Won Me

Have you ever noticed how most bouquets look the same? Sure, they look beautiful,
but they don’t really have much variety.

They usually contain flowers and some type of greenery.

But who ever said that bouquets only had to contain flowers and greenery?

Why can’t they contain something a bit more exciting?

Like what? I can hear you asking.

Well you can try anything really, it is only limited by your imagination.

Most brides spend hours thinking about what flowers they want in their bouquets
and then what flowers they want as accents to the focal flower.

I wonder what what would happen if they had something else to choose from,
instead of just flowers?

Does the person you are making the bouquet for have a favourite thing that they
would love to carry down the isle?

You should always ask your bride what they would like in their bouquet because it
doesn’t have to be flowers.

There are plenty of other things you can add, such as:
- toy cars
- toy trains
- toy aeroplanes
- miniature teddy bears
- small dolls
- plastic horses, cats, dogs, or birds

Some other things you could add include candy, chocolates, bubble gum, fruit,
vegetables, cup cakes etc. For my own wedding, I am adding lollipops to my
bouquet!

You probably think I’ve gone mad! But trust me, people liked to have choice and
they like to feel that they are different and unusual!

And adding interesting objects to the bouquet can be a good way to get the groom more involved with the wedding. For example, if the groom is a pilot, or likes cars,
how about adding some toy planes or toy cars to the bouquet? This is sure to get
him more involved!

Not all brides will want to do this, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have more choice!

And just because you are adding a few different things doesn’t mean you still can’t
have flowers. All you do is combine the two, for example, you could have seven
teddy bears and nine roses. It’s really up to the person getting married.

As you know, weddings can be very stressful and taxing. So why not lighten things
up a little and give people something to talk about for years to come?

Peta D’Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has
pictures of wedding bouquets
as well as lots of free information on making your own bouquets, including details (and pictures) on how to make a candy bouquet.

I met you just tonight but i keep wonderin’ why

It seems I’ve always known you all my life

I held you only once but ikeep wonderin’ why

It seems I’ve held you forever

Can’t it be true, could i be wrong

That somewhere in my past I fell in love with you

Can’t it be true, could i be wrong

That somewhere in my past there was also me and you

I’ve kissed you only once but i keep wonderin’ why

it seems i’ve kissed your lips so many times

i’ve known you only now but i keep wonderin’ why

it seems i’ve known you forever

Can’t it be true, could i be wrong

That somewhere in my past I fell in love with you

Can’t it be true, could i be wrong

That somewhere in my past there was also me and you

Can’t it be true, could i be wrong

That somewhere in my past I fell in love with you

Can’t it be true, could i be wrong

That somewhere in my past there was also me and you

i’ve loved you only now but i keep wonderin’ why

it seems i’ve loved you forever

somewhere…

there was you and i…

somewhere

Source: www.isnare.com

Have you ever noticed that some very successful direct marketers go out of their way to be cantankerous? Have you ever wondered why? Today we’re going to discover their secret? It makes many of them millions!

Studies have shown that people buy on emotion and then justify it with logic. We buy new BMW convertibles because we know we’ll look good in them. Then we rationalize that “BMW makes a very good car that will prove to be a great long-term investment.”

Those direct marketers that come across as cantankerous, or even total jerks, are deliberately tapping into the emotional side of their market. They’re doing something called polarization.

Polarization is the art, or science, of getting members of your market to take an emotional stance. You want to get them to either really like you - or dislike you. Those who are neutral rarely buy your products. Remember, people buy on emotion, even though they’re often not conscious of it. Getting people emotionally charged INCREASES your chances of making a sale!

One marketer that understands this concept and uses it brilliantly is copywriter Gary Halbert. Gary will tell you that he is the greatest copywriter alive, and he charges for his services accordingly. If you visit Gary’s site at: http://TheGaryHalbertLetter.com you’ll see that he is very politically INCORRECT. Gary goes out of his way to insult his audience, delivering smack after smack as he educates you on what good copywriting is.

Gary understands that not everyone is his market. So he creates strong feelings, and this drives away those who would never buy from him… and really endears him to those who appreciate his work. This tactic is very effective, and Gary has no shortage of customers making him rich.

Another marketers who understands this concept very well is Jay Abraham. I watched Jay Abraham, Stephen Pierce, and Rich Schefren orchestrate a teleseminar in 2004. Leading up to this teleseminar, they sent out a barrage of emotionally charged, very informative emails.

Their numerous joint venture partners also sent out a tightly orchestrated barrage of emails to their lists.

Those who saw the tremendous value in the free information provided in all those emails were charged up. They were so charged up that many could hardly wait for the teleseminar to take place. I was one of those nudged to sign up for this $497 teleseminar through all of those emails

A final example of a marketer brilliantly employing polarization is a guy who calls himself “The Rich Jerk.” I won’t reveal his identity, but will tell you that coming across as a jerk is making him millions on the Internet. He is a very good marketer in his own right (he recently sold a website on Ebay for $379,000).

This “Rich Jerk” uses emotionally charged copy on his websites and it’s very effective. Part of what makes his copy so effective is that he also incorporates proof of what he says. Reading this copy, you get emotionally charged up, and at the same time, you realize that you’ve encountered someone who can really help you succeed. You can see how he does this by reading his copy at: http://WhyJerksWin.com

By studying the examples above, you see that using polarization, or even coming across as a jerk, can be a very powerful marketing tactic. It can touch your reader at a deeper psychological and emotional level than many other marketing techniques. However, don’t forget that another reason this works in the examples above is that these marketers also deliver tremendous value to their customers. They also PROVE their points.

Without also incorporating proof into their copy, this tactic probably wouldn’t work. Without proof they would just turn prospects off. So now you know… jerks win at direct marketing because they employ polarization and proof.

About the author:

Willie Crawford has taught PROVEN Internet marketing techniques to thousands of successful Internet entrepreneurs since late-1996. Subscribe to his free weekly ezine, which helps you cut through the clutter and time-wasting hype. Subscribe now by visiting: http://WillieCrawford.com

The bus caught it’s breath with a riveting bubbling humming as it made it’s second stop along the cold gray streets, sleek with the cold sweep of winter’s waning cold as spring struggled to break free. Days of thin air, dry hair, and drab memories, a time of changing, a most uncomfortable paradox of redundance no matter what excitement you may try to stir into ones day. Like any lazy body that day on the bus, I sat in a mediocre seat, dingy blue, and hid my lean hands in side my sweat shirt as I waited dazed. More bodies traipsed into the bus, the bumping and pardoning and searching for seats, was a prick to my nerves, since I truly wished we could get going, yet instead for a while that seemed ages, we were idol. Plinking in the coins, showing a bus pass…seats….awkward stares. Yes come on hurry, how hard is it to board a bus? Billowing exhaust formed around the bus, windows partly veiled by the steamy clouds that dipped and looped. For a moment I forgot my urgent heart, and I simply was enthralled by the pail creamy billows. A man appeared through the white draping of exhaust, his body still vialed but his face astonished me, so untarnished by worldly strains, nor buffeted by homely demure, nor was it ridged or rugged….unlike any face I could compare it to. Odd that a face could of drawn such a rise in me, yet, normally a person’s face takes no notice from anyone unless it has no equal or double, or a like, or similar…this face was not to be even compared to any model, or movie star, singer, or guineas. It was simply…not of this time as it would appear, so smooth from the winds of a place she could never hope to go, eyes that had thoughts born in them she so earnestly wished to see, for they were thoughts of spooling beautiful great bounds and wonder, that, she was for certain. His brow innocent in his age yet a chin nimble that up held a majestic face that crooned it’s wisdom it a infinite tail of gallantries so noble by his hand. “OW!” With a hard pain I opened my jaded eyes, mouth stiff from sleep and full of saliva. With the lifting of my head I looked out the passing by of the color drain homes, fire hydrants, pickets, and empty parked cars. Everything was so enveloped by winter’s thick blanket that I felt a loss of joy, one less beat in my heart as I breathed deeply for the days of summer. In the meek voice I had, I spoke to reassure my tired voice was still stung to tune, “What a restful dream.” I wondered about how odd it was, how real it had seemed, how wonderful the man was I had seen in the shroud of exhaust. With out any procrastination I came to my stop and lifted my swollen from sleep body out of the seat that had held me so well for so long. …

A day had past by before I began to pounder the dream that did not fade from my mind like the others. I found that since I had nothing to do during these slows times, my mind would wander alone, with or with out me, talking to the heart in great conversations of ifs ‘how comes’, and ‘whys’. I would listen in here and there as I emptied my e-mail of junk, dark through out my home, my safety so silent, my face so still, my thoughts at a chill. But as soon as the thought, “Would you of talked to this man had he been real?” I had to stop my self and think, with a chortled almost sharp response my thoughts quickly burned to, “No, no, I’m to passive aggressive…to…to shy. For anything…like that.”, but why? what would of been so hard to just say hi, a once in a life time opportunity…you have a trust in your heart that asks for him by name. “By name?…” A life time of wonders that you find, a destiny that will bind, don’t be so blind! “No! Foolish…a dream…it’s really to sad that….well all to much is really to sad.” Springing my self out of the office chair, my eyes were in relief of no longer having the blue light of the sedentary computer screen blaring at them. Stretching like a tight band, I waited as the computer behind beamed off in shut down, “Bed…” My feet were cold and bare, my mind heavy and tired like a wilted rose, I lumbered clumsy towards the dark hole in the shadows that was the door way to my sanctuary, my bedroom, that smell and warmth of blankets that I knew so well. As I laid a weary head down on a pile of lumpy pillows, I thought graizingly to my self, “My life really is comfortable…not exciting……not lively really, but tolerable.” And with that I found the ease enough to sleep deeply.

…Next part:2 jabberwoky dreams>>

About the Author

Inspired when I forget.

:queen_of_world@centralpets.com

BAITED, BATED

Baited usually refers to traps or snares. When the reference is to someone who is hardly daring to breathe, the correct word is always bated:

“She watched with bated breath.”

I’ve yet to read that someone “bated a trap” instead of baiting it, but there’s always a first time.

BARE, BEAR

Bare means naked; bear (apart from being a large animal) means to carry.

BESIDE, BESIDES

Beside means by the side of; besides means in addition to.

BIANNUAL, BIENNIAL

These two are really tricky! Biannual means happening twice a year; biennial means every two years.

BLONDE, BLOND

Because these are borrowed from French there is a feminine and masculine form. Blonde is feminine and blond is masculine.

BOARD, BORED

Board is a long sheet of wood, also a group of people as in “Board of Directors”, and as a verb means to go onto a ship, plane or other form of public transport; bored means not interested.

BORN, BORNE

Born is always the beginning of life, borne means carried.

“I was born in the middle of a particularly severe winter.”

“The logs were borne down the river to the mill.”

BRAISE, BRAZE

Braise means to cook slowly in liquid (usually meat); braze most commonly means to solder with an alloy of copper and zinc.

BRAKE, BREAK

Brake means to stop; break means to smash.

BY, BUY, BYE

By is a preposition meaning next to; buy means purchase; bye means farewell or good-bye.

CAPITAL, CAPITOL

Capital means the seat of government; capitol is the building where government meets.

CONTINUAL, CONTINUOUS

Continual means something that happens frequently, with breaks between the occurrences. Continuous means something that happens without stopping!

“Continual interruptions distract me from writing.”

“The continuous noise of the motor mower distracts me from writing.”

CO-OPERATION, CORPORATION

Co-operation (usually spelt without the hyphen in US English) means working together; corporation is a business organisation.

CORRESPONDENCE, CORRESPONDENTS

Correspondence is written communication; correspondents are those who write it.

CREDIBLE, CREDITABLE

Credible means believable; creditable means praiseworthy or deserving credit.

CURB, KERB

Curb means to control, as in “curb your temper”; kerb is the edge of a footpath or sidewalk.

DESERT, DESSERT

Desert means to abandon (and can also be a noun, meaning a wasteland); dessert is the sweet course of a meal.

DEVICE, DEVISE

Device is a noun, meaning a gadget or (particularly in writing terms) an invention; devise is a verb, meaning to invent or plot.

DISCREET, DISCRETE

Discreet means respectful, prudent; discrete means separate or detached from others.

DRAFT, DRAUGHT

Draft refers to the the first writing of your novel or story (or any other document). You can also be drafted (enlisted or recruited) into the army, navy, etc.

Draught is an air movement, a drink (as in “draught of ale”) or refers to a horse (or other animal) used for pulling ploughs, etc (e.g., “draught horse”).

About The Author

Laraine Anne Barker writes fantasy for young people. Visit her web site at http://lbarker.orcon.net.nz. Fantasy for Children & Young Adults</a> for FREE stories and novel excerpts. Sign up for the NOVELLA OF THE MONTH CLUB, absolutely FREE!

When we write stories, with the purpose of sharing them with others, we enter into an agreement where we allow our reader to see a glimpse of our heart, our souls and our memories. If we truly want them to be immersed in the tale, we actively immerse ourselves in those memories so that a glimmer of what we saw, heard and felt comes through.

This is especially true with holiday tales. The best way to convey a holiday scene is to take a trip back in time through the wonderful world of our unconscious. Here are some great ways to delve back into our child hood memories and incorporate them into our holiday tales.

1) Sit in a darkened room and close your eyes. Allow yourself to go back in time to the very first Christmas that you can remember. Take a deep breath and relax. What are the scents, sounds and feelings that come up? What is the first picture that pops into your mind?

Is it the sound of children racing down the stairs that comes to you first? The feel of your heart pounding when you awoke and found that Christmas was really here? The warmth of your parents’ blankets as you bounced on them, anxious to wake them up?

The autumn and winter holidays will always be associated, for me, with my grandmother’s cooking and pumpkin pies. I remember running into her little house, and the sound of the front door’s slam behind me. I was immediately engulfed in warmth. The scent of nutmeg and cinnamon and pumpkin seeds physically drew me forward, until I was wrapped in my grandmother’s embrace.

2) Recreate the scene. Since a prime trigger for me is the scent of pumpkin pies, I often order pumpkin scented candles from Yankee Candles. I sit on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket, light the candles and wait. Within moments, the scent has pulled me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. And I hear the sound of my cousins pounding down the hall after me, each of us anxious to win the first warm treat.

You can do the same. If a scent triggers your memories, you can either bake the cake or cookie or brew the eggnog. Or you can get one of those scented candles and simply light it.

If the feel of sweaters immediately transports you back to your snow throwing days, slip one on. If you are like me and live in Florida, turn the air way up first. Close your eyes and hear the sound of children shouting as they try to nail each other with snowballs. Picture their fresh flushed faces.

3) If there is a particular holiday character that sparks your memories, rent holiday movies. Some of my favorites are Frosty the Snowman and Miracle on Thirty fourth street. Watch one for a while, until you get the holiday feeling, then turn the sound off. Watch the pictures and let your mind go.

4) Use all of these pictures and sensations and feelings in your story.

If you are writing about a little girl in a big family, think back to what holiday dinners were like for you. Did everyone talk at once? Does your character like this or does she feel overwhelmed? What is it like to be the smallest one in a room full of adults? Is there a cousin or neighbor that is constantly picking on her? Do the children get bored and decide to explore the forbidden attic?

5) Once you have a scene in mind, write down all of these questions. Don’t worry about answering them until you have run out of questions. Then think back to the picture, sound or feeling that you associate with and answer the questions.

6) Now describe everything that you can about the characters. What are their ages? What do they look like? Are they the youngest or oldest in their family? Where do they live? What is their favorite thing? What are their best friend’s names? Who is their arch nemesis and why?

Get as much detail as possible down.

Once you can describe all of these things, the pieces of your story will begin to fall into place. More importantly, your characters and your scenes will be real and alive. Be brave and put as much of yourself into these stories and your characters. Your readers will love you for it.

Caterina Christakos is the author of How to Write a Children’s Book in 30 Days or Less. For more writing tips go to: http://www.howtowriteachildrensbook.com.

Publishing Guidelines: This article may be freely published so long as the author’s resource box, bylines, and copyright are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Send to CChrist896@aol.com

Creative Writing Tips -

Our plotting stage is our testing area.

Everything in the plot should be tested for its effectiveness before we put in into our stories. If you believe something in your plot could be better, make it better.

Figuring everything out in your plot will save you time rewriting later.

So how do you test your plot?

Start with everything that has gone into it.

For example…

• Are the events interesting?
• Does your plot contain problems for the character to solve?
• Have you given your character a goal?
• Is the conflict strong?
• Is the resolution of the conflict interesting?
• Is the character interesting?
• Is the setting of the story interesting?
• Will the incident or situation be interesting to your readers?
• Etc

Make a list of what your plot contains. Comb through it carefully and tick off each item. If you find that some things need to be worked on some more, work on them.

I know to some this might be tedious work, but…

“Every one-minute you spend in planning

will save you at least three minutes in execution.”

Crawford Greenwald

Besides his passion for writing, Nick Vernon runs an online gift site where you will find gift information, articles and readers’ funny stories. Visit http://www.we-recommend.com

I realize now that any amount of success costs money to achieve. I was in a band long ago, we were talented and had a sound that was really different all things seemed in place except we didn’t have the money to record, for better equipment or promotion. I work with video a lot and every time I start a project I end up with a new giant credit card and nothing left when its finished. America is a land where dreams come true and that’s true when you grow up somewhere else, but when its your home the chances are slimmer. The previous is a very true statement. In America the standards are so high for what success is it has become unrealistic. If you don’t have a giant watch with more bling than the next guy and drive some space ship looking car and have a wad of cash in your pocket you aren’t nothing. Its pretty frustrating, I was raised a middle class kid with dreams of grandeur, and now that my money is gone and I’m trying to be what I want to be going to school for it to boot, there is nothing that makes the climb easier, its like there has to be an explosion or tragedy so that people will say, wow look what he did anyway. Seems like a joke but its not. I guess I need more adversity in my life more trouble to make the things I want to come true.

