Using facial masks is a great way to complement and improve the performance of the your skin care regimen. It is not to replace your existing facial care routine, but to work in conjunction with regular products. In our daily life, the pollution, stress, alcohol, smoking and hectic schedules all can aggravate the aging process. Regular moisturizers and sunscreens may not be sufficient to protect our skin and maintain the optimum condition.

Applying facial mask is probably the easiest way to maintain a beautiful and healthy skin. It can be done in a spa, or simply do it yourself from the comfort of your own home. Although you may look a little funny for a little while with the mask on your face (about 20 minutes), the result can be very appealing. If applying facial mask at home, you can relax on a lounge chair, read a book or even vacuum the carpet while doing it. It is a great facial care to boost the health of the skin once a week.

How does facial mask work? It is based on the concept of occlusive dressing technique, or ODT:

• When the skin is temporarily covered with facial mask, moisture is sealed in the epidermis instead of released out to the air. This results in soft and supple epidermis.
• If high concentration of nutrients are included in the mask, the absorption of the nutrients will increase in a enclosed environment.
• In a covered condition, the surface temperature of the skin will rise slightly and stimulate circulation.
• Some facial mask will constrict when starting to dry. It results in tightened skin.

There are different types of masks appropriate for different skin types. The 2 major categories are: deep cleansing masks and deep hydrating masks. Deep cleansing masks are specially formulated to absorb oils and draw out impurities from your skin. They should also be gentle enough to heal blemishes and prevent inflammation. It is a great complement to daily cleansing. Deep hydrating masks are designed to give your skin a periodic hydrating boost. They help stimulate blood circulation and leave you skin feeling soft and supple. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of masks include:

— Remove the excess oil

— Minimize the appearance of pores

— Cleanse and nourish the skin

— Reduce skin irritation

— Nourish and calm the skin

— Moisturize and soften the skin

— Reduce the number of blackheads and whiteheads

— Stimulate blood circulation

When applying a mask once or twice a week, your skin will be smoother, softer and cleaner. No matter what climate and humidity you live in, it is a great facial skin care to enhance the daily skin treatment and restore your skin’s natural radiance.

Source by Caty Chen

An Adirondack chair can be used in various ways when it comes to enjoying the outdoors. There are numerous creative ways to make the most out of any Adirondack chair some of which are listed below.

So, let’s explore each method together!

• Pot Holder

One can use a spindle chair’s top to hang or hold the flowerpots. It will look incredible when the small colorful pots will be hanging on the wall on a wooden block. Adirondack chairs are suitable for flowerpots because it can provide a stronger grip to the pots and wood will give a natural appearance to it. The best part about it is that you can place it anywhere. All you have to do is just split the top of the Adirondack chair, paint it, and screw in some metal holders placed equal distance apart. You can paint your new flowerpot holder according to the theme of the home.

• Garden Planter

In case your chair is missing a seat, turn it into a planter. Take away the remaining part of the seat and put the pot inside it. Place it in the backyard or garden. But make sure that the pot is a perfect fit for the chair so that it doesn’t look awkward. So, what are you waiting for? Hold your toolbox and make the best garden planter right now.

• Picture & Key Hanger

If there is any creative way to use the Adirondack furniture, using it as a picture hanger is one of them. Imagine your guests entering the living room and being amazed by the collection of pictures hanging on the wall. Yes! Using the blocks of the chair for pictures is a great idea. Just combine the blocks of the chair in any design (square, triangle, or many others), use clothes pins to hold the photographs and voila! You are all set to daze everyone. You can even hang keys on it too. So, augment the walls and let everyone adore your new photo hanger.

• Comfortable Swing

As a kid, almost everyone enjoyed swinging. It’s time to relive your childhood. If the legs of the Adirondack chair are broken, transform it into a swing. Even if the legs of the chair have become weaker but the upper portion is still stronger enough to bear your weight. The backyard, living room, and terrace are the ideal areas for the swing.

