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If I List It... It's A Good Property!
Current Syndications
Old Town Master Plan
Government Agency Information
About The 29 Palms Marine Base
MCAGCC Future Plans & Development
Company Services
Services For Developers
Aerial Photos For Sale
About Sabrina
Recent Transactions
Contact Me
My Outlook as a Parent in the Hi-Desert
Sabrina's Television Appearances
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7629 Shafter Avenue
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
P.O. Box 2290
Yucca Valley, CA 92286
Shannon and Sabrina
Sabrina with U.S. Representative Jerry Lewis (CA 41st District)
and Ann Mistal
(L-R) Ann Mistal of Lock, Stock & Guns,
Assemblyman Paul Cook and Sabrina "BudJonz".
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson and Sabrina "BudJonz".
Sabrina "BudJonz" with Mr. Frank Williams (My Southern Gent),
CEO of the Building Industry Association of San Bernardino County
Our positioning statement to you, our valued client, is that our ethics in each and every transaction remain concrete and are not of situational ethic content.
Please give me a jingle to discuss your property investment needs. I make deals through building relationships!
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed
Celebrating My 25th Anniversary as a Broker
Sabrina "
" Peukert
Your Full-Time Commercial Real Estate Broker, 24/7...
The Preferred Brokerage for Corporate Transactions!
Click Here to see what I can do for you
Popeyes Chicken... Approved for Yucca Valley - 3/2017 represented both seller and buyer!
Juijitsutime Martial Art Collective... 1,800 sq ft new location - Yucca Valley! Represented both buyer and seller!
Yucca Valley Old Schoolhouse... Closed 4/2017 - represented both buyer and seller!
1 and 2 acre on 29 Palms Highway lots sold... Closing in 2017!
Moving large Company into former 15,000 square foot Hutchin's Harley Davidson building 2017
Popeye's Chicken - New development in Yucca Valley. Closing end of 2016. I represented all parties!
Total Fitness in 29 Palms - 20,000 Sq. Ft. Represented all parties, closed in 2016
Escrow closed July, 2015 on the original Rite Aid property in 29 Palms. I represented both buyer and seller
Sold Dr. Robert Lombardo's dental office building Yucca Valley. Closed 5/15
Expanded Elite Cosmetology Group in Yucca Valley to over 14,000 Sq. Ft. Closed 6/15
Relocated Yucca Family Medical Group, Dr. Soberro and John Batin PA, to over 12,000 Sq. Ft. behind the new Rite Aid in Yucca Valley continuing expansion since 2015
The Home Depot land I sold now has Marshalls and PetCo: updated 2/2015
Placed Two Guys Pies, All Star Hamburgers, and Dr. Soberro and John Batin PA-C - Yucca Valley Medical Care, behind the new Rite Aid to over 10,000 sq feet! 2/2015
Popeye's Fast Food is going to Yucca Valley..... placed them in the old Arco AM PM near Appleby's - to be built in 2016
12/2012 - Dollar General Store in 29 Palms
Scheduled to Open August 2013
8/19/2010 - Just Closed! Old Stefano's Restaurant
29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley $174,000
Took Me Over A Year To Close This And It Was My Dealings/Concessions That Closed This Deal!
8/26/2010 - Closed Sale! Home Depot
5 Acre Commercial Land Outparcel!
Yucca Valley at Avalon Avenue! $1,200,000
Will Be Developed For Retail Users!
Took 1 Year To Close This!
4413 Old Woman Springs Rd. Yucca Valley
Industrial Building Closed June 11, 2010
Top 100 Chinese Restaurant in 29 Palms
Represented Seller Closed 4/22/09
Represented Home Depot
5 Acre Out-Parcel in Yucca Valley - Sold 3/16/10
Burrtec Waste Management
7 1/2 Acre Site in Yucca Valley - Closed 9/08/08
San Bernardino School District 5 1/2 Acre Site
in Yucca Valley - Closed 6/08/08
Sonic Burger and The New Rite Aid Coming in 2010
Walgreen's in Twentynine Palms Gets Approval...
Both Parties Represented by Sabrina Investment Group
Nuwu Casino comes to Twentynine Palms. . .
The #1 Dedicated Commercial Broker in the Hi-Desert
The #1 Land Development/Entitlement Broker
I am an entitlement broker... whereas most brokers care only about the commission... I make sure your project goes from start to finish... attending all pre-app meetings at the city...engineering meetings... council meetings... planning meetings... I assist you in the development phases and provide a "verbal" feasibility study based on my expertise. There is no extra charge for this, part of my services... Entitlement refers to topography, surveys, site plans, hydrology drainage, seismic trenching, feasibility studies, comparable sales, attorney selection for partnerships/LLC, account management services, meetings with community development directors and showcasing your property at the annual retailer convention I belong to - this in it self is priceless.
Yucca Valley's
Wide Open Spaces
A Top Ten Retirement Bargain ~USN&WR
A company specializing only in commercial and industrial land for investment and development in the Coachella Valley (Low Desert), and Hi-Desert Communities of Yucca Valley, 29 Palms, Joshua Tree, Morongo Valley and Landers.
Syndications Leasing Sales
Tenant Representation Management
Lease Renegotiation Disputes
Market Studies
Over 24 Years Experience as a Dedicated Broker/Investor/Developer of Only Commercial & Industrial Properties!
Be extremely cautious of people who say they are "licensed real estate brokers" - and essentially they are not... they are liars - please call me to discuss this... one major landowner /developer in Yucca Valley is posing himself as a "broker" and trying to get sales prices reduced and not going into escrow signing any commission agreements upfront - this is fraud. The property this person is buying is between Warren Vista and Balsa Avenue. They offer all cash, fast 30 day escrow and get you to reduce the sales price upfront - please check their name on
go under licensee/check area.
Make sure they are involved with the city on volunteer committees or are affiliated with groups who are pro-active in growth.
A good commercial broker also has their own investments, as I, so they can guide you from past experience. Be careful of those who sell residential or anything - they are a jack of all, master of none. I am a master of commercial land/investment period. I do nothing else except make sure you are purchasing/selling a piece of property that has a clean bill of health or will disclose to you the issues.
I will guide you through the process of development to hold or resell for profit. I will set up meetings with a qualified civil engineer, general contractor, legal corporate through my real estate attorney, John Lightfeldt. I have developed and own numerous commercial/industrial properties and have past experience in making sure you are not wasting your time!
(See if license is valid and no disciplinary actions)
(See if your real estate agent has criminal or civil actions against them)
(Check current status of a general contractor in California)
(Check civil engineer's license status)
Sabrina has the 1st Hi-Desert Booth at the annual Retailers and Shopping Center Convention in San Diego
Sabrina "On Duty"
Clockwise: with Mr. Jim Schooler, Director of Public Services for the Town of Yucca Valley and Mr. Rob Leffler, Developer of The Mojave - with Mr. Bill Raffin, Raffin Realty and Mr. Alex Meyerhoff, Community Development Director for the City of 29 Palms - Friendly Neighbors at the convention - Socializing with Mr. Rob Leffler and Mr. Alex Meyerhoff
Shannon, is the "Mini Bud Jonz" in effect...
Cesar Millan, the Famous Dog Whisperer, with Sabrina, Shannon and Ca-Ca the Cockatoo
Working with the Alpha Male, Maxwell on how to behave properly
©2005 Sabrina Commercial Real Estate | www.sabrinainvestment.com | License #01028140
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Sabrina at
The Retailers and Shopping Center Convention,
with Cesar Millan


