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What is Augmentative & Alternative Communication?
AAC is the use of strategies or tools to compensate for a severe communication disorder in order to enhance the individual's ability to participate in life's activities.
For whom is AAC appropriate?
AAC should be considered for anyone with a severe speech-language disorder for whom speaking and writing is insufficient to meet communication needs. These could be children with delayed or disordered speech and language, perhaps due to autism, apraxia of speech, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, genetic syndrome, or traumatic accident. AAC is also appropriate for adults with acquired speech and language disorders such as aphasia, apraxia or severe dysarthria due to a stroke, traumatic injury or degenerative disease.
What AAC services are available at the Speech & Hearing Clinic?
The UWSHC offers AAC assessment and intervention for both children and adults. Following best practices in AAC, our focus is on multi-modal communication, relying on a combination of strategies with and without technology. The common tools include specialized communication devices or mobile technology (e.g. iPads, tablets, cell phones with apps) as well as non-technology communication displays and notebooks, always used in conjunction with expressive speech and writing, when possible. The goal is to enhance the individual's ability to participate in family, educational, community and recreational activities despite the underlying impairment.
How do I apply for AAC services at the UW Speech & Hearing Clinic?
The application process is somewhat different depending on the age of the individual. Please follow the relevant links below, noting the general processes for intake and assessment which are still relevant for those seeking AAC services:
For pediatric clients, please select from the following pages:
Child with Receptive and/or Expressive Language Disorders
Child with Speech Sound Errors
For adult clients, please select from the following pages:
Adult with Aphasia
Adult with Apraxia of Speech
Adult with Dysarthria
Associated Faculty
Patricia Dowden, PhD, CCC-SLP - Senior Lecturer and Supervisor; Researcher
Tanna Neufeld, MS, CCC-SLP - Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor
Additional Resources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
International Society of Augmentative & Alternative Communication


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Shepherds Rest Farm
Breeding New Anatolian Shepherd Import Lines - Direct From Turkey
About Us
- Name: Shepherds Rest Farm
- Location: Newberg, Oregon, United States
Sunday, February 08, 2009
This last photo was taken in Turkey prior to Duman's long trip across Turkey, Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, and then across the U.S. from NY to Newberg, Oregon! I love this photo because of his curly tail. He is such a relaxed dog, that we don't get to see that very often!
Huge thanks to my wonderful friends, Ali, Alp, Ayhan, Zafer, Irfan, and your families, for all your help and support in getting Duman to America!

subset: commoncrawl


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If you loved games like Micro Machines, you'll be happy to know that the PS Vita is getting it's own micro racing title next month. Liverpool-based indie development studio Playrise Digital have joined forces with publisher Ripstone to bring their award-winning game Table Top Racing to PS Vita in August.
The game will be available in North America on August 5th 2014, followed by Europe on the following day. Table Top Racing features a host of crazy tracks complete with shortcuts, over-sized obstacles, jumps and all manner of other hazards. The game includes elements from similar racing games like ModNation Racers and LittleBigPlanet Karting, including one shot weapons power-ups which give players a temporary advantage.
The game has been available on mobile devices for a while now, but the PS Vita version promises some improvements, including controllable accelerator and brake, and "Rear View" glance-back by touching the rear panel. The graphics have also been improved, with the race tracks now using twice as many polygons.
The game includes a four-player multiplayer feature, supporting racing via both ad-hoc and the PlayStation Network.


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When implementing Salesforce knowledge, articles can be associated with data categories, which are contained inside data category groups. You can define up to three active data category groups, and an article can be associated with up to 8 categories per category group.
What might come as a surprise, is the requirement for an article to be visible if it is associated with categories in more than one group.
Consider the following setup of a knowledge base for Bob Buzzard Inc, providing information on Salesforce1 for my developers:
I have an article on adding a Visualforce mobile card to a page layout that is associated with the Mobile Cards data category, which my developers have access to through their profile, which includes all categories in the group:
A developer can then see the article via the Knowledge One tab:
I then set up another data category group for Administrators:
as my developers and administrators are quite protective of their roles and responsibilities (will they ever get along :), so developers have no access to the admin data category:
It then strikes me that the article about configuring a Visualforce mobile card would also be of interest to admins, so I add it to the Mobile Cards category in the admins group:
Once I've published this, the developers are straight on the phone complaining that they can no longer see the article:
all they can see is the test article.
Poring over the knowledge implementation guide presents the following explanation:
"A user can see an article if he or she can see at least one category per category group on the article."
In this case, as my developers can't see a category in the admins category group, they can't see the article any more.
Unfortunately, there will be an uprising if I give the developers access to the admin Mobile Cards category, so that isn't an option for me. The workaround that I came up with was to add a fake "shared" category to the admins category group:
and associate the article with this category:
and finally give my developers access to the shared category:
Now my developers can see the article again:
The downside to this is that I've burnt two data categories out of my allowance of eight in the admin data category group, and I have to replicate the "shared" category in the developers data category group to allow the admins to see the article. While its not overly onerous, it still strikes me as odd. If you agree, please vote up my idea to allow users access where they have access to any category, regardless of group, associated with the article:
Author's note: all talk of Salesforce Admins and Developers not getting along is artistic license to ensure that I had to use my workaround. In reality its one big love-in.


