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The Deets...
Who is Viki Lyn...?
Viki will be awarding $15 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour
Posts You May Have Missed
Thanks for hosting!ReplyDelete
Good morning and thank you for hosting me! I am excited about this book because it takes place in my old stomping grounds. I'm a native California girl, and lived and played in the Bay Area where the story takes place. It's a bit earlier than my time, but my older sister went to UC Berkeley in 1968. So what do you most remember about or read about the Summer of Love, Hippies and 1967? I'll be checking back later to answer any questions you might have for me.ReplyDelete
Sounds like a good read.ReplyDelete
Thanks for hosting!
I have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.
psiu@ live.com
Hi All. I hope everyone had a good day! Thank you all for stopping by, and thank you Erin for hosting me today!ReplyDelete
Sounds interesting
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
I love your books Viki, can't wait to read Formula!ReplyDelete
I like the sound of this.
I'm in love with this book!
This sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for sharing brown_angel 123at) yahoodot) comReplyDelete
Interesting time period for the book.
strive4bst(AT) yahoo(Dot) com


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Keep America's oldest poetry journal alive!
Founded in 1889, America's oldest poetry journal has had a dual mission of discovery and translating great works since its ambitious beginnings. Charlotte Porter and Helen Clarke, two progressive young Shakespeare scholars, launched Poet Lore as a way to bring "Shakespeare, Browning, and the Comparative Study of Literature" to American readers, but they soon sought out the original work of living writers. They understood the significance of such marginalized luminaries as Paul Dunbar and Sara Teasdale.
We hold a mission of discovery within the heart of Poet Lore; the current editors discovered Reginald Dwayne Betts while he was incarcerated. Our regular feature, "World Poets in Translation" continues the legacy our foremothers began: to deliver global poetry to American readers.
Poet Lore is published by The Writer's Center. For 40 years, The Writer's Center has been a home for writers from all over the Washington metropolitan area. Our tradition of success is rooted in our vision, values, and mission.
The Writer's Center cultivates the creation, publication, presentation, and dissemination of literary work. We are an independent literary organization with a global reach, rooted in a dynamic community of writers. As one of the premier centers of our kind in the country, we believe the craft of writing is open to people of all backgrounds and ages. Writing is interdisciplinary and unique among the arts for its ability to touch on all aspects of the human experience. It enriches our lives and opens doors to knowledge and understanding.
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Let me tell you a story about a parking lot. My fiancé and I went away for the holiday weekend with three other couples. On the afternoon of the 4th, one of the other couples went into town to pick up some supplies, and learned from a local that there was going to be a big fireworks show that night. The local told them that most people here for the weekend would gather in the park, but they'd charge you $8 to park there, so the locals usually park for free at the golf course across the street and watch the fireworks from there.
"What great inside information!" I thought. "We can watch the fireworks for free!" I was apparently alone in my thinking. "The people here are really cheap, they're not willing to pay for parking, but we can afford to pay for parking, so we should just go park in the lot" said one of my friends.
I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, the locals are indeed a bit seedy (we were in marijuana country) and we had children in our group, so perhaps my friend just wanted a more wholesome environment for the kids. However, something about the way he said "cheap" made me think that wasn't the whole reason. There was the implication that the locals had to be cheap because they don't have a lot of money, but because we are all gainfully employed, there was no reason we shouldn't pay for the convenience of parking in the lot.
My suspicions were confirmed when, as we were approaching the gate to the parking lot, we spotted a parking space just outside of the lot where we could park for free and walk the extra 50 feet or so to the park – we'd get free parking, and we would be in the park with the tourists rather than the golf course with the locals. "Let's just park there and walk into the park" I said, which thankfully at least got the agreement of one other person in the car. But despite that person being the one driving the car, she instead listened to her husband, who chimed in with "nah, let's just go into the lot, it's fine."


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"Organized by Amnesty International after receiving the rights to John Lennon's songs from Yoko Ono, 2007's INSTANT KARMA collection benefits the organization's campaign to end the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, while also serving as a tribute to the late Beatle. Presenting an impressively eclectic array of artists that ranges from Christina Aguilera to Big & Rich to the Postal Service, the compilation is a truly varied affair. Not surprisingly, however, many of the finest tracks come from pop/rock acts directly inspired by Lennon, including R.E.M., reuniting with original drummer Bill Berry for a beautifully drowsy version of "#9 Dream," and Ben Harper, who contributes a delicate take on "Beautiful Boy." Providing the most direct link to Lennon's legacy, though, are Jakob Dylan (son of Bob) and Dhani Harrison (son of George), who offer up a lively rendition of "Gimme Some Truth" that reminds listeners of the legendary performer's socially conscious spirit.Rolling Stone (p.71) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Jackson Browne's tender want in 'Oh My Love' is the high point: one great songwriter deep inside the power and yearning of another."
This is an organization set up after three men in thier early twenties ventured out to africa to discover a story they would never forget. When arriving they found the "invisible children" these kids walk miles every night in Uganda, Africa just to have somewhere safe to sleep from being abducted and forced to kill in the rebels army. The video created from the men is life changing. The organization has created a website: Invisiblechildren.com
Just check it out, you will be inspired.
Daily dose approved.


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Free shipping in the USA (lower 48) when your order is over $89 (excluding gift certificates and sales tax, if applicable).
In Stock. When dreams come true, it is often due to good planning and hard work. This piece was composed to celebrate the opening of a new school, and the premiere performance was part of the celebration ceremony to honor all those who envisioned this project and saw it to completion. Grasp the Dream is a celebratory piece that can serve as an exciting concert opener or contest selection for your program. The character of the music is ideal for ceremonies, new beginnings, and other commemorative occasions.
� 2019 Music44. All rights reserved.


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Making a Difference: BPD Makes Special Young Man Police Chief for a Day!/
Yesterday, Tuesday, July 12, 2016, officers from the District B-2 (Roxbury) Community Service Office and Sergeant Samil Silta visited a very special patient at Boston Children's Hospital. The patient, 6-year-old Owen Nichols, has spent the past 10 weeks at Boston Children's Hospital undergoing 18 surgeries to correct a birth defect. Owen loves the police, so his friends from the Polk County Sheriffs Department in Florida decided to send a care package up to Boston for him. Inside this package were t-shirts, a Polk County Sheriff badge, coloring books, a back pack, crayons, markers, and much more. This package was delivered by Boston Police Sergeant Silta, who also presented Owen with a Boston Police t-shirt and badge and promoted him to "Police Chief for a Day!"
Owen's first order of business was to proclaim, "Free ice cream for Boston Children's Hospital!" So the good Sergeant followed orders arriving with his ice cream truck full of delicious JP Licks ice cream and treated the whole hospital to a cup of ice cream. Owen was a great Police Chief and gave a special thanks to all the staff of Children's Hospital and the Polk County Sheriffs as he ate his ice cream from the front seat of his police car.


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Sovereign Funds Commit to Integrating Climate-Related Risks at One Planet Summit
Representatives from a number of sovereign wealth funds who collectively govern over US$ 2 trillion in assets came together at the One Planet Summit at the Élysée Palace in Paris in order to discuss what public asset owners can do to incorporate climate change-related risks and opportunities into investment considerations.
The newly formed committee – called the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund Working Group – includes as its founding members the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Norges Bank Investment Management (manager of Norway's Government Pension Fund Global), Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund.
[ Content protected for Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Standard subscribers only. Please subscribe to view content. ]
Mirae Asset Daewoo Co., Ltd., the Seoul-based investment banking firm, has provided a US$ 375 million loan for a redevelopment in New York's Times Square. It joins L & L Holding Company, Maefield Development, and Fortress Investment Group who are bringing the development known as TSX Broadway to life. The building is at 1568 Broadway in Manhattan. TSX Broadway, a US$ 2.5 billion project when all equity financing is added in, will allow for renovations and expansion of the 46-storey building. An LED screen, which is not an uncommon sight in the Big Apple, will wrap around the corner of the tower. [ Content protected for Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Standard subscribers only. Please subscribe to view content. ]
The Saudi Arabian government dispelled rumors that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will acquire football club Manchester United. However, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) had talks regarding sponsorship with the football club. Manchester United signed a partnership deal with Saudi Arabia's General Sports Authority in 2017.
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) created a new department to oversee and attempt to eliminate financial risks to the system. [ Content protected for Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Standard subscribers only. Please subscribe to view content. ]
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The Bechdel Test: Disappointing Female Characters, Feminist Film, and The Duke of Burgundy
In an effort to point out gender inequality in film and effectively demonstrated how women are more often than not honestly and sufficiently portrayed, Alison Bechdel created the Bechdel Test in her comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For. Essentially, for a film to 'pass' the Bechdel Test there must be at least two female characters, they in turn must also talk to one another throughout the movie, and when they do converse it must be concerning something other than a man. It is often said Bechdel's criteria determine whether a film is feminist or not, however, this is not the case because the Bechdel Test is meant to call our attention to the fact women are under-represented in the film industry, and even when they are many of the typical Hollywood female characters are either poorly developed or they are downright stereotypically written. For instance, the 2014 film The Duke of Burgundy is almost the dream test subject for Bechdel's criteria as it features an all-female cast, and its story is fully centered on a relationship between a younger and older woman. This film works so well with the Bechdel Test because the cast is comprised only of women, but it is not done so in an attempt to exclude men, simply its story is one driven totally by the female presence. While the test is useful when dissecting certain films in order to determine whether women are correctly represented such as The Duke of Burgundy, it is not always applicable to or sensible for every single film. It would be highly unfair to judge some films using the Bechdel Test because there are some stories which do not involve women, just as there are stories without men. In addition, the male and female perspectives all involve the same story, but simply show it from different perspectives; each side is only a portion of the human experience. Furthermore, even proper female characters who are well-rounded and smartly written may exist in a film that does also include a form of gender inequality. Bechdel's test is a very useful tool when analyzing films, but there are definite limitations on its effectiveness, and in order for it to be of use the test must be applied correctly.
The Bechdel Test "does not ask if a film is feminist, only if there is a 'female presence'" (Russell and Scheiner-Fisher 222). When the test is referred to as inherently feminist, this is not correct. The Bechdel Test is merely a way for viewers to measure how well women are represented within the stories in which they exist. One of the most significant ways the test works is in those films where female characters are written poorly, or where the women are shaped solely in tune with stereotypical gender roles and character traits supposedly held by 'all women'. On one hand, the Bechdel Test draws attention to the many female characters who exist solely as objects or pawns in stories to propel the trajectory of male characters. For instance, too many Hollywood films enact the "knight in shining armour" trope where the women are basically there to serve as catalysts for the hero's actions; especially nowadays with the troubling rise of graphic rape-revenge films where the female character must be degraded and shame in detail on camera, which then gives the male hero of the movie a reason to seek revenge, or however else the plot may progress. On the other hand, the test does not always point to true north when it comes to gender equality. The Bechdel Test only covers so much ground. When considering one of the most recent aforementioned rape-revenge movies, The Last House on the Left, there are actually two young female characters who talk to one another about many things aside from men, and even brief scenes with one young teen girl and her mother who chat about non-male related topics. However, for The Last House on the Left this is where the gender equality ends, and it also exemplifies why the Bechdel Test cannot be the be-all end-all when considering such issues. Partway through the film, the young female protagonist of the story gets violently raped onscreen, which is accompanied by gruesome taunting from male and female characters, along with truly disturbing sound design to enhance the repulsive experience. It truly is a misogynistic scene. Even though The Last House on the Left technically checks off the boxes of Bechdel's requirements in the opening reel, it swiftly kicks the legs out from under any equality there was in the beginning. In instances such as this movie, it is easy to see how the Bechdel Test cannot always measure perfectly how well a film handles female characters, as it only fulfills a small portion of what it means for a film to treat each gender with equality.
Director Peter Strickland's 2014 film The Duke of Burgundy tells the story of Evelyn who studies butterflies and moths under her older counterpart Cynthia. Evelyn also works as a maid in Cynthia's luxurious home, and it is soon revealed they are in a dominant-submissive relationship with one another; if Evelyn does not clean for Cynthia in the preferred manner, she receives discipline and punishment. Soon we realize Evelyn, though the submissive, is the one who truly directs the relationship between she and Cynthia by leaving instructions for her older lover. Throughout their days they reenact little two person plays Evelyn writes for them. However, Cynthia only does this to keep Evelyn happy, and she finds no sexual thrill in being dominant. Soon, things deteriorate, and though there seems to be a change by the end of the film in their relationship, the final scene shows Cynthia and Evelyn going back to the same routine they were constantly acting out in the beginning with no real indication of any forward movement in them both.
The immediate aspect noticeable about The Duke of Burgundy in conjunction with the Bechdel Test is the fact there are no men whatsoever in the film. This movie is commendable because there is a scene where Cynthia calls a carpenter to construct a new toy for her and Evelyn; in any other film there would no doubt be the stereotypical carpenter, certainly male, but here we see only female characters, even the woman who comes to do the carpentry work. While I am aware plenty of women out there do carpentry, it is refreshing to see a movie which doesn't automatically presume women do so-called "womanly" jobs and that men are the ones who must do the "manly" work. Furthermore, while the central relationship of the film is one between two lesbians, the director does not feel the need to linger with shots on their breasts or the buttocks, and even the eroticism of the film is treated in a more beautiful way than many other movies of a similar nature. For instance, the erotic thriller Basic Instinct with the infamous leg crossing scene involving Sharon Stone continually treats her as a sexual object and runs with the idea that a woman's sexuality can be a weapon. Perhaps the latter may be true at times. In opposition, the film does not focus on any of the brain power Stone's femme fatale uses to outsmart and kill men, instead the director only wants to shoot her glistening thighs and the vaguely perceptible shadow of her vagina. With a film like The Duke of Burgundy there is no less erotic atmosphere, maybe even more so than Basic Instinct, but it is the way in which the director shoots the scenes that makes all the difference. One significant component of the movie is that there is no male perspective because "the male experience is just one of many experiences and should be analyzed as one part of the story" (Russell and Scheiner-Fisher 225), and everything comes to the viewer as being from a female point-of-view; regardless of it being directed by a man. In a movie like Basic Instinct we are seeing things too much from the perspective of the male eye. The Duke of Burgundy allows us to exist in a film world where there is no need for the male perspective; it hasn't been excluded, it is just not present, and nor does it need to be for this particular story.
For all intents and purposes, Peter Strickland's The Duke of Burgundy is certainly a feminist film. The plot and how the film is presented all goes against what we usually see reflected as being the "dominant narrative traditions of commercial feature filmmaking" (Welsch 3). There is no doubt whatsoever Strickland could not market his film directly to North American audiences, and that is why The Duke of Burgundy did not go for a wide release and mainly secured the independent filmgoing audience as opposed to the overall audience. In addition, this also goes to show how so many people watching films have been slowly brainwashed over the years to feeling aversion towards anything deviating from the typically male-dominated film market; when a movie containing only women comes out it ends up relegated to the indie film circuit. A major reason why a film such as this does not grab a larger audience, at least not immediately, is because "[w]omen's pleasure… is closely associated with male fears… stemming from a female threat to their masculinity" (Welsch 3). Being a film all about female pleasure, The Duke of Burgundy might simultaneously pose a threat to masculinity in the individual man, as well as the larger collective male audience going to see movies. From a financial standpoint this is viewed as a problem, but from the standpoint of those fighting against gender inequality in the film industry there is a purpose behind such a tactic. Men are not intentionally excluded from The Duke of Burgundy, as women often are from films, due to marketing reasons, or simply to curry favour with a particular target audience; the story of the movie just does not have anything to do with men. This is why The Duke of Burgundy is feminist in the best sense because it does not purposely try to keep men out of the story, it only tells the story it intends to tell without forcing anything in unnaturally. Usually when women "are included in a film for the sake of simply having a female in the film, she is relegated to a stock character role" (Russell and Scheiner-Fisher 222), which is why The Duke of Burgundy opts not to treat men in the same way. There is no room in the film's cast of characters for a man, therefore, the director has not included any even for the basic roles of a carpenter building a bed or even a taxi driver because Strickland treats his characters like real people; they are developed and have real personalities, they are not caricatures of people. Certainly this film could have reversed the roles and treated men as women are treated in so many other films. Instead, The Duke of Burgundy is an equal opportunist film, at the same time without featuring a single male performance.
Even in a world where more and more women are starting to achieve recognition where once they had not, the film industry seems stuck in old stereotypes: police detectives are all men and every one of them has a wife who does not understand the job; "the bad girl or outcast who may or may not prove virtuous in the end" (Russell and Scheiner-Fisher 222); and the all too familiar "Hooker with the Heart of Gold" (Russell and Scheiner-Fisher 222). The Duke of Burgundy absolutely goes against almost all of the expected norms audiences wait to see from mainstream Hollywood movies. There are still not enough films out in the market like The Duke of Burgundy, and even those other movies which fall in line with the Bechdel Test don't always treat gender equality as gracefully as Peter Strickland. Ultimately, the Bechdel Test helps to point out disparity between male and female roles in the films audiences watch by noting a lack of character development in female characters, as well as how they are often included simply for the sake of meeting a quota. Nevertheless, all the issues surrounding gender inequality in film are not indicated by the Bechdel Test, nor are they solved. What Alison Bechdel's three requirements have enabled, though, is the overall conversation about gender issues in the film industry, and where appropriate it clarifies the imbalance of equality between the genders so that viewers can begin to recognize this in the films they see. Moving further into the 21st century, and with the prominence of more filmmakers such as Peter Strickland making films like The Duke of Burgundy, there is hope that the issues Bechdel first raised with the Bechdel Test will continue to be visible and that this visibility may further help the film industry to progress in their depiction and treatment of the female gender.
Works Cited
Russell, William B, and Cicely Scheiner-Fisher. "Using Historical Films to Promote Gender Equity in the History Curriculum". The Social Studies, Issue 103, 2012; pp. 221-225. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 July 2015.
Welsch, Janice R. "Introduction: Feminist Film Criticism". Film Criticism, January 1989, Volume 13, Issue 2; pp. 1-6. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 July 2015.
Basic Instinct. 1992. Dir. Paul Verhoeven. Screenplay by Joe Eszterhas. Starring Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, and Jeanne Tripplehorn. StudioCanal. 128 minutes. English. DVD.
The Duke of Burgundy. 2014. Dir. Peter Strickland. Screenplay by Peter Strickland. Starring Sidse Babett Knudsen and Chiara D'Anna. Film4 Productions. 104 minutes. English. Blu ray.
The Last House on the Left. 2009. Dir. Dennis Iliadis. Screenplay by Adam Alleca and Carl Ellsworth. Based on an original screenplay by Wes Craven (1972). Starring Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Garret Dillahunt, Spencer Treat Clark, Martha MacIsaac, Sara Paxton, and Aaron Paul. Crystal Lake Entertainment. 110 minutes. English. Blu ray.


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Before you get started in making your personalized couch, you will initially should gauge the room of the area where you will place the couch. This is crucial since you need to ensure that the couch you will make cannot inhabit virtually fifty percent of the area especially if you will certainly put the sofa in a certain location in your house where you are amusing your guests. Next, you will certainly need to settle on the upholstery that you wished to have for your sectional couches. Furniture can be natural leather, velour, or simply a basic premium quality towel with colors that could greatly mix to the interior decorations of the areas where you will put it.
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These were typically covered in velvet or natural leather and also worked as a primary focal point in any type of environment. Throughout the years, the technological elements of sofa creating have boosted a whole lot, and also the existing sofas are not only high on looks but additionally provide significant degree of comfort.


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Sunday, 1 April 2012
Kate Crane's 2012 366 challenge - April
Yes its a new month of Kate Cranes 2012 366 Challenge so it's time to make my April page. I started with painting my page in Dylusions Acrylic Paints pink, yellow and white blending them together with a brush. I then used a Crafter's Workshop template, flowers and used white paint on cut and dry foam to create the image, 3 or 4 times.
I used bottle tops and Lego to make marks on the page and then cut out various papers for each day of the month. I thought they were too big so I trimmed them with wavy edge scissors to make them a better size.
Next, I stamped APRIL with one of my alphabet stamps.
I now drew the outline of some flowers from the Crafter's Workshop template I had used earlier and finished the project with Dylusions stamps Around the Edge little leaves and little Easter Chicks stamp from my stash linking the background and the forground together
Now I'll show you my completed March page:
18 comments:
I really like your pages! In my book it is hard to go wrong with orange and yellow. This is my first time joing Kate's monthly journal, hope you will stop by.ReplyDelete
Lovely work and fab colour scheme xReplyDelete
Hi Carol, I love your pages, you have a great eye for colour and I love the bottle tops and Lego idea - I've used bottle tops - off to find some of my daughters old Lego!ReplyDelete
I especially love April -- what a profusion of flowery and leafy goodness :-)ReplyDelete
Both of your pages are just great. I love the colors in April's calendar. And the date squares are so pretty with the flourish-y edging.ReplyDelete
Great pages! Like the wavy journal blocks :)ReplyDelete
I love your flowers! I think I really need to invest in some of those inks....so bright!ReplyDelete
Well done Carol. Fabulous colours and great detail. Just puts you in the mood for good weather - fingers crossed :)ReplyDelete
Fabulous bright pages, such a riot of colour, love itReplyDelete
Hi Carol, This is a lovely double page, with the colours and the leaves and flowers to surround it and welcome Spring. You always produce lovely artistic work - proud of you. Love, JezReplyDelete
A wonderful design for April. Lovely bright warm colours, just what we need.ReplyDelete
Lovely colours... As for the clay stuff of mine on ASCTB, yes you can do the technique with Fimo and the sharp cutters can be found where you get your clay, or at Hobbyart etc... Jewellery Maker on tele do them too.. Hope that helps. See you do tags?? why not join us at DragonsDream Tag it On ... new theme WednesdayReplyDelete
I love the layers of colour and stencils and the wavy cut edges of your blocks.ReplyDelete
Beautiful colours and gorgeous details Carol. I'm very jealous of all those doing this as I wasn't really up and on line enough to take notice of it. I suppose I could start later. . . . . .!!ReplyDelete
More hugs,
Beautiful,colorful spreads!!I especailly love what you've done for April-what a great background! I too am loving the new Dylusion stamps and have used some on my March spread.ReplyDelete
Love your journal blocks in April and what gorgeous warm colour, let's hope it is although it snowed today.ReplyDelete
The background for April is GORGEOUS! Lovely work :-) Well done for keeping up so far!ReplyDelete
You guys out there are performing a great job.ReplyDelete
truck bodies


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our GIFT to you!
We want to thank all of our terrific customers with this special offer (for a short time only), I really think we have the best customers of all! We have gotten to know each other over the years and aside from sending all of you a loaf of my cardamom bread - I thought this was a more effective way to say THANK YOU! and we LOVE you!
*not included: black crane, Le Feu de Leau candles, Black Sheep Goods (weaving kits), new Lucky Fish + any Makers Market items are not included in this discount. This offer cannot be applied to past orders.
SEe you in January at the Million Woman March!
love - carina
Posted by nonchalant mom at 2:08 PM


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|Photo: Ole Musken
Known for making "Happy Clothes for Happy People, " Moods of Norway incorporated its signature style, with playful winks of humor throughout the design. Female flight attendants have scarves and jacket linings with illustrations of hills and farm animals.
|Photo: Ole Musken
Anya Britzius is associate managing editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.


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Toyota Motor Corp. halted sales of a Lexus luxury SUV on Tuesday after a warning by Consumer Reports magazine that the vehicle was a safety risk.
Toyota's decision to temporarily pull the 2010 model year Lexus GX 460 SUV from dealership showrooms also came after federal safety regulators responded to the magazine's findings by warning drivers to take extra caution when operating the vehicle. Consumer Reports had put the SUV on its "do not buy" list because of a potential rollover risk.
"We are taking the situation with the GX 460 very seriously and are determined to identify and correct the issue Consumer Reports identified," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president. "At this time we have asked our dealers to temporarily suspend sales."
He said that Toyota was confident that the GX meets "our high safety standards" and that the automaker's engineering teams were testing the GX using Consumer Reports' parameters to see whether they could also detect the problem.


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Tuesday, June 4, 2013
~ candlelight garden ~
On the schedule today was laundry, a quick trip to CVS and a little bit of gardening. Last Saturday, Vince and I went to Lowes to get some petunias to plant outside in some of our gardens, and I also bought a large cactus and a weird wavy plant. Both plants were marked down to 50 cents each - can't beat that with a stick - so I had to get them. The wavy plant had a tag in it that says it's a 'Kalanchoe' - I'm not sure about that because the plant on the tag does not look like the plant I have. Oh well - it doesn't matter - I like it anyway.
The very large coffee mug planter (7" tall - 10" diameter) was bought at the thrift store quite a while back. Just like the other one I had bought before - it was either $2.90 or $4.90 - can't remember which. I planted the 2 new plants, went outside to get a 'hens and chicks' cutting from the large plant I have on the patio, and planted that one too. Also got some rocks from our collection to place around the plants. Stood back and looked at it and thought that it needed something else. I don't have any other fairy stuff to use so I had to wrack my brain a little (you know - sometimes that hurts) and came up with the candle idea. The 'candle holder' is actually a glass insulator that my Vince collects. He has tons of them, so I know he won't mind me using this one. I turned it upside down, pushed it into the dirt and added a small tea light candle. I'm really happy with this garden - I think it's cute. :)
This is a glass insulator:
size comparison to a regular coffee mug:
16 comments:
What a great little garden, Debi. The insulator is priceless! I must go root around in the NVO's things now...ReplyDelete
Debi!!! I looooove your large coffee pot planter!ReplyDelete
Kisses from Catalonia!
Beautiful!! I'm definitely inspired.ReplyDelete
You always come up with great ideas Debi :)) love the glass insulator, :))ReplyDelete
Nice garden!! I like those huge cups :) I too have got seeds and planning to create a little nice space in my balcony. I am not good at gardening as such.ReplyDelete
I love this! If in fact it is a kalanchoe, it should eventually get some flowers on it! Those are popular here in the Southwest. I am thinking about making myself a succulent garden similar to this, only in a bigger container. Love the addition of the light :)ReplyDelete
Thanks ladies. :)ReplyDelete
That cup and saucer was a fabulous pick up from the thrift store. Perfect for your pretty little cactus garden. xoxReplyDelete
This looks pretty Debi, I used too put little plants in cups and glasses when I was young(er). Maybe I should restart doing that, thanks for the inspiration:)ReplyDelete
So cute, Debi! :)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJune 5, 2013 at 5:20 PM
I love your garden Debi. Now I know even though I live in an apt I too can have a garden thanks to you:)ReplyDelete
I love this little garden idea! I think I will make one too :)ReplyDelete
What a fantastic idea. Reminds me of when we were young making gardens like this.ReplyDelete
Thanks for your comments Debi.
Love Suex
- DLR ARIZONAJune 17, 2013 at 12:26 PM
LOVE THE GARDEN IDEA = EVEN HAVE A CUP LIKE THAT I BOUGHT AT A YARD SALE FOR A $.25 = IT GETS TOO HOT IN THE MICROWAVE = SO IT WILL BE PERFECT FOR THIS PROJECT = WILL MAKE IT FOR MY 11 YEAR OLD G'SON WHO ALSO LOVES CACTUS ~ReplyDelete
Hi Debi :) I made one!! And I have it up on the blog today if you want to come take a peek :)ReplyDelete
Thanks for taking the time to leave a message - it always puts a smile on my face. If you have a question - post it here and check back - I will always answer you. :)


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Welcome to McCartney Sales & Lettings
Mc Cartney Sales & Lettings have been established since 1992 and are regarded as one of Chelmsford's leading independent property specialists in both property sales and lettings, with two prominent local offices.
We believe our success is down to hard work and 100% commitment of the team.
Our team has been together for many years and benefit from decades of property experience and extensive local knowledge which is invaluable when buying, selling or letting a property.
At McCartney we offer all the traditional values you would expect from a well-established Estate Agency, whilst harnessing the latest innovations and technology to offer you the very best service. We believe the successful marketing of your home should not be left to chance, this is why we have developed a highly effective, proactive and efficient sales service, tailor-made to our client's needs. We only employ highly experienced property experts to ensure you achieve a hassle free sale at the best possible price, our professionalism sets us apart.
We look forward to working with you.


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- Oh, hello ladies, smirks the violonist, but
the trombonist is concentrating so hard he just seems to pay no attention to his surroundings.
Made with wildly different materials like washi tapes, lace tape and napkins, then washed over with two dusky shades of blue acrylic.
Entering the set into:
Take a Word: Music
Three Muses: Shades of blue
Simon Says Wednesday: Anything goes


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Welcome to Year 8
Year 8 is a pivotal year for all students. Having had the opportunity to settle into secondary school last year, the focus this year is to develop confidence, maturity and independence in pupils' learning. It is crucial for Year 8 students to enhance their good habits, which will allow pupils to start working towards their final examinations in Year 11. Every student in Year 8 is seen as a young adult, capable of making the right decisions about their learning as well as their behaviour. It is also their opportunity to shine and act as mentors for the newest students.
Every student in Year 8 is important to us. We make no apologies for insisting on the highest standards of classwork, homework, presentation and behaviour at all times. Every student must follow the school policy of 'Be in the right place, at the right time and do the right thing.' In return, we will ensure all Year 8 students have access to excellent learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. We encourage as much support in the home as possible. We do publish guidance on how to help your child make progress, for example, we published guidance on how to maximise achievement with lots of subject specific practical ideas for helping your child improve their understanding and work.
The Achievement Team Leader, Mr Welton, is responsible for learning and achievement of the year group. Our Year Care Team, Mrs Mann, is responsible for student welfare and is available to help students and parents with any concerns they may have. Every student will also be supported in their learning by a form tutor who has an overview of their learning and will be able to offer advice and guidance on a day to day basis. Furthermore, we are supported in our work by our SEN and EAL teams. A positive relationship between school and home is integral to the success of all students, hence it is important that parents and carers feel free to contact the school and speak to myself, Mrs Mann or your child's form tutor regarding any concerns. Both Mrs Mann and Mr Welton regularly visit lessons to see all the wonderful learning and work taking place in lessons. Students are rewarded for reaching high standards in both achievement and behaviour in lessons through letters, certificates and awards, however students are also sanctioned when they do not meet our expectations, and we appreciate your support in these matters.
Students are set homework on a weekly basis which should be completed punctually. It is important for students to have a quiet and distraction-free environment in which to complete their homework. The school provides a homework support club in the library where there are various resources to enhance your child's learning. Additionally, the school provides extra-curricular clubs in a range of subjects where students are given the opportunity to develop personally and socially. Our extra-curricular programmes will allow students to be involved in activities that will improve their practical application of their learned achievements.
I look forward to a very successful year with lots to celebrate from every member of Year 8.
Mr G. Welton
Achievement Team Leader Key Stage 3
Assistant Headteacher – Head of Key Stage 3
Mrs L. Hedges
Achievement Team Leader
Mr G. Welton
Year Care Team
Mrs S. Mann


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Double Weekend Day 2: Roppongi Pub Crawl
Pub Crawl Double Weekend Day 2: Roppongi Pub Crawl!
It's time to pub crawl again. Let the tequila be your guide...
After crawling through Shibuya on Friday, January 17th, we're headed back to Roppongi to round the weekend out with a 4-bar pub crawl. The taps will open at 6:30pm beginning from Bar Propaganda - Roppongi's classiest hole in the wall. With tasty import beers and exquisite cocktails, you won't want miss out on our special pub crawl drink discounts. Don't be late!
This time we're crawling alllll weekend long. The party kicks off Friday in Shibuya and makes its way to Roppongi on Sat.
Quick summary:
• We will visit 4 bars/clubs in one night
• You will make some friends and have a chat while making your way from bar to bar
• Check out some of the great bars in Tokyo while avoiding the crappy ones.
• Free shots, free drinks, giveaways, and discounts are to be expected. Details below.
Pub Crawl Handbook (About the Bars)
Bar 1 (6:30pm ~ 7:45pm)
Usually a relaxed cafe or bar restaurant with space to mingle and sit down. Good environment for talking and getting to know each other. We will be doing a mixer/icebreaker here, so get ready to mingle! For those who are really thirsty, small group drinking games will be held. Food is available for purchase.
• Bar 2 (7:45pm ~ 8:45pm)
We try to heat things up a bit at the second bar, with a little more music and exciting feel. You'll have plenty of chances to get to know your fellow pub crawlers even more, as we kick-off our games and activities. Hint: Hangout near the DJ booth for a head start on free drink contests.
• Bar 3 (8:50pm ~ 10:15pm)
By now, the crowd has loosened up and inhibitions are flying out the window! At the 3rd bar, you'll have space to dance and the music will be bumpin'. If need be, finding a table to sit down and chat shouldn't be a problem. The games and contests continue here, so best to follow the crowd if you're looking to get in on the action.
• Bar 4 (10:20pm ~ close)
If you haven't found yourself on the dance floor by now, you'll be hard pressed not to do so at Bar 4. Actually, this place will be more like a club. And why not? You've had plenty of time to find your friends and forge some new relationships (or strengthen existing ones?) on your mini-adventure around Tokyo. Nothing left to do than party the night away.
NOTE: Although you're free to stay at the club as long as you'd like, the Tokyo pub crawl officially ends at 11:30pm, providing you plenty of time to catch your last train. If you have any questions about train schedules, ask the pub crawl staff.
Pub Crawlers Receive:
• Free welcome shots at each bar. (4 free shots)
• Drink discounts at each bar - GREAT deals guaranteed
• Sample delicious craft beers at the brew pub
• No additional cover charges at any bars or clubs
First Time Crawlers (初めてですか?)
A pub crawl is basically a "bar tour" or "bar-hopping." We will organize a group of people visit 4 different bars together, finishing at a club. It's easy way to meet people, chat in English and Japanese, and of course there will be dancing and drinking.
Most of all, its fun and exciting, and a new way to experience Tokyo! Check out our photos on Facebook to get a good idea of what to expect:
• 18:30 ~ 19:15 Welcome shot #1 and kick off speech
• 19:45 ~ 20:45 Bar 2 and welcome shot #2
• 20:45 ~ 22:15 Bar/Club 3 and welcome shot #3
• 22:15 ~ 23:30 Bar/Club 4 and welcome shot #4
Pub crawl members can join or leave us at any time during the pub crawl!
These are approximate times.
Map to meeting spot will be posted 1 week prior to the event at:
• Time/時間: 18:30から23:30まで
• Place/場所: Bar Propaganda (Roppongi/六本木)
• Guys/男性: ¥2500, Ladies/女性: ¥2300
• Coming with a group? Discounts available (please ask)!
What can I do to help?
People ask this all the time and THANK YOU. Nothing makes us happier than making the pub crawl a success together. So if you wanna help, let us know. We might ask you to hold a sign, direct the traffic, hand out some shots, etc.
- Venue
- Bar Propaganda (2F)
- Tickets
Male / 男性 SOLD OUT ¥2,200 Female / 女性 SOLD OUT ¥1,700 2 Day Pub Crawl Ticket -- FRI 17th+SAT 18th (Male/男性) -- Save ¥1000! SOLD OUT ¥3,500 2 Day Pub Crawl Ticket -- FRI 17th+SAT 18th (Female/女性) -- Save ¥1000! SOLD OUT ¥2,700
- Venue Address
- 3-14-9 ROPPONGI Japan


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Without an influx of human DNA, the utopian colony on Kipos has eleven generations before it reaches failure. Earth is over ninety light years away. Time is short. On the over-crowded Earth, many see opportunity in Kipos's need. After medical, intelligence, and physiological testing, Abby and her younger siblings, Jin and Orchid, are offered transportation. Along with 750,000 other strong immigrants, they leave the safety of their family with the expectation of good jobs and the opportunity for higher education. While the Earthlings travel to the new planet in stasis, the Kiposi, terrified the savages will taint their paradise, pass a series of indenture and adoption laws in order to assimilate them. When Abby wakes up on Kipos, Jin cannot be found. Orchid is ripped from her arms as Abby is sold to a dull-eyed man with a sterilized wife. Indentured to breed, she is drugged and systematically coerced. To survive, Abby learns the differences in culture and language using the only thing that is truly hers on this new world: her analytical mind. In order to escape her captors, she joins a planetary survey team where she will discover yet another way of life.
Purchase Links
Amazon Print
Amazon Print
Amazon E-Book
Barnes & Noble
Facebook Page
Website with deleted scenes and other extras!
Other Systems: Voices from the Stars Trailer
Other Systems: The Stargazer Trailer
Prior to becoming an author, Elizabeth Guizzetti worked as an artist. She created the graphic novels, Faminelands and Lure, and the comic book series Out for Souls & Cookies. Other Systems is her first published novel. She currently lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and two dogs.
Website: http://elizabethguizzetti.com
Twitter: E_guizzetti
Q & A with Elizabeth Guizzetti
Q: Tell us a little bit about your main characters.
A: Abigail Boyd Lei, 17, was born in the Seattle City State. (The US no longer exists.) She uses her intelligence as her primary means of getting through life. She is a stargazer, and gets through the worlds using her intelligence and observational skills. When she is offered the chance to go to Kipos, she jumps at it.
Cole Alekos owns one of the privately-held fleets based on Kipos. He loves his Fleet and being a Fleet captain. Due to time dilation, he was not around when Harden and Helen were kids. He tries to be a great dad even though they are adults. Though he loves Helen best, because they have similar temperaments, he tries to hide his favoritism. He swears and can't quite give up smoking - two bad habits that he passed to his eldest son, Harden.
Harden is a different sort of captain than his father, but surrounds himself with a good crew. A scientist first, captain of the Revelation second, he loves puzzles. Widowed and divorced, he has trouble relating to new people. In social situations, he leans heavily on others, especially his sister, Helen.
Helen is the Executive Officer and undoubtedly the best pilot in her father's fleet. Loving and kind-hearted, she mothers people. She shocked her father and brothers by marrying Brian Tolis after a six-day station leave.
Mark is Cole's youngest. Born during the brief time, Cole and his wife lived together. 14/12 years younger than his elder siblings, he was an incredibly lonely kid. As a young man, he has trouble making long-term connections. At times, he is reserved, at times, outspoken.
Q: What was your favorite scene to write?
A: I loved writing every Helen/Abby scenes, but I'd say the scene where Helen teaches Abby how to fly a shuttle is my favorite. I loved researching how to fly a plane, orbits, then I went to the Museum of Flight and learned about astronauts.
Q: How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
A: Pretty much everything that an author experiences ends up in their writing. I tend to show happy marriages since I have a happy marriage. I grew up in a pretty tight-knit family. People who know me and also know my writing point out that I write about families and human connection.
Q: What is the best advice you've been given?
A: I must be myself and follow my own path, otherwise, I'll be a second best someone else.
Q: What do you keep yourself busy with when you're not writing?
A: I enjoy watching movies with my husband, taking care of my dogs, hiking, and baking.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would you choose and why?
A: Teleportation. My husband hates to fly. We'd travel more if we didn't have to fly.
Q: Hard/paperbacks or eBooks?
A: Hardbacks. I love the smell and feel of them. Paperbacks are second best. I only enjoy e-Books if I am traveling.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: Right now, I'm enjoying an oldie: Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles


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design hell-part 1
27 comments:
- Erica said...
Ok, first LOVE the rug. $40?!?! Score.
A total snowball piece given it has the ability to lie quietly on the floor but directly cause a hurricane in it's wake.
I'm comforted to see that someone else is as fickle and non-committal as I am in their own interior. And yes, I realize this is of no help but I'm absolutely certain you'll come up with something splendid.... You always do! xo
- June 1, 2011 at 10:55 AM
I totally feel your pain and glad I'm not the only one! I am in the process of changing my living/dining room, dressing room/closet and office. Once change seems to create an avalanche of other changes...
Gorgeous rug though!
- June 1, 2011 at 10:57 AM
- My Interior Life said...
You totally crack me up. I am always in the same boat. You change one thing and then you're in design hell because other things MUST change to accommodate that one design element. I would start with easy changes that could make a big impact - like changing the throw pillows (of course, that requires finding the perfect fabric, another dilemma) and painting your wall. Big impact quickly. Good luck. And yes, want to see all your progress so get crackin'!
- June 1, 2011 at 11:03 AM
- Bri@Meyouandawiener said...
I had this problem as well but found a solution. You will be receiving an email from me. Soon , very soon check your spam box. In it is my secret.
P.s. that rug is the motherf*cking sh*t.
- June 1, 2011 at 11:06 AM
- Naomi@DesignManifest said...
so terrible that I read the heading and KNEW I needed to read this right away.
Two thumbs up on the rug. Personally, I wouldn't do the wall lavender, I'd do more accents in lavender and do the wall gray. If you can reupholster the ottoman to make it look like the one in the photo below, I would be blown away.
Oh an I might bedazzle the closet doors just a smidge. I wont bombard you with what that means, but you can always email me!
PS- the room isn't bad at all, you are too hard on yourself!
- June 1, 2011 at 12:01 PM
- Emily said...
40 DOLLARS?!? As in- US dollars?? No way! Awesome. I love it. Sorry I have no help for you though. Except maybe to ease up on yourself girlfriend! Your home is fab and I know anything you do will be greatness! :)
- June 1, 2011 at 12:24 PM
- Mary said...
Since your new rug is causing so many problems in the family room & it's adjoing spaces, don't use it there. Use it in your bedroom.
But I would add some teal/turquoise pillows to your family room so it flows better with your sunroom.
- June 1, 2011 at 12:40 PM
- hollyG said...
Too funny!! I wouldn't consider myself a lavender person, but I really love the lavender in these images! I'm sure you'll amaze us with your quick turnaround of the hot messes.
- June 1, 2011 at 1:07 PM
- Emily said...
PLEASE tell me where you got that rug for 40 dollars! I live in Boston and would love to know your secrets!
I also LOVE your inspiration photos.
- June 1, 2011 at 2:17 PM
- Brandi said...
That first apartment from Elle Decor is one of my all time favorites. I think you could capture it with the right wall color, upholstery and pillows. For sure redo the ottoman into some tufted fabulousness. Possibly some dip dye curtains would be awesome too! I wish I could give myself this kind of advice, my house is so undone too!
- June 1, 2011 at 2:32 PM
- Melissa said...
I am in love with your sunroom. Take it and run with it, girl-- glad to be the "taskmaster" on this one because it means we get to see all the gorgeousness that ensues...
- June 1, 2011 at 2:36 PM
- deb said...
I think you should use the rug in the family room and bring some turquoise accents instead of purple into the space. The first photo does this very well and then it will flow better with the sunroom. (which I love!)
- June 1, 2011 at 4:03 PM
- court. said...
ok: here's what I suggest...
1. Paint the walls a lighter beige. Yes, i said it, beige. I'm looking at the pic below yours and the walls are a neutral backdrop for all the different elements in the room. pull from rug.
2. couches stay. pillow it up. throw in some crazy dark plums and that dusty grey lavender. Kid proof.
3. Yes to recovering ottoman. Think ethic trim that shizz up.
4. If you go gallery wall, make the pieces of different scale and shape, and avoid clutter. The rug is the star.
My 2 cents. xoxo great score!
- June 1, 2011 at 4:11 PM
- Megan said...
I call it my 'If you give a mouse a cookie' syndrome (from the book- anyone?). I will routinely say, once I get this last thing I will be done in the room and be happy with it for a while... it never works, it just makes me want more :)
- June 1, 2011 at 4:28 PM
- The Sister Sophisticate said...
Well, its understandable because it no way in hell you, or I for that matter, was going to leave a $40 rug behind. And your favorite colors too, pleeeez! Make some lemonade girl! I prefer mine extra sweet on ice :)! Can not wait to see what you do!
- June 1, 2011 at 6:38 PM
- Jennifer, Decorum said...
Why is it that our own jobs are the hardest? I fully understand everything you've said and empathise with you and your dilemma. Looking forward to seeing the end results which will be stunning, just like your sunroom.
Jennifer xx
- June 1, 2011 at 6:47 PM
- LH said...
Love the rug!
If you have a moment, please visit my new blog, Luxe Habitat...
- June 1, 2011 at 7:48 PM
- Stephanie Sabbe said...
just found your blog from you me and a wiener! love it! and you're in Boston! Do you read everythingLEB? I think you two would be friends.
- June 1, 2011 at 8:04 PM
- i suwannee said...
Oh I like the wall color. And rug. Together. Throw in a couple of those lavender ikat pillows I have.
Agree with zhush the closet doors up. Paint in faux molding
Do a mercury glass lamp on that side table
I like the pendant.
Do ceiling lavender? Or paint gold stars like osbourne and little wallpaper?
Can you get an occasional chair on that corner of the rug there?
Maybe wood framed. Upholstery in a crazy color? Eggplant velvet? Bright lemon yellow?
- June 1, 2011 at 9:47 PM
- Dina @ Honey + Fitz said...
Maybe I'm crazy but I really don't think you're family room is that far off. I love the wall colors and the couch is a great neutral. You need to inject some purple into it with throw pillows and I think I would tie it into the porch via yellow (yellow window treatments?) Agree with Jamie that you need to get something sparkly like a mercury glass lamp or sconce in there.
- June 2, 2011 at 10:50 AM
- LindsB said...
I want to know what Bris secret is hahaa.
And I totally feel your pain- I feel like I want to rip my eyeballs out everytime I walk in my family room, and oh thats about 100 times a day- and since i live in an apartment the family room IS the only room.
Love the sunroom floors and the new rug, so somehow you have to make those two things work togehter. Maybe new pillows in the sunroom that carry over the colors from the family room and vice versa.
- June 2, 2011 at 12:17 PM
- southerngirldreaming said...
Actually, I think eggplant on the walls would look gorgeous with this rug but it is a very dark color. Maybe you could lighten it up with lavender pillows and white or clear lamps. Or maybe soft yellow for the walls and eggplant pillows......ha ha
- June 2, 2011 at 3:13 PM
- lemondropdreams said...
I hate the domino effect! Love the rug and I think lavender walls with it would be FABulous!
- June 2, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Those colors are gorgeous! $40 for that rug!!! I do not envy the work you have in front of you, but the rug is so worth it.
- June 2, 2011 at 8:21 PM
- Amy @ Varnish said...
I want to make out with those eggplant walls. Seriously delicious!
- June 2, 2011 at 9:25 PM
- Danika Herrick said...
Thanks everyone, this has me taking notes and making to do lists! I got the rug at a yard sale- one of the best places to get great deals.
- June 3, 2011 at 4:42 AM
- My Crafty Home-Life said...
All I can say is that when I posted "My Public TTD List", it got me motivated. It won't be completed when I "promised myself", but I am farther along because of blogging....so, PUT UP YOU OFFICIAL LIST! We will cheer you on.
- June 3, 2011 at 1:22 PM


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We're having vacation envy around our house. My girls' best friends just found out they're going to Orlando to go to Universal Studios in the fall, and my girls (and I) are struggling with jealousy. It's not that we haven't been to Orlando. We have. We've just never been to Universal Studios. And it's been four years since we went on a big family vacation.
We've got a beautiful new basement. We've been on a bunch of smaller trips. We get to eat out about once a week. We have two cars. We have more clothes than we can wear. Yet, we're still struggling with envy. We're still struggling to be content with what we have.
Contentment is a tough thing. It's a choice. And it's a hard one. In the culture that we live in where everyone seems to have everything, it's sometimes tough to not look at our neighbors and friends and want what they have. It doesn't seem to matter that we have more than 98% of the world. In the moment, all that matters is that we don't have what someone that we know has.
I think that learning to be content and teaching our kids to be content is one of the hardest things to do. How do we teach something that we struggle with so much ourselves? That's why we're going to spend every day this week talking about contentment. Join me this week for our Learning to Be Content series. Here's the line-up for the week. You won't want to miss a day:
Monday: Introduction
Tuesday: What is Contentment?
Wednesday: Contentment is Learned
Thursday: Being Content with What You Have
Friday: Strategies for Teaching Contentment
Contentment is an important character quality for us to have and for us to teach. When we stop striving to gain more and to have things just because everyone else has them, we can focus on the things God wants us to focus on. When we are striving to gain things, tangible or intangible, we take our focus off of God. We become consumed by things that are not from God. 1 Timothy 6:6 says "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
And that's what I want. Godliness with contentment leading to great gain. If that's what you want too, leave me a comment to let me know you're joining me for this series. Then share this with your friends so they can join us, too. Let's learn to be content so we and our kids can focus on the things of God rather than our own desires.
Linking up today with The Better Mom and Graceful.


