Speak Your Mind

We are asked all the time the best way to clean a custom saddle and thought our first blog would be a great way to do so. Please read all instructions before beginning.

1. To maintain the light color as long as possible, the saddle should be kept covered and out of the light when not in use. Any light, especially sunlight will darken your new saddle gradually.

2. The saddle should not be left in your trailer for extended periods of time. The heat inside the trailer can be damaging to the leather and will cause the silver to tarnish rapidly.

3. If compressed air is available, your dusty saddle should be blown off to remove dust and dirt. A vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment also works well for this task. This should be done after each dusty horse show.

4. Once the saddle is dirty enough to need a thorough clearing it muse be washed or wiped down with a damp cloth. Each part must be cleaned separately; fenders, seat jockey, skirts, etc

5. If washing is necessary, use a mild soap solution such as Harris Blue Foam finish. Do not use saddle soaps since it will darken the leather. Wash each piece with a soft cloth using the blue Foam Finish. A soft brush can also be used if the carving is very dirt. After cleaning each part separately, it must be dried with a towel before washing another part of the saddle. Do not allow the clear to dry on the parts. Also do not rinse the saddle or wash the suede seat.

6. To condition your saddle after cleaning we recommend “Lexol NF”. Please remember that the conditioning process is not necessary to maintain the light color and may alter the color somewhat. Leather conditioning is the option of each individual.

7. If your saddles has silver trim it must be cleaned before you add the protective finish to the leather. Clean the silver with a liquid silver cleaner. We recommend “Goddard Silver Dip”. Using a toothbrush, wash each piece of silver and wipe dry or rinse with cold water and then dry. For tougher silver cleaning jobs a wadding such as “Never Dull” or a paste like “Wenol” is best. These work well in removing lacquer coating that is on some silver trim. Should you use a paste or wadding cleaner, avoid getting the black residue on the leather bordering the silver.

Should this happen, wash off with soapy water. The silver dip also works great to rinse the silver after using wadding or paste cleaners. It is okay to get the silver dip on the leather. Once the silver is clean, shine with a “Goddards Silver Cloth” which will restore the luster and look of a new piece.

8. A protective finish on the leather is the next step. We recommend “Harris Acrylic Finish”. This will add a shine and give your saddle a new look. This should be applied only after the saddle has dried completely. To apply the finish, pour a small amount in a cup or bowl. A soft terry cloth is best to apply the finish to the leather parts. Soak the cloth heavily on one end and apply to all areas that need to shine. Use the dry end of the cloth to soak off heavy applications or runs. Apply evenly to all visible parts of the saddle, except the suede seat. Take care to not get the finish on the suede seat. The finish will dry to a shine in approximately 30 minutes.

9. The last step in cleaning your saddle is to brush the suede seat. A brass bristle brush for suede is best for this.

sstrait :: Jun.30.2009 :: Business, General, Recreation :: No Comments »

When transitioning your cat to new foods you will have the tale of two kitties. Those of you who are lucky – or have cats that are pigs - will have no issues. You will set down the new food and your pet will happily chow down and look at you with adoring thankfulness.

Now for the remaining 99.99% of us in the world, please read on.

When my cat was diagnosed with feline diabetes my world changed. For years the only feeding I did was to monitor the auto dry feeder and dump in some pesticide-filled, animal by-product filler food bag of kitty crack into it when it got low.   I realized then that without change to a healthy cat food, my cat would die.

So we had to switch over and I worked with my vet to come up with a solution. The first day I very positively put the new organic cat food down and went for a walk with my dog for thirty minutes. When I came back my dog was happy but I received the evil eye by my feline kids. I picked up the food and went on with the day. DO NOT LEAVE THE FOOD DOWN MORE THAN THIRTY MINUTES – NO GRAZING ALLOWED!

I did the same thing that night – put the food down but this time sprinkled Parmesan cheese before I left the house. When I came back they had eaten off the cheese but then left the rest. As hard as it was I went to bed and reminded myself it was for their own good.

