silvaculture

Homemade greeting cards

2011-03-04T16:53:00.000Z

There can be no doubt that greeting cards are becoming more expensive. While many occasions will only require a simple card as a token of your thoughts, finding a special greetings card that costs less than a gift would can be difficult. If you are keen on crafts then home made greeting cards could be the answer.

With a home made card you can add personalised touches to the design to make the card truly unique. If the card is for a special occasion such as a wedding, anniversary or ........

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How to hand wash a wool sweater

2011-02-28T18:08:00.000Z

Sweaters made from wool need particular care when being laundered. Many people prefer to leave washing wool sweaters to the experts and drop them off with the rest of their dry cleaning. However this can be expensive if your sweater is a favourite that you love to wear. Learn how to hand wash your wool sweater and you will save yourself some cash.

Wool is a natural fibre and has specific properties that must be taken into account when washing. Agitation, particularly when the fibres are damp or wet, causes the ......

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Knitting for teens

2011-02-13T11:55:00.000Z

Whether you have a teenager that wants a knitted item of some kind, or your teen wants to learn to knit for themselves, knitting is definitely back in fashion.

If you or any of your family knit, then it is likely that your teen will have seen the process in action. Turning a ball or skein of yarn into a garment or useful item can seem like a .......

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5 ways working from home saves money

2011-02-06T08:49:00.001Z

Working from home has been a way for millions of women to earn an income while successfully raising their children. While the benefits for family life are often promoted as the best reason for working at home, there are key financial benefits as well. These can be grouped into 5 main money-saving reasons why women should consider working from home.

Lower childcare costs

Childcare can often take a large percentage of a woman's income when she has a family to support. In many cases, the cost of childcare to fit around the working hours makes it financially impossible for a woman to return to work.

When working from home, you can often fit .....

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Activities for teens to do on snow days

2011-01-25T08:40:00.001Z

Snow days usually mean that schools are closed and the students must find some other way to occupy their time. While younger children may be content to spend the day on craft activities or watching DVDs, teens may need some extra ideas for things to do.

Of course, many teens will be happy to sleep in late on a snow day and not get up much before lunch time. Teenagers do need more sleep than at any other age, so letting them have a few extra .............

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Ways to keep a home warm during power outage due to a snow storm

2011-01-25T08:14:00.001Z

While snow storms can be unusual weather occurrences in many places, for a large portion of the Northern Hemisphere winter snow storms should be expected. Accompanying these snow storms is the probability of a power outage. This can present a considerable problem in keeping your home warm.

Having your own source of energy that is not dependent on external power ........

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How to make a knitting needle holder

2011-01-24T10:21:00.001Z

Once knitting has become a part of your life, it is likely that you will begin to accumulate a number of different sized knitting needles. These usually have their own individual slip cases, but often knitters prefer to have all of their needles in a single knitting needle holder. If you have basic sewing skills, you can make your own knitting needle holder from a few scraps of fabric.

There are two basic types of knitting needle holder. The first is a long thin bag, and the second is similar to a tool roll used by any number of crafts people to hold a variety of equipment.

To make a knitting needle bag you will ........

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A guide to getting started with circular knitting needles

2011-01-24T09:34:00.001Z

Circular knitting needles look more confusing than the actually are. Few people learn to knit on circular needles, and often they are only considered when the knitter wants to work a project in the round. Circular needles have other benefits to knitters however, and learning to knit with them could help you continue knitting when you may otherwise have to give the hobby up.

Circular knitting needles consist of a length of thin plastic tube or wire with a short solid needle point at each end. The needle points are available in the ..........

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Learning the art of public reading

2011-01-11T10:56:00.001Z

Many people have a fear of speaking in public. The best orators can usually deliver a speech without any notes or cue cards, but for most of us, a few prompts are necessary. This leads us to having to read in public instead.

If you have ever sat through a speech delivered entirely by reading a script, you will know that in many cases, there is a stilted, unemotional feel to it. Often this is accompanied by pauses as pages are turned over – or worse, dropped to the floor – and a complete lack of eye contact with the audience. Can you remember the content of any speech delivered in that way?

The answer to that question is almost certainly not. This is because to retain information, we need to ......

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Biography: Martin Luther King Jr.

2011-01-09T10:33:00.001Z

Could Alberta Williams King have known that her middle child would become so important to the fight for equality and racial harmony around the world?

On 15 January 1929, Alberta and her husband Michael King Sr welcomed their second child into the world. Michael King Jr, who would later have his name changed along with his father, in honour of the ......

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The importance of an emergency fund

2011-01-08T08:48:00.001Z

Having an emergency fund, or a savings account of some kind is one of the most important financial decisions a person can make. While it is possible to survive without an emergency fund, doing so will greatly reduce your quality of life.

The amount of money you put into your emergency fund will naturally depend on your circumstances. As disposable income levels decrease, there will be less cash left at .............

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Frugal tips for school lunches

2011-01-08T08:18:00.001Z

When trying to live frugally, finding ways to get more for less expense is your main goal. School lunches can be a problem area in a frugal lifestyle. Your child needs to eat enough to sustain them through the day, but limiting the amount of food wasted is also important.

