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Insurance Taxes
Frequently Asked Questions
Topical Index
Insurance Premium Tax for Licensed Companies
(See the section below for Licensed Captive Insurance Company information.)
1. How does a company determine the correct prepayment amount?
Life insurers, accident and health insurers, property and casualty insurers, title insurers and health maintenance organizations licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance having a net tax liability in the previous calendar year of more than $1,000 are required to make semi-annual prepayments of tax on March 1 and August 1.
The amount of each prepayment should be half of the total amount of tax paid the previous calendar year (Item 25 on Form 25-100), or half of the current year's estimated liability, whichever is less.
2. What if a company makes prepayments on its estimated liability for the current year and underestimates the total due for the year?
The Comptroller will bill the company for penalty and interest on the underestimated amount of tax.
Prepayments are due each March 1 and August 1.
4. Why does it take the Comptroller so long to bill for penalty and interest on a late or insufficient prepayment?
The amount of each prepayment is half of the total amount of tax paid for the previous calendar year, or half of the current year's liability, whichever is less.
The Comptroller cannot determine whether penalty and/or interest will apply to a late or insufficient prepayment until the taxpayer files the annual report due the following March 1.
5. How do I determine the maximum amount available for the guaranty association assessment and other credits on Item 24 of Form 25-100?
The Comptroller mails a detailed report of the total available credits before the end of January of each year.
If you file electronically, WebFile will automatically apply the maximum guaranty association assessment, CAPCO and TWIA available credit. Do not enter these available credits in the "Credits" field; this field is reserved for examination expense and overhead assessment credits only.
For paper filers, the Comptroller preprints each year's maximum allowable credit on Item 24 of the annual tax report, Form 25-100.
If the preparer enters credits in error, the company will be billed for any duplicate credits claimed, plus applicable penalty and interest.
6. If a company's guaranty association assessment credits are greater than its tax liability, what happens to the excess?
The company can carry forward to future years any portion of the maximum Class B assessment credits that cannot be used in any year. The remaining balance is reflected in the Comptroller's records, extending the life of the credits.
7. Can a company transfer guaranty association assessment credits to another company?
Assessment credits can be assigned or transferred among or between insurers if there is a merger, acquisition or total assumption of reinsurance, or if the Commissioner of Insurance approves the transfer or assignment.
8. Why haven't I received a preprinted tax report for this year?
The Comptroller does not mail preprinted tax forms to a taxpayer who is required to file electronically or who has filed electronically for the previous two tax years.
The Comptroller will continue to send licensed insurers a report of any guaranty association assessment, CAPCO and TWIA credits available to be claimed on the current report. When the company files electronically, WebFile will automatically apply the available guaranty association assessment, CAPCO and TWIA credits.
9. Are there any other tax credits available to my company?
Maybe. If the company paid the Texas Department of Insurance for examination expenses or overhead assessments billed, the company can claim these expenses as a credit on the tax report covering the year in which they were paid.
This tax credit was suspended by the Legislature for tax years 2012 and 2013, but the company can again claim it on the 2014 tax report due March 1, 2015. Because March 1, 2015, falls on a Sunday, the due date for the 2014 tax report is March 2, 2015, the next regular business day.
The Comptroller reconciles the credits claimed against information provided by the Texas Department of Insurance, and issues billings or refunds as appropriate.
Refer to Insurance Code Section 401.154 for additional information.
10. The Texas Title Insurance Basic Manual, Procedural Rule P-23, states that title insurance agents currently retain 85 percent of the premium, while 15 percent of the premium is allocated to the title insurer. Who reports the premium tax and maintenance fees?
Chapters 223 and 271 of the Insurance Code address premium tax and maintenance fees for title agents and insurers. Premiums received from the business of title insurance are subject to both premium tax and the maintenance fee, whether paid to a title insurance company or retained by a title insurance agent.
The state facilitates the collection of the premium tax and maintenance fee on the premiums retained by a title insurance agent by establishing the division of the premiums between the title insurance company and title insurance agent so the company receives the premium tax and maintenance fee due on the agent's portion of the premiums and remits it to the state.
Refer to the retaliatory section of the FAQs for information regarding this calculation.
Insurance Premium and Maintenance Tax for Licensed Captive Insurance Companies
1. I am interested in forming a captive insurance company to insure the business risks of our parent company and our affiliated companies. What do I need to do?
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) administers the regulatory laws governing the business of insurance in Texas.
Contact TDI for information about licensing and regulatory matters at 512-322-3507.
2. I have received my certificate of authority to operate as a licensed captive in Texas. What are my tax reporting responsibilities?
The Comptroller will create a tax account for the company, and will assign it a unique 11-digit taxpayer number. The company will use that number to file all insurance tax reports.
The premium tax and maintenance tax reports are due each March 1 after the end of the calendar year for which the tax is due.
The premium tax rate for captive insurance companies is 0.5 percent, with a minimum tax due of $7,500 and a maximum tax due of $200,000.
For premium tax purposes, all premium written by the captive is taxable in Texas, regardless of the location of any covered risks located outside Texas. The company can claim examination fees paid to the Texas Department of Insurance as a premium tax credit on the tax report covering the year in which these fees were paid. Unused credits cannot be carried forward.
A captive insurance company having a net tax liability in the previous calendar year of more than $1,000 is required to make a semi-annual prepayment of tax on March 1 and August 1. The prepayment must be equal to half of the total amount of tax the company paid for the previous calendar year or half of the current year's estimated liability, whichever is less.
If tax was not paid the previous calendar year, the tax paid must be equal to the tax owed on the aggregate of the gross premiums for the two previous calendar quarters. For the March 1 prepayment, this means July through December of the prior calendar year and for the August 1 prepayment, this means January through June of the current calendar year. Penalty and interest will be due on late or insufficient prepayments.
Captive insurance companies are also responsible for reporting and paying maintenance taxes. These taxes are due based on the type of business written. Unlike premium tax, only the premium on policies covering risk in Texas is subject to this tax.
Refer to Rule 3.827.
Surplus Lines Premium Tax
1. What is the due date of the annual insurance premium tax report?
The due date is March 1, and the tax due is based on policies placed in the prior year, which a company reports to the Comptroller on either a "written" or "received" basis.
Agents should not use the yearly summary provided by the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas because this is a compilation of all transactions processed during the calendar year, and does not reflect either of the two methods of reporting to the Comptroller.
2. I didn't place any surplus lines policies under my individual agent license last year. Do I still need to file a tax report on March 1?
Yes, all agents and agencies holding an active Texas surplus lines license must file a tax report, whether or not business was placed during the year. A tax report is also due for the year in which a surplus lines license is cancelled, expires or is not renewed, or is voluntarily surrendered.
3. How do I file and pay surplus lines taxes?
You can file electronically using WebFile. If you are unable to file electronically, the tax report form for surplus lines tax is Form 25-104.
If an agent or agency's accrued tax reaches $70,000, a prepayment of tax is required.
The prepayment is based on the total accrued tax at the end of the month in which the threshold was reached, and is payable to the Comptroller by the 15th of the following month. The prepayment amount must be computed based on the tax reporting method chosen by the agent.
You can use WebFile to make the prepayment, or you can submit the prepayment on Form 25-105, if not required to pay taxes electronically.
The tax rate for surplus lines policies is 4.85 percent.
5. Why haven't I received my preprinted tax report for this year?
The Comptroller does not mail preprinted tax forms to a taxpayer who is required to file electronically or who has filed electronically for the previous two tax years. If you or your agency's address has changed, update your address with the TDI and they will notify our office of the change.
6. What is the difference between the premium-written and the premium-received reporting methods?
The premium-written method of reporting surplus lines premium tax means that the tax is reportable to the Comptroller based on the effective date of a new or renewal policy. For example, a policy having an effective date of Dec. 20, 2014, must be reported on the 2014 annual tax report regardless of when the premium is billed and collected.
Endorsements, audits or cancellations that result in changes to the original premium charged are reportable based on the date those changes occur, and not on the original policy's effective date.
The premium-received method of reporting means that the tax is reportable to the Comptroller based on the date the insurance premium tax is collected on a new or renewal policy, or in the case of transactions that result in a return of premium, when the premium tax refund is made.
7. Can a non-resident agent conduct surplus lines business in Texas?
A non-resident agent can obtain a Texas surplus lines license if they hold the same license in their home state. The non-resident agent must follow Texas laws and regulations when placing surplus lines business for Texas residents and paying surplus lines tax. The agent cannot begin doing business in this state prior to receiving a Texas license.
Contact the Agent's Licensing Division, Texas Department of Insurance, at 512-322-3503 to apply for a license.
8. I have not placed business with my surplus lines license; however, I received a bill for tax due from the Comptroller. What do I need to do?
A report is due even if you did not place business with your surplus lines license. If you did not file a tax report for the year noted on the billing, the Comptroller's Enforcement Division has estimated tax due.
If you did not place any business in the surplus lines market, you must file a zero tax report to satisfy insurance tax filing requirements and prevent further collection actions.
9. My non-profit organization is exempt from sales and franchise taxes. Why is tax charged on the organization's insurance policy?
Each Texas tax has its own exemptions. An exemption from one tax does not necessarily extend to other taxes. There is no exemption from surplus lines tax for policies issued to non-profit organizations.
10. How does the federal non-admitted legislation affect my individual or my agency's surplus lines business?
The Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 (NRRA), which was included in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, resulted in changes to the regulation and taxation of surplus lines insurance policies.
The NRRA, effective July 21, 2011, changed the allocation of premium in all states.
Under the NRRA, the home state of the insured controls for purposes of regulation and taxation, and all policies must be reported to the home state of the insured.
If a multi-state policy is placed where Texas is the home state of the insured, then 100 percent of the premium must be reported to Texas regardless of the locations of the risk.
If Texas is the home state of the insured, but the policy covers risks entirely outside Texas, the state to which the largest amount of premium is allocated becomes the home state. Refer to the "Example" section addressing surplus lines and the NRRA.
For more information, refer to the NRRA Bulletin published by the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas on June 23, 2011, and Comptroller Publication 94-431.
11. Are any policies exempt from surplus lines tax?
Policies issued for risks located in federal or international waters, or under the jurisdiction of a foreign government, are not subject to tax. Federal preemptions from state taxation are recognized for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) when it is the receiver of a failed financial institution and holds the insured property, federally chartered credit unions, the National Credit Union Administration and risks located on Indian Tribal Nations reservations. Additionally, House Bill 2972 (83rd Legislature, Regular Session), effective Jan. 1, 2014, exempts premium on policies insuring risks or exposures under ocean marine insurance coverage of stored or in-transit baled cotton for export. Refer to Publication 94-142.
Examples: Surplus Lines and the Effect of the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA) on Texas Taxation
1. How do I determine the "home state of the insured" on some of our policies insuring companies with a worldwide presence?
The NRRA defines the "home state of the insured" as the principal residence of an individual or the principal place of business of the insured that is not an individual.
In the case of a business, this generally refers to the corporate headquarters. For some larger companies with numerous operations and subsidiaries, this might be more difficult to determine. We have adopted a "nerve center" approach to make this determination, as found in the United States Supreme Court case Hertz Corp. v. Friend et al, 559 U.S. 77 (U.S. 2010). The nerve center is the location from which the company radiates out into all its constituent parts, and from which the high level executives in the company direct, control and coordinate its activities.
Only the home state can require a surplus lines agent to be licensed in order to sell, solicit or negotiate non-admitted insurance with respect to an insured, such that an agent located outside the United States and its territories and possessions might be required to hold such a license. In the absence of a surplus lines license issued by the Texas Department of Insurance, the foreign agent would be required to locate a Texas licensed surplus lines agent, who would be required to place the policy, report the policy to the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas (SLSOT) and report and pay the tax due to the Comptroller.
2. Our insured's home state is Texas; however, the policy does not cover any risk in Texas. Does Texas receive the tax on this policy?
No. Although Texas is the home state of the insured, this policy's home state will be the state to which the largest amount of premium is allocated because there is no exposure in Texas.
3. Our insured's home state is Oklahoma. This policy covers risks in Oklahoma and Texas but the premium allocable to Oklahoma is just 5 percent of the total premium. Which state should receive the tax?
Oklahoma is the home state of the insured, and it is irrelevant that only 5 percent of the premium is allocable to it. In this case, 100 percent of the tax is payable to Oklahoma.
Independently Procured Premium Tax
Prior to July 21, 2011
1. What is independently procured insurance tax?
Prior to passage of the NRRA, which was effective July 21, 2011, the independently procured tax statute required taxes to be paid on insurance procured on Texas risks or exposures, when the insurer is not licensed to write insurance in Texas and when all negotiations for the insurance occurred outside of Texas.
The appropriate and timely payment of the tax provides an exemption from unauthorized insurance provisions. Failure to pay the tax may subject the policyholder, the insurer and the agent to unauthorized insurance provisions if any insurance activity occurs in Texas. Some of these activities are claims adjustments, payment of claims, inspections, etc.
The tax rate for independently procured policies is 4.85 percent.
On or After July 21, 2011
The tax rate for independently procured policies is 4.85 percent.
2. How do I file and pay independently procured insurance tax?
You can file electronically using WebFile. If you are unable to file electronically, the tax report form for independently procured insurance tax is Form 25-103 and the supplement required to be filed is Form 25-122.
The due date for filing independently procured insurance tax is on or before May 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the policy is written.
3. What kind of insurance is subject to the independently procured tax?
The tax applies to all types of insurance except individual life or individual disability policies.
In addition, workers' compensation coverage is ineligible for the independently procured market because workers' compensation providers in Texas must be licensed insurers.
4. Does the NRRA affect the reporting of Independently Procured taxes?
Yes. For policies effective on or after July 21, 2011, independently procured insurance is defined more narrowly as "insurance procured directly by an insured from a non-admitted insurer." An agent or broker must not be involved in the placement in order for the policy to be considered independently procured.
5. Can I continue to consult with my clients about insurance matters without this being considered assistance in placing a policy of insurance?
Yes. In order to be considered as assistance in placing a policy of insurance, there would have to be a revenue factor involved, either by direct receipt of a commission or by fees received in lieu of commission on that particular policy placement.
The agreement between the broker/agent and the policyholder should specifically delineate between general services performed, some of which might be subject to sales tax as taxable insurance services, and those performed with the intent of obtaining a policy of insurance. Refer to Insurance Services Rule 3.355.
6. Our company reported independently procured taxes in the past. I don't believe we are required to pay them now. How do I inactivate this account?
The company must first confirm it is no longer subject to the tax after July 21, 2011, the effective date of the NRRA. Following are three alternatives for taxation of insurance business, excluding unauthorized insurance.
Licensed (admitted) market: Policies placed in the licensed market are subject to the gross receipts tax in Texas, and the licensed insurer will remit the tax due directly to the Comptroller.
Surplus lines market: If the company's home state is Texas, and if a policy is placed using a Texas surplus lines agent, the agent will collect and pay the surplus lines insurance premium taxes due to the Comptroller.
If Texas is not the company's home state, your surplus lines agent will report the policy according to the laws of the company's home state.
Independently procured policy: If your company does procure a policy directly from a nonadmitted insurer, and if your company's home state is Texas, then tax is due to Texas based on the entire premium charged for the policy, even if there is risk located in other states.
Conversely, if your company's home state is not Texas, and if the policy covers risks in your home state as well as in Texas or other states, under the NRRA, only the home state is entitled to tax on the entire premium charged for the policy. If the policy does not cover any risk in your home state, the state with the largest allocation of premium becomes the home state and any tax due should be reported to that state.
If you find you are no longer responsible for paying independently procured insurance taxes, contact our office at 1-800-252-1387, explain why your company is no longer subject to the tax and ask that your independently procured tax account be inactivated.
Unauthorized Insurance Premium Tax
1. What is unauthorized insurance?
Insurance placed without the required license or authorization of statute, or outside the scope of the license or authorization granted.
A policy obtained from an unlicensed insurer that does not fit the criteria for surplus lines or independently procured is also considered unauthorized insurance.
Anyone who conducts the business of insurance, which includes any of the acts defined in Insurance Code Section 101.051, must hold the appropriate state license issued by the Texas Department of Insurance.
2. Who pays the unauthorized insurance premium tax?
The unauthorized insurer is responsible for paying the 4.85 percent tax. If the insurer does not pay the tax when it is due, then the unauthorized insurance premium tax becomes a liability of both the agent and the insured until the tax is paid.
3. How do I file and pay unauthorized insurance premium taxes?
You can file electronically using WebFile. If you are unable to file electronically, the tax report form for unauthorized insurance premium tax is Form 25-108 and the supplement required to be filed is Form 25-123.
The due date for filing unauthorized insurance taxes is on or before March 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the policy became effective. The tax base is the premium covering risks located in Texas.
Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund
1. Where can I get a copy of the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund assessment?
For a copy of the billing for the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund (VFDAF) assessment, call us at 1-800-252-1387.
2. Why isn't the form online with the other insurance report forms?
The billings are mailed to your company by the Comptroller, and the assessment due is calculated based on an individual insurer's premium in certain lines of business in proportion to the total of all insurers' premiums in these same lines.
This ratio is applied to the amount appropriated in the General Appropriations Act or $30 million, whichever is less. An insurer cannot determine the amount of its billing without the total of all insurer's premiums for the categories used in the calculation; therefore, the form is not available to the insurer. We will send you a duplicate billing upon request.
3. How do I apply to receive money from the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund?
The VFDAF is administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service. Contact the Forest Service at 979-458-6505.
Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) Assessment
1. Does the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA or the Authority) assessment apply to surplus lines policies?
No. The ABTPA assessment is regulated under Vernon's Civil Statutes, Title 70, Chapter 9, Article 4413 (37). While the definition of insurer in subsection (a) appears broad enough to include surplus lines insurers, subsection (d) stipulates that failure to pay the assessment may result in revocation of the insurer's certificate of authority. Surplus lines insurers are not licensed and do not have a certificate of authority in Texas.
2. When I filed my report, I discovered I overpaid my ABTPA assessment for the previous year. I applied for a refund, but it was denied. Why?
The Comptroller's office collects this assessment under contract with the ABTPA. Insurers who overpay must notify the ABTPA within six months of payment. The Authority makes decisions regarding refunds of overpayments and the Authority's decision is final.
If you have questions about ABTPA assessment refunds, call the ABTPA at 512-465-4011.
Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) Assessment
1. What does the OPIC assessment pay for?
The assessment defrays the administrative and operating costs of the Office of Public Insurance Counsel, which was created to represent the interests of Texas insurance consumers.
2. Why did I receive a notice from the Comptroller's office saying I did not report anything for the OPIC assessment? Other items I left blank were not questioned.
The OPIC assessment for property and casualty insurance companies is based on the number of policies in force at the end of the year. A company reporting maintenance tax premiums in any line item, but entering a zero in the OPIC assessment or leaving it blank, will receive a notice requesting a check of their tax report for accuracy. We presume if there are reported premiums, then there were policies in force at year-end, and an OPIC assessment applies to the premiums reported.
The OPIC assessment for life, accident and health, HMOs and title insurance applies only to new policies or certificates of coverage issued during the year. If premiums are reported for maintenance tax for any of these categories and no OPIC assessment has been calculated, the taxpayer is asked to verify the tax report for accuracy.
Retaliatory Tax
1. Calculations of retaliatory tax exclude special purpose assessments. What are these assessments?
Special purpose assessments are assessments such as guaranty association assessments, high risk health pool assessments, joint underwriting association (JUA) assessments, windstorm association assessments or other similar assessments.
These assessments apply only to insurance companies and only for losses or deficits as provided under Texas laws or under the laws of any other state or territory.
2. Does retaliatory tax apply only to insurance companies or does it also apply to title agents?
Title agents are not insurers, and the retaliatory tax applies only to insurers. Title agents are required to pay premium tax and maintenance fees on their portion of the title insurance premiums. The Insurance Code requires the title insurance companies to remit these taxes and fees on behalf of title agents.
For retaliatory tax purposes, the title insurer is required to show 100 percent of the premium from all operations for both Texas and its state of incorporation, and then deduct on Form 25-200, in Item 19a, the agent's portion of the premium split (currently 85 percent) for both premium tax and maintenance fee purposes.
The title insurer must show the total premium for all business, including the 85 percent currently retained by the agent, on the state of incorporation side of the calculation. Title insurers domiciled in a "risk rate" state should show the Texas "all inclusive" premium from all operations, including the agent's retention, on both the Texas and the state of incorporation side, and then deduct the agent's portion of the premium split in Item 19a and any portion of the total premium not taxed by the home state in Item 19b of Form 25-200.
3. I WebFiled, but when I entered my home state premium total, your system did not allow me to show different premium amounts for Texas and my home state. Why?
For retaliatory tax purposes, the Comptroller requires the same premium volume be used as the starting point for the comparison. If the home state taxes finance and service charges, for example, the tax or fee due on these amounts must be shown separately in Item 26b of Form 25-200.
Similarly, if the insurer writes workers' compensation business and is allowed to report on an installment or a basis other than the "written" basis required by Texas, any reduction to premium should be shown in Item 14b (or if an addition to premium, include the additional tax due in Item 26b).
Maintenance Taxes and Fees
1. What are maintenance taxes/fees used for?
Maintenance taxes and fees (generally referred to as "maintenance taxes") fund the Texas Department of Insurance, which administers the insurance laws in Texas.
2. What are the maintenance tax rates for this year's premiums?
The Texas Department of Insurance sets each year's maintenance tax rates based on the prior year's premium volume and the next year's anticipated funding needs.
The rates are generally set in late November or early December, and the Comptroller mails report forms with the preprinted rates by the end of January.
The current rates are available in Publication 94-130.
3. How are annuities taxed for maintenance tax purposes?
Maintenance taxes are assessed on annuities at the time of annuitization or purchase.
Typically known as "back-end reporting," this method does not include funds left with insurance companies in deposit-type accounts.
Deposit-type accounts, including deferred-annuity deposits, such as funds received by insurance companies to fund retirement programs and individual annuities to purchase annuity contracts in the future, accumulate interest or investment earnings until the funds are either withdrawn or used to purchase an annuity. Maintenance taxes would then be assessed on the total cost of the annuity contract purchased.
Maintenance Tax – Workers' Compensation Premiums
1. How do I determine the taxable premium for maintenance tax?
Maintenance tax is based on workers' compensation premiums before applying any deductible credits.
2. Why are there three maintenance taxes applicable to workers' compensation premiums? What are the taxes used for?
Maintenance taxes are used to fund the Texas Department of Insurance, its Workers' Compensation Research Division and the Division of Workers' Compensation/Office of Injured Employee Counsel (DWC/OIEC).
Each division and the OIEC are responsible for regulating different aspects of workers' compensation insurance in Texas, and each sets a maintenance tax rate to support its operations.
3. I understand the Texas Department of Insurance is adopting various National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) manuals with Texas exceptions. How does this affect the amounts I report to the Comptroller?
Adoption of the NCCI manual with Texas exceptions does not affect the workers' compensation amounts reported to the Comptroller.
The Comptroller continues to require the premium written basis for reporting workers' compensation premium, based on the effective date of the new or renewal policy and the total estimated annual premium charged to the insured.
The Comptroller does not recognize an installment, booked-as-billed or any other tax reporting method. The Comptroller requires a deductible credit option chosen by the insured to be added to the estimated annual premium for maintenance tax purposes.


