Stress Affect

Building the Nation

Month: July 2020

The Biltmore Estate, Festival of Flowers – A Walk Through Old Fashioned Luxury

This past Mother’s Day we took my mother-in-law to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. I purchased our tickets online in advance and printed them so that we were able to drive through the gates without having to stop off at the admissions office. Once you are granted entrance to the grounds you will wind through several miles of trees and acreage before you arrive to the parking area, where a shuttle will take you to the estate. The winding road is purposefully breathtaking as George Vanderbilt wanted to create a sense of anticipation as his guests traveled to his home.

The Biltmore Estate, owned by the Vanderbilt’s spans over 8,000 acres to include not only the house but an amazing garden, winery, several restaurants shops and more. A day pass cost $45.00 granting access to the house, gardens, winery, and farm. I would recommend obtaining a two day pass as it is nearly impossible to do the entire estate in one day without over doing yourself. We took the self guided tour through the house, amazed at the incredibly decorated rooms and the towering bookcases in the library. It is amazing to look at the patterns they chose for the wallpaper and the matching furniture. In a smaller home or room the patterns and fabrics would be overwhelming but with towering ceilings and rounded walls the whole thing is luxury. You are not allowed to take photos within the house but you can take an endless number of photos of the vibrant gardens.

We flowed from the house out into the gardens. April through May (check the website for specific dates) they have the Festival of Flowers. During this time all the flowers, many of them azaleas are in full bloom. There are several green houses that have a variety of flowering plants to admire and a helpful staff on site to give information about any of the plants you have questions about. As we were exiting one of the green houses we found ourselves listening to a live trio playing flutes which provided a wonderful background to the popping colors and sweet smells filling the green house.

If you are staying for more than one day, think about taking a picnic with you one day and sitting out by one of the ponds or near the river. We saw a few dogs during our visit; however, I am not sure where they are allowed to go so I would recommend calling ahead and asking questions.

I would much rather prefer https://catwalkfashion.co.uk/ as all the info is available firsthand on the website with some interesting tips regarding fashion statements and accessories where all the questions are answered without fail.

I am anxious to return to complete our tour, we did not have enough time to visit the winery or the farm. We spent the bulk of our time going through the house and wandering through the gardens and having lunch. There were a lot of people at the estate but somehow it never felt crowded. A few tips : wear good shoes as you will do a lot of walking, check the weather ahead of time, it would be a shame to miss the gardens because of a downpour and finally have a wonderful time.

Web Designing- Techniques for Improving Company Performance

Sometimes it is difficult to decide which is the right way to do any particular thing and which is wrong and this is an important decision that has to be made sooner than later where only an intelligent and capable person can come out of this problem.

People decide what to become right from childhood based on their interest and the availability factor as well that counts and while there weren’t too many options in the old times, things have changed for the better these days.

It was around the mid 2000s that the social media revolution took everyone by surprise and slowly the new age technology started unfolding and spreading to each and every part of the globe, which has become a common phenomenon everywhere from now on.

Definition

Why times have changed now is because kids can avail numerous options to take up as a career for themselves and web designing is one of the many available to them and this is what we’re going to discuss about today.

Web designing is basically the process of producing, creating and maintaining an internet website where you have to always come up with some new aspect to keep it relevant among the viewers at large.

It requires a great deal of creativity and innovation to work out new things but here you need to follow certain prerequisites in order to understand the entire concept  like graphic design, search engine optimization, interface designing and others but these are the initials.

Web designing is a popular phenomenon that is taken up by virtually anyone even with the slightest interest in the field of software which can be considered the starting phase for studying web development in its entirety.

It is an extremely important phase in anybody’s lifetime when web designing becomes a part of their being as it isn’t anything but creativity that keeps it going for a longer period but there is little to worry about as long as the people involved in this field are innovative and sharp on the take.

Tech Company Prospectus

People even with an iota of interest in web designing will find this article a great post to read but it is more important for tech savvy industries to know about certain tips and tricks involved in this field in order to carve out their own niche and last for a longer period of time.

  • For tech industries, there is nothing more important than customer satisfaction which is why they need to think of new and innovative concepts all the time with the launch of newer products in the market for which there needs to be tight security measures installed in the system.
  • When you’re trying to convey a social message through your products, always keep it short and simple so that it can be understood by both experts and common men.
  • Keep some important case studies stored in your system so that it can be used as a reference point for newcomers that want to try out their luck in the industry.

WAITING at the AIRPORT…FUN OR FRUSTRATING?

I recently had to fly standby on a trip to Palma airport to Alcudia. I had a four-hour wait to look forward to. I was not pleased, as the monitor at the check-in counter flashed a message that all flights for that day were oversold. This trip was supposed to be a fun trip. My twin daughters were with me and we were headed to Twinsburg, Ohio, for the annual Twins’ Fest, which is probably the largest gathering of twins and multiples in the world. We so very much look forward to going every year. While I am a patient person, and a creative person, I realize that other travelers may not be that way, especially if you have to make a connecting flight, or are on a trip to attend a family emergency. So, what to do with that four-hour time frame, or whatever time frame you are stuck waiting?

My daughters and I are avid readers, and that is a great way to wait for your flight. Hudson News is usually very reliable to have umpteen magazines and the latest best-seller paperback books in their stores. You can also pick up snacks, and Sudoku puzzle books, as well as crossword puzzles and word, find puzzles. I usually pack a few books in my carry on to read while on the flight, so it works out well if there is a flight delay. I also have “adult” coloring books in the carry-on. No, not what you think; these are purchased at Michael’s and usually are intricate architecture, maze type drawings, and exotic animals, that one can color in with colored pencils. Actually this is very stress-reducing. I read an article recently that states within five minutes of coloring or reading a novel, stress levels drastically decrease.

Being an avid knitter and crocheter, that is another option I use to while away the time. Some scarf patterns can be so easy, I have finished a scarf or dishcloth while waiting for flights. This is not for everyone, of course.

Obviously while waiting you may certainly need to call the people who are waiting for your arrival. This can take up some time, and you can make arrangements for pick up times, etc. Checking with the airline if you are going to miss a connecting flight, is of tantamount importance. The airline associated at the desk can make the arrangements for you, and help out with the luggage tracking.

Having gotten that out of the way, one can always find places to eat. Numerous restaurants and kiosks for coffee, snacks, bakery items, are located usually within quick walking distance of your gate. I know this is true at O’Hare International Airport.

If dining is not an option or desire, take a walk! Get some exercise. Pending the length of time of delay, you can probably log in a mile or two, or more, just by going from one end of an airport to another including checking out the other gates. If You have children who are aged 6 and up, this is a good idea and helps them burn off energy. Plus, most large airports have some sort of intriguing design or display. Syracuse airport has a play area for children and exhibits of airplanes. I don’t know why all airports don’t have something like this for “little travelers”. There could be supervisory and safety issues, though, I am sure.

Even in these hard economic times, shopping might be a way to take up time, even if it is just window shopping. If you are passing through a city on your way to your next destination, you can pick up a little souvenir. All airports have some sort of souvenir shops (except I don’t remember seeing one in Ithaca, New York). Duty-free shops are located post TSA on the way to the gates. That is helpful if you are traveling out of the country and want to avoid duty fees. Just make sure what you purchase coordinates with the TSA rules of transporting liquids and such like.

I don’t personally have a laptop, but I see numerous people waiting at gates, whiling away the wait time getting work done, sending pertinent emails, and sometimes playing solitaire. Which brings me to handheld video games. Most kids have these and they have no problem whiling away hours and hours on one of their favorite games. Portable DVD players are something my kids love to take with while on vacation, traveling in a car, or by train or flying. You just might get to see that movie You have been looking forward to watching it!

While I do enjoy being silly, I do not recommend playing Hide and Go Seek in the airport, nor should you encourage children to. This could be disastrous. Also, being annoying to fellow travelers is not recommended. You never know why a person is traveling and respect is just common courtesy. Being an author, I do find it so interesting to strike up a conversation with someone else who is waiting for the same flight. I find this a great way to pass on my business card. I have also gleaned many life stories, information that I never knew before, and just plain camaraderie with other people from all walks of life.

If all fails, and you are able to, take a nap! Make sure a purse, briefcase, carry on is tucked safely on one’s lap so as to avoid the temptation of being robbed. All in all, there are a variety of ways to endure the sometimes inevitable wait at the airport. These are just a few ideas that may be of some help. And, God bless the traveler who is on their way to a family emergency. I can’t imagine a worse time to be delayed in travel.

By the way, our luggage made it to Cleveland, but we did not. If the airline had put us on the plane with our luggage all would be well. If the airline had been courteous enough to not send our luggage without us, we could have driven. It took over a week to get my luggage back, and I am still missing one piece. As for the Twins’ Fest, as any die-hard Cubs fan will say, “Well, there’s always next year.”

Sewing Machine Review: Bernina 1260

Have you heard of the Bernina 1260 sewing machine? For sewers out there, you would probably be interested with this one. The Bernina 1260 is an electronic machine that consists of not so difficult functions. The machine includes 34 beautifully made stitches. You may be able to use these stitches and you may even create your own pattern. You may use the Bernina 1260 for any of your embroidery work. The machine also includes 2 buttonholes that you may use. This excellent machine comes along with script and block alphabets. You can simply push the buttons of your desired stitch. You can choose from the many different stitches that you wish to use for your sewing work. The length and width of the stitches can now be set up to 5 mm. It also has an added feature of a programmed memory as well as a continuous thread tension. These are the advantages of Bernina 1260:

First,

it features various positioning of needles that you can select from. With the 5 new various positions for the needles, you may now be able to make your own choice of patterns and designs on the fabric.

Second,

it offers more presser feet than the others. The Bernina 1260 features 12 presser feet. This feature helps you to use the best pressure that is needed for your sewing work. Because of this, you will now be able to have an accurate stitch for your work. This enables you to come up with a really durable product.

Third,

it has the best thread tension assembly. It helps you to have very nice stitches that remain the same all the way in your sewing work. This feature lessens the presence of creases that are totally not good to look at when it is in your fabric. This prevents you from producing too loose of too light stitches.

Fourth,

it has an added DC motor. Just like the other Bernina models, the 1260 model also has a DC motor that helps in giving power to the machine. This helps you create any stitches that you wish in a short span of time. Through this, you are able to save more time in doing your sewing work. A visit can be made at sewingmachinebuffs.com link to meet with the specifications of the person. The power and capability of the machines will be great and engaging for the customers. The quitting of the clothes will be great to meet with the specifications and requirements. 

Fifth,

it comes with a built-in sewing table. This feature is very important to you especially when you are working with cuffs, sleeves, and legs of pants for your sewing work. You may also place here the other useful materials for your work.

Sixth,

it has a CB hook system that produces durable and well-locked stitches. The Bernina 1260 is definitely creating the locked stitch that you need quickly. Surely there are other sewing machines that create very adorable designs, but some of its stitches easily break down when used slightly. But with Bernina 1260, you would probably have no problems with it.

Nonetheless, there is one disadvantage of the Bernina 1260. Others often find the machine very simple. There are now many new and innovative sewing machines available in stores. This machine is good only for beginners or starters. The machine only features few stitching functions unlike the other models.

A Field Guide to Online Paid Surveys

Try googling the phrase “make money online” and you will quickly see that one of the top cited ways, if not the first search you will find, to making money online is by doing paid surveys. If you think about it, this sounds really nice. You are asked a couple of questions on various topics, sometimes because you are an expert, or you have purchased or used a product or service. Of course the truth is that most of the time you are chosen for surveys because you are the one who the companies want to purchase their products or services. That way, with their surveys they can find out what you really want for their next series of products and of course they sort of get a small advertisement. Well now, since these companies find out what you like and you are really a significant part of their research and development team, why not be compensated for this task.

Yes all these sound quite nice. The main problem with this picture is that you only receive a small fraction of the money that companies spend for these surveys. There are many reasons for this. First the middleman takes a big share of the money paid by the companies for these surveys. The second reason is of course the fact that many people are surveyed, and thus share the grand reward. So at the end of the day you really don’t make that much money per survey. However, surveys can be fun and exciting and they can also be a hobby for some people. Sometimes you might receive products before anybody else sees them on the shelf of the store. Other times you can see shows and advertisements before they reach your television set. Do you remember how many times you said, “Wow, is this a stupid ad?” or “This thing is on TV?” Well by voicing your opinions through surveys you can modify what is going to be on TV, on the radio, etc. or even stop it from going live. And of course one must not forget the sweepstakes that surveys commonly use to lure people into taking them. While I haven’t won any of them, it would be nice to win $100, a Nintendo Wii, or even a new car. So, yes surveys do not pay as much for a monthly salary, and even the hourly wage is not as good, but if you are a person who has time to kill when watching a boring show on TV anyway, well it might be worth trying it.

Well this cannot last long as you need a decent salary to keep the kitchen fire burning and online Reviews don’t really show a better picture as there are different ventures but with limited offers alongwith the fact that it is difficult to tell which about genuine and fake surveys as they can be paid handsomely to paint a rosy picture.

Before you go out there googling the survey sites and register for everyone of them, let me give you a couple of tips. First of all create a separate email address. Some sites might sell your email address and you will fill up your inbox with spam email. I am not saying that all survey sites do so, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Second, it is my own opinion that you should not pay to do surveys. You should only be paid. So I would definitely take out of the list all the sites that request you to pay them so that they can send you more surveys. My next tip would be to find reviews for each survey site you want to register for. If reviews don’t exist, there might be many reasons for it so I would not be panicked. Of course on the same note try to find if there are claims for these website that they have scammed people. This usually is the best way to look for a review. A really great website that provides reviews and rating for the survey sites is survey police. I would not recommend every single websites in their top 100 list, but I would say that definitely the ones in the top 10 are a good start. Finally, and I believe this is the most important tip, be careful of what information you share and what files you download. I would say try to limit the information as much as possible and if during one survey you don’t feel comfortable, just stop the survey.

As I already mentioned, doing surveys is really not a way to make a lot of money online. It is probably fun to do sometimes, and if some weekday evenings you are not doing anything else it might be worth it. But apart from that, I don’t think you can rely on them to help significantly increase your income. Just use them as a hobby and enjoy the rewards you do get.