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Another year has passed and as I woke on the morning of birthday #39 I found myself reflecting on the past year and all that transpired. It was a year of learning, a year of growth and a year of experiences.
I am finding that with each passing year I become more comfortable with myself and am slowing evolving into who God created me to me. There is a steadiness and ease that comes with each passing year and I find myself more comfortable in my own skin and in my own circumstances than I ever was when I was younger.
With each passing year I find the nonsense and noise is filtered out and the things of most importance have come into focus.
This past year has been a year of learning. I exit year #38 with a better understanding of what I need as a person and what my family needs. This past year began with a lot of stress and worry as we navigated the sticky road of helping 3 little ones who had lost their mother and grandmother over the course of 6 months. Their wellbeing consumed my thoughts and my free time as we tried to get them the help they needed, and in the process I learned the lesson of surrender.
From that added stress erupted a myriad of heath struggles as I began having symptoms of the Myasthenia Gravis that had laid dormant in my body for the last decade. The months that followed taught me the lesson of prioritizing as I had to say "NO" to the "less important" for the sake of being able to manage the "most important"…a hard and humbling lesson for someone that feeds off the joy of service and doing.
Those health struggles led to a delay in our long-planned cross country bus trip. A decision that turned out to be the greatest of blessings. And I was reminded of the perfection of God's timing.
During the 38th year of my life I was able to go on the adventure of a lifetime as we packed up our converted school bus and traveled to the most beautiful vistas of the United States of America with the people I love most. As we traveled 10,000 miles over 7 weeks I learned more about my family, the goodness of humanity, my country, and myself then I ever imagined. I discovered that there is a gypsy within me that finds joy and life in adventure and travel, something I didn't realize about myself. On that road trip I felt more alive and at home than I have in years. I discovered that there is a rest found in tiny home living, in minimal possessions, and in simplicity of life, and it wasn't until I lived that simple life on the road that I recognized the voice within crying out for that need to be met.
Then Toby left for 2 months and life as we knew it fell apart as Reactive Attachment Disorder demons reared their head in ugly ways and I parented and loved my boys through behaviors and situations that I never in my life imagined would be part of my story. I lived though tragic, scary experiences and lived to tell the tale and discovered that I am stronger, braver, and more resilient that I thought I was. I am a survivor and I don't know that I would have ever discovered that about myself had Toby not gone away and forced me to tap deep and find strength from within and from above. I discovered that I CAN do hard things and find joy in the journey, even through the darkest patches of life.
Through the ups and downs of this past year I have become better acquainted with myself. I am stronger and braver and more comfortable considering what I want or need. I have a clearer vision of my calling and purpose and feel better equipped to step out in faith and not worry so about what other may think. I feel an excitement and eagerness when I think about the upcoming year and all that could be.
I am 39 years old and it is time to be bold.
I couldn't have asked for a better birthday celebration. Toby treated me to an easy day of parenting when he invited the two little boys to go to work with him for the day. This meant 12 hours of "one on one" time with my three teenagers. I was able to enjoy my three "originals" and was able to relish a day full of the joys and delights of motherhood without any of the work of motherhood. It was a very special gift from Toby. One I am so grateful for.
The day began with slowly waking up. This, in itself, was a gift. I wake daily to Tyler hollering, "Good Morning, Momma!" through the crack of the door.It seems that regardless of what time I set my alarm for I can never beat him awake to enjoy five minutes of silence before the circus begins. He always wakes up happy and pleasant, but he wakes up FULL of energy, enthusiasm, and noise. Being woken up by Tyler is like waking to a smoke alarm going off every morning. Daily I am jolted awake from a dead sleep with adrenaline coursing through my veins, as I try to catch my bearings.
So, to be able to wake to sunlight shining on my face and slowly stretch myself to wakefulness…
To lay in a quiet bed, taking five minutes to gather my thoughts and say a prayer before my feet hit the floor…
Was the BEST GIFT EVER!
Then the big kids treated me to a crepe breakfast. We had a lazy morning as we watched one of my holiday favorites that I didn't get a chance to see before Christmas, while the girls gave me a foot massage and pedicure. Then we were out the door.
For lunch we went to Moe's for Mexican food and then enjoyed an afternoon of shopping. (Everyone had gift cards burning holes in their pockets) It was so lovely to slowly walk through a store, and browse, without having to mindlessly rush through the experience so as to make it back to the car before a meltdown.
We spent an hour at Barnes and Nobel flipping through books, relaxing in the easy chairs, and looking at magazines. Molly even bought me a cookie from the café to enjoy while I looked at books.
Then we headed to the movies where we spilt up and Molly and Rusty went to see the new Star Wars movie while Grace and I went to see Passengers. What a delight it was to sit and get lost in a storyline that didn't revolve around talking animals.
When we got home Toby was there with the boys and they all had flowers for Momma. *heart melt*
The big kids also had gift they wanted me to open.
From Molly I received a calendar filled with photos of my favorite people and Grace surprised me and painted me a picture on canvas of baby Dumbo. This has special significance because this scene from the movie is the background to our song. Each of my kids has a song, a special lullaby that I sang to them every night before bed. Gracie's song is "Baby Mine" from the movie Dumbo, which makes this picture she painted a special gift of love.
The next day the celebration continued with a birthday get-together with my best friends. Since I was unable to host our annual gift wrapping party at my house this year because of Toby being out of town it was suggested we have a post-Christmas get-together to celebrate the December birthdays in our group. I had the most wonderful time. Nicole offered to host and we enjoyed a night of appetizers, cake, and lots of laughter. It was so much fun being together as friends rather than fellow moms, as is the case when we are at co-op.
I truly could not have asked for a more perfect birthday.
What a way to begin the new year. 2016 was a crazy ride. I can't wait to see what 2017 will bring. I have a feeling it won't be boring!
Let the Wild Rumpus Start!


text:
Monday, 2 November 2015
Zambia Launches e-VISA
4 comments:
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Immigration to Australia
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subset: commoncrawl


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We are a highly experienced Multi-Media Production Company based in South Wales and West London. We hand-craft creative Video and Aerial Solutions to help businesses small and large.
Who are Mabinogi?
Mabinogi Media is a corporate and promotional video production company based in Cardiff and London. Mabinogi's Production team have been making films in New York, Los Angeles and London for the past twenty years for clients such as Amazon, Tui, Lions Gate Films, Delta Airlines, Confused.com and the BBC. Working with a team of talented craftsmen and designers in London and South Wales, Mabinogi is dedicated to the creation of corporate promotional videos for businesses throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Mabinogi Media is headquarted in the beautiful seaside town of Penarth outside the Welsh capital Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan. We also have a satellite office in Ealing West London.
What video can do for you?
Our creative team will help you reach out to customers new and old with innovative and targeted promotional videos. Whether it is a corporate overview, new product launch, case study or training video we promise to hit your brief on time and on budget. Headquartered outside of Central London our rates are far more competitive yet our quality still world-class.


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Eye Care & Protection
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are nearly 800,000 work-related eye injuries each year. Every day, approximately 2,000 U.S. workers receive medical treatment for eye injuries related to or sustained at work. While vision loss is one of the 10 most common disabilities, 90 percent of eye injuries are preventable.
Eye injuries occur most often among those who operate heavy machinery or equipment with moving parts and among those who work in construction. 70 percent of eye injuries are caused by an object or piece of equipment coming into contact with the eye, and 26 percent of eye injuries are due to exposure to harmful substances or environments. Each year, 15,000 welding equipment-related eye injuries and 10,000 power tool-related eye injuries occur, according to The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
These injuries come with significant costs. An estimated $300 million annually in medical bills, compensation, and lost productivity are the result of workplace eye injuries, with more than 27,000 lost work days being reported by private industry employees. For more information, review the Protecting Your Vision At Work report and this Digital Eye Strain link.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has established a wide range of standards regarding workplace eye and face protection to guard against chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants.
Wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace can significantly reduce the risk of suffering a work-related eye injury.


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Montgomery College Alumna Zinab Jadidi has won an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. After her tenure as an undergraduate student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at UMD, Jadidi accepted an admission offer to U.C. Berkeley and will pursue her Ph.D. in MSE.
You can read the full story here.


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Welcome to Adobe's Government Blog
If you are interested in the application of new technology to the challenges and opportunities of government, then this blog was created for you.
Adobe is a dynamic software company with a storied Silicon Valley history and a vigorous passion to innovate technology for the future. Within our customer family, some of our most diverse and important users are government professionals and the constituencies they serve. Adobe's government team is privileged to spend its time working with these customers every day and our goal with this blog is to share some of our observations, successes, and frustrations with the application of new technology in government.
Our hope is that these posts will inspire you, challenge you, inform you, or, at the very least, spark an interest in the possibilities that new technology can offer for the public good. We welcome your thoughts and comments.
The Adobe Government Team
Join the discussion
Great to see Adobe getting a gov blog going. I'll be the first to say that we at CDC are glad to see it!
Hi Dale, Thanks for visiting. Glad you are as excited as we are!
Might I suggest you highlight some cool govt websites, Adobe powered of course. We have done some cool mapping (GIS) applications for local govt with CF. I think that might make a neat daily feature.
Welcome! Glad to see you out here blogging. Will be interested to follow the many adventures of the government sector.
Is there an email address (name)behind this blog? – would love to get in touch with you re some interesting work I have been doing for the Australian Gov.


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We the undersigned demand the immediate release of the little Albino Dolphin now named "Angel" who was recently captured at Taiji.
Angel will not be able to survive long in captivity at the Taiji Whaling Museum without her mother.
Please do the right thing and release Angel and end this slaughter at Taiji!
Orange for Animal Cruelty Awareness
This petition closed almost 5 years ago
Taiji dolphin hunters have caught a real prize: a white albino dolphin calf, which Cove Monitor Sanjur said looks "like an angel with fins."
This poor little dolphin has been named "Angel."
Taiji dolphin hunters have caught a real prize: a white albino dolphin calf, which Cove Monitor Sanjur said looks "like an angel with fins."
This poor little dolphin has been named "Angel."
Angel was taken from its mother to the Taiji Whale Museum,
a particularly stupid act as the calf's likelihood of survival in captivity would be enhanced if the mother was with Angel.
Angel represents a huge prize for the dolphin hunters, and they have given it to the Taiji Whale Museum, which they work for.
The Museum (whaling museum) is owned by the Taiji town government and brokers dolphins all over the world, including providing dolphins for the one hundred or so dolphinariums in Japan.
The most likely scenario is that the Taiji Whale Museum would keep little Angel for their own promotion and to attract tourists.
Taiji is out of the way in Japan, so tourism is always problematic for the town.
An albino baby dolphin will bring a great deal of interest.
And again, there will be a freak show in the museum that houses live dolphins and sells whale and dolphin meat in the gift shop.
Albinos in the wild face many problems. They are conspicuous, and so are easier for predators to spot and catch. Without skin pigmentation, they are more susceptible to skin problems from the sun.
Sunburn becomes a real problem to captive dolphins and whales.)
But Angel doesn't deserve a life sentence to captivity.
Angel was torn from his/her mother, which she still depends on.
Angel's mother will be slaughtered and sold for meat, while Angel will sit in a tank to be a freak on display.
The hunts for dolphins in Taiji must be stopped.
Contact these leaders and ask them to release the dolphins in Taiji and Angel with his mother: The Hon. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister, Japan
Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae Embassy of Japan in the United States 2520 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W Washington DC 20008
Tel: 202-238-6700, Fax: 202-328-2187
Dr. Gerald Dick, Executive Director World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
WAZA Executive Office
IUCN Conservation Centre Rue Mauverney 28 CH-1196
Gland Switzerland
FACEBOOK PAGE : Save Angel the baby Albino Dolphin


text: Texas-born singer Z.Z. Hill managed to resuscitate both his own semi-flagging career and the entire genre at large when he signed on at Jackson, MS-based Malaco Records in 1980 and began growling his way through some of the most uncompromising blues to be unleashed on black radio stations in many a moon. His impressive 1982 Malaco album Down Home Blues remained on Billboard's soul album charts for nearly two years, an extraordinary run for such a blatantly bluesy LP. His songs "Down Home Blues" and "Somebody Else Is Steppin' In" have graduated into the ranks of legitimate blues standards (and few of those have come along over the last couple of decades). Arzell Hill started out singing gospel with a quintet called the Spiritual Five, but the output of B.B. King, Bobby Bland, and especially Sam Cooke made a more indelible mark on his approach. He began gigging around Dallas, fashioning his distinctive initials after those of B.B. King. When his older brother Matt Hill (a budding record producer with his own label, M.H.) invited Z.Z. to go west to Southern California, the young singer did. His debut single on M.H., the gutsy shuffle "You Were Wrong" (recorded in an L.A. garage studio), showed up on the pop chart for a week in 1964. With such a relatively successful showing his first time out, Hill's fine subsequent singles for the Bihari Brothers' Kent logo should have been even bigger. But "I Need Someone (To Love Me)," "Happiness Is All I Need," and a raft of other deserving Kent 45s (many produced and arranged by Maxwell Davis) went nowhere commercially for the singer. Excellent singles for Atlantic, Mankind, and Hill (another imprint operated by brother Matt, who served as Z.Z.'s producer for much of his career) preceded a 1972 hookup with United Artists that resulted in three albums and six R&B chart singles over the next couple of years. From there, Z.Z. moved on to Columbia, where his 1977 single "Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It" became his biggest-selling hit of all. But Hill's vocal grit was never more effective than on his blues-soaked Malaco output. From 1980 until 1984, when he died suddenly of a heart attack, Z.Z. bravely led a personal back-to-the-blues campaign that doubtless helped to fuel the subsequent contemporary blues boom. It's a shame he couldn't stick around to see it blossom. ~ Bill Dahl


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Ocean Side Biohazard Cleanup Narrative
Audio -
My name is Eddie Evans and this is my biohazard cleanup web site.
I offer Ocean Side families and businesses biohazard cleanup prices are much lower than my competitors, usually. I give a telephone quote and ask for an email. Once an email is received, I confirm a time for biohazard cleanup and return the email. A low price and not-to-exceed price are sent to the sender via email. I call the high quote a "not-to-exceed price. So if I say that "You have a not-to-exceed price of $900, then that will be the most I will charge for you biohazard cleanup service; it may not be $900 because it could be lower.
Ocean Side Prices (Usually between $450 and $950, with exception for large caliber weapon injuries)
I have a minimum $450 blood cleanup fee for smaller San Diego blood cleanup services. When I can complete blood, biohazard cleanup in less than one hour or possibly within an additional 30 minutes, the job will be $450. When I arrive I should have a fairly good idea if I need to go over $450. Keep in mind, you will have given a "not-to-exceed" price in writing beforehand.
For example, today I quoted a $550 low price for a Ocean Side unattended death cleanup with a not-to-exceed price of $700. The family paid the low quote, but only because I completed the biohazard cleanup in a very short time; more, only a few after death source materials needed removal. Sometimes I can remove 90 percent and more of blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) with a vacuum. This is because the "biohazard cleanup" was a simple blood cleanup.
Blood Cleanup
Blood cleanup is a type of biohazard cleanup. So I also keep a San Diego blood cleanup web site.
Most Ocean Side biohazard cleanup companies focus on human blood cleanup. Some include feces cleanup as an add-on. Others include both human blood cleanup related to filthy house cleanup and hoarding cleanup. As for the latter, sometimes filthy house cleanup includes hoarding cleanup where a death cleanup is underway.
However, though, typically, a Ocean Side biohazard cleanup company will focus on human blood cleanup and death cleanup, unattended death cleanup. The money for death cleanup involving blood cleanup in Ocean Side is ridiculously exorbitant.
My Ocean Side biohazard cleanup services include all of the above under certain conditions. As conditions change from time to time.
Most often my biohazard work includes blood cleanup following homicides, suicides, unattended death, and traumatic blood loss events. My blood cleanup includes feces cleanup as well, but not the other way around. When feces contains apparent blood contamination, then I may need to charge a blood cleanup fee; each job is a bit different. Feces cleanup is sometimes related to "incontinence" cleanup. The incontinence cleanup costs a minimum of $350 for most of Ocean Side.
My fees for homicide, suicide, and unattended death throughout Ocean Side much less than my competitors. Most of my competitors do not offer feces cleanup or incontinence cleanup.
Ocean Side employees are known to refer Ocean Side biohazard cleanup companies to families in need following homicide, suicide, or unattended deaths. Not only Ocean Side employees are involved in this behavior. It occurs throughout the United States. Why?
It's because of the homeowners insurance. Once human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) became known throughout the United States, and safety emphasis was placed on blood cleanup, opportunities for scamming homeowners insurance grew.
It didn't matter of the blood cleanup was in the hospital, dental lab, or even the home. United States governments Occupational Safety and Health Administration became the legal body for administrating the rules for employee blood cleanup in the workplace. In the biohazard cleanup business, "workplace" includes homes and businesses. Hence, employees involved with blood or expected to become exposed to human blood are now required to have blood-borne pathogen training, available for $20 Online.
Then, biohazard cleanup companies conjured up safety requirements for blood cleanup.
Before long biohazard cleanup employees were seen wearing full-body personal protective gear. These "moon suits" resembled the MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) suits worn by military personnel as protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical elements. Now the stage was set to jack up blood cleanup invoices by biohazard cleanup companies.
Unattended death, homicide, suicide, and traumatic blood cleanup tasks were now charged by the thousands of dollars per day rather than the hundreds of dollars per day. To justify these exorbitant biohazard cleanup fees for all of Ocean Side, employees were required to find reasons to cause "structural damage" to the premises. Otherwise, homeowners insurance would not apply to the blood cleanup.
Put another way, Ocean Side biohazard cleanup employees were directed to damage floors, walls, and even ceilings to justify the need for homeowners insurance. You see, homeowners insurance applies when there is structural damage, to be redundant. Well, when it comes the blood cleanup, there is no structural damage in many case. In fact, structural damage occurs in a small percentage of biohazard cleanup jobs.
So, when Ocean Side residents make a biohazard cleanup call to me after calling other Ocean Side biohazard cleanup companies, they become suspicious of my prices. Then there's this Delaware feces cleanup web page for additional biohazard cleanup information. Sometimes they ask, "Why are prices so much lower than the other Ocean Side biohazard cleanup company prices?".
My answer is pretty much as above. In brief, these companies are scamming insurance companies and to do so they must cause structural damage. In this way Ocean Side biohazard cleanup companies empower scandalous sums of money.
I need to ask questions callers understand what I need to help them with their biohazard cleanup needs. So the following questions reflect what you can expect to hear on the telephone:
- What city is the biohazard cleanup required?
- What room or rooms is a biohazard cleanup required?
- Who will make payment and how?
- How much time to be allowed for this cleanup?
- Is it in a house, condominium, apartment, recreational vehicle?
- Is it on a first floor, second floor, or other?
- Is there parking nearby?
- Is the running water, electricity?
- Do you want to use homeowners insurance?
Bonita Borrega Springs Campo Cardiff Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Chula Vista Del Mar El Cajon
Encinitas Escondido Vista
Fallbrook Hillcrest Imperial Beach Jamul Julian La Mesa Lakeside Lemon Grove Leucadia Live Oak Springs
Mission Bay National City Oceanside Pacific Beach Pala Poway Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Santa Fe San Clemente Island
San Diego San Marco San Marcos San Ysidro Santee Solana Beach Spring Valley Valley Center Point Loma
Search with Gigablast - -


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Somerset County Students Recognized for Academic Achievement at Berkeley College
|Contact: Ilene Greenfield
Director of Media Relations
973-278-5400, Ext. 1-5122
Students from Somerset County, NJ, have been named to the President's and Dean's Lists at Berkeley College for the winter 2019 semester.
"I am proud of our students and their academic accomplishments," said Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College. "Their work ethic and talent will serve them well as they prepare to graduate and progress toward their future successes."
The following students from Somerset County have been recognized:
President's List
- Stacey Kelly of Bedminster
- Lesly Rodriguez of North Plainfield
- Lytsy Rodriguez of North Plainfield
Dean's List
- Hayxa Aguasvivas of Somerset
- Folukemi Fakinlede of Somerset
- Alexa Farrell of Raritan
- Darian Lemay of Somerset
- Danielle Mcinnis of Plainfield
- Angelica Nono of North Plainfield
- Gianna Pepe of Franklin Park
- Sarah Perrine of Somerset
- Andrea Rodriguez of Somerset
- Donn Rush of Somerset
- Barrington Saint of Somerset
- Shadira Sterling of South Bound Brook
- Camille Thomas of North Plainfield
Berkeley College students who achieve a grade point average of 4.00 with a minimum of 12 academic credits qualify for the President's List. Students who achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or better with a minimum of 12 academic credits quality for the Dean's List.
A leader in providing career-focused education since 1931, Berkeley College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and enrolls more than 7,000 students – including more than 350 international students – in its Master's, Bachelor's and Associate's degree and Certificate programs. Students can study in more than 20 career fields. Berkeley College is comprised of the Larry L. Luing School of Business®, the School of Professional Studies, the School of Health Studies, and the School of Liberal Arts. The School of Graduate Studies offers an MBA in Management online and in Woodland Park, NJ.
Berkeley College has four New Jersey campuses – Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park. In New York there are three campuses – Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and White Plains. Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. For six consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor's Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
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The only reason to go to work is to play pranks on colleagues. Right? Right?
Maybe not if you're a surgeon, which would be very dangerous and not a good idea. But if you're a mechanic – like the pranksters in this video – then every day has the potential to be Parks and Recreationbloopers reel.
As hilarious as this YouTube video is, it doesn't really do much in the way of "cracking" a certain stereotype surrounding tradies.
While "pantsing" someone may be the oldest trick in the book, the comedian behind this take-down does earn extra points for the use of interesting props.
Now, to convince the powers that be that we need an air compressor in the office.


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Video: Editing & Production
We offer event video production and still photography for personal or home video productions such as: weddings, memorial videos, family reunions, or any other special events.
We use professional grade video editing software and the latest Adobe Creative Suite to produce award-winning productions in Standard and High Definition. HD & SD Video production and camera rental is also available. Click here for a list of our video equipment.
As a side service, we create memorial, family reunion, wedding and other special event videos. We take your VHS or digital home videos, 8mm movies, still pictures or slides and artistically create a special video production for yourself, your family, or an upcoming wedding, reunion or other event.
We can make Blu-Ray HD discs or SD DVD's
Check out some video demos below.
Memorial Video
Something to Smile About
Time Out Tot


text:
This policy provides direction on collecting, storing, managing, and disseminating personal information collected by IAP2 USA
Collecting Personal Information
Your privacy is important to us!
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Home • About Us • Membership
Core Services • Events • Chapters • Blog • Privacy Policy
Copyright ©2010-2017 IAP2 USA. All rights reserved.


text:
In my last email a close call in Greece had motivated me to stop wasting time and start living a more impactful life.
So many people today just don't know what they want to do with their lives – I'm talking about kids out of high school and college as well as adults in their 30s and 40s or even older.
I was one of these people.
When I graduated I had no clue what I wanted to do. I just knew that I wanted to help people.
To help gain clarity and get a plan for the future I took a trip – a trip that ended up changing my life for a number of different reasons.
One of the main reasons was that I met Abbie, a kindred spirit who really gave me a new understanding of life and what you can accomplish with it.
Abby, who I met in Paris, has become my best friend and together we have resolved to travel the world, helping others.
Both of us firmly believe that you should do something that makes you happy and that life is too short to even consider anything else.
Together, Abby and I recently went to Africa to build houses for the less fortunate there.
It didn't take me long on that trip to realize that is what I wanted to be doing with my life!
I had so much fun … and the people were so nice … and as long as I live I'll never forget the looks on people's faces when they were presented with their new houses.
But how can a McDonald's employee possibly afford to travel like I want? The answer may surprise you. I'll tell you everything in my next email.
Shane Teale


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Why Give to OC?
"Supporting Oakland Catholic ensures the futures of so many young ladies who will positively impact their communities, indeed the world!" ~Helen Laffey Kondrich, Alumna '80 and Parent '16
The young women who walk through the doors of Oakland Catholic High School for the very first time possess endless potential. They are on the edge of discovering so much about themselves. Over the next four years they will develop new interests, refine unique talents, and create lifelong friendships. Your support, along with that of the rest of our generous Oakland Catholic community, gives these young women the opportunity to realize their visions for the future as they become agents of change.
Your Gift. Your Impact.
The best way to show your support for Oakland Catholic High School is to make a donation today.
Other Amazing Ways to Give
Enhancing Academics
Your donations support our talented educators and a state-of-the-art technology program.
Embracing Tradition
Your donations bolster the identity we built as Western PA's premier all-girls Catholic High School.
Ensuring Legacy
Your donations secure our mission to guide young women to Service, Scholarship and Spirituality.


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STATISTICS, especially on a subject as intimate as sexuality, have a way of reducing humanity to faceless abstractions. In gathering material for this week's cover story on the sexual activities and attitudes of American teenagers, we concentrated on people rather than printouts. Our correspondents interviewed parents, school counselors and behaviorists, but the most fascinating stuff came, of course, from the scores of youngsters with whom our reporters talked.
"Teenagers still giggle, still take their social lives very, very seriously," says Correspondent Christopher Cory, who interviewed students at Tenafly (N.J.) Senior High School.


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Tax online filing makes it easy for Wisconsin taxpayers to file both their federal and state individual tax returns. Taxpayers appreciate the ease of automatic math calculations to ensure accuracy and reduce the possibility of having their return rejected due to human error, which is one of the most common causes. They also appreciate receiving email confirmation when the return is received and accepted by the respective agencies. Convenience and confidence are two major factors why more and more taxpayers are going online to file.
You can start here.


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243368000. Sir Geoffrey Esturmy & 243368001. Matilda ?
~1205, Geoffrey born in England, s/o §Henry Esturmi.
10/28/1216, Henry III, age 9, crowned king of England.
Aft. 6/7/1223, Geoffrey's father died.
1226-45, Geoffrey Esturmi. Geoffrey has given and confirmed to the prior and convent and to their church, two houses in the town of Burbach' … (S) UKNA.
12/22/1226, Charter by Henry III rendering to Geoffrey Esturmy, son and heir of Henry, Bailiwick of a forester of Savernake as his hereditary right. Charter by Henry III to Geoffrey Esturmy, all his lands which he inherited from his father in Wilts. and requiring sheriff to put him into possession without delay. (S) UKNA.
1228, A royal commission assigned to investigate the records and boundaries of Savernake forest; an ancient forest of the fee of Geoffrey Sturmi, gave it "commendably moderate findings."
1229, Madatum est Galfrido Esturmy quod habere faciat Reginaldo de Blancmuster, … unum cheverellum in foresta de Severnac do dono regis.
11/10/1230, Mandatum est Galfrido Esturmy, forestario de Savernac, quod capiat ad ipus Isabelle sororis regis singulis setpimanis duas damas in foresta regis.
9/22/1231, Mandatum est Galfrido Esturmy quod in foresta de Savernak' faciat havere H. comiti Hereford' tres damos de dono regis.
1232, Mandatum est Galfrido Esturmy quod habere faciat leproais hospitalis extra Merleberg' xv. quercus in foresta de Savernak' … de dono regis.
9/1/1233, Grant to Adam Esturmy, the king's yoeman, of the gift made to him by Geoffrey Esturny of land … manor of Russath … (S) CChRs.
6/23/1234, Hampshire. Geoffrey Esturmy has made fine with the king by 100s. for his relief of one knight's fee that William [de Bendeng], nephew of Matilda, wife of the same Geoffrey , held of the king in chief in Polling' and in Liss, and that falls to Matilda by hereditary right … saving to Walter de Fauconberg , who had the aforesaid nephew of Matilda in his custody, the corn that he caused to be sown in the aforesaid lands and his other chattels. (S) FRsHIII.
1235, … Geoffrey, wishing to provide for the salvation of his soul and of those of his ancestors, and desiring to provide indemnity, has granted for himself and his successors to pay to the church 10s. every year - … and that both Geoffrey Esturmy and his free household can, during the whole year, notwithstanding the five days excepted in the former charter, hear divine service in the oratory of Burbech' and receive the ecclesiastical sacraments. And his wife and the free women of his household can be churched and married in the said oratory … (S) UKNA.
1236, Pro Galfrido Esturmy. Mandatum est justiciariis ad custodiani Judeorum assignatis quod de debito quod Galfridus Esturmy debet Benedicto Crespin [a Jew] et sociis suis …
7/2/1237, De maeremio ad molendina. Et mandatum est Galfrido Esturmy quod in foresta de Savernak' eidem constabulario maeremium ad illa duo molendina construenda et ad tercium emendandum …
11/3/1238, Avice [sic] de Columbariis gives three palfreys for having a writ before the king (coram Rege) against Geoffrey Esturmy as to by what warrant he holds a certain bailiwick. (S) FRsHIII.
2/20/1239, Geoffrey Esturmy gives 100s. for removing the plea which is before John Biset and his associates to be before the king (coram Rege) until three weeks from Easter. (S) FRsHIII.
9/23/1239, The dispute between Alice de Columbariis and Geoffrey settled by fine. (S) FRsHIII.
4/1/1243 at Bordeaux, The king has granted to Geoffrey Esturmy that he is to render each year at the Exchequer the 50 m. which he was accustomed to render per annum to David, Jew of Oxford, for the debts that he owes to the same David. (S) FRsHIII.
4/1243, At Bordeaux, France, King Henry arranged a 5-year truce with the French king.
6/22/1243 at Bordeaux, The king has granted to Geoffrey Esturmy … concerning the debts which the same Geoffrey owes to Benedict Crispin, Jew, he is to render 40 m. per annum at the Exchequer until he reaches the amount of the whole debt that he owes. (S) FRsHIII.
6/3/1244, Thomas, son of Thomas of London, gives 40s. for having a writ against Geoffrey Esturmy by the pledge of Humphrey Smith and Alan Balun of London. (S) FRsHIII.
11/2/1244, Richard Brian gives 1 m. for having a precipe [to remove a plea] against Geoffrey Esturmy from the county court of Hampshire to [the justices of the Bench at] Westminster.
Bef. 3/6/1245, Geoffrey captured by the Welsh. (S) FRsHIII. [The English army led by King Henry campaigned in north Wales to subdue Dafydd ap Llywelyn. Geoffrey was in the retinue of Richard, earl of Corwall. (S) Matthew Paris's English History, 1853, P110.]
1245, Geoffrey Esturmy was absent from the Forest Eyre at Wilton – 'the jurors say … he is in Wales in the King's war.'
10/3/1245, Mandate to the bailiffs of Geoffrey Esturmi and his tenants to be intendant to Robert de Mucegros, to whom the king, because the said Geoffrey has been taken by the Welsh, whether alive or dead the king knows not. (S) CPRs.
4/20/1246, Geoffrey assumed deceased, his heirs given into the wardship of Robert de Muscegros.
(S) Easton Royal Conservation Area Statement, 9/2004. (S) Wardens of Savernake Forest, Earl of Cardigan, P36ff. (S) Close Rolls, V1, Lyte, 1902. (S) History of the County of Wiltshire, V16, Crowley, 1999.
Family notes:
· 1086, Richard Sturmy held the manor of Burbage Sturmy, by the serjeanty of keeping of Savernake forest.
· 1130, Henry Sturmy held the manor of Burbage Sturmy.
· 1162, Henry Sturmy held the forest of Savernak' and the manor of Burbage Sturmy.
· 1197, Geoffrey Sturmy held the manor of Burbage Sturmy.
· 4/28/1200, John by the grace of god King of England, … granted … to Henry Esturny such seisin of all the land in the bailiwick of the forest of Savernake as Geoffrey Esturmy his father had therein on the day that he died. (S) The Wardens of Savernake Forest, 1949, P28.
· 1200, Henry Esturmy liable for 250 marks "to have the peace" of the king.
· 1206, Henry paid a fine of 100 fat fowls for leave to assart to acres of Cullfield woods.
· 1208, Henry Esturmy gives 100 marks because the forest that he has custody of was not well kept.
· 1214, Rober Doisnel bringing action against Henry Esturmy in a plea of land.
· 1214, Henry de Esturmy was commanded to cause to come without delay all the carts which he could procure in his bailiwick, to carry the king's treasure to Portsmouth. (S) History and Description of Corfe Castle, Bond, 1883, P18.
· 6/7/1223, Sussex. Hugh Esturmy has made fine with the king for the 100s. that he owes. (S) FRsHIII.


text:
Costia Necatrix
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus.
Costia Necatrix
a protozoan of the family Bodonidae of the class Flagellata. The body is in the form of a droplet, measuring 6–20 μm long and 3–10 μm wide. The nucleus is vesiculate, and there are four flagellae of various lengths. This protozoan is found everywhere. It is a dangerous parasite of various types of fish, especially of the fry, and causes the serious disease costiasis. Under unfavorable living conditions, Costia necatrix forms cysts.


text:
Illegal requests at polling station
Amity Paye | 11/5/2013, 5:12 p.m.
Adams filled out my voting card. I signed my name under my printed signature. I received a folder and my ballot.
"Do you know what to do?" said the woman who had rescued me from showing ID.
"You can only vote in one line," she says pointing to the columns of candidates organized by party. A line (column) for democrats, a line for republicans, a line for the working families party and so on. Again I was confused, sure you can vote for any candidate, in any party, regardless of your party affiliation during a general election.
"you are not obligated to vote for your party's candidate in the general election. In November, you may vote for any candidate from any party," reads the Board of Elections frequently asked question page.
Manhattan Democratic Commissioner, Gregory Soumas, went up to investigate this claim and thought this mistake was more of a misunderstanding versus any nefarious intent. Commenting on his behalf, Vazques said, "The person didnt communicate properly. What they were trying to tell you is that you have to vote one per contest and saying down the column was wrong, obviously."
The poll worker in blue then flips the ballot over to reveal 6 ballot proposals. "You only need to vote on numbers 2,3 and 6," she said. Or maybe she said 1,2 and 6. "I hope you remember which ones I said" she calls out to the last voter to be told the ballot measure numbers. "The others don't apply," she said pointing back to my ballot.
"From what I'm hearing it seemed to be a mistake that someone came up with and everyone seemed to have ran with, believing that that had some logic," said Walker later in the day. "You know how the telephone game goes. The first person got it one way and by the time it got to the last person…" By the time it got to the last person voters were told they couldn't vote on half of the ballot questions…
I was directed to a booth to fill out my ballot. I voted for the candidates I wanted to be elected, regardless of party line and filled out all six ballot proposals. But I must admit I hesitated. Staring at the page I worried my vote would be invalidated if I didn't listen to the clearly illegal directions I had been given.
"What's your voter number" called the polling officer in the blue shirt " it needs to be on your ballot." Fed up and knowing my voter number should definitely not be on my ballot I read the number off my voter ID card and just went to scan my ballot. If my number were on my actual ballot my vote could be traced back to me and anonymous voting is an important aspect of American democracy.
Kentucky was the last state in the U.S. to instate secret ballots in 1891
The NAACP also sent a team up to the Samuel, as well as a couple other locations across the city, to monitor the situation.
By the end of the day Vazques said, "this is something that we addressed with the poll workers. We immediately dispatched a team. Even our commissioner wanted to make sure the poll workers were properly trained, to see if there was any nefarious intent. And it was more of a procedural misunderstanding."
To check your registration status or report a problem at your poll site, call the Board of Elections at (866) VOTE-NYC -- that's (866) 868-3692


text:
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — From garages to guest houses, from granaries to man caves, a Meeker County couple has a knack for turning old farmsteads into things of beauty.
In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen traveled to Dassel where home makeovers are taken to another level.
"I didn't think I was going to be a country girl. And when we moved here I was nervous because Target was 30 minutes away," Allie Lundeen said.
It was a blind date that brought her and Ryan Lundeen together. It was an old farmhouse that helped them realize it was meant to be.
"He hasn't stopped working," she said.
"And I learned early on just to keep doing what I'm told," he said.
Six years ago, the two were awarded their Dassel farmstead in an auction for $137,000.
"My mom thought we were absolutely crazy because it was a lot of yellow and orange and very dated," Allie Lundeen said.
It was small, outdated and bat-infested, but it had character. So the Lundeen's got to work. They lived in a pop-up camper in their driveway with their children for three months while they completely gutted the house. The honey-do list went both ways: he took care of the construction, and she took care of all the finishing work. What came out in the end turned heads.
"We've had such a good response. He's starting to believe in me and trust in me," Allie Lundeen said.
That trust was enough for them to venture to other parts of the farm. A family who loves the outdoors, was about to make their money indoors.
"He told me, 'Spare no expense for the man cave.' So this is more pimped out than our house," Allie Lundeen said.
"After working on that for three years, I was like 'All right, I can do whatever I want,'" Ryan Lundeen said.
That meant turning a 100-year-old granary that used to house hay, straw and livestock into a man cave, complete with floor heat, a fireplace and surround sound.
Next, it was on to the one-stall garage, which Ryan Lundeen said his father suggested turn into a guest house. So they did, and added an electric fireplace for a finishing touch.
While the farm makeover was going on, Allie Lundeen began to blog and put do-it-yourself instructions on her website Proverbs 31 Girl. The pillows and signs she created for home decor became so popular that, four times a year, they have a sale inside their barn affectionately called Whimsy Green.
"I wanted horses and chickens and the barn- now we have signs everywhere and pillows," Ryan Lundeen said.
But during those Whimsy Green sales, people come from out of state to buy what their family has to offer. The lines stretch down the driveway. What the Lundeens have done is something straight out of HGTV. Speaking of which, the network did reach out.
"We bombed the interview. Just bombed it," Allie Lundeen said.
And that's OK because there is still plenty of work left on the farm.
"There are a few more outbuildings I have my eye on. We live in the moment so we are just going to see what happens," Allie Lundeen said.
This is actually the third place Ryan Lundeen has helped makeover.
They hope to someday buy other farm properties and turn them into bed and breakfasts.
Allie's sister plays a big role in help her create some of the décor.
The Lundeens will be holding their next Whimsy Green sale on April 27 and 29.
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text:
From the Evening Times
1 Sep 2011
Parents' hopes of saving a closure-threatened school have been dashed after Scottish ministers backed a decision to shut the primary.
Hundreds of parents demonstrated against the closure of Robslee Primary School in Giffnock after East Renfrewshire Council unveiled a plan to merge it with Giffnock Primary School.
Education chiefs put forward the proposal in December last year but after consultation with parents and pupils the Scottish Government 'called in' the education consultation.


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You are currently browsing the daily archive for October 18, 2007.
Edit: links fixed
Just very very distracted. I will return this weekend.
In the meantime, if you're really lacking for reading material, and to post something besides a denial of the rumors of my recent demise, how about some links!
Some reflections from a part of the blogosphere we MMO bloggers don't interact as much with (but probably should), the indie RPG scene: a roundup of musings on the topic of "What Makes a Great RPG" at Tales of the Rampant Coyote.
If anyone is aware of a good source for original sprites (preferably isometric, but beggars can't be choosers, right?), I'm in the market. Not a lot of money to throw at it, but better than pocket change… I'll even cut back on the Diet Dew consumption if I have to (which would actually be more money than I care to really think about…)
Another blog to add to the blogroll someday… Troll On Fire. Discovered in a roundabout way via my contact with Erik Hyrkas of Dusktreaders at MMMOGIG (which also still needs a sidebar link as well, argh….)
Again, not dead, just busy, more this weekend, ttfn…


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With it's bold, 12 inch chevron pattern and tone on tone color arrangement, Maracay continues to be a force in the modern family home. Witness the perfect blend of wool matte and sisal sheen in this love letter to stylish, contemporary rugs.
With patterns as expressive as Maracay, it's best to go big! Let the long, lines and wide chevron of this all natural rug guide your eye to treasured home furnishings. Make a statement. Maracay will transform your home. What can this gorgeous, high quality fiber do for you?


text:
Sean Claes: SKUNKFEST 2018 is June 30 at Come and Take It Live in Austin, Texas. 10 hours of music. First off... what is Skunkfest?
Skunk Manhattan: Skunkfest is an idea I've had floating around my head for awhile. I've been fortunate to share the stage with a lot of great bands in recent years and I wanted to get a bunch of us on the same bill. Come and Take it Live felt like the perfect venue for a debut so, when I solidified a summer date there, I decided to go for it. Since I first put it on the calendar with just three or four bands the response has been awesome. I've had several people reach out asking to be on the bill. For this first go though I thought 10 bands for 10 bucks (pre-sale ticket price) had a good ring to it so we stopped there.
Claes: I'm going to assume it's titled SKUNKFEST because you're Skunk Manhattan. Is this the first ever Skunkfest? Birthday celebration?
Manhattan: Not a birthday celebration but yes the first Skunkfest, hopefully of many. And it's just coincidence that it happens to be on the exact same date as a big show A Good Rogering put on last year at Come and Take it. I dig the fact that it's on June 30, the exact halfway mark of the year.
As for the actual name, that came about from a conversation a few years back with Yayo Sanchez, of recent "KISS guy" fame. We were talking about lame local festivals that screw bands and I was saying I should start my own festival and here we are… "Skunkfest".
Claes: The show is running from 4p - 2a and features bands including A Good Rogering, Slaterica, Runescarred, Inch Of Dark, Under No One, Southern Brutality, Finite Fidelity, Brownkidz, Eyetooth and My Madness. Tell me a little bit about each of the bands.
Manhattan: Well, they are all either personal favorites of mine, great friends, or both. And most of them we've shared the stage with at one time or another. A lot of these guys have also helped out A Good Rogering (AGR) and are fans of ours as well, so it's very much like a family event in that sense.
I play in AGR of course and I've toured with a prior version of Runescarred (formerly Dead Earth Politics). I've known those guys for years! Skunkfest will be their debut show and EP release.
Slaterica, enough said! They're just pure awesome and fun and a perfect closer that will have us all singing classic metal covers to finish out the show.
Inch of Dark I've never played with but have been friends and fans of them for years now. In fact, they were the first band on the bill.
Finite Fidelity is another local favorite of mine. Awesome music and fun guys. We just filmed a Skunkfest promo video actually, and they also played our June show last year.
Under No One is one of my favorite recent San Antonio bands and the first guys AGR played with in 2016 after our hiatus. They have a new album coming out soon.
We played a couple of killer shows with Southern Brutality in Louisiana. They're crazy good promoters and totally bring it on stage, plus they were super cool to us when we toured, so I wanted to return the favor. This will be their first Texas show and I believe they also have a new album out.
Brownkidz is Yayo's latest band, a duo with phenomenal vocalist Pearl Turner. I wanted at least one female singer on the bill! And, I mean Yayo was there when the conception of Skunkfest happened so how could KISS guy not be part of the event?
Eyetooth is a new band featuring my buddy Blane Matte, who I played with in Quartershackle and was an original member of AGR. This is also their debut show.
My Madness was generous enough to open the show. They're just all around great guys from San Antonio, who we've played with all over Texas. We've never not had a blast sharing the stage with them. I think that's everyone!
Claes: I hear Willie "Blueballs" Johnson is going to open the show at 4p. Tell me a little bit about him and how you got him to play… why the public should come out at 4p to watch him?
Manhattan: Yep, that's right. Old Blueballs is coming out of retirement to play this show as well. He's promoting his new single 'Mississippi Whiskers' and I think he was itching to perform at an actual venue for a change. Rumor has it he may even have some sit in musicians…. And his legendary van for photo ops. It's fun for the kids.
I've tried to structure this show in a way that could be appealing to all music fans, so the early bands are more Rock N' Roll then Heavy Metal. Plus this is an all ages event, and there's a Hoek's pizza at the venue, plus a taco truck around the corner, so families or whoever can come enjoy some early music and food before the nighttime metal assault begins.
Claes: With a line-up like this, do you have any surprises up your sleeve? Care to share?
Manhattan: We have a few special guests in store and I'll be hopping on stage with a few of the other bands. AGR likes to mix things up, as you probably know, so who knows what we'll do. There will also be a raffle and I'm sure we'll cook up some other fun stuff.
Claes: What's next for A Good Rogering after Skunkfest?
Manhattan: We don't have much else on the calendar. We're playing the following weekend, July 7 on a great bill at BFE in Houston. After that the next show I have is Oct. 27 at Dirty Dog in Austin. And I've got some really cool things in the works for that one. We may hit a few local markets, but for the most part AGR will spend the summer in the studio. Lots of new material is written and we're ready to follow up our last EP.
Also, Mr. Peanut is coming back with a makeover. I was finally able to give it the proper funk/R&B treatment, and that track has been re-mixed and is ready for iTunes. So you'll probably be seeing a lot of that cat real soon! Aside from that, keep an eye out for music videos. I'd say A Good Rogering is somewhat known for our live performances, but we don't have much circulating in the music video department. That is about to change, and I'm really excited about what we'll soon be releasing.
Claes: Anything else to add?
Manhattan: Yeah, I'd definitely like to say thanks to all the bands who have expressed interest and to all those who have come on board as sponsors. We've gotten a variety of donations and I'm really excited to have so many people and companies getting involved. I've learned a lot about the process and look forward to building these relationships and adding more in the future. There is a list of them on the Facebook event page and I encourage everyone to support these businesses! I'll close by giving a shout out to Tregan Guitars for donating a Shaman Skunk graphics guitar, which we will be raffling at the event. Hope to see everyone June 30th!
Skunkfest 2018 (link) will be on June 30, 2018 at Come and Take It Live (2015 E. Riverside Dr) - where metal music lives on where it should... on Riverside in East Austin.


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I bought two pieces of furniture at my favorite junk shop last week. I'm excited about both pieces. They are each pretty and unique in their own way.
My Favorite Junk Shop
pineapple finial twin bed
The pineapple finial twin bed had me at hello. I couldn't resist those curvy bed posts and the pineapple finials. The bed with rails was $25. I researched the bed and found similar ones selling for anywhere from $150 to $600 depending on condition. I need to look on the back and see if there is a manufacturer mark. I don't remember seeing one.
I know some of you will want me to refinish the bed instead of painting it but I'm going for paint. There are a few cracks in the wood.
The original finish is peeling off in places.
But those pineapple finials are so pretty. I'm thinking of painting the bed a soft pink. What do you guys think?
I also bought the little desk/table. Not sure what to call it. There are no drawers…just made to look that way. Mr. Butler said the bed and table came from the same estate.
A list of my must have DIY supplies can be found here on Petticoat Junktion.
I've already painted the table. Hoping to get photos today. The color is really bold and in your face. Wait till you see it.
I also bought the two wrought iron s's.
I went to the junk shop because I didn't want to be home while this was happening. Our large Tulip Poplar Tree was struck by lightning in September and it had to come down. When the tree was hit we were in Arkansas and a neighbor called to tell us about it.
When the lightning struck the tree it shook the whole neighborhood and the electricity went off. We're very lucky that the lightning didn't damage anything in the house. There was bits and pieces of bark and limbs all over the yard. The air conditioning unit is only about 20 feet from the tree too.
Anyway, things like this make me nervous. The JTS was at home to oversee the tree coming down.
What do you guys think of my furniture finds? Have you had a tree struck by lightning? Share your stories and/or opinions below.
Have a great day and I'll see you tomorrow….or the next day.


text:
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text:
Our "ecclesiology" is our theology or spirituality of the church. I am all for growth and have committed my ministry to it. But I believe there is a vast mystery underneath the surface of our efforts to save the institutional church. It's a mystery that we have trouble tapping into when we are in the tunnel vision of focusing solely on our own efforts and not on what God might be doing.
Leonard Sweet helps with this in a book called "So Beautiful." He notes that in the discovery of what we call DNA, it was called "so pretty!" He says that this divine design reflects God's design for the body of Christ. The three woven strands he identifies resonate with me. They are the "missional", "relational", and "incarnational". Sweet calls for a reunion of these three essential, complementary strands.
Sweet gives language to my search for mystery under the surface. I also believe he reflects the breadth of scriptural ecclesiology which I long to reclaim. God's design gives us a wonderful and healthy balance.
If we focus solely on the missional, we could become fixated on reaching more people, but can't, because we are trying to reach them with bane spirituality in a culture that couldn't care less about the strength of institutions but is yearning for authentic relationship with God and hands-on ministry that changes the world. If we focus solely on the relational, the church could become little more than a social club that cares for its present members, lacking either the drive to share the gospel or or a sense of Christ's presence in their midst and in the world. If we focus solely on the incarnational, we can become little more than a social service agency, losing a sense of the call to share the gospel and invite others into a personal relationship with Christ.
If we could find away to step out of denominational emergency "fix it" mode, and tap into the vast ocean of mystery, we might find that God has given us a vision of the church that is highly missional, highly relational, and highly incarnational. We might discover that ministry is not about just one of these things but about a balance of these things.
I have served in a number of growing church situations, and growth wasn't because of my talents or of some gimmick or method. As I reflect on my twenty years, I think it has been a journey of discovering the mystery of God's organic design for the body and finding wholeness. I have made some mistakes for sure, but in my best moments, ministry has been not been about implementing "my plan" but about listening for what God is already doing and lovingly working to remove the barriers to natural health and growth. Sweet is right. It's beautiful when we see God's design at work.


text:
The Perverted Garden Gnome represents that sketchy man in every neighborhood! He takes one too many walks around the block and wears trench coats during the summer. That's exactly who the perverted gnome is, except our little buddy has a red hat, bathrobe, and boxers with a small bulge. "Say hello to my little friend," is etched on the base, but he's not speaking in the same vein as Tony Montana. Draw laughs on top of laughs with a novelty gnome! 9 1/2" tall.
Availability: The Perverted Garden Gnome ships within approximately 1 business day.
Product Reviews for Perverted Garden Gnome
Sku: FM-BMT-BM1601
Regular Price: $17.95
Sale Price: $13.95


text: Online forms can serve many different purposes, whether you need job applications for new hires, registrations for events, or contact requests for prospects. However, some of the greatest benefits of online forms come from their ability to help you manage all of your business processes online. In this case study style webinar, we're going to highlight the Formstack features that enable you to effectively manage business data and processes. Join us as Alex Sirota, Founder of NewPath Consulting, walks through an example of how he was able to use Formstack to power and grow a client's organization.


text:
Multitalented Glee star and YA writer Chris Colfer's hilarious new book Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal (based on a soon-to-be movie) has just hit our shelves!
Carson Phillips needs to beef up his school resume in order to get into Northwestern, the college of his choice, so he can someday live his dream of getting out of his small town and becoming the youngest ever editor of The New Yorker. The plan: Show up those administrative monkeys by cranking out an amazing, jam-packed issue of the school literary journal. Completely jaded and openly sarcastic about everything within the confines of his small town--including the zombified sheep who populate his high school halls--Carson isn't exactly Mr. Popularity. So getting the requisite contrabutions from other students is harder than scaling Everest with nothing but a toothpick and roll of dentil floss. Unless, of course, Carson has blackmail ammo. And perhaps he does.
Applying the same flavor of sarcastic, witty humor as found in Perks of Being A Wallflower, Going Bovine, and How I Paid for College, Struck By Lightning is sure to entertain--whether you're a Gleek or not. --AJB


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Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei may control the nuclear programme, but he lacks a critical mass of Iranians.
Hong Kong - The supreme war-or-peace question regarding the Iran psychodrama has got to be: What game is Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei really playing?
Sharp wits among the lively Iranian global diaspora maintain that the Supreme Leader is the perfect US/Israel asset - as he incarnates Iran as "the enemy" (although in most cases in a much less strident way than Ahmadinejad).
In parallel, the military dictatorship of the mullahtariat in Tehran also needs "the enemy" - as in "the Great Satan" and assorted Zionists - to justify its monopoly of power. Read More
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
What is really happening in Iran?
Posted by Lynsey at 3:20 AM
Categories: NUCLEAR DISASTERS, WARS AND RUMOURS


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Sponsored By
Baltimore County Planning Drug Overdose Response TrainingThe Baltimore County Department of Health is offering a free, two-hour training course on how to prevent and respond to certain drug overdoses.
Lawyer: Md. Doctor To Plead Guilty To Drug ChargeA gynecologist charged with illegally distributing powerful painkillers to patients is expected to plead guilty to federal charges next week.
Deadly Batch Of Heroin Laced With Painkiller Hitting Md. StreetsA dramatic surge in heroin deaths is happening across the country. Health officials warn it's because of a lethal new trend--spiking heroin with powerful painkillers.


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When you think of famous chef extraordinaire Gordon Ramsay, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Shouting at idiotic chefs? Refusing to cook for vegetarians? Well it turns out you're wrong, wrong, wrong because despite his fearsome reputation as a shouty, foul mouthed chef he's actually a bit of a romantic. I once thought the same as you but after watching 100 Recipes To Stake Your Life On a few weeks ago I saw a totally different side to him. When its just him and food on screen he becomes Mr Lover Lover, romancer of romanesco and seducer of sirloins. How I wish I was exaggerating, but watching him manhandle food and talk in husky tones to a bread and butter pudding made me think that all that was missing was a 70's soundtrack and a broken washing machine needing 'fixing'. I'm just going to come out and say it, Gordon Ramsay wants to make love to food, and that is a scientific fact! Watch as he makes chocolate doughnuts and says 'doughnuts get me really excited', hear how he calls them 'beautiful' and put your fingers in your ears as he oooohs and aaaahs about how satisfying they are to eat. Food porn at its filthiest. Don't let this put you off what was otherwise a great cookery show though, as the food really did look gorgeous and absolutely everything looked delightfully edible. Just know that after watching him knead and massage a focaccia dough, you'll never look at bread the same way again.
After taking the mick out of Ramsay pretty much everyday in the office, I was thrilled to be given the accompanying cookbook as a birthday present from my work Birthday Buddy last week. It's a great looking cookbook (called Ultimate Cookery Course) filled with some really yummy looking food, and has a great variety of really interesting looking recipes that you wouldn't necessarily find in other celeb chefs books. Today I went for the very first recipe that I saw him cook on the show, and that was chilli beef lettuce wraps. As you may know, I had a storming success with meat in lettuce a couple of weeks ago (Cambodian beef) and hoped that Gordon's Thai alternative would be just as successful. Gordon encourages us to 'take mince beef further than you've ever taken it before', which while sounding exciting just means crumble it in to a very hot frying pan and get it really crispy so that it adds some crunch to your dinner. I know, talk about misleading! Add some zingy Thai flavours, whip up a sour dressing and spoon into baby gem lettuce leaves for a tasty and speedy post work dinner. In my opinion it was easy to make, tasty but not particularly mind blowing. But don't just take my word for it, The Boyfriend is back now and his verdict was pretty similar. Although he is one tough customer to please in the kitchen. I'd make it again as it was tasty enough and simple to make, and easily beats a microwave ready meal on pretty much all counts. Not a bad start from the new book, but there are a lot of recipes I'm itching to try from this tome, so do expect to be seeing a lot more from food romancer Ramsay on these pages.
I forgot to take a photo, so desperate was I to eat it, but it definitely looked exactly like the images from the book. Yep, it would be really tricky to tell my version apart from Gordon's. Ahem.


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During your 40's, you might start to notice the shape of your body changing. And, losing weight in your forties becomes more difficult. These changes may feel like they happen overnight. The worst part is that the changes might keep you from feeling like yourself.
If you're experiencing body changes in your forties – here's some good news – there are physical reasons these changes are happening. Which means that there are things you can do to combat these changes and get your shape back.
Here are 5 things you can do to help combat weight gain in your 40's.
Seek help for hormone changes
Yes, menopause and out of whack hormones are part of life in your forties, but you don't have to go it alone! Talk to your friends, colleagues, or family members about what helped them with hormone changes and weight loss in their 40's. Find a support group or health coach. If the symptoms of hormone changes are more than you can handle, make an appointment with your OB/GYN or family doctor to explore a treatment plan.
Change up your workout routine
No one likes change, we get it! But, as you age, your body starts to lose muscle mass which is the main calorie-burner in your body. As lean muscle mass decreases, you won't burn as many calories as you did in your younger years making losing weight more difficult.
To combat the loss of lean muscle mass, try adding strength training and weight lifting to your exercise routine 2 to 4 times a week. This can help you rebuild lean muscle mass and boost your metabolism. It's a good idea to work with a personal trainer to set up a new routine and keep you safe until you are comfortable with each of the exercises to get you on the right track for losing weight in your forties.
Keep a food diary
As you age, several of your hormones start to fluctuate. Some of these hormones may make you feel hungry for no reason. To help you see what you're actually eating each day, keep a food diary where you write down every food you eat. This allows you to know if you're snacking all day long, if you eat the right portions of food, and what kinds of food you're really consuming.
Control Stress
Stress sucks! And, as much as we would love to lead a stress-free life – it's just not reality for most of us. It's important to find "me time" and try to control the amount of stress in your life. Be sure you're getting plenty of sleep. Plan time just for yourself and do something fun or enjoyable at least once a week. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or other mind-body work to keep your whole self in a natural rhythm.
Stay Active
Keeping an active lifestyle can help in many ways. Your metabolism will take a natural dip as you age and the busyness life can make it difficult to find time to exercise. Just remember, you don't have to spend hours in the gym or run a marathon to stay healthy. Look for a new class to try or start an at-home workout regimen that you can stream when it fits best into your lifestyle.
Life is busy, and this is a whole new decade of life with lots in store just for you! Weight loss in your 40's might be difficult, but it's not impossible. You don't have to conquer all of these in a day. Choose one thing to try at a time. Make it a habit before you move onto the next tip.


text: The NBSR report published in April 2011 demonstrated safety of surgery in more than 8,000 patients in the UK with low complication rates. The one- and two-year follow up data showed impressive improvement in obesity-related disease. At the NBSR Workshop session at the BOMSS 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting in Bristol, Mr Richard Welbourn highlighted the results and presented to the membership work in progress for discussion as the Registry evolves. Members who wish to be involved should send expressions of interest to Mr Alberic Fiennes, Chair of the NBSR Committee via Nichola Coates at the BOMSS office, email: email@example.com


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There's a great story you may have heard about a PhD student from a few years back at University of Toronto.
It goes something like this: Every day at lunch, starting in the late spring, the student would walk out onto the football field. He'd bring a large bag of birdseed and a whistle. He'd spread birdseed all over the field. After 20 or 30 minutes, he'd blow the whistle. At first, a few birds would respond to the noise and drop in for some seeds. But gradually, over the course of the summer, more and more birds would descend on the field, expecting to be fed. Then the first football game of the autumn rolled around, the players lined up, the referee blew the whistle, and …
It's a great story. Problem is it's a myth.
It's Small Business Week. Every year at this time, I'm asked the good and the bad, the truths and the myths of entrepreneurship. After years of running a business and working with private company owners, I think the myths are the most interesting of the lot.
Here are five very common misconceptions about entrepreneurship.
1. It's necessary and easy to raise tens of millions of dollars to start a business.
Here are some of the entrepreneurial success stories you'll read about most often: Google, Facebook, WestJet, Porter, Lululemon, Zappos … Are they legitimate entrepreneurial successes? Unquestionably. Are their stories common? No. They represent a micro fraction of private businesses (ones that got really big and are typically no longer private).
Popular business TV shows and magazines focus on these stories because they are rare and remarkable. But they set a false expectation among budding entrepreneurs. Raising a lot of money for a business venture is very difficult. And it is often foolish and unnecessary. Starting small and proving out a concept is invaluable. It is also impossible if entrepreneurs find themselves richly funded only to be forced to report monthly on how quickly they are deploying capital.
Canadian banks rarely take risks on ideas without assets. It can take years of relationship building to find venture capitalists and/or angel investors who will even hear out an entrepreneur. And if funding is achieved, the large chunk of equity that must be given away is often resented. In the end, bootstrapping likely makes more sense from both a faster time-to-market perspective and from a risk mitigation perspective.
2. Entrepreneurs are crazy free spirits, and risk takers.
Again, I think this is true, but it is rare. Richard Branson is not like the rest of us. And not like the majority of private business owners I've encountered over the past few years.
It is well known that a high percentage of businesses fail within the first two years. For the ones that make it, a conservative growth plan, rigid-bordering-on-obsessive control over costs (even down to the grade of paper towel stocked in the bathroom of one of my clients), and lots of internal debate over most decisions were some of the keys to the survival and success of those businesses.
Most entrepreneurs may not fit the corporate mould, but most of them are also far more calculating than they are given credit for.
3. It's about having a killer business plan.
We all know the one. The 45-page business plan. Bound. Sectioned. Great headers. With graphs. And Pro Formas. And a conclusion of hockey-stick-growth in two years.
The reality is most business plans are written for banks or other lenders, long after the business has started and it is generating revenue. Writing a business plan is a useful exercise in formalizing, and maybe tweaking, the business model, in order to get external parties to buy into the idea.
The majority of business plans I get to look at are about 10 pages long, and do not follow a formula. Instead they lay out in as plain a language as possible what the business is all about, why customers will buy, and what funding is required to make it all happen – and nothing else.
4. The business idea has to be fully differentiated to succeed.
I've written on this point a number of times in the past. This is a very common myth. It is a myth perpetuated by some business magazines, books and, to some extent, by business schools. It is eye-catching and it can be fun to research and write about. However, it is only one lens on how to start a business.
How many truly new ideas crop up every year? And how many me-too businesses come into the market each year? Few of the former and more of the latter.
The simplest explanations for this?
A) Most markets are not fully saturated – there is room for another business that will do things better but not all that differently.
B) The concept of perfect information, where all customers are well informed about all sellers, applies to very few market spaces. The idea and execution have to be good, more so than differentiated, to succeed.
5. You can't teach entrepreneurship.
Or, as it is sometimes told, entrepreneurs are born that way. This is almost a complete fallacy. Research shows a high percentage of entrepreneurs start their first business after the age of 40, and at some life-changing point such as after a divorce or after being downsized from a corporation.
The idea that entrepreneurship can't be taught presupposes at least two things:
A) There is no process to entrepreneurship.
B) People can't or don't change.
The process of scanning for business ideas, exploring them until ruling most of them out, and then addressing the most promising is well documented and taught in business schools every day.
The point about personal change is perhaps even more important, since most successful entrepreneurs spend a few to many years working for others – and learning/evolving/developing – before forming a company of their own. It's the most straight-forward way to learn what works and what fails in business.
Special to The Globe and Mail
Mark Healy, P.Eng, MBA, is a partner at Satov Consultants – a management consultancy with practice areas in corporate strategy, customer strategy and operations strategy. Mark's focus areas inside the customer strategy practice include consumer insights, customer experience, innovation and go-to-market strategy. He is a regular speaker and media contributor on topics ranging from marketing to strategy, in telecom, retail and other sectors. Mark is known as much for his penchant for loud socks and a healthy NFL football obsession as he is for his commitment to Ivey and recent Ivey grads. He currently serves as chair of the Ivey Alumni Association board of directors. Mark lives with his wife Charlotte and their bulldog McDuff in Toronto.


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|Find the best surf spots
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Head East from Omaha point to the Tawharanui Regional Park.Drive to the end of the road then you will come to an electric gate and it will open. ( just for animal protection ).Drive to the end of that road and park in the Car Park and walk onto the beach. Get your Board and go surfing in 1 of the three spots on the beach. Best and safest spot is right in front of the carpark.
DistanceDay trip
WalkInstant access (< 5min)
Easy to find?OK
Public access?Public access
Special accessDon't know
Wave qualityNormal
ExperienceAll surfers
DirectionRight and left
BottomSandy with rock
PowerPowerful, Ordinary, Fun
Normal lengthShort (< 50m)
Good day lengthShort (< 50m)
Good swell directionNorth, East, NorthEast
Good wind directionWest, SouthWest
Swell sizeStarts working at Less than 1m / 3ft and holds up to 3m+ / 10ft+
Best tide positionAll tides
Best tide movement
Week crowdFew surfers
Week-end crowdCrowded
- Rocks
- Sharks
Just look out for Rays and the occasional shark but nothing to dangerous ay.
Also gets pretty crowded on holidays and weekends. Main spot in front of carpark is a mix of surfers boarders and swimmers so you need to watch out for a learner surfer smacking into you.
Its a beautiful spot. Very good for a family day out. Lovely views, rockpools, walks and great for camping.
I like it but just remember to look out for those bloody rays!!!!!!!
No video available
By west side surfer , 11-02-2007
fat as - haha "the best and safest spot is the one in the front of the carpark" thats the most stupid oxymoron i have ever heard best is never the safest and theres no way that its a good wave. On the best day of the year here it is fun no more. surfed it maxing over double overhead and it was still only fun. not much of a barrel to be seen here ever
By Anonymous , 10-09-2006
haha - man i would love 2 see some1 get barelled at tawh... lets not be rediculous here tawh is a fat learner or mal wave nothing more
By to many crowded days at our beach , 27-01-2006
dont come - waves are really bad,go to omaha beach, you guys would like the safer enviroment
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Monday, December 17, 2007
Last minute gifts
Monogram cards for their notes of congratulations or thanks! Everyone can use these! I colour printed an initial on a panel card that fit into a set of envelopes I had handy. Consider stamping and embossing instead or hand lettering them and then adding colour - lots of possibilities!!
I also did up some address labels!! Used some of the photos I took last year, added names & addresses and printed on labels! Quick and easy and everyone can use them! Always nice to have some special ones for those special cards!!
Have a wonderful Christmas season! I expect I am pretty close to having my prep done so I can enjoy the season. My cards and newsletters will go out tomorrow, bought my baking at the bake sale last weekend, gifts are bought and only need a bit of wrapping! Have been listening to the Christmas music too!! Do enjoy your holiday activities and take a bit of quiet time in the new year to set a few goals, think of areas that need work and make a plan, do what is important and plan so that things don't get too urgent. We all struggle with something and a "one step in front of another" approach is best if you are going in the right direction!!
Winter Solstice Fat book page
Another Fat book page for our T&T mingle!! Doing research on this day I started to realize that we need to build traditions that help us reconnect us to our lives. The Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere is overlaps so many holidays celebrated at this time of the year. Many entwined their event with the festivals already celebrated for the Winter Solstice. Very early on, people lived close to nature and on the land. They observed that the days changed in length and with diligent records ascertained on which day the earth started back towards the sun!! It was a reason to celebrate, a time to pray for spring's arrival, good crops and fair weather.
The celebrations of this time of the year regardless of their origins encourage us to join with family and friends, to eat and make merry, to give gifts, to support those in need, to make peace, spread our love and be grateful for the blessings of the year. This year I encourage you to SEE with new eyes the celebrations that are familiar to you. Change up what no longer works but do take the time to celebrate as our ancestors did long before these traditions overcame those of the Winter Solstice!!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I expect this paper would be great used in collages and serendipity pieces as well. Love the watercolour look!!
Therese in Trenton
Mixed Media Market
I always include inserts in my cards to allow them to be reused by simply removing the old inset that has been written on and replace it with a new one. I think it would be cool to see how many times a card could be reused!! Handmade cards are so beautiful that I think they should have more than one life. Besides it is a very green and environmentally friendly thing to do. I refurbish all the handmade (sometimes some of the commercial ones as well) cards I receive and donate them to a local non profit organization!! They really appreciate the cards!! You could donate the refurbished cards to seniors homes or retirement residences, any non profit, or package them up and donate as prizes for a fundraiser. Be creative!! It goes without saying that it is inappropriate to refurbish a card and then to present it as your idea and creative work!! Whenever possible I retain the creator's credits on the cards I refurbish. It works out perfectly when they have added an insert to their card!!
This card features duplex cardstock. This one is navy on one side and white on the other!! I stamped the frame, added the greeting and then embossed the whole thing in glittery embossing powder.
I made my own mixture with clear embossing powder, some fine prisma glitter and a little Iridescent Ice (SU) embossing powder as well. I find that the glittery embossing powders have a lot of glitter in them and I prefer a higher percentage of embossing powder to glitter. I usually mix right on my catch sheet - 1/2 teaspoon or so depending on how much embossing I have to do. It does require that you find another container to put your mixture in if you have leftovers so you don't contaminate your original embossing powder. I sometimes mix my leftovers together and end up with some very interesting combinations. For some of the cards I mixed copper and gold with some gold tinsel embossing powder with great results!! So have some fun and mix yourself a few to see what you get!!
Back to the card. I layered the image onto a coordinating layer and then to accentuate the duplex paper I cut off half of the front to allow the inside colour to show. Glued my accent piece to the left hand piece on the front of the card. Another fast and easy card you can make with duplex cardstock!!
I would highly encourage everyone to acknowledge the gifts they receive this holiday season. Acknowledgement is a very strong relationship building tool and in comparison to the time invested it reaps large rewards. So start your New Year off well, by investing some time in your relationships with friends and family by acknowledging the blessings they are in your life!!
Great as last minute gifts. The marble tiles are available at Home Depot here and maybe other home improvement stores in your area. Definitely recommend Staz ON ink for crisp and clean lines if you are going to stamp and colour your images. I have used Memories Inks for images I wanted to be a certain colour like green leaves, etc. I would definitely recommend a permanent ink so the colours don't run into each other when you spray on your clear finish (Krylon Matte Acrylic spray). I bought the cork feet at Stockade Craft Supplies but you could use rubber, felt or clear plastic ones instead. Or consider covering the whole bottom with self adhesive cork or felt. Quick and easy.
Friday, November 30, 2007
One branch of cedar and a few hours to press them will yield enough sprigs for your Christmas cards for the year!! Consider doing this in the spring or fall when you are trimming your cedars anyway. If you have no cedars talk to your neighbours who do! They would be most happy to let a few branches go to a good cause!!
Have a great weekend!!
Mixed Media Market
My Art - ornaments
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
This little Santa card is so cute!! It was a perfect use for the red 3.5" circles I cut from the front of one of my previous cards! I completely cased this one from a Papercrafts magazine from 2005. The designer is Caroline Lau! It uses a white slide mount (cut from Bristol board with my Sizzix die) as the main element for the face. The mustache is two heart shapes glued to the back of the nose (1/2" circle). I used a black marker to create the eyes and red ink stippled through a hole (1/4") punched in a mask to create the blushed cheeks!! Caroline had used black stitched ribbon for the hat and the belt - I substituted black cardstock. The greeting on the bottom is embossed with white embossing powder!!
I am starting to have a little pile of Christmas cards here to send out. Though as the pile grows I am thinking of more and more people who I would like to send cards to. So in the I imagine it will all work out!!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Queen Anne's Lace! Just love these natural snowflakes!! Here I used the large ones I had pressed. I layered it onto some of my own handmade paper using the back so that the texture would be subtle. Layered a nice olive and gold ribbon onto some twill tape to keep with the natural theme. Added an off white snowflake punchie with a soft gold brad.
I used a glue stick to add the pressed botanical. Applied glue to the handmade paper in a star pattern then placed the Queen Anne's Lace over it. Apply a little pressure to make sure the pieces are in contact with the glue and leave to dry. The glue will dry clear and will be invisible.
I hope you have found some inspiration for Christmas cards here!! There are many of you who are already finished and are ready to get yours into the mail sometime next week. I will continue to aspire to that goal and take inspiration from you!!
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!! Find some way to be creative in your everyday!! We will continue to inspire each other!!
Mixed Media Market
I also gold embossed the poinsettia image. I could have coloured the image but liked it more simple so left it as it was. I layered onto ivory and then onto a very light taupe colour for just a little contrast!
Happy with the look and gold was a good change of pace for me!!
I am seeing that snowflakes have been an underlying theme to my Christmas card designs this year!! Fun!!
I decided to sandwich the snowmen image between two layers of cardstock so I cut a hole in the front of my card big enough for the image. Cut the snowman images just about 1/4" larger all the way around. I layered white in behind because it seemed to provide the best look for the snowmen. Highlighted the edge of the circle with a gel marker - white for the red card and silver for the green. The greeting is embossed and the snowflake a punchie I just glued into place. I have all sorts of scraps of smaller snowmen that maybe will show up in tags later on!!
So I encourage you to challenge yourself to use a variety of supplies for your card making!! These cards turned out cute!!
One Sheet Wonder - Christmas cards #2
Christmas cards - One Sheet wonder!
Have some fun!!
I have been remiss in keeping up with my art work on my blog. I am still creating and scanning! Have taught a few classes as well. Had a visit from my daughter and new grand daughter!! Made time to spend with them and it was a fabulour visit and ten days goes by so quickly!! Have much more art to upload and will keep at it. Only one more class to go for this year!!
Happy Thanksgiving to those south of the border!! Count your many blessings!! Have a great weekend all!!
Mixed Media Market
Monday, November 05, 2007
It was a very fun class and I enjoy the challenge of incorporating different elements into my cards!! I hope you will be encouraged to try a few die cuts into your cardmaking!!
Criss Cross card
I layered several pages on the right hand side so I could cut the slots for the tags and there would be some substance to support the tag. I created the tags, added dark brown letters to the ends then tied on some fiber. Once the slots were cut I applied double sided tape to the other side of the page to create pockets for the tags and glued this page to the next one. Worked very nicely!! I punched some circles from fall images from an old calendar and cut them in half to highlight the slot for each tag. Added some "stitching" with a marker around the edges. I did some journaling on the tags themselves - details about the techniques I used and some thought about the theme and process of creating the two page spread. Thanks to Linda for the challenge!!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
This is my BH mingle page for October! I chose Gandhi as my theme. What a fascinating person! I really love the research aspect of this mingle. Helps to stretch the mind and become aware of more of the world. The background is actually a letter written by Ghandi which I got off the internet. The photos of him I also downloaded off the internet. A very prolific writer so there was a LOT to choose from to feature on this page. One of his acts of non violence and empowerment for his people was to encourage them to spin and weave their own clothing instead of supporting the British by buying textiles imported from Britian. It gave the poor suitable and affordable clothing, gave them pride in having made it themselves, for some, a means of supporting themselves and their families and a distinctive look all their own in the market place!! It reminded me that we vote every time we choose to spend our time and money on acquiring goods. We truly need to be more aware of what that product has cost - quite possibly sweat and tears and suffering - to be available to us here in this country at a low cost. Awareness and then a willingness to do something is what is required!! It is hard to challenge my addiction to the dollar stores!!!
I used a foamy coaster as a tool for applying ink. It gives a really interesting pattern. I can see cutting out shapes from this material - foamy coasters and placemats made of this material are generally sold for use on outdoor patio tables in bright colours. Could easily be cut and applied to an acrylic mount to cover the whole front of a card!! Was also thinking that the shelf protector you can buy in a roll would work very much the same way and would have a different pattern. Very inexpensive background stamps. From several lists of my lists I see that people are using their die cutting machines to create shapes out of fun foam for stamping bold shapes. There are certainly some much more ornate dies showing up lately that would make fabulous fun foam stamps!! I am always interested in making more of the tools I already own!!
Back to the page - several layers of decorative paper and an acetate overlay with a leaf stamped on it attached with a brad!! Added some fiber to the front edge to add some interest - especially once the page in bound into a book!!
I am presently working on getting my White on White fat book pages bound. It will be a while yet as they week is already full and I have two Christmas Card classes coming up at the end of the month. It can wait.
I have also worked on a giftie swap and will only be posting photos once the swap is over - after December 25th. There will be 12 gifties for each person for the last 12 days of December. No fun to ruin the surprise for everyone!! My sister and I worked on them for a whole day and they turned out very well.
Sometimes when you cannot find what you need for your art consider just creating it!! I was surprised how quickly I was able to create this pumpkin and how good it looked on the card!!
A real maple leaf!! Just love living here and having nature's most wonderful watercolours just simply falling out of the sky!! I pressed these last year. I mounted the leaf to my own handmade paper ( made from recycled bread bags from the bakery) which I stamped with a script stamp - French Script from SU!! Very happy with that one!! Made up my own transparency with "Autumn" and "Every leaf a miracle" on it and attached all the layers to a dark card with four brads! I really like the look of pressed botanicals with handmade paper!!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
I bought some red hydrangeas on Thursday to include in my Christmas cards. They were all on sale for 50% off at Michaels!! The only time to really buy them!!
Have a wonderful weekend!! I will be posting to my MMM later today!!
Therese in Trenton
Mixed Media Market
My art blog: