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Content note: discussion of self harm including methods.
My lovely friend has brought to my attention that today is National Self Harm Awareness Day so I thought, what an excellent idea for a blog post. Self Harm is something that desperately needs to be brought to the nation's attention because, in most cases, it is not "a cry for attention" or an attempted suicide, it is a way to deal with intensely difficult situations and it is the cause that must be addressed, not the symptom.
I used to self harm. My early teen years were not easy, I was bullied at my first high school, lost my Gran, who lived with us, had to deal with a girl at my 3rd high school having a vendetta against me and then lost my Dad, all between the ages of 11 and 15. I am not telling you this to ask for your sympathy but to put into context the first time I picked up a pair of scissors and cut into my arm. I was 14, it was the day before my Dad's funeral and I had no idea how to deal with it. I don't know what made me think of it but it seemed like the only way out and after I felt so at ease, like I'd been meditating for hours. That was where it began and it continued, almost every day, for about 2 years. I always ended up wearing jumpers or long sleeved tops all year round to hide my arms until it came out and I went back into counselling (for the second time). It took a lot of hard work to stop, I tried having rubber bands round my wrist to ping when I got the urge, squeezing ice cubes, squeezing dyed red ice cubes, a star chart and various other methods and eventually I got there.
However, in the same way that an alcoholic is never truly cured, I will never be cured either. In times of great stress or overwhelming emotion I still find myself desperately searching for a pencil sharpener blade, a knife, a pair of scissors, anything with a sharp blade that will release the unbearable build up of pain that I have no other way to deal with. I will sit alone, in the quiet, in floods of tears and and watch the blood flow until the crying stops and the pressure has dissipated.
The difference now is that I am not ashamed of it, I refuse to be. It has made me who I am and I am grateful for that.
This is just my story, and every one who self harms has different reasons for doing so and different ways. It will feel different for each person and they will be in different situations when they do it but they will all have one thing in common; they have reasons for doing what they do.
If you, or someone you know, is self harming or you suspect that they are there are things you can do. I am not a professional but I would say that confronting them is not the way to go, but being there as a shoulder to cry on, to talk to about their problems and to try and bring them out of their depression is the best way to deal with it. There are also lots of websites and resources out there to support the sufferer and their friends and family and they were invaluable to me.


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Confederate Memorial & Ben Thompson Book
On April 16, 2016, at 10:00 am at Oakwood Cemetery, in Austin, Texas, SCV Camp Littlefield #59, will unveil a memorial for all Confederates buried at Oakwood.
Following the cemetery light refreshments will be served at the Austin History Center.
At the Austin History Center, there will also be a book launch for Austin's Confederate, gambler, gunfighter, and City Marshal Ben Thompson. There will be a book panel with the author's Major Buck Walton's great-granddaughter and Ben Thompson's great-granddaughter and authors Chuck Parsons and Lisa Lach. Hope you can make it.
The new annotated book, The Adventures of Ben Thompson is available on Amazon!

subset: commoncrawl


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The 10 Mulsim jihadi terrorists, aged between 20 and 23 years, belonged to the Pakistani militant Islamic group Lashkar-e-Taiba, literally Army of the Good, and often translated as Army of the Righteous, or Army of the Pure. Lashkar-e-Taiba's main purpose is to challenge India's sovereignty over the State of Jammu and Kashmir. But its ideology goes beyond that. In an Islamic fundamentalist pamphlet titled Why Are We Waging Jihad, Lashkar-e-Taiba writes that it wants to force Islamic rule over all parts of South Asia, Russia and even China. Further, it seeks to bring about a political union of all Muslims in countries that surround Pakistan.
Lashkar-e-Taiba has supporters and/or official links within the Pakistani Intelligence Service, although all official links are publicly denied as the organization is banned as a terrorist organization in the US, Pakistan, India, and many other countries. Not surprisingly, Lashkar-e-Taiba also has historic links to both the Taliban and al-Qaeda.


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Saturday, October 2, 2010
Interview with Catherine Chisnall author of "Descending"
Nice to be here!
First up a little background, where were you born and raised?
I was born in the Midlands of England. We moved when I was a baby to the North East, then when I was four, down to Southern England, where I have spent the rest of my life.
Where are you currently living?
In a small country village in the South of England. I've also lived in Wales and London, so I feel like I've seen a lot of the country.
You have a young family. How do you manage your time: is it scheduled or a case of grab time whenever you can?
I 'schedule' time when my daughter was at nursery and now at school, it's only a few hours a day. Sometimes I can write when she has gone to bed, but only if I'm not too tired. But often its 'grab time when I can'. As you know, sometimes you get an idea for a story and just have to write it there and then! I feel quite selfish because I should be valuing every minute with her but I've been a full time mum for 5 years and now I need to do something for myself or my brain will turn into a cabbage!
I can honestly say I've had a different reaction from every reader, which is more than I'd hoped for.
I've had:
'Emily is wrong, she should go to prison.'
'But who is abusing who here? Isn't it mutual?'
'What an unlikely, boring story.'
'I was rooting for them all the way through.'
Some have said Jamie is smooth and knows exactly what he's doing.
Some have said Emily is a horrible person with no redeeming features.
I suppose the majority of readers have been sorry for Emily, however, and related to her situation. I don't mean they want to have affairs with 17 year olds! But she seems to be a character that women, especially, can sympathise with. I didn't expect that. I thought everyone would say she was wrong and should go to prison.
Has it been a balanced response?
I suppose so. There hasn't been a general view of Descending, there just seems to be different camps of opinions. People both like and dislike Emily and Jamie. I'm surprised by that. I thought everyone would say 'she is abusing him, its black and white.' I'm glad it wasn't as clear as that though.
Emily appears to have lost her capacity to reason things through. You have developed an interesting characterization here, she appears to allow things to happen around her, rather than decide on a course of action. Is she intended to appear as an abused person?
I don't think it comes through too strongly, its only mentioned once, but her past relationships were borderline abusive i.e. when she was a school girl she had a relationship with a member of school staff, then her manager at work, then her therapist at a therapy centre. All these showed very unprofessional behaviour from the men involved. I think Emily was so desperate for attention and support after her father left, that she turned to anyone. I wonder if Jamie is the least abusive relationship she's had, actually. He's not in power over her.
I didn't set out to show her as 'an abused person', but it would explain her confusion over proper roles and appropriate behaviour. I also think that people who have suffered problems in their life often think they are the best to help others because they can relate to them. Its debatable whether they can help though, due to their own damage.
I think Emily is just exhausted by life, she's given up. Some people see this as a character fault, I think it's just that she has been battered and beaten by life, and can't take any more.
What {apart from sex} does she get out of this relationship?
She gets companionship at home; she gets a bit of excitement cos she never knows what Jamie's going to do next; maybe she gets someone to look after. He is a bit like a son to her, in a warped, twisted way. He does look after her a bit, such as mending her stuff (when he's not breaking it!) He's more like her pet actually!
What does Jamie get from the relationship?
Sex on tap, of course, the goal of the teenage boy; a comfortable, clean, safe home away from his uncaring father; good food; he probably gets respect from his mates, although I don't go into that too much. Maybe he gets a bit of the excitement of doing something he knows he shouldn't.
There is a weird code among teenage boys, they seem to rate each other according to how many girls they've had sex with, what type of girls etc. 'She's a slag, she isn't' etc.
I overheard one student, I think he was 17, talking to his friend about a 40 year old married woman he was having some kind of relationship with. The friend seemed impressed...! The student was a very strange boy: so many of them have had terrible family lives which have twisted them.
Jamie's character isn't unsympathetic, he appears to be in need of whatever it is Emily does for him. They are both damaged by their association, yet Emily is the one that is punished. Is that intended to reflect the current laws affecting minors?
I wanted to explore that area: Jamie isn't legally a child but he isn't legally an adult, so the relationship is actually not illegal, but makes everyone feel queasy. Emily isn't a teacher, so not strictly 'in loco parentis'.
I was surprised to find that the idea of staff and students having relationships in colleges (i.e. not in schools) is just 'frowned upon', not illegal. But I think the reaction of Emily's colleagues is realistic: surely staff wouldn't approve of such a relationship? Even if it wasn't illegal.
I also wanted to make Emily just a bit too old to be having a relationship with a seventeen year old. If she was twenty, or even twenty five, people would be more lenient on her- a three year- or even at a stretch an eight year age gap- would be more acceptable. But a thirteen year age gap is too much.
Learning support assistants (teaching assistants) are in a grey area too. Students tell them things they won't tell their teachers, mothers or girlfriends. Learning support assistants' actual job description is to form supportive relationships with students so they can help them with their studies. Its more likely that they would get too close to the students, than a teacher would. Teachers are removed, in control at the front of the class, they have power that support assistants don't.
Obviously, 'normal' adults instinctively know it would be wrong to have a relationship with a college student like Jamie, but what if someone was lonely, unhappy, vulnerable? I wondered if I should have made Jamie more predatory? But if he was like that, readers would not see why Emily liked him.
Jamie appears to gain more from the relationship than "Emily". Do you think that is a correct assessment?
Yes, he does, now I think about it. The main thing she gets is excitement and the thought of doing something naughty, which she feels she hasn't done enough of in her life.
I think Jamie is a lot tougher and more knowing than people think. I don't think he agonises about the relationship as much as Emily. I think he'd just say 'my dad chucked me out, so I shacked up with that Emily bird. Result!'
It's also a class thing. Emily is a 'nice middle class girl' who worries about what is correct. Subconsciously knows she is doing the wrong thing but does it anyway. Her 'nice middle class friends' are the same: worrying about what she is doing and knowing its wrong.
Jamie is a working class boy who does things today because he might not get the chance tomorrow. He doesn't worry too much about things, he's more out for what he can get right now.
People don't like talking about or acknowledging the class system but it is still here, both socially and physically.
The disrespect that Emily is treated with within the education system is undesirable in itself. Is this a true reflection of what you have observed during your career as an Educator?
Firstly, I must say that I have enjoyed 95% of my learning support career. Once the students got to know me and realised I was kind and non-judgemental, the vast majority were friendly and polite. I think I learned as much from them as they did from me. Often they would defend me against attacks: 'don't say that to Miss!'
I have had such a lot of laughs and funny times with students, I've never been a strict disciplinarian and don't like students to be afraid to speak to me. Obviously there were also terribly sad moments (when they told me about their past, or the occasional one died), scary situations (when they threatened me), and moments when I thought 'yes! This is what it's all about!'
But it is unbelievably draining, and I can't work in education anymore.
I'm afraid there is a lot of disrespect too. As I said above, teachers have the power and get the respect from the students. If students did well at school, they remember their teachers, but not their support assistants. We are invisible.
Many times students have said to me: 'you're not a proper teacher, why should we listen to you?' Some think that support assistants are failed teachers. They don't think we have any intelligence or qualifications, whereas I, like a lot of support assistants, have a university degree.
I didn't want to be a teacher, I prefer supporting rather to leading, and teaching in Britain today is a disrespected, virtually impossible job with vast amounts of paperwork. Teachers get blamed for most problems in society (such as illiteracy, disaffected youth, unemployment), children and parents don't appreciate education and the goalposts are constantly shifting.
I'm glad I'm out of it.
The older man-younger woman topic is more visible in today's world than ever before. The older woman-younger man is not raised as often. Why do you think that is?
I suppose the older man/ younger woman is seen as more acceptable. All men can understand the attraction of a young, blonde bimbo girlfriend, but fewer men can understand the attraction of an older woman. Men run society of course, so what they think dominates the media. Looks are the most important thing in today's world, so the young woman is the prize, the older woman is invisible and unwanted.
Although Emily is hardly old, at thirty!
Apparently in different cultures, however, older women are seen as sexier because they have more experience. I think I've read that this is so in parts of Africa. But the modern world of course concentrates on the developed world.
One of my favourite films is White Palace, about a man of 27 (James Spader) having a relationship with a 43 year old woman (Susan Sarandon). It is about the age difference of course but also the class difference of the middle class Jewish man and the working class Catholic woman. I think this film had some influence on me writing Descending as there are similar themes in it. White Palace is set in America which is supposed to be class less, but it is obvious what is being portrayed.
Its based on a book, but the book is very different, I liked the film better.
Have your readers been sympathetic more with one character than the other?
Probably Emily. As I said, that was a great surprise to me, I thought everyone would sympathise with Jamie! Women tend to sympathise more with Emily, but some men as well.
You have been working very hard to build a platform for both your book and yourself. Is marketing in your opinion a large part of how a writer needs to spend their time?
I didn't think I'd been working that hard actually, due to lack of time. I don't see the point of sitting around waiting, life's too short. Better to look for things to help me.
I don't like marketing and promoting myself though. I just want to go off and write my books. All the marketing has made me very grumpy and my family are fed up with me, I would like to take a break.
But I suppose in this exciting climate for publishing we have at present, it's the norm to market yourself. You used to send your novel off to the publisher, wait around for them to reply, then send it to another one. I suppose they did the marketing for you. But these days it's all very much 'do it yourself' isn't it?
Traditional methods of Publishing are undergoing a huge change, do you see E Books as the way of the future?
Most reviewers I've asked about reviewing Descending have said a straight no to an e book, they mainly want a paperback copy in their hands or get eyestrain from reading from a computer. I feel the same actually.
I think e-books probably are the future in that people like gadgets and obviously reading from a screen saves chopping down trees for paper. But the eye strain factor will have to be dealt with, or scores of people won't change to e-books.
The end of the book leaves a tantalizing question mark. Do you intend on writing a sequel?
I have written a sequel already. Quite a few people said 'oh, poor Emily. What happens to her next?' So I wrote one. I don't think it's as good as Descending, it didn't come flowing out as quickly, if you know what I mean. but people like it. Night Publishing has said they will publish it in due course. Jamie is in it too, I wanted to see what happened to him next as well.
What else is in the works for you as a writer?
I'm currently waiting (im)patiently for Descending to reach Amazon UK. So many of my friends and family members are waiting to buy it! The sequel to Descending called "Surfacing" is currently available in E Book, and will be released shortly in paperback. I have also just finished another novella which has been put away in a drawer so I can get some distance from it. I will go back and read it after a month and either think 'wow!' or 'what a load of rubbish!' I hate that part of writing, but its too difficult to be objective about your own work unless you put it away for a while.
I am also going to start a Feature and Freelance writing course and write articles for magazines. I got distracted by my new novella, but I will start the course soon. I've had articles published in magazines already but I need to know more about the nuts and bolts of feature writing.
REVIEW BY Michael Brooks on Jun. 20, 2010 :
So, if you were wondering what happened to Emily after Descending, here's your chance to find out the answer.An unexpected gift that Jamie left behind turns her life upside down and forces her to reassess her priorities.
This story shares the large cast of supporting characters that its predecessor had, as although Emily is no longer working at the college she gains a host of other acquaintances, including a group of old school friends she gets back in touch with.Surprisingly, the other characters from the previous book don't appear as much as you might be expecting but this works to pleasing effect.
Surfacing perhaps lacks the focus of Descending, seeming more like an overview of a few months of Emily's life than the story of a specific incident.It does however triumph in the exploration of the supporting characters, who are given subtle arcs of their own.The ending is nicely underplayed and lets the reader make their own mind up about events.
Suzannah Burke said...
Forbidden relationships are the stuff of good fiction, when written well and thought through carefully. This book is both. Author Catherine Chisnall didn't in my opinion set out to make this a comfortable or light reading experience. She provides us with Characterizations that provoke a reaction. Emily, in her need to feel needed can be irritatingly real...how marvelous to find an author that presents her main character; her narrator in fact, as a refreshingly non comfortable and somewhat challenging persona. This reader wanted to slap and hug Emily all in the space of one paragraph. Emily has always been an observer in her own life. One of those non-descript yet necessary individuals who people the majority of our lives..we all have conversations in our lives that include the sentence "Oh, you know who I mean! He/she was that quite girl/guy...you know...the one whose name nobody could ever remember." Into Emily's restricted little world comes a sudden adrenaline rush...a lift plummeting downward, and a young student of her aquaintance on hand to share that survivor high. A kiss was what began it. A simple unprovoked reaction to a potentionaly lethal situation. Jamie, the student on the other end of that kiss, is a teenager, not cliche written. he is typical in many respects yet has depths and needs not at first apparent. I will not right a synopsis, this is a review, and as such should leave the reader either curious about the book in question...or not. The situation and the way it affects the lives of both central figures is woven extremely well. Do not read this expecting easy resolutions, there are none. That is a huge part of what makes this a damned fine read. Expect the unexpected. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. Catherine Chisnall is an author worthy of the title.
Review by: Cathy B on Aug. 19, 2010 :
Emily is an ordinary but lonely 30 year old teaching assistant at a Further Education College. On January 20th, ending another typical day at work she finds herself in an uncomfortable position when she gets stuck in the school lift with 17 year old, unpredictable rebel Jamie Norton. As things could not get any worse the lift start acting up and risks the lives of Jamie and Emily, as an act of desperation, They Kiss. What was supposed to be a one time act of passion ended to be more than Emily expected. Emily's once ordinary life is now interrupted with unexpected feelings and she is left starring down a road that she never saw coming.
My Thoughts: This is one of those books that are a quick but enjoyable read. Emily is a character a lot of women could probably relate too, Although most women would not resort to the things she did, she was just a woman that wanted to break out of her shell a little bit. The book brought out some anger in me, the way Emily was treated by some of the students were horrible. I couldn't help feeling sorry for Emily and Jamie, they were both in different stages of life but had more in common than either of them thought, they were both at a stand still in life, in a way they needed one another. The book did a great job rising some emotion out of me. I ended up surprising myself, in the end I was rooting for Jamie and Emily, I wanted them to be together. Descending has a little bit of everything, drama, romance and quick witted humour. This is a perfect summertime book. It may be a quick read but it is an edgy one, it will definitely leave you satisfied.
Review by: Michael Brooks on Jul. 05, 2010 :
A chance encounter in a lift develops into a forbidden romance.This book really succeeds in getting inside the head of its central character, showing her loneliness and the strong attraction she feels for someone she should really be staying away from.The object of her desires comes across as equally lonely and you find yourselves rooting for them even though you know there are good reasons why they shouldn't be involved. There are a large number of supporting characters, although keeping track of them all does require a lot of concentration at times.
The ending may not perhaps be to everyone's taste, being somewhat bittersweet, but I found it appropriate. Recommended.
Time to promote your sites:
My blog: http://www.catherinechisnall.co.uk/
My articles: http://www.wikinut.com/author~whmd/CatherineC/
6 comments:
Thanks Sooz!ReplyDelete
I loved Descending and I eagerly await Surfacing. I found Emily to be a pathetic sort, but nonetheless, I felt sorry for her. The book is peppered with bits of the unexpected and is quite a page turner. I loved it!ReplyDelete
An absolutely fascinating interview featuring two of my favourite people. I was particularly interested to read the varying reviews that Descending has received; thankfully, intelligent readers will forego any preset moral position and treat Descending as it actually is: a very fine and accomplished story.ReplyDelete
A very indepth interview followed by captivating answers from CatherineReplyDelete
Tee x
Great in depth interview. I too like the fact that Emily is not always the most lovable of characters.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 4, 2010 at 9:05 AM
I really enjoyed reading the interview. I haven't read the book - not my sort of thing but I was very interested in the author's experiences and how she has handled this situation.ReplyDelete


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In the past, computers were mostly used to accomplish and systematize processes like payroll processing, airline ticketing, banking, and other institutional applications. These days, however, no one can deny the necessity of computers for work-related and personal use. In fact, from April to June 2012, around 3.6 million DELL personal computers were sold in the United States according to International Data Corporation.
Computers require proper and regular care to function smoothly and efficiently. One component that should be handled with care is the motherboard, also known as the system board, which is the very heart of the system to which all other computer parts connect. If a DELL computer breaks down, it may be due to a defective motherboard, and a DELL YU413 Dell Latitude E6500 system board may be purchased as replacement. However, be sure to check the system board's compatibility with the memory.
The hard disk is another vital element since it is where programs and files are installed, stored, and accessed. When a hard disk breaks down, the files it contains may become unreadable or worse, lost forever. To ensure the hard disk doesn't develop any problems, buy computer accessories and parts only from reliable vendors like Code Micro.
To minimize the risk of data loss and hard disk malfunctions, set up redundancy measures such as disk arrays that can connect multiple hard drives. The most utilized disk array technology is RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), which enables you to store damaged files without affecting other files. Installing a RAID system such as the DELL TD977 PERC 4e/DC Dual Channel U320 LVD SCSI RAID Controller BBU can enhance your computer's performance.
Looking to transfer files between computers? You might want to use hot swappable devices that can be connected to a computer without requiring special software. The most common hot swappable device is the universal serial bus (USB) flash drive.
When large files cannot fit on a USB drive then a portable hard drive may prove handy. You can then connect multiple hard drives with a serial advanced technology attachment, or SATA. To ensure that the SATA is properly connected to a computer, use a device such as the DELL X2689 74GB SCSI 80-pin with 1 hot swap tray.


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Giving To Cankdeska Cikana Community College ::
Hau Mitakoda….hello my friend,
Education is touted as the 'way out of poverty' and as the tool to help people better themselves. Tribal community colleges were established for this very reason but also to provide a 'cultural' based higher education program that meets the needs of our respective community, while reinforcing Dakota values that are rooted in spirituality. In coming to Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC), our students are strengthened by the reinforcement of their cultural identity which, in turn, helps them to be responsible learners with great academic success.
As a tribal, community college, we do a very good job with very limited resources but with the rising cost of education and the current political environment to reduce the national debt, our ability to provide higher education opportunity to those most disadvantaged, is in jeopardy.
I need your help. Higher education is a great investment for supporting individuals who will give back as members of productive and healthy communities. Please consider providing us with a financial gift that will help us meet the needs of our students and our community. CCCC is a non-profit organization so any donation is tax deductible. More information about CCCC can be reviewed on our web site: www.littlehoop.edu that includes audit reports and the 990 form for a non-profit organization.
Relationships and family are the essence of who we are as Dakota people and we look forward to having you as a relative…Your consideration is greatly appreciated.
Mitakuye Oyasin…all my relations.
Cynthia Lindquist, President


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This investigation began with a painting; Otto Dix's disturbing The Skat Players.
Students have selected paintings of the doomed Weimar Republic to 'read' and have been asked to annotate these in much the same way as we have been annotating written text, making connections to events that they know occurred in this period. One aspect of this annotation included summing up their painting/image in a word, then justifying this choice by analyzing the elements of the word, identifying the roots and present day denotation to explore how this word applies to the painting. Sarah had selected the painting The Skat Players by Otto Dix and in as much that a single word can encapsulate a painting, she felt the word 'exclusion' could apply. Sarah and Valentina share their thinking below. Again this takes place at the end of lunch just before going off to PE hence my 'rushing them' through their analysis. I have had to divide their recording into two (YouTube only allows for an import of 15 mins) so apologies for an abrupt end to Part 1 and Part' 2's immediate beginning!
It's interesting for me to note that now..none of the students expect an instant answer. At most they seek guidance and want me to listen to their ' talking through' their findings. They don't want to be told the answer.. they want time to process and search.
I'm fascinated by how Sarah and Valentina talk to think, how they move between past knowledge, in Sarah's case some half remembered mnemonics and earlier mis-learnings, how they 'etymologize' to create a plausible link to another word- they know that meaning is to be found in a word's roots, but hypothesize first to justify an analysis before investigation. This is a series of small steps from suppositions and speculations, to research, to refining ideas, to further speculation and so on through a cycle of proposition and testing and refining until they are satisfied with their morphological analysis, partial discovery of synchronic relatives and identification of the root. They discovered not only does this root have a twin but also a related base in the 'word 'close'.
Sarah discussed how Otto Dix's The Skat Players, and indeed Dix himself are altered by war and as such excluded from society. Horribly mutilated, barely recognized as human, these vetrans are excluded from society, shut away to a corner of a cafe where they play cards. They are excluded from all useful occupations; they are so disfigured mentally and physically from the war that they are metaphorically shut out from the world. Dix stated:"I depicted primarily the horrible consequences of war," Dix later stated. "I believe no one else has seen the reality of that war as I have: the privations, the wounds, the suffering. I chose a truthful reportage of war; I wanted to show the destroyed land, the corpses, the wounds." (Reinhold Heller)
To find out more about Dix and his art:
Watch and listen to artist Philip Hartigan's 200-word meditation on Dix's painting:
To read more about Dix :go here Oxford University Press blog
For more about Dada go here to MOMA audio link


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The Connecticut state Department of Public Health recently conducted a substantial crackdown on several nursing homes for the terrible negligence and abuse perpetrated upon their residents. Each nursing home's cases are unrelated, but the sanctions have all been announced together. Six nursing home facilities have been fined by the state agency for a variety of different incidents that adversely impacted the health and well-being of their residents.
These incidents arise out of a variety of maltreatment and negligence. This includes mistakenly giving a patient morphine, having a patient suffer burns from a hot towel, and another patient developing a scab on their foot after having a toe amputated. As if this could not be outdone, another patient jumped out of a window and suffered a fracture to their spine. And while the focus tends to constantly be on the physical abuse or negligence that results in physical injuries or physical ailments, many often forget the toll that verbal abuse can have on patients. Such verbal abuse, as well as the negligence and failure to monitor patients, is particularly troublesome where a particular patient has a mental disorder such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
The Instances of Abuse & Neglect
As reported, the Laurel Woods Health Care Center located in East Haven, Connecticut was slapped with a $1,230 fine, as the patient with the scabbed foot post-toe amputation, and the patient with the burns, both resided at that facility. Notably, the resident with scabbing was allegedly not properly cared for as one should be after an amputation on the foot. And the resident who suffered the burns was being helped by a nurse who failed to follow rules in how to properly apply the hot towel that burned the patient (that nurse was suspended and placed on 3 months' probation while the staff was re-trained in the proper protocol).
The Abbot Terrace Health Center located in Waterbury, where its patient suffered a fractured spine after jumping from a window, was hit with a $1,300 fine. This apparently stemmed from the mind-numbing pain the patient already suffered from, but it was unclear whether that patient's condition was properly evaluated, and the facility apparently did not have the sufficient painkillers for the patient. To make matters worse, the facility did not properly report that the resident had originally threatened to jump out of the window, only to find that he eventually made good on that threat. New Milford's Village Crest Center also took a $1,300 hit after an aide, in response to a disturbed patient, threw the patient into a toilet paper dispenser, and this incident was not reported for days.
Also at the same facility an aide verbally abused a patient, and morphine and another painkiller were improperly given to the wrong patient. The Aurora home was fined $1,680 because a patient developed sores after improper care, and another $970 after a patient with dementia simply wandered away from the building. At Maefair Health Center a patient suffered a substantial leg cut needing over a dozen stitches due to negligent moving of the patient into their bed, and the facility was fined $1,300 as well. The sixth home, Watrous Nursing Center, had to pay $220 after a nurse's aide sent a patient crashing into a wall after kicking their wheelchair, and subsequently lied about it.
The above is not meant to be an exhaustive laundry list of abuses and neglect, nor an attack on the above nursing homes. Rather, it is a clear example of the disturbing variety of abuses that can go on. While the fines may not be crippling to these facilities, hopefully they are enough to send a message.
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Movement to Reduce Use of Antipsychotic Medications Slow to Take Hold


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My Name is Michal (a Biblical name from the old testament which is pronounced "Mikhal").
I started my Israeli vegetarian food page on Face book on April 2012, during the holiday of Pesakh (Passover). I had just quit my day job after 9 years.
I owned my own bakery from home which was quite successful and therefore forced me to work many long hours on my feet, baking pastries of all sorts. This took a toll on my physical health and I eventually decided to quit.
Friends suggested I start a blog. I found FB to be an easier, more tangible platform so I chose that instead of writing a blog.
However, over a year later, I decided to start this blog in addition to my Facebook page because I wanted my recipes and posts to be organized and easier for my readers to find.


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@jed well yes, that's true. I guess the snow is supposed to start tomorrow night :-( If the roads are safer we should do lunch later this wk
OKC area Dads of 5-13 year old girls: Sign up for the YMCA Adventure Guides Sweetheart Ball this Friday! Register by 2/2 http://ow.ly/3MZEs
@jed you should come join the OKC #wordpress meetup tomorrow in Edmond - we're meeting at @ithemes :-) http://meetu.ps/lgWt
I'm going to a Meetup with OKC WordPress Users Group (Mon night) http://meetu.ps/lgWt
Photo: 30/365/2011 Sunset Embers Over Montana #365photos #iphoneography http://tumblr.com/xfs1dz…
@gdahlby I think those were spun numbers :-(
@bhwilkoff no, I haven't been able to ever attend a full #fetc - I was there for a few sessions in 2006. Just saw you're headed that way :-)
@dianewoodard Personas by MIT is also an AMAZING digital footprint visualizer http://bit.ly/hVDUFX via @AngelaMaiers
@dianewoodard Here's that digital footprint visualization site http://www.spezify.com via @AngelaMaiers
First time I've read about Florida's new education consultant hire: Michelle Rhee… http://ow.ly/1s0soW :-( #education #florida #floridaedu


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Qupid Buckle Accent Slouchy Riding Knee High Boots
$38.30 $15.32*
Slouchy Buckle Strapped Almond Toe Riding Boot
$41.30 $16.52*
Slouchy Round Toe Knee High Riding Boots
$45.50 $18.20*
Pazzle Slouchy Buckled Riding Knee High Boots
$30.40 $12.16*
Fur Cuff Slouchy Buckled Riding Boot
$40.60 $16.24*
Slouchy Round Toe Low Heel Calf High Riding Boot
$31.60 $12.64*
October 10, 2015
Very cute but I usually wear a size 8.5 and needed a size 10 in the brown color
moreno valley, CA 92553
October 10, 2015
very comfortable, true to size, cuter in person...
Oakes, ND 58474
March 03, 2015
March 03, 2015
February 02, 2015
February 02, 2015
February 02, 2015
This shoe does not fit true to size, at all. I would not recommend to my friends
Manassas, VA 20110
February 02, 2015
Loved it, however, its a little snug..I would recommend getting a half size up
January 01, 2015
Order size larger, run small. Faux leather smell, otherwise really cute.
January 01, 2015
Order size larger, run small. Faux leather smell, otherwise really cute.
January 01, 2015
November 11, 2014
Great boots, just order a half size larger than your normal!
huntsville, AL 35811
October 10, 2014
I loved these boots they were just much smaller than I thought they would be
October 10, 2014
I've gotten lots of compliments on these. A little tight around the knee area.
October 10, 2014
They sent 3 sizes too small. Now I have to send back? & pay shipping? IT SUCKED!
Sandy, UT 84092
September 09, 2014
awesome! true to fit, decently made and great shipping! love them!
September 09, 2014
True shoe size but not wide around calf
Edmonton, Alberta T5G1C4
September 09, 2014
Go half size up! I'm a 7, ordered a 7.5 and they fit perfect.
July 07, 2014
Very upset they run small I normally wear a 9 1/2 got a 10 and they don't fit.
June 06, 2014
Gardiner, NY 12525
April 04, 2014
April 04, 2014
They run real small but they fit (uncomfortably). They're super super beautiful.
March 03, 2014
Brown runs smaller than the tan color. Very disappointed.
March 03, 2014
Hershey, NE 69143
February 02, 2014
Perfect Boot, Love them, This is my second pair in a different color. Love them
Walnut Grove, MO 65770
February 02, 2014
New York, NY 10033
January 01, 2014
Runs small. Smells bad for man made material. Not the slouchy look I expected.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
January 01, 2014
Las Vegas, NV 89117
January 01, 2014
SCARBOROUGH, Ontario M1T3S7
December 12, 2013
very nice style but back of shoes tears easily.
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
December 12, 2013
Loved these. They started to fall apart after a while though.
Murrieta, CA 92562
December 12, 2013
A lot lighter brown than pictured & they smell like bonfire; SO strong! 2+ weeks
Alexandria, LA 71303
October 10, 2013
Everybody loved these boots when i wore them!
Holly Springs, NC 27540
October 10, 2013
Aliquippa, PA 15001
October 10, 2013
sun city, CA 92585
September 09, 2013
Cypress, TX 77429
September 09, 2013
Runs way small! Had to return item!
Suffern, NY 10901
September 09, 2013
These boots run very small I am usually an 8 1/2 but I read the reviews and ordered them in a 10 and they only just fit. They also have a very strong smell to them which I'm hoping will go away. They really are cute for going out though I hope I won't have to return them.
Mira Loma, CA 91752
September 09, 2013
Love these boots! Got compliments the first day I wore them.
York, PA 17406
September 09, 2013
Love them! They do run a little smaller ordered half a size up. Wide feet too!
Lemont, IL 60439
August 08, 2013
Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 3A8
August 08, 2013
I am usually a 7.5 and i bought an 8 and they are still too snug to wear.
Burlington, WA 98233
August 08, 2013
They are a lil snug in the calf part but rest is true to size.
Calgary, Alberta T2K5Y5
August 08, 2013
Carrollton, TX 75010
August 08, 2013
London, Ontario N6J1W1
August 08, 2013
I love these boots, the quality is great, color is a little darker than picture.
San Marcos, CA 92078
May 05, 2013
A little too small for a 9 but i love them
briarwood, NY 11435
April 04, 2013
Great boots! True to size. Very sexy. Get them!
Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 5J4
April 04, 2013
Love these boots!!! **WARNING: They do fit small** I'm so glad I looked at the reviews first because I would have ordered the wrong size for sure! I'm usually a 9-9.5 and I ordered a 10 and they fit me perfectly! I am completely happy with the everything about them. You have so many options with how to wear them, and they look fantastic! One of my best buys!!
Edmonton, Alberta T5X 6K3
April 04, 2013
I'm very happy with these puts, and am very happy with the boots. They are beyond what I expected. :D
Nanaimo, British Columbia V9X 1L7
April 04, 2013
Love these boots I get so many compliments on them. I wear a size a 11 and ordered that size they were tight at first but have definitely stretched out. Lots of room for chunky calves too.
Philomath, OR 97370
April 04, 2013
I absolutely love these boots and I get compliments every time I wear them. The foot of the boot is tight but seems to slowly stretch out as I wear them. I usually wear a 9-9.5 size and I had to order these in a 10. I looked at earlier reviews telling me that they came small. The brown ones are adorable and I am very happy with my purchase. Also, I have athletic calves and these fit very well are are easy to take on and off!
ottawa, Ontario k1c2h3
April 04, 2013
Love these boots! All the other reviews are right though... I ALWAYS wear a size 8 and decided to order an 8.5 because I had read other reviews and they fit perfectly! Came pretty fast too considering I got them shipped to Canada.
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3Y2
March 03, 2013
These boots are great! I get compliments every time I wear them, they fit perfectly, and the cheap price does not speak to the quality...you'd think they were $200 boots! Thank you!
Newton, MA 02458
March 03, 2013
These boots are great. I was looking for a casual yet classy boot that could be worn with a dress/skirt or pants, snd these boots work. The only thing is that I am 5'2 so the come way over the knee, but if you fold down the top portion they fit perfect. Also the buckles on the foot part need a few more holes for the buckle b/c the buckles are loose and come undone. But other than that- they are relly cute and comfy!
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
March 03, 2013
I originally ordered a size 10 in these boots but ended up exchanging them for a size bigger because they run a little small. Even the size 11's were a little stiff but I've worn them twice already and they've stretched the perfect amount and I LOVE them:)
Brampton, Ontario L6V1X2
March 03, 2013
I seen these on Pinterest and just had to have them.
New Berlin, WI 53151
March 03, 2013
I was weary about ordering these boots since there are mixed reviews on whether to go up .5 a size or a full size. I stuck with the feeling in my gut and went up just .5 a size and these fit perfectly! There is even a little room for my toes, not a crammed fit. I must agree with others though that these boots at first have a strong smell. But it's really if you only put your nose up close to them and smell them. I would say the box smells worse than the shoes. I showed my brother and he loves the style/color, too. I got the tan. I am more than likely going to buy these in black, too! Just awesome.
Platteville, WI 53818
February 02, 2013
looooooooooooooved the boots. Usually wear between an 8-8.5 and I got an 8.5 and it fits perfectly. Great looking boots and get tons of compliments ;)
Norfolk, VA 23503
January 01, 2013
The first time I saw these boots I absolutely fell in love with them. I searched in stores for months with no luck so in December I broke down and ordered them a size up, as suggested. They were delivered within a week, which was awesome. I wore them the first day I got them. They were shorter than I expected (I�m 5'10") but they fit well. However, I've had them for less than a month and already the back of the heel on the right one has worn through and the sole on the left one has come loose. I love the style and fit of these boots but the poor quality is a deal-breaker. As much as I adore these boots, I don't know that I'd buy them again.
Twin Falls, ID 83301
January 01, 2013
I LOVE these booties!!! Great quality & I love the length!! :) I am a size 8 but i bought an 8 1/2 fits perfectly! Highly reccomend these booties, you will fall in love, like I DID!
Ashland, OR 97520
January 01, 2013
I love these boots! I got them a size bigger than what I usually wear and they fit pretty comfortably. They also keeps your legs nice and toasty! Definitely recommend them!
Wichita, KS 67205
January 01, 2013
These boots are super cute. They're not too bulky and they're not too slim. They're perfect. They do fit a bit snug so I recommend getting a size bigger. Very cute boots
Greer, SC 29650
January 01, 2013
These boots look great! I normally wear a 9.5, but I ordered a 10 after reading the reviews. They still fit snug so I would suggest ordering a whole size larger.
Greer, SC 29650
January 01, 2013
These boots look great! I normally wear a 9.5, but I ordered a 10 after reading the reviews. They still fit snug so I would suggest ordering a whole size larger.
San Diego, CA 92109
December 12, 2012
Love this boot! Read all the reviews and decided to order. I thought shipping was a little expensive at first but they came extremely fast so it was worth it. Ordered a half size up and at first were a bit snug but they stretch to the perfect size. I guess the new shoe smell was a little overpowering at first but it fades with wear. I can't wait until the black ones come back in stock that will be my next purchase! Oh and on a side note, short girls can totally rock this boot! I'm only 5' 2" and they look great!
Clifton, VA 20124
December 12, 2012
I bought these for my 20 year old daughter for Christmas. She tried them on and only lasted 5 minutes in them, as she said they are extremely uncomfortable, particularly in the heel. She really wanted these and is usually not very finicky about comfort, so if she complained they must be bad. They will be going back.
Spokane, WA 99205
December 12, 2012
Spokane, WA 99205
December 12, 2012
Both were great! and came quickly. Thanks
Denver, CO 80246
December 12, 2012
I always wear a 7.5 in boots but it was too small and when I wanted to exchange it for a bigger size they were all sold out, so was pretty bummed about that.
Oakville, Ontario L6M1Y3
December 12, 2012
Absolutely love them, but when I went to put them on to wear them for the first time the zipper split and won't stay zipped up so I'm super disappointed.
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
December 12, 2012
When I first saw these boots I fell in LOVE! Everywhere I go I always get compliments on them from both women and men! They fit a little small, so order a half size up and you shouldn't have any problems. I didn't think the smell was as bad as everyone is describing on here. They just smell like new shoes to me and after you wear them for a week or so it disappears. The main complaint I have about these boots and why I'm only giving them 3 out of 5 stars is because I ordered them at the end of August and it hasn't even been three month and the soles have COMPLETELY come loose from the shoe. It's so bad I can't even wear them anymore. I'm hoping that once I glue it back together they'll be fine, but that's a little ridiculous to me. I have done nothing but wear these shoes in a normal manner like I wear all my other shoes and these are the only ones I have the sole completely detach itself from the actual shoe. I really want to order enough pairs of these boots so I have a lifetime supply, but I can't imagine doing if the shoe doesn't stay put together for not even three months.
Columbia, TN 38401
December 12, 2012
Got my boots today and I LOVE them! I'm usually an 8~8.5 and I got an 8.5 and it fits perfect! This is such a cute boot! And such a great price! Great buy!
seattle, WA 98166
November 11, 2012
These boots are really cute! I got a lot of compliments when I wore them. I ordered a half size up, like other people suggested, I think I could've ordered my regular size and it would've been fine (I wear a 6.5 and ordered a 7). I'm 5'2" so they may not be the most flattering flat boots, but I don't care. I took off one star because of the smell - it smells so strongly of whatever is used to dye it or maybe it's the material it's made of.
Opelika, AL 36801
November 11, 2012
Look more expensive than they are, I am 5�11 & it they hit a couple inches above my knee which is great but they run a bit small. I will not be wearing thick socks with these
Aurora, CO 80018
November 11, 2012
Very cute! They run a little small for that I am always a 8.5 in size and the top of the boot is huge (unsure is knee highs are suppose to be that way). All in all I am in love. I will walk them in daily until they fit. <3
Elmhurst, IL 60126
October 10, 2012
They look great and fit true to size! They do have a strong odor though? Not quite sure how to describe it but I'm hoping it goes away.
Virginia, MN 55792
October 10, 2012
Loved them! The only problem was they smell terrible, but I guess it goes away when they are aired out for a while.
Murrieta, CA 92562
October 10, 2012
I read all of the reviews before i purchased the shoe and it was perfect. I am usually a size 6 but I purchased a 6.5 and it fits like a dream. Such cute boots. Just them in both black and brown! Trust the reviews!
Murrieta, CA 92562
October 10, 2012
love the color, and so adorable on :)
Gap, PA 17527
October 10, 2012
Normally, I wear a size 9 or 9.5. But after being pregnant, I was sure my feet were bigger/wider though wasn't sure how much bigger. I guessed I was probably a 10 now. I ordered a size 11 boot (since all the reviews said to order at LEAST a half size up) in brown. They fit perfect and I love them! Been wearing them every day!
Manhattan , KS 66502
October 10, 2012
Whitewater, WI 53190
October 10, 2012
Before I purchased these boots, I was constantly monitoring the site. And when I saw the gray pair (which I've wanted for SO long) pop up suddenly in my size, I immediately placed an order despite the reviews everyone were saying about going up a half size. I tried them on instantly after receiving them. They were a little snug, but I've worn them so much now that my feet have gotten used to them, or they've stretched slightly. It's comfortably snug in my size! If you are unsure, you should go half a size up. Still, I adore them!
Lebanon, NJ 08833
October 10, 2012
I was really excited to get these boots and they were way to small. I am almost always a size 10, and these felt like a size 8! I am very disappointed because they don't have any larger sizes anymore!
Old Lyme, CT 06371
September 09, 2012
These boots are pretty nice, I love the height and the color is great. I give these a four out of five stars because they do not fit true to size for me. I have a foot size of 10.5 US, so I ordered an 11. They are extremely tight and uncomfortable.
Moosomin, Saskatchewan S0G 3N0
September 09, 2012
I am so in love with these boots. Although, very disappointed. I read reviews and ordered a size and a half bigger and they are still too small for me. Luckily they fit my sister. I don't know if I just missed it, but a size chart for the different brand of boots would be very helpful, I ordered another pair on here that said to order larger, and I did and they're TOO big. So neither pair that I ordered fit :( I'll be reordering though because they're amazingly cute and great quality, especially for the price!!
Westminster, CO 80020
September 09, 2012
Love these boots. I do wish they worked better on shorties though. I am 5'2" with a dainty frame, and they make me look a little stumpy, even with the tops folded down(the only way they work on me). I still like them enough to keep them though. 1/2 a size larger than normal fit perfect.
Lisle, IL 60532
September 09, 2012
they are sooo cute and do order a 1/2 or even a full size up! Only down side is that they do have this weird smell to them. It is kind of a smoky smell but should go away once worn outside multiple times. Love them!
Leduc, Alberta T9E0S5
September 09, 2012
These boots are cute, I usually wear a 7.5 and I ordered an 8 based on the reviews to size up, and they barely fit, my toes were right at the tip with nylons on, they would definitely not fit if I wore actual socks. I tried to return them but because I live in Canada, I cant! Wound up selling them online and ordering boots from a different online store that would return canadian orders if they dont fit! Definitly size up a full size, and if you live in Canada make sure you arent going to want to return them. Otherwise, cute boots! Would have been cute with a fall dress. :)
Lavonia, GA 30553
September 09, 2012
This was my first time using this site and I am very please and will certainly use it again. Wonderful shoe collection.
Manorville, NY 11949
September 09, 2012
They looked better on than on the computer screen.
Hastings, NE 68901
September 09, 2012
very small fitting, i usually wear a size 8 but i wish i would have ordered a size 8 1/2, very snug
Madison, WI 53703
September 09, 2012
The size must run a little small. My feet hardly fit in the 7's and I can usually fit into a 6 1/2-7!
Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 9W4
September 09, 2012
Just got my boots today and already love them! I'm 5'5" with size 8 feet so I ordered a size 9. They're actually a bit loose but with thick socks they're perfect. The height of the boot isn't overwhelming, even though I'm not the tallest. Shipping was 20$ to Canada but totally worth it :)
paducah, KY 42003
September 09, 2012
LOVE these boot, but they do run really small. I ordered a half size up but I should have ordered a full size up. I'm waiting for them to come back instock in the size I need so I can exchange them.
Reston, VA 20190
September 09, 2012
the sizes definitely run small. i always wear a size 10 and i could barely fit into these. very disapointed.
Springfield, IL 62704
September 09, 2012
I absolutely LOVE these boots! They're a great price and a great style. I'm glad I read the reviews and sprung for a size up- they fit perfect now! They come with kinda a weird smell though. They're a little loose through the top as well. Overall, great boot. :)
Fayetteville, NC 28311
August 08, 2012
Just got them yesterday, and I LOVE them! After reading all the reviews, I decided to order a 10 (I'm usually a pretty solid 8.5)... The 10 is a perfect fit! And if any of you guys want to pull out a ruler, my foot is about 9.75in. In any event, love the boot, great quality, but definitely size up. :)
August 08, 2012
LOVE THEM! Just got them today and I'm in love. I'm usually a size 8 but thank God I read the reviews and ordered half a size up. I'm a little short so there a little to tall but just folded them and perfect height.
Tucson, AZ 85715
August 08, 2012
I ordered my normal size, but they were a little tight. I am 5'3 and the over-the-knee height is a little overwhelming for my short stature. But verycute otherwise if you like that height. I am exchanging for knee high boots.
Weymouth, MA 02191
August 08, 2012
Obsessed with these boots!! Usually take a 7 1/2 but went with the reviews and ordered an 8....they fit like a glove!!!
Avondale, AZ 85392
August 08, 2012
I wasn't sure what size to buy since everyone said to size up and I can never tell if I need a 5.5 or a 6. I ended up buying a 6 in black and hoping that it wouldn't be too small. It fits perfectly and they seem to be really comfortable. I can't wait to wear them.
Brooklyn, NY 11224
August 08, 2012
I was very excited about this purchase but that excitement was short lived. The boots are very nice considering the price but they run at least a full size smaller. I am a size 10 and ordered them in that size but when i tried them on i felt like I was wearing a size 9. I was very disappointed because these boots were exactly what I had been looking for. I exchanged them for another pair (which I have yet to receive) from a different manufacturer and I hope the new pair are true to size.
Thorold, Ontario L2V 4G4
August 08, 2012
I recently bought these boots and i absolutely love them! I'm so glad i read the reviews before ordering. I agree that these boots fit one size smaller. I usually wear size 9, so i went with a size 10 and they fit perfectly! Although, the material smelled strongly of chemicals/plastic, so i had to put some baking soda inside the boots to absorb the smell, i also let them air out on the back porch for a few days. Good as new! Other than that, love them!
Irvine, Select State 92617
August 08, 2012
Butler, PA 16001
August 08, 2012
Fast shipping. Good advice to get at least a 1/2 or full size larger than you normally wear. They are a nice boot but are a little bulkier than i had expected. Might be because you have to order a size larger.
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
August 08, 2012
I always saw urbanog.com listed in 17 magazine with super cute stuff so one day I finally decided to hop online and check it out. I went straight to the shoes tab and fell in love. I recently ordered a pair of thigh high black boots and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM! I read previous reviews and they all said bump up a half of size - so I did. I am usually an 8.5 so I ordered a 9 they fit perfectly, and so comfortable. I love my black thigh high riding boots, they\\\'re so trendy and I get compliments all the time. They took exactly a week to ship and arrived right at my door. I haven\\\'t stopped wearing them since they arrived. Deffinitly the best $30 I have EVER spent!
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
August 08, 2012
I ordered these last year in black, I loved them so much that I ordered them again this year in brown! Very comfortable, super cute, and affordable! Just order a half size larger
Cookeville, TN 38501
August 08, 2012
I love them! But they were too small. I even ordered a size bigger than I normally wear. I normally wear an 8-8.5 and after reading the reviews, ordered a 9. My toes are at the end all scrunched up. I should've gotten a 9.5, then they would've fit perfect. Very cute though!
Davis, CA 95618
August 08, 2012
Ottawa, Ontario k1v0g8
November 11, 2011
I just got these today in grey and I LOVE them. I have 16" calves, and they fit over my jeans. they are comfortable. I bought them .5 of a size bigger than I normally do for shoes, and they fit perfectly!
November 11, 2011
Bought for my 16 year old who is VERY picky, she loves these boots, she has a narrow foot size 6, i bought a 6.5 and she says the fit perfect and got sooo many comps at school!
Columbia, MO 65201
November 11, 2011
Love the boots! However, as most people said, they do seem to run a little small. I'm generally an 8.5 and ordered a 9 for good measure. Could've maybe even sprung for a whole size up. Either way, really cute boots, love them alot.
austin, TX 78734
November 11, 2011
WAY too small.. I wear size 9 and I ordered a size 10....they definitely did not fit! Especially with socks... I recommend 1.5 sizes up or maybe even 2. I was pretty disappointed when I got them, and exchanged them the next day! Be smart when choosing your sizes.. shipping was $12! not worth it..
Kingston, Ontario K7M 8B1
November 11, 2011
I order a size 8 in brown. I was sent two right foot boots, one size 8 and one size 6. They also fit small. If they ever get restocked i will be purchasing an 8 1/2 or 9.
Toronto, Ontario M6K 1G4
November 11, 2011
Fit a little snug around the toe area so I would suggest getting a half size to a full size bigger. They look gorgeous though and definitely worth the price. Can't wait to wear them with my short shorts
Dallas , TX 75219
November 11, 2011
I bought this boot in chocolate..and was absolutely elated..until i put it on. It\'s so small that you can tell it by just looking at it. Im a true 10 and that boot fits a whole size maybe size and a half too small. I asked a friend what size shoe she wears and she said 8.5/9, asked her to try the boot on and she said it fit perfectly. Just what i thought! so much for a 10, sending it BACK! :-( Will not order any more Vickie\'s.
manvel, ND 58256
October 10, 2011
very cute i got a 8.5 fits perfect i normally wear an 8.
San Dimas, CA 91773
September 09, 2011
Very cute distressed worn in look. A bit tight because of the narrow toe, buy 1/2 size up. LOVE.
Southgate, MI 48195
September 09, 2011
I bought these a size bigger because i read the reviews before buying it and they were still too tight and uncomfortable... Very disappointing.
Milwaukee, WI 53227
September 09, 2011
LOVE these boots! I just got then a week ago and have worn them twice. They are very comfortable. I normally wear an 7.5 or 8 and I bought them in an 8 the fit perfect. I have 16" huge calves and was concerned they would not fit but they did. Want then in grey now too!
Oakland, CA 94619
September 09, 2011
I truly love this boot!!! I just got it today. It is a bit small so beware and order a half size bigger.
August 08, 2011
These boots are beautiful and looks great with jeggings but they R cut small. beware!!! if you plan to order go up a half size or more. i ordered an 8 and 1/2 but they felt more like a 7 and 1/2. I plan on ordering more colors...so i give it a 5 on looks but a 3 on fit.
Corona, CA 92881
August 08, 2011
Boots were not true to size. Too small, therefore I am ordering a size larger than usual. Also the boot is not very wide. The exchange policy is a hassel, making you pay for the item twice.


text:
"The difference between a hero and a coward is one step sideways."
– Actor Gene Hackman –
Emblazoned on my favorite tea mug–a huge, fire-engine-red tea mug–are the words of the now almost-cliche phrase: "Keep calm and carry on."
I guess it's so effective because so many people need to hear.
I'm not sure how many really listen to advice written on a mug, though.
Because there are those little every-day mess-ups. The "that-was-sure-a-dumb-mistake" syndrome recurs on a daily—if not hourly—rotation in my life. How 'bout yours?
And then there are the tragedies. Those mistakes that seemed so innocent, but you end up feeling like a 300 pound linebacker took a dive into your stomach. I know all about those too…the hard way.
Because all of a sudden I blink and that one bad choice down-spiraled into a colossal failure and I wonder if I've learned anything since graduating kindergarten….Make that preschool.
Everything crumbles—everything that feels so important right now.
And I crumble too—into tears and wishings that it had never happened and anger at myself for being so blind.
And—honest? I want to quit. I want to throw up my hands and scream a surrender and bury my head in the sand for the rest of the year….or the century.
The unnerving trickle of defeat seeps straight through me.
I collapse with streaking tears and scribble out my frustrations, or type them on stiff keys that don't click-clack nearly loudly enough to soothe my dissatisfaction.
I linger on the edge of throwing everything away—but feel a pull back. I pause, wondering how far to let the frustration carry me. Knowing, somehow, that I'll lose more than I know if I let the failure-weight carry me right over that mental cliff.
And then…the thought of soldiers.
Grimy, blood-stained. Crouching with a couple dozen other bodies that have the same dirt, the same backs that ache from trench-digging, the same eyes bloodshot with weariness.
In that mental image, I see myself, the recruit clutching the gun, huddled in the trenches with all the rest.
And I'm the only one that stands up and tosses the gun out to the enemy. I'm the only one who gets sick enough of the fight to scream surrender and flag a white cloth and throw up hands dirt-creased with despair.
I'm the only one, in the middle of heroes, who turns my back on the trench of blood and valor and muck and majesty and shouts over the fray. "It's too hard, boys. Nobody said it would be this hard. I'm outta here!"
Nobody said it would be this hard?
"In this world you will have trouble…."
– John 16:33b –
Maybe I wasn't paying attention.
See, in that battle, I'm the coward. Walking out, I'm no hero.
Because the heroes stay.
Heroes always stay.
"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."
– Proverbs 24:10, NKJV –
Some heroes are made in the instant, the teenager who pushes a child out of the path of a bus or the soldier that curls around a detonating grenade to save his comrades.
But other heroes are made in the trenches.
When the battle drags on and on and it doesn't seem possible to make it out alive….
When the baby won't stop screaming and the toddler is finger painting the wall with the pizza sauce left on the counter after lunch and the wide-eyed eight-year-old is desperately scrambling for a reason his baseball just crashed through the window when he was supposed to be taking out the trash….
When the piles of books look like mountains waiting to crumble on your head and you can't get a breath around the pressure….
When everyone's depending on you and you just can't hold up under it….
Do not quit. Ever.
You see, I too get tired in the fight. And somewhere along the way, I decide that giving up doesn't sound so bad. After all–it's just this once. A grade I could improve, but let myself slack off studying. A relationship that needs my words–but sometimes words are so hard to find.
We need a Burden-Bearer just to make it one more day.
Guess what?
Jesus never said it would be easy…
He never promised that we'd always have energy or that the battle would never shred our resolve…
But He did promise to always be right here.
He did promise to carry those burdens.
"Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved."
– Psalm 55:22, ESV –
So, we are still going to have to press on through difficult situations, exhaustion, and some things that just aren't so fun.
But we will never do it alone.
So next time you see a mug, or a t-shirt, or a poster encouraging you to "keep calm and carry on"….
Do yourself a favor and DON'T!
At least not by yourself.
Keep Calm and…Let Him Carry You On.
"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured…."
– Hebrews 12:2, NKJV –
Thank you to Lucy Toner and Public Domain Pictures for the use of the photo "Work."