Monday, December 10, 2012

Review: Unbridled Injustice

Author: Ellie Boatman

ISBN: 1598000586

It was Charles Dickens who stated in his famous novel Oliver Twist, "the law is an ass," and perhaps in some instances we would have to agree with him. However, what is even more alarming is when judges are bigger asses when they exhibit judicial bias or they abuse their wide discretionary powers that is accorded to them within the family court system. They may even, in certain instances, look the other way when there is a question of attorney ethics. All of this leads to a violation of due process that every citizen is entitled to under our democratic legal system. Such denial of justice was experienced by Ellie Boatman Conger, principal protagonist in Ellie Boatman's debut novel, Unbridled Injustice.

Many authors have turned to fiction to provide a beacon of enlightenment in understanding bitter struggles during dark times, and Boatman is no exception, as she uses this genre very effectively in narrating how one woman from Kentucky had been wronged by the judicial system.

Set against Lexington Kentucky's equestrian community, the novel tells the story of Ellie, who after vacationing for a week in Florida with close friends, arrives home at the airport only to be greeted with a divorce petition from her husband Roy. This comes as quite a shock to a woman who believed that life could not be sweeter. After all, she had three great children, a successful husband, a gorgeous home and farm that included several prized ponies, and the respect of her hometown social community.

However, all is not as it appears and as Ellie asserts, "sometimes our lives are like sleepwalking. When we finally awaken we have no idea where we are and even less how we managed to get there."

Shortly after receiving the divorce petition, Ellie finds herself embroiled in very nasty and costly judicial proceedings that could mean the loss of custody of her children to her husband. To further aggravate this frightful situation, Ellie regrettably engages a young and inexperienced attorney, who was not too swift on his feet and consequently is outmaneuvered by the unethical tactics and devious behavior of his opponent, who uses every trick in the book to make life miserable for Ellie. Adding a little more drama into the narrative is the grotesque possibility of child molestation that is ignored by a judge, who has her own agenda, and a lazy social worker assigned to the case.

For a first time author, Boatman shows a great deal of confidence in her story- telling abilities, although at times the pony show scenes wear a bit thin, slowing down the pace of the novel. Nonetheless, this hard-hitting narrative is a page turner not only because of its plot, but also the strong message it conveys. Conger gets top marks for her clarity and richness of voice, all of which contribute to the reader's ease in empathizing with Ellie's anger and despair, as she fights the sometimes unfairness of the judicial system in order to gain the custody of her children. In the end, does justice prevail?

Review: Unbridled Injustice   Stay Out of Court! Avoid Litigation And Resolve Disputes Quickly, Efficiently, And Economically   Stay Out of Court! Avoid Litigation And Resolve Disputes Quickly, Efficiently, And Economically   Review: Unbridled Injustice   Stay Out of Court! Avoid Litigation And Resolve Disputes Quickly, Efficiently, And Economically   

Medicare Plan F - Picking Up Where Part A and B Leave Off

The Medicare program was created to provide low cost health insurance to people 65 years of age or older, those with certain disabilities or illnesses who are under 65 and for individuals of any age and afflicted with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Although there are many health care related services and supplies that are covered under the original program, it does not cover everything, leaving "gaps." As a result of these areas that lack the appropriate coverage, there are supplemental policies available. Medicare plan F is considered one of the more comprehensive options. It covers many of the areas that the original Medicare plans do not.

The Original Medicare plan has two parts, A and B. Medicare Plan F is one of the many supplemental plans that are available that offers program participants additional coverage.

Part A focuses on hospital insurance and it covers a percentage of inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health care if certain requirements are met. This portion of the program also addresses hospice care.

Part B helps participants pay for services that are "medically necessary," but that do not include hospitalization. These services include physical and occupational therapy, doctor's services, and some home health.

They also address preventative services that help maintain good health or prevent existing conditions from worsening. Medicare Part C was instituted as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. It provides the option for Medicare beneficiaries to receive their benefits through private insurance plans rather than through the original Medicare program.

Today they are known as Medicare Advantage plans. They combine Parts A and B of the Medicare program, and sometimes the Part D prescription coverage. This is often provided at a lower premium, with additional benefits. Medicare Plan F covers many of the deductibles and coinsurance expenses associated with Parts A and B.

From Part A, Medicare Plan F pays coinsurance, coverage for 365 additional days once Medicare benefits end and the deductible for hospitalization. From Part B, it covers co-payments for outpatient services, the first three pints of blood each year, the deductibles for medical and outpatient care as well as "excess" charges.

