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SUMMARY: Landon Bridges is freshly christened history professor at the University of Maryland. He loves teaching, believing it both a noble calling and a way of helping his young charges become wiser and better human beings. Sadly, being both odd and socially inept, Landon's not a very good teacher. Then he suffers a devastating personal setback, one that leads him to contemplate taking his life. What happens next will surprise and delight you. Please note that italics are typically used to indicate what a character is saying or thinking to himself.
WARNING: This story is a work of adult fiction and intended for mature audiences only. Unless otherwise noted, all of the characters in the story are fictional; any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. While some of the places described or mentioned in the story are fictional as well, others may be real. However, some liberties may have been taken with the truth to enhance the story. Please note that the story may describe, depict or otherwise include graphic portrayals of relationships between men and/or adolescent boys that are homosexual in nature. If you do not like or approve of such discussions or it is illegal for you to read such material, consider yourself warned. If you continue to read this story, you are asserting you are fully capable of understanding and legally consenting to reading a work of adult fiction.
NOTICE: This story is my property and protected by the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. It may not be reproduced in any form without my written permission. You may download a single copy to read offline and to share with others as long as you credit me as the author. However, you may not use this work for commercial purposes or to profit from it in any way. You may not use any of the characters or fictional places in the story in your own work without my explicit permission. Nor may you use, alter, transform, or build upon the story in any way. If you share this story with others, you must make clear the terms under which it is licensed to them. The best way to do that is by linking to this web page.
NOTES: Please check these notes every week. If there's something I want to alert you to as I post each chapter, this is where I will I do so.
I was approaching my automobile after leaving the establishment when I heard words directed at me from somewhere nearby.
"Psst. Hey you, Mister; over here."
Looking around, I couldn't see anyone in the darkness.
"Over here, Mister," the voice urged again.
Taking another look I saw a young lad in the shadows. At first I thought he might be a student at one of the local colleges, but a second glance left me less certain of that as he seemed a bit young.
If he's a student all, Landon, he must be a freshman.
"Good evening," I said. "Is there some way I can be of assistance?"
"No, but I can be of assistance to you if you're interested in having a good time," he replied. "Are you?"
Coming from someone I barely knew, it seemed an odd question. But I didn't want to rudely dismiss such a friendly gesture.
"Ordinarily I would be, but I've just had a most delightful time in that establishment over there," I replied, pointing from where I had come. "I was about to go home given the lateness of the hour, but appreciate your most generous offer. If I can help in any way, I'd be happy to do so."
"Uh, well, if you're not interested in having some fun, I doubt it," he replied; "unless you'd be willing to give me a ride across town to the Café Palermo. I've been hanging around this club for an hour and haven't had a single customer. It's been a complete waste of time."
"What a shame," I responded, empathizing with his plight. "What kind of customer are you looking for? Perhaps I can help."
"I doubt it," the kid said, looking back at me strangely. "You don't look the type. But it don't matter; the only thing that matters is me getting back to the Palermo so I can make some bread tonight. Can you give me a ride, Mister?"
"I don't know where that cafe you mentioned is," I responded, "but I do have a vehicle and would be happy to give you a lift. Do you think you can direct me there?"
"Yeah, I can do that," the kid said. "I can direct you. I can do whatever you want me to do assuming we come to some kind of arrangement."
I didn't understand what he meant, but he seemed like a nice enough lad and I wanted to help. Walking to my automobile together, we were on our way across town soon enough.
"I don't mean to be presumptuous," I volunteered, trying to engage my youthful companion in conversation, "but you said something about making bread."
"Are you a baker perchance? If so, do they have a good selection of breads at this cafe I'm taking you to? I may pick up something for the morning if they do. It's hard to find quaint little cafes in the United States that still make their own bread like in Europe. Is this place we're going to popular? Does it have many customers?"
"No," he responded giggling, as if my remarks had amused him somehow. "I'm not a baker, Mister. Let's just say I'm in the hospitality business."
"I was trying to upgrade my clientele by hanging out at that club where we met," he added. "I should have known better. As for the Palermo, yeah; it's popular and there'll be a lot of customers there. I'm sure you could pick up something to snack on tonight, but probably not bread at this hour."
"I have to confess I don't know much about the hospitality business," I replied, glad to learn he was gainfully employed. "But, then again, I suppose giving you a ride to the Café Palermo is something like being in the hospitality business myself. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Uh, well, no; I don't think so," he responded. "There's a difference, but I appreciate the ride, Mister. By the way, my name is Woody. What's yours?"
"Landon," I responded; "Landon Bridges and I'm delighted to make your acquaintance. Is that Woody as in Woodrow Wilson?"
"I don't know," he said. "Who's Woodrow Wilson?"
I remember being disappointed; profoundly disappointed.
What are they teaching in the schools these days, Landon, when a young lad like this doesn't even know who Woodrow Wilson is?
"He was an American President earlier this century," I responded.
"Not one I especially admire, but an important one," I added, implicitly chastising the youth although I regretted that the moment I uttered the words.
"But he died many years ago so perhaps it's not really important after all," I added, trying to make up for my rebuke.
"You're right," he replied. "If the guy's a stiff, he's not going to help me much. Fortunately, I have you to give me this ride; that makes you more important than Woodrow Wilson, Landon, a lot more important."
I remember being amused at such a droll comment.
Think of it, Landon; you're more important than Woodrow Wilson to this young chap. That's quite a compliment.
Looking over, I smile at the lad. If anything he seemed somewhat younger than my initial assessment and that bothered me given the hour.
"It's a bit late to be going to another establishment across town at this time of night, don't you think?" I inquired. "Could I give you a ride home instead?"
"Your home?" he asked. "Sure; assuming we can come to some kind of agreement on price."
"No; you misunderstood," I replied. "I was just thinking it seemed a bit late for you to be out. I'd be happy to drive you to your home if you need a ride; and I certainly wouldn't charge you to do so. Paying me for a ride? Perish the thought!"
"Uh, well, that's nice of you," Woody said, "but it would take forever for me to get home, if I could get there at all. That's why I'm going to the Palermo. I'm looking for a friend who can, uh . . . who can put me up for the evening."
"I see," I responded. "That's nice to know; that you have friends willing to put you up while you're away from home. You can never have enough friends, Woody, especially good friends willing to help out in a pinch."
"Um, yeah, I suppose," he said; "not that they're really friends. More like business associates you could say."
"But now that I think about it, I don't suppose you'd be willing to put me up for the night, would you?" he added. "I mean, like I said, I know some guys at the Palermo who'll do it, but it'll cost me one way or another and I'll probably be up half the night before I get any sleep. I was out late last night, up early this morning, and right about now I'm exhausted. I need some zzz."
"Zzz?" I asked, curious.
I had never heard that word.
"Yeah; that would be sleep to you, I guess," he responded. "By the way, did anyone ever tell you you're a little strange, Landon?"
I remember chuckling.
"Yes, I've heard that before," I replied, "and more than once to be entirely truthful. I don't know why people say that about me, but who knows? Maybe they're right. As for your specific question, yes; I could put you up for the evening if you need a place to stay."
"I do," he said.
"It wouldn't be much," I cautioned, "just a sofa bed in the living room; and it's not the most comfortable sofa bed either to be honest about it. But it's definitely serviceable."
"A sofa bed?" he said. "If we go back to your place, you're going to want me to sleep on a sofa bed?"
"Yes," I responded. "I apologize for that, but I only have a one bedroom apartment and I've never had guests before; so, alas, that's the best I can do unfortunately."
"Playing hard to get, huh; is that it?" he said. "Two can play that game you know, Landon; a sofa bed would be fine if that's where you want me to sleep. I'll sleep wherever you decide. We can talk about it when we get back to your place."
By now I had turned my automobile around and made my way back to Capitol Hill. Soon enough I was on North Michigan Avenue and headed toward Maryland.
"I don't mean to be nosy," I said, "but, as I mentioned before, it seems a bit late for you to be out at night. This hospitality business you're in; does it really require you to work this late in the evening?"
"Yeah; it does," he responded without further elaboration.
"I see," I said. "Well it seems a shame that a fine lad like you should have to be working at this hour of the night when you really should be in bed. I tell you, Woody, it's a strange world we live in these days when young boys like you have to work at hours like this."
"Tell me about it," he replied; "a strange world indeed. And one filled with lots of strange people as well. You meet a lot of strange people in the hospitality business."
We got back to College Park soon enough. I found Woody a towel and a toothbrush, showed him where the bathroom was located, and encouraged him to make use of the facilities. While he did, I found some fresh sheets, opened the sofa bed, and made it as comfortable as I possibly could.
From the living room, I could hear Woody taking a shower. When he finished, he emerged wearing a towel around his waist and a grin on his face. Cleaned and scrubbed, he was a handsome lad indeed. There was no denying that.
"Ah, there you are, Woody," I said. "I've made the sofa bed for you. Like I said, it isn't the most comfortable bed in the world, but the sheets are clean, the pillow fluffy, and I've placed a blanket at the bottom of the bed in case it gets cold during the evening. I suspect it will. Is there anything else I can do for you before going to bed?"
"Um, well, I don't know, Landon," he replied, and by now it seemed to me the grin on his face was quickly becoming a smirk. "Are you sure there isn't something I can do for you?"
"No, not that I can think of at the moment," I responded; "although I certainly appreciate the offer. It's very generous of you, especially being my guest. But I'm fine."
"Really?" he said, confused. "There's nothing I can do for you? I mean, if you're looking for a discount, we can talk about that."
"No, no," I said, equally confused. "Like I said, I'm fine. I've had a bit of a stressful day, Woody, so I think I'll fall asleep quickly tonight."
"I see," he responded, shrugging his shoulders; "and this is where you want me to sleep, on this sofa bed? Is that what you're telling me? "
"Oh, drat," I responded. "Now you've made me feel guilty."
"If you think this sofa bed is going to be too uncomfortable for you, I suppose you could sleep in my bed instead," I added, looking over at him and smiling.
"Ah, yeah; your bed," he said. "I see; that's my other choice, is it? Why am I not surprised?"
"Yes," I responded. "You're welcome to my bed. It's the least I can do as a good host; though I'll have to get my pillow from it for the couch. I don't mind sleeping out here on the sofa bed myself. I've slept on it before. But I'll have to insist on keeping my favorite pillow. I can't sleep without it."
Woody looked at me oddly again as if he didn't understand what I was saying.
"I see," he finally responded. "You weren't kidding, were you? You were serious. Oh, well, never mind; this sofa bed is fine for me. I'll sleep here. Do you think you can give me a ride back into town in the morning though? I should have asked before I came out here, but I was tired and forgot."
"Certainly," I replied. "That won't be a problem. Unless . . ."
"Unless what?" he said, looking over at me even as his face tightened momentarily.
"Oh, nothing," I said. "It's just I was thinking of going on a hike tomorrow and I was wondering if you might like to come along? I've been meaning to go hiking for a long time, but what with my new job and all, I've never gotten around to it; and it's always more fun to go hiking with someone, of course, not alone. But I realize it's presumptuous of me to even inquire, especially at this late hour."
"Can I ask a question?" he said.
"Of course, Woody," I responded. "Ask away."
"That word; presumptuous. That's the second time you've used it tonight. It's like your favorite word. What does it mean?"