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Your Pewamo home is like a book – it gets judged by its cover.
And a big part of that is the look of your lawn.
Our network of lawn care companies in Pewamo, MI will give you a lush green lawn and can improve the overall look of your home, improving curb appeal and even increasing your property value.
To ensure that you have a vibrant and healthy lawn is to maintain and care for it. Everyone is familiar with the act of mowing the lawn, but there is a lot more to lawn care including:
- Seeding
- Soiling
- Aerating
- Fertilizing
- Pest Control
- Watering
- Landscaping
The Importance of Lawn Care in Pewamo
Lawn care is very critical for anyone who owns a home. Many gains come with having a good lawn. Firstly, it will benefit the environment, and it will help to generate more oxygen. Secondly, it will offer you somewhere to host events with family and friends. It will also boost the curb appeal and make your home look more beautiful. If you would like to have a good lawn, though, you will want frequent lawn care. On the subject of lawn maintenance in Pewamo, Michigan, Trugreen is the top provider.
Pewamo Lawn Care Experts
Homeowners can depend on TruGreen for care that is specifically meant for lawns.
TruGreen is a team of lawn care experts who are highly qualified to provide the best recommendations for you and your lawn, no matter which part of the United States you live in.
TruGreen can take a look at your lawn's grass type and soil condition and come up with the best plan for your lawn's specific needs.
In fact, we've connected more than 200,000 customers over the last 12 years with TruGreen which has helped them get a lawn they love.
Zip Codes We Service In Pewamo, MI
- 48873


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Contact Heavy Element
Heavy Element offers an array of services from video production to web design, from hosting to software development.
We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.
If you have a question regarding our services or would like to partner with us on a project, please feel free to use this form.
Once you submit this form, we'll get in contact with you shortly. Typically within two business days.


