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Finally finished creating the curve network. With the holidays and an 18 month old, I don't have the time I would like to spend on this. But I'm determined to see it through to the end. :)
Type: Posts; User: dInferno
Finally finished creating the curve network. With the holidays and an 18 month old, I don't have the time I would like to spend on this. But I'm determined to see it through to the end. :)
Finally had a chance to get some work done on this.
I'm actually going to convert the curves to poly edges once I'm done. You can't snap to NURBS curves in Blendter, but you can snap to edges.
Only two more videos laying out the curve network, then I can start creating the poly mesh.
I started working on the Murcielago. It is slow going at first working with NURBS curves in Blender, but I'm getting the hang of it and speed is picking up. Right now I'm about half way through the...
So far I like working with Blender. Once you get used to the interface, and get to know some of the hotkeys, it is fairly easy to work with. There were some times that I had to search for...
Finished the Socom Model from Maya Advanced Modeling. Here are the final images:
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Up next is the Murcielago.
Done with the LAM Unit. Only one more video to go, and I will be done with this model.
Almost done with the LAM Unit. I only have two more videos for this model, then I will probably move on to the Murcielago. :)
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More work done on the LAM Unit. There are some normal issues, but I will worry about those when I finish building the LAM, and apply the mirror modifier.
So I finally got through the first LAM Unit video. It is looking a little rough, but there are still 3 videos left covering the LAM Unit.
Finally got a little bit of work done yesterday. I'll upload an image soon. Still haven't decided if I will add textures, or just do the modeling like in the videos.
I actually have blender specific training, but they mostly cover the common modeling tools. You can do a lot with tools like extrude and inset edges, etc. I wanted to see the more specialized tools...
Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been dealing with a sick kid, and have not had a chance to get any further with the model. Hopefully I can get some more work done soon.
I mostly worked in Maya at the game studio I was at. It has been about 8 years since I did any 3D work. I can't afford Maya, so I started looking at Blender. I really like it so far. It is really...
There isn't any unwrapping sections in the original videos, they are just on modeling. I'm thinking about if I want to do any UV unwrapping or not. If I do any UV unwrapping, I'll have to find some...
Got some more work done this morning.
Sorry for the slow update. Finally had some time to sit and work on this uninterrupted. I got the slide release done.
Finally finished the handle. I like the way it is looking. Enjoying doing this in Blender.
Didn't get as much done as I wanted, but I only have one video left and then I am done with the handle. I'm liking it so far. This is the first time I really play with the crease edge tool. ...
I like that I have having to find Blender equivalent tools to the ones Zak is using in Maya. It is helping me to understand what tools are available in Blender, and how to use them.
Some more work on the handle. Only 2 more videos to go and I will move onto the Side Release.
whitehawk74: Ahh. Still post the work here. I would like to see it.
Started on the handle. Still rough, but I like the way it is looking.
Finished up the rear sight. Starting on the handle next.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Over the course of his career, the Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami (whom David Denby writes about in the magazine this week) has been interviewed often—probably most often in France, where world cinema has long received greater attention than elsewhere and where the critics at Cahiers du Cinéma, Le Monde, and other publications championed his films long before they were available here. (About fifteen years ago, I had some small, ultimately unsuccessful involvement in attempting to get them distributed here, but that's a story for another time.) In his article, David rightly speaks of Kiarostami's situation as "a complicated one," as regards politics (Kiarostami still lives in Iran, although he has often travelled and worked elsewhere), and it's worthwhile to look at a few interviews to get a sense of the filmmaker's perspective. One especially interesting discussion is found in the Le Courrier de L'UNESCO, from February, 1998:
In Iran, we don't have the right to hold a woman's hand in the street. If, in a film scene, a woman falls down in the street, only another woman can help her get up—because of the contact. That's why if you see, in an Iranian film, a man who is standing still next to a woman who trips or is even drowning rather than going to help her, don't be shocked. He's not indifferent to her fate, and he would willingly come to her aid, but he is forbidden to do so. Maybe in real life he'd at least make a gesture, but not in a movie. It's not because we're cold people, it's just a constraint that's imposed on us on the screen….
In the nineteen-eighties, in order to be able to shoot, you had to pass four consecutive tests: approval of the treatment, of the script, of the actors, and of the crew, prior to the viewing of the completed film. It hasn't changed since then. Social and political critique isn't absent from our cinema, but we're generally careful not to upset the religious authorities. Paradoxically, it's a little bit to these constraints that the Iranian cinema owes its international recognition, because we have always practiced ellipsis or invented surreptitious ways of expressing things. That said, the pressure has relaxed a bit with the the new government and we can hope that our filmmakers will have a little more leeway.
In 1995, Kiarostami spoke to Jean-Michel Frodon, of Le Monde, about what he learned from one of his own films:
Another lesson is that lots of people like dictatorship: in the interviews, the parents of the students were all on the side of the authorities. And they taught their children to be on the side of the authorities. I discovered this while making the film; this is the kind of discovery that made me become a filmmaker.
He also told Frodon, "We are living in two worlds, interior and exterior, which don't connect. It's a schizophrenic situation and I fear its effects, especially on young people." Yet, he added, "I'm full of criticisms of what's going on in Iran, but it's my country, I love it, and I don't want people to speak ill of it for their pleasure, on the basis of one or two clichés about the chador."
And, during the cruelly repressed protests in Iran in 2009, he told Jacques Mandelbaum, of Le Monde,
I'm not a political analyst. I recognize, like everyone else, a reality: a large part of the population, among them a majority of young people, went into the street and opened their arms in the face of bullets. That was never seen before in Iran, even during the 1979 revolution. It's a totally unprecedented movement. There's obviously a popular revolt and angry youth who are sacrificing themselves in the name of the freedom that's being denied them.
There's a long and complicated story, regarding Kiarostami and his relations with other Iranian filmmakers who have been persecuted by the theocratic regime, that was discussed in fascinating detail by Rasmus Christian Elling at the terrific (though rarely updated) Web site CUMINet. I'll revisit it here later.
Photograph: Photos 12/Alamy.


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Hudson's Hideout is a boardgaming, sports, PC gaming, and entertainment blog.
I have gamed since 1982 starting with the smallest Avalon Hill title and Dungeons and Dragons and played all the way through to the new century. I try to provide the best coverage I can on as many games as I can. Primarily my blog covers boardgaming and MMO's but expect to see the occasional article on TV and movies as well. I don't really have a narrow focus here. I also cover sportscards and sports in general.
You can follow me on Twitter @gamer_hudson and
on Google + at https://plus.google.com/u/0/102682922008272370123/posts
Currently I am playing boardgames as well as PC wargames but I have been known to go through my MMO phase as well. I tend to blog less about those as there are plenty more competent blogs out there doing that already.


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Here at Ninja Theory we understand the importance of getting your start in the games industry and as such, are pleased to support planned internships at the studio. We have already run successful internships for Programming, Animation, Cinematics, Character and Environment Art, and have received great feedback from the interns who took part – in fact they enjoyed it so much that several of our interns have then accepted permanent positions with us!
We only run planned internships for specific disciplines and for fixed periods. We plan internships based on our current projects, the studio's schedule and the availability of our mentors. Unfortunately, we are unable to facilitate individual placements outside of these, as the team would not be able to offer the best support and guidance necessary for a successful placement.
To keep up to date on our internships and placements, please keep an eye on our careers pages, or follow us on our LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter pages.
The Rookies
We also sponsor The Rookies, which is an annual awards and mentor platform open to young creatives in film, animation, games, VR, motion graphics and architecture visualisation. Submissions for which are usually open from the beginning of March until the end of May.
For us as a studio, it's an ideal place to find outstanding emerging talent so as well as being involved in judging the entrants we also offer an internship or two each year as a prize.
What we look for in all our successful interns
- Currently studying or just completed a relevant Degree/Masters/PhD/equivalent mode of study.
- Passion and enthusiasm for games and game development
- Great team players
What we can offer you:
We'll offer you an exciting placement where the work you do will have a direct impact on our studio. We're also providing excellent financial compensation for your time, as well as a fantastic working environment as part of a friendly and supportive team!
For information about how we store and process your application and personal data, please see our Candidate Privacy policy.


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About Us
Gone Doggin was born in 1992 when Susan, frustrated from the lack of useful dog lover gifts on the internet decided to start selling her own line of canine treasures. Featuring original exclusive artwork and handcrafted products with the dog breed theme. We are nestled in beautiful Grass Valley, California and started our career in dogs in 1987 with our first show, dog Winchester. We show and raise St Bernard Dogs. Since 1987 we have bred and finished 8 Champion St. Bernards. Though we remain very active in the St. Bernard world in both showing our dogs and in Rescue work for our breed, the Dog world still knows us best for our Gone Doggin Booth. Our booth and products are seen at many National Shows all over the USA and some of the bigger All-Breed Shows on the West Coast.


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Seventeen years ago today, The Rock delivered what I firmly believe to be one of the great promos of the modern era. This is The Rock at the peak of his powers. Holding a molten hot hometown Miami crowd in the palm of his hands, he spews forth some of his most epic, scathing rhetoric. He absolutely oozes swagger and charisma and every turn and every motion is perfect. Who else could pull off a line like this so perfectly:
"The Rock sees it fit to say that on this day, one thousand years from now, in the year 3000, when the historians look back and wonder what the sound was that encompassed this millennium, The Rock says it was the sound of the people chanting his name..."


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Barry Schwartz: The real crisis? We stopped being wise
This talk is from TED which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. I will be putting several videos from TED up this week to get your thoughts.
This ons is an interesting talk on wisdom by Barry Schwartz. As believers we should know the importance of wisdom. I do wonder how Mr. Schwartz would define wisdom.
What does James have to say?
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8
What are your thoughts?


