The Colloid Base

Waterlilies and other aquatic plants can be planted successfully at any time from early spring into the summer. It is preferable to plant in early spring as then it is possible to achieve a good display during the succeeding summer. Aquatics planted during the summer rarely achieve full maturity until the following year.

All aquatic plants enjoy a heavy soil, so use a clay-loam soil from the garden or a proper formulated aquatic planting compost. When collecting soil from the garden, ensure that it is weed-free and does not contain any other organic debris that may decompose and pollute the water. It should not be from land that has been recently dressed with artificial fertilizer as this is likely to be very soluble and leach out into the pond water, thereby providing ideal conditions for the establishment of green water discoloring algae.

Waterlilies and other aquatic plants should always be fed using a slow release aquatic plant fertilizer in either a tablet or sachet, which during the growing season can be pushed into the compost next to the plant. Plant waterlilies and marginal aquatics in the same manner as when potting other plants into pots, but ideally use proper aquatic planting baskets.

Although marginal plants will grow in traditional pots, they will not prosper in the same way as when cultivated in planting baskets. Always plant a single species or variety in one container. Never consider mixed plantings as these will end in a tangle with one species or variety almost certain to dominate. Once planted, top-dress the compost in the baskets with fine gravel to prevent fish from stirring up the compost in their search for aquatic insect larvae.

Submerged aquatics are planted in a similar fashion, except that many more are used in a container. The larger sized planting basket will accommodate ten or twelve bunches, for most submerged aquatic plants are sold as bunches of leafy cuttings fastened together with a lead strip. Be sure to bury the fastening in the compost when planting. If left above the surface of the soil, the lead rots through the stems of the cuttings. These then detach and come floating to the surface of the water. Top-dress the planted baskets with well-washed fine gravel.

Philip Swindells has over 40 years gardening experience. A former botanical garden curator and an international horticultural consultant, he has worked extensively in the UK, North America, the Middle East and Australia. The Author of more than 50 gardening books, he has been awarded a Quill and Trowel Award by the Garden Writers’ Association of America. He is also a former UK Garden Writer of the Year. He is currently editor of http://www.internationalwatergardener.com.

Secure instant messaging is something to be concerned with since
instant messaging has become a popular business tool for
communicating with customers and suppliers as well as for
collaborating with colleagues.

If you’re an internet user, you are probably familiar with
instant messaging such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and
AOL Instant Messenger, and ICQ. These are all public instant
messaging tools that enable internet users worldwide to
communicate back and forth online in real time using text
messages.

Some of the public instant messaging programs also have video and
voice capabilities. Through instant messaging, multiple people
can be invited to join in on a conversation and users can even
transfer files to one another instantly.

You can imagine how convenient this technology is for business
communications, but as business use increases, so does the need
for secure instant messaging.

Because of the confidential nature of most business transactions
businesses generally are not too crazy about the idea of
transmitting sensitive data and communications over the internet
without proper security, authenticity and encryption.

There is definite concern about data being intercepted or viruses
being exchanged when using public instant messenger programs.

Industries with highly sensitive data have moved toward the use
of private, closed instant messenger programs that encrypt data
and record communications as a solution for secure instant
messaging.

While this is a good option for businesses to handle internal
communications, it isn’t necessarily a solution that will enable
businesses to use instant messaging securely as a sales, customer
service or technical support tool because in order to communicate
through a private, closed instant messenger program, all users
that are collaborating must have the specific program.

Undoubtedly, the communication, collaboration and file sharing
capabilities that instant messaging presents is highly desirable
for businesses. As a sales tool, instant messaging enables
potential customers to ask questions and to have them answered in
real time.

A sales presentation can be made via instant messaging and more
than one person at a time can even be invited to join the online
sales presentation. Customer service and technical support can
also be provided via instant messaging and if support from a
colleague or supervisor is needed in the midst of a conversation,
they can be invited to join the conversation online.

Another advantage of using instant messaging technology as a
sales and service tool is that the text conversations can be
easily saved and referred back to as needed or archived as a
permanent record of communications.

The main disadvantages of using public instant messenger programs
are vulnerability due to the possibility of malware distribution
through messenger programs and the potential for data leakage.
Instant messaging can also be a hindrance to productivity because
it is so quick, convenient and easy to contact a user of instant
messaging.

This ease of instant communication can interrupt a person’s work
causing them to waste time online. These disadvantages lead to
the concerns regarding the use of public instant messenger
programs as a sales or service tool.

