By Chris Field  

When people build a marriage they work from a model or concept that they are looking to follow. People have expectations, desires and even dreams of what marriage will be for them. In the Western world our ideas of marriage are largely driven by romance and sentiment.

Having studied marriage around the world, in African tribes, European families, South American homes, Pacific Islands, Asian communities and America, England and Australia as well, I have noted that certain popular models prevail.

While romance is the Western ideal, people have come up with various ideas about how a marriage should work in practice. There are several models that people consider appropriate. People look for a spouse who has a similar model or who will fit in with their own expectations. If they have not clarified this ahead of time then there could be quite some tension if the husband and wife work from different models.

What is your marriage all about? Can you see yourself in any of these common concepts or practical realities?

Assigned Duties

A common model is that the couple will have various assigned duties in the marriage. The wife, for example, may be the home-maker while the husband is the main income earner. The wife may take care of the home while the husband looks after the yard and externals. The wife may attend to the children's school activities, while the husband attends to their sporting interests.

The model gives each spouse their assigned roles. If a spouse does not do their part properly the other can prompt them about it. One will not take on the role of the other unless there is some prior agreement or a necessity arises.

Mutual Obligation

In the same vein as the Assigned Duties model, the idea of Mutual Obligation is that both husband and wife expect to get certain benefits, such as sexual intimacy, security and comfort, out of the marriage, but accept that they share obligations as well. They see that there should be a level of fairness in the distribution of responsibilities, based on interests and abilities.

The 50-50 Partnership

This takes the idea of Mutual Obligation to the point of negotiated equality. This model is often promoted by wives who are afraid of being lorded over by a man. They choose the 50:50 partnership model because it sounds quite equitable and fair, while allowing them room to resist any imposition made on them by a husband, especially if the husband does not measure up.

It's a Man's World

This model is based on the idea that the man is king and the woman is blessed to be his bride. The woman's pay-off is that she gets to be wife to a man whom she considers desirable, because of this image or his ability to provide. While certain macho males will hold to this model it also works for those who are wealthy or who have some other attribute that makes them a good catch. The wife can have the benefits of the money, fame or social standing, but the price is that she must make the man happy.

The Idolised Woman

This model appeals to those men who feel a strong need for a woman in their life. They may seek sexual favours or look for a strong woman who will mother them. They consider it a privilege to be married to their wife and will do all in their power to make and keep her happy. The woman is happy to have such devotion, but usually finds her husband quite unsatisfactory when the height of his focus is only her.

Something Is Better Than Nothing

This kind of marriage works for those who don't expect to get a particularly good deal out of life and who accept the opportunities that come along on the basis that there may not be anything else. A couple may marry and make the best of the situation, while neither is particularly impressed with the other or with the marriage.

Let's See If It Works

Many people enter into marriage with no real confidence that the relationship will work. They give it a shot, but have no real understanding of how to build a solid marriage. If it works they are happy, but if it falls apart, they feel that there was nothing they could do about it.

The Obligatory Duty

Some people feel as if marriage is something they must do and endure because it is expected of them. They find a spouse, or have an arranged marriage, and do their part as best they know how. They suffer the indignities, put up with the problems and are glad for the happy moments. Marriage is not something that excites them, but is something that is expected of them and they yield to that social pressure.

The Contract

In view of so many marriages disintegrating and people being left with pain over asset distribution and sorting out the mess, the idea of a contract is increasingly popular. With second marriages, people are more likely to define who owns what and what will happen if they divorce. Pre-nuptial agreements are occurring more commonly, to prepare for the eventuality of divorce. Whether anything is ever written or signed, the concept of the contract is common. The idea is that each spouse is only bound to the marriage if the other person upholds their end of the bargain.

In my books, MARRIAGE HORIZONS and MENDING MARRIAGES, I investigate the bigger picture of marriage. But for now, consider these questions. Is your marriage what it is supposed to be? Have you built something worthy of your life and your spouse? What are you doing about making your marriage better? Find out more about how to make a marriage work wonderfully well go to www.FamilyHorizons.Net

The most effective marriages are those where the couple work ON their marriage, not just IN the marriage. The more determined you are to be the best "you" you can be and to have the best marriage you can have, the more likely you are to move forward and enjoy a better life.

