Tips on Buying a House!

By Karan Singh

Step 1:
Determine your housing requirements: where do you want the house? What price range? How big a house do you need? What kind of a house is appropriate for you? The distance of your house from municipal and community services, etc…

Step 2:
Understanding you Local Housing Market: Hire an agent to determine the market prices for the kind of house you are looking for? Your agent gets paid, so he/she must work for you and work hard. Ask them any questions that you may have and make them work for you. Determine if it is a buyer's or seller's market? How favourable are the conditions towards you, etc…

Step 3:
Calculating your Costs: The most important thing when buying a house is your financial capability. How much can you afford monthly? How much down payment are you planning to give first up? Maintenance Costs? Renovation Costs? Services Cost? Propery Taxes? Insurance?

Step 4:
Choosing your Team: Make sure you choose an agent who you are comfortable with and who is willing to work hard for you and who has time for you. Do you prefer a good more experienced agent, or a younger one? And ask your agent to help you find a good housing inspector and mortgage lender.

Step 5:
Arranging your Mortgage: For this aspect, your agent should take care of the all the paperwork and all that is involved in this. After all, they are getting paid for their service. Understand all different types of mortgages and the benefits and cons of all these.

Step 6:
Closing the Deal and Moving: Make sure that all the paperwork has been taken care of and the appropriate and required documents are submitted before the notary and all the requirements have been met. Keep in frequent touch with your agent in order to be up to date as to what is going on with your house. Find a reliable moving company and assure that your moving is as smooth as possible.

Jasbir Singh is the founder of http://www.montrealonline.ca/

How not to move a Piano!!

Ooooooops!!

Thanks to the BBC in England for this little gem.

Moving Your Pets Tip!

Don't pack a dog and a cat in the same box.

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Magic Movers "Moving Quotes"

Formula for success: under promise and over deliver.

Tom Peters

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Anzac Day - Australia Remembers

It's Anzac Day today. Its a day to remember . . a day to reflect.

What is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Why is this day special to Australians?When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 14 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany.
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They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed.
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News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
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Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the "ANZAC legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and future.

This information is taken from the Australian War Memorial website where you can access many other great resources:

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http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/anzac_tradition.htm

Here are some great resources, for events on the day:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn/html/custom/2234-event-details.asp?EventID=22433.

http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/

Moving House with Children - Part 4

Getting Settled after Moving House

To start with just unpack the essentials around the house. It really doesn't matter if all your books are on the bookshelves for the first few days, even weeks!

Try to make the children's bedrooms safe and comfortable. Make sure they've got their familiar things around them. And try to re-establish their normal bedtime routine as quickly as possible.
Let the children have a say in how they want to decorate their new bedroom. This will help them feel in control of their environment again.

Spend time exploring your new neighbourhood. Especially the things the children loved best about their old house. Knowing they can still go for a pizza or to the park etc will help in this transition.

Encourage them to make new friends by letting them know its ok to invite friends round or call them on the phone.

Moving house is a big time of change for children and adults alike. So don't expect them just to sail though it.

Kathryn Burns works as a home stager in Manchester, England. She has experience as a property developer and in the buy-to-let sector. She also has a very keen interest in Feng Shui. http://www.homereporter.co.uk/

Moving House with Children - Part 3

During Moving House

During the house move, try to stay as positive and calm as you can. Not always easy at such a stressful time!

Babies especially pick up on their mother's mood and are very sensitive to stress, leading to a very unsettled baby - the last thing you need when you're packing.

Younger children may have spent extra time in childcare or with friends, so don't be surprised if they are clingier when they're around you.

Involve your children in the packing. Older children can put their own belongings in boxes, and kids of all ages will enjoy decorating the boxes containing their things. Doing this will also make finding your children's things easier once you're at the new house!

Try to stick to the children's normal routines. Have meals and naps at the same times as usual.
Stay with the usual bedtime routine. Remember not to pack their favourite blanket, teddy bear or book.

