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Online Clothing Stores Carrying Jeans For Our Casual Clothing Needs

ecan — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:18:23 +0000

Jeans for women have been fashionable around the world for decades now. Clothing stores throughout the country and around the world have been stocking their isles with different styles, colors and design of jeans for as long as I can remember. Womens clothes, particularly jeans, are always changing with the times.
As time goes by certain trends emerge, stay for awhile and then vanish, sometimes never to be seen again. Take for instance the old timers who were strictly concerned with comfort. Women have a particular shape and style and tend to look for that in their jeans. Let’s face it Jeans are the epitome of womens casual clothing.
Brazil is fast becoming the leader in high end fashion and stylish womens jeans. More and more online clothing stores are fast recognizing this phenomenon and stocking more Brazilian jeans. Casual clothing for women is about comfort, but also about style and Brazilian jeans bring just that, style and comfort.
So no matter if your preference is low rise or super low rise with your choice of leg cut then the Brazilian jeans might just be the selection you are looking for. And clothing stores online carry casual jeans with flare and style.

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The Perfect Princess Tea Party 7 Simple Steps

ecan — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:21:23 +0000

Can you think of anything more feminine, more lovely, more “girly” than a group of young girls… all dressed in their princess finery sitting down to a decked out tea table with royal dainties? Girls across the globe love dress up and love tea…so why not combine the two and make the perfect event for your girls - a Princess Tea Party!
Here are 7 easy steps toward making the perfect memory for your little princess:
1. Set a date: Keep in mind the ages of your little ones and set the time when they won’t be too tired, too hungry or too cranky! The “official” teatime is late afternoon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful teatime in the morning as well.
2. Invite: The fun begins. Being a princess requires invitations of the most royal kind. Lovely linen paper is easy to find at your local craft or office supply store. Run it through your home printer with a fancy font and you’re done. Send the invitations out about 2-3 weeks before your tea so your guests can plan accordingly.
3. Decorate: Let your princess help with this part … after all, it is HER event. Royal colors include purple, gold, pink and silver and aren’t those the favorites of girls anyway? Balloons, streamers and more balloons! We’ll talk about the tea table in a minute.
4. Make the food: Traditional tea fare includes scones and clotted cream. Other royal tea treats are chocolate covered strawberries, thumbprint cookies, cucumber sandwiches (or substitute the ever popular PBandJ sandwich for younger ones) and miniature teacakes. More details on tea party food can be found on our website at http://www.funevents4girls.com.
5. Set the table: Go all out here. Use a lovely tablecloth, cloth napkins and real teacups not plastic. Not only will this be fun for your little ones, but it’ll be a great lesson in etiquette as well as they learn to put on their finest manners for your tea.
6. Plan some games: Great princess games abound but keep it simple. Hide some gold-foiled covered coins around the house and have a hunt to return the royal treasure. Use a lovely glass bowl as the treasure chest. Spread your gold and silver balloons all over the “ballroom” floor and play classical music for a royal ball with much dancing.
7. Enjoy the day: Most of all make it fun. Take many pictures and record the memories. Your little princess will go to bed that night smiling from ear to ear with the joy of the day!

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Las Vegas Weddings At The Paris Hotel

