gaggle http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for gaggle Copyright 2008 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:09:50 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/gaggle Home Decorating for the Independent Personality http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-decorating-for-the-independent-personality http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-decorating-for-the-independent-personality#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:08:28 +0000 baby quailsprofessional designersyellow paintwater colorsvibrant countrypersonal satisfactionpersonal works http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-decorating-for-the-independent-personality
One of the first things I realized about home decorating--after my three thousand or so attempts at making my place look like all the pictures from the magazines--is that home decorating should reflect your personal style. Your home should reflect who you are and what you love.

Of course, I'm not saying that this revelation made me prance around my house with two cans of pink and or that I plastered bunnies and butterflies everywhere--and yes, I do actually love pink, yellow, bunnies and butterflies--but I did put a little bit of myself into every room.

I got a certain sense of from painting my ugly orange countertops a red that matched my lust for life and the décor I actually wanted to toss around my kitchen. And my own of art--paintings, photographs, sculptures--are set up around my place as well, giving it just that look of being lived in by somebody who loves and experiences life.

Of course, I recognize that we can't all spend our evenings splashing around in , or spend our weekends chasing a gaggle of about the yard trying to take their pictures.

That's why there are out there who dedicate their lives to creating home décor that other people can use to express themselves and their individuality. And it's okay to buy your curtains and blankets if you don't know how to sew--crafty as I am, I still bought all my curtains and most of my blankets.

Of the things I love most in my home, my furniture doesn't even come close to counting. It's the accessories in my home that make it look like I personally live there and that no one else can shake my individuality.

One of my favorite items is a cotton area rug I recently purchased on a trip to the Deep South. This area rug was handmade in mills in the Deep South, where the cotton was picked fresh, milled in a southern mill, cleaned, spun and woven all by the same family of rug makers. When the bed is too hot at night, I frequently sleep on this rug and it makes me feel like I'm back in the Deep South all over again.

I realize that area rugs are not for everyone, but it can be an excellent place to start in learning to develop a personality for your home that meshes with your own personality rather than clashing and making you feel uncomfortable in your own home.

Different types of accessories are truly the way to bring out your personality in your home. Whether it is an area rug, artwork, photographs, drapery, throw pillows or knick knacks that represent different moments in your life, you can always find a way to make yourself feel at home if you just put a little bit of yourself into your own home.Sarah Crosset has worked in the interior decorating field for many years and loves to share her home decorating experiences and ideas with home owners everywhere. Her best tip for individual expression is to use area rugs; as they will instantly add personality to a room. Try an orange area rug from www.HouseOfAreaRugs.com for a vibrant look.]]> Vacation Rentals In London: From Cozy Farm Cottages To A Hundred-Year-Old Castles http://www.artwoo.com/article/vacation-rentals-in-london-from-cozy-farm-cottages-to-a-hundred-year-old-castles http://www.artwoo.com/article/vacation-rentals-in-london-from-cozy-farm-cottages-to-a-hundred-year-old-castles#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2007 15:04:54 +0000 vacation rentals londongagglethree bedroom apartmentssprawledlondon touristslondon styleadventurous http://www.artwoo.com/article/vacation-rentals-in-london-from-cozy-farm-cottages-to-a-hundred-year-old-castles
Vacation rentals, should know, are one of the easiest ways to stay in the city without breaking the bank. If you cringe at the hotel prices of cities such as Seoul or Moscow, for example, then you would be alarmed at how much everything costs in London.

This is how -style works: a landlord leases to you an apartment, fully furnished and ready for occupation. Use of apartments like these are more long-term than hotel stays, so vacation rentals, London-style, may be availed of for three days or longer. In exchange, you pay a sum that covers not your daily stay, but the entire duration of your visit.

Vacation Rentals: Options

A of lodging options are available for tourists who are considering the vacation rentals London has to offer. There are one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments. However, if you want to experience first-hand the colorful traditions and history of London, then why not explore other options?

