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Not too many trips out this year, but a highlight was the "Munster Double" railtour in October. Some unusual workings through the Midlands, both failures and tests, feature in the year as well as the odd steam special.
The page is set up so clicking on the picture takes you to the full gallery of the day in question.
A misty day on the 17th sees racoon liveried 231 propelling a Cork – Heuston service away from Portlaoise. Two locos carry this livery, which is designed to not look too out of place on the Enterprise, for which they are spares, or dilute that brand when used on other work as here.
216 is largely dedicated to the Belmond Grand Hibernian luxury train, which operates from April to October. Following its overhaul and repaint, it had not worked scheduled passenger trains. This changed on the 22nd, when it worked the 1220 Cork – Heuston, seen here passing Portlaoise, after spendnig some time as Cork stand-by loco. It was to work several passenger services over the coming weeks, which appeared to iron out some of the gremlins which limited speed running on the Belmond had failed to cure.
The dark loco is a challenging subject to photograph at any time; in the dark might be seen as masochistic. I think it worked out though! 216 calls at Portlaoise on the 28th with the 1900 Heuston - Cork service.
The bodywork overhaul and repainting programme for the year was to see several 071s lose this livery in favour of plain grey. 074 is seen on the 2nd working the 0750 Limerick - Inchicore wagon transfer, a train I have limited success in catching over time.
Following a failure at Limerick Junction the previous evening, which caused considerable disruption, 217 is hauled back to Inchicore in disgrace on the 10th by grey liveried 084. This was the second thunderbird of the day, 087 having rescued 215 and train from near milepost 61 already that morning.
Celebrity loco 071 in Supertrain livery has been kept very clean, despite being on freight and PW duties not always conducive to a good appearance. Here it is seen arriving at Portlaoise with a PW working for the yard.
I framed this shot slightly differently to show the quite attractive station building on the downside at Portlaoise to better advantage.
With Kildare being the main plant base, and Portlaoise being the main PW yard, workings for the PW department provide added interest in the area. Here tamper/liner 744 passes south through Portlaoise on the 2nd.
The network is regularly inspected by several different vehicles, including inspection cars and the Sperry set. Here inspection car 700 passes through Portlaoise with a Kildare – Cork working, scheduled to take five hours thanks to the limited speed of such workings. This makes them difficult to path at times.
In the past few years ballast handling has been revolutionised on Iarnród Éireann, with small vacuum braked wagons being replaced with the HOBS trains, as they are known. Based on UK stock, they are air braked and have a gross vehicle weight of 75 tonnes – less than their UK counterparts thanks to track axle weight limits here. This was an unexpected working, as 085 hammers through with a rake of HOBS heading south.
Another rescue! 084 had failed at Limerick, so 087 was used to work it back to Inchicore in the formation of the 0750 Limerick – Inchicore wagon transfer, running late as a result. Both locos carry the standard grey livery.
Since the refurbishment of the Enterprise, dedicated locos have rarely strayed onto Cork workings, as locos can't be moved the other way to cover thanks to changes made during the programme. However, on the 7th 207 managed to escape the former Great Northern, and is seen heading through Portlaoise with the 1600 Heuston – Cork.
2600 Class railcars are generally confined to the Cork area, but do visit Limerick, and occasionally Inchicore, for maintenance purposes. Here, pioneer set 2601+2602 head south through Portlaoise on the 10th with a working from Inchicore to Cork after wheel reprofiling work.
The first Belmond of the season sees 216 back on it's' more sedate workings. The first trip of the year is seen passing Clonminam, on the edge of Portlaoise, with the 1420 Heuston – Cork leg of the luxury trains itinerary.
After last year's workings, it was strongly rumoured that a multi-purpose vehicle would replace the weedspray train from 2017, rendering this sight history. Thankfully (for enthusiasts, if not staff I suspect!), the rumours proved incorrect, or at least premature, and the train did two full circuits of the network as in previous years. I was particularly pleased as I had not got a shot with the warning boards in place in the past, so this rectified that omission! 077 passes Ratheven, just north of Portlaoise, with an 0920 Portlaoise – Claremorris weedspray working on the 2nd.
It has become a tradition for the RPSI to operate a diesel tour on what would otherwise be a spare day during their main multi-day tour in May. This year it was run as "The South Kerry", a fairly straightforward out and back run from Dublin to Killarney. 086 is seen passing south through Portlaoise with the 1030 from Dublin Connolly, the front end showing some patchwork repairs to keep it going until it gets the call to Inchicore for body overhaul.
The 2800 Class are all currently based at Limerick, and used on services to Galway, Ballybrophy and Limerick Junction, as well as on the shuttle between Manulla Junction and Ballina. Like the 2600 Class, they are occasionally required to visit Inchicore for maintenance. Here we see set 2801+2802 at Portlaoise, being transferred to Inchicore for maintenance work, on the 8th.
Another mark 4 set failed on the 18th in Cork, which required a drag back to Inchicore for remedial work. 220 drags the set through Portlaoise, with 229 dead on the rear.
081 is seen departing Portlaoise PW yard with a short northbound working of flats. This was one of those occasions which was a total chance shot, as I was unaware of the working and still have no real idea where it was headed; given the length, my guess would be Inchicore.
The Belmond is a great train to photograph in bright conditions; at any other time it is a bit of a nightmare! The former situation applied on the 15th, as the train passed Ratheven with the 0820 Charleville – Galway leg of the tour.
This will not pass Portlaoise in 2018, as thanks to the station remodelling in Limerick the tour will head to Galway via Limerick and the Western Rail corridor to Athenry. This has several advantages – it avoids the congested Portarlington – Athlone section, reduces the amount of repeated scenery for the travellers, and allows for shorter road transfers to the Cliffs of Moher for those taking that option.
Steam returns to Portlaoise! The Emerald Isle Explorer is a multi-day, mainly steam tour run by Steam Dreams in conjunction with the RPSI. Here GNR(I) 85 is seen blasting through Portlaoise with 0925 Dublin Connolly – Killarney leg of the tour on the 16th.
075 was always unique in never receiving the IÉ "plug and socket" logo on its ends. It is seen here passing Portarlington on the 20th with the 0920 North Wall – Ballina container train. It remains in black and silver at this time, looking ready for overhaul.
Having toured much of southern and western Ireland, the Emerald Isle Explorer calls at Portarlington for water on the 20th while working as the 0745 Westport – Dublin Connolly working.
I'm not really a steam man, although I will take a look if convenient, but of all the steam locos in Ireland this is probably my favourite, partly because it was built in Derby (local to me, even though I'm an LNER man really!), but also as it is probably the most flexible, able to operate either way with no loss of performance. It is also one of the most powerful.
Light engine moves for the PW department are common into Portlaoise, either from the ballast yard at Portarlington or further afield. Black and silver 074 arrives from the north to enter the PW yard.
The front end of the mark 4 control cars is quite impressive, and gives a modern impression perhaps lacking in the ICRs and 201 class! 4003 leads the 1020 Cork – Heuston through Portlaoise on a very sunny 17th July.
088 brings the Ballina – Waterford timber into Portarlington.
While Portlaoise has no revenue earning freight passing through, Portarlington is quite different. Major freight workings operate from Ballina and to a lesser extent Westport, to both Dublin (containers) and Waterford (containers and timber). In this 3 hour session three freight trains were seen, and there can be as many as six in a day.
This leads to line capacity issues between Portarlington and Athlone, especially in the ICR era as Galway passenger services have been enhanced in frequency. The Waterford services could in theory run via Limerick and Clonmel, but would require runround at Limerick as well as Athlone, and the line between Limerick and Limerick Junction is also well used. Trials have taken place of longer trains to reduce the paths required, but this causes issues with the e length of the loops on the sections west of Portarlington. However, the growth in traffic is welcome!
A 40 year old icon! 43073 brings up the rear of the 1315 St Pancras – Nottingham as it hurries through Beeston on the final leg of it's' journey.
The EMT power cars are now unique in retaining Paxman engines, as all other operators moved to MTU power units when their power cars were refurbished. The VP185 appears to be reliable enough though, and workings on the Midland are as punishing as elsewhere due to their start-stop nature and steep gradients. It does not seem over 30 years since I went down to see the HST on its' first day in service out of Nottingham in 1982, with the screaming Valenta drowning out the clatter of a peak on an adjacent platform.....
GMs came later to the UK than Ireland. EWS ordered 250, and other operators both in the UK and on mainland Europe boosted the orders until I believe over 600 were built. Distant cousins of the 201s, most are dedicated freight locos rather than the mixed traffic use the 201s get in Ireland.
66127 departs from the PW yard on the site of the former Beeston Freightliner terminal with 6X55, the 1449 Beeston -Toton materials working.
This was a special visit; my son was driving, and it was the first time I had seen him at the controls of a train other than in photographs.
A most unusual vehicle here. This mobile rail grinder is a road-rail unit, carrying EVN 99 80 9900 005-6. This is the road/rail cab end, based very much on standard lorry parts; the rail only cab at the other end is more conventional in rail terms. It is seen on the 28th in the upside siding at Portarlington.
Given the news that the Belmond was to be rerouted via Limerick in 2018, I took the advantage of a sunny day to visit Portarlington on the 28th to try and get decent sunlit portrait shots of each coach. As a bonus, 216 was not well so a very clean 218 was substituting, providing a little variety.
Another of the diminishing ranks of black and silver locos, 086 passes Portlaoise with a HOBS working bound for Limerick. As with most liveries, opinion is somewhat split on the merits of this one. I quite like it, and it looked good when new, but it has not aged well in some cases. However, the battleship grey with plain rectangular yellow end does not enhance these locos – IMHO!
Probably the highlight of my railway year was travelling on "The Munster Double" railtour, with the first public run of multiple working 071s in passenger service. To complement 071 in Supertrain livery, 073 was turned out in IR "Tippex" livery to match. The pair of locos make a fine site coupling to the Cravens at Connolly on a dull morning.
The tour was run to raise money for the overhaul to main line standards of 134, and the draw of a pair of 071s on a passenger service for the first time (officially) was sufficient draw to sell out the train; proof that the RPSI have learnt that the diesel market is different to the steam one. This recognition, both in the marketing and specification of tours, and the move to get 134, and others in due course, is a very welcome development.
The first photo-stop was at Thurles, where the gleaming pair are seen being admired by tour passengers. The arrival of a couple of hundred gricers intent on getting their shots bewildered normal passengers on the up platform waiting for the Dublin train; I don't think there were any casualties!
Contrast at Mallow; after visiting Cork, the train returned to Mallow with a stunning climb of the bank out of Cork. Here the locos ran round again for the run to Killarney and Tralee. After the ICR has arrived from Tralee, the road is now clear for the special to proceed west.
Resting! After running round the stock, the pair rest in pleasant afternoon sun before shunting back to the platform for the long run home.
Journey's end. Enthusiasts get their final shots under the trainshed at Connolly after arrival. The turnout and performance of the locos was a credit to those at Inchicore, as was the stock to the volunteers of the RPSI. This was my first RPSI tour, and I had a great day – I don't think anyone went home disappointed.
On the 24th, a test run for the Belmond was arranged to Limerick returning via the Western Rail Corridor. This was in connection with the previously mentioned route alteration planned for 2018. No 201s were available, so the new celebrity 073 was mobilised to work the train, seen here passing Portlaoise somewhat later than planned with the outward working.
The Sperry returned to Portlaoise on the 25th, and I was just able to get down after a call from fellow gricer Seamus who was lineside to the west of the town. The loco is seen here reversing into the yard.
The still very clean 073 is seen at Portarlington on the 13th back on normal duties for the class, with the 1105 Ballina – Waterford timber.
Winding down for the Christmas and New Year break in activity, a pair of 071s catch the low winter sun at Portlaoise PW Yard. 077 and 087 would depart for Inchicore a few days later.
Thanks for looking, and for all your comments on social media over the year. Due to a new job my activities will be more limited next year, but I hope to still take plenty of photos. A Happy New Year to you all!


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Dr. Noir's Friendly Tussle
It's me, Dr. Noir, back again! So get this: Diva and I played too rough. I got a scratch, it became infected, which caused an abscess. It was drained but I'm not going to feel good for a while, and I am embarrassed to go out with no hair on my tail and a cone on my head -- jeez!
Apparently it is common for small dogs to be injured playing with big dogs. I think that applies to humans, too.
At least it's easy for Dr. Lana to toss treats into my new cone.

subset: commoncrawl


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I rarely feel guilt as a mother. I'm confident that I am not totally screwing up in helping these four humans become self-sufficient members of society. But when Mother's Day rolls around, all of the guilt I could have felt during the rest of the year hits me in one gigantic ball of "you're not good enough" guilt. I also feel guilt for not loving Mother's Day when there are so many women who would like to be mothers, miss their mothers, or miss the children who made them mothers. It's a complicated day.
Today, though, I sit in a hospital room waiting for my child to return from surgery. It's nothing too serious; he broke his femur last year and they want to take the plate and 12 screws out so his bone can continue to grow and reduce his risk of breakage at the growth plates. But its a weird thing, sitting in a hospital room doing nothing but writing on your laptop while your child is being cut open and worked on.
I can hear the cries of children in neighboring rooms. Some cries sound awfully young and others sound like they are in awful pain. I wonder what they're here for, and my heart aches for them, but also for their parents. Watching your kids go through pain (physical and emotional) is so much more difficult than going through your own pain. That's what you cannot understand until you have had children. Until you have raised little human beings, you think that you know empathy, but it is so much heavier than you knew possible.
When my son first broke his femur, I had just returned home from a long trip with the youth from my church and was unpacking WHILE trying to pack for our family summer vacation we were to be leaving for the next day. I heard cries coming from the backyard and when I saw him clutching his leg on the trampoline, I said the same thing that I had said every other time someone got hurt on the trampoline, "You're fine. Just hop off and go chill out somewhere." At this point, you might be thinking what a wonderful mother I am. Where is my Mother of the Year trophy?
It gets worse.
He was still crying and clutching at his quad—he was not going to move on his own. So, I grabbed him and carried him over to a patio chair. Are you cringing yet? Yeah, I know. This is one of those "maybe you should feel more guilt on days other than Mother's Day" moments. "Dude, you're fine. Just breathe," I said. He tries, but the deep breath sends a shock of pain to his leg.
My husband and I look at each other and know that we have to take him to the hospital. Every slight bump or turn in the car and my little boy lets out a small shriek. I am realizing the severity of the situation every minute that we get closer to the hospital. His cries are now sending little jabs into my mothering heart. After we are admitted to the ER (and I get the first few of many disapproving head shakes reserved for those who own a trampoline), my son lies on the hospital bed and lets out the most pathetic sounds. I try to give him kisses and hold his hand, but he pleads that I don't touch him. "Can someone give him something for the pain?" I ask anyone who walks by our room.
I have turned into the Mama Bear. Just one hour before I was questioning his pain level and now I am demanding to get some professional attention to my poor baby. He's a little guy and fairly quiet, so to hear him crying in such agony was wrenching my heart. Finally we are told that he has broken his femur and will be admitted. The break will require surgery. Because he had eaten dinner shortly before jumping on the trampoline, they wouldn't be able to begin his surgery for hours, which turned into the following morning. All evening, they gave him doses of medicine, but he continued to feel a lot of discomfort. As soon as he would start drifting to sleep, his muscle would spasm and he would shriek at the pain. This went on all night. He went into surgery in the morning and the surgeon told us that it was significantly worse than the single fracture they had thought. He had three separate fractures going every which way on his femur, and she could not say enough about how much pain he must have felt.
My small eight-year-old boy got smaller in the following months as he wasn't able to play, swim, or participate in most of the summer activities. The first two weeks of the third grade, he pushed around a walker and wore a big brace that we called his "bionic leg." He smiled when people brought him treats, but silent tears rolled down his face when we went to family and neighborhood parties.
The subsequent doctor and physical therapy visits were taxing, but mostly because we saw so many children with issues MUCH more difficult than my son's. My heart broke for these kids and their parents, grateful for the patient nurses and doctors, for the hospital and all those who contributed to it. Life can be sincerely difficult, and a messy room, a broken tv, or a ruined tube of lipstick all seem wonderful and fun when you put them on the scale of human experience.
Today the anesthesiologist asked my son what flavor of sleep gas he wanted. After considering it for a few seconds, he asked if they had "glazed donut" flavor. The doctors and nurses all laughed and mused about such a great idea for a flavor of medicine. One of the residents, looking over the medical chart, said, "It's so nice to have a healthy kid," mostly to himself, but I couldn't agree more.
It is SO nice to have a healthy kid. Being a parent can be frustrating and trying and exhausting, but it is the best thing I have ever done. Mind you, I have done a lot of amazing and fantastic things in my life. I have travelled, worked, created, taught, accomplished, and continue to do these things. But having a kid (four of them!) has by far been the best thing I have chosen to do. I understand that some people do not wish to have children and I don't think anyone SHOULD have kids if they don't want them (plug for the gift of ADOPTION). But if they don't want to have children because they don't want anyone accidentally breaking the television, waking them up early Saturday morning or spilling cereal on the carpet, then they are MISSING OUT!
Mother's Day is a tricky day, to be sure, but somehow it's got to stop being about comparing what kind of mother you are, were, or want to be and what kind of mother you had. It's got to stop being about the brunch and what presents you give and get. This year, Mother's Day for me is right now, sitting in this empty hospital room, realizing the gratitude I have for the chance at being a mother. It is thinking about the hugs my children give me that sincerely feel like they are filled with healing powers. It is reminiscing about my mother sitting in her chair with her needlepoint project and grateful that she made the choice to have me.
My kids may never say cheesy sentiments about me being their angel mother (I'm looking at you, Abraham Lincoln) or send me to a spa while they clean the house and make my favorite dessert. That's okay by me. I'm just glad I get to be an imperfect mother of imperfect kids in an imperfect life that I love.
Happy Mother's Day, imperfect people.


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This tutorial helps you to understand the basic concepts of Salesforce.com (SFDC). Currently, Salesforce.com is the number one on-demand CRM application on the market. SFDC runs on the Force.com platform, reduces development cost, and with it you can develop and deploy custom applications in very short time.
Salesforce is a cloud computing technology. It is available on the cloud, There is no need to install any software and practically no hardware is required (outside of a computer with web browser).
In salesforce.com you can either develop our own applications or if you need any application on-demand, you can buy it from the App Exchange – a market place where SFDC users buy and sell custom applications.


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Neuroscientist Sebastian Seung wants to develop a better picture of the human brain – with your help. EyeWire is a browser-based game developed by Seung's lab at MIT that invites players to map the connections between retinal neurons:
[Creative director Amy] Robinson says it currently takes the lab around 50 hours to reconstruct one neuron, even with help from artificial intelligence. Multiply that by the 85 billion (the approximate number of neurons in a human brain), and you can see how they might need some help.
Turns out, citizen scientists are very good helpers. Humans are more adept at spotting the patterns of neuron connectors than most machines are, which is why every player's moves are recorded and fed to artificial intelligence to help machines get better at this very task. Since EyeWire's public launch in December, more than 70,000 people have played the game. In total, they've colored in more than a million 3-D neuron cubes (each cube represents a tiny chunk of brain), resulting in the mapping of 26 whole cells.
"It takes players about three minutes on average to complete a cube," says Robinson, "So they've spent an equivalent of six years of time on EyeWire since the launch." In the grand scheme of the brain, 26 cells might not seem like much, but that's a testament to the game's emphasis on accuracy (anywhere from five to 25 people will trace the same set of connectors before it's deemed valid).
(Photo via Eyewire)


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On Saturday, "Baby Bob" Irwin turned 9 years old. And judging by the crowds of people who were at Australia Zoo on the gorgeous sun-filled day, he had a very happy birthday!
We were there, the three cherubs and I, sunscreened to the max and with full water bottles weighing us down. It was a beautiful day!
I had hoped to follow our family favourite – the 10am otter feeding – with the 10.30 Feed the Elephants session… but I had not realised that they'd moved the Elephant feed to outside their enclosure, all the way on the other side of the zoo. Oops! Oh well. Tea cup rides and time on the Jumping Castle soothed Miss 4's extreme disappointment, and time in the sandpit near the dinosaur 'cave' was in order, prior to feeding the baby farm animals and then the midday Croc show. It being Robert's birthday, he came and fed a croc, as did Bindi; and Terri tried getting a uncooperative Mossman (the Zoe's largest Salt-Water Croc) to eat a feral pig. We sat up the back, and got a good view of the birds, with a lizard for company next to Miss 7.
Then it was kangaroo feeding time, pony ride time, and elephant feeding time…
Posts Tagged 'Holidays'
Zoo dayPosted: December 3, 2012 in Life, Random thoughts, Uncategorized
Tags: Child, Children, Family, Holidays
On Saturday, "Baby Bob" Irwin turned 9 years old. And judging by the crowds of people who were at Australia Zoo on the gorgeous sun-filled day, he had a very happy birthday!
Extended family visitsPosted: July 27, 2012 in Life
Tags: Family, History, Holidays
(LOL 'Extended family visits ' as in 'cousins', 'uncles', 'aunts' etc, not 'close family members staying for extended periods of time'!)
So I mentioned on Wednesday that my cousin is coming to stay with me. He arrives later today, and I'm really looking forward to it, seeing as I last laid eyes on him around 32 years ago, when I was 5 and he 7 or 8. He lives in Kent, and is travelling to Oz not to escape the Olympics but because his fiancé has just discovered her father (she's been looking for him her entire life) and he lives in the Whitsundays. So my cousin, his fiancé, and her two daughters, will be here in just a few hours, and will stay for almost a week with us before heading north for a few more weeks.
Just SOOOO excited!!! (Better go and clean the kitchen, hey!)
The weekend that wasPosted: April 10, 2012 in family anecdotes, Life
Tags: Children, Family, Holidays, relaxation
One of my Facebook updates yesterday afternoon spoke of how this Easter long weekend has been by far the best I've had in years. And I don't really know why, but then again, I don't really care why either. I'm just pretty stoked that it was so darn great!
Thursday (yes, I know, Thursday wasn't part of the weekend, but hey – it's my story, and I want to start on Thursday, okay?!! LOL) I took the kids to Pioneer Park at Landsborough for the morning. For those of you who don't know about Pioneer Park, it's probably the best kids playground (free, outdoor) on the southern half of the Sunshine Coast. It's fenced (a huge plus for a mum of an escape artist son – apparently quite a few autistic kids are like this!) and its playground equipment is specifically designed as 'all ability' ie. those with wheelchairs / specific physical needs can use the equipment too.
But I hadn't just taken the kids there for something to do; I'd arranged to meet Richard Bruinsma there too. I'd met him a couple of times before, in his role as Media Adviser to Peter Slipper MP, but this was different. This was an appointment with a purpose. And I'm excited to report that Bloxham Marketing has acquired the expertise of a extremely experienced journo (he was several years with Channel Seven prior to working for Mr Slipper) – and I'm ecstatic about that!!!
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday was also awesome. Time with Hubby and the kids at Kings Beach Pool, then Kings Beach itself, playing 'Where's my Water' with all three kids at the same time, church with Miss 4 who wandered up onto the stage while I was playing violin in the worship team, playing in the cubbyhouse with Mr 3, jumping on the trampoline with Miss 7, gardening, more gardening, baking cookies, watching movies, making curtains and yet more gardening, and exploring the worlds of tumblr, paper.li and google plus (again). Oh! And I also created my first ever A4 flyer -in Russian! And organized its printing and collection on Easter weekend (the manager of CCC's international program was flying out at 3am this morning, and only got the translation of his text back, late Thursday! MASSIVE kudos to John Sherrard-Smith of Middleton's Printing, Morayfield!) so that was pretty cool too…
All in all, a brilliant weekend. Now it's back into what will hopefully be an even more brilliant week… Full of appointments that will hopefully get me (and my family) the outcomes that we need…!
ParadisePosted: April 7, 2012 in Life, places to visit
Tags: Beach, Family, favourite places, Holidays, swimming, water
I am a very, very, very blessed person. I live in a free country, and in a very beautiful part of it. I have a wonderful husband and three gorgeous kids. I have a house to protect me from the elements, a vehicle to transport me and my family, a brilliant and fulfilling (although exhausting) job that helps to pay the mortgage and keep food in the fridge, and best of all I have a Saviour who considered me worth dying for.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing me so abundantly. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
(Photo taken this morning, at Kings Beach Pool, Caloundra)
Happy Easter! (maybe)Posted: April 3, 2012 in family anecdotes, Life, Random thoughts
Tags: Children, Easter, Holidays
Miss 7 brought home a few Easter chicks last week – Easter presents from teachers and friends, craft activities on the last day of school. Her favourite was a tiny pink fluffy thing, which she didn't want to put away in her bag, but insisted that 'she needed to be safe in her uniform pocket'.
Unfortunately… tiny pink fluffy chick, safe inside the uniform pocket, didn't take particularly well to her rendezvous with the washing machine and dryer.
(On the up-side, Easter holidays leave more opportunities to visit gorgeous places with our dogs…!)
It's party day…Posted: January 22, 2011 in momentous events
Tags: Education, emotional, Employment, favourite places, Holidays
I mentioned in last night's post that hubby and two daughters had birthdays in the past week. So today is party day. Yay – I think! (The rain's just started, and it looks like it's setting in.) Wish I'd had more sleep last night, rather than waking up every few hours, having dreamt about (yet more!) ant invasions.
Still, the point of this post is to reminisce the fifth momentous event in my life to date. And that was another celebration – much quieter though. MUCH. Internal, as a matter of fact. That 'want to jump out of your skin because you can't contain how happy you feel' kind of celebration. And the reason? Gaining full-time employment for the first time ever.
From memory, it was January 27, 1996. I was in the Principal's office in Chisholm Catholic College, Cornubia. I had spent the better part of my mental and emotional energies over the past fortnight being concerned that schools were going back. I had been offered the position of Music Coordinator of Mt Isa State High School since finishing my B.Ed a few months earlier, but, being only a few weeks married to a NAB Lending Officer based in Brisbane, had turned it down. So now I had found myself unemployed, with the schools going back. And with nervous energy to burn, had applied for and been given an interview for the position of Music Coordinator at Chisholm, a Term One replacement for Peter Shaw, who was on Long Service Leave.
So I sat in Mike Ashton's office, explaining who I was and trying to demonstrate how enthusiastic I was to have the opportunity to finally have my 'own class', rather than the classes of supervising teachers. I guess it must have worked, because Mike asked me to wait outside while he called my referees. Then he called me back in and offered me the job. I could hardly contain my excitement! I was engaged to start the very next day, and he took me for a quick tour of the school.
I think I may have impressed him that very first day. The students had returned, and he hadn't yet organised the relief for the Music classes that would start that afternoon. So I offered to take them. To start that day. He agreed, surprised yet probably relieved. And so my first day's (well, half day's) work was that same afternoon. What a ride! And what an excellent school! And when I left at the end of Term Three, (a Maths / Science teacher had taken maternity leave in Terms Two and Three, so Mike had rearranged the timetable so the classes were covered internally, and so I could stay there, teaching English and Music classes,) I couldn't have asked for a better start to my career. I learned so much, grew so much, and gained far more than I thought would have been possible. Even now, I'm smiling.
I've been thinking about that quite a bit this week. Again, I find myself in the position of being 'unemployed', with the schools going back. And again, I find myself with huge amounts of nervous energy to burn. I need a job. No, really, I NEED a job. Know of one I could have?
'Where the rainforest meets the reef'Posted: January 8, 2011 in places to visit, Random thoughts
Tags: being organised, blogging, favourite places, Holidays, my caravan, Pragmatism
I love that slogan. It's just so picturesque. And it's certainly got me hooked. I want to see it for myself, which is why the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation area (apparently now all just called 'the Daintree', to encourage tourism) is number three on the list of four 'places I want to visit prior to death or rapture'.
And the good bit is – unlike the Kimberley's, which was number two on the list – it's (apparently…) accessible by caravan! (Yesterday's post described how enamoured I am with my caravan, if you missed it.) Although, having travelled that far, up to the Daintree from all the way down here in S.E.Qld, I'd probably want to keep on going and end up right at the northern tip of our country. Just to experience it, and be able to gloat that I'd been. But apparently, taking caravans further north than the Daintree is just foolhardy. Again – a pity. But that's okay… I'll get there one day! (Hopefully I have a lot of time left before my death /rapture…)
So I have the caravan, the 4WD, and the road to get all the way to the Daintree. Which means that the only thing holding me back is 'time'. Cos I have absolutely NO idea on exactly how long it would take to drive that far. And once we got there, how long would we want to spend exploring the area? A week? Two? A month? More? And how about exploring the areas on the way up / the way back? (To date, we've 'seen' as far as Yeppoon, with the exception of when we flew into Proserpine and bussed to Airlie Beach on the way to the Whitsundays for a pre-kid holiday.)
Which brings me to my dilemma. I'd like to spend at least 3 weeks there, I'd say. Minimum. Plus a week up(-ish?) and about a similar time back. Around 6 weeks or so. Which is tricky to find when hubby only gets 4 weeks off a year. But I'll manage something, I'm sure. Stay tuned… I'll blog our adventures one day, I promise! But not tomorrow. No – tomorrow we head overseas again. Destination Number Four, last on my list, promises to be one to fill the senses. Intrigued? Well, have a lovely day and I'll see you same time, same place, tomorrow!
PS Some more piccies – again, taken by others. Unfortunately.
CC Images courtesy:
Daintree rivers
from thiery49
Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the ocean By dirk huijssoon
River in the Daintree
from Mozzer
Travel all over the countryside…Posted: January 7, 2011 in places to visit, Random thoughts
Tags: being organised, blogging, favourite places, Holidays, my caravan, Pragmatism
I was one of those kids, growing up in the early eighties, addicted to the Leyland Brothers. What a brilliant show it was! What a sense of adventure it instilled in me, together with the desire to see as much of this wonderful country as I possibly can.
Here I am though, a few decades later, and still barely left Queensland except to do short trips just on the other side of the border. Fartherest south to date? Melbourne. (But that was too cold for me. I'm a sun lover, and probably always will be.)
But all that will change. I'm determined. I am recently the proud owner of a gorgeous, brand-new Montana Hastings caravan, and plan on using it as much as I possibly can to see as much of this extraordinary country as possible! It's a pretty tiny thing, especially when the three kids are underfoot as was the case just the other week when we were stuck on the 'island' of 1770, unable to travel due to the 6+metres of water covering both access roads. (By the way, if you were planning on using the Baffle Creek road any time in the next four months, don't. It'll be out for at LEAST that long, they're saying. The bridge will need complete replacement. Sorry about that, being the bearer of bad news an' all.) Anyway… back to my caravan…
Yes, I LOVE it. The kids do too. And hubby doesn't mind it either, which is pretty good seeing as he does all the organising of maintainence, all the driving (to date, anyway! I think he's a little worried I'll roll it…) and understands all the ins and outs of the fridge workings and the tuning in of the TV antenna. (Both extremely important, I've discovered!) So we'll be getting away whenever we can, and 'seeing' Australia for ourselves.
Well, as much as we can, anyway. Unfortunately, there are a number of places I'd like to take it, but it's just not going to happen. And today's post, (which was meant to be the second of four on 'places I want to visit prior to death or rapture', but kinda got sidetracked onto 'my caravan',) is on one of those places. It's the Kimberleys, over there in WA. A gorgeous spot, judging by all I've heard, but not particularly kind to caravans. Pity. I could spend ages just looking at photos taken from that region of our great land. (Could, but don't. Too darn busy.) But just looking isn't going to cut it for me. I want to SEE those places with my own eyes. So once the younger two are out of nappies, I'll be planning it. Maybe I'll still be blogging then, and take you all with me in my laptop bag?! LOL!
Til tomorrow, when we meet Destination Three…
PS Just thought I'd share some (other people's) photos that inspire me…
CC Images courtesy:
Kimberley Ranger Forum 2010
from KimberleyLandCouncil
Bell Gorge
from Chip_2904
Hiking through the Bungle Bungles
from David Busch Aus
Palm Spring S32663
from yaruman5
Okay, okay. We get the picture now.Posted: January 4, 2011 in #blog12daysxmas, places to visit, Random thoughts
Tags: #blog12daysxmas, being organised, Christmas Price Index, health, Holidays, Pragmatism, relationships, The Twelve Days of Christmas
I can't recall coming across many sarcastic songs. But I think I've just realised, at the age of 36, that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" which I had always thought of as a beautiful love song, is one such song. Over the past twelve days, I've looked at each and every gift, making comment on the meaning behind the gift, and the possible intention of the giver – the so-called 'True Love'.
Initially, I was impressed at his pragmatism. He gave gifts that showed his understanding of the real world. That relationships need practicality too. The partridge and pear tree, both edible, came before the two turtle doves – symbols of devoted love. Hens and more edible birds followed.
As the days went past, the 'True Love's organisational skills impressed me. Not only was he able to source some pretty interesting gifts (geese that always laid, swans known for their singing ability) but he also managed to get a LOT of them. Six geese per day, since Day 6, means (let's see my maths skills in action again, shall we…) that today we now stand at 42 geese. Seven swans per day since day 7 means 42 of them too. That's a lot, in my opinion. Finding them, purchasing them and organising them all to arrive on the exact day that they were needed, would have been a task-and-a-half as well, I'd say.
But then the sheer enormity of her household started making more and more of an impression. By Day 8 we were adding people. Milkmaids (with cows, I'm assuming), then ladies dancing, then leaping lords (which again would have been a difficult find!). And finally yesterday, we added musicians. Eleven bagpipers would certainly add to the cacophony.
All of which led to my change in opinion. From incredulity, to suspicion. (Okay, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, I'll admit it. Took me til Day 11.) With that much noise, I'm now of the opinion that his intentions may actually have been the opposite of what I had originally thought. I'm starting to think that he may not have been particularly fond of the singer – rather, he wanted to give her a mental breakdown. My proof? Circumstantial, I admit it, but still. Today's gift is drummers. Twelve of them. All drumming. What's the bet that they don't just perform one song?! So by now, we have… 12 drummers, 22 bagpipers, 30 lords flirting with 27 dancing ladies and 40 milkmaids (and I'm guessing, at LEAST 40 cows), 42 swans, 42 geese, 40 pheasants, 36 blackbirds, 30 hens, 22 turtle doves, 12 partridges and 12 pear trees (well… at least they're quiet!)
Now I don't know about you, but that to me sounds as though he has had a bit of an agenda, and disguised it with supposed kindness. Sneaky. Underhanded. Not the nicest person you'd want to be your 'True Love'. So all in all, I'm left feeling rather disappointed. I hadn't expected that this process would end up as a bit of a downer. Sorry, folks.
On a happier note though, I must admit that I'm very glad I joined in this #blog12daysxmas challenge. I had expected it to be a more difficult task, blogging each day, than it was. Maybe it was easier due to holidays, or something, but now that I've started, I've decided to continue blogging. And I like the idea of using a 'list' on which to structure my writing. @haikugirlOz gave me the idea, actually, tweeting about Wilsons Promenade – a place I'd love to go to, but haven't. (Yet!) So that's my plan. Starting tomorrow, I'll work through the Top 4 places I'd like to visit one day, and why. Stand tuned for Ancient Rome, this time tomorrow! Have a lovely rest-of-the-day, dear readers!!!
Nine ladies dancing…Posted: January 2, 2011 in #blog12daysxmas, Random thoughts
Tags: #blog12daysxmas, being organised, Christmas Price Index, Holidays, pets
By now, there would be a lot of birds at the singer's house. Just a quick tally tells us that there would be: 9 partridges, 16 turtle doves, 21 hens, 24 colly birds, 25 pheasants, 25 geese and 21 swans. There would also be at least one cow (although it's more likely that there would be AT LEAST eight of them!) and eight milkmaids. So – to today's gift. Let's just add nine ladies, shall we? And yes, they'll probably have to dance just to get around all the others! (Although that's not entirely true. The 21 swans should be in the lake, you'd think. The requirement was that they be excellent swimmers…) And perhaps that's why the lords coming tomorrow need to be skilled in leaping?! Hehe! Still, it's an interesting household to ponder.
Speaking of pondering, I'm going to continue this thought with my head on my pillow. It's been a long one today, and I'm exhausted. Sunburnt too, which makes it more pronounced, I think. Sorry it's a short one today, dear readers.
See you tomorrow!


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DON'T BUY IN GUILDFORD or BASSENDEAN UNTIL YOU'VE SEEN THIS ONE.
Charming, quaint, appealing. These words just don't do this home justice.
If you just love the character of yesteryear, this is the home for you.
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Features Include:
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Don't miss out. Call Shane or Brad today.
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Your request has been sent to the supplier.


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Directory-2010 of Jat Officers of Rajasthan compiled by 'Jat Officers Social Forum' was released on 14th Nov.2010 in JOSF's Diwali Milan Samaroh at Krishna Garden, Mansarowar, Jaipur.Copy of Directory can be obtained by paying Rs.100/- in cash from the following places:
1. Ishwar Singh Burdak 14, Indira Nagar, Tonk Road, Jaipur Mob.No.9314422530
2. Dr. Surendra Abusaria A-3,Hari Nagar, Shashtri Nagar, Jaipur
Mob. No. 9414262899
3. Sh.Hari Ram Choudhary B-21, Hari Nagar, Shastri nagar, Jaipur
Mob.No. 9414744130
4. Sh.R. K. Singh Ruhela K-24 ,Income Tax Colony Durgapura, Jaipur. Mob.No.- 9413344859
5. Sh Laxman Singh Burdak Behind Sadar Thana,Piprali Road,Sikar
Mob.No. 9461536299
6. Sh. S.S. Sinsinwar, AGM, BSNL, Bharatpur Mob. No. 9413394849
7. Dr. Chandradeo 15, Choudhary Colony, Kartarpura, Jaipur
Mob.No. 9829379899


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# The multiplication of ministry to children through our international students.
# The purchase of new quad bikes for Camp Raglan.
# Incredibly life changing results through the Raglan camps.
# God's presence in our holiday camps and all the children who came to know the Lord.
# People challenged and encouraged as a result of our training courses both in New Zealand and overseas.
New Zealand Prayer Needs
Pray for…..
# God's hand to multiply all we undertake at CBM.
# For the health of the CBM Staff and their families.
# Survival Camp in July that God will touch the lives of these young people and that they will have a week of positive memories.
# Volunteers to work alongside our full-time staff, to help us cope with an ever-increasing workload.
# The hundreds of children that CBM staff in Auckland reach out to in regular weekly programs.
International Prayer Needs
Pray for…..
# The continuing translation of our curriculum's.
# Provision of $6000 for travel and training in Africa.
# The necessary finance to provide subsidised curriculum for the churches in Mozambique.
# Health for all our CBM teams worldwide.
# Those attending training courses that they will receive a vision from God and the determination and skill to put into practice what they have learned.


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Catherine Newborn | Schwenksville, PA Newborn Photographer
One of the things that surprised me most about running a business is reconnecting with people from my past. It may be one of my favorite parts of this photography journey. Maura and I went to the same college and had several common friends. During her daughter's newborn session it was fun to reminisce about college life and our old stomping ground. We had a relaxed morning and even got a few pictures with their first babies ;) I was so surprised when I walked into their home to find that our daughters have similar colored nurseries and the same curtains! We also had the same master bedroom furniture :) Great minds think alike! Enjoy these pictures of this super sweet and smiley little girl.


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|EndNote Workshop Thursday, December 13, 2018, 11am – 1pm
Campus Location:Peter J. Shields Library
Room:165 (Library Instruction Lab)
Location of Event:UC Davis Campus
Contact Email:email@example.com
Contact Phone #:530-754-7348
Event Type:Workshops and Training
Presented by:Shields Library
Sponsored by:UC Davis Library
Use EndNote to store, manage, and format references in your writing. Class will cover: creating EndNote libraries, adding citations to your libraries, direct export of citations from article databases, output styles, and Cite While You Write (using EndNote with Microsoft Word).
PLEASE NOTE: EndNote is no longer licensed campus-wide. Many campus departments have decided to continue with EndNote so you should check with your departmental IT contact before signing up for this class.
|View Calendar
|PrintGet Event Link


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From the official disk imaging it is clear that the European Commission began investigating the facts that have posted complaints European tube manufacturers. Not counting the Belarusian companies mentioned in the complaints Metallurgical Plant China, Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The investigation will go fifteen months.Confirmed at the plant "Freedom" information about the intention of the European Commission, but not dubbed circumstances that caused such sanctions. Chief engineer said that the circumstances did not know.Mogilev Metallurgical Plant produces a wide range of pipes. Most of the products sold in the CIS countries. In soon in the structure of the manufacturing
Continue reading Mogilev Metallurgical Plant products may fall under sanctions


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Year 5 SATs 10-Minute Tests
£15.95 RRP: £17.85 You Save £1.90
✔ In Stock
Product code: EN9153
Created by: Exam Ninja
FREE Delivery for orders over £40.
After a full school day, after school clubs, a family dinner and assorted homework, children feel tired. A full 60 minute practice test is often counterproductive.
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These Year 5 SATs 10-Minute Tests are a superb exam preparation tool. The short, fun tests are easy to fit into a busy day, boosting confidence and productivity.
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Dose-ranging Study of PRX-102 in Adult Fabry Disease Patients
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01678898
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : September 5, 2012
Last Update Posted : April 19, 2016
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Condition or disease
|Fabry Disease
|Drug: PRX-102
|Phase 1 Phase 2
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|18 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|None (Open Label)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|A Phase 1/2, Open Label, Dose Ranging Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Exploratory Efficacy Parameters of PRX-102 Administered by Intravenous Infusion Every 2 Weeks for 12 Weeks to Adult Fabry Patients
|Study Start Date :
|October 2012
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|December 2015
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|January 2016
Experimental: 0.2 mg/kg
PRX-102 0.2 mg/kg every 2 weeks
Drug: PRX-102
Other Name: plant cell expressed recombinant human alpha-galactosidase-A
Experimental: 1 mg/kg
PRX-102 1 mg/kg every 2 weeks
Drug: PRX-102
Other Name: plant cell expressed recombinant human alpha-galactosidase-A
Experimental: 2 mg/kg
PRX-102 2 mg/kg every 2 weeks
Drug: PRX-102
Other Name: plant cell expressed recombinant human alpha-galactosidase-A
- Adverse events [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]Reportings of adverse events reported by the patient and from monitoring with clinical laboratory, physical examination and ECG
- Gb3 concentrations [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]Gb3 concentrations in plasma and urine sediment
- Kidney function [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]Measurement of glomerular filtration and proteinuria
- Pain [ Time Frame: 12 Weeks ]Short term brief pain inventory
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Symptomatic adult Fabry patients (≥18 yrs)
- Males: plasma and/or leucocyte alpha galactosidase activity (by activity assay) less than lower limit of normal (LLN in plasma=3.2 nmol/hr/ml, LLN in leucocytes=32 nmol/hr/mg/protein)
- Females: historical genetic test results consistent with Fabry mutations
- Globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) concentration in urine > 1.5 times upper normal limit
- Patients who have never received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in the past, or patients who have not received ERT in the past 6 months and have a negative anti alpha galactosidase antibody test
- eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m2
- The patient signs informed consent
- Female patients and male patients whose co-partners are of child-bearing potential agree to use a medically acceptable method of contraception, not including the rhythm method
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participation in any trial of an investigational drug within 30 days prior to study screening
- Chronic kidney disease stages 3-5 (CKD 3-5) (Appendix 7)
- History of dialysis or renal transplantation
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy initiated or dose changed in the 4 weeks prior to screening
- Severe myocardial fibrosis by MRI (≥2 late-enhancement [LE] positive left ventricular segments) (Weidemann et al. 2009)
- History of clinical stroke
- Pregnant or nursing
- Presence of HIV and/or HBsAg and/or Hepatitis C infections
- Known allergies to ERT
- Known allergy to Gadolinium based contrast agents
- Presence of any medical, emotional, behavioral or psychological condition that, in the judgment of the Investigator and/or Medical Director, would interfere with the patient's compliance with the requirements of the study
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01678898
|United States, California
|UC Davis Medical Center, MIND Institute Department of Pediatrics, Section of Genetics
|Sacramento, California, United States, 95817
|United States, Georgia
|Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine
|Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322
|United States, Iowa
|University of Iowa Health Clinics
|Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 52242
|United States, Kansas
|University of Kansas Medical Center
|Kansas City, Kansas, United States, 66160
|United States, Maryland
|Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
|Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21205
|United States, North Carolina
|Duke University Medical Center
|Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27710
|United States, Pennsylvania
|Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15224
|United States, Texas
|Research Baylor Institute of Metabolic Disease
|Dallas, Texas, United States, 75226
|United States, Virginia
|O & O Alpan LLC
|Fairfax, Virginia, United States, 22030
|Royal Melbourne Hospital
|Victoria, Australia, 3050
|Hematology and Clinical Research Private Institute
|Asuncion, Paraguay
|Clinical Center of Serbia
|Belgrade, Serbia
|Hospital de Dia Quiron Zaragoza
|Zaragoza, Spain, 50012
|United Kingdom
|The Royal Free Hospital
|London, United Kingdom, NW3 2QG
|Study Director:
|Einat Almon, PhD
|Responsible Party:
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01678898 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|First Posted:
|September 5, 2012 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|April 19, 2016
|Last Verified:
|April 2016
Keywords provided by Protalix:
Fabry disease
Alpha galactosidase deficiency
Metabolic storage disease
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Fabry Disease
Lysosomal Storage Diseases, Nervous System
Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn
Brain Diseases, Metabolic
Brain Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
Nervous System Diseases
Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases
Cerebrovascular Disorders
Vascular Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Genetic Diseases, X-Linked
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Metabolism, Inborn Errors
Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors
Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Metabolic Diseases
Lipid Metabolism Disorders


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To get a meal at Our Daily Bread, you can buy 22 meals for a $20 gift card. If you just want an individual meal, that will cost you $5, says Pastor Jim Reimer, whose Kootenay Christian Fellowship runs the soup kitchen.
Reimer says that system means not many transients eat there.
"If a visitor [to Nelson] comes and they want to eat here, we ask for $5 to cover the cost of it. What that does is eliminate the transients. They say, 'I could go to a restaurant then,' and I say, 'Okay, go for it.'"
Reimer says if a person is destitute they can do volunteer work for a meal.
Sometimes people take others out for lunch on their meal card, Reimer says. "Poor people don't take people out for lunch. But if they have a meal card, they can say, 'I am buying you lunch today.'" Reimer says it can be a source of pride.
But payments for meals don't cover the cost of food, and Our Daily Bread also has to pay the costs of having a building.
"We need a building to serve a hot meal, and a building costs money, for insurance, lights, phones, computer services," Reimer says. "If you want to apply for welfare these days you need a computer and we offer computer service. We have a nurse practitioner. We are participating in getting housing for folks and supporting them that way. This is a place where people congregate, a gathering place. Our Daily Bread is a social place where they can connect with others. Come here at noon and hear the communication and laughter. It is a tremendous thing."
Last year the organization's income was $87,000, from private donations, the RDCK, and earnings of the organization's SHARE store. But it was not enough to cover costs.
"We depend on the goodwill of the people. There are lots of good projects in Nelson, so people have to decide who they are going to support, and every year another one comes up, and that is good. Like Ward St. Place, an awesome project. But there is donor fatigue out there."
Despite the funding problems, Reimer has big plans for a housing development on their Kootenay St. property, and he will be making a presentation to city council soon for assistance.
"It's fine for people in Nelson to talk about affordable housing," he says, "but it is not going to just happen. Someone has to be willing to pay for it."
In the meantime, the kitchen keeps on putting out 50 to 80 meals a day to appreciative diners.


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Stormont Vail Selects Orion Health's Rhapsody
Integrated healthcare system will use Rhapsody Integration Engine® to migrate and integrate more than 130 interfaces systemwide
Topeka, Kan. — August 2, 2016 — Orion Health™ announced today that Stormont Vail Health (SVH) has selected Orion Health's Rhapsody Integration Engine® to replace a legacy engine that could no longer meet their integration and interoperability needs. Rhapsody achieves rapid interoperability between healthcare IT systems, which enables connected solutions in less time and at a lower cost. Rhapsody can support all healthcare message formats and standards, which include HL7® (v2 and v3), HL7 FHIR®, CCDA, NCPDP, X12, IHE, DICOM, XML, binary, delimited and legacy formats.
Based in Topeka, Kansas, SVH is made up of providers, primary care and specialty physician clinics, a 586-bed acute care hospital and other services. In January 2016, the IT team at SVH undertook a rigorous selection process in which they reviewed the top vendors listed by KLAS and then narrowed it down to their top two. After running parallel Proof of Concept (POC) projects and in-depth due diligence into the shortlisted candidates, Rhapsody was selected as the Integration Engine to which SVH will migrate over all of their interfaces.
"I wanted a product that my team would enjoy using every day," said Judy Corzine, administrative director and CIO of SVH. "My team was much more comfortable with Rhapsody's Integrated Development Environment (IDE) than anything else they had seen and they were very confident that they would be able to migrate all of the interfaces to Rhapsody without the need to hire any additional IT staff." Corzine added that Rhapsody gives SVH the ability to expand functionalities and components without incurring additional capital expenses.
SVH also felt more assured with Orion Health's migration strategy, which includes a conversion tool that will help convert its legacy interfaces (written in Monk) into new Rhapsody interfaces with minimal changes.
Orion Health's training plan includes both in-person and online (certification) programs, with simple to understand and engaging self-paced learning. Further, Rhapsody gives users an online wiki (called "Doki") where users can quickly and easily access documentation and answers, rather than having to search an index-based help file.
SVH's vision is to be a national leader in providing compassionate, high-quality and efficient integrated care through collaboration that results in a healthier community. SVH leaders recognized that leveraging the right technology is a critical factor in achieving effective and efficient coordinated care, which helped drive their decision to choose Rhapsody.
"The pricing—which includes an unlimited license—met my expectations," said Corzine. "I was very happy with the contracting process and feel that we have chosen a stable, long-term partner."
"We are privileged to be selected by SVH to help fulfill their vision with the right technology to meet their integration and interoperability needs," said Baz Patel, sales director at Orion Health. "Rhapsody provides a comprehensive set of tools that will help SVH with their current requirements to get off their legacy engine with zero risk, and the same platform will accommodate any new and future requirements."
Media Contacts:
Sarah Putt
Corporate Marketing Manager
E: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Prenatal Yoga uses the wisdom of yoga to eas and support expecting moms throughout all the stages of pregnancy. Honoring where the body is at and the chemical and hormonal changes taking place during this special time, we will move through poses safely and slower than normal vinyasa flow class. Many of the discomforts associated with pregnancy such as swelling, back pain and constipation among other things can be aided through a yoga practice. Breathing exercises and meditative moments will also foster strength in preparation to endure the birthing process. This class is designed to create a sacred space of community and connection to others going through the journey and be able to tap inward into intuition and the honor the intelligence of the body.
All trimesters are welcome.
LEVEL: All trimesters TEMPERATURE: No-Heat TIME: 60 minutes


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Sugarboo, Sugarboo, We Love You! Enjoy 10% off art, pillows, and accessories by Sugarboo Designs. Perfect for Mother's Day! Stop in to see the adorable collection in person.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: April 1620% OFF LEE INDUSTRIES UPHOLSTERY
Later Event: June 115% off all regular priced wall art and photo frames!


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Cabinet Division Pakistan Government Jobs 2017: Cabinet Division is inviting applications from eligible candidates for different post like Staff Drivers, Naib Qasid, Dispatch Riders and Other Support Staff. Recommended qualification and work experience is as following. Eligible candidates can apply to the post in prescribed manner. Applications which are incomplete,late or hand written will not be intertained. Only those candidates will be callled for test or interview who are short listed. No TA/DA will be paid to the candidates for Test/Interview. Last date for submission of applications and required documents is 18th November 2017.
Cabinet Division Pakistan Government Jobs 2017:
|Name of the Department: Cabinet Division Pakistan Government
|Total Number of Vacancies: 39
|Location of Job: Islamabad
|Last Date To Apply: 18th November 2017
for more jobs alerts keep visiting https://www.pakjobsnow.com


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Our Ladder Slide & Secure system is a cost effective, safe and hassle free way to load ladders quickly and easily without the need for a roller, ladder clamps or climbing on the roof. Made from anodised aluminium, the system is aerodynamic, lightweight, and extremely strong and won't rust.
All our innovation is underpinned by comprehensive safety testing and rigorous quality control. Our van roof systems and Ladder Slide & Secures have been crash tested to 20g. This means that we know they will remain secure in both normal and accident conditions.
All our systems and processes are externally accredited to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. This means you can be confident that we will consistently provide van products that meet your needs, on time, and in a way that minimises our impact on the environment.
Please click on the link below to view the relevant reports as PDF files.
Van Guard Sled Test Report – May 2013 - An impact sled test performed on 4 ULTI Bars, Load Stops, Pipe Carrier and Ladder Slide & Secure.
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Seoul: Sites to See
Gwanghwamun Gate & Gyeongbokgung Palace
One of the most iconic sites in Seoul, we got to the gate just as they were doing a changing of the guard procession. We waited outside the gates until it was finished and once inside we saw hundreds of people who were watching from the other side. This was definitely the most crowded tourist attraction we came across, but it was still no trouble to get in. The site is also huge, so it never felt overwhelmingly filled with people.
National Folk Museum of Korea
Accessible after exiting the palace grounds, the museum is free and air conditioned! They have interesting exhibits of what life used to be like in Korea and how various traditions developed. One of there special exhibits while we were there was about building a city from scratch. To prevent overcrowding in metropolitan areas the government had to develop rural parts of the country to create new cities. In doing so many people were displaces from their homes and farms they had lived on for generations. Some went back to live in apartments in the new city once it was completed, but many had settled down elsewhere.
Samcheongdong-gil Road
After leaving the Museum we made our way to Samcheongdong-gil road to find some patbingsoo (shaved ice with ALL the toppings ever). It's hot and humid in September and we had been walking around for a couple hours already. This road is one of the top rated on Tripadvisor for the area and it was easy to see why when we got there. Super trendy and lined with restaurants, clothing stores, some art galleries, and cafes. It's a great place to rest in between site seeing. It's Near the Hanok village, you can begin to see changes in the architecture.
Bukchon Hanok Village
One of my favorite spots, and clearly a popular place for photographers. This is essentially a neighborhood in Seoul. Initially I expected it to be outside further outside the city but it's super accessible. We walked here and had a difficult time finding the right road to turn down because it's very tucked away. There are signs everywhere asking visitors to please be quiet and respectful, as the Hanok are still peoples houses. It's quiet there, and everyone walking along is snapping pictures of the architecture.
Changdeokgung Palace
Another one of the more crowded tourist attractions we found while in Seoul. There is a garden tour, that we sadly missed. It costs a little extra and starts at various times. There are english tours available as well. The only way to get into the garden is with a tour, so be sure to check start times before you get there. Even though we missed the garden it was still a great place to look around and take a walk. The area is huge so give yourself some time and take some breaks.
Jongmyo Shrine
Just south of Changdeokgung palace you'll find jongmyo shrine. If you're doing this after the palaces than you'll probably be exhausted and tired of taking nice walks so I wouldn't recommend doing all of this in one day. There are several buildings to see, and a movie. Smaller than the palace grounds it takes much less time to get through and see everything. There is an admission fee and only one entrance, but its only 1000 krw it get in. Afterwards head to the Gwangjang market which is just across the street.
GwangJang Market
At first I struggled to decide whether I should put this in this post or a separate one for just food. But this market is truly a site, whether or not you eat here. Crowded and filled with all the food I ever wanted to try while in Korea. This is the kind of market I would go to if someone was filming me for the food network. Be fearless and try something. My boyfriend was not fearless and dragged me out of here before we could try anything, something I'll continue to bring up until I get over it. They have traditional food here, lots of vegetables, and some fish. But for Fish I'd recommend the Noryangjin Fish Market, where you can buy it live and have it cooked for you there.
Seoul Tower
Make the journey to Seoul Tower by cable car. We went during the day, but night is supposed to be even better. It can get very crowded on the cable cars when it's busy, so if the height is already not sitting well with you try heading up earlier in the day. There's an additional fee to go up the tower and multiple experience to choose from. There's even a hello kitty island on one of the floors!
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
I'd seen pictures of the design plaza before and figured we'd stumble upon it eventually. It ended up being a little out of our way, but there's a lot to do around it as well. The design plaza is this huge structure! You've probably seen pictures before. There's a lot to explore inside, including shops and a museum. Nearby there's also shopping, and what is called the fashion complex. It's a lot like the other covered markets in Seoul, but only clothing and things people use to make clothing. The complex is inside it's on building a little ways from the design plaza, and massive.
Noryangjin Fish Market
This is where you go to pick out a giant crab, squid, fish, or shrimp. Another site that was a little bit out of the way for us, but luckily right on a subway line. They have every sea creature here. The smell was fishy, to say the least. Because of that try getting their earlier in the day and it might be better. You can buy the fish you want from various vendors on the ground floor. Up the stairs leads to small restaurants where you take the fish you bought to be prepared.


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Welcome to Investment Capital Partners, your local source for all things lending in the world of investment, both residential and commercial.
You have found the lender that is committed to your success. How do you know? Because we are willing to say NO. We help you evaluate potential investment property and when the numbers do not make sense, we will let you know and we will say no to funding the loan request. We would rather say no to a loan request that does not make sense than put you into a situation that will be bad for your financial health.
We offer you a wide variety of loan products to fit your needs and the needs of the project.


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Skeleton X-Ray Foot Shoes
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Product Description
No, you didn't just turn into Superman, these x-ray skeleton shoes just make it look like you can see your bones! These mens shoes are a black dress shoe with a black shoe string. There is a painted white skeleton of a foot on the shoe to make it look like an x-ray of your own foot. Pair them up with one of our skeleton costumes to get a classic skeleton look from head to toe!
Attention Customer
This product has restrictions that limit the countries that we can ship to. This product cannot be shipped to Mexico
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Careers in TAL Germany
At TAL we believe that people are the most valuable asset of our company and the key factor behind our success.
We are looking for results-oriented team players who are interested in working in an international context and committed to meeting business goals.
We develop our professionals to meet high quality standards and to aim for excellence in every aspect of their work.
Our wealth of knowledge is based on continuous training and on the integration of old and new resources through the combination of experience and innovation.
Joining TAL means being part of a group and working in a stimulating environment where you can grow everyday and leverage your know-how, commitment and professionalism.
Currently there are no vacancies available.
Deutsche Transalpine Ölleitung GmbH
Paul-Wassermann-Str. 3
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Read: The Privacy Policy


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A satellite event of the 2013 fall meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in San Francisco, California.
How does the neural circuitry of the brain create speech, and what are the constraints on this process? In the past several years, there has been exciting progress on many aspects of this topic, and at this symposium we will hear from many of the leaders in the field who are advancing it. In a full-day symposium, a series of twelve speakers will present the latest findings on the neural control of speech output, how sensory feedback interacts with it, and how learning plays a role in the process.
Free registration is available here. Lunch is provided. Please note: you can attend this event without registration, this is simply to give us an idea of numbers. Thank you!
Date: Sunday, December 1, 2013
Time: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Location: Genentech Hall Auditorium, UCSF Mission Bay Campus 600 16th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158
Contact: John Houde firstname.lastname@example.com
Schedule: See the symposium event page.


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Drills of the Week/
Here are your weekly top individual training drills that can be found on social media from the past week from our friends and partners.
This week's drills feature Ella Masar on YFutbol, AthleteFIT GameSpeed Program, Vogel Soccer Mastery, Beast Mode Soccer in Alaska, Trainer Gorres with Crystal Dunn and Nate Burkey and an Amplified Soccer Athlete training video. As always, make sure and follow them for more!
Improve your first touch and shooting with Ella Masar and YFutbol
Partner Passing Drill from Trainer Gorres featuring Crystal Dunn and Nate Burkey
AthleteFIT working on integrating first touch, ball control, reset touches and athletic balance
Fall GameSPEED Program - working on integrating first touch, ball control, reset touches and athletic balance. Quickly repositioning your body around the ball should be a focus of early stage programming. Bad touches will happen, but quick athletic repositioning keeps you in control of the chaos. #Footwork #Skill #Agility #SoccerFIT #GameSPEED #30DayChallenge
Check out the Wall Passing Developmental Workout program from AthleteFIT which combines athletic balance, ball control and passing drills (from the SoccerFIT Skills Manual) into 2 wall passing workouts you can do almost anywhere. No need for a partner, just some open space and a wall to kick against. This is the first program from our passing series, focusing on confident first touch, quick repositioning, and combinations that will lead into attacking and finishing drills. This program is designed to be viewed from your phone or tablet, and each exercise is linked to video for quick reference during your workouts. Get the full program now
Beast Mode Soccer provided this ball control drill this week from a camp in Alaska
#teamBMS is in Fairbanks Alaska this week doing a technical development camp! Caught @beastmodesoccersea trainer OT working his control with a move he made up. Receive the ball with the outside of your foot, slightly lifting it, with the inside of the same foot play it across your body and do a step over with the opposite foot, play the ball away with the outside of the step over foot. Remember the key word here is CONTROL! TAG your teammate who is most likely to pull off the 'OTizzle' #beastmodesoccer #championsdomore #ownyourdevelopment #riseandgrind #soccer #football #futbol #tekkers #nutmeg #panna #goal #gol #golazo #ronaldo #messi #cr7 #training #soccertraining #soccerdrills #tutorials #footballtraining #footballdrills #ronaldinho #beckham #soccer skills #soccertutorials #footballtutorials
Learn to trap and control the ball with Vogel Soccer Mastery
Combine your technical touches and footwork drills with a speed dribbling pattern for a serious workout from Amplified Soccer Athlete


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Author: Robert L. Anderson
Rating: ★★
Synopsis: Odea Donahue has been able to travel through people's dreams since she was six years old. Her mother taught her the three rules of walking: Never interfere. Never be seen. Never walk the same person's dream more than once. Dea has never questioned her mother, not about the rules, not about the clocks or the mirrors, not about moving from place to place to be one step ahead of the unseen monsters that Dea's mother is certain are right behind them.
Then a mysterious new boy, Connor, comes to town and Dea finally starts to feel normal. As Connor breaks down the walls that she's had up for so long, he gets closer to learning her secret. For the first time she wonders if that's so bad. But when Dea breaks the rules, the boundary between worlds begins to deteriorate. How can she know what's real and what's not?
Huge thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this for review!
River's Review:
Sadly I didn't really enjoy this book as much as I had hoped, which was really upsetting because I was SO looking forward to this! I just spent a lot of time while reading this book thinking "really…?" because there was just a lot of stuff that made me either side eye it or roll my eyes at it. Basically I just can't believe half the stuff the people in this book believed! And the lack of explanation of anything just frustrated me to no end.
Dea wasn't a bad character but she didn't really do anything for me. I thought her friend's nickname was stupid and her instant connection with Connor was a little too convenient. And the dreamwalking thing, which seemed SO cool, was just so flat and boring and never really made any sense to me.
Other things that bugged me where the "rumors" that the people believed about Dea and her mother. Vampires, zobmies, witches? Really? Maybe like, in elementary school. And this is so stupid, but when she went to the post office and had to get let in to access her PO Box… I kinda thought the whole point of a PO Box was so that you could go anytime to access it (I know the one at my post office is outside of the main lobby so you can still use it after the main lobby has closed). And it drove me INSANE when she was choosing to leave safety and security for someone she'd known for less than a few months! There were just all kinds of bad YA choices happening and I didn't like it at all.
But the writing wasn't bad and I was able to finish it, so two stars.


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So, I was just telling my girls that I have a friend who is around my age who likes to collect "The Littlest Pet Shop" pets. My girls said, "What? She is your age and collects those? Cool!" Then Emma says, "You mean she's an old woman like you?" I laughed and laughed. I thought that was one of the funniest things she has ever said. I say it's great that I have a friend who collects those and I guess you are never too old to collect toys.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
1 comments:
- papergirl said...
You better tell those girls to watch it - I know where they live!!!!!!
- February 11, 2009 at 10:55 PM
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Photo Credit to Susan Topping
June is almost done and dusted! Tomorrow will see the start of July and it will get off to a bang with our pipe bands participating in the Canada Day celebrations in North Rustico at 10am. It is a fantastic parade that brings out the whole North Shore community!
The Highland Storm cast has been diligently rehearsing these past few weeks and preview night is this Sunday and opening night is this Monday! Paul Simon and Glass Tiger make appearances as well as some contemporary twists on some classic tunes! To get your tickets to one of the island's best shows, please follow this link: http://collegeofpiping.com/events/highland-storm/. Don't miss out on the all new production for 2016!


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Thalgo Ultra Hydra-Marine Mask
A highlight of any facial, for us, is having a mask brushed soothingly onto skin by the therapist. At home, by contrast, we sort of smear and smoosh the product on with fingers and hope to have the whole fizzog covered.
So we're just thrilled to discover this – which not only gives skin a massive surge of moisture and skin-energising marine elements (an ingredient glorying in the name of 'sève blue des oceans', together with two types of hyaluronic acid – ideal for quenching sun-parched skins, NB) – but it's dispensed via… yes, a deliciously soft brush!
Not only does this ensure you access every nook and complexion cranny, but that stroking action ramps up the TLC factor no end. If there was a mask equivalent of a Linus blanket, Ultra Hydra-Marine Mask is it.
Thalgo Ultra Hydra-Marine Mask/£29.50 for 50 ml at feelunique.com


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Services in the Jewish Community
Today, Jewish Vocational Service is one of the largest workforce development organizations in New England, serving more than 17,000 individuals each year, and known nationally for the quality of its services. Services that provide skills, jobs, and careers within the Jewish community are focused primarily on individuals with disabilities, and professional workers and job seekers.
JVS's work in the broader community also plays an important role in the Jewish community. By serving diverse individuals facing many obstacles to economic success and the American Dream, Jewish Vocational Service is an important means for the Jewish community to perform its historic mission of Tikun Olam, act on the Jewish values of work, and carry out social justice activities in the greater Boston community. To learn more about these values, click here.
MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center
MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center serves the Jewish and general community of professional-level job seekers and career changers through career counseling, job search assistance, workshops and peer support groups. MassHire Downtown Boston has special services for professionals age 40 and over, new graduates, and the economically vulnerable.
Transitions to Work
Transitions to Work provides an extensive training and internship program to enable young adults with disabilities to develop the skills needed for employment and place them into jobs that provide earnings and a sense of purpose. This model creates strong collaborations with employers to raise awareness about inclusive hiring practices and to engage corporate partners to consider young adults with disabilities as qualified, committed candidates for appropriate employment opportunities. Transitions to Work is a collaboration between CJP, JVS, and the Ruderman Family Foundation.
CJP Scholarship Fund
The CJP Scholarship Fund is partnership between CJP and JVS. Through this fund, qualifying undergraduate students can apply for tuition assistance.
Connections assists Jewish adults with severe and chronic mental illness to choose, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment or education while obtaining heightened independence and self-worth.
CJP Anti-Poverty Initiative
The CJP Anti-Poverty Initiative connects individuals and families in the Greater Boston Jewish community who are in, or at risk of, severe financial hardship with a full spectrum of services. These services include emergency access to food and financial assistance, job search support and help with public benefits.
Boston-Haifa Connection
JVS participates in the Ethiopian Jewry Committee of the Boston-Haifa Connection. We chair the subcommittee on employment for Shiluvim, a citywide integration program in Haifa. When Shiluvim was launched in 2006, the focus was on helping to prepare Ethiopians for their first job in Israel. Over the years, the focus has expanded to include career ladders, job upgrades, and entrepreneurship. JVS has consulted with our Haifa colleagues on creating and nurturing employer partnerships, especially within some of their hospitals.


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Prezista is indicated to treat HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1) infection in combination with Ritonavir. Prezista does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. Not for use in children under 3 years of age.
Other names for this medication:
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Active Ingredient:


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I'll shed no tears that the O'Reilly monopoly on Irish journalism is no more.
The resignation of Gavin O'Reilly as MD of Independent Newspapers ends an almost 40-year period when the family dominated the Irish media – and dragged it into the muck.
The O'Reillys, led by father Sir Anthony, had very specific agendas. All the newspapers opposed Irish nationalism and were neo-Unionist on editorial approach.
This led to a viciously anti-peace process attitude when it started up.
Fact is, the Sunday Independent newspaper, in particular, did its level best to destroy the Irish peace process.
In one horrific instance, the Sunday Independent printed no fewer than fifteen articles against Nobel Laureate John Hume because he dared to meet with Gerry Adams and set the peace process in motion.
The anti Nationalist bias is continued even today, after the overwhelming success of the peace process.
It is as if Ian Paisley did not make his peace with Martin McGuinness, that the violence has not stopped and that no inspirational message to the world has gone out.
Regardless of the amazing success story, week after week the Sunday Independent stable of anti-nationalist columnists continue their screeds.
One can only imagine their consternation at this week's Irish Times poll showing Sinn Fein now as the second largest party in the Irish Republic.
The likes of columnist Eoghan Harris appear to think that the war is not yet over and must be fought, like that Japanese soldier long ago who emerged from the jungle years after the end of hostilities.
The Independent group under O'Reilly picked favorites.
They beat the drum for the Celtic Tiger, even when it was clearly on the decline and gleefully celebrated the excesses of the property developers and others as if they were Ireland's saviors.
Now they point the finger of blame at those same people, shameless to the last.
Hopefully the new broom will put responsible journalism back on the agenda at Independent News.
Denis O' Brien is a man deeply respected and admired in American business and philantropic cirlces, who has reached out to distressed countries such as Haiti in remarkable fashion.
He will have little time for the petty vendettas the Independent pursued under O'Reilly.
There are many fine journalists there and their input is badly needed..


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UK fund managers are taking a more aggressive approach to consumer advertising in a bid to be noticed in the inc-reasingly saturated retail inv-estment market.
Many managers are naming and shaming poorly performing competitors in their ads, leaving those which have traditionally adopted a more subtle approach to rethink their strategy.
Gartmore, which has traditionally stuck with more straightforward brand-building ads, recently launched a new series of ads highlighting funds in the European sector which have been downgraded by ratings agency Standard& Poor's.
The campaign runs under the strapline: "Not everyone survived the winter" and promotes Roger Guy's AAA-rated European selected opportunities fund.
Artemis, M&G and Friends Provident have also recently resorted to more aggressive techniques.
Gartmore head of UK ret-ail Mike Wrobel says: "You have got to stand out. We look to stand out by using bright colour schemes and, when we have a punchy message, not being afraid to say it. I think we have been a bit too squeamish in the past."
Camp Chipperfield Hill Murray chairman Lucien Camp says: "More often than not it is an approach you take if you are a lesser player and want to put yourself up there with the big boys. I'm surprised Gartmore is doing it. Usually, the bigger players tend to think they are above such things."


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A potential side-effect you'll want to avoid after a tooth extraction is dry socket. Ideally, after your extraction, the pain should abate within a day and the socket should heal as it is protected by a blood clot. If that clot is disrupted or dislodge, the nerves and bones will be exposed, increasing your risk of infection. Dry socket can be very painful. You may first notice a dull ache that travels up to the ear. You may also experience a bad taste or odor in your mouth.
When you have a tooth pulled, the dentist will talk to you about avoiding dry socket. The days after surgery is the most important for proper healing and the chances of getting dry socket are at their highest. If you believe you have dry socket, contact your dentist immediately to have it treated. The dentist will clean the socket and apply a dressing to protect it. You may be given a prescription for an antibiotic or a pain reliever.
The following can cause complications when healing from an extraction:
-Drinking hot or warm beverages
-Drinking carbonated beverages
-Unnecessarily bothering or removing the gauze
-Putting things in your mouth such as straws.
-Anxiety and stressful situations
-Some medications and medical conditions can make you more vulnerable to dry socket.
If you are concerned about dry socket from an extraction, Dr. Hooty Alayan can talk with you further. Please contact Great Oaks Dentistry at 512.271.6619 to make an appointment, or come by our office in Round Rock, Texas.


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So I Really Can't Say Mean Things to People?
It's been the typical run-of-the-mill week at my house, nothing out of the ordinary to report, but it seems like a lot of little things have added up to a feeling of despair.
Although everyone is healthy and we have food on the table, I've noticed a negative undertone this week in the way I speak to my family. In trying to encourage my family in different endeavors, my words of encouragement have seemed to come out as negative and critical. In a cry to God, he blessed me with of messages of hope, thanks to Christian radio. He reminded me: "His Grace is Enough" (Matt Maher) and that in times of trouble "You're the anchor of my hope, the only one whose in control, I will cast my cares on you." (Finding Favour).
Then this morning in a despairing mood, I skipped morning prayer and after another one of those unhappy conversations with my family, decided it was time to sit down with my prayer book. God spoke again. In the Liturgy of the House, Volume 4, Week 1, Friday Morning Prayer, the reading is from Ephesians 4:29-32. It says,
"Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ."


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The first novel in The Sleeping Legion series is done, and happily in the hands of the first round of beta readers. Still no feedback, so I'm holding my breath and turning blue…..
Okay, I'm back. I'm now working on the second book in The Sleeping Legion series, Operation Breakout. I'm approximately 33k words into the manuscript and making some tweaks. I had to take a break for two months because of a hand injury, though my Dragon Software program comes tomorrow, so I'm hoping it will be my end run around the pain and back into my story. I hope to get Operation Breakout done within the next two months, though the sooner the better. I've created more Human technology and hope to add some bad arsed fight scenes!! I've also included some new alien hardware, though it is just a further explanation of what Tim C. Taylor wrote in his part of the Human Legion Universe. Speaking of Tim's books, I just finished book five, War Against The White Knights, and it was wonderful. The only sad part is the wait for book six!!! Anyway, enough rambling here…. Operation Breakout aint gonna write itself….. Or is it? (insert maniacal laugh)