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Once, when our son was a newborn, a couple of our neighbors mowed our lawn when they noticed it had gotten quite long. I was home with our son during the day, but my husband was back to work and regularly gone 12+ hours a day, so cutting the grass just wasn't high on our list of priorities, though we had definitely realized it was growing past "acceptable" length.
The neighbors closest to our house have adult children, but they obviously remember what it was like to be completely overwhelmed with that first new baby, so when they saw us struggling, they stepped in.
Unassuming, the first neighbor walked across the street to make sure that he would not offend us by presuming that we wanted help, but I was so thankful for it. He began, and soon, another neighbor emerged from his home and helped him finish the job. While our front yard doesn't have a huge grassy area, we do have quite a few raised beds, so the work takes quite a bit longer because of all the edging required than would a typical front lawn. They finished up, and went home.
Perhaps it was a little thing, and not a huge expenditure of time and energy, but it meant so much to us as new, overwhelmed parents. I managed to bake them a plate of cookies as a small token of my gratitude, but even four years later, I doubt they realize how much that small gesture meant to me.
Not all neighborhoods are alike
The neighborhood we moved from previously was just twenty minutes away, but worlds apart in terms of community. We lived there just a year, but we got to know no one during that time. Sure, we could recognize a few faces and would wave as we passed, but that was about it. We knew a couple names, but not a single phone number. Certainly no one would have come and mown our lawn; likely they wouldn't even have noticed the help was needed.
The neighborhood we lived in wasn't bad, by any means, but it could hardly be called much more than simply a street with houses on it; it was definitely not a community in the true sense of the word. We lived there, but singly. We never had any kind of interaction with the people who lived near us beyond what we would experience walking down a random but familiar street.
Then again, we didn't try. The community didn't exist, and we didn't make any real effort to foster it. To be perfectly honest, the idea that the groups of strangers who lived around us would be anything beyond pleasant acquaintances wasn't something we considered. We had no plans to live there long term (it was simply a stepping stone on the way to buying our own home), but I don't know that our expectations would have changed if we did have long term plans to stay in that home.
Finding Our Forever Home
We moved into our current home seven and a half years ago, even then with the expectation that it was where we would raise our family for the long term. We had no considerations of the move being a stepping stone to a better, larger, home, but instead that this was the place we wanted to put down deep roots.
Perhaps our response to the neighborhood would have been different had we not expected to stay very long, but I don't think so. The tradition of a connected community had been in place for decades before we moved in; we simply continued an idea that already solidly existed. We hear stories about snow days when they set up hot chocolate bars and bonfires and hung out for hours while the kids sledded (the goal is this year to pick that back up). Kids biking in circles around the cul de sac like they do now. In general, life was lived outside and together much of the time.
Now that we know what a fabulous neighborhood looks like and what it takes to foster one, I expect we would encourage it even in a different location, but we first had to experience to know what we'd been missing before we moved in.
The neighborhood I grew up in had some connectedness with a few of the surrounding neighbors, but it was still very much a street of homes where some people knew each other. That was my frame of reference before we moved into this current neighborhood, and what it would have continued to be had things already been in place to a degree.
What Our Neighborhood Really Looks Like
We bought our home from a neighbor who still lives on our street, and we were first introduced to the people who lived in the other homes at the top of the cul de sac through them. Beyond that, we slowly met the rest of our neighbors, beginning with one who knows pretty much everyone within a half mile radius.
This "meeting" though extended beyond a simple hello and introduction, and I think much of that is due to the fact that many of them have lived on our street for a good twenty years or more. They raised their families there and then have continued to stay. Some have even told me they meant to stay, but never got around to leaving. I can absolutely understand the draw of the special neighborhood connection as an induction to put down deeper roots than you'd meant to. Once you experience the close knit community, it has to be hard to leave, because you know you won't find it elsewhere. And that longevity fosters more connectivity as well.
I've written about our neighborhood off and on with this blog since I first started it, but it's not hard to come up with things to say because it's a regular occurrence to have something be worth a mention in my Friday's Frugal Five.
Small Town Feel
In some ways, our neighborhood feels like a small town, even though we're nestled in a city of 80,000 people and just outside of the outskirts of Seattle. If I need to borrow a cup of sugar, I really can call on a neighbor, and as long as they have some, I know they will be more than willing to share. Or, as the case may be, a battery for our thermostat and to send up their husband to help me take a look at the underlying problem.
Our homes are generally not huge or glamorous, though plenty nice enough, and during any weather that isn't a downpour people can be seen outside in their front yards. I found that growing a garden in our front yard (initially due to lack of sunlight in the back yard) was probably the best thing I could have done to continue that connection.
Since I spend a considerable time out front, and so do my other neighbors, we end up chatting quite often out in the middle of the street about anything and everything. It's amazing how much you can get to know and be comfortable around another person if you just have regular, casual conversations with them.
These short chats also come out of the fact that the grocery store and a small shopping center are just a few blocks away; when you walk to the store often enough, you're again passing by your neighbors and more likely to pause for a short conversation. These small touches do add up to a real rapport when they happen time and time again.
None of this was a quick process, but a slow burn over the years since we moved into our home. We may have all started out as friendly acquaintances, but occasional neighborhood gatherings and lots of short conversations while walking by has grown a number of those into true friendships.
And beyond friendship, living within our neighborhood means we're more likely to spend an evening over dinner in someone's home, staying out of our cars, and living more slowly and sustainably than if we are constantly looking outward. If we all lived more locally, we would all live more frugal, sustainable lives. I love a weekend adventure as much as the next person, but there's a lot to be said about staying local much of the time.
The downside Of neighborliness
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the one real downside of this neighborhood community that exists where we live, because everything is of course not all sunshine and rainbows. Just like any small town, everyone knows each other's business, and the downsides that come along with that exist in our neighborhood as well. We get all the great bits, but also a little of the drama as well. Nothing overwhelming, but it does exist.
Beyond that, there are some days where even I, as an extreme extrovert, want to take a walk where I will be left alone and I don't have to talk to anyone. If the day is reasonably nice, though, the odds are good that someone will be outside in the two blocks it takes me to walk to the stop sign and across the main street. All that takes though is a pair of headphones, and I can be on my way, though it is obviously not anonymous in the same way you'd be in a big city.
The Unparalleled Value Of Fabulous Neighbors
I don't know why we lucked out and landed in the fabulous neighborhood we did, but of all the homes we looked at during our search, I doubt another one was in a community that compares to the one we have. Impromptu gatherings are common, as are the occasional more planned out block parties and dinners. We step up to watch each other's pets when we go out of town and our children when we have a last minute need. Beyond a cup of sugar, we share weed pullers and car jacks (we all have our own lawn mowers, but there's a neighbor who works on them as his retirement side project).
While all these things can exist in a larger community, and we have plenty of friends who don't live in our neighborhood, there's no substitute for being able to walk down the street instead of getting in your car. We can have drinks together on a Tuesday night, and then simply take the two minute walk home and to bed. The relationships are real, and they are easy. In a world where we are all overbooked and overburdened, there is a simplicity of looking to the people who already surround you.
How do you foster a community?
Now that we've lived here for the better part of a decade, I have some answers here, but some of it still feels like magic. Spending time in your front yard is great, but what if no one else does? At some point, it initially takes two families to start the momentum. As I've seen, having that in place when new people move in really helps to show that as something that's normal and just makes sense.
Go for walks. Garden in your front yard. Say hello when you pass a neighbor. Introduce yourself. In a world where we are increasingly connected electronically, we really need to find ways to connect in real life. And I can't think of a better place to start than simply looking next door.
Do you live in a neighborhood with real community? Do you wish you did?


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Each and every year I actually do come up with at least one New Year's Resolution, and I consciously attempt to stick to it throughout the year.
I also pick a quote that I would like to embody the coming year.
It's kind of interesting to see where one's priorities lie, and how they change over time…
2011: To start cycling again as a means to stay in shape, get out of the house, and meet new people. At the age of 45, I kinda feel like I'm in search of a good "mid-life crisis" right now. Jim's got his (going to NHRA drag racing events 23 weeks a year). I think cycling is mine.
My quote for this year:
Isn't fun the best thing to have? — Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore)
…because it's time to start having FUN again. I mean, to consciously turn everyday things into fun adventures and memorable events!
2010: To start walking more. On a small scale: several times a week around the neighborhood. On a larger scale: at the dog walking track where I can easily get in several miles at a good pace. Yes, the dog always goes with me. (He's good at loose-leash walking now.)
My quote for this year:
Think of your health as a bank account. You make deposits (nutrition, exercise, etc) and you make withdrawals (stress, etc).
…I made this one up myself and tweeted it one day. It got a couple of re-tweets, so it kinda stuck with me. The more we remember that our health is the underlying factor that determines how our life ultimately goes, the better (and healthier) our lives will be.
2009: To be more 'green' and efficient in the kitchen and all throughout the house.
My quote for this year:
Do what you can, where you are, with what you have. — Teddy Roosevelt
…because it's never too late to make a difference in the way tomorrow turns out. And every little thing adds up.
2008: To cook at home more — enough to pay for the new pots & pans I bought (…and the large custom kitchen we've designed for our new log home).
My quote for this year:
Do it now! Today will be yesterday tomorrow. — Anonymous
2007: To take our business to the next level. Since we're no longer working for someone else, it's time to take our creative ideas to new heights and get the most out of being entrepreneurs with nothing but time on our hands while working from our home.
My quote for this year:
An entrepreneur is a person who will work 16 hours a day for himself just so he doesn't have to work 8 hours a day for someone else. — Anonymous
2006: To do all this. (Basically, organize lots of things in my life and streamline other things that I enjoy doing.)
My quote for this year:
Today is tomorrow's yesterday. Make the best of it, for it will never come again. — Janice Markowitz
…because I need to quit putting off all of those little things that I've been meaning to do — including trying out some of those great ideas I've tabled until "later".
2005: To focus on our marriage by putting my husband first at times when I'd normally put myself first.
My quote for this year:
Fun shared is not halved, it is doubled. — Anonymous
…because Jim and I tend to have a lot of fun when we're together. So much so that we've always incorporated "fun" into our business names (like The Fun Times Guide and FunWheelers, to name two).
2004: To determine our ultimate plans regarding pregnancy, adoption, IVF, etc. (After much discussion, Jim and I decided to take a step back. If it was meant to be, then it will be… naturally.)
My quote for this year:
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end. — John Lennon
2003: To go to church regularly… again.
My quote for this year:
Change is good. — Anonymous
2002: To drink more water with meals instead of soda. It's one small way to become more fit and healthy… and save money when dining out!
My quote for this year:
It is never too late to become what you might have been. — George Eliot
2001: To be less controlling. It's okay if I'm not always in full control at all times. This is the year to slow down and enjoy life and all that I have.
My quote for this year:
Everyone dies, but not everyone lives. — A. Sachs
2000: To live in the moment!
My quote for this year:
To succeed in life, you need 3 things: a wish bone, a back bone and a funny bone. — Reba McEntire
1999: To slow down, and enjoy my commitment to Jim.
My quote for this year:
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. — Maya Angelou
….because I think I'm pretty selfish in terms of thinking of myself first, instead of him (or us) most of the time. I need to step back and think of how he feels (and how I make him feel) more often.
1998: To forgive and forget all the past messed-up relations I've held onto. Just move on from this day forward, because none of that is important today.
My quote for this year:
Instead of asking, 'Why did this happen to me?', ask yourself, 'How can I use this? Where is the gift in this?' — Tony Robbins
…because everything happens for a reason and it's not for me to judge. Instead, I should try to find something meaningful to build on and grow from. Which reminds me of something else I once heard someone say: You can question a person's judgment, but NEVER question a person's motives" — because you simply don't know what motivated a person to act a certain way. You don't know what that person was going through on that day, what they were dealing with, what state of mind they were in, or what kind of pressure they were under.
1997: To bike the "tallest mountain in Florida" — Sugarloaf Mountain on a regular basis — to where it no longer intimidates me. (Update: Today, NO hill intimidates me on a bike!)
My quote for this year:
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. — Helen Keller
…because life is about tackling challenges — big and small. In my world, the hills that I bike are incredibly intimidating. I need to get past this if I'm going to pursue long-distance cycling (300 miles in 3 days for a major cycling event, or 60 miles a day for routine cycling events).
I hope that by posting my own, very personal resolutions, I might influence others to actually come up with a New Year's Resolution other than simply "lose weight" or "stick to a diet" this year!
Here are the best ideas I've found for coming up with your own unique New Year's resolutions that truly mean something and will make a difference in your own life. Plus, tips for helping you stick to them this year.
If there is ONE thing I like… it's C H A N G E! The four seasons and major holidays are my favorite times of the year to recharge — and redecorate. I mostly like to share frugal DIY ideas for seasonal home decorating and party planning (for both, indoors and outside). Because who doesn't enjoy entertaining at home?! But even if you don't host many parties, I think you'll appreciate my DIY hacks and clever ways to decorate your house for the major holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Because those are the times when people tend to have the most visitors and overnight houseguests.


