• 2008
  • Oct
  • 30

Votive Candle Holder

This is an abstract from an article written by Sarah White & Danahinders

Looking for a unique votive candle holder? There are many different varieties of holders available for candles of all sizes. Sometimes you can even make your own candle holders to give your candles a distinctive look.

Why Votive Candles are Special

Votive candles are a great choice for any decorating situation. You can put them just about anywhere, whether you have a lot of space or even want to hang a candle on the wall or from a tree.

You can also find a lot of different scented and unscented votive candles in a range of colors, making it possible to find candles that suit your décor and your scent preferences. Sometimes it can be difficult to find unscented jar candles, for instance, but it is still pretty easy to find unscented votives.

One votive candle alone is pretty, but a mass of these pretty little candles makes a great centerpiece for the table that everyone will be able to easily see over.

Choosing a Unique Votive Candle Holder

There are many different styles of Votive candle holders available as well. You can commonly find simple candle holders such as plain glass or wrought-iron holders with holes cut into them to let light through at your local craft store or gift shop.

But, if you want to find a unique votive candle holder, you might have to dig a little deeper. Home décor shops, antique stores and even flea markets are great places to look for candle holders that aren’t the same kind that everyone else has these days.

You might also want to seek out a local artisan who works with ceramics or glass. If they make candle holders, it’s likely that each one is unique. You can also feel good about supporting local artists.

Another way to shop for unique candle holders is to look online. If the products aren’t available in stores where you live, at least your choices will probably be unique compared to those found in the local shops.

Make Your Own Candle Holders

One of the easiest ways to get a unique candle holder is to make it yourself. For a votive candle holder, you can use a glass baby food jar, or even a purchased clear glass votive holder in whatever shape you like.

You can decorate the jar or holder using paints, beads, sequins, markers, or stickers. You can paint on any holiday decoration you choose, write your name, or draw or paint an abstract design. Another good idea is to try decoupaging paper onto the holder, using several colors to make a stained glass motif. Once you start decorating votive candle holders in this way, you’ll want to have a set for every holiday and every room of the house so you’ll always have great glowing décor wherever you go.

This project is great for kids and adults alike. The finished product makes a great gift for grandparents or anyone else who likes one-of-a-kind art. When giving a candle holder as a gift, remember to include an appropriate candle that will fit in the holder.

This is a great, quick craft project that you can probably accomplish with items available in your house. If you have a really crafty kid, making these candle holders would be a fun project for a birthday party; just make sure you also teach the kids about candle safety if you’re giving them candles as well.

Decorating with votive candles and unique candle holders is a great way to bring a little light into your life while expressing your own personality.

  • 2008
  • Oct
  • 30

Bike Accident

Yesterday I had a bike accident… Nothing horrible to report - no fractures or broken bones..

I was travelling with my cousin brother- Suraj, to some of my relative’s houses.. He had just come to our home town and wanted to visit everyone… We fell into a ditch, I hit my shoulder hard on a concrete slab, I had a helmet - so no head injuries… My cousin was ok, he had a few bruises..thats all.. My uncle would have killed me if he had more injuries..

This wouldn’t have happened if we had better roads in Kerala.. I have heard people suing the government in Australia and other countries if this had happen - but we don’t have such nice things in India. lol. we would have 110 million people suing the government..

  • 2008
  • Oct
  • 25

Moen

The folowing is an abstract about Moen from Wikipedia.

Moen is a manufacturer of faucets and other fixtures founded by inventor Al Moen. The company is headquartered in North Olmsted, Ohio.

Moen was originally part of Ravenna Metal Products of Seattle, Washington. In 1956, it became part of Stanadyne, Inc., which was in turn acquired by Forstmann-Little & Company in 1988. Today, Moen is part of consumer-products holding company Fortune Brands.

Faucet design

Most Moen faucets (kitchen, lavatory, and bathtub/shower) are of the single-handle design, and almost all have used the same basic water-controlling cartridge since the 1960s. Known as the Moen 1225, it is a plastic (older versions were brass) cylinder approximately 4 inches long by 3/4 inches in diameter. As the “engine” in most Moen single-handle faucets, it has undergone at least two revisions since its inception though newer versions remain compatible with older faucets. Pulling up the stem of the cartridge opens the water supply; rotating toward the left opens the hot water passages while rotating to the right opens the cold water passages (using the standard North American convention of the hot water control on the left).

Later Moen bathtub/shower controls with single handles use a larger cartridge with a pressure balancing mechanism which compensates for sudden pressure changes in either the hot or cold water supply (as caused by a toilet being flushed while someone is showering). The design goal is to maintain the temperature of the shower for safety and comfort reasons, even if the volume of water is reduced. The cartridge is known as the 1222. The operation is similar to the 1225 (above) though the cartridge is approximately 1 inch in diameter to allow space for the pressure balancing mechanism.

  • 2008
  • Oct
  • 25

What You Need to Know About Getting Married in India

A Guide for Foreigners Planning an Indian Wedding By Sharell Cook, About.com - This is a nice and quite informational article, I loved it.. BTW, I am also looking to getting married, except I can’t seem to find the perfect woman..

India, particularly the states of Goa and Rajasthan, has become extremely popular as a wedding destination for visitors. The excitement and ambiance of getting married in a far away place can be very appealing.

Here’s all you need to know to about getting married in India.

