Throughout a woman’s pregnancy, high levels of estrogen and progesterone keep the flow of milk in check, even after the surge in prolactin production that occurs during the seventh month of pregnancy.

As soon as the infant is born, levels of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin decline, and the level of oxytocin increases, which prompts delivery of a premilk liquid called colostrum. This thick, yellow substance is rich in antibodies that help fight off infections and allergies, prevent intestinal problems, and build up the infant’s immune system.

Preparing to Breast-Feed

Most new mothers feel awkward and nervous the first few times they breast-feed. That’s because it involves positions, movements, and feelings that are new. Although it is not within the scope of this book to address all of the issues surrounding breast-feeding, this book does give you a solid foundation on matters concerning breast health.

The Wonders of Breast-Feeding

When a baby begins to suckle, prolactin levels rise, prompting the production of milk. The nerves that surround the nipple and areola signal the hypothalamus, which then transmits a message to the pituitary gland to release oxytocin. The oxytocin stimulates the myoepithelial cells and the breast muscles to push I he breast milk toward the ampulla, where the milk collects before it is released through the nipple

The reflex that releases the milk from the breasts to the infant is called the let-down or the milk-ejection reflex. It operates automatically in the majority of women. It is often accompanied by the following signs:

* Tingling or mild pain in the breasts

* Appearance of milk even before the baby begins to nurse

* Uterine contractions

* Release of milk from both nipples at the same time

* A feeling of fullness or warmth in the breasts

The letdown reflex is intimately tied to a woman’s emotional state. That’s why some women find that they begin to leak milk when they hear their child cry or even when they think about their infant. The let-down reflex is an excellent example of the connection between mind and body.

Negative emotions or events can have a corresponding negative effect on let-down. Women who are experiencing pain, embarrassment, anger, fatigue, illness, or fear may find it hard to get their milk flowing initially.

A trusted friend or a lactation expert from organizations such as La Leche League International and the International Childbirth Education Association can help in these matters.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breast-feed their infants for at least 6 months, preferably 1 year or longer. If you must breast-feed for a shorter time, do so while slowly weaning your child to formula.

If you must return to work but also want to continue to breast-feed, use a breast pump and save your milk for your infant. Some mothers combine breast-feeding and formula feeding.

Discuss your options with your doctor, or contact La Leche League International or the International Childbirth Education Association for more information.

SELF CARE DURING BREAST-FEEDING

* Keep your nipples clean (do not use soap) and dry them after bathing and nursing to prevent cracking.

* Remember that whatever you eat is transferred to your child. The best foods are fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and other natural foods. Avoid processed foods; the additives and chemicals are passed along in your breast milk.

* Increase your food intake by 500 to 600 calories a day to provide nutrition for your infant.

* Drink plenty of liquids, such as fruit and vegetable juices, pure water, and herbal teas (no caffeine). Contrary to popular opinion, nursing mothers do not need to drink milk in order to produce milk. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

* Avoid exposure to pesticides, herbicides, cigarette smoke, and other toxic chemicals, including chemicals used in cleaning products and those used to treat your garden. These can find their way into your breast milk.

* Take vitamins as recommended by your physician.

Get a copy of Ms Yvonne Lee Best Selling Breast Enhancement Book! TodayIt describes and details the most important breast enhancement techniques from every corner of the world. A book endorses by more then 80 well known doctor and surgeon from 28 countries can’t be wrong.

This article is not designed as a substitute for personal medical advice but as a supplement to advice for those wishes to understand more about her condition.

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Annabel Cruz is a researcher that studies Natural healing by combining both Western and Eastern ways. Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included. And we provide best pueraria mirifica information on the site.

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The Spawn movie from the early 90’s, but do you know who, or what he is?

Created in 1992 by writer/artist Todd McFarlane he has become one of the most popular and enduring anti-heroes in comic book history.

Al Simmons was once a highly decorated member of the American Secret Services and CIA, he had even saved the Presidents life at, and had a beautiful wife called Wanda.

But this all came to a sudden end when he was brutally murdered by his boss, Jason Wynn, for witnessing his illegal activities.

Unfortunately for our hero, instead of dying in peace he was sent straight to Hell because of his often violent and brutal work as well as the dubious nature of his of his assignments which are rumored to have included more than one assignation.

