Flu vaccine safety: Tamiflu and vaccines save lives and show public health science in action. - Slate Magazine

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Here's a common complaint about the annual flu vaccine: "The last time I got the shot, I ended up getting the flu anyway!" Epidemiological data seem to back up such anecdotes. According to an <a href="http://www.lung.org/finding-cures/our-research/trend-reports/pi-trend-report.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">American Lung Association report</a> from 2010, there was no sustained decline in influenza-associated deaths over the past decades. Among those older than 65, according to a <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0807498" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; "><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">New England Journal of Medicine</em> review</a>, flu hospitalization rates rose steadily between 1979 and 2001, despite an increase in vaccination rates among seniors from 32 percent in 1989 to 67 percent in 1997.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Such data make the vaccine seem useless. As a result, skepticism has lately moved beyond the usual anti-vaccine, tinfoil-hat crowd. In 2009, the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Atlantic</em> published a <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2009/11/does-the-vaccine-matter/307723/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">breathless piece</a>accusing drug makers and doctors of foisting bad science on an unsuspecting public and asked, "But what if everything we think about fighting influenza is wrong? What if flu vaccine does not protect people from dying—particularly the elderly?" Last month, the <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/05/reassessing-flu-shots-as-the-season-draws-near/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; "><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">New York Times</em>called</a> the flu vaccine a "bonanza" for vaccine manufacturers and gave largely uncritical coverage to a University of Minnesota researcher who claimed the vaccine "does not protect as promoted. It's all a sales job." Similarly provocative articles have run in <a href="http://harpers.org/archive/2006/03/viral-marketing/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; "><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Harper's</em></a> ("Viral Marketing"), the <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/blog/inpractice/2012/11/flu_shots_are_safebut_do_they.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; "><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Boston Globe</em></a> ("Flu Shots Are Safe, But Do They Work?"), and the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303362404575580494166396722.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; "><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Wall Street Journal</em></a> ("They Shoot Flu-Shot Skeptics, Don't They?").</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Critics of flu-control efforts got a boost recently when the <a href="http://www.bmj.com/tamiflu" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; "><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">British Medical Journal </em>accused</a>Roche, which makes the anti-viral drug Tamiflu, of hiding data about the drug's supposed impotence against the flu. In anticipation of a possible pandemic in 2009, the U.S. government stockpiled $1.5 billion worth of Tamiflu and other anti-flu drugs. Now the editor of the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">British Medical Journal</em> is concerned those pills were oversold. Among the conspiracy-minded, flu-control efforts now have less to do with public health and more to do with corporate profits. The true threat to us all, proclaimed Helen Epstein in the <a href="http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/may/12/flu-warning-beware-drug-companies/?pagination=false" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; "><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">New York Review of Books</em></a>, isn't the virus at all, but the drug companies.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Informed debate over public health is, well, healthy. But it's wrong to portray the global medical community as a stooge of greedy drug makers. The flu vaccine isn't useless and neither is Tamiflu. It's just that they, like all infection-control measures, are not perfect. There is no question that the vaccine does enhance one's immune response to flu—and it certainly does not <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">give</em> people the flu. It's likely the shot hasn't led yet to a dramatic population-wide decrease in flu deaths. But the proper response isn't for us to finger-point at drug companies and public health officials and call for repealing vaccine efforts.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">What critics of flu-control policies don't get is that any global effort to stop an infection always goes through a process in which doctors learn more over successive battles and refine their strategies. That is exactly what is now happening in the battle against flu. We are not witnessing the work of industry puppet-masters. This is the scientific process in action.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">It's easy to demonize Big Pharma and just call for more and more studies before taking decisive action. But sometimes we have to move. Consider the chicken-pox vaccine, which was first licensed in the United States in 1995. Preliminary data suggested the vaccine could stop the disease, but the studies <a href="http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/v/varivax/varivax_pi.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">included only a few thousand children</a>. Arguments against universal chicken pox vaccination <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/18/us/after-long-debate-vaccine-for-chicken-pox-is-approved.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">sounded similar</a> to those against flu shots—the illness is harmless, the vaccine doesn't reliably produce immunity, drug companies are running the show, and so on—but authorities persisted and endorsed universal vaccination. Within a few years, we realized that children needed two separate shots, not one, to get stronger immunity, and national policies were changed. Before vaccines, chicken pox killed 100 children and led to 10,000 hospitalizations annually, <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200304033481419" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">according</a> to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In school-age children, attack rates <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6132a2.htm?s_cid=mm6132a2_w" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">fell by almost 80 percent</a> after vaccination began, and deaths<a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/07/21/peds.2010-3385" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">were nearly eliminated</a>.</div></div><div class="pagebreak section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "></div><a name="pagebreak_anchor_2" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; visibility: hidden; "></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; "></span><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Another example of unfolding science: RotaShield, a vaccine against the leading cause of infant diarrhea, was approved in 1998. When <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200102223440804" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">a very rare side effect emerged</a>, the vaccine was pulled in 1999. Two new vaccines were developed and licensed in 2006 (Rotarix and RotaTeq), and those formulations <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe0912141" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">may save hundreds of thousands of lives</a> annually worldwide. Again, more tweaks may be needed over time. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule is <a href="http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-2012-Childhood-and-Adolescent-Immunization-Schedule.aspx" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">constantly changing</a> in small ways—ask any pediatrician who has to keep up—as data filters back about new vaccines against HPV and meningococcus, among others.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Back to flu, which <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">is far more complicated</a> than, say, chicken pox. To begin with, most people who die of the flu aren't actually tested for it; hospitals and clinics aren't required to report flu cases to anyone (unless they involve young children); and most severe consequences of the flu are secondary problems like bacterial pneumonia or heart failure, which end up being listed as the cause of death. Thus, the flu's toll can be estimated only by using complex statistical models. Further, the virus mutates yearly, so the flu's impact varies hugely year by year and makes longitudinal comparisons impossible. Over the past 30 years, the annual American death toll wandered almost randomly between 3,000 and 50,000.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Now add the following: Vaccine makers have to guess what strains of the flu will predominate, so the vaccine <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0807498" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">may prevent anywhere</a> from 0 to 50 percent of the flu in a bad-guess year and 70 to 90 percent in a good-guess year. The vaccine works best in school-age children and young adults, and unfortunately it works worst in babies and seniors, who sadly are the ones who get sickest. (In 2003, the CDC began requiring state health department to report child flu deaths and found <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa051721" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">153 children died of the flu that season</a>, which is more than any other vaccine-preventable illness.) Even more complicated: The nasal mist vaccine <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=NCT00138294" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">works best</a> in children, but the shot <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0808652" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">is better</a> for adults.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">What about Tamiflu? In the event that a virulent flu pandemic occurred and no vaccine was available, antiviral drugs might be critical. In a key 2009 study during the H1N1 outbreak, stockpiled Tamiflu was given to large groups of contacts of newly-infected Singaporeans and <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0908482#t=abstract" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">cut the transmission rate by 95 percent</a>. Tamiflu also appears to <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMopv0910738" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">cut the risk of death</a> in hospitalized flu patients. Critics of Tamiflu allege Roche obscured evidence unfavorable to the drug, but the debate is deep and fascinating. (Roche's <a href="http://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b5374" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">response</a> to them, in my opinion, seemed reasonable.)</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Most importantly, what have we learned about flu control? We found that vaccinating the elderly failed to cut hospitalizations; therefore, doctors hypothesized that children are responsible for spreading most flu to older people. In 2010, a <a href="http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/202/11/1626.full.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">large study of elementary-school-based flu vaccine</a> in Bell County, Texas achieved 50 percent vaccination rates of students and protected people of all ages from the flu (the so-called "herd immunity" effect). Similar findings were seen in <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20215608" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">a Canadian study</a>. Incorporating this information, the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100224.htm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">CDC recommended in 2010</a>that all people over 6 months old should be vaccinated. (To guard infants, we now know that<a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0708630" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">vaccinating pregnant women produces immunity</a> in their newborns.) As in chicken pox control, these new flu policies show public health in evolution. In a few years, we will see if this works. In the meantime, the FDA earlier this year <a href="http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm294057.htm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">approved a new vaccine</a> that includes four flu strains, instead of three, which may bolster effectiveness. It's another example of science in action.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">In the meantime, Americans should learn from the death toll of flu-vaccine skepticism in Japan. It was the only industrialized country to have mandatory universal flu vaccine of children, which helped produce herd immunity, The program fell victim to skeptics and was repealed in 1994. The result? The <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">New England Journal of Medicine</em> <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200103223441204#t=abstract" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(86, 129, 140); text-decoration: none; ">reported that flu deaths rose by 40,000 per year</a>—almost as many people as died immediately from the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.</div></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">In the end, it's easy to ascribe sinister motives to flu control efforts, especially if you're unwilling to tolerate uncertainty. With a slight shift in perspective, however, one can see our evolving flu control programs as a triumph of public health.</div></div></div><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/pandemics/2012/12/flu_vaccine_safety_tamiflu_and_vaccines_save_lives_and_show_public_health.single.html">http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/pandemics/2012/12/flu_vaccine_safety_tamiflu_and_vaccines_save_lives_and_show_public_health.single.html</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Flu vaccine safety: Tamiflu and vaccines save lives and show public health science in action. - Slate Magazine