Help your children say goodbye to the important people in their lives. Perhaps have a little 'going away party'.Help the children make a scrapbook of the old house by taking their own photos of the house, their friends, even a piece of the wallpaper!

Continued tomorrow.

Moving House with Children - Part 2

Preparing for Moving

House Let your children know about moving house as soon as you realise that the move is really going to happen. The more time the children have to think about and prepare for the move, the easier it will be for them.

Give your children a chance to express their feelings, and try to be honest about your own. Most children will feel some anger, sadness, or worry about the move. These responses are natural and to be expected.

Help older children make an address book. Knowing they can stay in touch with their friends is an important part of a successful move.

In this day and age - perhaps you could help them set up their own email address or their own blog or profile on a social networking site - then they can keep in touch with their friends over the internet.

Continued tomorrow.

Moving House with Children - Part 1

Moving House with Children

By Kathryn Burns

When moving house . . . don't forget to take the children's needs into account.It’s very easy to forget about children's needs during a house move, as you'll be so wrapped up in the practicalities of moving house yourself. But moving house can be a difficult time for children too. They're also leaving behind familiar places and important friends. They, too, will be starting a new chapter in their life: adjusting to a new home, a new neighbourhood, and a new school.

Continued tomorrow.

CityMove Removals in Australia
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Citymove Removals in UK
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When moving your office or residence in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, or if you are moving interstate . . . it pays to use Citymove Removals.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

During my second year of nursing school our professor gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name.

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I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

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Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. "Absolutely," the professor said. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello. "I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

Joann C. Jones

Selling Then Buying A House - A Winning Strategy

By Amanda Searle

We are all aware of the recent changes in the real estate market. Due to the high number of homes for sale, days on the market have been increasing. This calls for an adjustment in your strategy if you are planning on selling your home and purchasing another home.

A year or two ago, it may have been possible to find the house you wanted and then list your house for sale. In today's market however, putting your home for sale should be your first step. Once your home is on the market, start researching the market in the area you want to buy in.

Once you get an offer on your house, then start looking at homes for sale. This strategy ensures that you find a house when you are in a position to purchase, rather than finding that perfect house and making an offer, but being unable to sell your own home in time. It also ensures that your offer price on your new house is as realistic as possible because you know how much your former home is going to sell for.

Remember, it doesn't cost anything to enlist a Realtor to market your house, a Realtor only gets paid if the house sells. If you are thinking about moving, remember the first step could be to get started marketing your current home for sale and then, shopping for a new home once you have a contract on your present house.

amanda@intownjacksonville.com

Choose the Most Affordable, Reliable and Comfortable Corporate Relocation Services - Part 3

The entire process of relocation consists of loading, unloading, packaging, unpacking and others. If your goods are delicate then you must be worried about that but now there is no need to worry because corporate relocation service providers are there to take care of your stuff.

The corporate relocation service also provides protection to your stuff from theft, weather and others. Corporate relocation service keeps your stuff secure and takes full care of them so that your stuff may not lost or broken. So, it’s your responsibility to choose the reliable, affordable and comfortable one for relocation but when you succeed in doing so the relocation day will be like all other days and you will not have to cancel any important business meeting.

Claudia White works is proficient in chalking out different ways that can make the process of relocation easier. For more information on corporate relocation, corporate company relocation or corporate relocation services log on to http://www.a1firstclass.com

Choose the Most Affordable, Reliable and Comfortable Corporate Relocation Services - Part 2

Finally what matters is the cost of services measured against the quality of the removalist; cost of moving services depends on the distance covered in miles to relocate your entire stuff. It also depends on the type of service you are taking. It may happen that the service you choose can affect your relocation budget.

Then, this will let you find another service if you are not comfortable with that services. Careful examination about the moving company can help you to get a good and affordable services and that will be definitely better one. You must hire the services of the relocation company to help you well in advance.

If you approach them at the last moment chances are that they may be booked and have no time to attend to you. Get the professionals working there, to come over to your place and see all the stuffs that you want them to pack. A careful examine about the moving company can help you to get a good and affordable services.

Choose the Most Affordable, Reliable and Comfortable Corporate Relocation Services - Part 1

By Claudia White

Moving from one place to another is always a problematic task. If you are planning to move your businesses then corporate relocation service can make your moving hassle free. When businesses shift from one place to another they prefer to heir the services of a relocation service and that is really very beneficial.

The relocation company makes all arrangements and makes moving convenient and easy. Corporate relocation service takes away the entire burden of shifting and allows you to continue with your important business activities without any worry of how the relocating will be done. By this way your business will not get affected and your business will relocate easily.

If you are willing to relocate your office to a new destination, then you can select an efficient moving company by searching them either on internet or can ask to those who have ever taken services of such company. Before searching for a moving service and finalizing, it is important to examine all the factors that help you to choose the best one for you.

The factors that you should consider are the cost of services, the type of services offered, and the area that the area in which that service specializes in. Whatever is the method of searching you choose to find a perfect moving service ultimately you will find corporate relocation services as the best one for you.

Continued tomorrow.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"I hope that my achievements in life shall be these - that I will have fought for what was right and fair, that I will have risked for that which mattered, and that I will have given help to those who were in need, and that I will have left the earth a better place for what I've done and who I've been."

C. Hoppe

Choosing The Right Home

Susy Copus

When deciding on moving house the first step is to understand what exactly you are looking for and why you are moving in the first place.

One way to do this is to sit down and write all the criteria that you ideally want. You need to make two lists: essential criteria and desirable criteria and then mark them in order of importance. If you are buying a house as part of a family it may be useful for all members of the family to do this task independently so that the whole family is aware of what is important for everyone else.

What goes on each list will of course vary according to your personal needs. However, factors to be considered include location of workplaces, schools, amenities, transport facilities, house price, house size, number of bedrooms, gardens, car parking, area, condition of house, tool-sheds, dog walking spaces, space for pets, etc.

When you start to view houses always refer back to your checklists. As you view houses the criteria is likely to change and you may need to update your lists. You may see a beautiful house in an unsuitable area, or your dream kitchen but no parking. You may then be able to overcome the problem i.e. if you have found your dream home in a remote location rather than a preferred town location, can you afford two cars or is the public transport sufficient? Would you gain more than you lose? Or you may have found your dream house but has no garden – is there a park nearby that would suffice?

As a buyer you need to be flexible and adaptable. Each house you view will have its pluses and minuses. You need to view each house with an open mind and even when you view a house that immediately excites you must always refer back to your checklist. You can then be fully aware of any negatives and can work out how to deal with them.

The key is to know what you want, and be adaptable when you find it.

Susy Copus is a property commentator writing about all aspects of home moving, properties for sale, estate agent directories and house prices for the UK Property Search Engine, Wheres My Property. Susy also writes for Renovate Alerts who specialise in finding property to renovate and Property Money Maker.

3 Steps to Picking out Your Dream Paint

By Richard Martin

Moving into a new house can be quite an experience. You are totally in a new zone, surrounded by new ceilings and floors near stairs in an entire new layout. You want your home to look the best, so it's important to pick out the right kind of paint.

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Of course, in a single article, we can't show you absolutely everything that you need to know about moving into your new house, but we are going to try to give you some good tips on picking out a new house quality house paint.

1. Match it.

You definitely don't want to paint your house a second time. Make sure whatever kind of house paint that you buy matches up with your existing paint. Maybe take a picture or find out exactly what kind of paint you have in your house right now so that when you go to the hardware store, you can show them exactly what you need.

2. Buy high-quality paint.

Take a look around at the different types of paint that are available for you to buy in the store. You will quickly notice that paint varies in quality drastically and you generally get way you pay for. Granted, you have to make sure that you're not getting ripped off and you really are getting a good deal, but if you are serious about making money on your house, try to buy the best type of paint that you can afford.

