Home Kitchen

Upgrades – Get the most out of your property

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If you are buying and planning to resell or rent, to get the most out of your property you may want to make some updates to give it some curb appeal. The number of updates needed would depend on a case-by-case scenario. Obviously, if it is necessary to make the roof, the foundation, etc., there is no question. I’m talking major renovations, but updates. That curb appeal and that makes a buyer say “wow” and pay a little more for the place.

If you’re not going to be working with a designer and would like to do it yourself, I suggest going to the library or buying a bunch of up-to-date home-style magazines to get ideas of what’s on right now. Knowing your market is not that important because almost everyone wants something classy and stylish. Something I like to call “urban chic”; lots of clean lines, minimalism and bright open spaces. A zen-like approach. That look is being sold to the mass market right now.

First impressions are always important, which is why the exterior of the house needs more love. Don’t get bored either. Sew exciting colors like grey/mauve, terra cotta, or sage. Paint everything you need, wood, railing, mailbox, lighting, etc. I’m not talking about just one color, have some black or white in your contrast. If they cannot be painted, replace them.

If there is no landscaping or it is shot, you need to refresh the look. Remove or trim anything that has grown too long. Be ruthless if you must. Cedars are great when they are green and small, however if they are yellow and too tall, get rid of them. Keep your gaze short, so you can see the entrance. Remove the grass, if any, add more seeds. Clear away debris and weeds, add more dark soil and mulch. Make a nice clean line between the lawn and the garden. I would invest in a couple of contrasting shrubs and some bright annuals to brighten up the front.

The floors are the most important thing. They make a big impact. They have to be nice. If there is hardwood, I suggest refinishing them. Dying them dark is always a nice touch. The parquet looks amazing stained with chocolate. It goes from a bad 70s look to something modern and Asian looking. If flooring needs to be replaced, bamboo and other sustainable flooring are all the rage right now. If the linoleum is old, change it. If you can afford the tiles, do so.

Kitchen. If the kitchen is old 1950’s wood, there’s no need to rip it out and redo it and spend all that extra money. Paint it bright cream and add stylish knobs. You could even add a trim to it.

If it is white melamine, you can paint it with special paint or leave it as it is. Sometimes it’s the surrounding area that can polish it off and make it not look so “melamine”. That is, add a trendy tile backsplash, new countertop, and knobs. If the melamine has an ’80s edge that can be removed, remove it for a cleaner look.

If you have the 1990’s oak cabinets, they look amazing painted too. If the cabinets are hanging from the ceiling dividing the eating area, you could remove them and reuse them elsewhere, such as an island.

Additional keys:

  • The faucets are important. They can be a focal point for the room. You don’t have to go high end to have a modern and refined look.
  • I think the investment in crown molding adds a lot of value to the place if done right (not necessary in the bathroom). Paint it bright to give it a vintage look.
  • Keep paint colors simple and light. Painting a wall in a room dark gray or another trendy color is fine, however, use it minimally.
  • Dark over light is very trendy right now.
  • Make sure the flow of color from one room to the next is there.
  • Clean and neat windows are a must.
  • Take down a wall if necessary to give the space a more open feel. For example opening the kitchen to the living room. You should check with a structural engineer before tearing anything down.
  • Spotlights and dimmers.
  • Trendy lamps and knobs. Don’t go high end. Places like Ikea are fine or places that claim vintage.

Bathrooms are easy because it all comes down to the choice of tile and countertop. The white bathtub, sink and toilet are always in place and if they are in good condition they will not need to be replaced. Cabinets can be painted black, chocolate, white, or cream. It will update any aspect.

Digital Marketing

Your online reviews can make or break your real estate deals.

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If you are looking to buy a product offered by different companies, how would you decide who to buy it from? If you’re like most of us, you’d just grab your smartphone and read reviews online about each company and make up your mind on those reviews. Well, the same goes for anyone who is possibly going to use your real estate services.

With the internet and technology making it quick and easy to access information about anyone, your potential customers will be looking for reviews about you. The reviews and testimonials you find online can be the difference between getting new customers or losing them to someone else.

Get a testimonial from your client after every closing
It is important that you get a testimonial after each closing if your clients are happy with your real estate services. Closing time is usually a happy time for the client and therefore a perfect time to request a testimonial. It is always more difficult to get that testimony at a later time.

Tell your customers it could be short and just a few sentences. Many do not like to write long reviews and may not give you one for that. A short testimonial that gets to the point is just as effective.

Take a photo with your client in front of the property
In addition to asking for a testimonial at closing, you should definitely take a photo with your clients. It is always preferable to take a photo on the property. An effective photo is taking a picture in front of the property while your clients are holding the SOLD sign or keys. The photo can be taken when you meet your client at the property to hand over the keys.

Display your testimonials on your real estate website
The most important place to display your reviews and testimonials is your own real estate agent website. Your real estate agent’s website typically ranks higher in search engine results than your Facebook page and profile pages on Zillow, Trulia, realtor.com and other big real estate marketplace websites. Therefore, you will definitely want to display your testimonials on your agent’s website.

You should have clearly visible testimonials on your home page along with a separate page displaying all of your testimonials. Your real estate agent’s website platform should contain an interface that allows you to enter reviews and testimonials along with images of your clients.

Post on Facebook
If someone is looking for reviews about you online, they will most likely land on your Facebook page. Therefore, it is very important to create a “Just Sold” post after each close. The post must contain your client’s testimonial AND the photo you took with them in front of the property. Be consistent and do this every time you close on a property.

Ask clients to submit a review on Zillow, Trulia and realtor.com
Anyone looking for online reviews of you will likely end up on Zillow, Trulia, and realtor.com. All of these sites accept reviews and it is important that you accumulate the number of reviews and your rating on these big market real estate websites.

Your customers submit the review from their profile page on each of these sites. A customer can submit a review by clicking the “Submit Review” button on their profile page. To make it easier for your clients, send an email with links to your profile page to Zillow, Trulia, and realtor.com.

Relationship

Contact your statistics tutor

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There are many websites that provide homework statistics for students of all skill levels and levels. So if you want to learn the basics of statistics or are looking for more advanced troubleshooting, these sites are usually very efficient at helping you. Statistics homework help websites recruit many experts to help students understand basic concepts.

The student can also choose a one-on-one session with an online expert who can step through the problem until the student understands the concepts in question. Most home stats help websites provide their services 24/7, so no matter what time of day or where you are sitting, you can simply log into one of these sites and find solutions to your queries. With the help of an online statistician, you will be able to deal with this seemingly difficult topic very easily.

Why are statistics difficult for most students?

Mathematics and statistics are complex and difficult subjects for many students. In such a scenario, it becomes more necessary for students to come with a stronger statistical foundation from high school, but the reality is that this is not usually the case. There is a gap between high school and college, and many students find it difficult to make the leap.

For those of you who need help with homework statistics, all you need is your old-fashioned yellow pages to find a local tutor or a computer with an Internet connection to find an online tutor. There are pros and cons to both options, and you’ll need to weigh them to see which option is best for you.

Need a witty tutor

Many statistics assignment help sites will also provide various statistics-related educational resources, as well as links to eBooks, brochures, and a variety of other resources—assuming you’re working with a resourceful tutor. These online sites are usually easy to use, and even better, because they want to earn your business. It is true that online education brings a new era in the academic field. With the help of these sites, the day is certainly not far off when the goal of universal education for all the peoples of the world will be achieved.

Although many students consider statistics to be an isolated part of mathematics, many other areas, such as geometry, arithmetic, and algebra, are intertwined with the most basic and central principles of statistics. It’s not just about statistics, but you’re going to miss out on a huge chunk of modern science in general if you don’t understand the true department of the most basic statistical principles, like the Central Limit Theorem.

In general, you have to pay your fair share when using those sites, but you will find that some also offer part of their services for free. A typical form of payment is pay per minute, but that is not the only form. This type of fee schedule will likely end up being cheaper than hiring your regular local stats tutor, who will need to factor in other costs like travel time, gas, etc.

Health Fitness

The T-Bow – a great piece of exercise equipment for the home

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Breaking into the home fitness market, the T-Bow is a new idea in exercise equipment that combines heart-pumping cardio with muscle conditioning and toning and adds core stability for a full-body workout every time.

I am a Personal Trainer, and I specialize in training clients in their own homes. Some lucky clients have their own gym and swimming pool, which makes my job easier. Most, however, only have a few square feet in the spare room to exercise in, and it’s my job to figure out how to give them the results they want. Most are on a budget and want equipment that can be easily stored in a closet when their workout is over.

That’s asking a lot! Most small exercise machines only do one thing: cardio, muscle toning, or core and abdominal work. But, and this is what gives me a headache, you need to do ALL 3 types of exercise to optimally burn fat and tone muscle. Tell the customer he needs, say, a stepper, some dumbbells, and a fitball, and he’s likely to give up before you get started.

