As a matter of fact, lifesaver candies are the only ones that can do no wrong in my eye. I have been a fan of lifesaver candy for as long as I can remember. I love all kinds of Lifesavers. I love the butterscotch lifesaver candies with their rich, creamy flavor that is almost overwhelming. I love the classic lifesavers with their variety of different tastes. I even loved the tropical variety of lifesavers candies, although I know many people who can’t stand them. To me, they were all good, even the lime lifesavers!

And then they made them bigger and sold them by the bag! I love the Wintergreen. I was in candy heaven.

Of course, when they came out with lifesaver gummy candies, I was a little bit skeptical. Well, truth be told, more than a little bit skeptical. I thought they had finally come out with some kind of marketing gimmick that would fail miserably and ruin the candy forever. As a matter of fact, it was months before I would even try the new variety of lifesaver candies. I avoided them like the plague, and stopped buying lifesavers altogether. When I finally did try them, however, I was pleasantly surprised. They were good! I don’t like them as much as normal Lifesavers candy,  but they have their own thing going for them. They were less sticky than gummy bears, but they provided the same kind of enjoyment. Sometimes it is nice to have something gummy to chew on, and I felt that the new lifesaver candies fit the bill admirably. They will never be among my favorites,  but that doesn’t mean I won’t get a craving now and then.

Tempting Lifesaver Candies

In most places where my friends and I have gone, the nose piercing jewelry that you first get is going to be a corkscrew ring. That means there is a small head on the ring, like a gem or even a silver or gold ball. The end of the rod is going to curl around. That helps it stay in your nose. You may have thought that nose piercing jewelry looks like the earrings that go into your ears, but that is not the case. That sharp end to an earring for your ear is going to poke through the other side of your nose if you are not careful.

One thing that you should realize when you are getting a piercing in your nose is that you do have to care for it as you would your ears. The person who pierces your nose should tell you how to take care of your new hole. You should never use alcohol or peroxide on a piercing through the nose, as those will clean the hole, but will also try to push your nose piercing jewelry out. The jewelry will be considered an invader, and those things push such things out of the skin. Ask what else you can use to clean your nose and your nose piercing jewelry.

You should also know that unlike your ears, the nose does not heal. What that means is that the hole in your nose will not stay there if you choose to go without your nose piercing jewelry for even 24 hours. Some have fallen asleep, only to wake up to find their ring out of their nose, and that their hole has closed up. No matter how long you have it, this is always a problem. You can never leave your ring out, even for a few hours, or you are going to have to get your nose piercing jewelry put in by needle all over again.

Remember to never change your nose piercing jewelry when you nose is dry. That can cause scarring and pain. Add something to lube it up. I use saline solution when I change mine, though you could use your cleaner to do the same thing. If you are not sure you can get it back in on your own, have someone standing by that can help. You can choose to have another of the corkscrew type of nose piercing jewelry, or you could have a barbell that holds it in with a small ball. You may also want to have a ring that goes around the outside of the nose. Whatever you choose, remember to keep it clean and never take it out unless you are replacing it immediately.

High quality Nose Jewelry

The interesting thing is that, if you look at historical pirate flags, they vary a great deal. The design of pirate party flags, the ones you see everywhere, is actually pretty typical, but each captain would put his own spin on it. Some of them had pictures of the captain drinking with Death, others had hour glasses to show the mortality of all people. Some of them had cutlasses, others crossbones, and others one of each. All of them were designed with the same goal in mind: to show enemies that the pirate meant business.

As a craft activity one afternoon last week, I had my kids design their own pirate flags. They absolutely love it. They have their own pirate hats and swords, which they put on before they started. We used black cloth and white paint to make pirate flags. It was a little bit messy and it took a few attempts, but in the long run it came out great. By the time we were done, we all had brilliant, menacing and fun pirate flags.

