A surefire way to add sweeping drama to a room is with drapery. It can be used to dress up or dress down your room and it is great for doing the unexpected, like hiding storage or creating soft room dividers.
Misplaced Lens Cap
Today's Document

#extradirty
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$LAYYYTER

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we're not kids anymore.
noise dept.
Cosimo Galluzzi

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祝日 / Permanent Vacation

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Cosmic Funnies

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@steppppo-blog
A surefire way to add sweeping drama to a room is with drapery. It can be used to dress up or dress down your room and it is great for doing the unexpected, like hiding storage or creating soft room dividers.
Bedroom Decorating Ideas
With a few helpful bedroom decorating ideas, you can easily transform a boring bedroom into a dreamy retreat. Give your master bedroom a refreshing new look with the right use of color, layering and storage.
New blog about Atlanta real estate and architecture. Pretty cool. Check it out.
Long and Short Ideas site
Hi all,
Just wanted to take a quick moment to unveil my new creation, Long And Short Ideas.
I was looking for an idea for a simple web site, one that would be easy to update and work on. I also got itchy to program something so this was an idea I wanted to try out.
The basic gist is to post quick links and aggregate the best investing news on the web in one place. I’ve tried for years to sift through all the best finance news on the Web and it’s difficult. With this site, traders and investors can go to one place to find the latest and greatest news on stocks, bonds, options, gold, interest rates and more.
Hope you all enjoy.
New page on MNN
Hey all,
I just created a new page for the CEO of the Mother Nature Network, Joel Babbit.
You can find out more information about him on that page.
Thanks for checking it out.
Tooth whitening with Atlanta dentist
I learned some pretty interesting information on tooth whitening from the Atlanta dentist, Dr. Cary Goldstein.
The public has been slightly fooled by the misnomer "whitening toothpaste." The whiteners are toothpaste with an abrasive that removes stains on the outside of the tooth. Whitening pastes or gels will whiten or clean outside stains from coffee, tea and smoking. There are bleaching toothpastes that have a peroxide base that will bleach the teeth. It could take 8 to 12 months.
Bleaching occurs from the inside of the tooth and requires a lot of time. These toothpastes are an adjunct to your daily cleaning or bleaching regimen. If you eat or drink a lot of staining foods such as red wine or blueberries, for example, then the whitening pastes will help keep stains off the outside of your teeth. If you are bleaching or have bleached, using a bleaching toothpaste can help maintain the color.
So how do you get your teeth that young white glow...?
Over-the-counter white strips — Costs between $20 and $60. You may more than one or two boxes may be needed for best results.
Paint-on bleaching — Costs $20 to $55. You may need more than one or two uses for best results.
These bleaching agents are a lot like nail polish. You simply dry the teeth, paint this on and let it dry. The bleach adheres to the outside of the teeth for a period of time, therby causing the process to begin.
Custom trays — Costs between $30 to $100 for do-it-yourself kits and between $200 to $600 for dentist-made custom trays.
This is the best value for bleaching regimens. In the first of two office visits, molds of your upper and lower teeth and thin custom trays are made to fit your mouth. Within a day or two the trays are ready to deliver along with a bleaching gel (mint or fruit flavored) which is placed into the trays, and they are worn for 30 minutes to four hours daily. The more you wear them, the faster the teeth bleach. Lighter teeth can be bleached as quickly as two weeks, while even dark teeth can be bleached if used for six months to a year. The trays can easily last for 5 years with proper care.
In-office laser or light bleaching — Costs between $200 to $650 per session. For those of us who do not want to wear trays at home or want a more instant result, the in-office procedures are the ticket. Research has shown that at least three to five sessions are needed to get noticeable long-term results. Many brands exist, but the key is to have multiple sessions. Beware of the shopping center and cruise ship bleaching centers, unless they offer three to five sessions. The secret to remember is that each in-office session is worth about one to two weeks of at-home tray bleaching.
Deep-bleaching--The latest and greatest is a combination of the in-office and at-home techniques. One in-office treatment gives you an immediate result, but it is short lived (only two to six weeks) unless it is followed by more in-office or at-home procedures.
Bleaching teeth has become the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedure.
There you have it. All you need to know about tooth whitening here in Atlanta from a dentist with offices in Buckhead. Good luck and I hope to see you big white tooth smile very soon!
Labor Day weekend getaways
So, are you already thinking about Labor Day weekend getaways?
If so, I think that you should consider Callaway Gardens, especially if you live in the Georgia or Atlanta area.
Callaway has so much to offer for a two-day or three-day weekend getaway.
First, there are the gardens. They are a wonder to look at. So many different colors and smells. You will be amazed.
Next there are the miles of paths on which you can bike or hike. There are I don't know how many miles but it's a lot. More than you could probably do in a day, unless you are some sort of ultra-marathoner.
After you get all hot from walking, running and biking on the paths, you can cool off on the man-made beach, Robin Lake Beach. It's the largest man-made beach in the world.
When you get to the beach, there's a ton of stuff to do there. Aqua Island is my personal favorite. You can run and climb on all kinds of things and then jump off into the water. The kids will go bonkers.
So, what are you waiting for? You don't need an invitation. Just go to Callaway Gardens for your Labor Day weekend getaway.
Zip lines in Georgia
I recently visited one of the coolest zip lines in Georgia.
It's located at Callaway Gardens, a little less than two hours south of Atlanta in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
The course is a combination of swinging bridges, zip lines, nets and ropes all suspended high in the air.
There were some lines for getting on the course but once we made it on there, we had a blast.
Callaway Gardens has guides on staff to walk you through the safest ways to complete the course.
I went with my family but I could see how it would be a great place for team building, family reunions and other group activities.
Healthy eating on a budget
We've got lots of other ideas for how to mix up a good meal for very little dough.
Amplify’d from www.mnn.com
Does it sometimes feel like you have to take on a second mortgage to eat healthy? Is $10 a pound for organic meat out of your league? If so, here are some guidelines on healthy eating on a budget.
If you’re trying to save money on food, don’t skip breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day because it revs up your metabolism. Try to eat by 10 a.m. to fuel your system. Buy the following items from a natural grocer and for less than $20 a week, you can have a healthy breakfast every day:
prouted grain or rice flour bread ($4-$5 per sliced loaf)
Free-range, organic eggs (large; $4-5 per dozen)
Organic spinach ($2 a bunch)
Grass-fed cheese ($5 a pound; use cheese substitute if dairy intolerant)
Avocado ($1-$2 per)
Making an egg sandwich every morning with the above ingredients should satiate you for at least three hours or longer, before you’re ready for a snack or lunch. Sure, you could save even more money by buying industrial, large factory-farmed eggs, white bread and nacho cheese dip but that most likely would not be considered healthy eating by most nutritionists.
Read more at www.mnn.com
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Recycling old carpet: Is it possible?
CARE members have increased carpet diversion and recycling 10 percent each year, a trend Sikorski expects to continue. The majority of carpet collected for diversion is recycled. Some is burned as waste-to-energy.
Amplify’d from www.mnn.com
Although most carpet components are recyclable or reusable, only about 4 percent of waste carpet gets reclaimed. The industry hopes to increase that number.
Open the hood of your car and you might be surprised to learn those automotive parts came from recycled carpet. Instead of padding a landfill, carpet also provided erosion control along the Gulf Coast following the BP oil slick.
Carpet has been recycled for nearly 20 years in the U.S. Still, it’s not as convenient as leaving a bin of recycled aluminum and paper at the curb or dropping it in a designated dumpster.
The heavy floor covering with its petroleum-based components must be transported to recycling facilities, specially designed for the purpose. It can be a pricey proposition, which is why recycling rates remain low.
“While most components that make up carpet are recyclable or reusable, only about 4 percent of waste carpet currently gets handled in these ways,” according to the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), which oversees a major nationwide carpet diversion and recycling effort. It involves the carpet industry, government agencies and entrepreneurs.
Read more at www.mnn.com
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How to clean a cast-iron skillet
Cleaning your cast-iron skillet is not a sit-and-soak job. You’ll need to ‘season’ it first and the continuously clean it properly. We show you how.
Amplify’d from www.mnn.com
Even the most inexperienced cooks would do well to have a cast-iron skillet, one of the most versatile, relatively inexpensive, long-lasting and attractive pieces of cookware. Cast iron may take longer than other cookware to reach high temperatures, but it retains heat long after you remove it from the source. It also distributes the heat evenly.
But how do you clean a cast-iron skillet? Though it is not difficult, cleaning your cast-iron cookware is not a sit-and-soak job. To keep your cast-iron skillet in top shape, it is essential to “season” the piece before first use, and continuously clean it properly.
Seasoning your cast-iron skillet creates its non-stick surface, which is reinforced every time you use oil on the skillet – and as long as you follow proper cleaning procedure. To season the skillet (if you choose to buy one that is not pre-seasoned), coat it inside and out with vegetable shortening or cooking oil, and bake in a 350-degree oven for one hour. Remove the skillet (with oven mitts) and wipe the remaining oil or shortening off with paper towels. You’re ready to cook!
Read more at www.mnn.com
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derasso:
Why not be a writer?
[Via]
Romantic weekend getaways
What are the best ideas for romantic weekend getaways?
Surely, you want someplace you and your loved one can go to enjoy one another and find interesting things to do.
If you are looking for a romantic getaway in Georgia, I would recommend Callaway Gardens. This wonderful vacation spot is located less than two hours south of Atlanta in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Callaway Gardens offers a lot of ways for a couple to add some romance to their lives.
For starters, there are miles and miles of hiking trails where you can spend time alone just walking and talking. You and your loved one will likely be intrigued by the beauty of the flowers and trees along the paths. If you come in the spring, you can see the famous azalea gardens that will be in full bloom.
Georgia tends to be hot in the late spring, summer and early fall so you’ll want to bring along some swim clothes to get wet in. Callaway Gardens has one of the largest man-made beaches in the world, Robin Lake Beach, and the best part is that it doesn’t even look man-made.
If you happen to enjoy golf, Callaway is home to one of the finest Georgia golf courses around. If tennis is your game, they have that also.
In addition, there’s boating and fishing on the lake.
If you are really adventurous, there’s also the new Tree Top Adventure. This attraction is apparently an obstacle course that includes zip lines, swinging bridges, nets and other aerial challenges.
I don't know about you but that certainly sounds like something to get your heart racing. And, isn't that more or less what you want out of a romantic weekend getaway?
Perhaps I said too much.
Snail once thought extinct, isn't
For once, good news in biological conservation.
Amplify’d from www.mnn.com
Extinction doesn't have to be forever, especially if you're a particularly resilient snail.
Believed to be extinct for more than 60 years, the Rhodacmea filosa, a freshwater mollusk, has been discovered at the Coosa River in Alabama's Mobile River Basin.
The basin was originally thought to be responsible for the species’ extinction.
The snails are fond of fast-moving rivers and streams where they graze on microscopic algae. When the river was dammed and locked throughout the 20th century, the flowing rivers went away, and it was believed that the mollusks went with them.
"Their habitat was destroyed in huge chunks," said Diarmaid Ó Foighil, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and a curator at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology and leader of the study.
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Common air pollutants
Learn about the toxins in the air all around us.
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They spew forth from automobiles and factories, waft up into the air from livestock farms and even come from the ground and other natural sources. Common air pollutants are found all around us, and they can cause severe health effects as well as environmental damage.
Air pollutants are found in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets or gases, and many of them are created by human activity. According to a recent report by the American Lung Association, State of the Air 2011, toxic air pollution hovers above almost every major city, and remains a real threat to the health of the American public despite strong progress in the past few decades. More than half of all Americans live in areas with dangerous levels of air pollution.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named the six most common air pollutants, which are found all over the United States. These pollutants are ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and lead. Of these six, ozone and particulate matter are the most prevalent and the most harmful to human health and the environment.
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Healthy eating for teens
Got teens? Here are a few tips for getting them to eat healthy.
Amplify’d from www.mnn.com
If teenagers feel like everybody's trying to tell them what they should and shouldn't eat, they're probably right, and for good reason: many teenagers rely on junk food or don't eat regular, balanced meals, despite all of the energy demanded by their rapidly growing bodies. But healthy eating for teenagers doesn't have to mean eating bland, boring foods. Parents trying to help their teens eat a healthy diet should focus on highly nutritious meals and snacks that are quick and easy to prepare.
Poor eating habits in teens
Adolescents are always on the go, between school, hanging out with friends and taking part in sports and other activities. But many skip meals, especially breakfast, depriving their bodies of critical nutrients that they need in order to grow into healthy adults. Eating breakfast every day can boost teens' metabolism, helping them maintain a healthy weight, balance their moods and perform better in school.
And then, of course, there's the bad eating habit that teens are best known for: consuming too much junk food. Colorful, well-marketed, high-fat foods with low nutritional value are all too tempting, especially when they come in convenient serving sizes that are easy to throw into a backpack. Studies have shown that teenagers are also drinking more soft drinks than ever before, which could lead to a host of health problems including osteoporosis and hypertension.
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Pollen allergy symptoms in adults
An excellent overview of pollen allergies in adult and what to do about them.
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Roughly 40 million Americans suffer from pollen allergies, also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies. But whatever term you use, pollen allergy symptoms in adults can range from annoying to life-threatening. The aggressors in this case are nearly invisible, egg-shaped cells that originate in flowering plants and are carried through the environment by insects or wind currents.
Where pollen is found Grass pollen is the most common seasonal allergy trigger, but there are also those who suffer from exposure to tree pollen. Birch trees are one of the worst offenders, followed closely by oak, ash, elm, hickory, poplar, sycamore, maple, walnut and cypress trees. Most trees release their pollen earlier in the year, typically from January to August. Just as tree pollen winds down, the grasses take over — somewhere between May and August. In late summer and fall, allergy symptoms are most often caused by ragweed.
So if your allergies tend to be worse in the early months, chances are you’re allergic to tree pollen. Spring allergies can mean it's the pollen from grasses that makes you sniffle and sneeze.
Read more at www.mnn.com
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