So for people like me, the entrance of the T-Bow is as welcome as the January sun in England. Heaven sent! (The weather is miserable here in the UK. Cold and wet in the winter, mild and humid in the summer. Give me Florida winters any day.)

The T-Bow will do all 3 types of exercises, fits easily under a bed or stacked in a closet, and comes with its own exercise bands and a great DVD for under $200. And it makes exercise fun!

This is how I create the perfect workout using a T-Bow:

cardio exercise

Essential for burning fat and calories and making the heart and lungs healthier. My client warms up using the T-Bow curve as a Step; up and down, side to side, knee raises, single leg kicks, you name it. Then we flip the T-Bow inside out and really rock out! Balancing on the unstable side uses more muscles, including your core, and really works those legs. We go from slow to fast, we twist to rock back and forth (that takes a bit of balance, let me tell you!) and we sing all those cheesy songs from the 80s when pop stars could really sing… I’m showing my age here!

Muscle Strengthening

No workout is complete without muscle work. Ladies, forget about those worries about building big, bulky muscles; that won’t happen (unless you specifically want it to). Toning muscles makes them leaner, shapely and smaller. And having muscle burns fat, all the time. Cool huh?

So we attach the exercise bands to the sides of the T-Bow, now curved side up again, and my client tones her legs, shoulders, buttocks, arms, chest, and back.

 Core stability and stretch

Trim that waist and elongate those legs! We go down to floor level now and use the T-Bow to lie down, lean on and sit up for a core and Pilates workout that uses muscles you didn’t even know you had! Pilates exercises are unrivaled for sculpting long, lean leg muscles and a trim waist and hips, as well as strengthening your back and helping you walk taller. We end our workout with some stretching on the T-Bow, which lengthens the muscles and makes them feel good!

So, with just 1 piece of equipment, you’ve had a perfect workout, as good as running your own gym (and certainly much cheaper).

Lifestyle Fashion

The mystery of divine intervention

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Have you ever wondered about the mysteries of divine intervention? Can you think of a series of events in your life where you had “near misses”? Why do mysterious things ever happen?

Here are eight life-changing events that might have turned out differently for me:

Incident #1: When I was a 9 or 10 year old, we had an above ground pool with a slide in our backyard. One day a friend challenged me to slide face down with my hands clasped behind my back. Not wanting to be “chicken”, I said, “LOOK AT ME!” For some reason the slide was slipperier than usual that day and I ended up hitting my head on the bottom of the pool, momentarily disorienting myself. I came out gasping for air, but was otherwise unharmed. This act of stupidity could have resulted in a broken neck, either killing or paralyzing me. Divine intervention?

Incident #2: One winter night while in college, I had too many drinks and tried to drive back to the dorms. Exiting an exit ramp, the car spun on black ice, coming to a stop after two full revolutions without hitting the rail guards. Incredibly, the car not only remained perfectly centered at all times, but also lined up in the correct direction after it stopped turning. Dazed, I rolled down the windows to get some fresh air, slapped myself as hard as I could, and made it to the bedrooms without further incident. Divine intervention?

Incident #3: On a Saturday afternoon, I was speeding down downtown 8th Avenue (New York) on my bike, in a hurry to get home. A speeding car suddenly shot off an adjacent street, probably in an attempt to overtake the traffic light change. It was partially hidden by the cars parked on that street, so I didn’t see it until the last second when I instinctively squeezed the brake levers, saving myself. Divine intervention?

Incident #4: As I was about to step off the curb on the Upper East Side (New York City), a cab narrowly missed me. I was so close that I heard the whistle of the taxi go by at full speed. If I had stepped off the curb seconds earlier, the taxi would have hit me, possibly killing me or at least seriously injuring me. Divine intervention?

Incident #5: When I was a kid, my job was to mow the lawn. One day, I was pouring gasoline into the lawn mower when I suddenly stopped, turned the gasoline can upside down, and gasoline got into my eyes. I dropped the can and ran into the house screaming in pain, where my mother immediately stuck my head under the running water in the kitchen sink. The doctor told her that if she hadn’t done that, she would have gone blind or at the very least suffered a serious eye injury. After applying antibiotics for a few weeks, he was as good as new. Divine intervention?

Incident #6: Once again, I was riding my bike in New York City. This time she was going to the top. Seeing no one was coming, I crossed Fifth Avenue when a cab appeared out of nowhere and ran me over. The collision sent me flying off my bike, rolling onto the hood, and then onto the pavement. Like Superman, I immediately got up, dusted off my clothes, readjusted my glasses, and went on my way, not before assuring the cabbie that I was fine, if not terribly embarrassed in front of a crowd of onlookers on the sidewalk. Divine intervention?

Incident #7: This one involved flying. I had been visiting my parents over Christmas vacation and chartered a small plane for the 400-mile flight from Michigan to upstate New York, which took me across Canada. I arrived tired, but euphoric.

After enjoying the holidays, it was time to return to Michigan but bad weather forced me to delay my departure three or four days. Finally a change in the weather came and it was time to leave. Four hours later, I landed in Buffalo, New York, to refuel and check the weather. The weather reports gave me no idea what was to come that night. So I took off into the sunset, fat and happy and full of fuel.

Everything was going well until I was just a few miles from the Canada-Michigan border. Without warning, everything around the small plane went pitch black, taking me completely by surprise. Squinting out the window, the city lights below me were no longer visible. It took me a couple of seconds to realize that I had just flown into the clouds, which are completely invisible at night!

Panic seized me and I momentarily lost control of the plane, even going so far as to scream that I was going to die that night. The instruments told me that it was spinning in the air, going up and down a thousand feet a minute. Somehow, I recovered and got the plane under control, using what little instrument training I had at the time.

After getting myself under control, I concentrated on keeping the plane upside down and followed the direction of the pink line on the handheld GPS (which a friend had lent me for the trip and it saved my life). As soon as I entered the clouds, I jumped out the other end as if unknown forces had pulled me out of the darkness of my mother’s womb and into the clearing with the airport right in front of me. I made the worst landing of my life and could barely walk because my knees were so springy. But I was unharmed. Divine intervention?

Incident #8: I wrote a story called “Blizzard Housecleaning” several months ago which can be found at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Blizzard-Housecleaning&id=266081 Was that a divine intervention?

Food for thought: Everything happens for a reason. We have no way of knowing God’s plans for us, but regardless of what happens to us, we are being prepared for the future in some way.

Real Estate

Pool prices – Don’t be scammed

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Putting a pool in your backyard sounds like a great idea, right? You can swim to your heart’s content and entertain family and friends on those hot summer days. Unfortunately, the price of a swimming pool is not cheap. You could end up spending thousands of extra dollars if you don’t do the proper research and compare pool companies before installing your pool.

Pool prices vary depending on the type of pool you want. Inground pools tend to be more expensive due to the digging and excavation involved. With the required let configuration, an above ground pool is more affordable for most families. The bottom line is that you want to end up paying the right price for your pool.

The best way to do this is by comparing pool companies and pool prices against each other. Beware of companies that offer pools at discount prices or at a relatively low price. Cheaper is not always better. However, you want to pay a reasonable overall price. Expensive pools don’t always mean better either. Beware of hidden costs that can inflate the price of your pool. If you choose a company based on a lower price but their service isn’t the best, you may end up paying more in the long run to fix mistakes. What you want is a reputable pool company that offers pool prices you can’t afford, but that are reasonable.

When looking for reasonable pool prices, you need to think about what you’ll pay. Installing an inground pool involves excavation, concrete pouring, and installation. Essentially, you’ll be tearing your backyard apart and then putting it back together. The final price also depends on the type of accessories you choose. Adding things like a waterfall, slide, or pool heater can add a lot to the price.

The best way to be financially prepared for your group is to calculate the amount of money you will spend ahead of time. Factor in accessories, installation, and the price tag itself. Also, be sure to set aside some money in case something goes wrong. You want to be able to afford mistakes or setbacks, should they occur. If not, then you will have that extra money to play with. You can use it to buy some fun and exciting pool furniture, pool games, or pool floats for your whole family to enjoy.

The average family size inground pool costs around $15,000, while most above ground pools range from $2,500 to $4,500 if you install it yourself. The cost will also be determined by the size, style, and location of the pool. Also remember that installation costs extra, so unless you plan to install the pool yourself, you will have to pay for installation. Other costs may include landscaping, pool fencing, and ongoing maintenance. Ongoing maintenance can include anything from chlorine and other cleaning chemicals, upkeep of filtration equipment, pumps and hoses, and electrical maintenance.

Shopping Product Reviews

Motivation Whatsapp Status 2018 Collection

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Here in this article we will tell you many motivational WhatsApp Status where you will get the best WhatsApp Motivational Status Videos and much more. You can download those statuses at no cost just by tapping on them. This article is so real to obtain different, different and very motivating WhatsApp states.

See the best motivational status for your family, husband, friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, mother, father, brother, sister, colleagues, teacher, son, daughter, wife, Hindi, dad, mom and much more. Read this complete article to know attractive Whatsapp statuses to motivate.

‘Work until you don’t have to introduce yourself’

(2) If you can dream it, you can do it.

(3) Be nice whenever possible. It is always possible.

(4) Perpetual optimism is a force to multiply.

(5) Success in life is not so much a matter of talent or opportunity as concentration and perseverance.

(6) We all face a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems.

(7) The most important thing in communication is to listen to what is not said.

(8) If you want to achieve greatness, stop asking for permission.

(9) Failure is always temporary, just giving up makes it permanent… (Motivational State #1)

(10) Be the change you want to see in the world!!!

(11) You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.

(12) Do not give up, the beginning is always the most difficult.

(13) Don’t complain about snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own door is dirty.

(14) Defeat your enemies with your success.

(15) I tried once. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. fail again. Fail better… (#2 motivational whatsapp status)

(16) If you can dream it, you can do it.

(17) Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.

(18) If you’re not doing the things you love, then your life isn’t worth living. Why are you here?

(19) Always do your best. What you sow now, you will reap later.

(20) More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren’t so busy denying them!

(21) Expect trouble and eat it for breakfast.

(22) Don’t look at the clock; do what it does keep going.

(23) Never give up, because that is the place and the moment when the tide will turn.

(24) You never know what motivates you.

(25) Do not raise your voice, improve your argument.

(26) With ordinary talents and extraordinary perseverance, anything is possible.

(27) Try to be like the turtle: comfortable in your own shell.

(28) “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

(29) Do it today or regret it TOMORROW.

(30) If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Don’t think of it as a failure. Think of it as a timed release success… (motivational quote #3)

(31) You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after him with a club.

(32) Harsh advice has no effect. They are like hammers that are always thrown off the anvil!

(33) When all physical and mental resources are concentrated, one’s power to solve a problem is greatly multiplied.

(34) You never fail until you stop trying.

(35) If you follow your happiness, doors will open for you that would not have been opened for anyone else.

(36) One day I really want to say- I DID IT.

(37) Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds talk about people.

(38) With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

(39) The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have it.

(40) The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.

3_inspirational_quotes_of_life

(42) You will never change your life until you change something you do every day.

(43) Once you learn to be happy alone, you won’t tolerate anyone who can’t make you just as happy.

(44) A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

(45) A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.

(46) Anything that gets you down will eventually make you stronger.

(47) Some people pass through our lives in a shorter period of time than we expected to teach us things that they never could have taught if they had stayed.

(48) Happiness comes when we test our abilities towards some meaningful purpose.

(49) Things don’t happen. Things are made to happen… (#4 Motivational WhatsApp Quotes)

(50) The decision defines the destination.

(51) Try not to become a man of success, but a man of courage!!!

(52) If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got.

(53) To shine like the sun, you need to burn like one.””

(54) The great pleasure of life is doing what people say you can’t do!!!

(55) God always gives his best to those who leave him the choice.

(56) Courage is what you gain when you’ve been through hard times and discover that they’re not so hard after all (57) Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!

(58) I would never have amounted to anything if it weren’t for adversity. I was forced to go up the hard way!

(59) I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

(60) Through perseverance, many people achieve success from what seemed destined to be certain failure.

(61) You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.

(62) You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone.

(63) Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire below you, it will most likely burn very briefly.

(64) It doesn’t matter if you try and try and try again and fail. It doesn’t matter if you try and fail, and don’t try again.

(65) Only a fool knows everything. A wise man knows how little he knows.

(66) Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.

(67) Change your thoughts and you will change your world.

(68) You are surrounded by hundreds of people shyer than you.

(69) Begin to be now what you will be in the hereafter.

(70) Act as if what you do makes a difference. it does.

(71) Expect trouble and eat it for breakfast… (#5 best whatsapp status)

(72) Success is falling 9 times and getting up 10.

(73) Either you run the day or the day runs you.

(74) The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life: mental, emotional, spiritual and physical.

(75) Be kind to everyone and severe with yourself.

(76) Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.

(77) Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.

(78) By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

(79) Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

(80) The success of a minute pays for the failure of years.

(81) Do you want to know who you are? don’t ask Act! Action will outline and define you.

(82) A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.

(83) Accept challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.

(84) With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

(85) Opportunities multiply as they are taken advantage of!!!!

(86) Always do your best. What you sow now, you will reap later.

(87) To be successful, your desire for success must be greater than your fear of failure.

(88) Life is not about getting and having, it is about giving and being.

(89) Either I will find a way, or I will make one.

(90) Excellence is not an act but a habit. The things you do the most are the things you will do best.

(91) We all have some failures under our belt. It is what prepares us for success!!!

(92) Who seeks finds.

(93) Work hard in silence and let success make noise.

Sports

Son’s World War II Biography Father Serves As Microcosm Of The Greater Generation

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The debt we owe as a nation to the greatest generation cannot be underestimated, and Judson Stone knows this firsthand. As the son of a World War II veteran who continued to serve his country for decades after the war, Judson got up close and personal with the greatest generation. Readers may not know the name of Colonel Frederic A. Stone, but he certainly led a remarkable life, and in this new biography of his father, Judson Stone highlights the qualities that made his father a typical American in many ways and in many ways. others an extraordinary man

Like most biographies, A Last Chapter of the Greatest Generation begins with some family history, which I found fascinating. The Stone family can trace their lineage back to the Mayflower, and theirs is a history that has seen many significant moments in American history and they have rubbed shoulders with many of America’s greatest men, including Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. And yet these were also typical middle-class Americans who worked hard for a living and were good citizens. Perhaps most notable is the family’s unwavering faith in God, which ultimately led Judson Stone to become a minister.

As for Colonel Frederic Stone, his story is one of growing up in New York in the 1920s and 1930s, falling in love, trying to decide what to do with his life, and ultimately becoming an aviator in World War II. Some of the most interesting moments in the book describe how Stone was part of the campaign to fly over the hump in Asia.

After the war, Colonel Stone returned home and decided to practice medicine while remaining in the Air Force and stationed around the country. One of his greatest accomplishments was serving as part of the medical recovery team for three lunar missions: Apollo 7, 9 and 10, the last being a dress rehearsal to land a man on the moon.

While Judson Stone details the significant events of his father’s life, he also places them in a larger context of how national and international events have affected his family, from the Surgeon General’s warning against smoking in 1964 that caused his parents quit smoking, to how the Kennedy assassination shocked the nation, and America’s changing views on race.

After retirement, Colonel Stone continued to be a remarkable man, and his wife joined him in his efforts. They became missionaries to Africa, their medical skills serving them well in their goal of helping others while also spreading the gospel. One of the most surprising and moving moments in the book occurs when, in gratitude for Colonel Stone’s medical service, the local chief proceeded to roll on the ground in front of him, as a mark of respect for an honored guest, an honor that the boss had only been awarded once before in his life.

Adding to Colonel Stone’s professional life are Judson Stone’s personal recollections of his father, including their various vacations together, his father’s advice, and ultimately the care Judson provided his parents at the end of their lives.

A Last Chapter of the Greatest Generation is, in many ways, the story of an American family that is much like you and me. At the same time, it is the story of an extraordinary man who was there to serve his nation, his God, and his fellow men when necessary. It is a book that reminds us that we are all capable of greatness in our daily lives, and is especially a testament to the love of a parent and child for one another and an inspiration to all of us.

Tours Travel

Eurail train travel: luxury at high speed

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You can effectively extend a European tour vacation by several days and perhaps save money. To do so, you need a Eurail pass and a bit of planning ahead.

Is that how it works. With a Eurail Pass you can get from one city center to another in Europe in great comfort at a reasonable price.

The key to this is the phrase ‘city center to city center’. Consider Paris. The airport, Charles de Gaulle, is 23 km northeast of Paris. If you go by taxi in any direction it costs the public debt and takes 45 minutes. There are regular buses and trains, but your journey will never be less than 45 minutes. When you leave, you have to go through security and the airlines want you to be there long before takeoff. At least an hour, sometimes two hours.

Thus, on any flight you find that it takes up to six hours, never less than four, to get to the airport, check in, fly, arrive and pick up your luggage. Then reach the center of your destination.

By train, in all the capitals of Europe (I have searched and I have not found any exception) you arrive at the center of the city.

Yes, you need to be at the train station ten minutes before the train leaves, make it fifteen minutes to be sure, and when you arrive at your destination, you will be there instantly. Your luggage is with you and you are there, right in the center of the city. To test this stay with Paris for the time being.

At Easter, one of the busiest times of the year in Paris, I arrived at Gare de L’Est, one of the main stations in Paris. At the station was the tourist help desk; all stations in Europe have a help desk.

There I explained what I wanted: a cheap room (less than 50 euros per night) in a hotel near Place Republique with views of the rooftops of Paris. And I confirmed it in ten minutes and was happily on my way. (By the way, it was the most romantic hotel room I’ve ever had and this was Paris in the spring and the chestnut trees were in bloom and unfortunately I was alone.)

On this trip I traveled from Salerno in Sicily through Italy and then France, from Spain to Barcelona to admire Gaudí’s work, back to Greece and then back to Germany to Mainz. I had a lot of ground to cover and this was the best way, the least expensive and the most pleasant. I saved a lot of time and a lot of money.

(And if you’re into vintage bikes, you should know that I spent my birthday touring Sicily on a 350cc Royal Enfield that was an exact replica of the 1960s model but made in Madras. I could have rented the 500cc model but I thought going a little over the top).

Usually you will only be faced with relatively short travel times (from Paris to Lyon is two hours, from Amsterdam to Cologne three hours, from Geneva to Paris three and a half hours and so on) and these will be pleasant experiences because the trains they are fast, comfortable (especially in first class) and wonderfully quiet.

The best example of modern trains in Europe are the TGV trains in France, which are part of the EuroCity network.

I’m writing this while traveling on the TGV express (TGV stands for Train a Grande Vitesse, which roughly translates to high-speed train) from Paris to Avignon. Peace of mind, we’re racing on rubber tires, it’s scary. This is first class and there is a three seat configuration in the carriage: two and one. I’m in the solo seat, which is adjustable and comfortable.

There is a folding table on which my computer rests.

Now we are driving through the suburbs of Paris at more than 200 kilometers per hour. We will eventually reach our maximum cruising speed, which is over 270 kilometers per hour. There is no rocking, no rattling, no jolting, and no pulling.

A gentlemen’s carriage for the grand tour of Europe.

For trains between big cities, your best bets are super-fast trains with names like (ah! the romance in the names) Catalan Tago, Maria Theresa, Voltaire, Leonardo da Vinci, Etoile du Nord. These are very fast and are almost never late.

Sometimes you will use the train only as a high-speed, cheap and comfortable transportation, but at other times, the train trip can also be a tourist trip.

Bernina Express in Switzerland, Bergen Express in Norway, Loisirail in France are examples where the journey is part of the scenic vacation.

Important points to remember:

• Keep in mind that Europeans very sensibly use a 24-hour clock in matters of this kind. That is to say: five in the afternoon becomes 1700 hours and half past nine at night is 2130. Easy once you get the hang of it.

• When starting your train journeys, you must validate your Eurailpass by showing your passport. Do this before boarding any train at the information window at any major train station. Your ticket and a validation voucher will be returned to you.

• Keep your validation slip separate from the ticket. It constitutes proof of ownership. (If you’re a worrisome wart like me, make a photocopy of both right away, and remember to keep the copy in the lining of your suitcase.)

• Make sure you go to the correct station. Every city in Europe has several different train stations. This TGV train I’m traveling on left from Gare de Lyon in Paris. But there are six other main train stations in that city of light. Your hotel concierge will advise you.

• When you arrive at the station, make sure you get on the correct platform and in the correct car. The signs are always very clear and the railway staff are always very helpful. There will be a sign confirming the name, number and departure time of the train at the entrance to the platform when you arrive.

• It is essential to get on the right car, instead of the right train; in modern trains it is the wagon that is sent by computer control to its destination. On the side of each car is an identification panel that tells you the number of the car, where you are going, and the names of the most important stops along the way. Review the panel carefully, and if you are still in doubt, show your ticket to the train conductor and explain exactly where you are going.

• Boundaries. A Eurail pass is for x number of trips during a given period of time. Don’t waste the pass on short trips.

Example: I was in Nice and had to go to Cannes. I went by train and bought a ticket. Don’t waste your Eurail Pass on travel on trips that take less than an hour.

• Ubiquity. Every station seems to have a Eurail reservation desk. Be organized and try to book as far in advance as possible if you want to sleep in. These trains fill up, especially during the holiday season, and the earlier you book, the more certain you’ll be getting the right train.

• Sleep on the train. If it’s a very long trip, take the afternoon train and sleep on board. On first class Eurail tickets, the sleeping car is part of the package.

