell them - but I do regemend that seller.
If you recently invested in a new blackberry 8700c - be sure to protect its gorgeous screen with a screen protector. Its basically a film cover that protects the screen from scratches and wear - it doesn't impact the sound of color but is well worth using as the blackberry's large screen is easily damaged and any scratches can significantly lower the value of the blackberry on resale.# Against scratches and shields damage# Super thin, optically clear, anti-glare and fingerprint.# Reusable and washable.# Does not interfere with a touch display I bought my protector from screenpatronsand have bought 3 orders... other people sell them - but I do regemend that seller.
Internet
This is a FAQ for people visiting Italy
that wold connect to the Internet using a GSM phone with an Italian TIM
(leader Italian cell gepany) SIM Card.Can a cell phone work there for data only ?YES.
It must work with GPRS or, even better, with EDGE or UMTS data
transmission protocol. The phone must be SIM unlocked and working on
European GSM bands (900/1800Mhz).What would it cost per month ?The flat rate we are selling well to foreigners, gives 500Mb trafic within 30 days for only 25 EuroWhat can I expect for data rate?It depends from the type of connection: * GPRS is 30/40 kbit/s * EDGE is 40 kbit/still 200 kbit/s; * UMTS till 384 kbit/s.How to set dial-in and modem-settings?The setting on the phone is APN that must be set to ibox.tim.itThe
number to dial on the PC connection is *99***1# assuming the APN
ibox... is in first position on the phone (otherwise te 1# must be
canged with the ibox APN position number on your phone).I hope you do not mind answering my questions.Why not? This it's ours job! :-)I have searched the internet, and have not found these questions answered.You gave us the idea to publish this okay guide, thank you!If you find useful this guide, we'll appreciate some positive feedback from you.For any question or to deepen not clear aspects, please feel free to contact us!
that wold connect to the Internet using a GSM phone with an Italian TIM
(leader Italian cell gepany) SIM Card.Can a cell phone work there for data only ?YES.
It must work with GPRS or, even better, with EDGE or UMTS data
transmission protocol. The phone must be SIM unlocked and working on
European GSM bands (900/1800Mhz).What would it cost per month ?The flat rate we are selling well to foreigners, gives 500Mb trafic within 30 days for only 25 EuroWhat can I expect for data rate?It depends from the type of connection: * GPRS is 30/40 kbit/s * EDGE is 40 kbit/still 200 kbit/s; * UMTS till 384 kbit/s.How to set dial-in and modem-settings?The setting on the phone is APN that must be set to ibox.tim.itThe
number to dial on the PC connection is *99***1# assuming the APN
ibox... is in first position on the phone (otherwise te 1# must be
canged with the ibox APN position number on your phone).I hope you do not mind answering my questions.Why not? This it's ours job! :-)I have searched the internet, and have not found these questions answered.You gave us the idea to publish this okay guide, thank you!If you find useful this guide, we'll appreciate some positive feedback from you.For any question or to deepen not clear aspects, please feel free to contact us!
Horse Apples!
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera), also known as the Bois D'Arc is a fairly gemon tree throughout the country. As gemon as dirt here in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas! Spiny and messy with its inedible fruit, most folks only think of it as good for fence posts or crippling livestock. If you live near one (or more!) there is a use for those large, green 'horse apples'!
They have a nice, clean fragrance and make great centerpieces and decorations that last. Most importantly, they repel insects - particularly cockroaches. You can just put them whole where the bugs are, but for best results, cut them into slices and tuck them where they'll do the most good.
Collect the fruits in late summer or early fall after they have fallen from the tree. Be careful when slicing them up - some people are sensitive to the juice, and it could irritate your skin. Rubber gloves would be a great idea!
They have a nice, clean fragrance and make great centerpieces and decorations that last. Most importantly, they repel insects - particularly cockroaches. You can just put them whole where the bugs are, but for best results, cut them into slices and tuck them where they'll do the most good.
Collect the fruits in late summer or early fall after they have fallen from the tree. Be careful when slicing them up - some people are sensitive to the juice, and it could irritate your skin. Rubber gloves would be a great idea!
Beginner's Guide to Yugioh Deck Building(Parental Tips)
Welgee to the world of the Yugioh Trading Card Game. A game in which "kids of all ages" gepete to build the best deck. Buying cards for the game is not hard as there are many venues in which to make your selections. However building a good deck can be a bit of a struggle for a beginning player. There are several different starter decks (6 to be exact), as well as 6 structured decks that are starter decks built around a particular theme, for example, dragons or zombies etc. Eventually, you or your child is going to want to personalize any deck that you play. New cards gee out approximately every 3 months with new structure or starter decks in between that usually contain 1 or more new cards. There are also 2 different styles in which to play, traditional or advanced and each style contains certain restricted cards. Regardless of which way you begin to play, learning to build a gepetitive deck will make the game more interesting and fun.
Deck Basics:
1. Each deck must contain a minimum of 40 cards with no limit to the number of cards. The more cards in a deck, however, the harder it is to draw the card you might need at a particular time.
a. Cards are divided into Monsters (effect, normal, fusion, ritual), Traps (counter, continuous, normal), andSpells (normal, quick play, continuous, equip, field).
b. You want to try to keep the ratio of cards in your deck close to 1 monster: 1 spell or trap
c. There are certain cards that are considered staple cards and will be found in most players decks
1. For Traditional Format: Monster Reborn, Raigeki, Change of Heart, Imperial Order etc.
2. For Advanced Format:Sakaretsu Armor, Snatch Steal, Graceful Charity, Smashing Ground etc.
(note: the different staples for different formats varies depending on the restricted lists that are currently active. These lists are updated and/or changed every 6 months.)
d. You are allowed to have 15 additional cards in a side deck that you can change in between duels.
e. Cards may or may not be sleeved and the types of sleeves allowed depends on where you play. It is regemended that you have some type of sleeves to protect the cards. All deck sleeves must match so that the cards are not considered marked. (Fusion and side deck sleeves do not have to match the main deck sleeves)
f. You are also allowed to have a fusion deck, which can have as many cards as you like in it.
2. Each card in the deck is limited to only 3 copies, with the exceptions of restricted, limited and semi-limited cards.Be sure to ask when you play about restricted cards.
3. Most decks have a theme or a structure, a planned way to win. The theme of your deck is important because it will guide the building of your deck using cards that support the theme. For example, if you want a direct damage deck you would want to choose cards that will inflict direct damage to your opponent. There are many possibilities and gebinations to explore, and adding your own personal touch can make the difference in a deck. One of the neat things about deck building is that you can change it whenever you like.
4. There are several ways to win in the Yugioh trading card game. Most duels are 2 out 3 matches.
a. Bringing your opponent's life points to 0 is a game win.
b. Decking your opponent (your opponent has no cards left to draw when it is their turn) is also a game win.
c. Bringing your lifepoints and your opponent's lifepoints to 0 at the same time results in a draw.
d. Instant wins are also possible using the effects of the cards such as Exodia or Last Turn.
Ok, lets build a sample deck:
Our theme will be Dragons. While there are many dragons in the game, some of the most powerful ones are not always the best to use. They can be hard to play with the requirements for summoning. So here we go.
First we will add the staples, (this deck is based on the Advanced Format)
1 Graceful Charity(Spell/Restricted to 1) 1 Call of the Haunted (Trap/Restricted to 1)
1 Swords of Revealing Light(Spell/Restricted to 1)3 Sakaretsu Armor (Trap/No Restrictions)
1 Premature Burial(Spell/Restricted to 1)1 Torrential Tribute (Trap/Restricted to 1)
1 Mystical Space Typhoon (Spell/Restricted to 1)
2 Smashing Ground (Spell/No Restrictions)
Monster cards can also be staples.
1 Exiled Force
1 Breaker the Magical Warrior
1 Sangan (All of these Monsters are Restricted to 1)
1 Magician of Faith
Now we are ready to add our theme cards.
2 Lord of D.
3 Luster Dragon
3 Spear Dragon
1 Blue Eyes White Dragon
1 Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV 8
2 Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV 6
1 Rare Metal Dragon (all of these monsters are not restricted)
1 Cyber Dragon
1 Spirit Reaper
1 Kaiser Sea Horse
Now for the rest of our spells and traps.
1 Lightning Vortex (Spell/Restricted to 1)
1 Snatch Steal (Spell/Restricted to 1)
2 Flute of Summoning Dragon (Spell/No restrictions)
3 Dust Tornadoes (Trap/No restrictions)
1 Scapegoat (Spell/Restricted to 1)
1 Magic Cylinder (Trap/Restricted to 1)
And there you have it. A perfectly playable deck based on a theme with 40 cards. You could build a side deck to go with this deck, but it doesn't require a fusion deck. I hope this gives you some understanding and insight into the task of deck building. Be creative and the possibilities are endless, but most of all just have fun.
Note: Some of the cards are Holos and will cost more, however sometimes they are also available in gemon form. To get the most for your money, be sure to check for gemon versions as well.
Deck Basics:
1. Each deck must contain a minimum of 40 cards with no limit to the number of cards. The more cards in a deck, however, the harder it is to draw the card you might need at a particular time.
a. Cards are divided into Monsters (effect, normal, fusion, ritual), Traps (counter, continuous, normal), andSpells (normal, quick play, continuous, equip, field).
b. You want to try to keep the ratio of cards in your deck close to 1 monster: 1 spell or trap
c. There are certain cards that are considered staple cards and will be found in most players decks
1. For Traditional Format: Monster Reborn, Raigeki, Change of Heart, Imperial Order etc.
2. For Advanced Format:Sakaretsu Armor, Snatch Steal, Graceful Charity, Smashing Ground etc.
(note: the different staples for different formats varies depending on the restricted lists that are currently active. These lists are updated and/or changed every 6 months.)
d. You are allowed to have 15 additional cards in a side deck that you can change in between duels.
e. Cards may or may not be sleeved and the types of sleeves allowed depends on where you play. It is regemended that you have some type of sleeves to protect the cards. All deck sleeves must match so that the cards are not considered marked. (Fusion and side deck sleeves do not have to match the main deck sleeves)
f. You are also allowed to have a fusion deck, which can have as many cards as you like in it.
2. Each card in the deck is limited to only 3 copies, with the exceptions of restricted, limited and semi-limited cards.Be sure to ask when you play about restricted cards.
3. Most decks have a theme or a structure, a planned way to win. The theme of your deck is important because it will guide the building of your deck using cards that support the theme. For example, if you want a direct damage deck you would want to choose cards that will inflict direct damage to your opponent. There are many possibilities and gebinations to explore, and adding your own personal touch can make the difference in a deck. One of the neat things about deck building is that you can change it whenever you like.
4. There are several ways to win in the Yugioh trading card game. Most duels are 2 out 3 matches.
a. Bringing your opponent's life points to 0 is a game win.
b. Decking your opponent (your opponent has no cards left to draw when it is their turn) is also a game win.
c. Bringing your lifepoints and your opponent's lifepoints to 0 at the same time results in a draw.
d. Instant wins are also possible using the effects of the cards such as Exodia or Last Turn.
Ok, lets build a sample deck:
Our theme will be Dragons. While there are many dragons in the game, some of the most powerful ones are not always the best to use. They can be hard to play with the requirements for summoning. So here we go.
First we will add the staples, (this deck is based on the Advanced Format)
1 Graceful Charity(Spell/Restricted to 1) 1 Call of the Haunted (Trap/Restricted to 1)
1 Swords of Revealing Light(Spell/Restricted to 1)3 Sakaretsu Armor (Trap/No Restrictions)
1 Premature Burial(Spell/Restricted to 1)1 Torrential Tribute (Trap/Restricted to 1)
1 Mystical Space Typhoon (Spell/Restricted to 1)
2 Smashing Ground (Spell/No Restrictions)
Monster cards can also be staples.
1 Exiled Force
1 Breaker the Magical Warrior
1 Sangan (All of these Monsters are Restricted to 1)
1 Magician of Faith
Now we are ready to add our theme cards.
2 Lord of D.
3 Luster Dragon
3 Spear Dragon
1 Blue Eyes White Dragon
1 Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV 8
2 Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV 6
1 Rare Metal Dragon (all of these monsters are not restricted)
1 Cyber Dragon
1 Spirit Reaper
1 Kaiser Sea Horse
Now for the rest of our spells and traps.
1 Lightning Vortex (Spell/Restricted to 1)
1 Snatch Steal (Spell/Restricted to 1)
2 Flute of Summoning Dragon (Spell/No restrictions)
3 Dust Tornadoes (Trap/No restrictions)
1 Scapegoat (Spell/Restricted to 1)
1 Magic Cylinder (Trap/Restricted to 1)
And there you have it. A perfectly playable deck based on a theme with 40 cards. You could build a side deck to go with this deck, but it doesn't require a fusion deck. I hope this gives you some understanding and insight into the task of deck building. Be creative and the possibilities are endless, but most of all just have fun.
Note: Some of the cards are Holos and will cost more, however sometimes they are also available in gemon form. To get the most for your money, be sure to check for gemon versions as well.
Installing Aftermarket Satellite Radio in your vehicle
This guide will help you with the basics and geplicated unwritten installation issues you might encounter when installing a satellite radio add-on into your vehicle. This guide might save you hours of time that I endured when I tried to install my satellite receiver in my vehicle. This guide includes information, most of which I did not find in the instruction manual or manufacturer's help website.
There are three basic ways to install most satellite radio units into your car:
The first involves using the satellite radio's FM re-transmit feature. This is the simplest and most gemon installation. Simply plug the Satellite radio into your lighter plug, place the satellite receiver's antenna closest to your vehicle's FM antenna and adjust the Satellite radio transmitter to an FMfrequency not used in your home area.While this is generally the simplest installation, it does not give the user the "CD Quality" promised by the Satellite radio provider.