ecan — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:28:23 +0000

The Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is located on the exciting Las Vegas Strip and comes complete with it’s own replica of the Eiffel Tower. This hotel presents many wonderful options for couples that wish to wed in Vegas. First, they offer two beautiful and elegant wedding chapels. The larger chapel is named chapelle du paradis, which translates to ‘chapel of the paradise’ in English. This chapel is designed to model a cathedral complete with columns, chandelier, and a ceiling painted to resemble a sky with cherubs. It is available for groups up to ninety. The smaller of the chapels, chapelle du jardin or ‘chapel of the garden’, seats up to thirty and features garden murals on it’s walls.
Chapel weddings are definitely not your only alternative if you wish to wed at the Paris Hotel. How about saying I do on the fifty story Eiffel Tower out front? Packages are available that allow couples to say their vows while on the observation deck of the Tower which offers stunning views of the Strip. This doesn’t come cheap though, a morning wedding is offered for anywhere from sixteen hundred to a few thousand dollars. And if you want to pay for the privilege of having you wedding there at night with all the lights of the famous Strip as you backdrop, expect to spend ten thousand dollars. If you are planning to have a lot of guests, this won’t be the location for you. The observation deck can only accommodate groups of twelve.
Other ceremony locations that are offered by the Paris hotel include weddings by their rooftop pool and in a 26th floor penthouse at their sister property, Bally’s Las Vegas.
The packages that are offered by the hotel range from the traditional to more deluxe with some packages including suites, meals, show tickets, and spa services. Other services that are offered include live musicians and web broadcasting of the ceremony.
Receptions can also be arranged at the Paris hotel. For an informal gathering, they have a lounge on the 31st floor that offers strip views. Their many restaurants are also a good option for a reception. The catering department can also help arrange something more formal and for something really private, the Bally’s penthouse can be rented for receptions as well .
So if you are seeking something unique or elegant for your Las Vegas wedding, you will certainly want to give the Paris Hotel and Casino some serious consideration.

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The Art Of Seduction

ecan — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:15:23 +0000

Seduction is a question of subtle strategy with one ultimate goal - to have sex with someone.
The desire for sex is powerful; for some it can be as powerful as the need to eat and breath. Seduction is the road we take to achieve sexual satisfaction.
While the ultimate goal is to have sex, there are lots of smaller goals that need to be reached along the road to the sexual surrender of our chosen partner.
For some, the thrill of seduction lies in the chase rather than the conquest. The excitement of wanting and pursuing someone can give a sense of satisfaction in itself. For others, the electric thrill comes from knowing that another person’s sexual attentions are focused on them. Those who thoroughly enjoy the chase are generally people with plenty of self-confidence and their confidence increases the likelihood of success.
Those who are less confident usually find seduction far more difficult. How can you convince a member of the opposite sex to fancy you if you see yourself as being unattractive?
It’s important that you choose the right person to seduce. This is more a matter of instinct than anything else but most of us endeavour to make conversation, or at least some eye contact, with a potential partner who we consider to be our equal on the scale of physical appeal.