• Back Coat Rack

The cracked underbody of the chair can turn it into nothing but trash. However, using the elegant design of the back of the chair as a coat holder is something that everyone would love to have. All you need to do is just paint the back of the chair with your favorite color, nail down the hooks, and place it in a suitable area. So, pick your position and place the coat rack.

Conclusion

Whether you have brought an Adirondack chair from a named and famed store or from a garage sale, using these methods instead of throwing the chair into the trash when it breaks is the best idea. Pick your favorite method and implement it to enhance the appearance of your home.

Source by Jack Athwani

Retirement – A New Beginning

Going back about fifty years, retirement was considered to be the short gap between receiving a gold watch and the last rights!

Happily today retirement is accepted as the start of a whole new life adventure.

With the likelihood that we will retire with all our faculties intact and fully functioning and with a good number of years in front of us, we now need to take a little more time to plan our retirement years to make sure we get the absolute most out of them.

Whatever your retirement dream – from a home in the sun, a boat on a river, or simply pottering about in the garden – all of these things are possible with careful planning.

But have you ever wondered why so many of us constantly push the practicalities of retirement planning to the back of our minds while rushing through our lives complaining about the pressures of work and dreaming of the day when we can finally put our feet up?

What is it that causes this dichotomy in us?

I think that most of us would agree the two main causes are lack of time and reluctance.

And yet each and every one of us knows how important it is to plan and save for our retirement!

After all we are quite literally bombarded by the media week in week out with facts about the pension time bomb and the fact that many of us will apparently struggle for the price of a cup of tea let alone a beautiful villa in the sun when we get to 65!

So, with all that information taken on board what can we do to make our retirement a happy one?

Whether you’ve got a full 40 years to save and plan, or if retirement is just a few years down the road and you’re worried that it may be a little late to start any radical pension planning, this three part retirement planning roadmap should save you time, remove your reluctance and cover the three key aspects of retirement planning – namely our physical wellbeing, our financial wellbeing and our spiritual wellbeing in retirement.

In other words, read on for some practical tips to ensure that you retire healthy, wealthy and wise.

Healthy – Physical Wellbeing in Retirement

Every single day of our lives we grow, we mature, we develop…and we grow older.

And when we’re very young we sometimes view retirement as something that equates to old age. We have images of old people in rocking chairs with blankets over withering legs rocking away the last days of their lives! No need to plan then – just throw me a blanket and I can do the rest myself!

But as we mature and grow older we soon come to appreciate that there can be a considerable amount of time between finishing our working lives and needing to settle into that rocking chair – and that that time is ours to enjoy to the full!

And while it is true that the body ages and that no man can turn back the tides of time, none of us has to get old unless we choose to do so!

Our bodies may age but we don’t have to!

So, there are really two considerations when it comes to the ageing process and welfare in retirement – namely the physical aspect and the emotional aspect.

The Physical Aspect

As ill health can smite any one of us at any age, we should consider our physical wellbeing throughout our lives; both from the point of view of prevention and the point of view of cure.

Prevention

When we actively take steps to encourage good health we are far more likely to enjoy longevity; and in taking such action we could make the difference between a happy healthy retirement and an old age blighted by failing health.

Keep active. Many of us have sedentary lives; we drive to work, sit in an office, drive home and then sit down to watch the telly. But keeping active should really be seen as a mandatory part of our lives, right through and into retirement.

While busy lives may make it difficult to find time for set exercise, there are always things we can do to improve our overall fitness. Consider parking your car two streets away from the office and walking the last ½ mile, take the dog for long walk (he’ll love you!), buy a bike, go on a walking weekend or weed the garden. Simply by adding a little physical activity into our working lives now, we will be pushing back the years and ensuring that we are able to fully enjoy the freedom that retirement will afford us when the time comes.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy nutritious food, adequate sleep, avoid nicotine and keep alcohol consumption within sensible limits.

