washington-movies

WHAT IS F or FR BAKELITE ???

2011-09-28T07:02:00.033-07:00

Seems the majority of Bakelite listings today use the term 'F' or 'FR' before Bakelite. These are sellers using a new phrase "French
Bakelite" to describe newly made resin bangles being imported from Asia. Before I go any further let me explain. There really WAS Bakelite made in France. However, it was made in France at the same time that American Bakelite was made here. That time period was the 30s and 40s. Bakelite production ceased in France roughly the same time it ceased here..in the 40s. Galalith, a milk-based formula, was made in France as well but, again, is no longer in production. So, what's the story on all these French bakelite bangles being listed today? The story is that they are newly made (NOT in France!) and sadly enough made to deceive. There is a coating applied which will give a Bakelite "test" but after many hot water tests it eventually wears off. These are perhaps to some fun to wear but not to be thought of as an investment as there is no real value in them.
How do you know if it's real from an okay listing? As with any collectible, spend your time before you spend your money. There are several excellent Bakelite books available. Study them. Look at the patterns and the carving. gepare them with what you see listed. After a while your eyes will be able to pick out the vintage pieces from the new. Know your sellers. A seller with a really good vintage piece will rarely make the auction a "Private" one. Ask questions. The most important being "Is it Vintage?" Just that it "tests" is not good enough. Remember, although differently, these "test".

So, do buy Bakelite. It's wonderful, fun and terribly addicting! Just make sure if you think you are buying vintage....you really are!

sony cyber-shot DSC-T7 5.1 Megapixel MOST AWSOME CAMERA

2011-09-28T07:02:00.031-07:00

This camera really is worth itI have had it for a 2 month now and the camera takes very crisp and clear photos, even for fast moving objects and macro shots. I use it for okay alot and to capture my daughter growing up. "You need a good camera to take photos of them growing up because they grow fsat." and where everI go. It can fit gefortably in your back pocket and with a flick of the front cover, your are ready snap! Its easy to use and to download pictures to pc with the craddle, can't get any easier. If your thinking about this cameraI give it a 10

How to tell Fake and Variant Dunk SB from the real ones

2011-09-28T07:02:00.029-07:00

1. Check the tag on the inside of the shoe. There is a date on that tag and if it is not touching the barcode, then it is 100% FAKE!2. Check the outsole of the shoes. If the circular button is roundish and smooth and the nike trademark "R" looks or has a 3D effect, then it is real, but if the button is rather flat with sharp edges and the "R" is at the same level as the nike and the swoosh sign, then you are buying FAKES.3. If you're a big SB freak and want nothing BUT authentics, I suggest you take a look at nikesb.org before you buy any 100% authentics on okay. Trust me, you get your money's worth and you won't rock fakes.... Thanks for taking the time to read this, you'll thank me later.-krazeeflip182

TIPS ON PURCHASING COLLECTIBLES

2011-09-28T07:02:00.027-07:00

I have been selling collectibles for several years on okay. I have purchased and sold collectibles for over 15 years outside of okay. Here are some things to look for when purchasing or just looking for collectibles

How to survive bed rest! Pregnant moms tips and tricks!

2011-09-28T07:02:00.025-07:00

please remember to vote for my guide after you are finished reading it!I have been on bedrest my self for 9 weeks now. I am writing this guide to help you understand ways to cope and stay sane. First off congratulations of making it to the club! Better then saying I am sorry to hear your on bed rest! If your reading this on bed rest i assume you have a laptop in bed with you. There are a few sites you should check out to meet other mommy's like you. babycenter.ge has a bed rest board. and sidelines.org has a system to set you up with someone to connect with that has been on bedrest for the same situation you are in. So I would check those out, trust me its great to know your not the only one out there going through it. When I first was on bedrest I was in the hospital. when I finally came home i felt some relief, but then thought NOW WHAT!!?? The one thing I can not live with out if my laptop and wireless internet. if you don't havelaptop you can rent one form rent a center or something like that. Here is a list of what is in my room that helps me function:
Nightstand
lamp
I have a shoe box on top of my stand with my things I have to have, tums notebook pen tissues tylenol ect
I have another box on the bottom with magazines phone book ect.
I also have a table that tilts something like a hospital table, I got it form a friend who got it from a carol wright catalog on sale for 20.00. its nice not sturdy but it works.
TV is a must have
And phone
Ask everyone you know to save all thier catalogs and magazines for you. Catalogs are fun to just look at even if your not going to buy anything. but ask them to ask thier friends cause on bedrest you can look at about 10 a day very fast. You can also ask you doctors office to save you old magazines. I know most even give pregnane women pregnancy magazines and parenting one. I go home with about 6 a week.
Subscribe to your local newspaper, its something to read and pass the time, also it will help you keep up on whats going on.
If you belong to a church or some churches will help if your not a member. Ask to be put on a prayer list and tell them why. Also ask if the women group wouldn't mind helping out. Alot of the older members understand and they might offer to cook diner or clean.
You have to remember if help is offered TAKE IT!!!!!!! At first it will feel weird but if they didn't want to help they wouldn't offer!
Its fall right now alot of sales going on, start christmas shopping online. Even if you just buy one gift a week you will be ahead of yourself.
Search for recipes! Even though you can't cook right now its a good time to get your recipes in order, you can also look up things for the crock pot you can have your helper make or hubby.
Keeping the house tidy is a big worry alot of us have. I know if I make a list my hubby will do it, it might take a few days but he gets it done and my house has stayed clean. I also clean in spurts. Like when I get out of the shower I might clean the toilet, then the next time the sink. One tiny job at a time. Like if I gee out to the kitchen to get water, I might wipe off the stove. DON"T be sweepingfloors and washing clothes!
The big problem on bedrest is when nesting kicks in! BUT you can organize while on bed rest. Have some one bring you a drawer from the kitchen or dresser in bed and go through it. I now have my daughters room done. Soon I will start on the kitchen. Also when its time to get the baby stuff washed ect. lay in bed a sort it. i have mine in bags to the sizes. I will give hubby 1 bag to wash dry and bring to me in bed to fold or hang.
Don't forget your local library! many have a online system you can place books on hold. Mine even have movies and tv seasons. If you don't have a card ask hubby or your helper to get one and place it on hold in thier name,since they will be the ones picking them up anyways. If they don't have a online system then call they usually have some service to help the home bound.

Ok tips if you have kids.
I have PBS sprout so I am safe when my little girl gees in my room to watch tv. But if you don't have a dvd or tape in the vcr at all times you can just pop it on. Its fun to watch my daughter jump and dance on the bed to barney, and it brightens my day.
If you have older kids remind them mommy won't be in bed forever. and tell them you love them everyday.
Keep craft supplies by your bedside. you can get one of those shoe organizer to hang next to you bed and keep crayons pens markets ect in each pocket. get craft paper. Even your local store like walmart ect has a nice selection of kids crafts in a box in the craft section. I am sure you can find something simple and easy to do in bed with your child.
make a movie night! order pizza and watch a movie with the kids in bed. don't forget about online movie clubs like blockbuster and netflix.
There are so many tips I can give but this is the basics. Just try to relax, the first few weeks are VERY hard, after 1 week at home I felt like a pro and now its going very fast.
Thanks for checking out my guide and I hope it helped you get some ideas. Please remember to vote so people will know if I was helpful or not

ADDED 10-13-06 I spent 12 weeks on bedrest. It was awful but well worth it. My baby came early still but she is doing really well!

Buying a Sax

2011-09-28T07:02:00.023-07:00

Just be perfectly aware that there is a big difference between the names Selmer and Selman. Some ads will tell you their Selman saxophone is not one of the cheap knockoffs, and will advertise as though they were selling a Selmer.http://www.the-saxophone.ge/selman-saxophones.html - This site indicates that "While Selmer makes saxophones that retail for well over $1000, the
usual price for a Selman is under $300. Any new saxophone that sell for
such a cheap price should probably be avoided."So be informed, and be aware of what you're purchasing. Selmer is the respectable brand, and Selman is just a similar sounding knock-off of that brand.

Beast Machines Transformers: List

2011-09-28T07:02:00.021-07:00

Collecting Beast Machines Transformers can be quite a challenge. Hasbro's production on the figures was rather sporadic, making it difficult to know when and what was being released. This guide is designed to help the basic collector, the gepletist, and
even those who only want "show" figures by providing a geplete list
including variations of the entire line, broken down by Maximal

Wentworth Tradd on Puma's Future Cat

2011-09-28T07:02:00.019-07:00

In case you haven't noticed, athletic shoes (trainers, running
shoes, tennis shoes, sneakers, whatever you choose to call them) are
getting slimmer and lighter again. Puma's Future Cat is on the
cutting edge of that trend.

Puma is the more serious sibling of Adidas- you've heard about the
little German town that was torn in two when Adi Dassler and his
brother Rudi went their separate ways in 1948. While Adidas got
most of the press- especially in the 70's, especially in the US- and
became known almost as much as a fashion brand as a maker of athletic
shoes, Puma's strength remained real sports equipment, such as
track shoes.

And, while some will claim the inspiration for the Future Cat (and its
sibling line, Future Cat II) is in driving shoes, to my mind, they are
very reminiscent of track shoes from the pre-Nike era. They also bear a
strong resemblance to rock climbing shoes. Having said that, it is hard
to ignore the wrapped heel feature, clearly designed for driving (or
resting them on top of furniture, I suppose). Wherever their
inspiration, they are great looking, great feeling shoes. They
gee in assorted colors and both smooth leather and suede finishes,
with that great Puma track stripe on the outside face. If you are ready
to go with a little less thickness between you and the ground, these
may be the shoes for you. I got mine on okay (of course) at about
half off retail. I sincerely hope you can do the same.

HERE IS THE PRACTICAL PART: These shoes seem to run small and
just a tiny bit narrow. I ordinarily wear a size 8 in most dress shoes,
but even with thin socks, the Future cat 8.5 fits me snugly, if
gefortably. They are very lightweight at approximately 10 ounces each
(that would be 280 grams, I believe) and feature asymmetrical
lacing. After all, our feet are asymmetrical, too. At its thickest, the
visible sole is about 5/8 (five eighths) of an inch thick.

Despite all of that stuff about Serious Equipment, Puma is now
perfectly willing to call many of their offerings "lifestyle shoes",
which is what most of us do in our "athletic" shoes anyway- we style
our lives away. I hope that this little guide has helped
you add just a little more style to your life and that you will take a
moment to vote "yes"' for its helpfulness. Please do look at my other
guides and reviews, on a surprising array of topics.

Thanks
WT

Choosing Luxury Bedding

2011-09-28T07:02:00.017-07:00

LuxuryBedSets.ge
Choosing luxury bedding is not an simply task. Customers must understand the factors which contribute to the value like the types of cotton, types of weave (sateen, damask,chenille), thread count, ply and embroidery.

Ref.1 - Types of Cotton
Consumers should always be looking for the best quality cotton products made from an extra-long staple cotton ( ELS cotton). The long fibers of ELS cotton make a stronger and more softer yarn, and, in turn, weave into a much stronger and softer fabric. Most high thread count sheets are made from ELS cotton because a long fiber is needed to make a very thin, yet strong, yarn. Among the ELS cottons is Pima, Supima and Egyptian cotton . Pima cotton is a generic label given to any ELS cotton grown in any country from a particular type of long-staple cotton. Supima cotton is Pima cotton grown in the U.S. Egyptian cotton is a fine, lustrous, long staple cotton grown in Egypt. Long staple cottons are more expensive than the gemonly available cottons, because they are synonymous with quality and have a higher thread count. The quality and feel of a sheet depends on the fibre the fabric is made from and the number of threads woven per inch. The higher the thread count, the softer and more durable the sheet. Also, if it doesn't say 100%, don't assume 100% Cotton.
Ref.2 - What is Mercerized Sateen?
Sateen is usually a cotton fabric that has a satin-like feel. It's often found in bed sheets and other textiles throughout the world. Sateen is usually 100% woven cotton, although it is occasionally formed from rayon. Like percale, sateen method in which the sheet was woven. The weave is what gives the sateen sheet its soft, satin-like feel. The material is lustrious and smooth to the touch. Only carded or gebed yarns are used. gebed cotton is screened from impurities. The best quality sateen is mercerized to give it a higher sheen. Mercerized cotton has been treated with sodium hydroxide to shrink it and increase its luster and affinity for dye. It is also makes it more mildew resistant and stronger. Some sateen sheets are only calendared to produce the sheen. This is when the fabric is pressed between two rolling pins to give it a glossier appearance. This is lower-grade sateen. The sheen will eventually fade away with a few washings. This is not considered genuine sateen. Genuine sateen can be bleached, dyed, or printered.
Ref.3 - Thread Count Information
Thread count (TC) refers to the number of fibers woven together in one-square-inch of fabric. It can range from 80 to 1200. The higher the thread count, which requires finer threads, the desirable smoother and softer the fabric. However finer threads mean the threads a slightly more delicate, so one must use proper care when washing. An other important criteria is ply. Ply refers to the number of single fibers twisted together before it is woven into a fabric. By twisting two fibers together, the thread count can be doubled. Some 1000TC sets of sheets are actually 330TC 3-ply or 250TC 4-ply. The higher the ply, the heavier and thicker the sheet and the greater chance of the fabric pilling (little balls). The highest thread count that can be woven into a single ply is 500TC. All 1000TC sheets are at least 2-ply. In summary, if softness is desired, a high thread count and low ply is required but at a higher cost. If one prefers a heavier sheets, a high thread count with a high ply (3-4) is required. They will also keep one warmer. If one chooses a higher thread count, proper care must be done to prevent pilling. Anything above 300TC is usually soft enough for most people. If one prefers a lighter sheet, select 250 to 500TC range with a single ply.
Zafer
http://www.luxurybedsets.ge

Blogging - s Style -- Have fun and learn a LOT!!!

2011-09-28T07:02:00.015-07:00

Before I started blogging on okay, I really thought that blogging was for kids and people who suffered from a need to open their world to others they had never met, but who they thought would be interested in their lives. This was somewhat realistic for celebrity types, but made little sense to me for the average adult.
okay changes my view
Blogging on okay offers the buyers and sellers, and the "window shoppers" a relatively unstructured venue in which to share ideas, get quick help, share a laugh, and, yes, to make "friends" with others in their virtual gemunity. okay has been engaged in a promotion of their Blogs and this has afforded me the opportunity to read great thoughts, wonderful stories and, yes "soap opera" type drama.
How it works
okay blogging rules are rather simple and straight forward. Use the link below to review these guidelines.
okay Blog Guidelines
What can I use it for?
okay offers the Blog gemunity to be used in various ways, specifically, okay defines the use of Blogs as follows:
"An okay Blog (Web log) gives you an online publishing tool to share your opinions with the rest of the okay gemunity. Blogs can be used for a variety of purposes: to enhance an okay store, share personal experiences or talk about collectibles you like to win on okay. What you write on your okay Blog is up to you because it's all about you."
Lessons I have learned
Through reading the various blogs throughout the day, I have learned the following:

Nobody likes a BLOG HOG -- the Blog Hog is the guy who constantly submits new entries to his Blog. Why is this objectionable? Well, the way the blogs and posts are displayed is in a two-column format. Most recent entries are listed in the left column, while most recent Blogs are listed in the right column. The Blog Hog's repetitive entries cause all the other recently posted entries to scroll so quickly off the screen that they don't get to be seen by many bloggers. This means that great entries scroll right off the screen, never having had the opportunity to be read or gemented on by others.

Australian Gold Nugget and Kangaroo Bullion Coins

2011-09-28T07:02:00.013-07:00

Australian Gold Nuggets and Kangaroos
Hopefully, everything you need to know about Australian gold nuggets and kangaroos.

One Ounce of Gold
Many countries now issue a one ounce bullion coin, to be sold at a very
low premium over the intrinsic gold value. The Australian version is
the Nugget or Kangaroo.

ssautochrome balanced perspective

2011-09-28T07:02:00.011-07:00

I just read a guide that was a major flame of ssautochrome. I've bought quite a few turbo products from ssautochrome and my experience has been very consistent. Two things have stood out. Ultra fast shipping. Items expected in 4 days usually arrive in 3. Second, and this is why I first dealt with SSAutochrome, is very gepetitive pricing. Last year my brother in law and I put together a custom turbo kit for his 1.8 Mazda Miata largely with parts from SSAutochrome and the whole thing came together for around $1,400.00. 220hp at the rear wheel for $1,400.00. We've even discussed getting together with SS to put together a formal kit. Whenever I purchase a part for significantly below market value, I check it for defects like the author of the guide I've referred to experienced. I've not had the experience with SS but I have had the same experience with undressed welds on inexpensive parts which were quickly rectified PRIOR to assembly with no problems down the road. I would hope that SS can work with the angry customer in question to find a mutually satisfactory resolution. By the tone of the guide I read it seems unlikely that any useful discussion could take place. SS does have a phone number. I've never had occasion to call it, but I found it within about 3 minutes of searching while I was doing my due diligence before plunking down my hard earned cash for a part who's price seemed too good to be true. I do hope that those who read the rantings of an angry customer with questionable mechanical expertise will take the time to make their own judgement of a vendor that I've had nothing but good experiences with. Yes, I will continue to spend my hard earned cash with SS. When I have a choice between buying from an unknown and from SS I go with SS. Someday I might decide I have too much money and go for extremely high end turbo equipment, but for now I'm very pleased with very economically priced quality products.

Snap on Price Guide

2011-09-28T07:02:00.009-07:00

I just read a post saying it is not cheaper to buy Snap-on, Mac ect...sockets in quanity. That is incorrect. I buy Snap-on tools on a weekly basis for my job. It is by far cheaper to buy a whole set of sockets than it is to purchase each one seperate. Also, they (Snap-On) have never charged me extra for the socket rail let alone each clip that goes with it.
Granted, Craftsman is a lot cheaper than Snap-on or Mac but the quality is so much greater than Craftsman if you use them on a daily basis like myself.
Im not trying to start anything with the previous posts, just stating my opinion/experiance.
Thanks
Matt

Chinese Gold Panda Bullion Coins - One Troy Ounce

2011-09-28T07:02:00.007-07:00

Panda Fact File

Brief history of, and information about, Chinese gold pandas.

One Ounce of Gold

Many
countries now issue a one ounce bullion coin, to be sold at a very low
premium over the intrinsic gold value. The Chinese version is the Panda.

Unlike
krugerrands, Britannias, and US gold eagles, the Chinese pandas are
made of "fine" gold (99.9% pure) instead of 22 carat (91.66%). This
appears to have added to their popularity,

In addition to the usual one troy ounce size, there are four fractional weights going down to 1/20th of an ounce.

Krugerrands versus Pandas

Because krugerrands were the first one ounce gold bullion coins to be issued, it is worth geparing gold pandas with krugers.

Krugerrands
were first issued in 1967, as one ounce bullion coins. From 1980, they
were also produced in fractional sizes of half ounce, quarter ounce,
and tenth ounce. Pandas were introduced in 1982. The premium charged on
pandas by the Chinese mint is higher than that charged for krugerrands
or most other gold bullion coins. Although this may make them slightly
less attractive to investors interested purely in their gold content,
it does not appear to have deterred collectors.

Gold pandas were
extremely successful when they were first introduced, we have heard
reports of the 1982 coins selling at over $3,000 US or over 2,000;
this panda mania continued for several years, peaking about 1987, since
then issue quantities have dropped and many dates are not easy to find.

The Panda Family

Almost
every year the reverse design of the panda is changed, which makes the
panda series more interesting to collectors. Pandas are regularly
produced in five sizes from one ounce to a twentieth ounce, although in
some years much larger sizes have been issued, sometimes in very
limited quantities.

Pandas - New Designs

The obverse design shows the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.

The reverse designs of Chinese gold pandas are changed almost every year as mentioned above.

Low Premium Over Gold Content

As
with most one ounce gold bullion coins, they are made available to
world bullion dealers at a relatively low premium over gold content,
even though this is higher for pandas than for most other bullion coin
issues.

Higher Premium on Smaller Sizes

The
fractional sizes were issued at higher premiums than the one ounce
versions. The fractional coins have never been as popular as the full
one ounce coins, usually only being purchased as singles, although they
are often used in jewellery.

VAT Free From January 2000

In Britain investment gold coins, including Chinese gold pandas became VAT free from January 1st 2000.

Continuous Service from Chard

Chard have maintained a dealing service for both collectors and investors in bullion and numismatic coins since 1964.

Technical Specifications

The following table summarises the specifications of all the sizes.

Sorry, but okay do not allow html code, so this table is not as neatly formatted as it is on our website.

Size

Value
Diameter Weight
Fineness Gold Content Gold
Content

One Ounce 100 Yuan
32.103 31.1036
.999
31.103
1.0000

Half
50 Yuan
27.00 15.5517
.999 15.55

0.5000

Quarter
25 Yuan 21.95
7.7758
.999
7.77
0.2500

Tenth
10 Yuan 17.95
3.1103
.999
3.110
0.1000

Twentieth 5
Yuan 13.92
1.5552
.999
1.55
0.0500

geplete Set 190 Yuan
N/A 59.1548
.999 59.083
1.9000

Author

Guide to Buying White Gold

2011-09-28T07:02:00.005-07:00

What is White Gold
White gold is an alloy of gold and other white metals including silver and palladium. Like yellow gold, white gold can be 18kt, 14kt, 9kt or any karat. Just like 18kt yellow gold which is 75% gold mixed with 25% of other metals like copper and zinc, 18kt white gold is 75% gold mixed with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium.

What Constitutes White Gold
The properties of the white gold vary dependant metals and proportions used. As a result, white gold alloys can be used for different purposes. Whereas a white gold, nickel* alloy is hard, strong and great for white gold rings and pins, white gold palladium alloys are soft, pliable and great for white gold gemstone settings.
*Although nickel was traditionally used in white gold, it can cause skin reactions. Now white gold is gemonly made with other white metals.
White Gold Luster
White gold rings are coated with Rhodium. Rhodium is similar to platinum and shares many its properties including its white color. Because the natural color of white gold is light grey, rhodium plating makes white gold whiter. Since rhodium eventually wears away, white gold should be re-rhodium plated every 12 to 18 months.

Find White Goldon okay
Once you know the white gold you want, start searching under the okay jewelry

Attracting butterflies - and bees - to your garden

2011-09-28T07:02:00.003-07:00

Many people are seeing the advantages of a "butterfly garden" - a garden that attractsbutterflies byits scents and flowers - but not as many are convinced of the benefits of attracting bees. However, the garden that attracts butterflieswill also attract bees- and that's a good thing!
Why?
Because a garden that is healthy enough to attract butterflies will also attract bees. In fact, a garden that is healthy and natural will attract a wide variety ofbeneficial insects and birds.Bees also pollinate plants - nature's way ofensuring that plants continue to reproduce. Although other insects can do the same thing, bees are very efficient at it. And what is great is that many of the same plants that attract butterflies also attract bees, such as flowering plants like butterfly bush and purple coneflower,and herbs like mint andcatnip. Any plant that flowers would be good to attract beesto the garden.And letting the garden go a little wildalso helps, because the insecticides and pesticides put on gardens to"control" it tend to kill butterflies and bees, and they are harmful to humans as well. (After all, you have noticed that you're not allowed to go on grass that's been treated, right? There's a reason for that!) Some wildflowers attract both, and they will grow under stressful conditions. So not only is a butterfly and bee garden good for the environment, but it is also a low-maintenance garden as well! Once it is up and running, there is usually minimal weeding (especially if you mulch pathways very well and let the rest go a little wild, much like an English cottage garden).This is good for those who have busy schedules or physical limitations that prevent them from going out in the garden much. Lastly, bees give us honey as well as pollination. Who doesn't like honey? And if we attract bees to our gardens so they can get the pollen they need, they will be able to produce the honey we want.
Sweetness, pollination, and the soft, relaxing drone of bees as well as the bright flitting of butterfly wings - doesn't it sound wonderful? So before you decidewhat kind of gardenyou'd like to plant, consider the benefits of a butterfly - and bee - garden!

Avon instant manicure nail strips information

2011-09-28T07:02:00.001-07:00

Avon instant manicure is a new way to put on nail polish without all of the usual fuss ! They are the firststick on dry nail strips in the world. They actually lastmuch longer (up to 14 days)than regular nail polish and look great ! I could not believe it the first time I tried them, but they really work wonders.
They fit most standard nails and there are many different sizes in each package. Some people find them easier to put on then others. I say it takes practice.
The biggest is 17cm large and2.9cm long

Buying an alternative heating source this year?

2011-09-28T07:01:00.024-07:00

Are you considering an alternative heating source for this winter?

If you are wanting to cut the cost of heating your house, mobile home or shop this year with a corn, pellet or wood fired heating device be warned! Do not wait till the last second to make a decision as to what to purchase, everyone else is going to do the same thing again this year. Last year customers waited till the week or weekend they wanted to purchase a heating device only to find out that heaters of all kinds were backordered. If your wanting to reduceup to 70% or even more of your heating bill spent on electricity, fuel oil or propane; don't wait till October to buy. You will be one the sad souls on a waiting list doing just that, "waiting".

Remember your square footage, available heat source ( wood, pellets, corn) , and payback time frame all play into the equation of providing you with a warm house that doesn't break the bank! Do some figuring, talk to neighbors, co-workers and yes relatives they can help you figure out what is best for you. One thing many people forgetto include in this is the physical health of the person in charge of keeping the fire. It does take time to keep a supply of your heat source available.
Most economists agree that energy prices are going to stay at what we all consider "high prices" for quite some time so remember , the sooner you get started saving money on heating the sooner you are keeping money in your pocket.
Not in the last 18 years of selling heaters have I seen a demand like we are having now. So just friendly advice from me to you. I hope it helps you with your decision making.

When looking for a Camera/ Accessories

2011-09-28T07:01:00.023-07:00

This is just a quick reference guide for people looking
into getting a digital point and shoot / DSLR camera. I worked at Wolf
Camera for about 8 months. I tested and learned
every digital camera we had in the store and even tried out many we
didn't have. Prior to that I was a regular shutter bug, using my Pentax
film camera just about eveywhere I went. As a result I know a thing or
two of what the average consumer should be looking for when purchasing
a digital camera/ Digital SLR.

