Thursday, February 18, 2010

How Marriage Seminars Can Stop Divorce

Marriage seminars could very well be the key to stopping your divorce. This is true even if you aren’t on the verge of a divorce. With the divorce rates skyrocketing, it pays for you to put in the work now at marriage seminars to make sure that you don’t have problems later.

For those of you not familiar with the term, a seminar is basically an event where experts gather to share some of their expertise. This can be multiple experts or just one, and it can be an event that lasts a few hours or a few days.

Marriage seminars are usually the longer variety, lasting over the course of a weekend, but if you look, you can find seminars that are longer or shorter. They are often Christian based, but again, if you take the time to look around you find ones that aren’t, if a religious based seminar doesn’t sound like it is up your alley.

All marriage seminars generally offer you the same advantages; they give you time to get away from everyday life and look at your marriage. This is important, because when you’re caught up in the day to day business of your life, it’s hard to actually look at your life. You just don’t have the distance that you need to do the work.

Marriage seminars, on the other hand, give you an opportunity to put yourself in a setting where you can get away from distractions and focus on the things that really matter. Even better, you’ll be there with other couples doing the same thing. The value of this time away is not to be underestimated.

It’s also good to know that you are not alone in your relationship problems. This one fact alone can really help you start the process of repairing your marriage. It may feel like you and your spouse are the only people in the world going through what you’re going through, but you aren’t, and getting away will show you that.

Another big plus is that marriage seminars are filled with experts on marriage, love and relationships. These are people who know what the right questions to ask are and can help guide you through the process of identifying your problems and they can tell you what you need to do to prevent your divorce.

The seminars and retreats are also good for people that aren’t having relationship problems. It’s all too common for us to not think about our relationships when things are going well, but having regular tune ups every few years is as good for your relationship as it is for your car. The best time for anyone to solve a problem us before it becomes a problem, and attending one of these seminars is an excellent way to do this.

If you can’t find the time or the money to do one of these marriage seminars, don’t worry. Thankfully, there are plenty of guides and systems available to you that can show you what you need to do fix what is broken or even to just make sure nothing in your relationship gets broken to begin with.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Antique Cut Diamond Jewelry

There is a hushed but discernible stirring in the industry that is the talk among jewelers. Somehow, there is a quiet demand for antique, old European diamond jewelry from buyers, including from young people.

Modern-day cutters are now beginning to cut diamonds in the old world style to keep up with the demand. What could perhaps be the reason for such a craving? What is so special with these diamonds cut the old style?

Old European and Old Mine cuts

The old diamond cut style was worked out in such a way that the light would fall directly on the stone through the crown table (the topmost facet). The entering light would then hit the culet (the bottom facet) and goes out of the stone in a shower of rainbow colors.

Another charming characteristic is that they look their best by candle light. Once hit by the soft glow of the candle light, the stone would exude its own special kind of romantic light it is known for.

Most of these diamonds could be part of family heirlooms handed down through generations among the women in the family. Some modern-day cut diamonds are actually re-cut from old sets of antique jewelry.

History

In the mid 1800s, diamonds are only for the royalty, the upper level clergy, some very rich merchants and titled personages. In the Victorian times, diamonds can be worn by anyone who can afford them.

Most of these old cut diamonds, although slightly tinted, are almost extremely pure (super eye clean) and VVS and VS in clarity.

Before the 1900s, all diamonds were cut by hand. Most of them are small and have a relatively high table (top most facet) and deep pavilion (side facets) and quite top-heavy.

Characteristics

The earlier Old Mine cut appear smaller than the Old European cut (which came later) because they are squares and with rounded corners. (They resemble a bit like the modern-day Asscher or Princess cuts.)

Both of these old cut diamonds have very thin girdles (the edge around the body of the diamond). It is quite common that these antique gems have some chips in them. (Sometimes, they are polished away or hidden under the stone’s metal clasp.)

In the 1800s, tint was not considered so much of a deterrent to price or its beauty as it is now. Both the Old Mine cut and the Old European cut diamonds are also famous for masking their true colors.

Rose cut

Diamonds in Rose cuts were one of the most popular and the first to have faceted cutting style. It has a flat bottom and all the facets are on top, making it dome-shaped.

The facets come to the center forming a point. The facets are planned to give the appearance of the opening of a rose bud.

Old or modern cut?

The surge of demand for these old style cuts in diamonds may have been an offshoot to the movement of going romantic the old world way. Or it could be a rebound from all things too modern, especially in jewelry which is supposed to reflect timelessness.

Whatever it is, it is not fair to judge old-style diamond jewelry by modern day standards. These old relics have their own history which might be more colorful than one could ever have.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Attracting and Caring for Native Wildlife

The wonders of nature are overwhelming. However, the number of natural habitats and ecosystems are slowly decreasing and because of this, seldom can you see wild animals and other native wildlife. But did you know that it is still possible to see these beautiful creatures? Yes, you will only have to do some ways in attracting and caring for native wildlife.

This task is easy and you will need are the following: wildlife guide, variety of seeds and feeders, cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and landscaping plants. You will have to carefully plan the whole project so that nothing will go wrong.

With the use of the internet, try to search about the native wildlife in your locality. You can’t just attract any native wildlife you like. For instance, if you live in new York, you can’t possibly attract a moose found in Alabama, right? Search the internet and find out what animals are likely found in your area. That way, the whole ‘attracting plan’ will be a success because you know what you’re targeting.

You must know that not all native wildlife species are ‘good guys’. You see, there are also the ‘bad’ ones. You must never attract the bad ones because you will only have trouble with them. Individuals who are interested in attracting and caring for native animals are already aware that some native wildlife comes out at night and the rest at daytime. You can go night viewing so that you will discover what animals are lurking in the dark.

Once you’ve carefully devised your plan of action, it will be easier to carry it out. If you have a wide lawn space, you can use that to attract native wildlife. Just make sure that you see most of the space from your house so that you can monitor the animals lurking in your area. If your spaces don’t have any plants, make sure that you plant trees or even shrubs. You should also provide food and water. If the space is much larger, it is a good idea to put a fish pond. The trees and shrubs will serve as the animals’ cover and somehow they will feel protected and so they will not hesitate to go to your lawn area.

Aside from the landscaping, you will also need to put watering holes or a bath. You can even use throwing disks and then put some little stones in it. Smaller creatures will surely visit your yard. Put the different feeders in the area and put food in it too. During summer, you can toss hummingbird seeds in the yard or place it in bird feeders. Try to use high quality feeds.

Oftentimes, squirrels will go to your yard and the feeders can’t hold them out. Give the squirrels cracked corns or even sunflower seeds. Place their food away from feeders and give them their very own source of water.

You can’t attract native wildlife very fast. You have to learn to be patient and soon, your efforts will be rewarded. Once an animal visits your place, others will surely follow. So just wait for them to come one by one. Don’t forget to put food everyday and keep the source of water clean all the time. Attracting and caring for native wildlife has never been this easy.

Good luck in your project.