Baby's Day Out

With all the excitement of welcoming a new family member, there is also a lot of planning involved when preparing a nursery and buying baby furniture. After jotting down a few of the main items such as the crib, high chair and stroller, it also occurs to you that the crib will need a mattress and bedding, not to mention clothes, toys and a whole bunch of other stuff. Suddenly your to-do list can get a little overwhelming! The key to buying baby furniture and everything else you need is a budget. Baby Crib Station and Cymax Baby can help you stick to it.

It might seem that there are so many different kinds of cribs to choose from that you might never make up your mind. Especially if you opt for not knowing your baby’s gender, a unisex crib is an excellent alternative, like the DaVinci Alpha 3-in-1 Crib. It is a smart choice because not only is it a unisex crib with all of the necessary features of a standard crib, it converts from a standard crib to a toddler daybed as your child grows from baby to toddler. If room size is an issue, the L.A. Baby Folding Port-a-Crib Crib has a convenient, space-saving design that folds easily for storage or portability. For more space-saving solutions, select a convertible crib with optional under drawer storage like the Young America by Stanley Madison Built to Grow Convertible Crib.

Now your child has someplace to sleep, when they get a little older they will need a comfy place to sit and eat. The Kolcraft Contours Perfect Fit High Chair is height-adjustable, locking casters, removable tray and can be cleaned easily and folded up if it needs to be stored away. Worried about how to take baby along for family outings? The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is the perfect solution. It’s collapsible and comes with its own carrying bag.

When you venture outside to explore the world with baby in tow, you will need a stroller. The Go-Go Babyz Urban Advantage 2007 Stroller has a unique three-wheel design that makes it ideal for maneuvering around tight corners and down narrow store aisles. It has a well-cushioned seat, a brake-activated kickstand for added stability and can be easily collapsed with one hand. On the other hand, if you want a stroller with a more traditional look, the Inglesina Classica Pram is the perfect choice.

With the right choices for you, your baby and your lifestyle, being a new parent is sure to go a little smoother. Shopping online in the comfort of your own home at Baby Crib Station and Cymax Baby will make planning your nursery and purchasing a crib, high chair, stroller and anything else you need almost effortless.

Green Thumbs Nearly Soiled

With spring not so far off, those of you who wish to grow your own vegetables and fruits this year may wish to make a visit to www.greenhouseselect.com. You’ll be pleased to learn that you don’t need to make a permanent commitment of a large portion of your yard to add a greenhouse to your horticultural arsenal. Truth be told, you don’t necessarily need a yard at all.

A friend of mine takes pride in the tomatoes and squashes he grows himself each year. In the early years, his father let him use what little space remained in his large and weather-worn greenhouse in a very rural part of the western south island. More than a few panes on the old structure were covered with cellophane sheeting secured with duct tape. (Red Greene would have been proud – duct tape was similarly instrumental in securing the corner posts of the rickety trough tables)

Eventually he became more ambitious and wished to expand his yield, but the expanse of his pops’ botanical ventures meant there wasn’t enough available space in the greenhouse. He resolved that with a little more diligence and care the crops could be grown out doors. It seemed to go fairly well the first year, with the only problem being the local deer and rabbit community found the vegetables as appealing as we did.

The year following, his solution to the annoyance almost fooled me in a bad way.

I tagged along for the day with the promise that if I helped him with some tending, he’d help me lug my scuba gear down into the Jordan River valley. I wanted to pan for gold in the bottom of a deep and dark eddy pool I’d scouted. (Unsuccessfully, but I did make the rather macabre discovery of an almost fully-intact dog skeleton down there)

My hands became so muddy that I had difficulty tying the twist ties to the retainer sticks. I reached down to rinse my fingers in one of the cans of “water” that were set about the base of the grow area when my friend stopped my progress with an anxious bark...

Apparently the odor of human urine repels wildlife from crops.

Nowadays we’re both city slickers, but he still caters to his green thumb on his condo balcony. His Jewett-Cameron Early Start Corner Greenhouse Unit goes to show how reaping the rewards of greenhouse technology is not exclusive for those with a large backyard and the freedom to have a permanent structure.

Those who have a patio attached to a ground floor unit would be able to intensify the sun’s generative power without taking up too much space with a Jewett-Cameron 4’ x 8’ Weatherguard Greenhouse. Folks who have the small square backyards that typically accompany a townhouse or similar small single-family dwelling could put any of the larger Jewett-Cameron 6’ x 8’, 8’ x 8’ or 6’ x 12’ Weatherguard Greenhouses to use and likely still have place for a swing set or bird bath.

