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"At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year." -Thomas Tusser

OK. Thanksgiving was wonderful, visiting with family and sharingfun stories and adventures; laughing around the dining roomtable, enjoying favorite stuffing and pies; watching parades andfootball games; and counting your many blessings.

It is now time to turn our attention to the many preparations for Christmas. Coming from a Christian perspective, I can speak for the anticipation which we all feel to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. It brings us wonder each and every year, and the time and energy we put into its celebration never wanes. As I watch my jewish friends prepare for Hanukkah, I sense, too, the joy with which they prepare celebrations with loved ones.

The gift of sacrificial love is the true essence of Christmas.

Teaching your children to give generously and to give cheerfullymodels the life of Christ. Our God, who created each one of uswith more love than we can imagine, desires this same outpouringof love to others, and it is at Christmas that we likewise shareour love through gift-giving and through acts of generosity andhospitality. We are buoyed by the "Christmas spirit" because itis through giving--rather than receiving--that we receive themost joy. Pausing to think about others, about their needs anddesires, and extending yourselves to their benefit, brings deepinner satisfaction not found any other way.

Have you made your list of those people with whom you want toshare the Christmas spirit?

Consider giving small, inexpensive gifts to a large list, rather than more extravagant gifts to a very few loved ones.

When Ithink of the model of giving I want to pattern for my own family, I cannot exclude from the list those folks who cross my path on a daily basis--in one way or another--who may or may not have yet reached into close friendship with me. And so I am always thoughtful for small yet kind ways in which I might extend generosity.

Extend your circle of concern.

Think not only of what members of your own family would appreciate at Christmas. Think of cousins and aunts and uncles, and of closest friends. And don't stop there. Extend your circle. Think of your mail carrier, pet groomer, your pediatrician's office staff, the folks at your gym, your neighbors, friends of your children, office workers at youor your spouse's place of work, your manicurist, thelandscaper....think through the flow of your typical week andthose people who enter your life on a regular basis. If they areserving you in some capacity, isn't it kind to remember them now?

Many people refrain from practicing generosity to those outsidetheir small circle of concern because of the lack of money withwhich to do so. But inexpensive gifts can be handmade for pennies if we will only stretch our imaginations and put our hands--and those of our children--to good use.

look to nature and to materials right outside your front door

Free for the asking and the picking: a fresh bouquet of greens--evergreens, magnolia leaves, and berries, tied with a gorgeoussilk ribbon--would be cherished by any receiver.

Tiny bird nest ornaments fashioned from spanish moss, filled with speckled beans and a silk butterfly, and with a wooden clothespin glued from underneath, make delightful gifts for children and adults alike. My own tree is filled with them.

Collect pinecones and make an arrangement with them. Yourthoughtfulness will be appreciated and it will have cost nothingmore than a walk in the woods.

Homemade candies or cookies wrapped in inexpensive cellophanebags look elegant tied with ribbon and make perfect gifts forvirtually anyone on your list.

miniature baskets filled with one tiny, simple gift, are perfect for your children's friends.

Remember: children love exaggeration; anything diminutive (or enormous!) appeals to their sense of wonder.

Homemade "snow globes" make our list every single year

Simply use a baby food or other small jar and fill it with water and a small bit of glycerin (found at your local drug store) and white glitter; add a few plastic toys--Legos, Barbie doll shoes, jacks and balls, plastic bugs--and then squeeze a think line of silicone sealant around the lid before screwing it on to prevent leakage.

Homemade glycerin soaps filled with tiny plastic toys areadorable

They'll delight your children as well, for they'll have created happy memories making them with you for all of their friends.

Consider making homemade wrapping paper or handmade gift tags.

I buy inexpensive tags at office supply stores by the hundreds.They cost about a penny apiece. I also use twine instead ofexpensive ribbon. One bolt lasts several years and costs a couple of dollars.

And mail those out-of-state gifts early to avoid long lines atthe post office as well as the extra expense of priority mail.

Model a generous life...at Christmas and throughout the year.Give faithfully and give cheerfully. You will be blessedbeyond measure.

1. Stance

The power of your drive all begins with your stance. There are two things you want to do with your stance; increase the distance of the stance from the ball and spread your feet wider. By spreading your feet wider, you will have better balance and control allowing you to get a short and wide swing. In turn, this will allow you to get the control and power necessary for a strong drive.

2. Driving motion

Perfecting your driving motion can be particularly difficult, especially if you are a beginner. Getting a handle of your weight control is perhaps the most difficult aspect to your driving motion, but quite possible the most important part. You want to take your time and swing in rhythm.

