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Every Wednesday between 12-12:15 pm I check in with the mothers who have come to take post-natal yoga. While many different women have cycled through in the past 15 years, many of the issues, concerns, and complaints remain the same. Feeling overwhelmed, completely depleted, disconnected from their core and pelvic floor, breastfeeding issues, and backaches grab the top spots in our discussion.
Many of these women express feelings of being cast aside after the birth of their baby. Prior to the arrival of their child, focus was on the mother's well-being with frequent visits to her care provider. For most, the next visit with her care provider is the "six-week check up." A lot can happen in those six weeks that the mother then has to navigate on her own.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) produced a review of maternal death in the US, Building U.S Capacity To Review and Prevent Maternal Death. In this document, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) carefully explains the six key decisions used to examine each maternal death. Based on this criteria the review has reported the highest incidence of pregnancy-related death happens within 42 days (six weeks) after giving birth, with non-Hispanic black women being the most vulnerable. The study states: "We have learned that between 20-50 percent of maternal deaths in the United States are preventable through the work of MMRCs." Overall, the leading causes of pregnancy-related death accounting for 72.2 percent of all pregnancy-related deaths include:
- Hemorrhage (12.7 percent)
- Cardiovascular and coronary conditions (12.7 percent)
- Cardiomyopathy (11.4 percent)
- Infection (9.5 percent)
- Embolism (9.5 percent)
- Mental Health Conditions (8.9 percent)
- Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (7.6 percent)
Are women and partners equipped to recognize postpartum depression or unusual swelling or headaches that could be an indication of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia? Likely not.
Given the gap in time between women being discharged from the hospital and their next appointment with their doctor or midwife, many rely on their care provider at the time of birth and the discharge and postpartum nurses at the hospital for careful instruction and guidance as to what to expect in these first six weeks. However, a recent study, Nurses' Knowledge and Teaching of Possible Postpartum Complications, published in the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing disclosed some frightening facts about the support and guidance women receive before discharge from a hospital with only 67 percent of RNs spending less than 10 minutes focusing on potential warning signs. There was also a massive lack of knowledge from the nurses themselves about the leading three causes of maternal mortality.
Once the mother finally arrives at the anticipated six week appointment, it is often a quick check-in and then clearance is given to return to sex and pre-pregnancy activity. From the women I have spoken with, many did not receive any information or screening about Postpartum Depression at this meeting, a check for abdominal diastasis (separation of the rectus abdominal muscles) or discussion about the health of their pelvic floor other than a verbal prescription to start to do Kegels. An obstetrician I spoke with recently revealed that OBs do not get paid for these follow up visits and they are usually only scheduled to be six minutes long. This swift and superficial meeting can often leave women feeling unsure of what constitutes "normal" and what their new body should feel like and. This insecurity can just adds to the stress of new motherhood.
Students often say "I cannot get rid of this belly" or "I feel a heaviness in my vagina" or sheepishly reveal incontinence issue. These issues can affect one's quality of life. With a desire to heal and change the situation, women may unknowingly start an exercise routine that can actually worsen some of the issues they may have developed. Crunches for example, can exasperate abdominal diastasis and belly binding can cause pressure on the pelvic floor resulting in pelvic organ prolapse. Some women eventually take it upon themselves to find treatment, often an out of pocket expense, with a physical therapist who specialize in women's health.
While the US leaves women at the helm of their own recovery while simultaneously embarking upon new motherhood, other countries have developed comprehensive postpartum care routines. In France, postpartum women are routinely prescribed "la re-education perineale," 10-20 visits of physical therapy designed to retrain the pelvic floor muscles, to be followed by "abdominal re-education" after the pelvic floor sessions are completed, if necessary. In the Netherlands, women regardless of where they birthed, immediately receive a post-natal in-home care service called kraamzorg. The role the kraamvezorgster, post-natal care nurse, is similar to that of a postpartum doula, minus the preparation of meals and light housework. For up to eight days, new mothers have their kraamvezorgster available to help the mother with breastfeeding, teach the parents how to bath, swaddle and diaper the baby, help partners learn how to support the mother and also act as a buffer between new parents and visiting guests.
What can we do? Force the hand of your care provider–come in with a list of questions for the care provider to address. Yes, this is going to require some gumption on the mothers part and let's face it, as six weeks postpartum, the mother may not be at her most feisty. Here are some questions to start with:
- Please examine my pelvic floor and let me know if there is any prolapse, if any tears have healed properly, if my pelvic floor seems supportive, is my bleeding normal?
- Please examine my abdominal muscles and let me know if there is any abdominal diastsis.
- Please talk to me and my partner about postpartum depression and red flags we should be concerned about.
- Please discus birth control with me – lactation shouldn't substitute birth control!
- Please talk to me about proper nutrition while breastfeeding.
- Please talk to me about what to expect for my first menstruation cycle.
- Please check my breasts–is everything normal after all the change?
- Please provide me with references for lactation support
- For those who birthed via cesarean, please examine my incision to see how it is healing
In time I hope that the US can better support women and families. Many politicians boost about the importance of "family values," unfortunately though, many women are not feeling valued and this lack of support is hurting families, babies, and children. Until we see change in our country, women will need to continue to support one another and ask loudly for help when needed.
Debra Flashenberg is the founder and Director of the Prenatal Yoga Center. She is a certified labor support doula, Lamaze Childbirth Educator, and certified prenatal yoga instructor. She is continuously in awe of the beauty and brilliance of birth and is the proud mother of her son, Shay and daughter, Sage. Visit prenatalyogacenter.com for more info!


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Your submission can be a short story, an extract from a novel or the capturing of a moment. The main rule is that it needs to be EXACTLY 75 words long including the title. (All submissions are formatted as one paragraph - see the home page - so it helps if you submit that way.) Got a question? Click here .
RULES, TERMS & CONDITIONS - 1) All submissions must be the author's own work. 2) All Paragraphs must be exactly 75 words. 3) The first few words are deeemed the title. 4) The spirit of Paragraph Planet does not allow rants, bullying, swearing or any form of abuse. 5) By submitting an entry, you are allowing Paragraph Planet.com to use your 75 words in any media (e.g digital, print, text message or radio, syndication) for an indefinite period. 6) There is no payment for submissions, but the author will always be credited, and your participation is greatly appreciated.
Paragraph Planet is a creative writing website which has been publishing one 75-word paragraph every day since November 2008. Famous authors, aspiring writers and occasional dabblers have all got involved, submitting a mixture of twist-in-the-tale flash fiction, evocative short, short fiction, openings of published novels or brief moments captured. Get involved here. You can read over 2000 examples in the archive section. There are also interviews with some of the published authors who have submitted to the site, as well as an authors page in which you can read an example paragraph from all authors who've submitted, and also link to dedicated pages with more info about regular contributors. There's also a Blog Directory of authors who've contributed to the site.


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Styling the wide trouser trend*
What comes around goes around as they say, and in the fashion stakes at least, that adage has been proved right once again. After spending the last few years in increasingly skinny jeans and bodycon dresses, we're now in the midst of as radical a reversal as you could wish to see. The skinny is out and the wide-legged trouser is in. Long live the Palazzo!
The good news is, spring's must-have fashion accessory is eminently wearable, comfortable and is not only suited to tall, willowy women. In fact, anyone can wear the wide-legged trouser as long you know how to style it correctly. Here are my top style tips…
Pair with a tucked-in top
Don't wear your wide-leg culottes with an oversized top as you risk looking like a big ball of laundry. Instead, it's important to balance the proportions of the trouser with a fitted top. You could take a look on sites like Monroe-Clothing.com to get a feel for the trends around fitted tops and find one that matches your culottes. There is nothing chicer than a pair of high-waisted trousers with a tucked-in blouse or tee. This type of look can take you from the office to after work drinks and looks flattering on nearly every body type.
Stick to one eye-catching trend at a time
While there are plenty of bold colours and patterns out there, we think the wide-legged trouser is a good time to reach for neutrals like black, navy or even white. With too much brightly coloured material swinging around, it can look like the trousers are wearing you and not the other way around.
Keep it long
When choosing a jacket to pair with your wide-legged look, opt for a long-line jacket or blazer that'll lengthen your torso in the same way that your trousers lengthen your legs. Remember, keep it fitted up top or you risk looking too slouchy or boxy.
Find your length
When choosing the length of your wide-legged trousers there are two ways you can go. You could opt for a ground skimming hem that covers your shoes and elongates your frame. Or, if you're really fashion forward, hemming your pants about an inch above the ankle will keep you right on trend. Here are some wide-legged trousers for a little inspiration.
Think about fabrics
There is a huge range of fabrics out there, with everything from denim to leather wide-leg pants. However, we think you should stick to soft, free-flowing silks for an exceptionally comfortable, feminine look, or suit-like styles made from stiffer fabrics when you'd like something a little more formal.
Wear with flats
The assumption is that only towering heels will work with wide-legged trousers, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Silk, billowy trousers with metallic sandals are perfect for the summer, while a sleek pair of navy wide-leg pants with pointed-toe loafers will get you work-ready.
What are your top wide trouser styling tips? Perhaps you're sticking with the skinny? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.