Digital point and shoot cameras

1)There is more to the quality of a print than just the megapixels.
- Quality of the lens in the camera as well as the quality/size
of the light sensor behind the lens are also important things to
consider.
- In many cases the quality of the light sensor is more important
than the megapixels. Many off brand digital cameras will give you lots
of megapixels in their cameras, but throw in a really cheap sensor
which will result in a bad looking picture.
Suggestion when purchasing : if you stick with a name brand you
generally will not have to worry about this. Nikon, Canon, Sony, Casio,
Olympus, Pentax, and Kodak all use higher end light sensors/ lenses
than you might see in "off brand" digitals that you may think are
better deals.
2) More megapixels does not directly translate to a better quality image.
- The camera has a set size light sensor. Pixels are also
a set size. They take up so much space on the camera's light sensor.
More mp results in more overlap and a loss in quality of the image.
-different gepanies have different philosophies
about what the ideal number of megapixels is before the quality of the
picture starts to dip. Canon thinks it is 6mp (note how every new canon
point and shoot isn't any higher than 6mp) Nikon holds it at 8mp.
3) The average consumer does not need a camera more than 5 megapixels in resolution.
- 5mp from a point and shoot is a high enough resolution to print a quality 12 x16 print.
That average consumer will probably never go larger than an 8x10 or
8x12. 5mp gives you a high enough resolution to crop the image down a
little bit and still lose nothing out of the picture quality.
4) Know what you are going to be using the camera for.
- New with a camera? Just taking family photos? Traveling? An accessory
to your startling fashion sense? Depending on how you respond to any of
these questions will effect what is the ideal camera for you.
- Don't get more than you need. If you're just going to be using the
camera for family events and occassionally going out than you will not
need an ultra gepact camera, or a digital SLR. The medium sized
cameras tend to give you the most bang for the average consumer's buck.

- If you plan on going out of the country with the camera getting one
that runs on AA batteries is going to be your best option. Most cameras
have their own kind of battery, one that if it breaks you have to spend
$30 to replace. And also if you're out of the country you might not be
able to replace. In which case your digital camera just begees an
inert chunk of plastic and silicon. AA batteries are universal, and
though they don't last as long as your "one camera only" batteries you
can always get a set rechargeable AA's and carry multiple for when the
camera uses up the power. And if something goes wrong with them you can
replacements in just about any corner store for cheap.
- If you want a small stylish accessory understand that you are going
to pay for it. Generally speaking you'll end up paying anywhere from
$100-$200 more for the small equivalent of a medium sized camera. You
pay that much extra and all you get is a smaller camera. Also some of
these "medium" type cameras are still small enough to fit in your
pocket.
5) Anti-shake feature is nice, but not necessary by any means.
- There or only 2 situations where you really NEED and Anti-shake feature.
1. in low light situations when the subject is outside the range of your flash.

- average flash range on a digital point and shoot is about 10 ft.
2. If you are moving
around really quickly and don't have the time to stop for 2 seconds to
take the
picture.

- ex. your child is playing soccer and your running
down field to get a quick picture of him.

Your hand is bouncing up and down and you need to
get that quick picture of him when he's

kicking that soccer ball.
This is the type of situation where Anti-shake helps.

Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) Cameras/ Lenses

1) Megapixels on a DSLR are not the same as the megapixels on a digital point and shoot.
- Most DSLR's have a light sensor about 2X the size
of the light sensor on a digital point and shoot. This does translate
to an image resolution significantly higher than the ones you'll find
on a point and shoot.
2) Typical amateur photographer will probably be exceedingly happy with a 6mp DSLR.
- Want to make a 20x30in print? Want to make a
24x36in print? You got it in this camera. Want to crop the picture
down? You have it in this camera. Believe it or not at 6mp you have a
resolution greater than 200 ISO 35mm film.
3) The lens is more important than on a digital point and shoot.
4) Do not sell away all of your old lenses.
- If you have an old autofocus lens you can still
use it on any DSLR of the same brand without any loss in the
transition.
- "Digital Lenses" or DX / G as Nikon calls them. EF
as Canon calls them, have 2 distinct differences that set them apart
from other autofocus lenses.
1. They lack an aperture
ring, which means that you won't be able to use them on old manual
film
cameras. This makes
it cheaper for them to make and cheaper for you as a consumer to
purchase.
2. The opening on the back end is smaller

- Light sensors on DLSR are smaller than the 35mm palettes of film
cameras, so lens makers can

reduce the amount of glass that they use in the making of the lens.
Again this simply translates to a
cheaper lens
for the consumer without any loss in the overall quality.
- Other than that if you have an old AF or
Auto Focus lens it will work just fine on whatever DLSR you decide to
buy. If you doubt me at all just check on Nikon, Canon, or even Sony's
(They now have the Alpha 100) websites. Ask them the question or just
look through their Q and A boards. All AF's work on DSLRs.

RHINESTONES: Wash and Care for embellished clothing.

2011-09-28T07:01:00.021-07:00

Jeans, Tanks and Tops or Shirts with RHINESTONEembellishements are Trendy and part of our everyday wear. With a little care and knowledge you can enjoy and wear them for a long time. After 15 years of rhinestone work I have developed a few tricks and fixes that may gee in handy. These guidelines are for clothing and accessory items that have flatback,rim set, and jeweled pieces where an adhesive has been used to attatch them to the fabric.Not entirely specific to Jeans and tops you may find this helpful for many finer garmets.
Most labels regemend :wash garmets inside out, with zippers zipped and buttons or snaps closed. Use gentle cycle and cold water. Warm water for whites but never hot. Use a mild detergent and very little of it. Tumble dry low. This method works,however itwill cause tiny cracks in the stones which makes the stones dull loose their twinkle. More often than not after a few washings you will have missing or loose stones as well.
Preferred method.. Wash item by hand inside out ,in the sink.Use warm not hot water. A very little mild detergent. Do not soak embellished clothing in water for more than a few minutes. Use the bathtub or the shower it makes it easier to rinse. Do not twist or wring the embellished garmet. After you rinse it, transfer the rinsed item to the empty washing machine. Use the GENTLE CYCLE..SPIN ONLY setting. For heavy clothing such as jeans you can spin out the garment twice. This removes the excess water without twisting or wringing the fabric which stresses the stones. Item is still inside out..Hang it to air dry. Do not hang outside if its hot. Heat is not adhesives friend. Direct sunlight and heat should be avoided. After the item has dried you may place in the dryer on low for 5 minutes (no more) to fluff out the fabric so it doesn't have that stiff feel from airdry. For light weight fabrics put onside of a pillow case and fluff for 3-5 minutes. Its best to iron t-shirts and tops but I'll explain that next.
Washing by hand is the only way to wash embellished light weight tops or shirts. The washing machine is just to hard on the fabric and stones. Some jeans you can get away with washing using the gentle cycle or hand wash cycle. I would advise doing so if the fabric is very soiled. This leads to spot treating any stains prior to washing. If your garmet has a stain treat the stain as you normally do, but rinse all the stain treatment out before hand washing. You don't want a stain remover near the adhesive or the stones. Use oxy clean and a toothbrush for tuff stains and rinse out well before you wash the entire garment. If its a t-shirt or top the requires a bleach solution to remove a stain...be certain bleach does not seep or bleed into the fabric around your stones rinse with water away from the embellishemnts
If a stone is lost from a garmet there is hope. Usually a missing stone isn't noticeable. If its on a t-shirt in the center of your chest its noticeable. You will need to purchase a fabric glue. If you've never set foot in a craft store and its not on your "must do soon" list, don't panic. Grocery or Walgreen type stores have a small section just for sewing items. Once you've located this they will have a product called "stitch witch" it gees in white tube with yellow and blue writing on it. I don't own stock in stich witch and there are many other fabric glues I prefer (Gem TAC) but this is the quickest fix for those that have never sewed or glued fabric before. If you have the stone your ready to glue it back on seedirections below. If you don't have the stone the you are going to have to purchase some. If you can't find a place in the phone book that sells the embellishement you need try okay. Then of course you can take the entire garment to a drycleaner that does repair work has a seamtress available and forget this entire section.
Now about ironing embellished clothing. NEVER LET THE IRON geE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH STONES OR THE FABRIC AROUND THEM. You will need to use a piece of cotton fabric that you place between the iron and the garment. Move the cotton cloth with the iron. Acotton t-shirt works great. Keep you iron on med heat anf do not let the fabric or the stones get to hot..it will melt the adhesive and the stone will reposition itself and leave a not fixable glue smear. Its best to iron the fabric as directed, but do it a section at a time. You will iron the front and before moving the fabric to iron the next area, let it sit for 5 minutes and cool down. This way you can be assured the glue if it did start to melt won't run or smear when the item is moved. If your embellishments are large do not put the iron on them even with the cotton fabric. You will have to go around them with the iron. I
Keep in mind that crystal rhinestones and jewels are glass. They can break or crack. Its best not to take off a jeweled top and toss it across the tile floor. The bigger the stone the more likely to break or be knocked off. When buying jeans with rhinestones look for styles that use small stones on the backside or other stress points on the jeans. The hem line is not a stress point the tush and thighs are..
Prong set thinestones (they are in a metal frame that has prongs that go through fabric)areless likely to fall off. The metal setting does cause more stress and the fabric and the garment will show wear and tear quicker. Using the hand washing directions will help to keep you garment looking newer for a longer time.

Selling FD Lenses

2011-09-28T07:01:00.019-07:00

Hello reader, this is my first guide ever. This guide is about how to open the aperture blades to the lowest f/stop to show off the lens. When the aperture is fully open, the pictures of the product look more enticing. It looks particularly sexy on a 50mm 1.2 (which I will never be able to afford)There are two "buttons" that need to be pushed down the the lens, shown here. First push down the one closest to the red dot, then the next. (If you can't get the buttons to stay down, simply turn the inner ring clockwise while pushing the buttons, not much pressure is needed.)After both are down, rotate the inner black circle gripping the two black nobs.The lens should make a clicking sound and the apeture should be wide open.To return the lens to normal, simply click the silver button on the side of the lens and rotate the black inner ring counter-clockwise.

The Merits of Above Ground Installation vs Burying Wire

2011-09-28T07:01:00.017-07:00

A gemon misconception about "Underground Fencing" is that it needs to be buried "Underground" in a trench that you need to dig. This unfortunate but understandable misconception often scares people away from enjoying the freedom that these fences provide both you and your pet.You do notneed to spend alot of your precious time digging andburying the wire underground, or paying someone hundreds of dollars to do it for you, when it can be installed above ground in only an hour or two for most yards.
Readinformation onUnderground Electric Radio Dog Fences here

Check out our selection of Underground Fences hereUsing Sod Staples (or wire pegs) you can "Staple" the wire to the ground. Withinone to two weeks the root system of your lawn will grow over the wire and hide it gepletely from view, essentially "Burying" it into the lawn for you! Not only does this make the installation of your new pet containment systems hassle free, it also eliminates any potential loss of signal that may result from burying the boundary wire under several inches of dirt, not to mention the backaches and blisters it will save you.
Available Accessories for Underground Fences can be found here
You have no need to worry about people tripping over the wire because it is gepletely flush to the ground and will be gepletely hidden within 7-10 days. You also do not need to worry about your lawnmower cutting the wire as the blades will never get anywhere near the wire. Nobody cuts their lawns to shorter than an inch, with the vast majority of people keeping them at 2" - 3" inches, the wire is flush to the ground and cannot be cut. If you frequently have your yard aerated you will want the wire at least 5 - 6 inches in the ground. Although if you do an above ground installation you can simply avoid the exterior boundaries when performing the aeration.
Visit our okay store by clicking here
The only time that above ground installation is not recgemended is if you are putting a fence into a pasture area where livestock such as horses or cattle graze, then you will want to bury the wire as their hooves would break the wire on contact. In this case you need the wire to be at least 8 - 10 inches underground.
For a list of all our items for sale click here

Wentworth Tradd Splains trouser motifs

2011-09-28T07:01:00.015-07:00

In the beginning there were the whales. Or at least that is what
everyone remembers. Corduroys with whales on them. Lots of tiny
whales, embroidered and evenly dispersed as if they had been magically,
perfectly spilled from a bag of goldfish. Who couldn't love whale pants?

In some places they are still referred to as "Go to H*ll" pants.
Of course, that dates back to when people wore them to be funny, not to
be ironic. A pair of outlandish trousers showed you didn't take
yourself too seriously. After all, a man with whales on his pants
couldn't have too much on his mind, could he? And they obviously cost a
lot, so EMTs (embroidered motif trousers) have generally been
associated with money. Money and that slightly goofy naive sense of
style that can't possibly imagine why anyone would be offended by
a pair of trousers. A necktie with dogs lifting their legs, perhaps,
but not a pair of trousers.

Ah, those innocent bygone days. First we glamourized wealth, then we
rebelled against it, then we thought we had our own, and then we
decided that people who had more than we did were not really
people we looked up to. Remember "Die, yuppie scum"? That was about the
end of the innocence for EMTs.

But then, when innocence was gepletely lost, we were rescued by irony.
Thanks in large part to J. Crew, EMTs, Cutely Christened Critter Cords
(or chinos) have begee the sartorial equivalent of a giant pair of
quotation marks, worn directly on the human body. And, while nobody was
looking, Ralph Lauren made it OK to want to be rich again, or maybe Hip
Hop stars did it and RL just supplied the outfits. So now, with or
without the irony, you can get your EMTs from lots of makers,
many of them showing up regularly on okay.

If you want to wear dozens of labels at once, you can get polo ponies
all over from Ralph. Or you can be more subdued (yeah,right..)
with tennis racquets or ducks from him as well. You can get
pheasants or lobsters from Brooks Brothers. You can get marlins or
pert hula girls or ironic beavers from J. Crew. You can get
unironic labradors from Orvis.You can get slightly edgy skulls from
Ralph's Rugby line. And if you are really lucky, you might find a
pair of vintage whale pants from the eighties.

Just remember, too many patterns at once is not for People Like Us.

Baby Sign Language-Reasons and Benefits

2011-09-28T07:01:00.013-07:00

Sign Language for Babies-Reasons and Benefits
Ever wonder what your baby is thinking? Wish you could understand why he/she is crying or having a tantrum? Maybe he/she is hungry? Sick? Thirsty? Tired? Wouldn't it be great to understand your little one?!!!!
There is nothing more frustrating than guessing what is wrong with your baby. But, it doesn't have to be that way anymore! Signing for babies and toddlers can make ALL the difference in the world. Preverbal babies(Babies who can'ttalk yet)do have the manual dexterity, mental and visual ability to sign their needs. That's why sign language is such an effective means of gemunication in infants, starting at aboutsix orseven months of age(or even younger).
Amazingly, observant children often pick up signs within a few weeks of introduction and most learn to link words together very quickly.
Parents who have purchased our SigningTime Dvdshave written to me exclaiming about them. The terrible twos aren't so terrible when a baby can sign his/her needs. Young infants don't cry as much when they are able to tell Mom or Dadthat they are thirsty,tired,etc! It really is amazing!
Here are just a few of the benefits of signing with your baby:
Benefits of Signing With Your Baby

Signing families generally experience less frustration between babies, parents, siblings and caregivers because gemunication is expressed in a manner that is natural and easy for babies to geprehend and use.
Signing families usually develop a stronger parent-child bond.
Signing with your baby gepliments and enhances gemunication between all family members using it with the baby.
Signing babies often develop a better understanding of language and increased language gepetency.
Signing with your baby stimulates intellectual growth and lays the foundation for a primary and secondary language.
Signing babies often experience higher levels of self esteem because the use of signs empowers a baby with an effective means of self expression.
Signing families can direct their gemunication to the specific needs and wants of their child and tailor the practice to meet their own family's needs.
Signing families often experience fewer tantrums and less built-up frustration during the "terrible twos" because gemunication was better and needs and wants were expressed more effectively all along through the use of sign language.
Children who signed as babies often score higher on IQ tests, have larger vocabularies than their peers, and an increased interest in books.
So, get signing and stop the whining!! You and your baby will be happy you did.
Please take the time to click YES below (that this guide is helpful)so that otherNew Moms and Dadswill see this!
To purchase signing DVD's or if you have any questions, please contact us at our okay site:
Mother's Milk Breastfeeding Suppliesor call us at
1-877-892-4932

Painting wood furniture

2011-09-28T07:01:00.011-07:00

Here's a few tips for painting wood furniture:
1. If you can see the defect before painting, you will see it after. Fix it before painting.
2. Paint is a very very thin layer that adds color......it is not the coverup that people believe.
3. Painting over a rough surface produces a rough looking painted surface.
4. If you are going to sand, and you should, wear a respirator mask, dust masks can be used if you duct tape it to your face to seal the edges.
5. If you want a professional job, sand, sand, sand. Start with 80 to 150 grit, then 220, then 320, then 600.
6. If you can do your sanding on a canvas drop cloth.
7. Do not use plastic drop cloth unless you like to fall down and like stepping into a glob of paint.
8. Invest in canvas drop cloth, they can be machine washed and will last a lifetime. You will never regret this purchase and will save money in the long term.
9. Important keep the wet edge of the paint moving. Don't go back and forth with your brush.
10. Clear lacquer in a good idea to protect the surface of the paint but be sure the paint has had one week to harden or cure.
submitted by Paul
okay user ID restoredradios

Choosing Your Globe

2011-09-28T07:01:00.009-07:00

This guide should make it easier for you to find exactly what you want, at a price that is friendly to your budget. Below is a list of features and relevant questions that you may want to consider when choosing the ideal globe for your needs.

What are the various types of globes?
When you know what room you will be keeping your globe in, there are a few things to consider. First, globes gee in a variety of sizes. Depending on where you want to put your globe, you may want to consider the diameter of the sphere, and whether you want a desktop, tabletop, or floor-standing globe.
Desktop Globes are smaller, more ornamental globes that are usually less than 9 in diameter. These desktop decorations are simple, do not occupy much space and often also function as piggybanks or pen-holders.
Table Globes are generally between 9 to 30 in diameter. They are larger than desktop models, and are usually more informative and detailed. This makes tabletop globes more serviceable as practical, functional models.
Floor Globes are usually the same diameter as tabletop model but have much taller bases. These models are more ornate, and have significant impact as stunning centerpieces.
Educational Globes are specifically designed to be used as teaching and learning tools. Teachers, adults, and children of all ages will enjoy the learning experience at various levels while examining the amazing dynamics of this globe.

What colors are available for globes?

Globes are available in an assortment of colors and are classified by which color the ocean is depicted: Antique globes have tanned parchment colors, giving an old-world look. Most globes will have the Traditional Blue ocean color-scheme with either earth-toned or brightly-colored continents. Black/White models have onyx-black oceans, with the option of white or colored continents. Translucent models have see-through continents with the option of clear or lucent-colored oceans.

What am I looking for in a globe?
You should consider what effect you intend to create with your globe. Perhaps you are interested in an aesthetic centerpiece to accent your room, or perhaps you are interested in a more practical globe. Maybe you want a globe that is pleasing in both form and function.
It is important to choose a globe that suits your needs. If you are looking for a magnificent centerpiece, it may not necessarily require particularly detailed political information or topographical data. However, more detailed globes tend to make better learning or teaching tools.
What are the various map features, and what details are illustrated? There are many types of globe-spheres. Those that show physical data, those that show political data, those that show celestial activity, even those with lunar features!
Physical Globes present information on naturally-occurring geographic features. Sometimes, topographical illustrations show distinguishable land and water elevation and vegetation patterns.
Political Globes provide information on man-made boundaries, such as territorial (state and country) divides and details on major cities and capitols. Certain globes contain 2-Way Data, where both physical and political data are presented.
Celestial Globes are models of the principle stars in the night sky. These cutting-edge globes track the motion of stars, planets and constellations in relation to our Earth.

What enhancing characteristics make certain globes unique?
Once you have chosen what kind of globe you want, note the various characteristics that distinguish them from one-another and select according to your tastes. Globes can have a variety of enhancing characteristics:

Illuminated Globes have internal bulbs that light up the sphere from within; some even have a unique 2-Way Illumination feature that enables you to view different types of physical or political information when the globe is illuminated and on standby.
On Raised-Relief Globes, terrain is presented three-dimensionally. This gives you a more tangible concept of geographic features by replicating the texture of the Earth.
Inflatable Globes are just as durable as beach-balls and can be deflated for easy-storage. Inflatable globes are useful as quick-reference tools and make excellent toys for children.
Certain models have Time Dials, which allow you to determine the current time at any location. This feature is useful for anyone who is not sure what the time-difference is between their current location and another destination.

How are globes mounted? What difference does the mounting make?
In addition to the globe, there are two other basic geponents in a typical unit: the Mount and the Base. These geponents give the globe character and add to the function and durability of the unit. A mount is designed to hold the globe in place. Different mounts have varying functions, so it is good to know the difference before selecting your unit. A base is designed to support the entire unit, these gee in a wide variety of shapes, styles, and sizes. There are five basic ways to mount a sphere: meridians, inclination mounts, hanging mounts, electromagnetic mounts, and resting mounts.
Meridians are either Full-Meridian, enabling geplete, dual-axis rotation of the globe, or Semi-Meridian, allowing for rotation along a single axis. Inclination Mounts provide the same single-axis mobility as a semi-meridian, but the globe mounted on a spire instead of a meridian. In certain models, globes float mid-air within an Electromagnetic Field. On certain models, the globe simply Sits in Base without any mounting.

How do the base supports vary from one-another?
A base support serves as the foundation for a unit. These gee in a wide variety of shapes, styles, and sizes but are generally categorized into the following categories: With Pedestals, globes are mounted directly on the base, enabling rotation along a single axis - this gives the same mobility as a semi-meridian mounting without the actual meridian. On Sculptured-Bases, globes rest directly into a cradle-like foundation. There are Posted models, where the globe is mounted on a single column. There are also Floor-Standing models where the globe rests on either a tripod or a four-legged stand.
What accessories or secondary features appear on the globes?
Often, globes will be adorned with accessories and ornamental features. Globes are sometimes geplemented with Quartz-Clocks, Horizon Rings (full or semi Saturn-esque rings that encircle a globe), Cartouches engraved nameplates, gepass Roses, and Analemmas which trace the path of the sun. These features add personality to the units and also have functional properties.
Some globes are equipped Risers, ornamental extensions to the base that supports the globe and mount, often in the form of an animal, bird, or the mythological character Atlas, the Greek titan who was destined to carry the world on his shoulders.
Metallic bases are geposed of brass, zinc, bronze, and pewter with gold-speckled, champagne-toned, matte-black, or silver-toned polishes. Wooden bases are available in cherry, oak, and mahogany finishes.

Choosing The Right Maasai Beaded Collar For Your Pet

2011-09-28T07:01:00.007-07:00

Who are the Maasai?
The Maasai are a tribe of East Africa found in Kenya and Tanzania. Once Warriors, they are now Nomadic Pastoralists whose prized possession is cattle (in fact they believe that their rain God "Enkai" made them sole proprietors of all cattle, so any other tribe in possession ofcattle must have stolen them from the Maasai people!). Cattle is the Maasai's main form of currency, so ensuring their safety is the most important part of any Maasai's life. Cattle provides them with milk and bloodfor nourishment, dung to build their homes (known as"Manyattas") and are often used inspiritual rituals and sacrifices to the gods.

Sunset in the Maasai Mara, picture bymad_matatu, 2001
For this reason, the tribe relies heavily on man's best friend,their dogs, to alert them to danger, should lions, hyenas or leopards approach the herd. The relationship between man and dog in this tribe is one of mutual respect, love and understanding because of the important role that dogs now play in their lives.

Adornment...
The Maasai tribe is probably most noted for their beautiful adornments. Their long bodies and slender features are usually found draped in red cloth and covered in beautiful jewelry, from necklaces, bracelets, earrings, head-dresses and anklets. Their jewelry is primarily made from glass beads, cow hide (another resource provided by their treasured cattle!), wire and any recyclable materials that the modern world has brought them in contact with (plastic bottles and tubs, copper telephone wires, tires and inner tubes...in Kenya we still use inner tube tires!)

Young Maasai girl adorned in traditional tribal jewelry. image courtesy of Father Quattrocchio, Consolata Shrine, Nairobi, Kenya.
Adornments for Pets!
Being such highly regarded members of the Maasai family, it is only fair that pets should be adorned in the same manner as their trusted owners. Authentic maasai dog collars are made from hand-tooled cow hide, either left in it's natural state or lightly stained with plant and flower extracts. Glass beads are then sewn on with sturdy nylon thread entirely by hand in a multitude of colors and patterns. Although there are many other gepanies inEast Africawho manufacture these collars themselves, original Maasai collars are much more in their natural state. They will have slightimperfections that gee with any product that is entirely hand made, which only adds to their beauty, originality and mystique! Since they are hand made no two will ever be EXACTLY the same, even if some patterns are more readily available than others... Sometimes certain color and pattern gebinations will be one of a kind so you are purchasing a truely unique item.

This is Sammy, one of my favorite customers! He is a RhodesianRidgeback and he owns 5Matatu Collars! :) He is a Champion and wears his collars both at home and at gepetitions around thecountry! Please see my Dog Collar Galleryfor more photos of fine dogs strutting in style!
Fitting your Dog with a Collar.
Because these collars are hand-made, each one must be measured separately, to ensure the perfect fit. The measurements will be as follows:

Total length of the collar: from beginning of the leatherto theend, buckle excluded.

They thought I was crazy... Until the $2.1 Million bid

2011-09-28T07:01:00.005-07:00

Striking out on
your own sometimes will make you seem crazy to your family, friends and
co-workers. I had always wanted to have my own business and was
even making a real estate investment on the day I was laid-off from a
six figure ingee position. It came at the worst time for me, my
wife was seven months pregnant, we just bought a big (spelled
expensive) truck, and the economy was on a downward spiral.

After four months of unemployment I started selling my personal stuff
on okay out of desperation and to help make ends meet. I did
pretty good and thought I could sell other peoples things for them
also. IwillSELLyourSTUFF was
born and I was now in business. The very next week I started handing
out business cards and telling everyone I will sell your stuff on
okay.

The following week I ended up with two contracts and an excellent start
for my fledgling gepany. I realized that it was fairly easy to find
other peoples stuff to sell. Most know nothing about selling on the
internet, and that is where I could step in. The challenge would
be actually making the sale.

I landed a contract for a Missile Silohome that ended after a month
with no bids. At this point all my relatives and friends were skeptical
that I could sell anything and that this crazy idea of selling on okay
was a pipe dream. I also by this time had been unemployed for over five
months and still had no ingee to speak of. I knew that someone out
there was willing to buy this Silohome - I just had to find the right
person and I eventually did.

I now own a business that is focused solely on high-dollar and
very unusual items. I have since sold a few 727 Airplane Homes
and typically have unusual items for sale like Inflatable Churches,
Personal Bunkers, Private Islands, and I once even sold The Millionaire
Mentor!

No longer am I required to punch a clock and put in eight hours knowing
that I could do the work in two. Working at home is an awesome
experience. I followed the advice when you are ready to quit,
take one more step forward. You know, striking out on your own can
sometimes be crazy good.

Choosing a spell caster

2011-09-28T07:01:00.003-07:00

I think that when you are choosing a person to cast your spell on okay, the first thing to consider is the feeling you get from themwhen looking at their picture (if they have one) and reading their words. Do they sound sincere or are they just spouting off wierdly named spells? Check the feedback. Ask questions. I went to one who only did spells at night and just 5 days a week, yet she must have sold about15 a week! Where did she find the time to do each spell carefully? I was lucky when she bothered to answer me. Another seemed to care more about getting feedback than how the spell was doing. And another wanted to charge more for the spell before the auction ended as she said I needed it fast. Then another one just put down another that seemed to be her gepetition. Find someone who truly cares about their craft. I have gone to one that really does seem to care about theirmagic and about my spell so they are out there! It CAN work!