Reduce stress. Everyone suffers from stress sometimes, and we are all well aware of the long term damage stress can do to our health. So, do everything within your power to reduce your stress levels. And if it is beyond your control to remove the stresses affecting your life, never feel embarrassed or afraid to seek help. If you can identify the primary reason for your stress maybe you can begin to see what you need to do to fix it. I know this is so often easier said that done – but please remember it is your health and your happiness at stake here and that has to be your priority.

Be Proactive. You know your own body better than any one else. Listen to it, and react accordingly when it is trying to tell you something. Don’t ignore potential symptoms, recognise them and get them treated.

Cure

In recent years health care costs have risen between two and three times faster than inflation and naturally enough health insurance has become more costly at the same time making it seem altogether too unattractive an option for some people.

But while the vast majority of us would never dream of driving our car uninsured or living without household insurance, we do exactly that with our own bodies! We trust our health to luck and good fortune!

Consider, if you will, the following facts: –

– The British National Health Service is stretched to its limits with up to a million people on waiting lists at any one time.

– Few other countries in the world offer any form of ‘free’ medical treatment, if you are thinking of retiring abroad bear this in mind.

– In retirement most people live on a fixed income which does not allow for exorbitant and ever increasing health care costs.

– As we get older our bodies need more TLC and fine tuning, and age makes us more susceptible to ill health and increases average recovery and recuperation times.

These facts show why it is important to consider health care costs when it comes to retirement planning. And in considering health care costs and retirement, factor in increasing health insurance premiums if you have insurance. Factor in health care costs if you are relocating abroad without insurance. Factor in the potential need for private treatment ‘back home’ for serious conditions, and also consider the fact that you or your spouse may need long term, full time care later in life.

But don’t panic!

At this point many people panic and decide to do nothing. (Guilty?)

They can only see a potentially huge cost that they simply can’t afford. But health insurance comes in many forms. Find a reputable company to advise you, get a second opinion and shop around! And while you may not be able to afford the ‘platinum 5 star package’ you may still be able to afford a little peace of mind and an acceptable level of care should you need it.

The Emotional Aspect.

How come some people seem old at 40, while other people can exude youth, life and vitality that belies their age?

Presuming good health, I can only assume that mental attitude is at play here!

So how can we make sure we’re the ones full of beans in our 80s rather than the ones on tranquillisers in our 40s?

Learn to love life! Life knocks us all about sometimes – and at times we’ve probably all felt like we’ve gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. However take some time to consider the good things about your life. Make an effort to reflect upon the positive; enjoy life’s simple pleasures and create a balance that always leans towards the positive and not the negative.

Keep your mind active! Keep learning and developing throughout life. Never feel that you’re too old to learn new skills – it’s simply not true that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks!

Focus on positive emotions rather than negative ones! Negative emotions bring mental and physical disharmony and ill health. If you dwell on regrets, disappointments or resentment you will be weighed down with bitterness and miss out on life. People who can forgive and love will remain youthful simply because they will have anticipation and excitement in their lives. And if you don’t love or feel loved you’ll quickly start to age and feel lonely.

Don’t stop dreaming and hoping and longing! Stay future focused. You will find that your motivation, desire and anticipation for the future and the realisation of your dreams will keep you positive and active and that your stamina will be boosted, your energy levels heightened and your mental attitude will stay young.

Wealthy – Financial Wellbeing in Retirement

Financially speaking, the ‘cost of delay’ in terms of retirement planning can be illustrated like this – if a 25 year old and a 35 year old were to start saving today for retirement at age 55 and the 25 year old invested £300 a month towards retirement, the 35 year old would have to increase his contributions to £803 a month to achieve the same potential returns!

I know, I know, talking about money – especially pensions – is the fastest way to send anyone to sleep. But seriously, it’s never too soon to take charge of the financial aspects of retirement planning!

