Hay Fever and Grass Pollen

Hay Fever and Grass Pollen--7 Answers You Should Know

Hay fever affects millions of people around the world every year. And one of the most common and prolific triggers is grass pollen.

The arrival of pollen in your area is based on climate. But whenever grass pollen shows up in your town, knowing the answers to the following frequently asked questions will help you cope.

What is Hay Fever? It is a pollen allergy that is triggered by tree, grass or weed pollen. Once inhaled, the body reacts with a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, watery eyes and other symptoms which can make the allergy sufferer so miserable. Reacting with these symptoms is commonly referred to as allergic rhinitis.

How can you tell whether you're allergic to grass pollen or to something else? The best way to determine what triggers your allergies is to see an allergist. You will be given a skin test for a variety of allergens and they will be able to tell you whether your allergies result from a one particular allergen, or a combination of allergens which is more often the case.

Can Hay Fever be the result of an allergic reaction to something other than grass pollen? Yes, it can not only be an allergic reaction to pollen from not only grass, but trees, and weeds or a combination.

When is Hay Fever Season? Depending on what you are allergic to, the season starts in early spring will tree pollen, continues in spring and summer with grass pollen, and on through summer and late fall with weed pollen.

Can medication really offer relief? Yes, there are several approaches that medicines take. One type minimizes the symptoms once they are occurring (antihistamines, corticosteroids, and decongestants), and the other type minimizes your body's sensitivity to the triggers (leukotriene modifiers and Cromolyn sodium) therefore reducing the reaction and the symptoms which would normally follow. The best plan is to see an allergist who will create a plan that best suits your overall health and the severity of your condition.

Are there any newer treatments on the horizon? Grazax, a once a day tablet that was developed in England several years ago, is being used for children age 5-17 in England and Canada who suffer with severe hay fever. Its 2 prong approach works to not only control symptoms, but sensitivity to the allergen. There have been studies done here in the States, but the drug, as of this date, does not have FDA approval.

Can a HEPA air purifier really be effective in removing pollen? High efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifiers are extremely efficient in eliminating pollen because by definition they are designed to remove airborne particulates down to .3 microns. Tree, grass and weed pollens range from 2 to 100 microns in size, so they are easily trapped by a filter whose openings are only .3 microns. In addition, these cleaners can also trap other household pollutants that often combine to exacerbate hay fever such as household dust, mold and mildew spores, and pet dander.

Full Digital Color Printing

Full Digital Color Printing - The Best Way to Express Your Imagination

The Chinese were the pioneers of the printing industry. This was hundred years back when the method was basically done by various manual processes and the basic color of printing as black. The gradual development and implementation of the modern day techniques have resulted in a better and improvised method of printing and helps you to express some of the sharpest and most beautiful images and texts in the printing materials.

Some of the advantages of full digital color printing:

* The process of digital color printing helps you obtain the best results. The use of better quality print materials and vibrant colors can make your advertising campaign more and more effective and thus attracting your viewers in the most pleasing manner. This type of printing is much more affordable to the business ventures because the requirement is in bulk. So, the method becomes cost effective to solve their budgetary constraints.

* The use of color printing helps an organization present a professional representation. The use of the advanced technology and print knowledge can make your leaflets, catalogs, and brochures etc. get a good appreciation and thus increase your business potential. The qualitative results in these promotional tools can further allow the viewers to read it in a passionate manner.

* You can use lively colors, graphics, images and logos to promote any marketing event. Whether it is any product or service, the best results can be obtained in the simplest manner. You can also customize your requirements as per the business prerequisites and the communication material becomes more effective.

* The use of the latest print software can result in a proper imaging and screening technology. The actual reproduction of color to a lively impression on a print material can make your advertising campaign better and professional. The biggest advantage of all is that, the print can be done on any type of paper materials.

Today, we have become very cautious about the new methodology and implementation processes of full digital color printing, where the conventional methods are simply ignored. The use of digital technology has been the most commonly used tools for an effective and result oriented output. We are heading towards a new era, where the competition is getting more and are moving faster. So, in order to be in the top notch position we have to take help of various marketing tools for an effective and beneficial method of promoting our products and services. For that we would be needing flyers, brochures, postcards, vinyl banners posters, catalogs, etc. So, in order to print these multiple tools, we need a high end technology that not only reduces the production cost but also gives an impressive result.