If you live in an area where low income families are eligible for free school meals, you should sign up for this service. There are 2 main benefits associated ......

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How to make a winter wreath

2011-01-03T09:19:00.001Z

Wreaths are common accessories for front doors during the Christmas period. Most consist of evergreen leaves and branches that echo traditional pagan celebrations of midwinter. A basic wreath is simple to make, and once you have mastered a winter theme you may want to make a different wreath for each season.

There are two ways of making a wreath. The first is to use florist block, also known as Oasis. This is a very dense green or .......

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Winter crafts for kids: Make snowflakes from recycled cardboard and yarn

2010-12-31T12:52:00.001Z

Recycling everyday household waste should be high on everyone's New Year's resolution list. One way of reusing old cardboard is to make some winter decorations. Snowflakes are easy for kids to make with a little help from a grown up.

Cardboard can be recycled from a number of common packages. Cereal boxes are ideal because they have good size sections at the front and back of the box that can be used again. Of course, you can still put the bottom, top and sides into the recycling bin once you have cut away the front and back portions.

To make a snowflake from recycled cardboard and .......

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Winter construction paper crafts for kids

2010-12-31T11:41:00.001Z

Construction paper is cheap and colourful and makes a good base for many craft projects that kids can enjoy. Using winter as a theme for your kids craft projects can help you keep them entertained while celebrating the season.

Decorations for walls and ceilings

A very simple way of using construction paper is to make a string of figures or shapes that can be hung up on a wall, similar to the traditional string of paper dolls. Take a sheet of construction paper and fold ........

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Snowman crafts for kids to use as winter decorations or gifts

2010-12-31T10:31:00.001Z

When it snows, one of the first things most kids want to do is make a snowman. Extending this desire to craft projects that kids can do indoors is a good stand-by for when their hands get too cold to handle any more real snow.

Snowmen make good themes for table centre pieces. They are simple to make from cotton wool and some recycled materials. To make a single snowman you will ......

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No-mess winter crafts for kids

2010-12-30T10:28:00.000Z

With the house already decorated for Christmas, you may want to keep the extra mess from your children to a minimum. Managing this while keeping your kids entertained with craft projects can be a difficult balancing act. Some no-mess craft ideas will help pass a couple of hours without competing with the Christmas tree.

Sticker pictures

One of the easiest ways to create a no-mess collage is by .............

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Toddler winter craft ideas

2010-12-30T09:27:00.001Z

Toddlers are generally aged between a year and 3 years old. At this developmental stage between babyhood and preschool, toddlers are still prone to putting things into their mouths and having a very short attention span. These things need to be taken into account when choosing crafts for them to join in with.

Winter-themed crafts that are suitable for toddlers can also be enjoyed ..........

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Winter crafts: Coffee filter snowflakes

2010-12-29T10:40:00.001Z

One of the most recognisable images of winter is the snowflake. Children love to decorate their windows with paper snowflakes, and each one is slightly different from the rest, just like real the snowflakes outside.

A great way to make paper snowflakes with your child is to use coffee filters. These come pre-cut in circles, so you do not have to spend time trimming a square of construction paper into .........

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How to recycle Christmas cards into handmade gifts

2010-12-29T10:11:00.001Z

Though people seem to be sending fewer Christmas cards each year, the cards you receive need not be thrown away when you take down your Christmas decorations. Many towns now have card recycling points, but you can also recycle the Christmas cards at home and turn them into handmade gifts for the following year.

Gift tags

The simplest way to recycle Christmas cards is to turn them into gift tags. These can be sorted into themed sets of 6 or 10 tags and given as a small gift before Christmas.

Select cards that have a distinct image on the .......

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How to make a snow globe at home

2010-12-29T09:26:00.001Z

Snow globes are simple to make at home and can be a fun way for older children to spend an afternoon. Snow globes also make very good gifts, particularly for grandparents or friends.

To make a snow globe at home, you will need a small glass or clear plastic jar with a securely fitting lid. Lids that screw in place are .....

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Winter crafts to keep you warm

2010-12-28T11:36:00.001Z

Winter is the perfect time for many craft activities. People often find that during the summer, their favourite crafts are difficult because the heat makes their hands sweat, or the materials difficult to work with. The cool of winter can be harnessed to get involved in crafts which result in items that can also help to keep you warm.

Knitting and crochet is as popular today as it has ever ......

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Easy to do winter crafts for preschoolers

2010-12-28T11:08:00.001Z

Winter-themed crafts are a good way of helping preschoolers to stay occupied when the weather is too cold or wet to venture outside. You can prepare for these days by collecting items when you are able to go out or doors. Natural things such as pebbles, pine cones and leaves all make great additions to any craft kit.

Pine cone tree ornaments

A messy but simple activity for any preschooler to enjoy. You will need several ........

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Construction paper crafts for Valentine's Day

2010-12-28T10:35:00.001Z

Construction paper can be used for a number of Valentine's Day crafts. It is cheap, easy to use, and safe for adults and children alike.

Simple heart strings

These simple decorations can be made in just a few minutes. You will need some white or red construction paper, scissors, and coloured pens or pencils.

One sheet of construction paper will be enough for .....

