text:
"Excuse me?" Jaime raises his eyebrow as she cuts him off, he could see Adam do the same, he presses a button that demarcates both ends, sealing up the window and blocking his view from them, he turns to her "Excuse me?" he repeats "Didn't you just listen to any of my rules ?"
"No, I am sorry, you lost me when you began with rule number one." She smirks
"Is this sort of a joke?"
"No Sir, excuse me. I didn't sign up to be some …w hatever this is kind-of-Call Girl is" she flexes her finger
"What did you sign up for then, Miss Alexandra?" he wanted to know
"Look, I don't know what freakish thing you got going on and trust me I have met weird guys but… you and your rules? Ridiculous!! No consensual sex with others and I have to do what you say and when you say and act like a robot you mean? Why? You don't exactly own me, Sir"
"Because I want what I want and because I am paying for your services. I own you for the duration of this… till when she comes back."
"I see. Is there anything else you want me to write down for your do's and don't, because you would have to give me a paper because I don't keep bullshits in my head" she retorts, he smiles
"You have a nasty mouth!!" he tells her
"And you are kind of a weirdo" she says
"Do you always say the first thought that comes to your heard, off all things "Weirdo? "
"Well, You seem like you are the kind of person that would tell me when to fart and when to take a pee" she rolls her eyes
"Actually, you don't do any of that unless I do tell you to. I can't have you farting when. .."
"Are you really for real?" She cuts him with an unbelievable laugh..
He was joking right, this has to be one hell of a joker.
"I am not smiling," he says with a straight face.
"You really are some messed up "Peculiar" person " she throws at him looking him over, what the hell did she agree to. She rubs her nose with her hand.
"Do you pick your nose? I see you twitching them and rubbing it"
"Because it is itching me"
"You don't have to rub it like that, it's unlady-like"
She scoffs "What's unlady-like is to seat in a car and smell the stench of your cockiness. I am sorry my nose is pretty sensitive to things like that" she smiles coldly at him
He is shaking his head, this wouldn't work. He was used to submissive women.. not this…whatever she was.
Why the hell was Bekky unavailable.
"Look, it's apparent this wouldn't work. Get out!!" He never did like to waste valuable time on nonsense and she was all shades of it.
She scoffs "Excuse me?" she turns to face fully him in the car, she folds her hands.
"Get out, or you want me to ask my driver to help you with that?"
"Who the hell do you think you are Mr-Pretty-boy-in the limousine who likes to give orders"
"Yeah" he nods "Pretty much summed it up. Now Get out!!"
Okay, you Mr -you are rude, that is not how to speak to a lady"
"A lady should know when to speak and not when to speak and besides, I am paying you for your services, I get to do what the hell I want and when I want and how I want. Bekky understands these things"
"Well since you have eyes and they are functional, you can tell that I am not Bekky. Maybe Bekky got tired of your controlling a-s and fell sick of your "Orders". she throws at him
He grabs his phone and begins to type a number, he takes it to his ears, she follows his movement as she frowns
"What are you doing?"
"About to ask your Boss why the hell he sent me the worst of the scum"
Argh!!! '
She scoffs. "Wow!! You have got to be kidding me, worst of the scum? And I thought a man of your class and prestige would be decent enough not be drive around picking up Call Girls for a contract bases, now who is the scum, sure isn't me. And even if I were, you are the one wanting the scum"
"Not you, Bekky was just fine "
"Well, Bekky is fed up with you. I hope I do not now I have to suffer through with you. " she spat shaking her head "Scum. You are the scum with your rich boy limousine and terrible attitude. "
He ignores her "Yes, Mr Rick, I would like if you can send me another person within the minute, the one you sent is wrong on all levels"
She shakes her head as he talks.
Whatever!! It would be good if he sends another person for this annoying client. She really needed to go home and soak herself in a cool bath for the night and thereafter sleep well.
But no, the Boss sets her up with a crazy client.
She sighs when he hands her the phone, she raises an eyebrow
"I think you are intelligent enough to understand the gesture, unless you are incapable of it then I can explain to you why I am holding the phone to you" he pushes the phone close to her, when she stares at it, he releases his hand and lets it drops, quickly she catches it and grabs it before it falls, cursing under her breathe she places it to her ears.
Here goes. She thinks to herself when she heard his voice she knew he was angry, especially when he calls her name in full.
She throws the man seating in the limousine with her a dirty angry look.
"Alexandra Bekington, I do not even want to hear what you are about to say when I say what I want to say. I do not know what you were doing neither do I care, I do not care about your reservations or your complains. I do not care if you don't like the car or not. I do not simply care. It doesn't matter whatever he says and wants if he wants you to jump you say how high if he needs you to fart, fxxking fart and if he needs you to do the unthinkable, as long as he is paying you for it…do it. So that attitude you have right now, stop it.
You are going to act like a good girl that you are and do whatever daddy tells you to do. Yes, Alexandra, he is your daddy for tomorrow, next tomorrow and all the days he wants you till Bekky comes back.
From where I stand, You have two choices, either you suck it up and do whatever he wants you to do, or you go the fxxking home and don't return "
She blinks, "You wouldn't let me go, I practically run that bar off the roof. People like me… no they love me. You can't possibly tell me to go home just because of a client? Who by the way is crazy… peculiar doesn't cut it."
Jaime scoffs, she ignores him
"SweEt heart, everyone is dispensable, even you. You know that saying "Wars come and go" , it literally means that once you leave, someone else would come and do a better job than you. So, be a nice girl and apologize to him and tell him you are ready to do whatever the hell he desires"
She is silent, she heard him sigh
"Oh Alexa, you really don't want me to take an action now do you?"
"Good, so you will do what he says and how he says and when he says.. okay?"
She nods her head.
"Have I made myself clear Alexandra?" He asks
"Yes sir" she replies reluctantly.
"Good girl, who is your daddy?"
She is silent
"Who is your daddy Alexandra?"
His words cause her to wince in pain, she blows a thin air as she closes and opens her eyes.
"Jaime Lockswire" she says, the man raises an eyebrow when he says his name, but he says nothing.
"Good girl. Hand him back the phone."
She did.
"So am I getting a replacement, Mr Rick?" Jaime asks him
"No Sir, it's been resolved. She wouldn't give you any more problem. She just got off her period so you have to forgive her lack of manners Sir, I can assure you that she would behave, 100 percent."
"I would rather have someone else if you don't mind"
"No one else is available Sir. I tell you what, by tomorrow we can have a replacement for you pending Becky's return, you can only keep her for one night Sir" Rick tries to persuade him.
He looks at the girl seated in the limousine with him, she is quiet as she stares out the window.
"Very well" he cuts the call.
Without saying a word to her he presses a button, "Adam? You can start the car, we are good to go"
"Yes sir" Adam's voice came back.
He removes his hand from the button and relaxes back, he studies her, she doesn't turn. She simply didn't even blink.
Well, at least she was quiet.
He really wishes Bekky was around, now he would have to show the new girl what is and what is not.
"Adam?" He presses the button
"Yes sir!"
"Make a quick stop at the house, I need to do some brushing up."
"Okay Sir "
He goes back to settling backwards, allowing the girl her peace.
For Now.
"We are here Sir" Adam slows to a stop, he opens the door for Jaime to step out which he did, Alexandra doesn't move.
"Please step out of the car; we have only a few minutes to get this over with," he tells her without looking at her.
Reluctantly she does so, Jaime is walking ahead of her leading to the double doors of his house, nearing it, it rolls open on its own accord when he steps on a square shaped picture on the floor. He disappears inside.
"You have to follow him, Ma'am," Adam says indicating the house, quietly she walks towards the house, leaving Adam behind in the car.
She is amazed when she sets her foot into the house, it has those long unending halls you cannot even see the end off, the further you look, the longer it seems. she is standing there, wondering where he went. it just looks empty.
"Erm… I do not see him anywhere, " she turns around to Adam, she sees him hide a smile.
"He is there alright, just go a few steps and take your right"
"I do not see anything other than long hallways down to forever"
"The doors are made to look like walls Ma'am" he tells her leaving the car and walking to her,
"And I am supposed to know that because I have a sixth sense and an ability to foresee the future?" She asks him
He says nothing "Excuse me please" he tells her waiting for her to move so he passes, she moves, he steps into the house "Follow me, Ma'am"
She does so, true to his words there was a door, no in fact doors on either side of the walls.. he touches the wall and it opens up to reveal a lavish living room, big enough to house another house within
"D–n!!" she exclaims silently
"Yeah!! the same exclamation I made when I walked in here the first day"
"Who is this guy anyways, some drug lord who used his money to build a palace within walls?"
"Doesn't he look too young for that though?"
he has a smile on his face
"Yeah, he does!!"
Adam chuckles "Right this way Ma'am, he doesn't like to be kept waiting so I would advise that you go ahead. Go straight down, there is a lift, take it to the last floor, the first and only room is where you would be heading to"
"Okay, thank you I guess!!"
"You are welcome"
She follows the part she is led to, admiring the room more by the second. She gets on the lift, and when it stops the door opens to reveal a room as breathtaking as the last.
He turns as she comes in "About time you showed up" he says placing some things on the bed, she eyes them
"Put this on, where we are going you need to look more elegant than that. How long is your hair?"
She walks to the bed to see that he had in fact laid out a black shimmering long dress, she touches it
"Whose is this?"
"How long is your hair?"
"I won't wear anything that belongs to another, my skin is really sensitive. Whose is this?"
He rubs his temple "Can you just please put on the dress so we can leave, I would hate to make a grand entrance much less with someone who has no idea what she is up against. "
"Why can't you just answer a simple question, you are worried about your event or whatever it is and I am concerned about my skin, unless you want me to be itching every d–n second, you would tell me whose is this"
"Becky's, I got it for Bekky"
"Well, I cannot wear it"
"Operative word there is "Got"'
"Does that operative word mean that it has been worn and sweated on ?"
"Are you always going to be this difficult?"
"Not as long as you answer straightforward questions, I would try to be less annoying."
He sighs "It hasn't been worn, got them yesterday for her"
He points to the box of shoe lying at the side of the bed with a case, which she believed had to be a jewel case, she looks away and stares back at him,
"You know you could easily have said "oh, I just Bought it for her and she hasn't worn it yet, can you please put this on because I don't think what you are wearing right now would be appropriate enough for where we are going to"?"
Yes Really, I think being a little tinny itchy bitty polite wouldn't look bad for your ego would it Mr Jaime Lockwire" she held her index finger and her thumb closely together but not touching each other as she squints her eyes raising it up to her face
"How long is your hair?"
"Damnit Alexandra, your inquisitiveness infuriates me!!!" he flares up, what the hell.
"Oh-kay" she stresses "Its about 16 inches long, you want to know how long it is so you know if you can strangle me comfortably with it?" she throws at him, he stares at her.
"Please put on the dress, we need to be out in five" he perches on the table
Sighing she looks at the bed, walking to it she picks it up, frowning a bit, she turns and looks around and then back to him "Do you have a bathroom or you prefer to watch me strip?"
"Is that not what you are, a stripper?"
"Doesn't mean I would want to be gawked at!!"
He is quiet, saying nothing, he folds his hands. Waiting.
"A—–e!!" she mutters under her breathe, turning to back him she unzips her dress and lets it slip off her body. she had on matching undies, and there were red as well.
Grabbing the dress, she slips into it and pulls it up. She would have asked what size it was because apparently, he bought it with Bekky in mind, she and Bekky don't wear the same size, that meant this would be tight, tuck-in tummy tight.
Sighing she sucks in her tummy and pulls it all the way up, putting her hands through she adjusts it. Now reaching to the back she tries to zip it up, but she only succeeds doing so halfway…
She keeps trying, refusing to ask for help.
After fruitless attempts, she felt him behind her, he touches her waist to steady her and then he places his hand over hers to stop her.., without saying anything he pulls her hands away, then zips it up for her. Done, he steps back.
Well, if he was expecting a 'Thank you' he would wait a long time. she turns and stares at him. He says nothing, stepping away from him she goes to the side of the bed and grabs the shoes, it was a Louis Vuitton gold shoe with the gold studs around it. she slips it on, too tight too. she grabs the jewel case and opens it up, its a jaded jewel, she puts it on. Done, she turns to him
"Done, anything thing else Mi'Lord?"
"None, for now, Shall we?"
"This is tight: the dress and the shoe, I would feel comfortable wearing mine" she states, frowning as she tries to breathe in the dress.
"Shall we?" He ignores her.
Cursing under her breathe she walks away heading to the elevator, she could hear him follow her, once they get into it she holds on to the gold rail within to steady herself and lose the weight of the shoe on one of the legs.
This was going to be a long night and she couldn't wait to be back in her own dress.
Adam drives into town, a slowly faded music is playing in the car, Jaime typing away on his phone, and she tries not to move too much. she felt like Cinderella stuffed into a pin of a dress.
Running her hand over the dress, she had to admire his taste, it was a beautiful dress, she was too angry earlier to even appreciate it. Sighing she touches the jaded jewel around her neck, a little envious of the perks Bekky was getting being his Call Girl.
She throws him a dirty look, for a man of his means, he sure makes it hard to appreciate his good looks.
He looked young, too young to have this sort of wealth and luxury all to himself, not only young but handsome too, but that his annoying scrowl was just a dent to his fine features, not that she would care.
Her mouth had literally dropped open when she laid eyes on him, he looked like someone who just walked out of a magazine, those kinds of men you knew that you had got to be blessed by God to come across your way.
Those kind of men whose height was perfect, face and physique were too die for..those kind of men that if and when they smiled, any girl would swoon. Those kinds of men that had ladies walking and falling. Those kinds of men who are classy, rich and a borderline of mystery hovering over them.
Yes, those kinds of men you would never expect to find outside a club, looking all rich and fine and waiting for a call girl. That kind of men who looked nothing like Jaime Lockswire.
Young, Rich, handsome and a fxxking cocky peculiar person.
And unfortunately for her, those kinds of men were the men that made her cringe, in fact, the lot of them categorized into "Men"' made her cringe. she hated them, she did. Courtesy of her foster father.
But she had to tolerate them to survive, give them what they want, when they want and please them.,
As much as she may appreciate good looks of men and all, that was where it ended.
And the life of a street girl wasn't easy, neither of a call girl. She had no time for leisure, especially when she doesn't care much for men. And despite knowing she had fewer choices, it still didn't mean that men like Jaime Lockswire get to treat her anyhow and still glory in it.
He made her Boss get angry with her, well, she has no choice than to accept his rules laced with Bullshit, but it still doesn't mean she would make it easy for him.
Well, not if she has a say in it.
She frowns adjusting in the seat, she prays she doesn't rip out from this very tight dress, it would be his fault.
She turns away from him as Adam slows to a stop, other cars are lined up as she leaves to look out of the window.
When it gets to their turn to drive in, she is again amazed at the height of the building, the luxury of beauty that surrounds it and the class of people who exits their car and her ushered up the stairs and disappears behind the door after a group of what she thinks are the securities touch their ears and then let them through.
"Where exactly are we?" she turns to him, seeing him put his phone in his pocket
"If anyone asks you a question, just smile and nod and refer to me, don't stray into anywhere you shouldn't, always be at my side, and when the time comes, whatever I introduce you as, it what you would bear, is that understood?"
"It depends, what if you introduce me as your dog fetcher?"
"That wouldn't be half-bad" he tells her as Adam opens his door for him to step out, he does, and buttons the tux and waits, she could see Adam walking to the other side and then he opens her door, giving her her hand to help her out, she places her hand in his and made to get out of the car.
That was when she heard it.
"HOLY S–T!!' She exclaims pausing halfway out of the car.
Jaime who had heard the sound of a dress ripping turns, frowning "What the hell was that?" he walks to their side of the car.
"I think the dress just ripped my butt out!!" she states
"You have got to be kidding me!!!!!"' He exclaims
"See, I told you it was tight you cocky moron!!!!!!!!!"
Chapter Five
Chapter twenty one & twenty two
Chapter twenty six and twenty seven
Chapter thirty – one & thirty two
Chapter thirty four & thirty five


text:
Month: March 2016
Awesome Adjective: Controversial
Meaning: Causing arguments and disagreements.
You should avoid controversial topics like politics and religion on a first date.
The candidate for president has some very controversial opinions.
He's a controversial historical figure. Some say he was a great man, some say he was evil.
Pop Quiz:
Which could be described as controversial?
A. A book that makes a lot of people angry.
B. A movie that makes a lot of people angry.
C. A singer that makes a lot of people angry.
To see the correct answer, click on "Continue reading":
Lunar New Year Explained
Our computer class students put together a snazzy series of descriptions/explanations of Lunar New Year, often called Chinese New Year. Here's one sample – and make sure to take the quiz afterwards to test your comprehension!
Chinese New Year
Fen Fen Liang
Chinese New Year is important for Chinese people. For Chinese New Year, there are a lot of things to celebrate. Before New Year's Eve, we usually clean the house seriously. This symbolizes throwing away bad things from the last year and greeting good things in the coming year. After we clean the house, we usually paste many spring festival scrolls on the wall, in front of the door or anywhere we want to paste them. The words on the spring festival scrolls are wishes. Spring festival scrolls are red; red means luck.
I usually have New Year's Eve dinner with my family. I have a big family, so my mother makes a lot of food for the dinner. Before we start to have the New Year's Eve Dinner, we need to pray. During dinner we talk about many things, about jobs, kids, studies, the last year, the coming year and so on. After dinner we set off firecrackers, and we play cards or mahjong. Children get red envelopes from their older, married relatives. Some adults give red envelopes to their elders also, like their father, mother, grandfather or grandmother.
Chinese New Year is interesting. One, two or more lions dance together. The lions are not real lions, they are people in costume. This costume is to throw out bad luck. When the lions are coming you need to give them candy, oranges, lettuce and red envelopes. Children like the lion dances, firecrackers and red envelopes.
To read more, click here.
Mental Health Workshop
Heart of Gold Revisited
Here's a classic song for you using last week's Idiom of the Week. As you listen, fill in the blanks with the words you hear. When you're finished, click on "Continue reading" to check your answers.
"Heart Of Gold"
Neil YoungI want to ___1___
I want to give
I've been a ___2___ for a heart of gold
It's these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching for a heart of goldAnd I'm getting old
Keep me searching for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
I've been to ___3___
I've been to Redwood
I crossed the ___4___ for a heart of gold
I've been in my mind,
It's such a fine ___5___
That keeps me searching for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keeps me searching for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keep me searching for a heart of gold
You keep me searching and I'm growing old
Keep me searching for a heart of gold
I've been a ___6___ for a heart of gold
Raw Revisited
Here's an informative article from Time Magazine using last week's Awesome Adjective:
You Asked: Why Can't I Eat Raw Meat?
Well, you could. But you'd be rolling the dice.
Sushi restaurants are nearly as rampant as Starbucks stores. So why is raw fish okay to consume, while raw beef, pork and other land animals are typically not on the menu?
For one thing, the parasites and bacteria that set up shop in raw animal meat are different and more dangerous than the ones you'd find in raw fish, says Dr. Robert Tauxe, deputy director of the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…
To continue reading, click here.
More Hospitals, Doctors, and Health
Here's another health-related story from Class 3C. When you're finished reading, take the quiz to test your understanding.
Miaoxuan Yang
Terrible Disinfectant
One day ten years ago, I was changing sheets for my mother-in-law, and put some disinfectant on the dresser. When I finished changing the sheets, I turned back to look at my daughter and she was looking at me and holding the disinfectant. She said, "Mom, why does this Coke have a different flavor?"
I was surprised. "Did you drink it?" I asked her. She nodded.
I was so frightened. I quickly got some water and had her drink it, then I called my husband. While my husband was coming home, I took my daughter outside to wait for him.
After ten minutes, we arrived at the hospital emergency room. The doctor checked my daughter's eyes and asked her some questions. Then he had my daughter drink a bottle of water and throw up. After that, the doctor told me, "Your daughter just drank a little, not too much. Don't worry. When you get back home, have her keep drinking more water. That will be good."
After this incident, every time I use disinfectant it still has a shadow.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Welcome to the brand new "The Nova Expansion Tattoo Gallery". This is a place where you can find out everything that you need or want to know about this brand new Tattoo shop in the heart of downtown Seattle Washington. Owner and tattoo artist, Justin Coppolino is ready for you to stop by!


text:
I love sitting down to plan the year ahead – it's a great opportunity to step back and look at the big picture. And in a perfect world, creating your strategy for the months to come and setting clear objectives and outcomes would all be quite straightforward.
However, we know life isn't always like that!
When creating your strategy you need to think about your culture, and whether it needs work. A tradition of 'push' learning often will have led to disengaged learners, which could mean starting with an upward climb.
However, adopting a blended learning approach can stimulate those who have become disengaged, nudge the learners in the middle along the path from 'push' to 'pull', and offer opportunities to the most self-directed and motivated of your learners.
So, here's some different methods that can help drive your learning strategy for 2018 – no matter what it is you're hoping to achieve.
1. Improve searching
1 in 4 learners are struggling to find what they need due to fruitless searches.[1]
A great LMS or search facility can provide an opportunity for L&D to improve how quickly and easily learners can find what they need, learn it, and apply it.
Creating a clear structure – organising the learning by topic or issue – improves accessibility, helping learners find content related to their specific needs, and cuts down time wasted when they can't – meaning fewer will find themselves getting frustrated and giving up.
2. Reduce time off the job
Getting buy-in from managers can be a lot easier when we soften the impact of their people taking time away from the job to learn.
New learning technologies have provided us with more flexibility, more options for learning delivery, and platforms that can deliver ever more sophisticated blends – all of which learners can now access without even stepping away from their desks.
We can support and encourage this integration by incorporating quick-to-consume, easy-to-pull learning that can, for example, support performance without learners spending days away from the job.
3. Faster application of learning
97% of L&D leaders want to speed up the application of learning in the workplace.[2]
They're not alone – of course, faster application means better performance, and more ROI for stakeholders, which can help us get the buy-in we want for our learning strategies.
We need to be sure we are delivering solutions that reduce time to competency by using an engaging mix of methods. Supporting face-to-face learning with a blend that includes other types of learning, such as microlearning, performance support, eLearning, and more, can be a great way to meet learners at all stages of competence and help them move forwards.
4. Tailor content to delivery
If you're creating learning in the form of video, for example, you'll want the right kind of video; if you're creating performance support materials, they'll need to be in easy-to-access formats like PDFs and mobile learning, and if you're delivering instructor-led training, then to get the most for your budget and time, situate this at the right time in the learning journey to meet your peoples' needs.
Tailoring content effectively minimises the risk of spending unnecessary budget, and means your learning will be all the more engaging and effective for drawing on your knowledge of learners' expectations and motivations.
5. Let learners set the pace
L&D can see boosted engagement by putting learners in control of what they learn, when they learn – and, to a certain extent, how they learn.
Of course, it's not always possible to let learners make all the decisions. But as 91% of learners say they like to learn at their own pace,[3] letting them take control of some parts of their learning journey– perhaps by giving them the option to choose the order in which they pull aspects of a blend, or by making it mobile - means they can learn when it's convenient for them.
6. Match their motivation
We're seeing more career-minded professionals in the workplace who expect opportunities to learn. 83% of learners say they are seeking out opportunities to gain new skills in the workplace.[5] So why not take advantage of this motivation?
Delivering learning to support the career-minded learner's aspirations will engage them at their most motivated – so try and locate opportunities to contribute to CPD, such as working opportunities for coaching and mentorship into a blend.
7. Encourage social learning
Since 61% of learners say they are motivated to learn using technologies that enable them to network and work with others,[6] this is a great opportunity for L&D to incorporate social learning and networking.
Social learning is also great for learning culture. Everything from Pinterest to setting up and facilitating working groups to harness elements of social learning can get learners sharing learning.
If you're looking for a little direction for your learning strategy, then why not download our whitepaper on Building a successful learning strategy.
Stephanie Morgan FLPI, Director of Learning Solutions, Bray Leino Learning
Sharing ideas and observations to help improve performance.
Copyright © 2017 Bray Leino Learning
Unlocking Potential: Releasing the Potential of the Business and its People Through Learning. 2016–17 Towards Maturity Industry Benchmark Report. (2016) (pp. 31, 36, 47, 52, 56). Retrieved from https://towardsmaturity.org/2016/11/19/unlocking-potential-business-learning-benchmark/


text:
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Hello ladies,
I have not been on the forums in quite a while. No particular reason, but time might be one of the main factors. For many years, a long distance, self-supported trip has been on my bucket list. My husband and I have been riding separately for many years due to family issues and one of us needing to be in town at all times. Other family members live a long way away, and their visits allowed us a trip around Lake Ontario in 2011, and a trip on the Allegheny Mountain Loop last year. Both my mother-in-law and father-in-law passed away recently (one in 2010 and one in late 2011, as well as my dad in 2011.) (Our 13 yr old wonderful Labrador retriever died last month!) So we are a little more free to travel by bicycle now. It is bittersweet to be able to leave but the time has come!
We are now only two short weeks from departure! Ben and I are getting ready to leave on a 4200 mile self-supported bicycle ride across the USA. On June 3rd, we will board a train in Baltimore, MD and end in Seattle, WA. From there, we will reassemble the bicycles that Ben so carefully packed and shipped to our friends in Seattle. Then, on June 10th we will dip our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean in Anacortes, WA, the traditional start of the Adventure Cycling Associations Northern Tier Bicycle Route and begin our cross country ride. The route will take us through the Cascade Mountains, Glacier National Park, the plains of North Dakota, through Minnesota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, through Ontario, Canada, to Niagara Falls, and then straight across NY, Vermont, NH, and ending in Bar Harbor, Maine in September.
We love to ride and have wanted to do this ride for a long time! Both Ben and I have ridden the Southern Tier in the past, though not together, and after several short self-supported rides, we decided that we were ready for the big one. We will be joined on this ride by our friend, Rusty, a retired science teacher from Kentucky, whom we met riding a few years ago on the Blue Ridge Parkway. He rode the ACA Trans AM last summer from Virginia to Oregon and we did a self-supported ride with him last fall. He is ready for another cross-country ride! Joining us in Fargo, ND will be Jennifer, from Washington State, who rode the Underground Railroad Route with me in 2008, and the Southern Tier with Ben in 2010. We are all very excited about the ride and cannot wait to begin.
Ben and I will be raising funds during our ride for the Wellmont Hospice House Memorial Gardens. Ben was the Medical Director of the House for about 15 years up until he retired and my past three long bicycle rides also were used to raise money for renovations to the House. We were approached early this year about supporting the gardens and this ride quickly morphed into a fundraiser for them.
If you would like to follow the progress of our ride, you can link to this site for our blog.
If you would like to support the Wellmont Hospice House Memorial Garden Project, here is the link.
Thank you for taking the time to read this!


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Cachar is one of the oldest districts in Assam and also of North East India. This district was found during the British period and is spread over a large area of land. The headquarters of this district is located at Silchar, which is also one the popular travel destinations in the state. The place is full of flora and fauna and has tropical evergreen vegetation. Comprising of several tourist attractions, this district is worth spending a holiday in the state.
Silchar which is the headquarters of the district is counted as one of the must visit places in Cachar, Assam. This town is situated on the bank of the River Barak and has derived its name from the word Shil which means bank of stones. This place specially attracts the polo lovers as the world's first polo club was formed in this town in 1859.
About a distance of 20kms from Silchar is Khaspur which is also one of the notable sightseeing places in Assam. This place clearly reflects the rich cultural heritage of the state. The top things to do here include visiting the sun gate, lion gate and the beautiful king's temple. One can also find the remains of the ancient Kachari Kings at Khaspur.
The famous Shiva Mandir which is about 35kms from Silchar is also amongst well known tourism places of the district. It is located at the top of the Bhuvan hills and many devotees from all over the country visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The temple houses the idols of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Another attraction very near to this temple is the Maniharan Tunnel where the holy waters of Tribeni flows and many people visit here to take bath. Number of festivals are also celebrated here along with a fun fair where the people of Assam and other nearby places come to participate.
The Kachari Fort is another tourist spot at Khaspur. It is a historical monument that depicts the rich non Aryan culture of the ancient era and is an important part of tourism in this district. The palace of Kachari Kings is an attraction here that is not be missed out on your tour. Also, people often visit the famous Kancha Kanti Kali Temple on their visit to Silchar where the Goddess that is being worshipped is a combination of Kali and Durga.
Enjoy your trip to this ancient and historical location with our attractive Assam holiday packages and helpful travel guide that enhance the excitement of your journey even more.
Amongst the best places to visit in Cachar district is Khaspur. The top things to do here is visiting the sun gate, lion gate and the king's temple. One can also find the remains of the ancient Kachari Kings at Khaspur. While in Silchar, amongst the top places for visiting is the Shiva Mandir that is located on Bhuvan Hills. Another attraction close to this temple is the Maniharan Tunnel where the holy waters of Tribeni flows and devotees visit here to take bath.
Cachar still remains a lesser explored region, and thus, the number of the accommodation places here is quite less. Most of the travellers stay in Silchar which has comparatively more hotels than the other places of the region. Silchar has some high end hotels as well along with budget options, which makes it the most preferred place to stay in Cachar region. There are few government circuit houses and lodges here and there in the area that can also provide decent accommodation.View all Hotels
We at Tour My India understand tourism in Assam well and that is why offer you the best of this magnificent state. You can surely trust us with amazing holiday packages for Cachar, where we arrange for you the best itineraries, hotels and experiences, so that your holiday here is nothing short of an adventure.


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First entered in June 2010
Yesterday was the first full day of Lindsay's summer vacation so I decided to do something memorably fun. I packed my little family into the van for A Water Park Adventure. Forty-five highway minutes away, it came highly recommended by some fun-savvy neighborhood kids. It was hot—but not too hot–and my kids love water…it sounded perfect. We left early to be right at the head of the line: get in, get wet, get home for Bodie's one o'clock nap.
As we rolled into the already-crowded parking lot, Lindsay looked up at the tunnels that snaked through the park—tunnels that, in fact, composed about 95 percent of the park–and announced, "I'm not going in any tunnels." OK, no big deal. I know she's not a daredevil. There's always Croc Creek and the kiddy pool. We got on line and I continued my park patter: Boy, I bet the Bullet Bowl is fun! And we can eat snacks under the Funbrellas! Quiet, Lindsay was reserving judgment.
We snaked our way to the front of the line and my non-stop water park tour guide routine came to an abrupt end at the ticket booth: "That'll be $95 please." Wait. Ninety-five dollars? As in almost a hundred? For a few hours in an over-crowded kiddy pool? Roman suggested the same effect could be obtained for free at our town pool. "But we're here!" I said in lame defense of my ill-fated plan. Lindsay, sensing parental waffling, began to fidget and make those little sounds that indicate that a mild tantrum may be just around the corner. I felt the line behind us growing impatient. OK, it was my idea to begin with, so I took the decision-making reins: we're outta here. Lugging our cooler and cheerily ironic "Life is Good!" beach tote, we left with as much dignity as possible, considering both our children were screaming.
Once the kids were firmly strapped into their car seats, the guilt portion of the trip began. Mommy ruined the day. Dragged them aaaaaaall the way out here for nothing. Nothing! OK. I did promise a Day Of Fun and failed to deliver. And it was the first full day of summer vacation…so maybe a peace offering was in order. A rare fast-food lunch? No. Ice cream? Negative. I was seriously considering blowing the entire $95 savings on the much-coveted American Girl doll Lindsay's had her eye on when she beat me to the punch: Can I get my new fish today?
A fish? Yes! One hundred times yes! A new fish was already on the to-do list since Jungle the betta fish swam on to his reward several months ago. The effect was immediate. The water park was but a dim memory as Lindsay began to tell Bohdan about the wonders of Petco. Turtles! Guinea pigs! Fish of every description! He was wide-eyed with anticipation. Plugging "pet store" into the GPS, we received our directions and wheeled into the Petco parking lot within minutes—not quite on two wheels, but almost. Salvation in a tank!
Standing in front of the Betta fish tanks, Lindsay studied them with a keen eye. "That one," she said finally. "That one right there." With a deft hand, the fish keeper scooped out an iridescent blue Betta fish, put it in a bag, twisted the top and handed it to my girl. Cradling the bag carefully, she gazed at her new friend. After a few minutes, she had decided: "His name is Winky." The drive home was devoted to her plans for housing, feeding and generally fussing over Winky. "Mommy, I LOVE Winky." she said seriously. Her happy chatter lifted my heart.
I kind of love Winky, too.


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Claire Desjardins
Claire Desjardins is an award-winning abstract painter known for her vibrant and dynamic compositions. Originally from Montreal, Desjardins now lives an hour north of that city. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Laurentians, she spends most days painting in her studio. Desjardins is represented by galleries in Canada and the United States, and her artworks are found in private and corporate collections around the world.
On the international stage, Desjardins' paintings have appeared in major motion pictures and TV series. She collaborates with companies such as US retailer Anthropologie and tech giant Microsoft. Her designs are available on Nuvango Artist-designed Apparel, and tech accessories GelaSkins. In addition to her own art practice, Claire teaches painting workshops in both Canada and the US.
Visit Claire Desjardins' website here.
- Wearable Art for Women, Breakfast Television Montreal, March 28, 2019
- Breakfast Television Montreal, May 4th, 2017
- "Abstract landscapes and ceramic gardens", Brenda Dunn, July 4th, 2016, Apt613.ca
- "In her element surrounded by nature", Janet Wilson, April 1, 2016, Ottawa Citizen


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The elements of all forms of art and design can be boiled down to its basic elements: line, color, shadow, space, texture. Given this, the distinguishing factor of cutting-edge art is to take any of these elements and push them to their limit, including or excluding the rest. Suppose you got ride of color. What do you get with a versatile imagination? These black and white patterns will show you just what is possible with the most spartan of palettes.Use this collection as a feast of inspiration or go ahead and click on the Download button to see how you can acquire these astonishing designs for your own projects.
They say simplicity is sophistication. They also say creativity is in doing more with less and in bending something unassuming until it produces mind-bending results.
Artists and designers of all stripes have been known to use nothing more on their palette but white patterns on black backgrounds and have successfully based their whole artistic career on this theme.
And it is a theme that allows for every sort of aesthetic and inclination.
Impressed? It's hard not to be. See how you can acquire these designs by clicking on the download buttons. You will be led straight to the affiliate host sites where you can learn about the different sizes and file formats that you can purchase these patterns in.
Many of them are simply brilliant as wallpapers and concepts for interior decoration, but if your instinct says they would be perfect for something else—wrapping paper, fabric patterns, digital wallpaper, banner pieces, etc.—by all means follow where it leads.
Almost all of these designs are up for sale at bargain prices, depending on the size and format presets you select. These are premium resources that can be used for all sorts of projects if you let your creative instinct guide you.
That said, the Black and White Clip Art Design is free, offering various letters of the alphabet as separate downloads from ClipartFest.com, which stocks other great black and white paintings.
(You will have to provide attribution if you use these designs on your website or other commercial projects.)
Also note that any downloads offered on affiliate sites will require you to register for a free account, if you don't already have one.


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BROAD smiles at the incongruity of the proceedings were witnessed, at the sale of confiscated liquor conducted by Sergeant R. Nicol at the West Melbourne police station yesterday. The whole of the offerings, consisting of various brands of bottled ale,
were "knocked down", at the attractive price of sixpence a bottle,
to the licensee of the Flagstaff Hotel, West Melbourne.
–The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) Saturday 28 April 1923.
Categories: Melbourne Hotels, Victoria hotels


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Only organizations and artists with InstantEncore Pro accounts may add photos
Send an e-mail
"Having a mobile app is a way for Seattle Shakespeare Company to stay connected and engage with our patrons no matter where we are - whether it's at our indoor venues, at our summer park shows, or on tour across the state. It's flexible, easy to use, and works within our budget. We looked long and hard for a mobile app solution that would work with our unique needs, and we're so glad we found InstantEncore."


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Dear Secondary School Computer Science Parents,
Week 31…at this time of year the students are feeling the pressures of all the assignments, exams and tests that seem to be packed into the month of May.
This week, the 6th grade classes continued with Bagel Programming. I think this is the first time the students were introduced to the concept of The Flowchart. For those parents who are programmers, you know what this is…a diagrammatic representation of a computer program or algorithm with connecting arrows showing the order between processes. Reminds me of the first computer language I learned. Flowcharting is a very helpful tool for the students as it allows them to visualize each step in the program and logically think how each step is related. We will continue on this track in next week's lesson.
The 7th graders have finished the lesson on Conditional, Relational and Equality Operators. Next week, we will be in the lab to at least get a feel for our final assignment. It will be a shortened assignment this time as there are not that many weeks left in the year. The first thing students will be doing will be to find some sheet music of a favorite song…nothing too complex, but enough to make it a bit of a challenge.
The 8th class continued with an in-class lab, while the 9th grade class had their DNB exam in Mathematics during our regular Computer Science period. The new material that was handed out was Serial Line Communications between Arduinos. At a minimum, Sensor Payload Arduino will send a message via the serial port, to the Drive and Navigation Arduino. A rather straightforward concept, but requires a lot of testing. The coding party we had today after regular classes was a success. A few of the rovers are finalizing their hazard avoidance algorithms and at least a couple of the teams have been successful with inter-Arduino communications. And so the countdown to our Launch has begun: T minus 4 weeks (2 weeks of coding, 1 week report writing, 1 week of launch preparation).
With the abundance of exams for the CS 101 advanced class, our regular class time was cancelled. Probably for the best because there was AP exams, DNB exams and other priorities.
Thank you and have a safe weekend…
Douglas Lee
Secondary School Computer Science (and Engineering)
17811 Waterview Pkwy | Dallas, TX 75252
Tel: 469-250-0001
Dallas International School educates students of all backgrounds to contribute to a dynamic world with its internationally renowned curriculum, multiple language instruction, and exposure to diverse cultural views.
Follow our progress on our classroom website: http://douglaslee.com


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Milton Packer, MD; W. Mark Armstrong, MD; Joseph M. Rothstein, MD; Michael Emmett, MD
Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M16-1932.
Requests for Single Reprints: Milton Packer, MD, Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, 621 North Hall Street, Dallas, TX 75226; e-mail, firstname.lastname@example.com.
Current Author Addresses: Dr. Packer: Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, 621 North Hall Street, Dallas, TX 75226.
Drs. Armstrong, Rothstein, and Emmett: Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246.
Packer M, Armstrong WM, Rothstein JM, et al. Sacubitril–Valsartan in Heart Failure: Why Are More Physicians Not Prescribing It?. Ann Intern Med. 2016;165:735–736. [Epub ahead of print 30 August 2016]. doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-1932
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© 2019
Published: Ann Intern Med. 2016;165(10):735-736.
Published at www.annals.org on 30 August 2016
Cardiology, Coronary Risk Factors, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Nephrology.
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Print ISSN: 0003-4819 | Online ISSN: 1539-3704
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Menopause and Hormones
Menopause and Hormone Research
Menopause, or the cessation of ovulation, is a part of the normal life cycle of women. Menopause usually occurs at around the age of 51, with less than 1% of women experiencing menopause before age 40. After menopause, the ovaries no longer secrete two critical steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in the amount or pattern characteristic of a regular menstrual cycle.
The transition from regular ovarian function to its absence is called the perimenopause. It can range from one to 10 years in duration. Although each woman's experience can be different, most women experience a decreased ability to become pregnant, as well as irregular and sometimes heavy menstrual periods.
The loss of female hormone production can cause both acute and chronic consequences in hormone-dependent tissues such as the brain, bones, heart, blood vessels, and skin, which ultimately places women at increased risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, urinary incontinence, acute burning or itching of the vulva or vagina, and painful sexual intercourse.
Menopausal symptoms due to estrogen deficits include memory problems, trouble finding words, inability to pay attention, mood swings and irritability, in addition to the more well known symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Changes in body or scalp hair or in skin tone may also occur. After menopause, 70% of women eventually develop cardiovascular disease, and 30% develop osteoporosis.
Currently, about 40 million American women are menopausal, a number which will grow dramatically in the next decade as the baby-boom generation reaches the age of menopause. Today, the average woman reaching menopause will probably live 30 or more years than was common 100 years ago, making the management of menopause, like that of aging in general, a medical and social issue.
The medical management of menopause is in its infancy. The goal is to improve the quality of the last third to one-half of a woman's life by preventing the harmful consequences of estrogen hormone deprivation, thus delaying or eliminating the need for medical treatment and nursing home care. Estrogen and progesterone replacement therapy decreases health problems and symptoms associated with menopause. In a recent study, the largest and longest clinical trial to examine this issue, postmenopausal women taking any of four regimens of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) gained significant amounts of bone mass.
If a woman is heavy vaginal bleeding, long intervals of spotting, or has gone more than two months without a period, she should talk to a health care professional as these can be symptoms of abnormalities of the uterine lining which are easily treated.16 It's a good idea to become familiar with typical symptoms by taking one of the many excellent on-line surveys that can help you better understand these natural processes.17
About Hormones
Synthetic chemical compounds in the environment, which mimic estrogen, are linked to a variety of developmental disorders and deformities. Estrogenic chemicals, which act like the female sex hormone estrogen (estradiol), may occur normally in nature in plants and in one's diet, while others are man-made such as diethylstilbestrol (DES), used in the past to prevent miscarriage and to promote growth in livestock and poultry.
Aside from natural menopause, another concern in hormone research is the growing exposure to synthetic environmental estrogens, which may be found in plastics or insecticides such as PCBs, DDT, dioxins, and furans. It's important to understand the effects of these compounds because they may remain in the body for prolonged periods of time.
Hormones are the "chemical messengers" of the body's endocrine system, which can be altered when chemical mimic hormone actions either trigger or block a response to the body's natural hormones. When this happens, the synthetic compounds then bind to the receptor. Some foreign chemicals interact with the estrogen receptor and produce estrogen-like effects on the development of the brain, male and female reproductive organs and breasts, causing a variety of disorders including overgrowth of the vaginal lining, premature breast development, feminization of male offspring and infertility. Environmental researchers were taken by surprise in recent years by the numbers of "feminized" males found among several wildlife species. The effects were finally traced to pesticides and other chemicals that behave like estrogens, but don't in any way look like them.
Much more information is needed to understand the adverse effects of these synthetic compounds. Endocrinology is advancing our understanding of hormones and the endocrine system and how they can affect human health.
Actions, Information & Opportunities to Help
There are many websites -- both comprehensive and single-issue -- dedicated to informing and analyzing issues related to menopause and hormone research. Also listed below are resources that offer help, theoretical sociological works, cultural studies and multiple published news articles and campaign information pieces.
- Menopause Online
- The Informed Woman's Guide to Understanding and Controlling Menopause
- The Endocrine Society
- ABCs of Aging, Alzheimers, Estrogen & Memory
- Biomedx.com: Estrogen or Progesterone?
- YourLifeSource.com: Women's Health
- Estrogen, Progesterone and Hormone Replacement Therapies
- Hormones, Bone Density and Breast Cancer
- Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP): Menopause Links
- OBGYN.net: Menopause and Perimenopause
- Women's Health Interactive - "How do I know if I'm Perimenopausal?"
- Menopause Treatment: Naturopathy


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Tipsy Cheddar Cheese
Tipsy Cheddar Cheese
from 9.99
Our White Cheddar made with Schlafly Brewery Pale Ale Beer. This fun, well balanced cheese will make you want more! Perfect in soups, on a grilled burger, or with a great class of your favorite brew.
Nutrition Facts: Serving size 1oz. (28g), Calories 110, Calories from Fat 80, Total Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 5g, Cholesterol 25mg, Sodium 135mg, Total Carbohydrate 0g, Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 0g, Protein 7g
Ingredients: Pasteurized milk, pale ale, salt, cheese culture, vegetable rennet
Add To Cart


text: February 6, 2014 Hammo Hammo Herald! 2014 Gig Twelve: Crab Lab February 6, 2014 Hammo Hammo Herald! I hadn't performed in this new room before and took the opportunity to work on some new material and talk about my favourite joke onstage including one of the rare times it actually worked.


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MG has pulled the covers off its new SUV - the GS - at the London Motor Show. The British brand's first SUV will be powered by an 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and will be available in three different trim levels. The range-topping GS will also be available with the option of a DCT gearbox which promises to be more responsive, delivering a smoother ride. Pricing has yet to be confirmed but MG says it will be consistent with its other 'affordable' models.
Events, Family car, Motor Show, SUV


text: One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson of a battle that goes on inside people. He said: "My son. The battle is between two wolves inside all of us. One is evil. It is anger, jealousy, sorrow, self-pity, greed, arrogance, guilt, resentment, lies, inferiority, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is good. It is love, hope, peace, joy, serenity, kindness, humility, faith, empathy, benevolence, generosity and compassion." The grandson thought about this and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" the old Cherokee replied: "The one you feed."


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Happiness is a Warm TV
FALL TV: Prepare to be dazzled by (the awfulness of) 'Dr. Ken'
New show: Dr. Ken
When: 8:30 p.m. Fridays on ABC
Cast: Ken Jeong, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Suzy Nakamura, Dave Foley, Jonathan Slavin, Albert Tsai
Premise: The pilot for this show is seriously, tragically bad. But bad in such a way that I also feel compelled to ask all of you to watch it. Not so much for the sake of shared misery, but because it's so awful that it actually circles back around to compelling.
Ken Jeong ("The Hangover" "Community), who is a real medical doctor with degrees from Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, co-created the series and stars as a doctor with anger issues. He's married (Nakamura) with two kids (great to see Albert Tsai from "Trophy Wife," but he's wasted here) and has a set of grouchy parents. On the work front, he has a sassy office manager (Campbell-Martin), a nurse nursing a bit of a man-crush (Slavin) and a boss who hates him (Foley).
Jeong's delivery in the pilot is so whiny and spastic that you assume his entire direction consisted of: "Act with your whole body. Okay good, but more." At first repellant, his Ed Grimley-meets-Wendy Whiner act becomes something you can't look away from. Subsequent episodes did tone down the writhing a bit, which is almost disappointing because it doesn't make the show any better and the train wreck aspect disappeared with it.
By the way, critics likely only got multiple episodes to screen because some reacted so strongly to the pilot that Jeong asked the network to release more. Unfortunately, it didn't help. All that said, I'm going to watch every single week.


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Cello Lessons: A Gateway to Self-Expression
When I started playing cello when I was 9 years old, I had a lot of problems. I had anxiety, OCD, and low self-esteem, but most importantly, I had a really difficult time expressing these things in words. I didn't like to talk about my feelings. To be honest, I still don't.
But when I started taking cello lessons with my first teacher, I quickly realized that there was a different way to express myself. I had all of this balled up emotion and pain and I could finally express these feelings without having to talk. I was speaking I suppose, but through my cello.
Music helped give me a voice without having to talk.
Now more than twenty years later, I am a cello teacher in Bergen County, Northern New Jersey, and to students across the globe via Skype.
Is it possible for me to teach people how to express themselves through cello lessons?
The short answer is yes and no.
Every person has their own life experiences, trials and tribulations, joys, and fascinations. There's no way for me to teach you how to feel something. The feeling has to come from within.
Nevertheless, cello playing is not all about feeling. What I can do is give people the skills, tools, and understanding of the cello to help express themselves. And this doesn't mean that you have to be playing for 15 years and mastering the most complex concertos and sonatas. It can come from simply playing one note.
You might take your first cello lesson and be able to just bow the open D string. But maybe with that one note you can discover something about yourself. You can say something in a way you haven't been able to before.
Now I know I'm sounding very new-agey and pseudo-spiritual here. I will admit there's plenty of times that I play and the only thing I want to say are EXPLETIVES because I can't seem to play a passage correctly.
I think that's perfectly fine too.
But what I feel the most important thing about learning the cello is that connection to something deeper. You don't have to be Yo-Yo Ma to experience it. That's the beauty of it. As students progress and I help them gain more technical skills and facility on the instrument, they might have an easier time expressing what they feel, but it certainly doesn't mean these feelings can't be expressed from the very beginning.
So to anyone who is interested in exploring cello lessons for themselves or for their child, I say go for it. Learning cello is by no means easy, but it is so unbelievably rewarding. You can finally speak from the inside. I can help give you the tools to facilitate this on the cello, but ultimately the tools are just there to help communicate what you need to say to the world.
Speak without talking.


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In February, ETC Asia completed the installation of the first ETCNet2 networked lighting control system in Asia, at the brand-new Shandong Province Conference Center in Jinan. As a major East Coast Chinese city of over 5.3 million people and a provincial capital, Jinan needed a state-of-the art conference center. Opened on March 18, the center features a 1,500-seat main auditorium, a hotel, and a conference hall. The auditorium includes box seating at the orchestra level and is designed to
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Activities are being planned in many locations for a Day of Action for Public Education on June 8. Key events include a Pep Rally for Public Schools in Sun Prairie and an I Love My Public School Rally in Green Bay. Activities are being considered in other locations as well. Below are fliers for the Sun Prairie and Green Bay events. For more information, go the Wisconsin Public Education Network Facebook page.
Sun Prairie:


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Apple Pay is easy and works with the Apple devices you use every day. You can make secure purchases in stores, in apps, and on the web. Apple Pay is even simpler than using your physical card, and safer too.
The easiest way to pay in stores.
Using Apple Pay with your iPhone or Apple Watch is faster than using a credit or debit card. Because spending money shouldn't mean spending more time at the register.
See where you can use Apple Pay
Use Apple Pay wherever you see one of these symbols.
The easiest way to pay within apps.
Use Apple Pay to make purchases in all kinds of apps. Pay for a ride, a pizza delivery, or a new pair of sneakers — with just a touch. Checking out is fast, simple, and secure.
The easiest way to pay on the web.
When you're making purchases on the web in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can use Apple Pay without having to create an account or fill out lengthy forms. And with Touch ID on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, paying takes just a touch and is quicker, easier, and more secure than ever before.
Privacy and security. With each and every payment.
The safer way to pay.
When you make a purchase, Apple Pay uses a device-specific number and unique transaction code. So your card number is never stored on your device or on Apple servers, and when you pay, your card numbers are never shared by Apple with merchants.
Keep your purchases private.
When you pay with a debit or credit card, Apple Pay doesn't keep transaction information that can be tied back to you.
Find it all in Wallet.
Your credit and debit cards are in the Wallet app along with boarding passes, tickets, rewards cards, and more. Apple Pay works with most credit and debit cards from nearly all national banks. Just add your participating cards to Wallet and you'll continue to get all the rewards and benefits of your cards.
Setting up Apple Pay is easy.
Get started by adding your debit and credit cards to your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac.Learn how to set up Apple Pay
Participating banks and issuers.
Use your credit, prepaid, and debit cards from these and other participating financial institutions.*
Get your business ready for Apple Pay.
Accepting Apple Pay is easy.
Apple Pay is easy to set up and gives your customers a simple and secure way to pay with the devices they use every day. If you already accept credit and debit cards, simply contact your payment provider to start accepting Apple Pay. Visit About Apple Pay for merchants to get more information, or contact merchant support.
Let your customers know you accept Apple Pay.
It's easy to let your customers know you accept Apple Pay. Download the Apple Pay mark to use within email, on your terminal screen, and on your website. Order Apple Pay decals to put on your storefront window and register.
Download the decal and guidelines


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> MAMI first used this guitar in the promo shoot for Sisters in 2015, in the promo videos for SCAFES, and resurfaced when MAMI was featured in the March 2017 issue of SOUND DESIGNER magazine. -SCANDAL HEAVENmore
This photo posted to Instagram by fenderguitar shows Brian Fallon performing live and playing his Fender American Vintage '64 Telecaster in Aged White Blonde finish.more
Keith says in this Instagram post "This Fender Telecaster '64 reissue is probably the best single-coil Tele I've ever played. Thanks Fender! x #fender #tele #telecaster #64reissue".more
One of the most amazing guitars I've ever played
This has become my main guitar since I got it, with the Rosewood neck you can cover alot more ground. Built incredibly well like the whole range is and the Grey Bottom Single Coils sound just amazing clean or with some dirt! A workhorse tool for Country Twangers to Hard Rockers!
See Who Uses Fender American Vintage '64 Telecaster Electric GuitarJoin with Facebook


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NSCLC: Understanding the Duals Special Needs Plan Policy
From our colleagues at NSCLC:
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently released a new Duals Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) policy impacting beneficiaries residing in counties implementing the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI). The new policy is complicated and affects beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans differently than beneficiaries in fee-for-service Medicare.
The National Senior Citizens Law Center has developed county-specific fact sheets that summarize the D-SNP policy and outline for advocates how beneficiaries are impacted depending on the type of Medicare Advantage plan in which a beneficiary is enrolled.
Los Angeles County
Riverside County
San Bernardino County
San Diego County
San Mateo County
Santa Clara County
Note: the current D-SNP policy does not apply to beneficiaries residing in Alameda and Orange Counties, both of which are implementing the CCI no sooner than July 2015.
Please visit our website for additional resources on the CCI.


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Tommy Smothers, aka "Tommy The Commie," made my day.
He said I was funny.
Before I get into that, I need to explain why I call him "Tommy The Commie." When he and his brother, Dick, had a very popular variety show on CBS in the sixties, they often skewered the Vietnam war, the president and a lot of other "sensitive" targets. In 1969 their show was abruptly canceled by the network, for things that Lorne Michaels would be doing on NBC less than ten years later with SNL.
I met him at an event in 2009 hosted by Hilton Palm Springs when I worked there as a manager-on-duty, and one of my co-workers, Billy, was a tough-as-nails Vietnam vet who'd met Tommy before. They had a great love/hate relationship, and it was Billy who called him "Tommy The Commie," but he wasn't the first. That nick-name came straight out of the late sixties for Mr. Smothers.
So anyway, during this event, Tommy Smothers looked right at me and said, "Hey, you're a funny guy!" I'll tell you what I did to get that response in a bit.
It's one thing to get validation like that from friends — who are always a bit biased — and it's another thing to get it from an audience of regular folk, but to get it from a showbiz comedy legend, well, I was tickled pink.
This event was a celebrity golf tournament sponsored by a huge food conglomerate. They're so well known, you probably have some of their products in your fridge and pantry, and possibly even your tummy right now.
A lot of food industry big shots along with TV and sports celebrities were there, including Tommy Smothers, Patrick Duffy, Dennis Haysbert, Greg Itzin, Norm Crosby, Alice Cooper, Mary Hart, Cheech Marin, Craig T. Nelson, Kevin Sorbo, Brooks Robinson, Ben Roethlisberger, Super Dave Osborne, a couple of actresses from daytime soaps, some lady from "The Apprentice," and so on.
They all stayed through the week and I got to meet and converse with most of them. I was talking with Dennis Haysbert — who'd played a president in a season of 24 — and telling him about the time I was booked on an episode of 24 as an extra, which I'm sure impressed the hell out of him, when Greg Itzin — who'd played a president in a different season of 24 — walked up and said "HI," which made for a very surreal experience.
I expected Jack Bauer to come bursting in at any second and send me head first into the wall before pulling a gun and ordering everyone to "stay calm."
A very distinctive man who you'd know by his face and longish jet black hair, but not by his ball cap, pink T-shirt, slacks and golfing shoes, was perusing the morning brunch set-up in the lobby, so I thought I'd introduce myself and make conversation.
"Hi, I'm DAVE," I said. "Hi DAVE, I'm ALICE," he said, and then we talked about fruit and crackers.
Alice Cooper is an avid golfer who'd been to this event and others like it time and again, and I can honestly say that when I was in high school, rocking out to "Schools out…" with a doobie in one hand and a beer in the other, I never thought I'd someday be having a conversation with a pink-shirted Alice Cooper about fruit and crackers at a brunch proceeding a golf tournament.
I have something in common with Patrick Duffy, which is that I lived for most of the nineties in Ashland, Oregon which is near his ranch just outside of Medford. I told him that I saw him around town on occasion; at the mall, a restaurant here and there, and The Blacksheep Pub in downtown Ashland, which he's been to quite a bit. It's English food, but it's really good, so it's not true English food. Patrick agreed.
A man unknown to you, but beloved by millions of light beer drinkers, would be the Miller Brewing Company big shot who was at the event. When I told him that I'd wanted to try the new "Chelada-style" beer that has a hint of lime infused into it, but couldn't find it at my local supermarket, he got very concerned.
He asked what supermarket it was and, as I told him, he whipped out a mobile device and proceeded to email someone. This was at about eight in the morning, and he told me to check the store when I went home that night. I did and found an entire corner in the beer section devoted to Miller's new "'Chill,' Chelada-style" beer.
I knew someone who worked at the store, so I asked him when that display had come in. "Earlier this afternoon," he said. "The delivery guy had finished his rounds and was really pissed that he was on his way home but then got orders to come set this thing up. It was really weird."
Oops, my bad.
On top of being a fantastic comic and musician, Tommy Smothers is known for his masterful command of… the yo-yo. No kidding, he's really good at it.
On the final evening of the event, several of us were in the hotel valet area when Smothers came out to smoke a cigarette and find a fresh audience for his yo-yo bits. He whipped out his little round tool of mirth and proceeded to dazzle us with delightful tricks, most of which I'd never seen before, and a few of which he had some trouble pulling off correctly because the yo-yo apparently had been drinking.
He's a jester in the truest sense; one who commands an audience of strangers who bind together in the moment, as he makes a show out of his mere presence. A lady asked him if his career was still going strong, and I interjected, "Sure, he's playing hotel lobbies all across the nation."
This earned me a grin from the jester. When I told him that I watched his show as a kid, he pointed out that I must have been about eight years old. I said, "Yeah, but my parents explained it all to me as it went along."
Later, after having finished his last cigarette, he asked me if I had one he could bum from me. I told him I didn't smoke but I'd be happy to fetch one for him.
I knew the front desk girl, Sara, was a smoker so I approached her and said, "Quick, give me that stapler and a cigarette." She looked at me as you'd expect so I said, "I'll explain later, they're for Tommy Smothers." She obliged.
I returned to Mr. Smothers and handed him the stapler. "What's this?" He asked, walking right into my set-up. "What can I say Mr. Smothers, I'm dyslexic."
It was then he told me I was a funny guy, so I gave him the cigarette. I'm not sure I would have if he hadn't. I folded that compliment up and put in my wallet, right next to the conversation about fruit and crackers with Alice Cooper.
They all left the next morning, and after about 15 hours of make-up sleep, I returned to the hotel with a semblance of normalcy and business-as-usual. I directed ladies to the spa, rescued a tiny dog that had been abandoned in its owner's room, and talked at length with a lesbian writer from New York who was waiting in the valet area for her partner to arrive.
But I'll never forget the greatest compliment I ever received.
THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS, doing what they did best:
1. With The Boston Pops
2. When Tommy first discovered rock music
3. On Letterman in 1992


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New Book by Lisa RandallOctober 22, 2015
Prof. Lisa Randall's new book, "Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe," is due to come out on Octover 27, 2015.
From the publisher's website:
Sixty-six million years ago, an object the size of a city descended from space to crash into Earth, creating a devastating cataclysm that killed off the dinosaurs, along with three-quarters of the other species on the planet. What was its origin? In Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs, Lisa Randall proposes it was a comet that was dislodged from its orbit as the Solar System passed through a disk of dark matter embedded in the Milky Way. In a sense, it might have been dark matter that killed the dinosaurs... [read more]
Also read a "Q&A with Author" in Scientific American and a review in Nature.


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Spanish wines are one of the most famous in the world.
Traditionally, Spanish wines are more tart and stronger than the Italian and French, especially red wines. Spain produces wonderful white wines and rose.
Learn more about Spain during your internship! Our hotels are waiting for YOU - Apply now


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Maralunga sofa Discover all modelsScroll down
"I could never imagine designing furniture or anything that wouldn't last long – it's just something I couldn't do.
I have never made cardboard furniture or anything else that was designed to deteriorate.
I think a good design should not be finite, but go in and out of vogue over long time spans,
retaining its potency even after a hundred years."
Vico magistretti (1920-2006)
He was born in Milan, where he graduated in architecture in 1945. In Milan he also plied his trade, chiefly in the fields of architecture, town planning and industrial design.
Giving lessons and lectures in Italy and abroad, from Milan to New York, from Paris to London, a city to which he is particularly devoted, he was an "honorary fellow" of the Royal College of Art since 1983. All the objects that he designed may be found in the most important design of the world. Magistretti's research has been continuous - into design, the culture of the project and Innovative experimentation with materials and space solutions, not to mention shapes and functions - far from the rigours of fashion that they have passed through during the years.
He started designing for cassina in 1960, and from that date on his signature is to be found on several products. We recall in particular the maralunga sofa and the nuvola rossa (1977) bookcase, which are still indisputable international best-sellers and have provoked hordes of imitations which have not been able to echo faintly the success of the originals.
Il pugno, 1973
Legend has it that Cesare Cassina punched a sofa prototype shown to him by Vico Magistretti which did not completely fulfil his requirements for extreme comfort.
This clumsy punch to the sofa broke its back, which gave the Milan-based architect an idea on how to refashion a traditional model.
The Maralunga sofa won the Compasso d'oro award, and immediately enjoyed great market success. This model introduced the idea of an adjustable headrest to get a high or low-backed version.
It was very successful internationally (and subject to numerous imitations). This innovation is not in view, and so the main features of the sofa can be amply illustrated by describing its reassuring look, the extreme simplicity of its padding, the ease of movement, adjustable positions and plush feel.
Magistretti said "there, great, that looks perfect to me" and Cesare dared to say "we'll sell lots of them" once he found the solution; a prophet even in his own country In Vico Magistretti. The King and Queenby Beppe Finessi from the book Made in Cassina, 2008 Skira edited by G.BVico Magistretti. Il re e la regina
"I like the concept of design; concepts so clear you needn't even design them I have described many of my projects down the phone"Vico Magistretti
High back or low back?
Cassina's manufactury, Meda, 1997 "I could never imagine designing furniture or anything that wouldn't last long – it's just something I couldn't do. I have never made cardboard furniture or anything else that was designed to deteriorate. I think a good design should not be finite, but go in and out of vogue over long time spans, retaining its potency even after a hundred years."
1973Vico Magistretti designs the Maralunga sofa
1973"The Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd' is released
1974Production of the Maralunga begins
1974Ernő Rubik invents the Rubik Cube
1974ABBA wins the Eurovision music contest
1979Maralunga wins the Compasso d'Oro award
1979Invention of the walkman
1979Magistretti re-designs Cassina's Milan Showroom
1981Maralunga enters th NY MoMa's collection
1989Fall of the Berlin wall
1991Maralunga Campaign "A thousand years from now, who knows what we'll talk about?"
1991Cassina wins the Compasso d'Oro award
1991First Website online
1996Magistretti wins the Compasso d'Oro award for his career
1996Birth of Dolly: the first mammal ever cloned
2006Death of Vico Magistretti
2006Twitter is launched
2014Maralunga's 40th birthday
20143D printing, invented by Charles Hull, spreads worldwide
2014Cassina celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Maralunga by Vico Magistretti
2015Birth of Maralunga 40-S
2015EXPO in Milan
2016Maralunga Campaign "The Other Conversation"
2018Maralunga 40 Maxi
Sizes and finishes
Maralunga Classico: Comfort made manifest in one great design. Compasso d'Oro in 1979, and naturally spawned countless imitations. Armchair, ottoman and two or three seater sofas. Steel frame and black, grey or beige plastic material base. CFC free polyurethane foam and polyester padding. Seat cushions in polyurethane foam and polyester padding. Back with movable headrest which is istantaneously convertible from the low to the high position. The sofa headrests are individual and independent for each seat. Fabric or leather upholstery
Maralunga 40: To celebrate this special anniversary, Cassina presents the new Maralunga '40 version,upholstered in fabric or leather with distinctive stitching around the edges, which gives it an even more modern and youthful appearance. The ground supports will be in two new colors in addition to black:dove gray and light gray. This new version joins the classic Maralunga to offer a more ample choice to suit all settings and,most of all, all ages.
Maralunga 40 Sfoderabile: To mark its 40th anniversary, Cassina continues to innovate its historic model and presents a version of Maralunga40 with the added feature of removable covers. For the Maralunga 40-S model,these covers are available exclusively in fabric.Black is joined by two new colours for the legs: dove grey and pale grey.This version joins the classic Maralunga for an even wider range of choice to suit all settings and all ages.
Maralunga 40 Maxi: Forty-five years after the launch of the original, and following on from the Maralunga 40 and its variant, the 40S with removable fabric covers, the Maralunga sofa takes the stage once more, its proportions updated, and its look restyled, becoming even more elegant and comfortable than before. Maralunga 40 Maxi is a contemporary take on this legendary best-seller by Cassina, which holds the technological patent for the device – a bicycle chain – that adjusts the angle of the back-rest. Supplied with the refined edge-stitching finish as standard, the Maralunga 40 Maxi armchair debuts a new size for its type: 122 cm. Meanwhile, the two-seater sofa comes in at 214 cm, with the three-seater measuring 310 cm. The depth has increased to 105 cm, to make for a more inviting and comfortable sitting position; all the models can be are fitted with a feather-filled seat cushion in a new size to enhance ergonomic correctness.


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Why Market Forecasts Are So Bad
Analysts' predictions are frequently less accurate than random guesses.
The oracles known as Wall Street strategists have spoken: The S&P 500 will rise 6.4% by the end of next year. But the evidence shows you'd do just as well guessing yourself.
It isn't supposed to be that way. Strategists use complex models to forecast earnings growth, price/earnings ratios and other market-driving factors. In the 21st century, apparently, that effort has been for naught.


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You ready for this before and after? Woop woop! Let's do this! I've been so excited to share!
We took a video touring our new camper the day after we bought our 2009 Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer. You'll see my excitement!
We had just come from five months living out of a campervan (ahem, minivan) in New Zealand. The bed served many purposes: bed, couch, kitchen counter, and as the kitchen table many days.
Living Tiny in New Zealand
Our campervan bathroom situation? Public showers and campsite drop toilets. Yuck! After five months of this-- you'd be this excited about your own bathroom, too!
The bathroom logistics aside, campervanning New Zealand changed our lives. So much so, I wrote a book for other travelers on how to do it: How to Buy a Campervan in New Zealand.
Our lifestyle was on the move every day seeing NZ's beautiful sites. We were living tiny, with only what we needed, and the outdoors became our extended living space. By being pushed outside, we saw the southern lights and an eclipse at random! We loved it and we were hooked.
When we returned to the US, we wanted to continue this nomadic lifestyle-- as long as I had my own toilet and shower. I was firm on this and stood my ground against Adam's "truck stop shower" solution.
The arguments over the bathroom situation were real! You can watch how it went down on our episode of HGTV's Tiny House Hunters as Backpackers Go Tiny here.
Okay, you ready to see the before and after? Here we go!
Here's a tour of our 2009 Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer the day after we bought her. Welcome to Bernadette! Her name comes from being lovelier and classier than Bernie our NZ campervan.
Now, nine months later... a few things have changed!
After: Camper Turned Glamper
Check her out!
What Really Happened Between Before & After?
1. Bed Space
We initially thought we'd use both tables a lot. Since making the bed for the first time (by collapsing the big table down), the table's never been back. It's too much effort. So, we keep the big table down as our bed and couch, and use the little side table for all the meals, working, and craft making.
2. Tow Vehicle
We're towing our Casita with our 2002 Ford Explorer. Her name's Shugs, because for her condition (200,000+ miles and she's on her fourth transmission) she's been super sweet to us.
3. Making Her Our Cozy Home
My mom came to the rescue. How was I going to turn carpeted walls and faux wood cabinets into our home? Well, we did a lot of brainstorming, crafting and shoppin' til we were droppin' together! Thank you, Mom!
My study guide? Glamping with Mary Jane. It was gifted to us from our friends, the Thompson's. I read this book front to back.
Gosh! It was so nice to be validated that what I really want is okay. To live nomadically, but still feel like a lady with my own toilet, shower and decorative pillows and bunting!
I gave roughing it a valid go. On our #nuventures, we've lived in a tent for five months; a minivan for five months; and we backpacked for six months. We did everything as low budget as we could to keep traveling. Many of you even hosted us on our journey. Thank you!
In our camper, we can travel in comfort and we have everything we need.
Now, that we have our own space in the world, we can host folks. Aw, she's not too tiny.
Please come on over! You're always welcome and we'd love to have you!
4. A Change from "Experiment" to "This Feels Right"
When we first bought our camper, we knew this was an experiment. We had no idea if this was the right lifestyle for us or even the right size camper. We're living in about 100 square feet.
Our tentative plan was to live a year living this lifestyle. If it didn't work, we were ready to adjust and make a change. Honestly, we had no idea what we were doing (emptying tanks, getting water, how to get electricity), but we were curious and excited (obviously).
After nine months of living in Bernadette, she's our home. We've even started planning what Year 2 will look like traveling and living in her.
Through just going for it and experimenting, we figured out we love this lifestyle!
Cheers to more glamping #nuventures! Come on over and join in!


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Parents and stepparents feel differently about kids.
Stepparents, even if they care about their stepkids, do not begin with a deeply established heart connection with them. Furthermore, habits, values, and everyday routines are shared between kids and their parents, not between stepparents and stepkids, or in the stepcouple. If stepkids are struggling, one or more of them may be barely speaking to their stepparent.
Parents, even when their kids are driving them crazy, usually carry a bedrock feeling of loving and being loved by them. Moreover, parents and kids agree about what's a "loud" noise and how much mess is "messy."
All of this pulls parents and stepparents to opposite poles of parenting: Stepparents find children's behavior more irritating and they often want more control and more limits. Parents are used to their children, and feel cared about by them, and they often feel protective of their kids. Family scholars tell us that parents may also have become more permissive and lax as single parents.
The Polarization Polka
Jane, a stepmom says: "I can't believe you let your kids get away with… (leaving their stuff all over, talking back, not doing the dishes, etc.)" Joe, the parent, replies, a bit defensively, "They're just being kids." Jane, feeling frustrated, ups the ante. "Can't you see? Your kids are slobs and you don't do a thing about it!" Joe retorts: "You're over-reacting!" Jane loses her temper and Joe withdraws.
The sharper Jane gets, the more protective Joe gets, the more desperate Jane gets, etc. Does this sound familiar to you? In my book (Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn't) I call this the "polarization polka." It is an easy, and painful, dance for stepcouples to fall into.
What the research says about parenting and stepparenting
- Several decades of research establish that the best parenting for children, on every measure imaginable, is "authoritative." Authoritative parents are warm and caring. AND they set moderately firm, developmentally appropriate expectations for their kids.
"Authoritarian "parenting is firm, but not warm or loving. It is often harsh. (Authoritarian parenting by a stepparent is almost always toxic to stepparent-stepchild relationships.) "Permissive" parents are very caring, but they do not make enough demands for mature behavior.
- The research is also very clear that, until or unless a stepparent has made a caring, trusting relationship with his or her stepchildren, the parent must remain the disciplinarian. The guideline I give stepparents is, "Connection before correction."
- Stepparents who have formed a trusting relationship with a stepchild can begin moving slowly into authoritative parenting. This generally takes at least two years! It comes easiest with kids under eight. It is easier for boys than girls, and hardest with early adolescent girls. In many healthy stepfamilies, especially those that began with older children, stepparents never move into a disciplinary role.


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This week on MTME Pretty Pattern challenge, you can choose from sketches 1 - 6. You can find those sketches here. I used sketch # 5. The stamps are from the digi collection, A Lil' Cafe.
The paper is from the digi packs Dainty Damask and the pink & white stripe is one of my favorites from Serenity. The post card is actually a free extra from the digi pack Warm Serenity.
I colored the images with copics and used distressed inks to give it an antique look. I couldn't help but add some little pearls to the centers of the daisy silhouettes and a little pink butterfly.
I lowered the circle in the sketch and put a flower near the bottom. I added some netting behind it, diamond stickles to the petals and a pearl in the center.
Thank you for visiting! I appreciate every message so please don't be shy.
Also, don't forget to stop by MTME's Pretty Pattern challenge and join in the fun!