ELIN'S BLOG

Once somebody first figured out how to make a practical self-defense weapon using the heat from chili peppers the world of personal protection changed – permanently.

The heat comes from something found in the fruit (chili peppers) of plants in the Capsicum family. That active ingredient is derived by extracting it from the plant using an organic solvent. After the solvent is gone usually by evaporation what is left is a waxy substance called oleoresin capsicum (OC). Since it doesn’t work to hold a lump of it in your hand and then blow what has to happen for it to be useful as a weapon?

Start by grinding up the OC and putting it in an emulsifier like propylene glycol.

Definition time: an emulsifier is a mixture of two liquids which are not mixable like oil and water (example: that vinaigrette dressing which you have to shake up every time you want to use it). An emulsifier keeps the two parts mixed together even if you don’t shake the container. However if you read the directions on aerosol cans many of them say to shake before using.

That’s to get the unbendable parts mixed together again just like with the salad dressing.

The next step is to suspend the OC in water using an emulsifier.

Finally put all that into a pressurized canister and there you have it.

Pepper spray is effective because it is a lachrymatory agent.

Definition time: that means it is a chemical compound that is highly irritating to the eyes. Technically tear ducts are called nasolacrimal ducts. They literally carry excess tears from the eye area into the nasal cavity (that’s your nose). That the two parts are connected is part of why the nose often runs when a person is crying. It’s a function of excess tears looking for an escape route.

When the eyes are irritated by a lachrymatory agent like pepper spray or tear gas the person will become intensely uncomfortable. The eyes usually slam shut and they produce lots of tears in an effort to wash out the offending substance. Many people even experience temporary blindness.

The product is available in a range of strengths including those suitable for stopping dogs and bears as well as human beings. And since the canisters are available in a range of sizes all you need to do is pick one that fits your hand or bag or pocket.

The good news is that the canisters are equipped with safety latches to prevent accidental discharge and the products provide low-cost effective protection.

Everyone goes through a period in life when he has to establish a home. Without the indoor furnishings a home is never complete. The furniture used in homes can vary according to the home-types and according to the individual tastes and preferences. Whatever be the preferences the furniture in a home can never be appreciated if it does not have wood content in it. Wood furniture is traditionally regarded as the most obvious choice for home furniture. And it’s not for nothing that people vouch for the imposing presence of carefully crafted Amish furniture in their homes. Insistence on wooden furniture from time immemorial has also given a golden opportunity for tricksters to work their way into making you buy inferior wooden furniture.

While buying furniture the golden rule is best described by the Latin phrase “Caveat Emptor” or let the buyer beware.

The rule holds good particularly in the modern times when furniture is available at the click of the mouse. With Internet invading every part of our life furniture shopping has given business to many web portals selling wooden furniture. However it’s the Internet which poses maximum risk for the prospective online buyers. With the hidden identity of seller the buyers are exposed to all kinds of uncertainties pervading the online shopping world. In this context the buyer needs to be more cautious when buying wooden furniture. All the online dealers do not indulge in wrong business practices. It’s just a case of a few rotten apples. As Mostly you can totally rely on buying your favorite Amish handcrafted furniture online. Just do so from a reputed manufacturer.

The knowledge of wooden furniture is an absolute must for first-time buyers. The expensive armoire in the furniture store may not represent the expected Amish oak furniture but may contain cheap plywood. Plywood is not wood in the real sense of the term. Unlike a single-piece wood commonly used in good wooden furniture plywood is formed by gluing together various pieces of wood by some chemical. The store owner is bound to pitch for plywood furniture mainly due to excessive margins and the cheap price factor. Plywood is often depicted as ‘stronger than wood’ which actually it is not. Plywood furniture may look impressive but watch out if you are looking for durability in your wooden furniture.

Another material that is often passed out as wooden furniture is the particle board. The Particle Board is actually a recycled wooden product as differentiated from a pure wooden piece.

Particle Board is made by gluing together the remnants of wood cuttings e.g. saw dust chips and other small pieces. These are usually not made into a seemly furniture article. Rather they are used in the invisible parts of the furniture to cut down on the cost of furniture. Again the looks of the furniture may be impressive but remember they are deceptive.

A little effort of gaining knowledge about the wooden furniture can go a long way in sparing you the embarrassment of buying inferior furniture. And for your convenience Internet has made the lives of furniture buyers all the more easier with readymade information about the wood used in furniture. So explore the wild world of Internet and make informed decisions about furniture purchases because in the profit-driven economies we cannot rely on all sellers for quality at affordable prices.

