Sleep Number Beds Feature Air Technology

Sleep number beds use technology to harness air and provide adjustable comfort for each person who sleeps on the bed. Since the average person spends and one third of their life in bed, finding the most comfortable bed for restful sleep is critical to happiness. Air technology beds offer adjustable firmness for finding the superior comfort a person needs for comfortable nights sleep.

The design of these beds provides an individual air bladder control for a person to adjust the amount of air pressure in the bladder to suit their own comfort level. The construction of the beds provide for unchanged sleeping in the event of power loss or unintentional unplugging of the mattress firmness control. Additional construction features include:

Combination of natural and latex rubber - 24 gauge
Heat bonded seams for strength
Non-stretch cotton to prevent cracking and leaking
Puncture resistant
I-beam baffle system for natural spinal alignment
Durability and strength, tested to 1000 lbs

Sleep number beds are available in dual air chamber sizes for independent adjustable comfort, such as:

Double
Queen
King
California King
Grand King

Additionally they are available in single air chamber sizes:

Twin
Twin Extra-long
Full
Queen

One manufacturer offers five separate models of sleep number beds to meet most everyone's personal comfort needs. These models are available in twin through California king sizes and include:

Sleep Number 3000 which is a plush style 9 inch mattress with a 1 inch layer of quilted foam. It uses a non-digital firmness control for selecting the firmness setting.
Sleep Number 4000 uses a European pillow top style on a 10 inch mattress. It uses a wired digital remote for each air chamber.
Sleep Number 5000 uses the European pillow top style on an 11 inch mattress. It uses a lighted digital remote for each air chamber.
Sleep Number 7000 uses a Duvet style pillow top on a 13 inch mattress. It uses a whisper quiet digital remote with real-time display of adjustments, along with memory settings.
Sleep Number 9000 uses the Duvet style pillow top on a 14 inch mattress, along with a 2 inch memory foam on each air chamber. It uses the whisper quiet digital remote with real-time display of adjustments, along with memory settings.

Reviews of sleep number beds are mixed. After reading over 200 reviews by owners of these beds, there seems to be two camps. There are those who love and cannot sleep without them. Then there are those who are not happy with the bed. So anyone who is thinking about purchasing one of these beds needs to do their homework and ensure this style of bed is what they want.

How Do I Get Rid of an Old Mattress?

Mattresses are a great item to buy and then "dress up". Buying a new mattress is always a new and exciting experience because you don't do it very often. Mattresses are built for comfort and are made to last. But before most people get too excited about buying a new mattress, they usually ask themselves, "How do I get rid of an old mattress?" There are a few options you can take. You can recycle it. Locate and contact your nearest recycling center and see if you can recycle it. Sell your old mattress. Many people are into buying used mattresses because of the price tag. You can always donate it too. If you don't end up doing any of those, you can always take the mattress apart and if it has padding, use the foam padding to make cushions. If it has coils, take them apart and sell them at your local junk shop. Now we can get to the fun part in finding the perfect mattress for you.

Size is important for a lot of people. Especially people who like their space and really tall people. Comfort would be the ultimate reason for buying a new bed. You want something that will keep you asleep and comfortable all through the night. Comfort comes in levels, firm, cushion firm, plush, pillow top and ultra plush. If you like to sleep on your sides, then you'd need a softer mattress. If you like to sleep on your back, you'd need a firmer mattress. Finding the perfect mattress now gets a little more complicated.

For the best support and durability, you want a mattress with either a lot of padding or a lot of coils. The higher number of coils in a mattress, the better support it will give. The more layers of padding and the better quality it is, will give better support and will also last longer. Stay within your budget but remember what is that money in your pocket worth when you have countless sleepless nights because of a bad mattress?

Finally, luxury bedding has to be the cherry on the pie when you have a new bed. You can get electric mattress pads to give that added warmth in the Winter or you can purchase silk sheets as an early Christmas present and spoil yourself. There's nothing better than sinking into an amazingly, comfortable bed in clean, fresh, soft sheets. Finding the perfect mattress has now become an exciting experience.

Tempur-Pedic Vs Sleep Number-Select Comfort - Which Mattress Bed is Better?

The TV commercials for them seem to run day and night. And they are currently the buzz among mattress shoppers.

I'm referring, of course, to the Sleep Number / Select Comfort bed and the Tempur-pedic bed.

Is one better than the other? To help find an answer, my research team has conducted exhaustive mattresses research by collecting information from thousands of actual mattress owners. The information below is based on our research findings.

Comfort

Both beds are considered comfortable by the clear majority of their owners. Tempur-pedic is mainly comfortable because the memory foam is excellent at reducing pressure points on your body. And the Sleep Number is mainly comfortable because it lets you adjust the firmness level to your preference. Advantage: Tie

Odor

Many new mattress owners complain that their mattress gives off a smell for a while initially. This is usually the result of the manufacturing or packaging process. While Sleep Number has some complaints from owners about odor, Tempur-pedic has somewhat more. Advantage: Sleep Number

Price

Both beds can cost thousands of dollars, and owners often complain about the price. On average, however, Tempur-pedic tends to be more expensive. Advantage: Sleep Number

Motion Transfer

Motion transfer has to do with the amount of movement you can feel when laying on the bed. For example, a bed with low motion transfer will allow one person to move on the bed without another person on the bed noticing it. Both Sleep Number and Tempur-pedic do admirably in this area, but Tempur-pedic has less motion transfer properties. Advantage: Tempur-pedic

Suitable for Love Making

Owners of both beds have some complaints in this area. However, some also praise the beds for their suitability for love making. Overall, however, the Tempurpedic bed has fewer comments one way or the other on this issue. Advantage: Tempurpedic

Mattress Buying Guide

Determine If You Need A New Mattress. One question with which we are always approached is, "How do I know if I need a new mattress?" The answer is not always an easy one to answer. You can tell when you need a new car because your old one starts breaking down more often. You can tell that you need a new television if your old one won't turn on. With your mattress, however, such visible, physical signs of needing a replacement are less obvious. In fact your mattress may look as good as the day you bought it, but its not the looks that counts. Mattresses are designed to alleviate the pressure put on your back, shoulders, neck and hips while you sleep. Your mattress should be replaced when it's no longer providing adequate support for any of these critical areas of your body. In order to determine whether your mattress is in need of a replacement ask yourself these questions:

1.Is the mattress more then 7 years old?

2.Do you wake up with back, neck, shoulder, or hip pain?

3.Do you spend more than 10-15 minutes tossing and turning before you can get to sleep?

4.Do you frequently experience "dead" legs or arms when you wake up?

5.Is your mattress sagging, lumpy, starting to come apart or showing visible signs of wear?

6.Have you recently noticed that other beds (at a mattress store, hotel, friend/family member's house) are more comfortable than your own?

While the life of a mattress depends on it's material and how well it was manufactured, if you answered "yes" to Question 1, then chances that its time to start looking for a replacement. We should note that a manufacturer's warranty does not necessarily guarantee that your mattress will continue to provide adequate support for the length of the warrantee. Usually a warranty simply means that a mattress manufacturer guarantee's against defects in quality. However, warranties do differ from one manufacturer to another, so be sure to read up on what the manufacturer of your current mattress has agreed to before purchasing a new mattress. If you answered "no" to Question 1, but "yes" to some of the other questions asked, then your bed may be new enough that it's not worn out, but it sounds like its not providing you with enough of or the right kind of support. There may also be special cases that warrant the purchase of a new mattress, such as when floods or damp conditions cause your bed to develop harmful mildew or mold.

Once you've determined that you'd be benefit from a new mattress, the next step involves making several key decisions that will help determine the mattress you'll go shopping for.

Determine What Size Mattress Is Right For You. Deciding what size mattress you need may be fairly straight forward. If you're simply replacing an existing mattress your decision is frequently limited by the size of the bed frame you're using. If you're looking to purchase a new mattress and frame here are some things you will want to consider:

1.How much space is there in the bedroom for a mattress?

2.How many people will be sleeping in the bed?

3.How satisfied were the people sleeping in the bed with the amount of space they had?