So, burning with a desire for revenge and wishing to see his wife one last time he struck a deal with the evil demon Malebolgia, a servant of Hell and the powers of Darkness, to serve him as long as he could see his wife Wanda again.

..And so he was returned to the realms of the living as a Hellspawn, badly scarred and burnt and with little memory his past.

Five years have passed since his death and his wife Wanda has remarried to his best friend Terry Fitzgerald and they have had a baby called Cyan, however Al Simmons is unaware of this until he finally finds his wife.

Al is left with two choices which are represented by a disgusting minor demon of Malebolgia’s called The Clown (with the power to change into the huge, fanged, clawed Violator) and a harmless old man known as Cogliostro, to either accept his place next to Malebolgia and embrace the Devil and his cause or to renounce them.

And so, with what humanity he still has he decides to denounce the devil, in order to fight the evil on Earth using his powers as a Hellspawn for the world’s good in order to try and redeem himself for his past evils.

The Spawns first battles are a frenzy of revenge and hate against the evil that has created him with little thought for what he was doing. As a result he brutally takes out and kills various street gangs as well as a pedophilic serial killer and takes over the alleys and streets of Rat City .

But the local street mobster boss Tony Twist Twistelli, suspects Terry Fitzgerald, the Spawns old friend, of being behind the brutal and bloody killings of his soldiers .

Tony therefore sends a rebuilt and reprogrammed Overtkill, a mob enforcer who is half human and half cyborg, out to hunt down and kill Terry. This in turn forces the Spawn to protect his friend, by taking a bullet to the face, and eventually revealing his true identity to him.

In these early days he also faces Angela, a beautiful angel sent to hunt down and kill all Hellspawn, and the The Redeemer, a Heavenly sent Anti-Spawn, who unknown to Spawn, is his former boss and murderer Jason Wynn.

Despite his vast powers he is nearly destroyed during some of these early battles because his frenzied, unplanned attacks and because he has yet to learn the full powers he posses and how to use them.

During a crossover story arc with the Youngblood comic Spawn’s friend Bobby is brutally murdered and the Spawn uses his powers to bring him back to life

But later, his friend Bobby is kidnapped to be studied by Heaven and so Spawn is forced into a confrontation with heaven to try and gain his friends freedom. Forced into entering heaven his suit turns mad and begins freaking out almost killing him and their natural aversion to each other, i.e. Heaven and Hell in the same place at the same time.

He also comes up against a new Redeemer, vastly more powerful than previously and thus the ensuing fight leaves Spawn seriously weakened and barely alive, his suit in tatters and becoming erratic and unpredictable…

.. And so Spawn metamorphosis for the first time.

His suit, which had become torn and ragged, is transformed into pure black and white. With this transformation it also becomes much more powerful and gains the power to shape shift. His gloves and boots also morph becoming heavily armored with spikes and chains.

Despite these extra powers and his continued fighting and battles against evil his task seems endless.

At one point The Curse manages to capture him and after surgically removing his suit to learn its secrets. When he finally reunites with his suit he finds it has gained a mind of its own and tries to take control of Spawn.

The Spawn has to fight to regain control in a constant struggle between their “minds” and this struggle weakens him until constant battle and use of his powers result in his suit, and him with it, being summoned back to Hell.

Trapped back in the depths of Hell Spawn fights its many demons in the various circles and territories of Hell and eventually ends up back at the foot of Maleboglia’s throne, who laughing and gloating at Spawn banishes him back to Earth.

And so Spawn’s struggle to regain his humanity and free himself from his ties to Hell continues.

The attacks against Spawn from both Heaven and Hell become increasingly frequent and violent forcing him to be drawn even deeper into the spiraling world of carnage, violence and evil that he is trying to escape from…

END OF PART ONE

Part II to follow next month

Colin Dorman

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) — Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesyof CenterWatch:

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There was a time when families and friends all inhabited the same town or even the same three or four square city blocks. For most of us, that time has passed. Career opportunities and contacts made while pursuing a higher education have led to most families spreading out across the country. However, when we plan the special events of our lives, from Baptisms to Weddings, we want to be with our family and friends to share that day regardless of the distance we live apart. As a result most special events have a number of guests who travel some distance to join the celebration.

