10 FAQs About Granite

Elegant. Beautiful. Long lasting. These are but a few of the words used to describe granite countertops and floors. After all, with the myriad of colors available and the seemingly ever changing movement of each piece, granite has become a favorite material for home and business owners everywhere. So, if you are considering granite for you next home improvement project, it is likely that you have some questions. The following 10 FAQs will help you in your decision.

Why should I choose granite over other products such as silestone or corian? Granite is a natural stone that has been around for centuries, while the others are simply imitations. In addition, having granite will add 10% to the resale value to your home. Where is granite from? Granite can be found all over the world as well as the U.S. If possible, select granite from close to home as it will lower the cost. What type of maintenance is needed for granite? Granite needs to sealed, but this is only necessary for good quality granite every 3 to 5 years while lesser grades of granite should be sealed once every 1 to 3 years. Sealing only takes approximately 10 minutes for an average sized kitchen. What type of resistance to wear and tear does granite have? Granite is scratch, stain, mildew and mold resistant. In fact, granite is so scratch resistant that it can be used as a cutting board; however, this is not highly recommended as the granite will dull your knives more quickly. I have heard that acidic liquid can damage the granite, is this true? Only if the liquid is left for a long time. Should there be a spill, the quicker it is wiped up the better. For those spills that have been overlooked and have left a stain, make a paste of bleach and water and put it on the stain. Let set a few minutes and wash off with soap and water. What type of daily care does granite require? Simply wash with soap and water. A good rule of thumb is to never clean granite with something you wouldn't wash your hands with. Will granite chip or crack? Typically any flaws are caused during the transportation process. In most cases, a professional granite installer can correct or repair any damage. Will my granite look like the sample? The pieces seen in the show room are samples of what is available, so sometimes color or patterns vary. Ask the salesperson if there is a quarry or showroom where you can pick out the exact slab(s) if you are concerned about a variation in the color. What is the best thickness for granite? Professional granite installers recommend slabs that are at least 3/4 of inch thick. What is the best type of edging for granite countertops? While there are many edges available, the most recommended, especially in homes with young children, is the double bullnose. This is Why Mosaic Tiles Are the Best Tile Around   The Importance of Exterior Walls   Build a Stone Wall on Your Property   Best Natural Stone Tiles Under a Roof!   Chimney Brick Repair - Do It Yourself!   

Tropical Fish Breeding for Beginners - Guppies and Swordtails

Breeding tropical fish can be a lot of fun. Try your luck at breeding livebearers such as guppies or swordtails.

Equipment Needed:

Breeder Box or Breeder Net

Breeding Grass

5 or 10 gallon tank for the baby fish or a tank divider that you can use for your main tank.

A pair - 1 female and 1 male, 2 females to 1 male works even better

Two of the more popular tropical fish for beginners has to be Guppies and Swordtails. Guppies and Swordtails are livebearers which means that their babies come out swimming. Like most livebearers, there is not much to getting your guppies or swordtails to breed. If you have a male and a female then you will eventually have a pregnant female. The gestation period for livebearers is usually 28 days but can range from 20 to 40 days.

Place the male and female in the same tank together and they will soon mate. You are probably asking, how can I tell when the female is pregnant? When a female guppy is pregnant she will develop a dark triangular shaped gravid spot near her anal vent. This will get larger and darker as the pregnancy progresses. While you are waiting on the female to develop the babies it's time to make sure you are prepared for the delivery. We use plastic breeder boxes and always have without any problems. A breeder box is a small box plastic box about 4 inches long by 3 inches wide and 4 inches deep.

There is a removable "V" shaped trap in it which serves to separate the mother from the babies. When the mother fish has babies they fall through the slot in the "V" into the bottom of the box. After the mother is finished having babies, you can remove the "V" trap and the mother so that they babies have more room to grow. Some people have had bad experiences with breeder boxes and now only use a breeder net. It is also a good idea to purchase some real or plastic breeding grass for the top of the aquarium. The breeding grass is just in case the mother gives birth before you have a chance to put her in the breeder box. The young babies instinctively will swim to the top of the aquarium and the breeder grass provides a great hiding place so they won't get eaten by the bigger fish in your tank.

To feed your new arrivals you can use finely crushed flake food. Using your fingers, you can rub the flakes into a fine powder. Some only feed live foods such as baby brine shrimp. Live foods would definitely be the best way to go, but for most this is simply not feasible. Crushed or powdered flake food will suffice. Try to feed the babies 3 very small meals per day. You will invariably feed too much and the excess food will drop to the bottom of the tank or breeder box. To clean a breeder box we like to take a 3 ft. length of aquarium tubing and a small bucket. Use the tubing as a siphon to clean the bottom of the breeder box. Be careful not to siphon any baby fish.

Try to perform 25% water changes weekly for your baby guppies. This will aid in the optimal growth of your baby tropical fish. After a few weeks in the breeder box your new babies will soon outgrow their home and you will need to move them either to a new tank or your main tank with a divider installed. By 8 weeks old your baby fish will most likely be able to return to the main tank without a divider.

For more tropical fish and aquarium information, please visit FishLore.com - Tropical Fish & Aquarium Information.

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10 Tips That Will Help You Find the Best General Contractor

If you know how to find the best general contractor, you can be assured that you will always get the best service from them. This article was written with the intention of helping you find the best contractor that you can hire for the construction project that you have. Below are 10 of the most important tips that you can use to find the best general contractor.

Before you interview a contractor, make sure that they are licensed to do business in the area. You need to make sure that their subcontractors also have their license to operate. Keep in mind that there several subcontractors who will be working on your project, and you need to make sure that they all have their licenses. Check www(dot)nari(dot)org to search for its members in your area. A contractor who is a member of NARI follows the high quality standards of remodeling that is set by the organization. Check other associations and see whether they have members in your area. Same as NARI, associations of contractors will allow you to find its members which are bounded by their rules of regulations. Never take an agreement verbally. You need to make sure that all the agreements are written, because this will give you a testament of the agreement that occurred between you and the contractor. Although the price can a huge role in your decision, you should never settle yourself in hiring the cheapest general contractor. In some cases, those that are bidding lower prices are the ones that give you cheap service and support. Aside from phone interviews, you also need to make sure that you will be meeting two or three contractors personally. Doing this will allow you to know more about the contractor that you are planning to hire and will also help you determine whether they are really capable of handling the project. Since the workers are the ones who are working hands-on the project, you also need to make sure that they are covered with insurance and proper compensations to ensure their safety and professionalism. Keep all the transactions and documents until the project is finished to avoid confusions with the record. This will also serve as your protection whenever you have had problems with the general contractor. Finally, you should neither pay in advance nor pay large amount of deposit to the contractor. It would be better to let them finish the project before you settle your account. Things to Consider When Planning a Custom Wine Cellar for Your Home   Loft Conversions the Family Will Love   Build Your Shed the Smart Way - 12 Guidelines for a Smooth Start-Up   Options in Construction Site Lighting   Cherry Picker Rental: Fun Jobs That Require A Quick Lift   Building on Narrow Lots Made Easy   

Duties of a Successor Trustee

If you have been designated as a successor trustee to a loved one's trust, it is important to know what your duties are, how long they will last, and what you can do to make the process go smoothly. Being a successor trustee can be a big responsibility, and in some situations it can be time consuming.

The first thing you need to do is consult an attorney in the state where your loved one died and where their will is admitted to probate. If this is a different state from the state where the living trust is governed, then you may need to consult with an attorney in that state as well. The estate attorney that you meet with should review the assets that were held in your loved one's name. These assets can include those that pass under the will to the trust, assets that pass by way of beneficiary designation, and also the assets that are already in the trust.

Once you have met with the appropriate attorney(s), you must start locating and protecting the assets of the trust. In addition, you will need to collect your loved one's life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and annuities of which the trust has been named the primary beneficiary. In addition, you must obtain the date of death values of all the trust assets. This not only includes retirement account assets, but also any real estate and / or business interests held by your loved one.

With regard to taxes, your loved one's income and estate tax liabilities need to be deciphered. And, both final income tax returns and estate taxes must also be prepared.

If probate administration is necessary, you will need to coordinate with the personal representative of the estate. If any cash must be raised to pay off your loved one's debts, this could also fall into your role, as well as coordinating and paying the ongoing expenses of administering the trust. Once it is determined who your loved one owed money to, you can pay off these debts as well.

As a successor trustee, it is your role to adhere to the terms of the trust. This includes implementing the provisions of the trust. This may include addressing some of the same points that the estate executor has, but in your capacity as trustee for the assets of the trust.

Based on the various duties, you may be able to distribute the assets quickly to your loved one's beneficiaries, or your role could continue for a long period of time if your loved one's living trust pours over into trusts for his or her children.

The best advice on these matters should be obtained from an estate planning attorney. They can help answer any questions you may have about your or your loved one's situation.

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Choose Cheap Auto Owner Insurance

Cheap auto insurance is a unique type of coverage that guarantees durable care for its members. Their products include life insurance which is aimed at providing durable care for a family, while home insurance covers homes by providing multiple premiums that cater for different needs.

Auto owners insurance agents aim at providing different types of insurance coverage that suits different individuals to their clients. Business coverage insures commercial buildings and employees among other coverage types. Therefore auto owner insurance has proved to be a reliable type of coverage that caters for different types of clients at a discount. One of the unique qualities of cheap auto insurance is the existence of auto owners insurance agents. They have simplified the tasks related to insurance and this is evident due to the presence of these agents in 26 states. Insurance agents located in various states enable clients to easily access coverage in their respective states. These auto agents advise clients on the best insurance cover that fits their lives; as a result, customers do not have to travel to the headquarters of the company to acquire information. The wide coverage of auto coverage agents acts as an added advantage for the company, through the diversification of its services and products. Needless to say that the partnership between the auto owner insurance and its agents is built on service, honesty and trust, as a result, guaranteeing 100% customer satisfaction.

Cheap auto insurance is deemed to attract customers, auto owner insurance agents are capable of saving the client's money by offering cheap insurance. These agents can select the best insurance type for each customer at affordable prices. With the current state of the economy, every individual aims at spending less and saving more. With this in mind, auto owner insurance is the best type of coverage one can choose these days. This is because auto owners insurance provides low rates and is very competitive in current society. Sometimes, cheap coverage is associated with low quality services, however, auto owners insurance agents have made quality their main priority in all of their operations. The insurance companies they work for are also flexible in their operation, hence capable of providing quality coverage for all of their customers, while also considering the laws of different states.

Coverage is important for every individual and it has become much simpler to get an insurance coverage nowadays. Auto insurance companies provide affordable insurance coverage for homes, cars, life and business, which makes them competitive. In addition, coverage is vital these days as it provides compensation especially in the case of unpredicted scenarios, such as illness, or car accidents. Therefore, choosing a coverage company that can deal with all your needs is important.

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How to Find Items Around the House That Could Be Sold on eBay

So you have decided to explore the possibility of earning a few extra bucks on eBay selling items from around the house. When determining which items are worth listing on eBay it is important to keep a few thoughts in mind that are frequently over looked. Consider the item you are trying to sell and the type of listing you want to use. Different listings involve different fees. How will you ship the item?

Many items seem to sell well for what seems like a reasonable price, but when you deduct eBay, PayPal, and Shipping fees, you may not net enough to make it worth your time. Keeping all of this in mind, a good general rule of thumb is to start a pile of items you think may interest other eBay users enough to make a profit.

Once your pile has been gathered sit down at your computer and start looking for same or similar items to try to estimate what yours may sell for. One good tip for carrying out this task is to use the "Advanced Search" button to the right of the standard search button. Using the advanced search will direct you to a page that will allow you to narrow your search by several parameters. In this case we want to select the check box next to "show completed listings" then enter our search term and hit enter.

Using this method, you will be able to discover items that are the same or similar to the item you are thinking about listing that have sold recently on eBay. Check the description of the item you wish to sell against the description of the item that has already sold. Make sure to pay more attention to the previously sold eBay listings that are most like the item you wish to sell. An example of this would be a cell phone that you no longer use. When searching for that model under completed listings, make sure that the sold phone you are looking at is with the meant for the same carrier, in basically the same condition, comes with mostly the same accessories, etc. A special note about this: in many cases a small piece of original packaging can make a large difference in the sale price.

Once you have researched items similar to yours, try to estimate what yours will sell for. In the earlier example of the cell phone, let's say that you conservatively estimate that your item will sell on eBay for around $50 with free shipping. Depending on the location of the buyer, the size of the packaging, and the accessories, manuals, etc. that you are including, you should expect to pay between 5-$10 for shipping, around $0.30 to list your item, $5 eBay final value fee, and about $1.50 PayPal funds handling fee plus packaging materials. Let's say about 12-$17 for this example. Your net profit is 33-$38. Not bad really. The phone is just sitting around, you don't use it any more, and where else are you going to find someone who wants to buy your cell phone besides eBay? So you decide to sell the phone and go to the next item in the pile. You continue to do this until you have determined which items will sell, and which items you don't think will be worth your time listing on eBay.

Before you start to list items on eBay, a few more important thoughts you should keep in mind, what format will you use to sell? Buy it Now, or Auction? How many days will you run your listing for? If you list your item as an auction, what will your starting price be? My personal preferred eBay Auction listing method is to list a 7 day auction on Monday evenings with a $0.99 starting bid, and no reserve. This can be a risky method for those less experienced with eBay though as minor flaws in your listing could cause your $50 phone to sell for 99 cents. Once you have listed your items on eBay, it would be a good idea to try to promote them.

Novice eBay sellers and experts alike are capable of making small mistakes such as spelling errors, or mis-categorizing and item. Making these mistakes will cause your item to receive far less traffic that it would otherwise because most buyers use narrow search terms to find what they are looking for. If the cell phone referenced above was a Nokia ba-1581 and you entered "nokia ba-1851", you could expect to see about 70% less traffic, and therefore usually a lower final selling price. To ensure high traffic and maximum selling price, most power sellers and other eBay Pros will utilize outside promotion services to promote their eBay listings. Nearly all of these services are free and are most commonly referred to as "Bump Sites" or some other sort of eBay promotional tool. One of the best auction bump sites to use is xbump.com which simply requires you to enter your item number into the box and hit submit. There are many other bump sites and it is recommended that you promote your listings on as many of them as possible to maximize the exposure your eBay item will receive.

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Are You In Need of Email Addresses? Get Email List Now Through Renting or Buying

Email marketing is gaining popularity in the web now. Companies would often apply this method of marketing to send out promotion and advertisements about the products and services that they offer. And in case you're wondering why, this is simply because this method is very effective in conveying messages to people, which would later turn out to be your customers. When using email marketing, the first thing that you should consider is to get email list where you could send out your email marketing campaigns.

Renting or Buying email lists are two methods of obtaining a listing of email addresses. This is how they work:

Renting

Renting an email list is preferred by some marketers when it comes to getting a list of email addresses where they could send out their email marketing campaigns. The provider will charge you for the rental fees, and they are going to send out the email marketing for you. Therefore, you will not be given a copy of the listings, since the providers will be the ones who are going to send the emails.

Buying

Unlike renting, you will be given access to the email listings when you choose to buy your email lists. After you pay for these lists, the provider will give you a copy of the email listings and so you can then distribute your email marketing campaigns to the email addresses provided on the lists. There are some things that you need to watch out for when using this method to get email list.

Be sure that you knew the age of the email addresses before you pay for the lists. Simply ask the provider how long they have these lists on their possession. This is very important because an old listing might contain several email addresses that are no longer active, thus, may result to undeliverable messages. Aside from the age of the listings, it's very important that you are also aware of the source of these lists, as well as the method of obtaining such lists. Knowing this will save you from buying a list that contains a lot of spam email addresses.

There is nothing harm with renting as well as buying email listings. What's important is that you are aware of the consequences that might arise. You just need to be very careful, or better yet, obtain a listing of email addresses on your own by installing an email subscriber form on your website. This is probably the safest and the most effective means to get email list.

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How to Build Your Autoresponder List Writing Articles

Most marketers know "the money is in your list" however building your list takes time. One of the best strategies is to write articles then submit them all over the Web. The more articles you write the faster your list will grow.

Let's look at some of the benefits of article writing

get recognized as an expert in the field work for you 24/7 generate long-term traffic build links can be repurposed makes you a better writer

How to write articles to build your autoresponder list

The main purpose of your article is to provide answers to questions people have about your niche. If you provide solid information that captivates visitors they'll look forward to reading more of your articles. Try to place yourself in your customers shoes instead of thinking from your own viewpoint. This will help you have a more objective approach when writing your content.

1. Create a captivating headline

Test different headlines to see which one works best. Often starting with a question will make your visitor want to read the rest of the content.

2. Introductory paragraph

This should be an outline of the main problem your customer is facing and provide a summary what to expect throughout the rest of your article.

3. Article body

Create a list of tips then write a paragraph on each tip to complete the body of your article. Keep your paragraphs to 5 to 10 lines. Use sub headlines and bullet points so your content is easy to read.

4. Concluding paragraph

Summarize what you already said in the article body but use different words. This helps reinforce the main point(s) of your article so it will stick in the mind of your visitor.

5. Resource box

This is the only place you're allowed to promote your product or service. In order to get people to visit your landing page create an irresistible offer such as a free report that's related to the content of the article. Include a link to the landing page containing your free report. The landing page should include an opt in form (name and email address) and several bullet points outlining the benefits of your report. After your visitor has submitted the opt in form they'll be added to your autoresponder list which will automatically follow-up on them.

6. Article distribution

To drive traffic to your landing page submit your article to the top article directories on the web such as EzineArticles. Ezine publishers and website owners often pick up these articles to place in their ezines or on their websites. If your article gets published in a large ezine or in multiple newsletters your list will grow very quickly. Look for other online publications related to your niche which allow article submissions. This will increase your audience.

7. Repurpose your articles

Some people prefer to watch and listen to content rather than read. Convert your content into video and submit it to multiple video sharing websites such as YouTube. Make sure you include a link to your landing page to redirect visitors after watching your video.

The beauty about writing and publishing articles is that they will continue to produce traffic for you as long as they remain on the net. The more articles you write the more traffic you'll receive.

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Create Your Facebook Business Page With 5 Easy Suggestions

My soon to be husband thinks that Facebook is the devil out to ruin people's lives, because a past flame of his used it as an opportunity to cheat on him. He still does not have an account to this day, even though he has moved on to a great relationship with me (smile). Well, this article is not about my man's disastrous past love life.

So, are you wondering how Facebook is ruining your business?

Here is the answer: Facebook is ruining the businesses that have not created a customized business page to promote their products or services.

The answer to this question is actually geared more so toward entrepreneurs who currently do not have a Facebook Business page to promote their business, products, or services.

If this is you, keep reading. You will be introduced to five easy suggestions for creating a fun, but professional Facebook Business page.

If you do have a business page on Facebook, then you may already be aware of the positive impact this powerful free marketing tool has had on your business. You have increased the effectiveness of building a list of prospects and keeping your existing clients by tenfold! And it is an excellent resource to market your business, products, or services.

Build Your Facebook Business Page with These 5 Easy Suggestions

1. Creating Your Customized Page.

There is no limit to the number of pages you can create. This is your opportunity to let the world know about who you are, what you do, and how they can benefit from you.

Don't be afraid to show your personality.

If you stay casual, then you will attract more people and make satisfying connections.

On a professional level, it is good share your company mission, your target market, services or products, company history, and your business email address.

2. Maximize your Facebook personal profile with your customized business page.

I am sure you want to get a lot of exposure for your business. A simple method to get a lot of business exposure is by adding your customized business page to your Facebook personal profile page.

When I added my business page to my personal profile, I experienced positive results almost immediately!

3. Showcase your favorite personal and business photos.

Just because you are creating a professional page does not mean it can not be fun and interesting. Photos are one of the most viewed content on the Internet. Along with your professional photos, share snapshots of your vacations, family events, experiences, or something humorous.

Your contacts will know more about your life and favored interests. They will be able to connect with you on a deeper level, which all boils down to building trust and eventually long term business relationships.

4. Make it a goal to post on Facebook at least twice per day.

Facebook is the perfect place to connect with people anywhere in the world. There are an abundance of people to build relationships with your personal profile page and your customized business page.

I strongly advise you NOT to constantly pitch your business, products, or services.

Mix it up a little bit by sharing your personal life, current goals, special interests, etc. Otherwise, people will think you are spamming them with your products or services.

That is a sure way to lose an audience.

5. Add your Facebook business page "LIKE" button to your blog and web pages.

It is important to create and use your Facebook business page "LIKE" button or box on all pages of your websites and blogs. It does not take long to create the plug in on the Facebook Developers page.

I have been adding a like button to all pages on my websites and even in my email correspondence. The best thing to do is use the your business page "LIKE" button on every piece of marketing material you distribute online and offline.

Now that you have some great suggestions for creating a great Facebook business page, it is important for you not to fall into the category of people who spam their contacts with their products and services.

There are many business owners that misuse and abuse Facebook. It is so annoying and makes me furious when people do that. Plus, it is no way to build a successful business.

It is necessary for your business to have a Facebook business page no matter how long you have been in business. The sooner you have one, the better.

Once you have it up and running, provide valuable information about the things you are knowledgeable in. The success of your business depends on the content provided on your Facebook business page.

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What Your Diaper Bag Should Contain

Every expectant mother knows that a diaper bag should be included in her list of things to buy before the baby finally arrives. However, not many know exactly what it is that the diaper bag is supposed to carry, aside from diapers.

Basically, a diaper bag should contain everything that the baby could possibly need while away from the house. Thinking of all these things right before leaving the house is not such a good idea because there is a high risk that you might forget an essential item, possibly causing a lot of inconvenience during your trip.

Instead, it is advisable to have a list of basic diaper bag items that you can refer to every time you have to go out with your baby. Following are the most important things that should always be inside the diaper bag before you leave the house:

Diapers - Always bring more than what you think you will need. It is always to be prepared for emergencies rather than find yourself in a situation where the baby has soiled his last diaper and you have no more extra left for another change. Baby wipes -Baby wipes are not only essential for cleaning your baby during a diaper change but also for cleaning up unexpected messes like spit-ups, both on you and on the baby. There are large packs of baby wipes available in stores but these tend to dry out when not used up within a certain amount of time. Instead, it would be better to buy smaller packs and to carry several of these in your diaper bag. Baby bottles -You will need to bring a LOT of bottles with you especially on long trips where you won't have access to a sterilizer. Of course, you can also invest in a portable bottle sterilizer if you expect to be on the road a lot, in which case you won't need to bring as many bottles. However, portable sterilizers can be quite expensive so that is something to think about carefully. Formula and water -Having the baby go hungry during your trip is certainly out of the question make sure you bring enough formula and water to keep him appeased until you go home. Some diaper bags come with their own containers for formula but if your bag doesn't have one, it is advisable to buy one because it's not very practical to bring the whole can of formula especially for just a short trip. Pacifier -Not all parents use pacifiers but if you do, you should make sure to bring one or two extras in addition to the one your baby regularly uses. Extra clothes - There is no telling when a baby might spit up on his clothes or soil it for some other reason, so you should always bring at least one or two extra sets of clothing just in case. Bibs -Babies drool a lot, and it gets a lot worse when the teeth start to come in. To keep your baby's clothes as dry as possible, be sure to bring enough bibs so that you can keep replacing them before they get soaked. Zip-lock bags -Access to garbage bins can be unpredictable when you are away from your house. Instead of scouring the surroundings looking for a place to throw away your baby's dirty diapers, just store them in zip-lock bags and dispose of them when you get home. Toys -You don't need to bring the entire playroom with you when you travel. You just need to throw two or three toys into the diaper bag that will keep the baby entertained during your trip.

These are just some of the most important items that every mom should have in her baby's diaper bag. Feel free to add more to the list, and to include your own personal items as well since diaper bags can also serve as an alternative to your usual purse.

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When You Should Use Patio Furniture Covers

Because quality outdoor furniture is made to withstand the elements, you may wonder whether protective covers are really necessary. Patio furniture covers provide an extra layer of protection to help keep your outdoor furniture in good shape, to prolonging its life. You should consider using them anytime your furniture won't be in use for long periods of time or if you expect severely inclement weather.

Outdoor Furniture covers protect your outdoor pieces from a number of elements, including mildew and mold build-up, rain, high temperatures, cold weather, UV rays, and unwanted wildlife. They are made of weather and moisture resistant materials with UV protection, making it simple to maintain your patio chairs, lounges, patio tables, or any other piece you have in your backyard.. There are many types and qualities, so make sure to pick the ones that best fit your climate and geographic conditions. Once the right cover is found for your conditions and furniture, they will be ready to use.

Clean Your Furniture First

Protecting your outdoor furniture is always a good idea. But before you protect your patio furniture, take a few easy steps to make sure you've cleaned each piece. Here are some guidelines for how to clean your furniture before you put patio furniture covers on:

Acrylic cushions: Clean acrylic cushions with a mixture of soap and water. The best method is spot cleaning with a sponge. Don't use anything abrasive. It's best to follow the directions from the manufacturer. Metal furniture: You can clean metal furniture such as steel or wrought iron with water and a gentle soap. For pieces that aren't rust resistant, use a paste wax or a cleaner found at your local patio store. Wicker: For wicker furniture, hose down with water. Be careful to use a lower pressure so as not to damage the individual pieces. You can use mild soap and water with a sponge for more stubborn spots. Wood: You can clean any varnished wood furniture with soap and water. Just remember to rinse. non-varnished wood (such as Patina Teak) should be cleaned with water and gentle soap, so not to discolor the wood.

Putting On Your Patio Furniture Covers

Now that your patio furniture has been cleaned, it is time to put on your covers. Most will have stitching and ribbing that will make the front and backs of the cover obvious. Start with one side of the furniture and lift the cover over the furniture. Once atop of your patio furniture, pull it downwards, until the entire piece of furniture is dressed by the cover. If your patio furniture cover is equipped with drawstrings, Velcro or ties, then secure to the furniture, as directed by the manufacturer.

Cleaning Your Patio Furniture Covers

The easiest way to clean your Covers is while they are covering your furniture.

Your patio furniture cover will get dirty, if it is dirty then the cover is doing it's job in protecting your patio furniture from the elements.

Your Patio Furniture Covers may be spot washed by using a soapy solution of a mild detergent and lukewarm water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove the soap and allow to air dry. For heavier stains, prepare a solution of one (1) cup of bleach plus half (1/2) cup of mild detergent per gallon of water. Spray on the entire area and allow soaking. Rinse with clean water and allow to air dry.

Be sure your Patio Furniture Covers are completely dry before folding away for storage.

Unless directed by the manufacturer, we never recommend putting your cover in a machine washer. The agitation and and inner components of the washer may be too much for the cover to withstand.

There are covers for just about every type of outdoor furniture or accessory, such as for:

Patio Seating

Patio Chairs Chaise Lounge Sofas, Gliders & Love Seats Ottomans

Patio Tables

Patio Tables Side Tables Patio Tables Outdoor Coffee Tables

Patio Accessories

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Of Pay Fixes and Whistleblowers

It has now been roughly 37 hours since I returned home from a vacation in Austin, TX.

A vacation is not usually a time of positive personal accomplishment. From this particular respite, I can say that the only net gains in my column were 4 1/2 pounds of buffet weight, the free beer I had bestowed upon me in an Irish bar on 6th Street from a friendly couple who enjoyed my musical interlude (thank you again, kind strangers) and the bodies of dead bugs from seven different states that now decorate my windshield in all of their Jackson Pollock-esque splendor.

When it comes to a permanent fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate formula (SGR) for Medicare payments, the U. S. Congress accomplished little more than I did during the same period of time.

Currently, there is a plan being floated by the Democrats in the House of Representatives that would delay a permanent fix to SGR until 2015. The plan would provide pay increases for a four-year period. This legislation would again need to advance prior to the latest deadline of June 1, 2010 to avoid the oft-delayed 21.3% cut that was set to originally take place at the beginning of this calendar year.

As with all past temporary fixes that have taken place, this legislation has the effect of kicking the larger problem down the road and feeding the vulture that is the pay cut, which by some estimates could be as high as 37% when 2015 rolls around.

Looking at the calendar, we are again faced with five working days to attend to the latest temporary fix before Congress takes a one-week recess for Memorial Day. This recess is expected to be spent knee-deep in the process of campaigning in an election year. If I had to make a prediction, I would begin to get comfortable with the idea of another CMS-induced delay of 10 business days for claims processing beginning on June 1st until either the legislation above or a different package offering a stay of execution of the current planned pay cut is implemented.

Also greeting me upon my return was another bit of news regarding a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was conducted jointly by scholars at Harvard Medical School and Tufts University School of Medicine among others, and focused on the effects felt by insiders who decide to file qui tam, or "whistleblower" lawsuits in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite the fact that $9 billion had been recovered due to qui tam lawsuits between 1996 and 2005, the study concluded that there is a high personal and professional toll felt by those who file qui tam lawsuits against their employer.

Twenty-six informants were interviewed for the study, which in addition to the above, led to a variety of findings:

82% were subjected to firing, intimidation or blackballing upon filing the lawsuit; The filing of lawsuits in most cases is precipitated by a job change, such as a promotion or other career change that makes the person privy to inside information about company operations; Most of the whistleblowers attempted in vain to find an internal remedy to the unethical behavior, but were either ignored, dismissed or given orders to continue the behavior unabated.

What jumped out at me was that last bullet. With 90% of fraud suits starting with the qui tam process, I find it amazing that after years of awareness of the consequences of non-compliance, the primary reaction of companies whose policies are questioned from the inside tends not to be "OK, let's investigate and if necessary, fix this", but instead defaults to "Don't rock the boat".

The study recommended several steps to improve the qui tam process, including better employee protections against retaliation, increased resources for the U. S. Justice Department for enforcement (over 1,000 qui tam cases are pending currently with the department) and rewards for insiders that are equitable based on the dollar amount of the fraud that is uncovered.

The co-authors also recommended that policymakers try to instill an ethical sense that encourages more people to come forward. While that is a noble endeavor, it is also up to the companies themselves to operate in an environment of ethics and integrity that encourages the solving of problems as they arise, rather than the time-honored tradition of sweeping the problem under the rug in hopes that problems disappear permanently.

To put it another way based on recent personal experience, if you're driving the same road without windshield washer fluid and the bugs are continually hitting your windshield, there will come a time when you can't see where you're going and you lose direction.

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Things to Know About Medical Billing Programs

The term "Medical Billing Programs" could mean two things. First of all, it could refer to a program of study referring to medical billing or could mean a program or software that carries out the task.

We would discuss both the aspects of this term. Firstly, a program for learning medical billing could be a classroom program or an online program. While both have their own set of pros and cons people tend to prefer online classes over traditional classroom programs. There are a couple of reasons behind this behavior. A person can take online classes as per their convenience unlike wherein you have to follow a tight schedule which may or may not suit you. Also, the number of schools available in online classes is far more than you can get in your locality. Therefore, you can be sure of getting quality education as there are no geographical barriers and a person can enroll in a course sitting anywhere in the world.

Another meaning which could justify the term "Medical Billing Programs" is the various software available in the market. There are a variety of software present in the market. So you may choose software that fulfills your needs and comes within your budget. These software are built in such a way that when you enter the insurance claim data into them they provide you the option of submitting that data either directly to the concerned insurance companies or via clearing houses. A clearing house is an intermediate party between the medical biller and the insurance company that reviews your insurance claims for errors and then submits them to the insurance companies. This reduces the chances of errors thereby reducing the chances of rejection of your claims. The use of these medical billing programs saves both time and money.

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Say Goodbye To Immigration Hassles With the Use of An Immigration Lawyer

Ignorance has no defense--this law caption is what should be clear in your mind before taking on certain stands. The immigration lawyers are the blessing of the 21st century, which should not be ignored by any person, who is looking forward to migrate to new countries. Due to the lack of knowledge about the right personnel to approach for immigration issues, many people get troubled with a whole lot of problems. In life information is of paramount importance, pressing the right buttons is what one needs to be at the safer side of not only law, but also life. The immigration lawyers are some of the personalities, who are out to assist those with problems ranging from difficulties of getting citizenships of a certain country all the way to the visa. The benefits of these lawyers are what the world should not ignore.

What Do the Immigration Lawyers Do?

Immigration lawyers are well-qualified and certified personnel, who can highly equip one with legal knowledge and procedures towards solving immigration related problems. These lawyers do quite a number of things, which will be discussed below.

These professional lawyers will advise an individual on how to get the visa into a certain country without breaking the law and wasting resources. Getting a visa, which is the gate pass into a certain country of choice, has for long been an issue for individuals who would like to immigrate. The specialized lawyers are the right personnel that one needs to see in case of problem involving immigration cases. The lawyers do not only give you the procedures to follow, but also will assist you to get justice whenever you are having an issue involving your visa. The residence cases, involving green cards acquisition procedures, are also the duties of these lawyers. They will assist you to acquire your green card easily in case there is a controversy, which is arising on obtaining the green card. For a new immigrant in a certain country, these lawyers are the people to hire if you ever need justice.

The deportation cases also fall under the responsibilities of an immigration lawyer. To those individuals, who are troubled with cases which can make them deported to their mother countries, the immigration lawyers can professionally help you get out of the problem. Having the right knowledge and knowing the right are two vital things that one need to have in event of deportation cases. The immigration lawyers will equip you with the right knowledge, which will be geared at assisting you to understand your rights and the ways of attaining justice.

Getting a permanent citizenship for any developed country is not an easy job and requires a lot of paperwork. If you have an immigration lawyer beside you, he will easily look after the documentation and guide you in the right way. You will be able to say goodbye to all the stressful problems that may arise in the process. All in all, individuals, who are facing problems in obtaining permanent residence or entangled in a deportation case, it is a smart decision to hire a good immigration lawyer.

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Canadian Immigration: For Quality Living

There are thousands of places in which people can live and work all over the world, but there are also countless factors to consider in choosing a perfect place where you and your family can have quality living. It will take a lot of courage to move to a new country. Low crime and violence rate to first-rate education system are only some of the important decision-variables to seriously think about.

Q: Where is the best place to have an excellent life in the world?

A: Being one of the top places in which to live since 1994, according to the United Nations and Economist Intelligence Unit, Canada has become one of the most desirable destinations for migration and great career opportunities because of the country's government/political stability, growing economy, and the quality of life it has to offer, including high standards of education, cost of living, and low crime and violence rate.

Standard of Education Children up to age 16, or as soon as they earned a high school diploma, depending on the province are required to attend schools and universities-mostly funded by the government-as mandated by law. Thus, Canadians are regarded to be some of the best educated people in the world. More so, literacy rate among adults in the country is 99 percent.

Crime and Violence Rate Where great education and governmental provision, particularly social welfare, are established, a low crime and violence rate usually follows. Recent statistics show that police-reported crime rate has dropped six percent in 2011 from the previous year, the country's lowest crime figure since 1972.

Cost of Living The country is known for having one of the strongest and most stable economies in the world. The cost of living in the country in terms of food, clothing, shelter, among other basic necessities for daily survival are affordable and less expensive compared to other popular and desirable countries to settle.

Q: Are immigrants welcome to the country?

A: The country gladly opened its doors to foreign settlers, particularly to qualified skilled professionals to further improve economic outcomes for both immigrants and the country. According to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, the country is receptive to raising its Canadian immigration level as long as more new settlers are working and earning at rates close to Canadian-born people (The Globe and Mail, 2012).

Q: What are the in-demand jobs in the country?

A: There are myriad career opportunities in the country, however, the most in demand and earn the highest salary are:

· Petroleum engineers

· Medical related professions

· Mangers in production and restaurants

· Architects

· Drillers and explosives experts in surface mining, excavation, and construction

· Information technology workers

Q: How can I obtain work or permanent residency in Canada?

A: The country is offering several Canadian immigration options such as:

· Skilled workers program

· Provincial nomination program

· Business permanent residency program

· Family class sponsorship

Considering the quality of life Canada has to offer and thinking of moving or migrating to the country but not certain when and where to start, you can ask the help of top Canadian immigration and staffing professionals like Illuminate Canada.

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