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Investor SkyWalker Property Partners has purchased a long-vacant 41,680-sf single-story building at 1715 E. Lamar Blvd. in Arlington. The former antique mall will be redeveloped. Mike Nix of ReMax Associates Commercial in Arlington negotiated the lease with Renee Efimoff of SCM Real Estate Services.
A#1 Air Inc has purchased a 64,000 square-foot office-warehouse building at 601 East Corporate Drive in Lewisville. Chad Albert of NAI Robert Lynn brokered the sale with Neal Puckett at CBRE Group.
A West Coast investor has purchased The Creek on Park Place, a 220-unit apartment complex in at 2001 Park Place Blvd. in Bedford. Institutional Property Advisors' Will Balthrope and Drew Kile of Marcus & Millichap.
Texas Industrial Development purchased 97,781 square feet of industrial space at 12626 International Parkway in Dallas. Steve Rowland and Joe Whitmer with Transwestern brokered the sale.
Vibrio Properties I LP purchased a 23,900-square-foot commercial property at 1849 Empire Central in Dallas. Allen Gump and Allyson Gump with Colliers International brokered the sale with Jason Moser with Stream Realty.
Polyair Corp. has leased a 75,000 square foot industrial space at 1600 Kelly Boulevard in Carrollton. Ken Wesson, Adam Graham and Scott Alexander with Lee & Associates negotiated the lease with Mark Becker and Dan Cook of Cushman & Wakefield of Texas Inc.
Rudolph Foods Company Inc. has completed a 26,120 square-foot industrial lease at 3615 Pipestone Road in Dallas. Scott Alexander and Ken Wesson of Lee & Associates negotiated the lease with Carter Crow with Younger Partners.
One Network Enterprises Inc leased 23,007 square feet of office space at Granite Tower located at 4055 Valley View Lane in Dallas. Robbie Baty, Mike Wyatt, Bill McClung and Grant Pruitt with Cushman & Wakefield of Texas Inc negotiated the lease with Cassidy Turley.
Frost Bank leased 18,329 square feet of office space at 7501 Esters Boulevard in Irving. Bob Edge and Mike Gossle with Cushman & Wakefield of Texas Inc negotiated the lease.
Mimaki USA Inc. has leased 13,464 square feet of distribution center space in Tristar Tech Center at 8080 Tristar Dr. in Irving. Joe Santaularia, Brock Wilson and Brendan Smith of Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services negotiated the lease.
Soho Furniture leased 9,401 square feet of retail space at 4325 Alpha Road in Dallas. Bob Kent of Structure Commercial negotiated the lease.
Graduation Inc. has leased 9,000 square feet of office-warehouse space at 4930 Olson Drive in Dallas. Stephen Cooper of NAI Robert Lynn negotiated the lease with Sandy Kee of Kee Commercial Realty.
Rhema Inc. has leased 8,346 square feet of distribution center space in Tristar Tech Center at 8080 Tristar Dr. in Irving. Joe Santaularia and Brock Wilson of Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services negotiated the lease with Sean Sunby of CBRE Group.
Texas Ballet Theater leased 6,639 square feet of commercial space at 650 N. Coit Road n Richardson. Eric Deuillet of Structure Commercial negotiated the lease with Andrew Marcus of Transwestern.
Alliance Sleep Centers leased 5,432 square feet of office space for its headquarters at 4600 Fuller in Las Colinas. Rubicon Representation's Dan Miller negotiated the lease with Barbara Bennett representing Thompson Realty.
Run On!, a specialty running store, has leased a 5,040 square foot store in the Centre at Preston Ridge shopping center at 8300 Gaylord Parkway in Frisco. Larry Leon, Charlotte Cooper and Ross McCook of Venture Commercial negotiated the lease.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
There is dual tactile innervation of the human hairy skin: in addition to fast-conducting myelinated afferent fibers, there is a system of slow-conducting unmyelinated (C) afferents that respond to light touch. In a unique patient lacking large myelinated afferents, we found that activation of C tactile (CT) afferents produced a faint sensation of pleasant touch. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis during CT stimulation showed activation of the insular region, but not of somatosensory areas S1 and S2. These findings identify CT as a system for limbic touch that may underlie emotional, hormonal and affiliative responses to caress-like, skin-to-skin contact between individuals.
Pubmed ID: 12145636
Nature neuroscience
September 28, 2002