4.How much will it cost to upgrade to a larger bed, or how much will saved by purchasing a smaller mattress (not only the cost of the mattress, but also the sheets and bedding)?

While mattress sizes can vary some, here are typical mattress sizes:

Mattress Name Dimensions (Width x Length)

Twin 39" x 75"

Twin XL 39" x 80"

Full 54" x 75"

Full XL 54" x 80"

Queen 60" x 80"

King 76" x 80"

California King 72" x 84"

Determine What Type Of Mattress You Need. Beds have come along way since the single coil mattress. Mattresses now include a variety of new technologies and are frequently hybrids of two or more types of material. When shopping for a new mattress there are a couple things to keep in mind. First, you'll want to buy the best value, not the least expensive. An inexpensive mattress may save you money up front but cost you a fortune in chiropractor costs in the future. Similarly, the most expensive bed on the market may not be providing you with the right kind or right amount of support and/or comfort. Second, if you're going to be sharing your bed with someone else, make sure you bring them with you when you go shopping.

The mattress you find most comfortable may not be the most comfortable for your partner. If that's the case you'll want to find a mattress you can both agree is suitable, even if it's not your first choice. To properly evaluate each possibility you should lay on the mattress the same way as you'll be sleeping each night. Be sure to lay on the mattress for at least a few minutes. Some of the materials used in mattresses respond to both weight and heat, and can take several minutes to fully adjust to your body. If you move quickly from one bed to another you may be missing out on all a mattress has to offer. Finally be sure to learn as much about the advantages and disadvantages of each mattress material. To give you a starting point we will cover the most significant features of each material below.

Coil Mattresses:

Coil mattresses rely on steel coils that are tempered to give them additional strength and durability. The coils can be placed in a variety of different configurations to provide additional support to specific areas of the bed. A new coil spring beds is firm and is best at providing support for those who sleep on their back. In addition to being one of the more inexpensive mattress options on the market, coil springs are also easy to maintain. Regularly flipping the mattress helps prevent sagging, and ensures that you will get the most life out of your purchase. However, coil mattresses have a shorter lifespan than some of the other options out there. They can begin to sag within a year and wear out within 5 to 7 years. If those using the bed sleep on their sides, the mattress exerts greater pressure on the shoulders and hips causing spinal misalignment, which can lead to back and neck pain.

Visco Elastic/Memory Foam Mattresses:

Originally developed by NASA to make the pressure of space shuttle lift-offs more bearable, the foam has seen drastic reductions in price in recent years and is now a popular mattress material. The material gets its name from its ability to conform to the shape of an object and retain that shape for a period of time. While visco-elastic beds are typically more expensive than their coil counterparts, the quality can vary widely and is one of the main contributors to its price. Good quality memory foam means a firm bed that will evenly distribute your weight regardless of how you sleep. Some memory foams also respond to heat by becoming even more soft. Memory foam has lifespans between 10 and 20 years depending on quality. For those who have never owned a visco-elastic foam bed before there is typically a period of getting used to the "weightless" feeling the bed induces. New memory foam mattress owners may also notice a strong odor. While the odor does fade with time, it can continue to cause irritation, so be on the lookout for complaints from those sleeping on the bed. Also, memory foam by nature retains heat which some users find uncomfortable.

Waterbed Mattresses

Although waterbeds were first conceived in the late 1800s the modern bed that we're familiar with was developed in 1968. Waterbeds were initially popular for their ability to be heated (which was popular in colder climates) and for their ability to relieve pressure from the spine as the water in the bed conformed to the shape of the person using it. However, this same "free flow" design that relieves spinal pressure also results in waves being created each time weight is shifted on the bed. These waves can be distracting and can interrupt sleep. Waterbeds are difficult to move and are also prone to leaks, but last longer than most coil mattresses and are dust mite free.

Air Chamber Mattresses

Air mattresses come in a variety of designs and levels of quality. However, the driving principle of an air mattress is (as the name implies) that you inflate the mattress with an air pump to a level you find comfortable. Whether you're using a simple, single chamber mattress or a more advanced multi-chambered bed, you're able to control how firm the bed is by how much air you pump into the bed. The air in air mattresses behaves much in the same was as the water in waterbeds. The air in the mattress conforms to the shape of the body and helps to reduce the amount of pressure put on the spine. While air mattresses have a typical lifespan of 10+ years, there are more parts that can wear out and caues the mattress to loose its ability to provide adequate support and comfort.

Intelli-Gel Mattresses

Another recently developed technology that is being adapted to a number of products - everything from shoe insoles to backpack straps to hunting equipment to mattresses. Intelligel is different from other bedding materials because it works on a column buckling principle. Most other mattresses provide support by pushing against those protruding areas of the body. Intelli-Gel is different. Columns of elastic gel are placed next to each other across the mattress surface. The columns are designed to stand until a certain amount of weight is placed on them. When the columns' weight limit is reached the columns buckle, and becomes soft, while columns around the area remain firm and supportive. The result ends up being a bedding surface that is firm, supportive and comfortable. Also, because the Intelligel is broken into columns it doesn't retain heat like memory foam. Intelligel is used as the main material in some mattresses and is combined with coils, memory foam, and air chambers in others.

A couple other things to consider when looking at the different mattress options that are available is the mattress's warranty and whether the mattress comes with a foundation. As mentioned above, a mattress's warranty does not guarantee its useful life, but it does protect against manufacturing defects. Typical warranties run between 10 and 15 years and may last upwards of 20 years. Be sure to read what the warranty does and doesn't cover as it may save you time, money and headaches in the future. The foundation of your bed is an important part of how well you sleep each night. Chances are that if your mattress needs a replacement, your foundation does too. Some manufacturers will include a new foundation with the purchase of a mattress. If they don't be sure to ask the manufacturer which foundation will work best with your mattress as foundations and mattresses are commonly paired to provide you with the best sleeping experience possible.

Dispose of your old mattress. If you've determined you need a new mattress because you are no longer receiving the support you need, then the last thing you should be doing is passing that discomfort on to someone else. Rather than selling your mattress or passing it on to a family member or friend, check to see if the purchase of your new bed includes some sort of disposal for your old mattress. Frequently, the folks who deliver your new mattress will be able to take away your old bed. If you're embarrassed by the condition of an old, worn out mattress, you can use an old bed sheet as an inexpensive solution. Simply cover the old mattress with the old bed sheet, send it off and enjoy your new bed!

Determine what new accessories you'll need for your new bed. To further improve the support you get while you sleep you may also want to consider a new pillow. Like mattresses, pillows are also made in a variety of materials. Besides traditional feather and down, pillows now also incorporate combinations of latex rubber, memory foam, air chambers, Intelli-gel and more. Finding a pillow to compliment the comfort your new bed provides will help turn your night's sleep from good to great. Also, depending on the size mattress you purchased you purchased you may need new bedding. While a mattress's size is fairly standard in terms of its length and width, there are a variety of mattress depths being used to incorporate some of the new materials we've discussed. By sure to check the depth of your new bed to determine whether you'll need deep pocket sheets or larger blankets.

Decorating With Affordable Living Room Furniture

Affordable living room furniture allows you to get a new look on a budget. Your old pieces might be falling apart but you still have to work within a budget. This doesn't mean that you can't totally transform your room. It will take a little bit of hard work and creativity but the end result can look very designer inspired.

Learn how to coordinate your old and new pieces. Mixing and matching is a vital factor to saving money. You might just be sick of your living room furniture and think that everything has to go because you've been living with it for so long and want a fresh new look. Don't underestimate how much a few new pieces can really change how you feel about your room. You can pair an older blue sofa with crisp white chairs to get a modern look that will totally change how you feel about your sofa.

Find beauty in other people's castoffs. This is a budget friendly way to save money. It allows you to get furniture that is new to you for less than the cost of slipcovers. Instead, go with what you truly love. This may have been in style a few years ago or even a few decades ago. This allows you to pay for what you really love, avoid trends and save a lot of money in the process.

Learn how to mend flaws. This doesn't mean that you have to be a seamstress. It allows you to give new life to old furniture with just a little bit of work. This also ensures a unique look for your room and you can create any color palette you want. You won't have to just rely on what the stores have to offer. You can paint your end tables a bright white, and then recover your back sofa pillows in a stripe fabric for a beach inspired book. If the pillows on the couch are loose then it would just be really easy to recover those and then leave the rest of the furniture the way it is so that you don't have to worry about doing a complete reupholstering job. Salvage what you can from your furniture just by looking at it in a new way.

Change the rest of the room to work with the design style of your existing pieces. This doesn't mean that your room design has to appear used or dirty. You could go for a welcome country look by decorating with faux finishes and distressed furniture. This will make your existing older furniture pieces work right in with the new design style.

Crib to Big Kid Bed - Easing the Transition

Moving from the crib to a big-kid bed is a huge adjustment for toddlers. Most often, kids make the transition between 2 and 3 years. Of course, some kids are more resistant than others. At 3 ½ years of age, and with a newborn sister who needed her crib, my daughter refused to give up her bed. Her small crib felt safe and comforting, and she wasn't about to trade it in for the wide open space of a big-kid bed. Like all kids, she eventually made the change. It wasn't an overnight transition, but it was a relatively smooth transition thanks to some basic guidelines for easing the move to a big-kid bed.

Make the Transition Gradually - Allow a gradual transition from the crib to a big-kid bed. For several weeks, my daughter took naps in her big bed, but slept in her crib at night. It was easier for her to make the adjustment during the day when she didn't have to battle the fear of the dark and a new space at the same time.

Move Comfort Items to New Bed - Transitioning from a crib to a big bed is hard, but no kid has to go it alone. Stuffed animals and other comfort items should make the move as well. Many kids also like to use their baby blanket in their new bed. Even though it's too small, it's familiar and comforting.

Keep Bed in Same Location in Room - When your child wakes in the middle of the night, at least the surroundings will look the same - and the shadows on the walls will be familiar!

Use a "Small" or Enclosed Big-Kid Bed - Small cribs feel safe and confined. The walls of the crib protect. A twin bed can feel wide open to all the "monsters" and other imaginary fears. A common solution to this problem is to use a toddler bed, because it's still a small and comforting space. Toddler beds are great transitional beds, but they make not work for everyone. If you need the crib for a younger child, you"ll need the crib mattress also. Toddler beds use crib-size mattresses, so you will still be stuck buying a second mattress. Also, toddler beds are pretty short-term, so parents are wise not to spend too much on them. Another great option is to use a bed that incorporates comfort or enclosed spaces. Here's where the fun begins!

Great Options for Their First Big Kid Bed

Choose the right bed, and your little one will jump at the chance to make the move.

Friendly Stuffed Animal Bed Frames - You really have to see these beds to know how incredibly fun and adorable they are. These furry friends fit around a standard twin mattress to hug and protect kids throughout the night. Better yet, they work with optional safety bumpers to keep kids from falling out of bed. The bed's safety rails also make the bed feel smaller and cozier like a crib. You can even choose fitted sheets that look like the animal's clothes or PJ's. Your child won't even have to worry about monsters under the bed, because the stuffed animal is lying on the floor!

Maxtrix Kids Beds - Maxtrix Kids Furniture is another great option for a first big-kid bed. Solid wood safety rails are available for every bed, so your child can sleep safely without using a bed safety rail that's an eyesore. Your child will love Maxtrix beds, because they have fun bed options like playhouses, castles, and slides. But you'll find that there's another benefit to Maxtrix Kids beds. The play curtains enclose the bed space to offer the same feeling of protection that your child has in the crib. Of course, if your little one doesn't like the darkness inside the playhouse or castle, you can simply adjust the curtain or top tent at night to let in the light.

Custom Theme Beds - OK, so this option is bordering on bribery! What kid would say no to a castle theme bed, playhouse theme bed, or sports car theme bed? These beds are over-the-top kind of fun, and they're limited only by your imagination. Custom builders can make anything that little hearts desire. Offer kids a fun custom theme bed, and they'll say, "bring it on!" Theme beds are great for transitioning toddlers from crib to big-kid bed for two reasons. Obviously, they're incredibly fun, but they also offer the option to enclose the bed for that safe and secure feeling that toddlers need.

Eventually, all toddlers (and parents) make it through this transition, so don't get discouraged. I'm convinced that my little girl resists change more than any child in the world, but now she is happily adjusted to her big-kid bed. By the way, her bed is permanently enclosed on three sides. After being in this bed for several years, she still reminds me every night to close the curtains on the front. She can't sleep unless the bed is completely enclosed. That's where she finds comfort. You'll find the perfect solution for your child, too.

Slat System Platform Beds And Memory Foam Mattresses - How To Make Them Work Together

Many of today's latex and foam mattresses require special foundations in order to work with certain bed systems. The most popular of these mattresses are latex or memory foam mattresses. Often times the manufacturers of these mattresses tell you that you'll void the warranty if you don't use proper support for their mattresses. This can make shopping for a new bed somewhat challenging at times but there are things you can do to make it easier in finding the bed you like and making it work with your memory foam mattress. In this article we'll look at some of the many alternatives that exist that can help you in providing the proper support for your mattress and at the same time give you a bed that is both pleasing to look at and functional with modern mattresses.

A large majority of platform beds use a system of slats which make up the foundation of the bed system. This works well with mattresses that use a lot of batting be it cotton or cotton polyester as this helps to promote air flow. This in turn helps to keep moisture from collecting in the batting and improves the life of the mattress. However slat systems don't work so well with brands of mattresses which require a solid foundation so you'll need to make some minor modifications to use your existing bed or beds you're thinking about purchasing to make it work.

One option would be to use a ¼" sheet of plyboard over the existing set of slats. This covers the gaps between the slats and the slats beneath the plyboard will have trouble supporting the plyboard. The thin nature of ¼" should also help to hide it between the mattress and slats so that it isn't visible. It's best to measure the inside length and width of your bedframe where the mattress rests and subtract 1-2" from each dimension to be sure that the piece of plyboard you are cutting will fit correctly over the slats and won't hang over any edges. If you're worried about movement you can find non-slip material in most major hardware stores and home stores. It's the same material used in kitchen cabinets and under rugs to keep things from moving around.

Another option you can do is purchase a second set of slats. This option would give you maximum strength and support for almost any mattress and the extra set of slats can be placed in the gaps between the existing gaps to effectively fill in the foundation to be more solid. Because many slats systems are banded this may require you to purchase for a second set of slats that are unbanded which will allow you to place the slats more independently of each other between the slat system already in place.

In this article we've looked for ways to make existing platform bed systems comply with warranty requirements of mattresses which require a solid foundation. A few of the ideas presented here are just some of the many ways you can modify your existing bed system to work with your latex or memory foam mattress. One suggestion we presented here was using a ¼" of plyboard over existing slats to help form a solid foundation without gaps for your mattress. The other idea was to use a second set of slats and place them in between the existing slat system to fill in the gaps and make the foundation more solid. Always check with your mattress manufacturer to see what the warranty requirements are for your mattress to make sure that your bed's foundation will work with the type of mattress you are using. The ideas presented in this article will hopefully give you an excellent starting point in converting your existing bed system into one that will work with your new foam mattress.

What Can A Sleep Number Bed Offer You?

Are you tired of tossing and turning every night as you struggle to get to sleep? If you regularly have difficulty getting to sleep at night, then not only will it affect your performance during the day, it could also affect your health. One answer could be a new bed that lets you control your bed settings! You may well have seen Sleep Number Beds advertised on TV, these beds have been designed to give you a level of firmness that you want and can control.

Instead of the traditional coils and springs, the Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort provides adjustable air chambers which you can control at a touch of a button to determine how firm you want your mattress to be. So, instead of fighting with your bed at night as you struggle to get to sleep, you now get to control it!

But what if your partner isn't comfortable with your bed settings? Well, Select Comfort has designed their Sleep Number Beds to be controlled individually by each partner. You get to control your side of the bed and your partner controls their side of the bed. This lets you both have a level of comfort that you both can be happy with!

