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Siblings versus Friends
Are our siblings necessarily our friends?
A sibling is our biological brother or sister. We also regard our adopted brothers and sisters as our adopted siblings.
According to the Golden Rule – "Love your fellowman as you love yourself" – our siblings are actually first in line to be loved as we love ourselves. Yet, so many siblings are each other's enemies instead of friends.
But are 'sibling' and 'friend' synonyms? Let's look at the definition of the word 'friend' –
- A person you know well and regard with affection and trust.
- An associate who provides cooperation or assistance.
- A person with whom you are acquainted.
So, obviously, our siblings ARE supposed to be our friends.
Though in rare situations they are our enemy – the most unfavourable, hostile person in our life, stealing our happiness, joy and peace.
Let's contemplate some confessions -
I have asked some of my relatives and friends to confess how they feel about their siblings -
John: I am the eldest of six brothers. The last three are relative strangers, as I have entered adulthood while they were still in toddlerhood. All of us have unique personalities, as if we don't share the same genes and background. While our parents were still alive we used to see each other at least once a year, either on Christmas Day or on the birthday of one of our parents - although one of us would always be absent due to work obligations. At a time two of my brothers were employees in my company, and so we have learned the hard way that the intention of nepotism may be rooted in love and the willingness to support, but the consequences could be, actually are the most of the time, extremely unfortunate. However, we have resolved our problems and until today we maintain the tradition of calling each other on our birthdays. Because we are scattered all over the country, personal visits are unusual. Thanks to Facebook five of us are connected, supporting each other with comments and messages. If 'friendship' is defined as 'being there for each other', we are indeed friends.
Angelique: I have one sibling. We haven't spoken in three years, while we were once extremely close. As kids we grew up in tough circumstances. We only had each other. Although both of us got good jobs, and we are healthy, we have entered adulthood as the products of our unfortunate past. Both of us have developed our own way to cope with reality. I have taken responsibility; I had forgiven those who had done me wrong, and ever since then I don't allow my past or anything/anyone in the present to manipulate me into a state of despair. My sister on the other hand is still a victim, forever trapped in the mud called 'tough circumstances'. I don't want to criticize her – she has all the right in the world to maintain her good AND bad relationships and to reject advice and to refuse counselling, and even to be a formidable fighter among her friends and a coward at home, suffering OCD because she can't manage to get rid of the two-legged dirt in her life. How can we be friends? How can I allow her to torment me with her sad stories? How can I torture myself by knowing all about her suffering and miserable life? I love her, but I also love myself. Speaking to her is poisoning myself. But if she calls me today with a request to help her out of her tough circumstances, I will be with her in a second.
Rachel: I have three remaining siblings. (My favorite two passed away years ago.) I barely speak to my siblings. Way to much drama than I need in my life right now. My friends are my family and my best friends are my siblings.
Inge: I am friends with both my siblings. Me and my sister understand each other so well, we could be twins, and my brother and I share a lot of interests. My bonds with both my siblings are extraordinary special.
Lorraine: My two older sisters have always been my mentors and friends. I am so blessed!
Vonnie: No matter what, I know my sisters and brother will always be there for me.
Martie Kroon: I love my little sister with all of my heart. She is my friend.
Kim Thompson: Me and my brother are a year apart, but when we married, had children, and the military took us to different parts of the world, I think we grew apart. However since we now live near each other, we have grown closer again, as in our older years. There is nothing we will not do for one another. Sometimes we made our spouses bored to tears with our stories from the past. We are friends.
Rika: Oooooooooh, I have the most awesome relationships with all four my siblings, and this includes Martie Coetser, my oldest sister who called me a 'sharp-tongued brat' while I was only a cute little girl. And don't let met tell you about the few discrepancies of opinion we had in adulthood. Fortunately our love for each other keeps us from staying angry at each other for longer than a day. I love my siblings to pieces. I wish I could spend more time with them. When we are together we are always happy, eager to get ourselves updated with all news, teasing each other, feeling sad when we have to say goodbye. I can go on and on, praising my siblings and thank God for the wonderful opportunity to have them in my life.
Bahareh Mahooti: Me and my sister,,, yeah. we are best friends. she's the one. I can't find a perfect answer without going through details, but, believe me, I will sacrifice my life for her to save her from any difficulty and sorrow.
Claude Heinen: I have THE BEST sister in the world. She is my pillar of strength, always there when I need her. We get along like a house on fire and love to make fun of each other. She has a lot of 'blonde moments', and I never let any one one of them go unseen.
Jannie: Me and my sister outgrown each other many years ago. She went her way and I went mine. We are not mad at each other; we are actually friends on Facebook. I regard my ex-wife and ex-brother-and-sisters and their children as my 'siblings' and also as my friends. Martie Coetser is my ex-wife's cousin and whether she knows it or not, I also regard her as a sibling and a friend. I am truly happy to be part of this family.
Laura Rogers:My sister and I are twins. We have shared a lot of pain and joys together in our lives. We are best friends because we are there for each other no matter what. Love is in action. We both feel so blessed.
Charl: I have two brothers older than me. We've always got along well, until our mum died five years ago, ten years after our father. Then the oldest one, who handled our mom's estate, proved to us that he cares only for himself and doesn't regard the rest of us as his siblings with equal rights. My efforts to communicate with him were unsuccessful. In fact, our relationship went from bad to worse. I can handle the loss of material stuff, but being disregarded and defrauded by my own brother was like a knife in my back. I will never be able to trust him again. Maybe I will be able to forgive him when he contact me and admit that he was unjust, greedy, and selfish.
My own confession: I am the eldest of five. (Three sisters and two brothers.) We most certainly love each other dearly and will support each other immediately to the best of our ability whenever fortune or misfortune strikes. Although we have spontaneously accepted each other while we were still children, we are distinctly dissimilar - one of the main causes of endless disagreements. But our parents never allowed unpleasant disputes; we were encouraged to love each other as we love ourselves and to resolve problems without any delay. We are not in agreement about all issues in life, including religious issues, politics and even about the way children should be raised, but we allow each other our right of individuality, always ready to advice, support, encourage and praise one another. Criticizing is a habit we don't practice, although we don't hesitate to stress our personal convictions, as in "I am doing it like this and you have all the right in the world to do it your way."
My personal perspective on siblings versus friends -
Friendships are like movable assets – it comes, and it may go, it grows, or it may die.
Relationships with siblings are like inherited fixed assets only to be lost during disasters such as acts of God and bankruptcy. (In a spiritual sense bad relationships between siblings would be the result of true psychological issues and spiritual-, moral-, and/or intellectual bankruptcy.)
Sometimes, while we are cruising on the sea of life, having experiences our siblings may not even be able to comprehend, we feel alienated, forgotten by them, sometimes even rejected by them. Then we have to remind ourselves that our siblings are fixed. They are our spiritual home, always there for us. Friends, on the other hand, are cruising with us. They are free to go "home" from time to time and even free to take another cruise in the opposite direction without us, never to be with us ever again.
Relevant Quotes -
"Certainly, people can get along without siblings. Single children do, and there are people who have irreparably estranged relationships with their siblings who live full and satisfying lives, but to have siblings and not make the most of that resource is squandering one of the greatest interpersonal resources you'll ever have." - Jeffrey Kluger
"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." - Desmond Tutu
Interesting phenomenon:
Adults reuniting with lost parents and siblings risk genetic sexual attraction.
Researchers believe that when family members grow up in close proximity, they develop during the first five years of their lives a reverse sexual imprinting called the Westermarck-Effect in order to become desensitized to later sexual attraction. This phenomenon was first hypothesized by Edvard Westermarck, a Finnish anthropologist, in his book The History of Human Marriage (1891).
When proximity during this critical period (the first five years of our lives) does not occur — for example, where a brother and sister are brought up separately, never meeting one another — they may find one another highly sexually attractive when they meet as adults.
Read more about the Westermarck-Effect here.
National Siblings Day
"Siblings Day (sometimes called National Siblings Day) is a holiday recognized annually in some parts of the United States on April 10, honoring the relationships of siblings. Unlike Mother's Day and Father's Day, it is not federally recognized, though the Siblings Day Foundation is working to change this. Since 1998, the governors of 39 states have officially issued proclamations to recognize Siblings Day in their state." - Wikipedia
In South Africa a day to honour the relationships of siblings does not exist. I would like to justify this by stressing that South African's take good relationships between siblings for granted. Normal parents just don't allow their children to hate each other; a bad relationship between siblings is for normal parents one of the most powerful instigators of despair. Only in exceptional cases parents are to blame for a bad relationship between their children, when they had practised favouritism or/and encouraged animosity and antagonism in their home.
© 2014 Martie Coetser
My best friend is also my sister. we both love dance and we practice at home. we share everything with each other.
What a lovely post Martie. I have one sister and we are very close. She lives in Holland but we text almost every day. We have absolutely nothing in common, but we have an unconditional love for each other and will do anything possible to help each other in need.
Wonderful hub. I enjoyed reading everyone's perspectives. I have 3 brothers, and we make it every year to holiday times at both my mom's and dad's homes (divorced when we were kids). We're a pretty close-knit family, with my younger brothers living near me. We get together often and have a great time. They're definitely my friends.
Martie, some get along famously with their siblings while some do not and some back stab theirs.
I detest those who can be friends with others but sever relations with their siblings for no fault of theirs, absolutely.
I can sit here and say that my siblings are not my friends. we never get along and I always feel like I can never go to them about anything. I've tried before with no success. thanks for the article, it was enlightening.
This is a fascinating hub. I have 2 siblings and we are really close. Although there are differences we make sure it does not get in the way. Filipinos have close family ties and we make sure that our family stays close.
Interesting read and a great perspective on relationships between siblings. As you say parents should not instigate any jealously between siblings and behave responsibly. My sister, brother and me get along well and we are great friends!! Great hub, voted up.
You can't pick your family but you can pick your friends....for many that says it all.
I really liked your approach of interviewing others and sharing your personal experiences. Your writing talents shine through!
Voted up, useful, and interesting.
This thought-inspiring hub has me thinking about the different phases that have happened between me and my siblings. I found your interviews to be enlightening in that they pinpointed the wide range of differences people feel toward their kin. Even trying to capture a snip of those childhood feelings has made me realize how ambivalent my thoughts on the subject remain. My older sister and I were estranged for nearly 20 years due to a misunderstanding between us. My biggest regret is those years we wasted barely communicating.
Really great idea for a hub, well written.
Well my sweetest dearest Martie I've been in this world for 56 years now and I can truthfully say that not many birthdays of mine were as memorable as the one a couple of weeks ago when I heard your lovely voice in a audio message. It reminded me of our phone conversation a few years back and I thank you sincerely for making my birthday a happy one indeed.
Yes, siblings, well I was a spoiled only child and there are pros and cons in my situation - once again Martie you prove yourself to be a worthy world class journalist who walks the walk and talks the talk and I have always admired you for your intelligence , passion and probing style of writing. I am sending warm wishes to you and Mister B and your entire family from Colin and his cats Tiffy and Gabriel - and now I know why Neil Diamond wrote music - he heard your voice and was inspired - Canada time 3:54pm Thursday
Hi Martie, you hit the nail on the head, you certainly are wise. My wife and I are very well suited for each other specifically for the reasons you state. We do have some very interesting conversations after visiting family and listening to the sibling bickering. Both my wife and I have no close cousins either, you could say we (especially me) possess a certain kind of impatience with getting things done, or with making travel decisions. You also rightly pointed out early loneliness issues and overcoming only child among adults development. One distinct characteristic of this type of childhood came with humor and vocabulary development, I often surprised my teachers with what came out of my mouth, lol. I am sure psychologist would have fun identifying the many differences and idiosyncrasies among only children versus kids with multiple siblings. Thank you again.
