The Vahoo Info Connector

Overview

Weslo (owned by Icon Fitness) is currently producing four treadmills: the Cadence C22, the Cadence 340 CS, the Cadence 255DR, and the Cadence C78. The prices range from $199 to $699 and the uses cover walking, jogging, and running.

Weslo Cadence C22

The Cadence C22 is Weslo’s entry for walking only. The major plus for the Cadence C22 is it’s cost, at $199 it’s hard to go too far wrong. The major negatives are that the track is not cushioned and the user must adjust the incline angle manually. Not having a cushioned track means that it will be harder on the user’s back and joints. Adjusting the incline by hand means that the user will have to get off the treadmill to change the incline.

Weslo Cadence 340 CS

The Cadence 340 CS is a step above the Cadence C22 and will allow the user to jog on the treadmill. The motor is significantly larger than on the C22 (2.0 hp vs 1.0 hp) and the track is cushioned. These features will allow the user to jog. The treadmill is not suitable for running as the track length is still a littler shorter than I would like, at 45″ it is still significantly shorter than many treadmill tracks on the market.

Weslo Cadence 255DR

The Cadence 255DR is another step up in features and in cost. The price is $699, up from $399 for the Cadence 340 CS. The big feature that you get for that price is that the treadmill has a power incline. So, the user can adjust the incline while exercising, without getting off the treadmill. The only negative for this treadmill is that the track is still a little short (still 45″), so it is not suitable for running.

Weslo Cadence C78

The Cadence C78 is the best treadmill that Weslo sells. At $699 it is the same cost as the Cadence 255DR, but it has a larger motor (2.75 hp vs 2.0 hp) and a longer track (54″ vs 45″). It also has the power incline and a heart rate monitor (whicdh the Cadence 255DR also has).

Summary

Weslo has a treadmill targetted for the three major types of treadmill users. If you are walking only you should look at the Cadence C22, if you are going to walk and jog you will want to look at the Cadence 340 CS, and if you are going to run seriously the Cadence C78 is the model for you to look at.

Greg Carleu is the author of a comparison of Weslo Treadmills.

When I was growing up as a child in the sixties, kitchens were always a hidden affair. If it was not separated by a wall from the other rooms in the house, then a divider had to be installed to hide it from the rest of the world. Inviting friends over to the kitchen to show off your new kitchen island or cooktop was not the thing to be done.

But not anymore. The kitchen of my adult years has now become the focal point of the house and the people who live in it. There is still the obligatory lounge room to receive guests but it is now just a little room on the way to the grand, open space of kitchen, family and rumpus rooms combined.

This is where most families now gather after a long days work - the parents preparing the family meal while the children (if they are in their schoolyears) do their homework in the family dining table or (if they are already young adults), sit and chatter around the breakfast nook or family room couch. Kitchens now exude warmth and welcome helped by the oak or teak oil-finished kitchen cabinets that usually line the kitchen walls, as well as mahogany or red cedar curio cabinets housing revered family treasures such as photos and bowling trophies.

I have long used my kitchen as my lounge - one of the rooms in the house that I consider most comfortable, functional, tribal and welcoming . My husband and I and anyone of my kids who occasionally fancy themselves as the new Jamie Oliver can showcase our gourmet talents as we gracefully move around the red and brown speckled granite kitchen island or benchtop to the glistening stainless steel sink to the brown flattened glow of the ceramic cooktop. All these in view of the rest of the family, and often times friends and guests who we show in straight to the kitchen/family/dining room area to sit in our beloved dark aubergine brown no-nonsense, yet sumptuous and very practical “Virginia” sofa.

Gone are the days when you felt you needed to detain your guests in the comfort of the Italian velvet sofa in the lounge while you excuse yourself and slave away in the dark, hot and steamy recesses of the kitchen preparing their food. Now there is no shame or cringe to invite friends over to the kitchen because kitchens have become the hub of family life and social entertaining. Architects, home builders and appliance manufacturers have all taken heed of the new trend and have made kitchens not only functional and efficient but also overwhelmingly stylish. Even whitegoods now come in different colors of stainless steel, earthy brown, luminous orange or buttercup yellow to suit everyone’s desire and taste.

Friends are invited to hover around stylish marble-topped kitchen islands as they continue with their socialising, talking about nothing and maybe even lending a hand in washing the vegetables and peeling the potatoes. Even wine bars are now in the domain of the kitchen (not the basement or the lounge) as friends sit down and relax in the midst of kitchens sipping their favorite red or white.

