text:
Each month, Rated People connects over 50,000 homeowners with quality tradesmen - simply enter your job details in the form above to get started.
We'll match your job to the relevant tradesmen in your area - those interested will pay to see your contact details and call you to quote.
As each tradesman expresses interest in quoting on your job, we'll send you their profile and ratings to help you choose the right one for you.
After the work is complete, return to the site and rate your tradesman based on their quality of work, reliability and value for money.
Gardener / Landscape gardeners
Added 24/07/2017
Services required: lawn mowing and edging, laying turf, remove hedges / shrubs Approximate...
Gardener / Garden Designer
Added 21/09/2016
Services required: lawn mowing and edging, weeding, pruning Approximate length of garden:...
Gardener / Garden Designer
Added 12/02/2016
The garden has been neglected so a lawn needs relaying (Medium size) and a gravel path and...
Gardener / Garden Designer
Added 25/08/2015
The backyard area to be pave is 22 feet wide and 32 feet long
Gardener / Garden Designer
Added 02/06/2015
I have a terrace with furniture and need to have all items fixed so that the elements are not...
Gardener / Garden Designer
Added 28/04/2015
Site clearances and make ready for car park Approximate length of garden: 10m to 20m / 30ft...
Excellent throughout. Clear quote well presented, open always to questions. Work carried out on time, and as required. Would not hesitate in recommeding, one of the best tradesman I have dealt with
Very honest, our fence had been blown over, David suggested repairing the panels rather than replacing with new. Would highly recommend. Chelmsford May 2015.
Jason and his team were absolutely brilliant at transforming our field into a beautiful garden. They were extremely professional at all times and their work was done to an extremely high standard. Nothing was too much trouble. Would certainly recommend their services.
Good communication. Supplied list of materials required. arrived on time and delivered perfect work within the quote.
Managing your job is easier with the Rated People Homes App, download it today.


text:
CALDWELL -- Kimberly Kaye Hesson, 46, of Caldwell, died Tuesday (Oct. 2, 2012) at Marietta Memorial Hospital.
She was born Aug. 26, 1966, in Madison County, daughter of Jean Niswonger Smith of Belle Valley and the late Everett F. "Pete" Smith, Jr., who died , Aug. 22, 2012.
Ms. Hesson had worked as a server for the former Sandwich Shoppe Restaurant in Caldwell and was a member of the Belle Valley American Legion Auxiliary.
She loved Raggedy Ann and Andy collectibles, collected Longaberger baskets and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Kiera Dawn Hesson, on Dec. 9, 2001.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by one son, Adam S. (Tiffany) Hesson of Lowell; one daughter, Sandra Jean (Todd) McKown of Dexter City; two sisters, Kelly J. (Jonathan) Mika of Ava and Denise R. (Brian) Clark of Caldwell; her former husband, Robert L. Hesson of Beverly; three grandchildren, Cole McKown, Abigail Hesson and Kiera McKown; several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Friends may call Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East St., in Caldwell, where the funeral will be observed 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Fr. Wayne Morris officiating.
Burial will be in Lund Cemetery in Macksburg.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.mcvay-perkins.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Talking with Children about Images of War and Torture
Keeping Faith, Growing Compassion
By Tracey L. Hurd, Ph.D., Resource Developer, Unitarian Universalist Association Lifespan Faith Development
May 12, 2004
Front-page images of war, torture and humiliation appear this week as regularly as orange juice, cookie crumbs and notices from school on our kitchen counter. I am worried about this addition to our altar of daily life—worried that I will explain too much or too little, worried that these images will become normal. My ten-year old daughter seems disinterested. But she has paused to notice the photos. My teenage son declares, "I guess this is a pretty dark piece of our history," begging for conversation, wanting to know more deeply just what has happened. My young nephews are unaware—unable to know fantasy from reality. They are many building-blocks away from being able to understand media and war.
How can I be faithful and present for these children that I love? How can we, as Unitarian Universalists, find our way together?
Navigating these moments with children requires our careful listening. We find out what they know about the current news and let that guide our conversation. A discarded newspaper; a television running in the background while children have a play date; talk overheard between two parents waiting for their kids at school, can all act as sources of information.
We must listen to children: present, available, and gentle with our questions. "What's new?" starts a conversation. Knowing about the unfolding of a day makes us aware of our children's tone and context. While we may feel clouded by images of abuse and pain for our global nation, children's thinking is often centered on themselves and their worlds of school, friends and life. Our young children are often unaware of life outside their immediate circles, and that is developmentally appropriate. It's okay if children don't know. It's fine to turn off the TV.
School age children are more likely to know about current travesties. Again, start by finding out about them and what is on their minds. We then might ask: "Are people talking about Iraq at school?" And we're ready for what they have to say. In early elementary school years, children may be interested in understanding "who are the bad guys?" They may be fascinated by images of humiliation. They are often very concrete and dichotomous in their thinking. It's very possible for children to think that whatever "good guys" do is ok.
As Unitarian Universalists, we can reclaim our faith in these important interactions with our children. We can express compassion, and at the same time share our own shock and bewilderment at the abuse of prisoners. We reframe children's thinking ("this is a hard situation because good and bad guys really aren't clear") and explain that injustice and cruelty are always bad. We may say that it is sad when people are in wars where they do things without thinking about their values. I tell my school age daughter, "I can't really explain that picture. I truly believe that every person is inherently good, so when I see such awful things, I know that these people are in a situation where they are not able to be fully themselves." I summon a piece of my parish benediction and say, "I don't know what it is like to 'hold on to what is good, return to no person evil for evil,' in the context of war." I let there be some silence between us, so that we can ponder those thoughts together.
And I express the same thoughts to my teenager. We talk through what he knows about current events, and he tells me his theories and politics. And I know how fortunate I am for that conversation. I try to remember to listen with a faithful heart. I fill in what I know about our history, but I tell him that we only see selected images and hear interpretive news. I urge him to think of the inherent worth and dignity of all people; I urge him to keep his passion for peace. And I tell him that we can work for peace together.
But I could envision, with equal likelihood, another day when my teenager might not say much at all. How can we support our youth then? I believe we can best do this by me modeling and living out our faith with them. We respect their closed doors, but offer the comforts of good food and honesty. If it is true, we say, "These pictures from the newspaper keep going through my mind, is that happening to you?" and see if that opens a door. We can make these connections most effectively when we focus on being gentle, humble and honest.
We can add a chalice—the least perfect one, an upside down flower pot painted only in parts—to the kitchen counter altar of life, and light it without ceremony. In times like these, we need to be intentional about keeping the flame of our faith burning bright. We can make seeking peace important in our everyday lives as we listen faithfully and compassionately, to our children.


text:
About this Handbook
The UMass Dartmouth Student Handbook is edited by the Division of Student Affairs. Along with the University Catalog, it is the University's official notification of UMass Dartmouth resources, policies, regulations, and community standards. Students are responsible for the information contained in this Handbook. UMass Dartmouth reserves the right to change or update any information, policies, rules, regulations, and standards of conduct within this Handbook with notice. If changes are made to this information, attempts to notify students will be generally made via the following methods:
• Advertisement in The Torch
• Campus-wide email* through "UMD Notify"
* All students are expected to routinely check their University email. All official communications will be sent to students' email addresses only.
The information contained in this web version of the Student Handbook will be considered to be the official version of all documents. Where the version in the Student Handbook and a version located elsewhere differ in content, you should consider this site to be accurate and official. If you find discrepancies between the content of this document and those found elsewhere on the web or in print, or if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please call 508-999-8995 or stop by the Student Affairs Office, located on the second floor of the Campus Center.
Student Handbook Index
- Academic Calendar
- University Closing Notification
- Campus Services (alphabetical list)
- Academic Regulations and Procedures
- Student Conduct and Dispute Resolution: Policies and Procedures
- Student Policies
- Students Rights and Responsibilities
- Sexual Violence Awareness
- Housing and Residential Education Handbook
Snow and Emergency Procedures
If a major emergency occurs in which the health and safety of the UMass Dartmouth community are at risk, the University will activate its MyAlert system to instantly contact students, faculty, and staff. All students, faculty, and staff are urged to visit the MyAlert page to sign up for this important notification service. more information
It is the policy of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to maintain services, conduct business, provide instruction and research on a normal basis throughout the year without compromising the safety and welfare of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. In some instances emergencies arise which require the University to determine if it is prudent and reasonable to offer classes or require faculty and staff to report to work. In those instances, the Chancellor or her designee, based on input from the Emergency/Storm Management Team, will make a decision regarding the appropriate campus response.
Official Media Outlets Utilized for Announcements
a. Recorded message on the University's telephone system – (508) 999-8000
b. Notification on the University's website – www.umassd.edu c. Announcement on the electronic marquee at the campus entrance d. Announcements on the following radio stations:
Campus Radio Station: WUMD (89.3 FM)
Providence: WPRO (630 AM, 92.3 FM), WHIM (1110 AM), WHJJ (920 AM, 94.1 FM), WALE (990 AM), WRX (103.7 FM), WSNE (93.3 FM)
Boston: WBZ (1030 am)
Plymouth: WPLM (1390 AM)
Somerset: WSAR (1480 AM)
c. Announcements on the following television stations:
Providence: WJAR (Channel 10), WLNE (Channel 6), WPRI (Channel 12), FOX 64
Boston: WBZ (Channel 4), WHDH (Channel 7), NECN (New England Cable News), WCVB (Channel 5)
Please do not call the Department of Public Safety. Their lines must remain open for emergencies.
What happens if I had a previously approved leave (vacation leave, personal leave) on a day that the University closed? Will I be charged time for the day?
Yes. If you had a previously approved leave, (vacation leave, personal leave) your attendance record will be charged with the original purpose.
I did not know that the Dartmouth Campus had a delayed opening, early closing or was closed for the day so I reported to work at my normal starting time. Will I get comp time for the time I worked?
Employees are responsible for checking the operational status of the campus prior to reporting to work. Non-essential personnel who report to work when the campus is closed will not receive any additional compensation. The notice about the operational status of the campus will be widely broadcast on local radio and television stations. It will also be noted on the UMD website, and will be included as a recorded message on the UMD telephone system. Lastly, it will be posted on the electronic marquee at the entrance of the campus.
How are my meal period and rest periods affected?
Employees should receive a meal period if the normal meal period occurs during the time the Campus is open.
I called in sick BEFORE the start of my shift. Does my attendance record exclude the time that the Campus was closed?
If you called in before the start of your shift to use sick leave or personal leave time, your attendance record will be charged the hours of leave for your entire shift.
I am a classified employee and I was asked to report to work one hour early prior to leaving the previous day. Will I receive overtime for reporting to work one hour early?
Overtime is defined as working more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Therefore, unless you worked more than 8 hours on this day or 40 hours in this week, you are not eligible for overtime. However, if you are not eligible for overtime, you will receive 1 hour of compensatory time.
Sunday was a regularly scheduled work day for me but I did not come to work because of the snow storm. Will I get charged leave time?
No, you will not be charged leave time if the University was closed.


