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Online Marketing Advice To Increase Your Business Opportunities
What good timing! You may have a lot of questions to ask about how to set out, don't fear, we can help! Below, you will find some very useful tips to help you move ahead with your affiliate promotion program.
You may be surprised at the positive reaction you will receive when you are willing to be upfront about your use of affiliate promotion. Successful affiliate marketers understand that treating customers fairly and establishing a reputation for honesty are important considerations. If you visitors see your affiliate marketing program as a logical extension of your site, they are much more likely to buy something from your affiliates.
Affiliate promoters should embrace new selling methods, such as text-message campaigns. Customers' phones are already a-buzz with helpful information and exclusive offers texted to them by forward-thinking affiliate marketers.
Paid advertising, like Google's Adsense, are well worth the cost. When purchasing ads, make sure you select specific keywords in order to drive targeted customers to your business website and turn them into buyers.
Build up trust with your readers. If your content satisfies your readers, they will be more likely to support you by clicking directly on the links you provide.
You can use web marketing programs to develop a very effective online marketing scheme for your business. Affiliate programs tend to bring a lot more visitors to your site, even more than banner ads and contextual networks. As you work to select your affiliate program, consider the rate of payment you'll be receiving, how easy it is to navigate, and how popular its products are.
While internet marketing has the potential to generate impressive profits, success is unlikely without knowledge and skills. You need to push your website as high up the search engine results pages as you can. A higher ranking will earn more affiliates and increased profits.
It is important to get statistics that are up to date. Real time statistics allow you to keep track of how much traffic you have had to your site. You can compare this number with the number of people who made purchases.
Do not expect to get a lifetime commission with web marketing. The potential rewards are still so great that they should be sought out, though. Vendors give webmasters a monetary amount for each product bought by a customers that the webmaster referred to the vendor. Usually, the customer must by within a specified period of time in order for the commission to be valid. Since they are so profitable, lifetime commissions are worth finding.
To increase your success, spruce up your review. Add interesting photos, videos, graphics or colorful images. These will attract the eye of the consumer to your product. Once interested, the consumer may become a purchaser. Be sure to make your review as specific as you can because people want to know specifics about a product before purchasing.
For the broadest and most effective online marketing approach, collect as many reputable partners as possible. Use diversity in what you offer and who you work with. If you spread things out, you won't flounder when demand for one product suddenly dries up. You should aim to market the most products you can handle comfortably.
Try not to use pop-up ads, instead use pop-under ads. Most browsers will block pop-ups anyway, so your audience may never see them. The improved response rate of pop-under advertisements is a matter of record. They open up without disturbing your website visitor, making him or her more inclined to take a look before closing them.
Do not include too many banners on your website. Banners detract from the aesthetics of your website and may deter customers who view the banners as unprofessional or tacky. Make sure there's enough content on your site, and that banners are properly spaced apart.
Affiliate Links
Be honest and let your readers know if you make money from you affiliate links. Your readers can tell how affiliate links look like and hiding this fact will cause them to lose their trust in you. Being honest will help you to gain the respect of your visitors, and encourage repeat customers for you and your affiliates.
Affiliate marketers should always be looking forward to the next step. There is never a point where you should just sit back and rest on your laurels. Try making another blog or website to make more money. Most importantly, you must continue to persevere.
A contest is a great way to bring traffic to your site. This is a great way to get people to come back to your site, and they will also share your site with others if the prize is a good one.
Now, you are much better equipped as it relates to online marketing. Now that you are more prepared, you should have much more expertise in the field. The tips given here have given you some great advice you can use to start with affiliate marking on your website today.


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Hearing Aid Types and Size Options
- Behind-the-ear
- All-in-the-ear
- Low-profile all-in-the-ear
- Canal
- Mini-canal
- Completely in-the-canal
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are coupled to the ear with a custom earmold to ensure proper fit. This type houses the microphone, speaker and amplifier in a curved case that fits behind the ear. A short plastic tube conducts sound from the case to an earpiece that fits inside the ear. The case on some of the newer models is only about one-inch long and no more noticeable than an in-the-ear aid, especially if your hair covers the tops of your ears.
BTE aids offer several advantages. Because they are larger, they can hold larger, longer-lasting batteries that may only need to be changed once per month. BTEs also have room for more circuitry. Their controls are larger and easier to adjust. Finally, BTE aids tend to be more reliable than other types, since their components are protected from wax.
The advantage to the microphone's position outside the ear is in minimizing feedback, the squeal that is produced when some of the sounds form the speaker leaks to the microphone. The disadvantage is that the external microphone sometimes picks up and amplifies the whistling of the wind.
In-the-Ear (ITE) or All-In-the-Ear Hearing Aids
With this type of aid, a custom-molded housing that contains all of the components fits directly in the ear. The aid itself, the volume control, and the battery compartment are all smaller on an in-the-ear model and so may be harder for some people to operate.
Canal Hearing Aids
Canal aids are barely visible. They are more expensive and have tiny controls, and may require more frequent repair. These small devices fit entirely within the ear canal and are barely visible from the outside. Cosmetic appeal is the main advantage of canal aids, which former president Ronald Reagan made popular in the early 1980s.
Canal aids can be made smaller than other models because they sit deeper in the ear canal and do not need to amplify sound as much as other types do. Still, they are too weak to correct for severe hearing loss. Changing the battery may take a great deal of dexterity. Canal aids cost more than most other types. They also tend to require extra cleaning and more frequent repair because of wax buildup on the tiny components.
Completely in-the-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids
Completely in-the-canal aids are deeply inserted and are cosmetically appealing. These custom, miniaturized hearing aids have shown increased sales in the United States.

subset: commoncrawl


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Price gets chance to shine at Washington pro day
SEATTLE (AP) Keith Price is Washington's all-time leader in touchdown passes and is second in yards passing. He was so certain an invitation to the NFL combine was coming he spent January working out in Southern California to get ready for the chance to show-off in front of the NFL scouts.
And then the invite never came.
"I thought there was no doubt that I was going," Price said.
Without the chance to perform in Indianapolis, Price's pro day on Wednesday became vitally important to his NFL future. Price threw before representatives of about 20 NFL teams, including Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider.
His goal was to show that he has the arm strength to play in the NFL. A 65-yard pass right from the start of his throwing session certainly caught the attention of everyone watching. Price made between 45 and 50 throws during his scripted passing session with only a few passes hitting the ground.
"People look at my frame and a lot of times I'm not going deep and testing my arm strength but I can throw the ball," Price said. "I think I have a strong arm, I'm confident in myself and I'm confident in my abilities."
Price threw for 2,966 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, and missed 1 1/2 games due to injury. It was a strong rebound from a disappointing junior season and seemed to set up Price for a shot at a professional career.
He wasn't the only one surprised that he didn't get a combine invite.
"At first I was a little taken aback by it, just because I know what he's done here at the university and how great of a quarterback he is," former Washington running back Bishop Sankey said. "I think it added a chip on his shoulder and he wanted to come out here and prove that he is a capable quarterback."
Price was in the spotlight throughout the workout but Sankey wasn't far behind. Sankey was a standout at the combine in February, jumping near the top of the list of available running backs.
Coming off the finest rushing season in Washington history with 1,870 yards, Sankey was the top performer in the bench press, 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle at the combine.
Sankey only participated in some positional drills Wednesday and caught a handful of passes from Price. He's being projected as a possible second- or third-round selection.
"Just wanted to catch the ball, show them I had natural hands. I wanted to look smooth running routes, looking smooth as well in the drills and everything," Sankey said.
Still a spectator was tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is recovering from surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot. He had surgery in late February and hopes to be cleared by doctors for workouts by the end of April.


text: Show all SEO SEM SMM Social Media Design The new brand identityWhen you are alone for days or weeks at a time, you eventually become drawn to people. Talking to randos is the norm. I'll never forget...2 Likes0 Comments5 Minutes Real time design toolsJust the other day I happened to wake up early. That is unusual for an engineering student. After a long time I could witness the sunrise. I...3 Likes0 Comments4 Minutes Tips To Become A Good Social Media Manager1 Likes0 Comments4 Minutes 4 Tips To Enhance Your SEO Results1 Likes0 Comments6 Minutes


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Word Search Maker
More Puzzles
A great collection of word search puzzles covering Disney movies, characters, songs and villains.
Disney Animated Movies
Plenty of great Disney movies are hidden in the game grid. Try to find them all a quickly as possible.
Disney Princesses
Magical Princesses the happiest place on earth has produced
Disney Characters
Word search of Disney characters from the 1950's onwards
Word search on the Disney movie Frozen
Word search based on popular Disney movies and characters
Disney Villains
Best Disney baddies to ever shine on the silver screen.
The Lion King
This word search contains the characters and places from Disney's The Lion King.
Beauty and the Beast
Disney's 1991 animated hit movie musical about finding the Beauty Within comes to life in this enchanting word search
The Little Mermaid
Word search about Disney's The Little Mermaid made in 1989.
This word search covers the characters and plots of the Disney movie, Cinderella.
Disney Animals
Best animals the happiest place on earth has ever produced
Mickey Mouse
A word search on the characters and friends of the Disney character, Mickey Mouse
Alice in Wonderland
A word search covering the movie, Alice in Wonderland
Lilo and Stitch
A word search on the themes, plots and characters from the movie, Lilo and Stitch.
Finding Nemo
Find all of the hidden words associated with the Disney/Pixar movie, Finding Nemo.
Inside Out
A word search puzzle for kids and grownups who are fans of the Disney/Pixar movie Inside Out.
Disney Fairies
The Disney Fairies are magical creatures that live in the Home Tree and can fly and do magic with Pixie Dust.
Monster's Inc.
Boo on the Loose. Find all the hidden words related to this Disney classic.
A word search game on the Disney movie, Mulan
Walt Disney's Peter Pan
A puzzle covering characters, things, and places from Walt Disney's Peter Pan (1953).
Disney Infinity
These words are everything to do with Disney's video game 'Disney Infinity'
Pixar's UP
This word search is about Pixar's 2009 film UP.
Mary Poppins
The list below contains names and other words and phrases related to the Disney movie, "Mary Poppins." Find as many as you can!
This is a word seach containing a number of words, themes and characters from the Disney movie Tangled
Can you find all of the words associated with the Disney movie Brave
Sleeping Beauty
Solve the game by finding all of the words which relate to Sleeping Beauty
Teen Beach 2
A collection of words which relate to the Disney movie, Teen Beach 2 are hidden in this puzzle. Try to find as many as you can.
The Princess and the Frog
A word search game on the animated story of Tiana and Prince Naveen.
All you want and more... about the Disney Channel original movie, Descendents
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
A word search puzzle all about the Disney animated adventure, Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Try and find all of the words in the game which are connected with Disney's the Aristocats
Descendants: Isle of the Lost
A word search on one of my favorite books/movies, Descendants: Isle of the Lost
The Thirteenth Year
Play this word search game based around the topic of Disney's The Thirteenth Year
The Good Dinosaur
A wordsearch on Disney Pixar's The Good Dinosaur
Disney Peter Pan
Find all the characters in the 1953 Disney movie
Disney's Aladdin
Find the words from the 1992 Classic Disney Movie
A word search game on the Disney movie Brave


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"Die Slow"
Premiering today on Pitchfork.tv is the video for HEALTH's "Die Slow", from the group's new album, Get Color. Directed by HEALTH themselves, the clip is a fitting companion to the track; There's quick-cut clips of faces, a dance number on the street corner, a party, an orgy, all interspersed with clips of the band singing, completely blank-faced. And then there's a jarring and bloody finale.
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Written on:
19 October, 2011
5-HTP & Cortisol
5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is a chemically modified form of tryptophan, an amino acid found in protein. Your body uses 5-HTP to generate neurotransmitters, chemicals your nerves use for cellular communication. Taking 5-HTP has an effect on a number of chemicals in your body, including the hormone cortisol.
About Cortisol
The release of cortisol plays an important role in survival. Short-term increases in your body's cortisol levels help you respond to stress, with cortisol release contributing to your fight-or-flight response. Normally, your cortisol levels vary throughout the day: high in the morning, due to the stress of fasting all night, and gradually lower throughout the day. Chronically elevated cortisol levels cause a number of health issues, including Cushing's syndrome -- a disorder that causes obesity, depression and possibly infertility.
5-HTP Function
5-HTP helps to control the levels of neurotransmitters within your brain. Your cells can use 5-HTP to produce serotonin, a chemical involved in appetite, mood regulation and your emotional state. Taking 5-HTP supplements helps promote new serotonin production and can therefore boost the levels of the chemical within your brain. Since serotonin interacts with other compounds in your body, 5-HTP can also have an effect on other hormones.
Effect of 5-HTP on Cortisol
Your body maintains a balance of serotonin and cortisol production: the more serotonin present, the more your body produces cortisol, and vice versa. Your adrenal glands -- the hormone glands responsible for cortisol production -- contain receptors that sense the levels of serotonin in your bloodstream. Upon exposure to serotonin, your adrenal glands release cortisol into your bloodstream. As a result, taking 5-HTP -- and increasing your body's serotonin levels -- also affects cortisol and increases your body's cortisol levels.
Side Effects and Considerations
You should never take 5-HTP, except under the supervision of a doctor. If your body overproduces serotonin as a result of 5-HTP supplement abuse, you might develop serotonin syndrome -- a condition characterized by neurological damage due to excess serotonin. 5-HTP might also cause side effects related to its role in temporarily elevating cortisol levels; for example, cortisol can decrease your ability to form memories, according to The Franklin Institute. A medical professional can recommend a dosage of 5-HTP likely to prove beneficial to your health without significantly increasing your risk of negative side effects.
- Brian McEntire/iStock/Getty Images


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A Drop in the Ocean is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with social movements and organizations to promote empathy and active solidarity in Brazilian society with social and environmental causes. We develop differentiated communication strategies, by customizing content for different audiences and media, aiming at the dissemination of intelligible and mobilizing narratives.
Maria Paula Fernandes, CEO/Founder


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Argh! Just made the world's biggest rookie mistake yesterday. Thanks Mish for pointing it out.
Can you please try visiting my new site again? Hopefully, it'll work (better) now.
Thanks and apologies.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
A New Home
I've finally moved to a self-hosted site – an idea I've been playing about with for ages. Please visit me here, and update your RSS feeds and bookmarks.
I'm going to miss the place, but it's time to move on. See you around at the new place sometime soon!
Filed under: Uncategorized | 4 Comments
Sarah Waters – Affinity
In a world where twenty-seven year old women are called "spinsters" and they aren't allowed to study further, despite being inclined towards academia, where they still need their mother's permission to carry out certain activities, and where they're bound by society's rules and regulations, this story is about a woman desperately trying to find her place and her footing while her siblings are getting married, having babies and moving ahead.
It's also a story about another woman, a spiritualist, who has been imprisoned due to her involvement in an affair which led to the unfortunate demise of one of her clients. She blames it on the spirits who she interacts with, but there isn't any evidence in her favour.
Set in London in the 1870s, this book is about two women: Selina, the prisoner (and spiritualist) and Margaret, the Lady Visitor at the prison who is trying to overcome an "illness."
Early on in the book, Margaret's visit to Millibank Prison are more about meeting Selina (who she's never met before), than the other prisoners. Selina, who communicates with various spirits from the prison cell as well, interacts with Margaret's father who passed away two years previously. As they form a special spiritual bond – a result of loneliness and despondence – they start sharing the details of their past (and their present), which brings them closer together, leading Margaret to believe that Selina is her "affinity."
One sympathises with Margaret, wonders whether Selina is really a spiritualist or not (well, I did – I don't really have believe in spirits being able to interact with humans via various media), and dreads the prison – which essentially could be a character in itself. Dark and gloomy, with endless passages, odours, wards, and extremely strict (almost inhumane) matrons who patrol the wards and punish the prisoners for their crimes.
As I've come to expect with Sarah Waters' novels, there's a breathtaking plot twist, which just leaves the reader gripped to the book, long after they've turned the last page. The book is written in interleaving chapters of the present and the past: the present is Margaret's voice, writing in her diary, and the past is Selina's, presumably writing in her diary as well. Thus, the whole book is presented to us from the eyes of the two protagonists, and one does start seeing things from their points of view. It's easy to relate to them, sympathise with their predicaments, and hope for a "happily ever after" that's only ever seen in fairy tales.
While this book is no Fingersmith (I doubt Waters will be able to re-do that kind of magic), it is still immense in terms of character development and scene setting. It's probably my second favourite book by Waters (although I still have Tipping The Velvet to go). I've read/heard many comments saying Waters is at her best while writing about the Victorian period, and as things stand, I'm bound to agree.
Have you read Affinity? Where do you think it stands amidst Sarah Waters' other novels?
Filed under: Books 2010, Guardian 1000, Historical Fiction, Review, Sarah Waters, Somerset Maughm Award | 9 Comments
Tags: Sarah Waters, Victorian Society
A Gate At The Stairs is one of "those" books – beautiful writing, intelligent conversation flowing through the book, a sensitive plot, and a book with great potential.
Tassie is a college student in the Mid-western town of Troy, who finds a job as a baby sitter for Sarah, an affluent restaurant-owner who adopts Emmie, a "biracial" child. Sarah is perpetually busy running the upmarket restaurant, and Tassie ends up spending a fair bit of time mothering Emmie.
While there are two other parallel stories (Tassie's "first love" and Tassie's brother contemplating his future at the military), the adoption of the biracial two year old by a white couple was the one that had me glued to the book.
When a boy uses the infamous n-word at Emmie, the babysitter reports it to Sarah, who starts a "group" for parents with non-white children. The group meets every Wednesday, and contemplates what the future holds as well as discusses the present-day situation of the African American race. In a post 9/11 world, racism in midwestern America is still rampant, and the lives of the minority is still under question. The snippets of conversation on Wednesday evenings that Moore penned down had me absolutely boggled. Call me naive, but I don't think much about racism or how a person's caste or skin colour can affect their place in society. In my ideal world, it shouldn't, and maybe because I've not witnessed it first hand, I'm absolutely oblivious. As Martin Luther King once said, "judge not a man by the colour of his skin, but by the content of his character" – but that doesn't really happen, does it?
Yes, I've read a fair bit about slavery and the troubles African Americans face, but, most of those books are from a different age, and in my little head, that time had just gone by. The unfairness of racial abuse towards biracial children literally had me perplexed!
Anyway, I digress. Back to Moore's book.
As one might expect, the plot twist comes from a blast from the past that reminds the many characters that the past does not forget. In my opinion, this was a little excessive as well, and Moore was trying to make the plot more dynamic, more "exciting" – to an extent, she did succeed, but, it just left me feeling perplexed.
The book was an interesting read, but, the last seventy pages just ended up taking a gigantic detour and having a story which didn't really fit in with everything else. Again, maybe it was something that does belong to the post 9/11 world? I don't know – I think the book would have benefitted from either streamlining the story, or avoiding some of it, despite it being emotionally powerful, and relevant in this day and age.
You can't fault the writing style though. It's beautiful, witty, insightful, and although Tassie at times comes across as way too mature for her age, at other times I could relate to her and her college lifestyle. Even Sarah and Edward (Sarah's husband) characters are well-developed, and while I didn't care much for the latter, I did sympathise with Sarah.
Think this book is worth a read, and I'd love to read more of Moore's works, to see if they're as insightful.
Have you read anything by Moore? How do you think her short stories compare to her novel?
Filed under: Amazon's Best Books Of The Year, Books 2010, General Fiction, Lorrie Moore, New York Times Notable Book Of The Year, Orange Prize Shortlist, Review | 9 Comments
Tags: Adoption, Lorrie Moore
"Charming" – That's the first word that came to mind when I turned over the last page of this novella. I haven't seen the Audrey Hepburn movie, so I didn't really know much about the plot (maybe I really do live in my own little cocoon) prior to reading the classic.
There's Holly Golightly, who gets the star billing, as the writer recounts memories of his glamourous neighbour many years later. Holly Golightly is a young woman, drifting through life in New York in the 1940s: the bars, the martinis, parties, the social scene. A complex character, who's a wonderful combination of being naive and stubbornly independent, she keeps her friends close yet at a distance.
As her past tries to catch up with her, and she unknowingly gets entangled with the Mafia, she contemplates what she wants from life.
I don't want to own anything until I know I've found the place where me and things belong together. I'm not quite sure where that is just yet. But I know what it's like…. It's like Tiffany's…. Not that I give a hoot about jewelry. Diamonds, yes. But it's tacky to wear diamonds before you're forty…
This was my first foray into the world of Capote as well, and I was blown away by the rich lyrical writing, by the richness of Holly's character, and by some of the cleverly crafted paragraphs. It was a delightful read, and I think the story is going to stay with me for a long time, as will Holly: a character that frustrated me to no end, but I still couldn't help but like her.
Filed under: 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, Books 2010, General Fiction, Guardian 1000, Penguin Classics, Review, Short Stories, Truman Capote | 30 Comments
Tags: New York, Truman Capote
This is the third and final book of the Millennium trilogy, and I'm almost annoyed that there will be no more novels of Lisbeth Salander or Mikael Blomkvist on my reading list again.
The final book in the trilogy opens with Lisbeth being shot several times in the head, after she attempted to kill her father, Zalachenko, who will be pressing charges. Zalachenko, a KGB defector, has been protected by a secret governmental organisation ever since he entered Sweden. Truths have been concealed, reports fabricated and a web of lies spun over the years, by various people in positions of power, and they are now threatened as to what might be unveiled thanks to the latest developments. Their masterplan is to get Salander committed to an asylum permanently. At the same time, Blomkvist, the irrepressible journalist at Millennium, is trying to figure out what's being covered, by whom and why. It's the classic battle between the good guys and the bad guys, with some necessary sacrifices being made by the "bad guys" – some people being used as pawns, and some being eliminated altogether; and both sides trying to outdo the other.
Most of the action in the book happens in the police/government offices, the hospital where Lisbeth is slowly recuperating, and the newspaper offices. The themes so far prominent in Larrson's books continue: politics and corruption in Sweden, the subjugation of women, the importance of good investigative journalism, and the Big Brother world we live in, where constant surveillance and hacking can get most answers.
A couple of other stories intertwine in the finale as well, making this book a monster of 750 pages (approximately). Some of the details seem unnecessary, and I did spend the first two hundred odd pages just trying to get to grips with the myriad of characters that kept getting introduced. Once I got past that, I just lapped up the rest of the book in no time whatsoever.
This book seems like it would make a good TV series (I'm thinking Alias right about now) – at least one season of a TV series. It's action-packed, things keep happening, and there are a number of cliffhangers. At the very outset, we know who some of the bad guys are, but as the book continues, the counter keeps incrementing. Plus, if one's interested, it does give a view of Swedish politics and its history.
Salander and Blomknist remain the "white" characters in the "black and white" world that this book depicts. Annika, Blomkvist's sister, plays a much bigger part, and she instantly became a favourite. With engaging characters (including the bad guys), and an incredibly well thought out story, I did enjoy this book. It's interesting, but the charm of the book doesn't lie in the ambience that's created, but more in the way things turn around and the characters act.
It's pop-fiction, but it's gripping pop-fiction, so even if you're turned off by seeing this trilogy on bestseller charts and ads everywhere, it's still worth giving it a shot, I think. You might be pleasantly surprised – I was!
Filed under: Books 2010, Review, Stieg Larsson, Suspense/Thriller | 17 Comments
Tags: Millennium Trilogy, Stieg Larsson, Sweden


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This firm, along with the entire notary public profession, is regulated by:
The Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury
1 The Sanctuary
We aim to ensure that all of our client's receive the best possible service and are left completely happy and satisfied with their contact with us. In the vast majority of cases, this will be the experience of our clients. However if you are left feeling dissatisfied with any part of any service you receive, then in the first instance you should direct your complaint to Charles Guthrie, who will seek to resolve your complaint using the firm's own complaints procedure.
Generally we will make all reasonable efforts to ensure your complaint is resolved at that stage.
If the complaint has still not been resolved then as we hold membership of the Notaries Society we will refer your complaint to the Notaries Society to deal with using their Approved Complaints Procedure. Complaints to the Notaries Society should be submitted to:
Christopher Vaughan
Secretary of The Notaries Society
Old Church Chambers
23 Sandhill Road
St James
If the complaint still cannot be resolved then the complaint may be referred to the Registrar of Faculty Office at the details shown above.
If the complaint still cannot be resolved then after a period of eight weeks from the date the compliant was first made, then as is the case with all other branches of the legal profession in England and Wales the same complaint may also be made to the following as the ultimate and final body in the complaints procedure:
Legal Ombudsman
PO Box 6806
Telephone: 0300 555 0333
Email: [email protected]
The name "Notary Public.London" is a banner title for Charles Guthrie and Co Legal Services Ltd. which is registered at the Companies House Registry of England and Wales as limited company number 07638399 and of registered office Golden Cross House, 8 Duncanon Street, London WC2N 4JF.
We are a VAT registered comany and our VAT Registration Number is 248 4697 59.
As a firm of notaries, this firm is regulated by the Faculty Office and not by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The existence of this firm is recorded with the SRA as a non-solicitor law firm, with SRA identification number 614564.
Outside of his notary public work, Charles Guthrie holds a current solicitors practising certificate and is registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, with SRA number 309213.
Terms and Conditions
Please see a written statement of our Terms and Conditions here.


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Seller's Net More - with SellersNet.com
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- Within 24 hours you will receive a Valuation. Click HERE to download the service agreement (Cancel anytime without a fee)
- Once approved, you will receive a link to your listing, to proof before we make active.


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I put together a table ('cause that's my way of taking notes) on the different things people wanted to talk about in Amsterdam. The name of the document, http://www.w3.org/2000/04/18-WWW9-XML-protocol-agendae, will cause heart-failure in classics majors as it assumes agenda to be a first declension feminine singular noun when it is, in fact, a third declension plural neuter based on the gerundive of agere, to act. -- -eric (firstname.lastname@example.com)Received on Tuesday, 18 April 2000 10:01:28 UTC
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September is here. Some breathe a sigh of relief. Others a sigh with sadness. Whatever your mood might be as you enter Fall, remember to hold dear any and all the fun memories you made this summer.
STOP and REFLECT as often as you can, especially if you are thrown back into the work force, busy and chaotic. Take a few of those pictures from summer with you. The ones of you nice and relaxed, enjoying the vacation (I hope you took one!!), enjoying the kids, your garden, friends you haven't seen in a while, your dog on the beach, the sunset…
Post them up around your house or your work office to remind you of fun times when you are in the midst of stress and burnout.
Let the good times soothe you.


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The OSC Ministry is pleased to report that the shipments for 115th, 116th and 117th packing for the troops were a huge success. All of the care packages have arrived to their final destinations in the following countries: Afghanistan, Diego Garcia, Iraq, Korea, Kuwait, Poland Qatar, South America and Yemen. Amen and blessings to our troops on foreign soil!
Our shipment breakdown had 198 boxes going to Army troops, 19 boxes to Marines, 6 boxes to our Navy troops, and 19 boxes to USAF troop members.
In the 242 care packages we included 24 bibles, 302 tracts, and 242 cards and letters. Each care package definitely helps lift the troops spirits as they serve our country away from family and friends.
All together the three shipments weighed in at 2,783 pounds with a total cost of $10,872.00 with funds to spare for our remaining 2017 shipments.
Please continue to pray for our troops as the heat of the summer is upon them. Work can't be easy so prayer is a definite need at this time.
Until next time, we continue to give all the praise and glory to God as He provides for our troops! In Jesus name we pray.


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Archive for Family
Day 102Posted by: | Comments
"Unto Thee, O Lord. . ."
I woke up with this song, from Psalm 25, on my mind this morning,
Unto Thee, O Lord, by Maranatha! Singers
Blessed Heavenly Father, I am grateful that You are good and upright. I am thankful that all Your paths are mercy and truth. Forgive my sins, Lord, and help me to keep short accounts with You. Let me never be ashamed of You, or who I am, in You. I have nothing to fear, because You are with me. Let not my enemies triumph over me — Whether real or imagined, physical or mental, foreign or domestic. My trust is in You, Almighty God. Keep my soul, and deliver me. Deliver our nation, Lord. Deliver and restore us to righteousness, for Your Namesake. Blessed be Your name! In Jesus' name, I pray. . . Amen.
Art Ditto by Birdcage Press ~ A TOS ReviewPosted by: | Comments
It never ceases to amaze me what one creative, motivated momma can accomplish when she has three young children, and wants to teach them that learning is fun! In this case, the woman is Wenda O'Reilly. Her first game was published by Birdcage Press in 2000. There are now more than 30 award-winning games available!
"Classic card games with an educational twist."
I recently had the opportunity to review Art Ditto. It is a memory game, but it is so much more, too!
There are 48, 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″, high-gloss, heavy-duty tiles of famous museum-quality paintings. The paintings depict birds, boats, cats, flowers, horses; and music. They are gorgeous! There are also 8, 5″ x 10″ cards that can be used for collecting art sets. Designed for ages 4+, it is a wonderful game for family play with multiple ages. You'll find it on the website for $24.95, and possibly in your local art museum's gift shop.
Because Art Ditto is a memory game, it promotes visual processing, matching, memory, taking turns; and sharing for young children. The pictures are vibrant, and hold a child's attention. This game is not just for wee ones, though. The cards list the subject of the painting, the artist; and the name of the painting and the date. The text is written in four languages! English, French, Spanish; and German. (I do wish there was a pronunciation guide included, because it took me some time to look up the proper pronunciations so I could read them aloud.) This game could easily be used, with older students, as a supplement to their art studies, history; and language.
I played it with a 4 year old. Just me and my granddaughter. She loved the art! We spent at least 15 minutes just enjoying the paintings, and discussing what we saw in them. 48 cards seemed a bit overwhelming for a memory game, though, and it took us forever to match them; so after the first game, we chose themes ahead of time. One time we chose the tiles with flowers and tiles with the color green on them, another time we chose tiles that had something "living" on them, and so on. Each new game, we mixed up the set of tiles and played with the smaller set, making it quicker and a little more enjoyable for her age. It's a game that can easily grow with her, and future grandchildren.
My Crew mates reviewed several of the products that are available at Birdcage Press, and if you click the banner below and follow the link you'll find them there.
Disclaimer* I received the game, Art Ditto, in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments. I enjoy hearing from you!
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
How Does Your Garden Grow?Posted by: | Comments
It's Spring!
What are you planting this year?
What are you cultivating in your heart and mind;
and in the hearts and minds of your children?
"Keep clear of personalities in conversation.
Talk of things, objects, thoughts.
The smallest minds occupy themselves with persons.
Do not needlessly report ill of others.
As far as possible, dwell on the good side of human beings.
There are family boards where a constant process of depreciating,
assigning motives, and cutting up character, goes forward.
They are not pleasant places.
One who is healthy does not wish to dine at a dissecting table.
There is evil enough in man, God knows.
But it is not the mission of every young man and woman to detail and report it all.
Keep the atmosphere as pure as possible,
and fragrant with gentleness and charity."
– John Hall, Pastor (1829-1898)
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Colossians 3:1-2
"A house is no home unless it contain food and fire
for the mind as well as for the body."
– Margaret Fulle
May we sow seeds of heirloom quality.
[An heirloom seed is seed from a plant
that has been passed from one generation to another,
carefully grown and saved
because it is considered valuable.]
May we grow strong and sure,
seeing a heritage of fine harvests.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace, and may not be used without permission.
40 Days Without TVPosted by: | Comments
Today is the first of 40 days without TV in my house. It's been years since we've not had TV. I used to be able to say that it had been years since we watched TV. At one point, we had been without TV, by choice, for more years than we had had one. We decided to get Basic Cable connected to keep up with the Presidential election, for Government & Economics class, at the beginning of 2008; and we've had it since then. Ugh! It's not that our program choices are bad, poor, or even questionable, usually. It just seems to be a robber of time, imagination, and interaction.
Presently, this is an experiment. We are observing each other and asking the questions of ourselves, "How is my life affected, negatively or positively, without TV?" and "What changes do I see, in myself or others?" I've noticed a few bad habits that have taken up residence over the years, but I have every expectation that they'll be so malnourished during this time that they'll slip away into non-existence. "May I finish this show while I'm eating? It's educational." "Instead of a story tonight, maybe we could watch a short movie?" "I started watching this with everyone and it'll be over in half an hour, do I have to go to bed on time?" "It's too cold, too wet or too hot; and it takes too much energy to be outside. I'd rather watch TV for a few minutes." I want to re-establish good habits, and the desire for them.
Not nearly enough reading, drawing, and creativity has been going on around here lately. My aim is to bring attention, once again, to what we're missing when we spend more time watching how something is made, instead of making something ourselves; or watching someone else sing, praise, pray, or dig into The Word, instead of purposefully hiding God's Word in our own heart. We watch someone prepare a gourmet meal on The Cooking Channel, but end up with take-out pizza because we were sitting, watching TV instead of grocery shopping. Ugh! It's my intention to see this thief eradicated, and balance restored. I want my family engaged in living their own life, instead of watching others live theirs. I want to re-establish good habits, and the desire for them.
How do you maintain balance in your home? I'll let you know how this works for us.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace, and may not be used without permission.
A Vocal CoachPosted by: | Comments
I'm not a great singer, but I've always liked singing. Several of my children sing in church and with a small chorus, but they've never really had any vocal teaching. I sang in the choir and a girl's ensemble when I was in school and there are things I learned that I still use today. I've taught the little I know to my children but I've always wanted them to have more instruction.
"Vocal Coach Singer is the most complete instructional singing system available with the equivalent of over $2,000 worth of personal coaching time. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, Vocal Coach Singer teaches and builds upon the fundamentals essential to an accomplished singing voice. From posture to performance our tested and proven techniques will help you deliver your songs with consistency and confidence!" Browsing The Vocal Coach website, I don't have to be a mathematician to know that "$2,000 worth of personal coaching time," for every Junior High, High School student; and adult in my house, for $99.99 – MP3 format or $119.99 for 12 CD's and Instructional Guidebook could be an outstanding value if it is what it says it is and does what it says it does.
Vocal Coach Singer includes Training CD's, Workout CD's and a CD of printable lead sheets for all of the vocal exercises and printable individual singer's journal pages; plus an Instructional Guidebook.
My girls have been using this interactive program for several weeks. We set aside an hour or two, two to three times a week, for music class. Using the Training CD's, they have learned to breathe, how the voice works, proper posture, tone; and pronunciation. They've discussed song choice, facial expression, hand gestures and more in the deliverance of an excellent performance. "Learning to sing well is a process," says Chris & Carole Beatty, the founders of The Vocal Coach. They have taught and coached thousands of singers over the past 40 years.
Whether you are singing or speaking to an audience you'll find that a good warm-up and cool down of your voice is essential to your delivery. Music Class begins with the daily Work-out CD's, teaching and practicing the essentials. They also use the printable Work-out Journal pages to record their vocal journey. The Beatty's believe this makes practice "more systematic and productive."
The Instructional Guidebook is a full-size, 9 page booklet with clear information and important principles designed to remind and reinforce the material presented in Vocal Coach Singer.
Chris & Carole Beatty make themselves available for questions and assistance with any of their coaching products, through their website. You can contact customer email@example.com or call 615-280-0554.
I have been amazed to see my girls implement what they're learning by their own initiative. Their posture has improved overall, not just while singing. They enjoy the program and the scientific facts they learn throughout the lessons. They've found the format easy to follow and interesting. They've said, "The Beatty's are creative in their approach, and that encourages me to want to do my next lesson."
So, I can say The Vocal Coach, Vocal Coach Singer is what it says it is and it does what it says it does. It is well worth the investment toward creating better singers and more confident speakers. As always, you can read other reviews by my Crew mates when you click on the banner below.
Disclaimer* I received a physical copy of Vocal Coach Singer in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments.
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
What Is Virtue?Posted by: | Comments
Virtue is behavior showing high moral standards. It is more than chastity or the abstention of a pre-marital sexual relationship. It is choosing to be set apart, as Scripture calls it, from the things of this world. Choosing to be unaquainted with evil, not just in our choices of friends or relationships; but in our choices of movies, books, music etc. Virtue is having purity in conduct and intention.
As a mother to many children of both genders I can tell you that it is still desirable and possible to raise virtuous children. The keyword in the sentence is raise, because I can just as assuredly tell you that we are not born to virtue.
Stacy McDonald has written a book, Raising Maidens of Virtue, to aide mothers and daughters on their journey to womanhood. It is published by Grace & Truth Books in a lovely hardcover binding, for ages 8-15. It is more of an intimate conversation than a Bible Study, but the results of guidance are the same. Stacy shares the truth of God's intention toward modesty, real beauty, guarding the tongue, homemaking, contentment and more, through stories, illustrations, and memory-making projects; with a sensitive heart-to-heart tone. She leads us through the hard questions and the uncomfortable places never straying from Scripture.
I wish I had had this book years ago and I have no doubt I will use it as my younger girls continue to grow. It's my opinion that every Christian household with daughters would benefit from reading this book. It is a treasure and worth more than the $18.50 that it costs to purchase it.
My Crew mates recently had the opportunity to review several books published by Grace & Truth Books and you can read their opinions when you click the banner below and follow the link.
Disclaimer* I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments.
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Day 5 ~ Rejoice with Me!Posted by: | Comments
I am thankful that no matter how things appear – God is still on The Throne!
A couple of weeks ago our refrigerator stopped working properly. Then, less than a week after that, our car started making a troubling sound – it needs a new transmission. Oh, my! Today, my husband's old truck left him stranded on the road. Presently it is dead! Oh, oh, my! Inevitably, there always seems to be some sort of shakin'-up going on around here; but not one of these incidents alone or even combined is bigger than our God.
Rejoice with Me, because He is faithful and I can toss the entire complicated, financially impossible burden on Him.
[1 Peter 5:6-7] "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you."
Rejoice with Me, not in the hardships but in the knowledge that God will bring us through the hard areas and the difficult times.
[James 1:2-4] "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Rejoice with Me! God IS sovereign!
He is The Almighty, The Possessor of all power in Heaven and earth. His counsels cannot be defeated nor His purposes thwarted. Nothing happens without His permission!
"…He is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings, and The Lord of lords," [1 Timothy 6:15]
#Thanksgiving #Blessings #SovereignGod
*Contents and photographs of this blog are copyrighted, they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Life Is A BattlePosted by: | Comments
"Finally, be strong in The Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the Belt of Truth buckled around your waist, with the Breastplate of Righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace. In addition to all this, take up the Shield of Faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God."
~Ephesians 6:10-17
There is wisdom in being prepared for battle – having the proper protection and weapons in good working order, having no doubt who you're fighting for and why you're fighting; being familiar with the lay of the land and the tactics of your enemy. Reconnaissance is defined as an exploratory military survey of enemy territory. It has its origins in the Old French word, reconoistre – meaning to recognize. This is where we get the shortened word recon.
A successful recon mission gives us strategic intelligence that can be compiled and used against the enemy. As Christians, our enemy is the devil; and God's Word enlightens us to his ways and deeds. The Bible is our own Strategic Intelligence Manual from The Creator of the Universe. It is God's revealing of The Truth to us.
Recon is a high school Bible Curriculum, developed by Bill Perry. It is specifically designed for grades 11 – 12 as they prep for college, but can be adapted to include 10th graders; those already attending college and adults. Its purpose is to help us, as parents and teachers, to spiritually equip our children/students to be victorious in battle – "the internal battle for integrity, Godliness, humility and obedience [Micah 6:8, Romans 7:15]; and the external struggle for The Gospel to be heard and believed among the nations [Ephesians 4:15, John 14:6];" to help them bridge the gap between and transition from high school to college and beyond without wavering in their faith. Military images, graphics and terminology are used to help maintain the seriousness, focus and discipline necessary to successfully complete the mandate of Jesus Christ.
This Bible Curriculum "is different because (1) college preparation is the whole framework for this curriculum and (2) it is reinforced with a national web-based network." It is "college ministry before college." I think the potential is extreme! My husband has led me and our children, ages 22, 20, 18, 16, and 14, through this course for the past several weeks. Using the oversize, coil-bound 300-plus page Recon Teacher's Manual and the Recon Spiritual Training Manual for Students Workbook, we are working our way through 72 intense spiritual lessons of Recon Boot Camp. The military lingo has bogged us down on occasion, but the more we're trained to recognize the real warfare as described in Ephesians 6 the more we desire to be like-minded and fully prepared. To maintain optimum focus it is recommended that four lessons, and no less than two lessons, be covered weekly. We've been able to maintain three days a week even around full and varied schedules.
Generally, in our homeschool I'm the teacher. As I browsed the Recon website though, I hoped my husband would consider teaching the curriculum and let me view it from the student's perspective. He chose to, but it is stretching him out of his area of comfort; because he doesn't feel he's a natural teacher. He's not used to following a Teacher's Manual, but it and the general set-up has been easy enough for him to follow. He's growing and so are we as we sit under his leadership. Recon is written for the Christian school venue, a church-based youth group, or homeschool use and it offers the flexibility that is needed for any of these.
The idea is not only to train this generation for the future, but to give them a way to connect and support one another through the battle. Mentors and students form small cell groups that continue teaching, training, growth, encouragement; and outreach. Connections can be made through the website.
The Recon Teacher's Manual is $21.95, the Recon Student Workbook is $12.99, but the benefits of this curriculum may be priceless. Bill Perry says, "It is our prayer that Recon will be a powerful tool in the hands of God to multiply the number of those that will appear around His throne at the end of time as described in Revelation 5:9-10."
Please, take a few minutes to follow the links I've provided throughout this post and browse the website. My Crew mates have written reviews of this curriculum as well and you can read them when you click the banner below.
Do not be discouraged! The Battle Belongs to The Lord and He will be victorious!
Disclaimer* I received a copy of this curriculum in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments.
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Cultivate a Love of ReadingPosted by: | Comments
No doubt my often-mentioned-love-of-reading came from my mother. It is one of the most important things I've wanted to pass on to my own children. I have been mostly successful, but not wholly. I am still searching for that elusive author or subject that finally holds the attention of a couple of my older readers. I believe the earlier you're able to immerse your child in the world of reading the more likely it is that they'll embrace it for a lifetime. No guarantees though, because I do have a reluctant reader and he was raised with read-alouds and access to books just like his siblings. It really is true that every child is different. Comparatively, my youngest daughter is one of the easy ones. She learns quickly, her retention is good and she has a desire to read. It will be interesting to see what genre she enjoys most as she gets older.
One of my mother's favorite authors, and therefore one of mine, was Ray Bradbury. He was a leading science fiction writer and author of more than 500 works. I distinctly remember reading The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, and Fahrenheit 451. Mr. Bradbury is quoted as saying, "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." Books can connect us to the history of our past and the possibilities of our future.
I was really excited when I saw this, because my mother used to tell me basically the same thing and I've said it to my children hundreds of times over the years! I copied this from Samson's Classroomfacebook page. They get it, and they want their young readers to get it, too! Reading opens doors and windows, hearts and minds; and worlds of wonder. Samson's Classroom wants to give your child the key to unlock it all.
Samson's Classroom is a web-based educational software program, focusing on Spelling, Sight Words and Reading Comprehension. It is out of the ordinary though, because "it is an umbrella product that is really many products rolled into one. The purchase of any product under that umbrella automatically gives you access to every other product. Even better, new product releases and upgrades are added to your package at no additional cost." Presently, you'll find: Spelling with Samson, Read with Samson, and Sight Words with Samson, designed for grades K – 5.
Sight Words with Samson starts at the beginning of reading and teaches spelling as the child advances through the grade levels, mastering 224 words along the way. So often in the past, my children learned to read but were poor spellers; so I especially appreciate this aspect of the program. Spelling with Samson draws from a vault of over 5,000 words for student games and drills. The parent/teacher can also organize/create personal spelling lists. Read with Samson concentrates on reading comprehension. Students are tested on the passages of text they read. Thanks to a new instant feedback system the child has a second chance to get a correct answer, if they were incorrect the first time. The correct answer is highlighted in the text, too. I noticed that this encouraged my daughter that it was okay to refer back to what she had just read for better understanding.
Samson's Classroom has great graphics! It is interesting, motivating and engaging! One of their motivational tools is the belts a student acquires as they build their Sight Word knowledge. My daughter says, "My favorite thing about Samson's Classroom is getting belts like the real-life TaeKwonDo belts." It's motivation that works! The student moves up the belt ladder and can eventually become a Sight Words with Samson Black Belt Master. She also said, "I like the spelling. They start me with easy words and sentences, review with me until I'm sure I really know the words. It makes me feel smart and like I can read anything! After I spend time with Samson, I want to try to read bigger and harder books to see what I learned." Because of the Student Tracking feature, I can see the progress she's making without having to stand over her every minute.
Samson's Classroom is an affordable asset to our reading curriculum. $30 for 1 student – home use, $50 for a family of 4 or $80 for a classroom subscription with up to 30 users. Find out what my Crew mates think of this program when you click the banner below.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to follow the links I've provided throughout this post and browse the website. They have more information, a short video and free demo available, too.
Comments or Questions?
call 518.356.0039
242 Union Street
Suite 2A
Schenectady, NY 12305
Disclaimer* I received access to this program in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments.
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.


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Marwanid dynasty
Marwanids rule areas (990 - 1085)
|Sunni Islam
• Established
• Disestablished
|Part of a series on
|Kurdish history and Kurdish culture
Modern history
The Marwanids (990–1085) were a Kurdish Muslim[1][2][3][4][5][6] dynasty in the Diyar Bakr region of Upper Mesopotamia (present day northern Iraq/southeastern Turkey) and Armenia, centered on the city of Amid (Diyarbakır).[7] Other cities under their rule were Arzan, Mayyāfāriqīn (today Silvan), Hisn Kayfa (Hasankeyf), Khilāṭ, Manzikart, Arjish.
According to most academic sources,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] the Marwanids were a Kurdish dynasty. Encyclopaedia of Iran consider them as an Arab dynasty in one article,[16] and refers to them as a Kurdish dynasty in another article.[17]
List of Marwanid rulers[edit]
- Abu Shujā' Badh ibn Dustak (983–990)
- Al-Hasan ibn Marwān (990–997)
- Mumahhid al-Dawla Sa'īd (997–1010)
- Sharwin ibn Muhammad (1010), usurper
- Nasr al-Dawla Ahmad ibn Marwān (1011–1061)
- Nizām al-Dawla Nasr (1061–1079)
- Nasir al-Dawla Mansur (1079–1085)
Bādh ibn Dustak[edit]
The founder of the dynasty was a shepherd, Abu Shujā Bādh ibn Dustak. He left his cattle, took up arms and became a valiant chief of war, obtaining popularity. When a member of the Buyid dynasty, Adud al-Dawla, who ruled Iraq, died in 983, Badh took Mayyāfāriqīn. He also conquered Diyarbakır, as well as a variety of urban sites on the northern shores of Lake Van.
During the rebellion of Bardas Phokas the Younger in the Byzantine Empire, Bādh took advantage of the chaotic political situation to raid the plain of Mush in Taron, an Armenian princedom annexed by the Byzantine Empire in 966.[18]
Abu Ali Al-Hasan ibn Marwān[edit]
Elias of Nisibis, a Syriac chronicler, mentioned shortly the life of Abu 'Ali al-Hasan. After the death of his uncle Badh, the elder son of Marwan came back to Hisn-Kayfa, married the widow of the old warrior chief. He fought the last Hamdanids, confused them and took again all the fortresses. Elias related the tragic end of this prince who was killed in Amid (Diyarbakır) in 997[19] by rebellious inhabitants. His brother Abu Mansur Sa'id succeeded to him, under the name of Mumahhid al-Dawla. In 992, after Bad's death and a series of Byzantine punitive raids around Lake Van, Emperor Basil II (r. 976–1025) was able to negotiate a lasting peace with the Kurdish emirate.
Mumahhid al-Dawla Sa'id[edit]
Mumahhid, a skilful diplomat, could make use of the Byzantines' ambitions. The relations of this prince with the Emperor Basil II were quite friendly. When Basil learnt of the murder of the Georgian potentate David III of Tao, who had left by testament his kingdom to the Byzantine Empire, he stopped the campaign that he had begun in Syria for making sure of Arabian emirs' obedience and he crossed the Euphrates. He annexed David's state, received Mumahhid al-Dawla with honours and made peace with him.
Mumahhid al-Dawla took advantage of the peace to restore the walls of his capital Maïpherqat (Mayyafariqin), where an inscription still commemorates this event.
In 1000 when Basil II travelled from Cilicia to the lands of David III Kuropalates (Akhlat and Manzikert), Mumahhid al-Dawla came to offer his submission to the emperor and in return he received the high rank of magistros and doux of the East.[20]
Sharwin ibn Muhammad, usurper[edit]
In 1010, Mumahhid al-Dawla was assassinated by his ghulam, Sharwin ibn Muhammad, who assumed rulership. He legitimized his rule with the ancient 'law of the Turks', that who kills the ruler becomes himself the successor. However this archaic rule and Sharwin's rule were soon contested, and Sharwin was overthrown. Coins are known from his brief reign.
Nasr al-Dawla Ahmad ibn Marwan[edit]
He was the third son of Marwan to ascend the throne. A clever politician, he skilfully navigated between the surrounding great powers: the Buyid emir Sultan al-Dawla, the Fatimid caliph of Egypt al-Hakim and Basil II. Elias of Nisibis has written that Nasr al-Dawla Ahmad ibn Marwan, "the victorious emir", subdued Ibn Dimne, his vassal in Diyarbakır, in 1011. He signed with the Byzantine Empire a pact of mutual non-aggression, but violated it once or twice. The renown of this Kurdish Muslim prince grew so much that the inhabitants of al-Ruha, (Edessa, present-day Sanli Urfa), at the west, called him for being released of an Arab chief. Nasr al-Dawla took the city of Edessa in 1026, and added it to his possessions. This event has been reported by the famous western-Syriac author Bar Hebraeus (1226–1286). So Nasr al-Dawla annexed Edessa, but the city was retaken by the Byzantine general George Maniakes in 1031. In 1032 he sent an army of 5000 horsemen, under the command of his general Bal, to re-take the town from Arab tribes supported by Byzantium. The Kurdish commander Bal took the city and killed the Arab tribal chief, then he wrote to his lord asking for reinforcements "if you want to save your Lordship on Kertastan (Kurdistan)".
The long rule of Nasr al-Dawla represented the apogee of Marwanid power. He built a new citadel on a hill of Mayyafariqin where stood the Church of Virgin, as well as built bridges and public baths. He restored the observatory. Some libraries fit out the mosques of Mayyafarikin and Amid. He invited well-known scholars, historians and poets to his royal court, among them Ibn al-Athir, Abd Allah al-Kazaruni (poet), and al-Tihami. He sheltered political refugees such as the future Abbassid caliph al-Muqtadi (1075–1099). In 1054 he had to acknowledge as his own liege Toghrul Beg the Seljuq, who ruled on the largest part of the Jazira, but he kept his territories. This fine period of peace and good feelings between Kurds and Syriacs was rich in creations in the field of cultural life. It was dense for trade, active for arts and crafts, impressive in short. Nasr al-Dawla left in Diyarbakır monumental inscriptions that show still now the artistic brightness of its reign.
After Nasr al-Dawla's death, the Marwanids' power declined. His second son, Nizam, succeeded him and ruled until 1079, then followed his son Nasir al-Dawla Mansur. The end of the Marwanid dynasty came about by treason. Ibn Jahir, a former vizier, left the Diyar Bakr and went to Baghdad. There, he convinced the Seljuq sultan Malik Shah I (1072–1092), a grand-nephew of Toghrul Beg, and the famous vizier Nizam al-Mulk, to allow him to assault Mayyafarikin. When the city was taken, Ibn Jahir took off the great treasures that belonged to the Marwanids and detained them for himself. Henceforth, the Diyar Bakr fell almost entirely under the direct rule of the Seljuqs. The last emir, Nasir al-Dawla Mansur, kept only the city of Jazirat Ibn 'Umar (present-day Cizre in south-eastern Turkey).
See also[edit]
- Dicle Bridge, a ten-arch bridge built in 1065
- ^ C.E. Bosworth, The New Islamic Dynasties, (Columbia University Press, 1996), 89
- ^ Ozoglu, Hakan. "Kurdish notables and the Ottoman state." Albany: State University of New York Press, 2004 "another Kurdish family, the Marwanids"
- ^ Michael M. Gunter, Historical Dictionary of the Kurds The Marwanids were a Kurdish dynasty that held sway from Diyarbakir..."
- ^ Julia Ashtiany, Abbasid Belles Lettres like the Hasanuyids of the central Zagros mountains or the Marwanids of Mayyafaraqin were Kurdish
- ^ Marwanids, Carole Hillenbrand, The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. VI, ed. C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, B.Lewis and C. Pellat, (Brill, 1991), 626.
- ^ Hugh Kennedy, The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates The Kurdish dynasties which emerged in the second half of tenth century...Marwanids of southeastern Anatolia
- ^ Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East "In the West were the Marwanids, based at Diyarbakr.."
- ^ Boyle, J. A. (1968). The Cambridge History of Iran. Cambridge University Press. p. 24. ISBN 9780521069366.
- ^ El-Azhari, Taef (2016). Zengi and the Muslim Response to the Crusades: The Politics of Jihad. Routledge. p. 42. ISBN 9781317589396.
- ^ Setton, Kenneth Meyer (1969). A History of the Crusades: The first hundred years. Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 152. ISBN 9780299048341.
- ^ Peacock, Andrew C. S. (2010). Early Seljūq History: A New Interpretation. Routledge. p. 154. ISBN 9780415548533.
- ^ Shaban, M.A. (1978). Islamic History: Volume 2, AD 750-1055 (AH 132-448): A New Interpretation. Cambridge University Press. p. 174. ISBN 9780521294539.
- ^ Payaslian, Simon (2007). The history of Armenia: from the origins to the present. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 69. ISBN 9780230600645.
- ^ Ashtiany, J. (1990). Abbasid Belles Lettres. Cambridge University Press. p. 15. ISBN 9780521240161.
- ^ Ghazarian, L. (2006). "Les kurdes Ardalân entre la Perse et l'Empire ottoman". Iran and the Caucasus. 10: 312–314.
- ^ Tilman, Nagle (15 December 1990). "Buyids". Iranica Online. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ Bosworth, C.E. (19 July 2011). "AḴLĀṬ". Iranica Online. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ Catherine Holmes, Basil II And the Governance of Empire, 976-1025, (Oxford University Press, 2005), 309.
- ^ Marwanids, Carole Hillenbrand, The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. VI, ed. C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, B.Lewis and C. Pellat, (Brill, 1991), 626.
- ^ J. C. Cheynet, Basil II and Asia Minor, pp.71-108 in Byzantium in the Year 1000 edited by Paul Magdalino, International Congress of Historical Sciences, 284 pp., Brill Publishers, 2003, ISBN 90-04-12097-1, p.98
- Bar Hebraeus, Chronique universelle, Mukhtassar al-Duwal, Beirut.
- Chronography of Elias bar-Sinaya, Metropolitan of Nisibe, edited and translated by L.J. Delaporte, Paris, 1910.
- al-Fāriqī, Ahmad b. Yûsuf b. `Alī b. al-Azraq, Tārīkh al-fāriqī (ed. Badawī `Abd al-Latīf `Awwad). Beirut: Dār al-Kitāb al-Lubnānī, 1984. English summary by H. F. Amedroz, "The Marwanid dynasty at Mayyafariqin in the tenth and eleventh centuries AD", Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 1903, pp. 123–154.
- Blaum, P., "A History of the Kurdish Marwanid Dynasty (983-1085), Part I", Kurdish Studies: An International Journal, Vol.5, No.1-2, Spring/Fall 1992, pp. 54–68.
- Blaum, P., "A History of the Kurdish Marwanid Dynasty (983-1085), Part II", Kurdish Studies: An International Journal, Vol.6, No.1-2, Fall 1993, pp. 40–65.
- Ripper, Thomas. Die Marwāniden von Diyār Bakr. Eine kurdische Dynastie im islamischen Mittelalter. Würzburg: Ergon Verlag, 2000.
- Stefan Heidemann: A New Ruler of the Marwanid Emirate in 401/1010 and Further Considerations on the Legitimizing Power of Regicide. In: Aram 9-10 (1997-8), pp. 599-615.
External links[edit]
- Waqf inscription from Nasr al-Dawla; Jerusalem
- The Kurdish Marwanid princes and Syriac scholars, by Ephrem-Isa Yousif.
- The Kurdish Marwanid princes and Syriac scholars
- Basil II, in An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors, by Catherine Holmes, 2003.


text: admin 18 August 2011 Iconoclasts, Radio 4: Is inherited wealth bad for the nation? admin 18 August 2011 You can listen to the programme here. Slug path asi-in-the-news/asi-in-the-news/iconoclasts-radio-4-is-inherited-wealth-bad-for-the-nation Joomla-id 6772 Old Teaser 17 August 2011 Dr Madsen Pirie went on Radio 4's Iconoclasts to debate against Julian Le Grand, LSE Professor of Social Policy and one of the thinkers behind New Labour.


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You Get to Play the Zombie in Brainsss
I don't know about you, but I'm sick of all this zombie killing. We shouldn't be blowing their brains out just because they're hungry. It's time to let zombies do their thing.
Brainsss, a new app from Lonely Few LLC, puts you in the shoes of a zombie swarm. Your goal? You must do whatever it takes to convert the living into the undead. Once they're on your side, just lather, rinse and repeat. As the Brainsss launch trailer shows, matters of life and death (and reanimation) aren't always so simple:
You must use your zombie wits to chase, trap, and intimidate any humans that try to oppose you. Some will submit, some will flee and some will try to kill you. Again.
As stated in the app's release notes, more of Brainsss' features include:
70+ achievements
Universal app – one purchase for all your devices
Free new levels released each week!
Supports iPad 3 retina display
Left Handed support
At its core, Brainsss looks like a great real-time strategy game. Finding the best route to attack (or avoid) certain humans will surely add a nice puzzle element to the game.
You can get your fill of Brainsss in the App Store for $2.99. Or, would you rather stick to being human for now?
- Explore Your Creative Side with Apps for Art Lovers
- Apple TV Apps for Traveling the World
- Apple Unveils New 16-inch MacBook Pro With New Magic Keyboard and More
- FoodNoms Provides a Quick and Easy Way to Log Your Food
This article originally published at AppAdvice here


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Poem: The Loneliness of the Orchid
When you walk into a room, the dining room let's say for the sake of useful metaphor, her solitude is silent, screaming mutely and crying in the quiet.
The loneliness of the orchid.
The stillness of the table. The gentle droop, a swan's neck, a dancer's bow to the enveloping sound of love.
Cursed with wakefulness, the flowers cannot sleep. The talking goes on and then some more, shuffling the proper order of things. Renovating the piquant plan that our unseen hand once imagined in a fever fit. Ceaselessly yearning for light and the enveloping sound of love.
We can't know her any more than ourselves. She's white and frail and open, vulnerable to cold and cruelty. Her language is a mystery.
We can feel her. She is lonely.
You had no sister, only promises. And when the end came, messy and unhappy and not at all how you would have scripted your exit, there was no clapping, no sound of enveloping love.
They put you on a table, and you waited for the loneliness to finish.


text: Happy Monday my people! Today's post is all about how to spice up your work style. 🙌 🙌 🙌 Would you like to dress to the office without looking boring? Don't worry because there are lovely ways you can spice up your look and take style to work. Though every workplace has its own dress code, you can still exhibit your personal style while working within your work ethic and dress code parameters.


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Two lawyers from Tunisia plant to sue Israel for the 1988 assassination in Tunis of terrorist Abu Jihad, who was a deputy to Yasser Arafat, according to Tunisia's official TAP news agency.
Abu Jihad, whose full name was Khalil Al-Wazir, was shot in the head by a silencer gun hidden in a box of chocolates.
The commando who shot the terrorist was the late Nachum Lev, who was quoted last week in a previously unpublished interview with the Yediot Acharonot newspaper. "I shot him with a long burst of fire. I was careful not to hurt his wife, who had showed up there," Lev said.
He and another Israeli commando, who was disguised as a woman, approached Wazir's house pretending they were a couple. The commando in woman's disguise distracted a bodyguard by asking for directions, allowing Lev to shoot Abu Jihad.
Lev died in a motorcycle accident in 2000.
Abu Jihad was the second most senior official in the planning of the First Intifada in the late 1980s.
The lawyers' suit was backed by the local Wafa party, which holds only 5% of the seats in the Tunisian assembly.
The Tunisian suit is to be filed on the grounds that the elimination of the terrorists was a war crime. The suit will allege that deposed Tunisian president Zine El-Abidine Bin Ali cooperated with Israel's Mossad spy agency in the assassination.


text: Hello, let me introduce to you, my name is Daniel Church and I am working as professor at Faculty of Sport and Physical Education 5 years now. I made this blog to help as much as I can to all of you who have issues with choosing sport for your children's and my suggestion is rugby. You will find here a lot of information about that amazing sport. If you need my help or have any questions please write to me.Best Regards!


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http://sacyard.beer/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SNRlogo.png 500 500 insight_admin http://firstname.lastname@example.com insight_admin2018-01-25 14:33:062018-02-22 14:55:09Beers in the backyard — Sacramento News & Review
By John Flynn, Sacramento News & Review
Beers in the backyard — Sacramento News & Review
With so many regional breweries, Sacramentans deserve more places to gather and drink that locally crafted beer. At least, that's the reasoning behind SacYard Community Tap House (1725 33rd Street), a watering hole that ought to open in East Sacramento in late January with plans to carry 24 taps of regional brews, according to one of the owners, Melody Thebeau.
"We're going to have a strong representation of IPAs, but we want to cover a variety of palates," she said, adding that the stouts stocked during the winter opening will likely transition to ales that go down a bit easier in the warmer weather.
By John Flynn, Sacramento News & Review
January 25, 2018


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Sunday, May 1, 2011
Did Rob Ford Register as a Third Party in this Election?
Who is paying for the Rob Ford robocalls that are out there tonight? Is it the Conservative Party? Is it Ford himself? Either way, it's very disturbing.
Posted by James Curran at 7:40 PM
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text:
3 Bedroom Villa For Sale in Grand Bay
In the heart of the RES project "Le Clos du Littoral-Phase 1", prestigious fully furnished villa of...
2 Bedroom Apartment For Sale in Grand Bay
Just 5 minutes' walk from Pereybere Beach, this property offers a modern and stylish accommodation...
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Disclaimer: While every effort will be made to ensure that the information contained within the Chas Everitt International Property Group website is accurate and up to date, Chas Everitt International Property Group makes no warranty, representation or undertaking whether expressed or implied, nor do we assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect, or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information. Prospective purchasers and tenants should make their own enquiries to verify the information contained herein.


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One person was treated for serious burns at a local hospital after a shed fire Thursday in northwest Amarillo, Fire Department District Chief Greg Mayes said.
The fire started about noon at 405 N. Carolina St., Mayes said.
It spread to a detached garage a few feet away and burned the outside of the garage, he said.
A neighborhood resident was burned in the fire and was transported to a hospital, Mayes said. The extent of the injuries was not clear, he said.
Crews brought the fire under control by 12:21 p.m., Mayes said. The shed was a total loss.
Potter-Randall Appraisal District records list Plemons Real Estate Management Co. as the property owner. The property's appraised value is $34,022, records show.


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Airways | Roadways | Railways
Coimbatore airport is the nearest airport to Ooty. It is 105 km away from Ooty. A number of private airlines give their services to Coimbatore. Coimbatore is well connected with many south Indian cities by air including Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai and Hyderabad.
There are frequent buses for Kotagiri and Coonoor. Ooty is connected by bus service to Coimbatore, Bangalore (via Mysore), Chennai, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur and Tirupati. Karanataka's state bus company (KSRTC) has daily bus services to Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan. Private bus companies offer super deluxe bus services to Bangalore, Chennai, Kodaikanal and Mysore.
Local transport consists of auto-rickshaws and taxis.
Ooty has a miniature railway connecting it with the lowlands. The railways starts at Mettupalayam (46 km from Ooty), north of Coimbatore, and goes via Coonoor to Ooty, where you will see some spectacular views of the precipitous eastern slopes of the rain-forested Nilgiris.
Online Enquiry Form


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Parents who have retarded children, must not feel sad for them, because their souls are already saved. On the contrary, they must be happy, because their children, without making any efforts, have earned paradise. What else can parents wish for their children? If they face their child's defect in a spiritual way, they are also benefited and rewarded by God.
Reference: Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain, p 138


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The Debut Dish, a Debut Author Challenge feature, is where you go for the scoop on some pretty awesome debut authors and their new books! Hopefully these interviews will inspire you to add many, many more books to your to-read list. Because, really, who doesn't need more books in their lives?
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
June 2, 2015 from Christy Ottaviano Books
Add to Goodreads | Author Website
A hidden book. A found cipher. A game begins . . . .
Twelve-year-old Emily is on the move again. Her family is relocating to San Francisco, home of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger, a game where books are hidden all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles. But Emily soon learns that Griswold has been attacked and is in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold and leads to a valuable prize. But there are others on the hunt for this book, and Emily and James must race to solve the puzzles Griswold left behind before Griswold's attackers make them their next target.
Describe your book in five words or less.
Puzzle adventure in San Francisco.
Why should readers pick up your book?
There's a good mix of mystery, puzzles, and humor. I have been told it's a page turner. It's set in San Francisco, which is a great city and one that I don't often see in novels. I had a lot of fun weaving in odds and ends of trivia and history about ciphers, literary figures, San Francisco, and publishing lore. And I'm partial to the characters.
What's the best thing about being a debut author?
The whole experience has felt like a dream come true, but I've especially loved working with my editor and connecting with other debuts through the Fearless Fifteeners and Emu's Debuts.
What's your favorite movie theater candy?
Junior Mints.
What's the oddest thing on your desk right now?
Three-way tie between Cabbage Patch Kid calendars from the 80s, a squeezable cupcake, and a chicken tape dispenser.
Like it Never Happened by Emily Adrian
June 2, 2015 from Dial/Penguin
Add to Goodreads | Author Website
Stereotypes, sexuality, and destructive rumors collide in this smart YA novel for fans of Sara Zarr's Story of a Girl, Siobhan Vivian's The List, and E. Lockhart's The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.
When Rebecca Rivers lands the lead in her school's production of The Crucible, she gets to change roles in real life, too. She casts off her old reputation, grows close with her four rowdy cast-mates, and kisses the extremely handsome Charlie Lamb onstage. Even Mr. McFadden, the play's critical director, can find no fault with Rebecca.
Though "The Essential Five" vow never to date each other, Rebecca can't help her feelings for Charlie, leaving her both conflicted and lovestruck. But the on and off-stage drama of the cast is eclipsed by a life-altering accusation that threatens to destroy everything…even if some of it is just make believe.
Describe your book in five words or less.
Deciding between truth and lies.
Why should readers pick up your book?
Because it's about the thrill of making new friends, and the uneasiness of falling for the wrong person, and the comfort of playing a familiar role. Two sisters reunite after ten years apart. There's a tree house, and a taxidermied puffin. And the protagonist is funny. Much funnier, somehow, than I am.
What's the best thing about being a debut author?
Hearing from readers, definitely.
What's your favorite movie theater candy?
One box of Junior Mints. One bag of Sour Patch Kids.
What's the oddest thing on your desk right now?
A squirrel puppet.
The Edge of Forever by Melissa E. Hurst
June 2, 2015 from Sky Pony Press
Add to Goodreads | Author Website
In 2013: Sixteen-year-old Alora is having blackouts. Each time she wakes up in a different place with no idea of how she got there. The one thing she is certain of? Someone is following her.
In 2146: Seventeen-year-old Bridger is one of a small number of people born with the ability to travel to the past. While on a routine school time trip, he sees the last person he expected—his dead father. The strangest part is that, according to the Department of Temporal Affairs, his father was never assigned to be in that time. Bridger's even more stunned when he learns that his by-the-book father was there to break the most important rule of time travel—to prevent someone's murder.
And that someone is named Alora.
Determined to discover why his father wanted to help a "ghost," Bridger illegally shifts to 2013 and, along with Alora, races to solve the mystery surrounding her past and her connection to his father before the DTA finds him. If he can stop Alora's death without altering the timeline, maybe he can save his father too.
Describe your book in five words or less.
Time travel, thriller, murder mystery.
Why should readers pick up your book?
If you enjoy time travel based in the future and in a contemporary setting, murder mysteries, conspiracies, and dual POV books, then I think you would like THE EDGE OF FOREVER.
What's the best thing about being a debut author?
The whole process of watching my story go from being nothing more than a manuscript on my computer to becoming a printed book. It's been a wild and thrilling ride, one I hope to experience many more times.
What's your favorite movie theater candy?
Definitely Milk Duds!
What's the oddest thing on your desk right now?
A small bell from Germany that my sister-in-law gave me.


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Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 03, 2011
Ashton Woods Homes, a premier builder of eco-friendly and energy-efficient new homes today announced the release of their Home Energy Rating Scale, in accordance with the Department of Energy.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Ashton Woods builds high-performance homes for sale in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa and Raleigh in growth communities, close to jobs, shopping and transportation.
If homes had a miles-per-gallon (MPG) rating, Ashton Woods would be the eco-friendly leader in building "fuel-efficient" homes. Leveraging a long history of building energy-efficient homes in all of its communities, the national builder has incorporated the EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale), developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in the marketing and sales information of their new homes.
The E-Scale, based on Residential Energy Services Network's (RESNET) Home Energy Rating (HERS) Index, involves the analysis of a home's construction plans and includes onsite inspections. According to RESNET, since a rating quantifies the energy performance of a home, the HERS Index provides an easily understandable means to compare the relative energy efficiency of different homes.
The HERS Index is a scoring system based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. The lower a home's HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is.
When it comes to scoring low on the E-Scale, Ashton Woods has an average score of 70. This means, when compared to other new homes, Ashton Woods' homes are 30% more energy-efficient. When compared to used homes, a new home from Ashton Woods is as much as 46% more efficient in its energy use. This can save homeowners as much as $1,078.00 each year.
While the E-Scale from the Department of Energy may be new to consumers, building energy-efficient, eco-friendly homes is old hat for Ashton Woods: they've been doing it for 10 years with their Powerhouse Green Homes.
"It's just the right way to build a home," says Ralph Farrell, VP Operations at Ashton Woods Homes. "By designing a livable home first and then adding energy-efficiency, we develop a comfortable and environmentally-sound home," added Mr. Farrell.
But, E-Scale is only a measurement tool. Homes need to incorporate energy-efficient attributes like Energy Star, or Environments For Living, as a general baseline. According to Sam Rashkin, National Director Energy Star for Homes, even just a typical Energy Star-compliant home saves 20-30% in energy costs when compared to homes built as recently as 2009. "As a compliment to Energy Star, the E-Scale is a great thing," added Mr. Rashkin and homes built by Ashton Woods are all Energy Star-compliant.
Environments For Living (EFL) brings yet another whole layer of efficiency to an Ashton Woods home. Homes built under the Environments For Living® program are energy-efficient homes that have been constructed using the principles and the discipline of looking at a house as an integrated system of systems that all work together. Things like durability, water-efficiency, indoor environmental quality and energy-efficiency are all part of EFL's advanced building techniques, which require a lot more effort on the part of homebuilders, like Ashton Woods. "All these things create a quality product," says Mr. Rashkin.
Ashton Woods is a strong advocate of quality products and energy-efficiency programs, like EFL and Mr. Farrell states, "It's a big deal to have a healthier, well-balanced, clean home and Environments For Living has really helped." And it's created a demand for homes built by Ashton Woods, who, last month, made the cover of Big Builder magazine, partly as a testament to its ability to deliver ongoing value to homeowners through continued energy-efficiency savings.
"Ultimately, new homeowners could use the savings from reduced energy costs to pay down their mortgage sooner, which is an attractive option for many buyers today," stated Tad Serbin, Senior VP, Sales & Marketing. With this idea in mind, Ashton Woods has created an energy performance calculator using the E-Scale to help new homebuyers understand the impact of savings from living in an energy-efficient home.
The energy performance calculator is located at http://www.ashtonwoods.com/escale and can help individuals determine the amount of yearly savings they could realize.
To learn more about E-Scale: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/challenge/energysmart.html
To learn more about the HERS Index: http://www.resnet.us/home-energy-ratings
To learn more about Energy Star: http://www.energystar.gov/
To learn more about Environments For Living: http://www.environmentsforliving.com
About Ashton Woods Homes
Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group, a fully-integrated collection of companies that spans the entire real estate spectrum in North America. From land acquisition and development to the design and construction of master planned communities. For more than 40 years, Ashton Woods has built a solid reputation for building comfortable, energy-efficient, high-performance new homes and is honored with the most coveted local, regional and national awards.
Visit http://www.ashtonwoodshomes.com for more information.