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Welcome to my stop on The House of Birds blog tour!
About the book
Published: 3rd November 2016 (Tinder Press)
Oliver has spent years trying to convince himself that he's suited to a life of money making in the city, and that he doesn't miss a childhood spent in pursuit of mystery, cycling the cobbled lanes of Oxford.
When his girlfriend Kate inherits a derelict house – and a fierce family feud – she's determined to strip it, sell it and move on. For Oliver though, the house has an allure, and amongst the shelves of discarded, leather bound and gilded volumes, he discovers one that conceals a hidden diary from the 1920s.
So begins a quest: to discover the identity – and the fate – of the author, Sophia Louis.
Partly inspired by Virginia Woolf's experience of being turned away from the Bodleian library, and the role of women in academia in the 1920s, Morgan McCarthy's fourth novel is an interrogation into how we represent ourselves and our histories to others, and how human curiosity compels us to investigate and unveil the truth.
Intro to the novel, Oliver, Sophia and what inspired me to write it by Morgan McCarthy.
The House of Birds is about the discovery of a diary in a neglected house; a writer and a reader almost a hundred years apart. The writer is Sophia, an intelligent, unhappy young woman living in the 1920s: trapped in her marriage to a shellshocked former officer, unable to work or study history, a passion of hers. She begins her diary with the decision to do what she wants – even if she has to lie; even if it puts her in danger.
The reader is Oliver, a 21st century man who has just quit his high-paid job in the city and is feeling a bit lost. When he offers to help his girlfriend do up the house in Oxford she's inherited (a house which is also the subject of a bitter family feud), Oliver finds the diary hidden inside another book. He begins to believe that it might not only resolve the family feud over who gets the house, but close a long-unsolved murder case. But it becomes apparent that it's not as simple as that, and that he doesn't know what Sophia's up to at all.
The novel was inspired by a few things that came together in my mind over a long period of time. Various loves of mine began to form relationships. History both ancient and modern, the city of Oxford, ruined houses. Birds, both real and on paper. The 1920s has always been one of my favourite eras: not only for the side of it that was all jazz and flappers and cocktail parties, but its darker side. The grief following the first world war, the huge unemployment and inequality, the treatment of women. I've always remembered Virginia Woolf's account of not being allowed into the famous Bodleian library in Oxford, because she was neither a (male) fellow, nor had a letter of introduction from one. I knew even at University that this incident would find its way into a book somehow. And in the House of Birds it represents the essence of what Sophia finds herself up against; what she determines to find her own way through. Unlike Woolf, she can't speak her outrage, she can't publish it; she has to be sneaky. The path she chooses is oblique, circuitous: necessitated by her powerlessness.
The other love of mine that has been put into the book is mystery. Like Oliver, I've always been curious (nosy) about old houses, ancient whodunnits, secrets, other people's diaries. I hear something unanswered or incomplete and I feel an intense need to know what really happened. To get the 'real' story. But experience has taught me that real stories are hard to come by, and the book is partly about that. Can you ever have all the answers, and if you get them, are they ever satisfying?
Prologue from The House of Birds
November 1915
It's been a long time since I heard from you, but I keep writing, in the hope that you are receiving my letters. I do try not to worry, but find I can't help it, and a letter from you would mean so much. I can never tell you how much I love you, and how desperately I miss you. I thought today about the Anglo-Zanzibar war, supposedly the shortest in history, recorded at thirty-eight minutes. That was how long it took for the English to see off a sultan they didn't much like and replace him with one of whom they were fonder. I wish it were that war you had gone to fight.
Have I any news for you, I wonder? Nothing much. I am still volunteering at the hospital. Boll has occupied herself by falling in love, or so she says, with a very handsome man, despite complaining that the house is a gaol and she will die alone here, driven mad by the tiny noise of Mother's needle going in and out of her cloth, endlessly, though the sound of steel against silk could never really be heard over the noise of Boll telling us how deathly bored she is, and in any case – as you might remember – Mother never actually does any sewing. She's been working at the same piece for nearly a decade, and still nobody knows what it will turn out to be. Boll's guess is a death's head. My money's on something subtle, but no less devastating.
Anyway, I've no idea whether Boll's suitor is suitable, as far as the business of suiting goes. He seems rather . . . raffish? She seems besotted; wants to talk about him every day . . . where he might have been, whether he has thought of her. And so on.
For this I have some sympathy.
Mother is planning to redecorate the house. I find the idea of this unutterably dreadful. Father wouldn't have had it, and though I don't approve of men putting their feet down, I do wish he were here and he would. I can't bear to think of the house being prodded and pried at and all its beauty peeled away. I suppose you think me melodramatic. Perhaps I am, a little, but I can't help but feel the house is rather like a lovely face with a slightly broken nose and a gap in its teeth, and if those things were fixed it wouldn't be so beautiful, or at least not so queerly bewitching. The tiles might be worn, but they're worn in the shape of our feet; of our ancestors' feet. Not to mention the dented dining table (clumsy Victorians) and the crooked chiffonier (slapdash Edwardians) and the frayed fauteuil from who knows when. And what will become, too, of the blameless birds of paradise – my childhood companions – and Comanche, my confidant; none of them committing any crime other than that of being over a hundred years old, and I never heard of centenarians being bumped off, to make way for fresh, modern humans. And you understand, I know you do, the feeling the house has; of all the years collected in it, like a treasure house. I'm convinced that's the source of the peculiar atmosphere you remarked upon, the luxuriating ease of it, like a lion lolling in the sun, the quietness in the mid-afternoon, when it is filled with light even in winter, and nothing but the sound of the grandfather clock ticking and my mother's mouse-like rustles. (In this picture, Boll has not yet come back from luncheon.)
I was ill, quite recently. I don't mean to concern you, simply to explain the gap in my letters, if you have been receiving them. Anyway, it's all over now. I shall explain when you're home, by which time I expect it will seem like something very small, and not even worth mentioning.
It is cold and dark here; the night dropping down each evening like a great black bear. (I know I told you I would never talk about the weather, but it seems I can't help myself.) Everybody seems to have forgotten the imminence of Christmas. I have already crossed it out in my mind. We must celebrate it when you're home, even if that turns out to be February, or June. Do you know, when I think of you, my memories are always of sunny days – despite our having had our share of sleeting walks, and hats blown off, and wet wool socks – rather as if the past has begun to seem haloed by eternal summer, when really it was probably only a few weeks of sunshine, and the rest rain.
Do you remember the day we sat in the garden here, drinking wine and making plans? I can picture it so well: the house hung with flowers; the sun moving at half its usual pace across the flawless blue sky. We were sitting under the apple tree, and the light edging through the leaves spotted us both. I remember there being apples – though that tree seldom produced anything until autumn, at least, and this might be another quirk of my memory, a mis-stitch in its embroidery. But never mind; there are apples here, round and glossy and incontrovertible, and I am inclined to let them stay.
We were talking about our children and what their names should be, and we gave ourselves the oddest feeling, imagining the same tree in not so many years' time, belaboured by small boots, its apples carried off in grass-stained pullovers and skirts. Do you remember? We talked, too, about the places we should like to see: grand tours to Palmyra, Athens, Thebes. Yet these days I find myself fixing on smaller things: longing simply to sit with you at a coffee house, to eat chocolate cake together, to listen to Fauré, or to argue the merits of 'Catherine' over 'Virginia' – without a thought going beyond to little Catherine or Virginia's arrival.
Darling, it will be over; perhaps not in thirty-eight minutes, but while we are still young, and able to go back to what we were meant to be doing before this inconvenient war came along. They say it will be over by Christmas, but they do talk a lot of rot, don't they, and I never believed it. But spring, perhaps . . .? We here in England have been told a few things, none very comforting, about the Ottomans (whisper it) winning, and the possibility of evacuation. But I suppose you can't write about that.
Dearest love, I wish you would answer me, if only to tell me if my letters bother you. I don't know if my reminiscing consoles you or makes you sadder, if my talk of the future restores you or pains you. I don't even know if my jokes are amusing. Darling, is it too painful to tell me how you are, to set it down? Write to me and tell me to shut up. God knows I'd welcome it. Anything but this silence.
I shall probably have to start this letter again, and write something more cheerful, so I may as well be honest. I can't guess how you are: I have no idea what it must be like to be you. For the first time, I cannot even imagine it. Your life is a closed door, at which my outstretched hand fails, and drops back.
You used not to write much, I know, but I haven't heard from you in months. What I know of you comes from Hugh's letters to Harriet; I am told you are in good health, whatever that means. I should like to know what you are doing, what you see. One glimpse through the darkness between us, just a keyhole's worth. You don't have to tell me anything that wouldn't make it past the censors. Just tell me what you are thinking, or something of what you feel. Tell me what you hope for. Just a word, darling, please.
About Morgan McCarthy
Morgan McCarthy was born in Berkshire in 1982. She is the author of four novels: The Other Half of Me, The Outline of Love, Strange Girls and Ordinary Women, and The House of Birds