However, let me give you a word of caution. Don't assume that your ideas are right just because they suit you. And don't assume you are right just because you can convince your spouse to go along with you. The smartest people look for exemplars, mentors and benchmarks that lead them beyond their personal best, to things that are better still.

I congratulate you for taking the time to read this. You obviously want to have your marriage succeed. My prayer is that your marriage is successful and blessed, and a role model for the next generation.

By Jeannene Edwards  

Some of our major national homebuilders just reported that their home sales were down as much as 30 to 40% in the last quarter. There is no question that we are in the middle of a changing and challenging "Down Market" . . . but, what are the answers? How do we survive this market and get houses sold during these difficult times, and still maintain the bottom line?

As a professional Home Stager in Orlando, and Cental Florida areas, I am often asked these questions by real estate professionals and individual sellers alike. My answer is not always what they want to hear, but it is what is needed in my opinion, to get homes sold in today's competitive market. Give More!

Usually when you decide to list your home for sale your focus is on 'where you will be going', not 'where you are leaving' , so I understand this is definitely not the advice you want to hear! But this is a proven marketing strategy that has been successfully used by national homebuilders for many years. Through the use of well designed and merchandised model homes they have been able to offer their buyers a greater perceived value, which has greatly increased their chances for successful selling against their competition.

The following are tips and strategies designed to increase the perceived value of your home:

. . . stage with your buyer in mind - Pay attention to demographics. Identify your targetted market. Are they young professionals with children, empty nesters? Do you live in a golf club community or on water? Make sure you address those issues by incorporating subtle furnishings to help form an emotional connection with your buyer.

. . . let your home tell the story - Provide a friendly atmosphere which will encourage buyers to visualize themselves living there. Is it light, bright, welcoming? How will it "feel" to them?

. . . are you up to date - Have you changed paint colors to current market trends (both inside and out), replaced light fixtures and hardware in kitchen, baths, and entry (again, both inside and out), and what about your accessories? Are your appliances tired looking? How about your flooring? Your buyer is pickier than ever, and has a wealth of inventory to choose from. And remember, your competition is the new homebulder who has invested in professionally merchandised models which will represent the latest colors, finishes and furnishings. Many are offering move-in incentive packages which include new appliances, upgraded countertops, and provisions for the latest in technology as in plasma television hook up, home security and surround sound systems, etc. You may not want to spend the money, but if you add up the items I've listed it's still probably less than your first price reduction would be!

. . . is there going to be enough 'room to grow' - Get organized and declutter! You are selling square footage, so thru your color selections, furniture lay out and storage area capabilities you want to project the feeling of 'spaciousness'. I can't stress this point enough. Downsize what's in your closets, garage, pantry, under cabinets etc. Clear all countertops in kitchen and bath areas. Keep refrigerator surfaces clear of magnets along with pictures of the kids! Get rid of your excess 'stuff'! Have a gigantic garage sale or make a charitable donation by contacting freecycle.org, AmVets, Salvation Army, or any other worthy organization of your choice. Take advantage of the new space saving solution containers being offered by The Container Store @containerstore.chtah.com , and others who are specifically designing things to help you get organized. This is one of the fundamental guidelines to keep in mind when staging. People buy what they see. And if what they see are unorganized, cluttered and over crowded spaces it will immediately send the message that there will NOT be room for their 'stuff', and there will NOT be room for them to grow!

. . . make your home "squeeky clean"! - The last thing your buyer wants to think about is moving into and living with someone elses dirt. Imagine how you would feel if you checked into a five star hotel, and no matter how nice it looked from the outside, you saw signs of dirt left behind by the previous guest. Could you picture yourself staying there? Of course not, and neither can your prospective buyer. This will also serve as an indicator to them as to how well you have paid attention to details when maintaining your home.

. . . take their breath away - Create multiple WOW effects beginning with curb appeal and the outdoor "Retreat" living areas that have become so popular for today's savvy buyer and their casually sophisticated lifestyle. It's a well known fact among those of us who are Home Stagers and Model Home Merchandisers that buyers are looking at the increased living space on the outside as closely as they are looking at the inside! Spend the money to make these areas 'remarkable' and 'memorable' to make your home stand out from the competition.

These are all ways that you can Give More, offering your buyer a greater "perceived value", to get your house sold in a down market while maintaining your bottom line of profitability!