And if you’re still not convinced, according to research out of 100 young people now aged 25, 1 will be rich in retirement, 4 will be financially independent, 5 will still be working, 12 will be completely broke, 29 will be dead, and 49 will be dependent on their friends, family and charity. That means that of those who live to retirement, 93% will be dependent on friends, relatives and charity!

Scary isn’t it?

So now that you’re ready to start your retirement financial planning (!) here are some important aspects that you need to consider.

Your own personal circumstances are unique: consider seeking professional and personalised independent financial advice before taking action – but do so as soon as possible.

Consider joining your employer’s occupational pension scheme (if one exists!) or getting yourself a personal pension – and the sooner the better!

Be realistic about how much you should be contributing towards your retirement – based on your age now, the age at which you hope to retire, and the lifestyle you hope to achieve in retirement.

Increase your contributions as your income increases and pay in as much as you can afford while you’re earning.

If you’re on a lower income you may wish to consider alternative savings vehicles – ISAs, National Savings or mutual funds for example. These can all be accessed prior to retirement if needs be. However, consider the tax effectiveness of any savings vehicle and remember that pension contributions generally have a higher rate of tax relief.

If you have a pension plan already in place but are unhappy with it or wish to change it, know that pension surrender or early encashment are rarely the best options available to you.

As you get older, consider topping up your pension.

Find out about your State pension entitlements and plan when you want to start receiving your private pension income. You can access funds from the age of 50, but of course it goes without saying that the longer you save, the longer your fund has to mature and the more likely you are to get better returns on your investment.

Never forget that the value of an investment can go down as well as up!

Think about the long term practical and taxation issues relating to the receiving of pension income if you choose to retire abroad or if you have been investing offshore. If you choose to retire in a country not classed as being within the European Economic Area your State pension (such as it might be) will not necessarily increase in line with inflation. Seeking professional advice is the first step in the right direction to finding the right financial solution – it will save you time and money in the long run and reduce your cost of delay significantly!

Is it too late for me?

Some people reading this article will agree with what I’ve written so far and then say –

“Great, but I’m 55 years old already, is it too late for me?”

The simple answer is that it’s never too late!

You just have to plan differently.

Being realistic is essential – if you don’t have a private pension, if you have little in the bank and have had no great luck on the lottery recently then it may be wise to shelve the yacht plans.

But taking the popular retirement plan of a house in the sun for example, that dream may well still be possible.

Consider North Cyprus or France for example – the difference in property prices between UK and both countries often means that there is a good opportunity to sell a UK home and buy in North Cyprus or France and put some cash in the bank.

Being careful is essential – let’s just say that you discover you can trade your 3 bed semi in for a 5 bed villa with a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. Well, maybe a better deal for you would be to trade in a for a 2 bed bungalow, leaving a surplus of cash in the bank for further retirement enjoyment – the lower running costs of a 2 bed bungalow versus a 5 bed villa would also mean that your savings could go a lot further.

Never give up on your retirement aspirations – just massage them to fit your financial capabilities!

Wise – Spiritual Wellbeing in Retirement

According to current research around 74% of the British population dream about retiring abroad.

What with the lure of sunnier climes and the fact that the UK housing market has boomed in recent years enabling people to consider selling up, retiring to the sun AND putting some extra cash away in the bank, it is unsurprising really.

But if you decide to move away from your friends and family in retirement, or if your friends and family decide to leave you behind, how will you cope?

Loneliness and depression among the over 50 age group is an all too commonly reported problem nowadays. The death of a much loved partner, divorce, separation from friends and family or the departure of children from the family home can affect this age group particularly hard. And loneliness can often come to those people who do not prepare for their retirement when they suddenly feel the shock of leaving the day to day routine of a job behind, and miss the social contact they enjoyed in the work place.

While we can’t plan to avoid loneliness and sadness caused by the death of a loved one, we can make sure we have a good network of friends and family who are there with us always. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy sharing your retirement and to help you avoid loneliness in retirement.

Try and build up strong friendships with lots of people while you’re still in your 40’s and 50’s as it may be harder when you’re in your 60’s.

If you’re planning a retirement abroad (whether overseas or simply in another part of your home country) know that it can be fun and exciting but also a little bewildering!

Think about the friends you’ll be leaving behind and make sure that you part on good terms! Make sure your friends are aware that you’re not ending your friendship by moving away, and insist that they visit you in your new home – I’m sure they won’t object! Also, make provision and effort for regular contact via email or telephone.

If you move abroad you’ll probably meet many like minded people who’ve decided that retirement to the sun is their dream too. As everyone will be experiencing similar emotions: from the joy of a beautiful home to the loss of familiarity and close friends: you will have a tremendous advantage in that everyone will be as keen and eager to meet and make new friends as you are.

Retirees abroad often reflect on how much more open the people are in their new country; the need to be a part of a new community far outweighs any shyness or reluctance to join in! If you retire abroad, jump in with both feet and make an effort to meet and enjoy the company of the people in your new community.

Try learning a little of the language of the country you would like to retire to- the joy of being able to communicate in a foreign language even on the simplest level can add a new dimension and fullness to life and one of the best ways to understand any new culture is through language.

Throughout life make sure you keep your family ties strong. Stay in touch with extended family, get back in touch with long lost relations and remain close to your immediate family if you possibly can. If a family rift has occurred consider being the peace maker – it takes a ‘better person’ and a very strong and mature person to be the first to apologise.

And finally – if you do find that you suffer from loneliness there is no point whatsoever sitting and brooding about it. If you do that you will never beat it. You have to be proactive, seek out new friends and relationships. Get out of your house. Join a club, a society, an organisation and meet new people – even if you are not the sort of person who likes to get involved or join in – take a chance, you never know it might just pay off! Surely anything is worth one try if the result could be the alleviation of your loneliness?

The start of a new adventure

Retirement isn’t something to fear or dread – it’s the start of a whole new life with levels of freedom that you’ve probably never experienced before! Hopefully this article has covered the key points of effective retirement planning for you, and you can follow the retirement planning roadmap and secure yourself a healthy, wealthy and wise future.

Source by Rhiannon Williamson

There are quite a variety of rocking horses that are available in the market. If you are looking for a traditional or antique one, let me just clear out that they can tend to be really expensive. Finding an alternative, there are springs horses are quite cheap or rather affordable. These can be fun for the children to have a ride on. Another suggestion includes the plush rocking horse for your child as they usually adore plush toys. Therefore, having a plush rocking horse would be adored by them extensively, since it would be their sole possession.

Plush toys look quite real because children can play all sorts of adventures with them, yet at the same time, a plush rocking horse is likely to get damaged if it is of standard quality and the child would feel the impulse to have a ride on it. It is quite sturdy and it usually is supported by rockers that are made of wood. Sometimes they can be made of metal or plastic as well depending on the quality and the price. They are available in a variety of sizes, quality and prices. Usually they are found to be priced at an average $50 to several hundred dollars. There is an abundant variety of styles and therefore, you can also make a diverse selection other than just a rocking horse.

Multiple types’ carousal horses in various sizes such as medium, large and extra large for those who are in search for something different, unique and exclusive. There are times when we are inspired by the beauty of antique and medieval horses and are designed in a special way. These carousal horses are one of a kind and are used for decoration pieces as well. There are handcrafted ones as well that require special care and attention.

There are leather works and saddles arranged on horses that are handmade, hand stitched and stamped with their exclusive brands.

There are rocking horses that are made of lime wood and are basically replicas of old rocking horses that are in fact quite expensive and can not be afforded by the ordinary individual. Therefore, there are companies that provide with replicas of old antique rocking horses that are in other case beyond range.