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B&F Medical's Aeromist Nebulizer gives you all the tools you need to effectively administer medications to patients via aerosol. The Aeromist Nebulizer features an easy-to-read measured medication jar (1cc to 15cc) with a spill-proof lid. The user-friendly large threaded lid makes it easy to attach the jar to the precise venturi system, which effectively delivers 70% of aerosol particles within the 1 to 4 micron range. The Aeromist model model also includes a sealed "O" ring for in-line ventilation (I.P.P.B. use). The 7-foot-long tubing of the Aeromist Nebulizer features redesigned soft connectors that make it easy to connect the tubing to an oxygen tank and then to the medication jar. The side entry tubing design allows the nebulizer to stand on its own while adding medications, freeing up both hands and reducing the possibility of contamination.
This product(s) is classified as a Medical Device which is regulated by the FDA. This product may have regulations or restrictions in some states. It is the customer's responsibility to determine and comply with all applicable federal, state or local laws.
Special discounts may apply for high volume sales.
Contact our Bids & Quotes department for more information.


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Speaking before a trio of state primaries today that could provide a tipping point in his campaign for the party's candidacy, Mr Romney appeared to concede for the first time that the bruising contest had alienated some women.
"We have work to do to make sure we take our message to the women of America," Mr Romney told supporters in Wisconsin, which he is expected to win today along with Maryland and the District of Columbia.
The former Massachusetts governor pledged to help women "understand how we're going to get good jobs and we're going to have a bright economic future for them and for their kids".
His wife Ann, promised yesterday to help "let the real Mitt Romney out", signalling that she will try to humanise his image and attract more female support as part of an even more prominent role in his campaign.
Her comments came as a poll of 12 battleground states in November's presidential election found that Mr Obama led Mr Romney among women by 54 per cent to 36 per cent.
Aides to Mr Obama swiftly cited the so-called "war on women" that they say Republicans are waging across the US by making it more difficult to obtain contraception and abortions.
"American women can't trust Romney to stand up for them," said Jim Messina, Mr Obama's campaign manager, who predicted the gender gap would be a "severe problem" for the Republican.
Like his party rivals, Mr Romney has promised to revoke all funding for Planned Parenthood, a network of women's clinics that provide family planning services including abortion.
And while he campaigned as a pro-choice champion in liberal-leaning Massachusetts, he now favours overturning Roe vs Wade, the Supreme Court judgment guaranteeing abortion rights.
However, a breakdown of the poll data showed that government birth control policy was rated the least important issue by women and men.
Rick Santorum, the Right-wing former Pennsylvania senator challenging Mr Romney for the Republican nomination, actually scored better among women than his rival, despite his harder line on contraception, which he has said is "not OK".
Mr Romney's aggressive campaign against "ObamaCare", the president's overhaul of the US health care system, appeared to be driving much female opposition to his candidacy.
Since January the 65-year-old front-runner has made his wife an evermore important part of his campaign in an apparent attempt to soften his robotic image and attract more women voters.
Asked in a radio interview in Wisconsin yesterday why her husband often came across as "stiff", Mrs Romney said: "I guess we better unzip him and let the real Mitt Romney out because he is not!"
The 62-year-old housewife, who has survived cancer and multiple sclerosis, has energetically campaigned for Mr Romney across the US and is described as "Mitt's Better Half" in the large section of his official website devoted to her.
She is frequently mobbed by more supporters than her husband when the couple walks along "rope lines" at his rallies, prompting suggestions that she should be the one running for office.
After one of her husband's customary gaffes she even joked at a rally in Troy, Michigan, last month: "Maybe I should just do all the talking and let him just stand here and watch me."
Michelle Obama, who is consistently rated one of the most popular people in US politics, will campaign prominently for her husband. However it was announced yesterday that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will not join her former rival on the campaign trail.


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A long time ago in a theater not that far away… a young Coach Cary fell in love with a new movie named Star Wars. Yes, the original. Yes, in the theater. And yes, that does mean I am that old. I, along with millions of others, became instant fans. Disney, which recently purchased the Star Wars universe, just announced it will be adding the Star Wars Half Marathon to their collection of themed races. This sure-to-be-an-instant-sellout race had me waxing nostalgic. As I reflected on all the movie's characters, I began to realize how similar they are to the many people I've lined up against over the years. So, in honor of making the Kessel Run in under twelve parsecs, I give you the Star Wars characters of the Running and Racing Universe.
Luke Skywalker
The young, naïve, up-and-coming talent whom you can't help but root for. He kills 5Ks like he's shooting womp rats back home in his T-16. He races as if he is guided by some other force. He's new to this whole racing thing and needs a wise old veteran coach to keep him on the right path.
Princess Leia
This young woman shows up comfortable and confident in her duties. She knows what she must do to reach her goals. When the gun goes off, she doesn't shy away from the conflict. She jumps right into the fray and shows the boys how it's done. She's not there to race the boys; she's there to beat them.
Han Solo
The wily vet who's been around the block a time or two. This ain't his first rodeo. He's always quick with a smile and a joke but will gun you down if you threaten him. When the race is on the line, he's as fast as a Falcon as he jumps to lightspeed to pull away from whomever is on his tail.
The wily veteran's buddy who's always at Han's side. You can tell he's just waiting for a pump-and-run race to show off his potential. He's a massive dude that has more body hair that anyone you know. His motto: "Let the wookiee win" (which you'd be hard pressed to understand since he just mumbles and grunts a lot).
Everyone knows that "plastic fantastic" runner decked out in the most outlandish garb (which he probably purchased the day before) to show off in the race. He's trained for almost an entire week(!) to get ready. Now he's so tight and sore, he's almost robotic. This runner never shuts up—and spends half the race complaining about everything.
How many gizmos and gadgets can a person possibly use during a single race? This runner's got more beeps and buzzes going on than a NASA command center at liftoff. He is a veritable rolling database of physiological info.
Darth Vader
Your arch nemesis with whom you are locked in an epic struggle. It always seems as if the end of the race is a neck-and-neck battle between the two of you. You don't understand why you can't shake him! Heck, he's been huffing and puffing and breathing so loud for miles. I mean, come on. He's old enough to be your father.
Obi Wan Kenobi
Every race has the wise old coach. He's always doling out advice and trying to help the young guys learn how to do things the right way. He has a very calming voice you can almost hear in your head as the finish line gets closer.
There's always a rock star age grouper who shocks you with his pace. He looks so tight and tired and old—until it's go time. Then he flies out of the gates. He measures his energies well, and after crossing the finish line, he'll pass on weird, wise words like, "Do or do not. There is no try."
There is always that group that shows up wearing the same racing uniform. You know you'll have to fight all of them to win your age group. It'll be a battle, but you your laser focus will prevail over their weak-minded pursuits.
The Emperor
The ornery curmudgeon who always looks sour. He wants things to go poorly for everyone else. If you're not with him, you're against him.
Jar Jar Binks
This goofball comes stumbling up to the line late. You're not even sure how he made it to the race. he crosses the line with his tongue hanging out, he a stuttering mess. He showed up only to get the free beer afterwards.
Every race has a herd of kids all hopped up, full of energy, and ready to race. They may be cute, but they do some damage to that squad of Stormtroopers. (It's almost like the little guys are your allies…)
Padme' Amidala
The fitness superstar who does it all. She's got her strategy mapped out like she's a senator. Cardio kickboxing first, road race next, then yoga to unwind afterwards. Her schedule is tight, but once the race begins, she's in it to win it.
Boba Fett
The unknown out-of-towner who swoops in to steal the race. It's like he's a mercenary who's only interested in taking scalps. This guy races with ruthless abandon and will take out anyone in his way.
Jaba the Hutt
You know, that annoyed guy in his car, waiting for the cop to signal so he can drive across the intersection—finally. He's frustrated with all the runners blocking his route. He had a late night and one too many frog legs. All he wants to do is crash on the couch.
Check out the FLEET FEET Race Calendar to find a race and see how many of these caricatures you recognize!
Now, go, young Jedi, and race with honor. Remember, the force will be with you always.
Good Luck and Happy Racing!
Coach Cary
Tim Cary is FLEET FEET's Assistant Training Manager, coach of the FLEET FEET-sponsored Runnababez Elite team, and manager of the FLEET FEET Racing Team. Over his 20 years of coaching, Tim has coached athletes to three national team championships, five national individual championships, two national records, and numerous All-American and All-State honors. Click here to receive Tim's weekly article via email.


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We took our first camping trip of the year over Memorial Day weekend. We returned to a campground we go to pretty much every year now, down in South Jersey, right in the Pine Barrens.
It was a beautiful weekend and the kids had a great time swimming in the lake, playing on the beach and riding their new boogie boards.
I let Daddy talk me into taking them out on a swan paddle boat. Those things are NOT easy to paddle and it's really rough when it's 90 degrees out.
We enjoyed an ice cream social with the kids new friend Dani….
played some miniature golf….
and candy bar bingo, which Georgie won two out of the three games.
We were visited by an Eastern Box Turtle…
a bunch of Fowler's Toads….
and an as yet unidentified butterfly (along with tons of other bugs and a hummingbird).
There's nothing like a nice, drippy ice cream cone eaten on the beach.
It was a very fun trip but after five days of sleeping in a tent and walking around in sand, I was ready to get home to a comfy bed and the chance to have clean feet.


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This beautiful arrangement of colors will make you feel like a mermaid. Sexy and very comfortable this crop top has a washable and removable support.
Supplex Power is a high-performance workout fabric. The Supplex made with Lycra® is slimming and comfortable composed by fine multiple filaments to be flexible, soft and durable. Is up to 36% softer than standard nylon fabrics and dries much faster than Cotton. The Lycra® elastane can stretch up to 500%, and then spring back to its original shape it will keep their bright vibrant colors after years of washing and drying, and will never fuzz or pill. It is also breathable keeping your body at a cool temperature and odor/wind/water-resistant. Supplex Lycra® is used in activewear, swimwear, heavy workout, "extreme" sportswear, and outerwear. The fibers are made to enhance the elasticity of the material while at the same time maintaining the soft cottony feeling. A perfect balance between fashion, comfort, quality, and durability.