This has great advantages. Saves you the cost of a night’s accommodation and accomplishes what could be a long trip in considerable comfort and style. For example, I went from Salerno in Sicily to Genoa on an overnight train and slept like a baby.

One has to be careful.

There is a story about a passionate young couple who did not wear their nightdress to sleep. In a moment of ecstasy, the young woman clung like mad to the nearest object. Unfortunately, it was the emergency stop communication cable.

• If possible, bring your own snacks. There was a thought in my mind that the food on European trains would be a gourmet’s delight. In my experience, it’s a long way from that. On the other hand, almost all the restaurants in the station serve good food at very reasonable prices as long as you stay away from fast food chains.

• Get to the correct stop. When entering a city, make sure not to get off at a suburban stop, which is usually the stop before the central station. If in doubt, ask the ticket inspector or the guard. It is not necessary to know how to speak the language. Just show your ticket and they will tell you what to do.

• Travel light. If you can’t easily carry your luggage, it’s full. Porters do not exist. Not in any season I’ve seen.

• Use the entire pass. When planning your itinerary, be bold. You can go from Greece to Oslo and pretty much anywhere in between.

• Not the UK. All of this applies to Europe except Great Britain. A Eurail Pass does not work there. Great Britain is not part of Europe. What made you think otherwise?

Sites that can help

Eurail

http://www.eurail.com/

It claims, correctly, that it is the only official Eurail site. This is true. But it is not the only site that can give you information. And it’s certainly not the only site that can sell you tickets. However, it is a very good starting point because from here you can order possible schedules and itineraries.

Europe

[http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm]

This is not the official site, but it could also be considered as such. There is nothing about Eurail that I don’t know.

Europe by Eurail

http://www.railpass.com

Again, this is a commercial ticketing company, but that doesn’t stop it from having a lot of useful information on the site.

Boots and all the trips

http://www.bootsnall.com/eurail/

Would you buy a ticket from a company with a name like that? Let’s not be snobs. You have a lot of Eurail experience and your site is very helpful.

Eurail network

http://www.eurailnet.com/

It sounds official but it is still a commercial company that sells tickets. You won’t find much difference in prices between companies, but you’ll find a lot of information on sites like this and find the cheapest pass for your particular trip.

Technology

Are your day trading losses getting out of control?

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I’ve seen it too often. A new trader believes the hype and rushes into stocks before they are ready. Without preparation, they open an account and start buying shares. They make some profit and think “this is easy”. And then the day finally comes. An action that they begin to collapse. Almost as soon as they buy it, the price starts to drop. And then it falls some more. And the trader nervously goes through 100 different thoughts, trying to decide what to do. “Should I go out now and take the loss before it gets worse?” “Should I ‘be strong’ and wait?”

Then the internal dialogue starts to go downhill. “I’m so stupid, why did I let it go this far?” But the mind begins to rationalize. “Well, I’ll wait for it one more day and see if it improves before I sell it.”

Sounds familiar? If you’ve run more than a few trades, I’m sure you have.

Here’s the thing. Every trader experiences this. Every trader has daily trading losses. Every trader has to figure out how to handle it. In fact, until he gets to handle his losing trades, he will never make it as a day trader. I hate being so brutal. But it is the truth. You can glory all you want in the occasional brilliant trade. But, if his daily trading losses are wiping out those brilliant gains, then he won’t be playing the game much longer.

So what can you do about it?

Here are some basics to get you started. This advice is tried and true. If you are just starting day trading then it would be wise to stick with it.

1. Keep a journal. Record every trade, your profit/loss, what you did right/wrong, what you saw/didn’t see. If possible, print a chart of each trade to accompany that journal. Then review that journal every day and every weekend.

2. Find a solid strategy. Making money as a day trader is all about discipline. Discipline is based on doing what you are supposed to do, whether you feel like doing it or not. And you can’t have discipline until you have a strategy that tells you what you’re supposed to do and when you’re supposed to do it. These strategies don’t come quickly. They must be tested in real world trading and require you to keep honest records of each trade.

3. Don’t do it alone. It’s easy for the new day trader to sit in front of a computer, alone, and feel cut off from others. It’s dangerous actually. So, find a trading group, chat room, or somewhere that helps you interact with other traders. And don’t think he knows everything just because he’s been trading for a few months. Becoming a profitable day trader takes time. But who said you could earn a surgeon’s salary with a primary education?

You can learn to manage your daily trading losses. Following the three steps I just mentioned will get you started in the right direction.