What an interesting hub, one for which I can only view and comment on as a bystander. Both my wife and I are only children, whereas our parents all have multiple siblings on all sides. Having grown up close to my uncles and aunts, it is sad to see how time and circumstances have created personality divides. I have retained a relationship with my best friend despite us moving in different states. I do not see this with most of the siblings of my parents. We choose our friends, however like the cliché, we cannot choose our parents, let alone siblings. It is one thing to honor and love our parents as commanded by scripture, but we are to be nothing more than our brother's keeper which dramatically changes the relationship. I can only add that chemistry matters more than blood. Great topic and very well laid out, your hub was fun to read, thank you for sharing.
Sorry to have missed this one Martie, fascinating read! its strange really because all the time my brother lived at home with my mum and dad we never really mixed, we were friendly when we saw each other but that was it, but since they have gone we get on famously! lol! we laugh so much, and go out all the time, when we were brother and sister, it was just that, now we are friends and its great! so I can say yes friends too! and I agree with you, friends come and go, but siblings are there for life, hopefully, nell
Very interesting hub. I never heard of National Siblings Day until now. Both of siblings are extremely different from me in worldviews, more alike to one another than with me, but we find a way. I have a very strained relationship with my sister but my brother and I make it work. I particularly enjoy his children and they, me. I like how you provided a range of perspectives in your hub, from distant and barely tolerating to lovey dovey and solid as a rock. And the photos are great, too.
So very sweet to read. And such a beautiful family! I am the baby of four sisters and a brother. I know we too have times when we are the best of friends. And then there are those times when I wonder if they are really worth all my heart ache. I guess, we take the good with the bad.
Shared, tweeted and Up! Blessings and joy for you and your family. :-)
Yes, I have thought that very same thing, and even told my youngest sister that she did not have the same parents as I did growing up lol. Being I was the eldest, they were so strict on me. Then after I left home and married, etc., and would come home for visits, I would see her off doing things I never would have even thought they would allow when I was growing up. I think maybe parents may grow a bit weary and learn to relax about things after the fourth child? lol
Hugs for a lovely Monday. I am enjoying the day off this day : )
Look at you there with all of your lovely siblings. Great photos! I am sorry I am late in reading here, as I missed it somehow in my mess of hundreds of e-mails : (
But, I am here now! I am the oldest of four siblings, as I may have stated somewhere before. My brother is one year younger than I, then one sister is five years younger, and then the other sister is ten years younger. Growing up, I felt more like a mother to my sister who is ten years younger. And then I was married and moved away when she was just nine years old. But it seems when we were all over the age of 30, everything evened-out as we were all adults. Strange, as there doesn't seem to be the matter of age difference now.
As always, you have covered a topic thoroughly. I love your personal perspective and "confession" here. So true, friends may come and go, but we will always have our family, even if we may not be in close contact each and everyday. Then, on the other hand, some friends are closer than a brother or sister may be, but then again, nothing can take away the fact that bond that is family with all the good, the bad and even the ugly. Plus, the experiences of growing up and going through life together (if that was the case).
My two granddaughters were talking with me the other weekend when they were up and the oldest one told me (while laughing) that her younger sister just told her that she was her best friend. I told her that was precious and sisters can very well be best friends in this life. Then I told her that the difference between a friend and a sister is that no matter what, she will always be your sister, whether or not she is your best friend. And sometimes in life, our other friends may come and go and no longer be our friends for whatever reasons, but she will know she still has a little sister and ....brother too. She seemed to be happy with that conversation.
With our families, we have that bond (well, most do) just for the mere fact of growing up together and experiencing our childhood, including the sibling rivalry, the hard times and the best of times together.
When my mother died in 2012 right before Christmas, my siblings and I talked about growing up and we learned so many different things about our mother from each sibling and each experience we had with our mother was so different, and that amazed me. Each time we talk, we share something from our childhood about our mother, that the other did not know, and we are always amazed that, although we were all there growing up with the same mother, we each had our own special relationship and different experiences due to our age and stages in life with our mother.
Wonderful hub and insight as always.
Up and more, tweeting, pinning and sharing.
(((Hugs))) and much love.
I don't know how I missed this. Well, I only had one sister, and we weren't speaking when she died in 2006. I guess that speaks volumes. :)
Love your wonderful comment back to me. This whole sibling thing is so simple yet so complicated. The roles we all play, especially if there has been trauma. So you were the older team in your family and I was the younger team. You probably totally understand the concept of how the two older sibs didn't want to take the younger ones seriously. It literally drove me crazy for years but it has definitely gotten better. I look at some of the choices I made in my life and know that part of them was wanting to be taken seriously; for example getting my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. Don't get me wrong, Psychology is a total fit for my personality but I also think subconsciously I wanted to be taken seriously.
I think you misunderstood the part of the teams. Laura wasn't closer to the oldest two sibs (girl and boy). Laura, David and I were the youngest three. Dave was only one year older than sis and I so we had more in common and did more things together. The three of us even looked alike. We also all loved music, singing and all the artsy fartsy stuff. I so miss him but he is in a better place. Sis and I actually didn't talk to him much over the last years because of his addiction, but that didn't mean we didn't love him. This topic is so interesting I could go on and on, but I will end with this. LOL
I was adopted into a family with 7 children. I was 7 when the rest were all grown. I always felt loved and part of the family until my biological mother moved back in town. After that, my support network of family deteriorated into nothing because she made sure of it. She was extremely jealous of the relationships I had. To this day, I don't acknowledge most of the family because of the issues that have come up since my mother moved back.
Siblings can be either the most loving people in our lives, or the most crushing. I stopped trying to seek acceptance from my "siblings" years ago, knowing that my true friends are the ones that love me for who I am, not in what family I was born.
Wonderful hub and you have done it in such an innovative way!
I liked the points you have mentioned. I believe siblings are always there for you. That' s the reason sometimes they take each other for granted. As a result some misunderstandings may crop up. But everything will be fine if there is healthy communication and space. As we grow up, our egos also grow up and if this comes in between, there are chances of tension in the sibling to sibling relationships. Therefore this should be particularly avoided.
Friends are also very much necessary for a person's overall growth and shaping up of the personality.
Siblings can be best friends too.
Thanks for writing on a topic which is quite close to my heart.
I have a much younger brother and a baby sister she is twenty five and my brother is 27 we have such a great relationship. I miss them but plan to visit in two years. I really enjoyed reading this hub. I like the photos Voted up and interesting.
Hi Martie-I see my twin sister is part of this awesome and informative hub. I seriously don't know what I'd do without my twinner. She is my best friend and soul mate.
Every family has it's issues to deal with, but I do think when a sib needs help, the other siblings have a natural tendency to want to be there for them. Sis and I are from a family of five. Sis and I are the youngest of the brood-There are family patterns with us: The older two sibs (girl and boy) hang out a lot and tend to pit against the rest. My sister Laura, and brother, who was one year older, were very close until he died because of addiction and an overdose. Now the 3 youngest are now the 2 youngest. (sis and I). I try really hard to deal with some of the older sibs shenanigans, but I have to know where to draw the line in regards to boundaries and taking care of myself. The basic deal is that the older sibs don't take the younger sibs seriously. It hurt like hell for years but I have come a long way and don't play into it. I think a big part of the difficult family dynamics is due to our difficult childhood. If you don't work on the past in some way, you seem to stay stuck in the muck. Anyhoo, thanks for writing such an interesting and helpful hub. Love MT. P.S.-if you'd like to use any of my comment in Laura's piece above, feel free. She didn't understand the depth of what you were writing about. I just read this to her and if you choose to add this piece, we both are fine with it.
Dear Martie,
What a thought provoking subject -- well developed with your personal perspective and feedback from a wide circle of people.
I am the youngest of a total of four siblings. There is a range of 8 to 15 years between me and my two brothers, while my only sister is 10 years my senior. We are each as different as the four seasons. While we are by no means in constant contact, I know we can all count on each other in the rough times.
Blood is no guarantee of compatibility, obvious in example after example. How wonderful that we all have the opportunity to 'hand pick' our friends... so glad I picked you!
Voted UP and UABI. Love you, Maria
I thoroughly enjoyed the various inputs on the topic of siblings versus friends. I hve no siblings and I am jealous of sibling relationships, even of those who fight. Your article was treat, giving the views of so mny siblings. Thank you.
I don't have siblings so won't comment specifically about them..but in general I do feel your friends are sometimes more reliable and trustworthy than your family members...and I can say that from personal experience and am sure there're many who think the same..
Martie: I checked out your link. What you did is amazing and I left a comment there.
Dear Martie, you did a wonderful job!
As you know, I don't have any siblings and I can't add much to the subject.
You are blessed!
Hello Martie. Your hub is excellent in scope and detail. It brings back memories. I was the last of twelve siblings. Each one unique and different. They were all gone from home when i was born, some had families, others off working in the city. I didn't grow up in a big family, but the times we all got together were wonderful. My cousins were more like my siblings. I agree that siblings are close and will always be, no matter what. We all have different views, politically and our religious beliefs differ, but we respect each other's without hesitation. Great topic. Hugs.
Oops. Came back to Vote, to Tweet, to share, and what-not.
Hello Martie. This is a wonderful hub. It tells us how uniquely similar we are as we have all these shared experinences in our collective lives. I found out a great deal about my remaining brother and sister this year. Plenty of tough times for all of us and plenty of tough people facing those challenges and sharing our strength.
I guess I am 'me' also. LOL! My sister doesn't intimidate me, but I tire of competition all the time. But, I do love her to death, probably because she is the opposite of me and I find her interesting.
I am glad I read this, Martie. I didn't even know there was a National Siblings Day on April 10. This is quite an interesting article, Martie and I found it quite informative. I like the interviews you did with the different people. I only have one sister and I love her dearly, although we are more acquaintances than true friends. She is very competitive and I am not so there is our big difference and sometimes it creates a wedge between us. But, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her in a pinch. I don't know how she feels about me, exactly, but I just carry on and try to be the good big sis. LOL!
This is a very interesting hub, Martie. Adding the quotes from people about their siblings was a great idea. I have one sister. We've always been friends. When we were children, though, I used to think that if we hadn't been in the same family we wouldn't have sought each other out because we were so different. As adults we are very close, however.
Very interesting article, Martie. My brother and I had a falling out in March of this year and I haven't heard from him since. It breaks my heart. Even my mom is not talking to me. She refuses to allow me to tell my side of the story. I hope this all blows over soon. It's very sad to have your support system shun you without 1) listening to the other side and 2) placing blame for your own actions on someone else.
Dearest Martie,
You have done such a beautiful job writing about siblings and friendships Siblings do have the potential to be a part of the best of both world's...friends and family members. I do believe it is an unconditional type love recognizing we are made uniquely different and we must try to embrace our strengths, faults, differences, and most of tolorable of our many shortcomings. Siblings are a gift from God. Thank you for writing a wonderful hub.
Loved the whole hub. The many perspectives and takes offered a lot of pondering on the hubs theme. Worth the read and time pondering. I agree with your conclusions regarding 'friendships' and siblings. I like the concept of Sibling Day too. Thank You MartieC!
Awesome perspective on the unique relationships between siblings. Some people can't live without their siblings, while some have no problem moving on. Fabulous hub!!
What a great, comprehensive hub! I love the way you formatted it. It was interesting, informative and touching! I had never heard of Siblings Day until this year...and only on Facebook. Thank you fire sharing the lovely pictures of your beautiful family! Great hub! Up++


