Over the past term, the Kauri Team Year 5s have been preparing for their Market Day on Wednesday 9th December, during our lunch break from 12.45-1.40pm.

In Rooms 16, 17 and 19 we have been planning, creating and producing goods for our camp fundraising. We will be selling jewellery, hot ‘n’ cold food, cultural/Christmas cards, games and many other goods.

Please come along and support us in our fundraising for camp!

Our cultural cards will cost $4.00 each and our Christmas cards are $2.00 each.

Our cultural games are $5.00 each – translated in Mandarin (Chinese), Malayam (Southern India), Tongan, Samoan, Maaori and Malaysian. This game is an excellent family game, where you can learn maths and your language at the same time.

Another game we are selling in Room 17 is the Blow Soccer game. Created by our very own Sumayya M, a future business woman.

Please come along an support us on Wednesday 9th December from 12.45pm – 1.45pm.

Just applying the final touches to our goods for Market Day!

See you all there!

Market Day at Owairaka Primary School

When: Wednesday 9 December, 2009.

Time: 12.45-1.45pm

Where: In the Kauri Team area, if dry on the courts, if wet, on the hall stairs.

Why: To decrease the amount payable for camp in 2010.

Support us by buying Kauri made.

So, I didn’t manage to get around to post yesterday. Sorry. But I was recovering.

—

The big day.

It was with mild anticipation and a huge sense of dread that I set off towards the John Radcliffe hospital (JR) for my colonoscopy. Having had the procedure before (or proceege for those who have read Lie back and think of England), I knew what was coming. And what was coming was a nine foot camera right up the jaxie.

I didn’t go into the JR as my appointment was one of the specially selected few that had the privilege of taking place in the Mobile Unit.

Yes, that’s right: A whole colonoscopy unit that can be packed up and moved around the country on a truck. Now, from what I can ponder, there are two major advantages to this:

1. If they left it on the truck all the time, they could deliver patients home while they were having the proceege.
2. If they combined this with the local mobile library, we could see a huge reduction in bowel cancer in the over 60s. ‘Free colonoscopy while you wait’.

I have to admit, I was scared. I mean, look at it. It looks like a deluxe portaloo. I walked in and the first thing they get you to do is sign all the scary forms which essentially say:

There is a chance, when we take biopsies, that we will perforate your bowel. If this happens you will be rushed into surgery and you will be cut open.

Nothing to worry about there then.

I was then changed into a lovely hospital gown. I believe this was from the Arse hanging out season of 2009; I believe it debuted in Paris as modeled by that scary bulimic girl whose eyes are too far apart.

And then I waited. And waited.

And waited.

Eventually, I was taken through and laid down on the table. One of those little tap things was put into my hand and I was asked to roll over and present my rear-end.

I did get some good drugs, which was a bonus:

• 20mg Buscopan
• 3mg Midazolam
• 25mg Pethidine

This cocktail essentially gets you happy, makes you not care about the nine foot snake and makes you forget most things.

But as I was starting to enjoy the high, it began. And, oh boy did it hurt. Actually, no, it didn’t. Not really.

It was uncomfortable; of course it was. But it wasn’t really painful. By the time I had started to get interested in what they were doing it was all over. I am sure this was helped by the lovely nurse who talked to me constantly, keeping my mind off it.

But all in all, the worst part was the prep. In all honestly, as I must have these every year, if I had the choice, I would be booking that team up in advance.

So, now it is just the recovery. For the rest of that day I had amazing gut pain. This is due to the gas they pump into your bum to allow them to maneuver around the bends. These pains followed me though into today but they do get much better with every fart.

So the plan is to head into work tomorrow afternoon. My body still wants to sleep a lot, I guess that is normal after a fairly invasive proceege.

Oh, and for those of you interested: They didn’t see any obvious signs of cancer, which is good. They have taken some biopsies to take a closer look, but initial thoughts are positive.

I shall let you all know the results of the biopsies when I get them.

One of the new emerging sustainable initiatives is Green Healthcare. Leading healthcare organizations the world over are striving to create environments more conducive to healing, while also trying to eliminate barriers to patient safety and environment risks. While on one front these organizations want to be good stewards of the environment, on the other they are also striving to survive in the marketplace in these recessionary times.

