The Top 3 Things That Women Just Don’t Have Time to Do
28 May 2011 Leave a Comment
The modern day woman is a very busy lady; she’s a wife, she’s a mother, she’s a boss, she’s everything. Women these days have certainly learned to conquer it all, she knows no limits or boundaries; there is no mountain that she can’t climb. But that doesn’t mean that she wants to do everything. In fact, there are a number of things that the modern day woman just doesn’t want to be burdened with any more. Here are the top 3 things on that list.
Cooking
It wasn’t so long ago that a woman was responsible for preparing three meals a day for her family. That included a hot breakfast, a packed lunch, and a hot dinner with all of the trimmings. Women these days just don’t have time to do these kinds of things. They spend so much of their time being active with their children, working a full time job, and trying to have a marital relationship that food just doesn’t seem to be a top priority. Women are now turning to alternatives for meal preparation including pre-packaged meals, in home staff, and their retired mothers.
Cleaning
What woman really has time for cleaning when she gets home from work? And what woman wants to spend the few precious hours she has on the weekends doing house maintenance? No woman that works that’s for sure. Keeping a house clean is a full time job especially when you have a husband and kids. This is why a number of women are turning to services like Merry Maids, Molly Maids, Maid Brigade among others. These companies provide great solutions for home maintenance at reasonable rates which has helped to make women’s lives so much easier.
Shopping
This may seem a little bit strange to hear, but many women don’t have time to shop. It’s one of a woman’s favorite pastimes and yet she has very little time to do it. When you think about it, by the time she gets the kids off to school, gets to work, leaves work, picks up the kids, gets dinner on the table, and does other miscellaneous activities, she scarcely has time to leave the house to go shopping. This is where online shopping has become a great tool. Shopping online has helped to make a woman’s life so much more convenient. She can get everything online and delivered to her door including groceries, materials for science, history, and math projects, clothing and apparel, home and garden products and so much more.
The modern day woman has a lot going on. However, she has more help than ever to help her get everything done.
Robin Hood Fancy Dress Costumes – 4 Outfit Suggestions From Sherwood Forest
26 May 2011 Leave a Comment
Robin Hood fancy dress costumes are a popular genre of outfit at costume parties throughout the year and especially so at Halloween. When I say Robin Hood fancy dress, I am actually talking about those outfits inspired by all the characters from Sherwood Forest and not just Robin himself. Maid Marion, Friar Tuck, King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham have all inspired some great looking costumes and it is not surprising given the place that the legend has in our popular culture.
Robin of Loxley is an English folklore hero who was both a highly skilled archer and swordsman. He was a nobleman who was forced to become an outlaw, so he formed a group of fellow outlaws known as his “Merry Men” and roamed an area known as Sherwood Forest. Robin and his men wore Lincoln green clothes and they became infamous for “robbing from the rich to give to the poor”.
Robin Hood fancy dress costumes have always been popular, but become even more so in recent years thanks to the Hollywood blockbuster, Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner in the title role and then more recently due to the huge success of the BBC television series. It is likely that Robin Hood outfits will become more popular still this year, which sees the release of a new film, a more gritty adaptation of the legend, starring Russell Crowe.
So with all the buzz surrounding the Merry Men, which are the Robin Hood fancy dress outfits you should go for when shopping around for the upcoming costume party? Below are my top four outfit suggestions from Sherwood Forest that you should definitely take the time to have a look at.
Robin of Loxley costume
Naturally, Robin himself is my top choice for men. Quite often these outfits come in the legendary Lincoln green, however, there are some other variations in other tones of green or even in brown, which can look just as good if not better than the more traditional colour scheme.
Female Robin Hood outfit
Maid Marian may have been the only female member of the Merry Men, but it does not mean that the ladies have to go dressed in Maid Marian fancy dress costumes. Not at all, nowadays sexy female versions of the Robin Hood costumes are the most popular types of outfits for women in this genre.
Friar Tuck costume
Always one of the best loved characters from Robin’s Merry Men, Friar Tuck outfits are unsurprisingly a popular costume for men, second only to the Robin Hood fancy dress costumes.
