InfoCraver

Ash and Natural Hair Colors for Fall

2009-09-09T00:05:46Z

Now that school is back in session, and the upcoming fall season is upon us, it's time to think about spicing up your color. No matter what color you are naturally, there is always something you can add to give a subtle change to your look. Rich tones are really a big hit for fall, as well as low lighting for those lighter natural colors.

Even if you have lightened your hair for the summer, you can easily add some richness by streaking a few darker strands through your hair. It's easier to add some low lights to your hair that are a within a few shades of the color your hair is at the time, than to go and dump a darker color all over your head. Not only is the low lighting an easier transition, but even the smallest changes can make a big difference.

If you have blonde hair and want some darker tones put into it, using a natural toned color would be the best option. It adds natural tones to the hair, and doesn't usually turn your hair odd colors. Now if your hair is really light and you are going dark, the natural shades can soak in really quickly and go darker than the shade you actually put on. So you have to really keep an eye on it while it is processing. This is where you can adjust the amount of time the color is on. If it looks like it is getting really dark, you can go ahead and rinse it off in 10 minutes or so. If you leave it on too long you can end up with almost black hair. Especially if your blonde hair is color processed from the start. If you do want to darken your whole head, be really careful when choosing colors with ash base tones, as this can cause the hair to turn green since that is the underlying base color. If you have really gold or bronze blonde hair, the ash colors would be a good choice to eliminate the golden tones and soften the look of your hair. So when hi-lighting, taking the color off to soon before it has finished processing will leave your hair orange for sure. This is just the opposite of darkening the hair. When darkening you are just depositing color, but for lifting you have to lift all those colors out to get the blonde shade you want.

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So my best advice is to go to a store that can help you choose the best color for your type of hair. Keep track of the shades you are using every time you color. That way you know how each one turns out when you are trying different shades and brands of color. Each company makes color slightly different. Tones will change and the outcome will be different each time you color. So if you are looking for that rich fall brown color, or just low lighting to add some depth to your look, be sure to choose a color that well fits your skin tone, while adding some sparkle to your look.

How to Adjust ATV valves

2009-09-05T18:47:25Z

Adjusting your ATV valves is important in maintaining peak performance and reliability. Though adjusting your valves is not difficult, is does require some patience and accuracy. On a single cylinder engine you have one set of intake valves and one set of exhaust valves. This will make for easy adjusting. When you’re adjusting a twin cylinder engine, there are two sets of exhaust and intake valves. The adjusting will be the same, just work on one cylinder at a time.

Before you start I recommend cleaning your ATV. Where we are going dirt is not allowed! Make sure you have a manual or know what your settings are. Take off your seat and remove any plastic needed to reach your valve covers. Once you reach your valve covers you will have to know which cover is your exhaust and intake. The easiest way of knowing the difference is that the exhaust valves will be located close to your exhaust pipe. Hints: The name exhaust. The intake valves will be located close to the carburetor or fuel injector. Again, hint the name intake because the motor must intake gas to run. Setting your valves sets the proper length of time to be open and closed while running.

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I will be adjusting on a Honda Rincon single cylinder engine. Check your manual to see what the recommended clearance settings are for your ATV. My settings will be .006 on the intake valves and, .013 on the exhaust when the motor is cold. After you take your valve covers off, your valves need to be in the proper position to adjust.

Exhaust valves: Slowly start to pull your pull start cord until your intake valves on that cylinder start to move up (starting to uncompress the spring). Once they slightly start to move up, Stop! This may take several times to get it positioned perfectly. Once it is in the proper position, check the exhaust valves clearance. It should have some clearance in there already. Set it to your manuals specifications. If your ATV was running fine and you have no clearance something bad is wrong and you should start over. Make sure you are on the right set of valves.

Intake Valves: Again slowly start to pull your pull start cord until you see your exhaust valves just start to go down (starting to compress the spring). Once in the perfect position, check your intake clearance. Set it to your manuals specifications. The same rule applies for the intake valves. If it was running fine and you have no clearance, do not adjust the valves. Start over and make sure you are looking at the right valves.

        Simplified;

•    When the intake valve starts to move up check your exhaust!

•    When your exhaust starts to move down check your intake!

Note: Be sure to double check after all of the adjustments have been made.

"The Magic Bullet" Pros and Cons

2009-08-25T23:16:19Z

I am sure many of you have seen the "as seen on TV" product, the Magic Bullet. I know I have seen the infomercials for it many times on the weekends searching for something to watch. I found mine at the local Wal-Mart store. It costs the same as on TV, and came with everything they advertised it would on the infomercial. So does it really work the way they say it does? I would say that is the magic question. Here are some pros and con's I have found using it at home.

Pros;

• It does grind very well. Sometimes you have to stop and shake it to move things around, but it does a good job. Coffee   beans do really well for fresh ground coffee.

• Anything you want pureed’, it will do it. Things like salsa, or making a great cocktail works really good.

• Using a heavy whipping cream to make mousse or puddings does really well. It takes no time at all to whip up some fresh   cool whip to top off any dessert.

• It also does really good making sauces. Especially when making nachos or an alfredo sauce, as the plastic container’s can go in the microwave and dishwasher.]]>
• I can tell you from experience, if there is something you do not want to puree’, do not put it in the magic bullet. I   tried to make egg salad and it puréed the eggs. It was not very good. I like chunks of egg not mushy eggs.

• I had a really hard time getting the larger container to keep the food moving into the middle to be chopped. It would   puree everything on the bottom, but leave big pieces at the top. I had to stop several times to try and get the big   pieces into the blades. Once in the blades it was pureed.

• I never could get it to really “chop” like they show on TV. If you want garlic and onions to be pretty much pulverized,   then it’s the tool for you. If you like it left in bigger pieces, cutting them on a cutting board would be the better   option.

So there are good and bad that go with any product you find on TV. Just be sure to do some homework, and make sure it is something you might use. I would say the magic bullet was a good buy for those quick drinks, fresh salsa, and whipped eggs. If you like fresh chopped herbs, garlic, or onions, I would suggest the old fashioned way of chopping unless you like them pureed. All in all it gets the thumbs up from me!

Herculiner for truck beds and wheel wells

2009-08-19T22:41:37Z

Are you looking into a bed liner for your truck but not sure if you want molded plastic, expensive spray on, or a do it yourself kit? I was unsure myself but at the end I chose Herculiner, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. It is a simple and low cost way to have a professional looking bed liner. You will have to do some light prep work for the product to adhere correctly. Here are some helpful tips when using Herculiner.Remember Prep work is everything!!

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• When taping your bed off, take the extra time to get it right. Once it’s on and dry it’s not coming off!

• Gloves are a must!!! I can’t stress this enough. I used it without gloves one time and it took 3 weeks or more to scrub off.

• Make sure you wipe the area with Xylene or Acetone. This will clean the surface again and soften the adhering surface.

• Have a plan of attack when you start applying Herculiner. (Section your project out) I found doing the front upright first is helpful, then move on to the side uprights, and then the bed its self. If Herculiner starts to get tacky it can be hard to work with.

• Let it dry between coats! The package says it takes 1 to 2 hours to dry after the first coat. This is not always true. I have had it take up to 4 hours on the first coat.

With little work and some time, you can have a very clean and durable bedliner. Not only does it look good, it has withstood everything I have put it thru. That is saying a lot when I load the bed full of heavy firewood and still no chipping. It also makes the truck bed less slick as Herculiner has an abrasive texture to it. I also put Herculiner underneath the wheel wells to stop paint from chipping, and to reduce the chance of rust. So far so good!

Lawn Aeration

2008-10-13T00:16:42Z

Many of us have our own way of preparing our lawns for winter, but we have found that lawns grow the most in the spring and fall seasons. So those are the best times to help the grass grow. The reason grass grows best in fall and spring is because it is coming out of dormancy.

One of the easiest ways to improve your lawn is by aeration. A plug aerator can not only help your lawn breath, but also help it absorb the fertilizer you are putting down. It also helps break down heavy thatched areas of grass by putting fresh soil on top of the thatch layer to help it break down.

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There are a couple of ways to aerate. Plug aeration is mostly the preferred method. Spike aerating is not the best way to loosen soil, it actually compacts it tighter. Plug aerating is a great chance for you to use your ATV to ensure the whole yard is aerated efficiently. Some aerators are smaller so you can use your lawn tractor, but heavier ones require a stronger pull. They also have walk behind aerators for smaller lawns.

You can aerate your lawn in the early spring and fall. If you’re going to aerate in the fall be sure and give the fertilizer three to four weeks to work before the winter months. This will ensure your lawn has the nutrients to grow strong before winter dormancy.

Cell Phones for Troops

2008-10-05T16:35:16Z

Recently I purchased a book from www.amazon.com. I received with the book an envelope for a cool new program that has been created to help our troops in the Middle East be able to contact home a little easier. It is called “Cell Phones for Soldiers.”

It came as a plastic sealable bag to put old and used cell phones in so they can be activated to send over seas. I thought it was a great idea to help families keep in touch, even if it is just for a few minutes.

The program is free to anyone who wants to participate, and the only cost is that old phone that you really don’t need anyways. What a great idea!

]]> The mission of the program is to help our troops call home! There are a few things they ask you to do when sending the phone;

       •Be sure the power to the phone is off.
       •If you still have the battery, keep it attached to the phone.
       •Place the phone in the provided envelope, and put it in the mail.

If you would like to receive one of these envelopes, you can get on the website to find out more information about the program, and also see how your old cell phone will reconnect our troops to their families back at home. The web address is: www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

What a great way to recycle those old phones you haven’t used in a while, and why not give the gift of reconnecting families to the soldiers.

Flea treatment for cats

2008-07-13T21:57:08Z

For those of you who own a cat or kitten as a pet, it can be sometimes difficult to find the right treatment to prevent fleas from causing problems for your pet. For us we have a cat that likes to go outdoors, so it can be even more of a challenge to keep the fleas away.

When we first found our cat he was a stray that came around for the attention and a meal. We knew we would have to clean him and up and and treat him for fleas or anything else he may have so we could take him in. The treatment we have found is rather inexpensive yet it is very effective for our cat. It is available at your local Wal Mart so it is readily available to pretty much everyone.

]]> It does require a monthly treatment, but if it keeps the fleas away from your cat, it can be well worth it. Since we have been using the treatment, we feel our cat is much happier. We have tried many other types of treatments in the past like sprays and powders, but never had any luck like we had with this one treatment.

So if you want to make your cat happier and flea free, we would recommend this treatment to you and your cat. We have used it ever since we have taken him in and have not found any signs of fleas since.

How to fix a blown headgasket

2008-04-22T01:15:40Z

]]> The crack in the block or in the head itself should be put on hold until you figure out what caused the crack or the overheating to blow the head gasket. Typically it is something small that causes an engine to overheat like low oil, no coolant and other simple problems that can sometimesbe over looked. It happens. Find out what caused your problem then let Theramgasket take over and fix the crack or the head gasket. Check out there website for extra information and remember you’re already into 4 digits repairs unless this 100 dollar product can take away a lot of the mechanics time and save you a lot of money or maybe your ride.

What planets are visible tonight ?

2008-04-08T22:56:20Z

Have you been looking into the clear spring skies? But youâ€™re not sure what that flicking light really is? The guessing game is now over. Welcome the software starry nights. Itâ€™s a perfect fit for the beginner and the novice astronomers. Simply type in your zip code and you can browse the night sky with ease. It's an easy to follow program that can answer many questions to what is really out there. Even If you don't have a telescope, this program can help to understand what that light in the sky really is. We can see so much with our telescopes, yet knowing what we are looking at makes it that much more exciting.

We have put this program on the read more section of this article. Feel free to use it at your convenience. Be sure to check into Starry Nights from time to time, as the night sky is a changing place. Many planets come in and out of view. Maybe you will get the chance to see them all!

]]> How to Use:
1. Click on the city and state.

2. Type in your zip code and choose what you would like displayed. {Planets and stars}

3. Hit done and choose what direction you witch to look in.

Hint: If you canâ€™t see what you know is out there. Like the moon. Then make sure youâ€™re pointing in the right direction

then use the arrows to move around the map.

ATV Spreaders

2008-04-01T00:46:00Z

It's that time of year again. Time to break out the lawn equipment and get to work. If youâ€™re like me then your job takes up a lot of time, leaving you with little time to get all the yard work done. So having time limitations requires good equipment to get the yard work done in a suitable amount of time. This is where I love owning my ATV. Having a yard that is too big to push fertilize, I attach a 100 pound spreader to the back of the rack, attach the 12 volt motor wires to the battery, fill it with some fertilizer and off I go. It makes fertilizing the yard a whole lot more fun and it gets done in very little time.

]]> While your ATV is out, why not go for a quick spin because next week it will be time to aerate the yard with a new design in ATV lawn equipment. Here are some spreaders I found for different size budgets and yards. All of them are easy mount and dismount with the option of fertilizing or spreading game feed in areas only your ATV can handle.

Viewing The Space Station

2008-03-25T02:11:15Z

The ISS started building in 1998. With it's great achievments, the space station has become a big part of the way we view outer space. For astronauts, it is getting the opportunity to take a rare glimpse at the Earth itself. The ISS has become a sight that alot of us would like to see, but just dont know when to look. Some of us may think viewing the space station is a rare sight, but infact it can be seen several times in a single month. Alot of viewing the space station requires accurate time and knowing your directions.

So the big question is; When do I look for the space station? Well NASA has the answer. They have come out with a program where you can enter in your zip code and it will tell you when the next sighting will be. It really is that easy. Not only do they tell you when you can see the space station, but they have a list of other satellites you can also track.

I find viewing the space station and the shuttle to be amazing. Just to think there are people in outer space that are flying right over us. It only last a few minutes at best, but it's well worth the view.

To check out when the space station will be visible in your area, check out the link below.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/index.html

Hair Therapy Products

2008-03-04T01:23:51Z

There are many of us who are coloring our own hair at home today. It has been said that 8 out of every 10 women have dry to damaged hair. There can be several ways to help prevent this, as well as mend your hair after you have colored it. Many of us donâ€™t realize it can be a huge difference on what type of products you are using. Generic shampoo is not the best shampoo for your hair.

It can be more expensive for the professional brand, but without a doubt, if you do color your own hair, it can make all the difference in maintaining and possibly improving the condition of your hair. A good moisturizing conditioner is also a big plus. The shampoos with the conditioner all in one are not very good at treating moisture loss from coloring. Not all shampoos and conditioners are good for your hair. Many can cause stripping of the color you just put in it, especially if you have shades of red in your hair.

]]> I would recommend using a professional hair product at all times. I know for many of us itâ€™s an expense that is just not in the budget. Keep an eye out in salons for combo packs that come with shampoo and conditioner. You can usually get quite a discount for buying in doubles. Salons will sometimes clearance out products when they are introducing a new line or adding inventory.

For most people a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner is going to be the best treatment. If you canâ€™t find moisturizing shampoos you like, at least use a good moisturizing conditioner. A cream rinse is always good to use especially with coloring. Hair can sometimes feel like straw and be very hard to comb through after shampooing. For those of you who have really stressed out your hair, a bi-weekly protein treatment would be beneficial. Nexxus has been a top selling product for many salons and hair stylists for many years. There products are some of the best for maintaining color treated hair. Here are a few of them to look into that I have found to be the best.