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I've developed a little style crush on this gorgeous children's clothing collection from Lil'Lendrop and it's with great pleasure today that I share my personal review along with a behind the scenes look at designer Maria Lendrop Thornhill, a few of my favourite Li'lLendrop garments, and a $75 voucher giveaway!
In review today we have a pair of Lil'Lendrop Gusset Pants in khaki. These beauties also come in black and pink, and are incredibly versatile. I love the fashion forward silhouettes in the Lil'Lendrop range, which truly makes this collection stand out from the crowd.
The Gusset Pants are well made, lightweight for spring, summer, and autumn dressing and easy to match with both basics or patterns. The easy wearing design makes these pants long lasting, as they are equally cute at ankle length, or just below the knee. Buy a pair that sits comfortably on the hips and you'll get both extended wear and multiple funky looks.
The verdict... a super stylish wardrobe staple!
Maria launched Lil'Lendrop in 2014, previously studying fashion and working in the fashion industry for many years as a pattern-maker for women's wear. Maria explains, "I always wanted to start my own label at some point. Having 2 little girls inspired me to start with children's wear".
Maria draws much of her inspiration from her Scandinavian heritage. She says, "I love everything that is simple yet with an interesting detail and clever cut. And of course my two daughters (aged 6 months and 5 years) are an endless inspiration…"
Maria loves working with new interesting fabrics. For the Lil'Lendrop debut collection, she used scuba and bamboo jersey. As for her colour choices, Maria explains, "Black, white and grey will always have a place in my collection with an injection of one or two colours. Lil'Lendrop style is very Scandinavian, modern and fun. Making children's wear, I want it to be stylish yet comfortable and wearable".
Lil'Lendrop is proudly made in Australia with care, love, and passion. The collection boasts a range of clean and sophisticated garments, which makes its own niche by providing timeless everyday pieces for kids.
Lil'Lendrop caters for boys, girls, and babies with many gender neutral options. You can pick out your favourite tops, pants, jackets, hoodies, dresses, and babygrows at the Lil'Lendrop store. You can also find Lil'Lendrop on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

subset: commoncrawl


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On Tuesday of last week I wrote about the rise of skeptical activism and the need to get organized in order to shape and present a message that will resonate with the public and affect positive change. Let me present to you the several projects that CASS at CFI Canada is working on to advance this goal and hopefully to inspire you to get involved at either the local or national level.
CPSO Draft Policy on Non-Allopathic Medicine
Our highest priority project currently is creating a written deposition for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in response to their draft policy on non-conventional medical practice, titled "Non-Allopathic (Non-Conventional) Therapies in Medical Practice." The adoption of the term allopathic" does not bode well for the policy and belies the heavy involvement of the alt-med communities to date. We have drafted a letter of concern to the college and will be publishing and submitting it within the next week. We are looking for partners to either sign on to this letter or submit letters of their own to CPSO (there is an opportunity to fill out a survey as well) and let them know that the draft policy as it stands is an affront to modern medicine and will only serve to further entrench dubious and dangerous alt-med treatments in mainstream medicine.
Medical Clinic Information Sheets
Looking toward the future, CASS has received a request to produce samples of information sheets that can be made available to patients by a physician or registered nurse regarding common questions patients have about various CAM modalities and controversies, like the anti-vaccination movement or homeopathy. Often, there is no time for patient education in a busy practice and these information sheets are distributed in its place. This is an important opportunity for the critical thinking community to reach out to those on the front lines of medicine who may not have the time to dispel myths about Wakefield or a 30C dilution and we are excited by this opportunity. If you care to help in the creation of these documents or know any practice that would like to use them, please let us know.
Educational Programs
After my intense conversation with Barbara Drescher at TAM 9 it is evident that deep critical thinking in the classroom at all levels is becoming increasingly difficult to find, given the reliance on standardized testing in many jurisdictions. It is a good thing, therefore, that CASS has begun to develop an educational program to assist elementary and high school teachers to work deep thinking and skepticism into their lesson plans. We have been in contact with Christopher DiCarlo and other professionals and are in the early stages of development of this package. If you would like to assist in this development or are an interested educator concerned about the lack of deep thinking in the classroom, please contact us and be a part of educating future critical thinkers and scientists.
Food Related Health Claims in the Canadian Media Study
A few weeks ago, Ben Goldacre from the Bad Science column in The Guardian newspaper in the UK reported on a study he and his colleagues had produced regarding the accuracy of dietary advice in the top ten UK newspapers for one week. The results were not surprising as they revealed a dearth of evidence to support the claims in the various papers. This is not a difficult study to do and CASS is preparing to embark on a similar study of Canadian Newspapers. If you have special insight into this topic or are interested in being involved in this study and have some time to participate in a little research, please let us know!
Homeopathic "Doctors" in Canada
As was announced on Skeptic North several months ago, CASS submitted a letter of complaint to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care in Ontario regarding the illegal use of the term "doctor" by many homeopaths in Ontario. We are expanding our research to other jurisdictions and if your local group wishes to participate in ferreting out the practitioners falsely representing their qualifications, please contact us and we can start to turn around the growth of unsupportable treatments in Canada.
Nightingale Collaboration Canada
It is easy to complain but hard to know who to turn to when we want to make it official. The Nightingale Collaboration in the UK has had some good successes in mobilizing the skeptical community and getting those making unsubstantiated claims made publicly to change their advertising. This is a very practical but necessary project in Canada, as there are several agencies involved in regulating this type of advertising. We have obtained permission from the UK organizers to use the Nightingale Collaboration model and information to make our own Canadian version and we are looking for partners in development of this website and plan.
Hospital Based Therapeutic Touch
If you have been involved in the skeptical community you probably know of the great study published in JAMA testing the ability of the practitioners of therapeutic touch to actually sense the human "energy field." The study showed that this field could not be detected. It may surprise you to know that TT is not only being practiced by RN's and other health professionals in Canada, but it even has official sponsorship from hospitals in Ontario (see here and here )and probably in the rest of Canada as well. We are working on a lobbying plan to shame hospitals in relinquishing their support of these programs and to stop diverting precious health care dollars to support unfounded TT practices. We are looking for partnerships, especially in the nursing field, with people who are interested in promoting evidence-based nursing practice.
Chelation Therapy: TACT Trial in Canada
Chelation therapy is one of the many unsinkable rubber ducks of medicine, having been abandoned for all indications except proven heavy metal toxicity as far back as the 1960's. Clifford Beninger, in consultation with Dr. Kimbal C. Atwood, has produced a scholarly review of modern chelation therapy and highlighted the dangerous TACT trial that has used dubious consent forms and study design to try, once again, to prove chelation therapy useful in cardiovascular disease. Chelation therapy used in this manner has resulted in deaths, but despite this it is being offered by many practitioners, including medical doctors, in Canada. The TACT trial has several sights operating in Canada as well, and CASS is looking for a publisher for Dr. Beninger's review as well intending on informing Health Canada about this dangerous practice. If you are worried about the safety of this potentially deadly practice, please contact us for more details.
Wi-Fi, Cell Phones and Health
Last fall CASS submitted a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health in response to an inquiry into the possible dangers of Wi-Fi and cell phone radiation. Since then several jurisdictions in B.C. and Ontario have been confronted by citizens concerned for their health and mis-informed by Magda Havas, Rodney Palmer and their ilk about the dangers of Wi-Fi. CASS is one of the only organizations submitting science-based briefs to the executives in these jurisdictions but we are, alas, one small voice against a better funded lobbying group. We have produced an evidence package to support local groups and individuals hoping to fight the forces cherry-picking evidence to support their thin claims of harm. We also can put you in touch with local experts who can possibly depose in person or via letter for your local city council. Please contact us if you need any help in fighting pseudo-science.
Get Involved
Skeptical activism is new to our community and we are still figuring out how to do it effectively and within a very limited budget. If you have an idea on how to promote the tenets of skepticism and critical thinking in Canadian society, or if you have a concern about government regulation or media reporting of scientific topics, please contact your local skeptics group, CFI Canada branch, or CASS directly at firstname.lastname@example.com . CFI Canada is also in the middle of a large fund raising campaign, as we have been made an offer of a matching grant of $200 000 if we can raise the money, so please consider giving to support CASS . Only when we begin to work together can we affect positive change in Canada
To follow our activities at CASS , follow us on Twitter @CFICASS or on Facebook @ CASS at Centre for Inquiry Canada.


