i don’t know how to name the blog either don’t know how to summarize my mind several days before when debated with my classmate in senior high about the state of china. he foused on the trouble of chinese goverment and insisted that they the governers do everything aiming at nothing but political and ecnomic profit. and he even thought public officials would like to keep blind to the troubles if no benifit. i feel that he seemed to be a kicker and blind to everything on the way of developing. i accept there are lots of problems in the management of our goverment. but we have improve a lot . as a optimist , we should keep a positive attitude rather than complaint all the time. the rather that we are faced with the problems and try to reform but do nothing. what made me angry most was that he took the education for example. i hated complainting everything but know nothing about that. political and economic rules do work in education but they are not the fundamentality.there are its own rules in education. as a student majoring in education, i learned almost most steps tried these years in china’s education field. i hate someone who know nothing about a special field especially education, and alway compliant and criticize it. i enjoy the sentence”china is like our mother, when she is ill we should help her rather than dislike even abandon her”. there are lots need to change in china , we are trying to improve .so please don’t worry and wait a moment paciently!
02
Sep 10
Raising Twins – Surviving the First Year
Having two babies (or more) at once is a lot harder than most people realize. When my husband and I found out we were having twins we were both a little nervous, and rightfully so. We knew that having two infants to care for was going to be a challenge because our friends had shared stories of the work that was involved with one baby.
If you are currently pregnant with twins, plan ahead and prepare to be ready earlier than if you were expecting a single baby. Twins are more likely to be born early than a singleton (a single baby). In fact, two out of three twin pregnancies end prematurely. If you want to attend “New Baby” or “Breastfeeding” classes, schedule those for when you are in your second trimester so that if you end up on bed rest you don’t miss the information you can gain from these courses. Consider holding your baby shower early too or maybe even after the babies arrives.
The first year being a parent of twins is really the most difficult. It can be manageable, but there will be a few times you might be overwhelmed. Give yourself the right to feel the emotions that come from having a new baby, or two.
You can do a few things to help you survive that first year.
1.牋牋牋 If you plan on breastfeeding have a back-up plan so that if you are not producing enough milk you are not worried about your babies going hungry. My twins learned how to bottle feed while they were in the hospital so transitioning them to breastfeed was a little challenging. My husband and I agreed that he would help me bottle feed them at night so that I could get some much needed rest. Because believe it or not, you need to get plenty of rest in order to produce milk for your babies.
2.牋牋牋 Ask for help. This is not always easy. After our twins were born my relationship with my husband’s family was a little stressful (it’s wonderful today, though) but I asked my mother-in-law to come help for one week. It was wonderful to have that second set of arms when my husband was at work.
3.牋牋牋 Share the workload. When my husband would get home I often wanted to crawl into bed to get some rest, but I knew we needed to work as a team to cook dinner, clean-up, and take care of babies. When I was truly exhausted or sick my husband understood that he would be on his own.
4.牋牋牋 Take a break. When the weekends came it was heaven when I could run to the grocery store by myself. I needed time to get out of the house and feel like I was doing more than just feeding babies and changing dirty diapers. Another thing I found helpful was taking the twins on a walk around the block. The fresh air was a great way to recharge.
5.牋牋牋 Play with your babies. As much work as it is to take care of two infants, enjoy the baby stages. When they are on the floor for “tummy time” join them on the floor too. Not only will you enjoy the interaction but it is also a way to wash away your worries for a few minutes.
You’ll establish a great schedule and then your babies will start to crawl. Then they’ll both start to walk about the same time and the rules (and routines) will change all over again. They say that the first year with twins is the hardest and I agree with that statement. Each year has gotten easier, although having two children the same age will always present its own unique set of challenges.
02
Sep 10
Top Diapers For Leak Protection
There are several baby diaper brands on the market. You have a wide selection to choose from. There are premium brands, store name products, and specialty styles. As the quality and innovations have evolved over the years, so to have the amount of choices. But some are better than others at providing leak protection. This article describes the most effective diapers and the ones with the highest customer satisfaction.
One of the most widely known, and one of the most effective diapers to stop leaks is Pampers. They have been a leader in the industry for over forty years. They have numerous patents that have led to quite a few innovations in leak protection. They use a very absorbent inner liner that look kind of like mesh. This netting absorbs a lot of liquid and keeps it away from a baby’s skin.
Another top diaper for leak protection is called Luvs. In fact, they actually have a guarantee to back up their claims. It is called the Ultra Leak Guarantee. The reason they are so confident is found in their design. These diapers have a very absorbent middle core that keeps the wetness in, but away from the skin.
Another brand that offers excellent protection against leaks are Huggies. Considered number two in innovation, they have consistently improved their diaper absorbency. They offer leak barriers and have a very snug fit. This helps to keep wetness in.
The last diaper I will cover in this article is a new, innovative brand that is flushable called gDiapers. They are a very Eco-Friendly brand that has become very popular as of late. Putting aside the environmental benefits, the gDiaper does an awesome job at stopping leaks. The secret is a super absorber core they use, which holds up to one hundred times its weight in fluid, assuring comfort and dryness.
The brands of diapers I have mentioned can be found in most grocery stores, except for gDiapers. They can be purchased at some of the health food stores or purchased online.
02
Sep 10
Chinese Conception Chart Offers a Sneak Peek at Baby Gender
For centuries, women have used several unusual means for guessing the gender of their baby. One of the more elaborate ways to “figure out” the unborn child’s gender is the Chinese Conception Chart.This document was believed to be found in a tomb over seven hundred years ago.The chart is now on display at the Beijing Institute of Science in China.
The chart is not based on any science and whether it is factual or not varies. The chart uses the age of the woman and the month of conception to decide whether the baby will be a boy or girl. Although, to get more accurate results it is best to use lunar months, which are 29 days long.
The age that you are when becoming pregnant is usually a hit or miss with one of the sexes on the chart. Ages on the chart of more likely having a girl on an 18 to 45 range are 21, 22, 30, 31, 32, and 34. The ages more likely of having a boy are 18, 20, 23, 26, 31, and 43. Ages 19, 24, and 33 are close with girls only being more common on a scale of 7 to 5. The same 7 to 5 ratio can be applied to the ages 25, 27, 36, 37, 41, and 44. These ages, however, boys are out numbering girls. Ages 28, 29, 35, 39, 40, 42, and 45, it is a fifty -fifty chance of having a girl or boy.
Based on the conception month the odds on what sex your baby will be change. The months do not have as many one way or the other odds. January, February, May, and October each have 3 to 4 odds of being a boy. April has a to 3 to 4 odds in favor of being a girl. June, August, September, and November are all 15 to 13 in favor of a girl. March and December both have a fifty -fifty chance of your baby being a boy or girl. The only odd month is July where the odds are outstandingly in favor of having a boy at 9 to 19 according to the chart.
It varies month to month and age to age, but the chart is not a science. This was most likely devised by Chinese people to make certain months and ages look better for having boys. Either way though, it is a fifty-fifty chance of having a boy or girl.
The Chinese conception chart is a fun thing to use when pregnant. It is interesting to find out if the chart was correct or not. It is always curious to look behind the chart at the overall chances. This is not scientific though and has no basis other than to have fun. Although, it sometimes proves accurate that does not mean you should get your hopes up that whatever you fall into will bring you a boy or girl. Do not get ahead of yourself when using this chart. Always, see your doctor about the sex of your baby.
01
Sep 10
What is Stenciling? Find the Basics on Stencil Painting and Many Ideas For Decorating
So, what is stenciling and what exactly are stencils? If you opened this page I am going to assume that you are a real novice on the subject of stencils. I hope to give you the basics and maybe inspire you to move forward with this knowledge and embark on a great hobby. Stencils help us create art even if we do not possess the talent to freely wisp a brush through paint, slather it on a canvas and come away with a masterpiece. Stencils get our creative juices flowing and let us put a hand painted image on whatever surface we desire. If you are looking to add a personal and unique touch to your home, you’re on the right path!
The definition of a stencil is a template that produces an exact image every time it is used. Think of a stencil as a series of holes cut into a sheet of resilient, waterproof material (like paper or plastic). When paint is applied through the cut out areas to the surface beneath, an image is formed. A stencil can be used to draw or paint identical shapes, letters, patterns or symbols.
Open sections of the stencil are called islands. These are the areas that allow color to be applied on the surface under the stencil. Bridges are the stencil material that separates the islands and keeps the shape of the stencil. These areas block color or paint from reaching the surface.
So, now you know about stencils. But, what is stenciling? Stenciling is the creation of an image through the application of color on a stencil and through the removed sections (islands), leaving a reproduction of the image on the underlying surface. This can also be referred to as stencil painting.
Stencils allow us to decorate with our own personal style even if we are not Leonardo da Vinci (or Picasso – if that’s more your style). If you find it difficult to sit down with paints and brushes and come away with a picture you’re satisfied with, then stencils are for you. They eliminate problems with proportion (a fleur de lis will always be perfectly symmetrical), or perspective (objects will be consistent in depth or dimension and show whether they are near or far) and size (a fairies arms are in direct proportion to her legs and the rest of her body).
With stencils, you decide where you want an image and you pick the colors. You choose what size you want your painted image to be. You are the designer of your project. It’s just that you have a little help along the way. And don’t worry – I won’t tell anyone.
The number and variety of pre-cut stencil designs and craft stencils available to you is mind numbing. Whatever you can imagine painting I’m sure that some stencil designer has thought of it. You can find them at your local craft supply store or on line.
So, what can you do with stencils? Your imagination is the limit. But here are a few ideas. Of course painting stencils on the wall is the first thing to come to mind. You can paint a border of repeating roses at the ceiling or above a chair rail. Combine several different designs to create a mural. Maybe you could just paint a single image on a wall (like a playful fairy above a light switch). Instead of painting on the walls, why not paint some art prints with stencils for hanging on the wall? It’s a great way to create art that is personal and will be a perfect match to the current d閏or. Breathe new life into an old piece of furniture. Paint one stencil on top of an old dresser or cover the whole thing with different related designs. Paint Fleur de lis on the door panels of an old armoire. Embellish T shirts or jeans or jackets. Redesign a lamp shade. Make some great throw pillow or add a special touch to curtains. The possibilities of decorating with stencils are endless.
You should know that there are different types of stencils. Here are some of the most common for you to become familiar with. They are: Pre-Cut Stencils (already cut and ready for paint, usually made of plastic), Cut and Paint Stencils (you will need to cut out the islands but usually less expensive and flexible on size because you can enlarge or reduce the size on a copy machine before you cut them out), Single Overlay Stencils (an image that is more of a silhouette and has blank spaces between the colored areas and is completed with only one stencil page), Multiple Overlay Stencils (have more than one stencil which are painted in a sequence and produce a more complete picture with no blank spaces in between colored areas), Printable Stencils (easy to print from home without having to go to your local craft supply store) and Downloadable Stencils (easy to download to your computer at home and print for use at your convenience).
Well, that’s it for the very basics. I’m glad you decided to explore using stencils in your next decorating plan. They offer so many options and can help you jump start any art project you have planned. So, have fun stenciling!
01
Sep 10
Herb Garden Plants – Bay/Sweet Bay/Laurel
Ocymum barilicum (Labiatae)
Appearance:
Bright green smooth leaves, punctuated by lovely fluffy-faced beige-yellow flowers at midsummer, make the bay easy to identiify. lt is vital not to confuse it with cherry laurel – Prunus lauroceracus – which produces prussic acid.
Description:
Of Mediterranean origin, the bay is an evergreen tree, It is usually grown as a bush, and it hates the cold. For this reason alone it has come to be cultivated habitually in large containers – often on wheels to move into shelter. Its branches may be trimmed tc size and into formal shapes. It decorates porches, yards and balconies, and can be moved into shelter if necessary in the winter. In warmer districts it is a good plant to grow as the surrounding hedge to the herb garden. The height and shape of the hedge, or of individual bushes, can be controlled by clipping and pruning. Be careful when planting in the open. The bay can become a large tree and should be planted well away from the house.
Usage:
In the kitchen a crushed leaf of bay may be added to prepared meats, stuffings, casseroles and chowders. It is one of the essential ingredients of bouquet garni, with the companionship of parsley and thyme. Bay is one of the very few herbs which is not used fresh as the flavour can be far too pungent. However, many people use fresh bay in curries as they are already strongly flavoured.
History:
Bay, or sweet bay (the latter name being preferred in America) is a highly esteemed inhabitant of the herb garden. In classical times heroes and poets were adorned with garlands of bay leaves. The Latin name of the plant is honoured to this day in the title Poet Laureate. Also laurel wreath honouring heroes.
Cultivation:
Cuttings taken with a heel in early summer (when the new spring growth has hardened a little) and trimmed to about 10-15 cms (4-6 ins) long are the most reliable method of propagation. lnsert them in pans or pots, potting up individually when the roots are established, and keep them this way for a year or so before planting out. You may also want to try layering of established plants in summer as an alternative method of propagation. Once plants are established spraying with a fine spray keeps the leaves shiny, clean and attractive.
Harvesting:
Several sprigs cut just before the flowers bloom, tied together and hung in a warm, dust-free place will provide the cook with convenient leaves of bay for culinary flavouring.
01
Sep 10
Your Baby’s Development At Around 1 Month
Finally, baby is talking! By about one month, babies can already smile a little and their cries become more distinguishable. One month is a long time for the smallest of us but there is still so much to learn! Find out what babies have learned and how they communicate.
Baby’s physical development:
- When on their tummy, babies can lift their heads for brief moments.
- Their arm and leg movement is still uncontrolled.
- Babies start to take their fingers and/or their fists to their mouths.
- They can open their hands from time to time.
- Young babies can also fixate an object for short periods of time (Babies can focus at 20-25cm/8-10inch.). They can follow an object with their eyes (called tracking) and are also capable of seeing faces more clearly.
- They listen when being talked to.
- 1 month old babies can grasp another person’s finger.
- They stare at bright and shiny objects.
- Babies are startled by sudden loud noises.
Baby’s emotional development:
- Young babies can smile in response to another person’s smile.
- They are extremely attentive and love to study other people’s faces.
- Babies can already exhibit a tendency in temperament such as being more relaxed or very active.
- They love to watch nearby moving or contrasting objects.
- Young babies show positive response to the sound of bells, voices and music or simpler rhythmic sounds.
- For much of their first year, babies are focused on sucking as they “read” different textures and materials with their mouth.
31
Aug 10
Educating Yourself About Yarns
Go into a knitting shop and you will find a kaleidoscope of yarns. The task of choosing a yarn can be one of the best parts of the knitting process. All of the beautiful colors of yarn can actually be captivating. Only people who work with knitting materials on a regular basis can appreciate the attributes of the different ones, as they can vary in texture and color.
Before choosing a color, a knitter first needs to decide the type of fiber that is appropriate for their project. Natural fibers come in cashmere, mohair, alpaca, cotton and wool. There is also a long list of hand dyed products available for those who choose not to use the natural fibers.
Many knitters who are knowledgeable about their yarns know that it is important to use the highest quality yarn they can and choose to only use skeins produced in Australia, as they have a reputation for good quality and selection. This decision is far more important than color or texture.
A tension square is a good place to start because it will help you to determine how much knitting yarn you will need. Look at your pattern and use it to determine what ply you will need. Be sure that your knitting pattern is appropriate to the garment you are designing.
The best place to see patterns is on the yarn skein. The yarn skeins are wrapped in paper and most have free printed crochet patterns on them. The good part about using a suggested pattern is that they generally match the yarn they came with.
Other pattern resources are books, which will provide you with detailed instructions for the pattern, as well as different stitches to be used. The internet is quickly becoming more and more common as a resource for knitters. Not only can they find many resources for the purchase of their yarns, but it also provides them with a forum for discussion with other knitters.
A knitter does not need to purchase expensive materials to produce an attractive garment that is of a high quality. Yarns range in price from very cheap to incredibly expensive. Basic, low cost types are “Double Knit” and “Aran,” in two, three or four ply. Apache, Amore, Gypsy, Milan and Sirocco are made of eighty percent cotton. Hats, scarves, and sweaters can be made from a high quality yarn such as Tuscany, a fuzzy yarn like Eskimo DK, or a ladder yarn like Illusion or Firefly. Wool blends make warm winter garments.