â€¢ Therappe Moisturizing Shampoo is one of the best shampoos for your hair. It has a wonderful coconut scent that is very subtle yet wonderful. It does a great job for any type of chemically processed hair. Even if you do not over process your hair but are sometimes a little dry, it can be very effective for the hair and scalp.

â€¢ Humectress Moisturizing Conditioner is the best moisturizing conditioner by far. It has many ingredients to help seal down the hair shaft and it also has a wonderful scent. You can use this conditioner on a daily basis without over moisturizing.

â€¢ Ensure is more of a cream rinse. It is very effective for color treated hair to seal down the outer layer of the hair to help eliminate color fading. It will also help with split ends, and has a great grapefruit and citrus scent. This is a wonderful cream rinse you can use with the Humectress or alone.

â€¢ Keraphix is a protein treatment that should only be used 2 maybe 3 times a week depending on how damaged your hair is. It helps to repair damaged spots in the hair that needs more than just moisture to fix. It too can be used with the Humectress and Ensure. Just mix them together and apply to the hair at the same time and leave them on for 3-5 minutes after you have shampooed.

If you take care of your hair it can make for a better coloring experience in the future. The better the condition of the hair before you color, the better the color will look and the better your hair will feel if you continue to use the products between touch-ups

Blade CX2 Beginner Helicopters

2008-02-26T02:27:09Z

For all of you helicopter enthusiast out there the new Blade CX2 has arrived.

I started out flying the well known beginner Dragonfly helicopter, and have recently upgraded to the Blade CX2. The CX2 is an incredibly stable helicopter in flight. The very first time out of the box the CX2 was in an effortless hover with very little use of the controls. This helicopter easily flyâ€™s up to 50 feet in calm winds and it will still go higher if you need (and I know this from experience).

]]> If you should need replacement parts for your CX2, most local hobby shops carry parts in stock. I have checked out the local hobby stores in town and have found a lot of after market upgrades available for the CX2. I do recommend purchasing extra wings incase you lose control. Wings are available in packages of three for upper and lower blades. Thatâ€™s about the only thing you should break on low level flight crashes. Every crash I have had has been simple operator errors with minimal damage.

Check out the video below to see how simple the CX2 can be to control. This helicopter is flying in a relatively small area with ease. Now that's what I call a helicopter!

Free Skill Games

2008-02-18T01:45:13Z

If you like games that require you to think or maybe even struggle a little bit, then check out some of these games I have posted.The games on the left in the "read more" section are all free and full of fun. If you can beat all of these then its time to step up to a higher level and purchase some of the games.

Crazy Cube is a game that is challanging, and like any good game frustrating. If you are good at figuring out paths and matching colors then you are sure to like this game. There are also some difficult maze games for you to try and master.

more Flash Games

DailyHaHa

]]> The most unique game I have played lately is called Spin The Black Circle. It is different from any other game I have played, which is what makes it so fun. Check out these mind challenging games and be sure to drop us a line on some of your favorites.

Spin The Black Circle

A Maze Race

Maze

Quality Hair Clippers

2008-02-04T00:28:03Z

For many of us being able to give your kids or husband a haircut at home can be an advantage. Not only can you save money, but the in home convience can be a big help. Having given many haircuts in the past several years, I have come to find a few hair clippers that have worked well at the salon as well as in the home. Amazon is a great place to go check out many types of professional clippers that will last longer than those from the department stores. You do have to wait on shipping but the prices, that I have seen, are unbeatable. If you are in a hurry for clippers, then I would suggest Sally Beauty Supply. Granted you might pay slightly more than what Amazon has to offer, but you can walk out with a pair of clippers that day in most casses. In the long run only having to purchase 1-2 sets of clippers can be a money saving advantage rather than having to purchasing several.

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