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Airistech Herbva 5G Vaporizer
The Herbva 5G vaporizer brings you into the new vaporizer generation for its extreme portability, easy operation and great taste. Easy to use optional flat or glass mouthpiece with magnetic connection makes it easy to use and easy to carry. The ceramic chamber allows for healthy heating and produces pure vapor. Three (3) temperature settings, allow you to easily press the power button choosing your desired temperature. It only takes 20-30 seconds to reach operating temperature.
In the Box:
1 – Herbva 5G
1 – Flat Mouthpiece
1 – Glass Mouthpiece
1 – USB Charging Cable
1 – Cleaning Brush
1 – Dab Tool
1 – User Manual
1 – Gift Box


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Immodulon has announced the appointment of Thomas O. Kleen as chief scientific officer of the Company, with immediate effect.
Thomas has over 15 years' expertise working within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. His strategic focus is on the monitoring of Cell Mediated Immunity and Bio-markers during cancer immunotherapy, inflammatory disease, vaccine development and detection of adverse immune reactions during drug development.
He has also designed immune monitoring technologies for companies and government institutions as well as advising on their appropriate use.
Dr Jaap Kampinga, chief executive of Immodulon, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Dr Kleen to the senior management team as our new Chief Scientific Officer. Thomas brings significant knowledge and strategic expertise in the development of cancer immunotherapies. He has a proven track record in supporting drug development which will be invaluable to Immodulon as we work to further advance Immodulon's lead candidate, IMM-101."