Select Comfort are so confident that you'll be happy with their beds that they allow you a 30-day trial period with the bed to see if you like it. This means you can try if out for free and if there's anything you don't like about it then you can simply return it. If you do decide to keep your Sleep Number Bed, then your bed will be backed with a 20 year guarantee to give you some peace of mind.

However, Sleep Number Beds aren't cheap; this level of comfort doesn't come cheaply. But Select Comfort do have their own financing scheme if you'd rather pay in installments.

The Benefits and Differences Between Leather, Vinyl, and Faux Leather

There seems to be a certain appeal to products that are made of leather. Whether you are purchasing a leather jacket, leather jeans to take you back to the eighties, a wallet, or in this case a leather office chair; people seem to love leather. It could be the status symbol already embedded in the mind, the comfort of sitting in a soft leather chair, or the fact that leather is what you are used to that keeps people coming back for more.

People seem to be most confused by what options are available as an alternative to leather and how do these alternatives compare to the real deal? The fact is there are many alternatives to leather, and each has its own separate aspects to be had. It is important to realize the differences and benefits of leather and alternatives, especially when contemplating purchasing a new chair. It is safe to say you want to know what options are available and what is going to be best to suit your wants and needs.

When shopping for a new or used leather office chair, you will encounter vinyl, imitation leather, LeatherPlus, Caressoft, Faux Leather and other terms in your quest to find your chair. It is important to consider and take all these different options into account when searching for a leather chair, because some of these could be good alternatives to leather and save you money in the process.

Vinyl is a close alternative to leather, looking nearly identical and most probably would not even know it was vinyl unless it was included in the specs/description of the chair you were purchasing. Over the years there have been an abundance of advancements in the way vinyl is created and textured, leading to a very close resemblance to leather. In the biotech industry, vinyl office chairs are the chair of choice because of its bacteria resistance and easy to clean surface. The main difference between leather and vinyl is the time wear since leather breaks down and becomes softer, unlike vinyl which is essentially plastic. Vinyl is more prone to feel like plastic over time. Vinyl is also less expensive in price than its leather counterpart. If value and saving money are what you are looking for in a chair, then a combination of leather or vinyl is not a bad alternative.

Imitation leather, LeatherPlus, Faux Leather, Caressoft, and other terms like that are generally referring to some sort of fabric which started out as leather, but ended up infused with some sort of polymer to give it strength and durability. Essentially a combination of leather and vinyl, the leather and polymer (usually a blend of vinyl and a softener) are broken down then molded back together to form a comfortable product with the softness of leather. Depending on the manufacturer of the chair, these infused leathers have a different feel to them. Some are soft, others are a bit more firm and hard. A LeatherPlus, for example, is going to be a softer, more subdued infused material. It will not be as shiny as leather, but close in softness.

Though leather alternatives do come at a cheaper price there are also downfalls to choosing them over leather. Leather office chairs get softer over time, meaning it is going to be even more comfortable as time goes unlike leather alternatives that basically stay the same and sometimes get uncomfortable as time goes by. Longevity is another key reason why people are willing to spend more on leather, it will look better over a longer period of time as well as comfort. The choice of leather and imitation leather is always a difficult decision to make, so be sure to consider what qualities and price point you require a chair to have and make your choice from there.

Buying Beds 101 - Cheap Beds Are Good Beds

Nobody wants to spend a whole lot of money on bedroom furniture. Unfortunately, without comfortable bedding, many people are unable to sleep well at night. Since sleep can have a huge impact on your stress levels and other health concerns, it is important to find bedding that you are able to sleep on. Here are some tips on how to find cheap beds that are also good beds.

Avoid looking for discount beds at major department or bedding stores. Although this probably seems like the best possible way to find cheap bedding, it can actually be the worst.

It may seem like the store is offering a decent price, but it may actually be higher than what you should pay - especially when a sale is going on. It is possible to find cheap beds at well known department or bedding stores, but there are far better options.

Be sure to consider stores which are not very popular. Some of the most unique designs for discount beds can be found online. It is also a great way to ensure that the bed that you are looking for is currently in stock, as most people would rather shop at department stores for their bedding.

Cheap beds are much easier to find through stores which are not very well known.

When you are looking for discount bedding, it is important to check out online stores. This is probably the best place to find cheap beds.

The reason? Although there are probably one or two major department stores in your area, there are many online stores available for you to choose from. This means there will be more options, and price ranges, at your fingertips. If you really want to find discount beds, online stores are probably your best option.

As you can see, there are many alternatives to looking in major department stores if you are interested in finding cheap beds.

Keep in mind that you are going to need a bed, sheets, pillows, a comforter and a mattress along with the frame of the bed. If you want to find these items at a discount price, you may want to think about checking online or at less popular stores.

It is possible to find cheap beds that you not only like, but that are also high quality as well. You do it online.

Sleep Better - How to Increase the Quality of Your Sleep

The average American is suffering from sleep deprivation. Trying to keep up with today's fast paced world is becoming impossible and people are left with little time to get the sleep they need and/or when they sleep, it is not the quality of sleep needed to maintain good health, judgment, energy and functioning.

Here are some tried and true tips and a few new ones that may help you Improve Your Sleep Quality.

1. Try taking Melatonin, 1 mg before bed. Melatonin helps regulate the body's sleep cycles and as we age, we produce less of it. It is also used by the US military for troops being sent overseas to help prevent jet lag. Do your own research on this natural substance you can get in pill form from your local store or pharmacy.

2. Spray lavender on your pillow before bed - this will help relax you and allow you to fall asleep more quickly. It helps to keep lavender oil and other means in the bathroom to assist with relaxing too.

3. Wake up at the same time every day - even day's off or when you don't work. This keeps your internal clock on track.

4. Spend an hour before bed doing relaxing activities such as reading, meditating, gratitude, guided imagery, centering yourself, bathing, pampering yourself, relaxing music or some quiet time. Watching TV right until you go to bed does not allow for your body and mind to slow and let go of the day's struggle on it. The need to relax mentally and physically is key.

5. Let go, don't go to bed thinking of the list of things to do the next day. You need to create a peaceful mind.

6. Have sex.......yup, you heard me! Sex is great for unwinding the mind and body, it helps to release hormones that will help you sleep and you will have a more positive feeling and outlook as you go to bed. It also promotes a healthy relationship. Another benefit of sex before bed is the calories it uses up.

7. Seriously work on managing your time, being more organized, simplifying your life, working less hours or a job closer to home, etc. that will free up some hours during your day that can be used for more pleasurable activities and create less stress. Stress is detrimental to getting good quality sleep.

8. Don't work late or close to the time you will be going to bed.

9. Make your bedroom a zone that promotes sleep - no TV in the bedroom, make it comfortable and inviting, eliminate as much light as possible (electronics, night lights, computer screen, dark-out curtains, etc.) and don't forget to make sure people know not to call you after a certain time. Re-do your room to create the type of atmosphere that you will just love going to bed/sleep in...nice sheets or bed coverings, scents in the air, relaxation music, no sun/light/noise penetrating, make it your get away spot of your dreams.

10. Don't eat a heavy meal at least 3 hrs or less before your bedtime, the digestive process with heavy meals will likely keep you awake. The old saying about milk before bed is true as it has tryptophan, same as found in turkey, which promotes sleep.

11. Buy a new mattress. It is amazing how many people are sleeping on poor mattresses. Your mattress does not need to be expensive, at all, just try various ones out by laying on them for at least 15 minutes in the store... yes, 15 minutes. You would spend more time than that checking out a car, so spend the time you need for the one thing that you use for so many hours every day and which can seriously impact your life and well being. There is mounting evidence that the sleep number beds are extremely beneficial for people, especially for couples who usually like different softness or firmness in mattresses. Don't have the money right now; the best deal I've found is at Overstock.com for a 3 inch thick, 4 lb density foam mattress topper pad. Every bed in my house has a pad and it has made an incredible difference in sleep for me....which is crucial since I've had back surgery and am very picky now.

12. If you don't fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed, go into another room and do something else until you feel drowsy.

13. If you don't give yourself an hour before bed, then at least change what you are watching on the TV, no news with negativity, loud/violent/fast image changing shows and the same for videos as all counter act the need to relax before going to bed to get good quality sleep.