It was such a fun activity, in fact, that my youngest daughter proposed that we have a pirate party. I thought this was a grand idea. That night, we rented pirate movies, got some pizza (not the most piratical food, but still a lot of fun) and sat down to watch film after film. It was a whole lot of fun. Not only did we watch Pirates of the Caribbean, but we also watched some old Errol Flynn pirate movies and a few others. We even watched Ice Pirates, a cult science-fiction classic that has been one of my favorites since college. Next time we do it, we’re going to make it even bigger and better. I think I’ll let the kids invite friends over and have a few friends of my own to the house. It sure will be a raucous night of high seas adventure.

Check out these Pirate Flags
Then see a Pirate Movie
And here are some Pirate Movies for Kids

Though I’m not sure about sales figures, I think the for dummies series does quite well. People are not dumb, but unless someone has been studying a field for a number of years, it might be hard for them to understand the more technical jargon that comes along with almost any type of information these days. Why would anyone want to read something they don’t understand when someone else has spelled it out in easier to understand terms in the for dummies series? I can’t imagine. Those with training understand almost anything on their subject of knowledge, but there is no one person on earth who knows everything. You may run into a few who think they do, but it is just not possible.

The for dummies series covers quite a few different topics now, and some information can be found online. I find that I like to write this way when I write about medical or technology issues. I don’t do it with the belief that people are dumb, but rather, I do it thinking most people want things spelled out in simple terms that they can read and decipher quickly so they can get on with their day. That is the nature of the Internet anyway. People want quick and easy to understand information.

Anyone looking for information on any subject should consider the for dummies series if they want something easy to understand. Most turn to these books when they have tried to get a grasp on something but they have found nothing but confusion. These books cover many different subjects, and if it has not been covered yet, I would think it will be covered soon. From taxes to medical conditions, help in simple language is out there for anyone who wants to have it, or who has been frustrated by more technical accounts of things they think should be simpler.

When you come right down to it, for all the time and trouble and stress these books allay, the folks who read them must be pretty smart.

The For Dummies Book Series offers a seemingly endless list of possibilities.

One of the greatest things about brass knuckles is that you can’t screw them up. They can not easily be turned around and used against you, and they can’t be mishandled. A brass knuckle is simply a heavy metal object that makes your punches much more powerful. It requires a little bit of expertise to use, although if you don’t know how to punch, you can not use one effectively, but it is still much simpler to use than most batons and other weapons. The bottom line is, if you know how to punch, you know how to use knuckle dusters.

As a matter of fact, a lot of self-defense experts recommend brass knuckles over guns, knives, and other commonly used weapons. The thought current goes that when many people are confronted with an assailant, they are reluctant to use deadly force. This means that they can be disarmed and actually have their guns or knives used against them. With a brass knuckle, however, it is much easier to decide to do what you have to in self-defense, knowing that you are extremely unlikely to kill your assailant or even cripple him.

Of course the one problem with brass knuckles is that, if you’re not a martial arts expert, it is difficult to muster enough force to stop a determined attacker. This is why many people like to use stun guns instead. An even better alternative is the combined stun gun brass knuckles gadgets they have recently started making. Basically, they are a pair of heavy knuckle dusters with two metal contacts on them. When those contacts strike an opponent, they deliver a paralyzing jolt of electricity in addition to the force of the punch. That gives you a one-two attack that is very hard to resist. Most attackers will be completely overcome and rendered unconscious or dazed by it, giving you time to get away.

Be prepared to defend yourself with these Brass Knuckles

You may want to consider the tastes of the many different bottled water brands when you choose one to buy all of the time. You may want to ignore what it says on the label and decide on your own which it is that you like. Don’t go with one brand just because someone else drinks it, as it might not be the one that suits your tastes. I know someone who drinks one brand, and one brand only, just because her favorite singer was drinking it when she saw him live. What she doesn’t realize is that the theater supplied the water. It did not mean it was his favorite of all the bottled water brands.

There are definite differences in taste throughout the series of waters you can buy. Some have a more mineral-like taste, and I find them to be the most refreshing. They remind me of fresh water for some reason, so that is what I go with. Other bottled water brands just taste like water, and have little mineral if any at all within. Some brands remove the minerals, resulting in “dead” water— nothing in there that’s good for you. I don’t necessarily need the minerals for health reasons, but I like the taste and I do feel better about drinking it. Someone else may want to stay away from that taste as much as possible, and there is nothing wrong with that. They may go with different bottled water brands than those I use.

When it comes down to it, choosing bottled water brands can simply be another form of expression. Out of curiosity once, I chose a bottle of water that was expensive in comparison to the rest, and it came in a very neat looking bottle. The bottle, I suspect, is the reason why many choose this brand, as there was no difference in quality as for as I could tell. The water was good, but then most are. If you want to think of choosing bottled water brands because of the bottle, that is just fine. You may not want to admit it though. No one but you has to know.

Thirsty?

Who hasn’t gone shopping during the annual Girl Scout cookie selling season, finding local Girl Scouts sitting outside with smiles and a load of delicious cookies? It’s easy, especially when money’s tight, to smile back and say, “I’m sorry, sweetie, I just can’t afford your cookies right now?” However, you really should think twice. Chances are, you’re going to buy some dessert treats for the family anyway. Why not cross those treats off your list and invest a few bucks of your grocery money to order Girl Scout cookies? Here are several good reasons to order Girl Scout cookies.

First, it’s not like you have to wait for them to be mailed to you. You plunk down your money and choose your cookies. You walk away with more than a bag of sweet treats. You’ve got an array of delicious cookies to pick from; everyone enjoys these tasty cookies.

You also gain benefits for your community. When you order Girl Scout cookies, the profits these industrious sweeties gather go to fund Girl Scout outings. If you’ve got daughters in the Girl Scouts, you know how valuable these activities can be in imparting values and building self esteem for these kids. Kids enjoy a sense of pride in making a difference in the community at large. Girls learn work ethics that last a lifetime.

The Girl Scouts often sponsor events and activities that benefit disadvantaged kids, resulting in trickle-down philanthropy. Imagine the happiness you can spread when you order Girl Scout cookies. A simple act, whereby everyone gains and you help those little sweeties spread goodness throughout your community, while building their own self confidence and their continuing enthusiasm for doing for others.

Remember too, that charity begins at home. The example you set when you order Girl Scout cookies encourages our kids to be proactive in the local community and allows them to see that their individual efforts make a difference. When you order Girl Scout cookies, your home town is better off for your small act of generosity and support.

Most of all, when you see that little troop of girls with their cookies, think about your own kids. You do everything within your power to support their endeavors and build values they’ll carry into adulthood. If you don’t have kids yourself, remember back when you were a kid. Did you have a lemonade stand? Didn’t you experience a sense of pride and competency when you sold enough lemonade to make the most modest of profits? You’re lending a healthy dose of support to these young girls’ dreams of being productive members of this society and caring about others.

Don’t forfeit these opportunities to nurture good values. Instead of just walking by, order Girl Scout cookies! Your family is served and you’re supporting the Girl Scouts, and by extension, your own community!

Find out more about the Girl Scouts of America

Although DC Comics has recently done a lot to revitalize their image, they were not at the top of their game for a while. Comic books, once the most popular art form among pre-teen boys everywhere, fell on hard times for quite a while. The characters survived in television shows, but few people would make the connection between the cartoon show and the comic book. Obviously this was not good for the company, but it was also not so good for ordinary fans like me. I had no idea what I was missing out on in Batman comics.

I was unaware of how sophisticated superhero comics could be. As a young child I used to read Superman comics, but I grew away from them as I got older. They were so morally uncomplex that I found them less interesting as an adult. The Batman comics, however, were a different story altogether. One of the neat things about the character of Batman is that he is one or two steps away from being a villain. He is haunted by the deaths of his parents, and this feeling drives him on to vengeance. He does not go after bad guys just because they are bad, but because of his early childhood trauma at the hands of the mugger who killed both his parents. It is this tension that makes the character interesting.

Another thing that I like about Batman comics is how resourceful the protagonist is. He does not actually have any superpowers. Rather, he uses brains, martial arts training, and high-tech weapons to defeat his enemies without killing them. In my mind, this beats the more traditional superheroes any day. After all, anyone can use super strength to subdue a criminal, but besting a super villain with only the strength of a mortal man takes more skill and ingenuity.

Check out these Batman Comics!

In my house, one of the biggest uses I have for empty baskets is as a place to keep things that might not go anywhere else, but may be used quite often. These are often small things that can easily be thrown into a basket. My husband works for a construction company, and he has a lot of keys that go with various buildings they own and maintain. We use one of our empty baskets as a place where he can keep these keys. Not only are they easily accessible, they are always in the same place and they never get lost.

I also use a few of my empty baskets as a place to put things that have no real home, and I am not sure I am even going to use again. I usually throw such things into a basket, and then go through them once a month. Usually, after that amount of time has passed, I can better decide if I am really going to need something again, or if I can safely part with it. This works well. Those that I want to keep can be put somewhere else or left in the empty baskets, and the rest can be thrown out.

You can use your empty baskets to hold potpourri, gloves in the winter, a collection of seashells, and can also be reused to make things like Easter baskets, fruit baskets, or any other type of gift basket that you can make. They come in handy for so many reasons, and that is why I always keep my empty baskets. If you don’t have any, and you find that you want to have some for some of the above reasons, you can always find them at a rather good price if you look around online. Craft stores often have very cute baskets and they’re not expensive at all. They come in all sizes, shapes, and prices, and you can usually save if you buy more than a few at a time. They seem to be disposable at times, but they can be very useful in any home.

Basket Crafts

Music boxes have enthralled women for hundreds of years. Why has this musical invention retained its magical effect for so long? Perhaps it’s simply a way to escape the everyday, supplanting the worries of the day with a familiar and sweet song, with music that soothes your soul.

Music boxes are usually operated with a key, wound up and played. The box itself is a thing of beauty, made of wood, glass, or metal, typically adorned with figurines, twirling to the notes of the song. A music box creates a sort of imaginary secret garden wherein you can lose yourself, if only for a few moments. Watching as you listen, it usually lifts your spirits and brightens your emotional outlook.

Such historical celebrity figures as Catherine the Great and Josephine, of Napoleon Bonaparte fame, surely loved these musical toys. Just as important as the tune played, the physical representation of the music box adds to the whole value of this romantic trinket. Boxes of wood might be ornately carved, with hand-painted figurines making the final product one of irresistible allure. Pewter, silver and gold were popular materials of these enchanting music players of royalty. Indeed, fine examples may be found in museums today.

The popularity of these nostalgic musical players have not lost a whit of their charm in today’s world. Girls and women still flock to these artistic displays of a different time and place. No matter that men do not generally appreciate the value a woman places on this tidbit of romantic lore. The man who hopes to win the heart of his heart’s desire, will do well to consider a gift of the music box, with a suitably romantic tune. Know that each time your beloved plays this tune, she’ll be thinking of you.

Such a nostalgic gift speaks to a woman’s heart. Remember Dr. Zhivago? Ah, what a romantic story! Can’t you just imagine the snow bound palace, replete with glory, romance and tragedy? This is what sets every woman’s heart on fire. A simple tune which evokes romance, a glorious setting and emotions that simulate Camelot, Romeo and Juliet and similar emotional states is enough to create that lovely moment in time, if only in the imagination.

On the other hand, women need no instruction on the value of a music box as a gift to their favorite women. A daughter, a cousin or sister, grandmother or aunt, will be delighted to receive such a gift. Perhaps the gift of a music box is essentially woman-speak. Girls aged 10 to 100 speak this language.

If you find yourself at a loss for a gift for a female of any age, look at music boxes. This is a gift that transcends the ordinary. This is a gift that will last a lifetime in her heart.

Music Boxes