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December is a month that is synonymous with the holidays, gatherings, gifting, good cheer and wishing peace on earth. It is also a time of frenzy as you attempt to continue with your day-to-day life while also preparing for the added events that this time of the year brings. With all of the hustle and bustle found during this month, coupled with long waits in lines, it may be hard to experience (let along spread) joy as you are trying to be the super human with super patience, getting everything done!

Yet, it is possible to run around this month and still find joy within your spirit as you prepare for the holidays, and it is possible to carry this joy over from the holidaymaking throughout the rest of the year. Feeling joy can be a common experience once you learn the basic blueprint for creating it, enhancing it and living it.

Finding joy is a compelling force. It drives people to find the “good side” of life. If you think about it, people want to feel good on all levels. It is a typical desire to seek happiness and joy and move away from any pain, fear, frustration and hurt they may be experiencing physically, emotionally or spiritually. Lives are spent in a constant search for joy. So often, the end result is sought while the path to get there is overlooked. So much is missed when the experience is overlooked, and too many opportunities for joy are also missed!

How can you experience every joy along your daily path?

Perfect timing! This month is the ideal time to reflect upon experiencing joy in your world since this time of the year can bring great joy as you practice the art of giving and sharing. As the old English Proverb reminds you, “A joy this is shared is a joy made double.” As a matter of fact, this month asks you to shift your focus onto others as you share with them through the mere act of gifting, not merely receiving! This is a thoughtful gesture that not only brings joyfulness to the recipient, but also to the giver.

Think along these lines of what you can “gift” within your power to spread more joy and express more joy along your daily path. Here are six simple experiences you can mentally choose amidst the hurry and scurry of this month to contribute to the experience of joy, now, and year round, for those around you and for yourself.

1.) Define your joy - know what excites you and brings you happiness. Understand its impetus. What brings you joy will be different from what brings joy to your best friend. By knowing your source of joy, you begin to establish an intimate and ongoing relationship with it. You can easily and readily pursue those sources when you know what they are. Take responsibility to experience this joy and share in it with others.

2.) Cherish the moment - finding joy in your world will always be discovered in the present, the gift of the current moment. Try to live in the “now” of your path instead of focusing on the end result. Too much is missed when you live for tomorrow, next month, next year, when the kids grow up, when you retire, etc. The moment is cherished once you are involved with your life right now and not awaiting the “perfect” time or moment. Know that there is never a perfect time other than now!

3.) Focus on importance - make and take time for what you find important. Know that what you focus on and where you spend your time will be those things and experiences that will prosper. Focus on what makes you and your loved ones happy, and you will find more happiness within your life. Avoid focusing on those things that define you, such as labels or perceived limitations, or you will find yourself limited and confined.

4.) See small miracles - notice actions around you. The small and simple things in life, such as a smile or a helping hand from a stranger can be just what you needed when you spirits were down. Or the “chance” meeting of another at a party could lead you to networking opportunities. Be open, receptive and look for the miracles. Remember, what you notice and where you focus will cause more of the same to grow within your world. Remember, joy begins as a small seed.

5.) Shift your thinking - change your mind to “give” joy rather than “seek” joy. When you can give joy to others, you become joy. Be what it is you seek. Joy is always found in the act of “happy” expression.

6.) Appreciate with sincerity - express gratitude to others within your life. Sincerely let others know your appreciation for them. All people love to be appreciated. When you express your sincere appreciation to someone, you are accepting them in the moment for how they are. Appreciation means acceptance. Others will want to be around you when they know that you will accept them with sincerity.

As you experience this month of holidaymaking and gifting, known for stirring joyfulness, try focusing on the path of doing as opposed to the grand event of receiving at the end of it. Consider experiencing joy as an outcome of being and doing as opposed to an income of obtaining and receiving. The lessons you learn today while making these simple mental choices can serve as your blueprint towards finding joy in your world during the remaining 364 days of the year.

Copyright (c) 2005 Karen A. Dahlman. All rights reserved.

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Karen A. Dahlman, art therapist, licensed counselor and entrepreneurial business owner aspires to teach others to lead a creative life. She is founder and CEO of Creative Visions Consulting, Inc., a consulting & design firm for fortune 500 telecommunications companies. Her latest business endeavor is Gifts of the Goddess

Most homeowners are quite clear about the importance of making their home’s interior appealing when trying to sell it. But when faced with selling in a buyer’s market - when homes are selling more slowly - the details of your home’s interior and exterior become more important to attracting potential buyers. If you want to increase the number of buyers who visit your open house or inquire about a showing, take the time to boost your home’s curb appeal.

Curb appeal refers to the exterior attractiveness of your home, the way that your potential buyer sees your home when he first drives past. Curb appeal is the potential homebuyer’s first introduction to your home. A charming and well-kept house helps draw the buyer in. As always, there are key factors that you must keep in mind as you make decisions about which exterior improvements you want to make.

Remove the Rose-Colored Glasses

First, begin to look at your home as an investor, and not as a homeowner. As long as you see your house through your sentimental eyes, you run the risk of overlooking the small details that can make a significant difference in whether your home sells for your asking price. To gain perspective, put yourself in the potential buyer’s shoes - drive past the house to see what homebuyers see when they do the same; stand across the street to get a good look at the house at a distance; and do either of these activities in the evening, as many homebuyers also do. Identify any flaws or potential turn-offs in your home’s exterior.

Bring Maintenance Up To Date

After you’ve gained some perspective, begin basic cleaning and brush up on the mundane tasks that you may have neglected. Remove any tools or children’s toys from the yard - rakes, gardening tools, children’s swimming pool and bikes - then, get to work:
Mow the lawn and manicure the edges and the grass around the mailbox; trim tree limbs and shape up any shrubbery; remove grass and weeds growing in the driveway, the sidewalk and any other walk ways; power wash dingy vinyl siding, windows, porches, steps and decks; clear gutters and finally; de-clutter, clean and organize your garage.

How’s Your Green?

Next, add elements to make your lot more attractive. Begin with the greenery - If grass is not lush, thick and green - make a decision to either invest in materials (grass seed, fertilizer, etc.) to make the lawn more attractive, consider purchasing sod or hire a lawn service. Remove any dead plants or shrubs and replace them with full, healthy, blooming ones

Even if you have to remove some of your greenery, don’t get rid of everything - a bare landscape is not very warm and inviting, and will encourage potential homeowners to drive right past your property.

Spruce It Up

Another important element is your home’s exterior hardware. What needs to be changed or replaced? Minor changes can make a big difference: A good stain may help spruce up the deck; a porch swing and/or some sleek and stylish front porch; furniture can add charm and give your front porch a stronger sense of home; line your sidewalks and driveway with lighting for a more enchanting look; consider paving or re-paving your driveway; replace broken window panes and consider adding storm windows; replace your mailbox if it is old, dingy or outdated

The Main Course

Potential homeowners are going to be looking at more than the property - remember to look at the house itself. If the color of your house looks old, outdated and/or drab, you can start with a couple coats of paint to freshen it up. But this process, whether done on your own or by a professional, can be a time-consuming headache - as an alternative, vinyl siding is easily installed and offers a more uniform look. Not only will it transform the cosmetic appeal of your home, vinyl siding is a selling point with your potential buyers - most will be pleased to know that this virtually maintenance-free product will save energy and lower the cost of their monthly energy bills.

While paint will fade and chip, vinyl siding will resist the impact of daily sun exposure, changing temperatures and weather. In years to come, the new homeowners can simply use a hose to keep up the appearance of the house’s exterior, rather than spending time scraping and repainting or replacing rotten boards.

Fine Tuning

Another obvious stand-out of your home’s structure is the windows, which must be very clean, and the same goes for the glass on the front door. Also, take a good look around your front door. It is the focal point of the front of your house, and potential buyers’ eyes will be drawn to it. Could it use a fresh coat of paint or a new knocker? Also, upgrading the light fixtures at your front door will make for a more dramatic entrance and can make your home more inviting, especially at night.

Remember the Little Things

The last element to consider are the final touches. Though the goal is to present your home at its absolute best, you do want the property to look as if someone lives there. You can have a bike in the front yard, or leave the basketball goal up in the back yard. If you have a grill, leave it out on your deck. Be sure to err on the side of caution with these accents - don’t overdo it.

If you evaluate and take action on these elements, you will make your home more attractive to buyers, and keep them coming by until you find the right one - whether the market is on your side or not.

