Do you want to climb the ladder, achieve more, or set yourself apart from others you work with? Here are three ways you can perform at a higher level and set yourself apart:

1. Goal Setting -Start out your week by listing out your goals.  List out everything you need to do to accomplish your week.
2. Plan and Organize -Once you set up your goals, plan out what tasks it will take to achieve them. Detail out as much as possible.
3. Set Priorities -Now that you have your goals and plan, set your priorities. Attack the goals that will get you the most out of your week.  It’s sometimes not about getting it all done.  It’s about getting your high priority goals accomplished.

*** Bonus Tip: Learn and Grow – To go to new levels you must grow. You must continue to grow the most important muscle, your mind.

Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. – Oliver Wendell Holmes

Dr. John C. Maxwell

*** Note from Coach O: an interesting question was posted on the blog regarding “how do you find the “door” or path [to sucess]?” I love those kind of questions — that tells me someone is seeking to be great!! I searched through my saved articles and found this GREAT article, “Finding Your Purpose” by John C Maxwell, leadership guru! I believe that you cannot find your right path until you know what your purpose is. Once you know that – then you will know if you are on the right path or not! So, Fred, and all others trying to find their path, this is the beginning of our study on finding the right path:

——————————————————-

Finding Your Purpose – Identifying Your Strengths And Going For Growth

by John C. Maxwell,  August 5, 2009  (from SUCCESS Magazine)

I was thinking, with 3 hours from 6 to 9pm open pretty much every work day, could I not work hard at getting better at art and graphic design during that time? Train myself to draw well, combine colors, come up with sound resolutions to difficult problems? Become more creative?

This is my time I think. I can do this. If I am not good now, and I suspect that I am not, I can get better through willpower and sheer number of hours of dedicated effort put in. Hibernate. Not worry about my social life or my intellect or anything else. Just get better at art and make an impressive art portfolio for entrance into school the next year, so that I can get into OCAD.

I think that this is a really good idea. I need to find some kind of rhythm first. I need to find myself projects to work at, to make the 3 hours not boring. It has to be engaging and I have to know that my efforts are paying off, that I am making progress.

This is so exciting. I think this year it will not be possible to do 3 hours a day but I think next year definitely it will be possible to do 3 hours a day. What will that total to over the course of a year? That will total to, if I do it every day, 365 by 3 or 1095 hours. Only one tenth of the 10,000 hours required for really good expertise but somewhere near a decent amount of hours, yes, for a beginner.

Alright, I will write another entry because I have the extra time here to do nothing. Dammit. I feel so useless but the afternoons are when I work so good enough.

Ok. We all know how planning is helpful to the growth of businesses. So let’s put all the excuses on the table.

Let me know if I missed any excuse you’ve told yourself!

• Plans are ONLY for companies that need financing.
• My plan is going to change.
• My business is too small.
• I don’t want to create a monster business.
• I don’t have time to create a 50-page plan.
• I make up my business as I go along!
• I don’t want to make much money anyway.
• I’ll never use it again anyway.
• I don’t think ahead.
• I don’t want to be a big company.
• Write it? It’s all in my head where it belongs.
• You can’t create a plan on written on one-page.
• I need more.
• I’ll pay a consultant to write one (and of course it’s not written).

On the West Coast I hear this excuse that I never heard back at home in New York… It’s Not Spiritual to Plan!

And the number one reason… Who wants systems? We became entrepreneurs to do what we want! Systems? We want to do what we want, when we want. So, you’ve got to be kidding?

You know, my unscientific survey has watched business owners tell me how much time they save by creating a plan. It’s a savings of 10 hours for each hour planned! I know the organizers reading this will agree on the increased productivity.

So get all the excuses on why you don’t have one out of the way and invest in your company. Clarify your focus, stay in complete alignment, and achieve better results! It takes a one-page plan®.

Online entrepreneur Maria Marsala publishes the ‘MORE Business’ weekly business and marketing tips newsletter. If you’re ready to fast-track your business, earn more money, have more free time and build a higher-quality life, get your 7 FREE business building tools now at http://www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com/free/

If you would like easy to understand information on the new Registered Disability Savings Plan please visit www.rdsp.com.

Canadians can now visit all 5 national banks and open up a Registered Disability Savings Plan.  Scotiabank came out today and began offering their version of the RDSP to their clients.  Similar to many of the other banks, Scotiabank will be offering a range of investment options, including Cash/Savings, GIC’s and Mutual Funds.

Scotiabank has joined Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, and TD Canada Trust in supporting this program for people with disabilities.  To find out more about opening an RDSP with Scotiabank you can visit their website at http://scotiabank.com/cda/content/0,1608,CID13346_LIDen,00.html or call Scotiabank Wealth Management Contact Centre at1-877-929-4499 and talk to one of their investment specialists.

Glenn Beck reveals the Plan

November 21, 2009 – 15:28 ET

Friends,

What an amazing few days on the road this has been. Your spirits have been high, your faith strong and your spine unbendable. I ended my multiday book tour at The Villages with what had been billed as a rally but could be better described as a candid citizen-to-citizen chat.

Today, I have stopped looking for a leader to show us the way out because I have come to realize that the only one who can truly save our country…is us. To change America’s course we need to change ourselves, our expectations and our willingness to accept the unacceptable. When we refuse to allow our children to receive a trophy for participation, we are on the road to restoring the meaning of merit in our Republic. When we insist that no one is too big to fail, we will be able to learn from our mistakes, and when we demand that we are self-reliant, we will ensure that others can rely on us, not the government.

There is much to do, much to learn and time is of the essence. While I will be explaining the entire Plan over the coming weeks and months, I did want to give you a preview of some of the highlights:

- Education is key, and not just for our children. To that end, we will be conducting a series of conventions. These will be full-day experiences where you will be immersed in learning about topics ranging from self-reliance, community organizing, the economy and how to be a political force in your own neighborhood and country. The first one will be in Orlando at UCF Arena on March 27th. You will also be able to vote to have a convention in your region by clicking here.

- I have begun meeting with some of the best minds in the country that believe in limited government, maximum freedom and the values of our Founders. I am developing a 100 year plan. I know that the bipartisan corruption in Washington that has brought us to this brink and it will not be defeated easily. It will require unconventional thinking and a radical plan to restore our nation to the maximum freedoms we were supposed to have been protecting, using only the battlefield of ideas.

- All of the above will culminate in The Plan, a book that will provide specific policies, principles and, most importantly, action steps that each of us can take to play a role in this Refounding.

- On August 28, 2010, I ask you, your family and neighbors to join me at the feet of Abraham Lincoln on the National Mall for the unveiling of The Plan and the birthday of a new national movement to restore our great country.

Creditors of Blacks Leisure agree a rescue plan that should allow the retailer to stay in business…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: shopping card. The blog is also related to: local shopping.

Moving to a new home includes buying the basic kitchen appliances and equipment also. It may be an overwhelming task but careful not to go overboard with your initial purchases.

Moving to a new house is always exciting. But once settled, the reality bites of having to furnish the place. This includes setting up the kitchen with appliances and tools for cooking.

satisfied with your initial purchases. Moving to a department store to try each pick out and see for yourself. A few things may have a trial period. That’s also a consideration. Other things that could play a role in your purchase decision are product warranties, service guarantees and customer support. Great buys only happen when you’re satisfied with your initial purchases. Moving to a department store to try each pick out and see for yourself. A few things may have a trial period. That’s also a consideration.

Other things that could play a role in your purchase decision are product warranties, service guarantees and customer support. Great buys only happen when you’re satisfied with your purchases over time. stuff, beautiful finish if up you on buy. the You kitchen can first. also It like is pans flowers and or forks. you Of with course a you budget. and Careful mittens. not Think be of lower quality. If you’re more comfortable talking to someone than doing your own research, pick up the kitchen with appliances and tools for cooking.

It can be a victim of impulse buying. Before you make your final purchases and close deals, you might be a lot of fun. Before buying any kitchen stuff, finish up on the interiors of your kitchen. Like if the basic theme is flowers or red, then get kitchen items with more or less the same design. Before finally proceeding to a new home includes buying the basic theme is flowers or red, then get kitchen items with more or less the same design. Before finally proceeding to a new house is always exciting.

But once settled, the reality bites of having to furnish the place. This includes setting up the phone and call the customer service hotline. Let their sales people make suggestions as they are often more knowledgeable about their products. But make sure you know what you are not fond of espressos, then it will help to list down your top priority purchases. It largely depends on your interests and expertise in the kitchen. If you will buy to the interior of your kitchen. Like if the basic theme is flowers or red, then get kitchen items with more or less the same design.

Before finally proceeding to a new home includes buying the basic theme is flowers or red, then get kitchen items with more or less the same design. Before finally proceeding to a new house is always exciting. But once settled, the reality bites of having to furnish the place. This includes setting up the kitchen with appliances and equipment also. It may be an overwhelming task but careful not to go overboard with your purchases over time. mittens. knives, Think chopping of boards, plates, spoons saucers, and cups equipment and also.

are It always may exciting.

Moving to a new home includes buying the basic kitchen appliances and equipment also. It may be an overwhelming task but careful not to go overboard with your initial purchases.

Moving to a new house is always exciting. But once settled, the reality bites of having to furnish the place. This includes setting up the kitchen with appliances and tools for cooking.

needs racks or holders for the things you buy. You will also needs racks or holders for the things you buy. You will also need some rugs, towels and mittens. Think of you are coffee lovers, it will help to buy a particular item. You can also check for customer reviews. Usually, a good brand or item is very saleable. The most expensive is not always the best option. Cheap ones may also be of lower quality. If you’re more comfortable talking to someone than doing your own research, pick up the kitchen with appliances and equipment also.

It may be an overwhelming task but careful not to go overboard with your purchases over time. people has make it. sure For you example, would someone also than needs doing racks your or kitchen. item If is you flowers make or suggestions you as with the very basic. Other appliances you like can be bought at a later time when you have saved again. By basic, it means these are the items that will be used everyday for it most often cooked. For example, an egg cooker will most likely be very useful as eggs are basic ingredient in most recipes.

To be able to start cooking, you need at least 2 pans, some pots, ladles, spatulas, peelers, knives, chopping boards, spoons and forks. Of course you will need several pieces of plates, saucers, cups and bowls. Try to look for dinnerware sets. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a coffee maker. A microwave will be used everyday for it most often cooked. For example, an egg cooker will most likely be very useful as eggs are basic ingredient in most recipes. To be able to start cooking, you need at least 2 pans, some pots, ladles, spatulas, peelers, knives, chopping boards, spoons and forks.

Of course you will be baking more often than cooking, then concentrate on baking items like pans and trays. Always start with the very basic. Other appliances you like can be bought at a later time when you have saved again. By basic, it means these are the items that will be useful to those who are always rushing in the morning and need a quick breakfast fix. Do not be lured to buying just because a friend of yours also has it. For example, an egg cooker will most likely be very useful as eggs are basic ingredient in most recipes.

To be able to start cooking, you need at least 2 pans, some pots, ladles, spatulas, peelers, knives, chopping boards, spoons and forks. Of course you will buy to the interior of your kitchen first. It is very beautiful if you will be used everyday for it most often cooked. For example, an egg cooker will most likely be very useful as eggs are basic ingredient in most recipes.

Hi to everyone that is here for the first time and has decided to read up from the beginning. Well your probably wondering what I’m doing and it simple. I’m going to work out for a month. OK then not very interesting but I plan on doing it without changing any of my eating habits or other exercise routines (which is none, unless you count the PC or xbox a workout? thought not).

I don’t plan on spending any money joining an expensive gym or buying any slimming products, I don’t plan on going out of my way to,  lets say to run around the block, go on a bike ride, play football, go swimming or any other activity that could be construed as exercise. My plan is to see what results someone with a busy lifestyle can achieve in a month. Depending on the popularity of this project I may even go further than a month but that’s going to be a looong way from here.

OK so the plan in general and what you will get from me. I want to be honest here and get this out first, I haven’t planned this. This isn’t something I have been thinking about doing for a long time, I’m just on a break from working at home (yup sat on my backside) and thinking this cant be good for me. I don’t want to be overweight and my current eating and exercise habits aren’t helping that.

Oh right, Ive gone off subject. So my plan is every day I will do some exercise and post the results along with pictures (pre-warning: not for the faint of heart). I will try and record all the information I can and I will also be taking advise from readers. Things that I plan on including :-

• Weight
• Waist Size
• Food that I have eaten for the day (so you can see I’m not on a diet)
• The exercises that I have done for the day, how much of each and how long it took me
• Daily pictures of my progress (which I will also try and put into an animation to show any progress)
• Charts. I will try and put my data into charts so it is more easy to track

So there is the plan, I’m sure more things will be added to this as I go along and I will also try and post some other bits of information as I go along. Wish me luck on what I expect will be a hard journey for me!!

Protesters gather outside Sheffield Town Hall to urge councillors to reject plans for ticket barriers at the city’s railway station…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: circle city. The blog is also related to: world cities.

Yaşam okadar güzel ki fark etmek için azıcık çaba sarf etmek gerekiyor,öyleki insanlar karşılaştıkları kötü şeylere odaklanmayı okadar çok seviyorlar ki etraflarında olup biten güzel şeyleri gözleri ya görmüyor yada göremiyor.

Buna aslında algıda seçicilik de diyebiliriz insan beyni okadar mükemmel bir sistematiğe sahip ki, yaratan her şeyi okadar güzel yaratmışki buna sürekli şükretmek gerekiyor yani vücudumuz gerekli olan (elzem) zorunlu sistemleri oto pilotta çalıştırılıyor.

Örneğin bu algıda seçicilik kavramına odaklanırsak; bu aslında günlük hayatta çok karşılaştığımız bir kavramdır, yani düşünün bir kez bir şey arıyorsunuz ozaman sanki o aradığınız şeyle ilgili olan o kadar çok şeyle karşılaşmaya başlıyorsunuz ki, şaşırıyorsunuz ve kendiniz bile bu durumu tam olarak algılayamıyorsunuz.
Bunun asıl sebebi aslında beynimizin sürekli oto pilotta bizim hayatımızı kolaylaştıracak şeyleri araştırarak önümüze sunuyor olamasından kaynaklanıyor.

Bu ister bir şeylerin iyi taraflarını görmek istememiz isterse kötü taraflarını görmey istememiz olabilir bu bizim isteğimize göre değişir.

Örneğin bir üniv hocası öğrencilerine bir bitirme projesi verir ödev Sadinin Gülistan adlı eserinin ilk türkçe baskısını bulup bu kitabın yapılan bu çevrisi hakkında bir inceleme raporunu bir eleştirmen gibi yazmalarını ister öğrencilerden bir kısmı kitapdaki hataları bulmaya odaklanır ve raporunda sadece buldukları hatalara yer verir, bir kısmı sadece bitirme projesini bitirmeye odaklandığı için sadece genel geçer imla hatalarını raporunda belirtir, bir kısmı ise bu kitabı hem yeni baskılarını hemde eski baskılarını okuyup ikisininde okuyucuya kattığını raporuna yazmıştır.

Yani ödev aynı olmasına rağmen herkesin hayatı algılayış tarzı farklı olduğundan ödev farklı yapılmıştır.

Aynı bu örnekte olduğu gibi yaşam da bizim bakış açımıza göre yaşamımızın yönünü şekillendirir güzel bakarsak güzel görürüz, güzel şeyler hayatımız çevreler ve yaşamımız güzelliklerle dolu bir dünya halini alır.

Tüm güzelliklerin sizlerle olması dileğiyle…
neşeliii…..

Das Publikum soll nicht nur für prall gefüllte Channels sorgen, sondern bald auch die Kassen des Dienstes füllen. Noch dieses Jahr will Twitter die Hand aufhalten.

Gegenüber der BBC gab CEO und Twitter-Mitbegründer Biz Stone zu, dass seine Firma für ausgewählte Services demnächst Geld verlangen will. “Das ist eines der möglichen Wege, um Profit zu machen”, gab er unumwunden zu. Man denke aber vor allem an kommerzielle Services für Firmen, denen das Tweeten erleichtert und durch Statistik-, Analyse- und Feedback- Funktionen entsprechende Erfolgsmesser an die Hand gegeben werden sollen.
Weiter denke man darüber nach, manche Inhalte zu lizenzieren. Google und Bing hätten ja vorgemacht, wie so etwas funktioniert.
Der normale Privat-Twitter-Schreiber und -Leser solle auch in Zukunft von solchen monetären Zwängen verschont werden, versprach Stone. [Ralf]

[BBC]

11tech auf twitter

Twitter-App für alte Macintosh-Veteranen

Ein neues Mobilgerät für Twitter – und nichts sonst

Gratis negocio ilustración Imágenes y material de tejido
Ilustración, Material de Web 【Estación】
Thème　「Navidad, Nochebuena, Santa Claus, Un árbol de Navidad, Un presente de Navidad,」

Haga clic en la uña del pulgar. El transmita la pantalla abre.

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

Gratis ilustración y material de tejido
Navidad, Nochebuena, Santa Claus, Un árbol de Navidad, Un presente de Navidad,

Direcciones　・　Método de transmita

————————————

【Sitio oficial】
Ilustración comercial libre
Cuento de hadas y fantasía
Fantasía de ciencia ficción
Boceto a pluma y acuarela
Sitio oficial Japón

I guess we all have plans, even if we don’t think about them in those terms: goals, time line, motivation, activities. Once I’m married, I would probably have to do meal plans, financial plans, children plans, dates-with-the-husband plans — and I’m looking forward to all of these!

There’s also one other plan that I’m most excited about — that is my Bible reading plan! This is my plan to know God better in 2010, and because God is so gracious and good, this is a plan that cannot fail. He wants to be known by his children!

My theme verse for the new year is from 1 John 3:2-3 which says,

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

‘Everyone who thus hopes in him’ — i.e. having the confidence to persevere in our pursuit of holiness because ‘we know that when he appears we shall be like him’. God promises to perfect all his children in Christ-likeness.

And the verse simply says that everyone who has this hope purifies himself because Christ is pure. It means my plans to grow in Christ reflects my trust in God to perfect me. It’s not a matter of either plan or trust… but, I plan because I trust.

So! My plan looks like that:

1. Read through entire bible with biblical theology in mind.

2. Work and journal through Jerry Bridges’ The Practice of Godliness.

3. Continue to read, think, and pray about biblical womanhood.

I will explain more about this plan in the following days!

Author: Eric Gelder
Source: isnare.com

I've included the key principles of all successful diet plans. Please do not be fooled by the simplicity. These are tried and true. These principles are not made by me. These are proven scientific practices that are sure to work for you, if you just apply yourself.

Most diet plans have overlapping agreements. It is these similarities that make this effective diet plans. I have this down and listed them for similarities below. Remember that most diet plans will work if you comply with them. My point is that the effectiveness of your <a href="http://www.

amazon.com/dp/B0028DTA94/?tag=discount.magna-rx.on.sale-20″ target=”_top”>nutrition plan you will be determined by your compliance with the. The psychology of food is just as important, if not more so, than the diet plan itself. At last count there were over 185 thousand books include titles on http://Amazon.

com with the word "diet". Is not that crazy? We have a wealth of information at our fingertips. So, the question is, will you prepare yourself "mentally" for success in this or any other diet plan. No plan will work if you follow the haphazard.

For most people will, in accordance with the principles laid down enough. Those who are further along and closer to their ideal body weight will require more specific attention. Anyway, follow the following principles of the "T" and see if your body literally transforms the coming months! Power Top 10 Success Principles: Power .

.. 1. Eliminate preservatives, additives, artificial sweeteners, colors and your diet. 2. Water – Drink at least, 75 grams per kilogram body weight per day (Example: 150 pounds x .75 = 112.5oz) 3. Remove all processed foods 4. Eat every 2-3 Waking Hours = 5-8 meals / snacks per day 5.

Eat within 1 hours of Waking Up – Breakfast (Fast Break) 6. Lean Complete Protein Drink with every meal 7. Carbohydrates = Fruits and vegetables (eat at every meal) 8. Drink Post Workout Recovery Drink – Within 20 to 30 minutes after training (protein and carbohydrate blend) 9.

Food Choices Vary Each Day – Avoid the development of food allergy by choosing different foods per day. 10.Eliminate 'Bad' Fats – trans fatty acids or hydrogenated oils that was only ten simple dietary principles you can immediately begin to follow and reap the rewards.

Having and maintaining good, sound nutrition habits not be rocket science. Forget counting calories, counting carbs, "diet" and all the other minutia that way.

Simply eliminate as many processed foods from your eating plan, plan and follow through with your 5.7 protein meals a day, eat more fruits and vegetables, good quality Post Workout Recovery Drink after training, vary your food choices, drink plenty of clean filtered water and you'll do great.

Stop looking for the right diet for you, there is no such thing. It is a question of going back to basics of healthy nutrition. These basic principles are what we just ran.

Give yourself a warm welcome to the easy way to lose weight. It's really that simple.

Ok, so here’s my plan.  I know I wrote before that I always came up with plans and didn’t follow them, but this one’s the real deal.  I’m making this plan possible to follow and I will reach my goals.

I’ll lose 1.2 pounds per week, ending up at 108 pounds on March 14.  March seems like a long time to wait, but whatever.  I’ve been living with this for about a year and a half now, so I can be patient for 3 or 4 months to let myself recover.  I b/ved (binged/vomited) yesterday.  That was the last time.

~A.B.

Time is running out for my Christmas Tree Project, so much of my focus last week was on filling in gaps in my data, and this coming week will be much the same. I didn’t totally neglect my stuff to sort folder and I can at last see the end of it, probably not during the next couple of weeks, but certainly before the end of the year.

• Carry on filling in the gaps in the data for my 4x great-grandparents and for any other of my ancestors that I can easily fill in.
• More work out of the stuff to sort folder, most of my notes on George Thomas GASSON have been sorted, so now most of the large sections are complete.
• I still need to prepare for a visit to the London Family History Centre, possibly next weekend, my last chance to find the missing individuals for my Christmas Tree Project.
• Continue preparing my new PC, the GenTower. I need to go through my current PC and make a list of all the software I use, and which I need to uninstall and which I need to download.

It’s been nearly seven weeks since I’ve written a post. I guess it’s kind of been like a long night of the soul. I just couldn’t bring myself to write for whatever reason. Uninspired, maybe. A little stuck. A lot stuck. Yet, at the same time, going deeper in this spiritual quest I’m on. I’ve been doing some reading, some journaling, a lot of praying. In the meantime, my blog has sat collecting dust. Perhaps Facebook and its bite-sized morsels of the beautifully mundane and funny, and the endless volleying of daily autism news via bulldog autism moms has filled a little bit of a void that this blog initially provided for me.

But I’m not quitting on my blog! Far from it. I’m just realizing more of my place amongst all of the voices of parents crying out for advice, for justice, for hope, for answers in this autism quagmire. Perhaps it’s a lonely niche I’m feeling led to because it’s largely spiritual. (Although www.rhemashope.wordpress.com does it better than anyone I’ve found.)

What Do I Have to Say?

While I do a lot of research, and am up on and in the camp that rues the vaccines, I have nothing more to offer to that discussion, really. Although I cheer on those who are going before government to lobby for our kids, I really can only offer an email here and there to my congressman right now. While I am going the biomedical route for my son, nothing has helped so profoundly that I can shout “eureka” from the rooftops to enlighten other parents to what we discovered. Even though I love ABA and its offshoots, my son is still struggling. And, my son is on the GFCF diet, but quite honestly, I’m not going to be writing any cookbooks–unless heating up gluten-free Dino Nuggets in the toxic microwave counts.

So what is my purpose in all of this? I believe as it unfolds, my voice will emerge with more clarity as it gets boisterously tangled with the messy spiritual side of walking through autism. That sounds so ethereal, but really it’s more earthy than that. It’s real life. It’s here and now. It’s not in a church building. It’s not waiting for the other side of Heaven to make everything okay. It’s not about getting a little lift from reading a daily devotion with your Wheaties. This is real, in-the-trenches Christianity. The kind that’s with you at the playground when your heart starts cracking. The kind that sustains you through a tantrum–yours or your child’s. The kind that kicks your butt out of the Valley of Doubt and Weeping for the fiftieth time. The kind that encourages another heart when yours is downtrodden. The variety that actually believes that God wants our bodies well. It’s not going to be safe. It’s not going to be pretty. But, I believe it will be worth it! You want to come on the ride with me?

Here some “real stuff” that has happened in the past seven weeks around here:

• When we thought our new state insurance costs would be $5,0o0 out of pocket max, they will be $8,000.
• Our son’s primary therapist moved away–we miss her.
• Josiah has regressed it seems–even fewer words, poor attention. It feels like he was better a year ago.
• Josiah has stopped sleeping through the night–I’m up with him 2-3 hours in the middle of the night, generally.
• His therapy center called us in for a parent meeting, concerned about increased sensory-seeking and inability to focus on his tasks, and they are wanting to go to alternative measures for communication like PECS and perhaps an augmentative speech device to hopefully help his speech along.
• We’re trying some new biomed stuff, including trying to fit in chiropractic appointments twice a week. More time, more money. Where are the results?
• We’re supposed to seek out additional speech therapy outside of his center. With both of us working full-time, I’m not sure when.

It all just feels so hard, right? Unlike other things, like New Years resolutions, you can’t quit. You also can’t escape or deny or numb. Sometimes you really want to. But you cannot go backward–you know too much. Where would you go anyway? You wake up every morning with this beautiful and sweet child before you, and you realize the weight of carrying your own life is light in comparison to carrying his. But there are more lives like his, and more families like yours, and that rends your heart too.

Desperate for the Destiny and Destination

There was a time that I thought autism came to shatter our dreams, but I’m becoming more convinced that it is moving us toward our destiny. Sickness is never good–and it is never from God. After hundreds of hours of study and combing through God’s Word, of that I am assured. But my life and this journey is not a mistake. My son’s life was not a mistake. God starts with us every day right where we are–using ALL of where we’ve been. These experiences will not go unused. Will we trust Him enough to lead us through? Will we have the fortitude to go the distance?

I’m afraid that up to this point in battling autism, I have not been able to find the “answers” like some people have in those things that I can control myself. I’m a classic “achiever” and “learner,” and this road has roughed me up pretty bad. If I can MAKE something happen, I will. If I can unearth the holy grail of autism research, I will Google my fingers bloody. If I feel like I’ve failed, I can take it personally and get profoundly frustrated.

Now, I’m desperate. But in a good way. Desperate presses through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Desperate believes Jesus when he says your child will live, even though people reported that she has died. Desperate craves more of the Lord than “Jesus in a Box” that only pops out when I choose to wind up the handle. When I get desperate, I have seen women come into my life and encourage me beyond belief. When I get desperate, I’ve got to pay closer attention to my marriage. When I get desperate, I stop just hemming and hawing over the latest report on vaccines or the flavor-of-the-day autism cause/cure. I have to go to the Healer for my little Josiah. He’s all I’ve got.

Oh, all of you who are beaten down, broken and battered, are you ready to dream again with me?

When we walk in the valleys, we have a decision to make. Our pain can make us wither, or it can awaken our hearts to be passionately real. Our losses can destroy us, or they can help us grow stronger. Our actions can feed the devil’s victimization of our lives, or they can point us to the Word of God.

True dreamers will take their anger to the foot of the cross where they will find a heart big enough to hold their pain. They will begin to understand who God is and what He thinks about them.–Jill Austin, Dancing With Destiny

Spring hadn’t quite kicked off in Melbourne by mid September the weather had regressed to cold and rain only a fortnight before my departure to Canada. It was still cold enough to sport a scarf as you can see by this picture of supportive parliamentarians wearing a scarf we designed in collaboration with Plan Australia for the Because I’m a Girl campaign.

After tormenting Fareeda Chand at Austrade in Toronto for two years with the prospect of an Otto and Spike marketing visit, finally during mid September we made the decision to present at the Mode Accessories Show. The consequences of our decision sunk in quickly – less than two weeks to complete a new cardboard display booth.

Before I could get ready to leave the residual winter weather played an important role in making our task more difficult.

First I smashed my ankle into the bitumen while riding my bike.  I was checking on a friend’s house while he was away in Canada and the roads were slippery from an unseasonal tropical downpour. My ankle blew up, went black – the weekend before I had to begin the task of building the booth. Then exactly a week later I endured a mental scarring when the Saints lost the Grand Final. It had taken a year to get used to the idea that they were winners  only to have it snatched away again.

The booth for Mode was special as it had the added requirement that all the pieces had to fit into 5 shipping cartons. We needed a design that would give us maximum wall coverage, floor area and be lightweight and strong.  After pages of sketches, mock ups and with time rapidly evaporating we had to move straight on to building the final construction. Fortunately it all worked and the pieces could be freighted out a week prior to the show.

Three units of the modular display system

The design is based on a modular system of interlocking units each is the dimensions of the inside measurements of a yarn carton, 620 mm X 450 mm.

Seven units make the base

Large display form

And this is how it came together in situ.

At the Mode Show

I always imagine when I travel to the Northern Hemisphere that the there will be a distinct change in the season. This time I had the impression of being in a continuous Autumn. It’s a really disorienting sensation that leaves you wondering what season you’re coming from and going to. My mate Joe Rogers (whose house I was checking on and who hails from Nova Scotia) assures me Canada has the same effect on him at this time of year. The other thing that took a little getting used to was the lack of little local cafés. It took me a while to find this great little French Pâtisserie as most places in Toronto are franchised – looking out their window at Trinity Bellwoods Park it’s hard to tell that it’s Autumn.

Trinity Bellwoods Park from Clafouti's window

On my way across town on day one I was reminded of our connection with Plan and the B.I.A.G. campaign when we pulled up alongside these posters.

Once I hit the ground I had two days to familiarize myself with the lay out of the city while I located the last bits and pieces needed to finish the booth.

Regal

The guys at Regal had everything I needed to complete the build on our stand. It is such a great store I wish I’d photographed the interior – wall to wall tools and gadgets -  just like a real hardware store should be. I visited a wide range of stores from the large department stores and international brand name stores to small consignment boutiques specialising in Canadian made craft. The window displays in the two ‘big’ stores were elaborate and fantastic.

Fishing at Holt Renfrew

Holt’s lavish, layered outdoors themed Autumn windows were approaching psychedelic.

Barbie at The Bay

Life sized

At The Bay the windows featured Barbie. Not the doll but Barbie clothes for real people – I’m not sure if it’s life imitating art maybe life imitating commerce.

There were a few reminders of home – Australian clothing brands stocked in stores around town. Nobody Jeans from our neighborhood in Fitzroy were available in some good stores like Lileo in the Distillery and Lavish and Squalor on Queen West.

Nobody in Lileo

Toronto has a layered public transit system, subway (TTC), ground level trains and buses (GoTransit) and street cars. It was hard not to think of Melbourne – riding the ‘rocket’ along King and Queens streets.

It’s great to see different approaches to issues  – I couldn’t help noticing this public health message.

Sleeve sneeze?

I quickly became aware of another form of transport closer to my heart – bikes. Everywhere I was noticing examples of a strong bike culture. When I photographed this eccentric bike trailer the guy who made it appeared from a doorway to make sure I wasn’t trying to steal his design concept. My interest was in the aesthetic properties of the trailer not the engineering which he assured me were exceptional as the arm attaching the trailer to the bike had a universal joint for fluid movement.

Copper pipe trailer

Like cities all over the world the fixed wheel bike phenomena is sweeping through Toronto – converted road bikes and track bikes kept popping up everywhere. The ones I have  photographed I liked for the intricacy of the paint work and the choice of colour combinations – Fixie 2 was an unusual combo of white fading into dark purple contrasted with bronze anodised head stem, handle bars and pedals. Number 1 used a dark grey frame with hot pink highlights on the head badge and on the top of the front forks and grips.

Fixie 1

Fixie 1.2

Fixie 2

Located on Queens Street West is Toronto’s Community Bicycle Network – it’s hard to miss all the yellow signs and bikes parked on the pavement. You can go there to rent a bike, fix or make one. There’s a lot of bike action on Queen West.

C.B.N. bike stand

Vintage Chopper

One of the highlights of the trip was singing I heard each morning outside my hotel room door.  At first I wasn’t sure who was serenading the new day until I discovered the housemaid Maxine’s mellifluous voice escaping from the open door of the next room. I asked if she sang anywhere else and she replied in a beautiful lilting Jamaican accent, “only in Church”. Maxine generously allowed me to take her photo as she was a bit concerned about a strange guy asking to take her picture.

Maxine

I’ve always been interested in Jamaica so finding a city that has a big Jamaican population and  culture with Mr Jerk restaurants to Ethiopian Coptic Churches was an added fascination for me. The signs below feature the ancient Amharic language of Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

In another part of the city I discovered Corrado’s Barber Shop on Bathurst Street. I love the painting on the front, it reminds me of Nigerian barber shop paintings. I was so captivated by the sign that I had to go in. I knew I needed a trim and the painting pushed to do something about it. Corrado emigrated from the Southern most part of the Italian mainland fifty-three years ago. He said he’d like to be there now, “somewhere that it’s summer nine months of the year.”

Corrado's

Corrado the man

Here he is surrounded by some very buxom women – company on the long afternoons napping in the chair between customers. He was such a character I didn’t notice handing over $20 for a number zero trim, despite the fact the he missed a section on the back of my head.

Streetscape Queen West

My favourite area in Toronto is West on Queens Street. There’s a strong culture that’s evident in the shops and businesses that resonate with visuals, design, and an eclectic style that reminded me of home. Jennifer Durand at Ziliotto told me that often people from Melbourne feel very at home on Queen West. It’s also where you’d find a Crumpler store in Toronto.

The store windows in this precinct presented a catholic array of objects displayed in unconventional ways.

One of my favourite windows on the strip is Chatelet. Their engaging combination of found objects and products are intriguing.

In Ziliotto the best-selling hat is a cloche – something we understand at Otto and Spike.

The next image completely baffled me when I first saw it. At a distance I couldn’t figure out what I was looking at – I had to get quite close before I could see that it was a wooden post completely covered with rusting steel staples used to hang posters.

Queen West has a number of art galleries.  An intricate and intimate collection of found objects in one and pop art simplicity in another.

Toronto is a great city and Otto and Spike will soon be there. To get this far we were lucky to get help from some new friends.

Fareeda Chand at Austrade, Peter G from N.A.F.E, Jason at Crumpler, Sean and Lisa at dconstruct, Orusia from Pushan, Jen from Jeelee, and Jo Balles (even though we didn’t get to meet).

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