Archive for December, 2009

What is a credit card wallet? Well a credit card wallet is a separate wallet that you can use to put your credit card in. They are especially useful if you have more than one credit card.

What usually happens is this. You to the mall to buy something specific or even just go window shopping. However once you get there you see lots of goodies at “special prices” and since you have your credit card with you, you start spending. The problem that most people who own credit cards have is this. They find it difficult to resist temptation, which is exactly what the store owners want. Because the more you buy the more profit they make. They don’t care whether you buy with a credit card or whether you’ll be able to repay the money you spend.

So the onus is on you to control your spending, no matter how tempting something it may seem. If you are unable to, then a credit card wallet may be your answer.

If you have a credit card wallet, you don’t have to take your credit card with you wherever you go. This will help you if you are an impulsive spender who can’t resist “special offers” and have to spend all the time. Whenever you are faced with these neon signs that say “Buy Now” you will be safe in the knowledge that no matter how much you want to, you don’t have the means. Because remember, your credit card is safely at home.

We are better able to take sound and logical decisions when we are calm and are not put under pressure to buy something within a specific period of time. By having your credit card in a separate wallet, you cannot take it along accidentally, e.g. because you need the other things that are in the wallet. That means in order for you to take your credit card wallet with you, you must make a conscious decision without any pressure in the comfort of your home.

Many people buy things they don’t need with credit cards and regret it afterwards. This is because they are always carrying their credit cards in one wallet with everything else.

By putting your cards in a separate credit card wallet, you are able to make better choices. You can choose when to take it and when not to take it. And by doing this you save money in the process, because it prevents you from buying things you otherwise might have bought. It is therefore something that I think every person should consider having, especially if you have a problem saying no!

Jimmy Roos
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/use-a-credit-card-wallet-to-manage-your-debt-61339.html

The eyes are the “window to the soul” and our most important facial feature. Unfortunately the eyelids are the first of our facial features to show the signs of facial aging often as early as the late 20’s or early 30’s. Many people complain that they are told that they look tired when they do not, a condition called tired eyes

Consequently many people seek plastic surgery to reverse the eyelid aging changes with a procedure called a blepharoplasty also known as an eyelid lift or eye tuck. This is one of the most frequently performed plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States and usually the first facial rejuvenation procedure that people seek.

The operation involves removing hooding or excess skin from the upper eyelid (upper blepharoplasty) and removing puffiness or bags from the lower eyelid (lower blepharoplasty).

Unfortunately most people do not really understand what these operations can and cannot correct and many people undergo the surgery only to be disappointed with the results achieved during the typical blepharoplasty as done in the United states today. The purpose of this article is to educate the consumer by exposing commonly held myths about the plastic surgery operation known as the blepharoplasty so that people considering eyelid rejuvenation will seek the appropriate treatment to correct the particular eyelid aging changes which are occurring on their own unique face.

Blepharoplasty Myth 1- Blepharoplasty will remove crow’s feet. Crow’s feet occur because of the repeated movement and contraction of the eyelid muscles that surround the eye and upper cheek. When we smile, blink etc, the muscle contracts and causes a wrinkle in the skin. After many years these lines become permanent. The blepharoplasty removes fat that causes bags, and can tighten the eyelid skin, but the muscle continues to contact and cause crow’s feet. Blepharoplasty does not correct crow’s feet. Fortunately Botox® can remove the crow’s feet from the cheek very effectively although Botox® needs to be repeated.

Blepharoplasty Myth 2- Blepharoplasty will remove wrinkled aged skin often called “crepiness” and restore the lower eyelid skin to fresh, young looking smooth skin. The Blepharoplasty can tighten the lower eyelid skin, but blepharoplasty alone leaves the eyelid skin looking old and damaged. The LaserLyte Peel™ when done at the time of a blepharoplasty can resurface the lower eyelid skin and leave it fresh looking-but blepharoplasty alone cannot achieve this

Blepharoplasty Myth 3- Blepharoplasty lifts the cheek and corrects puffiness below the eyelid. Many people have excess skin that creates a bulge or swelling on the cheekbone just below the eyelid. When you take your finger and pull the lower eyelid up this bulge, which is called a “festoon” smoothes out. Blepharoplasty alone will not improve the festoon. In fact if during a lower eyelid blepharoplasty fat, which is causing puffiness of the lower eyelid, is removed the festoon actually looks worse. This is a very common problem and can be a very unhappy result of a blepharoplasty. Festoons are hard to treat but can be improved by doing a cheek lift in some people. The important thing is to avoid worsening them by not doing fat removal during blepharoplasty in people who have festoons unless the cheek lift or other procedure is done at the same time. Other procedures such as canthoplasty or orbiculopexy done during the blepharoplasty can help.