Green Buildings form the basis of Green Healthcare

The first thought that comes to the mind when one says Green Healthcare is Green Buildings for hospitals i.e. buildings that are designed to be energy efficient while also eliminating pollutants. Green Guide for Healthcare, developed by green healthcare industry leaders, provides for Best Practices for creating high performance healing environments for healthcare organizations. This initiative provides a rating system based on credits for each initiative and helps hospitals benchmark themselves in this regard. Intuitive tools such as Energy Dashboard and Patient Room Touch Panels help in tracking and controlling the energy usage.

Equipment Efficiency

The next most important aspect of Green Healthcare is equipment efficiency. With more and more diagnostic imaging equipments and post-processing devices now available to a healthcare organization, it has become pertinent that the equipments are energy efficient. More and more organizations are looking for the availability of Energy Star qualified products for medical equipment purchases. Various innovations are ensuring that medical devices are most energy efficient, for e.g. Siemens SOMATOM Definition CT scanner claims energy savings of up to 30% and lead reduction of up to 83% over other products.

Fig 1: Siemens SOMATOM Definition CT Scanner

Electronic Storage

Another significant development has been the creation of central electronic storage repositories. The continued use of PACS systems and the move towards networked hospitals means a huge reduction in the requirement to film the patient images. It also eliminates the need to purchase envelopes to store them and the expense to courier those to remotely located PACS stations.

Recycling of Medical Waste & Equipments

One of the key concerns with the healthcare industry has been the toxic nature of the medical waste and the effect of the same on the environment. More and more healthcare organizations are rolling out initiatives to recycle the waste. Some hospitals reported savings of $1 million or more by recycling paper, cardboard, metal, batteries, lamps and printer toner cartridges.

Suppliers these days are also offering more programs for the take-back and recycling of used products. Siemens Medical Solutions offers take-back of its used systems for recycling and proper treatment. No substances that are banned for use are included. The take-back program is part of Siemens’ product sustainability program, entitled product-related environmental protection (PREP).

The PREP process is used to improve environmental performance of its products across all product life cycle phases. The PREP process includes:

• Inventorying the environmental aspects of products and packaging
• Selecting environmental improvement targets for significant product revisions and new products across all product life cycle phases
• Refurbishing of used systems
• Offering take-back of used systems
• Providing product environmental data.

Conclusion

Green Hospitals is a trend that is taking hold in hospitals across the world.       It is counter-intuitive for hospitals to offer anything other than the most healthful environments. This provides the solution providers in the field of healthcare with a wonderful opportunity to participate in this drive to provide the Green Healthcare solutions of tomorrow.

References

http://www.rt-image.com/Green_Purchasing_Trends_in_Imaging_Recycling_education_and_more/content=9804J05E48B6A69440969872448090441

http://www.alternativehealthjournal.com/article/healthcare_s_green_initiative_the_healthy_hospital_movement/3744

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/articles-health/8044

http://www.gghc.org/

http://www.buildingtechnologies.siemens.com/bt/us/SiteCollectionDocuments/sbt_internet_us/solutions-services/industry/Steps_Toward_Sustainability.pdf

On Thursday 26^th November, our annual Musical Evening took place in the School Hall. This year, thirteen instrumentalists, supported by Cathryn Neuhauser (their tutor), were presented with the opportunity to perform in front of their parents, family and friends on the piano, violin or flute. 

The children never fail to impress us and the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thank you to Sarah Richards, in particular, for organising a wonderful selection of refreshments and to everyone who supported our talented children on the night.

Well done to:

Sabrina, Year 4 - Piano

Isobelle, Year 5 - Piano

Lauren, Year 3 - Piano

Ellie, Year 3 - Piano

Anwen, Year 4 - Violin

Rebecca, Year 4 - Piano

Rhys, Year 3 - Violin

Kirsty, Year 6 - Flute

Charlie, Year 3 - Piano

Rosemary, Year 3 - Piano

Alexandra, Year 5 - Violin

Ella, Year 6 - Piano

Flora, Year 5 - Piano

So, I had my last meal this morning. Guess what it was. No, go on, guess.

Yep, it was a toasted cheese sandwich.

Since then I have been in work desperately trying to fit the rest of the week’s work into the morning.

I had planned to leave at about 1pm, but that didn’t happen. I eventually left at 2pm.

This has put me behind on my prep for the colonoscopy. At 2 I was meant to have taken my senna tablets. So, it looks like I am on a hour delay.

The senna tablets taste horrible and get stuck in the mouth, forcing you to taste every last one of them. Ten of them I have to take. Ten!

And they come with the strangest warning I have ever seen on any medication:

This medicine may colour the urine red.

1. ‘The urine’? What does that mean? My urine? Any urine? The urine that I keep in a jar, just in case?
2. Red? Red pee? How cool is that. I mean, if they could find out what it is that does only that and bottle it, think of all the people who would buy it.

So, this is it. The beginning of the Afternoon of Poo. Stay tuned.

So, it’s t-minus 2 days until my colonoscopy which means it is time to start the prep.

As of this morning, I have only be able to eat low fibre food.

The handy little booklet the John Radcliffe hospital gave me says:

Eat a low fibre diet, consisting of white fish, chicken white bread, eggs, cheese, or potato without skins. High fibre foods such as red meat, fruit, vegetables, cereals, nuts, salad, wholemeal foods must be avoided.

Have plenty of fluids to drink.

So, today I have eaten a toasted cheese baguette for breakfast…

and…

A toasted cheese baguette for lunch.

For tea, I think I will be rocking the boat and having some tomato soup.

Now you may be asking how I can have tomato soup when I have been told to avoid vegetables (and fruit, as that is what a tomato really is), but, ha, I say.  As this is a soup with no bits it must be okay… mustn’t it?

Tune in tomorrow for my last meal for a day and a half… oh, and the start of the bowel prep.

Diesmal ein etwas bunterer, vielleicht nicht sonderlich alltagstauglicher Look.
Alle Farben sind aus der 96er Zoeva Palette. Im innenwinkel Gelb, mittig Orange und Rot, außen sowie in der Banane Pink. Jeweils die knalligsten Farbstöne.
Als Basis verwende ich MAC Prep&Prime und als Lidstrich den Geleyeliner von MAC.

Hello-Hello and Happy Monday!

Did everyone enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving? We hope so, we are grateful to have enjoyed ours with TQM, it was loads of fun finished off by a fierce Scrabble tournament.  In the interest of full disclosure, we must report that The Queen took the trophy, despite our snappy 7-letter word.

We bow before the prowess of our opponent.

The real Thanksgiving tragedy involved the creation of a very simple side dish, something we have successfully made ever-so-many times here at The Prepatorium.  Usually it looks very much like this:

All we can say is that this was not a good year for the molded cranberry salad, the crop was disappointing. (Ahem.)

Here is the evidence of our little mishap to demonstrate we are not  exaggerating things.

Readers may have noted the lack of any shape or form. Any evidence this gelatinous mass sat in a mold of any kind. For. Hours.

It wasn’t even possible to contain the slithering mess to a flat surface, let alone its original serving plate.  The concoction was so liquified it resembled the creature in “The Blob,”, oozing off everything before hardening into a substance that becomes almost impossible to remove from a counter or floor unless one brings in power tools .

Fortunately the evening was spent with a forgiving group who cared only about the companionship and spirit of the day. We added our gratitude for that to the lengthy list of things we appreciated on the holiday, and all year long.

Our only other item is a reminder about today’s One-Day sale, offering 20% off everything at the Princess.  So if seeking gifts for your Tiny Prep…

Or looking at Lilly for a little holiday fun….

PreppyPrincess.com

Perhaps thinking about gifts with a nautical influence …

PreppyPrincess.com

Or simply seeking products in a classic preppy pattern like madras.

PreppyPrincess.com

Odds are you can find it at the Preppy Princess! Today’s 20% off special pricing ends at midnight, be sure to use promo code PGM at checkout to receive your discount.

Thanks so much for indulging our commercial message today, you know we try ever-so-hard to strike an appropriate balance here on the Planet.  We’ll be back tomorrow with our more standard post, including pictures from some of the activity at this weekend’s Bal Crillon (Le Bal Des Debutantes) in Paris.

Until then, smiles all around!