Full digital color printing services are generally implemented by various processes. They may include screen printing, offset printing, spot color printing technique, flexography, digital printing and gravure. Primarily colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow and black are the basic colors that are normally used in the digital print technology. As the technology is upgraded day by day, the process of six-color printing has become very effective and attractive as the options of using multiple colors have increased

So, next time you plan your promotional event or any personalized project, go and take the best possible benefits of digital color printing and express the world with the true spirit of colors.

death row

For many weeks I've communicated with Antoinette Franks through correspondences and telephone calls, and finally scheduled a visit on death row to meet with her in person.

Many of you may have heard of her case, but to those who haven't, here is a brief synposis of her case and conviction. Antoinette Franks was a New Orleans Police Officer (now 37) that was convicted of robbing the Kim Anh restaurant in eastern New Orleans, while a cop, on March 4, 1995. Through that robbery, she killed a cop by the name of Ronald A. Williams, who was working as a security guard, (who she had prevoiusly known and worked with) and two workers who were siblings. She and another man (also convicted and sentenced to death) by the name of Roger La Caze was in on the robbery ( Google her name and/or go to wikipedia to view her picture).

Later, after her arrest, an investigation revealed the body of a man buried underneath her house, thought to be her father, who she had earlier reported as missing, hence... some have labeled her a serial killer! She was convicted and sentenced to death September 12, 1995, and is presently on death row at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, in St. Gabriel, Louisiana (just outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana).

In the beginning, she and I entertained the possibility of writing a book together, and to my knowledge, I was the only journalist/writer that she's spoken with in 13 years after many requests by others. The reason why she said she contacted me was because she believed that I would "tell" her side of the story accurately. Later, after our visit, we both decided that this was impossible, and I'll share with you why later.

On a cold and rainy day, I arrived at the prison compound and needless to say, had to endure a lot of security measures. Searches, questions, and re-searches. One's background must be investigated in detail before allowed to see a death row inmate. As I entered the special holding cell of Antoinette, we exchanged pleasantries and eventually got down to business...what would a potential book be about. Our visit lasted a few hours, and we covered much about her life, as well as my life.

Now to why we couldn't write a book together. Antoinette's position to me was ambivalent. On the one hand, she left me with the impression that this book would be a confession, and she wanted the world (and God) to forgive her, especially the victim's family. But then on the other hand, she steadfastly refuse to give up her appeals! Why did that matter to me, the appeals? Why did I asked her about her appeals? Well, my position is if you're guilty before God, why appeal? An appeal in essence is still stating that you're innocent!

My position was that if you're guilty, admit it (did I mention that there was actually two eyewitnesses to the entire crime and she originally confessed, but later recanted). And I really believed, according to her many letters, that she found God, and was ready to "come clean", and that I would write about her repentance. Why else would we write a book?

As many of you know, I was once a rogue cop, and surrendered to law enforcement in 2001 because I truly repented of my past and desired to pay the price and become a citizen of the world again. I repented not only to God, but to all I've hurt through the years.

One may ask, but Robert, she's on death row, scheduled for lethal injection, why wouldn't she appeal? I was also scheduled to die! In 1979, when I became a fugitive, I ran because the word out of Angola prison (and this was common knowledge) was that I would be raped and killed the first day! A cop cannot survive in general prison population, especially a prison population that contains some prisoners that the cop placed there!

I was still looking at the same prison time and DEATH upon my surrender! And if for some reason I was placed in solitary comfinement, I still had to do what's call a straight 30.

Do the math, 30 years "without" parole, at 45 years of age,means I'm 75 upon release (if I'm alive after 30 years). That is a type of death, and some would even argue that death is better than essentially life in prison (30 long years). If not for my belief in God, and my desire to repent, I believe the judge would have given me that time. And to me that's the key to freedom... repent to God, apologize to your victim (s), and remain crime free. Don't believe in God? Okay, that's your right, then apologize to your victim and remain crime free!

After some weeks after our visit, I can understand her fear though. She's caught in a catch 22: admit you're guilty, drop your appeals, and possibly receive death much earlier. The other catch, use up your appeals (average time 12-15 years of appeals) and extend your time living, if you call sitting in a cell living.

What did I get out of that visit, the many letters, and knowing Antoinette?

I'm thankful that the Lord eventually gave me the strength not to fear death or 30 years, and gave me faith to know that He is real. I'm happy I was obedient to his commandment to surrender... first to Him, and then to law enforcement! My admonishment...please don't hurt others!

Save your Dog Despite the Cost of Veterinary Bills

There cannot be anything worse than getting news from your vet that your dog, your cat, or whatever you keep as a family pet, is ill and needs expensive surgery. Vet bills can mount into the thousands pretty quickly, and not many of us carry pet insurance. That means paying your vet bill in cash, or with a credit card. Worst of all, big vet bills often have to have a chunk paid up front-$500 or more for operations-with the balance due and payable in full before you can get your pet back.

The cost of keeping and raising a pet can get really expensive, really fast, and it always happens when you least expect it. In fact, caring for pets has gotten so expensive that some states have passed legislation that allows pet health bills to be deducted at income tax time. But that might not help you if the pet you love is sick now, and you need some fast cash to pay for the operation or medication your pet has to have today.

If you love your pet (and we know you do because we love ours, too) and find yourself staring at the hard decision of whether or not you can afford surgery, meds, or whatever your family pet needs, consider a car title loan to help you over the hump-and swallow the lump in your throat. A car title loan may save your pet from a lot of suffering, and save you and your family from a heartbreaking-and unnecessary-decision.

You may think that a car title loan is only for people with bad credit, recent bankruptcies, or poor credit ratings. And it is true that a car title loan can really help people in those situations, and for sure, if you're in that position, a car title loan can almost certainly bail you out. But there are times when anyone, even someone with great credit, can get caught short of cash in an emergency. And car title loans can help in those times, too. Like when you need a bundle of cash for a family pet emergency in a hurry.

All you need to do to get cash fast is go online, fill out an easy form, and click. If you own your car, and it's less than eight years old, that loan can be processed and the cash deposited directly to your account sometimes in just a few hours; in time to keep your pet alive, healthy, and happy for a long time to come.

Small Business Internet Consulting for Moms, Professionals and Retirees

The Internet has evolved into a melting pot of various types of business activities, no longer the exclusive domain of e-commerce sites and business-to-business portals. The convenience, speed and absence of geographical limitations promote new ways of doing business such as small business internet consulting.

Anyone can consult from home (or anywhere they want!) -- and on a shoestring budget. Stay at home moms, offline professionals, retirees, and the unemployed looking for regular sources of income make good consultants as most of them will have already acquired valuable skills that can be drawn upon.

The following tips will help you start your small business internet consulting venture:

Draw a list of possible clients

A good place to start marketing your services is in your network. Take out your mobile phonebook, email address book, view your social networks and start listing down names of people who may need your services or who may know someone they can refer. Start sending out brief announcements of your consulting business to them and call on people to follow up referrals or proposals. Create sales offers

Keep your sales letter simple and end it with an offer that your prospects simply can't refuse. You need not be a good copywriter to craft a moving offer letter if you can find simple copywriting systems to teach you how. A proven technique that produces incredible sales fast is to define and narrow down your target market and direct your call to action to them.

Adopt a system for generating leads

Finding new clients should be an ongoing activity for your business even when you already have a good number of clients. Generating leads continuously can take care of gaps filled by client attrition or boosts overall income with minimum effort. There are systems developed by experts in lead generation which you can learn to do for your business.

Maintain your mindset

Most people start a small business internet consulting company with a passion that burns out quickly after monotony has set in and when they start to take the recurring consulting income for granted.

A genuine desire to help others keeps you motivated to constantly improve your service to clients, without which you may lose touch with them. Remember that in any recurring sales business, it is cheaper to maintain current accounts than to create new ones.

Take the time to setup your business correctly from the start and it will reward you with a dream lifestyle for many years to come.

It's No Nursery Rhyme- Don't Let The Bedbugs Bite!

Bedbugs are tiny reddish bugs that look quite a lot like apple seeds. They hide during daylight hours in mattresses, box springs, bed foundations, blankets, wood headboards and footboards, and even in walls and furniture near beds. At night, bedbugs come out to feast. These tiny parasites are vampires, and feast on human and warm-blooded animal blood.

Although bedbugs were mostly eradicated with the use of the chemical DDT after World War II, bedbug infestations have been on the rise over the last decade. This is perhaps because DDT is no longer in use due to its high toxicity to humans and other animals, but the problem is mainly due to the increase in international travel the world over. Bedbugs are often picked up in places like hotels, where there is a high turnover of people. Because hotel mattresses are usually not slept on for many nights by the same person, it is difficult to learn of a bedbug infestation in such locations. Because of this, travelers often unknowingly pick up bedbugs and carry them home, where a new infestation begins.

New infestations are difficult to recognize right away, which means that the bedbugs usually have time to really establish residency before homeowners realize there is a problem. Symptoms of a bedbug infestation include multiple tiny bites on the body. These bites sometimes itch, but many people may not react to them and thus miss them altogether.

If a bedbug infestation is suspected, use light colored sheets and bedding on the mattress. The bugs' fecal matter will look like small ink spots against light colored bedding. Small spots and streaks of blood are also commonly found on the sheets of an infested bed. This is blood from the host and sometimes from the bugs getting squished when the host moves in his or her sleep. Sometimes the bugs themselves can be spotted on light colored bedding as well.

There are many home remedy recommendations for treating mattresses flying around. However, many of them only help prove that bedbugs are present. Creating barriers of sticky tape or other sticky substances around the bed will help stop the bugs from getting to the bed but won't stop the bugs that are hiding in the mattress. If bedbugs are suspected to be present, it is a wise decision to call a professional exterminator with training and experience in dealing with bedbugs. It is vital to find all the bugs' hiding places in order to fully treat the area and eradicate them. A professional exterminator will also help a homeowner come up with a treatment and action plan to ensure that the entire infestation is taken care of with as little expense as possible.

Small Business Internet Consulting Perfect For Retirees

The Internet has evolved into a melting pot of various types of business activities, no longer the exclusive domain of e-commerce sites and business-to-business portals. The convenience, speed and absence of geographical limitations promote new ways of doing business such as small business internet consulting.

Anyone can consult from home (or anywhere they want!) -- and on a shoestring budget. Stay at home moms, offline professionals, retirees, and the unemployed looking for regular sources of income make good consultants as most of them will have already acquired valuable skills that can be drawn upon.

The following tips will help you start your small business internet consulting venture:

Draw a list of possible clients

A good place to start marketing your services is in your network. Take out your mobile phonebook, email address book, view your social networks and start listing down names of people who may need your services or who may know someone they can refer. Start sending out brief announcements of your consulting business to them and call on people to follow up referrals or proposals. Create sales offers

Keep your sales letter simple and end it with an offer that your prospects simply can't refuse. You need not be a good copywriter to craft a moving offer letter if you can find simple copywriting systems to teach you how. A proven technique that produces incredible sales fast is to define and narrow down your target market and direct your call to action to them.

Adopt a system for generating leads

Finding new clients should be an ongoing activity for your business even when you already have a good number of clients. Generating leads continuously can take care of gaps filled by client attrition or boosts overall income with minimum effort. There are systems developed by experts in lead generation which you can learn to do for your business.

Maintain your mindset

Most people start a small business internet consulting company with a passion that burns out quickly after monotony has set in and when they start to take the recurring consulting income for granted.

A genuine desire to help others keeps you motivated to constantly improve your service to clients, without which you may lose touch with them. Remember that in any recurring sales business, it is cheaper to maintain current accounts than to create new ones.

Take the time to setup your business correctly from the start and it will reward you with a dream lifestyle for many years to come.