A professional pre-Wedding massage’s soothing effects begin on the immediate physiological level: by working out the tension in the Bride’s muscles.  This physical relaxation leads to its beneficial psychological counterpart: peace of mind.  During a massage, a Bride can let go of all the minute details that might still be bothering her; that way, the big picture becomes clearer, and she remembers that all those details are taken care of.

The benefits of a pre-Wedding massage last longer than the massage itself.  With her newfound peace of mind, the Bride can kick back and enjoy her Rehearsal Dinner.  The next day, her relaxed muscles are prepared to support her through a day on her feet, posing for pictures and dancing at the Reception.

First of all, a couple ought to discuss the precious metal they want.  The most popular (and honestly, the most practical) choices are yellow gold, white gold and platinum.  White gold may require occasional treatment over the years to maintain its silvery shine, but it is less expensive than the rare and durable platinum.

Then, the Bride and Groom should browse different styles.  Some prefer to keep their bands a simple, shining precious metal.  Others prefer their bands to be stylishly decorated with an engraving, or with sparkling jewels.  The stones can be colored or clear, channel set (flush with the band) or pavé (as if paved with diamonds, sapphires, etc.)—the options are numerous and varied.

Precious metals add a chic shine to a Wedding ensemble.  When our brides opt for accessories of twinkling silver or gleaming gold, the Lord Thompson Manor suggests that they remain consistent with the metal of the Wedding bands and engagement ring.  Brides can either stick to a single shade of one precious metal for a sleek sparkle, or add texture with a subtle, complementary mix.

Brides can also elect to ornament their Wedding looks by adding color.  Jewels, precious stones or even multifaceted colors of glass can bring a variety of things to a Wedding dress.  Subtle shades like lavender or pink can accentuate the Bride’s natural beauty, while bold colors like turquoise or jade can modernize and invigorate her gown.  Some of the Lord Thompson Manor’s brides also accent the color of their eyes by wearing jewelry in similar or complementary tones.

 The Lord Thompson Manor knows that a Bride can never do wrong with pearls.  These classically beloved bits are renowned for their gentle shine and their feminine elegance.  Pearls harmonize with the Bride’s skin tone and provide delicate enhancement to any Wedding dress.

Finally, many of our Brides like to imbue their Wedding jewelry with special meaning.  Jewelry can cover any or all of the traditional adage’s requirements—a family heirloom from the Bride’s mother or grandmother could be her “Something old;” she can easily acquire “Something new;” a friend can provide her with “Something borrowed;” or a favored sapphire can serve as “Something blue.”

Author Deanna Cassidy

Lord Thompson Manor

Our secret formula for the perfect Wedding feet begins with a pedicure.  Our professional Keep It Simple Spa technicians pamper the Bride’s feet the day before her Wedding, giving her a foot massage and the perfect pedicure for her theme, her colors, her dress, and of course, her shoes.  The Lord Thompson Manor can also discuss answers to the Bride’s potential plethora of questions on shoe choices, such as, “Comfortable heels or stylish flats?” and “Pristine white or gorgeous color?” 

We understand that a person’s legs, back and overall mood are most likely to remain in perfect order if her feet are comfortable, so it’s our job to help make it happen.  Even if a Bride (or anyone else) winds up with uncomfortable feet, we’re ready to solve the problem with our basket of comfortable flip flops. 

Author Deanna Cassidy

Lord Thompson Manor

Look back to your childhood.  What can better complement the most romantic day of your adult life than the nostalgia of bright-eyed, innocent wonder?  If you have a hard time deciding on your dress, perhaps you can take a cue from your favorite fairy tale princess.  At the Lord Thompson Manor, we like to set up candy tables as Wedding favors; these can simply cover the Bride and Groom’s favorite flavors, or they can follow a charming color theme.  The delights of childhood don’t have to disappear as you grow up, and can provide perfect inspiration for your Wedding.

Listen to music.  Your favorite music can help you decide on a unique, personal tone for your Wedding—for example, you could translate your diva fabulous style into a glamorous set of necklaces for your Bridesmaids, or your enjoyment of jazz into a silky smooth color palette.  The Lord Thompson Manor also provides its Brides with lists of popular classical and contemporary Wedding songs that may spark the imagination with imagery from their melodies or lyrics.

Go to an art gallery or museum.  The paintings and sculptures that appeal to you the most can help you dream up your theme, your colors and your overall style.  Perhaps Monet’s lily pads will inspire a garden-themed Wedding with varied colors, perfectly situated in the Lord Thompson Manor’s Side Garden.  A seascape might spark your imagination with bold aqua, pearlescent shells or jewel-toned tropical fish, set to life on your dance floor in our elegant, flexible Conservatory.  You might also find a modernist or contemporary piece that strikes you with a perfect, relevant, unique palette or theme.

Watch your favorite romantic movie.  The costumes can inform the style of your Bridesmaids’ dress, or your color scheme.  You might also theme your Wedding around the movie’s location—you don’t have to fly to Paris for the perfect wine and cheese or Hawaii for ripe pineapples.  Our Keep It Simple Spa bridal package includes styling the Bride’s hair the day of her Wedding, and if she loves one movie star or character’s style, our technicians can incorporate this inspiration into the bridal look.

Author Deanna Cassidy

Lord Thompson Manor

Lord Thompson Manor about Children in Poverty Author Michael Trigg.

It is possible to capture a glimpse into the future when we look into the faces of children. The environment in which children live is nurturing this world’s future generations. Adults today have to ask themselves the question – is our environment shaping children into become caring, productive, and globally aware citizens?

Are the wealthy countries really doing enough for the children worldwide? Are the governments of the poorer countries doing enough for their children? Are there better ways to provide support and assistance, particularly for those children with mental and physical disabilities lacking in social safety nets?

There is a huge need for funding support for children in need in impoverished areas of the world, regardless of class, ethnicity, culture, religion or nationality. There are many definitions of special needs. In the “well off” countries of the Western world such as Canada, the United States, England or Australia, a special needs child might be autistic, have physical limitations, suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome, be a victim of sexual abuse, or face other challenges. In the “global south” (otherwise known as the ‘Third World’), such as many parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America, you can add the horrors of malnutrition, homelessness, sexual slavery and sweat shop laboring to these children’s lives. Many of these children are without parents due to civil wars, HIV/AIDS, or were just abandoned by their parents. Most face threats to their basic human rights and live in squalor and fear.

The destiny of all countries and all people on our planet Earth depend on the support, care, development and safety of children. When we attend to the physical, intellectual, and moral growth of our children, we give them the skills, values, opportunities, and confidence necessary to succeed as adults, earners, parents, citizens, and leaders.

There are many children’s foundations in the world today. Some focus on reducing the misery of poverty and hunger. Others address the gaps in education, health care, and shelter that many children face. All are doing their part to provide help and assistance to needy children. Sadly however, there are always more needy children than there are helping hands. There is every reason to believe that many of the needy children in the poorest countries will not live to reach adulthood. Many of these children have physical disabilities, giving them a zero chance of survival in environments suited only for the survival of the fittest.

In Western countries, we take for granted that our governments will provide adequate health services as well as wheelchair ramps, handrails and accessible public transport. For most Westerners, the ready availability of equipment such as crutches and wheelchairs, low entry buses and taxicabs are taken for granted.

Lord Thompson Manor Catering By Budda Oliver.

After the ceremony, your wedding guests should be able to socialize in a comfortable and fun setting. The decorations and music will add to the atmosphere, as well as the availability of great food. The type of food that is served – and how it is served – is up to you. Finding a wedding caterer that will prepare a delicious meal for your big day can be a frustrating task, but knowing what the type of food you want can make the process much simpler.

A catered meal, or formally passed hors’d'oevres, is an important aspect of a traditional American wedding reception. The tough part is deciding what type of food to serve and finding a caterer that will provide the type of service and menu customization that you require. Many caters will offer a tasting so you and your spouse-to-be can sample the food before you make a decision.

The catering staff will help the meal service portion of your wedding reception run smoothly. Many caterers can offer a basic level of service that can be tailored to fit the specific venue and schedule of the reception. It is up to you to decide on whether you would like a sit-down served meal or a buffet-style meal that allows guests to make their plate from a static food station. A sit-down meal will cost more than a buffet meal because of the level of service that will be required. A wait staff will have to be present. This, however, may be a good option when taking into account the number of guests you have. A large number of guests would take a long time to make their way through the buffet line. If you’d like to have everyone start and finish eating at about the same time, a sit down meal would work better.

You should consider the many food needs of your guests. If you reception will have children present, it would be a good idea to make sure there are kid-friendly menu choices available. You may also want to make sure there is a vegetarian option on the menu as well.

Another thing to take into account is the cleanup. Depending on your choice of disposable dining ware or using real plates and silverware, someone will need to clear the tables. Many catering companies, when using their flatware, will provide a bussing service that will clear plates and silverware from the tables after the guests are through eating. A trained, professional wait staff can make sure the guests are enjoying the meal and remove used dishes as the meal progresses.

While it is advised to shop around and find the caterer that can provide all you need at a competitive price, you should choose the wedding caterer who will be able to customize their service package to best fit your needs and your reception venue. And, of course, provide the best tasting food for you and your guests.

Lord Thompson Manor Steps By Kim Petit.

It is easy to believe that technology has helped everyone. We live such comfortable lives, after all. We really benefit from an almost remarkable level of abundance and convenience. Even middle and working class people tend to have plenty to eat, good sources of transportation, and a wide variety of recreational activities that are not available in a lot of the world. We work longer hours than we used to, but we still do have plenty of recreation time to unwind.

Once you look at world hunger statistics, however, it becomes clear that all is not so rosy . In much of the world, poverty is a daily reality. Even hunger in America is a problem. This was shocking to me the first time I learned this. I had a teacher who had us study world hunger. He wanted us to be aware not only of our neighborhood, our state, and our country, but of our entire extended world community. Before he showed us an article, he asked what we thought about world hunger statistics. I was confident in my reply. I told him that, except for a few isolated areas, I believed that we had wiped out hunger and poverty in the world. Boy, was I in for a shock when I read the world hunger statistics!

The really scary thing was how easily I slipped back into a state of everything as usual, even after I was alerted to the reality of world hunger statistics. We like to think that we care about our fellow man, but when we look at our actions on the whole, it is quite clear that we don’t. It is so easy to forget about world poverty statistics, to go on living a life of affluence as if nothing is wrong. I am as guilty as anyone.

A few years later, however, I became so frustrated with my own apathy that I knew that the time for action was at hand. I decided to join a group to end world hunger. A friend of mine laughed at my naïve idealism. He also was familiar with the world hunger statistics, and he argued that it would not be as easy as I thought to end poverty. He knew that economic factors were complex, and felt that there was no easy solution.

I realize his arguments are valid, but I think it is even more important to realize that the world hunger statistics demand immediate action by all of us. If everyone was dedicated to ending world hunger, a solution could be found!

Lord Thompson Manor Scourge By: Alan Hawkins.
The most probable reason poverty exists, is insufficient work opportunities in combination with a lack of basic education and skills training, or is it?

In Africa, drought is labled as the most common cause of poverty, assisted often by a war here and there, a touch of genocide or the self enrichment of a political dictator and his merry men. Poverty is the scourge of Africa, it knows no boundaries and to quote Mr Jacob Zuma, it knows no colour.

During a recent television report it was stated that five children per day die in South Africa from malnutrition and that the incidence of abandoned babies has increased by one-third, shocking statistics from one of the wealthiest economies in Africa, one can only imagine the true extent of this problem.

Poverty cannot be categorised as another legacy of apartheid and simply swept under the carpet, it is not unique to those countries with a history of racism or other human rights atrocities. Poverty is a human catastrophe and growing, the upward trend of food and power prices, the implications of both global warming and the increase in the price of oil are all factors ensuring this trend remains.

The question is whether poverty is an unavoidable phenomenon or is it an unintentional creation of society. Our leaders talk glibly of job creation, particularly during election speeches, often seen cutting ribbon in front of the cameras at some local self-help project, this is not nearly enough to reverse a trend.

Go back a few years to the cement and brick industries and you will recall hundreds and thousands of workers on building sites throughout the country, loading cement and throwing bricks around manually, this whole workforce has been replaced by automatic palletisation systems. The motor industry and many employment sectors have become more and more automated. I know a farmer who, after being absolutely frustrated by theft and continual difficulties with his labour force, has installed as many automated systems as he is able in order to reduce his reliance on physical labour. On the sports field, a few years ago unskilled and uneducated labour was used as caddies or bag carriers, these employment opportunities have been substantially reduced in most cases and replaced by pull-carts and golf cars with some golf courses banning caddies from their environs completely.

The above mentioned employment sectors were largely forced to reduce employment opportunities as a result of either efficiency or economic factors, in simple terms labour became either too expensive with cheaper and more productive alternatives. It would be dangerous to hazard a guess at the number of jobs lost to the population as a result. When this situation is considered in parallel with the lower cost of production in some of our supplier countries, China and our textile industry as an example, we have mounting evidence to support the probability that poverty is exacerbated by our own actions, including the action of those first to complain about being unemployed.

To the unemployable masses in Africa, the core lack of education and skills development must surely contribute significantly to a poor economic environment and the resultant lack of employment opportunity. Until the standard of educational opportunity is addressed significantly, this situation will compound itself in perpetuity, as appears to be the case.

Is this avoidable, the answer must surely be yes. An immediate short term solution comes with obvious difficulties, the catch-22 position where to fund schools and qualified teachers an economy needs to be in good condition, a difficult state to reach in the midst of problems of poverty. The long term solution must however be addressed urgently by our leader group, politicians, church and traditional leaders. It is their bounden duty, even though only in office for a short while, to publicly commit to immediately addressing this issue with a long term objective. The effect of fraud, poor administrative and financial practice by our leaders in public office, if quantified and re-presented as the number of teacher appointments that this mismanagement could have funded, would be frightening.

Considering the problem from a job creation viewpoint, the labour leaders and organisations need to re-look their relationship with industry, strive to develop an atmosphere of consultancy and cooperation, rather than confrontation and demand. Job creation, even at the risk of lower wages, must remain high on any negotiation agenda; this needs the support of Government in all aspects, including reducing administrative employee related requirements for small business.

Poverty relief through improvements in the education infrastructure is not someone else’s problem, it is ours as responsible persons who supposedly care for the future of Africa, consider this next time you elect the person to represent your ward.

The alleviation of poverty will undoubtedly have immediate social benefits to all South Africans, the improvement of our economy, less financial commitment to hand-outs, a reduction in the crime rate. Our generation, in South Africa and also the wealthier countries, need to take immediate meaningful action to reverse the trend.

Lord Thompson Manor Poverty By: Michael A. Verdicchio.
The cause of poverty is not a lack of money. Does that statement shock you? It’s true. A lack of money may be an effect of poverty, but it is not the cause of poverty.

The cause of poverty is poverty thinking. Poverty comes from poverty beliefs and poverty attitudes; it comes from a poverty mindset.

Here’s another statement that might shake you. Not having money does not mean you’re impoverished. Let me explain. Suppose your checkbook gets all the way to zero. You are flat broke now. But, being flat broke now does not mean that you will be flat broke permanently. It absolutely does not guarantee that you will forever stay flat broke.

There are countless millionaires who at one time or another were flat broke. Why didn’t they stay flat broke? Some have even confessed going broke a number of times. A lack of money is not the issue. What’s in your mind is the issue.

Have you ever asked someone who is indeed in poverty why they are in that state? They will tell you exactly why. They will give you one poverty-minded statement after another. They will point out every lack that they have. They come from a poor family. They lack education. Good jobs are hard to come by these days. The price of everything today is too high. They never get a decent break like a lot of people do. The government doesn’t really care about them enough.

They have ingrained these thoughts into their minds and hearts. They have allowed that kind of thinking to actually take root in their heart, and become their belief system.

What we choose to believe is what we will manifest in our lives. This universal law works with accuracy and precision no matter who the person is and no matter what the circumstances are.

I have visited a number of foreign countries. It is just amazing to me how anyone in the United States can stay in poverty. There is so much wealth, abundance and opportunity in the United States that it staggers the mind.

Now just above the poverty line there are those who are just struggling to get by. Many of them are working very hard to make ends meet each month. Some work two and three jobs. They are labeled as the “lower middle class.” They may put forth a great effort, but they still seem to get nowhere except just above the poverty line. They will stay there because that’s what they choose to believe.

Life is not just luck or fate. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Are we to believe that some people are just blessed with a better life than others? Does the Creator show more favor on some but less on others? No!

Once you identify and accept that you are in a certain category in life and you really believe that in your heart, that is where you will stay. It really makes no difference where you are today. Whether you qualify as in poverty, just above poverty, lower middle class or middle class, none of those descriptions really mean anything unless you continue to accept them as true for your life.

The point is, where you are today is a result of your own belief system. Wherever you are today in life is a direct result of what you have decided to believe.

If you can accept that truth, you can change your circumstances because you recognize what very few ever recognize. The power to change your life is in your brain. The thoughts that you consistently entertain will form your own personal belief system.

Change your life and your circumstances by changing your thoughts, hour by hour and day by day. Fill your mind with thoughts of where you want to go, not where you are today.

You may not be in poverty, but, are you where you really desire to be in your life? If not, why not? Do you need to change your thoughts to form a new belief system?

Get honest with yourself and really examine your thoughts. A good indication of your thoughts is what comes out of your mouth.

You can change your life and your circumstance by changing your belief system. And you can change your belief system by changing your thinking, one thought at a time.