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In the last ten years digital cameras have improved to the point where technical aspects of photography such as exposure, depth of field, focus and sharpness are no longer problems. What has not become any easier is composition and the … Continue reading
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Small Gardens in the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, Germany – Part Two
The two hundred hectares of the Landscape Park in Duisburg is big enough for the largest of festivals both within its many converted industrial buildings and across its open tracts and wooded areas. There are numerous places to loose oneself, … Continue reading
Posted in Art in the garden Tagged garden design, Landscape Architecture, planting design 1 Comment
Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, Germany – Part One
I wrote recently about the need for planting designs to be created in response to their setting or situation. My recent visit to a park in Germany, the so-called landscape park in Duisburg, confirmed my point and at the same … Continue reading
Posted in Art in the garden Tagged garden design, Landscape Architecture 1 Comment
Perennial Meadows – Designing a painting is fundamentally different from designing a planting scheme.
Paintings we frame and consider as art. Gardens are sometimes considered as art, but the elements we use to frame them form part of their design and maybe also part of their "art". Here at Perennial Meadows we are concerned … Continue reading
Posted in Art in the garden, Perennial Meadows series Tagged garden art, garden design, planting design 2 Comments

subset: commoncrawl


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Dad's Kids
by Berni Dymet
1 John 3:1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.
I remember when I used to walk into my father's house - well, I had privileges in that house - even after I'd grown up and left - privileges that other people didn't have.
You for instance - could not have walked into my dad's place and enjoyed the access and privileges that I did when he was alive. And there's a reason for that - because he was my dad and not yours. I was his son - and as one of his two children I called him dad and he called me son.
Obvious really. And that's exactly the picture I think that we're meant to see when God reveals Himself to us as our Father. In fact Jesus called Him Abba - and the best translation I have of that word is - Dad.
When God comes along and says - I'm your Father - He's drawing the picture I just drew for you of my dad and me.
Not just God, but God the Father. In fact … God the Dad!
For more from Berni Dymet please visit the Christianityworks website or listen to Berni Dymet in today's Christianityworks broadcast at OnePlace.com.
Please sign up for the Christianityworks Newsletter.


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Hand-crafted by Rum Co of Fiji, the Signature Ratu is blended from globally awarded rums, before being filtered through coconut shell charcoal and matured in specially selected oak barrels in time-honoured tradition. The result is a deliciously smooth, distinctively clean-tasting, award-winning rum from paradise on earth.Their Signature Premium Rum Liqueur is aged in charred oak barrels then filtered through coconut shell carbon. Combined with a mixture of ingredients to produce rich complex flavours of dark chocolate, coffee, coconut and the zest of orange.
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Embedded with three strong magnetic strips, the Handyman Wristband is like having a helping hand whenever you need one. Perfects for holding nails, screws, nuts, bits and other small hardware, the magnets are actually strong enough for screwdrivers, scissors and other tools you need to keep on hand when you're in the middle of a project. Never drop another screw when you're at the top of a ladder! The Velcro closure adjusts to just about any wrist, and keeps the band secure even when loaded with hardware.
- Powerful magnets hold hardware and small tools
- Provides a helping hand when you need it most
- Ideal for many woodworking, home improvement, and do-it-yourself projects
- Great timesaving solution for keeping all your gear when you can get to it quickly
- One size fits most
This product usually ships in 2 business days and should be delivered in 10 business days.
Shop worry free! If you're not 100% happy with your purchase, you can return this item within 14 days of receiving it.