3. Releasing the power

Driving the ball inquires a great deal of control and power together. If you have great control but no power, you will lack the distance required to set yourself up for a solid score. You want to build your power and release it throughout the swing. By keeping your swing short and wide, you will have great control over your swing while still releasing the power.

4. know yourself

While there are a number of free driving tips that can be given to you, nobody knows you better than you. If you listen to others and swing outside of your boundaries, you will decrease your control and perhaps your power. It is vital that you distribute your weight evenly and stay balanced throughout the entire shot.

5. practice

practice, practice, Practice!!! Go to the driving range as much as possible to help get a feel for your stance, your swinging motion and the power. Eventually you can take what youve learned on the driving range and apply it to your game on the golf course.

6. Imagine

Although it may sound clich, it is crucial that you believe in your shot and your swing. Your odds of striking the ball solidly improve if you imagine the ball landing in the middle of the fairway.

By taking these free driving tips and applying them to your game on the golf course, you will find yourself striking the golf ball on the tee much more smoothly with great balance and power.

Joshua Spaulding is an Author and golf enthusiest who provides Free Golf Tips including Golf Putting Tips through his Website at http://www.freegolfswingtips.net

The game of golf can be an expensive hobby when you are first starting out. However, new golf clubs, golf bag, and even clothes and shoes can last for years without you needing to replace them. But for golfs most needed accessory, the golf ball, the price of replacing new golf balls is a costly and reoccurring expense that is unavoidable.

All golf courses are full of areas that are designed to swallow up golf balls like water and sand and tall grass. Many golfers look for ways to save money on golf balls especially at fifty dollars a dozen for some new golf balls. It is no wonder you hear groans from most golfers as they helplessly watch one of their golf balls fly into water or get lost in the tall grass.

The cheapest way to save money on golf balls is, although not the easiest way, is to search the golf course for lost golf balls. Of course, this is very time consuming and makes for a slow game of golf if you do this whilst playing. golf balls that are lost on the golf course are usually collected and sold in the pro shop, often for as little as fifty cents a piece. Large retailers and sporting goods stores also sell used golf balls which have been found, cleaned and re-packaged. These are usually moderately priced. Of course, one disadvantage of buying pre-owned golf balls from the pro shop or retail store is that different makes or models of golf balls may be mixed in the packs and different brands have different playing characteristics.

There are many brands of new golf balls on the market that represent very good value for money and can cost as little as ten dollars a dozen. These less expensive golf balls are likely to work just as well for you as their more expensive partners.

golf balls that have more spin and are softer tend to be the more expensive models. The golf ball industry produces new makes and models every year. So look out for the 'end-of-season' clearance sales. Most newly manufactured golf balls will not differ greatly in their performance than their predecessors, it is usually the style that changes. So 'last seasons' golf balls will be sold at huge discounts. It may be possible to purchase golf balls that were originally say thirty dollars a dozen for as little as ten dollars.

Discount golf balls are available everywhere, so keep your eyes and ears open and when you find a good deal make sure you stock up while you have the chance. You will save money and have a supply of golf balls that will last you for a long time. Unless like me you have a liking for the water or the tall grass!

If you would like more information on new and used golf balls please visit my website at:

www.newandusedgolfballs.com

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Suzie Smith is an author who enjoys researching topics of interest to her and sharing them with others.

The Clive Barkers Jericho demo is finally available on the xbox live and PlayStation network. In terms of storyline, the game transpires in a location called Al Khalid. Al Khalid is imbued with all sorts of clairvoyant activity. When the United States discovered information regarding all these supernatural occurrences, they sent in a team known as the Jericho squad to investigate. In the demo, there are various characters that have uncanny powers that they can manipulate.

These powers can range from teleportation to firing projectiles. One playable area in the demo was a dark and gloomy cave. There are odious looking adversaries scattered throughout the area, so make sure your hand is on the trigger. The demo begins with three people from the Jericho unit. There is Franks Delgado, and he is equipped with a gatling gun and can utilize fire. Another character is Abigail black, and she is a sharpshooter with her sniper rifle. Furthermore, Abigail can use telekinesis to move objects and foes around.

The gameplay applies navigating through places with your teammates. Gamers can switch to different characters on their team with just a push of a button. Orders can be given to your teammates as well. For instance, telling the team to hold position will result in the team holding their position. Your teammates do what they are told to do, and the ally artificial intelligence works eerily similar to Socum. Moreover, individual orders can be set to each team members at will. There are some contact sensitive moments in the game (ala God of war and Heavenly Sword) as well.

The graphics and audio were solid. From the looks of the demo, the game seems to be more than a rudimentary first person shooter. Although the game was not frightening, it did have some engrossing gameplay elements. Clive Barkers Jericho is slated for an October 23, 2007 release date.