Want to beautify your dining room? The dining room is one of the most common used furniture in the house and the dining room chairs should look beautiful enough to have a wonderful dining experience. There are some pointers in buying the best dining room chairs. First of all you must make sure that you have a clean and well-furnished dining area with a center table that is appropriate for the room. Selecting dining room chairs is not difficult if you know what to look for.

Select the proper placement of the dining table first and then the dining room chairs should be located in the right places. Make sure that the table harmonizes with the chairs to have an elegant look.

Sometimes people opt to buy customized dining room chairs because they want to place the perfect outlook. Admit it; it is very inviting to eat whenever you feel the matching atmosphere of the dining area. And it is quite unpleasant to see mismatching dining room chairs.

The attractiveness of the dining room is very crucial to the overall appeal of the house. But the look of the dining room chairs should not be the only basis for choosing it. They should be relaxing and comfortable at the same time. What will you do with a set of chairs that give you a backache during mealtimes? Plus it should be durable enough to last for years.

Dining room chairs eventually break and wear out if not taken cared of.

Usually they get scratches everywhere and thereby get broken after a few years. No one wants to replace or buy new furniture every year so select the best dining room chairs and dining furniture.

The dining furniture can have modern feel to it. The conventional ones can be boring and too traditional to look at as time passes by. The colors the materials and the theme of the house is one of the things you should consider before buying dining furniture. They don’t have to be expensive or too classy. Many people have the wrong notion that all elegant dining room sets are too extravagant. There are many dining sets that can be bought at very low prices. All you have to do is to look for them.

Whether you want to buy dining furniture that has a distinctive look or a functional style in it they are already available in the market. Then you can accentuate the chairs with slip covers and the table with fancy tablecloths and napkins. The slip covers are necessary to avoid the dining room chairs to have those ugly scratches and nicks.

Decorating your home is one of the most daunting tasks. Most of the home decor items are very popular among the people. By changing couple of things of your abode one can bring a great transformation in one’s personal space. Even a minute change in your home decoration will make you feel new and refreshing. Decorating your home is one of the best ways of transforming the bored and tired looking space into rejuvenating fresh and happy atmosphere.

Home Decoration involves several things such as colors furniture fabric and several other accessories. For some people home decor may involve several thousand dollars while it just takes some imagination by some people to make magnificent changes.

Hiring a professional home decor person is always a great idea but it involves a lot of money.

A professional decorator will surely bring a trendy and sporty environment to your home and they are well aware of the latest trends. They have a very professional point of view as compare to an amateur decorator as they have both experience and talent. They are able to transform your boring non-happening place into exciting place to hang in.

One can also go for home improvement software which will surely make your place a better place to live. The software so used can improve the color designs and many more things. Most of the professional decorators make use of home decor software as they give exact idea about the view of your home after improvement. This software also extends the vision of decorator as one can see the ideas on the screen of the computer.

Home decor is selected according to the size of your home and you may require buying or keeping the things away according to the size of your home. If the size of your home is very small then you should go for a very simple and elegant home decor. You should not go for adding extra decorative pieces and furniture.

If you own a very large or big-sized home then one can arrange the things quite efficiently and still save some space. Big size homes are like blessings for home decorators. Home decorator also includes proper and correct placement of practical and useful items such as furniture several artifacts and electronic items of your home.

Decorative ladders have become a hot favorite for home decorators these days. This may be due to the reason that they give a great and rustic look to your home and these can also be used for several other ways. Decorative molding is another way of enhancing the decor and it can also be used to highlight certain features of your home. These are meant to add style and a great look to the walls floors and ceiling.

This is the best way of enhancing and enriching the home. One thing to remember about molding is that if you are using this on one item in your room then it will be a great idea to use the same type of molding on the other items of the room.

The homemade hydrogen fuel car can replace the idea of spending your hard earned money on gas prices. There are people who are taking advantage of running their car on hydrogen instead of gas. It has already been proven to be working for many people who are sick and tired of the insane gas prices.

The proof is with a number of Canadian car lovers who found out about how to convert their vehicles to run on hydrogen fuel. However the hydrogen is added to gasoline to give you more efficiency more mileage for each gallon of gas and thousands of dollars in savings.

The homemade hydrogen fuel car improves your gas mileage as much as 60%.

You can get this hydrogen from a hydrogen station or you can produce it at home using a “water to hydrogen generator.”

Electrolysis is the process used to create the help of water to hydrogen generator. It is called homemade hydrogen fuel car” because you can do it on your own from home. It is really very safe to convert your car to run on hydrogen fuel.

Your car needs to go through a modification process before you can convert it.

Your vehicle must be able to support the hydrogen and the water.

