Mortgage Marketing: Getting Those Closed Doors to Open With Real Estate Agents

Having trouble getting in to see real estate agents? You may find yourself hardly getting past your introductions before you are tuned out and it is almost impossible to change their minds long enough to give you a chance.

There is a way to overcome that invisible wall that comes up between you and the agent. It is a simple method refer to as focus on receptivity.

Basically, you need to focus on people that are receptive to you and your business. That person could be another agent in the office, a broker, the office manager, or even a receptionist. But the challenge is finding someone that is receptive.

Many industries have tried methods to build receptive connections, one great example is the headhunting business. Headhunters have it down to a science. Imagine getting a call from a headhunter. They immediately launch into their pitch about a great position with a six figure salary and complete medical and dental benefits with a company car included. Then before you can respond, they ask you if you know of anyone that might be interested in the job.

They have certainly got your attention, and they have taken the pressure off of you by giving you the out. Of course, by this time, you do not want to pass on this great opportunity.

You can use the same technique with your mortgage business. Start off with something like this:

Hi Steve, my name is Jeff and I have something important that I hope you can help me with. I am looking for a agent who is trying to find a lender that consistently produces referrals, helps double traffic to open houses, offers marketing assistance and always closes loans on time. Do you know of a agent in your office, or even have a contact from another office, that might be interested?

When you use an approach similar to this, you avoid creating a confrontation issue, instead it seems merely conversational. You are asking for their assistance or input, which is far less threatening, and makes them much more receptive.

Ultimately, you will get either get a referral for another agent, or the agent will jump in and ask for your assistance. There are other options for finding receptive people.

Find A Sponsor

Another option for establishing receptive relationships is to seek a sponsor. When you have a sponsor in the office, that person is far more likely to introduce you to others in the office and those people are far more likely to listen to you.

Do not overlook the support staff in the office. A receptionist can be your best friend. They know exactly what is going on in the office. Develop a friendship with the receptionist based on respect and genuine admiration and they will be an important asset.

The receptionist in most real estate firms watches a lot of high profit business go by, while they are on the low end of the totem pole. They can be very appreciative of attention, praise, and even occasionally small gifts. Do not push the friendship, let it unfold and they will be more than happy to support your efforts by giving you the names of the agents, along with their cell phone numbers and emails.

Give a Peace Offering

Whether it is a receptionist or an agent most people respond to a gift and consider it a peace offering. There are lots of little gifts that are inexpensive, while still being of value and putting a visual reminder of you and your business in an office space. One example is a small motivational book (these can be small enough to fit in a jacket pocket and only cost a couple dollars each), informational articles on marketing and real estate, and desktop items such as pens, paperweight, etc.

When you invest in creating receptive people, you earn interest that can yield big rewards for your business in the future.

Jeff Nelson helps loan officers increase loan originations by attracting quality relationships with real estate agents from the development of customized relationship-building strategies.

Click here to get a free copy of the Marketing Planning Guide, a 20-page workbook designed to help you outline a strategy to become an Agent Magnet.

Visit us at http://www.loan-officer-marketing.com

7 Tips for Decorating Your Child's Room

7 Tips for Decorating Your Child's Room
By Liz Hekimian-Williams

If you're not sure where to start or how best to tackle updating your child's bedroom, you're not alone. In a lot of families, the baby nursery takes a lot of planning and decorating time but there's often less thought and energy put into decorating the same child's room as they grow older.

It's common for baby toys and furniture like diaper disposals, rattles, pull toys and cribs to get removed, but other things often seem to stay around for quite a bit longer than the growing child might wish. For instance a wall paper border with prints more suitable for your baby or younger child's room, may not be as enjoyed by your now older child (or teen?!).

Here are a few tips to help you get started with decorating your child's room. The best part about this is that your child can help you do it this time around, unlike when they were yet to be born or an infant. So this can be a fun project you can do together!

1. Select a new color to paint the walls, a color that your child likes.
If you have a strong objection to it, though, negotiate with perhaps a lighter version of that color, or limiting their color choice to only one wall. (Or, encourage them to put up some nice posters and wall hangings to lessen their color's impact!)

2. Mood lighting! Kids of all ages enjoy mood lighting of one sort or another. Together, select either a night light, a small novelty lamp
with a low wattage bulb, or an interesting colored or black light
bulb lamp. Other lighting effects kids enjoy include disco lights, statues or flowers with light effects, and glow in the dark items.

3. Bedspreads. Get rid of baby blankets and exchange for favorite cartoon throws or bed covers. When they're teenagers, they might enjoy more sports or frilly, or even more adult taste bed
coverings.

4. Personalize something for their bureaus or their walls, with their
names and/or photographs. Photos can be made into a collage. Engraved names in stones or personalized acrostic poem name prints are fun kid's room additions. Acrostic poem name prints
make great keepsakes and can be updated every few years. They use the letters of your child's name to start off self-esteem enhancing phrases that tell about your child's unique traits, interests and characteristics at that stage of their life.

5. Create a comfort zone area in the room, for cuddling up cozy and reading. Think about using big pillows, plush or inflatable chairs, anything your child might enjoy to sit on and relaxing in. You'll also want to conveniently have some books placed within their arm's
reach. You might also want to place some music equipment by that area for them to enjoy. And if there's room, try to add an additional seating space for you to enjoy with them, reading or
listening to music with your child, or simply chatting together. If you have a teenager, they'll likely want to have another seating space for you or their friends to use.

6. Together with your child, agree upon a wall paper border that you can use to decorate their room with. This idea can be in addition to or used instead of painting their room. Adding or changing a wall paper border can be a very simple and quick way to change the look
and feel of your child's room.

7. And... here's an interesting idea my daughter suggested when I asked her for suggestions about decorating a child's room ... ( I simply had to share this intriguing idea with you!) She said, ell them to get an extra thick room door so you don't hear your kids fighting!

Can you tell that she shares her room with her sister and something about the noise level in their room at times?!

Hmmm... maybe she's got a good idea there after all!

2003 by Elizabeth Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings

Liz Hekimian-Williams is owner of Giftsprings.com, an online gifts and home decor shop where you can find many home decorating novelties including night lights, low watt novelty lamps and personalized acrostic name poem prints. http://www.Giftsprings.com

GOSSAMER WINGSCarol Dorman

Hello, my baby. What dreams you hold in the palm of your tiny
hand. What destinies. As time begins your preparation for life
you silently grow. Already there is love between us. A love,
incomprehensible to those who have not known it and so I will not
speak of it too often.

So many challenges await you. The terrifying journey from secure
womb to cold, loud Earth will be softened by warm milk from my
breast. And time will continue to prepare you.

We will rejoice at your first smile, your first step, your first
word. A world of firsts for you, my precious one. Explore,
discover and dont forget to dream. Big dreams! Follow them and
you will grow so tall. Where will they take you, my baby? Will
you ride horses? Will you sing songs? Perhaps the sea will beckon
you, perhaps the sky. Perhaps the heavens! Wherever you go,
little one; always remember your heart. Your dreams will be
nothing without it.

The apple trees are laden with fruit, sweet and ripe. By the time
you arrive, they will be all gone. The orchard is steadfast,
however. Each year it produces - we are never in want. Like it,
your home will be steadfast and strong. You will feel safe here
and secure. There will be storms, as there are in the orchard but
they will pass and the sunshine of your familys love will warm
you once more. Time will take you by the hand and continue to
prepare you.

I walked by the sea yesterday. Angry waves lashed rugged rocks,
punishing them for blocking their path to dry land. As the salty
spray spritzed my face I heard a menacing challenge. Come with
us! Dare to be immortal! But the rocks stood fast and so did I.
In that moment of terrifying exuberance I have never felt more
alive.

You also will see and feel wondrous things. You will grow towards
these experiences as a flower grows towards the sun. Each one
will enrich and teach you. You will also know heartache. Loss and
sorrow which I will strive to ease but cannot. When such things
happen, my darling baby do not cocoon, thus shutting out the
world. Rather, let those who love you cry with you and share your
pain.

Healing will come, gently on wings of gossamer.

These feelings I express will eventually be familiar to you. You
will become a parent yourself and know and cherish and coo.
Goodnight, my sweet one.

Goodbye, my baby. What dreams you held in the palm of your tiny
hand. What destinies. As time began your preparation for life you
silently died. Already there was love between us. Now, unbearable
sorrow. There will be no journey from womb to Earth. It was the
heavens that beckoned you. Fly away, my precious, fly away.

On gossamer wings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carol Dorman is a WAHM from Sydney, Australia and publisher of
Nurture the Nurturers ezine - he ezine for every woman,
everywhere To subscribe mailto:5016-subscribe@zinester.com
To request her FREE report titled: EARN $$ WHILE PROTECTING YOUR
FAMILY mailto:bewell@freeautobot.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

None

Opportunity Cost and Your Long Term Care Decision

If you are out shopping for long term care (commonly abbreviated as LTCI or LTC), I'm going to encourage you to take a look at a way of providing long term care benefits that is probably new to you. On the other hand, if you are in the crowd that thinks they will never need long term care, I would also suggest you evaluate this line of thinking.

Dick and Jane are both age 65, recently retired and models of good health. They have ignored the long term care subject until recently. They just put Jane's mother, who is 88, into a nursing home. Talk about sticker shock! She is in a nice place, but Dick and Jane are not 100% certain that her assets will allow her to stay there for the rest of her life.

Consequently, they have been out looking at long term care for themselves. They figure they can afford to insure a portion of what it might cost them if they ever need some form of LTCI, so they are looking at a benefit of $3,000 a month. The premium is around $4,200 a year.

Here's a new concept that Dick and Jane must become accustomed to now that they are retired. They both had good jobs during their working years. If they ever wanted to buy anything, it was just a question of looking at their income to see if they could swing the purchase. Pretty straightforward.

