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POPSUGAR Must Have Box February 2018 Review + Coupon
POPSUGAR Must Have is a lifestyle subscription box for women. Each month they send a mix of items from categories like beauty, fashion, food, fitness, and home.
This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: POPSUGAR Must Have
The Cost: 39.95 a month
COUPON: Use code MSA20 to get $20 off your first box!
The Products: "Must Have" items for women selected by POPSUGAR editors. (Fitness, Home, Beauty, Food, and more)
Check out all of my POPSUGAR Must Have reviews and the Women's Subscription Box Directory!
Each box comes with a fold-out card detailing the items included, and what themes inspired the box.
The themes this month are floral, adore, valentine, honey, crush, and chocolate.
FYI – this box also included a note about changes to the POPSUGAR Must Have subscription program:
This will be the last monthly box from POPSUGAR. Moving forward, they will send quarterly $75 boxes, with a value of $250+. If you want to continue your subscription at this new rate/frequency, no need to change anything. If you'd like to cancel, you can log in to your account and end your subscription anytime between now and April 15th to make sure you aren't charged for this new box.
(Check out our FAQ post to learn more about the changes.)
Now, on to the items!
K. Hall Designs Peony Jar Candle – Retail Value $26
This 8-ounce candle has a burn time of 60 hours and is made with 100% soy + vegetable wax blend. I love the sweet, floral scent, and the pale pink label gives it a simple and classy look, too. It's a perfect candle for me.
Tokyo Milk Anthemoessa No. 84 Shea Butter Handcreme – Retail Value $22
How gorgeous is this packaging? I don't often think of hand cream as a great stand-alone gift, but this one is!
The formula is rich, but not greasy, and it absorbs quickly. The scent is lovely and light, too.
And POPSUGAR also included a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more at Margot Elena:
Expires 3/31/18.
Tokyomilk French Kiss No. 15 Parfum – Retail Value $30
More gorgeous packaging from Toykomilk! On the inside of the label, you'll see the Eiffel Tower!
This scent is a blend of Mandarin, Tuberose, Gardenia & Vetiver. I'm not a perfume wearer, so this item is a miss for me, but it's so pretty I might just leave it on display on my vanity.
Nima Oberoi Lunares Heart Vase – Retail Value $49
How adorable is this silver bud vase? I love that the design is perfect for Valentine's Day, but also simple enough to work all year round. It measures about 5 inches tall and about 5 inches wide.
The vase is made of sand cast aluminum alloy, and each one is hand-polished. The booklet also includes instructions for care:
Here it is with flowers:
Perfect for a desk!
La Soula Universal Love Bracelet – Retail Value $39
(This month, POPSUGAR let subscribers pick between a gold or silver bracelet!)
The metal is brass with white or yellow plating, and there is one authentic diamond in the star.
The bracelet measures 6.75 inches with an additional inch extender. Here it is on me at the smallest setting:
I love delicate gold jewelry, so this is perfect for me!
Money On Honey Wildflower Honey Caramel – Retail Value $4.99
Wow! These are fair trade dark chocolate treats made with honey instead of corn syrup, and they are gluten-free and all-natural, too!
They arrive individually wrapped!
You get a chocolate + crisp rice crunch with a caramel center – delicious!
And these also came with a coupon for 25% off your next purchase from Droga Chocolates:
Expires March 31, 2018.
Lastly, we have this Special Extra from Stella Artois!
Set of 2 Buy A Lady A Drink Limited Edition Chalices – Retail Value $26
(Every subscriber will receive a mix of 2 chalices from Mexico, India, or the Philippines.)
The set comes with a Valentine's Day card if you choose to gift one or both of the glasses, and info on the cause.
For every Chalice sold, Stella Artois and Water.org will provide five years' worth of clean water for someone in need.
The glasses each have a different etched design, with a gold-leaf rim.
And my favorite part – they are dishwasher safe!
Here is the other design:
The purchase of a Limited-Edition Stella Artois Chalice helps provide 5 years of clean water to someone in the developing world. This year's collection features hand-crafted designs inspired by Mexico, India and the Philippines, created by female artists from each of these countries. Purchase yours today and help end the global water crisis.
*$3.13 helps provide 5 years of clean water for 1 person in the developing world. Stella Artois will donate $3.13 to Water.org for every Limited-Edition Stella Artois Chalice sold in the U.S. between 1/1/18 and 12/31/18, up to 300,000 chalices.
So pretty!
Verdict: This box has a retail value of about $196.99! I think that's an amazing value, and this is a perfect February box in my opinion – great for Valentine's Day, but also any other day of the year, too! I will miss my monthly POPSUGAR Must Have Box, but they really ended their monthly subcription on a high note! Well done, POPSUGAR! Now I will anxiously await to see what's in the first quarterly box!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, right now it looks like the February box will be your first box when you sign up. When you click "Subscribe Now" on the POPSUGAR site, the box your subscription will start with will be highlighted.
Coupon – Use coupon code MUSTHAVE5 to save $5
Value Breakdown: At $39.95 for this box, here's what you are paying approximately per item:
- Candle: $5.27
- Hand Cream: $4.46
- Perfume: $6.08
- Heart Vase: $9.94
- Bracelet: $7.91
- Chocolates: $1.01
- Stella Artois: $5.27
What do you think of the February POPSUGAR Must Have Box? What's your favorite item in the box?
POPSUGAR Must Have
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Your Blue Balloon 1st Birthday party guests will adore these personalised Blue Balloon 1st Birthday birthday party milk bottles - personalised with your details and ready for filling! Features and facts:
Line 1: 16 Characters
Line 2: 22 Characters
Have you checked out our personalised wedding & party supplies? Make it special with the gorgeous customised invitations, decorations & favours. Shop here.

subset: commoncrawl


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Partner, Indirect Tax
KPMG in Canada
Lesley is a partner in the Indirect Tax practice of KPMG's Toronto office and has worked with both public and private companies for the past 23 years. Currently, Lesley is responsible for the management of the Toronto North Indirect Tax practice and also leads our Canadian Compliance offering for Indirect Tax clients (other than financial institutions). Lesley formerly worked for the Canada Revenue Agency for a period of 8 years where she was heavily involved in GST tax rulings and interpretations and was often sought out to advise GST auditors and client representatives on technical issues with respect to GST/HST. She has extensive experience advising clients in a wide variety of areas including but not limited to the following: Communications and Entertainment, Public Sector Bodies, Non-residents, Manufacturing and Information Technology. Lesley has also developed a strong reputation for counseling her clients on proactive planning issues with an aim to mitigating risk, reducing exposures and managing compliance issues related to indirect tax within their operating jurisdictions.
Request for proposal


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Coffee Beans
February was a busy month, but I found my time dominated by one game in particular. I mentioned in last month's "January Brewed" post, that I like the idea, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.", and with March starting up, CoffeeWithGames should get back to a regular posting schedule of a couple of posts each week.
While I didn't post much in February, I did put an unhealthy amount of time into playing a game. If you read the few posts I did in February you probably know that game was Call of Duty: Black Ops II on the Wii U. I even created probably the oddest Black Ops II video yet, at least not just game related, and shared that in my "Drones! What are they good for? Fox News' Charles Krauthammer & Black Ops II?" piece. If you missed the piece and the video, you can see the video embedded below:
March is upon us, and with it new games (and maybe coffees) are waiting in the wings, but what coffees did I consume and games did I play in February? Brew yourself a nice pot of coffee, and let's take a look!
Coffees Consumed
Maxwell House returned in February as our default coffees of choice, but there were a few more that were brewed up during the month.
The default Maxwell House coffees we brewed up were the Maxwell House French Roast and the Maxwell House Dark Roast. We still have some of the Maxwell House Dark Roast, and it has gotten March started off well for us, but the French Roast was finished earlier in February. Both the French Roast and Dark Roast are very similar in flavor, neither has a strong bitter flavor, but each provides a nice bold flavor.
Between brewing the Maxwell House coffees, we enjoyed several other coffee blends in February. One of those blends was the Kona Blend Coffee, which was/is sealed up in the cabinet and used occasionally. It's a a whole bean coffee, that I actually received it last year for my birthday, and I'll grind up some of the beans when we're running low on the Maxwell House, or if we run out. It's more of a mild roast coffee, but is a good backup coffee to have hidden away.
|How much caffeine is too much caffeine?
Another coffee blend brewed up in February was a new one that we had never tried before. It was the Puroast Low Acid Coffee, Dark French Roast blend. The idea behind this coffee is that it provides a great tasting coffee, but has a 50% lower acidity than other coffees. The verdict? To me, and Mrs. Coffee, this coffee seems to be missing the "bite" that makes coffee, well, coffee. While our blend was the "Dark French Roast", which is supposed to be one of the strongest coffee roasts, it had a very light flavor. It actually reminded me of the Starbucks Blonde Veranda Blend we have brewed in the past, which I called "an extremely light blend".
If you like lighter tasting coffees, then I would recommend giving the Puroast Dark French Roast blend a try, but you should know that it probably won't taste like your typical French Roast coffee you have had before.
The last, new, coffee blend we brewed in February was Medaglia D'Oro Caffé Espresso roast. It's definitely a stronger blend, as you would probably expect with "Espresso" in its name. I enjoy it, and Mrs. Coffee makes sure to sweeten her's up, but it is definitely has the "bite" that I expect from darker roast coffees.
Games Played
The quick, "Instant Coffee", list of games I played in February is: World of Goo, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Mutant Mudds, Balloon Fight, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, and Trine 2.
|Bean 1's stats from a World of Goo level.
World of Goo – I made it through the first four worlds and when I get to the last level I'm not sure what exactly I'm doing in it. Bean 1, in typical fashion, deletes the save files quit often, so I have played through several of the levels many times. Bean 1 beats levels on his own, quit often, and even just completed a level from the World of Goo WiiWare demo we have.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – We are continuing to make slow progress in the game, if the save file can last more than a few days before getting erased! Bean 1 still plays this, and runs around pretty well in the game and even knows how to switch between inventory items now, and I'm always amazed when he beats random enemies running around. Perhaps once Bean 1 is out of his erasing save files mood, we can beat the game. Until then, we'll probably just keep playing randomly and having fun.
Mutant Mudds – Has Mutant Mudds Deluxe released for the Wii U yet? I didn't think so! Bean 1 still opens this up randomly on the PC, and will play through different levels. I, of course, will end up playing through (or attempting to) a few of the levels, with him watching what to do.
|My first effort in Balloon Fight.
Balloon Fight – My first eShop purchase, and it cost me a whopping 30 cents. This game is part of Nintendo's Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign, where they are offering certain NES games for just 30 cents, for 30 days (one game, every 30 days). Balloon Fight is definitely simple enough and plays well, but I find the sound effects are a bit on the tinny side. I haven't made it very far in the game, but I did post my first "high score" to the Miiverse community. Was it worth the 30 cents though? Absolutely.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II – Unhealthy. Unhealthy. Unhealthy. What was the cause of lack of sleep for me during February? Was it two little Beans running around, blogging late into the nights, or creating my next multi-million dollar invention (not sure where I misplaced the first)? No, the lack of sleep in February was because of Black Ops II on the Wii U. After getting the Beans in bed, I would fire up the Wii U and play Black Ops II on the GamePad late into the night, usually with some random Netflix series playing in the background. If any of you own a Wii U and are playing Black Ops II often, please add my Nintendo Network ID, Coffees, to your Wii U Friend List. I'll add you back and perhaps we can play some matches of Black Ops II together. 99% of my matches are in Team Deathmatch, though this last weekend I was playing a lot of Headquarters because of the Double XP being offered in it.
Trine 2 – I'm still playing back through Trine 2's levels, trying to collect all of the items and hidden objects in each level, so that I can access the last level. Trine 2 was on sale (still is in Europe) during February, down to just $14.99, and now there is a demo for the game on the Wii U's eShop as well. If you have been wondering how Trine 2 plays (and looks), definitely download the demo to give it a try. If you own Trine 2 on the Wii U, have you beaten it and unlocked the last level?
Caffeinated Thoughts & Questions
With a new month upon us, I'm actually looking forward to a few games releasing later this month, though I will probably only pick up one initially. While I'm interested in LEGO City: Undercover, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted, I'll probably only be grabbing Pandora's Tower when it releases.
Had Nintendo of America actually done their job during Wii's main life-time, and brought already developed games to the U.S., I probably wouldn't be diverting potential Wii U funds, to purchase a Wii game. U.S. Wii owners (and Wii U owners) can purchase Pandora's Tower later this month for just $39.99, thanks to XSEED Games.
Were there any coffees you consumed in February that were new blends, or just stick with your regular blend(s)? Did you play any games in February that you found particularly addicting, like I did Black Ops II, and are there any games you are looking forward to that are releasing in March?


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Started On :: 20/03/2013 - Ended On :: 20/04/2013
Racing Eagle set to race as the first all African team
London, England 11 March 2013 - Nigerian Racing Eagle debuts the drivers who would be competing alongside other teams at the British GT Series this season. The drivers are Ex Formula One Red Bull test driver Adrian Zaugg and Paris based Christian Ebong. Drivers also unveiled are Sam Collins, Gugu Zulu and our junior drivers Nathan Wright and Ovie Iroro.
The event was held on Friday 8th March 2013, at VANILLA in Central London UK. It was well attended by people from the Motorsport, Business and fans, and was covered by the UK and International media. There was a presentation from the Team Principal, Ribi Adeshokan who emphasise on the need for Africa to be represented in motorsport, the TV hosting rights for the series to be shown all across Africa and the sponsorship opportunities for businesses based in Africa, and those internationally who have business interests in Africa, to use Nigeria Racing Eagle as a platform to engage their stakeholders.
"It's a great honour to represent Africa in the GT Series and finally put the Map of Africa in the world of Motorsport. I am looking forward to a great race season with Nigeria Racing Eagle". Adrian Zaugg – Lead Driver Nigeria Racing Eagle
We are happy to welcome some new teams into the British GT family, especially our Nigeria Racing Eagle Team. Africa as we all know is an emerging country with great opportunities, I have been privileged to hold the GT series in other continents and I am sure we should be able to host a GT Series in Nigeria very soon. Stephane Ratel – Series Organiser British GT


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Are you still not happy with your body? Do you know that you should change your diet and exercise more, but still don't do it? Ask yourself why. I bet you come up with tons of reasons:
- You don't have time;
- don't have access to a gym;
- eating healthy costs too much;
- you have to cook for your family;
- you like to go out with your friends;
- you can't keep yourself motivated;
- you just love chocolate too much; or
- you are too tired to exercise.
If you think that you can't do it – you're right. If you think that YOU CAN, you're also right.
You don't have the body of your dreams YET
You don't have the body of your dreams only because you let yourself have these excuses and you believe in them. But you know what? I am really sure that you can ditch your excuses and make a decision that you deserve a perfect body and perfect health.
Your unconscious mind WILL ALWAYS figure it out…
Instead of asking yourself why you cannot do this or that, ask yourself "How can I make it work in my situation? How can I put more exercise in my routine and enjoy the process? How can I eat healthier and enjoy the process?" You'll come up with great ideas, e.g. maybe you can go to bed 30 min earlier and wake up 30 min earlier to do some exercise. Maybe you can work out while watching your favorite TV show. Maybe you can steam your food instead of frying, and include more salads, etc. When you ask quality questions, you'll get quality answers. Just ask yourself. Your unconscious mind will always figure it out. Depending of the difficulty of the task it may take 3 seconds or a few days.
Until one day I made a decision…
I surely know that you can have your dream body! YOU deserve to become the best version of yourself. I used to think it's really hard and I didn't have the right genes to be fit, therefore I was finding tons of excuses. One day I made a decision to see that it is easy and I can do it. If I can do it, you can do it too.
… You deserve it …
So make your health and fitness a priority and decide to eat clean and exercise at least 30 min every day (it could be as light as stretching or as intense and lifting heavy weights). Most importantly – know that you deserve it and that's not rocket science.
Every great accomplishment starts with a decision to try. You can do it, I believe in you!!
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You are newly married, madly in love and want to spend a significant moment in time with your beloved. You are also a Green child and very conscious of the environment and the low-impact a meaningful, highly playful honeymoon could have on the universe. Yes, it all adds up!
You have several options. You could stay in a Green hotel and enjoy the low-impact romantic experience and do local, low-impact activities like river walking, exploring for special secret pools and waterfalls. You could visit gardens, go for nature walks, plant medicine walks or play at the beach and explore caves. You could walk out to Ballena Park's whale tale and snorkel. You could hire one of the locals to take you on a horseback ridding half day trip. You could go on bird watching trips and listen to the different calls of the numerous birds here in Costa Rica.
Or, for those even more ecolodgically minded, how about volunteering on a project in some nature reserve, in one of the local schools (offer to teach English for a week or some aspect of being green), saving the turtles, volunteering to work on a farm, ranch or botanical garden.
Here are some guides to being a green honeymooner:
By planning your trip ahead of time and making a conscious choice to be informed about where you are going you will embody the right attitude and act appropriately on this journey. Fully intend to be a part of your destination and interact with the locals. Make that effort to be a stellar tourist, holding to the values of "ecotourism" and keeping things green.
Learn about the local history, customs and culture as well as vital ecosystems in the places you will be visiting. Learn at least the basics of the local language. A simple "hello", "please" or "thank you" goes a long way. More is even better. Take a course or home-study the local language. When you get there, show interest in learning and understanding more words as well as the values held rather than expecting others to cater to your wants and standards. You are the guests, so be an appreciative guest.
Every place has a set of customs and values possibly very different than yours. Make every effort to learn these ahead of time or while visiting and engaging the local community. This can vary from how to dress to being photographed. Never assume. Be open and interested. Ask about marriage customs in Costa Rica. Do they have honeymoons? What do they normally do? You are the visitor, the guest, so do not impose your expectations.
Learn ahead about tipping and level of wealth in the communities you plan to visit. Be very sensitive about any show of wealth. Do not pay for everything or think you can buy whatever you want. Leave your jewelry at home (except your new wedding ring), along with your big fancy cameras and fancy clothes. Try to fit in not lord yourself over the "natives". Be conscious of not raising the standard of salaries and paying above the going rates for services. This only creates corruption and a manipulative mentality.
Be aware of your possible over-consumption of local resources. What is readily available and what requires the sacrificing of resources to meet your needs? Conserve whenever and wherever you go. Do not allow your guide to get special resources for you that might deplete the local environment.
You have embarked on an adventure, one that can enrich your life and open your eyes to different ways of living. Be open-minded, be flexible and mostly be appreciative. Roll with the punches and differences and treat these new experiences as an opportunity to expand your thinking. Leave at home the attitude of "my way or the highway".
How can your visit to this new place be one of positive benefit for that environment? Never leave waste, remove plants or animals, shells, etc., or pour anything into a river or local water source. Take a spare old plastic bag with you and pick up litter or wastes. Move in a positive direction. Every little step counts.
The larger the hotel or place you stay, the less likely it is to be "eco". Stay small, quaint and ask for a local tour guide who cares about the environment and demonstrates this behavior. Quiz him or her ahead of time.
Rural sustainable tourism involves supporting the local economy. Our hotel is next to a small pueblo. We encourage local horseback ridding, employing someone from the village to guide you up the river, or asking the local "elder" lady to take you on a guided medicine plant walk. Supporting the local communities promotes true eco-tourism and keeps the locals engaged in local activities that might otherwise be leaning toward destructive practices. The old saying, "Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime" applies.
How can you get to know that person sitting on the bus beside you, or at the table next to you in a cozy restaurant. Talk to them. See if you can share something with them about yourself and your life and usually people will reciprocate. Be a personal ambassador. Give of yourselves as much as you are getting from this experience and that is not in money paid for services. If you say you would like to remain friends and keep in contact, do so. Try to avoid returning to your same life experiences. Try to incorporate what you learned from this trip. Keep your eyes, ears and hearts open.
Words of wisdom from:
The Mango Tree Spa
Rosemary MacGregor
506 2786 5300
Tags: green honeymoon, honeymoon, honeymoon Costa Rica, low-impact, low-impact honeymoon


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Adrelated to: Derrick+Peoples
I think some people are expecting him to be his MVP self which ...
5 Answers · Sports · 20/08/2013
lol GOAT really?? just stop it plz. No Jumpshot, scoring PG, D is suspect!!
6 Answers · Sports · 14/02/2012
I agree with you. There s no way Rose should be given the starting nod from Hinrich. Not because he is Chicago s first overall pick and the fans want him doesn t necessarily mean that he is already better...
7 Answers · Sports · 01/10/2008
I also dislike him.
8 Answers · Sports · 28/04/2010
... touch is natural for them.........but players like derrick rose , john wall , rajon rondo didn't come with a jumpshot when they came into the nba but most people will overlook that because they are apathetic in other aspects of ...
5 Answers · Sports · 05/12/2010
because people think if she was a good friend she wouldn't date her friends ex but i think if massie was a good friend she would want dylan to be happy
1 Answers · Arts & Humanities · 07/03/2011
...'s case, he's incredibly athletic and is a decent point guard. People say he's better than Rose, but I'm not buying...
7 Answers · Sports · 03/02/2010
They don't, probably just disappointed with all of the injuries. It's beyond his control, and its very unfortunate
4 Answers · Sports · 14/03/2015
...that nice of a record and be the number one seed in the East without Derrick Rose. He is still their main asset.
6 Answers · Sports · 05/04/2011
...then I think he has in his career. I am not a Derrick Rose or a Chicago Bulls fan at all, but you still ask a very...
6 Answers · Sports · 26/04/2012
Adsrelated to: Derrick+Peoples


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Fact: about one in eight American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. That's why one woman is trying to help others know what to look for when it comes to early warning signs of the disease.
Erin Smith Chieze, a mother of four from California, took to Facebook on Tuesday, January 10, to share a photo that shows the many symptoms of breast cancer using 12 lemons.
The citrus diagram — designed by Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont for Worldwide Breast Cancer Organization — offers a guide to the physical signs people should keep an eye out for, such as dimpled skin and leaking nipples.


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How to Make It
In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring about 3 quarts water to a boil. Add half the spinach and cook until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove spinach from water with a strainer and place in a large bowl of ice water until cool; lift out and drain. Repeat process to cook and cool remaining spinach.
In a large bowl, mix sake, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil.
Squeeze or roll spinach tightly in a kitchen towel to remove as much water as possible. Place in bowl and mix with dressing to coat. If making salad ahead, cover and chill up to 4 hours.
Divide spinach into six cylindrical bundles and squeeze each tightly to compact the leaves. Arrange bundles on a serving plate or in individual small, shallow bowls. Spoon a little of the dressing left in the bowl over each bundle. Sprinkle each bundle with about 1 teaspoon sesame seeds.


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Proposes a new way to build coffins, that is more environmentally friendly. Their composition, 70% recycled cardboard and 30% cellulose, not only reduces the felling of forests for this purpose, but is also a biodegradable product that allows energy savings.
Impact indicators
- 1 tonne of cardboard collected by street collectors equals 150 Restbox coffins.
Mauricio Kalinov
Related links
- Shared model
Related challenge


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A server is simply a computer that has been given the function of "serving" a particular need to multiple users. These functions can range from file/printer sharing and hosted email to centralized database storage and hardware firewall functionality.
Servers are the heart of a working network. They must be built with the best hardware and given special care to be sure that they provide their resources to all who need to access them. The data that is stored on them needs to be backed up, preferably to more than one location, at least one of which should be in a geographically different location. To protect sensitive data, permissions to the files need to be assigned so that the appropriate individuals have access to what they need, but not more.
Many small businesses feel that they don't need a server, let alone several of them. There have been many advancements that allow smaller companies to effectively utilize server technology within a reasonable budget.
We can help you determine how adding a server can increase your office efficiency and protect your data or maintain those you already have.
Networks are everywhere around you and often seem invisible. They can be broken down into two broad categories: LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide area networks). LANs are what are used to communicate within the confines of your home or office and WANs are what make up the connections that span the world - the internet being the most common one that comes to mind. Networks are available in both wired and wireless forms. Your cell phones and many home and business "land lines" travel over wireless networks, connected to one another via wired networks and satellites.
As invisible as they may seem, there are many things about networks that must be properly setup and maintained to give the most reliable and efficient performance, such as switches, routers, and firewalls.


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Dreamland is the brand-new Play & Leisure Centre at Tersefanou village near Larnaca.
Set on a sprawling 10,000 square metre plot and packed with activities, our fabulous playground provides lots of fun for all ages.
To keep mums and dads entertained whilst the kids play, Dreamland also features a restaurant & leisure pool with poolside bar.
Brough to you by our sponors at Garage Doors in Tulsa, OK
Our huge outdoor function area with seating for 500 is a perfect venue for Engagements, Weddings and Christenings.
Don't forget:Playground Entry is FREE! and Birthday Parties are available from just €5.00 per child.So come and join the fun at Dreamland!
Home | Our Playground | Birthday Parties | Private Functions | Swimming Pool | About us | Gallery | Contact us
© 2007 - 2010 Dreamland - Maintained by SK Webline Ltd
Visit our blog.


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Originally published in The Music Network – March, 2012
"There was a point when I realised that music is all that I've got. I never had a fallback plan, I was never good at anything else, so music is it. A few years ago, I started thinking, 'Well, hell, if I'm going to be doing this for the rest of my life, I'd better set myself up so I can do this forever.'"
It's no surprise Kweller was in a recent state of flux. Signed to a major label at the tender age of 15 – during that brief window when American execs were scrambling to find the next Silverchair – the Texan singer/ songwriter has made a living from his music ever since. With a wife and two children to support, and the dwindling fortunes of the music industry exhaustively documented, Kweller began looking forward and looking back.
"It's hard enough to make money as a musician, but as you get older you have bills and a mortgage, I have a family, and you start thinking about that stuff," he explains. "You start thinking about your parents; I started thinking about my dad and how important it was for him to support his family. He had a normal job, and in the midst of my crazy world that I live in, which is very atypical, I try to find some balance and normalcy and to make it feel like I have a regular job. Sometimes I try to trick myself, ya know?"
Part of this step towards "a regular job" is the establishment of his own record label, The Noise Company. Following the end of his contract with ATO (the label started by Dave Matthews; Kweller was their first signing in 2001), Kweller briefly considered signing to labels Sub Pop or Merge, before deciding to go it alone. While in Australia recently, in support of his fifth album, Go Fly A Kite, Kweller's excitement was of someone promoting the first release on his indie label, rather than that of an artist launching a record. "The goal was to start a real label, a company, like a Sub Pop or a Merge – something that is going to be around for a long time. It's definitely different from an artist self-releasing his music just to get it up on iTunes," he adds.
With that in mind, Kweller is wary of just rushing in and signing a host of acts to The Noise Company. "That's the thing," Kweller considers. "Being an artist I know how it feels to be on a label and feel like you're not getting enough attention, so the last thing I wanna do is just sign a bunch of bands that have to fight for attention, so we're just going to go really slowly with what we sign; it might be a series of one-off 7 inches, rather than signing bands. I want the deals to be very transparent, financially, and I want bands to actually make money off selling their music."
Although Kweller cites sensible reasons for launching The Noise Company, there is the definite feeling that a lot of it is fulfilling childhood ambitions. "Ever since I really got into music as a kid, I used to pretend I had a record company called Practice Amp Records," Kweller recalls, laughing. "I used to record my friend's band and all I had was a practice amp, one of those little bitty miniature guitar amps, so that's where the name came from. I would record on my four- track cassette recorder and make up artwork and photocopy them and distribute cassettes to friends. A lot of that comes from growing up with indie rock and underground music and trading tapes and bootlegs and things like that. I always had an interest in it. So through the years with ATO, I started to think seriously about starting my own label. So that's where the idea of The Noise Company began. More than anything, though, I'm happy about having total control of my music and how it gets out there. Nobody can tell me what to do, which is a good feeling as an artist."
This DIY spirit has been a big part of Kweller's career, from his earliest support slots with Evan Dando, where he drove from town to town with Dando in his passenger seat and a pair of acoustic guitars in the back, through to his self-recorded and released 2000 debut Freak Out It's Ben Kweller, and his third eponymous record, where he recorded all the instruments himself, delivering the most sonically sparkling effort in his catalogue.
Aside from The Noise Company, Kweller has also relaunched his website as a one-stop shop, selling his entire back catalogue there, including digital versions of his earlier rare work. "At some point, I'll be getting all the masters back from my solo catalogue. I definitely have plans to do anniversary editions of [major label debut] Sha Sha and [2004 follow up] On My Way with outtakes from the studio sessions, as well as archival photos.
"I've had so many ideas over the years and felt a little held back by the [major label] system itself, and just recently I was like, "Oh man, it'd be really fun to make a split 7 inch with a friend's band and I'm like, 'Oh wait, we can do that now, we can record some songs and put out a 7 inch.' So I am excited about that, because for me, as a fan growing up, I remember collecting every Nirvana 7 inch or single or bootleg, anything I could find. Or Pavement; that band had so many quirky little releases and I love that shit."
A label boss, a father of two and a provider: Kweller may very well be transitioning into the normal life he claims to crave. However, just as was the case when he was 15, even the American school system cannot quell his ambition.
"We're entering a new chapter for us, because Dorian [Kweller's eldest son] is in Kindergarten this year, so being a part of the public school system is a whole new thing for us. We're used to travelling together as a family and going wherever we want, whenever, but now, you can't miss school, ya know?"
At the moment, Kweller's way around this is a surprisingly practical two-weeks-on/two-week- off schedule: "Someone sent me a Yo La Tengo tour route that was really cool, nothing longer than two weeks, yet they managed to do the whole world, so that was inspiring… I took some notes from that," he laughs.


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Director: Bong Joon-ho Starring: Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhall, Steven Yeun Running Time: 120 minutes
As the medium of film is explored further and further, filmmakers are discovering new and innovative ways to tell the stories that they want to tell. As a result, larger and more complex themes can be explored in 90-120 minute segments at a level that was never thought possible. Over the past few years, science fiction and animation have been able to tell us more about our humanity and morality than most other genres: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Pixar's Up explored what it meant to be lonely, Wall-E offered a glimpse into the trajectory and repercussions of modern western lifestyles, District 9 explored social stratification under the facade of an action movie, and 2001: A Space Odyssey explored mankind itself… period! Taking all of this into account, it shouldn't really surprise you to know that Bong Joon-Ho's (The Host, Snowpiercer) newest movie Okja revolves around a giant, mutant, grey pig, yet tackles such themes as consumerism, capitalism and greed. What will surprise you, however, is just how spectacularly beautiful the movie is.
- July 4, 2017
- Bong Joon-ho, Giancarlo Esposito, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lily Collins, Netflix, Okja, Paul Dano, Steven Yeun, Tilda Swinton


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The glamorous Swarovski Crystal Starfish is the epitome of Nautical Luxury! Skilled artisans have lavishly covered a real starfish with sparkling Swarovski crystals to create a truly remarkable decor accent and collector's piece.
Available in three exquisite sizes, and as a 3-piece set. At any size, they're show-stopping conversation pieces for your yacht or coastal home.
Available sizes: Small 4 1/2", Medium 6 1/2", Large 8", or a 3-piece set including one of each size.


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OTTAWA—Justin Trudeau quietly turned up on the streets of Trinity-Spadina on Thursday, less than 24 hours after angry Liberals in the riding formally demanded some answers on why the leader blocked a candidate from running in the coming byelection.
Trudeau's visit to Trinity-Spadina wasn't well publicized, but the Liberal riding association is getting more vocal about Trudeau's ouster of former candidate Christine Innes from the nomination race.
In a statement, local riding president Julia Metus protested: "There was absolutely no due or fair process. . . . No one picked up the phone to contact me, there was no opportunity to discuss their concerns, and there was zero local involvement. This is contrary to everything the Liberal Party — new or otherwise — is supposed to stand for."
The association is wondering whether Trudeau is committed to open nomination races. Earlier this week, he restated that commitment and promised to provide more "clarity" about how other would-be candidates can avoid the same problems that led to the Innes decision.
He didn't let Metus know he was dropping in on the riding on Thursday, either.
In an interview, Metus said anger has been building among Liberals in Trinity-Spadina since late last week, when Innes was notified she would not be allowed to run because of bad behaviour by her campaign team, which includes her husband, former MP Tony Ianno.
Innes had run for the party in 2008 and 2011, and insists her real offence was refusing to sign a deal with Trudeau on where she would run in 2015, when the riding of Trinity-Spadina disappears in a big boundary shuffle. Trudeau's star recruit, Chrystia Freeland, intends to run in the new downtown Toronto riding of University-Rosedale.
Last Saturday morning, Metus said, about 50 Liberals showed up for coffee in a Queen St. W. restaurant to vent their frustration at Innes's fate.
"They were upset," Metus said. "The night the message went out, I had people calling me, crying. I had so many messages: 'What are we going to do?' "
But David MacNaughton, the Ontario campaign co-chair who wrote the letter to Innes, said there will be no review of the decision.
"I was given the responsibility for making these judgments and the advice on it. I've reviewed it, and that's the judgment I came to. So that's that — and it was supported by the national campaign co-chairs. So there we are," MacNaughton said Thursday.
He admits that Liberals in the riding may have been in the dark about the problems with Innes's campaign, but this was largely because the people who were complaining about her team's behaviour wanted confidentiality and protection from further intimidation.
The complaints had been going on for weeks, MacNaughton said, and he asked some of the complainants to submit their evidence in writing. Once the Liberal campaign chiefs had all the evidence in front of them, the decision was made, he said.
MacNaughton said he spoke to Metus last Friday night and she wasn't upset at all — she was focused on finding new candidates to run in the byelection.
Metus, for her part, agrees that was true. Her immediate worries are about finding a Liberal to run in the byelection that hasn't been called yet, but could be looming soon. Trinity-Spadina became vacant when Olivia Chow, NDP MP for the past eight years, stepped down to run for mayor of Toronto.
All this Liberal drama is clearly giving the NDP more confidence that it can retain the seat in what is going to be yet another hard fought Toronto byelection between the red and the orange teams.
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In a statement Thursday, would-be NDP candidate Joe Cressy pointed to the Liberals' battles as proof they were out of touch with the voters in the riding.
"Residents of Trinity-Spadina deserve an MP who will stand up and fight for them, not a political party that is more interested in fighting among themselves," Cressy said.


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Kabaddi has virtually all parameters acquired the status of number one non-cricketing sport in the country. Not because it is liked by masses. Because it is made to be liked by masses. There is no madness in methodology to drive this rural, combat team sport to the pinnacle – on professional and popularity scales.
Mashal Sports is building and nurturing each aspect of the game. There is no madness in their methodology. It's thorough professionalism. That made a rural, combat sport one of the top two hottest sporting properties in the country. That with a well thought out planning and thorough execution is grooming the amateurs to the demands of the pro, corporate world.
Those sat on the laurels are left to lag behind. That will best describe the difference Pro Kabaddi League has created to surge ahead of Indian Super League.
Eyebrows were raised when Mashal Sports claimed that they want to make kabaddi as big as cricket. These were not mere claims. This ambition is driven by superb strategies, excellent execution. The think tank behind the success of kabaddi is well ahead of times. Claims are based on certain road maps for success.
The plan of creating the talent pool for auction was put on place with the decision to expand the PKL to 12 teams from 8. The talent hunt has been pan-India and screening systematic. The exercise has reached its final stages. In-residence, month long New Young Players Training Camp is currently on at Panvel.
This is the third phase of the New Young Players Program, which is intended to train the next crop of talent for PKL. Mashal Sports worked in collaboration with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India through this talent hunt to groom Gen Next of kabaddi pros. It started with an open camp in phase 1, conducted through State and district associations. Ability to play kabaddi with a valid Identity Card and being in the 18-22 age group were the criterion to participate.
Phase one involved as many as 4,710 aspiring youngsters in 15 cities across 11 States. Mumbai (713), Coimbatore (532) and Jaipur (445) were the cities with best interest. Players' game skills and drills, performance under pressure scenarios, fitness and physical qualities (height & weight) were the parameters for assessment. The scrutiny left the trainers with 310 youngsters for the second phase of training.
The second stage of assessment and training was tough. It was a five-day scrutiny to identify potential champions from the promising talent. The filtered 131-strong talent pool is trained at a 30-day camp to be ready for extremely competitive action and razzmatazz of the commercial world of kabaddi.
This is one glimpse of what makes PKL title worth Rs 60 crores per annum – 333% more than the next best ISL, which has a title tagged at Rs 18 crore annually. This is one indication of what brings country's best corporate with interest in sports to kabaddi to grab all the stakes available. PKL's available four new franchisees are grabbed by JSW, Adani Group, GMR and Sachin Tendulkar-N Prasad consortium. While the closest rival remains uncertain in its expansion plans – whether to add one, two or three teams to its existing eight.


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Prior to my belated engagement announcement post, the last post on my blog was from October of 2017. I went an entire year without any new posting. Yes, I have been in graduate school, but there has been plenty of time in which I could have blogged. But, you see, in that time I've been active on Facebook. I've been active on Facebook for years, but I've gotten especially drawn in this year. I joined a group for Christian singles late last year, and that community has taken most of my energy for writing. Social media has become a black-hole for me.
And this is sad. I have had many adventures in Germany and Poland and Czech Republic which I could have written about. I could have written about milestones in my relationship with Jess. I could have written about theological questions I'm working through. I could have written about history, or written some new poems.
Instead, I've mostly been reacting on social media. And I've started to notice how it effects the way I think and act. There is a place for engaging on a social platform, but I found that I start reacting to what others do and say, and I am less proactive myself. I don't formulate new ideas the same way. My posts become more about soliciting reactions rather than exploring a topic.
I hope that as I start writing more frequently, I can become more proactive in my thoughts and in my online presence once again. We'll see how it plays out, I guess.


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Purchase this article with an account.
Grace Shih, Dilshad Contractor, Bibiana Jin Reiser; Corneal Endothelium and Iridocorneal Angle Biometrics in Pediatric Glaucomatous Eyes. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2016;57(12):1901.
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© ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)
Purpose :
Pediatric glaucoma patients are managed with a myriad of topical eyedrops and surgical interventions. However, as glaucoma is chronic and progressive, it is important for these young patients to maintain relatively healthy corneas and iridocorneal angles to maximize successful visual outcomes. Herein, we evaluated the endothelial cell morphology and density, and iridocorneal angle biometrics in glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous pediatric eyes.
Methods :
90 glaucomatous eyes and 39 control eyes from 80 pediatric subjects aged 0-18 years at Children's Hospital Los Angeles were evaluated and imaged with specular microscopy (Konan NSP-9900, Konan Medical) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) (iVue, Optovue, Inc.) . Specular images were manually counted to evaluate endothelial cell density and morphology. AS-OCT images of open angles were analyzed for angle opening distance at Schwalbe's line (AOD-SL) and the trabecular iris space area 500 µm posterior to Schwalbe's line (TISA-SL).
Results :
The average age of glaucoma patients and control subjects was 9 was and 6 years, respectively. Glaucomatous eyes demonstrated an average cell density of 2763.84/mm2, compared to control eyes with a cell density of 3318.46/mm2 (p=0.002). Of the cells counted, normal eyes averaged 71.69% hexagonality, whereas glaucomatous eyes averaged 62.89% hexagonal cells (p=0.0001). The average pachymetry for glaucomatous eyes was 590.35µm, whereas normal eyes averaged 587.47µm corneal thickness (p=0.044). Average AOD-SL was 0.689 and 0.740 mm for glaucomatous and control eyes, respectively. Average TISA-SL was 0.245 and 0.248 mm2 for glaucomatous and control eyes, respectively.
Conclusions :
On average, glaucomatous pediatric eyes appeared to exhibit lower endothelial cell density and percentage of hexagonal cells than age-matched controls. Pachymetry measurements were comparable between glaucomatous and control eyes. Iridocorneal angle biometrics do not appear to be different between groups. Although our findings suggest a disparity in the density and morphology of corneal endothelial cells in glaucomatous eyes compared to normal controls, further studies are required to elucidate the etiology of these changes.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.
Normal corneal endothelium in a pediatric control eye.
Endothelial cell loss in a pediatric glaucomatous eye.
This PDF is available to Subscribers Only


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My name is Nakakeeto Prossy.
I am one of the many women in the GNUVF women empowerment program, my business was initiated from money donated by Sandy Bevan in early 2016, GNUVF set up a woman to woman form of save up scheme from the very first capital.
The woman Sandy, setup a business for Sylvia, managed to save up to the amount GNUVF had agreed for her to give to another woman to grow, which was luckly me.
As i talk now my small business has grown bigger in few months,GNUVF also trained sustainable skills,i even make craft baskets in my spare time when i have no customers and sell them too for more income.
I proudly can now provide for my children both basic needs and education, all thanks to GUVF this organization has really helped empower me and am now economically secure my child will truely have a bright future.


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There's no question reputation management is a top priority for most marketing departments. From monitored phrases to comment marketing, guiding what the market thinks of your company, service or product is an integral part of any good marketing plan.
But how far should your monitoring go? How quickly should a company be able to respond? Does everything warrant a response? Should event planners be exceptionally careful DURING events?
Answers to the above questions aren't universal, nor should they be. Here are a few tips to make monitoring your reputation a little easier, hopefully a little cheaper and a little better.
How far should monitoring go?
Phrases like "Company X sucks" are easy to pick out from the sea of data, but if that statement is just a long-time customer letting off some steam, a non-customer ranting in public, or just someone having a bad day, does it warrant much action? One-time sentiments do not a problem make, so we suggest monitoring for patterns rather than single instances. You'll be able to determine if problems are specific or widespread far easier this way.
How quickly should a company respond?
In a reasonable amount of time.
This immediately raises the question: what's a reasonable amount of time? We think all problems should be acknowledged immediately, but then entered in a queue depending on severity.
Is the world about to end? Let's get on that right away.
Has your workday grounded to a halt? Better get on that within the hour.
Is something non-essential broken? A business day or two won't kill anyone.
Does everything warrant a response?
A response? Yes. Action? Nope. Some people just want to be heard and some issues aren't fixable.
Should event planners worry about reputation management during events?
Of course they should, but not so much as it distracts or takes away from the event as a whole. If a client or clients are upset about long registration lines, we'd urge companies to fix the problem rather than worry about apologizing for it. Same thing goes for complaints about food, venues and other such sunk cost items. Fix what you can, acknowledge the rest, and make it work. Seldom do we see event planners blamed for problems, they're rather blamed for poor reactions to such.
Do the right thing. You'll save a lot.


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Gamification burst on the scene several years ago, capturing the imagination and attention of many in the industry. Peering into the proverbial crystal ball, four respected thought leaders in the field weigh in on where they believe gamification is headed.
Karl Kapp is a professor and assistant director at Bloomsburg University's Institute for Interactive Technologies, and author of the authoritative book The Gamification of Learning and Instruction. An early proponent of gamification, he has observed a host of changes over the years. One of the most interesting, he says, is the diversification of gamification methodologies.
"Originally, gamification was mostly about points, badges, and leaderboards, but it has changed to include additional game elements such as story, feedback loops, and the freedom to fail," Kapp notes.Axonify is a Canada-based vendor and leader in the gamification market. "When we first started out about five years ago, even the name 'gamification' was in its nascent stage," remarks CEO Carol Leaman. She notes that the field has evolved dramatically over the past five years, with a growing body of research available to support claims of its effectiveness.
"We know that gamification works. We know that game mechanics can drive human behavior due to what is commonly referred to as the dopamine effect," Leaman says.Andrzej Marczewski is a UK-based gamification expert and author of the book Even Ninja Monkeys Like to Play: Gamification, Game Thinking & Motivational Design. He is often asked about what he believes the future portends for gamification.
He offers the following response:
"In my view, we will not speak about gamification within the next few years. It will be spoken about in the same way social media or digital is, just another part of various strategies. In the case of gamification, it will become part of a standard set of tools for experience design."Juliette Denny, managing director at Growth Engineering, is amazed that gamification has become a trendy buzzword. "Playing games is not new, and gamification has been around for a long time. It's just that the learning and development industry suddenly decided that it's new," she says.
Several years ago, the UK-based vendor introduced a playful form of gamification to make its clients' online corporate compliance training more engaging. "We never got into gamification because we thought it was the be-all and end-all of learning technologies," Denny says. "We wanted to produce learning technologies that would inspire learners to take their personal development seriously and really invest in themselves."
Read more...
Source: FocusOn Learning 2017


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New Kindle Author: Desiree DeOrto
The Prophecy (Divinity Stone book 1)
The people of Shiloh, Virginia thought it was just a story. A legend to keep children from misbehaving. A challenge to prove you have courage.
What they didn't know was that it was real.
All of it was real.
When Starlette McKinley moved from the sparkling lights of LA to the sleepy town of Shiloh, she didn't know that she would be the catalyst. She didn't know that the rage and energy pulsing through her would be the key to unleashing an insurmountable power that would either be the saving of mankind, or its destruction.
The blood will run, and the prophecy will be revealed. But will she be able to overcome the insurmountable odds? Or will she succumb to the energy within, welcoming the darkness that has become her only friend.
WARNING: Rated 17+ due to language and sexual content
The Divine (Divinity Stone book 2)
The legend has become reality, even if the people of Shiloh, Virginia don't know it yet.
Starlette McKinley had moved across the US only to find that the darkness raging inside of her wasn't something of her own creation. It wasn't something that could be medically treated by psychiatrists or any type of medication. The darkness was her power, and it was going to stay.
When she accepts that the greatest threat of all lies within herself, she will have to choose: Push away all those that she loves in order to keep them safe, or keep them near and witness their deaths.
Only through the help of The Divine will she be able to face what is to come. But at what cost? What sacrifice will The Divine demand as payment?
A Stroke of Luck (Bud's Diner book 1)
When you work in an all-night diner, you never know who will walk in the door.
Katie Jones doesn't believe in love at first sight. After divorcing her abusive husband, she doesn't believe in love at all. But when Jacob Richmond walked into Bud's Diner, her disbelief was put to the test.
Jacob came to Kansas to find inspiration. He was searching for the subject that would be the muse for his next masterpiece. He wasn't expecting to find himself completely consumed by a waitress who had more baggage than he thought possible.
When love at first sight just doesn't cut it, your burning desire can't be controlled. Sometimes you need just a little luck to put it all together.
He was searching for inspiration….
She was searching for an escape…
But with a Stroke Of Luck, anything can happen.
Author Bio:
Desiree DeOrto is a mother of four adorable little hellions. When she's not busy wiping noses, stopping toddler WWIII, cooking, or cleaning she can be found creating complex characters in believable worlds, throwing confetti, or causing general mayhem. Desiree believes in the power of words, and works hard to create an escape from reality through her stories. She loves to hear from readers so don't hesitate to contact her through Facebook.
Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Desiree-DeOrto/e/B00DFCGYCS/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1404849323&sr=1-2-ent
Goodreads Author: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7048177.Desiree_DeOrto
Website: http://desireedeorto.blogspot.com
Facebook Author: http://facebook.com/AuthorDesireeDeOrto
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LemurianGoddess
The Prophecy
The Divine


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Weekending | Taking it EasyNovember 16, 2015
88 comments
I had a half chill weekend too and it was pretty wonderful after all the travel. My heart hurts for al those hurt and who lost people they loved. we need to take action and make the world less broken. <3ReplyDelete
My weekend was horible since i was devastated with the paris attacks :/ReplyDelete
Have a nice week!
We were away for the weekend and it almost seemed wrong to enjoy ourselves after we heard the news. We had Emily with us so we kept going despite feeling terribly sad.ReplyDelete
I am so glad you had a content and relaxing weekend! Target is just so spot on with all their home decor for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Fun stuff. Our world is so scary and this has to stop. Praying and hoping we all unite in prayer and take measures so this never happens again!!ReplyDelete
I absolutely love the gold flatware!! I am loving everything gold right nowReplyDelete
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
Loving the gold silverwear and the wine glass, so cute! We all have heavy hearts this week due to the recent tragic events. It's so sad that people have such hate in their hearts.ReplyDelete
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Girl I'm right there with you on the Paris tragedy. I just don't understand the world and humanity any more. It seems to be getting worse and worse. Glad you were able to get some relaxing in this weekend. Definitely obsessed with all you table setting pieces. I love that cake stand!ReplyDelete
So glad you had a nice and relaxing weekend, sweets! The attacks were awful and so gut-wrenching. So many prayers out for all the people who need them. xReplyDelete
I love your saying about praying for the world. I wrote an entire post about what happened yesterday.ReplyDelete
I love your idea about the table setup. The gold leaves make great place settings and I love the table runner.
Looking forward to your giveaways too.
We all need those weekends to recharge, especially after the heartache of Friday night events. I love the table ideas and that quote...so true...practice makes progress. :-) Have a great week!ReplyDelete
I am loving the thanksgiving decor/table set up ideas. The gold flatware is my favorite!ReplyDelete
I was shocked about what happened in Paris on Friday, and am still broken hearted about the fact that this is the kind of stuff we have to expect. It's insane that there are people out there willing to inflict such damage all to fulfill a prophecy.
I hope you have a beautiful Monday!
Glad you guys had a nice weekend to recharge and relax. Those are always the best especially before the craziness of the holidays start. What happened over the weekend, there are no words. I am heartbroken and praying for them.ReplyDelete
Sounds like a great weekend to me! And I love your inspiration board...especially the bar cart idea. Too cute!! What a tragedy in Paris. People are so awful!!! It just makes me sick thinking about it!ReplyDelete
We had a relaxing weekend too, definitely necessary before the holiday rush! Love all the Thanksgiving decor, those gold leaf place cards are so pretty!ReplyDelete
Still cannot believe what happened in Paris. So so heartbreaking. Target's Threshold section has been knocking it out of the park lately! Want all of their holiday decor!ReplyDelete
Relaxing weekends with family are the best. I can't stop finding things I want at Target and now I'm obsessing over those metallic candles!ReplyDelete
I've been looking at the cooper and gold silverware sets too! They are so gorgeous!ReplyDelete
Glad you guys enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend, and baby snuggles are the best! Loving that tablescape especially the stemless wine glasses and that gold flatware is gorgeous <3ReplyDelete
Green Fashionista
Your table will look so beautiful! Glad you got some restful time!ReplyDelete
Weekends with family are the best <3 that gold flatware... Swoon!! Perfect for the holidays! I hope you have a great Monday! XoxoReplyDelete
I love your Thanksgiving decor picks! Those "Give Thanks" stemless glasses are too adorable! The events in Paris were so horrible! It's hard to even comprehend!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous settings...I love the bar cart, and will be attempting a similar gold leaf placesetting this weekend!ReplyDelete
well said, love. praying for peace everywhere today and every day. i just can't understand it. and on a lighter note - that table decor is super cute! i can't believe thanksgiving is right around the corner! time needs to slow down already <3ReplyDelete
xoxo cheshire kat
I have that same flatware, that I use for blog photos, and love it! You really can't beat the price. How is Thanksgiving next week?!ReplyDelete
That gold leaf name holder is so cute! My holiday dinners aren't fancy at all. We grab out plates and our paper napkins and we all sit in the same seats every year....hm this sounds really sad lol. Maybe I'll get that candle to switch things up a little bit this year :) Trish - tales from trishReplyDelete
I am glad you had a relaxing weekend. Love the table options. I would totally add some greenery and some pine cones to make it festive. Here's to a great Monday!ReplyDelete
I totally agree with the hate in this world... it literally scares me to think I'm bringing a baby into this scary world. Such a tragedy in Paris. :( On a better note, I love your Thanksgiving table set up! How pretty! Glad you had a nice relaxing weekend!ReplyDelete
Love the relaxing weekend you had! love the thanksgiving table options so fun to think thanksgiving is almost here!ReplyDelete
I love relaxing weekends where you really just get to spend some quality time with family! That table setting is so pretty, and I love the deer!ReplyDelete
That looks like the perfect Thanksgiving tablescape. It makes me want to host at my house!ReplyDelete
xx Leah / www.eatpraywearlove.com
I just can't believe the tragedy that happened in Paris! I just can't wrap my mind around how a group of people can have so much evil within them! Praying that we all can come together and have peace! Glad you had a nice relaxing weekend!ReplyDelete
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Love the Thanksgiving tablescape! And I agree - I have been heartbroken by the most recent tragedy because it shows what a dark place this world has become. Prayers that future generations will see a more positive future.ReplyDelete
Southern Style
I love those stemless wine glasses that say 'give thanks' those could totally be a DIY. I'm so sad about Paris, I'm praying for them and the world.ReplyDelete
I love the cake plate and the gold leaf place cards are so cute!!ReplyDelete
Sounds like we had similar weekends! Loving those thanksgiving ideas and yes, I've also been dying for the gold flatware..just gorgeous! Love the link up, as always!ReplyDelete
Linds @ Not A Mom
Sometimes the best moments are the ones we don't document and isn't that refreshing? Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend with the people you love! LOVE your Thanksgiving tablescape ideas. That cake stand is so pretty and I'm coveting that gold flatware. Target seriously has the best stuff!ReplyDelete
Taffeta & Tulips
Friday's events were horrible, and they make me even more thankful to be able to have the privilege to start this week. I hope you have a great week, and I look forward to reading about your celebrations!ReplyDelete
I love that bar cart! Progress over perfection is a good reminder for this week when I feel like my to do list is overflowing!ReplyDelete
A weekend relaxing with family sounds wonderful. Yay for a week of celebrations! . I'm still in shock about what happened in Paris, so very sad and heartbreaking.ReplyDelete
I agree. Brandon and I often remark and wonder about the world our children will grow up in.ReplyDelete
What's happening in Paris right now breaks my heart. Glad that you had a easy and realaxing weekend, and praying for everyone.ReplyDelete
Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture
Glad you had a special weekend with family, especially after everything that happened. Loving your choices for Thanksgiving too, the gold flatware would be so fun for Christmas as well!ReplyDelete
"I never met a table runner I didn't like." Priceless! Happy Monday!!ReplyDelete
Love this post! I can't wait for Thanksgiving!ReplyDelete
Love those gold leaf table cards!ReplyDelete
Just nailed down plans and I will be hosting this year...LOVING those gold leaf name cards. I need to get on the ball and do a little extra to make my guests feel special.ReplyDelete
Just nailed down plans and I will be hosting this year...LOVING those gold leaf name cards. I need to get on the ball and do a little extra to make my guests feel special.ReplyDelete
I have been wanting gold flatware for so long! Just went to Target yesterday and our store was sold out! I swear it's like I'm not meant to have it haha! Love all the Thanksgiving inspiration -- I can't believe it's next week already!ReplyDelete
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I'd really like another set of flatware for the holidays and other celebrations. I love the gold, but recently saw Crate and Barrels rose gold set and now I'm torn between which color I'd rather have!ReplyDelete
That "give thanks" wine glass! I might have to try to scoop a couple of those up before next week!ReplyDelete
I love that flatware set and wish I had a good excuse to buy it! It would look fab for the holidays! Glad you had a good weekend girl! xoReplyDelete
Relaxing weekends are the best! Especially right before the holiday rush. I love your Thanksgiving picks, so beautiful! Hope you have a great week!ReplyDelete
Sounds like a really nice relaxing weekend, and baby snuggles are my favorite. I love the wine glasses and gold flatware - I'd love a set of that!ReplyDelete
Loving that Thanksgiving table decor!!!ReplyDelete
Sounds like you needed a good laid back weekend to rest before the celebrations start up.ReplyDelete
I'm so loving all the gold home decor happening - so beautiful - especially for the holidays
The bar cart is gorgeous! I can't wait for Thanksgiving. My in-laws gave us an antique gold flatware set a few years ago but they are VERY gaudy! I'm not sure what to do with them. lol The set you chose are pretty tho!ReplyDelete
I still can't believe what happened in Paris -- it really makes you cherish those quiet moments you have with your loved ones more. I'm glad you had a chance to do that this weekend.ReplyDelete
I think Paris was a shock to everybody this weekend - such a terrible tragedy, and we only can hope that one day we won't have to worry about these things. I'm glad that you had a good relaxing weekend, and I'm with you on that gold silverware - love!ReplyDelete
I love all of the gold pieces. AND so glad you mentioned the paris attacks... I was a little surprised to see very few posts today addressing it :( kinda made me sad. xo jillian - cornflake dreamsReplyDelete
I am absolutely in love with those gold leaf place cards! I haven't even thought of how to decorate the table yet, I've been so focused on the food! Thanks for the inspiration! I'm glad you had a nice relaxing weekend, have a great week :)ReplyDelete
I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year and have no idea how I'll set the table - but am also not going to worry about it one bit with a toddler and being nine months pregnant!ReplyDelete
Such a tragedy what happened in Paris and it was definitely a somber weekend because of that, glad you had a relaxing one that wasn't focused on much else besides hanging out! I love all your gold inspiration for Thanksgiving, that flatware set is necessary I think. Also I was soo so close to getting those stemless wine glasses, but hesitated and set them down, but they really are beautiful!ReplyDelete
Relaxing weekends are the best. I am soooooo in love with your Thanksgiving decor picks. I may just have to steal that leaf idea for our little German Thanksgiving over here. So darling!ReplyDelete
Annessa / www.seekingsunshine.com
It is hard to care too much about clothes or shoes right now with all of the unrest in the world.ReplyDelete
Wishes & Reality
What happened in Paris is just devastating. It was hard to enjoy the weekend after hearing and seeing everything that happened over there.ReplyDelete
Nothing wrong with having a relaxing weekend! Loving that tablescape and that gold flatware is divine, prayers for Paris.ReplyDelete
I just LOVE stemless glasses- why did you have to post those?! ;)ReplyDelete
I totally saw your baby fever! JK!! I am with you on that gold flatware. I have been eyeing it for so long and if we don't buy it, it will be gone!ReplyDelete
I had a super relaxing weekend too, which was fine with me! I'm loving all things Target for the holidays. They have really stepped up their game this year!ReplyDelete
xo, Jen
I am obsessed with the glasses, and the golden leaves! So cute!!!! :)ReplyDelete
Oh goodness....I was at Target the other day and saw all of their gold items out for display. I wanted it all! I found the most beautiful stemless wine glasses with a gold confetti design in the dollar spot at my local target. I got a set of 4 for $6 because that was too good of a deal to let slide!ReplyDelete
Love those golden leaf plates! I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving either!ReplyDelete
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
I seriously think the gold flatware is sooooo beautiful!!ReplyDelete
I love all the gold!!! Sadly I won't get to make/host Thanksgiving this year since my hubby will be away and the kids and I are going to my parents. But my mom has an amazing set of black china (which I've been drooling over since I was a little girl) so I can't wait to use them!ReplyDelete
The tragedy is so incredibly sad, but everyone banding together in support and hearing stories come out about victims and how they helped each other really has given some faith in the good still left in this world!ReplyDelete
I really like the give thanks glass!ReplyDelete
Those stemless glasses are so pretty! I'm trying to think of a DIY placeholder myself, so it's good to know where to find a beautiful back up if my creativity is lacking!ReplyDelete
def praying for the world--so scary!!! i love the thanksgiving tablescape--how cute is that idea to write the names on the leaves? i'm having a gold moment, so i love what you picked out!ReplyDelete
That gold flatware is super cute!! Paris and e violence has been on my mind, heart, you name it and I definitely added them to my prayer card at church.ReplyDelete
Relaxing weekends are so nice! I really like everything you posted & they are all perfect for Thanksgiving. And I just want that gold flatware to use every day! Love it!ReplyDelete
I have been drooling over gold flatware for forever! I am even including it in a gift guide that I'm working on. It's just so gorgeous!ReplyDelete
We host Thanksgiving and I am so not ready this year. I've started putting up Christmas decorations, but haven't thought much about my Thanksgiving table. Love the gold!ReplyDelete
I love those Give Thanks glasses! I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year and have no idea what to put on my table!ReplyDelete
Sometimes relaxing weekends are the best! I hosted Thanksgiving once, but I was more focused on the turkey that was still frozen on Thanksgiving Day than the table-- love the gold accents, especially on the bar cart!ReplyDelete
Target can do no wrong, I swear. I would need 5 homes for all of the stuff I wanted to buy to decorate from there! lolReplyDelete
I love all these ideas for a Thanksgiving table!! I really like the idea of striving for progress, too... although I think that's way easier said than done. ;)ReplyDelete
Totally agree with the prayers for peace. It weighs on my mind daily. Love your picks for the Thanksgiving table! I love the gold flatware too! xo, Champagne&SuburbsReplyDelete
beautifully said B.. of course I am very sad about what happened in Paris, but overall I am sad for the world.. Things like this keep happening, and I don't want to raise kids in a world filled with hate. So sad.ReplyDelete
I read and respond to each and every one of your comments via email! Thank you for taking the time to read!


text:
Girl doll clothes > Miniland > Summer Fashion
This classic plain t-shirt is perfect for your doll to mix and match with shorts, skirts and jeans. Fastens at the back with a Velcro strip.
Available in Black, White, Blue and Pink.
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Lovely product. Fits perfectly— even on my very non standard sized dolls.Jillian, NSW
These little T's are great, go with lots of tights, pants, and skirts.Roncia, Adelaide
Very pleased with the t-shirts. They were very well made, so good. Thank you.Joan, Leichhardt NSW
Well made.Carol Ferguson, Kincumber NSW


text: Troops deployed to quell trouble on the streets of al-Amara British military officials said they would return to al-Amara if Iraqi troops do not maintain security against attacks by armed groups. British forces, who withdrew two months ago because of daily mortar attacks, were poised to re-enter the southern Iraqi community after armed groups stormed several Iraqi police stations. In Washington, meanwhile, George Bush, the US president, administration leaders and US military commanders in Iraq met on Saturday to discuss the Iraqi situation. Administration officials said the meeting was a previously scheduled one and not called in response to increasing violence in Iraq and eroding support in the US for the war. Ill-trained forces In Baghdad, an Iraqi security adviser said Iraqi forces trying to strengthen security there were poorly funded, ill-trained and lacked military equipment. The adviser's remarks followed a US official saying attacks in Baghdad had increased by 22 per cent in October, two months after a joint US-Iraqi security operation began, The Times of London said. British troops said they would return to al-Amara Troops deployed to quell trouble on the streets of al-Amara on Saturday as the uneasy balance of power between Iraq's security forces and armed Shia groups threatened to break down in violence. Government negotiators managed to broker a ceasefire in this southern city, restoring order after two days of bloodshed, but more clashes erupted further north as informal gangs of gunmen tested the government's resolve. "The Iraqi army is on the main streets and intersections," said Shirwan al-Waili, Iraq's minister of state for national security, who rushed to al-Amara on Friday on the orders of Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister. "The police are back in their barracks and there are no militias on the streets," he told reporters in the city. Dozens of casualties Zamil al-Oreibi, the medical director of al-Amara's health department, said that a total of 24 people had been killed in the fighting and 150 wounded, a mixture of police, fighters and civilian bystanders. Armed fighters left the streets overnight, troops deployed in numbers and life was slowly returning to normal in this overwhelmingly Shia city of around 350,000 people.Clashes erupted on Thursday after police arrested a member of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army and accused him of planting a bomb which killed a senior intelligence officer. Relations had been tense between the group and the police force, which is widely understood to be infiltrated by supporters of a rival Shia movement.Negotiating a ceasefireOn Friday, al-Sadr - who of late has appeared to be trying to find a political rather than a military path to power - quickly called on his supporters to stand down and sent aides to the city to negotiate a ceasefire."The committee of Moqtada al-Sadr had a prominent role in helping defuse the crisis. We will continue talks today and will emerge with a fair and just decision," Waili told a news conference.Since the US-led invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of the Sunni-Arab Saddam Hussein in April 2003, Shia gunmen have formed several armed groups.Some are linked to political movements such as the Iranian-backed Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) or al-Sadr's office, which have a role in al-Maliki's coalition government and enjoy a measure of political cover. Others are little more than lawless death squads.Increasingly, local conflicts are spiralling out of control and units are escaping the command of their nominal chieftains, prompting US officers to label the armed groups the biggest single threat to Iraq's stability. SOURCE: Agencies


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sun salutation
See surya namaskara.
See surya namaskara.
surya namaskara: a group of yoga postures known as the sun salutation.
satmya: the body's habitual response to the mind's habit.
See purushartha.
purushartha refers to the four aims of life according to Buddhist Ayurveda: Dharma – life purpose, duty, seeing Truth Artha – resources of money, food, clothing, shelter, medicine, time, and energy KamaRead More…
netra tarpana: treatment for insomnia, submersion of the eyes in oil or ghee. Also see netra basti.
yukti: the principle that treatment is a coalition of many parts, an effect produced from many essential causes.
vyadha vastha kala: the disease time.
vishvabheshaja vati: common medication pill in India made of dry and fresh ginger root.
visarga: period from the summer solstice to the winter solstice, when the sun releases energy to the earth.


text:
Apparently that is how often I write a blog now. Once in a blue moon. What can I say? I have good intentions but life seems to be way too busy most of the time. The people that say "if I stayed home all day I'd be bored to death" are totally insane in my book. I find myself wishing each day was twice as long. However, I am here and determined to write. I have given this no forethought, so we'll just see where it takes us, shall we?
Last month we did the BOAF (Birds of a Feather) bird show in Manchester. I had spent several weeks preparing our products in terms of making new tags with a lot more info. I also made more bird toys. I have an etsy shop where all this stuff is offered, so making the tags and more toys was not strictly for the show.
The set-up for the show begins at 7:00 and the doors open at 9:00, so we plan to get there at 7:30. I have everything else ready the night before, but some things have to be done in the morning. It's a good hour and a half drive, so I get up at 4:00 AM so I have time to feed and water the birds plus pull the birds we'll be bringing to sell and put them in the small cages we include with each of them. Scott gets to sleep an extra hour. We have to be out of here by 6:00 AM. It's a long day. Alex (our son) comes up to spend the day dog-sitting.
We did ok at the show. I sold all the gouldians I brought, but not the 3 canaries, so those had to come back home and be quarantined. I was also given an English budgie at the show, so that also had to be quarantined. Quarantine is a necessary evil, but I really hate it. It means odd cages in the house, wherever I can stick them, which means extra cleaning and more work as part of the daily bird maintenance. I'll be glad when it's over!
The rest of October was uneventful. November started out that way as well. The weather has been nice – certainly nicer than years past when I recall Alex trick-or-treating in a winter coat and leaving footprints in the snow! Whether it's truly global warming or just the cyclical weather pattern, we've definitely had warmer – and longer – springs and falls than we used to, and I'm loving that.
So all was going along fine until November 11th, when Scott came home from work not feeling well. He went to bed really early, and it soon became apparent that he had the flu. For years and years we had gotten flu shots and never gotten the flu, but in the past several years the paranoia from hearing all the tin hat conspiracy theories about the flu shots had convinced us not to get them anymore. So of course, Scott gets the flu. And boy did it hit him hard! He spent almost the next two weeks in bed, miserable. (Thanks to a friend that had told us his doctor said it was safe to take four when needed, since it was the only thing that finally gave Scott some relief from the pounding head that was keeping him from truly resting.) I went through almost two full cans of Lysol spray, constantly spraying down every surface where he'd been! I have birds to take care of and just can't afford to be sick like that. For what it's worth, the Lysol must have worked because I did NOT get sick!
I should mention here that while he was sick as a dog, my Timneh African Grey pair hatched out chicks on the 13th, 14th, and the 18th. It's unusual for them to hatch three, so this was great. They appeared to be taking great care of the kids as well. I planned to pull the kids around the end of the month, since I was hoping to get the youngest to about ten days old first.
By the beginning of the week of Thanksgiving, Scott finally started to come around. He was able to spend some time upright, which was a nice change. He'd lost twenty pounds over the course of this flu! It was also during this recovery time that he had been sitting at the table, with a piece of toast in front of him and his four ibuprofen when disaster hit. No need to gross you out, but let's just say the ibuprofen didn't go down well. Or at all. We'll jump ahead to Scott in the shower, cleaning up, and a pile of clothes on the bathroom floor. I gingerly picked those up to throw in the laundry, but first deposited them on the floor by the washer to check the pockets. (I have washed many a paper towel in my life and frankly there are any number of things I'd rather do than pick off millions of pieces of paper towel from all the clean clothes.) At this point, there was one shirt left on the floor. Spotticus comes trotting in, grabs something from the shirt and CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH immediately eats it and leaves the room. Oh no! Spot no doubt has found the missing ibuprofen.
I run to boot up my PC to see if ibuprofen will hurt a dog, and of course find it is highly toxic. This reminds me that I believe this happened on Sunday, because I knew the vet would not be open. OK, so I now need to make Spot throw up to get this out of him before it destroys his kidneys. More searching. Hydrogen peroxide will make a dog throw up. One teaspoon per ten pounds of dog weight. Spot is 11 pounds. I grab the hydrogen peroxide and grab Spot. Easier said than done. I'm panicking totally at this point and he senses something is up and is NOT cooperating at all. But finally I grab him and dribble the stuff onto his lips and he is forced to ingest it. Nothing happens, except for him giving me a look which killed me. Like, Mama, why are you forcing something horrible into me?
Back to the PC. The hydrogen peroxide may take 20 minutes to work. If it doesn't you can dose them up to 3 times. So 20 minutes go by and I grab him again. This time the look he gave me was just horrible and made me feel so bad. He's my baby. 😦 But I do what has to be done and five minutes later I see the familiar signs of a dog ready to heave and let him outside where he promptly empties his stomach.
I spent the rest of the day and the next several days watching him like a hawk to make sure nothing was amiss. Thankfully, I got him in time and he was OK. I hate to think what could have happened if I hadn't seen – or heard – him eating that pill.
By Tuesday Scott was able to eat a bit more. He wanted cereal. Rice Krispies. Go figure. But up till then he'd been eating mainly yogurt. Again, go figure. With me, anything with milk would be the last thing I'd want! So I went to the store and got a variety of soups, more ginger ale, and cereal. I had looked in at the timneh chicks and taken the daily picture and all was well. Things were looking up! Wednesday that changed.
When I check the babies, Ziggy (the mom) is generally covering them and I can't see anything. If I talk softly to her and back up a bit, she will usually back up off of the kids and let me take a look (and a quick picture) and then go cover them again. She moved off and I see the three kids have empty crops and are sitting on the bare wood floor of the box. The shavings had been moved away in that area, probably by her or perhaps Paco, the dad. Either way, the chicks now were in danger. The little one, in particular, looked bad. So I exited the birdroom but watched from outside the door. Within minutes Ziggy exited the box. I rushed in and grabbed the kids and left.
I hadn't planned to pull them this soon, so the brooder was not warmed up. I put the kids into a Cool Whip container with shavings and put them into the brooder and cranked up the temp. The temperature was up to 86 degrees within a couple of hours, and once the kids were nice and toasty I took them out to weigh them and try to feed them.
A few numbers here… oldest chick was 10 days old and weighed 46 grams; middle chick was 9 days old and 32 grams; and the little guy was only 5 days old and weighed a mere 10 grams. I was really concerned about him. His down was not fluffy at this point and he was kind of an ashen gray. Also there was not a lot of movement from him. The other two didn't look that great either, but they had some size on their side. I started out feeding every hour, and just trying to get a few drops into the bigger kids and even a single drop into the little guy. Let's just say it was really touch and go for several days and it would not have surprised me at any time to find the little one dead.
As I said, this was on Wednesday, so interspersed with these feedings every hour I was also making pie, homemade rolls, and parfaits for the holiday. Scott was doing a lot better, though still sleeping most of the day. At some point in the afternoon I had all the goodies made and had just fed the kids when I figured I had time to set up the Christmas tree. I bought a really nice tree last year from QVC. An Ellen DeGeneres tree that has LED lights that you can set to morph from white to pastel to bright colors. Love it! Plus it's in 3 sections that have a contact system inside the pole part so there is no plugging them together or any of that. Once the next section is inserted it automatically lights. It worked great last year. It is also so full that we had said then that it would be gorgeous even without decorations.
So I get the bottom section in place and it's beautiful. Lights right up. Can you see where this is going? I put the middle section in and …. nothing. OK, pry it back out, try it again. Nope. No lights. Put the top section on and THAT lights. Middles section, no lights on. I am not a happy camper. Why can't things just WORK like they are supposed to????
Of course I have the original paperwork, plus I go on my PC and find the original order info and print that out. I find the number of the company that makes the tree and call them. I am on hold for many, many minutes, listening to too-loud Christmas music while they periodically tell me how important I am. Finally I get a human and explain the issue. He had me try plugging the middle section into the plug at the base of the wall outlet plug, which showed us that the section DID work that way. I must say, he was a nice guy. He said he'd had one other customer with this same issue, but apparently it's not that common. He asked if I had the warranty card there. I did. I'm efficient that way. 🙂 I found it interesting that he had me read one of the lines from the card in order to verify I had the card and was entitled to the warranty. Rather odd because I was able to register the tree online and not send in the card. Good thing I'd kept it. Anyway, a new middle section is on the way and in fact should be arriving today. Better still, he was able to tell me that if I unscrewed the cap from the end of the light string at the top of the tree and could plug the middle section into that, it would all work till the new section came. I had to unravel the lights on one branch in order to get the plug to reach, but as he pointed out, that section will be trashed anyway so who cares? So it worked. And we were right last year – the tree IS pretty enough even without any ornaments! I didn't want to decorate it because I want to be sure it works correctly with the new middle section when it arrives. Then I can decorate it.
We had a nice Thanksgiving with Alex. It was like the old days since Alex is single this year. Had a great meal and then watched holiday movies, beginning with our classic favorite, Home for the Holidays. If you haven't seen this movie, find it and watch it. We watch every single year and I swear I find some new little nuance every year. That was followed by our other classic, Christmas Vacation. It's just not Thanksgiving without those two movies. Of course every hour we had to pause while I fed the kids!
The kids finally began to improve to the point where I was cautiously optimistic, especially about the youngest one, on the 26th. They began to gain weight and all three were fluffy and nice and pink. Yesterday they were really doing well and I think we are out of the woods now. The littlest one weighed 24 grams yesterday! That was a total gain of 140% since I had pulled them five days earlier! Today they are 16, 15, and 11 days old and weigh 72, 56, and 28 grams respectively. They have a diary where you can watch their progress, too.
That pretty much brings us up to date here. My my, I do love to talk, don't I? Amazing how carried away I can get.
Oh, one last thing. Someone asked me last week if any of the angelfish I'd been trying to raise had actually made it or not. We ended up with one survivor out of the first spawn, and when I say "first" I think it was actually the third spawn, but the first one where I kind of knew what I was supposed to be doing and where I finally was having some luck in raising the baby brine shrimp the fry needed to eat to survive. From the next spawn we had eight survivors! They got to be about nickel-sized before I moved them into the 29-gallon community tank and are doing great. The angels spawned again (they are like rabbits!) at the beginning of November, and there are currently close to twenty fry still alive. Bear in mind that I'm only using a five-gallon tank for the kids, when they would be doing so much better in a bigger tank. I just don't really have the space. If there was a definite outlet for kids I might be inclined to try a bit harder, but I don't really relish the idea of a half dozen aquariums crammed in here just for a return of maybe a dollar per fish! However, the whole experience has been really cool and I'm so glad I kept at it till I got it right.
NOW I think we are caught up! And a timer is telling me it's again time to feed babies!


text:
Purim—the festival of Esther—is the most light-hearted of the Jewish holidays. Perhaps that's what leads the sages of the Talmud to ask, "Where is there an allusion to Esther in the Torah?" (Chullin 139b). They answer with a reference to Deuteronomy 31:18, where God warns Israel of exile to come: V'anochi haster asteer panai, "And… Continue reading Purim and the Hidden Messiah
Tag: Isaiah 53
Irreplaceable Israel
We're in the middle of Elul, the sixth month, which means we're in the middle of a prayer focus on protection and restoration for the land and people of Israel. The two prayer themes of protection and restoration or return (teshuvah in Hebrew, which also means repentance), are linked in Scripture, as in our theme… Continue reading Irreplaceable Israel
the Hineni hint
We're in the middle of seven haftarot of consolation, seven readings from Isaiah that take us from Tisha B'Av to Rosh Hashanah. The haftarah for this week is Isaiah 51:12–52:12 and the haftarah for next week is Isaiah 54:1–10, so it's pretty obvious that we're going to skip right over Isaiah 53 (which begins at… Continue reading the Hineni hint