Dogs 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Eurographics

Product Details

Dogs 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. Finished Size: 19 1/4" X 26 5/8". Photos by Yoneo Morita

• 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Wooden 3-D Puzzle - Piranha with Finger Inside, Leopardwood

Product Details

Handcrafted in limited quantities in the United States by Peter Chapman, this three-dimensional wooden Piranha is a truly remarkable and challenging puzzle for children of all ages. Individually cut from a single piece of Leopardwood, when this Piranha is taken apart she reveals her inner workings: her lunch! By removing the eye dowel, which allows you to disassemble each interlocking piece, you soon learn of the severed finger hiding inside! WhatÕs more, each different animal puzzle reveals something unique. Adults and children alike find themselves fascinated by these beautifully creative and artistic pieces.

• 8" L x 1.5" W x 3" H
• All of Class MenagerieÕs wooden puzzle are individually handcrafted in Virginia.
• The painstaking craftsmanship, combined with the beauty of the native and exotic woods used, results in a beautiful piece of art suitable for display on your coffee table.
• Each Class Menagerie wooden puzzle is unique to the specific piece of wood chosen.
• Every Class Menagerie puzzle is signed and dated by the artist.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Product Details

The most beautiful and famous landmarks in the world are now yours to have in your home. Incredibly detailed fun to assemble and beautiful to display.

• 3D Puzzle w/ Book
• Manufacturer: Daron Worldwide

Go Green - Eco-Friendly Trade Show Giveaways

A recent study done of environmental factors completed at MIT brought to light some extremely interesting information. Here are just a few of the facts that the study stated:

Starbucks uses 2.3 billion paper coffee cups each year, resulting in 890,000 tons of waste.

There were between 4 and 6 million trees used to print the entire Harry Potter series.

More than 380 billion plastic grocery bags are used in the US each year.

What has this got to do with your business and your upcoming trade show? The answer can be summed up in one word: green. From Al Gore's Nobel Prize-winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, to NBC's "Green is Universal" campaign, it seems as though the entire world is taking notice of the importance of saving our planet and "going green." The demand for eco-friendly items is growing each day and businesses are looking for ways that they can join in the "green" movement. Make a statement at your next trade show by giving out eco-friendly promotional products and you will be saying that you want to be a part of the solution.

Choosing the perfect trade show product can be time consuming. Limiting your choices to environmentally friendly promotional products can help significantly. You will be narrowing your search to include only promotional products companies that offer eco-friendly promotional products.

The best way to get someone to use a promotional product is to give them one that is both visually appealing and functional. There are several great options when it comes to eco-friendly promotional products. Long gone are the days where recycled paper and plastic were the only options. Due to the recent consumer trend towards "going green," there is an extremely high demand for well-designed eco-friendly products. Below are just a few examples of eco-friendly promotional products that you can distribute at your next tradeshow.

Promotional USB Flash Drives
A key benefit of "going green" is saving trees. The less paper people use on a day-to-day basis, the better. USB flash drives are eco-friendly devices because they allow people to transport important data without having to print the information on paper. Spreadsheets and presentations can be transported and accessed from various computers without ever touching a page. Recruit potential customers at trade shows by offering USB flash drives. If your budget is tight, hold a raffle for one USB stick imprinted with your logo. The demand for these extremely popular promotional items will draw everyone to your booth. Plus, you will collect tons of leads when their business cards are dropped into the raffle buckets.

Promotional Drinkware
To help reduce the use of paper coffee cups and disposable plastic water bottles, trade show exhibitors can provide attendees with promotional drinkware. Imprinted drinkware makes a great eco friendly giveaway. There are several different varieties of mugs, tumblers, and sport bottles available. Since these are all reusable items, they promote a "green" way of thinking. A travel tumbler for the car is an item that several people find helpful. To help cut down on waste, provide attendees with promotional sport bottles and polycarbonate bottles for their water.

Promotional Bags
Rather than wasting another 380 billion plastic grocery bags, provide tradeshow attendees with organic cotton grocery bags. Several promotional products companies are now recognizing the need for attractive promotional bags that are also eco-friendly. The options include everything from organic tote bags to organic messenger bags. There's even an organic bag recycler to store plastic grocery bags rather than throwing them away. By giving out an eco-friendly trade show bag, you will not only be providing attendees with something useful for the show, but for years to come.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Men - 20 Fabulous Men's Christmas Gift Ideas He'll Love!

Looking for impressive Christmas gift ideas for men? Whether you're shopping for Dad, Grandpa, an uncle, your husband, or your son, we've got men's Christmas gift ideas for presents that are sure to bring smiles to their faces!

Favorite Sports Team Watch - Show his loyalty with a watch from his favorite sports team!.
Men's Heated Jacket - No need for multiple layers! Five different heating zones so he's always comfortable.
Italian Replica Globe Bar - Impress guests with old world charm! Globe bar opens up to store his treasured bottles and glasses.
Personalized Cigar Humidor - A distinctive and unique men's Christmas gift idea for the cigar afficionado.
Wine Gift Basket - A carefully-chosen wine gift basket is an impressive gift that exudes good wine knowledge and good taste.
Personalized Team Jersey - Personalized team jerseys are available for most major sports teams in the NHL, NFL, and MLB.
Lumbar Massage Cushion - Knead away stress with a lumbar massage cushion. Great for travel, too!
NFL Pro Bowl Tickets - A Christmas gift idea any man would love!
Krups BeerTender - The best invention since beer itself, the BeerTender will let him enjoy his favorite draft beer at home.
Personalized Passport Covers - Travel in style with a personalized passport cover! Perfect gift for the international traveler.
Night Light Coaster - No need to fumble in the dark for nightstand items. Night light coaster turns on with just a wave of the hand!
Dresser Valet Tray - Perfect for keeping his jewelry, coins, and keys organized and accessible. Personalize for an extra-special touch.
Digital Picture Frame - Hot Christmas gifts this year! Why display just one photo when you can enjoy a slideshow with a digital picture frame?
Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag - Breeze through airport security without removing his laptop from his bag with a checkpoint friendly bag!
GPS - You know he won't stop to ask directions, so give him a GPS so he doesn't spend the rest of his life lost!
Race His Own NASCAR Experience - Race an actual NASCAR car on an authentic NASCAR track!
Nintendo Wii - Still the hot gaming system, and with tons of new game releases, this is the year to buy one.
Personalized Firepit - Satisfy his need to build and play with fire with a personalized firepit. A Christmas gift the whole family will enjoy!
Electric Knife - Elevate his carving skills with an electric knife.
Photo Cufflinks - Classic men's monogrammed cufflinks - but they open up to store a picture of his loved ones inside.

10 Essential Items You Must Have Before Your Next Flight

If you're getting ready for your next business flight, or your family summer holiday then perhaps you know exactly what you need, and what you still have to do. Alternatively, you might not be a frequent flier, and not know exactly what you're going to need before you fly.

Here's what you need to consider.

1. You'll need to make sure that you have a valid passport for everyone and that you have any other travel documentation such as visas. Depending on where you're flying to

2. Depending on how you've booked your flights, or your holiday, you might not receive actual tickets. If you've booking your flights online don't forget to print your tickets, and once you've got your tickets, don't forget them on the day you travel.

3. It's important that you make sure that your travel insurance is up to date, and it covers you for what you'll be doing. If you're going skiing or snowboarding, then you'll need to inform your travel insurance company, so that you can have the right level of cover

4. It's a good idea to get your currency in advance too. Depending on where you're going, it might take a few days for your currency to arrive, so you don't want to leave it too late. If you're travelling to somewhere in Europe, or America, you can sort out your currency at the airport.

5. You'll want to make sure that your luggage is up to the job, and that you have the right sorts of locks and keys for those locks. You might also want to make your luggage so that you can easily identify it when it comes off the luggage carousel.

6. Depending on where' you're flying to, you might need to have vaccinations to protect your from illnesses. You'll need to find out what injections you need, how soon you need to have them, and whether there will be a cost involved. Your travel company and doctor will be able to advise you.

7. If you're flying with your children, then you'll need to make sure that you have plenty to keep them occupied, especially if it's a long flight. Books, magazines, puzzles, MP3 players and games consoles, are always good ideas.

8. You might need to know the local traffic and weather reports for your destination. If you're getting off the plane and straight into a hire car, you'll want to know what sort of traffic conditions and weather to expect when you land.

9. You'll definitely need to know where you're going, and how you're going to get there once you arrive at your destination. Are you going to your hotel by taxi? Bus or train? Will you be driving to a nearby town in your hire car? Don't forget that trains and buses might have different schedules at different times of the year, so you might need to check in advance.

10. It's a good idea to allow plenty of time to get to the airport, so that you can find your parking space, get to the terminal and check in, without having to rush.

Now you know what you need before your next flight, you won't have any excuses for being late or forgetting something.

How to Get Your Holiday Home Guests Raving About You!

it's bad enough if someone thinks they have had a negative experience in your holiday home. But in today's world it can be a disaster - they only need to shout about it out to the world, and much of the the world will hear.

Just one video on You Tube, or a picture on Facebook, or a Tweet on Twitter could severely damage your reputation.
But there's an upside to this social networking world - just one rave review or spectacular comment about an experience with you can get heaps of potential guests beating a path to your door, wanting to grab that same experience - one that can make, or break, the attraction of a holiday home.

There are both little - and big - things that make experiences different, and you'll never know what works until you try. Here's a few of my favourite ideas - many gleaned from chatter amongst the various owners I talk to, both off and on line. You will probably have others, and if you do, please let me know. Mine are presented in random order:

Get the best Mattresses you can afford

Don't skimp on sleeping experiences. It's half the holiday time spent with you, and a particularly bad or particularly delightful experience is something guests will remember long after other memories fade and the photos put onto the PC and forgotten about.

Get big fluffy towels

If you supply linens and towels, make sure they are very good ones. Make sure your bath towels are good sized and fit for purpose. There's nothing worse than too-small, too-skimpy, and worn - thin towels where you stay. You'll need to think about pool or beach towels, too, as you don't want your best linen on the sand dunes every day...

Send guests an inventory of your kitchen stuff - and, make sure it's complete.

Guests often don't know what to bring for cooking. No guest wants to travel with a blender, kettle, toaster or coffee-maker in their suitcase. Make sure you have everything reasonably needed, and then send them the inventory list well before they come. Not only will it save on a whole load of emails asking what you have got, it'll impress them.

Supply welcome packs for kids

If the kids are bored the adults won't enjoy themselves either. Provide kids with colouring books and crayons, puzzles, games and kid's films. Make it cool for the kids, and you'll make it cool for the adults.

Don't skimp the basics

Supply sufficient paper products (toilet paper, kitchen towels & coffee filters), enough liquid hand soap, cleaning materials, kitchen foil, dishwasher tabs, garbage bags, light bulbs, plastic containers for leftovers etc.

Provide stuff that can be done on a rainy day

You can't guarantee the weather, but you can almost certainly guarantee a less than satisified guest if the weather prevents them enjoying the holiday, even though it's not your fault. Provide boardgames (with all the pieces still in the box), packs of cards (new ones); bundles of paperback books and films. Think of things the adults might like to do, too - attempting cooking guides, reading about the area, and so on.

Guidebooks and maps

Go overboard on the information you provide. Not just tourist information but your own recommendations for restaurants, places to go and things to do that tourists normally won't find or see. Suggest half-day and full day drives, tours, or sports. Remember that your guests probably don't know the area, and would be delighted with your ideas.

Emergency power outage kits

Don't leave guests scrabbling without light in a power outage. Make sure they know what to do - and where to find your fuses and meters, which should contain candles/gas lamp, a lighter, information on who to contact to inform that the power is out, any spare fuses needed, and a reminder about safety.

At least some really sharp kitchen knives

One of the top complaints about rentals is the lack of quality cooking and cutting knives. Buy at least one really good knife or spend a little more on a good quality set.

Lots of chairs and loungers

It may sound obvious but you'll be amazed by the number of properties that have pools and pool areas without any furniture! And make sure there is enough - it's not fair to expect a handful of guests to have to share 1 lounger between them.

Provide a variety of herbs and spices

No-one wants to pack a suitcase and travel with a whole bunch of seasonings, and neither will they want to go out and shop for them either, so get a good herb and spice collection. And, keep them topped up.

Fresh soap in the bathrooms

Either new soaps (or topped up soap dispensers will do), but never - ever - leave used bars of soap in the washrooms. The same goes for toilet paper - don't leave 6 pieces left on a roll!

Leave an 'Damn, I forgot It' pack

Get some travel sized bathroom items -mini toothpaste/mini shampoo/mini shower gel/throw away razors etc - and put them in a basket or box in a cupboard and let your guests know where it is in case they have forgotten something.

Get them in the mood

First impressions are very important. Don't let guests arrive in the dark - Leave lights on for guests arriving at night; have some music playing on the radio for atmosphere, and the place warm (or fire lit) in cooler times. A bottle of local wine or some fresh juices in the kitchen or bar areas goes down very well every time! Make sure everywhere smells good, too - and fresh flowers are a great touch.

Write a welcome letter to your pet guests

I like this one particularly, even though in my property's I don't allow pets. There's nothing pet owners like more than to have their little friends acknowledged and pampered. Writing a letter directly to the pet and adding it to the welcome pack works really well if you want to get across your pet rules in a friendly way. Throw in a pack of dog chewies, too......If you want to go further, how about some bowls, a bucket, several old towels, a dog hairbrush, gloves, a dog tag with your address and phone number, and a couple of old balls.......

