text:
If you're reading this, you're one of the chosen few whom I trust and whose friendship I value.
As most of you know, I've been tossing around the idea of going private with my blog for some time now. It was a tough decision struggling with my ego of getting a bunch of hits on my site and finally breaking the 20,000 hit mark, or deciding to go private and rid myself of some of the stalkers and weirdo's who were following my postings.
Another reason for going private is the rash of arrests and subsequent incarceration of individuals like me who choose to blog the truth. Governments here in Southeast Asia tend to get upset when the general public utilize the media to write about the truth, so they've begun arresting the offenders under the guise of said individuals being a threat to national security or some such bullshit.
Laws in Thailand, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries are often archaic and set up to protect the government, not the people. But from what I've read in the newspapers and online, the general public is no longer taking these injustices in stride. Now they are speaking out against these harsh, antiquated edicts, and in many cases, pressuring the governments to either release those individuals in question or change their passé rulings.
It is said Westerners are more concerned with privacy issues than in other parts of the world.
Perhaps, but I've noticed many Asians simply have a different concept or definition of privacy, than Westerners.
An example is seeing Thai women bathing outside. They sidle up to a communal water barrel wearing a wrap-around sarong and manage to bathe in the thing without exposing any more flesh than is absolutely necessary. Or they hold one's hand up in front of the mouth to hide picking their teeth after a meal. Just a couple of things that immediately pop into my head.
Thai's are pretty universal about these things, but in direct contrast, they don't think anything of walking right onto your land to pick a flower, take a piss, check out something they are interested in, hang their birdcage on your electric line, or drive their motorcycle into your driveway to park it while attending an event nearby, all without ever asking permission.
Gossip is rampant in Thailand. Even more so than what I witnessed while living in China.
A FARANG (the disgusting noun Thai's use in a spiteful manner to indicate a foreigner) like me cannot leave the house, go into town, visit the local pharmacy for some antibiotics, and go back home without the whole village knowing about it within a few hours.
"The farang is sick!" transmitted in Thai through mobile phones, SMS messages, and word-of-mouth within minutes of the event.
Jesus! Get a feaking life why don't cha?
Even though I've had a few run-in's with Thai's due to privacy issues, their lack of appreciation for our culture's version of privacy doesn't hold a candle to the underhanded, evil deeds other nutso foreigner's pull against their own.
So, here we are! All private, snuggly, comfy and forming a nice little friendly community!
So without further ado....I'd like to welcome:
- The Skelchy sisters, Annie and Simone from in and around Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Annie is an accomplished writer, story teller and philosophical thinker, who speaks at least five...seven? languages, while her sister Simone is a truly wonderful, modest, engaging individual with an extremely interesting job that I hope she'll tell us about in a future posting).
- Chris Allen, (a.k.a. Mysterioso) from Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a sensitive, talented musician and one of the most intelligent, talented individuals I know.
- Jenni Kossack from Michigan, USA...crazy, berserk, beautiful, extraordinary, my sexy love muffin! She says it like it is and isn't the least bit afraid to do so. She's bold, brash, and turning over a new leaf in life recently. A cartoonist with an edge, her humor is exactly as I like it....In your face...down and dirty....and RUDE!
- Mr. Robert Watson and his wife Diane from Tilton, New Hampshire...an old, seasoned friend of mine and former fishing buddy. Bob and I used to work together, and we've seen each other go through many different phases of life. His life experiences are such that most people wouldn't want to ever have to experience, but which has no doubt strengthened him in ways I cannot possibly describe. While Diane calls a spade a spade, Bob is the laid back member of the family, chosing to pause and observe, saving his opinions for later, well thought out and often sarcastically accurate.
That's the score for now folks. Possibly more people to be added in the near or distant future.
But, I can promise you this....
I've got a lot of plans up my sleeve, like interviews with my followers, the addition of collaborative works by my blog members, short stories for submission and review, comments, and many links to more exciting blog links.
I hope you all will enjoy this experience and stick with me through the easy and the tough times!
Hail to you all!


text:
Although the photos from Motor Authority show Chevrolet is still being extremely sneaky about the 2014 model Corvette C7, there are a few takeaways from these images. For one, the headlights seem to be a different shape. possibly a bit slimmer. The front air inlet is taller and narrower, and the side mirrors are a bit sleeker. The front nose appears to be a little bitter shorter than the lip, as well. The rear tailpipes are no longer split like the current model's, and all four are enclosed rather than hanging below. We're just as antsy to see what the rest of this beauty will look like fully unclothed.
[via Motor Authority]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
You can only message people who are following you. If you'd like to message this person, simply join our Recruiter Pro Plan.
• Responsible for the press department, liaising with editors, PR agencies, buyers, and stockists to maximize media coverage. • Assisted with event management for London Fashion Week (i.e. logistics and backstage), bringing in new business and sponsor partners (i.e. collaborations with designers and limited editions). • Organised photo shoots and visual material databases, drafting a variety of documents (e.g. press releases, lookbook, order form, and contracts).
• Assisted the Director with the delivery of projects, preparing reports and presentations for meetings with relevant stakeholders. • Collected and analysed data for market research, assisting the team with brand strategy. • Produced reports for the Director, handling company financial accountability and payroll system, processing invoices, and drafting legal documents.
5-year course


text:
It is another Monday! So that means....Aussie Nails Monday! and today is all about New Years eve.
Today has been a quick mani as i have had a bit of a migraine trying to fight its way into my brain all day.
I used a few of the bundle monster holiday plates for this one H14, H20 and H25 and stamped with the China Glaze christmas collection from this year.
My attempt at fireworks on the black nail is hard to see but its there.
Until next time......


text:
GraphicRiver Thumbs Up Pepper Character 7808360
Stock Vector \ Objects \ Food
Thumbs \ Character \ Pepper \ Vector \ VegetableIllustration \ Giving
Stock Vector - Thumbs Up Pepper Character 7808360 by Dazdraperma @ GraphicRiver
Stock Vector \ Objects \ Food
Illustration of a Pepper Character giving thumbs up. EPS 8, JPG (high resolution)
Layered: No; Graphics Files Included: JPG Image, Vector EPS; Minimum Adobe CS Version: CS.
Ice Girl; Flowers on Canvas; Save the Planet; Chicken Cup; Ballerina; Rabbit Holds Love Heart; Valentine Paper Grunge Background.
Keywords: agriculture, art, body, cartoon, character, cheerful, clip, cute, drawing, face, food, fresh, funny, garden, gesture, grow, hand, illustration, language, pepper, plant, presenter, showing, smile, thumb, thumbs up, vector, vegetable.


text:
Darkness Becomes Her - Kelly Keaton
5 Hearts
Darkness Becomes her is Kelly Keaton's debut YA novel. I must say, Bravo. I truly appreciate the fact that Kelly isn't afraid to write like a normal person, swears and all. I love that about her! She has definitely become one of my top 10 authors of all time. I can't wait to read more from her, and her alter ego Kelly Gay!
Darkness becomes her starts out by meeting Ari. Ari thinks she's a total freak with her odd silver hair and her teal colored eyes. Her whole life she has tried to change her hair, burn it, dye it, cut it and so on.. but it never does any good. Ari's hair always remains the same, making her feel alone in the world.
Growing up in foster care she's been through a lot. Until she was put into Casey and Bruce's care... she really had a horrible life. Casey and Bruce decide to let her find more information about her mother, and possibly who her father is, by going down to New 2. New 2 is what was once called New Orleans. After the hurricanes devastated the lands, the government gave up on it, calling it a disaster area.
While looking for answers, Ari is given a box from the Psychiatric hospital that her mother was in. She finds a letter to her, from her mother telling her to Run. After a battle at her hotel, Ari can sense that something is seriously wrong. However it's impossible to protect herself when she doesn't know what she's running from or why she is being pursued.
Upon arriving in New 2, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. She meets several people on her journey, one being Sebastian. Ari learns that being a "freak" in New 2 isn't exactly being a freak. Everyone has their secrets. Creatures seem to be afraid of her and Ari won't stop until she knows why. But some truths are just too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.
-beth [vixen #2]