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At M&G, we have been investing money for individual and institutional clients for more than 85 years and our principles of investing for the long-term, responsible stewardship of our assets and active fund management have been the bedrock of our approach throughout.
We consider it our responsibility to support our customers' investment and savings goals by generating sustainable returns over the long term. Since ESG issues tend to evolve over time, we consider such factors to be a fundamental component of our investment processes.
In practice, this means that we take ESG factors into consideration in our investment decision-making across our business.
The value of investments will fluctuate, which will cause fund prices to fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount you invested.
While M&G fund managers incorporate ESG considerations in their investment approaches, the following funds have adopted a more systematic approach to the integration of ESG.
Source of all information: M&G Investments, April 2019.
The M&G (Lux) Pan European Select Fund and the M&G (Lux) Global Select Fund, Luxembourg-authorised SICAVs, launched on 9 November 2018. On the same date, the non-sterling assets of the M&G Pan European Select Fund and the M&G Global Select Fund (UK-authorised OEICs) merged into the SICAVs. The SICAVs are run by the same fund managers, applying the same investment strategies, as the UK-authorised OEICs.


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The Little Door is an independent publisher of poetry & other sorts of words.
We are humbly put primates but seeking to support an imperative to make. The effort as a singular array of earnest collaborations. Panels & latchworks & keyholes off the miniature passage through, in the interest broadsure of those who know to play. & those who care to carry them.
Blankly, the books are meant for the pocket of a person heading to the train. They are the sorts of words to travel over, return to, & which seek to excite (& less to incense) the sublime extremes of experience which unfold out of careful looking. Out of listening large, first becoming small.
The little door in Alice in Wonderland becomes the namesake of this space out of its phenomenal expression of both the power of imagination & the incumbency on the human to shed enough of their mass to afford entrance. Our taller selves, our more-suited-to-the-ordinary selves, can look through the door & witness a very large world, but obviously we must make ourselves very small in order to enter that large world.
We have gathered that the encouragement of curious ears & carefully honest tongues pertains & is pertained to by the having of books & the reading of them & the speaking with them.
We want to faithfully represent works of remarkable sanity & intelligent beauty & stupid beauty. We want to invite compassionate & imaginative listening. We want to remember the urgency of patience.
Associations adored of the little us:
The Lune
Boulder Poetry Tribe
Le Petit Press
Punch Drunk Press
Hock Spit Slurp


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Tucked into President Obama's FY2012 budget that was released last week was a proposal for funding over 10 years to improve the child welfare system in this country. Outcomes such as more services for families and youth, shorter times in out-of-home care, increasing permanency through reunification, adoption, and guardianship, and lower rates of re-entry into foster care are stated goals. Additionally, the President recognized the need to remove unnecessary administrative requirements that impede progress toward these goals for public and private sector providers of services.
Many have been hard at work through various national coalitions of professional child advocate organizations on these goals for some time. It is exciting and encouraging to the President Obama listening, supporting, and leading with us!


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Leadership Team
Jim Raftice – President
Jim Raftice has over 10 years of experience in the payments industry. He is responsible for oversight of all aspects and functions of the company from Finance to Operations and Sales. Additionally, he assists in the implementation of new products and continually works to improve PowerPay's business processes.
Prior to joining the PowerPay team in 2004, Jim worked at Ford Motor Credit Company for seven years as Auditor and Loss Prevention Supervisor in Maine and Florida. Upon returning to Maine, he became an Underwriter for First Merchants Bancard Services (FMBS) and later served as Vice President of Underwriting at Vision Payment Solutions.
Jim holds a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Southern Maine. He currently resides in Cumberland, Maine, with his wife and their three children.
Jay Meyers – Senior Vice President, Information Technology
As Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Jay leads the development of strategic information systems and oversees the organization's Information Technology, Compliance, Product Development and Project Management departments.
Jay joined PowerPay in 2006 as Software Engineer leading the development of enterprise level systems for the collection and processing of merchant applications and risk mitigation. In 2010, Jay was promoted to Manager of Software Development and in 2012 he was promoted to Director of Information Technology and Compliance.
Prior to PowerPay, Jay owned a software consulting business. Before owning his own business, he was a Software Developer at Measured Progress.
Jay attended the University of New Hampshire, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Econometrics. He currently resides in Kittery, Maine.
Eran Vail – Senior Vice President, Finance
As Senior Vice President, Finance, Eran oversees the finance functions of the company, including the Accounting, Payroll and Benefits, Human Resources and Training departments. Her responsibilities also include financial planning, analysis, and reporting as well as coordinating regulatory activities.
A certified public accountant, Eran joined PowerPay in 2010 after five years as Corporate Accounting Manager at Hannaford Brothers in Scarborough, Maine. She's an experienced controller in both the public and private sectors and was a senior audit associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Portland.
Eran graduated summa cum laude from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., where she earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in accounting. She and her family live in South Portland, Maine.
Lisa Fisher – Vice President, Partner Relations
As Vice President of Partner Relations for PowerPay, Lisa Fisher manages and oversees Relationship Management and Partner Support. The focus of these areas is to develop and support PowerPay's existing Agents, Value-Added Resellers and Partners, assisting them in developing new business opportunities.
Lisa started her career in processing as an outside sales agent before coming to PowerPay in 2008 to manage PowerPay Capital. She was promoted to Manager of Agent Support in 2010 and to Director of Sales Support in 2011, leading her team work to assist in bringing on new agents, training agents on new products, and being the liaison between outside sales agents and internal departments.
Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Lisa is a graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications. She resides in South Portland, ME.
PowerPay is a registered MSP/ISO of: Deutsche Bank AG, New York, New York. ©2013 All Rights Reserved.


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- Rig Rundowns
- Reviews
- Gear
- Artists
- How-to
- Lessons
- Pro Advice
- Win
Black Label Society
Rig Rundown: Zakk Wylde
May 25, 2016
One of modern metal's most influential shredders takes us behind the curtain to show us the namesake gear powering his over-the-top tone.Read More
No Rest for the Wylde
April 7, 2014
Black Label Society and their bearded leader unleash their first album in four years.Read More
Black Label Society's "Catacombs of the Black Vatican" Album Review
March 28, 2014
Wylde believes in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach and his band's ninth album doesn't venture into uncharted territory—it's business as usual, kicking major ass.Read More
Black Label Society's "Unblackened" DVD Review
October 9, 2013
On Unblackened, Zakk Wylde works to blend his Jekyll & Hyde sensibilities while expanding the band's sound with new textures.Read More
Media Preview October '09
September 18, 2009
Reviewed this month: Return to Forever: Live at Montreux 2008, Black Label Society: Skullage CD/DVD, Motley Crue: A Visual History 1983–2005, By the Time We Got to Woodstock: The Great Rock 'n' Roll Revolution of 1969Read More
Rig Rundown - Black Label Society's Nick Catanese
July 14, 2009
PG's Joe Coffey is On Location in Chicago, IL, where he catches up with Black Label Society's guitarist, Nick Catanese. In this video segment, we talk all things gear, Nick's beliefs on effects and his big move from Washburn to PRS. Recently, Nick has started using PRS guitars and later this year they'll be coming out with his signature model that will feature a double-cutaway, a Floyd Rose trem and EMG pickups. For amps, in BLS he uses Marshall heads and cabs from Zakk Wylde's Wall of Doom and for his own project Speed X he uses Fuchs Viper 100 heads and Electro Voice cabinets. For effects, he uses his signature Fuchs distortion pedal, the Noxious, a Dunlop Rotovibe, BOSS Stereo Chorus, Dunlop wah wah and Morley Bad Horsey.Read More


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The Montgomery County Bar and indeed the legal profession lost one of its finest practitioners and most colorful personalities on March 15, 2015 at the age of 82. Born on June 8, 1932 in Westchester County, New York; son of a lawyer-politician and homemaker; attended Fordham College, allegedly studied to be a Jesuit Priest before re-directing his efforts to "better" use; attended Fordham Law School (the only law school his father would pay for); admitted to the bar on March 19, 1958 and soon hired as Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York when he was tapped (personally) by then Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to come to Washington D.C. to join his criminal (and tax) division.
Mr. Shaffer was an avid equestrian and foxhunter, and a longtime member of several local hunt clubs, including Irving Abb's "unapproved" Big Meadow Hounds. Mr. Shaffer continued to hunt, and to take weekly lessons (including jumping fences) from Master Fox Huntsman and close friend Robert Taylor up until a month before his death. Never bashful, Mr. Shaffer ran a regular ad in a local foxhunting newsletter: "Lawyer – Cheap – Will Do My Best".
Mr. Shaffer's home office and library, elegant and largely paperless, were "decorated" with framed testimonial letters from such notables as Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Sam Ervin Jr. and J. Edgar Hoover (but not Richard Nixon), tufted furniture, and leather-bound volumes. These are the trappings of a substantial man, a man of moment.
Most of us know of at least five cases/matters he handled with unmatched skill and finesse: Watergate, where he represented White House Counsel and prime whistleblower John Dean; the single conviction (after four attempts) of Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa (never to be seen again); the "Boss of Bosses" of the Chicago mafia, a nine-month trial with multiple co-defendants and their showboating lawyers; the Warren Commission's report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy; and the physician/member of Congressional Country Club who slew the protected Canadian Goose.
Some notable footnotes to these proceedings: Dean/Watergate: Dean had cogent reasons for picking Shaffer (then age 40) rather than the "big-name" D.C. lawyers; his total fee paid ultimately fell below minimum wage; his request for immunity from the U. S. Attorney was rebuffed, quickly to be granted instead by the Watergate Congressional Committee; his (and Dean's) unmitigated joy when hearing of the disclosure that Nixon had secretly taped the very conversations Dean had testified to (Nixon resigned 15 days after the Supreme Court ordered the tapes released); Watergate prosecutor Richard Ben-Veniste's comments that (1) Dean was "the best-prepared witness [he had] ever seen in 40-plus years of practicing law"; and (2) Shaffer had "a lot to do with the Nixon resignation." Dean's Blind Ambition contains a remarkably unchanged photograph of Charlie with the caption: "the best damn lawyer money can buy."
The Hoffa matter began with Bobby Kennedy's call to Shaffer: after he identified himself as RFK, Charlie responded, "and I'm Napoleon" and hung up on him. In the process of obtaining Hoffa's conviction, Charlie later learned that it was Hoffa who had recommended that the Chicago mafia boss solicit Charlie (then in private practice) to represent him.
The mafia-boss case was similarly intriguing. Charlie's marching orders from the ancient mobster were unique, but in retrospect understandable: there would be no plea of guilty to anything, and under no circumstance was Charlie to obtain an acquittal. When the presiding judge 9 months later sentenced the mafioso to a hefty term of imprisonment, Charlie protested that he was 86 years old: the judge rejoined that, "He'll just have to do the best he can!"
Attorney General, Bobby Kennedy came to have sufficient trust in Charlie's honesty and integrity that he named him to be his personal representative on the Warren Commission to report to him directly who was really behind the assassination of his brother. While Shaffer generally endorsed the Warren Commission's Report until very recently, in September 2014, he opined to the Washington Post (on the 50th anniversary of the Warren Report) that later events had left him with significant question as to whether the mafia might have been involved in the assassination.
Shaffer's more recent defense of the member of Congressional Country Club who allegedly violated an international treaty by slaying a protected Canadian Goose with his putter on the course was typical Charlie: He allegedly brought $10,000 in cash to the club's "trial", challenging any board member to collect that bounty if he could go out immediately and find and kill a Canadian goose on the course with a putter. It is said that the accused member suffered a suspension of his golfing privileges from November until the following March!
Michael Grady, former associate of Charlie's, contributed the following description of the experience of working with Charlie:
Mr. Shaffer's reception following his funeral mass was rife with many tales of how Charlie had hornswoggled, fleeced or generally manhandled them or others in achieving uniformly superb results. He had a unique way of somehow developing a private rapport with his trial judge (during trial, of course) which left his opponents wondering if their presence, much less their case, was still pertinent. At the trial's end, Charlie could be expected to have left a silver bullet on his trial table and his opponent asking: "Who was that masked man?"
An immaculate dresser, Charlie had the trim figure and handsome looks of a Jimmy Stewart, a booming, gravelly voice, flashing smile and the wily, irrepressible wit to captivate any audience. Although it was never obvious, Charlie knew more about any case and all the persona involved than anyone in the courtroom. His tactics were invariably "spot-on", and his common-sense arguments were nothing less than lethal. He was at once flamboyant, irreverent, dramatic, impudent and courtly: but always thoroughly prepared and carefully measured.
One of his last comments on his practice of law said it all: "Still at it and having fun."
Remember Me
12/5/2019Cancelled: BOD Meeting
12/5/2019Education Law Section Meeting
We provide access to, and improve the administration of justice in our ever-evolving community. We offer valuable benefits, services and opportunities to our members. We advance the delivery of quality legal services by our members.


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Gitanjali Gems
Antigua to vet India's plea for Mehul Choksi's extradition this week
Law enforcement agencies in the Island nation are keeping an eye on the diamond trader's movements.
Mehul Choksi's properties are money laundering assets: PMLA Authority
"Considering the material in the original complaint (by the ED).I find that immovable properties provisionally attached are all involved in money laundering.
Charge sheet filed against Choksi in cheating case in Bengaluru
Police had registered an FIR against Choksi in 2015 based on a complaint by city-based jeweller Hari Prasad, he said.
Choksi-Nirav fraud: Sebi probe moves ahead, no clean chit to anyone
The CIU received documentation of two instances in which the Sebi, in 2014 and 2017, opened investigations on a corporate entity owned by Choksi.
Gitanjali Gems promoter Mehul Choksi seeks cancellation of NBWs, cites fear of mob lynching
A special PMLA court had in March and July this year issued non-bailable warrants against Choksi after it took cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the case.
ICICI seeks to attach Gitanjali's brands, assets to recover Rs 800 crore
ICICI Bank has said that it has Rs 483 crore outstanding from Gitanjali under working capital limits, the equivalent of Rs 77 crore under an external commercial borrowing, and loans of Rs 121 and Rs 123 crore to Nakshatra Brands and Nakshatra World.
Gitanjali Gems shares slip 3% as ED to seek fugitive tag for Mehul Choksi
The agency may soon move the court seeking to label Choksi a fugitive economic offender.
PNB scam: ED files prosecution complaint in court against Mehul Choksi
The complaint charged Choksi and 13 others - eight individuals and five companies - under section 4 of the Act for the offence of money laundering.
DRI serves arrest warrant to Nirav Modi via email
High-value diamonds and pearls worth Rs 890 crore were allegedly diverted by SEZ units controlled by Nirav Modi and sold in the open market.
Sebi to consider penal action against PNB, Gitanjali Gems
Sebi last week issued a warning letter to PNB for delaying disclosures to exchanges.
Gem of an idea gets Enforcement Directorate Choksi jewels
This is probably the first time the ED has adopted such a method to secure the valuables before the accused could move them to a different location.
Nirav scam: CBI to charge CEO of Allahabad Bank
The new names included in the chargesheet are of PNB executive directors Brahmaji Rao and Sanji Saran, and general manager Nehal Ahad.
Gitanjali Gems director records statement in cheating case
Gitanjali Gems promoter Choksi and his relative Nirav Modi are wanted in connection with the alleged multi-crore Punjab National Bank fraud.
HC withdraws Choksi's interim protection from arrest
The order comes after the police told the court that Choksi was not cooperating with the investigation as he was not available at any of the addresses given on his behalf earlier.
Why the looming spectre of Nirav Modi is engendering vulnerability in India's diamantaires
The demand for diamond jewellery, especially from unorganised players, seems to have decreased 10-15% within two months, suggested a pan India survey conducted by Assocham.
PNB moves Hong Kong court against Nirav Modi
The bank will also approach the courts of other countries where Nirav Modi and his business partner as well as the other prime accused in the scam, Mehul Choksi, have assets and businesses.
Banks' NPAs to rise by Rs 8,000 crore in Q4 on account of Gitanjali Gems
Gitanjali is the major account which has turned bad in the fourth quarter of 2017-18.


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On one of the machines that I oversee there is an issue with the df output that I don't understand. here's a part of the output from df -h /dev/sda1 440G 420G 0 100% /backup if i don't use the -h it looks like this: /dev/sda1 461293804 440335112 0 100% /backupIt appears that there really are 20Gigs free, but that column shows 0 -- can i reliably ignore that column and use subtraction with the previous two to compute the true free space?
If I clear up enough more diskspace the 4th column will eventually show more than 0, but it won't be equivalent to the difference of the 2nd and 3rd. My recollection is that rebooting will fix this problem (for a while), but I'd prefer not to have to reboot every couple weeks.
This machine is running sarge and that partition is ext3 over a RAID5 array. I do slip up on occasion and allow this partition to completely fill up (not sure if that might be relevant) so that the rsync processes that are writing to it fail (because of no more remaining disk space).
thanks so much for any hints, ~c


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10 Great New Dad Gifts
New dad gift #1: A subscription to Hulu Plus
Between feedings and diapers and tummy time, new dads don't have much time to catch their favorite shows. The solution? A year of streaming service from Hulu Plus. For a bargain $7.99 a month, he'll get the season's best television shows archived and ready to stream from his TV or laptop. (Plus, it's cheaper than cable or that Netflix subscription you aren't using anymore.)


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Episode 43: The Wheel in Space
This week we cover the fifth season finale, story #43, "The Wheel in Space", in which the Doctor finds himself on a space station under seige by the Cybermen!
QotW: If you could get any artist in history to create a portrait of the Doctor, which artist and which Doctor?
Listener Mailbag
Discussion of "The Wheel in Space" (Charlie 8, Trevor 8.25, David 8.5)
Connor's Corner
- Trevor
- Twitter: @WhovianTrev
- Tumblr: http://trevsplace.tumblr.com/
- Charlie
- David
- Twitter: @gwythinn
- WWW: http://www.davidsafar.com/
- Tumblr: http://maroonedwhovian.tumblr.com/
Join us next week for our review of Doctor Who story #44, The Dominators! This five-part story is fully intact. You can stream the serial from Hulu Plus, rent the DVD from Netflix, or buy the DVD from Amazon.com, the BBC Doctor Who Shop, or many other fine retailers.
Posted by Wanderers in the 4th Dimension on 02/26/2015 and filed under: Uncategorized : No Comments


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Photos and Press Releases
Latvia 2010
Adjunct Professor of Vocal Jazz JANET LAWSON returned to Latvia July 15–24, 2010, to sing and teach at the IX INTERNATIONAL LATVIAN YOUNG MUSICIANS' MASTER CLASSES in Sigulda.
Held every two years, previously in Ogre, the music camp offers young musicians, ages 17 to 22, the opportunity to study with world-renowned musicians and educators in the areas of classical vocal and instrumental music, Latvian classics and jazz. Lawson has been traveling to Latvia to teach at the camps since 1994. Her visits have also included performances at local jazz clubs. In 1999 Lawson presented at Latvia's Riga College of Pedagogy and Education an interactive jazz education program for children. Originally conceived with renowned composer Carman Moore, Jazz Journey traces the journey of West Africans taken from their homeland as it teaches the history and musical components of jazz. In 2002 Jazz Journey was adopted by music teachers throughout Latvia, who brought the program to their respective music schools and colleges, including the Latvian Academy of Music.
"The first year of our Music Camp in Sigulda is one big improvisation. Nobody knew for sure how it would look, feel or express itself. The beauty of this countryside, being with and hearing the great musicians of the faculty again, and feeling the excitement of the students as they jump into the waters of creativity and their limitless potential are all gifts I will treasure forever!" - Janet Lawson
Janet Lawson performs with music camp faculty Ilona Kudina (flute), Raimonds Petrauskis (piano),Oskars Petrauskis (sax) and Rihards Zalupe (percussion) in Sigulda, Latvia, July 2010
Lawson with former students of the International Latvian Young Musicians' Master Classes, Anita Miezeand Ruta Kanteruka with her son Krisjanis, in front of banner in the center of Riga, Latvia, July 2010 (Photo of Lawson and Billy Hart from the 2008 Saulkrasti Jazz Festival and Camp)
Latvia, 2008
Billy Hart and Janet Lawson offered a drum and voice performance honoring the tradition of free improviser Jeanne Lee and drummer Han Bennink and the music of John Coltrane.
Saulkrasti Jazz Festival and Camp of August '08 in Latvia brought together an array of Internationally known artists, among them: drummer Billy Hart, vocal improviser Janet Lawson and drummer Steve Smith from the U.S.; reed player Charlie Miklin from Austria; bassist Hans Kaenzig from Switzerland; drummer Gulli Briem from Iceland; pianist Ferial Karamat Ali from the Amsterdam; singers Inga Berzina from Latvia, Annette Giesriegl from Austria and Norbert Gottschalk from Germany; and many others.
Performing Artists at the final concert of the Saulkrasti Jazz Festival, July, 2006 in Saulkrasti, Latvia.
Janet Lawson, (fourth from right)
Janet with her students, performing at Saulkrasti Jazz Festival


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Conference Day One: Tuesday, 22 August 2017
8:30 am - 8:55 am Registration, refreshments and networking
8:55 am - 9:00 am Chairman's welcoming remarks
9:00 am - 9:30 am Evolving into an interactive engagement centre to serve customers across integrated digital and telephony channels
The role of the contact centre is changing. It is no longer simply focused on sales and/or servicing but also on exploiting opportunities to deepen customer engagement. Learn about new digital strategies on how to increase customer engagement by offering a differentiated experience that integrates the human touch within digital channels. Combine the right channel strategy and proactive contact by guiding customers to the most appropriate channel for their query and how to improve customer satisfaction and sales revenue through the use of digital channels. You will also discover how to exploit cross-selling opportunities with personalised and tailored offers in the customer's chosen digital channel, as well as illustrating how changing customer behaviour is evolving today's contact centre.
Eddy VictorHead of Contact Experience
Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd
9:30 am - 10:00 am Reviewing how an interactive engagement centre enables faster resolution of customer issues to reduce operational costs
Traditionally, reducing cost to serve or sell was the key objective of most contact centres. Recently however, leading companies are also embracing opportunities to engage more with their customers in order to deepen the relationship, increase advocacy and differentiate themselves from their competitors. Digital tools can increase engagement by integrating the human touch in a digital experience. In addition, although some tools are higher cost than voice, their effectiveness in resolving customer queries and means that overall, they play a key role in managing costs.
Understand how embracing digital will provide a unique opportunity to gain a significant competitive advantage in your organisation as well as analyse what technologies are being used, how agent roles are being shaped and what strategies are being adopted to drive customer engagement.
Rose KamauHead of Service Automation and Projects
Airtel Africa
10:00 am - 10:30 am Discussing how banks in Kenya could overcome interest capping issues by generating profits through digital transformation
Banks in Kenya have received an interest capping of 4%, banks need to adapt to new strategies such as the implementation of digital platforms to overcome the challenge of revenue generation.
This session will highlight the importance of system integration and CRM being integrated as well as various tools to re-shape and re-think revenue generation in banks through customer service.
Dennis Omondi OtienoTeam Leader, Customer Experience
Stanbic Bank Kenya
10:30 am - 11:00 am Networking break and refreshments
11:00 am - 11:30 am Evaluating the latest contact centre technologies such as 'chatbots' and key strategies on building successful omni-channel experiences to ensure quality in your contact centre
Internet of Things (IoT) and omni-channel service: Learning how valuable data is collected, stored, and used to reduce customer effort and increase customer engagement.
11:30 am - 12:00 pm Digitisation of contact centres: rolling out live chat strategies for success
Explore the planning and execution of live chats including staffing, training, measuring success and ensuring ideal customer experience.
Looking to launch chat support? Gain insights, best practices and lessons to ensure successful customer engagement. Review how your company can not only manage various channels —but improve bottom-line in the process.
deBBie akwaraDirector- Customer Experience Management, Founder and CSO
Bridge International Academies, Neetch Company
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Networking lunch break
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Panel discussion: Omni-channel routing and reporting - what, where, why, and how?
Omni-channel is all the buzz. Undoubtedly, you want to properly manage email, chat, text, and more.
But the what, where, why, and how are not so simple! This session will dive into the role of various systems, including the ACD and CRM, and how they work together - or are colliding! This session will explore integration challenges and what omni-channel routing and reporting means for other tools like quality monitoring and workforce management. And no technology discussion is complete without the cloud, so this session will go there too.
Oluseyi FolaranmiVice President, Customer Experience
Bernard ChegeEast Africa Call Center Manager
UAP – Old Mutual Group
Ijeoma OkekeHead of Contact Center
Etisalat Nigeria
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Developing and deploying an after-service telesales programme using customer data to determine customer behavioural patterns, spend logic, and intelligence to better improve the company bottom line
Customer engagement is where the heart is. Data-driven marketing offers industry leaders the opportunity to increase their market growth, while shaping customer satisfaction. This session will explore the importance of not just collecting data but will dig deep on how to monitor the dynamic behaviour of your customers. Identify behavioural outliners and patterns, to enhance the company bottom line.
Ijeoma OkekeHead of Contact Center
Etisalat Nigeria
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Interactive roundtable session
The following session will feature a series of interactive group discussions set in a roundtable format each for 15 minutes. There will be a maximum of 4-6 group leaders who will introduce a concept/case study to the participants followed by an interactive discussion and live feedback.
Why participate?
Interactive group discussions are an excellent opportunity to get straight to the point and ask the questions that you want to know the answers to. The group format also provides an excellent opportunity for networking
Roundtable 1: Evolving into an interactive engagement centre to serve customers across an integrated digital and telephony channels and ensure faster resolution of customer issues to reduce operational costs
Roundtable 2: Digitisation of contact centre support channels to improve effectiveness and efficiency across all touch points and reduce turnaround time.
Roundtable 3: The evolution of the call centre: Examining the new trends in customer service
3:00 pm - 3:00 pm End of conference day one
The published programme is correct at time of printing. However, given the seniority of our speakers and the nature of their roles, speakers may subsequently substitute or remove themselves from the programme. This is always regrettable, and we will always try to
replace the speaker with a speaker with equivalent insight. For the most up-to-date programme, please visit the event website.


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If you're looking for options when it comes to grooming your pet, why not let us do your next bath, nail trim, or haircut. We offer a convenient solution by maintaining a clean, safe, environment for your pet in our grooming area. We understand that it can sometimes be challenging to find a groomer who is professional, gentle, and will give your pet that "perfect look". We know that each pet is unique and we will make sure that they are comfortable and safe while they are in our care.
We take great pride in providing the highest quality of grooming services to our clients. We always welcome any questions about our grooming procedures or vaccination policies for your pet. Feel free to call ask to speak to Valerie, our groomer, and she will be glad to set up an spa day for your pet!


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Really nice short ride around the Uwharries.
Covered Bridge
BimmerRider joined
BBR Now TSkitt added route from
Mobile App Rye to Cliff Top Cafe - via military road 2 hrs, 7 min ago davidwoolf joined
BBR 2 hrs, 36 min ago Tyting joined
BBR 2 hrs, 36 min ago PAgar added route from
Mobile App Coalville,Whetstone,Glenfield. 4 hrs, 14 min ago kevinvanpatten created a custom trip Custom Trip (Beta) 6 hrs, 26 min ago


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Nova Scotia is proud of its heritage. With many historical sites the province is home to five UNESCO sites. There are many historic churches, fortresses, and museums worth seeing throughout the province, they are all open to the public. Below are a few historically significant sites worth your time!
Citadel Hill – Located in downtown Halifax, Citadel hill the perfect view of the Halifax Harbour. Built strategically on a hill and designed in the shape of a star, its main purpose was to protect the city. Going back to 1749, Citadel Hill was chosen as the cities fortress, being the naval station for the British. Today you can tour the fort and get a glimpse into what the soldier's lives resembled.
St. Johns Anglican Church – The second oldest English origin church in Canada is located in the town of Lunenburg. It's the second Anglican Church built in Nova Scotia, it held its original form for over 80 years. The church was first built as a two storey meeting-house. As parts were added to the church it grew to have carpenter gothic characteristics, the style was then reflected in the nearby homes. In 2001, the Church suffered damages from a fire; four years were spent on its restoration. Today, the church remains open offering services, and tours for visitors.
Fort Anne National Historic Site- In 1917, Fort Anne of Annapolis valley became Canada's first National Historic Site. Originally, it was built as one of the four French military fortresses built by Charles de Menou d'Aulnay. Fort Anne served of great importance during the time period that the French and British fought over Acadia. You can now visit St. Anne and have the opportunity for tours, and to try on costumes and uniforms that resemble those of that time period.
Fortress of Louisburg – This fortress was built in 1713 in the beautiful Cape Breton Island, built by the French for protection against the British. The Fortress later became the main centre for trade and fishing on the island. Over time, archeologist began to reconstruct the destroyed fortress and it's now open for visitors. There are currently three 18th century restaurants on site as well as many shows put on for visitor entertainment.
The Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® represents more than 1,500 brokers, salespeople and affiliate members throughout the province. NSAR serves its members through a wide variety of educational programs, publications and special services. REALTOR® is a trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who are members of The Canadian Real Estate Association and, as such, subscribe to a high standard of professional service and a strict code of ethics.


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We all feel the occasional ache or pain in our arms or legs, but if you're experiencing nagging discomfort, it could be an early warning sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). It's estimated that over 8.5 million people in the United States suffer from PAD. It's a disease caused by blocked arteries which restrict blood flow, causing pain and damage to muscles and other tissue. Diagnosing and treating PAD can be challenging, but early treatment could save your aching arms and legs—and even your life.
A bruise or sore that does not heal may also be a sign of PAD. The care team at the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Sycamore Medical Center can help determine the underlying cause and best course of treatment. The center's medical director, Louis Pilati, MD, says "Once a wound has developed, I act as a gatekeeper to investigate whether there are other things which could be complicating these wounds." Next steps often include consulting with a cardiologist, like Ammar Safar, MD, FACP, vice chair of cardiology at Kettering Medical Center.
According to Dr. Safar, PAD cases require a broad perspective, "We want to optimize the medical therapy and risk factors, not just to prevent amputations and save the limbs, but also because we are trying to prevent a heart attack or stroke." Cardiologists like Dr. Safar can address blood flow problems and coordinate with the patient's primary care physician or other specialists to treat underlying causes and risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
Successful treatment
PAD is a whole-body condition that can require advanced medical technology to resolve and the latest treatments for PAD are available at Kettering Health Network:
These treatments can have a large impact on a patient's lifestyle, sometimes preventing the loss of a limb.
One patient came in for amputation because of a deep wound to the tendons on his left ankle. Dr. Safar's team saved his leg using advanced procedures to clear the constricted blood vessels. "I opened up two out of three blood vessels in his leg," Dr. Safar explains. "The patient has both feet; he's walking, and he's doing well."
Find out more about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of peripheral artery disease at a Kettering Health Night Out, Tuesday, May 1.
Light refreshments and a mini health fair will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by an information session at 6 p.m. The event is free, but seating is limited. Click here or call (937) 558-3988 to register.


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Don't forget to use the Quick Quote form in the left sidebar, our sales people are standing by to assist you with your order.You will receive your quotation within 2 hours during weekdays - mon to Fri between 8:00 and 16:30
Ferrous Metals
Carbon steel, wrought iron and Stainless steel are examples of ferrous metals. They are both alloys (mixture of different metals) that contain a fair amount of iron and therefore known as Ferrous metals.
Non-Ferrous Metals
These are metals that contain no iron but also include some alloys that contain appreciably very small amounts of iron.
Non-Ferrous metals are often specified for specific applications which may require, non magnetic properties, higher melting points or anti corrosive properties.
Non-Ferrous Metals include...


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So I'm now back to work! The family I nanny for a bit are home from their month long holiday, and Light Box is back after it's month off too. I had a lovely week back home in Bournemouth, seeing my brothers and parents.
I'm really happy that I took my camera and focussed on taking lots of pictures last week. I had a lovely time on my dad's boat, snapping away and making us super-noodles whilst he fixed something, and I took some shots of a very old greenhouse at my brother's next-door-neighbours in Wimbourne.
|A very old green house
|Love this plant – the one which attracts all the butterflies. Budlia?
|Space-age mushrooms. Love the color of them
|Hello greenhouse again
|What is it?
|Tallest mast in Keyhaven, Lymington
|Pretty patterned rope
|The trampoline part on the catamaran
|Big light
|Speckled mouldy mastic
|Keep off the sea
|Lovely colored buoys
|Old boat in need of love
|amazing colors
|Just Lucy, just me
|20 eggs
|20 egg shells ann squished together (vary satisfying and sensual)
|Party in the bath
|Smoke in the eye
|House on the hill at Branksome Beach, Bournemouth
|Sea cam
|Majestic Molly (who swam for the first time that day)
|Ben and his brolly
|My niece and nephew being gangster
|Beautiful Bethany
|Lovely seaside


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August 30th, 2019, New Moon
September 28th, 2019, New Moon
~Weighs The Truth~
The Protectress of the meek
Weighs the truth for all to see,
Divine Law, seeking balance,
Setting the spirit free.
And here, amid the chaos
Of earthly trial she stands,
Ready to issue justice,
Compassion in her hands.
She answers when deception
Shows the destructive face
Of human greed and hatred,
Dividing every creed and race.
Keeper of Great Mystery's laws,
Whose guiding ways we seek,
May we accept the oneness of
The truth we hear you speak.
~Jamie Sams
The Keeper of Equality and the Guardian of Justice
The Fair Judge of Divine Law and the Destroyer of Deception
The Mother of Truth and Protectress of the Underdog
The Mother of Self-Determination and Responsibility
She Teaches Us…
How to find the ability to respond and how to be self-determined. How to feed the positive, not the negative, by using Divine Law. How to use equality with justice, being accountable for our actions and words. How to use personal integrity, ethics, and values to find healing solutions
How to ~ ACCEPT THE TRUTH~
The Libra Moon Sister
The Libra Woman is skilled in the Arts of Wizardry. She is magical & sensual. She is the Queen of Costume. Each piece in her wardrobe carefully selected for the specific magic it holds. She has purpose & focus. She understands the Power of the Physical. She walks in Beauty. She uses the power of her mind in tune with her body. She dances with the Extremes of Life and finds the balance point in the polarities. She has Peace in her Heart.


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Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Romans 8:5-18.
The life of Christ is manifested in us when we are crushed.
The wise virgins had oil at the arrival of the Bridegroom.
The oil is produced from crushing olive seeds.
We will have oil when Jesus comes for us. Only through affliction do we obtain oil.


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want to help you tell your story...on the web.
are some samples of our work (more available on
Alamonde Handmade Thai Jewelry personally
designs custom jewelry, handbags, & other handmade
items for any occasion with materials from Thailand.
for your soul..."
CHALK Preschool is
dedicated to providing the highest quality preschool
educational opportunities for children, support
for families, & continuing education for teachers
and staff...an environment where children can thrive.
CHALK has locations in Clybourn Corridor
& Lakeview, Chicago (IL), & in Westwood, Los Angelos (CA).
dejohnson is an interdisciplinary artist
who uses aural (sound), textual (poetry & prose),
& visual (digital paintings, photographs, &
film/video) arts to share his inspiration & dreams.
Immanuel Bible Foundation serves the Christian
community by offering a serene setting for meetings
& events such as bridal showers, luncheons, recitals,
& so on. Immanuel initiates & participates in outreach
opportunities designed to bring the community together
in faith.
O'Neal Builders has
a mission "To build custom homes of exceptional
quality while surpassing customer's expectations
of satisfaction & quality workmanship."
Dreams One Detail at a Time."
State Street Design believes jewelry should
make a statement. "Why wear it if it just goes
unnoticed?" Wear jewelry that gets you noticed.
Travel Agents International...your dream
vacation store, can take you wherever you want to
go! Plan your family vacation now for the best deals!
Timothy Kent Gallery & Framing - the
finest in custom picture framing since 1975. Featuring
the best personal attention, gallery shows, &
artist demonstrations.
© 2009 Raconteur


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UCC Evangelion Collectible Canned Coffee
Score! Managed to pick up the UCC canned coffee 3 figure set of Asuka, Rei, and Marie from AmiAmi. They are nicely detailed little figures, each holding a can of yummy UCC coffee. You can even place the figures on top of the cans, using the can as a display base. Nothing like product placement from the Evangelion remake movies! Coffee is good until October 27, 2012 so no rush to drink them either.
UCC, a Japanese beverage company, has been releasing Neon Genesis Evangelion branded coffee since 1997, but has been going strong with the new Evangelion movies. These canned coffees are ready to drink hot or cold and are basically their popular milk coffee with a nifty tin and figure.
If you are wondering what Neon Genesis Evangelion (involves giant biomechanical robots and doomsday prophecies) is all about, check out Wikipedia here.
Nissin Gundam 40th Anniversary Collectable Cup Noodle and Gundam Model
This complements my original Gundam Cup Noodle with model I brought back from Tokyo years ago now. Original Gundam Cup Noodle shown below.
If you are wondering what Gundam is (involves large robots and combat) check out Wikipedia here.


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June, being the start of winter and cooler weather, marks the start of a quieter time in the vegetable garden. There are some crops though that need to be planted now; it's time to sow onion seed (brown, red, white and spring onions), sow a succession crop of english spinach, broad beans, snow peas and broccoli (in punnets). It's also time to divide or plant asparagus crowns which are now dormant, as well as rhubarb, artichokes (Jerusalem and globe), shallots and chives.
If you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse with vegetable beds to extend your growing season, then you can still plant out any of the seedlings from the May planting list into these beds. Lettuce, rocket and other salad greens as well as herbs such as dill, chervil, parsley and coriander will all thrive and give a regular harvest over winter in this protected environment.


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Indulgence Gift Set
Beautiful skin is yours! One box brimming with skin pampering Sanibel Naturals products: 4 bars of our Shea Butter Soap, an 8 ounce bottle of our Shea Butter Lotion with 75% Organic ingredients and an 8.5 ounce jar of our fabulous Body Polish. This Body Polish has sugar to exfoliate, and glycerin and avocado oil to leave your skin soft and restored.
Did we mention it is available in these fragrances: Beach, Key Lime, Hammock Time, Periwinkle, Shell Pink, Kaya and Unscented?
Beach, our most popular, is our version of Bobbi Brown's Beach fragrance.
Key Lime is a bright fresh Lime that's not sweet.
Hammock Time is a "Cool Water" type fragrance.
Periwinkle is a "Love Spell" type fragrance.
Shell Pink is an "Angel" type fragrance.
Kaya is our version of "Kai".
Unscented is for everyone who is fragrance sensitive!
Not sure? Go for Beach, it is our number 1 by a mile....
This gift pack includes the pump for the Lotion and a scoop for the Body Polish.
Priced separately, this collection sells for over $85.00. You save and enjoy, what could be better?
Soap, Lotion And Body Polish Trio
A trio of our most popular products: Shea Butter Soap, Shea Butter Lotion and our sugar and avocado Body Polish.
The ready to gift organza bag has 2 bars of Shea Butter Soap, 4 ounces of our 75% Organic Shea Butter Lotion and a 4.5 ounce jar of sugar and avocado Body Polish.
There's a scoop for the Body Polish and a gift tag for your personal message!
Available in 7 Fragrances and Unscented.
Organic Body Wash And Shea Butter Lotion
Organic Body Wash and our 75% Organic Shea Butter Lotion are each a full 8 ounces.
Ready to gift, just put your personal note on the enclosed gift tag. Presented in an Organza gift bag with our holiday labels.
7 great fragrances and Unscented, too.
Sugar Body Polish and Shea Butter Soap
Gift Set includes 8.5 ounces of our Sugar and Avocado Body Polish with spatula and 2 shrink wrapped bars of our Shea Butter Soap.
Soap bars weigh a full 4 ounces and are shrink wrapped.
Presented in an Organza gift pouch with a tag for your personal message.
Shea Butter Soap Gift Set
4 Bars of our Shea Butter Soap presented in an organza bag, ready to gift! We've added a tag for your personal message to make it super simple to be a great gift giver.
Each bar is shrink wrapped.
Available in 7 fragrances and Unscented.
Citrus Essential Oil Bath Soak and Bath Fizzies
Relaxing Bath Soak with Citrus blend Essential Oils has Himalayan Pink Salt, Dead Sea Salt, Epsom Salt and Sodium Bicarbonate.
Bath Fizzies (4) produce a bubbling fizz when added to the bath. Also fragranced with Orange Essential Oil.
Packaged for gifting, the Bath Soak is 7.5 ounces with a scoop, and the bath fizzies are shrink wrapped. Presented in an Organza bag with gift tag for your personal message.
Shea Butter Soap and Sugar Body Polish
Two Shea Butter Soaps and our Sugar and Avocado Body Polish in a pretty organza bag ready to gift! You'll also get a gift tag to personalize and you're set to go.
Our Shea Butter soap is a full 4 ounces and shrink wrapped. The sugar and avocado Body Polish is 4.5 ounces and comes with a spatula to easily scoop it from the jar.
Available in 7 fragrances and also fragrance free.
Shea Butter Soap and Lotion
2 bars of Sanibel Naturals Shea Butter Soap and a 4 ounce bottle of our 75% organic Shea Butter Lotion arrive ready to gift.
Labeled with our new holiday labels, this is sure to please, especially with the choice of fragrances.
We package them in a pretty Organza bag, all you need to do is add a personal note to the enclosed gift tag!


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Adobe Source Code and Customer Data Hacked
Adobe has confirmed the company was the victim of a long term network breach which exposed consumer data including passwords and credit card data, as well as exposing the source code for some of their leading products.
"Adobe's security team discovered sophisticated attacks on our network, involving the illegal access of customer information as well as source code for numerous Adobe products. We believe these attacks may be related," said Brad Arkin, Adobe's Chief Security Officer.
"Our investigation currently indicates that the attackers accessed Adobe customer IDs and encrypted passwords on our systems. We also believe the attackers removed from our systems certain information relating to 2.9 million Adobe customers, including customer names, encrypted credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates, and other information relating to customer orders," Arkin continued.
Adobe made the announcement after Brian Krebs of KrebsOnSecurity had connected the breach to a recently discovered compromise of multiple consumer data brokers, including LexisNexis, Dun & Bradstreet, and Kroll Background America.
During his investigation into the identity theft ring behind the breaches, Krebs discovered a bounty of stolen source code for Adobe's ColdFusion Web application platform, and possibly also for its Acrobat products.
"Adobe confirmed that the company believes that hackers accessed a source code repository sometime in mid-August 2013, after breaking into a portion of Adobe's network that handled credit card transactions for customers," Krebs reports,
"Adobe believes the attackers stole credit card and other data on approximately 2.9 million customers, and that the bad guys also accessed an as-yet-undetermined number of user names and passwords that customers use to access various parts of the Adobe customer network."
Read More Here…


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Adult-onset deletion of the Prader-Willi syndrome susceptibility gene Snord116 in mice results in reduced feeding and increased fat mass
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a genomic imprinting disorder, is the leading genetic cause of obesity, characterized by failure-to-thrive and muscular hypotonia in infancy followed by hyperphagia and development of obesity in childhood and adulthood (1). The genetic locus which is affected in PWS is a large imprinted region on chromosome 15 encompassing a number of coding and non-coding genes (2). The PWS locus is conserved between species, with only minor alterations between humans and mice (3).
The degree of conservation between the human and mouse PWS loci offers a valuable means of studying the contribution of individual genes to the syndrome—genetic knockout (KO) mouse models. In recent years, a number of single- and multi-gene deletion models, demonstrating some phenotypic features of PWS, have been developed (4,5). As the critical PWS region has been narrowed down and refined over time through human genetic analyses, so have PWS mouse models concentrated more and more on specific genes within that region using sophisticated gene targeting methods.
A number of patients with micro-deletions in the PWS critical region have been identified. Of these, the smallest deletions that give rise to classical PWS phenotypic features are in a region that encompasses the small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) SNORD116 (6-10). The analogue of this gene in mice, Snord116, is present in the corresponding murine PWS critical region, conserved on chromosome 7 (11,12). Snord116 is the first snoRNA to be investigated via KO mouse models. Thus far two independently engineered models have been created which share some common phenotypic features, as outlined below.
Skryabin et al. reported that their Snord116 deficient mice had a slower growth pattern from postnatal day 5 to adulthood compared to wildtype (WT) (13). KO animals did not become obese and fertility was conserved. Food intake, body composition and metabolic parameters were not investigated in that study.
A more in-depth study assessed the metabolic and behavioural effects of an independently generated Snord116 deletion mouse line (14), which reported stunted early growth beginning from postnatal day 2. Mice survived to adulthood but remained smaller than WT and, while normal fertility was observed, there was a delay in sexual maturation. Behavioural tests showed that these Snord116-deficient mice had increased anxiety and a defect in motor learning, although motor function was normal. This mouse model was the first in PWS research to display hyperphagia. Strikingly, food intake was not different to that of controls at 7 weeks of age but hyperphagia developed with age in Snord116-deficient mice, with males exhibiting increased food intake (corrected for BW) at 3 months and females at 6 months of age. This hyperphagia was accompanied by elevated circulating levels of the gut-derived anorexigenic hormone ghrelin, but did not result in obesity. To partially explain this apparently discrepant finding of hyperphagia in the absence of obesity, the authors investigated parameters related to energy expenditure and reported increased oxygen consumption and a stronger preference for carbohydrate oxidation in Snord116-deficient mice versus controls. This finding is in contrast to human PWS, in which reduced resting energy expenditure in line with lower lean mass has been observed (15-18).
The finding that germline deletion of Snord116 in mice leads to hyperphagia is the first proof in an animal model that this molecule is critical for the development of PWS. Indeed, the fact that hyperphagia is only observed after an initial period of failure to thrive aligns closely with the clinical progression of PWS in humans. The elevated ghrelin levels and increased anxiety observed (14) also mimic features of the syndrome.
It has been suggested that postnatal failure to thrive could itself shape the later hyperphagic stage of PWS (14). In this scenario, hypotonia and poor suck in neonates causes malnutrition and stunted growth at a period when significant development is taking place in appetite-regulatory neuronal pathways. It is hypothesized that the brain is then rewired, in a compensatory manner, in favour of a strong drive to eat and accumulate adipose tissue, leading to hyperphagia and obesity in the second stage of the disease. Although it is not possible to test this hypothesis in humans, recently developed gene manipulation techniques allow the generation of inducible KO mouse models, in which gene deletion can be induced at any stage of development.
In the current study, we aimed to determine the role of Snord116 in the regulation of growth and energy homeostasis independent of any compensatory developmental influences. In order to do this, we assessed the metabolic phenotype of a mouse model in which Snord116 was globally deleted in adult mice.
Generation of mouse lines
Mice with loxP sites flanking the Snord116 locus (14) were obtained from Jackson laboratory. Conditional deletion mice (mice in which deletion has been targeted to a specific time point) were generated by crossing these Snord116lox/lox mice with mice with a copy of the Cre-recombinase gene fused to the estrogen receptor under the control of the ubiquitin promoter (Snordlox/lox; ROSAcre/+). Deletion of Snord116 was induced at 8 weeks of age by the oral administration of 2.5 mg/kg tamoxifen (tamoxifen dissolved in 100% ethanol at a dilution of 1 mg/µL and mixed into 0.5 g of peanut butter; n=7). Vehicle-treated Snordlox/lox;ROSAcre/+ littermates were used as controls (n=8).
Animal experiments
All animal experiments for this study were approved by the Garvan Institute/St Vincent's Hospital Animal Ethics Committee and conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and guidelines. Mice were housed in groups of 2–5 under controlled temperature conditions (22 °C), with a 12-hour light, 12-hour dark cycle (lights on at 7:00 am) and standardized environmental enrichment. Mice had ad libitum access to water and a normal chow diet (8% of energy from fat, 21% from protein and 71% from carbohydrate, 10.9 kJ/g; Gordon's Specialty Stock Feeds, Yanderra, NSW, Australia).
Body weight (BW) and composition
BW was measured at weekly intervals, always at the same time of day, from 8 weeks of age onwards. To assess body composition (whole body lean mass and fat mass) at 8 weeks of age (prior to tamoxifen administration) and at 14 weeks of age, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA; Lunar PIXImus2 mouse densitometer, GE Medical Systems Lunar, Madison, WI, USA) was performed on isoflurane-anaesthetized mice, ventral side down. The heads of the mice were excluded from analysis, which was performed using software provided by the manufacturer.
Food intake
Food intake was measured at 11 weeks of age, both under non-fasted conditions (spontaneous food intake) and in response to an overnight fast (fasting-induced food intake). To acclimatize to experimental conditions, mice were individually housed for 3 days before the experiment and fed powdered chow. They were then transferred to individual specialized Nalgene metabolic chambers (Medtex, Notting Hill, VIC) and given ad libitum access to powdered chow and water. Food spillage, water spillage, faeces and urine were collected into discrete compartments. BW, hopper weight and faecal output were recorded over three consecutive days, and the amount of food consumed (i.e., food given minus food remaining) was calculated on a daily basis.
To determine the effect of fasting on food intake, animals' food was removed at 5:00 pm on the day before the experiment. Food was given at 9:00 am the following day and food intake was measured as described above at 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after reintroduction of food. BW was monitored daily.
Indirect calorimetry
Energy expenditure and substrate utilization were measured at 13 weeks of age by indirect calorimetry using an eight-chamber open-circuit calorimeter (Oxymax Series; Columbus Instruments, OH, USA). Locomotor activity was also determined in these chambers using an OPTO-M3 sensor system (Columbus Instruments). An airflow rate of 0.6 L/min was maintained, and mice were acclimatized to chambers for 24 hours before the beginning of recording. Oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were measured and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was calculated as VCO2/VO2. Energy expenditure (in kCal) was calculated as calorific value (CV) × VO2, where CV =3.815+1.232× RER. Where specified, energy expenditure was normalized to lean body mass as determined by DXA as described below. Physical activity was assessed as ambulatory counts, consecutive beam breaks in the X and Y horizontal dimensions. Data collected in the 24-hour measurement period were expressed as hourly averages, and physical activity data were presented as hourly sums.
Glucose tolerance tests
Glucose tolerance tests were performed when mice were 12 weeks of age. The day prior to the procedure, food was removed from the hopper at 5:00 pm and mice were transferred to clean cages with fresh bedding. Animals were fasted overnight for 20 hours, with the glucose tolerance test performed at 1:00 pm the next day. A 10% glucose solution for injection was prepared by diluting a sterile solution of 50% w/v glucose (Pharmalab, Lane Cove, NSW, Australia) with sterile physiological saline. Glucose was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 1 mg/kg BW in a volume of 10 µL/g BW. Blood was taken from the tip of the tail immediately prior to injection (0 minutes) and at 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes post-injection, and blood glucose concentrations were measured with an Accu-chek® Go glucometer (Roche, Dee Why, NSW, Australia).
Insulin tolerance tests
Four days after the glucose tolerance test, animals of 12 weeks of age were fasted from 9:00 am on the day of the procedure, by placing them in clean cages as described above. The insulin tolerance test was performed at 2:00 pm after 5 hours' fast. A 0.1 ìU/ìL insulin solution was prepared by diluting 20 µL of hospital-grade insulin (Actrapid, Novo Nordisk, Baulkham Hills, NSW, Australia) with 20 mL of sterile physiological saline. Insulin was administered by intraperitoneal (IP) injection at a dose of 0.75 µU/g BW. Whole blood glucose was measured in blood collected from the tip of the tail immediately prior to injection (0 minutes), as well as at 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes post-injection.
Tissue collection
At 14 weeks of age, mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and decapitation between 1:00 and 5:00 pm. White adipose tissue (WAT) depots [right (R) inguinal, R epididymal, R retroperitoneal and mesenteric], intrascapular brown adipose tissue, pancreas, liver, spleen, R kidney, heart, R testis and seminal vesicle were excised and weighed. Brains were collected, frozen on dry ice and stored at −80 °C for subsequent sectioning and in situ hybridization as described below.
Brain sectioning
Frozen brains were embedded in OCT medium (Tissue-Tek OCT compound, Sakura Finetek USA, Torrance, CA, USA). Coronal brain sections of 25 µm thickness were cut with a cryostat (CM3050S, Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany) and thaw-mounted on superfrost glass slides (SuperFrost Plus®, Menzel-Gläser, Braunschweig, Germany). Slides were stored at −20 °C until subsequent and in situ hybridization.
In situ hybridization for determination of Snord116 mRNA expression
In order to establish the effectiveness of our adult-onset Snord116 deletion strategy, in situ hybridization was performed to assess hypothalamic Snord116 mRNA expression. This was done according to the method of Young (19), with minor modifications. Unless specified otherwise, all steps were carried out at room temperature. Mounted sections were fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde (PFA) for 10 minutes on ice, then washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). After acetylation with acetic anhydride in TEA, sections were dehydrated by successive incubation in an increasing ethanol (EtOH) concentration gradient (70–100%), chloroform, 100% EtOH and 90% EtOH.
Hybridization was carried out overnight at 42 °C in a humidity chamber (Hybaid Omniside Thermal Cycler, Thermo Scientific, Milford, MA, USA). Sections were incubated with radio-labelled DNA oligonucleotides complementary to murine Snord116 mRNA ('5-GTTCAGCTTTTCCAAGGAATGTTTGACTGGGAATCATCATAGATCC-3'; Sigma-Aldrich Inc., St Louis, MO, USA).
The following day, sections were washed in 5× SSC buffer with 1M dithiothreitol (DTT), then incubated at 40 °C in 2× SSC/50% formamid first with and then without 1M DTT. After cooling to room temperature, sections were washed in 1× SSC, distilled water, then 70% EtOH. Finally, sections were air-dried for three hours and exposed to Kodak Biomax film (Kodak, Rochester, NY, USA) for 3 hours in complete darkness.
Expression levels of Snord116 mRNA were quantified by densitometry with ImageJ software (US National Institutes of Health).
Statistical analysis
Analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software (version 6.0, GraphPad software, San Diego, CA). Differences in individual parameters between groups were assessed using Student's t-test. Time course or multiple-parameter analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and, where appropriate, calculation of area under the curve (AUC). Significance, unless specified as a genotype/time interaction, indicates a genotype effect. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
The Snordlox/lox;ROSAcre/+ mice in which the KO of Snord116 was induced by oral tamoxifen treatment was designated as the experimental group. Vehicle-treated littermate control mice were designated as the control group.
As shown in Figure 1, hypothalamic expression of Snord116 mRNA was significantly reduced by approximately 16% in the experimental group compared to controls. One reason for the low efficiency of Cre-mediated deletion could be the rather large size of the loxP flanked region of DNA (>150 KB) that needs to be removed. However, while this is not a 100% reduction in expression as is typically seen in germline KO mice, considering the extremely high levels of Snord116 mRNA expression within the brain (20) it still represents significant downregulation, potentially sufficient to cause relevant physiological changes.
Interestingly, in contrast to global germline deletion of Snord116, the conditional deletion of Snord116 in adult mice had no significant effect on BW or growth rate (Figure 2A). Analysis of body composition, assessed by DXA at 13 weeks of age did not show any significant differences in fat or lean mass between experimental and control mice (Figure 2B). When adipose tissue was analysed by the more precise measurement of masses of individually dissected adipose tissue depots, the experimental group exhibited significantly increased total WAT mass compared to controls (Figure 2C). There was no effect of Snord116 deletion on the weight of any of the organs dissected (Figure 2D).
As hyperphagia is the most prominent feature of people with PWS and of germline Snord116 KO mice, we investigated whether adult-onset Snord116 knockdown also leads to changes in food intake by measuring spontaneous and fasting-induced food intake at 11 weeks of age. Unexpectedly, the experimental group exhibited decreased spontaneous food intake as a percentage of BW compared to controls, as well as reduced fasting-induced food intake measured over a 48-hour period as a percentage of BW (Figure 3A,B).
In order to understand why decreased food intake was not accompanied by reduced BW or fat mass in the experimental group, energy metabolism and physical activity were measured at 13 weeks of age. Both experimental and control mice displayed classical 24-hour energy expenditure profiles, with energy expenditure higher in the dark, active phase than in the light, somnolent phase (Figure 4A). There were no differences between groups, either in absolute values or when normalized to lean body mass. However, there was a shift in the timing of energy expenditure changes between groups, as indicated by a significant time-genotype interaction (Figure 4A). RER values were similar between the experimental group and controls, in both the light and dark phases (Figure 4B). Similar to that observed in energy expenditure measurements, there was a shift in the timing of RER changes between groups, significant when analysed as a time-genotype interaction. The RER of the experimental group appeared to lag behind controls slightly in the transition between phases. Mice in the experimental group displayed a similar 24-hour physical activity pattern to controls, with no significant differences in the light or dark phase and no significant time-genotype interaction (Figure 4C).
To investigate glucose homeostasis, glucose and insulin tolerance were measured at 12 weeks of age. Five-hour and 20-hour fasting glucose levels were not different between the experimental group and controls, as seen from the pre-injection (0 minute) time points on Figures 5A and 5C. The experimental group showed impaired glucose tolerance compared to controls, with elevated blood glucose levels seen in the 90 minutes after glucose injection and in the AUC (Figure 5A,B), and decreased insulin sensitivity compared to controls (Figure 5C,D).
To investigate the contribution of the imprinted snoRNA gene cluster Snord116 to PWS without developmental influences, we determined the effects of the global deletion of Snord116 when conferred in adult mice. This model showed some similarity with the features of human PWS but, interestingly, different effects were observed between it and a previously published germline Snord116 model (14). This suggests that the function of Snord116 is indeed modulated by developmental factors. Germline Snord116 deletion mice exhibited reduced BW (although growth rate from 12 weeks onwards was normal), hyperphagia, decreased physical activity and altered substrate oxidation (14). The present study, on the other hand, showed that mice with adult-onset Snord116 knockdown displayed normal growth, reduced food intake and increased adiposity without changes in BW. Both models exhibited impaired glucose tolerance.
It is striking that growth patterns of adult mice—whether they were germline or conditional Snord116-deficient—were the same as their respective controls. Once germline KOs overcame initial failure to thrive, they grew at a normal weight-adjusted rate (14), although they did not exhibit the "catch-up" growth seen in other models with postnatal underweight (21,22). The experimental group did not differ from controls in post-deletion BW or growth rate. This indicates that the growth-detrimental effects of Snord116 may only be conferred in the early stages of development.
The most arresting part of the phenotype of the experimental group in this study was that—in contrast to germline Snord116 KOs, which showed adult-onset hyperphagia—they showed reduced food intake compared to controls. The food intake changes observed in this study indicate that SNORD116 is indeed a likely candidate gene whose absence is involved in the appetite dysregulation in PWS, but the discrepancy between the present adult-onset conditional deletion and the previously-published germline deletion model (14) suggests that the mechanism behind this dysregulation is complex and influenced by extra-genetic factors, such as the stage of development at which the deletion is induced.
The growth/food intake phenotype seen in germline Snord116 models—i.e., initial underweight accompanied by hyperphagia in adulthood—accords with the theory that PWS hyperphagia may be induced by a hypercorrection of postnatal malnutrition (14). The phenotype resulting from adult-onset knockdown of Snord116 outlined in this study supports the corollary of this hypothesis: that when Snord116 deletion does not stunt growth, no compensatory hyperphagia ensues. In this model, early development was normal because the deletion of Snord116 had not yet been induced; upon the induction of the deletion in adulthood, hyperphagia was not observed. Thus this study suggests that, although Snord116 plays a role in the regulation of feeding behaviour, it is only associated with the development of hyperphagia when it is absent from an early age or for a longer period of time. Further, Snord116's effects on food intake may act in compensation for initial failure to thrive.
Not only were mice in the experimental group not hyperphagic, they actually had decreased food intake compared to controls, which may parallel with failure to thrive in neonates. Despite this reduction in caloric intake, we saw increased adiposity in the experimental group. Miller et al. found that in infants with PWS, adiposity began to increase before the onset of hyperphagia, which followed soon after (23). It may be that mice with conditional knockdown of Snord116 follow a similar pattern. A long-term study would be required to assess whether these mice eventually move into a second phase of hyperphagia and obesity.
Energy expenditure, when expressed as a percentage of lean mass, was not different between the experimental group and controls. It is well known that lean tissue (in particular muscle and liver mass) is the main predictor of energy expenditure (24-26). The fact that correction for lean mass equalized 24-hour energy expenditure between groups suggests that muscle was metabolically equal between them. These results suggest that Snord116 does not play a major role in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism.
In conclusion, this is the first study to compare the effects of the adult-onset knockdown of Snord116. While the cre-mediated deletion of Snord116 was not complete, most likely due to the large size of the loxP flanked sequence and reduced efficiency under these circumstances, there was a significant reduction in Snord116 expression. Importantly, even this partial reduction of Snord116 expression in this model resulted in major phenotypic differences from germline Snord116 deletion mice, with the most marked of these being reduced food intake in the adult-onset deletion. Thus each model mimics a separate nutritional phase of PWS, suggesting a role for Snord116 in neurodevelopment. This study identified a role for Snord116 in the regulation of food intake, growth and fat accretion, and suggested that its effects are modulated by developmental stage. The absence of SNORD116 is likely to contribute to the feeding dysregulation seen in people with PWS, from the hypophagia of infancy to the hyperphagia of childhood and later life, thus making it a potential target for appetite therapies in the future.
Funding: We would like to thank Professor Arabella Smith for her input into the interpretation of this study's findings. This work was sponsored by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (grant number 1045166).
Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Ethical Statement: All animal experiments for this study were approved by the Garvan Institute/St Vincent's Hospital Animal Ethics Committee and conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and guidelines.
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Mini stay-cation
Michael had several days off in a row a couple weeks ago so we decided to make the most of it and try to go to Washington D.C. Unfortunately the stand-by fairies were not in favor of this idea so we weren't able to fly to D.C but we instead decided to enjoy what we have around us here in DFW.
We took my brother Weston with us and totally by chance he and Ezra were dressed in the same outfit.
Later on in the week my sister came in for the kiddos birthday and we all went to Great Wolf Lodge, Legoland, and the Sea Life Aquarium. The kids loved driving the little forest ranger lego Jeeps:
We took my brother Weston with us and totally by chance he and Ezra were dressed in the same outfit.
We went to the Dallas Zoo (a bit of a let down for sure) where Libby was obsessed with the goat butts. Yeah... she's special.
They did have a dinosaur exhibit but part of it was closed. We had to take a photo in front of a Questsaocoatlis (I don't know how you spell it) which is one of my nephews favorite dinos.
We decided to take the kiddos to Medieval Times. At first it was very loud and they were totally freaked out but that soon faded away and they got really in to it.
As you can see Libby seemed just thrilled to be here:
We then took them to the new Klyde-Warren park in downtown Dallas. Super cool place to take kiddos for free. There was a splash pad and 2 playgrounds with this treehouse. They also have places to sit in the shade with kiosks of books to read and board games to play that you can check out for free.
Maddox built a "sail boat-car" and tested it out on the Lego track.
Libby loved climbing up onto everything that said "Please do not climb" and I being a fantastic mother and rule follower promptly took her down AFTER I was able to snap a couple cute photos of course.
Fantastic aquarium. I would recommend it to everyone.
The birthday kids got special wolf ears at Great Wold Lodge.
Maddox and the Great Wolf Mascot Wylie.
Libby needed a little break and luckily Uncle Weston made a good pillow.
Sayce took Libby to the potty and Libby told her to take a picture because she was making a "big poop". This.Girl.Kills.Me!
The park is HUGE with indoor and outdoor portions. The weather was really crummy so we just stayed inside but it was great. I will definitely go back but only when the kids are a bit older and can really swim well. It was nerve wracking with all of the other children running around trying to watch both of them.
The boys loved the slides.
Sarah got the party package which included having your room decorated with a cake waiting.
Special arm bands that gave the kids free ice cream!
Driving home from Great Wolf Lodge headed back West this is what I was greeted with. We have been having rain everyday for a month with severe thunderstorms/tornados all around us. I was very hesitant to drive into this "wall" of the unknown.


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Valentines gifts to Dhanbad
Dhanbad falls in the coal mining belt of Bihar and has a large and teeming population with growing needs. Valentine's Day is an important event in Dhanbad. At Ferns N Petals we strive to make valentine's day a spectacular event that will live on in your memory.
Valentines gifts to Dhanbad include Valentine Roses, Valentine flowers, Romantic gifts, gift hampers and the like.
Valentines roses are the classic expression of love. Valentine flowers consist of valentine bunches, valentine baskets, valentine glass vase flower arrangements, valentine romantic gifts, valentine exotic arrangements,Valentine eve and midnight specials and valentine roses by numbers. Our flowers are sourced from around the world at Ferns N Petals and are always in season.
Valentine romantic gifts consist of flowers, chocolates and soft toys. For Love with Love is a charming collection of heart shaped chocolates that are delectable and a visual delight.
Our online delivery service is impeccable and will deliver gifts to your loved one's doorstep in time and in pristine condition.


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Monday, 21 December 2015
Birthday present
7 comments:
- Nic M said...
Can you email me your postal address Jess?
And I hope that this coming year will be better.
- 21 December 2015 at 18:41
- Julie Kirk said...
Wishing you a happy festive time filled with happy lights and twinkly people! x
- 21 December 2015 at 18:56
- Julie Kirk said...
p.s: Many many happy returns! I'm another 'near Christmas' baby [mine's in January] and, over the years, I've had the treat of getting birthday gifts that I've suspected were either unwanted gifts or grabbed in the post-Christmas sales. My partner always suggests I opt for a 2nd birthday in summer ... like the queen. Maybe you can scribble one in your 2016 diary too! x
- 21 December 2015 at 19:01
Definitely have that summer birthday and throw a party - celebrate life with everyone who loves you (you won't have enough room...)
I wish you a wonderful day today but more importantly the start of a brilliant year ahead... xxx
- 22 December 2015 at 16:17
- Lucy Benedict said...
There's also the joy of the joint birthday & Christmas present!
And the summer party is already being planned... :-) As is a good year ahead.
- 23 December 2015 at 11:17
Bloomin 'eck you're brilliant.
- 1 January 2016 at 01:06
Glad I've rediscovered your blog since leaving Twitter. Lovely writing as always.
Fiona (formerly SoItsComeToThiz)
- 3 February 2016 at 20:11