The Baka Pygmies of Cameroon

The Baka Pygmies

Of Cameroon

A race of hunters and gatherers, the Baka Pygmies, found in Cameroon, live together with various ethnic groups of Bantu farmers, with whom they exchange goods.

With an average height of 1.5 metres, the Baka are, strictly speaking, pygmoids rather than pygmies. Nevertheless, in everyday usage, the term “pygmy” is employed.

The exact numbers is difficult to determine, as a semi-nomadic group, they roam the rain-forest taking up temporal residence in specific areas that offers rich games and natural resources, but estimates range from 5,000 to 28,000 individuals.

They occupy forest ecology and they exploit the gifts of nature or the ecosystem. Over the years important exchange relations have developed between the hunter-gatherer Baka and the neighbouring Bantu cultivators. However, this relation has been one of tolerance and characterized by hostility. The situation has been caused by the condescending attitude and derogatory comments with which the Bantu describe their Pygmy neighbours, looking upon the Baka as goods belonging to them, they are victims of racism and exploited in plantations as cheap labour.

One of the most important differences between the Baka pygmies and their Bantu associates is the fact that they owe their total existence to the natural resources which nature has endowed on their habitat, the rain forest.

Like other pygmies the Baka are culturally, linguistically and physically different from their Bantu neighbours.

They live in huts they call mongulu which are one-family houses made of branches and leaves and nearly always built by the women. After a frame of very flexible, thin branches is prepared, recently-gathered leaves are fit in the structure. After the work is complete, other vegetable materials is sometimes added to the dome in order to make the structure more compact and waterproof. Besides the mongulus the Baka also build rectangular huts made of leaves or bark, just like the other ethnic groups do, only they use mud and wood.

The Baka, know the variety of forest foods, animals and the specific seasons when these products can easily be found. Of the different seasons which these pygmy people experience each year, the three-month period of prolonged heavy rain is the most important. During this period when the forest is in its abundance the Baka leave their permanent villages for the deep forest and for several months roam gathering food. The men perform the more prestigious but undoubtedly more hazardous job of supplying meat for the group through hunting and trapping. The women carry possessions in baskets and follow their husbands.

Types of hunting performed in the rainforest are with bows, poisoned arrows, crossbows, spears and traps. Contrary to what occurs in other pygmy cultures, the Baka do not know the use of hunting nets. The forest animals killed are a various species of primates, artiodactyls, rodents, etc, which are hunted at night. They place traps near watercourses to hunt crocodile, which is usually killed by spears.

Looking for food in the forests is one of the most important activities for the survival of the group, gathering yam, fruit, mushrooms, but in some seasons of the year it’s possible for them to find small animals, such as termites and caterpillars.

Carried in baskets by the women, the products come to camp and are shared by all the families.

Hunting is one of the most important activities, not only for providing food but for the symbolic meanings and prestige traditionally attached to it. Skilled Hunters are very respected and taken into great consideration, especially if they specialize in the most rewarding and significant game activity: The Big Elephant Hunt.

Massive deforestation these days deprives the pygmies of the natural resources essential for their biological and cultural survival. Unfortunately, due to the diminishing number of prey and less frequent expeditions in the forest, today, hunting does not provide the Baka an adequate supply of animal proteins which causes serious nutritional problems especially in the children.

With inadequate diet and health problems, many live a quiet life keeping a strong cultural identity and marking the boundaries between their form of culture and that of the other ethnic groups in the forest.

Of all the aspects of nature which surrounds the Baka pygmies, they perceive the tropical rainforest as the most valuable force with which they interact.

The typical Baka pygmy will not leave his home in the forest even in exchange for an ultra modern palace in the city.

They have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the forest and its products, including the healing power of plants and are in fact, guardians of a huge natural pharmacy. Thus their whole life is occupied with the welfare of their forests.

“We are born and grew up in the forest; we do everything in the forest, gathering, hunting and fishing. Now where do they want us to make our lives? “

Mbeh: Baka guitarist

Baka Beyond/Baka Gbine

Music has a central role in the life of the Baka. From an early age they have a keen sense of rhythm, as soon as a baby is able to clap it is encouraged to participate in all the communal music-making. There is music for ritualistic purposes, music for passing on knowledge, stories and the history of the Baka people, and music for pure enjoyment. This communal music-making constantly helps to strengthen the bonds between the individuals in the groups.

Baka Music is perhaps best described as bursts of harmonic yodeling, intertwining in a dynamic, rhythmic fashion. It is quite hypnotizing and the environmental forest setting makes the overall effect fascinating.