Maid Marian outfit
The Maid Marian fancy dress costumes are perfect for those more mature ladies amongst you who might not care for the sexy Robin style, but desire a more sophisticated look instead.
The Best Small Business Ideas
23 May 2011 Leave a Comment
Some of the best small business ideas are right in front of you. Ask yourself what do you do best, and then try to find a way to turn it into a small business. Home-based businesses, for example, don’t require a lot of startup capital, and a lot of the best ideas involve working from home.
For example, many unemployed business professionals turned to consulting as a way to earn money in between applying for jobs. Some made consulting as their new full-time source of income. It involves, first, having a wealth of knowledge in a certain area, such as accounting, business management, etc.
Next, you need to create a website, which can be done for free. Then you need to choose your target customer and market yourself. You can create your own business cards with Microsoft Word and a box of Avery business cards. But that’s just one of many small business ideas.
Another is professional dog walker. If you love dogs and have no fear of them, regardless of size, you can start your own dog walking service. It may sound silly, but a lot of people don’t have time to walk their dogs because they travel a lot or work long hours.
If you like doing housework, you could start your own professional maid service. You determine what jobs you do and on what days you work. Do a little Internet research to see what the large maid services, like Merry Maids, charge and set your prices a little lower. The clich?, “I don’t do windows,” could be what sets you apart from other maids, because you’re slogan would be “I do windows!” That alone could cause your popularity to grow in no time.
Whatever small business you decide to start, make sure you create business cards that you can pass around, advertising what you do. Creating a website, too, will extend your reach and possibly attract unexpected customers.
There’s a plethora of small business ideas out there. Many of them are right in front of you, if you just take a moment to list all the things you like to do and all the things you do well. Look at what overlaps and you’ll probably find one that work best for you.
Merry Maids Franchise Review and Business – A Low Cost Franchise Opportunity
21 May 2011 Leave a Comment
Merry Maids got its start back in 1979 when Dallen Peterson founded the company in Omaha, Nebraska. They began the Merry Maid franchise a year later and they now clean more than an estimated 300,000 residences each month in North America. In 1988, they teamed up with the ServiceMaster family, host company of familiar brands such as Terminix, TruGreen, American Home Shield, Furniture Medic, AmeriSpec, and ServiceMaster Clean. Merry Maids is currently based in Memphis, Tennessee and has over 700 franchise units nationwide with approximately another 700 internationally. They are currently seeking franchises worldwide. Exclusive territories are available.
The franchise fee varies slightly according to location but the range is from $21,000 to $31,000. Additionally, there is an ongoing royalty fee of 5-7%. This results in a total startup investment ranging from $24,750 to $59,450 and allows this business to be considered in the “low cost franchise opportunity” realm. Merry Maids conveniently allows for in-house financing of the franchise fee and necessary equipment for the new franchisee. A minimum net worth of $33,500-$50,500 is required as well as a cash liquidity of $29,700-$44,300 for any prospective Merry Maid franchise owner. It is estimated that a total of 12 employees are needed to run a typical Merry Maids franchise.
The parent company provides an 8 day training session at their headquarters as well as on-site trainings as warranted at the franchisee’s location. The 8 day home office seminar is included in the franchise fee. Additional trainings are also available regionally and are often provided by an established franchise owner. Support is also provided in the form of newsletters, via the internet, training manuals, videos, and also via toll-free phone lines.
Brand name awareness is definitely a benefit of a Merry Maids franchise, as most home owners in North America have usually heard of the company. The franchisee also participates in nationally placed advertisements. However, the franchisee will definitely be responsible for marketing and securing new business/accounts. As with any business or franchise, proper and effective marketing strategies will most often determine the level of success.
9 Affordable Luxury Gifts
18 May 2011 Leave a Comment
It’s possible to treat everyone on your list to a luxury gift without spending a fortune. You just have to know where to find great deals on luxury gifts and how to fit luxury gifts into your budget. If you can’t afford to give an entire designer ensemble, opt for a less expensive accessory. Instead of a mink coat, try mink fur-trimmed gloves. A trip to a day spa, instead of an all-out spa vacation. You get the idea.