Once you’ve sought out your ‘prey’ you need to decide whether the time and/or situation is right for seduction. If the object of your passion is somebody you see on a regular basis, the time/place being wrong may very well add to the thrill. If you’re getting the right feedback, the knowledge that the other person is interested but that you can’t do anything about it just yet can increase the feelings of arousal and excitement.
But how do you know that he’s interested? The best clues come from reading body language. Non-verbal signals are far better indicators of how a person feels about you than anything they may actually say verbally. Those with an open posture are usually more available than those who stand with their arms crossed. The eyes are the biggest give-away when it comes to seduction. If he returns your gaze, and especially if he holds eye contact with you longer than is usually acceptable, then the chances are you’re on to a winner. Trust your instincts. You’ll ‘feel’ whether he’s interested or not. Small gestures and tone of voice tell us a lot about how the other person feels about us.
Flirt. Did I really need to mention that? Flirting is used in two ways. We flirt with others to remind our partner that we still need to be wooed by him, but when used for seduction, it’s a means of keeping the other person interested and aroused as well as letting them know that they are unlikely to be rejected. Men, who are generally the pursuers, are highly dependent on women’s signals to reassure them that they are ‘onto something’. Playing hard-to-get isn’t particularly attractive to men unless you’re sending out enough signals to assure him that it really is just a game and that you are indeed ‘gettable’. Let him know that the chase will most likely be worth it in the end.
Once you’ve made contact with him, you’ll need to let him know where the encounter is likely to be heading. People have very different ideas of what sex should be so it’s important that you both know that you’re looking for the same things. This doesn’t mean that you should just blurt out “I’m a dominatrix, how d’ya fancy being whipped?” or anything else quite as obvious. You can if you really must, and you never know, it might just work, but in general the subtle approach is more likely to get you what you want. Men generally take the lead in this area, asking questions and trying to access whether you’d make a satisfactory sex partner. Follow his lead. The questions probably won’t be direct (depending upon the man), but they will be based around ’self-disclosure’. He tells you some, you tell him some. People typically discuss sex in a light-hearted, abstract manner when accessing a potential partner, testing each other in a non-committal way.
Now that you’re speaking you’ll need to sustain his interest. Two people who’ve found each other through physical attraction may not have the right chemistry to move along the road of seduction once mouths have been opened. Look for signs of acceptance or rejection. If you pick up on any signs of rejection, don’t waste your time on something that is very unlikely to happen, no matter how much you fancy him. There are plenty more available males about just waiting to be seduced.
If you’re still doing fine and the signals are good, it’s time to move onto the final yielding. One of you must surrender. In all probability it will be you, because even if you initialised the seduction, he will probably have taken over the role of pursuer somewhere along the line. The roles of ‘hunter’ and ‘prey’ have been decided through thousands of years of evolution, and usually fall naturally into place. Surrender and enjoy!

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Sexy High Heels For Women

ecan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:12:23 +0000

Wearing high heels is a way for a woman to accentuate her image and style. While there are different designs and fashions for high heels: from soft and classy to wild and bold, most women agree that adding high heels gives them a little bit of flair and edge that they really enjoy.
Choosing great looking high heels will make each night an evening to remember. There are an amazing variety of high heels to choose from. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for elegant high heels to match your favorite dinner dress, or you want something with a little more “kick” to it, you can find sleek, attractive high heels on the internet.
In prehistoric times skins or hides were probably tied around the foot for protection and warmth. The sandal, probably the earliest form of shoe, was worn in Egypt, Greece, and Rome; an early form of the boot was also known in Greece and Rome. The characteristic shoe of the Middle Ages was the soft, clinging moccasin, which extended to the ankle. It was highly decorated and was of velvet, cloth of gold, and, increasingly, of leather. Today the choices of shoes are great…wonderful styles and comfort.
If you select a quality pair of high heels you’ll feel confident in all situations.

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Is Your Heart Set On An Antique Engagement Ring

ecan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:20:23 +0000

As Mark Twain said “Let us not be too particular; it is better to have old secondhand diamonds than none at all.” And don’t we all agree?
Antique engagement rings have become all the rage in recent years, particularly with famous brides like Madonna, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Camilla Parker-Bowles all sporting vintage-inspired engagement rings.
We have the Victorians to thank for introducing the diamond engagement ring as THE ring to wear and many of those early designs are now being copied and updated for today’s modern fiancee. But before you rush out and buy that to-die-for antique engagement ring, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Tips when choosing an antique engagement ring
The settings used in the manufacture of modern engagement rings are very different from those used last century. Antique settings often involved fine filigree work and delicate designs that weren’t meant for much wear-and-tear. These delicate settings will have become even more delicate over time and there’s many a story about the starry-eyed soon-to-be-bride who has been heartbroken when her precious antique engagement ring proved even more precious than she had thought.
If you want a genuine vintage engagement ring make sure you have it assessed by a qualified jeweler so that any damage can be corrected and the settings strengthened. You may even need to have the stone or stones re-mounted.
Diamond cuts have also changed dramatically over the years. Contemporary diamond cutters use modern faceting techniques to show a diamond off at its brilliant best. Although a diamond will sparkle even when its been poorly cut, don’t expect the same razzle-dazzle you see today from the diamonds in antique engagement rings.
Also keep in mind that antique engagement rings were often made with stones that don’t stand the test of time. Turquoise is a gem to steer clear of because it has a nasty reputation for discoloration. As do pearls, which lose their sheen and opals, which will gradually wear away.
Another thing to be wary of is that lesser-quality garnets were often marketed as rubies in vintage engagement rings, so be sure to have your ring valued if you badly want a ruby-red engagement ring.
An antique engagement ring is not a ring you can wear every day in our rough-and-tumble world, but it’s preciousness makes it a treasure that, with the right care, will give you pleasure every day for a lifetime.

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Ebay Auction Ebay Selling Top 10 Secrets Revealed

ecan — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:30:23 +0000

The Ebay explosion has hit astronomical proportions. Over 11 million people did a search for Ebay last month alone on the internet. From all walks of life, everyone is drawn to Ebay.
Some people use Ebay as a hobby to make extra cash. Some people have quit their jobs and are making their living off Ebay. On a monthly basis, the phenomenon of Ebay continues to expand and grow.
Naturally, the best advice is to start selling part time on Ebay so that you can learn the tricks and secrets. It will take some time to learn the inside secrets that the top sellers know. It can be a great way to make extra cash. Ebay will take some work and is not a get rich quick scheme. However, if you take your time and do research, you could make extra income for yourself and your family. After you start to make money on a consistent basis, you might consider doing Ebay as your full time job.
For your Ebay business, all you need is internet access and a product to sell. Don’t worry! If you don’t have a product, there are plenty of companies where you can purchase items to sell. SMC (Specialty Merchandise Corp)is one company where you can purchase items at reasonable below cost prices.
SMC can be found at: http://www.smcorp.com
Many people start off selling old or odd items from their homes. Others are going to garage sales and picking up great deals and then selling these products on Ebay. You can find almost anything on Ebay. You are only restricted by your own imagination.
Here is a little tip: Other’s people junk can be your gold mine! That old Barbie doll up in the attic or in the basement could be a gold mine and bring in a huge profit. For example, it is reported that the Collectibles Category is the top selling category on Ebay. An old barbie doll, old red wagon, and old clock are only a few examples of items in the Collectibles Category.
TOP 10 SECRETS FOR SELLING ON EBAY
1. Do your research!
Make sure there is a need for the item that you are selling. Do a search for your item and see how many items are found for your keyword search. Examine each auction and see the bid amount and number of bids. Follow a number of auctions for several days and see what the final bid is. This will give you an excellent idea if there is a need for your item. It will also help you estimate the amount of profit you can make from the auction. If you don’t find your item, it might not be worth your time listing that item. Try to find an item that people truly want. After you start making money with Ebay, you can always go back and list that original product.
2. Find the right Category for your item!
If you are selling a collectible, please make sure that you list it in the collectible category. If you are listing a toy or hobby, please make sure that you list it in the Toy and Hobbies Category. This could make it easier for people to find your item. Do your homework? Search for your item and see what categories other sellers listed the same item in.
3. Keywords and descriptions are critical!
Use the appropriate keywords to describe your product. If you are selling a Barbie Doll, specify the type of doll it is: 1980 Holiday Barbie Doll. If you are selling a model train, specify the type: HO Santa Fe Caboose. Your descriptions are critical to avoid any future problems or potential returns. Honesty is the best policy. If there is a chip, crack or dent, specify this in the description. This could save you a lot of aggravation later on. If a buyer truly wants your item, a crack or chip won’t stop them from bidding on your item.
4. Always post a photo with your auction!
Auctions with photos sell much better than ones that don’t have pictures. Try to take a picture of the actual item that you are selling. Many Ebay sellers will use stock photos or photos from the internet. This is a turn off and raises a question in the buyers mind. People can tell it is not the original item and this could hurt your bids. Show the buyer that you are honest and have nothing to hide. If you put a picture of the actual item, it builds more trust between you and the buyer. In my case, I have bypassed auctions with stock photos. If you don’t have a digital camera, you can always purchase a disposable camera. When you take the camera in to be processed, tell them that you would like to have the photos placed on a CD.
5. Make the Buying process Easy! Sign up for PayPal!
You want to make your auction easy for the buyer. PayPal is becoming very popular and many buyers prefer to pay with their PayPal accounts. The easier you make your auction, the better it is. In addition, you don’t have to worry about bad checks or money orders. It is a safer payment method for both the buyer and seller.
6. List your items during “Hot Time” buying Periods!
Time your auction so that it ends during peak buying times. If you live in the Eastern Time Zone, list your auction between 9pm-11pm, Central Time Zone list between 8-10pm, Mountain Time Zone between 7-9pm, and for the Pacific Time Zone list between 6-8pm. Thus, this will give you the biggest exposure at the end of your auction. If your auction ends at 2 in the morning, there won’t be to many people placing a bid. The debate is out as to what day your auction should end on. Some sellers report that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are best. Other sellers report that Saturday and Sunday are best. Try experimenting with this to see what works best for your auctions.
7. Create an “About Me” Page on Ebay or another Free Website Page!
An “About Me” page can be critical to your success. It gives you chance to let the potential buyer know about you and your products. You can also get a free webpage from many companies in which you can promote yourself and your ebay auctions.
8. Feedback is Critical!
An ebay buyer looks at the feedback ratings. A negative feedback rating can ruin your chances of being successful. After your auction is over, please follow up with your buyer. Send them an email or call them if you have their phone number. Make sure that they are happy with their purchase. This is also important with your description. If you weren’t honest with your description, the buyer might be very disappointed and give you a negative rating. Ensure that your buyers are happy!!!
9. Excessive Postage costs can prevent bids!
Be reasonable with your shipping costs. Calculate the costs ahead of time and only charge the buyer a reasonable amount. It is not worth trying to make a couple extra dollars off the buyer because it will scare many people off. Charge the buyer the actual cost of shipping and state this in your auction so that there are no secrets. Be honest and the buyer will appreciate this.
10. Reserve Prices and Buy-it-Now can scare away potential buyers!
Buyers can be scared off by Reserve Prices and Buy-it-Now. In addition, Reserve Prices can limit your final auction price. Buy-it-Now shows that you have a certain limit to sell the product at. This is an auction! Let the buyers keep bidding at your products. If they feel they are getting a deal, they will place a bid.
You can be very successful on Ebay but you need patience and you need to do your homework.
Have fun with Ebay!