Inspired by the magical rhythms and melodies of the Baka people, British musicians Martin Cradick and Su Hart founded Baka Beyond in 1993 after they had visited the tribal people.

They recorded an album “Spirit of the Forest” under the name Baka Beyond which pushed them into worldwide recognition. The band has since then evolved into a multicultural, dynamic live stage show with album sales of over a quarter of a million copies.

They have played at WOMAD in the UK, USA and Czech Republic and on the Jazz Stage at Glastonbury; Musica Mondial in Sao Paulo, Brazil and many more festivals in the UK, USA, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal as well as headlining the Vancouver Folk-Roots Festival. Their tracks are often heard on TV soundtracks, particularly in nature programmes on BBC and have been nominated for the BBC Radio 3 World Music listeners awards.

Su Hart says, “It was the amazing bird-like singing that first attracted me, the women will get together before the dawn to sing, enchant the animals of the forest and ensure that the men’s hunting will be successful. Song and dance is used by the Baka for healing, for rituals, for keeping the community together and also for pure fun!”

With ongoing help from Martin and Su, they were then being invited to play at local feasts, weddings and funerals in Cameroon. After recording their album “Gati Bongo” in 2000, they decided upon the name “Baka Gbine” (Gbine translated means ‘help’).

The band includes guitarists Pelembir, Mbeh and Zow, percussionist Masekou, two women – Ybunga and Lekeweh, who bring the phenomenal singing to the concerts, and traditional music.

Giving it back to the Baka

Baka Gbine is one of the few groups who ensure that they put as much back into the culture as they take out. Royalties earned by the sale of the albums are channeled back to the Baka Pygmies through the UK based charity Global Music Exchange – or as the Baka call it, ‘One Heart’.

This ongoing relationship with the Baka community has helped them to win land rights and recognition as Cameroonian citizens, as well as the funding of their own medical centre and a Music House. These steps all help to protect the Baka’s culture, forest environment and unique hunter-gatherer way of life.

Roger Harrabin reports-

The biggest threat comes from a road into the rainforest which has been upgraded by Cameroon’s government with funds from the European Union.

The World Bank and the African Development Bank refused to finance the upgrading.

They said it would accelerate logging and the hunting of endangered species. But the EU handed out the money without making any environmental assessment.

Steve Gartland, the World Wildlife Fund’s man in Cameroon, says the inevitable is now happening.

“Road-building programs tend to bring development into the forest areas. As soon as you get the forest areas opened up you get the poachers going in, leading to depletion of wildlife and deforestation,” he said.

Sixty per cent of Cameroon’s forests are already being exploited.

Some firms wreck the forest by bribing their way round laws permitting only selected mature trees to be cut. Others appear to play by the book – felling only the occasional large tree.

Forester Jean Francois Pagot admits that the most valuable species are being depleted because they’re not being replanted.

He says: “The main reason is the long life of the trees. Some take two or three hundred years to fully mature – and no timber license lasts that long – so the diversity of the forest is being eroded.”

The Baka are finding it harder to get other sorts of meat since poachers started using the EU’s road to sell their catch from the forest reserve.

One Baka said: “They killed elephants, gorillas, chimps, panthers, buffalos, deer – all in the reserve”.

European Union (EU) taxpayers are funding wildlife conservation in this reserve as well as paying for the road which makes life easier for the poachers.

The EU is now funding anti-poaching education projects. But hunting wildlife is too profitable for some to resist. Conservationists say it is a typical problem caused by the EU’s aid program. They say aid from Brussels is often poorly administered and damaging to people at the sharp end – like the Baka.

Donations and help for the Baka pygmies can be found on the following website:

http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/s-Donate%20Online

http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/africa/where/cameroon/jengi_project/help/index.cfm

The Costs of Owning a Home

Some home buyers (especially first-time home buyers) think that a down payment is the only cost of buying a home. However, they soon realize that their down payment is one of many costs that require cash or a check upfront. So, how much should you expect to pay before closing on your new home?

Depending on the type of mortgage you choose, you will probably make a down payment anywhere between zero and twenty percent of the purchase price of your home. This range is very large, but the good news is that you get to choose what size down payment you’ll make in the very early stages of house hunting. You can talk with your home loan officer to find out what mortgage type is best for you (and this decision will largely be based on how much money you can put towards a down payment).

Your down payment is usually the largest expense in buying a home, but remember that it is not the only cost. There are several other expenses that can add up to be quite a bit of money. Usually these costs total anywhere from three to eight percent of the purchase price of your home.