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Apparently they have great looking lingerie but failed to tell me
Many years ago, I used to love Victoria's Secret lingerie. I even worked as a stocker in one of their stores during my late teens. Their bras, panties, and lingerie were cute. Nothing outrageous or trashy, just elegant and pretty. Victoria's Secret was the first name that came to mind when I thought womens underwear. Mainly because at the time, they were the most popular of only a few lingerie of stores.
Now, there are now many popular lingerie stores and most if not all sell their outfits online. Due to many options and choices available, Victoria's Secret pretty much faded away as my go to lingerie store.
Every once and awhile I would walk into their retail store and search for the perfect outfit for a boudoir photo shoot, but would leave empty handed. The styles they had were not that impressive and were something that I have seen before. I gave up on them all together.
I was pleasantly surprised during a recent boudoir photo shoot that the lingerie being worn was from Victoria's Secret. I honestly could not believe it. Yesterday I took a few minutes to check out their website and I LOVED IT. The photos of the models and outfits look amazing! The styles and variety of lingerie, bras, and panties are absolutely gorgeous.
Great job Victoria's Secret! I did not think you could ever do it, but you have won me over as a fan of your lingerie again.
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply.
Email: email@example.com
Call/Text: 702-714-0469
3430 E Tropicana Ave #57
Las Vegas, NV 89121


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U Mominky je dětská skupina pro děti od 2 let sídlící v Brně v Novém Lískovci. Důraz klademe na laskavý a individuální přístup. Baví nás být trpělivými průvodci dětí, které si s námi mohou hrát, učit se novému a mít v nás jistotu.
While mummy and daddy are working, the kids get creative, sing and play on a given topic. Your office will turn into a fairytale forest or a medieval castle. Just arrange a suitable room and leave the rest to us.
The parent brings the child in the morning, they enjoy lunch together later at noon and then we take over again for the afternoon. After work, they caper home, without the tedious travel to and from kindergarten.
You will find our first children's group in Brno - Nový Lískovec. U Mominky you will not fully encounter any popular educational direction today. But you will find here a very kind, sensitive and individual approach for your children.
Your employees will leave work more relaxed than when they arrived. A hairdresser, a cosmetician or a mani-pedi pro will do their magic right in your office. Our at-the-desk massages are also very popular. Basically, it's the little things everyone dreams of but very seldom has the time to do.
Enjoy the hospitality of Moravian wine cellars, get pampered at our wellness weekends or experience a bit of adrenaline. On your own, with a group of friends or with your colleagues. Leave the stress far behind and relax. The adventure and wellness trips are open for for businesses, individuals and private groups.
Active relaxation is the best kind. You and your employees or friends will spend a day creating seasonal decorations, machine-sewing, knitting or crocheting. We can also do this as a family activity and involve children. Forget about work for a while and explore your creative self.
Do you need a moment for yourself? To buy a birthday cake, to get your hair done or just wait out the queue at the bureau saving the tenth "Are we there yet?" Park your kids with us. For two hours or the whole morning. We promise to keep them busy.
Enjoy a day of games and activities with your employees and their families. We take care of everything from program to refreshments. You just have fun.
No way you make it into a gym with your pram? Let's create our own fitness centre outside! With Fitmami, you'll get a full cardio and strength training while having loads of fun. We only use strollers and kids as equipment.
Do you want to hold a family day, arrange a first-aid course or join one of our Fitmami lessons? Leave us your details and we'll get in touch.


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Whether you want to be a better lover, learn how to cook like a master chef or lose the extra fluff currently engulfing your sexy parts (like the Cave of Wonders in Aladdin), I know you want to improve your life in some way. What's stopping you?
How do I know? Because we're the same, you and me. I've been there, too. From being petrified of getting on stage and trying to make a crowd of complete strangers pee their pants from laughter, not writing consistently and crying "writer's block" to abandoning a diet early because I was too hungry, felt like I was losing too much muscle or a hodgepodge of excuses I used to cover up the fact that I was too scared to get it done.
The worst part? I never admitted that I was afraid. I started to believe these excuses. To embody them. To live them.
Each time that I fooled myself into thinking I was a fearless man who simply encountered insurmountable barriers, it became easier to fall into that paradigm the next time.
After years of this vicious cycle, I painfully realized that I wasn't living the life of my dreams. Not because of anyone else or a lack of opportunities, but because of my own doing.
It broke me. Hard.
Here is the most important advice you'll ever hear, regardless of what you apply it to: know your real edge and sharpen it relentlessly.
Your edge is the point where you start to back off, to rationalize, to bury yourself in the minutia, to buy into whatever bullshit story soothes your fears and gives you a reason to stop short of absolutely crushing a goal, leveling up your inner badass in the process.
In Kill Bill, Hattori Hanzō was the man. When you needed Japanese steel, a weapon capable of waging a roaring rampage of bloodshed and vengeance without losing stopping power, you called Hanzō. One does not simply create a Hanzō sword, however – such a creation is forged only through consistent, methodical effort and honesty.
Here is how to create your own Hattori Hanzō life blade.
1. Describe your current edge in detail. Example: I know I could be leaner, but I'm too lazy to consistently track my food intake.
2. OWN your current edge, committing to lean slightly into the discomfort each time you encounter it. Lean too far and the resistance encountered will be too great; lean too little and there will be no growth.
"A free man is free to acknowledge his fears, without hiding them, or hiding from them. Live with your lips pressed against your fears, kissing your fears, neither pulling back nor aggressively violating them." – David Deida
Face your fears, hone your edge and create a life worth living. Don't sell yourself short.
If you need any help identifying or finding your edge, I'm more than happy to help. Contact me via the contact form on this site.


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He was his aftershave, he wore Mom's favorite – Bay Rum
He was his passion, coaching – Great advice, he gave me some
He was his religion, a Catholic through and through
He was his parents who survived the Depression & World War II
He was that one room schoolhouse he went to – Emigrant Gap
He was his favorite San Francisco 49ers baseball cap
He was all three boys of his, that includes yours truly
He was more than a slight improvement to our family tree
He had a smile that brightened even the saddest of days
He made time for me a lot, we'd go on little getaways
He was the only Father I'd ever wanted and had
He liked it when I called him "Pops" or "Dad"
We both were right handers, unlike my Mom & brothers
When he was with me, he wasn't thinkin' 'bout his druthers
Now I look at both my daughters and I hope they'll see
The Dad I've always hoped I could be
He was those cashmere V Neck sweaters he'd wear a lot
He was those aloha shirts he wore when it would get hot
He was the kind of man who was always cookin' up a plan
and he was a dedicated San Francisco Giants fan
He was that man who many went to for advice or just to talk
His point of view was like the cliffs near the Boardwalk
He was the deck he built with Gramps when I was a child
When he was laughing, I'd laugh, and when he smiled, I smiled
When he was in his bed during his last dying days
I'd look at his eyes, he had a glossy gray gaze
There were stickers with visitors names up on a board
On the last day I saw him, I told him he should run to the Lord
His initials were KDG, his name was Kenneth David Gray
He is a huge reason why I am the man you see today
He taught me about tennis, about how great life can be
I was so glad he was alive to enjoy my family
Now, my daughters, they talk about him, they miss him a lot
For he was our fearless leader and yet he wasn't a big shot
He was a good man through and through, did the best he could
I am thankful for what he taught me during my childhood
And as I sit here tonight in the front room of our house
I think about the time he introduced my girls to Mickey Mouse
I think about all our good times and memories
He may be gone for good, but he's guiding me
My Dad, My dear Father, My good friend – Good ol' KDG.
Inspired by my Father, Kenneth David Gray. I think that says it all.


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Maria Paredes Mendez: Associate Professor and Chair of the Modern and Classical Languages Department at Western Washington University.
What brought you to Bellingham?
I came to Bellingham right after I finished my PhD at the University of Kansas. I was looking for jobs on both coasts, and in the Chicago area. This one popped up, and all I knew about the Northwest was from Frasier. I knew it was green and rained a lot, and that's what it's like where I'm from. I figured it would feel a little like home.
I was invited to campus after interviewing for the position. The minute I stepped off the plane, I was like, "Oh my gosh, please hire me!" I hadn't even seen the campus, but it literally felt like home. It smelled like home; the air felt like home. That was twelve years ago.
It was my first real job out of grad school. I love it here. I really like Western. I love Western students. They are pretty amazing. Very different from the type of student I was used to at KU.
Really? What's different about Western students?
WWU doesn't have a language requirement. The students actually want to be in class. They're motivated. I always say that Western students are world naive, but world curious. They want to learn. You would think for college students that would be a given; but it's often not.
The best Western students could really be anywhere; literally anywhere. They're that good. It's really exciting to have students like that.
What's your favorite spot in Bellingham?
I love Fragrance Lake, Larrabee State Park, Boulevard Park, and Fairhaven.
It's counterintuitive because the weather is so bad sometimes, but in Bellingham, people like to be outside. There's a sense of community on the street not common in the States. That's something I miss about Spain—walking places and seeing people out and about. Bellingham has a little of that.
What do you like best about your job?
I actually have two jobs right now. I'm the Chair of the Modern and Classical Languages Department, so I spend a lot of time on administrative duties. My other job is a professor—teaching and doing research.
What I love most about my professor job is teaching and interacting with my students. I love opening doors and windows for them, so to speak. It's great to see the spark in their eyes when they get it. As the Chair, I like to make things happen—to explore new avenues, do new things, and see how we can be more effective.
What do people not understand about your job, or about Western?
There's this perceived division in Bellingham—the people up there on the hill—on campus, and the people down here in the city, like we are in some sort of bubble. Which to a degree is by design. Students need to take their first steps of independence in a protected, somewhat controlled environment.
At the same time, we all teach up there, but we live down here. We are here because we love Bellingham, because we love the Northwest, because we love to teach, because we like to engage with the community. Some people think of professors as people who are in their heads all the time. Most of us are not like that. We have a very social job and interact with people all the time. We have families, we like good food, going to coffee shops, and going on hikes. I think that's the most important thing for people to understand about the WWU faculty.
What does Bellingham need?
I would love for Bellingham to have more big businesses, in the sense that they're growing, they're changing, and they're open to hiring young people who have new ideas to contribute. That's one of the issues with Bellingham. It's a great place to live, but it's really hard to find a job here. Many of my students would love to stay but it's just not an option unless they want to get a job at a coffee shop. We are so privileged to have so many young people here. It would be amazing if we can take full advantage of that by facilitating entrepreneurship in whatever way possible.
Is there a book you've read recently that you're really excited about?
I just discovered a new author, Kazuo Ishiguro. He's Japanese British. He explores themes found in science fiction or futuristic literature. His book, Never Let Me Go, was made into a movie.
What is your favorite spot downtown?
We are downtown a lot. I like Avenue Bread, Avellino, Woods, La Fiamma Pizza and Burgers, and Boundary Bay Brewery.
If you have an empty day, and it's beautiful out, where would we find you?
Early morning, you would find me in Fairhaven having a cup of coffee at Tony's, maybe reading a book or grading papers. Then I'd go for a walk, either at Boulevard Park or up in Fragrance. Afterwards, I'd get lunch downtown.
What are people always surprised to learn about you?
Most people are surprised to know that I got my paella recipe from the Internet. They all think it's this family recipe passed down from generations. I actually didn't grow up eating paella.
Is paella from another region of Spain?
It's a very traditional dish from a region called Valencia, on the eastern side in the Mediterranean. It's not easy to find a restaurant in the north that serves it. It's great though—I love it, and love serving it at parties. It looks beautiful and you can feed a ton of people with it. But I got my recipe from the Internet!
If you had to go back and enroll at Western, what would you study now?
That's a good question. I got my undergrad degree in Spain, and always wanted to be a journalist. At the time, there were very few journalism schools so I would have had to move to Madrid and my parents just didn't have that kind of money. If I had to start again, I would probably end up doing sort of the same thing—probably a degree in English. I love reading, and reading about literature. The other thing I wanted to do back in the day was social work. That might be another piece of the puzzle.


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Peached Pork Ribs
4 pounds pork ribs, cut into serving-size pieces
1 onion
1 bay leaf
2 cups chopped, peeled peaches (1 pound)
1 can condensed tomato soup (10 3/4 ounces)
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 T. dry mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Add two inches of water to 5 quart cooking pot and place pork ribs inside. Add the onion and bay leaf and boil. Reduce heat; cover pot and simmer about for one hour or until the ribs are tender. Drain the ribs. Preheat grill to medium high. Place ribs on the grill fat side up; cover and cook for one hour. Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan and mix well. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until mixture has thickened. Stir mixture two to three times while simmering. Once ribs have grilled, brush with peach sauce and grill until well done, brushing sauce throughout grilling. Use any remaining sauce to top ribs once ready to serve.
Copyright © The Recipe Finder, All Rights Reserved


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The Bears have done a lot to improve the quality of starters and the depth on the offensive line, but one thing they haven't done is bring in anybody to compete with right tackle Roberto Garza. The Bears have pointed out that Dan Buenning, who was aquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, could compete, but it has yet to be seen if he is being given the chance to win the job from Garza.
Here is a look at Matt Forte's performance running in each direction; it seems to support that Garza is doing fine.
Right side 102 carries, 405 yards, 4.0 average
Left side 95 carries, 314 yards, 3.3 average
Middle 60 carries, 286 yards, 4.8 average
There are other factors that can go into how these numbers can be massaged, but overall Garza seems to be holding his own.