Even when alone, my kitchen has always been a delight and a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. When I wake up in the morning, I find no greater joy than seeing the sun streaming through the beige voile curtains of the northeast facing kitchen window into the deep purple flowered african violets and tall and lanky chinese fortune plants that brighten up the farthest end of my granite kitchen benchtop. And when I come home from work in the evening, I open the very same northeast facing kitchen window to be greeted with the sweet scent of the orange jasmines that line the backyard fence.

My kitchen has certainly come a long way from its hiding place in the sixties and I intend to enjoy it and keep it that way for a long, long time more to come.

Flor Buenaventura loves home cooking and enjoys making improvements in her kitchen. To see a great collection of articles and resources related to cooking and the kitchen, please visit her Kitchen Islands and Carts website.

I love bedspreads, don’t you? A comforter can be used for the winter months but the bedspread is brought out of the linen closet in the spring when it’s warming up and the whole world is freshening and renewing itself outside. A bedspread is available in most any color, pattern or fabric and it can be one of the most expensive items you put in your bedroom. Did you know that these expensive pieces of fabric do not fall under the Care Label Rule? The Care Label Rule of 1971 requires clothing manufacturers and importers to attach care labels to their products. They must give full instructions on how to satisfactorily care for the products one time, or clearly state that it cannot be cleaned. The label also needs to warn against things that could be harmful such as using an iron or using hot water. I love the care labels because it gives me a clear indication of how to clean things. I have been surprised on more than one occasion when the label said dry clean only and I would have thrown it in the washing machine. You may find care instructions on a temporary label, a piece of paper in the plastic, hang tag, or somewhere on the package so check clearly before you throw anything away.

Okay, the care label is gone so what do you do to clean your bedspread? Things you can do to ensure a beautiful bedspread for many years of wear and care are, make sure the spread has been preshrunk. Fabric can shrink two or three percent very easily if it has not been properly stabilized by the manufacturer. Your bedspread will look like it’s sized for a twin bed very quickly if it shrinks that much. Check the quality of stitches if you have a quilted bedspread. The first preference would be for stitching to run vertically and horizontally with the stitches running only eight to ten inches apart. Make sure that the stitches are the correct length as well. Loose stitching can tear easily and allow fiber fill to shift when it is washed or dry cleaned. What is the fiber content of the batting? If you see wool on a label anywhere for the batting, take note that it will probably shrink in the washing machine.

The filling of your beautiful new bedspread could also become puckered if it has heat sensitive fibers. If this is the case, you may wash it in cold, but don’t dry it in the dryer, or at least a very cool one. If the bedspread you have chosen is a chintz material, it will have a luster to the finish. This finish is actually a glaze that may have a limited staying power. Once the spread is washed or cleaned, the glaze may come off and your spread will be dull and chalky. It could even start to pill. Fabrics can fade over time especially if the bed is located near a window. Nothing you can do short of pulling shades will stop this process. If the fabric is not yard dyed, fading will also occur.

Many times the material is not colorfast or heat set by the manufacturer and it will also fade. A dry cleaner can perform a colorfast test. I have found you pretty much get what you pay for. That is an assumption, but the better quality bedspreads should be colorfast. Clean all of the matching pillow shams, dust ruffles and curtains together with the spread because the colors won’t “fade” the same if you don’t. These are pretty large so you may not be able to put it in the conventional washing machine. Don’t risk your investment, if you are unsure how to care for your new spread, take it to a professional cleaner.

Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying mattresses, baby bedding, bedding, duvet covers and more. Her many articles can be found at http://www.bedding-4u.com/Bedspreads.htm. She gives information and tips at http://www.bedding-4u.com/ to help you save money, make informed buying decisions and common sense ideas for changing your life.

As the New Year dawns most of us make a few resolutions. These help everyone keep things in perspective throughout the year. Resolutions are often goals that we hope to achieve.

The most common resolutions for 2006 are:

1. Institute disaster management plans to keep family as well as business safe from unexpected calamities.

2. Focus on health and fitness. This has become most important and the world trend reveals that most people put health and fitness as a primary goal for 2006. Awareness of the connection between good health and an exercise regime has reached an all time high and many would like to choose the path of health rather than sicknesses like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and more.

3. Spend more time with the family. Family has become very important and for many, professional success comes second. Fulfillment means more than wealth and climbing the corporate ladder.

4. Finance is a goal most made. Some want to reach a certain target like making their first million for others, the resolution was to get out of the debt trap. To make a sound financial plan so that the earning matches the spending.

5. Volunteer work, show you care by helping others. World over natural and other calamities have pulled at the heart strings of many. The events have inspired some to take a hard look at their lives. Many have resolved to be less selfish and undertake volunteer work. A few closer to home and work and some right across the world where a tsunami, cyclones, and earthquake have left many without home and hearth.

6. Techies decided to enhance security, fight against spam, adware, and spyware, and to take the cyber world towards new frontiers.

7. Gamers resolved not just to try all the games but to have a life outside the gaming world. To take matters into their own hands and create a full schedule which includes study, health, fitness, family time, making friends, and of course gaming.

8. The career minded decided to achieve goals, but to take disappointments in their stride, be polite to all, a leader in their own field, and organized.

9. Many decided to consciously make subtle lifestyle changes and to include: meditation, stress relieving techniques, listen to music, follow a healthy lifestyle, exercise, further their education, and meet many interesting people.

10. Strengthening relationships is a goal many aimed for. The resolution is to stay positive, have self respect, show caring, and seek a balanced relationship which involves both give and take.

Across the world the most popular resolutions were: health and fitness, career development, and sustained relationships. Many glanced at 2005 and took a hard look at themselves and where they were headed. Events in 2005 showed human beings that life is too short and precious to be wasted away. One must in life look beyond personal goals and think of the world as a whole. Security from attacks, peace and prosperity, coupled with a coming together to overcome calamities caused by nature seemed to be on most minds.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for www.1888PressRelease.com<www.1888pressrelease.com/>, the premier website to Submit Free Press Release for any announcements including launching of new product or services, new website, announcing new hires, sponsoring a special event or seminar and more. He also freelances for www.1888Discuss.com<www.1888Discuss.com/>.

Are you anxious to start earning your own income with a great business opportunity? With all the excitement about the ease of creating great income from home and online businesses, you can easily get caught up in a tangled web of half-understood business plans, wallet-fatigue from investments and an email box that is bulging with follow up materials.

If this has happened to you, than you will not be finding yourself building a business, you will only find yourself confused, disappointed and ready to throw in the towel (as well as cancel your Visa!)

The truth is there ARE great opportunities out there. Unfortunately, to work any of them requires you to develop an understanding not only of the service or product you choose to promote, but you have to learn how to market your business, whether online or in the real world.

“Finding Purpose in Your Business”

Now, you may have to dig several holes to find a treasure, and too, you may have to examine several business ideas to find one that works for you. But focus first on investigation, rather than action.

After requesting information on 4 to 10 businesses that appeal to you (remember, you haven’t joined anything, you’re just looking), sit back and decide which opportunities offer the most comprehensive package. If you’re new to the home business world, you have a huge learning curve ahead of you. It makes sense that you’ll do much better with a company that will provide you support, guidance and training in one package.

Be ready to make a defense for your choice. You may not be called upon by family or friends to defend it, but confidence in your decision will help you to keep focused and not second-guess your decision every time another offer pops up. This will be YOUR business. Be certain it relates to you in a positive manner and that you can work with it long term.

“Create Goals”

No business will grow without a plan to grow it. If you have a supportive company, read their materials. Follow their advice. It is in their best interest to provide you with a game plan that brings in sales or clients. Don’t take their valuable knowledge for granted.

As you manage to cover the basic marketing or promoting techniques, you may find yourself once again getting bogged down with offers to assist you with your efforts. Software, agents, programs, all requiring investment and another learning curve to perfect.

By all means, if the company you are working with recommends them than give it a shot. It is not worth your time to sit on the sidelines if perfectly good recommendations are being handed to you.

But at the same time, recognize the need to focus on your business. Learn the programs well, otherwise you will end up with ineffective marketing, and money out the window because you have not used the efforts of promotion wisely. Possibly you are not even aware if the money you spent is actually doing anything for your business or not.

“Have Patience”

Good opportunities take time to mature into healthy businesses. That may not be how they are presented, but in truth, even those who are successful are there because they outlasted many others who gave up too soon.

When you feel you have a grip on all that’s involved, go back and review or investigate the business again. Those who are successful KNOW their business. It will also involve you at a greater level as your dedication to your business deepens.

“Be Passionate”

In the long run, you will have the fortitude to develop your business when you develop your passion for it. You will increase in knowledge and be able to apply your passion to related opportunities which will allow you to diversify your business in a way that will contribute to its longevity.

Look forward to building your business, keep focused and you will be certain to attain your goals!

Shannon and her husband, Cyprian Emmanuel help individuals develop profitable home businesses through their website and newsletter at http://www.Affiliate-Start.com

Are you spending more time trying to get new clients than actually working with them?

If the answer is yes, then these three simple ideas will help you.

First, have you ever asked for something and got something different to what you thought you*d asked for? Or have you ever thought you had asked for something and got a blank expression or worse… just got completely ignored? Or even worse, been half-way through telling someone what you do for a living and had it dawn on you that they have lost interest in you the moment you began to speak. Of course not… that kind of stuff only happens to me… right?

A year or so ago if someone asked me what I did, I*d have gone into my ten-second-elevator speech. Some people were interested and said they*d heard about what I did, some dismissed it and occasionally, I picked up a client.

More recently I began to define myself more clearly. Then I redefined my coaching practice. Then I found a new way of introducing myself. What I found was the more I honed in one specific purpose of my business the more interested people became in me and in what I did.

Here is a quick example for you. A local insurance broker once brokered over 120 policies to ensure they were competitive. Then one day they slashed the policies they sold down to just 26. The result? They increased sales by 40%. By getting specific, really knowing yourself, your product and its purpose in the market place you come over with greater clarity. That clarity brings greater congruency to your message. Congruency gets people to buy from you.

If your business is not getting clients, then pinpoint what you do first then consider my second suggestion.

The day before something big happened in my business life I had coached a client, invoiced my corporate clients and generally tidied my admin. I*m glad that the day had been quiet because the next day a storm of sales hit.

A friend sent a multi-fax to her staff advertising my new workshop. Based on past perceptions of advertising my expectation was a zero to minor response. As you can tell I was mentally unprepared for a deluge of calls. My phone rang all day long. Essentially I filled a workshop in that one day just based on that one advert and within a month I had coached more people than ever before. But what was the secret?

Was it the way the advert sold it too them using slick words and phrases? Certainly not. The secret lay deeper than that.

The secret was this: I now knew clearly what I wanted to do.

I thought I was clear. I was a coach. I coached people. Health, fitness, jobs, relationships, finances… you name it I coached it. What I learned was that, that isn*t enough. The definition had to be clearer than *coach*.

The workshops I designed now help people discover clarity in who they are, what they do and how they do it. Basically they are designed so people can put real purpose into what they do.

When you mean it, you make things happen!

It*s simple… if you want to spend more time working with clients as opposed to finding them then get clear on who you are, what you do and how you do it.

My third point is about, clarity, clarity, clarity.

When I created clarity I set out with an intention. When I move that intention forward each day I create momentum. Every small action I take each day over a sustained period just builds up, like a giant ball of snow rolling down a mountainside.

Think about this. The best sales people are the best because they are clear on their product. They are also clear on who they are and how they best sell to people. Other sales people, the ones who don*t know their product, and don*t seem congruent are more like confidence tricksters. You can fool some of your prospects, but you can*t fool them all.

Everything we want is out there somewhere. All we have to do is put out the right signals and make the right noises. May I suggest to you that if you are not succeeding getting your business to as many clients, or the right clients, then it is all to do with your clarity and very little to do with anything else.

I*m sure you*ve found what I*ve been talking about isn*t rocket science. There is no whizzy initiative. There is magic though, and that happens when you are completely clear on who and what you are.

• Define who you are - your values, identity and purpose

• Define what you want to offer. Get really specific on what your business is about and make sure it*s congruent with who you are.

• Define who you want as your clients. Their age, employment status, demographics, etc.

With these steps done you should now be able to hone in to your target market and approach your prospective clients communicating clearly that you have designed your service specifically for them.

About The Author

Neil Millar

Unstoppable Life works with business people and executives who are stuck or stopped in career or life. Each month personal development writer and novelist Neil Millar writes inspirational stories, thoughts and tips for our newsletter. Subscribe FREE and we*ll email you the book, Simple Steps to Greater Happiness as a way of saying thank you. Log onto http://www.unstoppablelife.com and click on the subscribe button.

The run-training portion of preparing for your first Ironman should be approached with caution.

This is one area where you stand a good chance of being injured if you try and do too much too soon. If you are an accomplished runner with a few marathons under your belt, than most of this page isn’t meant for you. I’m more concerned with those of you who don’t really have a running background but still want your shot at the Ironman.

You will have to travel 26.2 miles on foot. Notice I said “travel” and not “run.”

I imagine the list of first timers who have run the entire Ironman marathon distance from start to finish is very small.

Your goal should be to run more than you walk.

In my background I have run about 33 marathons, over 100 10-km races, 2 50-mile races, and have been in 14 Ironman Triathlons. I don’t count the Ironman marathons in the 33 total because there is a world of difference between the two.

My fastest ever “marathon” is 2:54. My fastest ever Ironman marathon is 3:34. To do that I had to run “without stopping once” from the bike transition to the Ironman finish line.

I’m telling you this for a reason.

It took me 15 years to get to that “without stopping once” stage.

So don’t think you have to go out and run 100 miles a week to get ready for the Ironman. Don’t even think you have to do a 20 mile run. It really isn’t necessary.

Think in terms of “time on your feet” and not distance travelled.

I really wish I could convince every Ironman hopeful to train with a heart monitor. Just by its very nature, a heart monitor will not let you run too fast too soon.(see heart monitor training page on my website). It will help you stay injury-free. It will make your run-training more enjoyable and you will not get discouraged–especially when you can actually see your improvement as the months pass.

Reminder: When you use a heart monitor and train at or just below your pre-determined target, set a maximum of 90 minutes for those workouts. The “most” I ever did was 2 hours. What happens is—-once you start getting into really good running shape—-you start running quite a bit faster. So 90 minutes at a quick pace is enough.(Actually its 60 minutes). The work-out would be 15 minutes very slow to warm-up. 60 minutes at or just below your target heart rate. Then a 15 minute very slow cool-down.

If you do longer runs, make them well below your target (20-25 beats)for the entire run. It will tend to creep up, but control it as best you can.

Sometime before your Ironman race, when you have trained yourself into really good running shape, try an extended outing. Make sure its a good 8 weeks or so before the big day. Try and convince someone to come along with you on their mountain bike. That way they can carry extra water for you.

Say you plan it for a Sunday. Make Saturday your rest day and plan for just the run on Sunday. Make it 3 and half to 4 hours. Most first-time Ironmen are on the marathon course somewhere between 4 and a half and 7 hours. What you want to do is try and do your long training run just like you will most likely do your Ironman run.

In other words, don’t bother trying to run the whole thing. Run without stopping for the first 90 minutes. This will start to make you a bit tired. Walk for two minutes and from there run 10-12 minutes and then walk 2 minutes until your 3 and half to 4 hour run workout is finished. If you could work 2 or 3 of these sessions into your training program that would be great, but do at least one for sure before the big day.

What you have done is emulate what it will be like to run between the aid stations. Plan to “walk through” the aid stations taking whatever nourishment you need. If you plan and train for this, then you won’t be disappointed if you go out expecting to blast your way through the entire marathon course. It just won’t happen.

By having a plan, you will have a ball-park time of how long it will take you to cover 26 miles. This is really important because you have to BE AWARE OF THE TIME REMAINING!!! before the race cut-off. Don’t leave too much to do for the last 5 miles.

You want to be like a glass of water that empties drop by drop with the last drop falling out at the finish line. You don’t want the glass three quarters empty at the 5 mile mark. If you let that happen, you will be in for a very long day.

Go into the race with a tried and tested plan and you will have more confidence going in and a much greater chance of success.

My name is Ray and even though I’ve done the Ironman many times, my true background is running. Hopefully my article on preparing for the Ironman marathon will be of help to you. I have also built a site full of training and racing tips that may help also you reach the Ironman finish line.

The name of my site is “Ironstruck”, the address is http://triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com/

You can also contact me if you like with any comments or questions. I’d be glad to hear from you where-ever you may live in the world. All e-mails will be answered as soon as possible.

My contact page can be found at: http://triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com/contact-me.html

We have a habit as Americans to get so wrapped up in the time-off from work thanks to holidays that we lose sight of why a holiday was established in the first place. Case in point: Memorial Day.

The point of Memorial Day is to remember the sacrifice by Americans, both men and women, who died while defending their country and the American way of life. But what most of us think of when it comes to Memorial Day is summer - the unofficial beginning of the season that the holiday has come to represent, thanks to the three-day weekend it provides and the chance to blow out of town and have some fun.

The truth is Memorial Day originally began in the 19th Century as Decoration Day, a holiday created after the Civil War to commemorate Union soldiers who died in battle. Decoration Day evolved into Memorial Day following the end of World War I, when it became a day of remembrance for the fallen of all wars that America has fought in. Officially, Memorial Day is May 30 of each year, but it is observed on the last Monday of May to accommodate our motorist urges to get out on a long weekend.

It is important therefore to remember the sacrifice millions have made on behalf of this country - to defend its principles, institutions and opportunities. One of the greatest things about America is economic freedom and the ability we all enjoy to make money, prosper, and grow financially. That’s why Memorial Day is truly such an important holiday - to honor not just the human sacrifice that has been made, but the freedoms we continue to possess thanks to that sacrifice.

Memorial Day is a time when surviving veterans deserve to be both remembered and rewarded for the commitment they’ve shown. One organization that does just that is Veterans Advantage. By becoming a member of Veterans Advantage, former soldiers, sailors and airmen are entitled to a long list of wonderful discounts. Continental Airlines, Greyhound Bus, Hertz, and Amtrak are just some of the companies who offer special discounts to VA members. VA members can also save money when buying computers, subscribing to satellite radio, purchasing long term care insurance, joining health clubs, buying cell phones, and much more.

Another great way to reward veterans - and anyone can do this - is by throwing them a barbecue. Hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, chicken, fish, it all tastes great when cooked on a classic charcoal Weber grill. Just don’t forget the tools for your grilling.

Memorial Day is of course a time when many people visit war memorials or pay their respects to fallen soldiers. If you’d like to bring something to leave beside a headstone but aren’t sure what kind of flowers to buy, GrowerFlower.com is offering something different this year to consider - blue roses. This specially-made bouquet has a unique quality that reflects the occasion of remembering those we’ve lost.

In keeping with the theme of remembrance, Memorial Day is also a great time to watch movies that capture the sacrifice men and women have made on behalf of their country. For those who fought in World War II, there’s no better depiction of the ordeal soldiers went through than Saving Private Ryan. This landmark film can be seen as part of a special World War II Collection that includes the films the Price for Peace and Shooting War. It makes a great gift for Father’s Day, too.

Pork Chop Hill is perhaps the best film ever made about American soldiers in the Korean War. The same goes for Platoon and Full Metal Jacket when it comes to the Vietnam conflict. As for the more recent wars in the Middle East and gulf, Courage Under Fire is a complex drama that offers a rare portrayal of female heroism in combat. And then there’s Jarhead, a film that exposes the personal and psychological struggles of Marines before and during the first Gulf War. All of these excellent films can be rented through Netflix.

So enjoy your holiday, and don’t forget the men and women behind this great day of remembrance.

Copyright 2006 Find Your Prosperity.com

For more stories like this, visit http://www.FindYourProsperity.com

Imagine starting your morning with a saunter out the back door to enjoy a cup of coffee in your garden hot tub, or relaxing just before bed with a lazy soak in your backyard hot tub under the stars. More and more homeowners are taking the plunge (pardon the pun!) and installing a hot tub in their backyard or garden. If it all sounds tempting to you, here are a few things to consider when deciding where and whether to put a hot tub in YOUR backyard.

- Do you have the space?

A hot tub may look small, but even the smallest hot tubs weigh hundreds of pounds - thousands when filled with water. You’ll need to figure in space for the plumbing and controls as well - and if your county requires security fencing around your tub, you’ll need to take that into consideration as well when you’re planning for your garden hot tub.

- Where will you put it?

No, really, it’s not the same question as above. Because of their weight and the need for plumbing and electricity, you’ll need to plan the location of your hot tub carefully. A hot tub on the patio or deck may sound wonderful - but it will need reinforcement to carry that much weight safely. Besides structural considerations, there are practical ones that are a lot more fun to consider. Do you want it close to the house - perhaps just outside your bedroom sliders so that you can slip in and out of it easily? Choose a spot for your backyard hot tub that gives you privacy, beauty and convenience.

- Do you want a seasonal or year-round hot tub?

You might think that soaking in a hot tub in your garden in winter is a chilling experience, but there’s something especially cozy about watching the snowflakes fall from the relaxing warmth of a garden hot tub. If you’d like to use your hot tub year round, discuss weather proofing with the construction company, and while you’re at it, consider a gazebo roof or similar protection for rainy days as well.

- What are the zoning regulations in your area?

In many townships and cities, outdoor backyard hot tubs require the same protections as swimming pools. The regulations may require a locked privacy fence around your garden, or at least around the hot tub itself to prevent accidental drowning.

- How large a hot tub do you want?

A two-person hot tub is cozy and romantic, but garden hot tubs can spark some wonderful entertaining and parties. Will you want to invite the neighbors or workmates to party with you in your garden hot tub once in a while? A 4-8 person tub isn’t that much more expensive, and gives you the option of coziness and entertainment.

- Should you choose an in-ground or above ground garden hot tub?

The choice is strictly a matter of preference. In-ground garden hot tubs can blend into the landscaping in your back yard - but with the proper surrounds (a garden gazebo? A glass conservatory?) so can an above ground hot spa tub. Price is another consideration here - an in-ground hot tub will require excavation that will make both construction and maintenance more costly.

- What can I do in a garden or back yard hot tub?

Ah, now - do you really need ME to tell you that? Simply enjoy!

Garry John contributes to home and garden sites such as hot tubs.

Perhaps Johnny Damon’s in a panic (Why are you guys still petrified of the Yankees??) with the news of Curt Schilling’s return to the Red Sox in a bullpen role. But, this latest move by Boston, in the wake of Keith Foulke’s injury and ineffectiveness (4 blown saves and a 6.23 ERA), makes perfect sense. Granted, the Yankee will put together a run at Boston after the All Star break, regardless if Schilling is in the bullpen, rotation, or rehab. But, this bullpen is what is keeping the Yankees in the race, and I give Francona props for wanting to do something about it.

It’s apparent that Schilling’s ankle is not strong enough to pitch 6 or 7 innings at this time (see his last outing for Pawtucket), but he can be very valuable coming out of the pen, and giving the team a strong inning or two. The gutsy Schilling actually began his career as a reliever, before becoming one of the premier Starting Pitchers in baseball in the past decade. John Smoltz is living proof you can make a successful transformation from staff ace to closer. It doesn’t hurt that Schilling is a well respected veteran, and could provide a calming influence over a not-so-calm state of affairs.

Now, back to Damon’s comments before Wednesday’s game at Texas. “I don’t think he’s ready to be our closer,I think Bronson (Arroyo) would be our best choice as a closer. That’s if Mike Timlin’s not it.”. Okay Johnny, if Arroyo heads down to the bullpen, who takes his place in the rotation? Certainly not Schilling, he’d have to remain on the sidelines. Unless Boston goes exclusively to a four man rotation, they have to insert Jeremi Gonzalez (or another mediocre hurler) back into the “spot starter” role. That would be my idea of “panic”. If Timlin takes over for Foulke as team Fireman, then the entire bullpen will be forced to move up one spot. Like Rocket J Squirrel would say to Bullwinkle “Not again!! That trick never works!!!” Chances are, Theo Epstein will acquire an established middle reliever to help plug up the leaks in the bullpen boat.

Schilling, unlike too many of today’s players, is the true definition of at “team player”. If the mental picture of his bloody sock and decimated ankle last October in the ALCS doesn’t confirm that, I’m sorry for ya’. He has agreed to take on this role, which gets him back in the rotation without putting too much wear and tear on the ankle. In other words, Johnny, he’s doing this “for the team”. He will be a lot fresher than most starters when September rolls around, and if he’s healthy, more than likely he will be sharp (see Schilling’s past history).

Obviously, the Red Sox manager doesn’t see this as a reason for dissention. “This is not permanent,” Francona said of Schilling closing. “Whether it’s two weeks, two months, it’s not two years. We don’t know what’s going to happen. Two weeks ago, we weren’t having this conversation. We’re trying to do the best we can. I don’t think we have leeway to not win. Our job is to win. So we’re going to do the best we can to win.” Exactly!! Francona is smart enough to realize that if it’s not working, he’ll pull the plug on the experiment and go to plan B. Then, maybe Johnny Damon can set the pitching rotation and won’t be in such a panic over a team they eliminated from the Playoffs in 2004

John Onan (aka Ego74) is Sports Moderator at http://www.theopu.com and a regular Football Contributor at http://www.realfootball365.com