When buying a home, you should expect to pay for certain items and services throughout the home buying process. These expected costs are called buyer costs, or buyer expenses. Some typical buyer costs include the inspection(s), appraisal, surveys, title insurance, escrow items, attorney fees, and mortgage fees (credit report fees, loan origination fees, points, interim interest, and transfer fees, to name a few). Also, most home insurance companies require at least one month’s payment before the closing (and some companies want the entire year’s payment upfront).

Some of the typical seller costs, or seller expenses, include the CL-100 (also called the termite inspection bond), deed stamps, the home warranty, commission for both the listing real estate agent and the agent representing the buyer, possible home repairs, and accrued interest.

Since no two real estate transactions are the same, you should get your buyer’s expenses confirmed before signing a contract. It’s true that there are typical buyer costs and seller costs, but it’s a good idea to get these in writing so that you know how much you’ll need to spend during the home buying process. Also, be sure to talk with your real estate agent and your mortgage lender so that you can get an estimate of how much you should expect to pay when buying your new home.

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Secured Debt Consolidation Loans: Low Rate Money for Debts

Are you suffering from the problem of unpaid debts? If yes, then you should act quickly so that these debts do not affect your credit history and leave a scar there. If you are looking for low rate money to remove your debts, then secured debt consolidation loans will do the purpose for your needs.

Debts can do that to your credit history what a termite does to your wood work. It can ruin your credit history and you will realize this only when it actually hurts you at the time of a financial transaction. So quick action is required for dealing with these debts and they should be removed as soon as possible.

Secured debt consolidation loans can be taken up by the borrowers to pay off their unpaid debts. For this the borrower has to pledge collateral for the loan. This collateral can be any asset of the borrower like car, house, stocks, bonds, etc which hold a high equity value in the market. The asset of the borrower is under no threat as the borrower can repay the loan on time and get back the ownership of his asset.

Through the secured debt consolidation loans, the borrowers can take up an amount in the range of £5000-£75000 to remove his debts. The amount can be increased according to the equity of the asset. The borrower has to repay the loan amount to the lender in a term of 5-25 years. This loan term is long enough to repay the amount and free the asset from the lender.

Bad credit borrowers can also take up secured debt consolidation loans to remove their debts. This way they can money at really low rates to remove their debts and improve their credit history. Online research also proves to be valuable in getting low rate deals.

Secured debt consolidation loans are a respite for the debtors who are keen on improving their credit history. Problems can now be removed very easily through this option.

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The Eternal Rewards Of Jesus Christ

What does your eternal future hold? For most Christians, the blessed hope is that once the rapture occurs or they depart from this world after death, they will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ. For those who trust in Him, this is true.

However, few Christians realize they will also face judgment before Jesus Christ. Not judgment for our sins, which were cleansed by Christ’s blood on the cross. But judgment for our works here on earth. Jesus will hold each of us accountable for the deeds performed in our earthly lives, and although our eternal destiny is never in question, the size and scope of our reward is.

Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Judge

The scriptures are filled with references to the ultimate judgment of our works, yet somehow many Christians have either failed to understand, or have chosen to ignore, what the bible says. Nevertheless, we will be judged. Paul makes this clear in his letter to the Corinthians:

”For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT)

Jesus confirms Paul’s assertion, revealing that each of us will be held accountable for every idle word we speak!

”And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” Matthew 12:36 (NLT)

Not Everyone Will Have the Same Status in Heaven

This leads us to another myth which has taken hold of the Christian community – that everyone will enjoy equal standing in heaven. This is not true. Although God loves each of us without end, some will be given positions of higher status, authority, and responsibility than others. In the Book of Matthew, Jesus reveals this truth:

”So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:19 (NLT)

”But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.” Matthew 19:30 (NLT)

If everyone is equal in heaven, then how can some be “greatest” while others are “least”? This is not a contradiction, but an indication of the true nature of heaven. Whether or not our earthly deeds are deserving of gain or loss is completely dependent upon what we do in our earthly lives. Heaven will simply be a place where true justice will reign.

Eternal Treasures in Heaven

Jesus, knowing the nature of heaven and the rewards that await us, discouraged us from becoming captives of this world and its fleeting pleasures. Instead, he encouraged us to focus on the accumulation of heavenly treasures:

”Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)

Our treasures in heaven are eternal. Why then do so many of us spend a lifetime hoarding earthly treasures – cars, houses, stocks, and bonds – when everyone of us knows they are only temporary in nature? We can’t take our earthly treasures to heaven, but we can take our heavenly rewards. And if any doubt persists as to how the treasures of heaven compare to the treasures of this world, listen to what Paul has to say on the subject:

”That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

Despite this knowledge, millions aspire to live in earthly mansions, while Jesus continues to prepare for us our own heavenly mansions – eternal abodes that will never catch fire, flood, get termites, or experience any of the headaches of earthly dwellings:

”There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2 (NLT)

Why then, are so many of us concerned with where we live?

Christ Will Award Us with Crowns

Some of our heavenly treasure will take the form of rewards we receive from Jesus Christ.

”For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have – Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials – gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NLT)

For the Christian, belief in Jesus Christ is only a beginning. This is the foundation of our holy existence, and no one can lay a foundation other than Christ. Upon this foundation, we are expected to build a portfolio of works which benefit the Lord. Not one of these works is necessary for our salvation, but if we truly believe in Him, it will be our pleasure to perform such works. On the day of judgment, each work will be tested to see if it has eternal value. Only that which has everlasting value will result in reward.

So how do we know what works will have everlasting value? We must remember it is not our deed alone the Lord will judge, but the motive which caused us to perform the deed in the first place. The Lord, who knows the deepest secrets of our hearts and minds, will know the motives upon which our earthly lives were built. And the only motive which will result in a reward is one that desires glory for Jesus Christ.

Among the many rewards we’re eligible to receive, the bible specifically mentions five crowns:

The Crown of Victory

”Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT)

The prize to which Paul refers is a crown. This crown is reserved for those who, through careful discipline, have overcome the desires of the flesh. Through means of the Holy Spirit, they have managed to gradually wane themselves from the power of the temptations of this world. Just as an athlete trains to perfect his performance in an athletic contest, Christians must train themselves to overcome the desires of the flesh.

If you want to win this crown, make sure to listen to and abide by the Holy Spirit within you. Train yourself so that your every thought, feeling, and action is measured and judged in accordance to God’s will for your life.

The Crown of Rejoicing

”Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.” Philippians 4:1 (NLT)

”After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NLT)

This crown is reserved for those whose efforts have led to others becoming believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul states, this crown will be a source of pride and joy for all of eternity, represented not only in the form of a crown, but in the form of actual fellow Christians who will be a source of joy for the Lord for all of eternity.

If you want to win this crown, make sure to share the Gospel of Christ with others whenever God presents an opportunity.

The Crown of Righteousness

”And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)

This crown is reserved for those who eagerly and patiently await the promised return of Jesus Christ. Throughout the scriptures, Jesus encourages us to be good and faithful servants, prepared for the master’s return. One day, He will come “like a thief in the night” – unexpectedly – and only those who have lived their lives in daily anticipation of this moment will be awarded this crown.

If you want to win this crown, make sure to live every day of your life with the constant expectation that Christ could return at a moment’s notice.

The Crown of Life

”God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NLT)

”Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 (NLT)

This crown is reserved for those who endure testing, temptation, persecution, suffering, and martyrdom for Jesus Christ. Believing in Christ is not a recipe for carefree living in a world which hates Him. For if the world mocked, ridiculed, and murdered Jesus Himself, then why should His followers expect to avoid suffering? We can not. Some will suffer worse than others, but everyone that remains faithful will receive the crown of life.

If you want to win this crown, make sure to love Jesus Christ more than you love your own life.

The Crown of Glory

”And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT)

This crown is reserved for those who are placed in a position of authority and responsibility in our earthly lives. With others looking to us for leadership by example, this is a task of enormous importance. Such people must exhibit love and humility, carefully watching over those with whom they have been entrusted. Their motives and hearts must be pure, focused on serving God rather than serving themselves. Those who lead others by example will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

If you want to win this crown, make sure to be a good example to others, especially those who look to you for guidance. And be a good and faithful steward of those God has entrusted to your care.

Residential Home Improvement Contractors: Protect yourself With These Tips

As I say so frequently that I’m beginning to bore myself, “most remodeling contractors are honest and reliable individuals who want to do quality work at a reasonable price.” Unfortunately, there are just enough contractors out there (or people who claim to be contractors) who take advantage of their customers that some reminders and tips are helpful if you want to do everything possible to protect yourself and your property during home improvement.

1. Don’t make assumptions about referrals. Exercise the same due diligence in evaluating and checking out all contractors. You might have friends or relatives, co-workers or neighbors referring you to contractors they have used with good results. Many people are also simply trusting recommendations from home improvement stores. Even when you are referred to a contractor, check him or her out before you sign a contract. Consumer Reports recently released findings from a study of people who hired contractors to whom they were referred by the two leading home improvement stores. Their survey indicated that people who used these referrals had more problems and were less satisfied with the work than people who used other contractors.

2. Build your remodeling budget in a way that creates a 20% cushion for unexpected surprises. Although the National Association of the Remodeling Industry suggests an allowance of 10% to 20%, I think you are safer to budget for a 20% cost overrun due to surprises. There are literally hundreds of things that can happen or that can be discovered once remodeling begins that will result in a cost overrun. It is not uncommon, for example to discover termite damage, dry rot, damage from leaking pipes, outdated wiring, etc. My point is that you should not use your entire budget on the basics. You will be much more comfortable with your budget if you leave room for surprises.

3. Get a contract — don’t deal with a contractor on the basis of a proposal. If at all possible, get a contract that states a final price for the work, not an estimated cost that can go up or down. Your contract should be as specific as possible and as detailed as possible. It should also contain some kind of warranty for both the installation and the products or materials. You can also specify in the contract that all materials used will be new materials and meet the standards outlined in the contract. It should also state that any changes made during the construction period will be authorized only by written change orders that explain the difference in cost up front. If a contractor is unwilling to sign a contract stating the final price of the remodel, find another contractor.

4. Know what your insurance covers and take out a liability policy if necessary. It is usually easy to call your insurance agent and ask what is covered in terms of damage to your property, loss of property or possessions, and injury or death of a worker on your property during the construction period. You should also be certain that the contractor carries workman’s compensation insurance and liability insurance against injury or death of a worker and against damage or loss to your property or possessions. If you have any concerns about adequate coverage, discuss it with your insurance agent and consider taking out an additional policy during the construction period.

5. Monitor all liens placed against your property during construction (construction liens) by any contractor or subcontractor and ensure that they are removed when the project is finished and the contractor is paid in full. There are unscrupulous contractors who accept payment for a job and then do not remove the liens. In most of these cases, the homeowner is not aware of the lien until some time later when trying to sell the home or take out a loan for further improvements. When homeowners try to resolve the issue, the contractor claims that the bill or part of the bill was never paid and demands payment before removing the lien.

6. Never do business with someone who comes to your door offering their services.

7. Never pay a contractor the entire bill up front. Work out a payment schedule that reflects work completed, and put the payment schedule in the contract.

8. Specify the quality of workmanship and the quality of materials to be used in the remodel or addition in the contract. Not only should you specify materials quality, you should check materials to ensure compliance with the terms of the contract as they are delivered to the construction site. Insist that the costs of all building materials be specified.

9. Include all job specifications in the contract. The more specific the description of the work to be done, the more protection you have. Job specifications state exactly what work is to be done, how it is to be done, the quality of materials to be used, when it is to be complete, and that it must pass inspection.

10. Check all licenses, permits, proof of insurance, and state or local certification before you hire a contractor or subcontractor. Check to be certain the contractor has or obtains all necessary permits, licenses and certificates. Check with issuing agencies or insurance companies to confirm that insurance and licenses are current.

11. Insist that the contractor show you proof of bond coverage for the total replacement cost of the project.

12. Be sure the contract includes the appropriate information about how conflicts will be resolved, when and how the contract will be or can be terminated, and that lien releases will be provided upon payment.

13. If you give the contractor a key to your home for use during the construction period, change the locks as soon as construction is completed.

14. Take the necessary steps to protect your property and your possessions. Put away all valuables in a safe place. Define the construction area for everyone — tell your family not to enter the area during working hours; define limits of access to the rest of your home for the work crew. Protect your landscaping by covering shrubs if necessary and taking other steps to reduce accidental damage. Seal off the construction area from the rest of the house to confine dust, etc.

15. If you are remodeling an old home, make sure any work with potentially hazardous materials is done under the safest conditions and that hazardous materials are completely removed from the work site immediately and disposed of as instructed by your local government. Be sure any lead paint is properly removed; be sure any asbestos is removed and disposed of correctly; be sure old horse hair plaster (that could contain arsenic) is disposed of properly.

These tips will help you protect your family, your property and the people working on your remodeling project. Residential home improvement contractors should be very willing to cooperate on all of these points.

Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing

Keeping the House Makes for a Messy Divorce

Keeping the house makes for a messy divorce

It’s not just a matter of who keeps the home. Loans, liens and other financial issues can preclude a clean split.

“If you’re still linked through the house, then you’re not really divorced,” says Kelly Lise Murray, a Harvard-trained lawyer and Nashville real estate agent.

People tend to underestimate the true cost of homeownership, drastically overstating the remaining spouse’s ability to afford the place, Murray says.

Even in a friendly divorce, certain key expenses are overlooked. Lawn care, homeowners association fees, even the basic costs of maintenance are among the costs that are rarely considered, either by the courts or the splitting spouses.

And then there’s the even bigger issue of hidden debt. Ideally, there will have been no secrets between the husband and wife. But money is a major cause of divorce, and in many cases, one spouse has no clue that the other has run up big bills that have become undisclosed liens against the property.

