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Why are analogies important? Understanding analogies exhibits your ability to recognize relationships between words. It helps you develop a more complete ability to use words, images, and expressions, both in your spoken words and in your writing. As a future officer in the military, it's important for you to be articulate, now and when you are commanding others.
Each question presents two words that have some type of relationship; you are asked to select the choice that best completes the analogy, which is similar to the relationship presented in the original pair of words. There are two formats for the questions. For example, look at the following:
FORK is to EAT as PEN is to
You first must ask yourself what the relationship is between FORK and EAT. A fork is used to eat. Thus, the next pair demonstrates a similar relationship — a PEN is used to WRITE. The correct answer is C.
The second format of analogy questions that you will encounter is as follows:
PREMIER is to COUNTRY as
A. TEACHER is to LEARNING
B. PRINCIPAL is to SCHOOL
C. PRESIDENT is to CABINET
D. SOLDIER is to SAILOR
E. POLICEMAN is to CRIME
The correct answer is B, PRINCIPAL is to SCHOOL. The PREMIER is the leader of the COUNTRY, and the PRINCIPAL is the leader of the SCHOOL. If you look at the other choices, you can see the differences in relationships when compared to the original pair. The teacher's job is to help the students learn, and he or she is surely in charge of students, but that is not the direct relationship. The president chooses the Cabinet, but the Cabinet is only a small part of the country. Soldier to Sailor and Policeman to Crime are different relationships entirely.
Keep in mind that the relationship between the words is the most important aspect when answering an analogy question. It is more important than the actual meanings of the words. Try to establish the relationship immediately as you read the question. How are the two words related? Are they the same? Are they part of a group? Are they antonyms? It is often helpful to paraphrase the relationship.
For example, you might encounter the following:
FISH is to OCEAN as HORSE is to
You would paraphrase this by saying, "A FISH lives in the OCEAN; therefore, a HORSE lives in the STABLE." The correct answer is C. Although some horses may live in the field, city horses may live only in a stable. (Questions usually require you to be fairly specific.) By paraphrasing the original pair, you help yourself in identifying the correct answer.
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A Review of Traffic Beast
Sheryl Polomka, the Stay Home Mum, has just reviewed Traffic Beast on her website
Black Spider Blog
Well I'm glad Sheryl liked the blog. One of the comments that really surprised me was how much she liked the header graphic of Traffic Beast. Take a look at the graphic header at Black Spider Blog and you'll see what I mean.
Sheryl reviewed my blog because I signed up for her book Black Spider Blogging. A few weeks later, Sheryl followed up with an email asking if I wanted my blog reviewed. Naturally I replied and said yes etc… etc…
The point I want to make is you really need to go out there and build relationships with other bloggers. You cannot be shy. You're not meeting them face to face – you're behind a PC. So go there and visit some blogs and forums and start building some relationships. This will drive traffic to your website.
Now regarding the book Black Spider Blogging, frankly speaking I did take some of the ideas and implemented it into my own blog. It was probably why Sheryl liked it. If you have a blog or if you're just starting out, get a copy at the Black Spider Blog. It will give you some ideas on things which you may not have in your blog.
Here's the link to the Traffic Beast review…http://black-spider.info/?p=26
One more thing before I wrap up today. I've just written an article on why people fail to make money online. You can read it here. I hope the things I mention don't apply to you.

subset: commoncrawl


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National view: Occupy Wall Street out of the park, into national debate
November 19, 2011 at 6:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
Occupy Wall Street may not occupy Zuccotti Park anymore, but it refuses to surrender its place in the national discourse. Up close, you get the sense that the movement may have only just begun.
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She took to Twitter to express her appreciation saying, "Fam!! We did it!!! We broke records with the My Life fragrance on HSN!!! and made history once again!!! 50K sold!!!"
The previous record holder was none other than Sean "Diddy" Combs who sold his Sean John fragrances for men and women on HSN back in December. But Blige outsold the flashy mogul in both sales and revenue, grossing an estimated $2.7 million.
As the first celebrity fragrance developed by Carol's Daughter, My Life is an eau de parfum inspired by the artist's life experiences that she melodically poured into her 1994 album of the same title. The sophisticated scent is a lyrical blend of fruit, floral and wood notes including gardenia petals, white freesia, tuberose, apricot blossom, sesame, and incense.
While the 39-year-old's first foray into the fragrance industry marked her success as an entrepreneur, My Life has a far greater purpose as $1 from each sale will benefit the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, an organization created by Blige and Steve Stoute, chairman and lead investor of Carol's Daughter, that provides programs that foster education, career development, strong self-esteem, and personal growth.
In other celebrity fragrance news, check out which singer will have you "purring" with her debut fragrance set to launch this fall.


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Drug or alcohol addiction can be a difficult thing to recover from as your body becomes physically dependant on these substances. Discuss topics including alcohol/drug rehab centers or programs, share rehab stories and offer support, and long term recovery post-rehab.
How does Buprenorphine work in the brain?
Opioids attach to receptors in the brain, with three main effects; reduced respiration, euphoria, decreased pain. The more opioids ingested the more of an effect. The process of opioids binding to the opioid receptors can be thought of as a mechanical union, the better the fit the more the opioid effect. Buprenorphine is different. It too binds to the receptors, however, without a perfect fit. As a result the Buprenorphine tends to occupy the receptors without all of the opioid effects. The receptor is tricked into thinking it has been satisfied with opioids without producing the feeling of euphoria, and without causing respiratory depression. This, in turn, prevents that receptor from joining with full opioids; therefore if the patient uses heroin or painkillers, they will not be able to experience any additional effect. Buprenorphine tends to stay with the receptors, blocking them, much longer then opioids do. This stickiness, is what makes Buprenorphine last so long, up to 3 days


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C & H Partners, LLC filed as a Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the State of Texas and is no longer active. This corporate entity was filed approximately nine years ago on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 , according to public records filed with Texas Secretary of State. There are a couple of officers known to have been associated with this organization.
Sara Clark served as the Mbr and has interests in other corporate entities including Texas Pollution Control, L.L.C. located in Conroe, TX Sara's past corporate affiliations include Slc Construction, LLC, Solid Rock Management, L.L.C. and six others.
Shawn Harvey was the Mbr of C & H Partners, LLC. Shawn's additional corporate interests include Texas Pollution Control, L.L.C. located in Conroe, TX Shawn's past corporate affiliations include Solid Rock Management, L.L.C., 7 Lakes Partners, LLC and five others.
Sara L. Clark is also the registered agent for the company. Also known as a statutory or resident agent, the registered agent is responsible for receiving legal notifications regarding court summons, lawsuits, and other legal actions involving the corporate entity.
Key roles for C & H Partners, LLC
Sara L. Clark
Mbr, Member
Shawn P. Harvey
Mbr, Member
|Filing Type:
|Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC)
|State ID:
|Date Filed:
|Tuesday, August 29, 2006
|Registered Agent
|Sara L. Clark
Comprehensive Insight Plus Report
|Learn More
|The D&B Comprehensive Insight Plus Report for C & H Partners, LLC combines D&B's proprietary statistical scoring with business, payment and financial information all in one report.
US Company Profile Report
|Learn More
|The D&B U.S. Company Profile contains basic information such as address and telephone number, executive names and titles, line of business and SIC codes, D-U-N-S Numbers, organization status, and year and location of incorporation for C & H Partners, LLC.


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Book Search
1-1 of 1 results for Author: james keeley (sorted by Publication Date, showing all)
Understanding Environmental Policy Processes
Cases from Africa
A critical analysis of the post-Rio consensus on environment and development which questions the role of particular forms of internationalized elite scientific expertise. It asks why certain understandings of environmental change stick with such tenacity. In exploring this, the authors unravel the...
Published April 1st 2003 by Routledge