Here's a common complaint about the annual flu vaccine: "The last time I got the shot, I ended up getting the flu anyway!" Epi...

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Suicide Spotlights Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder - The Daily Beast

The words "arousal" and "orgasm" are almost universally associated with sexual pleasure—a biological itch that goes away (or at least temporarily subsides) when scratched. But what if scratching only exacerbated that itch, so much that it became an intractable ache often compounded by burning, throbbing, and swelling? <br /><br><br /><br>These symptoms were truly unbearable for Gretchen Molannen, a 39-year-old Florida woman who committed suicide earlier this month. Roughly 16 years ago, Molannen developed a rare and little-known condition called persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD). Like many women who suffer from the debilitating disorder, Molannen was forced to quit her job and had difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends, let alone boyfriends. She underwent diagnostic procedures and sought treatment for her symptoms from a variety of doctors, none of whom could provide her with any answers or long-term relief. Molannen divulged every detail of her battle with PGAD to The Tampa Bay Times—from her masturbation habits to previous suicide attempts—for an exposé that was printed the day before she put an end to her suffering. <br /><br><br /><br>There may have been other triggers that led to Molannen's suicide, but doctors who specialize in PGAD and other pelvic pain disorders say severe depression is not uncommon among their patients. Dr. Robert Echenberg, a gynecologist and founder of Pennsylvania's Institute for Women in Pain, said he's seen at least seven suicide attempts among his 125 patients in the last year, one as recently as last week. Just five months ago, a Dutch woman with PGAD took her own life. <br /><br><br /><br>"Depression and pain and hopelessness are a bad combination," Echenberg told The Daily Beast. Even with Molannen's suicide spotlighting the condition in the media, PGAD remains largely ignored or misunderstood in the medical world. "So many patients feel hopeless because they have been treated over and over again without success, and have frequently been told the pain is 'in their heads,'" he said. "Others tell me they'd rather have cancer just so doctors would listen to their plight and they could develop a plan for health care."<br /><br><br /><br>Still widely misconceived as a "sexual disorder," PGAD is one of many conditions that falls under the umbrella of vulvodynia, or chronic pelvic pain—an issue that affects 20 percent of reproductive-age women, according to Dr. Echenberg. PGAD was introduced to the medical world in a 2001 study by the late Sandra Leiblum, a pioneer in modern sex therapy.<br /><br><br /><br>A small group of researchers scattered around the world have since connected the phenomenon to the pudendal nerve, the sensory neuron that triggers arousal. Dr. Michael Hibner, a gynecological surgeon in Arizona, says PGAD develops when the pudendal nerve is compressed or irritated, causing the clitoral dorsal nerve to fire off at random. As a result, women afflicted with the disorder feel constantly on the brink of the big O. <br /><br><br /><br>The concept of multiple, occasionally spontaneous orgasms titillates many women and men, even those in the medical profession. Kim Ramsey, 44, was working as a nurse in an emergency room when she first learned she had PGAD. "My colleagues would be like, 'Wow, you're so lucky,'" she said. "But I genuinely thought I was having some sort of nervous breakdown. I felt flushed. My vagina and breasts were engorged. I kept thinking, 'How do I keep a grip on reality and function in a patient-nurse setting without people knowing?'" <br /><br><br /><br>Uninformed doctors have left other patients at their wit's end, some of whom feel they have no choice but to take matters into their own hands.<br /><br><br /><br>"Some women have pierced their own genitalia to drain the blood that pools in their genital region," said Anna Reid, 26, who lives in Australia and was diagnosed with PGAD last March. She has since worked with Dr. Hibner and found comfort in online support groups, which were originally launched by Jeannie Allen, 51, in 2006. Allen's PGAD Support was the first such network to be established and remains the most well-known worldwide, with roughly 400 active members. <br /><br><br /><br>But that number reflects only a small portion of women around the world with PGAD, which doctors like Hibner estimate to be in the thousands. Other authorities on chronic pelvic pain say causes and treatments are too complex for most gynecologists to comprehend. <br /><br><br /><br><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/19/suicide-spotlights-persistent-genital-arousal-disorder.html">http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/19/suicide-spotlights-persistent-genital-arousal-disorder.html</a>?

Suicide Spotlights Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder - The Daily Beast

The words "arousal" and "orgasm" are almost universally associated with sexual pleasure—a biological itch that goes away...

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Wednesday, Wednesday

<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.archidose.org/wp/">A Weekly Dose of Architecture</a> Updates:</span><br /><br />This week's dose features the <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/12/19/universidade-agostinho-neto/">Universidade Agostinho Neto</a> in Luanda, Angola, by Perkins + Will:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/12/19/universidade-agostinho-neto/"><img alt="this week's dose" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Dec12-17.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="This week's dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The featured past dose is the <a href="http://www.archidose.org/Mar05/031405.html"> Perspectives Charter School</a> in Chicago, Illinois, by Perkins + Will:<br /><a href="http://www.archidose.org/Mar05/031405.html"><img alt="this week's dose" src="http://www.archidose.org/Mar05/perspectives4.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="featured past dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />This week's book review is <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/12/19/o-14-projection-and-reception/"><i>O-14: Projection and Reception</i></a> by Reiser + Umemoto, edited by Brett Steele:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/12/19/o-14-projection-and-reception/"><img alt="this week's book review" height="300" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/o-14.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="This week's book review" /></a>   <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2005/08/08/highrise-homes/"><img alt="this week's book review" height="300" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/highrise.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="This week's book review" /></a><br />(R): The featured past book review is <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2005/08/08/highrise-homes/"><i>Highrise of Homes</i></a> by SITE.<br /><br />: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :<br /><br /><b>**NOTE: The next weekly dose will be 2013.01.07—Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!**</b><br /><br />: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">World-Architects.com U.S. <a href="http://www.american-architects.com/projects/reviews/41">Building of the Week</a>:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/projects/project-review-detail/39196_cota_grand_plaza">COTA Grand Plaza</a> in Austin, Texas, by Miró Rivera Architects:<br /><a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/projects/project-review-detail/39196_cota_grand_plaza"><img alt="this week's Building of the Week" src="http://c214210.r10.cf3.rackcdn.com/files/projects/39196/images/900:w/02_MiroRiveraArchitects.jpg" title="Current Building of the Week on american-architects.com" width="640" /></a>

Wednesday, Wednesday

A Weekly Dose of Architecture Updates: This week's dose features the Universidade Agostinho Neto in Luanda, Angola, by Perkins + Will:...

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Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 12/19/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://instagram.com/p/Ta4ulDJMcM/">Photo by meaganpavey • Instagram</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Students in China and the US debated on Wednesday in the finals of the Eracism project for Bracket B. the students in China stayed until 9:30 pm and the students in the US came in at 7;30 am. The teacher in China documented the journey on Instagram. How cool is that?</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flatclass">flatclass</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/debate">debate</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/eracismproject.">eracismproject.</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 12/19/2012

Photo by meaganpavey • Instagram Students in China and the US debated on Wednesday in the finals of ...

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Advanced Referencing Services Specialist - Infotrieve

<strong>Advanced Referencing Services Specialist -</strong> <strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Infotrieve</span></strong> is a global leader in information services and content management technology for businesses. For more than 20 years we have been providing corporate information centers, R&D facilities, and legal, business affairs and product professionals in more than half the Fortune 500 with a broad array of software solutions and services. Position Overview: We are seeking a talented Advanced Referencing Services Specialist with the desire to provide top-notch service to our blue chip clients. In this role you will utilize your strong on-line search skills to conduct advanced reference work, citation verification and copyright clearance for hard-to-find documents utilizing specialized in-house and commercial databases. This is a great opportunity for an exceptional recent MLS graduate with a strong desire to work with both leading edge software and some of the most highly respected companies from a variety of industries. This position will be located in Wilton, CT and will report to our Client Services Supervisor. Responsibilities: Ensure document orders are accurately matched to bibliographic records in internal databases by consulting multiple online library catalogs. Perform searches across specialized databases to verify citations and update internal database information. Locate source publications containing hard-to-find documents including journal articles, theses and dissertations, periodicals, conference proceedings and patents. Obtain copyright permissions for hard-to-clear documents. Initiate contact with publishers and vendors to fill document requests. Communicate order status updates to clients. Requirements: MS degree in library and information science. 2 years experience in a corporate or academic research position. Proficiency using citation databases such as PubMed. Knowledge of university and library catalogues. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proven customer service orientation. Aptitude for learning new software. Strong technical background desired. How to Apply: Please send resumes to <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:careers@infotrieve.com" href="mailto:careers@infotrieve.com">careers@infotrieve.com</a>.

Advanced Referencing Services Specialist - Infotrieve

Advanced Referencing Services Specialist - Infotrieve is a global leader in information services and content management technology for bu...

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Librarian - U.S. Coast Guard Academy

<strong>Librarian - </strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">U.S. Coast Guard Academy</span></strong>, New London. Team Leader, Reference, Instruction , Public Services. Position Summary: This position is located in the Library of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, a four year, accredited, degree-granting institution and center of leadership development for the Coast Guard. As the Head of Reference and Instruction the incumbent is responsible for delivering quality reference and instruction services required to support the education and training outcomes of the Institution. The incumbent is expected to be an articulate advocate of information literacy issues, both within and outside the Academy. The incumbent is further expected to advise the library Director on issues and new developments in the areas of reference and instruction services as provided in an undergraduate institution. The incumbent oversees circulation and inter-library loan. Major Duties and Responsibilities: 1) Acts as the Head of Reference and Instruction and as such is the library's expert in the areas of reference, information research and instruction. Participates in other areas of the library to ensure adequate service in these areas. 2) Plans, organizes, and oversees the functions comprising the reference, instruction, circulation, and interlibrary loan sections of the library providing the leadership and initiative to run the section. 3) Establishes reference, bibliographic instruction, circulation, and interlibrary loan policy and procedures, in consultation with the Director, determining priorities as needed. 4) Trains and oversees staff assigned to the section and assists the Director in their performance evaluations. 5) Prepares administrative reports, maintains statistics and provides other administrative assistance to the Director as required. 6) Serves as senior reference and research librarian, providing comprehensive reference services to cadets, faculty, and other eligible users, including on-line literature searches of computer data bases, and as such is the library's expert in the areas of reference, information research and instruction. 7) Responsible for the quality and currency of the reference collection and recommends materials in other areas as a need is perceived. 8) As one of the Academic Division’s proponents and experts for the Division's Information Literacy Outcome, the incumbent integrates information literacy skills into the 4 year curriculum both at the core and major level. Provides instruction to faculty in the value and utilization of information retrieval and evaluation skills in the life-long learning process and provides instruction to them in the best ways of integrating this outcome into their course work. 9) Assists the Director in conducting assessments of the reference and instruction programs, including assisting in the analysis and interpretation of data when necessary.10) Serves on library and Academy committees as appropriate. 11) Actively participates on any assigned teams. In this capacity, performs any tasks assigned. The tasks may include fourth class cadet library tours, assisting with the binding, taking the physical property inventory, shelf-reading etc. Performs other tasks as determined by the team or Director. 12) As a member of the professional staff, the incumbent is expected to maintain a level of competence in the field. 13) Performs other duties as requested by the Director. Key Requirements: U.S. Citizenship is required. This position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI). Requires night and weekend work. This is a federal civil service position with a salary range at the GS-11 level ($63,271.00 to $82,250.00). The federal government provides an excellent benefits package. For a complete vacancy announcement and to apply for the position, please visit <a _fcksavedurl="https://dhs.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/333895900" href="https://dhs.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/333895900" target="_blank">https://dhs.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/333895900</a>. Applications must be submitted through USAJOBS.gov by <span style="color: red;">January 17, 2013</span> but early submittals are encouraged. The U. S. Coast Guard is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

Librarian - U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Librarian - U.S. Coast Guard Academy , New London. Team Leader, Reference, Instruction , Public Services. Position Summary: This position ...

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Library Associate - Groton Public Library

<strong>Library Associate -</strong> <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>Groton Public Library</strong></span> is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Library Associate. Skills and knowledge required would usually be acquired with a Library Technical Assistant Degree and one year of public library experience. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, responding to patron requests for information and assistance under the guidance of a Librarian; supporting and facilitating library adult, teen, and children’s programming; providing assistance with technology to patrons in both one-on-one and classroom settings; assisting with library marketing; cross-training at both circulation and information desks to fulfill duties as assigned. Demonstrated ability to effectively work with the public. This position reports to the Manager of Library Public Services; full time, 35 hours/week, evenings and Saturdays included. $21.25/hr. Application are available at <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.groton-ct.gov" href="http://www.groton-ct.gov/" target="_blank">www.groton-ct.gov</a> or in Human Resources Office, Groton Town Hall, 45 Fort Hill Road, Groton, CT 06340. Applications must be returned on or before <span style="color: red;">January 11, 2013</span>.

Library Associate - Groton Public Library

Library Associate - Groton Public Library is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Library Associate. Skills and knowledge require...

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Library Technician, Children’s Services - Lucy Robbins Welles Library

<b>Library Technician, Children’s Services -</b> <b><span style="color: #48286d;">Lucy Robbins Welles Library</span></b> in Newington, Connecticut is seeking an energetic, organized, creative individual with superior customer service skills to work with children (infancy through grade 8) in a busy children’s department. Duties include but are not limited to providing reference service at the Children’s Information desk; assist children, students and adults in using library services and facilities; organize, coordinate and present story times, school visits and other library programs; perform outreach, and other duties as assigned. Must be familiar with children’s literature and have strong technology skills. BA/BS degree required. 19 hours per week with one evening/week and Saturday on rotation. Salary $21.12 per hour, no benefits. Send resume, cover letter and application by <span style="color: red;">January 9, 2013</span> to: Town Manager’s Office, Town of Newington, 131 Cedar Street. Newington, CT 06111. M/F, EOE, Handicap.

Library Technician, Children’s Services - Lucy Robbins Welles Library

Library Technician, Children’s Services - Lucy Robbins Welles Library in Newington, Connecticut is seeking an energetic, organized, creati...

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Children’s Librarian - Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library

<strong>Children’s Librarian -</strong> <strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library</span></strong> is looking for a dynamic, independent, technologically proficient individual for a full-time professional position to manage Children’s Services. Equally important attributes for the job are enthusiasm and motivation for working with children and promoting the love of reading through library services. The Children’s Librarian is responsible for age’s birth to 12 and works closely with the Young Adult Librarian to coordinate services. The core responsibilities are collection development, programming, marketing of services to the public, readers’ advisory, providing homework help and/or afterschool activities. In addition, the responsibilities include performing outreach through community agencies and schools as well as collaboration with local and regional partners. School visits, providing assistance with public computers and public access catalog, and overseeing the summer reading program are also required. Assisting public services staff in the Circulation Department and Adult Information Services is also required. Qualifications: requires a Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited school, preferably with a concentration in children’s services. One year experience in children’s library services preferred. Requires knowledge of children’s literature, reading interests and the ability to relate to children and adults. This person will have excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills as well as understanding of room/behavior management; relevant computer skills in Microsoft Word and knowledge of MS Office software; basic knowledge of Internet and graphic design software, electronic and digital resources and general knowledge of library automated systems. This is a full time 35 hour per week position including some evenings and Saturday rotation. Salary range $39,500 to $42,350. Benefits package. EOE. Please submit cover letter, resume and names/contact information for three professional references via email to: Mary Fiorelli, Library Director at <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:mfiorell@oldlyme.lioninc.org" href="mailto:mfiorell@oldlyme.lioninc.org">mfiorell@oldlyme.lioninc.org</a>. Closing date is at 5:00 pm on <span style="color: red;">Friday January 11, 2013</span>.

Children’s Librarian - Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library

Children’s Librarian - Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library is looking for a dynamic, independent, technologically proficient individual...

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Health Care Social Media | Scoop.it

Social Media and technology has the capacity to revolutionise health care.<br /><br><br /><br>Curated by Alex Butler<br /><br><br /><br><a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/health-care-social-media">http://www.scoop.it/t/health-care-social-media</a>

Health Care Social Media | Scoop.it

Social Media and technology has the capacity to revolutionise health care. Curated by Alex Butler http://www.scoop.it/t/health-care-social-m...

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Brother's All Natural Review and Giveaway!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>The winner is...</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Deidre Coffey!</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These snacks from Brother's All Natural are designed by two brothers Matt and Travis Betters.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doesn't contain any nuts, soy, dairy and wheat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another great fact is that these snacks are portion controlled and healthy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3EJKNPnMqT8MEhXbkX5JNFEgo3FdXnR-2ZfgaAA4CO9Zpz1UBE3V1f-wmeYeip-5wDJY8VJSyp1QZcF4Jo2a0amw9a9Pvyfj8pogF0qwyqX8V40z05gI0KER1u7pUt0ckVbihVZrVLk/s1600/Brother's+all+natural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3EJKNPnMqT8MEhXbkX5JNFEgo3FdXnR-2ZfgaAA4CO9Zpz1UBE3V1f-wmeYeip-5wDJY8VJSyp1QZcF4Jo2a0amw9a9Pvyfj8pogF0qwyqX8V40z05gI0KER1u7pUt0ckVbihVZrVLk/s320/Brother's+all+natural.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oatmeal:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">made from Australian oats and freeze dried fruits for flavor</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOuNJ4pYgTUu-TGUj6mr6nMBpdbsn2vPUU8YkPUrlpbdX5v-BJGg72iZDRMswhni4EIUFJrf0oxJpBoI_HGOAHJwZwCivuYEbVZHFzKGkzfMDlipakhyKBjSC9fmNKjXe5LyAD8htprE/s1600/preparing+oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOuNJ4pYgTUu-TGUj6mr6nMBpdbsn2vPUU8YkPUrlpbdX5v-BJGg72iZDRMswhni4EIUFJrf0oxJpBoI_HGOAHJwZwCivuYEbVZHFzKGkzfMDlipakhyKBjSC9fmNKjXe5LyAD8htprE/s320/preparing+oatmeal.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Strawberries and Banana</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgarOB8kUVjrLScaDWin39fwnEAOBiEbrIwrVausocZD1SAibkr7a6GqjgILlDA0YjHRvUGn73Zek_dwnsikr5gpG2PkvJiYqIZgQM0n242BfAZngr6ihid8dDZlIrKzVRPbOpZr5-HI/s1600/Brother's+all+natural+oatmeal+strawberry+banana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgarOB8kUVjrLScaDWin39fwnEAOBiEbrIwrVausocZD1SAibkr7a6GqjgILlDA0YjHRvUGn73Zek_dwnsikr5gpG2PkvJiYqIZgQM0n242BfAZngr6ihid8dDZlIrKzVRPbOpZr5-HI/s320/Brother's+all+natural+oatmeal+strawberry+banana.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I chose to go with the Strawberry and Banana oatmeal this morning.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has bits of freeze dried strawberries and bananas. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(love freeze dried fruit)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I read the label and poured the contents into the cup filled it with some water and gave it a stir, with the cutest little spoon that came with it!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Popped it into the microwave.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Took it out and stirred some more because it wasn't thick enough like I like it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Didn't taste too bad but could of been a bit sweeter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Popped it into the microwave again thinking it wasn't done yet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Big mistake!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It poured everywhere into the microwave.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I ended up getting a half of cup. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wasn't too happy with the end result of this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even after it was finished it never got lumpy by letting it sit for 2 minutes like the package stated.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHyYUYgYwGecl_SxrOWwGEu9-g6v4uMrc_BGMv268BJlvriiE_d4gt1-1qTTB0-01T5WgGoPsQVycxcY-NT9tbwrYlgBTTFZ3AEjYLgWTuA9G4-iJ1alHQltVHv3ZZGat6wApWRJRd2o/s1600/finished+product.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHyYUYgYwGecl_SxrOWwGEu9-g6v4uMrc_BGMv268BJlvriiE_d4gt1-1qTTB0-01T5WgGoPsQVycxcY-NT9tbwrYlgBTTFZ3AEjYLgWTuA9G4-iJ1alHQltVHv3ZZGat6wApWRJRd2o/s320/finished+product.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mixed Berry </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What better way to warm up in the Winter than with a cup of hot oatmeal! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made with Australian Oats, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries freeze dried and put into the cutest little pouches for our convenience.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to go with a different approach this time because last time it didn't turn out so great.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used less water in the preparation this time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It came out thick just the way I like it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Didn't even need to add more ingredients to make it sweet either!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Freeze Dried Fruit Crisps-</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">love how great freeze dried fruit is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They don't brown like real fruit does when it's been sitting for awhile.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are lightly sweetened and put into little bags for our convenience. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put them in your cereal, oatmeal or sprinkle them on top of your favorite yogurt.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heck just eat them out of the bag on the go for a quick snack!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greatest thing of all is it's kid friendly and no added sugars or preservatives!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How awesome is that?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnMXUmxwHNXgFQmIMHxilb3WU2ZWpHals9r7segiZSDW5sRNxAeM84SLDNnkxORB8A7wvJyXEw8PJ4dd1R-M8uf0ef2SXurz6k1AkdXaTATDC9TMP93LLa-lLcJY8C4EvfhzceJjSV2k/s1600/cinnamon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnMXUmxwHNXgFQmIMHxilb3WU2ZWpHals9r7segiZSDW5sRNxAeM84SLDNnkxORB8A7wvJyXEw8PJ4dd1R-M8uf0ef2SXurz6k1AkdXaTATDC9TMP93LLa-lLcJY8C4EvfhzceJjSV2k/s320/cinnamon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apple Cinnamon-  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great cinnamon and apple taste.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not too sweet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brothersallnatural.com/apple-cinnamon-fruit-crisps/">http://www.brothersallnatural.com/apple-cinnamon-fruit-crisps/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelLJq8TTffnherb_Pf_5JJCXaonT_yHpYcCdU_s8cmFLjUVCcpgsvKPGM7iObA12EZM4gqYCXRGZ4aoEiJa3DfdNG3HT6qtGPQjkNBiTGHd3NWMoxUoDZ7hbHF1dOGah6af3W5VT3mnM/s1600/strawb+brothers+all+natural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelLJq8TTffnherb_Pf_5JJCXaonT_yHpYcCdU_s8cmFLjUVCcpgsvKPGM7iObA12EZM4gqYCXRGZ4aoEiJa3DfdNG3HT6qtGPQjkNBiTGHd3NWMoxUoDZ7hbHF1dOGah6af3W5VT3mnM/s320/strawb+brothers+all+natural.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Strawberry and Banana-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With real slices of strawberries and bananas you can add to anything!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cereals, frozen yogurt, yogurt or in trail mix!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Light and sweet!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So good and worked great with my Kashi Hearts cereal!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved the sweetness of the bananas and strawberries. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's quick it's sweet and it's good enough to eat!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVdnEKiRfn5Vl1whzw_YogrRkvrmiIpmuQaNt7CTJVS1j6VZEjv9qsnriWq7OWO65F5CvMGGsefMTBJgw7GTTM_-BHrnwrmL_iNcgX_uQdHSl-dYWkcAyEXmClVQJ-tZcz5BAig7RVgc/s1600/peach+b.+all+natural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVdnEKiRfn5Vl1whzw_YogrRkvrmiIpmuQaNt7CTJVS1j6VZEjv9qsnriWq7OWO65F5CvMGGsefMTBJgw7GTTM_-BHrnwrmL_iNcgX_uQdHSl-dYWkcAyEXmClVQJ-tZcz5BAig7RVgc/s320/peach+b.+all+natural.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sliced Peaches-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With huge slices of real peaches this is super delicious and great in yogurts and cereal! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are light, sweet and crispy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh so good! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a peachy day! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Giveaway!</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>1.What do you look for when choosing snacks for your kids?</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Want an extra entry? </u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>2. Follow my blog.</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>3.Then also follow me via Twitter, here. https://twitter.com/kelli_bliss </u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>4. then tweet about the giveaway and make sure you use #brothersallnatural</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>5. leave me a link here to your tweet.</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brothersallnatural.com/strawberry-banana-fruit-crisps/">http://www.brothersallnatural.com/strawberry-banana-fruit-crisps/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winner gets a complete sampler pack of 1 bag of each fruit crisps flavor and 2 samples of their fruit and oats! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a coupon code here </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">bliss15</span><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">  is for 15% off any purchase on on the Brother's all Natural Website! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">Remember one time use per customer. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://brothersallnatural.com/"><span style="color: black;"> brothersallnatural.com</span></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Brother's All Natural Review and Giveaway!

The winner is... Deidre Coffey! These snacks from Brother's All Natural are designed by two brothers Matt and Travis Betters. Doesn'...

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Here's the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre all decorated for Christmas!<br /><br />The outside of thecentre looks really beautiful at night with fantastic curtains of light.<br /><br /><span id="goog_532146087"></span><span id="goog_532146088"></span><br />

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Here's the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre all decorated for Christmas! The outside of thecentre looks really beautiful at night with fan...

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upholstered walls

Several weeks ago I went to an estate sale in an amazing house. Each one of the SIX bedrooms had upholstered walls in a different toile. Coordinating but not matching custom made silk curtains in each room (because what is toile without some silk) and custom bedding as well. A little too much toile for most, but as Martyn Lawerence would say it was 'delicious'. I went back to that sale twice, mostly to just look at the house. It was my first encounter with upholstered walls and I'm telling you, they are no joke.<br /><br />And I'm not talking one flew over the cuckoo's nest padded walls. I mean upholstered goodness. Like this.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw20XQ3T-hQG3BgL9JokVv1oCogzMKd9ul6TvFzstsOknmEQZBjqhBN13qbDzYfWG-vBlO5Dr3a3sFgdZrCz3SQg5NRY7SCPZr8WPUqWidpGQJob1tiPqWx8heTrchT9bftrX3NbmqarEF/s1600/364509260-01113859.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw20XQ3T-hQG3BgL9JokVv1oCogzMKd9ul6TvFzstsOknmEQZBjqhBN13qbDzYfWG-vBlO5Dr3a3sFgdZrCz3SQg5NRY7SCPZr8WPUqWidpGQJob1tiPqWx8heTrchT9bftrX3NbmqarEF/s640/364509260-01113859.jpeg" width="490" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/home-garden/la-hm-veranda-house-of-windsor-photos,0,4681078.photogallery" target="_blank">Peter Dunham via Veranda</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoixzQ94hvEJk0UxOcsYABHi0ac9di745G495q6CfkfkYmW8aJXVS_RFbLo0-DmPJKn6Av8WvaCwYSbyHdVFmKh_UkWI1nrEKGvu1JsTgG29lHgoFRT9803FbXjh_XbeknBZQPCt9HR8lf/s1600/Martyn-Lawrence-Bullard.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoixzQ94hvEJk0UxOcsYABHi0ac9di745G495q6CfkfkYmW8aJXVS_RFbLo0-DmPJKn6Av8WvaCwYSbyHdVFmKh_UkWI1nrEKGvu1JsTgG29lHgoFRT9803FbXjh_XbeknBZQPCt9HR8lf/s640/Martyn-Lawrence-Bullard.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://martynlawrencebullard.com/" target="_blank">Martyn Lawrence</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIgiZDTmWUlAA_nTTozi13SMjTUSQjMQqfcDp30KJkspgqkuAPDMxQ-FpIQDB-iiwIMzjlKI8xQfMsO6-eBUV4jI_yNLePxBAqrn20vixmZpEiL8NFYXv9-UwgCp-KmKyBubgN4HQdIVc/s1600/100609_030final.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIgiZDTmWUlAA_nTTozi13SMjTUSQjMQqfcDp30KJkspgqkuAPDMxQ-FpIQDB-iiwIMzjlKI8xQfMsO6-eBUV4jI_yNLePxBAqrn20vixmZpEiL8NFYXv9-UwgCp-KmKyBubgN4HQdIVc/s640/100609_030final.jpeg" width="470" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://inspiracionline.blogspot.com/2011/08/interior-designer-alison-womack-jowers.html" target="_blank">Alison Womack Jowers via Inspiring Interiors</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XACAdWyhDzIPhJ6tDTGVRSj-GavmONCjYSOz-23nMpvjdET0uTMX6MlCd-enEHxe6NXI-4EY0G4EKZdh1_wDkATG_zBNUENdbyM98h1ocmaE_sdfhVl1z-1dp7oCXmUDH3YvprDmwOC_/s1600/atlanta-decorators-show-house-part-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XACAdWyhDzIPhJ6tDTGVRSj-GavmONCjYSOz-23nMpvjdET0uTMX6MlCd-enEHxe6NXI-4EY0G4EKZdh1_wDkATG_zBNUENdbyM98h1ocmaE_sdfhVl1z-1dp7oCXmUDH3YvprDmwOC_/s640/atlanta-decorators-show-house-part-2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.545454025268555px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://designindulgence.blogspot.com/2012/04/atlanta-decorators-show-house-part-2.html" target="_blank">Musso Design Group via Design Indulgence</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG2i2iAq2qwXorBT3YzsVfwOiNZiThqnBnzlUuXjJAtpduJ-8pohHf3bk2tX1d5_vlvTlVNgFIOqaOgsKd47addluzSU1fbc0IpWUi2p2f_7xLKhawyL9ACg0n5-pSXHWX5vvKUaLzqM6/s1600/black-and-white-bliss.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG2i2iAq2qwXorBT3YzsVfwOiNZiThqnBnzlUuXjJAtpduJ-8pohHf3bk2tX1d5_vlvTlVNgFIOqaOgsKd47addluzSU1fbc0IpWUi2p2f_7xLKhawyL9ACg0n5-pSXHWX5vvKUaLzqM6/s640/black-and-white-bliss.jpeg" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com/2012/11/black-and-white-bliss.html" target="_blank">Vogue Living via Brabourne Farm</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2TEfNnip4Lmgnot6muWyifyDYdIs8RQHgODzSGTg97ZKSnJR2Qazha6b9mx6e_TKwT0YjykcAn5NarCWR3T-Q-pjcdG0uvaMjVD6ozrBpUhHZI0QOMDRPF8fKFPPl8zStcZ0GkgsiGjU/s1600/193091902743313041_mjXX9d5K.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2TEfNnip4Lmgnot6muWyifyDYdIs8RQHgODzSGTg97ZKSnJR2Qazha6b9mx6e_TKwT0YjykcAn5NarCWR3T-Q-pjcdG0uvaMjVD6ozrBpUhHZI0QOMDRPF8fKFPPl8zStcZ0GkgsiGjU/s640/193091902743313041_mjXX9d5K.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205651094443/" target="_blank">Encore Decor Atlanta via Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSItj5wcs_2GUO_CksPA-v-pQl8VnMVGhKNt6JANbFTNbaE0MkCRAzHKygXvuz-Py5VVdxkNrH_ZzJ_HJiVy16ZsdXAWhpmOGcxMI8VTPYuwKbBhSubsWOFM5l0diuJZuEjzpNTf7m4xD/s1600/1---other-metros.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSItj5wcs_2GUO_CksPA-v-pQl8VnMVGhKNt6JANbFTNbaE0MkCRAzHKygXvuz-Py5VVdxkNrH_ZzJ_HJiVy16ZsdXAWhpmOGcxMI8VTPYuwKbBhSubsWOFM5l0diuJZuEjzpNTf7m4xD/s640/1---other-metros.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl8n0lFvXKmBBxC7dTWbQPda_KkDRpTfLcDlN3FYqw2sua3agZSEtKV6WFd2h-eno9IeZGPY65Ag81aXKV0rhD0IinJOcKKKqSKZWMKXzp_nCFExR9EO1G_0qM0TZujkOQxj5Bp96aTu5/s1600/celery.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl8n0lFvXKmBBxC7dTWbQPda_KkDRpTfLcDlN3FYqw2sua3agZSEtKV6WFd2h-eno9IeZGPY65Ag81aXKV0rhD0IinJOcKKKqSKZWMKXzp_nCFExR9EO1G_0qM0TZujkOQxj5Bp96aTu5/s640/celery.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kembleinteriors.com/">Celerie Kemble</a></td></tr></tbody></table>That Celerie Kemble dining room is upholstered in my very favorite <a href="http://www.fschumacher.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=62610">Betwixt fabric</a>. Bananas.<br /><br />What do you think? A fan or not so much? Ever tried it? <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-upholstered-walls.html" target="_blank">Jenny has a great tutorial</a> (of course) about it if you are looking for a winter break DIY.

upholstered walls

Several weeks ago I went to an estate sale in an amazing house. Each one of the SIX bedrooms had upholstered walls in a different toile. Coo...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 12/19/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5209">Apple TV: How to use AirPlay Mirroring</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">The trick to sending content from your ipad 2 or or iPhone 4S or higher is to turn on mirroring. You double click and then slide backwards to click the airplay button - if you have no clue what I just said, you'll want to use this article from apple about how to do it. </p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ipad">ipad</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/airplay">airplay</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/iphone">iphone</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/apple">apple</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tv">tv</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://appadvice.com/applists/show/airplay-apple-tv">AirPlay-Enabled Apps For Apple TV: iPad/iPhone Apps AppList</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">App Advice is my favorite app for finding apps. This is their list of best apps for the Apple TV. The first one recommended is the REmote app. Just note that it is a bit tricky to learn to use the remote, but once you do, you may prefer it over the tiny apple remote that comes with the tv and keeps getting lost in the couch.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ipad">ipad</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/Apple">Apple</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/TV">TV</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/airplay">airplay</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/apps">apps</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://readwrite.com/2012/03/30/10_airplay-ready_ipad_apps_that_make_apple_tv_wort">10 AirPlay-Ready iPad Apps That Make Apple TV Worth It</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">The read write web gives an overview of more airplay ready apps. An interesting note pointed out in this article is that instead of using the Apple TV remote, that one can use the netflix app instead and send movies to the Apple TV. The netflix ipad app is my favorite app for looking at Netflix - it gives recommendations that you can't get on the roku or Apple TV. Some other great ideas here as well. You still have time to get an Apple TV if you have wifi and a pretty decent internet speed, it could make a great gift.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ipad">ipad</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ios">ios</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/airplay">airplay</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://mashable.com/2012/10/09/dual-screen-apps/">Apple TV and AirPlay Fuel Rise of Dual-Screen Apps</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">So, you don't understand why 2 screens are necessary and why the iphone/ ipad would need to be connected to a large TV. I have an Apple TV and beginning to use it with my ipad and the possibilities are revolutionary. I first heard of the Apple TV, most of the teachers who have 1:1 ipads in their school are using the Apple TV to wirelessly send content to their projectors. This article from mashable thoroughly covers what the dual screen revolution means to the classroom and your family room. "Dual-screen apps change all of that by shifting the software and user experience model from one user to potentially many, and from one screen (PC/phone/tablet) to two screens (phone/tablet and TV monitor). From a software development and user-experience perspective, the large monitor (which is the true second screen -- versus the standard concept that considers the tablet as the second screen) becomes an open computing surface where one can render any form of application functionality, information, data and content."</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/Apple">Apple</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ios">ios</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/airplay">airplay</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/dual">dual</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/screen">screen</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/google">google</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tv">tv</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/roku">roku</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/evernote">evernote</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://theapple.tv/apps/list-of-airplay-enabled-apps/">The Apple TV Guide : List of AirPlay-enabled Apps</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Apple's official list of airplay enabled apps. If you have an Apple TV, you can use apps to send content to your Apple TV from your ipad or iphone. This list is created by Apple.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ios">ios</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/Apple">Apple</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/TV">TV</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/airplay">airplay</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/15/the-best-ios-apps-to-watch-on-apple-tv/">The Best iOS Apps To Watch On Apple TV | TechCrunch</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">An excellent list of airplay enabled apps - although this was out a bit before the current Apple TV, I'm finding that these are some of the highest rated apps on the store with some very cool video capabilities. For example, the free ShowMe app combs your networks and serves up video that your friends are watching -- not to your ipad (although that is possible) but to your TV that is enabled with the Apple TV. I'm finding the Apple TV higher quality than my Roku box, although I'm keeping my Roku box because it has Amazon and my Apple TV does not. If you get an Apple TV, make sure you set up Remote and download some of these apps.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ios">ios</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/airplay">airplay</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/Apple">Apple</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/TV">TV</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/the-best-kid-friendly-ipad-case-good-for-adults-too">BEST IPAD CASES FOR KIDS REVIEW 2012 | Best Kid Friendly IPad Case & Cover</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Some great cases for the ipad. If you spend all this money at Christmas, make sure you get a good case to protect the ipad for your child. The thick rubberized cases like Otterbox are being purchased by many schools.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ipad">ipad</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://inspiretothrive.com/2012/05/more-pinterest-like-websites-to-browse/">More Pinterest Like Websites to Browse • Inspire To Thrive</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">More information on Mike Like</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.mikelike.com/ml/pinterest_private_boards/">New "Mike Like" button replaces a pinterest button? Unlimited Private Boards For Pinterest Users!</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">I am not sure why pinterest would confuse their brand by having Mikee Like as their button. My pinterest button literally changed to "Mike Like" it in Chrome and really, I'm not so happy about it. It is very similar to the pin button - this lets you pin to MikeLike, Pinterest, and Tumblr. I may reinstall pin from pinterest -- right click in Chrome and see if your pinterest button has been replaced. What a pain! The biggest issue is that MikeLike membership is by invite-only -- but this page can get you an invite. This is a drawback of add ins - if you put in an add in by a company other than the one who makes it, they can change it on you. I, personally, find this bothersome. </p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/apps">apps</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 12/19/2012

Apple TV: How to use AirPlay Mirroring The trick to sending content from your ipad 2 or or iPhone 4S...

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Pffft ... I Have More Answers than Matt-Man

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Hola inquisitive folks! Yesterday, Matt-Man attempted to show off his know-it-all-ness by writing a blog post titles “<a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/12/i-have-all-answers.html" target="_blank">I Have All the Answers</a>.”  As I read his post I realized that while he does in fact have most of the answers, he doesn’t have all of them. Then I realized that I actually have more answers than he does. So, I decided to prove it with today’s post.<br /><br /><b>- Is Discovery Channel <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/12/18/discovery-channel-kicks-ted-nugent-to-the-curb/" target="_blank">canceling Ted Nugent’s planned show</a> “Ted Nugent’s Gun Country” an appropriate response to the shootings in Newtown, CT? </b><br /><br />It’s the MOST appropriate response I’ve seen or heard so far.<br /><br /><b>- Is it okay for me to let women friends of mine know that I think about them when masturbating? </b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbhwaFGyYvMX_ePvlPJnkaw_p30kQhJclCyAGZNCA_-EaK4mKCg5_JfdMnsNoBypWB4h4k-kwmy0rewBdOqCxMlimxUgpGobgLiBrT4-8ZCMThLr3INt03kZGAhQCetNWF5TAe4qFDaA/s1600/Shania+Twain+See+Through+Hot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbhwaFGyYvMX_ePvlPJnkaw_p30kQhJclCyAGZNCA_-EaK4mKCg5_JfdMnsNoBypWB4h4k-kwmy0rewBdOqCxMlimxUgpGobgLiBrT4-8ZCMThLr3INt03kZGAhQCetNWF5TAe4qFDaA/s320/Shania+Twain+See+Through+Hot.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>Not only is this NOT okay, it’s NOT okay to do it. If you do that then you’ll have trouble talking to them and shit because you’ll feel guilty about what you were doing them in your little fantasy session. Sick to aging rapidly irrelevant celebrities who are so desperate for attention that they’re practically begging you to masturbate to them.<br /><br /><b>- In his post yesterday, Matt-Man basically said that President Obama and Speaker Boehner secretly like each other and are just engaging in some kind of political theater of the absurd to entertain themselves. Or something like that. Anyway, do you think Obama and Mitt Romney also secretly like each other? </b><br /><br />Noooooooooo. They hate each other’s fucking guts.<br /><br /><b>- Which cheese should I put on my cheeseburger? </b><br /><br />Cheddar is the most appropriate cheese for burgers and pretty much anything else that gets cheese. I melts without oozing all over the damn place and has a strong enough flavor that you notice it, but not so strong that it overpowers everything else on the burger, sandwich or casserole.<br /><br /><b>- I’m getting married soon and something I never even considered suddenly came up. My fiancé says that she decided that she’ll take my name, but only by hyphenating her name. It’ll be her last name HYPHEN my last name. I don’t know why but this is kind of bothering me. Should it?</b><br /><br />Awww is your poor wittle manhood wounded already? Then maybe you shouldn’t get married. Or maybe you should go find a chick that is a doormat so you’ll never feel challenged on any level. Or just marry her and then go buy a HUGE SUV and an AR-15 to restore your manhood.<br /><br /><b>- Who is the best sports writer in America? And the worst? </b><br /><br />Bill Simmons is the best and Rick Riley is the worst. Everyone between Simmons and Riley are some level of “bad.”<br /><br /><b>- Is the idea to arm and train teachers a good way of protecting children and schools? </b><br /><br />I can only go by the teachers I had growing up which means that would be a big fat NO.  I can’t think of single teacher that I had on any level that I would trust with a firearm. Hell, I can think at least a half dozen that, if they did have a gun, I would have refused to go to school.<br /><br /><b>- Is Christmas REALLY the most wonderful time of year? </b><br /><br />Yes, yes it is.<br /><br /><br />There you go. I can’t imagine there being anything else that you’re wondering about.<br /><br />Jayman<br /><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS </a><br /><br /></div>

Pffft ... I Have More Answers than Matt-Man

Hola inquisitive folks! Yesterday, Matt-Man attempted to show off his know-it-all-ness by writing a blog post titles “ I Have All the Answer...

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Supply Chain Analyst, Spares Planning (Service Supply Chain | Stocking | Inventory Optimization | SAP) (# 108940)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Position: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Supply Chain Analyst, Spares Planning<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Location: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Duration: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Full time</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Job Description: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A field planning analyst is responsible for monitoring and planning to support the growth in installed systems in a particular region. This person will work closely with account and regional personnel to track installed base growth, manage regional stocking targets to support first in region systems and new fab start-ups, maintain customer specific system configurations, track and report fill rate and stocking performance on a regular basis, and work closely with product planners to manage specific component supply issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Skills: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Must have excellent written and oral communications skills and be comfortable presenting to internal and external customers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Must be willing to travel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Excellent analytical and problem solving skills are a must.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Experience with MS-Access and other database management software is essential.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Programming and foreign language skills would be a plus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">International travel required for this position. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Experience: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Experience in a high-tech supply chain environment preferably with direct customer interaction is preferred but not required.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Internship or other exposures are given extra consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Education:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">BS/BA Business or related field with preferred concentration in Operations or Supply Chain Management (MS/MBA preferred a plus).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Basic Qualification:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Master's Level Degree with at least 2 years of logistics experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 3 years of experience in logistics department from a multinational company.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: black;">Kindly send your resume to </span><a href="mailto:raju.balaji@kla-tencor.com">raju.balaji@kla-tencor.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></div></div></div>

Supply Chain Analyst, Spares Planning (Service Supply Chain | Stocking | Inventory Optimization | SAP) (# 108940)

Position: Supply Chain Analyst, Spares Planning Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Full time Job Description: A field planning analyst is resp...

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Winner, Winner - Turkey Dinner!!

<span style="font-size: large;">Ciaran and I have a running joke every Christmas where I ask him is he going to win us a Turkey every time he heads off to any squash events in December.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Well guess what!  He won one this year.  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">As he headed off to the "Turkey Blitz" I called out "Don't come home without a turkey".  Well for the first time in about 15 years he actually won a turkey!  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Of course as we go away for Christmas we have no need for a Turkey so I gave the voucher to my Mother - she was delighted, I think it nearly made her Christmas!  </span>

Winner, Winner - Turkey Dinner!!

Ciaran and I have a running joke every Christmas where I ask him is he going to win us a Turkey every time he heads off to any squash events...

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Houses at Sagaponac, 11 Years Later

Next week there will be much more on this topic in <a href="http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5959827/list/8-Modern-Hamptons-Homes-Buck-Convention">an article I wrote for Houzz</a>, but here are some photos and information I put together from a recent drive out to the Hamptons, seeing the Houses at Sagaponac development. When first announced in 2001 by developer Harry "Coco" Brown and architect Richard Meier, the plan included 32 modern houses on 70 acres on the east end of Long Island. Eleven years later—seven years after the death of Coco Brown and four years after the economic crisis—only eight houses have been completed; those are featured below. That will probably be the limit, as while the project <i>is</i> moving forward, it's doing so <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/realestate/a-modernist-community-lets-in-the-traditional-in-the-regionlong-island.html">in a very different form</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8285355604/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="470" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8285355604_ac39d1b593_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8285355406/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="470" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8285355406_f3abd81cfa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8284294443/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8284294443_e62b639d33_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8284296025/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8284296025_0b9f2fdc11_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8284296259/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8216/8284296259_101e262427_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8284296423/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8284296423_502beff47a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8284295853/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8284295853_1fbd647b46_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8284295677/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8284295677_6813cbe0d2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8284295503/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8284295503_a1a7442d93_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8284295355/" title="Houses at Sagaponac by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses at Sagaponac" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8284295355_d5ec6e7a62_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>

Houses at Sagaponac, 11 Years Later

Next week there will be much more on this topic in an article I wrote for Houzz , but here are some photos and information I put together fr...

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Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 12/18/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.coolmath-games.com/holiday-Christmas-games-puzzles/Christmas-tree-game/index.html">The Christmas Tree Game - Play Christmas and Holiday games now at Coolmath-Games.com</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">I was asked by a teacher if I could share some cool math games to be playing near the end of the period. This one is Christmas Tree Light up -- a game about connecting circuits - it does require flash.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/mathchat">mathchat</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/math">math</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 12/18/2012

The Christmas Tree Game - Play Christmas and Holiday games now at Coolmath-Games.com I was asked by ...

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