Tuesday, September 30, 2008

How to remove some of the most common stains:

Water colour paint stains: If they are recent, eliminate these stains by dabbing them with a cloth soaked in a mix of water and ammonia. If the stain is dry, dab it with a cloth soaked in petrol.


Glue stains: If the glue has already dried, removing these stains can be difficult. After scraping off the excess, dab with a cloth soaked in meths or a solvent recommended by the manufacturer. You can also try soaking the stain in white vinegar then dabbing it with a hot wet cloth.


Ink stains: Remove the stain by soaking it in milk. Lemon juice with added salt also removes ink stains. Use alcohol or bleach on white cotton. On coloured cotton, use a mixture of water and alcohol vinegar. Hairspray can also be very effective at diluting ink. Spray then dry immediately with a clean cloth. Repeat until the stain disappears.

Bird droppings: Remove by dabbing with a cloth that’s been soaked in bleach or ammonia.


Felt-tip stains: White cotton: dab with a cloth soaked in soapy water, then soak the item in bleach. Coloured cotton: dab the stain with a cloth soaked in soapy water. Once the stain has been diluted dab with a cloth soaked in surgical spirit, or rub with a cloth soaked in warm milk or a juice of one lemon. Synthetic or artificial fibres: dab the stain with a cloth soaked in vinegar (except on acetate). Rinse and wash. Wool/satin: dab the stain with a cloth soaked in lemon juice until it disappears.

Highlighter stains: Soak the stained zone in milk, scrub and rinse.

Make-up stains: Never wet a make-up stain. Remove with mineral essence. Talc removes ring-shaped stains.

Foundation stains: Remove these stains by dabbing with a cloth soaked in ether. Repeat until the stain disappears, then wash with soapy water. You can also pour a little make-up remover on a tissue, scrub and hand wash with strong soap, rubbing gently.

Grass stains: Soak the stained zone with vinegar. Leave to react and rinse. If the stain does not disappear, dab with a cloth soaked in slightly diluted alcohol and rinse. Then wash again with soap and rinse again. On white cotton, rub the stain with a cloth soaked with lemon juice, then rinse. On delicate fabric, use meths or water mixed with ammonia.

Lipstick stains: Use a cloth soaked in ether or butter before washing. Non-oily make-up remover also works.

Bloodstains: A bloodstain is easily removed with cold water or oxygenated water. On dark fabric, eye serum gives good results. Don’t foget to wash and rinse the item afterwards. You can also use a mix of water, cornflour (or flour or talc). On older stains, use water with soda crystals added to it and don’t forget to rinse. Oxygenated water also gives good results. On silk, dab with a cloth soaked in meths.

Sweat stains: Yellow perspiration stains can be removed with a cloth soaked in water mixed with ammonia or white vinegar. If the item is white, use a cloth soaked in oxygenated water. On delicate fabric, dab with a cloth soaked in diluted lemon juice. Leave to dry, then wash. If the clothing is discloured by perspiration, you need to soak it quickly in a bath of water and white vinegar alcohol (half and half).

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Cold Season is coming up. I found a recipe for making your own simple cough Syrup


Simple Cough Syrup
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup honey
1/4 cup warm water

Combine lemon juice and honey in a bowl. Slowly stir in the water. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator - take 1-2 tbsp as needed for cough.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

10 ways to get fired from a Home-Based Contractor Opportunity

1. Having customers/clients hear your kids playing in the background.
2. setting up shop on your kitchen table. coffee table or bed.
3. Letting your computer be used by everyone in your family.
4. Using old technology on your computer
5. Not knowing how to search the Internet efficiently
6. Not being able to multitask
7. Spending your time shopping online while you are working
8. Showing up late to work your shifts
9. Mouthing off to a client
10. Eating while providing services to your customers/clients

Friday, September 26, 2008

I love to do scrapbooking. I found some great websites I just placed orders on these sites. They have some great deals. I wanted to share these with any fellow scrapbookers.