The vacation rentals London proffers are not limited to modern apartments. Other excellent options include properties that belong to the National Trust and Landmark Trust. These two are organizations that safeguard historic buildings and estates throughout Britain. They rent these out to vacationers. So, if you are enough to prefer the historic to the convenient, then you should leap at this opportunity to relieve a piece of history. You could stay in a cozy farm cottage or inside a 500-year-old castle.

Vacation Rentals: At the Heart of the Bustle

The good thing about the vacation rentals London districts provide is that these are very close to the most visited tourist attractions, most of which are in Central London. These include Westminster Abbey and a dozen of theaters, museums, and old structures. These lodgings are found close to the shopping districts, too. Price is definitely one of the less savory things about London, but many tourists go shopping, nonetheless, because the products sold in London are of the highest quality. The West End of London, particularly Trafalgar Square, is a world-renowned shopping area.

In planning your London vacation, remember to make not just flight and lodging arrangements, but also transportation provisions as well. Many websites, such as http:www.Holiday4You.com offer free information about London's vacation rentals and public transport, be this road, rail, air, or water. Oh, and while in London, you must never forget to take a cab. London cabbies are as much a distinctive part of the city as its Looking for vacation rentals in London ( http://www.holiday4you.com/arizona.htm )? Visit http://Holiday4You.com to find the perfect place to rent for your next vacation. You can also find here flats Berlin ( http://www.holiday4you.com/illinois-us.htm ) has available to rent or even exotic villa rentals ( http://www.holiday4you.com ) for your next holiday. ]]> How To Fix A Broken Lead Generation Program http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-fix-a-broken-lead-generation-program http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-fix-a-broken-lead-generation-program#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:24:59 +0000 contact listsales lead generationgagglelead generatorgeneration effortsprogram scriptcircus clowns http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-fix-a-broken-lead-generation-program
Your efforts face the same issues. There are many factors that go into your lead generation process and, when it isn't working well, it can be a challenge to figure out where the problem lies. For the next few posts, we'll be looking at what might be happening in a lead generation breakdown, and what you can do to fix it.

There are 3 basic component parts to a lead generation program, and one or all of these items can breakdown. Let's look first at the individual parts: The , the and the .

The lead generator is, in a word, you (or perhaps me). The person actively working to generate sales leads is, not surprisingly, a major factor in your . Your style, professionalism, attitude, procedures and even the tone of your voice can all affect lead generation.

The contact list is another major factor. In essence, your contact list is going to be filled with people who use the sort of products or services you are selling, so it is, in essence, all about trying to sell ice cubes to Eskimos. You could vey well be preaching to the choir. Then again, you could be preaching to a of , or a tank full of exotic tropical fish. Either way, your message is hitting the wrong crowd and you're wasting your breath. Time to reboot.

Finally, the program script is your conversation with the sales prospect. It involves the content, marketing, lead qualification and your ability to pull all of these things together in a logical, short and very concise presentation. If you're a great lead generator and your contact list is spot on, then chances are good that your words are missing the mark. It could be your delivery, the order of your presentation of key points=85or maybe the words themselves just aren't right. There is a loose connection somewhere, and your message just isn't getting through.

To get a lead generation program working all of these components must work together seamlessly.

So how do you know when your lead generation program is broken? This is actually the easy part: you are not producing leads at all, your system is broken. Like a crash site, it is a barren wasteland with scarred and charred earth. It's pretty hard to miss. If it's not completely broken, things get a little trickier. If it needs just repairs then you may be producing leads, but of suspect quality. Or you might be generating quality leads, but just at a trickle...a few here and a few there.

In any of these scenarios, the problem could be with any (or even all) of the components we have identified. The trick is identifying the weak link (or links) in your program. Once you can do that, fixing the problem is usually a pretty straightforward affair. Replace or repair the part in question, you your program will be operating smoothly in no time. In our next posts we will be looking at typical sources of problems in lead generation programs, and how to fix them. Al Davidson is the President and Owner of SSM ( Strategic Sales and Marketing, Inc. http://www.manageyourleads.com ), which he founded in 1989. SSM has completed over 50 million cold calls to high level business decision makers and generated over 7 million sales leads. ]]> Help Wanted: I Don't Understand "Mature" Male Behavior http://www.artwoo.com/article/help-wanted-i-dont-understand-mature-male-behavior http://www.artwoo.com/article/help-wanted-i-dont-understand-mature-male-behavior#comments Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:15:25 +0000 teen age girlsold geezersteenage studsobnoxious behaviorfemale teacherone of the girlsmale students http://www.artwoo.com/article/help-wanted-i-dont-understand-mature-male-behavior
I was in McDonald's the other day and two decrepit looking in 1970s polyester disco attire swaggered up to the counter behind which were two smiling ready to take their order. One of the Old Geezers reached across the counter to grab the arm of , while loudly proclaiming his love for her. She giggled and stepped back toward the manager who was standing nearby taking it all in. The other teen stepped back to avoid a possible grab from the other old guy. Judging from the interaction between the teens and the Old Geezers, the girls knew these two pests and knew how to deal with them.

But you know what? Grabby geezers don't discriminate on the basis of age. More than once at the pharmacy I have been grabbed by an old guy claiming to need help in choosing an over the counter product. I would leave the safety of the pharmacy and go out on the floor to help and wham! An arm around my waist -- in the presence of a wife, no less. It's enough to make you want to barf.

What causes Old Geezers to lose their dignity? Are they not aware when they are being disgusting? Why do they think young women -- any women -- appreciate their ? Old women don't hassle young boys because (a) they have more sense and (b) they'd be cited for contributing to the delinquency of minors and or (c) they'd be committed to a mental hospital for observation. But wait--am I giving old women too much credit for having good judgment? On TV the other day a sixty year old was accused of having sex with . They need to lock her up and throw away they key. But that's a subject for another day.

So, what is it with the old guys? Testosterone gone wild? Not likely Sixty percent of older men have a severe loss of testosterone. The result is that in their memory they are still but in reality they are over the hill. It's hard for them to come to terms with the phenomenon.

I asked the girls if they appreciated the attention. Again they giggled and one of them replied, "Oh, those old guys are just lonely."

Yeah. For sure. But they were also lacking common sense -- a hallmark of senility.

On top of the Old Geezers' grabby behavior, they were LOUD. You have probably noticed that when a gaggle of these old guys get together in a public place you can hear their conversation a mile away. I don't think they are loud because they are deaf -- they can speak in a more subdued tone when they choose to. I think the answer is that they behave that way because they are in their second childhood.

By contrast, at another eatery, at a nearby table, several young construction workers were having a discussion. I couldn't tell what it was about because they weren't loud. But get this: As they left, one of the men stopped at my table and said, "I'm sorry if we were loud." I was flabbergasted. I assured him they weren't loud and that he was a nice man for being so thoughtful. "We have to think of others," he replied. Amen to that. Maybe that's the answer: the Old Geezers have lost their ability to think of others.

The moral of the story is that distracting and unseemly "old" behavior is a hallmark of "old" people. It has nothing to do with chronological age. It has everything to do with judgment, being considerate of others and keeping your dignity. Being over sixty doesn't give you a license to act like an old fool, unless of course, you are senile.Barbara Morris is a pharmacist and anti-aging consultant. She is author of Put Old on Hold and publishes a monthly newsletter. Signup at http://www.PutOldonHold.com and receive a free copy of "Thirteen Tested Tips for Fabulous Skin."]]> Top 10 Safety Tips For Nutritional Supplements and Medication Usage http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-10-safety-tips-for-nutritional-supplements-medication-usage http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-10-safety-tips-for-nutritional-supplements-medication-usage#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:09:57 +0000 nutritional supplementsgaggleinteractionshealth concernhealth companiesprescription drugsmedicines http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-10-safety-tips-for-nutritional-supplements-medication-usage gaggle of natural promise herbal alternatives and vitamin that can replace prescription medication. Yet as the number, and cost, of and nutritonal supplements increases, how come the health of the nation is getting worse? Heart disease, depression and obesity are all rising despite the increase, and supposed effectiveness, of the pharmaceutical's products. And if nutritonal supplements are supposed to balance our body's vitamin and mineral content then why do we still feel ill after taking them?

It is a modern phenomonen than we are very simply taking too many . These medicines not only produce harmful side-effects, they can also cause vitamin depletion and actually harm our health. It's possible to replace these lost vitamins through nutritional supplements, but the one-size-fits all multivitamins sold in grocery stores may not have the right balance for your particular condition. Taking these nutritional supplements may, in turn, affect the action of your medication in the body. So medicines help with our s but deplete the vitamins in our body, and nutritional supplements replace those lost vitamins but can stop the medication from working. How to break free from this visious circle? By taking control and being informed about your personal health and your vitamin nutrtional needs(http://www.mitamins.com).

Ways of Preventing Drug-Vitamin(http://www.mitamins.com)

Drug vitamin interactions mostly affect psychiatric patients, elderly people, and individuals who had been recently hospitalized. These groups are more likely to be taking heavy medications for more than one health concern and so the risk of interactions is much higher. Drug vitamin interactions may also affect people who like to "shop around" and consult a number of different physicians and healthcare proffesionals - each one prescribing a different medication or nutritional supplement. However, the risk of drug vitamin interactions can be reduced if you take care of few important things such as:

1. Asking your pharmacist, doctor, or other health professional to check any interaction between your prescribed medicines and your vitamin nutritional supplements(http://www.mitamins.com).

2. Learning the names of the medicines and nutritional supplements you're taking and knowing the effect of each one upon your body.

3. Making a full list of all the nutritional supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, and homeopathic remedies you have and update it after each visit to the doctor.

4. Getting your prescription filled out the same pharmacy so that the pharmacist may be better able to notice any possible drugivitamin interactions.

5. Not taking a new medicine without discussing the side effects with your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional.

6. Ensuring that each doctor knows the medicines prescribed by others, if you are consulting more than one doctor.

Besides, the above given precautions, drug vitamin interactions can be reduced if care is taken about keeping your medication and supplements properly. Some things to keep in mind are:

7. Different medicines or nutritional supplements should not be kept in same container as it can cause interaction between them.

8. All medicines and nutritional supplements have an expiry date (or should do). Don't take expired medicine or nutritional supplements.

9. Always consult your doctor or physician if you decide to stop taking a certain medication to begin a course of nutritional supplements instead.

10. If any side effect or problem is experienced due to a medication or nutritional supplement, consult your doctor immediately. Mitamins team bd@mitamins.net Convenient: All Your Vitamins in 1 Bottle; Choice: 680 Health Concerns Covered; Safety: Avoid Overdose and Drug Interactions; Quality: Made Fresh with Brand Ingredients. Vitamin health and Customized supplements(http://www.mitamins.com) ]]> A Parenting Tip - Do You Crave Time Off? http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-parenting-tip-do-you-crave-time-off http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-parenting-tip-do-you-crave-time-off#comments Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:29:57 +0000 parenting tipcomparison gamefamily situationresponsible personample opportunitytrue selfwonderful thing http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-parenting-tip-do-you-crave-time-off
Because of that fact, sometimes, as a parent, you just need a break.

This is not to be taken lightly. Parenting your children will be the wildest ride you ever take. It is certainly the most demanding of jobs. And, as you probably have already noticed, it's a 24/7 position.

With no paid vacations.

To be the parent your kids need you to be, you've got to take some regular breaks. How many? How often? That depends upon you and your . In addition, be careful about playing the . You may need more or less time off from parenting than other parents you know.

How do you know if it's time to take a parenting break? If you are on the verge of burnout...you already know you need a break. Yesterday. And if you are proudly sharing stories with other parents of how long it has been since you've had a REAL break from parenting (the kind where someone else actually takes over the responsibility of parenting for a period of time...even an hour), then you need to stop and plan your next time off. I've certainly been guilty of over-extending my commitment as a parent and under-nourishing my . It's not something to be proud of. It's something to pay attention to.

Here are some ideas for taking that well-deserved parenting break.

-- A full fledged vacation. Just your spouse and yourself. (Who?)

If you're having trouble remembering that guy or gal you originally signed up with to parent alongside of, this parenting tip may be for you. Lack of money and babysitters were always my excuse; if that's the case with you, too, start putting away a little cash today and circle a date on the calendar. Anticipation is a and the time will give you to find that totally to watch your kids.

Trust me. This getaway doesn't need to be expensive. In fact, working out the creative details together with your spouse can make for even more pleasant memories.

-- Who will be in charge?

If you live far away from extended family (we always did), babysitters may be scarce. One solution to this is to get involved. Find a family-oriented house of worship and dive in. Hook up with classes at your local YMCA. Volunteer at your school. In other words, look for opportunities to make friends with other parents. These are the folks who have similar needs and frustrations.

Eventually you might be able to set up a kind of babysitting co-op where each family takes turns taking care of each others' kids so everybody gets regular parenting time-off without breaking the bank. (Important parenting tip: DO look for people of similar values to your own so you know your kids will be cared for by people who share your sense of parenting.)

-- All by yourself.

Maybe you need some personal time off from being mom or dad. Then my parenting tip for you is to take some time to rejuvenate yourself as a human being. If you recognize this need, talk to your partner. He or she may be feeling the same way and all the two of you need is to juggle your schedules for both of you to be able to take a break.

Are you a single parent? Your parenting challenges are even greater, to be sure. And your need for time off can increase since you don't have the natural breaks built in like a two-parent family can have.

Again, look for ways to meet other single parents and work together on this issue for the mutual good.

-- Think deeper...

Make sure your parenting break will genuinely refresh you by considering the type of rest you need. Do you crave solitude? Or adult conversation? A gaggle of girlfriends? Or an exciting adventure? Pampering? Or time learning something new and stimulating?

Truthfully, the quality of your time off will be as important as the quantity. We're often pretty good about planning the 'where' and 'what' of our breaks, but often we neglect the deeper needs of our soul. Think about what you would do if you had no restrictions; plenty of time and money and no responsibilities. Then ask yourself what your answer means to you.

Parenting is an enormous responsibility and requires genuine fortitude. To pull off such a task successfully, you'll need to take enormous and extreme care of yourself over the years. Whether it's an extra date night twice a month with your spouse, a lone weekly college class, or an all-out get-out-of-town vacation, taking calculated time off from parenting is a parenting tip you'll need to put (and keep) at the top of your list. Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 26 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com. Visit her website and pick up another parenting tip at http://www.paintedgold.com/Kids/parenting-tip.html . ]]> Hello Crackpot... Er, I Mean.... SEO Expert! http://www.artwoo.com/article/hello-crackpot-er-i-mean-seo-expert http://www.artwoo.com/article/hello-crackpot-er-i-mean-seo-expert#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:08:38 +0000 initial obsessionsearch engine optimizationmedium sized businessesmortgage expertright as raingooglegaggle http://www.artwoo.com/article/hello-crackpot-er-i-mean-seo-expert GOOGLE RANKINGS!

SEO, () has been reduced to a red hot, under the radar, business to an absolute travesty. It has been brought down many pegs into a mundane way to make a quick buck. Being an SEO now registers somewhere between toilet technician, (also known as plumber) and , (see, real estate genius for hire).

This used to be a great profession but now I find myself lost with the whole thing. A lot of this has to do with the fact that there are so many people in this game and doing things poorly. I also may add that the wide amount of people I see in this game are doing a lot of the same expected things. The SEO's I have a serious question of doubt with lies with the ones who do three jobs at once.

I'm sure you have seen them. I run into a whole of these types in business breakfast meetings. They are the ones who prepare taxes, run real estate and then do search engine optimization on the side. The with getting to the top of the search engines has spun wildly out of control. Now everyone is on this bizarre tech bandwagon looking for a few handouts and some kudos.

Its like the Wild West again these days and the small retail and has been turned into the Badlands. Its real, "Shoot Em' Up " out there. It's difficult to see who is taking this whole gambit seriously if at all.

SEO, on the whole, has really lost its scope.

CHANGING GEARS AND MOVING FORWARD

I'm not complaining though. When you get right down to it we live in some pretty exciting times. Now you can get your company listed in 32 minutes on the search engines if you got a keen mind and some imagination. That has got to be uplifting for somebody!

I got into a bit of flack with my own inner circle of professionals and friends lately and maybe for good reason. You see, I sort of dumped all of my coaching groups that I participated in and left them for a higher sense of reality. I stopped listening to a lot of the rhetoric that I was listening to from the "experts". You know the ones I mean. These are the guys who have built their fortune through incorporating a ton of affiliates throughout the country to sell their own, "internet marketing secrets".

Leaving this herd was the best decision I could have made. It allowed me to get my head up above the ocean of crap that is out there and get to what's real -- my own sanity. I was searching for new environments and for new challenges and to create some new history. When food critic Anthony Bourdain did this he was hailed a ground breaking hero. In my own circle I found that my trusted associates stopped associating with me and not returning my calls or email messages.

Snobs.

Who needs them, I said. Let them wallow in the thick of the night while they fret over their high pay per click bills and lose countless hours of precious sleep. I was on the right path because I was forging something out of nothing and cultivating my own new brand of customer.
That doesn't make me a bad person does it?

THE POWER OF PRE-SELLING THROUGH WEB 2.0 ENVIRONMENTS

The first thing I realized was that reaching people through web video was not only a major critical decision for me -- it was mandatory. You see I hated talking on the phone to lukewarm prospects and cold fish. This eliminated some very troublesome problems in my marketing. It allowed me to say whatever I wanted to say without interruption and it freed up my time.

I did not have to worry about skipping out any important parts. I was able to say everything I wanted to. I could record my marketing messages and know that they would reach my intended audience. This was a great relief to me.

Using Web 2.0 technology helped my campaigns stay on track with my audience. I did not have to worry about added expense such as direct mail, word of mouth and the dreaded webinar services. You could lose your shirt in webinar costs. I know I did. I wanted something more powerful that I could control without having to fork out tremendous amounts of service fees.

Getting a solid grip on search engine behavior was always a top goal of mine. But I wanted the ease of automation to help carry my company to a new -- low stress -- high pre-selling environment. And that has helped carry my company to a new playing field.

Harnessing the power of Web 2.O is a very powerful way to make an impact with your audience. I stopped counting bots and pay per clicks and hoping that my web pages were being seen by the right people. I made it a priority to connect to the right group of people by making some deliberate choices. I made it a necessity to put myself in front of online niche markets.

Try a couple of new combinations and let this go to work for you too. This can make a whole new world of difference for you. You have to let yourself experiment with the boundaries to see what is possible. You may be surprised and find yourself tapping into a whole new network of people. This can help propel your business to extraordinary levels.

Instead of listening to the local crackpot SEO -- take your marketing seriously and forge ahead. You don't have to be a certified search engine optimization expert, (SEO) but you do have to have a little bit of an imagination and some guts.

Carry on!Ted Cantu runs i-Cantu Media LTD which is a Web 2.0 Video studio located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. You can find him at, http://www.1seomichigan.com Download his FREE, "Marketing Kit For Troubling Times.]]>