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Weathering the elements of motherhood and travel with Tech21 iPhone cases
I'm a traveler, but more importantly, I'm a mom. I don't consider myself an extreme adventure type of person. I'm deathly afraid of zip lining (seriously, I've had panic attacks on the wire), but I do love to ski the bunny hills. I enjoy snorkeling, but I'm not a scuba diver. I'm your semi-average gal doing normal things, like running down her phone battery checking Instagram and texting friends about who is picking up the kids next Thursday.
On top of all of that, I have a messy life, both schedule wise and cleaning wise. My kids destroy my house on a daily basis. I have dropped my cell phone in the toilet, on a sandy beach, in a mud puddle and in a snowdrift.
My iPhone is not cheap! All of these drops and spills have added up! It's kind of a nightmare trying to keep your phone pristine when you have kids, and well, live your life.
Tech21 for life
A few years back I was looking for a phone case for my iPhone 4 or 5 (which one was out, who knows? They upgrade so fast!). My boys were little. I needed a case that would basically bounce if I dropped it.
The problem was, all of the protective cases were big and bulky. I didn't need the Hulk to protect my phone, just something sweet and simple. What I found as a thin, simple case by a company called Tech21, ordered two (my husband had a phone too after all) and never looked back.
I have now owned at least five Tech21 cases for phones thanks to phone upgrades and needing more protection or battery backup. I think I've tested out even more than that.
Rain, mud and mist with the Tech21 Evo Aqua
Recently I got to play with the Tech21 Evo Aqua for the iPhone 7 while in Greece and Seattle. Now I knew Seattle would be rainy, but I had no idea our first and only day of downtime while working with refugees in Greece would bring a torrential spring downpour. There was no way I was going to miss seeing the Acropolis if I only had a day to explore. I snapped the Evo Aqua onto my iPhone 7 and hit the streets with a few friends. The Tech21 Evo Aqua can be tricky to secure on a phone, but once I got it all snapped into place I didn't have to worry about rain leaking in. My phone was dry even after traipsing through mud puddles and rain.
A similar situation hit while I was in Seattle. I wanted to go on a hike with friends in St. Edwards State Park on the Eastside of Lake Washington. It was a steep and muddy climb down to the water, and slipper on the way back up. There was no way I was going to leave my phone in the car and not capture those incredible greens on the path though.
Western Washington is known for its green moss and evergreen trees. While hiking down I slipped and my phone dropped. Thankfully it didn't fall over the cliff, but it did hit the mud and a tree stump. Ouch! Like any good mom I picked up my phone, making sure it was still in one piece. The Tech21 Evo Aqua case was still in tact. Phew! I wiped the mud off on my running pants and kept going. The people at the breakfast joint we hit after the hike had no reason to think that workout gear I was wearing hadn't been used that morning. I am no poser!
Extending battery life with the Tech21 Evo Endurance
Battery life is always a problem. I go to a lot of conferences and a lot of destinations where getting a quick charge isn't an option. The Tech21 Evo Endurance Charging Case is the slimmest case I've seen with a built in battery. I regularly get at least one full charge off of my case. Even with continuous use, I've never run out of power with it on.
I really got to put this case to the test when I was at Hacienda Petac in Mexico. We were climbing the Mayan ruins at Uzmal. Obviously there was no outlet in the temples we walked around or the one we climbed (talk about a sweaty workout!). We were up early and saw a lot of the area around Merida, Mexico that day. Never once did I drop power, so I was able to keep shooting even after my big dSLR battery was long dead. That case has come on ever trip and conference since. I just don't have time to stress about battery life.
Tackling the everyday with Evo Gem
Ever since my first Tech21 case, I've always gotten another basic case. True, these cases will not save my phone from splashing into the toilet and needing to bathe in a bowl of rice for two days. What they give me is simple convenience and peace of mind.
The Evo Mesh Sport case I normally bought was pretty dark. I like smoky colors. When the Tech21 Gem series came out, I had to do a double take though. Those jewel colors called to me (my color wheel says I should wear them after all). I needed that turquoise case! So I got it. It's a beautiful bright little accessory in my back pocket now instead of a black void I tend to lose in my couch and under my bed.
Like I said. I'm a mom. My kids find my phone and it goes missing from time to time.
Which Tech21 case is right for you?
OK, so who says a girl can only have one phone case? I have friends with different cases for different days, outfits and more. Phone cases have become the new accessory. I'm happy to embrace the trend.
I need my Evo Aqua for my more adventurous outings, like hiking, skiing and kayaking.
The Evo Endurance is a godsend on trips, at conferences and even when I'm running errands or going to a doctor's appointment with my kids. My youngest plays iPhone apps for toddlers while I talk to my doctors, which drains my battery quickly.
My every day is happy with the Evo Gem and Mesh Sport though. The slim design fits easily in my back pocket, isn't slippery, so when I pull it out of my purse it doesn't go flying. If my phone does fly, it does a little bounce as the Tech21 impact protection (a unique FlexShock™ material) does its job and protects my phone.
I've got enough to worry about as a mom, entrepreneur, wife, chauffer, cleaner of stucky substances and just a person living her life. The one thing I can't deal with anymore is my phone protection. For at least four years Tech21 has kept my phone safe and you better believe when the next iPhone comes out I'll be protecting it immediately with the latest Tech21 gear.
Are you ready to take the Tech21 life challenge?
This post is written in partnership with Tech21. As always, my opinions are my own. When they aren't you will be the first to know.


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…because it reminds me of this:
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
~Romans 8:31-34

subset: commoncrawl


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Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. DeAngelis
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. DeAngelis
Johna B. Capaldo of Philadelphia, Pa., and Stephen T. DeAngelis
of Philadelphia were married Sept. 4 in the Cathedral of SS Peter
and Paul in Providence by the Rev. Michael Colello, STB. A
reception followed at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol.
The bride is the daughter of Patricia and John Capaldo of
Chester Springs, Pa. The groom is the son of Donna and Thomas
DeAngelis of East Greenwich.
The matron of honor was Ashley Wilson. Felecia Gaziano, sister
of the groom, Dayna Foster, Jackie Slimm, Marissa Slimm, Kelly
Yemm, Katie Kunkle, and Berkley Summerlin were bridesmaids.
The best man was Anthony DeAngelis, twin brother of the groom.
Steven Gaziano, Alan Baglini, Marc Buontempo, Thomas Buontempo,
Michael Kokotajlo, Michael McIntyre and Jonathan Tafuri were
The bride graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia and
is employed by P.F. Valente Associates in Bridgeton, N.J. The groom
is a graduate of the University of Delaware and is employed by
Dupont in Richmond, Va.
The couple visited Italy on their honeymoon and make their home
in Richmond.


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Migrants drown as Europe confronts growing crisis
Greek Coast Guard pulls more bodies from the sea while tensions rise as EU struggles with worsening migrant crisis. Sean Carberry reports.
STORY: The Greek Coast Guard has once again had to scramble to rescue Syrian refugees after their dinghy capsized. They rescued eight and recovered two bodies. Five people are missing. Thousands of Syrians continue risking their lives in an attempt to reach cash-strapped and overwhelmed Greece. Those who make it to Islands like Lesbos, people like Hadi, are desperately trying to secure ferry tickets to get to mainland Greece. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MIGRANT FROM SYRIA, HADI, SAYING: "Water no, food no, nothing. Ticket no. Sleeping in the street, sleeping in the street." The crush of migrants and refugees streaming into Europe is overwhelming governments, aid organizations, and citizens. Over the weekend radical right wing groups in Germany staged violent protests outside a refugee shelter. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said all EU countries have to do their part to respond to the crisis as she condemned the protests. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL SAYING: "It's repulsive to see how right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis are voicing their hatred. But it is just as disgraceful to see how German citizens, and even families with children are supporting this by marching along with them." EU foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini says people must stop pointing fingers. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, FEDERICA MOGHERINI, SAYING: "What we should do more is to work together also with Turkey but also with other countries, not only to support them in hosting this large number of refugees, but also to help in the management of the flow and most of all to try to solve the root cause," Which is a tall order given the root causes include the Syrian Civil war, the war in Afghanistan, and various crises and conflicts in Africa.