text:
Rickey Smiley Prank Calls Vol.1
I was just reupping Rickey Smiley Prank Calls Vol.2 when I stumbled across this and wanted to post it up too. I know people like this guy and I think he's funny sometimes. His calls are usually good, clean, no harm intended entertainment. I haven't listened to this one yet but I plan on checking out just to see if there's any real funny ones on here.
Rickey Smiley Prank Calls Vol.1
1.60 Commercial
2.Sweet Milk - Granny
3.Hog Needs Oxygen - Big Al
4.Uncle Melvin - Ray Ray
5.My Toes Fell Off - Granny
6.Got Cheese
7.Monroe's Momma - Granny
8.My Baby Daddy F - Small Fry
9.Churchs - Granny
10.Wassup Dog - Rickey
11.Huh - Lil Darrl
12.Freenik Part 1 & 2 - Big Al
13.Remember Me Ballin - Granny
14.Roll Tide - Big Al
Rapidshare Download


text:
- Rogers
Contact Information
- 704-688-2842
- email@example.com
Carrie DeJaco , PhD
- Associate Professor , Biology Department
- College of Arts and Sciences
Carrie DeJaco is fascinated by the natural world, the organisms around us, and how they interact with each other. She is always excited to introduce students to ecological components and interactions they may not have previously noticed. She teaches Biodiversity and Ecology Foundations, Writing for Biologists, Biology Roundtable, Botany, Ecology, and Advanced Topics in Ecology. She has also taught interdisciplinary courses and led international-experience trips to Micronesia, Peru, Spain, and South Africa. She is currently developing a QLC course on climate change to go along with a trip to Newfoundland.
She has research experience in aquatic and terrestrial ecology, in tropical and temperate habitats with plants and animals, microscopic and macroscopic. Her research interests are plant-animal interactions such as pollination and herbivory.
As an expert on locally native and invasive plants, she has given many talks locally and regionally on the consequences of invasive plants and the benefits of using native plants in landscaping. She has recently been working on a project to remove invasive plants from an urban vacant lot and restore the land area to ecologically functional woodland and meadow habitat of native plants and animals.
- Ph. D. - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- M.S. - Biology; University of Louisville


text:
The warm glow of a flickering candle can transform the look and feel of any space in your home. This marbled grey candle will burn for hours dispensing the refreshing scent of pine and eucalyptus.
- Brand: Stokes
- Grey
- Made of wax
- Pine and eucalyptus scent
- 3" x 3" x 3"


text:
All Android applications categories
All Dogs Heaven Puzzle
This game contains the best pictures of your favorite theme. Now you can at any time and anywhere you want to play puzzle games and get fun. For the game does not need internet connection.
In this application, several levels of difficulty. You start with the most simple level, will be increased further. Once you assemble the picture, you can select it in the gallery as your wallpaper or pass again this puzzle.
All Dogs Go to Heaven is a 1989 animated musical action-adventure film directed and produced by Don Bluth and released by United Artists & Goldcrest Films. The film tells the story of two dogs, Charlie B. Barkin (voiced by Burt Reynolds) and his loyal best friend Itchy Itchiford (voiced by Dom DeLuise). Charlie is murdered, but he forsakes his place in Heaven to return to earth where he and Itchy team up with a young orphan girl, Anne-Marie (voiced by Judith Barsi in her final role) who teaches them an important lesson about honesty, loyalty, and love.
Tags: all dogs heaven appszoom
Download All Dogs Heaven Puzzle
Free - V2.7 - 4M
Sorry ...
This app is no longer available.Explore Android
Share this app


text:
Google's Chrome Officially Enters the Browser Wars
- Google's Chrome Officially Enters the Browser Wars
- What's Under the Hood?
What's under the hood?
Chrome features include a system of tabs that are designed to run independently of one another to prevent collapses of the entire browser.
"In Chrome, if one tab crashes, hit re-load and go back to that page. Your browser doesn't have to go down because one app misbehaves," Pichai said.
User can grab tabs and drag them into separate windows, onto the desktop, or back to the original window, Goodger said.
Opening up a new tab, meanwhile, will no longer produce a blank page. Instead, Chrome will present the nine pages users visit most often.
The address bar, dubbed the omnibox, also acts as the search box.
"It's a little bit psychic," said Brian Rakowski, lead product manager for Google Chrome.
Users who visit Amazon.com frequently, for example, will be able to type the letter "A", hit enter and be taken directly to Amazon, Rakowski said. Chrome will also allow you to search within a Web site's search engine from the browser. Type in Amazon and a box will pop up that says "click here to search Amazon.com". Type in your query and Chrome will take you directly to the results page.
Chrome will also allow for anonymous searching, a feature also currently included in Internet Explorer beta 2.
"Sometimes people visit sites that maybe they're not comfortable sharing with other people," Goodger said. Searching in private mode will erase a user's browsing history as soon as they click out of the tab.
Chrome also offers the option to pop out frequently used applications. Use Gmail a lot? Click the icon on the top right-hand corner, select "create application shortcuts" and Chrome will create a shortcut for Gmail that "can launch like a real app," Rakowski said.
Speed is also a key component in Chrome. Google built a new JavaScript engine, dubbed V8, that offers increased stability, performance, and security, said Darin Fisher, a Google software engineer.
Chrome will use Webkit, an open-source rendering engine, which also powers Apple's Safari browser. Why Webkit? "It turns out to be very fast, has a very simple code base, and it was familiar to a lot of Google developers as well," Pichai said.
With the Chrome task manager, users can look at the applications running in the browser and see how much power each app is using, Fisher said.
The Mozilla partnership has produced added security enhancements like anti-phishing and anti-malware upgrades. "By putting each tab in its own process, we can sandbox [an app], and strip away privileges so the app can do no harm," Pichai said.
On the mobile front, there are not current plans to fold Chrome into a Google mobile offering. The Android team has developed its own browser, however V8 and Webkit will be used in that development, according to Google.


text:
The Bistro Table – A Small Piece of French History
Vive la France ! As early as the 18th century, the bistro table was very popular in France. At the time, it was primarily used in cosy corners of charming cafés or outside of bistros in the midst of lively streets. But this has changed! The bistro tables entered homes a long time age. And why not? Bistro tables are true all-rounders: Foldable, height-adjustable or weather-resistant – the small and sleek bistro tables adapt to your needs.
Bistro Tables from Round to Cornered in the Home Design Shop - Your Benefits
- A wide range of curated products with top design brands
- High-quality products by well-known designers
- Purchase directly and easily online
- Personal support from our customer service
- Fair shipping costs
- Secure payment thanks to SSL- encryption
- Data protection – confirmed by TÜV
- Fast delivery
- Best price guaranteed
Design in Small Spaces
Even if the room is small, you don't have to renounce design! In the interior design shop, you will find bistro tables that are both functional and stylish.
It doesn't matter whether you want to use the table in your home, on your balcony, on your terrace or in your garden – the possibilities are endless.
From Foldable Bistro Table Classic to Poppy Eye-Catcher
The classic bistro table is round, foldable and has a height of 70 cm. But this is no longer a must! For instance, the Brio Standing Table by La Palma turns a cosy dining space for two into a standing table for your next party thanks to its adjustable height. A variety of options are available for materials and colours. Because especially outdoor furniture can be loud in colour. With the Fermob Bistro Series made of iron in bright yellow and red, you will shine with the sun. Another handy feature: The bistro table is easy to fold up. If you prefer traditional wood, the Copenhague CPH20 Bistro Table by Hay will speak to your taste.
Be inspired by the selection in the Connox interior design shop!


text:
Customer Appreciation letter, Sample & Format
A Customer appreciation letter is written by a company to its customer for the strong and loyal patronage or support exhibited by the customer. This letter is a good form of contact with the customer as well as to enhance the relationship between the company and the customer. A word of appreciation for the customer will win the customer's heart for the company.
Harold P. Gould
Sales Manager
Generic Industry Products
1688 Ridge Road
San Antonio, TX 32444
January 25, 2011
David Potter
Halle Retail Industry
3017 Oxford Court
San Antonio, TX 78205
Dear Sir
RE: Customer Appreciation
On behalf of Generic Industry Products, I am writing to express our appreciation of your strong patronage for our goods and services over these years.
We are delighted to be associated with you in business; as the New Year gets going, all of us at Generic Industry Products look forward to another successful year together with you.
We hope to be able to continue serving you this year better than before. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions to improve our products and services as they are valuable comments to us.
Thank you again for your strong support. We have more exciting promotions to fill your year. Call us for more information.
Yours sincerely,
Harold P. Gould
Sales Manager