When a guest outlays a significant amount of time and money to attend a family event, we want to be certain to show our appreciation with hospitality and a gracious welcome. There are many ways that can be done. Perhaps one of the best is with a welcome basket placed in the hotel room. Arriving tired and perhaps hungry after a day of travel, you can imagine how much a basket of goodies would be appreciated by your out of town guest.

Welcome baskets can contain an assortment of food and beverage items such as chocolates, popcorn, nuts, pretzels, sparkling cider, bottled water, flavored coffee, candy, cheese and crackers, biscotti, and cookies.

When choosing the foods to include it is wonderful if you can include at least some if not all items that are local or regional favorites. For example:
California- Ghiradelli Chocolate
New York- Cheesecake
Iowa- Popcorn
Virginia- Peanuts
Georgia- Peach Buds
Pennsylvania- Hersheys Chocolate

Welcome baskets can also be filled with items to make the hotel stay more pleasant such as a cotton throw, linen spray, bath bomb, night-light, shower gel, and travel candle.

Every hotel welcome basket should contain a welcoming note from the host. In addition, it is wonderful to add maps, the itinerary for the special event weekend and tourist type brochures. Information that the guest not familiar with the area will enjoy is often available from the local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Bureau.

Hotel Welcome Baskets are often left at the hotel registration desk and given to guests at check-in. Of course, it would be lovely if time permitted you to hand deliver them to your guests after their arrival.

From a very small tote bag containing only some fresh baked cookies to an extravagant basket of gourmet goodies, this is the first hint that your guest will have of just how special this special event will be!

Teresa Franko, whose own family is spread from New York to California, is the author of Welcoming the Out of Town Special Event Guest and the owner of the website, www.exquisitegiftsforguests.com http://www.exquisitegiftsforguests.com .

AP - The latest in plywood-reinforced walls, tied-down foundations, strengthened concrete and stronger welds - if an earthquake had to hit somewhere in densely populated Southern California, this relatively new suburb of 80,000 people was about the best place possible.

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Selecting the location for your business is one of the most important decisions you will make; the success of your business could depend upon it. Base your decision on sound research and fact, rather than an initial reaction.

1. Know the area
2. Who frequents the area?
3. Observe traffic patterns
4. Evaluate the convenience factor
5. Evaluate available parking
6. Storage space
7. Follow the coffee shops
8. Pinpoint the competition
9. Choosing a real estate company

Know the area - how big is the area? It may be a large shopping area such as a mall with a high footfall flow, or it may only be a few blocks with no other competing store. You want to pick an area that is going to ensure you hit your targets, so knowing the type of visitors to the area is useful. (The type of stores should help indicate this).

Who frequents the area? - The local area should be an indication of the type of people living there; mostly families or young professionals? If you’re planning on opening a toy store you obviously want the former, whereas a trendy wine bar will appeal to the latter. You know your target market, so ensure you know your area.

Observe traffic patterns - is there public transport? Are cars stopping in the area or merely passing through? Lots of vehicles doesn’t necessarily mean lots of people traffic.

Evaluate the convenience factor - How convenient is it for people to get to your outlet? How easy is it for you to get to it and if you need products delivered, is there adequate room for delivery vehicles?

Storage space - whatever your plans are, you’re likely to want an area for storage of products, files etc. Ensure you buy a place with the right amount.

Follow the coffee shops - You might want to consider locating to an area which is up and coming, with expected expansion and growth. You’re likely to get the plot at a good price, but will have to factor in footfall may be slow initially

Pinpoint the competition - Do you want to be near a competitor in the hope of attracting their clientele? Or do you think this is too risky and would prefer to set up in an area where you have no competition?

Choosing a real estate company - pick up the phone and do your research. Ask them what they know of the area, the one’s that have the info and know about the area and all of the above points are the ones to consider.

Ensure you cover all of the above when considering a location for your business, it’s too important to get wrong.

Emma Mitchell is the marketing director of www.cyberneur.com http://www.cyberneur.com a new social networking site for budding entrepreneurs.

AP - JaMarcus Russell was held out of team drills for the second straight practice Wednesday because his throwing elbow was still sore after banging it off the helmet of Darren McFadden.

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If you and your family are planning on moving to or from Detroit, you may want to use a professional moving company. Since you are moving to or from the Detroit area, you may want to use a Detroit moving company. In most cases, you will find that a professional moving company makes your move easier; however, there are still things that you may want to prepare for.

One of the many ways that you can make your move easier is to hire a Detroit moving company, well in advance. As soon as you know that you would like to use a professional moving company and when, you are advised to make an appointment. The sooner you have your appointment made, the sooner you can begin to start preparing for your move. In addition to the ability to start preparing, you will also find that booking an appointment with a moving company in advance may better your chances of getting the Detroit moving company of your choice.

It is also a good idea that you get your moving supplies, such as packing tape, cardboard boxes, and bubble warp, early on. This is especially important if you want to get some of your supplies for free. A large number of retail stores allow their customers to take their discarded cardboard and bubble warp; however, all of these supplies may not be available all at the same time. For a large collection of free packing supplies, you are advised to return to the same retail store for a period of time. After a few weeks, you may find that you have all of the cardboard boxes and bubble wrap that you need.

When packing your belongings, it is advised that you fill up your boxes, as much as you can. Unfilled boxes may result in damaged belongings. The fuller your boxes are, the less likely it is that your items will move around and suffer damage. It is also a good idea to mark all of your boxes with which room they will belong in. This make not only make your move easier, but it may also make the job of a Detroit moving company easier as well. It is also advised that you mark any of the boxes with breakable contents as fragile.

While the moving is occurring, you may want to keep an eye on the movers you hired. Most professional Detroit moving companies will properly handle your items, but it is still a good idea to be sure. If you notice anything broken or damaged, it is important that you make note of those items right away. If your Detroit moving company is insured, they will likely need a report of all of your damaged items in a few days, maybe even sooner.

It is no secret that moving can be a frustrating and stressful time. By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to move without having to worry about what will happen to your belongings or anything else that may cause you to stress.

Ted Garvin is a writer for FroggyMoving.com http://FroggyMoving.com where you can find the best Detroit Moving Company around and other related information.

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Distance Learning or ‘Home Study’ has come a long way since Isaac Pitman taught shorthand via correspondence courses in the 1840s. However the huge benefits of studying from home, or from the workplace, remain the same.

First of all, with a Distance Learning course you enjoy the freedom of being able to study in your own time and at your own pace. That’s because Distance Learning courses are carefully designed to fit in with your life.

Whether you wish to improve your life, increase your job prospects or simply study a hobby that you are interested in, more and more people are choosing to study from home as it fits in comfortably with their lifestyle.

There are many fully-accredited Distance Learning providers in the UK today (type ‘distance learning’ ‘home study’ or ‘distance education’ into Google.co.uk and you’ll find most of them), offering a huge range of interesting, educational courses available for study.

Distance Education courses available for home study can include anything from Airline Training to Art Studies, Book-keeping to Business & Management, Counseling to Child Care and Writing to Web Design. You will find courses on things like Wedding Planning and Event Management, Nail Technician, Animal Care and Behaviour…even courses such as Diet & Exercise, Forensic Science and How to Start Your Own Business. On some vocational courses you may even qualify for a career Development Loan from the government.

But you are not alone when you study from home. Distance Learning providers (or Home Learning agencies as they are sometimes called) employ professional student advisors and fully qualified tutors to mark and help you with your coursework. Most Home Study courses provide learners with an accredited diploma which helps them increase their job prospects, change their lifestyle or even start their own business.

Many Distance Learning providers offer interest free credit schemes to help students spread the cost over a period they can afford. Also look out for special discount offers.

Looking for a better job, a better future, a better life? Then take up a Distance Learning course today and change your life forever!

Course Author

Shaun L Bird
www.uk-open-learning.com/ http://www.uk-open-learning.com/

Shaun L Bird

AFP - Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani held talks with US President George W. Bush here Monday and called on the United States not to act “unilaterally” against Islamic militants in Pakistan.

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If you have ever had the embarrassment of a neighbor calling you asking you to please stop your dog from barking, then you are not alone. If you have ever had a visit from the local police about your dog’s noisy behavior, then you know you had better react quickly. Barking is a way your dog communicates with the world. Therefore, when a dog barks, he is saying something. Therefore, you have to control and stop dog barking before it gets out of hand.

Hitting, yelling at, or punishing your dog for his barking will not solve the problem and might cause your dog more confusion about the rules you are attempting to set. It might also make him aggressive towards you or worse yet, others.

Now that you understand that punishment is not the way to stop your dog from barking, you might be wondering how to properly go about solving the issue. First, change your mindset. It is easier to attract flies with honey than with vinegar. In other words, attract your dog’s attention with incentives and rewards he’ll receive for not barking. If you reward him, he’ll want to keep up the good behavior in hopes of receiving more love and treats.

Regardless of whether you have a puppy or a dog that barks, it isn?t that difficult to get him to stop barking. Before using any methods to stop his behavior, think about your dog?s needs. Yes, he does have needs. Is he tied up to a tree all day? Is he left alone without any attention for extended periods? Does he get to run everyday for at least thirty minutes to an hour? Is he hungry, thirsty, or sick? Remember, barking means something, even if it is a cry for attention.

If your dog is getting lots of love, attention, devotion, and freedom, and the barking persists, you will have to take direct action. Sometimes obtaining professional materials online is a great way to learn about your options. You might also contact a veterinarian behaviorist who might be able to take a look at your dog - something that will help you ascertain whether your dog is in pain, sick, hurting, or perhaps just nervous.

However, if all else fails, you might consider adapting your training methods. If the dog is outside or inside when he begins to bark, go to him and say in a firm voice without yelling, ?No bark!? or ?Be quiet!? Then, when you have the dog’s attention, give him a treat and praise the dog calmly saying, ?Good boy. No bark. ? Your dog will quickly learn the commands in hopes of obtaining more rewards. While this method may work for some, other methods will have to be employed for other dogs, especially pedigree.

Many products on the market will do wonders to stop dog barking. Some use sounds, sprays, or other methods help you have a quieter or even calmer dog.

If you are interested in more information about how to stop dog barking, you might want to look into purchasing some professional dog obedience training material.

Nick Krueger is a review specialist at www.Reviewica.com http://www.Reviewica.com . For more information on dog obedience training and dog training product reviews, please visit: www.Dog-Obedience-Training.Reviewica.Com http://www.Dog-Obedience-Training.Reviewica.Com .

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A SQL (Structured Query Language) server is a complete system designed for the purpose of database management, development and administration. With the help of the SQL server software, users are able to create and handle large relational or structural databases and develop applications that increase the effectiveness of their business.

Microsoft SQL Server has always been the best database platform. It provides secure storage and when it comes to working with large databases no other product can be compared with SQL server. It is also very closely related to Visual Studio and The office suite, so it’s perfect for both database administrators and people who work with smaller and simpler databases

SQL servers have a large number of powerful tools that facilitate database maintenance, and administration. Among the most important ones are the Enterprise Manager, the Service Manager and the Query analyzer.

The Enterprise Manager allows its user to manage all the SQL server installations on a network and control all the databases from it. The Service Manager is responsible for controlling the processes and services of an SQL server Finally, the Query analyzer processes all the queries against any of the SQL databases.

The first version of Microsoft SQL server was released in 1993, the same time Windows NT 3.1 came out on the market, and after a few years, Microsoft SQL server 2000 was released. Compared to its previous versions, SQL server 2000 brings a lot of improvements and interesting new features, like XML support, functions that can be defined by the users themselves, indexed views and new data types. Also, some of the features that existed in the previous versions were enhanced in Microsoft SQL server 2000. Among the features that were enhanced you can find the full text search feature, the DBCC and. the backup and restore processes.

The last version of Microsoft SQL server was released in 2005 and it was, of course, called Microsoft SQL server 2005. This version is quite faster than SQL server 2000 and in the five years that passed since the first one was released a lot of new improvements and enhancements have been done. SQL server 2005 is not only a database administration tool, it also contains Messaging technologies, OLAP and Server integration services. It has a large variety of management tools integrated also and its security and database encryption systems have been seriously improved.

T-Sql has been implemented in order to handle errors better and the XML integration has gone deeper, now allowing XML to be stored in databases.

The new features of SQL 2005 are too many to enumerate, so we’ll just take a look at a few of the most important ones:

Database mirroring - if a database fails, the application connects to another database from a secondary server, and transfer isn’t interrupted Snapshots - if loss of data occurs or someone just made a mistake and modified some important data everything can be recovered because SQL server periodically takes ’snapshots’ of the database and uses them to restore the data Support for 64 bit processors Business Intelligence features built into SQL Server Analysis Services and Reporting Services Significant security upgrades Enhanced encryption capabilities .NET CLR, and Visual Studio integration

..and many more other useful features

SQL server 2000 and SQL server 2005 are the best and the most complex database management tools on the market, and they can do much more than just managing and administrating databases, so they are the best choice if your company needs database administration and maintenance.

A good source for more information on how to install, customize, and make the most use of a SQL Server implementation, visit the Microsoft practice section of www.unitekconsulting.com.

Shannon Margolis

AP - Barack Obama told House Democrats on Tuesday that as president he would order his attorney general to scour White House executive orders and expunge any that “trample on liberty,” several lawmakers said.

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Big birthdays are great opportunities to get creative. Instead of buying a gift that may or may not be appreciated, you can show your love, care and appreciation in ways that will leave a lasting impression and cost little or no money.

I was recently talking to a friend of mine who had just celebrated a big birthday. He told me how people went all out on the gifts, sparing no expense. When I asked him what his favorite was, he said, Oh, that’s easy. No contest. It was the one from my daughter. She gathered pictures of both of us and made a big collage that she then had framed. On the wood frame, she painted ‘I love you’ with hearts and stars. That gift made me cry. None of the other store bought ones did.

That got me thinking. What were the best gifts I have ever received? One that immediately stands out is what my then 17 year old daughter did for me at my last birthday. She told me that I needed to give her a couple of days notice before she could give me her gift. She said that I would need to clear a few hours on my calendar and tell me what day I had chosen. That got me curious. I was sure she was planning on taking me somewhere. One morning, I told her I had cleared my calendar for the next day. The following morning, just before leaving for school, she dropped an envelope on the table. Happy Birthday, Mom- don’t open this until after I leave. I hope you like it.

I was surprised. What in the world could she have given me? I tore open the envelope. Inside was a page of yellow lined paper with the following message:

Dear Mom,

You have your present coming to you, but like the parties you throw for your friends, you have to work for it! That is why I am sending you on a treasure hunt! Make sure to follow instructions carefully. Your notes are small yellow or orange notes. If you have any problems, send me a SMS. Wear comfortable shoes.

Here’s your first instruction. Go to….

P.S. If you had given me more advance notice, I would have had more time to prepare. Thanks a lot!

Oops. So much for my following her pre-gift instructions of giving her a couple of days warning. Anyway, my blooper didn’t keep her from planning an incredible tour of one of the historic areas in our city that I barely knew. I searched for notes that directed me to a hollow tree stump, to a certain sales person named Dan in a local bookstore and other hilarious instructions that entertained and taught me about hidden gems in my own home town. The different stops included historical information about what I was seeing, a coupon for a used book, and a gift certificate to buy myself some article of clothing at her favorite store, so I would stop borrowing her cool clothes.

Follow the tips below and you’ll be remembered for unforgettable gifts as well.

- Give a gift that expresses your love loud and clear. My friend’s daughter’s gift stood out because of the effort she made to personalize her present and her clear message of love.

- Give an experience. My daughter’s gift scored big because she sent me on an adventure that I will never forget! The more novel or unusual the experience and the more it fits the person’s interests, the more memorable it will be.

- Give the gift of your time. Again, my daughter’s gift was a winner as it was clear how much effort she had gone to to surprise and delight me. My mother’s favorite gift was a hand made book of coupons she received from her grandkids that could be redeemed for giving her a piano concert, baking cookies together and other activities where they spent time just with her.

- Know the celebrant’s dreams and desires and help them come true. My husband knew how much I had wanted to go on a meditation retreat and for one of my birthdays he made all the arrangements so that could happen. I have never forgotten that present. If you can make someone’s dream come true, you have given a gift beyond measure.

Tzippi Moss is an expert in the areas of imagery, expanding creativity, dream work, stress reduction, and goal setting. She is the author of A Dash of Soul and Real Women Sizzle . Read more about them at: www.WomensBirthdayClub.com http://www.WomensBirthdayClub.com .