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Home / Store / Journals / Electronic Articles / Fusion Science and Technology / Volume 60 / Number 2
Massimo Zucchetti
Fusion Science and Technology
Volume 60 / Number 2 / August 2011 / Pages 743-747
Format:electronic copy (download)
The features of Candor, a study of a compact high-magnetic field tokamak, based on advanced fuel cycle have been examined from a neutronics viewpoint. Activation behaviour, focusing on the Clearance Index of materials after service in a Deuterium-Helium-3 advanced fuel fusion experiment has been investigated, showing the possibility of being declassified to nonradioactive material (clearance) after their irradiation in the reactor plasma chamber wall, if a sufficient (55-70 y) interim cooling time is allotted. AISI 316L, on the contrary, suffers the presence of Ni, N, Nb and Mo. Concerning pure elements, it is of particular interest the high Clearance Index of Copper and the moderate one of Fe.
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The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, November 20, 9:30 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Moon Palace Resort (990) -- Cancun, Mexico. Television: CBSSN. Home Record: WKU 2-0, Iowa 4-0. Away Record: WKU 0-1, Iowa 0-0. Neutral Record: WKU 0-0, Iowa 0-0. Conference Record: WKU 0-0, Iowa 0-0. Series Record: First meeting.
GAME NOTES: The Iowa Hawkeyes and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will close out the first day of action at the Moon Palace Resort when they square off in the Cancun Challenge on Tuesday.
This will be the first time these two programs ever meet on the basketball court. Whichever team comes out on top will advance to face either DePaul or Wichita State, depending on the results of the earlier games. The losers will also square off in the consolation round.
The Hawkeyes come in with a perfect 4-0 record due to a huge rally on Saturday versus Gardner-Webb. The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a 23-point lead in the opening half before Iowa staged a comeback. After making only 5-of-25 field goal attempts in the first 20 minutes, Iowa knocked down 50 percent of its shots from the floor including 6-of-13 from beyond the arc to close out the contest. Coach Fran McCaffery's team is very young and lacks a senior in the starting five.
After an exhausting 67-64 overtime loss to Southern Miss in its season opener, Western Kentucky picked up its two wins in the mainland portion of the Cancun Challenge by cruising past Austin Peay and Western Carolina in Bowling Green. The Hilltoppers' back-to-back triumphs gave them wins in the first two home games of the season for the first time since the 2008-09 season. The only tournament game WKU has lost under Ray Harper was to Kentucky in last season's NCAA Tournament.
Iowa's strong start to the season is largely due to a focus on the defensive end of the floor. After allowing opponents to post 72.5 ppg last season, the Hawkeyes are giving up only 52 per game. Offensively, Roy Devyn Marble is pacing the team with 15.5 points per game on 44.2 percent shooting from the field due to a 22-point outing versus Howard. Forward Aaron White (14.8 ppg) is not as explosive as Devyn Marble, but his consistently active play inside has given him healthy averages of eight rebounds and 10.3 free throw attempts per contest. None of the other Hawkeyes are scoring in double figures as playing time has been spread out in the three lopsided wins. Freshman center Adam Woodbury may be a future star in the middle. The 7-1 rookie is 12-of-17 from the floor to start his career.
The Hilltoppers are one of the best teams in the Sun Belt Conference this season due to the tenacious trio of Jamal Crook, T.J. Price, and George Fant. Its last time out, WKU had no answer for Western Carolina's Trey Sumler, who went on to score 25 points in the contest. However, Crook and Price stepped up to pour in 26 points each to keep the Catamounts at bay. Fant added 12 points in the win. Teeng Akol is going to be crucial for WKU versus Iowa. The 6-11 center from the Sudan is a fierce interior defender that will make it difficult for Woodbury. Akol also made an impact on the offensive end with 10 points in 16 minutes his last time out.
Harper showed that he has the ability to rally the troops at the end of last season. WKU has enough in its arsenal to knock off Iowa, especially due to the amount of inexperience of the black and yellow. The Hawkeyes can not afford to fall behind by a huge margin against what will be a feisty opponent.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Iowa 73, Western Kentucky 70


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Just to be clear: we'll all still hate your guts no matter what it says under your handle.
Also: I hate the guts of everyone who posted in this thread.
5/22: Move D, Reaganz, Sassmouth @ Monarch
5/28: Refused, White Lung @ GAMH
5/29: Spoon @ The Fox Theater, Oakland
5/29: Max Cooper EMERGENCE @ PW
5/30: Neutral Milk Hotel @ Pappy & Harriet's
6/2: Kiasmos ft. Olafur Arnalds, Rival Consoles @ The Independent
6/6: Matthew Dear, Daniel Bortz @ Public Works
6/12: Christian Loeffler @ TBA
6/17: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ The Independent
6/21: Underworld, Jungle @ The Hollywood Bowl
6/25: Until the Ribbon Breaks @ The Rickshaw Stop
yes, michelle, take ted's advice. he is obviously the most sensible person here.
This ain't no middle of the mall shit.
Me too
haha i always wondered how many posts i needed to become a member too.
^ you're almost a member
What's not to like about me. Lol
I have been following these boards a ton without really participating. Interesting since I normally love to write but perhaps reading the posts from all the heavy hitters in here I could never compete with the wit.
Last edited by NovaIcaria81; 04-12-2012 at 10:04 PM.
I think you're dumb because sometimes in the past, at times when i would do the things that i did that involved certain things that were new to me then, at those times, in the past, i wouldn't get tired and you're tired and for that reason your not a good person.
i guess as long as they don't stamp it on my head, i couldn't care less what the forum calls me
What comes after member?
I feel you Michelle. I think i might have to spam about 10 posts here too
Right on. Now I don't want to be a member...i want to move up on the ranks again!
I guess I'll stay under 33k then.
Well some people get to choose it looks like. Old gay guy, ankle biter and ungrateful bitch all got to choose... or maybe that's just really accurate interpretations of their posts from the admin
I used to be a lurker like you, then I took a metal tent stake to the knee.
Just trying to get a word in.
It's either no ambition, or no life. I don't think I'll ever reach 33k lol. No offense to those that troll here and become ankle biters and such
I wonder what 90% of users do....


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Personalized Lift -Top Jewelry BoxPersonalized Lift -Top Jewelry Box5
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from $24.99 - $29.99For princess treasures and gems. - Our lift top jewelry box has plenty of room for those precious jewels. This beautifully printed wood box has three softly lined sections to keep rings, bracelets and other valuables. 7½" x 5½" x 3" Makes a fantastic gift for any little girl. All ink Certified Lead Free!!
In Stock ITEM # JEWEB
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Personalized Lift -Top Jewelry Box
great gift02/17/2015
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Personalized Lift -Top Jewelry Box
Great company12/31/2014
This is my first experience with My Bambino but it won't be my last. The products are solid with an extensive choice of patterns. Prices are reasonable. Service and shipping couldn't be more prompt. It's great to deal with a company such as this that has such good customer service!
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Very cute12/31/2014
This was a gift for my 10 year old granddaughter and she loved it. She went out of her way on Christmas day to tell me how much she liked it. Seems very well made and arrived quickly. The colors are just how they looked on the site and matched her room perfectly.
Personalized Lift -Top Jewelry Box
My Bambino is my go to place for baby gifts. I get this lamp for every baby I know. They always look wonderful!
Personalized Lift -Top Jewelry Box
Excellent Craftsmanship08/11/2009
This is a high quality product.


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Palais Table Lamp Rustic White
With a mix of scrolling arms, glittering crystal beads and delicate botanical accents, our lamp exhibits equal amounts of genteel sweetness and unabashed grandeur.
- Crafted of metal
- Scalloped bobeches support crystal drops
- Rustic white finish is gently distressed, imparting the warmth and patina of age
- Features 4 scrolling arms trimmed with crystal beads and accented with metal leaves
- In-line switch on cord
- Dry UL listed: suitable for use indoors in dry locations not directly exposed to excessive moisture and water
- Includes four 40W max. candelabra bulbs
Palais Table Lamp Rustic White
- 12" diam., 22"H


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There was a time when small- and big-block Chevy V-8s could be swapped back and forth without a major hassle. The advent of the C5 and its GEN III (LS1) engine's totally new architecture means that nothing new goes where something old once resided, and that a mountain motor intended for a large pickup ain't gonna fit, at least without a LOT of work, within a C5's engine bay. Larry took a leap of faith and ordered a brand new Vortec 8100 from The General.
Upon its arrival at his shop, Hofer started off by doing a point-by-point check of parts interchangeability between a traditional big-block and the Vortec. Guess what-the valve covers are about the only thing. Among the differences in the Vortec are the cast-aluminum oil pan, different motor mount pads, LT1-style cooling (reverse flow, coolant in and out of the front of the block), cam and crank sensors machined into the block, and the list goes on. To make the beast fit where an LS1 once lived, the front drive had to be shortened a full 4 inches, and to do this meant a new hub for the crankshaft, setup for an LT1 damper and pulley, custom accessory brackets to hang the power steering pump, A/C compressor, and alternator, and an entirely new, ZR-1-influenced water pump and thermostat assembly built around a Meziere electric water pump. At least all of the LS1's sensors fit.
Larry did a comparison, based on crankshaft centerlines, between the LS1 and the Vortec 8100. Opportunities for creative solutions (calling them "problems" sounds so negative) included an oil pan that was too low, an intake manifold that was too high, and a flywheel that was too far aft. Both the intake manifold and the oil pan were treated to extended cut, weld, and re-configure sessions in Larry's shop, with the pan needing a custom windage ray, pump pick up, and drain plug boss. A one-off flywheel was made to spec, set up to work with a Z06 disc and plate. And the C5's steering rack had to be relocated 1 1/2 inches forward.
Ultimately (and obviously), everything came together. The C5's ECM (computer) and the Vortec 8100 V-8 are compatible-once the right injectors were determined. The 8.1 comes with 46 lb/hr gushers while an LS1 has 26 pounders. It ran way too rich on the 8.1L's nozzles, and after much trial and error, Hofer found the LS1 injectors are not only completely adequate for the mega motor but it also runs perfectly on them.
It also runs plenty cool-no overheating problems even in the peak heat of a Southern California summer. The stock six-speed transaxle and differential have proven to be up to the task so far, and the big-block's extra tonnage is controlled by a combination of Bilstein coilovers at all four corners, and Z06 stabilizer bars fore and aft. Custom headers were an absolute necessity, but the balance of the exhaust system is a blend of factory and a B&B stainless steel cat-back system. Hofer's hauler looks amazingly normal, with custom wheels, an RKSport rear spoiler, and Z06 rear brake vents its only external changes.
What is likely the world's only 8.1 liter C5 Corvette looks, sounds, and even drives like a normal fifth-gen-until Larry mashes the loud pedal and that extra 100-plus lb-ft of torque provides an explosive thrust forward. When we asked Larry Hofer if he was happy with his creation, he simply said, "I'm still amazed!"


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My son has a life-threatening condition. Why won't NHS give him the drug to cure it?
Posted: March 11, 2013|
The family of a three-year-old boy with a rare, life-threatening condition are angry the NHS will not give him a drug that could cure him.
Fynley Murby was diagnosed with aHUS, a disease that attacks the kidneys, a month ago.
He now has to endure lengthy plasma replacement therapy in hospital in Nottingham three times a week, which keeps the symptoms at bay.
His family and consultant want Fynley to be given a new drug called Eculizumab, which could cure the disease.
Related content
But Leicestershire health bosses say he cannot have the drug, which could cost up to £250,000 a year, saying they first want to see how Fynley responds to the other treatment.
His mum, Ceri, 28, of Thorn-ton said: "My son suffers from a life-threatening condition. Why can't he be given the drug which will cure it?
"We have to go to the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham, three or four times a week where Fynley has to undergo plasma replacement therapy.
"It removes his bad plasma and replaces it with new plasma. It is not a cure, it just keeps the condition under control.
"This new drug would effectively give him a new immune system and would stop the disease. It would cure him"
Although Eculizumab is being recommended for national approval by top NHS doctors, the cost of the drug and its relative newness means it is down to individual health trusts. NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland has told the boy's consultant, Dr Martin Christian, he can apply again – but must provide additional information before it will reconsider its decision.
Fynley's dad, Sherrard ,said: "In the same hospital where Fynley is being treated, there was a young boy from Lincolnshire who had the same condition and his primary care trust agreed to fund the drug. I believe my son is the victim of a postcode lottery."
The family want the decision taken out of the trust's hands so the drug is prescribed nationally.
Grandparents Jacquie Barnes and Trevor Murby are calling on people to sign a national e-petition for the drug to be prescribed for aHUS patients who need it.
Jacquie said: "If we can get 100,000 signatures we can get the matter raised in the House of Commons."
Trevor said: "We want to raise the profile of what is happening."
Jane Chapman, speaking on behalf of the trust, said: "We fully understand the concerns of the parents of this young patient and the pressures involved in caring for someone so young with a rare condition like this.
"We are assured that 78 per cent of aHUS patients respond positively to blood plasma replacement, which is a long-term form of treatment.
"Everyone involved hopes that young Fynley will show signs of improvement as a result."
A spokesman for NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: "NHS funding for special treatments, such as new, high-cost drugs, can only be used when there are exceptional clinical circumstances.
"This means the health professionals must be able to show their patient is very different from others with the same condition and would also benefit more as a result of using the special treatment in question."
To sign the petition, visit:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ petitions/46252