Although Medicare helps provide low cost health care to senior citizens, it was never intended to cover 100% of all costs. Medicare supplemental policies can be purchased through private insurance companies to provide the coverage you need based on your current circumstances and financial status.

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What Ebooks Are And How To Sell Them Online

Do you know what an "ebook" is? An eBook is simply an electronic book that can be delivered instantly via a download. Ebooks are digital, and can contain the full contents of a paperback or hardcover book all in one small file. For example, if you have an eBook reader, you could probably download all kinds of books to your eBook reader, and never have to use a physical book again.

Nevertheless, when it comes to selling ebooks online on your website, it can be a very profitable thing. There are people selling $50 eBook packages online, and they earn a lot of money for it. I personally think that selling ebooks are better than having your product sit up in a shelf on a book store.

If you can market your website and your eBook in the right way online, you can experience a lot of recurring income coming in on a daily basis - without any intervention on your behalf whatsoever. You can continue to earn money with your business simply and easily, and don't have to call your wholesaler and ask for more supplies of a product. With an ebook, your inventory is unlimited.

One of the most exciting things that you will see eventually in your online business is sales coming in daily. This can be a very exciting thing. Imagine having sales coming in while you sleep. You could work in your pajamas everyday and work about 2 hours a day, then go jump right back into bed. And then make a nice income for the day.

Now there are 2 ways that you can sell ebooks successfully online. You can create them yourself, or you can become an affiliate for someone else's product. If you create them yourself, it will take some time to complete. Make sure it's full of high quality information and not fluff, and you will see that you will receive a very small amount of refunds - if none at all.

Plus, make sure you have a good sales letter page. I can't stress this enough. This is how people will buy your ebook. So if you can fill it up with stories, features, benefits, and a great price... it's sure to sell within a short period of time. You should know that it's not hard to make money with your ebook. It just takes persistence and dedication, and you will be good to go.

Ebooks are still very popular and profitable in this day and age, and you will want to find a way to make them successful when you sell them. They're easy to create, easy to promote, and easy to make sales with - especially if you have the right price.

Market your eBook successfully online, and you will open a door that can potentially be full of profits. But it won't happen if you don't do anything, so you will want to get on the ball today see if you can make ebooks work for you right away.

Good luck with using these tips to earn money with ebooks today.

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5 Reasons to Consider a Self Storage Unit

We all face changes in life. They can be job changes, relationship changes, changes of home or lifestyle changes. Many times those changes bring about the need to downsize. Some people find it easy to downsize by selling or giving away their possessions. But that's not always the right choice. So what do you do when you don't have enough space for all your belongings? Cheap self storage options are the perfect solution. Here are 5 good reasons to consider using a self storage unit when you're going through a period of change in your life.

Moving House: When you move house, you can't always fit everything into the new place. But some of your memorabilia is too special to be thrown away or sold. What do you do with it all? A small self storage unit is the ideal way to solve the problem. Your personal possessions will be kept safe and sound and you can get to them and look through them whenever you need to.

Storing Documents: Paperwork is a necessary evil and some files need to be kept for a certain number of years. If you are in business, or have been in business before, you may have accumulated a large amount of paperwork that just can't be thrown away. And it's not convenient to store it at home. A small self storage unit is a great value for money option. Your documents can be kept dry and free from insects and rodents.

Car storage: If you don't have a garage at home, a self storage unit is the ideal place to store that special vehicle that you've been working on for a lot longer than you'd like to admit. You can retreat to the self storage unit whenever the mood suits and work away quietly on your project in peace and quiet. Your vehicle will be completely secure and, if circumstances mean you can't work on it for a few months, it's completely covered and won't deteriorate in the weather.

Sports gear: Some sports need pieces of large equipment such as snow skis, water skis, kayaks, and hang gliders. If you haven't got sufficient space to store your sports equipment at home, then a self storage unit is the best option to ensure that your valuable equipment stays in good condition and is ready for the next time you need to use it.

Hobby workshop: Perhaps you need a small workshop space and there's just nowhere at home that will do the job. Using a self storage unit means you can keep all your hobby equipment in one place and no one else can interfere with any of it. When you put a tool down, it will be right there waiting for you when you next have time to work on your hobby. Security is taken care of and your equipment is completely safe.