A welcome basket

A basket with seasonal items on arrival is always well received. Perhaps fruit and tomatoes, some honey or home made jam; some scented candles, hot chocolate or similar in winter. When you want to create a great first impression, this can do it!

And......

Keep in touch with your guests

I'm sure there are other ideas - let me know and I'll keep adding them.

Letterboxing Opportunities Abound in Richmond

Locals and visitors alike know that Richmond is a popular destination for American history enthusiasts. Racing fans flock to the area twice a year to take in big events at the Richmond International Speedway, and various summer concerts and festivals keep everybody entertained. For hobbyists interested in letterboxing, Richmond is rich with several opportunities to add timeless souvenirs to your collection, and memories to treasure.

A Brief Letterboxing Primer

For the benefit of readers new to this centuries-old practice of "treasure hunting," letterboxing is similar to the "geocaching" trend gaining popularity among GPS users. Letterboxing has its origins in the mid 19th century in England, where secret boxes storing letters and other communications were happened upon or hunted. Visitors would leave something in return. In recent years, enthusiasts will hide letterboxes (usually a plastic, sealed container) containing rubber stamps and a guestbook in various places outdoors, and hunters will use the stamp for their own notebooks, while stamping the letterbox book to let the owner know it has been found. An Internet search for popular letterbox sites Letterboxing and Atlasquest will yield hundreds of such boxes hidden around the world.

Letterboxing in Richmond

One can find several letterboxes in the metropolitan Richmond area, in urban and rural locales. Traditionally, a hunter will check Internet sites for clues on where to find the boxes - some may give precise directions, while others may present a puzzle to decode in order reach the goal. For an idea of what to expect in Richmond letterboxes, here are a few select ones available for search:

An Irish Lass in Hollywood - hidden in the Hollywood Cemetery

The Siren's Song - hidden on the campus of the University of Richmond

Deep Run School - hidden near Short Pump Park

The Carillon - hidden near a war monument

Slippery Rock - hidden in Deep Run Park


Rules of Letterboxing

Some things to remember when going on a letterboxing expedition:


Make sure you have directions in hand. You won't need a compass unless searching for a challenging box, but it's good to print the directions from the letterboxing websites so you don't get lost.


Be discreet when you find a letterbox. Some letterboxes hidden in parks and landmarks may be removed by staff or stolen, so if you find a box be careful with it and make sure it is hidden where you found it, so others can find it later.


Plan your route. There may be a number of different letterboxes hidden within a few miles of each other. Do your research and you can make a whole day of the search.


Have fun! Letterboxing with your kids is a great way to encourage their orienteering skills.

Humid! Humid! Humid! It's the Rainy Season in Japan!

Rain, rain, go away......The month of June signals the beginning of the rainy season in Japan. During this time of year, umbrella and blue tarp merchants are sure to make a killin'! For those who plan to visit Japan during this time of the year, the good news is that plane tickets are usually cheaper in June. The bad news, the humidity will be so high, you'll wish you had paid a higher fare for another time of the year!

During June (ROKUGATSU) in Japan, you are bound to hear the words MUSHI ATSUI. These translate to "humid", "hot and muggy", or just plain "miserable"! When speaking these words in Japanese, be sure to accent them with a moaning, groaning sound for the full affect! Most every Japanese person you see will be carrying a fan, wearing a hat, wiping sweat from their brow with a handy handkerchief, and looking very tired! Of course, the good thing about Japan is that it is an island....so a swim is close by for most Japanese citizens and sticky tourists!

TSUYU (the rainy season) can be a troublesome time of year for more reasons than the heat and humidity. The numerous amounts of rainfall often wreak havoc on Japanese homes and hillsides. After the heavy rains, mudslides and landslides frequently terrorize the Japanese people. The blue tarps, mentioned above, are used to cover the roofs of Japanese homes that have been damaged by the heavy rains and aftermath.

I recall, in the small village I once lived in, that the local temple was almost destroyed by the torrential rainfall. The shrine sat atop a hill that overlooked the valley. The heavy rains created a mudslide that caused the hillside to tumble into a small creek running along the road. There were actually branches and cars floating down the stream near my apartment!

Another site a tourist in Japan will see are numerous mountainsides that are covered in concrete. While definitely less than pleasing to the eye and what I would consider a scar on the natural beauty of Japan, these do have a purpose. For without the refortification by the local authorities, most of the Japanese islands would now be lying on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean!

So, if you plan to travel to Japan this time of year, be sure to take an umbrella. Better yet, you might be sure to purchase a SUDOKU puzzle book for the airplane flight and the hotel room, because you may be indoors most of the time!

Read more about Japan at [http://www.tenchi.us] and find some easy, free, and delicious recipes to bring a little of Japan into your home and life!

The Travelers' Temperature Predicaments (2)

Temperature measurement is very important to a whole range of areas and activities: science, scientific research, manufacturing, medicine and travel. Many European, Asian and African businessmen and tourists often travel to the USA and UK. These countries have not adopted the use of the modern metric system of measurement i.e. the SI system.

The accepted base SI unit of temperature is the Kelvin. A change of 1K is the same as 1 degree Celsius. As the degree Celsius is a convenient, easy to grasp in every - day - life metric unit, therefore both units are used in parallel. The Kelvin is used by scientists and engineers and the degree Celsius by everybody else worldwide. There are however, two prominent exceptions: the USA and UK who commonly use the Fahrenheit scale.

Daniel, Gabriel Fahrenheit, a German physicist was born in 1686 in Gdansk, Poland. The concept of the thermometer for measuring temperature changes is credited to Galileo. Fahrenheit is known for inventing the alcohol and mercury thermometers. His temperature scale is based on affixing 32º for melting point of ice and 212º for the boiling point of water under normal atmospheric pressure. The interval between two affixed points is being divided into 180 equal parts (the degrees Fahrenheit). The Fahrenheit scale was generally in use by English speaking countries up until 1970.
Travelers to the USA and UK are often faced with the problem of how to efficiently convert the temperature in the degree Fahrenheit to the temperature expressed in the degrees Celsius without making a mistake and with a sufficient approximation.

The conversion formula "Fahrenheit to Celsius" is:

ºC = 5/9 (ºF - 32º); read:

"In order to express the temperature in the degrees Celsius, I need to divide 5 by 9 and the result multiply by the temperature in Fahrenheit lowered by 32º".

Quite awkward, isn't it?

A much simpler way to remember and easier method to do mentally is to memorise the four following steps:

ºF→→→ºC : "Subtract 32, divide by 2, add 10% ( or 1/10) of the result and add 1% of the total".

Let us see how it works:

E.g. 1: 98 ºF (your normal body temperature) →→→66 →→→33 →→→36.3 →→→36.7 ºC (rounded off to one decimal place).