text:
I loved your entry on veganism; you so eloquently stated why it's such a problem. And as for what you wrote above, yes, that was exactly my process in being able to eat meat - that and you introducing me to the idea of primal eating, Atkins, etc. Apparently, regardless of what my brain may think, my body requires animal products to be happy and healthy (and to grow triceps, apparently.)
We are so divorced from the genesis of our food in our modern, urban societies (at least those of us who don't have the awesome luck to be farmers), that I think it makes the idea of vegetarianism and/or veganism easy by allowing us to anthropomorphize the animals that sustain us. However, spending any amount of time with a chicken would completely erase any guilt associated with eating them. (Bless them, chickens are simple creatures that would mostly likely eat me if I sat still long enough.)
Mammals are a little harder, since they are so like us. Again, though, getting to know them helps. Sheep are ephemeral flames in the landscape - as a vet friend of mine says, "they live to die." Once, I came upon a ewe in the pasture stuck on her back with her feet in the air; I thought she was dead but when I poked at her, she scared the piss out of me by moving. She then got up, ran around in a circle to the left and fell over. Then, in about five minutes after a few more attempts, got up and ran away completely normal. She apparently got "cast" (stuck in a spot) while laying down and so just waited there to die - and I think her right side fell asleep while she did so. After this incident, she had a completely normal life - other than we named her Zombie since she came back from the dead. I bred her and now we have a whole flock of the undead.
But I digress! Cows are a bit larger presences and very much alive. Pigs are really smart - as well as sometimes large and mean. But I've come to realize that it's not really the quantity of life that's important, but rather it's quality.
Lady Friend
p.s. Who is Mrs. Bra-Strap?