14. Your bedroom temperature should be lower than the rest of the house...not cold but cool which promotes better sleep.

15. Try taking a nap between 1-4 pm during the day, it will actually help invigorate you and not affect your night sleep. There are a couple of CDs available for 10-minute quick naps - http://www.wendi.com and Dr. Jeffery Thompson who pioneered this and sells on his own website and through Amazon.com.

16. Do not exercise right before bedtime.

17. If you work the night shift, here are some tips for you:

a. live as close to your job as possible

b. don't drive, if you can help it. Most shift-workers report driving drowsy after shift.

c. forget the quick fix

d. if your schedule is about to change; start altering your sleep time 3 days in advance.

e. use room-darkening drapes

f. get outdoors once you wake up; go for a walk out in the sun. This cues your biological clock that it's time to be alert.

g. use a white noise machine or fan to mute outside sounds.

h. if your hours rotate, ask your manager to schedule succeeding shifts so that a new one starts later than the last one, advises the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

18. You do need 8 hrs of sleep and getting good quality sleep helps you maintain your weight more easily.

Improving the quality and quantity of sleep is important for you. Lack of quality sleep will affect your health, your mental abilities and the quality of your life. So, please follow the above suggestions as much as you can so you can live life more fully.

Tonia Boterf - The Practical Expert(TM) is there to lend you a hand, information and the tools you need. Through coaching, articles, books and other resources, http://www.thepracticalexpert.com is your best experienced resource in helping you live your life fully while assisting your aging parents in living their lives fully too. Try a free trial coaching session to get some individualized help with some of your tough challenges in your life or with dealing with your parents. Our goal is to be there for you, so you can be there for your elderly parents.

Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved. The Practical Expert (TM)

This article may be reprinted if done so in its entirety and all material is kept intact.

Platform Bed - Assembly

Many brands of platform bed frames assemble in a similar fashion. These beds go together in quite the same way and in this article I'll talk a little bit about the steps involved in getting one of these beds together. Wood platform bed frames are all constructed in a similar way. Your parts should include a headboard, footboard, side rails and slat or panel system. Hardware included would be screws or bolts and wood screws. Your platform bed may be similar to this configuration and if so these instructions may be of help.

First you want to lay out the headboard, footboard and rails. The rails have shelves built into the sides of them that are where the slats will rest. These need to face in towards each other during assembly. Each rail connects up to pre-drilled holes in the headboard and footboard. Each connection point is usually two bolts or screws that connect together. Once you have connected the rails to the headboard and footboard the outer frame of your bed should be ready for the next phase.

Next you want to secure the slat support system of your bed to the frame. Your slat system most likely connects with either a set of screws or several sets of screws. The slats will roll out across the bed. Specifically onto the shelves that are built into the side rails. The slats have a banding on them that is probably best pointed down away from the mattress. That way there's nothing that can catch or snag your mattress from the banding.

If your bed has a metal frame with built in slats or a solid panel system then this system will most likely simply drop into the frame. Most likely no hardware or screws are used to secure this type of system to the frame as the weight of the mattress will weight down this system. Whether your foundation is slats or panels it may also include center support legs. If this is the case these are installed beneath the slats towards the middle of the bed.

Doing these things should get a basic platform bed assembled. If you're still not sure how to assemble your bed you have a couple of options. See if you can figure out who the manufacturer of your bed is obtain instructions from them. Contact the retail store where you purchased your platform bed from to see if you can obtain instructions. Hopefully you'll have enough information here to get your platform bed assembled and get back to great, restful sleep.

5 Steps to Care for a Sore Back

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Nearly everyone has some form of back pain at some point in their lives. The issues get worse as we age. Recent articles in the news and medical journals have stated that, most back pain does not require surgery. Also, surgery is no guarantee of long-term benefits and only nominally, short-term benefits. For most people with back pain, therefore, the best you can hope for is to manage your pain and discomfort. I recommend visiting your Doctor first to ensure there aren't more serious reasons for your pain.

The suggestions below for caring for a sore back are geared towards people with mild to moderate back pain. Chronic pain may require more extensive treatment. The 5 steps to care for a sore back are:

1. Lose Weight Carrying around too much extra weight, especially around the mid-section, puts additional strain on the lower back. Eating properly, and exercising (discussed below) are two great ways, which, taken together, can reduce lower back pain.

2. Exercise. Exercise is a universal "elixir" which is named in reducing the probability of a number of possible ailments such as heart disease. Cardiovascular work can help by reducing and maintaining weight. Weight lifting should also be a part of any exercise routine. Specific areas to focus on in order to help reduce back pain are: stomach, which helps take some of the strain off of overworked back muscles; legs, which can help by allowing you to keep and maintain proper alignment when squatting or bending to lift objects; back, the muscles in the back can be strengthened as well. It's best to consult with your Doctor and, perhaps, a licensed physical therapist or trainer before beginning any workout out routine in order to ensure you do things properly. There are a number of back stretching exercises you can do to ease the stress and pain in your back. Your Doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor will have more information.

3. Not overusing your back. Learn not to use only your back when lifting objects. It's best to squat, keeping your back straight, and using your legs to lift an object from the floor. Other "tricks' include: using your "off hand" to brace yourself while you lift with your "strong hand"; leaning on your knee or other object when bending over so as not to have your back do all the work; and getting help if needed, don't try to do it all yourself.

4. Back Treatments. There are a number of treatments you can do to help ease the pain in your back. You can have a chiropractor manipulate the muscles and bones in your back. You can apply heat, or in some cases, cold. You can get a massage. There are a number of massage devices on the market, some of which are pretty good. Not all work the same for everyone so it's best to experiment. Make sure you can try before you buy one of these products or at least make sure you understand the store's return policy.

5. Having a comfortable bed Poor mattresses are one of the biggest factors in the cause of back pain. If you sleep on an uncomfortable mattress, you're sleeping in a poor position for long periods at a time. To help alleviate those problems, mattresses should be flipped or turned every few months. If your mattress is older than 12-15 years old, you should consider replacing it. Some alternatives to traditional box spring beds are: foam padded; mechanical adjustable; and air beds and mattress. Air beds and mattresses are good because their firmness is adjustable and they conform more properly to your shape; helping maintain proper spinal alignment while you sleep. Most of the non-traditional beds can be pretty pricey. Even most of the "air" beds are pretty pricey going up to thousands of dollars. One less expensive alternative is an air mattress. Air mattresses have matured over the years. You can even get a full-sized bed that's the same height as a traditional bed, frame and box springs. The most expensive of these, made by Aero, cost under $400.00. Some even come with dual controls where each side of the bed can adjust the firmness independently.  

These are just a few suggestions to help ease mild to moderate back pain. I can't stress enough, however, that you get the opinion of your Doctor before beginning any type of treatment or exercise program. Also, a bed is an important part of helping reduce back pain, consider one of the cheaper air beds as an alternative to traditional box spring beds.

A Justin Bieber Love Story ~*Nightmare Life* ~ Ch 25

on wit the story ! (; from where we left of ~ Next day Elisabeths POV: I slowly woke up .. confused to see the trustworthy walls of my room around me Finding myself laying in my own bed everything in my room was still a blur I tried to get up .. but it didnt work.. I was feeling to weak I lay my head back slowly on my pillow Closing my eyes and sighed I looked out the window and I saw the sun shining outside It was already morning.. I looked at the clock.. 9:05 AM Great I have to get up but how? My legs wont let me .. I looked at my arms .. they were covered with scars from the broken bottles I had scars on my legs to But then I heard footsteps .. I was getting scared I still didnt see my little sister or my mom.. What if it was my dad? I hide myself under the blanket Waiting out of fear to get beaten up .. but then I heard the sweet voice of my mother .. calling my name End POV- Morgan: Lizzy, Sweetie are you awake Lizzy:*put the blanket of her* yeah Morgan: Aww honey *hugged her tight* I was soo scared you wouldnt wake up yesterday so I brought you to your bed I was so afraid u wouldnt wake up anymore! Lizzy: mom what happened to you.. and where is carly? Morgan: Carly is downstairs eating breakfast.. were alright .. *sighed& looked down* Morgans flashback~ Frank:*came home & came in the kitchen* Morgan: *stood up .. standing behind the table..* Frank: I need money where is it slut ?![AN:sorry for the language] Morgan: we dont have money anymore Frank: DONT LIE TO ME ...

Love Story or is it? *Chapter 9*

recap: Brianna's mom called her and accidently slipped about a camping trip. Nick is going to tell her whats its all about. *thanks for waiting so long with me. i love you all and i hope you like this story* Nick was about to answer, but Angella came in. Angella-"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE MARRYING NICK JONAS!" Me-"IT'S AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE! I HAD NO SAY IN THIS!" Nick-"Umm... Angella, I have to talk to Brianna so can you like, go away?" Angella-"Okay, but I hope Katie knows about this!" Then she left. Me-"Oh shoot! Katie!" Nick-"What's wrong?" Me-"I forgot about Katie! She's is going to kill me!" I grabbed my phone and dialed Katie's number. Me-"Katie, I have to tell you something." (Nervous tone) Katie-"Uh oh, is it bad?" Me-"Well, yeah" Katie-"What is it?" Me-"Umm... I'm getting married to Nick." Katie-"Why?!" (Really sad) Me-"It's an arranged marriage." Katie-"You're marrying my crush?!" Me-"I'm sorry, I have no say in this marriage thing!" Katie-"I'll talk to you later." Me-"Okay, bye." I was sitting on my bed and so was Nick. After I hung up, I felt so bad. I couldn't believe I was marrying Katie's crush since 3rd grade. There was just silence till Nick tried to make a convo. Nick-"So, how did it go?" Me-"Not too good. Another bad reason not to marry you is, I'm marrying my best friend's crush." Nick-"It'll be okay." Me-"Thanks for trying to help." Nick-"So wanna hang out tomorrow?" Me-"I can't, I have to do something." Nick-"Well, you have no choice." Me-"What do you ...

Will Wearing Diapers to Bed Decrease The Motivation to Achieve Dryness?

A number of people claim that if you use diapers for bed-wetting there's no incentive to become dry-that people will become so accustomed to using the diapers they'll eventually become a crutch or security blanket. The thinking is that people will become complacent about seeking a cure for their bed-wetting. While I suppose this is a possibility for a small number of people(although I believe it is highly unlikely) I can think of a number of reasons why this probably wouldn't be the case. In the first place wearing diapers to bed does not preclude the person from trying to find out information about new treatments that might become available for the bed-wetting. Second, most children and teens want to fit in and be like everybody else and they realize most people their age are out of diapers.

Third,although the diapers might make the bed wetter feel more secure and comfortable it is still a hassle using diapers. Shelling out money for disposable diapers can be expensive,washing diapers and plastic pants is time consuming,it can be a hassle traveling with diapers because plastic pants,diapers,plastic sheets,and the skincare products required take up more room in the suitcase,and since many people are reluctant to divulge the fact that they have to wear overnight diapers to friends they have to decline things such as sleepovers, going camping, etc. Adolescents, teenagers, and adults are especially vulnerable in this area. Most of them are reluctant to get involved in a relationship because they are afraid to tell the opposite sex they have to sleep in diapers every night.

Also if you're an adult bed wetter who has to travel frequently for business it can be a hassle. trying to be discreet about your diaper use. There is always the risk your colleagues will find out. In fact I read about a case where that happened. Fortunately her colleague had the same problem and was real understanding but most people aren't that lucky. These are just some of the reasons why most people are more than willing to give up their diapers if a cure is eventually found for their bed-wetting.

On a related note I would like to touch on the following point. As mentioned previously, with some individuals the cures and treatments available for the bed-wetting might cause more harm than good. In cases like this if it's determined that there's no serious underlying medical problem causing the bed-wetting that needs to be treated,if it's determined that the youngster will eventually outgrow the bed-wetting,and if the bed-wetting is not causing the child or teen distress then it's advisable to wait for the individual to outgrow it and make him or her feel as comfortable as possible in the meantime. Sometimes we just need to follow the child's natural growth process without interference. And while this might not be advisable in all circumstances,with some individuals and in some cases this is the most prudent course of action to follow.

Some people might criticize this tact because they feel it causes the child unnecessary suffering .As with everything else in life we must take each case on an individual basis. As I have repeatedly stressed throughout this article there are situations in which people have tried many different methods to cure their bed-wetting without success. That's not to say they should give up-medical science is continually coming up with new treatments for various illnesses on virtually a daily basis. I'm just suggesting that due to the stigma surrounding nocturnal enuresis(and other forms of incontinence) there is tremendous pressure to cure it and sometimes that pressure can have a negative effect on people. It makes them feel they have to turn their life upside down to cure it.

With some people it can be more stressful going to countless doctors,having endless tests and procedures done, and trying many different treatments without success-imagine what it would be like to continually get your hopes up only to have them dashed? That's when the person has to consider the quality of life issue I discussed earlier. If the child is more distressed about being shuttled around to different specialists and trying multiple cures without success and if the child will eventually outgrow the bed-wetting, then it might be prudent to not put any more pressure on the child and to just follow their natural growth process.

I would tell the child something along these lines: "We'll do everything we can to support you with this problem. With some people it's difficult finding a cure for their bed-wetting but that's okay. Also with some people it takes a little while longer for them to be able to stay dry at night. You shouldn't feel pressured to become dry at night-everyone's body is different. We know you're frustrated about going to countless doctors and trying different cures without success and that's okay also. We'll see how things go and if we find out about anything new that can help resolve the bed-wetting we'll all sit down together and discuss it. I think it's important for you to not feel discouraged about this. In the meantime we think it would make you feel more comfortable to wear diapers to bed."

To me wearing diapers to bed should be viewed as more of an inconvenience as I suggested earlier in this section not as something a person should be ashamed of. I wear glasses to manage my eyesight and while I might prefer not to wear them(like most people probably do) I certainly don't feel ashamed about wearing them. If the inconvenience of using diapers is something the person can tolerate and if they enable the user to feel more secure and have a better night's sleep then they should use them.

100 questions about me :) Part one

LOL AT THE SCREENSHOT :P pinklemonade-xo.blogspot.com I only manage to answer 77 of these.. the rest may appear in another video :P Sorry about the ending, but i had to keep it cos it makes me laugh :) xx What time do you get up in the morning?: How many beers until you are drunk?: Do you like beer or hard liquor?: Have you ever had a one night stand?: How do you take your coffee?: Do you eat breakfast?: Do you prefer sleeping alone?: Do you smoke cigarettes?: Have you ever burnt your hair?: Do you sleep with a pillow?: What were your unique habits as a child?: Do you want kids?: Are you an only child?: Do you like road trips?: Who are your 6 best friends?: Do you brush your teeth in the shower?: Do you eat leftovers?: Do you prefer being single, or in a relationship?: Are you in a relationship now?: Have you ever cheated?: Have you ever been cheated on?: Once a cheater, always a cheater?: Pyjamas or naked?: What do you take when you have a headache?: Roughing it or luxury hotel?: Beach or pool?: Would you give your number out to a stranger?: Ever gone camping?: Ever dialed random telephone numbers for fun?: Are you an extrovert?: Do you consider yourself conceited?: Is your hair its original color ?: Do you wear makeup?: What is your lucky number?: Do you believe in God?: Do you have a crush on anybody right now?: Does he/she know it ?: What food can you absolutely never give up?: Who is your favorite cartoon?: What tv shows do you watch?: Do you think you're attractive ...

The Infomercial Rap

Buy it on itunes!! tinyurl.com Who hasn't enjoyed hours of paid programming late at night? Tell us your favorites! Here are some ours... Extenze: www.youtube.com Magic Bullet: www.youtube.com Sham Wow: www.youtube.com Clapper: www.youtube.com Gazelle: www.youtube.com Iron Gym: www.youtube.com mp3 download: www.purevolume.com Follow us on Twitter!! twitter.com Lyrics Yeah they call me time bomb and I stay up till 2 Just watching tv, got nothin better to do I got it where i want ya right next to the phone I buy products direct conveniently at home Flippin through the channels, all the good stuff is on Its great im entertained till I have to work at dawn I finally found the answer man extenze is da bomb I dialed in the number but please dont tell my mom Thats it come on boys were going to bed Were not done! Until I see my favorite one! You know me, I had to get a magic bullet I wouldve even bought it from a guy with a mullet Are you kidding? Just a payment of 4 times 9? Aww ya man I use mine all the time Ill make you a fruit salad or a dang quesadilla Even a milkshake if the flavas vanilla Thats right, its easy as 1, 2, 3 Youre gonna love my special sauce itll set you free Ive always had a problem people call me a klutz I get a new case of mildew every three months But then I knew this yellow towel is where its at The Germans make good stuff everyone knows that Sham Wow has me saying wow everytime This thing absorbs cola coffee and wine Why spend 20 bucks on paper towels ...

A Jonas Brothers Romance--Chapter Seventy One

**Last chapter, Kevin and Kat told all their news. then Nick told Joe that he had wanted the mountainside to be his and Aly's spot. Joe came up with a plan. Will they need to use it?** **New Years Eve day** Kevin: *knocks on Kat's door* Rise and shine sleepy head Kat: *doesn't answer* Kevin: Come on Kit Kat. I know you can hear me. Kat: *throws something at the door that makes a dull thud* Kevin: *chuckles and opens the door* Kat: *lying in bed with the blankets pulled over her head* I don't wanna get up Kevin: Kat, hon, it's almost noon. You're friends are waiting for you downstairs. Kat: Regina and Aly? Kevin: Yes. Now get up before I drag you down there. Kat: *giggles* I don't think it's very decent to drag your fiancé out of bed. Kevin: Oh well. You've got 40 minutes. Kat: *sticks her tongue out at him as he chuckles and leaves. She rolls out of bed and gets in the shower. See comes out 10 minutes later and starts going through her drawers. She decided on her volleyball shirt. First a black long sleeve under it, then her white tee that had a girl hitting a volleyball on it. It said Rocky Heights High on it in black letter. The back had KAT written in neon green and then her number... 4... also in neon green. (The girls had all been allowed to pick the color for their name and number) She grabbed her black sweats and then went to brush her hair. Almost all the red and orange was gone now. She hadn't had it redone in such a long time. The last few weeks she had been ...

Wire Dog Crates - Providing Safety and Security For Your Puppy

When it comes to becoming a new puppy owner, there is no way to express the importance of being prepared when it comes to the different types of supplies that you need in order to properly care for your new puppy when you bring him home. Popular items that many new puppy owners find themselves purchasing are wire dog crates, and more. Wire dog crates are a very effective training tool, as well as a means of providing shelter for your puppy and can help make the growing up process for your puppy much easier and more comfortable at the same time.

Wire dog crates have a number of benefits, perhaps the most important being that you can train your new puppy and help him learn self control while in the crate. This will help teach the puppy to have self control as he grows up. Eventually, your puppy will not have to remain in the crate because he has learned how to control himself in a way that does not cause disruption in your home. Dogs are often forced to spend long periods of time in a crate which teaches them the important lesson of self control. Preparing them for the times when they'll have to spend multiple hours in a crate will make it easier for them as they grow up. Once you feel that your dog is capable of spending hours alone in the house, not in a crate, then you can stop the process of keeping them in a crate.

Providing a safety zone for a mother and her puppies is also a great benefit of wire dog crates, which is important especially when the puppies are still in the early stages of their lives. Puppies need constant warmth and nurturing from their mother, which can be difficult if there is no private area for them to remain separated from other pets in the house, or even humans that may want to play with the puppies. Providing this privacy to a mother and her puppies will allow them the privacy they need in order to feed, sleep, and other activities.

If you've recently become a new puppy owner and are looking for a way to provide your puppy with privacy and security from the outside world, then you may want to consider a wire dog crate which can be a very hand tool to have while your puppy is growing up.

Five Questions to Ask About Buying Natural Furniture For the Home

You're ready for a home makeover, but you're not too sure where to turn next. You've tried the heavy sectional. You've attempted to keep up with the trends. You've moved your furniture this way and that to get different looks, only to have a sore back and a worn out spirit that won't allow you to actually enjoy your handiwork. What is next? The furniture options such as wicker furniture catch your eye, but you're not sure what to expect. If you think you need a change, then first ask yourself these five questions about buying furniture for your home:

How much money and time will it cost to upkeep? Most natural furniture options such as wicker furniture are incredibly reasonable when it comes to the time and money that it takes to keep it looking and feeling its best. Most owners don't have to do a thing, especially if you are just buying for everyday use. If the idea of maintenance free furniture that is both strong and light sounds good to you, then you'll probably want to give such furniture a try.

What kind of material is best suited for interior home furniture? Wicker furniture is a great option when it comes to buying interior natural furniture. One of the main reasons for this is how durable it is without losing any of its maneuverability. However, if wicker furniture doesn't quite do the trick, there are a number of other options of high quality standards that you will certainly be able to afford. Keep looking until you find the right look and fit.

What style will it bring to my home? Many people who hesitate to purchase wicker furniture or any other type of natural furniture for their interior design needs do so because they are afraid it will not give their room(s) enough personality. This couldn't be further from the truth! Natural furniture such as wicker furniture gives your room(s) just as much personality as any trendy option, but it has a timeless appeal that holds up better over the long haul.

Are there as many options in natural furniture as there are traditional? You bet you there is! Natural furniture carries with it a variety of different materials, skill sets, and furnishing options. You can find wicker furniture living room and dining room sets as well as other high quality rattan products that will keep you furnished with years of comfort that increases your value over time. Natural furniture isn't just for sitting rooms anymore. You can use it to furnish your entire home!

Can I trust I'm getting grade-A quality natural furniture? The answer to this depends on how much research you do before you buy. You could buy a cheap knock-off from a cheap huckster or you could pay more and use a traditional retail outlet. However, there are a number of online choices that will not sacrifice your quality for cost. Just ask around and talk to others before you make a large financial commitment.

Natural furniture such as wicker furniture has been around for a long time, but that is because it is so timeless - a fact that makes it not only a home furnishing classic, but also an indisputable wave of the future!

Michael Jackson - Black Or White HD

"Black or White" is a 1991 hit single taken from Michael Jackson's Dangerous album, released in October 1991. The single is considered the biggest selling rock song of the 1990s.[citation needed] "Black or White" is a mix of rock, R&B, and dance-pop. Written, composed, and arranged by Jackson with the rap lyrics by Bill Bottrell, it is a song that promotes racial unity. The song's introduction and main riff are performed by guitarist Slash and Bill Bottrell. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, as well as in 18 other countries. To prepare the audience for the special occasion of the televised premiere of the "Black or White" video, Epic Records released the song (without the accompanying images) to radio stations just two days in advance. In a period of twenty-four hours, "Black or White", described by the record company as "a rock 'n' roll dance song about racial harmony", had been added to the playlists of 96 percent of 237 of the United States of America's top forty radio stations. "Black or White" was the first single off of Dangerous, produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell, it began to be promoted on radio stations the first week of November 1991 in New York and Los Angeles. "Black or White" was officially released one week later. It was written and composed by Jackson (based on the melody for "It's All Too Much" from The Beatles Yellow Submarine) with rap lyrics by Bill Bottrell, the song's introduction and main ...

Getting to Sleep Quick - 6 Tips

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Many people have problems falling asleep at night, often because their minds keep running at full-speed even though they feel physically tired. I used to have problems falling asleep at night, but now I'm out within minutes - maybe even seconds - of the light going out. Here are six techniques that have helped me get to that point:

1) Keep a regular sleep schedule. This gets your mind and body into a routine. My light goes out somewhere between 9:45 and 10:15 pm almost every night. I know that may seem ridiculously early to some of you, but up here in northern New England people seem to go to bed and wake up earlier than other places I've lived.