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Why most teens don't take parental advice

2010-12-21T16:35:00.001Z

Teenagers are notoriously picky about the advice they will follow. There are many factors that help them decide who is worth taking advice from and who isn't. More often than not, parents are the last people that a teenager will take advice from, but why is that?

In short, parents are generally not cool. Parents hover between embarrassing and dictatorial as far as many teens are concerned. They are an object of scorn, or ......

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Common myths about the English

2010-12-19T09:44:00.001Z

Everyone thinks they know about the English, but there are some surprising myths and stereotypes that you may not be aware of. English is the language spoken by approximately 1.5 billion people in some form or another and is the official language of 53 countries. For a small country, England has had a huge influence on world politics and culture, but what about the English themselves?

It always rains

Being a green and pleasant land, England does get its fair share of rain. However, average yearly rainfall in London is 29 inches. This is far ......

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Ten must have books for the novice Pagan

2010-12-19T08:50:00.001Z

A common question posed by those new to paganism is, “What books should I read?” Depending on the individual being asked, this can generate a wide range of suggestions. These may not give the best grounding in general basic paganism, and may be more weighted to a particular tradition or path.

There is no single book that can give new pagans all the answers. Indeed, there are no “must have” books for pagans, as many of the modern pagan activities are communal and practical rather than ....

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Yule celebration food ideas

2010-12-18T13:29:00.000Z

Yule, or the period around the winter solstice, is a traditional pagan time for sharing food with family, friends and the wider community. Whether you are having a party, a small family meal or planning to surprise your work colleagues with some festive treats, you can take inspiration from the season for the food that you prepare.

Mid-winter feasts were a means of using up foods that had been in storage for some time and that may not last until spring without spoiling. It was also an opportunity to .....

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How to make a difference at the office during the holiday season

2010-12-18T12:55:00.001Z

If you work in an office environment, the holiday season can be a time of fun or extra stress. Depending on the business sector you are in, the Christmas and New Year could be the busiest time for your company, or you could have a very quiet period. If you want to make a difference to your co-workers' day, or to customers, clients or other individuals, the holidays are a great time to do so.

Many people send Christmas cards to their co-workers. This can result in a steady drip of cards over two or three weeks, and can make you feel as if you need to reciprocate the gesture to those .......

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Things to put in a Christmas care package for a homeless person

2010-12-16T10:30:00.001Z

Of the many good causes that request care package donations at Christmas, charities that work with the homeless are often overlooked. Many people think that if the person has no home they will not be able to use any small gift. Equally, people imagine the homeless to also be addicts or criminals and prefer not to offer help to them.

Homelessness can strike even middle income individuals. Illness, unscrupulous ......

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The best eco-friendly New Year's resolutions

2010-12-16T08:45:00.001Z

Being environmentally conscious is a way of life. For those who are considering making New Year's resolutions, making eco-friendly ones can be a way of changing your lifestyle or re-enforcing your existing practices.

The best New Year's resolutions are ones that you can keep without too great a change in your everyday activities. While some people resolve to make a drastic change, this often leads to a sharp .....

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Reasons to stay at home on New Year's Eve

2010-12-16T07:24:00.001Z

Although many people do enjoy being out with friends and family as the New Year is rung in, staying home is a common choice. There are many reasons why you may decide to stay at home. No matter where you are, you can still celebrate the arrival of the New Year if you want to.

The cost and availability of reliable babysitters over the Christmas and New Year period is one reason for those with ......

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Suggested New Year's resolutions for writers

2010-12-15T19:12:00.001Z

The New Year is a time filled with great expectation and reflection. Writers often look back at the previous 12 months, and make resolutions related to what they hope to achieve with their work in the future. Having some goals to focus on is a good way to structure your productivity.

Making New Year's resolutions based around your writing can help you to seriously tackle any areas that you have been concerned about over recent .....

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Alternative uses for recycled plastic bags

2010-12-10T09:00:00.001Z

Plastic bags can, and should, be reused as many times as possible. After they have served their purpose in carrying your goods home from the shops, you can recycle them by turning them into woven household objects.

The most common items made from woven recycled plastic bags are place mats, baskets, and stronger grocery bags. Before you begin your recycling project, give your plastic carrier bags a wipe over with a cloth and some warm soapy water to make sure.......

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Party bag ideas for children's parties

2010-12-07T19:07:00.001Z

Although it is not essential to provide party bags for the guests at your child's birthday party, many people do like to give small bags of treats as a farewell gift. The contents of party bags can be as expensive as your budget allows. Keeping in mind the age and gender of the guests, below are some ideas for what to include.

For pre-school children:

Party bags for this age group do not have to be a sophisticated affair. Most 3 and 4 year olds will be more .....

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How to make a coffee cup cozy

2010-12-06T19:32:00.001Z

If you have ever had a cup of coffee, you will certainly have had one go cold before you finish drinking it. You may have been interrupted by a phone call or a knock at the door. You may have sat down to drink it while surfing the net, only to find that 20 minutes later your coffee is cold. The answer could be to make yourself a coffee cup cozy.

These are simple to make and take just an hour or so of your time. You can use some scraps of felt or ....

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Christmas gift basket ideas for teachers

2010-12-02T17:29:00.001Z

Children spend a large amount of time with their teachers during the year, and it is natural for them to want to give a small gift at Christmas time to their favourite teacher. You may also have a friend or family member who works as a teacher. Putting together a gift basket with teaching as a theme is a nice way of personalising their present.

First you will need to decide what kind of basket you will use. This need not be a traditional basket at ....

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How to plan a kids' Christmas party

2010-12-02T17:24:00.001Z

Christmas is a great time to be surrounded by children. Hosting a kid’s Christmas party, whether at your home or for a church group or other social club, can really put the magic back into the season. There are some essential things to remember to make your kid’s Christmas party go with a swing, and allow yourself as much planning time as possible before the day of the party.

Venue

Deciding where to hold your kid’s Christmas party is usually a matter of space vs. attendees. Social groups and .....

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Perfect Christmas gifts for grandparents

2010-11-30T06:09:00.001Z

Grandparents can be difficult to buy gifts for at Christmas, as they always seem to have everything that they need. Deciding whether to purchase an individual gift for each of your grandparents, or to opt for a single larger gift that they can share can also be a tricky decision to make. Below are some ideas that may help you find the perfect gift, without spending all of your budget.

If you decide to purchase an individual gift for your grandparents, you will need to take into .....

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How to embroider using Satin stitch

2010-11-28T08:18:00.001Z

Embroidery is a craft that has been left behind somewhat by the recent resurgence of knitting and crochet. However, it can be a relaxing and creative hobby and one that needs less expensive equipment than other hand crafts. There are a variety of stitches used in embroidery. One of the most useful is the satin stitch.

Satin stitch is commonly used to fill in a block of colour within a design. It is called satin stitch because working ......

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Best ways to introduce an attendance policy

2010-11-28T07:44:00.001Z

For most medium to large companies, an attendance policy is a necessary part of the overall employee contract. Small businesses often do not formulate an official attendance policy, although they should give some thought to developing one if they operate in a 24-hour work environment.

An attendance policy sets out the requirements that all employees must ......

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Importance of keeping a nap schedule during the holidays

2010-11-27T07:47:00.001Z

Babies and young children need regular sleep. A child that is over tired is never a joy to be around, and having established a nap schedule it is essential that you maintain it during the holidays.

It can be difficult to keep your young child in their nap routine as the holiday period begins. Older children may be ......

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How to enjoy Christmas when you're single

2010-11-27T07:23:00.001Z

There is a myth that Christmas is no fun if you are not in a relationship. Those who have spouses or partners often feel unnecessarily sad for anyone who is single at that time of year. There are plenty of ways in which single people can enjoy Christmas, or any other celebration holiday, as long as you keep an open and positive mind.

The first thing to do is to stay away from Christmas songs that continually remind .....

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How to knit an egg cozy

2010-11-26T18:10:00.001Z

The first thing I made when I learned to knit was an egg cosy. For a beginner knitter, it makes an ideal project. Something small to concentrate on, but also something that you can actually use once it's finished. When you know how to knit an egg cosy, you will always have a way of making a quick and easy gift.

You will need a pair of knitting needles. In theory these can be any size, but if you can ....

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Preventing hazards with Christmas trees and decorations

2010-11-23T19:43:00.001Z

Christmas is a time of year when most homes acquire extra decorations. It is also one of the most hazardous times of the year when it comes to accidents in the home. In the UK alone, over 80,000 will seek treatment from an Accident and Emergency Department during the 12 days of Christmas.

Preventing hazards and accidents that involve Christmas trees and decorations is simple if you take some .....

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How to handle working in an understaffed office

2010-11-22T18:57:00.001Z

An understaffed office can only function for so long before things begin to go wrong. If you work in an understaffed office, you will need to develop strategies to handle the particular situations that will arise.

The first thing to understand is why your office is understaffed in the first place. There can be many ......

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How to make your Christmas shopping experience pleasant

2010-11-21T10:03:00.001Z

Christmas shopping is often seen as a necessary evil. It is one of the problem areas in what everyone thinks of as a joyous and fun time of year. If you leave everything to the last minute, Christmas shopping is never going to be an enjoyable experience for you. Get some plans in place and make this year a more pleasant and relaxed event.

If you have never experienced the feeling of calm that descends on you as you brows the .....

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Why some people do not celebrate Christmas

2010-11-21T09:19:00.001Z

Christmas is so well know, and so widely celebrated, it can come as a surprise to some people that there are those who do not celebrate it. While not celebrating Christmas is a personal choice that is highly individual, these reasons can be grouped into common themes.

There are those who still recognise Christmas even though they choose not to take part in any of the festivities. These people often have experienced a sad or unfortunate event around the Christmas period. Some now feel as though .......

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Home decor crafts for Goth themed bedrooms

2010-11-20T07:34:00.001Z

If your teen has turned into a Goth and wants their bedroom to reflect their style, there are a number of craft projects you (and they) can try. A Goth themed bedroom can take on many different styles, depending on the type of little Goth you have living with you. For it to be a success, remember to listen to your Goth and not impose your own tastes on their project.

Redecorating a bedroom to turn it into a Goth lair need not mean that everything has to be black. Even if your Goth says they want to sleep in a black bedroom, colours can have such a ......

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Signs and symptoms of early menopause

2010-11-19T17:54:00.001Z

Women usually experience the menopause, or cessation of their menstrual periods, between the ages of 45 and 55. For a relatively large portion of the female population however, the menopause can begin naturally at a much earlier age. The menopause can also occur early due to medical procedures or complications.

Early menopause is considered to happen when the woman's body ceases to ......

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Great Christmas gifts to give people who love to knit

2010-11-18T18:53:00.001Z

Knitting is a great theme for Christmas gifts. There are lots of gadgets and little luxuries that knitters will enjoy, but that cost a little bit more than the general knitting equipment. If you don't know your needles from your stitch markers, here is a list that might help you choose the ideal gift.

Knitting needles set

Most knitting fanatics will have a range of different sized needles, often picked up in ......

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How to start a knitting club at your place of work

2010-11-16T18:40:00.001Z

If you enjoy knitting as a hobby, and can't get enough of it in the evenings and weekends, one solution is to start a knitting club at work. You may be surprised at how many of your co-workers also enjoy knitting.

The first step is to make sure your supervisor or manager does not object to having the knitting club. There may be health and safety issues to .....

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How to lead a healthier lifestyle

2010-11-14T10:45:00.001Z

There are always things you can do to improve the healthiness of your lifestyle. Many of us only need make very small changes to our daily or weekly routines to see a real improvement in our overall health.

Things that benefit our health in general are exercise, sensible diet, low stress levels and a positive mental outlook. It can seem hard to know which parts of your life to tackle in order to .....

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What it takes to be an effective team leader

2010-11-14T09:33:00.001Z

There are managers and then there are leaders. In business, there is a place for both of these roles, and frequently one is not the same as the other. To be an effective team leader requires a different skill set to those needed for management.

Team leaders usually do not have to concern themselves with the overall resourcing of the ........

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How to childproof your home without spending a lot of money

2010-11-14T09:12:00.001Z

Parents can easily become over-cautious when it comes to child safety. There are a large number of gadgets and accessories available that promise to safeguard your baby against many accidents. You do not need to spend a lot of money to childproof your home. Simply follow a few basic steps and your baby will be safe.

Before your baby starts to crawl, shuffle or roll around by themselves (usually around .......

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How to sew an infant car seat cover

2010-11-14T08:39:00.001Z

Many new parents have access to a car these days, and a baby car seat is an essential item. Usually they are sold with a padded fabric cover. This can be removed for washing, but eventually you may find that the cover has become too soiled or worn. In that case, you can either purchase, or sew your own infant car seat cover.

If you can keep the old cover, it will serve as a pattern for the .....

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Do coupons really save you money?

2010-11-13T13:00:00.001Z

Coupon clipping is a popular pass time for many cash-conscious people. We have all stood in line waiting to pay for our groceries, behind someone with a handful of coupons while the cashier goes through each one making sure the item has actually been purchased. The amount of time some people spend on collection coupons has led some to question whether coupons really do save you money.

The way that you obtain your coupons is the key to whether they are actually going to ......

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The simplest quilts to make

2010-11-13T12:15:00.000Z

Quilts are a great addition to any bedroom. They also make wonderful throws for lounge furniture, and can even be used as wall hangings. With so many possible uses, it is no wonder that quilting is still as popular today as it has always been.

You may feel that all of the intricate stitching that goes into making a quilt is beyond your skill and patience. The simplest quilts to make however, do not ..........

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Tips for encouraging participation in an office recycling program

2010-11-13T09:00:00.002Z

Recycling programmes in the office are a great way of saving money and resources. It can be difficult sometimes to get all of the employees to participate in the programme. Working out a good strategy will help you encourage everyone to get involved.

One of the first things to do is work out exactly what you are going to recycle. In many cases, lots of different items used in an office environment can be easily recycled. A key tip is to place the recycling receptacles very close to where the items are used.

Printer ink cartridges are a good example of this. Although they are.......

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Understanding hip dysplasia in animals

2010-11-11T17:25:00.001Z

Hip dysplasia can affect any animal, but is most commonly seen in humans and dogs. It is a general term that can be applied to forms of osteoarthritis, birth defects and deteriorative bone disorder.

Hip joints consist of a ball on one end of a bone, and a socket or cup shaped portion of another bone. These two bones fit together and give a joint that has rotational as well as .......

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Animal safety tips for kids

2010-11-10T18:37:00.001Z

Children and animals go together like peaches and cream. There is something about young animals and babies that make even the toughest guys go “Awwww!”. Animals can often present a safety issue when you have kids, and it is always a good idea to keep a few basic safety tips in mind when mixing the two.

Children should not be left unsupervised with animals. This is for the safety of .....

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How Yule is linked to Christmas

2010-11-07T08:36:00.001Z

As with many festivals in the modern Christian calendar, Christmas is one that has close links with the pagan celebration of Yule. It is debatable whether early Christians “stole” or “borrowed” certain existing traditions, but there can be no denying that the two festivals share many similarities.

There is a widely held belief that early Christians initially struggled to convert the pagan populations of northern Europe. The tribes were used to celebrating by feasting, and most saw the mid-winter celebrations as an ......