Relais Villa d’Assio is a luxury 4 star hotel in Rieti, located in S.s. 79 Loc. Mazzetelli - Colli sul Velino

The RELAIS VILLA D’ASSIO, hotel opened up in September 2003. This 4-star hotel has 40 bedrooms and suites, an air-conditioned restourant, a lounge bar, conference rooms, a parking lot, a splendid parkland, mountain bikes, an outdoor swimming pool (opened from 30 May to 30 September) and solarium.

Relais Villa D’assio Hotel is located in the wonderful and picturesque Rieti countryside. Just a one hour trip away from Rome and neighbouring Perugia, Assisi, Todi and Spoleto.

Soft grey stone walls were rediscovered from the original buildings, to maintain a perfect harmony with the surroundings, and to enhance the romantic and relaxing atmosphere felt throughout. Traditional yet modern, bright guestrooms, equipped with a handful of modern facilities, and elegantly decorated with handmade tiles, dark wood floors and whitewashed walls, ensure guests a comfortable and unforgettable stay.
In the evenings, dream the night away in the comfortable lounges or enjoy a mouth watering meal in the Tempe restaurant, based on local specialities made of genuine local ingredients, prepared in a inventive, imaginative way.

The hotel comprises 40 bedrooms and suites that are comfortable and well equipped. Guests are offered top comforts and easy-to-use amenities.

Hotel Facilities
Cocktail bar
Conference facilities
Disabled facilities
Internet access
Lounge
Parking facilities
Restaurant
Swimming pool

Room Facilities Air conditioning
Hairdryer
In-room safe
Mini bar
Private bathroom / Ensuite
Telephone
Television

Other than Relais Villa d’Assio, you can browse our offers for other accommodations in Rieti, from cheap to luxury, togheter with Tours all over Italy; tourist information about Italy can be found on World 66

So, your friend or loved on is soon to be a bride-to-be. Are you struggling to find that perfect gift for the bride? If so, give yourself a break, take out a pen, and jot down these ideas for the ultimate bridal gift.

In the past, according to tradition, bridal shower gifts were geared to help the couple get household items for their new home as well as items to decorate and maintain their home. Taking a trip over to the local Target or Wal-Mart and checking out the registry to purchase these items was a snap.

However, times do change! Don’t get caught brining a set of dishes to the bridal shower while everyone else brings things that are perfect for the bride-to-be. In reality, items to pamper and assist the bride with her upcoming wedding should be the theme of bridal gifts.

Since today’s bride usually has set up her home, has a career, and has lots of household items anyway, what really is need are gifts to pamper he. She also needs gifts that she may not think to buy for herself or can’t remember due to her upcoming wedding day.

Here is what really works when it comes to ultimate bridal gift giving:

1. Think Sentimental: these types of gifts work best for best friends, sisters, or a bride who hashad lots of special times and memories. Giving something that will help the bride-to-be recall special memories in her life will surely bring a smile to her face. A picture of she and that special friend, brother, sister, or parents, etc., engaged in a memorable activity from the past is the ultimate sentimental gift.

2. Think Pampering: there are tons of bridal gifts that meet these criteria. Gift ideas include her favorite bath soap, lotion, or shower gel. Think “Bath and Body Works” or “Victoria’s Secret”. Choose a bottle of perfume with a scent you know she will love to wear on her wedding day. A special coupon for a massage or trip to a day spa would also make awesome gifts.

3. Think Lingerie: Help gear her up for her honeymoon. Assist her by purchasing some fancy lingerie.

4. Think Wedding Day Survival Kit: Wedding days are exciting but also can be quite busy and nerve wracking. Think what might she miss, as she?s involved in all the hustle and bustle prior to the wedding. Gift ideas include hair spray, hairpins, clips, lipstick, and even deodorant! Place all items in a special bag with a note that says “Just in case your forget!”

These are just a few gift ideas for the bride-to-be. Keep in mind the types of pampering the bride enjoys, what special memories she might have, what will make her day less stressful, and what you can do to help her have a rocking honeymoon! If you think along these lines, you’ll be sure to give the ultimate bridal gift!

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

Monique Hawkins is the owner of Monique’s Music Box. Located at http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms décor, and musical jewelry boxes. The company also provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages. Monique also is an associate with USANA Health Sciences. One of her passions is encouraging and supporting others in their endeavors to obtain optimal health and wellness. Visit http://www.usana.com/en/products/us/essentials/what_essentials.shtml
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