E.g. 2: 102 ºF (your possible body temperature) →→→70→→→35→→→38.5→→→38.9 ºC

(High, pay a visit to the doctor!).

E.g. 3: 68 ºF (pleasant, refreshing outdoor temperature)→→→36→→→18→→→19.8→→→20 ºC

If you in a good mood, hum these four steps before the travel: "su-di-a-a", "su-di-a-a", "su-di-a-a"...!

Have a nice trip and keep warm!

Wacek

PS.: Have you read my former article: "The Travelers Temperature Tips"?

If so, you will be able to find the answer to the following puzzle:

FORGETFULNESS

A student solving a problem on transfer of heat found a correct temperature change. However, he presented the answer without a unit. As it turned out, it did not matter whether he gave the temperature in the degrees Fahrenheit or the degrees Celsius. The answer remained the same. What temperature was it?

Geospace 12083 Super Gyro Top

Product Details

Spinning tops have been around for centuries. But none has ever been as technically sophisticated or as beautiful to watch as our new SUPER GYRO TOP. Rev up the top by rapidly pushing the rubber base along a floor or table, and then set it free.

• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

Buying a Personal Air Purifier

Research has revealed that the majority of homes and buildings contain poor quality air. Indoor air is contaminated with many harmful contaminants such as pollen, dust, dust mites, bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew particles, pet dander, and more. Inhaling these contaminants can have serious health implications such as respiratory problems and severe allergies. To combat these contaminants, more people are purchasing personal air purifiers.

A personal air purifier can improve the quality of air you breathe and thereby improve your health. When you buy any air purifiers, you should look for one that contains a Hepa air filter. These filters trap and remove 98% of harmful microscopic air airborne particles; however they do not kill bacteria. There are purifiers on the market that have the mechanism to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms. As well, there are even small personal ones you can use in a small work space, and there are even purifiers that you can wear around your neck and clip your clothing. They are a perfect solution when sitting in a small confined area such as on a bus or on an airplane. There are also a number of different car air purifiers on the market. They keep the air in your personal space fresh and clean.

There are many different types and qualities of personal air purifiers. These range from low grades to very high quality grades. When buying a one, it is important to remember that a low price does not mean you will be getting high quality. You should look for a brand that has proven results that includes real customer reviews and established positive research results. You also must think of your own personal needs when buying a personal air purifier. If you just want to improve your sleep, a cheap purifier may be sufficient, but if you want an effective air cleanser, you may want to choose a proven brand name purifier. It may cost more, but the health benefits will be well worth it. The highest quality product will use such techniques as High-Performance HEPA Filter, Electrostatic Dust Collectors, Air Pollution Sensors, and Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation.

In recent years, more people have realized the dangers of inhaling poor quality air. The result has been an increased demand better purifiers. When you first start to use one, it will not be long before you see and feel the benefits of breathing clean air.

Your Body Talks ... Do You Know What It's Saying?

Gut feeling, intuition, hunches. Whatever we call it, we all have feelings about people we meet. Part of the information we're taking in that leads to such conclusions is body language. Whether we realize it or not, we both read and speak it.

The old 7/38/55 rule from Dr. Albert Mehrabian is often quoted. In his studies of the 1960s, this UCLA professor deduced that in face-to-face communications, 7% of the message is conveyed through words, 38% through voice and 55% through body. In the 1970s, Australian researcher and author Allan Pease concluded that body accounted for up to a whopping 80%! Even though some more recent research suggests that these percentages may be more equally distributed, the fact remains that our bodies most definitely talk. In fact, at times, they downright scream.

Although it's tempting to witness one action, gesture or reaction and use that one thing to conclusively interpret someone's meaning, it is misleading to do so. Non-verbal communication is best read when using what I call, the "4 Key Cs": 1) context; 2) culture; 3) clusters; and, 4) calibration.

Context: Here's a news flash -- sometimes people cross their arms just because they're cold. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're closed to what you're saying. Work versus social environment also affects how we interact with others. Before you assess the body language, consider the context.

Culture: Most countries represent a mix of ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures. Many of us celebrate that diversity. We are also exposed to it, due to work or private life, as we travel to other countries. A caution: gestures that are commonplace to us mean different things to others. For example, the A-OK sign in Japan is a symbol for coin money and in parts of Germany is an obscene gesture. Although eye contact is valued in mainstream North American culture, it is to be avoided in other cultures. Different cultures, different meanings.

Clusters: As a rule of thumb, using clusters of three actions or gestures, versus just one, to suggest a certain meaning increases your chances of correctly interpreting the meaning. Reading non-verbal communications correctly requires us to refrain from stereotyping or drawing conclusions until we have enough evidence. And even at that, body language is just an indicator, simply one piece in the puzzle of understanding and reading each other correctly.

Calibration: We all have certain physical actions and idiosyncrasies. Calibrating body signals against a certain individual allows for this fact. Perhaps someone is blinking all the time, not because they are speaking a mistruth or don't believe what you're saying - maybe they just have chronically itchy eyes. Gestures depend on the person.

Next time, before you draw conclusions from someone's actions, consider the 4 Cs of reading body language. When you do, chances are your gut feeling, intuition or hunch will be a more accurate one.

Copyright ©Marion Grobb Finkelstein (Canada). All rights reserved.

A Travel Checklist For a Gadget Geek

Gadgets take much of the bore out of traveling. Sitting for hours on a long plane flight isn't as mind-numbing when you bring some technology. Gadgets are good for children and adults. Having a few gadgets while traveling keeps the mind engaged, and the boring part of the trip doesn't seem so long.

iPod

The iPod is a device used for audio and video. More expensive iPods play short movies, but the gadget is mostly used as a music player. Depending on the model, the iPod holds hundreds of MP3 files for hours of playtime. When packing an iPod for travel, ensure you've not forgotten the power cable. On long trips, the iPod will only last approximately a day. A USB cable and power adapter are included with the device to recharge the battery. If you bring a laptop, it's a perfect source for an iPod battery recharge.

Sony PSP or Nintendo DS

Both these gadgets are portable video game devices. Sony PSP and Nintendo DS devices can keep you busy throughout the entire trip. Nintendo DS is great for puzzles and mind teasers. Nintendo provides memory games and puzzles that are suitable for older gamers. Sony PSP is the best portable video game device for action games. Make sure you pack plenty of games to keep you busy, especially when the trip is long. The PSP can also play multiplayer video games. This option is ideal for parents with multiple children or a group of friends who all own the device.

iPhone

The iPhone has hundreds of games and software to download from the application store. Although gaming on the iPhone isn't as streamlined and convenient as the PSP and DS, the iPhone offers games that you can't find on other portable video game players. The iPhone also masquerades as an iPod. It plays music and holds several gigabytes of MP3 files. What makes the iPhone most beneficial is its large screen for web browsing. You can use the iPhone to retrieve email and read your favorite online forum while traveling.

Digital Camera

A digital camera is a gadget requirement for any trip. Gadget geeks who like crisp images aren't satisfied with blurry cell phone pictures. A digital camera can also be used as a mini storage device. When bringing a digital camera on a trip, don't forget the adapter that charges the device. Digital camera batteries don't last very long when the device is used often. If you carry a laptop with you on the trip, bring the USB cable that connects the camera to the computer. It's a great way to upload pictures and create an image archive of the trip.

Amazon Kindle

The Kindle is a product for digital books. Some print companies offer Kindle versions of books, which provide a digital version of any traveler's favorite novel. The Kindle is bought directly from Amazon, and you can download books as you finish each novel. The Kindle is great for long plane flights, since wireless phones like the iPhone are required to be powered off. It's also easier to travel with a Kindle, because it is lightweight and doesn't take as much space in a suitcase.

The advantage of each of these items is the amount of time each device consumes. A long, tiresome plane or car ride using these gadgets eliminates much of the boredom. The disadvantage of these gadgets is the price tag. Most of them cost several hundred dollars, so the average traveler can only afford one. Although they are expensive, just one of these gadgets will rid you of travel boredom.

What Melissa and Doug Puzzle Suits Your Child?

Playing puzzles is not limited to us adults; even our little kids could enjoy this wonderful game which is both fun and educational. It is definitely a good material for us to bond with our children and at the same time stimulating their young minds.

There are various puzzles made for kids available in the market today one of which are the Melissa and Doug puzzles. Melissa and Doug offer a variety of puzzles of different designs and styles. With this wide selection how could we pick out the kind of puzzle that is right for our child?

Here are some guidelines that would help us select the right puzzle that will work best for our children:

1. The child's age

The age of the child is very important in choosing a puzzle. There are particular puzzle styles that are designed for a child of a specific age. For very young children (ages 3 to 5) puzzle cards are recommended because it will teach them puzzle concepts step by step. The themes of these puzzles are about alphabets, rhymes, colors and opposite things. This is a good way to start, since kids at that age will find it easy to solve these puzzle problems because it is not complicated.

As for older children, there are floor and jigsaw puzzles with varying level of difficulty. It is highly recommended that you start with the beginner's level kind of puzzle with 10 to 12 puzzle pieces and let your child have a goal that once they finish solving a certain puzzle level they could move on solving other puzzles with more puzzle pieces. This way, we could teach our children to set goals and cultivate the value of determination.

2. The child's preferences in colors, designs and similar aspects

We must also keep in mind when buying puzzles what colors and designs our children fancy. Melissa and Doug puzzles offer a wide range of puzzle colors, designs, graphics, and themes for us to choose from.

Is your child interested with animals? Why not pick a puzzle with a forest or underwater theme. Or if your kid likes a specific kind of animal, there are also puzzle designs that focuses on one animal like dogs, fishes, butterflies, and horses.

Does your kid like to gaze in the sky and look at the stars, and then you should include the Solar System puzzle in your choices of what to buy.

We must remember that this aspect is important because if the kid likes the design of the puzzle we bought then they would be more interested in solving puzzles.

3. The puzzle's features

There are kinds of puzzles with added features that will further attract interest from our kids. The wooden puzzles of Melissa and Doug have features such as built in sounds and lights, and textured fabric. Those features are definitely a plus especially if our child is hard to please, the added features would definitely get the attention of the child.

In a nutshell, letting our children play with puzzles will definitely be an enriching and enjoying experience so we must be very careful when buying one. Let us keep in mind that if we just buy puzzles out of impulse, without thorough thinking, the possibility that the puzzles we purchases will just gather dust in our toy containers is high. So we must always have our children in mind when we shop.

Talicor 7440 VeggieTales 100 Piece Puzzle Campfire Sing-A-Long

Product Details

Puzzle size: 11 1/2 x 16 1/4 Ages: 5 and up

• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

Towins P093 Double Decker Bus 3D Puzzle

Product Details

This item made of original basswood no paint zero-lead and safe. Wooden board size: L7.3 x W8.9 x H.118 5 layers Assembled size : L8.5 x W3.1 x H5.1 . This puzzles contain total : 108 Pieces Packed by Shrink Wrap.

• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

Surviving Long-Haul Flights - 7 Secrets

If you have ever taken a long-haul flight - one lasting anywhere from 4 to 17 or more hours - the prospect of taking another one anytime soon is likely not very appealing. If your upcoming long-haul flight will be a first, take heart in the fact that millions of people have gone before you, even if having become mentally, emotionally, and physically drained in the process.

The good news is that some of the more experienced travelers among us have learned to actually make these flights bearable. While a long-haul flight is almost never a picnic, the seven secrets I share with you below give you the tools to make the most of your flight. I have learned these secrets during my business and personal travels to over 30 countries around the world.

Secret #1: Book an aisle seat: Booking an aisle seat is a stroke of master planning that is often only considered by the most seasoned of long-haul travelers. Of course, the kid in you may want the window seat to watch the little cars that look like ants when you take off and land. But, my friendly advice is to resist the temptation to book anything but an aisle seat. Reason: precious, precious space. Anytime you board an airplane you are by default heavily restricted in terms of personal space. But, by booking an aisle seat, at least one side of your body will be free to gesture, swivel, and otherwise move freely about the cabin.

Secret #2: Pack your own headphones: There are three good reasons to pack your own headphones for your journey. First, the airline-issued headphones are of extremely limited sound quality. Second, their headphones often do not fit very well, in my case always resulting in an earache after just ten minutes. Finally, by using the airline-issued pair you are putting recycled headphones into your ears already used by total strangers: need I say more?

Secret #3: Drink up to one liter of water 10 minutes before you board: It is fairly common knowledge that people get dehydrated on long-haul flights, so my suggestion to drink water is likely no surprise. But, if you wait until you board, the first chance you will get to drink liquids will be after you are in the air for an hour or more. So, pre-flight hydration is key. I suggest drinking as much water as you think you can hold comfortably for over an hour. By drinking it 10 minutes before you board you won't have to use the lavatory just after boarding, which is not often convenient anyway.

Secret #4: Bring three forms of entertainment: Long flights are a challenge for the mind at least as much as they are for the body. So, outsmart your brain by keeping yourself occupied. Popular diversions include: portable DVD player, portable music player, fiction or non-fiction books, a new magazine, a pack of gum, a sudoku book, a crossword puzzle, and travel or phrase books that prepare you for your destination.

Secret #5: Pack your own snacks: This one is self-explanatory but so important and often forgotten. I like to bring light snacks that are non-crumbly since there is nothing like getting off of the plane to see relatives or business partners while sporting cracker crumbs on your shirt or chocolate smears on your pants (yes, it can happen to you, too). I suggest granola, hard candy, non-bready crackers, and the like.

Secret #6: Take every opportunity to get up and move about: Use any excuse you can think of to get up frequently during the flight and walk around: go to the lavatory, get up to ask a flight attendant for a glass of water, or just make up a reason. On most airlines you are allowed to go to the very rear of the plane and cross to the opposing main aisle, so effectively you can sneak in a full lap or two before annoying too many of your fellow passengers.

Secret #7: Bring a journal: Writing in a journal offers you the opportunity to actually take advantage of your long-haul flight. Here you are taking a potentially life-changing vacation, going on an important business trip, or seeing relatives whom you have not visited in a long time: why not take advantage of the fresh perspective you can gain through access to a wellspring of creative ideas about your personal life or business? Taking your journal on your long-haul flight may not only help you to pass the time: you just might end up with some fresh perspectives on your life by the time you land.

The Muscular System 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Eurographics

Product Details

The Muscular System 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. Finished Size: 19 1/4" X 26 5/8"

• 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Hollow Woodworks UMP USA Map Puzzle

Product Details

Measures 18 by 28; Capital Cities listed under each puzzle piece; Pieces have wooden pegs for easy placement. Includes a state trivia quiz; made from 3/8 furniture grade maple. Engraving on back/bottom available

• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

Vacation Rental, Condo Or Hotel? Strategies to Help Plan Your Vacation Getaway!

Are you wondering if you should choose a hotel or vacation rental for your next vacation?

Here are some questions to help you decide:

Is cost a factor at all?

Of course there are cheap hotels and higher-end vacation rentals. But when you evaluate hotels and vacation rentals of the same general class, you will always save money by staying in a vacation rental. The main factor? Food and drink! Even if you eat every meal out and only have drinks and snacks in your rental condo, you will save considerably, because the rental is like your home. Having breakfast at your new vacation home and packing sandwiches for a picnic out will add to your savings. Think of all the $2 bottles of water you have bought on vacation and all the hotel breakfasts your kids didn't eat (at $14 per)! Save even more by cooking a few meals at your vacation home. Some nights you are tired and don't really want to go to a restaurant, but in a hotel, your only alternative is budget busting room service!

Do you like to stretch out?

Dollar for dollar, you will get much more space in a vacation condo. Our Kauai Resort Condo has 1200 sq. ft for the price of a 300 sq. ft. room in a hotel with similar amenities. In a condo you can move around, take a nap in a bedroom, while others are playing music in the living room, or just feel that you are not cramped in your vacation space. If it rains or if someone is feeling sick and you all stay in, you will love having more room than just a room!

Do you want quality time with your family or friends?

In a vacation condo, you have the feeling of coming home in between activities or when you come back for the night. Grab a drink or snack from the fridge, play poker with your friends or puzzles with your kids. You'll enjoy your time together, whether for a family vacation or friends traveling together.

Do you like to get a lot of freebies?

Most vacation rentals leave a lot of extra goodies for guests to enjoy. In our Kauai condo, for example, we provide guide books, Hawaiian history, language, and even cook books, Hawaiian music CDs, and DVDs of every movie made on Kauai. We also provide boogie boards, snorkel equipment, and many other extras. A vacation rental we stayed at once gave us the idea to have a Take one-Leave one book shelf so you can leave the book you finished and pick up one for the plane home. In a hotel you just get shampoo or a mint on the pillow! Another vacation rental we used once provided puzzles and board games for guests. We thought that was nice, but unnecessary, until a huge storm forced our party, eight family members between two years and 88 years old to stay inside for almost two days! The games came in very handy and the extra room of a vacation rental (see the second point above) kept us from going stir crazy! Now, we offer board games, also!

Try a vacation rental for your next getaway! Have a luxury vacation for less! It is the best vacation travel deal!

Choppers 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Eurographics

Product Details

Choppers 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. Finished Size: 19 1/4" X 26 5/8"

• 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

The Surrender of Breda, Velaquez (10000 pc puzzle)

Product Details

Piece Count: 10,000. Puzzle Size: 214 x 157 cm

• 10000-piece puzzle
• Beautiful vivid colors and detail
• Reproduction of original artwork
• Highest quality jigsaw puzzles
• Includes Educa's lost puzzle piece guarantee and special glue to display the puzzle when completed

Daron CF083H Sears Tower 3D Puzzle

Product Details

Sears Tower 3D Puzzle51Pieces Dimensions: 7.48 x 10.24 x 24.80

• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

Martha Stewart Collection Orbital Spice Rack 16-Piece Set

It seem to me like this Martha Stewart spice rack was sought and design by cooks and bakers for easy use and reach when you cooking for a lot of family, it can be hectic so it is great to be able to have it accessible, when you need a dash of herb here, a pinch of spice there the rack is in always in reach.

With the built in lazy susan that includes 16 different herbs and spices (no two alike) can be easily sift through all the spices, the jars with its unusual shaped and names tags of the spices are large enough to be easily seen, super easy to remove and of course are easy to open make it a snap to use.

The style of this Martha Stewart carousel spice rack is not only a practical tool for the kitchen with the included 16 different herbs and spices. Those included are the ones most used. yet it has a lot of counter appeal to it. its not too big and doesn't take up much counter space so it can be displayed on the counter and look fantastic with any color appliances. It is a great complement addition to any kitchen.

Our kitchen is really all about food and family, and as a professinal cook my family and friends love when I cook, my kitchen at home is a bit small so I love this spice rack which makes my cooking a lot easier. It is a great tool for me.

The Mass and Charge Differences of Protons Vs Electrons

It has been understood for a long time that an electron, in terms of mass, is about 1/1,800 that of a proton. In addition to this, it is also well understood that both the proton and the electron each have absolute, but opposite, charge values of 1. The proton having a charge value of %2B1 and the electron having a charge value of -1. What has not been understood is why is it that both objects can have precisely equal charge values yet have such a large difference in mass? It is highly unlikely that the design of the universe just so happens to have it so that this is just a nice coincidence. This can only lead me to the conclusion that there must be a mechanical explanation for this occurrence. Let us start out by defining how the inner workings of protons and electrons are designed and how they function.

Let us imagine a collection of smaller particles that are joined together in such a way so that a fixed number of them comprise a single electron. I will call these particles "Om Particles" named after the word "Om" in Hindu meaning the elementary vibration of all existence. These Om particles are connected together and arranged much like a set of baby's plastic linking beads that can be snapped together end to end. Taking this a step further, let us take enough of these particles and put them together in a string so that they can be curved around to form a closed loop. It is this loop formation of Om particles that creates our electron. I cannot be certain exactly how many Om particles it takes to form a single electron but I will surmise that careful studies of the relative fractional values of the masses of known sub-atomic particles when compared to the mass of a single electron will lead a common denominator which should tell us the value of the mass of a single Om particle and, as a result, yield the number required to form a single electron. The reason for this is that I believe that every particle in the universe is made up of these Om particles and therefore should have masses that are some multiple of the Om particle's mass.

One other piece of the puzzle that needs explanation here is why the electron has any charge at all. Well, the answer to this is simple and that it is a very tiny electrical generator. What is happening within this arrangement of Om particles is that they are moving very rapidly round and round, chasing one another's tails, so to speak. It is this rotation of Om particles that causes a surrounding field of negative charge. Please note that in a later writing I will explain why it is that these Om particles are moving in this fashion but to keep the story simple here, just accept that they do and let us get on with the rest of my explanation here and discuss the mechanics of a proton.

Everyone is familiar with the common toy called a "Slinky". Looking at the shape of a slinky, imagine taking one end of it and pulling it around so that it comes to join the other end. We now have an object that resembles what is usually referred to as a taurus. If we look closely to this taurus shaped object, and making the assumption that our slinky is a very special "super slinky" that has approximately 1,800 windings in it, we will now have a fair representation of a proton. Each winding inside a proton is actually a single electron but instead of sitting side by side, the electrons are connected in such a way that they create a spiral formation, one after another, until you have 1,800 of them just as our super slinky does in the above example.

Just like the electron, these windings are made up of Om particles that are flowing rapidly through this formation, going round and round. Eventually, after doing some 1,800 loops they return to their starting position, much like a stunt pilot who gets a bit carried away doing consecutive loop the loops in the sky to impress his audience.

If one were to examine the electrical field that is being generated by this formation, one would see that at relatively close distance, there is a charge of negative value. But, as one moves away, the charge value flip flops and becomes positive. The reason for this is that each of the individual loops within the proton are the same as an electron and are generating a negative charge field within their close proximity. This field is being generated along the axis that the individual Om particles are revolving around. The bulk of this field is contained within the body of the taurus shape itself. Stepping back it can be seen that there is a larger flow and a secondary axis of movement to consider.

This is the path takes us around and through the central mass of the taurus shape itself. This flow is revolving about the axis that the secondary charge is being generated and is the opposite in value to the charge generated by the individual windings. This axis passes through the central hole of the taurus and is of positive charge. It is the net effect of this charge living in the outer regions surrounding the proton that gives the observed positive charge that we detect when observing the proton interacting with its environment..

Now that I have defined that the proton is simply an arrangement of electrons connected together, I will explain how it is this construction that leads to opposite but equal values of charge for the proton vs. the electron. Looking at a single electron, let us say that the Om particles are moving within it at a specific steady velocity. The distance traveled by an Om particle for it to complete one lap around the electron I will call distance "x". Now, assuming that the Om particles within the proton are moving in the same manner as those within the electron, the distance they will have to travel before they return to their starting position will be about 1,800 times "x". Taking this a step further, if a single rotation of Om particles within an electron yields a charge of -1, we can now safely come to the conclusion that the body of Om particles within the proton, moving at a net rotational velocity 1/1,800 that of an electron but, there being 1,800 times as many of them doing so, results in a net charge of +1. Hence, our measured charges are opposite but equal in value. The other way to look at it is that the body of Om particles completes a single rotation about its axis 1,800 times faster than those within a proton. Again the same result, opposite but equal charge values.

Once that this is understood, we can move on to the next issue and that is why an electron within an atom maintains a certain distance from the proton and doesn't collapse into it. One would logically conclude that since the proton is of positive charge and the electron is of a negative charge that the two should fall into one another in very short order. I am aware that quantum mechanics tries to explain this using what is called the uncertainty principal and that it is just a matter of probability that assigns the location of the electron around the nucleus of the atom, but I have a big problem with this. This "explanation" is no explanation at all. You might as well say that the electron is held out away from the proton by magical fairy dust as by probability. I do have to agree with Einstein fully on this one. God does not play dice with physics.

Looking at the above model of how the electron and proton are formed, another much more logical and mechanically reliable explanation surfaces. That is, since the charge close in to the proton is actually negative, the electron is kept at bay by this repulsive force. When you look at the charge fields surrounding the proton, the negative charge gradually gets weaker the further away from the surface you get and becomes replaced by a positive charge at a certain outlying distance. As one moves away even further, this outlying charge actually increases in strength until there is a maximal point where the charge is at its greatest and then will begin to wane if one moves away yet even further. It is at this point in the space around the proton that the electron is most tightly bound to. Sort of a "grange point" for the electron, if you will.

More complicated atomic structures that involve many protons, and neutrons, and electrons now become more readily understandable in how they behave. The electrons are all whirling about, avoiding one another because they have a like charge, yet are trapped within this certain area of space by the outerlying positive created by the protons packed together in the nucleus. This next begs the question as to why the nucleus is tightly bound together and not blown apart by the like charges that each of the protons posses. I will leave that to another writing, but rest assured that if you are able to accept what I have written so far, I do have a very nice and tidy explanation for this phenomenon as well as many others that seem to defy logic. That is until you look at them in a different light and are willing to throw away your fairy dust.

Top Tips For Buying Your Child Great Books For Home and the Car

The pleasure you and your child get from reading together is huge. The time you spend sitting together reading, talking and laughing is precious. It makes a great bond between you and is a great start to boosting your child's emotion, social and intellectual development.

Bringing up a young family is definitely a roller coaster but totally rewarding. The thrill of watching your children growing and learning more everyday is constant. There is no better time spent with your children than reading books. They love the stories and pick up so many useful learning habits.

There is more and more evidence piling up to show that reading to your children from a young age is extremely beneficial. You are helping their brain to form more and more pathways, which are the basis of the fast track to a good life for them. Here are some top tips to help you make the right choice

Most children's books will have a suggested age with it. This is meant to guide you as parents to both pick books and also keep an eye on your child's progress. Remember not to fall into the trap of buying books that are too complicated and puzzle your children. The best plan is start out simple and build up from there.

That is a great starting point and sets you off on the right foot. For younger children picture books are always popular leading onto writing and reading books. It is very useful to start with a series of books so learning commences in a structured way. It is easy to move through the series as each book is completed.

Children want fun and excitement in everything they do including reading. So pick books that look visually interesting as well as having a good story. For babies and toddlers interactive books are an easy starting point. With buttons to press for sounds and fabrics for different textures they delight the growing mind.

Car journeys can be stressful with children. With books to read they are much less so especially when combined with the comfort of maxi cosi car seats. You need books that are not too heavy for car journeys so their arms do not ache. Add in some colouring books as well for variety. When they need a sleep the maxi cosi tobi car seat is comfortable and adjustable.