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How to say no in language your kids will understand

2010-11-07T08:19:00.001Z

When you tell your child “no”, do they look at you as if you are speaking a foreign language? Do they laugh and carry on with whatever they were doing? Making your kids understand that “no” means no is an important milestone, not just for parents but for the children as well.

Children learn from those who they spend the most time with. Usually for pre-school children this is a parent or other family member, unless the child is in full-time day care. Children observe and ......

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Things you can do on your lunch hour to make money

2010-11-06T09:18:00.001Z

If your daily job is not bringing in the amount of pay you had hoped for, you may be thinking of ways to make some extra money. Taking on a second job in the evenings may not appeal if you are already tired from your day job. If you find yourself with a few spare minutes during your lunch hour, there are some ways in which you can turn that time into extra cash.

Writing

Whether it be a novel, poetry or online articles, writing is a therapeutic and ......

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Easy knitting pattern for a tea cozy

2010-11-06T08:09:00.000Z

With the advent of single-cup tea bags, many people gave up the use of their tea pot and the art of knitting a tea cosy appeared to be disappearing. However, those who enjoy a leisurely breakfast or quiet time with a pot of green, herbal or traditional tea are still making use of tea pots. While there are tea pots, there will always be a need for tea cosies.

To make a very basic tea cosy, this easy pattern can be amended to fit any size of tea .......

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Helpful tips for working with different kinds of yarns

2010-11-06T07:45:00.001Z

One of the best things about knitting or crochet is the range of yarn available to work with. Whether you use synthetic acrylic yarn, other man-made yarns or natural fibres, the choice of texture, colour and weight is enormous. Sometimes, however, what looks fabulous in a skein or ball, does not always turn out to be so easy to work with.

Acrylic yarns are generally the simplest and most reliable to .....

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Tips for making supports for growing peas

2010-11-04T18:18:00.001Z

Garden peas are one of the easiest vegetables to grow yourself. Whether you enjoy the peas cooked and eaten hot, or you love to eat them fresh from the pod, they are simple to plant, grow and harvest. Pea plants do need to be kept upright while they grow, so knowing how to make some supports for your plants will help them produce lots of healthy pods.

Peas can be brown in containers or directly into the ground. Once the pea seeds, which are just peas from a previous crop, have germinated, they will begin to produce little tendrils along .....

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How to get your child to eat vegetables

2010-11-03T18:49:00.001Z

Having a child that wont eat vegetables is a common issue for parents. It can cause worries that the child is not getting enough nutrition. It can also be traumatic for the child as meal times become a battle ground.

The first thing to understand is that children do not starve themselves. The nutrition that your child would get from a serving of broccoli can easily be found in a variety of other foods. The key is to make sure your ......

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Difference between an English and French garden

2010-10-31T12:41:00.001Z

There are many differences in language and style between the French and English. For two countries whose history is so closely linked, both have maintained their own distinctive cultures. This difference extends to garden design, and how landscapes in general are treated aesthetically in both countries.

While both France and England have been heavily influenced by the Italian Renaissance style, the French adopted the designs for their formal gardens with more enthusiasm than their English cousins.

As early as the 1400s, French aristocracy had begun to import Italian .....

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Great networking opportunities for mail order businesses

2010-10-31T11:35:00.001Z

When you are starting a small mail order business, or any kind of online sales outlet, your customer focus is naturally on the places that will instinctively use your products and services. This can limit your success, as you will not be looking to create new networks of potential clients. There are some great networking opportunities for those in the mail order sector, if you know where to look.

One of the simplest ways of building your network is to join a ......

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How to make a garden timber cross

2010-10-30T09:26:00.001+01:00

There are several reasons why you might want a timber cross for your garden. It could be for decoration, to support climbing plants, or it could equally be to mark the grave of a treasured pet that has passed on. Timber crosses are simple to construct with a few basic woodworking tools.

First, choose your timber. For a small cross, a length of timber approximately 2 inches ....

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How to cover buttons with fabric

2010-10-30T08:56:00.001+01:00

When you are making your own clothes, the choice of fabric and style is as individual as you are. Finding buttons to finish off your garment can be a major headache. Trying to match colour, shape or style, even with the myriad of buttons available today. Making covered buttons may be the answer.

The easiest buttons to cover with fabric are those with a shaft at the rear where you attach the button to the garment. For the beginner, these buttons are ideal. For more experienced sewers, covering buttons with ......

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How to make a balloon dog

2010-10-30T08:29:00.001+01:00

Having someone who can make balloon animals at a party is always sure to please the majority of guests. Whether you dress up as a clown or magician, or just get out the balloons and start twisting, balloon sculpture is a fun way to keep children entertained and provides a very cheap gift for each child to take home.

One of the most common animals to make from balloons is a dog. You will need long thin balloons in as many.......

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The traditions of Guy Fawkes Night

2010-10-30T08:01:00.001+01:00

Guy Fawkes night in England is celebrated on 5 November each year. It is a national remembrance of a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament by mercenaries in 1605. The plot was a result of Catholic persecution under the rein of Elizabeth 1, which continued under her nephew, James 1, despite him having a Catholic mother.

There are many traditions associated with Guy Fawkes night, or Bonfire night as it is more ......