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Choose An American Made Tool For Your Next Project

The tool corporation Porter-Cable embodies the American dream. R.E. Porter, G.G. Porter and F.E. Cable came from humble beginnings to establish this organization. This company started operating out of a garage in 1906 and is now one of the best names in power tools. Their modest idea turned into a successful brand because of hard work and quality products. They became leaders of the tool industry by redefining quality standards and creating new products. They are one of the most trusted names in the manufacturing sector.

Craftsmanship and efficiency have become better since Porter-Cable began making power tools. The company's innovations made working with power tools a simpler process, they created the initial line of portable power tools. The Take-About-Sander was a belt sander that was the first electric portable tool. The company also produced saws and other portable tools. Many of the designs they pioneered are still used currently.

Porter-Cable redefined power tools and their current ideas are also unique and ahead of the game. They now deliver a wide variety of tools for any need. The company offers corded and cordless options, so clients can pick the sets that suit them best. They create drills, saws, generators and wood and metal working tools. Products can be bought for close range applications, speed and easy operation. The pieces are commonly made with lithium, cast metal, LED features and many other features.

Porter-Cable wanted to ensure that their tools could deliver a professional quality that would be evident in the work those using the tools created. Their standard of quality is surpassed by no one. Porter-Cable has won several awards like the 2011 Tools in Action award. The Corded Oscillating Multi-Tool won this prize because of the blade, strength, and range of accessories. Fine Woodworking has given their drills awards because they offer the best value. They continue to strive for products that deliver quality performances and are offered at a fair price.

The dedication to tools displayed by Porter-Cable is evident even when something goes wrong. There are a wide range of service centers that can fix tools fast. There is a five day service guarantee, so they repair parts a lot quicker than anyone else. It also is easy to order new parts or tools online or purchase them at a variety of stores. The American dream makes it possible for everybody to be successful. This business demonstrated this and their success is evidence of their perseverance.

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How To Sell on Craigslist for Newbies - 6 Expert Tips

Craigslist is a free, expedient way to move your unused items or merchandise fast.

I recommend setting up a staging area; a garage is perfect for this sort of thing. Any large items that would be difficult and costly to ship can and should be sold on Craigslist.

#1: Always take a picture, more than one is preferable. People like pictures and you are 85% more likely to sell your item if you include a picture, use the camera on your phone if you have to. Take the picture in good light and from a few different angles.

#2: Stage your pictures. No one wants to buy something that looks like it's sitting in a messy garage. On that same note, clean your item up. The better it looks, the more $$ you'll get.

#3: Post your items on Tuesday and Saturday. You can only relist on Craigslist every three days so this gives you the most exposure. You want to be on the top of the page early Saturday morning.

#4: If you have a large item and don't want to deal with fielding lots of phone calls and questions, my first strategy has always been to list my item with picture and a thorough description (yes...this means measurements...people want DETAIL) and say that the item will be available for viewing on a specific day and time frame. First come, first serve.

This creates a sense of urgency and frankly competitiveness about your item. It intimates that the item is of particular value and that you expect a great deal of interest in the item. A good time to do this is on a Saturday morning say between 8-10 a.m. You may end with a bidding war going on in your driveway! Cha-Ching.

The downside to this strategy is that people WILL SHOW UP EARLY. No doubt about it, so be ready for that. And if you post your address right away, there is a good chance they will show up DAYS EARLY wanting to look at your item. I was selling an old utility trailer once and had a gentleman show up at 9 p.m. the day BEFORE the sale just as I was trying to get my kids settled down and in bed. Let's just say he was not given the opportunity to purchase the trailer. I was not a happy mama that night.

#5: Try to avoid selling out of your home for smaller items. As a woman I just feel safer meeting somewhere and I think a lot of female buyers feel the same way. Include in your post that you're glad to meet up with someone and list the neighboring towns and/or areas you are willing to drive to. I tend to pick grocery store parking lots or Starbucks since they are always busy and easy to find.

#6: Compare your asking price against what others are charging for similar or like items on Craigslist. Try to price yours slightly less than the going rate or throw in a freebie or bonus. If you happen to have something that goes w/ the item you are selling it can make the difference between you getting the sale or someone else. For instance, I sell a lot of gently used baby clothes and toys. I pick up baby hair bows dirt cheap at the Dollar Store and give them away as a bonus w/ each of my items. Sometimes I'm even charging a bit more than my competition but my customers feel like they are getting a better deal so they buy from me. Everyone likes to get something for free. The same concept works on eBay, I give away bonuses or routinely offer free shipping.