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|» Products
|» Track Suits
Track Suits
We have been a prominent enterprise, affianced in providing an excellent quality collection of Track Suits that includes school tracksuit, cotton tracksuits etc. These suits are designed using the best quality fabrics and innovative sewing machinery under the stern surveillance of adept professionals. Perfect to be worn while jogging and morning walk, these Track Suits are known for their comfortable fit and unique design. Also, these suits can be bought from us at affordable rates.


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- find a learning style that suits you
- find a learning style that suits you
- involve yourself in the language learning process
- develop an awareness of language both as system and as communication
- pay constant attention to expanding your language
- develop the L2 as a separate system
- take into account the demands that L2 learning imposes
2. ( ) resourcing: making use of language materials such as dictionaries.
3. ( ) directed physical response; responding physically 'as with directives'.
4. ( ) translation: 'using the first language as a basis for understanding and/or producing the L2'
5. ( ) grouping: organising learning on the basis of 'common attributes'.
6. ( ) note-taking: writing down the gist etc of texts.
7. ( ) deduction: conscious application of rules to processing the L2.
8. ( ) recombination: putting together smaller meaningful elements into new wholes.
9. ( ) imagery: visualising information for memory storage - "Pretend you are doing something indicated in the sentences to make up about the new word".
10. ( ) auditory representation: keeping a sound or sound sequence in the mind - "When you are trying to learn how to say something, speak it in your mind first".
11. ( ) key word: using key word memory techniques, such as identifying an L2 word with an L1 word that it sounds like.
12. ( ) contextualisation: 'placing a word or phrase in a meaningful language sequence'.
13. ( ) elaboration: 'relating new information to other concepts in memory'.
14. ( ) transfer: using previous knowledge to help language learning - "If they're talking about something I have already learnt (in Spanish), all I have to do is remember the information and try to put it into English"
15. ( ) inferencing: guessing meanings by using available information - "I think of the whole meaning of the sentence, and then I can get the meaning of the new word".
16. ( ) question for clarification: asking a teacher or native for explanation, help, etc.
V. Watch the movie segment and check the vocabulary learning strategies (Ex: IV) Liesel made use of to learn how to read and acquire vocabulary.


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There is "a way cool" (my weak attempt to be hip) website out there called Busted Halo which is run by the Paulist Fathers and is an online magazine for spiritual seekers. I have linked to them in the past and will continue to point you in there direction. Here is a 2 minute video on Advent which starts today. There is a link below to there on-line Advent Calender– Give it a try this advent.
Clcik here to vist BustedHalo's Digital Advent calender. Here is how they describe it:
How the digital Advent calendar works
Each day, that day's link in the Advent calendar will start working, leading to a special Advent-themed Daily Jolt, with an opportunity for reflection, a microChallenge and a chance to enter our contest. Some of the reflections come from unlikely sources, and the challenges help you to take an action, usually a small one, based on the reflection.


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Natural Rubber Pick-Up
Lifts up and removes dried rubber cement off mechanical layouts, photographs, and drawing. Measures 2 in. x 2 in. x 7/16 in.
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Mary L. from Redondo Beach, CA says:
This rubber pick-up works well at removing masking fluid from watercolor paper and I love the discount price.
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It has a white ceramic and teak base with brass fittings. It's 30" tall! At first I thought the shade that it came with was terrible and would have to be replaced, but it's growing on me. It needs to be cleaned, but is actually in pretty good shape. I like the cross-hatched texture, too. Not bad for $7!
I love lamp.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
A few weeks ago, when I scored my dear Elna, I also found this awesome mid-century lamp:
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thank you very useful information admin, and pardon me permission to share articles here may help :ReplyDelete
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In the scope of this project we are developing specialized routing protocols for the reliable communication of the SDN control channel. The current protocol prototype Izzy is being developed and evaluated in a simulator and should be ported to a mininet-based SDN testbed. A brief description of Izzy can be found here.
We are looking for several research assistants (HiWis) for the further development of the protocol.
The available positions are either further development of the protocol in the simulator or designing an SDN testbed and implementing the protocol in it. The former position is more theoretical and oriented towards design and evaluation of distributed algorithms. The simulator is written in C++ and uses OmNet++ simulation library. The latter position is more practically oriented and includes working with most common open-source SDN software such as OpenVSwitch and Ryo/Floodlight/Onos controller. The position will include writing modules for OpenVSwitch in C and SDN controllers in either Java or Python.
For the position we expect basic knowledge of algorithms (from for example "Algorithmen I" course) and programming in any programming language. You will be given time to learn the necessary languages and libraries.


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Direction and Year
Select the direction, and the year, you would like to travel.
experience with tauck
A four-wheel-drive "seal safari" & a food tour in Wellington with behind the scenes visits to eateries
Lunch at Larnach Castle in Dunedin
Private cruise and dinner on Sydney Harbor
tauck value includes
All gratuities to Tauck Director, local guides & ship staff
Three on-tour flights
Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at £2,490
Visits to wineries in New Zealand with tastings and food pairing
Visit to Whakarewarewa Maori village in Rotorua
Visit to the state-of-the-art Museum of New Zealand in Wellington
Kayaking on Queen Charlotte Sound / Cycling Queen Charlotte Trail
Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef
Treetop gondola ride in a rainforest at Barron Falls
Thunder Jetboat ride through a river gorge in Queenstown
Dinner and show at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Visit to Hartley's Wildlife Park and crocodile farm near Cairns
Private cruise and dinner on Sydney Harbor
Visit to Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter
Aboard ship alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day, including house wines and spirits; premium spirits and wines are available at extra cost
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
46 meals on land and sea, applicable fuel surcharges, service charges, porterage and taxes
Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.
Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.
Cultural journeys and expeditions
With its iconic skyline comprising some of the 20th century's most innovative architecture, Australia's Sydney Harbour is perhaps the most recognizable urban waterfront on Earth. Two of the Harbour's most remarkable "residents" include the striking Sydney Harbour Bridge – the world's tallest steel arch bridge, opened in 1932 and dubbed "The Coathanger" by locals due to its shape – and the Sydney Opera House, one of the world's most distinctive buildings since its completion in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's no better way to enjoy the Harbour's highlights than aboard a private evening cruise featuring a reception and dinner.
Australia's Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is longer than the Great Wall of China, and considered the largest living thing on Earth. With a biology presentation and snorkeling demonstration en route, cruise to the Outer Reef to swim, snorkel or sightsee in a glass-bottom vessel – or enjoy optional activities (at additional cost) like scuba diving, helmet diving and more.
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Your Journey
Distinctively "inclusive" means just that – virtually every cruise cost is included in one upfront price, from shore excursions (private to Tauck), all gratuities, premier hotels on land stays, port charges and more. There are no options sold – no extra charges, no hidden costs, no "surprise" expenses.
The choice is yours... We're pleased to present an opportunity to customize and personalize your cruise by choosing your shore excursions on select days; choices have been carefully designed to appeal to different interests and preferences, with more active choices available on many days. 90 days prior to your departure date we'll contact you with the information you need to make your selections!
International Air is additional. Contact Tauck for rates on international air for travel originating in the UK (subject to availability).
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Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.
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Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.
To help you plan your trip, here's an overview of average temperatures, weather conditions, and what you might expect from Mother Nature.
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Temple University Gifts
Temple University Gifts feature a selection of flags, banners, pennants, and tailgating gifts! Each item page offers the recommended accessory which combined with the item results in a unique gift idea for the sports fan! These Temple University Gifts are team and league Officially Licensed which ensures top quality, authentic logos and insignia, and genuine colors.
Temple University Premium 3x5 Flag$39.95
Logo March Madness Banner Flag$29.95
Temple Wordmark Flag$29.95
Temple University Owl Flag$29.95
Temple 3x5 Flag$29.95
Temple Owls Outdoor Flag Pole Bracket Gift$54.95
Temple Owls 2x3 ft. Flag$22.95
Temple Owls Small Golf Cart Flag$14.95
Temple Owls Double and 2-Sided Home Banner$31.95
Temple Owls Two Sided House Flag$31.95
Temple Owls Logo Car Flag$14.95
Temple University Owls Garden Flag Stand Set$23.95
Temple Owls Garden Banner$14.95
Temple Garden Banner$14.95
Football Helmet Garden Flag for Temple Owls$14.95
Temple University College Pennant$5.95
March Madness College Basketball Tournament Pennant$5.95
NCAA League Logo Pennant$5.95
Temple Owls Embroidery Sewn Heritage Banner$39.95


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Date Created: 6/2/2008
Date Modified: 11/15/2014
The best way to realize higher miles per gallon is to ensure that your vehicle is properly tuned up, the fuel injectors are clean, minimize the idle time, be sure the tires are properly inflated and leave for your appointments 10 -15 minutes early. By leaving early you can drive the speed limit. You loose 1% of your fuel mileage for each mph over 60. An example would be at 70 mph you loose 10% of your fuel mileage, 60 mph is the most efficient speed on most vehicles.
For more information, visit:


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This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Yep, I'm receiving adorable puppy pictures through my RSS feed on a daily basis and sometimes I find images I enjoy so much I just have to share with my readers. While browsing my feed I scrolled past this picture and at first glance thought why is there a guinea pig on a puppy website?
Take a look at the picture:
Puppy Or Guinea Pig?
What do you think? Is this a puppy or a guinea pig? Well of course since this is a site about puppies this is a puppy and a cute little Chow Chow at that. Here's the details on the Flickr stream:
4th Puppy Born – Boy, originally uploaded by Xianyang Chow Chows – there's more adorable Chow Chow Pictures here if if you want to check them out.
I had a guinea pig when I was in the first grade (I named him Harry) and for some reason this little Chow Chow reminded me of Harry. So, in my pursuit for knowledge I decided to compare this little puppy to an image of a Guinea pig just to see if this puppy really does look like a guinea pig. Check out this image:
Sorry this was one of the best images I could find of a black guinea pig. This one is also from Flickr: Guinea Pig, originally uploaded by stkali2.
I'm not so sure now, but there's definitely some resemblance (besides them both being black).
What do you think? Does this little Chow Chow look like a Guinea Pig?


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RulesUpdated Friday May 16, 2014 by Metro Sports Baseball.
2014 Metro Sports Baseball
6U All-star Tournament
Coach Pitch Rules Addendum
General Rules Amplification
Maximum roster size of 12 players – all age 5 or 6 as of April 30, 2014
9" standard baseballs will be used (game balls will be provided by host park)
Maximum 10 players on defense – all infield positions must be played.
Catcher is required – must wear helmet and chest guard (other equipment at coach's discretion)
Field dimensions:
First and third baselines shall be fifty (50) feet from the point of home plate.
The distance from the front edge of the pitching rubber to the point of home-plate will be thirty-nine (39) feet.
There will be a short line painted twenty (20) feet from the point of home plate signifying the closest distance the coach pitcher may be from the batter.
Outfielders must be in outfield grass behind the painted white line signifying the outer edge of the infield when ball is hit – recognize that the field dimensions are slightly different
Infielders must be in infield grass between the painted white lines signifying the outer and inner edges of the infield when ball is hit – all infield positions must be played
When ball is hit, pitcher must have one foot on rubber, or both feet directly behind the rubber and within the dirt of the pitcher's circle (protective equipment required – helmet with chin strap and chest "heart" guard)
If the offensive coach pitcher is blocking the view of the player pitcher to the batter when standing at or behind the rubber, the player pitcher may move left or right within the dirt of the pitcher's circle
The player pitcher must not be any closer to home plate than the rubber before the ball is put into play.
Free substitutions are allowed on defense
Batting order to consist of not more than 12 players – batting in consecutive order
Maximum 10 batters per inning or 3 outs. Play as though there are 2 outs per regular baseball rules when the 10th batter comes to the plate.The offensive head coach must inform the defensive head coach when the last batter comes to the plate.
Penalty: Defensive coach has the option of the results of the play or a re-bat.
Ball hit in fair territory past the grass arc in front of home plate is considered fair ball. Disregard any painted or chalked line.
Regular rules of baseball apply to player-requested time outs. Umpires have complete authority in determining when play should be stopped with runners on base. In judgment of umpire(s), play shall be stopped by the umpire(s) once the defensive team heads off or stops the lead runner and all runners are contained.
Maximum game of 4 innings or 75 minutes – no new inning shall begin after the time limit (championship games will not be timed).
Pool play games may end in a tie. Elimination games must go extra innings, even if time has expired.
Maximum of 4 coaches inside the fence on defense
In addition to right field and left field foul territory defensive coaches, one defensive coach may be in center field grass.
All coaches should avoid interfering with any play.
If a base runner is touched by an offensive coach before the ball has been called dead, or time out has been called by an umpire, the base runner is automatically out.
Coaches cannot physically assist players.
Permanent replacement rule not in effect. Teams may have substitute players from home park and not on any other all star team.
Any number of players less than 10 will result in an "out" unless the player(s) cannot play due to illness, injury, or circumstances that would be deemed "an excused absence" at school. This is subject to approval of Tournament Director prior to the game.
Before play begins each team must designate an adult who is not a coach to represent the team on The Protest Committee. Protest fee is $100.
Tournament will be double elimination.
There will be a maximum of 1 offensive and 1 defensive time out per inning with each time out being no more than one minute in length.
Coach Pitch Rules
A pitching coach from the offensive team shall pitch to the batters.
The pitching coach may position himself any distance from home between the 20 foot line and the pitching rubber.
If the pitching coach chooses to position himself directly on the rubber, the player pitcher will be allowed to play to either side of the rubber.
Batters will receive 5 pitches from the pitching coach to put the ball into play.
If the batter does not put the ball in play after the 5th pitch or 3 strikes, the batter is out.
If the batter fouls away the 5th pitch, an additional pitch will be thrown.
Once the ball is in play, the pitching coach should exit the playing field and remove the bat from the field if needed.Pitching coaches shall not interfere with the defensive players.If in the judgment of the umpire the pitching coach interferes with a play, the batter or base runner will be out.
If a batted ball hits the pitching coach and, in the judgment of the umpire, the pitching coach made an effort to avoid contact, a no-pitch will be declared.
If the pitching coach intentionally catches a batted ball, the batter will be out and no base runners may advance.However, if in the judgment of the umpire, the coach pitcher catches the ball in an effort to protect himself, a no-pitch will be declared.
Pool Play tiebreakers for setting the double elimination games:
W-L Record
Head to Head
Record vs. common opponents
Fewest runs allowed vs. common opponents
Coin Flip
The official score is determined when the game is completed or when mathematically over. The press box announcer will announce that the official game is over and will announce the final score. The score will then be reset to 0-0. Provided the time limit has not expired, the teams may continue to play at their discretion. If continuing, the scoreboard clock will continue to run. No inning shall begin after the time limit. Umpires will stay at their discretion.
There shall be a coin toss with head coaches or their designees at the Coaches Credentials Meeting prior to all Pool Play games with the winner selecting Home or Away. Higher seeded teams in the double elimination tournament will have the choice of being Home or Away. Teams with the same seed shall determine Home/Away via coin toss.
Each team to submit a batting order to official scorekeeper and opposing team 15 minutes prior to game time.
Each team to receive 5 minutes infield time.
Bat Restrictions – Any unaltered 2-1/4" barrel bat is allowed.Any bat with a barrel diameter larger than 2-1/4" must have passed the 1.15 BPF testing and bear an appropriate 1.15 BPF mark on the bat
This marking is not limited to only the USSSA stamp.Any unaltered manufacturer's marking that the bat has passed the 1.15 BPF testing anywhere on the barrel of the bat will be accepted.


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About HSC
About HSC today
HSC Business Brokers is dedicated to helping people buy and sell businesses in the hospitality industry and to brokering the best possible deal on your behalf.
HSC is different from other brokerage firms for two reasons:
- We're focused on hospitality businesses only.
- We know these types of businesses because we all have personal experience with them.
Each member of the HSC team has a wealth of personal industry knowledge, from either owning properties, buying and selling establishments, or managing restaurants.
What's more, we love what we do every day and operate like a tight-knit family from our home base in Delano. When you contact us for a free consultation, you'll see how these qualities make a difference in the guidance and service you receive.
A Bit of History
Hospitality Services Corporation was founded in 2004 by Jerry Vlaminck, who has spent his entire career in the hospitality business. Beginning as a busboy at 15 years old, Jerry worked his way to restaurant management and eventually owned 2 establishments, where he further mastered the ins and outs of serving guests.
After working for a brokerage service for a time, Jerry saw a niche not being fulfilled within the brokerage industry in the Midwest: Hospitality.
He decided to create his own company that could focus on buying and selling restaurants, bars, cafes, and similar types of businesses. What began as 1 man helping customers make deals in Minnesota has expanded to an entire team serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Today many of our clients are repeat customers. Very often, someone who purchased a business with our help will come back to us when they're ready to sell and move on to something else (and vice versa!). We love the loyalty and the confidence in our company, and we take that trust very seriously.
Hospitality Services Corp Mission Statement
To provide valued representation to every transaction in which we participate:
For sellers, we provide an honest valuation, maximum exposure, and qualified buyers to obtain the highest value for your business in as short amount of time as possible.
For buyers, we provide quality businesses with integrity and guidance to make the best acquisition for business and personal growth.


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Tonights beers were not so kind, either that or they have joined forces with the beers from last night to make me feel super rough.
I woke up at 01:30 in the sauna that was my bedroom as Nina had decided to join us in bed. Sometimes this is ok but tonight I couldn't handle her breathing her hot breath in my face, adding to my already severe discomfort.
I led her back through to her room and climbed in with her for a minute before Bobbi piped up.
I went through to collect her to find that she has turned into she -hulk baby and reduced her cot to firewood – she can't possibly go back in there until it's had some attention (wood glue? String and chewing gum?) so she had to come in with us for the rest of the night.
Like a little hot water bottle.
She's entered the 'bucking bronco' stage too – which is nice.
I fed her and knew I needed to replace the precious liquid as soon as possible – as she quenched her thirst I felt myself dehydrate more.
Nina had came back through and was shuffling in the doorway refusing to budge, mumbling something inaudible so I had to tell her to bring her pillow and climb in the bottom of the bed.
She brought her blanket too ??
I needed her to go to sleep so I could pass out again and escape my hangover.
She wanted to put her feet on my legs – they were warm and made me uncomfortable but I decided to suck it up as it was making her happy (and quiet).
I thought I had chosen my moment perfectly as I decided to take Bobbi and go to sleep in Ninas bed – it was a mistake – Bobbi woke up and declared play time so we had to go downstairs.
1. Me.
2. The amount of bed I had to sleep on.
3. The perpetual sound of Dan.
Now I'm drinking coffee, watching Hollyoaks and longing to be reunited with my duvet once again ??


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MAIN PLAZA - Plaza de las Islas
A Pedestrian Place 1730 - 1890
Spanish urban planners in the New World know how to create a vibrant community: its two interconnected building blocks were a cathedral and a plaza. This spatial structure compelled the citizens of New Spain to revolve around a civic center, timing their movements to the comings and goings of their neighbors with whom they worked, played, and prayed.
The 1730 plan for San Fernando de Bexar (San Antonio) drew on this tradition, beginning with the iglesia, the town's 18th-century church that later became a cathedral. From its front door, surveyors marked off Plaza de las Islas (MAIN PLAZA) and a set of rediating streets along whose flanks government buildings, stores, and individual housing would be built. The whole plaza was locked in a grid, forming "a cross with the church as a center."
This circulatory pattern stimulated a robust street life, especially in the plaza. Its open-aired expanse was crowded with religious festivals, political rallies, military formations, and civilian parades. Amid its dust rose the noise of merchants and shoppers haggling and gossiping, of people dancing and mules braying. Plaza de las Islas, this dynamic, intimate, and walking landscape was the city's communal core until the late 19th-century arrival of streetcars, which started pulling people away from the plaza.
Collapse and Revival 1890
Long the spiritual heart, government center, and social hub of San Antonio, Plaza de las Islas (MAIN PLAZA) began to lose its centrality in the late nineteenth century. Railroads and trolleys reorganized the city's commercial activity by enabling developers to create new, more distant suburbs, shifting where people lived and shopped, in an outward thrust that later the automobile would accelerate.
As the city swelled in size, the plaza itself shrank as a result of the widening of Market Street in the 1880's and the construction of a new county courthouse that filled in a portion of its southern quadrant. As other tall buildings rose over the plaza, replacing more human-scaled structures, its wide-open character and dirt-packed surface were also transformed. The center was elevated and planted with trees and grass, while the surrounding streets were paved. Citizens protested these significant alterations, but to no avail: the plaza had become a park.
Bypassed, like most of downtown, until the late twentieth century, the plaza has since figured in several revitalization efforts. Launched in 2006, city planners sought to recreate its pedestrian character by knitting together the plaza, cathedral, courthouse, and the river. In this way they hoped to promote a re-engaged citizenry and a re-energized civic life.
Historical Pavers on MAIN PLAZA
When visiting MAIN PLAZA, be sure to look for and locate all 30 significant, historical pavers embedded into the floor of the plaza. All indicate historical events, all are true.
Locate this paver:
1745 - "The Hatchet Buried - Likewise a Horse" August 15
Captain Toribio de Urrutia and Fray Santa Ana now determined to do their best to establish a permanent and lasting peace with the Apache nation. ...this was a great day for San Antonio. After thirty years of depredations, the harassed settlement was about to secure, as was thought, a lasting peace. Early in the morning the plaza began to fill with an eager throng... First, a great hole was dug in the center of the plaza, and in this were placed a live horse, a hatchet, a lance, and six arrows, all instruments of war. Then Captain Urrutia and the four chiefs, joining hands, danced three times around the hole, the Indians afterwards doing the same with the priests and the citizens. When this ceremony was concluded, all retired to their respective places. Then, upon a given signal, all rushed to the hold and rapidly buried the live horse, together with the weapons, thus signifying the end of war...
The historical content herein has been thoroughly researched for its accuracy by Char Miller. Char Miller teaches at Trinity University in San Antonio and is currently Visiting Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at Pomona College, Claremont, CA. He has written extensively about San Antonio's history, culture, and politics and is author of the award-winning Deep in the Heart of San Antonio: Land and Life in South Texas, and is editor of On the Border: An Environmental History of San Antonio and of Fifty years of the Texas Observer, among other works. He served as a consultant to the MAIN PLAZA Re-development Project and was a member of the city's Open Space Advisory Board and its Tree Preservation Ordinance Committee.
Thank you Char, for giving us a piece of San Antonio through its history.
~ data from MAIN PlAZA


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avenironlinestore needed a new product packaging design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 47 designs submitted by 9 freelance designers.
Fifth & Loft
Multipurpose Spray Brush
A durable handheld brush with a built-in dispensing spray. Its innovative design simplifies daily living by streamlining your chores. It is large (30 cm in length, brush area is about 10 by 6 cm) and can be used for cleaning kitchen stovetops, sinks & bathroom (not just dishes!)
We are targeting the U.S e-commerce market. The target audience would be between the age of 20-50, savvy people who take pride in having a modern lifestyle and getting their home organized.
A colored box that would contain a spray brush and an extra brush head refill. It should show that the product is simple, yet has a premium quality that is above no-frills household products. This item will be sold exclusively on an e-commerce platform.
Things that must be included in the packaging:
1) Brand logo
2) Barcode (including the number itself)
3) 'Made in China' label
4) Shows there is an extra brush refill included
5) Include how-to-use product illustrations ( see attached pdf for rough guide)
6) ♲ universal recycling symbol
7) Highlight 3 the features below
A) Built-in spray dispenser for detergent/water
B) Replaceable brush head
C) Ergonomic non-slip grip
Avoid overly cluttered packaging design.
Please refer to the dieline pdf


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Handmade reversible Ankara bomber jacket. Lime green dashiki wax block African cotton, reverses to steel chambray. Unisex sizes with welt pockets on both sides. Unisex sizing (order one size smaller for women). Heavy duty zipper closure.
All clothing handmade in Cleveland, OH and available for pick up at the Tidal Cool Boutique in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland.
Items are shipped USPS. If you prefer a different method of shipping, please contact me. Neckties can be shipped first class, upgraded to priority, or express, you can make your choice at checkout. Most clothing ships priority.
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Returns are processed for store credit or exchanges, no refunds issued. Please read the item description carefully and contact me if you have questions regarding sizing. I will happily work with you to make sure you receive an item you love!
Gift wrapping available, please contact me if you'd like your item to arrive gift wrapped with a note.


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Got the Super Shuttle to pick me up yesterday in the early morning & was able to nap oon the way to BWI & thankfully didn't have to worry about the icy roads & my fear of driving on them, had a nice uneventful flight to San Diego & picked up my rental car & met Alex & Rachel at the hotel.
We found a wonderful mexican restaurant in old town and I enjoyed some fantastic chicken fajitas, then we headed on over to SOMA to get in line. My friend Misery caught a bus down so Alex and Rachel went & picked her up at the station while I held spots & meanwhile I finally got to meet David the bassist for opening band The Dear & Departed.
David and I have been writing back & forth for a few months since he'd a huge fan of Psychotica & is trying to track down Pat Briggs to interview him (sigh, good luck...I told him how i THINK I spotted him at the corner of Sunset & LaBrea in Hollywood a year & a half ago but by the time i drove around the block he was gone) Turns out his girlfriend was at the listening party we had for Pandemic about 10 years ago & there are pix of her I took on my website - small world again!!!
Dear & Departed opened & were fantastic, my only complaint was that it was too short a set! (only 5 or 6 songs) Got pix I'll post later as I still have to download the from the card. Next up was Revolution Mother, kinda hard rock meets punk like if ZZ Top went hardcore. Not really my thing but they played well enough.
Finally Tiger Army was up, it was sooooo great to see Kresge back on stage with his amazing green tiger striped King Doublebass Road King... Nick seemed to be in a REALLY good mood, Geoffw as very energic, just a TON of energy at the show.
Amazing set list with many favs - haven't heard them play Devil Girl in a LONG time and its the first time I've EVER heard them do American Nightmare (one of my all time 2 fav Misfits songs)
Didn't get a chance to talk to Geoff afterwards as he was pretty sick (during the shiow he could barely talk and you could tell from his voice how ill he was but he still put on a great show) but I ran into Kamilla & it was great to see her, she and her friend are starting a new band called "Soda X" so I look forward to checking them out! And Geoff is definitely also still in Viva Hate but they'll have a "stand in" filling in for him at the shows booked at the same time as the Tiger Army tour.
Prelude: SIgnal Return
When the Night Comes Down
Devil Girl
Santa Carla Twilight
Rose of the Devil's Garden
Through the Darkness
Forever Fades Awat
Cupid's Victim
Never Die
American Nightmare (Misfits cover!!!)
Annabelle Lee
And I was COMPLETELY blown away when Nick dedicated Pain to me... I'm sure its because of the letter I sent him w/his Christtmas card & present.
At all the shows this year he'd introduce that one by saying how it was for anybody going through a rough time and I wrote and told him how much all the fall TA shows meant to me by giving me something to look forward to and enjoy myself when I'd been through such a bad period with Judy dying so suddenly and how much his music meant to me (Tiger Army's lyrics have just hit me on a more personal emotional level than any other bands, I guess I can just identify with them more). So when he dedicated that song I knew it was because of my letter & it really meant a lot to me.
Lots of pix on my website here!


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Looking for a fun activity for your boy this March Break? This free program, offered in collaboration with the YWCA Cambridge and Kinbridge Community Association, will teach 8-12 year-old boys simple cooking and baking skills in a fun, safe environment.
Register for one or both sessions:
- Tuesday, March 13th (10am-12pm)
- Thursday, March 15th (10am-12pm)
Both sessions will be hosted at Kinbridge Community Association, located at 200 Christopher Drive.
Contact 519-571-0121 or email@example.com to register. Spots are limited, so register today! Please let us know of any dietary restrictions.


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Profile information
Username: wizzard
Age: 37
Sex: male
Latest comments by wizzard
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
The service in here goes from bad to worse. It doesn't matter whether it's packed or there's only three men and a dog in there, somehow they'll always find a way to make you wait.
5 Jun 2015 11:19
Excellent selection of well-kept ales, including two brewed locally. Very helpful & friendly barstaff.
Weren't serving food till 7pm on a bank holiday Monday which seemed a bit late: four separate parties asked about food while we were there.
26 Aug 2014 15:20
Called in on a quiet Saturday afternoon. 3 cask ales on our side of the bar Doom Bar, Fullers HSB & something else were all off, but 2 local Kent brews were on, of which the Caveman was excellent. Great outside area. Would definitely go back if in the area.
7 Jul 2014 12:55
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It's Our Passion
Video Builders is a video production company located in San Diego. With over a decade of experience in corporate video production, we've produced thousands of videos for global brands, Fortune 500 companies, online companies, marketing agencies, you name it. We've all heard the phrase, "follow your passion." Well, we've been doing just that for many years, and we think it really shows.
It's Our Hobby
Some people may enjoy golfing, fishing, cooking, baseball and the like, but we enjoy building videos. Video Builders constantly thrives to be the best because it is our deep rooted passion and creative hunger that drives us to produce high quality content. Our happiest moment is seeing the smile on our clients face upon delivery of the final product. How many people do you know who call their job a hobby?
Our Equipment, Technology
We are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest technology and equipment to provide our clients with the best product possible. We currently shoot our videos on the best cameras, with the best lenses on the market. We also use top rated audio recording equipment to ensure you not only get a crisp picture, but crisp audio as well. Our post production operation uses the same industry leading computers and software that films and television shows use. We also provide our clients with cutting edge motion graphics unlike most video production companies in the industry. We've worked with almost every piece of post production software imaginable since 2001. When it comes to high-end corporate video production, we've done it all. We have the experience and the capacity to handle your project from concept to completion.


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I woke up this morning, looked at my calendar and saw Blog post and I thought "oh no, what am I going to blog about today."
It wasn't that I didn't have anything on my "Things to blog about list" because I did. There was the beautiful bookcase my husband got me for Christmas, and a whole heap of other cute stuff I have been gathering about me of late as well as some family news. Well, I decided in the end that I would cover it all to a degree as well as throw in some little extra tip bits along the way.
So first off, my canopy on my mobility scooter nearly came off yesterday in the terrible wind we had. I've always worried about that canopy and was scared out of my wits when it nearly took off. All it took was a gust of wind forcing it's way in beside the perspex sheet at the front and it nearly lifted the whole thing off. Well, I have had it with that thing now. I'd rather get wet than deal with the stress of it, so it's going to be sold and Speedy McNipster and I shall brave the elements alone. :)
Something I am hoping my new bag can cope with, given I did not consider waterproofness as a necessity. Hay, when I bought it I had a canopy I wasn't too afraid to use. (Really I am just using this as an excuse to move on to all the cute stuff inside my bag although the bag is indeed not waterproof yikes.)
|Eshow Men's
Casual Flapover
Canvas Cross Body Messenger Bag, Brown
Bring on the plain boring bag tp the left.
Ok, so it's not that bad and I do still like it but it is not as bright and cheerful as I might have choose, given the choice.
So, naturally I had to make up for this lack of cuteness on the outside by filling the inside with cuteness beyond measure.
Filofax time YAY!!!!
Yes, I am still loving my Filofax, I have the A5 Domino, patent, in the Hot Pink. It is beautiful and feels great to hold too which I love. Plus I really like the elastic, which I didn't think I would.
Isn't it beautiful, even if it does blend in somewhat with the awesome hot pink blanket. My lovely mother-in-law got me for Christmas and which everyone keeps trying to steal. dogs, cats, SAMMY!!!!!
Well, my Filofax has become a real labour of love, it's something that you have to play around with until you find what works for you and be warned it can become incredibly addictive.
I have spent a bit too much money already on my cuteness parade and so I opted for creating my own tab sheets among other things, but I'll give you a a bit of a walkthrough of what I have done so far.
This is my meals, tab, behind this is where I do all my menu planning. From here I can keep track of what we are eating for the week, what I need to buy in the shopping for those meals as well as in general, what items I need to pick up from the farm shop and also my favourite recipes.
The"this will be the year" page was part of a free print out set I found. That came with all sorts of goodies, including a yearly planner, which I actually have behind this tab. It also came with month on one-page calendar which my son is enjoying using at the moment. There was so much more too, so if you want to take a look and maybe print some of the items off yourself you can find them here. I also have my bucket list behind this page too.
Next is my to do list tab. Which I probably doesn't need any explanation. I am not to happy with this one and think I might change it. It just didn't come out quite how I wanted, but we shall see.
This is my Todo list itself. I keep mainly things that I do on a regular basis here. So normally they would have four rows of seven for roughly a months worth of ticks, but having only started using this method two weeks ago. January only has that on it. I keep things abbreviated and have a sheet that reminds me what things stand for and things I complete, like books I am reading. I cross through with little lines as you can see with the SE, EIM and FL todo's :) So the circles are Monday through Friday and I just colour them in if I completed the task on that day. This show's I am slacking on my WIP oops.
Then there is my notes tab. I love this and doubt I will ever change it. Behind this, I keep my lists for my reading challenges. A wish list. A list of books I want to read. My son's attendance record. I like to keep track of this as he suffers from asthma pretty bad and this means he can at times miss quite a bit of school.
Next is my gratitude journal. I absolutely love this. the idea behind it is that at the end of each day you right what you are thankful for inside and that keeps you thinking positive, which is always a good thing right. I used print outs that I absolutely love for this. They come in black and white but with a little bit of effort you can make them all colourful like mine. :) Want some? Then go and find them here.
The calendar tab is next. This one took me hardly anytime at all to make, it's simple but I like it, plus I can pull the post-it for the year off, come the new year and easily replace it. So I don't need to make a whole new divider.
Year at a glance next. (sorry for the shadows on these pictures but my Kitchen light is sadly in the wrong spot.) I just pop colour coded dots on here for when something important is happening, or little lines across the corner of the square if my son has a school holiday that day. It's pretty straight forward and means if I am in a rush I can quick glance to see if anything important is happening that day.
Next is my tab for the Bible study I am doing with Proverbs 31 ministry called "keep it Shut."
Notes from that are naturally kept behind this as well as the daily pray they gave us.
There are a few other sections to my Filofax although I have yet to finish making the tabs for them. They are a blog section for all my blog ideas, plans and such. There is also a writing section for story idea's and other writing related items. At the back, I have my to-do list pad for the one off items that I just rip a sheet off and post at the front of my planner as needed and a little clipped on plain notepad too.
So that's my Filofax and the course of my new Filofax addiction. Do you have a Filofax addiction too? Or have you never had a filofax and think perhaps you might like one? Maybe dare I say it, you tried Filofax and couldn't get on with it? Whatever the case I would love to hear from you and hay, if you have a filofax you don't love, I am more than happy to take it off your hands ;) Gotta be worth a try right.
Next up in my cute-fest is my new pencil case, who's sole purpose is to hold all my pens, that I use with my Filofax, along with a few page flags too. I loved the dreamer written on the front, because that is me to a T, and all the artwork too. Just a beautiful pencil case. This is a Santoro's gorjuss pencil case. Encase you want to look for one and just to clarify. I am not being paid to advertise any of this stuff on my page. I am showing it because they are items I have bought and am proud of and thus would just like to share with you guys, because they bring me joy.
Next is my I-pad case. I can't for the life of me remember the name of this now but I got it off Amazon so type in cute I-pad case and it should come up. Hubby is not so keen on this one because he does like to use my I-pad a lot. I have this on an I-pad air, but I do believe they had them for several different I-pads but you would have to check.
This is my new wallet. I am loving these longer wallets right now and bought a longer one for my friend for Christmas too. They just feel so good in the hand and I just love them. Especially as they are no longer old fuddy duddy designs. This one is made by Samilon and I suspect will be in my bag for years to come.
So that's what's in my bag. How about you? Do you like things cute, stylish or perhaps you just go for practicality over style? what ever the case I'd love to hear from you. So be sure to leave a comment.
According to Grammerly, there are 24 mistakes in this blog post. If it weren't so late, I'd fix them, but I think you are just going to take me as is on this one, because I have loads to do and not enough time to do it, due to a sudden and unplanned day out with family. Still life is for living right.
Here's wishing your weekends are going great.
love and hugs


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Interview with Maliha Anderson
Interview with Maliha Anderson
The following interview with Miss Maliha Anderson was conducted on the day she left for South Africa. At the time she gave no indication that she would not return but it has been a year and there has been nothing except rumours of her whereabouts.
"I am not at all comfortable."
I don't know why Miss Anderson says this, after all the room is pleasant enough. The Pleiades Club for Ladies, located in the Compound near the main shopping district, is very well appointed and their library, where we are now seated, is quiet and friendly. The furnishings are of the highest quality—all buttoned leather and English oak—and the air is kept circulating by a fan in the ceiling.
"You know they did not want to let me in," she says, "but my friend, Mrs Makepeace-Flynn is on the committee."
I know that name. It was General Makepeace-Flynn who was the subject of her second major case. One with considerable scandal surrounding it though, in all fairness, each of her cases has had a sordid aspect in one way or another.
She perches on the sofa, so much younger than I expect—well, I suppose that's not true, since I know her age to be eighteen—it's just that, when you consider what she has done with her life in such a short space of time, she should be so much older—
"And I can't stay long." She glances at the door as if she plans on making a run for it. The light from the window glints on the ring on the third finger of her left hand. "I am flying out to South Africa today."
I smile. "You agreed to the interview, Miss Anderson."
Now she looks at the window. Her hair is long, thick and straight but done up in an elegant French style. I could wish for hair like that, and someone with the skill to work magic with it. Her maid is outside: she's very tall and gave me quite a menacing look as I shut her out.
The brown eyes turned on me suddenly. "Let's get on with it then, Miss Churchill. What do you want to know?"
I have prepared a list of questions, the sort of thing that female readers of the Manchester Guardian would want to know, but now I sit facing her there is only one question in my mind: "Why?"
"Why?" she repeats, "Why what?"
"Why do you do what you do?"
She sits back and looks at her hands. "I don't know."
Her response makes me feel more confident. She is an impressive woman despite her youth, and when she walks into a room, you notice her. Yet I am certain she is completely unaware of the impression she gives. She has genuine modesty and that, in its turn, gives me confidence.
"Is it a game?"
"A game?" Her voice drips with scorn. I have struck a nerve. "These are real people, Miss Churchill. This is not some silly fiction story. I know you journalists, always getting the story and never caring about the individual. You don't have to live their lives, nor feel their pain. You speak to them and move on. You print your distorted versions of the truth to boost sales." She pauses for a breath.
"I am an investigating journalist, Miss Anderson," I said, realising that while I may have got to her, she has done the same to me. I am annoyed. "I do this because I care. I was in South Africa during the Boer War, perhaps you were unaware. I was the one who reported the disgusting conditions in which the Boer women were being held. It was through my reports that the government was forced to change its policies."
I realise I am leaning forward and force myself back into the supporting comfort of the chair.
"I did not know. I was young and living in India," she says. "I am sorry if I offended you."
I raised my hand and waved away the tension between us. This was about her, not me.
"So why do you do it?"
"I believe I answered that question."
"Not really."
She sighs and looks at the window again. "I am someone who prefers to be alone, Miss Churchill. However I also cannot bear injustice."
"That must be difficult," I say quietly, not looking up.
I pause to give some space before the next question. "You were educated at Roedean."
"Just as were you, Miss Churchill."
"How did you find your time there?"
She looked at me. "Do you have to ask? You have noticed the colour of my skin?"
"I do not write fiction, Miss Anderson," I say. "Therefore I do not make things up. I might have an idea of what your time at school may have been like, but I could be wrong."
"You aren't wrong."
"What about the Taliesin Affair?"
She looks away and sighs again. "Ridiculous name," she says, "invented by a journalist with too much imagination." She rubs her thigh as she talks and, at a guess, I don't think she even realises she is doing it. My research told me she had almost been killed and had suffered a major injury to her leg. It also said she used a cane for walking, but she did not have one with her and, as far as I could see, did not even limp.
"If you hated the school so much why did you get involved?"
"I didn't hate the school," she said. "I loved school. It was the people who were the problem. To them I was nothing more than an intruder into their precious white world. I was the target for all their practical jokes.
"It is always the 'other' that is attacked, is it not? I was the 'other' personified. They made my life hell for seven years. Are you surprised that I prefer to be alone? Or that injustice makes me angry?"
"But they did not try to murder you."
"Did they not?"
I pause. I had had a fine time at school, even though I was technically an advertisement: See Winifred Leonora Spencer-Churchill, daughter of Lord Randolf Churchill (brother to the Duke of Marlborough), attends this school. Your daughter should attend as well. And because of that my parents did not have to pay the fees, which suited them. Just because one is nobility it does not follow that one has money.
"So why did you help?"
"Why would I not?" she says. "I explain it to you and still you do not understand. This is why I do not like to talk about myself. Nobody understands me."
I decide to change tack. "What about Bill Crier? Does he understand you?"
She glances down at the ring on her finger, almost as if she is surprised to see it there. "I am not incapable of love."
Why did she say that? Because she has stated how much she dislikes people as a whole? Well, I am now a spinster in my mid-30s and thoroughly on the shelf but I have known love. It has not been easy for me either, but my experiences are irrelevant here.
"How did you meet?"
"Do I really have to answer that?" she says with a touch of sarcasm. "I'm sure your research has told you."
"All right," I say, if she wants to make this a fight, who am I to disappoint her. "I believe you rejected and abandoned him after a difficult case."
She goes to speak and then stops. She pulls a kerchief from her bag and dabs at first one eye and then the other. The silence is like a cloak. I want to apologise, but I won't. Her shawl slips from her shoulders and, in the mirror behind her, I see scars cut into her back. They are recent and have not healed fully. She readjusts the shawl and they are gone.
Finally she turns to look at me. Her eyes are red and wet. This is not the woman I found in my research. She was hard, and strong; like a goddess of vengeance.
"I made a mistake," says this different woman. Her voice is barely above a whisper.
There is a knock on the door. It opens immediately and the maid, Amita, steps through. She says nothing but, on seeing the state of her mistress, gives me a glare hot enough to melt steel. It seems Miss Anderson has a protector.
I get to my feet as does Maliha Anderson. She has her mask on once more, and holds out her hand.
"It has been interesting to meet you, Miss Churchill," she says. "I am sorry we did not have more time."
"Perhaps we can meet again, when you return."
She smiles at me. The change in her face is astonishing, as if a light has come on.
"I think I would enjoy that."
And she is gone.
Buy the first three Maliha Anderson books in one volume.
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Works in Progress
Battle Dragon
60000 of 60000 words
Heretic Dragon
70000 of 70000 words
The Taliesin Affair
107000 of 99000 words