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One of the most wonderful times of the year is Christmas and one of the most exciting events of the Christmas season is the church bazaar. Everyone looks forward to this event as it brings people together and gives us the chance to see folks we haven’t seen in a while. But planning a Christmas bazaar is a lot of work. If you’re planning on doing one, here are just a few of the things that you’re going to want to do.

The first thing you’re going to want to do is pick a date and make sure the church is available for that date. The last thing you want is for the minister to tell you that he’s got a wedding planned for that day. Saturdays before the Sunday service are usually the best time. You want the date to be close to Christmas but not too close. The first or second week of the month is best.

The next thing you need to do is put out a sign up sheet to see who is going to be setting up tables. This is your main attraction at the bazaar so you want to make sure there are plenty of tables and a good variety of things to sell. You might want to also set up some specialty tables as well, like maybe one to take photos or maybe a table to print out cards showing what happened on your birthday. You’ll need a computer and a special program for that. These things usually go over very well and are great money makers.

You’ll also want to make sure that you plan to have a lunch setup. Keep the menus simple and the prices fair. People love to eat in between shopping but they don’t want to pay a fortune for it either. Have a few different kinds of desserts and drinks available like soda, coffee and tea.

One of the biggest sellers at a Christmas bazaar is the bake shop. This is a lot of work but it is worth it. Have as many people as possible bake cookies and cakes the day before and bring them down to the church to have them bagged and weighed. You want to sell things by the pound. Keep your prices fair and you’ll make out very well. Depending on how much is baked, you could make $500 or more just from the bake shop alone.

Finally, you want to make sure that everything is set up the day before. The bazaar should start around 9 or 10 in the morning and it should run until about 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Make sure you have a Santa there to take photos with the kids. You don’t have to hire one specially. You can recruit one of the church members who fits the costume to fill the part. You’re certain to get at least one volunteer.

By keeping a checklist and making sure that everything on it is done, your bazaar is certain to come off without too many hitches.

Have you ever heard the saying “Dogs are creatures of habit”? Whether your dog has developed a good habit or bad habit, they will continue with any habit until you give them a reason to stop. One very common habit dogs can develop is obsessive paw or leg licking and biting. This obsession can be caused by a number of things. Here are a few reasons WHY your dog may have started or continues to be fixated with licking obsessively.

Causes:

• Food allergies

• Grass or plant allergies (foxtail)

• Reaction to a flea bite

• Dermatitis

• Abnormal cell growth

• Emotional/behavioral problems

• Infected wound

• Boredom

If this obsessive habit is not stopped, your dog will likely acquire a lick granuloma (hot spot) which is a skin condition, also known as acral lick dermatitis. Once they have developed a granuloma, it is extremely difficult to keep the itchiness under control.

Treating this unwanted habit is easier said than done. Determining the reason(s) behind their need to lick at a paw or leg is the first step. Once you have uncovered WHY they are obsessed with licking, then you can prescribe appropriate treatment.

Treatments:

1) Identify and correct the emotional causes by increasing the amount of human contact, changing kenneling habits, providing other animal companionship, and distracting with interactive toys.

2) There are a number of medical treatment options available which may include sedatives/tranquilizers, endorphin blockers, corticosteroids, antidepressants, or pentoxifylline.

3) Have your Veterinarian surgically remove the lesion.

4) Ask your Veterinarian about radiation therapy.

5) Bandage the infected area with a waterproof bandage or wrap.

6) Apply a bad-tasting substance to the granuloma. There are many dog friendly creams and sprays on the market. Take note: some dogs will get use to the bitter tasting cream or spray after a while.

7) Have your dog wear a Soft E Collar or The StrockTM or other deterrent devices, during flare ups.

Remember, dogs are creatures of habits. They rely on routines, and any changes in their daily routine may cause undue stress which can result in an unwanted behavior like obsessive paw or leg licking. Make sure you eliminate all/any medical reasons before assuming your dog has developed a psychological habit.

ALWAYS consult with your Veterinarian before trying ANY new treatment.

