The Complete Idiot's Guide To Simple Living by Georgene Lockwood

In this hustle and bustle time we live in, sometimes it seems that our existence only becomes more complicated as each year passes. With more and more things and experiences to engage in and with, are we really enjoying life and living more? Or do all of the fancy gadgets and widgets and this and that, and gazillions of choices just increasing our stress and making it difficult to actually enjoy the important stuff? If you have asked yourself how to prioritize and then minimize the stuff in your life, or how to earn a life and not just a living, "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Simple Living" by Georgene Lockwood might just be the book to help you set yourself on the path to a more simple, but enjoyable stress free life.

I like this book because it lays out in clear simple language, what simple living is and why it can make your life not only easier, but more enjoyable, enriching, and stress free. (Or at lease reduce the stress you may be experiencing due to the complexities of our modern world)

Part One of the book outlines what simple living is. Chapters focus on consuming passions and how the world became un-simple, simplicity and the spirit, what's old is new again, culture shock regarding lessons from alternative living, and finding your own simple living way.

Part Two it titled Your Money IS Your Life and has chapters on gaining your freedom by going debtless, earning a life, not just a living, the simple truth about where you live, how living with less can mean more, and organizing your finances.

Part Three is about simple living basics. These chapters focus on food, fashion (your clothes), and your home. Very practical ways to live more simple in these areas. There are also chapters on getting off the grid, if you decide that is for you, and a chapter about your automobile.

Part Four, Family, Friends, and Community focuses on simple living and relationships. Learn strategies on raising kids the simple living way, entertainment and recreation, and your circle of community.

The final part of the book, Part Five, What If Everybody Did It, contains chapters that discuss the politics of paring down, new directions in education, living with natural order on our planet, and a definition of rich and how to define wealth for the simple life. There is also an appendix that provides a really good resource guide regarding the topics in the book.

If life is just too chaotic for you these days, and you desire to simplify, the tips, suggestions, and strategies found in "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Simple Living" may be just what you are looking for. It's a good book on paring down and living a simpler life.

FFL Kit - Review

The F.F.L. kit has been put together by people that are F.F.L. holders to help you through the entire process of getting your license. They have put together a kit with everything you need in one place and they take you by the hand through the complicated process of applying for your license.

F.F.L. kit has all the instructions and help to walk you through the process of getting your application approved the first time . The kit also has E-mail support for those times that your stuck and need help. They also provide you with a wholesalers list, so that way you can buy guns at greatly reduced prices as soon as your application is approved. The F.F.L. kit offers a 60 day money back guarantee.

The only thing the F.F.L. kit will not do for you is fill out the forms and pay the A.T.F. fees for the license. There is no way to get around this. The fee for a dealers license is $200.00 and it is good for 3 years, the renewal fee for your license is only $90.00 for the next 3 years. You must have a location for conducting business or collecting Curios & relics. This is where you will have the guns shipped to and take position of them. The location can be your home.

I have been told bad stories about people that have applied for their F.F.L. license and only to have their application delayed or denied by making mistakes. Then I found the F.F.L. kit website that is run by actual F.F.L. holders which had all the forms, great support, and detailed instructions, my application was approved in just 24 days. I decided to write this article about this kit to help others decide about using them to get their own F.F.L.

Sizzix Big Shot Express Review

Crafting has come into the modern age. The age of creating your own style and using cutters and dies is moving forward. Remember those "old" machines where you had to crank the arm like an old Model-T engine? You got amazing cuts time after time, but your arm by the end of a crafting day would be sore. You thought back to your grandmother slaving away, kneading bread in her kitchen, as you cranked your machine, taking as long as a minute for the page long cuts. But the end product always made you want to do it again.

Times change. No more cranking! With Sizzix's Big Shot Express Machine cranking for your scrapbooking is gone! Plug it in to your electrical outlet and let the machine do the work for you. Even Sizzix's long dies will cut in two seconds. Oh yes, seconds that count, and that allow your arm to still glue your creations onto the page. A time saver, an arm saver, and the perfection that comes from having a quick and electrical machine working for you. What more could you ask for?

Sizzix already changed the world of crafting by making the process of cutting out your designs and embellishments for you in one smooth move. They have made many different die cutting machines and devices. Products that you can take along with you like the Sizzix Sidekick. Now Sizzix wants to take it one step further. This machine provides cutting through pre-made dies, or you can create your own original dies to create your own designs. The Big shot Express will also emboss paper, creating beautiful designs that jump up off the page and create an aspect of three dimensions to your designs, pages, or cards. And it is just as portable as other Sizzix products. Think of all the possibilities that open up for the crafter with this machine.

Sizzix's Big Shot Express Machine will accept all of the Sizzix library of designs, except for the Bigz Pro dies. This means you still can use your alphabet dies, your circuit dies, all of those shapes that you have already fallen in love with. This means that you don't have to re-buy a whole new set of designs and products; or find someone that still wants the old library that you possess. The new Sizzix Big Shot Express Machine is ready to work for you. Finally a company that tries to move forward but not walk away with all your money.