“I see it a lot,” says Murray, whose goal is to reform divorce law as it pertains to real estate, one state at a time. “It’s frequent. And what you don’t know during your divorce can hurt you long after the marriage is over.”

Fortunately, a major real estate mistake is preventable — but only during your divorce, not afterward. So Murray recommends doing due diligence and gathering information from more financial and real estate experts early in the divorce process. That way, you can make a more informed decision about whether you really want to keep the place or not.

In most divorces, the spouses determine what the house is worth, and the one who gives up the place is usually given a credit of some sort for his or her half of the equity the couple have in the place. Typically, the parties split the equity based on an appraisal. So if an appraiser says the house is worth, say, 0,000 and they owe 0,000, the “out spouse” gives up his or her claim to a ,000 equity stake for, perhaps, ,000 in stocks and bonds.

But along with that appraisal, Murray says, the “house spouse” should obtain an independent, third-party inspection of the property to determine whether there are any latent defects that could change its value.

“You wouldn’t buy a house without an inspection, so why would you accept one in a divorce without an inspection?” Murray asks. “What if something’s wrong or about to go wrong? You can use the inspector’s report as a punch list and either use the marital assets to make the necessary repairs or reduce the value of the property accordingly.”

Make sure to ask your inspector to estimate the remaining life of the property’s major appliances and systems. If something is on its last legs, you’ll want to know in advance so you can adjust for that as well. And while you’re at it, order a termite inspection — the damage those little bugs cause is often significant.

The real estate divorce specialist, whose self-published book “Divorce This House: When Keeping Your House Equals Losing Your Divorce” will be out this month, wants spouses to have two title searches, one as soon as possible after the divorce process begins and the other shortly before the divorce is finalized.

The first will uncover any unknown liens, encumbrances or clouds on the title that may have been placed by one spouse without the other’s knowledge. The second will uncover anything placed on the title during the proceedings, such as a lien filed by the out spouse’s attorney to cover his fees.

The more people follow these guidelines, divorce realty specialist Murray believes, the more likely they will end up selling the home and moving on. Disposing of the house during the divorce is far less risky than afterward, she says, and helps protect each spouse from the other’s financial problems.

“It’s the only way to be truly divorced,” she says. “Your spouse’s post-divorce debts become your debts if his name is still on the title. If the creditor files a lien, you will be unable to sell or refinance until the debt is paid.”

Don’t be fooled, either, into thinking that signing a quitclaim deed will get you out of harm’s way. A quitclaim will get your spouse off the title but not off the mortgage.

To truly divorce your house, Murray says there are only two ways to go: Sell the place or refinance it. “Financial exposure is extinguished when the house is sold or individually refinanced pursuant to divorce,” she says. “Otherwise, either spouse or both remain legally and financially at risk, often for years after they split.”

All of these issues and others are preventable during the divorce, but they’re not easily fixed afterward.

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Types of Wood for Furniture

There are many types of wood to be constructed into furniture. Regardless to the costly price of each piece of furniture, yet people love to fill their home with the wood one. Wood furniture creates an impression of natural and warmth atmosphere to home or office concept.

Solid wood

Solid wood is a full timber crafted into furniture. There are types of solid wood like hardwoods an softwood.  Hardwood like teak is known as an anti-termite. For one timber, teak is valued expensively. It reaches almost .000 depends on where the wood comes from. The softwood has less durability compared to the hardwood ones.

Plywood

Plywood is used as furniture material. Usually it is made up of multiple layers sometimes including particle wood and solid wood. The layers are not very thick and they are layered in different directions to make it stronger. Its thickness is only about a few millimeters varied from 3mm, 4mm, 9mm and 18 mm. It is some called of inexpensive wood may cost to the furniture in living room, dining room, bedroom or kitchen set.

Particle wood

Particle wood is made of a mixture rough wood particle and of special chemical substance which bond with the glue and dry in high temperature. Particle wood can be created into furniture which is not the best result to pick. In long term particle wood will change its form. It doesn’t water proof and can’t hold too much weight.

Veneers

Lastly, although usually frowned upon, veneer is not as bad as it is made out to be. It is great for pieces that won’t get much use and can be very good-looking. Many times what causes veneer to be of poor quality is the construction of it. It is recommended to purchase furniture that does not require assembly. If you notice that the furniture is constructed of veneer and only features that decorative layer of veneer on one side, be prepared to not have that piece for very long. When moisture is absorbed by wood unevenly on one side only, it will swell and the board will warp. Even solid wood needs to be finished on both sides to prevent warping.

Nowadays, people are concerning about global warming which is can be seen the impact to man kind life. In understanding this issue, human should use natural product wisely including for wood as furniture. The solution to meet the market demand is reducing the usage of solid wood with the other alternative to choose.

Maid service/cleaning, Comfort Keepers Franchise – Focused Franchising Chicago IL Franchise Consultant

The maid service and cleaning franchise Service Master Clean franchise is doing extremely well with Focused Franchising, Ltd as its Chicago IL franchise consultant.

With more than 4,500 franchises around the world, ServiceMaster Clean has been in the cleaning and disaster restoration business for more than half a century. We help you get clean and stay that way, at work and at home.

ServiceMaster Clean is proud to be a Six Sigma company, demonstrating our commitment to excellence. Each independent ServiceMaster Clean business pledges to uphold the high standards of the organization, promising to do the job right or do it over. Whether you contract with us for office janitorial services or call us to address fire damage at your home, our service is prompt and the work is done to your satisfaction.

The ServiceMaster family

ServiceMaster Clean professionals are part of the ServiceMaster family, one of the world’s largest and most versatile service networks with locations in the U.S. and Canada as well as 40 countries around the world. Each year, we serve 10.5 million homes and businesses in the United States with cleaning and disaster recovery services, lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, plumbing, heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair, appliance maintenance and repair, cleaning and furniture maintenance, and home warranties.

These services are provided through a network of company-owned and franchised service centers and business units, operating under the following brands: TruGreen, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, AmeriSpec and Furniture Medic.

Known as America’s Service Brands for Home and Business, ServiceMaster is a privateley held company of Clayton, Dublier and Rice Inc. (CD&R).

The Comfort Keepers franchise requires a Atlanta GA franchise consultant. Focused Franchising Ltd, are experts in senior care Franchises.

Comfort Keepers is dedicated to providing in-home care to seniors and others who need help with activities of daily living. Our goal is to allow people to stay in their own homes versus seeking other care alternatives. We provide care that helps enrich our clients’ lives and helps them maintain the highest possible level of independent living.

Trustworthy, Trained and Compassionate

Each Comfort Keeper is carefully selected, screened and trained for the capable and compassionate care. Each Comfort Keeper is screened through extensive background checks, is insured and bonded, and is covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance to protect our clients and their families.

Our Mission is to provide our clients with the highest level of quality of life that is achievable.

We shall treat each of our clients with the respect and dignity they deserve, as though we were caring for a member of our own family.

Comfort Keepers is comprised of a network of caring individuals who are equally committed to providing comforting solutions. In fact, many of our owners were drawn to this business as a result of their own experiences in caring for a loved one. As you begin to review your options, let us be your helping hand.

Senior care franchise purchases require advanced planning with an Atlanta GA franchise consultant. Call on Focused Franchising, Ltd for more info about the Comfort Keepers franchise.

Customized Entertainment Centers in the Den

There are a lot of things that folks can do at home today, thanks to modern technology. The humble TV box which first displayed black and white moving photographs has now developed into wide, plasma, high definition home theatres. The small box radio now has complete home music systems that may play all sorts of digital media and play it thru woofers and subwoofers that emit rich, clear sound. Folk who try hard twenty four seven at the office need to relax and enjoy their time at home. So these folks look forward to reward themselves by making custom entertainment centers at home. If you belong in this class, then you understand the powerful need to display your home entertainment unit well, together with keeping them safe and protected from house dust or accidents. The only way to keep your dear entertainment gizmos safe is thru building custom entertainment centers which will suit your property as well as your taste and lifestyle .
What’s the benefit of getting custom entertainment centers over store-bought ones? The first significant factor is that a custom cabinet or TV stand will be made to fit a large television or spokesman system. Store cabinet manufacturers will only attempt to make a standard size for their furniture, so these would be either too little or too massive for your own system. A cabinet or shelf which does not perfectly house your speakers or players will ruin the attractiveness of your entertainment platform although it is on show.

similarly, custom entertainment centers are superior to pre-manufactured cabinets and shelves in terms of strength and longevity. Store bought shelves would sometimes be made of standard grade or mixed wood ( meaning the wood is simply several layers of thin plywood rolled out and glued together ). These categories of shelves aren’t truly customized to support heavy gadgets, so they could risk the security of your system. You can decide to use good, solid hardwood, that will be more resistant to termites, scratches, and damage.

Custom entertainment centers can be a easy table for a TV set, or it can be a wall shelf for a component system.

They should be designed not solely to showcase your technological investments, but also to give your ease when you want to enjoy good music or a DVD. The benefit of having an entertainment shelf or cabinet customized is that you can have it built with further details or the like.

Going out to observe a picture or eat dinner is a good way to bond and spend a little time, but sometimes, it is more entertaining to simply stay in at home, heat some popcorn in the microwave, and watch a favourite film on DVD. The cosy atmosphere of a well-known environment makes spending time together so much more relaxing and worthwhile. The great thing about having custom entertainment centers at home can give the luxury of going out coupled with the amenity of staying at home.
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Dog Training Tips And Tricks-Effective Methods

They can ruin everything from your bags to your clothes, your bed sheets to your curtains.

Dog Training Tips And Tricks saves you from  a lot of stress

This group has a variety of both behavioral and physical-a history of hunting assistance often being the only regular bond among some of the hound breeds. This group houses the sheepdogs and cattle dogs, including the amiable collie breeds and those regal kinds, the corgis. The instinct to herd in some of them can be strong in these breeds even if most of these are now plain companion dogs that have never even seen a sheep. The millions of mixed-breed dogs around the world are a testament to that.

That’s part of the fun. A pampered, yet surprisingly active companion today, it once was a skilled truffle hunter. Unfortunately, the sheer popularity of some of the sporting breeds, most notably cocker spaniels but also Labrador and golden retrievers, has led to a rise in health and behavioral problems. It now serves only as a loving, albeit somewhat desk bound companion.

The Akita (Japan), the Komondor (Hungary), the Portuguese water dog, the Newfoundland, the Saint Bernard (Switzerland), the Alaskan Malamute, the Bernese Mountain dog (Switzerland) and many more make this group a veritable United Nations of dogs. Before getting to any of these things, let’s start form the most basic first:finding the right dog suitable for you. Combining the taut muscles and compact power of the bulldog with the tenacity and aggressiveness of the terrier, some controversial bull terrier breeds have been involved in some highly publicized biting incidents, several involving small children. Be especially careful in finding a reputable breeder of these dogs.

Like most terriers, this “king of terriers” has little time for other dogs, and if not properly supervised may engage in some street brawling. Terrier dog breeds. Children and dogs make potentially blissful partners, but choosing a dog that actually likes to play with children is your best bet in orchestrating a match made in heaven.

The long hair of the Lhasa apso is due to a naturally prolonged growth phase that was emphasized by selective breeding for thermal protection and aesthetic reasons. Coat. Other breeds such as German shepherds and golden retrievers have been trained to detect hidden drugs, explosives, and even termites.

Most mammals sweat to keep cool. Special taste receptors on their tongues are believed to allow canids to recognize chemical composition variances such as salt and impurities in different water sources. Ears are third-quarters tipped over facing forward.

The rose ears found in some bulldogs and pugs, a variation of a drop ear, is folded inward along the back edge, with the tip curving over and back to show the opening to the ear. The fur can be puffed up to trap warm air in cold weather or held closely against the skin to release heat on warm days.

If fingerprints are essential to us, human beings, paws have the same essentiality to our pets. Pricked Ears. In temperate weather, canids simply breathe in through their noses to stay cool:Nasal glands secrete fluid, and its evaporation within their nasal chambers creates a cooling effect.

You can leave him alone for hours in your home, even if he uses the bathroom. You can actually see your dog wait next to the door when he/she needs to go out to use the bathroom. It doesn’t matter how old your dog is Pulling On the Leash – Do you feel like your dog walked you when you get back from walking your dog?

Learn how to teach your dog to stop pulling on the leash Chewing On Everything – Finally, be able to stop your dog from chewing on and destroying everything you own Harassing Cats – Do you or a neighbor have a cat that is constantly being harassed by your dog? Learn how to stop this Fighting Other Dogs – Is your dog aggressive towards other dogs, or has a bad habit of fighting other dogs? Learn how to stop this dangerous habit Biting People – Does your dog nip or bite at other people?

Learn how to stop this scary habit Eating Feces – Does your dog eat feces? Learn how to stop this disgusting habit Running Out the Door – Does your dog bolt out the door as soon as it is opened? Finally, be able to stop this Have A Bad Temper – Does your dog have a bad temper? Learn how to control and stop your dog’s temper problems Scared of Loud Noises – Does your dog get scared by loud noises?

Learn what’s causing this and how to stop it Pulling Out Their Hair – Is your dog pulling out his/her hair? Learn what’s wrong, and how to stop this Biting Himself/Herself – Does your dog always seem to have a spot where he/she is constantly biting or nipping himself/herself? Learn exactly what to do to stop this Proper Training Techniques – Learn the proper and correct Dog Training Tips And Tricks so your dog will clearly understand commands and enjoy learning new ones. You would avoid mistakes done by most neophytes.

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