Pool Safety For Children

Having a swimming pool on your property can be a great way to have fun for yourself and your entire family. Even though a pool can be fun, it can also be very dangerous if you have children around. If you can wait, you should wait until your kids are least 5 or older before you put a pool on your property. On the other hand, if you already have a swimming pool, there are ways that you can protect your children.

One thing you should always remember is to never, ever, allow your children to be alone near your pool. Children tend to be drawn near the water, and all it takes is a second for them to fall in the pool. If you and your children are at your pool and you need to leave the area for a second, you should always take your children with you.

To be on the safe side, you should always make sure that you have plenty of safety equipment around your pool at all times. Safety items are great to have around, as they can save the life of a child or anyone else who can’t swim. You should also invest in a shepherd’s hook as well, as you can use it to pull someone out of the water. Having a phone at your pool is also a wise investment, as you can easily call for help in the event of an emergency.

If you don’t have a fence around your pool you should look into getting one. A fence is a great way to protect your pool from children. If you have a protective fence up, you won’t have to worry about little kids falling in while you are away from the pool. When you put your fence, you should always make sure that it’s at least 6 foot high, with a locking gate. This way, no one can get into the pool without the key - which you should keep with you at all times.

You can also learn CPR as well. Even though you may not ever have to use it, it’s always great to know in the event of someone falling in your pool that is unable to swim. Whenever you have children or people you know can’t swim at your pool, you should always stay within reach of them, so you can react instantly if they fall in. A second is all it takes to save someone’s life.

Always keep in mind that swimming is fun, although you should always think in terms of safety first. Once you have finished using your pool for day, make sure that you secure the area well - and lock the gate up tight so no one can get in.

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What Not to Put in Your Social Network Profile

Online social networks have rapidly increased in popularity, especially over the past couple of years.  Social networking websites are popular because they easily allow you to find, connect with, and develop friendships with other internet users, often ones that share the same interests as you. To find those individuals, you must join a social networking website and create a profile.  It is often advertised that your social networking profile is the key to making and finding friends online.

As previously mentioned, your social networking profile is important when it comes to meeting other internet users. This is because, in most cases, internet users are looking to chat with someone who has the same goals, views, beliefs, and interests as they do.  Without a personal profile, it would be difficult or impossible to tell what your interests are. That is why social networking profiles are not only important, but they are needed.

When it comes to social networking profiles, a lot of focus has been placed on what you should include in your profile or display on your profile page. It has been said that pictures produce the best responses, as well as detailed personal information.  Although a picture and detailed personal information may help to increase your page views, you may be getting views that you do not necessarily want.  Despite what you may believe, most social networking websites do not have restrictions on who can view your personal profile.  In fact, internet users, even those that do not belong to your online community, can easily see profile.

Since anyone, literally anyone, can see your social networking profile, on most social networking websites, you are advised to be cautious. Essentially, this means that instead of focusing on what you should put in your online profile, you should be focusing on what not to put.  This is one the best ways to protect your safety, both on and offline. 

As previously mentioned, pictures are often recommended with social networking websites. If you are interested in positing a personal picture of yourself in your online profile you can do so, but you are advised to carefully choose that picture.  While you will want to look your best, you are advised against posting a picture that is too revealing or seductive in nature.  Most internet users can look at these types of pictures without feeling a thing, but for others these types of pictures spell danger.

If you make the decision to post a picture of yourself in your social networking website profile, you need to be careful about the rest of the information that you post.  Although you may not necessarily think about it, a picture is just a picture, but combined with your name and address, it could be a deadly combination. You are advised to only post your first name in your profile. This will make it more difficult for anyone to try and contact you off of the internet. 

It is also advised that you carefully choose your location.  A large number of online social networking sites require that you select a city, as well as a state. If it is allowed, you may only wish to list your state and not the city.  If you are required to list the city and the state that you live in, you may want to think about using a nearby city or town, especially if you live in a small town. If an internet predator wanted to contact you and you lived in a small town, it could be fairly easy for them to find you. That is why it is advised that you carefully select the answer to the location question.

In addition to the above precautionary measures, it is advised that you do not post detailed information on your children, the location of your home, your income, or when you will be leaving for vacation.  By keeping these and the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to enjoy online social networking without having to always look behind your back.

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Eyjafjallajökull.. The attempt of Pronounciation

I know, I know it has been a while since this has been hot news, but it still bugs me. How do you pronounce Eyjafjallajökull?

The first time I ran through this in the net and the news, me and the rest of my peers thought, somebody was actually banging their head against a keyboard or something. Looking at the news, most actually do not even try to pronounce it at all rather than calling it the Icelandic volcano instead.



How do you pronounce it? ☺

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Why Social Networking Sites are So Popular

Do you use the internet on a regular basis?  If you do, there is a good chance that you have heard of websites like MySpace, FriendFinder, Classmates, or Yahoo! 360.  What do all of these websites have in common?  They are known as social networking websites.  Social networking websites, over the past few years, have rapidly increased in popularity, so much that many are wondering why.

If you have used a social networking website before, it is likely that you are already fully aware of their popularity and the reason for popularity. There is just something about these websites that draw in millions of internet users.  With a wide variety of different social networking websites available, there are a wide variety of different reasons for their popularity.  One those reasons being the ease of use. 