How do you define a luxury gift? Webster defines a luxury as
(1) something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary
(2) an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease.
So you see, it isn’t always about the price. A luxury gift can be anything that a person doesn’t find absolutely necessary and probably wouldn’t buy for himself/herself but would love to receive. It’s a special treat.
Here are several affordable luxury gifts that are sure to please:
Jewelry and Watches
A piece of fine jewelry or a designer watch are always welcome gifts but may not be in your budget; especially if you have a long gift list. There’s still a way to get the glitz for much less than retail. Swarovski crystal is a great alternative to diamonds. Or, you could always visit online discount sites if you prefer the real thing. I recently found a Raymond Weil ladies watch for 35% off retail. I’ve also seen substantial discounts on premium designer jewelry and watches on auction sites.
Soothe Mind and Body
Is someone on your gift list stressed out? Treat him or her to a spa service such as a massage, manicure, pedicure or facial by giving a gift certificate. These services cost much less than a full spa day and the recipient will still feel pampered.
Bath and Fragrant Products
This happens to be my absolute favorite when it comes to indulgences. High end soaps, shower gels and bubble bath are richer and more luxuriant than the lower end versions. They also last longer and smell better. I love Bath and Body Works products (especially the new Tutti Dolci Apple Torta line).
Cashmere
There’s just something about cashmere that says luxury. Maybe it’s the feeling of having this ultra-soft wool next to your skin. If your budget won’t allow for a sweater or robe, try less expensive items like scarves, gloves and hats.
Silk
You can find affordable gifts in this luxurious fabric at online discount sites as well. The prices at these sites are so reasonable, that you could spring for silk pajamas without breaking the bank. You could always opt for silk scarves, pashminas or ties.
Fine Foods
Gourmet gifts are great for the person who has everything because they’re consumable. Gourmet foods are generally made of the finest and rarest ingredients and run the gamut from caviar, and lobster to Belgian chocolates. Although some of your recipients wouldn’t dream of paying for these gourmet delicacies, they’ll be glad you did (or at least they’ll think you did). You can impress for less by visiting igourmet.com.
High-End Cookware and Utensils
If someone on your gift list would rather prepare their own gourmet meals, why not arm them with state-of-the-art cookware or utensils. It’s not difficult to find top brands such as All-Clad, Cuisinart, KitchenAid and Le Creuset at savings of up to 70%.
Luxury Bedding
Someone who thinks that all sheets are created equal hasn’t slept on sheets with a thread count above 400. If you want to give someone a luxurious night’s sleep, try sheets with a thread count of 600 or higher. I’ve found a 1,000 thread-count queen sheet set for $179.00 online – 62% off the retail price.
Maid Service
Wouldn’t you feel pampered if someone else handled the house cleaning for you? Give your friend or family member a gift certificate from Merry Maids or Maid Brigade and relieve the recipient of the burden of house cleaning. Service can be scheduled through the companies’ local offices. House cleaning gift certificates are available in amounts of $100 and higher.
Home Cleaning Services: Affordable for Every Budget
17 May 2011 Leave a Comment
A home maintenance service is often associated with the more affluent part of society. This might be true of a permanent house-keeping staff but more than ever there are affordable home maintenance services available. While everyone would like to be able to manage their own home cleaning chores, there are many things that stand in the way of this happening such as if your life style is too hectic, you have small children and work fulltime, or if there are several people that you flat share with that result in an uneven distribution and level of acceptable home cleaning.