2) Stay away from reading fiction before bed. I love a good novel, but fiction stimulates your imagination and does not help you relax your mind and get to sleep. Before I adopted this practice, I can't tell you how many times I'd stay awake late to finish a chapter or even a whole book. And then my mind would still be thinking about the book after I turned off the light. Now, I pick nonfiction instead. Yes, nonfiction can be interesting, but it rarely gets my mental energy going like a good thriller. Mental energy is not what you want when trying to fall asleep.

3) Take a few minutes to quiet your mind. This will help stop that ceaseless thinking. Ways to quiet your mind are: slow and deepen your breathing; think of a few things that went well with the day and be grateful for them; release the emotions attached to anything that didn't go well; stop consciously thinking about things. That last one means to stop trying to think about any issues you have, and stop consciously putting your attention on them. If something is still on your mind, write it down on a notepad next to the bed and resolve to deal with it tomorrow. This is really an important step because if you haven't released something that's bothering you before you try to go to sleep, you'll be replaying it over and over unless you have extremely good control of your thoughts.

4) Keep away from any form of caffeine after 1:00 pm in the afternoon. No coffee, decaf, tea or soda with caffeine. If you are susceptible to the effects of caffeine, it will make it harder for you to quiet your mind when you want to sleep. If I have a Coke at three in the afternoon, I'll feel tired but unable to sleep until midnight. (Another note: I can also always tell if there was MSG in my Chinese dinner because my heart will be thumping and I'll be wide awake staring at the ceiling at 1 am.)

5) Focus on your body and relax one area at a time starting at your feet. This both helps your body physically relax and helps you keep your attention on something other than your to-do list, what's going on at work, how mad you are at someone, etc...

6) Visualize walking down an endless stairwell. Keep your attention on your feet as you visualize your walking. This is similar to number 5 above. Giving your attention to something mindless and repetitive helps your brain shut down.

Those are my tips for how to fall asleep quickly at night. They work for me, and if you have a sleep problem, I hope that maybe they can work for you too.

More Summit Jumps

I came up with a makeshift ramp that worked pretty good. Although you'll see there's a limit to how steep you should go. That's the lid to a Rubbermaid shed and the landing ramp is another part of that shed. The platform is actually the odd plastic bedframe that comes with the sleep number bed. The giant eggs are plaster Easter decorations.

Sleeping Problems In Children - How Parents Can Recognize Sleep Disorders In Children & Take Action

A recent study has shown that today's children suffer from sleeplessness and other sleeping disorders to a great extent. Sleeping problems in children have become something very common and 2 out of 10 children suffer from sleeping disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea to name a few. So, the quality of a child's sleep has become a very common concern for many parents.

The number of children brought to physicians and pediatricians in the last two years have really raised the question why today's children are suffering from such disorders. Sleep deprivation has adverse effects on the child and it can totally affect his social and moral behavior. Parents need to take the matter more seriously and find out whether their hectic lifestyle where they can give very little time to their children is one of the factors responsible for this.

Children may suffer from sleeping problems dues to many factors. Bedwetting could be one reason, as a wet bed is uncomfortable for sleep. Other reasons include going late to bed, drinking beverages containing caffeine such as coffee from a very young age, nightmares because of their exposure to horror movies.

They may also suffer from sleeping problems because of night terror due to their wild imagination from images on TV, teething or bruxism, stomach disorders, snoring or sleep apenea, ADHD, autism, stress, mental retardation, hyperactivity and anxiety, being deprived of parental care and love, discomfort of bed. Due to all these causes a precise definition of sleep disorder in children is very difficult.

Children who suffer from sleeping problems either don't sleep at all at night or sleep very little. They may sleep but not soundly. They may wake up several times at night or just try hard to bring sleep closing their eyes. It is very important to take care of such developments because sleep deprivation will usually have bad consequences. Children will be affected both physically and mentally.

Sleeping problems may make a child physically weak and he may lose weight, start showing symptoms of growth retardation, lose interest in eating and may keep to himself. The sleeplessness may disturb the mental balance of the child and may make him rude or aggressive. He will find difficulty in social bonding, will have discipline problems in school, suffer from mood swings, develop an aloof nature, show irritability, may talk in sleep, have memory loss, among the conditions.

Thus it is very essential to take immediate steps if your child complains of sleeplessness or you observe symptoms of sleeping disorders in your child. Sleeping problems in children need medical attention and parents must act according to suggestions of a physician immediately indeed.

10 Killer Tips to Overcome Sleeplessness Without Addictive Drugs

We have all suffered from bouts of sleeplessness at one time in our lives but for many people, sleeplessness has become the norm more than the exception. Sleeplessness causes unnecessary exhaustion and has some serious implications to our health that are hard to ignore.

If you've been trying to overcome sleeplessness and haven't had much success, don't give up yet. Other than forcing the little sheep to jump over the fence and popping that sleeping pill into your mouth, there are other ways you can use to overcome sleeplessness and take a trip to dreamland.

Just follow these simple steps:

1. Regularize your sleeping habit. Your body is more prone to following a certain pattern if you set a regular rhythm. Try to establish a certain time for sleep and then go to bed on the same time each night. Set your alarm on the same time everyday, too, regardless of whether it's a weekday, a weekend or a holiday. Once your body recognizes a given pattern, it will follow your initiative and give in. . 2. Avoid alcohol before bedtime. It's best to develop a sleeping habit without resorting to outside triggers. Let sleep come from within and not as a result alcohol or pills. The increase in the number of people becoming addicted to sleeping pills is alarming. They are very addictive.

3. Keep away from stimulants. Coffee is great for breakfast but it's a bad idea to drink a cup a few hours before you go to sleep. Coffee and other stimulants like tea, nicotine or chocolates can keep your body feeling active and wide awake, so best to take them early in the day and avoid taking them before bedtime. Take warm milk instead.

4. Exercise early. If you're getting regular exercise, it's best to do it in the morning or at lunch time, not just before going to bed. Exercise helps stimulate the body, keeping you feeling refreshed and active long into the night. If you must perform a few exercises, keep to breathing and stretching routines that are slow and rhythmic.

5. Don't force it. Thinking about sleep will only make you lose sleep. If you're having trouble with sleeplessness one night, don?t try to push yourself into falling asleep because you'll only end up upset and anxious.

If your mind refuses to rest, get up and do some light chores, read a boring novel or practice light tai-chi. Avoid stimulating yourself too much and perform the activity until you feel tired and sleepy.

6. Keep daytime snoozing to a minimum. Studies have shown that 15 minutes of light naps are as restful as one-hour naps. If you must rest during the day, try to keep sleeping time short and don?t do it just a few hours before your actual bedtime. When your body has had enough rest, it is energized enough to go on for longer hours, sometimes for the rest of the night, depriving you of much-needed regular sleep.

7. Keep your bedroom as a place for sleeping. Try to minimize putting in stuff that relates to work or other activities in your bedroom. Keep your files, documents, sports equipment and other work/play implements in places other than your bedroom so that you'll learn to recognize it as a place to rest and sleep, not a place to work in to finish that yearly report, send e-mails, correct presentations or fix the racket.

8. Keep distractions away from the bedroom. Try to keep your bedroom nice and quiet. Block out the noise by using thick curtains or carpeting. You could buy earplugs or an electronic device that produces white noise or other pleasant sounds that block away the sounds of traffic, outside music or voices. Keep lights from disturbing your sleep by keeping curtains, blinds or shutters closed.

9. Keep your bedroom clean and your bed comfortable. Nothing spells utter sleeplessness better than a cluttered, dirty bedroom. Keep it tidy and well-ventilated, making it conducive to good night's sleep. If you can't sleep without extra pillows, it can't hurt to have three or four in bed with you. If you have a preferred mattress firmness, then by all means buy the one that helps you sleep better. You can only overcome sleeplessness if you're comfortable in bed.

10. Induce sleep through relaxation techniques.This is the same method that hypnotists and meditation specialists use. Use self-hypnosis or progressive muscular relaxation techniques. You can either do this while in bed or sitting on a chair in your bedroom. When your mind is relaxed and peaceful, it's much easier for your body to give in and fall asleep.

Though not all these methods work for every one, we hope you have picked one out that will work for you. Please, for your own health, avoid addictive sleeping medications.