Social networking websites are, for the most part, easy to use. Most sites are easy to navigate.  In fact, many require little knowledge of the internet. In addition to being easy to navigate, social networking websites also make it easier to meet new people online. There are many internet users who would love to make new friends online; however, that can sometimes be difficult do. Without social networking websites, you would have to connect with internet users, often in chat rooms, and learn about their interests before deciding if you would like to consider them your “buddy.”  Social networking sites allow you to learn information about another internet user before ever having to make contact with them.

Another one of the many reasons why social networking sites are popular is because many are free to use. In fact, the majority of social networking sites, such as MySpace and Yahoo! 360, are free to use.  Despite being free to use, many websites require that you register with them. This registration will not only allow you to create your own profile or online webpage, but it will also allow you to contact other networking members. 

Although most social networking websites are free to use, there are some that are not.  Classmates is one of those websites.  Many of these websites give you a free trial period or a free membership. That membership can be used to help you determine whether or not the website is worth paying for. What is nice about paid online social networking websites is that many can be considered exclusive.  Since most internet users would not want to pay for something that they can get for free, most paid social networking sites are limited on the number of members they have. This may work out to your advantage because it tends to eliminate those who create fake accounts or aim to cause controversy online.

Social networking websites are also popular because they come in a wide variety of different formats.  Websites like Yahoo! 360 and MySpace focus on a wide variety of different topics. This means that just about anyone can join.  However, there are other social networking sites out there that have a particular focus. These focuses may be on a particular religion, political following, or hobby.  Most specialty social networking sites restrict the individuals that can participate in their network; thus, making your experience more enjoyable.

Finally, social networking websites focus on meeting new people, especially online, but over recent months, many have started including additional features only available to their online members. Many social networking members can receive their own free webpage, get free access to popular music videos, a free blog, and much more.  Although social networking websites are popular enough to bring in members on their own, these additional features are, in a way, providing internet users with an incentive to join. 

Mentioned above were a few of the most popular social networks that could be found online. Those networks included MySpace, Yahoo! 360, and Classmates. If you are looking for additional social networking websites, you should easily be able to find some by performing a standard internet search.

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A Glass of Milk: An email foward to me...

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his Way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"

You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the accounting office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ... "Paid in full with one glass of milk" (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the water comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time.  If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

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Unconscious Mutterings

This week's free word associations from Unconscious mutterings are:

1. Fresh air ::  Refreshing
2. Bodyguard :: Tight
3. Wedding ::  cake
4. Remind ::  Me
5. Wicked ::  Thunder
6. Crawling ::  Away
7. Gasoline ::  Expensive
8. Anyone ::  There?
9. Dancing :: Away
10. Wall :: Crash

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Sunday Stealing: The Just Because Meme

1. Make a list of 5 things you can see without getting up.
     ☺ My Iphone
     ☺ My Computer
     ☺ Big box of books just arrived
     ☺ Piles of DVD Season Sets
     ☺ The alarm clock

2. How do you style your hair? How often do you cut it?
     ☺ Lately, I just twirl it in a bun, too hot! I only cut it about once in 3 months now, keeping it long.

3. What are you wearing now?
     ☺ Shorts, T-Shirt

4. What's your occupation? Do you like it?
     ☺ Librarian. Yup!

5. When was the last time that you took a nap? Was there a special reason?
     ☺ Um, yesterday. Nope just exhausted.

6. Who was the last person you hugged romantically?
     ☺ D. If that counts

8. What was the last full meal that you ate?
     ☺ Not sure if it's considered as full... Ambuyat, Chicken & Pakis

9. What was the last email that you received?
     ☺ Manuscript Publishing

10. What one website do you always visit when you go online?
     ☺ My Blogs

11. What was the last significant thing you bought?
     ☺ WD 1TB Ext Hard Drive

12. What musical artist did you not get at first, but then became a fan?
     ☺ Nothing comes to mind at the moment

13. What do you think about before you go to bed last night?
     ☺ Him

14. What was the last CD you bought?
     ☺ Been along time since I bought a CD because I don't have the budget for it, I guess 3 Doors Down.

15. What is your favorite weather, and why? What's the weather like today?
     ☺ Cool, breezy sunny day. Extremely hot!

16. If you could have a special artistic talent, what would it be?
     ☺ Reading musical notes would be nice

17. Did you watch the Idol 9 finale? If yes, what are your thoughts?
     ☺ Nope.

18. What's something you'd like to say to someone right now?
     ☺ I wish I could do something to make all these go away

19. Any special plans for this (holiday in the States) weekend?
     ☺ Not in the states atm

20. Besides your current S/O, who was the last person that you loved romantically?
     ☺  Another D

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Clever Advertisement

I love a good illusion.

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Friday Finds: 28/5/2010

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week (and add to your TBR lists)? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

Gosh! This week is full with excellent new discoveries for me while looking through other people's reading blog!!

My Finds:
► Blood Brothers (Vampire World Trilogy); Brian Lumley
► Deliver Us from Evil; David Baldacci

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Wow..

Somebody sent me this via email forward and all I could think of was, what a cruel and unjust that is. I actually find the woman in the photo inspiring. Her fear is her strength. :(

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