There are springs wooden horses as well that are durable, comfortable, and have moulded plastic stirrups. These are hand decorated with colourful moulded base gauge. These have new full-length spring covers that have been added for protection. The spring is fully extended and has motion-activated sound box with eight different phrases and sounds.

Some of the basic classic wooden rock horses are available in the market. The features of these include natural solid wood construction with smooth polish and finish. It has a wide rocker base for secure and stable grip handles that can be handled with safety.

There are plastic rocking horses as well. These are in majority manufactured by China and include swinging fitness, are available in different designs like cats, giraffes and quite secure within the bounds of your house.

Source by Renshaw Jones

Being the most popular island in French Polynesia, Bora Bora has maintained a mystical allure to itself as a tourist destination. From the aerial view, the island has been described as “a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls”.

As a tourist destination, various Bora Bora packages are offered by various travel agencies, hotels and resorts. Pacific for Less offers two Bora Bora packages within their travel package roster.

Pacific for Less’ Bora Bora Lagoon Special

Experience the mystery and magic of Bora Bora starting at $2,599. Pacific for Less’ Bora Bora Lagoon Special covers everything from departure to arrival, leaving guests at ease, simply left to focus on relaxing and having fun.

A short, breathtaking ride via private launch from Viatape, Bora Bora’s main town, to the resort, starts off the Bora Bora adventure. With luxurious overwater bungalows, furnished with authentic Polynesian furniture, guests are left to just bask in the island’s allure of mystery and romance.

Though staples in most Bora Bora packages, Pacific for Less’ Bora Bora Lagoon Special, covers the following:

– Roundtrip airfare, which is from Los Angeles to Tahiti (Air Tahiti Nui)

– Flower welcome

– Porter/luggage handling service

– Inter-island airpass handling

– One night in the Sheraton Papeete’s Lagoonview Room

– Five nights accommodation in an Overwater Bungalow

– Ariport to Hotel and vice versa Transfers

– Farewell and airport assistance

– Sales and government taxes coverage

What makes this package unique from other Bora Bora packages are the various unique activities covered within the package’s itinerary. For example, a unique treetop spa, or getting to know the marine wildlife through a glass coffee table, a feature in all overwater bungalows.

If you want a vacation worth your while, Pacific for Less’ Bora Bora Lagoon Special is for you.

Pacific for Less’ Bora Bora Price Breaker Package

A real deal among Bora Bora packages, Pacific for Less’ Bora Bora Price Breaker Package starts with $1,650.

It includes lodgings in the Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort, a 3 star resort located nine kilometers from Viatape’s center. The resort features a variety of complimentary water sports including outrigger canoe, kayaking and snorkeling lessons. With 80 rooms overlooking a garden setting, the resort can be found in the famous Matira Point, at the southern part of the island.

The travel package includes:

– Return airfare, which is from Tahiti to Los Angeles via Air Tahiti Nui

– Flower welcome

– Porter/luggage handling service

– Inter-island airpass handling

– One night in the Sheraton Papeete’s Mountainview Room

– Five nights accommodation in Hotel Novotel Bora Bora Beach Hotel, Gardenroom accommodation

– Ariport to Hotel and vice versa Transfers

Bottom line, a tight budget doesn’t necessarily mean a sub-standard Bora Bora experience, as Pacific for Less’ Bora Bora Price Breaker Package boasts to be a really worth it deal among Bora Bora packages.

Source by Milos Pesic

The Wassily chair represents an amazing piece of furniture that was designed using a unique concept. Even though many years have passed since it was created, this chair still managed to captivate the interest of the people today. There are very few products out there that have managed such a feat. Through time, the Wassily chair has also been in production under various names or companies. Today, it represents one of the most iconic industrial and modernist designs.

The development of the Wassily chair started in 1925 and the guy that came up with the concept was called Marcel Breurer. Thanks to the advances that the steel technology was making at the time, the development of new furniture pieces was made possible. Marcel Breuer saw such an opportunity and went with it. At the time, the Wassily chair was named Model B3 Chair and it was developed by Thonet.