For more information on selling on Craigslist, eBay and other fantastic side-income opportunities check out my NEW EBook, Make Money Now, How Average Americans are Beating this Economy, Making Great Money Online and How You Can Too! at http://www.ihavebeenserved.com/MakeMoneyNow.html

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Show Your Child How to Control Spam - Top 10 Tips to Reduce Unwanted Email

Unwanted email includes messages that have malicious software attachments, are part of some kind of fraudulent scheme, or are associated with cyberbullying, online child predators, or other illegal or undesirable activities. There are many kinds of unwanted email, with most sharing one or more of the following traits:

* They make demands on your time and energy, but provides little or no benefit.

* They have unexpected and potentially harmful attachments.

* They are intended to harass, embarrass, or intimidate, the recipient.

* Chain letters, bogus offers, rumors, and other information that lacks authority, usefulness, or validity.

* They encourage visits to web sites associated with malicious software, fraudulent activity, or inappropriate content.

* They make unsolicited offers for some kind of commercial product or service.

As long as your child has an active email address, there will be someone willing to send your child email he or she does not want to read. While no technique or toll can get rid of all unwanted email, You can help your to child reduce the chance that someone sends unwanted email by taking the following steps to make his or her email address less visible online or offline:

1. Choose mailing lists carefully: Encourage your child to join only mailing lists that send out useful and worthwhile information Also, your child should only join mailing lists that have an easy procedure for removing an address.

2. Avoid having an email address published online: If your child has to put an address on a web page, use a secondary or throwaway address that can be cancelled if it starts to get too many unwanted emails.

3. Make it hard for a machine to read an email address: There are many "email harvesting" programs that automatically search for email addresses on web pages, blogs, and other locations online. These addresses are then sold in bulk so that businesses can then send unsolicited email to unwilling recipients. One way to make it harder for these automated email-gathering programs to read the email address is to add a space after and before the "@"sign in the address. A human would have the good sense to remove the blanks, but a program would not. Another way is to display the email address in a graphic rather than with text.

4. Don't volunteer to receive email: During the registration process, many online services like email accounts or social networking sites ask if you want to receive product updates, newsletters, or other information by email. If this happens, the safest option is to decline. If your child does decide to receive this kind of email, only allow it if the site makes it easy to get taken off a mailing lists.

5. Use a secondary email address for administrative purposes: Anytime you do something like register a new product or sign up for a new service, there is always the chance that your email will be misused by that company. Encourage your child to use a secondary or throwaway email address for these purposes. If that business starts to send unsolicited email and refuses to stop, then your child can simply cancel that backup email account.

6. Be very careful with online marketing offers: Online marketers frequently use contests, surveys, coupon offers, and other enticements to get users to provide their email addresses and other contact information. It is very likely that an email address will end up in one or more mailing lists and that this email address may end of receiving many unsolicited emails. If your child is going to provide an email address for any kind of online marketing effort, make sure that it is a secondary or throwaway address.

7. Remove your email address from mailing lists: Remind your child to remove her email address from any mailing list that sends mailings she no longer wants or needs.

8. Follow the rules for school or work related email addresses: If you or your child have an email address issued by a school or workplace, then that email should only be used for related activities. When schools issue email accounts to students, or businesses create accounts for workers, their rules typically prohibit use of the email for personal purposes. If an email is needed for personal use, it should be very, very easy to get an email account either from the ISP you use for accessing the Internet at home, or from the many online providers of free email accounts like Gmail and Yahoo.

9. Do not volunteer your email address: If you have an opportunity to provide an email address, but is not necessary to for someone else to have it, then don't provide it. This goes for online activities as well as for offline activities.

10. Consider using a fake email address: If someone insists on being provided with an email address, and you have no need or desire to receive emails from this person, then provide either a fake email address or one that you no longer use. Obviously, if you have a legal obligation to provide truthful information, then you should provide a real address. But for situations such as an annoying person at a party who insists on getting in touch in the future, a fake email address will be very useful.

These steps will not totally solve the unwanted email problem, but if your child were to consistently follow this tips for keeping email addresses less visible, the result will be less time spent clearing junk out of the inbox and extra time spent doing more enjoyable things online.

Additional Resources:

Spam.Abuse.net -- http://spam.abuse.net

Stop Spam Here -- http://stopspamhere.ca/

Top 10 Ways to Stop Unwanted Email -- http://www.speedbrake.com/email/nospam.htm

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Motion Sensor Alarm Tips

Motion sensor alarms are among the popular choice for home security device users. Then why not, when we are living in a society where burglars are finding more ingenuous ways to enter your property? Always seek to keep up to date with the latest technologies so you can have those burglars where you want them. Motion sensor alarms can also monitor movements in areas at your home that not just target burglars but restrict movements in general. Let's look at some tips on how to use motion sensor alarms effectively.

You can use them as safety devices for your children. If you have a swimming pool or a tool area that you prefer not having your children moving around, you can set up this alarm to alert you when there is movement within such area. Some device can cover up to a 60 ft distance. Keep that burglar off your property at nights when you want to have that peaceful rest. A burglar coming within a certain distance of your home will trigger an alarm which will send that burglar away. Program your alarm to send an alert to your mobile phone when you are away which will allow you to perhaps ask a neighbor or friend close by to check on what is happening. This is quite handy for those burglars who think they can take something valuable before the police come. You can also program some alarms to call other numbers than your own with a message that gives your name and home address, and a notification that an intruder has been detected. Again very handy when you are away. According to the authorities dog barking keeps a burglar away. Use an alarm that barks like a real vicious dog. If a burglar hears a vicious sounding dog barking from inside, he will go about earning his money somewhere else. If you are using a wireless alarm, (which I would recommend), ensure that you get one that has a low battery light indicator. The last thing you want is for that alarm to stop working because of a low battery. Some alarms come with both visitor and intruder alert feature. When it is in visitor mode it will give a friendly chirp, such as the entering of a visitor to your store or home, but makes a loud noise when it is in the intruder mode. This means you can program according to your desire and of course use one alarm to achieve two purposes.

You now have some ideas as to how you can effectively use the motion sensor alarm. Buying this alarm is not enough you must know how to make the most of it. Take some action now you may not know who has plans for your property tonight or when you are away.

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Why You Need to Know Your Baby's Weight Percentile

Parents often wonder if their baby's weight is ideal for his or her age. There are babies who look small yet they are on the normal range, while there are some babies who look big and healthy, but they are actually overweight and not within the normal range. Thus, how would a parent know if the weight of the child is on the acceptable level or not? Hence, in this article, parents will learn the importance of understanding how baby weight percentile works and what are the things that they can do to ensure the optimum health of their child?

The weight chart for babies is used as a reference to know whether your child belongs to the normal range or not. Weight is regularly measured whenever parents go to the doctor or pediatrician for a monthly check-up. Using a baby weight calculator, parents can determine the percentage of growth of their child, as compared with the national averages. The percentile calculator for baby's weight is based on the World Health Organizations' Growth Chart.

For example, if your baby get 50% baby weight percentile, this means that there are 50% of babies of similar gender and age as your baby, are living in a most favorable growth environment. This allows you to know the percentage of your child's weight gain as compared with the national averages.

Using a Baby Weight Percentile Calculator is easy. Parents only need to provide information about their child's birth date, gender and their baby's weight in kilograms. It is important to note that when it comes to this data girls are0.3 kilogram lighter than boys, while boys are also 0.3 kilogram heavier than girls. Moreover, you need to mention the gender in calculating the weight percentile because boys are heavier than girls. It is also necessary to mention the birth date because there are also variations on the ideal weight score particularly on the first two months of the baby. For children between 50 to 60 months, the difference of the ideal weight score may be around 0.4 kilogram to 0.5 kilograms.

Moreover, knowing this information will allow the parents to know if their baby is having a healthy pattern for weight gain. Parents will have an idea if their baby's growth is stable or it is drastically changing every month. If you think there are some radical changes in the child's weight, it is better to consult your pediatrician immediately, so proper medical attention will be given.

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Hardwoods Around the Globe: Australia

Australia isn't known just for its shrimps on the barbie or the Outback. There is more to this rugged land than food and desert. Australia has a rich culture and diversity to it, but it is rapidly becoming popular for more aesthetic reasons. Australian hardwoods are quickly becoming the latest trend in hardwood flooring and with its twenty different species of hardwood planks available, Australian hardwoods are fast becoming the flooring of choice.

Species

There are twenty different species of hardwoods available from Australia, from Ash, Blackbutt and Tallowwood to various tableland species, which means there are plenty of different styles available from which to choose. For lighter colored woods, there is the Ash species, which includes Alpine Ask, Mountain Ash, and Silvertop Ash, which offers a nice pale wood with little to no knots or variegations. Ash planks tend to be relegated to indoor areas, as it is not as durable as some of its Australian cousins. In fact, Ash is a softer wood, and should only be used in protected areas with less traffic.

Unlike Ash, which has a more pinkish color to its grain, Tallowwood is a blonde hardwood with grey or olive green grains within its timber and is the strongest of the hardwoods, making this timber a more durable plank. It is often used in areas of heavier traffic, due to its denser core and stronger structure. Tallowwood can be used indoors or out, and when sealed, looks almost like beach sand.

Australia is also home to varieties of White Cypress and White Mahogany, which are paler woods, but if you are looking for a deeper, rich red wood, Jarrah can offer you just that. In the eucalyptus family, Jarrah's heartwood is a decadent reddish brown, much like the Cherry wood planks we are accustomed to, and can open up a room with warm rich tones. It is a medium strength wood, able to withstand lots of foot traffic, paneling and in some cases, the interior framework of a house. Karri is another deeper reddish wood, which when coated, brings in the oranges and reds of autumn into a room. The Karri species is not easily worked with, as it has a tenser interlocking grain that increases its density. However, when appropriately handled, it can be a warm addition to a room.

If you are looking for new hardwood flooring, why not check out what Australia has to offer. There are many interesting paler woods coming from the southern region of Australia which are durable and attractive. Check with your hardwood flooring specialist to see sample of Australian woods. If you decide to add in or replace hardwood floors, be sure that a professional, reliable hardwood flooring company installs the floor for you. With some hardwoods may be difficult to manage for new DIY weekend warriors, but an experienced hand to manage the installation in no time.

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Build a Stone Wall on Your Property

There's just something about a stone wall or structure that one can't help but associate it with strength, durability, and power. When you think of a stone structure, you might think of a castle, a monolith, or...maybe just a wall - but whatever the case, it's most likely going to be a heavy, solid structure that you should be able to count on for a long time to come.

Stone is similar to concrete in that it's strong in compression but weak in tension, and therefore can't be too thin or tall without reinforcement of some kind. This is why you don't usually see very tall or thin stone walls. If you do, it's most likely reinforced heavily in the middle with steel or even just "plated" on the outside but a different material inside.

But stone can still be used to make beautiful and durable walls and structures provided the rules are followed. First of all, determine whether your wall will be wet or dry. Wet is with mortar and dry is without. Generally, and for obvious reasons, walls constructed dry shouldn't go any higher than 3 feet and should be no less than 2 feet wide at the base.

But even mortared stone walls shouldn't go much higher than that if they're unsupported. For example, arched stone structures lock together due to their shape and are known to last for centuries, whereas a simple, straight wall that is built high with no supports will most certainly fail within years or even months. That's why most stone walls will have at least one right angle turn. This is not only for looks or function, but to provide crucial support.

On with the building... The first step is deciding where your wall is going to go and how far it will stretch. Now drive pegs into the ground at the appropriate locations and attach string to them. This will help you create a straight first course. You will need to have string at vertical intervals as well to ensure you don't veer.

Rule of Thumb: For every foot your wall climbs, it needs to thicken at least half.

Next you excavate the soil where your wall will stand. Dig down about 2 feet, and 6 inches wider than the thickness of your wall for both the front and back sides each. Note that the level of this trench floor is not crucial as you will fill it up with gravel. The gravel bed is what will need to be leveled to reasonable precision. Use a spirit level and a straight 2 meter 2by4, scraping away or adding gravel as needed. Tamp the gravel down.

*Replacing the gravel with concrete and widening the base is advised for higher walls.

Leave the gravel surface 2 or so inches below the ground level to ensure the wall foundation is locked within the trench. Now dry-fit your first course of stone, using an above-average selection. This first course is the most important in many respects, so you should use your biggest, flattest stones. (Keep enough good ones for the very top course though!) After dry-fitting, remove once, to ready for mortar.

After you mix your mortar, begin spreading it out on the gravel bed. Be sure you don't spread too much out at one time as you don't want it to start curing before you can finish. - But because you dry-fit the first course beforehand, it shouldn't take all that long. Firmly press and twist the stones into the mortar one by one leaving an inch or so between stones. Remember to check each stone for level in both directions.