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FixIts are mouldable eco-plastic fixing sticks for your tech, home, garden and more.
So handy you'll want them within arm's reach no matter where you are, whether that's your jeans pocket, kitchen drawer or toothbrush holder.
Reusable and compostable, FixIts can help you reduce waste and make the most of the resources you've got at hand too.
#FixedItWithFixIts #FixItsOriginals

subset: commoncrawl


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Every day I curate and share the best Star Wars created by fans. Each month I select the best of the best (based on originality, creativity, and skill) and showcase them here. The following are my picks of the top ten Star Wars fan art of July 2016:
Director Krennic, Director of the Advanced Weapons Research division of the Galactic Empire, from the upcoming Rogue One film. By Steven Ellison
Darth Maul by Maryna Babych
Rey from The Force Awakens. By Wotjek Fus
Heroes of The Rebellion. By Nicolas Siner
Dark & The Light – Kylo Ren and Rey. By Shane Molina
Never Tell Me The Odds – Han Solo about to free Chewbacca from the stormtroopers. By Wotjek Fus
Rey with BB-8 atop her speeder. by Eddy Shinjuku
Bo Katan & The Night Owls (as seen in The Clone Wars). By Mauricio Morali
Rey from The Force Awakens by Mike Mitchell
Rogue One poster by Patrick Seymour
Which is your favorite?
You can see all the other art from July didn't make the top 10 here.
Check out the previous monthly top-10s here.


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August is a month of birthdays in my family including my own. My oldest grandson's birthday was on the 19th, my sister-in-laws on the 20th, mine on the 21st, my oldest brother's on the 25th. For me, however, this birthday required a trip to the DMV to renew my driver's license because apparently, in California, one has to make an appearance at least once every ten years. This trip to the DMV was to result in a couple of traumatic events on that always-growing older spiral. The first of which is that I failed the eye test and am now required to wear corrective lenses while driving. That's no too bad because I have been having some difficulty reading those little street name signs but what really hit me hard arrived in the mail – my new driver's license.
I swear that the photograph on the license is not of my face. For certain it is definitely not the visage I look at every morning in the mirror while shaving. Instead, it is the photograph of some random old man I have never seen before. Yes, he bares a slight resemblance in the way he combs his hair and wears his mustache but that is really all we have in common.
Life is a river that never stops flowing it seems and since this traumatic slap in the you are growing old face I have been worried about it and yet the river flows endlessly. Even now, as I write this, my oldest daughter is in labor with her third child, another boy, who will come into this world as my seventh grandchild – yet another ripple in the currents of what we call life.
Birthdays come and go, some scattered, some clumped, and are celebrated by some as the survival of yet another year and by others as the promise of one more year ahead. A birthday is indeed a milestone marker for many people but one I failed to give any real significance to for most of my life for, if you think about it, isn't just another day in a year?
I have a friend on the east coast who called me on his 80th birthday in 2012 to catch up and while we talked he let me know that he had just begun thinking about that inevitable end-of-life. I was amazed that only at 80 did he begin to consider his own mortality. I have pondered it much of my life – even before I was told by that Gypsy Fortune Teller back in 1972, when I was still seventeen, that I would die before my 21st birthday.
Our birthday's mean that we are another year older, sometimes another year wiser, often that we are further behind than at the same time last year, and always that we are another year closer to the inevitable. However, none of this should be dwelled on too seriously when we adopt that one-day-at-a-time power-of-now mentality. For myself I still have far too much to accomplish to worry about it but I am keeping my driver's license turned over in my wallet so I don't have to look at that old man's face.