Jeannene H. Edwards, owner of INTERIORS DEFINED,INC. is a highly sought after professional home stager and licensed interior designer in Orlando, Florida. In addition to her interior design and home staging services, Jeannene has merged with DAVID EDWARDS CONSTRUCTION, a division of INTERIORS DEFINED,INC., enabling them to now offer complete architectural design and building services to further meet the needs of their clientel. Jeannene is a notable speaker known for her dynamic and informative seminars, and is available for sales meetings and group events. Her award winning designs and 'how-to' articles have been widely published in newspapers, magazines and trade manuals nationally. For additional information regarding her Step by Step E-Staging Guide, your ultimate guide to show you what buyers want, what sellers need to know, and tips and strategies to guide you to successful home selling in today's competitive market. For more information please contact Jeannene Edwards or David Edwards at:

By Nancy Arlington  

There has been a recent surge in the popularity of the home video projector. No, I am not talking about those things you used to watch filmstrips on in second grade, but the more modern version that uses digital video projection and DVDs. The new models can provide large, clear views for movies and home movies that people enjoy viewing over and over again. Video projections, however, are only as good as the surface that they are projected onto. Many people, when they first buy their new projector want to project the images onto a white wall. This will work, but the picture quality will be poor. You want to match the projector with the screen. Screens come in many varieties, from the DIY bedsheet screen to the most elaborate remote controlled electrical models that are hidden in your ceiling. They also are offered in a variety of finishes to match with the video projector paired with them.

Surprisingly, the home theater projector screen can come in several different surface finishes. The variety that you will need depends on the type of projector that you have. Screen surfaces vary from matte white, slightly gray, to reflected glass beaded models. Glass beaded models increase the effective brightness of your projectors image. This process is similar to the way a highway sign reflects your headlights. Lower light output models benefit the most from the higher reflectivity screens. In the same way, a high light output projector looks best when projected onto a matte finished screen. The glass beads on the higher output models tend to scatter the light waves and distort an image on the brighter projectors. A silver to gray screen will be most beneficial when using an LCD projector because those projectors do not have the best contrast/black levels. Before picking a screen, you must decide on the type of projector that you will use.

Projection screens come in three basic models. Fixed, manual pull down, and electric. The manual pull down models are probably the most common. These models are operated much like a window screen, in that you pull down on the screen to get it in place, and a quick downward tug retracts the unit back into its housing. The electric models have a motorized mechanism inside that will lower or retract the screen at the push of a button. The fixed screens are just that, fixed to a specific area, usually a wall. Fixed screens provide the flattest surfaces, while manual and electric models are susceptible to waves.

The aspect ratio of the screen is a top priority. The aspect ratio refers to the shape of the screen surface. Screens come in two basic aspect ratios, 4x3 Ð the normal television ratio, and 16x9 Ð the normal widescreen ratio. The aspect ratio of your screen is important to make prior to the purchase because you don't want to buy two screens. The fact is, once you buy a screen, there is no way to change the aspect ratio.

By thoroughly researching your screens before your purchase, you will save yourself loads of time and trouble.

By Willhelm Williams  

Home security systems have come a long way from where they where 20 years ago. It used to be that the security alarm system could only protect windows and doors. Now you can add motion detectors, proximity loops in the driveway, glass breakage detectors, security cameras and more.

Cheap home security cameras are readily available from dozens of vendors from local security stores to online retailers. Ever since the introduction of security cameras, many businesses have had them installed for many different reasons.

For years businesses have used video cameras to secure their property and deter theft. Can you think of a major retailer who today does not have dozens of 'eyes in the sky' inside of their store?

They have worked great for over two decades and they have been at the knife's edge for finding criminals. Everyone has seen on the news where a convenience store has been robbed and the police play the security tape hoping that someone will recognize the people responsible. Most of the time, someone does recognize the person and the police are able to apprehend them.

The cheap home security cameras can be bought in larger general stores as well as from small stores that handle electronics. The important thing is that they do work and they may deter some of the criminal element. It gives a thief one more reason to back away from your home and target a more accessible less protected home.

The cost of the cameras is not what keeps people safe. They will act as a deterrent no matter what they cost. Even if the camera is broken, the burglar does not know that.

One can protect the home with several inexpensive home security cameras that are well placed and that are connected on a closed circuit. Some security cameras have a motion detection feature and only take a picture when the camera senses movement.

There are several things that you need to consider when planning on adding security cameras to your home security system.

  * Color security camera
  * Black and white security camera
  * Motion activated camera
  * Continuous streaming camera
  * Infrared or night vision enabled camera

Security cameras like any other consumer electronics are constantly being upgraded and newer models released with more features. New cameras can be in color with excellent definition and picture quality. Also, with all of the new cameras, the older cheap home security cameras cost even less. When the new models come out the existing security camera models are discounted and become more affordable.

If the homeowner has had cheap home security cameras for a while, it might be worth trying to upgrade to newer equipment that is still below what's hot at the moment. The entire decision making is, of course, up to the homeowner.

Adding low cost security cameras to you home security system will help you protect your family and home. There are many different video surveillance cameras at a wide range in price. The latest and greatest surveillance camera may not be worth it, whereas a mid tier priced security camera will provide the protection you need.

By Kim Rhodes  

You've read the ads or seen the infomercials. "Build a six or seven figure income while lounging in your pajamas in your work at home business." For many people who hear this, their scam detector goes up and they become defensive. Why? Because they have heard countless horror stories of people who have lost their shirt trying to create a business from home.

However, the truth is there are thousands of home based entrepreneurs around the country who have cracked the code, created their place in the world and taking it to the bank. So how did they do it? Why do some people struggle and never ever break even while others create outrageously successful homebased careers?

There are certain habits which I believe are consistent with all of these enterprises. Here are seven habits or traits when implemented work to insure an outrageously profitable venture.

1. Find a hungry target market and look for a product or service to meet their needs. I am surprised how many frustrated entrepreneurs miss this. What often happens is someone gets excited, hit by an entrepreneurial seizure and tries to start a business with a product or service and feels it will sell simply because of their emotional attachment. Keep your mind open when looking at home based business income opportunities. However, make sure someone wants to buy whatever you have to sell before you jump in.

Don't get me wrong you want to have a passion for what you do. However, if you love 8 track tapes it might be a problem. And depending on your age you might be thinking, "What's an 8 track tape?" Get my point? However, if you find a group of people who are hungry for what you have is like shooting fish in a bucket. When you find a group that has a problem they want solved they will pay you to do it.

2. Understand nothing happens until a sale is made. I am amazed at how many budding entrepreneurs say they hate sales. This is unfortunate because everything else in a business is an expense. If you don't have sales coming in the door eventually the doors will close.

Sales and marketing if done correctly is the engine to a company's success. The key is to add value to the customer at every opportunity. One of the vital things to remember is the first time you obtain a client is the most expensive. But the real wealth is built when you have the opportunity to sell to a customer over and over again. Some companies even take a loss to get the customer in the pipeline because they realize the real money is on the back end and the true profit is in the lifetime value of the customer.

3. Develop a strong team. One of the traits that will accelerate the success of any business is the leverage generated by the help of others.

Robert Kiyosaki Author of Rich Dad Poor Dad says, "Business and investing are team sports." The average investor or small-business person loses financially because they do not have a team. Instead of a team they act as individuals who are trampled by very smart teams."

While you are building a home based business you don't want to do it alone. There are only 24 hours a day and you can't do everything. You want to look for opportunities to outsource all non revenue generating activities. Successful proprietors don't waste a lot of time on filing and organizing.

4. Focus on the business not just working in the business. What separates you from being able to create a company that provides you with great income and lifestyle versus one that you are chained to the doors is a matter of focus. Successful entrepreneurs focus on the big picture.

I'm saddened when people say, "No one can do what I do." This might be true however it presents a great challenge. You are now a slave to your business. The business no longer serves you. The goal must be to take "you" out of as much of your business as possible.

Look for ways to remove you, automate and systemize the process. One of the ways to do this is to use the leverage of technology. You might want to use a website that allows people to order your product or service 24/7. Or you might write a book which can be sold while you are sleep. Get the picture.

5. A highly successful home based business has a central theme or mission. Many home based businesses never reach success because they are trying to do too many things at the same time. You might be saying, "But I want to create multiple streams of income."