Michael Clem is Operations Manager of Creative Energy of Richmond, Virginia. Creative Energy uses vinyl siding to enhance the beauty of their client’s homes and make them more energy-efficient. http://www.creativeenergyexteriors.com/siding.htm

[tags]vinyl siding,curb appeal home improvement,housing market,home maintenance, home selling[/tags]

Nothing can match a room of your own when you need to concentrate. Whether you are running a business or catching up with the bills, a place dedicated to work could be just what you need. Many studies are small, one-person rooms ideal for freelance work, but if business expands you may need more space. In this case a loft extension can be ideal, separate from the living area but with all the advantages of working from home.

Even if you don’t earn a living at home, you may want a quiet room where you can read, work, revise or listen to music in peace. A study that is used mainly in the evening can look good decorated in a rich, traditional scheme, which creates a warm, enclosing look. Antique or reproduction desks are a natural choice here, and there are period designs available that will conceal the computer effectively.

An alternative is to add a simple side table or length of worktop to act as a separate computer table, and keep the leather-topped desk for use when you are writing and making phone calls. Dark wooden filing cabinets will blend with the surroundings, but a better solution might be to hide clutter in a slim built-in cupboard painted to match the walls. Traditional bookcases suit this style of d

Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation of homes and gardens by professionals and amateur do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that easy, we ask ourselves. Could I do it? Where do I begin? What home improvement projects will generate the biggest increase in the value of my home?

What Do You Want and What Can You Afford?

There are several good reasons for wanting to redecorate or remodel your home. If your residence no longer reflects your changing tastes and lifestyle but you don’t want to leave a desirable neighborhood, maybe all you need to do is make one or two basic changes. Altering a color scheme, converting a bedroom into a home office, or upgrading the kitchen and bathroom are practical improvements that add esthetic appeal and financial value. If a move is in the future, you want home improvement projects that will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it’s time to sell.

Whatever your motives for improving your home, make a wish list with three categories:

* Must have

* Would like to have

* Dreams can come true

When your list is complete, consider the amount of money you have available or are prepared to borrow. Unless you have unlimited funds, make a realistic estimate of what you can afford. Are you planning major renovations that will require the services of an architect or a contractor? Will you need an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, a painter, or all four? How much work can you do yourself? All these factors must be taken into account as you pare down your list into affordable home improvement projects.

How Do You Begin?

Every project starts with a plan. Itemize everything you want and think you can afford, and include a design of rooms to be remodeled. If you are going to require professional help, now is the time to talk to contractors, plumbers, and other tradesmen, and to ask for estimates. Comparison-shopping is a must. If you are an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, price materials and tools needed. If you can’t afford to do everything on your list, reassess your prime needs and make a new plan.

What Projects Are Key?

The best projects for improving the value of your home are, happily, the most affordable and the easiest to do yourself, even if you are a super klutz. Ask any real estate agent for tips on how to prepare a home for resale and you will be told that the house and yard should be cleaned and all clutter removed. Creating suitable home storage facilities and cleaning and painting the interior and exterior of your house, therefore, are the jobs that top the list of desirable improvements. The premium projects that usually require professional help are kitchen remodeling first and bathroom remodeling second. These particular upgrades will provide the best return for your money, and the real estate industry has statistics to prove it.

Clean Everything in Sight

Cleaning your home and yard is a great improvement project, and if you are remodeling, it will be the final step after the dust has settled. You will need something heavy-duty like tri-sodium phosphate or its equivalent to wash most surfaces inside and outside the house. There are also special cleaners for glass, tile, porcelain, stainless steel, and wood, and for getting rid of unpleasant molds and mildew. Visit your friendly hardware store and read labels. There are cleaners for almost every material and for solving almost every cleaning problem. Make sure rooms are well ventilated whenever you are cleaning, carefully follow directions, and wear gloves and a mask.

Removing clutter is another worthwhile project and requires adequate home storage with a combination of cabinets, shelves and bins, and sufficient strength of mind to discard all junk, no matter how much you love it. You can buy easy-to-assemble shelving and cabinets in a great variety of sizes and materials at affordable prices. Small, decorative containers can be used to organize and conceal the ongoing accumulations of such items as incoming mail. In the yard, removing clutter means getting rid of dead trees, dead branches, broken slabs and stones in patios and walkways, and tidying up the garden and lawn. When faced with clutter, ruthlessly throw it out, recycle it, hold a garage sale, donate it to the charity of your choice - get rid of it.