text:
Listen, can someone help wean me off onto a healthier habit, like, I don't know, slamming my fingers in car doors, or huffing nail polish remover?
Meanwhile, I -am- sorry, but MISERY LOVES COMPANY, DAMMIT:
exhibit #1:
I used to think men cared about women, and they would protect us if
necc. All that went right out the window, breaking me at my very core/
soul. If a man can use any woman he can use all women. There's no good
and bad uses of women. I don't want to be used in the so called good
way - as wife and fako partner, any more than I want to be used in the
bad way of p wh. It's ALL BAD!!! Using anyone is BAD!!!! There's no
good way to use someone. Yet there men are, celebrating the abuse of
women. I used to think the USA had a strong military full of strong
manly men dedicated to protecting us from external forces...
We're left feeling sooo alone in the world when we discover those who
vowed to love and honor us, have only been using us, while they also
contribute to destroying us. There's no connection between how they
treat other women, and how their fellow men treat us. They like to see
men sexualizing their OBJECTS.
...And I don't buy the BS about women do it because they like it and
they want too. If a woman likes it and wants to then she is mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually retarded, just like I was when I was also
under the influence of these man-made lies. To me it's like taking
advantage of the handicapped in our society, in soul torturous ways,
and calling that ENTERTAINMENT for MEN. That's soo messed up, in soo
many ways, it's no wonder we can't wrap our hearts and souls around
it. It's insanity, and sane people don't do it.
[another poster]
The other night there was an episode of 'Intervention' on,which I made my h watch. It was a lady who was addicted to heroin and she prostituted to get the money.
At 1st my h was angry,"I never saw a prostitute what does this have to do with me?"
I told him that that's what these womyn in p*rn movies are,they are prostituted once in the movie,and then over and over visually for sick men.
My h admitted to me that he separated these womyn in the movies from womyn in real life,because they were "sluts and they wanted to be there" :-X (I still can't believe my h said this..How can he be this man..and the one I thought I knew?)
Maybe some do think they want to be there,but if so,it's that they have been brain washed into thinking that's all their is for them.
I have seen interviews with these womyn,I have read books..I have seen these shows/documentaries,and I even knew a lady from my childhood who out of drug addiction finally resorted to prostitution,They didn't want to be there. They had no choice,or thought they had none. They had no voice and knew that that was the one thing they could always sell.
These womyn are addicts,they would do anything for their drugs. These womyn are womyn who have been abused all their life and feel as though they have nothing else to offer but their sexuality,as they've seen it's all anyone wants from them. They continue to be abused each time they do these acts.
These womyn are real ppl,they are not some mere object to be used,abused,and then used again.
I am so angry and resentful,that I am with someone who is a secret abuser of womyn,. It doesn't matter if it was visually...
That he lied,that he had everyone fooled...I could rant on this forever.
It makes me sad,angry and sick to think this is all the progress that has been made throughout human history? They went from walking hunched over,pulling us by the hair into a cave,to walking upright..only to be hunched over the computer victimizing us again,only visually.
At 1st..I was angry at God..I thought why did God let this happen to me? I am a good person,I try to live a respectable moral life.
Then a calm came over me,and I realized it wasn't Gods doing. God gave us free will so we can make the right choices,and find our way back to him. P*rn imo is truly evil,it is truly the work of "the devil" and of mans weakness for lust.
I think some of these men can save themselves,if they really see the problem as a whole. It's not just p*rn,it's not just mb. It's how womyn are seen and valued in their minds,how our role in society is placed. They have to place value on every womyn,no mater how "lowly" she might be...or they might not ever win this.
Two books I thought I might mention,if you're feeling mad as hell and don't mind getting madder:
'Against our will' -by Susan Brownmiller
'Who Cooked the Last Supper: The Women's History of the World'-by Rosalind Miles
on another thread:
I'm not coming at you with a machete nor am I trying to drive you off
the boards in any way. I am simply pointing out the error in your ways
when you encourage porn addicts to look up to someone for recovery
when that same person would tell the PA's on here they don't have a
porn addiction, and the SO's that they are insecure and porning for
men is a normal and healthy activity..
[sig quote]
..."Feminism is the radical notion that women are people"
and then, from the main pages of that same site:
Overcoming temptation is easier with an Accountability Partner.
That's why Covenant Eyes is effective. It is NOT a filter -- but it
does restore your freedom to choose.
Fully endorsed by: "Promise Keepers Men of Integrity"; Steve Hewitt,
editor and President, "Christian Computing Magazine"; by "Focus on the
Family"; and by No-porn.com.
Benefits and Features:
* Tracks every web visit and sends an e-mailed report to the
accountability partner(s) of your choice.
* Removes the secrecy of using the Internet. Reports can be sent
every seven, 14 or 28 days.
"I'm not religious, so I was pleased to find out that using this
doesn't require religion. It is just common sense."
o noez, doesn't require religion, it's only endorsed by FOCUS ON THE
FAMILY and PROMISE KEEPERS. i can totally understand why some "radical feminists" (hi, one angry girl! you've been cited in there!) would be sympatico here! I mean, they're only using software that's a-ok with frigging FOCUS ON THE FAMILY and PROMISE KEEPERS. Absolutely! Certainly much better allies than, o I don't know, female sex workers who don't happen to agree with you about whether their job is so terrible that they need to stop and repent forthwith, but DO agree with you wrt reproductive rights, gay rights, whether or not it really -is- a woman's -only- rightful place to sit at home by her husband's side and raise kids...
you stupid, stupid fucks.
and yeah, -nice- with the eye and the whole thing, not at all
Handmaid's Tale.***
Please, do tell me another one about how the ONLY reason I could -possibly- be more concerned about rabid anti-porn/kink/etc/etc/etc "feminists" than, I don't know, Playboy, or "raunch culture," or the harm my queer pro-domme friends who make indie pr0n are causing to anxious straight womyn who can't keep their husbands at home, is because I luuuuuurrrves the porn so very, very much.
NOT because o i don't know not only does it SOUND like right wing fundamentalism a lot of the time, not only is it -possible- that right-wing fundamentalists use this shit to further their own agenda (that no-porn board has literally hundreds of thousands of postings, apparently tens of thousands of regulars if you buy their "survey" numbers, or did), but in -some- cases we are in fact talking about -the very same people.- That's a lie! That never happens! And, y'all (y'all know who you are) are SO RIGHT to be so much more willing to work/engage with these people than someone like this.
I'll skip the bit with the terribly earnest young man who's convinced he must be entirely chaste because he has a homosexual orientation -and- is a Christian, but -for some reason- just can't stop looking at Those Pictures or thinking Those Thoughts, can anyone help? or indeed the guy who's convinced he's an "addict" because he still jerks off once a week, and the very helpful woman who may or may not be a "feminist," it's a bit ambiguous from her login and other posts, who suggests imagining his dead grandmother looking on every time he starts to lapse, hey, whatever works, right?
just, by way of transition to the next Place What Makes My Brain Hurt, one last, thiswas also rather choice, I thought:
Even if they are looking at straight men having sex, they are mb to
other men having sex. And whether they are consciously aware of it or
not, it's a perversion, and their subconcious is soaking it all up no
matter what they think. I often wonder if my h is gay, even when it's
not shemales, because I can't tell what he's looking at the girls or
the guys. And often the so called girls, are really men, made up to
look like women, so often times they are wanking to men while thinking
they are women, but their soul sees them as the me they are regardless
imo. It's only a small step from there to shemales imo. It really
doesn't matter what kind of p it is though, because it is all messed
up, and they get messed up no matter what kind they are using from the
tamer type to the grosser type. Using p makes them pornosexuals, and
totally ruins their natural hetrosexuality no matter what the images.
Had enough of that? Okay! Moving on. And in fact, this has gotten SO long and unwieldy that it's now TWO posts o'rantiness, continue here.
Sometimes the movie she showed would be an old porno film, from the seventies or eighties. Women kneeling, sucking penises or guns, women tied up or chained or with dog collars around their necks, women hanging from trees, or upside-down, naked, with their legs held apart, women being raped, beaten up, killed...
Consider the alternatives, said Aunt Lydia. You see what things used to be like? That was what they thought of women, then. Her voice trembled with indignation.
Moira said later that it wasn't real, it was done with models, but it was hard to tell.
Sometimes, though, the movie would be what Aunt Lydia called an Unwoman documentary. Imagine, said Aunt Lydia, wasting their time like that, when they should have been doing something useful. Back then, the Unwomen were always wasting time. They were encouraged to do it. The government gave them money to do that very thing. Mind you, some of their ideas were sound enough, she went on, with the smug authority of one who is in a safe position to judge. We would have to condone some of their ideas, even today. Only some, mind you, she said, coyly, raising her index finger, waggling it at us. But they were Godless, and that can make all the difference, don't you agree?
Lilies used to be a movie theater, before. Students went there a lot: every spring they had a Humphrey Bogart festival, with Lauren Bacall or Katherine Hepburn, women on their own, making up their minds. They worse blouses with buttons down the front that suggested the possibilities of the word undone. These women could be undone; or not. They seemed to be able to choose. We seemed to be able to choose, then. We were a society dying, said Aunt Lydia, of too much choice.
...Women were not protected then.
I remember the rules, rules that were not spelled out but that every woman knew: Don't open your door to a stranger, even if he says he is the police. Make him slide his ID under the door. Don't stop on the road to help a motorist pretending to be in trouble...
Now we walk along the same street, in red pairs, and no man shouts obscenities at us, speaks to us, touches us. No one whistles.
There is more than one kind of freedom, said Aunt Lydia. Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, you had freedom to. Now you have freedom from. Don't underrate it.
--Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale


text:
Explore Africa
Africa, the world's second largest continent, is made up of 54 recognized states and the largest populations of wild animals. In Africa you can track the Big Five; lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros, as well as hundreds of different species including giraffe, hippos, hyena, zebra and countless others. Not only great for game viewing, Africa is a continent that is rich in history, a perfect place for a culturally enlightening travel experience.
Alongside the incredible experiences are luxury accommodations throughout all of Africa. Unique and incredible game lodges are nestled deep within national game reserves combining authentic safari experiences coupled with ultimate luxury.
For most people, Africa evokes images of sun-drenched plains, nomadic tribes, and vast game parks, and though all of this is present, Africa offers visitors more than just safaris and sunsets. Exceptional sailing and scuba diving, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, amazing Victoria Falls, Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, Capetown and the Winelands …..Africa will surprise you with its wealth of experiences and although you may come for its beasts, you will stay for its beauty.
Why Botswana
Botswana as a destination offers some of the most stunning landscapes, along with magnificent sunsets and amazing stargazing. It delivers unmatched safari experiences, from the thriving waterways of the Okavango Delta, to the Kalahari Desert's ancient baobabs and meerkats, and the Chobe National Park, where the elephant reigns supreme. Botswana is considered by many to be the benchmark when it comes to sustainable ecotourism practice in Africa. Fly from camp to camp to take in the delta's diverse eco systems – wet and marshy delta that then empties into a desert full of wildlife. Explore the waterways with your expert rangers via slow motorboat or being poled in a traditional mokoro (canoe) spotting hippos, crocodiles and a myriad of birds.
Why South Africa
South Africa has it all! Whether you're seeking a Big Five safari experience, cosmopolitan cities, a rainbow nation of richly diverse cultures or spectacular scenery. South Africa is like a world in one country — the ideal destination for those looking for variety in their journey to Africa.
Why Tanzania
Tanzania delivers an exceptional safari experience within its game parks and private reserves. Here wildebeest stampede across the Serengeti plains during their annual migration and baobabs dwarf the herds of elephants that feed beneath them in Tarangire National Park. Explore Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest free-standing caldera.
Experience "the road less traveled" in wild Katavi National Park, which boasts Tanzania's largest population of crocodiles and hippos, or boat down the Rufiji River in the spectacular Selous Game Reserve. For a magical experience, trek through the Mahale Mountains National Park in search of chimpanzees. Meet Maasai warriors and the pastoral Wahadzabe and Datoga. Immerse yourself in local life, barter at local markets or spend a morning with exuberant school children. Then wrap up your journey with a beach getaway to the spice island of Zanzibar.
Why Kenya
Kenya has long been a top destination for safari seekers. Showcasing a wealth of wildlife, each ecologically diverse game park has its own allure. Breathtaking landscapes, endless plains and unrivalled game viewing year round, the Masai Mara, is where huge herds of wildebeest and other herbivores make their way during the annual Great Migration.
Discover the beauty of Amboseli with its famous large tusked elephants and views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. Lauded for its groundbreaking rhino rehabilitation efforts, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is the heart of wildlife conservation and offers an unforgettable combination of unspoiled beauty, superb game viewing, sustainable development and responsible tourism in Northern Kenya. The arid Samburu and Shaba National Reserves stretching along the Ewaso Nyiro River is home to elephants, large predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah, as well as the rare northern specialist species, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx.
Beyond your expertly-guided game drives and bush walks, immerse yourself in the colorful cultures of the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana and Borana tribes. Wrap up your journey with a visit to Kenya's beautiful beaches.
Why Rwanda
Visiting Rwanda, "the land of a thousand hills," is one of the great wildlife adventures on the planet. The star attraction is the highly endangered mountain gorilla. An encounter with a silver-back gorilla can be a hair-raising experience and one you will never forget! The welcoming people, lush landscapes and other wildlife attractions make it an ideal addition to any African safari.
Rwanda is mountainous, green and lush, and home to over 670 birds, a variety of primates and 100 orchid species – a paradise for bird watchers, conservationists and botanists alike. The majority of tourism is focused on a visit to the Parc National des Volcans in the north.
Why Uganda
Often described as the 'Pearl of Africa', this lush land is celebrated for its primate population and fine scenery. Uganda has been attracting active adventure travelers to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to view the endangered mountain gorillas for many years. Uganda's other pearls include the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls and Kibale Forest National Park, where you'll find the chimpanzees.
Why Zimbabwe
In the heart of southern Africa, Zimbabwe has reemerged as a top safari contender with much to offer the wildlife enthusiast. It is home to the "must see" Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the adventure capital of the region. Its game rich national parks serve up breathtaking sunrises, up close encounters with wildlife and star studded night skies.
Described as the world's largest curtain of falling water, Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After experiencing awesome Victoria Falls and its plentiful adventure activities, visitors to Zimbabwe have a wealth of safari opportunities. Take a short flight to diverse Hwange National Park. An extensive network of waterholes draw large herds of elephant and plains game to the park and surrounding private reserves. Or visit Mana Pools, the country's second World Heritage Site, to walk and canoe in a wildlife-rich and scenic region. Spectacular views of the Zambezi River, floodplains, the rift valley escarpment and tree canopy make this a wildlife photographer paradise.
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text:
Beef Stew, Dead Grandpas, and Internet Trickery
>> Thursday, January 15, 2009
1. beef stew
2. Candy Cane Joe-Joe's
Today I had this raw meat turned into a beef stew. For some reason or other I don't think I've ever actually made stew, which made me a little sad when I realized it, cause I love stew! Know why? My Pap-paw used to make stew. (And barbecued chicken, but that's for another day.) In the winter time cause he was a farmer and farmers work HARD during the spring and summer. But in the winter time? He'd hang out. And sometimes, sometimes he'd cook. He'd make up a big pot and then he and Mam-maw would can it so in the summer time, when he was in the fields until after dark, we'd still have stew. Cause it was so delicious you'd want to eat it all year 'round. He's long gone and I have no idea really what his recipe was and seriously, it's been years. Decades even. One thing I'm certain of is that it had corn so I added some in and pretended while I was eating that it tasted just like his and I double dog dare anyone to disagree. Talkin' to you Mom.
In other news we finally cracked open the last box of Candy Cane Joe-Joe's. Man do I love those things. Since I'm here I might as well tell you the Christmas horror story that nearly ended our love affair. See I kept seeing this recipe for "Oreo Truffles" on some of my favorite food blogs. Now admittedly I was skeptical. Crushed cookies and cream cheese smooshed together and dipped in melted chocolate. Just three things? How on earth would that taste like anything except crushed cookies and cream cheese smooshed together and dipped in melted chocolate? Well to hear folks tell it tasted somewhere inbetween angel tears and drunken sex with a stranger. Or something like that. Of course if I made them with Candy Cane Joe-Joe's....well, I just don't have the words. So.
I assembled the goods.
But hey! Why stop there? Go big or go home right? So multiply that times three. I take some to work! Send some to work with Him! Give them to the neighbors! Pass them out to carolers. Not that we have carolers. But anyway. Oh! I have a G R E A T idea. Those yummy mocha cookies from Fresh & Easy? I'll make some with those! Only with DARK chocolate. So I assembled more goods.
Times three.
Big plans I tell you, big plans! Of course I needed something to PUT them in. You know, to give away to all my family and friends and carolers and random passersby. Hmmmm. Wal-mart. Yep. Wal-mart. I went to Wal-mart the week before Christmas. WHEN I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO. Sorry, didn't mean to yell. Saw some little treat bags that weren't that cute but the coordinating gift tags? Bloomin' awesome. Ooooooh! Only 3 for a dollar too? I bought 30.
Times three.
The Boo and I finally got down to business and started making these little balls of cookie love. We crushed. We smooshed. We scooped. We rolled. We dipped. We sprinkled. And we repeated.
Times three.
Oh and we tasted along the way, but not too much. Cause ... they really didn't taste all that good. Of course they were too fresh. They needed time to ripen, to bloom, to reach their full cookie drunken love ball potential. So. We soldiered on. And eventually we ended up with at least a hundred little "truffles" (times three of course) and man were they gorgeous. Here's a money shot.
See? Aren't they beautiful? Yes. They were. And the taste? Like crushed cookies smooshed together with cream cheese and dipped in chocolate. In a word? Yuck.
Times three.
Internet? You let me down. I b e l i e v e d! My hands are BRUISED from clapping so hard. Symbolically, of course. But still! I won't even get into how this whole thing jeopardized the beautiful relationship between me and mah cookies. And I couldn't even off load them on all those non-existent carolers cause the damn things were too soft and gooey to pack in the little treat bags that I risked limb and sanity to buy. I took a platter of the stupid goo balls to work every day that week and sent several plates full home with Boy's unsuspecting friends but I just couldn't get rid of them all. Still have extraneous quantities of cream cheese and dark chocolate. Not to mention my beer fridge is still harboring a dozen of the damn things.
Times three.