3. Ask a professional.

It's okay if you don't know everything about home remodeling. Some people do it for a living. Builders, contractors, subcontractors and other home decorators might be able to give you some words of wisdom and help that you might not be able to get otherwise. Don't be afraid to ask. Just ask them for a little help and you might be able to save yourself some time and headaches.

Of course, there's a lot more to say about house paint. We can't have put everything in one article. Keep an eye on this CityMove Blog for more tips.

Want to learn about house paint and more? Visit http://www.housepaintnow.com/blog/index.php to learn about the latest house paint and paint.

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Make Sure it Fits in Your Garage

When you buy or rent a new home. . . make sure whatever yer got to put in it fits . . ok!!

Do It Yourself Piano Removals

Moving House?

Now thats what we call "Moving House"!

Houston, We Have a Problem

We don't do moves there anyway! (Yet!)

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"I'm moving, but don't worry! Someone once told me we're all on the same planet, so I'll be okay!"

Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005

Ooooh . . You Want To Move Your House!!

Thanks . . but we just will concentrate on the contents!

You'll Ride Your What??

Well at least you would not have to stop for a "comfort stop" I suppose!

Checklist For Hiring A Business Relocation Company

By Abhishek Agarwal

If you have a business that is growing rapidly, you may realise that you can't fit in to your primary offices anymore. You can’t find any further room for expansion. Sure, this is excellent for your business, but it can also produce its own share of challenges.

Relocation is very taxing, both in terms of time and energy. Not to mention the stress that comes along with it. However, you need not fret! There are some things that you should be aware of before taking the plunge! A bit of planning will go a long way to ensure a smooth relocation.

For beginners, with all of the business that you are managing, it can be daunting to even organize a business relocation because of the effort that needs to go into it. Many corporations simply don't have the time or resources to manage a corporate relocation. Due to this, you would surely benefit from using the services of a business relocation company.

There are many individuals who specialize in helping corporations relocate. They have proper insight with the relocation process and know everything that you may overlook or avoid. They will be able to manage nearly all facets of the planning and implementation of your move, which will undoubtedly assist you in handling the situation more professionally.

Another important ground why you should take the help of relocation companies is because of the legal implications of your relocation. If you are relocating your headquarters only a town away, you probably won't face many rules and regulations.

But if you are contemplating on shifting your business out of the country, there are myriad laws, rules, and regulations that you will have to comply with in order to be sure that everything runs flawlessly.

Not all of these laws are obvious, so it is a clever idea to employ a business relocation company as they will already be quite proficient with these issues.

If you are thinking of relocating your business, you should search for an experienced relocation company. This might be a difficult job. But there is a way out. The easiest way to finalize your relocation company is by talking to executives from other organizations.

If they have ever moved, they will be able to recommend which companies to go with. You might also consider comparing two of these companies and see which one offers the best price and service. If you get a good relocation company, your relocation process will become a whole lot simpler!

Download Abhishek's FREE Relocation Report and learn some amazing Relocation tips and tricks - And save lot of your time, money and effort! Click here to visit Relocation-Guru.com

Just for Fun

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"All our dreams can come true...if we have the courage to pursue them."

Walt Disney

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Home Selling 101 - To Re-Carpet or not to Re-Carpet

Home Selling 101 - To Re-Carpet or not to Re-Carpet

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.

Washington Irving

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Happy Easter Holidays

The meaning of the many different customs observed during Easter Sunday have been buried with time. Their origins lie in both pre-Christian religions and Christianity. In one way or another all the customs are a "salute to spring" marking re-birth.

The white Easter lily has come to capture the glory of the holiday. The word "Easter" is named after Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. A festival was held in her honor every year at the vernal equinox.

People celebrate Easter according to their beliefs and their religious denominations. Christians commemorate Good Friday as the day that Jesus Christ died and Easter Sunday as the day that He was resurrected. Protestant settlers brought the custom of a sunrise service, a religious gathering at dawn.

Who is the Easter Bunny?

Today on Easter Sunday, many children wake up to find that the Easter Bunny has left them baskets of candy. He has also hidden the eggs that they decorated earlier that week. Children hunt for the eggs all around the house. Neighborhoods and organizations hold Easter egg hunts, and the child who finds the most eggs wins a prize.