Poetry Vs the Internet

Poetry is the mastery of words in all their variations and subtleies to express in an eloquent manner that which cannot be expressed in silence. Emotions of the heart, a looking glass into the soul, a way to make amends, and a way to build vistas exploring humanity and all it's relationships. Poetry is all this an much more. Poetry is also much less, and in a more simplified manner, it is only words. Just words. But used in such a way, as to make us think and feel about others, events and things in a way we could never have imagined. Poetry cleanses, fortifies and inspires the reader, while at the same time fuels the creative passions and allows for cathartic emotional release on the part of the writer. Poetry is powerful, poetry is petty, poetry is loving, and poetry is hateful. But above all, poetry is human, it is a reflection of of the human experience in all it's glory and all it's shame. But, it's something else as well. It's words.

It's Only Words

Words are what define the internet. It's not technology, it's not servers, it's not protocols, it's not browser wars. The internet is made up of words. And words are poetry. So, is the internet poetry? In a sense yes. Sure it's pictures to, but words were there long before there were pictures. An internet of pictures would be pretty, but it wouldn't be poetry. It would be thousands of words yes, but what would it say? Words are a business now online. We bid on words, we sell words and information. We sell poetry. Entire industries have sprung up based solely on words. Google is in the word business, as is Yahoo, and MSN. But, these guys are no poets, and long before them their were others in the business of words.

Words Are All I Have

For generations, authors and poets have been in the business of words. For that matter musicians were to. Music is really just poetry with a beat. And these guys and girls have never really prospered from a financial perspective. Oh sure, a few like Shakespeare and Stephen King did pretty well. But just being the tip of the ice cube, there were countless thousands of creative literary geniuses languishing in poverty. Starving artists include poets, writers, and musicians. But hey, it's a new day, and all that can change. The internet has open the door for artists of all inkling to support themselves with their passions of calling. Few have taken up the gauntlet though. Perhaps, for poets and the like, suffering for their art is core to their being. A cruel but inspirational muse. Doesn't have to be that way though. It's time for the poets to embrace the world wide web, and voice their words to the masses. The internet is about words, and words are about poetry. Arise poets, your time has come. Write you poetic fools, write.

Your Mission - Your Life

Your overarching mission, whether or not you choose to accept it, is to live a life-time of learning. Every breathing human learns either through experience (the hard way -- based on trial and error) or through observation (the easy way -- based on the review of the experiences of others via eyes, ears, cognition). And guess what -- whether or not you acknowledge it, you are constantly learning the difference between good (actions that are helpful, love, life) and evil (actions that are hurtful, hatred, death).

Moreover, did you know that God has a plan for saving this world from the mistakes that we've made and are making? Did you know that each and every one of us has a part in God's plan whether we are aware of it or not? And did you know that THAT PURPOSE is why we are here? But we are not puppets or robots; we must make choices: some will be good and some will be bad -- that's life! Whenever we are awake/aware, every thing that we do or don't do is based on a choice! Yet we can not know -- on our own -- what our best choices should be. We might think that by simply doing it "my way" (choosing to collect as much as possible in the way of things, comfort, money) will make/keep us happy but in the final analysis (maybe even before that), we will realize that something is missing -- guaranteed!

Nevertheless, do not despair because we have been given the way to "rest assured" in our choices and the avenue to the guidance we need is prayer. "Prayer" as defined by my dictionary is simply "the act...of addressing God". We have been given this access to God even if we think that we have a minuscule hope of help from Him. [You wouldn't do that but God does! Why? Because He has told us that He does not want anyone to perish (if you are not sure about this or anything you are told about God, check it out via a Bible concordance).] We should certainly call on Him for specific "wants" and, knowing that His answer ("yes" or "no") will be based on what is ultimately best for us and the people we pray for, we can have peace and thank Him in anticipation of His answer. He will give us everything we need when we trust Him to do that!

Prayer is a primary element of a "good" (purpose-full) life. In his amazing book, The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren describes how to find God's special purpose for your life; thereby, you can know your personal passion, your greatest joy in life! Completing our two-way communication with Him by meditating on His counsel in the Scriptures is the only way to get to really know God and to know Him is to love Him -- our Creator and our Redeemer. "Prove all things!", I Thessalonians 5:21.

Screensavers - How To Inspire Yourself With Your Own Text

You have been using Screensavers till now. Did you know that you could interact with them? Yes, you can do that now. Do you wish to write your text and read it on a screensaver? You can change the text whenever you want. And it is all for free. Many of us always wished to see our own thoughts on the screensavers but could not do that. With a new range of interactive screensavers, this is easy to do.

Download interactive screensavers and install them. The saver has got an icon saying put your test here. Write your text and save. Play the screensaver and you will view your own text. Such screensavers can be used to write your thought, your quotes, your inspirational messages and your romantic thoughts.

The screensavers come in many designs. You have the freedom to select and download as many as you wish. For screensavers with theme of heart, write love text, and for other screensavers with nature themes, write inspirational text.