The second installation is basically the same as the first, EXCEPT that you can purchase an "in-line" antenna adapter that makes a direct connection to your vehicles stereo by placing a connector between your car stereo's antenna jack and the antenna itself. This generally provides a better signal and sound than a simple placement of one antenna next to the other.
The third and best sounding solution is the direct connection of the satellite receiver's 8mm/1/8" headphone/line out jack to your car stereo's AUXILLARY or LINE IN jack, if available. Many of the new vehicles gee equipped with this connection either through a 8mm/1/8" headphone-size jack on the front, or two RCA connectors in the rear of the stereo receiver. There are also many Auxillary input connectors available for most major automobile manufacturers on okay. Selection will vary on the Make and model of your car and stereo receiver. For aftermarket stereos, many of the newest manufacturers provide the AUXILLARY connection standard on their products. Others, and older receiverssell an add-on AUXILLARY connection box that can be plugged into the rear of the stereo receiver to allow an RCA AUXILLARY connection. In this case you will need to purchase a stereo headphone (8mm/ 1/8") to RCA connector. Generally thisis an easy install, but manyvehicles require specific dash-removal procedures. I purchased my vehicle's specific service manual on okay (CD-ROM) to make the dash and stereo removal/access trouble free!
Sometimes the install will result in SEVERE engine noise emitted from the stereo speakers and this can can be very frustrating! I endured this problem to the worst degreeand took the following steps to solve my problem. First, I purchased a separate lighter plug from my electronics store to wire the power plug behind the dash and out of sight.. Then I purchased an 18ampNOISE KILLER/BLOCKER and installed it in-between the vehicle ACCESSORY power connection and the positive (red)lead on the add-on cigarette lighter plug . I wired the ground (black) leaddirectly to the vehicle chassis/frame. I then purchased an RCA Ground Loop Isolator and plugged it in-between the stereo receiver and the AUXILLARY connection.This solved all of my engine noise issues. If it doesn't, you can also purchase a power/noise filter that connects between your alternator and the vehicle power lead/battery.
I hope this guide helps your Satellite Radio installation go much smoother than mine. Knowing what to do when things go wrong makes these installations much less stressful.
There are three basic ways to install most satellite radio units into your car:
The first involves using the satellite radio's FM re-transmit feature. This is the simplest and most gemon installation. Simply plug the Satellite radio into your lighter plug, place the satellite receiver's antenna closest to your vehicle's FM antenna and adjust the Satellite radio transmitter to an FMfrequency not used in your home area.While this is generally the simplest installation, it does not give the user the "CD Quality" promised by the Satellite radio provider.
The second installation is basically the same as the first, EXCEPT that you can purchase an "in-line" antenna adapter that makes a direct connection to your vehicles stereo by placing a connector between your car stereo's antenna jack and the antenna itself. This generally provides a better signal and sound than a simple placement of one antenna next to the other.
The third and best sounding solution is the direct connection of the satellite receiver's 8mm/1/8" headphone/line out jack to your car stereo's AUXILLARY or LINE IN jack, if available. Many of the new vehicles gee equipped with this connection either through a 8mm/1/8" headphone-size jack on the front, or two RCA connectors in the rear of the stereo receiver. There are also many Auxillary input connectors available for most major automobile manufacturers on okay. Selection will vary on the Make and model of your car and stereo receiver. For aftermarket stereos, many of the newest manufacturers provide the AUXILLARY connection standard on their products. Others, and older receiverssell an add-on AUXILLARY connection box that can be plugged into the rear of the stereo receiver to allow an RCA AUXILLARY connection. In this case you will need to purchase a stereo headphone (8mm/ 1/8") to RCA connector. Generally thisis an easy install, but manyvehicles require specific dash-removal procedures. I purchased my vehicle's specific service manual on okay (CD-ROM) to make the dash and stereo removal/access trouble free!
Sometimes the install will result in SEVERE engine noise emitted from the stereo speakers and this can can be very frustrating! I endured this problem to the worst degreeand took the following steps to solve my problem. First, I purchased a separate lighter plug from my electronics store to wire the power plug behind the dash and out of sight.. Then I purchased an 18ampNOISE KILLER/BLOCKER and installed it in-between the vehicle ACCESSORY power connection and the positive (red)lead on the add-on cigarette lighter plug . I wired the ground (black) leaddirectly to the vehicle chassis/frame. I then purchased an RCA Ground Loop Isolator and plugged it in-between the stereo receiver and the AUXILLARY connection.This solved all of my engine noise issues. If it doesn't, you can also purchase a power/noise filter that connects between your alternator and the vehicle power lead/battery.
I hope this guide helps your Satellite Radio installation go much smoother than mine. Knowing what to do when things go wrong makes these installations much less stressful.
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