www.mousememories.com

www.scrappinstuff.com

www.currentcatalog.com

www.printonit.com

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Stress Relieving Tips

1. Recognize stress
Before you can adequately manage your stress, you must first learn to recognize how your body responds to stress. Only then will you be able to take the necessary steps to reduce or maybe eliminate the anxiety that accompanies it.
2. Practice relaxation techniques
When you practice relaxation techniques can help reduce stress. Consider practicing deep breathing, meditating, listening to soothing music, or using imaging techniques to visualize a more relaxed response.
3. Get enough sleep
Often we become so overwhelmed with stress that we neglect our health, and sickness only causes more stress in the end. One way to prevent illness is by getting enough sleep. This also enables you to be mentally prepared for all the work that awaits you in the morning; lack of sleep only makes you less efficient.
4. Set priorities
Generally stress is the result of being overwhelmed. When you have lots of work to be done in little time, the best way to manage projects is by prioritizing them. Then you at least have a plan of attack; you know what needs to be tackled and when.
5. Let the small stuff slide
Now that you’ve prioritized your projects you can determine what you can and should let go. When dealing with stress overload, you need to be able to focus on what matters and put the rest on hold.
6. Think positive
Often you can think away your stress. When you change your thought patterns and continually repeat positive affirmations, like “I have plenty of time to fulfill all my work obligations” or “I am feeling calm and relaxed,” you increase your capacity to manage difficult situations.
7. Sweat it away
Exercise is one of the best stress relievers. You may feel you can’t afford the time required to actually get your heart rate going, but you’ll find that taking the time buys you more energy and endurance in the end.
8. Minimize work-environment stress
A messy or tense work environment often invites more stress into your life. When you minimize workplace stressors, you will be better equipped to handle the stressors that truly matter. So take the extra time to clean your office, reorganize your space, or create a more soothing environment.
9. Do not self-medicate
When you feel overwhelmed it can be tempting to reduce stress by drinking alcohol or finding an anxiety-reducing medication that you think will help. Unless prescribed by a doctor, these methods will only increase your chances of encountering more stressors later.
10. Build a support network
Often the best help for stress is being surrounded by a network that understands your struggles and can offer you emotional support. You can find this network with professional peers or even your family.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Great Article

How to Plan a Functional Home Office
By: Stephanie Foster
Having the ability to work productively is extremely important when you work at home. How your home office is laid out is a major part of this. You need to consider the working conditions you need and your work style as you lay out your home office.
The working conditions you need should be your first consideration. This will help to determine where you set up your home office. If you have to be on the phone a lot, for example, you won't want your home office to just be a corner of the living room. A spare bedroom, on the other hand, could be perfect.
On the other hand, if you need the ability to see what your children are up to more than you need uninterrupted work time, having your home office in the main part of the house is probably exactly what you need.
The amount of space you will need is also a consideration. Do you have a lot of reference books or paperwork? Or are you almost entirely electronic, with everything stored on the computer? Maybe you have a lot of supplies you need at hand. This will determine the number of bookshelves and filing cabinets you might need, as well as the size of your computer desk
You want to have enough space that you don't feel too cramped as you work. Feeling cramped into a space is not the best thing for productivity.
The amount of space you need is defined not only by the items you need, but how you use them. Are you well organized? You might be able to get away with less space than someone who has a half dozen books spread out on the desk at a time.
I strongly recommend that you do try to remain at least a little bit organized in your home office. A good filing cabinet can save you quite a bit of time when hunting for that important piece of paperwork. Maybe you'll organize your papers daily, or maybe monthly, but regular organization will greatly help your productivity.
While it probably won't stop you from using a given space, you will want to look at how easily you can get telephone and internet service in your home office. It's easy enough to get these installed in most rooms of the house, but it will add to the expense of creating a home office.
I like my home office to have a good view of the backyard, so I can let the kids outside to play without having to wonder where they are. This can be a big help, as I can work without keeping the kids cooped up in the house.
Another item you might consider placing in your home office is some toys for the kids that they only get when you need a little extra quiet work time. These should not be toys they play with all the time. Make them special ones so that when you really need that bit of quiet to get something done, you can get it with relatively little trouble.
The ability to plan out your home office to your preferences, so long as it stays within your budget, is one of the great benefits of working at home. Don't limit yourself by what you had when you worked in someone else's office. Think about what you need. You aren't in a corporate environment anymore.