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Your divorce team has two separate and distinct components. A legal team, lead by your divorce attorney and a financial team lead by your Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. A good divorce attorney will be proficient in the law as it relates to your case, but most divorce attorneys will not be well versed in the investment, tax, and mortgage strategies that may need to be part of your divorce settlement. After all, your divorce attorney went to law school to study law, not finance or accounting. Having a financial team in place to collaborate on strategies with your divorce attorney is critical to your divorce settlement. Divorce attorneys in Plano, Frisco, McKinney and the surrounding areas have worked with professionals from Divorce Strategies to help their clients for over 15 years.
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LONDON, 15-Jun-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — The current political and economic climate has contributed to some of the highest levels of uncertainty seen for decades, say PwC economists in their latest Global Economy Watch.
Indeed, in recent years, uncertainty has been keeping business leaders busy. CEOs have responded in several ways – from insuring against the potential costs of cyber attacks, to stress – testing their operations and finances under alternative economic scenarios.
PwC Senior Economist Barret Kupelian says: "Businesses that have invested resources in such areas are likely to be better prepared for a future that remains highly uncertain. According to our CEO Pulse Survey, 30% of business leaders expect at least one crisis to hit their business within the next year."
The impact of uncertainty cuts across all sectors of the economy, affecting households, businesses and financial markets. The key effects are:
- Households: uncertainty can – at least temporarily – reduce consumer spending to safeguard against potential falls in income. Typically, this also leads to a boost in precautionary household savings. In the US, for example, household savings increased by around 5 percentage points during the financial crisis, from 3% to 8% of personal disposable income.
- Businesses: uncertainty can push businesses to cut back on production, investment and employee compensation. In particular, large capital projects which tend to have a high degree of irreversibility may be particularly sensitive to high levels of uncertainty.
- Financial markets: in uncertain situations, investors require a higher rate of return on their capital through higher risk premia. This means that the cost of credit could increase at times when perhaps the central bank decreases its policy rate, which is the usual action taken when the economy slows down. At times of uncertainty, capital also tends to flow from riskier to safer asset classes.
All of the above have significant cumulative impacts on the economy. The International Monetary Fund estimates that a one standard deviation increase in uncertainty is associated with a 0.4 – 1.3 percentage point decrease in output growth.
The first implication for business is that known uncertainties can be planned for and mitigated against. This can be done either by buying insurance or by using other sophisticated methods like financial instruments to insure against these risks.
Secondly, businesses can enhance their preparation for unknown uncertainties by simulating hypothetical events and assessing their effects on the balance sheet as well as day-to-day operations. For example, in financial services this is done through scenario planning and stress testing, techniques which are increasingly being used in the non-financial services sector.
Finally, policymakers can also influence levels of uncertainty in an economy. An example is the US Federal Reserve which, since the financial crisis, has been lengthening its analysis with the aim of increasing transparency on monetary policy decisions. It's important that policymakers mitigate market uncertainty by putting in place a coherent, transparent and well-communicated strategy.
Barret Kupelian concludes: "Policymakers have an important role to play as they can reduce levels of uncertainty by ensuring any future changes to the regulatory environment are as gradual and predictable as possible, while retaining the flexibility to act quickly if a major crisis does strike."
For more details, please see this month's Global Economy Watch at www.pwc.com/GEW.
About PwC
At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We're a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 223,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com.
PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.
SOURCE: PwC
Simon Reed
Sr Manager, Global Communications
United Kingdom
+44 20 7804 2836


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The article that I'm posting could have been written by me. I'm stunned that it wasn't because it tells my story almost precisely. There are some differences: I was my mother's confident and personal counselor; it was she who used guilt and rage to control what I did, how I felt, and what I thought. My father was the alcoholic, but just like the young man's mother, he was pretty much wrapped up in his own life. However, we do have similar nicknames given to us: his was "Honeyboy" and my father called me, "Honey". He still does.
I have to say, I feel strange posting this. I'm not only violating my family's "don't talk about family business to anyone outside this house", but there's the larger version of the "don't talk" rule that envelops the African American community. This is sometimes referred to as "don't be putting your business out in the streets", or simply "don't be telling people your business." There's a lot of fear projected in both "don't talk" rules, at least it seems that way to me. Estrangement from family and my community is a frighteningly nightmarish and real possibility to me. But what has the "don't talk" rule done for me? I've named off some of the consequences in a previous blog, but let me reiterate a few more: Food addiction. Love addiction. Morbid obesity and related health problems. Near death. Self-mutilation. Loneliness. Depression so severe that I rarely moved from the couch except to eat or go to the bathroom. Extremely low self-esteem. Anxiety. Under achievement in my chosen profession. Inability to communicate effectively with the opposite sex.
At this point, I'm trying to save my own life. And if I am risking estrangement by openly revealing the sources of pain and grief in my life, I accept that consequence. It's not like I'm unfamiliar with loneliness, and estrangement is better than death. This has been my life, and as much as I love my parents, I have to recognize the reality of what has been guiding my thoughts and behavior. Until now.
I'm also posting an article written by a family therapist that explains the emotional incest syndrome. Here are the URLs for both articles, along with websites for support groups.
When I was 11, three years after I first became overweight, two things happened. My parents' marriage, which had always been tense and harsh, took a turn for the worse. It degenerated into the worst depths of verbal violence. Also my father began to lose his eyesight to diabetes. At about the same time, my maternal grandmother died, and my mother was devastated, retreating into a shell-shocked depression.
Afterward, my mother became an angry, hard-bitten, unfeeling woman. My father responded with rage and constant curses and verbal abuse in an effort to subdue her to his will. Both sides expected the children (I was 11, my brother 14) to take their side, and reacted with anger to any declaration even of neutrality. They fought on the slimmest of reasons and never made up or reconciled, yet made no move towards divorce or separation, or even counselling.
During this period, my father began to lean on me for emotional support. "Honeyboy" was his pet name for me. I effectively played the role of a spouse, emotionally though of course not sexually. I supplied him with his supply of cuddles and hugs. I was the one who listened, at painful length, to all his problems with my mother. If I attempted to remonstrate or mediate, however, anger would rise quickly at me.
This relationship was largely a one-way street. If I ever cried or showed any non-joyful emotion, my father would only get upset, saying if I depressed him further I would shorten his life. The basis for this line of thought was his diabetes, which is known to be worsened by stress. I soon learned to instinctively bury all feelings. If I wanted to cry, I held back tears until I could go somewhere where no one would see or hear me.
The idea of turning to someone else for comfort became alien, weakling and not for heroes. As for expressing anger, disappointment, or frustration, not a chance. Any anger I showed would be punished by an outpouring of fury from my father, and he would cruelly pile guilt on my head, accusing me of being ungrateful for all the sacrifices he made (continuing to work at an unsympathetic employer despite his worsening vision).
His verbal abuses against me were nothing compared to his almost maniacal verbal shotgun blasts against my mother, which started over the tiniest of real or imagined provocations. Any attempt by my brother and I to stop the yelling failed, or only turned it on us.
My mother was jealous of my relationship with my father. Any personality resemblance I showed to him she resented. She disliked, even despised, me for most of my adolescent years. My obesity, my intellectualism, my fashion tastes, my total fear of girls, and all the rest either disgusted or angered her.
She was not one to fly into long, protracted tirades like my father. On the other hand, she showed no sign of gentleness or empathy like he would. He always turned to me for hugs; she would resist or push me away if I tried to hug her. Often she would go for days without smiling or saying anything polite at home (though, oddly, I saw her cheerful and happy at her workplace).
She became a workaholic and for a two-month period when I was 14, an alcoholic. She once nearly injured my brother by throwing an object at him (missing, fortunately) during a drunken rage in which she had accused my father (falsely, as she later admitted) of having had an extramarital affair.
They could not communicate directly without fighting, so they used my brother and I as messengers. One parent would tell us to tell the other something. We would do so, and the comment would often enrage the other parent, who would deliver a furious tirade, not directed at us but we were the grieved audience. And so on. It was endless, relentless.
Worse was that they strictly forbade me from telling anyone about it. It was to be a family secret, and I was not to disgrace the family by revealing. I kept friends away from our house.
I was never permitted to say or mention what I felt. One morning when I was 16 as I was eating breakfast my mother started to complain about something my father had done. Normally I restrained from saying anything, but this one time I erupted in rage at being the listening post again, and swore at her. She burst into tears and called me a faithless traitor of a son. Remembering that I was not permitted to be angry, I went to apologize but she took a knife and threatened to stab me if I came to embrace her. I went to school with that image in mind. Eventually I got her to accept an apology but she never really forgave me. It took me six years to realize she should have been apologizing to me.
That year, I was awarded first place in a public speaking contest. My mother, on the way home, suggested we play a little practical joke on my father, telling him at first I hadn't won. When he found out (after only a few minutes) that I had, he congratulated me, then proceeded to yell at me for the next three hours, calling me a shameless, cruel, vindictive, selfish, and mean-spirited brute.
The only way I could survive was either to run away from home or to believe everything my parents said about me. I chose the latter. I hated myself and it showed at school, where I was by far the brightest student around, always the top of the class, but also the most socially isolated, walking the halls with a dour, unsmiling, unapproachable appearance. I had no friends, never went to dances or social events, and never dated. I had no life outside the family.
When I was 17, a similar morning incident occurred, but my restraint held until I left the house, when it collapsed and I fell on the sidewalk on the way to school, crying hysterically in broad daylight. I spent the day wandering the streets in a daze.
I think I would have given a million dollars if my mother had said "I love you", or hugged me, or given even the slightest sign of affection during those terrible teen years. She rarely said anything positive or nurturing about me; I was socially maladjusted, greedy, lazy, selfish, and undependable in her eyes. I was a bad son, just like my father.
I would have given a second million if my father had ever stopped using guilt as a weapon to make me do his will. If I didn't make him a cup of tea when he wanted it, I was reminded of his blindness and struggles to provide for the family, and my duty as a son.
When the time came to go to university, my marks were high enough to go anywhere I liked. My father said that if I left home, he would not die within six months without the emotional support I provided, as well as the physical needs I took care of. He needed me to protect him, he said, from his wife's "savagery". The one campus near our hometown was about average, but inferior to other schools that accepted me. My father refused to provide any financial support if I left home, and told me repeatedly our income was too high for me to receive government aid. I stayed at home.
My father, nearly blind, retired two years ago; a year later my mother finally moved out. She remained hostile to me until very early this year, when she took the drug Prozac, and improved somewhat. My brother and I continued to live with my father.
And there I am now. I have accepted a job in a major city about 130 km away, after graduation. My father did not oppose my taking the job, but he has long wanted to move to the big city. He will expect me to take him in. I can refuse, indeed I want to refuse, but a powerful blow of guilt and shame will be laid upon me, and I fear I will crumble under it as I did for so long.
Oasis, June 6, 1996.
Emotional Incest
"Consider a scenario where mother is crying in her bedroom and her three year old toddles into the room. To the child it looks as if mom is dying. The child is terrified and says, "I love you mommy!" Mom looks at her child. Her eyes fill with love, and her face breaks into a smile. She says, 'Oh honey, I love you so much. You are my wonderful little boy/girl. Come here and give mommy a hug. You make mommy feel so good.'
A touching scene? No. Emotional abuse! The child has just received the message that he/she has the power to save mommy's life. That the child has power over, and therefore responsibility for, mommy's feelings. This is emotional abuse, and sets up an emotionally incestuous relationship in which the child feels responsible for the parent's emotional needs.
A healthy parent would explain to the child that it is all right for mommy to cry, that it is healthy and good for people to cry when they feel sad or hurt. An emotionally healthy parent would "role model" for the child that it is okay to have the full range of emotions, all the feelings - sadness and hurt, anger and fear, Joy and happiness, etc."
One of the most pervasive, traumatic, and damaging dynamics that occurs in families in this dysfunctional, emotionally dishonest society is emotional incest. It is rampant in our society but there is still very little written or discussed about it.
Emotional incest occurs when a child feels responsible for a parents emotional well-being. This happens because the parents do not know how to have healthy boundaries. It can occur with one or both parents, same sex or opposite sex. It occurs because the parents are emotionally dishonest with themselves and cannot get their emotional needs met by their spouse or other adults. John Bradshaw refers to this dynamic as a parent making the child their "surrogate spouse."
This type of abuse can happen in a variety of ways. On one end of the spectrum the parent emotionally "dumps" on the child. This occurs when a parent talks about adult issues and feelings to a child as if they were a peer. Sometimes both parents will dump on a child in a way that puts the child in the middle of disagreements between the parents - with each complaining about the other.
On the other end of the spectrum is the family where no one talks about their feelings. In this case, though no one is talking about feelings, there are still emotional undercurrents present in the family which the child senses and feels some responsibility for - even if they haven't got a clue as to what the tension, anger, fear, or hurt are all about.
Emotional incest from either parent is devastating to the child's ability to be able to set boundaries and take care of getting their own needs met when they become an adult. This type of abuse, when inflicted by the opposite sex parent, can have a devastating effect on the adult/child's relationship with his/her own sexuality and gender, and their ability to have successful intimate relationships as an adult.
What often happens is that 'Daddy's little princess' or 'Mommy's big boy' becomes an adult who has good friends of the opposite sex that they can be emotionally intimate with but would never think of being sexually involved with (and feel dreadfully betrayed by, when those friends express sexual interest) and are sexually excited by members of the opposite sex whom they don't like and can't trust (they may feel they are desperately 'in love' with such a person but in reality don't really like their personality). This is an unconscious way of not betraying mommy or daddy by having sex with someone that they are emotionally intimate with and truly care about as a person.
Over the last ten years I have seen many different examples of how emotionally dishonest family dynamics impact children. Ranging from the twelve-year old girl who was much too big to be crawling into mom's lap but would do so every time mom started to cry because that interrupted her mother's emotional process and stopped her crying, to the nine-year old boy who looked me in the eye and said "How am I supposed to start talking about feelings when I haven't my whole life."
Then there is the little boy who by four-years old had been going to twelve-step meetings with his mother for two years. At a CoDA meeting one day he was sitting on a man's lap only six feet away from where his mother was sharing and crying. He didn't even bother to look up when his mother started crying. The man, who was more concerned than the little boy, said to him, "Your mommy's crying because she feels sad." The little boy looked up, glanced over at his mother and said, "Yea, she's getting better," and went back to playing. He knew that it was okay for mom to cry and that it was not his job to fix her. That little boy, at four years old, already had healthier boundaries than most adults - because his mother was in recovery working on getting healthier herself. The best thing that we can do for any of our loved ones is to focus on our own healing.
And one of the cornerstones of healing is to forgive ourselves for the wounds we suffered and for the wounds we inflicted. We were powerless to behave any differently because of our programing and training, because of our wounds. Just as our parents were powerless, and their parents before them, etc. etc.
One of the traps of Codependence Recovery is that as we gain awareness of our behavioral patterns and emotional dishonesty we judge and shame ourselves for what we are learning. That is the disease talking. That "critical parent" voice in our head is the disease talking to us. We need to stop buying into that negative, shaming energy and start Loving ourselves so that we can change our patterns and become emotionally honest.
There is hope. We are breaking the cycles of generations of emotional dishonesty and abuse. We now have the tools and knowledge we need to heal our wounds and change the human condition. We are Spiritual Beings having a human experience. We are perfect in our Spiritual essence. We are perfectly where we are supposed to be on our Spiritual path, and we will never be able to do human perfectly. We are Unconditionally Loved and we are going to get to go Home.
I wrote an updated version of this article in 2000 as part of an series of articles on inner child healing on the Suite 101 Directory Inner Child Healing - Part Six, Emotional Incest - and then published another article on Suite 101 in November of 2003 (and since have moved to this site): Emotional Incest = Sexuality Abuse


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Men suffering from depression may also suffer in the bedroom
Depression affects around 350 million people worldwide and can have a devastating impact on your life and relationships, including in the bedroom.
Sadly, when it comes to depression and low libido, men tend to suffer the most. Whereas women can say "Not tonight, I have a headache," men often feel that avoiding sex somehow emasculates them or changes the way their partner views them. And, to be honest, many times women do not understand that all men aren't in the mood for sex sometimes, even if they aren't depressed. It's just one of many urban legends in this country that needs to be debunked if men and women are going to able to communicate honestly in the bedroom.
Now that you know that low libido is common among depressed men, you might be wondering: Why does this happen?
There are many reasons. First, there is the emotional aspect. If you are feeling dejected and worthless, you aren't going to feel very sexually desirable or very sexually desiring. In fact, you may shy away from all forms of physical affection, even kissing or snuggling with your mate.
Second, your physical health might be taking a hit (which means your sexual health will suffer as well). When men are depressed, they tend to pack on the pounds and avoid the gym—and they might be even reach for a few extra beers each night, all of which can do great harm to their sexual function and ability to perform.
Last, medication for depression often comes with sexual side effects. Many people who take anti-depressants report that they suffer decreased libido or decreased sexual response as a result.
However, there is good news. There are many medications that have been shown to have less of an impact on libido, so talk to your doctor about these options or about changing or lowering your dose if possible. You should also find ways to motivate yourself to get back in the gym, whether it is by making a pact with a buddy to workout together or simply by staying more active during the day (like taking a walk during your lunch break or playing with your kids in the snow after work instead of lounging on the couch).
You should also be honest with your spouse about where you are at right now emotionally. Otherwise, when you pull away from her advances or shut down in the bedroom, she is only going to assume the worst (i.e. "Is he no longer attracted to me?" or "Is there another woman?"). Let her know that you are feeling stressed and sad lately, and troubleshoot ways you can still stay connected during this time (maybe you aren't in the mood for sex but you could enjoy a hot bubble bath together).
Finally, don't be afraid to speak out and ask for help. Depression is a common occurrence and it can happen to everyone, men and women alike. Asking for help isn't weak, it actually shows strength of character and a willingness to work hard and improve. Click here for more information on depression.


text:
Sep 7, 2009
More lapses.
I wanted to fix a few things with the final one: use a polarizing filter to get rid of the reflection on the windshield, and lengthen the exposure to be as close to the intervals as possible. I didn't have any ND filters so I tried getting two polarizing filters at the right position to darken the lens enough to have an 8sec exposure and shoot every 9 seconds.
The battery ran out halfway. I like watching the light on the passenger seat.
Monday, September 07, 2009
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There is certainly no shortage of interior design firms in New York City, but Richard Mishaan Design is one of the best. First of all, even though he might be best known among many for his interior design work, Richard Mishaan is also highly knowledgeable about architecture and landscape design. This is not something that can be said about every interior designer.
When you visit the Richard Mishaan website, you can easily see a ton of his work. His portfolio shows that he has a broad knowledge and a knack for working with many different styles and types of homes, but some of his best works are the "Upper Westside Townhouse," which shows clean lines and modern design, and "Hamptons Summer House." In "Hamptons Summer House," Richard Mishaan Design was able to pull of a classy and elegant look while making the home look incredibly relaxing and laid-back at the same time, which isn't an easy look to pull off at all.
Along with offering interior design, architecture and landscape architecture services to those in New York City and the surrounding area, Richard Mishaan of Richard Mishaan Design is also well-known throughout the industry for other reasons as well. For example, those who are interested in interior design themselves and who like a modern, stylish and luxurious look can learn a lot from his two books, "Artfully Modern" and "Modern Luxury."
For those who are looking to learn more about the interior design industry or who are looking for a designer to help with their project, Richard Mishaan Design is an excellent choice. His designs are hard to be beat when compared to some of the other designers out there, and his books are incredibly educational and helpful for those who want to learn and sharpen their own interior design skills.


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Track length
Track type
Emotion track
Episode title
Buy from
Featured in episode(s)
©2010 Varèse Sarabande and Michael Giacchino
"Jack's Cup Runneth Over" is an orchestral piece from the Season 6 soundtrack.
Scene description
Jacob sets down his torch and asks Jack for a cup. Jack provides one and Jacob fills it with water. Jack drinks it, and Jacob says he must hold the job for as long as he can. When the ritual is complete, Jack is like him.
Most of the piece is a variation on the protector theme.
Title significance
The phrase "cup runneth over" derives from Psalm 23:5 in the Bible. (Note the occurence of the number 23, and the use of Psalm 23 during the Season 2 episode of that title.) It describes someone who is richly blessed. During the scene, Jack drinks from a cup.


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Author Kendra E. Ardnek is doing an extensive overhaul of all six of her books, and new covers are part of the bargain. Today is the grand reveal of all six shiny new covers!
Who's Kendra?
If you've been around this blog for any length of time, you've read my posts on Kendra's books and probably know all about Kendra already. If not, stick around and you will!
Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways. She's been or acting them on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years. "Finish your story, Kendra," is frequently heard at family gatherings. Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that glorify God and His Word.
Also, she has a website. Check it out. She has a blog where she knits stories and posts all sorts of interesting tidbits on life, writing, and other creative plain sense and fun imaginative nonsense. She has a shiny Amazon page, a Goodreads Author page, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account.
What's being overhauled?
(in the words of the author)
Sew, It's a Quest. I sent this book to my kindle, tore it to shreds, then retyped the whole thing, making every word fight to stay in the book. I completely rewrote one chapter, and added/expanded several scenes, focusing on character development and pacing, in particular Robin's character.
Do You Take This Quest? This book has one added chapter, a few (potentially) added scenes, and a severe edit. Again, focus is going to Robin's character development. I hadn't the maturity to completely handle her emotional situation when I wrote this book, and now I intend to fix that.
My Kingdom for a Quest. This book was mostly clean … but it's getting a part two. AKA, book 3.5, The Quest for a Quince, AKA, Casperl's story. There will be an edit to part one, though.
The Ankulen. Mostly just a thorough edit. I don't foresee any great changes.
Water Princess, Fire Prince. Again, mostly a thorough edit, but there will be a few continuity fixes, and I'll be adding a bonus scene to the extra stuff at the end.
Lady Dragon, Tela Du. Edits mostly.
Where can I get more information on these books?
Goodreads: Sew, It's a Quest ~ Do You Take This Quest? ~ My Kingdom for a Quest ~ The Ankulen ~ Water Princess, Fire Prince ~ Lady Dragon, Tela Du
Createspace (paperback) and Smashwords (FREE ebook): So far, only Sew, It's a Quest has been rereleased; the others will be available at intervals throughout the coming months.
Can I get free stuff?
Yes. Reread the above paragraph for a free ebook. Then go enter this giveaway for a chance to win a full signed collection of Kendra's books in paperback. Comments on any blog post of mine regarding Kendra's Overhaul count towards the giveaway (including this one), so comment below for more chances to win!
Is this a party?
Yes. All the following blogs have interesting and unique Cover Reveal posts today:
www.writtenrest.wordpress.com (You are here.)
Where are the new covers?
You have been most patient. Here they are. (Unless you skipped everything to get here. In which case you missed the free stuff.) The first three covers were designed by the author herself, and the last three were designed by the amazing Alea Harper, whom I wholeheartedly recommend for cover design. (Promise's Prayer also owes its cover to her incredible skills.)
And now…the covers. Click to enlarge each one and read the tagline underneath.
Aren't they so interesting? Here are a few of my favorite elements:
Sew: the title with the needle and sword wrapped together. If you've read Sew, you know the needle and sword are both key elements of the story.
Take: the painting on the easel, which is actually basically the old cover refined, toned down, scaled down, and incorporated into the new cover
Kingdom: the color scheme; the green is gripping.
The Ankulen: the pen hidden in the title
WPFP: the colors and how they blend together in the sky
LDTD: the faces and colors. You'll have to read the book to understand how fitting these elements are and how well the theme is captured through this cover.
Why should I care about these books?
The Bookania Quests (Sew, Take, and Kingdom): if you like whimsical fairy tales turned on their head combined with imaginative and lighthearted adventure, you'll like these books. Also, if you like puns even slightly, you'll love these books.
The Ankulen: If you're a writer or a reader with an imagination (or if you wish you had an imagination, or if you admire the imaginations of others), you will find this book clever and interesting. It's light and fun, but the stakes still run high. It's unique in that it can be taken both lightheartedly as a fun and simple fairy story, or philosophically with complex and deep questions, issues, and real-life struggles wrapped in a fantasy setting.
The Rizkaland Legends (WPFP and LDTD): If you enjoy light fantasy with spiritual meaning, you'll like this series. If you normally don't read fantasy, you still may enjoy this series (*raises hand*). It's complex, colorful, deep, and riveting, with so many unexpected and clever plot twists and richly satisfying endings. I highly recommend these books to young adult readers.
What are your favorite elements of the six covers? If you've read any of these books, what do you like about them? If not, what interests you about them?


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I do hope you had a lovely weekend, whether celebrating in the USA, just enjoying lovely summer weather or even some crispy days in the winter area.
It is Tuesday again and that means another Colour challenge at The Outlawz. This week my teamie Heather has chosen this beautiful photo for us to use as inspiration. There are so many lovely colours and ideas to use for this week.
The sponsor for our challenges this month is Stitchy Bear Stamps and the DT have each used one of their images to make some beautiful cards. I do hope you will pop in and view these lovely creations.
For my card I have used the image Fun in the Sun, as this beautiful photo makes me think of holiday, relaxing and having fun.
I used the following:
Paper: Coloured the card with Distress inks for a background. Then cut patterned paper with a Marianne die and cut the image with a die from the same set.
The image was coloured with Distress inkapds, added glossy accents for the sunglasses.
The sentiment is from Country Crafts and mounted on a flower diecut.
Will enter this in some challenges:
Artistic Inspirations challenge #135...Anything goes/twist of summer
Card Mania #70...Anything goes
Craft Your Passion #269...Anything goes
Use Your Stuff...Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #13...Anything goes
Pile it on #76...Hot fun in the summertime
Robyn's Fetish #271...Anything goes
Inspiration Destination #41...Anything goes
The Paper Shelter #211...Holiday Time
Penny's Paper Crafty challenge #235...Anything goes
That's it for now friends. I will be back with another post later, another DT card. Wishing you a wonderful day...have fun, but take care.


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Outlook Express Email Extractor
Outlook Express Email Extractor Features and Settings
Outlook Express Email Extractor v3.5 extracts all email addresses from Outlook Express or Outlook Express (.DBX) files. It is very efficient tool for extracting email addresses and easy to use.
You will get a clean email addresses list and can save in CSV (Open in Excel) files and Text (.txt) file. It works for all .DBX files in BATCH process. It provides only email addresses those you need and removes duplicate and unwanted fack email addresses.
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text:
Reply: #21
RE: sleepbound.
> oPEN THE MOTHERFUCKING PACKAGE
there have been thousands to walk upon our planet.
We haven't been awake to see them.
people I can maybe/definitely/probs do: john, dave, karkat, Eridan
Reply: #22
RE: sleepbound.
>Open the package
You decide to start opening the package. You're almost afraid of damaging whatever's inside - when you shake it lightly, it sounds almost like glass. You should be gentle with it...
> oPEN THE MOTHERFUCKING PACKAGE
nOPE. You throw gentleness out the door, ripping open the package. Inside, there's a disc that looks almost too much like a CD, along with -
Oh god.
Your dad actually did it.
Inside, you find three things: The strange disc, which you assume to be the game, along with a new FETCH MODI and a STRIFE SPECIBUS. You guess your dad really wants you to be prepared for something, or he's finally fed up with your shit. Regardless, you examine the FETCH MODI first.
It appears to be a CHORD MODI. In order to retrieve any item inside, you must arrange it into a chord based off of the first letter of the items name, going by the musical scale. The middle one will get out first, followed by the top, then bottom. You wonder why your dad bought you such an impractical and otherwise useless modi, but you won't question it. He at least tried.
On the other hand, you have a new STRIFE SPECIBUS card to be filled. You've never had one before - never needing one to begin with - although you can't fault your dad for getting you one. You realize that is a VIOLINKIND STRIFE SPECIBUS...
How the ever living fuck do you fight with a violin, though?
Nevermind. You have more important things to do.
You grab the disc and move to your computer, sliding the disc in. A multicolored logo flashes almost immediately, a bar beginning to fill in the middle of it.
You've got some time on your hands, knowing that it'll likely take a few minutes to load.
What do you do?
> Pester tactfulGearbox.
> Pester tyrannicalTutor.
> Pester galvanicCraft.
> Collect Stuff.
> Enter Custom Command.
Reply: #23
RE: sleepbound.
> Wait, how would the modi work though? If it takes the first letter and uses it as a chord, what about the non-chord letters? Like in the word package, p isn't a chord. Would it automatically shift to the next available chord-letter?
there have been thousands to walk upon our planet.
We haven't been awake to see them.
people I can maybe/definitely/probs do: john, dave, karkat, Eridan
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A yet to be identified man has passed away after mistakenly consuming an insecticide at a Chinese restaurant at Adeniran Ogunsanya street, Surulere, Lagos.
The sad incident occurred yesterday.
It was reported that the deceased had attended a wedding at Aguda, Surulere, and gotten drunk.
He later proceeded to hangout with friends at the restaurant.
However, a staff of the restaurant had inadvertently left an insecticide inside an empty bottle of water on his table.
The deceased ordered for a bottle of water and ended up taking the insecticide, instead of what he ordered.
When he started acting up, his friends rallied around him and he opened up to them that he took something, thinking it was water. He eventually died after being rushed to a hospital in the area.
The matter was later reported at the Bode Thomas police station, Surulere and the manager of the restaurant was arrested and is currently being detained at the station.


text:
Formats and tools
- Unit Description
- Reconstruct the unit from the xml and display it as an HTML page.
- Assessment Tool
- an assessor resource that builds a framework for writing an assessment tool
- Assessment Template
- generate a spreadsheet for marking this unit in a classroom environment. Put student names in the top row and check them off as they demonstrate competenece for each of the unit's elements and performance criteria.
- Assessment Matrix
- a slightly different format than the assessment template. A spreadsheet with unit names, elements and performance criteria in separate columns. Put assessment names in column headings to track which performance criteria each one covers. Good for ensuring that you've covered every one of the performance criteria with your assessment instrument (all assessement tools together).
- Wiki Markup
- mark up the unit in a wiki markup codes, ready to copy and paste into a wiki page. The output will work in most wikis but is designed to work particularly well as a Wikiversity learning project.
- Evidence Guide
- create an evidence guide for workplace assessment and RPL applicants
- Competency Mapping Template
- Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners. A template for developing assessments for a unit, which will help you to create valid, fair and reliable assessments for the unit, ready to give to trainers and students
- Observation Checklist
- create an observation checklist for workplace assessment and RPL applicants. This is similar to the evidence guide above, but a little shorter and friendlier on your printer. You will also need to create a seperate Assessor Marking Guide for guidelines on gathering evidence and a list of key points for each activity observed using the unit's range statement, required skills and evidence required (see the unit's html page for details)
- Self Assessment Survey
- A form for students to assess thier current skill levels against each of the unit's performance criteria. Cut and paste into a web document or print and distribute in hard copy.
- Moodle Outcomes
- Create a csv file of the unit's performance criteria to import into a moodle course as outcomes, ready to associate with each of your assignments. Here's a quick 'how to' for importing these into moodle 2.x
- Registered Training Organisations
- Trying to find someone to train or assess you? This link lists all the RTOs that are currently registered to deliver DEFLS002B, 'Maintain and fit helmets'.
- Google Links
- links to google searches, with filtering in place to maximise the usefulness of the returned results
- Books
- Reference books for 'Maintain and fit helmets' on fishpond.com.au. This online store has a huge range of books, pretty reasonable prices, free delivery in Australia *and* they give a small commission to ntisthis.com for every purchase, so go nuts :)
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Maintain helmet
1.1 Helmet is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures
1.2 Helmet is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturers' specifications
1.3 Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty helmet is quarantined
1.4 Unserviceable parts of the helmet are replaced to render helmet serviceable
1.5 Communication system components are tested in accordance with standard procedures
1.6 Helmet is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures
1.7 Helmet suit is presented for inspection by supervisor and work is not progressed until supervisor has completed inspections in accordance with standard procedures
1.8 Relevant documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures
2. Fit helmet
2.1 Fitting process is explained to the participant so that optimal fit can be achieved through relevant feedback
2.2 Participant is measured to select appropriate size helmet
2.3 Components of helmet are adjusted to optimise fit
2.4 Helmet fit is verified through participant feedback and supervisor approval
2.5 Relevant documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures


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Michigan St confident after beating Michigan again
Last year, Michigan State's win over Michigan sent the teams in
opposite directions.
The Spartans ended up sharing the Big Ten title, while the
Wolverines stumbled down the stretch.
Michigan State hopes its 28-14 victory over Michigan on Saturday
will have the same effect, while the Wolverines insist this season
is different.
"It's easy to say, 'Oh, it's the same Michigan team of the last
two years' – but I have no doubt in my mind that we're not,"
Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs said. "We're going to improve. We're
to learn from this game. We're going to win."
The Spartans moved up to No. 15 in the AP poll on Sunday, while
Michigan dropped to 18th. Michigan State, which took over sole
possession of first place in the Big Ten's Legends Division with
its victory Saturday, won't have much of a chance to rest. The
Spartans host No. 4 Wisconsin next Saturday night.
The Wolverines, on the other hand, have an open date next
weekend before beginning the stretch run with a home game against
Michigan State beat Michigan for the fourth straight time,
equaling its longest streak in the series. Last year, the teams
were undefeated when they met in October. The Spartans went on to
lose only once during the regular season, while Michigan went 7-5,
was blown out in its bowl and fired coach Rich Rodriguez.
This is the third straight season the Wolverines were undefeated
before losing to Michigan State.
"It's very special, and I feel like we as a team and we as
individuals have been overlooked and underestimated for a large
part of our careers," Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins
said. "Wins like this are very satisfying for that reason."
Michigan State beat Wisconsin at home last season – the only
regular-season loss for the Badgers, who went to the Rose Bowl
anyway because of a Big Ten tiebreaker. The Spartans had to settle
for a Capital One Bowl berth and were blown out by Alabama.
Although Michigan State dropped an early game this season to
Notre Dame, the Spartans look every bit as capable as last season's
team. They are ranked No. 2 in the country in total defense.
"We just want to win on Saturday, that's all that matters,"
defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said. "All that defense stuff –
stats, you guys know how I feel about stats – it doesn't matter.
That win right there, that's the most important thing."
Wisconsin is averaging 50.2 points per game, the best mark in
the nation.
Michigan's defense is improved from last season, when it was
clearly a liability. The Wolverines had a chance to tie Saturday's
game in the fourth quarter, but Denard Robinson was sacked on
fourth down deep in Michigan State territory.
Robinson was kept in check by the Spartans throughout the day
and eventually left the game in the final minutes after a hit.
He'll have an extra week to recover now.
Although another loss to Michigan State stung, the Wolverines
will ultimately be judged on how they finish. They host Nebraska
and Ohio State to end the regular season next month.
"I know that we have great leadership on this team, including
myself," Michigan senior defensive tackle Mike Martin said. "We
have a bye week coming up and I know guys are going to be hungry.
… These seniors and these leaders are going to get this team


text: I found someone have bought some case from sprint store in south bay area, but three sprint store in my area are not selling anything untill tomorrow. would anyone let me know whitch sprint store already selling case for the evo ? like the body glove or the white case with chrome trim. thanks a lot!!


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I have an update about Ticket Chat and the date and time.
I apologize for the inconvenience but due to unforeseen circumstances I'll have to reschedule our chat. It will now be Friday, September 9, 2016 at 2pm Eastern time. Price remains the same.
I hope to chat with you all, for more information about Ticket Chat refer to my original post here!
*Ticket Chat asked me to try out their new app.


text:
you should work with your host on this then, since this falls under the category of server configuration.
Your friends over here at WebAssist! These Dreamweaver extensions will assist you in building unlimited, custom websites.
These out-of-the-box solutions provide you proven, tested applications that can be up and running now. Build a store, a gallery, or a web-based email solution.


text:
You better listen to it or I'll be upset.
Watching the boy interact with his friends at his first birthday thrust me into a bout of self reflection. The first was "how to not be the hovering parent." I think resisting the urge to orchestrate a baby's every move in order to keep from another child–especially a friend's child that you also love–being bumped, scratched, pinched, tipped over, upset is a feat of self control. Thankfully my friends are great parents and all of us are pretty chilled out about baby drama. And by drama I mean the general being upset about virtually nothing. The second major reflection was realizing that the first year of parenting drew a clear line in the sand about my expectations for optional relationships in my life and what I needed to chose to invest my time into and what I needed to release.
Making friends and keeping them has never been something that is effortless or natural for me. This may come as a surprise for some. I typically have a handful of pals. And one of my most fierce coping mechanisms is that in most aspects in life I exude confidence even when I am trying to mask my insecurities. I try to make up for whatever I feel like I am lacking in a social situation with sass, wit, and sarcasm. I'm the queen of acquaintance and being cordial and entertaining for a particular situation and retreating back into myself as soon as the event is over. But, friendship is and has always been a vulnerable thing or me. When it comes to including people in my life, my home, sharing stories, secrets, and my flaws I take it seriously and I take it to a deeply personal level. This probably comes from binge watching Now and Then every weekend in my formative years. I thought friendship was for life and now I realize that the majority of friendships are usually for a season or a specific moment in time. I've also come to truly believe that best friend is more a tier than a single person. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. This bit of knowledge has come from spending plenty of time in my teens and twenties broken hearted from investing too much into friendships where I got too little return on my investment. Where emotional energies clashed. I would take and not give or give and not take. This only ever lead to me getting burned out and not able to deal with the dynamic–letting relationships fizzle and fade or having a complete and utter meltdown and forcibly removing a person from my life by lighting that metaphorical bridge on fire. The first option has its place in life. The latter…well…
I've been every type of friend you can imagine. I've been the bitch, the bestie, best friend for life, second tier friend, the friend you just called when you were bored, the friend with the pool, the church friend, mortal enemy turned friend, cool friend, funny friend, little sister, big sister, coffee date, superficial gossip friend, Insta tag friend, mean girl, weird girl, neighbor friend, the girl across the street, study buddy, mom friend, AIM messenger friend, friend that is a co-worker, friend that is a business partner, the best friend "secret" girlfriend friend, the friend with really shitty benefits, the friend that sells stuff, the crafty friend, frenemy, best friend that just happens to be a girl friend, the "I didn't necessarily want to be your friend but we happen to like all the same things" friend, the really crappy friend, travel buddy and everything in between. This has given me a unique perspective on my friendships (and at times lack thereof) and set a maybe impossibly high standard.
I was lucky enough to be paired with one of my best and, in terms of time, oldest friends straight out of the gate. For a long time we were inseparable and as children the highest compliment you could give me was to ask if she was my twin. I never had siblings growing up. This allowed me to handpick the people I looked up to and make my own surrogate siblings. She is and was the person I looked to for hand-me-down clothes, wisdom, and telling me life truths early on in life. This includes but is not limited to: the fact that Santa isn't real and what a blow job is from the perspective of a prepubescent girl who had open parents, an older brother, and asked a lot of questions. Now she answers my questions about what your vagina feels like after you've had a baby, what do I do when my teething child turns my nips into hamburger meat and is an uncontrollable mood little monster, is it dumb to be afraid of dying during labor and gives me colorful commentary about what awaits me in my parenthood journey. Don't get me wrong, our relationship hasn't had a perfect track record. Circumstances beyond our control put distance between us right before middle school. It didn't help that our middle school and high school experiences were littered with a smattering of awful. She was (and still is) the trifecta of pretty/popular/cool, I felt like I couldn't compete with her new friends and didn't want to because sometimes I am a stubborn cry baby. If my feelings are hurt I become a little petty and never forget it. Whether it is directly someone's fault or not. This case was "or not".
SIDE NOTE: In the process of working super hard on getting over that right this second.
But, even in the times of distance I was team her and vice versa. We watched each other go through the messy awkward, painful parts of life and come out on the other side. Motherhood has brought us together stronger in the most beautiful way, and for that I will forever be grateful. I've needed that in this journey. Someone that knows all the layers and shadow places. She speaks to me sans judgement. She never makes me feel ashamed of my shortcomings as a person or mother. She does nothing but lift me up. To top it off, I feel closer now with her being across the country than I feel to some of my friends that live in my backyard. She sets the bar high and sets the standard. In this season of life I have realized that I can no longer just be a friend by proximity. I simply don't have the time or the emotional energy to do that anymore. If I can feel love from across the country via texts, then no one else has an excuse. Sorry not sorry.
I need the energy exchange to be equal. You're in or out. As harsh as it sounds, I've had to set terms for myself: what I'm willing to give, what I'm willing to accept. Not everyone is going to be a super close, amazing, remarkable, memorable friend. But, that doesn't make them a bad friend. It also doesn't create an excuse for bad, flaky friends. Those who are close to me I want to dig deep and know them. To talk about the hard things. I feel like the connections I've made over the last year have been magnetic. They have been necessary, enlightening, and fulfilling. I've found them in unexpected places.
Coffee shops. Chiropractic offices. Warehouses. Hippie dippie birthing classes. Facebook messenger. Full moon circles. And I'm beyond thrilled that I've been open to it.
I feel like motherhood has been the only thing that has ever made me realize what a relationship is worth. It's been the one thing that has allowed me the courage to say out loud, "I need this (whatever this may be) from you." It has gifted me perspective and fierce connectivity.
I've been given the privilege of watching the boy begin to create meaningful connections. Until recently he hadn't spent much time among his peers. He is funny, curious, brave, bashful, and spirited. He is an observer. Something that has already proven to draw others into him. His curiosity and want spurred on the decision for him to start a Mother's Day Out program twice a week.
I want so many things for him in terms of relationships. Friends that lift him up and believe in his talents. Friends that want to walk through life with him and know him. Friends that buy him tacos on their birthday week. Friends that are excited to see him. Friends that love his weird. I want him to create genuine, positive connections. I want him to have a handful of forever friends. I don't want it to take 30 years for him to figure it out and feel well supported.
I would be lying if I said I didn't get a little morose realizing that everyone isn't always going to engage with him they way the do now. Most people are just drawn to babies for the sake of the endorphins. I'm positive he will blaze a trail and draw people in all on his own. It's already a talent he has that I recognize and want to foster. I am constantly working to not project my experiences on to him. We are crucial to each other's journey. But, my experiences are not his and his are not mine. I want him to create his own adventure. Right now, that means just trying to navigate the balance between playfully curious and being so enamoured with faces that he slams his friends into the ground. I want to be present in his journey and keep myself from being overly protective or cautious when it comes to him figuring out his friends. Especially at this drunk monkey stage where they are constantly grasping to each other for stability (whoa–so much literal and figurative meaning there). I never thought I would have to learn to let him go so soon. I want everyone to love him and embrace him with open arms. I don't want his spirit to be broken. That wild, free, open heart is so exciting to me.
You know what else is exciting to me? Quad lattes, tacos, and conversation. You can be a friend too if you provide me with these necessities. No pressure.


text:
1940's Hairstyles - Daniela Turudich
1 comment:
- AnonymousOctober 28, 2014 at 4:18 AM
I understand you may like to look at the information on the latest in the line of War Archives. We have a different one each month The next one I am working on is called Women at War.ReplyDelete
As regards content, there are just five sections...
• The home front
• In industry
• On the land
• In the services
• Over there (in the USA)
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June CPI
Today, we got inflation data from the UK for June. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), consumer inflation rose at an annualized rate of of 1.9%. Forecasts were around 1.6% and May's reading was 1.5%. The hot CPI data was led by clothing, food, and air transport.
Mark Carney and the Bank of England have guided markets to look for a rate hike at the end of 2014 to early 2015. The unexpectedly hot inflation rate, if sustained, can give the BoE more room to hike rates in 2014 instead of waiting. Traders have already been buying GBP like hotcake, as we will see in the EUR/GBP charts below.
ZEW Economic Sentiment:
The EUR on the other hand has been pressured. Economic data in Germany and the Eurozone have been soft, and credit conditions are giving markets a reminder of the regions credit crisis a few years ago. Today, German ZEW Economic Sentiment for July came in at 27.1, missing the 28.9 forecast, and the previous reading of 29.8. It is the lowest reading for this index since the December 2012. Meanwhile, the Eurozone's ZEW Economic Sentiment came in at 48.1, drastically lower than the 62.3 forecast and the 58.4 reading for June.
The diverging data out of the UK and Eurozone paved the way for a sharp slide in the EUR/GBP. This move is mostly due to GBP strength and partially to EUR-weakness. As you can see in the 4H chart, the market faded the pair after a week of consolidation. Today's reaction is already returning price back to the bottom of the consolidation at 0.7915, which is also the low on the year.
EUR/GBP 4H Chart (7/15):
(click to enlarge)
As price breaks below the 1-week consolidation, a bearish continuation is in play. The prevailing trend has been strong, and there is no reason to believe EUR/GBP should reverse now. If price fails to break below 0.7915 and pushes up above 0.7980, then we got some signs toward a bullish correction. Otherwise, the market remains bearish, and there is room to run until the 2012 low of 0.7765.
EUR/GBP Weekly Chart (7/15):
(click to enlarge)
While there is no reason to believe EUR/GBP will reverse, we will have reason to look for support around 0.7765, especially since the weekly RSI will likely be below 30, and show oversold conditions in the long-term. Then, a significant consolidation could be due, with price likely to gravitate toward the 0.80 handle.
To contact the reporter of this story, email Fan Yang at email@example.com
Previous Post: EUR/JPY – Technical Signs for an Imminent Bearish Swing


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This entry was posted on Saturday, November 20th, 2004 at 9:28 am and is filed under Eurovision. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Eurovision News Review:
* Teenager prepares for Eurovision
* Teenager jets off to Eurovision
* Who's happiest? – Salon
* Eurovision Song Contest 2006 at esctoday.com | your daily Eurovision…
* Eurovision Song Contest 2006 at esctoday.com | your daily Eurovision…
* Eurovision debate on Maltese television tonight
* Junior 2004: A day before the big day!
* Hail the lord of the dance
* Downtown in Dubrovnik
Teenager prepares for Eurovision – BBC News
Cory Spedding, 13, from Frizington, jetted out to the town of Lillehammer ahead of the competition, which takes place on Saturday night. She follows in the footsteps of 11-year-old Tom Morley, also from Cumbria, who came third last year. Cory will be performing The Best is Yet to Come, which she wrote herself. About 7,000 people will be watching her perform in Haakons Hall, but Cory says she will not be intimidated by the crowd.
Teenager jets off to Eurovision – BBC News
Cory Spedding, from Frizington, travels to the Norwegian town of Lillehammer on Friday ahead of the competition on Saturday night. The teenager follows in the footsteps of 11-year-old Tom Morley, also from Cumbria, who came third last year. Cory is performing The Best is Yet to Come, which she wrote herself. She said: "I just can't wait to perform.
Who's happiest? – Salon – Salon
Zimbabwe, racked by political insecurity and hunger, is rated the gloomiest, picking up only 3. The figures may be reminiscent of a global version of the Eurovision Song Contest, but the intention behind the study — to find the best country to live in during 2005 — is serious as well as competitive. "Although rising incomes and expanded individual choices are highly valued," the report says, "some of the factors associated with modernization — such as the breakdown of traditional institutions and the erosion of family values — in part offset its positive impact. "Ireland wins because it successfully combines the most desirable elements of the new (the fourth highest gross domestic product per head in the world in 2005, low unemployment, political liberties) with the preservation of certain cozy elements of the old, such as stable family and community life. " Ireland's lifestyle victory represents rapid promotion for a country that until the 1990s suffered from large-scale emigration of citizens in search of work abroad. Membership in the European Union has, however, transformed its prospects.
Eurovision Song Contest 2006 at esctoday.com | your daily Eurovision… – esctoday.com
com News. com concluded that after a small survey among parents around Europe. Polls are funny to organise, an excellent way to entertain, but reliable… To 26 families (with one or more kids under 18) in ten of the participating countries we asked: if your family would watch the show, who decides for which country your household votes?
In 18 families the kids can decide for which country to vote. In 5 families they would decide together, in the other 3 the parents would decide. Most of the internet polls are based on the opinion of Eurovision fans, particulary aged above 18. This means that the Eurovision fans are not representative for tonight's televoting. The bookmakers base their bets on their expectations and the bets from paying members, again people above 18. Although it must be said that this poll is not 100 percent scientific, the results are significant enough to at least take into account that Junior Eurovision Song Contest polls are even more unreliable than those organised for the grown-up's festival. And we all know how misleading they can be.
Eurovision Song Contest 2006 at esctoday.com | your daily Eurovision… – esctoday.com
tv Prevention of smoking among adolescents Junior supports FEEL FREE TO SAY NO FEEL FREE TO SAY NO, the European campaign for the prevention of smoking among adolescents, is the official partner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. FEEL FREE TO SAY NO transports the message of non-smoking to young people all over Europe and is the first European non-smoking brand for young people. The official website junioreurovision. "It is no longer cool to smoke, and anyone who smokes is not genuinely free and independent.
Eurovision debate on Maltese television tonight – esctoday.com
The subject will be discussed on TVM tonight. The debate will be attended by Maltasong head Grace Borg, UKAM president John Vassallo, Fleur Balzan, Ivan Grech , Aldo Busuttil, Steve Aquilina and Philip Vella, who composed the Maltese entries Desire (2000), 7th Wonder (2002) and On Again?Off Again (2004). Bondiplus will be aired tonight on TVM at 20.
Junior 2004: A day before the big day! – esctoday.com
se) News. Our reporter Jenny Steng?rd from Gylleneskor. se reports! The dress rehearsal before the press started at 16:00 local time at H?kons Hall. First, all the kids line up and walk in and wave before the camera, country by country. The hosts make their entrance with humour, according to another inside source from esctoday.
Hail the lord of the dance – chinadaily.com.cn
And it's the right time for Michael Flatley and his "Lord of the
Dance" to tour Beijing. Enchanting tours
To the many millions of his fans in all corners of the world, Michael
Flatley's name is synonymous with the wave of Celtic dance mania. His swaggering, muscular style, uncompromising precision and spectacular
speed – 35 taps per second according to the Guinness Book of World Records –
brought the mesmerizing magic of Irish dance to the international arena in 1994,
at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Dublin and broadcast it to a global TV
audience. Flatley's 7-minute solo performance during the intermission of the contest
catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight and it was later turned into
the world sensation "Riverdance. "
In 1996, Flatley left "Riverdance" and produced "Lord of the Dance", a show
featuring more than 40 dancers who deliver an eloquent and stunning
interpretation of a classic tale of good vs evil based on old Irish folklore as
Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord, challenges the Lord of the Dance. Comprised of 21 scenes, it is also a passionate love story expressed through
dance numbers that transport audiences into a mystical and exhilarating world of
intense passion. Following 18 sold-out shows in Taiwan, Flatley will bring the production to
the Chinese mainland for five shows at the Beijing Exhibition Hall Theatre from
November 17 to 21.
Downtown in Dubrovnik – manchesteronline.co.uk
a stirring and seductive collection of superior Croatian Eurovision entries – each rising in a crescendo and sung as if the future of the nation depended on a spot-on delivery. Our rooms were mid-nineties Ikea style, bright and cool, with 15 yards of decking leading to a stunning vista – a neat pebble beach, crystal clear Adriatic, and a tree-covered island. For three of the days we were there, we just lay in the sun, swam, and admired the beauty. The hotel is in a cluster which includes the Argosy and Minceta, both three-star. All were nearly full, well positioned, and a 10-minute bus ride from the old city.


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Club Notes - 27th October 2008
Andy Duffy Memorial Cup
The club retained the Andy Duffy memorial cup last Friday evening under the floodlights against Red Hughs Gaa club from Donegal.
Following our success from the previous weeks championship win it was a make shift team with some of the veterans of years gone by making an appearance along with some of the upcoming stars.
The club would like to thank The Red Hughs Club for taking part in the game and in honouring our late chairman's anniversary.
Bon Voyage
Best wishes to a number of players who have left the club to go on their travels following our championship win last Sunday week.
Adrian McGeehan has gone to Australia, Tommy Moriarty, Connor Burke and Jason Mullarkey have gone to New Zealand while Andy Gallagher has landed in Perth Western Australia.
Dinner Dance
There are still tickets available for our gala dinner dance on Saturday 8th November in the Crown Moran Hotel, Cricklewood. Tickets can be purchased for £65 from the club house (02088643494). Tom Mohan 07710307137 or Stephen McLoughlin 07788723922. Dress black tie.
Gaels Hurlers
Congratulations to Fergus McMahon, Kevin Downes, Dan Mc Cusker and Andy Hayes on winning the London Senior Hurling championship last Sunday for the Robert Emmetts against Sean Traceys.
Reserve Team
The reserve team had another walkover in the championship against St Brendans. We are now in the final against Fulham Irish. Date to be confirmed.
The minor team play in the championship semi final replay this Sunday 2nd November against the Parnells in Greenford 2.30pm.
U16's Great British Champions
History was made in Birmingham on Saturday when Tir Chonaill Gaels U16's retained their title for the third year in a row, twice under the guidance of Rick Williamson and this year with Noel Geraghty as the manager. Well done to Noel and all the lads and everyone who travelled to watch the game Thanks to all.
Lotto Results for 23/10/08
Jackpot £1600, Numbers Drawn 8,9,12,21
No Jackpot Winner.
£25 Lucky Dip Winners
Christina Chusack, C/o British Queen.
John Cunningham, Killybegs.
Noreen Boyle, TCG.
Larry Kehow, C/o British Queen.
Next weeks draw 30/10/08 Jackpot £1650.


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DALLAS, Texas — The campaign of Senate District 10 (SD 10) conservative front runner Konni Burton called out Democratic opponent Libby Willis for taking $500,000 from special interest personal injury trial lawyers in an ad on the final days of the state senate race. Outlets like the Texas Tribune and Quorum Report balked at the ad but this is exactly what Willis did.
Willis also received a $350,000 contribution from the Mostyn Law Firm. Founder Steve Mostyn is a Houston-based trial attorney whose firm has contributed generously to Democratic causes including the Wendy Davis campaign, Harris County Democratic Elected Officials PAC, and the Texas Victory Committee, Inc., a joint project of Wendy R. Davis for Governor and Battleground Texas the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
The $500,000 campaign donation to Willis was from the Back to Basics PAC, mainly funded by Mostyn, during the reported July 1 to Sept. 25 period, also according to the Star-Telegram.
Of the $2 million the mega donor Mostyns contributed to Democratic candidates and causes, the $500,000 contribution made Willis the largest individual recipient of their money. The intention was to equip her with "a fundraising lead in the campaign's final month, " the Houston Chronicle reported.
That fundraising edge, however, has gone instead to Burton in the final month with more than $1.5 million in contributions versus Willis who added only $1 million since the end of September, according to the Texas Ethics Commission. Burton has significant cash on hand: $214,000. Willis lags with $92,000.
Burton, a Colleyville resident, is a longtime grassroots activist and Tea Party favorite. She is the candidate running to take the district seat back for the Republicans. It was abandoned by Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) in her quest to run for governor against the heavily favored Republican candidate Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Willis admitted to the Texas Observer that SD 10 is a Republican-leaning district and her chances of winning are a long shot, but Battleground Texas and high profile Democratic candidates have rallied around her to get people out to vote for her.
Other liberals have lined up to contribute to Willis. They include $230,000 from Annie's List and $10,000 from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C., also according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article on October 28.
Battleground Texas has donated to Willis in two ways, listing a total June 30 donation for $6,545 and $16,785 of in-kind staff support contributions the news outlet noted.
The Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) PAC gave the Willis campaign $5,000. TSTA is an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers union in the United States and they support the controversial Common Core standards.
The October 11 Star-Telegram article also included among Willis contributions $10,000 from Fort Worth real estate developer Flora Brewer and nearly $2,000 of in-kind phone banking contributions from U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey's Congressional Campaign Committee. Planned Parenthood endorsed Willis.
Burton, who better reflects the conservative values of a district, easily beat more middle-of-the-road GOP opponent, former state representative Mark Shelton, during the May runoff.
Senate District 10 includes Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Colleyville, and other areas of south and northeast Tarrant County.
Burton's conservative donors have included $100,000 from W.E. Bosarge Jr. of Houston; $100,000 from Tim Dunn, president of CrownQuest in Midland, and more than $745,000 from the Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC, according to the most recent reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.
The Star Telegram also showed that Burton's campaign received $20,000 from Empower Texans PAC; $2,500 from the Good Government Fund, run by the Bass family; $300 from Rafael Cruz, father of US Sen. Ted Cruz, who endorsed her in this race; $5,000 from Monty Bennett, a Dallas hotelier suing the Tarrant Regional Water District; about $80,000 in direct and in-kind donations from the Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC; and $10,000 from Alice Walton, daughter of the late founder of the Wal-Mart retail chain.
More than half a dozen lawmakers, including Republican state Sens. Brian Birdwell of Granbury, Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills and Jane Nelson of Flower Mound contributed to Burton's campaign, they noted.
The Texas Observer's Can Battleground Texas Save Wendy Davis' Senate Seat? depicts the mission of Battleground Texas as a numbers game. It is to get as many Democratic voters to the voting booth. "That's all there is to it," Willis said.
The article also highlighted Battleground Texas as a "group started by former Obama campaign staffers" working on turning Texas purple followed by blue.
Dallas Liberty Center volunteer and grassroots activist Ken Emanuelson recently addressed the significance of Battleground Texas and their intention to transform Texas into a Democratic state, first on a city level, then a county level followed by statewide.
He told Breitbart Texas, "Texas is the largest red state in the nation. If Texas ever turns Democrat blue, no Republican presidential candidate can hope to win. It's numerically impossible."
The aim of Battleground Texas' Blue Star Project is "to focus the group's technical expertise and organizing ability on legislative races, with the help of a 'coordinated field program and a full arsenal of data, digital, and communications expertise'" as the method they hope to swing the election, the Observer article stated.
Big government libs like Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) vying for the Lt. Governor spot, are out stumping for Willis in Fort Worth, pushing "supporters to help get people to the polls," the Star-Telegram reported on October 28.
"We all need every single vote," Van de Putte said at the recent Tarrant County Democratic Party headquarters for a get-out-the-vote-rally.
"Don't believe what they are telling you. This one is going to be close, Van de Putte predicted to Democrats.
Burton still leads in the polls but, no doubt, the Willis camp is working overtime to catch up.
SD 10 may be the most important race in the state. If Burton takes the district from the Democrats, it brings the state legislature one step closer to a Republican majority and farther from Battleground Texas' vision of a one-party, the Democratic party, nation.
Follow Merrill Hope on Twitter @OutOfTheBoxMom.


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WASHINGTON — Aides to Dallas Rep. Jeb Hensarling's office recently said that he would gladly help any constituent having trouble enrolling in a health plan under the Affordable Care Act.
"Providing outstanding constituent service is a top priority," an aide said, and that includes "their dealings with all federal agencies and bureaucracies."
The next morning, Hensarling joined other House Republicans in voting for the 41st time to repeal the law.
That illustrates how Texas Republicans are in the position of helping constituents with a program they are simultaneously attempting to derail as the next major step of Obamacare is drawing near.
On Oct. 1, the insurance marketplace will open and 6 million uninsured Texans must pick a plan or face a tax penalty. Organizations working to help North Texans understand the new health care act said they haven't heard much from federal lawmakers.
"I'll leave it up to their offices to determine if they feel responsibility to get the word out," said Tim McKinney, chief executive of United Way of Tarrant County. "I would hope they would."
Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, asked his group to participate in a roundtable with small businesses. Aside from that, McKinney said, he hasn't heard from members of Congress looking to help constituents navigate the new health care law.
Joyce Gaines, a senior consultant at Alkali Services, a benefits and insurance firm in Plano, said the looming changes are a top concern for her clients. But she's also seen little evidence of outreach by members of Congress.
"It's so important to their constituents," Gaines said. "It's important that they are helping to educate, but I'm not sure that's happening."
Texas Republicans in Congress universally oppose the new health care law. But a sampling found none who said they would turn away constituents with problems accessing its benefits.
Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, calls the law "bad for America" and contends it has the potential to destroy the economy. But he's kept his staff in touch with the Department of Health and Human Services. And Burgess arranged a meeting with the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services after he felt he wasn't getting as much information as he needed.
"I'll share with anyone who calls the information I have," Burgess said.
Even Sen. Ted Cruz, a leader in efforts to strip funding for implementation of the law, promised to help Texans participate if they call.
"I am honored to represent 26 million Texans," he recently told CNN. "And dealing with the government is inherently frustrating. It's inherently confusing, and one of the things our office takes very seriously is trying to help Americans deal with the government."
Not all GOP lawmakers share that approach. Several are refusing to make it any easier for the administration to implement the law, saying they'll refer inquiries to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius or the White House.
"We know how to forward a phone call," Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, recently told The Hill, a publication that covers Congress.
Texas Republicans are just as hostile to Obamacare, but potentially more helpful.
Houston Rep. John Culberson recently issued a news released titled, "My Day Is Not Complete Unless I Vote to Cut Spending and Repeal Obamacare."
Even so, an aide said, "Congressman Culberson's office provides help to constituents dealing with a rapidly growing federal bureaucracy, whether or not we like the agency or agree with its role."
Democrats predict political backlash for Obamacare foes who drag their feet or undermine implementation.
The party's top House strategist, Rep. Steve Israel of New York, sees the 2014 elections as a "referendum not on Obamacare but on who is trying to make it work and who is trying to destroy it."
Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has encouraged Democratic incumbents to work hard at making the new law work for constituents.
"We have been very, very focused on ensuring that they are back in their districts as problem solvers on the Affordable Care Act," he told reporters at a recent breakfast. "If you're going to go back home and re-litigate the ideological war on the Affordable Care Act, you lose."
Texas Democrats seem to have taken that message to heart, reaching out to constituents via conferences, events, free health screenings and bilingual brochures explaining the effects of the act.
Despite the outreach, Democrats' offices have received few calls about the law, as Republicans' have. Staffers expect an increase as Oct. 1 approaches and after the insurance marketplaces open.
Follow Emily Wilkins on Twitter at @emrwilkins.


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Member Since:
Jan 17, 2017
Goal Type:
Highschool Champ
Running Accomplishments:
I have been running since the Summer of 2016
Cedar (3 Mile): 24:01.1
Bloomington Hills North Park: (3 Miles): 26:16.3
Nebo (3 Miles): 25:59.68
Murray (3 Miles): 24:33
1600: 6:24
800: 2:53
Short-Term Running Goals:
Never miss a run
Read a new running article everyday in the summer
Run with the varsity girls everyday starting day one
3-mile: 21:59
1600: 5:59
800: 3:00
3200: 14:00
Long-Term Running Goals:
I have a crazy best friend named Anna who listens to my crazy rants when we run. :)
Favorite Blogs:
Minutes: 22
Todays run was good. I woke up a little later than I wanted to, and almost didn't go, but I kept reminding myself of my goals this year and got my butt out of bed. The weather was really nice. I just love morning runs so much. It's just the best way to start off my day. Even though today I tripped and fell. I scrapped up my knees kinda and ended up coming back slower than I thought I would. But other than that running has been great.
Rad Thing of The Day: Jessica & Jada's Instagram takeover.
Minutes: 20:20
Well I'm back blogging and running everyday. After a good two break from track, I'm ready for XC. New XC goals are over on the right hand side, this year I'm never gonna miss a run.
As for the run today it went well. I woke up at 6 and went towards the river trail. I had a pretty solid pace the whole way. It was nice running by myself and just thinking things through. But I can't wait to start running with everyone again.
Rad Thing of The Day: I got the April issue of Runners World and I just finished it today. All the articles were super interesting.