Flat sharing is one area that benefits greatly from a home cleaning service. As household bills will generally be lower because of many people sharing a house or a flat, adding the monthly or weekly cleaning bill to the combined bills will not amount to very much per flatmate. It could be as low as ?2 a week for professional cleaning services. Whether you go with a well known service like Merry Maids, a home tidiness facility found on a quick online search or a browse through Craigslist, there are multiple options available to look into. Perhaps too many! One way to limit the search is by going with a well known home cleaning service like Merry Maids. However, the more established or with a higher security rating, perhaps having all their employees CRB checked, will ultimately raise the hourly rate of the cleaners you employ. Another method of finding a trusted home cleaning provider is by word of mouth. Do any of your friends or even acquaintances use a cleaning service? Getting a referral from a trusted individual can help limit the search for a reliable house cleaning service.
One of the reasons that house cleaning forces have become so prevalent and affordable is the influx of immigrants from EU member states. The reality of affordable cleaning services comes at the price of paying a low standard wage for cleaners. Those registered with professional bodies will be paid at least the minimum wage, but independent house maintenance services, or those operated as a private business, may undercut other services by working for less than the national minimum wage. If you are worried about the ethics of underpaying for your house maintenance services, do some investigation into the standard wage of the service you are engaging in. This way you can have peace of mind about the service you are receiving.
Bring New Life to Your Home
15 May 2011 Leave a Comment
Spring is a time of new life and rejuvenation. The world breaks free from the bitter grasp of winter, and begins to grow again. The sun shines more brightly, flowers bloom and the world smiles as people begin their annual house cleaning activities. For some, the cleaning begins with a simple mop and a broom, for others it means complete reorganizing their favorite space and removing old items for newer, brighter ones. Here are some tips and spring cleaning ideas to get you started this season.
First, begin with clearing all the clutter out of the room and off every surface. Make sure every item is in its proper place and off the floors.
Reorganize drawers, closets and storage spaces. Get rid of items that you no longer need and donate items that other people may be able to get some use out of that you no longer use or need.
Then dust off every surface and in every corner including furniture, ceiling fans, walls, art, and photographs.
Take down old window treatments and get them cleaned. Use a damp cloth to wipe off blinds and shutters.
Clear everything off of book shelves and entertainment centers and wipe off each individual item. Then wipe off the shelving before putting the items back.
Vacuum off furniture, floors, rugs and carpet.
Get rugs and carpets cleaned and shake off outside door mats.
Mop off areas of hardwood, tile and vinyl.
Sit back and enjoy all the hard work you just completed.
Today, everyone is talking “green.” Here are some benefits to using “green” non-toxic and pet friendly products that could help you in your cleaning efforts.
According to Wikipedia.com “Green cleaning techniques and products avoid the use of chemically-reactive and toxic cleaning products which contain various toxic chemicals, some of which emit volatile organic compounds causing respiratory and dermatological problems among other adverse effects.” The use of green products will help eliminate these effects allowing your home to be of more comfort to you and your loved ones.
Effective natural cleaning products can be made from common household ingredients, such as: lemon juice, Vinegar, Salt, Mineral oil and Baking soda. These products eliminate dirt and grim just as well as the other traditional chemicals without the harmful effects.
A thorough cleaning of the house is almost like a cleansing of self. Get rid of the old and move past the cold depths of winter and embrace the new found life of spring. With the use of new green cleaning products and even the use of common household products, cleaning can be a very rewarding and fulfilling activity. Be prepared to put some time into your Spring Cleaning as soon as possible so that you can sit back and enjoy rest of the season!
Wedding Speech Toasts – Wrapping Up With A Hearty Thanks And Merry-Making
13 May 2011 Leave a Comment
Wedding Speech Toasts is very significant in every marriage ceremony. At the time when the ceremony has finally ended and the guests are finally at the reception starting to get their selves filled and its time for the groom, the bride, the parents of the couple or the best man or maid-of-honor to take the stage and say their wedding speeches and toasts.