For an intranet or for businesses that have the same private
instant messenger programs secure instant messaging is possible;
but in communicating with the standard consumer through public
instant messaging, that is not the case.

If you use instant messaging as a sales or service tool, be aware
that you may be open to vulnerabilities and data leakage if the
communications are not accomplished via secure instant messaging
technology.

Because of the potential for data leakage, credit card
information, proprietary data and so forth should not be
exchanged via public instant messenger programs or services. If
you and your customers can accept the risks of using a public
instant messenger program, it really can be an incredible tool
for sales and service.

Copyright Christopher J. Enders. Are you at the end of your
rope, fed up and confused by all the scrambled marketing advice
you’re getting? Whether you are new to internet marketing, or
website owner who wants to make more money from your website,
learn the proven strategies that will sky-rocket your internet
business at http://BiznessTips.com.

Fred, the new manager, was working with Grant, an
employee who wasn’t getting his work done. Fred had
delegated work to Grant, and Grant hadn’t made progress
on the project for almost 4 months . . . long past the due
date.

For the most part, Fred had done well with the first two steps
of delegation and checking. He just wasn’t acting on Grant’s
lack of performance.

The key point in the process that determines if Fred needs
to have a coaching or counseling session with Grant is
when Fred asks if Grant needs anything from Fred to make
the project happen now. If Grant says anything but nothing,
then Fred had coaching work to do. If Grant replies that
there’s nothing he needs from Fred, time for a counseling
conversation.

Coaching is needed when an employee can’t do the
work he needs to do. Counseling is needed when an
employee won’t do the work he is assigned.

Typical situations where counseling is needed include
ongoing poor performance, an insecure employee who is
skilled, but doesn’t do as well as could be expected, an
employee who is allowing personal problems to adversely
impact performance, or employees who have an “attitude.”
They feel angry, frustrated, vindictive, unappreciated or
unrewarded, and they get back at the company by choosing
not to work.

Like with performance problems that require coaching,
sometimes Rule #1 is at work. Managers have inadvertently
“rewarded” employees into non-performance. The manager
has allowed employees to “get away with” not performing,
and the employee finds not working more rewarding than
working. Sometimes doing the work is punishing or not
rewarding: there’s nothing in it for an employee to do a good
job. Or, an employee may not have the authority to get the
job done, or is expected to buck policy or the way it’s always
been done. Or, worst of all, good performance or bad
performance, it just doesn’t matter. No one seems to notice.

If any of these are true, time for a little rehab program for the
manager, and even more work to bring the employee’s
behavior into line.

Fred has made the problem of Grant’s poor performance
worse by letting him “get away with” not getting his work
done. Now he has catch up work to do.

Step one: Prepare for the conversation. If Grant
suggests there’s nothing Fred can do to help him get the
work done, then it’s clear one of two problems is going on:
Grant either doesn’t know how to do it and won’t say he
doesn’t know; or Grant doesn’t want to do it and has some
belief he doesn’t have to. Either of these means time for a
counseling conversation.

Fred’s preparations must include deciding if Grant is willing
to address the issues, alternatives, and consequences of
his poor performance. If Fred has any question about
Grant’s willingness to participate . . . time to check in with
HR.

Step two: Counseling conversations start like coaching
conversations: establish rapport with the employee,
attend to the situation, and keep the context professional,
not personal. Fred needs to be clear that this conversation
with Grant is about his continued poor performance, and the
need for resolution.

Step three: Set the context. Focus on behaviors, not
intent, values, or motives. Fred’s task is to keep the
conversation focused on Grant’s behavior, even if he is
addressing attitude. So he can describe what he’s seen, i.e.
rolling eyes, tsk’ing in response to questions, shrugging
when asked a direct question, rather than labeling or
judging.

Step four: Solicit input from the employee. This is
the time for Fred to listen to Grant’s side of the situation.
Fred needs to maintain professional boundaries and not
get caught up in solving the Grant’s problems for him.
Attitude is Grant’s problem. At some level, you can’t insist
employees think or feel a particular way. But, you can insist
on performance.

Step five: Offer support while expecting a resolution.
Keep the balance between sympathy and solutions.
Fred can’t offer to fix it for Grant. Grant needs to take care of
his personal problems himself. This means Grant has to do
more than 50% of the work towards the solution. Set a
benchmark date for resolution, and commitment to
expectations.

Managers can get into difficulties with counseling
conversations in a number of ways. The first, and most
deadly, is by not checking with HR for assistance and
policy/procedure clarification. Counseling conversations are
designed to resolve issues that interfere with performance,
they aren’t a time to play shrink. Remember you are not
running a mental health clinic, and even if you were, you
wouldn’t be treating an employee. Avoid interpreting, or
telling the employee what the real problem is, even if you
are convinced your perspective is the real truth. They won’t
hear it and they just get frustrated and annoyed.

With either coaching conversations or counseling
conversations, the goal is improving employee performance
and getting the work done. If problems continue, time to
have a more serious conversation with your HR rep. It may
be time to move to the next level.

Patricia Wiklund Ph.D. works with managers who are
challenged with a difficult employee or colleague, and
organizations that need to get back on track to effectiveness
and productivity. Start increasing your management and
leadership skills with her new audio coaching program on
Emotional Intelligence: The Leadership Edge. Just click
here: http://www.PatWiklund.com/eiaudiocoaching.shtml
Contact Pat at Pat@patwiklund.com

I’m weary of saying No to my children. Not just the everyday No’s. Don’t hit your brother and No, you cannot have 5 pieces of candy. I am weary of the No I am continually saying to our culture. The world is bound and determined to take away my children’s innocence. They want my children to grow up way too fast. They want my little girl to dress like an adult. They want my little boy to know things he is way too young to know. I’m weary of saying you can’t go to that movie, because it is not appropriate for your age. No, you can’t wear what everyone else is wearing, because it is not appropriate. The straw that finally broke the camel’s back was when my son walked in while I was watching the news. He asked me, “Mommy is it true that men can marry men and women can marry women?” “Mom, if two women marry can they have a baby?” My son is 6. I don’t want to be discussing sexuality with him much less homosexuality. So, I told him that no men can’t marry men and women can’t marry women (for now anyway) and that women with women cannot have a baby. (Don’t get me started on explaining how they can). I should not be having these discussions with my children, but I’m being forced too. What happened to childhood innocence?

As I was thinking about my weariness I remembered the song and verse in the Bible about Standing in the Gap. I also realized that God cares more for my children than I do. He is there to guide me and support my weariness. He knows there is sin in the world. God wants me to rest in him and seek his guidance in these difficult times. He wants me to say No and set moral limits based on Biblical standards that differ widely from the world. He expects me to raise children who respect God and obey his commands.

The problem with being weary is it is so easy to give in. I have been there and I would guess you have to. Oh, okay you can see that movie or maybe you can wear that shirt. You know “Everybody else does.” Please hear me clearly there is a big difference between raising naive children and innocent children. I just want my children to grow up in a reasonable time frame. I want them to know what is appropriate for their age.

So, fellow Mom I ask that we stand together. That we stand in the gap for our children. That we constantly seek God’s guidance and protection for our children. We can grow weary, but we can’t give up. Our children need us to show them the way. They need to see living up to God’s standards is very different than the world’s.

© 2004 Kimberly Chastain
About the Author
Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in helping Christian women make the most of their lives. She is the author of the on-line course, “I Can’t Say No” and Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms, a free e-book. If you suffer from “I Can’t Say ‘No” Syndrome, visit Kimberly’s site today for the details on an exciting email course that’s sure to set you free! http://www.christianworkingmom.com/online.htm.
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Dog Grooming - It’s Not Just for Poodles Anymore

Dog grooming is not simply an aesthetic bonus for our canine
friends. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule will help to
keep your dog both happy and healthy. Routine dog grooming will
ensure that your dog is free of parasites, has healthy skin and
a shiny coat, and has good dental health. Of course, the
aesthetic benefits are also a plus. Only a true dog lover wants
to be around a dirty, stinky dog with bad breath. Proper dog
grooming will bring out the best in man’s best friend.

What’s Involved in Dog Grooming?

While dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results
can be achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog
grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your
dog. The grooming process generally takes a hour or two to
accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A
typical dog grooming session consists of the following
treatments for your dog:

* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable) * A
complete coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair *
Styling as requested (can include accessories such as bows,
rhinestones and bandannas) * Nail trimming * Ear cleaning and
examination for parasites * Teeth cleaning

How Often Should Dog Grooming Take Place?

The frequency with which your should groom your dog is dependent
on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are
considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while
others need only periodic care. Before you purchase or adopt a
dog, it’s a good idea to find out how much grooming it will
require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as
follows:

* Curly-Coated - Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly
coat that is fairly resistant to water. These dogs will require
dog grooming at least once every two months, or six times a year.

* Short-Coated - Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis and
Boxers need a weekly brushing, but do not need to be bathed more
than once or twice a year unless a problem arises.

* Long-Coated - Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs,
require a daily brushing to keep their coats in good condition.
Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should be
administered once every other month.

* Silky-Coated - Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs
belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily
brushing and a thorough dog grooming session four times a year.

* Wire-Coated - Wire coated dogs require considerable dog
grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed
every three months and have their coat clipped every six to
eight weeks.

* Smooth-Coated - The smooth-coated class of dogs includes
Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. These
are very low maintenance dogs and require only weekly brushing
and bathing as necessary.

Whatever type of dog you own, it’s important to see that proper
grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your
canine companion.

Many people are skittish about life insurance, because they feel that it is useless, or it makes them face their mortality, or they may arrogantly think that they won’t die. But let me reassure you, life insurance is not only useful, but also essential if you’re young or old, or have a young family. Life Insurance should definitely be one piece of your financial portfolio.

BENEFITS OF LIFE INSURANCE

1) Protects your family - If you should die prematurely a life insurance policy will give your young family and spouse a financial buffer. The lost income can be devastating.

2) For children and young adults - accidents are a leading cause of death.

3) As you get older - it can help to defer funeral costs.

Life Insurance can help fill the gaps when you or someone you love passes away, as well as, helping to eliminate the stress and uncertainty of their future.

TYPES OF LIFE INSURANCE

There are different types of insurance, which can fit each individual’s needs and situations. The different types and explanation of each are as follows:

Term Life Insurance - Term life gives you coverage for a particular period of time. (Builds No Cash Value)

Whole Life Insurance - Whole Life can give you protection for your entire life at a fixed rate. Whole Life builds up cash values, and in some cases, paid dividends.

Universal Life Insurance - Universal Life gives you more flexibility — allowing you to adjust your premiums and to increase or decrease your death benefit.

Accident Insurance - Accident Insurance gives your family an income in the event of your accidental death.

To conclude, when I was younger, I felt that life insurance was a waste of my money. But that changed when I seen the results of what happens when a father of three young children died unexpectedly. He had no insurance to care for his three children. Not only did his wife and children have to deal emotionally with their loss, but it also left them financially crippled. From that moment on, I realized the importance of Life Insurance and what it can bring to my family - a financial safety net, and for me, peace of mind.

Vickie J Scanlon has a BBA degree in Administrative Management and Marketing. Visit her site at: http://www.myaffiliateplace.biz for free tools, articles, affiliate opportunities, ebooks, and affordable insurance products

Get Free quotes on auto, life, homeowners, health, business insurance at: http://www.myaffiliateplace.biz/Affiliate_Netquote

Zeljko Kalac is an Australian goalkeeper of Croatian descent who made his international debut in 1992. Since then he has played in over 50 international games, his most celebrated stint being with AC Milan.
Known as the Spider on account of his two meter plus frame and flailing arms, Kalac started his career with Sydney United. He later moved to Leicester in Europe but it was not an eventful sojourn.

A call to Roda JC, a little later, gave Kalac the push he needed. The Dutch side reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in 2002, and Kalac moved to Serie A with Perugia. Luck smiled on Kalac when Perugia’s fortunes dipped, and Kalac found himself as the back up keeper to the celebrated Dida in the AC Milan goal.

An ankle injury to Dida brought Kalac into his own. Besides Champions League, Kalac got a chance to play in Coppa Italia. The preparations for World Cup 2006 saw Kalac being summoned to do national duty, as deputy to Mark Schwarzer.

Kalac may not be number one goalkeeper of the Socceroos but he certainly is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the game. He is also the most reliable, and can be expected to keep most forwards at bay.

The method know as 3d ultrasound scanning is that can be used during early pregnancy, it provides 3d images of the fetus. Most times these ultrasound pictures are collated and joined together and animated to make a 4d ultrasound scan.

Three dimensional scans works in the same way to the traditional ultrasound except that the ultrasound pulses are sent from multiple directions. The ultrasound waves are redirected back then captured to provide information to construct a 3-dimensional picture in very much the same way as 3d pictures. 3d ultasound scanning was first developed by olaf von ramm and stephen smith in america.

It’s important to understand that sonologists all over the world always conjured 3d pictures of anatomy or pathology in their minds while doing 2d scans. However, until recently it was very difficult to do this type of reconstruction on patient data acquired using ultasound scanning. The advent of baby scans for the first time allowed us a view into the brain of a sonologist and hence letting us see the images on the ultrasound machine.

The 3d/4d ultrasound image should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. There is no data to suggest harm due to 3d ultasound scanning, its use in non-medical situations needs to be undertaken with an understanding of the risks that may exist.

Also remember, collect your babies umbilical cord blood stem cells by using a company like futurehealth.

Drugs and alcohol can affect your ability to make life saving decisions. Such as identifying danger signs and finding ways to escape. Be responsible of how much you consume and follow these party tips.

1. Always get your own drink and watch it being poured.

2. Don’t leave your drink unattended.

3. Do not drink or taste anyone else’s drink.

4. Do not accept drinks from anyone else.

5. Dispose of your drink if you think it tastes odd. But don’t just set it down and leave it. Someone else might drink it.

6. Drugs used to spike drinks can be odorless, colorless, and tasteless. You might not know if something has been added.

7. Watch out for your friends. Are they drinking or taking too much? Is their behavior out of character for what they’ve had? Are they drinking or using too much? Are they making safe decisions?

8. If your friend needs to sober up, check to see if they are OK. Are they alone? Who is with them? Are they safe?

9. NEVER let yourself or your friends get into a vehicle to drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Even if they ‘look’ fine. If you are going home with someone different, let your friends know and have them meet that person.

10. If someone is giving you a ride home, do you know them? Do you trust them? Are they sober? Are you sure they won’t make you do something you don’t want to do? Will they take ‘NO’ for an answer?

Drugs and alcohol are ever present at parties and night clubs. Enjoy yourself. But, be responsible to yourself and your friends. Make a pact. Take turns watching out for each other. You’ll never forgive yourself if something happens…and it could have been prevented!

Michelle Annese, “The Diva of Defense” is a self defense instructor, consultant, speaker, author, and copywriter. With a third degree black belt and inductee into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Ms. Annese is a safety advocate teaching thousands each year in school talks, special events and assemblies in elementary, high schools, and colleges nationwide. She is also the author of the book: “101 Self Defense Strategies” and creator of the programs “Diva Defense Training” and “The SafeGuard System for Kids”. Complete information on Michelle Annese’s books and other services offered is available from her web site http://www.michelleannese.com And while there, don’t forget to subscribe to her FREE weekly Ezine!

Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the choices these days, you may feel like, “Where do I start?!”

In part 3 of our 5 part article, we the discuss what HDTV is.

HDTV stands for High Definition TV. Clarity and detail are clear and crisp and truly unmatched. After watching HDTV on a regular basisit’s hard to go back!

Technically defined, HDTV displays vertical resolutions of 720 or 1080. This refers to the number of horizontal lines on the screen that make up the picture. Don’t get caught up in the number of lines, it doesn’t necessarily make for a better picture. While this may hold true for Plasmas, LCD and DLP TV’s are evaluated differently. For example, 1080, is better on DLP and LCD for displaying slower moving video such as TV shows, news casters and other still images like photos from your recent vacation. While, 720 is better for fast motion pictures like action films, football games and similar fast moving programming.

Lastly you will notice next to the 720 or 1080 designations you will find a letter “I” or “p”. This refers to the compatibility of video signals. Progressive scan (”P”) is the newer method of creating a TV picture. The TV creates the picture from top to bottom in one pass and produces a better picture on newer technology TVs. Interlaced (”I”) is most common method of creating a TV picture. The TV creates the picture in two top to bottom passes, first all the odd lines, and than the even lines. Developed for CRT TVs to produce a better picture. Most of your older videotapes, DVD’s and laser disc will be in the interlaced format. You will likely want to consider a TV that accepts both formats.

* Next in Part 4 of this article: Ok, now the true question… do I need HDTV?

©2005 Architechtronics, Inc. All rights reserved.

To stay on the cutting-edge of home automation, theater, and technology join “The EDGE” todayit’s free! http://www.architechtronics.com/edge.html

Brett Griffin lives and works in Philadelphia, PA. Brett has 12 years of experience in the technology industry and strives to seamlessly blend high performance technologies into one easy to use system. As co-founder of Architechtronics, Brett uses his creativity and experience to help builders, dealers, and homeowners meet their technology desires in their home.