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Cleveland Approves Finances For Stadium Upgrades
via Leila Atassi, Cleveland Plain Dealer
After a heated, four-hour debate, City Council approved a plan Monday to contribute $2 million for each of the next 15 years to the Cleveland Browns? list of upgrades to city-owned FirstEnergy Stadium.
The ordinance needed at least 12 votes to pass as an emergency measure, and it scraped by with 13 ? an unusual occurrence for a council typically known for its compliance with the wishes of Mayor Frank Jackson?s administration. Council members Dona Brady, Jeffrey Johnson, Kevin Conwell, Michael Polensek and Brian Cummins voted no. Councilman Zack Reed was absent.


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Top Definition
This is a word used by people on the street to describe a person being slick or acting not normal.
Osayi got very messed up and started acting like a slick menzie by robbing lil kids.
Por chris kirby 12 de julio de 2006
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?


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Previous work in this laboratory1-5 has shown that when epinephrine labeled with C14 in the N-methyl group of the side-chain was infused, approximately one-third of the radioactivity was recovered in the urine. These data suggested the following conclusions: (1) Approximately two-thirds of the infused epinephrine lose the N-methyl group of the side-chain via the monoamine oxidase enzyme system (MAO), and (2) approximately one-third of the infused epinephrine retains the N-methyl group, of which 1%-5% represents epinephrine and its conjugate and the remainder represents metanephrine and its conjugate.
If a patient under therapy with a MAO inhibitor is infused with N-methyl-labeled epinephrine, more than one-third of the infused radioactivity should be recovered in the urine if the MAO is inhibited. The following information is thus obtained: 1. One may determine whether or not the compound is entering the blood stream in amounts sufficient
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Thank you for visiting our past auction result archives. If you have an item identical (or similar) to this auction lot, please call, write or contact us to discuss. We will be able to help you.
Lot # 956 (of 1525) < Previous Lot | Next Lot >
JFK and KC Pistons Bobbing-Head Dolls (2)
Starting Bid - $200.00, Sold For - $928.00
Pair of very scarce and popular early 1960s non-sport bobbing heads includes a 1962 John F. Kennedy bobbing-head doll in Vg-Ex and a KC Piston in Gem Mint. The Pistons doll is a very attractive and rare 1960s bobbing head which was produced as an advertising promotion for the Korody-Colyer Company, an industrial engine-parts manufacturer. Total 2 dolls. Reserve $200. Estimate $400/$600. SOLD FOR $928.00
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Other projects made by slbrazeau:
Offer some kudos...
Join the conversation...
Ask a question...
Add your comment...
|Here are some details about my project:
|Food & Cooking
Share a little about the ingredients and techniques used to create this dish/item. I used a classic rolled sugar cookie dough combining flour, baking powder, unsalted butter, salt, eggs and vanilla extract. The cut out shapes come out of the oven perfect without distortion. To decorate, I chose a royal icing combining confectioner's sugar, meringue powder, water, lemon extract and food paste colorants.
What are you most proud of? I'm so tickled that my first attempt to create a 3D cookie turned out so nice! Our guests were quite impressed!
What advice would you give someone starting this project? Edible markers worked great for adding details like the wording and accent stripes on the sails. Use a stiffer version of your royal icing recipe when attaching the boat to the base cookie. The waves as well as a pouf on the backside help stabilize the cookie, but you't need to support the cookie while it sets up. Be ready to improvise!


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'Sunglasses' | Gold Matte Aviator Sunglasses by BOSS
Style No. 58037745
Free Shipping
These classic aviators by BOSS are built with smart style details that go the extra mile. Textured end pieces on the frames help keep this pair firmly in place. A matte flat brow bar is uniquely fastened behind the rims of the front lenses for a contemporary cool look. Brown gradient lenses are the perfect match to the neutral gold matte color.
- Aviator style
- Brown gradient lenses
- Lightweight metal temples with texturized end pieces
- Lens width: 60 mm, bridge width: 16 mm, temple length: 140 mm


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disable NAT in linux
how to disable NAT in linux?
Re: disable NAT in linux
iptables -t nat -F
Re: disable NAT in linux
thanks pradeep... :)
Re: disable NAT in linux
But do let me know whether the command u told will disable NAT and NAPT also ?
and is there any way we can disable static and dynamic NAT using iptables..? [apart from deleting the NAT rules in the NAT table]...
Re: disable NAT in linux
The rule "iptables -t nat -F" would delete all the rules present in the iptables which would include all NAT & NAPT regardless of whether they are static or dynamic....
[Just a finishing information to close this discussion..]
|All times are GMT +5.5. The time now is 11:02.


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- Table View
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The Arabian Nightsby Richard Burton Kenneth C. Mondschein
They are ancient stories, but they still enchant our imaginations today: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves--Sinbad the Sailor--Aladdin. These and the other Middle Eastern stories collected in Arabian Nights are delightful, fascinating, and fun for fans and first-time readers alike.
Grimm's Complete Fairy Talesby Jacob Grimm Wilhelm Grimm Margaret Hunt Kenneth C. Mondschein
They are the stories we've known since we were children: Rapunzel-Hansel and Gretel-Cinderella-and Sleeping Beauty. But the works originally collected by the Brothers Grimm in the early 1800s are not necessarily the versions we heard before bedtime. They're darker and while they don't always end happily, their dark conclusions can be far more interesting.This edition of Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales includes all our cherished favorites-Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Cap, and many more-in their original versions. Many of these tales begin with the familiar refrain of "once upon a time"-but they end with something unexpected and fascinating!
Hans Christian Andersen's Complete Fairy Talesby Hans Christian Andersen Kenneth C. Mondschein Jean P Hersholt
All the best-loved fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, including "The Ugly Duckling," "Thumbelina," "The Red Shoes," "The Princess on the Pea," and "The Emperor's New Clothes," fill the pages of this beautiful leather-bound collector's edition. Also included is "The Tallow Candle"-one of the earliest stories written by Andersen, just discovered recently! A great book of bedtime stories or for rainy day reading, as there are both short and long anecdotes included. Curl up with this collection of classics and lose yourself in childhood memories.Lexile score: 950L
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Baghdad Iraq News Agency [INA] 1000 GMT 16 Apr 1998
President Saddam Husayn has chaired a joint meeting of the Revolution Command Council [RCC] and the Iraq Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'th Party.
The conferees discussed a number of political issues, led by the legitimate Iraqi demand that the blockade be lifted, starting with the implementation of Paragraph 22 of Resolution 687.
The conferees discussed in depth, responsibly, and comprehensively the unjust blockade imposed on our great mujahid people for eight years under the influence of arrogant, evil forces and biased parties whose malicious souls are so filled with evil that they have lost any ability to see the right path. The conferees reviewed and deeply considered all the lessons of the relationship with the UN Security Council and Special Commission. They also reviewed the great extent of harm being done to our people- -women and men, elderly and children as a result of the blockade and the chaste souls that have perished in these hard times. Thus, it has been decided that we will urge the security council and all forces and figures in the world, including the good forces among all mankind and in cur nation, and to sound the alarm that it is pointless for Iraq and the Iraqis to be patient just for the criminals to play for extra time on this issue, which is so crucial to our people.
If the relationship between Iraq and the Security Council is required to be balanced and continue on a sound basis, then it will be time for discussion of the embargo at the end of April to lead to the immediate and undelayed implementation of Paragraph 22 of Resolution 687 as a prelude to the complete and comprehensive lifting of the embargo and all things that come with it, especially since the recent lies of those with certain ambitions have been exposed. They claimed that guest houses and the presidential palaces- -which are the homes of the people- contained banned weapons and plants. The lifting of the embargo would be in implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.
Only those with evil ambitions will stand guilty of the deaths of our people, whose lives were taken away under the embargo and the military operations that were launched under a well-known cover. If they oppose the lifting of the embargo, they--and they alone--will carry the burden of the previous crises as well as the crises to come and for any harm inflicted on our people.
God is great, God is great may the lowly be cursed.
The meeting was attended by the chief of the presidential office the foreign minister, and the minister of culture and information.


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The type of leader who will be hired to become Philadelphia's next superintendent of schools became clearer Tuesday with the district's announcement of a five-year plan to erase a massive budget deficit.
The city's two previous superintendents — Arlene Ackerman and, before her, Paul Vallas — were visionaries who brought with them their own master plans to restructure the system and make it more successful academically, if not economically.
But by implementing a new road map to the future before replacing Ackerman, who stepped down eight months ago, the School Reform Commission appears to be saying the next superintendent will be expected to follow a path already set for him, or her.


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HOUSTON — Jason Castro and Chris Johnson each hit three-run homers and Bud Norris threw seven scoreless innings to give the Houston Astros an 8-4 victory over the slumping Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
Castro's home run came in the second inning and Johnson added his in the third, to hand the Cubs their season-high seventh loss in a row.
Jed Lowrie homered for the second straight game, hitting a solo shot in the seventh inning to give the Astros three homers in a game for the second time in three games.
Norris (5-1) allowed five hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings. He has allowed just one earned run in his current four-game winning streak.
Cubs starter Matt Garza (2-2) yielded five hits and season-high seven runs in three innings.
■ Nationals 2, Phillies 1: In Philadelphia, Gio Gonzalez allowed three hits over six shutout innings and Ian Desmond homered and drove in both Washington runs to lead the Nationals to a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Gonzalez (6-1), a former Phillies farmhand, struck out seven of the first nine batters and finished with nine strikeouts. That upped his total to 35 over his last four starts, all wins, in 25 innings.
Bryce Harper had two hits for Washington.
■ Marlins 7, Rockies 4: In Miami, Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam off Jamie Moyer in a five-run fourth inning, Mark Buehrle was dominant after a shaky first and the surging Marlins beat Colorado.
■ Reds 4, Braves 1: In Cincinnati, right-hander Mike Leake hit his first career homer — one of three solo shots in a row by Cincinnati — and allowed only two hits over eight innings.
■ Pirates 5, Mets 4: In Pittsburgh, Neil Walker scored on Clint Barmes' tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and Pittsburgh rallied against Johan Santana and the New York Mets.
Mike McKenry tied it with a two-run homer in the seventh off Santana and Walker made it all the way to third in the eighth when his long drive off Jon Rauch (3-3) glanced off the glove of center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis for an error and rolled to the wall. One batter later, Barmes hit a fly to right and Walker just beat the wide throw from Lucas Duda.
■ Cardinals 4, Padres 3: In St. Louis, Tyler Greene hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning, trumping Jesus Guzman's two-run double in the top half, and St. Louis beat San Diego to snap a four-game losing streak.


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Rutgers hits the road today for just the second time this seson, traveling to Connecticut for a night game against the 16th-ranked Huskies, one of the surprise teams in the country.
The Scarlet Knights (5-3), coming off a 31-3 pounding last week at the hands of West Virginia, may find the going rough again this evening.
UConn (7-1) leads the nation in interceptions and ranks ninth in pass efficiency defense. So with quarterback Mike Teel still nursing a sore thumb on his throwing hand, running back Ray Rice will likely carry much of the load for Rutgers.
In fact, Rutgers figures to run the ball a lot tonight. In six of its eight games this year, the Knights have run the ball at least 40 times. Only once this season have the Knights attempted 40 or more passes. And Rutgers backs have a history of churning out big yardage games at UConn.
Rutgers holds an 18-8 lead in the series, with four of the past five meetings being decided by a touchdown or less (UConn has won three of those).
This should be a telling game for Rutgers - and one that will have a major impact on shaping the Knights' post-season fate. Rutgers hasn't won a November Big East road game since 1995 and hasn't won a November road game against any opponent since 1998 and needs to end both streaks to pull its season back from the brink of disaster.
This is a winnable game, despite UConn's record and ranking. The Huskies have barely been scraping by, doing so at time with help from the officials. Either Rutgers steps up here or the season is a bust - regardless of what happens the rest of the way.
Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. The game will be televised on ESPNU. Unfortunately, most cable systems in New Jersey do not carry the station.
Take a look at four possible scenarios Rutgers faces with four games left in the regular season.


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Brian May - My Planet Rocks Interview
Brian's interview with Liz Barnes on My Planet Rocks that was recorded on Monday 9th December 2013 and broadcast by Planet Rock radio on Sunday 19th January.
Thanks to www.brianmay.com
More News
Press Release: ACM's Freddie Mercury Scholarship Winner Announced
22 Comments
Brian May - My Planet Rocks Interview
Tony Newman
Ok guys, do we even need to say Brighton Rock here? That's a given as Brian's git-box showcase... Here we go, I will kick it off this time...
Top 10 Queen Guitar Solos
1. Great King Rat (So good the band actually stop playing to applaud)
2. The Millionaire Waltz (I guess I really love everything about this track)
3. Good Company (Holy shite at the magically layered brass)
4. Innuendo (with Howe)
5. It's Late (Raw, nasty rock n roll solo)
6. Lazing On a Sunday Afternoon (Fancy solo LOVE IT!)
7. Stone Cold Crazy (I believe Queen started "thrash" here)
8. Procession/Father to Son (Brilliant)
9. Death On Two Legs (Wicked pay back)
10. Some Day One Day (Soooo Englishy and Proper)
This was very tough! Having to leave off some of my favorite solo's here. So I have a bonus "Honourable Mention" (used the Queen's English there)... White Queen, Bicycle Race, Sail Away Sweet Sister, Killer Queen and White Man...
Ok ,what about the 10 greatest Brian solos? Harder than it seems , lads!


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NASA Quest
+ Search Quest
I am interested in participating in Spaceward Bound because it is an interesting program to gain new teaching and personal experiences. Being part of the program will give me access to experts allowing me to ask wondering questions that will provide me with new learning experiences. The program will also allow me to collaborate and share learning opportunities with experts as well. I also know the program will challenge my problem solving abilities. Science has always been an interest to me and is probably one of my best subjects to teach along with math. My students also push me to learn more or keep me on top of recent researches so that I could provide them with deeper knowledge. Accepting me to your program will enhance new knowledge which I can share with my students thirst for knowledge.
I envision implementing the information I learned to my classroom by providing amble opportunities of hands on activities in the classrooms. I find my students interested in science and the world around them. I can envision my students taking control of experimentations and reading for more information. As for my school, I can envision establishing an after school study focusing on science with lots of hands on learning activities and sharing what I learned from the program. Students will then learn new vocabulary and begin to think critically, and solve problems beyond their limits. As for my community, I envision a science family fun night that will happen occasionally, where the students get to teach community members all about what he or she has researched and learned. It takes one person to plant the seeds and from there he or she can watch them grow uncontrollably.
My passion for teaching started when I was only in 5th grade. My 5th
grade teacher gave me the inspiration that I could someday teach. With
her inspiration I chose the teaching field. Today, I love being in the
classroom teaching beautiful children of different backgrounds because
we are all different and learn different. My students allow me to find
different ways to teach them. My students are my backbone and strive
my thirst to gain more new knowledge of the wondering world. They push
me to go outside of my community to bring back new knowledge and share
with them what I learn. Every day I enter my classroom door, I often
wonder what kind of questions I will be asked today and will I be ready
to respond or teach so that they can answer their own questions. My students' excitement
to learn always brings me back to my classroom ready to teach. By the
end to the day, they go home ready to share with their families about
what they learn and that makes me happy that I am inspiring my students
to learn beyond their capabilities.
+ Inspector General Hotline
+ Equal Employment Opportunity Data posted pursuant to the No Fear Act
+ Budgets, Strategic Plans and Accountability Reports
+ Freedom of Information Act
+ The President's Management Agenda
+ NASA Privacy Statement, Disclaimer, and Accessibility Certification


