Whispers House & Garden

My Redneck Rock Pond
by Cheri

So, I'm hanging out in the Garden Web roses forum,minding my own business :o) and happen to notice the pond forum at the top of the page, so, I head on over to check it out...

Next thing I know I have dug a hole in the front yard..., (I needed a new shower curtain liner anyway...) I used the old one, and lined the pond.

Next I went rock picking... After that I spent three days arranging and rearranging rocks...

Now, I need a pump... It just so happens the hubby has one, however it is made for serious water pumping and almost hits the neighbor's house a 1/4 mile down the road. Oops!

For the recirculating hose the hubby took a hose off of an old Ford pickup out in the field. Then I found out my bark-mulch plugs up the pump, so I got out my extra coffee filter, double layered an old piece of screen over the top, secured it with a hair tie, cut a circle in the screen and stuck the hose in the hole...

To cover the pump in the back I used an old rug with a rubber back and set an old galvanized tub on top. Threw in a couple roses, some annuals and wah-lah here you have it:

My redneck rock pond!
The Lioness

PARENTING

Kids reward system- The first step of positive parenting
by Anirban Bhattacharya

Of late, parenting has become tougher and the reason behind it is not just the kids but the parents too. Work pressures, lack of patience, relationship problems etc have a direct impact on the way you interact with your kid. An honest introspect may divulge finer nuances on these lines. A change is surely needed from your side to actually witness a change from your kid’s side! Bringing up a child is a sensitive, complex yet a heavenly endeavor. Behavioral difficulties are one of the most commonly heard of setbacks from parents round the world. In U.K there’s even a T.V show called ‘Little Angels’ designed to aid and advice parents with similar difficulties.

Are you a positive parent? When was the last time you gave your kid something he or she hadn’t expected, appreciating his or her deed? When was the last time you punished him or her? The answers for the first two must have made you think, but the last one was just some hours or a couple of days ago, I bet on that! Punishing helps initially, but when done over and over again it gradually develops a ‘counter force’ in your kid and the kid finds other ways to do things what he/she would be punished for or develops characteristics of an introvert or just loses an emotional connect with you for a simple reason that the kid fears you now!

Positive parenting stresses on the kids reward system rather than the system of punishing. Motivation for good deeds will surely lessen the ‘other’ deeds of the kid and make the kid voluntarily focus on the ‘good’ deeds. Self-discipline and voluntary responsibility are the two fruits of the kids reward system and thus, positive parenting.

The reward can be a simple ‘favorite toffee’ or en extra hour of T.V, but to make things simpler for the busy parent there are many websites offering online kids reward programme. These assign fun-filled yet interactive and educative tasks to kids and he kids earn points in return, which can be redeemed to obtain goodies. Enroll on to an online kids reward programme to get away all the parenting blues!

About the author: Myself webmaster of http://www.kidspointsusa.com – a fun children's website offers online kids reward system, kids reward programme, good parenting ideas, Parenting advice.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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Spray Foam Insulation Offers Efficiency and Versatility
by Richard Bean

Whether you are making repairs to an existing building or building a brand new one, spray foam is a useful solution to your insulation wants. It is versatile and efficient & offers a variety of advantages that help it pay for itself.

Spray foam insulation is one of the safest products available for insulating buildings. It is composed of agriculturally based renewable resources (a proprietary formula), & offers more profits than similar petrol based merchandises. The means of application is 100% liquid based, so installing it in your structure would not contribute to any ozone reduction. Once the spray foam insulation is applied, you can feel secure with it in your home or business: it does not give off any poisonous vapors.

Additionally, because of the character of the materials & the means of application, you can apply it anywhere & get an air tight seal. This includes in crevices, & around building supports like joints, joist & T beams.

Profits of an air tight seal vary from providing a solid sound barrier to lowering your heating & cooling costs. Because the materials does not allow air to surpass through (and fills in all the small tiny spots where you could obtain drafts), your heating & cooling units do not have to work as hard. You can save 50 to 70% on your energy bills because of this quality.

All spray foam insulations are also greatly fire resistant, with most varieties meeting a Class II fire rating. But, not only can this insulation defy fire. It is waterproof (provided the materials are not submerged in water); its pest & rodent proof and you do not have to worry about mildew or mold growing on it either.

If you are looking for an insulator with tons of profits for you & the environment, the spray in foams are worth considering. Because of its exclusive properties, the insulator improves the worth of the air inside of the building. It eliminates air filtration, so airborne irritants do not get into your heating & cooling systems.

Spray foam insulation presents multiple benefits. It is one of the greenest products available, & offers energy efficiency & improved indoor air quality. It's easy to install, & can even increase the value of your home or office. If you are looking for a product that can fulfill your insulating wants, spray in foam may be just the thing.

About the author: Spray Foam Insulation is without a doubt the single largest advancement in 'Green', 'Super Energy Efficient' insulation technology available today. Spray foam energy solutions from california's premier spray foam insulation contractor for instation in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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How to Effectively Treat Mange in Dogs
by Cristian Stan

Dog mange is a condition caused by the Demodex mite that causes irritation to the skin and hair loss. Most cases of mange appear in young dogs. Demodectic mange or Demodicosis is caused by the Demodex mite. The mite can be found in hair follicles. The Demodex mite, in small numbers is normal to be present on the skin of pet. Only when the mite begins to reproduce rapidly it causes the demodectic mange disease also called mange.Treatment of canine mangeIf the disease is temperate usually it heals spontaneously. Statistics show that 90% of demodectic mange cases are localized and can be treated locally. As a local treatment can be diluted Amitraz (3ml to 30 ml of mineral oil), or 1% rotenone ointment (Goodwinol ointment) and applied on the skin daily. In some cases these wounds will heal on their own but they may get worse before they improve. The numbers of mites should be reduced after only four weeks of treatment.If the number of mites hasn’t reduced, the disease probably should be treated as a generalized form. If a dog develops generalized demodicosis, more aggressive treatment is usually needed. Although treatment is recommended, studies show that 30% to 50 % of generalized cases of mange heal will recover on their own without any treatment.As a first step in treating the generalized form of mange you should start the treatment with a prescription product called Amitraz (Mitaban-Upjohn). Amitraz dips must be applied every two weeks. Before starting the treatment it is recommended that medium-length and longhaired dogs breeds to be clipped short, so that the solution can get into contact with the skin. First you have to wash the dog entirely with an antibacterial shampoo, like benzoyl peroxide shampoos, and carefully towel dry the dog. Before washing you dog with benzoyl peroxide shampoo you should apply a protective ophthalmic ointment to the eyes of the pet. After drying the dog, apply the Amitraz. Don’t forget to wear protective gloves when applying the Amitraz. Let your pet air-dry after the Amitraz dips. You might also want to administer an antibiotic to control secondary skin infections. This treatment require between 4 and 14 dips given at 2 week intervals. Skin scrapings should be tested for mites after every 4 dips. The treatment should continue until no mites will be found after two consecutive treatments. Dogs with generalized mange can be considered cured only after one year from the last treatment, if no mites we’re found during this period. As side effects to the Amitraz dips, some dogs may feel sedation or nausea.Some dogs may not respond to this treatment. Although Ivemectin is not licensed for the treatment of demodectic mange, this is used by some veterinarians as treatment for this disease. In some cases, this drug offered good results. Large daily doses of liquid ivermectin must be administered so that the active ingredient should be effective against the Demodex mite. This should only be administered under close veterinary supervision. A second option if Amitraz dips did not work for your dog is Interceptor or Moxidectin. This is may be more effective than Ivemectin. No matter the treatment you choose to treat your dog for mange, you should first speak with a veterinarian.

About the author: Want to learn more about mange in dogs? On MangeInDogs.Net you can find information about mange in dogs treatment, symptoms and prevention methods for mange in dogs. Visit also our blog to find out more about diabetes in dogs and cats and dog diarrhea.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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