It is not as difficult as you may think. You can have a mechanic get this done for you in no time. There are water gas fuel kits that you can purchase as well as video presentations that show you step by step what to do.

By doing the conversion you will be putting back more money in your pocket at the gas pump. You can drive your car wherever you want to without having to worry about the high price of gas. The good thing with hydrogen is that it improves the mileage in your car by up to 30% and saves you about 60% in gas cost.

My uncle just got his BMW converted within a day using an instructional guide and a video. He did it himself because he is good with fixing cars and very technically inclined. I am going to be converting mine this weekend but I will let him do it for me. He tells me that I have to purchase tools for about $75 at the local depot. He promised to go with me to help me. I did not have to buy the manual because he gave me a copy of his to read.

I have read about half of it already and I am quite impressed with how easy the steps are to follow to convert a car to homemade hydrogen fuel car.

It is expected that by then the 2008 the price of gas will be seven dollars per gallon. Millions of people are looking for new way to save on gas by either improving their car maintenance or are looking for cheap gas station. Neither of these two options are very effective in saving you money.
Keeping your car in good shape is a good way to improve your gas mileage. Getting your tires and engine checked often will improve your car performance.

Changing your dirty air filter will also improve your gas mileage by up to 10%. Replacing it only takes about five minutes and cost around $10 in most case.

Checking your tire pressure can increase your gas mileage by up to 3%. Check your air pressure in your car tires once each month.

The best way to improve your gas mileage and save on gas is to convert your car to run on water.

A recent new technology will enable you to convert water into usable energy for your engine. This new technology has been featured on Fox news and across the Internet.

You won’t need to modify your engine or buy anything expensive. It costs less than $200 to install this new technology and is easily removable. With the rising cost of gar price you could:

1. Sell your car and use public transportation. This is very inconvenience for many and just isn’t an option for someone with a very busy life.

2. Buy a hybrid car or a better gas mileage car. This is not a cheap option and usually cost over 10K to get.

3. Convert your car to run on water and save gas money. This is the best option since it cost very little to implement and will improve your car improvement by many times.

Buying or replacing a new furniture item for your home or office can be a very costly affair; if you are considering buying it by visiting or choosing from a furniture store. Everybody is so busy in their lives working in offices and then doing all the household chores and tasks that they rarely get enough time to do things like that.

Besides that there are many disadvantages of getting furniture from a local furniture dealer. First of all it can be very time and money consuming. Nobody has got enough time to visit various stores and pick out the one which best suits their requirement. Secondly the sellers have small amount of products to display at their stores.

So you will be have no other choice but to make selection from what is displayed. This can be tough for you as every consumer has different requirements. Another problem you will encounter is that you would not have enough time to compare prices and other parts between different furniture and if you chose something which you find out later that it is out of your league it can be really frustrating.

Instead consumers should buy furniture online. Internet has provided so many benefits to the mankind so one of its major benefits is that it has provided consumers to purchase and sell their items just by a click of mouse. Online you will find plenty full of furniture sellers and you will have a wide variety of selection. There are international brands available and if you chose to buy their items they are going to deliver it through shipment. For example; if you want to get sofa beds you will find a wide category to choose from and it would not take much time because you can open multiple windows at one time and compare them with each other then select the one most precise for you. 

Selecting furniture online can save a lot of time.

In a small span of time you can visit hundreds of websites and compare color price fabric design etc. of different furniture and select which you like the most. You can also find the size shape and watch enlarged photos of the furniture. This is the best thing about search engines on internet that you can take a decision quickly.

Most people think that buying products online is not secure as your personal information might leak out. But it would not happen so if you take precautionary steps. First of all do not believe those websites offering you huge discounts because usually they are the fake ones. Get to know about the famous brands through forums and discussion boards and visit their websites. Find those furniture sellers who have good return policies offer customer service and have testimonials and reviews from other customers.

We expect an astonishing number of functions from our living room on a daily basis. It must house our guests stylishly contain our children entertainingly and calm our stress soothingly at the end of it all. With so many demands it is understandable that interior design experts recommend having multiple levels of living room lighting to accommodate all of the varied tasks involved.

While many homeowners prefer to have a variety of lighting for this area each layer geared to accommodate a different purpose it can be difficult to know which are the best living room lighting options. This article will guide you through the different living room lighting options as your disposal and when it is best to use each one.

Main Living Room Lighting Options- The main light fixture should offer a large amount of light. This is usually an overhead fixture though some designers are moving away from this traditional solution. In addition to being the primary light source this fixture should add aesthetic appeal to the room because it will be a focal point. Choose something inviting bold or creative according to your room decor and taste but let it be something inherently decorative. Many homeowners enjoy installing chandeliers or pendant and hanging fixtures in the living and sitting room for this reason.