Reading one's own thoughts again and again helps in many different ways. Repetitions is the mother of learning. Writing and reading text that makes us feel good changes our thoughts and mood. Use such screensavers when you are working on a difficult project. Send them with your message written separately to your sweetheart. Send them with inspiring text to any friend who needs little inspiration. You can use them in many ways. The screensavers are available free for you to use as you wish. It all depends on your creativity now.

How Often Each Day Should I Read or Say My Desire Statement?

The purpose of the Desire Statement is to support you in giving attention, energy and focus to your newly birthed desire. It teaches you how to language desires so they feel good.

The key to the Desire Statement is it needs to be TRUE for you. You'll notice that one of the recommended sentences is "I love how it feels knowing...." Using this sentence allows you to state your desire in a way that makes it true for you. When it is true for you, you send out a positive vibration. It's not a matter of how often you read or say your Desire Statement each day. Your goal is to give your desire positive attention, knowing that as you do that you are sending out a positive vibration.

Once you create a Desire Statement, you have completed step 1 and 2 of the three step Law of Attraction formula. Now you work is to Allow. Spend most of your time and energy there. Keep finding proof that you are manifesting something that is in alignment to your desire. When you celebrate and acknowledge something you have manifested, this proof helps remove the doubt and negative vibrations that prevent you from receiving your desire.

In short, it's not about how often you do each step of the Law of Attraction formula. The key point is to send out or offer a positive vibration with respect to your desire. Identify what you want, give positive attention, energy and focus to it, and remove the doubt and negative vibration you may be sending by celebrating proof as you find it.

Making Weight Loss Child-Friendly

The weight loss topic is not just among teenagers and women. The topic also gyrates at home. Issues on losing weight and proper diet are among the important things that must be discussed comprehensively among family members. Weight loss issues should not be avoided but must be confronted. To gain some weight loss tips for children and family, read on and learn. Weight loss methods should be a family matter.

This means everyone should be involved when a family member is on a diet. To help family members especially children, be supportive as much as possible. Encourage and uplift the kids during their weight loss program. Tell them that they are doing great and that they are slowly making an improvement. If a child wants to lose some weight, be sure of some important things first. Is he overweight for his or her age?

Consider answering this question. If the child's weight is just normal for his health then there is no need to undergo weigh loss programs. However, if the child is really overweight and that his health is in danger because of obesity, then you should consider starting diet and exercise programs for your kid. It is best to consult with your child's doctor about this matter so that you will be enlightened more on what to do and what not to do.

Moms should be conscious on the food they give to their children. Avoid buying too much sweets and oily food to help your child loss some weight. Also, parents should be hands-on when preparing their children's snack and lunch. This is to make sure they eat just right. If possible, do not allow them to buy in school cafeterias and snack bars since most of the time, these places sell treats that are high in sugar and oil.

Educate the child on proper diet. Once the child understands this, he will then become more careful with what he consumes. Training the child to eat health food is also one good way to promote a healthy lifestyle. Also, the family can do some exercise every now and then. This is great for the body and a good family bonding activity as well. Exposing your child to this healthy way of living will help him or her to be health-conscious. Exercise is good for the body and helps you lose some weight.

If one of your family members is on diet, other family members should be sensitive enough about this. Family members should not eat food as much as possible that the other family member is avoiding. One option is not to eat "forbidden" foods in the presence of the person on diet. If you eat in front of him, the person on diet will have a tendency to crave, thus losing the purpose of dieting.

Van Morrison - Master Extraordinaire

One certainly does not need to embellish or imagine when presented with the task of writing about Van Morrison. He is legendary and yet he is very real. I suppose that is the essence of Van Morrison, born George Ivan Morrison, on August 31st, 1945. He is at once both mystical and real. His music is today and always has been his soul's extension riding on a raw and fundamental talent such as is rarely seen in this world. His list of credentials and certifications is simply daunting. Van Morrison has amassed a collection of music that is without rival in all of recorded history. He has accomplished things in the musical world that have never been done before. His legacy is to have influenced all succeeding generations of musicians and songwriters of all genres, today and for many years to come. Van Morrison has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1993) and the Song Writers Hall of Fame (2007). Rolling Stone magazine placed him twenty-fourth in 100 of the greatest singers of all time in the November 2008 list.

Mr. Ivan Morrison is the master of the poetic phrase full of esoteric allusions. Although some may think that these are meant for the few, the whole world may differ. He has added to his list of accomplishment, blues and R&B. His accomplishments also include pop music, jazz, rock, folk, country, gospel, Irish folk and traditional, big band, new age and classic. I told you it was daunting.

Curiously enough, Van Morrison has worked with another legendary master of the esoteric vintage- Roger Waters. Morrison played "Pink" a character in the 1990 release of "The Wall" that was produced by Roger and his long time friend Ken O'Neill. True to form, Rogers and Morrison create an epic event. Roger Waters lead a star studded cast in a colossal performance of his acclaimed concept. The Wall was produced in support of The War Memorial Fund for Disaster Relief. The setting is Berlin, Germany, less than a year after the destruction of the hated Berlin Wall. This is an excellent example of the kind of work that he submerges himself into. Highly original and influencing ideas which developed future events are his hallmark.