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Sauter dedicates Truck Series win at Daytona to crew chief
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Johnny Sauter wanted to win this race, maybe as badly as any other.
Sauter won the season-opening NASCAR Truck Series race Friday night and dedicated it to crew chief Joe Shear Jr., whose wife died unexpectedly in late December.
"I didn't have one nerve," said Sauter, who finished second in points in 2017. "I just felt like this was our day."
The team felt like it had some help. Chandra Shear died Dec. 28 at her home in Mooresville, North Carolina, age 43.
"This is very, very, very special here," Shear said. "She was in love with racing as much as I was. She was looking over us and helped us to this win. ... I'll never forget this one."
Neither will Sauter, who notched his series-leading third victory at the famed track and made it three in a row for GMS Racing at Daytona. Sauter won in 2016, and Kaz Grala did the same last year.
Sauter used a big run to pass David Gilliland for the lead with eight laps to go and then held off Justin Haley, Joe Nemechek, Ben Rhodes and Scott Lagasse Jr. None of those chasers provided much of a challenge down the stretch.
It was Sauter's 18th victory in 222 starts in the Truck Series. He also won at Daytona in 2013.
But this one was for Shear, who said coming to Daytona "kept me sane."
"Getting back on the road and getting back to work was the biggest thing that kept me going," Shear said. "It's sad and I think about her all the time."
Sauter took the No. 21 Chevrolet to victory lane after a series of late crashes wiped out about half the 32-truck field. Only 15 trucks finished on the lead lap, and only nine of those were in the lead pack in the closing laps.
The single-file racing made it considerably easier for Sauter to hold off the competition.
Neither Grala nor defending series champion Christopher Bell was in the race. Grala and Bell moved up to the Xfinity Series this season.
Jennifer Jo Cobb took the hardest hit of the night. Cobb slammed into an inside retaining wall, one protected by energy-absorbing barriers, at close to full speed. Her No. 10 Chevrolet broke upon impact, igniting a brief fire. Cobb climbed out holding her left arm. She was treated and eventually released from the infield care center.
Grant Enfinger started the multi-truck melee when his No. 98 Ford got loose and turned in front of a crowded pack. Lagasse, Dalton Sargeant and Scott Stenzel also were involved.
More AP auto racing: www.racing.ap.org


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The Joker just emailed me these photos from the Pgh Film Office's Oscar party.
Even though I look terrified …. notice how I keep holding on to my chocolate covered popcorn! LOL. That stuff is amazing. I don't know which vendor supplied it for the event… but I hope to find out…. because it was YUMMY!
The Joker's real name is Brian…. and he won "best dressed" at the event.
Thanks for the photos Brian!


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- Home
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- Bill Anderson
Bill Anderson
Associate, Ebby Halliday Realtors
6000 Long Prairie Road
Flower Mound , TX 75028
- Direct (469)995-5073
- Work (972)355-5697
- Email firstname.lastname@example.com
Bill Anderson
Associate, Ebby Halliday Realtors
- Direct (469)995-5073
- Work (972)355-5697
- Email firstname.lastname@example.com
- Flower Mound/Lewisville Office
- 6000 Long Prairie Road
- Flower Mound, TX 75028
- DesignationsABR, SFR
- Contact Me View My Website Download My Info
About Me
I start most days with a morning workout, which I refer to as me time. I like to spend my other free time with my wife, gardening, attending Texas Rangers baseball games, traveling to see family and vacations. We have three granddaughters that we love to have spend the weekends with us while they are still young enough to think it is "cool".
I grew up on a farm in the Midwest and come from a large family, so I know how to work hard and early mornings no longer means milking cows. Family was important to my parents and is now the same for me. I find that most people buying or selling a home think about family through the process even when they are single.
I have worked in the customer service industry most of my adult life. I have learned that people just want to be taken care of and be treated with care and respect. The best service you can receive is that from an individual who has had the experience to provide service to clients and offers the care to make a home buying and selling experience smooth.
I am actively serving in leadership positions on the board of a local non-profit and the local REALTOR Association. I have 12 year's experience in the Real Estate industry. Meeting new clients and serving them is what it's all about. Allow me to provide you the service you deserve.
- Full time active REALTOR.
- Diamond Circle Producer
- National Association of REALTORS
- Texas Association of REALTORS
- Greater Lewisville Association of REALTORS
- Your Home Team Care Board Member (Local 501(c)3 Non-Profit)
Under Contract
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,931 Sq Ft
Open 12/14 1:00PM- 3:00PM
346 Arabian Lane Ponder, TX 76259
$265,000 Reduced
5 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,355 Sq Ft
Planters Row Drive Frisco, TX 75033
Shadywood Lane Flower Mound, TX 75028
Brook Forest Lane Euless, TX 76039
Hillsdale Drive Flower Mound, TX 75022
Willowood Drive Grapevine, TX 76051
Towne Lake Circle Addison, TX 75001


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NBN Outage in Smithton, Circular Head, State of Tasmania
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is an Australian national wholesale open-access data network project and offers landline phone and internet network.
No problems detected at NBN
NBN problems in the last 24 hours in Smithton, State of Tasmania
At the moment, we haven't detected any problems at NBN. Are you experiencing issues or an outage? Leave a message in the comments.
Most Reported Problems:
- Internet
- (71.35%)
- Total Blackout
- (10.31%)
- Wi-fi
- (7.75%)
- (6.73%)
- Phone
- (2.85%)
- (1.02%)
NBN in Smithton, State of Tasmania CommentsTips? Frustrations? Share them here. Useful comments include a description of the problem, city and postal code.
NBN Issues ReportsLatest outage, problems and issue reports in social media:
Channa K
(@Channakt) reported
I don't know why but Telstra or NBN has gone to trash since two nights ago and when the internet is up, I can get barely 5 minutes of it. Fix your damn thing already
🎄Jason, the Festive Ghost Type Trainer🎄110 DAYS
(@ayyyBailey) reported
Sick.. My net just died watching game awards **** you NBN
🏰 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓣𝓮𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮 𝓞𝓯 𝓑𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓼 🏰
(@templeof_bliss) reported
@7NewsAdelaide @ScottMorrisonMP @ElleGeorgiou This Prime minister and Party are a joke. They have no foresight into the future of our country and job market. Thats why we have a terrible nbn and now a push for digital tax. They are incompetent and stupid.
(@trentslatts) reported
Telstra's customer service really is terrible. I enquired about suspending my NBN account while I don't have a fixed address with the move to Brisbane and they're like "that's fine, we'll just keep charging you then you can reconnect whenever you're ready". Idiots.
Rhiannon Irons
(@Ahlephia) reported
@NBN_Australia It would be great to have English speaking technicians who actually listen to an experienced IT Consultant and don't just fob us off when we know more about the connection to our house than they do. This service has been ******* disgraceful so far.
(@TPG_Telecom) reported
@benconroy55 Hi Ben. We sincerely apologise for the delay in installing your NBN service, we'll chase this with our NBN Provisioning Team for urgent feedback; at the moment we are still awaiting for NBN Co,'s update. -Shane
(@OverTheHill4) reported
Telstra wireless NBN having another outage tethered my mobile to stay on the net 4G faster than the NBN but data charges dearer :-(
Ben Conroy
(@benconroy55) reported
@TPG_Telecom Despite constant communication throughout the last month about not having internet since we paid for it a month ago, ye have taken another months pay today. What a service! #wantarefund #scam #joke #TPG #NBN
Sam the Mighty
(@Saraquin21) reported
@NBN_Australia On the other end of the spectrum @Aussie_BB Support has been very helpful and always commendable for their great customer service, Now I am stuck in limbo due to an NBN policy that Poor performance wont be investigated if any future Maintenance is scheduled for my connection. 1/2
Sean Constable
(@OBeast84) reported
@NBN_Australia Please help me