The Easter Bunny is a rabbit-spirit.

Long ago, he was called the "Easter Hare", hares and rabbits have frequent multiple births so they became a symbol of fertility. The custom of an Easter egg hunt began because children believed that hares laid eggs in the grass. The Romans believed that "All life comes from an egg." Christians consider eggs to be "the seed of life" and so they are symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Why we dye, or color, and decorate eggs is not certain. In ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia eggs were dyed for spring festivals. In medieval Europe, beautifully decorated eggs were given as gifts.

How fresh Paint and Carpet can make a home sell for MORE $$$

Happy St Patrick's Day

As you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point the wrong way.

Irish Saying

May you never forget what is worth remembering, Or remember what is best forgotten.

Irish Saying

Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover?

You don't want to press your luck.

Irish Saying

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Irish Saying

A good retreat is better than a bad stand.

Irish Saying

Constant company wears out its welcome.

Irish Proverb

Both your friend and your enemy think you will never die.

Irish Saying

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.

Charles Schulz

Packing Supplies, Labeling & Packing Tips

Packing Supplies, Labeling & Packing Tips

Keep the following supplies handy for packing:

Boxes,
marking pen,
bubble wrap,
newspaper and tissue
Tape and scissors
Tape measure

Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly. Purchase special boxes for dishes, wardrobe and other special items.

Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes. Label cables and tighten transit screws. If removing screws, tape them to the objects they are removed from.

Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box.

Label each box and indicate the following:

(a) Which room it should go in
(b) Whether it is fragile
(c) If it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first.

Cushion contents with packing material such as bubble wrap, newspaper or tissue. Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items.

Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. If musty smelling, sprinkle talcum powder between the pages and wrap the book before packing. Leave stored for a couple of months to eliminate the smell.

Have rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in wrappings for the move.

Pack medicines in a leak proof container.

Carry all valuables with you.

Residential Moving Tips - Part 20 of 20

• It is up to you whether you tip the packers or not . . . . . I never did until my last move, they were absolutely wonderful to me.

Residential Moving Tips - Part 19 of 20

• If you are in a hot climate, I would suggest having the packers come very early in the morning.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Residential Moving Tips - Part 18 of 20

• You can always ask if they can come back and pick up the boxes, but once they leave, they are NOT obligated to come back. If not, some have had success at selling the boxes and making a profit.

Residential Moving Tips Part - 17 of 20

• Talk to your truck driver, they will have some idea of when they will be able to deliver. Sometimes it can really work out and your items will not have to go into storage.

• Before the packers leave, make sure you go through the house to look for anything that may have been looked over. If you have a multi-day pack, ask the movers to leave a large wardrobe for the last day. Therefore, you can pack the items that you want immediately at your new place.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.

Erma Bombeck

Residential Moving Tips - Part 16 of 20

• Colour code the boxes so that you will know immediately which room the box belongs in. You can also colour code the rooms so the packers will know which box belongs where.

• Towards the end of packing day, make sure that the last minute items that can be boxed are getting boxed and not just thrown in the truck.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.

Richard Bach

Residential Moving Tips - Part 15 of 20

Oh and I suppose you could wash the dog before you go . . . .

• Have small Zip-loc bags and tape ready on packing day. As the movers take things apart, get the small hardware and bag it up. Tape it to the item immediately.


• Make sure the packers box your couch cushions. If they use them to pack the load on the truck they can get permanently damaged or even lost.

Happy Valentines Day

The history of Valentine's

Ever wondered how all this fluffy nonsense started?

Your pagan roots are showing

Long before it was actually called Valentine's Day, there was a good old pagan festival called Lupercalia. It was held in ancient Rome at the beginning of February to honour the god Pan and herald the arrival of Spring, and was associated with purification and fertility rituals. Sounds promising, eh?