Generally, wedding speeches tell about the married couple’s feelings for each other. How, when, or where they have met and on how they see each other in the next few years. It is also at this part, of the reception, that the couple would say their thank you’s to their guests in sharing this moment with them and on some occasions the couple would make the speech at the beginning as a sort of welcome address to the guests, to the people who were behind the wedding preparations and to their family’s support. Not only the couple is entitled at this moment to give a speech but also the bride’s father, the best man, the maid-of-honor and those who wish to speak. There is also a flow on whose going up first and would be the last to make a speech, first thing on the stage would be the bride’s father, then the groom, the best man, the maid-of-honor, and lastly are those who wish to speak. A wedding toast, on the other hand, is like a wish from the one giving it to the couple, of good luck and happy, fruitful years of marriage for them. One classic line for this is, “May we all live to be present at their golden wedding”.
Arriving with single wedding speech is one of those simple tasks the couple or their representatives and guests have to do and the very important thing there is that you are there in front, not just to entertain your guests but also to say how grateful you are, for all the help and support you have been getting from them, that they have come to join you and your beloved one in this once in a life time event.
Public Relations for Maid Companies
11 May 2011 Leave a Comment
Many people when they sign up for a maid service are worried about things being stolen out of their home. Yet if you stop to think about it that scenario is highly unlikely because if this happened then the company could not survive and they would be run out of business due to negative word-of-mouth you see?
Nevertheless this is one of those things that Maid Service Franchises have to deal with and unfortunately it is a false public perception that must be over come. This is why it makes sense for a public relations campaign, which includes joining the other side of the crime game and promoting participation in a Neighborhood Mobile Watch Program. Why? Well because it really will not cost them anything and consider the following reasons if you will;
MERRY MAIDS FRANCHISEES: This maid service franchise is part of Service Master and also part of Tru-Green Chemlawn, American Home Inspections, and other residential and commercial service franchises. The Service Master Franchise system’s original Founder, Marion Wade, was quite a great community spirited leader. Although the corporate culture has changed significantly, you find Merry Maids and Service Master franchisees as cooperative, helpful and committed. We have had success with them in the past and they tend to have many crews of cleaners throughout the town.
Why not capitalize by riding on the other side of public perception, it will set the mind of the consumer and potential customer at ease and increase goodwill for the franchisees in their local communities. Innovation in public relations is paramount for a smart PR Campaign so consider all this in 2006.
Was Robin Hood A Yorkshireman
09 May 2011 Leave a Comment
As a boy I was brought up on tales of Robin Hood and his merry men, as were my children and now, with a new series on the small screen, my children’s children. We also lived for ten years in a small Yorkshire village near to Wentbridge called Little Smeaton, hence my interest in the Yorkshire connections to Robin Hood.
Robin, a nobleman, so the later stories say, was stripped of his lands and outlawed by Prince / King John, escaped into the green woods of Sherwood Forest. There along with, Little John, Will scarlet, Allan a Dale, Much The Miller, Friar Tuck and of course Maid Marion, stole from the rich to give to the poor. The rich in this case consisted mainly of prince John’s tax collectors and various rich officials of a wealthy church. Since the Sheriff of Nottingham, who was based in Nottingham castle, was charged with the collection of the taxes he became Robin’s archenemy.
That very roughly is the basis of the Robin Hood stories I grew up with. But while the stories were all centred on Nottingham and Sherwood there is now a growing body of experts that believe he was a Yorkshireman. As witnessed by the naming of Doncaster, Sheffield airport, Robin Hood Airport, much to the Chagrin of the good folks of Nottingham.
The earliest known mention of Robin Hood was nearly six and a half centuries ago. In 1377 there was a reference to him in a poem attributed to William Langland. The poem, “The vision of William concerning Piers Plowman” contains the following two lines.
I kan noght parfity my paternoster as the preest it syngth,
but I kan rymes of Robyn Hood and Randolf Erl of Chestre.
I do not know my paternoster perfectly as the priest sings it,
but I know the Rhymes of Robin Hood and Randolf, Earl of Chester.
In those days the majority of the population could not read or write, so a lot of the local history was verbal and passed on by the wandering minstrels. Since the tales of Robin Hood feature in many of those ballads, it is possible that the tales would have been based on the exploits of a real person.
