text:
These are most definitely the biggest meatballs I have ever made, and probably I have ever seen. When it's something fun and exciting like this, it makes eating the home-feel dish even better. It, however, borderlines with an Italian meatloaf, but just eating a meal titled jumbo meatball wins over meatloaf.
The recipe is from Food Network magazine, October 2013. Even though it's 4 servings because four jumbo meatballs, you can certainly make smaller meatballs and stretch it to 6 servings. The mini mozzarella balls are a nice touch for the center of the dish, but not quite necessary (I'm sure some will disagree.) To save a few calories, I skipped the ricotta cheese topping.
For the meatballs:
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
- 3 1/2 cups torn stale Italian bread (about 1/4 loaf)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 pounds ground beef chuck
- 1 small bunch parsley, chopped(about 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 mini mozzarella balls ( bocconcini)
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 28 -ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 3 to 4 sprigs basil, plus chopped leaves for topping
- Kosher salt
- Ricotta cheese, for topping
- Make the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400 and brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Pulse the bread in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Transfer to a small bowl, add the milk and set aside to soak. Lightly beat the eggs in a large bowl, then add the beef, parsley, parmesan, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes; mix with your hands to combine. Add the bread-milk mixture and mix until just combined (do not overmix).
- Dampen your hands and shape the meat mixture into 4 large balls. Make an indentation in the center of each with your thumb and stuff with a mini mozzarella ball, then mold the meat around the cheese. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake until browned and firm, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, 1 cup water, the basil sprigs and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and add to the sauce, spooning some of the sauce on top. Continue cooking, occasionally spooning the sauce over the meatballs, until tender and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Serve with ricotta and chopped basil.
- You can form all of these meatballs a day ahead; cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.


text:
Dear Governor Scot
- Published in Letters
To The Editor:
Dear Governor Scott,
As a seventh-generation Vermonter who left Vermont as a young person in 1954 after graduating high school, so I could get a good start somewhere else, I realize that much has happened since that time, but much still has not happened. Then, I was given a full tuition, three-year scholarship to Rutgers U. much better than the state scholarship I earned to go to UVM, the tuition was about one-half of that at UVM, housing on campus was minimal and I was offered a position as a waitress in the campus dining room that paid for all of my meals! Therefore, I had no debt at the end of my four years at New Jersey College for Women/Douglass College.
What has happened to those golden days? And why should we now have to live in a state where agriculture must be preempted by attracting young folks with specific technical/computer skills to move here by offering them $10,000 each to do so? I guess it seems a little backward to me. How about taxing those millionaires and billionaires who now live on our mountaintop havens at a fair amount so they can't hide their $$ elsewhere? Those mountain havens were once where the very poorest of the poor lived. Those poor are now displaced, dead, drug addicted or living under bridges in their home state. Why must this happen?
Why must we continue to pay huge health care premiums to BC/BS and MVP so that golden parachutes can be given to their retiring executives? Is this how Vermonters take care of our own? And what about the hospitals and their ever-escalating budgets? Why are sick patients (consumers) held hostage to these huge, dare I say, "corporations"? Health care is and certainly should be treated as a human right, in this the most affluent country in the world.
Yes, Vermonters deserve much better. Please rethink some of your pro-business, pro-corporate stance on the economy and instead focus on those of us who live here under much different circumstances. You also represent "the people," I believe, and we are the people as well as those millionaires who you continue to tout as the "bill payers." Yes, they are and should be paying even more.
Thanks for listening, Phil.
Mary Alice Bisbee
Mary Alice Bisbee, Waitsfield native, now living in Montpelier.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
With the rising cost of medical education to become a doctor, more and more people are turning to the medical assistant field. They get to work in the healthcare field they so love (bringing them contentment) and at the same time earn money. If you are one of those looking for medical assistant training programs and medical assistant schools, you can go checkout this LINK here. They have a list of medical assistant programs as well as other healthcare related programs.
From what I've heard, there are many licensed and practicing doctors who, when seeking greener pastures abroad, preferred to take the roles of medical assistants. Some people look down on what they thought of "demotion" on the part of the doctors. But that's hardly true. According to a healthcare website, and I quote –
At one time, doctors were thought of as the fabric of the medical institution, but things are changing with managed care as nurses and medical assistants are finally receiving rightful credit for their increasing role in patient care, performing examinations, administering therapy treatments, and managing insurance and billing records.So, what are you waiting for? Check the site now and start making your medical dream come true! Good luck!
Labels: health matters


text:
Review: Incubus (Daughters of Lilith #2) by Jennifer Quintenz
Uh, Oh, Things are starting to get real for Braedyn. Coming out of Thrall there was a lot of sky high ups, like saving the day but there were a lot of unanswered questions to be answered and Incubus just made things a lot more complicated. Honestly I mean complicated in the best sense because the world expanded by leaps and bounds here. We find out there is a male version of succubus called incubus and that not much is known about him in The Guards world, which of course means danger lies everywhere. Braedyn goes through a growth spurt in this second installment that is both negative and positive and it's what I look for in a YA heroine that is growing up.
The negative is the way she pulled away from her friends and family. However, this is part of being a teenager so I applaud the author for showing a real life situation in the midst of a crazy fantasy paranormal world. She makes mistakes and that's okay because I expect a girl of her to make mistakes. It makes the story seem authentic but still being this awesome supernatural story. It also gives Baedyn the opportunity to learn from these challenges and grow into a hero that I can love. She did that in this story multiples times and I feel like this sequel has set her up to great things in the future of the series. I would have liked to see some progress in a couple of her relationships, such as Karayan, but as far as moving the plot along this sequel was no slump.
Mrs. Quintenz also got me. I didn't see the ending coming at all and when an author gets one over on me that is rare because usually I can see a plot twist coming a mile away. Not here. I audibly gasped and scared my dog who was sleeping next to me in the wee hours of the morning. She kept it fresh, she kept it moving and she kept it real and everything about this book I loved. I'm a little afraid of where we are heading in this epic battle between good and evil but I am so on this train, I have booked my seats way in advance and can't wait to see what will happen with Braedyn and all her loved ones!


text:
Consistent growth in our membership over the past years has led to the need to expand our footprint to improve and maintain levels of service delivery to our members. The plan to effect this was ratified in principle by our Provincial Executive in November last year and approved by the National Executive in December.
Download NAPTOSA pdf Western Cape News Flash 17 A of 2016 (363 KB)
Download NAPTOSA pdf Western Cape News Flash 17 B of 2016 (383 KB)


text:
A light earthquake with magnitude 4.6 (ml/mb) was reported 142 km NNW of Barranca, Peru (88 miles) on Sunday. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 105.04 km (65 miles) below the earth's surface. The temblor was detected at 23:16:34 / 11:16 pm (local time epicenter). Global time and date of event 19/06/17 / 2017-06-19 04:16:34 / June 19, 2017 @ 4:16 am UTC/GMT. Exact location of event, longitude -77.1169 West, latitude -3.6114 South, depth = 105.04 km. A tsunami warning has not been issued (Does not indicate if a tsunami actually did or will exist). Id of earthquake: us20009nir. Event ids that are associated: us20009nir.
In the past 24 hours, there have been one, in the last 10 days one, in the past 30 days two and in the last 365 days six earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater that have been detected in the same area. Earthquakes 4.0 to 5.0 are often felt, but only causes minor damage. Each year there are an estimated 13,000 light quakes in the world.
Questions or comments?
Did objects rattle, topple over, or fall off shelves? Leave a comment or report about activity, shaking and damage at your home, country and city. This information comes from the USGS Earthquake Notification Service. Read more about the earthquake, Seismometer information, Date-Time, Location, Distances, Parameters and details about this quake, recorded: 142 km NNW of Barranca, Peru.
Copyright © 2017 earthquakenewstoday.com All rights reserved.


text:
"Evaluating a Public Health Program" is the last in a series of trainings dealing with the development and evaluation of public health programs. This training serves as a comprehensive tutorial on the Evaluation of a Public Health Program. The process of Program Evaluation continues the use of pertussis reduction in Lakeshore County as an example program and utilizes the logic model developed in the "Introduction to Logic Models" training.
The primary focus of the course is to explore the six steps and the four standard groups in the Center for Disease Control's Framework for Program Evaluation. This framework represents all of the activities prescribed by the CDC in Program Evaluation, along with sensible guidance under the standards to aid in good decision-making.
*This course was launched in September 2011. It was reviewed in August 2015 to assess its relevance to the current public health workforce and evaluate its continued listing on the Region 2 PHTC website. The review process was based on a subset of recognized distance-based learning standards. In order to keep the course up-to-date, the reviewer additionally updated the dead links in the course, along with identifying further resources to help learners achieve the objectives of the course.
Click on the appropriate button to begin.
I do not work for a State or Local Health Department in NYS.
I do work for a State or a Local Health Department in NYS.
If you are employed by NYS or a local health department in NYS, we recommend that you register for this course through the NYS Department of Health Learning Management System (DOH LMS).
Further Resources:
Introduction to Program Evaluation for Public Health Programs: A Self-Study Guide (CDC)