Interior painting and exterior painting should be next on your list of preferred home improvement projects. Fresh paint helps make your home look clean, bright, and spacious. When selecting colors for the exterior, don’t forget to do something about that bland front door. Have fun! Fresh, harmonious colors add beauty and personality to your home both inside and out.

Put Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling High on the List

Although remodeling a kitchen seems like a daunting task, a complete overhaul pays great dividends if and when you sell your home. Purchasing new cabinets and appliances are worthy goals, but you can also make minor changes that will create impact. If you can’t replace the kitchen cabinets, replace the cabinet doors at least. If that is also beyond your means, add molding to the cabinet doors, paint them, and replace the hardware. It’s not that difficult or expensive to replace an outdated sink, and if you can’t afford a new stove, fridge and dishwasher, don’t hang on to those gold or avocado monstrosities - buy attractive reconditioned replacements.

Bathroom remodeling is the next most important improvement and the biggest dividends come from installing a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower stall, as well as attractive tiles and custom cabinets. Again, if you can’t manage a complete makeover, replace the tired old taps, faucets and showerhead; add shelves; and paint and redecorate the cabinets.

Other Projects to Consider

After you have decided on and planned for the most important home improvement projects, new window covering and upgraded flooring should receive your attention. You can choose from a large array of window dressings and styles, or simply buy fabric, turn hems with iron-on tape, and dramatically drape the material over attractive curtain rods. Shutters are another possibility and lend themselves to many different decorating styles.

Your choice of flooring is limited only by your taste and budget. Rip up the old carpet and replace it with contemporary hardwood flooring or laminate flooring. If you already have hardwood, simply sanding and re-staining it or giving it a clear finish may give your rooms the lift they need. Other flooring replacements that can transform a room include tile, vinyl, linoleum, or textured rubber.

Finally, save a little energy and money to improve the appearance of your yard. Maybe all you have to do to improve the garden is trim, mow, weed, and then plant a few flowers. Adding or upgrading an existing patio, deck, or walkway can also be very worthwhile.

Choosing the best modeling and redecorating projects will not only increase the long-term value of your home, they will also provide satisfaction and pleasure for you, the smart homeowner.

Scott Gray is a successful freelance writer who has written many articles for http://www.all-about-home-improvement.com your one stop source for finding the best deals on the internet for home improvement projects , home products, garden supplies, bathroom accessories and more!

Because psychologists relate true happiness to joyous occurrences happening frequently, decorating your home to promote everyday pleasure makes sense. If you’re planning a home makeover, provide for the cumulative total of all the little pleasure moments.

When people rate their happiness, it is the ratio of pleasant to unpleasant emotions and experiences that count. These happy experiences may be simple pleasurable, everyday happenings, not always grand events.

Design Psychology, a new method for residential interior and exterior design starts with planning spaces to support emotional well-being. Homes decorated to support desired emotions create happy spaces for joyful living.

Design Psychology Ideas for Pleasure

1. A tea table in the Main Bedroom provides an intimate space for conversation or individual reflection.

2. A reading nook provides a quiet space for escape.

3. A game table provides a place for playing together.

4. A meandering pathway in the garden provides an enticement to stroll.

5. A garden bed provides the perfect place for relaxing and leisurely afternoon naps.

I mean a real bed, not a flower bed, although you need flowers too!

Let your imagination flow freely, enjoy the process, and focus on your goal of providing pleasurable daily moments at your home.

Joy to you!

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Jeanette Fisher, Design Psychology Professor, is the author of Joy to the Home eNewsletter. Discover innovative Interior Design Psychology and makeover your home to support happiness, productivity, and well-being. For Design Psychology information, see http://www.designpsych.com/ For more information about “Joy to the Home,” see http://www.joytothehome.com/

[tags]home makeover, interior design, Design Psychology, Jeanette Fisher[/tags]

One of the cooler things brought on by advent of Polynesian tiki culture is the renowned tiki bar. Giving off an air reminiscent of ancient tribal surroundings, a tiki bar is an awesome place to enjoy and lose yourself to another domain.