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|Thread Tools
AKA Mommy, if I posted this here already, I'm sorry! I know I posted it somewhere either on mothering.com or on another forum but I can't remember where!! I haven't night-weaned yet, so I don't know how well this method works, but did like the sounds of it! http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html If you DO try this method, please share how it goes as I'm very curious to try this myself when the time comes!
Delurking to say I used this method with DS and loved it. We started when he was 1 year, and instead of the timeframe suggested, we drew it out so each phase was like 10 days or so. It was kind of tough, but I really did see progress. DS is 17 mos and STTN in his own bed from 9-6, then we usually have a cosleeping snooze till wakeup time.
My first cycle was when DS was 14 mos so we've been TTC since then. I think I'm totally having fake pregnancy symptoms (maybe 10 dpo, but can't tell). I'm just here for some hope that it'll happen someday!
Carson, living life with my 3 boys: DH, DS Dec '09 and newbie DS Sept'12
always two in my
We are hoping to use a form of the dr. jay gordon method. DD is almost 17months old. I'm pretty sure it's going to be tough but I have to go back to work in July and she wakes every 1-2 hours and I just can't be that sleep deprived at work. We co-sleep and I have no desire to stop. However, we have an unused crib in our room so we might convert it to a toddler bed and see if she wants to sleep there for the first part of the night if night weaning is successful.
We were supposed to start a couple of weeks ago but I got really sick and then we had company staying with us.
Hoping to start soon....
We are hoping to use a form of the dr. jay gordon method. DD is almost 17months old. I'm pretty sure it's going to be tough but I have to go back to work in July and she wakes every 1-2 hours and I just can't be that sleep deprived at work. We co-sleep and I have no desire to stop. However, we have an unused crib in our room so we might convert it to a toddler bed and see if she wants to sleep there for the first part of the night if night weaning is successful.
We were supposed to start a couple of weeks ago but I got really sick and then we had company staying with us.
Hoping to start soon....
Carmen, we have just started putting DS down for the first part of the night in his crib and then moving him to our bed when he wakes up for the first time after we go to bed (nursing if he wakes up before we go to bed). This happened by chance. One night he couldn't settle in bed and I tried everything. I took him to his room (well, the room we store his clothes and previously un-used crib in) to rock him. That didn't work either. I put him in his crib, which he'd been napping in for a few weeks, and he fell asleep instantly!! I was shocked! I considered sleeping on the floor there or in the rocking chair, and realized that was silly and went to bed and lay awake feeling quite lonely!
He seems to sleep better in his crib (I used to roll my eyes when I read that, but it's true!) so while I have no plans to end co-sleeping, it's working for now. Not sure how it will work with the Jay Gordon method...
I guess all I'm getting at is DD may be more open to the toddler bed or crib than you are! If you are finding that DD isn't ready for night weaning she may be open to sleeping in your room but in her own bed and sleep longer stretches.
I am still really missing my bed time cuddles with DS but he is at least undisturbed now when I go to bed.
N, wife to my goofball K and mamma to my EC grad D (July 2010) and my new little love S (May 2013). Exploring the uncharted territory of tandem nursing with my two boys.
Updated to here!
siffleuse319 - WELCOME!!
100%mom - I recently had a confusing 'cycle' like that as well. I started temping/charting so I could see what was going on. Maybe that would help you too?
amydiane - I would probably temp when DS woke me, and adjust it if neccessary. Then consider changing your temp time next cycle. I started setting my alarm for 6:30, which was about 30mins before DS normally comes in to our room (sometimes to join us, sometimes to wake me up for the day. So, I temp at 6:30 then go back to sleep until DS wakes me.
agmi - I'm sorry your body is being so confusing. I hope you find answers, and peace, soon.
ericaness - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Harmony96 - It's okay, i'm a POAS addict too...lol
Cellist - I used to read tarot, I wish I still had my cards, I would definitely do a reading on myself. I've never been to a professional; I've always wanted to, but know how to go about finding a good one.
marmo - WELCOME BACK!! (MDC kept freaking out when I tried to add your chart...I'll do it in the next edit :) )
bentlaj11 - The family is in my thoughts, I couldn't even imagine...
carmen - Ouch! I hate the biting phases! I hope you see some super fertile days soon!
Aka mommy - I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with night weaning.
Carson - WELCOME!! JSYK, now that you've posted, you're forbidden from returning to the shadows! Good luck!
AFM: I think I posted about my BFN at 9dpo and invalid at 10dpo. My sister totally pressured me in to taking a test at 11dpo...but it was in the PM and not long after my last bathroom break...so even though it was a BFN, I wasn't too depressed by it. Then, I broke down again today and used a digi at 6PM, 3 hrs after last pee...my urine was basically clear (don't know why I wasted a digi on nearly clear PM urine!!), and it said "Not Pregnant" But I feel like even with clear PM urine, a test at 15dpo should be pos if I were actually PG AF is due tomorrow, but i'm wondering if it is really due on Sat...since I'm pretty sure I O'd in the EARLY morning the day of my temp spike, so the day AFTER FF marked O....I dunno.
Laura (26) DH (39), DS (Jan 2008)
#2 due in Dec 2012 2/12 8/11
aka mommy, what your DH does is the same as what mine does with our DS; thankfully it is working really well. I should say, it works for the first part of the night anyway. DS usually wakes up once after going down for the night in his crib in his own room, at which time he can be easily soothed back to sleep by my DH in the way that you described. The second time he wakes, it is hit or miss if that will work. If there is a third time, then forget it-- he comes into bed with us and that is where he stays until morning. Then, he is wanting to nurse every 45 minutes or so, and it is rough... it became this way in the last month. I think because he doesn't nurse as much during the day, and then he is making up for it at night. What we have done is bring a twin bed into our room and added it to the queen we have; when DS comes in, then DH moves onto the twin. That way, DS and I have a lot of room to stretch out. We have taken some of the things described in the No-Cry Sleep Solution. What we have found is that a routine definitely helps. Everything in order, such as: me nursing, DH doing the diaper change and putting the sleeper on, reading the same stories, pulling down the window shades, singing the same lullabies. That would be hard if DH had to travel, because I know that I can't do the same thing-- everything tanks because he just wants me to nurse him to sleep. So I feel for you!
carmen, hopefully the crib in the room will help. We didn't really have that as an option, since we wanted to keep the crib available in his room-- it converts to a toddler bed. This weekend, actually, we are planning to do the conversion. If it seems too high for our DS (he's 10 months), we will just do the mattress on the floor for a bit. I may even nurse him on it, and if I fall asleep I can then stay the night there or leave him there and crawl back to my own bed. One thing I have been surprised about is how fussy and mad (crying, flailing about) when I am beside him but won't let him comfort nurse, when we are laying next to each other. It's not like I want to deprive him of anything, but seriously, I can't get any sleep if he is using me as a pacifier all the time! Especially around O, because my nipples are so much more sensitive! He never did have a bottle, and he only used a soother sparingly for about a month when he was really little-- he just never seemed to like it that much.
AFM, I finally detected a surge yesterday on CD19. I guess I will O in the next day or two. This is the same day I detected a surge last month. If my LP is short again like last month (only 8 days), I am going to be very unhappy about that... I've been taking 100 mg of Vitamin B6 for a month, and going to acupuncture, so hopefully it helps...
Thinking of all ofyou here on this thread, sorry I haven't replied to everyone else! Gotta run, DS is calling!
I have some questions about Fertility Friend. If you have too long of a cycle or too many temp shifts does it not do a coverline? Or do I have my settings wrong? [=My Ovulation Chart][/]
Hit post too soon!
Laura- I usually don't get bfps till very late, usually not until the day my period is late so at least 15dpo. Even when I was a surrogate in 2009, my first bfp wasn't until the equivalent of 14.5dpo and that was with frozen embryos when we knew exact conception date. Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get your bfp this weekend.
Tenzinsmom (did I get the spelling right? Can't see your u/n on my iPhone when editing posts), good luck with your surge. I hope you have a fun weekend!!
aka mommy, I know what you mean about the advice you are getting-- I've gotten the same. I actually went to a La Leche League meeting for the first time the other day, it was for those with toddlers, and they are a very supportive bunch when it comes to empathizing about sleep issues and nursing well into toddlerhood. I didn't bring up my desire to gain my fertility back to its full potential while nursing, but, one thing the meeting made me realize is that it is a very attainable goal-- a few of the moms there had older toddlers plus infants, so they were tandem nursing. And they had a family bed. So, that gives me hope! And, they just kind of accept things for what they are at the time, and the whole "it shall pass" was kind of prevalent... they did say that when they felt they neeed a change in what they were doing for sanity's sake, they did go ahead and make changes but they did it with a gentle approach-- one little change at a time. The night weaning was a the forefront of this conversation...
Congrats to the recent BFPs!
So. The progesterone supplements are not helping like I thought they would (and did last time when I was ttc #1). I am seeing my RE in tuesday to discuss Clomid. Prometrium is giving me horrible yeast infections (tmi, i know). And I need another game plan. My son is not attached to nursing at all anymore, and I was maintaining the morning feed more for my sake, then his. I've switched him to a bottle for the past 4 days and he couldn't care less. As long as he has his milk he's happy.
So with engorged, boulder breasts, I wish you ladies much luck on your nursing and ttc journeys. Mine has come to an end, because I am uncomfortable with the Clomid and nursing.
Good luck, ladies!! And thanks for all your support and help over the last few months!
Me (30); DH (35) , married since Oct. 2008. Blessed with DS (2) . On Femara and Endometrin for short luteal phase. Expecting #2 Apr 1, 2012!
FF put your o on that date purely because of that pos OPK. Your temps do not show O until CD 39-44. Make sure you have your ovulation detection thingy is set to "advanced' and not "OPK/OvuWatch" I'm positive that if you take that opk out FF would give you true crosshairs when your temp spiked. Next cycle (or I guess this cycle, since it looks like you're on a new one ), you should probably remove any pos OPKs that are not closely followed by a sustained temp spike.
Thank you for sharing that you only get late bfps....they are surprisingly hard to find online, lol. Everyone seems to get BFPs at 9 and 10dpo! No AF (yet) today, lots of creamy CM and I super high cervix (I can't even feel it)....I'm hoping I'm just a late BFPer too. I tested pos with DS about 1wk post expected AF, but I had only just realized that I was late, so I hadn't tested earlier than that.
ETA: I also seem have some PG brain..after I posted, I saw that you referred to me as Laura and not Bugglette....and I'm like "how does she know my name?!" LMAO...DOH! ...or, I'm just a ditz...
I have to admit, just being able to share our night nursing experience has made me feel less anxious about it. I have no friends that have nursed this long or that have babies that still wake up this long and were concerned about their cycles, so I usually get told to just put off getting pregnant or wean Ds and let him CIO. So you gals understanding and sharing brought me back to a very zen place last night. We all coslept, but I went to bed at 9 pm instead of 11 and Ds only woke up 3 times. And then this morning AF showed so I'm on CD 1!!! So relieved. So thanks ladies, your insight and sharing really brought me back to my center which I clearly needed!
I have some questions about Fertility Friend. If you have too long of a cycle or too many temp shifts does it not do a coverline? Or do I have my settings wrong? [=My Ovulation Chart][/]
Hit post too soon!
Laura- I usually don't get bfps till very late, usually not until the day my period is late so at least 15dpo. Even when I was a surrogate in 2009, my first bfp wasn't until the equivalent of 14.5dpo and that was with frozen embryos when we knew exact conception date. Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get your bfp this weekend.
Tenzinsmom (did I get the spelling right? Can't see your u/n on my iPhone when editing posts), good luck with your surge. I hope you have a fun weekend!!
Laura (26) DH (39), DS (Jan 2008)
#2 due in Dec 2012 2/12 8/11
Thanks for the suggestions to try the toddler bed....it's the encouragement I needed :) We're going to convert the crib this weekend and give it a try!
aka mommy: I would also guess that you O'd close to CD40 or 42. It looks like you have multiple patches of ewcm so maybe your body is gearing up to O but then it's delayed. Try removing the positive opk and see what FF does
tenzinsmama: I will be curious to see if the B6 helps your LP! I have also upped mine to 125 this cycle and am curious to see how it will work for me....
bugglette: hmmmm A late bfp may be a possibility!