I remember chastising myself. It was a big word and I had assumed his vocabulary was as extensive as mine. But he was young and I had obviously been mistaken about that.
"Um, my bad," I responded. "It means I was assuming too much; assuming you might be free to go hiking with me even though I've only given you short notice."
"I see," he responded. "That's okay. I'll have to think about it, but I might be available to go hiking with you tomorrow. You're different from the rest the guys I know, that's for sure. It might be interesting to find out what makes someone like you tick. That's assuming I still feel the same way in the morning and you can take me back to Washington afterwards."
"Splendid!" I exclaimed. "I hope you'll feel up to it in the morning, Woody. To me autumn is the best time of the year for hiking; indeed, the perfect time. And rest assured; I can take you back to Washington after our little communion with nature if you decide to do so."
"Whatever," Woody replied.
With that I turned off the lights in the living room and retreated to my bedroom. I remember thinking the evening had been a most interesting one. I had visited a new establishment, one with strange customs, made a friend with someone in the hospitality business, and possibly found a hiking companion for the following day.
Unlike the rest of my day, the evening seemed to have been a complete success and that was a new feeling for me.
I was surprised when I woke up the following morning. Woody had joined me in bed at some point during the evening. I remember thinking I should have insisted on taking the sofa bed or at least put out more than one blanket. The apartment was definitely chilly.
Nor was sharing my bed with Woody a problem; it was a king sized bed and Woody was sleeping over on one side of it. He was only wearing his undergarments and I was reminded again what a fine looking lad he was. Indeed, there was something vaguely appealing to me in his appearance. As I sat there trying to put my finger on it, I found myself surprised as my penis suddenly began to enlarge.
Oh, drat, Landon; how embarrassing. You don't want the lad to see that.
It had happened before on various occasions over the years. I never understood why or what it signified; just that it could be embarrassing depending on the circumstances.
Trying not to awaken Woody, I gathered my clothes and went to the bathroom where I quickly showered and shaved. By the time I was dressed and returned to the bedroom, Woody was awake and sitting up in the bed with his arms crossed behind his head.
"Good morning, Woody," I said. "I guess that sofa bed was as bad as I feared."
"It was okay," he responded, "but it got cold out there during the night. I hope you don't mind me coming in here."
"Of course not," I said. "I would have suggested that last night except it would have been presumptuous for me to do so. You see, young Woody, there's that word again; presumptuous. I suppose it's foolish, but I was concerned you would think badly of me if I offered to share my bed with you."
"I might have," he agreed. "But now that I've gotten to know you better, you don't seem like a bad person to me, Landon; just strange. In any event, since you're up, I guess I should get up as well. Do you mind if I use the bathroom? I might take a longer shower this morning since I haven't had one in a couple of weeks and it felt good to take one last night, however brief."
"Do you want to join me?" he added, smiling.
"I've already taken my shower," I replied, "but you're more than welcome to do so as well. And let me be the first to say I admire your effort to save water. People in America waste too much water and we need to do better about things like that; to be less wasteful. But, then again, I suppose I'm preaching to the choir, aren't I, Woody? You're already doing your part to save water."
"If you say so," he replied, shaking his head as if amused.
"In any event, I'll make breakfast for the two of us while you shower," I added. "What would you like to eat?"
"Hmmm," he said, rubbing his chin, his smile becoming a grin. "What would you like me to eat, Landon?"
"For someone still growing like you, definitely something healthy," I replied. "However, your choices are limited I fear. What I can offer are Cheerios, milk and some bread and jam; I also have bacon and eggs, but they're less healthy, of course. And fresh fruit; I have lots of fresh fruit. That's what I can think of off the top of my head. I may have more."
"Fresh fruit," he said, smiling at me. "That sounds good; I love all kinds of fruits."
"Oh, and I may have a sausage too," I added, belatedly. "I could whip it up for you if you like."
"I see," he said, and by now I could have sworn he was smirking at me.
"I don't know, Landon" he continued. "I could probably use a big sausage right about now. Is yours big or small?"
"I don't really know," I responded. "I've never looked at the package it came in that closely."
Suddenly he burst out laughing.
"You're too much, Landon," he said. "Bacon and eggs sound good; and the fruit too. I think some fruit would definitely be appropriate this morning."
He showered while I made breakfast and then I watched while he devoured everything I put in front of him. He seemed to be quite hungry for such a small lad because he asked for seconds of just about everything. In fact, I was running low on some of the things he seemed to like when the idea occurred to me again.
"You're sure you don't want that sausage?" I asked.
Something must have gone down the wrong pipe at that moment because he started to choke and had a difficult time keeping everything in his mouth rather than spewing it all over me.
"Not at the moment," he gasped, having regained control; "perhaps later."
"Fine," I replied. "Are you still interested in going hiking with me today?"
"Sure," he said. "I think that would be interesting, maybe even fun; and it's not like I have anything better to do before tonight."
"That's the spirit," I replied. "Let's go to it then, lad."
And so that's what we did on Saturday. We went hiking.
It was a splendid day for a walk in the woods. Woody kept up with me easily and proved to be an excellent hiking companion. Eventually we reached the top of the mountain and found a place where we could take in the breathtaking scene in front of us.
"Can I ask something, Landon?" he said, as we sat there.
"Certainly," I responded.
"Are you gay by any chance?"
It seemed an odd question, one that took me by surprise.
"Sometimes," I replied.
"Sometimes?" he asked, looking strangely at me. "Not all the time; just sometimes?"
"Well, you know, I try to be gay, Woody," I replied. "But at times my problems seem overwhelming and I give into despair. It isn't always easy to be carefree and happy when you're an adult."
"I see," he responded. "And exactly what problems seem so overwhelming to you, Landon?"
"Oh, well, I don't really want to get into that," I said. "It would be far too depressing; and I'm actually feeling quite gay at the moment. Going hiking with you today has lifted my spirits immensely. Thanks for coming with me, Woody. This has been the best day I've had since arriving in Maryland."
"Uh, well, I'm glad to hear that," he replied; "surprised but glad. You do know I wasn't asking whether you're feeling carefree and happy. I was asking whether you're a homosexual. Gay's the word some of the people I know who are homosexual like me to use these days."
"Really?" I said, surprised. "I've never heard the word used that way. But as for your question, the answer is yes. I am homosexual, Woody. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason really," he responded. "I thought you were. I mean, that club last night is a gay bar. Did you go there to meet a friend?"
"No; not at all," I responded. "The truth is I didn't even know it was a club for homosexuals; or should I say gay people? I'm new to Washington, Woody, and don't have any homosexual friends. Truth be told, I don't have any friends at all, either here or back in New England where I'm from. But I've always thought it would be nice to have some friends, especially one who was homosexual like me."
"I'm gay," he responded, "so now you have at least one friend who's gay."
"Are you?" I asked, surprised. "I wouldn't have thought that. Not that there's anything wrong with it. It just seems surprising a young chap like you should be my very first friend and gay, as you put it, as well."
"So you're really telling me you've never had a gay friend before?" Woody asked.
"I assure you I'm telling the truth," I said.
"And what about sex, Landon; have you ever had sex with anyone?"
I remember blushing when he asked and he started to laugh when he saw my face reddening; although not in a mean way.
"I'm afraid I'm something of a naïf when it comes to sex, Woody," I said.
"A naïf?" he asked.
"Oh, sorry; another one of those strange words, I suppose. It just means that I don't know very much about sex."
"I see," he responded. "That does seem strange given your age, but I suppose there's nothing wrong with it. Do you ever plan to have sex with someone?"
"Oh, I don't know," I responded. "I've never thought about it that much. They say you don't miss what you've never experienced and I suppose that's the truth in my case. Having resolved long ago never to marry, what would be the point of leading some poor girl on by having sex with her?"
"Uh, well, you do know it isn't just men and women who have sex, Landon," he said; "don't you? Men can have sex with other men, women with other women; even a naïf like you must know that?"
"Oh my goodness," I replied. "I didn't know, Woody. No one ever told me, at least until this very moment."
"That's very hard to believe, Landon," he said. "But if I had to believe it about someone, it'd be you. You're definitely different. Maybe that's why I like you. You're so smart about some things, but not about others."
I wasn't sure what to say in response to that. On the one hand, I felt foolish knowing so little about sex. But I was happy to hear Woody actually liked me for that reason. No one had ever liked me before in my life for any reason.
We continued sitting there staring into the distance for a long time, but eventually I found myself curious and returned to the subject.
"What about you, Woody? Would you consider it impertinent if I asked whether you've ever had sex?"
"I wouldn't know," he responded, smiling at me, "because I don't really know what impertinent means. But as for the question, yeah; I've had sex. I was just thinking about that. Here you are older than me and you've never had sex at all. I'm younger, but I've had sex with a ton of guys; probably a lot more than someone my age should have."
"I see," I responded, not certain I should press the point but too curious to prevent myself from doing so. "Did you like it?"
"Sometimes," he said; "if the guy treated me okay and didn't try to cheat me out of my money."
"I see," I responded, confused.
What does money have to do with sex, Landon?
Sensing he didn't want to say any more, I suggested we start down the trail.
Later, when we reached the bottom, we stopped nearby and had lunch together. Once again Woody proved ravenous, eating everything he ordered and half of my order as well. Realizing how hungry he was, I was happy to let him do so.
Then I drove him back into town and dropped him off at the establishment he had mentioned the previous evening; the Café Palermo. From the outside it wasn't anything like I had imagined the place. It certainly wasn't like those cute French bistros I had enjoyed so much during my year studying abroad.
I remember thinking it wasn't in the best part of town and was reluctant to leave Woody there by himself, but he assured me he would be fine.
"Thanks for putting me up last night, Landon," he said. "I appreciate it; and, uh, if you ever need a hiking companion again, let me know."
I remember feeling bad we were parting. Woody was the first person in the world who had ever said he liked me and by now I liked him as well.
"Thank you for doing it with me, Woody," I replied. "I had a wonderful time; so much so I was thinking of going on another hike next weekend. There's a place in Maryland called Cunningham Falls that's been highly recommended to me. Would you be interested in coming along perchance?"
"Which day are you going," he asked; "Saturday or Sunday?"
"It could be either," I said. "If you're interested in joining me, I could go either day. Which day works better for you?"
"Sunday," he said. "Friday and Saturday evenings are kind of busy when you're in the hospitality business and you don't want to get too tired out before hand."
"Fine; then it's settled," I said. "Sunday it is."
"I'll give you a call next Saturday evening to let you know whether I can make it for sure," Woody replied. "Sometimes things come up in the hospitality business and you have to change plans pretty quickly. But I'll try to call; assuming you plan to be home, not out and about having a gay time."
"No; I'm afraid there won't be any carousing for me next weekend," I replied, amused at his choice of words. "I'm giving my students an exam next Friday and plan to spend Saturday grading them. So, yes, call by all means; but do you have my number? I don't recall giving it to you."
"It was on your phone," he said. "I wrote it down just to have it so I could call whenever this dump gets its next shipment of bread in."
"Oh, thank you," I responded.
And then, seeing the grin on his face, a light suddenly went on inside my head and it occurred to me that perhaps young Woody was pulling my leg.
"I'm looking forward to that," I added; "to hearing from you, I mean. You should feel free to call even if the next shipment of bread is delayed; or never arrives for that matter. I would love having another chance to talk to you, Woody. It's very nice having a friend, especially a fine one like you."
He looked at me, smiled, and then nodded his head as if acknowledging he understood what I was saying.
Then he turned quickly and disappeared inside the place.


text:
Decentralized Education Planning in the Context of Public Sector Management Reform
Training Course for the Coutries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS)
To help build modern education planning capacity in the GMS countries, the Mekong Institute and UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education jointly organized the first intensive three week training course on "Decentralized Education Planning in the Context of Public Sector Management Reform" in February 2007. The course was the first in a new core capacity building program which the Mekong Institute and UNESCO will be jointly carrying out in the coming years.
Rationale of the Course
Today, education planning and plan implementation take place at a time when many countries in Asia and in other regions of the world are engaged in modernizing the management of public sectors. Education is the largest public sector (next to defense) in terms of personnel and recurrent expenditure and a large public sector in terms of capital expenditure. Therefore, government policies and measures aimed at modernization of public sector management have significant impact on education sector management.
Of the principle features of public sector modernization, three are directly relevant to education:
(i) decentralization,
(ii) program-based planning and resource allocation, and
(iii) medium-term financial planning.
They shape the way in which the education sector will be functioning in future, in particular education planning and plan implementation monitoring.
In many countries, education sector reform and innovation depend to a large extent on external funding partners and technical assistance. Therefore, donor cooperation strategies and actions have increasingly significant impact on education sector planning, resource allocation, and plan implementation monitoring.
The measures which governments will be taking in the coming years in these areas have direct implications for the management of the education sector at central as well as at local (province, district, commune, school) level. However, many countries still lack modern planning and management capacity required to effectively implement education reform and innovation as part of the modernization of the public sector management.
The first intensive three week training course was held at the Mekong Institute (Khon Kaen, Thailand), in February 2007 for senior officials from Ministries of Education, Planning, Finance from the six Greater-Mekong Sub-regions (GMS) countries, including Cambodia, China (Yunan province), Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.
The course produced a comprehensive set of materials that can be used for:
- Self study and as reference materials by persons who are involved in education sector planning and management.
- As reference and work materials for training courses organized by ministries of education, planning institutes and universities.
Further information:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
I've been thin all of my life, but I was a big, fat baby. I weighed almost nine pounds. The latest theory on obesity holds that some of it is genetic.
The ancestors who could put on a lot of weight quickly to make it through the winter had a better chance of surviving when food was scarce. The thin folks didn't have enough fat reserves to make it through. It really was the survival of the fittest.
But today in most countries, especially the United States, we have more than enough food. And a lot of it is the wrong kind. There's a fast food restaurant practically on every corner.
We are the fattest people on earth. All this obesity has caused an epidemic of metabolic diseases like diabetes. Just 20-years-ago Type 2 diabetes was unheard of in anyone under 40-years-old, but now it is even affecting teenagers in epidemic proportions.
If you are to avoid obesity and disease as an adult, then you need to start with a healthy diet during childhood. It just freaks me out when I see parents feeding French fries to a small child. There has to be something healthier if you eat out in a restaurant.
Some fast food restaurant chains actually rub French fries in the mouths of babies to see their reaction. Then the tailor the flavor of the fries so young children will like them.
According to Medical News Today: "Researchers funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) have demonstrated for the first time in humans that feeding babies nutrient-enriched milk can lead to significant increases in body fat by the time they reach 5-8 years of age."
Maybe the reason I didn't grow up to be a fat adult was that even though I was born fat, my mother breast fed me. And breast milk is ideally suited for the human child.
The reason for feeding an enriched product to a baby is that they are small when they are born. The enriched milk helps them gain weight quickly, but once fat cells are created by the body to store fat, you can only shrink them, you can never get rid of them. It might be a better idea that underweight babies who are otherwise healthy be fed a normal, nutritionally balanced diet instead of giving them extra fat cells that they will never get rid of.
This also a strong argument for breast feeding because it is hard to overfeed a breast fed baby.
Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/203224.php