During these rituals, goats and dogs were sacrificed, and young men were anointed with the blood. Then there was the usual feasting, raucous drinking, and so on, that we all know and love. Afterwards they had to run round and round the city slapping young women with strips of soggy goat flesh called Februa. Apparently this was welcomed as a blessing by the women as it was supposed to make them more fertile. Although the extra laundry probably wasn't.

Another cracking tradition: after they'd run out of slabs of dripping goat corpses, the names of all the young women in the city were placed into a giant urn. Each young man in the neighbourhood waited in turn to take a random name out of the urn, and the couple would be paired up together for a year after a bit more feasting, eroticism, and sexual-game playing. This weird matchmaking often resulted in marriage.

Valentine by name

The early Christians decided to put a stop to all this unbridled eroticism and overt sexuality, and changed the festival to one of romantic love. The prudes. They grabbed hold of a fantastic public relations opportunity in the shape of Saint Valentine. The Catholic Church recognises at least three people called Valentine or Valentinus, who were martyred, so the Valentine story could be about any one of them, or indeed all of them. One legend says that Valentine was a priest or bishop who lived in third century Rome.

"The early Christians decided to put a stop to all this unbridled eroticism and overt sexuality, and changed the festival to one of romantic love. The prudes."

The ruler at the time, Emperor Claudius II, decided to outlaw marriage and engagement because he wanted more men for his armies, and the locals preferred to make love, not war. Valentine carried out many secret marriages, plus the occasional miracle, and was finally caught in the act and imprisoned.

Rumour has it that while incarcerated, he fell madly in love with the jailer's daughter, who visited him often. One story says that he was beheaded, and the night before his execution, he sent his true love a note that he signed "from your Valentine." Other stories say that he just got sick and died in prison. Either way, it's his fault for all those crappy cards.

British folklore and traditions

Back in the UK during the Middle Ages, February 14 was traditionally thought to be the day that all the birds paired up for the year. Mating season, in other words. There were many rituals carried out by young maidens who wanted to find out the name of the man they would marry.

The oldest known Valentine card still in existence probably dates back to 1415, and was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. They probably didn't have a romantic meal later that evening.

Valentine's Day celebrations in the UK began to be popular in the 16th or 17th century, and by the middle of the eighteenth century it was common for lovers and friends to exchange handwritten notes and gifts. The first manufactured cards became available at the end of the 18th century. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Residential Moving Tip - Part 14 of 20

• Watch the movers and be nice to them. If you encounter a problem, do not argue with them, call the transportation office immediately.

• Once the movers get there you will not be able to leave, so plan ahead for lunch. They are very appreciative if you are able to provide lunch for them too.

• Every item and every box should have a tag as it's going on the truck.

Japan National Foundation Day 建国記念の日 (Kenkoku kinen no hi)

11 February - Japan National Foundation Day

This national holiday was established in 1966 (and first held in 1967) as a day to reflect on the establishment of the nation and to nourish a love for the country. From 1872 to 1948, February 11 was known as Kigen-setsu (紀元節, Kigen-setsu?), a holiday commemorating the day on which—according to the Nihon-shoki—Emperor Jimmu is said to have acceded the throne in 660 BCE.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them.

Bernard M. Baruch

Residential Moving Tip - Part 13 of 20

• Ask the representative if you need to have your fridge off for 24 hours prior to the movers coming. Some require it and some don't.

Happy Chinese New Year - Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

On the Western calendar, the start of the New Year falls on February 7, 2008 — The Year of the Rat. If you were born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 - you were born under the sign of the rat.

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year.

This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.

The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.

Taboos and Superstitions of Chinese New Year

House Cleaning

The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away.

After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep one of the family away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.

Bringing In the New Year and Expelling the Old

Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out.

New Year Activities Set Precendent

All debts had to paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or give a light to others.

Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four" (Ssu), which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.
If you cry on New Year's day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.

Personal Appearance and Cleanliness

On New Year's Day, we are not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year.

Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune..

More New Year Superstitions

For those most superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out.

The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year.

It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.

It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.

Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.

While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do's and don'ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced. These traditions and customs are kept because most families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity.