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How to Create Credibility if You're Just Starting Out
Testimonials and case studies attesting to the power of your work are great ways to prove your credibility, so that your ideal clients feel confident about investing in themselves through working with you.
But what if you're just starting out in a new field or niche and you don't have that level of evidence yet?
Never fear, because here are two ways to create credibility at the beginning of a new business—and a third approach that helps entrepreneurs at every stage articulate the power of their work:
1. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Make sure to use all the credibility that you created in previous occupations and highlight the qualities that made you successful. Whether you spent ten years wrangling five year olds as a preschool teacher without losing your cool or you were a rocket scientist, and now you're teaching online marketing, what were the qualities of being a preschool teacher or rocket scientist that make you the best online marketing teacher ever?
2. Borrow from your new business category.
If you're in a new niche, let's say you're a life coach, and you don't have any testimonials yet, look online for famous or influential people that your ideal clients respect, who are talking about how life coaching changed their life. These "subject matter testimonials" lend credibility to your entire enterprise, and, by extension, to you as well.
3. Project a strong offer.
In order to prove to your ideal clients that you are the "real deal" at any stage in your business development, you need to be clear about what the unique outcome or transformation would be for the client who does your work. How do you do that if you're just starting out? The questions below will guide you in directly and succinctly articulating what you offer to potential clients…in their words (which is the key!). It's part of our "Offer Communication" pre-work training series that you receive when you take advantage of our special early-bird pricing for our Speak-to-Sell LIVE Training Bootcamp, which is coming up in October.
Choose one client who is your greatest success story. This can be somebody you helped in a past position, or in an unofficial capacity. Whether you were paid or not, this person took your advice and had amazing results, and you'd love to have 100 more clients just like him or her!
What specific results did that person get from working with you? What were the specific outcomes? For instance, did Suzanne lose 20 pounds? Did Jonathan improve his relationship with his teenagers? Did Felicia organize her office? Do your best to channel THEIR words.
What other transformations happened in your client's life because of these results? Did Suzanne land an acting role that she had been hoping for? Did Jonathan start sleeping at night and lower his blood pressure? Did Felicia find important documents she thought she'd lost and double her productivity? Again, do your best to say this the way THEY would talk about it.
Now, what would have been the cost to the client if he or she had not taken your advice?
Don't skip this step. When you pitch your $497 product or your $5,000 service, you have to understand that the cost to somebody not saying yes is high. So really look at and imagine what it would have cost this person if he or she had not worked with you. Would Suzanne still be struggling to make it as an actress and pay her bills? Would Jonathan be locked in endless arguments with his children, damaging their relationship and his health? And would Felicia continue to waste her workday because she can't find things?
Tweet this: Show your ideal clients you're the "real deal" by showcasing the unique outcome or transformation your work provides!
This exercise not only gives you the confidence to be able to project a strong and clear statement of the transformation that you provide, which we call your "offer," but you now have descriptions of your work that you can use throughout your marketing channels, be it from the stage, on your website, in your book, or when talking directly to your ideal clients.
And speaking of connecting with your ideal clients, these words are also the key to being able to express yourself from live or virtual stages and make your Irresistible Offer pop for those who need you.
Join us for more at Speak-to-Sell Bootcamp, Live in Las Vegas this October! You've got a week to grab your early-bird ticket and jump in on our bonus pre-training calls.
If you love what you do, but hate the "sales part," sales conversion expert Lisa Sasevich will show you simple, quick and easy ways to boost sales without spending a dime...and without being salesy. Get this FREE Sales Training and Sales Nuggets now at www.FreeSalesTrainingFromLisa.com.
Posted by Deborah A Bailey
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Wishing you Loads of Love :)
29 comments:
This is absolutely adorable!! I love the embossing!! The truck full of hearts is so sweet!! What a fabulous card!! Have a great evening :)ReplyDelete
A Mermaid's Crafts
Sweet card for an anniversary! My stamp set has been sadly neglected as well.ReplyDelete
How sweet- love the Loads of Love set.... great embossing - and great using your 'stash'!!! Welcome to dark 30.....yikes!!!ReplyDelete
Kelly, I love that set. I need to get mine out an ink it up a bit myself.Like your layout.ReplyDelete
This is so sweet! Love the embossing! We are 2 weeks into school and I am still adjusting the different school hours. Up by 5:30 just doesn't seem right! Carri~AbusybeeReplyDelete
Great colors, I've always loved this set. Yes, dark thirty o'clock is way to early here too!!ReplyDelete
Super card, Kelly! I think I may need to CASE this as I have the stamp and both embossing folders! ;-)ReplyDelete
O Dark Thirty is what has often been said by our family when we have to get up at unusually early hours!
Very cute! I love the embossing :)ReplyDelete
Best crafty wishes!
Staying Crafty
Love your card and the embossing folder you used! Thanks so much for joining in our Embossing Challenge over at Frosted Designs!ReplyDelete
Oh My! I have this stamp set! and i don't use it-- because i am stumped--- but you made a great card!!!ReplyDelete
Your cards are clean yet have so many different elements to them!
Love this card!
Great layout and colors for this truckload of love!! Sweet, sweet card, Kelly!ReplyDelete

subset: commoncrawl


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Thierry Henry has clearly brought in a crisis PR firm, or at least his agent is working over time. After the debacle of Ireland being thrown out of the World Cup due to the Hand of Henry, Henry said replaying the match was the only fair thing to do. Albeit, he did say it after FIFA had already rejected the Irish request to do just that.
Now Henry says he was abandoned by the French Football Federation and seriously considered retiring from international football. Of course he has thought better of this and he is still going to South Africa.
Obviously, Henry is trying to sell himself as a victim here, but I don't know how much sympathy anyone really has for him.
Will this PR campaign to lift his reputation out of the gutter work? Only time will tell, but I can pretty much guarantee the Republic of Ireland won't be buying any Henry shirts in the near future.


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Happy Friday! It's time for another Fun Friday Challenge at Jo's Scrap Shack where the theme is always Anything Goes. The design team is showcasing images by Star Stampz. Please take time to see the design team's samples and to link up your own creations. It's always fun to see what you have to share!
The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date & the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge & prizes
All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.
Thanks so much for taking time to visit,


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this Self is never born, nor does it die, nor did anything spring from it.
This Ancient one is unborn, eternal,everlasting.
It is not even slain even though the body is slain.
revelation manifest
one frame of reference
we are mud pushing mud
on a dark heated rock in the middle
of EVERYWHERE
leaving the planet
means at best a new species
or dna thrown upward into chaos
JFK Fitzgerald responds
or we have a new species
smarter than whole flora
and fauna of prior organ(ism)s
which has extra angle
we do not
weaknesses, obvious strengths
but its adaptability
and ours
will make the difference
if any
the upanishads are a manual
set down by a fire
to the user of an operating system
which is becoming yours
your collective
the collective ignored
is telling you this is dangerous
but lies are deceiving your will
your days are as real
as your decisions and just as unstable
you cannot explain either
and find no answer from anyone
so you dive
value: $


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Friday, August 19, 2016
babies growing up fast
The bubs from our late July litters have just been weaned. Look at this gorgeous little balls of fur! They have all found wonderful new families as well. I'm looking forward to receiving progress photos of these guys as they grow and mature.
We likely won't have any more litters until late Spring. And then that will be it for 2016 :)
4 comments:
I am now convinced that there are few things in this old world as cute as a baby guinea pig. These little ones are absolutely adorable! Thank you for sharing these precious babies with us. I so needed a smile. :o)ReplyDelete
So cute and fluffy! I absolutely ADORE your ADORABLE guinea piggies!ReplyDelete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
woops I published it twice:)ReplyDelete
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Canada Update
I've got a few general goals I want to work on before heading to Canada:
- Lose weight – not going to set a specific goal on this I just want my clothes to fit again
- Exercise 5-6 times a week
- Work hard at eating mindfully
- Do a lot of reading around healthy living
- Get over some medical problems
I need to develop SMART goals. I'll re-post on this when I have time to sit down and think about them properly. I think all of the above are SMART but I need to define them in terms of the specific SMART points.
My initial date for going to Canada is not set in stone, however I do have a date in mind.
It has been a bit back and forth recently and even more recently I could approach things a bit differently. This is all to do with the fact I am on a 2 year fixed term contract at work and have always said I would be flexible and keep my options open. A new option has just been presented to me and I really quite like the idea. It basically involved taking a 3 month break and then come back to the job. This might sound completely different from what I was talking about in a previous post. However I have no idea what the job market is like in Canada and if it is anything like at home it will not be easy to get any jobs, therefore I have said to myself and saved enough money to travel for 3 months while looking for work.
Therefore the break option sounds very interesting to me. There are a few 'ifs', the main being the extension of my contract and a few others that I can't go into just yet, but it makes me less nervous about going as I know I will be coming back to a good job.
Then I think it is the safe option, which I suppose it is really, but I have a few unsaid reasons for wanting the safe option right now.
I have realised that I panic when new options are given to me. I spent most of yesterday unable to concentrate as had all these thought swirling round my head. Then I sat down with my parent and talked it through.
I think it is all about control. This option is out of my control and that makes me nervous. going to Canada was my decision and I was in control of when and where I go, now I am left to wait for the 'ifs' to be determined before a final decision can be made.
I like decisions. I'm not good and not knowing what I'm doing. I hate faffing about things that can be decided quickly and simply.
Unfortunately this is the real world and this is not one of those decisions.
Posted on June 30, 2011, in Travel and tagged Inspiration. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.


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The day before I had chased Lance and Co. for 9 miles averaging 25 mph and couldn't catch him. I was pushing 28 and 29 on the flats and cruising 32+ on the downs. Still couldn't catch up.
As I jump on my bike, pulling iPod ear buds out, fumbling with taking the camera out of its case, shoving it in my bike pockets, clipping into pedals, and punishing my jelly legs by pushing mach speed, I see Lance pulling away. I've seen this before.
Dammit. Not again. I flip through the gears the wrong way going up hill and get some speed up. After about a mile I'm almost to the back of the Lance pack. I start taking pictures. I really thought this would be the closest I'd come. My heart was going to explode out of my chest… and I was dying fast. Breathing hurt.
Looking up, I saw that we had a couple more climbs out of the valley, and I didn't think I'd be able to stay with him the whole way. I ducked behind the last person on the crew for a quick break, and decided on a sprint. My lungs, legs and heart voted a resounding "no"… Traitors. Good thing I had ol' vodka brain on my side.
Coming around the front I look to my right and literally am rendered speechless. It was Lance Armstrong. LANCE ARMSTRONG. I'm still not breathing quite like humans were meant to when I hear him say "Hey, you made it!"
To which I say, "Yeah, 4 bloody marys in the morning tend to slow you down."
Doing a double take across his handle bars after hearing this, Lance says "You had 4 bloody marys???" His crew chuckles (nervously?) as they begin to realize I'm probably a hazard riding next to them. Still climbing a hill I take my first photo after thanking him for his work with cancer. I ask him if he's having fun, and he says he is. Small talk is waning. My legs get hit with a 3rd burn. Not good. I've had 2 burns, but this is crazy. I'm on vacation for crying out loud… I snap one more picture hoping for the look...
Lance asks "Did you get it?"
Right click and "Save picture as" to grab this photo.


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'Proof' masters equation for excellence
The plot is chock-full of holes, and I'll argue that it covers ground adjacent to Richard Greenberg's haunting Three Days of Rain (seen this season at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati), replacing architecture with mathematics as a jumping-off point.
Again, a central concern is that of adult children groping their way toward understanding their relationships with parents who are no longer there.
In Proof, Mary-Louise Parker (who will win a Tony for her performance) plays Catherine, who has set her education and perhaps her professional future aside to see her father through a long illness.
The play's title carries almost as many meanings as it does in the dictionary. Father and daughter are mathematicians, and in part the title refers to abstract theorems about prime numbers.
One of playwright David Auburn's great accomplishments in Proof is making us all think we get it, which makes us feel very good about ourselves indeed. (How many of us are experts in theorems?)
Mr. Auburn also explores other meanings. There are things to be tested, conclusive evidence to be found, not just about math but about Catherine. Catherine wants proof of her own, most of all proof of whether anyone can be trusted.
It is Catherine's birthday. Her infuriating older sister Claire (in a gorgeously layered performance by Johanna Day) has come home to Chicago to move Catherine out of the family house and on with her life.
Claire plants seeds of doubt. Is Catherine's feyness something more, a real tendency toward instability? Their brilliant father went mad, finding secret messages in piles of leaves, complex and tantalizing codes in box scores, writing compulsively of nothing.
Is Catherine's oddness merely an outgrowth of grief? She's attuned to her father's symptoms and fearfully looks for them in herself. She takes comfort in thinking that crazy people don't sit around wondering if they're nuts, but her ongoing conversations with the ghost of her dead father would certainly point in that direction.
Proof is smart and compassionate, funny and sad. It even comes with a white knight for its heroine. If it all wraps up a little too neatly, its pleasures far outweigh such a quibble.
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text: it's funny...I took a chance on reading this so soon after reading a Fredric Brown novel featuring a serial killer scenario, on the basis that Fredric Brown's plots are so wonky that the two books would be so unlike each other; and that has mainly been the case. but, here late in The Priest, we have a rather impressionable and not too bright young man apparently confessing to things he did not do--which of course affects the whole direction of any police investigation while they're believing him. so, that instantly reminds me of a plot twist in Fredric Brown's Knock Three-One-Two! other than that, yes, they are very different reading experiences...but I won't press my luck risking too much repetition in plot twists by going to another serial killer book in the next few weeks. these two good ones will do for now.


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Fellow Gate City Rotarian and helpful friend Darlene Leonard, C.P.A., of Smith Leonard, PLLC, shared this important heads up:
If you have elderly friends or relatives, let them know that they will need to file a tax return for 2007 in order to be eligible for the stimulus refund payment of $300 for individuals or $600 for a couple.
To be sure there are many elderly folks out there who do not file a return simply because they are only receiving social security benefits or have minimal income.
But they won't get their stimulus refund payments unless they file a tax return. And unless someone like you tells them, they're not likely to know, so here's what you need to know:
If you normally don't have to file a tax return but have enough in qualifying income to receive a stimulus payment, more information is available in Fact Sheet 2008-16. If you qualify, all you need to do is fill out Form 1040A in a few places. A sample version of Form 1040A illustrates which lines to fill out. Click this link for a 2007 Form 1040-A (PDF) U.S. Individual Income Tax Return and click this link for instructions 2007 Inst 1040-A (PDF) Instructions. Pretty easy, huh?
Now hear this: The only guarantee I can make is that my Chief Compliance Officer will totally freak out if I do not make the following disclosure, so here goes:
Neither Jonathan Smith & Co. nor any of it's employees (this writer included) is qualified to give tax advice, therefore nothing in or about this message, including any external internet links, shall be construed as tax advice, or for that matter, investment advice. If you need assistance, for goodness sakes, you should contact a qualified tax professional. Like the warning label on my father's chainsaw, Do Not Sharpen Saw While Motor Running, you could get hurt and you could hurt someone else if you don't know what you're doing.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
What you need to know about tax stimulus payments
Fellow Gate City Rotarian and helpful friend Darlene Leonard, C.P.A., of Smith Leonard, PLLC, shared this important heads up:
Friday, February 22, 2008
Overvalued or Undervalued?
The Power of Whimsy
By PHYLLIS KORKKI
Published: February 17, 2008
By one rough estimate, Sandra Boynton has sold around a half-billion cards, which may make her one of the best-selling card creators of all time.
Within the first four paragraphs these words leapt off the page:
"I don't do things differently to be different; I do what works for me," she says. "To me, the commodity that we consistently overvalue is money, and what we undervalue is our precious and irreplaceable time. Though, of course, to the extent that money can save you time or make it easier to accomplish things, it's a wonderful thing."
And once again, I was reminded why people keep coming to Jonathan Smith & Co. Click here to read the full story.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Legacy of the 1936 Election
Wonder why the candidates seem so confused? Amy Shlaes writes, "WHAT MAKES the current field of candidates so timid? It is clear listening to figures from both parties this year that they still believe Social Security is untouchable. This despite the fact that bringing Social Security into solvency is a relatively easy task. When it comes to the more serious fiscal burdens upon our grandchildren, the candidates are likewise timid. This despite the fact that those burdens only become heavier as we delay. We speak of 2008 as an election year, but it is also the year when the tide of Social Security cash begins to recede with the retirement of Baby Boomers. But where is the origin of the problem? Traditionally historians have focused on the slow rise of American progressivism over the past century and a half. I'm going to do something different, and undertake an almost artificial exercise. Here I will compress history and argue that this destructive hesitation comes out of a single political campaign, the presidential campaign of 1936. This campaign marked the virtual end of old-fashioned American federalism and the rise of a new kind of politics. It was 1936 more than any other campaign that created modern interest groups and taught us that Washington should subsidize them. Pinning blame on a single campaign (and its run up) may seem facile. Still, the story is well worth telling." Click Imprimis.


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Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What Have I Become?
So now, I'd like to call your attention to the photo above. This photo, God help me; is actually a picture of my feet on our last camping trip (Columbus Day weekend.) "And the chorus gasped!!" And by the chorus I mean ANYONE who knew me prior to my first camping trip in June 08'. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. In my day; and by my day I mean the 80's, 90's and heck - present day; I'd like to think (barring this faux pas;) I was quite the good dresser. Some might even say JAPPY; OK; yes, some did say JAPPY. But as I liked to say back in the day (College, mostly) I had JAPPY clothes but not a JAPPY attitude. And just as a refresher, for those of you who do not remember or are not familiar with the term JAPPY - it is a derivative of JAP - Jewish, American Princess.
OK, so I'm sure you must be wondering (because HELL, I am) what in the world would possess me to wear socks with these flip fops. And the answer is.... The Big Guy, decided to wear my Hot Pink Crocs, and it was cold. Necessity was the mother of invention and hey, it worked. My feet were comfy (and warm.) I was so appalled by myself, and the fact that I even considered this footwear, that I HAD to take a picture to share with you; because you all know how much I LOVE making an ASS out of myself in public. Rest assured that I did remove the socks in the car, BEFORE we went into the local Sam's club. God knows, I wouldn't want anyone in the real world to see me attired like this. Luis on the other hand planned to wear my Hot Pink Crocs into Sam's until I mentioned what a real man he was for doing so; and he thought better of it and decided to trade back with me. Yes of course ALL of this means that Luis and I can share shoes; just yet another pathetic part of my life - The curse of the extraordinarily, long feet. (Yes, I know - at least I have feet...) Too bad The Big Guy isn't a cross dresser; then I might actually get to wear some cute shoes. And the crowd just gasped again "Did she say - Too bad her husband isn't a cross dresser?" In theory people, in theory - it's too bad. I'm actually VERY thankful that he is the lovable, Hunky, Big Guy that he is. We had a GREAT camping trip with the Kalka's. That would be Michelle ( The other day I did hear her trying to convince her husband to change his last name to hers in stead of her becoming legally) K's family. (God I crack myself up sometimes.) We went to Lake Pleasant; which is about 35 minutes from my house; but it was PERFECT. We saved on gas; it was clean (that's right, I said clean.) It was rocky, as you can tell from the picture, so we were not NEARLY as dirty as when we camped up north. We did trade in some scenery for some cleanliness; but I'm all good with that. We're talking flush toilets people; and no one had to hold the door open so you didn't pass out from the stench. True the camp host could have done a little better job making sure the flush toilets flushed at all times - but I am NOT complaining.
We relaxed, we played Bingo, we made smores - Life was good; until...
I heard my cell phone ringing at about 315am on Monday morning. It was all the way across the tent, and by the time I realized what it was - it stopped. But then, an hour later it rang again "Zip a dee doo dah", Zip a dee ay" I heard; and realized it was the alarm. I got up to turn it off, and I heard something outside our tent. I was FROZEN with fear. I said "Luis, honey, there's someone outside our tent; going through our stuff." And then what I heard, astonished me, It was a loud voice, and it said "Go!" And then it said "Hey, that's ours, leave it alone!" And it took me a second to realize that those sentences had been uttered by my husband. I was shocked. Not because he said them; but because he said them in a deep, white guy voice. White guy? What happened to my "Ricky Ricardo?" I had never heard him sound like this before. I also never saw him get up so quickly before. Usually it takes an act of Congress to wake this man up. Anyway, he started looking outside the windows of our tent. I was SCARED; truly SCARED and then he said...
"It's a skunk. A BIG skunk." Whew- was I relieved. Partly because it wasn't a person rifling through our stuff; and partly because there WAS something out there; so I didn't look like a complete, raving, lunatic.
Just as I never would have thought that I would EVER put my feet into an ensemble such as the one pictured above; I never thought that I would like camping. BUT I have to say it - I LOVE IT!! I LOVE the quiet. I Love the fresh air. I LOVE being with my family; uninterrupted by the TV, or errands and I love getting back to basics with my family and friends - cooking on the fire, and playing games, making smores (Yes, I know that's the second time I've mentioned them- the smores that is - notice no weight loss reported in this blog - hahaha) For me it was heaven. I would have stayed longer if we could have. I know that this confession is a shocker to my Oldies but Goodies; and by Oldies but Goodies I mean my friends; but hey, the times they are a changing and I'm changing with them.
I wish my wonderful, Hot Pink Croc wearing, husband the happiest 38th birthday EVER
Queen of EVERYTHING
Friday, October 24, 2008
Look Who's Talking...
If you can't see the video above, click here but be patient because it will take a minute or so to load; but it's DEFINITELY worth the wait.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My Guilty Pleasure
my "Guilty Pleasure."
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Observational Humorist
Rach and I were really enjoying the show (and if you have yet to see it, I totally recommend it; but the point is, Debra Messing's character is a writer.) Anyway, she had gone to a writing workshop and the teacher told her that he thought he knew of the perfect job for her, as there was a magazine that was looking for an "Observational Humorist." Well, I immediately looked at Rachel, and said "THAT'S Me." To which she replied "Yes it is." So there we have it. I now have a direction; so all of you potential publishers out there - look no further, here I am ... YOUR Observational HUMORIST.
Now what would a weekend be for Rachel and I if we didn't scrapbook at some point? So of course we went to a crop (scrapbooking get together for all of you non-scrappers) at Michelle (I heard her husband giving her a hard time the other day because she still hadn't become legally) K's house. We were having a fabulous time, enjoying the DELICIOUS chili that she had made, as well as the Cheese "crack;" (don't even ask) and the yummy pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting (Yes, I'm still friggin going to the gym - don't let the menu fool you;) and somebody brought up the show "17 Kids and Counting." OK, now for those of you who have NO IDEA what I'm talking about, let me explain. Michelle & Jim Bob (Yes, I said Jim Bob) Duggar reside in Arkansas with their 17 natural born children, and she is pregnant AGAIN.
This family has had several specials on PBS which is how I knew about them to begin with. I think I actually saw them first on "13 and Pregnant again," (which I thought was going to be something altogether different than what it was;) but out of sheer curiosity you just HAVE to watch it; and NOW they have their own show on TLC. OK, so if having 17 kids and one on the way, doesn't make you DIFFERENT enough. Let me tell you that ALL of their kids names start with the letter "J" not that there's anything wrong with that; it's just one of their little endearing quirks. They are all home schooled, they watch one hour of TV a month and they have minimal (supervised) use of the Internet. They travel in a tour bus with 15 beds; and they're basically your modern day freak show. I say this because Michelle and Jim Bob seem to have capitalized on the oddity of their family and you can now see them all over the place. The Today show, The Arkansas Peabody Hotel for the duck parade, Branson, TLC etc. etc. OK, so while we were discussing the Duggar's I felt compelled to share something that I had "OBSERVED" when I was watching their show the other night. So get this. As I told you, they point out in the opening of their show, that they watch VERY LITTLE TV; and in the episode the other night, they had another family (16 kids with one on the way) visiting them for 2 weeks. So Pa Duggar decides it would be fun for them to all go play paintball. They divide into two humongous teams, and run off, and all of a sudden I hear one of the little boys say (in a pretty authentic "Tony Montana" accent) "Say hello to my little friend." "Say hello to my little friend..." Did I just hear that right? I couldn't believe it. I waited, and watched with baited breath to find out if it was ACTUALLY one of the little Duggar boys who said it, or one of the visitor kids, but NO, low and behold, it was said by a Duggar. Hmm, 1 hour of TV a month my ass. How in the world would this kid (who could not have been more than 10) think to say that, and with that accent, if he had never seen "Scarface?" (one of the most violent movies of our time.) Hmm, something smells rotten in Arkansas. This is just about as suspicious as Sarah Palin. Well, after sharing my little Duggar tale, I KNEW that this was the PERFECT blog for an OBSERVATIONAL HUMORIST. I just don't think I can let this go. So Duggars; AND THE REST OF THE WORLD - I'm puitting you on notice. You've now been warned - Paige Ramos (Queen of EVERYTHING) Observational Humorist; is ON THE JOB!
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Lord Giveth...
Friday, October 3, 2008
In my honest opinion, Sarah Palin did well for HER in as much as she didn't screw up. So if that that was all that SHE had to do to be viewed as doing well - her bar was set REALLY low. And of course that begs the question: Is our only expectation of a VP, that they DON'T SCREW UP? LOL That CERTAINLY was NOT the only expectation for Joe Biden last night and aren't both candidates supposed to be held to the same standards?
Although all politicians have their own agenda none have ever made this is clear as does Sarah Palin. She didn't answer most of the questions as they were asked and when Joe Biden tried to point that out, she VERY arrogantly made a point of saying that she "might not answer his questions or the moderators questions;" she just wants to speak to the American people and let them know who she really is and what she's about. OK, well she had the chance to do that before; it was called the Republican convention. Last night it was called a DEBATE. I mean isn't that the point of a debate; to answer questions? Otherwise if you're just talking about what you want to talk about, it's called a speech and this was not supposed to be a speech! She was supposed to answer the questions. One of the questions that she avoided answering was about the Achilles heel. She averted the question and again talked about what she wanted to talk about. Biden; however, made SURE to answer the question and I thought he did so very well.
Here's her game as I see it. She wants Ma & Pa America to think that she relates to them, she's one of them, she get down and dirty with them; oh she's gonna help them, she's gonna fight for them, and all her stories about soccer moms, and her down home speak is supposed to make you relate to her; BUT the truth of the matter is, that once she's in office, she's not going to be talking to us. Excuse me, but how often does the VP give a speech to the people or have any thing to do with THE PEOPLE? She's going to be talking to Washington; and people in Washington DON'T talk like that. Nor do the world leaders that she'll have to meet with to discuss foreign policy. All, she did was memorize some facts and numbers, but they were the same #'s and false facts that McCain tried to use in his debate and Obama disputed them when he tried to use them, and proclaimed them to be false.
Sarah Palin does not have relevant experience for THIS job and Joe Biden does. How can she oversee the Senate when she has never even been to the Senate? Biden on the other hand has been IN THE SENATE for 25 years. She is also looking for more power in the Senate (just like Cheney) and that is EXACTLY what SHE said. "Just like Cheney." Anyone who likens themselves to Cheney – well, there's another red flag right there. Biden explained that the only job the VP has in the Seante is to breaka tie vote if their is one. But Sarah Palin sees the Senate as a way for her to have MORE influence. She will not just be a tie breaking vote if she has he way; she'll be in control.
Gov. Palin is a narrow minded, puppet. She rehearsed the lines they fed her at Camp McCain in Sedona, and then when she got to the Debate (NOT speech) she was unable to answer any questions that she hadn't rehearsed; which is exactly why she can't get through an interview without showing the world what a moron she is. Is this what we want, a Vice President who can't think on her feet? Let's face it, she may be the Greatest Mayor that meth filled Wasilla has ever seen; heck, she may even be a good Governor if you don't mind a self-righteous, right to lifer who blames sexual abuse victims for their attacks and forces her knocked up 17 year old daughter to marry the self proclaimed Red Neck, Hockey player who got her that way AFTER he listed on his MySpace page that he DIDN'T WANT CHILDREN. (Guess he didn't until the Republican party told him that he did...)
Bottom line - Sarah Palin is a DANGEROUS woman; because ignorance and intolerance are DANGEROUS.
I urge you to vote Obama / Biden on November 4th and do all that you can do to encourage others; just like I am trying to encourage you. Our future depends on it.
Till next time...


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Such a warm sentiment being spoken.
Hi! I am moving to India this year to volunteer. I'm so so so excited about it and am going to be working in rural areas trying to provide basic services that we all take so much for granted. It is going to be an amazing trip and I'm fundraising for it right now! If you spread the word you get a MOOD RING! Pretty sweet eh? :)http://www.ifyouneverdid.com/2010/07/spread-word-get-mood-ring.html
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David Dearing, who joined Beasley Allen in April 2012, practices in our Mass Torts section. He initially worked on the firm's Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) litigation team, focusing on drugs such as Premarin, Prempro and Provera, which were shown to cause breast cancer in some women. David is now primarily working on two other classes of drugs in multidistrict litigation. Fosamax (alendronate sodium) was released on the U.S. market in 1995 and was prescribed to prevent and treat osteoporosis. However, prolonged use can actually lead to bone deterioration and consequential low-energy fractures, particularly of the femur. David is representing many clients who suffered spontaneous femur fractures as a result of Fosamax use.
David also represents clients injured from taking Januvia, Byetta, Janumet and Victoza. These four diabetes drugs are in a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, and are intended to help diabetics regulate blood sugar levels. However, studies have shown these drugs can cause pancreatic and thyroid cancer.
David received his law degree in 1991 from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he served as Associate Editor of the Cumberland Law Review. Prior to law school, he attended Furman University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Economics.
David is from Jacksonville, Fla. He has been a trial lawyer for more than 20 years. He served four years as an Assistant State Attorney in both the Fourth and Eighth Judicial Circuits in Florida. After his time as a criminal prosecutor, David's practice areas on the civil side have included Wrongful Death, Personal Injury, Products Liability, Workers Compensation, and Criminal Defense. He was named one of Florida Trend Magazine's Florida Legal Elite, as well as a Jacksonville "Top Lawyer" by 904 Magazine. David is rated AV Preeminent, the highest possible rating in both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards by Martindale-Hubbell.
David is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Montgomery County Association for Justice, The Florida Bar Association, Florida Justice Association, American Inns of Court, The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and The Christian Legal Society. He has been admitted to the United States District Court, Middle District of Alabama and Middle District of Florida. David has litigated in Federal and State Courts throughout the country.
David met his wife, the former Vicki Millo, in law school, and they have been married more than 20 years. Vicki recently joined the Beasley Allen team as a litigator in our Mass Torts Section after having spent the majority of her career as a Law Professor.
David and Vicki have two teenage children, 18 and 16. The family are members of Frazer United Methodist Church. Between attending their children's various sporting events, David and Vicki enjoy traveling and spending time on the water. Sadly, David's mother Norma Dearing died last month after a lengthy illness. The Dearing family needs our prayers.
We are blessed to have David in our firm. He is a very good lawyer who takes the work for his clients very seriously. He is dedicated to the truth and getting good results for them.
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For a long time, I considered the term "spiritual abuse" as a Christian equivalent of the terms "mind control," "thought reform," and "coercive persuasion." However, spiritual abuse includes some issues which are usually not viewed as mind control. There is a special type of spiritual abuse which is called "Bible abuse."
Bible abuse is the kind of spiritual abuse when some Bible verses are used against minorities. Thus, Bible abuse is the misuse of the Bible in order to justify discrimination. Unfortunately, many conservative Christian churches make this error. What is important to notice is that these churches are often not viewed as abusive.
In 19th century, conservative American Protestants approved slavery of Black people because they believed that this is what the Bible teaches. Some verses that they used were: Genesis 9:24-27; Exodus 21:2; Leviticus 25:44; Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; Titus 2:9; Philemon. Also, they used the Bible in order to fight against civil rights of women, including the right to vote. Some of the biblical verses they used were: 1 Corinthians 11:3, 4, 7-12; 14:34-35; Ephesians 5:22-24; 1 Timothy 2:11-14.
Most modern Christians will agree that such usage of these verses was wrong. However, does it mean that Bible abuse is over? No. Many modern Christians believe that the Bible condemns gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people (GLBT).
Probably, an extreme example of anti-gay hatred is Fred Phelps, the founder and pastor of Westboro Baptist Church. In addition to his anti-gay rhetorics such as that "God hates fags," he also states that "God hates the world," "God hates America," and that Obama is Antichrist. It seems that Phelps is just full of hatred and is unable to love anyone which makes me to question whether he is a Christian at all.
I believe that most anti-gay Christians are not so extreme. However, they believe that the Bible condemns homosexuality. I also believed so until I studied this matter deeper. There are not so many biblical verses that are used against homosexuality. They are: Genesis 1-2; 19; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Deuteronomy 23:17; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:10; Jude 7.
Although some Christians say that "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, nor Ada and Eve," Genesis 1-2 says nothing about homosexuality as well as about various human races, nations, and all the other diversities among human beings.
The story of Sodom in Genesis 19 is actually not about homosexuality, but about raping. Whether raping is heterosexual or homosexual, in both cases it is a crime. Unlike common beliefs, the Bible never says that Sodom was destroyed because of homosexuality. The only verses that explain what were the sins of Sodom inhabitants are Ezekiel 16:49-50. They say nothing about homosexuality. In Jude 7, "strange flesh" is not "homosexual flesh," but "angelic flesh" (verse 6). Sodom inhabitants tried to rape angels as it is said in Genesis 19 and thus tried to do what Genesis 6:1-4 speak about.
Although some English versions use the word "sodomites" in Deuteronomy 23:17 and some other verses in the Old Testament, this translation is not correct. The correct translation is "male cult prostitutes" or "male temple prostitutes." In ancient times, pagan rituals included temple prostitution and there were both male and female temple prostitution. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 are also about male temple prostitution which was used in Canaanites' worship to god Molech (Leviticus 18:21; 20:1-5). Romans 1:26-27 speak about temple prostitution in Roman and Greek pagan religions (notice that verse 23 clearly speaks about idol worship).
In 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 contain two Greek words which are often translated as "homosexuals," "sodomites," or "effeminates." These words are "malokoi" and "arsenokoitai." Neither of them were usual Greek words for homosexuals. The word "malokos" (singular) is originally an adjective with the meaning "soft." Outside of the Bible, this word had a number of meanings, including some character negative traits, for example, laziness. However, it did not mean "homosexual" or "effeminate." The word "arsenokoite" (singular) was practically not used outside of the Bible. When it was, in most cases, it was a reference to 1 Corinthians 6:9. There is only one known case when this word was used independently and it was about homosexual raping. There is also a hypothesis that Paul invented this word, using the two words from Leviticus 18:22. Thus, this word may refer either to male temple prostitution or homosexual raping. The exact meaning of "malokoi" and "arsenokoitai" is unknown, but there is no ground to say that they mean homosexuals.
Thus, the Bible condemns homosexuals not more than it supports Black slavery or bans women's civil rights. There are many writings about that available in Internet. To name just few of them:
Christianity and Homosexuality Reconciled by Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson
PowerPoint presentation that accompanies this book
What the Bible Says - And Doesn't Say - About Homosexuality by Rev. Mel White
Homosexuality and the Bible by Rev. Dr. Walter Wink
Challenging Conventional Wisdom by Steve Schuh
Would Jesus Discriminate? (based on The Children Are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-sex Relationships by Rev. Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley)
Comparing spiritual abuse experienced by members of abusive churches and Bible abuse experienced by gay Christians, I found some parallels. There are some writings about recovery from Bible abuse for gay Christians:
Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse by Dr. Rembert S. Truluck
Confronting Bible Abuse by Micah Royal (part 1)
Confronting Bible Abuse by Micah Royal (part 2)
Confronting Bible Abuse by Micah Royal (part 3)
Confronting Bible Abuse by Micah Royal (part 4)
Both gay Christians and ex-members of abusive churches were harmed by abusive religion and have similar emotional issues. Both need spiritual and psychological recovery. It is quite possible that the damage of Bible abuse toward gay Christians is even worse than the damage of spiritual abuse toward non-gay members of abusive churches.
There is a common confusion of homosexual orientation and homosexual activity. Homosexual people may stay celibate or be in heterosexual marriages. However, they are still homosexual. On the other hand, heterosexual people may be involved in some homosexual activity (for example, homosexual raping in prisons), but still be heterosexual. According to American Psychological Association, sexual orientation is not a choice and it cannot be changed. Attempts to change it do not work, but instead cause distress:
Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality
Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality
Insufficient Evidence that Sexual Orientation Change Efforts Work
Insufficient Evidence to Support Sexual Orientation Change Efforts
Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts
Although there are a number of so-called ex-gay ministries, even some of the former leaders of them admit that they damage people and do not change their sexual orientation:
Former Ex-Gay Leaders Apologize
They admit that both psychological and spiritual methods used in such ministries for changing people's sexual orientation cause distress, depressions, self-loathing, self-mutilations, and suicides. So, I think that the damage experienced by these people may be more serious than the damage experienced by most people in abusive churches.
I believe that most Christians who accuse homosexuals of living in sin are just ignorant. By the way, contrary to common belief, many of them live in long-time committed relationships with one partner or pursue such relationships. This means that homosexuals are not more promiscuous than heterosexuals. I do not believe that such long-time committed relationships should be considered sinful.
In a similar way, most Christians are ignorant about spiritually abusive churches. They not only do not understand the experience of ex-members of such churches, but even sometimes accuse them of being disobedient to spiritual authorities and thus accuse them of sinning. Does the Bible not teach that Christians should submit to their pastors (for example, 1 Peter 5:5; Romans 13:1-5)? Well, the Bible also says that pastors should not abuse their authority (for example, 1 Peter 5:1-4) and that they should meet some qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). Abusive pastors do not meet these qualifications and thus are not qualified to have authority. However, they distort the Bible in order to vindicate themselves and make members of their churches submissive to them.
Considering the writings on recovery from Bible abuse that I have mentioned above, I think that there are many points that can be useful for heterosexual ex-members of abusive churches as well. Both may be harmed by abusive religion and have similar emotional issues. Both may need spiritual and psychological recovery. Both may need to re-discover the Bible as the book of freedom and not the book of the law. Both may have a distort image of God as demanding, hateful, and condemning God and may need to discover His love. Both may need to begin again with God.
Dr. Rembert Truluck listed twelve steps for recovery from Bible abuse for gay Christians. They are:
1. Admit You Have Been Hurt By Religion
2. Turn to God As Your Guide to Recovery
3. Examine Your Faith
4. Face and Deal With Your Anger
5. Avoid Negative People And Churches
6. Face The Scripture Used Against You
7. Find Positive Supportive Scripture
8. Read And Study The Gospels
9. Come Out And Accept Yourself
10. Develop Your Personal Support System
11. Learn To Share Your Faith With Others
12. Become A Freedom Missionary
I think some of them also can be useful for ex-members of abusive churches. For example, point 1: ex-members of abusive churches also were hurt by abusive religion. Realization that the problem is not in them, but that they were spiritually abused is important in their recovery. Point 6: ex-members of abusive churches were indoctrinated by teachings that made them feel guilty. These teachings such as teachings on spiritual authority and submission, leaving the world, consecration, and so on are often based on distortion of biblical verses. Re-examination of these verses in order to find their true meaning may be helpful in recovery. Point 7: reading and studying of biblical verses on God's love and freedom in Christ may be very encouraging for ex-members of abusive churches. Point 10: contacts with other ex-members for mutual support also may be helpful for recovery.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Spiritual Abuse and Bible Abuse toward Gays
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Labels: homosexuality, spiritual abuse
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Rostraver mom continues to set goals despite battle with cancer
Jim Ference | Trib Total Media
Kate Crawford gets a hug from her kids Stephen 4, Lily 6, and Grace 6, on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 as they look over pictures of a kick ball tournament that was held on her behalf.
By: Chris Buckley
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, 12:56 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, 12:56 a.m.
Kate Crawford's bucket list is filled with hopes and dreams, things she wants to accomplish in the time she has left with her family.
But her greatest dream is to find a cure for the cancer that has grown in her.
The Rostraver woman created her bucket list after being diagnosed last year with stage IV breast cancer.
"The bucket list is not necessarily for me," Crawford said. "That's why I dubbed it the 'Mommy Bucket List.'"
She and her husband, Stephen, have twin daughters, Grace and Lily, 6, and a son, Stephen, 4.
Last October, Crawford operated a lemonade stand at her home, raising $5,000 for the Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation and the UPMC CancerCenter.
"The little things most parents wouldn't think of are very important to me, like having a lemonade stand or seeing a child get an A on a test," Crawford said.
"The things most people take for granted are my hopes and dreams."
This year, her fundraising goal for the lemonade stand was $10,000.
The Kids II Foundation recently named Crawford a Pink Power Mom, one of eight women worldwide recognized for their efforts in breast cancer outreach and fundraising.
The award carries a $5,000 donation to the breast cancer association of Crawford's choice.
In February, Crawford will travel to Atlanta for the Kids II Foundation gala fundraiser.
"I'm looking forward to the gala and looking forward to being a mentor and growing with them," Crawford said.
Crawford hosted two other fundraisers this month.
On Oct. 3, a Paint and Sip event at Off the Wall Arts in Charleroi generated more than $2,500.
Last weekend, she sponsored a kickball tournament that raised nearly $2,000.
Ten teams played in the double-elimination tournament at the John DiVirgilio Sports Complex in Rostraver.
Township officials donated use of the field, and the Belle Vernon Youth Soccer Association donated use of the concession stand, including food.
By month's end, her efforts will have generated $25,000.
Diagnosed in January 2013, Crawford learned the severity of her cancer the following month.
Statistically, the median survival rate for stage IV breast cancer is two to three years, Crawford said.
"There is no cure for breast cancer, so helping to aid those efforts literally means saving my own life," Crawford said.
Crawford has persevered despite many obstacles. She underwent active chemotherapy last year, but the doctors gave her a break in that treatment after her condition stabilized.
She now receives targeted chemotherapy every three weeks.
"It just keeps my cancer at bay," Crawford said.
As the cancer spread to her spine and pelvis, Crawford had problems walking. So she undewent daily radiation therapy for two weeks. Radiation helps alleviate some pain by shrinking tumors, especially in her pelvis.
"Now I go weekly for physical therapy," Crawford said. "Since starting physical therapy, I've been feeling great."
Hair loss is often a side effect of chemotherapy.
Her hair has grown back, but "I would rather be told I have no cancer," Crawford said.
"My kids and my husband are the ones who keep me going," Crawford said.
The bucket list provides incentives.
"Every month, we work toward checking it off," Crawford said. "I'm looking forward to being a (Pink Power) Mom and doing what I have to do to find a cure."
The award solidifies Crawford's role as an inspiration to others.
"It makes me blush," Crawford said. "I want to inspire people with my story. I want them to know that no matter how hard things get it will be OK," Crawford said.
In January, Crawford's son will undergo palate reconstruction involving the roof of his mouth. That will be followed by therapy to reteach him how to speak.
"No matter what happens, I know everything is going be OK," Crawford said.
Some bucket list items were simple, others sentimental. She hoped to see her children attend a prom, which happened last year with the help of Belle Vernon Area School District officials. Some items are dreams, such as taking her family to New York for an extravagant vacation – or curing cancer.
"When I wrote up the bucket list, the whole Mommy Bucket List, I knew half of it was unattainable," Crawford said. "They are dreams, but right now dreaming is pretty awesome to me.
"Even if I can't cure cancer in my lifetime, maybe my kids will look at that list and say, 'This is something Mommy wanted' and complete them."
Chris Buckley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-684-2642 email@example.com.
Read more:http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmonvalley/yourmonvalleymore/6961840-74/crawford-cancer-list#ixzz3HjoCUhp6
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook


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Not a lot compared to the number she actually had released, but I've yet to finish ONE!! In fact with all the collecting I've done, it's just been recently that I've actually started to stitch them. Right now I have the following started or ready to start:
Mermaid Letter D
Mermaid Letter A
August Peridot Fairy
Sleeping Princess
My first chart was the Millennium Angel, which I got mostly because I was a huge Lavender & Lace fan and this was her daughter :) I liked it, but wasn't really crazy about it.
Next a friend gave me her Winter Queen that her Mom had gotten but due to failing health wasn't going to stitch it. Well if you have ONE queen you really need to get all 4, so I did. I really love the Fall Queen and she may get started next year if I finish one or two of my current starts. Also like the Summer Queen, and if you stitch 2 of them, well what's 2 more right?
Then there were the cute kids, the snowman that I just fell in love with, a couple of Santa's more fairies but amazingly NO mermaids except for the letters. I only got those because my granddaughter wanted the Mermaid D and if I was doing it for one, I really needed to do it for the other.
Well now I've joined the group Mira, Mira on the wall on FaceBook and while it's inspiring me to work on the ones I have in my stash, I'm constantly finding other's that I want to do…oh wait I actually have 2 charts coming…oh dear. Lurking on all of your blogs was bad enough, looking at all of the great things you were working on, but FB is even worse because people are posting ALL THE TIME!!
But my real obsession is Shepherd's Bush with 111 charts or kits with Just Nan running a close second with 86 charts or kits. My expansion with these designers was during my band sampler phase…. I've not stitched any JN for a long time, but have several SB in process this year :) Last year there was a group of JN stitcher, but since I didn't have any of my charts with me (they all live at my house in KY with my kids), I wasn't able to stitch any. I've fixed that problem and brought a couple of them back with me along with the rest of my SB kits. I've not seen any SB groups, but not really looking for any either, I think I'm obsessive enough without any help.
So what is your obsession, who is your favorite designer and do you collect any of their charts just to have them? Tell me I'm not alone out here!! validate my obsession!!
|Sleeping Princess
|August Peridot Fairy
|Mermaid D
|Mermaid A


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I have spent so much time reading, listening and watching other people on the internet I'm numb at the thought of it right now.
My life has gotten behind me.
I have spent so much time reading, listening and watching other people on the internet I'm numb at the thought of it right now.
My life has gotten behind me.
I just got a response text from landlady. I texted earlier today to see if there was any update on the bug issue.
I noticed these little gnat like bugs coming into my bedroom from a corner close to the floor. They're attracted to my bedside light at night when it's warm. The temp has not been stable but we've had some warm and even a couple humid nights despite it still being Spring.
One night last week, around 9pm, she came up to have a look at where they'd landed on my lamp and nightstand on a couple of their more active nights. I've only seen them when it was somewhat warm outside.
I was hoping she could see these things actually see them in action.
I know it's gross to have left those bugs there all that time, until I knew she'd be coming up. I just knew that Murphy's law would play out and the bugs would not be coming through the wall at the time she was scheduled to come see.
And since I needed her to see them, I left them where they lie. This landlady doesn't believe unless she sees and even then she still questions or claims that my experience can't possibly be real.
These gnat things get active in the wee hours of the morning though if I'm still up. So far I have not seen them in swarm capacity until that late. A few here a couple hours after dark, even when it's warm. But not enough to make an impression on someone who wants to believe anything but what you're telling them.
There was just no way I was letting landlady come up here at 1 am though either, even if I was up. So I needed to keep some kind of proof around.
So there they were for her eyes to see. I'd already gathered some and put into a jar, which I'd shown her one afternoon. That night she asked me to put some more into the jar. I'd forgotten how I'd gotten them into the jar before too so I didn't get too many that time around.
I was also a bit irritated that she was asking me to do this. Isn't that her job? Besides there were already a bunch in a jar she could take to her trip to the exterminator.
S0 back to the text exchange and her response"
Her response: "I'll get in touch with an exterminator sometime this week. Just so you know, if the problem is internal, (within) the apartment, you will be responsible for paying the exterminator. If the problem is external to the apartment, I'm responsible." The exterminator will determine this.
"Just so ya know…?" UGH! Really?!?
These fuckin bugs are clearly coming in from outside the apartment. I showed her where they were coming in. She's such a hard head looking to pass the buck. I think she's a low level narcissistic personality.
I felt sick to my stomach as soon as I read her response. Gotta get outta this place.
I want a cigarette. I quit years ago, but that doesn't stop the cravings now and then. They are lesser (is that a word?) than ever. In fact this is the first time I've wanted a cigarette at all in years. It's another habit that kicks up the craving. But (a female cardinal just flew away after sitting on the tree just outside my window)
I don't have any and I don't truly want one. The last time I attempted to smoke a cigarette it really hurt my throat and lungs. I couldn't finish it.
I was happy though that it had such an adverse effect. It helps to curb that desire remembering that last experience.
A few months after my father died, in 2013, my body just started rejecting anything cigarette. I spent the weeks leading up to his death nightly, at the bathroom window in my house, lighting up and puffing away. It was winter and I didn't always feel like standing out on the porch.
It was stress reducing to stand in the warmth of the house while catching some cold air and carbon monoxide of course (from the ciggie butts that is.)
When I get a craving now I know it's from boredom, a void in my core or anxiety.


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Scott Dinsmore (Live Your Legend) offered a wonderful guest post last week on the must read Zen Habits. The post offered 3 steps to making money from your passion. A central element of the post's premise is that each of us has a skill that we do better than anybody else in the world.
I'm all with Scott about making money and (hopefully) earning a living from our individual passion. I'm on that path but that is another post for another day. Life's too short to spend bundles of time doing something that's merely tolerable or worse. But that's Scott's portfolio. I want to make this one step simpler.
|source: morgueFile


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If you received the install media you can copy the deployment files from the install directories included on the media. If you did not receive the media you will need to extract the install files into a directory using a utility such as 7zip to extract the compressed executable file. You can now copy the deployment files from the media or the extracted directory into your desired deployment directory.
Executable file is an Installshield file. So using methods familiar with installshield will work fine.
For more information please check the site below.
If you received the install media you can use the included .iss response file from the installer. If not you will need to record your own response file using the /r switch as documented for Installshield. The default name for the recorded file is setup.iss and is stored in the windows directory during the recording process. It can also be located in the windows\system32 directory. If you wish to specify the name and location of the .iss file you can use the /f1 switch in conjunction with the /r switch to specify the name and literal path of the response file. Verify that you do not use a space between /f1 and the absolute directory. Example:setup64.exe /s /f1"C:\Temp\Setup.iss" After you have performed the record process copy the .iss file into the desired deployment directory.
The silent install command line is now run using the following syntax.
setup64.exe /s /f1"setup.iss" /f2"c:\envi_log.txt"
/s for silent
/f1 to specify the response file
/f2 to specify the installer log file
See the installshield documentation for more information.
View inventory records anonymously contributed by opt-in users of the K1000 Systems Management Appliance.


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Where did the last two months go? School started (middle one in Kindergarten now!) and lots of knitting I guess.
I finished three more sweaters, a stocking, 4 hats, 2 shawls/scarves, 1 pair of mitts, and a disappointing felt tote. I love the two Gretel hats I made; one with Plucky MCN sport and the other is Madelinetosh Worsted. Yum!!! I participated in Single Skein September with the Stash and Burn Groupies, which is why there were quite a few small projects in there. So nice after all the sweaters! Two of my projects ended up in the Episode #83 photo (1st column, top and bottom pics).
Next up is October and Socktober. I have quite a few skeins of sock yarn which need to get made into something. My goals are to make at least three from this group:
-finish Squoosh "Confection" (February Lady Socks)
-Plucky "Nessie" socks for Jon
-Ruby Port Sundara (to match Henley Perfected sweater)
-Malabrigo "Cordovan" doubled
-KP Essential "Soot" for Jon
-Figure out a pattern for the Squoosh "Curry"
-Green socks for L
I also have some lace yarn to make some lightweight sweaters for next spring. I still want to make a Whisper Cardigan. I finally bought the magazine because the digital version was just not happening soon enough. More sweaters are out there, waiting to be knit. I started Anise; bulky sweaters knit up so fast!
DONE Sweaters/big projects= 15 of 12 (#s for NaKniSweMoDo only):
1. Blue Brooks Farm Solo (EZ set in sleeve, v-neck sweater)-completed 1/12/09
2. Black Cascade 109 (SweaterBabe Vine Lace Cardigan)-completed 2/11/09
3. Plucky Knitter Merino Sock (top down u-neck)-completed 3/2/09
a. Blues Cascade 109 (Kiki Rug/Mason Dixon book)-completed 3/13/09
4. Ruby Port Sundara FSM (Henley Perfected Sweater)-completed 3/15/09
5. Savoir Faire Plucky Knitter MCN Sport (top down W. Bernard-style)-completed 4/20/09
6. Black Parade Smooshy Sock (Featherweight Cardigan)-completed 5/18/09
7. Tan Ella Rae Worsted (Cassidy cabled cardigan)-completed 5/25/09
8. Plum Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (Buttercup top)-completed 5/29/09
9. Plum Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (3rd try sweater)-completed 6/2/09
10. Peacock Plucky Knitter fingering 50 silk/50 merino-completed 6/18/09
11. Black Cascade 220 Superwash (Slinky Ribs henley)- completed 7/7/09
12. LE Music of the Night Sundara FSM (Apres Surf Sans Hoodie)-completed 8/4/09
13. LE The Celebration Sundara FSM (Liesl)-completed 8/15/09
14. LE Second Look Sundara Sock (February Lady)-completed 9/9/09
15. Duchess Madelinetosh Wren (Evening Shrug)-completed 9/17/09
16. Black Cascade 109 (Anise)-started 9/26/09
DONE For others projects=16 of 12
14. Velvet Grapes Malabrigo Sock (Dane-Ish scarf-Mom) completed 9/24/09
15. Knit Picks Stroll Sport (Dawson's Stocking) completed 9/21/09
16. Plymouth Encore Red/Blue (Rib-a-roni hat-W) completed 9/29/09
Gretel-Madtosh Worsted Silver Fox
Liesl-Sundara FSM The Celebration LE
February Lady-Sundara Sock Second Look LE
Evening Shrug-Madelinetosh Wren Duchess


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A much better night last night thankfully. Not sure if this was due to the Eurax or whether H is just getting over the chickenpox.
His spots seem to have crusted over or never really developed. We tried another bicarbonate of soda bath this morning and some Eurax, but not sure either was necessary. What do veterans of chickenpox think? Is my boy safe to go out in public again? Could I get away with Pre-School tomorrow?


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Jessica Simpson Heads to 'Katie', Ashlee Simpson Hosts for Fiji Water!
Jessica Simpson heads through LAX Airport with her fiance Eric Johnson and newborn baby Maxwell on Sunday (September 9) in Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old entertainer will be making a guest appearance on Katie Couric's new talk show Katie on Monday (September 10), where she will be debuting her post-baby body for the first time, as well as talking about shedding her pregnancy weight.
The day before, Jess' sister Ashlee hosted Fiji Water Summer Soak Las Vegas held at the Wet Republic Ultra Pool inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
"Can't wait for the @FIJIWater party today! #SummerSoakLasVegas" Ash tweeted.
20+ pictures of the Jessica and Ashlee Simpson…


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Patriots had a better than expected 2010
The New England Patriots started 2010 losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs and many unanswered questions regarding the leadership, defensive demise and concerns about the team rebuilding.
A few interesting moves in the offseason dropping defensive veterans Adalius Thomas and Shawn Springs both locker room cancers, while resigning defensive anchor Vince Wilfork to a long term deal and Leigh Bodden to a new contract to strengthen the defensive backfield. Bodden the most experienced defensive back on the Patriots roster was one of many players to go onto IR.
After a contract negotiations failed between the New England Patriots and guard Logan Mankins, Mankins held out through the beginning of the season and returned to the Patriots to help solidify a offensive line that is now without two of its 2009 starters Nick Kaczur and Stephen Neal and starter/back-up Dan Connolly fitting in nicely for Mankins and moving to replace Neal and is now injured himself and has not played since recording an NFL record for the longest kick return by an offensive lineman 71 yards.
The already young and inexperienced defense had further issues with Ty Warren and Brandon McGowan joining Bodden on IR and other defensiveline men such as Mike Wright, Ron Brace, Myron Pryor and Brandon Deadrick being banged up at various points of the season leaving Vince Wilfork to play all three line positions and having a pro bowl year doing it!
No pass rush – no problem? Last years sack leader and pass rusher Tully Bunta-Cain was expected to have a big year after renewing his contract and actually has been pushed out of the starting lineup by rookie Dane Fletcher who joins rookie Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich to pressure the QB. Also a big surprise from UFL signee Eric Moore playing many reps in the game and a number of different positions in the 3-4 than his previous 4-3 experience would lead you to believe.
Youngest group at the defensive backs position proving to be most improved area of the team as rookie Devon McCourty and second year 7th round pick Kyle Arrington has moved from special teams to starter beating out 2007 2nd round pick Darius Butler. With Bodden Jonathan Wilhite on IR and looking to return in 2011, this group could be one of the best in the NFL, especially if the Pats pick up a pass rushing OLB.
During preseason, the strength and depth of the defense seemed to be at the safety postion. With McGowan going to IR, that left Brandon Meriweather and James Sanders as the starters with second year 2nd round pick Patrick Chung and a late trade to acquire Jarrad Page from the Kansas City Chiefs to round out the position. With injuries to Bodden and Wilhite – Chung Page and undrafted Sergio Brown have taken turns in nickel and dime packages. This is another young group improving.
OK – so the offense has Tom Terrific and with a high dynamic passing attack what could be better?
Hhmm – how about Randy Moss finally being Randy and forcing the team to trade him during the season. WTF? No one outside the organization (well maybe Ron Borges) could have predicted that.
For the team to then trade for the return of Deion Branch to utilize a spread attack of quick and shifty receivers like Branch and Wes Welker who seemed nearly 100% after tearing his ACL/MCL at the end of the 2009 season. Branch and Welker run great routes and can get separation from the defensive backs. This is a return of Brady's favorite receiver – no not Branch – the open receiver! Since Branch's return Brady has been phenomenal not throwing a single interception in his last seven games and only having four so far all season.
Noteworthy pickups in the draft, tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, under the tutelage of long time veteran and new team captain Alge Crumpler produced beyond great expectations of a pwer and finesse combination from multiple formations, breaking tackles, moving the chains AND scoring touchdowns. A great addition and one would think this is what Coach Bill Belichick might have had in mind when signing Daniel Graham and Ben Watson so many years ago….
The offseason brought a few questions at running back, were Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor to old? Could Laurence Marony carry the franchise? And for a few media pundits – BenJarvis Green-Ellis' days as a Patriots were sure to be over.
A trade of Maroney to the Broncos, a knee injury sending Faulk to IR and Taylor having severe cases of turf toe on each foot (a Rex Ryan pun not needed), what would the Patriots do? BJGE became the north – south runner fans wished Maroney could have been. Then the surprise jewel with the signing of Danny Woodhead to the team. The diamond in the rough was picked up before Faulk's injury, but as luck would have it, Woody provided the Patriots just what they needed when their captain went down. Both BJGE and Woody are undrafted players and two of the 21 currently on the roster. For a team that had no identity for a running game the tunder and lightening coming at teams now are proving to be more than even the best teams can handle.
Above all else, we have Bill Belichick and his coaching staff. 2010 brought about concerns of no formal offensive and defensive coordinators and the roles and responsibilities falling on Belichick. Would the team suffer and possibly the coaching staff if coaches were not given their chance to perform?
Belichick knows his team and coaches better than anyone else and while rebuilding in 2010 has lead the team to a 13-2 record, AFC East division champions and first seed in the AFC with home field through the playoffs. Now the only thing left to do is win the Super Bowl!


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My attention has been brought to the Politics Show Political Heroes Poll, currently running here.
Obviously I've cast my vote for Tony Benn who is currently at second place behind one M. Thatcher (you may think this is abhorrent and take it on yourself to vote too... be my guest), but the thing that really caught my eye on this is that the seven options are all people who could have been on the list not just ten years ago but twenty.
Personally I think it's a reflection on the Politics Show that people like Shirley Williams and Norman Tebbitt got onto the virtual ballot paper in the first place rather than a demonstration of how politics is stuck in the eighties BUT it is difficult to spot the current MP who might fit the description of hero.
As far as I can tell the Channel Four Political Awards nominations are still open (see previous) which have far more weight and meaning, as these things go. I'd like to encourage you to nominate someone who is not only an all round good egg, but also isn't someone who's been politically fossilised in the manner of those the Politics Show want to hold up as current day political role models.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Vote early, vote often
My attention has been brought to the Politics Show Political Heroes Poll, currently running here.
4 comments:
- a very public sociologist said...
We live in an age of political pygmies Jim. In recent years only Galloway and Sheridan have caught the public eye, from the left, and Boris Johnson and Lembit Opik cos they've been on Have I Got News For You.
- Sunday, January 07, 2007 10:11:00 pm
- Jim Jay said...
You may be right - I suppose the key question is why?
Possibly because there is such a mind numbing concensus these days that its difficult to distinguish one from the other.
Don't talk to me about that Opik bounder though.. he dumped that lovely weather girl for a cheeky girl (who he also put a word in for at the immigration department... little bit of scandal there?)
- Monday, January 08, 2007 1:49:00 pm
- Louisefeminista said...
But what does anyone see in Opik, even a Cheeky Lass?
Btw: that is such a sweet pic of a cat surfing the web(sorry, but there are times I miss having a cat!)
- Tuesday, January 09, 2007 10:47:00 pm
- Jim Jay said...
Cats rock!
- Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:07:00 pm


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Yellow cake mix--Bake according to directions on package in a 13 X 9 baking dish.
2-3 pints of fresh strawberries sliced
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. Evaporated milk
4 T. butter
1 t. Vanilla
While your cake is baking in the oven, cut & slice your strawberries & set aside. When your cake is almost done baking combine your sugar, evaporated milk & butter in a sauce pan and heat to a boil. Stirring & mixing together continually, add your vanilla right when the sauce start to come to a boil. Allow your mixture to boil for 3 minutes. Once your cake is out of the oven for about 5 minutes, place your sliced strawberries on top of the hot cake. Then allow your heated sauce to cool slightly, about 5-7 minutes & pour your very warm/hot topping mixture over the strawberries that are on top of the cake.
(Basically everything happens quickly once you get your cake out of the oven. You want a very warm sauce mixture on top of a very warm cake to allow the heat to soak in all that sauce goodness along with the juice of the strawberries.)
Cover & place in the refrigerator to cool overnight or you can serve if the cake has been in the fridge for several hours. Top with whipped cream, if desired.


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After a long fight it's finally done! Sharwee's concept art is all brand new and fresh and I hope it will look nice with the model (once it's complete...).
Also I decided to post a little comparison for motivation (my own and perhaps others). It is good to see progress! Yesss :)


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Before I forget I wanted to suggest something to y'all if you haven't thought of it: On a trip about a year ago, I sat next to a young soldier. We chatted a bit, and right before departing the plane, I handed him some cash and told him to get something to eat and drink. I said just to think of me as a mom away from home, so he wouldn't feel weird about it. It gave me a warm feeling and he was so grateful. So, flash forward to this return trip from Oregon. I was rushing to get to my plane in the Atlanta airport and as I passed by, I noticed a young soldier waiting for his flight. He looked so sad and stressed. I looked into my purse and all I had was nine one dollar bills. At first I thought, "That's not very much to give," but then, I thought, well, it's something. So I went over and held out the money and told him to get him a snack or something to drink (airports are EXPENSIVE!) - he said, "Oh, that's okay," but I placed the cash in his hand and said, "Thank you so much. . . " and walked away so he wouldn't feel embarrassed.
So, now I'm going to make this a "tradition" - whenever I am in the airport, if I see a young soldier, I am going to be his/her "mom" and hand him/her some spending money. Traveling is expensive and I have no idea what the government pays them or if their flights are paid or if they have spending money or or or - and, I don't know - I just like feeling like I'm some mom who makes sure these young "sons and daughters" have a little extra money in their pocket. I'll make sure I tuck extra in my wallet just for that purpose.
Just something to think about.
Now - Go LSU! GO NC STATE! and y'all enjoy your weekend! Here's some pictures that show the snow mixed with fall colors here in our cove (and one of lil boop!).
I'll be round to visit either today or tomorrow -- see you soon. Thank you and hello to new follower-friends.
|Granny Kat bought this outfit (boots too!) so cute


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2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup water
6 Tbsp. lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
2 tsp. minced fresh parsley
This recipe is for a 6-quart slow cooker. Combine oregano, salt and pepper. Cover chicken with mixture. Brown chicken in butter in skillet on medium heat. Place in slow cooker. Place water, lemon juice, garlic and bouillon in skillet. Bring to boil, loosen browned bits from skillet. Pour over chicken. Cover. Cook on high for 2-2 1/2 hours or on low for 4-5 hours. Add parsley and baste chicken. Cover. Cook on high for 15-30 minutes, until chicken is tender.
NOTES:This is a great Sunday dinner dish. I actually found this recipe with not much time left to make dinner so I just made it on the stove top instead of the slow cooker. I put the salt, pepper and oregano on the chicken and browned it, then added everything else and brought it to a boil. I turned it down to very low and covered it and let it simmer for about a half hour while I baked some oven fries to go with it. Enjoy!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Ginger Sweet Potato Muffins
*Updated 12/5/13 I've made a few modifications to these muffins to make them lighter and fluffier and with half the sugar! They are better than ever!
When I think of fall, I think of these muffins. I absolutely love them! I got this recipe a few years ago from a friend of my mom's and have made them so many times since. They are a perfect little breakfast treat on a fall morning, or a quick and easy afternoon snack. I have experimented with using less sugar and they still turn out ok. You can get crystallized ginger at your local good earth store or fresh market.
Ginger Sweet Potato Muffins
makes about 9 muffins
1/2 cup sucanat (or other sugar)
1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
2 Tbsp. coconut oil (or light olive oil)
1 egg
1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk)
1 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 Tbsp. Pumpkin Pie spice
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place liners in muffin pan or spray with cooking spray. Combine sugar, sweet potatoes, oil, egg and milk. Whisk until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. Fold in ginger. Divide batter evenly among 9 muffin cups. Bake 12-15 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool slightly and remove from pans.
Linked to...
Colleen's Recipe Swap @ And Baby Makes Five
Potluck Sunday @ Mommy's Kitchen.
This Week's Cravings @ Mom's Crazy Cooking
Labels: Bread, Fall Baking, Figure Friendly, Muffins, Potatoes
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wrote about it on this blog; but in addition, the lot archives are available and here (Lot 2212).
The first lot, 2211, was a letter from Plath to a Miss Reutlinger and failed to sell. Late that year, on 22 June, Bonhams relisted the letter, drastically lowering the estimates...but it still failed to sell that day in Lot 1318. (I wrote about it here, too, because I try to be comprehensive.
One thing I love about these auctions is that they provide really good quality images online (and presumably in the printed catalog for the auction, too).
Anyway, this is a follow-up post to say that the letter has finally sold... in October 2012! Better to find out later than never... RR Auction in New Hampshire successfully sold the letter for $4,915.20. Not sure where the letter ended up (hopefully an archive), but that's a fair price for sure.
06 June 2013
Typed Letter and Poem by Sylvia Plath Sells at Auction
Labels: Auction , Letters , Sylvia Plath
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Publications & Acknowledgements
- BBC Four.A Poet's Guide to Britain: Sylvia Plath. London: BBC Four, 2009. (Acknowledged in)
- Biography: Sylvia Plath. New York: A & E Television Networks, 2005. (Photographs used)
- Connell, Elaine. Sylvia Plath: Killing the angel in the house. 2d ed. Hebden Bridge: Pennine Pens, 1998. (Acknowledged in)
- Crowther, Gail and Peter K. Steinberg. "These Ghostly Archives 3." Plath Profiles 4. Summer 2011: 119-138.
- Crowther, Gail and Peter K. Steinberg. "These Ghostly Archives 4: Looking for New England." Plath Profiles 5. Summer 2012: 11-56.
- Crowther, Gail and Peter K. Steinberg. "These Ghostly Archives 5: Reanimating the Past." Plath Profiles 6. Summer 2013: 27-62.
- Crowther, Gail and Peter K. Steinberg. "These Ghostly Archives, Redux." Plath Profiles 3. Summer 2010: 232-246.
- Crowther, Gail and Peter K. Steinberg. "These Ghostly Archives." Plath Profiles 2. Summer 2009: 183-208.
- Crowther, Gail and Peter K. Steinberg. These Ghostly Archives: The Unearthing of Sylvia Plath. Oxford: Fonthill, 2017.
- Death Be Not Proud: The Graves of Poets. New York: Poets.org. (Photographs used)
- Doel, Irralie, Lena Friesen and Peter K. Steinberg. "An Unacknowledged Publication by Sylvia Plath." Notes & Queries 56:3. September 2009: 428-430.
- Elements of Literature, Third Course. Austin, Tex. : Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2009. (Photograph used)
- Gill, Jo. "Sylvia Plath in the South West." University of Exeter Centre for South West Writing, 2008. (Photograph used)
- Helle, Anita Plath. The Unraveling Archive: Essays on Sylvia Plath. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2007. (Photographs used, acknowledged in)
- Helle, Anita. "Lessons from the Archive: Sylvia Plath and the Politics of Memory". Feminist Studies 31:3. Fall 2005: 631-652.. (Acknowledged in)
- Holden, Constance. "Sad Poets' Society." Science Magazine. 27 July 2008. (Photograph used)
- Making Trouble: Three Generations of Funny Jewish Women, Motion Picture. Directed by Rachel Talbot. Brookline (Mass.): Jewish Women's Archive, 2007. (Photograph used)
- Plath, Sylvia, and Karen V. Kukil. The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath, 1950-1962. New York: Anchor Books, 2000. (Acknowledged in)
- Plath, Sylvia, and Peter K. Steinberg and Karen V. Kukil (eds.). The Letters of Sylvia Plath, Volume 1, 1940-1956. London: Faber, 2017. Forthcoming.
- Plath, Sylvia. Glassklokken. Oslo: De norske Bokklubbene, 2004. (Photograph used on cover)
- Reiff, Raychel Haugrud. Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar and Poems (Writers and Their Works). Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, 2008.. (Images provided)
- Steinberg, Peter K. "'A Fetish: Somehow': A Sylvia Plath Bookmark." Court Green 13. 2017.
- Steinberg, Peter K. "'I Should Be Loving This': Sylvia Plath's 'The Perfect Place' and The Bell Jar." Plath Profiles 1. Summer 2008: 253-262.
- Steinberg, Peter K. "'They Had to Call and Call': The Search for Sylvia Plath." Plath Profiles 3. Summer 2010: 106-132.
- Steinberg, Peter K. "A Perfectly Beautiful Time: Sylvia Plath at Camp Helen Storrow." Plath Profiles 4. Summer 2011: 149-166.
- Steinberg, Peter K. "Proof of Plath." Fine Books & Collections 9:2. Spring 2011: 11-12.
- Steinberg, Peter K. "Sylvia Plath." The Spoken Word: Sylvia Plath. London: British Library, 2010.
- Steinberg, Peter K. "Textual Variations in The Bell Jar Publications." Plath Profiles 5. Summer 2012.
- Steinberg, Peter K. "The Persistence of Plath." Fine Books & Collections. Autumn 2017: 24-29
- Steinberg, Peter K. "This is a Celebration: A Festschrift for The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath." Plath Profiles 3 Supplement. Fall 2010: 3-14.
- Steinberg, Peter K. "Writing Life" [Introduction]. Sylvia Plath in Devon: A Year's Turning. Stroud, Eng.: Fonthill Media, 2014.
- Steinberg, Peter K. Sylvia Plath (Great Writers). Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004.
- "Banking on his passion for Plath" by Melissa Davis Haller. UMW Today. Spring 2005.
- "Sylvia Plath's Three Women to be staged in London" by Alison Flood. The Guardian. 3 December 2008.
- "FBI files on Sylvia Plath's father shed new light on poet" by Dalya Alberge. The Guardian. 17 August 2012.
- "There Are Almost No Obituaries for Sylvia Plath" by Ashley Fetters. The Atlantic. 11 February 2013.


text:
1. What is your favorite bagel flavor?
ICK! I don't like bagels at all. They are like eating old, stale, hardened doughnuts. I would much rather have a Krispy Kreme glazed, regular doughnut.
2. If you had an extra $100 right now, what would you spend it on?
There is no such thing as "extra" when it comes to money around here. With a contract coming to a close, the money would be needed to help offset the loss of that income. In an ideal, not-needing-it situation, I would be most likely to buy a book, one of a zillion that I have sitting in my Amazon wish list.
3. What is the last thing that you felt guilt about doing?
Forgetting to pick up the fries that my oldest daughter requested from the grocery store. We remembered the requests of the other two and forgot hers. She feels like she's always forgotten; I know the feeling. But, we honestly did forget. The request was given to us just as we were leaving and not written down. Truth be told, we forget things that ARE written on the list, so those given to us verbally as we're rushing out the door don't stand a chance.
4. Soft serve ice cream or hand dipped?
Hand-dipped, but only if they are clean hands!
5. Are you allergic to anything?
It would be easier to list what I am not allergic to rather than attempting to list what I am allergic to. Sometimes I am convinced that I am allergic to being alive, plain and simple.
I am allergic to all of the major antibiotics, experiencing my first anaphylactic response as a newborn less than a week old. Penicillin was the culprit then; I was born with bronchitis.
I have allergies and intolerances across all of the food groups, with the most dangerous ones being in the fruit and nut department. Here again, it is a game of Russian Roulette with anaphylaxis being the bullet.
I also have chemical sensitivities. Some smells adversely affect my breathing. Perfumes give me a headache, although this has backed off somewhat since the tumors were removed. I can tolerate more smells now than before.
At this time of the year, and in the fall, I am allergic to air. OY! The congestion is killing me. I don't know what specifically is in the air that is bothering me, which pollen, whatever, but it gets to me really bad twice a year. It backs off in the actual summer and winter, though I am congested to a degree all year long long.
Please visit Never Growing Old to meet a great bunch of folks!


text: Gap Year Info and Opportunities AED General Body Meeting #2 November 10, 2011 ΑΕΔ General Information • Majority of applicants take gap year(s) now • Many schools like non-traditional applicants • Planned or unplanned (aka didn't get in) – 42,742 total applicants in US • about 12,000 of those are re-applicants • Just make sure to do something productive during gap year! ΑΕΔ Pros • • • • • • • • • Do something that you've always wanted to do More breathing room for academics Opportunity to have a life (travel, pursue interests) Recharge and recover from feeling burnt out Make money, make money, money, money! Address weaknesses in your application Improve GPA (senior grades count) More life experience Might feel more ready for med school ΑΕΔ Cons • Student loans may need to start being repaid • MCAT scores might expire – Usually in two or three years, depends on school • "Real world" concerns (income, health insurance) • Some think it's hard to start studying again after a prolonged break, lose momentum • Might be older than peers in class ΑΕΔ Some Opportunities to Consider… • • • • • • • • • • • Teach for America AmeriCorps WorldTeach Peace Corps International fellowships Non-profits – domestic and abroad Research (USC, NIH) Hospital scribes EMT Master's, Progressive Degree Programs YOUR PASSION! ΑΕΔ Brief Overview of a Few Programs • WorldTeach – teach in developing countries – Year long, semester, or just summer • Peace Corp – programs focus on education, youth and community development, health, business and information and communications technology, agriculture, and environment – 27 month commitment • Research • Hospital Scribes • EMT ΑΕΔ basics • Teach in low-income communities – a challenging environment – to help close the "achievement gap" • 2 year commitment with salary & benefits • Selective: 12-14% acceptance rate ΑΕΔ application 5 deadlines: August 19, 2011 September 16, 2011 October 26, 2011 January 6, 2012 February 10, 2012 1. Online app - letter of intent (1b. Phone interview) 2. Online activities 3. Submit official transcripts, grades, 2 letters of recc 4. Final Interview 5. 2 weeks to commit • time-intensive but "exploratory" • you have the opportunity to preference regions, subjects, and student ages • evaluators look for 7 qualities: demonstrated past leadership, perseverance, critical thinking skills, organization, respect for diversity, great interpersonal & leadership skills, understanding and passionate about TfA's mission • local support & mild stalking • teachforamerica.org ΑΕΔ thoughts • This is a challenging path to take – emotionally and physically. You will probably cry. You may fail for the time in your life. You might quit. It is not something to take on because you're not sure what else to do. • You will undoubtedly learn priceless skill sets – how to persevere, interact with diverse populations, work with people very different from you. Invaluable skills for a physician. • Is it for you? Does it fit with your past experiences and current skills? Does it mesh with your narrative of why you are pursuing medicine? Ultimately a personal choice. • There is a ton of press about Teach for America, both positive and negative. There are also many SC alumni who pursue it. Be sure to do your own research! ΑΕΔ other options • work towards any number of causes, from public education to the environment to healthcare, disaster relief with the Red Cross, etc • often 1 year commitments • examples of health-related jobs in California • Coaches for a Healthy California 2011-2012 (quarter-time) – work with kids in underserved neighborhoods, develop leadership skills and have fun while introducing and promoting sports • California Safe Corps - Los Angeles – join statewide team to increase disaster preparedness in California's communities; coordinate with education programs, work with Red Cross, provide disaster relief • FIRST 5 Nutrition & Fitness Advocate - help parents and caregivers increase their nutrition and fitness knowledge • AmeriCorps VISTA – fight poverty (1 year); AmeriCorps NCCC – strengthen communities (10 months); State & National Programs ΑΕΔ International Fellowships • Interested in going abroad during time off • Many different types: – Academic – earning a graduate degree, exchange programs – Research -- conduct your own project – Service -- teaching English, cultural exchange • Most pay for room & board, tuition (if applicable), living allowance • Many are very prestigious, very competitive – Can strengthen application • Some apply on your own, some through USC – Office of Academic and International Fellowships http://www.usc.edu/programs/ugprograms/aif/fellowshiplist.htm ΑΕΔ • Two different fellowships: – Research -- conduct your own project • Need to conduct research through professor and his/her affiliated institution – English Teaching-Assistantship • Provides living stipend, other benefits • Must apply through USC – USC deadline in mid-Sep, campus interview at beginning of Oct, final deadline in mid-Oct National screening in Nov/Dec Host country review • Personal Statement, Statement of Grant Purpose, 3 Letters of Recommendations, Transcripts, Language Evaluation http://www.us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html ΑΕΔ • Some things to think about… – Think about and decide if you want to apply early applications are due at the beginning of senior year – Need to have specific (and convincing) ties to country – Need to have appropriate skill set and concrete experiences – Language proficiency is required for some countries, others have a language intensive program before actual program – Can only apply for one program in one country – A lot of support from OAIF – worksheets, workshops, meetings – Long selection process ΑΕΔ Working in Non-Profits • Pros – Make a meaningful difference – Hands-on experience in that field – Exposure to the world outside of academia – Gain life experience – Salary + benefits • Cons – Have to apply just like applying to a "normal" job – Very challenging environment – Can't always accomplish what you hope to accomplish – Not for everyone • Many are 9-5 job, 40+ hours a week • "Real world" work experience • See if you want to continue working in this sector ΑΕΔ Non-Profits Abroad • Global Brigades, Liz Sophy ΑΕΔ Master's Programs Benefits Letters of Recommendation Research, Thesis, Publications Age/ Life Experience Drawbacks Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Lots of work (Thesis, Publications) Funding A Graduate Education Can be more than one year ΑΕΔ USC Master's Programs • • • • • • • • • • • • • Public Health (MPH) Health Administration (MA) Executive Master of Health Adminsitration (EMHA) Craniofacial Biology (MS) Biomedical Engineering (MS) Gerontology (MA) Biology (MS) Neuroscience (MS) Kinesiology (MA, MS) Human Behavior (MS) Psychology (MA) Molecular Epidemiology (MS) Biostatistics (MS) ΑΕΔ Master's in Public Health #1 Johns Hopkins University (49.8%) #2 University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill (40.5% ) #3 Harvard University (36.6%) #4 University of Michigan--Ann Arbor (61.0%) #5 Columbia University (60.7%) #6 Emory University (51.4%) #6 University of Washington (33.9%) #8 University of California—Berkeley (39.4%) #8 University of Minnesota--Twin Cities (54.6%) #10 University of California--Los Angeles (41.3%) ΑΕΔ Global Medicine (M.S.) • A 1-year (32 units) program offered through the Keck School of Medicine – Also offered as a progressive degree • Originally designed to help prospective professional school applicants become more competitive • Science and Management Tracks depending on interests ΑΕΔ MSGM • Core Requirements – Core Principles I and II (taken with first year med students) – Concepts related to global health—critical issues, epidemiology, etc. • Electives – – – – – – – Malaria TB HIV/AIDS Tropical Medicine Cultural Competence Infectious Disease Maternal and Child Health ΑΕΔ USC Progressive Degree Programs • Bachelor's and Master's Degree conferred simultaneously • Requires a good amount of planning and foresight For example, MA in Psychological Sciences requires: • 4 courses in PSYC 500 or 600 levels • 1 semester of independent research credits (2 units) • 2 semesters of Master's Thesis credit (2 units each semester of last year) • Defend Master's Thesis to committee ΑΕΔ