New Family Habits For The New Year

‘Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions.  But in a lot of cases, resolutions get broken quickly.  Perhaps a better way to frame your good intentions is to call them “new habits for the new year.”
That tells you there’s a little work involved, not just some end goal you hope to reach.
A great way to make a new habit stick is to do it with someone else.  Good news!  Your family is a built-in support group.  Talk about starting one or two new family habits this year.  And when you pick one, stick to that one until it’s pretty well established before adding another one.
Here are a few ideas to consider:
Exercise: When you are all more fit, you’ll all keep your hearts healthy.  Good exercise also promotes improved moods and better stress management.  Start by taking walks, playing in the snow, dusting off the outdoor play equipment, or riding bikes.  Make a list of some fun things you all enjoy and do at least some of them together.  Extra curricular activities like sports or dance can also count.
Cooking: Everyone loves to eat, so why not enjoy cooking together?  Even young children can share in food preparation, table setting, and “taste testing” activities.  You can make family favorites together, try new foods, and give your best recipes a healthy makeover.  This keeps everyone more aware of healthy choices and teaches the kids valuable life skills.
Reading: Did anyone get books for Christmas at your house?  If not, you can still get the ball rolling by making inexpensive beautiful bookmarks.  Take a trip to the library together and ask the librarian to recommend books for everyone in your family.  Dinnertime can be a great place to talk about how they are enjoying their books.  Encourage your kids to share books with each other, even if they are different ages or genders.

Auto Repair: Ensuring Which You Get A Protected Drive In Your Vehicle by Latoya Edge

Are you trying to find the auto repair companies on your useful car or truck? If absolutely yes, then you certainly will need to consider numerous vital factors previous to you hire one. A vehicle operator ought to be well-informed enough to choose up the great solutions for his auto. As a lot of people have had negative encounters with auto repair stores, it is very important to pick out a reliable one. Should you get a while in studying to learn the best auto repairs, then you certainly can simply do away with a whole lot worse experiences at an previous auto repair products and services station.
A frequent auto repair service surely raises the life of the car. Be certain to decide on the proper a single. An auto repair service guarantees that an automobile undergoes program maintenances which primarily contain hose replacements, batteries, wiper blades and many others. An auto repair qualified will ensure sleek running of your respective car or truck by preventing corrosion. You ought to guarantee to change the dirty oil which could cause some significant damages for the car's motor. Being a motor vehicle proprietor any individual won't like a troubling engine, the regular fix get the job done can be rather practical. One particular really should retain his budget in his brain just before likely for an auto repair.
The auto repair products and services do the job won't imply you devote large sums. Basically, the price is dependent on auto areas which can be used to the fix do the job. Even the effectiveness of a brand-new automobile comes down greatly more than a time frame. A few of the critical parts like shockers and mufflers need to have restore and alternative for the very long lasting of the car. Although these automobile components will not will need a major repairing work, 1 must not dismiss the normal upkeep of all those parts.
Do you very own a BMW? If certainly, then possessing an automobile instead of retaining it may possibly lead into dress in and tear from the important sections with the car or truck. BMW is among the most complex and technologically innovative motor vehicle readily available within the sector. At an auto repair shop, ensure you routinely do servicing of your motor vehicle. Vehicle shops give an assurance which you experience a reliable auto. Meanwhile, acquiring a dependable BMW fix store is not effortless. Servicing your automobile in an efficient shop is definitely the utmost significant point. Owners take a pride to generate this automobile. As a result, it is sensible to make investments a bit more on repairs and frequent servicing of your beneficial possession.
VW Fix could be the other type of sophisticated repairing. Repairing with the automobile components of a Volkswagen like exhaust process, brakes, VW fuel injection and VW motor with the earliest is much better for the smooth functioning with the motor vehicle. You would like to be sure that you simply choose a reputed qualified to do the automobile repairs and solutions work.
One more vehicle trucks transport serious loads and travels more time distances. Therefore, the possibilities of those autos getting broken are a great deal more. So, a normal truck repair can save you from paying an enormous sum on high priced auto components.