Most of what we know of Robin Hood comes from, The Child Collection. The English and Scottish Popular ballads, collected by Francis James Child in the 1800s
The Lyttle Gest of Robyn Hode is the very first of them and along with the next three ballads place Robin Hood, a Yeoman (Low born freeman) Little John, Will Scarlet and Much the Miller etc, firmly in the Forest of Barnsdale. The forest was in Yorkshire the adjoining county to Nottingham and covered the area between Doncaster and Wentbridge. (Wentbridge was sometimes known as Barnsdale).
The village of Wentbridge is the only place in Yorkshire to boast a blue plaque on the bridge commemorating Robin Hood. Wording from plaque; And walke up to saylis, and so to Watling street, and wayte after some unkuth gest, up chance ye may them mete. The Saylis mentioned has been identified as Sayles Plantation (Now Brockadale nature reserve) and is on one side of the Gorge of the river Went that runs from Wentbridge, past Smeaton Crags, to Little Smeaton / Kirk Smeaton. At the southwest corner of the Kirk Smeaton parish boundary, near to Skellow, lies Robin Hood’s well, Because of road widening works, the Skell, a tributary of the river Don, was covered and the well dried up. The stone shelter that surrounded the well however still exists and can be found in a lay-by on the southbound carriageway of the A1 near Skellow, about half a mile north of the junction with the A638.
Close by in the grounds of Skelbrook Park was The Bishops Oak, alas long gone. (The ground where it once stood is still known as The Bishop Tree Root). This was the spot where Robin and his men were said to have captured and held to ransom the Bishop of Hereford. St Mary Magdalene in Barnesdale was where Robin went pray and was said to be the church where he married Marion. Not far from Skellow is Campsall and the church of St Mary Magdalene, the church is very ancient and would have been within the Barnsdale forest.
Wakefield ten miles from Barnsdale was the home of George a Green, the jolly pinder of Wakefield, who was one of Robin’s followers. He would have lived in Pinderfields near what is now Pinderfields Hospital.
Wakefield was also, according to the Wakefield rolls, the home of one Robert / Robyn Hood the son of Adam Hood, a forester in the service John de Warenne, he was married to Matilda and lived in a property in Birchill. In the records for 1316 Robert and Matilda paid 25 shillings to purchase a piece land in Birchill. Also, in that year Robert was fined for failing a call to arms in Edward the second’s abortive invasion of Scotland two years earlier.
In 1320 Thomas Earl of Lancaster took over Wakefield and began to raise a new army. Robert’s name did not appear on the list of defaulters and it is possible that he joined the army of Lancaster. In 1322 there was a five-roomed house on the land in Birchill. In 1323 Lancaster was defeated at Boroughbridge and his supporters outlawed. In that year a list of seized properties included a newly built five roomed building in Birchill. Robert Hood of Wakefield seems to have disappeared from view at this time. Was he outlawed to the greenwood to become Robin Hood of Barnsdale?
Robin’s archenemy was the Sheriff of Nottingham and for a period in Edwards reign, the High Sheriff of Nottingham had jurisdiction over Yorkshire. As everyone knows Robin was famed for his prowess with a longbow, which also points to him being around during Edward’s reign, since the longbow was not introduced into England until after the reigns of John and King Richard.
The death of Robin Hood. In later years when he was in ill health Robin travelled to Kirklees Priory to be bled, instead he was betrayed and killed by his cousin the Prioress and Sir Rodger Of Doncaster. Just before he died he shot an arrow and asked his friends to bury him wherever the arrow landed.
Kirklees Priory (Between Brighouse and Mirfield) is a ruin although the gatehouse still stands. 600 mtrs beyond the gatehouse they found a gravestone with the partial inscription; Here Lies Robard Hude. The Priory is on private land and for safety reasons there is no public access at this time.
So there we have the Yorkshire Robin Hood, a fugitive yeoman based in Barnsdale, in the reign of Edward the second, who with his band of merry men, led the Sheriff of Nottingham a pretty dance as he robbed the tax gatherers and the rich as they travelled through Barnsdale and very likely Sherwood Forest. (After all both forests, were adjoining).