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The Joys Of Being Healthy

ecan — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:25:23 +0000

It is amazing to be able to say I am a whole, happy, healthy, loving woman. I was sick for the first 40 years of my life. Like millions of other human beings I grew up immersed in the family disease of alcoholism. For generations it has plagued my family. The unbalanced life I led is so common in our society; I didnt know anything was wrong. I was a participant in the chaos, confusion, neuroses, pain and suffering which is present in dysfunctional families. I call it The Dance of Death.
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri in the community of Clayton. The only memories I have of my father are when he would beat my brother and me with his belt so severely my clothes would cling to the bloody strap marks on my legs. He would make us wait for our punishment in our room before he dealt the ugly blows. My mother closed her eyes to what was happening. Both of them partied on weekends where I would find empty highball glasses scattered all over the living room. I had holes in th e soles of my shoes while my mother would model a new diamond cocktail ring, winnings from a weekly poker game. My dad was also a compulsive gambler. He died at the age of 45 when I was nine years old.
My mother attracted another alcoholic to her life soon after my fathers death. They had a symbiotic, codependent and addictive relationship. Every ten days they would consume a case of scotch which was delivered to our apartment from the local liquor store. My mother never appeared drunk but she was distant, selfish and narcissistic. My step fathers disease had progressed to the point he was visibly inebriated most evenings. His attitude was condescending, nasty and self righteous. He was verbally abusive and drove his car while intoxicated on many occasions. When I think back to that period of my history I remember keeping my personal life secret!!! I was ashamed of their behavior. I pretended all was well and I began developing neurotic habits for self preservation.
In my teens I danced several days after school, participated in theater groups, worked in a department store and had creative life in my head. I imagined the way I wanted my world to be and was in denial as to the truth in front of me. I became obsessive, compulsive and an over achiever. Because I worked so hard I accomplished a lot for a young girl but the reality was it was inspired by fear, insecurity and a need for control.
In college I devoted myself to art and earned a B.S. in Education and a M.A. in Painting and Ceramics from the University of Missouri. I was hired as a college instructor soon after graduate school. I felt happy for a time because I was away from home and involved in teaching. I took my job very seriously but the loneliness I felt when I was by myself was debilitating.
I longed for love . . . any kind. I didnt realize it at the time but I had never felt affection. I became preoccupied with thoughts of men. I had guys on my mind constantly! I was popular and had many choices but I picked the ones who I thought needed me. Most often they were from dysfunctional families. I dated a lot of drunks during my 20s. It felt familiar. In spite of my success as an artist and a teacher, I had low self esteem and I knew something was wrong with me.
In l969 I began a new life in another city. Within a week of moving to Boston, Massachusetts, I was brutally raped and hospitalized. I never received help with this trauma and didnt properly grieve until years later. I pushed down the pain and was then, more than ever, resolved to create the perfect life for myself, (as if it were in my hands?)
This was made easy for me when Joey Haudel entered my life. He filled the position of my Knight in Shining Armour, albeit, distorted. He was young, handsome, and alcoholic and had just been released from prison. We needed each other like ducks need water. We bonded in a codependent relationship that lasted 12 years.
Our experiences together were astounding. What I learned about myself was profound. Our journey is almost unbelievable. I have told this story in a dramatic narrative, I Survived: One Womans Journey of Self Healing and Transformation on DVD. It is filled with the dark world of illness and moves to the light of wellness. I reached my bottom after years of suffering. I was contemplating suicide but was saved by the Grace of God and the dear voice of a telephone operator who kept me on the phone for over an hour.
I spent years in recovery; beginning with Al-Anon meetings in 1973, several series of Adult Children of Alcoholic Therapy Sessions, individual therapy with numerous therapists and devouring self help books. I had the courage to look within and face the demons. It wasnt easy and many times I wanted to quit. I often felt I was too depressed to get well. One step at a time I forged ahead and never looked back! I visualized a healthy prognosis. Today I am living that beautiful picture!
I am happily married to a man 19 years my junior. What makes our relationship extraordinary is that my husband was born in 1960 the year after I graduated from high school. I am older than his mother. We recently celebrated our 17th anniversary and continue to share the most fabulous life. The secret of our success is our deeply committed love for one another. We enjoy a passionate romance. I wish what Bryan and I have could be sprinkled over the world like angel dust.
We met in 1985 during a rainy winter in San Francisco. We were neighbors on a tiny street near the historic Mission Dolores. The worst storm of the season was on its way and my roof was leaking profusely. I was in dire straits financially, having been newly divorced. I was preparing to fix it myself. Unfortunately my ladder wasnt tall enough. I needed help. None of the folks I knew were home that Saturday morning but I noticed an open door directly across from my house. I hurried upstairs to the second story flat in the azure painted duplex and walked down the long corridor to the living room. There on the sofa was a guy watching the football game on T.V. I introduced myself and then proceeded to ask for his assistance. He looked at me like I was nuts. The silence was deafening. How often does a stranger enter your apartment with a request for help with a major repair? I was flushed with embarrassment but was in too deep to recover. Fortunately he agreed to help me.
This uncommon beginning signaled the magic that lay before us. The sparks flew. We went on our first date within days of this meeting. Bryans car was broken so we took the bus across the city to an authentic Moroccan restaurant where we sat on paisley cushions and ate with our fingers. I remember clearly how primitive this felt and how natural it was to be with him. He didnt seem the least bit concerned about my age. I, on the other hand, was more sensitive. I was still healing from the codependent relationship of 12 years and had never experienced true intimacy. I wasnt sure it was the proper thing to do but I couldnt help myself; I was falling in love. I was scared because these feelings were coming so quickly.
Bryan moved in with me within weeks of our first meeting. I remember thinking if it didnt work out it would be easy to ask him to leave because all he owned was a T.V. For Valentines Day he created a hanging wire mobile in the shape of intertwined hearts and presented it to me with flowers and chocolate. This type of thoughtful gesture is typical of Bryan. He has never missed a special occasion and has often surprised me with jewelry when he returns from a business trip.
One evening in the spring we were waiting to board a dinner train in Mendocino. A drunken man approached us and said, How come you two are dressed up? Are you getting married? Bryan looked at me and said, Yes, we are arent we? That was his proposal. It was decided we would plan a wedding for later that year. But, first I needed to meet Bryans mother.
Just the thought of it terrified me! Bryan and his mother, Sharon, have a rare bond. He insisted he would not tell anyone about our engagement until she and I met. We drove to southern California where Sharon was visiting her sister, Bryans aunt. I felt sick the entire trip. I knew in advance he was going to take his mother shopping the next morning alone to break the news to her. I couldnt sleep at all that night. What felt so right to Bryan and me was unusual, especially in the eyes of a parent. When they returned from their excursion Sharon looked like she had just come from a funeral. Fortunately, for me, Aunt Toby accepted the situation and eased the tension by giving me a white angel ornament. His mother is a wonderful woman. In spite of her disappointment, she welcomed me into their family. Over the years our relationship has evolved into a unique friendship, a cross between a peer and a sister.
December 7, 1986, dressed in an ivory colored Victorian gown, I was driven to our wedding in a horse drawn carriage. I remember the sensation well. As I heard the clip-pity clop of the hoofs hitting the pavement I felt it was the happiest day of my life. The ride was several miles long and I enjoyed cars honking loudly at every turn. When we arrived at the elegant Alamo Square Inn Bryan was waiting to escort me inside to the nuptials. It was a good thing he took my hand, for as I exited the carriage, my knees collapsed from shaking so hard. The day was spectacular marking a lifetime of love.
Both Bryan and I had always wanted kids. By the time we met my biological clock had run out. He told me he would rather marry a woman he loved deeply than to wait for someone to bear his children. For several years we were content to be a unit of two. After my dear Aunt Letha died in 1992 I longed for a child. Bryan agreed to adoption. It was an arduous experience requiring patience and resilience. We had several birthmothers who changed their minds for different reasons. This process took three years and a great deal of money. Ultimately we were blessed with a baby girl we named Mariah. Our daughter is now 8 years old and the light of our life. I am grateful I am able to be a good parent and I relish every moment I spend with both of them as a family.
Bryan continues to be my rock, strength and loving support. During our years together I have had many tragedies including: my brother Johns suicide in 1988, my ex- husband Joeys death from alcoholism in 1989, and my girlfriend Debras suicide in 2002. I was hospitalized with a potentially life threatening blood clot in my lungs in 1998. Bryan stood by me through all of these. I married a great guy! I am a fortunate woman to have found true love in the heart of a younger man.
Each day I thank God for the gifts I have been given. I see my world as peaceful and balanced. My mission is to inspire people to their own healing and recovery. It is truly possible to find serenity, joy and love. If I can do it, so can you.
To learn more about Kay Kopit visit: www.isurviveddocumentary.com
Contact: Rhonda Boudreaux
Office: 510-236-2668
Mobile: 510-236-2668

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Finding Your Feng Shui Power Spots For Love And Romance

ecan — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:51:23 +0000

The first step in using feng shui to attract a partner or improve your love life is to find the relationship power spots in your home. Once you have located these areas, feng shui cures and enhancements can activate these areas and increase your love luck.
The feng shui “ba gua” is an energy map that divides any space into eight (”ba”) sections (”guas”), each of which affects a specific aspect of life. Love and marriage are governed by “Kun” gua. Your relationship power spots are the Kun guas of your home, bedroom, and other main rooms.
In traditional Chinese feng shui, Kun gua is the southwest (SW) sector of the home. Secondary Kun guas are the SW sector of each room within the home. Contemporary Western feng shui defines the ba gua in relationship to the entry. Using this method, Kun gua is the area of the home or room that is farthest to the back on the right-hand side, when you stand in the doorway facing into the space. (Always use the formal front entry to the home when you are using this method, even if you go in and out through a side or back door most of the time.)
One reason many people find feng shui confusing is that they don’t know which to method to follow. With so many places within the home that might be called Kun gua, where do you place your feng shui objects?
Follow these steps to find the best relationship “power spots” in your home by combining and comparing these two methods.

Using a compass, find the room or rooms that are located in the SW sector of your home. (If you have a floor plan that indicates North, you can use that to figure out which direction is SW.) If you have no way of confirming SW accurately, just use the doorway method.
Stand in your front entry, facing into the home. What room or rooms are in the back of the house on the right-hand side?
Compare the rooms you identified using these two methods. Stairways, narrow hallways, closets, bathrooms, and bedrooms occupied by anyone other than yourself should be crossed off your list. If you identified the living room, dining room, kitchen, or any other comfortable, pleasant space, keep those rooms on your list.
Your personal bedroom will always be a good place for romance feng shui. Put it on your list, even if it is not in the SW or right-rear area of the home. If your bedroom is in the SW or the rear right area of the home, it is a very strong relationship power spot for you.
Find the relationship areas within you bedroom. First, use your compass to locate the SW area of the room. Then stand in the doorway facing into the room and locate the far corner on your right-hand side. If these two areas overlap, you have identified a very powerful relationship power spot for feng shui enhancement.
If these two areas in your bedroom (SW and far-right corner) are not the same, compare them. Which is brighter, cleaner, less cluttered, more attractive? Which has potential for adding feng shui enhancements: a section of wall where you could hang a poster, photograph, or framed piece of artwork; the top of a dresser or bedside table, a fireplace mantel, or a bookcase where you could clear a little space on a shelf for a romantic figurine or other object.
Now, find the relationship areas within any other rooms on your “approved” list. First, using the compass, locate the SW area of the room. Then stand in the doorway, facing into the room, and locate the far corner on your right-hand side.
Again, compare your options, and look for clean, uncluttered, well-lit, attractive places where you could place feng shui objects or romantic artwork or imagery.
If by the end of this process you have more than three good options available to you, continue to prioritize your list. The most desirable “power spots” will be:

in your bedroom
places that you see most often as you go through your normal daily activities

These are now your priority power spots for love and marriage. Some easy ways to enhance these areas are with:

imagery or artwork representing lovers
two pink or red candles set side-by-side
a red, pink, or white heart-shaped box
two round or heart-whaped red or pink pillows
two red silk roses in a pretty vase
fresh flowers with red or pink blossoms
a pink faceted feng shui crystal, hung over your bed or in a power spot
imagery or artwork of pairs of mandarin ducks, doves, or swans
the Chinese symbol for “double happiness”
any image or object that represents love, marriage, or romance in a way that has strong personal meaning for you

There is much more to feng shui than activating power spots, but these simple steps will get you off to a good start. The feng shui imagery and objects that you place in your power spots help to shift the energy of your home, and are visual reminders of your intention to find happiness with a romantic partner who will be everything that you have dreamed.
(c) 2003 Stephanie Roberts

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Women Bosses Balancing Work Home Life

ecan — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:04:23 +0000

It can be very difficult for a woman to balance home life with that of work, which is especially true with women bosses. Even for those who have risen to the top of the company ladder, women bosses are challenged everyday.
For women bosses who are single, time may not be as much at issue as those who have children. When work becomes demanding, women bosses have to find a way to remain committed to their job while also making their children a priority above all else. It isn’t enough to hire a babysitter or enroll them in preschool because children need their mom and nothing can take the place of quality time spent reading a book, watching cartoons or tucking them in at night.
If at all possible, women bosses with families at home should try to work early in the day so that they will have time to spend with their husband and children in the evening. This allows time for the children to get their school day completed and enjoy a normal evening at home.
In today’s world, women bosses have to work hard in order to achieve a management position. With a long term position and years of service to a company, many will increase their chances of moving up to becoming women bosses. For others who are hired directly into a management position, a strong background in leadership, a college degree and familiarity with authority are all qualities that company executives look for in women bosses.
The most important thing, when searching for a position in leadership, is to stay focused. By never losing sight on their career goal, many women bosses have achieved success even after years of effort. In the world of business, there is plenty of rejection and hardship to go around. The main thing is to never get discouraged and keep trying until the perfect job is found.
Women bosses are terrific to be, but they are also great to work for. An understanding of having to work hard to get ahead and realizing what it takes for a woman to succeed are just a few of the things that women bosses understand. Knowing what it’s like to spend time with family, prioritize home and work life and working closely with employees to make sure that they have a good balance of both are a few of the qualities that many women bosses possess. If you have the chance to be one, take it. If you have the chance to work for one, accept it. Women bosses are everywhere and they make companies, and their employees, strive to be the best.

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