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Sermon Series-" Don't Leave Before the Miracle" Sermon title- "A Few People Getting Together to Pray" Acts 1:12-14 April 30, 2017May 11, 2017
Steve McCloskey
In the mid-1850s, the enthusiasm of the California Gold Rush had swept across the nation all the way to the City of New York. The city experienced a boom in economic growth and wealth. But along with this growth in wealth, Church attendance seriously declined. Young people growing up in New York were enticed by the love of money and had little interest in the love of God. Materialism was thick in the air.
A Dutch Reformed Church in Manhattan wanted to respond to this spiritual slump in the city. So they hired a minister who had only recently come to faith himself to be a missionary to the unchurched masses. His name was Jeremiah Lanphier. At first, None of his evangelistic efforts were very successful. But, in September of 1857 the new minister decided that he would start something called the "noon-day prayer" every Wednesday in the upstairs of his church building. It was held during the lunch hour between noon and one. He posted some signs and handed out some flyers. Anyone was invited to join, even if they could only join for a few minutes.
The very first Wednesday, he opened the doors of the building and a half hour went by with Jeremiah Lanphier praying alone. Then, at 12:30 he heard the footsteps of a man climbing the stairs. A few minutes later, a total of six different men had joined Jeremiah Lanphier. The next Wednesday there were at least 14 people. The third week there were between 30 and 40 people showed-up. These prayer meetings were so encouraging that they decided to meet together daily. The next day attendance increased even more. Soon they filled the whole church building.
Merchants, working class folks, and businessmen joined together each day at noon: They prayed for their neighbors to come to faith in Christ, they prayed for family members and friends, and they sang together. They didn't get together for discussions, they were there for prayer.
Not long after this though came the economic crash of 1857. The bubble of economic growth that started with the gold rush had finally burst. In New York City alone, 30,000 people had lost their jobs. Even beyond the economic catastrophe, the entire nation was deeply divided by the continuing injustice of slavery. And civil war loomed on the horizon. But these prayer meetings continued to grow.
The New York Times wrote about this dramatic movement in an editorial dated March 20, 1858:
"The great wave of religious excitement which is now sweeping over this nation, is one of the most remarkable movements since the reformation…. Churches are crowded…school-houses are turned into chapels; converts are numbered by the scores of thousands. In this City, we have beheld a sight which not the most enthusiastic fanatic for church-observances could ever have hoped to look upon; we have seen in a business-quarter of the City, in the busiest hours, assemblies of merchants, clerks and working-men, to the number of 5,000, gathered day after day for a simple and solemn worship. Similar assemblies we find in other portions of the City; a theatre is turned into a chapel; churches of all sects are open and crowded by day and night…. It is most impressive to think that over this great land tens and fifties of thousands of men and women are putting themselves at this time in a simple, serious way, the greatest question that can ever come before the human mind 'What shall we do to be saved from sin?'"
Pastors were baptizing as many as 20,000 people every week. And it is estimated that between 1858-59, over one million people dedicated their lives to Christ. Did Jeremiah Lanphier have any idea what would happen as a result of starting this prayer meeting on Wednesdays? I doubt it, but all of this happened as a result of a few people coming together to pray.
But by 1859, this fire began to cool down and people's enthusiasm waned. Nevertheless, three decades later, in March of 1887, another New Yorker named Mary Ellen Fairchild James called for a day of prayer for missions, and a group of Methodist women joined her. Two years later, some Baptists joined them and not long after that the Day of Prayer initiative expanded to Canada and the British Isles. Today, this movement continues to live on. It is led by women from a wide variety of denominations in over 170 countries on the first Friday of March every year since it began and it is called the World Day of Prayer. The motto of the movement is "informed prayer and prayerful action". It brings women together across racial, cultural, and geographical boundaries and it empowers women to take a stand on a variety of issues of justice. In 1930, the movement began its tradition of having a different country host the event and write the theme for that year. The first country to host it outside of the US was Korea. Countries around the world have been hosts, last month it was held in the Philippines. But here we see what has become an ongoing ecumenical Christian movement started by a few women coming together to pray.
Today the World Day of Prayer continues to live on. And we can trace the roots of both these prayer movements not only to New York City in the 19th Century. But across 20 centuries to a single room in Jerusalem. Today's scripture gives us a glimpse into that one room in Jerusalem.
Here we find Jesus' closest followers back in the upper room. This is likely the same room that these same disciples had shared their last meal with Jesus. The gospel accounts tell us that the Risen Jesus had appeared to the disciples at various times, in unpredictable ways during a period of 40 days and that he had given them insight about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). The disciples had been told that a time would come in which they would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). But here, in this upper room, we find these early followers of Jesus in an inbetween time. The Resurrected Jesus has departed from them, but they have not yet experienced the promise of Pentecost. They do not know what is ahead of them.
So what do we find the disciples doing? They didn't return to their jobs as fishermen and tax collectors in Galilee, no. The scripture says that they went from the Mount of Olives where Jesus had given them instruction and they went back to this upper room. The text is clear that this group included both men and women. What did they do when they gathered? It says that they "were constantly devoting themselves to prayer". They were "all in one accord".
This sets the stage for the rest of the book of Acts. It is only because of this continued gathering of Jesus' disciples, that they were in one place, ready to experience the move of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It is only because they were together in this one place at Pentecost that they were able to testify to pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem about Jesus Christ and thousands were added to their number. And it is because of those same disciples who continued to gather together then in Jerusalem that we are gathered here today in Philadelphia. All of this happened because of a few people coming together to pray.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said that "There is a tremendous strength that is growing in the world through sharing together, praying together, suffering together, and working together." In many respects, her words are a summary of the picture of the early church that we see in the book of Acts: we see the followers of Jesus: sharing, praying, suffering, and working together, forging a new identity in the midst of an Empire that opposed them.
Right now, like the disciples gathered together in an upper room, we find ourselves in an inbetween time. Oxford Circle is sorting through several things: questions about conference affiliation, questions about sexuality, and even the search for a new pastor. My family and I also find ourselves in a transition time; trying to discern where God is calling us next after I graduate from seminary.
Although it is my last official Sunday here, Jaynie, Jacob, and I will carry memories of you with us for the rest of our lives. It is because of you that my son gets excited when he hears the word "church"! If you haven't noticed, he is filled with joy dancing to the worship team's music. He's probably the most expressive guy in the room!
Jaynie has told me several times about how so many of the women here have been an encouragement and an example to her. And I have had the great fortune of getting to experience several different facets of the ministry that this congregation is engaged in: Sunday School classes, the Healing Hearts Club after school program that meets here every Wednesday, OCCCDA, the Christmas Toy Store, and even the joy of attending some Church Council meetings. Since the time that Jaynie and I first visited this church in 2014, we have been continuously impressed with you. And as I am someone who became a Mennonite as an adult, and I'm now pursuing ministry as a Mennonite pastor, I can say that you are a fantastic example to me of what a Mennonite Church should look like, live like, and love like.
No church I've ever visited is perfect; But I can say that while Oxford Circle Mennonite Church may not be perfect, you are excellent. You are salt and light to the community right here in Philly and beyond and I pray that you will continue to be.
Part of the reason I came here was to learn how to be a pastor under Leonard Dow. I hadn't ever met Lynn until she interviewed me for this position. But because of pastor Leonard's sabbatical and resignation, I ended up meeting and learning from Lynn as my supervisor. She was great at answering the wide variety of questions I threw at her, and she invested a lot of time in preparing me to be a pastor. And although she is not here today, I must tell you, I couldn't have asked for a better supervisor. Right now, you have a great pastor here at Oxford Circle and her name is Lynn Sawyer Parks.
So, I must encourage you, as you and I are both going through a transition. As you and I find ourselves in an "inbetween" time, let us be like those early disciples gathered together in a room, constantly devoting ourselves to prayer.
The artist, author, and minister Jan L. Richardson wrote that, "to follow God does not often mean traveling with certainty about where God will lead us. Rather, following God propels us to be present to the place where we are, for this is the very place where God shows up."
I do not presume to know how God is moved to act in response to our prayers. I do not presume to think that if more people are praying together, that our prayers are more persuasive to God. But I can tell you this: if we devote ourselves to gathering together in collective prayer, it will move our hearts to be closer to one another. And as we pray for one another and share each other's concerns with one another: It will move our will and our desires to be more in agreement with the Spirit of God. Like the early church, it will bring us together in one accord.
This community has need of prayer. Every day there are plenty of concerns that this congregation can lift up for one another to the Lord together. You can come together every Wednesday in the prayer room at noon or next Saturday, May 13 right here. [If you need details you can talk to Petra or Tim].
Who knows what will happen as you gather together in prayer? Jeremiah Lanphier didn't imagine that he would start a revival across the nation when he made space in a church to pray Wednesdays at noon. Mary Ellen Fairchild James didn't imagine that she would start a prayer movement that would last over a century and spread to over 170 countries. And some disciples in Jerusalem gathered in an upper room never had he even heard of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But here we are today. What will God do through us for future generations as you are faithful to come together in prayer?
If it's true that Families that pray together, stay together
Then I believe that if Oxford Circle is a family that prays, then Oxford Circle will be a family that stays. Amen.


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Martha is a captivating performer, an enchanting young singer-songwriter blessed with a gloriously clear and seductive voice. Her songs are exquisitely melodic and rooted in environmental, human and social issues as well as celebrating love, inner peace and the natural world.
'A sparkling repertoire of self-penned songs' -Timeout.
'She has probably the purest voice I have heard and at times it sent shivers up and down my spine' - Lee Allen, BBC.
See more info at marthatilston.co.uk
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Happy Wednesday y'all!
Alright, so I think either I have been mildly sick, or I've had terrible allergies. On Monday, I barely made it out of bed, was fatigued, sneezing my butt off, and my throat was itchy. Luckily, I got out early from work, and TOOK A NAP IN MY CAR. Omg, that's how tired I was. Matt and I had a date night planned, I didn't want to be a fart and postpone the dinner. So, my "best option" was to sleep in my car. SMH, but it helped.
Ok. Not going to lie, I saw a dress similar to Nicole and Ashley's, then I immediately wanted it! Since I am a sucker for shift dress, and it was sold out online, and I found a similar one at Poppy Clothing! Isn't it amazing? (The dress is also only $55 bucks, crazy huh?) It's so fun alone, or you can add a pop of color to it by adding colorful shoes and accessories.
Well, I have a special announcement, Hey! Wendy Vanessa has turned two, and it is time to celebrate! Houston ladies, come celebrate with me on Thursday, May 18 from 7-9 pm at Poppy Clothing. I would love to see you there! Fun swag bags, and amazing giveaways are part of the agenda, you don't want to miss! You can RSVP to me – firstname.lastname@example.com to secure a swag bag, also visit the Facebook event page to stay up to date with the event.
Dress: Poppy Clothing // Shoes: Similar // Purse: Coach
Photographer: Matthew Daniel
Follow me on: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Snapchat (wendyperez)


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Testing a T-BC to ITU-T G.8273.2
The accuracy of Telecom Boundary Clocks (T-BCs) is essential to the successful roll-out of LTE-A and TDD-LTE. This application note describes what a boundary clock is, and explains the critical performance parameters defined in G.8273.2.
Measuring Time Error Transfer of G.8273.2 T-BC's
This application note describes in more detail the methods for measuring time error transfer of a T-BC, following the recommendations of G.8273.2 Appendix VI. The companion application note is 'Testing a T-BC to ITU-T G.8273.2' (above).
T-BC G.8273.2 Conformance Test Plan
A ready-made test plan for Telecom Boundary Clocks to ITU-T G.8273.2 standard. This paper details the tests available to comply with G.8273.2. Calnex makes recommendations on what tests may be appropriate.
G.8262 Conformance Test Plan
A test plan for SyncE jitter and wander peformance to G.8261 and G.8262. This paper details the test procedures specified in the ITU-T G.8261 and G.8262 standards for Sync-E Jitter and Wander performance.
T-TSC G.8273.2 Conformance Test Plan
The accuracy of Telecom Time Slave Clocks (T-TSCs) is essential to the successful roll-out of LTE-A and TDD-LTE. To meet the new G.8273.2 compliance limits, T-TSCs must meet a very stringent constant Time-Error (cTE) limit of 20 or 50 nanoseconds.
G.813 Wander Test Plan
This test plan details the test procedures specified in the ITU-T G.813 standard for wander performance of SDH equipment slave clocks (SECs). The test plan also explains how to use the Paragon-t to provide compliance to G.813.
PTP Time Error for T-BCs
This Test Guide shows how the Calnex Paragon-100G can be used to test T-BC compliance as per G.8273.2 and provides procedures to measure noise generation, tolerance & transfer in addition to packet layer transient response and holdove performance.
Time Error for Boundary Clocks
Technical brief acting as a primer for the G.8273.2 test plan Topics included: Introduction to Clocks, Packet-based Clocks Packet-based Clocks Packet-based Clocks, Boundary Clocks for Full Timing Support, Further reading.


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Madonna & JT Are Making Beautiful Music Together
Madonna has been pulling double duty lately, directing her first movie and working on her new album with Justin's help. You guys said that you're excited to hear what JT and Madonna have cooked up and we couldn't agree more. In a recent interview with EW, Justin opened up to give us a peek into what he and Madge have planned. Here's more:
"The records that we've done so far are really exciting. There are some dance records, there are some mid-tempo ballads, there's all types of different stuff. But I don't want to gas it too much. People might like it or people might not. I don't want to say, like, [carnival-barker voice] ''It's going to change the world!'' You know what I mean? But we like it.
We never met a Madonna record we didn't like, so this all sounds great to us. Besides, how can the combination of these two superstars possibly go wrong?
SOURCE: http://popsugar.com/333350


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During the hot season it might be impossible for you to stay at home. This might be mostly due to the heat. The best action to get rid of the heat is by ventilating your home. You could start off by looking into the areas which create moisture. For instance areas you could look at the kitchen and the bathroom. If these areas do not have vent fans you could make it a point to install a few. On the other hand if the place happens to have vent fans then you could make it a point to turn it on for a longer period of time.
Another instance in which the heat might be at a great level is when you have a concrete slab instead of a roof. If this is the case it might make it nearly impossible to get rid of the heat unless you construct the upper part of your home. For the time being to get rid of the heat you could install a sashless double hung windows or two. It's important to know that this is just a temporary solution. If the windows do not help you, you could get a few exhaust fans. You could make it a point to increase the number of fans to reduce the heat in your place.
If you happen to have any plants inside your house, you could leave them outside for the time being. It is said that plants release moist vapors to the air and this could be a primary cause for heat. Having 1 or 2 plans would not be an issue. On the other hand if you have many plants could increase the humidity in your home. Therefore, leaving the plants outside could restore the humidity levels in your home. If you have any windows which are in need of repairs, it's important to make sure that they are repaired immediately. Custom windows http://www.huntingdalewindows.com.au/timber_windows.html could be one place which is looked into.
It is also said that freshly cut firewood has a lot of water which may evaporate when the wood is stored indoors. Therefore, you could make it a point to store the wood somewhere outside. With everything taken into account, it might be nearly impossible to handle the heat during the summer season. Therefore, you could make it a point to install a few exhaust fans so that you could get rid of the heat for the time being. You could also make it a point to plant a few trees since it would prevent the sun from directly reaching your home.