These greenhouses are easily assembled within two hours, and can be disassembled just as easily for the winter months if you’re so inclined. They’re designed to stand up to most of what Mother Nature can dish out, and you won’t need to resort to disturbing means of wildlife repulsion to yield a full harvest.

Where Minds Meet

In the past year, we here at Cymax Stores have been undergoing renovations due to our increasing need for office space as we continue to grow. Gathering around the conference table for a meeting for the first time since the boardroom reopened its doors, we all admired the new conference table and office chairs. It turns out, while the chairs are indeed new, the conference table was not; where it once had been two-toned it now had been stained a rich black. I couldn’t believe the difference it made. It literally had breathed new life into the boardroom.

I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised. After all, the conference table is not only a place to hold a meeting; it is the focal point of the room. It’s the first thing people notice when walking in and sitting down. The image the conference table projects could further your company’s image and play a positive role in advancing your business’ success. It might be tempting to think that buying a large flashy conference table with matching trendy, yet comfortable office chairs will do the trick. However, if you want to make a good first impression on prospective clients or employees, the boardroom or conference room should look professional yet inviting.

The distinctive character and ambience of your boardroom will largely be determined by the shape of conference table. The most common shapes for conference tables are rectangular, boat-shaped and racetrack. For a classic look that will never go out of style, choose a rectangular conference table. On the other hand, the boat-shaped conference table has a sleek, contemporary vibe. If your meeting room or boardroom is smaller-sized, round, square or octagonal conference tables are good alternative choices. Regardless of the shape of the conference table, you don’t want one that is too large or too small for the space. The conference table should proportionately fill the center of the room and look balanced.

The base of the conference table also contributes to its overall look and feel, while giving it strength and stability. When selecting the type of base for your conference table, the following criteria should be met: it complements the effect you want to achieve, it is strong and durable and it is stable. Popular types of bases for conference tables are the curved plinth base, the H-shaped base and the slab base. Many kinds of conference tables also have traditional legs that lend the table a relaxed, modern appeal.

The style you choose for your conference table makes a bold statement about your business. Traditional conference tables are characterized by medium to dark finishes and architectural detailing such as decorative molding and carved legs. Contemporary style conference tables are known for its use of sleek lines and geometric shapes and can have eye-catching two-tone finishes.

First impressions are important. The type of conference table you choose for your boardroom will help your company project a positive and confident image that is so important in today’s market. You will find everything you need to create the ideal boardroom, from conference tables to office chairs, at More Conference Tables.

Movie Buff

The closing of the Carlisle Theater coincided just as painfully with the end of old George’s mobility.  The last of the old flick houses in town closed its doors for the last time the same week he went in for his hip replacement surgery.  Not two weeks before he’d known he was taking in his last movie, fittingly a classic with Sands of Iwo Jima, in the old building complete with frailly mounted vase house lights, perennially sticky floors and faded crimson screen curtain that always parted with an audible strain he found so nostalgically charming.

Unbeknownst to him, at the same time his wife Ethel was putting her bare-bones computer proficiency to work with a visit to Cymax Stores, knowing that even if George could make it downtown to one of those fancy big-box cineplexes he’d rather not.  He was a purist – voluminously plush chairs? Dolby surround? Column house lights came up without an audible buzz of inferiority? Forget about it.  If the aisle carpet wasn’t a hopelessly-stained worn paisley pattern and his shoes didn’t tack upon entering a row, the sterility of it all meant it wasn’t a mo

vie house to old George.  

As the contents of the fallen Sergeant Stryker’s letter to his son make their poignant contrast to John Wayne’s gruff, unfeeling character to close the film, George knew he had to ta

ke a minute to soak it all in.  He reveled in the loud whir of the vintage projector one last time, paid heed to the charismatic stain on the left wall near the screen that seemed to be the remnants of an egg thrown decades ago.  He’d mused about its origins so many times while the Warner Bros. cartoons played before the feature film began.

As the credits began to roll, he closed off all else to hear the din of the house lights coming up.  One popped and brought a smile to the old man’s face.

Needless to say, he was the last one out.

His week of convalescence in the hospital was more than enough time for Ethel’s order of a Bass Forum Row of Two Movie Theater Chairs to arrive at their home.  The velour cherry upholstery option she had c

hosen matched the old chairs of the Carlisle quite nicely, minus the charismatic staining and odors mind you, and the panel arms with built-in cup holders and fold-up seat were as close to a vintage theater chair as you could find. She herself would have preferred a more modern and comfortable Lovan Matinee Theater Two Seater Chair, but, again, her husband was a purist in every sense.  He’d almost certainly stain his new chair purposely and let some soda dry on the linoleum beneath it.