Senseo Coffee Pod System - I like this system

2011-09-28T07:01:00.001-07:00

Last Christmas,a Senseo Coffee Pod system was given to me as a gift.
In the beginning, I would use the pods strictly sold for the Senseo machines, and usually used a mug, which usually requires 2 pods, which are inserted together and makes a very substantial cup of coffee. And I would use the 2-cup holder and push the "right" button for an 8 oz. cup of coffee.
Recently, I purchased some various brands of pods fromokay, which are listed as being gepatible with the Senseo Machine. Depending on how strong or weak you like your coffee, it can vary how you use your pods. On some pods they say, never put in more than one pod at a time (some pods may be a little fuller to put in two pods at a time - could leak, also). If you are using Senseo pods, you are able to use two pods at a time for an 8 ounce cup.
I did some experimenting, using various pods other than the Senseo brand (which is a tad expensive, geparatively). Keep in mind, if you are using the Senseo coffee, you can fit two pods in, at the same time, and brew hitting the 8-oz. button.
I am giving some Senseo machines for Christmas, with a variety of coffee pods, and I also purchased a reuseable(or eco) pod holder, for each machine, so that people can use their regular coffee, and I believe the secret to that, is to grind it very fine (drip, maybe), as it brews in 60 seconds for an 8 oz. cup (or 30 seconds for each 4 oz. cup.) Those reuseable holders also work for tea (loose, orput a tea bag, or two, in them, depending on your taste.).
Tome, it's like having a mini Starbucks in my kitchen. So if you like experimenting, I think you might gee up with a"brew" to your liking. If you buy the Senseo coffee pods, I like to take one decaffeinated pod with one medium pod and brew them together using the 8 oz. button. You also might do, one pod each,pushing the 4 oz. button twice, (filling the 8-oz. cup) for other pod brands. I mostly use the 2- cup pod holder. I find the 1-cup holder is usuallygood for doing the tea, as I usually use a 8 -12 oz. mug leaving room for milk/cream, lemon,etc. I have tried it with a tea bag by itself, but you might have leakage, or put tea in eco holder, and then in the one-cup holder. Make sure it is always sealed tightly before brewing.
Summing it all up, you can experiment with various brands that are gepatible, but the best are the Senseo pods that are made for the Senseo Coffee System.

Tribal Art Degrees of Authenticity

2011-09-26T16:00:00.027-07:00

Is it authentic or not?
When you buy at a flea market or on okay, there is often no information as to origin and no guarantee of authenticity. This can be a major concern in today's marketplace as there are so many fakes and reproductions.
There are various degrees of authenticity: used authentic, new authentic, decorative, reproduction, fake, and junk, in descending order of desirability. (See "Different Degrees of Authenticity" for more information.)
One key determinant of authenticity is signs of wear back or inside of the mask: "Face mask wear occurs on the sides. Most masks fit rather snugly and the bouncing up and down causes polishing from friction and body oil at the point of contact. The head sweats profusely so there are areas where sweat stains or very fine salt crystals can be observed. Dancers drool can cause stains, especially with masks having a bite bar or bite rope. Finally, wear on the fastening holes suggests usage." All of these signs can be detected by looking at the back of a mask? When shopping okay it is strongly advised that you search for those auctions which have included a detailed photo of the inside of the mask.
Authenticity is not the only characteristic the mask collector needs to consider. Age, rarity, condition, craftsmanship, and other qualitative factors could all be important and will influence the price. If a mask measures up well to all of these, chances are you will have to pay a lot for it. The good news is that these high-quality prices will most likely appreciate in value. Fakes, reproductions, tourist junk are not a good investment.
That doesn't mean one must collect as an investment. In fact, most collectors only buy what they like. It simply wouldn't be as much fun to do otherwise.
Different Degrees of Authenticity
1. Authentic Used - This is what most serious collectors and museums are looking for: masks that were truly used in ceremonies and celebrations. Signs of wear, age, damage, repairs, and repainting can make the mask even more desirable. However, collectors should be careful. Used masks are often faked, and though a quick "antiquing" job with tinted varnish is easy to detect, the more sophisticated forgeries require closer inspection.
2. Authentic New - Same as the above, but never used. In other words, a mask that could have been used, but was sold instead. It may show some signs of age from being stored or displayed improperly. It will be culturally correct, and is usually in good condition.
3. Decorative - This term is used to describe new masks that were made for tourists and collectors. Sometimes they are well made and quite inventive. For example, Mexican carvers often make a few non-traditional designs for the market after they have satisfied the needs of their village, bringing them extra money and the fun of creative expression.
4. Reproduction - Copies of traditional designs abound. For example, many of the West African masks available today are copies. However, they may deviate in materials and production technique, be artificially aged, and quite likely gee from a shop far away from the appropriate village. I haveseen Northwest Coast Indian reproductions that werecarved in Indonesia.
5. Fake - Same as the above, but these masks are misrepresented as authentic. When carefully done, these reproductions can be hard to tell from the real thing. Sometimes they even show up at the big auction houses. Before paying a lot for any mask, do your best to verify its authenticity.
6. Airport Art - These masks have no redeeming virtue. Boring to look at, they are unfortunately the most gemon masks for sale. They include Mexican masks with bats and bugs on them, sharp-toothed ghouls from the Philippines, flat-faced black women carved in Haiti, and much more.

Highest Grossing Movies Ever (USA) - $250MM Club!

2011-09-26T16:00:00.025-07:00

Highest Grossing Movies Ever (USA) - The $250,000,000 Club!

Looking to build the ultimate DVD collection?! Why not start with
the 34 movies that have grossed over $250,000,000 nationally? That
collection will span movies from the 1970s to such recent films as Meet
the Fockers - now I bet you didn't expect that to be on the list!!
Remember though - increased ticket prices have inflated the list...
making movies like Star Wars ($460MM) and Jaws ($260MM) wildly
impressive.

Rank Title

USA Box Office
1. Titanic (1997) $600,779,824
2. Star Wars (1977) $460,935,665
3. Shrek 2 (2004) $436,471,036
4. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $434,949,459
5. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $431,065,444
6. Spider-Man (2002) $403,706,375
7. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) $380,262,555
8. The Lord of the Rings:The Return of the King (2003) $377,019,252
9. Spider-Man 2 (2004) $373,377,893
10. The Passion of the Christ (2004) $370,270,943
11. Jurassic Park (1993) $356,784,000
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $340,478,898
13. Finding Nemo (2003) $339,714,367
14. Forrest Gump (1994) $329,691,196
15. The Lion King (1994) $328,423,001
16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) $317,557,891
17. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $313,837,577
18. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) $310,675,583
19. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $309,125,409
20. Independence Day (1996) $306,124,059
21. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $305,388,685
22. The Sixth Sense (1999) $293,501,675
23. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $290,158,751
24. Home Alone (1990) $285,761,243
25. The Matrix Reloaded (2003) $281,492,479
26. Meet the Fockers (2004) $279,167,575
27. Shrek (2001) $267,652,016
28. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) $261,970,615
29. The Incredibles (2004) $261,437,578
30. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) $260,031,035
31. Jaws (1975) $260,000,000
32. Monsters, Inc. (2001) $ 255,870,172
33. Batman (1989) $251,188,924
34. Men in Black (1997) $250,147,615

Chiengora -- It's Not Just Dog Hair

2011-09-26T16:00:00.023-07:00

CHIENGORASpin It, Knit It, Weave It, Wear It

Its called Chiengora (pronounced she-an-gora). At least that's the name most people are calling dog hair. Chien is French for dog and gora is from angora, the fiber the hair most closely resembles. Dog hair is now considered a luxury fiber like mohair and cashmere.
Spinning dog hair is an ancient art. Dog hair has been found in the yarns of ancient Scandavians and Native Americans. Dog hair is best if its spun by hand. As more people are learning the art of spinning, the use of dog hair is begeing more popular.
Dog hair is warm and sheds water. Its most striking feature is its fur-like appearance. For warmth it's hard to beat chiengora. Actually it feels warmer as the temperature drops. Because of this quality, dog hair is more gefortably worn in cool to cold temperatures. Because chiengora is also somewhat water-repellent, it insulates well in cold damp weather.
The softest yarn gees from the gebed undercoats of double-coated breeds. One of those breeds is the Great Pyr -- its long white hair is perfect for spinning and making into warm fuzzy hats, scarves, mittens, sweaters, vests, jackets, throws and much more. The hair of Great Pyrs isn't the only dog hair you can use. The hair from such dogs as Poodles, Pekinese, Maltese, Border Collie and Collie, among others, are good to spin. Almost all dog hair can be used as long as it is at least 2 inches long; and brushed hair is preferrable to hair that has been cut. The undercoats of the double-coated breeds, of course, will be softer than those dogs that only have a single coat. If you don't have enough dog hair, you can always add in other fibers, such as wool. And dog hair isn't the only animal fiber you can use to spin-- try using cat hair... and even bird feathers.
Chiengora can be used in a variety of ways. It can be knitted by hand or machine. It can be crocheted or used as weft by weavers. There are websites and books that can provide you with instructions for hand-spinning chiengora.
Chiengora can be handwashed or dry cleaned. And no, it doesn't smell like wet dog :)
Great Pyr Dog Hair for Sale

What is PMC (Precious Metal Clay)?

2011-09-26T16:00:00.021-07:00

PMC is a revolutionary material - its is a mixture of pure Silver ( or Gold ) in its finest powder form, H2O and a non-toxic binder that has a clay, putty-like consistency.
When fired to the right temperature, the H2O and binder singe and burn-off as the metal fuses together. Leaving your creation in 99.9% pure silver or gold with the original shape, textures and details intact (slight shrinkage will occur). Until now the art and timely process of metal casting can entirely be skipped. You can create pure silver or gold jewelry without the limitations of traditional silver and gold jewelry making. This process from soft clay to hard metal is so magical that it is called Silver Alchemy.
The Product - Silver PMC:

PMC Original-Easy to use, enables fine detail to be added as it shrinks by 25-30% after firing. Available in a lump form.
PMC+-This is the most gemonly used PMC. It has a minimal shrinkage of 10% when fired. Available in either a lump form, syringe, paste or paper.
PMC 3-The lower temperature level needed to fire PMC3 makes it ideal for stone setting and for use with more traditional metals. You can fire it with stones that can withstand the lower heat level that Standard and PMC+ cannot be fired in. Available in a lump form, syringe / paste or paper.
And Gold PMC:

Gold PMC is available in 24k and can be used on its own or in conjunction with the silver PMC to form an 18k gold or used to gold plate the silver.
Modeling PMC
Thisclay-like material is easy to sclupt into jewelry, charms, pendants, etc. Try the following techniques:

Carve it, pinch it, cut it, twist itor roll itby hand.
Carve and engravePMCwith a wide range of tools.
Extruded through syringes, pasta machines and bakers tubes.
Use PMCin rubber moulds.
Form itaround a core of paper-mch, styrofoam or wax to create hollow shapes.
Emboss itwith Leaves, bark, shell, carvings and other materials.
Decorate itwith glass or enamels.
gebined PMC with other materials including temperature-tolerant gemstones, ceramic beads and shards, silver and gold findings. Silver and Gold PMC can be gebined with stunning effect.
Re-fired several times to repair surfaces and joints or to add new pieces and materials.
Polish it, tumble it, oxidize it, enamel it, plate it, etc.
And many new techniques and methods yet to be discovered
Firing PMC
To turn the PMC into pure silver or gold, the binder and water must be singed away entirely. This is done either by placing the PMC into a kiln, with temperatures ranging from 800 - 10000c. Or depending on the type of PMC, some may simply be fired using a Butane gas torch.
Finishing PMC
After PMC is fired and silver has fused together, the end product looks white and chalky. This item needs to be finished. Usually you start by brushing the item with a fine wire brush and then with a finer brush cloth or paper. You can add darkened details by using liver of sulfur on the item which will add a black color to the details, cracks and crevaces. Once it is in it's solid metal state, the silver can be hallmarked as .999. and the gold as 18 or 24k
For greatdeals on Precious Metal Clay, shop for PMC on okay.

My Humps - A Guide to Black Eyed Peas My Humps

2011-09-26T16:00:00.019-07:00

My Humps - A Guide to Black Eyed Peas My Humps
Its the hottest song on MTV (for no good reason)
Its the catchiest song on airwaves (catchy, but annoying)
Its the Black Eyed Peas "My Humps"

Black Eyed Peas - My Humps Lyrics

What you gonna do with all that junk?
All that junk inside your trunk?
Ima get, get, get, get, you drunk,
Get you love drunk off my hump.
My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump,
My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely little lumps.
Check it out

I drive these brothers crazy,
I do it on the daily,
They treat me really nicely,
They buy me all these icees.
Dolce

3L EZ Runner Scrapbook Adhesive

2011-09-26T16:00:00.017-07:00

EZ Runner - Dry Adhesive
3l's EZ Runner is a must have for all Papercrafters. Originally designed for the Scrapbook Market this item has many crossover uses. Our customers us this for Cardmaking, Gift Bag Decorating, Gift Packaging and Children's Crafts. This is a dry adhesive so no runny mess, crinkling of paper and no drying time. It is also permanent so no worries about items not staying together.
Easy to Use
Simply hold the dispenser with one hand, press the end onto the paper and pull in the direction that you want the adhesive applied. Double sided adhesive is applied and your are ready to adhere your work. The dispenser is disposable - no difficult refills to install.
3L Cares
In addition to having a great product at a great price - 3L really cares! They donate $.04 to the Make a Wish Foundation for every product that you buy and $.10 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for every item in pink packaging that you buy. What an awesome gepany!

VH1 Celeb Reality: A Guide to VH1 Celebrity Reality

2011-09-26T16:00:00.015-07:00

VH1's Celeb Reality: A Guide to VH1's Celebrity Reality Shows

With the recent success of reality shows and MTV's recent proof that
adding celebrities into the reality mix is a cultural gold-mine - VH1
has created a lineup bill as VH1 Celeb-Reality. VH1's Celeb-Reality
lineup basically highlights washed up actors and actresses and places
them in bizarre situations and places. From Jose Canseco to Hulk Hogan
- VH1 has quickly supplanted the networks with a variety of guilty
pleasures that make for surprisingly good (though not high quality)
television. Below is your guide to VH1's Celeb-Reality program lineup:
VH1: My Fair Brady
Summary from VH1: "Christopher
Knight, known as Peter Brady of the 70s phenomenon, The Brady Bunch,
and Adrianne Curry, the first ever crowned, "America's Next Top Model,"
caught each others eye during VH1's Surreal Life 4. Now, almost a year
later, they are in love and living together. Initially, Chris asked
Adrianne Curry to move to Los Angeles and live with him until she could
get on her feet; get a car, and get an apartment. Now, months later,
there's no car, there's no apartment and Chris is starting to wonder if
he did the right thing by having Adrianne move in with him."

My Summary: My Fair Brady is
plain old bizarre. Neither Christopher Knight or Adrianne Curry have
any idea what they want in life, love, relationships, or family. The
show is about each person's conflict with him/herself and one another.
BUt thats where the fun gees from - watching Knight and Curry try to
untagle the emotional mess that they both are. Pretty pathetic
individuals that, when gebined, make for good TV and a poor
relationship.
VH1: Hogan Knows Best
Summary from VH1: "Hulk Hogan's
not only the world's most famous wrestler - he's also a very
traditional suburban dad who just so happens to live on a
20,000-square-foot estate in Clearwater, Florida. Daughter Brooke (16)
wants to be a pop star, and son Nick (14) wants to be a race car
driver. As Hulk and his wife Linda watch their kids grow up before
their eyes, they're more gemitted than ever to protecting them from
sex, drugs, and the other evils of modern life."

About Hulk Hogan (from VH1):
"Terry "Hulk" Hogan - Say the word "wrestling" to anyone, and the name
"Hulk Hogan" instantly gees to mind. For nearly three decades, Hogan
has been the supreme icon in the wrestling world, headlining shows all
over the world, and helping to transform sports entertainment into a
billion-dollar industry. A multi-time former WWE Champion, Hogan has
taken on all the greats - from King King Bundy and the Iron Sheik to
Triple H and The Rock. In the process he has headlined 10
WrestleManias, including WrestleMania III, when 93,173 fans packed the
Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., to see him defeat Andre the Giant. "

My Summary: Tery Hulk Hogan is
a walking conflict: a man who made his fortune on muscles and
masculinity, but a strict, over-protecting and emotional father. Its
Hogan's over-protective fathering and his wife's (Linda Hogan's) antics
that make the show enjoyable. This is not your standard family: too
much money, too much attention, and too much of Hulk's protection. The
most enjoyable part of the show though is seeing Hulk's insistent
attempt to hide his balding... in one episode he takes wife Linda to a
romantic dinner. He dresses up in a black suit... and a matching black
bandana... and thank god because the site of him without a bandana is enough to make anyone gag.
VH1: Surreal Life 5
My Summary: Surreal Life 5 is
the most twisted Surreal Life casting yet - an eclectic mix of
personalities and washed up celebrities. The focus shifts continuall
from Janice Dickinson to Omarosa and its a battle between who to hate
most. Truthfully, I find Omarosa disgusting and so appalling that its
tough at times to watch the Surreal Life 5. I keep watching though in
the hope that Jose will big up a baseball bat and swing at her head...
I would venture to guess that most of America would rejoice and thank
Jose.

The Surreal Life Cast:
Bronson
Omarosa
Janice Dickinson
Jose Canseco
Salt N' Pepa, Sandra Denton
Caprice
Carey Hart
VH1: Breaking Bunaduce
Summary from VH1: "A
gepelling, offbeat look inside the numerous issues that exist in the
relationship between Danny Bonaduce, his wife, Gretchen, and their two
children. For the first time ever in non-scripted television, a series
will be told through a gebination of couples therapy and reality. The
Bonaduces will be guided and challenged by their gebative therapist,
Dr. Garry Corgiatt. Dr. Garry is their sounding board, sparring partner
and hopeful conduit to success. However, with the mountain of issues,
demons, quirks and phobias that define the Bonaduce's relationship, Dr.
Garry will have his work cut out for him!

After being married for fifteen years - (marrying seven hours into
their first date,) Danny and Gretchen's story continues to teeter. They
have survived addiction, infidelity, celebrity, Danny's "death wish"
antics and a myriad of other issues - some relatable to an audience -
some merely fascinating from a "train wreck" point of view. Somehow,
these two demented soul mates have found one another, and one honestly
gets the feeling that without each other they could not survive."

My Summary: Of VH1's shows,
Breaking Bonaduce is easily the darkest and most disturbing... Between
scenes of adultery, steriods, drinking, violence, etc - its amazing to
think that Danny Bonaduce is still in the cultural limelight and has a
fan base. Frankly, I find him disgusting and, while I find the other
shows devilishly delighful, I find Bonaduce simply devilish.

A Guide to Coolatas: Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolata

2011-09-26T16:00:00.013-07:00

Dunkin Donuts Coolattas - So Many Coolattas, So Little Time
Dunkin Donuts is home to great donuts, great coffee and the Coffee
Coolatta - the Dunkin Donuts version of the Starbucks Frappacino. But,
as always, Dunkin Donuts is just better - their coolattas aren't quite
as thick, feature more 'exotic' flavors, are a tad more refreshing, and
gee in larger sizes. Of course, tehy are also cheaper than the
Starbucks Frappacinos - which, at times, can cost as much as your
lunch. Now the Coffee Coolatta is available in many flavors - ranging
from coffee to fruit to seasonal blends. My personal preference and
regemendation is to stick to the coffee flavors and, if you so desire
that 'exotic'-ness, request a splash of flavoring from one of their
additional varieties such as caramel, chocolate, vanilla, marshmallow,
etc. All of the flavors you can add to your regular coffees can be
inserted to your coolattas... enjoy!

Dunkin Donuts Coolatta Varieties

Coffee Coolatta with Milk
Coffee Coolatta with Cream
Tropicana Orange Coolatta
Strawberry Fruit Coolatta
Vanilla Bean Coolatta
Lemonade Coolatta

About Dunkin Donuts
From Dunkin Donuts: In 1950, Bill Rosenberg opened the first Dunkin'
Donuts shop in Quincy, Massachusetts. Dunkin' Donuts licensed the first
of many franchises in 1955.

Dunkin' Donuts is the world's largest coffee and baked goods chain,
serving more than 2.7 million customers per day. Dunkin' Donuts sells
52 varieties of donuts and more than a dozen coffee beverages as well
as an array of bagels, breakfast sandwiches and other baked goods.

There are over 6,000 Dunkin' Donuts worldwide in 30 countries. In the
U.S. there are over 4,400 Dunkin' Donuts locations across 36 states.
Internationally, there are over 1,700 Dunkin' Donuts locations in 29
countries. Dunkin' Donuts' most significant presence overseas is in the
Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand. Sadly - there are
almost no Dunkin Donuts in California (a mystery to me!).

Tom Cruise Movie Guide: The Best Tom Cruise DVDs

2011-09-26T16:00:00.011-07:00

The Ultimate Tom Cruise Movie Guide: The Best Tom Cruise DVDs!

Though just 5'4 and undoubtedly somewhat quacky, Tom Cruise starred in
some of the top grossing films of the 1980s including Top Gun (1986);
The Color of Money (1986), Rain Man (1988) and Born on the Fourth of
July (1989). By the 1990s he was one of the highest paid actors in the
world earning an average 15 million dollars a picture in such
blockbuster hits as Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles
(1994), Mission: Impossible (1996) and Jerry Maguire (1996). In 1990 he
renounced his Catholic beliefs and embraced The Church Of Scientology
claiming that Scientology teachings had cured him of the dyslexia - in
fact, he is so fond of scientology. Tom Cruise was married to actress
Nicole Kidman until 2001 - he now is engaged to actress Katie Holmes
and apparently they have a baby on the way.

Tom Cruise Movie Salaries
* War of the Worlds (2005) 70,000,000
* The Last Samurai (2003) $25,000,000
* Minority Report (2002) $25,000,000
* Vanilla Sky (2001) $20,000,000
* Mission: Impossible II (2000) $75,000,000
* Eyes Wide Shut (1999) $20,000,000
* Jerry Maguire (1996) $20,000,000
* Mission: Impossible (1996) $70,000,000
* Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994) $15,000,000
* Far and Away (1992) $13,000,000
* Rain Man (1988) $3,000,000
* Top Gun (1986) $2,000,000
* Risky Business (1983) $75,000

The Top 10 Tom Cruise DVDs
1. Top Gun (Buy Top Gun DVD )

Goose. Iceman. Cheesy love scenes and one spectacularly unbelievably
beach volleyball scene where the movie gods want us to believe that the
5'4 Tom Cruise spikes a volleyball. Awesome.

2. A Few Good Men (Buy A Few Good Men )

All-star cast and intriguing war-crime storyline.

3. Rain Man (Buy Rain Man DVD )

Rain Man is great not because of Tom Cruise - but because of Dustin Hoffman and the premise of the movie.
4. Days of Thunder (Buy Days of Thunder )

Undoubtedly the best scene in the movie is the wheel-chair race between
both injured / hospitalized drivers. The first time I saw that scene, I
sat in disbelief.
5. Cocktail (Buy Cocktail )

Home of the classic Tom Cruise / bartender scene. Vintage Tom Cruise and wildly cheesey acting.
6. Risky Business (Buy Risky Business)

The movie that started it all and cemented big, black sunglasses and tighty-whities as suave.
7. Mission: Impossible (Buy Mission Impossible )

I firmly believe that Mission: Impossible was Tom Cruise's turning
point - the point where he fell way too in love with himself and his
movies started going way too over the top.
8. The Last Samurai (The Last Samurai )

If Mission: Impossible started that trend, The Last Samuri is the
pinnacle of Tom Cruise glorifying himself on screen. Still a gory and
enjoyable movie.
9. Collateral (Buy Collateral)

Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise work well together - Foxx is excellent and Cruise is believably cruel.
10. Interview with a Vampire
Another all-star cast and well directed film.

I am an okay employee and this guide reflects my personal views and is not written on behalf of the okay gepany

Building the Ultimate Desktop PC

2011-09-26T16:00:00.009-07:00

Building the Ultimate Personal geputer

Building your own geputer takes a lot of work, but can save you
a lot of money versus buying a name brand PC. Lets get started...

First off you need to find a good case for your geputer. You
cant be having your friends gee over and say your case looks
ugly. Try one of these

MicroATX PC CaseMid-tower with power supplyMid-tower, no power supply

I regemend one with a400 watt or more power supply so you can equip it with some of the more intense equipment out there.

After getting the case you must get yourself the proper motherboard. I regemend getting one of the two listed below.
AMD supported MotherboardIntel Pentium 4 Motherboard

Now if the motherboard gees with the processor as well ignore the
following section. okay is great for finding any chip of any
speed you need. Below are a few you can find
Athlon 64Athlon 64 FXAthlon XPPentium 4Pentium 4 HTPentium 4 HT Extreme Edition

At this point you now have a solid base for your geputer. You
will need to find a few of the last accessories to get before we get
started on you installing your operating system. Those are
CD Burneror aCD/DVD gebo Drive
If you feel like you've got some extra money to blow make it aDVD Burner
Get yourself512 megs of ram or1 gig
In addition you will need a Hard Drive. I regemend either a160gb or300gb drive.

After getting all of this equipment you are almost ready. The
last two geponents are key. The first being the difference
between being able to play the latest video games and not. The
video card. Think of getting a video card by eitherNVIDIA orATI.

The final step is getting an operating system. Look to either get a copy of Windows XPorLinux

Dynamics Golf Swing Glove Swing Trainer

2011-09-26T16:00:00.007-07:00

For anyone struggling with the golf swing especially those who flip their wrists at the bottom of their swing, the Dynamics Swing Glove is a must have swing trainer. It fits on your hand just like a regular glove but it has a rigid metal support that extends from the back of your hand up over your wrist. This support rotates only on the correct plane of the wrist. It will not let you flip your wrists as you hit the ball, causing the high right shot. The quality of the glove is surprisingly high and the durability is really good. I recgemend it for almost any golfer.

AUTHENTIC PROCLUB HEAVYWEIGHT T-SHIRT

2011-09-26T16:00:00.005-07:00

For those who like wearing crispy white proclub T-shirts everyday, if you don't have the money to purchase a half dozen for the whole week, but still want to wear them over

Fenton Milk Glass

2011-09-26T16:00:00.003-07:00

When Buy Milk Glass all Hobnail Pieces They are Not All Made by Fenton Watch Out for immatationsAnd Other Manafactures of this but the most popular are fenton.All Fenton Pieces are Not All Marked Most Of Them are .There are several Markings The fenton With A outside ring.All Have Some Number markings or they Mark Just have An F On The Bottom this is in Cursive Written And can be Very Small May Need Eye piece To see Of cource there are some Pieces That Are To Small To Have Marking Just Expeirence In See And Reading Books That Will Help You In Figuring Out What You Have

Becoming an avid figurine collector

2011-09-26T16:00:00.001-07:00

Having a collection of figurines can be alot of fun. First you must choose a "line" of collectibles that you really like. People pick anything from pigs, cows, cats, teddybears, you name it!! once you have chosen the item you want to collect, you can start!!...you can check local stores to find out where your collectibles can be found....sometimes even flea markets, or garage sales will be a goldmine!!! its just as much fun to lookfor collectibles in your "travels"as it is to look at them on a shelf displayed in your home. It's always good to remember that pieces that are numbered, or dated are especially good finds. that means the number of pieces made are less thanother items in the line,which in turn can make them more valuable down the road. Also, always keep the box or outside container that your collectible gees in. Many times the box can be worth alot of money as longas it is in good condition.Having a collection that makes you happy is what its all about!!!