Blepharoplasty Myth 4- Blepharoplasty will remove dark circles under the eyes. Many people have dark circles under the eyes-a dark shadow overlying the bone just below the eyelid. In many people a blepharoplasty will make the dark circle worse if too much fat is removed. To remove the dark circle under the eyes a special procedure called the arcus marginalis release and fat grafting must be done to correct the dark circle.

Blepharoplasty Myth 5- Blepharoplasty will remove hooding of the upper eyelid and improve eyebrow position. Many people have hooding of the upper eyelids that is caused not only by loose upper eyelid skin but also by the fact that the eyebrow has sagged as well. In these people an eyebrow lift must also be done to restore the upper eyelid to a youthful look.

Blepharoplasty Myth 6- A lower eyelid blepharoplasty must leave a visible scar on the lower eyelid. While traditional scalpel blepharoplasty does use an incision on the lower eyelid, more modern contemporary blepharoplasty is done with a laser through a small opening on the inside of the lower eyelid and leaves no visible scar. This technique, called the transconjunctival laser lower blepharoplasty not only avoids a scar but also preserves the beautiful natural shape of the eyelid. The traditional scalpel blepharoplasty done through an external incision often damages the supporting muscles of the lower eyelid and as a result the outside corner of the lower eyelid turns down into a “sad eyed” or “hound dog” look.

Beautiful eyelid rejuvenation is possible today using advanced new laser techniques, and additional new variations such as the arcus release, canthoplasty, and orbiculopexy. However these techniques are new and not widely practiced yet. It is very important that you understand what the eyelid rejuvenation techniques called blepharoplasty or eyelid lift or eyelid tuck can and cannot achieve and also that you have knowledge of the newest, safest, and most effective techniques. Only by being well informed can you hope to be happy with your result and not be disappointed or worse, have a different problem than you had before surgery. For a more thorough discussion of these issues study blepharoplasty in the archives of “ask dr seckel” and “whats new” at saveyourface.com.

Brooke Seckel
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/blepharoplasty-mythswhat-an-eyelid-lift-can-and-cannot-achieve-57514.html

A friend has a delightful needlepoint that observes, “A house is not a home without a cat.” As we enjoy the companionship of our cats, we should ask ourselves if our home is a safe haven for them. Even cats who spend most of their time indoors may be exposed to a number of potential hazards. Cleaning solutions such as disinfectants, drain cleaners, and detergents are among the many household chemicals which may prove toxic to a cat. They should be stored in tightly closed containers and secured cabinets where cats cannot reach them. Medicines should also be stored out of the reach of cats.

Sharp objects such as knives and forks, paper clips, carpet tacks, pins should be kept out of a cat’s reach. Children’s toys and small objects may attract a playful cat and become lodged in its mouth or swallowed. Although kittens are sometimes pictured with a ball of yarn, a playful kitten and yarn may add up to danger. If ingested, yarn as well as thread and twine could cause serious damage to the intestinal tract.

According to the National Safety Council, as many as 5,000 house fires a year can be attributed to cats as a result of their chewing electric cords. To help prevent this hazard, do your best to keep electric wiring out of the cat’s sight and reach. Exposed lamp cords and other wires should be kept as short as possible. If extension cords are used, mount them against a baseboard so they cannot be played with or chewed.

If you live in an apartment, your cat may be vulnerable to “the high-rise syndrome.” If the window screens are not securely fastened, a cat may fall from a window and suffer serious injuries. A cat should be in a carrier if it is allowed on an apartment balcony. Dogs are sometimes at risk on a high-rise balcony. A lively dog could squeeze through the bars and fall, leading to injury or even death.

Maintaining a “fresh air policy” in your home protects your cat as well as family members from being adversely affected by continued exposure to indoor air pollutants. Among common air pollutants are nitrogen dioxide from gas appliances, wood-burning stoves and unvented kerosene heaters.

Other health-threatening pollutants are radon, fumes from household products such as cleaning agents, pesticides, paints and varnishes, microbial and fungal agents found in air conditioners, air ducts, filters and humidifiers. Gas appliances should be properly functioning. Always use great care with kerosene heaters and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Gas stoves, and kerosene heaters or stoves should be vented to the outside of the house.