Several types of palm trees can be grown outside or inside, if planted in a container. Palm trees grown in containers are suitable for low light office situations or indoors at homes in Northern States. Gardeners can buy small, reasonably priced palm trees at a nursery to be planted, to grow as bonsai specimens. Gardeners can purchase mature indoor palms from certain Internet nurseries that will be delivered fast by semi-trucks

Pygmy Date Palm, Phoenix roebellenii, originated in Asia and can grow to 10 feet tall, but it is not a fast grower. This very adaptable, exotic plant, is easy to grow, and has become a very important indoor office palm, because of its beautiful, graceful leaves that grow well in low light. This containerized plant is popular at Sea Island, Georgia, and it has been used massively by the US Government as an outdoor containerized plant to separate crowds from the elite. The Pygmy Date Palm is often commonly used at National, televised political events. Most plant designers recommend buying multiple trunked plants from a nursery that are containerized.

The Bamboo Palm, Chamaedorea erumpens, is a perfect indoor palm that can grow 10 feet tall in a container. The Bamboo palm was so named, because its multiple canes grow like bamboo rings, widely spaced, slender and olive green in color. The Bamboo palm is well adapted to plant and grow in tropical gardens, or as an under story shrub that screens out noise and automobile exhaust fumes. The Bamboo palm grows fast and neatly as a silhouette, privacy, landscape plant in warm areas.

The Sago Palm, Cycas revoluta, is a cycad, not a true palm tree. But, it is widely known by the public as a palm tree, and has many characteristics with the landscaped tropical appearance of a palm. The tree is not fast growing, and requires 100 years to develop a trunk 6 feet tall. The trunks on large specimen trees often sprout abundant, small sago shoots that grow out of the trunk at right angles, creating a bazaar sight when planted in the landscape. The Sago palm will survive temperatures of 0 F, and at temps below 20 F will show some foliage burning that will regrow in warm weather. The Sago palm grows well in zones 7 - 10, but some gardeners prefer to containerize the plant to move indoors during the winter or to grow it as a bonsai plant. Many cottage owners at Sea Island, Georgia plant and grow sago palms in the landscape, but some homeowners containerize the sago palms, and place them in pairs at the front doorway entrances.

Lady Palm, Rhapis excelsa, is an ideal office plant, and it can be grown in landscapes, where the temperatures don’t drop below 20 F. The Lady palm tree is a favorite indoor plant at the famous resort Cloister Hotel, at Sea Island, Georgia. Very large, 6 - 7 feet Lady palms can be seen growing in 25 gallon containers in extremely low lighted areas inside the Hotel and are placed at dark corners at several covered outside walkways that receive only small amounts of reflective indirect sunlight. This palm may become your office or home favorite. Lady palm trees grow 10 feet.

Triangle palm, Dypsis decaryi, also is called the Madagascar palm, and it originated on the South African Island of Madagascar. The Triangle palm is one of the most bazaarly formed plants ever grown and offered to buy at a nursery, because of the oddly shaped trunk and red clusters of cells on the underside of the blue-green leaves. The dark brown trunk with contrasting glowing, gray leaf scars are exotic in any office container planting.

The Ponytail palm, Beaucamea recurvata, is also called a Bottle palm tree and Elephant Foot palm, but is really not a true palm. The Ponytail Palm is, however, related closely to the agave family. The base of the plant is swollen, woody-looking, and the trunk tapers as it grows larger. Ponytail palms will survive temperatures down to the low 20’s F, and can be grown outside in many warm climates, but they grow into very interesting office containerized plants in low light situations, and are not fast growing.

Bauer’s Dracaena Palm Tree, Cordyline Baueri, is a beautiful red leaved, slender tree, growing 8-10 feet at maturity with burgundy-red leaves. During the warm summer, a large flower stalk appears with clusters of white flowers. Even though this plant is not a a palm, it is evergreen when planted and grown in temperatures above 20 F. The Bauer Dracaena is a perfect office or indoor containerized plant for Northern States, and will draw entertaining stares from office visitors. Bauer’s Dracaena grows well outside in warm climates, but is not a fast growing tree.

Copyright (c) 2006 Patrick Malcolm

Here’s some great advice about three of Chiang Mai’s most popular tourist attractions. Wat Doi Suthep, The Mai Sa Valley and the popular Night Bazaar are three great attractions no visitor to Chiang Mai should miss. By reading this article you can find out more about these great places and be sure you haven’t wasted a single moment of your precious vacation time whilst here in Chiang Mai.

