text:
Beijing Pollution Surpasses Air Quality Index
Air pollution darkened skies in Beijing over the weekend. An air-quality index at the U.S. embassy showed a reading of 755, far above high readings that typically only take place during rare events such as forest fires. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... the ...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Family Pleads to Prison: Release Dying HIV-Positive Woman
CBS4 News 4 in Miami is reporting that the family of a dying inmate will ask the Florida parole commission on Wednesday to release her from prison and allow her to go home to her family. The woman, Betsie Gallardo, 27, is dying of cancer and has been told by doctors she has one month to live.
Gallardo is in prison on a five-year sentence for assaulting a law enforcement officer, spitting on him when she was being arrested. Gallardo was born HIV positive. Her adoptive mother, Jessica Bussert, told CBS4 News that her sentence was made harsher because she is HIV positive.
HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva.
Gallardo is a U.S. citizen whose biological parents moved to Haiti, where she grew up. Her father abandoned their family and her mother died, leaving both Gallardo and her sister to fend for themselves on the streets in Haiti.
According to Bussert, "Betsie's first ten years were full of abuse, physical, sexual, starvation. She grew up in the poorest slum this side of the planet."
"As a young girl, Betsie always wanted to be a dancer. Before she made some mistakes, she was enrolled in college to study therapy and dance," said Bussert.
"I'm not saying she did no wrong, but what she did, didn't deserve dying in prison."
Gallardo's family claims she has had poor health care in prison, exacerbating her dire condition.
"By the time we got down here it was three weeks without any nutrition. She looked like a skeleton wrapped up in skin when I saw her," said Bussert, who claims her daughter was also suffering from a bowel blockage and that the prison denied her intravenous fluids.
Her mother will ask Florida's parole commission Wednesday, for the second time, to release her to her family.
"This girl is not a threat, a first offender. This was the first time she got in legal trouble, said Bussert. "I just want to take her home to let her die with those who love her."
As reported by CBS4, the Florida Department of Corrections issued this statement:
"We are acutely aware of Betsie Gallardo's situation. The department recommended Gallardo for a conditional medical release in October which was turned down by the Florida Parole Commission. On December 22nd we received a request from the Parole Commission for an updated medical report for their scheduled February meeting. This is now in the hands of the Florida Parole Commission. The Department has provided the Parole Board with an updated medical report. Her hearing before the commission has been moved up to Wednesday January 5th. We are required to provide good nutrition and medical treatment to all inmates and that is what we do," says Jo Ellyn Rackleff.
Advocates are pressing for her release. Meanwhile, Bussert says she also has gotten vital support from Florida lawmakers Daphne Campbell, Hazel Rogers and Ari Porth. They have written letters to the parole commission on her behalf.
The Pride Center of Ft. Lauderdale is also accepting donations for her hospice care.
If you would like to donate, you can contact the Pride Center at PO BOX 70518, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33307
This post was originally published at RH Reality Check, a site of news, community and commentary for reproductive healthand justice


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First Acer Iconia W700 Forum Thread!
- So February 9th is fast approaching, and I've sold my 3rd Generation iPad to help fund my unhealthy addiction to all things tech.
If anybody reading this has seen other posts of mine, I work for Apple - love their products, but I just decided to see what else was out there... Enter the Surface.
This unit got my interest - but at a price point I can't really justify, knowing I would have to purchase a keyboard, case, screen protectors, etc... I would ballpark the pricing out at around $1250 all things said and done.
Lately, however, I've been throwing around the idea of purchasing an Acer Iconia W700-6691 (64GB Internal SSD). It comes with a case, dock, Bluetooth keyboard... at $899.
I like that it has 1920x1080 resolution, but also that the screen is an inch bigger. I don't care that it's .5 lbs heavier than the iPad, maybe I'll get more muscle definition.
I know that there have been issues with the Wi-Fi, and I've seen various fixes here and there - but if anyone else who has one would like to help tip the scale, I would appreciate it!
(and about the thread title, I AM the first to post in this sub-forum, so )02-03-2013 01:15 AM
- Hi Ryan,
Why February 9th, is there something significant like a refresh? Because from what I know, the W700 is already out.
Heard that there will be something coming in terms of a processor refresh, where Acer will be using a new version of the Intel i5 that's only 7w instead of the normal 17w, allowing the chassis of the tablet to be 20% thinner and lighter. I wonder if you or anyone else here knows anything about that?
Ed02-03-2013 11:34 AM
- Sorry Ed, I actually meant the Surface release date.
I'm kind of imagining the refresh of the series to happen around MWC though. I wonder what the next series of tablets will be like, and importantly, their price point.
You may have single handedly made my decision more difficult... Bahh! I don't want to wait 😜02-03-2013 02:23 PM
- AnandTech - Intel Brings Core Down to 7W, Introduces a New Power Rating to Get There: Y-Series SKUs Demystified
Here's the link to the article that covers Acer going for the new 7w processors. That guy was already holding a refreshed w700 with the new chips! Seems like Acer has some kind of special agreement with Intel.
But yes I am torn too. I am from Singapore and products generally take longer to reach the Far East than America/Europe. I don't want to wait either, I hate having to carry a both laptop and an iPad everywhere. But am wondering if it'd be worth waiting for this refresh since Acer tends to price its stuff aggressively and the refreshed w700 should be around the same (if not the same) price. One of the worst geek-feelings is to buy a product only to see a refreshed/new model coming out 2 weeks later.
Also interestingly, haven't been able to find any official confirmation from Acer about the refresh.02-04-2013 01:56 AM
- You know what, if it helps your decision, I think I'm just going to take the plunge and get the W700 now. Firstly, I think the "new chip" may not be all that it's hyped to be. Acer hasn't even made an official confirmation till now, and if the chip's only going to be for Acer it feels very experimental - i.e. Intel testing it the low-voltage thing out with their current chips while preparing for the proper low-voltage Haswell processors which are only due Q4 2013. Secondly, if only Acer is getting this chip, it feels like there are bound to be problems with either the chips themselves or with supply. Thirdly, the 7-watt specification is on a "best case scenario basis". This means if you're running lots of crap on the tablet there won't be much difference. Lastly I don't even know when they're coming.
Therefore, based on these flimsy justifications, I've decided to go all-in on the w700. lol.02-04-2013 11:48 AM
- Well Ed, I think I'm in the same boat as you. I'm going to order mine tomorrow. Which model are you going with?02-04-2013 03:39 PM
- Hey Guys. Just got the W700 - 6691 64 GB SSD about a week ago and decided to come on here and make a first post in the forum but someone beat me to it :P
I previously had the Asus Vivo RT and while it was a great device I felt like I needed the full version of windows 8 in order to be fully satisfied. Overall its an awesome device. Right when it booted up the asus update program said there was an update for the wifi driver. I haven't noticed any wifi problems yet. The screen and resolution is great but the desktop is almost too small. There is about 30 GB free starting out. There are no restore partitions, only the usual recovery points. It does however come with a couple restore dvds. Also came with the dock, case and keyboard.
I also bought a 500 USB 3 device and was able to throw a couple games on it including DOTA2 and World of Warcraft. Both games ran fine. Had to turn the settings down some on WoW but it was still playable. Overall I'm very satisfied. Was able to throw visual studio 2012 on it without a problem.