Now that they are retired, most of their expenditures are going to come from investment returns on the assets they have accumulated, not income from working. So they need to understand the difference between premium cost and opportunity cost. Here's what I mean?

If they elect to buy this $4,200 a year long term care policy, the money has to come from somewhere. Chances are it's coming from the interest earned on perhaps a CD or an annuity. But there is an opportunity cost associated with paying the premiums from earnings on any asset.

Let's say they are going to pay this $4,200 from the interest on a CD they own which is earning 5.4% interest. Since interest is taxable, and assuming they are in a 15% tax bracket, they would have to have $91,300 in that CD to produce $4,200 after tax to pay the premium.

They can't spend the $91,300. It can't grow. Basically, they have committed $91,300 of their assets to pay the premium on their LTC policy. That's the one job of this $91,300. The premium may only be $4,200 a year, but the opportunity cost is $91,300.

Let's take a look at another of their alternatives. It's called asset based long term care. How it works will unfold as I provide the example and contrast below.

One approach to asset based long term care involves re-positioning $91,300 of Dick and Jane's CD to a combination long term care/life insurance policy plan with an insurance company. Here's what moving this money does for them?

The money on deposit with the insurance company grows at interest, but it is tax-deferred interest so the insurance company will not send them 1099s every year for an amount they have to pay tax on like the bank is required to do. In 10 years, assuming current rates, the $91,300 will grow to $127,000; in 20 years $161,000. The CD, remember, does not grow, as its job is to spin off interest to pay the annual $4,200 premium on the traditional LTCI plan.

If either Dick or Jane needs any form of long term care, the insurance company plan will pay them $3,900 a month for 50 months--$900 a month more than the traditional plan.

But here's the real kicker.

If Dick and Jane never need long term care, then the camp that doesn't buy it would have been right. If Dick and Jane bought the traditional long term care plan, in 10 years they would have paid out $42,000 in premiums and about $7,400 in taxes on their CD interest in order to net out the required premium. That's a total of $49,700. The $91,300 portion of their CD would still be $91,300.

However, if Dick and Jane never need long term care, chose the asset based long term care plan and both die, for example in 10 years, the outcome is different. They have paid no annual premiums and the life insurance company will pay about $198,000 tax free to their kids.

Which sounds like a better plan?

Robert D. Cavanaugh, CLU is a 36-year financial and estate planning veteran and author of the free newsletter, The Estate Preservation Advisor. For cutting-edge, easy-to-understand financial planning resources and techniques to increase your income, reduce taxes and preserve your estate, go to http://theestatepreservationadvisor.com/freevideo.htm

Southwest Florida Real Estate Trends

In a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), owners of second homes revealed a number of interesting facts, to which many Naples, Bonita Springs, and Marco Island property owners can relate.

The NAR found out that over 20% of these homeowners who own for vacation purposes own more than one vacation home. Obviously, personal use was the primary reason for most vacation home buyers (only 25% rent at all), but having a home for retirement was a factor for almost one-in-five of these homeowners. When asked what factors influenced their choice of location, two-thirds wanted to be close to an ocean, lake or river; being near to recreational activities was important to 39% of the respondants (especially the beach, boating, fishing and golf); and 38% desired to be near a resort or vacation area. Almost two-thirds of these owners also thought that their property was a better use of their money than the stock market. This should give you a better understanding of why Southwest Florida real estate is the perfect investment opportunity.

With the euro presently being worth a lot more than the dollar, Southwest Florida real estate continues to be a very attractive investment. And international travelers are coming to the area through Southwest Florida International Airport. According to officials, the number of travelers from other countries passing through the facility has increased over 16% over last year. These statistics are based only on flights directly from Canada and Europe that landed at the airport.

If you are waiting for home prices in Southwest Florida to drop before making your purchase? The wait may not be worth it in the long run, especially if you are financing your purchase. The recent trends in interest rates, and the number of the times the Fed has raised the prime over the past two years has been widely published. And with any inflationary pressures, this trend may continue. By waiting, your financing for any Bonita Springs or Naples real estate cost will most likely increase, and over the long run be more costly than a small decrease in purchase price. Investing in Southwest Florida real estate is an excellent opportunity at the present time, with historically good interest rates and an excellent inventory. Don?t forget we always have the underlying drivers: the weather, the beaches, the activities, and the lifestyle.

And for the first time in history, property values in Collier County exceeded $100 billion, according to preliminary estimates for 2005. These estimates were released by the Collier County Property Appraisers Office, and also showed the county's taxable value to be roughly $77 billion. This is a 25% increase of the tax base over 2004, as well as a potential corresponding increase in county revenue. The difference between property value and the tax base is primarily due to the homestead exemption and Save Our Home, which caps property assessment increases at 3% per year for full time residents on their Bonita Springs or Naples real estate.

We have always believed that Naples and all of Collier County was a great place to live. Now the American Lung Association agrees! In their latest State of the Air report, Collier County got straight As, meaning we have some of the cleanest air in the entire country. This report is based on air quality indicators against outdoor polluntants, including ozone, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This outstanding air quality makes living, working and playing in Southwest Florida just that much more enjoyable and healthy.

Another nice fact about our area is that there has been job growth in the high-tech industry, and the state of Florida is one of the leaders. With a net increase of 6,700 new jobs, the Sunshine State was the second fastest-growing state in the country, trailing only Virginia. This is more good news for the real estate market, as traditionally job growth leads to increased home sales.

We encourage you to continue to monitor the Southwest Florida real estate trends and when you're ready, to invest in a beautiful piece of paradise here.

Chris and Dick Dovorany
http://www.chrisanddick.com
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Inc.
4851 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 100
Naples, Florida 34103
Office: 239-293-1969
Fax: 239 263-0352

Shopping For A Used Car

When you're buying a used car, you're faced with a lot of decisions. You may not get what you pay for, and it's important to ensure that a car is in proper working order before you purchase it. In this article, we'll discuss some of the things that you should consider before you go ahead with a purchase of a used vehicle.

- Once you know the type of car that you are considering purchasing, check out what it's worth is with Kelley Blue Book. It is located online at http://www.kbb.org and it provides a basic idea of what any make and model of car is worth when it comes to purchasing new or used. Once you've got a basic idea of what the car's value is, it's important to properly inspect the vehicle you're considering.

- Consider the other costs associated with purchasing the car. If it's a sportscar, you may find yourself paying a premium when it comes to insurance. Check out how much it would cost to finance and insure the vehicle before jumping in to a purchasing decision.

- When it comes to inspecting the vehicle, you may want to purchased a used car history report. Available from such sites as www.carfax.com, these reports list in detail any work that has been done on the car. That can mean the difference when it comes to buying a new car, since any problems should be apparent through the report.

- When you are test driving the car, you should subject it to various tests. Be sure to check the brakes in both low and high-intensity braking situations, to ensure that they will hold up if an accident were to occur. Also, you should note how the car steers and the alignment. Check the undercarriage of the vehicle, as well as the engine and the body for any amount of rust. Be sure that the levels of fluids in the car are up to par, and check the engine for any troublesome smoke or odors after you test drive the car.

- If you decide that the car that you're considering is right for you, you may want to take it into a mechanic for a basic inspection. They can diagnose any problems that the vehicle may have that are not altogether obvious, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.
About the Author

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including
Shopping, Pets, and
Outdoors

Choosing The Right Paint Sprayers For The Job

Paint sprayers make the job easier and faster!

Pity our pioneer forefathers, who had to paint barns and houses the labor-intensive old-fashioned way. Nowadays we have paint sprayers to do the big jobs for us. Paint sprayers make painting a large surface much easier and faster than with a brush or even a roller. What's more, paint sprayers are less tiring and actually do a better job than brushes, giving a smoother finish than you could get doing it by hand.

As with any other home-improvement project, your first step is to get the right tools for the job you're doing. Paint sprayers differ in their functions and specialties, so you must first match up the equipment with the project.

For staining or waterproofing jobs, you'll want an airless sprayer. For paint jobs, your options vary.

An airless spray paint roller functions the same as a traditional paint roller, with the advantage of not having to keep refilling your tray. Use it for jobs that would normally require a paint roller.

A diaphragm paint sprayer can work with a five-gallon bucket of paint. It should be used for very large jobs, then, such as exterior walls or entire rooms.

For more ordinary jobs such as single walls or small rooms, a high-volume low-pressure sprayer is probably your best bet. They are sold in the usual home-improvement do-it-yourself centers. Being low-pressure is good because it helps prevent paint splashes.

Before buying a paint sprayer, know the type of job you'll be using it for. Ask the salesperson for advice on buying the right equipment. Consider also whether you'll be doing enough paint work to justify buying a sprayer. The old-fashioned way is a good physical workout and is much cheaper. But if the job is big enough to warrant extra equipment, you'll find a sprayer an incredible saver or time and energy.

About the Author:

www.paintsprayerworld.com is a website packed with information on airless paint sprayers
and graco paint sprayers

Finding Maternity Swimwear By Your Body Type

 



Finding Maternity Swimwear By Your Body TypeSubmitted By: Amy Jarman  

T here are many cuts and styles in maternity swimsuits today which can be overwhelming to a first time maternity clothes shopper. Fortunately with the range of styles today, you can find the ideal suit for your pregnancy body. As with any swimsuit, the most important factor is fit. The following is a basic guide for some suits to consider if you are looking for specific features:

Exercise Swimsuit

If you are looking for a maternity swimsuit to swim laps in the pool and to function like a sports swimsuit, one pieces are always your best bet. The Maternal America Empire Tank is a great choice for maternity sport swimsuit. This suit has all the features you need for serious lap swimming in addition to excellent bust support. If you are looking for more of a fashion suit that you can also wear for swimming, the Maternal America 1 Piece Keyhole swimsuit is a good choice. This suit comes in a beautiful turquoise pattern as well as black and brown solids.

Hip Coverage

If hip coverage is a top priority for you in a swimsuit, there are a number of styles to consider. The BabyDoll style gives maximum hip and bottom coverage while also allowing plenty of room for an expanding tummy. Prego Maternity has both the Tank and Halter BabyDoll styles to choose from which come with over the belly bottoms so there is no chance of a tummy peeking through on land or sea. The Strapless Mini is another good choice for hip and tummy coverage while providing a more form fitting body and allowing a little more skin exposure across the shoulders. Prego?s Strapless Mini comes with under the belly bottoms and a detachable halter string for swimming.

Bust Support with Style

Bust support is often an important feature in a swimsuit for expecting women who have found they are suddenly much larger on top. Generally, a tank style strap will give better support than most halter styles. The Prego Ring-Kini style is perfect for accommodating larger busted women and providing more support with wide adjustable straps. If you have a preference for Halter Styles, look for one that has a higher back as well as higher coverage across the bust. The deep cleavage halter styles provides less support. Prego?s Sweet Heart Halter style suit has cinching across the bust and fits higher in the back to provide maximum bust support for a halter.

Show a Little Belly

If you are not quite ready to bare all in bikini but would like to show a little belly, the Tankini and Halterkini styles are a good choice. Maternal America has a 2 Piece Flutter Halterkini that is slightly see through with mesh material across the belly along with a side tie bikini bottom. This flirty style also has a convertible halter tie if you want to go strapless as well. Prego?s Dot Tie Halter, Halterkini and Tankini styles all have bellow the belly bottoms which allow a little belly to peek out, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Show a lot of Belly:

The good old fashion bikini is your best choice for maximum skin exposure. Today?s maternity bikini by top maternity brands is expertly engineered to fit your pregnant body with comfort and style. BellaBumBum makes a fabulous maternity bikini with vibrant patterned stripes and superior fit. Prego Maternity also makes a beautiful classic maternity bikini with a oval cinch design in the halter top and under the belly bottoms. Maternity bikinis are usually made with more stretch to hug your curves and stretch where you need it.

Cover up

While any swimsuit is going to show a bit of skin, if you don?t want to draw attention to your growing belly at the pool or beach then invest in a light tunic cover-up. Maternal America has several styles in beautiful swimsuit cover-ups that come in white or black. These cover-ups can also be worn casually with jeans, capris or shorts.

So don?t let pregnancy keep you away from the pool or beach this summer. Find the perfect maternity swimwear that compliments your body type and have fun in the sun!

About the Author:

Amy Jarman is owner of nursing and maternity clothes store TummyStyle.com selling maternity swimwear and maternity swimsuits by Prego Maternity, Maternal America, and Belabumbum.

Article Tags: halter, maternity, styles

Definitions for Promotional Products Promotional Items Corporate Gifts and Promotional Gifts

Most people have heard and even used the terms ?Promotional Products? and ?Promotional Items?, but what is the difference? How about the difference between ?Promotional Gifts?, and ?Corporate Gifts??

Recently, the folks at InkHead Promotional Products have put forth their efforts to define the distinctions among these four important terms.? InkHead is an online Promotional Product distributor.? InkHead Promotional Products was launched in 2003 and was voted the second fastest growing distributor in the advertising specialties industry for 2007.? Their intention is to help customers to have a clear understanding and the knowledge necessary to make a best informed decision when planning their promotional marketing campaigns.

Promotional Products are defined as:imprinted products that are used to promote and/or brand businesses and special events while at the same time are functional and usable by their recipients. Some examples of Promotional Products are: pens, pencils, flashlights, USB drives, visor clips, rulers, and insulated bags. Promotional Products are given away and used by your company. No matter what you are trying to promote, you'll spread the word effectively with Promotional Products from InkHead. Browse InkHead?s online catalog today, or request a print catalog of the featured promotional products!

Promotional Items are defined as:imprinted items, often non-functional, used purely to promote and/or brand businesses and/or special events such as parties, weddings, reunions, sporting events, and more. Some examples of Promotional Items are:signs, magnets, spirit flags, stress balls, key chains, and lanyards. To compare,where Promotional Products have a clear use that is simply accompanied by a business logo, Promotional Items are meant to be seen as an advertisement. Signs and flags are the best examples of Promotional Items and are important for all organizations: corporations, small businesses, schools, not-for-profit organizations, sports teams, and charities.

Corporate Gifts are defined as:high quality imprinted or engraved gifts used to show employee appreciation or achievement while promoting and/or branding a business or event. Some examples: executive pens, laptop bags, golf items, briefcases, and wine and bar gift sets.Corporate Gifts are generally not related to the type of business giving the gift, they are simply elegant gifts meant to show appreciation or thanks to outstanding employees, faithful patrons, or prospective clients. They are usually customized with business logos as a way to gain brand recognition. When choosing Corporate Gifts to customize, try to cater to the individual and remember that everywhere your gift recipient goes, so will your logo. You will get exposure, so choose wisely!

Finally, Promotional Gifts are defined as: medium to high quality customer appreciation gifts used to promote businesses and/or special events. Some examples are:

day planners, portfolios, hats, golf shirts, backpacks, poker chips, and coffee mugs.If you?ve ever been to a trade show, you have probably received Promotional Gifts from participating businesses. They usually are not products that are particularly related to the industry, but are keepsakes that will keep the name of your business on their minds.

For more information on Promotional Products, Promotional Items, Promotional Gifts, and Corporate Gifts, click on link text to visit InkHead.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. M. Leander - Senior Editor - Prime Interactive, Inc.

http://www.PrimeInteractive.com

Bridesmaid Dresses Visited

When a woman has the honor of being asked to be an attendant at a wedding, probably the first thing that pops into her head is the bridesmaid dresses. There are a whole bunch of horror stories about nasty looking dresses that were chosen as bridesmaid dresses. I have seen tons of awful looking gowns, the ones from the 80s seem to be especially hideous. There are still plenty of fine looking bridesmaid dresses out there, so be warned bridal attendants.

I had the honor of paying the maid of honor for my best friend?s wedding and we recently checked out a bridal store to try on our gowns. The bride chose a few bridal gowns and she chose a few bridesmaid dresses in advance. It's always a smart thing to do when you can take care of everything in advance because you never know it's going to come up that it's really great to have time to adjust for those surprises.

I tried on three bridesmaid dresses and I was relieved and impressed with the bride?s excellent fashion sense. When she told me that she wanted the bridesmaids to wear pink, strapless gowns, my heart may have stopped. I imagined a shocking pink flamingo look, form-fitting dress, that would point out every single flaw on my frame - yuck. We'll actually found or three lovely bridesmaid dresses that were complementary to any type of figure and you can't beat that.

The tough thing was actually willing down my choices to just one. The bride and I agreed which bridesmaid dress looked the best on the Internet, but we were pleasantly surprised to see that her number two choice, we liked even better. When I tried it on it felt comfortable and I felt at ease with that particular bridesmaid dress.

The bridesmaid dresses or a whitish-pink, and though they are strapless, not my favorite choice, the bride decided to incorporate short jackets as an accessory for those of us who prefer not to attend church looking like Madonna. The jacket is clean and elegant, just as the lovely pink gown was. I think that I will be very happy with the bride?s choice.

This choice was really a no-brainer for the bride and I was relieved that I only had to try on three bridesmaid dresses. You won't believe this but sometimes I have tried and dozens of dresses for a single wedding. I actually think that she knew which one I preferred and chose that one. I tried to keep my opinion to myself until after she made her choice. It was after all her wedding and her decision and I didn?t want to influence her in any way just to please me. She may have regretted being swayed and it's really not worth doing that. Fortunately for both of us she chose a great gown.

I saw many other gowns that were nothing short of horrendous. There were bridesmaid dresses that ballooned at the bottom like something out of Cinderella. There were bright orange dresses that made us look like the great pumpkin. I actually saw a gown, and I'm not making this up, that was strikingly similar to a ballerina?s tutu and I thanked the stars above that the bride in the wedding I?m attending or smart enough not to go for a number like this. Although the final decision has back treatment may get and she hasn't ordered the bridesmaid dresses yet so you never know...

About the Author:

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding wedding. You can get interesting and informative information here at http://www.weddingsparks.com/weddings/weddings/bridesmaid-dresses.html

Community First House Second!

Moving can be a stressful time, especially when individuals are being relocated due to employment and not necessarily by choice. Families are often overwhelmed with the sudden move, and anxious about buying the right house.

In my experience, much of the stress and anxiety can be eliminated if buyers will follow one simple rule. Choose the community first! Too many times, buyers are focused on the brick and mortar house in which to move. They are often overwhelmed with the numbers of homes from which they must choose, and often choose quickly! While selecting a house that falls within your needs is extremely important, I believe it should take back seat to finding the best community first. If you buy your dream home that is located in the wrong end of town to fit your lifestyle, you may feel that your dream has become a nightmare quickly!

?MAKE A LIST

When thinking about the community, make a list that has your ?must have? and ?wants? regarding your lifestyle written on a list. What activities are you, or your family, currently involved in that you absolutely must continue after the move. If soccer is important to your children, then by all means make sure the community you select supports soccer and has adequate facilities. Swimming, piano, golf, dirt bike riding, running; whatever it is that is your passion and hobby, make sure it is not only available in the community you select, but is also convenient to the home in which you will be living.

?NARROW DOWN BY CITY AND AREA

Once you have a community or city selected, you need to start thinking about which end of town within the selected community you wish to live. Again, be sure to estimate commute time to and from work, practices, etc. Does one end of town have more of the grocery stores that you like? Do you want to be close to the interstate or far away? This will help you decide North, South, East, or West.

?DOUBLE CHECK

Sit down and think about your list in great details. Make sure there is nothing that you need to change. One you make the selection, and commit to purchasing a home in a specific area, you are finally ready to get started.

?FIND YOUR HOME

With your list in hand, research the communities and areas in which you want to live. You should be able to narrow down rather quickly if you want to live North, South, East, or West. Your lifestyle should also point you in the right direction for the city that will suit you best.

?NO PERFECT HOUSE

Now that you know where you want to live, it is time to start looking for homes. Don?t be tempted to look at homes that are not in the area! You?ve got a plan on where you need to live in order to have a successful move! Keep in mind that there are no ?perfect houses? but you can create a perfect home with a little thought and preplanning.

?WORK WITH A REALTOR

Last but not least, make sure you have a relationship with an honest and trustworthy Realtor who will assist you in your move. A Realtor can make a huge difference on how you feel about your real estate transaction. It should be your Realtor's job to make your home buying experience a pleasurable one. After all, using a Realtor is typically FREE for the buyer since the seller pays the commission.

For more information, please visit my website at http://www.SherriWellborn.com Sherri Wellborn, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, Murfreesboro, TN. Specializing in real estate home sales and commercial properties in Murfreesboro, TN and surrounding areas. Relocation specialist.

Take Your Baby For A Luxury Ride In A Bugaboo

Sleek, innovative design, countless buyer options, convertible tops, superior handling…sounds like the newest, hottest, foreign model sports car, correct? No, it is a Bugaboo stroller! In many ways, these Bugaboo strollers are the sports cars of baby products. Celebrities and trendsetters all over the world push their little ones in one of the multiple strollers in the Bugaboo line. It’s flexible design make it the best choice for globe trotters, and city dwellers alike.

Bugaboo offers three different models of strollers, so parents can chose exactly what they are looking for. Each type is named after an amphibious creature- the Gecko, Frog, and Chameleon. Each of the three come with several accessories, such as a mosquito net, sun canopy, maintenance kit, carry handle, rain cover, and pretty much anything else you can think of to keep your baby safe and comfortable on any adventure, be it grocery shopping, or a jaunt down the beach. However, American parents should be warned that the Bugaboo manual is written in “British English”, and some words may seem strange. For example, Velcro is referred to as “hook and pull fasteners.” Consider this like a manual to a foreign automobile!

Bugaboo also offers several other fun and handy accessories that can be purchased separately, such as umbrellas, diaper bags, set covers, and car seats to match the stroller. Be warned, these strollers and accessories do not come cheap. The Frog, the most basic model available., can cost upwards of $700 for the stroller alone. The Gecko and Chameleon models are even more expensive. Fortunately, most parents who purchase a Bugaboo agree that “you get what you pay for.”

The Bugaboo Frog is the best selling , and most basic stroller in the line. It’s simple, versatile design make it the perfect choice for the on the go parents or nannies. The Frog’s durable wheels can not be stopped, whether on city pavement, park pebbles, or sandy beaches. The stroller is a comfortable fit for every baby, age newborn to 4 years old. Beyond the Frog, the other two models offer much more options and extras.

The Gecko is the middle of the line Bugaboo. It offers the same maneuverability as the Frog, and much more. The Bugaboo Gecko comes with reversible handles (for city verses woods traveling), adjustable wheels for sand or snow, reversible seats, an Aerosleep mattress (the softest material available), a bassinet that can be separated and removed, and machine washable covers.

The final, and most equipped Bugaboo is the Chameleon. This is the Jaguar of strollers, for parents who do not want to compromise, who want it all. The Bugaboo Chameleon has all of the features of both the Frog and Chameleon, and so much more. Just looking at it’s bright colors, and futuristic design let you know that this stroller is something special. Some of the features exclusive to the Chameleon are its adjustable swivel wheel suspension, Aerosleep seat which can be removed, and used separately, and height adjustable handlebar.

All three Bugaboo models are available in a variety of colors. The colors are always vibrant and attractive, and every model is made with high quality, easily cleaned material. While these strollers may look unconventional to some, they are the future in luxury baby transportation! Let your baby ride in style with a Bugaboo stroller.

About the Author

LynnMarie is On-Line Editor for Babyage.com which is one of the top online retailers of Strollers with a great selection of Bugaboo Strollers in stock and ready to ship!

Buying Overseas Vacation Homes ? The First Question You Should Ask Yourself

Before you buy any overseas vacation home you need to ask yourself one important question before you begin and fact is many people do not and end up dissapointed. So here it is..

Do you want to immerse yourself in the local culture or do you want to have the comforts of home?

Keep in mind when you go on holiday to a destination living in a hotel is totally different to living in the wider community.

Many people don?t consider this question when they buy an overseas vacation home and end up getting a different lifestyle to what they anticipated and end up disappointed.

The local Culture

There are many new areas where you can buy overseas investment vacation homes and their cheap.

They don?t have well established foreign communities and this means that many of the comforts buyers expect are not available.

In Latin America for example Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic are emerging. In Europe, Romania has been touted as the destination of the future.

But try these destinations and you may have a culture shock.

Street children, crime, you can?t drink the water, roads and communications that are poor and there is little to do apart from admire the scenery.

Buying Established destinations

When buying an overseas vacation home part of the fun is having access to a different culture but most people want the comforts of home as well.

They want high quality entertainment, good facilities and shops their familiar with to name but a few.

Buying an overseas vacation home in one of these established destinations gives you the best of both worlds.

For North Americans the lifestyle they can associate with most is in Panama and Costa Rica with the latter being a huge favourite. In Europe established destinations include Spain and Cyprus.

You get what you pay for

When buying an overseas vacation home in these areas you get what you pay for ( although its still normally far cheaper than buying at home ) and although you pay a bit more the growth potential ( if you are looking for a return on your investment ) is normally much better in terms of risk ? reward, than an un proven emerging destination

Your preference

Of course, there are many people who buy an overseas vacation home and enjoy immersing themselves in the local culture, but most people want both comforts of home and the local culture.

If you want both look for established destinations that have large and growing foreign communities that bring the comforts of home with them.

Don?t worry, these places tend to have great risk to reward in terms of capital growth for investment simply because they are in high demand.

Keep in mind the majority of new hot spots fail becuase they cannot attract significant numbers of foreign investors to make the ammenities attractive enough for significant numbers to follow and prices tend to dive.

A good time in a hotel is not the same!

As living in the country you have been to!

If you are buying an overseas vacation home keep this in mind and before you live their.

Try living outside of a hotel in the local area to get a feel for whether you will enjoy the lifestyle or not.

One of the most popular destinations for Americans and Europeans is Costa Rica an established destination with great comforts and lifestlye but also the opportunity to make significant capital gains as well. Take a look at the facts and you will see why it is so popular.

FREE REPORT

On living and in this paradise location as well as all the facts you need to make an informed judgement as well as the opportunity to enter a FREE prize draw and see the country for yourself visit: http://www.net-planet.org/costarica.php

Parenting Teens A Guide To Connecting Relationally With Your Teen

What every teenager would like to have is a credit card without limits, a new car, the newest look, and an iPod that can hold 50 million songs. Of course, we grown-ups have been around long enough to know that you don't always get what you want. There is a need however, that stirs in the heart of every young person. That need is a relationship with you the parent. It is true, they may not want it, but it still remains one their most important needs.

We've all heard about the generational gap thing, and too often have used that as an excuse to not bother trying to connect with today's teenager. Don't get me wrong there is a gap. A big one. They have their little world and we have ours. And so many times, we aren't welcome in theirs and they aren't welcome in ours. They listen to music we can't stand, and we listen to music they can't stand. They wear clothes we would never wear and we wear clothes they would never wear. They have a language with terms we don't understand and we say things that to them, seem so outdated. The differences go on and on and on and le'ts face it, it is so much easier to just not understand each other than it is to put forth an effort to try and understand.

I assure you, the effort is worth it. Your teenager is worth it! Connecting with your teen will take some work, but the rewards are priceless. It my require you to make some major adjustments to your routine. It may take some radical changes in the culture of your home. Don't be afraid to initiate the changes necessary to connect relationally with your teen.

Ok, so you're thinking what changes need to be made. Let me give you some helpful tips. Are you a family that seldom sits down for dinner together? If so, try to make it a point to eat one meal a day together. Use this as a time to talk. Sure it may be awkward if you haven't made this a practice in several years, but fight through the awkwardness. If you just can not make it happen every night, set aside at least one night a week where you eat together as a family. Set it in stone and make it happen. If you had a meeting set with someone very important you would do everything you could to keep that appointment. Treat your family no different.

Perhaps you are like the typical family that has a tv in every room and in the evening everyone retreats to his or her own room. Learn to utilize your family room together as a family. Pick a night or two and turn off the tv. Instead, spend an hour or so together as a family. Play games, go through a Bible study together, or just sit around and talk. I know what you're thinking. Play games? Bible study? Sitting around talking? Are you crazy?

What is so crazy, is that because of our great American culture, these suggestions seem so lame. Our culture, opposes the family in almost every way. It blows me away to see a family out at a restaurant and their teenager sitting there with his iPod listening to music while they eat. Video games, iPods, internet, and cell phones are tools that really cause us to isolate ourselves from other members of our family. Now, don't go overboard and take everything away from your teen. You just have to make a decision to fight against a culture that opposes the family. Don't allow this culture to dictate how your family is going to operate. As a parent, you set the agenda for the family. You decide how your household is going to run.

Plan some family outings. Do it once a week, once a month, once a quarter. It really doesn't matter how often, just make it happen. Go camping over the weekend. Go to a ball game. Go to the lake. The list is endless. Get input from everyone and be creative. If you live in the city, take a trip to the country. If you live in the country, take a trip to the city. It doesn't have to be expensive, just make it fun. Don't be in a hurry. The key is to connect relationally, nothing else. Don't set an agenda that's going to stress everyone out. Just have a good time as a family.

How about doing some volunteer work together as a family? There are countless numbers of opportunities to serve in and around your community. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, at the hospital, or at a senior citizens home. Or, how about as a family, adopting an elderly couple and helping them around the home with yard work, house cleaning etc. Again, the list is endless, and one of the most important things you can teach your young person is to live life outside of themselves.

If you have more than one child, make sure you as a parent spend some quality one-on-one time with each of them. Dad's take your daughter's on dates and treat them like a princess. I mean, treat them as though they are the most beautiful, most precious young lady on the planet. Give them an example of what they are to look for someday in the man they are going to marry. Help them to set that standard so high, that no loser will ever catch their eye. As for your sons, hang with them. Go fishing or hunting. Go play paintball together. Play video games with them. Do guy stuff together and talk about guy stuff.

Mom's plan a day to go shopping with your daughters or plan a day to bake together. Don't like to bake or shop? Then, find something that you enjoy doing together and do it. I'm not a mom, or a daughter so, to be honest, I don't have a clue. Maybe just go to lunch and have intimate conversation with one another. How about getting a manicure and pedicure? Whatever you do, make sure you connect with one another. And when it comes to connecting with your son, try to keep in mind that most teenage boys are at a stage where being a momma's boy is not a cool thing. As they get closer and closer to manhood, they become more and more independent. So, don't feel rejected when they seem to be pulling away. That being said, you can still connect with them and you need to. You may think this is absolutely crazy, but if your son is big into video games, instead of always hammering him to quit spending so much time playing, sit down for a few minutes and play with him. So what if you have no idea how to play, let him teach you. Trust me, it will blow him away.

Whatever you do, remember, connecting with your teenager is the primary goal. The sky is the limit. As a youth pastor for 15 years, I have consistently scheduled events for teens with the primary purpose of connecting with them relationally. Trust me, I have never had a huge budget, so planning events that are inexpensive while at the same time fun, simply takes a little effort and creativity. You may think that your young person will never desire to connect with you, and that may be true. However, in my experience with teens, I have discovered that I generally connect with those I determine to connect with. I believe the same is true about you. In all that you do, please keep in mind that the two biggest keys to connecting with teenagers is time and the ability to listen. So, make the time and work on your listening skills.

? 2006 Tim Stone All Rights Reserved Worldwide

About the Author

Bmw 645CI Coupe

 



Bmw 645CI CoupeSubmitted By: Sam Carson  

The BMW 645Ci Coupe is manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, and was first showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2003, while the car first went into production in 2004. The 645Ci coupe is one half of the sensational pair that consists of the BMW 6 Series, the other half of the duo is the convertible design. The 6 Series represents BMW?s second foray into the market of luxury sportscar coupe and convertible forum, their first attempt into that specific forum unveils the symbolic prestige of the original 6 Series that ran from 1977-1989. Then previous model beheld the special attention that was given to it, and the result was the onslaught of refined, logical, and powerful styling theories. The new 6 Series upholds these same values and element in their current design with the same carefully crafted curves, sweeping lines, harmonic surfaces, and a spacious interior, setting elevated foundations that even their own future BMW models might find it hard to uphold. The 2+2 seater was first created and designed at BMW Designworks studios in Los Angeles, California.

The 645Ci has an enhanced echelon of agility and driving consistency when it comes to the unfettered movement of the car, because the bodywork that has been done is considered to be lightweight technology. The 6 Series coupe agility and free movement are the effect of the smart combination of synthetic materials essentially located all over the car?s body, steel, and aluminum. The spots where lighter materials were placed are the front areas (not made of steel), front fenders (thermoplastic), the trunk lid (composite material), and the doors and the hood (aluminum). With the overall reduction of the weight, the car has achieved perfect weight distribution at 50:50, and helps intensively also on the fuel economy of the vehicle. Another plus from the lightweight construction is that of flawless maneuvering, even on hilly or mountainous environments and hair pin turns. The car does not buck or fly off unnecessarily, it responds as is expected from a BMW.

The coupe?s engine is the 4.4 litre DOHC V8, which was the engine of the very well known BMW 745i. The 4.4 litre max power is 325hp at 6,100rpm, with a torque of 330lb-ft at 3,600rpm, and with assistance from the variant, ?VALVETRONIC? valve controller. The 645Ci can surely achieve a top speed of 149mph in one simple movement, and an impeccable acceleration of 0-60mph in less than six seconds. The transmission system consists of 3 different six speed options: the six speed manual transmission that has always been reliable; the six speed ?Steptronic? automatic, allowing the driver to shift manually if they chose; and a six speed ?Sequential Manual Gearbox? (SMG), featuring both the shift paddles and a gearshift lever on the steering wheel.

The BMW 645Ci also comes standard with ?BMW Driving Dynamic Control? (DDC), which lets the engine react instinctively when driving by having and maintaining steering capabilities in relation to speed depending on the surroundings. Also DDC permits the SMG or automatic transmission to stay in gear for a greater distance, and also promoting faster SMG shifts. All of these conditions can be altered by just a push of the DDC button to enable it. Other additions to the new 6 Series coupe are the trademark ?twin-kidney? grille, ?Active Steering?, ?Active Roll Stabilization?, lightweight aluminum suspensions, ?Dynamic Stability Control?, adaptive headlights, panoramic glass roof, and the ?Head-Up Display technology?(displaying information to the driver, directly in his line of vision).

The 645Ci coupe dimensions are a length of 190.2in; a height of 54.1in; a width of 73in; and a wheelbase of 109.4in. Making the 6 Series very noticeable with the characteristics of being long, wide, having a very low roofline, low slung, very spacious inside, and being positioned more to the back on its chassis. These attributes further help enhance the car and gives it a reputation of its own in the sportscar arena that was similar yet different to the original 6 Series, as it had its following then, and so to will this 645Ci coupe.

Article Tags: coupe, series, speed

Real Estate Contracts Get Those Forms

If you?re involved in real estate, you know that every single transaction you go into, from the seemingly insignificant notices of past due rent to transfer of titles for properties, need to be recorded, properly documented and filed. In some instances, these documents need to be created from scratch, but in most cases, for contracts or notices that contain very basic information, generic or standardized forms will suffice.

Those who secure the services of real estate agents need not concern themselves with the preparation of the requisite forms to complete a real estate transaction as these are usually included in an agent?s service package. However, for one reason or another, more and more people opt to conduct real estate businesses: from renting a room, to selling a home, on their own. For these individuals, securing the proper documents to formalize and legalize real estate transactions at a fairly reasonably price, is of utmost importance.

Recognizing the growing trend of individuals to conduct real estate businesses themselves, several real estate-related websites have been launched to provide this new breed of realtors with on-line assistance and round the clock support. These sites not only give tips on how to properly market and sell properties, they also provide links to the websites of support services such as banks, realtors, and law firms.

Indeed, real estate websites are a boon to the industry. However, the benefits these sites have on realtors do not lie on the entertaining articles and useful links. These websites are visited primarily because these are excellent sources of the forms needed for every real estate transaction imaginable.

The forms that are available on most real estate websites were prepared by professional real estate agents. The contents and format conform to existing laws, thus these documents will be honoured and recognized by any court of law in the city, state or country.

What?s so good about these downloadable forms is that these can easily be opened through basic word processing programs without the need for special software; and though basically quite standard in format, all the forms can easily be modified to suit the needs of the user.

The downloadable real estate forms can be purchased per piece (on an ?as needed? basis) or as a complete set (over 60 forms and contracts), and once purchased, these forms can be reprinted or reproduced as often as needed. Payments for purchased forms are secure and may be done through the use of major credit cards, PayPal, and even electronic check payments. Concerned about the cost? Don?t worry, these forms are very affordable. A single contract usually costs around $5.00, and the complete set is within the range of $60.00 ? comparable to the standard rate a professional would charge for preparing a single document.

So the next time you find yourself needing legal real estate forms, you now know that you don?t need to run to a realtor or a law office for help. Simply go online, look for the specific form you need, click to purchase and voila, you?re ready to go.

This is article is brought to you by Gloria Smith at LegalHomeForms.com. Created by a former, licensed Real Estate Agent, LegalHomeForms.com was designed to offer instant access to the most sought after type of real estate forms. For the cost of what others charge for one real estate contract, you can have instant access to over 60 downloadable real estate forms. You can find all these real esate contract forms at: www.legalhomeforms.com

Breast Cancer Recurrence

One of the issues that every breast cancer survivor must deal with is the possibility of the cancer coming back. We call this a recurrence and even though rates of breast cancer recurrence are lower and survival rates much higher, there is still that chance that the breast cancer will come back after the initial occurrence and treatment. There are three ways in which breast cancer can recur.

The first type of recurrence is called a local recurrence. when cancer recurs locally, it will come back in the original breast area. This is because of a failure of the original treatment. Even when there is a mastectomy, a local recurrence can happen because it is impossible remove all the breast tissue, skin and fat from the area. If even one cancer cell remains after the initial treatment, a local recurrence can happen.

The second type of recurrence is regional in nature. By regional we mean that the cancer has come back outside of the original breast and lymph node area. This is considered to be more serious than a local recurrence, but not as serious as a distant recurrence. The areas in which regional spread of the disease occur include the chest muscles (pectoral), the lymph nodes surrounding the neck area, the internal breast lymph nodes in the breast bone and rib areas and in the lymph nodes above the collarbone. This type of recurrence is rare.

The third and most serious type of recurrence is called a distant recurrence. This is also referred to as a metastasis. The areas where distant spread can occur are most likely to occur are bone (25%), liver, brain, bone marrow, lungs or other organs. Sometimes this is referred to as metastatic disease or Stage IV breast cancer. The survival rate becomes much lower once metastasis occurs, with a life expectancy of 18 months on the average after discovering it.

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer may include bone pain, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, weight loss (possible indication of liver metastases, neurological pain or weakness and headaches.

If you are a breast cancer survivor, you should be aware of the symptoms of metastatic spread. These symptoms can include bone pain (bone), weight loss (liver), loss of appetite (liver), headaches (brain), neurological pain or weakness (brain/spine) and shortness of breath (lungs). However, keep in mind that having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you should panic. A good rule of thumb is the hree week rule. If you have a pain or other symptom that lasts more than three week, see your doctor. If you have an unrelenting pain or constant pain, see a doctor. Cancer pain does not go away compared other types of pain which will come and go. Like back pain caused by muscle spasms and/or non-cancer related disc problem.

If you suspect you have a recurrence of breast cancer, see your doctor. They will schedule some diagnostic tests like a CAT scan, bone scan, or MRI to try to find the root of your symptoms. Usually surgery is not a treatment option, but there are many other treatments, like radiation and/or chemotherapy that could possibly put a recurring cancer back into remission. There are amazing advances in treatment being made all the time.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

Why Buying Property in North Cyprus Makes Sound Financial Sense

Cyprus is a stunningly beautiful island, rich in natural resources, blessed with the inimitable Mediterranean climate and located close to the shores of Turkey. Cyprus is also a divided island, unique in that its capital city of Nicosia is the last divided capital city in the world.

The country of Cyprus is unique in another way too, back in 2004 the citizens of North Cyprus voted yes to reunification and to this day efforts are being made to reunite the Northern third of the island with the Southern two thirds. All Cypriot citizens have lived in peace for so long that it is seen as only a matter of time before some form of settlement to rejoin the two sides of the island is found.

In the meantime Southern Cyprus is in the European Union, it is about to join the Euro Zone and adopt the Euro as its official currency while only the citizens of Northern Cyprus are classed as European - their land and homes are not actually considered to be in Europe!

This slightly bizarre and unusual situation has created something of a short term opportunity for property investors astute enough to realise that property in Southern Cyprus, because it is in Europe and because it is on such a beautiful Mediterranean island, is selling for a healthy premium and actually increasing in value annually.

At the same time property in Northern Cyprus is as well constructed, as well located and actually benefits from being in a less over developed and populated part of the island, and yet - property in Northern Cyprus sells for a third of the price of the exact same specification of property in the South!

Admittedly Southern Cyprus is far better developed then the Northern third of the island, it benefits from millions of Euros worth of assistance from the European Union every year, it has a well established tourism market and economically it is far stronger than Northern Cyprus. However, all this is beginning to change quite dramatically. Firstly the EU are giving millions of Euros worth of aid and assistance to Northern Cyprus for the improvements of its basic infrastructure, secondly the fledgling tourism market in North Cyprus is going from strength to strength as the nation successfully markets itself as the last unspoiled destination in the Med, and finally the wider world is starting to sit up and take notice of the fact that in North Cyprus you can buy a duplex apartment right on an international golf course, across the road from an unspoiled beach for just GBP 60,000!!!

Indeed, where else in the world can you find such a desirable commodity for such a low price? The answer is only in North Cyprus - but because economically North Cyprus is catching up with South Cyprus and because the government in the North are considering adopting the Euro as well, prices of property in the North will not remain so subdued for so long.

Those who have already bought villa and apartment property in Northern Cyprus are enjoying capital gains, they are enjoying rental income and above all else they are enjoying the stunning natural beauty of an island unspoiled by commerce and greed.

North Cyprus is exceptional, it is beautiful, it is affordable and it is not going to remain a secret for very much longer! Astute investors are getting in on the market now and buying investment properties as fly to lets and for the capital appreciation they know their assets will enjoy.

Rhiannon Williamson writes about real estate investment in emerging markets worldwide and specialises in property in North Cyprus. To read more North Cyprus Property Facts click here.

An Overview Of Baby Monitors

Cabo San Lucas Real Estate Your Questions Answered Part 1

Want your Tequila Straight Up Or...'Mas Suave' - A No BS article by David Mandich - Baja California Real Estate and Consulting Advisor

Cabo San Lucas, being only two beers away by plane from Southern California, is fast replacing Hawaii as the preferred quick-trip exotic vacation and 2nd home buying destination for many Americans. Almost three million tourists travel to Baja California Sur each year visiting its towns, bays, beaches, islands and golf courses for an average stay of 3.5 days.

Some, like me, come for a visit and never go back. Some stay for a week and return to the States with a stuffed marlin, condo, dental make-over or breast implants. Makeovers are big here - from cosmetic dental and plastic surgery to lifestyles. It's all about feeling, and being young again. With the Nikki-Beach Club in Cabo to any of the surf, golf, fishing or gentlemen's clubs that abound,Los Cabos is sure to put some life back in your life style.

International Bi-lingual schools for children through high school are available in Cabo and San Jose. And the tuition is ridiculously inexpensive. Maybe $300 a year. More folks should consider bringing the little ones to live here. Its safer than the big cities back in the States, the school kids respect their teachers, and there's a lot of desert and water oriented fun things to do close at hand.

So how do you make it happen? How do you find the right building lot, condo or that dream house overlooking the sea? Where does one find the perfect casa for one's lifestyle, and - per many peoples criteria - a casa that makes for a sound investment? Do you look in Cabo? San Jose del Cabo? The mysterious East Cape? The artists' colony of Todos Santos? Or perhaps someplace in between?

Let's Start With Cabo San Lucas Proper Cabo San Lucas is the main tourist destination for people visiting the Los Cabos area for the first time. It sits on Cabo San Lucas Bay which is flanked on the west by a series of monumental rock formations known as Land's End. This outcropping of land is the end of the nearly one thousand mile Baja California Peninsula where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.

The water and air temperatures can be 20 degrees cooler a few hundred feet on either side of the tip. On the inside one can snorkel in crystal clear warm waters swarming with colorful tropical fish around underwater pinnacles off the cove known as Lover's Beach. The fish there will literally eat out of your hand as they've all heard the place is a game sanctuary. This is what all the tourist brochures say. But the reality is that all the friggin' fish in the Sea of Cortez will eat out of your hand any day of the week if you've got bread, tortillas or fish entrails in your hand!

You can find crystal clear water for snorkeling for the next 900 miles beginning in Cabo and going on up the inside of the Sea of Cortez. If your fantasy place in the sun involves water sports - start in Cabo, head East and then North until you find your slice of paradise. And you can surf and wind surf all the way around the East Cape.

The Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula is generally rougher, cooler in the summer (nice), and compared to the Sea of Cortez - underwater visibility for divers is much less. But compared to anywhere back home in the States - it's ALL GOOD. Some say its paradise. If you want cooler Southern California coastal temperatures in the summer as you plan on living here year around - start looking North of Cabo. The land rush in this area right now is Cerritos, Pescadero and Todos Santos.

Next: Luxury Homes & Condos As Investments in Cabo San Lucas

David Mandich takes the anxiety out buying real estate in Cabo San Lucas Mexico. Get the facts on new housing developments, resorts and which area in Los Cabos best suit your lifestyle and taste. For a complete review visit the Cabo San Lucas Mexico Real Estate section on FunTripsLIVE.com

Steel Building Construction

Steel building construction is the process of building a structure, using steel as the raw material. Steel is an advantageous building material that enables a simple and easy construction process. Steel building construction has 48% of the total market share of construction. It includes commercial buildings, industrial buildings, temporary shelters, storage units, churches and air hangers. The construction process differs with the style of the building. However, the basic steps are the same. Steel building construction is flexible than traditional building methods. Steel building construction is taken up by many architectural firms. It also provides the opportunity for do-it-yourself construction.

Planning and scheduling are the pre-requisites of steel building construction. The standard patterns include LRB, LR and LM. The design that suits the needs and purpose can be finalized from available patterns. In standard construction, the material fabrication is done at the site of the building under the supervision of the engineers, according to the custom design. Now, pre-engineered systems are available, in which 70% of the system fabrication is done in the manufacturer's factory and shipped to the construction site. The customer merely has to assemble the building kit on the ground. This reduces the labor and 2 or 3 people will be enough to erect this building.

The style of steel building construction is based on the space requirements. A building permit is essential to start the construction. The foundation is the basic step of onsite construction. Depending on the weather and soil conditions, an appropriate foundation lay out is selected. Concrete floor slabs or steel base rails have to be built. The main columns of the steel frame are embedded to the foundation. The building rafters are fixed to the columns with anchor bolts. The wall frames leave places for doors and windows. The roof sheet is installed on the purlins and wall girts with metal screws. Door and window installation is the final step in steel building construction. In case of arch construction, the arches that act as side walls as well as roofs can be erected from the foundation, one after the other. Insulation can be also added to the steel building.

Steel building construction offers benefits such as faster installation, sustainability and unlimited design flexibility. It reduces energy cost and the amount of waste material. It does not require any sophisticated tools for assembly. Steel constructions can successfully withstand natural pressures such as earthquakes, severe cold or hurricanes. New innovations in the color code and accessories will add to the aesthetics of steel building construction.

Steel Buildings provides detailed information on Steel Buildings, Commercial Steel Buildings, Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Storage Buildings and more. Steel Buildings is affiliated with Metal Building Kits.

Things I Love About Google

The word Google is on the lips of young and old. Ask anyone a question and if they don't know pat will come the answer ask Google. Among the many search engines in the World Wide Web, Google stands apart. Its unique, exciting, innovative, and a pioneer.
Like adventurers of yesteryears that sailed the un-chartered seas, Google sails the cyber universe in search of adventure.

Easy to use, Google is a free service with a mission to offer at a click the world's information. A clever use of the mathematical term Googol, 1 followed by a 100 zeros, it just means infinite information presented in an organized way.

Google is not any ordinary set up its philosophy and commitment to cost containment just means that every employee in any part of the world is a multi-tasker and hands on contributor. Work and play are both inborn in Google staff that enjoy their work and are obsessive about creating search perfection. So, employees from all over the world, speaking dozens of languages, originating from widely differing yet colorful cultures have one thing in common Google is their life and breathe of fresh air.

It is simplicity and faith in its staff that has enabled Google to better the best. Every one thinks on the go and before a blink of an eye innovations are introduced -be it a spell checker or Google Number Search to facilitate use of Google from WAP phones. The keys to success lie in information has no end just beginnings, fast is better than slow, the motto is to provide instantaneous answers to surfer queries. The secret to the success is to focus on user needs and keep things simple. And do not stray from the path. The key is to concentrate on search.

What makes great business sense is the motto do no evil. This serves to reemphasize the business ideals and philosophies. In fact one thing people love about Google is that it stands by its beliefs. Google was unique in refusing to give in to a subpoena and submit search query records. On the other hand, Google has the sense to adapt to different needs, in China Google took a step in a different direction and started self-censoring human rights organizations.

Google has strayed into everyone's hearts and become a part of everyday life. Gmail, Gtalk, blogs, news, Google maps, and more. Whatever a person needs or dreams about becomes a reality and what more it is at no cost to users. Googlers are friendly, helpful, spirited, and inspired. They evoke admiration among internet browsers. Its not just service Google has extremely good business sense.

Usability is their aim and simplicity their secret password. Anything complex is not evident to the user. Google realizes that to be ahead even non techies, young and old must be able to use the search engine and different services. They should not be confounded by complexities. No frontier is too far and no problem too great. If a problem exists Google will make all attempts to solve it.

Smart, devoted, and dedicated are three words that can aptly describe Googlers world wide.
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Why do Women Get Attracted to Married Men?

The hooked and booked man is like a forbidden temptation. That's what makes him irresistibly attractive to a woman. He stirs a challenge in her. She feels a sense of power in attracting a man who is already taken. What makes him the catch for her is his confidence, experience and authority. The excitement stems from the fact that he's already taken.

The golden rule here is: you want what you can't have. Soon, this man becomes an overwhelming obsession for a woman. I call it the 'forbidden fruit obsession'.

According to me, there are two reasons for women falling for married men. Firstly, wild attraction. And secondly, vulnerability. For a woman, a married man represents a certain security she craves. A woman feels that a married man - compared to a bachelor - can meet her emotional and material needs in a better manner. Getting a married man signifies a triumph of one woman over another woman. He's a trophy catch. To have him, is about making the impossible.

If a woman wanted a fling, she could have had it with anybody. But a married man at her beck and call makes her value herself more... that he's willing to throw it all over for her. It increases her self-esteem. Mind you, she's enjoying this fantasy, as much as his wooing, his experience and the way he makes her feel extra special.

Sometimes, she likes the fact that he doesn't go weak in the knees in front of her. He's a symbol of authority. This relationship is about adventure and fun. But this is dangerous fun. There's a risk of running another person's life.

Married men love playing games. They give out the vibe - 'I'm married but I'm game'. Married men are always on the lookout for fun. These are men on the prowl. For a woman, it might be difficult to resist the vibes of attraction from a married man. He makes himself so indispensable.

A married man can give you a great time. There are times when this forbidden attraction transforms into love and romance, especially if the man doesn't have a happy marriage. Not all married men are jerks, some even leave their wives and get married to women they love. But the fact is, men and women love playing power games with each other. This is a dangerous game. It can take you through highs and lows, like you've never experienced. Human beings are fragile and one learns from trial and error. So it's you have to decide, whether it is a viable option to have a relationship with a married man.

About the Author

Encouraging Language Development In Early Childhood

Language and speech are primarily learned through imitation and observation. During infancy, babies listen to their parents talk and they pay close attention when someone talks to them. This observation of casual conversation is the foundation for a child?s understanding of their native language.

There are several activities and games you and your child can engage in to enhance her language development. While your little one is still an infant, encourage her to imitate simple syllables like ?ma? or ?da?. Repeat any sounds your baby attempts and praise her efforts. Talk to your infant often, using everyday activities like feedings or bath time as opportunities to develop new language skills. Describe everything you do and name the everyday objects you and your little one come in contact with.

Gestures and understanding their meanings are an important part of early language skills so teach your infant to wave goodbye, to nod yes, and to shake her head no. Imitating these simple gestures will help her learn nursery rhymes and songs during her toddler years. Reading to your child on a daily basis is vital to language development. Begin reading to your baby at birth and continue throughout childhood.

By her first birthday, your baby will most likely know how to say a few words. Encourage her speech by expanding on her simple words and phrases. Read picture books that emphasize animals, colors, shapes, or everyday objects. Say the names of the pictures and allow your little one to point to the correct object. Remember to praise her efforts and attempts.

Once your child reaches her preschool years, she will have a good grasp on language and should be talking in complete sentences. Continue to read to your child. Reading favorite story books again and again has been proven to enhance early language development and can improve reading comprehension skills. Nursery rhymes and silly songs also help your child learn speech patterns and language skills.

Talk to your preschooler and listen when she talks to you. Repeat her sentences to correct any pronunciation or grammatical errors without chastising her mistakes. Encourage her oral language and her vocabulary skills by naming common objects, familiar people, and body parts and then describing them. Ask questions that require your child to make a choice rather than answer yes or no. Support your preschoolers emerging language skills by requiring her to use her words to ask for things or to explain her feelings when she gets upset.

Make your own picture book with your child. Help your preschooler colllect pictures of her favorite toys, animals, people, and things and then allow her to sort the pictures into groups. Glue the pictures onto paper and have your child dictate the labels as you write. Read your picture book together often and add new pictures and words as her vocabulary grows.

My First Amazing Diary is a great software program to enhance language development. This educational software has several fun games that allow your preschooler to express herself through pictures. The program will grow with your child and her language development, encouraging simple word use and pictures to create stories and journal entries at level two and offering creative story starters and interactive journaling at level three.

About the Author:

For more tips on parenting an educational toys see our site www.thekidstoystore.com.

Buying a Home in Austin 7 Things to Love About Austin Texas

The Climate
Yes, Austin gets hot in the summer. It is Texas, after all. But there's usually a nice breeze blowing (especially near the lake), and there's not as much humidity as the coastal cities like Houston. The rest of the year is milder than many places in the country. Austin winters are moderate by most standards, with snow being a rarity.

The Culture
Austin has a rich culture that blends Mexican heritage, cowboy roots, state politicians, and a healthy dose of urban hip. Keep Austin Weird is the unofficial slogan, and you'll see it emblazoned on everything from bumper stickers to t-shirts. Austin takes great pride in being ? well, Austin.

The Outdoors
Like to go backpacking? Cycling? Canoeing? Water skiing? You can do all of that in a day around the Austin area. From the lakes to the trails, Austin has an outdoor scene that's hard to beat.

The Music
They don't call Austin The Live Music Capital of the World for nothing. The city boasts a vast array of musical venues offering everything from jazz to country to rock. Austin City Limits is filmed here, and there are musical festivals throughout the year.

The Bats
The Congress Avenue bridge in downtown Austin, Texas is home to North America's largest urban colony of Mexican free-tails bats. Experts estimate the colony includes some 1.5 million bats! The bats began immigrating en masse around 1980, and after a brief period of public fear, they've become another Austin institution. They even have their own statue right on Congress Avenue. People come from all around to see the bats pour out of the bridge at dusk.

The Housing Costs
There's a new program on HGTV called What You Get for the Money. It compares housing costs from different cities to show what you get for the money. Austin is regularly featured on the show, because housing dollars go a long way here (at the time of this writing). For information on new homes in Austin, see the note at the end of this article.

The Roads (Soon)
Massive highway projects are underway, so the traffic situation around Austin will soon improve dramatically. Austin's population exploded during the tech boom a few years back, declined a bit during the subsequent tech bust, and is once more on the rise. But while the population has grown considerably, the highway infrastructure has mostly remained static.

As a result, rush hour can be quite an ordeal if you're heading into the city. But not to worry. Austin currently has one of the largest highway expansion projects of any state in the country. It's a growing pain, but in the near future it will be behind us!

Shopping for a Home in Austin?
If you're thinking of buying a new home in Austin, Texas, take a look at Harrington Custom Homes. They've been building custom homes in Austin for over 15 years. Visit them online at http://www.harringtonhomes.com

The Backpack A Campers Camel

Everyone knows that campers and hunters need a place to keep and carry their gear. When perusing the camping supply aisles in stores, you may have noticed how overwhelming it is to find a backpack large enough to carry all of the necessary items you will need on your adventure in the great outdoors. Sometimes you may have wondered if bringing a pack mule or a camel would be a benefit for the serious backpack camper. However, if you have a good backpack, you wont need to bring along a four-legged beast to cart your gear youll only need your shoulders.

Many backpack campers and even some overnight hunters carry way too much on their trips into the wilderness, and often find themselves lugging around too many unnecessary items. But no matter what you feel you need to carry with you on your outdoor travels, you need a place for all of it. Many backpack manufacturers have taken this into account and have come up with solutions to your backpack problems. Whatever your backpack needs, you can find a backpack to suit them.

Before deciding to buy a backpack, you should be able to clearly specify its use. Daypacks, assault packs, and full packs are the major categories in backpacks. Daypacks are intended for small trips, where the weight will be minimal. Assault packs are used mostly during weekend trips and for activities like mountain climbing. The weight-holding capacity of this type of backpack is greater. Full packs are used for longer trips, and their weight-holding capacities are greater than the other types.

You will definitely need a place for things like rain gear, food, and plenty of water. You may also want to bring along field dressing gear or your first aid kit remember, this is very important, especially if you will be camping or hunting in an area that is far from immediate help should an accident occur. Since you will be bringing so many different and important items, you will want to be certain that your backpack is made of a lightweight material. That way you will not have to drag around a huge heavy backpack with gear that also weighs a ton. But remember that the weight of the backpack is not nearly as important as the durability of the material. Your backpack should be made of strong, water-proof material. The backpack should be able to withstand hard wind, heavy rain and snow, and you should be able to basically throw it on the ground and not worry about it tearing or leaking water onto your gear. Many camping gear companies now coat their backpack material with silicone to make it more durable and water proof.

Weight displacement is also extremely important for those campers who are traveling long distances. A wider backpack will make the weight of the pack lay on a larger portion of your back, and that will ultimately make carrying the backpack easier on your shoulders and back. Another important consideration is the functionality of the design of the bag. There should be pockets on the outside so you can easily access your water supply, and there should be interior mesh pockets to organize smaller gear items. Also, having a lot of padding on your shoulder straps will help your comfort level immensely.

By: Philippe De Tiege

Travel Checklist For Cheap Airfare

NFL Preview Cincinnati at Kansas City

-> NFL Preview - Cincinnati (0-0) at Kansas City (0-0), click here to make your selection!


By -> NFL Editor and Ecobika ->Free NFL Betting Picks


Herm Edwards makes his formal debut on the sideline of the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, as the former New York Jets head man and his current team face the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2006 regular season opener for both teams.


Edwards, who fashioned a 39-41 record and led the Jets to a trio of playoff appearances in five years on the job, will be charged with improving the fortunes of a franchise that has missed the postseason in the last two seasons and last won a postseason contest following the 1993 campaign. The Chiefs were 10-6 under Edwards' predecessor (and former mentor) Dick Vermeil last season, narrowly missing the playoffs.


Cincinnati, meanwhile, made its long-awaited return to the postseason in 2005, but suffered unforeseen misfortune once it reached that stage. Quarterback Carson Palmer suffered a serious knee injury on the first play from scrimmage in the Bengals' AFC Wild Card matchup against the Steelers, a situation helping lead Pittsburgh to a 31-17 win, and eventually a Super Bowl title. Sunday will mark Palmer's first extended action since sustaining that injury on Jan. 8th.


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SERIES HISTORY


Kansas City owns a 12-10 advantage in its all-time series against Cincinnati, including a 37-3 home rout in Week 17 of last season, when the playoff-bound Bengals opted to rest most of their starters. The previous meeting between the franchises was a memorable 24-19 road win for the Bengals in Cincinnati. The Chiefs came into that game 9-0, and were facing a Bengals club that was just 4-5. Cincinnati's last road win in the series came in 1989, when they took a 21-17 decision at Arrowhead Stadium.


Edwards is 2-0 in his career against Cincinnati, as his Jets scored home victories over the Bengals in both 2001 and 2004. The Bengals' Marvin Lewis is 1-1 in his career against Kansas City, including last year's defeat, and is 0-1 head-to-head versus Edwards.


BENGALS OFFENSE VS. CHIEFS DEFENSE


The injury suffered by Palmer (3836 passing yards, 32 TD, 12 INT) brought a bitter end to a star-studded season for the 2003 Heisman Trophy winner, who led the NFL in completion percentage (67.8) and touchdown passes and was named to his first career Pro Bowl. Palmer looked every bit his former self in the preseason, posting a sterling 140.2 passer rating and throwing four touchdown passes in parts of two contests. The Bengals' top two receivers - Chad Johnson (97 receptions, 9 TD) and T.J. Houshmanzadeh (78 receptions, 7 TD) - are once again in the fold to ensure that Palmer won't have to do much searching for a target. Johnson led the AFC in receiving yards (1432) for a third straight season last year, and was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl. Chris Henry (31 receptions, 6 TD), who made headlines with several offseason arrests, is nonetheless expected to fill the team's third receiving role. A Cincinnati line that allowed just 21 sacks last season returns intact.


The directive for coordinator Gunther Cunningham and the Kansas City defense on Sunday will be to place pressure on Palmer and prevent the signal-caller from looking downfield to his talented receiving corps. At the heart of that effort will be ends Jared Allen (11 sacks) and Tamba Hali. Allen was the Chiefs' only consistent pass-rusher a year ago, but the presence of Hali, the team's first-round draft choice out of Penn State, is expected to help alleviate that problem. Hali had 11 sacks as a senior with the Nittany Lions a year ago. Attempting to handle Johnson and Houshmanzadeh will be veteran cornerbacks Patrick Surtain (4 INT) and Ty Law (10 INT with the Jets). Law, who was acquired by Kansas City via free agency in the offseason, made his fifth Pro Bowl after tying for the league lead in interceptions a year ago. Safeties Greg Wesley (82 tackles, 6 INT) and Sammy Knight (89 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT) will lend support to the corners.


Cincinnati running back Rudi Johnson (1458 rushing yards, 12 TD, 23 receptions), who set a career single-season high for yards and receptions last season, returns to ensure that opposing defenses remain honest. Johnson posted four 100-yard games in 2005, and now has 13 over his three-year career as a starter. With backup Chris Perry on the team's Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) list with an ankle injury, Kenny Watson will occupy the role of Johnson's backup and third-down back. Watson missed most of last season with a torn biceps muscle.


The Chiefs were able to completely shed their reputation as being soft against the run last season, when the team finished seventh in NFL rushing defense. Despite the improvement, Edwards and Cunningham sought to make changes up front, bringing in former Bill Ron Edwards (6 tackles with Buffalo) and ex-Jet James Reed (65 tackles, 2 sacks with New York) to occupy the starting defensive tackle slots. Edwards will be making his first meaningful appearance since missing the final 12 games of Buffalo's 2005 season with a shoulder injury. Last year's linebacking corps remains intact, with Kawika Mitchell (105 tackles) again manning the middle and Derrick Johnson (95 tackles) and Kendrell Bell (41 tackles) flanking him on the outside. Mitchell and Johnson were 1-2 on the team in tackles a year ago.


CHIEFS OFFENSE VS. BENGALS DEFENSE


Seeking to build on a electrifying 2006 campaign will be Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (1750 rushing yards, 33 receptions, 21 TD), who led the AFC in both rushing and touchdowns despite starting only nine games in 2005. Johnson reeled off 100-yard games in each of his final nine appearances, and is now five back of Barry Sanders in his quest for the record for consecutive 100- yard outings. Johnson could have life somewhat tougher in 2006, as projected starting tackles Willie Roaf and John Welbourn both retired in the offseason, while fullback Tony Richardson defected to Minnesota via free agency. Ex-Ram Kyle Turley and former backup Kevin Sampson will be the new starters at tackle, while another ex-reserve, Ronnie Cruz, takes over fullback duties. Spelling Johnson will be former Viking Michael Bennett (473 rushing yards, 27 receptions, 5 TD with Minnesota).


The Bengals ranked just 20th in the league against the run in 2005, and are at less than full strength heading into their Week 1 showdown with Johnson and the Chiefs. Middle linebacker Odell Thurman, who led Cincinnati in tackles and also recorded five interceptions as a rookie, is suspended for the team's first four games following his violation of the league's substance abuse policy. In light of that circumstance, Brian Simmons (83 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INT) will shift from the weak side to the middle on Sunday, with Landon Johnson (86 tackles) sliding into Simmons' former role and 2005 first-round draft pick David Pollack (28 tackles, 4.5 sacks) appearing on the strong side. The loss of Thurman might be easier to overcome due to the presence of massive defensive tackle Sam Adams (19 tackles, 3 sacks with the Bills), the three- time Pro Bowler who was signed by the team on April 3rd and will team with holdover John Thornton (40 tackles, 2 sacks) on the interior.


Back for a sixth season as Kansas City's starting quarterback is Trent Green (4014 passing yards, 17 TD, 10 INT), who has yet to miss a single start since being traded for the Rams prior to the 2001 campaign. Green posted his third- consecutive 4,000-yard season a year ago, and his passer rating was over 90.0 for the fourth straight year. Green's principle targets will once again be tight end Tony Gonzales (78 receptions, 2 TD) along with wideouts Eddie Kennison (68 receptions, 5 TD) and Samie Parker (36 receptions, TD). Gonzales earned his seventh straight Pro Bowl citation in '05, while Kennison reeled off his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. The new starting o-line principles will be under pressure to keep the heat off of Green, who was sacked a total of 32 times in 2005.


Green will have to guard against the big turnover against the Bengals defense, one that ranked 26th in the league against the pass but made up for any deficiencies with its NFL-high 31 interceptions. Cornerbacks Deltha O'Neal (10 INT, 4 sacks) and Tory James (5 INT) were at the heart of that effort, with O'Neal ending the campaign in a tie with Law for the league lead in picks. First-round draft pick Johnathan Joseph (South Carolina) will start if O'Neal (knee), who is listed as questionable, can't go. At safety, Madieu Williams (23 tackles, 1 INT) is back after an injury-plagued 2005, and will be playing alongside a new running mate in Super Bowl XXXVII MVP Dexter Jackson (45 tackles, 1 INT with Tampa Bay). The Cincinnati pass rush ranked near the bottom of the league with just 28 sacks a year ago, a situation that starting ends Justin Smith (6 sacks) and Bryan Robinson (18 tackles) will try to improve upon. Third-round draft pick Frostee Rucker (USC), who had six sacks in 2005 with the Trojans, will likely appear as a situational pass rusher.


OVERALL ANALYSIS


The biggest concern for the Bengals entering 2006 was the status of Palmer, who looked no worse for wear in the team's final two preseason games. All indications are that the Cincinnati offense will continue to run at a prolific pace, which is bad news for a Kansas City team that could take some time to find an identity under its new coaching staff. Green and Johnson will move the offense, but the Chiefs figure to make some mistakes on both sides of the ball, and a high-quality Bengals team will make them pay.


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-> NFL Preview - Cincinnati (0-0) at Kansas City (0-0), click here to make your selection!