That being said remember that overhead lighting is great so long as it is accompanied by additional task lighting such as wall sconces or reading lamps. This is to avoid casting shadows creating glare and causing eyestrain from insufficient lighting at eye level.

Task Lighting- Use table lamps or free standing lamps for working on individual projects such as a puzzle game paper crocheting or other hobby. Ideally living room lamps should be set slightly behind and to the left or right of the area being illuminated so the light can come from behind the person’s shoulder and pour light on towards the project at hand. Use smaller track lighting fixtures or other low-level lighting agents for computers and television viewing. This avoids glare and allows the screen its proper image display.

Wall Sconces- Wall sconces provide great ambient lighting especially larger or multiple arm scones. As mentioned above sconces and a large overhead fixture are the perfect combination.

Accents & Highlighting- Draw attention to a fireplace with overhead recessed lighting or track lighting fixtures. Alternatively wall sconces on either side of the mantel will both emphasize the fireplace and offer more lighting for the entire room. An up light situated behind the object can highlight pedestals figurines or floor plants. Add additional layers with multi-tiered hanging lamps or wall/ceiling wash lights. Accent lights placed in alcoves corners or closed in spaces will accentuate a specific area or piece and give the room a larger appearance.

Living Room Lamps- Having a variety of lamps around the room is an easy way to create a sit-down relaxed atmosphere. When you’re ready to kick back for the evening switch off overhead lights and turn on these living room lamps for some calm time. Floor and table lamps are also great because they offer a portable lighting solution which means you can move them to a different area if more light is needed for a specific task.

Finally make sure you are using everything at your disposal to create the optimum living room lighting ambiance. Believe it or not this includes the walls rugs curtains and furniture too. Dark colors absorb your well-planned living room lighting options swallowing most of its efficacy.

Soft bright shades on the other hand will help enhance the light. Stick to these tones when decorating your living room to create the ideal living entertaining and relaxing area in your home.

A Few More Living Room Lighting Options & Tips:

- For homes with size limitations recessed lighting will take up less space and give the area a roomier feel.

- By day use as much natural lighting as possible. It is the best quality and it’s free! If you have large windows maximize them by using sheer drapes or glazed windowpanes to diffuse the light.

- Frequent headaches can be an indication of insufficient lighting. As you will be using your eyes a lot in the living room (between reading watching TV and hobbying) ensure that there is the proper amount of light so as to avoid eyestrain.

- If you can’t be bothered with 4-8 different fixtures (the average for a living room setting) then you will enjoy the flexibility of a dimmer switch on your main living room lighting source.

- It is also important to combine different types of light bulbs. Mix up your supply of halogen fluorescent etc. as well as warm white lights or cool blue lights to fit with the room setting within your fixtures.

The most important thing to remember when seeding a lawn is that the soil temperature and moisture level all play key roles in the sprouting process. It is also important to have the necessary equipment before you get started. Checking the weather is key as well. Excessive rain after planting equals disastrous results i.e. you don’t want a muddy wash outside of your front door. Now is the perfect time to start planting those seeds because even though the grass will sprout grow a little then die in the winter that is a surefire sign that come Spring your lawn will grow in and glisten with the morning dew.

The first thing you need to do is get a metal rake and a tiller if you can afford one. If not rent or borrow one it will be worth the effort. Next a little hand rake is perfect for the kids to feel like they are involved in the process. Gardening with kids is an easy way to spend time together as a family. It’s a great activity for any gender and any age child. Then the fast growing grass seed should be a high quality brand purchased from a home and garden specialty store. Home Depot for example has an excellent quality and variety of grass seed. Select the type of grass you would like to compliment your home and landscape. This is important to think about because it covers a huge portion of your home. It can compliment a new paint job or enhance fixtures in your yard.

Speak to a landscape designer if you are clueless as to what would look best. Follow this rule of thumb if you do not have time for that. In a typically shady yard I would go for a light colored small bladed golf course type of grass that has a lime green shade to it.

Very sunny yards may need a darker thicker bladed grass to stand up to the heat. Most yards are a combination of sunny patches and shady patches as the day wears on. It is really a matter of taste. Whatever you prefer just go with one type of grass and commit to it. Your entire yard should look neat and uniform. Think about dressing for a job interview. You may want to sell your home someday so don’t get creative with the grass seed. That is what the plants and bushes and flowers are for.

Try Scott’s brand because this is a fast growing grass seed and does come up within days of planting. Do not get a large quantity of “the infomercial grass seed” shake it onto your lawn expecting to have the “oh so perfect lawn.” This product is not the fast growing grass seed that Scott’s brand is. It is meant for filling in spots but you should just use the seeds purchased for this.

There is no magical way to grow a new lawn. Just like everything else in life it takes time hard work and sometimes requires a team. Plan an entire day and devote your efforts exclusively to this task. Celebrate the possibilities and fun ways to enjoy your new lawn after the sun goes down.

Please understand the rewards will be worth the efforts. Next comes the difficult part. If the lawn is being redeemed you have a ton of work to do fire up that tiller and find someone with mussels willing to give it all they have got and till up all your old grass. Next grab a wife or a girlfriend boyfriend teenager or neighbor to go behind you after the tilling has been done and rake out all of the old grass. Try to stay in neat rows so you and the person tilling can be opposite of each other in the yard. This works out well. Wear earplugs and daydream. The Buddhists use raking to clear their minds and help them solve problems. This is very therapeutic work.

Next clean up the rocks and break up any dirt chunks make certain most of the old grass has been removed. Now comes the fun part. Obtain a seed spreader (if it is in your budget) if not that’s okay. You can use the hands god gave you to sprinkle an ample amount of your amazing fast growing grass seed. Gage your seed purchase accordingly: Small yards 1-2 bags medium yards 2-3 bags and a large yards take 3 bags.

Go over each area to take care to see that all of the dirt is covered by seeds. Next you want to water it a little bit. Not too much. Go inside eat drink and be merry and hope it doesn’t pour down rain. In the morning maybe check to see if the soil is damp and water it a little bit more if need be but really no more than five minutes for the entire lawn

Last (again if and only if it’s in the budget) get a sprinkler that makes a nice arch of water and only water when the soil feels dry to the touch. You want to make sure it stays moist during the germination process. Filling in seeds as you go on throughout the week is great if you can pay attention to the areas that may look a little sparse. Never water the seeds with heavy water pressure and do not over water when you start to see sprouts come up. Let them grow a bit skip a few days of watering and then see if they need another watering in a few days. After that you just maintain the amount of water according to the rain in the forecast. Do not worry if it rains just hold back on watering. Use common sense and see a gorgeous law start to grow in thanks to your fast growing grass seed.

When looking for landscaping ideas it’s quite appropriate to compare it with brainstorming to write something. Even artists often have to dig deep for ideas on what they will paint long before they ever put a drop of paint on the canvas.

Landscaping ideas at their best include your entire scenery as the canvas. Of course you often have some background already that will indeed direct a lot of your landscaping ideas. From there though you need to think hard on what you will do to fill it in making the scene that which you will see for sometime to come.

One source you may want to consider for landscaping ideas come in the form of estimates and ideas from professional landscapers. With numerous jobs behind them from many clients they should have a wider view of landscaping ideas and the knowledge to know what’s needed to make them a reality.

Consulting professionals can bring you some great ideas and if you don’t feel like doing it all yourself they can also help you get them done.

After reading this article you will want to look at others as well as links from this site. You may find most of your landscaping ideas here alone. Taking your time to consider all of these should bring you closer to your dream landscape. You will likely find pictures plans and even special focus for landscaping your swimming pool.

There are many sources you can seek for ideas that will make your landscaping projects much more enjoyable when complete. Many of them are virtual and at the tip of your fingertips while others are a reasonable drive away. One thing for sure when seeking landscaping ideas for your own you will want to put a lot of thought into it. This way when you turn it into actions you will enjoy the results for a long time to come.

Among the many other sources you may want to consult regarding landscaping ideas include landscaping pictures sites plans and more. Often these can be found in places like communities of landscapers their own web presences sites of those that did their own as well as many home improvement and gardening sites.

Beyond these you may also find some great landscaping ideas at sites related to your favorite travel destinations photography related to topics that interest you and many floral sites.

Floral is a subject to itself and often makes for some of the best landscaping accomplishments out there. For this reason you will want to spend a reasonable amount of time looking at the many choices you have for plant life that can come together to make your landscaping ideas complete.

Landscaping colors can vary dramatically based on what vegetation you choose. Between local florists and the World Wide Web anything possible can be found. Be sure to keep your local climate in mind as it will limit your choices somewhat.

Of course landscaping doesn’t end there. Depending on where you are doing your landscaping you may need ideas regarding buildings storage space and furniture as well. It’s the process of putting all of these together that make the whole landscape. When seeking ideas you want to think deep in all possible ways.

After all is said and done you can sit back and enjoy what you have accomplished. The more landscaping ideas you consider when getting your landscape together the better your end results will show for all to see. Take your time and the results will show!