Dry-fit the second course in the same fashion and repeat the process, staggering the joints. During this time it's especially important that you stay true to the string guides you have up! Failing to do this will result in disaster! All 90 degree corners you may have planned are also important and need to be carefully locked together in the same staggered pattern.

The top course is the one that everyone will see and notice the most, and therefore needs to be the nicest looking ones of the lot. Depending on how high - or short - the wall is, it may also serve as a bench as well! Taking care to ensure the top surface of the final course is flush and level will make a world of a difference aesthetically. - In fact, if the wall is in the 3 foot range, this is all most people will ever notice!

Every hour or so of work, you should scrape and wash away any protruding bits of mortar that would otherwise cure and ruin the final appearance. Use a stiff brush and wet rag to remove the unwanted bits, making sure the mortar has as even a look as possible throughout your wall. Depending on the stone you use, you might also want to go over all the joints with a tuck trowel or similar to compact and smooth them out.

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What Exactly Is High Net Worth Insurance Protection?

High net worth insurance protection is a particular kind of insurance plan, created expressly to fulfill the complex requirements of high net worth consumers. This type of policy was developed for customers with specific home and contents insurance requirements, that are not usually covered through a normal property insurance plan.

World-wide and 'All Risks' protection specifically provided

A high net worth insurance plan is built to offer insurance cover for antiques, art work, personal heirlooms, oriental and Persian carpets, as well as really expensive jewellery items. The majority of policies provide cover on a world wide and 'All Risks' basis as standard. This type of policy may also be extended to protect speed boats, yachts, executive jets, vintage cars as well as any extra houses situated around the globe. Extra cover will also be readily available for risks which include kidnap and ransom and employment liability for employees and private staff members. Cover may also be extended to offer complete annual travel insurance for the main policy holder as well as their family members together with legal expenses protection.

First class claims service

As well as the enhanced selection of benefits, this kind of specialist insurance cover also provides help with controlling your risks and will also offer loss prevention and home security guidance. In the case of an insurance claim, the claims support provided by an expert high net worth insurance policy is going to be quick, reliable and second to none. The majority of high net worth insurance policies are usually warranty free and don't have any tedious security stipulations applicable.

Make sure your expensive house contents items and home is completely insured

Usually, the kind of house contents that home owners frequently undervalue with regards to their net worth, include things like family heirlooms or inherited items for example, antiques, expensive pieces of art and valuable pieces of jewellery. For your personal piece of mind, it is necessary that the valuable items in your property are completely safeguarded, in case of a fire, burglary or accident.

Should you possess a quantity of high value items, you should think about investing in a high net worth insurance policy to make sure that they're properly covered.

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Using Paint Spraying Equipment to Prepare and Paint Surfaces

Paint spraying is the fastest and easiest method to use for any paint project and for virtually any surface. Not only can it save you time, it can also help you save money on materials. Paint spraying gives you a smooth, even coat that prevents you from having to apply multiple coats. Paint spraying equipment can even be used to help you prepare the surface you want to paint before you apply the finishing coat. Having a clear idea of what you want to accomplish with your paint project is important to ensure that you get the desired results that you want.

Preparing your surface for painting is likely the first step that you are going to take. In some cases you will prepare the surface by sanding it to get a smooth surface or to roughen it depending on the type of material. If you are painting over a previously painted surface or are painting a non-porous surface, you may want to apply a coat of primer to the surface. You can apply the primer coat using your paint spraying equipment as long as the spray gun you are using is rated to handle primer coats.

Once you have prepared your surface for painting, you can now using your spraying equipment to apply the paint. Some spray guns require that you mix some type of thinning agent to your paint to get the right consistency compatible with your sprayer. You should always consult your owner's manual to find the right thinning agent as well as the right ratio of thinner to paint. This will ensure that your paint gun works properly and that your finished surface comes out smooth and even.

If your painting project will require a finish coat such as a clear acrylic or lacquer, it is likely that you will be able to use your paint spraying equipment for this as well. These types of finishes are usually thicker in consistency as compared to your paint. Ensure that your spray gun is rated to apply these types of materials. You can always consult your owner's manual if you are at all unsure. The owner's manual will generally tell you exactly what your sprayer is capable of. IF you do not see it in the owner's manual, chances are you cannot use that sprayer for that purpose.

Spraying equipment is a very convenient tool to have. They can save you time and money when taking on a variety of painting projects. If you do not plan on doing a lot of painting projects and do not find it economical to purchase your spraying equipment, you can always rent the equipment. Renting the paint spraying equipment is a great alternative to purchasing it and you can rent it for as long as you need it. You can find equipment rental stores by consulting your local yellow pages or by a simple Internet search of stores in your area.

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An Introduction To Prefabricated Wood Garage Kits

Wanting to have a safe place to put the things that matter most is important. From vehicles to exercise or recreation equipment, having a place to put things instead of leaving them out provides peace of mind. Good prefab wood garage kits can provide builders of different skill levels the space they need. It's still important for even the best builders to do some research before making their final purchase.

Prefab means to many people a building that is prefabricated, made out of prepared materials provided in a ready-to-use kit. They can be made of wood or steel. However, most people don't know that prefab can also refer to a type of modernist building style. Typically consisting of clean lines and geometrical building shapes, modernist garages often mimic the homes they are near to, though they themselves only hold a car.

People who build things themselves are usually very proud of what they can do. They have many different reasons for choosing to build on their own. It could be that they are seeking an exclusive design. They could just be trying to cut costs, too. There are usually more costs involved in having someone create a design for a project than a builder doing it on their own. The most important decision to make first is what will be going into the garage. Some people just want to store a car, while others are looking for a multi vehicle building that could also double as a workshop.

Prefabricated buildings can be made out of wood or other types of building material. The person doing the building could simply go to any nearby home improvement shop and look over the available designs. An architect could also offer invaluable input in the design, then get the lumber cut and ready for the builder. It's convenient to have to do no more than put the ready-cut pieces together.

Timber has been the building material of choice for humans for many many years. The first forms of transportation were made out of timber, and many early inventions had mechanical wooden pieces. Boats were also made out of wood. When trees are cut or felled for the purpose of construction, the industry is called lumber. A country's lumber industry is often how it represents its wealth to the rest of the world.

The modern tree and lumber sector now faces a challenge when it comes to the quality of the wood available. In the old days of lumbering, trees grew in what are referred to as virgin forests. Modern lumbering is now done with fast growing trees taken from plantations or tree farms. The challenge is that these trees don't have the time to develop what is called heartwood, the denser inner wood of a tree. This means that the lumber has to be treated after it is cut, in order to make it stronger.

Knowing what type of building is going to be built is important. Garages are often quite small, but it's possible to choose a design that has an apartment above the bay the car is kept in. Some prefab garage kits come with designs that are big enough to be referred to as warehouses because they include room for a builder's shop.

Prefab wood garage kits can help the inexperienced and the experienced alike by cutting costs. Some smaller kits may include assembly, meaning they are delivered and put together right away. For larger kits, the builder should educate themselves on what to expect from a prefab building and what is needed for safe assembly.

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Building on Narrow Lots Made Easy

Building a home from scratch on a narrow lot can be a difficult thing to do. Most house plans are designed to be a certain width and length, and no amount of adjusting will allow these designs to fit inside a narrow lot. Rather than struggling to squeeze a full-scale home design into this area, it is a good idea to try and find house designs for narrow blocks instead. By creating a plan which will fit the space you have to use, you can then create the home that you want without struggling.

In addition to finding reliable narrow block house designs, it is also vital to find the right builders for the construction. Most house builders have a limited range of experiences, and you may not be able to find a builder who has worked on house designs for narrow blocks previously. This could mean that you are giving instructions to a builder without their having any idea of how the home will look in the end. This can be a serious problem, since you will be asking them to build the house blind, and you could end up with something which is nothing like your original plan. In order to get your narrow block house designs successfully converted into a structure, you need people with experience who can help you to work out the fine details.

Builders and construction experts are not just there to go through the motions of building your home. Instead, they should be able to offer advice and instructions on how to convert house designs for narrow blocks into a home that meets all of your needs. If you have not taken any legal or health and safety advice, then you will not know whether the alterations being suggested by your builder are all acceptable in a narrow house.

The narrow block house designs plan that you choose will have to meet all of your requirements, and this is something that you will have to work with your builder over, in order to create a fine-tuned building which can fit exactly inside your narrow lot. If you have not examined all the paperwork which goes with building a home on a small block, then you will have to consider it now, before the building is started. Once you have begun to construct your home, you may not realise how it diverges from the plan, and an oversight at any point can cause you to construct your house in a way which is not legal, or perhaps not according to health and safety laws.

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