Articles of Association

As a non-profit corporation incorporated under German law, KDE e.V. is required to declare its intentions and by-laws in a formal "Articles of Association" document. The original and legally binding version is the German version, the "Satzung" (PDF). The following translation is for information only.
Clarification of Terminology

    Under these Articles of Association we consider computer programs as free software, or "open source software", which the originator puts into the public domain free of charge and in an irretrievable manner. In doing so, the originator allows others the freedom to use the program for any purpose, to study how the program functions, to adapt it to his/her own needs, to copy it for others and to improve the program and make these changes available for the common good.
    Developing free software in the sense of these Articles of Association consists of research and compilation of basic principles and concepts as well as their test by programming and test of free software which implement such concepts and basic principles.
    "K Desktop Environment (KDE)" is a graphic work environment containing not only the infrastructure for programs but also user programs, including sounds, pictures, documents and translations. It is being developed as free software and is made available to the general public free of charge.

1. Company Name, Registered Office, Financial Year

    The Association is registered as K Desktop Environment e.V., abbreviation KDE e.V.
    The Association’s registered offices are located in Tübingen. Should no fixed registered office be established, it will be managed from the residence of the respective Board member acting as general manager at any given time.
    It is listed under register number 1301 in the Tübingen District Court’s Register of Associations.
    The financial year is the calender year.

2. Purpose of the Association

    The Association’s purpose is the promotion and distribution of free desktop software in terms of free software, and the program package "K Desktop Environment (KDE)" in particular, to promote the free exchange of knowledge and equality of opportunity in accessing software as well as education, science and research.
    The aim of the Association is to promote
        education, exchange of opinions and cooperation between users, developers and researchers
        research and debate on the impact of free desktop software and the notion of free software on society and science
        continuous development and research into free desktop software
        enhanced access to free desktop software, supporting pictures, sounds, data and documentation and the compilation and distribution of relevant material
        contributions and articles providing competent information to the public within the association’s field of activity and presence at trade fares and congresses, making information available to a broad spectrum of users.
        organisation of congresses and lectures open to the general public, which aim at promoting further training of project members and users
        protection of the project members free rights protecting them from the commercial interests of third parties
    Amendment of the association’s purpose may only be made in accordance with § 3 (1).

3. Non-profit Association

    The activities of the Association are exclusively and directly limited to non-profit activities as stipulated in § 2 of the Articles of Association and to tax-privileged purposes in accordance with §§ 51ff. AO (German Tax Regulations). Its activities are for the common good and are not pursued primarily for the purpose of profit making.
    The Association’s financial means may only be used for purposes stipulated in the Articles of Association. Members will only be reimbursed for their expenses but will not receive any direct benefits out of the Association’s funds.
    It is not permitted to favour somebody through association expenditures, which do not serve the associations purpose or are disproportionately high. Reimbursements for expenditures are made in accordance with the Federal Travel Expenses Code should no other legal regulations apply.

4. Types of Membership and Members of the Association

    Both natural persons and legal bodies wanting to implement and promote the aims of the association may become members. Taking into account the international character of the Association and to give members the possibility to stop actively supporting and developing KDE without necessarily losing their membership, the following types of memberships are available:
        Active members are natural persons supporting the Association’s purpose and aims through their cooperation and who in doing so take over the complete duties of an association member. Primarily, they are expected to cooperate, participate in the general assembly and exercise their voting rights.
        Extraordinary members are natural persons and legal bodies, who through their membership declare their support of the Association’s purposes and aims, while refraining from voting rights and the exertion of the active members’ right to participate in the general assemblies. Legal bodies chose a representative to exercise the remaining rights and duties.
        Supporting Members are extraordinary members supporting the Association’s purposes and aims primarily through financial or material contributions. If desired, their names will be published on the Association’s website, and they have the right to participate in the general meetings. They do not have any voting rights.

    An active membership will be granted if suggested by a member and supported by two other active members, if the general meeting decides to grant it or if a simple majority of the active members is obtained by means of an internet vote. The main criterion for granting membership should be the candidate’s commitment over a longer period of time and the contributions he/she made in order to fulfil the Association’s aims.

