One of the most misrepresented subcultures; Goths are not all into having everything black, gloomy, depressing, or death-related. In this article we’ll explore home decorating ideas for one of the perhaps original types, the Medieval Goth.
A man’s home is his castle, as the old saying goes, and this decorating style strives to make it a reality. Candles cast a soft glow over tapestries and suits of armor standing at attention. Gargoyle and dragon statues grace the shelves, while sword displays hang on the walls. Stained glass, wall sconces, chains, faux stone, and Gothic arches and are also design elements.

Colors would be burgundy, gold, black, hunter or forest green, and navy or midnight blue. Fabric choices could be heavier weights including velvet, tapestry, wool, fake fur, and linen. Curtains and wall hangings would use iron or pewter rods.

Furniture could be a mix of wood and stone. Throws and slip covers could be used to conceal modern style sofas. Iron hardware may be added to pieces to lend a medieval Goth flair. Simple hooks and chains can suspend tea light candles in pretty glass containers.

Now that we have an idea of what we are trying to achieve, the next question is where to find what we need? Well, I know an online shop that sells funky finds you need. I actually both a couple of wooden dinnerware sets there and it was superb!

For the fabrics, any local fabric store should have what you need. You might even find some good tapestry fabric to make your own wall hanging. If you’re an internet shopper these sites may be useful.

http://www.european-wall-tapestries.com – There are some gorgeous medieval tapestries here, perfect for Goth décor and many very reasonably priced.

http://www.housefabric.com – This website carries tapestry fabric and chenille tapestry in several rich patterns.

For the furniture and accessories; yard and estate sales and thrift stores are good places to look for items you can modify to fit your medieval Goth castle. Home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot should have iron hardware, chains, and rods. Home décor and craft stores such as Garden Ridge carry wonderful suits of armor. Statues and other medieval collectibles can be found at various places online.

http://www.designtoscano.com – Their items are a little expensive, but they are beautiful. From Excalibur to dragon wall sconces to several gargoyle sculptures and much more; even if you don’t buy something you’ll enjoy browsing.

http://www.mwart.com – This website is a great resource for medieval home decorating. I found the small touches such as the set of castle keys and helmet desk organizer very nice.

http://www.thesteelsource.com – This site has some very nice statues of dragons and gargoyles, figurines of gallant knights, banners, sun catchers, and much more.

There are so many craft projects and resources for this style! Here I’ve highlighted some of them.

http://painting.about.com/library/blpaint/blfreestencils-heraldry.htm – Free heraldry stencils including lion rampart and fleur-de-lis. These can be used to make your own shield, customizing a lampshade, or any other idea you can think of.

http://www.rencentral.com/sept_vol1/fauxstonewall.shtml – Step by step directions for creating faux stone walls.

http://www.greydragon.org/furniture.html – Not just one tutorial, but several different plans for various pieces of medieval furniture

Don’t be afraid to turn your home into your own Goth medieval castle. It is possible to create your escape into the bygone days of chivalry on a small budget with some time and creativity.

This is the perfect time to get your backpacking gear ready for spring and summer. The gentle warmth of coming spring is turning snowy ground to muddy muck. Hiking in mud is no fun. Take the next couple of weeks to clean off the dirt, do the maintenance, and apply new waterproofing. All your backpacking gear (purchase through thepnw.co) needs tender loving care.
Start with your boots. Take out the laces and check them for wear, replace them if needed (laces are cheap). Use a soft brush to remove the dried mud and loose dirt especially where the sole meets the upper and under the boot tongue. Is it time to treat your feet to a new pair of insoles? Wipe out the inside with a soft damp cloth. Waterproof your boots with the proper agent. Mink oil keeps leather boots supple and keeps water from soaking in. Spray on waterproofing works well on man-made fabrics.

Keep the spray-on waterproofing handy for the outside of your backpack. Use that soft brush again to clean off any loose dirt first. Check the zippers, make sure they work smoothly. Vacuum loose debris out of the main compartment and pockets. Make sure all the straps are in place and the buckles lock firmly. This is a great time to decide which type of pack is right for you – http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/290099/choosing_the_right_backpack_internal.html.

Trek poles are like extra legs so they need attention. Here is where to find good information for maintaining and getting the most use out of them – http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/292786/trek_poles_essential_gear_for_backpacking.html.

Hydration is important when you are on the trail. Take the water bladder out of the freezer (You have been keeping in the freezer? Freezing it makes sure no nasty mildew grows in it.) and give it a good washing out. Check that the hose and mouthpiece are in good shape. There is a filter in the water pump. It is going to need replacing if the pump is getting harder to work or the filter is coated in black goo. Examine the pump handle for cracks. Days away from civilization is not when you want it to break off. The intake and filler hoses need to be checked for kinks or splits.

Take the camp stove apart and give it a good cleaning. Screw on a fuel canister and listen for gas escaping around the seal. Fire it up to ensure there is flame around the burner. How much fuel is left from last year? Give the camp pots and utensils a good scrubbing.

Set up the tent. You will know if any poles or tie-downs are missing and if any need replacing. Count the tent pegs. More zippers to check. Examine the seams for potential splits and reseal them if needed. Look for tears in the bug screen on the windows. Vacuum out any dirt on the floor.

At the end of the hike you will be ready to rest so make certain your sleeping bag and ground pad are ready. Sweat and dirt not only make your sleeping bag smell funky they also reduce its thermal efficiency. Follow the manufacturers washing instructions. Blow up your ground pad, stand it up in the shower and gently wash it with liquid soap. Not only will it get clean but you can check for leaks, watch for bubbles. Use the patch kit that came with it to repair any holes.

All your expensive gear will last longer with regular maintenance. When its time for that first warm weather backpacking trip you will not have to waste time getting ready. The boots will get you where you want to go, your pack will carry the necessities, the tent will shield you from the elements, trek poles will ease your burden, water and food will taste good, and your bed will smell fresh and keep you warm.

Happy backpacking.

The question has to be asked if this is his decision, and whether at seven a person knows what they want to do? Bryan Boyd, Keats’s forty four year old father seems satisfied that this is a genuine internally reached decision by his son.
“We have talked about it and he is set on this, I believe this is what he wants to do.” The father is going with him on the climb. This brings up the issue that secondary, how can such a climb be supported? Individuals who wise to contribute to this cause can donate to the climb at: http://www.climbavolcano.org. Seeing the interview on Fox News, seeing the genuine nature of this fathers concern, but approval, it is impossible to deduce anything but wise devotion to a dangerous but courageous task.

In an era where victimization is fed to us via the news waves, newspapers and fear propagandists, is this a breath of fresh dedicated air? Keats states that his motivation for the climb is: “I am climbing to benefit Kids of Kilimanjaro, they feed hungry children at 16 pre-primary schools lunch each day. 100% of the money they receive goes to feeding kids, there are no salaries paid to anyone at the charity or at its NGO affiliate. It costs just 20¢ (twenty-cents) to provide the only meal many of these children eat. Because of the success of Kids of Kilimanjaro, the drop-out rate has all but disappeared and the Tanzanian government is opening 15 new schools to accommodate the increased demand.” [Keats, 2008]

The website for this has built in donation systems, levels of donations allotted and the means for those who want to contribute to become involved. Keats states on the site that this cannot be done without the involvement of the people of the world, who he reaches out to. Isn’t it miraculous that such an event is even considered by one so young, without it being the deliberate happenstance of promptings from others? This situation is truly of major import as this young man has reached a decision will beyond his years in maturity, and seems well appraised of the dangers and considerations involved.

Please read to my amazon purchases like a new drone, some books and my new amazon tactical flashlight.

When asked what preparations he has taken Keats calmly explained to the Fox News interviewer that he has visited with doctors and” “I’ve seen the doctors, made sure I am in shape and have gotten my shots.” This response given open eyed and honestly with no hesitation and no loss of eye contact, on a national level interview, positively indicates the genuine nature of this young hero.

In an age when we are told that it is better to achieve moderately, to fit in and survive, to adhere to and listen to those who propagate fearful philosophy based on survival and not risk, isn’t it refreshing to hear one so young who espouses such courageous dedication to such a worthy cause as the “Kids Of Kilimanjaro” which takes care of the needs of those who otherwise are not thought of. The final amount of “hail and bravo” to this young hero will be what is hoped for, your becoming part of the fight to help the children, a group that is thought of but often overlooked in the haste of life. Hail and Bravo Keats!

Do you fully appreciate the beauty of the rose? We all know that roses are beautiful and that they smell wonderful. But did you know that they are aphrodisiacs and have antidepressant properties? And you may know that the petals are edible (my grandfather nibbled on them regularly), but did you know they have cosmetic uses? Roses are one of the many natural resources that can be used in skin cleansers, astringents, and creams and lotions. Try these recipes and see if your skin doesn’t thank you . . . and if you don’t appreciate the rose a little more.
Rose Lotion

If you have dry or sensitive skin, the rosewater and almond oil in this recipe make a wonderful moisturizer.

16 oz. rosewater
1 oz. dried rose petals
20 oz. almond oil
3 oz. beeswax
essence of rose (optional)

Add the rose petals to the rosewater and soak for 3 days and use dermaroller amazon regularly. Strain the liquid.

Fill a nonmetal double boiler with water. Put the almond oil and beeswax into this and heat until the beeswax has dissolved. Remove the boiler from the burner.

Gradually add the rosewater, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the liquid is cool.

If you are using the essence of rose, add a drop to the mixture.

Continue to stir the mixture vigorously until it is cold, then pour into a clean bottle with a stopper or lid.

You can use the lotion to remove makeup: With clean fingertips, smooth the lotion over your face. Remove with a tissue. Follow with a mild cleanser. If any film from the cream remains, simply smooth it into your skin.

Rose Cream

The rosewater in this cream acts as a moisturizer and mild astringent, while the borax softens the skin. Zinc oxide helps heal irritated skin and lanolin is a powerful emollient.

2 oz. beeswax
1 heaping tsp. anhydrous lanolin
6 oz. almond oil
2 tsp. zinc oxide combined with 4 oz. almond oil to form a cream
1 tsp. borax dissolved in 4 oz. rosewater
10-20 drops of essence of rose

In a nonmetal double boiler, gently heat the beeswax and lanolin; don’t let it burn or even simmer.

Remove the pot from the heat and slowly add the almond oil.

While beating, add the zinc oxide and almond oil cream.

Mix in the borax and rosewater mixture and continue beating until cool.

Add the essence of rose slowly until you like the scent.

With a wooden spoon, beat the mixture until it is cold.

Pour into jars with lids (this recipe will make about 12 ounces) and let it sit until it solidifies.

You can use this cream as a moisturizer alone or under make-up.

If you love roses and want beautiful skin, these recipes may be for you. What’s more, you’ll know what you’re putting on your skin and get customized skincare products at a homemade price.

Not all people take their children to a day care facility. Some like the idea of having their children in a warm home environment. Many parents however fail to realize the importance of showing their babysitter how much they appreciate the time and effort they put into caring for their child. This article will discuss several ways that you can show your baby sitter how much you appreciate them. You may not realize how very simple things can say so much.
One of the things that you can do to show your appreciation for your baby sitter is to make sure that you arrive after the agreed upon time. Some baby sitters set a particular time that you can drop your child off at. For example they may tell you that you can drop them off anytime after 7:00am. You should make sure that you respect this and do not arrive any early. Your baby sitter may need this time to finish preparing their home or their own family for the day before you arrive. Another suggestion is to make sure that you arrive on time to pick up your child. This means that the time you both agree upon for pick up should be kept. Of course we all know that sometimes due to traffic or other problems it is always possible for parents to be running a little late.

The important thing however is to make sure that this does not become a habit. Remember that if you are constantly late then you could risk losing your baby sitter. You should also make sure that you pay them when you are supposed to pay them. Some people tend to think that if their child is not at the baby sitters on the day that they are supposed to pay them that it would be ok to wait until the next time they see them to pay. What some parents fail to realize is that many baby sitters  are trying to earn extra money to cover their family expenses. If you fail to pay them when you are supposed to then you could be causing them additional financial difficulties. If you agree to a particular date, then stick to your agreement. If for some reason you can not afford the entire amount that you own your baby sitter, and then you should be upfront and honest with them about this. Avoid waiting until the day you are supposed to pay them to let them know that you don’t have the money. When you repeatedly don’t pay on time this tends to show your baby sitter that you really don’t appreciate them.

One final suggestion that I have found to be a problem for most baby sitters is parents not bringing enough food and supplies that the baby needs. For most people who baby-sit in their homes they usually ask the parent to bring what the baby needs for the day, so that they do not have to pay out of their own pocket. If this is what you agree to then you should make sure that you pack your baby bag the night before and in the morning check to make sure that you have everything that your baby needs. This will help to avoid your baby sitter having to use there own supplies and money to cover what your baby needs. These are just a few suggestions on how you can show your baby sitter that you really do appreciate them. It really is very simple. All you have to do is stick to your original agreement, and have a little consideration, and respect for them.

Check out my next post about  Teddy Kids Kinderopvang.