For those unfamiliar with this modern-day tropical delight, a tiki bar is usually modeled after a tiki hut. A distinctive structure usually made with bamboo and a special roof made of woven grass or leaves, known as a thatched roof. The bar adorned with distinctive tiki d

If you have purchased a mattress before, you know how difficult it can be to get the right one. I want to help you be prepared to buy your next set. Having been a mattress salesman, I can tell you a few basic things that will really help you make your choice.

A mattress comes in three basic comfort levels. You have the traditional Firm, Plush and Pillow Top. A lot of people have the impression that firm is better for your back and offers more support. This is not necessarily true. A Plush style mattress is generally a firm mattress with additional padding or comfort layers on top. A Pillow Top has many more layers than a Plush.

There are two main things to be concerned with the support level and the comfort level. The comfort level is what the mattress feels like when you first lay down on it. I have heard many people say right off, “Oh, that is too hard” or “Oh, that is tool soft”. This is the comfort level I am talking about. How does it impress you when you first lay down? The second concern is about support. Many people think that only a firm mattress offers enough support. This is not true. There is basically a firm mattress inside of every plush and pillow top. What does matter is how does the overall package fit you personally. So the support level is, how it feels in the morning. Is it still comfortable? Is my back aching? Am I numb anywhere? Is there a pain I never felt before?

You also have to consider the quality of the mattress and the box springs or foundation. Some have real working springs that flex and absorb some of the weight, which is very good for the longevity of your mattress. Some have just a box frame foundation with no real spring or flexing action. This is good when talking about a specialty foam mattress, but not so good with a traditional mattress. If you buy a cheap mattress the springs are thinner or spaced apart and will not offer proper support and therefore will not last long. Depending upon your weight, the mattress may not last a year.

One can often judge quality by the length of the warranty period. A one year warranty says to me they are not to confident the mattress will hold up under normal circumstances. How often I had customers come is for a $99 mattress (cheapest springs with a loin cloth stretched over it) and ask me if that was a good one. I want to say well I won’t say what I wanted to say. I would just smile and say well it only has a one-year warranty and it is our starting price point. That was my way of saying no stupid, it is a piece of junk and I wouldn’t let my dog sleep on it let alone my kid or my grandmother. I had many people walk thinking that $99 was too much to pay. What planet were they from?

A Mattress set ranges in price from $99 to $4000. You can get overkill if you want it, but generally you can get a quality mattress for between $500 and $1500. You truly get what you pay for. I should note that there is a tremendous markup on mattress sets, so there is room for you to dicker on price. Note that there is a lot of overhead in any business and there is much competition in advertising just to get you in their store. This justifies the high price, but believe me, they are willing to entertain offers. Just don’t accept any old high price.

When you go to the store you want to find a sales person who knows what they are talking about and will take the time to help you. The best will know how to do a comfort test. They will have you lie on a firm, plush and pillow top mattress set to see what comfort level works for you. After you establish that, you will be able to narrow down from 50 or more choices to 8-10. Lets say you pick plush, you then try all the plush mattress sets in your price range. They most likely will try to start you out on the highest price, which is the best feeling mattress also.

A more expensive mattress has additional features. So when you move down in price you will have to give up something. You just have to decide what you really need in a mattress set. Is it for everyday use or is it for a guest or young child. When talking about children, you must consider their weight. Many children weight as much as adults, but parents buy a cheap $99 mattress while they are putting money away for Harvard. Not a smart move. If you love your child, buy them a mattress with proper support and help them keep their backs healthy.

When I think of the mattress I had to use when I was growing up, it is amazing I don’t have more health problems. That thing was like a hammock head to foot and side-to-side. I am not saying you have to spend $1000 but for $200-$300 you could be making a really great investment. When your child is in junior high, you may consider buying a mattress set with a 20-year warranty. A quality set that will take your child into college years and early adulthood.

If you are buying a set for yourself, you need to have the sales person or someone with you see how the top of the mattress is forming to you. There are main pressure points in the hips, shoulders, head and knee areas. If a mattress is to firm, it will not form to your body properly and relieve those pressure points. This is the main cause of tossing and turning because the blood supply is choked off causing an involuntary response of moving. You can understand that if you are constantly tossing and turning, you cannot possibly get the proper rest you need.

We humans require a proper sleep cycle and if we don’t get it we suffer in many other ways. A good mattress set is truly worth the time and investment you make in it. I would recommend, you shop at a mattress specialty shop to get the best trained sales people, a variety of brands and most important of all a comfort guarantee. A comfort guarantee works like this. For 90 days or 120 days in some cases, you get to try the mattress set in your home with the possibility of getting an exchange for a different comfort level, if this one just does not work for you.

I don’t know how many people I have seen purchase a $2000 mattress only to find out it kills their back or they can’t sleep comfortable on it. This is a hard thing to take. No pun intended. If you shop the right place, get the right help, get the right features for you, spend the right amount of money to get what you need and want, and do so at a place that guarantees your comfort, then your chances of having consistent comfortable sleep is really good.

You cannot always tell if a firm will work for you or if a pillow top will be to soft and cause you to have backaches; But if you can test if out for 3-4 months, you will know for sure. Experiencing is knowing for sure.

I invite you to visit my website for more free information at http://www.free-vacation-offer.net

I enjoy working at home in the great state of West Virginia with my wife Valerie. We have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren, ages 3 to 13. my e-mail is tmcgee@charter.net call me at 304-210-2297
web site http://www.free-vacation-offer.net

[tags]free vacation offer, free marketing, free training, marketing tools, online advertising, internet ad[/tags]

How would you incorporate an Amish style living in your Amish bathe remodeling? - Simplicity - even to the point of having almost nothing inside your bath!

Families in the Amish country ride in black buggy carriages pulled by horses. The kids work weekend’s double time packing up the buggies with Amish bakeries, fresh produce, eggs, and handcrafted baskets for sale along the roadsides. They live on livestock, crafts, horses, and harvest. Before you go for an Amish bath remodeling, you ought to know that the Amish live a very simple lifestyle, with very minimal furnishings inside their homes. The Old Older Amish or the “Dusty Amish” community is among the poorest with no refrigerators, no televisions, computers, radios, telephones, fans, and NO ELECTRICITY. That means no heated showers for an ideal Amish bath remodeling! But that is only if you genuinely want to live as an Amish yourself. However any one could still adapt the style of an Amish bath remodeling. If truth be told, you would even have the honor of helping to promote the Amish home products and handcrafts lacking of tourism if you decide even on a small-scale Amish bath remodeling.

Most Amish homes don’t have display photographs, children’s dollies and toys, floor throw rugs, even lush couches - so there’s no problem sticking to any designers’ home style dictations. In getting an Amish bath remodeling, you’d be the one to decide on your own bath’s style. Take the minimalist form then have your own personal additions. Consider that the Amish country home is furnished only with basic dressers, wooden furnishings, handmade quilts, home made basketry, tables and very few hardwood chairs, and flooring made of wood as well. Installing an Amish feel in your bath is so easy you can have only minor naturalist decoration revamps.

You’re probable beginning to picture the character of an Amish home style - traditional rustic charm - decorative all-wood wagon wheels, fine baskets, rusty cowboy-ish or colorful good luck tin barn stars (and hearts) of American pride, simple square sinks, and sturdy wood-works and flooring as sturdy as their backs - all of which have their own striking statement, though small, plus the craftsmanship and hard work given to these items all add up to its worth.

The Amish’s “simple life” is not at all simple - they work hard on everything and waste nothing. Perhaps having an Amish bath made of pure scrap will not only go easy on your remodeling pockets, but also give you an ease of heart for having learned how to value the simple joys of an Amish American life.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Remodeling and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Home Remodeling web site. For more articles and resources on Home Remodeling related topics, Remodeling Contractors, Home Remodeling Loans, Remodeling Ideas and much more visit his site at:

=>http://remodeling.need-to-know.net/

[tags]home remodeling, contractor remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, remodeling[/tags]

“Complete fertilizers” contain all three macronutrients - nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) - but don’t let the name “complete” fool you. It doesn’t mean that the fertilizer has all the nutrients that plants need, just that it contains all three of the major ones.

Bags of complete fertilizers contain three numbers, such as 5-3-3, for example. Each number represents a percentage of N-P-K in that bag, as measured by weight. In this case, a bag of 5-3-3 fertilizer contains 5 percent nitrogen, 3 percent phosphorous, and 3 percent potassium. To determine the amount in pounds of each nutrient in the bag, multiply the weight of the bag (say 50 pounds) by the percentage of each nutrient: 50 pounds x .05 = 2.5 pounds of nitrogen. You need to know the actual amount of nutrients in the bag because a soil test often recommends pounds of actual N-P-K to add per square foot of your garden.

Each of these three nutrients plays a critical role in plant growth and development. Here’s what they do and their deficiency symptoms to watch for.

Nitrogen (N): This critical element is responsible for the healthy green foliage of the plants, as well as protein and chlorophyll development. Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green and is a vital component in photosynthesis. Nitrogen moves easily in the soil and leaches out rapidly, especially from sandy soils and in high rainfall areas or irrigated gardens. Plants use lots of nitrogen during the growing season, so it’s commonly the most deficient element. If you add too much nitrogen, however, plants will have dark green, leafy growth but less root development and delayed flowering and fruiting. Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency include slow growth and yellowing leaves, especially on older foliage. Animal manures, soybean meal, and cottonseed meal provide high levels of nitrogen.

Phosphorous (P): Plants need phosphorous for strong root growth; fruit, stem and seed development; disease resistance; and general plant vigor. Phosphorous doesn’t move in the soil as easily as nitrogen does so you don’t have to add it as frequently. Depending on where you live in the country, your soil may have plenty of phosphorous, but it may be unavailable to plants. Phosphorous availability depends on warm soil temperatures, pH range, and the levels of other nutrients, such as calcium and potassium, in the soil. Deficiency symptoms include stunted plants with dark green foliage, reddish-purple stems or leaves, and fruits that drop early. Rock phosphate and bone meal are good sources of phosphorous.

Potassium (K): This nutrient, sometimes called potash, is essential for vigorous growth, disease resistance, fruit and vegetable flavor and development, and general plant function. Potassium breaks down slowly so you won’t have to add it often. Deficiency symptoms include yellow areas along the leaf veins and leaf edges, crinkled and rolled-up leaves, and dead twigs. Fruit trees may develop fruit with poor flavor or stunted fruits. Certain animal manures and mineral fertilizers, such as greensand, add potassium to the soil.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Gardening

[tags]gardening[/tags]

Before you begin to think about how to furnish a new bar — or refurnish your old one — you should ask yourself one very important question: What are people going to do here?

It’s not as obvious as it seems. Sure, they’re going to buy drinks, schmooze, and hopefully keep coming back to invest in your kids’ college fund one mojito at a time. But what is the unique character of your bar? Are you a sports bar with a half a dozen flat screen televisions? Are you a traditional pub serving lunch and dinner? Or, are you in an urban arts district catering to a crowd stopping in for a drink before a night at the theater? Each of these is a very different business — and each has a different way of making money. It’s important to keep all of these factors in mind when thinking about how to furnish your establishment.

Let’s start with your bar’s entrance. If you are in an urban area or a college town, you’re probably going to need some kind of door control. You’ll likely employ a bouncer or two to check drivers’ licenses at the door. A great bar table and stool set at the establishment’s entrance not only reminds your employees that you care about their comfort, but it serves as a preview of what’s to come for potential patrons. Consider a simple bar table such as the Olympia Stainless Steel Bar Table. Combined with an appropriate bar-height stool, you offer your greeters and door managers a compact station from which to do business. The table offers a surface for managing door supplies — wristbands or hand-stamps, for instance, tickets, or a small cashbox for making change — and this particular model has a clever rack under the tabletop for hanging a bag or purse.

For seating, consider something along the lines of the Aluminum Bar Stool with Arms, appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use, or an adjustable-height stool. Door-management is an essential operational factor for many bars, and doing it wrong can cost you money — even your liquor license. It’s also how your customers will first interact with your business, so it’s worth doing right. An elegant pub table and matching stool sends the correct message.

Inside the bar, the furniture will be determined, in part, by what you are serving up with the drinks. Whether it is a hot plate of fish-n-chips, buffalo wings, potato skins or something a bit more high-class, the d