    An active member can change status to that of an extraordinary member by submitting his request to the Board. Should an active member not fulfil the above mentioned duties over a period of two consecutive general meetings, the membership will automatically change into an extraordinary membership. An extraordinary member, but not a supporting member, can submit an application to become an active member to the Board. The Board decides whether or not to accept a supporting member.
    The membership terminates due to exit, expulsion, death, or – in the case of legal bodies – due to the loss of its legal status. The membership may be terminated on December 31st of each year, and a written request has to be submitted to the Board at least 4 weeks prior.

    The expulsion of a member is reserved for critical situations, and generally it will be considered preferable to find a peaceful solution. The expulsion becomes effective immediately after the Board’s decision. The following reasons may cause an expulsion:
        if a member seriously violates regulations contained in the Articles of Association and/or the purpose and aim of the Association, and an attempt to clarify the situation was unsuccessful; and
        if the membership fees are not paid over a period of 12 months despite repeated reminders.

    Before such a decision will be taken, the member must have the opportunity to justify or explain his/her actions. An objection to such an expulsion may be filed with the Board within four weeks and will be voted on during the next general meeting. Until such decision will be taken by the general meeting, the member’s rights and duties remain dormant.
    If a member leaves the Association or the Association is liquidated, no member has a right of reimbursement for the assets he/she may have contributed.

5. Organs of the Association

The organs of the Association are:

    the General Assembly and
    the Board.

6. General Assembly

    The General Assembly consists of all of the Association’s active members, who have one vote.
    The General Assembly takes place at least once a year. The Board invites the members per mail or email, providing a preliminary agenda. The invitation has to be sent at least six weeks prior to the meeting. The time limit starts on the day after the invitation letter was sent. The date of the post mark and the date when the email was sent are binding. The invitation letter is considered as delivered, if it was addressed to the last address the member advised in writing. The members may submit additional agenda items to the board either in writing or electronically until two weeks before the assembly. The date when the letter or email was received is binding. The Board will publish the final agenda in the internet, and the address is to be mentioned in the written invitation.
    If it is in the Association’s interest, an extraordinary General Assembly may be called for. If this request is submitted to the Board in written form by at least 20% of the members, the Board is compelled to call for an extraordinary General Assembly within six weeks. The member’s request must contain the desired agenda item.
    Independent from the number of members present, the General Assembly only has a quorum if the invitation was submitted in proper form. It nominates one of the members present as head of the General Assembly. Unless otherwise decided by the General Assembly, all decisions will be taken openly by show of hands and with a simple majority. Should the number of pro and contra votes should be equal, the application is considered as dismissed.
    Differing from (4), a majority of ? of the votes of the General Assembly and a minimum of half of the votes of all active members are necessary to amend the Articles of Association or decide the liquidation of the Association.
    An active member who cannot personally participate in the General Assembly may ask another member, who will be personally present, to represent him during the General Assembly. The representative will exercise both members’ voting rights. The representative will legitimise himself at the beginning of the General Assembly by presenting to the Board the original of a written authorisation. A representative may represent a maximum of two additional members.

7. Duties of the General Assembly

    The General Assembly is the highest decision making organ of the Association and is generally in charge of all duties, unless these Articles of Association have assigned specific duties to another organ of the Association.

    The General Assembly elects the board from a number of active members. The people obtaining the largest numbers of votes will be elected. Ballot papers will be provided to cast the votes.
    The General Assembly may deselect a board member. Differing from (1), this process requires the majority of votes of all active members.
    The General Assembly decides about the objections of members the Board intends to expel.
    The General Assembly receives the Board’s annual report as well as the audit report of the auditor and discharges the board’s responsibilities.
    The right to decide about amendments to the Articles of Association or a liquidation of the association is reserved to the General Assembly.
    Namely the annual accounts and the annual report have to be presented in written format to the General Assembly for decision making and discharge of the board. It calls on two auditors, who belong neither to the board nor any other panel appointed by the board and who are not employed by the association, in order to audit the accounting and annual report and relate their results to the General Assembly. The auditors have access to all of the Association’s accounting documents.
    Furthermore the General Assembly has the exclusive right to decide about:
        any purchase of, sale of or charges on real property,
        any investment in other companies and
        raising loans of EUR 10,000 and more
    It has the right to decide about all matters board or members submit to it.

8. The Board

    The Board consists of 5 persons, and only natural persons can be board members. They are elected for a 3 years term. Re-election is permitted. The respective board members remain in office after expiration of their term until a successor is elected.
    From its midst the Board elects a chairman and two proxies. One of the proxies is the treasurer. Re-election is permitted.
    The Board’s duties, namely all regulations pertaining to calling for board meetings, meeting procedures and voting process are stipulated in the by-laws of the board, which it has to decide unanimously.
    The board decides about all matters pertaining to the association, unless a decision of the General Assembly is required. It implements the decisions taken by the General Assembly.
    Each individual board member has the right to represent the Association to outside parties.
    Should a board member quit while in office, the board appoints a provisional board member on the basis of an internet vote in which all active members participate. The provisional board member remains in office until the General Assembly takes place. The General Assembly decides about the definite succession within the board.
    In accordance with §30 BGB (German Civil Code) the board can decide to appoint a full-time director as a special representative, who manages all of the Association’s current affairs and acts as supervisor of the Association’s full-time employees. Decisions pertaining to work contracts, dismissal and admission of new members may only be taken by the board.
    The director is committed to participate in the General Assemblies and has the right or duty (if the board demands it) to participate in the board meetings. He has the right of speech in all meetings and is accountable to all organs of the association.
    Amendments to the Articles of Association demanded by regulatory, court or financial authorities for formal reasons may be undertaken by the board. The General Assembly has to be informed of such amendments in its next meeting.

9. By-Laws

The by-laws govern all details of the Associations activities which are not covered in the Articles of Association. The Board implements the by-laws following the members approval. The members' approval is obtained by means of an internet vote and a simple majority of the active members.
10. Meeting Minutes

All decisions taken by the Board and General Assembly will be documented in writing and are available for the members' perusal.
11. Labour Agreements

Before hiring a full-time employee the board will regulate the remuneration in the by-laws.
13. Financing of the Association

    The funds required for the Association are raised through
        membership fees,
        contributions by the federal states, town councils and other public bodies,
        donations,
        other financial contributions made by third parties,
        benefits paid to the Association for activities it pursues for the common good, including lectures.
    The members pay fees based on the decision taken by the General Assembly or by the active members in an internet vote with a simple majority. Once defined the membership fees will be incorporated in the by-laws.
    In case of a liquidation of the Association or termination of its tax-privileged status all its assets will become property of Deutsche Unesco-Kommision e.V. , Colmantstra?e 15, D-53115 Bonn, which has to use them exclusively and directly for non-for-profit purposes only. In this case decisions about the future use of the Associations assets may only be implemented upon consent of the tax and revenue office.

Mother's Day Fun

Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday is celebrated in UK in the fourth Sunday of Lent in honor of Mother Mary and now, all mothers. It has come to be celebrated in a similar fashion as Mothers Day is celebrated in US though the date of the festivals differs. Besides history of Mothering Sunday in England and the reason for celebration differs from that of Mother's Day festival in US. Similarity between Mothering Sunday in UK and Mothers Day in US can be seen in the way the festivals are celebrated today. As in the case of Mothers Day, on Mothering Sunday people give flowers and gifts to their mothers and show their love and gratitude towards them.

When is Mothering Sunday ?
The date of Mothering Sunday in UK varies every year. It does not correspond to the Mother's Day festival in US which falls on the second Sunday in the month of May. Mothering Sunday in England is always celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent (the 40 day period leading up to Easter) in honor of Mary, the mother of Christ.

Since the date of the festival falls half way between Shrove Tuesday and Good Friday in the middle of the Lent Mothering Sunday is also called Mid-Lend Sunday. And as the day of Lent and Easter varies every year so also the day of Mothering Sunday. Mothering Sunday is celebrated on May 10, 2012.

History/Origin of Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday Histroy in UK is centuries old. It goes back to the time of early Christians in England who celebrated a Mothers festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honor of Virgin Mary. Some believe that the ceremonies in honor of Roman mother goddess, Cybele were adopted by the early church to worship Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ. Others say the Mother Church was substituted for Mother Goddess and according to a custom laid a person visit the church of his/her baptism (Mother Church) on this day.

The origin of Mothering Sunday can also be traced to the fact that in early times people in England as a tradition visited their nearest parish called, "Daughter Church" on every Sunday. Also in those times, in the 1600s, children after the age of ten left their homes for jobs as apprentice or domestic servants. It was considered important by the people that these children be allowed to visit their home and mother church once a year. Accordingly, once in a year, in the middle of the Lent the children were given a leave by their employers to visit their "Mother Church" or Cathedral of their hometown. These children on their visit to their homes brought along gifts, flowers and special cakes for their mothers. These visits thus became a time for family reunions and over a period time, this holiday meant for the return to Mother Church was stretched to include all mothers and was named as Mothering Sunday.

Mother's Day History

Origin of Mother's Day goes back to the era of ancient Greek and Romans. But the roots of Mother's Day history can also be traced in UK where a Mothering Sunday was celebrated much before the festival saw the light of the day in US. However, the celebration of the festival as it is seen today is a recent phenomenon and not even a hundred years old. Thanks to the hard work of the pioneering women of their times, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis that the day came into existence. Today the festival of Mothers day is celebrated across 46 countries (though on different dates) and is a hugely popular affair. Millions of people across the globe take the day as an opportunity to honor their mothers, thank them for their efforts in giving them life, raising them and being their constant support and well wisher.

New Rules for Christmas Gift Cards 2010

Gift cards have added a whole new competitive element for Christmas retailers and have introduced interesting new dilemmas for Christmas shoppers. As a shopping trend there is no doubt that gift cards have grown in popularity - more than $80 billion worth of them were sold in 2009. But as a category gift cards have matured and, thanks to legislation taking effect before the holiday shopping season 2010, the rules have changed a little bit.

As you will learn, the benefits to the buyer of gift cards could not come at a better time. In a down economy, gift cards have steadily dropped in average price - from a high of better than $58 in 2008 to an average high value of just over $44 today.

The economy has much to do with that. People are buying gifts on a budget and gift cards make it simple to stay on strict targets - and are cheaper and easier to send than conventional gifts. The average value of a gift card has also been affected by the broad variety of gift cards now available - everyone from 7-Eleven to the National Park Service now offers a gift card.

But shoppers' perceptions about gift cards likely have a lot to do with that decline as well. At a sensitive giving time such as Christmas many wonder about the appropriateness of giving gift cards at all, viewing them as impersonal and, in some cases, thoughtless giving efforts. At least that is how folks felt in 2007 when a national survey revealed that 46 percent of gift card recipients were not appreciative of the gift cards they received.

In a new study released recently it appears gift cards are benefitting from economic difficulties in one respect: 77 percent of recipients now say they love gift cards if they help meet a need such as groceries, instead of a luxurious want, such as lotions, jewelry or books. The 2010 My Merry Christmas.com survey of Christmas trends and opinions reveals that Christmas is more meaningful if giving focuses on wants more than needs by better than 82 percent of respondents, a clear indicator of the economic times.

Over the years gift cards have also been problematic for both givers and receivers. Givers have been limited by pre-set amounts established by merchants. Receivers have been penalized for not immediately redeeming gift cards of their full value. Legislation was passed in 2010 that should clear up some of those issues. Here is a brief list of what you should know about new gift card rules in effect for cards purchased after August 2010:

1. Gift cards are good for a minimum of 5-years by law. No more expiration dates.
2. If a gift card lies dormant no fees can be charged for maintenance or storage for at least a year.
3. If a gift card lies dormant for MORE than a year, significant fees can be charged for maintaining a balance. Buyer - and receiver -- beware.
4. Lost or stolen gift cards, by law, must be replaced upon demand when proof of purchase is satisfied matched with unredeemed value.
5. Though most name brand retailers don't charge a premium for a gift card, some do and can, if properly disclosed, according to the CARD act passed in 2010.
6. If a company goes bankrupt, like Sharper Image did a few years back, gift cards from them will be absolutely worthless. No protection is offered from new legislation.

Only time will tell how gift cards will mature as a gift giving category. No doubt future economic shifts and retailer promotions will affect how gift cards are used and perceived.