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Listed below is a sampling of restaurants our family and guests have enjoyed during their time on Anna Maria Island. Each of them offers something unique and has consistently stood out from the crowd. Bon Appetite!
Eat Here
A restaurant called Eat Here? Located in a shopping center? Don't let the name or location fool you! This is the sibling of critically acclaimed Beach Bistro, but on budgetary restraint. The food is wonderfully executed, the wines are perfectly paired, and there's plenty of space left on the credit card to do it all over again before you depart. We frequent Eat Here many times a year, and believe you will find it a fantastic place to enjoy one of your meals out on the town.
The WaterFront Restaurant
Every town needs a consistently high-performing restaurant. The team at Waterfront delivers an excellently crafted menu with each encounter. The craft bar at The Waterfront is a cocktail lover's dream. Its lineup of mixed drinks offers adventurous twists on classics, like the Smoked Margarita made with Reposado Tequila and a rinse of Mezcal with fresh lime and ginger. The food menu boasts fresh Gulf catches and the porch seating provides the ideal environment to enjoy it all. It's a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, so call ahead to make reservation.
Beach Bistro
If your palate and occasion demands culinary excellence, the Beach Bistro delivers. Commonly booked out weeks in advance, especially for dining times that coincide with sunset, we strongly suggest planning this experience before arrival. Dining tip: for enhancing the experience is to ask for a window-front table in the main dining room half an hour before sunset. The courses offered are equivalent to fine art, and adding the sunset views simply sends this evening over the top! Caution: you will pay for this experience, but for special occasions on Anna Maria, you won't find any better than Beach Bistro!
Skinny's Place
Since you've spent hours exercising and dieting in preparation for beachwear, you can treat yourself to this historic burger dive. Skinny's is still owned and operated by the same family who founded it many decades ago. Feel free to show up in bathing suits, flip-flops and kissed by the sun – you'll fit right in – just bring cash (ATM is on-site), they don't accept cards. To top it off, they offer $1 draft beer served ICE COLD. How's that for a Cheeseburger in Paradise?
Sandbar Restaurant
Who doesn't appreciate an occasional tourist trap experience, especially one that offers the chance to dine with your "toes in the sand"? While this is not the top food experience on our list, many people love it! Sandbar offers yet another opportunity to take in the main-event of the island – sunset – and another highly popular occasion, beach weddings. Anna Maria is one of the country's top wedding destinations, and Sandbar is the most popular beachfront wedding venue on AMI. Family-friendly, casual dining on or by the beach – that's why it's so popular!
Anna Maria Donut Experiment
A warning before you go with kids, they won't want anything else for breakfast once they visit this fun shop! Don't let that stop you, as it's a fun experience customizing your donuts – some of our creations have been very interesting! From a caramel and sea-salt donut topped with bacon to traditionally glazed, you really can have it your way. Our kids start planning their next creation the second they leave the shop!
Slim's Place
For those who just want to watch their favorite sporting event over a good meal, Slim's is that place. Surrounded by HDTVs, high-top tables and great people, you are certain to find fans of all kinds in here. Above average pub-style food served in a casual, sporting event centered, and family friendly atmosphere, what's not to like about that?
Village Idiot Pizzeria
Who's in the mood for a fantastic pizza? For a break from seafood, try Village Idiot Pizzeria, with its NYC worthy (or better!) wood-fired pizzas in the Cortez Fishing Village just across the Cortez Bridge leaving Anna Maria Island. Their Florentine Pig is one of our favorites from the "white pizzas" selection; and the Chain Store Idiot is a pepperoni lover's slam dunk! The hardest decision you will have to make is choosing to dine in (often a short wait); or ordering ahead and taking your slice of heaven back to one of our vacation homes to enjoy pool-side or as an indoor movie night treat.
Additional restaurant recommendations can be found inside our "Insider's Guide" and in our informational binder located in each of our rental vacation homes.


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- 1. New Arrival 3 in 1 wireless charger for smart phone ,watch and bluetooth earphone .
- 2. Fast charger compatible Samsung 10W and Apple 7.5W, normal charge 5W
- 3. Horizontal and vertical charge , enjoy music during charging .
- 4. Charge 3 device at the same time .
Compatibility for Mobile :
for Samsung note5/note 8/note 9,s6/s6 edge,s7/s7 edge,s8/s8 plus,s9/s9 plus.
for iPhone 8 / 8 Plus / iPhone X/XR/XS/XS MAX.
for LG G2/G3/G4/G5/G6/DIL/V30.
for SONY Z3V/Z4V.
for Google NEXUS4/NEXUS5/NEXUS6/NEXUS7.
for HUAWEI W3.
for Nokia 822/830/930/735/920/820/929/1020/928/1520.
Supports all Qi-enabled deviced.
For NON Qi-enabled devices, please purchase a Qi- compatible Receiver on our store .
Compatibility for smart watch :
for Apple Watch iWatch 1 2 3 4 only .
Compatibility for earphone :
for Airpods only .
Package include :
1* wireless charger
1* Type-C cable
1* 18W QC3.0 charger adapter
1* User manual
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Lamb hits tying HR in 9th, D-backs rally past Giants in 11
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — More than 4 1/2 hours of baseball and it was well worth it for Jake Lamb and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Lamb hit a tying homer with two outs in the ninth inning and doubled home an insurance run in the 11th, rallying the Diamondbacks past the San Francisco Giants 9-7 on Monday night.
Phil Gosselin scored on Jean Segura's go-ahead infield single with two outs in the 11th. Lamb, who homered to right field off closer Santiago Casilla two innings earlier, made it a two-run cushion with his RBI double.
"Like (general manager Dave Stewart) said when he came in, if you're going to play that long you better win," Arizona manager Chip Hale said. "It was exciting. Guys were into it in the dugout. Great game."
Segura and Lamb had three hits apiece for the Diamondbacks, who scored five runs over the final four innings. Welington Castillo homered and drove in two runs to help Arizona win a game that took 4 hours, 35 minutes, and ended at 11:51 p.m. on the West Coast.
Rubby De La Rosa (1-3), scratched from his scheduled start in this series opener after coming out of the bullpen over the weekend, struck out three for the victory.
Brad Ziegler pitched the 11th for his third save this season and 31st consecutive overall — an ongoing franchise record. With two runners on, he got Brandon Crawford to hit into a game-ending double play.
"The last few outings I've had two guys on with no outs," Ziegler said. "I'm just doing what I can to get soft contact and hope it's at somebody."
Gosselin reached on a leadoff single against Chris Heston (1-1) in the 11th. Gosselin was sacrificed to second and went to third on a wild pitch before Segura hit a high chopper that bounced just under the glove of second baseman Joe Panik behind the mound.
Panik homered off Diamondbacks starter Archie Bradley, and Angel Pagan had three hits and two RBIs for the Giants.
"We came back and took the lead, but it's tough when you're one pitch away from a win," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.
Giants starter Jake Peavy had a better day at the plate than he did on the mound. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner gave up four runs over five innings but scored on a wild pitch and drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth.
Bradley walked four and gave up five runs over 4 1/3 innings in his season debut.
Roberto Kelly was back in his normal spot coaching third base for the Giants after leaving Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers when he got hit by an errant throw between innings. This is Kelly's first season coaching third for San Francisco after seven years as the team's first base coach. "He says he feels pretty good, still feels it a little bit," Bochy said. "A lot of times you get hit in the head and you get a concussion, nausea, throw up. But he had a pretty good night last night. He says he's fine."
Diamondbacks RHP Tyler Wagner pitched two scoreless innings after being called up from Triple-A Reno before the game. OF Socrates Brito was optioned down to make room.
Slumping 3B Matt Duffy was held out of the Giants' starting lineup but came in as a defensive replacement in the eighth.
Giants: INF Ehire Adrianza (broken foot) is being fitted for a cast and will be restricted from baseball activities for five to six weeks. . RHP George Kontos is expected to be placed on the disabled list because of a flexor strain.
Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (0-1) has allowed four earned runs over 12 1/3 innings and takes a 2.92 ERA into Tuesday's start against San Francisco.
Giants: RHP Matt Cain (0-1) has 14 career wins against Arizona but is struggling overall this season with a 6.75 ERA in two starts.


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The Boffo Yux Dudes have been writing music for the new SpinTunes songwriting contest – our first song was this little ditty about our favorite SuperHero, Ant-Man.
We made a little video for it in HD – it's 1080p if you really want to blow the sucker up on You Tube.
Special thanks to Bully, the Little Stuffed Bull, for help in acquiring the scans and also perusing the lyrics so we have the true essence of who 'Hank Pym' really is.