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DigitalGlobe Inc. (DGI) Trading Down 1.8%
DigitalGlobe Inc. (NYSE:DGI)'s share price dropped 1.8% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $27.52 and last traded at $27.69, with a volume of 250,455 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.20.
DGI has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Investment Research lowered shares of DigitalGlobe from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, July 14th. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of DigitalGlobe from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $22.00 to $23.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 17th. Dougherty & Co lifted their price target on shares of DigitalGlobe from $33.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of DigitalGlobe from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, July 29th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $28.13.
The firm's 50 day moving average is $25.44 and its 200-day moving average is $20.41. The company has a market capitalization of $1.75 billion and a PE ratio of 53.24.
DigitalGlobe (NYSE:DGI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 28th. The company reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter, topping the Zacks' consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.11. The company earned $175.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.71 million. DigitalGlobe's quarterly revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.09 EPS. On average, analysts predict that DigitalGlobe Inc. will post $0.42 EPS for the current year.
An institutional investor recently raised its position in DigitalGlobe stock. Schroder Investment Management Group increased its position in DigitalGlobe Inc. (NYSE:DGI) by 4.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,562,100 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 63,500 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Group owned approximately 2.23% of DigitalGlobe worth $24,462,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
DigitalGlobe, Inc is a provider of high-resolution Earth-imagery products and services. The Company's imagery solutions support a range of users in defense and intelligence, civil agencies, mapping and analysis, environmental monitoring, oil and gas exploration, infrastructure management, Internet portals and navigation technology.
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I read about half of it in a Chapters store one time. I am hoping to purchase it next time I am in the city. I think it is extremely slanted, and probably untruthful in many places. That is what makes it great to read though.
WOW...I knew the ISU had problems but GEEZ!!! Just wondering if anyone else has read this book, and has a feel for the credibility of the information Sonia presents.
Next up? For me it's Edge of Glory on the FS front, and also The Da Vinci Code for fiction based on recommendations seen here.
I read about half of it in a Chapters store one time. I am hoping to purchase it next time I am in the city. I think it is extremely slanted, and probably untruthful in many places. That is what makes it great to read though.
I actually found the back half of the book more interesting (to me) than the first half, as it sort of goes in chronological order. (although the first half certainly outlines plenty of "dirt" on the ISU)
What I find particularly amazing is the lack of financially accountability. Media contracts handled privately between the Presidents of the ISU and various media outlets? With no kind of legal review even though LOTS of money is involved? Private loans from the ISU to the ISU secretary for vacation homes at zero interest? No official Treasurer of an organization handling that much money?
And those are just a couple of the "business" highlights - we haven't even gotten to the skater impact yet.
I really am wondering what "FS Historians" have to say about Sonia's recording of these ISU happenings and events.
I have not read any official rebuttals from the ISU on any of the claims she has made in the book. If anyone knows of anything from the ISU on this publication, we would like to hear of it. I have noticed from the ISU pages that Sonia is still an official of the ISU. So she hasn't gone the way of others who speak out and blow whistles.
I too have not seen any "whistles blown" on this book. Assuming Sonia's accounts are even half true, then we all should be protesting big time (as big fans) the ISU. If Sonia's accounts are even 90% true, then I'm not even sure what to say.Originally Posted by Joesitz
OK - I will say one thing. The children and their parents who grow up together with a skating dream are in for a .....well.... I won't even say it here. It starts with "F."
No wonder children's skate sales are down, lessons are down, and everything else might be down on the way up to the elite level.
I don't have kids, so I don't know for sure. But if I can imagine having children, I would NOT put them in Speedy's hands, for sure, after reading this book.
At the VERY least, there should be some sort of legal oversight, and a Treasurer to help with matters at the top of this organization. I hope Sonia's book (since there is a gap between the time it was written and the time I read it) has made a difference with the ISU. Shame on you ISU. Fix yourself.
One thing that came across very strongly is her conviction that she, and every good judge, can recognize that special, gut-grabbing performance that transcends techique. Reading her analysis of various performances, she is consistent in her approach, and absolutely convinced in her ability to spot "IT."
Joe -- where on the ISU pages does it show that Sonia is still an official? I recall reading somewhere that she is no longer connected with the ISU, but that her son is an official,Originally Posted by Joesitz
Originally Posted by hockeyfan228
Toller Cranston - as a commentator - often got himself in trouble with the judges because of that ability to "spot IT." He often questioned judges results and was not afraid to speak up when he felt a skater got slighted.
You expressed the same thought I had about this book. Bianchetti is a great spokesperson for the sport because she loves skating and she enjoys watching skaters at all levels, and she is thrilled by great performances. I enjoyed her book more for her personal experiences and views on skating than for the judging expose. I thought this paragraph explained her philosophy:Originally Posted by hockeyfan228
This reminded me of Dick Buttons comment when Michelle beat Lulu at the 96 worlds. He said that he would love to know how the judges made the distinction between the two because they were both masterful artists, and he did not think the difference was that Michelle landed 7 triples and Lulu only 6. I agree with Bianchetti that skating is an art form first and foremost, but it is an art composed of difficult elements. I wish more people who have dedicated their life to skating would take time to publish their memoirs, because I love reading the thoughts of anyone who is captivated by the sport far more than accounts of scandal or exposes.Not everybody has the temperament and capacity to be a good judge, in the same way that not all skaters have the qualities necessary to become champions. Figure skating is an art, and, like all works of art, it must be evaluated as one piece, and not a collection of small details put together. In a sculpture by Michelangelo or a painting by Raphael, you do not pay attention if a finger is not very well done, or if the sockets dont have a nice color. You admire the masterpiece in its entirety. It is impressive in spite of minor unimportant details. Of course, this must not be interpreted as a message that the difficulty of the elements in a free skating program do not count. That would be nonsense in a sport! It only means that one jump more or less, or minor details or errors that can only be detected after reviewing the tapes ten times, should not be determining factors when evaluating a performance.
Regret attyfan - I read the name wrongly it was Fabio Biancou and not Bianchetti. There is a List of Controllers and specialists under Full Details. there used to be a List of ISU Judges with Nationalities but I can't find that any more. Does it still exist?Originally Posted by attyfan
Also, if Sonia Bianchetti is no longer with ISU was it a simple resignation or was she told to go?
That's one of the things she talks about in her book. Basically, she was forced off the ISU Council when Ottavio Cinquanta was elected because the ISU's rules prevent more than one person from the same country from serving at the same time. She claims that certain individuals were merely trying to use Cinquanta as a tool to get rid of her, and they got more than they bargained for.Originally Posted by Joesitz
Fabio Bianchetti (Sonia's son) was a Technical Controller at 2005 Junior Worlds.
According to the CV posted on her site at
Sonia Bianchetti was nominated for an appointment as an Honorary ISU Referee in 1997. Did she get receive it and, if so, was she later stripped of this title because of her affiliation with WSF/etc.?
The book is filled with so much information that it's hard for me to keep it all straight. Also, things could have happened in recent years that may or may not have been included in the book.
That said, I gather the Sonia was nominated on more than one occassion for Honorary ISU membership according to the guidelines for such a nomination, based on her years of service to the ISU. It sounds from the book that Speedy never allowed that to happen. In once instance according to Sonia, Speedy did not even bring the official nomination before the ISU Council as dictated by the council rules. (one of the more minor violations of Council rules outlined in this book)
Speedy has reportedly gone as far as "discouraging" personal friends of Sonia's who have invited her as a personal guest to countries hosting World Championships.
Hopefully I got some of this right. The plot is really thick and devious.
I really believe that Cinquanta is told what to do by another powerful clique in the figure skating world. Among those things to do, Cinquanta has to get rid of anyone who questions the present judging system.
I think Sonia should have been elected President of the ISU. She's a decent, honest woman who can address other peoples' concerns. Speedy is not even a good administrator.
This is why I have been so slow to jump on the bandwagon of criticism of the judges for handing out such high PCS marks for Slutskaya's free skate at worlds. Yes, it is hard to find wording in the CoP documents to justify such scores. But the judges recognized that WOW! factor and, NJS be darned, Irina deserved acknowledgment for an amazing effort.Originally Posted by hockeyfan228
Like Michelle's Rachmaninov SP at 1998 nationals, or her East of Eden at the world pro-am in 1998, or her Aranjuez performance at 2003 nationals -- or like the first time Alexei Yagudin skated Winter -- sometimes the performance just leaves the judges as well as the audience with their tongues hanging out in astonishment, and you win by acclamation.


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My second make up tip..
Do not always wear foundation or powder on your face. It is not great for your skin as it creates spots. Have make up fee days where your skin can just breathe.
Also, when buying foundation, try and invest in moisturising foundation. They can be quite expensive so don't use it too much, but it is much better for you face.
And do not for get tip number 1: Always clean your make up off before going to sleep.
Paula ox'


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Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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Mentioning this only because it's a team record, Willy Taveras of Houston stretched his hitting streak to 26 games today in Cincinnati, breaking the team record of 25 he shared with Jeff Kent.
I wonder if this is the least unimpressive 26-game-or-more hitting streak of all time. 14 runs scored (counting today)? 7 RBI? 4 extra base hits?
- In the August 15th game against the Cubs, Taveras singled to lead off the 1st, then went 0 for 8 as the Astros lost in 18 innings.
- The next day, Taveras started 0 for 3. The 0 for 11 streak inside a hitting streak has to be close to a record.
- Also that day, Taveras was pinch-hit for in the 9th inning with the Astros down 1-0. How many players with 18-game hitting streaks are pinch-hit for in crucial situations?
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.


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The kids flew on an airplane solo today for the first time to spend a week in Maryland with their grandparents.
PPops emailed me the week's plans a while back and it looks like a lot of fun.
We will miss them so much (we already do) but know they will have a blast.
Now for our fun….our annual dinner date night at our favorite restaurant.
Catfish + black eyed peas + Starpoint IPA = good times 🙂


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Women's Conference Notebook: Sally Field and Elizabeth Lesser
One of the most intriguing presentations of the day was a jam-packed leadership seminar with actress Sally Field and educator Elizabeth Lesser, who often speaks on issues relating to women and power. Women's strength as leaders comes from their "emotional intelligence," Lesser said. And you may be using those skills more than you think, she added – you're a leader if you're on the PTA, making changes at the office or caring for your family. Field said she took much of her personal and professional power from being a good mom. And she pointed to her character in the film Norma Rae as an example of someone whose "selfish" acts helped others find their strength. Standing up for yourself helps others, she said. "We work our whole lives for moments of excellence," said Field, who currently stars in the TV drama "Brothers & Sisters." "Own it!" According to Field, she had to take control of her own life at a time when no one else saw her potential. When she was starring in sitcoms like "The Flying Nun" in the early '70s but wanted to do more serious work, her agent said, "You're not pretty enough and you're good enough." And her manager said, "Women don't earn any money at all in film, even if you were going to be one of them, which you're not." "I fired them both," Field said.
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Over the years I have become aware of the depth of our problem in the US church regarding the high level of Biblical ignorance or illiteracy. Most who would decry this problem would just see it as a spiritual problem, related to lack of commitment to Bible study. I see it differently.
The real issue is a lack of ability to read long and complicated portions of text. It is an intellectual and critical thinking problem, not just a spiritual problem (if that at all). It is a literacy problem, not just a Biblical literacy problem.
The other day I had the BCM students who came to the meeting read through the book of Philippians in one setting. I have a feeling they have never had to do that, or even thought it was an option--to read a whole book of the Bible at one sitting, to see the natural flow of the argument, to not lift a verse or two out of context. Reading, dissecting, and interpreting (and reading as I am talking about it is about interpretation and meaning-making) a long portion is hard enough, and if everything comes prepackaged, online, concise, and visually supplemented, who needs to really engage text.
On top of the inability to be quiet and by themselves individually for a long period of time, what does that do to the human mind?
Barbara G. Tucker is the author of five novels: Bringing Abundance Back, The Unexpected Christmas Visitors, Traveling Through, Cross Road, and Legacy. She is also a college administrator, professor of communication, mother, wife, ESL instructor, Bible teacher, and follower of Jesus Christ. She lives in Northwest Georgia.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Biblical Ignorance
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What I Learned about Empathy Last Night
Last night in the English as Second Language that another teacher and I conduct at church, we had a class of six. One Chinese young woman w...
Abstract The 1957 film Twelve Angry Men is a dramatic portrayal of what happens in a jury room after a murder trial in which the def...
I went to my cardiologist yesterday. Every year I have to wear a Holter monitor for a day because o...
How's that for a title? Thought it might get some hits. However, this post is dead serious. Last night I taught, for the first time, ...


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After beating Laos 1-0, the Singapore coach was satisfied with the win but felt that the Lions could have done better should they have possessed better match fitness
Singapore head coach Bernd Stange did not mince his words when asked to assess his team's limp 1-0 performance against Laos on Thursday night.
"It wasn't good enough," Stange told the press at the post-match conference.
Despite playing well in the first-half, Stange was insistent the performance was disappointing as the players lacked the match fitness to maintain their level of performance and grab a second goal.
"I am very pleased with the first 30 minutes, we created chances, won [challenges] in the second and third," Stange stressed.
"[But] we cannot keep [our match fitness for playing] this kind of football for a very long time, and that's the only thing I have to criticise.
"I was not so happy that we could not score the second goal, if we scored the second goal we are free and we can risk something; we can play a combination of football."
However he continued that there were still positive to be taken from the game, especially with the youth players getting a run out and gaining playing time.
"We got what we wanted: we beat a team which is playing on our level, and you can count nine, ten SEA Games players on the pitch, which is exactly what we wanted," Stange said.
"Singapore played very good, their style has changed from last year's [Suzuki Cup] into a passing game. Last year they played with higher [upfield] players."


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On June 8th CEO Tony Everett convened all NTF Executive Directors and Cabinet members for a full day of agency updates, management training, and problem-solving. The session was held at Corporate Headquarters in Daytona Beach.
NTF-Jacksonville Foster Caregiver's Extraordinary Act
A report from NTF-Jacksonville Executive Director Aida Seeraj about one of her foster caregivers, Ms. Ann Lisk.
Ann Lisk and her husband joined the NTF-Daytona team in 2007 as foster caregivers focused on keeping large sibling groups together. In 2011, the couple moved to the Jacksonville area and joined the NTF-Jacksonville team to continue their mission.
During their foster parenting tenure, Ms. Lisk and Mr. Polczynski have cared for numerous sibling groups and hundreds of children. They exemplify the heart and soul of the quality parenting initiative, engaging every parent, relative caregiver, prospective adoptive parents, and/or service providers involved with the children in their care, while working closely with the case management team for the best interest of the children.
Mrs. Lisk's Extraordinary Involvement on the O Family Case:
On 03/15/2017, NTF-Jacksonville was assigned a family after the children's removal on 03/14/2017. The mother (Ms. O.) had been a children's medical services foster parent for children for many years and ultimately adopted three children that had been in her care. In March 2017, Ms. O was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and her health was quickly deteriorating. Her three children, ages 17,15, and 8, also have their own medical needs. Due to the mother's declining health, she was unable to care for them without assistance.
On 03/23/2017,Ms. Lisk was contacted about taking the children into her home. She heard the sensitive nature and details of the case and asked if she could move into the O family home (1) to ensure that she is able to speak with and help the mother with all of the children's complicated medical needs, and (2) to ensure that the mother and children remain together while the family is going through this very difficult time.
On 03/23/2017, after getting the Department of Children and Families, Family Support Services of North Florida, Children's Legal Services, and NTF–Jacksonville's leadership team involved, the NTF team was granted the opportunity to set up the wraparound support services needed for the children while allowing the mother to still have the children in her home by her side.
On 03/24/2017 Ms. Lisk moved into the O family home. She not only cared for the children's special needs, but also assisted the mother with her own medical needs. Ms. Lisk contacted the Case Management Team several times a day providing updates and helping facilitate conversations and even Family Team Meetings with the mother's Living Will Attorney, family, family supports, and prospective guardians to the children. The NTF-Jacksonville Case Management Team and Ms. Lisk were instrumental in preparing the family for the mother's impending death, the children's continuation of medical and educational services, and the identification of prospective legal guardians to the children.
On 04/06/2017 Ms. Lisk notified NTF staff that the mother had started to rapidly decline and around 2:00 pm the doctors reported that the mother would only have about 24 hours left to live. At about 6:00 pm, Ms. O passed away.
Due to the tremendous efforts, compassion, and dedication of Ann Lisk; the mother was able to remain with her children by her side until her last breath. Additionally, the NTF-Jacksonville Case Management Team was able to develop a safety plan that allowed the Dependency Petition to be dismissed on 04/10/2017, the case to be transferred to Family Court following the wishes of Ms. O, and to ensure wraparound services to transition the children from Ms. Lisk's care to the new identified legal guardians of the children. The case was transferred to our FAST Preservation Team for continued family support to the children and their new legal guardians.
In Ann Lisk's Own Words:
"Ms. O dedicated her professional and personal life to the special children in our community. It was a privilege to have served her and her family during her final days of life. I truly appreciate NTF and FSS for granting me the opportunity to work with this family in the privacy of their home. The knowledge that her children were being cared for, while having them close to her side, provided Ms. O a great sense of comfort and peace. I understand my request to stay in the O home was not an easy decision and a huge leap of faith by all involved…for which, I can only say… THANK YOU!!!"
Father Clements Recognized for 60 Years of Service
President & CEO Tony Everett joined more than 600 friends and admirers of longtime NTF Board member Father George Clements in celebration of his 60th year in the priesthood. The event, held in Chicago, featured remarks by Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Father Clements and the late NTF President & CEO Gordon Johnson were co-founders of the national One Church One Child movement. Father Clements was also the first Catholic priest allowed to adopt a child; his struggles to do so were recounted in the film "The Father Clements Story" starring Lou Gossett, Jr.
NTF Hosts Hand in Hand, Inc.
Neighbor To Family is hosting visitors from Hand in Hand, Inc. on May 2nd and 3rd. Hand in Hand is a private, nonprofit, short-term foster care agency headquartered in Everett, Washington.
Pictured above from left: Jamie Akins, Vice President of NTF Florida Programs; Felicia Gardner, Lead Family Advocate, NTF-Jacksonville; Nichole MacKinnon, Receiving Care Program Manager, Hand in Hand; Alice Casson, Chief Operating Officer, Hand In Hand; Aida Seeraj, Executive Director, NTF-Jacksonville; and, Myraida Davison, Executive Director, NTF-Daytona Beach.
Cyndi Williams is "Leading By Example" Employee of the Quarter
Training Manager Cyndi Williams has been selected the "Leading By Example" Employee of the Quarter. According to her nominator, Cyndi "is a team player who has served NTF in Georgia and across the agency for over 11 years. Along the way she has earned a reputation for being dependable, trustworthy, creative, compassionate, dedicated, and uplifting to all."
Congratulations, Cyndi!
Also recognized as Leading By Example were:
Susan Buckley, Myraida Davison, Felecia Gardner, Marcela Kelley-Hansen, Lamesha Killins, Sue McQuillen, Kelly Morgan, Shannen Sabino,
Brittani Sego, and Lesley Vickerie.
And special thanks to this quarter's Selection Committee: Retonia Allen, Kasi Cox, Jajaira Matos Jemmott, Brenda Jones, Juanita Kinsey (Chair), Karen Swanson, Jo Toubman and Reggie Williams.
Jennifer Dangar Joins NTF Board of Directors
Easter Bunny Makes Early Visit to NTF-Jax
Advocacy Groups Help NTF-Georgia Kids
Foster children forced to carry belongings in plastic garbage bags is a sad, and all too common, scene. The American Adoption Congress, in conjunction with Together We Rise, is working with NTF-Georgia to resolve this problem. NTF-Georgia's Jody Howard recently accepted the groups' donation of 40 duffle bags, each filled with a teddy bear, blanket, coloring book, crayons, and tooth-brushing kit. Thank you American Adoption Congress and Together We Rise!
COA Preparation
You should have heard the news by now- it's not been kept top secret! The Council on Accreditation (COA) is coming to Neighbor To Family for our fourth accreditation review/audit.
What is COA? The Council on Accreditation (COA) is an international not-for-profit accrediting organization serving more than 2,000 private and public child, family, and behavioral health organizations.
What does a COA Peer Review Team do? The reaccreditation process focuses largely on site visits conducted by a review team consisting of specially trained individuals affiliated with organizations similar to NTF. They will carefully study all elements of our agency to determine whether we have maintained the standards needed to keep our accreditation.
The team is scheduled to arrive April 23 and depart April 26, 2017. While on site they will review records, conduct safety inspections, and hold interviews. The audit even includes what we might consider the "small stuff" such as whether we remember to sign in and out on the site's attendance sheet to whether we wear our NTF badges while in NTF buildings. Bottom line – everything is fair game.
Why is the accreditation important?
- It offers national and external validation of performance
- It places NTF in a strong competitive position
- It creates a framework for ongoing performance quality improvement
- It is required by some NTF contracts
Why do I need to be involved? Any one of us may be interviewed during the on-site visits to NTF offices. To help prepare, we've developed and assigned to all staff and foster caregivers a mandatory Relias course titled "COA 2017". You can easily access the Relias learning management system through the link on this site or an icon you may have installed on your computer. You will earn one credit hour for taking the training and passing the exam. If you have difficulty logging into Relias, please contact Cynthia Williams: email@example.com for assistance. The course must be completed no later than April 15, 2017.
With your help, we look forward to earning another four years of COA accreditation. Thank you for your commitment to NTF and fulfillment of our mission to "revolutionize foster care by keeping siblings together while building healthier families and stronger communities."
Submitted by Gaye James
A Warm Welcome to February New Hires
|Program Office
|Hire Date
|Kenyatta Anderson
|Administrative Assistant II
|DeKalb Co.
|Carolyn Mack
|Lead Case Manager
|Alexis Monroe
|Case Manager
|Teretha Singletary
|Case Manager
|Laderida Stokes-Roberts
|Family Care Manager
|Daytona Beach
|Glora Thomas
|Family Care Manager
|Daytona Beach


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- Meets or exceeds ANSI/BIFMA standards
Two-Drawer Design
This pedestal file cabinet helps keeps your important documents and office supplies organized with two 20-inch-deep drawers. Use the large file drawer for your files and the box drawer for writing utensils, clips, notepads, and other essential office supplies. The high-sided drawers extend fully, so you can easily access your contents. The entire cabinet can also fit snugly under your computer desk to save space.
Easy Mobility
The hidden casters allow you to move the filing cabinet to wherever you need it. Since the casters are hidden, the cabinet maintains a clean, streamlined look.
Secure Storage
This two-drawer mobile file cabinet comes with a removable, factory-installed lock to ensure your files are confidential and secure from tampering or theft. Made from premium-quality metal, it offers strength and longevity.
Package Contents
Two-drawer mobile file cabinet and key.
- Product Information
File Cabinet Type :Mobile/Pedestal File
Furnishing Color :White
Number of File Drawers :2
Fire Resistant :Not Fire Resistant
Furnishing Material :Metal
Height (in.) :20
Width (in.) :15
Depth (in.) :19.88
- General Information
True Color :White
- Miscellaneous
Brand :Quill Brand
- Weight
Weight :50.00 lbs. per Each
Product Reviews


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I am a remain for individuals to carry on a capable free and intrepid life, yet you may ask what do I mean by "a stand?" Being a remain in this setting is to remain in the space of whats conceivable. To remain for individuals to have a decision, to make them mindful they have a decision by they way they live. Fearless Fitness
The first and most imperative refinement is uprightness, so whats honesty in this unique circumstance? It is essentially being your oath! Doing what you said you would do when you said you would do it! Furthermore, when you know that you can't make your dedication, arrangement, due date just re-submit, speak with those influenced when you know you can't make it and tidy it up with them, apologize, re-confer and proceed onward with your head over the water and out of the sand.
The second qualification is to surrender being correct, we invest so much energy being correct, not having any desire to not be right, and willing to do practically anything to ensure this, individuals will bite the dust as opposed to not be right!! Along these lines of being simply keeps us stuck in a story or assessment of I'm correct, your wrong, there's no place to move to, a stalemate, no probability to push ahead, breakdown, families push, couples separate, armed forces attack, individuals bite the dust.
Alright proceeding onward, the following one is to be capable and straight in conveying and trustworthiness, say what you mean and mean what you say, don't shrink away from the real issue attempting to be decent, say it as it is and you will have more regard from everyone around you. Along these lines of being may not make you famous for the time being but rather will pay off over the long haul.
Be gutsy, this takes after on from being straight, make the strides, be overcome, nothing to fear, most feelings of dread are inauthentic, by this I mean we fear something that could conceivably occur before it has happened, on the off chance that you are being assaulted by a furious puppy, then the time has come to frightful however fearing saying the wrong thing or losing your employment or having no cash are all inauthentic apprehensions.
Thus this leads us on to being serene, tolerating things as they are at the time, being available to life, the basic delights of time with family and companions, making the most of your work or playing around with companions. Individuals are continually whining that there is something incorrectly here, or it ought not be like this, its not reasonable or words comparable, rather than being with the way it is and the way it is not or the way somebody is or is not, that is quite recently the way it is!
Next is to be charming, have any kind of effect, touch individuals with words, motivate with your thoughts, be certain despite pessimism, open up to the universe of whats conceivable here? What can be made?
The last qualification is called being selecting, the setting here is to touch move and move others in whats feasible for you, ie., a plausibility made for yourself which thusly abandons them open to seeing another.


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The games are better, and that's saying a lot.
Category: Bonus Material
Bonus Material: 1001 video games you must play before you die
That is an order!
Bonus Material: Left 4 Dead – The Sacrifice
Who is jumping the bridge?
The Art of Alice: Madness Returns
How an unconventional team created one of the most creative games in recent memory.
Bonus Material: The Max Payne Movie
A pain to sit through.
Bonus Material: Akira Himekawa's Legend of Zelda manga
Where we look at all sorts of tie-ins and merchandise.


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Reductil (sibutramine) is meant to aid weight loss in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, and people with a BMI of 27 who also have other obesity related risk factors, such as high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes.
Sibutramine is sold under a variety of names; along with Reductil and Meridia, it is sold as Sibutrex, Sibuslim, Sibutral, Trimex etc.
Reductil contains the active ingredient 'sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate' which is a type of anti-obesity medicine and works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain.
Reductil prevents two of neurotransmitters (noradrenaline and serotonin) from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells thus enhancing the feeling of fulfillment from eating, and making you feel satisfied after eating less food.
An appropriate diet and exercise programme is recommended while taking Reductil, so that you are able to maintain your new weight after you stop the treatment.
The most frequently observed side effects of Reductil include: a dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, constipation, joint or muscle pain, headache, menstrual cramps. Reductil may also trigger more serious side effects, though these have been noted less commonly: these include an increase in blood pressure and pulse, mood changes and depression.
Reductil is usually taken for a long time, up to one year. It should not be taken with other appetite suppressants.
Phentermine (adipex) is a stimulant that is similar to an amphetamine. It works by decreasing your appetite, increasing the amount of energy used by your body, by affecting certain parts of the brain. This medication is an appetite suppressant and belongs to a class of drugs called sympathomimetic amines.
It works by releasing norepinephrine in the brain, a neurotransmitter which reduces hunger by signaling a "fight of flight" response. The FDA recommends taking Phentermine for up to 12 weeks.
Phentermine is usually used together with diet and exercise to treat obesity (overweight) in people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
Side effects associated with Phentermine are generally mild and tolerable. The most common side effects include: the possibility of insomnia, nervousness, irritability, increased libido in women, headache and diarrhea.
Do not use Phentermine or Reductil if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.
You should not take Phentermine or Reductil if you have a history of heart disease, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, glaucoma, if you are in an agitated state, or if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
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The 2017 ANU Open has been won by local player Fred Litchfield. Litchfield set up his victory with wins over IM Andrew Brown in round 5 and Oladoyan Fasakin in round 6. Holding a full point lead over Brown and Fasakin going into a final round, a draw with WIM Emma Guo was enough to take outright first, and $1000 in prize money. Brown, who finished first in the previous 4 years, took second place on 5.5 with Guo and Fasakin tied for third.
The Minor (Under 1600) tournament saw a tie for first between John Adams and Ruofan Xu. Adams was making a return to competitive chess after 15 years but showed no signs of rust, winning his first 5 games. A loss by Adams to Xu in round 6 threw the event wide open, but both players then won in the final round to finish on 6/7. Kamal Jane and Athena Hathiramani recovered from slow starts to the tournament to finish tied for 3rd on 5.5.
Full results for this event can be found at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/anu2017/ and you can replay the games and download pgns for the top board from this site.
Sunday, 30 July 2017
2017 ANU Open - Fred Litchfield wins
Posted by Shaun Press at 23:13
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Used Minivans for Sale in Elk Grove, CA
Save up to $300 on over 1,336 used Minivan's for sale across 695 dealers near Elk Grove, California. Edmunds has over 6,671,381 cheap new and used car, truck, and SUV listings, including the following makes: Mazda, Honda and Dodge and models: 5, Odyssey and Grand Caravan Used Minivans in your area are priced ranging from $1,495 to $302,893 and mileage ranging from 0 to 325,510. The nearest dealership is Elk Grove Volkswagen, approximately 0.558 miles away with 29 used Minivan's in stock. The highest rated dealer in your area with a used Minivan for sale is Elk Grove Volkswagen, with an average user rating of 5 and 33 used Minivan's in stock.
Options and features available on used Minivan's available near Elk Grove typically include:
Features: Tire Pressure Warning , Stability Control , Aux Audio Inputs , Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel , Rear Bench Seats , Fold Flat Rear Seats , Third-row seating , Trip Computer , Multi-Zone Climate Control , Power Driver Seat , 3500lb Towing Capacity , Bluetooth , USB Inputs , Back-up camera , Alarm , Auto Climate Control , Power Liftgate/Trunk , 2nd Row Bucket Seats , Leather Seats , Heated seats , Post-collision safety system , Keyless Entry/Start , Parking sensors , Navigation , Sunroof/Moonroof , Blind Spot Monitoring , Rear Entertainment System , Remote Start , Lane Departure Warning , Apple Carplay/Android Auto , Electronic Folding Mirrors , Adaptive Cruise Control , Pre-collision safety system , Upgraded Headlights , Mobile Internet , Automatic Emergency Braking , 2500lb Towing Capacity , Cooled Seats , AWD/4WD , 360-degree camera , Upgraded Stereo , 5000lb Towing Capacity , Upgraded Engine , Towing Hitch , 6000lb Towing Capacity .
Engine/Mechanics: 6 cylinders , 4 cylinders .
Transmission: Automatic .
Fuel Type: regular unleaded , flex-fuel (unleaded/E85) , premium unleaded (recommended) , premium unleaded (required) .
Drivetrain: front wheel drive , all wheel drive , rear wheel drive .
Edmunds offers users detailed expert ratings and reviews, pricing, consumer reviews, features and specs, interior and exterior vehicle pictures and videos, as well as special offers, gas cards, and other perks. Find your perfect used Minivan at edmunds.com.
A used minivan makes sense if you need a vehicle with a large interior, three rows of seating and sliding doors, but don't want to pay the premium for a brand-new vehicle. Most used minivans are front-wheel drive, but you'll find a few models with all-wheel drive.
Find an Minivan in your target price range with the features you want and check out our editors' top recommended Minivans to narrow your search. more about Minivans


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Hello, my name is Brook and I would like to apologise that this product is not fully translated. I am working hard to remedy this. Would you like to help?
|Price incl. VAT valid till 22.10.2017.
|Price incl. VAT from 23.10.2017.
Leu Duux DUATP01 Lavender for air purifiers
Special high- concentrated essential oil Lavender, helps with colds and other diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Appropriate use is e.g. In case of flu disease.In addition, the oil refreshes the room and facilitates relaxation and tranquility.You will surely appreciate it can eliminate up to 99.9% of the viruses and bacteria that are part of the air. The oil is specially designed for Duux air purifiers.
Specifications can be changed without notice. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Retail Price (MSRP) means the manufacturer's/supplier's suggested retail price.
Link to Manufacturer's Website: Enter link to the external review


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Our Generation Anywhere You Cruise Bicycle Set
Let's get ready to explore and have some pedal powered fun. The wheels really turn and the bell really dings. Included are:
- 1 cool classic bike
- 1 basket
Weight 1735g
Age 3+
All items are marked with one of the following stock status
In Stock: These are physically in our warehouse and will typically be despatched within 1-3 days, please allow 5 days from order for standard delivery.
Back in Stock Soon: These are on order with a delivery date of the next 2 weeks.
No longer available: These are either discontinued or available in our July shipment. We invite you to request an email so that you are first to hear when it does become available on a first come first served basis.
Overseas Orders
We deliver to most countries in the world and these will usually arrive within 7 to 10 days.
The delivery charge will be calculated according to weight. Orders sent to The Channel Islands or outside the EU will have the VAT removed automatically.
Non-EU Delivery, Taxes and Duties
All orders over 2kg to be shipped outside of the EU, may be subject to additional charges depending on the volumetric weight of the parcel. Please note, none of our delivery charges include local Taxes or Duties – the recipient is responsible for these, if applicable. We will contact you to request payment for these extra charges.
Please note we cannot deliver to PO Box addresses!
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Q. Why does it seem like the Westminster Dog Show is the one people always talk about? Is it the "best" dog show?
A. Tradition is a large part of Westminster's appeal. The live show you watched on TV on Feb. 11 and 12, 2008, from New York City's Madison Square Garden, marked the 132nd year of the show. It is the second oldest sporting event in the country. Only the Kentucky Derby is older, and by only one year.
Westminster is also a champions-only show, so you know that every dog entered has already defeated many dogs of its breed to get there.
Because Westminster is a "benched" show, all dogs shown on either the Monday or the Tuesday must remain on the premises for the entire day. This gives visitors a wonderful opportunity to not only see the dogs perform on the famed green carpet, but also chat with the breeders and owners behind the scenes in the benching area … and, of course, meet all the dogs, up close and personal, look through owners' scrapbooks, and find out what each breed requires in the way of daily care, grooming, and exercise. There is nothing that quite compares with a face-to-face encounter with an Irish Wolfhound that will get up on his hind legs and look a 6-foot-tall man square in the eye.
While Westminster is not the largest dog show in terms of numbers of dogs competing, it is certainly considered the most prestigious and important show in the United States by most serious dog people. Many famous show dogs are retired at Westminster because, after a win at the Garden, all other awards seem anticlimactic by comparison.


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CO - Fremont Co., WhtMale, 17-30, pins from ankle surgery, Sept'16
On Wednesday, Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller conducted a press conference to give limited details about the man who was found by a hiker in the west part of Fremont County on Sept. 28, 2016.Keller said the skeletal remains found were positively identified to be human, and they were able to determine he was a white male and is 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall.
They've also narrowed down the man's age to be between the ages of 17 to 30 years old; although Keller thinks he would be in his early 20s.
Keller said they also were able to determine a surgical repair on the man's left ankle, where they found two pins still existing.
Keller also explained that facial reconstruction isn't completely accurate. He said the man's facial features are accurate, but facial area or hair on top of a person's head is inaccurate when a reconstruction is done.
The skeletal remains of a man found last fall in western Fremont County likely had been there for two to four years, or even longer, the county coroner said.
Fremont County coroner Randy Keller said a facial-reconstruction model was completed by a specialist in Denver in hopes of finding the next of kin for the man, described as a white male who was 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall and likely in his early 20s. Investigators found a surgical repair to the man�s left ankle, where they found two pins still existing.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
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Vodafone has been criticised by Ofcom for failing to meet its 3G coverage obligations.
Under Government guidelines, operators must cover 90% of the population with a 3G signal. While EE, O2 and Three met this obligation by the deadline of 30 June, Vodafone fell short by 1.4%. Ofcom has said it will not take any enforcement action against the operator at present. Vodafone has said it will roll out 3G to more masts than had been originally planned by the end of the year. Ofcom said it will review Vodafone's 3G coverage in January 2014 and take action then if required.
A Vodafone spokesman said: 'Our 3G licence includes an obligation to cover 90% of the population and Ofcom is fully aware of our plans to ensure compliance by the end of this year. Our network investment stands at more than £900m this year alone and we remain on track to deliver indoor coverage across 2G, 3G and 4G to 98% of the population by 2015, two years ahead of the regulator's deadline.'
O2 faced a fine of up to £40m when it failed to meet the 80% coverage obligation in 2008. The operator had coverage of 75.69%, a shortfall of approximately 2.5 million people. After meeting the coverage obligation, the operator avoided the fine.
Meanwhile, the regulator has launched research into the performance of 3G and 4G networks across the UK, with results due in the spring. A spokesperson for the regulator said: 'The research is designed to help consumers understand the performance benefits of 4G over 3G mobile services and assist them in making informed purchasing decisions.'
Author: Graeme Neill
Huawei Reveals the Future of Mobile AI at IFA 2017
IMO Launched Two Handsets with Tesco Mobile
Partners given the tools to elevate and differentiate their offering
Jeff Dodds, has been appointed Managing Director of Mobile at Virgin Media
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Huawei - 'Our 2017 focus is premium products'
Retail Special
S6 to re-ignite the market
Brightstar 20:20 and HTC join forces
Meeting the challenge of in-building coverage


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Home » NFL Football » Football Betting Online Futures
Football betting online futures gives you the option of betting on such things as the Super Bowl or National Championship in college football.
Future wagers in football betting are available to gamblers as a way to make a lot for a little and to stay in action all season.
Football betting online futures in the NFL revolves around whether or not a team will win the Super Bowl or its conference championship. You can also bet on whether or not a team will go over or under a set win total posted by the football betting oddsmakers.
College football offers much of the same type of futures in football betting online odds as you can bet on which team will win the national championship, which team will win their respective conference championships, along with over/unders on wins for a season.
In addition to the normal football betting online futures you also have exotic ones like future high profile games during the regular season like Oklahoma-Texas, Ohio State-Michigan, etc. You may also see football betting online options on things like who will win the Heisman Trophy, Rookie of the Year in the NFL, etc.
One interesting part of football futures in football betting online action is that you can oftentimes get these odds during the season. Some sportsbooks will continually update their futures odds in football betting as the season progresses. So if you miss out at the beginning of the year, don't fear, you may still be able to find some good futures in football betting online odds.
You must remember when betting futures in football betting online action that you are not going to get paid right away. The football season lasts about six months so you need to be prepared for your money to be tied up that long. That means you really want good value in your futures in football betting online. You probably don't want to risk money at low odds and then have it tied up for six months in football betting online. You probably want double-digit odds in futures football betting online action.
Open a New Account and bet on NFL Football at SBG Global!
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What are your fondest family reading memories?
I loved reading to my son, now age 11, when he was a toddler. When we would finish a book he would look up from my lap and simply say, "Again." –Kate, Boston
What parent, grandparent, or aunt and uncle can't remember the pleasure of having an infant or young child sit in your lap, enraptured by story time? During November, Massachusetts Family Literacy Month we are reminded that family reading experiences are integral to young children's healthy development. Bedtime stories promote parent child bonding, reading to infants and very young children opens up neurological pathways in their brains that maximize their capacity to learn across their lifetimes, and children acquire essential learning foundations through hearing, repeating, and telling stories, concepts like letters, words, shapes, colors, and sounds.
Join us as we celebrate Massachusetts Family Literacy Month at "Celebrating Reading, Family-Style" is a breakfast event hosted by Raising A Reader MA at the Boston Harbor Hotel on November 15, 2012. This special event will invite you to remember your fondest early reading memories as we honor the parents and other adult caregivers who continuously strive to read with their youngest children in order to ensure they have a healthy foundation for lifelong success.
Our Event Chair, Susan Buta, and other members of the Host Committee, invite you to share your family reading memories at on the morning of November 15th at Celebrating Reading, Family-Style. Read theirs:
Susan Buta, Event Chair, Buta Full Life, International
Helen Clancy
Leah Lesser, Communications Director, Barefoot Books
Laurie Mattaliano, www.readingbarefoot.com
Keri Wilmot, www.toyqueen.com
Susan Buta, Event Chair,Buta Full Life, International
"Mrs. Johnson, my second grade teacher, read to us every week. The whole class was mesmerized because she was such a good reader. I distinctly remember she read "Charlotte's Web." and I can still hear her saying, "Wilburrrr!" in a voice full of character. She acted out every part as she read aloud. Because of her, I still love to be read to out loud and I read to others as she did – joyfully bringing characters to life."
Like so many others, we are often solicited for new charities. We were introduced to Raising A Reader MA by my husband's colleague, Steven Smith. In his excited introduction, I immediately understood Raising A Reader MA's mission. My master's degree is in multicultural science education and I particularly looked at factors that created academic imbalance among socioeconomic and racial differences. I knew that if a child was not fluent in reading by third grade, their chance of graduating college was greatly reduced. I also knew the keys to reading lie on a family engagement with their child's education. Raising A Reader MA had the right concept to make real academic difference in a child and family's life. When I found an organization that addressed the root causes of academic deficiency, I was a proponent from the start!
Helen Clancy
"Mom, You're Fired!" is a book I vividly remember reading when I was 8 years old. After I read the last page in this coming of age story about how one girl deals with her embarrassing mother, I went in search of my own mother to tell her about the book I had just completed. As I relayed the plot my mother listened patiently. And when I wrapped up my oral book report I said to her, "Mom, I won't fire you."
Leah Lesser, Communications Director, Barefoot Books
Reading is as core to our family as sharing meals and kissing our daughters goodnight before they go to sleep. Some of my most favorite memories as a mom are of reading to our girls when they were teeny tiny and barely able to hold their heads up to look at the book, never mind understand what the words on the page meant. I remember holding them close in the rocking chair next to their crib, smelling them, feeling their warm bodies, watching with delight as their little fingers reached out to touch each page. As they grew, they uttered their very first words during story time as they pointed to the pictures and exclaimed: "bear!", "moon!", "tree!" and one of my favorite words, "more!" as in, "Please more books mamma, more!"
Our girls are now six and ten and proficient readers on their own but they still won't go to sleep without a bedtime story read aloud by mom or dad. And you know what? I hope they never grow out of that desire for story time.
Laurie Mattaliano, www.readingbarefoot.com
As a Barefoot Books Ambassador and a mother to two boys I have many fond memories of reading with my sons. One in particular stands out. I was reading the new release "The Boy Who Grew Flowers" to my son, who was then three. The book is intended for children a little bit older than three, so the themes, ideas and language were really over his head. But they weren't over my head, and the story themes of acceptance of individual difference touched me deeply. As we reached the end of the book, I was sobbing.
My son, blissfully oblivious to the emotional content of the story and confused to see me weeping, asked "Mommy, why are you crying?"
"I'm crying because it is such a beautiful and good story," I replied, wiping away the tears.
He looked at me and said, "Read it again."
Keri Wilmot, www.toyqueen.com
My husband and I read voraciously with our 3-year old son, Gavin. Because Gavin is still so young, my fondest family reading memories are very fresh. Most of them center around Gavin making connections between story ideas he's heard to his life experiences both at home and in the community. Young children are so hungry when it comes to knowledge and books have been a great way for us to not only expand his vocabulary, but reinforce real life values and skills, such as how to be a good friend and even successfully learn the complicated art of potty training. There is nothing more amazing then when Gavin uses the vocabulary and silly phrases he's learned from books we've read multiple times over and applies them appropriately and humorously in real life situations. It takes a village to raise a child. I'd personally like to thank every author who has taken the time and energy to craft their word phrases carefully into a cherished story with beautiful illustrations. These experiences have made such an impact on the life of my child and I consider these amazing individuals part of our extended family.