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Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
(Columbus) At a ceremony
held this afternoon, Reginald A. Wilkinson, Director of the Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), named Correction Officer (CO) Howard C.
Webb as the DRC Corrections Officer of the Year and the recipient of the Ronald
C. Marshall Award.
Webb works at the Toledo Correctional Institution (ToCI).
He began his career with DRC at the Montgomery Education and Pre-Release
Center in Dayton in 1997 and transferred to ToCI in 2000.
He is an active member of the ToCI Special Tactical and Response Team and
takes advantage of training opportunities in a variety of areas.
Wilkinson made a special presentation during the banquet.
Each year, DRC awards a Gold Star Award for Valor to select employees
that have risked their own personal safety to resolve a dangerous situation and
that have been directly involved in saving a life or preventing serious physical
harm to others. This is DRC highest
award for bravery and courage. Today,
Director Wilkinson announced that the Gold Star Award for Valor has been
officially named the Vallandingham Gold Star Award for Valor in honor of
Corrections Officer Robert Vallandingham who was slain during the riot at the
Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (SOCF) ten years ago.
wanted the Vallandingham name to become a permanent symbol of recognition within
this agency, explained Director Wilkinson. This will be a means of ensuring that this agency will
always remember Officer Vallandingham and the sacrifice he made.
Wilkinson presented a Vallandingham Gold Star Award for Valor to Officer
Vallandingham, posthumously to his widow, Peggy. There was also a plaque presented to Bobby Vallandinghams
sister, Shirley Osbourn, to posthumously recognize their parents, Homer and
Wanda Vallandingham, who were activists with victims issues following
Bobbys murder.
Vallandingham Gold Star Award for Valor was also presented to Lt. Darrold Clark,
the only former hostage of the Lucasville riot still working at SOCF.
more information, please contact the DRC Public Information Office at (614)


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A: It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. The depth was fine, the sideways planting shouldn't have been a problem, and some experts advise soaking the tubers ahead of time like you did. The fact that the hyacinths and alliums did fine in the same area leads me to believe that it can't be that bad of a site either.
In my experience, anemone (a.k.a. grecian windflower) isn't that reliable of a performer. This is one of the few bulbs that I haven't had much luck with either. My first-year track record hasn't been that great, plus I haven't found them to be very long-lived or showy. My guess is that even if you went to the trouble of amending this bed, the anemone still would be underwhelming.
I also wonder about the quality or viability of the anemone since not a single one came up. Even if you have voles or squirrels (which aren't a big fan of anemone anyway), they most likely wouldn't have eaten every last one.
For short bulbs, give me Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) or glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa) for my money any day. Grape hyacinths, Dutch hyacinths and dwarf daffodils also are excellent shorties that shouldn't take any babying.


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"My Family's Favorite Food" Contest: Vote for the best after-school snack!strollerderby
Voting has begun for the third round of the "My Family's Favorite Food" contest series … and there's a trio of snack-tastic treats!
Check out the entries after the jump!
You have permission to drool over these three scrumptious after-school snacks. We did. Just don't forget to vote for your favorite one by commenting on this post with your tastiest pick!
The creator of the after-school snack that gets the most votes will win an awesome prize package from MightyNest … and will be featured here on Family Kitchen!
Happy Voting!
1. Peach, Blackberry, and Kale Smoothie 1 of 3"Frozen peach slices, frozen blackberries, kale, rice milk, and a bit of vanilla stevia."
Submitted by Emily
2. Apple Nachos 2 of 3"After school my kids like something to eat, especially since they all are involved in sports. Dinner is usually a couple hours away, so I don't worry about them ruining their appetite. I created these apple nachos this past summer, but it is now the number one snack they request after school. I can make up a big plate of it, and feel good they are eating their apples anyways! Plus, peanuts have protein, right?"
Submitted by Aimee
3. Fluffer Nutter 3 of 3"Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread. Spread marshmallow fluff on the other slice of bread. Add slices of bananas to both pieces of bread. Put slices of bread together to form a sandwich. Enjoy! A glass of milk goes perfect with these delicious sandwiches!"
Submitted by Cara
Voting will end at 5 pm on Friday, 9/23.
Article Posted 5 years Ago


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Audiobus, the app-to-app audio routing app for iOS, has been updated to v2.1.
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text:
Brave New World
I'm back at work.
No-one is more surprised about this than me. If you had told me in November/December that I would be back teaching I would have probably retreated further into my hermit's cave, panicked, felt a toxic combination of guilt, fear and despair, and inwardly seethed at you for even daring to mention school.
At my worst I could not bear to hear anything about education. This made watching the news particularly difficult, but also meant I lost interest in my own son's schooling, could not socialise with fellow teachers for fear of hearing about their work and had to be shielded from anything even vaguely related to the topic.
This was not an irrational fear brought on by my mental health problems. Well, actually, it was…of course it was. I was (and am) suffering from anxiety and depression which, by its very nature, distorts your thought processes so even the most benign of situations can seem terrifying.
In this instance though, the fear was not entirely irrational. The circumstances I found myself in as a teacher were enough to cause stress and ill health in the most rational of people. I had already watched a stream of good teachers lose the battle of survival and, as I gradually started to unravel at the seams, others were doing the same. The reasons for this were complex and tawdry, and I don't really want to go into too many details here (if you want to know the truth, you'll have to buy my book – which may or may not be finished within the decade). Needless to say though, I found myself in a dysfunctional school, operating on a culture of fear that broke teachers and helped no-one, least of all the students.
So my return to work was pretty brave. As I've said before, I did not think I would be able to do it; even in the initial meeting with the Headteacher, I thought I was about to hand in the towel. "Another one bites the dust" I thought, as I joined the long line of teachers (and friends) that had been pushed to breaking point. But, as a colleague pointed out to me the other day, I'm stronger than that (apparently) and I have refused to let it beat me.
However, the return has been made possible, even enjoyable, due to the changes that have happened at the school in my absence. Gone is the hierachical culture of bullying and competing, to be replaced by a workplace where people are starting to realise that good education is not about pushing teachers to breaking point, but about working together to provide a service for the children. I couldn't give a damn whether my current grading is better or worse than anyone else's, I just want to do my job – no gold stars are required! Sanity appears to have been injected into this dysfunctional fear factory so that management actually look after, and try to retain staff. There is still work to be done but there is already a tangible difference to the feel of the school as you walk around it. Instead of looking over their shoulder, for fear of being stabbed in the back, people are starting to walk towards each other, to share ideas. Furthermore, people are starting to admit to each other when they are struggling because they know that what they will recieve is not judgement, but support.
My own personal situation is a bit different to most people's, as I am being treated extra carefully, like a fragile wine glass on a high and narrow shelf. My employers have offered me phased return, slowly getting myself back up to speed, rather than diving in head first. This is being carefully monitored, with spies reminding me not to work too late and intermittantly checking in on me with jokes and hugs and cups of tea. I feel valued, I feel appreciated, I feel like I am NOT a failure who can't teach even though I spend every waking moment trying to do my best, but that I AM a human being who is doing my best at a fairly tough job. I feel quite proud of myself.
And grateful, so grateful, to everyone who has made that possible. Grateful to the family and friends and GP who saw me at my worst, when I was more of a husk than a woman, and who stuck with me. Grateful to the colleagues who have welcomed me back with open arms and true friendship. Grateful to the new management structure (and an outstandingly human new head teacher) for extending differentiation to staff as well as children, in order to meet my health needs, and for investing in their staff rather than constantly criticising them. Grateful to the students who have listened respectfully when I have spoken to them about depression, and come to me with similar experiences from their own lives and families. So grateful to the students who are so happy to have me back, the students who make this job what it should be – an enjoyable experience of learning with children.
I'm sorry the atmosphere didn't change earlier, before the rot of stress and anxiety pushed me into the pit of depression. I wish I hadn't had to go through that, I wish my family didn't have to see that. I wish the good staff who had been broken before me did not have to suffer what they did. There are people who are no longer here who should be here, and who have gone through some terrible times unecessarily.
But I am happy that things are improving and if, in some small way, my suffering has led to the realisation that change was required, then I'm happy that suffering wasn't in vain. I'm happy to take one for the team – especially as it's a team I'm now so happy and proud to be part of.
Don't call it a comeback
I'm going back to work.
I've packed my emotional lunch box and am taking in a dollop of guilt for leaving students and staff in the mire, a scoop of fear that I won't remember how to teach, a spoonful of dread that I'll get sick again, and a pinch of embarrassment for being off with an illness I know not everyone will be able to understand.
In the spirit of maintaining a healthy diet though (it being January and all, when even the normally sedentary gluttons are detox-ing and clamouring for the gym) I've also packed a few other ingredients.
A massive bottle of gratitude, to all those who have helped me reach this point, a slab of honesty, with which I plan to use to explain to everyone, staff and students alike, what I have been through, and even, astonishingly, a little piece of optimism that the future will bring brightness. This precious gem is wrapped in sparkling tin foil, like a tiny square of chocolate that might be allowed by slimming world, "to get you through those difficult days".
I went in to school yesterday, filled with trepidation, to meet with 2 members of the senior leadership team. Due to recent, necessary, changes in the school regime, I did not really know either of these women, so it was a bit of an unknown quantity. It was also an opportunity to be very honest, something which is often, perversely, easier with strangers, and to establish a fresh start.
After a sleepless night that I'm sure was shared with many returning to work/school after the Christmas holidays, my mindset on entering the meeting was open-minded, but heavily tinged with a notion that the purpose of the meeting would be to deliver my resignation. After all, teaching is you, it's no place for someone with a fragile mental state. I'd even typed a letter, securely popped in my bag in case it were needed, stating how I had to put my family first and that the students deserved a stronger teacher. It was a short letter, but a good one, I was pleased with its emphatic but neutral tone, and the fact that it was actually pretty succinct (you may have noticed I have a tendency to be verbose).
So there I was, considering what my new life would be like, what I would do for money, what new chapter I could begin. I was starting to look forward to it, almost demob happy.
Then, I walked into the school and the first person I saw was the worst person I could have seen. Not the badly behaved child, who swore at me, not the poor teachers who'd had to cover my lessons, not the school gossip; the first person I saw was THAT girl, that year 11 who struggled with school, but somehow connected with me, who enjoyed my lessons, and, on getting the first C grade she'd had in her secondary school education, waved it around like an Olympic gold medal to all who would listen.
I knew I'd abandoned her, it stuck in my throat that I'd left these kids, particularly kids like her.
So when I saw her I was defenceless. As she exclaimed "Miss! I've missed you soooooo much, I've not being going to class since you've been off!" she may as well have been a starving African toddler, wiping flies off her eyelashes and offering me a begging bowl. Whilst I knew I couldn't go back to where I was, giving everything to my students, and keeping nothing back for myself or my loved ones, I also knew I had to give it another chance, that I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I turned my back on these kids without at least putting up a fight.
So I went into the meeting and laid my cards squarely on the table. I still don't know whether me and teaching are a good match,or if teaching is what's right for me and my family. I was clear on this, I may still bail out, but if I do, it will be a conscious, rational decision, based on what's best for all concerned, it will not be because this bastard illness forced me out.
I refuse to let it beat me.
That said, my return to work will not be about turning in 100% outstanding lessons, or building a glittering career, or the best RE department in the area, or any of that ladder climbing nonsense Gove and want teachers to aspire to (like classroom bankers). My return to work will be, has to be, about surviving and, crucially, sustaining a balance whereby my students get a reasonably good level of education and I (and my family) get a decent quality of life.
If that doesn't pan out I shall change course and do something different, this time before I end up making the sacrifices I made in the past. If that makes me a 'failed teacher' then I embrace failure, because I'd rather be successful at being a mother, daughter, sister and friend.
But who knows, maybe with the continued love and support of my treasured confidantes, I can have all of the above? It's got to be worth a try, after all, when you've reached rock bottom, you really have nothing to lose!
The Return
So, after weeks of walking, talking, crafting and medicating myself back to some semblance of mental well-being, I spent a lovely Christmas and New Year with my wonderful family.
Now, faced with the prospect of a meeting with my head teacher on Monday to discuss my return to work, coupled with apocalyptic weather and a weekend without my 8 year old live in comedian, my stomach knots, nausea returns and I fear I find myself back, once again, on the highway to the anxiety danger zone.
Gone Walkabout
I have a sneaking suspicion that this blog may gradually morph from a discussion on depression to an account of my walking addiction.
It's been bucketing down all day; driving winds and black, foreboding clouds; relentlessly miserable weather. Yet I have grown so needy for my daily trot that I ignored all of that and strode out anyway. I must be even crazier than I thought. Staggering along, windswept and bedraggled, I must have looked a wretched sight, like one of those mysterious legends of Basingstoke crazy that so intrigued me in my childhood. I'll be clapping at the traffic next.
Still, as addictions go, it could be worse. I do have a bit of an obsessive personality, and some of my previous (and current) addictions have been far less healthy. Wine, coffee, chewing gum, work…I'm basically an "Omni-holic".
At least walking provides some exercise, some fresh air and the tiniest chance of getting some vitamin D on the shortest, darkest (and this year wettest) day of the year. Even if it does make you look a bit of a pillock.
P.S. thanks to the black A-Team van that seemed to deliberately swerve into the curb to drench my entire left side with muddy, car fume infused puddle water. That was pretty special.
Today has been a series of surprising and positive events. It's been so long since I experienced such things I'm finding it all a bit confusing. I'm almost feeling *gulp*…..happy…
The anthem to my recent walking therapy which, along with quite a lot of anti depressants, has put me well on the way to recovery. I'm basically channelling Ian Botham. Big thanks to walking companions: Mum, Dad, Archie, Becky, Amy, Neil, Teresa and John. If anyone else fancies joining me for a ramble, give me a shout!
You're no good to anyone unless you take care of yourself. Take note, workaholic friends!
Duffle Progress
Went out today without my duffle coat on! Strange the things that count as markers of progress in this funny old game of recovery.
Twinkle Twinkle
I saw a friend today who remarked that I looked like I was starting to "get my twinkle back". It occurred to me that I'd forgotten I ever had one.
That made me think about how long I had been a bit wonky of brain, and the conclusion was frightening. My Mum, who, like the rest of my wonderful family and friends, has been relentlessly brilliant in her support through this time, corrected me when I said I thought I was getting much better than I was a couple of weeks ago. "Tori, you're better now than you were 18 months ago", she stated, emphatically. I drew breath sharply, considering the alarming truth to what she was saying. "Really, do you think so?" I asked, unsure of the answer I was wanting or expecting.
She went on to recount to me an incident that happened earlier in the year. At the time, I knew I was under pressure at work and home, but then again, who isn't? you almost feel guilty if you're not stressed, like you're gloating to the rest of the struggling population. I was busy doing that thing people do, keeping going, distracting myself, to blank out how I was really feeling. I feared nothing more than time alone with my thoughts. So I figured that, if I kept running on the treadmill, then I'd be okay, I wouldn't fall off. Rollo May, the existential psychologist sums this up beautifully: "It is an ironic habit of human beings to run faster when they have lost their way."
What I failed to comprehend was a) that you can't keep running indefinitely without collapsing and possibly doing yourself lasting damage and b) the emotional abuse you hurl from your treadmill to those innocent bystanders around you, as they try to gently coax you down, can be devastating to them.
My own outbursts had for a long time, I know, been targeted mainly at my poor mother. Without a partner to offload to during times of turmoil, she became my foil, the pillow into which I should have cried, but instead threw punches at. She reminded me, yesterday, over the phone, of a time during the summer where I had been stood on the street outside my house, screaming at her "BUT WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?" in desperate, pleading tones, unable to see for myself a reason why anyone possibly would or could. I shuddered at the memory. I know it happened, I do recall it, but it feels like it happened to someone else, like Mum was describing a film we'd watched together. Appalled, I pictured her, shaking as I demanded she gave an answer before I would let her leave, attacking her for approval, while Archie stood in the street crying at his manic mother. Christ on a bike! Who does that shit! Me, apparently. She says I tied her in emotional knots and that she was unable to convince me that she just loved me because she did, not because I was clever, or pretty, or for any kind of achievement, she just loves me, unconditionally, as I do my own son. It seems strange to me now that I could not make sense of this utterly reasonable sentiment, not let her, or anyone else, love me.
I felt, for a long time, that love had to be earned, worked for. Maybe that's true, but I was going totally the wrong way about it. You earn love simply by being open to it, by accepting it and reciprocating it, NOT by climbing career ladders or winning brownie points for superficial nonsense.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying people should not strive to be the best they can be, I don't think it's particularly healthy to be totally devoid of ambition. It should be recognised though, that ambition can cause pride and/or alienation in varying measures, and that, sometimes, losers are more loveable.
My Mum thinks I'm better now than I've been in at least 18 months. When I think about it rationally (which is hard for someone who is currently a bit off kilter emotionally) I realise I'm actually on my way to becoming better than I have ever been, partly because I have finally realised that success doesn't make you happy; happiness IS success.


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Charisse 6 by darkmatterzoneWatch
©2012-2016 darkmatterzone
heh; you really love to use that couch in your photos; is that part of your studio?
I really don't have a studio in the traditional sense. I shoot in a warehouse that is full of old furniture. There is no other photography equipment there.
Very Beautiful


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May 13, 2014
The Carroll Green Team is co-sponsoring the showing of the 33-minute film Coal Road to China. The documentary, produced by the Missoula-based Montana Elders for a Livable Tomorrow, highlights the impacts of exporting coal—from strip-mining in the Powder River Basin to transporting it via rail to burning it in Asia. Co-sponsors: Sleeping Giant Citizens Council, the Montana Environmental Information Center, and the Sierra Club. Simperman 101/202 on May 13 at 7 p.m.
On Thursday, October 3, 2013, Carroll College will join hundreds of other Catholic parishes, schools and colleges to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis by participating in the nationwide awareness campaign, Melting Ice, Mending Creation: A Catholic Approach to Climate Change. The program highlights the Pontifical Academy of Sciences's Working Group (PAS) statement, Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene, combined with vivid video evidence of climate change as documented by James Balog, the science photographer behind the documentary film Chasing Ice.
On Friday, September 20, 2013, Dr. Steve Running will speak on campus about new career opportunities and social challenges related to climate change in his talk titled "If I were in college today, what would I major in?" Running is a Regents Professor of Ecology at the University of Montana and a Lead Author of the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The lecture will be held in the Campus Center's lower level at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
On Thursday, Oct. 4, the Hunthausen Center, partnering with the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, will present a free screening of Academy Award-nominated documentary Sun Come Up at 7 p.m. in lower level of the Carroll Campus Center. Sun Come Up follows the relocation of the world's first global warming refugees: the Carteret Islanders, driven by rising water from their ancestral land on a remote South Pacific island chain to search for a new home. The search is of dire consequence: the Carteret are asked whether their island will sink first, or whether their people will starve beforehand. They face acceptance in a new land and the violence of lingering civil war there, along with the threat of losing their cultural identity.
Today (Friday, Sept. 14, 2012), Carroll's Green Team invites everyone to enjoy the warm sun as they peruse the college's new Native Plant Garden, featuring Big Sky floral wonders like kinnikinnick, sagebrush, milkweed and more, outside the front entrance of the Carroll Corette Library, with an "open garden" from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Tour the garden, feast your eyes on Montana's native flora in full bloom, and ask questions of the Carroll Green Team members who made it all possible. Green Team and Carroll's Grounds crew planted the garden in July, with generous support from the Kelsey Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society and the Last Chance Audubon Society.
On Sunday, Dec. 4, Carroll College will host a screening of the new documentary film "Carbon Nation" at 7 p.m. in the college's Simperman Hall Wiegand Amphitheatre (room 101-202). Free and open to the public, the event is co-sponsored by the Carroll College Green Team, Montana Environmental Information Center, Sierra Club, Montana Conservation Voters, Montana Audubon, and Montana League of Women Voters.
"Carbon Nation" is an optimistic, solutions-based film that shows how tackling climate change boosts the economy, increases national and energy security and promotes health and a clean environment. Whatever your view of climate change, "Carbon Nation" offers compelling, relevant perspectives provided by entertaining and endearing characters. The 82-minute movie celebrates solutions, inspiration and action, all of which can be considered during a moderated discussion, led by Carroll Green Team member and Professor Jonathan Matthews, after the screening.
March 15, 2011
Join us for a free showing of the documentary Deep Green on Wednesday, March 16, at 6 p.m. in the Carroll Campus Center's upper level. Filmmaker Matthew Briggs traveled to nine countries to explore ideas and technology that may free us from our dependence on fossil fuels and fix man-made Global Warming.
October 13, 2010
On Wednesday, October 27, Carroll College will host a special local food meal and educational talk that is free and open to the public. "Eating Our Way to a More Sustainable and Resilient Local Community" will feature guest speakers Jacob and Courtney Cowgill, organic farmers who own and operate Prairie Heritage Farm in Conrad, Mont. The free event will also include an all-local meal prepared in cooperation with students from Carroll and Helena High and Helena community members. Those attending will be able to meet some of the local farmers who grew the produce for the evening meal.
The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Carroll College Campus Center. Bluegrass and Americana music will be provided by The Hayseeds.
Sponsors for this local food happening include Carroll College Student Activities, Carroll's Hunthausen Center for Peace and Justice, the Carroll College Green Team, Sodexo and the S.A.V.E. Foundation. Those donating produce, products, or in-kind services or both to this event include Montana Senator Dave Lewis, Ana Pederson, Mannix Family Grass-Finished Beef, Mandi Williams, Natural Creations and Barnstormer's Coffee
For more information, please contact Cole Mannix, Carroll assistant director of Community Living and volunteer coordinator, at 447-4373.
April 26, 2010
On Thursday, April 29, Carroll College and will host an Arbor Day celebration on campus, with a tree planting and songs and poetry presented by students from nearby Broadwater Elementary School. The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. in the Carroll Campus Center with an explanation of Arbor Day's history delivered by Sam Hunthausen, a Carroll student member of the college's Green Team. The ceremony will reach a finale at around 2:20 p.m., with the group planting a tree between St. Charles and Borromeo Halls on the Carroll campus. At the tree planting, the group will hear a short talk by Carroll's nationally award-winning Grounds Director Gerald Landby on the importance of trees to the environment. Carroll professor, Father Dan Shea, will bless the tree.
The public is welcome to attend this free event.
February 05, 2010
On Monday, February 8, "Good Food for Everyone - a look at food security issues in Montana" will bring to campus a panel of experts to discuss sustainable eating for all. Free and open to the public, the discussion starts at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center and features Helena Food Share Executive Director Ann Waickman, Growing Community Project co-chair Janet Hess-Herbert and Montana State University extension agent Toby Day. Every topic is on the table, including world hunger, the U.S. obesity epidemic, food safety (including outbreaks of E. coli), genetically engineered plants and seeds, industrialized food production, and more. This presentation is sponsored by Montanans for Corporate Accountability, the Carroll College Green Team, and the Alternative Energy Resources Organization.
Helena Food Share, which has been providing emergency food assistance for Helena-area families for over 20 years, has a new goal of wiping out hunger completely in our community and is expanding its operations. The Growing Community Project is a partnership of local non-profits that aims to build community gardens as a way to address food security issues and also build community. In his job as an MSU extension agent, Day also heads the state's Master Gardner program. Carroll's Green Team is considering a community garden for campus, and these experts are expected to discuss Carroll and Helena moving toward more home-grown food and buying local.
January 11, 2010
On Monday, January 11, 2010, two Montana experts, Kristina Hubbard and Dave Christensen, will speak on concentration in the seed industry and how it affects both farmers and those of us who eat. The free, public lecture kicks off a series sponsored by Carroll's Green Team sustainability working group and will take place in the Campus Center at 7 p.m. Aside from the Green Team, event co-sponsors include Montanans for Corporate Accountability and the Alternative Energy Resources Organization.
Hubbard is a consultant for the Farmer to Farmer Campaign on Genetic Engineering and for the Center for Rural Affairs. She recently authored a report, "Out of Hand: Farmers Face the Consequences of a Consolidated Seed Industry," examining antitrust enforcement issues in the seed industry. Christensen is a corn breeder from Big Timber who has spent more than 30 years collecting heirloom varieties grown by Indians and homesteaders in Montana and improving their cold and drought tolerance and their protein and antioxidant content. But his conventional stocks are now threatened with contamination by patented genetically modified varieties controlled by several multinational corporations and planted on 80 percent of U.S. corn acreage. Consolidation in the seed industry is driven by increasing dominance of patented seeds with their genetically modified traits. The major biotechnology firms, especially Monsanto, have gobbled up conventional seed growers and privatized the genetic resources acquired by combining them with patented traits.


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You don't have to be a spring chicken to enjoy looking after hens, as residents at a sheltered home in Bamburgh are discovering.
Plucky ex-battery hens are enjoying a new lease of life this Easter at older people's housing charity Abbeyfield's Armstrong House, where residents are learning to care for the new arrivals, as well as tucking into freshly-laid eggs.
Keeping a pet is often not an option for elderly people when they move into sheltered housing. But the Abbeyfield Society believes animal companionship can help alleviate loneliness, provide essential interaction and give residents a new interest.
Aptly named Armstrong resident Joan Bird said: "We have been so pleased to take the hens in. They are a real talking point and have already brought us great pleasure."
One unexpected side effect of the hens' arrival is that the residents and volunteers have had to step up their knitting.
"Quite a few of the hens arrived with big bald patches from living in battery conditions, so some of the wonderful volunteers who give their time to Abbeyfield have joined me in knitting jackets to keep the balder chickens warm," Mrs Bird explained. "Their feathers will grow back, but our little jackets will help keep them warm until they do."
The Abbeyfield Society believes there are tangible medical benefits to keeping hens and other pets in their homes and sheltered houses. As well as helping to reduce anxiety and encouraging a common interest amongst residents, the charity cites respected Australian research that shows a link between pet ownership and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Paula Lingwood, manager at Abbeyfield's Armstrong House, said: "The hens certainly have put a spring in the step of our residents, many of whom have fond memories of keeping chickens when they were younger. I must confess we haven't taken their blood pressure to see whether the Australian theory works, but the smiles on our residents' faces when they care for the chickens says it all."


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WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee stores will honor America's veterans on Veterans Day with a free breakfast in appreciation of their service to the country. "Hy-Vee's Veterans Breakfast is one of the most rewarding activities we sponsor each year," said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee's president. "It's an opportunity for communities to come together to thank our veterans for the sacrifices they have made to secure our freedoms." A breakfast ...
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