About the Author:
Stephanie Foster offers advice on stay at home jobs and has been a work at home mom for nearly five years now. Learn more and subscribe to her work at home newsletter at http://www.homewiththekids.com/newsletter/subscribe.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Great Free Craft Sites

Crafters Community - Free craft projects and ideas.
http://crafterscommunity.com


Cute Colors -Scrapbooking tags and journals, coloring greeting cards and pages.
http://www.cutecolors.com/


Crafters Touch -Tons of free project ideas from candle making to kids crafts to scrapbooking to wedding crafts!
http://www.crafterstouch.com/

Friday, September 19, 2008

Personal online budgeting system

Mvelopes Personal is an online budgeting system that makes it easy to create an effective personal budget and track every aspect of your spending as it happens. It will help you always know exactly how much you have left to spend, instantly know the impact of every spending decision, effectively manage credit card spending, and quickly create an easy to use household budgeting plan.

Check it out at http://www.mvelopes.com/money_management/personal2.php?accessCode=D003001001&PID=3154

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The danger of using tanning beds

  1. Sunbeds subject your skin to artificial UV rays, on top of the natural UV sun rays it's already subjected to. This increases the risk of skin cancer (melanoma) and premature ageing. The skin is attacked by intense rays which are much more powerful than natural sun rays, over a short period of time. Some appliances can emit rays that are 5 times harsher than those emitted by the sun in Australia in its zenith during summer solstice. According to a study led by the International Agency for Cancer Research, the risk of malignant melanoma, the most aggressive form of cancer, is increased by 75% in people who use sunbeds before the age of 30.
  2. Tanning salons pose a risk of eye damage, lesions such as keratitis and cataracts.
  3. Contrary to popular belief, sunbeds do not prepare skin for sun exposure, but they make you think you're more immune to burning. As a result, many people who have been on a sunbed before their hols suffer serious burns. The rays emitted by sunbeds are mainly UVA rays (it’s UVB rays which protect the skin).
  4. Artificial rays can cause photoallergic reactions, characterised by erythema (skin rash), vesicles (blisters on the skin containing fluid) and itching.
  5. Persistant exposure to rays contributes to the reduction of the body's immune defenses and increases the likelihood of infection.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Make your own makeup remover

What you need:
A see-through pump bottle
A small bowl
100ml castor oil
200ml sweet almond oil
200ml cornflower water (try health shops or the Internet)

Recipe
Mix the sweet almond oil and castor oil, add the cornflower water and pour into your bottle. Every night, apply a generous amount using cotton wool to remove eye make-up.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Interesting Facts

  • In Michigan, a woman isn't allowed to cut her own hair without her husband's permission.
  • It's illegal in Alabama to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church.
  • You're subject to fines and/or imprisonment for making uglyfaces at dogs in Oklahoma.
  • It's against the law to burp or sneeze in a church in Omaha, Nebraska.
  • By law, in Bourbon, Miss., one small onion must be served with each glass of water in a restaurant.
  • On Sunday, it is illegal to sell cornflakes in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Unless you have a doctor's note, its illegal to buy ice cream after 6 p.m. in Newark, New Jersey.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Free Downloads for your cell phone

www.phonewallpapers.net- site offers a good roundup of free mobile phone wallpapers.The site includes instructions for adding the wallpapers to your phone.Image categories here include animals, cars, holidays, movies/TV, sports, and more.


www.pix2fone.com- is a free service that lets you easily create custom wallpapers, backgrounds and logos for your cell phone. You can use Pix2Fone online, or download it as an extension to Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. Pix2Fone can be used worldwide and supports virtually all models of cell phones that have color displays


www.mobcrop.com - is a free service lets you easily create and upload your own wallpapers and logos for your mobile phone.You can download images via WAP, or to your PC. No registration is required to use this service.Image formats supported include JPEG, GIF and PNG.

www.zedge.net- site offers popular "mobile phone community site" offers loads of free goodies for your cell phone.Here, you'll find wallpapers, themes, ringtones, animations, Java games, and more.

www.mobilesheaven.com - site also features free background images, screen savers and other goodies for mobile phones

Sunday, September 14, 2008

How long are your beauty products good for ?

Three - five years
Hair products
Because these sorts of products contain alcohol, they tend to have a longer shelf life. Keep them in a cool place away from heat and they should last you well.


Three years
Eye and lip pencils

Keep your pencils well sharpened and with lids on and they will love you for it


Two years
Perfume

Scents will last you 2 years if you look after it well. As pretty as it looks on your makeup table - the sun can cause it to go off. Fragrance needs to be kept cool and also in a dark place - in a drawer is a great home for it.

Foundation and face powder
Hopefully if you have a fave, you will be replacing it more than every 2 years, but that is the length or the time it will stay good for. Occasional users can rejoice.


One year or less
Mascara
This is one of the shortest lived beauty products.To avoid major irritation and also cross contamination, always replace your mascara every 4 months.

Make-up sponges
You can get away with washing them a couple of times, but they can be a great breeding ground for bacteria, so buy bulk lots and replace every few months to avoid a breakout.


Make-up brushes
Wash in mild soapy warm water every few months to keep brushes in good condition.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Copuons

Vision Direct.com
Free Shipping on your Entire Online Purchase of Contact Lenses
Coupon Code: VISIONSHIP
Exp: 12/31/08

Nike Store.com
Free Shipping on your Entire Online Purchase
Coupon Code: B2S8
Exp: 9/30/08

Macy’s.com
Get $10 off your $75 or more Online Purchase
Coupon Code: re889wx745
Exp: 10/15/08

Babies R Us.com
Get $5 Off your $25 or more Online Purchase
Coupon Code: 923881
Exp: 9/14/08

Computer Geeks.com
Get 10% taken off your Online Purchase
Coupon Code: RBS10
Exp: 9/30/08

Friday, September 12, 2008

Homemade Laundry Soap

Simplest Laundry Powder
1 part borax
1 part washing soda
Mix together and use about 1 Tbs per medium load of wash

Powder with Soap
1/2 to 3/4 of a bar of Fels Naptha soap, grated fine (Ivory works well too)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
Use 1 -2 Tbs for medium load


Liquid Laundry Soap
This is more work but some folks are used to liquids. You'll also need a 2 gallon or so bucket or other container to hold the liquid soap. I just used an old plastic bucket from the last bucket of cheap powdered detergent I bought.
1/2 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
hot water
Put the grated soap in a saucepan and add 6 cups water. (Put your kettle on to heat up another 6 cups of water.) Bring to a simmer over medium heat and simmer until the soap flakes melt. Add the washing soda and borax and stir until dissolved. Pour this in the bucket and add another 6 cups hot water. Now add another gallon of warm water, plus 6 more cups or so and stir. Let it sit for 24 hours and it will gel up a bit. Use about 1/2 cup per load.
Note: You can also add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance but I find we like the smell of it as is.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

COMPUTER VIRUS WARNING

The newest virus circulating is the 'UPS Delivery Failure'. You will receive an email from UPS Packet Service along with a packet number. NOTE: The word packet is mis-spelled on this line. It will say that they were unable to deliver a package sent to you on such and such a date. It then asks you to print out the invoice copy attached. DON'T TRY TO PRINT THIS. IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS!


http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

NEW RAPE SCAM!!!!PLEASE READ!!!!!

This was passed on to me by a friend:

Sunday afternoon around 5 PM I headed into the Target in Wheaton , IL where crime is VERY RARE and mostly it is with bikes being stolen!! It was still light outside and I parked fairly close to the entrance. As I got out of my car and began walking towards Target, an older lady shouted to me from the passenger seat of a car about 30 feet away from me. 'Ma'am you must help me, help me please, help me Ma'am!' I looked at her in the eyes and started to walk towards her when all of a sudden I remembered an email my Mom had sent me a week or two ago about rapists and abduct ions using elder people to lure women in. I paused, memorized the license plate and immediately headed into Target to get a manager to come help this lady, just in case something was up.While the woman manager headed out there, I kept a close watch just because I was curious what was wrong with the lady and wanted to be sure nothing happened. As the Target lady walked up towards the car and got very close to the old woman in order to help her,the back door of the car flies open and a large man with a stocking cap on, jumps out and sticks a gun to the lady's stomach as he shoves her into the back of the car. I yelled out 'call 911'
several times and just as I was saying that, a policeman who happened to be on the other side of the parking lot! And who, luckily had seen the entire thing happen, raced over to the car. He was able to stop the car and arrest the male as well as the old lady, who was involved in the scheme. By God's grace everyone was all right,including myself, although I think we were both shaken up. Like many of you, I would not in a million years have left an elderly person who was yelling for help if it weren't for the e-mail I had read last week.So, I wanted to pass this along so you all can be aware and remember that you really can't trust anyone these days. You just never know when something like this could happen. I would have never dreamed it to happen tome especially on a Sunday afternoon at a Target in a safe area! It definitely was not a coincidence that my Mom sent that email just a few days before this all happened.Please, be careful and always be aware of your surroundings. Just because you individually don't go over to help some one doesn't mean you have to leave them in trouble , but don't go ALONE, you really don't know what might be going on. I checked with Snopes.com - this is true - and they also use children to lure the victim!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Breast Cancer

From a nurse:
I'll never forget the look in my patients' eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You' they muttered. A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. L et's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.
It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it! Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times.
If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same. There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through' Mastectomy where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.
Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show support. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name, state, and zip code.
http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php

Monday, September 8, 2008

You Can Succeed During Tough Times—Here's How
By Shawn Karner


Energy prices are at record highs, the economy may be in recession, and people are getting laid off right and left. Does that mean you should put your hopes and dreams on hold until things get better?NO! Investing, spending, and saving conservatively during tough times is good advice. But it's NEVER a good idea to put off pursuing your dreams.In my day-to-day role as a Certified Wealth Consultant, I constantly hear from people who want to start their own business. "But is this a good time to start a new business?" they ask. "Wouldn't I do better to wait a few years until the economy perks up before I begin?"Most are pleasantly surprised when I tell them their success has little to do with outside conditions. The real key to you achieving your dreams is how YOU FEEL inside. Anyone who truly believes in themselves develops a rock solid plan for success, then works with determination to make their success a reality—that person will succeed any place, any time, and under any condition.I've seen people who didn't know where their next meal was coming from work hard at a solid plan and find themselves earning six figures a year later.

Here are five simple steps to achieving YOUR success, even in tough economic times:

1. Choose a business that involves something you love. Do something you truly enjoy and it won't seem like work. You will learn the business far faster. On difficult days you won't even think about giving up because you can't bear to stop doing what you love.

2. Develop and use a solid plan. You won't reach success if you have no idea where you are going. You can't make lots of money dabbling here, dabbling there, and not completing much of anything. So plan your work, then work your plan. Work your plan even when your spouse and closest friends get tired of it. Stay with your plan until it works.

3. Find others who have experience in the same business. Create your own mentor team of helpful people who have already learned from their own mistakes, research, and time in the trenches. Their experience will give you a huge leg up, letting you skip over pitfalls and leap toward early profits.

4. Give yourself frequent attitude checks. Everyone has days when they start to doubt their own abilities, the effectiveness of their plan, even their decision to start a business. On days when your attitude is down, take a break. Come back and work your business when you feel more positive.

5. Give yourself a pat on the back. Simply making the decision to own your own business puts you in the top percent of people living in North America...or anywhere in the world for that matter. You are showing you have the ambition and good sense it takes to achieve real success no matter what happens. Try these simple five steps as you plan your work, then work your plan. You'll find your path to wealth is far easier, far faster, and much more enjoyable.

Shawn Karner is a Certified Wealth Master Consultant and President & CEO of Amazing Horizons, LLC. I specialize in helping others build the life they dream of. See my sites:

http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/karner1.html
http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/karner2.html

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Four Ways to Find a Job in This Economy

1. Stop taking it all personally. It’s frustrating to apply for positions and not get any responses. The truth is, hiring managers and recruiters are being inundated with resumes and applications right now. The fact that they haven’t replied to your application has nothing to do with you. By personalizing the situation, you waste time and energy, often with the end result of feeling bad about yourself. Realize that if you want to stand out from the competition, you’ll have to stop wasting time and focus instead on the next best action to take.

2. Ask for feedback. Find out how you can improve your chances of being hired. When you get those opportunities to speak to employers make sure you ask for specifics: Do you have feedback on my resume? How did I do in the interview? What advice do you have for me? What can I do differently to stand out next time? Many employers welcome this as an opportunity to help someone out.

3. Be proactive. Don’t just apply for jobs online or e-mail your contacts asking for leads. Pick up the phone and make sure you follow up each contact. Call your network of friends and family and remind them of what you are looking for, and ask if they are willing to help. Be sure to ask for focused assistance. Don’t just ask them to pass on any leads they come across. Instead, ask if they have contacts in the field you are interested in or a company you would like to know more about. Will they make an introduction? If you’ve had an interview and are wondering what happened, stop wondering, pick up the phone, and find out. By following up, you demonstrate initiative and remind a busy hiring manager who you are.

4. Get out of the house and meet people. You may feel uncomfortable with the whole idea of networking. Here’s another way to look at it. It’s about getting to know people and having them get to know you. Don’t go to functions because you feel you should. Find gatherings of people with whom you have an affinity: alumni, special interest clubs, exercise groups, community associations, classes, etc. Make it your intention to simply meet people—don’t weigh yourself down with expectations! Be open to people and to having them get to know you. We help people we like. For someone to like you, they need to get to know you. Be interested in people and what’s going on in their lives. Give yourself the gift of sharing something about yourself. If you keep the focus on building relationships you’ll naturally connect with people who will want to help you and vice versa.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Microsoft natural keyboard shortcuts

Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)

Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)

Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)

Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)

Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)

Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)

Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)

CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)

Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)

Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)

Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)

Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Shortcut key for windows

Here are the lists of all Windows key shortcuts; few are not listed on Microsoft website also.

Windows Key
Displays the Start Menu.

Windows key + E
Opens a new Explorer Window.

Windows key + D
Minimizes all windows and shows the Desktop.

Windows Key + D
Opens all windows and takes you right back to where you were.

Windows Key + F
Displays the Find all files dialog box.


Windows Key + L
Lock your Windows XP computer.

Windows Key + M
Minimizes all open windows.

Windows Key + Shift + M
Restores all previously open windows to how they were before you minimized them.

Windows Key + R
Displays the Run command.

Windows Key + F1
Displays the Windows Help menu.

Windows Key + Pause/Break
Displays the Systems Properties dialog box.

Windows Key + Tab
Cycle through the buttons on the Taskbar.

Windows Key + Ctrl + F
Find computer.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

MySpace Tips, Tricks, and Secrets
http://myspacemagic.blogspot.com/
You thought you know MySpace too well? Find out more MySpace secrets including where to get FREE MySpace backgrounds, layouts, graphics, comments, and surveys!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

WORK AT HOME SCAMS

Stuffing Envelopes: The bottom line is this – there are machines that stuff envelopes and no legitimate company is going to pay a human being to do something a machine can do in a fraction of the time. What usually happens with the stuffing scam is, a person reads the ad, sends some $ to get started, and receives in return, a letter instructing them to place the same ad they replied to so they can scam others as they have been scammed.


Typing and Data Entry:While there is legitimate data entry work out there, you'll have to wade through cyber-acres of scams to find it. Scam ads typically claim you'll earn a certain amount for every "application" you process.As with the envelope stuffing scam, you pay a fee and are instructed to place the same ad you responded to and collect checks from those you scam. The "applications" you process come with a check and - if you decide to join the ranks of scammers - you keep the check. Hence, a payment for "processing" the application.Another common "data entry" scam involves having the applicant pay a fee for software they will "need" to complete data entry jobs. Once you purchase the software, it becomes clear that you will be fully responsible for finding the data entry jobs yourself - work will not come from the company.

Craft Assembly:"Send money for a start-up kit with all the materials you'll need, and earn money for every item you complete to our satisfaction."Sounds great for those who are crafty but, with very few exceptions, these arrangements result in the individual receiving the kit, doing the work, and having it rejected time after time. Nothing they do to improve the "quality" of their work will make a difference because the scammer does not want the finished product back, they want the money for the kits... period.

Postal Forwarding:Postal forwarding has become a huge problem - we've met several people who have not only lost their savings, but have also had brushes with the law after falling for this type of scam. In some cases, the scam involves the transport of stolen goods, in other cases, it has to do with cashing checks and forwarding money in exchange for a commission. As an example of the first type of scam, we met a men who was looking for home-based work because he had a physical disability that made it difficult to manage a "traditional" job. He saw an ad for a job that required him to receive packages of electronics (MP3 players, video recorders, DVD players, etc.), repackage them, and ship them to a designated destination in Romania. In exchange, the "hiring company" would reimburse him for shipping expenses and pay him a fee for his services.

Check and Funds Processing:In this scam, the individual agrees to process funds for someone who claims to live in a country where the government makes it nearly impossible for them to do so themselves. They agree to send you a check or checks, you deposit them into your bank account, and send them a personal check for 80% of the amount - keeping 20% as a commission.The problem - once you've cashed the check and sent a personal check back, you're notified that the checks were forged, stolen, or counterfeit. Your bank will hold you personally responsible for any money they have lost as a result of the scam. This means that individual now owes the bank the amount that they have wired to Nigeria (or Senegal, or any number of places from which these scams originate) - usually thousands of dollars. Some banks have been known to prosecute the US-based account holder for fraud, others have had their computers confiscated by federal agencies

Monday, September 1, 2008

Beware of The Nigerian Scam

This scam where the sender requests help in facilitating the transfer of a substantial sum of money, generally in the form of an email. In return, the sender offers a commission, usually in the range of several million dollars. The scammers then request that money be sent to pay for some of the costs associated with the transfer. If money is sent to the scammers, they will either disappear immediately or try to get more money with claims of continued problems with the transfer.

Also known as "advance fee fraud" and the "419 fraud."


This specific type of scam is generally referred to as the Nigerian scam because of its prevalence in the region, particularly during the 1990s. There is also a section of the Nigerian criminal code, Section 419, that makes this type of fraud illegal. However, this scam is not limited to Nigeria and is also perpetrated by many organizations in many different countries around the world. The origins of this scam are widely debated with some suggesting it started in Nigeria during the 1970s, while others suggest its origins go back hundreds of years to other confidence scams such as the Spanish prisoner scam.The scammers hope that the commission offered will be enticing enough to compel the recipient to take the risk of sending thousands of dollars to a stranger. The reasons given for the transfer can differ from a government freezing an account to the existence of an account with no beneficial owner. When it comes to this type of request, however, it is important to remember that if anything sounds too good to be true - it usually is.Warnings signs of a Nigerian scam include a U.S. currency account in a foreign country, odd spelling and language in the body of the email and a promise of substantial compensation for little effort.