The Tak Team Blog

The rehearsal dinner is a time to bring your entire wedding party, your parents and your future in-laws together for a relaxing evening before the big day. Not only is in opportunity to thank them for all their support throughout the wedding planning process, but it’s also a great way to unwind. That said, it is often better to organize a low-key, casual dinner where guests can sit around in jeans and t-shirts than to plan something formal. If you decide to have a more casual affair, you may decide to order pizza, Subway or to organize a potluck. The objective is to keep things comfortable for the guests, to reduce costs and to make the affair as easy to organize as possible. You will have enough worries, so don’t try to make this a gala event.

Here are a few additional points you should consider when planning the rehearsal dinner:

Costs

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted and paid for by the groom’s parents. However, it is quite common for the couple to plan the shindig and cover the bill, so focus on bringing your closest friends and family together rather than throwing a huge party - i.e., be economical.

Time

When scheduling the date and time of the rehearsal dinner, keep in mind that the rehearsal dinner is held immediately after the wedding rehearsal. You should also know that the wedding rehearsal is about a half-hour long and is usually held the night before the wedding day.

Guests

Remember to invite everyone who was at the rehearsal, including the clergyman and significant others (e.g., boyfriends, girlfriends and spouses). Parents of any children in the wedding party should also be invited. Depending on budget constraints, you may also wish to extend an invitation to relatives who came from out-of-town to attend your wedding.

Now that we’ve covered the fundamental of the rehearsal dinner, it’s time for you to start planning. Use the http://www.groomgroove.com Rehearsal Dinner Checklist to make sure that you cover all your dinner planning tasks and stay on schedule. Enjoy, relax and have fun!

Nada Arnot is the owner and creator of http://www.groomgroove.com - the only online engagement and wedding guide for men. And if you are also an expectant father, then you’ll want to check out http://www.thefunkystork.com for male-oriented articles on pregnancy.

Green algae is a common swimming pool problem, which may appear as a greenish growth on the floor and walls of a swimming pool, a green tint to the pool water, or greenish material suspended in the pool water. The only swimming pool chemical that will kill an algae growth is chlorine based swimming pool “shock”. Shock is a granular form of highly concentrated chlorine, which quickly raises the chlorine level of the swimming pool water. The elevated chlorine level makes the pool water conditions unlivable for anything organic, and algae quickly dies.

Before adding a dose of chlorine pool shock, the pool walls and floor should be brushed to remove as much of the algae as possible. This will greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to kill and clear the algae bloom. The normal “maintenance” dosage of most swimming pool shock is 1 lb. per 10,000 gallons. This dosage should be increased to 1 lb. per 7,500 gallons, or you should follow the manufacturer’s dosage suggestion for killing algae. Chlorine pool shock needs to be dissolved in a large bucket of water before it is added to the swimming pool. Always add chemicals to water when dissolving. NEVER add water to chemicals. The swimming pool cannot be used until the algae is dead, and the chlorine level of the pool water has returned to the safe range of 1-3 ppm.

The pool filter system should be running when the chlorine pool shock is added, and the filter system should continue to run 24 hours a day until all signs of algae have completely left the pool. Monitor your pool filter system closely and thoroughly backwash or clean the filter each time the pressure rises 10 psi. above the normal operating pressure. The dead algae that your pool filter collects may quickly dirty the filter, and need to be cleaned out frequently. If the conditions of the swimming pool does not significantly improve after 12-24 hours of filtering, add a second dose of chlorine pool shock at the increased rate. Once the algae is dead it will turn a white or grayish color, and it will be suspended in the pool water or settle to the floor. When there is no longer any sign of the color green in your pool, thoroughly vacuum the swimming pool. The pool filter should be backwashed or cleaned to be sure that dead algae is not trapped inside the filter. If the filter is not thoroughly cleaned the algae may quickly return.

Test and balance all of the pool chemical levels using the guidelines below, and pay particular attention to the chlorine level of your swimming pool water in the future. Algae and harmful bacteria are almost immediately destroyed by a chlorine level of 1 ppm or higher. You have experienced an algae problem because you have not properly maintained the chlorine level of your swimming pool, and it was allowed to drop below 1 ppm. Test pool water frequently and make any necessary adjustments for a clean, safe and easy to maintain swimming pool.

• Free Chlorine: 1-3 ppm

• pH: 7.2 - 7.6
• Alkalinity: 80 - 120 ppm
• Calcium Hardness: 200 - 350 ppm

Please visit www.InTheSwim.com for a complete selection of algae treatment pool chemicals and quality pool supplies.

Are You Made To Run An Internet Business by: Michel Richer

Are You Made To Run An Internet Business

Many people would like to have their own internet business. They
like the idea of being their own boss. They like the idea to
work from their home office. They like the idea of making a
substancial income of around $10 000 + a month.

Does this sound tempting to you ?

If yes, it is important to ask yourself some though question
before thinking about running an internet business.

Do you really want to work from your home office ?

Many like the benefits of an internet business, but few take
into account the hard work that must be made to succeed with a
business. Please don’t make this mistake yourself.

Are you able and willing to invest time and effort even when you
don’t see direct result for maybe some months? Are you the type
to discipline yourself to work every day ? Are you willing to
learn and to follow training? Can you motivate yourself every
day for month and years to come ?

SELF DETERMINATION

You need to possess the ability to push yourself ahead. Your
drive and determination will be reinforced with every new sale.

To really succeed with your internet business you need to have
clear goals and a business plan. You need to know where your
business is going. You also need to put lot’s of time and effort
to excelerate your business growth.

Running an internet business demand a lot of skills like
computer knowledge of course. Marketing (copywriting,
advertising). Website design & development etc.

By learning and experimenting you will gain lot’s of experience.
When you have a lot’s of experience you become an expert in your
field, wich is a great thing for your business.

YOU ARE THE MASTER OF YOUR DESTINY NOW

Isn’t it great to be your own boss ? Working for yourself and
taking all the decision. You are the master now.

You have the drive, you have the determination. You have the
patience to see your business grow day by day, month after month.

Don’t wait for everything to be exactly right to start…THERE
WILL NEVER BE A “PERFECT” TIME! Start now, with whatever you
have. The things you need will come to you as you work toward
your goal.

If something bad happen, you have the humility to see what’s
wrong and learn from your error. You are the only one now
responsible for your self.

Treat your business as a serious, full-time business, and it
will become one.

IN CONCLUSION…

Think of your first six months primarily as a training period.
Don’t expect large earnings until after you’ve educated
yourself.

Even the most dynamic, highest-earning entrepreneurs in the
industry took MONTHS to begin seeing an income of any real
significance.

Don’t be a negative thinker and don’t let the negative attitudes
of others (even if they’re family members, friends, or peers)
influence you.

All the great men and women in history had to overcome the
naysayers who said it couldn’t be doneand then went out and did
it. Think for yourself!

As long as you think positive and focused on your business
target you’re on the right way to a rich life, which is directed
by you and it will lead you to tremendous success.

Copyright © Michel Richer

PERMISSIONS TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in its
entirety free of charge, electronically or in print, provided it
appears with the included copyright and author’s resource box
with live website link.

Courtesy of: http://hombyz.com

About The Author

Michel Richer is the Business Manager and Webmaster of
http://Hombyz.com

With over 10 years experience in home based internet business
and a SOLID REPUTATION in the industry. He is dedicated to
helping you SUCCEED on the Internet.

You can take a look at his website at: http://hombyz.com for
Your HOME BUSINESS SUCCESS !!!

My feelings for you, I cannot explain
Do I love you as a friend or as something else
My heart beats for you
But it also beats for someone else

I cannot define my feelings for you
I cannot tell if they are true
I do not know if they are right
Or if I should find another light

Should I love you or should I not?
Do I like you or do I not?
Were we born for each other?
Or were we born for some other?

About the Author: hi! i’m a high school student in de le salle zobel school. I enjoy writting poems and i would like to publish them… hopefully, someday, i would like to have a book containning all poems published… hope you like my poems

Source: www.isnare.com

Every year in the UK around 1,600 people die from mesothelioma, a terminal lung disease which is normally caused by contact with asbestos. Many of the people who have learnt the devastating news that they are suffering from an incurable condition, have made the decision to speak to a personal injury solicitor. A solicitor with expertise in this area of the law can help them to make a personal injury claim. Asbestos related illnesses, which people are suffering from today, could have been avoided if action was taken many years ago.

It is difficult to swallow the facts and figures surrounding asbestos use. Thousands of people are waking up to the fact that their professional lives as many as 30 or 40 years ago were in fact contributing to an early and painful death.

Asbestos was once hailed as a fantastic, revolutionary material and its fire resistant properties were ideal for use in the construction industries, in plumbing and ship building. Asbestos was installed in buildings throughout the world and many hundreds of thousands of men, women and children came into constant contact with it. Whilst it is not dangerous when lying untouched, it becomes deadly when its’ fibres are disturbed. People working in these industries are most at risk of contracting these diseases however; their families are also at risk of becoming ill at some point in the future. Barry Welch died at the age of 32 because he came into contact with asbestos dust when he was a child. His stepfather came home each night covered in the deadly fibres.

A large number of employers have now admitted liability for the suffering of their previous employees. Protection was not offered to many of the people who are now living with asbestosis, mesothelioma, emphysema, pleural plaques and lung cancer. It has been discovered that many employers continued to expose workers, even though they had become aware of the inherent risks.

Many people suffering from lung diseases as a result of their employers’ negligence have received injury compensation payouts as a result of their contact with a personal injury solicitor. Tracing previous employers and attributing liability is difficult, but people suffering because of another person’s action are legally entitled to make an injury claim for the suffering caused by their work accident.

Unfortunately, new legislation has recently been passed which may mean an end to large compensation payouts for families of asbestos disease sufferers. Britain’s highest court ruled that where a worker was exposed to asbestos dust by several employers, each was liable to pay only a proportionate share of compensation rather than the whole amount. Because many of the employers responsible for fatal asbestos exposure were operating as many as 40 years ago they may now no longer exist or cannot be traced.

Employers union the TUC is calling for the reversal of what it calls a cruel and unjust decision. Many people who may have received hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation may now only receive a fraction of this amount.

If you are suffering from an asbestos related illness then you may wish to discuss your options with a personal injury solicitor who has specialist knowledge of industrial diseases.

Don’t be looking for the Dupont Company sales rep the next time you visit a Plastic Surgeon’s office because, despite popular belief, there’s no “Plastic” in Plastic Surgery. The name is taken from the Greek word “plastikos” which means to “mold or shape.”

Initially plastic surgery procedures were limited to facial and body reconstruction caused by accidents, trauma, illness or birth defects. As people began to see the purely cosmetic possibilities, many surgeons expanded their services to include facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), breast augmentation and liposuction.

It’s important to know the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery, especially if you’re planning on having your insurance company foot the bill for your procedure.

Cosmetic surgery is performed solely to improve a person’s outward physical appearance and self-esteem by correcting naturally occuring conditions that the patient is unhappy with. Cosmetic surgery may be performed by either a Plastic Surgeon or a Cosmetic Surgeon. Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by health insurance.

Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct or reduce the effects of congenital defects, accidental trauma injury, infections, tumors, and other health-related conditions. It’s primary purpose is rarely to simply improve appearance except for extreme cases involving major facial or bodily damage resulting from automobile accidents, etc. Plastic Surgery may only be performed by a Plastic Surgeon.

In most cases insurance does pay for plastic surgery although there are some cases where your claim may be reduced or denied completely. That’s why it is always important to coordinate the planned procedure with your health insurance provider BEFORE you get the procedure.

Often times the difference between whether or not your insurance company will cover the bill is the REASON for the procedure. If, for example, you are having your nose reshaped because you’re unhappy with your profile — no deal. You’re on your own. However, get that same nose job because your doctor has diagnosed a chronic breathing problem that results in the potentially dangerous condition known as “Sleep Apnea” and you could end up with a new nose courtesy of your health insurance provider!

If you are planning to visit a Plastic Surgeon, keep the following items in mind:

Your plastic surgeon should be “Board Certified” by the American Board of Plastic Surgery;

If your doctor will be using anesthesia then make sure that only a licensed Anesthesiologist administers the medicine and make sure that the facility where the procedure is being performed is accredited by at least one of the following organizations:

American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities(AAAASF)

Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

Although making sure that all of these certifications are present is no guarantee of a trouble-free experience, NOT having these certifications means that both the doctor performing plastic surgery, as well as the people who run the facility, have a serious lack of regard for your health and well being! You should NEVER use an uncertified plastic surgeon or facility. The risk is simply not worth it.

Credit: Mike Jones of BodyFAQ.com, the health, body & beauty information site.
Click here for related information on Cosmetic Surgery:
http://www.bodyfaq.com/cosmetic-surgery.html

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 3, 2003

I need some advice, please! I’ve been married to the same man for 11 years. He’s a nice person when he’s not drinking. However that isn’t very often.

He drinks on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s four beers, sometimes it’s 12 or more. He drinks alone and then gets verbally abusive. He tells me I could never make it without him. I would have to live in a cardboard box. He calls me names, then tells me he loves me and will never let me leave.

He had a terrible childhood. He was adopted and his dad left his mom for another woman. He hasn’t gotten over his anger, but he won’t seek any type of help. He denies there is a problem. My husband saves most of the good stuff for me, but he’s verbally abusive to our two children as well.

I’ve been to Al-Anon and talked to counselors. I tried to draw him back into the family, but he keeps pushing us away. I feel it’s best to separate from him. Maybe the realization will make him take control. It’s sad when your children wake up in the morning and ask, “Is Dad in a better mood, or do we need to be careful?”

Esme

Esme, your kids are living in a crazy, unpredictable environment. Walking on eggshells is affecting their development, and it will damage their future.

Their emotions are cycling between fear, bewilderment, anger and embarrassment. Children raised in this environment often become people pleasers who judge themselves harshly and have a hard time following through on projects. They likely will have difficulty disclosing their feelings to others, and they likely will live with a constant feeling of dread.

You have no power to change your husband’s behavior. Only he can change it, and if he ever changes, he will do it for his own sake. Until he is tired of being controlled by anger and alcohol, he will not change.

At present he can be abusive and drunk and still maintain his home and family. He has no incentive to change. There are no consequences for continuing as he is, and there is no reason to assume a separation will make him take control. If he changes, it may be long after you leave.

Your highest duty is to your children. They have done nothing to deserve living in this kind of home. Your next duty is to yourself. You can’t live a normal life with this man. There is one more duty. That is the duty your husband owes to himself not to waste his chance at life. But that is a duty only he can fulfill.

Proceed with your decision to leave, and take steps to ensure your safety and that of your children.

Wayne

Sexual Histories

I’ve been dating a lady for about a week. We really click. A few days ago we were talking about personal problems, and she told me she had herpes.

I am in my 30s and have never met anyone with herpes. I was married for two years, but before I was married I was a virgin and very nave about sexual things. I don’t know if I should avoid sexual contact with her or just walk away.

Manny

Manny, you have a serious decision to make. Unless and until you see this lady as a life partner, avoid sexual contact. Otherwise, if things don’t work out, her situation could become your own.

We suggest sitting down with a physician or other health professional to discuss exactly what this can mean for your future. There is no reason to be embarrassed. Simply explain to them what you explained to us.

The reason to go to a medical source first is you will not only get an authoritative answer, but you will have laid the groundwork for future treatment if you decide to proceed.

Tamara

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.

It has always been a puzzle to me when an object, somewhat aged, can be termed an antique.

Must it be really very old- perhaps in excess of 100 years to be called an antique? Or just when can we call an object an antique?

After all, we very loosely use the term antique for any object that has lived past its popularity. A lady’s coach handbag that was in vogue in summer, is now called an antique in winter!

In the days of the British Empire where the British had their conquests in far away worlds and colonised many territories, they left behind many legacies of worth. British systems of government, british designs and most of all british products and goods which now can rightly be called antiques and their systems “antiquated” at this time. Thus when I discovered a really old looking lock with the logo of the maker stamped onto it and marked “Warranted Best English Made” and ” Warranted Secure” amongst some old belongings inherited from my deceased father who lived through the colonial period, I thought the lock must really be an antique.

So when is an antique really an antique?

The definition of antique varies from location to location, product to product and year to year.

In any case, universal common definitions of antiques adopted worldwide consider an item which is at least 75 years old and has unique features to enable it to be collected or kept as desirable due to it being rare, or useful is considered an antique.

Generally, cars are considered antiques in the U.S. if they are older than 25 years. In Kansas, however, I learnt that cars are eligible for an antique tag after 30 years. Guitars are only considered vintage if they were made before 1972.

In the UK anything over 75 years old generally qualifies as an antique. A car is known as a collectible “classic” rather than an antique after 25 years.

There is an understood line between antiques and collectibles in the United States as well. An item is tagged as an antique by most reliable commercial antique dealers if it is more than 100 years old, even though the universal common understanding is 75 years, and anything less than 100 years is called a collectible.

It is not always the antiques that carries a higher price tag. Collectibles can be worth many times that of an antique. It all depends on the eyes of the beholder.

Peter Lim is a Certified Financial Planner. For more interesting details about antiques, and how to buy and sell antiques and collectibles, visit his website on Antique Resources at http://antique-classics.revenuemonitor.biz.

We must never forget that the most powerful communication isn’t what you say, it’s what you do. What counts, in the final analysis, is not what people are told but what they accept. It is this concept of the role of communication in industry that characterizes effective leadership. - Frank E. Fischer

The majority of people who are considered excellent conversationalists will tell you that they spend far more time listening than speaking. They also ask questions of clarification, making sure they fully understand what is being said before contributing their own thoughts about the topic. This as you may know is easier said than done. It takes practice, practice and more practice.

Chances are when you are participating in a conversation you are listening from a defensive posture to interject you views at the expense of the other individual. Part of the reason for this is that we are emotionally bonded to our views. Believing in your views is a good thing except when the evidence suggests that they are not correct. Don’t be so possessive of your views that you will not change them in a heart beat when presented with contrary evidence.

The best way to ensure that you are listening completely is to imagine that your mind’s inner voice is a tape recorder. As the person speaks repeat everything that is said in your mind’s inner voice. This process helps you in a variety of ways: you are not going to interrupt the conversation prematurely because you are repeating what is said in your mind, you are increasing you understanding of the issue because you first hear it, then repeat it.

The next step is to ask questions of clarification or check for understanding. Once the question is asked start the process all over again. Continue this process until the other person has finished. Once you fully understand the other person’s position or point of view you can begin to present your view.

This process takes time however the long term benefits are that you will be considered a leader who is trustworthy, understanding, supportive and accepted by the people who you supervise and your supervisors. You will immediately distinguish yourself as a leader worthy of being followed.

There will be times, when it is not possible to have a two way conversation, to gather ideas, suggestions and options. One way communication should be reserved for emergencies, deadlines, directives and after you have considered all the views, options, and suggestions of your team to make the final decision.

The final outcome is to make far more good decisions than poor judgments. If things do go wrong, bring your team together to review how the poor outcome could have been avoided and prevent it from occurring next time. Some may call this process quality improvement and others call it an after action report. It doesn’t matter what you call it; the process is what is important.

Your success as a leader depends on how good a listener you are and the quality of your questions. You may think that as a leader you should control the conversation and wonder how that can be done when you are repeating everything that is said in your mind and asking clarification questions. Think of it this way when you ask an informed question based upon what you have heard and repeated aren’t you really determining the direction of the conversation?

Active listening, mentally repeating what is said and asking clarification questions is a win, win process for everyone involved.

Kenneth E. Strong, Jr., MS, is co-founder 0f http://www.greateststrategies.com a web based community devoted to educating, supporting and developing life-long learners.

Mr. Strong has been a Health Care executive for 30 years. Mr. Strong received a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Providence College and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Salve Regina College He has had articles published by the American Geriatric Society and has spoken on a variety of topics for the American College of Health Care Administrators and the New England Not-for-Profit Providers Conferences. Mr. Strong has also served as Adjunct Professor at Stonehill College. He is also an evaluator for the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission and a certified Retirement Housing Professional. He is certified by Walden University as an online instructor and certified by Langevin Learning Services as an Instructional Designer/Developer and Master trainer.

Sarah is a 28 y/o accountant who had a traumatic past that she
kept to herself. At age 15, she was grabbed by a masked man
while she was jogging in a park. The man threatened to kill her
with a knife and brutally raped her. She screamed but nobody
seemed to have heard her.

Since that time, Sarah has developed nightmares about being
raped or killed. In most days, she has suffered from flashbacks
of her being attacked. Each time she watches TV shows that
remind her of the incident, she gets scared, overwhelmed, and
becomes agitated. At times, she develops anxiety attacks,
palpitations, sweating, and restlessness.

Since the attack, Sarah can hardly trust people. As a result,
her relationships have profoundly suffered. More recently, she’s
been depressed and feeling hopeless. She hasn’t been sleeping
and eating well. Her inattention has negatively impacted her
work.

Based on the above symptoms, Sarah is most likely suffering from
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). What exactly is PTSD?

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder characterized by avoidance,
hypervigilance, emotional difficulties, and recall behavior such
as flashbacks and nightmares after a traumatic event such as
rape, war, vehicular accident, or natural disasters. Recent
researches have shown that after a trauma, biochemical changes
develop in the brain that can result in psychological signs as
shown above.

If untreated, some individuals develop emotional difficulties
such as depression associated with inability to concentrate,
sleep, and eat. Occasionally, they also become hopeless to the
point that they want to die.

What is the treatment for PTSD?

The combination of individual psychotherapy and medications is
known to help. Antidepressants especially SSRIs have been tried
with some success. Other medications have been helpful to
address the associated symptoms. Anxiety and agitation can be
treated with benzodiazepines. The latter should be restricted to
short-term use because of their addiction potential. Insomnia
can be treated by a small dose of Trazodone.

Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” is an important part of
treatment and recovery. The individual should be able to express
the fear, the frustration, the guilt, and the blame in a secure
and safe setting. Moreover, the therapist should provide ample
support and empathy.