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I love fairs and carnivals, and always have. I grew up going to the Fort Bend County Fair almost every year until I hit my thirties, and still try to visit it when I can. I have many vivid memories of that fair and others, but they've also taught me a few lessons over the years. It may sound silly to some folks, but a county fair can teach a person a few things about himself and life.
4. A Fair Is a Microcosm of Many Cultures.
A good fair, such as Fort Bend County's, becomes a gathering place for lots of different types of people, and a lot of them use the event as a way to show off certain things that might not be obvious elsewhere. People-watching is one of the best things about a fair, and many local cultures are represented. I always take time to check out the exhibition halls where local artists display their work. Almost without fail, that proves to be interesting, with arts and crafts being displayed that cover many styles and mediums. Local bakers compete with some interesting results, too, and these glimpses into the many interests other people have are illuminating. Fort Bend County's Fair has a rodeo and lots of country music concerts as well as a huge livestock show, so there are also plenty of traditionally "Texan" activities for visitors to explore.
3. I Learned That Cheap Thrills Are Plentiful and Fun.
Probably the most appealing aspect of a fair is the opportunity to experience the types of cheap thrills that a good carnival environment can offer. As a kid in the '70s and '80s, I would look forward to exploring the midway, longing for some new experience that might await me. When I was younger, the rides were a big part of that appeal, but so was that sense of wonder and the unexpected. A carnival is like a small and very strange village that moves into town for a short while, allowing fair-goers a chance to escape from the everyday responsibilities of their lives. Most carnivals, including the one hosted by the Fort Bend County Fair, are family friendly. The safety of visitors is of primary concern, and any "danger" that a guest might sense is just part of the image — people tend to seek out things that seem a little scary. That certainly was a large part of the appeal of getting on certain rides, and paying to enter some of the sideshow attractions I encountered over the years. "Giant Russian Man-Eating Rats!" "The Two Headed Cow!" "Spidora — The Woman With The Body Of A Spider!" Sure, the thrills were cheap, but they were still a lot of fun.
2. I Learned the Difference Between Luck and Skill.
Rides and sideshow attractions weren't the only things drawing my younger self to the carnival. There were also the games, sprawling out in a continuous line of booths covered in flashing lights. The appeal of most of them seems almost primal, a sort of drive to be rewarded for a show of skill that most people only think about when a fair rolls into town. Could I throw an off-balance ring over a bowling pin? Could I shoot out a red star on a target with an air-powered, fully automatic BB gun? Would I care about these abilities or need them at any other time of the year? No, probably not. And the prizes...Why was a large stuffed, pink gorilla suddenly something I wanted so badly? I have no good answer for that. But a carnival can make some people think and act strangely.
Playing carnival games taught me a few valuable lessons early on, though. After playing a strange game with a large stationary roulette wheel, where I chose a number and then a rat was released to walk around before deciding to duck into one of the holes located at each spot, I realized that the real rat being led along was ME. While most carnival management companies don't allow outright cheating anymore, that doesn't mean that the games out on the midway aren't really hard, far more difficult to win at than they appear. It also doesn't mean that the darts handed out to pop balloons are universally balanced or sharp, as I quickly discovered from watching several bounce right off their intended targets. A player's ability to squirt a stream of water into a plastic clown's mouth or to knock down a pin could be a demonstration of skill, or it might just be a nice run of good luck. Life is like that sometimes.
1. I Learned That You Never Know Who You Might Meet.
Because of the community aspect of a county fair, a person may very well run into someone he knows but hasn't seen in a while. Over the years, that has certainly happened to me many times. Then there are the new characters a person might run into at a fair that he or she almost certainly won't anywhere else. For instance, in the late '80s, I was on a double date at the Fort Bend County Fair when my group happened upon a sideshow attraction that drew our attention.
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Huge, garish banners advertised "The Lobster Boy," and were accompanied by paintings of a young boy with bright red lobster claws on both his hands and feet. "Alive And In Person," another banner read, and we were hooked. By 1988, human oddity freak shows were extremely rare, since societal concerns had shifted toward a more sympathetic view of people with certain physical conditions, so we expected the "Lobster Boy" to be a young guy wearing fake claw gloves. My group eagerly paid admission, and were ushered inside the banner-draped door, to discover that what awaited us inside was a trailer home that looked like it could belong to someone's grandparent. There was a La-Z-Boy in the center, and that's when we met Grady Stiles, a famous sideshow performer, who had been touring carnivals billed as The Lobster Boy for many years. He'd been born with ectrodactyly, a rare birth defect that left him with two huge claw-like fingers on his hands, and two similar digits on his feet.
Stiles was in his late fifties when we met him, and was friendly with a well-practiced smile. As we left the trailer a few minutes later, I sensed that our dates were suddenly quiet and mildly shocked. They hadn't expected to encounter a person with a real physical condition, and the experience had killed their mood considerably. Years later, I found out Grady Stiles was notoriously abusive to his family, even killing his daughter's boyfriend, and eventually his cruelty led to him being murdered himself. Still, my encounter with the man had been an interesting one, and a throwback to a previous era of carnival life that had been swiftly dying out. I've met a lot of interesting people at fairs and midways over the years, but none of those encounters top that one. It was a true lesson that wherever life takes us, there will be interesting people along the way, and it happens that a carnival is a pretty good place to meet them.
The Fort Bend County Fair will offer visitors many unusual and fun activities, and it runs from September 25 through October 4.


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Washing walls: are we having fun yet?
Before you actually start the work of washing walls, you need to assess just how much work they actually need…and how much effect your work can actually have.
Do your walls need spot cleaning…a dab here and there for dirty spots? Or are they seriously soiled, covered with grime, soot, or nicotine? Even if you are planning to paint the walls, a good cleaning is in order. And that nice new sponge mop you used for the ceiling is the perfect tool for washing down dirty painted walls. But when washing walls, begin at the bottom of the wall and work your way up…those drips of water running from the top will leave streaks in a dirty wall surface that will be devilishly difficult to remove later! The same cleaning solution used on the ceilings is perfect for painted walls, although you should test first in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it will not harm or remove the paint.
Be careful about scrubbing too hard on painted wall surfaces as you may lose the paint. If you have wallpaper and it's not vinyl, you could be in for some trouble: wall paper can be very difficult to clean, particularly if the offending agent is oil-based, like cooking splatter.
Spot cleaning:
Crayon: WD-40 can be helpful in removing crayon from painted wall surfaces: spray over the spots and wipe off with paper towels. Then wash the wall with your cleaning solution.
Pencil: An art gum eraser can be very helpful in removing pencil marks from walls. Rub gently, as if you were erasing a sheet of paper, and wash afterward with cleaning solution.
Ink: Anything that can remove ink from a painted surface may remove the paint as well. Test the following in an inconspicuous spot before applying to the inked areas. Wash wall afterwards.
Hair spray: with an amply supply of paper towels at hand, spray hairspray over the ink spot and then blot clean. Use a fresh paper towel for each blot or you could end up spreading the stain.
Toothpaste. Gently rub a little on the spot, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe clean.
Alcohol: for surfaces that will not be damaged by alcohol, dab some rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol, which is a solution of 30% pure alcohol and 70% water) directly on the stain. Try to keep a moist pad of alcohol against the stain for ten minutes or so, then blot away the stain with clean paper towels.
Nail polish remover: it can strip paint, so this must be tested before use in a visible area. This works especially well for floors and tiles, but caution must be taken for painted walls. Blot onto the stain with a paper towel.
While you are on vertical surfaces, this is the time to do windows, pictures and picture frames, woodwork, and anything else that may drip dirty water down to the floor…remember to start at the bottom and work your way up.
Washing the whole (painted) wall
The same solution, mop, and technique that were used to wash the ceiling can be used to wash painted walls with the following caveats:
1) Gloss and semi-gloss walls will survive washing better than flat latex paints. If your paint is flat (not even a little shiny), don't scrub too hard or you may take off paint and all.
2) Wash walls from the bottom, up. Start at the baseboard (skirting board) and work your way up. Don't allow water to run down the wall as you clean. A sponge mop that is only damp is the best tool to use.
Other walls:
Nowadays walls can be made of…or covered with…just about anything. It's not possible to cover every eventuality, so we'll just touch lightly on the most common wall coverings:
Wood panelling
If you have fake wood panelling, you can wash it exactly the same way you wash a painted wall. Cleaning panelling of real wood, however, depends on how the wood is finished. See the section on woodwork, below, for how to clean wood.
Tile is pretty forgiving and most things will come off tile pretty easily. Problems with grout sometimes arise, though, and sometimes rust will stain tile.
A poultice made of bleach and baking soda on a damp paper towel will help remove rust stains from tiles and grout. The poultice can be stuck to the tile…even tiled walls…by wetting the paper towel and smoothing the outer few inches against the wall.
A paste of bleach and baking soda can also be "trowelled" into grout using the back side of a teaspoon. Allow to dry, rinse off, and repeat as necessary.
Wall coverings
Vinyl wall paper can be washed with a damp cloth and mild soap. Hard scrubbing should be avoided to prevent rubbing off the pattern. Dry with a soft cloth.
Other wall coverings such as sisal, paper wallpaper, fabric should be vacuumed with a soft brush. Any further cleaning should be done by a professional.
Washing the woodwork
When the walls are clean, it is time to wash the woodwork: doors, door frames, window frames and sills, built-ins, and panelled walls.
Painted woodwork
Woodwork is usually painted with high gloss or semi-gloss enamel paint. This makes it relatively easy to clean.
Never spray your cleaning solution directly on a surface, and this includes woodwork. Spray the solution onto your cleaning cloth and wipe it over the surfaces to be cleaned. Do not forget to wipe the tops of door sills and door frames. The same solutions to wall stains can be used on painted woodwork.
When cleaning vertical surfaces, be sure to start at the bottom and work your way up so you don't create drip marks.
Varnished woodwork
Most "natural wood" woodwork is varnished. If neglected, varnish can easily damage, which creates an even bigger problem: sanding and refinishing. You must take care of varnished wood or pay the piper.
Before you set yourself up for difficulty, try to determine if your wood had been varnished or polyurethaned. They look alike, but the polyurethane finish is virtually indestructible and needs only to be wiped down with a damp cloth.
To test, go to an inconspicuous spot (get on a ladder and test the top of a door sill) and put a few drops of acetone (nail polish remover) on the varnished wood and rub gently in a circular motion. Do not allow it to run! After a minute or two, check it. If the finish has gone sticky or gel-like, it's varnish. Polyurethane will not change.
In your arsenal of household products you should have a bottle of teak oil. You can get light teak oil and dark. If you have wood furnishings and woodwork, you should have teak oil on hand at all times. Light teak oil works on light woods, dark teak oil on dark woods. Teak oil works remarkably well to remove dirt from varnished or oiled wood surfaces, and it camouflages scratches. Mineral oil (not mineral spirits!) is a good second choice.
If rubbing with teak oil did not remove the soil, then you must wash the surface. You can wash varnished wood by dampening a clean cloth with a solution of mild soap and warm water and rubbing a small section of the wood to remove dirt. Dry immediately with a soft cloth. Working in small areas at a time prevents the finish from absorbing moisture. Remember, when working on vertical surfaces, like door, door jambs or window frames, to start at the bottom and work your way up.
Apply a coat of furniture polish or wax when finished.
Oiled woodwork
Before anything else, try to use teak or mineral oil to remove dirt. This can take a bit of effort, but it is the best way. Always rub with the grain of the wood.
If the soil is too deeply ingrained, then follow the instructions for varnished wood, above. Make certain that you adequately oil the wood when finished cleaning it. Rub the oil in with the grain of the wood until it looks like it is "too much." Wait about 15 minutes for the oil to soak in, them come back and polish with a soft dry cloth.
Unfinished wood
Unfinished wood is porous and unprotected against moisture, which will eventually cause damage. Unfinished wood (unless it is redwood, cypress, or cedar) needs some kind of protective coating.
Because it is uncoated, it is very difficult to clean soiled unfinished wood. Dirt and debris can cause permanent staining. If you have unfinished wood in your home, protect it by giving it a coating of mineral oil, furniture polish, or furniture wax.
You can clean unfinished wood like varnished wood but, except in the case of very light soil, do not expect miracles.
When you acquire a new piece of unfinished furniture, treat it immediately: oil it, varnish it, wax it, paint it…anything to protect the wood. Don't forget the bottom of the piece, where it touches the floor or you don't see. The paint/oil/varnish is not there for looks: its primary purpose is to protect the wood from the elements, such as dampness…or too much dryness…in the air. The same is true for wood elements in your home: unfinished wood doors, door frames, built ins, may all look fresh and natural, but once they are soiled (finger prints, spills, scuffs) the soil in permanent. Seal and protect your wood so that it will give you decades of beautiful service.
Making your own wood polish
You can make your own wood polish with items found in most households. Remember, our ancestors didn't have commercial spray-on furniture products to clean those beautiful antiques we cherish today. They made it themselves from common household goods.
You can use 2 parts vegetable or olive oil with 1 part lemon juice to make a furniture polish. Put it in a bottle with a tight fitting cap and shake vigorously. Make sure to shake again each time the oil and juice separate so that you have an emulsified liquid on your cleaning cloth. Apply with a soft cloth and then rub in a circular motion to polish. Make sure you label the bottle (use a permanent marker) with its contents on one side and the "formula" on the other so you can easily mix up a refill.
If you like lemon oil polish, take a pint ( ½ litre) of mineral oil (not mineral spirits) and dissolve a teaspoon of lemon oil in it. Bottle and label as above.
Here are some tips from Michigan State University Extension for cleaning various types of wood:
For Unfinished Wood: Mineral Oil. Mineral oil is flammable. Apply sparingly with a soft cloth.
For Mahogany: Vinegar. Mix equal pans white vinegar and warm water. Wipe onto wood and then polish with a chamois cloth.
For Grease Spots: Salt. Immediately pour salt on the grease spot to absorb grease and prevent staining.
For Scratches: Lemon Juice and Vegetable Oil. Mix equal pans of lemon juice and salad oil. Rub into scratches with a soft cloth until scratches disappear.
For Water Spots: Toothpaste. To remove water marks, rub gently with toothpaste on a damp cloth.
For Washing Wood: Mild Soap. Dampen cloth with a solution of water and mild soap, such as Ivory or Murphy's Oil Soap. Wring the cloth almost dry and wipe the furniture section by section, drying with a clean dry cloth as you go so that no section stays wet.
Next: Windows and mirrors
Friday, September 12, 2008
The How-to of "Wet Work": Washing walls and woodwork
Posted 08:13
Labels: clean, cleaning, cleaning supplies, cleaning wood, dirty, furniture polish, house, mess, polish, saving money, tips, untidy, walls, wash, wet work, wood, woodwork
1 comment:
- cesty said...
You certainly know your stuff! I will likely have to try to crayon tip at some point. Hopefully it won't be too often. :)
- September 19, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Today I am sharing another LuLaRoe favorite of mine! This is the LuLaRoe Lucy worn as a dress. I added a LuLaRoe Joy over top of it. I love the way the lace Joy makes everything look prettier and more feminine! I then added a belt and some fabulous Noonday accessories!
This is a really fun look for work, but would also be great for a lunch date, an evening out or a women's event! I love that it's comfy enough to wear all day long. Before I discovered LuLaRoe, I would wear cute clothes out in public and as soon as I got home I would change into pajamas or shorts and a tank top. Now that I'm wearing comfy clothes, I find that I tend to look great all day long…not just when I'm out in public! 🙂
Here are the apparel and accessory items that I used to create this chic look. You can click here to see all of the other Plus Size Outfits I've shared.
LuLaRoe Lucy Skirt Worn As A Dress
- LuLaRoe Lucy Skirt (worn as a dress) {Join my Facebook group to purchase LuLaRoe}
- LuLaRoe Joy
- Circle Buckle Stretch Belt
- Stuart Weitzman Annabelle in Adobe Annoline
- Louis Vuitton Neverful GM
- Daybreak Earrings
- Paper Dreams Necklace Turquoise
- Bethe Rope Necklace
- Extender from Golden Rivers Necklace
- 2 Safari Stack Bracelets (Aqua)
- Safari Stack Bracelet (Teal)
Why FlabbyFashionista.com?
I LOVE Plus Size Fashion and helping real women put together outfits that make them look like a million bucks without spending a million bucks! Since I regularly hear from women who tell me how challenging it can be to find Plus Size Outfits, I decided to put together a variety of outfits!
Why LuLaRoe?
The first time I tried on LuLaRoe, I fell in love! Seriously! The leggings were buttery soft and the clothing fit sooo well. I was also amazed at how affordable it was! And I love that the clothes are designed for women of all shapes and sizes! They make clothing from XXS to 3XL! Want to learn more about LuLaRoe? Check out my LuLaRoe Facebook group where I will be sharing styling tips and giving away FREE LuLaRoe!
Why Noonday?
Wonder why I recommend Noonday Collection all the time? Noonday Collection is a business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world!
Across the developing world, millions of people work as Artisans, using traditional skills to create handcrafted products. But without access to a global market, these Artisans often struggle to earn a sustainable income.
Noonday Collection collaborates with 29 Artisan Businesses in 12 countries to design a collection of handcrafted jewelry and accessories. Noonday develops these Artisan Businesses through fair trade, connecting them to a global market and empowering them to grow sustainably.
As a Noonday Ambassador, I get to combine 4 of my passions: empowering women to become the best version of themselves, making an impact in communities without the economic advantages we have in the US, orphan care and of course, fashion! If you're interested in learning more about Noonday Collection, send me an email!


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LONGXIANG is a professional manufacturer, supplier of courtyard-plant-pot, we provide courtyard-plant-pot OEM & ODM wholesale, courtyard-plant-pot price and more questions, please contact us and follow our Facebook , We will respond in a timely manner, we are not the lowest price of courtyard-plant-pot, but we will provide you with better service.
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Freestanding Plant Planter Box Stand Elevated Garden Bed System
Contact Person
- Rocky Lee
- Address:
- No.96-1 Qixin Road, Dongchong Town, Nansha District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511453, China
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Success Stories
EcoBuild has several success stories to share, find out more by scrolling down this page.
Fire protected surfaces (Pre study)
Are there any sustainable alternatives to conventional fire retardants?
EcoBuild's contribution:
A concept for fire retardants of surfaces with films consisting of nanoclay and nanocellulose developed at the KTH [1] has been tested through a direct application on wood. The purpose was to evaluate the application method.
Fire tests show an extended time for ignition when wood surfaces has been surface treated in lab scale with clay and nanocellulose. A direct application is reasonable from an industrial perspective, however, more work needs to be done before the concept is ready to be up-scaled. Funding for continued research has recently been approved.
[1] F. Carosio, F. Cuttica, L. Medina, L.A. Berglund. "Clay nanopaper as multifunctional brick and mortar fire protection coating—Wood case study", Materials and design 93 (2016), 357.
Performance of a new water-based fire retardant in wood based panels
Current solution for fire proofing wood based panels are often solved using toxic or eco-unfriendly systems. Leaching of these systems may also impact the surrounding environment.
EcoBuild's contribution
Spray-on treatment in pilot scale as well as producing the boards to be evaluated. Ecobuild also performed small scale fire tests as well as environmental assessment using life cycle analysis of the different formulations and putting them in perspective to existing benchmark products.
The treatment formulation shows improved results both in terms of fire retardancy and mould resistance as well as positive outcome of the LCA compared to the benchmark products. Furthermore application by spray-on gave better distribution of the treatment compared to dipping fibres in solution.
An attractive boat deck
Many boat builders have asked for environmentally uncontroversial alternatives to teak decks, with retained technical and aesthetic properties.
EcoBuild's contribution
Within the EcoBuild frame, SP and two Norwegian companies have taken promising research results on furfurylated wood all the way to a successful industrial implementation.
After the launch of Kebony Maple Boat Deck the demand on all their fufurylated wood products has increased dramatically, and the production is now covered by orders for a long time ahead.
High value furanic compounds from residue streams
To demonstrate to Swedish industry the possibility to take bioprocessing of wood and agricultural residues from "concept" to "delivery" (demo scale).
EcoBuild's contribution
Provide links to ongoing projects where furanic components can play a significant role (e.g. BioCoilCoat).
Demonstrated extraction of chemical compounds (furans, sugars, acids) from biomass at demo-scale. Use of filtration and ultra-filtration in pilot scale to fractionate/separate compounds. Lab scale conversion to intermediate furan compounds.
A coil coating system with less environmental impact
SSAB Tunnplåt who until now have used large volumes of paints made from petroleum feedstock wanted an alternative with less environmental impact.
EcoBuild's contribution
EcoBuild has enabled a follow up on promising research findings at KTH on reactive biobased diluents all the way to industrial implementation.
The results led to a full scale industrial implementation. For SSAB this means that a large share of their production now is coated with a paint that is much more environmentally benign, due to a decreased amount of solvents.
Increased content of biobased chemicals in coil coatings
European sheet steel industry is annually using 180 000 tonnes of paint for their coated products. The challenge is to meet the market driven demand of increasing the content of "green carbons" in the paints, whilst maintaining the properties.
EcoBuild's contribution
Development of polyesters based on renewable furan chemical building blocks and put into perspective through sectorial development within the Furu2Furan-project and its subprojects.
It has been shown in pilot scale that the content of "green carbons" can be significantly increased in coil coatings.
Development of wood fibre composites with IKEA
WPC materials for furniture applications were already tried by IKEA. Improvements were needed regarding mechanical properties and visual appearance, which became the focus for the development work within EcoBuild.
EcoBuild's contribution
The material was optimized for various injection moulded products by influencing and controlling the wood-plastic interactions. The injection moulding process was adapted to give the desired appearance of the surfaces.
Wood fibre composites are now used by IKEA in some products and the use is expected to grow.
CelluNova – textile fibres from forest resources
Current cotton production is not sustainable, neither environmentally nor socioeconomically. This calls for a development of new, environmentally sound high quality textile fibres from wood cellulose.
EcoBuild's contribution
EcoBuild brought together key operators from several industrial sectors in the project "CelluNova" for joint development of textile fibres from forest feedstock.
New fibres with very good properties were spun. The project has led to several spin offs such as the H2020 project Neo Cel and the research programme Mistra Future Fashion.


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Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and chronic pulmonary conditions are becoming a huge economic burden in the U.S. Earlier onset of chronic disease and its development in more working-aged adults has caused a decline in the overall health and quality of life of employees, resulting in days away from work and subpar job performance. Adding to the burden is the cost of treating chronic disease—estimated to account for about 75% of national healthcare expenditures.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the top four behaviors that contribute to chronic disease in the U.S.: poor nutrition, physical inactivity, frequent alcohol consumption and tobacco use. To improve the overall quality of life of employees as well as curb the costs of rising health care, many employers are instituting workplace wellness programs to help employees adopt healthier lifestyles. The good news is that Rand Corporation's 2014 research shows that more than half of U.S. employers with 50 or more employees offer workplace wellness programs.
The Harvard Business Review defines workplace wellness programs as an organized, employer-sponsored program that is designed to support employees (and sometimes, their families) as they adopt and sustain behaviors that reduce health risks, improve quality of life, enhance personal effectiveness, and benefit the organization's bottom line.
While in the past corporate wellness programs have not been viewed as essential, the enormous costs associated with health care, which are rising quickly with the aging workforce, are making the programs more of a strategic imperative. Health education and coaching, smoking cessation programs, weight and chronic disease management programs, medical screenings, and on-site fitness programs are all components of corporate wellness programs. In addition, programs may include policies to facilitate employee health such as allowing time for exercise, offering healthy food options in cafeterias and vending machines, consistent communication that encourages positive health behaviors and offering financial and other incentives for participation.
CDC research says that public health can be improved by building workplace "cultures of health" that support healthy lifestyles. This culture can be created when the employer provides financial and organizational support for employee wellness programs that include many of the program criteria mentioned above. In companies with a strong health culture, employees are three times as likely to report taking action to improve their health and rate all aspects of their performance higher than employees whose employers lack a strong culture of health.
A 2013 workplace wellness study by Rand found that people who participate in workplace wellness programs generally saw improvements in health-related behavior and health risks. These include increased smoking cessation rates, improved physical activity, weight loss, lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and consumption of more fruits and vegetables. Long-term participation in a wellness program may lower employer health care costs.
Engagement at all levels is essential for workplace wellness programs to be successful. Employers need to be supportive and communicate frequently with their employees, while employees need to be active participants. The goal is to change health-related behaviors and teach self-management of chronic disease and related risk factors through helpful channels.
According to an article in the Harvard Business Review while some health risk factors, such as heredity, cannot be modified, focused education and personal discipline can change others such as smoking, physical inactivity, weight gain, and alcohol use—and, by extension, hypertension, high cholesterol, and even depression. The article also found that workplace wellness programs have three main benefits: lower health care costs, greater employee productivity, and higher workplace morale.
Wellness programs do more than help promote a healthier workforce — they also have a tremendous impact on a company's bottom line. It's the best first step in maintaining a healthy, productive and satisfied workforce. Effective workplace wellness programs, policies and environments that are health-focused and worker-centered have the potential to significantly benefit employers and improve the quality of life of employees, their families, and communities.


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Pattern: Chevron Baby Blanket
Source: Ravelry
Price: Free!!
Yarn: Rosàrio's 4 70's Cotton
Needle: 8mm circular
Rather than knitting with two strands of 10ply, I knit with a single strand of this chunky cotton on 8mm needles. I knit this while pregnant and it quickly became my nemesis. We would face off over a few rows each night as a sort of penance while I completed other more enjoyable projects. What made this a less enjoyable knit was the chunkiness of it all on short little needles and the complete lack of stretch in the yarn made it tiresome to work with. I could never quite get into a rhythm.
However, now that the nemesis is defeated and this blanket is complete. I love it. Love love love it. W spends his floor play time on this rug and it's super soft, squishy and delicious.
I did have a slight heartbreak moment when I washed it for the first time. The yellow dye ran slightly despite a cold machine wash giving the white stripes a faint jaundiced tinge, but I figured that this blanket is destined for far worse by way of poonamis and projectile spews. So, with that in mind, I tried very hard not to cry about it.
- If you're new to circulars, or cotton, or chunky yarn, or large knits or all four, be prepared for some work as you get to know these beasts.
- I knit colours in pseudorandom sequence (e.g. A-B-A-C-B-C-A-B-A) rather than stripes (e.g. A-B-C-A-B-C-A-B-C) and think it worked pretty well.


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Industrial kiln causes shed to go up in flames
PUBLISHED: 09:55 01 July 2014 | UPDATED: 09:55 01 July 2014
Firefighters tackled a fire on an industrial estate in Soham on Monday.
A crew was called at 5.30pm to Townsend after an industrial kiln caused a fire inside a shed.
A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters extinguished the blaze using a hose reel and small gear. A thermal imaging camera was used to check for hotspots."
Crews returned to their station by 6.20pm. The cause of the fire was accidental.


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Rock Wedding Band Bristol
We are The Zines and we play Rock and Indie music. Think Blur, The Jam, The Beatles, The Who and Reef. High energy, dance floor filling rock music. We are an experienced 4 piece playing sessions in London and Weddings throughout the U.K.
The Deal
We play 2 hours of live music at your wedding or event, we offer a free DJ service, a contract, can learn a first dance song and offer a discount for off-season weddings. We've played at the biggest and best wedding venues throughout the South West and can deal directly with the venue in the run up to your big day.
Our Site
Search our site, check our reviews, and book the best Indie & Rock band in the U.K for your wedding party.
Contact us at email@example.com or call 0117 369 0881.


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Whether you prefer sugar or fresh flowers, pretty blooms are the perfect accessory for your reception confection—and these 87 wedding cakes with flowers are all the proof you'll need!
While guests might forget your first dance song or the color of your table runners, your friends and family will always remember what your wedding cake tasted and looked like. Wedding cakes with flowers and greenery are undeniable show-stoppers and one of the most popular big day desserts—for good reason, we might add!
Flower wedding cakes don't just have their beautiful looks going for them. Florals can add vibrancy to an otherwise simple cake at a relatively low expense. It allows the couple to skip pricier decorative techniques—like fondant or hand-cut details—in favor of floral adornments. And though sugar flowers cost more than fresh, the fake buds are still a cost-effective way to upgrade your wedding cake without bursting your budget. And the best part about going the faux-flower route is that the color and design options are endless.
Flower wedding cakes are so versatile that they can be adapted to fit almost any wedding theme. Go the rustic route with scattered buds and greenery at the cake's base. A confection with gold accents or intricate sugar flowers in between each layer befits a glamorous affair. A nearly naked flower wedding cake with a scattering of wildflowers is perfect for bohemian weddings. And more couples are also getting creative with watercolor prints and unexpected color combinations.
To get you feeling inspired, we found 85 beautiful wedding cakes with flowers for you to peruse. With countless options, including hand-painted, cascading, and overloaded-floral styles, it's impossible not to find a delicious confection you absolutely love.
Spring Wedding Ready
With buttercream frosting and lush flowers and greenery, this confection is ready for a spring wedding.
Feature Pressed Flowers
Instead of fresh flowers, this wedding cake featured dried and pressed flowers for a wild and whimsical look.
Dot with Pink Posies
How unique! For a French-inspired wedding, we love a Croquembouche wedding cake. This one is even dotted with pretty pink posies.
Use Warm Hues
At their Austin wedding, this couple served a gluten-free Mexican vanilla wedding cake with Italian cream and chocolate, complete with flowers in warm hues.
Serve Doughnuts
Can't choose between cake and donuts? Why not have both? This couple had a single-tiered wedding cake with flowers to cut, and then served guests yummy glazed donuts.
Pop of Color
At their New York wedding, this couple served a confetti cake from Momofuku Milk Bar, complete with magenta flowers.
Something Blue
Who ever said your something blue couldn't be your wedding cake?!
Serve Tiers of Cheese
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, this couple served up tiers of cheese at their New York wedding! (They still decorated the layers with some fabulous florals though, of course!)
Use Countless Flowers
At pro golfer Smylie Kaufman's wedding, this towering confection with countless cascading flowers was served.
Make a Flower Wall
The perfect backdrop to a wedding cake with flowers? A flower wall, of course!


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Data released last month by the Health Protection Agency shows that almost 70,000 persons were accessing HIV-related care at the end of 2010, an increase of 4,100 (6%) compared to 2009. An estimated 90% were being treated as indicated under the current national guidelines.
Men who have sex with men remain the group most at risk of becoming infected with HIV, with 3,000 new diagnoses made in 2010 – the largest ever annual number of new HIV diagnoses in this group since the HIV epidemic began.
Dr Valerie Delpech, head of HIV at the Health Protection Agency, said:
"Despite progress in delivering treatment, preventing transmission is critical to reducing HIV costs to the NHS, which were an estimated £484 million in 2010 – an increase of £49 million from the previous year.
"The best way to prevent all sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, is to practise safe sex. This means using a condom with all new sexual partners until you have both been tested and given the all-clear."
The national HIV and AIDS new diagnoses and deaths database held at the Health Protection Agency collects demographic and epidemiological information on adults (aged 15 years and older) who are newly diagnosed with HIV within England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Further demographic and epidemiological information on new diagnoses in Scotland are collected from Health Protection Scotland and for paediatric cases from the Institute of Child Health. On a six monthly basis, this information is collated to produce the number of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in the United Kingdom, providing an understanding of the current epidemic and at risk groups.
You can download the new HIV diagnoses national tables from here.


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Shasta Dam Bridge Ride May 9th
What promises to be an annual event, the family bike ride from the Sundial Bridge to Shasta Dam and back returns for its second year. The fun bike ride follows the Sacramento River Trail and Rail Trail starting at Redding's Sundial Bridge. Two rides are offered for different skill levels. The longer ride is 32 miles, going all the way to the dam and the shorter ride is a ten mile jaunt out and back. The Sundial Bridge is both the start and finish. Ride starts at 9:00 am.
Sponsored by Redding East Rotary Club and community-minded businesses, proceeds go to the Redding East Rotary Scholarship Fund. Riders may sign up online at shastadambridgeride.com. 10-mile riders are $20 per adult. Kids under 12 ride free. 32-mile riders solicit sponsor pledges and raise as much as possible.
Come on out for this fun event and bring the family!


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For bone marrow transplant, doctors prefer a close match of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) markers between the patient and donor. The closer the match, the more successful surgery is likely to be. However, donors having 100% match with patient's HLA markers are next to impossible to find, and bone marrow transplant is not possible. In HBMT, which is a form of bone marrow transplant, the requirement is only a 50% match between the patient's HLA markers and donor's.
When Prachi was brought to a private hospital in Jaipur, she was extremely sick. Her eyes protruded out of the sockets. She suffered from acute blood cancer, acute myeloid leukaemia.
"We ruled out chemotherapy as chances of survival were slim, only about 20%. Since this was a high risk case, bone marrow transplant was the only viable option. In such a scenario, usually the transplant physician searches for a 100% matching donor which could only be a sibling. Prachi was the only child, so the possibility of 100% match was ruled out," Dr Satyendra Katewa, head of the department of paediatric haemato-oncology & BMT, who conducted the surgery in July, 2015, said.
Left with no option but HBMT, the doctors used marrow from her father's bone, which provided a 50% match to the child's. The two-year-old also had to undergo aggressive chemotherapy and immunosuppression to ward off risks of rejection of graft (bone marrow) and for removing cancer tissues from her body.
"We declare a patient fully cured after six months of surgery. Six months have passed and she is completely cured now," Dr Katewa said.
On Wednesday, Prachi's parents Amit Kumar and Suman were full of smiles as doctors declared their little one cured.
How HBMT works
These transplants need a very high-end blood bank and state-of-art laboratory services.
Majority of the transplant centres in the country do not conduct 50% matched BMTs - the complications involved are great, and the risk of transplant rejection is high. What is more, most transplant physicians in India are not trained to perform these transplants.
In haploidentical transplant, doctors conduct aggressive chemotherapy to remove affected blood and bone marrow in the patients.
The doctors remove the old immune system of the patient to infuse a new immune system by conducting bone marrow transplant.
The bone marrow transplant also changes the blood group of the patient into the blood group of donor.
The patient is protected from infection post-surgery and kept in a place where even the finest particles of air are filtered.
Post-surgery, the doctors transfuse blood and platelets as the affected blood and bone marrow has already been removed.
Transfusion continues for 15 days post-surgery, till the new bone marrow starts producing healthy blood cells.


text: Hi Guys. I just buy a Samsung Galaxy Pro. I generaly like it but i have a big issue with it. When i connected to my pc ask me for drivers instead of mouting the memory as a drive. If i change in the phone the settings with the cable connected and deselect debug mode, the SD mount great. But every time i unplug the phone i have to re-uncheck debug mode. I search all settings and i cant find the option to set mass storage as default usb mode. Any help please. Thabnks


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The takeoff scene may be the single most important Game Mastering lesson Star Wars has to teach us (and Star Wars has a bunch). It's the transition point between two distinct phases of the movie: "developing the setting," and "solving the problem."
These two phases emerge naturally in every RPG campaign I've ever run, whether I'm planning for them or not. So planning for them intentionally means working with the medium to make the campaign stronger.
Phase 1 Encounters: Shakin' It Up
The first phase takes place in the PCs' home territory, whatever that may be. That could be on the safe and boring side (like running a moisture farm), or it could be fairly exciting (smugglers just trying to make a living) – as long as the encounters you choose fit into whatever is "normal" for these characters. The purpose of this phase is to develop the setting as it normally exists. This is important – in Star Wars, the first half of the movie exposes us to Luke's home life so that his world feels real and worth fighting for in the second half. Bringing in really big encounters in too soon can undercut their excitement by giving the impression that they're par for this world and for the characters' context.
But the game still needs to be exciting! In other words, it's fun to play a smuggler crew, but not as fun to do session after session of ordinary smuggling. Note that even during the "mundane" part of Star Wars, what we're actually seeing is the two days where Luke's life gets shaken up forever. So in addition to any "normal" encounters, be sure to sprinkle in encounters that could normally happen in the PCs' home context but that usually wouldn't.
Phase 2 Encounters: Beyond Your Ken
If phase 1 is where the danger and the out-of-the-ordinary elements come to players – phase 2 is where the players go to the adventure. They are now in locations where dangerous things can and do happen, routinely.
In this phase, you must take the game to new and exciting locations – locations that are foreign to both the players and the characters. Even if the PCs are professional adventurers, like the smugglers in the above example, it's important to bring in threats they haven't dealt with before. Don't get wrapped up in what's already familiar – these players may never play these characters again, so it's important to make this campaign the most interesting chapter of these characters' lives.
Handling the Transition
Make your transition clear and decisive. This should be a watershed moment where the PCs now cannot escape the adventure. Those smugglers take the job that changes everything. A wizard walks into the unassuming Halfling's front garden. The Millennium Falcon blasts off.
Place your transition sooner rather than later, but be careful. If you transition too soon, sweeping your PCs along on the adventurous stuff before they get a feel for this world, you're likely to suffer from Poorly Defined Setting syndrome. On the other hand, if you let them over-explore the "normal" setting, before bringing the story in to change their lives, you're probably going to suffer from Too Many Player Ideas syndrome.
Envision this transition as the end of act I and the beginning of act II. We want to get to act II as soon as possible, because it's more exciting, but we can't just start there.