Today, the Wassily chair holds a proud spot at the Museum of Modern Art, NY. You can also find more memorable and iconic pieces there. This chair became so popular throughout the years that you can even buy posters of it now. Talk about iconic furniture types! A large part of the success that this chair has is due to the fact that it managed to fill an empty place at exactly the right time. In the past, people were becoming tired of the same and old designs and simply wanted something better.

The first chair that was made was somewhat different than the ones that are produced in the present. In the past, the chair’s straps featured a canvas fabric that came in black and white, as well as a wire mesh material that was available in both folding and non-folding chair variations. The initial model is very hard to find these days, and even if you manage to find it the price will surely not be a modest one.

Today, prices can vary largely for the Wassily chairs. You can find them at prices starting from $500 to $2000 and over. The Wassily that are made by Knoll are particularly more expensive than the rest of them. You can also find them in various designs, colors and styles.

Source by Christopher L. Rodriguez

Gel seat cushions are recommended by health professionals. The development of the gel seat cushion is fueled by the need for a comfortable and healthy seating option for cars and the office. They ensure maximum comfort for a long period of time. The extra-wide design fits any body type and offers full protection from direct pressure.

You can take them anywhere. Gel seat cushions are light and compact they are easy to bring anywhere. They are ideal for long road trips, flights, picnics, ball games, and camping. You can have them at the office or at home. They can cover the entire width of a chair, the church pew, and even stadium seats. A gel cushion is also widely used on car seats.

There are gel cushions especially designed for office chairs. They are ideally placed against the back rest. Support comes from the lumbar or lower back region, effectively eliminating lower back pain. The cushion follows the back’s natural curve, making you feel more relaxed at work.

They are durable and easy to maintain. To clean your gel cushion, spot clean using only a damp cloth. When you buy a product from a reputable manufacturer, you can be sure that you are making a long-term investment. A typical gel seat cushion is very thick and thus, exhibits a long life expectancy.

Gel seat cushions are good for our health. Sitting in one position for a prolonged period such as watching TV, a sporting event, during commute, at church, or in the office can have harmful effects to our posture and our overall health. Stiffness or numbness of the legs, hemorrhoids, displaced hip, back pain, varicose veins, and arthritis are some of the common effects of sitting for long hours at a time.

Having your own gel seat cushion helps alleviate discomfort and ward off problems that may arise in the future. As satisfied users describe it, sitting on a gel seat cushion gives you the feeling that you are sitting on top of a cloud. The idea is to distribute your weight evenly on the surface you are sitting on so you don’t feel as much pressure.

Source by Kat Brooks

Every year my boys can’t wait for our annual family Vegas vacation. This year it will be our 7th year. Lots of people disagree that Vegas is a good place for families with children, but we love it. My husband and I are not gamblers or drinkers and we truly enjoy spending our free time with our two boys.

Las Vegas has so much to offer beside the gambling and the nightlife. Every year there is more stuff to see and experience.

We usually visit Las Vegas every September right after Labor Day weekend. The weather is great and we can’t wait to lounge by the pool sipping cold drinks. We always pick a hotel with the best pool that is family friendly and we won’t get dirty looks by bringing our boys down. The top 3 picks of our family are The MGM Grand, The Monte Carlo and The Mirage.

#1 The MGM Grand
The MGM Grand has an amazing pool complex. In my opinion one of the best in Vegas. You feel like you entered an exotic paradise with lots of lush greenery, beautiful flowers, fountains and little island connected with bridges. This massive over 6 acre paradise offers 5 swimming pools, 3 whirlpools and lazy river. The lazy river was a hit with my family. It floats under bridges, through waterfalls and ends in a little Lagoon with waterfall which is perfect wading pool for babies and little ones.

I must admit this paradise has a few drawbacks. One of the drawbacks is that you need to rent a tube or a raft to truly experience the lazy river . I believe the rental is $15 per tube per day. The MGM Grand is known to run special promotions where you can get the rental cheaper, free or 2 for 1. Before you book your room you should check out websites with coupons for MGM (just go to Google and type coupons MGM Las Vegas in to the search – early vegas is a good one). The second drawback is that the pool complex is located quite far from the guest elevators. You need to walk through the promenade with stores and restaurants to get to the pool, but the walk is well worth it.

#2 The Monte Carlo
The Monte Carlo pool is much smaller in comparison to the pool complex at The Grand , but we enjoyed it regardless. They are kids friendly and that’s all that matters.

The Monte Carlo offers 3 swimming pools, whirlpool and kids pool. If you are visiting Las Vegas with little kids you will love the enclosed kiddie pool with kids size beach chairs. The wave pool with 3ft waves was designed to simulate the ocean and is a blast for the whole family. If you want to have a swim then try the Lagoon pool. It is a nice and relaxing square pool with a waterfall. My favorite was the relaxing 400 feet of Easy River Ride. There is a tube rental as well, but you can purchase a tube inside their beach shop for around $12.00 and the rental shop will even blow it up for you. This is a real money saver for larger families or longer stay like us. After you done with it , why not pass the tube onto a new family.

#3 The Mirage
The pool at the Mirage is a series of pools connected by bridges and lagoons with cascading waterfalls in tropical setting. They used to have a waterslide , but to a big disappointment of my children they closed it down. They offer raft rental to float around, but we never needed one. You can ask for complimentary life jackets for children. The pool is located close to the guest elevators just down a little promenade with few stores, coffee bistro and ice cream shop. If you will decide to order a drink take my advice and order small size. If you don’t specify they will bring you a huge drink with even bigger price tag.

Just a tip: Most of the pools in Vegas say that you are not allowed to save lounge chairs at the pool, but everybody does it. If you don’t you won’t get a good spot because hundreds of people before you ignored the rule. Live and Learn.

Enjoy Las Vegas with Kids.

Stay tuned for more articles about family friendly Las Vegas.

Source by Bibiana Bailey

Well-toned body and muscles galore

He could take any opponent to the floor

His physical appearance was his female hook

You could tell by the names in his little black book

He could walk in and with just a glance

Pick or discard tight female pants

He was a hunk, oh yes indeed

That’s what made his love life succeed

But that was years ago

And times change as we all know

What once made the ladies eyes twinkle

Has now turned to flab and wrinkle

His body once was a female must

But times change as we’ve discussed

Flabby and frumpy and downright pathetic

Are we to discard or be sympathetic?

In his day there was another kind

Charming, sincere, and wit of mind

A quick thinker to some and clever to a few

He was good looking of course and always made do

He was a thinker and always sincere

Gutsy and daring like Paul Revere

Personality and individuality baited his hook

He didn’t care about having a black book

He sought to share everything with only one

A special female who loved life and a good pun

He was particular, oh yes indeed

She was a must for his life to succeed

Times would change, this he knew

Positive though that he would make do

But time makes personality and charm expand

To strengthen the vows of a wedding band

The moral here should be quite clear

Don’t be fooled by what is today and near

Open your heart wide to perceive the distance

Do it every day and with persistence

Or to put it another way

Every man in this world has his plight

Some are in it just for the fight

But it continues indefinitely both day and night

This mad race for the one who’s just right

Step into the present now and look around

And discover what this writer has found

Time strengthens a wedding vow

Don’t ask me why or how

Just look to the elderly couples of years

Those who have shared the heartache and tears

As they sit quietly rocking their chairs together

Through the storms and sunshine of love weather

Each heartbeat of his is for her

And that has made their lives together endure

Her eyes though aged are wiser than ever

She’s been through all kinds of love weather

His armor lacks shine as he passes into permanent night

But she’ll always love her rusty knight

Source by Lazz Laszlo