text:
Why was your credit card transaction denied? Many reasons...
We've all had these moments: You're at a romantic restaurant and an embarrassed waiter appears and whispers, "I'm afraid your card has been denied."
It can happen anywhere. Banks and other credit card issuers have developed complex algorithms that track credit card behavior and highlight unusual usage patterns commonly associated with card theft or fraud.
"Unusual activities" that jump out to card issuers ·When you ordinarily use your card only rarely, but suddenly make several charges in one day.
- Making multiple purchases at the same store (or website) within a few minutes of each other.
- An unusually large purchase – say for a major appliance, furniture or jewelry. Alert your card issuer before making large purchases.
- One small purchase quickly followed by larger ones. Thieves will test the waters to see if a small purchase is denied; if it's not, they'll quickly run up major charges.
- Exceeding daily spending limits. Some cards limit how much you can charge per day, even if you have sufficient remaining credit.
- Making large purchases outside your geographic area.
- Multiple out-of-town purchases in short succession. (Always tell your card issuer when you'll be traveling.)
- International purchases, whether online or while traveling. In fact, some card issuers automatically decline international transactions because of the high potential for fraud.
- Outdated or incorrect personal information – for example, when you're asked to enter your zip code at a gas station. Always alert your card issuer whenever you move.
- Also, make sure you don't mistype your credit card number, expiration date, security code, address or other identifying information.
- Expired card. Always check the card's expiration date. You should receive a replacement card weeks beforehand.
- You've reached your credit limit. For the sake of your credit score, try to keep your overall and individual card credit utilization ratios (credit available divided by amount used) as low as possible.
- A temporary hold has been placed on your card – say for a rental car or hotel reservation – that puts you over your credit limit. Always ask whether a hold will be placed, how much and for how long, and factor that into your remaining balance calculations.
- You miss a monthly payment. Card issuers may let this slide once or twice, depending on your history with them, but eventually if you don't make the minimum payment due, your card will probably be frozen.
- The primary cardholder made changes on the account and forgot to tell other authorized users.
Follow us on Twitter @DLNewspapers


text:
Raleigh, N.C. — Over the past six weeks, more than 300 people have been arrested in a series of protests at the North Carolina General Assembly – a move that some observers say has had no immediate political impact and has only put a strain on Wake County's already overburdened court system.
The North Carolina chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been organizing the so-called "Moral Monday" protests, which have drawn hundreds of people to the state legislative building on West Jones Street to protest what demonstrators say is a Republican-backed regressive agenda on social programs, voting rights, education and tax policy – actions that disproportionately hurt the poor and minorities.
Monday's demonstration resulted in 151 arrests – three times the number of people arrested in previous weeks.
Lawmakers including Sen. Neal Hunt, R-Wake, have taken note but say the mass arrests aren't affecting what's going on inside the legislature.
"They certainly have an opportunity and privilege and voice opinions, but I don't think it'll make a difference though," Hunt said. "It's basically a total difference in philosophy. We think that free enterprise is the best way to go to make sure people have the motivation to do the best they can for themselves. The other side is government needs to do more and more."
Legislature protests likely won't have immediate impact
That's not surprising to Steve Greene, associate professor of political science at North Carolina State University. He says protests are usually the only hand people in the political minority can play.
"And they don't usually work, because you're stuck on the outside," Greene said. "You don't have rich lobbyists and everybody in the legislature who's going to listen to you."
Still, Green says the protests can affect public opinion in the next election. That's something state NAACP President Rev. William Barber hopes will happen.
"The people are listening, they're the ones who are going to the polls," he said.
'Moral Monday' protests putting strain on Wake courts
But that's more than a year away, and the arrests have already had significant impacts on law enforcement and the judicial system.
After the first four weeks of protests, General Assembly Police had spent an additional $11,000 in personnel costs, and the Raleigh Police Department, which has been involved in the arrests and transportation of protesters, had spent an extra $16,000 on staff.
The City-County Bureau of Identification, Wake County Detention Center and Wake County Magistrate's Office have also had to bring in additional staff to book protesters.
The cases then end up in Wake County courtrooms, where, Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby says the prosecutorial staff and judges have to look at each case individually and see it through the court system.
"If we have to try all of these cases, it will take weeks and weeks of court, of judge time, of prosecutor time," Willoughby said.
He fears the number of people arrested could more than triple by the end of the legislative session this summer.
"By the time the General Assembly recesses, we may have a thousand cases pushed into a system that is already strained," Willoughby said.
For him, he said, it's not about politics but about pragmatism.
"I don't think the people who are doing this understand what they're doing to the system," Willoughby said. "They're not punishing the General Assembly. The General Assembly is not hurting because of this. The people who are getting punished are the citizens of Wake County."
But Barber said he thinks the costs of the arrests to the taxpayers are minor compared to the cost of raising taxes on 80 percent of North Carolinians.
"We're not going to allow 86 (Republican lawmakers) to drive our economy into the ditch," Barber said.


text:
I've been divorced for 10 years and live alone but my family is still central to my life. My children (twins) both live nearby and have kids of their own.
I've enjoyed exploring my sexuality and there's not much that I haven't tried at one time or another. On the gender spectrum I'm predominantly but not exclusively heterosexual.
Work's always been important to me: I need to be able to believe in the social and cultural value of what I do. As a result I've not focused very much on commerce; I've worked in the arts and media, education and development. I currently have a demanding and fulfilling job and I probably spendi too much time at work although I'm trying to get it under control.
I travel reasonably often (Chile, India, Israel as well as Europe in the past year). I work at the intersection of media, art and technology.
I eat most things. Not keen on goats cheese.
Tea would be difficult to give up.
Travel and photography, likewise.
Glasses, these days.


text:
You've already got 5 items in your shopping cart, so there's no room to reserve another one. If you'd like, you can take something out of your cart to make room for this one.
Play Trailer
Plot Summary
Plot: Kim, Deena and Laura all live under the same roof in Los Angeles. When one of Kim's one-night-stands results in an unexpected pregnancy, things take a sudden turn for the trio. With the help of her girlfriends, Kim must cope with single motherhood as she jumps back into the dating scene, afraid that toting around a tot can be a dating 'buzz-kill.'
Cast & Crew
More Info
How to buy in-person at the Box
1. Go to Box:
2. Tap RENT & BUY GAMES
3. Tap FOR SALE
4. Select a game and complete purchase
3. Tap FOR SALE
4. Select a game and complete purchase
|Get Directions >
Related Movies


text:
Select Coupon Category
JeffcoCoupons Newsletter
Connect on Facebook
Like us on Facebook for a chance to win a gift card every month!
Recent Giveaways:
5/1 - Gift Card for Fuzzys Tacos
5/17 - Gift Card for Grease Monkey Oil Change
6/1 - Gift Card for Rafting
Find a Coupon
Coupons by City
Learn more about Scrumptious Ice Cream on their profile page
A new window will open and the coupon will automatically start printing!
Coupon offer: $1.50 ice cream cones at Scrumptious in Olde Town Arvada


text:
Disney movies that are designed for the 16+ cartegory that you actually leave the kids home from so you can have some peace and quiet.
by lil duff 2008 September 06, 2008
The Urban Dictionary Mug
One side has the word, one side has the definition. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Lotsa space for your liquids.Buy the mug


text:
THREE men have been jailed for their parts in a cannabis supply gang in North Wales.
Kurt Vincent Sanderson, aged 40, of Ffordd Cystennin, Mochdre, was jailed for two years.
David Paul Roberts, aged 34, of Meirion Close, Rhyl, received 18 months and Trefor Glyn Roberts, aged 40, of Oxwich Road, Mochdre, received 15 months.
They all admitted that they conspired together between June and October, 2012 to supply cannabis.
A covert police investigation observed drugs supplied in the Mochre, Colwyn Bay and Penrhyn Bay areas, and also in places like Holywell and Llangollen.
Detectives also pieced together their phone calls and texts showing how they were working together.
The defendants had all pleaded guilty last summer but the hearing was delayed while other proceedings took place.
Earlier this year a fourth man Corri Twist, aged 37, of Lon Hafren in Rhyl, was cleared at trial of being part of the conspiracy.
Judge Hughes said: "You each played a part in an organised and significant enterprise to supply cannabis in North Wales.
"But you were doing so under the direction of another or others who were more seriously involved who are not before the court."
All had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and would be given full credit.
A dilapidated property was used by Sanderson to store cannabis and cash and to transfer drugs into smaller packages.
Cannabis worth £20,000 was found hidden under a cooker, explained prosecuting barrister Matthew Curtis.
When Trefor Roberts was arrested, cannabis with an estimated street value of £10,000 was seized.
Maria Massellis, for Trefor Roberts, said her client had re-started cannabis in mid 2011 as an "emotional crutch", was a heavy user by the time of the offences in 2012 and accepted he started dealing to support his own habit and to make a small income.
Owen Edwards, for Sanderson, said he was a heavy cannabis user who got into debt with his supplier and he was offered a way to pay it off and to earn money by supplying cannabis, which he did on a small basis to start with.
But his role developed in 2012 into that of a courier, he collected money and he also provided the safe house where drugs and money were stored.
Simon Rogers, for David Roberts, said that he was a heavy user, he got into debt with his supplier, and he started to supply to others to pay off that debt.


text:
You see, for every blogger who participates in the Hershey's Better Basket Blog Hop a $10 donation is given to the Children's Miracle Network. That's worth doing, isn't it? I mean, You can ensure that a donation is given to a worthy cause without spending a dime of your own money!
I'm supposed to give a "Virtual Easter Basket" to the people I tag. Shelly gave me this basket so I am passing it along to share with you! Look at all those yummy chocolate eggs!!! I love Hershey's chocolate(-: Easter Bunnies are a favorite of mine. I hope you enjoy them too!
Here are the Rules we are supposed to copy on our blogs:
* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
* Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey's there.
* Hershey's is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children's Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).
* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.
If you post for this meme, let me know in the comment section, and I'll add you as a link on this post.
Thanks for playing along!


text:
Judith Moses
Senior Associate - Toronto Office
Judith Moses is Senior Associate at the IOG's Ontario Office located in Toronto. Judith has had a successful career at federal and provincial levels, serving in Ottawa in numerous line departments and central agencies up to the rank of Senior Assistant Deputy Minister. Judith's field of experience has covered employment and labour market training and development, machinery of government, agriculture and rural affairs, merit-based human resource development and training delivery, international development, export financing, federal-provincial relations, aboriginal affairs, among others. She led the central agency review in the OPS that led to the creation of the Ministry of Government Services.
Judith was a partner in McLaughlin-Moses Strategic Advisory Services, a government relations firm, has run her own consulting practice and ran as a federal candidate in the '08 election and for the provincial candidacy St. Paul's in '09.
Judith has served in various local community service capacities, as Chair of HIPPY Canada and on the Board of Governors of Carleton University.
She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Guelph and studied at the Oxford Centre for Management Development.


text:
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin reserve guard George Marshall has decided to transfer a year after making six starts as a freshman for coach Bo Ryan.
The third-year sophomore appeared in just two games this season and missed a few contests because of a concussion. He was a healthy scratch the last few games for the eighth-ranked Badgers, falling behind freshman Bronson Koenig as the first guard off the bench.
The program announced Marshall's departure before the 70-64 win Saturday over Marquette. In a statement, Ryan offered warm wishes and said he would help Marshall in any way in the transition to a new school.
Marshall started the first six games at point guard last season in place of then-injured Josh Gasser before being replaced by Traevon Jackson.


text:
What began as an improbable dream on Tuesday became reality for Quebec's Eric Laporte Friday afternoon at the PGA Championship of Canada.
THe 34-year-old head professional from Montcalm Club de Golf defeated Lindsay Bernakevitch 3 & 1 in the championship match on the Talons Course at Country Hills in Calgary.
"I didn't think it was possible to win on Tuesday when I started," Laporte admitted. "But round after round after round I'm here."
Laporte, who never once trailed in any of his six matches, had a long and tough round to triumph; defeating Jeff Gross, the No. 2-seed Danny King, last year's PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada winner Roger Beale, last year's PGA Assistants' Championship winner Mike Belbin and Bernakevitch.
"All week I've been up in my matches and I think that is the reason why today I'm the winner," Laporte said.
With his victory, Laporte takes home the historic P.D. Ross Trophy, $15,000 and 60 ranking points towards the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC. Entering this week's championship at Country Hills, Laporte was ranked No. 41—with the win he's expected move inside the top 15.
Laporte now his name on the same trophy as such golfing great's as Arnold Palmer, Moe Norman, George Knudson and Stan Leonard.
"Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Steve Striker—a lot of guys have won this tournament and for me it's an honour to be with them," Laporte said. "But you don't play golf to have your name on trophies, you just want to play the best that you can."
The consolation match saw Brad Clapp and Eddward Boudreau go extra holes, with Boudreau eventually winning on the 22nd hole.Report Typo/Error


text:
By Greg Smith
I recently sat down and broke Naan Bread with Abdul Kadir of Royal Curry Café, and to call our meal a "feast" would be an understatement.
Inside this authentic family-owned restaurant, we started with Papadom, made with lentil flour; Onion Bhajjes, deep fried crispy onion balls; and Samosas, crispy turnovers filled with meat or vegetables. As I reached for seconds, Abdul warned me to save my appetite, and boy, I'm glad I listened, because up next was the main course.
Their Chicken Tandoori and Chicken Tikka, the former with bone and the latter without, are marinated in yogurt, mild spices, and herbs and roasted in a clay oven. Tender, juicy, and tasty.
Their award-winning Chicken Tikka Masala had me salivating at the very sight of it. It's Chicken Tikka sautéed in masala gravy with tomatoes – worthy of all the awards, ribbons, and gold stars in the Valley.
The Lamb Dopiza is cooked with sweet onions and green peppers in a thick curry sauce. It, too, is attractive and succulent. We dipped our Naan Bread in the curries, a communal experience made all the more special by the pleasant conversation.
The Vegetable Curry consists of mashed veggies cooked in curry sauce. Healthy and delicious. This, along with the Palao Rice and the Basmati Rice, complimented the meats for a flavorful, robust meal. And everything on the menu can be ordered to your liking: Mild, Medium, Hot, or Very Hot.
Open seven days a week, Royal Curry Café offers Lunch Specials Monday thru Saturday 11 a.m.—3 p.m. They also offer Dinner Plates and Chef's Specials. Besides their Chicken and Lamb Dishes, they also have Beef, Seafood, Vegetable, and Tofu Dishes.
Needless to say, I'm hooked! Royal Curry Café is located at 4329 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. For more information call (818) 509-7955.


text:
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today praised the Obama Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for their work to persuade Chinese officials to lift their ban on U.S. pork products and live swine. Despite international science-based consensus that the H1N1 virus, which has mistakenly been referred to as "swine flu", cannot be spread by consuming pork, China implemented tight restrictions on this trade in May. But today, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced today that they had successfully negotiated a return to open pork trade between the two countries. In 2008, the U.S. exported $560 million in pork products and live swine to China.
"There are many things we can and should be doing to reduce the spread of H1N1, but avoiding pork is not one of them," McCaskill said. "I am happy today for Missouri's pork producers who have been suffering from false blame for this virus -- this was a real victory for them. There is no health reason for people to avoid eating pork, and I think that message was sent loud and clear today."
Source: http://mccaskill.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=319539


text:
An attempt to make a legislative end-run around Gov. Bobby Jindal's rejection of Medicaid expansion in Louisiana died in a Louisiana House committee Tuesday.
Separate bills calling for a private sector-based Medicaid expansion have cleared committees in both the House and Senate. Even if they were to pass the Republican-controlled Legislature, Jindal's veto would loom.
So, state Rep. John Bel Edwards proposed House Concurrent Resolution 8, which would direct the state Department of Health and Hospitals to file papers with the federal health agency to implement the expansion.
Edwards, D-Amite, argued that state law allows the Legislature to override Jindal. He pointed to a state law that allows the Legislature by concurrent resolution to suspend, amend or repeal any rule or regulation. Edwards sought to amend the rules governing the state's Medicaid plan.
Thomas Enright, Jindal's executive counsel, argued that the resolution would not have the effect of law and would accomplish nothing.
"The administration is opposed to the expansion of Medicaid," Enright said. "And this is not going to take you where you want to go if you want to vote for it."
Enright argued that by resolution "you cannot change existing law or create a new law."
When the vote came, five members of the House Health and Welfare Committee voted for the resolution while 10 opposed it.
Jindal objects to the Medicaid expansion, saying it would be too costly for the state and that Medicaid is a broken system for health care delivery.
The two bills that remain alive have been revamped to provide for a private insurance-based expansion similar to that embraced in Arkansas. That plan would allow those who qualify to go through health insurance exchanges where they could shop for the plan that best suits their needs.
Up to 400,000 uninsured Louisiana adults could qualify for the program, which would expand Medicaid to cover those with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
Edwards had argued that legislators needed to step in and reject the partisan politics that has blocked the state's acceptance of the Medicaid expansion.
"I would say it's time to govern and not view it in a political prism," said Edwards, an expected candidate for governor in 2015.
Not only would the expansion provide health coverage to the state's working poor, but the federal dollars would bring $1.8 billion to the state's economy and create 15,000 jobs, Edwards said. In addition, it would protect Louisiana small businessmen from having to pay penalties for not providing insurance to their employees, he said.


text:
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) secured a commitment from Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, the nominee to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, to continue efforts to implement a national multimodal freight strategy to strengthen global competitiveness and support economic growth across the country.
The efficient movement of freight and goods is especially important to Washington state, which exported more per capita last year than any other state in the nation. Freight congestion and other bottlenecks already cost the nation approximately $200 billion per year.
Cantwell has been a leading advocate for a national multimodal freight strategy that can guide future investment by identifying critical trade corridors, bottlenecks, and strengths and weaknesses in the nation's freight network. In 2012, she worked with USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood to create a new federal Freight Policy Council tasked with improving the condition and performance of the national freight network to strengthen the United States' ability to compete in a global economy. Cantwell and LaHood announced the initiative on August 23, 2012, at the Port of Seattle and the North Spokane Corridor in Washington state.
Earlier this year, as a continuation of his pledge to work on freight mobility with Cantwell, Secretary LaHood announced the creation of a new National Freight Advisory Committee. The Committee, which is still being formed, will be comprised of diverse stakeholders from outside the federal government who will provide recommendations on how the freight network can better serve businesses, freight customers and shippers, and regions across the nation.
"I'm very excited that the United States Department of Transportation is working right now on the first national multimodal freight strategic plan," Cantwell said today. "You and I had a chance to talk about this. But I want to hear your thoughts or public commitment to whether you'll continue the work that Secretary LaHood started in implementing a national freight policy?"
"Senator, I'm very excited about this initiative and I want to thank you for your leadership on it. Freight is a critical player in our economy," Foxx responded. "As the process moves forward I look forward to working with the council to help implement the ideas that come out of it."
President Obama nominated Foxx on April 29, 2013, to replace Secretary LaHood, who is resigning.
During today's Senate Commerce Committee nomination hearing, Cantwell also asked Foxx about prioritizing funding for ferries as part of the nation's highway system, finalizing implementation of several new aviation safety regulations, and providing transparency for consumers in airline ticket pricing:
F-erries: Cantwell told Foxx that Washington state's ferries carry approximately double the number of people annually compared to the Amtrak Northeast Corridor (22 million vs. 11.4 million), but "oftentimes the funding falls between the cracks." She asked Foxx to commit to ensuring that ferries receive the support they deserve as essential links in the national transportation system. Foxx said that he would "absolutely work to advocate for critical transportation systems" like Washington state's ferry system.
-Aviation Safety: Cantwell also secured a commitment from Foxx to work to meet the August 1, 2013, deadline for the implementation of a pilot qualification rule. The pilot qualification rule was included in a major piece of aviation safety legislation enacted into law in the aftermath of the February 2009 crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 in Buffalo, New York. At a hearing last month, Cantwell pressed Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Huerta about the potential impact of sequestration on the implementation of these critical aviation safety rules.
-Transparency in Airline Ticket Pricing: Cantwell also asked Foxx about his thoughts on the importance of giving consumers better airline ticket pricing information so they can make more informed purchasing decisions. Foxx said that as a consumer that had to "purchase airline tickets to get here," he certainly understands and would support efforts to provide better pricing transparency.
Source: http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b36445e6-f7ea-4eb6-87b6-520ccf33ca3e


text:
Clearasil StayClear Oil-Free Gel Wash
- 1 reviews See the Breakdown
- Product Info | Add Your Review
Clearasil StayClear Oil-Free Gel Wash Reviews
Clearasil OILY face washI bought this product because I always see the ads on television for it, so I was like, okay, this might work. It says on the bottle that it cleans all dirt, oil, and makeup from your face. Well, all I wear is a brushing of bronzer every day and when I washed my face with this, there was still makeup on me after when I wiped my face dry. Also, it feels like I am just washing my face with water and...read more my skin didn't improve. It just stayed normal. I really do not recommend this to anyone because for me, it seriously was a waste of money. — 8 years, 10 months agoschuubaby | 56 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 0 of 2 people said helpful
to top
My Reasons for Reporting This


text:
Also I realized yesterday that I completely forgot to chose a winner for my Rhodiola Rosea supplement giveaway from a couple of weeks ago. So Congrats Traci! I sent you and email and we will coordinate the shipment of your prize ASAP.
The Happy Heart 5km will be kicking off next week.
You can find all of the details here and here
I will be covering 61km on April 22nd, in honour of my Dad's Birthday.
1km Swim
55km Bike
5km Run
For those of you in the GTA that would like to meet-up and run with me on Tuesday April 22nd. I will be finishing the bike portion of my route at the Yonge Street Running Room and heading out on my Run at 6:30pm. Everyone is Welcome! I warn you in advance I will likely be a hot mess of emotions and exhaustion - so tears will likely be shed, but as long as you don't mind, company is welcome.
For those of you who are already registered Click Here to Access the Printable Bib. You are all welcome to print it out at home and Rock It during your 5km. (Perfect addition to your Instagram Selfies)
You can visit my blog anytime between April 22nd-April 27th to gain additional entries for the draw! You can gain Extra Entries by...
- Tweeting about your Run
- Sharing about it on Facebook
- And posting your pictures on Instagram
We have 33 prizes up for grabs (<--- click here for the full prize list) and all of the money raised goes to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Hope you will all come run with me.
Love Your Favourite Darwinian Fail,


text:
The Maple Grove City Council approved a promotion within the Maple Grove Police Department during is Monday, March 18 meeting.
The council also received an update on the community survey, which will be completed this year.
In other matters, the council approved the mayor's attendance in Washington, D.C., and the placement of traffic control signs.
Here are some of the meeting's highlights.
The approved the promotion of Dan Wilson to the position of Police Sergeant at an annual salary of $76,103.94, effective March 19, subject to a 12-month probationary period.
Maple Grove Police Chief Dave Jess said Officer Wilson began his employment with the city March 10, 2003. "Dan competed with four other very qualified candidates, in a very comprehensive process that involved five components," he said. "I think Dan would agree, a great deal of hard work went into this process and he rose to the top."
Chief Jess added Wilson has served with the department in the patrol and services divisions, as a patrol officer, investigator, field training officer and Anoka-Hennepin Drug Task Force member.
Wilson thanked the council for the opportunity. "I want to make a pledge to you that I will continue to serve the citizens of Maple Grove with honor, integrity and pride," he added.
Mayor Mark Steffenson congratulated Wilson and said he looked forward to him being a sergeant.
City Administrator Al Madsen said the community survey the Citizens Advisory Committee had been working on, had finished the draft. The draft was provided to the council for review.
"Once we have all the input, then the [surveys] will be mailed out around 1,200 homes," Madsen said. "Hopefully we'll get a nice feedback. It will be interesting to see the 2013 responses compared to 2008."
The 2013 survey will cover topics such as: quality of life, services and current topics or issues facing the city. The results should help the city make planning decisions regarding the future of the city and include a benchmark comparisons to results in other areas in the country.
Also during the meeting, the council approved the attendance of Mayor Steffenson in Washington, D.C. on March 13 to 15.
He and Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeffrey Lunde visited with the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to promote funding for Highway 610. This continues to be a high priority for both cities.
Both mayors are part of the 610 Crossing Coalition and North Metro Mayors Association, which both groups have been trying to get funding efforts for the completion of Hwy. 610 for years.
The council also amended the ordinance regarding the placement of traffic control signage. The amendment will now allow the Public Works Director to place traffic control signage for the temporary closure of roadways to through traffic during periods of construction and other times when roadway conditions may be in unsafe conditions.
According to the staff report, "Apart from those instances involving construction, an intended use of this authority would be to minimize damage to roadways and potential damage to vehicles as a result of traffic on minimally improved rural roads.


text:
With the warmer weather, we tend to eat lighter fare and fresher foods, while drinking lighter wines we can savor. I especially welcome seafood to the table - grilled fish, shrimp, mussels, oysters, scallops - which always leads me to yearn for a wine from the Loire Valley of France.
The Loire is the valley of castles by the sea, a place with beautiful rivers, rich forestry and where the purest French is spoken. It is an exciting culinary region and a vast wine region, which often can be difficult to understand because of its wines' great diversity.
Loire is the third-largest wine region in France located along the 620-mile Loire River, the longest river in France. The terrain/soils and climate change over this vast area to produce many wines: from sparkling and white to rosés and reds. Being a cooler climate it is known for its crisp whites with high acidity, like Sancerre (sauvignon blanc).
There are four main regions in Loire: Nantis, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine and Central Vineyards.
Nantis Appellation D'origine Contrôlée (AOC)
With maritime influence from the coast, Nantis makes dry white wines, which pair beautifully with shellfish. A wine-making region since the Roman era, it continues to produce muscadet (aka Melon de Bourgogne), which is popular world-wide. This is a white-wine-only region. The best of the four muscadet-producing AOC in the Loire Valley is known as Muscadet Sevre et Maine. Muscadet 'Sur Lie' (on the Lees) may be designated on the label, indicating a more complex muscadet. The wine is left in the barrel all winter, developing aromas and character to a wine that usually lacks complexity. Muscadet and raw oysters are a classic combination.
Anjou-Saumur AOC
Moving inland farther east, there is a slight change in climate and soils that vary from schist to tufa. The grapes are: white—chenin blanc, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay; and red—cabernet franc, malbec (cot) and grolleau (groslot). One of the more better-known wines, Savennières, is from chenin blanc and truly is age-worthy and becomes very complex – a must-try for wine enthusiasts. Savennières is excellent with a wide range of fresh and smoked fish, as well as with white meats.
While Saumur does some notable sparkling wines, Anjou makes petillant (gently sparkling) made from 80 percent chenin blanc, and 20 percent chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Anjou also is a producer of rosé made with a blend of red grapes from the region.
Dessert-style wine, botrytis-affected chenin blanc, such as bonnezeaux, is well-represented in the Anjou-Saumur region. Botrytis is a process in which grapes are left on the vine past normal harvest time, resulting in fruit with high sugar content. Bonnezeaux and a classic pear tarte tartin make for a perfect summer dessert pairing.
Touraine AOC
Touraine is in the middle of the Loire Valley and shares the same grapes as Anjou-Saumur but with an additional few, such as arbois, pinot noir and pineau d'aunis. The standout wines from this region are Vouvray AOC. Vouvray is chenin blanc and vice-versa—they are synonymous with each other. Vouvray is interesting because it make wines from dry and semi-dry to semi-sweet (moelleux) and sparkling. These wines can age very well. Chinon AOC, made from cabernet franc, can be age-worthy and very tannic when young.
Central Vineyards AOC
Named 'Central' because it is more in the center of France, Central Vineyards soils change to clay, limestone marl and chalk with high marine fossil content. The notable wines are Pouilly-Fumé AOC, great crisp sauvignon blancs, which are sometimes overshadowed by Sancerre AOC across the river (slightly richer, more complex and racy with high acidity).
Central Loire also is where the finest lentils in France are grown. A summer meal of lentils with grilled salmon would be served well with a white or red from this region.
Pricing for most Loire wines remain reasonable, so this summer is a great time to discover fresh and fruity muscadet, versatile chenin blanc in all its styles, and crisp, grassy sauvignon blanc. Make it a summer of seafood and bring the taste of the Loire Valley to your table.
Tasting Tip: When tasting a wine, your surroundings can make all the difference. A crowded room or noise makes concentration difficult. Perfumes, cooking smells, even pets can destroy your ability to get a clear sense of a wine's aromas. Reset your nasal passages in-between wines by smelling your own skin, which is neutral to you.
Wine Recommendation: You won't find many Loire Valley wines in grocery stores (and the wine labels can be puzzling, to boot). Head to a local wine shop for a better selection and assistance. Anjou-Saumur and Touraine produce a wide variety of wines for everyday drinking. Whether red, white or rosé, in regards to quality, there are few better wines to buy in quantity for everyday use.
Love oysters? Try a muscadet. They are a real treat when paired together. Lobster fan? Dry or off-dry Vouvray pairs beautifully with the sweet-meat crustacean.


text:
The rules have been drafted under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Ordinance, 2014 promulgated on 21.10.2014 and the documents are available at http://coal.nic.in/draftrules191114.pdf; http://www.coal.nic.in/coalmines-specialprovisions-ordinance2014.pdf
The rules describe the Nominated Authority, Allotment and allocation process, Commissioner of Payment, Designated Custodian, Audit and Conduct Office etc.
Pushp Jain
EIA Resource and Response Centre (ERC),
New Delhi. India Web : ercindia.org;
Click here for the Draft Rules


text:
I injured one. With a Kick Skeleton.
The ST6 Tomb Guardian? One stun, one KO. Useless bastard.
I've pondered trimming some fat, but outside of the Block Skeleton and the backup DP Skeleton, there's actually not much bloat in the team. I'm loathe to drop to 12 players by not replacing one with a rookie, so at the most I'm dropping 80TV which is a small drop in the ocean. While dropping re-rolls would net a healthy return on TV (70TV per re-roll), playing Khemri with any less than 3 re-rolls is a nightmare especially with 2 rookie Tomb Guardians and my obsession with rolling 1s.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiiiiim
I think it's just an uphill struggle from here, as it'll take an age to skill up 2 rookie Tomb Guardians and a second Blitz-Ra and with stats of W:3 D:5 L:6 since moving to Australia, I'm thinking the climate doesn't agree with Khemri. Time to cut them and pick up something else, and frankly I've been pondering a Chaos Dwarf team for ages now... Beards. Yum.


text:
A 19 year old ends up fucking my 48 year old wife good and hard
This all happened by accident one day as my wife and I had visited the home improvement store. We had been checking on prices as we wanted to change out our carpet in our home. We were in their flooring department when a young gentlemen walked over to help us. He introduced himself as Matt and began to show us all the different styles of carpeting they had. He said he had been working in...Read On
Avg Score: 4.68 |
Words: 1,759 |
Tags: milf wifelovers young cock
| 21 Comments
Amanda's boyfriend helps her live out her secret fantasy.
Amanda hummed to herself as she pushed the door open and stepped into her dimly lit apartment. Tossing her backpack on the floor, she let the door swing shut behind her before sliding the deadbolt shut with a satisfying 'clunk'. The blinds were open enough to allow a sufficient amount of moonlight to shine through the lone meager window in her tiny one bedroom basement suite. Reaching...Read On
Added: 07 Feb 2010 | Category: Anal |
Avg Score: 4.84 |
Words: 2,676 |
Tags: handcuffs anal rough sex rape fantasy
| 7 Comments
My first time i dressed up like a chick and how lucky i got that whole night
This is halloween!! A day that everyone goes out and dresses up in costumes and other things, and go to parties and drink and show off their wild side until the wee hours of the next day. And I thought to myself, since everyone goes out and wears costumes, why not dress up myself into something wild and willy?? Or in fact, why not dress up in a manner of expressing who I am and what I...Read On
Added: 13 Nov 2009 | Category: Crossdressing |
Avg Score: 4.92 |
Words: 4,888 |
Tags: thong shower crossdressing anal creampie
| 4 Comments
A story featuring my mother in law and her friend.
Today was like any other day, it was relatively warm and sunny and my wife had said that her parents had wanted an odd job doing in their spare bedroom. I often did little jobs for my wife's parents as her father was away most of the time with his job so didn't get time to do things around the house. My wife would be at work all day so I thought I'd go around when I wanted, if no one was in...Read On
Added: 24 Jul 2008 | Category: Mature |
Avg Score: 4.87 |
Words: 2,768 |
Tags: straight sex lesbian mature wife lovers
| 8 Comments
Husband dresses up for his wife so that they can have a little fun during the weekend
My wife knew of my enjoyment to wear women's lingerie when we married and over the months that followed our honeymoon she had often wanted to see more of me dressed up. I always enjoyed these times although they were not as frequent as I would have liked them to be. One Friday, after a rather long and difficult week at work, I returned home and was greeted by a tender hug and a loving...Read On
Added: 14 Jun 2008 | Category: Crossdressing |
Avg Score: 4.68 |
Words: 3,871 |
Tags: crossdressing wife and husband oral strap-on
| 11 Comments
A recounting of the first time my wife used a strapon to fuck me
My wife and I often talk about our fantasies, sexual stories we have read and other things that turn us on. On one occasion when we were doing this my wife mentioned that she liked the though of using a strapon to allow her to take the role of penetrator when we had sex. Until this point I had not really seriously considered this bedroom option, and I had not any fantasies about it. Once my...Read On
Added: 12 Mar 2011 | Category: Fetish |
Avg Score: 4.53 |
Words: 1,479 |
Tags: strapon wife anal
| 13 Comments
My innocent wife unknowingly reads my cuckold stories and fucks her Indian boss' black cock.
It is interesting how sometimes our hobbies and other personal pursuits that seem to have no tangible benefits, except for our own personal pleasure, can turn into an amazing opportunity. This was the case for me when my secretive hobby of writing pornographic stories resulted in my wife and me enjoying a full and erotic cuckold life style. I am a mid-level manager in a small...Read On
Added: 14 Aug 2013 | Category: Cuckold |
Avg Score: 4.74 |
Words: 7,036 |
Tags: cuckold creampies interracial indian author submissive fantasize
| 11 Comments
A caring teacher takes good care of a student in need.
I try to keep a close relationship with my students, portraying myself more that just an adult role model, but as an adult friend. In being a young teacher, students sometimes find it easier when someone of authority is close to their age and will listens to them, especially with all their relationship problems. Take Tiffany for example, she's blonde, beautiful, and the goal of many...Read On
Added: 18 Jan 2009 | Category: Taboo |
Avg Score: 4.82 |
Words: 2,020 |
Tags: cheerleader teacher student
| 15 Comments
What happened when I went bra-less and panty-less on the London underground
This is a true account of a recent experience of mine that I wanted to share with you all, especially as it was inspired by my experiences here on Lush. Recently I've become quite excited at the thought of exposing myself in public. Chats with some of you and hearing about your experiences, and writing stories which include elements of public nudity and exhibitionism, have got me...Read On
Added: 21 Sep 2011 | Category: Exhibitionism |
Avg Score: 4.88 |
Words: 2,791 |
Tags: flashing masturbation exhibitionism public_transport tube
| 118 Comments
I have my first sex
This happened a few years ago when I was 22 years old, working in an office, and living in a rented apartment. My parents lived in a village about 20 miles from me but were both killed in a car accident so I inherited their bungalow. I transferred to the bungalow and obtained a positition in a nearby office where I became friendly with Ted who was a computer expert, which I wasn`t. He...Read On
Added: 25 Jan 2012 | Category: First Time |
Avg Score: 4.45 |
Words: 1,709 |
Tags: office friend wife
| 7 Comments
Me and my girlfriend have our way with a young Spanish guy!
Here's my latest offering. Hope this makes you guys hard and the girls wet!!! I have just returned from a well-earned holiday with my girlfriend to the Canary Islands. We were lucky enough to have the week in a private villa on the island of Tenerife, courtesy of a friend of a friend. The whole thing was arranged at fairly short notice so Laura and I took the opportunity to buy new bikinis...Read On
Added: 10 Mar 2012 | Category: Group Sex |
Avg Score: 4.97 |
Words: 2,502 |
Tags: threesomes teasing fucking pussy eating orgasms
| 30 Comments
Damon picks up a girl at the grocery store and takes her home for some dirty fun.
"Do you have a club card?" Suddenly I was snapped out of my trance. "Huh? Oh...umm yeah." I fumbled around in my wallet trying to find the card as she smiled at me. I could tell she was amused. I, on the other hand, was embarrassed beyond belief. How long had I been staring at her? "Here you go," I said passing the card to her. She smiled as she took it...Read On
Added: 17 Feb 2010 | Category: Anal |
Avg Score: 4.97 |
Words: 2,991 |
Tags: teenager anal cum oral sex ass licking
| 8 Comments
After I suck my black neighbor's cock, he fucks my wife and teenage daughter.
In Part 1 of this story, I am tricked into sucking my black neighbor Jared's cock. That's when I discover my submissive side, and Jared convinces me to let him fuck my wife. I then convince my wife Megan to allow us to fantasize about her being fucked by our neighbor. After that, I use a huge black dildo on her, and she agrees to fuck Jared if we can find the right situation. As Part 1 ends,...Read On
Added: 13 Oct 2015 | Category: Interracial |
Avg Score: 4.93 |
Words: 9,718 |
Tags: interracial black taboo virgin teen girl cuckold
| 19 Comments
A wife confesses her love of sex
I am a slut. I make no apology for it; I offer no excuses. I like sex and I am a slut. I am also not ashamed to admit it either. Yes I know I am a woman and shouldn't be saying these things but why shouldn't I? A man can fuck as many women as he is able to get into his bed and be lauded for it. He will get pats on the back from his mates and be given fanciful names like Stud but a woman...Read On
Added: 17 Sep 2011 | Category: Taboo |
Avg Score: 4.9 |
Words: 5,840 |
Tags: infidelity cheating gangbangs cuckolding interracial
| 12 Comments
Caught cheating for the last time
I had a very successful business owning a trucking company. I had a trophy wife who was a stunning beauty almost three inches taller than me .At 27 I had just about everything. My wife worked along side of me at our terminal complex and in fact she was the only woman in the building. We were a consolidator of freight the largest in the North East used to get kidded by the hundreds...Read On
Added: 19 Sep 2008 | Category: Trans |
Avg Score: 4.32 |
Words: 5,542 |
Tags: sex change transsexual affair punishment secretary
| 10 Comments
My wife and I become a cuckold couple in a black church.
The events in this story occurred in the 1980s, when I was twenty-eight years old and my wife, Pamela, was twenty-seven. I was a production manager for a manufacturing company headquartered in North Carolina , and the company had just given me a promotion and transferred Pam and me to Biloxi , Mississippi , and I was assigned to make improvements in their operations. We had not tried to have...Read On
Added: 22 Feb 2010 | Category: Cuckold |
Avg Score: 4.85 |
Words: 6,549 |
Tags: cuckold creampies wife_lovers interracial black impregnation bisexual
| 19 Comments
this was my last Thursday night. names have been changed though.
This is a true story, of us fucking last week, our names are changed, but everything else, really happened. It had been a long and exhausting day for Adam and me, but we are where we want to be. A newly wed couple, moved to a new state and fresh start for both of us. Adam had been hinting to me all day about being horny. Every time he would, I would get a slight tingling in my pussy...Read On
Added: 03 May 2012 | Category: Wife Lovers |
Avg Score: 4.54 |
Words: 1,180 |
Tags: wife love straight hard sex fucking husband
| 7 Comments
Taking my sister in law's virginity
I lay back on the bed, my ten inch cock pointing at the ceiling as Victoria entered the room. Victoria is my wife's youngest sister, and I was her 16 th birthday present from my wife. Unlike me, Victoria was still dressed at this point, her slim figure covered in a simple white t-shirt and skinny jeans. She was 5 foot 6 with a slim figure. For all her slenderness she already had fairly large C...Read On
Added: 28 Jun 2012 | Category: Taboo |
Avg Score: 4.39 |
Words: 2,249 |
Tags: anal 16 year old sister in law
| 6 Comments
I take my daddy/daughter fantasy to another level.
I couldn't believe how much having a daddy fantasy turned me on. The first time I came close to role playing this was with Frankie, a married fireman that my cousin Sandy introduced me to. It was such a turn as he fucked me in bed and in the shower calling me babygirl and with me calling him daddy until we came over and over again. Then I gave Mr. White, my next door neighbor a blow job in...Read On
Added: 21 Mar 2014 | Category: Taboo |
Avg Score: 4.98 |
Words: 6,302 |
Tags: role play cheating big tits daddy fantasy older man married man
| 40 Comments
A young man caught masturbating by his MILF neighbor
Mom had gone shopping downtown, so I had plenty of time to watch some porno DVD's and jerk myself off. It would take about an hour to drive to the Lakeland Mall and back, plus the time she would spend there. I figured that I had at least two and a half hours before she would be back. I was nineteen at the time, and horny as hell. As a single child of divorced parents, I was often left on...Read On
Added: 14 May 2015 | Category: MILF |
Avg Score: 4.74 |
Words: 1,864 |
Tags: milf voyeur straight sex oral sex fetish panties seduction
| 42 Comments
This is a fictional story, but I hope you enjoy it ;)
I sat on a window seat, over looking the ocean. This house was beautiful, it belonged to my best friend; we were enjoying a summer break, to get away from the hectic schedule of working 9 to 5. We had known each other since we were just 11 years old, and we have stayed best friends ever since. I am 22 years old with ample breasts and pert, young, pink nipples. My figure is curvy but my...Read On
Added: 18 Oct 2011 | Category: Lesbian |
Avg Score: 4.43 |
Words: 841 |
Tags: seduction best friend lesbian sex
| 16 Comments
Hubby's magic fingers make me squirt off bigger than ever!
Laying on my side in bed in that state when you just begin to regain consciousness and slowly begin to wake up I was thinking about many of the erotic stories I have written and feeling quite horny. Then I feel him stir and spoon up against my back. He reaches his arm around my torso and grabs my nearest breast. Slowly at first then a little faster he starts rolling my big now erect...Read On
Added: 16 Jan 2010 | Category: Straight Sex |
Avg Score: 4.69 |
Words: 707 |
Tags: true story this mornings sex squirt juicy magic fingers
| 7 Comments
Tommy's fantasy comes true one night.
Laura is my best friends Mom. Some might describe her as being on the large size, but I think she looks great. She's tall, about 5' 9" with a full figure and long brown hair. Lots of curves with a round shapely ass and huge breasts. She has a belly but it's actually flatter then you would think. She's in her early 40's and always smells great and smiles at me when she sees me. There is...Read On
Added: 04 Jul 2009 | Category: Mature |
Avg Score: 4.78 |
Words: 2,295 |
Tags: mature
| 9 Comments
He avoided me because I was his friend's daughter, but I finally got his dick in my pussy.
Mr. Walker was my dad's friend. It had been a year since I knew him and we kissed last month in a party at his house. It was me who started all this. Let's just say I was a big slut who wanted to fuck with her dad's friend. I was nineteen. I had blonde hair, 34C size tits and a fine hot ass. I always found myself getting horny to see older man checking me out. However, Mr. Walker was...Read On
Added: 14 Aug 2014 | Category: Taboo |
Avg Score: 4.83 |
Words: 2,578 |
Tags: teen girl mature man seduction reluctance slut affair
| 25 Comments
Six thirty in the morning is a lonely time on a college campus. I was at the student recreation center, going for my morning run around the track. Good thing we could get in with our student IDs early in the morning, since it's the only time I have when I can get to the gym regularly. As I ran around the track, trying to keep track of my laps and time, I pushed myself. I had already done...Read On
Added: 29 Jan 2010 | Category: Straight Sex |
Avg Score: 4.81 |
Words: 1,747 |
Tags: shower stranger public locker room
| 31 Comments
I'm a typical 16 year old. I love my boyfriend Charlie. He cares so much for me I couldn't ask for anyone better. Although he's 19 he's never pressured me for sex or anything I don't want to do. It started out like any other day. I got out of school and Charlie was sat on the wall near the school waiting for me, as usual. As soon as he saw me he jumped off the wall and pulled me in for a kiss....Read On
Added: 21 Jan 2012 | Category: First Time |
Avg Score: 4.5 |
Words: 758 |
Tags: teen horny quickie straight sex virgin love
| 20 Comments
I pick up an older, hitchhiking black man and suck his cock and in his friends trailer.
I am a bisexual, married white man in my 50s, and although I prefer to suck and fuck a nice juicy pussy, I still like to suck cock and balls and swallow cum every now and then. I started down this path about 10 years ago; reading cuckold and creampie stories, and slowly developed an interest in sucking cock. I was fascinated by the stories about hung studs fucking a cuckold's wife,...Read On
Added: 11 Mar 2010 | Category: Gay Male |
Avg Score: 4.8 |
Words: 3,758 |
Tags: hitchhiker interracial suck cock trailer
| 10 Comments
A trip to the supermarket has unexpected consequences
Lisa was waiting in the early afternoon sunshine. Her body still covered with a little perspiration, initially from her soccer training and then her hot shower. It was quite warm for the early autumn and she had changed back into her regular clothes – beige woollen skirt and grey cardigan. She had her pink bra on underneath and matching panties, which were her boyfriend's favourites. They...Read On
Added: 02 Nov 2013 | Category: Reluctance |
Avg Score: 4.96 |
Words: 3,184 |
Tags: older man younger girl blackmail reluctance uniforms humiliation fucking
| 78 Comments
Four college freshman couples go to Florida for their first spring break.
(episode 6) Over the Christmas Holidays after that hike in the mountains I hooked up with Jennifer two more times and we decided that we would see each other exclusively. Once back in Athens, I found myself spending most nights at Jennifer's apartment that she shared with her best friend, Brittany. I found myself experiencing sex on a regular basis over the next several weeks and it...Read On
Added: 21 Mar 2011 | Category: College Sex |
Avg Score: 4.99 |
Words: 1,797 |
Tags: nudity exhibitionism fucking college sex oral sex
| 13 Comments
friend is forced to have sex with boyfriend
It was raining heavily when the auto stopped outside the apartment that Sameera was staying in. Despite the protection provided by the auto rickshaw she was completely drenched and her clothes were clinging to her body like second skin. She knew that the contours of her breasts would be visible and hence she had the money ready in her hand. She did not want to give the auto driver...Read On
Added: 10 Feb 2010 | Category: Reluctance |
Avg Score: 4.82 |
Words: 7,544 |
Tags: boyfriend forced
| 15 Comments


text:
Baby Update
June 18th, 2010 at 4:01pm |
I had a doctor's appointment this morning and the doctor told me it could literally be any time…or…I could walk around like this for weeks. I don't typically dilate early, so the fact that I'm already dilating makes me think it might be soon.
In the meantime…I'm having no trouble staying busy and trying not […]
Read the rest of Baby Update


text:
Sign up for Equitymaster's free daily newsletter, The 5 Minute WrapUp and get access to our latest Multibagger guide (2017 Edition) on picking money-making stocks.This is an entirely free service. No payments are to be made.
Here is the latest stock price and chart of Schneider Electric Infra. For a sector overview, read our engineering sector report.
|Live BSE Quotes
|Aug 21, 2017 (Close)
|Price (Rs)118.45
|Open (Rs) 118.30
|High (Rs) 121.25
|Low (Rs) 118.00
|% Change-0.71
|Volume 6,389
|Value (Rs) 762,846
|52-Week H/L 173.55 / 114.50
|Live NSE Quotes
|Aug 21, 2017 (Close)
|Price (Rs)118.35
|Open (Rs) 119.00
|High (Rs) 121.30
|Low (Rs) 118.00
|% Change-0.50
|Volume 36,041
|Value (Rs) 4,294,729
|52-Week H/L 173.75 / 115.00
|BSE Sensex | CNX Nifty
|Schneider Electric Infra Share Price Chart (Rs) - 1 Year
Share markets in India witnessed a sharp fall in the final minutes of trade. At the closing bell, the BSE Sensex closed lower by 266 points. While, the NSE Nifty finished lower by 83 points.
The company also saw order inflows of Rs 18 billion during the quarter, which was a massive 41% YoY lower than the previous year's quarter.
The domestic economy continues to grow largely in areas which are positively impacted through continuing government investments in infrastructure.
Decisions on government initiatives and private investments were stalled in anticipation of upcoming tax restructure.
Bank credit to industry remained muted and investment momentum was driven mostly by public sector spending.
Vast majority of private players remain more concerned with debt payback rather than starting new projects.More Views on News
Don't miss these proxy bets on growing companies or in a few years you will be looking back with regret.
'Yes, it looks like a bubble. And, yes, it's like buying a lottery ticket. But there's something happening that has never happened before. It's an evolutionary leap in money itself.'
Bharat-22 is one of the most diverse ETFs offered so far by the Government. Know here if you should invest...
The India VIX is up 36% in the last week. Fear has gone up but is still low by historical standards.
Bitcoin hits an all-time high, is there more upside left?More


text:
my {lovely, perfect, hand-crafted and exquisitely personalized} new blog is up and running! we are still working on a few things, including making it easier to navigate, but i've transferred my old posts there and will be writing any new posts there as well. =]
the quiet
young wife, you have experienced much joy.
sometimes it comes mightily, rolling over you like the ocean waves you danced in, the day he asked and you said yes. it sparkles like the new ring on your finger, sweeps above your head in gusts like the parachute you married him beneath.
sometimes joy comes quietly, falling like the thin layer of snow on your tent in the november mountains. it is there beneath your still-sparkling ring, where the gold has rubbed your skin red from dishwashing and adventures outdoors in the cold. it glows gently like the lights on the tree that, together, you cut and propped up with books because the stores were out of stands, that you planned to decorate but together decided to leave plain, quiet, and wrapped in lights like this joy that fills your heart and your home and your coffee pot on early mornings.
someday joy will come noisily, like the sounds of children's feet in the hallway and memorizing the multiplication tables and romance interrupted by a baby crying in the night. it will come persistently, like bills and a toddler asking why. it will be no less joy for all that.
right now, it is easy to see joy. it is quiet, uncluttered. young wife, enjoy this tranquil joy. learn to recognize joy in its snowy garb, so that someday, when it comes crashing in like hot-wheels and legos, you will not be deceived by its noisy splendor, will recognize it as your old friend, joy, merely wearing new clothes.
and then, in the someday beyond even that, when the sound has drifted away like children to college and to marriage, joy will cloak itself in quietude once more and return. young wife, when you are no longer young and you are learning once more to cook for two, recognize the return of this quiet joy, steadfast and patient like the hand that still holds yours, and praise your God.
of cacti, coyotes, and morning coffee
i've been told that this is 'real life,' now. my husband (that is a phrase which i am quite happy to add to my vocabulary) goes to work during the week. we have 'projects' that we work on during the weekends. we make shopping excursions to places like home depot and costco. and as special as it was to have ten days of irresponsibility in a beautiful cottage by the coast, and then road trip our way to new mexico, i must say that doing 'real life' with my best friend is the most amazing experience that marriage has offered thus far.
because making morning coffee for two is a special thing.
watching a coyote amble through our neighborhood is a special thing.
turning an orange cart into a hot drink 'station' equipped with coffee maker, coffee grinder, electric kettle, tea pot, and all manner of teas and coffees is special thing.
sneaking kisses in the plumbing aisle of home depot is special.
watching my husband turn a tripod and a light bulb and a target lamp shade into the coolest lamp i've ever seen is a special thing.
celebrating when costco carries something packaged small enough for two is a special thing.
making dinner in our own kitchen is a special thing.
watching my husband make dinner in our own kitchen, because i'm too sick to do it, is a special thing.
spontaneous hiking trips that turn into hanging around the kitchen warming up with tea that turn into getting new mexican food at this little place that tastes like homemade is a special thing.
hearing coyotes outside our window when we're falling asleep at night is a special thing.
singing 'the puppy song' while hiking, or trying to harmonize while making dinner, is a special thing.
hanging out at the mvd getting our jeep registered is a special thing.
washing uniforms is a special thing.
working out in the morning together before i'm fully awake is a special thing.
deliberating over organic versus regular tomatoes is a special thing.
my husband picking cactus spines out of my bike tires is a special thing.
making plans and lists and starlit trips to get much-needed produce and un-needed ice cream is a special thing.
real, everyday life is a special thing.
it's a gift. taking just one more breath during this life God has given us is a special thing, and it always has been. getting to do real, everyday life, just getting to eat and breathe and live with my best friend is….beautiful. and i am intensely grateful for all of it.
no one ever warned me how strange it would be, to be engaged to be married and not yet married. it is a strange, anchorless kind of limbo that i never expected. when your heart is in one place and your body in another, where do you call 'home'? how do you sweep yourself out of the crannies of your childhood house, out of all the corners you have been drifting in to for the last twenty years of your life? what kind of irony is it that wonders how you can box up your life and fit it into a moving truck, but recognizes that your life is already there, waiting for you, needing no luggage…just the love which you gave him long ago?
all things will change
we wait for the rain
and the promise remains
(josh garrels.jacaranda tree)
the Promise remains. the gold promise that encircles the finger on my left hand…yes. but there is a Promise still more precious than that–although i confess that is sometimes hard to remember, hard to comprehend, even hard to treasure. there is the Promise of God's faithfulness. His love, His guidance. His strength. and while the reality is that the promise of marriage results in the kind of limbo that i described above, it is also a reality that God's Promise can only act as an anchor, which is steady. always. it is not confused or hidden by periods of uncertainty, of transition. the Promise remains, because our God remains the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
one month from today (or yesterday…it is nearing midnight and i will probably not get this posted before the clock turns), this strange experience known as 'engagement' will be over…the finish line (the starting line) is very much in sight. and yet, most of the time, it still feels very far away. one month is a long time to live in limbo. but i am thankful for the Promise, that God is faithful to accomplish His will in us, that He is our place not only of refuge but of habitation. wherever 'home' may be, my true home ought to be at His feet. i pray that, wherever i am physically, wherever my heart may be, that i will find my home in Him in the next month, and in all of the months and the years and the decades to come…
life is full right now.
in just sixty-seven days i will give my life to the man i love. two weeks after that, i will move with him to a new state…a new home.
there is a stack of boxes quickly growing like some fungus all over the room that my patient sister and i share. some of them are full, marked, taped, ready to be packed into the u-haul. others are half-full, waiting for like items to complete them so that hopefully, the mysteries of unpacking will not be so mysterious. others are empty, waiting around because they seemed like a 'useful' or 'versatile' size, or because they seemed too 'sturdy' to recycle.
life is feeling a lot like that stack of boxes, right now. so very full…of responsibilities, things to be done, people who love me, people to love. a little bit empty in places, knowing that these are my last few months in the place that has been home for twenty years of my life. a lot overwhelmed by stacks of priorities that have a tendency to slip and slide at the most inconvenient of times, and make a mess all over the room in my heart called 'conscience.'
but, like that stack of boxes…life is unbelievably exciting, right now. full, not of fear, but of promise. and yes, i am quite aware that it is not all 'happy' promise. i am more aware than most people realize of how relationships with the people you love the most require the most work, pain, and sacrifice. i am more aware than most people realize of just how difficult this thing called 'Life' can be.
but i am also well aware that my best friend and i, we serve a great and sovereign God, who has filled us, and will be faithful to fill us, with all that we need to glorify Him and love each other. and so, perhaps it is crazy, but i am looking forward, not only to living life with robert, but to living Life with him. to being emptied again and again with him, so that together we can be filled with the fullness of the love of Christ. so that, filled ourselves, we can fill each other with the love we have received from God. i am fearful at times, but i am so looking forward to pulling up roots and putting them down again afresh in a new place, in a new name…and in the love of God, which never changes.
'for this reason i bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.'
ephesians 3:14-19


text:
And Now For Your Pretentious Celebrity Vegan Quote of The Day
You're a vegan. For your last meal would you go for a fatty steak or just some tempeh?
I'm not a true vegan. I dabble in sustainable fish and dawdle in the consumption of eggs. Steak doesn't speak to me, and tempeh is so-so. I'll savor a solitary apricot that's been kissed by my baby.
- Anthony Kiedis to Maxim.com (August 2011)
[Ed. Note – After reviewing the post, it appears I misled people to believe the Pretentious Celebrity Vegan Quote of The Day would involve talk of chimney fisting in a trucker hat when, sadly, it did not. I shouldn't have got your hopes up like that. That was uncalled for.]
Photo: Splash News


text:
Speaker flip-flops
Guardian Senior Reporter
Published: Oct 03, 2013
Speaker of the House of Assembly Dr. Kendal Major yesterday expunged comments made in August by Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller, who named a man in connection with the 2002 murder of his son Mario Miller.
Major personally apologized to the man and said he was "disappointed" that a private citizen was "defamed" without having recourse to defend himself.
After Major expunged the comments he warned the media not to publish or broadcast Miller's earlier statements because they would no longer be covered under parliamentary privilege.
But the comments have already been widely broadcast and published given Major's earlier decision to leave them on the record of the House.
He said yesterday, "As a member of our community, an elected representative of a body of citizens, I completely understand the public's outrage at the time, and I wish to register my personal displeasure as to what was said.
"It is unfortunate too that it was unchallenged by any of the members present at that time.
"I wish to extend my personal apologies to the person who was defamed and also to the general public for this unfortunate incident."
Major said incidents like this should never take place in the House of Assembly.
"I was disappointed that a private citizen with no recourse to justice was defamed," he said.
"As a result of this occurrence and upon reflection, I feel a moral sense of duty to make amends, notwithstanding the fact that the damage was done.
"Consequently, I do hereby order that the statement made by the honorable member for Tall Pines in respect to the highlighting of the name of the individual be expunged from the records of this House."
However, Major's statement in the House of Assembly yesterday was a stark contrast to comments he made to The Nassau Guardian the day after Miller spoke in Parliament.
In that earlier interview, Major said the Tall Pines MP did not violate any parliamentary rules which is why he did not caution Miller or ask him to withdraw his words.
In August, the speaker said that parliamentary privilege gives members unfettered free speech unless they make an offensive comment against another MP.
"As long as he stays within the rules of free speech as it pertains to the rules of the House, then he is within his rights as a member of Parliament to call a name of an individual although understandably it may be astonishing to the public," Major said.
Major also said in August that it was "highly unlikely" that the man Miller named would be allowed to address the accusations from the bar of the House of Assembly if he wanted to, unless the House moved a specific motion to allow it.
"Right now, the rules don't allow a member of the public to be invited to the bar to make a statement," he noted.
However, the speaker said yesterday he hoped the House of Assembly would consider creating a rule that would allow citizens who are aggrieved by statements made in Parliament to have some form of redress.
In one of its recommendations to the government, the Constitutional Commission said while it did not think limitations should be placed on parliamentary privilege, citizens who are subject to unwarranted personal attacks should have the right to respond from the bar of either chamber.


text:
Taxi prices have risen in Dacorum after councillors agreed a change to the maximum amount drivers can charge.
Local taxi drivers requested the fare increase to help cover rising running costs, such as fuel, insurance and vehicle costs.
Dacorum Borough Council carried out public consultation last year before agreeing to the first changes since 2011.
Daytime taxi fares have increased by 3p per eighth of a mile after the first quarter of a mile. This means that the fare for a typical two mile journey in daytime hours will increase by 42p to £6.30, or 7.3 per cent.
Night time, Sunday and holiday rates have also increased. Starting fares remain unchanged at £2.80, or £4.20 after 11pm or on Sundays.
It is a criminal offence for a taxi driver to charge more than the maximum fare set by the council for a journey within Dacorum.
What do you think of the increase? Vote in our poll below: