(ARA) - You've been dreaming about digging in your garden, tweaking your landscaping or improving your house all winter long. Finally the weather is nice, your yard is clear and dry and it's time for you to get your hands dirty and start working.

(ARA) - Hurricanes happen. So do slips and falls, broken furniture and no-shows - even to the most organized brides-to-be. There's no denying the emotional toll that occurs when disaster casts a shadow over the happiest day of your life - but there is a way to ensure you don't suffer financially because of it.

(ARA) - Have you broken free from the corporate grind to start a business you love? Launching a home-based business can be one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking experiences for any entrepreneur. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to improve and grow your business even if you're on a tight budget. The following tips will help you give your home-based business the jumpstart it needs to become more successful:

(ARA) - Imagine waking up every morning wondering if you'll someday be able to find a home to call your own or how you'll find your next meal. For so many pets, not having enough food in their bellies or a safe home are harsh realities. Fortunately, there are simple ways pet lovers can be heroes in the lives of pets.

(ARA) - It's a long drive out to the rural diabetes clinic where she makes her educational presentations, but Janie Burmester knows that the work she's doing can have a huge impact on people's lives. Burmester is one of about 15,000 Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) in the United States. CDEs are health professionals, certified by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators, who teach self-management techniques to patients diagnosed with diabetes.

(ARA) - It is 2010 and for pregnant women, that means alcohol, cigarettes and sushi are among the many taboos, whereas yoga, Pilates and aerobic exercise are on the list of "to-dos." When it comes to pregnancy and fitness, studies advocate physical activity leads to a more pleasurable pregnancy, a healthier labor and delivery, an improved post-baby recovery and even a healthier newborn. So, why isn't every newly pregnant woman prepping her Pilates mat or tying her tennies?

(ARA) - Children can add so much to a wedding day - from the ring bearer toddling down the aisle carrying a pillow with precious cargo, to the flower girl who sweetly perfumes your path to the altar by dropping tender petals in her wake. As special as you feel on your wedding day, you'll want even your littlest helpers to share in the feeling and know that you appreciate them.

(ARA) - It's that time of year. The holidays are over, new toys have lost their glamour and cold-weather days are still ahead of us. This requires parents to be a little more creative when it comes to staving off the dreaded statement "I'm bored."

(ARA) - The bold, unique flavor of grilled foods is more popular than ever - from steaks (the hands down favorite), burgers and chicken, to grilled vegetables and appetizers. And while grilling is typically thought to be the quintessential summer cooking activity, an increasing number of Americans are firing up their grills year-round.

(ARA) - Going glam and being green don't need to be mutually exclusive, especially when it comes to decorating your home. Makers of furniture and home decor items have started incorporating environmentally friendly practices and materials into their products, allowing consumers to have greener households without compromising their personal style.

(ARA) - It keeps you in touch with friends, family and business contacts. It's a source of entertainment, whether you play games on it or surf the Web. But did you know your cell phone can help save your life or the lives of others in an emergency situation, even if you're in no condition to use it to call for help?

(ARA) - The roar of the crowd, the thrill of a last-second victory - few things in life can evoke the excitement of a good sports competition. Passionately supporting the hometown team or proclaiming love for a favorite sport is an increasingly important activity in American culture.

(ARA) - It may be cold outside, but homeowners are already dreaming of creating beautiful garden settings around their homes come spring. Landscaping success doesn't have to be hit or miss, and if it has been for you, it may be time to call in a professional landscape designer.

(ARA) - Seeing the results of their federal tax return is a happier experience for more Americans this year. From credits for homebuyers and energy-efficient home improvements, to increases for the Earned Income Tax credit and standard deduction, the majority of taxpayers will receive a bigger refund or less tax owed on 2009 returns.

(ARA) - Most parents can relate: Redecorating your child's room often turns out to be far more challenging than freshening up the decor in other areas of your home. After all, kids have their own personalities and tastes - and what you like might not mesh with their ideas of the world's coolest bedrooms.

(ARA) - The best investment you can make in your home - both for your pocketbook and your personal enjoyment - is in landscaping. Real estate experts agree that every dollar you put into your yard eventually will return one to two dollars when you sell. And at a time when home values are sagging, that's something to consider.

(ARA) - There is so much to see in Europe that it can be difficult to narrow down your itinerary, and to give each destination its due attention. And inevitably, if you visit Europe, you start collecting purchased items, adding to the luggage you have to schlep, pack, un-pack and re-pack with every arrival and departure. It's a fun challenge, but a challenge nonetheless.

(ARA) - Anyone who's welcomed a new pet into the home can tell you how important it is to prepare for that four-legged friend. Whether it's moving furniture to accommodate a dog cage or learning to host a puppy play-date with the bulldog next door, becoming a pet owner can be a definite learning process.

(ARA) - Buying a vacation home is the dream of many people as they head toward middle age. As your kids go to college and leave home for lives of their own, you may find that you are able to make the dream of buying a vacation home a reality - especially in a depressed real estate market.

(ARA) - Frequent hand washing, covering your mouth when you cough and avoiding others who are ill - you probably already know the basics of protecting your health during cold and flu season. But you may not be aware of the important role proper humidity in the home and workplace plays in preventing the transmission of viruses.

(ARA) - Piercing pain between your shoulder blades? Constant dull ache in your lower back? If you haven't experienced these symptoms yet, you probably will.

(ARA) - Whenever a "Back to the Future"-type movie or commercial runs, it's always funny to see larger-than-life telephones, computers and even cars. These blast-from-the-past visual cues remind us of the technological advancements we enjoy every day. However, in the case of wood stoves, it's more difficult to actually see the high-tech evolution as it's hidden within the firebox.

(ARA) - Easily accessible from the eastern United States, temperate weather year-round, world-class resorts and colorful cities full of vibrant shopping, dining and plenty to do - there are many reasons why they say "it's better in the Bahamas."