Parenting Advice

Eyeglasses and Your Child: How Not to be a Geek by Amy Nutt

Up until about fifteen to twenty years ago, young children needing glasses would refuse to wear them because it looked like the glasses were swallowing up their face. All that was really available for small faces were these plastic frames with big thick rims. Those kids that could get by with not wearing their glasses all of the time would take them off once they got to school so other children wouldn’t make fun of them. This is despite the fact that having trouble seeing the chalkboard was the main reason for the glasses in the first place. Then there were those kids who had to wear them all of the time because they couldn’t see without them. Those were usually the children having to endure names such as “four eyes” from various other kids throughout the day.

Now when we look at a classroom full of children, we find that many of them are wearing eyeglasses. We may even find that those kids that were making fun of other children for wearing huge glasses are now adults who have to have them themselves. Such conditions as nearsightedness and farsightedness do not spare many individuals. Fortunately, sight screenings at school help spot these conditions before they can really have a toll on a child’s schoolwork. What results is that child having to have glasses, but, fortunately, getting glasses nowadays is not as painful as it used to be.

Styling

Eyeglasses can be considered cool if they fit properly. Many eyeglass distributors offer children’s eyeglasses so that your child has a perfectly proportioned pair of eyeglasses on his or her face. It isn’t like twenty years ago when the options were limited because not as many children were being diagnosed with eye conditions. Now large designer companies are making eyeglasses for kids that look fantastic on them. You just have to be mindful of what looks best on your child or they could be made fun of for their glasses not looking right on them.

Things to take into consideration:

• The size of your child’s face
• The shape of your child’s face
• The shape of the glasses being tried
• The size of the glasses being tried

Your child’s face shape and size is going to be a huge determining factor in what size and shape of glasses they wear. There are frames that are square, round, and oval. You can try all of these to see which looks best. Frames are also made out of both wire metal and plastic, so you can also see which looks best. Some are even rimless, which can give the illusion that your child is not wearing glasses.

If your child has very bad eyesight, then you can see about having thinner lenses placed within the frame. Technology is now available that allows you to have the lenses thinned without hampering the prescription. This eliminates the illusion that your child is looking through the bottom of a glass soda bottle.

Glasses are cool

If you take into consideration shape, size, and lens thinning options, then your child is going to look really great in his or her new glasses. It isn’t so much of a curse as it used to be, but it can be if the glasses are not the right fit. By having the right fit, other kids are either going to tell your child that they like their glasses or they’re not really going to care that the glasses are even there. Most importantly, a good fit is also going to ensure that your child is going to be able to see everything that needs to be seen.

Clearly Contacts has a variety of children’s eyeglasses and sunglasses. Find the perfect pair of eyeglasses for your child at Clearly Contacts.

Article Source: KnowAboutYourself.com

Summertime and Fall Time Safety at the Beach or Backyard Pool - Stay Out of Hot Water by Kerry A. Francis

Summertime is a wonderful time for friends and family. Whether in the back yard around the swimming pool for a barbecue or at the lake cottage or seashore chalet safety is always a watchword during the summer time – especially involving any water and electricity. Water, moisture and electrical power just do not mix and indeed are a recipe for disaster.

What can you do to prevent electrical problems around water and increase the safety of your family when it comes to summer time electrical injuries and accidents?

First of all always keep safety in mind. Electrical power is both a wonderful servant but yet a terrible master. In a swoop mix electrical power from an ordinary ac electrical plug and water - and it a recipe for potential tragedy and heartache. The worst part if that by following simple rules of safety all of these tragedies are usually easily prevented.

First of all remember all it takes for an electrocution accident to occur is not much. It’s not only the swimming pool water that can be of danger but simply any electrical conductive pool of moisture. This can mean wet skins, or wet surfaces should cry out danger signs and signals or concern. It can be a pool of water on a section of patio stone deck, it can be wet grass that is being mowed by an electric power mower or it can be the obvious such as a wet surface on a swimming pool deck. The results can all be tragic and yet easily preventable.

What are the basic rules of summertime electrical safety when it comes to being around moisture or water? Obviously- first of all never touché electrical cords, switches or appliances when you are standing in water or have wet hands. Next, just as obvious, if you are using elect5rical extension cords or electrical appliances and any of the extension cords or appliances no matter how small and of low wattage usage fall into the water never try to retrieve them out of water until you have turned off the power at the main switch box. It can be as small an item as electrical rotisserie motor. It does not matter – turn off the power at the main switch box no matter what. It is not worth the risk and small saving of time not to be thorough and not play it safe just for a second’s convenience.

If you are using electrical devices, even those specifically meant to be used around water and moisture – such as wet/dry vacs or steam carpet cleaners always read and follow the manufacture’s instructions. The same goes for pressure washers that you might use on a cottage or chalet wooden deck. If not sure, most manufactures now have toll free numbers for tech support. Call ahead of your trip – before your vacation or weekend trip when the electrical appliance manufacture tech support line is open and you have ready access to a phone at home or during the working hours while in the city.

Lastly if you do chose use electrical devices outdoors – then the best and wisest choice always is to source and find specifically designed waterproof electrical devices that are specifically designed to be used outdoors. Remember that in most cases the same device , once installed will not be used in the summer but will also have to overwinter a harsh winter climate – perhaps even as harsh as a cold Canadian winter.

The electrical device will have to overwinter in that cold climate where seals or plastic insulation may deteriorate or crack. It’s always a worst case scenario when you are playing with electrical power and safety. Its false economy to do any other way. Play it safe to the limit.

In the end it can be said that you can never be too safe when it comes to electrical safety during the summer safe. Play it safe and you can stay out of hot water this summer or coming fall autumn time.

Kerry A. Francis Eastern Beaches Lake Winnipeg Grand Beach Lake Winnipeg Victoria Beach Cottages Sale Rent Manitoba Cottage Safety

Article Source: KnowAboutYourself.com

How to Make Your Own Solar Powered Winter Garage Heater by Xavier Tikadar

Whilst a lot of people do have electricity in their own garages and sheds, heat can be an issue throughout winter.

However you can take advantage of the sunny days of winter and use solar power from the sun to produce heat in your garage. Particularly if you live in hilly or mountainous areas, where the sun can reflect the suns rays as you could build a solar furnace to collect some of that sunshine that bounces off the snow or that just beams down. Solar powered furnaces have in the past recorded to reach temperatures of up to 110 degrees. So if you have a lot of scrap laying around in your basement, then put it to good use.

You can start with some 2×4’s and plywood to make a simple box. It helps if you build your box to the dimensions of the material that you are going to be fitting in there, in this case you should use aluminum cans because they’re easy to get hold of and to fit into your home made box. 50 cans in 5 columns of 10 will funnel air upwards.

Before putting your cans in the box, be sure to seal the edges with wood glue to ensure that any of the heat that the box produces does not escape.

So you may have already thought, “How can air climb the columns of cans when there’s no hole at the bottom of the can?” Answer: drill press and 3/4-inch bit. Times 45.

The last five cans, the bases of each column, will sit on the bottom of the box and thus will be unable to draw air from underneath, so I poked holes in the sides of each of the five. Stack the cans with liberal doses of adhesive caulk. Give them enough time to dry. Once they have dried paint each column with black BBQ paint to absorb the suns heat, make sure that the paint is matt, as it absorbs more heat like this, BBQ paint is also very good because it keeps from flaking off the cans.

At the top, you can then drill an outlet hole. Leave an inch or two of space between the tops of the columns and the top of the box to permit air to flow out of the columns. Drill out the outlet hole based on the diameter of a wet-dry vacuum hose that you could find laying in your basement, about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

At the bottom you can use another wet-dry vacuum attachment; the rectangle shaped end that you use on the carpet, this will disperse the incoming air more evenly. Screw it in at each ends, then glue the seal. Then you can start to glue the columns in place. Remember to have drilled your inlet hole in the bottom. You can drill an inlet hole at the base for each column if you have time, this way the air can simply pass over the cans (there’s about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch between the cans and the upper edge of the 2×4 frame) and all the air would be forced to pass though them picking up all of the absorbed heat.

You can then make a frame for your solar powered furnace using anything strong enough to hold it up towards the sun, you may wish to attach a thermometer to it to see how quickly it heats up and to what temperatures it can reach. Once it has been out side all day you can then bring it inside your garage and the heat that has been preserved by the solar heater shall radiate through your chosen space to heat up.

Xavier Tikadar is the solar panels expert at EcoSwitch The environmental social network.

Article Source: KnowAboutYourself.com

Things You Should Know Before Moving to Belize by Omar Reyes

So you are considering moving to Belize?

Belize is a country full of natural beauty, warm sea, cool breeze, and friendly people. But before you just pack up and move to Belize there are a few things you need to know.
Helpful Facts

* after living in Belize for one year you qualify for permanent residency

* there is a retirement program for people 45 years and older

* unless you are under the retirement program you may have to pay duty taxes

* there are public and private schools if you are moving with children

* you can bring your pets to Belize

* Belize has excellent communication services, including cellular and Internet

Immigration

If you are moving to Belize for a short period of time then you only need a valid passport to enter the country. Once you arrive your passport will be stamped and you will be allowed to stay for a month. After that, any immigration office can extend your stay for thirty days at a time, for a fee of course.

If you are planning to make Belize your new home then after one year you can apply for permanent residency.

Retirement

If you are considering retiring in Belize you should know that there is a retirement program available for people 45 years and older. This program has some excellent benefits.

Duty

Unless you are qualified for the retirement program, you may have to pay duty. However, as long as your personal effects are at least one year old, you will not have to pay duty on them. You will most likely have to pay duty on any vehicle you import, including cars and boats.

If you are not a Belizean citizen, you must be a legal resident before you can bring your stuff into the country duty free.

Children

Your children will do just fine in Belize. There will be many opportunities for them to make friends. Almost everywhere in Belize accepts and accommodates children. Most places are family focused. You will know right away which establishments are not appropriate for children.

There are public schools and private schools for your children to attend. The public schools are free. But just like everywhere else you will have to pay for a private education.

The education system provides a pretty solid foundation for your children. They should have no problem returning to your home country to pursue higher education. Most Belizean students studying abroad do extremely well.

Pets

You are allowed to bring your pets with you. Dogs and cats can enter Belize without being quarantined. However, they must have a veterinarian certificate declaring your pet free of any infectious disease. Your pet must also have been vaccinated against rabies.

Just please bear in mind that Belize is not suitable to all pets. They may not adjust well to subtropical climate.

Communications

Belize has a pretty reliable phone service, including cellular phones. The majority of people who own cell phones in Belize use prepaid cards. It works out much cheaper that way.

Internet service is widely available for your computing needs. Cable television service is also available for your entertainment.

Getting Your Things There

The recommended way for getting your personal items to Belize is to ship it down. You can ship either a half container load or a full container load. The most cost effective way is to load the container yourself and then arrange for it to be shipped to Belize City.

Once in Belize you can clear the container through customs yourself, although this is not recommended. The easiest way to do it is to hire a customs broker.

Once it is cleared through customs it is not difficult to find someone to help you unload.

I hope that these tips have been helpful in addressing some of the concerns that you may have before moving to Belize.

For tons of great information on Belize Click Here.

Article Source: KnowAboutYourself.com

You Have Better Things to Do at the Weekend Chalet or Cottage Than Cut Grass & Mow the Lawn by Jadran Z. Transcona

Weekend vacation cottages are great as a refuge from the world – whether used as a summertime lake cottage or as a getaway and refuge from the world throughout the year.

One point always to remember is that your cottage is to be for your rest and recreation.

Why create a lot of work for yourself at the cottage or chalet retreat replication your yard and landscaping work that you have back home in the city? Plan ahead to make your cottage lawn and landscaping as maintenance free as possible.

If there is one word that summarizes the whole format of how to plan your cottage or chalet lot so that it has a beautiful comforting appearance, is attractive to the eye yet requires minimal work and effort to keep the areas maintained it is “natural”. As much as possible use natural and natural occurring plants and vegetation. These plants themselves are time proven in your actual yard; they both know the climates and terrain and actually prosper in the geographic area and actual climate of your yard and landscaping.

Some people choose to have a full grown lawn at the beach cottage retreat. No trouble. It may be appearances, it may be for sports such as badminton or it may be just to enhance the views to the lake or forest.

If you choose to have a lawn and grass area proper planning ahead of time will make all the difference between a lush lawn that requires minimal care and a lawn that is always needy and appears seedy and will attract a fair amount of your recreation time and energy to tend to it.

Grass generally does not grow well in the shade so plan ahead to locate your lawn in the area where it will receive full or partial sun. Adjust the shape of the lawn, or work to combine some of your trees, shrubs, lamp posts or even bird baths and other elements into a couple of groupings. As an example a bird bath can be nestled among some perennials.

Mowing on slopes is not only time consuming but downright dangerous. As a result, try to maintain existing native plants on a slope, particularly on waterfronts. If there is exposed soil or sand on the slopes, choose thicket or mat forming plants – for example strawberry plants - that will spread ground cover over and help stabilize an area.

You can try to selectively remove a few larger shrubs and trees to open up a stunning view, but do your best to retain shrubs that provide personal privacy as well as plants, trees and shrubs that offer protection against wind. In addition to providing a break these natural barriers can protect the cottage area from storms off the lake in the spring, fall and summer and as well block drifting snow and snow storms in the wintertime. Landscaping and landscape planning is not only for the summer time, but for its beauty and use throughout the full year.

You can also reduce the threat of weeds and the maintenance time and effort afforded to weeding your yard and landscaped areas by planning ahead. Weeds will grow along the edges of trails that have been worn into the ground. You can reduce potential weeding time by planning footpaths or a footpath exactly where you expect and anticipate a lot of traffic. In the area of the planned footpath you can lay gravel, stones, bark or even paving stones on the path. Thus not only will you keep weeds under control but also mud.

In the end it can be said that your vacation cottage, chalet or camp is all about recreation and relaxation. Plan ahead for low maintenance landscaping and gardening at the cottage, chalet or camp. After all it’s your vacation and refuge from the world for you, your family and friends.

Jadran. Z. Transcona Sell Manitoba - Grand & Victoria Beach Cottages Is Your Property Tax Assessment High ? Lake Winnipeg - Grand Beach , Victoria Winnipeg Beaches Vacation Rentals

Article Source: KnowAboutYourself.com