If you guys have any questions let me know and ill try and answer them. Forgot to mention windows 8 on a tablet is hands down the best imo. On a desktop not so much but otherwise i would give it an A+.02-04-2013 05:53 PM
- Thanks for that post phantom, I'll actually be getting the same model, and eventually will switch for a 256GB mSATA drive. You don't notice any hiccups or anything? Build quality is nice? I've read all of the reviews on Engadget and cnet and... Everywhere. Just want a forum-goer's opinion on the build quality.02-04-2013 07:31 PM
- Build quality seems to be pretty good. There are no creeks or anything when holding the device or moving it around. Even though its a bit heavier then the vivo rt, the weight seems to be distributed nicely.
The only thing im not keen on is there is some backlight bleeding I can see during startup but can't notice it afterwards.02-04-2013 08:43 PM
- Okay, that I can live with. It would be nice if I could see one of these before I order mine.
Where did you get your 6691?02-04-2013 10:08 PM
- I got mine from Tigerdirect.com02-04-2013 11:20 PM
- Thought so, that's where I'm getting mine.02-04-2013 11:36 PM
- I got a W700, 128gb SSD version. It happened also to be on sale at the store I was at so I got it for S$1198 (around US$965). I must say, my initial thought is that it is not a perfect solution at all, and many things feel like a compromise. It's either a tablet that's a bit too big, and at the same time a laptop that's a bit too small (however you wanna look at it. perspectives and all). Touch feedback in desktop mode is not always great, things can be too small. Beautiful screen though.
To me the iPad does what it does perfectly, but nothing more. I tried using the iPad for work and always am able to find one thing or other I cannot do that pisses me off. As an always-on content consumption device it's great. At the same time, I am quite sick of always having to carry a laptop, my iPad and my Kindle (first world problems i know), and I commute rather than drive that's why it's an issue. To me that's why I still feel this will be a great machine for me. It is a jack of all trades and does all I need it to do fairly decently. Now I only need the W700 and my Kindle, lots more room in my bag then and my shoulders thank me too.
BTW: i got a desktop at home which I use most often, and I guess that's why I am able to accept a machine that compromises a bit of everything in exchange for a good deal of convergence. IMO if you're looking for your one and only work computer, you'd be better off with a proper laptop that's at least 13-inch.
Hope my own experience helps you all with your decisions!02-05-2013 12:45 PM
- Thanks for that!I ordered the 64GB i5 last night from tigerdirect.com - I'll post a full review as well.
My desktop at home, I made, and this will certainly not replace my i7 dual monitor home setup. Just a supplement for work/school, like you stated.
I do think a bit of light gaming may be in order too :)02-05-2013 04:58 PM
- Look forward to hearing your review Ryan!02-06-2013 12:06 PM
- I received my W700-6607 (base model) about three weeks ago. It is a replacement for my Acer A500 Android tablet that I've had for about 18 months, and my HP TouchSmart tm2 convertible that's approaching 3 years. I decided on the W700 rather than wait for the Surface largely because I really have had a great experience with my Acer A500. The only downfall for that device was that I simply can't do real content creation on the A500. Since I teach from my tablet, I love being able to edit on the fly, so the ability to do that on a tablet is worth the weight and size increase. If someone markets a full Windows 8 tablet in a smaller form factor, I'll probably look hard at that, but this machine is a marvel in its own right.
Having read many posts about the hassles of the Metro-style UI, I was prepared not to spend much time using it, but I find myself really liking the speed and flexibility of the interface. I think the live tiles are a really nice feature; it takes only seconds to get a quick update on several at once.
The battery life hasn't been an issue. I use it throughout the day and charge it at night, and haven't yet run out of juice, even with watching video, listening to streaming music, etc. Microsoft apparently has a full touch interface for Office 2013, but I'm still working with 2010, so there are a number of times when a mouse is essential. I suspect that's the case across the board with legacy software, and I hope my university adopts 2013 soon.
Like many, I'm a little nervous about not having an SD slot, but unless you have a constant need (like a mouse) for the USB port, you can easily use a USB microSD reader that can stay in place. My biggest irritation is that the US model doesn't have a keyboard case like the Canadian/Australian models seem to have. I've been searching for that since I got the machine.02-06-2013 04:42 PM
- Just got mine today, give me a couple days and I'll make a full post.02-08-2013 09:21 PM
- Just a bump before the synopsis, this thing rules. I'm not even concerned about looking at the surface pro.02-10-2013 03:56 PM
- Spent a good portion of the day with Acer tech support yesterday, getting my W700 back to factory specs. I had a bad spot on the touchscreen of the first one, so it went back, but the positives were so good on the machine that I never really considered not simply replacing it. I'm typing this on my new W700, and it is sweet indeed.
I will admit that I had a challenge using Office 2010 with the legacy desktop's tiny appearance, even boosted to 125%. However, I made the jump to Office 2013, and it's night and day. Gone are the cramped menus, replaced with a far more touch friendly layout, and with seamless integration with Skydrive. Nice!02-14-2013 04:54 PM
- Spent a good portion of the day with Acer tech support yesterday, getting my W700 back to factory specs. I had a bad spot on the touchscreen of the first one, so it went back, but the positives were so good on the machine that I never really considered not simply replacing it. I'm typing this on my new W700, and it is sweet indeed.
I will admit that I had a challenge using Office 2010 with the legacy desktop's tiny appearance, even boosted to 125%. However, I made the jump to Office 2013, and it's night and day. Gone are the cramped menus, replaced with a far more touch friendly layout, and with seamless integration with Skydrive. Nice!
I agree, Office 2013 makes a huge difference on a tablet, especially when you have no mouse or keyboard by you.02-14-2013 06:48 PM
- How have you two found the fan noise? Is it not noticeable? Noticeable but negligible? Intolerable? I'm really on the fence between an Acer W510 and an Acer W700 (Core i3).02-14-2013 06:49 PM
- Noticeable, and negligible.02-14-2013 11:54 PM
- Review - I've been promising a review for a while now. Since I've had the device for over a week, I'm now willing to share my views on the Acer Iconia W700.
I have the 6691 Model, which has the i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB replaceable SSD.
The device was purchased new from tigerdirect.com for $899.00 + $8.00 shipping.
I'd like to start by saying that I've never, ever considered buying an Acer product. To me, their name was synonymous with "cheap" and "entry-level". Read on.
Accessories: 8/10
The Iconia W700 comes with a few different accessories, and no matter how many unboxing videos you watch - you really can't tell the quality for yourself until you've handled it. The leather-type case that the W700 comes with is pretty hefty. I feel confident in it holding up for quite some time, it's not premium, but it doesn't feel or look cheap either. It also comes with a bluetooth keyboard that connects fine, feels fine, but has it's function keys in wonky places. Personal preference for me would be to have full-sized arrow keys too, but whatever. It does exactly what it's supposed to do.
Last up is the W700 dock.
What I've seen in reviews thus far is that it's a love it or hate it accessory.