First on the list of things to see in Chiang Mai is the beautiful Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, more commonly known as Doi Suthep. It’s located nearly 1000 meters above the city and provides a stunning view over Chiang Mai. Getting to the temple is quite straight forward, you can get there by hiring a Songthaew (a red taxi/bus which are common in northern Thailand and can be hired for a pre arranged price) to take you up the mountain to the entrance of the temple, from there you can climb the many steps leading to the temple or you can get there via a cable car, for a small fee. Doi Suthep is very popular with Thai’s and tourists alike and is one of Thailand’s most important temples. Once you’ve been to this great temple, another great place to visit is the Mae Sa Valley.

The Mae Sa valley is a beautiful place to visit and although it’s only about a 30 minute drive from the city it’s still worth dedicating at least a morning to see all it has to offer. The Mae Sa Valley is where you’ll find the Orchid, Monkey and Snake Farms as well as the impressive Mae Sa waterfall. You can make your own way there but I would recommend booking a pre arranged trip through one of the many travel agents located around the city. Doing it this way will save you the worry of getting lost or missing out on some attractions and leave you free to enjoy your day, stress free. On return from the Mae Sa valley you may well have enough time to unwind with some retail therapy at the popular Night Bazaar.

Located along the Chang Klan road, the night bazaar is one of Chiang Mai’s most popular tourist attractions and for good reason, this nightly event is a great place to spend some time shopping for all kinds of local handicrafts. The Night Bazaar starts at 5pm and usually runs to about 11pm but normally only starts to get busy around 6-7 pm. The night Bazaar Consists of many markets stalls as well a 3 story market proper, within the Night Bazaar you’ll find many more stalls as well as a food court where you can purchase vouchers and exchange them for a wide variety of Thai dishes. Next to the seated food court you can enjoy your meal whilst watching authentic Thai style dancing.

Now that you know a little bit more about some of the attractions Chiang Mai has to offer, you can look forward to visiting this great city safe in the knowledge your time in Chiang Mai has been well spent. Wat Doi Suthep, the Mae Sa valley and the famous night Bazaar are three great places to include in your sight seeing itinerary of Chiang Mai.

Conjunctivitis is a common eye disease that can affect people of all ages at any point of time. This is caused by infection in the transparent layer that covers the white portion of the eyes and in the inner sides of the eyelids. When your eyes are affected with conjunctivitis then they turn red and hence the name pink eye.

Pink eyes cause irritation and soreness of the eyes. The infection may be due to some virus or bacteria or intrusion of certain foreign substances into the eyes. This disease will look severe with children as the eyes turn red and cause pain. This disease is contagious and hence all the members must be alert to protect themselves from conjunctivitis when someone in the household gets affected.

Causes

The reasons causing pink eye may be due to infections or allergies.

Infection can be caused by some bacteria that cause cold, sinus, soar throat and other infections. Certain infections caused in the body by bacteria and virus also turn the eyes red. Bacteria causing sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea can also lead to pink eyes.

Some people may be allergic to certain types of food and environmental conditions. When they are exposed to their allergic conditions then also they may be affected by conjunctivitis. People may be allergic to chicken meat, grass, seasonal pollen grains and dust mites. They may be affected by pink eye when they were to face the allergic substances.

Certain chemicals like chlorine, soaps and polluted air and smoke may also cause pink eyes. These chemicals may cause irritation in the eyes.

Giant papillary pink eye affects people who wear outdated contact lenses. Those who wear contact lenses must check their eyes at least once a year and change the lenses if necessary.

Symptoms

The common symptoms include the eyes turning red, irritation and pain. Depending on the causes the symptoms differ slightly.

Pink eyes due to bacterial and virus infections will lead to red eyes that are watery and often discharge of fluid occurs. This starts in one of the eyes and spread to the other and both the eyes will be affected very soon. Infectious pink eyes are highly contagious.

Pink eyes due to allergic environments lead to red eyes with flowing tears, irritation and itch. Both the eyes are affected almost at the same time. This is non contagious.

Giant papillary pink eye will lead to red watery eyes with discharge and tears. This will develop swelling in the inner sides of the eye lids and irritation increases when the same old contact lenses are used.

Treatments

The infections caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. Ointments are also available and they can be applied over eyes to reduce the pain. A clean cloth dipped in warm water can be used to dissolve the discharge thereby reducing the infection.

Infections caused by virus need no treatments. They will go off in their own way as the human immune system will work to fight the viral infections. Antibiotics will not generally work with viral infections. When your children are affected with viral pink ye you must consult the doctor to reduce the pain. Certain medicines may be prescribed by the doctor to help the body combat against the virus. Eye drops can also be applied to reduce the swelling and the irritation.

Anti-inflammatory, antihistamine medicines are used to cure allergic pink eye. The best medicine is to keep the victim away from his allergic conditions. Eye drops are also suggested to overcome the irritation and soreness. Substances causing allergy must be identified and must be kept away from the person to stop the infection from developing.

Male yeast infections can occur in just the same places that women will get it – with the exception of the ****** of course! But, I’m not talking primarily of the yeast infections that can occur elsewhere on the body, but instead of the type of yeast infections that can occur on the ******* area. Yeast infections in men can occur just as they do in women.

Now since men don’t have a vagina, and therefore can’t harbor or breed the Candida bacteria in their vagina, it falls to the factor of transference for men to get yeast infections.

Causes

Although there can be a few different reasons for men to get yeast infections, the most common reason is due to transferal through sexual ***********. If their sexual partner has a yeast infection, then a man has a chance of also contracting a yeast infection.

You can in fact get a yeast infection by passing it along to your partner through sexual ***********. For the most part this is how male yeast infections will occur. It will pass from you to your partner and sometimes even back again.

That’s why it’s a good thing if you can stop all sexual relations until your yeast clears up. After all that’s said and done, it’s better to have a short period of abstinence in your life than to have to be continually guarding against a recurrence of yeast just because you passed it along to your partner.

This can sometimes have a ping pong effect where you might first have the yeast infection and pass it along to your partner, who in turn will get it, and who in turn will pass it back to you. However, although you can get yeast infections through sexual intercourse, yeast infections aren’t considered as a sexually transmitted disease.

This is not a matter of sexually transmitted diseases. Yeast infections can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, but that doesn’t mean that the other person will get it. In the case of male yeast infections, there’s only a 12-15% chance that they will get it f their partner has a yeast infection.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to abstain from having sexual relations while you have a yeast infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of male yeast infections will be similar to those of vaginal yeast infections. There will be some differences but for the most part they are similar.

• Itching of the *****

• Burning sensation of the tip of the *****

• Red rash on your *****

• Burning sensation when urinating

Cures

And just as the symptoms for male yeast infections are the same or similar to those of female yeast infections, the cures are also the same or similar. Very obviously there are some things that you can’t do in the case of cures, like the use of suppositories for instance.

But you can adapt just about all of the other cures to suit you. You might also want to ask your doctor about prescription medications and over the counter medications.

In the case of over the counter medications you might definitely want to ask your doctor first about whether you can use them as well, or whether you need to go in for something different. And once you do get it there’s also the chance that you can pass it back to your sexual partner and get it back again as well.

Factitious disorders are similar to another group of mental disorders called somatoform disorders, which also involve the presence of symptoms that are not due to actual physical or mental illnesses. The main difference between the two groups of disorders is that people with somatoform disorders do not fake symptoms or mislead others about their symptoms on purpose. Factitious disorder, also known as Munchausen syndrome, is an extreme condition that defines patients who intentionally produce or feign symptoms or disabilities, either physical or psychological.

Patients with factitious disorders repeatedly present with symptoms that have no organic basis. According to the DSM-IV (Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) diagnostic criteria, the motivation for the behavior is to assume the sick role. External incentives for the behavior should be absent for the correct diagnosis.[1,6] Since most patients have been employed in the health care professions, they generally have a somewhat reasonable medical history, but discrepancies are detectable upon careful evaluation.

Causes

The exact cause of factitious disorders is not known, but researchers are looking at the roles of biological and psychological factors in the development of these disorders. Some theories suggest that a history of abuse or neglect as a child, or a history of frequent illnesses that required hospitalization might be factors in the development of the disorder.

Men have been shown to be more vulnerable to stressors across all ages and types of stressors, for unknown reasons. A poorly developed ego is also a factor that could make one more vulnerable to this disorder, whether it is caused by cerebral impairment or upbringing. Those damaged by repeated trauma also are at greater risk, even if that trauma is in the distant past.

Symptoms

The symptom or deficit is not limited to pain or sexual dysfunction, does not occur exclusively during the course of Somatization Disorder, and is not better accounted for by another mental disorder.

Patients may become extremely dependent. They increasingly demand help and emotional support and may become enraged when they feel their needs are not met. They are sometimes considered exhibitionistic and seductive.

Dramatic but inconsistent medical history unclear symptoms that are not controllable and that become more severe or change once treatment has begun.
Patients usually spend many hours a day thinking about their perceived defect. Most check themselves often in mirrors, others avoid mirrors, and still others alternate between the 2 behaviors. Most try to camouflage their imagined defect-eg, by growing a beard to hide perceived scars or by wearing a hat to cover slightly thinning hair.

Treatment

The primary treatment for factitious disorders is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). Treatment likely will focus on changing the thinking and behavior of the individual with the disorder (cognitive-behavioral therapy). Family therapy also may be helpful in teaching family members not to reward or reinforce the behavior of the person with the disorder.
There are no medications to treat factitious disorders themselves. Medication may be used, however, to treat any related disorder-such as depression, anxiety or a personality disorder. The use of medications must be carefully monitored in people with factitious disorders due to the risk that the drugs may be used in a harmful way.

Laryngitis is defined as an inflammation of larynx (voice box) due to overuse, irritation or infection generally associated with hoarseness or loss of voice. The larynx is the part of voice. When speaking, two membranes in the larynx - the vocal cords - vibrate to produce sound. It is a structure for supporting the cartilage, muscles and mucous membranes that forms the entrance of windpipe.

Due to laryngitis, vocal cords become inflamed or irritated. They swell, causing distortion of the sounds made by air passing over them. As a result, voice sounds hoarse. Viral infection of the upper airways is the most common cause of laryngitis , such as the common cold. Excessive use of the voice up to long time, an allergic reaction, and inhalation of irritants such as cigarette smoke can cause acute or chronic laryngitis.

Causes

Laryngitis generally occurs from too much screaming & yelling. Even a lot of loud singing can irritate the vocal cords and produce laryngitis. When vocal cords become inflamed and swollen, they can’t function properly & voice may sound hoarse and may sometimes block the airway.

Virus infection is the most common kind to produced laryngitis. It may also be produced by a bacterial infection or a common cold , bronchitis , flu , or pneumonia. Fungal laryngitis is generally seen in the immunocompromised or those taking inhaled steroids.

There are numerous forms of laryngitis appear in children and can cause dangerous or fatal respiratory blockage. Croup and epiglottis are some of them. Other reasons of laryngitis include allergies and wound to the area.

Symptoms

Symptoms of laryngitis generally occurs as an unnatural change of voice, such as hoarseness, or even loss of voice that grows within hours to a day or so. The throat may experience haptic sensation or feel raw. Its sign vary with the condition of the inflammation. Mild fever, problem in swallowing, discomfort feeling , and a sore throat may appear in complex infections.

There are other symptoms of the laryngitis may be included:
Hoarseness. Dry & scratchy throat. Runny nose. Achiness. Tiredness. Dry cough. Raspy voice. Respiratory infection. Swollen lymph nodes.

Treatments

Virus infection is the most common kind to produced laryngitis & treatment with antibiotics may not cure. Resting the voice may help to ebb the inflammation of the vocal cords .A humidifier and warm showers may abate the scratchy experience that comes with laryngitis.

Using extra fluids such as tea or a honey lemon drink, and inhaling steam relieve symptoms and help healing. In symptoms associated with laryngitis a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen and aspirin mitigate the fever.

It will be better to take cough drops to reduce the inflammation of the vocal cords. A tea of gingerroot can use to mollify swelling of the vocal chords and relieve disorders.

Nearly 80% of people have back pain, including lower back pain, at some point or another during their life. Since this is a problem which affects nearly everyone, it is important to know what the causes are. You also need to know how to control these factors to keep your pain to a minimum.

Causes

As we age, we lose a lot of our body’s natural muscle tone and elasticity. We also tend to lose bone strength as we age. Our spinal discs lose flexibility due to the loss of fluid. This means that they do a less effective job of protecting the vertebrae. Simply growing older can be a cause of problems in the lower back.

A strain, sprain or spasm in your muscles or ligaments can result in the rupture of a spinal disc. This in turn places pressure on the nerves in your spinal cord. Our back lets us know about this with the neural signals we know as pain. What are the causes of these strains, sprains and spasms? Generally these are injuries which are caused by trying to lift heavy weights or overextending muscles.

Lower back pain can also be caused by diseases like osteoporosis and arthritis. There are also causes including viral infections, joint or disc irritation and spinal abnormalities.

Lifestyle factors can also be contributors. This includes smoking, being overweight, pregnancy, stress, bad posture and being in poor shape. Hip pain and back pain sometimes come as a distressing package deal. Scar tissue from previous injuries can also be a cause of lower back pain - this scar tissue buildup can even cause other, more serious injuries.

When to Worry

You should take your pain seriously if it comes along with other symptoms. These might include a fever, a painful cough, loss of bladder or bowel control and muscular weakness, especially in the legs. If your pain is accompanied by these symptoms, contact your physician immediately. They may indicate a pinched nerve or other underlying problem. If you are diabetic, your pain may indicate neuropathy.

Avoiding The Problem

By taking good care of your back in daily life, most lower back pain can be avoided. Recurring pain can usually be traced to poor posture. You can work on correcting this. Stand straight, remember to lift with your legs rather than with your back, and do exercises to build back strength. Make sure to follow proper ergonomic procedures during your workday.

Testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39, and is the most common form of solid tumour in men between the ages of 15 and 34. It may also occur in young boys, but only about 3% of all testicular cancer is found in this group. Tumors usually occur in one testicle, however, 2-3% of tumors can occur in both testicles, either simultaneously or at a later date. Tumors can also spread to the lymph nodes, the lungs or other organs. It is more common among Caucasians than among men of African and Asian descent.

Causes
Although the exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown, several factors seem to increase risk. These include a past medical history of undescended testicle(s), abnormal testicular development, Klinefelter’s syndrome (a *** chromosome disorder that may be characterized by low levels of male hormones, sterility, development of breasts, and small testes), men whose mothers used diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy, or men who have had previous testicular cancer. There is no link between vasectomy
and elevated risk of testicular cancer.

Signs and Symptoms
The first sign is usually a firm, painless, smooth testicular mass which is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the *********. Other symptoms of testicular cancer include: a feeling of swelling in the scrotum, discomfort or pain in the scrotum, ache in the lower back, pelvis or groin area, collection of fluid in the scrotum, gynecomastia and ****** tenderness. In advanced stages symptoms include: ureteral obstruction, abdominal mass, coughing, shortness of breath, weight loss, fatigue, pallor and lethargy.

Treatment
Testicular carcinoma can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surveillance, or a combination of these treatments. Testicular cancer may be more difficult to treat if it has spread to the liver, bones, or brain, but even in those cases, men can often be cured. If the cancer is a recurrence of a previous tumour, the treatment usually consists of chemotherapy using combinations of different medications, such as ifosfamide, cisplatin, etoposide, or vinblastine, sometimes followed by an autologous bone marrow or peripheral stem-cell transplant.

While it may be possible, in some cases, to remove testicular cancer tumors from a testis while leaving the testis functional, this is almost never done, as more than 95% of testicular tumors are malignant. Usually the ******* is not removed so that prosthesis can be put in place. Hormone replacement therapy may be needed after bilateral orchiectomy (removal of both testes). Treatment for this condition does not normally affect sexuality, masculinity or erectile function.

Prognosis
Testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers: in excess of 90%; essentially 100% if it has not metastasized. Less than five percent of those who have testicular cancer will have it again in the remaining testis.