Where to Get Married in India

Goa and Rajasthan are India’s hottest wedding destinations – Goa for its beaches, and Rajasthan for its palaces.

Many people choose to have a sunset beach wedding in Goa. However, plenty of other options are available including getting married at a lagoon, in the jungle, on a boat, on a hill top, or more traditionally, at one of the beautiful old Portuguese style churches.

Really, when it comes to getting married in India, your options are limited only by your imagination. Some of the most extravagant weddings have included processions of elephants, helicopters showering rose petals on the wedding party, fire dancers, and performances by Bollywood celebrities.

When to get Married in India

The most popular time of year for weddings is from October to February, when the weather is dry and sunny. However, weddings are commonly held throughout the year from September to May.

The peak months of December and January are extremely busy. As well as being much more expensive, accommodation and availability are also scarce during this time.

Cost of a Wedding in India

The cost of getting married greatly depends on the time of year and how elaborate the occasion will be. The price soars around December and January, particular during the Christmas and New Year period.

During the off season, it’s possible to have a small and simple wedding in India starting from around $500. Otherwise, during the season the minimum price is around $1,500, for less than 100 guests. This includes a party on the eve of the wedding, boat cruise, wedding ceremony, dinner on the beach, theme décor, music, and decorations.

How to Get Married in India

Most five star hotels offer spectacular wedding set-ups and special honeymoon packages. The five star hotels usually get their décor and planning done by wedding planners, but organize the banquet and table decorations themselves.

If you’re not intending to get married at five start hotel, it’s a very good idea to hire a wedding planner of your own to oversee the arrangements for the wedding. You’ll find that the extra cost is well worth the time and frustrations saved if you were to try and make the arrangements by yourself. Not only will a wedding planner take care of the decorations, they’ll facilitate the complex legal requirements as well.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in India

Getting legally married in India is a lengthy and time consuming process, and you should allow to spend around 60 days in the country. As a result, many people prefer to take care of the legal part of the wedding at home and just have the wedding ceremony in India.

In India, civil weddings are governed by the provisions of The Special Marriage Act (1954). There’s a 30 day residency requirement, which means that either the bride or the groom has to be living in India for at least 30 days prior to applying to the local registry office to get married. For foreigners, this is evidenced by a certificate from the local police station.

You’ll need to submit your intention to get married to the registry office, along with the residence certificate, certified copies of passports and birth certificates, and two passport sized photographs each.

In addition, evidence of eligibility to be married is usually required. Anyone who hasn’t been married should obtain a single status affidavit (in the US), a Certificate of No Impediment (in the UK), or Certificate of No Record (in Australia). If you’re divorced, you’ll need to produce the Decree Absolute, or if you’re widowed, a copy of the death certificate.

If no objections to the marriage are received within 30 days of the application, a civil ceremony at the registry office can then take place. Three witnesses are required, who have to provide passport sized photographs, as well as identification and proof of address. The marriage certificate is usually issued a couple of weeks after the wedding.

Unfortunately, the legal process for foreigners getting married in Goa, which has its own Civil Code, is even longer and more onerous. There’s a 30 day residency requirement for both the bride and groom, who will need to obtain a residence certificate from the local municipality. In order to get married, the couple (along with four witnesses) must apply before a Goan court, which will grant a provisional wedding certificate allowing the marriage to go ahead.

This certificate is taken to the Civil Registrar, who’ll affix a Public Notice inviting objections within 10 days. If none are received, you can then get married. If you’re leaving Goa before the 10 days expire, it’s possible to get the period waived by applying to the Assistant Public Prosecutor. This will enable you to get married right away.

For a Catholic church wedding in Goa, the bridge and groom will need to obtain a “No Objection” certificate from their Parish priest acknowledging the wedding and giving permission to get married in a church in Goa. Baptism certificates, confirmation certificates, and a letter of intent will also need to be provided. In addition, it’s necessary to attend a wedding course, either in your own country or in Goa.

Tips for Getting Married in India
* Plan your wedding at least a year in advance for the best options.
* Check out a range of options before you decide.
* Seriously consider hiring a wedding planner to take the stress out of organizing the event.
* A civil wedding can be arranged faster than a church wedding, although it also requires paperwork to be in order.

  • 2008
  • Oct
  • 24

The five chores to help retain the fountain of youth

I found this nice little article on MSN..

Learn to fix a bike if you want to stay young, for this is one of the things that scientists have mentioned in their list of five daily activities that can help slow mental decline due to ageing.

Other activities that can keep old age at bay are — being physically active, taking part in group events and giving up some of your time for charity, taking notice of the good things around you, and learning something new.

The scientists believe that any five of such deeds everyday can help avert cognitive decline in later life.

The suggestions are based on the idea of eating at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables each day to avoid heart disease and cancer.

Thus, the researchers have identified a handful of simple daily actions that anyone can do to maintain their mental well-being in later life.

The recommendations are part of a much a larger investigation aimed at promoting the nation’’s mental resources during a period when people will age significantly as the number of people over 65 is set to double.

The government-funded study includes suggestions by more than 400 experts.

The study not only identified the improvements, but also the possible pitfalls that can affect intellectual development and abilities during childhood, adolescence and old age.

The suggestion will help in changing the common stigma associated with old age.

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Don’t ever wrestle with a pig. You’ll both get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it. —Cale Yarborough