The problem with multiple streams of income can be a nightmare if approached incorrectly. New entrepreneurs often make the mistake of trying to create several profit centers from non aligned businesses. For example, you will find people who try to start real estate, network marketing and internet marketing all at the same time.

The reason you will almost never have success with this strategy is you can not build momentum. Each business has a totally different business model and you can't leverage the energy of one to another.

However, the successful home based entrepreneur understands the law of momentum. For example, if you were an author one of your products would be the book. However, you could spin that product into an empire by leveraging it into an e-book, tape set, work-book, seminar, boot camp and coaching program.

Do you see the power of having one central product or theme and how you can leap frog to success? You want to be focused and committed to a central theme. Once you have success you can add another stream of income. This trait is one of hidden keys to success.

6. Resilient and quick to adapt to change. This is one of the distinct advantage solo-entrepreneurs have over large companies. Often time's large corporations invest thousands of dollars in a project and even when they know it's not working they are slow to change. In Corporate America this may not kill a business because one mistake is just a cog in the wheel.

However, in small business your ability to change on a dime allows you test things and when things work you do it with massive all out action. And when something is not what working you simply let it go, test something else and move forward.

7. Commit to continual education. Now, I am not talking about another degree or certificate. There are plenty of people with plaques on their walls that aren't able to create the income and lifestyle they want. However, I love the quote by one of the leading experts in self-development. Jim Rohn says, "Formal education will make you a living; self education will make you a fortune."

Personal development and specialized knowledge often is the difference between a fledgling operation and one that has an outrageously bottom line. Why? Because successful people know that the best investment they can make is in self.

Make sure that you are always staying ahead of the curve and immerse yourself in your area of expertise. You can do this by attending seminars, tele-classes, boot camps or participating in coaching programs.

Do you want to build wealth from home? Cut your learning curve by modeling one or all of these traits from successful home based businesses. You will find when you model those who have had success you will too if you embody the same traits. Start today and you will be on your way to outrageous success.

By Kevin Sparks  

*Quick Quiz*

  1. Name the brand and model of the television(s) in your house or apartment.
  2. How much did your computer cost, and where did you purchase it?
  3. What is the serial number on your camera?

Could you answer those questions without looking? Now imagine how difficult it would be to come up with this information for ALL of your belongings while dealing with the stress of a fire, burglary, or natural disaster. In such a case, you may spend countless hours trying to remember everything only to realize what you forgot after your claim has been processed. You might not even be able to produce the required proof for the claim to be accepted.

How can a home inventory help?

In the unfortunate event of a major loss, your insurance company will need a lot of information to process your claim. If you've already created a home inventory, this process will be much easier and should be completed faster. Otherwise, you might not be able to account for everything, and if you're unable to provide the required information, you may receive less than full compensation for your loss.

Also, depending on your situation and the tax laws where you live, this information may also be required for a tax credit.

And finally, if you file a police report for stolen items, having the model number and serial number will improve your odds for recovering the stolen property.

What you'll need to start

Although you could pay a service company to come in to your house to conduct a home inventory, many people do it themselves using either a home inventory booklet, or a software program for recording their home inventory. Some people also include photographs, digital pictures, or video tape.

Whichever you decide, you're going to need to record the following information about each item:

  * Description
  * Brand/Model
  * Serial Number
  * Condition

In addition, you'll need to record information about the value of each item. Depending on whether your insurance company pays claims based on "replacement value" or "current value", you'll need to record details such as:

  * Purchase Price
  * Replacement Cost
  * Current Value
  * When/Where purchased

To provide as much information as possible, you should also take photographs or videotape to document the existence and condition of the items in your home inventory. Note that some of the software programs have a feature to allow you to import your digital photos to store the picture with each item. These programs typically allow you to save your data on a backup disk and/or print a report for safe keeping in a safe-deposit box, your work place, or a friend's house.

How to conduct your home inventory

Now that you know what you need, here's how to get started:

  1. Systematically go through your house or apartment one room at a time*.
  2. List down each item in the room, including the contents of desks, drawers, closets, etc.
  3. Describe each item as completely as possible, recording all the details as discussed in the previous section.
  4. When you've finished all the rooms in your house, don't forget the garage, patio, outside buildings, etc.

*You might be tempted to skip from one room to the next recording the "high dollar" items only. But, while this is better than nothing, remember that the "little items" can really add up also, and in the event of a disaster, these items might be the most difficult to remember.