text:
we decided to celebrate by skiing the slopes. couldn't be more perfect. thank goodness for days off!
Wednesday, February 16
Tuesday, February 15
love day
valentines day this year was quite a hit. it left us with more surprises then we asked for but also so much love. we decided that lately we've been so busy that it would be nice to spend the night at home. so me, wanting to be the good wife i am, set off to the grocery store to begin my cooking early.
the menu: shrimp linguine, homemade cesaer salad, butter croissants, and chocolate molten cake.
delicious right?
so at 2:30 p.m. while cutting the lettuce with a very sharp knife...i did a little damage to my finger, and after a few hours at this hospital this was the outcome.
yes, i did nearly chop it off. yes, i could see my bone. yes, jake was at football and i was home
alone. and yes, it hurts so bad and was THE grossest thing i've encountered in a while. needless to say our dinner turned out to be a very time consuming and expensive one!
On a lighter note, my sweet husband brought home the most beautiful roses and we set the table nicely with flowers, candles, and of course chocolate covered strawberries. it was delicious.
thanks to my sweet mom who came and finished making the meal with me after the stitches.
Jake gave me the book "i love you because," it is darling and so sweet. if you haven't read it, you must.
needless to say our first valentines day together is one for the books. we loved our dinner, loved our small gifts, and of course loved the time we were able to spend together even with a very hurt finger.
Monday, February 14
LUCY: definition-crazy crazy puppy, sharp baby teeth, full of endless energy, sleeping through the night, still loving jakes shoes, chasing any cleaning tools, my little shadow, and growing right before our eyes.
this is what our little pup is up to as of 11 weeks. she really is so big its frightening. we may have underestimated her size but we love her. i just love it when she wants to snuggle which is .01% of the time!
Saturday, February 12
boat show
us at the boat show this weekend. not the best picture, but the best looking boat and the best looking guy. can't wait for summer in powell...calling our names!
Wednesday, February 9
i have this slight obsession with elephants. going to india did it to me. this summer i bought a porcelain elephant and named her raja, she sits on our dresser in our room. jake thinks she is silly, especially since she was such a hassle to bring home. but i love elephants, the little ones are the cutest
i have a really great friend, her name is emmy and she and her husband josh are the coolest because they are going to south africa on their honeymoon! jealous? yes. they will be seeing elephants in the wild while they are there.
Tuesday, February 8
project: DINKY
some of my lovely friends: this gal and this gal, whom i adore, coined this word a year or so ago. it's a silly sounding world but don't let it fool you. tease me if you'd like, i'm fine with that. but here is the definition in their own words:
lovely, ruffly (who doesn't adore ruffles?), simple, darling, beautiful lady.
one who creates beautiful things and enjoys life itself.
i've had a hiatus from creativity...odd for myself because its something that makes me tick. i've exhausted my time and energy on other things and have found myself craving some "dinky-ness." To cook, to sew, to create, to make beautiful spaces, and things that is what I please. So if you will-let us be dinky, because I am a woman and this is what I believe in.
so...who's in?
Monday, February 7
february's little letters:
dear lucy: we love you. but you are definitely a morning girl and no doubt about it a puppy too. you are nibbling at everything, especially me. you eat my hair and i don't love it so much. sweeping, mopping, even walking is a little tricky with you around but also so so fun.
dear learning: you are unbelievable. the knowledge available in our world is endless. not enough hours in the day to fill our minds and enrich our lives with this knowledge. how remarkable our minds and bodies were created, the capability we are given to uphold and retain information and to utilize it in our lives, so unreal.
dear winter: we have 50 or so days left with you. how did i never know you were so long until this year? while i love your gift of snow, i'm dreaming of warm weather and a summer glow.
dear marriage: nothing is better. especially being able to celebrate love month head over heels and in love. not enough words to explain. i love LOVE. i believe in it, i live for it. i don't find anything else in this world that is more rewarding then being a wife, a soul mate, a best friend, and waking up each morning next to you is a dream, and having you all to myself is so surreal. coming home to someone each day and always having a best friend is too good to be true. 7 months down (can you believe it) and forever to go!
dear valentines day: lots of surprises for you. i love your hearts, your colors, and your candies. mmm mmm cinnamon lips and sour hearts are two of my favorites.
Friday, February 4
resolution. it's only february 4th
i am a resolute. it's what i do. goals, list, plan, check off, completed, begin again.
do it perfectly. don't set a goal expected to fail. here are the resolutions i began in january and have decided that they have made the list!
my new middle name: "cardio" it will be done, whether i like it or not.
i will learn to love the three letter word. RUN
write letters, often (lovers letters too)
write in journal more often. a lost art that has kept me up at times and helps me to remember my fondest memories.
i will also wallpaper a room in the house.
dream by the beach whenever possible. and read the book of mormon at least once.
have i done any good in the world today?
smile. love. laugh. relax.
Thursday, February 3
i love
and have a long loving relationship with new england style homes. my love (& i mean true love) for cape cod/nantucket charm is almost too much. something is so charming about these homes. light interiors
dark coffee floors
elegant lighting
plush furniture
clean lines
i really love it all
here are some beautiful inspirations.
here are some beautiful inspirations.
oh so lovely.
one day i dream of designing my own cape cod/ nantucket style home. and in my next life-i will be an interior designer.
Wednesday, February 2
things to l.O.v.E.
currently my mind has been dreaming.
dreaming of lots of things that i love and am currently loving.
here are some of my obsessions.
spring just around the corner, and sweet floral prints.
fresh bruschetta on a toasted baguette
sushi. need i say more?
beautifully adorned sugar cookies.
this simple quote.
loose waves and coral lips.
and...upcoming beach vacations.
(just so you know this is exactly where our honeymoon was, take me back now)
what are you loving?
Tuesday, February 1
love love love
happy love month! february couldn't have come at a better time, january was cold an warmer weather is on my mind. but i love february, besides the fact that its valentines day it is also full of many other celebrations. i got these from this friends blog. so this love month celebrate more then just the 14th.
4th- bubble gum day
9th- read in the bath tub day
11th- white shirt day
14th- Valentines day.
19th- chocolate mint day
20th- love your pet day ( we are establishing an i love lucy day for our little pup lucy)
21st- President's day
26th- Levi Strauss day
27th- Academy Awards
28th- floral design
too many lovely days that all scream pink, pretty, and lovely to me. here are some inspiring pictures to get you through your day. happy february lovers!
pretty little polaroids and plush flowers
darling cupcakes try this recipe.
red ruffly pumps
elegant blush hues
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Friday, February 22, 2013
Easter treats
With Easter coming up it is always time to do a little decoration, I used these really cute houses from Craft Concepts (call print blocks for a list of suppliers). Made of wood they are small and neat to decorate quickly, here I have used glitter and flocking. I don't think folks think of glitter as an all over surface much, it can be so versatile if you stop thinking of it as a highlighting embellishment and instead think of it as a medium. The same goes with flocking, my little brown bunny is covered in caramel flocking. Just a tip, pass the flocking through a sieve if it is lumpy, you will get a much better look. Flocking does goes lumpy over time, and really needs to be fluffed up before use. My little bunnies are the Tim Holtz movers & shapers mini bunny, you could use those fluffy chenille chicks instead if you cannot find the die. Also my little birds nest is simply some florists wood fibre, rolled into a nest shape, spritzed with glimmer mist and two cotton buds sprayed and glued in place as eggs( snip off the stick first). You can also see I have spritzed over the glitter, this helps make not so sparkly, it works much better as a surface for ordinary projects if it is not so bright and glittery. Seems odd I know, but if you take away the shine you are left with the texture, and I love that.
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Friday, February 15, 2013
Cherish Love
Recently my nephew became engaged and married a wonderful girl he met in Vietnam, it has taken me a while but finally I got around to Scrapping a few photos. This one is of his engagement, I have converted the photo to black and white because the colours were so bright and gaudy that the were hard to use traditionally. The photo came up really nice in black and white though and suited a strong use of colour, I choose purple, not sure I am happy with the strength of the colour, but it is what it is lol
I have used Krylon spray gesso, my favourite thing at the moment, to create the background and subdue the purple cardstock, I have made flowers with Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms and Carnation Creations, along with Foliage 2 ( for a full list of materials go to http://downunderdirectinspiration.blogspot.com.au/
A close up of flowers and muslin bow
Saturday, February 9, 2013
childs play
Today I am sharing the latest layout for Paper Trenz, see no flowers, this is all about carnivals and bunting, not my usual layout, but fun to do, you will learn how to make the rosettes and bunting along with a cute carousel horse, and you will never look at bamboo skewers the same way again.
Give Paper Trenz a call the class is on thursday the 21st February
Sunday, February 3, 2013
First Post for Imaginarum Designs
Hi Everyone...
I am so excited to bring you my first post as a design team member and I hope I get it right. I have a layout and an Off the page item for you. Lately I have been doing a lot of boy layouts, so this one of my Daughter was nice to do, in lots of pink and white, with the unusual addition of grey
I have used a fairly easy treatment of the chipboard on these two projects, glitter. The way I do it though is from years of experience. I colour the chipboard in a colour the same shade as the glitter, in this case white (white gesso) and then coat it in dimensional magic or glossy accents. Then I shake lots of glitter over the top, the glitter sinks down into the dimensional magic and it captures it, so no glitter loss later. The colour under the glitter stops little micro bits of brown chip showing through in the gaps of the glitter. I just find I get a lush full coverage this way, with a luminous shine, with very little glitter escaping over the rest of the layout.
My second Project is using a frame from Couture Creations, and was done as a gift for my mother, of my children. This time I have used the classic colour combo of turquoise and brown, one of my favourites, which lends itself to the peacock colours so well. I have coated the feather in a combination of Lumiere paints, then when dry, I covered it in dimensional magic( thin coat) and sprinkled a few clear micro beads around the centre for texture. I have also used ZVA flourishes, which I love to coat with a little gesso to take away the shine, and then spray with a glimmer mist, to colour. This gives you texture without the shine, the neat thing about this is you can always wipe it off if you don't like it.
Here are some close ups of the feather and and flourish.
Hope you enjoyed my first post
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by New Worker
CLEANERS at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (Soas) last year won a long battle for decent wages and terms and conditions.
Last week they were out on strike again, supported by their union Unison, as ISS broke the terms of that agreement by announcing that new vacancies will not be given to cleaning staff already employed in Soas.
ISS also demands that new staff must be fluent in English. Most of the Soas cleaners are immigrants and are not fluent in English but have worked there for many years, some for 18 years.
The cleaners are calling for lessons in English and insisting that new workers should not be employed on worse terms and conditions than those agreed by ISS last year.
They are angry that ISS has begun trying to recruit new workers on worse terms and conditions, which is a breach of the agreement secured last year, and which will create a two-tier workforce.