Smoke alarms, carbon dioxide monitors and regular maintenance of one’s furnace are all things we can do to improve the home environment for ourselves and our cats.

Cars should never be left running inside a garage. This can be lethal if the garage is ever used to house a cat.

According to the Center for Disease control, 74 percent of homes in the United States built prior to 1980 contain hazardous amounts of lead paint. Paint should be removed with extreme caution. Clean-up should be prompt and thorough.

Other items containing lead accessible to cats include lead base paint, linoleum, and caulking compounds. Cats either ingest or inhale lead. Its harmful effects may not show up until weeks later. Signs of lead poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, loss of appetite, loss of muscle coordination, blindness and seizures. Veterinary treatment is essential.

Outdoor dangers that are often kept in a garage or basement include windshield cleaners, weed killers, insecticides, used motor oil and antifreeze. Many cats are attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze containing the chemical ethylene glycol which is highly toxic to dogs and cats. If it is spilled on the ground or not properly stored, many cats lap it up. Make certain your cats are not in the vicinity when antifreeze is being drained.

Dispose of used material promptly. New anti-freeze products have been introduced that claim to be non-toxic to cats. However, I believe in the adage, “better safe than sorry.” Clean up any spilled product and safely store the remainder.

Tristan Andrews
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-cat-proof-your-home-93837.html

The saying goes, “The eyes are the window to the soul”. And if that holds true, are your eyes in need of a touch up or even a complete overhaul? Our facial expressions and body language convey to the world our true feelings and intentions. As we grow old, the twinkle we once possessed loses some of its glimmer and is muted by visible signs of aging around our eyes. Is is possible to regain the vibrant luster that our eyes once had? The answer to that question is…”Absolutely!”.

Let’s use an old house as an example. This aging home has magnificently, beautiful windows beckoning all visitors to take a closer look inside. But the rest of the house is in bad shape. The paint has faded and is severely weathered having cracks and chips. The wood framing around the windows is rotten. The mortar between the bricks has begun to deteriorate. This once magnificent home has fallen into distress from years of neglect.

If you haven’t guessed it already, this home represents the signs of aging on your face due to overexposure to the sun’s UV rays, poor diet, lack of exercise, and maybe even a smoking addiction. Just like a home can be renovated, you can tap into your body’s rejuvenative powers with a corrective eye cream treatment and little bit of direction.

As one ages, collagen production, a major contributor to healthy looking skin, decreases in the body. For women, this decrease in collagen production goes into free-fall during menopause. Preventing collagen loss and stimulating the production of new collagen is important in maintaining healthy looking skin. Here’s where a specially formulated corrective eye cream will prove beneficial.

As mentioned before, collagen synthesis is an essential building block in having radiantly, beautiful skin. Ascorbyl Palmitate, is a revolutionary compound created by joining Vitamin C, known for its antioxidant talents, and Palmitic Acid. Vitamin C plays a key role in stimulating your body’s production of new collagen. As your natural collagen production is sparked, it quickly brings back your skin’s softness, strength and elasticity.

Since stimulating collagen synthesis does not happen overnight, another breakthrough eye cream ingredient called Silicon Dioxide hides your fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet until your body can diminish their appearance on its own. The human eye cannot actually see a wrinkle. What the eye really detects is the shadow created by the wrinkle. Silicon dioxide comes in the form of billions of microscopic 3-D crystals that refract light resulting in the disappearance of the wrinkle.

In conclusion, the best eye cream treatments are going to at least have Silicon Dioxide and Ascorbyl Palmitate as active ingredients to fight off the signs of aging. Another anti aging ingredient that would be helpful is Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, or AH3 for short. AH3 is the latest, highly recognized alternative to Botox injections sweeping the skin care industry. There is a product that contains all 3 of the aforementioned “super” ingredients and its called LifeCell. LifeCell is an all-in-one anti wrinkle cream, firming cream, 24-hour moisturizer, age-spot reducer, corrective eye cream treatment, lip-plumper and make-up base!

Stephen Cauldry
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-best-eye-cream-for-the-money-302196.html

By understanding and responding the unique needs of your deaf cat, the two of you will develop a closer relationship and better communication skills. The sensitive pet owner can learn from watching how his or her pet reacts and adapts to its surroundings. It takes time, persistence, and patience for both owner and pet to know each other and learn to “speak” each other’s language.

Since there is no hearing to rely on, the remaining senses of the deaf cat are usually heightened. For example, a deaf pet may rely on vibration (touch), odors (smell), or lights (vision) for stimulation. My cat, Beau, a lovely and very rambunctious white Turkish Angora is profoundly deaf. He was a rescue from a shelter, and came to me at two years old, depressed and withdrawn due to his inability to connect to others. This beautiful cat sat under my coffee table for a month, forlorn and in his own little world, only coming out to eat, or use his cat box. In the following weeks, I watched his behavior and noticed that he responded when anyone walked on the hardwood floors around him. He could feel the vibrations in the floor and woke up whenever he felt movement.

To use the knowledge that he responded to vibration, I taught Beau to respond to my tapping on the floor, to come to dinner. He learned this quickly, along with quick, simple signs (wiggling my finger as to say “Come here”, for example). This was stimulating to him and his mood perked up with each new connection to his new family. He wanted to connect, and by giving him the ability to do this lifted his mood. In time, I used this combination of simple visual signs and floor tapping to teach him other basic commands ( such as “no”, “good kitty”, etc) as well.

Also, in observing him, I noticed that Beau sleeps very soundly but jumps through the roof if petted abruptly. Too much sudden touch stimulation is startling to him. So, to remedy this, I gently touch or tap whatever he is laying on, to let him know I am there and about to approach. This has cut down in the startle response tremendously.

Watching Beau in his everyday life, I also noticed that he enjoys fast moving lights and shadows. He will sit for hours, entertaining himself with any sudden movement on the walls. So, to give him a little play, using this knowledge, I bought a faceted, crystal ball sun catcher and hung it in the window. When sun hits it, rainbows fly everywhere. Being in Florida, there are always rainbows in my living room from this ball. Beau will spend the entire day chasing rainbows and will come sit next to me if there aren’t any. He looks toward the window, as if to ask if I’ll bring the rainbows back. This sun catcher is his only toy, as Beau doesn’t find normal cat toys the least bit entertaining. It is such an accomplishment for him to have something that truly makes him happy and excited.

Seeing how Beau reacts with happiness to touch, I have made a point to pet pet him frequently. If I walk by him, my hand reaches out to stroke him as I walk by. He melts like a furry, white blob of mush whenever touched, tail flapping happily. When he sees me get his brush out, he knows it is meant to use on him and sits expectantly, waiting for it. Something as small as a brush is a comfort to him, as if the brushing is like the grooming of his fur by his mother long ago.

Another way I use to connect to Beau is by holding him and talking into his fur so that he can feel the vibrations of my voice box. He purrs when I do this, delighted to know I am “talking” to him. When in college years ago, next door was a school for the deaf. I remember how hard of hearing or deaf people still liked to go to rock concerts. When I asked a friend of mine (who is partially deaf) why she liked concerts, she told me it was because she could feel the vibrations of the music. Her experience to music was different than that of mine, but still just as powerfully felt. So, I use this thought when it comes in talking into Beau’s fur as I hold him. He feels me talk and though it isn’t the same as word speaking, he finds the experience positive in his own way.

One puzzling behavior Beau regularly confounds me with is his midnight opera singing. This is my latest puzzle to figure out. Being deaf, he doesn’t realize that when he sings at the tops of his lungs, he wakes everyone up in the house. Sometimes he will sit in the big windows overlooking the lake, and sing loudly at the neighbors walking by. It is cute to see him try to communicate with others, but I am working to teach him ways to channel his singing talents without scaring anyone. By keeping him awake and stimulated all day, I found that Beau sleeps through the night, and that cuts down on the moonlight serenades. It’s all about adapting to eachother. We are still learning on this one.

Living with a deaf pet is a challenging yet very rewarding experience. Beau has added variety, love and much song to our lives. He is happy, loving and very good at letting me know what he needs now. We have developed a working system of communication, and as a result, he is by my side as I work in my home office, daily. He has taught me to be more sensitive and I have taught him to come out of hiding and enjoy life. With a little teamwork, we have both grown. I highly recommend adopting a deaf pet for anyone who is patient, caring and willing to put forth effort in understanding their new family member. Each pet is different, read about other deaf animals and learn. The result is a happy, well-adjusted cat who will give you endless love and devotion, and the peace of mind in knowing that you saved a pet from a life of total solitude. It is well worth the effort in the end.

Carolyn McFann
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/communicating-with-your-deaf-cat-126057.html