I watch my parents age. My dad is 91, my mom 86. Their days are slow and long since their activities are limited. I watch them, thinking what will I be able to do to fill the time when I can no longer be physically active, but mostly, when my memory is fading? It’s made me conscious of preserving my family history and a record of what we’re doing.My husband and I didn’t begin traveling until our 50s. We were busy with jobs and kids, but mostly we couldn’t afford it. Since, however, we’ve been to Costa Rica, France, Italy, China, Vancouver and elsewhere. How am I going to remember all the fascinating places we’ve been and things we’ve learned? I can help by keeping journals – records with words and pictures.Being technologically oriented, I prepare my journals online. But first, I need the material. I keep excerpts from guidebooks, programs, brochures, tickets, maps, and anything else I need to boost my recall. I take ziplock bags on my travels to put all these brochures, etc. in so they’ll stay protected and dry. I take photos of places of interest, of street scenes and of activities that demonstrate the life of the people. I take photos of informational signs, of the names of artists of pictures I like. I buy postcards of what I haven’t been able to photograph (sometimes photos are prohibited) and souvenir books.I travel with a laptop and every night, or in the afternoon since we return to the hotel so my husband can nap, I type a quick journal. Of course, it can be handwritten also. I put down my observations of what we’ve done, seen, what was particularly interesting, how life seems different from here in the United States, and other items of interest. Later on, I can expound on history using the brochures I’ve gathered, or the information from guidebooks. I try to focus on the differences between life that I’m used to and how other customs differ. I look for what makes the location or culture interesting and unique.When the trip is over, I upload my photos, complete my journal, and scan into the computer any maps or items of interest I want in my travel scrapbook. I do it online, but many people do it manually. Whatever suits you best is what you should do. I use a site like Shutterfly or Kodak. When I put together a page, there’s room for text depending upon the layout I choose, and I will copy and paste in the relevant part of my journal. I usually scan and upload a map with the places we have visited circled, or our itinerary highlighted.The books can be expensive whether you do them manually or on the web, but with practice, you’ll produce beautiful records of your travels. The ones I do are hardcover, 10 x 10, and I envision myself looking at them when I’m elderly like my parents, recalling and remembering the wonderful experiences we’ve shared, and even talking about them with my grandchildren. I see these journals as a way to preserve my history and my memory. And if I don’t remember, they will still keep me entertained.And when it comes to preserving history, I might add that I also do a photo book every year of the highlights of that year. I do it online also. Usually, since we have a big family (three kids, nine grandkids, extended family) and we spend a lot of time together, it takes two volumes. I call it something like Highlights of 2009, or whatever the year. If you do this, I caution one thing. Don’t take for granted that people will know who those folks in the photographs are. At least once in the book, give a complete name and mention relationships. What we think we’ll always remember just isn’t so. You know all those cute things our kids said when they were little that we were sure we would always remember and never quite got around to writing down? Lesson learned. So at least once, instead of saying “mom and dad,” give their complete names.These books, along with the travel journals, should give my husband and I many happy hours of remembrance, as well as providing some family history for the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Q: I am a Canadian citizen and live in Canada. If I buy property in the United States is it going to be subject to state tax?
A: Yes, if you rent the U.S. real estate, you will be subject to U.S. income tax rental income. Even if you use the U.S. real estate solely as a holiday home, any real property in the U.S. by death shall be subject to taxes on U.S. goods.Q: How can I stay away from the withholding tax of 30%?
A: The laws of the United States would allow income to the owners of the U.S. assets rights that are not citizens or residents of the United States to choose to be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business. The election is the obligation to submit an annual U.S. income tax, but allows non-US investors to calculate their U.S. income the tax in net terms (reduction of rental income gross of deductible expenses, including depreciation).Q: If I do not lease or rent my property to others, will I have all U.S. tax obligations?
A: Yes, in case of your death (and if you own US property), you will be subject to U.S. property tax.Q: How does the U.S. property tax differ from the tax I pay to Canada after my death?
