Some say it’s all about curb appeal, and I had NONE of it. I knew when I bought the house that I would need to do something with that mound. I thought I’d cover it with flowers or maybe some bushes in the front. I decided to do some research and that’s when I found the answer: rocks.

It seems that creating a rock garden is one of the best ways to make use out of a slope, especially a natural one. Think about it. A rock garden is pretty much the recreation of a mountain slope. How more natural can you get?

As my mound of dirt is, well, just dirt, it was like having a clean slate to build whatever I wanted. Rock gardens are ideally placed in the sun for as long as the day holds, and I was also fortunate to have that option because of the way my home faces. It also gives me more options to the plants I was going to find to add to my rocks.

And, of course, the hardest part was finding the right kind of rocks.

Large rocks are the main stage of any rock garden as the medium to smaller ones then become the accent pieces. After finding the large ones, borrowing my brother’s truck to get them home and then using my brother and two of his friends to move them, I had my foundation pieces.

Adding the medium rocks around those, and even smaller ones into the gaps, would be easy once I was ready to place them.

I had to remove all weeds and put down my drainage layer for my plants with six inches of crushed rock (gravel works too). I covered the crushed rock with two-inches of sand and finally was able to add my rocks to my completely excavated rock garden.

I had a ton of fun picking and choosing where to plant my various flowers and where to put my rocks and, when I was finally done, I got my curb appeal.

Go Rocks!

When Miscelleana Rhinehart isn’t writing or spreading insightful information on the internet, she enjoys working around the house and doing other creative things to pass the time. Queens used cars dealers have used her services, and she offers her writing talents to anyone interested.

Sophisticated family management experts, more commonly known as “moms,” universally endorse these five activities for children of all ages, including husbands.

1. Gardening.

Gardening stands out as the people’s favorite–literally. In every major survey by a family publication, gardening has ranked first among “best family hobbies.” Kids love gardening because it gives them license to play in the mud and they thrill to the wonders of little seedlings growing into great big plants. Dads love it because it gives them good reason to show off all their construction skills as they build planter boxes and irrigation systems. Moms love it because it cuts their food bills and gives them a good excuse to get a little sun. Most of all, moms love it, though, because families that mess in the mud together start talking to each other in ways they never would open-up at the dinner table or even trapped in the car on a long road trip. With a little careful shopping at your home improvement retailer you can launch “a deluxe family farm” for about $50 or you may begin more modestly with a plot of green beans for about 75-cents.

2. Cooking.

Coking ranks a very close second behind gardening because it, too, creates opportunities for making great messes while generating spectacular results. Many families discover how to create amazing gourmet meals for little more than the cost of a fast-food restaurant drive-thru. Naturally, families that combine big-time gardening with a passion for cooking get the best of both worlds but many families find similar joy and satisfaction in shopping for ingredients at their local farmers’ markets, where they meet not only local growers but other avid cooks like themselves. In many cases, favorite family dishes become excellent sale items at farmers’ markets and crafts faires.

3. Hiking and biking.

Hiking and biking get you up and off the couch, out of the house, and on down the road. No matter where you live, you have excellent places to hike or bike and Google maps can help you identify some of the best trails in your neighborhood or near-by. Mothers and daughters who get hooked on hiking often create teams for the Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk, a great event in service of a great cause. Bike-happy families frequently discover they can compete in weekend relays or they can combine their two-wheeled adventures with over-night camping in local parks. Health-conscious moms understand, of course, hiking and biking provide the family with great cardio-vascular exercise cleverly disguised as just plain fun.

4. Scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking naturally complements every family hobby. Among your cellphones and digital gear your family probably has as many cameras as it has members and each member should record family adventures from his or her point of view. Digital scrapbooking makes your hobby-histories more active and engaging than the old paper-and-paste kind, and posting your stories online makes them accessible to the whole world. Explore the new timeline features on Facebook or play with the multi-media features on Blogger or WordPress. Of course, this, too, is another sneaky mom trick for getting families to develop skills. While they record their adventures, the kids and husband also are developing their writing skills–but they do not really need to know that little fact.

5. Dedication to a cause.

This one can naturally develop from some family hobbies. For example, working with local chapters of “Roots and Shoots,” many families build and sell bird-houses. High school students may face community service requirements that easily become family affairs. Habitat for Humanity always needs volunteers as do local food banks and other public service organizations. The Department of Commerce reports that millions of miles of highway still are up for adoption and that cause comes with its own distinctive roadside sign.

Bonus: Your hobby can evolve into a home business.

One Colorado family grew so proficient at making delicious, delectable deluxe cheesecakes that all their friends and neighbors not only stocked-up for family events but also started sending these amazing confections to nearby friends and relations who in-turn inquired whether or not they could all flavors and styles of cheesecakes to friends and loved-ones around the country and all around the world. Mom and dad ended-up becoming full-time cheesecake professionals and the kids paid their way through expensive colleges with the proceeds from what began as a family amusement. “It takes only one good idea and a lot of love,” the cheery cheesecake family agrees.

Author Thomas Hathaway is a financial consultant and suggests there are times when payday loan lenders may come in handy while waiting for your regular paycheck date.

1. Decide between infant and convertible seat.

The biggest decision you will have to make when choosing a new car seat is deciding whether to first invest in an infant only car seat or to opt for a convertible car seat. An infant car seat is usually the best choice, but will need to be replaced as the child ages beyond one year in age. A convertible seat is the better value for money, but may not fit your infant perfectly. Proceed with caution in this area, and only consider a convertible car seat if you find one that fits your child from birth.

2. Always buy a new seat.

It might be tempting to purchase a used or secondhand car seat, or even accept one from a friend for free. However, even the sturdiest looking seats can actually be structurally unsound beneath the surface. Rather than risking the life of your child in the event of an accident, play it safe and invest in a brand new seat.

3. Check the ratings.

All car seats should meet certain minimum requirements before you consider purchasing it. Check the packaging to make sure it clearly states that it surpasses the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213, as well as any other additional safety features or special ratings it may have.

4. Choose front or rear facing.

When you choose your car seat, it will either be one designed to face the front of the vehicle of the rear of the vehicle. Rear facing car seats are generally safer, especially for young children. However, it may be worth considering a convertible seat that can switch directions for when your child grows up. Toddlers are equally safe facing forward and will generally have more enjoyable car rides when in that position.

5. Put safety above price.

Although it might be tempting to just choose the cheapest car seats available, remember that safety is the ultimate determining factor. If possible, try to fit the car seat in your car and make sure there are no safety issues, and if there are be sure to return it for a safer model. A few extra dollars might make all the difference in the case of an accident or an emergency.

By implementing these five suggestions when you begin looking for the perfect car seat for your child, it should be easy to find the right seat for your safety, peace of mind and budget.

Author Stephen Anderson is an insurance consultant who strongly suggests that you search online for an Auto Insurance Comparison to make certain you get the best possible prices. Quotes are available by state or city, such as Dallas Car Insurance Quote.

1. Use a piggy bank.

Establishing a money saving system through the use of a piggy bank is a great way to teach a young child about the importance of saving money. Change collected can be saved up to eventually be used for a special privilege.

2. Make it a game.

Many popular board games, such as Life and Monopoly, are based on the principles of spending and saving. The goal is to finish these games with the most amount of money left over, which can definitely encourage children to use this objective in their financial lives. Even grocery shopping and other activities can be turned into games with the key goal being how much money can be saved during purchases.

3. Turn coupon collecting  into a family activity.

Children can be taught to take pleasure in the art of coupon clipping, especially if it is for items they enjoy. Parents can encourage their children to help cut out these savings as a family activity. Since coupons can also be found online, parents can assist children in using the fun of technology to help search for these deals.

4. Be a good role model.

Children often mimic the behaviors they see from their parents, and many of these actions could follow them into their adult lives. By making a conscious effort to emphasize the importance of saving money in daily purchases and practicing good spending habits, a child can learn to emulate these activities.

5. Open a savings account

A child will likely be more interested in saving money in a bank if a savings account is opened in his or her name. They can know that the money will go towards their college tuition or any other future capital expenditure. They can also keep track of the account as more money is earned as it accrues interest.

Children who learn how to save money at a young age can have a much easier time managing their finances as they mature into adulthood. This can help them avoid financial problems such as debt and poor credit. Giving a child the gift of money saving knowledge is a great way to enrich their future development.

Author Tanya Mitchell is a budget consultant and writes for SavingUp.com.au, a site which lets you compare the best savings accounts with the highest interest for your future needs.

1. Seat the children as far apart as possible.

Children often love to smack or push each other when they are seated within close proximity to each other. If you know that your kids have difficulties keeping their hands to themselves, seat them accordingly in the vehicle. If you have an extra row of seating, sit one child in one row and the other in another row.

2. Employ the help of the passenger.

Whoever is sitting in your passenger seat is likely a bit older, whether it’s your own older child or a fellow adult. They are a great resource to use in order to help you parent your children while driving because they can turn their heads to speak to the children while you focus on the road. You can always tell your children prior to the beginning of the ride that they are supposed to listen to the person in the passenger seat as if were you doing the parenting.

3. Reward positive behavior.

You could tell the children that they will receive a reward on the next car ride if they behave during this one. Perhaps you could seat the children close to each other and’ if they behave well during a car ride, you can reward them the next time they ride in the car together. Maybe you could give them a small piece of candy or other favorite foods that they enjoy.

4. If things really get out of hand, pull over. There are times when situations just get out of control to the point where you need to physically pull the vehicle over and handle them. Once the car is safely stopped you are able to pay attention to the children and the situation without putting anyone at risk. This is a great idea for longer trips, especially if you or your children are having a bad day.

5. Add chores or errands for older children and timeouts for younger children. For each time they complain add more and remember to schedule them. You can still issue punishments.  Just remain calm and remember exactly what you say. This could be used in conjunction with the fourth tip.

As you can see, three of these five tips are preventative measures. Those three methods will stop a lot of misbehavior in a vehicle on their own and the other two are just for advanced situations. You can still be an effective parent while driving with some practice.

Marcie McDonald is an insurance consultant who writes for cheapestcarinsurance.org.uk. She recommends checking out this site for cheap car insurance quotes and also to see if you qualify for special rates from cheap car insurance companies before making your choice.

1. Children’s Bible.

Based on the popular book series by the same name, the Children’s Bible app contains comic books and movies about Bible stories. Beautifully illustrated and lots of fun, these comics give you a great way to share the Bible with your youngest children and serve as a starting point for Biblical conversation with your older kids. It’s also a great way to keep the little ones entertained while waiting in line, at a waiting room, or during a car ride.

2. Ned’s Bible Trivia.

A fun, interactive trivia game that allows players to decide the fate of the titular Ned character while reviewing Bible trivia. Older children and adults alike will enjoy the challenge of answering over 1,000 Bible questions, and the whole family can get involved with the game.

3. Bible Teaches.

A Bible-inspired puzzle game. This app combines Bible stories and cognitive puzzles into a single fun, interactive game for children and adults of all ages. Designed by a Christian pediatrician and mother, this game is meant to provide mental stimulation while also serving as a teaching tool.

4. GloBible.

An interactive Bible that includes high resolution images, HD video, 3D virtual tours, and articles. This multimedia approach to Bible study appeals to older children, teenagers, and adults, and provides a great opportunity to open up Bible discussion between families. It was even voted Bible of the Year in 2010.

5. Granny’s Bible Dojo.

A fast-paced game that challenges players to remember the order of all the books in the Bible. The game has a karate-inspired feel, with players breaking boards as they correspond to the books in order. Granny’s Dojo will be sure to keep players of all ages and skill levels on their toes.

Whether you load these apps onto your child’s first cell phone or buy them for yourself as a way to keep the little ones educated and entertained, these Christian smartphone apps provide a 21st century way to learn and celebrate your faith.

Author Stephanie Sanders is a communications consultant and writes for a UK mobile phones site, offering all the latest phones and plans.

In some ways the Internet has been a godsend for renters and prospective homebuyers everywhere. No longer do you need to trawl through the classifieds or search the streets for ‘to lease’ or ‘for sale’ signs. A few Internet searches and you can have a shortlist of potential new homes right in your hand. However, realtors have a few tricks up their sleeves that they can use to present a house from hell as a perfect home. Don’t be fooled!

No Floor Plan, No Dimensions, But A Lot of Rhetoric

Any realtor worth his salt knows that people put a premium on space. Even if they don’t have a floor plan to post, there’s no reason why they couldn’t have put up the dimensions of the rooms to help you visualize the space.

The only reason they could have to avoid it is that they know their ‘large spacious rooms’ are anything but, and the floor plan will make that obvious.

Suspiciously Similar Descriptions

Sometimes when you are searching for homes you will find that listings from the same realtor can have strangely similar descriptions.

For example, when searching for modular homes, CT you will find a house that sounds lovely, in a charmingly-described neighborhood. Then when searching for modular homes, NY you find basically the same house, but in a different area, with a word-for-word the same description of the location.

A realtor who can’t be bothered to write unique descriptions for each property is probably not going to pay much attention to detail or give you the individual attention you deserve.

Strangely Absent Photos

You would rightly be suspicious of a property that had little to no pictures – after all, if it is as lovely as the description suggests, why aren’t there the photos to prove it? But that doesn’t mean that a lot of pictures is a guarantee of a good property.

First, be aware that lighting and clever camerawork can make a space appear to be much bigger than it actually is. Small or out of focus photographs can hide a multitude of sins and something as simple as avoiding photographing a particular area of wall can be a strategy to hide damage.

Second, bear in mind that the property as photographed may not be the property as it is when you go to view it. If you are renting, the fixtures, fittings and furnishings may belong to the previous tenants and, even if you are buying, the lovely summer garden in the photographs may have grown wild and unkempt over winter.

The last photo trick is deceptively simple – take lots of photos of different rooms in order to give the impression of full information but avoid taking photos of problem rooms. Always check the listed rooms against the photos given. If some of them have been left out, there is probably a reason.

About the Author:
Susan Connolly writes on all things related to buying homes, like modular homes CT and Westchester modular homes. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I recently heard this old Christmas hymn of praise and joy (for that’s how carol is defined in my dictionary) and, word lover that I am, I was curious about its origin and wording. Some of what I found was expected, but one major thing was not.

And that makes all the difference in the world to the meaning of the song.

“God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
O tidings of comfort and joy.”

(18th century Christmas Carol)

Once again, bear with me as we explore together the words it uses and, perhaps, share a spiritual discovery.

First of all, look at the title and notice where the comma is placed: The title is “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”. The comma is placed between the word merry and the word gentlemen. If you’ve ever thought of it—and you probably haven’t given it any thought–you’ve probably seen the title printed with the comma between the word ye and the word merry. Even if you haven’t noticed this seemingly small detail, you’ve probably understood the song that way–I know I did.

However, the song is not addressed to “merry gentlemen.” The word merry belongs in the opening phrase. The verb rest is used here as we might say “rest assured.” The Old English Dictionary has the origin of the phrase “rest thee merry” dating from the 1400′s. Later, such variations as “rest you well” and “rest you happy” came into use.

My personal favorites are “rest myself content” from Shakespeare , “rest thee tranquil” from Shelley, and “rest thee sure” from Tennyson. (I love the words tranquil and tranquility, which refer to being free from commotion or disturbance, free from anxiety, tension or restlessness; composed; steady.)

Now, I hope you realize this is not primarily another study of words for me.

Instead, I was led to another spiritual lesson by the Lord.

That’s what we as believers do at this time of year: rejoice and praise through the carols we sing and through the realization that He is here; the Savior has been born (to borrow a line from a song from Hillsong Australia).

We can be merry in the current sense of the word: full of high-spirited gaiety, and as this old hymn of praise and joy instructs us: to rest in that news. Rest, as used then and now, is repose.

We find these definitions, which are so fitting: cessation of work, exertion, or activity; peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity; relief or freedom from disquiet or disturbance; mental or emotional tranquillity (there’s that beautiful word again), and termination or absence of motion.

And where in Scripture are we told the same thing? Just look at Paul’s letter to the Philippian Christians:

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” (Philippians 4:6-8 Amp)

Look at the first lines of the song.

As the carol says, “Let nothing you dismay“–Don’t allow anything to trouble or disturb you.

“For Jesus Christ our Savior” – Savior being one who delivers or rescues from peril

“Was born on Christmas Day” He is here. He was born, He lived, He died for us, took the penalty for our sin condition, and was resurrected from the dead. His Holy Spirit resides in us.

“To save us all from Satan’s power” The enemy has been defeated.

“When we were gone astray” We moved away from a group, deviated from the correct course, or went beyond established limits. We became lost. We wandered about without a destination or purpose; roamed; We followed a winding course; meandered. We deviated from a moral, proper, or right course; we erred.

We hear much this time of year of “peace on earth” and how Jesus came to bring peace between men. But this is not true. As Jesus says in the book of Matthew:

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” (Matthew 10:33-36 NIV)

Instead, peace between God and Man has been established. In Luke we read:

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14 New King James)

In this busy season, find time for tranquility and repose, free from commotion or disturbance. And most of all, enjoy the Lord. My prayer for each of you is that “God rest ye merry, gentlemen”, and gentlewomen as well.

Love,
Brother Bill

There’s a tree to buy, decorating to be done, cookies to make, and cards to mail. Yes, before you know it Christmas will be over. And while holiday to-do lists continue to get longer, so do our shopping lists.

A million thoughts are, no doubt, running through your head. 

The husband wants the latest gadget touted by his favorite Internet marketing company – what did he say the name of it was again? Mom and Dad are always so hard to shop for and are late on emailing ideasagain this year. Is a gift card kosher? And don’t even get me started on my little sister – every item on her wish list comes with a designer price tag.

It looks like the only gift that’s ready to wrap is for the family dog. But with a little technology and know-how on how to use top iPhone apps (it’s easy to find the best ones, or at least those companies with the best SEO), packages will find their way into your home and under the tree.

Put your iPhone to this Holiday Season

While Black Friday may be over this year, you don’t have to be overwhelmed next year when you think about where you’ll spend the day shopping post turkey and pumpkin pie. With the TGI Black Friday app, you can browse sales and even find out when doors open at your favorite stores. Plus the app allows you to create lists and even email them to yourself.

Santa has a lot of help to track who is getting what, whether or not it’s wrapped and when it will be delivered. Unless you have your own team of jolly holiday elves, you might be a bit unorganized. Try the Better Christmas List app. The $1 price tag is well worth your sanity. The app allows you to create lists and easily track your spending – and more importantly, your budget. Plus, it’s password protected from any gift snoopers.

Last-minute Shopping Apps Save the Day

Let’s be honest, sometimes we don’t have enough hours in the day to plan our Christmas shopping. So, there’s a chance we may end up scrambling at the last minute. But that doesn’t mean we deserve to get a raw deal. My favorite Internet marketing company has been praising price-comparing apps for the iPhone since they’ve debuted.

There are a few apps worth downloading this holiday season for any last-minute shopping trips. Check out ShopSavvy, which employs a barcode scanner to instantly tell you what your desired gift is selling for at other stores and online. Decide is the tech-friendly version of ShopSavvy, but it also goes above and beyond price comparison. Before you give in to a great electronics sale, check if a new model is on the horizon or an upcoming sale.

April Trotter contributed this guest post. Passionate about iPhones and holiday shopping, she also likes writing about how to find the best Internet marketing company and SEO plans.

You may have the tendency to use one of the colorful flavored syrups or animal-shaped chewable tablets. However, experts warn that such medications are not without their side effects. Some of them can even be dangerous. Remember, no medicine will make the flu go away nor will it treat the actual virus.

The FDA does not recommend any cough and cold medicines for children under the age of two. Also, even though they may be safe for older children, they may not benefit from these medicines either. There is concern over the potential dangers of over-the-counter flu products and the FDA is currently studying the issue.

Instead, it seems to be a better idea to research the pros, cons, and risks of specific medicines before giving them to your child. Certainly the best course of action is to check with your child’s doctor before administering any medicine.

Your child should rest as much as possible. It may not be that hard to encourage them to do so as most people with the flu don’t usually feel like doing much of anything. To ease the feeling of isolation a child may feel when confined to his or her bedroom, you can set up a comfortable resting place in a more “social” location. A beanbag chair, recliner, or the couch will allow comfortable rest while still allowing closeness with the rest of the family.

Non-aspirin pain relievers designed for children can offer some relief if your child complains of a painful sore throat, high fever, or the aches often experienced with the flu. Treat fever with acetaminophen (Children’s Tylenol, Infant’s Feverall, Junior Strength Panadol) or ibuprofen (Children’s Advil, Children’s Motrin) taken according to package instructions or consult the child’s doctor. Note: Do not give aspirin because it poses a risk of causing Reye syndrome.

Encourage your child to cough and blow his nose. Doing so helps to expel mucus and keep air and nasal passages open. For very young children and infants, you can use a nasal aspirator. Use a humidifier in the child’s room to make dry air easier to breathe.

The old advice that has almost become a cliché is still true: Drink plenty of fluids. Allow the child to drink lots of fluids of the child’s choice. For an added boost and as a treat give your child give him vitamin-enriched drinks and fortified juice.

Finally, once symptoms are relieved, however, don’t allow your child to “pop up” and start running around. Children may think they are “all better” and not understand that it’s just that the symptoms have been relieved.

My Child Is Sick!: Expert Advice for Managing Common Illnesses and Injuries offers fast answers to questions about 50 common ailments and symptoms and provides clear guidance on when it would be acceptable to treat symptoms at home and when emergency care is required. Drawn from clinical protocols used in 10,000 practices and 400 nurse-advice call centers throughout the United States and Canada over the past 15 years, the guide focuses on ailments typical to children of all ages, from birth through the teenage years.