nstewart: I would definitely miss cuddles at night!! But a good night's sleep for our family is really a priority these days...
aka mommy - I had nightweaned by 9 or 10 months, but didn't get AF back until almost 17 months PP. We used a bottle at day care, but not at home unless I wasn't there for that feeding. DS just started sleeping through the night pretty well (8 hrs at least) around then, so I don't have experience with a non-sick 11 month old getting up several times per night. We started training him on a sippy cup with water in it starting at 6 months and he was great at it by about a year. He just started using a straw at about 17 months.
The psychic said that we would be welcoming a new soul into our family in 2012! I don't know WHEN, but she said it is going to be a joyous, prosperous year in 2012. :) She also said "it hasn't been decided yet," but we might get TWINS. I really hope not. That scares the DICKENS out of me. She saw that, and tried to reassure me that we would have plenty of helping hands and plenty of supplies if we had twins, but GULP.
According to FF, I'm 3 or 4 DPO, having BD'd on the correct days, but we'll see. I'm not feeling that optimistic, despite the psychic reading. Technically we could be TTCing until March 2012 to have a baby in 2012!
Wow Cellist! What news! The possibility of twins!! I often think about what in the world I would do with TWO babies the same age. Hopefully they would be more easy going than my DD. What I think about the most when thinking about twins is would I be "allowed" to have a vag birth. Ok, not trying to scare you and just rambling...
AFM I just got some Wondfo OPKs and HPTs in the mail. I've never used OPKs but figured it couldn't hurt. :shrug I don't temp b/c DD is up every 30 min-2 hours all.night.long. and I don't want to risk waking her up early to temp. We always wake up at different times too. Plus, it is awfully hard to check mucus when you have two little hands on the edge of the toilet trying to reach in! I'm sure it will be easier to pee in a cup and dip an LH strip twice a day.
I get so excited about TTC, then I remember my milk supply could decrease or disappear. YIKES! I'm NOT ready to wean yet. DD still doesn't eat any solids, she's just not interested. What in the world would I do if I couldn't nurse her?! I'm still going to TTC knowing it could be months or even years before I do. Also, I'm hoping I'm someone that will not have my supply change b/c of pregnancy.
Catholic, SAHM, Married 6 yrs. , (Miscarried Sept. '08 April '09 & Jan. '14) DD is 4, DS is 2, DS born 1/15 We had a wonderful with both boys. I'm also a foster mom to a beautiful baby girl.
Please move me to Waiting to O. AF hasn't officially started yet, but my temp dropped to the coverline yesterday and way below it today, so I'm sure she's on her way shortly.
Andrea , child of God, wife of Tim , mama of L, B, J, J, G
I'm on a healthy mission.
texasfarmom...it doesn't scare me to think about the possibility of not having a vaginal birth. I had a c-section the first time, which was a HUGE disappointment for me and has been a grieving process to integrate into my life, and I REALLY want a VBAC next time, but I know what it's like and that many practitioners wouldn't want you to have twins vaginally, so if I end up pregnant with twins, I'm already well adjusted to the idea I might have to have another c-section. SIGH.
Harmony96, aw, bummer.
Please put me in Waiting to know, but I really, more and more, think this is not my month. Ah, well.
How are our BFP ladies doing????
Please move me to 2WW wait... agghh, I don't know how I'm going to get through it that easily, I'm already obsessing about it!
Just checking in...I've been playing with the FF detector and set it to OPK just to see what it would look like. If I did O six days ago then I guess I have about 4-10 days to test, depending on how patient I am!
B/c I have not been temping regularly (just started up a few days ago after 2+months), I don't think FF will give me a coverline, however I do know that my temps are in the typical L phase for me.
Mama , DH , DD (05) , DS1 (09) , DS2 (12)
NOTE:: It won't let me edit the list, I will keep trying and post when I've updated it!
finsmom - I'm sorry the progesterone isn't working I hope the clomid works and you get your BFP soon!! We will miss you here!
Cellist - Ooo, twins! Well, I hope that no mater how many babes make a home in your belly, that you will be able to have the birth that YOU want. I'll move you as soon as I can edit the post again)
Harmony96 - I'll move you as soon as I'm able to edit the post again
TenzinsMama - GOOD LUCK!! I'll move you as soon as I'm able to edit the post again.
AFM - 18dpo, AF was due 16dpo. No BFP, no AF. I had a HUGE temp drop yesterday, my temp is up a little today but still under the coverline. I'm starting to wonder if I even O'd. I had some false temps in there, so it would be easier for me to see my shift, but I discarded them so others can see which ones are real. There were a lot of days where I did not temp, so who knows. FF doesn't remove, or move O when I discard the false temps. http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/340d7a
Symptom wise: I've been really tired and I get REALLY hungry very suddenly and often. Slight nausea all day, that increases if i don't eat regularly. Just these past couple days I've been getting slowly more bloated and gassy. Random cramping (the pinching type), no "burning" cramps, which I usually get before and during AF. lots of creamy CM, I keep checking for AF. I have felt PG since about 10dpo, but this is the first time I've admitted it to anyone....I don't see how I could be PG and still be getting BFNs. I think if AF doesn't come in the next few days, I'll assume I didn't O and go from there.
ETA: I had all the signs that mean O is coming, and I'm pretty sure I felt it. When I saw that temp spike I though "I KNEW it!" Also, the temp one the coverline at 10dpo, I had so me very localized pinchj cramping that day. Only in one spot, just above my pubic bone, and slightly to the left...I though it was implantation. I've had random pinch cramping since then, usually (but not always) in that same spot.
Laura (26) DH (39), DS (Jan 2008)
#2 due in Dec 2012 2/12 8/11
Hmm Bugglette....it really does look like you O'd with that big temp shift and if all the other signs lined up I'd say there is still a good chance that you did indeed O. Are all the temps that are discarded not accurate temps? How long is your LP usually? Maybe start temping again for the next few days and see where it's at?
Afm: I'm still getting low on the cbfm on CD16. My temps are pretty stable....high for me during the follicular phase but I'm wondering if B6 has made it go up?? Not sure. No huge signs of impending O. Still not giving up hope that O will happen in the next week though!
Sounds promising Bugglette!
Question: what program do you all use for charting? I have the TCOYF program but I'm not loving it. Maybe it's an old version or something but I find it cumbersome. I FINALLY decided to start entering indicators instead of just noting them today and got a chuckle to see that I am on CD 595! Haha!
N, wife to my goofball K and mamma to my EC grad D (July 2010) and my new little love S (May 2013). Exploring the uncharted territory of tandem nursing with my two boys.
nstewart....fertilityfriend.com is a great free site for charting! They also have a paid membership with more spiffy options.
Afm: ewcm tonight! This is the earliest I've had it since my cycles came back! It's still not the ideal cm I get right before O but it always starts like this so hopefully we're on our way!
Yay, carmen!!! I haven't really had good ewcm since return of AF yet...hoping this means you will soon be able to try for #2!!!
nstewart, I agree that FertilityFriend.com is a good place to chart. I think it's pretty easy and user-friendly, too. And I was kind of laughing about how you used to roll your eyes about a baby sleeping better in his/her crib in the past...I always thought we would co-sleep, but our baby actually did sleep better on his own, too. LOL Oh well. You never know for sure until you actually HAVE the baby, right? Maybe #2 will be different for all of us!!!
FF changed my O date. We are still past O now, but fewer days than before. Bah. I dunno. I think my cycles are still getting back on track. This is only cycle #2 PP, so have to be pretty patient still, I think. :)
Hi girls!!
I was on this thread late last year and got my BFP around Christmas. I lost the baby at 6 weeks and continued to nurse through everything. My 19mo old is still nursing (3-4 times a day and 2-3 at night for 3-5min each time). I just got my BFP yesterday at 12dpo. I'm a little worried again because my tests aren't progressing as dark as I'd like. I posted a pic here (http://www.canyouseealine.com/view_home_pregnancy_test.php?testID=12564) as I'm not sure how to post here. You can even do greyscale or invert there. What do you guys think?
Has anyone here suffered a loss while BFing then go on to have a healthy PG while still BFing? I keep getting told BFing was not the cause but I just want a healthy pregnancy and a healthy toddler!!
nstewart - I use fertilityfriend.com too.
carmen - Yay! I hope your EWCM keeps getting better and better and you have a good strong O soon!
NolliesMama - I'm sorry, i don't have any experience with this...but I know that there are a few ladies on here who have had multiple children while BFing an older one. So hopefully you get the info you need to put your worries to rest, and I've got my FX for a H&H 9m!! Also, keep in mind that HPTs are not made to show how much hcg is in your system. Some women may be able to see the lines darken as a pg progresses, but not having the lines darken in no way means that something is wrong!
AFM: 19dpo, BFN this morning. I woke up with no blankets; the room was FREEZING, and so was I. My temp was 97.5, which I think is inaccurate just because of how cold i was. When I put the temp in FF, it took away my CH and said I never O-ed, but when i adjusted it just a couple tenths of a degree higher, it gave the CH back...so i just discarded today's temp. Is it even possible to have a couple low temps and be PG? If tomorrow is high, then it's probably just a late temp dip, right? I feel dumb for still keeping my hopes up...but I did find TWO charts in the FF gallery, where they had a dip below coverline near the end of normal LP and then a BFP at 22dpo on one and 24dpo on the other. <<< Those are me 24hrs a day now, lol
ETA: "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!" I love that movie, and I feel that way now LOL
Laura (26) DH (39), DS (Jan 2008)
#2 due in Dec 2012 2/12 8/11
NolliesMama--Congratulations! :) I can definitely see the lines on your HPTs.
I don't have experience either with loss while BFing, but I did nurse my 3-yr old through most of my last pregnancy without a problem. My milk seemed to go halfway through my 3rd trimester.
AFM...temps are holding steady--up a bit from yesterday and still above what I consider my coverline temp. Possibly at 7dpo IF I O'd at all. :)
Mama , DH , DD (05) , DS1 (09) , DS2 (12)
BFP for me. I have sort of been lurking but we have been ttc for almost a year now. I am a little pessimistic because I had a "period" and am now having spotting. The last time I had a pregnancy with all this going on it was ectopic. I will likely be having an US in a week or so to see what the "status" is of this pregnancy. Prayers, good thoughts and well wishes are appreciated.
AP, Homeschooling, Part-Time working mom with 3 rambunctious boys all born with love at home. (04 & 08 & 12).
naturegirl--I am so happy for you---wishing you the best.
Mama , DH , DD (05) , DS1 (09) , DS2 (12)
I wanted to cosleep with DD, but she was super-wiggly and always kept trying to get up under my pillow or move around and just really made me nervous, even as a newborn, so I stuck her in the crib and we all slept better. And DS spent a lot of time in the crib, too, and slept fine there, but I COULD cosleep with him because the kid did. not. move. once we fell asleep, lol. So he was super-easy to cosleep with. :)
Andrea , child of God, wife of Tim , mama of L, B, J, J, G
I'm on a healthy mission.
Yay, carmen!!! I haven't really had good ewcm since return of AF yet...hoping this means you will soon be able to try for #2!!!
FF changed my O date. We are still past O now, but fewer days than before. Bah. I dunno. I think my cycles are still getting back on track. This is only cycle #2 PP, so have to be pretty patient still, I think. :)
Thanks! Good ewcm is the one thing that I have been able to count on since my cycles came back!
Do you have a date picked out for testing? :)
Congrats, NolliesMama! I can definitely see your positives...are you getting beta tests? I had 2 m/c before getting pregnant with DD but I was not nursing at the time.
Bugglette: It's definitely possible....I would keep temping and see what happens....
Yay for steady temps :) Is this your first pp O (sorry if I should know this....so many people on the thread!)?
BFP for me. I have sort of been lurking but we have been ttc for almost a year now. I am a little pessimistic because I had a "period" and am now having spotting. The last time I had a pregnancy with all this going on it was ectopic. I will likely be having an US in a week or so to see what the "status" is of this pregnancy. Prayers, good thoughts and well wishes are appreciated.
Congrats to you too :) I hope your u/s brings you good news!
Afm: CBFM jumped to High this morning and I had much better ewcm today. When ttc DD I woud have insem'd today but with my cycles so whacky I don't want to jump the gun. So, will try and be patient and wait for a Peak on the monitor or a positive opk....I hope we don't miss it!
About the m/c while bfing and then going on to have a healthy pg I have not but I have 2 online friends that have.. One could even get pg before with out fertility meds but did 2 times and is now 8 weeks pg... Congrats on your bfp....
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text: I have stayed at this quaint motel about a block from the ocean front. The bed was comfortable. The managers are very nice people. They are always helpful. There was a kitchenette where I could cook meals. It was very quiet and peaceful. Great service and am planning on staying there again next year.


text:
A Feast of Fridays
Where even the after hours have their "after"
Adventures in modern times
Norman Francis' Xavier commitment
Avo, Nolavore and Rebellion
Sideline Reporter, The NFL on Fox, Fox Sports
Time off the ship
Executive Editor, St. Charles Avenue Magazine
For July Events
An Independence Day Bounty
Defeat the Creeps
Small institutions take a stand against big regulation
Ice cream that tastes like home
Festival's production of Oscar Wilde classic is gonna be good – period.
Artist and Bassist, Star & Dagger
A Promise's Ghost cuts the humidity
Director and Founder, The Modern Slavery Research Project
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Tulane University and Co-Founder, Casa Samba
Summer perfection
Dj Artist, Radio Programmer and Music Writer
Are All Calories Equal?
News anchor has dream job and stormy memories
The Pursuit To Answer Eternal Questions
Political Columnist, The Advocate
Richard Ashman, Ph.D. Professor and Head, Department of Physiology, LSUHSC and Director, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, LSUHSC
Circling NOLA Motorsports
Aurora Nealand and Tom McDermott on stage
Director of Restaurant Operations, Link Restaurant Group
These guys feel the pulse of their restored home


text:
France's Dordogne
The Dordogne River Valley — with its dramatic castles, evocative cave paintings, and prized cuisine — is an unforgettable blend of man-made and natural beauty. We'll take an idyllic canoe ride, and then visit a goose farm and savor the foie gras. We'll also wander through a lamp-lit castle, enjoy a country market, and visit the Sistine Chapel of the prehistoric world. Then we head south to Albi, home of Toulouse-Lautrec, and the imposing fortress city of Carcassonne.
Travel Details
The Mazet family
Elevage du Bouyssou, a big homey goose farm a short drive from Sarlat, is run by a couple who enjoy their work. Denis Mazet (the latest in a long line of goose farmers here) spends five hours a day feeding his gaggle of geese. His wife Nathalie speaks wonderful English and enthusiastically shows guests around. Each evening, she leads a one-hour, kid-friendly tour. You'll meet the geese babies, do a little unforced feeding, and hear how every part of the goose (except heads and feet) is used — even feathers (tel. 05 53 31 12 31, firstname.lastname@example.com)
Cave Paintings
The region's — and the world's — most famous cave paintings are at Lascaux, 14 miles north of Sarlat and Les Eyzies. The Lascaux caves were discovered accidentally in 1940 by four kids and their dog. From 1948 through 1963, more than a million people climbed through this prehistoric wonderland. But these visitors tracked in fungus on their shoes and changed the temperature and humidity with their heavy breathing. In just 15 years, the precious art deteriorated more than during the 15,000 years before that. The original caves were closed. A copy cave— accurate to within one centimeter, reproducing the best 40-yard-long stretch, and showing 90 percent of the paintings found in Lascaux — was opened next to the original in 1983. Guides assure that the original is every bit as crisp and has just as much contrast as the facsimile you'll see.
At impressive Lascaux II, the reindeer, horses, and bulls of Lascaux I are painstakingly reproduced by top artists using the same dyes, tools, and techniques their predecessors did 15,000 years ago. Come here first (taking one of the scheduled English-language tours) for a great introduction to the region's cave art. While it feels a bit rushed — 40 people per tour are hustled through the two-room cave reproductions— the guides are committed to teaching, the paintings are astonishing, and the experience is mystifying. (Forget that they're copies, and enjoy being swept away by the prehistoric majesty of it all.) Unless you're visiting in winter (Oct–March), you must buy your ticket before coming to Lascaux; the ticket office is in Montignac, five minutes away by car (tel. 05 53 51 96 23 for ticket availability and English tour times, reservations possible July–Aug only).
National Museum of Prehistory
This modern museum houses more than 18,000 artifacts that were uncovered locally. It takes you through prehistory, starting 400,000 years ago. With English info sheets provided along the way, it's a good first stop for learning about the age. While the museum does an excellent job presenting its exhibits, you have to be engaged and determined to learn to follow the museum's complex and serious teaching style. Appropriately located on a cliff that's been inhabited by humans for 35,000 years, the museum has a sleek design intended to help it blend into the surrounding rock. Videos demonstrate scratching designs, painting techniques, and how spearheads were made. Full-size models of Cro-Magnon people and animals stare at racks of countless arrowheads. The first floor sets the stage, describing human evolution and the importance of tools. The second (and better) floor highlights prehistoric artifacts found in France. Your visit ends on the cliff edge, with a Fred Flintstone–style photo op on a porch that some of our ancient ancestors once called home (tel. 05 53 06 45 65).
Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
The Palais de la Berbie (once the fortified home of Albi's archbishop) has the world's largest collection of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's paintings, posters, and sketches. The museum displays more than 1,000 of Toulouse-Lautrec's pieces chronologically (tel. 05 63 49 48 70).
Toulouse-Lautrec's bread and butter were his advertising posters, and the room containing these posters is the museum's highlight. Displays show his original lithograph blocks (simply prepare the stone with a backwards image, apply ink — which sticks chemically to the black points— and print posters). Four-color posters meant creating four different blocks. The Moulin Rouge poster established his business reputation in Paris — strong symbols, bold and simple: just what, where, and when.
See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick's guidebooks.
[1] Bonjour, I'm Rick Steves back with more of the best of Europe. This time we're slowing down for some of the best of small town and countryside France....It's the Dordogne River valley Thanks for joining us!
[3] The Dordogne River Valley — with its dramatic castles, pre-historic cave paintings, and prized cuisine is an unforgettable blend of man-made and natural beauty. Once you get to know the region you wonder why more Americans don't visit.
[4] Along with an idyllic canoe ride, we'll enjoy the highlights of the Dordogne. Visit a goose farm, then savor the foie gras. Wander through a lamp-lit castle, browse a country market, and marvel at the Sistine Chapel of the prehistoric world. Then we cross into the next region to tour one very stern church, admire the art of Toulouse Lautrec, and explore an imposing fortress city.
[5] France, the size of Texas, is made up of many distinct regions — including the Dordogne, defined by a river by the same name. In the Dordogne, we visit Sarlat, Beynac, and the famous caves at Lascaux before heading into the Languedoc region where we'll explore Carcassonne and Albi.
[6] Six centuries ago, this lazy river — so peaceful today — separated warring England and France. Imagine, the French were up in that castle and the English were just across the river. They duked it out for so long that the conflict became known as The Hundred Years War.
[7] Today's Dordogne River carries more holiday-goers than weapons, as the region's economy relies heavily on tourism. For an invigorating break from the car or train, you can explore the riverside castles and villages from a canoe.
[8] Kayaks and canoes are easy to hire. Rental places line the river and are happy to pick you up at an agreed-upon spot downstream.
[9] They're stable enough for beginners and I can't think of a more relaxing way to enjoy both some great scenery and a little exercise. My friend — and co-author of my France guidebook — Steve Smith has joined us.
[10] You can pop ashore whenever you like. There's always a place to stow the canoe, and plenty of welcoming villages...like La Roque-Gageac.
[11] Whether you're joyriding by car or paddling the Dordogne River, this town — a strong contender on all the "cutest towns in France" lists, is a must see.
[12] Back on the river, delights are revealed with each bend. The river's current varies depending on how much rain they've had. It's been dry and today it's slow...perfect for a relaxing glide.
[13] We're finishing our ride in the feudal village of Beynac. With the Dordogne River at your doorstep, a perfectly preserved medieval village winds like a sepia-toned film set to the castle high above. In villages like this, there's nothing to really "tour". It's just plain pretty.
[14] Stone roofs are typical of this region. Called lauzes in French, the flat limestone rocks (gathered by farmers clearing their fields) were a cheap and durable roofing material. The unusually steep pitch of the lauzes roofs — which last about 200 years — helps distribute the weight down through the walls. Small vents provide air circulation. Local farmers are quick to sing the roofs praises.
[16] Beynac's brooding, cliff-crowning château soars 500 feet above the Dordogne River. Its design was state-of-the-art in its day. And it comes with a view fit for a king. During the Hundred Years' War — more than a century of skirmishes between the French and English in the 13 and 14 hundreds — the castle of Beynac was on the front lines. The sparsely furnished castle takes you back. Stone oil lamps light the way; in the knights' mess hall, you almost feel like cooks are just taking a break. And even back then there were manners: park your sword at the end of the table.
[17] The leading noble family of the Dordogne ruled from this castle. Through the Middle Ages, here in the great room – the closest thing to a throne room — the decisions that effected the realm were made.
[18] During the Hundred Years War the Castle of Beynac flip-flopped several times between French and English control. Negotiations were worked out in this room.
[19] The subjects of the realm would gather in the courtyard to learn their destiny.
[20] Their noble lord would stand here and proclaim "Now you're French" or "now you're English" ... deal with it.
[21] Long before the age of great castles, humbler groups in the Dordogne found refuge in caves. La Roque St. Christophe, a series of river-carved terraces, has provided shelter to people here for 50,000 years. While the terraces were inhabited in prehistoric times, the exhibit you'll see today is medieval. The official recorded history goes back to 976 A.D., when people settled here to steer clear of Viking raiders who'd routinely sail up the river. Back then in this part of Europe, the standard closing of a prayer wasn't "amen," but, "and deliver us from the Norseman, amen."
[22] A clever relay of river watchtowers kept an eye out for raiders. When they came, residents gathered their kids, hauled up their animals — as you can imagine with the help of this big recreated winch — and pulled up the ladders. While there's absolutely nothing old here except for the carved-out rock, it's easy to imagine the entire village — complete with butcher, baker, and even candlestick-maker — in this family-friendly exhibit.
[23] Nearby, Sarlat is the pedestrian-friendly main town of the river valley. It's just the right size — large enough to have a cinema with four screens, but small enough so that everything is an easy meander from the town center. It's the handiest home base for exploring the Dordogne.
[23a] There are no blockbuster sights here. Still, it's an inviting tangle of traffic-free cobblestone lanes and handsome buildings, lined with foie gras shops (geese hate Sarlat), and — in the summer — stuffed with tourists.
[27] Sarlat's elaborate stonework recalls its glory century was from about 1450 to 1550, after the Hundred Years' War. Loyal to the French cause — through thick and thin and a century of war — Sarlat was rewarded by the French king, who gave lots of money to rebuild the town in stone.
[28] Sarlat's new nobility built noble houses to match. Sarlat's most impressive buildings date from this prosperous era, when the Renaissance style was in vogue.
[31] It's Market Day and the city is jammed as it has been for centuries of Saturdays. Everything's fresh and local — so seasonal that shoppers can tell the month by what's on sale.
[32] This "Square of the Geese" is a reminder that birds are serious business here, and have been since the Middle Ages. Many question the morality of force feeding geese to make the foie gras. To learn more about this, we are heading into the countryside to actually visit a goose farm.
[33] For generations, the Mazet family has raised geese here. Nathalie — clearly in love with country life — enthusiastically shows guests around her idyllic farm. Each evening, she leads a family-friendly tour explaining the age old tradition of la gavage...force feeding the geese to fatten their livers to make the much loved goose liver pate...or foie gras.
[35] Nathalie explains why locals see the force-feeding as humane (the same as raising any other animal for human consumption). French enthusiasts of la gavage say the animals are calm, in no pain, and are designed to gorge naturally. Dordogne geese live lives at least as comfy as other farm animals that many people have no problem eating, and they are slaughtered as humanely as any non-human can expect in this food-chain existence.
[37] The region's cuisine is a big draw. We're dropping by a favorite restaurant of Steve's to enjoy the local specialties. Gourmet eaters flock to this region for its goose, duck, pates, white asparagus, and more.
[40] From about 18,000 to 10,000 b.c., long before Stonehenge and the pyramids, back when mammoths and saber-toothed cats still roamed the earth, prehistoric people painted deep inside caves in this part of Europe. These are not just crude doodles. They are huge and sophisticated projects executed by artists and supported by an impressive culture — the Magdalenians.
[41] The region's limestone cliffs — honeycombed with painted caves — are unique on this planet. Tourists gather nearby at Lascaux, home of the region's — and the worlds — most famous cave paintings.
[42] These caves were discovered accidentally in 1940 by four kids and their dog. Over the next couple of decades, about a million people climbed through this prehistoric wonderland inadvertently tracking in fungus on their shoes and changing the temperature and humidity with their breathing. In just 15 years, the precious art deteriorated more than in the 15,000 years before that. The original caves were closed to the public. Visitors can now experience the wonder of Lascaux by touring an adjacent replica.
[43] When their time comes, visitors are called to meet their guide for a look at the precisely copied cave called Lascaux II.
[44] The guide explains that this 600 animal multi-cave composition was the work of a complex society, the Magdalenian's whose culture allowed for skilled artists to work over an extended period of time in this sacred place.
[45] The region has many more examples of prehistoric cave painting. And the nearby National Museum of Prehistory provides an instructive background.
[47] This modern museum houses over 18,000 bones, stones, and fascinating little doodads — all uncovered locally. Artifacts are originals and show that while the Magdalenian people lived 15,000 years ago, they were far more advanced than your text book cavemen. Skeletons were discovered draped in delicate jewelry. Stag teeth and tiny shells were delicately drilled to be strung into necklaces. These barbed spearheads and fish hooks would work well today. Finely carved spear throwers show impressive realism for something three times as old as the oldest pyramids. Imagine flickering flames from these oil lamps lighting those art-covered caverns.
[48] Today, as we ponder the prehistoric caves and artifacts of the Magdalenian people here in the Dordogne we can marvel at how much we actually have in common with them and how sophisticated their culture was so long ago.
[49] A short drive south from the Dordogne takes us into the region of Languedoc.
[50] This region's hard fought past and independent spirit is evident in its old fortifications, fine art, and a culture distinct from the rest of France that survives to this day.
[51] The fortified city of Carcassonne is a 13th century world of towers, turrets, and cobblestone alleys. This is Europe's ultimate walled fortress city. While it's packed with tourists mid-day, it's all yours and evocative as can be early and late.
[52] The city's stern ramparts evoke a time when defenses were stronger than offenses...and the only way to beat a place like this was a starve 'em out siege. Charlemagne laid siege to this place...and after several frustrating years, he ran out of patience.
[53] While the outer ramparts seem mighty enough, moats added to a fortified city's defenses. While not really filled with water and alligators, moats were generally just a dangerous no man's land designed to expose attackers. Small square holes on the inner wall once supported timbers which supported defensive walk ways.
[54] Modern shops fill buildings that date from Carcassonne's golden age — the 1100s, when troubadours sang ballads of ideal love, chivalry was in vogue, and a pragmatic spirit of tolerance pervaded everything.
[55] This became a center of the Cathars — a heretical group of Christians who thrived around here from the 11th through the 13th centuries. Cathars saw life as a battle between good (the spiritual) and bad (the material). The Cathars considered material things evil and of the devil. As France consolidated its central power, it clamped down on feisty regions like this...especially if they were sympathetic to heretical groups like the Cathars.
[56] The region is dotted with evocative and remote castle ruins which provided places of desperate last refuge for Cathars and remind of bloody struggles. When driven out of Carcassonne, many Cathars hid in the nearby castles of Lastours.
[57] Back in Paris, the king of France wanted to consolidate his grip on southern France. In Rome the pope needed to make it clear that the only acceptable Christianity was Roman-style. Both found self-serving reasons to wage a genocidal war against the Cathars, who never amounted to more than 10 percent of the local population. After a terrible period of torture and mass burnings, the Cathars were wiped out. In 1321 the last Cathar was burned.
[58] The Cathars were also called Albigensians — named after this nearby town, Albi. Its massive Roman Catholic cathedral was the final nail in the Cathar coffin. Big and bold, it made the Church's zero tolerance policy towards heretical thinking clear. The cathedral looks less like a church and more like a fortress — on purpose.
[59] The interior looks essentially as it did in 1500 — and its art comes with a stern message. In the Last Judgment Painting, the dead come out of the ground with an accounting of their good and bad deeds printed in ledgers on their chests. The saved look confident and comfortable. And those whose ledgers don't add up look pretty nervous. A wide selection of gruesome punishments awaits the sinners. These were designed to frighten wide-eyed parishioners into conformity with Church dictates.
[60] Next to the church, the former home of Albi's archbishop contains the world's largest collection of art by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. The museum displays his work chronologically, letting you follow the evolution of his art with his fascinating life's story.
[61] Toulouse-Lautrec, born here in Albi in 1864, was crippled from youth. Because of this, Henri was on the fringe of society, and therefore had an affinity for people who didn't quite fit in.
[62] He made his mark painting the Parisian underclass with an intimacy possible only by someone with his life experience. His subjects were from bars, brothels, and cabarets. Henri was particularly fascinated by cancan dancers — whose legs moved with an agility he'd never experience.
[63] In the 1890s Henri frequented brothels and befriended many prostitutes. He respected the women, feeling both fascination and empathy towards them. The prostitutes accepted Henri as he was. They allowed him into their world...and he sketched candid portraits.
[64] Eventually Toulouse-Lautrec established his unique style: colors — garish, subject matter — hidden worlds, moralism — none.
[66] Toulouse-Lautrec's advertising posters were his bread and butter. He was an innovative advertiser, creating simple, bold lithographic images for posters.
[67] Posters, such as this one advertising the famous Moulin Rouge, established his business reputation in Paris. Successful as he was, his career was short.
[68] Toulouse-Lautrec had a self-destructive lifestyle. He died when he was 37, alcoholic, paranoid, and depressed. He was unmourned and unappreciated by the art establishment. Thankfully his mother and a best friend recognized his genius and saved his work. They first offered it to the Louvre, which refused. Finally, in 1922, the mayor of Albi accepted the collection and hung it here. A wise move.
[69] This corner of France offers a perfect storm of countryside experiences — evocative castles, realy old art, well fed geese, all with a chance to hike through history, savor some rich food, and then work it off with a little exercise.
[70] I hope you've enjoyed our Dordogne adventure — and our quick sidetrip to Languedoc. The more I understand France, the more I appreciate this complex and fascinating culture. Thanks for joining us. I'm Rick Steves. Until next time, keep on traveling. Au revoir.


