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Modi alerts MPs against ministerial 'illusion'
New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday alerted newly elected NDA MPs against getting into any ministerial trap as only a few of them can be given "the responsibilities."Modi, before he was appointed Prime Minister of India for a second term by President Ram Nath Kovind, was addressing BJP-NDA MPs and leaders at the Central Hall of Parliament here.
"All those who have won are mine. It doesn't make a difference to me. Only a few people can be given responsibilities," he said.
"I wish to say humbly that the names being circulated in media is just an attempt to create division, illusion, and rumours and for fulfilling their bad intentions. Don't be in any such illusion," he said, adding that these are "done according to some norms."Taking a dig at media for speculating about his new Cabinet, Modi said: "I am yet to see who has won or not. But there are several Narendra Modis already born in this country and who have already formed their Cabinet.""If we go by the media speculation, then there would be left only a few who do not become the ministers. We start thinking that since newspapers have published our names as prospective ministers, then we will certainly become ministers."He urged the MPs not to believe in such speculations till the swearing-in-ceremony.
"If you are reading or seeing it on TV that you will become a minister, call them to stop it. Say you are ruining my prestige. Ministers are not made from the pages of newspapers. Nor ministries are run from there.""Sometimes we tend to believe that we will become 'M.' Do remember that there are several competent people of our level. A worker inside us must remain alive. Arrogance will push people dear to us away from us," Prime Minister Modi said.
He also urged newly elected MPs not to get lured by the temptation of giving 'sound bytes' to TV media.
"Don't know what is there in those TV mikes that people open their mouth and start saying anything. And when you speak, their shop runs for 24-48 hours but our trouble gets amplified," said he.
"I am saying these things now in a neutral manner because once the parliament session begins, people will think I am saying it to them," he said.
Modi warned MPs not to be in any 'illusion' that the country is watching them while giving 'sound bite.' "Verify facts before giving reaction to any statement by anyone," he said.
"In the beginning, it will attract like some magnetic power, but gradually we become addicted to it. It is very necessary that we protect ourselves from such things," he said.
"They (media) need not be blamed. It is our desire (to give bytes) which puts us in trouble. So, we need to stay away from it because the country will not forgive us," Modi said.
He also warned MPs from speaking 'off the record' to the reporters.
"There is nothing in this world which is off the record. These days, you don't know which instrument is there in somebody's pocket," he said, in an apparent reference to spy cameras.
"No matter how hard you work. Somewhere in a corner, someone says something and the game is over. They (media) enjoy it because it is a large group which has been taken care of by someone else for 70 years. Why will they accept us? So, our complaint is not against them. We know it is their business. We have to take care of it," said Modi.
He also urged MPs not to be in any sort of illusion about their victory.
"People tend to get swayed over time that they won thanks to themselves. Please do not believe that you have won because of yourself. We do not win because of ourselves.""Neither people of a certain class, religion or caste make us win nor did we win because of Modi. We win only because of the people of the country. Whatever we are, we are not because of Modi. We are what we are because of the people of the country," he said. (ANI)


The forests of Indonesia are among its most valued – and exploited – resources. Many formerly forest-rich provinces such as Sumatra and Kalimantan mismanaged this resource, and forests there faced wholesale destruction at the hands of loggers and clear-cutting for palm oil plantations. The Papua provinces, which boast the largest natural forests of Southeast Asia, are facing the same future: the current growth trajectory is high-risk and carbon-intensive, and illegal logging poses a threat to indigenous Papuans, 84% of whom are directly dependent on the forest for up to half of their income.
To meet this challenge, the Papuan government has committed to pursuing an alternative set of growth policies. Their "Vision 2100" and "Blueprint for Sustainable Land Use" aims to offer an economic model that delivers both ecologically sustainable and equitable growth. Two key targets of these programmes are a goal of 90% forest cover as well as the reduction of areas earmarked for logging by 21%.
As a part of this initiative, in 2017, the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) launched the Green Economic Growth programme, operated by the UK's Climate Change Unit (UKCCU), which aims both to promote sustainable economic development in the private sector and build the capacity of local authorities to manage this development and attract investors to the region. The programme runs until 2022.
LTS International, the newest addition to the NIRAS Group, has been contracted to provide technical assistance to Papuan small-holder farmers and to micro, small, and medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to help build a sustainable and thriving local economic base which will not threaten the natural environment as it grows.
Business incubator and investor engagement activities through a structured programme of business incubators and process of facilitating investment.
By supporting selected farmers and MSMEs in developing capacity whilst simultaneously working with finance institutions and investors, we can demonstrate the potential of green enterprises in the goal of reducing poverty. Ultimately, proving the viability of these enterprises and leveraging successful programme interventions will attract further support and lead to a growing and sustainable green economy in the region in the long-term.
The programme will focus on assistance to smallholders and enterprises working with many commodities, services and products (see infobox in sidebar). One example area of focus would be the cultivation and sale of seaweed. For the coastal areas of Papua, seaweed is among the commodities best suited for economic development - the start-up costs are low and the turnover period is relatively short, the ecological and social risks are also minimal and profits at current prices will be able to compete or even surpass many other options for smallholders in the area. Add to that the fact that the international seaweed market is rapidly developing and you have a perfect commodity for the coastal regions.
The coast of West Papua, with its access to ports and public transport, and emphasis on sustainable economic and environmental development Wondama and Sorong, along this coast, are excellent locations for seaweed production and where the programme has piloted its seaweed efforts. There have been attempts at producing this commodity in the area before which failed primarily due to lack of supply chain development and lack of training. Thus, the critical intervention in this pilot programme will be to improve knowledge sharing and provide support to enterprises at the initial phase of the process.


DIY Movies is an idea I created about 5 years ago to help folks to do house repairs with out spending a lot of money. Typically, there are three alternative approaches to managing a house enchancment undertaking: hiring a basic contractor, straight hiring specialised contractors, or doing the work oneself. Be positive to test Best Buy and Costco when purchasing for home equipment, as they actually are inclined to have higher costs than many of the residence equipment stores. If you'll be able to't afford to finance the undertaking in full with money, know the other ways you may finance your house enchancment with out putting your property in danger. Homeowners could hire normal contractors to oversee house improvement projects.
The series facilities on the Taylor family, which consists of Tim ( Tim Allen ), his spouse Jill ( Patricia Richardson ) and their three kids: the oldest, Brad ( Zachery Ty Bryan ), the middle baby Randy ( Jonathan Taylor Thomas ) and youngest, Mark ( Taran Noah Smith ). The Taylors reside in suburban Detroit , and have a neighbor named Wilson Wilson ( Earl Hindman ) who is commonly the go-to man for fixing the Taylors' problems.
Take for example the example of a brand new coat of paint, that is definitely one type of house enchancment which one is able to handle by yourself. I've now purchased an apartment in Manhattan and have hired JW Home Improvement to reconfigure some closets and paint that property. As a result of the passage of Senate Bill 285, the Maryland Home Improvement Commission will eliminate the Subcontractor License class as of July 1, 2016. Look for the Home Improvement websites and read the testimonials from different prospects.
Research dwelling enchancment tasks on websites, corresponding to HomeAdvisor and Houzz , so you will have an thought of how lengthy the venture will take and how much it is going to price you. A Lower charge" means a decrease Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of an alternate unsecured, mounted fee loan from a lender, in contrast on a like for like" basis. Richard Harris, Building a Market: The Rise of the Home Improvement Industry, 1914-1960.
If you need to guarantee your own home enchancment tasks go smoothly, use the standard products which are out there on eBay. When it involves development, repairs, renovations, and some other type of residence improvement mission, a high quality software could be your best buddy. The bottom line is that so as to discover reliable house enchancment contractors, you have to undergo a reliable supply, which only accepts the very best contractors to refer to dwelling owners. But even with a smaller residence enchancment project, there are qualities a GC ought to have that are important.


Are you taking care of your health and wellbeing yet? Wood for Good investigates the impact timber has on our health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Work in Mind exclusively reveals the results of a survey of over 1,000 UK based office workers undertaken by the Remark Group and Dr Nigel Oseland.
Research from Close Brothers reveals attitudes of UK businesses to flexible working.
Mai-Britt Beldam, from Ecophon, explains the damaging impact have on hospital patients and staff.
A survey of over 1,000 UK based office workers undertaken by the Remark Group and Dr Nigel Oseland reveals the impact of poor acoustic design on stress and productivity.
Knox Bhavan Studio has transformed a former stationery shop and warehouse in Peckham into a healthy workplace to house its own architecture practice.
Greenery Unlimited, located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, will be the world's first Biophilic Design Store.
Work in Mind takes a look at One Dorset Street, the south coast's first building to achieve Fitwel certification.
Humanscale, the US-based office furniture giant, is painstakingly researching its supply chain in order to rid its products of potentially harmful chemicals and materials.
The experts from Diamond Interiors explore the science behind biophilic design and its psychological benefits.


Bronzed, luminous skin is synonymous with summer, and after a long winter, our dull complexions could use some help.
That's where bronzers come in -- these pressed powders can give you a sun-kissed glow without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays. But with so many options out there, it can be hard to find a formula that's right for you -- not to mention one that won't make you look like an Oompa Loompa.
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In memory of a man whose dedication and commitment to maintaining the dignity of Public Employees and ensuring justice for all members. He serves as an inspiration to those who follow in the field of labor. $500.00 scholarship.
Deadline: To be eligible for the Scholarship, all completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 19th 2014.


My little brother's slippers had holes in them. He likes to take his shoes off at the door and wear moccasins all day long, and he had worn through his $17 slippers. "We could make you some moccasins," I told him. He was excited at the idea of a project. Before going home for Thanksgiving break, I had to locate some leather, needles, thread, an awl, and patterns. I write this post mainly because I relied on online sources, and trying to live the gratitude that Fr. Joel suggests I feel I should contribute to the online knowledge.
We decided on plains Indian style moccasin. A single piece of leather goes under the sole, and is folded over the top of the foot and sewn on one side. Following some directions, I took a tracing of the foot and then added 3/4 inch behind the heel and 1/4 inch around the toes. From the widest part of the foot, the pattern goes straight back to the heel. The upper was a mirror image of this.
The problem was, this pattern DID NOT FIT. It was too small. After thinking about the problem, I measured the CIRCUMFERENCE of the foot and added to the upper until it equaled the total circumference (in the picture the addition is marked with the pen). Pictures of these moccasins suggested that the upper was, in fact, a little larger than the sole.
After figuring out the pattern, the project went quickly. I punched holes with the awl and my brother did the whip stitch. We had to adjust the stitching to take up the difference in size between the upper and the sole. Then we cut a hole in the top (marked by the upside-down T in the pattern), cut a little flap at the base of the heel, and sewed up the back of the moccasin. The stitching was done with the moccasin inside out so the seams wind up inside.
These moccasins are made of cow hide suede, which is flexible but durable. It seems to have less give to it than dear skin. We finished the moccasins by sewing a small tongue into the opening in the upper, and threading laces to hold them on.
It was a fun project and it was good to accomplish something with and for my brother. I made a larger pair for myself, and have been enjoying them around the house. I always wear them with socks, since the seams are on the inside and they irritate my foot if I don't. Now, my mother is talking about slippers for Christmas; looks like I might have one gift figured out.


Competitive pressures have long suggested using off-theshelf board-level computers to increase the efficiency of developing embedded system products. Instead of "reinventing the wheel" by developing and debugging an embedded computer and porting a BIOS or RTOS, companies can focus on developing application-specific hardware and software, resulting in fast-track development of highly differentiated, competitive end products.
The advantages of using off-the-shelf, board-level embedded computers are further enhanced by utilizing an "embedded PC" architecture, which combines well-known operating systems and tools with familiar hardware components.
Recently, however, technology advances have introduced both challenges and opportunities into both the hardware and software sides of the equation. For example, high-speed buses and interfaces such as PCI Express, SATA, USB2.0, and LVDS have burst upon the scene over the past few years, as have multi-core CPUs such as the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor.
Similarly, platform-level software technology has evolved dramatically. Examples include operating systems such as Linux 2.6, Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE 6.0, and VxWorks 6.x; filesystem technologies such as journaling, encryption, flash memory management, and RAID; OS extensions such as virtualization, hypervisors, and real-time performance; and protocol stacks for wireless communications, multimedia, DRM, security, etc.
To help OEMs keep up with all these evolving hardware and software technologies, Ampro offers a continually evolving product line of single-board computers (SBCs) and computer-on-modules (COMs) that span a wide range of form-factors, performance levels, and application-oriented features.
Ampro's embedded PC products, offered in five basic form-factors as tabulated below, integrate Intel® processors ranging from the Intel® Celeron® M to Intel Core 2 Duo processors, at speeds up to 1.86 GHz. In addition to the CPUs, the boards provide onboard memory; graphics, storage, and Ethernet controllers, USB and other I/O ports, and expansion buses such as PCI and PCI Express.
In addition to specific size constraints, embedded systems must often meet stringent environmental factors, including fanless operation either to eliminate noise or to protect the electronics from dust or moisture. To meet such requirements, Ampro offers SBC and COM products designed and tested to comply with the three environmental profiles tabulated below.
Of note, Ampro's Rugged and Extreme Rugged products are designed for harsh environments from the ground up, not simply lot screened. In order to support extremes of shock, vibration, humidity, and temperature, utmost care is given to component selection, circuit design, PCB layout and materials, thermal solutions, and manufacturing processes, and HALT testing is used to locate and correct weak spots in the designs.
Equally important is the choice of manufacturing materials and process technology. The EU requirements for RoHS compliance means that suppliers can no longer rely or tinlead solder on an inexpensive no-clean immersion gold process to provide durable solder joints that hold components in place without cracking under flexing loads.
Finally, recognizing the critical need for OEMs to maintain consistency throughout the life of their products, Ampro works tirelessly to ensure long-term availability and stable configurations of its board-level embedded computers.
In conclusion, thanks to their careful design and component selection -- and comprehensive software support -- Ampro's SBC and COM products can help OEMs leverage Intel's high-end processors for reliable, cost-effective embedded applications. By using off-the-shelf, board-level, embedded PCs as the basis of their designs, OEMs can accelerate their product development cycles and increase their investment on application-specific features and product differentiation.
San Jose, CA 95138 USA.


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Home › Athletes
Sha'Carri Richardson Set To Race All 3 Olympic 100m Medalists After Team USA Suspension
Sharde Gillam	, Editor
@its_sharr
Sharde Gilliam is a dedicated journalist who enjoys covering entertainment, fashion, beauty, and is passionate about all things related to Black women and Black culture. She originally joined HelloBeautiful as an intern and slowly worked her way up to becoming a freelancer and most recently, the team's nights and weekends editor in 2021. As a Detroit native, she's dedicated to uplifting and putting a spotlight on her hometown every chance she gets. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and playing with her dog, Benji. Catch her on social media.	@its_sharr
Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry, Kerry Washington, And Taraji P. Henson Show Off Their Acting Range In The 'Classic Roles Challenge'
Halle Bailey Shows Off Bikini Bod In Latest Pic: 'Suns Out, Buns Out'
Marsai Martin And Her Dad Show Us How To Style 'Dad Jeans' In New Hollister Campaign
Source: Cliff Hawkins / Getty
Things are finally looking up for track superstar Sha'Carri Richardson. After being suspended from Team USA over a positive marijuana test heading into the 2020 Olympics, the athlete now has a second chance and is able to redeem herself at the upcoming Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon where she'll race against all three 100m Olympics medalists, Team Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson.
Thompson-Herah, Fraser-Pryce, and Jackson each won gold, silver, and bronze in the final 100m race at the Tokyo Olympics, the same race that Richardson was set to compete in before being disqualified. But Richardson will have her work cut out for her in this upcoming race as it was Team Jamaica's Thompson-Herah who broke the 10.62-second record, a record previously held by the late Florence Griffith Joyner a.k.a Flo-Jo. Thompson-Herah's new record of 10.61 seconds earned her the gold last month, with teammates Fraser-Pryce coming in second place with 10.74 seconds, and Jackson finishing third with 10.76 seconds.
"Sha'Carri is focused on running a good race since she last competed at the US Olympic Trials," Richardson's agent Renaldo Nehemiah told The Wall Street Journal. "She will be focused on executing her race to the best of her ability regardless of who is in the race."
America fell in love with the 21-year-old athlete after she burst into stardom with hopes at the Olympic fold when she won the women's 100m race at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene back in June. It was her colorful wigs, tattoos, piercings, long nails, and fierce attitude that had us rooting for more of the budding superstar, yet all of our hopes were shot down when she lost her spot on Team USA after testing positive for THC following the trials. Still, we as Black America hold a special place in our hearts for the athlete and gave her grace and compassion, regardless of her suspension.
Now, we'll have a second chance to cheer her on from afar as she takes on Team Jamaica in the upcoming race! Let's go Sha'Carri!
Sha'Carri Richardson Looked Stunning At This Year's ESPY Awards
Sha'Carri Richardson Will Not Run In The 2021 Tokyo Olympics
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Betting odds aside, Belgium are here and ready to take over top spot in world football. Lead by elite players from all over Europe, the Belgian attack is lethal and unrelenting. Strikers? Michy Batshuayi and Romelu Lukaku. Forwards? Dries Mertens, Yannick Carrasco, and Eden Hazard. Midfielders? Kevin De Bruyne, Moussa Dembele, and Thorgen Hazard. Oh, and Thibault Courtois in net. Yeah – they're stacked to the gills and will be a heavy favourite to make it to the finals simply based on their skill alone. The players have been clicking in pre-tournament tune ups and hopefully for them the Belgian machine is fine tuned and ready to roll.
Romelu Lukaku – The big man up top for Manchester United, Lukaku has a bit of his chip on his shoulder, and something to prove for himself as he is often slated as only being able to score against lesser opponents. With the world watching Lukaku will work to shatter that myth. He managed 27 goals in 51 games (all competitions) this season, so he knows where to go for goals. But he is a superstar – striker at Manchester United, and even has his face plastered on bus stop ads here in Toronto! Look out for the big man, coming fresh off of a brace against Costa Rica.
Kevin De Bruyne – Pulling the strings in the midfield with Premier League winners Manchester City, KDB bossed it this season and has crept up the rankings of top players in the world. He is an assist king – whether it be over the top, a long pass down the wing, or a slick and slicing through ball to spring an attack forward, he always seems to find his targets. 16 Premier League assists, and 21 total in all competitions, De Bruyne makes his teammates better and is a good shout for tournament MVP.
Dries Mertens – The centre forward from Napoli has been a revelation this season for Italian side Napoli and their quest to topple Juventus atop Serie A. Although they finished second, Merten's goal scoring ability helped in their ascension up the ranks of Italian football, as he scored 18 goals in 38 league games, adding 6 assists in the process. His application will be interesting to see; as a centre forward he can be an out and out striker or roam behind Lukaku and Batshuayi. Wherever he slots in for Belgium look for his name to frequent the score sheet.
Outside of the bookies favourites, Germany and Brazil, France and Belgium are both two insanely talented and young squads that can have coming out parties in Russia this year. The attacking power on Belgium is equally balances by their defenders : Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Kompany, Munier, Dendoncker. The squad is nicely assembled and has players like Fellaini, Dembele, and T. Hazard who can be used in specific roles to help close out wins. Do not be surprised if the Belgian team is lifting the trophy at the end of the tournament!


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Chicago Cubs – amerykańska drużyna baseballowa grająca w centralnej dywizji National League. Ma siedzibę w Chicago w stanie Illinois. Trzykrotny zwycięzca w World Series. Cubs są określani przez fanów i media jako The North Siders, ponieważ stadion Wrigley Field mieści się w północnej części miasta Chicago; inny przydomek zespołu to The Cubbies.

Historia

Klub powstał w 1870 roku jako Chicago White Stockings. W 1876 wstąpił w szeregi nowo powstałej National League jako jeden z ośmiu zespołów. W latach 1880–1882 White Stockings zdobywali mistrzostwo ligi, zaś w 1885 i 1886 uzyskiwali awans do World Series, w których mierzyły się mistrz National League i American Association; w pierwszych z nich White Stockings zremisowali z St. Louis Browns 3–3–1, w kolejnych ulegli tej samej drużynie 2–4. W 1890 klub zmienił nazwę na Chicago Colts. 29 czerwca 1897 w meczu przeciwko Louisville Colonels, Colts zdobyli 36 runów co do dziś jest rekordem w Major League Baseball. Od 1898 do 1902 zespół występował pod nazwą Chicago Colts by ostatecznie w 1902 roku przyjąć przydomek Cubs.

W 1907 i 1908 zespół zdobywał mistrzowski tytuł, po pokonaniu w World Series dwukrotnie Detroit Tigers 4–0 i 4–1. Od momentu przystąpienia do National League zespół w roli gospodarza występował na kilku stadionach (23rd Street Grounds (1876–77), Lakefront Park (1878–1884), West Side Park (1885–1891), South Side Park (1891–1893), West Side Grounds (1893–1915). W kwietniu 1914 oddano do użytku nowy obiekt Weeghman Field, który w późniejszym okresie nosił nazwę Cubs Park (1920–1926); od 1926 znany jako Wrigley Field. Od 1910 do 1945 Cubs grali w World Series siedmiokrotnie, we wszystkich przegrywając. 18 maja 1947 w meczu przeciwko Brooklyn Dodgers zanotowano rekord frekwencji; spotkanie obejrzało 46 572 widzów.

22 października 2016 Cubs, pokonując Los Angeles Dodgers w szóstym meczu NLCS, zdobyli pierwsze od 1945 roku mistrzostwo National League. 2 listopada 2016 Cubs wygrali siódme spotkanie po dziesięciu zmianach z Cleveland Indians i zdobyli pierwszy od 108 lat tytuł World Series.

Skład zespołu

Sukcesy

Członkowie Baseball Hall of Fame

Zastrzeżone numery
Od 1997 numer 42 zastrzeżony jest przez całą ligę ku pamięci Jackie Robinsona, który jako pierwszy Afroamerykanin przełamał bariery rasowe w Major League Baseball.

Ciekawostki
 W 2015 roku minęło 107 lat od poprzedniego zwycięstwa Cubs w World Series. Była to najdłuższa passa bez mistrzostwa we wszystkich amerykańskich ligach zawodowych.

 Najbardziej przesądni kibice Cubs za przyczynę tych niepowodzeń uznawali tzw. "Klątwę Kozła" (ang. Curse of the Billy Goat). Podczas World Series w 1945 roku zagorzały kibic Cubs Billy Sianis, przyszedł na mecz swojej ulubionej drużyny z kozłem. W trakcie rozgrywki został jednak wyrzucony z trybun z powodu nieprzyjemnego zapachu jaki wydzielał kozioł. Zbulwersowany tym faktem Sianis miał rzucić na klub klątwę uniemożliwiającą Cubs dotarcie do finałów MLB. Mistrzostwo roku 1945 przypadło Detroit Tigers, którzy ostatecznie pokonali "The Cubbies" 4–3.

 "Klątwa Kozła" została przełamana w 2016, kiedy po 108 latach Cubs zdobyli tytuł World Series pokonując Cleveland Indians 4–3 w serii best-of-seven.

Przypisy

Linki zewnętrzne

Zespoły Major League Baseball
Cubs

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North America: In North America, total and organic revenue growth was 12%.
Latin America: In Latin America, total and organic revenue growth was 4%.
UK and Ireland: In the UK and Ireland, total and organic revenue growth was 3%.
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Whenever we get a call or a lead request from a client asking us about their Skelaxin prescription, we always need to immediately hold off on just "assuming" that it's use isn't going to have any effect on their life insurance application, and instead begin asking questions that will help us determine if your Skelaxin prescription should be a cause of concern.
Skelaxin is muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses in the brain. It is often prescribed in combination with rest and physical therapy to folks to help them treat discomfort associate associated with acute skeletal muscle conditions such as pain and injury.
It may also be used in conjunction with other medications for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Really know for sure if your Skelaxin prescription is going to be a cause for concern, we're going to need to learn a little bit more about why you've been prescribed Skelaxin as well as how well it's managing your pre-existing condition.
Why have you been prescribed Skelaxin?
How long have you been using Skelaxin?
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We should also have a pretty good idea if you might be eligible for one of the newer "no medical exam" term and whole life insurance policies out there, or if your condition may warrant the need to actually order medical records from your doctor.
Because we here at TermLIfe2Go work with so many different life insurance companies, once we have a better understanding of your particular situation and what you're looking to achieve by purchasing your life insurance (protect a spouse, cover the cost of a mortgage, pay for final expenses, etc…) we should have plenty of options for you to choose from.
This is why you'll find that in our initial application interview, we're going to ask pretty much all of the same questions that you'll find on your typical life insurance application. The only difference is that we're asking these questions in an effort to determine which life insurance company is going to be the best for you.
We here at TermLife2Go have chosen to remain an independent life insurance brokerage that is able to work with dozens of different life insurance companies so that if it turns out that for some reason, you're not the perfect fit for one company, we'll simply move on to the next one in an effort to get you the best possible deal out there!
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I first hired Pristine Property Maintenance over 2 years ago to cut my lawn every week & they always do a beautiful job including weed eating the perimeter & cleaning all the grass clippings off my driveway & carport. Garrett & his crew have also done other yard work for me including a fall yard cleanup & removing a few smaller trees for me. Garrett is always reliable & has never let me down. I am totally comfortable with recommending his Company to anyone!
I found Garret, the owner of Pristine Property Maintenance Services, to be very knowledgeable and courteous. An estimate was given in a very timely manner, in fact he had come from another jobsite to do so.
I would like to thank Jessie, Sasha and Don for the work they did trimming the hedge and cedars surrounding my property. These young men were kind, respectful, courteous, funny and did not hesitate to answer any questions I posed to them.
The job was big so took place over a 2-day period but cleanup was done, driveway was blown clear and my trees/hedge haven't looked so good in a while. What a wonderful job guys!
Will let the trees fill out a little in the meanwhile and will definitely see you again in the next year or so.
This company is great. Always willing to go the extra mile and manage to fit me into their schedule.The service is friendly, prompt and happy to be of service. Not like the others I had in the past, where they made me feel like I was an inconvenience. I recommended them to my family and they too are very happy with the service. Thank you Pristine and keep up the excellent work (PS you guys have great smiles) .
Totally reliable and professional. I've used Pristine for over two years for my rental property and found them to be very professional in the way they conduct their business. They show up on time, get the job done properly and clean up afterwards. They provide proper invoices and make it easy to pay (I pay be e-transfer). Garret is polite and responsive and treats me like a valued customer. I would recommend Pristine to anyone looking for a professional lawn maintenance company.
Garrett has been taking care of my lawn for several years now. Always polite, friendly and courteous and always a great job. I recently had him and his team trim my cedar hedge - they worked dilligently from 9-6:30. The hedge looks great. They cleaned up all the trimmings and then some!! Thanks again Garrett. Another job well done.
I have used Pristine Property Maintenance for our own home as well as our rental property. They have done grass cutting, spring and fall garden cleanup, garden bed maintenance, pruning and also put up and took down our Christmas Lights. Garrett and his team arrive on time, do the work agreed upon and he sticks to his quotes. I find Garrett to be courteous, professional, trustworthy, contientous and he also has great suggestions for the garden. I am always very happy when Pristine Property Maintenance has been to my place, everything looks so beautiful, my garden is well looked after and they always leave everything very clean! I would rate them 10 out of 10!
We've used Pristine a few years in a row now and they always do a first rate job. They're kind and easy to deal with and leave our yard looking better than ever!
I had some cedars trimmed recently and Pristine did a wonderful job. Not only with the pruning but the cleanup as well. Very professional people for sure. Extremely knowledgeable in all areas of lawn, shrub, tree care and maintenance. I recommend Pristine Property Maintenance to everyone.
Garrett is professional and prompt.He and the young men that work with him are efficient, and leave my yard looking it's best.I will continue to use Pristine and recommend them to friends .


GOOD MORNING & welcome to day 2 of our April release!!! :) Today we are showcasing 2 new sets! First up is a set called "Way to Go!" This FUN set includes a total of 18 stamps and a coordinating die set. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this ADORABLE bike die! You can see in my video below all the ways you can assemble this bike so you feel like you have TONS of dies all in one set!
Okay, our next set we are showcasing today is called "Main Street!" This set includes a total of 10 stamps! As you can see in my card below, I used all 3 of the buildings, the 2 little bikes & one of the streets that are included in this set! The sentiment is from "Way to Go!"
Other than that, I REALLY REALLY LOVE these 2 new sets that are being featured today!
Here is my video on how to stamp these cute buildings AND how to assemble the cute little bike die!
P.S. If you missed it yesterday, remember I like to show you a "pre-sneak" for the following month? Well, Miss Kim showcased it yesterday here! Miss Lucia is showcasing a "pre-sneak" as well today that will be getting released in May! Can you guess what it is?
P.S.S. Here is the LUCKY winner from yesterday! This lucky winner just won the 2 sets what were showcased HERE!
Oh my what beautiful cards! I love this sneak peek, flowers and wreaths are right up my ally. I loved seeing a fall wreath and love that bow! Beautiful papers on both cards. Your second card is just so springy and beautiful too. Love, love that flower! Thanks for the sneaky peek!
Those bikes are just so cute and the designers did a fabulous job!
Super cool! I am loving all the designs! So awesome!
Emma I forgot to mention that I am so in love with the little dog sitting on the back of the bike in your card! So precious!
OMG Miss Emma WOWZERS!! I love the bike die sooo much I am a fan of the old 2 wheeler great die set and love all you ideas you shared for using it....the building stamps are so awesome and you even have a street sooooo cool. Your cards turned out so awesome you sure do come up with such great creative ideas thanks & your DT sure did a grandeoso job with day #2's sneak peek goodies!!
OMG!! Beautiful cards. I am loving that bike.
Holy cow, Emma, you've really taken this release over the top. My mind is just reeling with ideas for these sets. AWESOME and AMAZING!
Just amazing, I love it! Great job from all.
Beautiful cards everyone, love that bike.
Awesome cards, Emma!!! Love your little fur baby on the back of the bike!
Wow beautiful creations your dt did a great job, I love your bike die!
OMG! The bike die is AWESOME. I would love to have this one of a kind die. hanks for sharing and creating wonderful merchandise.
Love that bike die! Both of your cards are great. Can't wait to see the entire reveal.
I just love your dies. The bicycle with thw various pieces are great. Cant wait to see tomorrows surprise.
Emma, your cards are way to cute!!!!
Wow, the bike is so cute. Love the many different pieces. Brings back memories of riding my bike all over the neighborhood, the breeze on my face and feeling so free, great times.
Oh, Emma! That bike die is awesome!! Each new release you always amaze me!!
So cute! I need that bike in my life. :) Love all the samples from the DT! TFS!
Oh I am totally in love with both sets and that bicycle die is just the cutest! It totally screams summer fun! Great job DT!
CRAZY COOL!!! LOOOOVE these two sets!! They are sooo versatile and you and your team "Like always" kocked it out of the park. Thank you so much for sharing and the inspiration.
Love this die!!! That bike is adorable....can't wait to get my hands on it! All of your DT has done an outstanding job showcasing the stamps and dies. I am so excited!!
I love the bike die! Your card is fantastic - so much detail.
Ohhh-Emm-Geee Emma! This set is Fantabulous! I love all the little details you thought of with this die set and the sentiments are genius. You Go Gurl! I gotta have this for sure. BRAVO to this DT...they are killin' their creations.
W@W! I thought yesterday's peek was good....but this one is AWESOME!! I LOVE the bikes!! I love your dies and this bike is a must have!!! and what your DT has done with it is amazing! and the sentiments seem just perfect for them and for so many occasions!! can't wait to get them! thanks!
This set is Awesome!!! The little bike sucked me in:) I love it, it is a must have!
I love this sneak peek, these sets are awesome! The bikes are so adorable, its a must have! Great Job to your DT with all their amazing projects!
Fabulous Creations!! Awesome set!!! ADORE the bike!!!
I'm loving the bicycle dies. So darn cute!!! Beautiful cards by the Design Team!
This bike is so sweet and love the way your design time used it in so many ways.
lovin the bikes an buildings!!!
OMG!! These stamps and dies are just the cutest! Great job Emma, love your projects.
I guess you are gonna have to make a cat die for us cat lovers!!!! I also love the sneak peeks Kim and Lucia added to their projects I love the big speech bubble :) awesome release so far.
Adorable new stamps and the bike die is really neat - lots of creative possibilities. Love all the card samples your designers created.
OH MY WORD Miss Emma ~ these are FABULOUS and CUTE and BEAUTIFUL too! I LVOE that the puppy gets a lift ~ CUTE idea! Then you building card ~ Oh my I cant wait to use this for a PL page I have pictures for! I think this set will totally come in handy for so many things ~ Okay this whole entire release!! EEK! The DT's did yet ANOTHER AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL job! So many wonderful ideas...LVOE this release ~ just in case I haven't said that enough! LOL! CONGRATS to the winner ~ she is going to LOVE them!
These two sets are just fantastic. The bicycle die is just the cutest thing. Can't wait to get these in my collection. So many things I can do with them having a marathon and triathlon runner and an avid biker in the family.
Awesome cards Emma!! These sets are just too fun!!!!
Another FAB day of projects!!!
WOW Miss Emma!!!!! I love this new release!!!!! What a fabulous cards!! The bike is awesome!!!!
OMG Emma! Loving this new release even more!! I love both your cards and that bicycle is just the cutest.
Great cards, Emma! Love the bike die.
I have a senior moment every time I go to one of the blogs - then I have to go back and add my address. The cards were great. The stamp sets are fun and will be interesting to work with.
The bicycle dies are awesome! You and your DT have outdone yourselves with your creative projects! Can't wait to see more!
I love these 2 sets. The bike set is so fun. i am from a family of bike riders.
I am so in LOVE with this die set! It is to die for! I had carpel an cubical tunnel surgery today, and won't be able to craft for bit, but come Friday I will be purchasing this release!
Love the bike! Hubby and I go on 40 mile bike rides on the beach every Saturday in the summer. Soooooo cute!
OMG, I can't believe how well you created that adorable bike with all the accessories! Cuteness galore. Great cards by you and the design team!
These are wonderfully fun. LOVE your cards.
What a cute touch to add the fur baby to the bike basket.
Love this bicycle! Great cards.
I am so in-love with that bike!
Love the Main Street set…think I am going to "have" to get that one! So cute!
Great cards!! The bike die is so very cute.
Oh My word! I can't believe how cute today's stamps and dies are. The bike is awesome and so clever to put the furbaby on it! Many pieces but so worth it...amazing! I love both days so far and can't imagine what else you could come up with. I can't wait to play with this release! You and the fabulous Design Team did a wonderful job showing off these new stamps and dies. Love the font too. Super job everyone!
What a great stamp and die set.....just LOVE LOVE the bikes and the sentiments!!! So many uses for these and your team did such a great job showcasing it. This is just a great set for summer!!!
Love, love, love today's sneak peeks! The bicycle die is adorable.
Love the super sweet bike and everyone did an outstanding job with it.
Once again Miss Emma, AMAZING inspiration! love every single detail of this bike and the cute fur baby siting on the back, thank you for all the inspiration!
That bicycle (and all of its coordinating pieces/options) is just adorable! All of the cards are inspiring!
The bike die and stamp would be perfect to make cards for my daughter in Davis, CA - known for all the bikes there! This is a great set!


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Latter-day Saints missionary shot multiple times in Alabama church
An 18-year-old missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remained in "serious but stable condition" over the weekend after being shot multiple times while serving in the church's Alabama Birmingham Mission on Friday by an unknown assailant who police say is still on the run.
In a statement, Latter-day Saints spokespesman Sam Penrod identified the missionary as Elder Michael Fauber of Dayton, Ohio.
He said Fauber was in the Birmingham Stake Center in Vestavia Hills with two other missionaries "and a group of people interested in learning more about the Church." Penrod said a weekly activity was being held and basketball was being played in the center's cultural hall when Fauber spoke with the unknown individual who entered the building when the person opened fire and shot him several times before running away.
The shooting suspect reportedly entered the gym, played a few basketball games with the youth group, and then started shooting for no apparent reason.
TagsAlabamaAttack on ChristiansNorth AmericashootingUSA
Christian astronaut takes Bible on mission to space station
Repeated attacks on US Catholics raise questions among bishops


Stunning actress Trisha's marriage is been a long time buzz in the film industry and now the south Indian actress has posted a wedding pic from her upcoming movie Power.
Power marks Trisha's Kannada debut Power and she will be pairing opposite Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar in the movie. Meanwhile we also hear that the Trisha will also enact for a wedding scene with Thala Ajith in untitled Gautham Menon film.
On her career front, Trisha will join Jayam Ravi's untitled Suraaj directorial from tomorrow along with Anjali. Besides awaiting Jayam Ravi's Bhooloham release, Trisha has also signed a Telugu film with Balakrishna.


text:
Young people thriving thanks to Street League's help
Boredom, frustration, anger and despair. Those are just some of the emotions commonly felt by unemployed young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with little education.
No wonder that many, faced with what they feel as rejection by society, become involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.
Yet it needn't be that way. Every day, throughout the UK, Street League is turning young lives around.
Here are just six examples of young people helped recently by Street League who now look to the future with optimism and confidence.
Name and Academy: Ainslie – Street League Dance-Fit Glasgow
Barrier to employment: Lack of employment opportunities and low self-esteem
Job: Cake decorator
Quote: "Street League has helped me with my confidence. I had no confidence at all until I went in and got to know them. I really enjoyed it, and my confidence went from 0-100. I've made friends for life, too. It's really good and I'd tell anyone to go!"
Name and Academy: Isaac – Street League Football London
Barrier to employment: Criminal activities/gang culture
Job: Halfords
Quote: "I had friends in gangs that got up to no good and I was with them all the time. Now I try to stay away from them and keep on the right track."
Name and Academy: Aurelien – Street League Football Manchester
Barrier to employment: Moved to the UK from France, had a baby daughter and struggled to hold down a full-time job
Job: Retail assistant and voluntary youth worker/football coach
Quote: "I have loved every minute of my time with Street League and have particularly enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. Street League staff have influenced me in a positive way which has changed my life. I feel as if I have developed as a person and can now work confidently within a team and on my own."
Name and Academy: Stephanie – Street League Football Glasgow
Barrier to employment: Single mother, twice made redundant due to cutbacks and lacking confidence
Job: Glasgow Life
Quote: "Without the help and support I received, I don't think I would have been able to get a job and move on with my life. I can now provide for my son, and do not have the constant worry about money. Street League helped me and some of my friends gain employment, and I think there needs to be more organisations like them in our area."
Name and Academy: Dylan – Street League Football Clyde West
Barrier to employment: Low on confidence and out of ideas after being released by Greenock Morton FC
Job: Apprentice at Jewson
Quote: "I am extremely grateful to Street League. Without them I wouldn't of had the opportunities and experiences to progress to where I am now. I would definitely recommend anyone who is out of work to take part in the programme."
Name and Academy: Nina – Street League Football Manchester
Barrier to employment: Struggled to find work after leaving college, lacked motivation and confidence
Job: Working at a local school and volunteering with a girls youth group
Quote: "I enjoyed every bit of the Street League programme, from the classroom activities to the 11-a-side football matches. Graduating from the Academy and gaining qualifications has given me a huge confidence boost, and the support that staff have given me has kept me going through some knockbacks. The fitness aspects of the course helped me to improve my confidence, communication and teamwork skills. I have managed to lose weight and get fitter. I want to tell everyone about Street League because it is has been the best eight weeks of my life. I would recommend it because of the people you meet and the fun you have. It has been great to keep in touch with Street League after the course, and I still receive ongoing support."
📸 by Lorie Shaull
The link above appears to be broken, so please follow this instead: https://t.co/5OFmB3UVYK


Whittling Fog: Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race - How did these guys stay (relatively) dry?
Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race - How did these guys stay (relatively) dry?
I couldn't believe these guys (Kyle McGeechan and Cameron Wentworth) held on and managed to keep from taking a swim at Six Mile Falls.
The sequence will speak for itself. The last shot is from near the bridge taken 19 seconds after the last shot by the rapids. One can't see in too well, but it's pretty evident they didn't take on much water. I've got the photo evidence, but I still don't know how they kept their boat above water!
Wow! Wish I'd done that before I turned 81!


text:
UK Radio List
Classic Rock Deep Cuts
Blues Radio UK
Point Blank FM
Non Stop Play
& Category: UK | Genres:
Absolute Radio 60s is a British radio station devoted to music from the 1960s. Started by Absolute Radio to supplement its decade form radio stations, it initially publicized on 22 November 2011, appearing a prior week Absolute Radio 70s. The station telecasts through Digital Audio Broadcasting (Dab) on the Digital One multiplex in a few regions of the UK, and is additionally accessible on the web, where it could be entered utilizing Radioplayer. Absolute Radio 60s was the first Uk radio station to be committed exclusively to music from the decade. On 23 April 2013, the Radio Today site reported that Absolute Radio had uprooted Absolute Radio 60s and Absolute Classic Rock from some Dab stages in England and Wales, yet the stations pressed on to telecast in London and on the web.
Absolute Radio – Absolute 60s is a DAB station from London, England, United Kingdom, playing 60s Classic Rock, Pop and RnB Classic Hits and Oldies … See more
Genres: Pop, Rock, classic, Olds,
Web Site: www.absoluteradio60s.co.uk
Tags: Absolute Radio 60s, Absolute Radio 60s live, Absolute Radio 60s online, Absolute Radio 60s radio stream, Classic, live absolute-radio-60s, live broadcasting absolute-radio-60s, Olds, Pop, rock
UK Radio Related Post


text:
Comair's Future is Flying First Class with New Aircraft
CINCINNATI, May 24, 2007 – During today's introduction of a new aircraft paint scheme, Comair and Delta Air Lines executives unveiled another surprise – Comair has been awarded 14 Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft. The planes will be the first in the regional carrier's fleet to include a first-class cabin and will replace 14 of Comair's CRJ-100 50-seat aircraft.
"We have positioned ourselves to win this flying through the hard work we completed in bankruptcy, and the investment in our fleet is a powerful affirmation of the partnership we have with Delta Air Lines," said Comair President Don Bornhorst. "Our team will make the most of this opportunity by remaining steadfast in our focus on operational performance and customer service."
Comair, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta, will take delivery of the new aircraft between August 2007 and February 2008. The CRJ-900s will begin scheduled flights as part of Delta Connection as early as Sept. 1, 2007. Delta is currently determining which routes the planes will fly. The CRJ-900 aircraft feature 76 seats in a two-class configuration. Comair's planes will have 12 first-class seats and 64 coach seats.
"Comair is a strategic part of the Delta Connection network, and we are proud to be part of Comair's next chapter as a premier regional airline," said Jim Whitehurst, Delta's chief operating officer. "In fact, Comair was the first carrier to fly regional jets for Delta Connection nearly 15 years ago. We continue to rely on them to provide our customers excellent service."
With the addition of the CRJ-900s, Delta will sell to Bombardier 14 CRJ-100 50-seat aircraft that are currently in Comair's fleet. After the transition, Comair's fleet will contain 14 CRJ-900s with 76 seats; 15 CRJ-700s with 70 seats and 102 CRJ-100s and 200s with 50 seats.
The CRJ-900 aircraft is the largest of Bombardier's CRJ series. Comair is recognized as a pioneer in the regional airline industry, and the carrier introduced the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jets to North America in 1993.
Comair is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines and a Delta Connection carrier. With a team of more than 6,600 aviation professionals, the airline operates 724 flights a day to 102 cities in the United States, Canada and the Bahamas. Comair has a fleet of 131 regional jets in 50- and 70-seat configurations.
Delta Connection


The Sloppy Joe Breakfast use ground turkey instead of the more traditionally used ground beef to help lessen the calorie load a bit. This is one of my favorite meals to eat for breakfast. I like to have more than just eggs most days so having some meat and potatoes thrown in the meal helps me out. I love to prep breakfasts because it saves me time in the morning and that means I get to sleep in an extra 30 minutes. I'm lucky to be able to eat at my desk at work so that saves me a couple of extra minutes as well.
The Chicken Parmesan is made with ground Cheerios instead of breadcrumbs to make it a gluten free option. I like using ground Cheerios over almond flour because Cheerios have a crunch to them that I think develops a better crust. If you wanted to increase the calorie load if this meal you could easily swap the zoodles for regular noodles!


text:
Is Small Beautiful For The Army's Next Generation Combat Vehicle?
By TOC On Mar 19, 2017
There's serious lesson here which the Army's Next Generation Combat Vehicle effort is taking to heart. Automation, by replacing bulky humans with compact electronics, can make for smaller combat vehicles that are not only cheaper and more fuel-efficient, but harder to hit.
"The key to survival on the battlefield is not being seen," said David Johnson, a leading scholar and former top advisor to the Chief of Army Staff. "If you saw the BAE autonomous tank… it is radically smaller than anything we have now, and smaller for a vehicle on the battlefield is a good thing."
You don't have to replace the entire crew to benefit, either. The Russians have long been obsessed with smaller tanks, to the point of having height limits for tank crewmen, and starting with their T-64 in the 1960s, they replaced the main gun's human loader with a mechanical one, allowing for a smaller turret. (The M1's designers didn't do this because Cold War autoloaders were not only unreliable but slower than a well-trained human). Today, Russia's new T-14 Armata tank has a completely automated turret, with the entire three-man crew in the heavily armored hull. The US Army tried a similar configuration with its cancelled Future Combat Systems, a program to build much lighter armored vehicles. BAE's Armed Robotic Combat Vehicle mini-tank was also originally built for FCS.
Smaller vehicles have advantages for mobility as well as for survivability: They're easier to transport to the battlefield by ship, plane, or rail, and they're easier to keep supplied. That's in stark contrast to the M1 Abrams, which for all its virtues gets three gallons to the mile. During the seizure of Baghdad in 2003, some M1s had to shut down their engines until a fuel convoy could push through, taking casualties on the way. The Army's concepts for future Multi-Domain Battle envision widely dispersed units, constantly on the move to evade detection and destruction, and able to live off infrequent resupply — something that would be difficult for current heavy forces.
The Next Generation Combat Vehicle, set to enter service by 2035, would be designed to carry out those concepts, said Col. William Nuckols, director of mounted (i.e. vehicle) requirements at Fort Benning's Maneuver Center. "This is not just about a vehicle, this is about a concept and a formation," he said at AUSA, "the formation that we need to be able to fight the way that's prescribed in the Army Functional Concept for Movement and Maneuver."
"Many of the things in the Movement and Maneuver concept do a great job of making the case for new-start combat platforms that make different trade-offs," said Maj. Gen. David Bassett, Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems. For instance, the Army has upgraded the M1 and M2 engines, he told me at the conference, and there's more promising tech in the works — but the engine compartments on those vehicles will stay the same size they were when designed in the 1970s, putting a strict physical limit on what upgrades are possible. If you want to dramatically change fuel consumption, speed, firepower, or any other performance characteristic, you need to design a new vehicle.
So how do you build a vehicle to burn less fuel? "Fuel consumption is driven in no small way by overall vehicle weight," Bassett said. Weight, in turn, is mainly driven by armor. Since no one's about to develop any new magical armor material that lets us get the same protection for less weight, if you want to reduce weight, you have two choices: accept less protection — fine with unmanned vehicles, not so with humans at risk — or shrink the "volume under armor" you have to protect. Shrinking volume also makes the vehicle a smaller target.
"We are certainly keeping our aperture wide open" about what size and shape the NGCV could be, Nuckols said. In fact, he said, "we're not certain" if NGCV will replace the M1 Abrams tank, the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting vehicle, "or potentially both. It could be a family of vehicles."
For a potential Bradley replacement, Nuckols said, the Army is studying both reducing the crew and reducing the number of infantry passengers. The Bradley today has a three-man crew: a driver in the hull, a commander and a gunner in the turret (its 25 mm ammunition is small enough it doesn't need a dedicated loader). The commander's role is to keep a 360 lookout for threats, targets, and terrain so he can direct the gunner and driver, who focus more narrowly on a given target or path. With enough assistance from sensors and artificial intelligence, however — for example, Nuckols said, "automated target acquisition" to serve as a virtual gunner — you could get down to two crew. You could also put both of them in the hull, which would allow for a smaller, cheaper turret that's harder to hit and, if it is hit, the likely ammunition explosion doesn't kill anyone.
To really reduce the size of the hull, however, you need to make peace with carrying fewer infantrymen. That's painful because the raison d'être of an Infantry Fighting Vehicle is to carry infantry. The Bradley nominally carries seven, but that was with the smaller equipment loads — and smaller soldiers — of the 1980s, and even then one man had to cram into the charmingly named "hell hole." In practice, Bradleys today manage from four to six depending on the mission.
The Army's standard infantry squad, however, is nine men, a number the service's analysts and tacticians swear by. The eight-wheel-drive Stryker can carry a full squad, but it's both large and lightly armored. The cancelled Ground Combat Vehicle would also have carried nine, but putting heavy armor around that many men — plus a manned turret — pushed the vehicle's weight north of 60 tons. So, while the Army won't give up the nine-man squad, it's considering splitting that squad between two (or even three) smaller vehicles.
However big they are, the manned Next Gen Combat Vehicles could well operate with completely robotic "wingmen" similar to BAE's mini-tank, which is designed to keep up with full-sized armored vehicles. The autonomy software would have to improve. Currently, the BAE Armed Robotic Combat Vehicle can navigate from waypoint to waypoint, using its LIDAR sensors and object recognition to avoid hitting obstacles and running people over, BAE's Jim Miller told me. For precise driving, like bringing it into the AUSA exhibit space, however, a human takes over by remote control. A human also has to remote-control the gun — no Terminators here. In fact, the ARCV's robot brain currently doesn't have the capacity to realize it's under attack.
Given rapid advances in automation, however, those should be solvable problems. The Army is very interested in autonomous vehicles that could scout ahead of the manned machines or provide supporting fire alongside them. Ideally, these machines wouldn't require one human remote operator per unmanned vehicle, but would be smart enough that a single human could supervise a whole pack of robots.
The question of control is critical. "One of the problems we have with robotics right now, Sydney, is the fact that we can't have assured control," Nuckols said. "Until we have that assured control… we're going to be hesitant to replace any of our current formation capabilities with a robotic platform."
If that's solved, however, it opens up some radical possibilities. "There's no guarantee that the Abrams will be replaced by a future tank," Nuckols said. "It could conceptually be replaced by an autonomous vehicle with the lethality of an Abrams." Equally lethal, but probably smaller — and perhaps cuter.


It all started with an article I read by Rebecca Solnit on how one magical politician won't stop climate change in which she writes about the many people she encounters who are bitterly disappointed in and generally bitter about anything from President Obama to the state of the planet. Reading it made me ponder where my own optimism springs from, especially in the face of the daunting ecological challenges I dedicate much of my brainspace to these days.
The best explanation I could come up with relates to my experience as a musician, back in the days of Chemystry Set sojourns through dingy back alley bars and clubs of San Francisco. Strangely enough, some of my favorite gigs ever took place in almost empty rooms, with maybe a grateful bartender or happy drunk hootin' and hollerin'. It's not that I loved schlepping around a bunch of gear for neither glory nor pay, but it was perhaps the very lack of these more obvious and expected rewards that trained me to focus in on other, more visceral benefits: enjoying my bandmates, creating beautiful music together, and connecting with what- and whoever was there, instead of fretting over what and who wasn't.
In other words, what mattered was the present moment and how to make the best and most meaningful of it, under any given circumstances.
And so it goes with my eco-musings: Sometimes there are victories (Yay Paris agreement!) and sometimes there are defeats, but my motivation to keep advancing a livable planet depends only in very small part on conventional metrics of success. Sure, it would be nice if we could pay more attention to the healing powers of soil or treat our cities more like our gardens, but just seeing and feeling the awesome regenerative powers of the earth burst through the cracks in the pavement leaves me no choice but to keep the inner flame going. If the mothership can keep responding with such resilience and generosity despite all the stress we inflict on her, then the most natural thing I can do as a temporary passenger is to keep putting out a similar positive, life-affirming energy, whether my example is followed or not.
As the saying goes, dance as though nobody is watching, love as though you've never been hurt before, sing as though no one can hear you, live as though heaven is on earth.
Because really, while I personally have very little control over where it is we are collectively headed, what I can influence in my short time on this planet is my own role in how we journey together. Hence, what floats my boat is the deep love and gratitude I have every day for being able to get up, feel the sun and breathe the air. What rocks my world are all the organisms I've been fortunate enough to have been sustained by and marvel at. And what tickles my soul are all the kindred spirits and righteous creatures I've shared laughter, creativity and essence with.
The mere fact that I get to be part of this grand cosmic experiment, the simple awareness of this miracle of all miracles called life, is what gives me big bang-like energy and an insatiable reservoir for optimism. Not blind or naive optimism, I may add, and not without moments of darkness and doubt, but an optimism of the heart that both celebrates what is and fights for what needs to be. Trying to be the change I wish to see.
Being here on this beautiful planet, manifest as a universal being in body form with the ability to be conscious of that, has got to be the most amazing gift any of us have ever received. Working to keep the earth's lifeblood — air, water, soil — functioning for future generations to be able to experience the same blessing feels like the happiest and most satisfying song I could sing in my short time here. Whether the whole world is listening or just the bartender in the corner.
Wishing you clarity of mind, depth of heart, and lots of sounds from underground for 2016!
PS: Speaking of Chemystry Set, check out the new website I put together. With everyone listening to tunes on their tablets and phones I thought this would be a good time to get the site up to date and give it a bit of a facelift while we're at it. It features recent nuggets like Baba and I's reinterpretation of Thwart for the Climate Message Video Festival, as well as old favorites like What We've Got, a song about patriarchy, fear, exploitation, and systems of oppression off the Cobblestone Below My Feet album, brilliantly sung by Patty and as relevant as ever in this era of enhanced phobias and otherings we once again find ourselves in.
PPS: And speaking of websites, should you find yourself in need of a site or other content wizardry, check out the portfolio I have sprouted over the last couple of years as a cover crop between eco-musings and urban plannings, and give a holler if you need help with your next project.


This eye catching moon wall clock is a must have for every moon-loving pagan and witchy babe's home.
It is approximately 33cm in width. It features both a half moon and a crescent moon.
This unique futuristic clock is available in both traditional numbers, and roman numerals to suit your personal home aesthetic.
Made of environmentally safe and non-toxic materials only.
All of our home items are personally blessed & honored before sending them on to their new owners, ensuring optimal positivity and energetic harmony.
The moon symbolizes our 'inner world', hidden emotions, desires, the shadow-self, fears/worries and our greatest dreams. It represents our feelings, our unconscious beliefs, the past and our feminine goddess side. The Moon gives us the ability to feel, learn from the past and creatively express ourselves. The moon is truly magickal.


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Ghana president: JCPOA paves way for Iran's active role in world
Tehran, Feb 14, IRNA – The nuclear deal paved the way for Iran to play its constructive role in promotion of peace and stability in the Middle East and the world, Ghana President John Dramani Mahama said on Sunday.
He made the remarks in a joint press conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Ghana president called for cultural, intelligence and practical cooperation in fight against terrorism.
He referred to the Palestinian issue and encouraged all sides to sit and discuss peaceful solutions for the conflict.
Mahama congratulated Iranian nation and government for successful nuclear talks with world powers which resulted the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA).
The nuclear deal paved the way for Iran to play its constructive role for promotion of peace and progress in the Middle East and the world, he said.
Ghana president added that Iran and Ghana share similar stances towards regional developments in most parts of the world including Syria, Iraq, Palestine, North Africa and Libya.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has no military solution, he added.
Encouraging implementation of bilateral agreements, Mahama said that there are good potentials for cooperation between Iran and Ghana in fields of oil, gas, petrochemicals, agriculture, electricity and cement production.
He also thanked Iran for its support of Ghana in health, education and agriculture sectors.
Ghana president is in Tehran on an official visit to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.
Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Mahama arrived in Tehran on Saturday night at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani.
The Ghanaian president was welcomed at Tehran Mehrabad Airport by Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati who chairs the Iranian side of Iran-Ghana joint commission.
President Rouhani officially welcomed his Ghanaian counterpart on Sunday morning.
Mahama is set to hold talks with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, his Iranian counterpart as well as Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani.
On Monday, he will also attend a trade and economic meeting of businessmen and enterprises from the two countries.
#IranDeal, JCPOA, John Dramani Mahama	February 14, 2016
Saudi Arabia introduces Switzerland as interest section bureau in Iran
Turkey shelling supports terrorists: Syria


The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme single-stage reloading press is one of the best reloading presses on the market. They are built to last a lifetime. As soon as you press your first case, you'll see for yourself.
It's very simple and straightforward, with no extra bells and whistles. It was designed for one purpose and one purpose only, and that is forming cases and pressing bullets. It does this perfectly, and can continue to perform to the same standard of excellence through millions of pressed rounds.
At a glance, you have a very sturdy pressing rim. This is encouraging, because it's arguably the most important part. Secondly, you'll notice the solid steel handle. It has a hefty weight to it, operates smooth as oil, and feels like it was built to be in your hand.
Another great feature is that the handle is easily switched to accommodate both left and right-handed individuals.
The outer body of the press is extremely sturdy and made of industrial grade cast iron.
As far as the press itself goes, you have about four inches of clearance to work. This is more than enough space to handle just about any case you would use.
Looking at the die choices, you can use the standard 7/8"-14 threaded dies. Or, you can remove the bushing and use 1-1/4"-12 threaded pitch dies if you're looking to reload larger calibers such as a 577, 450 martini-henry, or a 50 BMG.
The priming arm has a simple design similar to many other single stage presses. It comes with both large and small priming cups which are very easy to change out, and there's even is a little catch for all your spent primers.
The RCBS Supreme makes short work of casing almost any rounds. It was slightly harder to press the 50 BMG, but still remains almost effortless. It makes pumping over a hundred rounds in thirty minutes an easy task.
Mechanical advantage is one of the single most distinguishing features that set presses apart from each other. This one doesn't lack in that. The amount of mechanical advantage you get out of this machine is outstanding.
Most customers choose to case their own rounds. This is because of the amount of money they can save in comparison to purchasing new ammunition every time they go shooting or hunting.
Many people say they have easily pressed 1,000 cases in one sitting. They also say they wish they would have purchased the RCBS Rock Chucker twenty years earlier.
Others add that purchasing the automatic primer feeder is definitely worth it, and makes the process even faster.
Many more reviews reference its strength and cast iron construction, saying it's built like a freaking tank.
Possibly the best thing telling you this is a great product, is the fact that it only has 1% bad reviews. There are very few products in any industry that only have that good of a rating.
Simple design makes it easy for anybody to use, even for beginners.
Comes with a tray for spent primers. This makes clean-up a breeze.
Every part is made of high-quality metals.
If you're new to reloading, the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme is probably one of the first products you stumbled upon during your search. With many products, the first one you see is often the one that's most advertised.
In the case of this press though, the reason is that it's the best. In fact you're encouraged to look around and check out other products. In the end, I guarantee you'll come right back to where you started.
This is the absolute best deal you'll get for your money. No other single stage press can offer the Rock Chucker's quality build and intelligent design.
You'll find some cheaper competitors that look similar. But, you'll find yourself exerting twice the labor to press each bullet and you will have to handle the casing itself many more times. You'll also have a harder time trying to fit and press a large caliber round.
The ease with which each casing is pressed with the Rock Chucker Supreme is unparalleled.
With the comfortable handle, and it's mechanical advantage, every round comes out like the shake of a hand. This requires you to handle the round itself only twice; once to set the case, and once to remove it after pressing.
You won't ever have to worry about casings falling out of the press and spilling gunpowder on your floor again.
It's highly recommended that you purchase the accompanying RCBS Automatic Primer Feed. It is a hollow tube that slides right into your primary arm and can hold over fifty primers.
Primers are small and can be a pain to have to insert right side up with your fingertips. The primer feed automates the process by automatically dropping a new primer from the tube onto your press. All you have to handle is the casing.
Finally, pick up a few different sizes of die to work with. They're relatively inexpensive, and will fully complete your package. Even if you only plan on pressing .270's, you're guaranteed to have a buddy come begging for you to let him press some of his own different sized cases.
Looking for the perfect single stage reloading press can be difficult with all the competitors on the market.
Each company has their own set of standards. Some are exceptionally high and others abysmally low.
Anybody who's done a fair amount of reloading can tell you (angrily cursing throughout the story) about the low-quality presses they've had, and the gunpowder they've wasted as a result.
The Rock Chucker Supreme is one of the best-reviewed presses on the market and has been for decades. It's likely your grandparents may have even had one!
It's a household product for many reloaders, will beat any other press at the same price, and beat many more that are twice as expensive.


When Elton John made his smashing American debut at the Troubadour on August 25, 1970, he was not yet widely known. He was originally booked as the opening act for David Ackles, a Los Angeles musical artist greatly admired by Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. But John's record company pulled some strings to get the bill reversed. In conjunction with the release of his first album, John would become the headline act.
who built his dream this way ?
But I hold on to my dreams, anyway.
I never let them die.
I first met David Ackles in early 1970, when I was working at Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, an Episcopal campus ministry and coffeehouse known as one of the premiere folk music venues in the country. I was just out of seminary, working with two priests as an intern during the year of my "transitional diaconate," the prelude to priestly ordination. While I was in residence, Canterbury House featured Neil Young, Doc Watson, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and David Ackles.
David was one of Canterbury's most popular performers, loved not only for his music but also for his manifest warmth and wry humor. He was a lifelong Christian, deeply spiritual and theologically astute, an authentic and generous man. And though some of his songs revealed a profound empathy with the suffering of displaced souls, there was an essential core in him—a comedic faith in resurrection—which survived the harrowing descent of the artist into the nether regions of the human condition.
Before the show, I went backstage to ask David if he would consider singing at my ordination, and he graciously consented. While we were talking, Elton John entered the dressing room, wearing denim overalls with a cartoon duck patch on the front, to tell David how much he admired his work and how honored he was to share the stage with him.
And the concert? It's been nearly fifty years now. Details grow hazy; I can't recite the set lists anymore. But I can still feel the electricity of that Hollywood night, the passion of the performers, the visceral connection they made with their audience.
Stacy Sullivan, a jazz singer who once worked with David, is currently performing, in small New York clubs, "A Night at the Troubadour: Presenting Elton John and David Ackles." While showing the brilliance of two stars aligning, her re-imagining of that night suggests the strangeness of fate: one singer became an international superstar, the other remained largely undiscovered.
The New York Times has called Sullivan's tribute a "tour de force" which "interweaves more than a dozen Ackles songs with several of Mr. John's hits, radically deconstructed, into a dual portrait in which their opposite sensibilities (Mr. John's gregarious showmanship, and Mr. Ackles' dignified introspection) eventually merge." [x] Lucky Easterners can still see her at Manhattan's Metropolitan Room on September 10 and October 8. I can only pray that she will do a West Coast reprise. I promise to come.
I remember the songs we sang Sunday evening . . .
and Jesus sang the song.
David got lung cancer in the late nineties. When he went into remission, he and his wonderful wife Janice rented a Pasadena mansion, filled it with musicians, and threw a grand party for their friends, to celebrate the gifts of life and love. Then, in 1999, David departed this world, far too soon. He is dearly missed. But that gathering in Pasadena remains a joyous foretaste of the blessedness which awaits us all.
till we sing them together again.
[v] David Ackles, "Montana Song," on American Gothic. Some of David's songs can be heard on YouTube, and his albums can be found online as well.


The Gamine is one of the main types. The type has a playful or slightly mischievous look, typically wide-eyed and with a fairly straight figure. The best look is straight or tailored, a broken line (e.g. obvious contrast between top and bottom), and small and fun, unexpected details. The Gamine does well with slightly boyish touches, such as a pair of brogues or man-tailored trousers. The type is flattered by combining the boyish with the feminine, the narrow with the boxy and the cute with the edgy.
Worst looks are elongated unbroken lines, floaty and unstructured silhouettes, and tightly cinched outfits with waist and bust emphasis.
Celebrity examples: Audrey Tautou and Audrey Hepburn.


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<meta name="description" content="source: package: com.restfb.util, class: ObjectUtil">
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<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../../../../stylesheet.css" title="Style">

001
022package com.restfb.util;
023
024import static com.restfb.util.StringUtils.isBlank;
025
026import java.util.Collection;
027import java.util.Map;
028import java.util.Objects;
029import java.util.function.Supplier;
030
031public class ObjectUtil {
032
033  private ObjectUtil() {
034    // prevent instantiation
035  }
036
037  /**
038   * Ensures that {@code obj} isn't {@code null} or an empty string.
039   *
040   * @param obj
041   *          The parameter to check.
042   * @param errorText
043   *          The exception message.
044   * @throws IllegalArgumentException
045   *           If {@code obj} is {@code null} or an empty string.
046   */
047  public static String requireNotEmpty(String obj, String errorText) {
048    if (isBlank(obj)) {
049      throw new IllegalArgumentException(errorText);
050    }
051    return obj;
052  }
053
054  public static void requireNotEmpty(Collection<?> collection, String errorText) {
055    if (collection == null || collection.isEmpty()) {
056      throw new IllegalArgumentException(errorText);
057    }
058  }
059
060  /**
061   * Ensures that {@code obj} isn't {@code null}.
062   *
063   * @param obj
064   *          The parameter to check.
065   * @param exceptionSupplier
066   *          The supplier for the exception that is thrown if obj is null.
067   * @throws T
068   *           If {@code obj} is {@code null}.
069   */
070  public static <T extends Exception> void requireNotNull(Object obj, Supplier<T> exceptionSupplier) throws T {
071    if (obj == null) {
072      throw exceptionSupplier.get();
073    }
074  }
075
076  /**
077   * Checks is the object is a empty 'collection' or 'map'.
078   *
079   * @param obj
080   *          the object that is checked
081   * @return {@code true} if the given object is a empty collection or an empty map, {@code false} otherwise
082   */
083  public static boolean isEmptyCollectionOrMap(Object obj) {
084    if (obj instanceof Collection) {
085      return ((Collection) obj).isEmpty();
086    }
087
088    return (obj instanceof Map && ((Map) obj).isEmpty());
089  }
090
091  /**
092   * Ensures that {@code parameter} isn't {@code null} or an empty string.
093   *
094   * @param parameterName
095   *          The name of the parameter (to be used in exception message).
096   * @param parameter
097   *          The parameter to check.
098   * @throws IllegalArgumentException
099   *           If {@code parameter} is {@code null} or an empty string.
100   */
101  public static void verifyParameterPresence(String parameterName, String parameter) {
102    verifyParameterPresence(parameterName, (Object) parameter);
103    requireNotEmpty(parameter, "The '" + parameterName + "' parameter cannot be an empty string.");
104  }
105
106  /**
107   * Ensures that {@code parameter} isn't {@code null}.
108   *
109   * @param parameterName
110   *          The name of the parameter (to be used in exception message).
111   * @param parameter
112   *          The parameter to check.
113   * @throws NullPointerException
114   *           If {@code parameter} is {@code null}.
115   */
116  public static void verifyParameterPresence(String parameterName, Object parameter) {
117    Objects.requireNonNull(parameter, "The '" + parameterName + "' parameter cannot be null.");
118  }
119}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Archive for Foster Care
Three Things to Do While You Wait to Adopt
How many times have you let your past or incessant focus on the future impede your right now? Maybe your right now is a snapshot of you and your hubby. Maybe your right now is a quest to build your family through adoption. In the midst of planning for your tomorrow, it is important to make space to experience joy in the moment-in the right now.
VIEW POST »
Kids In Foster Care Are The Heroes Of The New DC Movie Shazam And It's Awesome! (Movie Review)
Two movie reviews in one week! We've never done this before. But as the weather becomes warmer, and families venture out to the theaters, we want to adequately equip you to make the best choices in family entertainment. Check out my full review below…
Is Disney's Dumbo Appropriate For Kids Who Are In Foster Care Or Adopted?
Disney's live action take on the classic Dumbo soared across screens nationwide on March 29th, and I'm answering some big questions on how appropriate the film is for children who are in foster care or adopted.
3 Keys To Establishing Genuine Support For Families
The word support can be a trigger word for many foster and adoptive parents. The reason is that often, they lack it, desperately need it, but have no idea how to find it. And many organizations are at a loss as to how to provide it. In this latest episode of The Honestly Adoption Podcast, we talk about 3 keys to establishing genuine support.
Encouragement For When Parenting Feels Defeating
This journey is hard. There's no question. When we signed up for it, we never knew loving children from hard places would take so much out of us. We didn't realize that, even when we felt empty, we'd have to keep going. But that's what real love is all about.
How To Help Your Children Advocate For Themselves
This post was written by Kristin Berry, (adoptive mom), with insight from S. Berry (adoptee.) As parents, we spend a lot of time advocating for our children, and ensuring their needs are understood, and met. That's a big part of our job. But we also must begin to teach our children to speak for themselves. How do we successfully do that? Hello, my name is ~. I have an FASD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Some things are harder for me like focusing, sitting still and remembering things. I'm very good at some things like drawing, problem solving and building things.
How To Use Your Resources To Change Vulnerable Children's Lives
On this week's episode of The Honestly Adoption Podcast, we're pleased to welcome two people who are using their gifts to change the lives of children in foster care. Annemarie and Roger Jackson had a dream. They wanted to use their skills in interior design to better the lives of children in foster care. Being foster parents themselves they saw the need. In the process, they also desired to create home goods that people wanted to buy, and made the home warm and welcoming. The result of this dream is Through The Sea. Listen in to hear their story now…
How To Build A Positive Lifelong Relationship With Your Children
In this brand new episode of The Honestly Adoption Podcast, our amazing producer, Matt McCarrick, chats with Mike about his brand new book, Winning The Heart Of Your Child, how to be an influence in your child's life, why your kids sometimes seem like they aren't listening at all, and some of the hardest stories he told in the new book!
Love Is There, Even If You Don't Always Feel It!
Sometimes it's hard to feel a genuine connection with our children. Especially if we have a lot of difficulties with them often. But trust that love is there. Even when it doesn't feel like it.
What Do You Do When You Feel Like Your Back is Against the Wall?
Sometimes we can feel trapped when our children have extreme behaviors. The anxiety, the aggression, the constantly needing you but then pushing you away, can feel unending. We want to do the right thing, but what can we do when it feels like our backs are against a wall?
Copyright © 2020 The Honestly Adoption Company, Inc.
Mike and Kristin Berry are the Co-Founders of The Honestly Adoption Company and have been parents for nearly two decades. They are the authors of six books, and the host of The Honestly Adoption Podcast.
Sarah Gray
Sarah Gray is the executive assistant to Mike and Kristin Berry. And she is the best in the land. In addition to providing a warm and friendly response to the many emails our company receives on a weekly basis, she also manages Mike and Kristin's speaking and meeting schedules, and makes sure that team events go off without a hitch.
Nicole Goerges
Nicole Goerges is a Content Contributor & Special Consultant for The Honestly Adoption Company. She works with Mike and Kristin as a recurring co-host for the Honestly Adoption Podcast, and co-host of Kitchen Table Talks, exclusive video content for Oasis Community, along with Kristin. She is a fellow adoptive mom, and former foster parent.
EMAIL Nicole
Matt McCarrick is the Content Production Specialist for The Honestly Adoption Company. If you've loved listening to our podcast, or enjoyed any of the videos trainings we've published, you have Matt to thank. He oversees all of our content production, from video edits, to making sure the tags are correct on YouTube, to uploading new videos to Oasis, to hitting publish on a podcast episode, he's a content wonder!
EMAIL MATT
Karen Anderson is the Community Engagement Specialist for The Honestly Adoption Company. She spends the bulk of her time interacting with, and helping, people through our various social media channels, as well as providing support for Oasis Community members through chat support or Zoom calls. In the same spirit as Beaver, Karen is also passionate about connecting with parents and making them feel loved and supported. Karen is also an FASD trainer and travels often, equipping and encouraging parents.
Beaver Trumble
Beaver Trumble is the Customer Care Specialist for The Honestly Adoption Company. Chances are, if you have been in need of technical support, or forgotten your password to one of our courses, you have interacted with Beaver. He is an absolute pro at customer care. In fact, he single-handedly revolutionized our customer care department last year. Beaver is passionate about connecting with parents and making them feel loved and encouraged.
EMAIL BEAVER
Kristin Berry
Kristin Berry is the co-founder of, and Chief Content Specialist for, The Honestly Adoption Company. She spends most of her time researching and connecting with guests for our podcast, as well as direction, designing and publishing a lot of the content for our social media channels, blog and podcast. She loves to connect with fellow parents around the world, and share the message of hope with them.
EMAIL KRISTIN
Mike Berry is the co-founder of, and Chief Marketing Specialist for, The Honestly Adoption Company. He spends the bulk of his time and energy designing and building many of the resources you see within our company, as well as social media and email campaigns. His goal is to use media as a means to encourage and equip parents around the world. He is also the co-host of The Honestly Adoption Podcast.


Bright Bots Terries are just the right thickness, super soft and have bound edges to ensure they stay their natural square shape. These super lushious coloured terries being some 'pizazz' to the changing bag.
Terry Squares can be folded in a multitude of ways, and fastened with traditional pins or Nappi Nippas.
Teamed with a fleece liner to keep the bottom nice and dry, these terries provide an effective, economical and beautifully traditional way to cloth nappy!
I'm sure you have heard your mother or grandmother comment about the beauty of seeing their terry nappies hanging on the line- there really is something satisfying about it!
Please note: It is recommended that you wash these nappies seperately or with dark laundry for the first few washes until they become completely colour fast.
Wet Nappy Bag: This is a waterproof bag to be kept in your changing bag that can be used to store your wet nappies when you are out and about.
Tried these terries when my baby was small. They were great, no poo leaks!
I use them as burpcloths (as I forgot to order snaps) and they do the job wonderfully. They look better then normal towels and are thinner so they are easy to carry around. If I forget to grab a bag for wet nappies I have used one to pack wet nappie inside. So useful!
To be honest, I decided to try flats out of sheer desperation, as I've been struggling to find a nappy system that actually works for my baby. He's a heavy wetter and very tall.
I'm using these flats with the Blueberry one-size coveralls and so far haven't had a single leak. I'm using the Jo fold. These last easily between feeds and for naps (even though he's a tummy sleeper). I haven't tried them overnight yet, but I'd probably need to boost them. Overall very happy. It would be nice if there was a larger size available, as I'm not sure I'll be able to find a fold that will fit him all the way up to potty training.
Great colours there so soft and wash great it makes a change from ordinary white. They dry so quickly .
I love these Terry's! Was a bit daunted at first but once I had a little practise at the different folds I was so pleased with them. Great colours, good value and really absorbant. I think they look really cute too. Recommend them! Going to buy some more.
I wanted to give terry squares a try as my cotton pre folds are very crunchy in the winter when I line dry them as we live in a very hard water area. They are super soft and very absorbent even on my heaviest wetter. I love the colors too. The only draw back is finding the right fold these are huge compared to pre folds. I have been nappying for years and still it took me awhile to find a good fold as I do not mess with pins or nappi nippas. If your new to cloth I would find a guru to help you get the hang of the folding. As they are a very good reliable product at a great price that line dry quickly without getting hard it's well worth the extra effort. Due to the size these are not a good option for newborns and very small babies.
I was just so excited when these nappies turned up in the post, they're fantastic quality, brilliant colour's and so easy to use, I love them and would happilly recommend them!


With New Year's right around the corner, people are already coming up with resolutions for their own health and personal improvement.
Weight loss and working out are the most popular resolutions.
If you have health in mind for the coming year, you should include swimming into your workout.
Here are just a handful of benefits of spending time in the swimming pool of your outdoor entertainment center.
Swimming is primarily an aerobic exercise, aiming to strengthen the heart by working your breathing in and out.
Your heart is the most important muscle in the body, and the stronger it becomes, the larger it gets, the more efficiently it can pump blood and oxygen through your body.
As little as 30 minutes of swimming a day can significantly reduce coronary heart disease.
Swimming is technically an aerobic exercise, but it also involves a great deal of muscle and strength training.
Swimming is an ideal full-body workout that gets your heartbeat racing and your muscles working hard.
The key is in the water. Take a normal aerobic exercise, like jogging. When jogging, you're only moving through the air.
Pool design requires you to move through water, a substance that is 12 times denser than air.
Every little movement, from arm strokes to kicking to turning your head to breathe, becomes a resistance exercise.
Not many other aerobic exercises allow you to work your body without impact on your bones.
The impact and stress of running, for instance, can be painful to the joints, especially in older individuals.
When submerged in water, the human body becomes lighter. Your body bears only 50 percent of its weight when you're submerged up to your waist.
When the water is up to your chest, you only carry 25 to 35 percent of your weight. Up to your neck, 10 percent.
If you're overweight or have stiff, sore joints, the pool is the best place to work out as it takes all the pressure off your joints, allowing you to exercise without pain or added damage.
You can end your workout with a dip in the Jacuzzi. The heat from proper spa design will comfort your joints even further.
Many aerobic exercises and machines tend to isolate body parts in singular, relatively static motions.
Swimming requires you to perform a wide range of motions at once. Your arms move in wide arcs, your legs kick through the water, your hips, head, and spine move from side to side.
This combination of movements keeps your joints and ligaments loose and flexible, lengthening your frame, and giving you a good stretch.
Swimming may have the power to help you sleep better. In a recent study on older adults with insomnia, participants reported both a boost in quality of life and sleep after engaging in regular aerobic exercise.
Nearly 50 percent of older persons experience some level of insomnia, so this is excellent news. The study focused on all types of aerobic exercise, including the elliptical, Stairmaster, bicycle, pool, and exercise videos.