Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!

He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.

But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.

Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!

Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.

We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.

Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.

Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!

But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.

Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.

Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.

And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.

All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.

He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.

The Best Free Online Personal Finance Tools

Proper financial management – most coveted by millions and millions of consumers all over the globe. Faced with this tough economy, it is harder than ever to handle your finances well. But the great news is that establishing a solid financial plan for your future has become more affordable and attainable. There are a lot of online personal finance tools that are offered to individuals for free to help them manage their finances better. These are effective instruments to become financially stable while saving yourself from getting into debt trouble.In today’s modern time, tracking every single detail is quite hard and even more difficult when money is the issue. Thus, getting help from online personal finance tools sounds very beneficial. In addition, these tools come free and very handy. Calculating your cash inflow and outflow can be easily done in the comfort of your home facing the computer.Personal finance is a method of following your finances in a more streamlined manner. Since listing down on a paper every detail of your expenditures does not function well any longer, a personal finance device found online gives a far bigger and better assistance.The following are some of the best online personal finance tools from budgeting to checking one’s credit score that are offered to individuals for free:For Money Budgeting1.) Mint.com·Mint.com is one of the most popular and well-loved free online personal finance tools by the people. With over 8,000 financial company connections worldwide, this online means offers a wide variety of understandable and easy to use tools.·Once you have registered an account, you get 100% access of your whole finances such as your credit cards, grocery bills, loans and other personal expenses.·It offers a very detailed tracking program about everything that goes on with your finances from – the things you spend your money on, how much monthly savings you have as well as your investment’s performance.·Automatic alerts are also given to you through a text message or an e-mail especially when you are on the brink of reaching your card’s credit limit or if you have too little money deposited in your bank account.·In addition to these services, this online tool can also show you budgeting charts and spread sheets that teaches you how to budget in every expense category.2.) Wesabe·Wesabe.com is a website that provides strong financial management instruments while at the same time having that social networking appeal since it offers an active forum for clients who seek support and give encouragement to each other in order to reach their respective monetary goals.·Since it is more hands-on website as compared to Mint, you have the choice of putting your bank or credit card statements on your own. Since this is not done automatically, you safeguard your identity as well as important details such as your account numbers and passwords better.For Financial Planning3.) Buxfer·A more basic and less updated free online personal finance tool found in the web, it is best for people who are looking for fuss-free financial planning instruments.·However, what makes it stand out among other online financial planning device is its user-friendly interface. Buxfer is equipped with a step-by-step how to guide, easy to understand instructions as well as fast account set up.For Investment Tracking4.) Social Picks·SocialPicks.com is a business based online company that focuses more on tracking a person’s investments. It provides an independent service wherein you can easily gain access of your asset’s performance while at the same time allowing you to make comparisons with other investors. Financial advice is also provided to help you market your investment better.For Credit Score Checking5.) CreditKarma.com·Functions just like your credit score bureau company, this website offers you an updated status of your credit score. Also, advice is given on how you can improve your rating as well as tips on how you can repair a rating with glitches.·The only main difference is that you need not give out your credit card details. All you have to type in is your name, address and SSS (Social Security Number).Online personal finance tools are great devices in keeping yourself up to date with your finances current status while at the same time giving you help to make financial planning more effective without the scare of getting scammed.

Doing Business in Cancun, Mexico

Many people from all over the world come to Cancun and the Riviera Maya in search of business opportunities. It is easy to be dazzled by the splendor of sprawling luxury resorts and white sand beaches that stretch for mile upon mile down the coast, but anyone coming here to prospect for business needs to look beyond this, and at the same time see it for what it really is. The Mexican Caribbean is a tremendous tourism draw and is in the first place in all of Latin America for foreign visitors each year, which translates into billions of Dollars being generated, both in tourist spending and tourism infrastructure, such as hotels and real estate developments, as well as the consumption of goods and services of a city of nearly 1 million inhabitants.The reality here, is that all business is ultimately dependent upon the stream of tourism; there is no manufacturing of any kind nor are any products made, other than some negligible amount of handicrafts. Cancun and the Riviera Maya are voracious consumers of goods and services, but do not generate a product outside of being a major tourist destination with attractive and varied real estate offers. To illustrate this point, there is an ocean container ship that arrives each Thursday in Puerto Morelos (10 miles south of Cancun) loaded with full containers of goods coming from Miami, but it always leaves empty, or nearly so. There is a lot coming in, but virtually nothing being shipped out.Anyone casting an eye on the area for business, needs to know that there are really two main areas that have enduring potential: Tourism/Entertainment and Real Estate and its ancillary services. Once this is clear, then there are many attractive opportunities at hand, and fortunes to be made. Naturally, being a city of nearly a million people, there are also business opportunities in everything from retail commerce to providing any combination of goods and services to the local population. Cancun has good communication infrastructure and is a powerful brand recognized throughout the world. While learning to do business in Mexico can be challenging, there are also many rewards to be reaped for those with intelligence and perseverance.Living on the beach year round may also be a great reason to move here and grow your business. If you are ready to test the waters, an excellent option for short term affordable housing with available business services in the same building is Art Deco Suites. Having a safe and clean place to base yourself while you get your bearings in a new environment is key. Art Deco Suites provides tastefully appointed and completely furnished Suites right in the heart of downtown Cancun and include free wireless broad band internet access, unlimited calling to the US and Canada, as well as a large conference room, and short term furnished office space and bilingual secretarial services by the day.