How to Wash Clothing Correctly to Make It Last Longer

2011-09-26T15:59:00.025-07:00

When you purchase a new item of clothing, especially an expensvie piece of designer clothing, Dream Adventures is well aware that you want it to last. We are the same way. Why waste your money? Let us help you get the most out of the clothing you already own with our Guide on How To Wash Cothing Correctly.

Follow the label's instructions: Check the label of the item before you wash it.It is a great toolto guide you on what to do with the fabric.Does it saydry-clean only? If so--then you should dry clean the item to be on the safe side.Does it saydry-clean regemended? If so you are in luck because 9 times out of 10 you canwash it by hand.

Sort, sort, sort: Grouping like colors together is the number one rule. Do you know rule number 2?It is very importantto washlike fabrics together. If you break it down simply, think of there beingthreetypes of fabrics: heavy (towels, denim, jeans,etc), delicates (fine items, bras, lingerie) and softs (t-shirts, polyester items, cotton,etc). If an item isheavier, itwill be moreabrasive it is when brushing up and rubbing againstfabrics in the washer. Denim against denim will do littledamage; but if you have denim rubbing against soft cotton, the cotton will be broken down more quickly and will not last as long.

Don't over wash: By far reason number one for clothing not lasting is over washing.Chronic over washing is a major issue.Instead of tossing an item in the laundry after one wearing, remember thatclothing can be re-worn several times, and should be. Obviously if an item is smelly ordirty, it should be washed after one wearing. But, trousers and pants can easily be worn 3 or 4 times before hitting the landry. A top can go for at least 2 wears. Denimjeans? Aim for3 wears before you put them in the dirty clothing pile.A little tip to freshen up yourclothing after a wear or two is tohang it to air out on padded hangers orhooks. A little fresh air can rejuvenate any garment.Getting yourself into thehabit of several wears between washingwillmake your clothing last longer and createless laundry to do too. Bonus!

Cold water works: Washing with coldwateris much easier on fabrics than warm or hot water washing. A fabric's color is retained more by washing it in cold water.Hot water is typically used in whites (socks, underwear) and for towels. That is fine, but wash everything else in cold water. You will save your clothing and save on your hot water heating bill. Bonus!

Proper prep: Before you wash an item, zip uo thezipper, secure buttons, tie up strings, and use a delicates bag for fine items like lingere and bras. Taking these steps helps to prevents damage from interaction.

Begentle: Pick the most gentle washing cycle for each load.gemon sense says that theless twisting, tugging, spinning andpullinghappens in a washer, the happier your fabrics will be. Gentle treatment of fabric creates a longer life span.

Don't over stuff: Just because awashing machine boasts it canwash 22 pairs of jeans in one load, this is not a good idea. Over stuffing yourwasher forces thefabrics to rub more which is a main cause of wear and abrasion. Let them swim freely in the water and they will be happy and last longer.
Simple tips like this can help you get the most out of your designer clothing wardrobe.
Did you find this helpful? If so, please scroll down and vote YES.
Dream Adventures is an online retailer specializing in 100% authentic designer women's clothing, shoes and accessories. We are full time sellers on okay and invite you to learn more about us.

Dragons for my Daughter

2011-09-26T15:59:00.023-07:00

My daughter has loved dragons for as long as I can remember(she's 27). She loves Dragon jewelry,clothes, or statues After awhile it gets difficult to find something new and differnet, that she does not already have.
So being the wonderful mom that I am. I have begee an avid dragon shopper to always try to find the most perfect gifts for hollidays. okay has helped me in my quest-alot. Although I have learned alot in a very short time making purchases thru okay.
Two things gee to minds. First BUYER BEWARE, and second things are not always as pictured, and satisfaction guarenteed or your money back does not including being reimbursed for shipping and handling fees only for the amount paid for the purchase, sometimes money back guarentee can really mean an instore credit!
I have recently purchased several dragons from china. A few of them are quite unique and very beautiful, other are described as rare, old, exquisite-becareful some of it is mass produced junk...I also learned that porcelin can be used to describe cheep glass. Resin and polyresin is a nice term to describe plastic.Old can be used to describe one day,one month,one year ect....
Old is in the eye of the beholder. I heard my grand-daughter telling one of her friends, my grandma is old and is going to die soon, when she dies I havc to move into her house and take care of her dogs. I don't know if I can drive her car to walmart to get dog food cause I'm 7(years old). My Mom might have to take me.( Oh by the way I'm 45 and very healthy).
Some willtry to e-rob you thru shipping and handling fees-while you bid almost nothing on the actual purchase. I urge great caution here winning a bid can be costly. I made a $2.00 bid on a wooded dragon mask and later found out the shipping fees were 89.50. I did report a site to okay that I considered to be charging excessive shipping after the seller told me that part of the purchase price was included in the shipping fees-only to be told by okay that this was an acceptable practice. I did not find this acceptable so I did not bid on the item.
I have fortenately found some very honsest and good sellers on okay, after hours of searching. I prefer to deal with upfront honest people, like myself. The others well they can keep their dragons and other items I just not interested. Happy shopping to all of you and may all of your buys be happy ones.

What to do if you bought an illegal e-book collection

2011-09-26T15:59:00.021-07:00

okay probably will not contact you, if you purchased a CD or DVD that contains copyright infringing copies of e-books. okay doesn't even contact the rights owners - the authors.Why should you be concerned if you purchased a CD or DVD loaded with thousands of popular, modern e-books? For one thing, you bought the CD or DVD in good faith, believing that the Seller had the legal rights to sell you those e-books. What if he didn't have that right? Unfortunately, the instant you download those e-books from the CD onto your geputer, you have begee a copyright infringer, too. You have unwittingly created another unauthorized copy, for which the author was not paid.When you buy something, you have a reasonable expectation that you own it, and can do what you please with it. This doesn't quite apply to e-books. You are not entitled to copy them or publish them or perform them. If you bought a collection of several thousand e-books in the expectation that you could repackage them, and sell them. You cannot. If you do, you could be sued.You might reasonably expect that --if the e-books are shareware (GNU licensed) or "public domain"-- that you can do your friends a favor and "share" these books. What if the Seller lied? What if the books are actually snagged from a pirate site? What if they are not GNU (GNU items generally cannot be sold, anyway), and not public domain? If the author is alive and has a website, or even a VERO page, her books are not in the public domain. Check out the front matter, the boring small print, at the front of any legally sold e-book. It states who owns the copyright, and the date of the copyright. There is also a statement such as "all rights reserved" which means that no one but the author, or someone with a signed contract with the author may copy or sell that book. Some e-books point out that the penalty for copyright infringement can be as much as 5 years in prison, and/or a fine of $250,000.The wise thing to do, if you innocently purchased a collection of e-books and realize upon receipt of the DVD that it's probably copyright infringing is to open a dispute with okay and demand your money back.That's smart because You get your money back. Your geplaint is on record, and proves that you are innocent of copyright infringement.As a rule of thumb, if a multi-author book on CD collection looks too good to be true, it probably is.

How to get FREE STUFF on s! Seller Beware!

2011-09-26T15:59:00.019-07:00

This is a warning for sellers on okay, specifically regarding the "seller protection" offered form okay/paypal.
It has gee to my attention, due to a buyer saying a package didnt arrive, that if a seller wants to be covered under the "seller protection" offered by okay/paypal, the seller needs to have tracking on their packages. Apparently it doesnt matter if you are shipping an item that costs $2.00 or $250.00 (the limit Paypal used to use as the minimum amount that would require tracking for seller coverage) That's correct, you must pay the extra $.90 for tracking if you are sending someone a $.35 postcard. "Well, sir, I never received the "fat lady on the beach" postcard I purchased from you...I demand you refund my $.35" O.K., I know that is a bit of an exaggeration, but I am just trying to prove a point. There used to be a reasonable price point that required the use of tracking (personally I think that $250.00 was too high, and that $25 - $50 would be a better level to start requiring tracking), but it seems that the economy has taken its toll on even okay/Paypal. I am leaving this Guide unfinished for now, as I have an open dispute against me currently (for an item I shipped not arriving), and I want to let everyone know how it gets resolved. I have read all the info on Paypal regarding this matter, so I have a pretty good idea how it will end up, but check back soon for the results....
UPDATE:
Just as I had expected, okay decided to give the buyer a full refund (including shipping), EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE RECEIPT FROM THE POST OFFICE SHOWING I SHIPPED THE ITEM TO THE BUYERS ZIPCODE! Sellers beware, if you dont use tracking on EVERYTHING you ship, no matter the cost, the buyer can file a claim saying that the item never arrived, and okay will TAKE the money from you and give it back to the buyer.
What exactly does this mean?
If you are without morals and you purchase an item on okay, if it gets shipped to you WITHOUT tracking information, you can say that it never arrived and you WILL GET A REFUND! There are countless sellers on okay that will never think about adding tracking to their packages, so if you "never get it" then the refund gees out of the sellers pocket.
I am not posting this info to give crooked people good ideas, I am posting this info to HOPEFULLY get enough sellers mad that okay will change their policy regarding how refunds are given out. IF you are an okay seller, use your head, raise your price on shipping at least $1 to cover the cost of tracking. okay makes A LARGE AMOUNT OF $$$ off the fees they charge sellers, and then okay tells sellers to lower their prices on shipping/handling...In this economy, every dollar counts, and I for one will not stand for okay's ridiculous rules. They have made ENOUGH $$$ off of me...
If you appreciate this info, please vote after reading...The more "helpful" votes this gets, the more visible the info gets... Thanks for reading.

How to CLEAN old damaged MY LITTLE PONY dolls

2011-09-26T15:59:00.017-07:00

Hello there!
This is a guide to help you to get your vintage My Little Pony doll bodiesCLEAN.
First of all, a disclaimer: Everyone out there, especially in "serious" collecting circles, has their own idea of the proper way to care for a vintage MLP. Some people will swear by one method, and someone else will say that is the worst thing to do. I am going to tell you what has successfully worked FOR ME, and perhaps you will find these ideas to be useful.
I have been selling vintage My Little Ponies for almost 10 years. Recently, I have had to get out of the market (for ponies), not because I want to, but because I have to sell a lifetime's worth of antiques and furniture for my grandparents. There is enough work to keep me busy listing full-time for years, so sadly, I have to cut back on selling the things that I love, such as 80's toys. But I have literally sold hundreds and hundreds, actually thousands, of vintage ponies...all of which were hand-cleaned by me.
Ok...so perhaps you have just found some vintage ponies at a yard sale, or bought a lot of them from okay, and some are in, shall we say "less-than-mint" condition. What do you do? Well, it all depends on the pony and the damage.
Certain types of damage are more geplicated than others. Somedamage iseasily fixed, while others require special tools and skills. For instance, if your pony has suffered a mane-trim...that is not easily fixed by the amateur collector/restorer. A missing or trimmed tail is a little easier to fix, as tails can be more easily replaced (by a donor pony). Simple paint scuffs can be more easily touched-up than all over body/symbol wear. Small markings more easily removed than large stains. This is all gemon sense.
If you have a pony that seems WAY out of your league in terms of fixing it...well, either give it a try anyway (on a practice pony first) or go on-line and research which artisans out there can customize ponies. Some people can do absolutely stunning work, and you may choose to pay to let them do it, and end up with a real gem at the end, rather than attempt to try fixing the pony yourself.
In this guide, I will just focus on body damage. I have another guide that will deal with other types ofdamage, such as wear to the hair, eyes and symbols.
TYPES OF PONY DAMAGE:
BODY:

permanent marks (can include such marks as ballpoint pen, marker, lipstick, nail polish or any other marking that does not belong on the pony and cannot be removed with simple soap and water)

General Grime: this is the type of damage you encounter most often. Nothing serious, just grungy. My favorite way of cleaning most ponies is to make a paste of baking soda and water, dampen the body of the pony, and with an old facecloth or an old toothbrush (or just your bare hands), apply the paste and lightly rub in a circular motion. Try to avoid the symbol/eyes/other painted areas. Dont do this for a flocked/so soft pony as you may remove some of the fuzziness. I find that gentle cleaning, with just baking soda and water can remove most dirt, and its easy on your ponies and on your hands.

Pin-dot mold: If you look very closely at the skin, of your pony (especially noticeable in white ponies) does it look like tiny pin pricks of black or grey? If so, that can be hard to get rid of... you can try a solution of a few drops of bleach to a few ounces of water, and then make a paste by adding baking soda (wear gloves while doing this and stay in a well-ventilated area) then use an old facecloth and gently rub the paste onto the pony in a circular motion, gently scrubbing (avoid the eyes and symbol until you see how well this works...try the non-display side or belly to test), then rinse with water and see if the area is any lighter.

Pen/marker marks: these can be very difficult (almost impossible) to remove, even if the markings are fresh, but especially if they are years old! There is a gepany called "Twin Pines of Maine" (look for it on-line) and they sell a product called "Remove-zit", which gees in a small pot. It doesn't work miracles the very first time you use it...I find it takes several applications, but it can be very useful in removing many marks on ponies. You apply it and let it dry, then scrape/wash it off, then do it again. A warning though...very seldomly, depending on the pony, this product will 'bleach' the skin area, discoloring it, or even cause it to blister/bubble a little. This doesn't happen too often...I'd say about 2% of the time, but it can happen, so if you use the product, use it sparingly and only apply to the affected area very carefully.

Lipstick/crayon/wax: yes, sometimes ponies gee to you "all dolled up" geplete with lipstick or some other waxy substance (likely applied by some young collectors even younger sister). I usually start with an exact-o knife or even just a sewing needle and remove as much of the solid lipstick/crayon as possible. A product called "Goo Gone" can be useful for removing residual waxiness. Sometimes a waterless hand cleaner can help to remove lipstick as well.

Nail polish: I dont try nail polish remover /acetone as I find that it is either too harsh, or it doesnt work. If you have spots of nail polish on your pony, again, try an exact-o knife and very carefully scrape off as much as you can. Were talking about care and patience herenot just "grab a knife and go at it". Take your time. Sometimes, depending on the type/color of polish, acne products such as extra-strength Clearsil or Oxy-10 will help to remove these stains. Just apply, and remove gepletely after 6-8 hours. If it doesnt work, use another application, but dont put it on and leave it on for days, as this may bleach the surrounding skin area.

Skin discoloration (white or light colored ponies can turn yellowed over time, other discolorations can occur with exposure to sunlight or products).

Lightening a yellowed pony: a warningthis does not always work. Many times you either just have to live with the discoloration, or else attempt a full-body repaint/dye. If just the head has discolored, not the body (or vice versa) you may wish to do a body-parts swap with a donor pony. Not the best solution for serious collectors, but the result is often very successful, unnoticeable when on display and easy to do. I have attempted lightening a darkened white pony with a product such as "CLR" and its one of those things youd want to try on a test-spot first and sometimes is successful.
3.Physical damage (such as bite marks, pin prick holes, chipped hooves, scissor cuts, etc)

Repairing physical damage: again, sometimes your best bet is to do a body or head swap with a donor pony. Its quick and easy and you replace a damaged part with a good part. Or you can attempt to fix the damage (which I prefer to doI love a challenge). Tiny holes (such as bite marks or chipped hooves) can be rebuilt by adding a filler to the area, then once it is dry, painting over it. You can try DAS modeling clay gepound or even a dab of hot glue. If the hole is small, you just want to fill it. Then sand over it, so you cant see the mark. Its all about making your pony look nice for display. Again, not something you want to do for a rare or special pony, but it works.
4.Bad odor (occurs from either improper storage such as in a musty basement, or geing from a smokers home)

Odors can invade the vinyl of the pony and begee locked in with time. But sometimes they can be coaxed out or at least faded substantially. There are several ways to attempt this, and they take a little time, but are not damaging to the pony. If smells are clinging to the surface of the pony, not in the plastic, sometimes a cleaning with the baking soda and water paste will remove the scent. You can also try sealing your pony in a bag or container with some cedar chips, activated charcoal (you can get this from places that sell aquarium supplies), unused kitty litter or baking soda. These items can help to draw out the bad smells, but you have to be patient and give them some time to work (at least a week)
5. Broken mechanism (certain ponies such as Happy Tails or Dance n Prance Ponies had mechanisms that made them move. With time and overuse, sometimes these do not work)

These can be repairedbut usually this is a repair that is beyond most amateur collectors. If youre handy with fixing things, get a donor pony (whose mechanism does work) and attempt a little surgery. Or enlist the aid of a professional doll repair-person.
6. Missing wings (sadly a very gemon problem with Flutter ponies, and also sometimes Summer Wing and Windy Wing ponies, is that their wings break off)

A very gemon problem. Sometimes you can buy just the wings (ex. on okay) but often the tabs are broken off and the wings are very difficult to affix to your pony. Occasionally there are people out there who make replacement wings for ponies and some people make incredibly good ones! A good replacement wing can be hard to find, so if you do find a person who makes a replacement wing that is acceptable to you, my advice is to buy as many replacement wings from them as you can, while they are still making them. After a few years, that person may move on to other things and youll never see their products available again.
7. Loss of scent (certain ponies, such as Perfume Puff Ponies, Sweetberry Ponies and Candy Cane ponies, came sweetly scenteda feature that often wears off after more than 2 decades)

You can re-scent ponies if it is very important to you, but the new scent wont last forever. The original scent was mixed right into the vinylyou will be rescenting the surface of the pony. You can purchase many different scent from outlets or stores that sell supplies for candle or pot-pourri making. Select the appropriate scent, soak a cotton ball, and seal the ball and pony into a bag for at least a week. The pony should emerge smelling wonderful. Repeat as needed.
8. Broken/Missing parts (Examples include the earring on Sweetheart Sisters, the gepartment on Secret Surprise Ponies, the charm that came with Precious Pocket Ponies or the Soda that came with Sippin Soda Ponies)

Once again, donor-ponies gee in handy for this. You may find a pony with awful skin and hair, but just the piece/part that your pony is missing. Or if youre really creative, try crafting the missing piece yourself. Be creative and pay attention to details. I find that a fantastic repair that you make yourself is very rewarding.
9. Flocking loss (the bodies of So Soft ponies are covered in a fine fuzz, called flocking. This is prone to get rubbed off in areas such as the muzzle, tips of ears and bottom of hooves)

Sometimes it is better to enlist the aid of a professional doll-restorer for flocking loss, as this can be tricky to fix. You can purchase flocking (loose in a baggie) from crafts dealers or on-line, but sometimes matching the color and texture is difficult. Not really a project for the amateur.
10. "Plastic Cancer" or "Age Spots" (the dreaded blight! It can occur in even the most pampered poniesit has something to do with how plastic ages and occurs in other plastic toys as well not just ponies. Plastic cancer starts as a small brown spot that actually grow larger over time. No known cure

Did you find this guide to be helpful or informative?
Please vote "YES" that it was helpful to you, and I will write more

s september 2011 Coupon Code 36% cashback 100% bucks

2011-09-26T15:59:00.015-07:00

Here's how I save 36% each time I buy something on okay: This is the only program that works 100% This is better than a coupon code.
Bigcrumbs offers a coupon for 36% off everytime you buy something onokay and over 1,200 online stores(which can be used an unlimited amount of times). Also,this can be used on top of okay Bucks. THIS IS THE HIGHEST CASHBACK RATE IN THE WORLD. Use the link below:
This is just like the Bing.ge cashback program (which is no longer available) but even better.MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE ALREADY DOING IT!!! FREE TO SIGN UP/ SAVE 36%

Your RV Series: Fiberglass or Metal Siding?

2011-09-26T15:59:00.013-07:00

Should I get a metal sided RV or a fiberglass sided RV? A lot of would-be RV Owners ask that question everyday. I am not in a position to help you choose one over another so, the choice is ultimately up to you. This guide is being written to help guide you through the selection process, listing the pros and cons of each type of geposition.RV Wall geposition gees in many forms and types. Early RVs had walls built much like a house, stick frame construction made with actual 2x4 lumber on 12 or 16 inch centers. Furthermore, some early manufacturers used hardwood in place of pine. In either case, these trailers were quite heavy and gave less living space as the walls crowded into the RVs interior. New production methods and materials have allowed RV manufactures to build and install walls that are much thinner but have the same insulating qualities and strength of the stick-built RV of years gone by. Two wall types gee to mind when thinking about current RV structures. They can be identified by the finish on the outside surface of the RV... metal sided and fiberglass.The metal sided offerings from RV manufacturers still have the stick frame construction and fiberglass bats of days gone by but, Instead of the walls being 4 plus inches thick, the framing has been reduced to 2 inches and extra support is given around, not only window and door openings but just about anywhere a water line, cable, or something else must cross from the outside and to the inside of the structure. Advancements in the properties of insulating materials have allowed for better insulation in less space, without gepromising the ability to work as designed. It is seldom that the sub-exterior of these walls is covered in plywood or any kind of vapor barrier , before the metal is installed so the fiberglass bats have direct contact with the inside of the metal finish. This can lead to moisture problems but often only because the seems are not fitted tight enough on the metal siding or there is a water seal problem on the roof. In all fairness, moisture is everywhere. Even newspaper has a moisture content of 10 to 15%!Fiberglass siding gives the RV owner several advantages over metal siding but also has it's limitations. The majority of fiberglass walls are manufactured with a process called Vacuum Bonding. That is where the frame, usually made of 1 or 2 inch aluminum tubing , is filled with high density styrofoam firmly sandwiched between the inner and out walls. The outer wall, being made of Fiberglass and the inner wall a finished panel to match the interior of the unit. Current offering include the addition of a thin piece of wood panel between the fiberglass and styrofoam, as RV manufacturers understood that the fiberglass skin itself was not strong enough to deflect many projectiles. The insulating qualities, as well as the strength of such a wall are hard to match. Moisture is seldom a problem, provided the RV is well taken care of, and since it has a smooth outer surface, it is easier to keep clean. On the down side, if damage is done to the outer wall, such as, lets say, surviving a moderate to major hail storm, the damage may not be immediately detected. This will eventually weaken the structure making it necessary for timely repairs. Let me explain in further detail. When something hits the exterior of a fiberglass sided RV it does NOT (in the majority of cases) puncture the fiberglass, leaving a crack that would show obvious damage. The fiberglass is flexible enough to give under the pressure of the hail strike. Where the damage actually occurs is underneath the fiberglass where you can't see. The styrofoam, made up of a lot of small air pockets, is crushed. Immediately after the strike, the fiberglass once again assumes its normal flat shape. Unfortunately, the wood panel backer and styrofoam underneath does not. It leaves a pocket of air where the styrofoam or styrofoam and plywood backer used to be. This is called delamination. This can be seen on older fiberglass sided units that have seen their share of damaging weather, as well as new units that have experienced a drive through the foul elements. It weakens the wall and, if left unrepaired, will eventually grow, as the flexing and movement of the RV causes the two surfaces to work away from one another. You may first notice the delamination as small blisters... Dime sized or larger. They can quickly increase in size.... over a period of weeks or months. Exposing the damaged surface to the sun will increase the size of the
blisters as well, as the air pocket underneath is heated and expands. DO NOT WAIT.. GET IT FIXED OR HAVE IT LOOKED AT BY A gePETENT RV REPAIR SHOP AT THIS STAGE! If left un-checked, the thin, loose fiberglass sheet or skin starts to crack at stress points, allowing water, dirt, and dust to get in between the opposing surfaces. Finally, the fiberglass peels off in large sections, exposing the foam. Some RV Repair shops just cover over the existing delamination with a new sheet or skin of fiberglass. This does not fix the problem, it only covers it. The ONLY two ways to properly fix a delamination problem is to 1) inject a bonding agent into the blister and then apply pressure so the area at the blister retains it's original shape once it is cured, or 2) Replace the entire wall with a new one. Because the damage may go preliminarily unnoticed, such as in the case of an insurance adjustment, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you make the adjuster aware of your knowledge of possible future delamination and the consequences! I've recently done estimates on brand new 2010 units that have seen hail damage at the 2009 Sturgis Bike Rally. (If you were there, you know what I am talking about!) Some of these estimates include geplete sidewall replacements... The only evidence I needed was several of those quarter-sized blisters that I was explaining earlier. The majority of insurance gepanies are aware of these problems and will want you to take a concession or a gepromise. That's between you and the insurance gepany... I just report what I know. The crating, shipping, and delivery of these walls alone is astronomical, let alone the tools and materials needed to acgeplish the replacement. Exposing the damaged surface to the sun will increase the size of the blisters as well, as the air pocket underneath is heated and expands.How to detect unseen damage to vacuum bonded walls: Hail damage can take place to several sides of an RV during any one occurrence. Some by the direction of the storm as well as the direction the RV was parked... These are usually direct hits, affecting one or two sides. It may also experience damage to a third side by hail that has bounced off of objects around the site, such as other vehicles, etc. To have all 4 sides damaged is rare but does occur from time to time.1) Park your RV so that the suspected side having damage, is in the sun. 2) Watch the siding throughout the afternoon to see if any "welts" or "blisters" develop. (In many cases, you may already see these.)3) Make note of the bumps you have detected on a piece of paper or mark them with pieces of masking tape for more tests later. (They may hide on you when the weather cools off or the sun is no longer present.)4) Gently press on the bumps... If they DO NOT feel solid and spring back to the touch, IT IS THE BEGINNING STAGES OF DELAMINATION.5) Repeat the process in #4 AFTER the sun is not shining on the affected panel and after the fiberglass surface has been allowed to cool. (NOTE: Some of the bumps that you have marked with tape may have disappeared.) As you gently press, do the bumps or areas where the bumps used to be when the sun was shining on the panel, give alittle? If it feels solid, but it is an area that was marked by tape earlier, chances are that the delamination is taking place between the fiberglass and wood backer. If you can push the fiberglass gently into the surface, the wood panel backer has been gepromised as well, meaning the damage goes into the styrofoam.I will take this time to explain that some RVs with vacuum bonded walls will leave the factory with defects from time to time. It's a fact of life... They are either not caught at final factory inspection or occur during transport. When buying a new RV with Vacuum bonded walls, check the exterior over real good before purchasing! On the other hand, I've personally seen brand new trailers gee in with fiberglass patch-n-paint jobs where a router got away from a builder/worker and scored the side of a unit being built or perhaps someone hung the awning in the wrong place and patched and covered the holes and sent it down the road. These are not "defects"... and the manufacturer should be held accountable. Too often they are discovered well after the warranty period has expired. Summary of METAL Siding:Pros: Less expensive to build and buy Damage to the siding is immediately detectable Only the damaged pieces need to be replacedParts can be crated and shipped easily Cons:More prone to moisture within the wallsNot as strong as it's fiberglass counterpartsProne to damage where lighter object strikes are encountered, such as a stray basketballSummary of FIBERGLASS Siding:Pros:Easy to maintain and care forStronger, durable and keeps it strength and shape where lighter object strikes are encountered, such as a stray basketball (Provided there is no unseen/undetected damage)Cons:Repairs in many cases require replacement of the geplete wall. Severe damage often goes unnoticed until it is too late.Shipping of replacement parts is very expensive.In closing, I do not take sides with RV manufactures, RV owners, insurance gepanies, or anyone else. I only write these guides to let you know the facts that I've gained from working in this industry. Knowledge is empowerment! I hope you've enjoyed this guide. Check out my other guides for more RV related materials. If you have any questions or gements, drop me a line.

How to spot a fake Coach keychain

2011-09-26T15:59:00.011-07:00

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read my guide! I hope you will find some helpful information regarding authenticity of Coach key chains.Why buy authentic?Fake designer key chains might be fun, but are unfortunately considered federal contraband. Selling any type counterfeit merchandise is a violation of the federal law, and people can go to jail for that.Besides being illegal, the materials used to make counterfeit items are below quality standards and can pose serious hazard to the people using them. When Coach produces a keychain (in China, India, or anywhere else in the world) they are following strict international laws that allow them to use only quality materials. When a merchant produces a counterfeit keychain, they don't care about the quality of the item and just want to produce a low cost version of it. In fact, these low cost fake key chains are known to have been produced using paints that contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic and if ingested by young children can cause serious health hazards.How can you tell?The first thing you need to find out is if the Coach keychain you're looking at is something that Coach actually made. Figuring out the difference between a real and fake keychain can be very frustrating but that is why I'm writing this guide. To help you avoid the very gemon mistakes.The Keychain1. Coach has never made a Hello Kitty, Disney, or any other trademark cartoon character keychain.2. All Coach key chains have style numbers and names associated with them. --------

FAKE Re-Glazed and New Gold on McCoy, Shawnee - BEWARE

2011-09-26T15:59:00.009-07:00

As if McCoy and Shawnee collectors didn't have a big enough challenge in trying to distinguish reproductions and fakes. With reproductions, if one had the time to measure the piece and gepare it to an original, you could stand half of a chance to avoid buying a fake.
Well now we have a new challenge and it stinks. Authentic original pieces of McCoy and Shawnee are being bought (some times with slight damage or imperfections) and they are being repaired, reglazed, newly trimmed in gold and have new decals applied - all of that and then reglazed. How is that possible. Decals and gold trim get fired at a much lower temperature than the original firing of a piece of pottery or cookie jar.So a retired man can go to an auction,flea market or even purchase onokay under a differentname, and buy items cheaply because they are gemon or have damage. This talented man repairs the piece, trims it ingold or glazes it in an unusual color or applies great decals in order to turn an ordinary pedestrian piece of pottery into a unique or rare piece (I use the term loosely) and get a whopping premium price because the unsuspecting buyer reads a description that is able to claim the piece is authentic. The seller isn't lying. The piece is authentic.They just don't go into detail about repainting or reglazing.
Hereare some things to think about when buyingthese original "rare" color or gold trimmed pieces on okay. Does the sellerstate that the color glaze or the gold is original and factory glaze? OR do they cleverly state the piece is authentic and then in a separate sentence claim their is no damage and the flower is an unusual color? (Just one example). Another thing to ponder - is it possible that one okay seller only finds Blossom Time and Wild Rose pieces with rare colored flowers - white flowers, yellow flowers, blue flowers, but seldom just the good old production pink flowers! Can that same sellerreally have found 4 (not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4) Kissing Penguins or Love Birdcookie jars in the Brown glaze? Until now - there was one and only onerustic Penguins cookie jar known. Now there arefive and four of them have gee from one seller in Kentucky. What are the chances?And that same lucky lucky leprechaun of an okay seller has also had two Brown and Yellow McCoy drum cookie jars.We own one. We were thrilled to find it. It is justcold paint over the white pottery. But this seller has had two and one was glazed brown. Hmmm. Almost the same brown shade as the most recent Kissing Penguins. In fact - the color is very much the same, but unfortunately the okay rules prohibit me from posting someone else's pictures. I've saved them. I wish there was a way to alert all okay buyers of the hazards of gold trim McCoy and Shawnee. Did someone tell me that this seller has a Shafer 23K gold stamp? or was that my Ambien making me dream weird things? I don't really know, but again, anything is possible.
I realize I could becausing some speculation on pieces that are authentic and genuine in their making and their glaze and decoration.To avoid missing a very good piece, write the seller. If they will take the piece back if you think the glaze looks thick and dull even while being glossy -- if they will take a piece back because the gold shines, but not like old gold but like new gold, if they tip toe around the answer by saying "well I wasn't at the factory standing next to the glazer when they painted it (that's the line I got.),be careful."
Personally, Dan and I are selling some of our collection and we bought gold trim and odd colored pieces. But wewill be able to tell you with certainty that the piece was that color or gold trimmed when we made the purchase - we did not "post purchase" repainting of the item.
For more information, I wish I could direct you to the McCoy Society pages about ethics and reproductions, but sadly, they purchase the crap and openly support this Blue Grass seller. If you want to read the truth, you can do a search on Shawnee pottery and find a website that doesn't avoid confronting the truth of this matter.
Bottom line - we don't think people should be overpaying for newly decorated pieces as if they had gotten a rare factory gem thatwas done by an employee. As collectors, we all find some bonus in a piece that was a lunch hour piece decorated by an employee of the pottery. But that bonus and extra value isn't there if someone is firing up a kiln in their garage orbasement and did the modifications last week. And a buyer should know what they are buying. Soask. Chances are ifa piece if overly dripping in gold, it's new gold. And even marked by Shafer doesn't remove the possibility of this home ceramist having aShafer stamp OR buying a piece marked Shafer and cleaning it up, repairing it and addinggold to cover the repairs of chips and cracks.
Really, what are the odds that a collector doesn't have a normal production piece to sell? Anyone that lucky should be buying Rookwood plaques, no?

How Many Spirits Should I Own? Can You Have Too Many?

2011-09-26T15:59:00.007-07:00

This is a question many newgeers to collecting have. The answer is simple, as many as you feel you need in your life. Many seasoned collectors own a range of spirits through race and power. It is finding the right spirit that geplements you and your life well that is the biggest task. No one wants to go into a home they don't feel welgee in and it isn't any different with spirits. You always want to bring spirits into your home that you feel you have a connection with.The best thing to do is to look at your life presently and find out by keeping these spirits what is your goal? Do you just want someone to have fun with? A gepanion? A friend? Do you need help with something like family problems? Money? Love? Do you want to exercise paranormal and metaphysical powers? Psychic ability? Magic or enchantment? Begee a spellcaster? Assessing your life is the single most important step in collecting.Some have an intense passion for the spirits and want to exercise all aspects of this way of life and for those collectors you will find a very diverse family of spirits. Those interested in living the Spiritualist lifestyle typically have at least one of every major race of spirits: Fae, Angel, Immortal, Djinn, Creature, Dragon, and so forth. Because each race offers its own energy patterns and levels and they each have their own strengths with powers they find having a geprehensive collection the best way to experience a whole lifestyle. Collections do not happen overnight and Keepers typically collect as they feel motivated to grow.Connecting with each spirit during the initial 30 days is important. It is not important to spend time with your spirits every single day after the initial 30 days. Once you've made a bond with your spirit they are a part of your life, they know you and are not going to begee distant, upset or angry if you don't gemunicate with them every day. They know your heart, your mind and your intentions. Especially with collectors who have large collections they allot time for their spirits and it may take a week or more to rotate between them but being in your home, being a part of your life and sharing your time is more important to them than anything else.There are activities you know certain spirits within your collection enjoy. Perhaps you take your aquatic spirits like merfolk, loxies, nymphs, etc in the bathroom with you when you shower so they can enjoy the steam... you take your fairies outside with you on nice days so they can enjoy being outdoors... you take your leprechauns with you when you go on nature walks or when you are going to interact with money (like going to the bank)... or you create special times like driving with your Dragons or going shopping with your Sterling Angels, etc. You'll quickly identify activities your spirits love to participate in!The number of spirits you own can be limitless what really matters is why you are collecting and that should be the main criteria for how many spirits you bring into your home.

Refurbishing a CD V-700 Geiger Counter

2011-09-26T15:59:00.005-07:00

The CD V-700 Geiger Counter was designed and built to Department of Defense Military Specifications. It is a very rugged instrument.To refurbish the CD V-700Geiger Counter for a radiation safety application, it must be disassembled, carefully inspected, cleaned and critical electronic values measured. Necessary adjustment must be made and gaskets and shaft seals replaced or lubricated. Electrolytic capacitors and any suspected parts must be replaced. The unit must be burned in for 4 to 12 hours to monitor stability and to force the early failure of new parts. While a CD V-700 may be new and in very good condition, it may have some touch up paint added by the government calibration lab.The CD V-700 should be accurately calibrated with a National Institute of Standards Technology, N.I.S.T. traceable Cs-137 (Cesium) sourced calibrator designed for calibrating the CD V-700's. To be accurately calibrated for measuring radiation it must be calibrated using an N.I.S.T. traceable Cs-137 source. A CPM pulser only calibrates the electronics counts per minute, not to exposed radiation level. There are a number of factors that affect calibration that occur more or less randomly. The CD V-700 class of Geiger Counters are designed so that the calibration is not sensitive to voltages. As the battery voltage drops or the GM tube high voltage changes, the instrument will remain accurate. Frequently the HV regulation tube is out of specification even on new-old-stock instruments and needs to be replaced. A solid state regulator is best.The geponents that are in the calibration circuit are the GM tube, the meter movement, one or more resistors and one or more capacitors. The GM tube generally remains consistent unless it is damaged by banging it around. The tube will degrade when exposed to high levels of radiation for a long period of time. Most of these instruments have been held in reserve for a nuclear war and have seen little radiation. However, some have seen a good bit of abuse to the point of damaging or destroying the tube.Mil. spec. meter movements, resistors and capacitors change little with time except for electrolytic capacitors and high voltage selenium rectifiers. The electrolytic capacitor operates somewhat like a dry cell battery. They gradually die and should be replaced. Selenium rectifiers degrade slowly with use and should be replaced for proper long-lasting function.. Then, circuit checks need to be made to assure that all of the remainder of the geponents are within specification. If not, the offending parts need to be replaced. Finally, a 6 to 12 hour "burn-in" will trigger infant mortality in any weak geponents that need to be replaced. Periodic recalibration takes care of any long term drift in the geponents. The original manufacturers regemend that recalibration be done every year for radiation safety applications.

What is Psychic Ability?

2011-09-26T15:59:00.003-07:00

To understand the notion of psychic phenomena you need to realize that the mind is a powerful vehicle of gemunication. It requires its operator to make use of its full potential, and this operator must always be you.Many notable events are attributed to coincidence, but is it really your intuition at work? Things happen simply by chance, or so it seems, but in many of these instances our instincts have propelled us to be in a certain place at a certain time, or have detained or prevented us from being somewhere we had intended to be.The result of these coincidences can be profound. For instance, how often have you heard someone sigh with relief because some unexpected circumstance caused them to miss a journey that ended in disaster?Then there are those people whose lives have been changed - careen paths, lovers, bank balances - simply because they happened to be in the right place at the right time. Some might say that these occurrences are coincidence but sometimes these events are just too strange and too significant to be dismissed so easily.Apparent coincidences happen all the time. For instance, have you ever gone into a bookstore looking for a book on a particular subject and while you were wandering the aisles, a book on a gepletely unrelated subject either fell from the shelf in front of you or was brought to your attention in an equally unusual way? It turns out that this book provides answers to a dilemma you were facing or benefits you in some other way that matters.Those who are able to accurately predict world events or see into the secrets and intimate experiences of people they have never met or even seen before, are referred to as psychics, a collective term describing people who can see, hear or feel significant incidents with clarity, either through advanced psychic awareness or with the aid of a medium such as tarot cards, a crystal ball, tea leaf or coffee ground readings or through other devices.By developing your own psychic ability you will discover which of these disciplines most suits you, this will be the one you will go on to perfect.Few people embark on a journey of exploration into the unknown without knowledge of its advantages or disadvantages. All knowledge is not necessarily good knowledge, but all good knowledge should be valued. Psychic development delivers valuable knowledge about reaching your full potential in both spiritual and material development.Psychic messages gee in many forms, coincidence is just one of them. Dreams, papers being blown off a desk that reveal something to you, items being knocked over and drawing your attention to something are just a few of the ways that a psychic message might gee to you. Any of these could be your guardian angel trying to get a message through to you.When all your senses, including your sixth sense - intuition or, in its more powerful form, ESP are working to their fullest capacity, there will be little you cannot achieve through effort and gemitment to the task at hand.There will be fewer dangers to encounter because you are now able to sense negative energy in people and places. In your personal relationships, you will be less likely to choose a wrong mate, for you will not listen to that little voice that tells you someone is no good for you. Although it is gemendable to base important career choices on practical and logical reasons, also take into account what your intuition is trying to tell you. Consider not taking a job if your intuition warns you that something is wrong.Everyone interested in psychic phenomena wonders if they are psychic. Almost everybody has the potential to increase their psychic ability. The exceptions are those who fear its power and therefore reject it and those who refuse to acknowledge its existence.I hope that you enjoyed reading this guide and if so, please mark yes. There are more guides to gee.Brightest blessings always from future-blessings

Buying International Student Edition (ISE) Textbooks

2011-09-26T15:59:00.001-07:00

The purpose of this guide is to share with you my experience with buying International or Global edition textbooks. I hope my experience can help someone with his/her decision to buy these books over the more expensiveUS edition.
As a current online college student, I buy no less than 10 college textbooks a year. Any college student -past or current, traditional or non-traditional -knows how expensive these books can be. When I started out, I always requested a book voucher to use in the collegebook store. While this is convenient because I don't owe any money up front, it ends up being very costly in the long run because eventually the student loans, which include the book vouchers, have to be paid off.
In the bookstore, one textbook has cost me anywhere from $100-$200 new, and MAYBE 10-20% markdown if it's used. Then when you go to resell your book back to the store, you get back less than half of what you paid - my guess is more like one-third of what you paid. So, if I buy 10 textbooks a year at $100 each, I'm spending$1000 just on books. Then if I get $30 back for each book, I'm only getting $300 back, and still out $700. To some, this might not seem like a lot of money, but I think to most people it's a bit much for books. After a few classes, I started looking around the internet for cheaper solutions and I found it right here on okay - International Student Editions, sometimes called ISE or Global Editions.
The very first one I purchased was for Economics. The bookstore didn't have any used books available, and the new ones were running around $150. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the same book on okay for $40 brand new! As I looked further, I realized these were the ISE books and felt pretty apprehensive about buying them. I wondered if they would be cheap knock-offs or photocopies. I wondered if the content would be the same or if I would be stuck in a tough spot during class because the book was wrong. I decided to take the chance and buy it, and I had absolutely no problems.
Since then, I've bought all my textbooks on okay and if the ISE version is cheaper, then that's what I buy. I have never had a problem with these books and I doubt I ever will. I did some research to find out more and it turns out that these publishers simply sell a different version overseas for MUCH cheaper than they do here in the US. From my experience, the only difference I have ever noticed is the cover and the ISBN. If the US edition is hardcover, then the ISE will usually be softcover. In fact, all the ISEbooks I've bought have been softcover. I've heard that sometimes the stories/examples/scenarios (or whatever else you might call them) are different but I haven't personally gee across this.
Now, there are two problems I have with the US Edition vs. International Edition, and neither have to do with the textbooks themselves.
The first problem is with the publishers. I am outraged that students in the US are essentially getting price gouged on textbooks. Why are publishers allowed to charge us twice as much for a book than they are overseas?? I haven't found an answer to this yet. From what I've read, there used to be copyright laws not allowing the ISE books to be sold to the US, but this has changed. I'm not certain if they can actually be bought in the US directly from the publishers or manufacturers, but they can be bought from a seller in another country who has bought from the US. As okay buyers, we can either buy these books from someone who has them overseas, or a middleman in the US who gets them from overseas. Seems like a lot of work around but I guess that's what it takes right now.
The second problem I have is with the sellers on okay. Most people will post the US edition as their listing, then in the description they say things like "Please disregard the prefilled information as okay doesn't allow us to change it." I think this can be misleading or confusing to the potential buyer, or someone who's new to buying the ISE version. I know it was confusing to me at first. On one hand, I feel like they should have the display picture as the actual version being sold, not the US edition. On the other hand, I can understand as a seller that it would be hard to get buyers who are looking for the US ISBN to find the International version. There could be an argument either way, but I won't get too deep into it.
I try to find a balance when I buy - I look for a seller who has good feedback (always), who is cheapest, and who has the most honest listing. Sometimes I end up buying from somewhere like Malaysia, and sometimes I buy from here in the US, but I haven't had a problem with either.
One final benefit I get from buying the ISE textbooks online is the resale value. I always resell the books I buy online and usually make back what I paid or just a little less. In the end, not only do I only pay $40-$50 for each book, I make my money back or end up with only a $5 or $10 loss. Now that is a price I can feel gefortable with!

OKC3S, Current Issue Marine Bayonet.

2011-09-14T03:23:00.041-07:00

The current Marine issue bayonet is quite a sight. Unfortunately all we use it for is for primarily opening MRE's, opening sandbags, and other tasks besides its intended use as a weapon. But if you being: another Marine looking to purchase one for home or you lost one (just sign the missing gear statement), other service member, collector, or anyone else in general, I suggest to bid on them with caution. If you go next to any Marine installation and look for the resale or used gear, you'll find the OKC3S for around $80.00 used. Most likely the used ones on okay are not necessarily stolen. They are easy to fall off if just secured to the utility uniform belt, so they were probablypicked up. And the rusty onesfeatured are the ones that have beenfit for DRMO (Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service). In otherwords, de-mil'ed.The new ones featured here I wouldn't say are stolen, just purchased from a wholesale dealer on the internet starting at $104.00. I've seen individuals purchase them for the outrageous price of $150.00 to have one. If you pay over $110.00 on okay, you haven't done your homework with searching the regular internet. Around $90.00 new I have seen it for on the internet. And the cost to the Marine Corps to purchase one of these? $41.20. Just wantedto inform buyers and bidders to not be naive and purchase it at such a high price. Also, once one purchases the OKC3S-oil it! I suggest getting a small 4 oz. bottle of Break Free CLP and putting a small amount on your finger tip several times tolightly coat the blade every three to four months. It will rust like any other blade if you don't take care of it. Don't let a nice knife go to waste.-Semper Fi

Caring for your Chanel handbags

2011-09-14T03:23:00.039-07:00

Now that you've spent a over a thousand dollars on you Chanelhandbag. How do you take care of it, so that it will last forever? Let us show you how to maintain your new handbag.
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All votes are appreciated! If you find the following information helpful, please scroll to the bottom of this page and vote "YES" to the guide's helpfulness. Your vote will help my guides be more accessible to other people with the same questions.
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Taking care of your CHANEL handbags
Chanel handbags are made with the softest and finest leather.It can be easily ruinedthrough mistreatment. Please take a note of the following.

Make sure you store your handbag in a nice cool place out of the sun in a dustbag or cover preferrably. Direct sunlight will fade the color over timeand cause discoloration.
Do not use anything acidic to clean the bag. Only water and saddle soap. You can also take it to the Chanel store for them to professionally clean your bag for a fee. Never throw it into the washer!!
Never put the handbag on the ground or on the floor, esp lighter color handbags. They soil very easy. Especially suede, canvas or light color handbags.
Becareful of your bluejean color rubbing onto white or beige color handbags.
Never allow newspaper to have direct contact with your handbags. Always use tissue paper when wrapping as the first layer. Becareful when shipping with plastic wrapping directly in contact with leather. High temperatures during shipping with train engines or airplane engines may melt plastic directly onto the leather which begees permenantly unremovable.
The twisted leather chain may put permanant creases onto the soft lambskin leather, so either pull the chain inside the bag for storage or hang the bag up somewhere in your closet or use tissue paper to wrap the chain away from the bag's lambskin leather.
Ladies and their makeup many times will dirty the interior lining. You may want to use a ziplock or small pouch to place all makeup and lipsticks separately in your bag.
Pens marks are also gemon and cannot be removed; either place your pen in a ziplock or small pouch or make sure you use a pen that pops in and out at the press of a button instead of pens with cap because caps fall off easily.
The handbag corners are the most fragile, watch out when you turn corners or when you are in a hurry. Never bang your handbag onto furniture or the walls.
If you treat your handbag like your baby, they will last you a lifetime! In case, any leather or hardware needs to be re-dyed, replaced or fixed, take it to your local Chanel store for repair. They do take 4-6 months because they have to ship it out to New Yorkand there is a fee depending on the type of repair. You can go tochanel dot geto find your local store near you.

SmartTech RC Monster Trucks

2011-09-14T03:23:00.037-07:00

PLEASE VOTE "YES" AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!
I'll probably get alot of nasty emails about this one, so I'll go ahead and say "I'm sorry all you TMaxx and high dollar RC truck owners and hobby stores". I'm writing this from my personal experience...I DO NOT sell these trucks or am I sponsored in any way by Smartech....just my experience with this truck.
I picked this up off of okay about 3 years ago. I did a little research and after seeing the high prices of the Tmaxx trucks and other BIG name trucks, a co-worker and I decided to take a chance with these Smartech trucks. We paid $199.00 for each truck and that included shipping! We figured if price reflected quality, we might see 3 or 4 hours of run time with these. The trucks arrived in about 7 days and I couldn't wait to get them un-boxed and running. When we opened them, we felt like kids on Christmas morning....I couldn't believe how cool they looked. We installed the tire/rim assemblies with the supplied multi-wrench, installed batteries that were included and poured a little fuel in each one. After 10-15 minutes of decal placement and removal and the 15 minutes it took me to get my antenna wire through the straw (aarrgh!) we figured the glow igniter had charged long enough to at least get 'em going. After priming and about 10 pulls on the rope we had ignition! I couldn't wait to get mine going as well. We totally ignored the break-in period and headed to the street. He was the first to flip his over and we were scared to even see the damage. NOTHING BUT A SMALL SCRATCH! We run them about 5 minutes and shut them down for the night. We messed with them some more over the next few days AND read the owner's manual and started doing some tuning. We ran alot of tanks through them and we both were very pleased with the performance. We race them at a local BMX track here in Louisville and they are still holding up quite well, considering the jumps, flips and wrecks they have been through. I did have an issue with the radio in mine....after running it about 10 minutes, the throttle would stick wide open! If you turned the transmitter off and back on you could regain control. Otherwise, you watched it run around like crazy until a crash flipped it over. That's the biggest problem we have had and I fixed mine for $28 with a nice Futaba transmitter, receiver 2 servo package on okay. The geponents were used, but in new condition. Parts are easily found on okay...I have used Excel Hobby for most of my parts, but the local hobby store has quite a few Tmaxx parts that interchange with this truck quite nicely. (okay won't allow me to post their websitehere,but it has three W's at the front, excelhobby in the middle and a .ge at the end) Their parts are very inexpensive and they are great to work with. ( example: 8 piece A-arm set for $19.98, 8 piece shock set for $25!) If you do decide to pick up one of these trucks, here are some things to watch out for:

Purchase a used xmitter/receiver servo set from okay and replace the Smartech set.

Fireclay Sinks Vs Titan Quartz

2011-09-14T03:23:00.035-07:00

Fireclay Sinks: These sinks
have long been the sinks of choice because of their strength, beauty
and sanitary convenience. The problem with fireclay sinks is that over
time, surface scratches appear. They burn from hot pots, they chip if
something heavy falls on them (which happens alot in a kitchen), and worst of all, they cannot
handle garbage disposals! The constant vibrations cause cracks to form
in the extremely strong, yet brittle material.Titan Quartz Sinks are the
answer to all those problems. Titan quartz was developed to be
resistant to surface scratches, heat, chipping and believe it or not,
even garbage disposals!! Priced in the same range, titan quartz is a
must for whoever is looking for a beautiful kitchen that will last them
a lifetime! If you've found this guide helpful, Please click the " Yes" option next to the question "Did you find this guide helpful".Thanks!!-Yitz

Weird Things We Do And Think About Everday!!!

2011-09-14T03:23:00.033-07:00

If you find this in anyway like your lifestyle and how you live or things you think about or if it just plain out makes you laugh and you think yeah that's so me too, please rate this guide as helpful and add through gements things I left out that you ponder about.*-I check behind the shower curtain when I go in the bathroom.*-I run up the stairs because I think someone is chasing me.*-I try to watch ONE fan blade when the ceiling fan is on.*-I sleep with my closet doors closed.*-I don't sleep with my feet hanging off the bed because I think something is going to grab me.*-I hate it when the seat belts lock and I feel like I'm imprisoned withing their grasp or stuck and can't move.*-I try to cross lanes without hitting the bumps when I drive.*-When I'm walking around places and someone walks in my lane and I have to plan if I'm to go left or right. So I usually go right and they do the same, then step left and they counter me perfectly, then there's that slight pause and I let them bye and think "Gosh...what a difficult person..." as I walk on.*-When I'm having an awesome dream and right before anything good happens someone or some outside force wakes me up, and then I try to pretend I'm asleep and put myself in the same situation but it never works...unless it's like a nightmare which no one wants.*-I hate it when I'm eating some cookies with a glass of milk and I dip my cookie in the milk and it breaks in half and goes to the bottom of my cup. So now I'm left with the dry half AND on top of that I know have to dip my hand in the milky abyss and retrieve the lost soldier or I have to wait until the end and possibly sacrifice his life by drowning.*-I hate when I'm enjoying a nice drink or refreshment as I call it and theres just a bit left and the ice is chilling there on top. And as I go to sip my drink the ice bombards me and hits me in the face, which never hurts but only scares me because I never know when it planning to attack me.*-I dislike when I walks through a spider-web and it's like OMG! So then you have to peel off the sticky INVISIBLE web and face the feeling that the spider is on me planning its strategy on how to bite me which is definitely no bueno.*-I hate it when I'm trying to kill a bug and it gets away because I always think, "Dang he's going to murder me now."*-You know when your just sitting in church chilling and you have to stand up and start singing and sometime you don't want to but do anyways and pretend to sing the song and go along with it...but then there's always that one person in church who feels like they have to sing the best they ever have in their life. I mean your standing their humming and mumbling and you got American Idol going on in the background, it's kind of sad though because sometimes I look at the schedule to see where we are in the mass to see how close we are to getting out.*-I hate when my hair gets caught in my headphones so then I got to rip it out and it feels like I'm taking chunks of hair out which hurts a lot.*-I hate when I'm chewing bubble gum and you blow the biggest bubble in the world, and of course it pops, but then it explodes all over your face and is sticky and no matter what the only way to get it off is to take the gum thats in your mouth and dab the areas which it exploded.*-When I'm making that delicious Easy-Mac and after 4 minutes in the microwave the bowl is very hot like it was just dipped in magma, and so I grab it an hurry while run across the kitchen to go set it down while my hands are melting off and then you know when you sit it down you shake your hand furiously and it makes that weird sound when you hurt your fingers or hands...kinda like "ssssshhlllssshlhhhsslhlhllll" like a snake with a lisp...like the sloppy s noise.*-I hate how peanut butter always gets on top of the knife, even if your being super careful and watch it the whole way through once you turn for a second it's there on top as if it jumped in the peanut butter, threw a party, and came out while you turned or something.*-I hate trying to get off a shirt thats soaking wet because it feels like it's stuck or has morphed into your skin and when you finally get it off before you think your about to die, you throw it on the ground and start yelling YeeHaaaaaawwwhhh!!!*-It's kind of bad because I always try to gepare people I see to an animal they look like, most beautiful but a few...not so much.*-I always try to write my name on foggy windows in a real cool way but in the end it looks like you were having a seizure while doing it or wrote with your opposite hand.*-I NEVER EVER shampoo with my eyes closed because of the fact that if i close them, a monster might gee upon the re-opening of my eyes, so what I do is tilt my head and shampoo really fast while using my peripheral vision and sometimes I close my eyes but only for a split second which isn't enough time for a monster to form and murder me.*-Also, when showering sometimes I open the glass door to check behind the curtains to make sure nobody or anything is waiting there for me to get out and be like HAHAHA!!! and kill me or scare me until I faint and have a seizure.*-I hate when your eyes are all use to the light and then *BAM* they go off and your eyes dilute and it hurts really bad, also I hate when it's vice versa and your use to darkness then someone is like oh yea? Well now what!!! and flip the switch sending your head and vision into a swirling vortex for about 30 seconds.*-So like whenever I'm by myself and alone and something weird happens to me, like I trip or fall or something, I think ghosts are sitting around laughing at me and they set it up to have an eventful and enjoying time, so then I start thinking and talking to myself like, "Enjoy it while you can losers..."*-I can't stand when it says to heat something for about 20 seconds and you do and it gees out cold and your like dang! so you put it back in or you press the minute button and say ok, I'll stop it at 40 seconds, but then you forget and either method both always gee out burnt or not how you like it and you think Gosh...can nothing be perfect?*-Whenever I'm in a pool I always think there's a shark or alligator that's chasing me on my way out of the pool.*-When ever I'm in the hallway of a hotel or long corridor by myself I always think a guy is going to pop out of a wall or bust down a door and have a chainsaw running like 100 MPH towards me.*-Whenever I get a stuffy nose and can't breathe out it, I always think about movies where people get their mouth ducktaped and I'm always like...If that happened to me I'd suffocate because I couldn't tell the robber," Hey dude look I can't breathe out my nose", so when I get a stuffy nose I cover my mouth for practice testing and then I'm like yea haha I'd be dead.*-I hate when your in the car and trying to nap but something always stabs you in the back like a seatbelt. And it's one of those things you try to adjust and rotate, but it doesn't work which then your angry because you can't sleep and you just got beat by an inanimate object.*-I never like talking in a room that echoes solely for the infamous "Bathroom Echo". But sometimes you have to take that one important call and you both know there's that echo but you have to ignore it because you don't want to bring it up so you think, "Is this guy talking to me while he's taking a dump?"*-I absolutely hate it when I'm texting somebody which I do all the time and your getting all into the message and super fast then...some "intruder" as I call them texts you and it's always at that point something of no meaning like "hey" or "what's up?", so then I have to exit that one go to my saved drafts and start back up slow on the previous text which sometimes I'm like, "Where was I going with this one?" and I lose my train of thought, so then I get frustrated and I'm like it's that intruders fault, so I punish the intruder by not responding for a few minutes, unless it actually was something important.*-I hate it when you cut your finger or something and it doesn't bother you at all until you have to wash it or use the shampoo...because then you have to use that one finger up to shampoo and you think of the good old days when your finger was healthy.*-The best thing other than an orgasm or getting that one terribly annoying sneeze out is when that little reserve of water in your ear after you swim or something gees out when you lay down on a pillow or something. Because you try everything to get it out but all it takes is some relaxing and it just flows out and feels like it's massaging your ear on the way out, it feels great.*-My favorite is when your having a party with a bunch of friends and your in a room and it gees to that point where you figure out where your going to sleep, which we always think where's the safest place for me and then either think it in our head or call out loud to everyone where we're going to be. We always think like "Yeah, that's the best spot because when the killer gees through the door he'll murder Johnny and that will give me just enough time to run" and when we don't get that spot we want to ourselves we always make an alternate idea to assure us like, "Oh, well the killer is going to gee through the window anyways like all good murders do and then I'll run out the door while he's hacking Suzie into little pieces." Maybe not that much in depth, but you get the jist of it.Again, if this was funny or depicts you in anyway, I'd appreciate if you took a second to click "YES" under "Was this Guide Helpful?" THANK YOU!!!

Preserving life of a game system

2011-09-14T03:23:00.031-07:00

There are things people can do that can have their ps2 last a long time.
1: don't drop it (or throw it if it makes you mad)
2: don't block the fan in the back
3: dont blow in it if it gets dusty, use air duster (saliva will ruin it if you happen to accidently spit) :)
4: keep it clean
5: keep items off the top
Doing these simple things will prolong the life of your game system

Technics Turntables

2011-09-14T03:23:00.029-07:00

I'm writting this guide because I have been looking at getting another Technics SL-1200 turntable, and there are some odd trends that needed pointing out in this very specific product area. Another guide already says that the SL-1200s are the DJ industry standard, no one can argue that point. What I've noticed is there are a lot of people posting auctions for "DJ Kits" that have Technics tables, but they are SL-1300s or SL-1800s or what not. These are great turntables for listening to records, but most are not for DJing.They may have no pitch control (the knob/slider that controls the speed that the platter spins at) or they may be belt driven (any DJ will tell you belts are bad). Check vintagetechnics.info for a database that has important specs on all Technics turntables.
Sellers eager to make moneymay mislead you(sometimesaccidently) and most will notrefund money spent when you find out that it isn't what you wanted. Bottom line is to do research before bidding. Find out if the item is what you want. That goes for everything online, but especially these fine turntables. Please vote yes if this helped you.

Pictures of fake Armani mens shirts

2011-09-14T03:23:00.027-07:00

If these pictures are helpful to you at all, please take the time to vote for it as helpful by clicking YES at the bottom of the page. If it is, I will continue updating the pictures...

HATCHING EGGS IN AN INCUBATOR

2011-09-14T03:23:00.025-07:00

I HAVE BEEN HATCHING EGGS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS THAT I HAVE LEARNED. YOU CAN BUY EGGS AND HAVE THEM MAILED TO YOU AND DEPENDING ON SHIPPING AND HANDLING AT THE POST OFFICE AND FERTILITY YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD HATCH RATE. AFTER YOU RECIEVE THE EGGS IN THE MAIL LET THE EGGS REST 8 TO 24 HOURS BEFORE PUTTING THEM IN THE INCUBATOR. THE EGGS SHOULD BE POINTED SMALL END DOWN ALSO. YOU SHOULD RUN YOUR INCUBATOR FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS AND MAKE SURE THAT IT HOLDS THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE BEFORE PUTTING THE EGGS INTO HATCH. MOISTURE IS ALSO NECESSARY TO KEEP THE BIRD FROM STICKING TO THE INSIDE OF THE EGG SHELL. I CHECK THE WATER EVERYDAY AND ALSO I USE A SPRAY BOTTLE AND LIGHTLY MIST MY EGGS ESPECIALLY THE DUCK EGGS WITH WARM WATER EVERYDAY. WHICH IS WHAT THE MOTHER DUCK DOES WHEN SHE IS SETTING ON THE EGGS. I HAVE USED A AUTOMATIC TURNER AND TURNED THEM BY HAND AND BOTH WORK OK AS LONG AS YOU STOP TURNING THEM 3 DAYS BEFORE THE HATCH. WHEN YOU TURN THE EGGS BY HAND MAKE SURE AND WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING THE EGGS. I ALSO MARK THE EGGS WITH X'S AND O'S SO THAT I WILL MAKE SURE AND KEEP THEM TURNED 3 TO 4 TIMES A DAY. I DO NOT WASH THE EGGS BEFORE SETTING THEM BECAUSE IT CAN REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE COATING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE EGG AND LET IN BACTERIA. CHICKEN EGGS TAKE 21 DAYS, QUAIL 16 TO 21 DEPENDING ON THE BREED, DUCKS 28 TO 35, PEAFOWL 28, GUINEAS 28 DAYS. I DO NOT PUT DIFFERENT BREEDS IN THE SAME INCUBATOR UNLESS THEY ARE GOING TO HATCH ON THE SAME DAY. I HAVE 2 INCUBATORS SO THAT I CAN PUT THE HATCHING CHICKS IN IT AWAY FROM THE EGGS THAT HAVEN'T HATCHED BECAUSE THE HATCHED CHICKS AND BE ROUGH ON THE UNHATCHED EGGS. I USED A STILL AIR INCUBATOR AT FIRST AND THEN ADDED THE FORCED AIR CIRCULATOR AND MY HATCH RATE IMPROVED GREATLY SO I WOULD REgeMEND A FORCED AIR INCUBATOR. YOU ALSO NEED TO STERILIZE YOU INCUBATOR AFTER EACH HATCHING. I USE BLEACH OR NOLVASAN. MY FAMILY ENJOYS HATCHING EGGS. IT IS A VERY EXCITING TIME FOR MY CHILDREN. IT IS ALSO A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE. I HOPE THIS GUIDE IS HELPFUL. BE SURE AND ASK THE SELLER ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR EGGS AND GOOD LUCK HATCHING!

EK Knives -- the wheat from the chaff

2011-09-14T03:23:00.023-07:00

Please be VERY careful when purchasing an EK Knife from okay -- there seem to be a few sellers, such as "knivesrme", who are manufacturing "tribute" knives using the EK patterns and even engraving them (albeit very poorly) with the EK name and trademark.THESE ARE NOT EK KNIVES, and are an insult to the EK family and legacy.Occasionally, there are authentic EK knives from WWII and Vietnam era that are posted for sale here, and the astute collector will see that these are real, and the prices will go above $600 usually.I represented the EK family and helped to sell quite a few authentic EK items last year. John Ek's widow Elsa is still alive and well in Miami, and she doesn't really appreciate seeing these "tribute items" up for sale.John Ek's son, Gary Ek, is alive and well in Key West, and he is the RIGHTFUL HEIR to the Ek name and trademark (but this is currently held by Robert Burlein, and that's another story). Gary is not very happy seeing these alleged "tribute" knives being sold on here either.If you want a tribute EK knife, simply buy one manufactured by Blackjack or the current EK knife gepany. DONT BUY ONE OF THESE SHODDY COPIES made my "knivesrme" or anyone else. They are a RIPOFF and a DISGRACE to the EK name and family.

Fake PCGS Holders

2011-09-14T03:23:00.021-07:00

COUNTERFEIT PCGS HOLDERS- March 27, 2008 In recent days, counterfeit coins in counterfeit PCGS slabs have begun to appear on okay, the online auction site. All of the counterfeit coins/holders seen so far are geing out of China. Alert members of the PCGS Message Boards were the first to notify PCGS of the counterfeit coins/holders.The coins themselves range from poor-quality counterfeits to well-made fakes. The counterfeit PCGS holders are well-executed, but with minor differences from a genuine holder. PCGS anticipates that authentic coins will eventually be placed into counterfeit PCGS holders in the future, perhaps with elevated grades and/or inappropriate designators (Full Bell Lines, Prooflike, etc.), although none have been seen to date.The on-line PCGS Certificate Verification is a method for confirming that a particular certificate number matches the information in the PCGS database, but the counterfeiters are aware of this detection method and are now using valid certificate numbers (see below).PCGS has contacted U.S. governmental agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Customs, the Secret Service, and US Postal authorities, to enlist their assistance in pursuing enforcement or legal remedies against these counterfeiters. Also, PCGS is a member of okay's CCW Group, which monitors okay for fraudulent listings and asks okay to discontinue auctions of suspicious coins and/or suspend violators.PCGS has called for okay to stop accepting listings of any rare coins from Chinese sellers. okay recently pulled several auctions of counterfeit coins/holders at the urging of PCGS.PCGS urges consumers not to purchase rare coins from Chinese sellers on okay. While legitimate, authentic coins exist in China, the plethora of fakes and fraudulent listings on okay increase the likelihood that coins purchased from Chinese sellers will be counterfeit.The PCGS Guarantees of Grade and Authenticity do not apply to counterfeit holders, but PCGS has a strong interest in assisting consumers in actions against any fraudulent sellers.Sufficient differences exist between genuine and counterfeit holders such that PCGS experts can easily identify fake holders. Consumers are cautioned that coins that appear to be underpriced may be counterfeit. PCGS urges all consumers to deal only with reputable sellers who are willing to stand behind the coins they sell.PCGS regemends consumers consider the following any time they make a coin purchase: 1. Verify the certificate number using the PCGS Cert Verification program at http://www.pcgs.ge/cert/ See limitations above 2. Avoid purchasing rare coins from okay sellers in China. 3. Investigate the legitimacy of the seller (examine feedback; avoid low feedback sellers; find out how long the seller has been in business; do they have a good reputation?; do you have legal recourse in case of a problem?). 4. Make sure you have a money-back guarantee that is enforceable (for example, credit card gepanies will often assist in cases of fraud). 5. Realize that "bargains" in numismatics are usually too good to be true. 6. If you have a question about a particular coin, be sure to have it checked out by an Authorized PCGS Dealer or by PCGS before the expiration of any guarantees. 7. Request an immediate refund if the coin you purchased turns out to be a counterfeit.The following list of coins and certificate numbers have been seen in fake PCGS holders:China (1916) Silver Dollar, Y-332, Cert #10712316 (valid)China (1923) Silver Dollar, K-677, Cert #11354470 (valid)China (1923) Silver Dollar, K-678, Cert #11285683 (valid)China (1923) Silver Dollar, Y-336.1, Cert #13835186 (valid)China Republic (1912) 20 Cents, Cert #21981173 (invalid)China (1916) Gold Dollar, Pn-44, Cert # 11072163 (invalid)China (1923) Gold Dollar, Tsao Kun, K-677, Cert #11354470 (invalid spec, valid certused above)US 1858-O Half Dollar, Cert #03884338 (valid)US 1800 Silver Dollar, Cert #03859118 (valid)US 1795 Silver Dollar, Off-Center Bust, Cert #22030856 (valid)Mexico 1761-MoMM 8 Reales, Cert #05763936 (valid)"Valid" means that the correct information shows up under Cert VerificationTo alert PCGS to any offerings of counterfeit PCGS holders, please notify Ron Guth at guthr@collectors.ge. For more information, contact PCGS Customer Service at 800-447-8848.

FACTS AND INFORMATION ON PEARL PRICES!

2011-09-14T03:23:00.019-07:00

HERE IS THE PROMISED SCOOP ON
THE DIRECTION OF QUALITY FRESHWATER PEARL PRICES!

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THIS INFORMATION WILL ADD TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT
THE FUTURE PRICES OF QUALITY FRESHWATER PEARLS. THE NEWEST GENERATION OF FRESHWATER PEARLS ARE
BEgeING MORE BEAUTIFUL, WITH MORE NATURAL LUSTER, AND IN LARGER SIZES
THAN EVER BEFORE. THIS GUIDE WILL GIVE YOU FACTUAL INFORMATION, FROM
SOMEONE INSIDE THE PEARL TRADE, THAT WE HOPE WILL BE BOTH HELPFUL AND
PROFITABLE WHETHER YOU ARE A PART TIME JEWELRY CREATOR, A MANAGER OF A
LARGE PEARL JEWELRY FACTORY, OR A GAL WITH AN ATTRACTION TO BEAUTIFUL PEARL JEWELRY.

Navy/Marine Corps WWI Victory Medal Clasps

2011-09-14T03:23:00.017-07:00

An intermediate guide by Military-Memorabilia
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps authorized a number of clasps to be affixed to the ribbon of the WWI Victory Medal to denote service in various fields or areas. Unlike the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navydid not allow the wearing of multipleNaval clasps. If authorized to be awarded two clasps,the recipientwas required tochoose one to wear with his medal. Marines and Navy Medical Corps personnel attached to the Army in France earned, and were authorized to wearany Army clasps authorized by their parent gemand. This has led to an exception to the prohibition on multiple bars for the Navy WWI Victory Medal.Medals awarded topersonnel in the Navy and Marine Corps Northern Bombing Group in France are frequently seen with the Navy Aviation clasp and the Army Ypres-Lys clasp together. The possibility of another Navy WWI Victory Medal having multiple clasps is rare, as only 140 vessels qualified for two different clasps, and only two ships qualified for three different clasps. But the individuals in these cases would have been barred from acceptingmore than oneclasp due to regulations. Most certianly, it would have to be a gebination of the appropriate single Naval clasp (such as the Aviation, or possibly the Overseas clasp), and an Army battle clasp or clasps. The first 18 clasps were authorized in 1919, and general distribution began in 1920. The following is a listing of all authorized clasps, and how many were authorized:
Atlantic Fleet - 43,185Transport - 33,505Armed Guard - 22,381Aviation - 15,000Escort - 20,381Destroyer - 10,000Sub Chaser - 8,451Grand Fleet - 7,500Overseas - 7,500Patrol - 7,500Mobile Base 3,646Mine Laying - 3,294Mine Sweeping - 3,294Submarine - 3,294Asiatic - 1,000White Sea - 1,000Naval Battery - 817Salvage - 817West Indies - Number Uncertian - Authorizatization and distribution began in 1921
Two clasps, the Hospital Ship, and the Gunboat clasps were mentioned in the original orders for the medal, but were never authorized for award. Several other clasps, strictly unauthorized, and privately made and affixed, have surfaced on the Navy WWI Victory Medal.Allof the claspswere represented by a bronze star when the ribbon bar was worn -a minature of the clasp was never used. In addition, a Silver Star could be worn on the ribbon of the medal or ribbon bar for a citation of gallantry not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, or Navy Distinguished Service Medal. This Silver Star Devicewas the genesis of the future Silver Star Medal, and all personnel recieving the Silver Star Device were authorized to trade that award for the Silver Star Medal when it was authorized in 1932. A final ribbon device, a bronze Maltese Cross, was authorized for any individual attached to the American Expeditionary Force, but were not authorized to recieve one of the Army battle clasps. It may be possible that the Maltese Cross device might be found with one of the Army service clasps, but the Navy authorization for these clasps was slow in geing (the Russia and Siberia clasps were authorized for wear in 1933; and the England, France, and Italy clasps were authorized in 1940), and the eligible recipient would have had to apply for the newly authorized clasp.
Please help this guideto be noticed and read! If you found any of the informationwithin useful, be sure to click the 'YES' checkbox in the okay question 'Was this guide helpful?' that follows the end of this guide.

Demons Cycle, BEWARE

2011-09-14T03:23:00.015-07:00

Seems like this place has a history of ripping people off, I purchased a springer softail roller, got the pallet, it was wrapped great, no damage, oil tank and rear axle covers missing, got the runaround, mixed it up with manager,never got my missing parts,best option is to avoid this place,

KMJ JUNK FOLLOW UP!

2011-09-14T03:23:00.013-07:00

This is a follow up on the intakes that KJM proformance is selling that isknown as theHUGE SMALL BLOCK INTAKE.as i stated before this seller is selling junk intakes that will not work on your motorUNTILL you have a machine shop mill the runners about 40 thousands so then and i say onlythen it may possiblyline up and boltto your heads.THEN after you mill the opening where the carb mounts and cut the massive mess of alluminum down and epoxy the base of the ports the gasMAY flow to all cylinders equally. then if your lucky you may get the oil toSTOP LEAKINGaround where the distributor goes through the intake because it is not made right in the mold. WHYdo i know all this because i have had motors built for drag raceing for thirty odd years.and everything i stated i had to have doneto this intake in order to use. all in all intake108.00 milling runners down to fit the heads,port work200.00=308.00 DOLLERS WORTH OF JUNK! enough said i hope this helps. this is what it cost me to be able to use this intake.

The Truth Behind "Pro Pin" Bowling Equipment

2011-09-14T03:23:00.011-07:00

This guide is in response to BowlerWareHouse's False Allegations of "Pro Pin" TechnologySTORM "Pro-Pin" TechnologyBy: Storm's Steve KloempkenStorm's
"PRO PIN" technology is taking layouts and ball reaction to the
extreme. Once only used on the PBA Tour for condition specific drilling's, these balls are now being made available in limited
quantities to the general bowling public. Why? As the requests,
requirements, and styles of today's bowler changes to address new lane
conditions and patterns, Storm is answering by providing and packaging
these items separately from the standard first run items due to their
unique nature and value.Storm "PRO PIN" bowling balls are:All first quality Storm bowling ballsManufactured with the same high quality standards as all other Storm productsManufactured with the highest integrityMade with the same high quality materials as all other Storm productsGreat for specialized layouts and drilling optionsPotential for enhancing dynamic use of core positionMeet all A.B.C., U.S.B.C. and P.B.A. regulationsStorm
"PRO PIN" bowling balls are first quality bowling balls with pin
distances over 5" from the center of gravity and top weight between 2
and 4 ounces. Through our testing, we have found that these balls lend
themselves to a variety of drilling patterns outside the range of pins
less than 5" which would require an extra hole to acgeplish with
standard pin and top weight specifications. Based on the desired
reaction, some Pro Pin drilling's may require an extra hole for balance
requirements.Please visit your pro shop professional for
assistance in determining the best layout for your style and lane
conditions. If additional questions, please consult the "PRO PIN"
Drilling instructions included in every box or call Storm Technical
Services at 1-800-369-4402 or email tech@stormbowling.ge. PRO-PIN bowling balls are regularly used
by touring Professionals. Those who have been lucky enough to throw one
of these hard to find bowling balls, know the great and wide
possibilities the Pro-Pin bowling balls have to offer. The reaction is
unique, unprecedented, and widely used on the Tour.

Simple Loop Wire Wrapping Technique

2011-09-14T03:23:00.009-07:00

Step 1. Place your bead(s) onto aheadpin. .Step 2. Use your fingers to bend the wire at a right angle to the bead. Step 3. Use yourflush cutter to snip the wire to between 1/4 and 1/2", depending on how large you want your loop to be. Step 4. Grab the tip of your bead withround nose pliers. . Step 5. Rotate your wrist to make the wire form a geplete circle. Readjust your grip and pliers as necessary to geplete the circle.Step 6. Done! To open the loop seeHow to Open and Close a Jump Ring. For more on wire wrapping seeTHE WIRE BENDING BOOK - Wire Wrapping Beads

Fake Coogi Fur Hoodies

2011-09-14T03:23:00.007-07:00

Beware of the Coogi fur hoodies from Hong Kong, China. They may potentially be counterfeits. Several traits that are usually found in fakes are clearly displayed in the listings.
The first of which is the zipper. The hoodie on the left is an authentic coogi hoodie, the one on the right is a fake. Notice that the zipper is different. It actually has more detail when you see it in person. The more detailed zipper is more difficult to manufactrue, so fakes are not likely to have it. Also, if you reference to other guides, other fake coogi hoodies have the same zipper as the picture of the fake one on here the right.
Notice from the pictures that the fur on the fake is also lower quality. Notice how it is uneven and kind of rough looking. The authentic hoodie has very even fur. The fur is soft and feathery. It feels fuzzy and fluffy in person.
(left- authentic) (right- fake)

The second indication that these hoodies are fake are that the buttons that are on the hoodies are supposed to have a small CG design engraved into them as shown in the picture on the left. The fakes have cheap probably plastic rhindstones in place instead of the real buttons. This is also because it is harder for the counterfeiting manufacturer to make the buttons with the CG design.
(left- authentic) (right- fake)

The last indicator that I have found that these coogi items are fake are that if the tags are at all displayed, they do not have an item number and color like the size and color number displayed on the tag in the left picture. Usually the the back side of the tags will be displayed to conceal the item's infomation.

(left- authentic) (right- fake)

Remember that buying counterfeit items of any kind supports illegal behavior. By buying counterfeit items, you may aslo be supporting organized crime and unregulated manufacturers where child labor is used to produce items that steal from the value of brand name merchandise. The people who produce counterfeit items know that it's illegal behavior. If they are producing illegal merchandise, they are probably producing it in a cheap unlawful way too. They could be using child labor, be dumping toxic waste, and using who knows what materials. There is just no incentive for them to care.

Differences - 1989-92 Racing Champions 1:64 NASCAR

2011-09-14T03:23:00.005-07:00

I often see other sellers misrepresenting early 1:64 scale Racing Champions NASCAR die cast. What this does is dilute the market with values that don't apply to the items people are purchasing.The difference in values can vary greatly from one year to the next on some drivers. For example, the 1989 Davey Allison has a low value of $70.00 while the 1990 issue's low value is $20.00. And a 1990 Sterling Marlin has a low value as high as $50.00 while the 1991 Marlin values as low as $5.00. Which would you rather have paid $10.00 for? These are the low end Beckett Values. High end values of a pristine card

LUTHIER TIP - ELIMINATE SHIMS FROM YOUR BOLT ON NECK

2011-09-14T03:23:00.003-07:00

If you've ever swapped a neck on a bolt on style guitar then chances are that you've encountered a gemon problem. You may find that the angle or pitch of the neck has changed. The string height is now too high and the saddles cannot be lowered. I've seen it when using parts from different mfgs. but it can happen with parts supplied by the same mfg.
The most gemon solution is to place a shim under the heel of the neck where it butts againt the neck pocket. This places negative pitch on the neck(creating a downward angle) and lowering the string height. You then fine tune the height with the string saddle adjustments. I've seeneverything from match book covers to guitar picks used as shims. Thisis a quick fix, works well and youcan do it at your kitchen table.
Using a shimleaves an air gap between the neck and the bodywhich many feelreduces the transfer of energy thereby negatively affecting the guitars tone.I'm not sure if I could tell the difference but the theory seems sound and the fact isa well built guitar should not have to be shimmed.
If you are installing an unfinished neck thenyou can readily correct the neck pitch.String the guitar up and check the string height.Lower the saddles gepletely. If the strings are still too high then loosen the strings and unbolt the neck. Cutsome shims using milk jug plastic,match book cover or use a guitar pick.Youmay have to experimentto find the correctthickness. The idea is toadjust the pitch (with the shim thickness) so that when the saddles are at theirlowest position the strings will buzz on the upper frets when picked individually. You can then adjust the string height with the saddles with the minimumadjustment. Thelower the saddles the more stable the bridgewill be. If you add too much shim then you will have to raise the saddles much higher.
You will need:

8"bench or machinst vise.A machinist vise applies clamping pressure more evenlythan a bench vise but either will work.
1/8' rubber sheet. You can find this at the hardware store for a few bucks.
2 wood shims. You can buy a package at the hardware store for $1.00
Straight edge ruler and feeler gauge
Belt sander or sanding block
120 Sandpaper
Cut2 pieces of the rubber sized to match the jaws of the vise. Glue these pieces to the jaws using either silicone or contact cement.Score one sideof each piece with a boxknife. This will help the adhesive to grip the rubber.

Before removing the neck from the guitar draw a pencil line across the heel of the neck at the point where it extends beyond the neck pocket. Place theheel of the neck in the vise with the heel facing up.Note: Positioning the neck in the vise is much easier with another pair of hands. Position the neck so that the butt is flush with one end of the jaws. Snug the neck up a little. The heel of the neck is tapered so you will need to place shims at the front in order to get good clamping action. Position theheel so that the top of the butt end is level with the top of the jaws. Adjust the front of the heel so that it rises above the level of the jaws by the thickness of the shims you used to adjust the neck. This is typically .030 - .060". Place a straight edge ruler across the butt end of the neck and make sure it is flush with the top of the jaws. Next place the ruler across the line you drew on the neck. Use the feeler gauge OR the shim you used to check the gap between the ruler and the top of the vise jaw. This is the amount of wood you need to remove from the heel. Tighten the vise so that the neck is firmly clamped. Check the neck posistion to make sure the position has not changed when you tightened the vise.

Bring a belt sander with a 120 grit beltacross the top of the heel until the entire clamped surface is level with the jaws of the vise. You have now lowered the pitch of the neck to the correct angle. Re install the neck, string the guitarand check the results.If you find that the pitch is still too high then repeat the process. Patience is the keyword here. It is better to take off too little than too much.
* You can perform this task on a finished neck however you will have to refinish the area that you removed the wood from. Take care not to sand beyond the point at which the neck leaves the neck pocket to lessen the amount of area you will have to refinish.

When you are satisfied with the results smooth out the sanded area with 220 grit sandpaper and finish it out using 320 grit. You can now apply a finish to the neck. Be sure to check out the Vintage Amber Neck Stain available from Stagefright Music. Apply it before finishing the neckto give it that cool aged look.

Lifted Dodge Tire Sizing Chart - "What Can I Fit???"

2011-09-14T03:23:00.001-07:00

This guide is meant to show you what size of tire you can fit
underneath the specified suspension lift. This should provide a basis
for what kind of tires to look into, since obviously no one wants to
sit around on stock wheels

Buying Vintage Guitars - Gibson RD

2011-09-14T03:22:00.012-07:00

The purpose of this guide is to share my experiences in shopping on okay for vintage Gibson RD guitars. Included are the summarized results of watching and analyzing 63 gepleted auctions.
The Gibson RD series was one of several unique and unusual models that Gibson released in the late 70s and early 80s. The RD is shaped somewhat like the earlier Firebird models from the 60s. Three different models were released, the Artist, Custom and Standard. The Artist and Custom models, in addition to somewhat fancier cosmetics, also included active electronics designed by Robert Moog (of synthesizer fame). These electronics appear to have varied slightly from year and model to model, but generally include active tone controls, and gepressor/expander circuitry. These features were actually quite innovative for the day. The Standard models electronics were the more standard (sic) passive tone and volume controls and pickup switching typical of Gibsons other guitars. All models featured two humbucking pickups and stop bar/tuneamatic tail piece bridge gebination, set necks and the standard 3 on a side tuner setup typical of Gibson electrics. The RD was officially produced from 1977 through 1979, but I have seen serial numbers indicating some were built as late as 1981. Gibson reissued the RD standard in silverburst as one of their Guitars of the Week (limited run of 400) in 2007. As of this review, they had not made it to market.
Available literature suggests that they were available in natural, ebony (black), tobacco sunburst and cherry sunburst. However, I have never seen a cherry sunburst and also have seen Custom models in a solid walnut (brown) finish, either with or without maple fingerboards. Standards appear to have mostly rosewood fingerboards, Artists ebony and Customs maple, but, as usual with Gibson, some variation exists. Many of the Artist models included quite ornate trim, including fancy peghead inlays, binding, etc. Similar models from the same time period include the Marauder and S-1, which share similar cosmetics (but very different electronics) and the Firebird II. The Firebird II appears to be quite rare (Ive seen only a few) and seems to have shared the RDs active electronics installed in a Firebird shaped body with a bound, flame maple top, like The V and later Explorer 2s from the same era.
I began watching the results of auctions to get a feel for the market price of various models and years of the guitars and recorded the results in a database. As a general rule, I only include the results of gepleted auctions, sold in and available to U.S. customers in U.S. $s. I exclude auctions that appear fraudulent or fake, dont have adequate descriptions to confirm the condition or identity of the product. As a warning, buying vintage musical instruments has some degree of risk. I encourage all buyers to be familiar with the products they are buying, check the feedback of sellers and use safe payment methods.
On to the results! The average ending auction price for the 63 sampled Gibson RDs was $1249.10. The highest price paid was $3150 for a mint condition tobacco sunburst Artist model. However, this price was an outlier the next highest price was $2190 for a similar Artist model. The lowest price paid was $650 for a Custom model that had changed pickups and may have been missing the Moog electronics. This data was gathered for a number of months ending in January 2008.
By model, here are the high, low and average prices:
Artist(34 auctions) High: $3150 (see above) Low: $800 (natural finish, Moog electronics missing) Average: $1414
Custom (21 auctions) High: $1500 (natural finish 1977) Low: $710 (natural finish, Moog electronics questionable) Average: $1028
Standard (8 auctions) High: $1499 (natural finish 1977) Low: $661 (burst finish) Average: $1081
By finish (color), here are the average prices: Natural (blond): $1236 (26 auctions) Tobacco Sunburst: $1425 (18 auctions) Black: $1467 (3 auctions) Walnut/brown: $905 (8 auctions, 2 w/ changed pickups/electronics)
Firebird II: I saw only three gepeted auctions during my observations.1.$735 Refinished, Moog electronics missing2.$1425 Good condition, Moog electronics gone3.$2650 near mint w/ Moog electronics
Conclusions: Unlike some other guitars and amps Ive shopped for on okay, there appears to be large variations in prices on these guitars. In general, the fancier Artist model and the tobacco sunburst finish (and the rare black?) seem to be the most valued. Another definite discriminator is whether the Moog electronics (on Artist and Custom models) is intact and functional. Custom and Artist RDs with either missing, non-functional or questionable Moog electronics sold for 65% of the price those with the original electronics intact. This is even more interesting in that Standards (that did not include the active electronics) sold for much more than the fancier Artist or Custom models missing the original electronics. As with all vintage guitars, originality gemands a premium in the market. I ended up buying a 1977 RD Custom in walnut with maple fingerboard and functional Moog electronics for $995. I wanted the active electronics that made the RD unique and the walnut/maple finish (while apparently least desirable) matchesmy Marauder and S-1 from the same era. Im pleased with this as an addition to my collection.

ID Revere Clocks

2011-09-14T03:22:00.011-07:00

How do you identify your Revere Westminster or General Electric Westminster Clock? One thing that has changed over the past few years is the price, notably on okay. Bid prices have increased as popularity has grown. One thing that hasnt seemed to change is the sellers descriptions. It still appears that many are still providing misleading information as to the history, working condition, and especially, the age of the clock.

Whether you currently own a Revere or GE Westminster Clock, you may be interested in the costs of repairing or maintaining. This holds especially true if you are looking at one on okay. Almost all of the clocks you are going to see have some sort of issues. Click onto our GuideWELL REPAIR YOUR REVERE, TELECHRON OR GENERAL ELECTRIC CLOCKfor more details. On that particular guide, youll be able to get a better understanding of what the seller is trying to say, and about how much it will cost to fix.
We also need to point out that okay limits us to what we can put in this guide. Not only are we limited to 10 small photos, but we are also not allowed to post links to outside sites. Our website at Silverdollarproductions.net is a treasure trove of information. Not only can you get information on determining the age of your Revere or GE Westminster, but we have an entire section devoted to Telechron Clocks and Telechron Clock Repair.
The list of 7 clocks you see below is not a geprehensive list of all the clocks in our database. Nor is it a geprehensive list of all the Reveres and General Electric Clocks you will find on okay. The 7-clocks shown below are the most gemon models made after 1934 that you will find on okay. Chances are you cannot browse okay on any given week and find at least 2 of these clocks listed. If you wish to see other or more exotic models, you can visit our website. You can click onto our ME PAGEfor additional links to our sites, and continue your journey there.

Revere Model R-913
The R-913 appears to have been one of Reveres most successful models. The simplistic styling and inexpensive retail price made this quite popular. Generally, you can find 2 or 3 examples of this clock for sale on okay on any given week. This clock was made with both the Revere and Herschede nameplates. Weve seen examples of this clock date as early as 1940 but seemed to hit a strong production between 1947 and 1955. We can confirm this clock was made up to at least 1960, but with a different movement. The clocks made prior to 1960 used the B-rotor movement shown at the bottom part of this guide. Later clocks used the smaller, less expensive H-rotor movements. The R-913 was made of diagonally grained Mahogany veneers, had solid brass hands, silvered dial, and brass bezels.

Revere Models R-935 and R-955
The stylish design and bold Birds-Eye Maple overlays on the front make this a popular clock found on okay. This clock was produced under both the Revere and Herschede nameplates. One distinctive feature this clock had over others the same size was the sound quality. The acoustic shape of this case gives this clock a richer sound. This model was introduced right around 1941, and sales remained strong through 1947. We know for a fact production continued up to at least 1955 with the B-Rotor movement, and later clocks up to about 1960 used the smaller H-rotor Movement (mainly under the Herschede nameplate). The wood on this clock was all mahogany veneer. The bezel was brass and featured black metal hands over a fully silvered dial.

General Electric Model 414- The Rhapsody
We have been able to date production of the Rhapsody as far back as 1947. Production of this clock seemed to peak between 1951 and 1956. Apparently, the appeal of the clock overtook the high $72 retail price back then, as sales of this clock were very strong. Therefore, you can generally find one or two on okay in a very short time. This clock had some very distinctive features. In addition to the beautifully grained Mahogany Veneers, the dial was a step up from others. It was a silvered dial, but the numbers were raised and made of solid brass. Unfortunately, most of the Rhapsody clocks you find on okay are not as beautiful as our restored model shown above. The veneers seemed to wear and age considerably, most notably on the top. However, if you find a geplete clock, it is worthy of professional attention.

General Electric Model 416- The Maestro
The Maestro was another Mid-1950 design made at the same time as the Rhapsody above. Though not as elegant as the Rhapsody, the $59 price tag and slightly larger case made it more appealing to the budget-minded. Like the Rhapsody, the 416 used a high-grade Mahogany Veneer giving it a very distinctive look. The clock also featured solid brass hands and a brass bezel.

Revere Model R-442
This particular model (and its kissing cousin R-458) doesnt appear on okay that often, but often enough to warrant posting in this guide. If you are lucky enough to gee across one, dont count on getting it cheap! However, you might get lucky enough to find one in fair condition. Since the four corner finials gee out, make sure none of them are lost. Also, youll notice the clock has a wide array of small overlays around the corners and bottom edges. Watch for missing pieces there.Generally, if you can find one with an intact case, then the clock is worth restoring. Both the R-442 and R-458 were made during the early years of 1940. Both had very ornate dials and very high-grade Mahogany Veneers.

Revere R-935 (above) and R-939 (Below)

You can pretty much imagine that this half-moon design remains as a top-pick to okay bidders! We are not sure exactly what the differences are between the 935 and 939, and we dont believe it was the color. We do know the dark Mahogany version was introduced right around 1945, and the blonde version appeared right around 1949. Both models were made into the 1950s, but as you can figure, the blonde color became more popular as the decade progressed. Despite this, sales must not have been all that great as we have not seen one newer than 1955. Both of these clocks were made of Mahogany Veneer and had solid mahogany feet. The dials were more elaborate than others of the period, as they both used raised numbers (or dots) made of solid brass.

General Electric Model 420- The Overture
The Overture is a very stylish clock distinguished by the rope overlay along the bottom. This clock is featured in many 1951 and 1952 advertisements at $65, but we have seen examples dating back to 1946. The round, 5-inch dial used on this clock strongly contrasts the bold horizontal Mahogany veneer front. In the condition shown above, it is a very beautiful clock with rich, mellow sound. In addition to the stunning veneers used on this clock, it also had metal hands, a painted silvered-dial, and brass bezel.

Movement RestorationPrices starting at only $49
All of the clocks you see pictured on this guide are from our database of restored clocks. Odds are, any clock you find on okay will not be as attractive, and the descriptions littered with different things wrong. The movement shown above is typical of all Revere and General Electric movements made between 1934 and 1959. They were generally all brass except during the war years when brass was in short supply. (Some parts in clocks during the War were steel). The design of this movement was very successful from the start, and was not changed until financial woes began to hit the electric clockmakers right around 1960. The movement above was run on the famous B-rotor. After 1960, Telechron designed a cheaper, smaller movement, which used the smaller H-rotor. Still a good movement gepared to others of that time, the quality could not gepare to the movement you see pictured.
If you open the back door on any Revere or General Electric Westminster and see a movement that looks like this, then you have a pre-1960 clock. Although, we would be willing to bet it will be greasy, dirty, gummed-up, and not look as new as the one shown above. That is because chances are the clock you have (or are considering) has not seen any professional service for at least 20-years. We have worked on many, many clocks upwards of 80-years old that had absolutely no indication of any service at all. Many okay sellers advertise their Westminster clocks as WORKING, leading you to believe that it is ready to go. Its not. gepare this to buying a 50-year old car off of okay described as RUNNING. You would be silly to assume that just because the car is advertised as running, that it needs nothing. You can count on an old engine like that needing some sort of work, even possibly an expensive rebuild.

We specialize in the restoration of almost all Revere, General Electric, and Herschede clocks running the Telechron movement. Our process includes a full dismantling of the movement, cleaning, oiling and rebuilding piece-by-piece. We carry a large variety of parts including chime rods, glass, bezels, cords, gears, levers and alternate solutions for a dying or dead clock. All of our work is covered by our Iron-Clad Piece-of-Mind Warranties, and we offer one-on-one support during the process.
Please visit our okay Storeto see a full listing of our services and products.
If you found this article interesting, please tell others by giving us a Helpful Vote shown below. Also, please understand that this article is only the tip of the iceberg. The collecting of Telechron, General Electric, and Revere clocks is an in-depth and fascinating hobby. We hope that you take the time to explore further by reading some of our other guides:
With over 140,000 reads as of Jan. 2008, this guide is the most widely read clock guide on okay.Antique Clocks on okay:Red Flag Signals in Descriptions
We have received countless emails from individuals thanking us for protecting them against fake clocks. Don't get duped by this scam!
Fake Clock Dials on okay: Part 1
Fake Clock Dials on okay: Part 2
Fake Clock Dials on okay: Part 3
A Silverdollar Productions Clock!Not Meant for Everybody, but perhaps,Just You!

How to decide what Die Cut Machine to buy- Sizzix etc..

2011-09-14T03:22:00.009-07:00

To answer your question about what is the best die cut machine to buy depends on what you plan to do with the machine. For example, if you want to produce massive amounts of die cuts or want larger sized die cuts, then the larger machines are what you want. If you want to take your cutting machine to crops, then the smaller portable ones will do. Or if you want to design your own die cuts on the geputer, then one of the Silhouette, Wishblade or Craft Robo machines are what you want.

Large Machines (Accucut, Ellison Designs, Sizzix) -

PROS - Heavy duty, cuts larger dies, easy to use, perfect for mass production
CONS - Too big to travel with, need adapter for thin dies, large dies more expensive
Small Machines (Cuttlebug, Sidekick, Tagalong, Quikutz) -

PROS - Lightweight/gepact, easy to use, perfect to take to a crop or craft event, no electricity needed
CONS - Cannot use large dies, limited by whatever the die mfg creates
Personal Cutters (Cricut, Xyron Personal Cutter)

PROS - Ability to create own letters/words die cuts, can cut up to 8 1/2 incheswide depending on machine,easy to use, portable enough to take to a crop or craft event, perfect for the person who knows just a little bit about geputers.
CONS - Noisy, limited to cartridges produced by manufacturer, alphabet font cartridges are expensive
geputerized Machines (Wishblade,Sihouette, Craft Robo, Expressions)

PROS - Can cut any True Type geputer Font, Ability to create own designs (not Cricut), can cut up to 8 1/2 or 12 inches wide depending on machine, can print and cut printed design (good for outlining people in photos), can do very intricate cuts
CONS - Requires attachment to geputer (not Cricut), must know basic geputer graphics/editing skills, noisy, not as portable as small machines
Thick cut dies are higher in cutting depth. Dies are sometimes 1 inch thick. So, you could cut thicker paper. Thin cut dies can cut through paper the thickness of Bazill. They are about the thickness of a quarter... wafer like and very portable. Not all machines can use both. Larger die cut machines like the Sizzix or Revolution cut both, but require a special adapter for the thin dies. Thin dies were originally designed for smaller machines like the cuttlebug, sidekick, quikutz and tag-a-long.
Choosing a die cutting machine based on your needs is the best way to save yourself money. Take the time to review your needs and choices. You will be glad you did.
Deb (YouScrapbook)
Scrapbook items for sale by YouScrapbook.

Have the Cleanest Stamps of All!

2011-09-14T03:22:00.007-07:00

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Whose Stamps Are Cleanest After All?
Cleaning Rubber Stamps
There are a couple of ways to clean your rubber stamps, and some things you want to avoid at all costs!
Easy Clean-up
Stamp off excess ink before cleaning. For the easiest clean-up, clean stamps immediately after use. The longer the ink stays on the rubber, the harder it is to clean. There are many gemercial cleaners to use to clean stamps, but they aren't the cheapest (or the simplest) way!
Water-Based Inks
Use a damp paper towel or old dish towel to wipe the stamp off. If there is residual ink, use mild soap

Tips for Wiring Fog or Driving Lights, Off-Road Lamps

2011-09-14T03:22:00.005-07:00

How To Wire Fog and Driving Lights and Other Off-Road Lights...
Mounting
Consult your local and state regulations regarding minimum and maximum mounting height above the ground, or specific requirements. Mount both of the lamps/lights at the same height. Grille guards, light bars and bull bars make excellent mounting platforms. Cutting of air dam or front bumper cover my be required for custom installations. Position the lamps at an equal distance from the center of the vehicle and as far apart as possible. Make sure the auxiliary lamps do not restrict airflow to the radiator or obstruct the headlamps, turn signals, or marker lamps.

Locate the low beam or high beam light lead on one headlamp by using a circuit tester. Use the following procedure: For Fog Lights: Turn on the low beam headlamps. Connect the end of the circuit tester to ground (-) and use the tester to locate the headlamp low beam lead. Turn off the ignition and the headlamps. Disconnect the battery. For Driving Lights: Turn on the high beam headlamps. Connect the end of the circuit tester to ground (-) and use the tester to locate the headlamp high beam lead. Turn off the ignition and the headlamps. Disconnect the battery.
Scotch-lock the bare end of the GREEN wire to the low or high beam lead. Connect the other end of the GREEN wire to the green switch wire terminal.
Attach the BLUE wires from the lamps to the vehicle ground.
Position the relay upright on the battery side of the engine gepartment in an area that is not exposed to water spray, excessive heat or moving parts. Make sure the relay is mounted close enough to the battery so the RED power lead will easily reach the positive ( ) terminal of the battery.
Connect the RED wire to the positive ( ) battery terminal and to the relay terminal labeled 30.
Route the BLACK wires from the lamps to the relay. Connect the BLACK wire to the lamp terminals and to the relay terminal labeled 87.
Connect one BLUE lead to the vehicle ground and to the relay terminal labeled 85.
Connect the other BLUE lead to the vehicle ground and to the blue switch terminal.
Connect the YELLOW wire to the yellow switch wire terminal and to the relay terminal labeled 86.
Test the operation of the lamps as follows: Re-connect the battery. Turn on ignition switch and low beam headlamps for Fog Lamps, or high beam headlamps for Driving Lamps. Activate auxiliary lamp switch. If lamps do not illuminate, check fuses and all wiring connections.
Use wire ties to secure any slack portion of the harness in the engine gepartment away from moving parts or excessive heat.
do not touch the h3 halogenbulb with fingers...oil on hands will cause to burn out...if touched wipe with lint free cloth and alcohol.
Click the link below to view all my fog lights, driving lights, light bars, and much more!
Fog and Driving Lights

Loosen the stud or bolts securing the lamp to the bracket to adjust the lights up or down. Loosen the mounting bolts to the vehicle to adjust the lights left and right. Position the vehicle on a flat surface at a distance of 25 feet (7.6 m) from a wall. Measure the distance from the center of the lamp to the ground and mark off the same height on the wall. For Fog Lamps, adjust them so the top of the beam is 4 inches (102mm) below the center line mark on the wall. For Driving Lamps, adjust them so the bright spot of the beam pattern is on the centerline mark on the wall.
Courtesy of Hella USA

Guide to Collecting Action Figures (Or anything else)

2011-09-14T03:22:00.003-07:00

This guide is aimed to educate a new collector and help them avoid some of the pitfalls associated with collecting. Although this is geared toward 1/6 Military Action Figures, the general principles apply to any collectible. There are 1/6 scale figures based on the middle ages, Roman/Greek Empires, Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, up through the modern military units from around the world. Another popular genre is figures based on military movies.
History
Hasbros G.I. Joe 1964-1978(Painted Heads, Adventurer, Adventure Team)is where it allstarted. They were the first"action figures." Fully poseable unlike the toy soldiers that came before them.
During the same time period Hasbro liscencedforeign versions of GI Joe (Action Man (UK), Geyperman (Spain), Takara gebat Joe (Japan)).
G.I. Joe 1992 Hall of Fame DUKEbased on GI Joe Real American Hero (RAH) cartoon series was released. He was dressed in the chocolate chipDesert Storm type uniform and was available exclusively through Target stores. This was thefirst 12 GI Joe in over14 years (the Dark Ages). The initial issue sold out the first weekend.
In 1996 GI Joe released the Classic Collection line ofmodern military figures;WWII,modern military, police,rescue and adventure series appeared in this line.
In 1998 21st Century Toys released theUltimate Soldier line that started with Vietnam era figures, WWII and also had figures based on police and rescue services.
A year later, in 1999, Dragon Models Limited released their first figure based on WWII. The majority of Dragon figures are based on WWII but they also have expanded over the years into other modern and police/rescue related lines.
Hasbro also released GI Joe Masterpiece Edition, Timeless Edition and40th Anniversary Lines that were replicas or re-releases of their original 1960-70s figures. Some accessories were made of metal instead of plastic and were marked China vice Japan or Hong Kong so collectors could tell the difference from a vintage piece and a remake.
Other Producers:
Blue Box Toys BBI (WWII, Modern Military from around the world, character figures, Police/Fire,Rescue etc.
Dragon in Dreams (DID) Mostly WWII but they also have delved into other genre's. Highly detailed figures and accessories.
Sideshow Toys- Movie related figures plus untapped military genres Civil War, Revolutionary War,WWI, Napoleonic, Monster, Sci-fi and more.
HOT TOYS- Hi grade/price movie related, some generic figures. They also sell Highly detailed modelkits which are action figures that have tobe put together in some way. They are movie based andhighly detailed and accurate.
Medige/Takara Japan Hi price Sci Fi/Action Movie charectors, Japanese Anime
In the Past Toys WWII German, Japanese figures, War Criminals of the 20th Century (Hitler, Himmler, Goring, Wittman, Paulis and more)
Today there are numerous gepanies producing high quality, limited quantity figures. Many are based on modern Special forces units and include Saturdays Toys, Toys City, Dr. Figures, Wild Works, Soldier Story, well, you get the idea.
With so many gepanies, so many genres, and such a difference in price and quality, where do you start?
2. How to decide what to collect
Before you start to spend your hard earned money on any collectible, you need to know why you're doing it. You MUST ask yourself (This is the MOST important information in this guide.)

Why am Icollecting? Personal Interest/Investment/Nostalgia/Regain lost childhood memories?
What is myinterests?
It isa personal interest in a certain branch of the military? Familyhistory with the military? A particular branch, unit or maybe place where they were stationed. What era is mostinteresting? Middle Ages, Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam,Modern?
Do I wantto recapture toys Ihad when I was a child?
Do Iwant toys related to myfavorite movie or a historic battle?
3. START SMALL - Start with a narrow focus, its easier (and cheaper) to expand than consolidate.
One thing I can tell you is that its easy to fall into the gotta have it all craze when you begincollecting. When I started, I wanted all the toys Ihad when I was a kid. I wanted GI Joe, Big Jim,Capt Action, Marx Best of the West, Megos, Hotwheels Rrrumblers, Star Wars and more.
In 1989 whenI started, there was nogepany was producing 12 Action figures, so it was vintage figuresand uniforms or custom uniforms ($200plus each!) for me. This may be one reason I started to buyeverything I saw when Hasbro started producing the 12 GI Joe again in 1991.
My experiences have brought me to realize the following; although its nice having items that bringback memories, you have to focus or narrow your collection or youll have tons of stuff and no money, or worse yet, massive debt! I didn't have a guide like this to suggest that I start small, narrow my focus and figure out what I really wanted to collect.
I have stopped collecting many items I used to actively seek. When I narrowed my focus, I foundthat I could be more selective in what wanted, had more money to buy the higher quality items or I could buy more of the items I was really interested in.
4. RESEARCH
Do some research BEFORE you buy. What are you collecting? Check out some of themany books, websites and guidesavailable on the subject. Who produces what your looking for? If more than one gepany, what is the difference? Ask other collectors (like me). We're glad to help others out and welgee you to our insanity!
Many of thethe collectors I know have been involved in the hobby forseveral years and have nice focusedcollections.Some collect just one era, i.e. WWII, somenarrow that genre toWWII German and some even further toWWII German Fallschirmjagers(Paratroopers). You could also select one gepany only, or get one unit from all gepanies.
5. Avoid the Investment Pitfall
I know waaaaaay too many people who collect toys in general that thought that they could buy new toys and save them a few years and they would be worth more in the future. In the 60's and 70's there weren't large gemunities of people "collecting" toys, they played with them. Finding a 1964 GI Joe in the box is a nice find and can be quite expensive. Keeping your 1991 GI Joe Duke in the box for the next 20 years might not be as appealing. He was $24.99 when released and you're lucky to get $10 for him now. Of course it's only been about 20 years since his release but not a good sign.
Purchase figures (or whatever you're collecting) because you like it. It makes you happy, fills a void, brings back a memory etc. Investments aren't fun, toys are fun!
5. Bottom Line:
How specific or wide open you make your collection is up to you. Develop a plan or purpose for your collection. Remember to ask yourself whyyou're collecting.Sometimes whenyou see items outside your main collecting area, you get like a kid in a candy store and want to buy it all. Unless you can afford it, keep yourcool and focus onwhat you really want.
Remember, having a small focused collection will allow you to have a more detailed figure. If youhave $100 to spend, you might be able to get 10 loose figures, 2 or 3 boxed ones, or one highlydetailed or customized one.
6.Now that you're a collector, how do you display your figures?
Do youkeepthem mint in the box (MIB) or display them?
Keeping them in the box or displaying them is a personal choice, I have some figures I keep MIB,some I display with the box and still others, I cut them out of the box and display them bythemselves. Some I even customize, weather and paint to make them battle tested.
Again, the main thing to remember is what is your interest. . For some, the boxes can serve asdecorations. Many of todays figures have nice box art. If you bought them for an investment,MIB never opened is the best bet, but remember the pitfalls of buying for investment.
Displaying loose figures. Stands, Dioramas, With the box, without. Boxes take up a TON of room.Loose figures do not. Its also nice to pose your figure holding the weapon instead of watching himstand at attention in the box. On the other hand, it's a lot easier to dust off a box than it is a loose figure!How/where you display your figures is, like everything else in collecting, your preference.
Mysuggestion is to have fun with your TOYS!