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Fostering the Language Skills of Children from Low-educated Families: An Ex-Ante Experimental Evaluation of a Parental Book Reading Intervention
Project Directors:
- Carlo BARONE (Professor at Sciences Po, OSC-LIEPP)
- Denis FOUGERE (Research Director at CNRS, Co-Director of the Educational Policies Research Group)
- Agnès van ZANTEN (Research Director at CNRS, Co-Director of the Educational Policies Research Group)
Associate researchers:
- Clément PIN (Research assistant at the LIEPP, Sciences Po)
- Géraldine COMORETTO (Research assistant at the LIEPP, Sciences Po)
- Karine MARTEL (Lecturer, University of Caen)
- Nathalie Marec Breton (Lecturer, University of Rennes)
- Académie de Paris (School district of the city of Paris)
- Publishing houses: Gallimard Jeunesse, Nathan and Turbulences Presse
This project obtained funding from LIEPP through the 2016 and 2017 calls for proposals.
Background: According to the 2011 PIRLS study on student literacy, French children in primary schools display low levels of reading skills. Moreover, socio-economic inequalities in reading skills are particularly strong in France. This project develops an intervention to foster the language skills of socially disadvantaged toddlers by encouraging their parents to read them storybooks. We assess the impact of this intervention using a randomized controlled trial.
The intervention: The project involves two rounds of experimentation (school years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018). In both years, the intervention involves children aged 4 attending the pre-primary schools of the 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements (city districts) of the city of Paris. We target the REP/REP+ schools, which display a high concentration of disadvantaged children.
The intervention comprises four main actions: a) each family receives one book per week; b) the parents receive a short phone-call which presents the intervention and motivates the beneficial effects of book reading for the children; c) parents receive a brochure every week for the first two months of the intervention with tips and suggestions for an effective and enjoyable reading; d) in the 3rd and 4th month some text messages are sent to each family as reminders of the main messages of the phone calls and brochures. Overall, this is an intensive, but low-cost and easy-to-scale intervention. The first year of the intervention lasted approximately 4 months, while the second year will last 6 months and will focus more on dialogic reading.
Evaluation protocol: within each of the 22 schools involved in the project (N=944), some classes are randomly assigned to the intervention, and the others are assigned to a waiting list for the next school year. We test the frequency of parental book reading and the vocabulary skills of children of the experimental and control group before and after the intervention.
The research group recent events:
- How Education Systems Undermine Gender Equity, and Why Culture Change - Not Policy - May be the Solution
- The Impact of Participation in Extracurricular Activities on School Achievement of French Middle School Students
- Seminar - Immigrant children at school. School inequalities from primary to higher education - November 6th 2018
- Seminar - Ways into employment of young graduates: the weight of the assignment logic - May 16th 2018
- Seminar - Democratization of Education - February 21st 2018


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Here are my favourites from June.
First off, the skin nightmare I had back in May has continued all through June, and it's only now that my skin is starting to calm down. I have identified the culrprets, but my skin has just been awful! My saviours have been Avene and Sudocream. I've been using Sudocream as a night cream and Avene Skin Recovery Cream as a day cream. Both are excellent, non-reactive, and have helped me to sort out my skin - both the dryness and the spots that followed my amateur attempts to counter-act the dryness. Since it's the summer, I've been going without serum as well, as I don't think my skin needs it.
Avene Extremely Gently Cleanser has been my go-to cleanser for the past month and I love it. It removes eye makeup as well as generally good cleansing action. I've applied it using either my fingers or a cotton wool pad. Although you don't have to, I always wash it off once I'm done.
It was a cheapy gift, but I've really liked Sweet Treat Boutique (from Boots I think) body lotion this month. It smells lovely - I also really liked the shower gel from this range which I used back in January. One to look out for when Boots Christmas ranges come out.
I've blogged about my HG hair care product - Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque, and it's a total favourite of mine!
Vermont Va Va Voom Lip Butter by Body America has become a bit of a staple. I use it every night before I go to sleep, and it's a great lip balm.
In terms of makeup, I'm addicted to Deep Throat by Nars. It was my first Nars purchase, and I love it! For my lipstick, I've been reaching for this Clinique lipstick, Rosette, the most. It was the one that came free with Glamour back in March, and it's a perfect colour for me.
So lots of favourites this month! Have you tried any of these?


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Mango Orange Smoothie with Banana :
Healthy Smoothie Recipes (get all 3!)
1 cup of mango pieces
1 banana
1 cup of orange juice
In a blender, puree all of the ingredients together. Serve immediately.
If you have leftovers, pour into 'to go' cups and put them in the freezer. Even stick a popsicle stick in to make a really healthy frozen treat.
If you want to serve these smoothies at a party (which I think is a great idea, by the way... perfect for a shower brunch) print these label flags to display each flavor.
Click here for the free printable the templates to make your own smoothie labels.
Get the recipes for all of the Smoothie Recipes :
Banana Cream with Graham Cracker Smoothie
Very Berry Smoothie with Strawberries & Raspberries
Mango Orange Smoothie


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Search PHM Site
Richard & Elizabeth Warren
Richard Warren was a passenger on the Mayflower, arriving in Plymouth in 1620. We know he was from London and the evidence seems to indicate that he was a man of some wealth.
His wife, Elizabeth, arrived in Plymouth on the Anne in 1623 with the couples' daughters Abigail, Anna, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. Two sons, Nathaniel and Joseph, were born to the Warrens in Plymouth.
Richard Warren died in 1628. His wife Elizabeth outlived him by 45 years, dying at Plymouth in 1673. Her death was noted in the Records of Plymouth Colony (PCR 8:35) : "Mistris Elizabeth Warren, an aged widdow, aged above 90 yeares, deceased on the second of October, 1673, whoe, haveing lived a godly life, came to her grave as a shocke of corn fully ripe."
During the long period of her widowhood, Elizabeth Warren's name appears in the records of Plymouth Colony. She appears first as executor of her husband's estate, next paying taxes owed by a head of household, and finally as an independent agent in her own right.
An article by Edward J. Davies in the April 2003 issue of The American Genealogist gives evidence that Elizabeth Warren may have been the daughter of Augustine Walker. An Elizabeth Walker, daughter of Augustine Walker, married a Richard Warren in Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, on April 14, 1610. The will of Augustine Walker, dated April 19, 1613, refers not only to his daughter Elizabeth Warren but also her 3 daughters: Mary, Ann and Sarah. These three Warren daughters correspond to three of the Warren daughters who were passengers on the Anne in 1623.
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Naturists need to 'Campaign'.
Why I think naturists need to 'Campaign'.
By Duncan Heenan
This is a personal meditation on why I helped to set up NAG. It may, or may not, help you in deciding whether you want to become involved.
I have been a naturist since, in my teens, I discovered the liberating joy of being naked. I brought my family up in this way, we swam naked when we could, took naturist holidays, used naturist beaches and we eventually joined a Sun Club, and are still members, though we go there less nowadays. However, over the years, as nudity came to feel more 'the norm' for me, and less of a special treat, I felt cheated that I could not do some of my everyday activities without the bother of clothing. Going to the Sun Club or naturist beach was still fun, but after a while I began to resent having to travel miles or withdraw from my normal activities, just to be naked.
To some people it is enough to treat nakedness as a hobby; to go to a Club or beach occasionally and just sit around naked. Those who are satisfied with this have all they need and so don't see any need for 'campaigning', unless their particular beach or club is threatened. Some like to do some recruiting and think of this as campaigning. For myself, I don't feel the need to try to convince others to live as I do, but I do resent being forced to live as they do – which brings me to the point.
Those of us who wish to live a naturist lifestyle can currently only do so in a restricted way. The restrictions are both legal and social. The Law on nudity is actually less restrictive than many people believe, but the way most people and The Authorities react to nudity in public places treats it as if it is illegal and unacceptable, and therefore tries to restrict it. Much of this response comes from the social attitude towards those who prefer to be clothes-free. The reaction varies, but it is not uncommon to be viewed as an eccentric crank, or a pervert, and consequently as a potential threat. Equally, the stereotype of 'nudists' developed in jokes and seaside postcard humour, makes it difficult to be taken seriously as a valid lifestyle choice, as it comes over as something a bit 'naughty', to be kept quiet. The automatic equation of nudity with sex is still very strong in much of society. Paradoxically though sexual nudity seems to be becoming more commonplace and less condemned, non-sexual nudity is viewed with increasing suspicion. All sorts of sexuality are accepted nowadays, even considered as chic, and yet non-sexual nudity is condemned because many people can not accept that it is non-sexual, and harms no one.
We now live in an age of acceptance of diversity. The general rule in society now seems to be that so long as it doesn't harm any one else, anything goes. To me, this is a healthy approach for society. Who is to say what is right or wrong in how we live our lives? Leaving individuals to determine their own way of life seems right, but a naturist is still heavily restricted in doing so, and for no reason I can really understand. How does my simple nudity harm anyone else? The human body is not 'rude' or shocking, and any attitude which considers it as such is derived from complex social conditioning the origins of which are no longer valid – and I doubt if ever they were. We need to ask people to question this social attitude, which so many blindly accept as if it were self evidently true.
That's why I feel we 'naturists' need to campaign. Because the freedom to live as we wish ultimately depends on others' willingness to allow us to do so, be it Authority or simply the social acceptance of others. If we do not campaign, we leave it up to others, such as comedians or newspaper columnists, to form opinions about us – and look where that has got us so far!
How we campaign, and exactly what for, is not my concern here, as it needs a lot of discussion to develop a proper strategy. I hope that within NAG, like minded people can come together to develop those ideas, and find common ground. If we do, we will develop strength both in numbers and in ideas. Ultimately we may even develop the freedom to live fully as we wish.


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TEA doctoral student Julie Williams wins Ricco Ethics Award
The College of Education is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2014 Nicholas and Anna Ricco Ethics Award for the College of Education is Julie Williams, a teaching fellow in the department of Teacher Education and Administration and a Curriculum and Instruction doctoral student. Williams' winning essay was titled Discriminatory Policies Concerning In-State Tuition Rates for High School Students in Texas. Download William's essay (PDF).
This monetary award, made possible by Nicholas and Anna Ricco and the Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, promotes discussion and debate concerning ethics specific to a students' avocation. The goal of the award competition is to establish a basis for intellectual conversations across the institution with the intent of achieving higher levels of comprehension of ethics over time.
A $1,000 award will be given annually to the leading undergraduate or graduate student proponent of ethical behavior and concepts from the 13 colleges and schools on the UNT campus. This award recognizes students who have a deep understanding of ethical behavior required by their discipline both in school and in the realities of daily activities.
Williams was recognized at the 2014 Honors Day celebration on April 4.


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Anders Behring Breivik Court Transcript 2012-04-27 Live Report
9:03 The witness Kristian Rasmussen takes the witness stand.
He was in a coma for a couple of days and manages not to whine a whole lot.
9:30 Next witness is Raasok Tore, Director General of the department of Transportation.
Foreign sources call him a mere employee, but it looks like Tore is high up in the ranks, and it shows as he whines like a little puppy. His left leg is amputated above the knee, unfortunately treason doesn't require both legs. He cried when he heard about Utoya.
10:42 Next witness is a 34-year-old man working in the ministries. He is not mentioned in the indictment and testifies anonymously.
He explains he was eating ice cream and drinking coffee, like a good little bureaucrat, when the bomb went off.
12:17 The first witness after the break is director Ole Peder Nordheim in Government Administration Services. He was head of security.
He mentions there were 12 security guards and 17 reception guards in the ministries, and 11 desk guards in the government quarters.
13:19 Next anonymous witness works at the custody department of the Oslo police.
He had some cuts and has nothing interesting to say otherwise. I'm not sure what the point of his testimony was.
13:46 Next witness is a woman who was in a car in Akersgata.
She wasn't injured but feels very sorry for herself non the less.
14:11 Next witness is the chief guard.
He helped an injured woman, then was told to leave because he wasn't in uniform.
14:37 The court is adjourned until Thursday 09.00.


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AIFS Program Standards of Good Practice for
Education Abroad
Quick Links
|1. Mission
6. Policies & Procedures
1. Mission
AIFS has a formally-adopted mission statement for its overall operations and for its individual divisions that is known and accepted by its staff and board members. AIFS reviews the degree to which it is achieving its overall mission and its mission statement on a regular basis.
Our Vision
We bring the world together.
Our Mission
To provide the highest quality educational and cultural exchange programs to enrich the lives of young people throughout the world.
Values we are committed to
- Excellence in programs, operations, and people
- Respect and understanding of different cultures
- Exceptional caring support for our program participants to ensure their safety and well-being
- Honest, equitable, and non-discriminatory treatment of program participants, partners, and employees
- Technological innovation
- Teamwork and collaboration both within the organization and with partners
- Encouragement of employee initiative and professional development
- Responsible financial stewardship
2. Student Learning and Development
AIFS has education objectives to foster student learning and development. Assessment data is gathered and analyzed on a regular basis and utilizes the information to monitor, maintain, support, and improve student success.
Intercultural Understanding
- Students are offered opportunities (a series of online exercises) to reflect on self-awareness, cultural identity, and the adjustment process before, during, and after their experience abroad.
- Information on cultural traits of the host culture is presented in the on-site orientation, and staff demonstrate respect for differences in customs and values.
- Course(s) on various aspects of the host culture are part of the core curricular offerings.
- Opportunities for students to integrate into the host culture exist through student clubs and activities, exchange partners, homestays, and/or volunteer placements.
- Assessment is made of students cultural learning by administering the Global Perspectives Inventory (GPI) pre- and post-programs to a representative population of participants.
- Students report on the way in which program components helped them acquire adaptive skills.
- Program alumni report on the way in which the program helped them learn adaptive behaviors for diverse work settings.
- Data on students intercultural development is utilized to modify and enhance program aspects such as curriculum, orientation, and student services.
Academic Growth
- AIFS offers courses that progress students toward their degree requirements.
- Courses utilize the relevant resources of the local/host culture to teach the subject matter.
- Syllabi and/or course outlines for AIFS courses are readily available.
- Syllabi for host institution courses are available or sought when requested.
- Course pre-requisites are clearly stated, and placement tests are administered where necessary (e.g., language courses).
- Students are exposed to both different pedagogies and different perspectives in the classroom.
- Students placed in regular university courses are advised by the Resident Directors on the differences in the academic systems and offered ongoing academic advising and support.
- Student achievement is measured against the learning objectives stated for each course.
Student Development
- Students have opportunities for skill development (e.g., leadership, maturity, adaptation to diverse work environments) outside the classroom in activities such as volunteering, student clubs, or internships.
- Students are encouraged to establish personal goals for their learning (academic, language, cultural) and development.
- Students are asked to reflect and report on their personal growth upon completion of the program.
- Resident staff both challenge and encourage students to become more independent and self-motivated through their daily interaction and in various meetings and events.
Language and Communication
- AIFS encourages the development of language and/or intercultural communication skills.
- Students are given a placement test to help determine the appropriate language course(s).
- The language curriculum includes information on cultural norms, values, and etiquette.
- Students placed in regular university courses are advised by the Resident Directors on differences in the academic systems and offered ongoing academic advising and support.
- Program activities provide an opportunity for students to use the host language.
3. Academic Framework
AIFS publishes and makes available information on its affiliations with host universities and reviews program effectiveness regularly, implementing changes as necessary.
Academic Credit
- AIFS has established policies and procedures for awarding credit and grades.
- The awarding of U.S. credit and grades is based on established international equivalencies (when credit is issued by a non-U.S. institution).
- Resident Directors regularly monitor the awarding of grades by the host country faculty.
- AIFS programs are hosted by universities with degree-granting status in the host country.
- Transcripts are issued to the home institution with sufficient information to evaluate and post academic credit.
Academic Coursework
- AIFS offers courses accepted by U.S. institutions toward degree requirements.
- Students are informed of course requirements.
- Where applicable, students may enroll directly in courses at universities that meet the academic standards of the host country.
Academic Advising & Support
- Students are required to show acceptance of AIFS program courses by home institution upon application to the program.
- Students receive tips on managing differences in the academic system, teaching styles, and expectations during the on-site orientation.
- On-site staff are knowledgeable about registration and enrollment procedures in order to readily assist students.
- Students may consult with on-site staff to seek academic advice or express concerns throughout the program duration.
- Students have sufficient access to academic resources in the appropriate language at the program site and/or local libraries.
- Students have convenient access to online resources for academic purposes.
- The curriculum offers courses focused on the host country such as its culture, language, history, politics, economics, arts, and society.
- The curriculum engages students in critical thinking and intellectual growth.
- The curriculum and its related activities promote student learning and development.
- Appropriate methodology is used to instruct in each discipline.
Internships & Field Research
- Attending meetings and relevant preparation by students is required for an internship or research project.
- Interns enroll in an accompanying academic seminar (and in language courses, if host countrys official language is other than English).
- Intern sites offer the opportunity for students to participate as well as observe and analyze a host-country business or organization.
- Interns are monitored by the workplace supervisor and a faculty member.
- Academic requirements for internships follow AIFS (host university) guidelines and practices.
4. Student Preparation
AIFS regularly assesses student needs, providing advising and orientation support.
Pre-Departure Info
- Information is provided to accepted students on academics, accommodation, travel arrangements, health precautions and care, safety considerations, and information on expenses and budgeting.
- Relevant information on passports and immigration visas is provided to students in a timely manner.
- Students may consult with AIFS staff with questions or concerns on an ongoing basis.
- Students receive information on the process of cultural adjustment.
On-Site Orientation
- AIFS staff deliver a comprehensive orientation program covering academic expectations, policies, and procedures; living arrangements; behavior expectations and disciplinary policies; independent travel; and health/safety and emergency information.
- Students are given guided opportunities in the local area to use public transportation and identify daily living resources such as restaurants, grocery stores, etc).
- Students receive information about the local culture and area including laws and customs.
- AIFS Staff present information to students on the local cultures norms and practices regarding gender, racial, ethnic, and religious diversity.
Re-Entry Resources
- Information on the re-adjustment period upon returning home is provided to students.
- Suggestions are offered to students to expand upon their international experience once back home.
- Resources are provided to students to help them identify the personal, academic, and professional skills gained from their experience abroad.
5. Student Selection and Code of Conduct
AIFS is committed to, maintains, and makes available the information on fair and appropriate policy on student selection and behavioral code of conduct.
- AIFS enrolls degree-seeking undergraduate students who are in good academic standing
- AIFS supports the study abroad admission requirements of students home institutions
- Students are directed to follow the study abroad application requirements of their home institution
- AIFS reviews, in cooperation with the home institution, each students judicial record
- AIFS supports the academic requirements of its partner institutions abroad. Eligibility requirements are clearly stated in program materials (print and web).
- Where applicable, students meet the stated admissions requirements for target language study.
- AIFS does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
6. Policies & Procedures
AIFS has policies and procedures that govern its education abroad programs and practices and regularly reviews them to assure their effectiveness and appropriateness.
Policies & Procedures
- Academic information is clear and accurate in print and web media.
- Published program cost information is complete and accurate, and sound estimates are given for out-of-pocket expenses.
- Published cancellation refund policies are clear and accurate.
- AIFS has an established scholarship fund to assist students.
- Marketing activities follow ethical guidelines and principles.
- Field staff demonstrate respect for institutional policy regarding campus visits and program promotion.
- Advising practices support students academic and personal development.
- Established published policies govern AIFS programs. Established policies govern AIFS personnel.
Program Assessment
- AIFS has established program standards.
- A program evaluation is administered to all student participants for each program term.
- Data on student intercultural development is collected and shared on a regular basis.
- Program site visits are offered on a regular basis to faculty and staff of U.S. institutions.
- Alumni are requested to complete a survey to assess the personal and professional impact of their experience.
- Staff in the U.S. and abroad participate in short- and long-range planning and goal-setting.
- AIFS shares assessment findings with all internal staff and faculty and externally with the Board of Academic Advisors and affiliate institutions.
7. Organizational and Program Resources
AIFS provides adequate financial and staffing resources to support its programs.
Faculty and Instructors
- AIFS partners with respected universities in each host country that are recognized/accredited by the respective ministries of education.
- Faculty and instructors have appropriate credentials in the host country.
- Faculty have the required expertise in their respective fields, together with the ability to teach and a commitment to international students.
- Faculty are made aware of differences in learning styles and the academic requirements of U.S. colleges and universities.
- Faculty participate in developing new courses that may be designed for international students and are approved by their respective credit-granting institution.
Administrative and Support Personnel
- AIFS staff hold the proper and required qualifications for their positions.
- AIFS staff demonstrate courtesy and respect and are committed to the best interests of the student.
- AIFS staff participate in annual performance evaluations.
- Staff participate in professional organizations activities related to their area of responsibilities.
- AIFS seeks to provide staff with opportunities for professional development.
- Resident Directors establish and maintain relationships with academic and local community members.
Financial Resources
- AIFS practices responsible financial stewardship.
- The organization is managed by a Board of Directors.
- Financial oversight is appropriate to the size and complexity of AIFS.
- AIFS retains sufficient resources to address crises or unanticipated financial changes.
Learning and Academic Support Facilities
- AIFS program center staffing and facilities are adequate to support their enrollments each term.
- Students have adequate study space.
- Students have access to adequate library resources.
- Students have access to adequate equipment and technologies to support their academic requirements.
- Reasonable accommodations are provided to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities. AIFS works with the student, the students home institution and our host university abroad to develop a support plan to address the needs of the student.
- Every effort is made to accommodate students with physical challenges. Access issues are dependent on local facilities and resources. AIFS works with students and our local contacts to evaluate the accommodations that can be provided.
- AIFS facilities and grounds undergo routine maintenance and have established plans for preventative and deferred maintenance.
Student Housing
- Students are provided with appropriate and secure housing.
- Housing contracts abide by in-country laws.
- Housing is regularly inspected.
- Established procedures support a housing change when warranted.
8. Health, Safety, Security, and Risk Management
AIFS assures the health, safety, and security of its students, faculty, and staff at every step of the program process with established policies and procedures as well as at student orientation and faculty training.
Program Development:
- The overall safety and political and economic stability of a country are considerations in selection of new program sites.
- Experts in local laws are consulted regarding risk management, employment law, and other relevant certifications of staff.
- AIFS complies with local laws and regulations.
Health and Safety of Students, Faculty, and Staff
- General travel safety advice and country-specific health information are provided to students prior to departure.
- Comprehensive insurance (medical, evacuation, cancellation) is provided to every program participant.
- Students may request information prior to departure about managing a medical condition abroad.
- Resident staff refer students to English-speaking medical clinics and physicians for sickness, accidents, or mental health care.
- Staff are trained to recognize and respond to suspected mental health problems and substance abuse.
Risk Management
- AIFS maintains adequate insurance coverage for liability and indemnification.
- AIFS has established criteria for its contractual agreements with outside providers for services such as transportation, housing, facilities, and technology.
- Regular risk assessments are conducted by administrative staff and legal counsel.
- Students must abide by the AIFS conduct code.
- Response coverage by AIFS staff is available 24-hours, 365 days/year on every program site and with the U.S. and London-based offices.
- Students, faculty, and staff are provided information on safety and emergency procedures.
- Students receive timely notification of local health and safety concerns.
- Health and safety incidents are properly reported following AIFS policy. Crisis management plans are reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
- Student housing meets AIFS health and safety requirements.
- Student housing is located within proximity to public transportation access.
- Homestay hosts/families meet AIFS selection criteria.
- AIFS staff manage any conflicts that occur between student and homestay host or landlord.
9. Ethics & Integrity
- AIFS educates its employees on ethical behavior and adheres to a code of ethics aligned with the Forums Code of Ethics for Education Abroad.
- AIFS promotes respect of the cultures and values of the countries in which it operates programs and from which it draws its student participants.
- Students, faculty, and staff abide by the home and host country laws and regulations.
- AIFS follows established guidelines on student rights to privacy and confidentiality.
- AIFS staff are actively involved in the leadership and training activities of relevant professional organizations.
- AIFS sponsors the publication of various resources for international educators.
- AIFS regularly sponsors other organizations in the field that promote support for diverse student participation in education abroad and the re-entry process for students.
- AIFS staff inform themselves of current trends and issues in U.S. and international higher education.
- AIFS does not discriminate in hiring or admissions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.


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Kristen Bell in Solace London
I'm not crazy right? The Emmys are usually on Sundays? Having it on a Monday completely threw me off my game and now it is 9:30 PM and I'm putting this post together. Honestly though, we all know I have OCD issues and there's no way I could even get to bed without doing this first. And then of course picking my 5-8 favorite looks and adding them to my Instagram story. You're welcome. Happy Monday!
I'm loving all of the classic black and white looks from the evening. There are also the tiniest details from two different shoes and belts that are so thin that you almost miss them. One take away from the night? Barely there makeup and slicked back hair for an effortless look. What are your favorite looks?
Trevor Noah


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Do Not Watch This Show.
You would be taking advice from a 40-something woman who cannot bring herself to commit to her boyfriend of 4 years aka - a failure on the dating scene. Patty - the goal is a long and happy marriage, not an eternity of dating.
Now for several points:
1. the penis chooses; Initially, perhaps, but to get beyond the infatuation to the love, you have to match strengths to strengths while not matching weaknesses and this means that ultimately the mind chooses with the heart's consent.
2. A gemini is great at sex; NOT! Patty, EVERYTHING you know about sex is wrong - dead, flat wrong. Stop being a 'left coast weenie' and join the real modern world.
3. redheads are bitches, and strong, capable women are not 'dating material'; oh my NO you silly Patty you - please stop being 13 years of age and a prima donna. Tigers need to date Tigresses not the hamsters you seem to prefer. And glorious fiery warrior-women (redheads) are the true delights of this world.
4. "the man has to be the leader in the relationship"; absolutely NOT - this is a PARTNERSHIP between EQUALS - now we really know why you are not married! Hes' waiting for you to grow-up and graduate from high school.
5. the man always pays, "if you want the legs to open, the man's got to pay always" what are women then, whores? prostitutes? Are you seriously trying to say this sort of nonsense and yet hoping to avoid being labeled a whoremonger? Not only is this offensive but you are also contradicting Miss Judith MArtin aka Miss Manners. The rule is: "The one who invites, pays." Period.
Her views on homosexuality are equally incorrect and offensive.
It is time to get this trash off the air.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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A light coating of gasoline or oil possible covering roadway in the Highlands Neighborhood
It has come to the Public Works Department's attention that the Newcastle Highlands neighborhood
roadways have a light coating of gasoline or oil that has covered most of the roadway. This petroleum
product could cause unsafe driving conditions, therefore please use caution when driving in this
The streets that are affected include SE 91st ST, SE 92nd ST, 140th Ave SE, 143rd AVE SE
and SE 90th ST in Newcastle, WA.
Specifics on this spill are being investigated. Public Works crews are currently enacting spill response
procedures, which include containment of the material, prevention from entering the storm drains and
If anyone has witnessed any suspicious activity or has any information related to this incident please
contact Newcastle City Hall at 425‐649‐4444 immediately to report the information.