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The days were numbered and my time was ending in Mombasa and I was FINALLY given the go ahead to complete the Marine Environmental Program I've been dreaming of doing! To say the least I was rejuvenated. I was first … Continue reading
Category Archives: Education
Dear Student Teachers: Go Outside.
The bell has rung and after a flurry at the door you're left with an almost empty classroom. There are a few scragglers (as always) still trying to fill in their planners or stack their chairs so you don't waste any time; you look around the room and start compiling your mental to-do list that seems to grow and grow but never be 'to-done.' Even before you finish making that never-ending list, even the most distracted student finally needs you to sign their planner. You do so, reminding them not to forget their gym strip on Monday– and boom – like a flash they're out the door.
My advice to you? Go outside.
Walk the playground. Join in on a basketball game. Play hop scotch or jump rope. Ruffle a few tops of heads and talk to the kids out there. They're the reason you're here and when you're Continue reading
Observing a New approach to Composition Writing Lessons
GVI Volunteers have these students up until Standard 6. After that, our volunteer presence is lifted and shifted back into Kenyan teacher's hands. Once they reach Standard 8 they have to take a national exam, their KCPE, to see if they can move on to Secondary School. Without passing this exam, the students cannot move on in their education or have a certified & documented education. The attainment of certification means more open doors from documented jobs to bank loans. This certificate means a lot in guaranteeing a bright future for our students.
Not all of our students will pass this exam, attain certification and move on. But we're hoping Continue reading
An Orphanage is not a Tourist Destination nor am I in 'Africa'
I took a week long camping safari with Intrepid Tours where I traveled from Nairobi through to the National Parks and sights. I was more than happy to see the Maasai Mara, the Great Rift Valley, Hells Gate – among … Continue reading
Promoting Education Through Community
Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Olives Church in Bombolulu is a busy, busy time. We have Madam Grace leading her Kiswahili Lessons, and we have volunteers teaching Maths, English, Computer Literacy, and Creative Arts to the adult members of the … Continue reading
Volunteering Abroad as Professional Development for Teachers
Having done a teaching practicum in China, being a teacher in Canada, and now having volunteered in a Standard 3 classroom here in Kenya, one thing is clear: teaching abroad is a worthwhile opportunity for professional development.
The obvious aspect of professional development that comes with teaching overseas is adapting to your new environment. No electricity, limited resources, and bright eager students. At times I wondered how easy it would be if I had a document reader or an interactive whiteboard, but instead you have a few textbooks, a blackboard, chalk (sometimes), and an always disappearing eraser which is actually a small plush kitten. You realize quickly that without technology or even an adequate number of textbooks you can still be an effective teacher and find ways to reach your students in the best way you can. Continue reading
Exploring the Complexities of Kenya/Canada Comparisons with 'The Giving Tree'
My group reading session today had my girls looking at, 'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein. Before reading the book we did a pre-reading activity that asked the question: "If you could ask a tree to give you anything you wanted, … Continue reading
A Metacognitive Approach to Science & Inquiry
In reflecting on the Science Fairs that I've attended I can't help but ask: Whatever happened to inquiry in Science? It's part of our standard PLOs in BC but this is one thing I found to be missing in all of these projects that test a hypothesis. I usually ask "Why did you do your experiment? How did you come to your question?" And what I usually get back is either a blank stare or "it was in the package/online."
The emphasis of science then, ends up on the doing but not the thinking, which I feel is the biggest shame. The essence of science and of learning is the thinking! Experiments (the doing) are done because of questions – the how and why – inquiry! Yet can be ignored in some science classrooms. The process of thinking and questioning is being overlooked or underemphasized.
So often students are asked to use the scientific method. Which they do quite effortlessly once they've found an experiment from a quick google search. But how can we have our students try doing the first step on their own when they haven't been given instruction on how? Asking questions is a skill to be taught and explored before we ask students to even start using the scientific method in a deeper way.
An activity I would like to try is taking a metacognitive approach to science. A student would take a scientist, inventor, creator (whoever who has used the scientific method to test a hypothesis) – and instead of replicating how they came to their conclusion, dig around and discover how they got their essential question/ hypothesis and what the process of thinking is like.
This way, whoever the student chooses will act as a model for how to think. The student will have to research the life of that person, what affected their scientist enough to form that question, what connections, observations and reasonings their scientist would have made. By examining the process of thinking and question making, students may begin to understand what they must do when forming a question of their own and how this process creates the meaning behind the experiment. Why does it really matter if an egg floats or sinks in salt water? Why was answering that question important in the first place? It all comes down to the scientist and how they thought about it. Their thinking made that question an important one to answer.
Having students think about their thinking while their reading is a skill we teach day in and day out of our literacy programs (especially with the use of Adrianne Gear's Reading/Writing Power kits). Metacognitive readers are good readers! But.. good thinkers make good scientists!
The iPad Crate Experience at Heath Traditional
An iPad Crate was delivered to Heath Traditional Elementary in the Delta School District earlier this month under the care of Sherrie Bennett. Because technology and inquiry are the hot button topics in this District's 'Big Bold Vision,' these mini iPads had to pack a big enough punch to fill these heightened expectations. Boy, did they deliver!
"I always thought my students were engaged, but since the iPads entered the classroom – it's spiked 3000 percent!"
– Sherrie Bennett
iPads provide an accessibility and a convenience very hard to come by in other educational tools. Without the wait time for other devices or the headaches of compatability issues, the iPads have given students at Heath Traditional a chance to create and showcase their learning in an exciting way. Engagement in Bennett's classroom has taken off into directions that has her buzzing with excitement. Her energy about how these students are learning is contagious.
Bennett understands that iPads can only be successful in the classroom if they are implemented with a carefully thought out objective and lesson design. For each of her assignments she has set out a criteria that includes student choice, clear purpose, and just the right amount of structure to focus learning; but not so much as to overwhelm and stunt her students creativity. The rubrics she has created and assessment formats she follows provides accountability from her students. Even those students who seem to inherently struggle in regular classroom tasks were excited by the iPads and were willingly (and without teacher prompting) following criteria. This attention to detail is missing in most of their school work and is a delight to see here in moments of creation and learning.
Some of the most exciting and heartwarming iPad moments have been with students who struggle throughout almost (if not) all of their core subjects finding success with these iPads. These students have been able to shine and take ownership of their own learning. They now have something that they can be proud of and that they can teach others how to do instead of being the one always asking for help. A welcomed change for all of these students and teachers.
When a Gr. 3 student, whom has an abundance of one-on-one learning support time for basic literacy, was able to use the iPad to prove her competency – it brought happy tears to their classroom teacher's eyes. Throughout the year it was believed that this student wasn't able to read on their own and always needed assistance. With the simple recording button on the iPads camera, this student was able to record themselves reading. Their classroom teacher upon hearing their small voice read words they've struggled so long to read, she broke down in tears. Here was audible proof of their achievement. This moment was captured on the iPad and now they have proof of the ability they believed for so long they didn't have.
Engagement in learning does not come with just handing a student an iPad and saying 'here, go and learn!' Often I am at schools where iPads and apps are being used in a way that I find misses the point of this technology. It's meant to help students create and learn – not be a digitized, glorified worksheet keeper. But even with these apps that mimic worksheets, the students will be very excited at first with the novelty of the iPad, but then boredom will inevitably follow.
Instead, Bennett has picked out apps and focused students on creation. For each of her subjects she has found ways to have creation be the focus of student learning. What follows is a breif overview of the assignments she has had her students do.
Students used the iPads camera to snap photos of Math found in our everyday lives to prove that "Math is everywhere." Instead of having students just complete drill activities on these devices, she had students thinking of how Math fits and functions in our everyday life. Sure a clock is Math – but how! A definite question that leads into inquiry based learning – and in Math at that!
Students were to create their own books on 'inferring' via the app, Book Creator. Here students are finding images to explain how they infer what is happening in the image. Because of the iPads useability, this eliminates the issues of connecting to a printer (which is always an issue), saves paper, no cut and paste (huge time saver), and no poster board that no one wants at the end of the year (less waste). The iPad gets all of those details to move out of the way for the main purpose – creation, creativity and learning.
Students are to find images (or take ones) they can infer about – which means they're scouring google for that perfect one they want. By default, these students are inferring with all the other images they come across. Here the thinking of inferring is the focus and not just definition and matching.
Because this is a Gr. 7 class, she had her students have free reign of choice on apps for their assignment (There are 4 experiments, choose 2). They had a day to play around with apps and find one that is inspiring to them. But, upon spending some buddy time with the Grade 2's who shared how book creator works and all the things they've been able to do with it, the Gr.7's were inspired. They knew then that they wanted to use the app shown to them by the little ones for their own assignments. An indication that some apps when used for specific purposes are engaging for all ages.
Their experiments involved the concept of 'density' and because of the ability to video record and the neatness of the experiments they had more reason to be engaged. They dove right into the 'science' part of it by wearing lab coats and being very thorough with their experiments. Because of the recording, they were very "involved in the moment" as Bennett explains. "Because they were able to view their experiments over and over again and show others, there wasn't just the idea of follow instructions and do this and that and get it over with. Instead they were being very careful and detailed in their experiments. They were almost like mini Bill Nye's while explaining their experiments! It was fabulous!"
Reflections and Feedbacks:
Students were required to complete a reflection as well as a self evaluation of their learning. The bulk of the reflection asks studetns to think about their learning, challenges, problem solving, purposes and future changes in their process.
As well, Bennett was able to give students consistent feedback on their projects. She was able to do this because the iPads are handed in to the crate after every class. Because of the ease of access to the charging crate, it was easy for her to go through assignments and give quality feedback. This is much harder to do with laptop carts used for multiple classes. The 'instant on' capability and app consistency among these iPads is a definite time saver. These iPads have helped Bennett use her time more efficently and effectively. I feel that these iPads are only this effective when they are a set for an individual class as this access would be much more difficult to achieve if they are a school set to be shared amongst all divisions.
The experience Bennett and these students have had with these iPads has been a refreshingly positive one. From having struggling, discouraged students find their forté with technology, enabling students with a way to show their progress, to having students create their learning instead of going through the motions has me excited thinking of what more they can do given the time and freedom to do so! I even had a chance today to see these students at work and to see their bright, beaming faces when they figured out a neat trick they could do or when they showed off their tech-savvy projects.
It really is wonderful to see kids proud of their learning, especially when it's coming from those who have struggled for so long. I look forward to seeing what comes of this school next year with their tech grant and how these students will find more successes in their learning. It's exciting to imagine what would happen with class sets of iPads and a more thorough use of them – since this was only a brief but meaningful dip into all that technology can offer.
A Classroom Activity with zenpencils.com
Recently discovered zenpencils.com and now I check it almost daily for a new post. http://zenpencils.com/comic/90-ira-glass-advice-for-beginners/ What a beautiful concept – take a quote that is already inspiring and gripping, and lay over top of it images in a comic format … Continue reading


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Created in 1995, the Cleveland Scholarship & Tutoring Program provides scholarships to Cleveland students to be used toward tuition at the participating school of their choice. The scholarships are worth $4,250 for students in grades K-8 and $5,700 per year for students in high school. The scholarships are renewable through high school graduation.
See what participating schools are saying…
"Ultimately it is about freedom for all children to have access to a quality educational seat."
– Rich Clark, St. Martin de Porres High School
"The voucher has allowed private schools to become more inclusive and makes a private school education a realistic option for low and middle income families."
– Peggy Schauer, Luther Memorial School
Become a Provider
Both private and public schools in Cleveland can sign up to accept CSTP students using their SAFE account. Click here for step-by-step instructions from the Ohio Department of Education to register your school to participate in the program. Here is an 8-minute YouTube video from ODE that explains how to sign up: http://bit.ly/18CtRQ0.
Participating schools agree to track the attendance of the students with vouchers and administer the cost-free state assessments to all voucher recipients starting in third grade.
Students will apply through each schools' regular admission process and then the school that enrolls the child will apply for the scholarship on their behalf.
If you have questions about becoming a provider for this scholarship program, contact the Ohio Department of Education at 877-644-6338.
Spread the Word
By participating in Ohio's scholarship programs, you are offering children a life-changing opportunity. Families across the state want to send their children to a high-quality school, but sometimes just do not have the means to do so. By accepting scholarships, you are making these families' dreams come true.
School Choice Ohio is happy to help you get the word out in your community.
Below is a marketing kit you can download that includes some templates and examples of marketing materials.
Download Cleveland
Tools for Schools Marketing Kit (WORD)
For marketing help, contact
614-223-1555 | email@example.com


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Senior Membership Director of Sales & Marketing
YMCA of Central Florida
Responsible for the leadership to membership, marketing and sales team. Provided leadership in development, coordination, planning, administration, and supervision of member services staff and membership retention and sales. Managed day to day operations, membership services, growth and retention, program growth & development, staff leadership, fiscal management, volunteer development, and fund raising. Obtained YUSA Team Leader Organizational Certification. Conducted staff trainings/development, community collaborations/sponsorships, building relationships, new program innovation and improved quality. Conducted proactive fundraising marketing/promotions campaigns/SWOT analysis, and planned and organized quarterly events.


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Funny Quotes
Through the years, funny quotes have been compiling from all walks of life. It could be interesting to note that you could easily group and categorize such quotes for faster and more organized retrieval. Are you experiencing a serious situation in life? Find comic relief that would bring about little doses of smiles into your heart through the following funny quotes from famous people. Let them serve as light-weight but effective inspiration.
Funny quotes about life
For those of you who don't know what a cheer up funny quotes book is, let me tell you what a cheer up funny quotes book actually is. It is a simple book that consists of funny quotes and other funny stuff which is used when one feels a bit down and gloomy in order to cheer himself up. In this article, I am going to tell you about three most important things that one must include in cheer up book.
Labels: Funny Quotes


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Games Arena: You announced X Rebirth two years ago, but how long did it take you to make this game? When did you start planning this rebirth of the series?
Bernd Lehahn: Shortly after X3 Reunion in 2006. So about 7 years… *sigh*
GA: When X3: Reunion launched, it was by far the best looking game I had seen, and it still looks great. Not only that, but the sheer scale of the ships was amazing, even compared to X2, where the ships were fairly beefy. And now you're pushing that even further. What were the challenges you faced in making a game of such scale and complexity?
BL: Many. Lets begin with the AI. Our goals are high, we want to create cities in space. This requires AI that is able to fly through the most complex 3D geometries. Next comes performance in general. The graphics engine gave us a lot of headaches because it has to be able to sustain thousands of light sources on stations must be able to show them upclose but also from many hundred kilometer distance (not to mention from inside).
GA: Has the addition of highways changed the way you design the star map, or the layout of the systems themselves? They seemed a lot more crowded in the videos, than in the previous games, and they were crowded before as well, having had many accidents while trying to fly an M2 through just about any system.
BL: The new game is designed to bring real "highways" into space. That means LOTS of ships and high densities in some areas. It was our goal to create a much denser atmosphere everywhere. Of course in highways you don't have collision problems so much because everybody is flying in the same direction, but in general the AI was a big challenge.
GA: For the first time since X2, we'll be able to go inside space stations, with the character. What can we do in these stations? Is this a more elegant alternative to just directly calling up an NPC, or are we going to have more activities? I think I saw being able to crawl through ducts, in one of the videos.
BL: You need to hire people for many jobs. NPC hiring is a big part of this game and you always want to know how good people are at their jobs. There are minigames through talking to people to find this out and there are also traders and items you can collect on platforms. So yes there is a lot you can do there.
GA: Will there be any hidden things tucked away in the corners of the universe again to look out for? Like the crates from X2, the occasional free ship, or the odd flying saucer from X3. Also, can't say for sure if it was in X3R or TC, but I remember at one time finding the old Argon M1 and M2, from X2, as floating derelicts in a system somewhere. Any vestiges of the old world floating around?
BL: Definitely. The highways allow us to make the universe a LOT bigger and still get you quickly from a to b. But you can leave them anytime and explore an endless universe. Thats where you can find unique items.
GA: The biggest change compared to the past games is only having one ship. How customizable is it going to be, to compensate for not being able to get in the cockpit of other vessels?
BL: The playership is of course much better presented than anything we were able to do in the past. The ship is your home and throughout the plot it becomes better by upgrading many aspects of it. Of course you can still hop into other "cockpits" when using drones via your virtual reality and you can still own many ships and let them be piloted by your NPCs.
GA: Have you made any changes to the ship classes? Do they still use the M size designation, are there any new categories? Same question for the stations as well.
BL: The classes system is very different. Ships are not categorized into these same groups anymore.
GA: Controlling a vast galactic empire could be a challenge in the X games, leading to a lot of, what I would call, menu diving. Have you streamlined the process in any way?
BL: YES. That was one of our most important goals. You manage your property like stations and ships by talking to people. Also you dont have to care about objects that are assigned to "bosses". So a large transporter that works directly for your would still report to you about his actions but when you assign it to a station it reports to that stations manager and you would only hear from that manager about bigger things.
GA: Can you give us any details about the plot and the characters? For example, if you can say, what will be the main conflict? Will it imply any new threats, purple, or otherwise colored?
BL: Well the plot is of course there to get you into the changed universe and to learn the controls. It will also feature a major battle against the Plutarch Mining Corporation. There are also (still) other alien races in the universe and you find a few of them but the universe is not the same full X universe from before. Instead we show those fewer areas you find during the plot a lot more detailed. What was formerly just a sector of 50 by 50 kilometer is now really a whole solar system.
GA: Have you had a chance to try out the Oculus Rift with X Rebirth? Do you see it as something you would want to integrate into the game?
BL: Yes we have some samples here and yes we will look into this. They are COOL but we can not say when this will be available.
GA: Two years ago, X Rebirth was the only space game on the horizon, but now it seems the genre is really taking off again, with Star Citizen, Elite Dangerous and Starlight Inception on the way. What is your perspective on the future of the genre?
BL: It is looking great indeed and I love it. I always believed that space games are not a niche and can return in the center of attention like they were in the 90s. We look forward to these other games a lot.
GA: Thank you for your time, and best wishes on making X Rebirth a great game, because we all really want to play it.
BL: Thank you very much!


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The First Step Towards Getting Somewhere Is To Decide That You Are Not Going To Stay Where You Are
Martin Luther King, Jr. said "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
Dissatisfaction with the career I was in, and the life I was leading, was taking its toll on me. Past grief and old issues, combined with my excess weight, were like chains I was dragging around with me daily. If 50 was the new 30, I wasn't feeling it. I felt that each day was just like the day before, with a endless vista of the same old thing ahead of me. The only lights in my life are my children, but at 17 and 21 they are beginning their own lives, and I realized that I needed to do something for myself fairly quickly, or I would be the proverbial cat lady my children joked I was becoming. I have wonderful friends, but they have their own spouses and families, and weren't responsible for providing me with entertainment.
After being laid off from yet another job in September, I knew that I didn't want to go back to that type of work again, and I thought about going back to school. Wow, back to school in the year I was turning 50. Did I really want to do it? I knew that I didn't want to go back to school unless it was for something that I had a passion for. I toyed briefly with chef/cooking school, because I love to cook and entertain, but it just didn't grab me. So, I pushed that idea to the back burner along with everything else.
Having the time off from a full time job, gave me a lot of time to think. For the first few weeks of being laid off, it felt as though I was on holiday, but as time went on, I fell into a rut. In October, there were many things that happened that made we question where I was going, and what I should be doing. I was financially struggling, and was becoming complacent about my house, and my life. I took a part time job to supplement the employment insurance I was receiving, but that started to become another chain around me, knowing that I didn't really want to do it, but that I had to do it to stay afloat.
I truly believe that the Universe provides us with what we need when we need it; we just need to open ourselves up to recognizing it when it's given to us.
In October, I asked to be given what I needed, and knew that it would come. I just hoped that I would recognize it when it came.
Shortly after, I had the opportunity to sign up with an outdoor activity group, but when I went to the first outing I felt out of place among all of those fit people. They were very nice and extremely encouraging, but I knew that I needed to get into better shape to really enjoy being in this group.
A few days after this event with the activity group, I read about a woman of about my age who decided that she wanted to live her passion. She had sold everything and chucked her "old life" in Texas to pursue her passions in L.A. Unfortunately, she was struck and killed by a van not too long after moving out to L.A. I had never met her, but when I read of her passing, it brought home to me that life is very fragile and far too often fleeting. I was sorry that I didn't get to know her, especially when reading about her life, and how she touched so many lives, both IRL (in real life) and on the blogmunity that she belonged to. People who "knew" her only from her words, grieved her loss as greatly as those who were in her life on a daily basis. Her story and her decision to live her dreams, made me more aware that I needed to stop doing the same old thing, and find my passion.
I took my first step on November 1, 2010 with the goal of being in better health by the time I turn 50 this July. Little did I know what wonderful things I would discover along the way.
I knew that I didn't want to be where I was anymore, but I wasn't sure where I wanted to go.
Since that time, I have definitely accomplished quite a lot of things. With my oldest in her 3rd year of university, and my other child preparing to start his university career in the fall of 2011, I realized that I don't need this huge house that I am living in, nor all of the "stuff" that fills it. I have de-cluttered my house and simplified my life. What a great feeling that was to completely purge! I'm sure the charity shops didn't know what hit them! The time off also helped me accomplish getting caught up financially.
When I made the decision to be in better health before I turned 50 this July, I was only thinking of the physical aspect of that, not realizing that it would help me mentally and spiritually as well. Because of the people that I have met and the insights and information I have have discovered in my health journey, I now know what I want to do when I grow up.
I will be going back to school to take a holistic nutrition course. When I am accepted to the school I want to go to, I will be starting school in March. When the one year course is complete, I will be a R.H.N. (Registered Holistic Nutritionist) and the possibilities for me are huge. Both of my children will be in university and starting their new lives, so I can downsize my house, and live anywhere I want to. I have a list of goals and plans once I have my certificate, but, baby steps for now.
The rest of the staircase is still ahead of me.
Time Goes By Way Too Quickly
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
(excerpt from Love You Forever by Robert Munsch)
Happy 17th Birthday Adam!


text: Remember the awesome Google Now launcher that came with the Nexus 5? Well ,the good news is, Google just published it on the Google Play Store. Ready for the bad new? It's only available for Nexus devices or Google Play Edition devices. Fortunately, there's an alternative method(s) to install this launcher on almost any Android device.


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Children Clothing - Baby Clothes - Maternity Wear - Mothering
Children - Babies - Infant - Breast Feeding
Don't Jump! You CAN Stage The Ultimate Children's Party!
Organising a kids party is great fun! No, wait! Come back! I'll explain… How many times have you dropped your kids off at a party, only to witness chaos as soon as the door is opened by a hassled mother whose eyes are begging you to take her away from all of this and put her out of her misery? Behind her, two kids are swinging from the light fittings; another pair are tearing up the carpet, presumably trying to find a hidden entrance to the magical world of Narnia; and the rest are deeply engrossed in a who-can-stuff-the-most-hamsters-into-your-mouth contest. It needn't be like that. The only reason that kids parties dissolve into little sessions of anarchy is boredom - and that, dear parent, is all down to you. "But, I tried so hard!", I hear you cry. Yes, you probably did: lots of crisps, a big cake, and plenty of balloons. The thing is, you broke the number one rule of kids parties.
The rule that you must obey at all costs, unless you want your house destroyed by a legion of little monsters… NEVER, EVER PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS! Here's a secret: kids hate the game. Even if they once enjoyed it, they've played it at every birthday, Christmas and end of school party they've ever been to. Plus, you're the one who has to cope with a dozen or more bored kids careering round the edges of the room while two determined finalists battle is out for that final seat. That leads me nicely to rule number two: NEVER PLAY ANY GAME THAT INVOLVE KIDS BEING 'OUT' If you play games that keep all the kids involved from start to finish, you've got their attention – and when you've got their attention, they aren't scratching their name into the varnish of your dining table. Simple, really.
Here are a few more tried and tested party laws: GET RID OF THE PARENTS Aside from the ones that are there to help, parents get in the way. Plus, their kids won't really start to enjoy themselves until their figure of authority has gone. GIVE EACH KID A NAME STICKER Not only will you remember who everyone is, they also help quieter children to break the ice, and you can write everything from parent's mobile phone numbers to special dietary requirements on them, thus avoiding needless stress. See how easy it can be? ALWAYS HAVE A PARTY THEME It's the 21st century. A few party poppers and re-lighting candles just don't do it anymore. A party theme gets the kids excited from the moment they receive their invitation, and gives you something to do on the big day as they start to arrive. The early kids can make extra bits of costume or help with last minute decorations while they're waiting for their friends to turn up. Then, run the party in this order: GAMES – FOOD – PRESENTS It may seem cruel to the party child, but always leave the opening of the presents to the end of the party to avoid gifts getting broken or lost in the fun. And if you get the kids running wild after they've had food, you're just asking for trouble! That's all there is to it. Follow those six simple rules, and you'll enjoy the party almost as much as your kids.
Plus, you'll be considered a hero at the school gates on Monday morning! And remember to have fun! It is a party after all!.
Little Bruiser Articles
Little Bruiser Books


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Internship at uhlsport
We don't just make coffee...
Our maxim is that trainees should gain a well-founded insight and useful impression of day-to-day working life during an internship. Our internees are actively involved in projects and completely integrated in the normal working tasks at uhlsport.
Do you want to join the uhlsport GmbH team?
Then please send your complete application by e-mail or post to our Personnel Department.
uhlsport GmbH
- Personnel -
Klingenbachstraße 3
D-72336 Balingen


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ISO 9000, the most successful standard in the history of the International Standards
Organization, is being updated with the anticipated adoption of ISO 9001:2008 prior
to year-end. This is not news to you, but is it good news? Well, that depends on
whether you view the new standard as an opportunity or a burden. This article will
argue that ISO 9001:2008 should be viewed as an opportunity to drive performance
Based upon ISO/DIS 9001:2008 as further elaborated by ISO/DIS 9004, the revised
standard is potentially quite different in intent, scope and structure from its
ISO 9001:2008 describes a QMS that is much more business-like. It is one that is
focused on driving measurable performance improvement toward achieving and sustaining
customer satisfaction. It is no longer adequate to have a QMS that is merely well
documented and consistently implemented. An effective QMS now should deliver and
sustain measurable and meaningful performance improvement.
So what does it take to effectively implement ISO 9001:2008 so that it drives performance
improvement? Our analysis suggests a quite different approach from the traditional
QMS implementation is necessary. Our approach involves sound business management
techniques, with business management-based objectives, integrated with the more
traditional QMS documentation approaches. The result is a QMS clearly focused on
improving customer satisfaction and enhancing the company's competitive position,
with resulting bottom-line impact.
The first step of this approach is to develop a business operating system by defining
objectives, key processes and performance measures based upon a thorough analysis
of customer needs and expectations. The processes are "key" because they are essential
to achieving the objectives. By identifying performance measures related to customer
needs and expectations, the key processes can be effectively monitored to drive
them to achieve customer satisfaction.
Next, the key processes, which should now reflect how the organization actually
operates, are documented. Documentation not only involves detailing each process
step or activity making up the process, but testing that step for its relevance
to the objectives. This is an opportunity to refine and simplify the key processes
while simultaneously documenting them. The result is relatively simple and efficient
QMS documentation.
Then the "realization processes," or those processes that directly add value to
products and services, are analyzed to develop the most appropriate ways to direct
them toward achieving the customer's requirements. This is an opportunity for organizations
to refine and focus their management effort so that it is directed toward the most
important steps of their key processes. A QMS should significantly "add value."
This approach is the beginning of the process by which value is added and waste
Finally, the QMS is launched with specific goals for incremental and achievable
performance improvement related to the objectives. It is not launched solely for
the purpose of ensuring that everyone performs in the same manner. It is launched
with improvement in mind and improvement is expected.
We believe that by following this approach to its implementation, ISO 9001:2008
will be a major catalyst for significant performance improvement. But this approach
is not for the faint of heart. The implementation process is demanding, and requires
significant senior management commitment and involvement; however, as with anything
worth doing right, the rewards amply justify the effort.
ISO 9001:2008 views a quality management system (QMS) as a continual "process" rather
than a series of 20 elements - beginning with management's responsibility to provide
direction and resources, moving on to planning and controlling the processes that
deliver products and services, and concluding with measurement and monitoring with
a goal of improvement. Of particular significance is that inputs to the process
are "customer requirements" and output is "customer satisfaction.
"There is a new emphasis on determining "customer needs and expectations," converting
to requirements, and fulfilling "with the aim of achieving customer satisfaction"
(5.2). This is much more proactive than the current wording stating the quality
policy "shall be relevant... to the expectations and needs of its customers.
ISO 9001:2008 places much more emphasis on quality objectives. They now command
a separate section (5.4.1) and include requirements that objectives be established
"at relevant functions and levels" and that they be "measurable."
Quality planning (5.4.2) is no longer to "define and document how the requirements
of quality will be met." It is about top management ensuring that "the resources
needed to achieve quality objectives are identified and planned." It includes consideration
of processes, resources and continual improvement and is now more akin to business
planning - meaning an effective QMS now should incorporate a business plan which
should be directed toward achieving specific performance objectives.
Management is no longer required to review the quality system merely to "ensure
continuing suitability and effectiveness" during management review (5.6.1). It now
must also "evaluate the need for changes" in the system. Outputs from management
review are now prescribed to include "improvements." Action is now expected!
The scope of what used to be inspection and testing has been dramatically expanded
to include analysis of data (8.4). Instead of checking product (or service) at various
stages simply to "verify that the specified requirements for the product are met,"
an organization now must analyze the data resulting from measurements. As a result,
there is a new and significant emphasis on being proactive and preventive - the
beginning of continual improvement.
The new standard now specifically calls for both the planning and facilitating of
continual improvement of the QMS (8.5.1). This includes "use of the quality policy,
objectives, audit results, analysis of data, corrective and preventive action, and
management review."
For more information on OMEC's approach to implementing ISO 9001:2008 call or visit
our website at: www.omnex.com.
Malcolm Hay is a senior consultant for OMEC who brings to bear 35 years of broad
experience in executive and senior management positions in product development and
marketing, mergers and acquisitions, operations management, and quality assurance.
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text:
There's a certain kind of earrings, or necklace, or bracelet (or maybe all 3) that call to each of us every day. What kind of pieces are so easy to wear that you find yourself putting them on day after day no matter what you're wearing?
For me it seems to be these simple silver earrings:
Every Day Wear silver earrings.
What pieces beckon to you every day, and why do you heed their call? What makes a piece of jewelry a good friend?