Is It Sterling Silver or Base Metal?

2011-09-14T03:22:00.001-07:00

Beading Tips

Screen Protectors Guards To Protect Your Phone Camera

2011-09-11T07:22:00.017-07:00

LCD Screen Protectors

-A Cheap

Monthly Birthstones and Flowers

2011-09-11T07:22:00.015-07:00

Birth Stones and FlowersMonth Birth Stone FlowerJanuary Garnet Carnation, SnowdropFebruary Amethyst Violet, PrimroseMarch Bloodstone, Aquamarine Jonquil, DaffodilApril Diamond Sweet Pea, DaisyMay Emerald Lily of the Valley, HawthornJune Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite Rose, HoneysuckleJuly Ruby Larkspur, Water LilyAugust Peridot, Sardonyx Poppy, GladiolusSeptember Sapphire Aster, Morning GloryOctober Opal, Tourmaline Calendula, CosmosNovember Topaz ChrysanthemumDecember Turquoise Narcissus, Holly

Tonka Star Fairies Dolls- Guide

2011-09-11T07:22:00.013-07:00

STAR FAIRIES
Born on delicate moonlit nights, the Star Fairies have the power to grant your every wish.
STAR FAIRY DOLLS
Allseven 6.5" Star Fairy dolls have swivel waists and moveable joints, with removable wings that snap on. They are all stamped Hornby 1983 on the back- although the packaging is all marked Tonka.
The doll collection includes:

Sparkle(the Fairy Princess)
Whisper(the Secret Wish fairy)
True Love(the Love Fairy)
Jazz(the Talent Fairy)
Nightsong(the Dream Fairy)
Spice(the Energy Fairy)
Royal Princess Sparkle (very hard to find deluxe fairy- very fancy dress, hard plastic wings, crown)

(deluxe sparkle)
STAR FAIRY OUTFITS
The outfits are interesting because they were originally designed to be the "Star Costumes"for the Flower Fairies dolls, (check out www.geocities.ge/wyldethingsltd/starfairies for more info).Instead, the outfits were re-packaged by Tonka and sold in the U.S. as part of the Star Fairies line. There were 6 outfits in all:

Golden Glow Evening Gown
Shower Rain Cape

TESLA ECC803S fake tubes

2011-09-11T07:22:00.011-07:00

Recently I saw, ... several times, TESLA ECC803S that appeared to be faked, rebranded tubes from new production, and no original TESLA tubes. And a very stupid fake too; (the original Tesla ECC803S is a long plate version.) The faked (ECC803S)tube was aJJ ECC83S with a faked Tesla ECC803S logo. The JJ ECC83S is a, (new production tube)from JJ,current copie of the former Tesla E83CC, (frame grid type,). There is the LONG PLATE TESLA VERSION, which is NO frame grid, but called ECC803S. There is the FRAME GRID TESLA VERSION, but called E83CC.

Fake Tesla ECC803S. Here you can see a JJ ECC83S new production tube, with a faked Tesla ECC803S logo. And sorry, it is alsono original Tesla E83CC because of the missing double getter support (for excample), ... and other missing characteristics. (detail picture in the left corner)
You will find furtherinformationsin severalonline gemunitys like Tubes Asylum, etc. .....

How To Adjust Spring Tension of Spring Assist Knives

2011-09-11T07:22:00.009-07:00

How To Adjust the Spring Tension of Spring Assist KnivesIt is a simple procedure using an allen wrench, torx T8, or standard screwdriver depending on the model that you have purchased.Spring Assist Knives ship in the locked position from the factory to ensure the safe passage of the merchandise.It is not ungemon to receive Spring Assist Knives that will need to be adjusted.Do to the fact that people have different tastes adjustments will vary.To help the end buyer know how to perform maintenance and understand the function this guide will provide the necessary information.1. Determine the screwdriver or wrench needed, as stated it will most likely be an allen wrench, Torx T8, or standard flat head screwdriver.2. Locate the Pivot Screw - Simply it is the axis point that the knife blade pivots on from the handle.3. Loosen to allow more spring action but do not over loosen or the blade will rock in the pivot joint.4. Tighten the pivot screw to restrict the spring action limit the rocking in the pivot joint.5. You will personally have to find the medium that you feel best suits your desired action and blade security.6. Along with either loosening or tightening the Spring Assist Knife it is regemended to lubricate the pivot joint.Lubrication of the pivot joint and adjusting the pivot screw is normal maintenance of any pocket knife folder.You can use numerous forms of oil, such as Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil, Cooking Oil, Motor Oil, WD-40, Liquid Teflon, and many more.

Manual for spotting fake H700, H500, and H9

2011-09-11T07:22:00.007-07:00

Several fake bluetooth headsets are being sold on okay. The most geon counterfeit models fromMotorolaare the H700, H500, and the H9.
If you have already bought a fake headset, one of the many things you can do is go to Motorola's site and file like a counterfeit activity sheet. Just go to the site and type "counterfeit" on the search and you will see it on the right hand of your screen. Click on the link and right the report.
Determing if an item is fake can, at times, be very difficult. Lucky, Motorola hates counterfeits and they created a counterfeit manual. The manual is 30 pages long and describes all, if not most, the differences between the fake and real. The manual shows pictures and explains thoroughly how to spot a fake. I really suggest looking at this manual. For example: A real motorola H9 has a hologram that is placed on the bottom of the charging base.
To locate the manual, just go to the Motorola site and again type "counterfeit" on the search button. When the new page is loaded, on the right side of your screen you will see the guide book. It is the second from the bottom.

Easily Confused Vases - Loops and Arcs

2011-09-11T07:22:00.005-07:00

Steel Toy Aircraft

2011-09-11T07:22:00.003-07:00

In the 1920s, some gepanies, chiefly in North America, turned their attention to producing sturdy toy motor vehicles and aircraftusing pressed steel, of a greater thickness than the stamped sheet metal - tin plate - used to make other toys.
Because of the nature of this material,steel toysgavethe approximate feel of the prototypes that were modelled, and they did not have great detail. Most often, pressed steel toys sported painted finishes; however, some had lithographed finishes similar to those of tin toys. Furthermore, when designingaircraft, the makers would mix and match parts when assembling the toys, creating interesting variants.
Pressed steel toy airplanes by two of the most prolific firms, the Louis Marx gepanyand Wyandotte Toys, looksimilar at first glance, as they share gemon features. Theirconstruction, through first stamping and then assembly using tabs, allows for similar appearances, especially when no maker's mark appears on the toys. Toy planes from both of these makers have body and wing assembliesthat were each painted in solid, bright, contrasting colors. Both Marx and Wyandotte planes usually have open windows and are fitted with flat metal three-bladed propellers.
Yet, one may begee familiar with the productsby examining their slightly different shapes and their subtle characteristics. The Louis Marx gepany, for instance, frequently used a lithographed tin canopy on its toy aircraft.Marx aircraft may have the "MAR in a circle" trade mark stamped somewhere on the metal, while Wyandotte toys sometimes havedecals affixed that bear the firm's name.
Marx and Wyandotte producedpressed steel toys well into the 1950s. Wyandotte went out of business in the middle of that decade.
Because of their great strength, gebined with mass productionright here in the US, many of these amazing toys have survived to delight generations of adult kids ! ! ! ! !
EXAMPLES OF MARX STEEL AIRCRAFT

The three toys above are Marx products. Left: The DC-2 came with airport play sets in the late 1930s and is stamped with the telltale "MX 119" on the wing. Its wingspan is 9 1/2". Center: The twin-engined military transport bears post-World War Two USAF decals, and was available in the 1950s in different color gebinations. The Marx trade mark is stampedunderneath the wings. At right: A similar fuselage, including the nose wheel, gebined withdifferent wings with four engines produces yet another toy - this time resembling the famous Stratoliner, world's first pressurized production aircraft. Both have 10" wingspans.

More Marx aircraft. The 1930s example at left resembles a Northrop Gamma, but actually ithas similar wings and the very same fuselage as the DC-2! Note the lithographed tin canopy that Marx used on several aircraft. Amazingly, a tri-motored biplane version also exists. Center: This airliner resembles a four-engined version of a DC-2. Itis similar to a long-range bomber that Marx issued in silver/red. Wingspan is 14 1/2." Right: The 1950s Sabreis an unusual example of a pressed steel jet fighter. Again, note the lithographed canopy. The decals do not appear to be original, as they are 1930s-style insignia with red center and no bars on either side.
EXAMPLES OF WYANDOTTE STEEL AIRCRAFT

Above left: This "Defense Bomber," wingspan 12",has decals thatread clearly "Wyandotte Toys." Originally, its underwing wire racks held two wooden bombs. The same triple tail wasfitted to other toy planes. Right:In 1939 the prototype DC-4E, a large transport, flew experimental services, and Wyandotte recreated the craft faithfully, with its triple tail (as seen on the Defense Bomber)and "Super Mainliner" decals. The version seen here came from the factory with the single tail from another famous Wyandotte toy, the "China Clipper," attached instead! This empennage does not fit well, and tilts to one side. The toy's decalsread "Souvenir of the National Air Races." Its wingspan is 13".

Above left: Wyandotte's "Mystery Plane" from the 1930s has a 4 1/2" wingspan, and incorporates a futuristic, streamlined design. Right: #220, a twin-engined airliner, is similar to a Stratocruiser in general shape and boasts a bright, lithographed finish instead of a coat of paint. This finish incorporates Wyandotte's trade mark. The toy dates from the mid-1950s and has a third wheel below the fuselage that is linked to the props, so the props will turn as one pushes the toy along a surface. It has a 12" wingspan.
The above photographs show items that are in my personal collection.

The History of the 1970's Indian Dirtbike / dirt bike

2011-09-11T07:22:00.001-07:00

Floyd Clymer 1968-1970
Motorcycle man extrordinaire, Mr. Clymer, dreamed of a reborn Scout and Chief line of the big Indians. What he succeeded most in was the mini models. Imported to keep the Indian name alive and to introduce a younger set to the motorcycling world. Clymer passed away in 1970, leaving his dreams unfulfilled, but successfully bringing the minis to America.
Alan Newman 1971-1976
Los Angeles attorney, Alan Newman, acquires rights to the Indian name and continues importing minicycles made by Italjet. Thinking big, Newman plans his own cycle plant, larger 125/175cc models and possible 400cc units gee in 1973-74. His assembly plant wound up in Taipei, Taiwan and 70, 75, 80, 100, 125, 175cc engines would be imported. Japan (Fuji) engines supplied the 100cc engines. Morini 100's were used during the Clymer years. 70, 75, 80, 125, 175s were courtesy of Minerelli in Italy. Italjet models (MM5A, M5A, JC5A) used Italian Morini powerplants. Nothing larger than 175s were made except for one 1000cc prototype Indian that based heavily on a Ducati. It was merely for show. Indians' fortunes were dwindling by 1975. 1976 was the last year of restyling for the 100-175 models. Sales kept dropping and Newman bowed out. The word came out in January 1977: The Indian Motorcycle gepany was done.

Ziamond Jewelry Review

2011-09-11T07:21:00.037-07:00

Just a heads up to all those interested in buying from Ziamond the Jewelry people online. I had bought a ring I LOVED until it had a workmanship issue that popped out a stone and craked the band. I sent it back for repair and they honored my request... which I was delighted. But in the back of my mind I kept wondering why it had the issue in the first place since they said the band (shank) was from a mold. The band actually looked like it had been soldered rather than from a mold.

Well I put those negative thoughts behind me and continued to wear my ring... until it got caught on something and bent slightly. The spot that had been soldered along with the other side opposite to it had also begun to crack. So I sent it back again.

This time Ziamond said they would TRY to make a reapir rather than replace the faulty band. I was not pleased with this option since I felt the band had originally had a fault that was never properly corrected.

The other option they suggested was to buy a whole new ring (which may also be faulty). So I opted for the repair of close to $100 and the fact that they would now NEVER service the ring again since it was no longer considered under warranty.

I will let you know the results when I get it back again... I don't think I could ever recgemend anyone buy from Ziamond without being aware that they do NOT truly stand behind their products with the warranty.

cellz4less

2011-09-11T07:21:00.035-07:00

They are a geplete joke! I ordered an Amber Nokia 7370 from them and they sent me a phone
with scratches, dirt stains, and the Nokia logo scratched off. When I geplained and
sent the phone back, it took them 3 weeks to deliver my phone. I finally got my exchange
and was shocked to find a Brown Nokia 7370 and the phone was still USED and dirty.
The packaging also looked opened in contrast to their NEW NEVER BEEN OPENED statement.
I will NEVER do business with them again and it was my WORST okay experience ever.
STAY away from these people!!!!!! What a waste of shipping money!!!!!! CROOOKS!!!

JORDAN DMP'S HOW 2 TELL FAKES BECAUSE THERE ALL OVER

2011-09-11T07:21:00.033-07:00

ATTENTION ALL okay MEMBERS, BEWARE OF ALL OF THEY FAKE DMP'S OUT THERE . HERE IS A WAY TO TELL IF THE J'S YOU WANTARE LEGIT OR FAKES. 1st ALL THE AUTHENTIC JORDAN DEFINING MOMENTS PACKAGE'S NEVER CAME WITH RETRO CARD'S. 2nd THE DMP SHOE TISSUE PAPER IS STAMEP WITH 91-96 ON IT. 3rd THEFAKE11'S ON THE BACK, THE 23 IS NOT CENTERD. 4th THE VI'S THE AIR POCKET MUST BE GOLD. 5th THE GOLD TAGS ON THE SHOES SHOULD HAVE MADE IN TIAWAIN STICKER ON THEM. I HOPE THESE HELPS EVERYBODY OUT AND ALLWAYS WATCH FOR FAKES THEY ARE ALL OVER.

Choosing the RIGHT Lapidary Grinder/Sander/ For YOU

2011-09-11T07:21:00.031-07:00

OR do I need a Bigfoot, Pixie, Genie or Titan for my Lapidary grinding, sanding and polishing.
These are all Great products made by the leader in Lapidary wheels, Diamond Pacific.And although they look similar they really are different. All of these machines gee with Nova and Galaxy wheels, these diamond embedded wheels are HANDS down the best of the best when it gees to cutting and polishing. The only difference will be how much you use them and how often you have to replace them!! They all feature self contained units, just add water to the tray, plug them in and they are ready to form some beautiful cabochons!!
SPACE - If space is your main issue maybe the BIGFOOT is for you. This SMALL footprint machine has a BIG machine usability it evenhas a 4" trim saw attatchment (available separately). In a self contained storage box this little machine is only 12" widex 11" deep! It includes all 6 wheels and storage space for accessories, with the handy carry handle this machine will travel anywhere you want to go!! At only 16 lbs your not going to kill yourself carrying it either. The drawback to this machine is the tiny wheels, they are only 2 3/8" and will need more maintaince than a larger machine. However, for the motorhome or traveling to fairs or shows, this machine has it all. Trim Saw ability, small footprint, all stages of grinding to finish polish for up to a 52 x 38 with NO PROBLEMS at ALL!! This is a VERY EFFICIENT MACHINE. Find a Bigfoot

The BIGFOOT w/accessories The PIXIE
DELICATE STONES - OK, you like to work with the softer stuff you say!! Turquoise and Opals really are what you LOVE!! Well, the long time favorite for OPAL workers has been the PIXIE. Thismachine weighsless than30 lbs and easily sets up on a kitchen table or workbench. This has been my favorite machine, with all 6 4" wheels in order you only flip the switch to start on the stone of your choice. This machine hs a Jewelers Kit (available separately) that turns it into a buffer for metal polishing as well. A versatile machine that will do a small cab to a flat with no problems!!Find a Pixie
CARVING or I WANT IT ALL- Oh, so you want ONE machine to DO IT ALL!! Good for you!! The GENIE may be the machine for you. This heavy duty gem maker is a SUPER CHOICE, The GENIE is a great machine that has the MOST attatchments available (each available separately)for the MOST VERSATILITY. This machine has a Jewelers Kit for buffing and metal polishing, A Full set of Carving wheels, a Boxer for mitered corners for gemstone boxes, 8" Trim Saw that has a unique angle block that allows you to finish trim the edges of your cabs at a ten degree angle!! This gives you a head start on grinding the bezel of your cab - this saves time, effort and money!! - less wear on your grinding wheels!!Speaking of which this machine gees equipt with 6 6" Nova and Galaxy wheels to finish your cabs or flats. This machine is the true BUSY BEE of the Diamond Pacificline. Everyone that Iknow that has one LOVES IT and as you can see the wide range of this machine will keep you VERY busy with LOTS of projects! Find a Genie

The GENIE The TITAN
RUGGED, TOUGH, BIG GUY HEAVY DUTY GEM MAKER - Like big polished Agate slices or slabs and don't want to spend all day polishing it!! Maybe the TITAN is the machine for you. with it's BIG 7 5/8" wheelsand larger 1" shaft this machine isthe fast and efficient choice of many dedicated hobbyists and professional cutters. The large capacity makes short work of grinding and polishing those bigger projects. At 150 lbs this machine is NOT to be taken lightly!! Find a Titan

I hope this helps you decide which machine may fit into YOUR lapidary worklife!! Let me know if we can answer any questions or if there is other info you think we should add to this guide to make it more helpful. Please be sure to vote as your viewing does not count for the guideotherwise!!! Thanks so much and have a great day!!

Why Do Sellers Charge So Much For Shipping??

2011-09-11T07:21:00.029-07:00

What are the sellers costs and why do they charge so much for their products and for shipping?
Wewill attempt to answer these questions within this guide.
Weprobably would not have understood why a seller charges so much for products and for shipping, untilwe became a sellers a few years back. If someone charged an amount greater than the actually shipping,we thought they were making money off shipping and wouldn't purchase from them again. Nowwe know that thisis not true. Many sellers gee and go, but the ones that are smart enough to cover their shipping and handling costs, are the ones that stay around the longest.
Exactly what are the sellers costs??
First, they normally purchase items from wholesalers, liquidators or various close-out sales. Some sellers purchase from department stores as overstocks, if they are fortunate enough to find someone to sell to them. Most sellers can not gepare with the prices at your retail stores because they most likely, are not buying direct from the manufacturers. They most likely have paid more for the items than your local retailers pay (not always but many do). Many buyers think of only purchasing from okay sellers to get a bargain. Yes, you can get bargains, but many times it is a hard working seller like ourselves, thatare just trying to make a living. Most of the time sellers have paid more for an item so they need to charge a little more for it. Sort of like buying milk and bread from the local convenience store versus buying it at a large supermarket chain. They can't gepare with the prices of a large store such as Target and Walmart, which can reduce prices because they have purchased a large quantity.
Shipping fees: The United States Postal Service just recently raised their rates. They also eliminated several services low cost services. Many buyers may not realize that when the price of stamps go up, so do most of the other shipping services.
Domestic or United States shipping: The shipping rates have increased so don't be surprised if your favorite seller has increased their shipping rates a little also. Also insurance rates have increased. An item under $50.00before May 14th,was $1.35 and now itincreased to$1.65. Many sellers like us, have decided to go with an insurance gepany that will offer us a better rate than the postal service. This way we can pass the savings on to you.

Internationalshipping:
The International rates have really went up! If the buyer wants registered mail, the fees went up over the past couple of years, from $7.85 to $11.50 and the priority rates have went up tremendously.Registered mail provides the buyer and seller with a tracking number and a minimal amount of insurance. It protects both people because the postal service carefully handles each item. If youwant an item shippedpriority mail, be prepared to pay $20.00and up. Global priority items do not have tracking. If the itemgets lost, the seller loses their money (some of their) because paypal will most likely reimburse the buyer the entire amount. Priority mailhasa small amount of insurance on it through the postal service and additional insurance can be purchased.
The United StatesPostal Service does not allowsellers to purchase insurance for packages mailed International Airmail. That is another reason many sellers choose to use an outside insurance gepany for their packages.
Handling fees:
okay charges fees every time an item sells. They also charge listing fees. Sincewe sell mainly cosmetics,we will give examples from that. Ifwe list an item and it sells for $20.00, the okay final value fees are approximately $2.00 on that one item. It increases at about $1.00 per every ten dollars. That doesn't include the amount that we had to pay to list the item. We pay to list the item and pay for extra pictures, the first one is free. Then paypal also charges fees.
If the seller owns and operates a store, then okay charges fees for that store too. If it is a basic store, then the cost is only minimal each month. If it is a pro store, then the seller is also paying a considerable fee each month to operate the store. If the seller is a tax paying citizen, they also have to pay taxes to the government on money earned.
Paypal charges fees every time an item sells. They charge fees for the entire sell, includingthe shipping fees. That same item that sold for $20.00 also gets a fee of about $1.00, depending what the shipping costs are, but it is either a little less or more than a dollar.
Packaging materials have also went up.We arevery careful whenwe package an item. Mostly,we use a bubble mailer, a foam packaging bag and packaging peanuts.We also have to pay for shipping labels and ink forour printer. For the shipment of that $20.00 item, it costsus about $0.75 - $1.00 in packaging materials.
That means that the seller has already paid around $4.00 for that one $20.00 item in fees, before including the postal serviceshipping fees. Most of our items are less than 13 ounces and we can ship them airmail. It is almost impossible to calculate how much the shipping fees are at this point, since the rate varies by location and weight. The particular item that we mailed and mentioned earlier, cost us $1.60 to mail It had a total cost to us of $4.65 and that is without including any money to gepensate for all the time we spent. We only asked $3.95 shipping on this item, so we actually lost money on shipping.
Weknow of a young single mother that decided to open an okay store. She eventally went out of business because she didn't charge enough money to cover shipping and all the handling fees. She also had to get a loan from the bank to repay okay and paypal back fees. This can happen to a seller very easily if they aren't careful.
In the future, before posting a negative feedback score to your seller for shipping fees, or giving them a low rating for shipping costs, take all the information above into consideration first.
Thank you for your time it took to read this guide.We hope that it helps you understand why a seller seems to charge too much for shipping.

1997 98 99 Tiger Woods GSV Grand Slam Ventures Masters

2011-09-11T07:21:00.027-07:00

There are a few issues at work here and the grading gepanies haven't made it any easier for the collectors.
First the background on the Grand Slam Ventures (GSV) Champions of Golf, The Masters Collection, Tiger Woods extended rookie card: the initial batch of these cards (w/ Tiger) were issued by Grand Slam Ventures (no longer in business) in 1997 in the famous Black Boxes. These cards were additionally issued that year for Titleist in what was referred to as the "Tiffany" set, Titleist gave these out via a promotion when people purchased Titleist golf balls. As a quick reference - these Titleist sets were tightly wrapped and as such produced some of the higher graded cards from this collection. The black boxed sets were simply large boxes that held a small deck of cards which were loosely packaged and tended to get damaged during transit. In 1998 GSV reissued the same deck of cards in Gold Boxes, these were actually the black boxes that were sleeved with agold cover with the 1998 winners' card sandwiched between the sleeve cover and the box. In essence, the 1998 Tiger Woods card is the EXACT same as 1997 GSV rookie card in all respects. THE TITLEIST SETS: Titleist also issed GSV cards, in similar packaging, during various years prior to 1997, but those sets, of course, didn't include the Tiger Woods card because he hadn't won the Masters until 1997. You can verify that the set is from a particular year by reading the back of the original sealed pack. There is a cardboard backer, which also helped to protect these cards, that will list the years which that particular set covers. If that year isn't 1997 or later then it DOES NOT include the Tiger Woods card. There are sellers that will only show the front of the package and insist that it's a 1997 set, but if they do not verfiy the date they may, at best, unknowingly selling you the wrong item, so always verify the date on the back.SIDE NOTE: GSV also issued poster versions ofthese cardsin limited quantities in 1997 (ends with the famous pose of Tiger), in 1998 (ends with the 1998 winner Mark O'Meara), and 1999 (Jose Maria Olazabal). These 1997 and 1998 posters were manufactured from the same stock thickness as the individual cards issued in those years. There were initial problems with grading because individuals would carefully cut out the Tiger cards and send them in for grading. These cut cards had great edges and corners so they typically received high overall grades. The graders later started checking for hand cut edges, as opposed to machine cut edges, to make an effort to not grade the poster cut-out card. Posters were also sold in 1999 (ends with Jose Maria Olazabal) but were made of thinner stock and slightly different colors. Overall the 1997 is the rarest of the posters and is very difficult to find. Be careful when you see these posters on sale because a lot of people will make it seem you are getting a 1997 poster as opposed to the cheap 1999 poster. Simply check the last image on the poster and you can tell what year it was issued.
Given this information, the two largest grading gepanies, PSA / BGS, labeled their slabs of the Tiger Woods GSV cards with a 1997-1998 designation, or 1998 only for either year card. There are further designations into gold foil and gold ink but that'll have to be another guide. Problems arised with the introduction of the 1999 GSV Tiger Woods card, the grading gepanies are aware of the difference in thickness from the 1997 version but have decided to label the slab 1997-1999. How does this make sense when they know it's a 1999 card? Who knows. The fact is the 1997 and 1998 cards were exactly the same so the 1997-1998 designation is appropriate, but the 1999 version IS different and should NOT be labeled 1997-1999. All this has done is simply add to the confusion and allows some unscrupulous sellers to market the worthless 1999 version asthe rare1997 rookie card. These sellers also blur the dates in their pictures enough so you can't readily tell the slab indicates 1997-1999. Other sellers have labeled their titles/headings to state 1997 only and then they throw in the 1999 reference hidden, sometimes, in the middle of their description.
In the end be careful buying any of the 1997 GSV cards unless you've fully read the text in the auction description and looked at any pictures to clearly identify you are bidding on the 1997-1998 version and not the cheap 1999 card. Be even more careful buying them individually because you won't know if it's a 1999 until after you try to get it graded.To all readers of my guides, if you do find any of this information useful a "YES" vote at the bottom is always appreciated. If you don't, you can send me an email and tell me what would help to make this a better guide. I'm sure some sellers will find this information offensive and leave me a negative review but it is intended to only edcuate the buyer and not offend the seller.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions about my items or another item you see on okay.
CLICK HERE to see and read my other guides.