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These days it’s difficult to get by without some form of financial assistance - most of us have loans, mortgages, credit cards, store cards or other types of debt. Taking out a personal loan is one of the most common and convenient ways in which to borrow money. There are two main types - unsecured or secured. Unsecured loans are loans without any form of security tied to them as a guarantee of repayment, whereas secured loans are guaranteed by some form of security to safeguard the lender in case of non repayment. Normally the security used in such loans is your house - whether you own it outright or have a mortgage on it. (Loans secured against a house that already has a mortgage tied to it are known as second charges, and loans secured against a house that is fully owned are known as first charges.)

Homeowners therefore have a real advantage when it comes to borrowing money, as owning property provides great potential for freeing up capital for personal use. Homeowner loans, as they are often known, allow you to use the equity available in your house to borrow money.

(Equity means the value of your home minus any outstanding debts secured on it, such as a mortgage.) They have many benefits:

Equity is the key to unlocking large sums of cash from the value of your property. Homeowner loans allow a much higher amount of lending over a longer period than unsecured loans, as they are guaranteed against the value of your property and are therefore considered less of a risk to the lender than an unsecured loan. Even if you have negative equity (i.e. your mortgage or debt is higher than the value of your home) it’s often possible to get a homeowner loan, as many lenders will lend up to 120% of the value of the property.

For the same reason, homeowner loans tend to have a lower rate of interest than unsecured loans. This means lower, more affordable monthly repayments than an unsecured loan.

As with any other personal loan, the money is yours to spend in whichever way you want. You might want to make some home improvements, purchase land, use the capital to start up a business, buy a car, go on holiday or consolidate debts or loans.

Some people have problems, often because of poor credit history. However, as homeowner loans are secured and provide a guarantee to the lender, people who have previously been unable to qualify for an often find it much easier to get a secured loan, thereby giving them access to borrowing that they could not otherwise have obtained.

Homeowner loans can also be as flexible as you want them to be. At the outset you’ll discuss and agree with the lender what terms and conditions best suit your needs.

Typical repayment terms may be anything from three to 25 years, normally paid in monthly instalments, and loan amounts tend to range from £2,000 to £60,000. Interest will be charged on the amount that you borrow, which is known as the APR or annual percentage rate. The specific details of your loan - the amount, interest rate and repayment term - will be calculated based on the equity available in your property (which will need to be valued), your personal financial status and credit history and the lender’s confidence in your ability to repay.

Research the cost of your loan carefully before you sign up to anything. As with any other purchase, it’s essential to do a bit of research and shop around until you get the best deal. You may find that the interest rates seem to vary considerably from lender to lender.

However, beware of how the APR is advertised - different companies calculate their APR in different ways, and often display their monthly rates more prominently than the APR, so it’s not always easy to compare. (Monthly rates can be cheaper than the APR, which is very misleading.) For each product, find out what the APR is and how it is calculated so that you understand exactly how much the monthly repayments will be and how much you’ll be repaying in total. This will enable you to compare like for like between products.

Charges and penalties can make a big difference to the cost of the loan. Many policies penalise early repayment, and others contain hidden fees and charges. Always read the small print and ensure that you understand the terms and conditions exactly. Ask the lender to explain any areas that you’re unsure about before you commit to anything.

Another useful tip to bear in mind is that the shorter the repayment term, the less interest you’ll be paying and therefore the lower the total cost will be to you. It’s therefore best to find the shortest term that you can manage.

Remember that it’s not just traditional banks, building societies and mortgage lenders who sell financial products.

Nowadays there are many other types of lender in the market providing competitive deals at competitive prices. You’ll probably find that supermarkets and online providers offer the best value for money.

Most importantly, weigh up the risks and benefits of using your home as security for a loan to ensure it’s the right thing for you. On the whole, homeowner loans offer much better value for money than unsecured loans and are very convenient for people who are unable to qualify for an unsecured loan. However, before you proceed, you should analyse your personal finances, work out your budget and be confident that you’ll be able to keep up the repayments, otherwise you could end up losing your home.- your property is the key to When you’ve considered all these important factors relating to homeowner loans and looked around for a suitable product, you can be sure that you’ll be getting a better deal with a homeowner loan than you would be with an unsecured personal loanraising the cash you need in an affordable way.

Benedict Rohan works as a freelance finance writer. Commercial Mortgage, Homeowner Loans, Remortgages

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