A: U.S. property tax is different in many aspects as compared to Canadian death tax. Three of the most important differences are, first, the rates at which property taxes the U.S. imposes: federal rates range from 18% to 45%, and the state in which the property is located may also impose a state estate tax. Second, taxes on U.S. properties are assessed on the combined market value of real estate fair. By contrast, consider the provision of Canadian death tax which only taxes the profit to be gained if the property is to be sold.Q: I can avoid the taxes that I would otherwise pay to the Canada Revenue Authority after my death, basically, to leave the property for my partner. Will my partner avoid taxes?
A: No, unless your partner is a U.S. citizen.Q: Is there a strategy that allows me to avoid taxes on U.S. property?
A: Yes, you can. But the point is that in order to succeed you must have a comprehensive plan. Start planning long before you are about to purchase US property.Q: Where can I get information on how to avoid US property taxes?
A: It is imperative that you consult a tax advisor with experience in U.S. tax matters, otherwise you may pay huge amounts in taxes.Finally, it needs saying that Canadians are eager to buy US property, especially in the south as retirement or vacation options. As you can see from FAQs, there isn’t many problems associated with the purchase of the US property by a Canadian citizen. At the same time, this requires thorough planning. A visit to a lawyer competent in US property legislation is a MUST for every Canadian dreaming of buying US real estate.

The colon plays a major role in the re-absorption of nutrients and water and the expulsion of toxics through regular bowel movement. Various things could happen and therefore impact on normal functionalities of the colon. Take for instance a case where the movement of bowel is affected, the victim is likely to experience several problems such as constipation, hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. Some of the symptoms of accumulated toxins include headaches, bad breath, allergic reactions, PMS, fatigue, depression, irritability, bloating and frequent infections.Main Ways Of Cleaning The ColonColon Hydrotherapy (also know as colonic irrigation)Colon hydrotherapy utilizes enemas to inject water, sometimes mixed with herbs, or other liquids into the colon using special equipment. This colon cleansing method removes feces, sometimes mixed with parasites, from the walls of the colon.EnemasAn enema is the procedure of introducing liquids into the rectum and colon via the anus. Enema in itself is not a colon cleansing technique but a medical procedure that can be employed in a host of areas including colonic irrigation described above.Herbal Colon Cleansing SupplementsThere exist a large number of herbal supplements that are useful in colon cleansing. However, it is important to be aware of product that purport to be herbal but are otherwise. A large number of manufacturers know “herbal” sells and are labeling everything as herbal. Herbal supplements are either administered orally or introduced into the colon through the anus through enema (this procedure is described above).In enema water mixed with herbal supplements is introduced into the colon using an enema kit.LaxativesLaxatives are another common method of cleansing the colon. Several over the counter laxatives exist. However, there are natural alternatives too. Foods rich in fibers are regarded as laxative and apart from cleaning the colon; they can be used to stop constipation.Laxatives induce bowel movements or loosen the stool. Most often, they are taken to treat the colon for rectal and bowel examinations. However, high doses of laxatives can cause diarrhea. It is therefore important one seek the advice of a qualified doctor before taking them. Laxatives work by hastening the elimination of undigested remains of food in the large intestine and colon.Some laxatives have different types of active ingredient that produce a combination of the effects mentioned.Oxygen-based CleansersOxygen-based colon cleansers are very popular today. They consist of stabilized oxygen that is freely released upon landing in the stomach. The oxygen feeds the friendly bacteria with the oxygen needed to create a stable bowel environment. The oxygen also oxidizes and cleans the entire bowel, relieving constipation and compaction. When oxygen based colon cleansers are taken, the level of ORS (Oxygen Reactive Species) is increased, which causes a stimulation of lymphocytes to produce T-cells. This process promotes a strengthened immune system.Among the colon cleansing methods discussed above, it will depend on your preference and amount of money you are willing to spend to clean your colon. The important fact is that you need to have a clean colon.

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