text:
One of the candidates in the recent tussle for the leadership turned up last week to my daughter's school to talk to the senior girls. This is the second time the school has invited a Labour MP in the last twelve months and it has not extended the invitation to anyone from any other party, so it is pretty obvious where the political inclinations of the teachers lie. The majority of them are raving left-wingers who take every opportunity to ram their facile political beliefs into the impressionable minds of their students and I have blogged about this before. However, I am grateful for this propagandising visit because it gave me the opportunity to discuss the MP's Socialist philosophy with my daughter and to use it as the theme of this blog.
The MP, according to my daughter's account of his speech, made three main points to the students:
- You should live your life for the benefit of others
- Government needs to be bigger to deliver more benefits to those in need
- He will support you if you have good ideas just so long as they are consistent with his philosophy.
Let us deal with each of these in turn.
In saying that you should live your life for the benefit of others, Socialists not only believe that people should be charitable, but that everyone should be forced to be altruistic. They believe the state should use its legal monopoly on violence to force you to live a proportion of your working life for the benefit of others by taking the product of your work through taxation. You are forced to pay your taxes under the threat of imprisonment or worse.
Once the Socialist has decided that you should work some of your life in slavery for others, there is no logical or moral limit to how much of your life he should take - thirty percent, fifty percent or ninety-eighty percent - the only limit is a pragmatic one, i.e. how much can he take without undermining your will to work at all? There is no limit to the demands on behalf of "those in need" and Socialists differ from Communists only in where they draw the line.
Whenever Socialists advocate enforced sacrifice in favour of those in need there is an unspoken question that always has an obvious answer. The question is, who gets to decide? Who determines who is needy, and who defines what needy really means? The answer, of course, is the Socialist proposing the sacrifice.
The Labour MP's last point is telling. He is making it clear it should be he that determines what is a "good idea" and who deserves to receive the product of work confiscated by the state. His philosophy is not so much "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need", as "- to each according to what I determine." It is no surprise that Socialist parties have brutal leadership contests - the lure of being the one who decides is too great for well-mannered successions.
In his novel, Animal Farm, George Orwell showed that enforced equality requires an enforcer. This is the fatal flaw with all collectivist philosophy, whether it is modern, milk-toast democratic Socialism or hard-line Marxist-Leninism. You cannot have an Animal Farm without a Napoleon the Pig. Scratch the surface of any Socialist and you will find a Napoleon trying to get out.


text:
With hundreds of thousands of motorists, both in the private and commercial sectors, using their vehicles on a daily basis, it no longer comes as a surprise that in total, they utilise millions of litres of lubricating oil every year. In fact, New Zealanders alone consume about 60 million litres of this type of non-watery liquid product annually.
The problem here is that used oil does not just disappear, nor does it decay or decompose. As such, it is vital that individuals and organisations using them implement proper disposal procedures. This is very important, seeing as incorrect disposal of waste oil can lead to numerous problems for both humans and environment.
Safe recovery, reuse, and disposal of used oil
Responsible after-use practices for waste oil collection should involve storage tank usage. Through the correct and efficient storage of used oil, organisations can prevent causing serious harm not just to humans, but also to the environment.
Keep in mind that the containers you use should meet the standards set by the New Zealand government. This is primarily because the materials you will put in them fall under the "hazardous" classification.
Hazardous waste materials warrant high-quality storage containers
Not a lot of people are aware that a single litre of waste engine oil, when incorrectly disposed, can already contaminate a large amount of water – as much as a million litres of water. While households largely contribute to the existing problems with water pollution and contamination, many organisations are also at fault. Do not allow this to happen to yours; make sure that your disposal methods involve the use only of high quality, leak-proof containers.
Protecting the people, the environment, and your reputation
You need to look at the large scheme of things when it comes to correct waste oil management and disposal practices. Always remember that your reputation is not the only thing at risk here; the health of humans and nature also are.


text:
Cozy Night In Essentials
Happy winter everyone! For all you out there living in the east coast, you've probably experienced quite a bit of snow by now, and we all know there is more to come! So I wanted to share with you guys some of my cozy night in essentials! A few things that just make the snow blizzards a little more bearable and fun! Also these essentials happen to lie just in time for Valentine's Day as well! If you are spending valentine's day at home these little essentials are perfect for you!
Since I'm going to be home, I always like to snuggle up into something warm. I love wearing soft fleece onsies or fleece pajama sets on cold winter nights! And I never forget my soft fuzzy socks! I find nothing more miserable than cold feet! If you are living in a hotter climate, you can always opt out of wearing fleece and switch to cotton pajama's with a soft robe and cute, comfy home slippers!
Candles are a great way to warm up rooms and freshen up the area by calming scents! I have been loving the candles lately! While I love me some Bath and Body Works candles, I think it's fun to switch it up sometimes! Room sprays or an oil diffuser is another great way to instantly freshen up your rooms and your mood!
It is so important to stay moisturized even though you are sitting at home. I find that sometimes the heat in the house can be pretty drying to my skin, so I always make it a point to lather up some body butter! Cozy nights are perfect for pampering yourself too! Bath and Body Works was having a pretty good sale last week, so I stocked up on some body butters to get me through the winter! Moonlight Path is my all time favorite scent from them! I think Vaseline is a great option instead of body butters too! I always use Vaseline for moisturizing my feet and elbows! I have been using the Josie Maran Oil to moisturize my face and I am obsessed! It is so relaxing and calming, and it doesn't leave my skin all greasy and oily! Definitely a winter favorite!
Hot chocolate has recently become my go-to winter drink option. It's a good alternative from herbal teas and more soothing than drinking wintery coffee based drinks! I have been loving a cup of Swiss Miss's hot chocolate with marshmallows, really brings back old school memories!
This is the time to catch up on all the shows I have missed from the week and the new show premiers! And in the event you are all caught up, Netflix and Hulu should keep you pretty occupied. There are so many shows and movies, I'm sure you can find something you haven't gotten around to yet. I think even catching up on some reading is pretty therapeutic, instead of binge watching! So you all can snuggle up in a comfy blanket and relax the night or weekend away!
There you have it! I hope you all got some fun ideas from this post! Stay safe and warm everyone!
East coast based. Dentist by day. Lifestyle blogger by choice.
Happy reading!
Follow Me
October 2016


text:
Forsaken Banded Mail
Aura moderate evocation; CL 11th
Slot armor; Price 25,400 gp; Weight 35 lbs.
Every inch of this suit of +1 banded mail bears a defaced holy symbol or a design equally offensive to one or more gods and their servants. The wearer of the armor cannot cast divine spells or use any spell-like supernatural ability gained from a connection to a deity. The wearer gains SR 19 against any divine-origin spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability (such as a domain granted power or ability from an outsider serving a deity), and treats the armor's enhancement bonus as +2 higher against creatures with these abilities.
Requirements Craft Magic Arms and Armor, creator cannot be a divine spellcaster; Cost 12,900 gp
Forsaken Banded Mail


text:
All the Rehabilitation and
Clinical Support You Need
Searching for "elderly care" in the Jacksonville, FL area? Discover so much more.
"Elderly care" is an understatement. Should you suffer from a serious illness or injury, we offer a comprehensive range of clinical services right here on our campus, near Jacksonville, FL. Services designed to give you the support you need so you can focus on living each day to its fullest. We offer a variety of services for you to take advantage of, including:
- An on-site physician who can serve as your primary care provider or, if you choose, work in conjunction with your current physician
- Fully certified nursing staff on duty 24-hours a day
- An entire team of licensed, on-site physical, occupational and speech therapists
- Specialized memory care
- Coordinated laboratory and X-ray services
Once you are back up and on your feet, you can rest assured knowing that you can stop by our friendly clinic whenever you need to. Residents can have their blood pressure taken, dressings changed, or even take advantage of our annual vaccinations—you will have ongoing access to as much or as little care as you need!
To learn more about our clinical and rehabilitative services as part of our Continuum of Care, call 877.591.6547 today or contact us here.


text:
Phoenix Business Journal: The 4 Biggest HR Challenges for Startup Companies
Shayna Balch was a guest blogger for the Phoenix Business Journal on April 21, 2015.
It's no secret that the startup community is booming in Arizona. Recently named by Forbes magazine as one of the best cities to start a business, the Valley of the Sun is opening its doors to entrepreneurs from all industries. As with any new company, the "to-do" list for business owners can be extensive, including the hiring, managing and termination of all staff members.
In the article, Shayna examines four HR challenges that could potentially wreak havoc on your newfound venture.
- Not having the right policies in place
- Not keeping proper records and paperwork
- Not hiring and firing smart
- Having a "too small to matter" mentality
To read the full article, please visit Phoenix Business Journal.


text:
Rainbow Inn
73 Birmingham Road
West Midlands
(0247) 640 2888.
Open all day
Find Me
The Rainbow is in a village just to the west of Coventry. In fact to all intents and purposes it is in Coventry as the conurbations merge.
The Rainbow acts as a focal point for local life and even on a Sunday (open all day), it was very busy. The pub looks quite large from the photo, but inside it is smaller, though not unpleasant. You gain access up some steps at the front and they are quite steep. Access for the disabled is possible at a push from the rear entrance. You get to this via the car park - to the left on the picture - which has a very narrow entrance and separate exit. Large vehicles (cars only) should pull in their wing mirrors and take it slow.
The Rainbow brews only a single beer these days, and it is best tasted with the sparkler on. It serves other beers but not micro's beers.
Inside the bar area is quite small and people seem to congregate around it making it difficult to get to the bar with its gate like overhang.
Service is fine but putting fruit machines here is not a good idea as it encourages people to block access to the bar.
There are many seating areas here, some provide food seating where accompanied children are welcome. An area directly in front of the bar has a fireplace and bench seating at round and square tables on a wooden floor.
On the opposite side of the pub there are small rooms and a variety of step sizes - wheelchair access is impossible. These nook and cranny rooms are good for an intimate encounter or just to get away from the large screen TV sports showing near the bar.
Food is served here (Mon-Fri 12-2.30 and 5.30-9pm; Sun 12-3) but not on the weekend evenings as it gets too busy. Food is the more traditional pub fayre, but is wholesome and filling. These are served in the lounge area for convenience.
A beer garden is available for summer outdoor drinking.
The number 900 bus route passes for access from Coventry or Birmingham.
A quiet village setting, despite being close to the A45 to Birmingham ad worth a stop off en route.
None as yet
View gran8634e Map in a larger map
©Beerguide 2018
Rotherram's Rainbow Ale
Greene King IPA
Greene King Abbots
Plus guest
The Allesley Hotel
Birmingham Road
West Midlands
Rooms from Ł50
024 7640 3272


text:
How I Achieved Maximum Success with Moving
Choosing the Right Residential and Commercial Moving Company in Miami FL
Moving can be quite a stimulating experience, however all that anticipation goes with a lot of effort. There are two types of individuals when relocating: the people who employ experienced movers, and those that do not. There are valiant souls who take the risk and move their personal or commercial property on their own, however numerous people would rather to invest in a good and skilled moving company. Employing an expert mover will not just help things run without any hitches, it will also give you peace of mind realizing that everything will be done properly. If you are looking to hire a professional residential or commercial mover in Miami FL, here are some of the things to take into consideration.
Request Recommendations from Trusted People
If your co-workers, family members, and friends have required the services of movers before, ask them for a referral. You can also look at other sources like local real estate agency or the phone directory. Do not forget that word of mouth is still the best way to know if a professional service is highly reliable.
What Almost No One Knows About Businesses
Check out Their Experience
Questions About Services You Must Know the Answers To
The first thing on your list should be to ask the company how many moves it oversees yearly – the number would show you how competent and how many customers have trusted their services. Find out how long they have been in the industry. Inquire if you can see some of their past customers' testimonials about their services. This would shed light on how consistent and efficient they are. Remember that you are entrusting your belongings and valuables to their care, so never hesitate to ask questions that will help you assess how experienced and trustworthy the company is.
Acquiring Price Estimates
Make a short list from the moving companies you found in your research, request bids from them, and compare their prices. Reliable moving companies will conform to federal laws that necessitate an in-home estimate. A company representative should personally come to your home or office in order to evaluate your property and offer an estimate of the costs. Make sure to schedule no less than two visits so you have a fair idea of what should be a fair estimate for your case. Be careful with estimates that are provided via telephone or online without a visual assessment. The way you describe your property and the way a moving company sees them could be dissimilar, bring about differences in the cost estimates. A personal meeting will help refine these points and guarantee correct pricing at the onset.


text: Routine service is extremely important to the longevity and efficiency of your Mazda vehicle. At Mazda Direct, we are committed to providing quality service to our customers. We also offer quality Mazda parts, so you know your car is always up to factory standards. Whether you're looking for a routine oil change, responding to recall on your vehicle, or need major repairs, the experts at Mazda Direct can help. We proudly provide top-notch service through our on-site service and parts department . Also, check out our car care coupons for the best price available. Schedule your service today or stop by our dealership in Fostoria to keep your car in the best shape possible.


text:
Signup | Login
Below are the items you have added to your library. If you would like to remove an item, simply click on the 'Remove' icon to the left of it. If you don't see any items listed, please log in to your account or create an account if you haven't already done so.
Quickly share this page via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Email.
Each year, the SAFE Work Awards recognize a worker, a safety and health committee, and a workplace for their commitment to making Manitoba safer and healthier. Each spring, we call on workplaces from across Manitoba to submit awards nominations.
Nominations for 2018 are now closed. The 2018 SAFE Work Award winners and the first-place winners of the 2018 Make Safety the Norm youth contest were presented with their awards on the evening of Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at The Safetys, a fall gala event where Manitoba safety organizations present awards to individuals and organizations for their achievements in occupational health and safety.
SAFEty Culture Award — This award goes to a workplace with a positive safety culture. Workplaces with positive safety cultures demonstrate six dimensions: safety and health concerns are addressed, leaders are committed to safety and health, trust and respect are essential in the work environment, everyone in the organization feels personally committed to and accountable for safety and health, the work environment is inclusive, and continuous learning is a feature of the organization. Anyone can nominate a workplace for a SAFEty Culture Award.
Worker SAFEty Award — This award goes to an individual who
is committed to safe work. Your nominee should be a safety champion who goes
above and beyond to make others aware of workplace safety and health. Nominees
should strive every day to make their workplace safer for themselves and their
co-workers. Nominations for the Worker SAFEty Award will be accepted from any
other individual in the same workplace.
SAFEty and Health Committee Award — This award goes to a
workplace safety and health committee that takes an active role in improving
health and safety in the workplace. The committee members work collaboratively
to effectively spread safety and health messages, and to address safety and
health issues that arise. The committee's contributions strengthen the
workplace's overall culture of safety. Nominations for the SAFEty and Health
Committee Award will be accepted from anyone in the workplace who is not a member
of the committee.
Questions about the SAFE Work Awards? Contact email@example.com to get more information.
Check out our winners from 2013-2018 here.
The 2018 SAFE Work Awards will be presented at The Safetys, a
fall gala event where Manitoba safety organizations present awards to
individuals and organizations for their achievements in occupational health and
safety. The Safetys will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.
SAFE Work Manitoba is the public agency dedicated to the prevention of workplace injury and illness.
Working with our partners in the safety community, we provide prevention education, safety programming, consulting and strategic direction to create a genuine culture of safety for all Manitobans.


text:
A/N: An update!? How did you manage that when you have so much school work? Two words: SPRING BREAK. Woot! That being said, don't be too alarmed if the next chapter doesn't arrive until May! :O
Anyway, lol, apologies in advance that this chapter starts out a bit heavy—I couldn't imagine a realistic scenario in which Jo and Gabriel's relationship would magically be better after what happened between them. That being said, the old adage, "Good things come to those who wait" does apply here.
Enough chitchat though; this update took long enough as it is! The song for this chapter is Four Walls by Broods. This chapter also contains some mature content.
Happy reading ❤
You walked in and said, "I've got some news."
The shoreline was frosted; quiet, save for the rush of icy waves crashing onto the beach. A chill seeped through my coat, its frigid fingers grazing my skin. I shivered, bowing my head against the cold. The ground was softer than it looked—each of my footsteps sinking deeply into the snow. I stumbled as I sank into a particularly unstable mound, a muffled curse escaping my lips.
He was staring out to sea, a cigarette held loosely between his fingers. He brought it to his mouth, inhaling and then gradually breathing out. Soft curls of smoke gathered before him. I furrowed my brows, feeling a vague sense of familiarity.
"I can't let her go," he said quietly, anguish marring the smooth features of his face.
I didn't say all I wanted to, oh
My heart sank like my boots into the depths of the snow. "What are you saying?"
"I don't know if I can do this anymore."
Everything inside me screamed 'no!'—I felt dizzy, nauseated. The waves seemed to be creeping closer, but that wasn't possible, was it?
"I love you," I cried, holding onto him desperately. "I love you so much."
"I'll be happier if you let me go."
The ground gave way beneath my feet. I screamed, my fingers slipping from his arm as I fell into the icy grasps of a black abyss. The darkness muted my senses, making me feel as if I was suffocating, and then that other man was there, his clammy hand stifling the scream that'd risen in my throat and his sickly sweet whisper entering my ear: "Shhhhhhh."
You know I told you that I wasn't scared. Well, I lied.
I woke up with a shriek, my cheeks wet with tears and my heart pounding in my throat. Sweat covered my body; my blankets pinning my limbs in place. I struggled to break free of them, throwing them off in a blind panic and then scrambling for my phone. My hands were trembling so badly that I dropped it almost instantly. It bounced across the wooden floor, creating a loud clatter that set me even more on edge.
I attempted to calm myself with soothing, deep breaths, but it soon became clear that my efforts were futile. Feeling as if I were going to be sick, I climbed out of bed and then sat down on the cool floor, fingers coming into contact with my phone once again. Miraculously, it had not cracked in the fall.
"You still get them?"
"Sometimes," I whispered, averting his gaze. He reached out for my chin, gently turning my head to face him again.
"You call me next time it happens, alright?" "
Oh no," I stammered. "I couldn't possibly bother—"
"You call me," he repeated firmly, and left no room for argument.
I stared at the phone cradled in my hands, thumb hovering over the power button. I wasn't sure if it was a nervous twitch that did it or a conscious effort, but soon the screen was lit up and blazing before my eyes. I glanced away, the bright blue light blinding me. A gradual adjusting finally told me that it was nearly 3 AM.
"You call me."
I stood up and began to pace, my heart racing anew and my phone clutched in my right hand. Despite his insistence, I really didn't want to wake him. I'd only annoy him and then he'd leave me again. After all, we'd only been back together for a month now and it was probably bad enough already that he had to deal with someone…well, someone like me.
A sudden, chilling fear seeped into my chest. What if he did leave again? Although I'd been able to hold myself together the first time, the effort had leeched every ounce of my strength, leaving me quite certain that I would fall apart completely if it happened again. Besides, I'd had the holidays before to distract me and then a barrage of interviews and concerts. Now, I had nothing. The days dragged on endlessly. I worked on my music—got frustrated, tore it to bits, screamed, cried; went to visit my family, sometimes only sitting with them, too drained to interact, but comforted by their presence.
"It's hard, having so much free time," I mumbled, leaning my head against my father's shoulder.
"Just keep filling it," he reminded me softly.
His eyes were on the fire that blazed every evening. He looked older; the lines on his face more pronounced, dark shadows beneath his eyes, and more iron-gray streaks than ever shot through his chocolate hair. He was under a lot of pressure from his editor, but I wasn't so sure that was the primary cause of his stress. More than likely it was the recent press explosion concerning Brandon Hart's jail sentence and its involvement with me. The night that I'd tearfully told my dad everything had aged him—I was sure of it. Never had an evening been filled with so much pain and tears. I could still feel him holding me—still feel him trembling.
Not my fault, yet entirely my fault.
"I will," I promised, and then curled into his embrace. It was unclear whether I was comforting him; or him, me. Not my fault…yet entirely my fault.
You told me, "Babe I only think of you." And I said, "All I've got is a bunch of sad stories."
"Call," I whispered to myself, struggling to shake off the recent memories. "Gabriel's not going to leave you—he loves you."
At this thought, a tendril of doubt attempted to sneak its way into my brain, but I pushed it away determinedly. He did love me.
It was evident in every softened gaze he cast in my direction; evident in every blazing touch that he swept along my skin; evident in every incendiary kiss that he laid upon my lips; evident whenever he held me close to him, showing every sign that I was someone wholly precious to him.
He loved me, and he'd only told me that he'd be happier without me because he'd thought I'd be better off without him. He'd confirmed this. He'd admitted that it had been stupid and he had apologized more than once, each time sounding sincerely remorseful for hurting me.
So why was I getting these nightmares?
I paused in my pacing, vaguely aware of my pale reflection in the glass of the window.
Gabriel had assured me that he no longer felt guilty about being with me, but he did seem to miss her sometimes—Daisy. Was this normal, or did it mean I wasn't enough for him? Did his feelings point to some unresolved conflict within him? Was he still in love with her? If so, did this matter? Did it minimize the love he had for me in any way? Even if it didn't, was I okay with this? If it did, was I okay with that? Did he compare us? How did I match up? If she could somehow come back, would he leave me in an instant? Was I only a last resort—a second best option?
I hadn't thought about all this before, for soon after I'd learned that Gabriel had been previously married he'd broken up with me, but now I couldn't help but wonder about her. Had she been prettier than me? Smarter than me? Stronger than me? Could he ever love me as much as he loved her? And once again: did it even matter?
A dark realization settled upon me, leaving me feeling hollow. I carefully placed my phone on my bedside table and then slipped back into bed, curling into a small ball with my covers pulled right up to my chin.
I wasn't quite certain whether it mattered or not, but what I was certain about was that I didn't trust him anymore.
I buried my head underneath my covers, grabbing one of my pillows and hugging it to my chest. I loved Gabriel—more than I could ever even begin to understand because I'd never once felt this way before about anyone, but I no longer trusted him.
If we didn't work out it would be my fault, not his. I began to cry pitifully, lost to the darkness within my mind.
And I told them all before the night was through and we cried
"And do you know what the most twisted part about it was?" I told my dad through my tears, body trembling. He shook his head, my pain reflected in his lavender-gray eyes. "When Brandon had me pinned against that wall—when I told him 'don't' and he did anyway, I remember thinking that maybe that was all I'd ever get in this life—that maybe that was what I deserved. I remember thinking…thinking well, at least I wasn't alone for once. God, I'm so fucking messed up!"
"Oh, Jo….No, you aren't. No, you aren't," he insisted fervently, and then pulled me tightly into his arms as I broke down completely, heavy sobs wracking every fiber of my being.
It wasn't until long afterward that I realized he'd been crying too.
Sleep enfolded me into its merciful embrace.
* * * * *
It was through bleary eyes that I stared at my coffee maker, watching as the dark droplets fell into my mug. It was rather boring watching it, but I found that I didn't have the energy to look away. I could feel my eyes growing heavy, which seemed especially insulting given that I'd tried desperately to sleep in this morning, but to no avail. I reached up my hand to cover my mouth as I yawned, eyes watering. Today I'd do some house chores and then work on my music a bit. There was one song at least that was starting to look promising. Then maybe, late tonight, if Gabriel wasn't too tired, we could do something together.
He worked such long days. I didn't notice it when my days were packed too, but now that I was free from any of that, I realized that the man put in at least twelve hours a day it seemed. I'd asked him about it and received a short answer in return: "It keeps me busy."
I wasn't sure that I'd understood it quite then, but I certainly did now. Suppressing another yawn, I forced myself to go find the sugar, but was startled from my task by my doorbell ringing. Adrenaline shot through my veins at once, leaving me a thousand times more awake than coffee could ever make me.
Oh, but we're here now
For a moment I stood frozen, staring in horror at my door, but upon realizing how ridiculous that was I padded over to it as silently as possible, practically holding my breath as I peeked out the window. I calmed significantly upon seeing who it was; hastening to let him in and then yelping in surprise when Gabriel grabbed ahold of my hands and pulled me outside instead.
"I'm wearing pajamas!" I cried out, bare feet stumbling and my face burning scarlet. I glanced around frantically, but there didn't appear to be anyone else in sight. A perk of living in an area with lots of celebrities—increased security kept the paparazzi out.
"I noticed," Gabriel said with a smile, fingers loosely interlaced with mine. "You look beautiful. Do you notice anything?"
My cheeks grew slightly rosy, but I managed to keep myself focused on the question, looking him over carefully. The soft, chestnut locks of his hair were sticking up in different directions; his face had a light shadow of stubble upon on it; he was wearing a collared, button-up shirt with a light sweater over it, worn jeans, and battered sneakers, but nothing struck me as particularly out of the ordinary. Well, aside from the fact that he wasn't at work and that he'd evidently lost his mind.
"Are you drunk?" I asked with genuine concern.
"No," he said with a light laugh. "Close your eyes."
I cast a wary look in his direction, but he only continued to smile, an undeniable (and unusual) energy radiating off him. I sighed, deciding to play along and allowing my eyes to fall shut. After a second of feeling silly I asked, "What am I supposed to be noticing?"
"You tell me, love. What do you notice?"
A rush of affection washed over me at hearing the endearment. He'd never called me that before. Alright, maybe he wasn't drunk, but he was clearly under the influence of some sort of substance.
Or maybe he's just in a good mood, the gentler part of my mind suggested.
I took in a deep breath. The air was fresh and crisp this morning. There were a few birds chirping to one another. Although it was beyond the houses on this street, I could hear the faint, rushing noise of the ocean. The wind was just barely blowing, but with it floated a subtle, floral scent. My eyes flew open.
"It's warm!" I realized wonderingly.
Gabriel grinned. His autumn eyes were sparkling—tiny crinkles appearing at their corners.
My heart melted. I flew at him without realizing, arms reaching up to wrap around his neck and my lips claiming his so ardently that I was sure it surprised both of us. Gabriel pulled me closer, deepening the kiss in such a manner that an unbidden moan escaped my parted lips. He took advantage of this opportunity, his tongue seeking mine tentatively, and then more purposefully when I allowed it. He tasted like coffee and spearmint and something uniquely heady and him.
Heat settled beneath my navel—a sensation that was only intensified when I felt one of his hands move from my face and down to my breast. An unexpected jolt of fear shot up my spine. I broke the kiss, my heart thudding hard.
"We're outside," I barely managed to gasp, trying to—trying to what? Stop this? Slow down? My stomach gave a discomforting turn. I didn't know.
Gabriel trailed his kisses down to my neck. "And your house is behind you," he reminded me, amused.
The fear returned at once, causing my chest to feel distressingly tight. I didn't want to feel this way. It frustrated me to no end that I was feeling this way and yet…..
I took a step back, my breathing uneven.
"Are you okay?" I heard Gabriel ask, realizing something was off. His voice was now laden with concern. I tried to answer, but found it difficult to find the words. As I struggled to say something though, a look of sudden understanding formed upon his face. "Wait, I didn't necessarily mean—"
"I'm sor—"
"Don't," he cut in. "Don't apologize for that. It's fine. You went slow for me—I'm more than willing to go slow for you too." I pressed my lips together and nodded slightly, my eyes falling shut as Gabriel reached up to touch my face. "I mean that," he added quietly.
I cautiously reopened my eyes to look into his. As always, they looked sincere. The feeling of his hand against my cheek was comforting. I reached up to place my hand over his, turning my head to press a tender kiss into his palm. "I wasn't always like this," I mumbled.
Gabriel's face took on a soft expression. A brief silence swelled between us before he cleared his throat and said, "Nor was I."
Averting my eyes, I uttered softly, "You calm me, Gabriel."
"And you, Joanne," he began, carefully lifting my gaze back to his, "you give me hope."
* * * * *
And I'm trying hard to make you love me, but I don't wanna try too hard
Gabriel's words swelled in my heart as I raced upstairs to get ready, for he evidently had taken the day off to invite me to the Spring Festival. To say that I was surprised was a bit of an understatement; the city events weren't exactly known for being high on the list of activities he liked to do, not to mention the additional fact that he rarely called out from work.
I tried not to take too much time to dress, but was fully aware that I'd probably failed miserably in this regard as I kept changing my outfit and redoing my hair (which had gotten rather long), only to leave it exactly how it'd been. By the time I made my way back downstairs I was feeling disheartened, but seeing Gabriel's eyes light up from the couch where he sat brought at least a small smile back to my face. He turned off the television and then walked over to me, an obvious smile spreading across his face too.
"You look amazing," he remarked, moving to kiss my cheek. "Althoughhhhh," he began to add, letting his tongue linger on the last syllable, "I already thought you looked that way 45 minutes ago."
I flushed, but Gabriel didn't look annoyed. "Come on," he said bracingly, and then took my hand.
The scent of a wide variety of flowers pervaded the warm air, the rays of the sun blissfully shining down upon us. After such a long winter filled with record breaking lows, the warmth of springtime had never been quite more welcomed and it was no wonder really that Gabriel had been so excited about it. In fact, excitement was noticeable in every smiling face at the Spring Festival, from parents lounging in the grass or at the picnic benches to the children who weaved in and out of the booths, hoping to happen upon a rare Easter egg or collecting colorful blooms to make a bouquet. A little girl nearby gave a little boy a bright yellow flower, which promptly made him take off running. Instead of being discouraged though, the girl ran off after him. I laughed lightly.
"There we go," Gabriel intoned quietly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "At last, a genuine smile."
I glanced at him, sensing a sort of unspoken question about what might be wrong, but I pretended not to notice. "Look!" I said instead, pointing ahead of us at random.
He turned his head in the direction I was pointing, absently running a hand through his hair. "That game?" he asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow.
I hastily searched for what he might be referring to, noting a cobalt blue machine with a bunch of flashing lights and a large, ruby heart set on top of it. I giggled. "Yes, that," I answered, going along with it. "It's a Love-Tester! Let's try it!" Before Gabriel could respond I darted ahead. I could hear his footsteps quickening to follow me.
"You realize this is a scam, right?" he asked as soon as he'd caught up with me.
I gazed up at the flashing lights, shrugging my shoulders a little. "I know, but it's just for fun. Can't we try it?" I pleaded, turning to look at him with my lower lip slightly pouted.
Gabriel sighed, taking a quarter out of his pocket and putting into the machine. "You could make me jump off a cliff with that face," he muttered as he grabbed hold of the handle. I glanced at him, taken off-guard by the comment, but then gripped the handle as well. At once the machine emitted a barrage of ridiculous noises, its many lights blinking more enthusiastically than at a rave. I couldn't help but laugh when I caught sight of the repulsed look that crossed Gabriel's face.
"Oh my!" I exclaimed exaggeratedly as I read the result. "It says our love for one another is uncontrollable!"
"I didn't need a machine to tell me that," Gabriel scoffed, and then turned to pull me into a very unexpected, and very passionate kiss. I blushed deeply, heat flooding my system. When he released me I was not only breathless, but at a complete loss for words.
"I love you," he said softly. I looked up at him, unable to ignore the fact that he'd said it in a manner that made me feel as if he were trying to convince me of its truth.
"I love you too," was all I could manage to say.
To my surprise Gabriel suggested that we rollerblade next, which was actually a lot of fun despite the fact that we both fell at least once. Afterward we got some food from the concession stand and popsicles for dessert, still sort of marveling over the fact that it was warm enough to enjoy such a treat. I giggled as we showed off our rainbow tongues to one another, feeling lighter than I had in quite some time.
"Would you like to dance?"
I blinked, certain that I must have misunderstood, but when I followed Gabriel's eyes it was to see that he was, in fact, looking at the dance floor. Unchained Melody had just begun to croon out of the speakers, but no one was actually dancing. I bit my lip.
"Gabriel," I began uncertainly, a vague feeling of suspicion arising within me, "you don't have to go out of your way to—"
"I'm not going out of my way," he interrupted, one hand resting on the small of my back. "I want to dance with you. That is, if you'd like to."
I wrung my hands for a moment, still feeling unsure, but finally I just nodded, figuring he wouldn't have asked if he really wasn't willing.
A ghost of a smile appeared on Gabriel's face and he led me over to the dance floor, not even seeming to care when a few curious eyes glanced in our direction. Some lingered a little too long on my face, causing me to avert my gaze as we slowly revolved on the star-spangled tiles.
"What is it?" he asked quietly. "I think some people are beginning to recognize me!" I hissed.
"What people?" he asked with a smirk. I moved to turn my head and look for exactly who, but Gabriel gently turned it back to him, shaking his head slightly. "I only see you and me."
I frowned slightly in confusion, but he said nothing else as he pulled me closer to him, turning us on the dance floor with more skill than I'd expected. Understanding dawned on me. I rested my head against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat against my cheek—strong and steady. I drew comfort from it, and eventually the world around us really did cease to exist.
As the day grew older and the sun dipped below the horizon, most of the families with small children left, but others stayed, grabbing coffees and leisurely chatting in the gradually cooling weather.
I shivered involuntarily as we sat in the grass together, jumping slightly when I felt Gabriel's arm come to wrap around my waist. He glanced at me with a somewhat peculiar look on his face, but as soon as I'd seen it, it was gone. Feeling somewhat uneasy, I cuddled up closer to him, encouraging him to lie down and resting my head on his shoulder as we looked up to watch the stars.
And I'm trying hard to take it lightly Oh, but we're here now
After a time Gabriel sighed. "You still don't trust me, do you?"
I blinked; my body stiffening beside him. "What?"
He reached up to run a hand through his hair, eyes still fixed on the heavens. "When I broke up with you I lost your trust," he began matter-of-factly. "That much is to be expected—hell, that much I deserve, but I haven't gained it back yet, have I?"
I looked over at him, my throat feeling uncomfortably tight. There would be no use denying it, and regardless, I was tired of keeping so much bottled-up all the time. It really was no way to live.
"You're starting to," I answered truthfully.
"Hmmm," Gabriel said, and then fell silent as he stared up at the sky, looking for stars. I searched for them too; a vague memory of visiting my grandparents in a town called Neverglade floating to my awareness. There, away from all the city lights, I'd seen what must have been hundreds of stars. Here, they were few enough in number that you could count them without even tiring.
Gabriel pressed his lips together, brow furrowing slightly, and then glanced over at me. "Is there something else then?" he questioned quietly. "Sometimes it's like there's something…off between us. I can't explain it."
I began to sit up, words tumbling out of my mouth in a sudden panic, "I'm sorry! I'll do better! I'll—"
Gabriel shot me a look, causing the rest of my words to stick in my throat. "Jesus, don't do that," he interrupted. I cast him an anxious glance and he sighed, looking unexpectedly sad. "That's not what I meant, Jo. I'm just asking if there's been anything else that's on your mind."
It took me a minute to regain control of myself, the black hysteria having begun to tear away at the threads of my sanity. Gabriel must have noticed my difficultly because he reached up to cradle my face and then kissed me softly on the forehead. I exhaled and then slowly lay back down, resting my head once again on his shoulder as I willed myself to calm; willed myself to just spit out the word: "Daisy."
A look of deep confusion crossed Gabriel's features. "Wait, what?"
I winced, forcing myself not to look away. "Daisy," I repeated, "I-I-I've been thinking a lot about her." He raised an eyebrow at me, but otherwise appeared much calmer than I thought he'd be at the mention of his late wife's name. "What about her?" he asked quietly.
"I've…I've been wondering what she was like. I…well, I mean you seem to really miss her, which you know, makes sense and all, and I just—I mean I—it's like, well—"
"Breathe," he instructed softly. I looked up at him in surprise and then nodded sharply, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. I felt some of my tension ebb, at least enough to think clearly once again. Just please don't get mad, I thought to myself.
"Sometimes," I began steadily, "I feel like I'm a last resort. Sometimes," I continued, feeling my eyes burn hot despite my attempts to soothe myself, "I feel like no matter how 'good' of a girlfriend I am to you, I will never match up to her. It's like—it's like I'm competing with a ghost and no matter how hard I fight, I will never, ever win. Sometimes I feel like if she could somehow come back, you'd leave me in an instant, and the only reason you stay with me now is because it's impossible to bring her back!"
Silence consumed us after my confession. I kept my gaze averted, already highly aware of the tears that were slipping down my cheeks. I wanted to see the expression on Gabriel's face, and I knew that he'd turned toward me again, but I was too afraid to look. It seemed clear to me that whatever he might have thought was wrong, was far from the reality he'd just been presented.
Those four walls now are the only place that I can breathe out
And those four walls now are home
He broke the silence with the utterance of a simple statement: "I wouldn't."
I sat up slightly to look at him better, confusion knitting my brows together. "What?"
"If she came back," he slowly clarified, his eyes on mine, "I wouldn't leave you."
I opened my mouth to protest, quite sure that he was only saying that to comfort me, but Gabriel must have recognized this because he quickly kept talking, "I wouldn't be able to because I'm not that person anymore. You can't just—go back, you know? You can't turn into someone that you used to be because that person no longer exists. Even if you tried to, you'd fail. You'd fail because everything you've experienced since being that person in the past has changed you…irreversibly. I will never again be the person that I was when I was with Daisy. That person is gone, and maybe once I was in denial about this; maybe once I was trying to hold onto that past, but now…well, I'm fucking tired of clinging to the impossible. I'm fucking tired of living in the past. All I want now is to move forward…with you."
I had no words. Renewed tears shone brightly on my cheeks.
"You are not a last resort," he murmured, fingers tracing the line of my jaw and then moving down to my neck. "You are exactly what I want."
"Do you promise?" I whispered, vaguely aware that this was a stupid question, but unable to prevent myself from asking it.
Gabriel closed his eyes briefly, but when he reopened them the look that he gave me was so soft that I felt my heart begin to ache.
"I promise," he whispered back, and then pulled me into the sort of kiss that could melt souls.
* * * * *
Those four walls now are the only place that I can feel
Even though Gabriel had been nothing but accepting, I was ashamed of my behavior that night at the Spring Festival. I just couldn't believe that I'd been so stupid and so grossly insecure about myself.
I hadn't always been like this.
Ever since I'd admitted this the thought had crossed my mind frequently, but on the bright side, whereas once I'd found it to be discouraging, now I was beginning to see it as a source of inspiration. If I hadn't always been so self-defeating and insecure, then maybe I could once again learn to be that way. Maybe I could once again learn to love myself, and then maybe I could learn to accept Gabriel's love for me too, because it would be at that point that I'd finally feel deserving of it.
It was late at night. The world was quiet, save for the instrumental that played as the credits of the movie we'd been watching scrolled up the television screen. Gabriel had dozed off. He worked so much. I reached up to brush his bangs away from his eyes; he opened them blearily, looking briefly confused that the movie was over.
"Stay tonight," I requested. I ran my fingers across the stubble on his cheek. He closed his eyes again, presumably enjoying the soft touch. Stay," I repeated.
"If that's what you want," he mumbled sleepily.
"That's what I want."
I felt slightly on edge as I got ready for bed, taking a little more time in the bathroom than was probably necessary, especially considering the only few minutes Gabriel had taken to brush his teeth with the new toothbrush I'd given him. When I finally padded out, he was looking at my guitar, vaguely running his fingers down the strings on its neck. He'd removed his shoes and jeans, but otherwise still looked fairly dressed. I walked up behind him, not worried too much about scaring him for I was sure he'd heard me approach.
"Is that how you usually sleep?" I asked.
Gabriel looked at the guitar for another moment and then turned to face me. "Err, well, I guess I'd typically sleep without a shirt, but I wasn't sure if—"
"I don't mind," I interrupted, hoping my face hadn't turned too pink.
"Uh…alright then," he said, still sounding somewhat uncertain, and then gripped the bottom of his shirt, deftly pulling it up and over his head.
And those four walls now are home
Any hope that my face wasn't too pink was dashed as I felt it turn crimson. Trying to hide this fact, I kept my eyes downcast, but I couldn't quite stop myself from reaching out to touch him. I began with my fingers on his chest; then allowing them to move slowly downward as I lingered over every wonderfully defined line of his abdomen. He was so…perfect.
The sharp intake of breath that Gabriel took in at the feeling of my touch was almost imperceptible, but I noticed it because it made his abdomen tighten even more. I glanced up at his face. His eyes were closed again. My heart pounded as I inched forward to kiss him just below his collar bone. As I stepped back though I noticed something in the reflection of the window; thick black lines curling and swerving over every inch of his deeply tanned skin. I blinked, moving behind him to get a better look.
Sure enough, in addition to the two tattoos that Gabriel had on his arms, he apparently also had a third, massive one that covered nearly every inch of skin on his back. Again, I couldn't help but touch; fingertips tracing the intricate design.
"I didn't know you had this," I mentioned wonderingly.
"Ahh….yeah," he said, sounding somewhat embarrassed. He was holding himself very still, as if he was afraid to move. I was somewhat grateful for this fact though, for I didn't yet know how far I was willing to take this tonight.
"It's beautiful," I said truthfully, fingers still following the pattern. "Didn't it hurt to get it?"
"Like hell," he admitted, and I let out a soft laugh.
I wanna make you feel how I feel when I'm listening to love songs
He turned, catching my lips in a kiss that made my knees buckle and my head spin. I hadn't even known that was actually possible, but regardless I found myself extra thankful for his strong arms wrapped around me. I returned the kiss, half-exhilarated and half-nervous. Maybe he picked up on the latter though because he gradually slowed down the kiss, lips barely brushing mine before he took a step back. The sudden loss of contact left me feeling bereft, but I knew that I didn't want to rush this, and nor, it seemed, did he.
He cleared his throat slightly. "Are you tired?" he asked, eyes tentatively meeting mine. I nodded and took his hand, leading him back to the bed, where I turned off the light and returned to his arms.
Our lips found one another in the dark, bodies pressing close. I couldn't get over how amazing Gabriel felt—couldn't get over how absolutely incredible he was. Wrapping my arms around him, I buried my face in the crook of his neck. I loved him so much. My eyes began to sting.
"I've been really difficult lately, I know," I whispered. I bit back the apology that desperately wanted to follow these words, knowing that Gabriel hated when I did that, but I was sure he could still hear it hidden in the silence. Before he could say anything though, I continued, ignoring how my body had begun to tremble, "I haven't told you everything about that night," I admitted shakily. "I haven't told you everything about me."
I took in a steadying breath, kissing Gabriel hard on the lips. As soon as I pulled away, his brows knotted with concern. "We have a lot of time for that," he reminded me quietly.
"I know," I sniffled, wiping my eyes, "but I guess I at least wanted to tell you about that night and—and what led up to it."
"Okay," he said softly.
I took in another short breath, and then began to tell him my story.
I told him a little about growing up and my dad; I told him a little about college; I told him a little about a young woman who wanted desperately to reach her dreams, no matter what the cost may be. I told him about how she'd lost herself; turned into someone she no longer recognized. I told him about her pain; about the pills, about the drinking. It got difficult to speak and he held me close to him. I kissed him, and I kissed him, and then I told him about the girl who'd become terrified of being alone, and the sick man that'd taken full advantage of this. I told him about thinking how I'd deserved it, and I watched as his face took on an expression similar to my father's when I'd told him the exact same thing.
He wanted to interrupt then; I could see it even in the darkness of the room, but I plowed forward because he needed to know. He needed to know how bad it had gotten. So I told him about the young woman who had stood on her balcony, screaming at her dead mother and so fucking ready to jump. That is, until her father, there because of a simple phone call, grabbed her and pulled her away; begging her to stay with him, and then helping her to mend her shattered pieces once more.
Gabriel was warm. He was soothing and kind. He smelled faintly of cologne. He made me feel safe, and for the first time in years I slept peacefully, held in the arms of the simple man who had made the simple phone call that had saved my life.
* * * * *
I wanna take you to the peak of everything that you are
I was awoken that morning by the feeling of Gabriel trailing lazy kisses across my shoulder blade. My back was pressed to his chest, and he held me to him firmly with one arm around my waist. Keeping my eyes closed, I leaned into his touch, a soft hum sounding in my throat.
"I like this better than an alarm clock," I mumbled sleepily. Gabriel chuckled softly, moving my hair from my neck and then planting a soft kiss there too. His hand went from my waist to my thigh, which was when I noticed that my nightgown was all bunched up around my hips from turning in my sleep. My breath hitched. He paused.
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked quietly.
"That depends on what you plan to do," I answered, unable to prevent the pink tinge that rose to my cheeks.
Gabriel laughed again, a soft, warm sound, and then gently pulled me toward him and onto my back, capturing my lips in a slow, languorous kiss that made flames cascade down my spine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he coaxed my legs just slightly more open as one of his hands drifted to the sensitive skin of my inner thigh, drawing light circles there. Occasionally his calloused fingers grazed the edge of my panties. I realized what he planned to do, if I let him. My heart began to race. I was sure that I must have been on fire now. I felt out of breath. He stopped again.
"Is this too much?"
"No! No, not at all. I—I want…." I babbled, and then melted once more when Gabriel's lips reclaimed mine in a fervent kiss, his tongue seeking mine. His hand moved back up my thigh, fingers this time slipping beneath the white lace. I tensed up initially and his eyes met mine again; questioning, making sure. I nodded in confirmation. His soft, full lips gently returned to mine and then I let out a sharp, breathy gasp as two of his fingers slid inside me.
You're everything I need tonight
I shut my eyes tightly; breaths coming out in shallow pants as he slowly brought me along. My mind steadily grew hazy as a quiet desperation began to overtake me. Although tentative at first, his touch gradually emboldened and as it did, so too did my responses until I was pushing myself into his hand, small gasps and whimpers falling from my lips as the most incredible feeling rose within me. I thought I would die when he slowed down again, but then the pace picked back up and I lost it completely when he crooked his fingers upward. I dug my nails into his back; a loud cry escaping me as a burst of intense sensations shot out to every fiber of my existence. Another gasp escaped me, softer this time, as he slowly let me down from my high. Afterward, I fell limp, covering my face with my hands and struggling to catch my breath. I could barely even think.
"Damn," Gabriel breathed, sounding somewhat strangled, but I couldn't even manage to string together a coherent response.
"Words…can't," I mumbled unintelligibly, and then heard him chuckle quietly. I could feel the vibration of the sound against my chest. I took my hands away from my face, reaching up for him, and he bent his head to kiss my neck, sucking briefly on the pulse point and eliciting another moan from my lips.
"You're so perfect," he murmured.
And I'm trying hard to make you want me
But I don't wanna try too hard
I glanced up at him nervously. "I don't—I don't know if…if I'm—" I began to stammer, but then stopped, feeling unsure. Could I do this yet? Should I do this yet? Should my heart still be beating so hard? Should I suddenly be feeling so panicky? But wouldn't it be unfair if I didn't—
Gabriel kissed me, interrupting my thoughts, and then shook his head, his gaze on me understanding. "Don't worry about it. We go at your pace."
"But aren't you….?" I trailed off, embarrassed.
"Well, yeah," he said somewhat awkwardly, "but it's not going to kill me. It's just a little…uncomfortable," he decided on, and I couldn't help but giggle a little at that. Gabriel smiled, leaning down to kiss me once more. "You're perfect," he said again, "and I'm glad that you told me your story last night. I know that…that it wasn't easy." I looked up at him, feeling my heart skip a beat as he added, softly, "I love you completely."
"I love you too," I whispered, and then pulled him close to me; feeling, for once, that I was deserving of his love.
* * * * *
I was thinking you got what you came for
But you're here now
It was a humid, spring afternoon. The palm trees were covered in sparkling droplets from the sporadic showers that'd fallen throughout the day and the ground was dark and damp, small puddles dotting its surface.
I hopped a particularly deep puddle by the door, shivering as soon as I entered the frigidly air-conditioned restaurant. Hastily running my hands through my hair, I headed straight down the stairs for the "Coral Reef" room, knowing that was where Gabriel had just been seated.
Going downstairs gave one the immediate feeling of being submerged under water; aquariums filled with different colored fishes spanned entire walls; floors, chairs, and lights in various shades of blue and aquamarine covered every inch; and a massive tank took up nearly a quarter of the space, home to a wide variety of coral and anemone.
Gabriel was near the back, right next to one of the glass walls that looked right into the reef. Atlantis really was a beautiful sort of restaurant, and it was even more so without its gaudy Christmas decorations.
Sitting down quickly, I rummaged through my purse, grabbing a few sheets of crumpled paper and then placing them before him. I bit my lip in anticipation, folding my hands in my lap and bouncing my right leg up and down.
Gabriel looked up from his newly paper-strewn menu and raised an eyebrow at me. "Hello to you too," he said with a smirk.
"Look at them," I prompted, unable to keep the pleading note out of my voice. "Please."
He watched me for a second longer, clearly taken aback, but finally looked down at the pages. On them was scrawled the composition and lyrics to a new song I'd written. The inspiration for it had come along suddenly, and what transpired afterward was a frenzy of scribbles, several cups of coffee, and at least three nights of dubiously sufficient amounts of sleep.
Gabriel scanned through them and then went back to the first page, fingers tapping lightly against the table and his head tilting to the side as he hummed seemingly random parts to himself. Watching the whole process made me feel like I was going to jump out of my skin.
"Hello! My name's—Woah, you okay there?" our waitress asked, looking alarmed because I'd jumped about a foot out of my chair. Gabriel looked at me in surprise and then promptly started laughing.
Ass, I thought bitterly.
"I'm fine," I said quickly.
The waitress looked me over, clearly doubting this, but eventually she fixed a smile back onto her face. "Okay then. Well, my name's Barbara and I'll be your waitress today. What would you like to dri—?"
"Lemonade," I blurted out, accidentally answering before she'd finished her sentence. Gabriel started laughing again. Barbara looked at the both of us in alarm.
"Yeah, that sounds great, thanks," he added, and then shook his head once she left. "You're silly, you know that?" he asked.
"Did you like it?" I asked in return, ignoring his statement. "I think I do, but just like last time I feel like it's off. I don't know. Maybe I'm useless at this. It's been months and I still haven't gotten back into it. You'd tell me if it was hopeless, right? You'd tell me if I was completely awful?"
"I would," he said calmly, "but you're not—not even a little. I like the lyrics here especially. They're really good."
"You think so?" I asked hopefully, folding my hands on the table now and leaning forward a bit.
"Yeah, definitely. Though…maybe…" he trailed off, gazing vaguely at the tank.
"Maybe what?" I pressed. He looked at the glass for another moment, mumbling the chorus under his breath in a few different ways. I took in a deep breath, trying to relax myself. It wouldn't help at all if I rushed him.
"Sing the chorus for me."
I froze for a second at the request, looking around anxiously. There weren't many people around, but it was still sort of awkward. I took another breath, trying to ignore this, and then began to sing softly, but Gabriel cut in almost immediately.
"I want to—"
"Even slower. Like.…" he tapped out a steady rhythm on the table.
I listened to it for a moment and then tried again, singing quietly, "I want to dance on the words that fall from your mouth….Kiss, your melody."
Those four walls now are the only place that I can breathe out
And those four walls now are home
"Kiss, your melody," Gabriel sang back slower still.
The notes were achingly beautiful in his voice; I appreciated the sound as it lingered in my ears. God, I could float away on the notes of such perfect music. Taking a quick breath, I sang the next line, "I want to sing to the beat of your shoes on the ground….Walk, your melody." Gabriel smiled after I finished, and I couldn't help but smile as well, recognizing the wonderful transformation that was taking place.
"I want to hum past the sorrow that flows out your heart…."
"I want to…"
"Soothe, your melody."
"Hmmmm…." Gabriel mused as I stared at him, stricken, for this time he'd added a touch of his own vocals to the mix, and just like that the sound had morphed again into something else entirely—something simply transcendental and all at once haunting.
Feeling my heart racing in increased anticipation, I sang the final line of the chorus I'd written, "I want to listen to the music that your soul radiates…."
"I want to…"
"Love, your melody," we concluded together.
I leaned back in my chair, chewing on my thumbnail as Gabriel looked down at the table.
He looked somewhat pained, I realized, but I couldn't figure out why. The sound of our voices converging and diverging reverberated in my very soul, and I found that I couldn't get my mind off it even when Barbara came back with our lemonades and asked us what we wanted to eat.
"What would you recommend?" I asked absently, and then just went with whatever she'd said; forgetting her suggestion almost instantly.
I want to dance on the words that fall from your mouth
(I want to) Kiss, your melody
I looked at Gabriel. He'd been in a band once—I remembered him telling me not that long ago. It was called Freezer Bunny and as soon as he'd told me I'd scoured the internet for everything about it—downloading every song I could possibly find and binge-listening to it at every waking chance. The songs were angst-ridden and even angry at times, but I'd loved every second of them. Most of all, however, I loved hearing Gabriel sing. I'd asked him then why he never returned to music and promptly found out about the coincidence of his wife's murder and last performance. Of course upon that hearing that answer I'd hastily dropped the subject, but….
Those four walls now are the only place that I can feel
And those four walls now are home
I pulled my lemonade toward me; taking a sip and then reaching up to touch my hair. "We would be perfect together," I mused quietly.
Gabriel looked up. "What was that?"
"I said that we would be perfect together—singing…performing. It's okay singing on my own, but I always feel like there's something missing. Not so when I sing with you. When we sing together, it's like everything clicks into place."
A mixture of emotions flashed across Gabriel's face, as if he wasn't quite sure how he felt about what I was saying. In the end, he seemed to opt for confusion: "What do you mean?"
A wave of nerves swept through my being, but I fought through them, sitting up a little straighter in my chair and forcing myself to meet his russet eyes. "What I mean is that I would absolutely love to—to create a sort of…music duo with you. I mean we both sing and I-I play the piano really well and you're wonderful with the guitar and….and I think that maybe we could be something amazing…together."
Gabriel traced his finger absently around the rim of his lemonade glass, no longer looking at me. "Where did this come from anyway?" he asked.
"I don't know. I guess I just—I don't know. I keep getting struck by how great we sound together and I…I can't ignore the fact that playing with you, singing with you—it just feels so…right. Doesn't it?" I asked, looking at him nervously. "I mean am I—am I the only one who feels that way?"
He didn't respond right away. It was probably only a matter of thirty seconds or so, but it felt to me like an eternity. I drank my lemonade in a cheap attempt to distract myself from the wait, fully aware that I'd already finished half the glass.
"You're not the only one," Gabriel finally said with a heavy sigh. "I just don't know whether I'm…well, willing to go that route again."
"Do you like the current route you're on?" I asked carefully. "I mean—what do you want out of life, you know? What do you aspire to? What are your hopes? What are your dreams? We all have something that drives us. What's yours?"
I expected Gabriel to get irritated at my questions. I expected Gabriel maybe even to laugh them off. What I did not expect was an almost tangible gloom to settle upon him; his shoulders slumping and his face falling. He suddenly looked so much older than he was. I felt my throat tighten uncomfortably.
"I don't really know," he answered quietly. "I guess maybe once I did, but…." his voice trailed off. I honestly didn't know what to say and this fact made me feel pretty terrible considering he always seemed to know what to say me. He pressed his lips together, a faint crease appearing between his brows before he looked up at me again. "I want to be with you…I—I guess I know that much," he said, sounding somewhat uncomfortable. "And I also know that…that I want you to be happy."
Falling at the hand of a perfect man….
"That's what I want for you too, Gabriel," I whispered. "So if this is something that you think might make you happy, then I think it's definitely something we should do because it'll certainly make me happy too. If you don't think it's something you'd like though, that's okay too. You know I still rather like the sound of magnificent solo-artist Joanne Winters," I finished with a cheeky smile.
Gabriel laughed a bit, a sound which practically overwhelmed me with relief. "I really love you, you know that?"
"Yes," I said with a smile. "I love you too."
He sighed a bit, glancing down at his lemonade before stating, conclusively: "I'll think about it."
I felt a slow smile rise to my lips. It wasn't a yes exactly, but it wasn't a no either and that was the fact that I clung to as I murmured, "Okay."
* * * * *
Those four walls now are the only place that I can breathe out
Those four walls now are home
Gabriel did not bring it up for a while, so I too remained silent about it, not wishing to push him. After all, although the whole idea seemed very simple and straight-forward to me, for him it was obviously a much more profound decision. It would require, I realized, a complete lifestyle change for him, and I felt that I could understand if he was unwilling to make such a vastly significant move.
Still, as our relationship continued to blossom and grow, I couldn't quite get rid of the hope that maybe he would agree.
I spent a lot of time working on music regardless and even did some research about other record companies. Gabriel was often with me during those times; sometimes helping me with one of my songs and sometimes just sort of off in his own world, strumming various chords from random songs and then chirping in with another suggestion. This made me feel even more hopeful, but still he had not said anything about having made a decision.
Spring had unfortunately brought a fair bit of rain, so after it finally seemed to clear up one day Gabriel and I made our way to the beach, simply wanting to get outside for once and enjoy the improving weather.
The air was cool, smelling of both salt and dew, and the sand was still damp from the days of endless showers. The sun, however, was beginning to peak out from the clouds, pale beams of light casting warmth on us both.
We chatted amicably as we headed up the coast, Gabriel occasionally pointing out something interesting he'd noticed, such as the pair of seagulls that kept snapping at each other as they circled the gray waters, hoping to happen upon the bright, silver glint of a fish and quite determined that the other should not find one before it.
"It's a shame they don't just work together," I mused, "then maybe they'd actually catch something."
"Maybe," Gabriel said in an odd sort of way, and then suddenly halted in his steps, falling back into the sand with his limbs spread out like a starfish. I gaped at him in surprise, unsure whether to laugh or be completely alarmed.
"Are you ok—AH!" I shouted as he leapt up and grabbed my leg, causing me to lose my balance and fall into the sand beside him. "Gabriel!" I wailed. "The sand is all WET!" His response was a jovial cascade of laughter. "Idiot," I complained, though I couldn't quite prevent a smile from rising to my lips as I wiped my hands off on my dress.
"It'll come off…eventually."
I made an annoyed hiss through my teeth and grabbed up some of the sand in my fist, but broke down laughing when Gabriel yelped in response and threw up his arms to protect his face.
Not actually intending to blind him, I lightly tossed the sand onto his jeans instead. I realized too late though that Gabriel apparently perceived this as a sign of weakness as he quickly took advantage of it by tackling me into the sand and tickling me ruthlessly.
"Noooo!" I shouted through my screams of laughter, trying to wiggle away from him but only getting more tickles in return. "You…Complete…Ass!" I gasped out, and then lost myself to a fit of endless giggles, my eyes watering from laughing so hard. "Mercy! Mercy!"
And those three words now are the only thing that came to save me
Those three words now are home
Gabriel stopped, though his laughter continued as I laid back to catch my breath. As always, the sound of it made me smile. Although it was no longer seemingly impossible to see him so carefree, these moments still felt far too rare.
I reached up to move his hair off his forehead, giggling softly when it fell right back down into his eyes. "I love you more than anything."
"I love you too, Jo—more than anything."
We looked at one another for a moment and then Gabriel leaned down, his lips briefly brushing against mine. My eyes fluttered closed, but then opened hastily when I felt him move off me. I blinked, sitting up, but he had only taken a seat beside me, his eyes looking out toward the ocean.
I followed his gaze, watching as the small line of white, rumbling waves jogged their way up the shore and then slid back out to sea. The sun was low in the sky, its brilliant light bouncing and sparkling on the water. I wanted to swim out to it; wanted to see the brilliant lights glittering all around me. Closing my eyes, I tried to imagine it.
"I've been thinking a lot about your request," Gabriel said suddenly. "About maybe pursuing a—a career change and…trying this thing out with you."
I opened my eyes wide, staring at the horizon with bated breath. I tried not to hope too hard, but my heart was practically dancing with it, seemingly unafraid of the tremendous disappointment it would receive if he said 'no'.
"And?" I asked cautiously when he didn't say anything else.
"And I guess I just have one question for you," he answered lightly.
My heart was tap-dancing now; skipping and twirling and singing. I bit my lip, trying to ignore it. "And what's that?" I asked, hoping I sounded casual and not as if I were about to require a triple bypass.
He turned toward me, looking fairly serious, but a playful spark from within his gleaming autumn eyes gave him away just seconds before he asked, "What in the hell are we going to call ourselves?"
Falling at the hand of a perfect man


text:
New Version of Heka App Available Online
Heka Corporation has released a new update of their first app, and this new Heka app is now available for your device.
The app is available for both Android and iOS smartphones and is available online, in the Google Play store, in the Apple Store, and on the HeloAppStore.
These major improvements are meant to increase the performance of your Helo's measurements and give you an even more engaging experience with your wellness band.
Download the app to improve your experience, and come back often to the HeloAppStore to stay up-to-date on the latest innovations in the Helo Wellness Band universe.


text:
Last month I mentioned about my trip to Detroit and while it was a holiday and not work of course we cannot help but take great interest in the food. Well the reality was indeed grim, while the music was incredible the food was not. A very unhealthy offering of fried food, chicken, steaks, burgers, prawns etc. the most shocking thing was the total lack of vegetables and salad and fruit. So much so that we had a joke about the lack of carrots in Detroit and Wayne County. Anyway it really shows how much progress we have made in the UK and with our customers in schools and other businesses.
October saw notable number of events including 2 big award ceremonies in London. The EduCatering awards proved to be successful for LACA and it was a true privilege to accept the Award for Marketing along with Sally and Nigel from Elygra. The second event was the Foodservice Catey's a very prestigious and glamorous event and again to see 2 LACA member authorities receiving awards was fantastic, so well done Surrey Commercial Services and Beverley Baker and also our own Derbyshire County Council.
Looking ahead to this month of course we have the Nation School Meals Week beginning on the 13th November. Thinking back 17 years ago and how it was run we had presentations at the Town Hall to all the pupils who had won the competitions and it's great to see the breadth and spread of this event now. With #cookeditmyselfie! and Chefs in Michelin starred restaurants can only help promote our industry across the Hospitality Sector and raise the awareness of the skills that we have with the LACA membership.
NSMW Daily Marathon – 'Powered by School Food'
Good luck to Elygra's very own Karen Robinson who is running 5 marathons on the 5 days to raise money for this year's Chair's Charity the British Heart Foundation as part of the NSMW activities. Please do get involved and if you can spare a few pennies there is a Just giving page for the Chairs Charity and also Karen's event.
November dates
Friday 17th LACA Seminar at Chesford Grange with updates on Brexit and what it means for your business.
Wednesday 22nd Food Matters live at London Excel I will be chairing a session around "Nutrition and hydration standards in schools". This is at 12:15 – 13:45 Room 8
Thursday 23rd attending the North West regional event
Friday 24th attending the Yorkshire and Humber Christmas event
Finally here is a video of the first Omelette challenge which took place at the Welsh regional event in October, so after suffering a bitter defeat I am working hard on the comeback!!
Have a great November.
Please email me any questions or queries to LACA admin


text:
Love your brand. Grow your business.If you're ready to get your business off the ground and build a brand that connects with your customers, you're in the right place.
But let's be honest, starting a business is no piece of cake.
Building a successful business takes commitment and hard work. It's about making connections, nurturing relationships, and growing your dream into something real, thriving and profitable! But where do you start? Laying the foundation for your business to grow all starts with creating a lovable brand. Get it right and you'll create loyal customers. Get it wrong and you'll risk your reputation and all that you've invested. Your business deserves the absolute best chance to grow into what you've always imagined it could be, and more!
This is the entire reason K Design Co. exists – to help entrepreneurs and small business owners like you succeed and create a fulfilling career out of it. When you invest in a professional brand, you're not just investing in your business, you're investing in yourself! Are you ready to bet on you and create a brand and business that customers love? It can be totally scary to take the first step, but start by telling yourself, "YOU CAN DO THIS!" Then, reach out! Let's talk about your business ideas and more importantly, make them happen!
Love and be loved.
K Design Co. was founded on the idea that if you create a brand that you love, others will love it too. No fancy marketing lingo or spammy ads required. It's simply about using your skills to share your passion with your audience and being genuinely you.
Clients who love
K Design Co.
You are excited to grow your business and are ready to give 110% to make it happen.
You are committed to your responsibilities and meeting milestones.
You are open to sharing your thoughts, ideas, and honest feedback.
Team Player
You are ready to collaborate with a professional and trust their expertise and ideas.
You make thoughtful and strategic choices with your end goals in mind.
You embrace what makes your business unique and are ready to share it with the world.
From Dreamer to Founder
Making the Leap
Hey there, fellow dreamer! My name is Kristin Pruis.
I started designing websites when I was 12 years old, but could never have imagined where that would bring me today. At 28, I've built a thriving business that allows me to follow my passion to create and bring others' dreams to life. I spent the first few years of my career working as a designer in an agency that left me feeling unchallenged and unfulfilled. Putting all the faith I could muster in myself, I decided take control of my own career path and started K Design Co in 2014 alongside going back to school for my MBA. This began my commitment to helping others discover that working for someone else is not the only way to create a livable income and fulfilling life!
If you're ready to take that next step too, I'd love to have a heart-to-heart with you to talk about your hopes and dreams for making a change. Let's make a date to chat!
Do you need a website, like, yesterday?
If so, my free DIY Website Planner Workbook is for you!
Having trouble getting your website off the ground and knowing where to start? My free interactive website workbook will walk you through creating your website step-by-step so you can finally land your dream clients with a website that reflects your brand!


text:
'What Killed Grandma?' Understanding historical medical terminology for cause of death
Filled with medical gibberish and handwritten by a profession famous for sloppy penmanship, a death certificate can be one of the most difficult historical documents to decipher. Mark Jamba, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, will attempt to shed some light on this obstacle when he presents "What Killed Grandma?" at the Wednesday, Sept. 20, meeting of the Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road.
Dr. Jamba's lighthearted introduction to disease and common causes of death, from over a century ago to the present day, will include some basic anatomy, physiology and pathology. Each of the major organ systems will be covered, in turn, with the necessary scientific terminology broken down into prefix, root and suffix to further comprehension. Whenever possible, historical medical words will be highlighted, as well as stories about famous individuals that suffered from these illnesses.
Program begins at 7:00 p.m. Social time from 6:30-7:00 p.m. The public is invited, free of charge. For additional information visit rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohcwogs or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Jayne Broestl
Publicity Chair for the Cuyahoga West Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society that meets at Westlake Porter Public Library.


text:
Teriflunomide reduces relapses with sequelae and relapses leading to hospitalizations: results from the TOWER study
Teriflunomide reduces relapses with sequelae and relapses leading to hospitalizations: results from the TOWER study - Descarga este documento en PDF. Documentación en PDF para descargar gratis. Disponible también para leer online.
Journal of Neurology
, Volume 261, Issue 9, pp 1781–1788
First Online: 28 June 2014Received: 29 May 2014Accepted: 01 June 2014
Teriflunomide is a once-daily oral immunomodulator approved for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. This post hoc analysis of the Phase III TOWER study evaluated the effects of teriflunomide treatment on five severe relapse outcomes: relapses with sequelae defined by an increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale EDSS-functional system FS score sequelae-EDSS-FS 30 days post relapse; relapses with sequelae defined by the investigator sequelae-investigator; relapses leading to hospitalization; relapses treated with intravenous corticosteroids; and intense relapses using the definition of Panitch et al. from the EVIDENCE study based on specified increases in EDSS for severe relapses. Adjusted annualized rates for the five severe relapse outcomes were derived using a Poisson model with robust error variance, with treatment, baseline EDSS strata and region as covariates. Compared with placebo, teriflunomide significantly reduced annualized rates of relapses with sequelae-EDSS-FS 14 mg, 36.6 % p = 0.0021; 7 mg, 31.3 % p = 0.0104 and sequelae-investigator 14 mg only, 53.5 % p = 0.0004, relapses leading to hospitalization 14 mg only, 33.6 % p = 0.0155, relapses requiring intravenous corticosteroids 14 mg, 35.7 % p = 0.0002; 7 mg, 21.5 % p = 0.0337, and intense relapses 14 mg only, 52.5 % p = 0.0015. Patients treated with teriflunomide 14 mg spent significantly fewer nights in hospital for relapse p = 0.009 and had lower annualized rates of all hospitalizations p = 0.030. Taken together, the positive effects of teriflunomide on severe relapses indicate that teriflunomide may reduce relapse-related healthcare costs.
KeywordsClinical trial Economics Multiple sclerosis Outcome assessment healthcare Teriflunomide Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article doi:10.1007-s00415-014-7395-7 contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Download fulltext PDF
Autor: Aaron E. Miller - Richard Macdonell - Giancarlo Comi - Mark S. Freedman - Ludwig Kappos - Mathias Mäurer - Tomas P. Ols
Fuente: https://link.springer.com/