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Students Give New Lunches An 'F'
New federal guidelines are changing what students eat at school, and a lot of them aren't happy about it.
AFL-CIO Endorses Boycott Of American Crystal Sugar
The AFL-CIO has endorsed a nationwide consumer boycott of American Crystal Sugar products to protest its 14-month lockout of union workers.
City Pages Faces Boycott For Sex Trafficking Allegations
A national movement is calling for advertisers to boycott City Pages in response to adult classifieds. The controversy is over the website Backpage.com, which, along with City Pages, is owned by Village Voice Media.
Facebook Page Urges Boycott Of Basilica Block Party
The boycott is to protest the Catholic Church's support of a constitutional amendment that would ban same sex marriage.
Religious Leaders Offer Sanctuary To Wis. Dems
Religious leaders in Illinois and Wisconsin are offering sanctuary to Wisconsin Democrats as they boycott a vote on a Republican bill that would strip public workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights.


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Springdale Plan Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Possession Child Pornography
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - An Allegheny County resident has been sentenced in federal court to 78 months imprisonment to be followed by 10 years supervised release on his conviction of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Nicholas Birkner, 33, of Springdale, Pa.
According to information presented to the court, on April 1, 2011, Birkner possessed visual depictions, namely, images and videos in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the FBI Pittsburgh's High Tech Crimes Task Force (PHTCTF) for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Birkner.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Protect yourself from fraud, and report suspected cases of financial fraud to local law enforcement.


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Ms. Rona Elizabeth Stallings Coleman, 94, died Friday, July 20, 2012 at Vickers Personal Care Home in Starkville.
She was a retired homemaker and was reared in Maben. Her hobbies included cooking, quilting and serving the church.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, July 23, 2012 at Friendship Baptist Church of Sturgis. Rev. Halton Davis Jr. and Tim Buchanan will officiate.
Visitation is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Sunday, July 22 at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville.
Burial will follow in Memorial Garden Park in Starkville.
Survivors include sons, Johnny Coleman and wife Denise of Sturgis, and Tommy Coleman and wife Barbara of Sturgis; daughter, Glenda Patterson of Costa Rica; grandchildren, Scott Coleman, Britney Tucker, J.T. Coleman and Kelli Peacock: and great granddaughter, Carson Peacock.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John T. Coleman, and parents, Jack Stallings and Dora Turner.
Memorials may be made to the Friendship Baptist Church Building Fund, 5191 Craig Springs, Sturgis, MS 39769.
Please visit http://www.welchfuneralhomes.com [1] to sign the online guest register.
[1] http://www.welchfuneralhomes.com


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"How Can I Make Money" FREE Online Training
From One of the Pioneers of Internet Marketing in the Philippines since 1999.
Heat have the winning combination
With LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the Heat have enough firepower to take on all challenges.
J.A. Adande and Israel Gutierrez are teaming up this season for a look at the NBA from two perspectives, called West Side/East Side. Today's edition looks at the Christmas Day showdown between the Thunder and Heat.
Dwyane Wade watched the Oklahoma City Thunder play this season and sees the same thing the rest of us do.
Russell Westbrook's unique athleticism still makes him shake his head.
"When he comes off the pick-and-roll, when he gets to a certain spot, it's amazing how he goes from here to the rim in, like, point-two seconds," Wade said, snapping his fingers to emphasize the quickness.
And what of Kevin Durant?
"He's growing up," Wade said. "He's taking his game to another level."
That should be frightening, then.
Durant's a changed man – this year's LeBron James, essentially, determined to improve his game and make up for a previous year's failure.
Westbrook is still freakishly explosive, and his assists and steals and 3-point percentage are at career-highs.
By Israel Gutierrez


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Thank God you are neither of them. I see your hatred of unions trumps a view based on reality. Oh …
This man is an imbecile. His is a purely political post.
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Tag Archives: depression
Tips for coping with stress and depression during the holidays
Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression. The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it's no wonder. …
Getting Dirty Can Make You Happy
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), antidepressants are one of the most often prescribed medications. I have, for a long time, hypothesized that the reason so many people these days are unhappy is because we live our lives …
The Legacy of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act was a grave error for U.S. trade policy. As the United States slid into depression, the
Thomas Sowell on the Housing Boom and Bust
Thomas Sowell discusses how we got into the current economic disaster that developed out of the economics and politics of


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There's no place like home
June 29, 2014 in Uncategorized
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June 27, 2014 in Uncategorized
More than a year ago, Whitney Johnson wanted to start a roller derby team in Dickinson.
It didnât take long for the idea to take shape.
The Dickinson roller derby team started practicing March 26, 2013.
âWhen I finally decided to start the tea…continue reading on thedickinsonpress.com
April 13, 2013 in The Dickinson Press
Grab your helmet, skates and knee pads, the sport of roller derby has come to Dickinson. Continue Reading
June 15, 2012 in Grand Forks Herald
A quick change of name and costume releases a fresh identity and attitude, along with remarkable new powers. Sound familiar? It's the standard blueprint for the change from mere mortal to superhero. They might not be superheroes, but the women of Forx Roller Derby are using the same formula to turn themselves from professionals, students, mothers and wives into shoe-leather tough goddesses on roller skates. They're part of a rough-and-tumble sport that is exploding across the region and beyond. Continue Reading
May 29, 2012 in WDAZ
DEVILS LAKE, ND (WDAZ-TV) – Roller derby is a sport that's gaining popularity fast, with more than 200 leagues nationwide. Continue Reading
April 27, 2012 in Grand Forks Herald
UND Honors senior straps on skates and attitude to research the femininity of roller derby.
Continue Reading
February 1, 2012 in Grand Forks Herald
The grown-up girls on roller skates, called the Grand Forks Sugarbeaters, are opening their season Saturday evening in the Alerus Center. And Marilyn will be there. Continue Reading
October 5, 2011 in Grand Forks Herald
October ushers in golden days; La Nina can waitDear Shirley,
I'll bet you thought my Thursday columns had gone to the dogs. The last two weeks there were letters from Dot.Com, my dachshund in Grand Forks, and Sasha, the dachshund who is her pen pal in Alvarado. Continue Reading
September 5, 2011 in WDAY
Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) –It's been around for over 70 years,but recently, the sport of roller derby has exploded in popularity around the upper Midwest. Continue Reading
April 28, 2011 in Grand Forks Herald
Forx Roller Derby will host its second home bout, "Hell and High Water," beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Alerus Center, according to an announcement by the Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau. Continue Reading


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Our Story
Stanford Researchers Lead the Way
In spring 2006 a team of researchers from Stanford University, led by Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond and funded by the Wallace Foundation, completed a rigorous nation-wide investigation of the most progressive and innovative educational administration programs in America. After an extensive examination that included dozens of reputable programs and hundreds of interviews they identified eight outstanding programs. The findings and features of the study, titled, Preparing Leaders for a Changing World: Lessons From Exemplary Leadership Development Programs, provided the grist for what was to become, the Great Leaders for Great Schools Academy at Cal Poly Pomona.
A Strong University-District Partnership Procures a Federal Grant and National Recognition
Encouraged by a call for funding proposals from the United States Department of Education's School Leadership Program (SLP), the idea for the Great Leaders for Great Schools Academy emerged in the fall of 2007 through the collaborative efforts of Cal Poly Pomona faculty, the Pomona Unified School District, and an outside evaluator with a track record of writing successful USDE grant applications.
The Pomona Unified School District was an ideal partner since its persistent achievement gaps and high population of low income, minority, and limited English speaking students fit each of the eligibility criteria for the USDE grant. In addition, the PUSD had a history of collaboration with the University, and was a relatively large school district likely to provide a consistent stream of highly qualified candidates each year who were interested in pursuing an administrative credential. The PUSD was a perfect match and provided a rare opportunity to pilot test a dramatically new approach to preparing school leaders in California. The Cal Poly/PUSD grant application was successful and in the fall of 2008, the GLGSA was awarded a $2.5 million grant for a period of five years.
The Cal Poly and PUSD partners agreed that the philosophical core of the GLGSA grant proposal would be anchored upon the belief that the best way to prepare effective school leaders was through learning activities and structures that closely replicated the day-to-day and real world experiences of school principals. The partners believed that it was more important to teach candidates how to perform the tasks of effective leadership than to learn about the theories and concepts of effective leadership. Conceptually, this approach was aligned with key principles of adult learning. Of particular importance was the shared belief that the GLGSA would be most effective and useful if it tailored its program curriculum and learning activities to meet the specific goals and needs of the PUSD, rather than the "one-size-fits-all" approach commonly used by traditional programs.
In the spring of 2010 the California Committee on Accreditation awarded the GLGSA with full accreditation status under its Experimental Program Standards (EPS). The EPS were designed to stimulate program innovation and excellence. To this day, the GLGSA is the only educational administration credential program in California to be accredited under these standards.
More recently, in the fall of 2011, and upon the recommendation of the United States Department of Education (USDE) the GLGSA was invited to apply for membership in the Alliance to Reform in Educational Leadership (AREL), a newly formed collaborative of promising and innovative leadership preparation programs across America. Our application was accepted and the GLGSA is now one of 28 AREL members that include programs from Harvard; Columbia; the University of Illinois, Chicago; Rice University; New York City Leadership Academy; University of Denver; Southern Methodist University, and Loyola University of Chicago.
The GLGSA has also had an impact on the development of new and innovative administrator preparation programs across the country and on the recent efforts by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to revise administrator preparation.
What Makes the GLGSA Unique: Core Program Elements
Compared to each of the 54 traditional administrator preparation programs in California, the GLGSA model contains 10 distinctive elements, each derived conceptually from features described in the Stanford study, and collectively framed to promote powerful teaching and learning through instructional leadership and school change initiatives. These include,
- A curriculum designed to leverage the workplace as the primary medium for leadership development by providing learning activities designed to confront students with problems (and their solutions) as they are commonly experienced by school leaders in the workplace.
- A rigorous process for recruiting highly qualified candidates who are personally nominated by their site principals and vetted by district office leaders before undergoing a performance-based selection process by GLGSA faculty.
- A thematically integrated, problem-based curriculum focused on real world problems and issues and the application of relevant academic content theories and concepts to address particular problem dimensions.
- Regularly scheduled content modules taught by expert PUSD department administrators that provide focused, skill-based, timely and in depth examinations of the various domains of administrative work in the district. Content modules include topics in the following are: a) teaching English learners and managing EL programs, b) leading special needs programs, c) using data to improve instruction, d) personnel administration, e) school finance and district fiscal services and f) supervising and supporting teachers.
- Visits to exemplary schools in the PUSD to observe how their principals and supporting administrators facilitate powerful teaching and learning.
- A central program theory of action titled, Thinking Like an Evaluator, which develops candidates' skills of inquiry, analysis, program implementation and evaluation, and change leadership.
- A performance-based candidate assessment system comprised of formative and summative protocols including several inventories of leadership skill, style, and dispositions. A capstone School-Wide Change Initiative provides candidates and their mentor principals with an opportunity to work collaboratively and to identify and develop a learning-centered reform initiative designed to address individual school needs and district improvement goals.
- A full-time administrative apprenticeship for a four-month period during winter and spring quarters. Each apprentice is paired with an experienced and successful mentor principal, trained by Cal Poly to assume mentorship roles.
- Individual coaching to support the growth and career transition needs of GLGSA graduates who become administrators in the PUSD, and group coaching to support GLGSA graduates who have yet to attain administrative positions in the district.
- The development of an intellectually vibrant and professionally supportive Professional Learning Community (PLC signature pedagogy) that incrementally expands its network as each new cohort completes the program.
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Contact Us
Grant Director:
Dr. Stephen Davis
Email Dr. Davis
Phone Number: 909-869-3934
Office Location: Building 94, Room 237
Admin Coordinator:
Michael Bandoni
Email Michael
Phone Number: 909-869-3395
Office Location: Bldg 94, Room 226


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New York Fashion Week AW14/15 Series: Helmut Langfeatured
Posted in Collections, Fashion Weeks
Texture, texture, texture will probably define much of the AW14/15 collections at New York Fashion Week thus far. Helmut Lang fed us some delightfully soft textures along their catwalk – fluffy knits, often sexy but awkward (too much shedding going on) are bound to get you noticed when paired with smooth pencil skirts and leather-look pants. Read more


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On Saturday, April 11 I was traveling on Highway 85 with friends to attend a funeral in Williston. Just north of Belfield the back tire blew.
We came to a stop and proceeded to dig for the jack and spare tire. Within three or four minutes two drivers stopped to help us. One was Gary, who had his family, including his dog, wait patiently in their car while he went to work to help us.
The other was Dustin who drove an oil truck. Both were from Dickinson and they didn't leave us until our car trouble was solved.
This incident made us realize what great communities we have in North Dakota and people who are willing to go out of their way to help others.
Pat McGeary,
Tags: dickinson, northland, agriculture, opinion, letter