What's next?

Ok, so after you've completed your home inventory you know what you have and how much it's worth. Great! Now review your home insurance policy - Are you over insured? Under insured? Perhaps for the first time, you can answer this question easily by comparing your policy amount to the total value of your household items.

Remember, if you store your home inventory list in your home, it could be destroyed along with your belongings. Whether your home inventory consists of a written list, diskette, cd-rom, paper report, photographs, or whatever, be sure to store it in a safe place - preferably in another location such as at your work place, a friend's house, or in a safe-deposit box.

Don't put it off!

Perhaps you've been reading this article and thinking about creating your own home inventory. Get started now while it's fresh in your mind!

If you have just moved into an apartment or house, starting your home inventory may be an easy task. This is a great time to begin organizing your home inventory. If you've been living in your house for awhile, however, you may have a lot of work to do. Now is the time to start! Plan to inventory at least one room in your house this week, and continue one room at a time until you're done.

By Rich D. Fan  

If you're looking for a very personal gift to give a significant other, a good friend, or close family member, why not consider a digital photo frame? Not only do they look great sitting on a desk or mantle, but unlike all those other traditional picture frames, people will actually look at these photos! Digital photo frames attract lots of attention, because since they are a seeming changing, moving light source, and they produce bright colors that simply draw people in to look at them.

Digital photo frames also let you create slideshows with awesome transitions to display all of your vacation, business or party pictures. In fact, many of these devices employ the use of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and even have video and audio so you can play little video clips of your adventures. And here's a great idea for the frequent flyer or the friend that lives overseas. Many of the new digital photo frames are network enabled so that you can upload your pictures from your hotel room in Los Angeles, and they will automatically show up on the digital photo frame in your living room in Washington DC! That's cool! This can be especially useful if your work takes you overseas, as it's a great way to stay in touch with the family. It's also popular gift for the "away from home student".

For the high-tech guru in your family, you may want to consider a full-featured digital photo frame that has a built-in web browser, shimming Internet radio and text newsfeeds. These Wi-Fi enabled photo frames, usually cost a little bit more, but for the techie, it's well worth the money. Many models even have dedicated e-mail addresses so that someone in a faraway country can directly upload photos to your picture frame by e-mail.

Digital photo frames have only been around for a few years but have gained popularity quickly. You can see them all over the place in the bargain stores at quite a range of prices. However, if you are gift giving, you will want to give a quality gift that will last them for you years and years. With that being said, you also don't want to simply look for name brand. When choosing a digital photo frame. Just because it's a name brand you are familiar with, it doesn't mean that the menus will be easier to maneuver, or the resolution of the pictures will be any better. It's not a bad idea to go on cnet.com and read some of the latest reviews. You definitely want to watch out for some of the cheap models made in China, because although they are indeed digital photo frames, the resolution is often poor and the picture just doesn't look very good. Here are a few tips for selecting the right photoframe for your special person.

You go to the trouble to take the nicest pictures, maybe edit them a little bit, and then display them in a photo frames. So you might as well get a digital photo frame that has sufficient resolution to do the picture justice. Many of the cheaper photo frames out there may be attractive because of the low price, but beware flimsy construction, and above all, a low resolution that will tell your loved one in its own way, how little you paid for it. Do not buy a digital photo frame with a resolution lower than 640x480. The larger the numbers the better! The other thing to consider is the aspect ratio of the frame. Most digital cameras shoot 4:3, which is the standard rectangular type of shot. There are also 15:9 widescreen photo frames, however with this type, if you upload a standard picture, the picture frame will automatically cut the top and bottom of the picture and stretch the sides out, so it'll fit in the frame.

The last thing in perhaps the most important thing is the looks of the frame. You can get frames that look like they have a stainless steel finish, brushed aluminum, oak or cherry wood, or even a painted finish. Your digital photo frame should be able to sit either portrait style or landscape style, and be durable enough to last years. Make sure it has an easy to use menu, and that uploading images to the picture frame is a snap, whether simply inserting the SD card from the camera, or uploading to the photoframe via Internet.

By Nicola Williams  

Just a few weeks ago I decided that if I wanted to look good in time for Christmas that I would need to lose weight and start toning up. After doing some research I chose Jennifer Nicole Lee's Fitness Model Program and decided to give it a go. Before I start I just want to say that I have no aspirations whatsoever of actually being a fitness model (and I'd be happy to look half as good as the author), however I was inspired by her before and after pictures, plus the fact that she's had two children and now looks AMAZING after doing her program.

To be honest I was a little skeptical about joining - at about $100 the program isn't cheap. However, I reasoned that if it worked, it'd still be a WHOLE lot cheaper than employing a personal trainer (which I definitely can't afford). Plus Jennifer's got some great credentials - like winning awards such as Ms. Bikini Universe and others (she's even been on Oprah!).

The following are the answers to some questions you might have about the Fitness Model Program:

Who is Jennifer Nicole Lee?

The author of this program, JNL, is a top fitness model who has won numerous awards and accolades, and has been featured on many television programs , websites and fitness magazines. She is also a mom to two kids, so she understands what it's like to have 'baby bulge'.

What is the Fitness Model Program?

This is a fat burning and muscle toning program that is endorsed by many elite trainers and female fitness magazines. It has been successfully used by women of all ages and abilities to gain the Fitness Model look, without having to work out for hours a day or spend lots of time in the gym (in fact you don't have to go to the gym at all!). It can also help you lose cellulite and get sexy muscle tone, all from the comfort of your own home with the most basic of equipment.

My Personal Review:

I started doing the Fitness Model Program at the beginning of October and already I'm starting to see a difference in my fitness levels and my figure. I was really unfit (I never did much exercise), but the four workouts she recommends per week are actually really short and doable - plus she gives lots of diagrams and pictures to show you how to do the exercises. I've already lost 7lbs and hope to lose another 14lbs by Christmas!

The only investment I had to make (after joining the program) was buying a pair of dumbbells (which you can get for about $12 at Amazon). The program not only gives you a full diet and exercise program, it also gives beauty tips on skincare, haircare and lots more.

By Naomi West  

Wireless digital picture frames are great for people who love to take lots of pictures of their family, friends, or even places they have been to. These pictures give us a chance to remember the great times in our life and to share them with the people around us. These electronic frames help us to do that in a new and better way.

When they were first introduced many of us were amazed at how clear and vivid the pictures looked. It was like watching them on the television or computer and they lasted longer then if we were to place them in a regular photo frame or album. Through the years they have reintroduced larger and more advanced models with more features.

Slideshow

Many of the newer frames give you the option to create a slideshow. You can put on a few of your favorite pictures and set a time for them to slide by and introduce each other. This is great if you want to show people your wedding day or your child's special day. For some you can even add music in the background to go with the pictures.

Wireless

These wireless digital frames allow you to connect with your computer without using a chord. You can pull pictures off easily or you can put everything on a portable USB. This makes it easier to put everything on your frame and in the order you want.

Removable Frames

Besides providing us with a crystal clear picture we need a model that has the picture frame that will look great in our home. If you like to change things up you should try to use a removable picture frame. These are easy to change out and will provide you with a variety of colors and designs.

By J. Joseph Bartczak

Lets get started. Plan your layout. Start with your track, and track bed. Don't forget your turnouts, to flow to different sections of your layout. Now is the time for your imagination to take over. Picture your layout, what is your scenery? Is it your home town, or a place that you have seen, or just your own imagination. Now imagine the buildings, trees, people involved in your scene, even the time it takes place. What season is your layout? Remember it is a picture frozen in time.

Now let your picture become a reality. OK, as an example....

It's your home town in the summer. The grass in green, the trees have leaves, and the people are in summer attire. The buildings are Main street stores, a Post Office, gas station, and a Town Hall, and of course, the train station. The town needs telephone wires, poles, and streets with automobiles. Maybe even a pond or a stream. Rolling hills in the background make it complete.

Or maybe a winter scene....

Snow on the houses, no leaves in the trees, children ice skating or even sleigh riding down a hill. Maybe the Town is getting ready for the Holidays, lighting, decorations, equipment, etc. These are some ideas in the types of seasons.

With the use of buildings, roads, hills, and people the sky is the limit. Just don't forget those little details that make your layout different from the rest. Put your own stamp on it, make it your own. Look at other layouts and get more ideas. You may see that "Thing" that you were missing. Train shows are a great place to get ideas, so don't pass them up.