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I Am Not My Characters (But Maybe I Am)
by Kathleen Duhamel
Since the publication of my novel Deep Blue several weeks ago, I've been asked by people who've read the book, "How did you come up with your characters? Is Claire supposed to be you? Is anyone else based on a real person?"
Not to be enigmatic, but my answer is always, "Yes and no." Honestly, I don't know how to create characters who don't have something of myself in them. At the same time, they are all unique individuals. But for those of you who are interested, here's how I came up with my four main characters. Let's start with the women.
Claire is the sensitive artist, a hippie who is more concerned with staying true to her art than making a lot of money. She has a fun-loving approach to life (a lot like me) and doesn't take herself too seriously. Part of that attitude stems from being a cancer survivor (also like me) who cheated death. We share the same mantra: Nothing is worth more than this day. Claire and I try to make the most of life, having almost lost it.
However, Claire is more loving and compassionate than I am, and much more of a risk-taker. I don't know if I would've packed up and moved across the country to be with a man going through recovery, even if he is a hottie like Rob. She is willing to put it all on the line for someone she loves. Some might find that attitude foolish, but I believe her to be admirable.
Denise is the only character in the book based on a specific person, my BFF since the eighth grade, Diane Baird. Their careers are eerily similar. Both have devoted themselves professionally to helping abused and neglected children. However, Denise doesn't allow the often horrific cases she deals with to overwhelm her. She has the uncanny ability to compartmentalize her job and not take it home. Most of the time, anyway. As far as her personal life goes, Denise would like to have a man, but she doesn't need one to feel complete. She's not about to jump into a relationship with someone who lacks emotional maturity.
Artie is more or less the male version of me. He often hides his feelings behind a wall of cynicism and sarcasm because he is distrustful of others. He finds it hard to censor himself, so he frequently shoots off his mouth before he thinks about what he's saying, much to the dismay of the band's public relations person, a control freak who can't control him. Unlike me, Artie has more talent and ability than he knows what to do with, so his ego frequently gets out of control.
He's not a mean person, though. Just like almost every other human, he wants to love and be loved. He's just not certain how to go about it.
Rob is a composite character, created from bits and pieces of others. When I began researching the book, which is set in the world of classic rock and soul music, I was surprised to re-learn how many of the singers and musicians I admire are Jewish: Paul Simon, Donald Fagen, Carole King, Carly Simon, Amy Winehouse, Billy Joel and Bob Dylan, to name a few. So Rob became Jewish. I based him in New York because I wanted to accentuate the differences between him and Claire, who is a WASP from Colorado. Yet, they share the same free-wheeling approach to life, one of the things that draws them together.
Rob is my alpha male: charming and charismatic, even though he's not handsome. (Claire herself makes that comment, although she finds him "oddly appealing.") He's a foodie (like my husband, Tom) who enjoys cooking, and he's crazy about his family.
Although he's made some huge mistakes in his life, I think his weaknesses serve to make him human, and therefore more desirable.
He never wanted to be a singer, but it's his distinctive raspy voice that helped propel Deep Blue into rock and roll history. Throw in some Joe Cocker and Michael McDonald with the soul of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and a touch of James Brown, and you've got Rob's voice.
My husband asked me recently who I think could play Rob in a movie based on my book (like that could actually happen) and I said, "No one." Not in my mind, anyway.
So, there you have it. The other night I dreamed I was at a party. I wandered through the crowd asking others if they'd seen Rob and Claire. Someone put their hand on my shoulder and asked in a gentle voice, "Kathleen, you do know that they're not real, don't you?"
I'm not so sure about that. I've lived with these people for three years, learning to understand their wants, needs and motivations. I've cried through their struggles and rejoiced at their successes, so in my mind they are real and will continue to live on. And if you want to know what they're up to, stay tuned for Deeper, Book Two in the Deep Blue trilogy, which will be out next spring. More music, romance and a whole lot more drama!


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If you haven't heard about the Samantha Brick debacle, you should. That shit is hilarious. I apologize in advantage for indulging in some "celebrity" trash.
I am not one to downplay anyone's beauty--I am regularly teased for finding people pretty when others do not--but come on, Ms. Brick! In the pictures I've seen you range from pretty to pretty average. I think what makes you lose friends is your unbelievable arrogance. I have friends more beautiful than I, and I am more beautiful than some of my friends... that's very normal. But never has there been any difference in the way I've been treated, or the way I treat my friends, nor have I ever even heard of the catfighting that you describe. My friends trust me, and I trust them! I can't even crack a joke about American girls vs. British girls, because there are some damn hot English chicks out there.
I can't imagine the balls to be so wonderfully average, and to agree to have an article published about it! And did you seriously just compare yourself to Angelina Jolie?! What the fuck are you smoking?!!
I don't care if you are physically more attractive or less than I am, and I don't think most women do either. Even if you were the most gorgeous woman in the world, this arrogance, so amazingly public, would be ugly. But it sure does make it funny when you are pretty average!


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its been a long time i'm not doing any promotion. today, i'm kind enough to make a promotion for all the bride-to-be out there!
The promotion is for the lucky early bird! booked petite touch for your wedding at least 2 month before the date, and you will get this early bird price:
nikah + sanding/ reception (1 day event) = RM300
nikah + sanding/reception (2 days event/ 2 kali makeup) = RM350
nikah / engagement sahaja = RM120
call me for a fast reply and quotation! (maybe if you are lucky enough, you can get more discount ar free gift!)


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Clearing your cookies deletes temporary web data that can slow down your computer. If using Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu, scroll down to Safety and click Delete Browsing History. Select the Cookies box, and click Delete. If using Firefox, click on Tools and then click Options. Select Show Cookies, and click Remove All Cookies.
Run a security scan once a week to ensure your system runs as fast as possible. These scans detect and purge viruses, malware and other malicious files that slow down your system.
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I am so grateful that I'm finally "coming back into life." In October, I started tutoring at Sedgefield Elementary School, teaching K-3 kids how to read. We'll finish at the end of March, and I've had a blast with this "tiny-little-part-time" job. In February, I got a contract to teach Excel to the folks at Hagan Davis Law Firm. Another wonderful opportunity, and I have built up more stamina. At the end of March, this contract is also finished (until the next training sessions).
So, in April, I'm looking for meaningful work and a chance to broaden my horizons. Hence, this blog. I'm going to use the new month to review what's happened to me, and what's happening now. I hope it won't be too boring... just a chance to mull over the life lessons available to me through the 3.5 years of pain. (Wow, sounds melodramatic, huh?)
So, see you in April (if not before). Thanks for reading.


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Being January 26 today, it was Australia Day. However, today was special for another reason — Google was planning to take a whole photo of Sydney to use on the Australian Google Maps.
We wanted to be a part of the day, and so we created a large banner for Darwin Dating which we hoped would be visible from the sky. One of the co-founders, and his reluctant but good-humored wife, dressed in their wedding outfit with a large sign that said, 'We met on DarwinDating.com. P.s. We're hot..'
The day was a huge sucesss. We had heaps of fun creating the sign, and a journalist from the Sydney Morning Herald even came down to interview us — we ended up on the front page!
We also created a giant eye-ball to promote another website of ours, Swift City. This project involved some 2,500 pieces of A4 paper, as well as 2,500 wooden cooking skewers:
To get this ready in time for the 9am picture, we had to get up at 4am, and work in the dark with rain coming down around us. However, the result was definitely worth it.
We can't wait for the pictures to come out in 6 weeks time.When they do, you should be able to find us approximately at the following Lat/Lng: -33.89757219, 151.2255942.


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Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Stark County Political Report has confirmed that Jennifer Creighton Kling, daughter of Stark County Commissioner Janet Creighton is considering filing a application with North Canton City Council (Council) to replace Daryl Revoldt as councilperson-at-large.
Her hesitation is that she has been predisposed to run for the North Canton Board of Education reportedly has some issues with how things are being run in the North Canton City Schools. In fact, a person close to her is encouraging her to run for the four year term position.
However, the SCPR believes that the outgoing Revoldt and sitting Councilwoman Marcia Kiesling are putting pressure on Kling to apply for Revoldt's vacated (as of 8:00 a.m./March 28th) position. One of the reasons given by SCPR sources is that the likes of Kiesling and Revoldt (both Stark County Republican Party Executive Committee members) worry that should Kling run for the board of education, she could end up unseating Republican Jordan Greenwald.
One of things that Stark Countians are concerned about is that politics plays too much of a role in selections by the Stark County Democratic and Republican "organized" parties of local government officials. Neither party pays enough attention to the qualifications that a given person brings to the table. And, The Report, suspects that Marcia Kiesling is, to name names, is an example of a person who may take politics too far. For instance, the SCPR believes that she was the primary force in bringing in her fellow Stark GOP Executive Committee member Hans Nilges as North Canton's law director.
Although - without Kling - seven North Cantonians have already applied for the job, The Report believes that only one of the seven is a serious possibility to be selected. James Repace, former head of IBEW local 1985 whose members (some 2400) staffed the now defunct (as far as North Canton operations is concerned) Hoover Company.
While former Councilman Chuck Osborne is a candidate and nobody knows the nooks and crannies of North Canton politics and government like he does, he has had such a confrontational relationship with Council over the years; it would be a truly astounding development for the current Council to bring him on board.
Democrat Repace was elected in 2005 but did not run for re-election in 2007 as the Hoover Company was in the throes of being bought up and moved out of North Canton, and Repace had his hands full, as the union head, of dealing with that situation.
Note the names of two of three defeated candidates in the 2005 election: Marcia Kiesling and Jason Greenwald.
So now Kiesling (who was elected to Council in 2007; re-elected in 2009) has a role in protecting Greenwald in attempting to persuade Kling to go for the Revoldt vacancy rather than run for a board of education slot?
Moreover, perhaps Kiesling, in being a recruiter of a specific candidate for the appointment, should she apply, ought to recuse herself from voting on the appointment?
In this day and age, in Stark County especially, the kind of "backroom political wheeling and dealing" that it appears Kiesling and Revoldt seem to be engaged in, is not public confidence building in terms of transparency or avoiding the appearance of "conflict-in-interest."
On the latter count the question is: would Jim Repace get a fair consideration by Marcia Kiesling in light of her prior election defeat to him and other interests she appears to have in this matter?
It could be that other viable candidates for the Revoldt position will step forward between now and April 1st, the filing deadline. But do not look for that to happen.
If Kling applies, then the contest will boil down to Kling versus Repace.
Should Kiesling not recuse herself in such a such a setting as the SCPR maintains she should, then advantage to Kling. The graphic above indicates how The Report believes the vote is set up in a Kling/Repace match up. In that Snyder, Davies and Mayor Held (who breaks a tie) are Republicans, then it is hard to believe that politics will not rule the day and Kling gets the appointment.
By all accounts Jennifer Creighton Kling is a highly accomplished person who works in the pharmaceutical industry. But she does not have a background in elective politics.
Nevertheless, it is - to repeat - The Report's belief that a Kling/Repace face-off goes to Jennifer Creighton Kling becoming Daryl Revoldt's replacement on North Canton City Council.
Posted by Martin Olson at 7:53 AM
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THIS RESTAURANT HAS CHANGED LOCATIONS Mark's Feed Store
513 E. Lewis & Clark Pkwy. (Eastern Pkwy.) Send to Phone
812-285-1998 | Make Restaurant Reservations
OpenLunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly
- Parking lot
- Dress code: Casual
- Kid-friendly
* Click here for rating key
THIS RESTAURANT HAS CHANGED LOCATIONS Mark's Feed Store Restaurant Review: Tender smoked pork, chicken and beef come piled high on sesame seed buns with plenty of onions and pickles if you so choose. Sandwiches are not pre-sauced, so slather on as much as you wish of Mark's tangy mustard-based condiment or a more traditional red sauce. Start with a cup of the Kentucky stew called "burgoo," a rich, thick concoction of meats and vegetables. Unlike the sandwiches, the ribs do come with sauce, but it's sparing, and the smoky meat slides from the bones. Sides include fried corn on the cob, potato salad, green beans flavored with pork and onions, and baked beans --- try the fried onions straws. Beer and wine are available. Tuesdays are Kids Eat Free nights. Other locations.
GAYOT's Annual Restaurant Awards honor America's best chefs, as well as promising newcomers and a top restaurateur.


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I've been saying for months that businesses need to stop focusing on the negative press around Facebook and start focusing on engaging.
(PRWEB) October 17, 2012
It was reported last week by CNN that Facebook had reached 1 billion users and 140.3 billion connections between users. Samuel Junghenn founder of Digital Marketing Agency Think Big Online says this announcement just reinforces the need for businesses to get on Facebook.
"I've been saying for months that businesses need to stop focusing on the negative press around Facebook and start focusing on engaging. Facebook has a massive market share of all online consumers and any business would be remiss to not use it as a platform to drive traffic and customers." Said Mr Junghenn.
Many experts have been predicting that Facebook would reach 1 billion users in 2012 and this prediction came true in early October. This new milestone achievement by Facebook is predicted to help drive up the share price and calm investor nerves around Facebook.
This milestone for Facebook should also help to allow businesses to engage further in the platform and make the investments required to generate a return on investment.
"The problem to date is that Facebook advertisers have been looking for a quick return on their investment. They haven't taken the time required to really engage in a meaningful way that would return results." Said Mr Junghenn.
To find out how you can create an engaging Facebook campaign for your business simply visit: http://www.thinkbigonline.com/social-media-marketing/


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06 August 2008
what's your hobby?
we can (not) stop canning! after blueberries, we made some incredible peach chutney, some green beans with lemon and tomato (a slow cook recipe from bittman, where the beans just melt in your mouth), last night we did some spicy pickled green beans (the kind that go great in bloody marys), and we expect to make salsa, maybe this weekend.
i also tried making some fruit leather with peaches i got at a great discount from the farmer's market, because they were quite ripe. i am not sure of the results of the fruit leather yet, since it is still drying, and we haven't tried the green beans either. the peach chutney is to-die-for though, and i am tempted to make more while the peaches are on. apparently we aren't the only ones around here with canning fever. i looked for some books on food preservation today at the library, and all but one were checked out, some with holds 3 deep! i know that part of this mania for me is inspired by reading animal vegetable miracle by barbara kingslover. a couple of people recommended it to me, so i finally started reading it.
(a recent garden and farmer's market haul)
the book is all about eating local, and since we are so privileged to live in a place with an abundance of local food available all summer and fall, it makes sense to put some of it up for the winter months. that way we won't have to buy as much food that is shipped from far away. besides that, we are having a blast.
in other news, cosmo got a balance bike called skuut. it costs about a third of the german made like-a-bike, but seems to be about as well designed and built. cosmo has never been crazy about vehicles, generally. he tries to ride his trike now and then, but he wasn't one of those kids who was pushing himself around on those little toddler cars all the time. so, we weren't sure how he'd take to the bike. after a day of awkwardly walking it, his heels getting run over by the back wheel, he quickly got the hang of it. i couldn't believe it when i saw him picking up his feet and coasting the next day! now he has a taste for speed.
the great thing about it is that he has so much control. he almost never falls because he can catch himself with his feet, and he can steer it and pick up the front tire when he encounters a step or other obstacle. i love this thing, and feel like it was well worth the money ($90, with free shipping*). it works great on grass, gravel, and pavement, and is really fun on hills and inclines of any sort. it is also light and easy to carry, in case he's tired of riding on the way home from the park.
cosmo has been blowing us away with how grown up he seems. it seems like major transformations take place every couple of days or so. i guess it has always seemed that way. he really digs music, likes to sing, and knows a lot of songs now.
(cosmo, carl and maggie at music class)
he's been making up new words, and new verses to songs that he knows. while they rarely rhyme, they do make some sense, and usually they crack us up: have you ever seen cosmo, eating edamame...down by the bay? (down by the bay).... he's developing an imaginative world, which is wonderful to witness, and he draws simple faces on a regular basis now. he calls them people, and sometimes some ghosts.
we went to the county fair a couple of times. first to see the animals and the precious 4H crafts. we went back one afternoon, with shawna and justin, to check out the rides. to my surprise, he loved the rides. there were many that just went round and round, maybe a bump or slope along the way, but rather tame, and suitable for his age.
he went from motor boats, to crocodiles, to flying saucers, to dragons, to trains and trucker convoys. his favorite thing though was the bounce house. he went into that one at least ten times, and jumped and laughed and fell down, and contended with other kids bumping into him, and kept coming out saying "i want to do it again!" luckily the line was relatively short. unfortunately, it was right in front of the funnel cake stand pumping greasy fumes into the air all around us. cosmo also played a couple of games on the midway, one of them involved throwing darts at balloons on a wall, and he popped one and got a prize. all the others were incredibly easy. everyone's a winner, basically. and for a kid whose not yet three, that was just fine. we came home with more shwag than we knew what to do with. (fair photos by shawna bean)
cosmo also got properly introduced to the world of candy at the fair (someone at a booth handed him a dum-dum) and now, it is all he talks about. for the first two and a half years of his life, he didn't know that those brightly colored small things in intricate wrappers were edible. the cat is now fully out of the bag.
well...this post sat around for a week or so, unposted. by now i have some updates: the fruit leather turned out great. it was a wonderful use of a whole lot of very ripe peaches. cosmo, naturally, loves it, and it packs great for snacks on the go. here's a couple of photos of the one i spread out onto a round pizza pan.
we also canned two batches of salsa, one red, one green. they both taste incredible. carl said, of the heat in the red salsa, it's slow in coming, in the back of the mouth....
i said, i may never eat store bought salsa again! carl and i consider canning our new hobby. we lucked into a bunch of canning jars at the goodwill, at bargain prices, and snatched them up.
i should point out that our new hobby is something we carry out after cosmo has gone to bed. it takes some focus, and there are a lot of burners going at once. not a safe place for little ones.
* typo stating the bike was $80, corrected 12/29/2008
Labels: balance bike, canning, cooking, daily life, food, local food, milestones, music, seasons, skuut
2 comments:
kayte, you are a complete inspiration to me! I've got to get this canning thing going, it looks fantastic and (fairly) easy.
- August 15, 2008 at 5:51:00 PM EDT
- Abby said...
ahhh...candy. avery has been introduced, and is now obsessed. we keep a strict limit on it - and we too kept it away from him until last halloween...when he discovered skittles. it was all a downward spiral after that. :)
- October 23, 2008 at 1:53:00 PM EDT
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General & Family Dentistry
Choosing a dentist is an individual decision; the key in choosing the best-fit dentist for you includes a variety of factors. We here at Archer dental offer you two convenient locations: Rosedale Family Dental Care and Runnymede Dental Centre. Both are easily accessible via public transit, vehicle or foot. From the first moment you contact us we will make sure you are accommodated as our office hours work within your schedule. If there is an oral emergency we will make sure you are cared for as early as possible. There are a variety of payment options as well.
Just like choosing a dentist for yourself, if you're looking for a dentist for your whole family we focus on oral hygiene and tooth health. We accept patients of any age, and this makes us a suitable choice for you and your family. By bringing your family here, you can have everyone's oral health issues looked at together. When choosing your dentist you want your family to feel comfortable and at ease. If you are apprehensive about seeing a dentist, Dr. Archer and her team are highly trained to ease your fears of sitting in the dental chair. There is no need to be scared.
Regular tooth cleaning by a dental professional to remove tartar that can build up even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in parts of the mouth that are particularly challenging to clean is extremely important. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing's and debridement if too much tartar has been accumulated. Our professionals use a variety of state-of the art tools and continue to update their skills to make sure you are receiving extra mile service. We offer a wide range of services that really make our office a one-stop-shop for your dental care. It is recommended that every six months you should visit your dental care professionals.
So keep your mouth healthy as it is the gateway to the rest of the body.
- Accurately brush and floss your teeth
- Use acceptable mouth wash products and don't forget to clean your tongue
- Make sure you see your dental hygiene team regularly
- Eat properly – Healthy foods that are low in acid and low in sugar content are suggested
- Do not smoke!
Not only will the above help reduce the incidence oral disease and inflammations from oral bacteria and infections, but it will help reduce the possible risk of serious diseases like:
- Cardiovascular disease
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- High and Low birth weights
- Diabetic complications
- And osteoporosis
So put your best smile forward and we will help you take care of it! Smile right, smile bright, keep your smile healthy for many, many years!


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Rain sun, rain sun, rain sun....... Make your mind up weather (choose sun please)...This is a recipe that has summer berries to remind you it is ment to be Summer but also has a lovely buttery, almond crumble topping that is perfect on one of these rainy nights we've been having.
4 Apples peeled and cored
Half a punnet of strawberries hulled and cut in half
Large handful of blueberries
Raspberries (mind had gone mouldy so had to leave them out)
Caster sugar
Muscovado sugar
Half a pack of butter
Ground Almonds
Toss the fruit in a bit of caster sugar and add a small amount of water.
Next make your crumble topping by rubbing together butter, flour, ground almonds, caster sugar and muscovado sugar which gives it a nice caramelised flavour.
I love crumble with a scoop of really good quality vanilla ice cream or if your lucky then home-made is the best of all.


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A common design theme seems to pervade at Crankbrothers, whether it's product, packaging or even the company's product development offices in Southern California.Via VeloNews
Crankbrothers comfortably fills a medium sized building three blocks from the water in downtown Laguna Beach. Inside, the workspace has modern European and open feel to it.
Step out the front door and you are presented two choices: Turn right to surf or left and take a short spin to access trails that require serious skill and big bikes to ride. These trails are the stomping ground of the Laguna Rads, a notorious group of mountain bikers, many of whom shaped the original ethics of the sport and continue to uphold them today.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Crank Bros Visit
Great article about one of my favorite MTB parts supplier, Crank Brothers:
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Blog Archive
- ▼ 2009 (26)
Saturday, July 25, 2009
My mom took me to get these great drawers for storing Lucie's clothes and a shoe organizer to save space!
I literally had to clean out my closet probably 10x in order to finally make space for both me and Brian, and now a baby! You really have to live a minimalistic life when your whole world is crammed into one bedroom! :)
Mama May then took me and got this cute little cube organizer for Lu's things, and this little table which I'll use for a night stand--I love it!
Here's the bassinet Mom found on ebay. $25! :)
Now I'm all ready for baby showers this weekend! I'm so excited!!!
And last but NOT least, THANK YOU to Meme for making THIS possible!!!
ahhh... pedicure. :)
7 comments:
- Shannon2-24 said...
how wonderful, your cute and settled things. : ) it is a blessing to live minimally.. I've been spending time here and there getting more there.. it sure does take awhile when things have built up! especially squeezed between caring for children. It is VERY nice for you to have this done before she's here!! I'm glad for you!! Your end table and cube is so sweet!
- July 25, 2009 at 9:24 PM
- Jenny said...
i love your little set up! and what a great deal your mom got on that bassinet. you're looking great cousin!
i am so sorry but i will not be able to make it to your shower tomorrow. we had already planned a lake trip for the same weekend. i will be sending you something in the mail. and i will need to schedule a hair appointment with you before lucie arrives. hope you have a wonderful time and get lots of good stuff.
- July 25, 2009 at 9:39 PM
- Hannah Elizabeth said...
aw, lindz, your baby corner is looking great. i'm loving all the turquoisey blues. wall, table, drawers, toes... :)
and what??? a pedicure??? sweet!!!
- July 25, 2009 at 11:04 PM
- ♪essica said...
oh, this post makes miss you.... so much love ♥
- July 26, 2009 at 1:23 AM
- Jamie said...
We had fun didn't we? Talking about birthing babies and such...can't wait to see what you get tomorrow! ;)
- July 26, 2009 at 3:06 AM
- Mommy Mere Pete said...
I wondered where you got the great toes yesterday!!! I love the color and the baby corner is great!!!!! It was fun yesterday!! Hope you enjoy organizing all your stuff!!!! You really look beautiful!!!!
- July 26, 2009 at 4:06 PM
- Jill said...
Looks like you're all set and ready for little Lu'! It reminds me of when Dustyn and I lived in the tiny apartment at Meme & Happ's house and had to set up a nursery for Ryan. Sorry I missed your baby shower! We had already made plans to go to the lake.
- July 28, 2009 at 5:04 PM


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The forecast for Charlotte Pass was fine with the chance of shower and light winds. A daytime maximum of 13, and an overnight minimum of 7. We thought we were lucky for this time of year, in late March the overnight temperature on the Mountain averages close to zero. A few extra layers were removed from packs, in anticipation of higher than expected temperatures.
Upon getting out of the car at the top of the Pass the conditions were very different to the expected calm sunshine, causing a few back to their cars for that extra layer of clothing. A cold wind was howling at around 50km/h from the southwest. A band of rain clouds, consistent with a cold front, was crossing the mountains into the distance.
Against the wind, we set off down the wide well formed road towards Rawsons Pass and Kosciuszko.
|Up the ridge to Seamans Hut
The first part of the trip was a fairly steady (but not steep) incline to the Snowy River. The Snowy has a well constructed bridge at this point, with no risk of getting our feet wet. There had been some rain a week or so previously, and this section of the track was lined by small creeks running down to the track from the mountain to the left. Certainly it didn't seem like we needed to be carrying the 3litres of water each for this section. The Snowy would have been a reasonable refilling point too.
|On top of Kosciuszko
Once past the Snowy the track rose more steeply, and Seamans Hut was visible up at the top of the pass. The hike up to the Hut was the first time we noticed that we were carrying 20kg of extra weight on our backs. The Hut walls provided shelter from the wind, nice views down into the Snowy River Valley, and of Etherudge Bluff, which itself rises to 2150m. It was time to give the little espresso pot a work-out over the camp fuel stove. The resulting short-black was better than the one produced in the cafe near the office in the city - perhaps due to the effect of altitude on the beans.
From Seamans Hut the journey to the top of Australia is a short one, only another couple of kilometres, and largely flat with the exception of the final 800m climb. We dropped packs at the junction with the Main Range Track, and eight middle aged men with KB made a sight on the rocks on top of the mountain.
Kosciuszko to Wilkinson's Creek
|Campsite at Wilkinson's Creek
It was only 1.6km from the start of the Main Range Track near the top of Koscioszko to the Wilkinson's Creek turn. There was no clear indication from the track of where to turn, and certainly no indication of a campsite. There was an old track, which has some wire preventing erosion going all the way to the creek, but it is overgrown near the junction with the Main Range Track, and impossible to see. The place to turn was almost at the lowest point of Muellers Pass. The Main Range Track descends all the way from Kosciuszko to Muellers Pass, so the lowest point was easy to judge, just at the point where the track first begins to rise towards Meullers Peak.
There were no specific campsites, but lots of soft areas around the creek area that looked like they had good potential for camping. There were many flowing streams a few hundred metres to the north which offered plenty of opportunities for water. The water in Wilkinson's Creek itself was fairly still, and looked less suitable for drinking. We pitched camp here, the tent pegs went into the soft ground cover easily. The area were we chose to camp was at 1930m. Although it looked exposed in the wide valley, the area was actually considerably sheltered from the winds on the ridge. We didn't fully realise how much shelter it offered until we came out of the valley. Camping on Mount Townsend was the other option we were considering. The saddle there was considerably more exposed to the wind, and there was no water. Camping on the actual summit of Mount Townsend would have been impossible, there is simply not enough even land to pitch a tent.
Wilkinson's Creek to Mount Townsend and Return
|Walk to Mt.Townsend
There is no track to Mount Townsend. The wildwalks website suggests a loop via Mount Townsend, passing first to the north of Lake Albina, and then returning directly over Muellers Peak to the Main Range Trail. The walk to the north of Lake Albina doesn't exist from what we could tell. The trip down to the lake was steep and rocky, and it was even steeper and rockier up to the ridge to Mount Townsend the other side. It may not even be sensibly possible carrying a pack. The southern route over Muellers Peak seems possible, but it seemed between to skirt Muellers Peak to the south, and join a goat track of sorts on the saddle between that peak and Mount Townsend.
However, since we were already at Wilkinson's Creek, we started from there. In retrospect this proved to be a good starting point for the Mount Townsend attempt. We could see the entire route in front of us, and we could choose the best compromise line between the steeper route to the west (left), and the route up to the saddle on the east (right). There are no real tracks from the creek to the summit, but the ground cover is low and rocky, and it is fairly easy to plot an appropriate path.
|On top of Mount Townsend
It is certainly a more difficult and strenuous path to the top of Mount Townsend than Kosciuszko. We had our packs at the campsite, and were only carrying KB, but it was still a challenge. It took us about 90 minutes to reach the summit from the creek. Once on the saddle there is a work track to follow. Once at the grassy area near the top, there are two wooden posts which mark the easiest climbing trail over the rocks to the absolute top.
The view back to the creek is nice. The view to the north over the remote country is better.
We descended the way we had come, back to the campsite.
Wilkinson's Creek to Mount Carruthers
|Wilkinson's Creek walk
from the Main Range Track
There was only one practical way from the creek back to the track, and that was returning up the hill the way we had come. It was only 1.6km, but it was a fair bit of exertion with packs to start the day, up 150m or so from the creek back to the track.
We started the climb up Muellers Peak, and once past it we could see Lake Albina below. At this point we were wondering exactly what we would have done if we had done the trip anti-clockwise following the wildwalks map to Mount Townsend, with the trip down and back up to Mount Townsend looking very tricky indeed.
|Lake Albina viewed from Mount Northcote
We were getting optimistic about our progress at this point, thinking that the rocky outcrop we were passing was Mount Carruthers, but it was Mount Northcote (2131m), even the mountain in the distance was not Carruthers - it was just Mount Lee (2080m). The wind was as strong as at any time during the trek, and the track was narrow along side the cliff at this point. It was blowing us and our packs around. We were glad we selected the valley around the creek as a campsite for the previous night.
|Club Lake from Mount Carruthers
We finally reached Mount Carruthers (2150m), which was at the top of a long set of stairs kindly built by National Parks. Once we were at the top, it was hard to see how we could have mistaken it for any other peak. From the mountain here you can see across Club Lake below, all the way back to Charlotte Pass.
There was little water on this section. The track traverses the ridge, and access to the lakes and creaks would be difficult. Fortunately we still had some remaining supplies of Guiness and Kilkenny on hand.
Mount Carruthers to Charlotte Pass
Starting from Mount Carruthers was the longest decent of the trip, with the track descending almost all of the way to the Snowy River.
|Blue Lake
The highlight of this section of track is Blue Lake. We could see the lake from the track, but went a little way down the Blue Lake track to the small lookout, which gives a view across the entire lake. The track continued down to the lake, but the wind was continuing to blow.
There is no bridge over the river on this track, only stepping stones - some of which have a bit of a wobbly which can make things interesting with a pack. By now the sun was shining, the wind had gone, the river valley and river made for a picturesque setting. The little espresso maker came out again on the camp stove, some chose to rest weary feet in the stream. The short black was good, perhaps more likely the effect of the pressure balance within the espresso maker. Life was good.
|The final climb
Only 600m was left for the journey back to Charlotte Pass, but this just happened to be the steepest 600m of the entire trek. Still, with the end in sight, what's one more mountain?
Back to the Pub
We stayed the night before and after the hike at the Jindy Pub, which turned out to be a little better than its reputation. Nice views of the lake from the rooms and balconies.
Jindabyne seems to be great place to find cheap accommodation during the off season. The pub was a great base for this trip, with $8 schntizel on the Thursday we arrived, and $10 ribs on the Saturday we left. The share accommodation worked out at $25pp per night including a cooked breakfast, which doesn't even make it seem worthwhile pitching a tent.
Random Advice
Do the walk clockwise. You will encounter fewer walkers on the Main Range Track, then you will on the Kosciuszko track. Mount Townsend is easily identified coming from this direction, but you can't easily see the peak coming the other way. You save the best scenery until last, and you will have a lighter pack on the second day for the steeper walking.
Don't believe any map that advises walking to Mount Townsend via the north of Lake Albina. Have a look at this image in detail before you attempt it, you have to get from the track on the right, to the far side of the lake. If you are walking off the track, the contours are more important than the ground cover in determining which routes are passable on a map.
Take a good map or GPS. The Main Range Track, Kosciuszko Road, and the Blue Lake Lookout Walk are well marked on the route, and on google maps. If you stick to those trails, you could get by without a map in summer. Anything off that, and you are essentially navigating yourself, and the rocks and mountains quickly obstruct any landscape features you may be navigating by. You can download our track to your GPS, by downloading the kml here


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