If you are not fortunate enough to have a vehicle with fold down trays for your children to use, try and buy a portable one. You can get many colouring sets that are fastened over the front seat and unzip to make a tray to rest on for reading and colouring.

As your child gets older you need to keep up with their reading skills. They will start to really devour books and this is where a series of books is a great help. They love reading stories with characters they know in different adventures or scrapes. When they start to become bored with the series you know it is time to move on to a higher age range.

You never waste your time reading with children. They will remember it for the rest of their lives. You will know you gave them the best start possible.

Bridesmaids Gifts

Giving bridesmaids gifts is a good gesture that shows gratitude to the ladies who have been a very important part of the entire wedding celebration. Your gifts for the bridesmaids may be given during your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or bridesmaids luncheon.

When it comes to bridesmaids gifts, among the most popular are jewelry pieces ranging from earrings, bracelets to necklaces and anklets. Jewelry is something that is very traditional and many brides prefer giving it because it can be worn by the bridesmaid on the actual day of the wedding. When choosing jewelry for your attendants, make sure the your choice fits the dresses they will be wearing. You may also pay for their dresses as gift for their willingness to be a part of your wedding celebration.

Another way to thank the bridesmaids is to plan a special weekend getaway. This idea is often a favorite option of brides who loves to travel with friends. You may thank your bridesmaids sending them to a beautiful spot like beach, exotic island, top mountain view and the like. Usually, this idea costs a bit more expensive, but it will be worth it.

Today, bridesmaids gifts can be engraved with anything you desire. Items made of crystal, silver, and glass can be engraved with names or initials of the girls. There are even others that can be engraved with some phrases, poems or a personal message. Some engraved items that can be given as personalized gifts include picture frames, compact mirrors, business card cases, bracelets, jewelry boxes, perfume bottles, key rings, keepsake boxes and many more.

As you know your bridesmaids well, you can easily what is appropriate to their individual personality. This is another way choosing personalized gifts: to pick items that fit to their favorite hobby, pastime, or lifestyle. There's no hard rule when it comes to identical gifts for your wedding attendants. Just make sure, however, that everyone will receive a present in equal value. If it still hard to choose individual present for each, buy them a gift certificate to their favorite store. This is the most safe way to make sure that your present will get appreciated by your attendants.

Of course, the maid of honor should not be forgotten. She is the very bridesmaid among the bridesmaids. Her role is a bit more difficult that the bridesmaids and because of that, she deserve a gift that is a bit more expensive or completely different from the bridesmaids gifts. You can always keep the basic theme you want for all the presents that were mentioned earlier, but make sure that the one for the maid of honor costs a bit more.

Choose gifts that convey your care and love for your dear friends. What they did is priceless but it is always a thoughtful idea to do something that acknowledges the time, effort, and money they spent just to make your special day as perfect as possible.

Other bridesmaids gifts choices include personalized tote bags, party shirts, bath robe, flasks, lingerie, cosmetic bags and so on.

Towins P021 Luxury Motorcycle 3D Puzzle

Product Details

This item made of original basswood no paint zero-lead and safe. Wooden board size: L7.3 x W8.9 x H.118 4 layers Assembled size : L9.1 x W3.5 x H5.1 . This puzzles contain total : 71 Pieces Packed by Shrink Wrap.

• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

Travel Registries - The Latest Trend For Wedding Gifts

These days, chances are that betrothed couples already have all of the blenders, towels, dishes, silverware, and other household items they need. With the swing toward men and women getting married later in life, most couples either have individual homes that they'll combine once they're married, or they have been building their own trousseau while living together. Because they're often footing the bill for all or part of their wedding, the one thing couples don't have is money for the honeymoon of their dreams. That's why the latest trend in bridal registries is the honeymoon travel registry.

Perhaps a couple wants to go on a cruise, vacation in Europe, or enjoy a Disney vacation. They may dream of four-star hotel accommodations or flying first class on their favorite airline. Whatever their fantasy honeymoon, more and more couples are opting to register with an online travel agency.

With a bridal travel registry, the couple can have their dream honeymoon while wedding guests can be assured that their gifts will combine to form memories that will last a lifetime. And, the process of both registering and giving is easy and straightforward.

Essentially, a honeymoon bridal registry allows the couple to set up a personal registry web page. If the couple already knows their honeymoon destination, they can reveal that on their web page and select items to include in their gift registry. For example, if the couple is traveling to Hawaii for their honeymoon, they may decide they'd like to go to a Hawaiian luau and list two luaus (one for the bride and one for the groom) in their registry. They may also select a romantic candlelight dinner, breakfast in bed, and a hotel room upgrade. They can include entertainment and activities, such as scuba diving lessons, a helicopter ride, horseback riding, and snorkeling. The couple can even add travel items like inter-island flights, limousine service, and a rental car.

Similarly, if the bride and groom have decided that London is their destination of choice, they can include an English afternoon tea in their travel registry, dinner for two at Jamie Oliver's restaurant, a medieval banquet, and a Harrods' shopping spree. Perhaps they would like tickets to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, London theatre tickets, or a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater. If so, they can add those items to their travel registry as well.

For wedding guests, a honeymoon travel registry makes it easy to find a personal, yet remarkable gift. Giving a sunset cruise, for example, is much more memorable than a set of mixing bowls. Gift givers can even opt to send the couple a customized gift card, or print one out and bring it to the wedding.

A honeymoon signifies the beginning of a couple's life together, and is a welcome relief from the stresses of planning their wedding. Having a honeymoon travel registry can help make the couple's dreams come true and give them memories to last a lifetime.

Scramble Squares: Symphony

Product Details

The object of the Scramble Squares puzzle game is to arrange the nine colorfully illustrated square pieces into a 12" x 12" square so that the realistic graphics on the pieces' edges match perfectly to form a completed design in every direction. The full 9-piece puzzle creates an enormous number of possible combinations in a 3 piece x 3 piece pattern, but only one possible solution! An educational panel of information on the subject matter of the puzzle, is on the back of the header card along with a trivia quiz. The answer to the trivia quiz is on the front of the header card hidden behind the puzzle pieces.

• Pieces 9
• Ages 6+

Even Mozart would have a hard time composing this symphony-themed piece. Easy to Play, but Hard to Solve is the motto for this deceptively simple-looking puzzle. By the time you've become addicted and find yourself unable to solve the thing, you'll realize it's not so much a motto as a warning. Nine colorfully illustrated cardboard 4-by-4-inch squares depict various unfinished images of French horns, grand pianos, violins, and clarinets along their edges. The images must be matched and the nine squares arranged in a larger square. An ingenious, elegantly executed puzzle idea, Scramble Squares will have you simultaneously blessing and cursing its inventor. --Claire Dederer

The Stars 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Eurographics

Product Details

The Stars 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. Finished Size: 19 1/4" X 26 5/8"

• 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle