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So, Hi?
Long time no see, friends, neighbors, random-blog passers-by.
So. Not going to lie—2017 was a bad year for me. It was a bad year for a lot of people and for my whole country, but personally? Yeah, it was an all around suck fest.
I've had the next post in my series, Turkey Basting, queued for well over a year and a half—probably closer to two at this point. I remember writing it. I'd dropped off the tank that stored my donor's sperm, and I was sitting in the hospital's cafeteria, waiting for my insemination appointment. I think it was my third attempt.
I was beginning to really come to terms with the fact motherhood might not happen for me. Logically, I always knew this, and I was mostly sanguine with it. I'm a woman of limited means, and I knew I couldn't try forever. I've always prized myself on being a realist. I haven't ever pinned my every hope and dream on being a mother—in fact, there are many things I want more than motherhood—but I was surprised at just how draining the cycle of overcoming infertility was on my psyche.
On top of coming to terms with that, 2017 held a lot of change for me. A lot of upheaval. I'm a homeowner now. It wasn't my first choice, as my financial situation was already tight where I was and got exponentially tighter with a mortgage. The situations that led to the change were fraught with varying levels of bad juju.
In other words, fun to be had on all fronts—emotional, economical, etc.
I'm happy to report that 2018 is, in so many ways, treating me better. I finished another book. It's with an editor for first round edits, so you'll be hearing about it soon. My other books will be put on sale in the next few days.
Oh, and I'm currently five months pregnant. My alien unit with two healthy X chromosomes is due in late October. I'll save that story for my Turkey Basting adventures, though.
See you guys really soon.
Spaces Between Notes is Live!
Spaces Between Notes is live and available for purchase on Amazon. Pick up your copy today.
Spaces Between Notes on Amazon.
Read what others are saying about Spaces Between Notes on GooodReads.
Also, to celebrate my new book, remember that my other three books are available for free through tomorrow.
One to Tell the Grandkids on Amazon
Buy One, Get Three Free!
Actually, you don't have to buy anything to get free books.To celebrate my new book, my three previous books are available absolutely free for the next five days.
Check out my books, Duplicity, One to Tell the Grandkids, and Finding Purgatory free here on Amazon.
Pre-order Spaces Between Notes here.
Spaces Between Notes Release Date and Pre-Order Link
My fourth book, Spaces Between Notes, finally has a release date. Pre-Order Spaces Between Notes here, and it will be delivered to your Kindle on 10/27.
On release day, my other three books, Duplicity, One to Tell The Grandkids, and Finding Purgatory, will be available at discounted rates.
You can read reviews for Spaces Between Notes on Goodreads.
Spaces Between Notes Cover Reveal and ARC Request
First, if you're interested in an ARC (advanced reader's copy) in exchange for an honest review, fill out the Spaces Between Notes ARC request form here.
Now, my gorgeous cover. Are you ready? Mina is a true artist.
More news including release information will be up soon. I'm so excited for this.Please fill out the form if you're interested in an advance copy.
Book News
It's that time again. I'm getting ready to release my fourth book. This book will be called Spaces Between Notes. I'll be doing the cover reveal later today (or tomorrow for those of us on the West coast) along with an ARC sign up.
For now, I'll leave you with the summary:
Nikolai Amorosa is one of those men's men. You know the type—allergic to feelings, couldn't have a heartfelt discussion if he tried, which he never did. Then, he lost his voice, and any chance of communication went out the window.
Unable to speak or otherwise interact with anyone, Niko's anger was off the charts. It could've been worse; he could've been in jail. Instead, he found himself doing construction on Carys Harper's house. Carys talked—a lot—both with her voice and her hands. She was also at the beck and call of her deaf little brother, Benny, which drove Niko nine kinds of crazy. Not that he would've said anything, even if he could.
Something else that drove him crazy? Carys was stubborn. She wouldn't let him wallow.More than that, she seemed to hear all the things he couldn't say. She understood him like she understood music. She heard what existed in the spaces between notes. She knew that sometimes silence screams the loudest.
It Takes A Village
Sorry about the delay between posts. Life got all…lifey. Go figure, right?
After my initial appointment with the infertility doc and her vampiric practice (eleven vials of blood…I'm pretty sure she's feeding her habit), I made an appointment with a social worker at my doctor's request. Now, remember, Kaiser Permanente is my medical provider. They're all about preventative care, which is something I appreciate. In this case, the idea is to make sure I've thought of all the basics and that I know what my resources are.
What are the basics of deciding to have a baby? Well, money, for one. But we've talked about this. I don't have a lot of it. However, lots of people have raised amazing children on much less than I have. I do have a steady and secure job with reasonable prospects for bettering my position. I'm also an author. Self-published, but hey, it pays a few bills. Curious? Check me out: Kristina M. Sanchez on Amazon.
People keep asking me what I'm going to do about child care, and I don't get the point of that question. Day Care was always going to be a reality for my child. Even if I had a choice—which I don't—day care would be the way to go. Mommy has writing to do, kiddo. I'm one of those people who doesn't think that's a bad thing. My kid knowing they can rely on someone other than Mommy? I'm okay with it. Here's the only thing I know about who's going to take care of my kid while I'm at work: he or she is going to love Baby. Not like me. No one is going to love this kid like their mother, but they're going to be well cared for. Just don't ask me about the money, because I have no idea yet.
The social worker asked about my support system.
Meet the family
This is my mother. My mother is a rock-star. This is a chick who, in the sixties, fought the State of California when they said she couldn't have a promotion because she was a woman and won. We have our moments. What child doesn't have a complex relationship with their parent? But my mother is aces. Boy or girl, I want my kid to grow up like my mother: strong, fierce, independent, and always able to pick herself up when the world pushed her down. Despite significant struggle, my mother has raised three children, is well traveled, and has always had an interesting career. One of the reasons I'm so keen on having my children now is so that they'll get to know their grandma.
My siblings
RJ, my baby brother. No one believes he's my little brother. They all think he's older. I'm proud of this kid, man. He works hard, and he's accomplished so much. And he's the funniest person I know. We fight like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day, I know I can count on him when the going gets rough. Plus, I'm depending on him to take Baby shopping. Trust me, he has a better fashion sense, boy or girl.
Adriana, my little sister. RJ's wife. Sweeter than pan dulce. I have no idea why this chick hangs out with a guy like my brother, but I'm glad she does. She's been my cheerleader through all of this. Always sunny, always kind, always supportive. I lost my biological sister when I was nineteen, and I missed that sisterly bond until Adriana came around. I'm glad she'll be here with me.
My Baby Daddy
Don't ever let people tell you the Internet is no place to make good friends. That's a bunch of bologna.
So, I'm hanging out in a chat room one day (a chat room about a mutual interest, not romance) and I meet this woman. The woman who would become my Melly. Fast forward years later, and she's my best friend. We travel together and see each other often despite the fact she's a NorCal girl.
Why is she my baby daddy? Well, that's what I call the person who provided the sperm. I have no idea why she loves me that much. It's overwhelming. But I know I've made a friend for life, and my baby will have something more than an auntie. They will have a Melly.
Dear Baby,
The social worker asked if I had any male influences for you. It was important, she said, for a child to have positive male and female influences.
I guess now is a good time to tell you, your momma has opinions. What that means for you, is you're not going to get to just accept popular opinion. Question everything, little one. Think about everything people say, everything that seems 'normal', everything you read, and everything you hear. Which doesn't mean to be skeptical—though a healthy dose of skepticism won't go amiss—but to be aware. The world is not a two-sizes-fits-all place.
Ugh. I can already see teenage you rolling your eyes. I know, Baby. It's going to get tiring. I feel you.
Here's the thing that gets me about her question. I'm a sociologist, and I know that gender is a spectrum. Sex is a spectrum too, by the way. I can't figure out why anyone would think seven billion people would fit into one of two categories.
What makes a good male role model? Do you have to have a good role model in your life that has a penis? What if I exhibit a lot of traditionally male traits? Do I count as both your primary male and female role models? If there was not an adequate role model in your life who happens to have a penis, does that mean you won't be well-rounded?
Why is this penis, or lack thereof, so important?! I don't understand.
I'll tell you what, when you have questions about how to do your hair all pretty, what shoes to wear, all that traditionally girly stuff, I'm sending you straight to your aunt. I'm useless with that stuff. I own dresses, but I don't like wearing them.
The world isn't black or white, baby. There are way too many colors in the world to limit yourself to black or white. Question everything. Try not to see gender as something solid—it isn't. I promise, I won't hold you to any gender, regardless of the genitalia you're born with. And heaven help the first Mcdonald's employee that asks whether I want a girl's toy or a boy's toy with your Happy Meal.
Go Back to: Episode 3 – Infertility


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Hail, Caesar! struggled at the box office in its opening weekend after being released on Feb. 5, 2016. The comedy had a budget of $22 million and only grossed approximately $11.4 million in its first weekend.
Hail, Caesar! is a comedy that follows Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) in Hollywood during the 1950s. Mannix works for Capitol Pictures as a Hollywood fixer, and his job consists of maintaining the clean reputation of both the company as well as the stars that they represent. He is mostly known for solving problems for the industry's best stars and to also keep them away from controversy. Biard Whitlock (George Clooney), who is one of his clients, disappears from work during their working production of Hail Caesar, a Tale of Christ's Life. Mannix, despite having assumptions that Whitlock might have spent the night drinking, finds himself having to solve this problem. He must do so without it being made known to the media. He soon finds out that Whitlock was kidnapped by communists, and they have requested a ransom for the trade of the actor.
Hail, Caesar! Cast Information
Hail, Caesar! was released in 2,222 theaters nationwide but still only brought in a low revenue. In comparison to this comedy, the animated film, Kung Fu Panda, was released the previous weekend. It still brought in double the revenue with $21 million in their second week. Hail, Caesar! was written and directed by Hollywood's directing brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen. The Coen brothers chose an A-List cast. Despite this, however, Hail, Caesar! still struggled at the box office and had an unexpectedly low opening weekend.
Cast List
- Josh Brolin – Eddie Mannix
- Alden Ehrenreich – Hobie Doyle
- George Clooney – Baird Whitlock
- Ralph Fiennes – Laurence Laurentz
- Tilda Swinton – Thora Thacker / Thessaly Thacker
- Scarlett Johansson – DeeAnna Moran
- Channing Tatum – Burt Gurney
- Frances McDormand – C.C. Calhoun
- Jonah Hill – Joseph Silverman
The all-star cast was all featured in the preview that was played in both theaters and on television. Tatum and Hill have previously worked and acted together in 21 Jump Street and its sequel, 22 Jump Street. They are considered to be a comedic duo in Hollywood, and most fans would expect similar characteristics in any film they would act in together. In Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, Tatum dances in scenes without his shirt on and this tactic was also used in Hail, Caesar! when he breaks out in song and dance in a scene. Johannsson and Clooney both make appearances in the film, as they portray significant roles. Johannsson plays against type as a young and innocent, pregnant actress. She has usually portrayed similar, vixen-like roles in her previous films.
Joel and Ethan Coen
Other movies that were directed by the Coen brothers include Blood Simple (1984), Barton Fink (1991), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), True Grit (2010), Gambit (2012), Unbroken (2014), and Bridge of Spies (2015). They also directed Fargo (1996), which was adapted and recreated into the FX television series. It began airing in 2014.
The Coen brothers have limited movies that had significant opening weekend debuts, which also brought in large revenues. Hail, Caesar! was not the only film that struggled in box office revenue during its opening weekend. The Big Lebowski (1998) made $5.5 million and was released in 1,200 theaters. In 2004, The Lady Killers was released in 1,500 theaters and had a total opening weekend revenue of $12.6 million. Clooney also starred in a previous film directed by the Coen brothers, Intolerable Cruelty (2003), which debuted in 2,564 theaters, and despite having Clooney in the cast, it only brought in $12.5 million in its opening weekend.
By Tricia Manalansan
Edited by Leigh Haugh
CNN: Box office: 'Hail, Caesar!' fumbles with $11.4 million
IMDb: Hail, Caesar! (2016)
The Washington Post: Why 'Hail, Caesar!' lost in the weekend box office battle
Image Courtesy of Tom Blunt's Flickr Page – Creative Commons License

subset: commoncrawl


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St. Thomas Men's Basketball was outscored 24-12 from 3-point range and 11-6 from the foul line in Wednesday night's 79-66 MIAC road loss at Augsburg.
The Tommies (13-9 overall, 11-6 MIAC) had a four-game win streak halted and fell back into a tie form fourth place. They were swept in the regular-season season series with the Auggies for the first time in 19 seasons.
Collin Olmscheid scored 28 points, and Booker Coplin added 24 points and 10 boards as the Auggies (17-6, 12-6) got all 79 points from their starting five. Augsburg, which led just 37-35 at halftime, had only nine turnovers and a 37-32 rebounding advantage.
UST scored 46 bench points, led by Connor Bair with 23 points and Steffan Musoke with 13.
St. Thomas plays Saturday at St. Olaf and is home next Wednesday to face St. Mary's.


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This season get twisted with infinity loop scarves! A trend that came on slow but finally hit with true gale force, infinity loop scarves will continue to make a well rounded statement through the fall season…and beyond.
Where to Find Infinity Loop Scarves (Sponsored):
Jeanne Simmons Accessories
Open weave metallic infinity loop scarf
Gena Accessories
Black/White Chevron Infinity Loop
Botto Giuseppe
Mint green loop shaped scarf
Layla Grayce
Royal blue printed scarf
Cheerful 100% modal scarf
Fig and Bella
Tie-dye infinity loop scarf


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Thank you for visiting Groth Music at Midwest Clinic!
Groth Music has been serving music educators, performers and students since 1939. The company contains a 21,000 square foot retail location in Bloomington, MN. In 2014, Groth Music acquired the distinguished print music retailer Eble Music, creating one of the largest print music services in the Midwest. Groth Music proudly calls on Minnesota educators with their staff of 5 full-time school service representatives and reaches the entire country through their 180 page catalog and websites.


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Until her peaceful death at 101, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was Britain's turbo-granny: a pleasure-seeking ball of energy clad in pastels and pearls who loved her country, her tipple, her Corgis and who stood up for her people.
"Wouldn't it be terrible if you'd spent all your life doing everything you were supposed to do — didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't eat things, took lots of exercise — and suddenly one day you were run over by a big red bus, and as the wheels were crunching into you, you'd say, 'Oh my God, I could have got so drunk last night,'" she once told Princess Diana and Major Michael Parker, a member of one of her military regiments, over tea. "That's the way you should live your life, as if tomorrow you'll be run over by a big red bus."
Born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, The Queen Mother definitely lived by example, as William Shawcross found out while researching her official biography, in bookstores Oct. 26. "She affected the lives [of], and brought pleasure to, so many millions of people," says Shawcross over coffee at Claridge's. "After the abdication, she saved the monarchy. She was essential in sustaining, supporting and loving [King George VI, who inherited the throne after his elder brother, Edward VIII, renounced it to marry the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson]. Without her, he would have been completely lost."
Handpicked by Queen Elizabeth II to chronicle her mother's life, Shawcross spent six years studying the late royal's private correspondence and peppering family members with questions. He says he felt no pressure to whitewash his subject: "The Queen made it clear that she wanted me to write exactly what I wanted," he says. (And, at 1,000 pages, one assumes it's all in there.)
The Queen Mother was no saint, either. She couldn't stomach Simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor, who had been a Nazi sympathizer and whom she referred to as "the lowest of the low." After World War II broke out and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor returned to England from the French Riviera, The Queen Mother wrote: "I trust that she will soon return to France and STAY THERE."
Shawcross didn't get to go through her letters to Princess Diana, with whom she had a warm relationship (although The Queen Mother was appalled when Charles and Diana blabbed in public about their broken marriage). In 1993, the late Princess Margaret destroyed Diana's letters to The Queen Mother "because they were so private," writes Shawcross, adding that Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, "went straight to Kensington Palace and shredded everything she could find" after the Princess' death in 1997.
Much like The Queen Mother herself, Shawcross' book is juicy, but not scandalous. Which is how the author, whose father was the lead British prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal, intended it. "It's not a book of gossip, but a piece of history," he says. "I wanted to put The Queen Mother in the context of an astonishing and brutal century that began with horses and carts and ended with the Concorde."


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Notes from the garden shed: our love for mycorrhizal fungi/
As Emma, our garden intern, and I work alongside Paul Richens, Global Generation's Garden Manager, we are often reminded of one of his favourite sayings…"Feed the soil not the plant", writes Community Gardener Ciara Wilkinson.
We grow our fruit and veg organically at the Skip Garden - no pesticides, no fertilisers, no scary chemicals that make your plants 'bigger' or 'greener'. Instead we process our kitchen and garden waste into rich compost, harvest 'worm tea' from our wormeries and grow comfrey (variety: Boking 14) that is concentrated into a thick liquid fertiliser. When added to our soils those tinctures and potions work positively with the microbes, bacteria and fungi that live below the surface of the soil.
This subterranean world is home to Mycorrhizal fungi and on Tuesday we were lucky enough to have been invited to PlantWorks in Sittingbourne, where this friendly little fungus is grown, packaged and shipped out in the form of RootGrow (an organic mycorrhizal 'top-up' for your soils).
So you may ask…
What is mycorrhizal fungi?
For at least 500 million years, the organisms known as mycorrhiazl fungi have been colonising the planet, providing a secondary root system for plants.
When we learn about plant anatomy in school, we are taught that there is as much of the plant below the ground as there is above it. However, when we consider that mycorrhizal fungi can increase a plant's underground surface area by up to 700 times then we must rethink this assumption.
And, you may wonder…
Why is it so important?
Mycorrhizal fungi have a unique relationship with the plants they interact with. Increasing the surface area of the plant root system by up for 700 times brings many benefits to the plant.
The four main roles of mycorrhizal fungi for the host:
- Improving nutrient uptake, including phosphorous, nitrogen and zinc
- Protection from biotic stress, such as pathogens and herbivores
- Protection from abiotic stress, such as drought and heavy metal tolerance
- Soil stabilisation through the production of glomalin (a sticky glycloprotein). Through binding the soil together, glomalin prevents damage from natural processes like erosion
For all of these benefits, the plants provide carbon to their mycorrhizal that are formed through photosynthesis.
We use RootGrow regularly when planting our fruiting trees and bushes. However, a growing number of scientific studies are suggesting that all but a couple of plant families (the Cabbage or Brassica family, for example) depend on this mycorrhizal relationship for their improved survival.
So here are a couple of our…
Growing tips
Use RootGrow with every new planting! There are different species available that suit various plants.
Leave the roots of dead plants in the soil, the spores from mycorrhizal will be left in the soil ready to help out your next plants. But make sure the plot isn't left bare for too long. Top-up your soils with microbial and bacterial life too by watering with a dilute of 'worm tea' and water before you plant this Spring!


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Considerably has modified for the reason that delayed 1960s when I first self released my fixed of poems. What I made then was a manual designed in the then new business known as "Kinkos." On their picture copier I created 15 sites of my poems, after which it had Kinkos use their unique gadget to confined every fixed with tough consists of. Walla! My 1st released due. Now that was LEGITIMATE publishing. It wasn't skilled, nevertheless it was obtaining my do available.
Since then I've got knowledgeable many kinds of publishing: From the traditional publishing of my do, to three diverse kinds of "do-it-on your own." What encounter has trained me is the fact that you can find many types, and levels, of introducing your do on the group.
Way returning when I created that initially manual of poems, 1 from the methods of publishing was the so known as "Vanity" advertising. I keep in mind one particular of the beginning 60 Moments TELLY show, where they did a display on 1 this kind of organization... directing out how the organization interceded to the "vanity" of authors, publishing intricate guides which the author completed up preserving in their garage place. Mirror entrepreneurs are actually around possibly offered that standard publishing. It applied to get (with extremely several exceptions) that whatever released external the standard entire world, was thought of substandard, if not down suitable useless.
That point of view has modified. Despite that typical is still considered as one of the most real indicates of publishing, it truly is surely not seen as the only indicates of top high quality publishing.
These days, mainly because of your authentic variety of specifics being published, other publishing indicates are far more a need... without the need of these "other implies" a lot top quality do would go unregistered. It is even now genuine that much trash is getting released, but that, much too, has constantly been the circumstances... both from the do-it-by yourself field AND in conventional publishing. Regular publishing does not in fact me best good quality publishing. The very first aspect to top quality publishing is prime good quality substance.
The Selected Advantages of Self publishing
For many, guide may be only a want. But now, it could easily be intended a real truth. St away, self publishing is just not only 1 process of publishing. It has turn into a phrase that includes many distinct techniques of non-traditional publishing. The "ways" of doing this are a lot of:
You will find far more, but here are 3 with the most typical:
Some companies who will need your manuscript (for the payment) and do All the factors the typical founder would do...The important distinction involving them as well as the conventional founder is that you choose to safeguard all cost of manufacturing.
One other close of your "do it by yourself" array is once you, the author, truly consider it upon by yourself to do The many elements the conventional founder would. That is certainly, you do structure and design, acquire as well as organize for that true publishing of the guides. It's very fingers-on and you might have finish administration over all the things.
A third and "in-in between" choice is for yourself to carry out anything digitally can generate an information employing your computer system after which use generate on requirement technological innovation. Or you could yield an entirely electronic edition of one's guide and have it available like a acquire within the internet.
The reason is usually that you'll find a few techniques to article by yourself, but that "Genuine" or "overall" Self Posting sites you at the helm, you developing all the things take place on your own. For more particulars or real self publishing.
Richard Gordon is often a poet-playwright residing in Pond Elsinore, Florida. He may be the author of Martin And also the Mountaintop: An proven Honor to Dr. Martin Luther Grasp. Jr. His do Bulldog plus the Hold, won the well-known Lorraine Hansberry and the Michale Kanin accomplish composing prizes. For your last 12 decades of his educating profession, Mr. Gordon trained Dental Presentation at Florida Ailment University at Fullerton.
The Joy of way of life...the Joy of individuals...has constantly been the true types of his do. For earlier periods 30 decades Abundant has long been composing...not as being a "author" each se, but being a partner, enjoying his husband or wife, and as a dad raising his little ones in audio...and now as a grandpa growing along with his grandchildren.


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SolidWorks Connector for Aras Innovator (7 Minute Video)/
Learn how the SofTech SolidWorks Connector for Aras enables you to fully leverage your investment in SolidWorks by unlocking valuable CAD data for the enterprise and extended enterprise with secure access and permissions, while allowing designers to continue working in their familiar SolidWorks environment.
SolidWorks & Aras:
- Enable global co-design with one source of information and a single product structure capable of supporting the needs of the 24 hour cycle.
- Increase productivity across the product lifecycle, while reducing data management time, and eliminating data entry errors and duplication.
- Incorporate valuable SolidWorks data with the rest of product information for complete tracking, analysis and forecasting.
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- Centralize key processes such as enterprise change, supply chain management, and new product development and introduction.


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Northamptonshire wedding fayres & open days
If you're planning a wedding, the best way to appreciate the stunning spaces and grounds available is to experience the beauty of the Estate first hand.
So, join us for one of our wedding fayres or open days where you can explore De Vere Staverton Estate and meet the team.
For more information, please contact our wedding coordinator on 01327 220676.


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So clearly summer ended a couple weeks ago and I hate to admit this but we did not cross off everything on our summer bucket list. Sadly we only got around to doing one thing on our list. It seems we were extremely ambitious! (Or incredibly lazy.) Oh well, there's always next year.
Earlier in September, Chris took me to the coolest garden ever. So cool in fact, that I am dedicating a post about it. Jacobsen Orchards is a 1.3 acre plot tucked away in downtown Yountville. The gardens boasts over 120 fruit trees, including 10 varieties of figs and peaches, unusual vegetables, and hundreds of herbs and culinary flowers. Used exclusively by the Thomas Keller Restaurant group, of which \ the notable French Laundry belongs to, I'd say visiting the gardens are the next best thing to dining at one of Keller's restaurants!
Our tour guide, Kate, was super awesome and knowledgeable about the farm and orchard. Originally the plot was purchased by Peter and Gwenny Jacobsen as a vacation getaway from San Francisco back in the 1970s. Overtime, they created an organic garden that grew into the lovely oasis it is today. The small family-owned farm and orchard began selling its produce to local restaurants. Now, chefs can come to the orchard and "shop," and pick what they want for their restaurant on any given day.
|Sign out sheet for picked produce – done on the honor system.
Kate took us through the many rows of fruits and vegetables, explaining the neat intricacies of each plant as we passed it. For instance, peach tree leaves are used to provide an amaretto flavor to desserts at French Laundry. We were able to taste the different things we saw such as Korean mint, chocolate mint, and Scarlett runner beans.
|Our tour guide gathering things for us to sample.
My new favorite fruit:
|White strawberries! So incredibly sweet.
Adult candy:
|Sun gold tomatoes
Did you know that pears ripen from the inside out? Kate told us this and that when getting pears, we should keep them in 30 degree F temp for 2-6 weeks after picked.
We also learned that when figs are ready to be picked, they will feel heavy, have a dark hue and be soft to touch. We picked a couple figs from each tree and did a comparative fig tasting at the end of the tour. It was fig heaven.
|Candy strip figs
|8 different types of figs!
My favorite figs were the Ischia, Honey, and Violette de Bordeaux. I never knew so many varieties existed.
There is also a snail farm on the grounds, or snail mansion as Kate joked. The snails raised here are used for escargot dishes. At a minimum, they would need 48 hours notice to be able to hand pick the snails and prepare them for eating. They have to be weened off their grub diet before cooking Kate explained and are moved from snail mansion into "snail condo" – aka a smaller box.
If you are visiting Napa/Sonoma/Yountville but don't want to go wine tasting and drink (it happens) I would definitely recommend booking a garden tour. It will be a truly memorable experience!


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Subaru Legacy Outback 3.0r Test
Intro: IT HAS IT ALL FOR PLEASURE
The first Legacy came out in 1989. This is Subarus 4th generation. The last version was a big hit and this one boasts some new features like the H6 engine. As its name would indicate, this new group has gone back to the boxer architecture, sort of the trademark for the Japanese manufacturer. Of course, another characteristic of the Legacy is the all-wheel drive feature, The Legacy exists, in both sedan and station wagon versions, but the all-roads vehicle, called the "Outback" which we have chosen, has, without a doubt, a cooler look to it thanks to its stocky sort of appearance, reminding us of certain Audi All-Roads or Volvo XC 70s. (by Philippe Fauconnier)
Esthetique: TOP OF THE LINE
Ground clearance has been increased by 5 cm, bringing it to 20 cm, the bumpers and the wheel arches have been re-sized, in other words, a good-looking machine.
OK, its plastic will not be going down in history, thats for sure, and even if it has its own distinct personality, the curves of the Legacy lack cruelly in character. Nothing really makes it stick out from mainstream Japanese style. And yet it is quality work with a certain elegance to it, although its discreet nature borders on the banal. These characteristics seem to be appreciated by Legacys clientele.
On the inside, we liked the high-quality finish, the ergonomics and, generally speaking, the overall impression generated by this clear and welcoming cab interior. The controls are right at your fingertips; comfort is high in all circumstances. The engines power, as it steadily increases under the hood, can really be appreciated thanks to some terrific sound insulation.
Dont forget the large glass roof, which bathes the whole car in light.
Motorization: AS IF FROM A GOLDSMITH
On the engine side, some nice power and torque, but youll have to get up to 4200 revs/min. Up to this point, everythings OK, but youll see during this test drive that the 5 speed automatic gear box is too slow and takes away from driving pleasure. And yet, its thanks to the engine itself, a real work of art, that people have so much fun driving the Legacy, proof that Subaru knows how to master the mechanics, but we already knew that thanks to Subarus Impreza. Performance is top-notch for this car, weighing in just a bit over 1t5 despite its all-wheel drive system. Mileage is kept under control at less than 10 litres based on average use, of course.
On the road: (ALMOST) WITHOUT FAULT
Road handling and damping are, as often with Subarus, faultless. No rolling, lots of precision steering and some terrific all-wheel drive effectiveness allowing for comfortable, sustained vehicle handling, by far, the brands best feature.
The only problem, we mentioned it earlier, is the gearbox. Much too slow, whether in automatic or sequential mode, which significantly limits the cars and the engines capacity. Even if the increase in speed is clear-cut, it is greatly limited by an obsolete gearbox, by reaction times which are much too long and which tire out quickly when you really solicit the engine, even if it does get started at the drop of the hat. The stick shift version wont be out for another year and a half.
Dont forget that the Legacys biggest markets are Japan and the USA, two countries where car manufacturing is not taken lightly. But if the brand has realized that it needs to increase European sales, it will have to understand the necessity for adapting to a European mentality as well. Subaru will have to make a few changes along these lines, its not only important, it happens to be the only negative remark well make with respect to the Legacy.


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It's time for our annual trek out west to Arizona. Each January we are "obligated…cough…cough" to go out and interview counselors for our summer camp, tell students about what's going on, and re-connect with supporters. It's a "horrible" task to have to leave the 31 degree weather here in Missouri to the 70 degree weather in Phoenix, but someone's got to do it, right?
I've got some great meetings planned already. I'll be in Tucson tonight and tomorrow with the Catalina Foothills Church, then off to various schools and communities in the Phoenix Scottsdale areas.
I don't know what the internet service will be where we're staying, but you can rest easy knowing, I'll try and post what's going on during our trip.
Have a great Saturday, and remember to keep imagination alive!!


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Missouri Retirement Planning
Missouri retirement planning has changed throughout the years. At one time the only three elements of saving for the day you would retire were the pension you'd receive from your employer, your Social Security benefits, and then your retirement savings plan. Although these are still effective, there are other effective means of saving for retirement available as well.
The reasons why new methods of Missouri retirement planning have been developed are because the old methods of investing are not as reliable as they once were, especially the pension and Social Security aspects. There have been companies that have gone out of business and gone completely bankrupt, resulting in pensions not being paid or being paid at lower amounts. Due to the fact that pensions are based upon market share, this is especially true.
Then there is the fact that it has been said time and time again that today's working class will most likely not have any Social Security benefits to benefit from, despite the fact that Missouri has a working class that is contributing to Social Security every time they are paid. The money is pooled and each person's amount is determined by the income they made and their own contributions. Over time, this pool has been shrinking despite how many people are paying into it.
It has now become a fact that a single retiree takes more money per month than a single person contributes. This is why you need solid Missouri retirement planning. With solid Missouri income planning, you can make sure that you have the money that you need when you retire so that you can feed, clothe, and shelter yourself.
Planning for the Future
Although it has been said that Social Security may be no more, it is fair to say that the government will eventually make changes that will ensure that those who have contributed will get something upon retirement. However, it may be that retirees won't get as much of a payment as those in the past. Due to the uncertain nature, that is why Missouri retirement planning is encouraged.
But there are other factors that are influencing the Missouri financial planning that is taking place amongst individuals and that is the fact that life expectancies are much longer than they used to be. And what is influencing this even more is the fact that early retirements are on the rise. So instead of a person retiring at 65 and living until they are 85, they are retiring at 55 and living until they're 85 or older. This means having to draw an income for thirty years or more.
Due to the life expectancy of a person and how this is influencing the very nature of retirement in society, that is why you need as many retirement accounts as you can afford to manage. You know that you can't rely on pensions and Social Security completely. You can, however, rely upon your savings account and other accounts that you set up.
For instance, you are going to be given the opportunity to have so many accounts as a part of your Missouri retirement planning that you're going to be able to rely on one if you can't on the other. So if something happens to your 401K or IRA due to a stock market crash, you can turn to your savings account. Or in your MO personal planning, you can have different investment accounts. If your stocks don't do well, then maybe your mutual fund will and you can rely on your mutual fund.
Individual Responsibility Has Increased
Overall, personal responsibility has increased and it is up to the MO working class to gain control over their Missouri retirement planning. This means saving as much money as you can. You may also want to get a Roth IRA as a part of your Missouri retirement planning. You have a tax-free incentive here and, by maxing it out, you can have a great source of income that is tax-free.
If you find that you need help in your early retirement planning, don't be afraid to seek out advice. Missouri retirement planning can be carried out by a professional working with you. It can help you a great deal to have a professional planner in Missouri working with you on your finances. That way you can have a solid financial plan right now and have one for the future as well. Your Missouri planner takes the details of your financial situation and creates a solid plan for you that will enable you to invest in your future and live in the now.
So don't put off your Missouri retirement planning because you need every dime that you can get when you retire. With good retirement planning in Missouri, you can live comfortably for the rest of your life. Most importantly, you will live.
Missouri City Articles
Retirement Planners In Missouri
William L. Meyer
Cutter & Company, Inc.15415 Clayton Road
Ballwin, MO 63011
Alan Suiter
First Financial Consultants3816A S Greystone Ct
Springfield, MO 65804
David Naert Managing Director - Investments
Oppenheimer & Company1 N. Brentwood Blvd
Suite 600
Clayton, MO 63105
Jeffrey Severin
Severin Investments, LLC211 N Broadway
Suite 2925
St. Louis, MO 63102
Matthew J. Jarrell CFP�
St. Louis Financial Planners, Inc.1415 Elbridge Payne Road, Suite 140
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Paul Stanieszewski
Edelman Financial Engines, LLC1317 NE Douglas Street
Lees Summit, MO 64086
David Heim
Heim Financial Solutions806 W. Battlefield Road
Springfield, MO 65807


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Ideas To Buy The Best Door Security Bar For Your House Houses are usually at a risk of break-ins by burglars, hence it is very important for the owner of the house and also the people living in the house to ensure that the house is safe from such incidents. It is thus basic to ensure that they present security bars as they offer protection to the family apparatus' and besides people by keeping cheats away, in any case, it is essential to put a couple of tips into thought to ensure prosperity inside the house. One should ensure that the dealer who is selling the security bars is a certified dealer as this often shows the authenticity of the products being sold by the dealer this is because there are different dealers who sell products yet they are not certified, and this often means that the business is illegal and that the products being sold are not genuine. One ought to likewise consider they get a guarantee joined to the kind of the security bar which they have obtained as a guarantee frequently ensures the person that in the occasion when they are disappointed with the item they purchased, or they have an issue working the security bar, then they can have the capacity to contact the merchant whom they purchased the security banish from and get repair administrations at no extra charge, and this guarantees the mortgage holder does not run or cause a misfortune. One should in like manner assurance that they get a show of the way the security bar is capable of keeping out the lawbreakers and hoodlum's this is by virtue of when a client gets a presentation of the thing they need to buy then this gives the client a sentiment sureness that they can trust the security bar to give them the sort of security they wish to have and despite in the midst of the foundation methodology the shipper should in like manner certification that they display to the home loan holder how the security bar will have the ability to put out the criminal's or tricks. One should in like manner have the ability to put into thought the sort of material that Is used to make or make the security bar this is because of different security bars are delivered utilizing various materials and some may be strong while others are made of weaker materials, along these lines it is basic for the individual to ensure that the security bar they have to purchase is made of solid material as this ensures prosperity of the people from the house and moreover the family property.
The 10 Best Resources For Doors


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Here is a glimpse at some of what I have for sale at the barn! I am so excited!
Come and bring your friends! So much good stuff and such great vendors joining me! :)
Sale dates: Thursday evening, May 23 6-8pm only
Friday and Saturday, May 24-25 10am-2pm
2357 Hudson Aurora Rd, Hudson, OH
330-650-2135 if questions!
Love this chair! Totally obsessed!
If these don't sell, they are mine for sure!
Worked on these all day yesterday (only 2) and think these are fab! I wanted to keep them for myself and put them above my mantle for spring and summer! I stained the paper with coffee and had a blast making.
More paper collage with these birdhouse plant holders. Gerber daisies are one of my fave!


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It's developed by industry experts and is a new and an exciting composite of well-tested approaches from other industries synthesized specifically for the Clinical Trial Professional. The e-learning includes:
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Mixed Poker Games
Mixed poker games have been around for a long time, although it's only relatively recent that they have become popular online. Before Internet poker was around, when the game was mostly played in casinos and poker rooms as well as private homes, a format known as dealer's choice was very common.
In this format, whichever player was the dealer could decide what game would be played. This choice would then be played for either one hand or one orbit of the table. Once completed, the next player to be dealer would then choose the game. There would usually be agreement about exactly which games could be played, but a wide variety would typically be included.
Mixed poker games helped keep things more interesting and helped to even things out against those players who were highly skilled at one particular game. For whatever reason, however, Texas Hold'em became the game of choice and started to dominate the poker scene. Mixed games have made a comeback, and they have started to regain popularity.
On this page we provide details of the mixed game format most commonly played online, which is H.O.R.S.E. We also look at a few other well-known formats and list the best poker sites for playing mixed games.
H.O.R.S.E. is probably the best-known mixed game poker format. It has been featured at the WSOP (World Series of Poker) since 2002 and can be played at a number of leading poker sites. The name H.O.R.S.E. is an acronym made up of the first letter of the five different games played in this format: Hold'em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Eight-Or-Better.
The way it works is really quite simple. The first hand of the game is played using Texas Hold'em and the game switches in each subsequent hand. Texas is followed by Omaha Hi/Lo, which is then followed by Razz and the Seven Card Stud. A hand of Eight-Or-Better is played before another hand of Texas starts the cycle again.
H.O.R.S.E is typically played using a fixed limit betting structure, and can be played in cash game and tournament formats.
Other Mixed Games
There are loads of other mixed game formats: some of the most popular are:
- Hold'em Mixed
- Omaha High/Low Mixed
- 10 Game Mix
- 8 Game Mix
For many of these games, the format is fairly easy to work out by looking at the letters contained in the acronym. H.O.S.E. is just like H.O.R.S.E. but without Razz, while H.O.E excludes Razz and Seven Card Stud. H.O. is just Texas and Omaha Hi/Lo. H.A. is pot limit Texas Hold'em and pot limit Omaha.
Hold'em mixed is fixed limit Texas and no limit Texas; Omaha High/Low mixed is fixed limit Omaha and pot limit Omaha Hi/Lo. A relatively new format, 10 Game Mix features limit Texas, limit Stud Hi/Lo, pot limit Omaha, limit 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Razz, no limit Hold'em, limit Omaha Hi/Lo, Limit Stud Hi, no limit 2-7 single draw, and limit Badugi.
The final format listed above, 8 game mix, features 2-7 Triple Draw, Texas, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo all using fixed limit, plus no limit Texas and pot limit Omaha. As you can imagine, playing formats where both the games and the betting structure change can be somewhat difficult, but there a lot of players who really enjoy them.
Mixed game formats can be great fun to play. They are good for developing skills in a variety of games, and can help prevent boredom from playing a single game all the time. You obviously need to be familiar with the rules of each component game and to be able to cope with switching from one game to the next. However, if you can play the format well, there's plenty of money to be made.
Best Mixed Game Poker Sites
Many of the leading online poker sites offer H.O.R.S.E., and a lot offer a number of other formats as well. If you prefer giving these a try, we suggest looking at the following: currently the best poker sites for playing mixed poker games.
Article Details
Author: Brad Johnson
Updated: March 2015
Related Poker Articles


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Para más información
Madrid: (+34) 911 014 661
Barcelona: (+34) 931 004 845
Marbella (+34) 951 650 505
Vigo: (+34) 886 100 315
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Madrid: (+34) 911 014 661
Barcelona: (+34) 931 004 845
Marbella (+34) 951 650 505
Vigo: (+34) 886 100 315
Madrid 91 101 46 61
Barcelona 93 100 48 45
Marbella 95 165 05 05
Baleares 87 110 03 01
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I am happy to say little Bright Eyes
got a tad jaundiced but is now
pretty and pink again!
yep,and that's the normal for most homes with children. Love the last photo, that makes it all right!
This is the best decor that any mother or grand mother could ever ask for. How I miss the toys and the children playing in the house and the toys being strewn across the living room (dining room and anywhere else in the house). Simply Beautiful Nana!
That is exactly how my sister's house looks with her two boys---- the one with blocks and kid's stuff all over. It is normal. Have a great day, Diana! xo
Diana, Now that is the reality of family living. Nothing wrong with it either, not when it all ends with kissing.:):) I see some wonderful baby sitters in the making. I miss all the forts my girls would make.Blessings to all of you, xoxo,Susie
Yes, I was going to say that the way to have a beautiful living room with an active family is to GET RID OF THE FAMILY.....but society frowns upon that so most of us make memories with the kids (esp if they are grandkids) and enjoy the laughter, smiles, and hugs while we ignore the mess for a bit. Your daughter has the right idea! The little ones grow up way too fast!!!
That living room was a showplace room that people just walked by and somewhere there was a family room or something that had real life in it. YOUR pics look like my place when the kids are here. MAYHEM! :) :) :)
The first room is beautiful...but I'll take the one with all of the love and laughter!
Aww love to see all the cousins having fun. I would take the room with the chaos any day.
Yep that's reality! When it's picked up it only lasts for a short period (like when they're asleep)! It's okay- all of a sudden they're grown up and then the home is all yours to make pretty! I miss the chaos! It's cute to see the cousins playing together- good memories!
I would take the second living room in a flash, with children, lol, much closer to reality!!!!What beautiful family!!!! Sorry bright eyes became a little jaundiced, but so common right, she is a beauty,
Reality show living room versus a real home, that is what I see.
First living room is pretty. Now that second living room is just full of love and oh so many kisses and full of happy, happy, happy kids! That's what makes my heart take a leap! Oh, little bright eyes is just sweet and precious~
I agree Diana! My mother always said (she had us four girls) if people are coming over to see my house and not me then I don't want them here! Looks like a lot of fun going on over there!
They are surely having fun, and making lasting memories.
Good Morning Diana,
You just gave me my first big laugh of the day . . . thank you :)
Keep Smiling.
Connie :)
Yep, that's the way it really is...you won't see that in a magazine. Love the kid photos and the bowl on the head...seen that one before. Bright Eyes is going to have a lot of teachers to show her the ropes. Hope you are feeling better and have a good day!
My house doesn't look like that and I don't have kids! Houses that are perfect aren't lived in. I want life in my house. Our time on earth is short and let's enjoy our life here before we see our Saviour face-to-face. Your little Bright Eyes is well loved. Sorry to hear about the jaundice, but I hear that's common. Glad she is better now.
The perfect living room for a busy, active, and happy family! Where they feel welcome and at ease with one another and the surroundings. So happy to hear the Miss Baby Bright Eyes is pink again! xo Nellie
I need to give my blog readers a reality check too!!! We have our 7 yr old about half of the time. As I look around the room......big barbie house...barbie horses....legos....clothes....homework....just an average day for us! Love the bowl on his sweet little head! Hugs, Penny
Keepin' it real, Diana! I've always tried to do that, too! Glad to see that their house looks like mine did when mine were younger! xoKathleen
I used to say that my living room was decorated by Playskool. When my kids were little, there were toys everywhere. Now, I have a more grown up house. LOL!
I just love the photos of the girls kissing their new sweet baby cousin, Diana! She is darling. And I'm glad you are keeping it real! The "people" (if there really ARE people who live in that first room) in that living room need a reality check!!
Well the first one is pretty, but a home filed with love and laughter is so much better! And we have exact same blocks packed away. Can't wait to break them out for Clare!
It can get hectic, with kids.
But believe me (and you), Nanas know that this time is fleeting. Enjoy it! Even if it does get hectic. :-))))))
Oh yes. Bouncing children. Sometimes John stays and hangs out with the boys and me in the afternoon after they are brought home...usually long enough for the snack...when the bouncing begins, he's off like a rocket. ☺
I love the color of jaundiced babes, but am very happy to know that Bright Eyes is pink again. When I start saying, "That child's coloring is so beautiful" parents should be warned.
I'm always cautious of a mom of school -aged kids with a perfect looking home. It means that there is no fun going on there!
reminds me of my daughter's house...they really LIVE in it even with all her pretty furniture and "stuff"!
that picture of the baby is so precious...jackson was a little "yellow" too but they put him under a "billy" light for a day or two and he was just fine!
hope your weather is not too bad, i think this will be our last "cold" week, supposed to be around 79 here by the weekend...it's about time!
Dear Diana, I do like to keep a few pictures of my cleaned up Den to have proof it doesn't always have Legos and Linken logs covering it!
As a Grand Mother I can say I do have a much cleaner home them when mine where little... But. I would choose busy and toys all over the place then a model HOME any day!
Did you say you jumped off the couch onto the mini trampoline? :o)
Love, Roxy
My house goes from the before to the after when the grands are here. Good to have a lived in home!
The first picture I would be a little afraid to visit, but with your family it would be welcome and have fun. It looks lived in and enjoyed. Your family looked like they were having so much fun. Bright Eyes is being loved by all. Everybody will look out for her. Have a wonderful day and enjoy those grandchildren, they grow up way to fast. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend.
Lived in homes are the best! My boys used to have those cardboard "bricks" too. My living room floor was covered with those and matchbox cars for years and years! Happy times! Glad bright eyes is doing well. :)
It looks like fun. There will be time for a pretty living room when the kids are grown. Have fun while they are little and enjoy spending time with them, Nana D! Sweet hugs!
I thought she had a little jaundice in that picture with sweet cheeks..Thought maybe it was just the picture..Glad all is well..Cute post..The important thing is that everyone is happy and having fun..
Lovin that first room you posted :) wink laugh
good to see all the kids having fun..
aww Bright Eyes, you sweet little pink bundle of joy.
Sweet kisses for the new baby. You are right, that first photo looked like a show piece not some place that people actually live in.
I get it! You can have a living room like this if you have a big family room or playroom for the kids. Right? :)
Loved seeing your family doing real things, and the photos of the baby are darling. I can see she gets lots of hugs and kisses.
Beautiful indeed!
Loving the ''LIVING" room! Such joyful reality from these pictures. Family memories making up a wonderful life! Keep enjoying! <3
Way to go on almost 700 FOLLOWERS DIANA!!!
Another beautiful grandbaby??? You are truly blessed, Diana. I wouldn't even mind the messes.
Hope you are well and staying warm. xoxo.
Little ones and baby, beautiful, just beautiful! Prettier than the prettiest magazine living room!
Diana, and a beautiful situation as it should be. What fun they are having, not even realizing the memories they are making. Oh, little Bright Eyes. I would take that one off your hands in a heartbeat..Happy Thursday to all..Judy
and the laundry basket. Don't forget the never ending presence of the laundry basket! Glad little chunka love is doing better. let's catch up soon! hehe.
Reality is so much better than "perfect and in place"....The love and fun just jumps off the screen. And those last three shots...oh my ~ melt my heart.
A quick memory. Being a Pastor's wife...people always dropping in since we lived next door to the church. When my four were little I put a sheet on the living room floor with kids and toys...when the door bell rang....gathered up the four corners of the sheet, tied a knot, stuck it in the bedroom and walla ready for company...oops...did I leave a kid in the sheet...1,2,3,4... All account for...HaHa
Yes, yes, YES!! Love this, Diana! I'll take a REAL living room over a magazine photo any day. . . even though our real life is rarely photo-worthy!
I like the second room the best...The first is pretty to look at, but it's not lived in. Cute kiddos!
First picture is not for real...even with two people our front room is not picture perfect. I like your "lived in" style of living....that is more real!!!! Have a great day!!!
I do not believe any family has ever lived in that first room!
Who do they think they are fooling?
I think your daughter's LR is far more fun and practical for any real family, for sure.
It appears Bright Eyes is getting plenty of love and attention-so sweet.
I love the pictures of them girls kissing Bright Eyes.
We must be sharing the same decorator - LIFE! Our youngsters are all grown up now but those days are still fresh in my memory. My living room now has three dog beds (our grand dog is visiting), a cat pole, and toys all over the floor. I would call it a Home Decorated By Love! Thanks for sharing Diana xxoo back to ya!
I love it!!!...Real life...have fun with your "sweeties"...Life is good!
This is great!! Real living with healthy and happy kids having fun and making moments. This makes the perfect living room!!
Love your pics and those last ones are precious!! So glad Bright Eyes pinked up too.
Hugs XO
My living room ALWAYS looks like the first photo. Buwahaha.
I always get a kick out of those magazine photos. My cousin emailed me that she couldn't stand my perfectly perfect kitchen photos from the blog anymore. So I sent her a real pic of my kitchen- dishes in the sink, bills on the kitchen table, shoes at the back door, homework and kids...that's reality! It's messy, like your daughter's living room, but filled with love and life and I agree, that's what make a beautiful room! ps...love the bowl! ;)
Reality is so much better than staged. I am getting the impression that baby is getting a fair amount of kisses. xo Laura
So funny you posted this...Jim and I were just talking about the days when our whole living room was a fort for the week when kids were on spring break!!
Diana, that's how real life should be, not picture perfect. The children look happy and that's the important thing. Glad to know the baby is okay!
Diana, This is life filled with laughter and love!!! My youngest girls house often resembles your daughters house. Bright Eyes is so very precious-I know you are loving the time with them. Hope you have a delightful evening and great weekend.
Hugs, Noreen
I love the activity of that real living room :)))
And Awe ~ beautiful baby bright eyes .
I await my first grandchild coming this July !!!
I like a pretty room as much as anyone, but I find more joy in the mess!!! Loved a glimpse into the sweet chaos!! :)
now, that is a beautiful room:)
I am a design junky and expecting my first child. I'm secretly afraid my living room will become overrun with toys, but in the end I;m sure the trade off will be well worth it.
When the grands visit, it literally takes about a nano second for the house to go from neat to nutsville so I can totally relate, right down to the bowl on the head :)
That looks way more normal, much more comfy and real! I'm uncomfortable in a tidy perfectly organize home...clutter is my style!
Oh yeah! THAT is the definition of a living room of a happy family :)
That is a happy living room with lots of wonderful memories.
A beautiful, normal, happy family in a toy filled untidy room doing their thang! The BEST! Blessings~~~Roxie
When I saw that first picture with your description..I thought.."what?" Lol Never was it like that at my house...lol
Blessings to you all!
I had to laugh at the first photo. Yeah ... right. Not!
The real thing has much more appeal.
Oh yes...that is just what a living room looks like with an active family! (Not the first one, of course...)
L O V E x 1 8 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ditto Dayle: I love the appeal of the last several REAL photos!
Hugs and happy highways, Diana! STAY WARM!
Yup...That is exactly what a 'living' room is supposed to look like - Lived in!! Blessings to you and all those beautiful kiddos, Cindy
My living room looks perfect now because all of the puppy's toy are put away, the pillows are plumped and everyone else is in bed. But then, come morning, it is lived in - all day.
What a gorgeous room Diana - love that they actually LIVE in the living room - I never learned the art of that sadly lol
My house is usually picked up because it's just me and my husband...but when my kids visit there is stuff everywhere and I love it. A little clutter adds that special, homey feeling. Your family looks like so much fun...you are truly blessed.
You mean everything we see in magazines is not real? Darn! There's a whole lot of living going on in the second room and that's the way it should be.
So, we get to choose.... lived in or elegant? I choose lived in. Because elegant is also empty and empty is loveless and lonely. Pretty yes, but also kind of sad. A room full of children is happy and alive! :-) And your children are precious!


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On Finovate.com
- FutureVault Partners with BlueRock Wealth Management.
Around the web
- Fiserv to enhance digital banking strategy for Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union.
- American Banker profiles Ripple's strategy to partner with– and compete with — banks.
- U.S. News profiles PayNearMe as a tool to help consumers shop online without a credit card
- Revolut launches business accounts in U.K. and Europe to complete with Transferwise
- FICO launches new fraud solution to identify the source of compromised cards faster
This post will be updated throughout the day as news and developments emerge. You can also follow all the alumni news headlines on the Finovate Twitter account.


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About Fertha
FERTHA is A SUSTAINABLE & ENVIROnmentally DRIVEN CLOTHING BRAND.
We further the lifecycle of clothes by re-processing; reducing the negative footprint their production has on the environment. We also shift negative shopper perceptions of shopping and buying second hand clothes.
That you shouldn't have to buy new clothes to get what makes you look and feel good.
That buying re-processed should be fun, easy, convenient, affordable and offer quality & variety.
That consuming should be environmentally positive.
In doing good whilst doing business by reducing the negative footprint of mass production clothing with every item sold.
We take the time to curate quality pieces with little or no pre-wear; many of our pieces are also new with the original tags. We sell our carefully selected pieces via online flash sales and Pop Shops around the UK. To see where & when the next online sale or Pop Shop goes live visit our Sale Dates page here.


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New, Converted, and Restored Websites
New, Converted, And Restored Websites
While we specialize in updating and maintaining websites we also enjoy building new ones. And we love converting and restoring very old websites too, using modern, responsive technology while letting customers take advantage of their previous investment.
Full-Featured Websites
Full-featured websites including outside graphic design consultation, custom themes, custom code development, and deep collaboration on interface design.
- Pacifica Landscapes - the design called for closely fitted but responsive images for this custom built WordPress site.
- Immunexpress - custom built from scratch
- 4 Seasons Home Inspections - converted from HTML to WordPress with a custom-built responsive theme
- Partners of the Cherokee National Forest - one of our oldest sites, built with Drupal from the client's elegant graphic design.
- A Healthy Sense of Self - this site has an enormous set of features -- online courses, ecommerce, quizzes, and translations!
Basic Websites
Starter websites for small businesses, academic groups, and individuals! Based on WordPress: popular, modular open-source web software. Your site might start out small but it doesn't have to stay that way. Even very large companies and institutions use WordPress. So can you.
Basic Website examples include
- Lake Washington Landworks - restored from an old, non-responsive site
- Stress-Wave, Inc - a new basic site built to replace a very old HTML site.
- United Recycling & Container - we converted the client's old HTML website
- Crisis Management Consulting
- Wassa Dance - We usually don't do design work but we had a lot of fun working with the site owner to craft this colorful look.
- Oliver Spencer, Attorney - a simple website built in collaboration with a local graphic designer
- Victorious Cleaning Service - one of our very first "commercial" websites


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How to identify bamboo species? Learn how to recognize different parts of the bamboo plant with this comprehensive beginners guide to bamboo identification.
Common Bamboo Names
Landscapers, gardeners and garden books, frequently use common bamboo names to refer to popular bamboos. To help you find corresponding botanical names, the following list includes some of the most common bamboo names used in the United States and their botanical equivalents.
Bamboo Flowering Habits
Is it true that flowering bamboo always dies after seed setting? The short answer to this question is: usually yes, but not always...
Types of Bamboo Rhizomes
The bamboo rhizome is the underground part of a bamboo stem (culm). However, rhizomes are not roots, roots grow under the rhizome and culms erect on top of the rhizome.


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1) Script Title: Featured Image Zoomer
2) Script URL (on DD): http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamici...uredzoomer.htm
3) Describe problem: Everything is working properly, but I need to make it so the default image to load isn't the first thumbnail that is listed in my code.
The reason I can't just change the order of the <a href>'s is that the thumbs are listed alphabetically, so the 'black item' is always listed first,
so every page initially loads the 'black item' thumbnail.
Basically I've got thumbs 1 2 3 4, and on page load I need #2 to display as if it was clicked (so the hover/zoom feature works).
I'm pretty sure this can be done with some simple JavaScript and CSS, can anyone help?


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Rosario Dawson is in negotiations to portray the female lead in the Untitled Chris Rock Comedy.
No specific details were given regarding the story, except that it is a romantic comedy set in the world of show business. Chris Rock will direct from his own screenplay and star alongside Rosario Dawson.
Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and Barry Diller are producing, with Barry Diller providing the financing. Chris Rock recently signed on to star in Scott Rudin's Broadway production The Motherf---er With the Hat. This untitled comedy will be their first time working together on the silver screen. No production schedule was given.
Rosario Dawson currently stars in Trance, alongside James McAvoy and Vincent Cassel. She will next be seen reprising her Sin City role as Gail in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.


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The other day my daughter asked me how Valentine's Day started. She's in Grade 5 so starting to worry a little bit about the message she sends when she hands the boys (and the girls) in her class a Hannah Montana valentine which says something about making cool music together. So I explained that traditionally Valentine's Day had been a day when male secret admirers gave their female crushes a card, rose, or small gift, and signed an anonymous note declaring their devotion and love. Eventually it became a greeting card company gold mine with everyone from boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives, grandparents and grandchildren, students and teacher and kids-to-kids getting in on the action. It's not an understatement to say as a result, it's become a little less significant. Particularly once you get 32 of them, all addressed to "Classmate". (And seriously, which one of you Moms started attaching nut-free chocolates and pink pencils to the cards – enough already!)
But it did start me thinking that while I do love my family, and my friends, and even the occasional sales clerk who convinces me I look good in those pants, that there are some inanimate objects I would like to issue Valentines to instead, this year.
- My crock pot. Seriously. Who else cooks dinner for me while I work, run kids to hockey and spend 10 or 60 minutes on Twitter
- The inventors of pre-cooked bacon, bagged salad and frozen garlic bread. And the "flash-freeze" process.
- The clothing manufacturers who decided that a size 10 is all-of-a-sudden a size 4. Well will you look at that! I guess I can have that cheese plate after all.
- My beloved BlackBerry, Seamus. He's the only one of my children who knows when to stop making so much noise (okay I can turn him off, granted), gives me information I can use (versus "I haven't changed my underwear in three days"), and never drinks all my diet Pepsi, steals my chocolate or refuses to put his boots/protective covering on
- The mirrors they seem to have in fitting rooms and hotels. I know you deploy the "skinny" mirror but it still counts. I carry that image in my head all day, even if others don't. So there.
So this Valentine's Day, do the right thing – help your child with their cards – it's worth the price of social acceptance, but think about sending an anonymous one too - maybe to that fabulous new shoe that looks great and doesn't hurt to wear. No taped-on chocolate required.
Kathy Buckworth's latest book "Shut Up & Eat: Tales of Chicken, Children & Chardonnay" is now available for pre-order on amazon.ca and at Chapters Online.
Look for the book in bookstores on March 21st.
Visit www.kathybuckworth.com and follow Kathy on Twitter


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Use the form below to request more information about Interlogix products, or send feedback to help us improve our service and better meet your needs.
For specific technical questions, please contact Customer Support. Homeowners can also find a security dealer near them by searching Where to Buy.
Get the latest Interlogix news and product information delivered straight to your inbox.
Las Vegas, NV • Jan. 5–8, 2017
Come see the innovative UltraSync™ SmartHome system at CES 2017.
Visit booth #40563 and play to win an UltraSync system


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There are many factors that influence mental health. Most emotional disorders are created by a combination of "nature" and "nurture"--genetics and environment. When clinicians do assessments, they evaluate the patient's family background and stressors and often make a decision as to whether symptoms have a mostly biological background or are mostly due to environment. Rarely, if ever, is an emotional disorder created only by biology or only by environment. What's most important for the patient to remember, however, is that current environment, behaviors and choices have an impact on mental health. Although the past can't be changed and neither can one's genes, people make many choices in their lives that affect their mental health.
The worst decisions that people make affecting their mental health include decisions to avoid treatment for emotional problems, decisions to continue using drugs or alcohol despite problems with these substances, and decisions to stay in bad relationships. People can also make bad career and financial decisions that often have very negative effects on their mental health later in life (see my previous post http://notesonsanity.blogspot.com/2015/01/do-therapists-give-advice.html.)
But let's reframe this question in a more positive way: What are the good decisions people make that can enhance their mental health?
In addition to promptly seeking help for emotional and behavioral problems, limiting or eliminating substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors and leaving abusive relationships, smaller decisions can have a big impact. Here are some healthy habits:
1. Exercise regularly see my previous post http://notesonsanity.blogspot.com/2014/08/run-for-your-life.html
2. Pursue your dreams while maintaining realism in your career choices (not so easy in practice, which is why it's good to get advice from others whom you trust).
3. Write in a journal. Writing down feelings and thoughts helps people gain a sense of control over their feelings and thoughts.
4. Pursue a hobby. Learning and gaining competence in a field unrelated to your job makes you less dependent on your career for your self esteem and means you can never be bored. Play a musical instrument, take up photography or painting, engage in creative writing, study foreign languages...etc. A hobby can also turn into a second career or at least something to add to your resume.
5. Develop a life philosophy and try to find a group of people who share it. There's a reason why religion continues to be popular despite the Scientific Revolution--people need a sense of meaning, purpose and belonging, in life. But there are many philosophies that don't require belief in a deity or practices that are thousands of years old. These include political philosophies and movements, alternative religions, 12-step programs, and various modern philosophies.
6. Associate with different types of people. Perspectives can become narrow when one only associates with people from one's own socioeconomic class and nationality. Associating with different types of people can lead to insight about expectations and pressures from one's social circle that aren't necessarily helpful but are based on tradition or culture.
7. Become a fan. This may sound like strange advice, as the word "fan" comes from the word "fanatic." But there's been some research indicating sports fans have better overall mental health than people who aren't sports fans, and it stands to reason that other types of fandom may have a similar effect. There is a human need to look to icons, which is another reason why religion survived the Scientific Revolution.
8. Neither ruminate on the past, remain stuck in the present, nor worry excessively about the future. Thinking about the past can be beneficial for two reason: One, to determine a chain of events that led to bad decisions, and two, to reflect on one's accomplishments, which is beneficial for increasing self-esteem. Dwelling on past traumas is not healthy, although talking about them with a therapist might be. People who only exist in the present lose perspective. It's important to remember the past to know who you are, and it's important to visualize and to even fantasize about the future, because this helps you to set goals. Worrying about the future, on the other hand, serves no purpose unless you have legitimate worries that require immediate action.


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Get your classroom writing center ready for the autumn season with this packet of lined paper with a fall theme.
Use these throughout the autumn season for the primary grades.
Your students will love the opportunity to write using the variety of seasonal paper.
Copy the paper in bright, fall colors and place them at a writing center or thematic center. Download the packet for free by clicking HERE.


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The Kingshurst
The Kingshurst
- The KingshurstHouse & Land package from
- $374,248 or just $334 per week!*
With a total living area of almost 300 square metres, The Kingshurst display home Haynes, showcases both quality and quantity in a family home.
This four-bedroom, two-bathroom display home in Haynes includes all the features on a modern family's wishlist, from a secluded home theatre and resort-style master suite, to a private study and chef's kitchen with scullery.
The enormous master suite is certain to prove popular, featuring twin walk-in robes, plus an ensuite that wouldn't look out of place in a six-star resort.
There's somewhere for everyone in this family home – whether you want to relax watching a movie in the home theatre, catch up on work in the study, or take time out in the alfresco. Conveniently located just off the entry, the Kingshurst's study is ideal for those who work from home.
When it's time for the family to come together, the Kingshurst's open-plan living area is the perfect spot. Opening on to the generous alfresco, the area also benefits from high, 31-course ceilings, plus a designer kitchen with separate scullery and walk-in pantry.
Quite simply, the Kingshurst is a spacious, stylish family home without compromise.
Highlights of The Kingshurst include:
- Resort-style master suite with twin walk-in robes
- Chef's kitchen with separate scullery and walk-in pantry
- Bathroom with separate powder room to minor bedroom wing
- Study off entry foyer
- 31c ceiling to open-plan living area
Sized to fit a 17m block frontage, The Kingshurst is a spacious and stylish 4×2 home design.
To find out more about The Kingshurst visit the display home in Haynes or contact us now.
Where next?
* House & Land package – Terms and Conditions
Financial Services are provided by InReach Finance. InReach Finance is a subsidiary of Blueprint Homes and is an Authorised Credit Representative 470699 of DMEE Holdings Pty Ltd Australian Credit Licence 469248. *$248 per week is based on a 95% home loan with interest only repayments for a $326,436 house and land package in Ravenswood Green with a home loan at 4.19% pa over 30 years. All applicants must meet the lending criteria of the financial institution. **Strictly for a limited time only. Terms and conditions apply & Fees and charges apply.
Home Loan is based on the Westpac Flexi Options Home Loan which is 4.19%. Comparison Rate 4.72%. Home loans includes Loan Mortgage Insurance of approximately $8,276 and relies on a client contribution of $18,178. First Home Buyers Grant may be used as part of the contribution, please seek clarification by contacting an InReach Finance Representative. This offer is only valid whilst the Westpac promotion is active.The Kingshurst
All Finance Services are provided by InReach Finance, Credit Representative 470699 of Australian Credit License 469248. InReach Finance is a subsidiary entity of Blueprint Homes.
$334 per week is based on a $374,248 house and land package in Ravenswood Green. 97% interest only loan at 4.63%pa over 30 years. All applicants must meet lending criteria of the financial institution. Terms and conditions apply. Fees and charges apply.


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Stockport renews maintenance contract
Althea is pleased to announce that Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has renewed its maintenance service for a further three years. The contract for diagnostic imaging equipment, including two CT scanners, is further to the success of the previous three-year service which began in June 2012.
Our maintenance service is the ISO 9001:2008-accredited multi-vendor managed maintenance service that is designed to reduce costs and maximise equipment availability with industry-leading response and rectification times. Flexible services are available with a choice of cover levels and maintenance providers.
The service at Stockport will provide the Trust with cost savings and operational benefits including: a choice of engineering options; a single point-of-contact service centre for all service requests; guaranteed uptime; and improved detailed reporting on equipment performance.
Martin Thornton, Business Development Manager commented, "We are delighted with the renewal of this contract – it serves as testament to the success of our service and new competitive pricing structure. Our range of services delivers measurable cost and efficiency savings for the management and maintenance of critical medical equipment. Hospitals are able to make significant savings on their non-pay spend and remodel the way they purchase and implement the maintenance of their medical equipment, achieving improved uptime performance and, in turn, better productivity."


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When we plan for a marriage ceremony, probably the most critical section will be to make your mind up a great venue as outlined by our taste and individuality http://www.bestweddingvenuesmelbourne.com – melbourne venues. The marriage venue need to be the main big stage within your arranging, mainly because it performs a significant function in defining the overall impact of the marriage. When it comes to your wedding day celebration, you wish to really make it an unforgettable jiffy within your lifetime. So devoid of any question, by far the most critical part of the planning enigma is your marriage ceremony location and also to fix it Berkshire Marriage Venues are a perfect location to decide on.
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"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
King James Version (KJV)
5:15 See that none - Watch over both yourselves and each other. Follow that which is good - Do it resolutely and perseveringly.
1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil. See PNT "Ro 12:21". This doctrine was subversive of the practice of the whole world.


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Drive 3 of the World's Best Cars in One Day
Drive Two of Italy's Best Supercars
Drive Two of the most track focus supercars in the world
Choose your Favorite Exotics to Xperience
We tour 35 cities hosting 50 events a year offering you the drive of a lifetime! It's time you experienced the thrill of an exotic supercar on a real racetrack. No speed limits. No experience required.


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Lessons from the Arab world
By K.N. Pandita
West Asia and the Arab World are seething with mass mobilization. It began from Tunisia, a North African state where, like other contiguous Arab states, French cultural influence has been accepted as well as rejected. Uprising against Hosni Mubarak of Egypt was unexpected to happen that soon. Masses in Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain and Djibouti in East Africa demonstrated restlessness. Inside stories from the Saudi kingdom are inaccessible.
Interestingly, the wave has inched onwards into non-Arab world as well like China. In Shanghai the Jasmine Revolution activists demand democratization in China. The contagion has spread to no fewer than twelve cities of the country. Authorities are jittery that anti – regime revolution may soon rock the entire nation and repetition of Tiananmen Square massacre may not be the solution.
In the initial stage of Egyptian crisis, Iranian supreme religious leader chipped in asking Tahrir Square crowds to go Islamic. They did not oblige. Now Teheran, having eaten the humble pie, thinks of resorting to sword-rattling. Two of her warships have moved into the Mediterranean waters in a bid to convey message to Syrian masses that Iran would forestall any conspiracy of overthrowing the government there. Iran suspects America's invisible hand busy in subversion in Syria, the only Arab country in the Middle East befriending theocratic regime in Iran. Israel has expressed its concern over Iranian warships moving into the Mediterranean.
So far the mass movement in the Arab world has not shown any signs of being an Islamic religious movement. Despite subtle prompting by Iranian supreme religious leader, Cairo crowds have kept clear of theocratizing the movement. Apparently a widespread political and economic movement is rattling the entire Arab world, which has been generally ruled by autocrats, despots and tyrants. After decolonization of North African Arab states which had given rise to deep anti-colonial and anti-western sentiments, the dust settled down with the end of cold war era. Thereafter followed decades of brisk interaction between the Arabs and the western world and thousands of Arabs immigrated to the US and European cities. A new pattern of relationship developed between the Arab Diaspora and local cultural entities. The Arabs hitherto not used to democratic life style now began to feel and understand that they had been living under repression of despots back in their original countries. A lurking desire of reformation in all aspects of Muslim society ultimately became catalyst to the new phenomenon of mass movement that we witness today across the entire Middle East. If logically analyzed, one can say that this movement should not and may not be hijacked by the fanatical chapters as happened in Iran. The lessons from Iranian Islamic revolution cannot be ignored or forgotten. Rather it serves an eye opener to the pioneers of the present movement in Arab world.
However, India, a secular democratic country must try to learn some unavoidable lessons from the Middle East situation. Their movement is essentially against bad governance and lack of political freedom. These are the underlying motivations for mass movement. In India, we should not rest content with the satisfaction that we have a viable democracy in place. That is not all to be contented with. We are faced with far greater danger; corruption, bad governance and mismanagement. We have seen how the previous session of the parliament was stalled owing to unwillingness of the government to be transparent. We have seen how the government stubbornly opposed the installation of JPC thereby intensifying the doubts that the government had skeletons in the cupboard. These are not small happenings. We have also seen senior leaders trying to hoodwink the nation and we have seen how communalism is advanced subtly and by stealth. We have seen how the talisman of underplaying one communalism is made operative by profiling its counterfoil and so forth.
All this does not augur well for a democracy. Patronizing groupism, identity-ism and many more isms will fuel opposition to the system. The country is already locked in a grim battle with separatists, secessionists, Naxalites and Maoists. We are already pinned down by two big enemies on our east and west. We need to bring about a radical change in our thinking and approach. We need to redraw our priorities. It is import to stop unbridled propaganda of maligning political rivals by painting them in religious colour. That is self-destruction. These are the messages from Arab mass movements. We should not wait for the time when the masses of people mostly comprising the youth are left with no option but to imitate the Arab youth of today. Our political culture is on downslide, and needs to be arrested. Democracy is not the game of mere numbers; it is good governance for maxim of numbers.


text: Which Hyper-V VM Worker Process Belongs To Which VM? 2. June 2013 Ryan IT Professional , Powershell , Windows Server Comments (1) Warning! This info is not totally accurate! Please read the next day's post for corrections. I wanted to track down which virtual machine on my Hyper-V host was causing an inordinate amount of disk I/O on my host without logging in to each one. In Hyper-V, you will notice that on the root partition, you will see one instance of vmms.exe (VM Management Service,) and then you will see a separate instance of vmwp.exe (VM Worker Process) for each virtual machine that is currently running. Notice that the vmwp.exe processes run under a special user context which contains the GUID that you would find in that virtual machine's configuration files on disk. The same GUID is also supplied to vmwp.exe as an argument as the process is created, like so: "C:\Windows\System32\vmwp.exe" c83cdee4-1a6d-4f51-9d05-e57df8403ed4 It's not immediately apparent which vmwp.exe belongs to which VM. Furthermore, the I/O charged against each individual vmwp.exe process is not necessarily indicative of what's actually happening on the virtual machine that its hosting. So we'll need to go to the performance counters instead. The "Hyper-V Virtual IDE Controller (Emulated)" set of counters should do the trick, assuming you're using the IDE controller on your VMs. I have all the information I need now to determine which virtual machine is responsible for the large amount of I/O... but I didn't want to just do it manually. Why not write a reusable tool that can also be run on Core servers with no GUI? So this simple script, when run on a Hyper-V host, does just that. The output looks like this: My VMs were all idle then, hence all the zeros. The screenshot loses all its dramatic flair, but whatever. The script could easily be enhanced by supporting remote Hyper-V hosts, alternate credentials, etc. But what do you want for 30 minutes? #Requires -Version 3 function Get-VMPidAndIO { <# .SYNOPSIS Gets the Process ID and I/O statistics of each virtual machine running on the Hyper-V host. .DESCRIPTION Gets the Process ID and I/O statistics of each virtual machine running on the Hyper-V host. Currently only works for VMs using virtual IDE controllers. Requires Powershell 3 at a minimum. .LINK http://myotherpcisacloud.com .NOTES Written by Ryan Ries, June 2013. firstname.lastname@example.com #> BEGIN { Try { $VMProcesses = Get-CimInstance -Query "Select ProcessId,CommandLine From Win32_Process Where Name ='vmwp.exe'" -ErrorAction Stop } Catch { Write-Error $_.Exception.Message Return } } PROCESS { } END { Foreach($_ In $VMProcesses) { $VMName = $((Get-VM | Where Id -EQ $_.CommandLine.Split(' ')[-1]).Name) [PSCustomObject]@{PID=$_.ProcessId; VMName=$VMName; ReadBytesPerSec=[Math]::Round($(Get-Counter "\Hyper-V Virtual IDE Controller (Emulated)($VMName`:Ide Controller)\Read Bytes/sec").CounterSamples.CookedValue, 2); WriteBytesPerSec=[Math]::Round($(Get-Counter "\Hyper-V Virtual IDE Controller (Emulated)($VMName`:Ide Controller)\Write Bytes/sec").CounterSamples.CookedValue, 2); } } } }