I'm on the fence. It works for me - it fits my desk and my contemporary/modern home fine. I've permanently got it plugged in, as I've ordered more AC adapters to carry with me to work/school. It's kind of gaudy, I can see where people are coming from. But it's fine, and it's functional, and that's what matters. It's not going to win awards for build quality or style - but I like it.
Build: 9/10
I've had several people at work (I work for a very large competitor) come by my desk and ask to hold it because it's "just too big". The next words out of their mouths are usually "it's actually really light"!
It's around 2 pounds, but is nicely distributed across the device. The aluminum that it's built with feels the same to me as Apple's iPad, and doesn't feel plasticy or cheap at all. The build on this thing is great. The glass is very nice, and I haven't scratched it yet, but I baby the living *woah* out of my devices.
Functionality: 10/10
This is exactly what I wanted out of a tablet. Windows 8 on my home desktop is novel at best... Touch makes Windows 8 more than just "pretty". It's POWERFUL.
I'm constantly finding faster and easier ways to do things using gestures, multitasking, snapping apps to the left or right... It's magnificent!
I signed up for Office 365 and the touch controls are wonderful (don't go in expecting mouse + keyboard ease, of course) for on-the-go. The desktop is totally accessible, and I don't know what the fuss has been. I scaled mine to 125% to have a bit better control over it - and it's just fine. I rarely mis-touch anything on the desktop. I like the file explorer, optimized for touch as well... Again, I don't know what the fuss is about.
Windows 8 was made for touch. Period.
The USB 3.0, HDMI out and headphone ports work... That's easy enough.
Battery Life: 9/10
Great. No complaints. I'm getting a few days in standby - and I have yet to drop it below 50% in a full work day. I wasn't connected to wi-fi, or browsing/downloading anything. Just working in Office. But it held it's own. I don't anticipate an issue in battery life on this. I invested in 2 OEM AC adapters after purchase, as well. That way I can face anything that's thrown at me!
Screen: 10/10
Just plain beautiful on 1920x1080 resolution. I've been jazzed on Retina Display devices with high PPI - and I realize after having this 11.6" device that it's really unnecessary. I believe the W700 has like a 190 PPI (I'm not 100%), and I can't tell a difference, to be honest.
This was a lot shorter than I anticipated - but I can only waste so much time at work writing tablet reviews :P
If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer!
speedtouch, phantom404 and Billy95Tech like this.02-15-2013 07:14 PMLike 3
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Thus begins After River, a novel I read in 2008, several months before I started writing this blog. After I finished reading it, I remember thinking I wished I had a way of bringing it to the attention of other readers, because I feared it would get lost in the relentless release of new books.
For the record, I dislike recommending books because I don't know your taste as a reader. I could tell you something is fantastic, create unrealistic expectations, and you could end up not only being disappointed, but question my taste as well.
So, let me use a little reverse psychology here: I don't recommend this book, but here's why I think you should know about it:
1. For my readers in British Columbia, the Canadian province where I live, the writer of After River is Donna Milner, a sixty-five-year-old, former real estate agent, who lives outside of Williams Lake. In other words, Milner is a local writer, and I think we should support local writers to the extent we can, as long as we like their work. I like Milner's work.
2. I don't want to give away too much about the story, but you should know there are gay male characters in it. The preamble on the inside of the dust jacket doesn't state this, but it gives some sense of what happens. It says, in part:
"Everything changes one hot July afternoon in 1966 when a long-haired stranger walks up the winding dirt road to their door. The arrival of this soft-spoken Vietnam War resister sets catastrophic events in motion that will leave relationships shattered and Natalie [the protagonist] separated in unimaginable ways from the family she loves."
3. What struck me about the novel is the sensitivity with which Milner handles the gay storyline. I thought either she had firsthand knowledge of what it's like to be gay (perhaps she has a close relative, even a son, who is), or she is one perceptive writer. Whatever the case, the gay characters are treated with the utmost respect and dignity, and that isn't always the case in written material.
I fear Milner's novel didn't receive enough attention after it was released, particularly from the LGBTQ community. I could be wrong, but I don't recall ever seeing it on the bookshelves at Little Sisters, the gay and lesbian emporium in downtown Vancouver. And this is a shame because they sell plenty of crap. Milner's novel isn't crap. It's possibly one of the best books I've read with a gay storyline. It offers a beautiful portrayal of gay love, with no salaciousness whatsoever, and it will break your heart to learn what happens to the characters.
To pique your curiosity further, here's another quote:
"I stood frozen. The scene in front of me, the rumpled bed, the clothes strewn on the floor, River's canvas duffel bag in the corner, his guitar case leaning against the wall, I took it all in. But it made no sense. The relief of finding River there conflicted with the truth of what I was seeing. I heard Boyer's voice groan, 'Oh, God, Natalie.'"
Interested? I hope so.


text:
Report This
Category : Floor Plan.
Topic : Calabash cottage floor plan. Author : Gilbert Mckenzie.
Posted : Wed, Dec 05th 2018 09:50 AM.
Format : jpg/jpeg.
One can safely assume that many pre-drawn house floor plans have already been tried and tested. That means construction hassles would have already been sorted out, which implies that any additional labor costs and uncertainties during the construction phase will not exist.


text:
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2010 Season in Review: Quotes of the year
There were some outstanding and colorful quotes made during the 2010 NASCAR season. The following is a look back at some of those words -- in chronological order -- as selected by NASCAR PR managers.
NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton at NASCAR's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., setting the tone for the season:
"As it relates to the Sprint Cup Series, there's been a lot of debate and talk over the winter time, as everyone knows. The bump drafting as we've known it at Daytona and Talladega over the past few years will be totally eliminated. We're gonna put it back in the hands of the drivers and 'Boys, have at it and have a good time,' that's all I can say."
Hurley Haywood, five-time GRAND-AM Rolex 24 winner, on his final lap as a pro racer in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway:
"The guys at Brumos are all big stock car fans and one of them said, 'If you get close to Jimmie Johnson, I want you to run with him and see if you can pass him,' so I got on his tail and we were having a pretty good time and that's where the [1:42.2] lap came from so it was fun and Jimmie's a class act. He's not only a great stock car driver, but he's also a very good sports car driver so it was a pleasure to be able to race with him on my final lap [as a professional sports car driver.]"
Jamie McMurray after winning the Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway:
"It's unbelievable. I can't really put it into words the way it feels. I talked to Christy my wife this morning. She was like: 'You know, what would it mean to you if you won this race today?' I told her it would be like a dream come true. I'm trying to be genuine and as sincere as I can and not sound cliché. As a kid growing up, this is what you dream of, of being able to win the Daytona 500."
Kevin Harvick on the No. 48 Cup Series team after losing to Jimmie Johnson in the Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway:
"They're really good, but they're really, really lucky, too. I mean, Jimmie is a good friend of mine, but there's no way of getting around how lucky they are. You don't win four championships and do all the things they've done. They did a good job today in winning the race, but they have a golden horseshoe stuck up their ass. I mean, there's no way to get around that."
Kurt Busch after losing to Jimmie Johnson, who claimed his 50th career victory and first at Bristol Motor Speedway:
"I'd rather lose to any of the [42] cars out there than this No. 48 car. I thought we had them beat. I gave it my heart, but to come up short ... it's a shame we didn't bring it home for a victory."
Jeff Gordon after Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson made contact with the No. 24, for the second consecutive week at Talladega Superspeedway:
"The '48' [Jimmie Johnson] is testing my patience. I'm hard to get mad, and I'm pissed off."
Denny Hamlin as he crossed the finish line first in the Showtime Southern 500, one of his Cup Series season-best eight wins:
"All we do is win!"
NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France at the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame:
"I see a lot of our fans are out here, right in this corner in particular. They're the big benefactor from all over the country and all over the world to come into Charlotte, stay in the community, go to the events in May and October and, most importantly, walk through and take in the history of this sport. Get to know it. Get to know their drivers a little bit better through the things you're going to see. And so for that, I want to tell our fans, you have the best Hall of Fame in the world right here in Charlotte."
Jeff Gordon on Cup Series racing in 2010 at Dover:
"I think right now the sport's selling itself because the racing has been phenomenal. We've seen some of the closest finishes, most action, not only at the end of the race, but throughout the race everywhere we've been. The double-file restarts, the green-white-checkers, the spoiler -- there's just a lot of reasons right now why I think we're putting the best show in sports out there each and every weekend."
Former Nationwide Series champion Carl Edwards on the new Nationwide Series car that made its debut with four races in 2010:
"Those Mustangs look great. I think that's one of the neatest things that NASCAR's done for a while, for us to run those cars. That'll be cool. I'd love to be the first guy to win in a Mustang in a NASCAR race. That'd be really neat."
Richard Petty inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame's inaugural class:
"The fans then is what it's all about, guys. We wouldn't be here without the fans. There wouldn't be a Richard Petty. There wouldn't be a NASCAR. But the press was telling the fans about NASCAR. The fans came. So the fans developed a love, a real love, for it..."
Joey Logano after an on-track incident with Kevin Harvick in the Cup Series Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 at Pocono:
"Racing the 29, and he let me go in the middle of the straightaway and decided to dump me in the next turn. I don't know what his deal is with me. It's probably not his fault. His wife wears the firesuit in the family and tells him what to do, so it's probably not his fault."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. after winning the first Nationwide Series new car race in his final run in a No. 3 car at Daytona:
"I'm really happy with what NASCAR did the first time out with this car. They will work on it, improve it, learn a lot from it. But the first go-round I think was a great success."
Carl Edwards about the Chase for the Sprint Cup at Richmond International Raceway"
"I can't pick a favorite as a fan looking at it and I can't say who's gonna be the favorite and I don't think you can say what rivalries are going to build. I think this is going to be the best Chase we've ever had."
Denny Hamlin after starting the second half of the Chase with a win in the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville:
"Who said it was over? Told you it wasn't over."
Kevin Harvick on Jimmie Johnson after the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega:
"No offense to him, but somebody else needs to win. Everybody but them wants somebody else to win. I like Jimmie as good as anybody. But for the sake of the sport, one of the two of us needs to make something happen."
Mike Ford on the No. 48 team after the No. 11 team's eighth Cup Series win of the season at Texas Motor Speedway:
"You've watched them play mind games with people in the past, and I'm completely immune to that. I could care less. I'll be right in their face saying, 'It doesn't matter.' I think our race team is better than their race team, and I'm not going to tiptoe around them because of where they're at. I'm going to do what it's going to require for us to win a championship and beat them. Not that I'm playing dirty by any means, but take what's ours, and I'm not afraid to go toe-to-toe with them."
Jimmie Johnson after winning a fifth consecutive Cup Series title at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
"People tell me they hate me, but they respect me, and that's always cool. A guy that had an 'I hate 48' t-shirt on when I was on the SPEED stage, but was giving me a thumbs-up and said congratulations. So in the moment, it's tough I think for fans to maybe look at what we have accomplished, because they want their guy to win and I understand that. But I know what we've done today is respected sports-wide, not just in our little bubble we live in, but sports-wide..."


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Many of us have watched this guy play over the last few years for the Badgers. I remember thinking to myself that he was making a mistake by not coming out after his monster 2007 season. And man, was he good that year. Double-triple teams…didn't matter. He was thrown to on half of their offensive plays it seemed and he caught just about everything that came his way. He is incredibly athletic (assuming he recovers from his injuries OK) and a smart football player.
I wouldn't look at him with our first few picks, but if he is around when we're picking in the late 3rd or 4th round, I think we ought to consider him. He is not a great blocker and would probably need to bulk up to be a more productive TE in the NFL. But he is a crisp route runner, has amazing pass-catching talent (great hands, very good at adapting to poorly thrown balls), and he is quite fast for a TE (4.59 40). He is the kind of player who developed so quickly into one of the premiere college TEs that with some good coaching, could probably develop quickly into a viable NFL TE. For some reason, I just have confidence that Beckum is going to be a quality NFL player.


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National Nurses' Week begins Monday, May 6. Throughout the week, Lake Regional Health System will join hospitals nationwide in celebrating the nursing profession.
National Nurses' Week begins Monday, May 6. Throughout the week, Lake Regional Health System will join hospitals nationwide in celebrating the nursing profession.
Few occupations offer a career as rewarding and varied as nursing. The infinite options allow nurses to select the setting, hours and educational level that best suits their interests and lifestyle. For example, an individual can become a licensed practical nurse in as few as 18 months or continue their education for an additional four years or more to become a nurse practitioner.
Nurses may specialize in a variety of areas, such as obstetrics or emergency medicine, or begin a career in nursing informatics, a job that combines nursing knowledge with computer programming and electronic documentation. The possibilities are nearly endless.
Throughout the week, the Lake Sun will feature a variety of nursing careers available at Lake Regional Health System. Today, we are profiling exceptional nurses who work in traditional bedside nursing roles.
Although these individuals work in different areas of the hospital, they love their career for the same reasons: they all enjoy caring for people, helping their community and working with other talented, caring nurses.
Julie Baxter, R.N., Emergency Department
LRHS Employee Since 2005
Shift: Nights (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.)
Nursing is Julie Baxter's second career.
"My brother became terminally ill in my early 20s," Baxter said. "I was so impressed with his hospice nurse that I knew nursing is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."
Now, Baxter works in Lake Regional's Emergency Department, which treats more than 37,000 patients annually.
"You need confidence, patience and skill to work in the ED," Baxter says. "Every hour of every day is different. You never know what the next patient will need. But, I love the intensity and the crew I work with."
In her free time, Baxter volunteers at her youngest daughter's high school.
Her oldest daughter is a college freshman.
David Hellmer, R.N., Intensive Care Unit
LRHS Employee Since 2006
Shift: Days (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
David Hellmer has been in nursing for more than 30 years, including 27 years working in ICUs caring for patients recovering from cardio-thoracic surgery. Although he currently lives near Springfield, Mo., he doesn't mind the commute to Lake Regional.
"This hospital makes it worth it in so many ways," Hellmer said. "Lake Regional works very hard to equip its ICU with every technology nursing requires to care for our patients and maintain strong standards of care."
On his days off, Hellmer, who has four children and five grandchildren, enjoys woodworking, dog training and motorcycling.
Brianne Hensley, R.N., Stepdown Unit
LRHS Employee Since 2005
Shift: Nights (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.)
Brianne Hensley's interest in the health care field was sparked by watching medical shows on The Learning Channel. Now, she provides patient care and enjoys helping others when they need it most.
"Being caring, friendly and prompt to meet patient needs is important to be successful in this career," Hensley said. "Continuing education, such as staying current with stroke and cardiac care, also is important."
"Brianne is always there for her patients and her team," said her manager Sharon Fishback, R.N. "The staff and patients comment on how kind, caring and respectful Brianne is."
In her free time, Hensley enjoys running, four-wheeling and spending time with her husband and their two children.
Lynn Hofstetter, R.N., 2 East
LRHS Employee Since 2004
Shift: Nights (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.)
In addition to being compassionate, Lynn Hofstetter says it's important for nurses to be skillful in organization, time management and flexibility. Perhaps that's true for their families, as well.
"I have a wonderful husband, Gene, who puts up with my irregular schedule," said Hofstetter, who works overnight three times per week on Lake Regional's 2 East medical/surgical unit.
In addition to providing patient care, Hofstetter enjoys continually learning new things and sharing her nursing knowledge with others. "I like working with people and helping others," she said.
"Lynn has great nursing skills and work ethic," said Amy Knoernschild, R.N., 2 East assistant manager. "And, we appreciate that she serves as a mentor and preceptor for new nurses."
Vivian McAdams R.N., Obstetrics
LRHS Employee Since 1984
Shift: Nights (7 p.m. – 7 a.m.)
All five girls in Vivian McAdams' family — three before her and one after — became nurses.
"Since I was 8 years old, I wanted to be a nurse because of my sisters," said McAdams, who has worked at Lake Regional for nearly 30 years. "Now, I want others to know that nursing is a wonderful and exciting profession that I've enjoyed for many years.
"We are so lucky to have a fine hospital in the area," McAdams said. "Patients can receive care here in almost any specialty."
McAdams, who works on the OB unit two nights per week, volunteers for the Medical Missions for Christ clinic. In her free time, she enjoys church activities, reading, gardening and spending time with family.
Jim McMahon, R.N., Outpatient
LRHS Employee Since 2000
Shift: Weekdays
Jim McMahon, a former Army Green Beret, helicopter pilot and retired Lt. Colonel, says it takes communication, technical proficiency and energy to be a nurse in Lake Regional's Outpatient department.
"We provide the highest quality health care right here," says McMahon, whose department consistently ranks in the top 1 percent nationally for patient satisfaction. "There's no need for patients to travel a long distance."
"Jim has excellent bedside, organizational and time management skills," said Nurse Manager Janny Drover, R.N. "He is very perceptive and anticipate the needs of his patients so, so very well!"
McMahon also volunteers at COPE, a domestic violence shelter in Lebanon, Mo.


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12:00 pm
French In Action "Encounters III" In the courtyard of the Sorbonne, Robert and Mireille have caught each other's eye. Meanwhile, on an upper floor, Jean-Pierre, the pick- up artist, reveals the tricks of his trade to a not-very appreciative audience.G
12:30 pm
French In Action "Getting Underway I" In the courtyard of the Sorbonne. Robert and Mireille finally meet. Just as they are getting to know each other, Mireille rushes off, leaving Robert to contemplate the spring day and write a postcard to his mother.G
1:00 pm
Western Tradition "The First World War and the Rise of Fascism" As the old empires crumble in the war, totalitarian states arise throughout Europe.G
1:30 pm
Western Tradition "The Second World War" The war leaves Europe balanced between the first two superpowers: the Soviet Union and the United States.G
2:00 pm
Discovering Psychology "The Behaving Brain" Investigates the structure and composition of the brain: how neurons function, how information is collected and transmitted, and how chemical reactions determine every thought, feeling, and action.G
2:30 pm
Discovering Psychology "The Responsive Brain" Takes a closer look at how the brain, behavior and environment interact and how the brain's structure and functions are changed by stimulation from the social and physical context.G
3:00 pm
DragonflyTV "Pittsburgh" For peat's sake: Amy and Maya investigate why bogs help keep organic material from decaying and view the preserved humans in The Mysterious Bog People, a traveling exhibit at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Tyler and Aditya design their own rollercoaster and test it on a simulator at the Carnegie Science Center, finishing their investigation on "Phantom's Revenge," a roller coaster at a nearby amusement park. And at the Pittsburgh Convention Center, Dragonfly TV reveals a Science Secret that makes other cities green with envy. D
3:30 pm
Biz Kid$ "Have A Plan, Stan!" Explore the different elements of a business plan and see why it's crucial to develop a plan before you start your business. Meet a teen who opened a snow-cone shack, another who makes and sells candles, and a group who markets self-defense kits. D
4:00 pm
Wishbone "The Prince and the Pooch" This live-action program follows the exploits of Wishbone the dog and his human friends, Joe, David and Samantha through their adventures intheir hometown of Oakdale. Wishbone's everyday experiences trigger hi s imagination and he finds himself in scenes from classic works of literature. In this episode, after imagining what it would be like to be a coach, Joe gets his chance with Emily's t-ball team. D
4:30 pm
Cyberchase "The Fairy Borg Father" Delete is having a bad day. Hacker yelled at him and Buzz made fun of his first-ever invention, a "Bunny-Copter." When he wishes things were better, Delete discovers he has a Fairy Borg Father named Zanko, who appears and grants him nine wishes. D
5:00 pm
Quilting Arts "The Quilting Lifestyle" Quilting can become an everyday activity. Surround yourself with quilting, including your studio. Up first is Lynn Krawcyk. D
5:30 pm
Paint This With Jerry Yarnell "Pheasant in the Rough, Part 1" (18x24 Canvas: Acrylic Medium). In the first session Jerry overviews the techniques which will be covered in the painting as well as an overview of his painting palette colors. Next Jerry under-paints the canvas in gray and uses a #10 bristle brush with the mottling technique. D
6:00 pm
Cooking with Nick Stellino "The Ultimate Steak Dinner" Nick visits the butcher and the pear orchard and prepares New York Steak with Vodka Martini Sauce and Pears in Marsala Wine Sauce. D
6:30 pm
Chef's Life "Tomatoes....You Say Heirloom, I Say Old Timey" Mary Vaughn shows Chef Vivian the old-timey way to can tomatoes. Vivian prepares for a Southern Foodways Alliance luncheon at the restaurant where food enthusiasts from around the country are coming to study BBQ, and Vivian plans to serve them the "ultimate tomato sandwich.". D
7:00 pm
This Old House "Arlington Italianate Project 2014/Italianate Inspiration" Paint color consultant Bonnie Krims presents exterior color schemes, while Norm and Tom patch old oak veneer floors. Richard presents a new solution to the ugly PVC intake and exhaust pipes that come out of a typical boiler. Kevin tours an 1870 Italianate style home in Dedham, Massachusetts. D
7:30 pm
Rick Steves' Europe "Norway's West: Fjords, Mountains and Bergen" Rick sails under towering fjord cliffs, hikes on glaciers and finds surviving traditions in remote farm hamlets. He delves into Hanseatic heritage and takes in the salty hospitality of Norway's historic capitol, Bergen.G
8:00 pm
Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope "Passage Through Chile's Tierra Del Fuego Around Cape Horn" Joseph travels around the tip of South America on an expedition passenger ship. He journeys into Beagle Channel and through "Glaciers Avenue" encountering elephant seals and Magellanic penguins.G
8:30 pm
Lidia's Italy In America "Three Quick and Easy Italian Dinners" In this episode, Lidia makes three dishes that can be made any day of the week. Cauliflower Soup, Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Capers, Orecchiette with Artichokes & Bacon are the highlights in this episode. Lidia then visits Dino Cortopassi, owner of Corto Olive near Sacramento California to hear his family's colorful culinary history. D
9:00 pm
Cook's Country from America's Test Kitchen "Old-Fashioned Sweet Endings" NULL
9:30 pm
Simply Ming "Jody Adams & Cooking Greens" We're all supposed to eat more greens, but how do you cook them? Well, Chef Jody Adams knows her foliage and she's going to help Ming make it tasty on the fly on this episode of Simply Ming. D
10:00 pm
Joanne Weir's Cooking Confidence "Go Nuts!" Joanne goes "nuts" and makes for us her five-spice, ginger, and cayenne packed Asian Toasted Nuts. Then she encourages her student Geoff to do the same making stir-fried chicken, pine-nut lettuce wraps, and cardamom-scented rice with toasted almonds. Recipes: Asian Toasted Nuts, Stir-Fried Chicken and Mushroom Lettuce Wraps, and Cardamom-Scented Rice with Toasted Almonds. D
10:30 pm
Rick Steves' Europe "Norway's West: Fjords, Mountains and Bergen" Rick sails under towering fjord cliffs, hikes on glaciers and finds surviving traditions in remote farm hamlets. He delves into Hanseatic heritage and takes in the salty hospitality of Norway's historic capitol, Bergen.G
11:00 pm
Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish "La Despedida (The Farewell)" This episode covers days of the week, telling time, and conversation that use these concepts. Raquel helps find Jaime and his dog Osito.G
11:30 pm
Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish "Maestra? (Teacher?)" This episode introduces the past tense and reviews topics covered in the past five episodes.G


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I died again!
Previously locked for GM Only:
During my slow and painful recovery I have come to realize that Doc is insane. He's married to a clone that holds the mind of his dead girlfriend. The two of them are raising a child that is the spawn of a supercomputer; whose AI was responsible for the torture and murder of tens of thousands, and the enslavement of even more. That computer was bent on raising an army to destroy all mankind. The child is developing at a staggering pace, and Doc was gushing with pride when he visited me in the hospital. He tells me that his infant son is already programming code.
The child needs to be handled over to authorities, or perhaps even more drastic measures are necessary. I fear that this is a new manifestation of Deus, and it must be stopped before it can gather followers and begin a new nightmare.


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No Lift 1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rear Tires Fitting - Part 2Posted in Project Vehicles on July 17, 2006
In Part I of this story (March '05), we undertook the seemingly impossible and often ill-advised task of fitting 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claws under an unlifted Wrangler. We installed a Rock Crawler Hood from 4 Wheelers Supply, an Optima BlueTop Marine Deep Cycle battery lying on its side, and two of our 35-inch meats. In this part of the story, we'll show you how we made room under the rear of our TJ for the other two Baja Claws. We'll also take it wheeling to see how it all works on- and off-road.
Fitting massive meats in the back of an unlifted TJ Wrangler requires a few tricks. The first problem we ran into with the 35-inch tires was the front portion of the rear wheelwell. The 35-inch tires will rub here at full flex. This area of the tub, just behind and below the base of the front seats, is full of tire-chewing pinch welds. It's also important to the structure of the tub and factory rollbar mounts, so you can't just cut it all out. To get around this problem, our plan was to move the rear axle of the TJ back 1 inch with a set of upper and lower JKS Manufacturing adjustable control arms that we ordered from 4 Wheelers Supply. By adjusting the arms to 1 inch over the stock control-arm length, we can move the axle back and prevent tire contact with the structural area of the tub. We also gain a bit of extra wheelbase. However, if you go too far the axle will hit the gas tank. There is still about 1/2 inch of clearance between our Dana 35 rear differential cover and the factory gas-tank skidplate. We've seen some lift kits allow the axle to rub here at full jounce. If your TJ has the Dana 44 rear axle, you might not have enough room to move it back a full inch, but we'd bet 3/4 inch would probably be enough to keep the rear tires out of the forward part of the wheelwell.
With the rear axle moved backward, we trimmed the back of the wheelwell where there is much less metal to cut out and less chance of compromising the body tub's structural integrity. The 1-inch-longer wheelbase effectively moves the Jeep's center of gravity forward a little and should help us get up any steep climbs we come across. Combining this with the fact that our Jeep sits 4-7 inches lower than other TJs with 35s makes for a stable climber.
While completing the rear-axle move, we noticed the factory rear track bar was binding throughout the suspension travel. On a hunch, we flipped the stock track bar upside down, which cleared up the binding problem. We thought that this might cause the track bar to hit the floor of the Jeep, but we cycled the rear suspension without the springs or shocks in place and the track bar didn't hit.
With our 35-inch Mickey Thompsons mounted on wide 15x10-inch Mickey Thompson M/T Classic Locks, we have quite a bit of tire sticking out from the sides of our TJ (originally we planned on using 15x8 wheels with 358 backspacing). We rectified this slight problem with some seriously trimmed stock fender flares out back. We enlarged the wheel opening on the flares by trimming about 3 inches from the inside and outside edge of the flares so they were almost flat, with just a slight edge that curls around. To mount our trimmed flare, we moved it up a few inches and back about 1 inch to compensate for the more rearward-mounted axle. Trimming and reusing the stock rear fender flares keeps the Jeep looking clean by covering the factory-stamped body holes and any cutting irregularities we caused when we hacked the sheetmetal with our OJ-like jigsaw skills.
10PhotosView Slideshow
Tires And Wheels
Now that we had room for bigger tires on our TJ, we knew that we wanted some serious meats and wheels underneath. We were hoping for a set of bias-ply mud tires for on-the-trail strength. We also wanted a wide tread for extra traction and sticky soft rubber to keep our lowrider Wrangler holding onto the rocks with authority. We decided that a set of Mickey Thompson Baja Claws was just the ticket. The sidewall specs are 35x13.50-15 LT, which gives us the 35-inch height we were looking for and a little extra width. They stuck to the rocks on our test run and dealt with a little bit of Southeastern mud with ease. These tires would never fit on the factory Jeep 15x7 wheels, so we looked into a set of 15x10-inch Mickey Thompson M/T Classic Locks. They have a backspacing of 3 5/8 inches, which helps keep the tires from rubbing too much on the control arms, coil buckets, or frame. They did rub the front sway bar, but with the Jeep so low and balanced, we ditched our front sway bar without noticing any horrible side effects.
The M/T Classic Locks are not real bead locks. They are street legal and come with changeable aluminum polished rings that can be swapped inexpensively for blue, black, red, or gold rings. We went with a set of blue rings and they look great. These decorative rings are bolted to a super-thick machined outer lip. We like the strength of the outer lip for trail bashing, but if you are going to hit the rocks, you should take the outer decorative rings off because they don't like being rubbed against anything hard. If you do damage the rings, they are easy and inexpensive to replace.
From Behind the Wheel
After some off-road testing, we found we needed to lower the rear bumpstops 1 inch to keep the tires from getting sliced on the trimmed rear wheelwells. We made our bumpstop extensions from some heavy-wall tubing and welded them into place. The other option was to simply purchase some extended urethane bumpstops from nearly any off-road shop.
Mostly stock suspension makes our 35-inch-tire-clad Wrangler drive on-road like a stock Jeep. It's not too bouncy or tippy, even though we ditched the front sway bar. Our only major problem comes from the lack of horsepower. Those four little squirrels in our TJ's 2.5L are hurting, and we need to regear the axles in hopes of ever using Fifth gear again. As for off-road, the Jeep drove up stuff that we didn't think was possible in our TJ. It scaled obstacles that are definitely not possible in a stock TJ or some overly lifted and unstable TJs we've seen. It drives to the trail comfortably and is a trail hero off-road. Keeping the factory-designed suspension geometry and adding larger tires makes for a very capable and stable TJ.
8PhotosView Slideshow
* We'd love to add a flatter belly skidder for more ground clearance.
* The slip-yoke on the back of the transfer case is still a weak point we'd like to get rid of.
* We'll trim the lower control-arm brackets a bit because they seem to get snagged occasionally.
* We'll add rocker guards.
* We might lift the front of the Jeep an inch or two to level it out. TJs come from the factory with the nose down. We've heard XJ springs add a bit of height to the Jeep, or we could install some lift pucks up front.
* The stock shocks work OK, but we'd like the added benefit and feel of some high-end monotube or adjustable shocks.


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Civic Education
in Hawai'i
Our upcoming project which looks at the state of Civic Education in Hawai'i schools and compares against other states. Start by looking at some basics on the subject.More
See our page on ELLs
with a summary of our ELL conference.
Find out more on our Past Projects page.More
Student Debt
at the University of Hawai'i
We looked at the issue of rising debt and tuition costs at our own UH system and Manoa. How did we stack up against others, are tuition prices unrealistic when regarding living costs?More


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Your parish is your family. How well do you know the people around you? Your parish has needs. Are you looking for ways to fulfill them? For almsgiving this week, try finding a couple ways (Just a couple mind you. Sign up for too much, and you'll need to revisit tip No. 5.) to get more involved at your parish.
Lectors, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, ushers, greeters, sacristans, musicians and more are needed for the Liturgy of the Mass. Catechists are needed for religious education. Food is needed for retreats and fundraisers. Chaperones are needed for youth group activities. Leaders are needed to maintain and start up ministries.
Call the office, read the bulletin, visit the website or stop at one of those tables that pop up in the vestibule. Don't worry — you won't have to sign your life away.
Each week during Lent I am sharing a quick tip on each of the three disciplines of the season: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. So tune in throughout the coming weeks for more ideas! May God bless your efforts this second week of Lent!
Jennifer Rey is the web editor of Our Sunday Visitor Publishing.
Copyright © 1996-2019 Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.


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PINE CREEK — A wildlife raced through an aspen grove Monday afternoon, weakening trees and prompting officials to close North Pine Creek Road.
State Department of Natural Resources firefighters were called in to contain the blaze about two miles north of Fish Lake.
The road was initially closed near the 6.3-acre fire that roared to life about 2 p.m. But Okanogan County workers Les Hurlbert and Kirk Harrison officially posted road closed signs at intersections leading to the rural dirt road and fire area.
Natural Resources officials on-scene said the fire was caused by a local resident who had been burning weeds.
The resident, Steve Mapes, acknowledged that he had been burning weeds, adding that the wind whipped up and pushed the blaze quickly from his burn pile into the grove.
Mapes said he had burned off most of the dead weeds about three weeks ago, when there was still snow on the ground. So, he thought that he was OK to finish.
That's when a wind gust caught him by surprise.
The wind fanned the flames, spreading the fire to a narrow stretch of dead grass moving uphill into the grove.
"I thought I'd be able to pinch it off," he said. "But it got out of control. I guess I learned my lesson."
Okanogan County officials said nobody was injured in the mishap and there wasn't any structural damage reported.
The road will remain closed 24-48 hours while fire-damaged trees along the road are removed.
The blaze was contained by about 3 p.m., officials on-scene said.
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Making It Work
Tips for Pumping at Work
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 22 No. 1, January-February 2005, pp. 18-20
"Making It Work" is a regular feature of the magazine NEW BEGINNINGS, published bimonthly by La Leche League International. In this column, suggestions are offered by readers of NEW BEGINNINGS to help mothers who wish to combine breastfeeding and working. Various points of view are presented. Not all of the information may be pertinent to your family's life-style. This information is general in nature, and not intended to be advice, medical or otherwise.
Mother's Situation
Breastfeeding my first child worked well until I went back to work. When I returned to work I couldn't pump as often as I needed to and I had mastitis repeatedly. I also couldn't pump enough milk for my son so I was supplementing with formula from the very beginning. I did manage to breastfeed until he was about 15 months old. Now I am expecting a new baby and I want to avoid the issues I dealt with last time. What do I need to do to prevent mastitis and breastfeed without supplementing after I return to work?
Mother's Response
I think your determination to nurse for 15 months through the troubles you had demonstrated how devoted you are to this process of working and breastfeeding. It does take determination to keep going when faced with challenges such as yours.
I do not know what your work situation is, but having nursed four babies and worked full and part-time as a registered nurse, I know this issue well and I know how tough it can be sometimes. Be assertive and up front with your boss and fellow employees about your plans. Assure them that you will be pulling your fair share but that you need to break every three hours to express your milk. I would not share with them that you had mastitis repeatedly in the past, it's none of their business. I think regularly expressing your milk every three hours with an automatic breast pump will help you maintain a good milk supply and avoid mastitis.
If you notice any resistance about your pumping schedule from your co-workers, go directly to the source and discuss any issues they have in a professional manner. If you need to clock in and clock out every time you pump, then do it. If you have to come in early and stay late to put in your hours, then do it. Remember, sometimes the best advocates we have when it comes to breastfeeding are our fellow co-workers.
Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN
Manhattan KS USA
Mother's Response
I returned to work when my son Aidan was four months old. I found quickly that I wasn't pumping enough to meet his demands. I tried everything. I pumped more, drank plenty of fluids, and nursed him during my lunch breaks. No matter what I tried I could not pump enough. I, too, had to resort to supplementing with formula. He received about two to four ounces of formula per day. When he was 11 months old, I was able to stop pumping and I am still happily nursing him on my lunch hour.
I didn't start pumping before my return to work and I regret it. About a month or so before your return to work, it might help if you start pumping during your morning nursing session. Nurse your baby on one side and pump on the other side. Pumping in the morning will yield the most milk. Put this milk in your freezer and don't forget to label it with the date. Shelf life for the milk varies on what type of freezer you have. If you pump about three ounces a day for about 30 days, you will have about 90 ounces by the time you go back to work. This is a great supply for those days when you may not be able to pump enough. This will also give you time to get used to the pump. If you will be working full time I recommend investing in a good electric pump.
In regard to avoiding mastitis, it is important to get plenty of rest during those first days back to work. I know we all feel that we need to be super mother and take on more than we can handle, but you really need your rest. Make sure to nurse often and try to simplify as much as possible. What helped me is cosleeping. Also, stay away from underwire bras as they can lead to mastitis, too.
Amber Myers
Anaheim CA USA
Mother's Response
Don't hesitate to pump in your office. Even if you have a cubicle, it is possible for you to pump without people realizing it. When I first did this, I put up a barrier. I moved a filing cabinet to reduce the opening to my cubicle, and put up a sheet. I had a small baby toy I placed on the corner, to let people know I was pumping. That way, if people were uncomfortable, they would know to wait until the toy and sheet came down. I had a poncho I wore at first, but I soon became adept at setting up the pump and attaching the flanges to my breasts without anyone being able to see anything.
My supervisor liked the fact that I could pump while I worked and no time was taken away from my productivity. What was really great was that my co-workers, both male and female, forgot that I was pumping and came to my cubicle to carry on normal conversations with me while I produced milk for my child.
It's a good idea to purchase an electric pump so you can pump both sides at the same time. You can also buy a hands-free bra, which holds the flanges to the breasts. By keeping both hands free, you can work while you are pumping, as I did. In this way, you can pump more and try to avoid mastitis and other problems, as well as increase your milk supply and provide ample milk for your baby.
For a time, the caregiver brought my child to my work and I nursed in the car for my two breaks and at lunch. A bit later, I worked a split shift that gave me a longer day, but I was able to take three 45 to 60 minute breaks throughout the day so I could go to my baby at day care to nurse mid-morning, at lunch, and mid-afternoon. This gave me time with my child as well as eliminated the need to pump. For the little snacks between drop off, breaks, and pickup, I was able to pump enough at home in the middle of the night.
Many mothers get mastitis when they are too busy and trying to do too much. You need to set priorities. If you can, get someone else to do the laundry and dishes, or just let them wait. Prioritize your life with your baby and his or her nursing needs coming first. Don't schedule your baby. Sleeping with the baby will encourage nursing all night. You'll most likely sleep through those nursings, or you'll enjoy those quiet middle of the night feedings when all the world is soft and still and your sweet baby is smiling up at you with a milky grin. Most importantly, always remember the phrase, "people before things."
Sandra Deutscher
Lakeside CA USA
Mother's Response
First of all, pat yourself on the back. It sounds as though you did a good job under some very difficult circumstances. Your child is very fortunate to have such a persistent and loving mother. I understand your desire to avoid mastitis, so here is some information you might find helpful.
Mastitis is sometimes associated with too infrequent nursing or with not "emptying the breast" thoroughly enough. I put that in quotes because, as you probably experienced, the breast of a nursing mother is never really empty. But if milk is left in a milk duct too long, the duct can become plugged and may lead to mastitis. I can't tell you if this is what caused your previous problem, but from what you say in your question, it seems possible. One thing to do is let the baby nurse often. Do not limit nursings at all when you are together. When nursing, make sure to try a variety of positions so that all the ducts all the way around the breast get used. Taking as long a maternity leave as possible after the baby is born will help you to establish a good nursing relationship before beginning a pumping routine. Even after returning to work, you may want to arrange things with your employer so that you are able to facilitate frequent nursing.
Some ideas to explore might be working fewer hours or having baby cared for near work or on site so you can take nursing breaks during the day. Some mothers also share sleep with their child so they can nurse frequently at night without the interruption of getting up to go get baby.
You don't say what prevented you from pumping as much as you needed to before but I will assume you are returning to the same work environment. Like many medical conditions, stress can contribute to mastitis as well. Something in your work situation may need to change so that you can pump or nurse frequently. Creativity is necessary. Finally, consider investing in (or renting) the best possible electric breast pump to improve your chances of thoroughly pumping your breasts in the least amount of time.
Krisula Moyer
Huntington Beach CA USA
Mother's Response
I returned to work when my second son was two months old. I used several strategies over the following months. First, for two months, I only worked half of my usual number of hours and I took my son to work with me. This effectively extended my maternity leave from 12 weeks to 16 weeks, allowed my son to become used to a more structured routine without a drastic change, and allowed me to help my employer meet several important deadlines.
When I finally went back to my regular hours, I made sure that my childcare provider was close to my workplace so that I could nurse my baby during lunch. I arranged with my employer to allow me to have a nine-and-a-half hour shift with a long lunch plus two 15 minute breaks. My husband took our children to the day care provider after I left for work so that they wouldn't have such a long day away from both of us. Also, nursing in the middle of the day helped to ensure that my milk moved through the ducts even when pumping wasn't terribly effective. It also ensured that my son had enough to eat on the days when he didn't want the bottle. A significant side benefit that I really missed once he stopped nursing was the relaxation and rejuvenation that happened during each lunchtime nursing session. There's nothing like cuddling and nursing your baby for turning a stress-filled day into a calm, productive day!
I made pumping a priority and made sure that key people understood how important it was, both for my health and for my son's, and how that translated into less lost work time. To minimize pumping time, I used a double pump and I also obtained an extra set of parts for my pump so that I wouldn't have to spend time cleaning parts while at work.
Finally, when I could manage deadlines by working fewer hours, I took that opportunity and alternated work days and home days throughout the week. On the home days, we would nurse as often as possible. This dramatically improved my milk supply and it minimized night nursing. Our budget was much tighter, but I believe that the reward of more time with my baby and more rest was well worth the material sacrifices.
In the beginning, I found that presenting my plans to my supervisor was the most stressful part of the entire process, but I learned that if I proposed a plan that allowed me to manage my most significant job responsibilities and my employer could see that additional staff wouldn't be necessary, my requests were granted and supported. Education really did the trick!
Amalie Davidson
Richmond VA USA
Mother's Response
I lost count of the number of times I had mastitis after my daughter was born. By the time I had my son, I had learned a few tricks and only ended up having it once when he was about a year old. The most important thing is to get lots of rest. I took a one year break from all my volunteer activities and happily accepted offers of help. Try to think ahead and have a list of easy tasks someone else could do for you so that you are ready when they offer.
Would it be possible to talk to your employer before your baby is born about pumping locations and breaks? Could you work a half an hour later each day and take a half hour break in the afternoon to pump? I know some employers aren't flexible, but sometimes you just need to ask. Maybe there are other women who work with you who would also like to have the same options when they have a baby.
Christine Nicholls
Victoria BC Canada
Mother's Response
It can sometimes be tough keeping up with the demands of a baby in day care. What I found most helpful was to pump once or twice at home, either before work or after we got home, in addition to pumping regularly at work. That gave me a little extra "insurance" that my child care provider would not run out of milk. I found that I was able to pump the most milk first thing in the morning, so I would often nurse my baby on one side and pump on the other at the same time.
Sleeping with my baby also encouraged frequent nursing at night, which kept my milk supply up during the week, as well as gave me more physical closeness to my baby that I missed while at work. And we also had a rule that when baby and I were together, no bottles were allowed!
Kerry Luskey
Prescott Valley AZ USA