It was quite understandable that George wasn’t exactly a picture of pleasantry on his way out of the hospital.  He refused the assistance of all the well-meaning staff who tried to help as he shuffled along with his walker, scowling and grumbling all the while with Ethel accommodating his grumpiness in a way only she could. The one orderly who did manage to follow at a safe distance helped him into their station wagon and they made their way home.

Ethel endured all his incessant pessimism during the drive, knowing the look on her husband’s face when they arrived would be so very worth it.  She had a copy of The Dirty Dozen cocked and loaded in the VCR and a bounty of microwave popcorn pre-emptied into a red pinstriped bag.

Now if only you could get a wooden console TV in 72 inches. Mono as well, of course.

Come On In!

Typically, the entryway, foyer or front hallway is the first area of your living space guests will see when entering your home. Whether you live in a house, condominium or apartment, especially if the entrance area is small, you might want to update the look of your front entrance, but have no idea where to begin. When redecorating your entryway, you will be able to find a variety of affordable, quality products at Coat Rack Select and More Benches that will improve the look of your home's entrance.

Since first impressions are important, and especially if floor space is at a premium, hallways are the perfect place to add furniture pieces that create a welcoming atmosphere, while increasing your storage options. Many manufacturers offer multipurpose items like benches that also double as storage cubes. By simply selecting a few pieces including a coat rack or a bench, you can define a hallway or entryway, adding functionality as well as a focal point.

A convenient place to hang clothing and accessories, a coat rack, a.k.a. hall tree, can be used to make a statement or simply fill a utilitarian role. If you want your entranceway to be noticed, select a coat rack that creates visual interest, like the Powell Wooden Oak Coat Rack. Choosing one made of rattan such as the Southern Enterprises Ivory Hall Tree, will add texture to the hallway’s décor.

A bench is not only a practical piece of furniture to have in a hall or foyer, but it creates a good impression by making the space appear warm and inviting. In a variety of styles, colors, finishes and designs, benches range from ones with plush upholstery and decorative arms to benches with wood seats or ones constructed of metal.

A family with children might especially appreciate a storage bench in an entryway or hallway, as a great place to tidy away items in a hurry and make the space clutter-free for unexpected guests. The Modus Milano Storage Bench would be an excellent choice.

The Home Styles Furniture Full Storage Bench combines the functionality of a storage bench with the practicality of a coat rack. It not only provides a comfortable place to sit when removing shoes or boots, but it will also help contain clutter and keep the area tidier.

It doesn’t have to take time-consuming effort to transform your hallway or entryway into a more practical yet esthetically pleasing place. With a coat of new paint, a vase of flowers and a wide selection of coat racks and benches to choose from, you will be able to breathe new life into your home.

Up and Down the Aisle

Being a fairly frequent globetrotter with fast-twitch fibers always poses problems on long international flights. Those of us who find it nearly impossible to sit still for a half an hour, much less 9 or more of them, often have no other reprieve to offer our restless legs than walking up and down the narrow aisle of the airplane. I’ve been known to speed walk around the baggage carousel upon arrival with an unabashedly relieved look on my face.

Every time I see a driveway with two cars sitting outside a 2-car garage, I can’t help but assume their garage looks like what my folks’ used to. There’s no way either car would be located in there, and in fact there was no unclaimed space save an aircraft cabin width-like aisle that moved from the door to the far wall. If yours is similarly cluttered and constrained, a visit to Cymax Stores is long overdue.

I made the association after one of my brief returns from Asia years back, when my mother suggested I place some of my left-behind belongings in the garage as my room was in a state of disarray unbecoming of the “guest room” it now was. As I took an armful of items through the garage door, there I was again. I remember having kind of a strange recent deja-vu feeling as I negotiated the narrow strip, deciding where I would pile my stuff on top of the mixed strew of items that belonged in the garage and the majority that would normally be inside the house.

I was making my way from end of the 747 to the other all over again, albeit with the uniform rows of cramped seats replaced fallen-from-favor furniture, tools of all sorts and more non-descript boxes than you could count.

The pant-wearing one (will leave unnamed) of the two put an end to the mess shortly thereafter by means of a large garage sale. However, if you’re similarly overrun in your garage with little to nothing you’re willing to part with, do visit Cymax Stores. An Ameriwood Garage Wall Cabinet is an affordable and space-efficient means of beginning to restore order. An Ameriwood Tool Hutch is similarly practical way to keep your crescent wrenches and the like off the floor and easily located when you need to perform an oil change in the driveway.

I remember a friend who compared the chaos of his father’s garage to the Death Star trash compactor. What a great and yet decidedly uncomplimentary image, almost as if you could see Chewie picking up an inoperative weed whacker right before a tentacle pulls Luke down into a mound of semi-full peat moss sacks.

Prevent your kids from likening your garage to the refuse pit of an intergalactic space station with any one of the Ulti-MATE storage cabinets that offer extensive storage capacity and the durable thermo-fused PVC laminate exterior needed to survive in such a tough environment. Adjustable shelving means you might even be able to tuck a few of those contents-unknown boxes in there as well.

And for those who are content with the clutter, be sure not to impede the beverage trays.

Is it a Bed or is it a Couch?

Daybeds, in one form or another, have been around since ancient times and were prevalent in Egyptian, Grecian and Roman cultures. From these humble beginnings, daybeds have evolved into intriguing pieces of furniture that typically resemble a bed but can be used as a couch. At More Daybeds, we feature a variety of daybeds, including chaises and convertible sofas that are a versatile way to furnish a living room, a family room, the den or a guest bedroom.

As the name suggests, a daybed can be used for taking a nap during the daytime, while providing a comfortable place to sleep at night. At first glance, a standard daybed looks like a sofa, with two arms and a back. However, daybeds generally do not transform from a bed to a couch like, for example, a futon does. They also tend to be more decorative than futons as well, with accessories such as covers, skirts, comforters and accent pillows. On the other hand, daybeds can be dressed to appear like a couch while functioning as a primary or additional sleeping space, making them ideal for a multi-purpose space like a family room, rec room or home office.

By their very nature, wood daybeds are warm and vibrant, with fine finishes ranging in rich tones to enchanting country style washes. Daybeds made of wood are popular choices when decorating rooms for any age or personal taste. A sleigh daybed is typically made of wood and is a popular choice for children or teens because of the charming and romantic feel it exudes.

In addition to being functional and versatile, daybeds are also economical, since they usually don’t need a box spring, just a twin mattress. A daybed frame can be one of two common types; a link spring or Bunkie board. A link spring resembles a metal grid while a Bunkie board is a set of slats usually made of wood. Both types of mattress support act as a box spring and are attached to the daybed frame. You can make your daybed even more functional by adding a trundle unit or storage drawers.

Daybeds, especially ones that have a more traditional design, can give a room a touch of charm or sophistication. Choose a high quality and well-constructed daybed from More Daybeds, and it is sure to provide lasting enjoyment for many years to come.

Faster Than You Can Say

I’ve often mused, however far-fetched it may be, as to whether teleportation could one day be realized as a practical means of transportation.  As to whether the ability to synthesize animate and inanimate molecules into a portable form of energy that can be re-constituted upon arrival is even physically possible is a question unlikely to be answered in our lifetimes.  However, one can’t help but ponder how great it would be.  We here at Cymax are as in the dark as the rest of you as to how it would come to be, but we can offer you as close a form of near-instant arrival when it comes to your home product purchases here at www.cymaxstores.com.

“Beam me up, Scotty.”

The wonder with which I watched the crew of the Starship Enterprise zap themselves to and from the ship in seconds created an intrigue in me as a youth that persists to this day.  While I realize our current human understanding of molecular transformation is surely light years from the advent of teleportation technology, imagine the benefit of being able to traverse the globe (or beyond) in seconds with yourself and / or any items.  We could revel in the demise of the oil-dependent nature of our world and the positive social and environmental change that would result.  Those filthy and repulsive freight trucks would become scrap and the jetliners that few if any can afford to fly with these days would be instantly obsolete.  Mother Nature would be grinning from ear to ear.

Not only would international travel become a breeze entirely void of jet-lag, but families would be kept closer and the extent to which developed nations could extend aid to areas of need in the world would be furthered immeasurably. You could live quietly and comfortably in any area of the country you wish yet work in the corporate world of any big city in the world.  Your “commute” would be a matter of seconds, and the benefits to international and domestic commerce would be beyond our comprehension.

What’s more, companies such as ours would be able to offer you nearly instantaneous delivery of your purchases.  Imagine something along the lines of “Thank you very much for shopping with Cymax Stores – your bedroom set will be available for pick-up at your neighborhood teleport station within the next 10 minutes.”  Talk about instant gratification.  Wish to return your purchase for a refund or replacement? Zap it back to us at your convenience!  

Rest assured we’ll be all over teleportation like Shawne Merriman on a quarterback if it should ever be made available, but until then Cymax is pleased to announce Home Direct Expedited White Glove Delivery with transit times as fast as seven business days and a money-back guarantee if the specified time period for the end destination is not met.  Available on selected products featured at Cymax Stores, Expedited White Glove is the way to go if you’re all too anxious to receive your purchase and incorporate it into your home.

Some levels of white glove delivery include the purchase being delivered into your home, unpacking and assembly and removal of debris.  It’s as much of a “hands off” delivery process as you’ll find and is often a godsend for older individuals or those who find themselves limited physically when faced with the need to transport and assemble large furniture or household products.  

Direct Express expedited delivery service allows Cymax Stores to match delivery time frames with [those of] local furniture stores and meets the needs for large items that the parcel carriers have filled for smaller items. Customer satisfaction is a key goal here at Cymax and the best in shipping and delivery options is very much a part of our aim to make your online shopping experience the best it can be.

Here’s to “expediting” molecular physics! Until then, Home Direct Expedited White Glove Delivery is one of the speediest means of receiving your purchases from Cymax Stores.

Airs of Sophistication

Often times, self-image and the related interest of establishing an atmosphere that belies that image are integral parts of finding the initiative to be successful in business.  This is particularly true in professions that have a rich and storied history that typically included sophisticated office furnishings.  Not that you necessarily be a lawyer, banker or any one of these “refined” vocations per se.  The freedom to give your office a touch of class and established stateliness can spur you to see your professional self w

ith a heightened sense of worth.

Office Furniture and More offers a wide selection of competitively priced office furniture products that fit the bill for the office that is looking to incorporate some of the grandeur of days past.  The view from your window may not be of a cobblestone street and gaslight lamps, but you’re free to use a quill pen if you wish.

The Kathy Ireland Nottingham Epic Secretary Desk is a perfect starting point for infusing some 18^th century English charm to the space.  Its swan neck pediment and urn finial suggest aristocratic refinement in the workplace as stylishly now as then.  A Stanley Corinthia File Cabinet is one with which you’d be hard pressed to find another so steeped in old world grandeur.

 Heighten the mood by writing with the aforementioned quill pen by candlelight at a Haugen Rolltop Scholars Desk that may well have you envisioning yourself as a modern day John Locke.  Allow a suitable amount of dust to cover the bound-leather texts tucked into your Pulaski Accents Bookcase. 

 The individual who wished to recreate the sophisticated airs of centuries past in their office is sure to find every piece to their liking at OFFICEFURNITURENMORE.

A man, a plan, a vanity

One of the best things about working for an e-tailer is getting a good look at all the new products that come out. As I was browsing through MoreVanities.com I stumbled upon my dream bathroom. You have got to check this out!

First up, I want something modern for the vanity and sink. That’s just my style; clean and simple. I love having all of my bathroom goods easily accessible. I don’t want to rummage through drawers or deal with narrow medicine cabinet shelving while half-asleep in the morning. That’s why I picked this one out: The DreamLine Glass Bathroom Vanity Set - Take a look at the shelf space!

Now, as an added bonus with that vanity, there’s a choice of glass bowls with it. I know you might be thinking that you want something that will go well with that set of towels your sister-in-law gave you, but I suggest something different. Morning sets the tone for the rest of the day and I say: avoid the mundane. Go with something colorful. Go with something exotic. My choice of bowl for the vanity would definitely be this dragon: The DreamLine Red Dragon Art Glass Vessel Sink - Imagine brushing your teeth over that!

Since this is my dream shower we’re talking about, I’m going all out with this one. Take a gander at this: The DreamLine Oceana Jetted Steam Shower. Seven adjustable body jets! 3-way adjustable hand shower. Rain shower roof! It even has a foot massager! Now this is starting your day in style. How could it get any better?

You too can find your dream bathroom at MoreVanities.com!

Cuckoo Me and Cuckoo Clocks

Time can drive me a little crazy. I always seem to be battling it in epic contests that leave me feeling like I’m continually playing catch-up. And especially at the start of the New Year, when my one consistent resolution (as in I didn’t get it right last year so I’ll try again this year) is to use time more efficiently, I can get a bit anxious when there’s not enough hours in a day to get everything done that I had originally planned.

I stopped wearing a wrist watch some time ago because I don’t have any luck with them. Bad things constantly happen to the watches I have owned: they get lost, broken or are faulty in some inexplicable, unfixable way. Maybe that’s my problem. When I’m out of the house and away from the clocks that keep me focused, I tend to lose track of time. I should go to Cymax Clocks for a little time therapy.

Aside from the clocks that are part of other gadgets like the computer or the DVD player, I actually only own two working clocks. One is the alarm clock that wakes me up in the morning. It’s one of those AM/FM digital clock radios (and before you ask, yes, it is tuned to an oldies rock station) with nice big numbers I can easily see in the dark.

The second one I own is a novelty desk clock in the shape of a 5-piece drum set. My sister give it to me as a birthday present after I confessed to family and friends that I had been taking lessons and playing the drums for two years before I told anybody. The really strange thing about the desk clock is it looks almost exactly like my real life drum kit, same rich burgundy color and everything.

When my niece came to visit during the Christmas holidays, she handed me a brown cardboard box, tightly packed and securely tied with green twine. Somehow, I knew right away that it wasn’t a present. After cutting away the string and working my through layers of packing paper, I lifted out my cuckoo clock, the one my mother gave to me when I was three. It’s freestanding; the cuckoo bird sits in a cage on top of the clock housing. I carefully wound it up, and I entertained my niece by setting the clock so that five minutes later it sounded out the hour.

After she had left, the comforting sounds of the cuckoo clock filled the apartment, providing a sweet sound track as I went back to general busyness and other holiday preparations. Some time later, I realized that the clock should have sounded off another hour by now. When I went to investigate, I discovered that clock had simply stopped ticking. It seemed a bit anticlimactic; finally reunited with a fond childhood memory, and it doesn’t keep time. It made me a little cuckoo.

In Vino Comedia

Most who have an affinity for wine keep more than a few bottles in their home, understanding that certain vintages are better suited to particular foods or a varied palate. For these individuals, MoreWineRacks.com is the e-destination of choice for stylish and practical wine storage units.

As a youngster I was a full-fledged bookworm, and my first conception of “wine” was born out of a French comic book series named Asterix and Obelix, and in particular one edition entitled The Chieftain’s Shield. The series depicted the adventures of two Gaulish (Gaul was a French Territory that was the last to fall to Caesar’s Roman Empire in 52 BC) men, Asterix and Obelix, who lead their village in continued resistance to the Romans buoyed by a super-human strength potion crafted by the village druid, Getafix.

Being just a child, I had no concept of inebriation. So you can imagine the intrigue with which I viewed the burgundy liquid which flowed from Winesanspirix’s amphorae. Winesanspirix was a wine and coal (purposely odd combination) merchant in the town of Gergovia who befriends and houses Asterix, Obelix and their village chief, Vitalstatistix, for the night as they travel across the French countryside. Winesandspirix’s bounty of amphorae rest in huge cross-slat wall cases that are not entirely unlike a Wine Cellar Innovations RDC Traditional Redwood Open Diamond Cubes Wine Rack, just on a much larger scale with the pottery jugs that were used to store wine ages ago.

The Romans have reason to believe Winesanspirix is withholding information regarding the whereabouts of the shield of Vercingetorix, the Gaul Warrior Chief who threw it onto, not at, the feet of Caesar after his defeat at the Battle of Alesia. Though its location is unknown, the Romans fear its falling into the hands of the Gauls again and further empowering their resistance.

The Roman “spy” that darkened Winesanspirix’s door that night is a hopeless drunkard, and his greeting of “Evening all, any chance of a drink?” is warmly received by Winesanspirix. He seats him with the three Gauls and promptly fills his horn goblet, again and again and again at the stranger’s emphatic request, with wine. As to why he assumed such a debilitated state with the beverage was completely beyond me – incessant hiccupping, heavy eyes, red nose, slobbering mouth and those classic bursting “bubbles” about his head – but it did make me wonder what exactly “wine” was.

As the lush continually pulls his fake moustache from his goblet and plasters it back onto his upper lip, the wine serves as a truth serum. He carelessly drops all sorts of information to the Gauls regarding the shield, including that which leads Asterix and co. to believe the shield may well be in their own village! As the evening comes to a close, the spy stumbles out of the place in a full-body stupor that furthered my curiosity as to just what properties this wine had to induce such a state.

For most, a Hillsdale Wilshire Rubbed Black Wine Rack would be perfectly suitable and stylish for an individual wine collection, but such a unit would not sufficiently serve the Gauls. As I continued to read the series, I was surprised at the way Asterix, Obelix and crew would chase their nightly repast of wild boar upon wild boar with copious quantities of wine. Yet I couldn’t help but wonder why they didn’t take the strange state of the drunken Roman in the same way. I wondered if perhaps Getafix’s super potion gave them immunity to the strange liquid’s effects. I read on with aplomb, and in fact I proceeded to read the entire Asterix and Obelix series.

When the domestic Winesanspirix in you comes to the forefront, keep your wares stylishly secure with a Howard Miller Belmont Wine Hutch, or any one of the quality and competitively-priced wine racks available at MoreWineRacks. Keep your favorite vintages close at hand to accent a nice meal, or to serve to guests as a nice intro to an enjoyable evening.

Just don’t be surprised if your avid-comic book reading son watches you intently with a certain curious expectancy.

Oh Baby!

Cymax Stores is pleased to announce the launching of www.cymaxbaby.com, sure to be to be welcome with new parents who are realizing just what an expense home baby products can be. To be certain, however, it’s an expense that’s worth it many times over as the memories that will be created from this demanding yet wondrous time are sure to last a lifetime.

The best of these are often comical in nature where the little ones make Mom and Dad laugh at their endearing little follies. A significant number of America’s Funniest Home Videos weekly clips are often submissions from parents showcasing the hilarity of their young kids’ escapades.

Recently, a clip called “Angry face baby” was one of the most frequently viewed on Youtube and showed a young child alternating between normal facial expressions and a very funny “What you talkin’ bout Willis”-like stern visage almost on command. The clip had received nearly 5,000 viewings within a week of its being posted. The power of the internet indeed.

Such a medium was nowhere to be found some 30+ years ago when I was a similar age. However, my folks did have their 8mm reel recorder with them on a crisp fall day in the park. Dad was throwing bread crumbs to the ducks, and little me was enthralled with the creatures to the point where I had to get right on the edge of the pond to observe the wonder of it all. Now, there wasn’t much water in this pond, and it was thick with duck guano and other unpleasant matter. As the tape rolled in Mom’s hands, she shouted in vain to my father as I teetered for good few seconds before toppling headfirst into the mire.

Despite the humor in it all and the fact I was suitably upset, my parents still go on about the stench that emanated from me once I was fished out of the filth. They decided they had no choice but to put me in the back of our Volvo station wagon on the way home, traumatically cordoned off from Ma and Pa by the pet gate between the trunk and rear seat that typically kept our Border Collie’s muddy paws off the upholstery. Mom still remembers how I howled from back there.

I’m sure the car seat I was denied that day would pale in comparison to any of the Safety 1st Infant Car Seats available at Cymax Baby. What’s more, these car seats feature removable and washable padding – something that might have saved me from trunk banishment although I’m sure it was as much for my folks to be as far away from lil’ stinky as possible. It’s likely I could have been more pacified upon returning home with a Fun Time Froggy Tub for the lengthy clean-up process.

Perhaps if I could have observed the feeding from the safe confines of a comfortable, well-made and, more importantly, RESTRAINING Cosco Stroller the entire fiasco could have been avoided. However, one of my parents’ favorite video moments would never have happened (since been converted to DVD for permanent posterity).

A Disney Baby Serve n’ Store Ambrosia High Chair would have been appreciated by the folks as well. Keep all those cleaning materials close at hand for the kid who preferred to use to thump (surprisingly coordinated however and also on the DVD) on his tray rather than eat from it.

Every youngster is sure to provide most cherished memories for parents, the joys of which counter the sleepless nights and trying moments these adorable dependents will also inevitably bring day in and out. To make both go a little more smoothly, give yourself the best in baby products with Cymax Baby.

Filing It Away for a Rainy Day

At first glance, file cabinets might seem like the most boring pieces of office furniture around. But consider this: remember the last time you spent 20 frustrating minutes searching for a document only to discover that it had “just” been misfiled? A good filing cabinet, chosen specifically for your work environment may be the best way to protect yourself against loss or misuse of the data that is so valuable to your business. At More Filing Cabinets we can help.

Maybe we won’t be able to protect you entirely from well-meaning employees, but you will be able to find a wide variety of file cabinets, in different sizes and configurations, with or without locks, that will meet your high standards as well as your business requirements. File cabinets can be as simple and uncomplicated as your standard letter size vertical metal cabinet with two or more drawers to fireproof lateral filing cabinets that are as strong as a safe.

Before buying a file cabinet for your office, consider what you will be using the cabinet for and the features you want it to have. Do you work with blueprints or survey maps? A roll file cabinet would be a good choice. However, if you’re buying a file storage system for a doctor’s or dentist’s office, stackable, lateral filing cabinets will give you plenty of room and allow for future expansion. Think just because you have a small business, you might be able to get away with storing any important papers you need in the top drawer of your desk? A standard file cabinet that can accommodate both letter and legal sized files will get you organized and give you confidence in knowing that documents vital to your business are safe and secure.