The next day I repeated – both feeding times they nibbled but that was it. These two days are crucial because now your cats are hungry and probably more agreeable.

On Day three I took ¾ of their regular food and ¼ of their new food and mixed it together and sprinkled Parmesan cheese on top. And then took the dog out and when I came back I pulled up the bowls until dinner. I repeated for dinner.

Day Four I mixed their food half and half with the Parmesan cheese and Day Five it was ¼ old food and ¾ new food. At this point it depends on your cat – some are willing to give it up and accept the new food. If your cat is one of those then just start feeding the new food – with just a bit of Parmesan cheese if needed.

For the tougher cases I recommend gradually moving down from ¼ old food to none. Don’t forget the Parmesan cheese on top it really helps.

Soon you will be down to just the new healthy cat food with the cheese – the big test is if they will eat the food without the cheese. Usually they will be fine without it – if not then continue as it does not hurt your cat and a little bit goes a long way.

The most important pieces are to only leave food down 30 minutes – this is a FOREVER thing and leave the house during feeding time during transition – your nerves WILL affect your cat. If you put food down and are negative they will be too.
It will work and in the long run your cat will that you for a healthy diet.

sstrait :: Jun.30.2009 :: Business, Health :: No Comments »

Do you know how to keep a woman happy? Here is some recommendation on relationships for men.

The first recommendation on relationships item I have for you is to always be yourself. Many men don’t believe that they are good enough to catch a beautiful, sexy girl, so they put on a show. But a confident man is the most sexy beast around. Have you spotted that some of the ugliest guys have some of the prettiest women? That is because they display a level of confidence that is more fascinating to ladies than physical looks.

Next, you need to do the tiny things. This implies offering to take her vehicle in for an oil change or giving her a bag of Jelly Bellies (her favorite flavors) from time to time. Sometimes men think re of “grand gestures,” when it is the small things add up to long relationships.

This ties into the subsequent piece of advice on relationships: appreciate her. You shouldn’t take her for granted. Tell her that you value her.

Next up isn’t clearly looking at other girls when you’re with her. Ladies think that you are comparing her to the woman you’re looking at. They don’t understand the whole concept of “the day I stop looking is the day I die.” This comes from the biological drive for monogamy in women. Ladies are searching for a whole life partner for someone with whom they can raise youngsters. They can not help it. That is how evolution designed them. So minimize the ogling, particularly when she is around.

You should try to make her laugh. While men list good looks at the top of the things they need in a woman, women list a man’s sense of humor. So, if you need the relationship to last, keep her laughing.

The next bit of advice on relationships comes in looking for shared interests. It’s good if you got together due to a hobby or an interest, but it still helps when you take an interest in an entrenched fervour of hers. If this means developing an appreciation for foreign films, so be it. This shows that you care about her and she’ll know you are one in a million.

Once you get the girl, it could appear like you don’t have to try anymore - at least as grooming goes. And, while girls are less sensitive to looks than men are, they continue to like a man who makes an attempt. So, shave on weekends. Keep in contact with the most recent fashion trends for men. In brief do not get sloppy just because you have landed her. You can unland her just as easily.

She’s going to must know that she will integrate you into her circle of buddies and friends. A person must be part of her bigger life, especially after the 1st few weeks of eagerness are over. So, make an effort to get together with her girlfriends and provoke her folks. A woman depends on her social network to validate her relationship choices. Make an effort.

You should be be considerate of her feelings. Ladies are less stable than blokes. Part of this is hormonal. When you are sensitive to her mood, you won’t get on her bad side.

The final piece of recommendation on relationships is to be open to trying new things. At the start of a relationship, everything is new from the sorts of dates you arrange to the way you kiss. But, after a while, these things become routine. If you find that your relationship has fallen into a rut, shake things up. Try something new. It’ll go a great distance to keeping your relationship healthy.

So, there are ten bits of advice on relationships to keep your dating life strong. Look you blokes, these things are common sense and the fact is I almost drove my lover out of my life because I did not focus on what I was doing. There is a book that woke me up written by T ‘Dub’ Jackson called “The Wizardry Of Making Up”. After I read it and started applying his commonsense suggestions, our love life turned around. Not just that all of my personal relationships, with mates, work mates and my folks became much smother than they were before.

Thomas Bailey Aldrich :: Jun.30.2009 :: Family :: No Comments »

The Chapel Studios of London is renowned for its range of legendary gear, affordability and experienced staff.

It is built around a SSL DUALITY CONSOLE, which is the only one of its kind commercially available in London, and one of only two in the UK.

The Chapel Studios is one of the high end recording studios in London, located in Wimbledon.

The Chapel Studios is a London music recording studio that specializes in audio recording, voice-overs, mastering and production. This extremely professional recording environment boasts a wide range of state of the art equipment, combined with a relaxed setting.

The Chapel Studio is bespoke built! A highly flexible studio, it is able to cater for a whole host of recording, mixing, engineering and mastering requirements.

What Makes The Chapel Studios the Best?

Client Focus You Get Exactly What You want 48 Channels of Pristine SSL Analogue Sound Experienced Engineers and Producers Wide Range of Services Day-Lit Studio with Air-Conditioning

Their widely diverse services include engineering, production, mixing and mastering commercial release hits, audio to visual overdubbing and voice-overs, song writing as well as music composition for TV ads and scores for Hollywood films.

Their client base includes record companies, artists, music producers or record producers, songwriters, session engineers, mix engineers, mastering engineers, session musicians, session singers, voice directors or voice-over artistes.

New clients are welcome at The Chapel Studios!

They are as open to solo artists and bands as to voice-over and mastering projects.

Steve Williams is the owner, chief producer/engineer, and composer at The Chapel Studios.

He has worked with artists like Britney Spears, Eric Clapton, Sting and Seal, so you know that you would undoubtedly have one of the most experienced, talented people in the music business working on your recordings made at The Chapel Recording Studios in London.

The studio itself opened in July 2004. But, Steve has been producing recordings for artists, music for television, scores for Hollywood films and much more for the last two decades, and has achieved an extraordinary measure of success as a producer, songwriter and engineer!

Besides the stellar talents and experience of Steve Williams, The Chapel Studios has a team of producers, engineers, composers, songwriters, arrangers, mix and mastering engineers available anywhere!

The Chapel Studios provides you with the most experienced crew, the best gear and best facilities of any of the recording studios in London.

The full range of Core services provided includes:

Recording Mixing Voice-Over Mastering Production Composition Corporate Events Location Recording

Auxiliary services include:

Session Musicians Instrument Hire Recording Gifts Graphic Design Web Design

The superlative recording path will ensure that your sound is captured with nothing less than absolute, pristine clarity.

The Chapel Studios has an incredible selection of microphones, including two of the wonderful Neumann U-87’s, SSL X-Logic pre-amps, and the beautifully clean and precise sound of the fabulous Solid State Logic Duality mixing console.

The Chapel Studios is the only commercial recording studio in London that offers the SSL Duality.

Take advantage of all the benefits of this unrivaled recording studio!

Martin West :: Jun.30.2009 :: Arts :: No Comments »

There is no doubt that an organic crib mattress is better for your baby than a traditional baby mattress. This is because traditional mattresses are made out of harmful foam that can cause damaging fumes for your child. As a parent we all want what is best for our baby. Today we review the Naturepedic No-Compromise Organic Crib Mattress.

Since a baby spends a lot of time sleeping, it is very important that the baby is comfortable. If the baby is not, s/he could become sick. That is why you should consider an organic crib mattress. These provide comfort, are environmentally friendly and also there are no fumes. Specifically, the Naturepedic crib mattress does not contain any chemicals because it doesn’t use vinyl and polyurethane foam which can produce toxic gasses.

The Naturepedic organic crib mattress is also waterproof and it’s completely firm, guaranteeing good protection and sleep for your child. It is covered with organic cotton for additional comfort. The organic cotton is environmentally friendly.

Polyethylene is the best alternative to vinyl as it is environmentally friendly, and is used to make the best possible mattress cover which is non-toxic. It also promises to be stain-resistant, and waterproof. This Naturepedic baby mattress uses cotton that has been naturally grown. No pesticide or herbicide spray has ever been used on these plants, nor any chemical fertilizers used in the soil in which they were cultivated.

The organic cotton in the no-compromise organic crib mattress is unbleached and non-dyed cotton. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends using a heavy-duty innerspring and a firm and flat surface and the naturepedic no-compromise organic crib mattress adheres to their advice. What you get is an durable and good quality baby crib mattress.

The frame of the Naturepedic No-Compromise organic crib mattress uses heavy duty border rods to provide sturdy support to the crib. The mattress is fire-resistant without using any chemicals and there is no chance of dust or other allergens. The thickness of the mattress is 6 inches which is the optimal thickness for sleep and comfort.

The Naturepedic baby mattress can also be used by toddlers! Traditional crib mattresses are now proving to be very dangerous for babies because of the materials used causing toxic fumes, not to mention the environmentally damaging effects of polyurethane foam manufacturing.

The first few days of a baby’s life is the most critical. To ensure that the baby sleeps soundly is to ensure that the baby will grow up smoothly and problem free. The absence of harmful fumes and the organic cotton used in the production of the mattress are both very good reasons to choose this crib mattress for your child. The Naturepedic no-compromise organic crib mattress will give you peace of mind as a parent.

mr guroo :: Jun.30.2009 :: Health :: No Comments »

RIDGID is the popular name for the Ridge Tool Company of Elyria, Ohio. It was founded in 1920 and known for manufacturing professional plumbing and HVAC tools. Recently, it expanded its operations into the power tool and general-purpose hand tools industry, and is now part of the Emerson Electric Company. Majority of RIDGID products, including some power tools have a lifetime warranty covering most components except consumables such as oil, filters, drain cables and cutters, and cutting dies. Its wet and dry vacuums cleaners also carry a similar warranty, but unless otherwise used for drywall dust vacuuming.

Since its founding, RIDGID remains a symbol for assurance to its dedication to the professionals of the trade. All tools that bear the RIDGID brand has been engineered to the highest standards of quality, strength, and endurance, much the same as its first heavy-duty pipe wrench of more than 80 years past.

Since then, all its products have exceeded all company expectations and customer’s demands to perform consistently in all harsh working environments and applications. Its high efficiency provides faster work for more jobs, thus improving profitability, and help customers create new services and income sources through its industrial innovations.

Among its hand and power tools line up are pipe wrenches (including the aluminum premium lightweight models, and RIDGID RapidGrip spring-loaded, self-adjusting pipe wrenches), manual pipe threaders, manual tubing cutters, manual drum augers or “hand-spinners” from RIDGID/Kollman, basin wrenches, broad, and other plumbing specialty tools, pipe threaders, drum augers and other powered drain snakes, utility pumps, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, band saws, circular saws, corded drills, cut-off saws, die heads, drill presses, foot switches, impact drivers, jigsaws, Miter saws, nailers, Radial arm saws, air compressors, air tools, table saws, and many more.

Most professional choose RIDGID tools because they trust it to perform it was promised to do, in plants, constructions sites, and other harsh and demanding working places. These tools are able to operate in extreme weather conditions, can withstand mud and dirt exposures to perform consistently in all daily applications.

RIDGID tools were designed, developed, and engineered for ease-of-use, and with innovative features that ensure all jobs can be done in the quickest way possible without sacrificing quality. This is a continuous process which Ridge Tool is implementing without fail to meet ever-changing needs of the professional’s job. With its evolving technology to help create a better solution for every day problems in the work site, so will the concerns for tomorrow’s needs be met.

Bart Icles :: Jun.29.2009 :: Family :: No Comments »

The modernist style of interior decor came from Scandinavia and Germany back in the 1930s. However it’s still a preferred look now for many folks when it comes to interior design. Modern interior design ideas feature certain distinct characteristics that make it instantly familiar. These consist of giving emphasis to shapes and lines, using white and black tones, severe lighting, and plenty of chrome accents. The ultimate result imparts a stylish look in the midst of uncluttered living spaces. It’s frequently a style choice for contemporary homes and lofts.

Unspoiled lines are fashioned with smooth, polished surfaces, consequently it’s important to carry on this attribute all the way through the entire living space. Flooring is normally subtle hardwood or tile, with a minimum number of area rugs covering it. Painstaking positioning of these rugs is useful for visually dividing larger rooms into smaller areas. This is ideal for varying functions like dining or entertaining guests.

You should opt for furniture that’s clean yet bold, and all in the same hue. Every item must seem like it was selected with intent, not as an afterthought. The bigger items need to be neutral in tone, however you can throw in splashes of color with cushions and lesser decorative pieces. Actually, using unmitigated neutral colors will have your eyes traveling continually around the room looking for an interruption in the pattern. A minimum of two vibrant shades are needed to provide contrast to the neutrals and offer depth to the space. Pick out materials in bold patterns and steer clear of complicated patterns. An exception to this rule is the use of animal prints.

All the accent pieces in the room will need to feature chrome, including lighting fixtures, electrical plates and door handles. Chrome is an accent and should be used judiciously. But materials like glass, metal and stone can be made use of more freely. These items offer a secondary quality to the space that enhances rather than overwhelms the smoothness of the main pieces.

Sizeable windows that let in abundant daylight are a typical aspect of the modernist look. But there is also abundant supplementary lighting employed by way of gallery lighting that draws the eye to the central features in a room. Not enough illumination will create a look that is daunting instead of sharp.

Use your common sense when creating a living space in a modern look. It’s entirely possible that you’ll end up designing a room that’s just remote and desolate rather than sleek and chic. For example, too much wide open area makes the function of the room ambiguous. Exposed beams and pipes are frequently featured in modern interior design, but these need to be kept to a minimum if you don’t want your house to give the impression of a warehouse. If they’re sticking out into the living areas, you’ve gone too far. And allowing junk to accumulate will ruin a well fashioned layout and take away from the simple look you’re trying to achieve.

Kim Archer :: Jun.29.2009 :: Family :: No Comments »

Getting your guests to remember your wedding day may not be a priority but it is good if you can achieve this and using practical wedding favors is certainly one way to do this. While it may not seem important, it is nice when your guests have made the effort to attend your wedding ceremony, perhaps traveling some distance, for them to have something of value but useful as a remembrance.

Anyone can provide easy and inexpensive wedding favors but that little extra thought you put into it will ensure they appreciate the gesture as well. These favors may not be the most romantic but they are much more likely to be appreciated by your guests than more whimsical items such as figurines and potpourri.

Some weddings are now featuring the use of coasters as wedding favors which will last for many years and can easily be adapted to suit the occasion with different shapes available. Heart shaped coasters will be ideal because they are romantic and convey the sentiment of love but they are also something your guests can really use. Special images of the themed wedding can easily be placed on the coasters but it is just as easy to only place one image on the coasters and leave the rest blank so each guest can place their favorites on them when they are ready.

An unusual practical wedding favor is something like a key chain which is used everyday and not just occasionally. You can select an elegant key chain which is sturdy so your guests will want to use but that is also very romantic and will remind your guests of your wedding for years to come.

Many people decide on the simple idea of giving candles which are easily obtainable and whether you give a church style chunky candle or a dainty tea light with holder, they are practical wedding favors many people will definitely use. Candles are still very romantic and in recent years they have become en vogue again and now many people use them routinely, especially scented candles as they provide a nice light and can be very calming. There is always an occasion where candles can be used, even if it is when you have friends round for a meal so as wedding favors go they are definitely of the practical variety.