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Holiday travel tips for seniors

2010-10-29T18:12:00.001+01:00

Who says you have to stay home over the holidays once you reach a certain age? Today, seniors are travelling more than ever, particularly around the holidays and at Christmas. While some may still love to have their family come to them for Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner, there is no reason why seniors can travel safely and in comfort to their families or just on vacation instead.

Good planning

It may be a great idea to go away on a whim, but good .....

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Common mistakes made when hiring new employees

2010-10-29T17:42:00.001+01:00

In the desire to fill a vacant position in your company fast, it is common mistake to overlook some aspects of the hiring process. This can mean that the employees you end up recruiting do not fit the original skill specification you were looking for.

If you are not going to follow all the basic steps to hiring the best employees you can find, you will find you have less than the best employees. Human resource professionals and anyone in a position of recruiting to .....

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Why good communication with employees equals good company policy

2010-10-23T14:48:00.001+01:00

Good communication is a key factor in company and employee relations. Refining your company communication policy to make it as effective as possible will always be time well spent.

It is an undeniable fact that people like to talk. In business this is usually a good thing, as talking can often be a form of promotion. However, in some instances talking can mean bad information if it comes from an uninformed source. One of the most common reasons for misinformation amongst ......

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Sewing tips: How to gather fabric

2010-10-23T09:17:00.001+01:00

Using gathers in a sewing project is a simple way of shaping a garment or adding extra decoration. Gathers can transform a plain object such as a cushion cover or child's pinafore dress into a stylish professional-looking item to match anything bought from a shop.

Adding gathers to a pattern where they have not been allowed for will ......

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Best ways to stretch your holiday money while travelling

2010-10-23T08:46:00.001+01:00

If you travel often, you will know how expensive it can be to purchase all the necessities such as food while on your journey. For those who travel less often, it can come as a shock to find that much of your holiday money has been spent on every-day items and not the treats you promised yourself. Finding the best ways to stretch your holiday cash will help you eat and have fun at the same time.

When planning a journey or holiday, one of the best ideas to help stretch your spending money is to work out an .....

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Pros and cons of first person writing

2010-10-23T08:22:00.001+01:00

In many cases, writing in the first person is an appropriate way to communicate. There are times when not writing in the first person would take away some of the authority or authenticity of a piece of prose or poetry. At other times, first person writing makes a piece of writing too personal and should be avoided.

Some types of writing are almost always in the first person. If you maintain a .....

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How to stay focused when you're in an exam

2010-10-20T17:51:00.001+01:00

Some people find that sitting exams is no more stressful than completing coursework. Others, however, find exams extremely difficult to deal with. One issue many people have with exams is the ability to stay focused on the task at hand.

There are some key things you can do to help yourself stay focused, regardless of what ....

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How to make safe online purchases

2010-10-19T18:44:00.001+01:00

Now that most people have computers or at least access to the internet, making online purchases has become a normal part of life. Sadly, it has also become a part of life that your details can be stolen by unscrupulous traders and identify thieves. Arming yourself with a few tips on how to make safe online purchases will make it more difficult for the fraudsters to steal your money.

One of the first things to set up when shopping online is a bank account that you will ....

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How to create an Internet safety lesson for children

2010-10-18T18:49:00.001+01:00

Almost every child now has access to the internet, whether in their own home or at a friend's, or in a public place such as a library. This means that every child should also be aware of the basics of internet safety. If you are planning to cover internet safety as part of your class activities, a few tips may help you and your students get the most out of your lesson.

You do not need a computer to show your students how to be safe online. You can set up a role play exercise by just .....

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Tips for better Google search results

2010-10-17T09:41:00.001+01:00

Google has the dominant market share of all the search engines available on the internet, with over 70% of all use. It is often the page used as the Homepage for personal computers. If it is your preferred search engine, you may be wondering how you can get better search results when using Google. Below are some tips which take into account Google's resent upgrades to predictive searching.

Rubbish in, rubbish out

Unless you are randomly adding terms into the search field on ......

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How to grow carrots so they are easy to pull

2010-10-17T08:45:00.001+01:00

Carrots are a popular choice for vegetable gardeners. They are native to Europe and south east Asia, yet have been cultivated for domestic use around the world. One of the small annoyances of growing carrots is their sometimes reluctance to be pulled from the ground at harvest time. There is, however, ways to ensure that all of your carrots are easy to pull.

Carrots are a vegetable grown mainly for the edible tap root, although the green leaves that appear above ground can also be eaten. Originally, wild carrots had either a yellow or deep ......

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When to harvest mint

2010-10-17T07:51:00.001+01:00

Garden mint is one of the easiest to grow herbs. In many cases, if not contained adequately, it can become invasive and weed-like. Knowing when the best time is to harvest mint to cultivate and consume the plant, will help you to get the most from your mint, and also to keep your plants looking their best.

Mint is the generic term for plants in the Mentha genus, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The plant grows wild in most world regions, and around 60 species have been cultivated for domestic use.

The plants typically have tall stems with highly ......

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How to make unique crafts from free recyclable materials

2010-10-16T08:54:00.001+01:00

You may think that craft projects require a large amount of items purchased from a craft store. This may have put you off in the past, by thinking that craft activities would be an expensive pass time for you or your family. While craft stores do have some wonderful items, most experienced crafters know that the best materials to use are often free ones recycled from your own home.

A good idea is to start small. Set aside a space in your .....

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Factors that affect decision making

2010-10-15T18:05:00.001+01:00

When we make decisions, there are many things that influence how we decide on one thing over one or more others. Even in those people who appear to make split-second decisions with no forethought at all, there are still influences at work on their choices. Everyone will be affected by one or more of the main factors, with each decision they make.

The act of making a decision is centred around answering a ......

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Why financial worries can dominate your life

2010-10-14T17:50:00.001+01:00

Whether you are employed or not, financial worries can seem to dominate every aspect of your life at times. There can be little annoyances when unexpected expenses appear, or large concerns if redundancy looms on the horizon. Most of the time, you can get through each worry with a little planning, but it can often feel as if you are treading water with your finances.

If you are unemployed, your financial worries may be......

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Why it is important to keep garden tools clean

2010-10-13T18:54:00.001+01:00

For much of the spring and summer, your garden tools will be in continual use. Keeping them clean is important to ensure they have a long and serviceable life. At the end of the autumn when your tools are put away for the winter, a different level of cleaning and care is required to keep them in tip top condition.

Hand tools often suffer the most wear in the garden. They are the practical workhorses of your gardening tool kit. After each use, make sure you clean off as much soil as possible from them. You may find it ......

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How to access free learning online

2010-10-12T18:18:00.001+01:00

If you have a desire to learn a new skill or develop an existing one, you may have been discouraged by the cost of educational classes and materials. Indeed, the cost of education is one of the most common reasons for adults to stay away from the classroom. There are ways, however, in which you can access free online learning that could help you improve your prospects.

The Internet has recently seen a huge growth in web sites and blogs that concentrate on specific ....

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How subheadings help the presentation of Helium articles

2010-10-11T18:31:00.001+01:00

As you rate articles on Helium, you may notice how many other writers use subheadings in their work. On the rating screen it may not be apparent why this should be. However, if you look at articles on the main portion of the site, you may gain some clues as to why some writers organise the presentation of the Helium articles in this way.

If you have ever tried to read through an article with .....

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The felting process: How wool becomes felt

2010-10-10T11:22:00.001+01:00

Felting is an extension of your craft if you like to knit or crochet. It is a way of turning a piece of knitting or crochet that has an elasticity, into a piece of fabric that has no elasticity. Felting is useful for utility items such as bags and purses, as well as garments such as scarves, gloves, skirts and shirts.

In order for your item to felt, it must be made from natural .....

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How I relax: My favorite hobbies

2010-10-10T10:19:00.001+01:00

I have been relaxing with my favourite hobbies for so long, they no longer feel like hobbies to me. They feel like an intrinsic part of who I am. Everyone who knows me knows what I do in my spare time. Occasionally these hobbies have also earned me a little money, but mostly they are just what I do to unwind my mind and fingers at the end of the day or at weekends. ......

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What delivering newspapers can teach someone

2010-10-10T09:49:00.001+01:00

It may seem like a simple pocket money job for a young person, but delivering newspapers can be a way to learn some important life lessons. Many teenagers have a paper round to earn some extra cash. The benefits of learning about work in this early way cannot be understated.

Commitment

Anyone delivering newspapers will have to ......

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How to deal with moody teens

2010-10-09T10:58:00.001+01:00

Is your teen moody? Defining moody is difficult, as individuals have different expectations of happiness in others. However, if your teen is a constant complainer, rarely talks in full sentences to you, or frequently looks like they want to be somewhere other than in your company, you could have a moody teen on your hands. How you deal with it very much depends on your family as a whole.

The first thing to do is to establish whether the moodiness had a specific cause. It can be a worry to many parents that their teenagers may be ......

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How to turn your child's art into a pillow

2010-10-09T10:13:00.001+01:00

Once your refrigerator, kitchen cupboards and walls have been filled with your child's art works, it can be difficult to know where to keep the best pieces. A novel idea is to turn your child's art into a pillow or cushion. These can also be used as gifts, and are particularly appreciated by other family members.

First, choose the art work that you want to immortalise. Keep in mind the eventual size of the pillow. You will need a picture that will fill just one side of the pillow, with some space all .......

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How to avoid constipation

2010-10-09T09:11:00.001+01:00

Many people suffer some degree of constipation and it can be a painful and worrying experience. Often it can be difficult to pin point the exact cause of a constipation episode. There are ways however, that you can avoid constipation.

It is a common reality for many people that their dietary fibre intake .....

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How to write a Valentine's Day poem for your girlfriend

2010-10-09T08:16:00.001+01:00

Wanting to do something special for your girlfriend on Valentine's Day can leave you at a loss for ideas. If you have little or no cash, but still want to make an impression, you could write a poem for your girlfriend as a special Valentine's Day surprise.

It doesn't matter if you have never written more than a .......

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The advantages of listening to audio books

2010-10-06T09:47:00.001+01:00

Audio books have remained steadily popular despite the invention of Kindle readers and other technology. An audio book is a verbal narration of a novel or story recorded onto tape or CD. There are several advantages to listening to audio books rather than reading the novel in the conventional way.

The main advantage of listening to an audio book is that you do not have to ......

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