Lateral file cabinets do use more floor space than vertical file cabinets, but one lateral file drawer can hold more files than a standard vertical file drawer. Lateral filing cabinets are generally more versatile since they can accommodate both letter and legal sized folders in the same drawer. Keep in mind, that the files in a lateral file cabinet will face the side of the cabinet instead of directly facing the person opening the drawer.

While you may not have the resources for a storage safe with an inch-thick complex steel lock, a well-designed file cabinet should still provide you with enough protective features to give you peace of mind. Many types of office filing cabinets have a single-lock system that locks all the drawers. Some kinds of locks will lock one drawer, usually the top one, only. If this will be a concern, ask how the file cabinet security system works before you make a final decision.

Whatever your filing cabinet needs, More Filing Cabinets has file storage solutions suited for a variety of work environments as well as for the home office.

Resolution Time

The close of a calendar year and the beginning of a new one leaves some of us feeling obligated to make positive changes in our lives. For many, it’s a commitment to increased fitness with an aim to better overall health, and here at Cymax Stores we’ve got the fitness equipment you need to take on the challenge in the comforts of your own home.

In truth, these early days of January are no different than any of the other 360-plus of the year ahead, yet the allure of “a fresh start” to go with a new year creates something of a now-or-next year mystique. One that leads many to believe you’ve got to seize the initiative now in making NEW YEARS resolutions rather than just a plain old resolution that is taken up sometime during the next 11 months.

It’s been suggested that many individuals draw inspiration for their resolutions from the rejuvenative period that is the holidays. Family, friends, celebrations and a general sense of well-being “recharge the batteries,” so to speak, and provide us with a feeling of empowerment that we can and should undertake these challenges come January. Often times, however, once the daily grind resumes itself we may lose that wind in our sails.

I’m reminded of a cartoon I saw once where a decidedly large wealthy socialite announces her resolution is to “get in shape” while making short-work of an entire Yule Log cake. The next frame shows her decked head to toe in work out wear, spandex pants, head and wrist bands etc., but brandishing a platinum Visa as she makes her way into a liposuction clinic.

For those of us with tighter purse strings, a desire for real results and some grasp on reality, it’s understandable when things may not fall into place with your fitness resolution as you’d hoped. Here are 3 tips to stay motivated:

1. Time and schedule permitting, try to exercise first thing in the morning. Your metabolic rate will be at its highest and you will burn calories most efficiently. Also, you are less likely to put off your workout on account of being “too tired” – the most common excuse.
2. Try to leave time in your week as “flex time” where you can make up for workouts lost for whatever reason. Should you stick to your workout plan exactly as planned, use this flex time as a reward of sorts to partake in any activity you love. (Eating entire Yule logs is inadvisable however.) Also keep in mind kinesiologists say you must undertake any regime at least 3 times a week for it to be effective to the extent where you will “see results.”
3. For effective results that can be seen more quickly, combine cardiovascular / aerobic training with resistance training. For example, if you have 30 minutes at your disposal for each session, spend 15 minutes running, cycling or at any other similar exercise and 15 minutes lifting weights in some capacity. Compound resistance training exercises, where more than one muscle group is put to use, are most effective in facilitating calorie burning.

Fortunately, Cymax Stores has all the equipment you’ll need to fashion a workout that best suits your needs. For example, most men wish to lose a little around the midsection and tone up their musculature. Pairing a Phoenix Motorized Treadmill with a Phoenix Power Bench will give you a reasonably priced, top-quality workout station that is not overly space-consumptive and can accordingly be located in a rec. room or similar area.

Women often desire to firm and tighten all over the body, and for that task there is no more effective piece of equipment than an elliptical machine. Pair some time with a MultiSports Fitness Elliptix Dual Action Crosstrainer Elliptical and the aforementioned 3 times-a-week commitment and you’ll be on the fast track to the results you want to see. Stair Stepper units are not as multi-muscle group oriented as the ellipticals, but for pure gluteal conditioning you can’t beat a stepper. A MultiSports Fitness Ultimate 2200 Programmable Stepper can be adjusted to different levels of resistance to keep you pushing yourself towards your goals.

Whatever your New Year’s Resolution may be, stay positive and realize changes don’t happen overnight. In addition, do try to remember you’re not delayed until the dawn 2010 should it come derailed. “New Year’s” Resolutions have taken on something of a limited identity in this regard, but making life changes for the positive are possible all year long.

Should you have one or more, good luck and be resilient!