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Tuesday, September 13, 2011
First Day
In the last week or so, I gave up any efforts of trying to be a "fun mom" who plans engaging and educational activities for her children. Instead, I became a survivalist, counting down the days and hours until preschool and kindergarten time would arrive. Some of you are probably rolling your eyes at me and thinking I am a horrible person to wish for Back to School to roll around. The plain honest truth is, I am pretty much the last mother left in the blogosphere whose kids have not gone back to school yet. It's hard to be the only one!
The church where Natalie attended preschool also offers a great 1/2 day kindergarten program, which is what we signed her up for this year. Michaela Byrd will be in preschool there for the first time, two days a week. The girls were a little apprehensive yesterday morning (kindergarten is a big deal and so is going to preschool for the first time!), but excitement seems to have won out, if you can't tell from the pictures....The girls had a fabulous day at school and came home with all sorts of fun tales.
My friend Christy and I dropped our kids off and then went for coffee at Panera so we could do some planning for an upcoming MOPS event. The car seemed eerily quiet until we realized that there were no kids in the backseat fighting or asking for crackers. We paused our conversation long enough to squeal with glee.
In a few days, I will tire of the drop offs and the pick ups and the fights over school clothes and getting in the car on time. But for now, I am savoring a few quiet moments to myself, a chance to catch up with my friend, and the hopeful possibility of getting some housework done!
25 comments:
Congratulations! I LOVE having the kids in school too. I don't know how the homeschool moms do it. My youngest started preschool last week and even though it's only an hour and a half twice a week, I'm getting so much accomplished! Yesterday in that hour and a half I was able to go to the bank, cancel a gym membership that I never used, do some Christmas shopping for the kids, get gas in our van, and take a shower in peace. Yay for back to school!ReplyDelete
How exciting! The first days are gloriously quiet aren't they?!!! The girls look adorable. I love seeing the little ones with backpacks bigger than they are! Enjoy your first week of freedom.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:23 AM
Awww tha girls look so cute! I can't believe how big they're getting too :-) Here's to a relatively stress week for you you & hopes that the house magically stays clean! :-)ReplyDelete
your girls are so adorable. i love their first day outfits. oh, and the pose your daughter is doing in the last pic is too cute!ReplyDelete
I LOVE back to school! I thoroughly enjoy my career as a nurse educator. I allows me summers off to be with my daughter, but when August rolls around, I'm ready to go back to the land of intellectual conversation! E loves MDO too, so I don't feel bad at all sending her back two days a week.ReplyDelete
Love your girls' outfits for their first day. So cute!
Congrats on the girls going to school and you getting a little mommy break.ReplyDelete
I adore the dresses the girls are wearing, the look so sweet. I wore dresses for my first two years in school when I was a child. My mother refused to put me in pants. Know it takes a pretty big event to get me in a dress. lol. Hope you enjoy your mommy time.
Seriously how cute are your girls! I love their outfits and the bows...oh the bows are killing me! The one with crayons on it is adorable! I went to Panera by myself the other day and had to laugh at all the moms there getting coffee. They had obviously dropped their kiddos off and preschool and were killing time until pickup:)ReplyDelete
THanks for sharing your day!Your girls are adorable & the packed lunch...o you are good! I to did my first day back yesterday (PK) with my son ~ can't believe how time fly's by! Have a great day & hope you get some housework done!ReplyDelete
I'm with you- I LOVE preschool. We had a rather sluggish August so I was in on the countdown. Glad your girls did so well. I have no clue what we will do next year for kindergarten. They have a half day program at Lacey's very sweet preschool as well. She also has a summer birthday which factors in. I'm trying not to stress about it too much now but we have to decide by January. Crazy!ReplyDelete
The girls look super cute by the way. :)
Your girls are soo cute Amanda! My little one started kindergarten on the 1st, and unfortunately I look after a couple other little ones a few days a week so the only day I get "alone" time is Friday morning. I can't wait until my daughter is in 1st grade and school all day. I am SOOOO looking forward to getting a job and interacting with adults. = ) Enjoy your time. And don't waste it all doing housework!ReplyDelete
~ Catie
Hoo-ray!!! I know just how you feel. Hope you enjoy your time to get things done. Your daughters are darling, by the way. I don't think they are suffering from the last week of not having a mom plan all sorts of fun, educational activities :).ReplyDelete
Hope springs eternal! :)ReplyDelete
It does seem that you had to wait a long time for back-to-school--but how wonderful that you can have both Natalie and Michaela Byrd in the same place! I'd forgotten that Natalie was doing a 1/2 day kindergarten this year until I saw that on Facebook--it just doesn't seem like she could be old enough for Kindergarten! Of course, it doesn't seem like Lee could be old enough for high school, either, but there you go.
I LOVE Natalie's dress-perfect for the first day of school! Both girls look beautiful (but then they always do!).
SO cute! Today was True's first day of preschool, so it was nice to be down to just Wrenn and Elias for a few hours :) I hope they had a fab day!ReplyDelete
Yay! Enjoy the quiet! I still can't believe you dress them up so pretty for school...aren't you afraid of paints and markers and stuff?ReplyDelete
Your two girls are the cutest and I'm not just saying that to be nice. They are adorable ! I'm glad that you got a little bit of free time with your friend and that your girls had a good first day.ReplyDelete
They are precious!ReplyDelete
The girls look precious in their back to school outfits! Enjoy that time alone! I've been working so much that I haven't had time to enjoy it yet.ReplyDelete
Amanda- enjoy your quiet time, and don't feel bad, even one little bit! Your cutie patootie girls are having a great time and learning lots!ReplyDelete
I was seriously stoked when school started! The last 2 weeks before school started I had stopped being entertaining! The kids eyes and brains were fried from computer games, video games and tv. I have no shame. It kept me sane!!ReplyDelete
Praise the Lord for back to school. We have been back for a few weeks and I think we are all happier, better people for the diversion from life at home. Enjoy your time!ReplyDelete
Then you can enjoy your girls!
Cute back to school photos!ReplyDelete
I LOVE panera!! I hope you have a good school year!
- AnonymousSeptember 15, 2011 at 4:21 AM
Came here via Craftermind...The kitty vest is KILLING me! I wish my goddaughter was younger so I could make one for her...There's no way I can convince 7th grader to wear one...ReplyDelete
The picture of the two of them with the backpacks is killing me. They are so cute. Enjoy some me time, friends. You deserve it.ReplyDelete
they.are.adorable!! Great shots, Amanda! Enjoy some quiet time :)ReplyDelete
Awwww such little cuties!!!! Love the kitty vest....so sweet!ReplyDelete
I like that you went to Panera for coffee instead of Starbucks. There are so many great places that have yummy coffee but I always fall to good ole Starbucks! I really like Corner Bakery and Cafe Brazil as well!!!! I need to remember to hit them up next time I want a cup of jo!
Anyhoo hope you've been doing well. I've been reading along but my browser wouldn't let me comment. I thought it was something with blogger but after a month of not being able to comment I told my hubby about it and he fixed it!!! He's sooo smart! I've missed being about to comment on all my favorite blogs!!!!
I love to hear your feedback! Please feel free to leave comments...just don't send me spam asking me to buy stuff off your website! I've got three kids and no money to purchase your magic weight-loss pill or bust enhancement, or whatever else you might be selling. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! :)
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.


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Senior Sales Representative Job Description Template
This senior sales representative sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements.
Description: Sr. Sales Representative
Senior Sales Representative Job Purpose: Serves customers by selling products; meeting customer needs.
Senior Sales Representative Job Duties:
- Enhances sales staff accomplishments and competence by planning delivery of solutions; answering technical and procedural questions for less experienced team members; teaching improved processes; mentoring team members.
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Unauthorized Immigrant Parents and Their Children's Development
This report takes a detailed look at how a parent's unauthorized status affects child development. Based on a review of existing research that increasingly points to negative developmental consequences of parental unauthorized status across all stages of childhood, the authors explore possible options for policies and programs that could mitigate these risks, and propose ways to achieve this goal within the framework of proposed comprehensive immigration reform provisions.
The report finds that a parent's unauthorized status is associated with lower levels of cognitive development and educational progress for the child, and offers several mechanisms that may explain these negative effects. The most damaging effects seem to stem from parental detention or removal, which impacts the economic and psychological well-being of the child. The resulting parent-child separation is linked to disruption in attachment and interruptions in schooling, which in turn harms learning and emotional development. The psychological distress experienced by unauthorized parents is also associated with negative developmental effects for their children. Furthermore, children of unauthorized parents appear less likely to be enrolled in public benefit programs for which they are eligible.
The most basic step toward addressing the well-being of these children would be to create a pathway to citizenship for their parents, the report contends. Toward this end, it argues in favor of broadening the scope of legalization, as the age limit and education criteria of the proposed DREAMAct, as well as the agricultural focus of the blue card program, will likely exclude many unauthorized parents from eligibility. Additional proposals are addressed regarding developing outreach and application support structures to improve access to means-tested benefits and offering a universal prekindergarten program through the public schooling system, among others.
I. Introduction
II. Does a Parent's Unauthorized Status Affect Child and Youth Development?
III. Developmental Outcomes: Mechanisms of Influence
A. Removal
B. Parent-Child Separation
C. Lower Access to Means-Tested Programs that Benefit Children's Development
D. Work Conditions
E. Psychological Distress and Economic Hardship
F. Awareness of Own Unauthorized Status and its Consequences
IV. Contextual Factors Influencing Developmental Outcomes
V. Relevant Programs and Policies
A. Policies Directly Modifying Unauthorized Status
B. Policies Modifying Enforcement Practice
C. Programs, Nongovernmental Organization Initiatives, and Policies that Foster Access to Means-Tested Benefits
D. Universal Prekindergarten and Other Early Childhood Care and Education Programs
E. Workplace Policies
VI. Concluding Note: Immigration Reform and Children's Development


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Reason Essentials 1.5.3
This download is available for owners of Reason Essentials 1.5 only - please do not redistribute.
Download Reason Essentials 1.5.3
Windows, 789 MB
Download Reason Essentials 1.5.3
Mac OS, 742 MB
A complete fix list is available here.
Installing your Reason Essentials update
Important for Mac users!
If you have personal files, e.g. ReFills, song files and patches in your Reason Essentials application folder, then you must move them to another location before you install the upgrade, or they will be lost.
1. Move your Factory Sound Bank out of the way.
Reason Essentials requires the Reason Essentials Factory Sound Bank. This must be located in the Reason Essentials application folder. If you already have this installed, it's easiest to move the file to another folder before updating, and then move it back again afterwards.
2. We recommend that you uninstall your previous Reason Essentials version.
Windows users: Use the "Uninstall" function in the Control Panel.
Mac users: Manually delete the Reason Essentials folder.
3. Install
Windows users: Extract all files from the downloaded zip archive. Then double click the "Install Reason Essentials.exe" installer.
Mac users: Open the disk image and drag the Reason Essentials folder to your Applications folder on your hard drive.
4. Put your Factory Sound Bank in place.
If you moved your sound bank in step 1, simply move it back into the Reason Essentials application folder again.
If you don't have the sound bank on your computer, you need to install it from your Reason Essentials DVD. Launch Reason Essentials - the program will ask you to insert the DVD and then automatically copy the sound bank to your hard drive.


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Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival is a yearly music and art festival that is held in April of each year, by Golden Voice. The location of this event is in Indio, California at the Empire Polo Fields within the Inland Empire Coachella Valley. The festival was founded in 1999, but it is not known by whom. Annually, at least 100,000 people attend the event. It usually falls on the third or fourth weekend of April, and lasts a total three days. In the beginning it could last, either one or two days. There are a number of music genres, including rock, electronic music and hip hop. In the arts, you will find a wide array of sculptural art. You will find many tents or stages set up all over the ground each, playing live nonstop music. So far there are six main stages; Outdoor Theatre, Coachella Stage, Gobi Tent, Sahara Tent and the Mojave Tent. The smaller Oasis Dome joined the fold in 2006.
Coachella Festival is set on a desert setting; this is because Indio, California falls on the Colorado Desert. Temperatures can rise to over 38C during the day. There is little to no cloud cover during the festival, and there is also not much shade. But after sunset, the temperatures begin to drop drastically.
Rock band, Pearl Jam, first performed to a crowd of around 25,000 fans on the night of November 5, 1993. The event was staged at the Empire Polo Club. This historic Indio venue, was previously rock free, but on this night, the fans either stood or sat all through the night. This was all by accident of course;as the band's management was participating on the Ticketmaster boycott as a result of their clubs in Southern California. They then chose this underdeveloped and untested venue to showcase their band. This gave credibility to Coachella as a suitable venue to hold rock on large scale.
Previously, this credibility was not there due to the grounds. Since it is located in the desert, it is considered as one of America's driest and hottest spots. The towns within Indio are also sparsely populated and it was previously viewed as resorts. Accessibility to more populated areas like San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix will also take several hours. This made Coachella highly unfavorable to hold a successful event.
Fast forward to 1999 and on October 9 and 10, the first ever Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival took place. This was exactly three months after the disaster that struck the Woodstock 99 Festival. As a result of the disaster, where there were riots and fires, Coachella Fest was not authorized to offer any on site camping facilities. This was not until the Festival that took place in 2002.
You should expect to see Dr Dre in the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; this is because he is going to be performing on the closing night. This year, the organizers will hold the event on two consecutive weeks, the first time ever, in the middle of April. In the rock category you should expect to see, Black Keys, the Shins and Radiohead. On hip hop and dance, you will have Snoop Dogg, Kaskade, and The Swedish House Mafia along with others.
You can now order Coachella Festival Tickets for all days of the event.


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ZTE continues to push Windows Phone with the launch of the Orbit, a cheaper phone that aims to expand the market for Microsoft's smartphone OS.
So far, Microsoft and its partners haven't been able to sell large volumes of smartphones based on the OS, but the arrival of a generation of new products, including the ZTE Orbit, aims to change that.
"The plan is simple: bring Windows Phone to lower price points to increase sales," said Francisco Jeronimo, research manager at IDC.
The smartphone has a 4.0-inch screen with a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels, and a 5-megapixel camera. It has 4GB of storage and 512MB of RAM, and is powered by a 1GHz processor from Qualcomm.
ZTE didn't announce its price, but the company has made a name for itself by producing low-cost smartphones. The smartphone will start shipping in the second quarter.
At the low end of the market, the Orbit will have to compete with Nokia's Lumia 610, which has 3.7-inch screen with a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels. The 610 has more storage capacity, at 8GB, but it only has 256MB of RAM, according to a Nokia data sheet.
Microsoft is also making changes to the Windows Phone operating system to allow it to run on cheaper smartphones with 256MB of RAM.
The Nokia 610 will cost €189 (US$250) without subsidies and will also begin shipping during the second quarter. The price is more aggressive than expected, according to Geoff Blaber, analyst at CCS Insight.
Global shipments of smartphones running Windows Phone in the fourth quarter grew 36 percent compared to the previous quarter, to reach 2.7 million units (including 900,000 from Nokia), Strategy Analytics said last week.
In comparison, Apple sold 37 million iPhones to become the biggest smartphone vendor in the world during the fourth quarter, Strategy Analytics said.
Send news tips and comments to email@example.com


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Transforming Dunedin's Chief Post Office Building into a luxury hotel was an exciting challenge
Careful consideration of the 1937 heritage listed building was a defining principle for this project not only for our client but also a strong prerequisite for Heritage New Zealand and Dunedin city.
Integrating modern facilities for the new purpose of the building, including new services and better movement between spaces was also a significant aspect of the design. Because the building had been sitting empty since the early 1990's, this posed further complications for the WSP Opus team as deterioration had caused internal weather tightness issues.
Using our innovative expertise to restore some of the existing building features and limiting demolition to only essential elements, we were able to preserve the historical character of the building in clever ways to be admired by locals and visitors. The initial conceptual approach was to introduce new split level entry to the building for the hotel and separate tenancies, which was possible due to the building occupying a complete city block with different front and rear elevation heights. The hotel entry was introduced to the rear of the building by converting the building's former mail loading docks.
Converting the former basement loading dock and mail handling space into a hotel reception, restaurant/bar and private function spaces challenged the approach to making modern uses work. The interior face to all external walls were restored to original condition with plaster work and stone repair avoiding the need for unnecessary new layering to occur. Existing mail safes have been transformed into private dining spaces and food/bar preparation space.
Restoration of existing finishes including plaster details, bronze metal work and mosaic tiling was paramount. Then the application of complementing new materials was considered, including veneer panelling, basalt stone, oak T&G panelling, granite/marble joinery and iron balustrading. All new insertions were detailed to frame or adjoin existing materials/forms and emphasize the historical design. Fabrics and furnishings were chosen to create warmth and mood within an elegant selection of spaces to contrast against existing solid surfaces.
2016 Best Design Awards - Repurposed Space - Silver Pin
2015-2016 Dunedin Heritage Re-Use Awards Winner for Distinction Hotel Dunedin
David Cox Memorial Merit Award for Distinction Hotel Dunedin


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February 2012 Hometown Hot Rodding
Got a car you want the world to see? Send specs and pix to email@example.com
Related Video
1967 Ford Custom 500
Dave Rink; Phoenix, AZ
As a kid, reader Dave Rink was more impressed by sleeper "grandma" hot rods than full-tilt muscle cars. That passion was especially strong for Fords, so when his '67 Galaxie 500 was totaled by an inattentive cell phone user, he had to find a replacement. Dave found one in the form of a supposedly rust-free '67 post car in Austin, Texas. It proved to need plenty of work though, and after renegotiating the price accordingly, Dave dragged it back to Phoenix for a complete restoration. Don't look for a lot of fancy new parts underhood; Dave eschews new tech for original speed parts, choosing instead to fortify a scrap yard 428ci FE with period-correct Cobra Jet pieces, right down to the ported cast-iron heads and intake. Few concessions were made to "modernization," save a COMP Cams bumpstick, Holley 780-cfm carb, and some Hooker Super Comp headers. It's a true "day two" style resto, and Dave gives thanks to Mike Wood Restorations in Phoenix for making it happen. The remarkably stock big-block, with lots of "heavy breathing," makes an estimated 450 hp and was wrenched together by Sunnyslope Auto Parts and Machine in Phoenix.
1968 Chevelle Malibu
Tom Radonski West Bend, WI
If we were going to build a '68 Chevelle, it would be just like Tom Radonski's. Come to think of it, we did build one just like it! Being a WyoTech graduate, Tom built it entirely in his garage over the last 17 years (with a break in-between due to selling and repurchasing it). Don't be fooled by the sleepy look—that government-issue black paint and those 15-inch poverty cap steelies (6-inchers front, 8-inchers rear) hide a wicked 496ci big-block stuffed with a forged Eagle rotating assembly, JE 10.5:1 slugs, and a Lunati Voodoo cam. It's topped with Merlin 3 heads, a Demon 850 carb, an Edelbrock Air-Gap intake, and a DUI distributor. It all adds up to a dyno-verified 571 hp—which Tom suspects is good for 11s in the quarter-mile. Those 275/60R15 BFGs will surely turn to smoke when that happens! Other beef- cake upgrades include a Moser 12-bolt with 3.73 gears and a built Turbo 400 with a Hughes 3,200-stall converter. If you hear those Flowmasters rumblin', better take cover!
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
Michael Quan Santa Clara, CA
With all the horror stories out there about buying a car online sight-unseen, it's refreshing to hear Michael Quan's story about buying his '69 Road Runner on eBay, and having it arrive in great condition after a nail-biting three days of cross-country transport by the seller. There was never any doubt about getting a '69, in fact, Michael even got the Hemi Orange color and 440 6-pack motor he'd always dreamed of. Since getting the car in 2007, the 440 has blossomed into a 510ci solid-lifter monster (a big thanks goes out to Nick Rescino of Rescino Performance in San Francisco). Some quirky trans issues were fixed with a rebuilt A-727 trans (by Oller Brothers Auto in Santa Clara), along with a Hurst floor shifter and shift kit. The "junior" Pro Touring attitude is aided by Foose Legend wheels (18s and 20s) with BFG KDW tires, Edelbrock AIS shocks, Addco sway bars, and Magnum subframe connectors. Michael says he couldn't have done it without the help of Lewis, Stan, and George at Oller Brothers Auto.
1969 Plymouth Barracuda
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If only we had room for Rob Van Dyk's entire story about the one that didn't get away! This all-original—and rare—fastback 340 Formula S Barracuda was first spotted by a sharp-eyed 8-year-old Rob on tiny Whidbey Island back in 1971. His dad was looking for a new car, but by the time he told pops, the car was gone from the island's single used car lot. Then a few days later, his uncle came rolling up the driveway in the same car. The joyride he got that day was burned in his head, and from that day forward, he knew he had to have this car. Eventually, he bought it from his uncle in 1985. The gorgeous car is still all original, right down to its bronze paint. Incredibly, Rob only has $2,500 in the car, but the story gets deeper. Over the years living in his small island town, Rob would occasionally see a nearly identical "competing" bronze Barracuda—a four-speed model (the other was an auto) with no stripe. When the car resurfaced many years later in his boss' driveway, Rob bought that one—the only other '69 Barracuda in town.
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The U.S. International Trade Commission will block the importation of some HTC products starting next April 19 after it found that the company infringed Apple patents.
However, the ITC's order may not have much impact on HTC's ability to sell products in the U.S. since the company said it has created alternative solutions to the patented technology.
The limited exclusion order against the Taiwan-based phone maker and two of its U.S. subsidiaries, announced Monday, closed the ITC's patent infringement proceedings that began in April 2010 after a complaint by Apple.
HTC cannot import the devices using the technology after April 19, though it will be able to bring in refurbished units until Dec. 19, 2013, to replace existing devices under warranty or insurance settlements.
The ITC had found that HTC had violated certain claims of some patents that Apple cited, but not others. The agency said its order and opinion were delivered to President Barack Obama, who now has the opportunity to overturn the decision. The agency said it decided not to issue a cease and desist order during a period for presidential review.


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In this video The Creative Assembly's Land Battle Programmer Ingimar Gudmunsson and Studio Communications Manager Kieran Brigden talk us through a night battle in Shogun 2: Total War.
The battle has the Chosokabe clan attacking the Takeda clan as a storm rages in the distance.
Ignore, if you can, those splendid graphics, and instead pay attention to the game's artificial intelligence. We're told that the AI now can be much more flexible in how it responds to enemies on the battlefield.
The enemy AI is also impacted by the sights and sounds of battle, responding, for instance to the sight of a mammoth forcing approaching them.
It's worth watching through this whole video not just for the eye candy, but a chance to check out some of the tactics you'll be coming up against once you pick up the game for the computer next year.


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Stier Supply Company is looking for ENTRY LEVEL CARPENTERS who know BASIC CARPENTRY SKILLS in the construction industry. Our entry level carpenters are responsible for the install of base board and shoe moldings as well as assisting in the installation of exterior doors in new residential homes. Based on your skill and competency level, we will also provide a brief in-house training program for new hires.
Starting pay: $15-$20 based on experience (you will also be placed on our internal progression as you grow your skill set)
Carpenters will become proficient in the following areas:
IDEAL Carpenters will possess the following attributes:
Life, Dental, Vision, & Health Insurance, 401-K, Paid vacation and holidays
Training School Candidates must possess the following:
Basic Knowledge of Carpentry
Ability to Use Hand or Power Tools
Strong Desire to Learn
Must also have the following:
Valid Driver's license
Strong Work Ethic
Employment Eligibility
Able to Pass Drug and Background Screening.
This position is currently not accepting applications.
To search for an open position, please go to http://STIERSUPPLYCOMPANY.appone.com


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Data suggests focusing on clients and preventive care could bring profession an additional $350 million.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) says the economy is no longer an excuse for underperforming veterinary hospitals. As stated in the organization's State of the Industry address presented at the AAHA Yearly Conference this March in Phoenix, veterinary hospital growth is rooted in client relationships--not hospital size, geographic location or the economy.
Data was gathered in a study by AAHA and IDEXX Laboratories from hospitals that demonstrated year-over-year revenue growth greater than 10 percent--along with those with declining revenue--to understand what factors led to success. The results showed that the single most important factor differentiating the successful from the failing practice was a focus on strong, lasting client relationships. "Overall, hospitals in this study that focused on building strong client relationships were more than twice as likely to be "Growers" versus "Decliners," says Communications Manager Kate Spencer in an AAHA release.
Overall, data showed an average growth of 5.6 percent in hospital revenue for the profession from 2011 to 2012, and approximately 25 percent of hospitals achieved year-over-year growth greater than 10 percent in spite of the economic downturn and other challenges. The AAHA State of the Industry address highlighted five factors the organization believes are critical for growth:
• focusing on clients
• driving preventive care
• leveraging technology to drive preventive care
• setting goals and measuring business
• communicating the value of higher standards.
"It is clear from the data that the first key to growth is focusing on strengthening your client relationships," says Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP, AAHA's executive director. "For years, AAHA has focused on the importance of moving from a 'veterinarian-centered practice' to a 'client-centered practice.' This data shows that a client-centric approach to veterinary medicine is key to success."
In the State of the Industry study, both Growers and Decliners were asked what they believed was most important to determine revenue growth. "Top responses from Growers all focused on their clients, including how they built their local reputation through client referrals and how they communicated with their clients," the AAHA release states. "Growers demonstrated they could grow revenue whether or not the local economy was strong." Decliners, on the other hand, focused on medical services and the health of the economy.
Another key factor in growth is securing regular preventive care visits, the study found. Growers send reminders, provide pre-visit education content to clients and provide clear evidence of the value of preventive care by communicating throughout the physical examination and sharing post-visit report cards and diagnostic results. AAHA also believes "forward booking" is essential for driving preventive care visits and client compliance. Its data shows that only 5 percent of preventive care visits are forward booked at veterinary hospitals. According to AAHA and IDEXX, increasing forward-booking appointments to 10 percent could generate approximately $350 million in additional preventive care revenue for the veterinary profession.
"When forward booking is combined with an effective automated client communication and reminder strategy, the estimated impact grows to $450 million," the AAHA release states. "That same estimate approaches $1 billion under the assumption that having patients coming in for regular preventive care visits drives opportunities for additional visits such as dental cleaning." AAHA says those estimates translate into $40,000 in additional revenue, or 3 percent additional growth, for the average hospital.
The data suggests that it's an easy conclusion for veterinary hospitals to focus on what the team can control, like its client relationships, instead of an economy it can't. "These findings make sense--it is the client that makes the decision to bring the pet in, it is the client that has to pay the bill, and it is the client that has to comply with the recommendations," Cavanaugh says. "What's most important for growth is the ability of the veterinary team to communicate the value of the services in language that the client can understand."


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Blockbuster proposals that would double and triple the pool of incentives for those who want to create both big- and small-screen magic in Florida now sit before lawmakers.
Less than a week after a measure (HB 983) was introduced in the House to provide $1 billion in tax credit to film and television production efforts in Florida, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee released a proposal (SPB 7056) on Monday that offers $300 million in tax credits.
Under both measures, the money would be spread out over six years.
The Senate proposal also moves the state's Office of Film and Entertainment from the Department of Economic Opportunity to Enterprise Florida, the state's public-private business recruitment organization.
The Legislature had allotted $296 million for incentives when a prior funding program was launched in 2010.
However, the money was quickly doled out. No new funding was allocated last year. And Gov. Rick Scott didn't include any additional money for the industry in his recommended spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
When the Senate committee discussed the funding during an October meeting, Chairwoman Nancy Detert, R-Venice, said the idea behind the bill would be to offer something that is easy for the industry to understand, works in conjunction with film-school efforts in Florida and has a set end date.
"We're never going to be the state that puts in the most money," Detert said. "We're going to be the state that puts in dependable money, with a verifiable process and is something that is fair."
In moving the agency, the office would be renamed the Division of Film and Entertainment, and require the appointment of an industry insider to serve as the state's film commissioner.
Critics questioned the move of the agency, which they contend has allocated past tax credits on a first-come, first-serve basis rather than on the potential return on investment.
"Privatizing the film office does not increase transparency or ensure this program operates with more fiscal responsibility," Dan Krassner, executive director of Integrity Florida, a nonpartisan group, said Monday. "Lawmakers should require online disclosure of this program's tax credit awards on the DEO incentives portal. This program needs more openness and accountability, not less."
Film Florida President Leah Sokolowsky told the committee during the October meeting that competition from Georgia and other neighboring states have made it tougher to sell Florida to film and digital media production companies.
"They now have 11 studio, bricks-and-mortar projects … that are breaking ground outside of Atlanta because of the investment they made," Sokolowsky told the committee.
With Florida pushing to increase tourism to 100 million visitors a year, Sokolowsky also made a point of highlighting the impact of film and television production on the Sunshine State's tourism efforts.
"Shows that portray Florida … they're free advertising with other people's money for our state," Sokolowsky said. "They show the best of the best of everywhere in the state."
She added that the recently concluded show Breaking Bad, "even when the content is questionable to some," drew tourists to New Mexico.
"They want to see where great stories are told," Sokolowsky said.
Film Florida notes that the Burn Notice, which ended a seven-season run on USA Network last September, was estimated to have a promotional value of $170 million a year by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Last July, the Governor's office noted in a release that the 2011 family drama Dolphin Tale added $17 million in revenue to the state, created jobs for nearly 1,300 Floridians, and "as a result of this film, attendance at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium quadrupled to about 750,000 annual visitors last year, with 300,000 of those visitors traveling from out of state."
Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, said with the bulk of past film and television incentives going to the Orlando and South Florida regions, a challenge will be to have future incentives entice production crews to locate outside those areas.
The Senate committee proposal sets aside 20 percent of the annual credits for production crews using "underutilized" counties, where less than $500,000 in incentives had been made in the prior two years.
The House effort offers a 10 percent tax credit for production in "underused" counties which are identified as those "other than Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange counties."
The Senate committee is scheduled to address the proposal on March 3.
–Jim Turner, News Service of Florida


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Kimberly Killebrew has not received any gifts yet
Hi Kimberly,
Welcome to Mom Bloggers. I'm a new member myself, learning my way around. Just wanted to stop by and say hello!
Thank you for your friendship here at BN. I love connecting with new people! I have followed a few of your networks and will be staying in touch with you Kimberly. Gods richest blessings to you and yours. If you need anything I'm always happy to help. Melissa
Stopping in to say hello and welcome from The Girlz Korner.


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I used the cute little hearts as a garland and used some clothes pins to hang them on a sweet polka dot ribbon.
Some of my favorites!! :)
A Sweet Valentines Subway Art!
My kiddos have the day off from school so it will be a busy day. Better get to those sweet little ones! Hope you have a lovely day!!
I have to show you these samples that just came in the mail last week!! Aren't they the sweetest!! I can't wait for these to arrive in the next month or so!! :)


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The weathercasters say we are having a heat wave. At least that's what they predicted last week.
When I moved to San Ramon in 1997, I rented an apartment in the Cedar Point Apartments on Cedar Point Loop off Alcosta near the Dublin border. The rent was only $700 for a one bedroom apartment. The weather there was always mild. I even teased a friend who lived in Livermore about how hot it gets there.
San Ramon has microclimates. Cedar Point Apartments, which has been renamed The Seasons, is in one of the milder locations. My house on Mangos Drive is in one of the hotter locations. In fact my neighborhood gets as hot as Livermore. When the weathercaster gives the high and low temperatures, San Ramon is usually shown a few degrees lower than Livermore, but the high temperature at my house can be at least has high as Livermore's high.
Last week I bought two large outdoor thermometers. I put one on my fence to the north and the other on my back fence to the west. On Thursday afternoon the one on the north was 120 degrees and the one on the west was 100 degrees.
The temperatures here do go over 100, but usually not this early in the year. When I first moved into my house it didn't get this hot until July. It's too soon to tell if the weather is getting hotter earlier or this is just a fluke.
When I bought my house in 1998 it did not have central heat or any air conditioning. It had those old wall furnaces ? one in the hall near the bedrooms and one near the kitchen. The first Improvement I made was to add ducts and a gas furnace in the attic and a whole house air conditioner outside.
The company that put them in, ITES, used to be in Pleasanton but moved somewhere near Sacramento. They also installed dual pane windows throughout the house, all for under $10K. I added heat filtering screens on my back windows and a retractable awning over my patio last year.
From May through October I try to use as little electricity in the afternoons as possible. I had solar panels put on my roof in 2009, so my electricity is on a time-of-day billing. From 1 pm to 7 pm the rates per kwh are tripled. I try not to use any electricity during peak hours, so the energy from my panels goes back to PG&E for a credit.
I did not use the air conditioner during the "heat wave." Instead I open the back windows and front windows and patio door with the screen door closed, and let nature's air conditioning flows through the house.
My house on Mangos Drive and others along South San Ramon Creek were built in the 1970's and are designed for cross-ventilation. That was the original air conditioning back before air conditioners were invented and perfected. There's almost always a nice afternoon breeze flowing through the house to keep it cool.
I use the air conditioner at night; so I don't leave the windows open. I have a security system so I don't want to leave the windows open. While San Ramon is mostly safe, I've heard about some recent break-ins not far from me. So I leave my alarm system armed and the windows closed at night.