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To view a past issue, click on the thumbnail of the cover you'd like to see, then click on the enlarged image of the cover that pops up. That should open the issue in a new window for you. Enjoy!
Older Issues:
Issue #15: Gear Guide 2009/Winter 2008
Issue #11: Gear Guide 2008/December 2007
Issue #10: October/November 2007
Issue #9: August/September 2007
Issue #5: December 2006/January 2007
Issue #4: October/November 2006
Issue #3: August/September 2006


text: Archived from the original on Bollywood actress amisha patel January The gorgeous lady was born to an ethnic Gujarati family based in Mumbai for their professional endeavors. How much of Ameesha Patel's work have you seen? She welcomed her daughter back into the house, but the patch-up did not happen until much later. Sonia Saxena as Amisha Patel. The prettiest actresses I've seen.


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I came in wanting to buy a Cocos A&B 20L and accidentally walked out with a Bio 1 Component Soil and a Cocos B. My cousin already opened it (Bio) up and will sell it on craigslist. Is it possible to buy just the Cocos A 20L from you guys online or on the phone and have him pick it up in the store. I'm currently out of town. Otherwise I can wire him the money and do it that way. You can only buy both sets online.
Because the A&B is sold in sets it would be easiest to come into the shop to even you out. I think this way there is less room for error. I wouldn't want any complication due to a broken set. I hope this has helped.


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Lincoln Chauffeur provides drivers on demand, while you supply the car
(Author : Darrell Etherington)
Lincoln is testing a new service for owners of its vehicles that supply a driver on demand. The service is like a very upscale Uber, in which you supply the car, and Lincoln supplies a professional driver – one who is actually a Lincoln employee, not a spot contractor – to ferry you around, return your car to your home, and basically make you feel like a VIP.
The service will launch first in Miami, reports Autoblog, and will let Lincoln owners order up a chauffeur via a smartphone app. The chauffeur will not only be able to drive you around, but will also return your car to your home in case others in the household need to use it, will fill it up if so required, and can even run light errands like picking up some groceries.
Costs, as you might expect, are not cheap: During the pilot program, Lincoln Chauffeur will run around $30 per hour, which is actually not terrible compared to Uber until you remember you have to supply the car as well. On the plus side for Lincoln owners, they'll get eight hours free of Chauffeur service included in the purchase price of their vehicle.
This is only a limited test at the moment, but Lincoln tells Autoblog that it would like to expand the service to San Diego next, and then additional markets after that. It's likely a decent challenge to scale, since Lincoln's actually employing the drivers it's using.
Lincoln Chauffeur may be a bit of a departure from other mobility service offerings automakers are exploring, which include on-demand vehicle rentals and even white glove delivery of said cars to a renter's door, but it still sounds like an interesting way to add value while driving new revenue sources in the luxury segment.
Source : techcrunch.com


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The tones of white and black contrast well against the background of is 100% imported silk kaftan. It can be used in many fashion styles and is easy to use with any bottom to create a unique look with almost endless possibilities. The contrasting tones make a beautiful pattern that is pleasing to the eye and compliments plus sizes. If you have been looking for plus sized tops that are both stylish and comfortable without much luck, your search is over! See the difference Australian made quality can make and enjoy the cool and comfortable feel of silk with a stylish V-neck design that is as classy as is it casual. Get yours today while you can! You owe it to yourself to get the style and colors that make you look your absolute best!
length: 90 cm
outer width 120 cm (seam to seam)
inner width 100 cm (stitch to stitch) or 200 cm circumference
Please note that listing price is for the described item only and does not include any accessories that may be shown in the photos. Additional items are available on our site for an additional price.


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7 ways to a calm wedding morning
By Tea and Trim, Sep 22 2018 06:08PM
Don't let those pesky nerves get the better of you on your wedding day. Here are some tips to help you have a calm and relaxed start to your day."
1. Plan Ahead
If you think you may be nervous on your wedding day, plan ahead. Enjoy some pamper time and some early nights on the week leading up to your big day. On the day taking a few moments in silence to gather your thoughts is really helpful so schedule in a little time where you can be on your own or with a close friend / family member if you'd prefer. Stock up on herbal teas for the morning, both peppermint and camomile are really calming choices or you could buy Bach's Rescue Remedy I always carry a little bottle with me if our brides need it, it really helps to relax, get focused and quickly brings the needed calmness.
2. Play
Why not create your own playlist for your wedding morning? Many brides regret not doing this. You could playlist all your favourites or a chill out compilation that will help you keep your cool. Stay away from any tracks that will send you heading for the tissue box though, you don't want to walk down the aisle with puffy eye! If you will be getting ready at a hotel or your venue remember to pack your ipod and something to play it on, although if all else fails an iphone in a glass actually works.
3. Tight Squeeze
Can you step into your dress ok? This is something you'll need to consider. If it's going to be a tight squeeze and you'll need to pull your dress over your head then you will need to put your dress on before hair and make-up. Ask your hair and make-up artist to provide a gown to protect your dress from any hairspray or make-up spills.
4. Switch Off
Consider turning your phone on silent or switching off social media notifications for the day, time always goes by so fast on a wedding morning. This way you can keep your focus on you, those close to you and most importantly that special person you are about to marry.
5. Sticky Situation
Cut any labels out of dresses and accessories before the day, and remember to remove those terribly sticky labels from the bottom of your wedding shoes, you may need to soak the labels to remove them completely so you really don't want to waste time doing this on the wedding morning.
6. Hang Up
Hang up your dress first thing in the morning, your photographer will want to take photos when they arrive. It's also helpful to take your shoes out of their box and have all accessories laid out ready for when you need them, running around last minuet looking for earrings is never fun.
7. Eat Breakfast
Can't stress how important it is to eat something on your wedding morning. With all the excitment and emotions of the day, you need to start with a breakfast to help keep you going. Even if you can't stomach a large breakfast something light will really help, a little toast or a breakfast bar will work miracles.
Finally try to remember that it's completely normal to be a little anxious on your wedding day and accepting this can really help, try to enjoy single moment, even those nervous ones.
If you have any tips we would love to hear them!
Written by: Hair and Make-up artist Nicola Johnson at www.teaandtrim.com
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MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2019 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.


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I figured it's only fitting that my first shared recipe should be the most sacred of foundations:
Anyway. Let's get started.
2 1/2 C lukewarm water, divided- lukewarm is KEY!
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup molasses (I like it because it adds depth of flavor and a darker hue to the bread- making it more "wheaty" in appearance but you can just leave it out if you don't have it- totally doesn't matter!)
1 1/2 tsp salt
2. Mix well, on low to medium speed, until all ingredients are incorporated and a soft dough is formed. Remember: the longer you beat the less you have to knead later (if hand-kneading, that is, but if you have a stand-mixer your job just got ten times easier, keep reading below for a how-to on breadmaking with a KitchenAid). Once soft dough is formed, begin kneading. Knead about 10 minutes until dough is pliable and soft [for a short, instructional video on how to knead, CLICK HERE].
3. Place in a large, greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray, and let rise in a warm place until double (if you struggle with having a "warm" place, just turn your oven on, let it get slightly warm--NOT TOO WARM--then turn it off and stick the bowl in the oven). It takes about 2-2.5 hours for the dough to rise so be patient!
4. Once doubled, punch down. Shape into chosen product (e.g. bread/rolls). If baking bread, divide the dough into two greased bread pans covered with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray, let rise until double again (about 30-45min). Bake at 400F for 30 minutes. If making rolls, shape as such and place in 2-3 (as many as you need) greased 9" round cake pans, let rise until double then bake at 400 for 15-20min.


text: Many are skipping follow-up care as they are finding the expense to be prohibitive. A recent health insurance study has shown that young people who have survived cancer are commonly deciding not to take part in follow-up care because they are not able to afford the associated costs. The results of this research were published in the Cancer journal. The study examined the care progress of survivors of cancer between the ages of 20 and 39 years old. What they determined was that 67 percent who had never had a…Read More


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I am not an honest man.
It is the honest man who speaks
in frank and often shocking ways.
It is the honest man who speaks
the truth you've thought but haven't
had the words to say.
It's provocative and resonant.
He is both entertainer and prophet.
It's empowering.
In the company of his words
it is indeed you who are thinking.
And you join the rally cry for that
ambiguous thing, change.
I have great respect for the honest man,
the honest woman.
I too hear their call and I too accept it.
I am not the honest man.
I don't speak the truth, because
I'm confused at the fundamental level.
I'm angry
and it clouds my judgement.
I'm sad and I cannot offer
I keep company with Job and Qohelet,
the disciples on that lonely Saturday,
Christ, of course, on that godforsaken cross, with
faith as small as half a mustard seed.
I am not an honest man.
Posted in Poetry | Tagged crucifixion, postmodernism, suffering, truth | Leave a Comment »
I read up on Barth's doctrine of Scripture so you didn't have to! Here are some of things I found possibly relevant. I have provided comment here and there to put the quotes in context.
Two places in the Church Dogmatics that Barth makes extended comment on the doctrine of Scripture are I/1, §4 and I/2, §19. The bulk of CD I/1 is devoted to the doctrine of revelation, which also provides the context for Barth's doctrine of the Trinity. That is because the doctrine of the Trinity is an answer to the question "Who is God in his revelation?" (297). Before this, though, Barth provides a preliminary comment on the doctrine of Scripture. He will treat this more extensively in CD I/2, on which I will write a separate post, only after he has detailed the doctrine of the Trinity. Traditionally, Protestant dogmatics addresses the doctrine of Scripture before the doctrine of the Trinity. However,
"The reason why we diverge from this custom is this. It is hard to see how in relation to Holy Scripture we can say what is distinctive for the holiness of this Scripture if first we do not make it clear (naturally from Holy Scripture itself) who the God is whose revelation makes Scripture holy" (300).
"The doctrine of the Trinity itself is threatened by the same danger, the danger of irrelevant speculation, if we state it only at a later stage and do not give it the first word as that which gives us information on the concrete and decisive question: Who is God?" (301).
Barth begins CD I/1 with sections on the task of dogmatics and the prolegomena (§§1-2). He then addresses proclamation of the gospel, the central calling of the church:
"Proclamation is human speech in and by which God Himself speaks like a king through the mouth of his herald, and which is meant to be heard and accepted as speech in and by which God Himself speaks, and therefore heard and accepted in faith as divine decision concerning life and death, as divine judgment and pardon, eternal Law and eternal Gospel both together" (52; cf. 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Cor 2:17; 1 Pet 4:11).
Nonetheless, proclamation is not made proclamation by virtue of human beings proclaiming. God does not even need proclamation, though he chooses to use this. Proclamation is an act of obedience to the commission of God and where he chooses he makes it his own in such a way that speaks to people's hearts:
"It is always and always will be man's word. It is also something more than this and quite different. When and where it pleases God, it is God's own Word. Upon the promise of this divine good-pleasure it is ventured in obedience. On this promise depend the claim and the expectation. But proclamation both as preaching and sacrament does not cease to be representation, human service" (71-2).
Barth includes the sacraments (as a Reformed theologian, baptism and the eucharist) alongside proclamation as the central calling of the church. He does not provide much comment on them here though because the context is revelation. Both proclamation and sacrament are related in that they are at once a fully human work and a work of God. Barth draws on the incarnation here to elucidate this. Just as Jesus is completely human and completely God, none of these being compromised in his being but rather upheld, so too are proclamation and sacrament human works in which God also works.
After addressing proclamation in §3, Barth goes on to address the doctrine of Scripture in §4, "The Word of God in Its Threefold Form." The event of revelation is God with us, in Christ. This both proclamation and Scripture attest. In his work in proclamation, God directs his hearers back to himself in the person of Christ, by which he made himself known to human beings (revelation here also has a future element in which God will be fully revealed with the coming of the kingdom. Barth's focus here though is on this retrospective aspect).
The middle term of revelation, Scripture, differs from proclamation:
"The distinction of the Head from the body and the superiority of the Head over the body find concrete expression in the fact that proclamation in the Church is confronted by a factor which is very like it as a phenomenon, which is temporal as it is, and yet which is different from it and in order superior to it. This factor is Holy Scripture" (101).
"With its acknowledgment of the presence of the Canon the Church expresses the fact that it is not left to itself in its proclamation, that the commission on the ground of which it proclaims, the object which it proclaims, the judgment under which its proclamation stands and the event of real proclamation must all come from elsewhere, from without, and very concretely from without, in all the externality of the concrete Canon as a categorical imperative which is also historical, which speaks in time" (101).
That is, if Scripture is just another form of proclamation then there is nothing by which the church can measure the validity of its proclamation. Not only would the proclamation of the church be disputable but Scripture itself. God would not have spoken. Moreover, Barth contends that the nature of Scripture as writing is essential to its role in relation to proclamation. An oral tradition, for example, lacks this same concreteness and can too easily be manipulated by successive generations. But the written word maintains a relative consistency from which it can confront the limits of proclamation. Anticipating the critique I had in mind here, that a written Scripture is as much open to abuse as an oral one, Barth writes,
"Nor will one banish the danger, but only conjure it up properly and make it acute, by making correct exposition dependent on the judgment of a definitive and decisive teaching office in the Church or on the judgment of a historico-critical scholarship which comports itself with equal infallibility. If we assume that one or other of these authorities is worthy of the Church's highest confidence, then either way the Church goes astray in respect of the Bible by thinking that in one way or the other it can and should control correct exposition, and thereby set up a norm over the norm, and thereby capture the true norm for itself. The exegesis of the Bible should rather be left open on all sides, not for the sake of free thought, as Liberalism would demand, but for the sake of a free Bible. Here as everywhere the defence against possible violence to the text must be left to the text itself, which in fact has always succeeded in doing something a purely spiritual and oral tradition cannot do, namely, maintaining its own life against the encroachments of individual or total periods and tendencies in the Church, victoriously asserting this life in ever new developments, and thus creating recognition for itself as a norm" (106).
This is a necessary inference. If God works in proclamation such that he really does reveal himself in the midst of human words, then it is true here also with Scripture. Amid the vicissitudes of human interpretation, the written word maintains a kind of constancy against its interpretations which God brings to light again and again to call the church back to its roots in revelation.
Like proclamation, nonetheless, Scripture is human words through which God speaks. It is a witness to revelation, which is Christ. Of John the Baptist's witness to Christ, then, Barth writes,
"Why and in what respect does the biblical witness have authority? Because and in the fact that he claims no authority for himself, that his witness amounts to letting that other [revelation] itself be its own authority. We thus do the Bible poor and unwelcome honour if we equate it directly with this other, with revelation itself" (112).
Yet this does not mean a denigration of Scripture. Rather, Barth seems to be reluctant to go anywhere which would effectively equate Scripture with God. He maintains, however, that it really is God's Word:
"To hear the Bible as God's Word means, therefore, that then and there, in the undoubtedly very modest, changing, perhaps increasing but possibly also decreasing compass in which it is true at any given time for an individual, we hear the human words of the Bible as the bearers of this eternal Word, based on this centre and having it in view again in everything they say. When the Bible itself is revelation in this way, it establishes the Church and makes its proclamation necessary and possible. The unity of revelation guarantees the unity of the biblical witness in and in spite of all its multiplicity and even contradictoriness" (116-117).
At the end of the section Barth asserts the unity of revelation in its threefold form.
It is useless to attempt to "understand the three forms of God's Word in isolation. The first, revelation, is the form that underlies the other two. But it is the very one that never meets us anywhere in abstract form. We know it only indirectly, from Scripture and proclamation. The direct Word of God meets us only in this twofold mediacy. But Scripture too, to become God's Word for us, must be proclaimed in the Church" (121).
Posted in Reflections | Tagged barth, bible, revelation | Leave a Comment »
Following on from yesterday's post, and this has probably been said before, scepticism is an unstable methodological principle. I'm thinking specifically of the anti-metaphysical scepticism to which I subscribed in the previous post. If scepticism confronts all metaphysics, for confronting's sake, then it is inconsistent if it does not return this confrontation to the basis from which it springs (whether there is a distinct "basis" or the scepticism itself is the basis). By making an implicit distinction between critical questioning and the propositions which are questioned, a sceptical methodology posits itself as somehow outside of or apart from those propositions. It decries the illegitimacy of the propositions but does not question the legitimacy of its own questions. "What is truth?" is legitimate to the extent that it also asks, "to what extent is 'What is truth?' legitimate?" This inevitably leads to an "infinite" string of questions, as the basis for the question of the question must also be questioned. In short, insofar as scepticism is made a central methodological principle it can only be undertaken ignorantly or ironically.
Posted in Reflections | Tagged doubt, methodology, scepticism | Leave a Comment »
This post is an attempt to draw out some of my implicit beliefs on the nature of reality. My main sources are my experience of the world, which consists in an ever-developing and reveloping, exveloping and enveloping faith in the God of Jesus to whom the Bible attests; my piecemeal reading of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Buber, all of whom in their irreducibly individual ways helped me see the validity of individual experience as a scientific category and all sciences as experiential categories; and every blessed contribution, intentional or no, from the conversations I've participated in in person, on the Internet, or passively through reading Wikipedia articles and book reviews on Amazon. I have not read the relevant literature, something which is neither to be celebrated nor can it be avoided.
The nature of language and comprehension is often highlighted in discussing the limits of our ability to interpret the world around us. We might say that (A) I have my own thoughts, which (B) I write up in a blog post, and then (C) my audiences interpret according to their own categories. Effectively, everyone is perpetually misunderstood. Between A and B I need to translate my metarational, metalinguistic experience of an idea into the rational, linguistic vernacular. Already something of the idea is lost because it is translated into that which is not the idea. At the most basic level, A is related to B but not identical to it. The "same" happens between B and C. A static text is comprehended in different ways by different people according to their histories of experiencing various words, word combinations, genres, etc. No one comprehension of an "etc" is the same. They are all related in that we could say a similar comprehension is happening, wherever it happens, but everyone interprets their "etc"s in the context of their history of having read "etc"s and the various places in which those "etc"s have appeared. To comprehend an "etc" is to call to mind a whole history of comprehension in which other "etc"s have occurred.
This is simple and indisputable. But it is too simple. For example, A, B, and C do not exist as discrete stages, instances, etc. This is an interpretation of a common occurrence. But it does not take into account (1) what takes place before A and after C, (2) the further infinite divisions between A, B, and C, and (3) the connections, sameness, and basic unity of the instances A, B, and C. I have deliberately posited another three with which to engage to hint to the ultimate arbitrarity of isolating anything. 1 is patent. The origin of a text stretches infinitely before an author and continues infinitely after them. There is no need here for recourse to a deterministic understanding of cause and effect, nor even a linear one. Regardless of the truth of such understandings, here we can at least see that A-B-C, in whatever way, is fundamentally related to that which occurs, exists, etc, outside of A-B-C so that our identification of A-B-C is again arbitrary. 2 follows the same insight. If we can isolate A, B, and C, then we can isolate say Ai, Aii, and Aiii — maybe three discrete thoughts which contribute to an idea. We can also say that every moment, which again is just an interpretation and does not exist, destroys the unity of the thing so that a text is not the same in one moment as it is the next moment because it occurs in an infinitely different world. Nonetheless, this discretion is infinite. This leads easily to 3, which requires a clarification of infinity. 3 means not only that A-B-C take place in a wider, "infinite," context, but that their basic discretion, and the discretion of "parts" within A, B, and C, threatens the truth that they constitute a single whole (within a whole). "Infinity" is thus invoked to underscore the paradoxical (?) nature of unity and distinction with reference to any thing. Everything is related to another thing. There is something common they share, which might be called being because they all be. They are thus finitely related. But because no thing which we identify is the same, all things take place in infinity ((in)finity?). That is, all difference is infinite difference.
Moreover, all difference manifests in identity and all identity manifests in difference. In light of the foregoing, this, to me, appears paradoxical. We might ask what the relationship between the categories of identity and difference is — what identity do they share? However, we would soon find that whatever identities these categories, and the infinite particularities and generalities which they represent, share, these identities are compromised by difference. The uncovered fossil in the dormancies of deep earth is infinitely different from the "same" fossil which it is three seconds later. It occurs in time, a time in which everything is constantly changing so that, despite the fossil's basic sameness its relation to every around it, including that of which it is made up, consists in infinite difference. Conversely, we might ask what the distinction between the categories of identity and difference is. But we would soon find that there is too much the same between the fossil and itself, the fossil and itself a year ago, a century ago, centuries ago, its infinite past in the food it ate and the genes it shared, and its infinite future in the renewal of all being. Identity and difference thus become two opposed categories with which we need to make reference to understand the infinity of being.
At this point, this affirmation and denial must be transferred to human interpretation. Our interpretation of the world is an interpretation. Numbers do not exist. They arise from our wonder, fear, greed, and love for the world, among infinite other things. Other species probably have their own use of some kind of numbers or meta-numbers but that should be no surprise because we share a common origin with them and a common world. Yet, numbers and every interpretation exists. Everything is true in the sense that every interpretation of the world arises within the world, as a product of the world, and in response to the world. The world is such that it responds to itself. Even falsities must be affirmed as truths because they are true insofar as they are related to that which they falsely attest and perform particular functions in the world. To say that human beings are faster than cheetahs is to, while obviously untrue according to the whole, affirm the truth of the concept "human beings," "faster than" and "cheetahs." To say the opposite, while obviously true according to the whole, is to rely on the false concepts of "human beings," "faster than," and "cheetahs." Which human beings, which cheetahs? Which measure of speed and which definition of speed does this rely on? Such a statement inevitably excludes the whole world in which they categories take place and open-endedness of all categories, however stubborn they may be. It is true then, but only in the sense that it functions in a particular context, a function it will never be able to fulfil "perfectly," that is with complete, one-sided identity, because such perfection does not exist. Numbers are true in this sense, then, that they make reference to the world (i.e., themselves), in a particular way and fulfill a particular function in the world (again in relation to themselves), but are utterly false and depraved in the sense that they attempt to swallow all being in one humanistic, hubristic movement which purports to attest to the eternal unalterable "truths" of the world. Yet they are also completely true in that they arise in response to particularities in the world.
That's all for now. I need to get back to study and this post is probably more for my own benefit than for others'. These are thoughts which are still developing and ones I would like to explore further when I have time.
Posted in Reflections | Tagged being, buber, experience, kierkegaard, language, nietzsche, truth | Leave a Comment »
I've from a few people heard something along the lines that the NIV can't be trusted because it takes verses out of the Bible. Just letting you know that that's rubbish :) It's true that the NIV, along with other modern translations such as the ESV and NLT, does not publish some verses. But this is a necessary consequence of good biblical scholarship. You can be sure that while all modern Bible translations will have their respective problems, these problems are typically minor. There are hours of prayer, hard work, and critical discussion which go into modern translations. If you only ever had access to one then you would still be set.
First, on versification, the original manuscripts did not have chapter or verse numbers, let alone punctuation or spacing (the original Hebrew didn't even contain vowels, which makes it even more difficult to read in some places). Jews and Christians went without these for centuries until different versification traditions developed and eventually enjoyed widespread adoption in the 16th (!) Century. I say this because some people might find it off-putting when they read verse 42 and it goes straight to 44. No worry, a verse that was thought to be authentic in the 16th Century is no longer thought to be so, which leads me to the next point.
Second, as new manuscripts are discovered, as new technologies for reading manuscripts are developed, and as biblical scholars hone their highly critical methods, we learn more about the original oral and written sources from which we derive our modern day Bible. We have access to no original manuscripts. Every one we do have is a copy, and often an incomplete copy. We need to consult hundreds (thousands, I think but not sure) of manuscripts to get a still incomplete picture of the biblical text. As these texts were copied, variations were introduced. There are many possible reasons for this. I will name a few. Sometimes scribes made errors like omitting letters, words, or sentences, accidentally altering words by recording the wrong letter, or even inserting words through, for example, seeing a word written earlier in a sentence and accidentally reproducing it again later in a sentence, or just trying to hold too much in their head at a time and then recording a slightly altered sentence, etc.
Sometimes scribes intentionally changed the manuscript. This happens a lot with manuscripts of the first three Gospels. Scribes see Matthew using one word in a parallel passage where Luke uses another word and choose one over the other in order to harmonise. This extends to "correcting" details in the accounts so that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all witness to a particular event or detail in exactly the same way. Another common intentional change is editing the manuscript to accord with a particular theological position. The doctrine of the Trinity proper arose in the 4th Century and there is no direct "proof" for it in the New Testament (though there are good reasons to develop such a doctrine on the basis of New Testament theology). Nonetheless, in the King James Version can be found the "comma johanneum," 1 John 5:7-8. This blatant affirmation of the Trinity appears in no Greek manuscript, and no church father makes reference to it, which makes no sense if the verses are original. It would have been unquestionable proof of the biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity. It is found in some Latin manuscripts, where it was likely added to derive biblical support for the doctrine of the Trinity. Two other examples of intentional changes are the two endings of Mark (16:8b and 16:9-20) and the beloved "pericope adulterae" (John 7:53-8:11). Manuscript variations (with Mark) and obvious language and theological differences between these passages and their respective Gospels indicate that they are not original. What is interesting with John's, however, is that it would fit well in Luke's Gospel, and some have said that it was an independent oral (or otherwise) tradition that was preserved and added into John at a later date. The basic point is that we have access to a lot of manuscripts and as we learn more about their original contexts then some verses will be removed from the Bible (or referred to in footnotes), and the translation of other verses or passages will change in subtle or major ways. This is to be celebrated.
Finally, a short theological reflection. I think the fearmongering around this (even some conspiracy speak of people "altering the Bible" – no, scholars will always have different opinions and we are better off for it) stems from an unhealthy understanding of the Bible's role in the church. Jesus told his disciples, "Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20). Nonetheless, "now we see in a mirror, dimly" (1 Cor 13:12). Faith is not based on some flawless set of manuscripts but on the Christ to whom these point. The Bible is not an end in itself nor can it be. Throughout history it has been used and still is used not to point to Christ but to legitimate whatever ungodly thing the wielder has in mind, intentional or not. Strive to ask what it reveals about the person of Christ and how the person of Christ leads his church to read Scripture, ever fragmented and ever being made new.
Posted in Reflections | Tagged bible, bible translation, esv, niv, nlt | Leave a Comment »
I am full poetry
I am excess busting combustation
tainted love righteous lust and still going
seven of everything true and real
every ironic reclaimed feigned Americanism
every neostic neologism coinage
combs of honey-eyed
eagle eyes memories and memoires
notepadded notorities refluxing
fluctuating presently amamnesis in continuity
of the beautiful…
I am again full poetry
comforts miserable memorable melancholia
sucking inhaled swallowed sorrows at no
extra cost (to health body mind soul
spirit)! but pure joyful joyed elastic
sable ecstasy unstable regarding
consistency stable regarding
handling and the purity opposites reconciled
in history in some faux (logic!) line or
"reconciled" in pure maintenance of their own
I am full poetry
I never myself acted though am I
acted upon and thereby disembodied
disemsouled in the disinterested open
"freedom" of the plummeting it
disrupts ruptures the oesophageal Riccarton
as of yet not disembowelled Sumner
the Burwood the Halswell Quarry
dictating adulthood a dull thood
I am finally again will ever be full poetry
posing posies bless
you hallowed self and other other and self
shelved in the open All
surprised by some beautiful true Beyond
layer on layer on layer on blessed layer
in some eternal vineyard some anything of everything
propelled and completely present past
and completely to come
upon the restoration of all things!
upon the source – the literal Lamb!
onwards! and withwards – everything "good"!
Posted in Poetry | Tagged eschatology, existentialism, poetry | Leave a Comment »
there was no analogy no
precedent to prepare
just the thereness of her
presidence transcendent
purple pleasantness lightening and
ember amber and fright me quieten me she evokes
beneath my underscalp behind my backchest
scalpel sacred chapel laketown 3am cometskies within me
above me come at me dove (i.e., kōtuku) love
above me all manner of numerical
contradiction, "souls" and "minds," contraband
fine sands the absolutely new outside
the dialectic inside the inconsequential the
"individual" divided heart divided undividables
we take exception to the only exception and she (!)
evokes a holy terror clearer cleaner terra firma! everything
which is not me is so intense
extensive even intending on extending inverting
my own all part piece of the whole and naming it
subtlety peace in "in" the new not the ever new
yet the "new" as disruption the path less
often taken always blatantly overgrown unkempt
confesses its own boredom etc conformity
and the like thus the new which is true truly new (?)
the authentic the real the conveniently finite
this is it
if only such sudden trembling could accompany
every sweet idolatry I do literally then
the irreducibly future though it encompasses already
every ready all it could come to terms
with her and her cosmological implications
but it is really nothing more
than glorified glowing resplendent nothingness in
both senses of the word that is according
to our origin and my own subtlety I become
finite inside fine night fire-honey sulphur-blizzard
rain (reign?) singe cinch my countless
spiritual intestines you already do are have done
thus the necessity of distance lol
star queen ocean mantis oak being
if anything were to eventuate we would both curdle
at each other's weakness! (i.e., smallness)
Posted in Poetry | Tagged infinity, love, relationship, transcendence | 2 Comments »


text:
"I had a really nice Italian red last week" a friend said to me recently; "it was called Monty-something". He looked expectantly as if he was hoping that I would immediately fill the gap. A dozen 'Monte's' sprang to mind; fortunately, my 3rd guess brought a smile of recognition: 'yes, that was it – Montepulciano'. But, there's not one Montepulciano but two. Because, like Chardonnay, Montepulciano is both the name of a grape variety and of a wine producing village. That wouldn't be a problem if, like Chardonnay (which is grown in the village of the same name in southern Burgundy), the village of Montepulciano (in Tuscany) actually grew the grape Montepulciano. It doesn't! It grows Sangiovese, the Chianti grape. To find the grape Montepulciano, you need to look further east where Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the most common example. Confused? My friend was!
I tried to describe the differences: Montepulciano, the grape, tends to be quite soft and fruity, often with flavours of plums or cherries and usually fairly easy drinking. I frequently describe it as the perfect Spaghetti Bolognese wine. On the other hand, Montepulciano, the village, produces 2 wines: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and its junior brother, Rosso di Montepulciano. Vino Nobile ('the noble wine') is fashionable and so not cheap (think £25 plus). It also tends to need a good few years before it is ready to drink but the cheaper Rosso is often a good buy, particularly from a reputable producer.
I opened a bottle from Poliziano recently (Great Western Wines, £14.95).
It had lovely flavours of dried fruits and cooked plums, black olives, chocolate and a certain smokiness. At a little over 2 years old, it still had quite noticeable tannins but decanted and accompanying a meal, these softened nicely, although a couple of years extra ageing would be an advantage.
But, back to the problem: is there a way to tell if a name is a grape or a place – or neither? A tip that works for many Italian wines: look if there is a 'd' or 'di' or 'della' on the label. It means 'from'. So, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is the noble wine from the named village whereas Montepulciano d'Abruzzo denotes the grape from the region of Abruzzo. Simple!
And, by the way, my friend still doesn't know which Montepulciano he enjoyed!


text:
There was once a hardworking man who worked 9-5 day in, day out, for 45 years. He rarely took vacation because he wanted to 'shine' as an employee. He stayed at the same job his entire life because it was 'safe'. He put 10% of his paycheck into retirement savings because it was the 'smart' thing to do. He budgeted for a car payment, a house, and lived within his means. At 65 he retired with a comfortable retirement income.
He was living the American Dream. Yet, he didn't enjoy his working years and was bored when he retired. For 45 years, all he knew was his job. He also wondered what he had missed in those 45 years. And suddenly, once he retired, the one thing he had known for most of his life was gone.
If you've spent any time reading about personal finance, you'd think it was a one-size-fits-all formula. Except it's not. There's a reason for the 'personal' in personal finance. You need to have your own strategy for personal finance centered around your needs and goals. For your financial strategy to serve you well, it needs to be able to factor in these questions.
1. What Do You Want Now?
Assess what you currently want. What you typically spend money on might give you a sense of what you want, but don't stop here. Sometimes we spend money on things we don't really want, and sometimes we can't or don't spend money on things we do want.
List the things that are important to you. Be specific. What kind of place do you live in? Where do you want to live? What kind of car do you want to drive. Are there daily or weekly activities that you value? What kind of wardrobe do you want to maintain? What kind of meals will you make for yourself? Is going out to eat important to you? Answering these kind of questions will help you develop the spending portion of your budget.
What you want now is not limited to the things you buy, however. You also need to figure out what kind of career you want. For many, a steady 9-5 works. Others have been known to make a less traditional career path work. Of course, a less traditional career may mean a less traditional income.
2. What Do You Want Later?
A financial strategy also needs to factor in your future goals. What are you working towards? These can be recurring goals such as vacations or new vehicles, or one time goals such as a home purchase. Perhaps you have dreams of starting your own business or you really want to take a year off work to do something you're passionate about. For these goals to become reality, you need to start planning now. Again, you need to make room in your budget for the goals you need to save for.
3. What Are Your Family Plans?
Family is one of the biggest influences on your finances. However, most people spend little time thinking about until it hits. If you are single and plan on staying single for life, you can skip this step. Otherwise, anticipate the changes that marriage and children will (or have already) make on your finances.
A family with children means increased costs. You'll spend money on everything from food to clothes to diapers. You may need to move to a larger home. You'll also need to carve out room in your budget for childcare or sacrifice income for a stay-at-home parent.
So how do you prepare for family life, or adjust if it is already upon you? A good start is to learn to live frugally. Even if you're single with a great income, get in the habit of saving money now. Build up a good emergency fund and get a running start on a retirement fund while you have extra room in your budget. More to the point, by learning to live frugally now, you'll have less of an adjustment when the increased costs of a growing family actually hit your budget. And if you already have a family, you've already experience the effect on your budget.
Starting a family also means that you need to think about life insurance. You now have dependents that you should think about. If you decide life insurance is something you need, NerdWallet has a good guide on deciding how much coverage to buy.
4. When Do You Want to Retire?
In the one-size-fits-all financial plan, 65 is usually thrown out as the ideal retirement age. At 65 you're eligible for Medicare. Starting at around 60, you can start withdrawing money from your retirement accounts. And somewhere in your 60s, you can start drawing from Social Security. So 65 isn't a completely arbitrary number. But there's no reason you have to settle with 65 (or 60 or 70). If you're in a career you love and want to keep working, keep working past 65 til you don't love it any more. On the other hand, you may want to retire young so that you can pursue other things.
5. What Does Retirement Even Mean to You?
Often we talk about retirement and assume everyone is on the same page. But retirement can mean so many different things. Your retirement might mean living a quiet life at home. Or it might mean travelling the world. These two lifestyles would require vastly different retirement incomes. And retirement may not mean completely quitting work. It may just mean working part time at a lower paying job that you really enjoy. Or it may involve you creating your own income.
6. What Is Your Tolerance For Risk?
All financial planning involves a certain amount of future prediction. And since no one can accurately predict the future, financial planning involves a certain amount of risk. However, while you'll have to get used to a certain amount of risk, you can take much of the risk away with a combination of insurance products, low risk investments and conservative planning. Of course, this comes with increased costs and lower rewards. That is the trade-off.
Putting it All Together
Answering these questions helps you put together a financial plan for you. Of course, you may find that all your wants to quite fit together. For example, wanting to work 20 hours a week, have a big house, and retire at 30 likely won't all work out (unless those 20 hours really pay well). And you may find that you need to take on more risk than you wanted to meet your retirement goals. But at least the answers to these questions give you a better starting point than the stock assumptions that many financial advisers make about you. From here you can prioritize your wants and needs and figure out what's really important to you.
A journalist spends 15 minutes trying to figure out the good life:
  Some links pay our bills. Our thoughts and opinions remain 100% objective. Find out more.
- While I do strive to only write accurate information and dispense valuable advice, I am not a licensed financial adviser. All information is based solely on my personal experience and personal research and should be treated as such. Find out more.


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On the tarmac of St. Louis' historic Lambert Field, the future of aircraft carrier aviation may be taking shape. Phantom Works, Boeing's shadowy advanced prototyping group, has painted part of the tarmac to resemble the flight deck of a carrier. Over the past few months, the company been using this space at all hours of the day and night to test its latest military UAV: a prototype for the U.S. Navy's MQ-25 "Stingray" program. A video viewed by Aviation Week ...
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text: Eric Garner's resume spans across both television production and education. He has worked in various positions across the newsroom at WPTV, WTVJ and with Florida's News Channel (a statewide cable news station). Garner has also spent many years bringing the real world into the high school classroom in both magnet and career technical programs in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. His goal has always been to bring the real world into the classroom by using his experiences and enthusiasm for the art of broadcasting. In his spare time, he is still involved in his craft as a freelancer creating his own independent productions, videotaping events and editing. He has recently begun background acting as a way to connect to the film industry in the area. His experiences give him a unique perspective and bring depth to every curriculum he teaches.


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A quirky find while taking a walk after a storm.
I've worn culottes, but don't think of them as "briefs", which are defined as:
++ Short, tight-fitting underpants; men's or women's underpants without legs.
So, I looked up "culottes":
++ A woman's full trousers cut to resemble a skirt. Often used in the plural. [French, breeches, diminutive of cul, rump or backside, from Latin cūlus.]
And "sans-culottes" also came up:
++ Literally, 'without breeches'. A term loosely applied to the lower classes in France during the French Revolution. The name was derived from the fact that these people wore long trousers instead of the knee breeches worn by the upper classes.
When I looked up ropa interior, (Spanish translation: underclothes), links for Victoria's Secret and other similar stores popped up. Olé!
But what's really impressive is that this underwear features "the NEW AZS (Advanced Zoning System) for maximum targeted absorption."
I guess it was only a matter of time before underwear, too, went hi-tech… :-)
++++ + + ++ +++ + +++++ + + ++++ + + ++++ + +++ + ++
Politicians, like underwear, should be changed often, and for the same reasons.
-P.J. O'Rourke
I do not believe in an afterlife, although I am bringing a change of underwear.
-Woody Allen


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Look, I know it's nearly the end of January. But, hands up if you've just spent the last few weeks moving house. I hope that you'll give me a break in this being possibly the latest 'best of 2018' list out there, but I didn't want to ignore an entire year's worth of music. While […]
2018: Top ten albums
- January 28, 2019
- 2018: Top ten albums
- Posted by James Poole at 9:18 am
- No Responses
- James Poole, recommendations
- Tagged with: A Certain Ratio, Anna Calvi, Gaz Coombes, GoGo Penguin, Kamasi Washington, Little Simz, Natalie Prass, Shadowparty, Shame, Sink Ya Teeth, The Orielles, Toshio Matsuura Group, Uniting of Opposites


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Hunting & Outdoors
Knife Tac Extreme
$2.50 each by jay in Yucca Valley, Oct 28
This is a brand new in the box Tac Extreme knife by Frost Cutlery. Has a locking blade and an overall length of 6 1/2''. Blade is 3'' long. Call or text J for more details. Also i take all major credit cards as well as paypal and of course cash.
Posted in: Hunting & Outdoors. 4 people are following this item.
Find out how close you are to this item!


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I have over 40 years experience in the Graphic Arts business. I do Custom Screen Printing on T-Shirts, Sweat Shirts and other wearable garments. I can also print your favorite picture or logo on Coffee Mugs. I design, cut and install Vinyl Lettering and Graphics on Signs, Banners and Vehicles. I had my own Fergie and Floyd Comic Strip as well as weekly Editorial Cartoons in the local newspaper for over 20 years. Since 1996 I have been painting large scale Murals on both interior and exterior walls.
I have a special relationship with the Military Community aboard our local Marine Corps Base. I do custom T-Shirts with Unit Logos and Insignia. I have also done 3 dimensional Graphics, Lettering and Signage for various buildings and offices aboard the Base.
My work shop is located in 29 Palms, California. Stop in and see what I can do for You. Or contact me through this website or by e-mail.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tim O'Connor


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Good. No cancer this time. Simply SAD. SAD as in SADness... Almost.
You see, it is Christmas time... I hate Christmas.
I did not always hate Christmas. I even have very good and cherished memories of Past Christmases.
Some dating back to the time when I was living in Canada and the States and we'd go carolling to resthomes and we'd bring food to families who were badly off. There was such a very warm Christmassy feeling of sharing.
There also were Christmases with a young child, then Christmases with a much older child and friends whose life was lonely and forlorn. Great Christmases filled with love.
I just read a blog about Christmas written by someone I love. It was filled with melancholy. Just like a mirror to my feelings. Except that the writer did not go as far as saying that she hates Christmas because she does not. And good for her!
I hate Christmas.
You see, I've been travelling back and forth from Brussels to Paris. Big cities are harsh places to be at Christmas time. You'd think that lights and Christmas trees sagging beneath golden decorations would fill anyone with joy and happiness.
They don't. At least not me.
Every time those lights are on, I start feeling worse.
The lights are beautiful but where is the feeling of 'Christmas' in cities like Paris and Brussels? The lights are sparkling and they conceal what is so evident during daytime. The homeless shivering below the subway underpass, the jobless who is getting more and more desperate, the lonely old woman on the third floor of the building, the neglected children next door.
At Christmas, we want lights and rich food and merriment and GIFTS.
There is this festive atmosphere everywhere. Festive? Shopping-friendly atmosphere, let's say. The stores are crowded. People buying and buying. Ok, buying helps the economy. It may even create jobs (temp).
But isn't it wrong though when people ask: 'What do you want for Christmas?'
'What do I want for Christmas?' Well, a lot of things, but not necessarily for Christmas. A lot of things, but not necessarily material. And maybe not those many things after all.
A friend of mine with whom I share cancer (and now recovery on its way) wrote a very interesting thing the other day. People, she said, have so many/too many wishes whereas sick people have only one: Life.
She is so right.
Do I really hate Christmas? All right, maybe not this much after all.
Life is life and seasons are seasons. So rejoice, people.
It's Christmas. Our nights are already shorter and the days are getting longer. We are on our way to Spring! That's it!
Would I love Christmas if I was living in the Southern Hemisphere?
Merry Christmas to all of you!
*Good Night, and Good Luck*


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There are many places in Ecuador that you may want to include in your itinerary when you visit. I started with descriptions of the largest cities first. While I wouldn't want to live in these metropolises, they are fun to visit and offer plenty of excitement and diversions.
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and will most likely be your first stop if you arrive by plane. It's a long and narrow city, precariously clinging to the steep cliffs and utilizing every suitable piece of land available for expansion. One of the great places to visit in Quito is Calle La Ronda. This is a street in historical Quito that has been completely restored.
Guayaquil is Quito's rival to the south, a hot, languid city that has been refurbished and re-designed to make it a destination well worth visiting.
Cuenca is the colonial jewel of Ecuador, a city of art and artisans, music, culture and fine architecture.
Cotacachi is north of Quito, a small town known for its leather craftsmanship and the home of Ecuador's participatory democracy. It's the music capital of the country and one of those places in Ecuador that expats find most appealing.
Vilcabamba is a tiny town known the world over as the Valley of Longevity. It's 4 hours from Cuenca and an hour from Loja. Locals reportedly live past the century mark. The sleepy town has become a mecca for forward-thinking expats.
Ibarra, the White City, is three hours north of Quito and 45 minutes from Cotacachi, an attractive Ecuador destination for those who want to stay off the beaten path and enjoy lots of outdoor activities.
Otavalo, the huge indigenous market town, bustles with commercial life and creativity all week long. Saturday is the big market day, when you can find indigenous crafts, textiles, art, paintings and souvenirs and plenty of good street food. Go early for best selection or later for better bargaining power.
Banos is a small town up in the mountains, a great place in Ecuador for enjoying a soak in the hot springs or thrilling to the antics of Tungurahua, an active volcano.
Atuntaqui is between Ibarra and Cotacachi on the Pan American highway. Although there is nothing particularly remarkable about this town for its textiles and clothing industry, the New Year's Parade is a startling expose (literally) as men dress up in skimpy women's costumes and strut their stuff. Not many places in Ecuador offer you such a raunchy good time.
Caranqui - a few kilometers south of Ibarra is a small village with plenty of historical interest. It is the birthplace of Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, and the site of several Inca ruins and a museum/temple of the sun to Atahualpa.
San Antonio de Ibarra - a small town whose major artisan streets run parallel and uphill to a central square. You'd swear every shop in town belongs to a woodcarver. The woodworkers carve everything from inexpensive wood trinkets to exquisite sculptures and religious art.
Chachimbiro is the name of a hot springs area about 30 minutes from Ibarra. The route takes you through several picturesque villages, past an old hacienda and ends at several spas where you can soak in the healing waters. About an hour from Cotacachi, it's a favorite hangout for Gary and me.
Laguna Yahuarcocha is a few kilometers from Ibarra. There is a race track around the lake, as well as restaurants and hostels. It's a pleasant place to spend the day.
Peguche is a small village with artisans who specialize in hand-woven textiles and musical instruments. Stay at the charming adobe hostel Casa Sol and visit the nearby waterfall, where you can picnic, hike and laze away the day in a pastoral, unspoiled natural setting.
Ecuador beaches in the north of the country include Atacames, Tonsupa and Same, up near the Colombian border. These destinations have fine beaches and are tranquil during the week but packed full of partying Ecuadorians on weekends and holidays.
Ecuador beaches down south are Puerto Lopez, one of the best places in Ecuador from which to reach Isla de Plata, an island off the coast which is called the Poor Man's Galapagos. Also, the Ruta del Sol heading north to Ayampe, Montañita and Olon, easily reachable from either Guayaquil or Manta.
Montañita is a popular surfing beach and Olon is one of the top places in Ecuador where the wealthy of Guayaquil congregate for fun in the sun and sand. There you'll find their large beach and vacation homes.
Central beaches are Perdanales, south to Manta, one of the favorite beach destinations in Ecuador. This area includes the beaches at Canoa, Bahia de Caraquez and San Clemente.
The Galapagos Islands are in a category by themselves. These rare and unique islands are home to some of the world's most unusual animal and bird species.
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Hidden Places in Ecuador
Return to Ecuador Revealed from Places in Ecuador


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Hotels in Athens
These are our recommendations for lodging in Athens. All are located conveniently for easy travel to the Botanical Gardens, and are fairly reasonable in price.
Hotels in Monroe
Sarah's parents, John and Sonja, live about a half hour drive away from Athens in Monroe. For guests who wish to stay near them, we recommend these hotels.
* Indicate that you are part of the Grabowski/Lodick wedding to recieve preferential rates.


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Submitted by Nicky on 01-11-2016 12:10:33
The financial collapse of 2008 brought to a temporary stop a building programme in Edinburgh that was on a par with that of the 1880's when districts such as Marchmont, Bruntsfield and others were created.
The big difference between then and now is that the Victorians were building on green-field sites. With these now in short supply the construction industry has been obliged to adopt a policy of demolish and replace; it was noticeable during the downturn in the economy that demolition contractors remained active thereby producing brown-field sites that had to remain undeveloped until the return of confidence to the industry.
That confidence, no doubt fired by the availability of low-interest loans, is now apparent: witness the major projects under way at Haymarket and New Street, and about to start at the St James Centre. Major projects are in the pipeline for the east and west sides of the city and any vacant land between the city and the City Bypass has no doubt already had its potential assessed.
In 1997 the demolition of Hunter's Garage on Braid Road, close to where I live, made me aware of the many changes taking place in Edinburgh; the fact that the garage had been of sufficient historical interest to warrant a mention in one of local historian Charles Smith's books encouraged me to think that its removal should be recorded. Its replacement by the apartment building Braid Manor also made me consider two aspects of our built environment: firstly, there is the frequent question that we all have at one time or another when seeing a new building or a vacant lot, 'what was there before?' Just yesterday on Newbattle Terrace, a street I have walked along several times but not recently, I saw a cleared site and I could not remember what had been there; secondly, on TV programmes about building restoration, architects frequently make the point that 'a built environment is a reflection of the society that created it.' The full meaning of this statement only became clear to me when I set out to record the physical changes taking place.
For several years I have made use of the information available at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/planning and building portal to monitor the planning applications submitted for approval with the intention of identifying projects of interest. Experience has taught me that once approval has been given for the demolition of a building it can take place very quickly due to the efficiency of modern hydraulic machines. Photographs that I take, ideally before and after shots, are stored on computer according to postal district and street.
Over time I began to understand how our built environment does reflect our society, its needs and changing tastes. For example :
I have tried to record these changes over the years. After taking part in an SUP Urban Detectives training workshop, I am now aiming to add my photographs via MySUP for others to share in more widely.
Alex McLachlan
October 2016


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Do you like to study the human mind and human behavior? Then consider an online education in Psychology. A Ph.D., in psychology can open the doors to many wonderful and rewarding career opportunities for you.
We know how tough it is to earn a Ph.D., on campus especially for busy professionals however distance learning makes it easy to attend classes from the convenience and comfort of your home while you pursue your educational goals.
What does a psychologist do?
Psychologists formulate hypotheses and collect information to test their validity. They research, gather information through controlled laboratory experiments or by administering personality, intelligence test, performance and aptitude, observe among others.
What can I do with a PhD in Psychology?
A PhD in Psychology can be applied to a wide range of endeavors, including human services, education, law, health, research, teaching and sports. Most Psychologists specialize in different areas such as:
Clinical Psychologist: Clinical psychologists normally work as a group practice, independently, in counseling, clinics or hospitals. They help medical and surgical patients in dealing with injuries and illnesses as well as mentally and emotionally distress patients adjust to life.
Counseling Psychologists: Counseling psychologists uses interviewing and testing techniques to help clients use various techniques on how to deal with problems faced in different stages of life.
Social Psychologists: Social psychologists study group behavior, attitudes and perception. They examine how people interact with each other and with social setting.
School Psychologist: School psychologist typically work with students in early childhood through secondary school. They work with parents, teachers and school personnel to develop an environment that is safe, healthy and supportive for all students.
Developmental Psychologists: Developmental psychologists specialize in the study of cognitive, physiological and social developmental that takes place throughout life as well as the effects of developmental disabilities.
Experimental or Research Psychologists: Experimental or research psychologist study the behavior in humans and animals. They typically work in universities and private research centers and in nonprofit and governmental organizations.
What is the employment outlook for someone with a PhD, in Psychology?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists held about 166,000 jobs in 2006. Faster-than-average employment growth is expected for psychologists. Job prospects should be the best for people who have a doctoral degree from a leading university in an applied specialty, such as counseling or health, and those with a specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology. Master's degree holders in fields other than industrial-organizational psychology will face keen competition. Opportunities will be limited for bachelor's degree holders.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that job prospects should be the best for people who have a doctoral degree from a leading university in an applied specialty, such as counseling or health, and those with a specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology. Psychologists with extensive training in quantitative research methods and computer science may have a competitive edge over applicants without such background.
What should I expect to earn with an Online PhD Degree in Psychology?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of wage and salary clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in May 2006 were $59,440. The middle 50 percent earned between $45,300 and $77,750. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $102,730.
With that in mind, I'd say that a PhD in Psychology is an excellent career choice – What do you think?


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Is Enterprise Gamification Addictive?
Let's assume you've decided to use gamification – the use of game mechanics to encourage behaviors – such as checking in (foursquare/swarm), selling (CRM scenarios), completing coursework (eLearning). Let's assume it is in an enterprise gamification context. Maybe you're gamifying learning, or call center activities, or sales.
Now let me ask you question: is your gamification project going to be addictive? or how about this question: should it be addictive? are you hemming and hawing and refraining from an outright answer? I was when I was first asked this.


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Despite investor enthusiasm for Amazon's purchase of the online pharmacy PillPack, the giant online retailer needs to do more deals to catch CVS Health, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walmart if it's to compete in the U.S. prescription business.
Most Americans get healthcare coverage through health insurance companies that control where the prescription is picked up or how it's delivered. PillPack is in several health insurance and Medicare Part D drug plan networks, which is important as CVS, Walgreens and Walmart are forming closer ties with health insurers to lock up their customers in insurer networks.
But the business of managing prescription benefits on a national scale increasingly demands relationships with employers and providers of medical care, particularly as the U.S. healthcare system transitions toward value-based models and population health. Increasingly, CVS and Walgreens are trying to demonstrate their role in improving health outcomes for patients while at the same time cutting costs for employer and government clients.
"Pharmacy work is much more complex than just delivering certain pills or certain packages," Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina said last week during the company's fiscal third quarter earnings call.
For example, CVS and Walgreens have launched "performance-based" networks designed to improve clinical outcomes for clients by holding participating pharmacies to performance measures designed in part to improve medication adherence.
"Steadily increasing drug costs, and the current transition in health care from volume to value, require us to continually develop and implement innovative solutions to help our clients manage pharmacy costs while improving health outcomes," CVS Health chief operating officer Jon Roberts said earlier this year in announcing such a performance-based network.
Amazon may need to acquire a health plan or PBM to take a bigger step into the business of paying and distribution prescription drugs even analysts who are excited about the PillPack acquisition say.
"Investors expect a further push by Amazon into the distribution and payment of prescription drugs," William Blair's Ryan Domyancic said. "While one cannot rule such a move out, we suspect it is lower on Amazon's list of priorities."
PillPack's annual sales last year were around $100 million. By comparison, Walgreens fiscal third quarter sales alone rose 14% to $34.3 billion.
Health insurers, PBMs and pharmacies are also under intense pressure to leverage their buying clout to squeeze drug makers into giving them a lower price for prescription drugs. Getting into the business of negotiating and buying from drug makers could require Amazon to buy a PBM or health plan, analysts say.
"This is also a market that is already under margin pressure and is highly competitive," William Blair's Domyancic said. "While a move into PBM would have appeal in terms of consumer branding and bundling with the likes of Prime, the regulatory burden is even higher than it is for pharmacy. Thus, any move in this direction would likely require more M&A activity."


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I meet many families traveling with small children on planes, trains and buses. For many of them, it is a nightmare to travel with their small children. Often, the child is jumping or climbing over the railing or screaming. The parents are embarrassed that their child is not sitting still, so they tell him to … Continue reading
Tag Archives: children
How to Make Play Dough
I have used play dough a lot with my children. When we were traveling, while I needed them to be occupied during a meeting, and at home, any time I really needed a good distraction. The beautiful thing about the play dough is that the children like the fact that they can get their fingers … Continue reading
Focused Parenting: 12-18 Years
by Karol Svoboda As we go down this road of focused parenting together, we have had different emphasis on different stages. The first stage (birth to five years) has a primary focus of building discipline and self-control on a foundation of love, security, and trust. The second stage (six to twelve years) is focused on … Continue reading
Focused Parenting: Six to Twelve Years
by Karol Svoboda This is the time to fine tune the values we want to develop in our child. This is the most impressionable age to teach, model and impart values into our child. In their first six years of life many of those values came through different forms of discipline and external controls. The … Continue reading
Focused Parenting: Birth to Five Years
by Karol Svoboda There is a story in the Bible of the wise and foolish builders. When the rains came and the winds blew and began to beat against the house, it was the house built upon a strong foundation that stood. The house built upon the sand fell with a big crash. It is … Continue reading
Focused Parenting: Moulding a Child
by Karol Svoboda A baby enters our lives with our hearts full of expectation, hopes, dreams, fears, uncertainties and many unknowns. We are given a wonderful gift yet a great responsibility when a baby comes. A baby comes into a home of imperfect people with sometimes little or no training in how best to raise … Continue reading
Nuggets of Truth
From the book: Nurturing the Leader Within Your Child (By Tim Elmore) "There was a frail old man who went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight blurred, and his step faltered. When the family ate together, the old man's shaky hands and failing eyesight made … Continue reading