If you want to stay with a romantic theme, and after all it is a wedding favor, then why not consider wine charms which can have wedding bells or heart shapes and are rather appropriate for a wedding. If you do not already know, wine charms are placed on a glass when someone has friends around so that individual’s glasses can be easily recognized. Particularly useful for large gatherings, wine charms can actually be used at your wedding and the guests will not have to wait for another occasion to use them.

Patricia Priothler :: Jun.29.2009 :: Family :: No Comments »

Bad things can happen to anybody at anytime. There are some mistakes that folk make that do have results that come with them. Occasionally these errors can cause court appearances and massive fines added in. When this is a problem for anybody, it may be a good idea to talk to a solicitor and find out your rights. It is generally better to have someone else on your side when you get into hassle.

There are many ways that you’ll be able to find a reputable solicitor. You can simply look in the yellow pages or online for a listing of the local solicitors in your area. You can call around until you find one that is willing to help with your situation. Another way to discover a respected firm is to get referrals. You can ask about for some good advice from folks that have utilized one before. This is generally a superb method to get help with this type of need.

There are lots of reasons why someone could need to employ a barrister. It can be anything from a straightforward traffic infringement to more major stuff like assault or burglary. No matter what the reasons may be, you should find a solicitor that only addresses certain categories of law. For some solicitors they will specialize in a particular part. This is always going to be the only way to go when you’re attempting to get the best illustration.

Many times folk could find that they have to have a family issue or property issue taken care of through the court system. When this occurs, it is going to be required that you get a solicitor to help you settle the matter. If you are decided by the right illustration so you want to have the proper representation so you you can do your best at winning. whenever you buy or trade a home, you will think it necessary to have a barrister deal much of the forms. It is just the ordinary things that they have to finalize. It’s a lot easier on you when you discover someone that does this kind of work best. You’ll have a an easier time at getting everything handled in a timely manner.

Almost all solicitors do require a retainer paid up front before they perform any functions. This is going to be a charge that is usually a few hundred greenbacks. This could cover some of the up front costs in order they can get started on defending your case. This is a formality so you need to ensure that you might afford the barrister ahead you decide to choose them.

Getting a barrister is going to be the best way to deal with any legal problem that you will experience. You should not on your own and taking someone on your side is the most advisable way to make certain that you are taken good care of.

Matthew Mccorkle :: Jun.29.2009 :: Education :: No Comments »

There is no denying that organic food is becoming more and more mainstream. Many grocery stores have incorporated organic choices for many staples and people are choosing them for their health benefits as well as their eco-friendly tendencies.

Because the American dog is part of our family, it is no surprise that concerned pet owners are starting to choose organic dog foods over traditional pet foods. This correlates to the human transition to organic, but also has increased dramatically after the world wide pet food scare where many of our pets became sick or died due to poisonous additives.

There became an awareness of all USDA approved items that are allowed in pet food. Items such as animal heads, spleens, lungs and blood – the thought of feeding these to your pets can be frightening. Even worse is the list of pesticides and hormones that are transferred to our pets from this food.

Is it no surprise that as we have added animal by-products, fillers, chemicals and preservatives that our pets are now suffering from diabetes, tumors and cancer at an alarming rate? There can be no denying that our pets are suffering from diseases that years ago were only seen rarely.

The best defense to these issues is an organic diet. Using main ingredients such as human grade meat, fresh vegetables and grains will ensure your pet is receiving the proper nutrition they need while not being exposed to chemicals, additives or fillers.

With more and more issues cropping up for regular dog food, new recalls seem to happen so frequently that they are no longer headline news. This is just one more reason why it is important to make wise choices for our dogs. The safest choice for your dog’s health is organic dog food.

sstrait :: Jun.28.2009 :: Business, Health :: No Comments »