Identity Theft 911131 2

1. Never put outbound mail into an unsecured mailbox, especially if it contains checks or sensitive personal information. Instead, take it to a U.S. Post Office branch or place it in a U.S.P.S. mail collection box.
2. Always use a locking mailbox for incoming mail. Install a locking mailbox approved as secure by the U.S. Postal Service or use a U.S. Post Office box. Contact your local Postmaster for regulations and specifications regarding locking mailboxes.
3. Remove mail from your mailbox promptly, especially if your mailbox is not secure. If you won’t be home when sensitive or valuable mail is delivered, have it held or have a trusted neighbor or friend retrieve it.
4. Don’t have blank checks delivered to your home address. Instead, have them held at your bank branch until you can pick them up personally.
5. Don’t have mail delivered while you’re out of town. Have the post office hold your mail if you’ll be away for an extended period.
6. Reduce the number of credit offers sent to you by mail. Contact the three major credit reporting agencies and have your credit report marked “no solicitation.”
7. Make sure you’re informed when sensitive mail has been sent to you, and follow up quickly if it doesn’t arrive as expected.
8. Consider starting or joining a Neighborhood Watch program. If you see a mail theft in progress, be a good witness by calling 911 and providing the best possible description of any persons and vehicles involved.
9. At the workplace, watch out for “Financial Friday” mail theft. Leaving mail in insecure locations over the weekend in order to leave work a little earlier is a dangerous practice that identity thieves know and exploit.
10. If you feel you’ve been victimized in a mail fraud scheme that involves the U.S. Mail, submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. If you have become a victim of identity theft, contact the FTC, the credit bureaus, and your bank, and obtain expert guidance immediately to resolve your problem as quickly as possible.
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Paul Duxbury842 2

There are many ways to scent your home using perfumes and herbs. In today’s world, you will find many gadgets on the market that are designed to make your home smell like scented flower fields or warm ocean winds.
The main problem with using modern products like air fresheners and incense is that the fragrance fades quickly. Air fresheners also put chemicals in the air that those with sensitive lungs may find disagreeable.
There are many alternative ways to scent a home where the fragrance lasts for weeks, months or years…that are not only more affordable but that also smell more wonderful.
One method would be to take squares of cloth and make little pillows about 4 inches square stuffed with herbs or nicely scented potpourri. Lavender buds make wonderful smelling sachets, as do dried citrus rinds and dried flowers.
Place these small pillows wherever you would like the scent to linger…in the bathroom, closet or under your sofa.
You can also make nice decorations of plaster of Paris to hang in your closets, by your windows or in your car. To do this, purchase candy moulds, essential oils (or any scented item like perfume or potpourri) and small twine. Mix the scent of your choice into your plaster of Paris, pour into your moulds, then take pieces of twin and tie the ends into a knot to create a loop. Press the knot into your plaster so that the twine will stay in place once the plaster dries.
A nice twist for this method would be to mould your plaster into small oval Tupperware bowls then stack them neatly in baskets throughout your home, These are known as scented rocks and make attractive décor.
A nice way to get the scent of roses in your home would be to make rosewater soaked papers, and use these as stuffing inside of your scented pillows instead of dried florals or herbs.
To do this, simmer a cup of rose petals with one cup of water for 3 to 4 hours until the water is strongly scented. If the water evaporates during the simmering, just add a bit more.
Once the concentration is strong, strain the mixture, then place strips of paper in the water and simmer until most of the water is evaporated. Next, lay your paper somewhere to dry, such as laying them on a towel or hanging them from a clothes hanger. Once dry, tear into little pieces and place in your sachets. Although the scent may not be as strong as you would like, once your pillows have been made and sit in place for a time, you will notice a nice, slight rose scent in your home. You simply need to give your home time to warm the papers, which releases the scent.
You may also use these papers in your vacuum cleaner. Place the strips in an envelope and place the envelope in your vacuums bag. As you vacuum your home, you will notice a nice rose scent in the air.

Probably not on its own, but its an excellent example of how consumers can vote with their buying dollars to sway market demand to bring more environmentally friendly products into the marketplace.
Bamboo flooring is a rising trend in home flooring and a great alternative to traditional hardwood floors. It is the most environmentally friendly natural hardwood flooring alternative you can select for your home, it is a renewable re, is stronger than steel, and has a greater resistance to expansion and contraction problems associated with temperature and humidity changes.
The bamboo grass is one of the fasted growing plants on the planet, only takes 5 years to grow to maturity, and can provide 25 times the bio mass of a comparable stand of trees. Bamboo is harvested every 5 years, and starts to re-grow immediately with new shoots when harvested. Bamboo is also strong and has a tensile strength exceeding mild steel. It can withstand up to 50,000 pounds of pressure per square inch versus some steels 50,000 psi ratings.
Bamboo flooring is also become a very trendy interior design statement with its rich and beautiful golden earth tones. It is important to shop around for a quality bamboo flooring product that contains no formaldehydes in its binding compounds. Many offshore brands use cheaper binding agents that may contain formaldehydes, and this can cause indoor air pollution problems down the road as all chemical compounds will slowly release their toxins into the air.
So why look to bamboo to save the environment? Bamboo is an excellent replacement product for much of the hardwood species that are being harvested in our global equatorial rainforests. Once harvested, these hardwood species often never grow back due to the thin layers of soil and lack of sunlight under the jungle canopies, and if they do grow back it can take up to 200 years! Our global rainforests are the lungs of our planet and provide a significant contribution to our global oxygen production, second only to the ocean.
By selecting bamboo flooring you reduce the consumption demand for rainforest hardwood materials, and in the process help save to the environment for our future generations. For more information and tips on bamboo flooring visit: http://www.laminateflooringzone.com/bamboo-flooring.htm

Batsheva Vaknin1392 2

There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance and beauty to a home. Whether it is a thick, all-natural butchers block table, an Art Deco wooden dresser, a simple mahogany dining room table or a sleek, modern coffee table, wood furniture is a staple in homes across America and the world. Make sure your wood tables, vanities and dressers stay gorgeous for generations to come with these simple solutions and guidelines.
Stain, Stain, Go Away!
Ever gasped after a child inadvertently left a giant scratch in the surface of your dining room table? Or cringed when a well-meaning adult accidentally knocked over a drink onto your beautiful wood coffee table? Well, fear not. One of the best attributes of wood furniture is that it is simple to touch up or renew its original luster.
Small nicks and scratches can usually be disguised with the help of a store-bought scratch cover product. For larger scratches, try using a felt tip pen or shoe polish in a color closely matched to the finish of the furniture piece. Shoe polish applicator bottles filled with the stain work well for the cover-up job, as do Sharpie markers. Coloring in the scratch is easy and surprisingly effective.
Get rid of pesky water spots on your wood furniture by allowing the spots to dry completely, then rubbing real mayonnaise onto it with a soft cloth, until the spots disappear. Erase color rings left on tables by cups and glasses with a homemade mixture of cigarette ashes and cooking oil. Prep the stain first by scrubbing it with an abrasive pad or sandpaper. Then, rub the oil and ash concoction into the wood.
And what about candle wax, marring the beautiful finish of your wood dining room table? Wait until the wax cools, then apply ice. Once the wax becomes extremely hard and brittle, gently scrape it off with a plastic spatula. Finally, polish the table with a rich cream polish, and buff away any residue.
Remove or Disguise Scratches and Stains

Problem: Solution:
Nicks, Scratches Magic Marker or Shoe Polish
Water Spots Mayonnaise
Color Rings Sandpaper, Ashes and Oil
Wax Ice

An Ounce of Prevention, a Lifetime of Protection
Prevent serious damage to your wood furniture by taking care not to position it in direct sunlight. Unless you are going for the weathered picnic table look, shield all wood furniture from the drying influence of the sun. Also, protect your dining room table’s finish using an inexpensive table pad when the table is not in use.
When eating a meal or entertaining guests, use a tablecloth or placemats to protect the finish of a wood table, especially when serving hot food. Place hot serving dishes atop a hot pad and candle holders over a large felt protector with a plastic top, since plastic prevents wax from running.
Use coasters beneath all glasses and mugs to protect your coffee table, dining room table and wood dressers from unsightly rings and water spots. Beware, because not all coasters are created equal. Metal coasters can sweat onto the wood, and plastic coasters can react with certain finishes on some wood furniture pieces. So consider choosing wooden coasters with felt backing and a waterproof material on top to further ensure the longevity of your wood table tops. The best coasters are those that taper up on the sides, preventing leakage.
Protect Your Wood Tables from Damage

Protect From: With:
General Harm Table Pad (when not in use)
Sun Damage Location out of Direct line of Sun
Heat Damage Tablecloths, Placemats, Hot Pads
Wax Felt Protector with Plastic Top
Water Damage Wood Coasters with Felt Bottom
and Waterproof top

Proper Care and Cleaning
Polishing wood furniture every week goes a long way toward protecting the finish from damage and helping your wood tables, chairs and dressers look their best. Beware, though, of cheap polishes, or any polish that contains silicone or alcohol. Alcohol can do permanent damage to a wood surface, as can any household cleaner that contains ammonia. An excellent polish can be easily made at home, by combining lemon oil with 3 parts olive oil.
Now that you know about polishes, don’t forget to clean your wood furniture as well. Regular cleaning is especially important for coffee tables and dining room tables where food and drink are daily staples. Use a very mild soap, such as a diluted mixture of hand soap and water, as a cleaning agent for your wood furniture. And if you really want to ensure your dining room table or heirloom wood desk stays beautiful, have your wood furniture buffed and polished by a professional service once or twice a year.
Make Your Own Polish and Cleaning Agents

Type: Mixture:
Homemade Wood Furniture Polish = 1 part Lemon Oil + 3 parts Olive Oil
Homemade Wood Furniture Cleaner = Hand Soap + Water

*Stay away from Alcohols and Ammonias
Now you are fully armed to properly care for your wood furniture. And don’t be disheartened if you are unable to make a nick or small stain disappear completely. Signs of use can add character to a piece of wood furniture, and are often barely noticeable. Whether it is a dresser, coffee table, bookshelf, desk, or dining room table, wood furniture is the perfect addition to any home.

Martin Smith363 2

There are some things to consider when creating plans for your home. There are two situations that call for plans or blue prints, either you are building a new home or decorating your present home. The types of plans required for either situation will vary depending on the extent of your project.
When building a new home, there are several things you will want to consider carefully. The most obvious is where you are going to build your house. The climate will affect where you build. You wouldn’t build an icehouse in the middle of the desert. You will want to determine what material you will want to use. Brick, wood, and cement are popular. In the southern states clay adobe houses are the norm. In the north and other areas brick, wood, and stone are options. The climate will influence this choice as well. In areas where there is cold weather brick and cement are used because they absorb and retain heat. In the south wood frame houses are built. The size of your lot will determine the size and type of house you want. You couldn’t build a mansion on say a quarter of an acre. On the other hand a one bedroom, single floor home would look strange on a lot that is two acres or bigger. Whether your home has a basement could be important and that would depend on where you live.
If you are lucky to have a basement, it can house the laundry room and your gym equipment or be a playroom/guest room.
Now that you know where and what type of climate you will be building in it is time to think about the plans. Blueprints are or have been used to draw a linear picture of the house as you see it. Now however there are computer programs that will allow you to build your house in 3-D. There are also web sites online that will also allow you to build your house and see it in 3-D. Not only that but some sites will allow you to place your furniture. There are several kinds of technical drawings that are used to create plans for a new home. There are site plans that address coding issues, landscaping, location specifics, drainage (land contours), trees, set backs, and property lines. A floor plan is a design plan of the house, the layout of the rooms, and where the windows and doors. Another type of plan is building sections, which is a cross section of the house. It helps determine any issues, visualize your finished house and floor plans using section marks. Wall sections show the construction of one exterior wall where sections are indicated with section marks. Exterior Elevations include such features as porches and decks. They also show furniture, window and door locations, eave heights and roofing. Interior elevations show the lighting layout and ceiling conditions. Porches are another very interesting option; they can be enclosed, go all the way around the house. They can also be half-enclosed and half-open. They can be reminders of times past. A huge porch reminds me of my aunt’s farm years ago. Porches are great for extending family time and conversation while still being protected from the weather.
Decisions to be made are the size of each room, the number of rooms and the number of floors to be built. Will there be a basement or a fireplace, and where is the house going to sit on the lot. You could have a front yard or the house could be in the front of the lot with a yard in the back. You could also put it right in the center and have land all around.
The next consideration is whether you will have a contractor draw up the plans which will be an expense, or you can do them yourself. To do them yourself you will need a pencil or pen, scissors, a measuring tape, and graph paper with 1/4-inch boxes.
You will draw rooms to scale; one box per foot is good. Measure your rooms, doors, windows, heat and air cooling appliances. Draw the outlines of the rooms according to scale.
Measure your furniture (you only need to worry about length and width here) next and take another piece of graph paper. Draw out lines of your furniture, label them and cut them out. Use these pieces to set up the rooms. When you find an arrangement you like, you can make a more permanent drawing. On another sheet of graph paper draw a box for each wall. Scale your windows, doors, built-ins and other features.
Picking a floor plan is a process of answering some very important questions. Will this place be big enough or too big in a few years? Does your design fit in with the houses in the neighborhood? Does the design of the house fit in with the lot size and shape? Will the windows provide the best view and what windows will catch the sunlight in the morning and afternoon? Will changes need to be made or can changes even be considered? Are the rooms that will be used most of the time of adequate size? Expanding your house size could mean you need to sacrifice amenities or storage space. Do you have specialty rooms such as a craft room, an office, or a gym? An office can double as a guestroom. The trend now is toward creating a family area where there is room for each to do his/her own hobby or to be together watching movies or playing games. When all the decisions are made and the plans are all drawn you will be ready to build.
Suppose now, that you are purchasing an already built home or renting an apartment. Plans can be done in these situations as well. Most places will offer a floor plan for you to look at with the measurements of the space in the rooms. If this is not available you can draw your own plan.
You would need the same materials and the plan is fixed, you are limited to what is already there. Draw the outlines of each room according to scale. Take another sheet of graph paper and draw the outlines of your furniture. Label them and cut them out. You can move these pieces around till you find an arrangement you like. You might be limited with your television set because the outside antenna is in a certain spot.
Take another piece of graph paper and draw the wall sections of each room noting the windows, doors, and any heating or cooling appliance might be situated. You will have already ‘placed’ your furniture so you will have a good idea of what your new home will look like. You can now decorate according to your tastes. In a rental home however, you might not be able to change wall colors or in rare cases hang pictures.
Planning for your home can be very exciting. You could be buying new furniture but you might want to consider the color of the carpets or the floors when you are choosing your pieces. A blue couch on a brown carpet does not exactly match. When planning for your home whether you buy or rent should be done carefully. Keep in mind your preferences, your limitations and if you are building, local zoning ordinances.

Mike Merisko814 2

Everybody would like to live in a mansion or a sprawling ranch but there are many factors to consider when choosing a house plan. There are also a few pitfalls that can be avoided by doing your homework and making the right choices.
Before you commit to buying a stock or custom house plan, you should know how much of a house you can afford to build. A good place to get this information would be the bank that you might use to get your loan from.
Once you know what your budget is, you can determine how much house you can afford and pick a house plan that fits that budget. One way to accomplish this is to call several homebuilding contractors in your area. Ask them what the building costs per square foot are. Not all contractors are willing to volunteer this information, but you will find enough of them that are willing to help at the prospect of gaining a customer.
With this information you will be able to determine the square footage of a house plan you can afford. If your budget is $200,000 and the cost per square foot is $100, then a 2,000 square foot home is in your budget ($200,000/$100= 2,000).
Another consideration is the size of the lot you intend on building your home. You don’t want to invest in a blueprint for a house that won’t fit on your lot. Check with your municipality or county on the distances you must have between the building and the lot lines. Most have rules on how much backyard you must have and how much your house must be set back from the street or building line.
Some towns and subdivisions also have what are called covenants. These are rules that dictate what you can and cannot build. Some of these covenants might include the minimum square footage house you can build, brick or frame construction, minimum roof pitch, and types of building materials you are allowed to use.
These are some of the important things you must consider. Building a new home the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Doing a little homework will keep you from getting an unwanted surprise and wasting time and money on a plan you can’t use.

(c) 2005 Mike Merisko www.sawkerfs.com
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Meena Datta173 2

Area Rug Buyers Guide brought to you by NatureRugs.com provides some important practical considerations when purchasing & decorating with an oriental rug.
When you begin decorating your home there are some important factors to consider. Your floors will usually be the foundation for your design. An authentic hand made area rug can visually integrate or harmonize diverse elements in any decor or can reenergize a room. Below are various factors to consider for purchasing & decorating with an oriental rug :
1. Size of the Rug – Area to be covered
Size up the room and the area you want to cover.
The most common area rug sizes are 4-by-6 and 6-by-9 feet. They work well under a coffee table.
An 8-by-10-foot area rug or larger can cover an entire room.
Smaller area and scatter rugs can be ideal for adorning smaller spaces-a hearth! , a bedside, the area in front of a kitchen sink-with a splash of colo r and warmth.
2. In the Home
Living Room
In a living room the area rug would most likely be placed in front of the sofa and under the coffee table
To place a room-sized area rug on a hardwood floor, choose an area rug which allows eight inches (twenty centimeters) of wood to be exposed around the rug’s perimeter.
Measure the open space up to the sofa and chairs making sure that the individual seated will have both feet on the area rug.
More than one area rug is acceptable.
Dining Room
There should be room to pull the chairs out from the table with the back legs of the chairs remaining on the area rug.
Stairs
Look for Busy & Dark patterns
Dark wool rugs are great for this
Hallways & Entrances
Dense Patterns
Wool pile (Most durable) with cotton foundation (strong and does not loose shape) is ideal.
Very light colors are not suggested
Bedroom
Do not recommend a room size Persian/Oriental area rug for the bedroom. Most of the pattern will be hidden under the bed in the dark making the rug prone to moth damage.
Instead, use multiple area rugs. A rug at the foot of the bed and two on each side Or use several scatter rugs to fill areas around the bed as needed. It will actually cost less and compliment your furnishings better.
3. FURNISHINGS
Begin with the end in mind. Visualize the finished look of the room. Do you prefer the sparse, uncluttered look or you have a room rich with colors and textures?
Remember that a rug is th! e largest splash of color in any room. Select your rug first, and then the upholstery to blend with the rug. Furniture should enhance the rug design or colors found in the rug
Next comes window treatment and walls; neutral shades are recommended.
Elements of a rug design can be further incorporated into the overall design scheme. For example, if the rug is floral, add framed prints or flowers in similar colors.
Conversely, should your focal point be furniture, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing patterns. Patterns can be mixed if they are coordinated by color.
Don’t get discouraged if you are having problems finding an area rug to blend in with your decor. We suggest you surf NatureRugs.com for the vast variety of Rugs that will suit your situation. For some reason, Jaipur & Agra Rug designs and colors tend to work with many fabrics.
4. Using Multiple Area Rugs
Should you use one r! ug or two?

One rug is the general rule as it coordinates the room together and helps select fabrics for furniture, curtains, etc.
In a very large room, more than one rug can be used to separate the room. The designs of the rugs should be different enough to create spatial separation, but similar in color and quality to maintain the integrity of the room space.

Two or more rugs should complement each other

One needs to be dominant in size
They should be similar in at least design/color/size
Smaller rugs should not look like clones

5. Color
If redecorating an already furnished room, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing patterns
Paint or paper the walls in colors found in the rug when color coordinating.
Look for a rug that h! as commonality with the existing color of the walls.
A rug with a bold, overall design can be the focal point of a room with a chair and sofa in solid or subdued patterns.
Light colored rugs make a room look more spacious, and deeper colors lend coziness to a room.
6. Durability
For floor rugs wool is usually a preferred choice as it resists daily wear better than synthetics. Wool has many wonderful qualities- deep, rich color tones, high durability and relative ease of care. For more information you can read article Advantages of Wool over Synthetic Fibers.
Silk rugs are better used for walls, throws etc. Living rooms are ideal to showcase silk rugs.
Chromium dyes are strong and deliver consistency and durability of color.
Vegetable dyes give the rug a patina of color, a casual look that is very attractive.
7. Shape
Let your decorating style determine your rug shape.
Don’t be limited to the idea of getting a rectangular rug.
A circular or octagonal-shaped floor covering can add flair and elegance.
8. What is the dealer return policy?
You should at least have one week risk free trial period to experience the rug. You can test the wool texture, dye quality (take a moistened paper towel and run it along the edges & center, the dye should not bleed out) & see if it fits into your home décor.
Other considerations:
Medallion design area rugs should be centered in the room & directly under the chandelier
Don’t select a busy area rug if the room’s color scheme and patterns are busy as well.
Keep your family safe by making su! re that rug corners do not extend into high traffic areas.
Watch out for the fringe. If the rug you like has fringe, make sure it’s sewn on well, and very carefully use the vacuum cleaner.
Look at the back of a rug, as this will usually tell if it is machine or handmade. If the fibers are stiff and run straight up and down, it’s a machine rug.
When buying oriental rugs, avoid going-out-of-business sales and auctions where sellers aren’t likely to be around later if your rug has a problem
In all rooms try to avoid having the corner of the rug end up in the middle of the doors or archway openings.
For smaller rooms, a small pattern is more appropriate. It gives the appearance of a larger room.
If you’re looking for absolute perfection, don’t buy a handmade area rug. Expensive hand-made rugs are not squared off as properly as imitation machine-made reproductions. Also read Article Hand Knotted vs! . Machine Made Rugs.
Don’t underestimate the value of an underlay. Not only will it absorb the impact of feet and noise, it will reduce wear and tear on the rug and make vacuuming easier.
It is recommended to rotate rugs end for end on a yearly basis to equalize wear.
Oriental rugs fade, as does upholstery. Avoid direct sunlight.
Another recommendation is to have rugs cleaned professionally periodically by a reputable cleaner
To meet Federal Trade Commission requirements Persian/ Oriental rug dealers label each rug with its country of origin and the distributor’s business name. Labels having the words Indo-, Sino- or Pak-, for instance, would indicate that a rug came from India, China or Pakistan respectively.
Rugs are called ‘tribal” if they are woven by nomadic groups.

M J Plaster438 2

Is your home décor lacking that extra something that spells the difference between comfortable and vibrant or between comfortable and tranquil? Candles might be just the polish your décor needs. Take advantage of the sparkling colors, rich textures, and fresh scents of candles without draining your decorating budget.
Some candles are best unadorned, but candleholders offer an additional opportunity to highlight their presence and beauty. You don’t have to burn the candles; you can use them as objects d’art, incorporating them into displays, floral arrangements and centerpieces-alone as an accent piece, or in a grouping as a focal point.
Typical candles no longer exist-they belong to a bygone era. Tapers gave way to thick and varied heights long ago. Today, you’ll find square candles, heart-shaped candles, fruit and vegetable candles, gingerbread candles, floral candles, Christmas tree and ornament candles, and candles with artistic free-flowing shapes. Within that variety of shapes, you’ll find an endless array of adornments, such as beads and glitter, straw, botanicals embedded in the wax, still life scenes, etc.
Color, Shape and Texture
Today’s candles come in a wide variety of hues and shades, and many add the dimension of shape and texture to their composition. Marbled, frosted, and sculptured candles are widely available in a selection of sizes, shapes and prices-ranging from votives to thick, oversized candles.
If your living areas are frozen in time with a monochromatic color scheme-you know the rooms we mean, they looked oh-so-good on paper until you lived in them for a month-use candles to rescue you from the monotony without the expense of redecorating. Marbled candles are a quick and easy way to work complementary or harmonizing color into the room.
If your home utilizes color well, but lacks excitement, accessorize with textured candles to add pizzazz to the room. Position the candles to create a focal point or to add just the right accent. Marbled candles incorporate several hues and shades of the same color, and variegated candles can tie all of the colors in your décor together.
Sculptured candles provide a warm substitute for expensive knickknacks and require a minimum of space. Add smaller sculptured candles to guest bathrooms along with guest hand towels and guest soaps. It’s the attention to detail that rolls out the welcome mat for guests and creates the ambiance of a memorable stay.
If you’ve never used anything but wax candles, try one of the new gel candles. Gel candles are translucent and their shimmering glow is irresistible to the eye. You’ll find gel candles ready to display in their own attractive glass containers.
Candles and Fragrance
Scented and aromatherapy candles make an excellent choice for the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom. Consider odor-neutralizing scented candles a necessity for the kitchen when you entertain. They serve triple duty by quickly neutralizing cooking odors, adding a pleasant scent and a touch or warmth. Larger scented candles often include interesting texture, shape and color variation.
Candleholders and Display Options
If you use your patio as a three-season outdoor room, float citronella votives in water on the patio for a lily-pads-in-the-pond effect. You’ll scare away the mosquitoes and other flying irritants at the same time. Place all citronella candles a few feet from the table so that you don’t run off the guests along with the insects.
Votive holders have blossomed into every imaginable shape, including butterflies, bejeweled beveled glass holders, and seascape holders. Many of the votive designs are ideally suited for an outdoor environment.
Hurricane lamps add light and atmosphere to the outdoor table in the evening. Eve lights can produce harsh lighting, and hurricane lamps provide enough light to see without detracting from the atmosphere. When selecting a candleholder for outdoor use, it’s important to select one that shields the flame from the wind, and hurricane lamps provide ample protection from the wind.
If you haven’t seen the newer tea lamp candleholders, you’re not going to believe your eyes. These candleholders are every bit as elaborate and intricate as their electrical counterparts. If you prefer the formal look of a chandelier, consider a chandelier candleholder for a soft, diffused light. The next time a storm or tornado blows through your area, leaving you without electricity, tea lamp, hurricane and chandelier candleholders will be ready and waiting.
Whatever your décor, imaginative use of candles and candleholders allows you to change your décor as often as you change your mood.

Caroline Smith1578

Bar stools are very popular items of furniture, which not only enhance the appearance of a room, but provide versatile seating for all types of occasions. Modern bar stools come in a huge variety of designs, to suit rooms of any theme and some are even made for outdoor use. From traditional wooden counter stools for rustic country kitchens, to contemporary metal bar stools complete with swivel seats, ideal for a home bar or games room, there’s a barstool design to suit all tastes.
If you like to entertain, bar stools are perfect for relaxing in whilst enjoying a sociable drink with friends. You can take your pick from various different styles, including simple backless designs with solid or cushioned seats, and those with armrests and seatbacks. Upholstered barstools can be covered with hardwearing fabric in your choice of colors and patterns, to compliment your existing décor and other furniture. Vinyl and leather bar stools are other popular options to consider.
Alternatively, you may prefer to buy stools with detachable cushions that tie-on to the seatbacks. This gives you the advantage of being able to change the covers for cleaning or if you fancy a change of look, and can be useful if your stools get lots of use.
When deciding which bar stools to buy, remember to take accurate measurements of the space available, to ensure a comfortable fit. Bar stools should be just the right height, so they are comfortable to sit in, with adequate legroom, but close enough to the counter top for convenience. As a rough guide, aim for a gap of around 9 or 10 inches between the seat and the counter. Think about the positioning of your bar stools and leave enough space between each one for people to be able to move freely. Commercial style swivel bar stools can work well in home settings too, and are great for saving space.
Online stores are excellent places to browse a huge range of different bar stools and compare prices, making it easier for you to find the perfect bar stools to transform your home.

Melanie Breeze978 2

Decorating your home and office can be a challenge if you are on a budget. There are so many different options, and most of them are outside of your financial grasp. A good piece of art work could cost you thousands, not to mention framing. How then do you decorate on a dime?
First, you need to know where to shop. Don’t go to a high end art gallery and expect to find something in your price range. Instead window show at the galleries for ideas on paintings that you like. Take that information and start shopping online. There are dozens of discount artwork websites, many of which offer prints of popular paintings. Try an e-coupon site to get some additional discounts on artwork. You can find coupon codes for some of the top discount artwork sites, saving you a great deal. Many throw in free shipping for going through one of these discount coupon sites.
Once you know where to shop, you need to figure out how to get the most art for your buck. Buying prints is an easy way to save some money. Print manufacturers will take a copy of a famous piece of artwork and print it out on a sheet of paper. Some of these prints may be printed on canvas for an authentic look, while others are on high gloss photo paper. They come in a variety of different sizes, and work well for almost any décor. Prints are so cheap; you can outfit a dozen houses for what you would pay for one piece of original artwork elsewhere.
Another tip is to forgo the framing and matting and do it yourself. Many artwork sites will tack on another hundred dollars for framing. Try going to your local craft store to purchase an inexpensive frame and mat. It takes only seconds to put together, and you will be very pleased with the overall look. No one will ever know how much money you saved by doing it yourself!
Lastly, be creative with your artwork. If you are unable to find prints that suit your style, try to think outside of the box. You can frame just about anything. Try framing posters, postcards, or even play programs for an interesting look. One of my favorite rooms in my home is filled with interesting postcards. They are all from different eras, and create a fun and interesting look. Best of all, it was super cheap! I spent about $50 dollars on frames, and about $20 for the entire set of postcards. It was a great deal, and I get so many compliments on the room.

Dawn Keadic1076 2

Wreaths are a popular decorating option indoors. The great variety of wreaths and their wondrous beauty make them popular with designers and decorators. Use of wreaths outdoors also provides a great opportunity to increase the aesthetic appeal of one’s home. Often found on door or lampposts, outdoor wreaths are popular outdoor decorating items.
The most famous type of outdoor wreath is, of course, the door wreath so often used at Christmas. Usually made from evergreen branches and decorated with sturdy touches that can withstand the elements, the Christmas wreath adorns millions of outside doors annually.
There are, of course, many other outdoor wreath options. The Christmas wreath, however, offers a wonderful standard against which other alternatives should measure up.
Christmas door wreaths are sturdy. The balsam fir or other evergreen branches tolerate the weather well without significant degradation. All other outdoor wreaths should share this quality. An outdoor wreath will be constantly exposed to the elements. Any outdoor wreath under consideration must be able to handle the probable climate of the region in which it will be used. It makes little sense, for instance, to use a delicately assembled floral wreath when it will be exposed to high winds. Likewise, a wreath resplendent in cloth bows is poorly suited for a rainy environment. Any wreath chosen for outdoor use must be sufficiently sturdy.
Not only should the wreath itself be sturdy. It is also important that the strong base of the wreath be decorated in a manner allowing it to survive the weather. Delicate decorations should be avoided. Items fastened to a wreath should be affixed with wire or a similarly strong method. A small dab of glue from a hot glue gun or a thin piece of thread will never sufficiently attach decorations for an outdoor wreath.
Decorating with outdoor wreaths can improve the look of a home and make it an inviting place for guests. However, appropriate care must be taken to choose wreaths that possess great sturdiness and longevity.

Rob Scribner1734

I have lived in Bend Oregon for over six years now and I have been serving the Bend Oregon Real Estate
Agents and Bokers as a webmaster. I have watched the Central oregon real estate market grow and I would
like to share what I know about the Bend Oregon Region.

Washington State – 02/01/2006 – Bend Oregon Real Estate.

If you like Americana living and a slow pace, then Bend Oregon is for you. There is a saying there.
“there is normal time, and there is Central Oregon time”. The people are down to earth and the shools
are calm and not infected with large city problems like gangs and heavy drugs.

If your want to live in Bend, Oregon, You should know:

- The sun shines all the time, but can get cold in the winters.
- You need to learn how to say hello more to strangers.
- Do not be in a hurry, its Central Oregon.
- Your get a lot of real estate for your dollars..

Here is some important realities to know:

- Cost of living is the same as the cities, yet wages are lower.
- Bend Oregon does have pretty good medical support, however you may have to wait longer for appointments..
- People in Central Oregon really do know how to drive in the snow.
_ Nothing stops when it snows, life goes on including school.

Bend Oregon Real Estate is getting higher prices by the day, however is much lower than the big cities.
The hard part is how to make a living. It is always best to have your own business to bring over, if possible.
Living in Central Oregon is good for the soul and good for the family.

Here are some reference sites to help your search:

http://www.bend-oregon-real-estate-search.com
http://www.bend-oregon-search.com
http://www.central-oregon-search.com
http://www.or-forsalebyowner.com
http://www.or-realtors.com

Jaima Brown13 2

(ARA) – It’s not surprising that vaulted ceilings are a growing trend in today’s new homes. Ceilings that rise two or more stories in one continuous expanse certainly give rooms a feeling of spaciousness. They also add a sense of drama, even grandeur. But they also present decorating dilemmas. What do you do with those long, tall walls? How do you make life under the “cathedral” cozy?
Tall expanses of uninterrupted wall diminish both the size and importance of artwork. While the walls can be filled with a patchwork of framed art, many of the prints and paintings are above eye-level at distances and angles that inhibit a clear view. In addition, vertical walls that rise 14, 15 or 16 feet from the floor tend to dwarf furniture at ground level. Without a unifying element to tie the walls and ceiling together, these rooms become cavernous and cold.
Coordinated wallpaper and borders are useful and affordable tools for overcoming these challenges. Combinations of wallpaper and border patterns that depict variations on the same theme and contain complementary colors unify the surfaces that surround these rooms. All of the wallpaper and border patterns in collections from S.A. Maxwell Co. are arranged into color families, and each group contains many designs and prints that can be easily mixed and matched. By embracing the whole room, they visually connect the walls and ceiling, enhance the grandeur and spaciousness of the vaulted ceiling, and segment the space into comfortable proportions.
The use of coordinated patterns also adds layers of interest to a high-ceilinged room and allows touches of detail. Place a dominant pattern on the main area of the walls. Choose one that complements the fabric on furniture and, in the case of this girl’s room, the bed linens as well. The pattern should also make you feel good. A cheerful floral from Maxwell’s new Winnetka collection is the ideal choice for this teenager.
Without any break or border, the floral walls of the bedroom switch to a complementary plaid that provides contrast on the two walls that angle upward toward the center of the room. At the center of the ceiling, these two patterns almost join in a rectangular frame. Slim strips of plaid along the edge of the floral walls complete the frame, in which a sponge-textured wallpaper seems to create a window of sky.
In this case, the plaid also masks irregularities in the shape of the room itself. The four walls don’t join at perfect right angles, but the addition of plaid makes them look like they do.
Many walls have irregularities that can make it difficult to line up a pattern, especially when ceilings are angled or curved. Instead of trying to match the pattern where the walls meet the ceiling, separate the two adjoining patterns by a border or a strip of molding, available at any home improvement center or lumberyard.
A novelty palm-tree print, also from the Winnetka collection, carries a soothing, tropical breeze to this master bath. Above the palm trees, at ordinary ceiling height — approximately eight feet from the floor — we’ve placed a border that combines a larger-scale version of the palm tree with luscious pomegranates. The border creates a continuous level plane to surround the room.
Above it, a two-inch-wide awning stripe rises to create a dramatic tent effect in which the vertical stripes curve toward the center of the ceiling. There, they take a horizontal turn, reaching across the space and pulling it together. From the very center hangs a divine detail: the sparkle and luxury of an antique crystal chandelier.
To locate a retailer that carries the Winnetka collection featured here and other wallpaper collections from S.A. Maxwell Co., call (847) 932-3700 or visit www.samaxwell.com on the Internet.

John Mussi651 2

To find the cheapest home improvement loan that you can, you need to realize that there are a lot of factors that can affect the amount that you pay.
The equity that you have in your home or real estate is a major piece, but other factors that are considered are your credit history, national and local interest rates, the amount you want to borrow, and even the types of repairs or improvements that you’re planning on doing with the money.
The cheapest home improvement loan that you’ll get may take a little bit of work to find, but if it can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the end it’s worth it.
Plan ahead to get the cheapest home improvement loan
Since there are so many factors involved in getting the cheapest home improvement loan, you need to plan ahead so that everything works in your favour.
Make payments on your mortgage early, paying extra if you’re allowed… not only does this reduce the total debt that you owe on your home, but it increases your equity and looks good on your credit report.
You should also pay down or pay off any other debts that you have (such as credit cards) to the best of your ability; every payment you make on time presents a better case to lenders to help you get the cheapest home improvement loan that you can.
Additionally, you should keep an eye on the news media and the finance section of the newspaper… find out what current interest rates are and whether they’re likely to go up or down anytime soon.
Apply for your loan after several months of making on-time payments (since some creditors only report quarterly) and when rates are as low as they look like they’re going to get to help improve your chances of getting the cheapest home improvement loan.
Ask for as much as you need, but not as much as you want
When looking for the cheapest home improvement loan, you might have to make a sacrifice or two when it comes to more frivolous improvements to your home.
If there are any items that you’ve figured into your loan amount that you can do without for a while, you might want to consider waiting until later and buying them with your own money.
Get loan quotes for both the amount that you want and the bare minimum amount that you need… compare the interest rates and terms to find the cheapest home improvement loan.
You might get a better deal with the lower amount, but if it’s not significantly better then go ahead and get the larger; after all, you’ll still be getting the cheapest home improvement loan for that amount.

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You may freely reprint this article provided the following author’s biography (including the live URL link) remains intact: ZZ

Henry Ramsey1302 2

Hot water heating consumes a good chunk of the average households energy bill. Doesn’t it make sense to accomplish this necessity as efficiently and economically as possible?
The standard tank type electric, gas or oil fired hot water heater has a thermostat that clicks on and off 24 hours a day burning fuel to keep the tank contents at a narrowly defined temperature. It clicks on and off because the tank, no matter how well insulated, constantly radiates heat to the external environment.
These type of hot water heaters have been around a long time and have proved fairly reliable only coming to attention when the pilot needs a relight or an older model starts leaking from corrosion or suffers from internal deposit buildup.
Needless to say, each of these on off cycles consumes energy, and wasted energy if the heated water is not being immediately consumed.
Gaining in popularity to address this energy waste is what is called the tankless hot water heater. Electric tankless water heaters only use electricity when they are called upon to create hot water on demand. Along with the fact that a tankless water heater can save energy and thus money, tankless water heaters can generate hot water at a more consistent rate resulting in a more reliable temperature.
There are a growing number of electric and gas tankless water heaters available on the market. Having such a wide choice makes it much easier to find a unit that falls into a specific price and size range. Since these units are tankless, they require less space and can be more flexible in their location.
While most electric tankless hot water heaters can be installed by the consumer, there are technical considerations such as voltage, amperage, or circuit breakers which may be best left to qualified techs who handle the equipment on a regular basis.
Now, just as you thought you got rid of that water tank, there is one other consideration to ponder. Adding a solar component to your hot water system. With or without the tankless system, any freely preheated water coming into the process will save gas or electricity.
Many solar designs incorporate an insulated storage tank like our old reliable discussed above but without the non renewable energy . In warmer climates where freezing isn’t a concern, a direct solar heated water circulating system can be employed from the collectors to the tank. In colder climates a drain back or heat exchanger type system can be considered. Whenever you have sunshine you can have lots of hot water stored up even if the insulated tank does radiate off some BTU’s.
Other than the initial installation cost, routine maintenance and small energy inputs in the form of circulation motors if required, the hot water is there from a renewable energy . When required, that extra boost from the tankless system can provide very economical and consistent hot water.
If the right circumstances are present, like designing a new house or living in the country, and you burn wood or pellets or whatever, you can install hot water heating coils in the firebox and route them to your solar storage tank. This adds an extra boost especially when it is really cold or at night when you have a good fire on.
If you happen to have a windgenerator or access to surplus electricity (like photovoltaics) that isn’t being consumed, stored or sold back to a utility, you can use a dynamic loading switch to ‘dump’ any extra energy into that hot water tank.
It is all a question of circumstance and the degree of multi system integration one wants to consider and employ. These are all appropriate technologies that can work in sync, in this case to provide the ultimate in economical but luxuriating hot water.
Article by: Henry Ramsey
www.HappyThoughtLifestyles.com

George Chapman1047 2

If you’re lucky enough to have a lawn with a good topsoil base, much of the hard work of keeping a lawn beautiful is already done for you. But many of us do not have this luxury, and besides, even with a good topsoil base, you still have to work hard to keep a beautiful lawn and garden.
1. The best time to mow a lawn is when it is cool and dry. Wait for the morning dew to dry off, and before the afternoon heat takes hold. Alternatively, late afternoon or early evening following a watering in the morning is also a good time.
2. A hedge is a much better boundary divider than a fence. It will provide better privacy and keep pets and children in – or out. It will attract birds to its shelter, and provide a great backdrop for plants and flowers.
3. Bring the beauty of your garden to you; plant hyacinths near walkways and doors. Their magnificent perfume will swamp the spring air and make your garden really come alive.
4. Add your garden to non-garden items, such a lampposts and mail boxes. Surround these items with flowers planted to take advantage of the earliest to the latest flowerings. You could have white snowdrops, purple and gold crocus, blue hyacinths, and various colored tulips. You could also surround the posts with rocks to provide added interest.
5. Simple, but effective weed control can be achieved on your lawn by mowing often during spring. This will prevent dandelions spreading by eliminating the yellow blossoms and preventing seed formation. Mow high during late spring and early summer. This will allow grass blades to shade the ground, and will help prevent crabgrass from sprouting.
Your lawn and garden should be a of pride and beauty. You don’t need to spend lots of money on expensive fertilizers and herbicides, or fancy lawn furniture and ornaments. A little commonsense and thought can go a long way to making your lawn and garden a much better place.

Lesley Dietschy493 2

Have you ever had the pleasure of strolling through a forest covered with fragrant pine needles? Can you imagine those pine needles being crafted into a basket, tray, or sculpture? In this article, you will discover the brief history of pine needle baskets and how to use these beautiful and fragrant works of art in your home decor.
Pine needle basketry has most likely existed for as long as pine trees and people have shared the earth. Historical references do not indicate when pine needles were first used in baskets. However, due to the availability of pine needles in their area, Seminole Indians of South Florida are noted to be the first pine needle basket makers. The Seminole Indians used a bone or shell needle to sew bundles of pine needles together with fern roots, sisal, or swamp grass. Some of the baskets were used for feed baskets, to carry water, and for winnowing seeds.
Modern pine needle basketry is noted to have begun during the Civil War times (1861-1865) when Mrs. M.J. McAfee of Southern Georgia used pine needles that she bound together with cotton thread to replace a worn hat for her father. She claimed to be the originator of pine needle basketry as we know it today.
In the present day, pine needle baskets are most often created using the coiling technique, which is one of the oldest and most universal methods of basket making. The basket is created by coiling and stitching one continuous bundle of pine needles around and on top of the row below. The foundation of the basket is formed with a bundle of pine needles bound together with various fibers such as raffia, split roots, birch paper, yucca, sinew, embroidery thread, yarn or waxed linen thread. Decorative stitches and wrapping techniques are often used to make the basket strong as well as add an attractive element. The most common stitches used are the straight wheat stitch, spiral wheat stitch, fern stitch, popcorn stitch, diamond stitch, the Indian wrap, and numerous knot stitches.
The pine needles come from a variety of different pine trees, such as Jeffrey Pine, Long Needle Pine, Monterey Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Bill Pine, and Gray Pine. The pine needles are gathered from the newly fallen top layer on the forest floor or picked from a fallen tree or limb and chosen based on their flexibility and length. Once the pine needles have been collected, they are carefully washed, cured, and then stored until use.
The natural colors of the pine needles can be used or the needles themselves can be dyed. Embellishments such as colored threads, buttons, beads, nut slices, and cones are often used to enhance the pine needle basket or project.
Pine needle baskets make attractive statements in home decor. The following is a small list of ideas on how to use pine needle baskets to decorate your home:

Display one or a grouping on a bookshelf to create an eye catching display.
Use them like you would any basket to create an appealing arrangement of silk greenery to accent a special little table or chest.
Mount a grouping of two or more baskets on a wall for interesting wall decor.
Place dried flowers in an urn shaped pine needle basket and place it on a nightstand for a charming look next to your bed.
Use a rounded taller version as desk organizers for your pens and pencils and a shorter version for holding your clips, rubber bands, etc.
Place faux fruit in a pine needle basket tray for an attractive center piece on your dining room or kitchen table.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless on how to use pine needle baskets in your home decor. Today, professional basket makers and hobbyists all over the world are creating these beautiful pine needle baskets. Many pine needle baskets can be found in art galleries, art and craft fairs, home decorating shops, and on the internet.
Pine needle basketry is considered to be a lost art that is being revived by today’s crafters and artists. With an interesting background and an exciting future, pine needle basketry and projects are sure to be around for many years to come.

Wendy Yeager231 2

Candles first served as the main of light for early civilization. They have made many changes through the years. The candles of today are not the same candles from hundreds of years ago.
Before the introduction of wicks, early Egyptians lit their reed torches by soaking them in molten tallow, which is fat from sheep or cattle. Romans later developed wick candles which they dipped into the tallow.
By the Middle Ages, beeswax was being used in the making of some candles. The candles burned cleaner than tallow and had a more pleasant odor than the tallow candles. However, they were more costly and only the wealthy could afford them.
In Colonial times, the settlers found they could boil berries from the bayberry bush to make a sweet smelling and clean burning wax for their candles. Unfortunately, it was tedious work and it took many berries to make just one candle.
By the 18th century, candles were being made from spermaceti, a wax which was crystallized sperm whale oil. These candles had an even better odor and would not bend and soften in warm weather.
In 1834, a machine was invented which mass produced molded candles. By 1850, we were using paraffin wax made from oil and coal shale. It was processed by distilling residues of crude petroleum refinement. Soon after, stearic acid was added to the paraffin wax and these are still the basic ingredients of today’s candles.
Today, we have many kinds of candles to choose from. We have candles in all different shapes, sizes, and scents. Not only do candles add soft light to our home décor, they also add tantalizing aromas which can affect our moods. We have many aromatherapy candles to help us feel better. And how about those candles which bring back childhood memories-There’s nothing like a deliciously scented chocolate chip cookie or apple cinnamon candle to warm up your kitchen on a cold winter day!

Angela Kaciomber806 2

How To Turn Your Bath Into A Spa
The public bath played a very important social role in Ancient Rome. Women weren’t permitted to use these public baths. It was a place were men often met in the afternoon. The public bath served more that a place to clean. It was a place to socialize and conduct business. You could say the Roman bath was also a place to network. The Roman bath provide hot and cold water baths and would often a gymnasium and or sauna.
Today the bath is a private affair. Nothing like a nice warm bath to soak away the days tensions. Your bath can act like an oasis away from the days hectic happenings.
A regular bath usually is a tub with shower head attached. That way we can choose whether to take a shower or soak in the tub. More expensive bathrooms have a whirlpool tub with a massage shower head. Some might even have sitting areas and a private skylight.
It doesn’t take much to make your bathroom into your own private spa. Why not add more fluffy pillows and towels? Decorate your bath with flowers and candles. It’s your bathroom, why not dress it up?
But does your bath need more than candles, flowers and paint?
Two things play a major component in the affect the outcome of your bath remodeling job. The size of your room and budget.
A successful bath remodeling occurs with advance planning. Planning ensures that your layout ideas and fixtures work together within your bath square footage and budget.
Place your fixtures and shelves according to where the sink and tub will be installed. You wouldn’t want to ruin your things because you put your shelf too close to the shower. Another thing to consider is the cleaning that goes into it.
Make sure you also install a ventilation system. Thing you want is your new bathroom getting moldy in a few weeks after a remodel.
Are you a bathtub person? Or do you like the shower. When remodeling your bath, keep your preferences in mind. Wouldn’t it be a waste if you’re a shower person to have installed a whirlpool tub and never use it? Why not splurge on a body massage unit with multiple shower jets?
Like always, with a new bath comes new hazards. Make sure you maintain proper safety measure. Your bath or shower sprays water on various surfaces. Keep electrical outlets away from water and make sure you have the necessary non- slip mats.
Create your bathroom to your liking. Make it plain or as elaborate to your taste. Remember, this is your place to relax.

Martin Smith956 2

Blueprints of ranch style homes are readily available on the internet and in magazines. The ranch home is the most popular home style in the United States. Ranches can range from a basic oblong shape to a huge L or U shaped luxury ranch. One relatively simple ranch home set of blueprints is a two bedroom, one bath ranch and has a 16 x 24 living room, 14 x 10 dining/kitchen area, one bedroom 12 x 11, and another 12 x 10. There is also a utility room and a porch.
Blueprints of ranch style home that is somewhat bigger has a 19′ 8″ x 15′ 6″ great room, 9′ 10″ x 12′ dining room, a 9′ 10″ x 12′ kitchen, a utility room, large master bedroom, with 1 ½ baths, huge closet storage area, and 2 extra bedrooms with a shared bath. This ranch style home also has a 2 car garage, covered porch and a patio off the dining room. The blueprints for this lovely ranch style home have an optional basement plan. Also included in the blueprints is a garage extension if you opt to build the basement.
Ranch homes can be economical to build, are attractive and they can be placed on a narrow lot if set lengthwise. They are ideal candidates for modular or pre fab homes. Ranch blueprints can have lots of amenities like fireplaces, large master suites, decks and porches. Ranch style homes can also be constructed with logs. Ranch houses are ideal for the elderly or handicapped since they’re generally one stos.