If you’ve ever tried to buy prep or mixing bowls, you know that they don’t come cheap! I have searched far and wide to find the cheapest bowls while still having some sort of dignity (visually). This Margrethe Prep Bowls come in a set of four and are $20, found at MoMa Store.

I want to talk about a new and exciting product from Sydney James Organic Chemist. It’s called Prep. A pre-shampoo product that has significant benefits for the hair and scalp. Used as a treatment product or as a daily product.

Prep AHA pre shampoo and scalp treatment is formulated with Malic acid ( an Alpha Hydroxy Acid from Organic apple cider) to gently exfoliate, while Safflower oil protects the scalp while pre shampooing. Also infused with Nettle to help reduce excess oils, it also acts as a stimulant to help improve scalp and hair overall health. Prep also contains Organic Monoi oil which has incredible moisturizing properties. Monoi oil is created from soaking Tahitian gardenias in a semi wax coconut oil. This wonder product also contains the benefits from ingredients such as Sage, Rosemary and Basil.

This amazing product can be used as a gentle cleanser for those who suffer from scalp irritations or very dry scalp and hair. Instead of using a shampoo which can be rather drying to mature hair and scalp, use prep daily to alleviate minor irritations.  This product can also be used as a treatment product for normal, dry and oily hair types. Used before a daily shampoo can help soothe the hair and scalp while acting as a gentle exfoliate.

To learn more about Prep and all of the Sydney James Organic Chemist products, contact us:

www.sydneyjameschemist.com

Direct:1.250.590.7999

info@sydneyjameschemist.com

We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Sydney James Organic Chemist Team

I posted a thread in one of the FetLife groups asking for recommendations on an aftercare kit: items people have found useful, if not essential, for taking care of your sub after most scenes. Granted, everyone is different and the actual scene must be taken into account, but it’s always helpful (in my opinion) to have a good core kit and add to it what may be needed depending on circumstances.

What I’ll be adding to my Aftercare Kit (once payday rolls around and I take care of bills):

Blanket

Pillow

First Aid Kit

Bottled water

Crystal Light/Powerade/basic electrolyte powdered drink mix

Hard candies

Antiseptic

Towel

Kleenex

Tylenol

Antiseptic

Ointment for chafe marks, rope burns, etc.

Camera

Time to make sure she’s still OK.

I’ll probably add to this as time goes on, but this seems like a good place to start. By the time I’m done, my aftercare kit is going to be as big (if not bigger) than my toy bag.

On Wednesday 18^th November, Foundation 1 and 2 visited the Post Office in Somersham. 

Earlier in the week, we had written individual postcards to Mr Peace. The children worked out what size of stamp their letter required and purchased the correct stamp over the counter. We met a postman and found out how our letters will get to Mr Peace. We watched him unlock the post box, collect our postcards and take them away in his van. We also met a postlady who was returning undelivered parcels and worked out what will happen to them. 

We have made our own post office in the classroom and are enjoying reliving all the things we saw on our visit.Thank you to all the parents who accompanied us and helped to make our visit a success.

Un et deux et trois …. You could hear the children of Year 3 practising their assembly and getting ready for their performance to parents on Wednesday 11^th November.  Leaving their classroom behind they headed to the school hall to show off to parents what they have been learning over the past few weeks. 

With loud, clear voices they told us all about their recent work in English lessons – nouns, prepositions and non-chronological reports – followed by Science. With pride, they showed off the work they had completed on Materials and Properties (last half-term’s topic) and the work that they have started on Food and Eating.  

Next, they sang two songs in French followed by a journey into the world of the Ancient Egyptians.  The children had recently visited the Fitzwilliam Museum and were now keen to put their knowledge into practice.  Daniel made a fine pharaoh and beautifully led his classmates as they took on various roles. 

A lot of hard work was put in by the children and they should be tremendously proud of their efforts.

We were very lucky at Gardening Club this week…Mrs Johnson brought in Snuffles the hedgehog! We found out all about Snuffles, how she was rescued and the food that she likes to eat. Snuffles was quite shy and she curled up into a ball when Mrs Johnson picked her up! 

We also met Sasha the rabbit! She loved exploring the classroom and we all had a turn stroking her.

On Wednesday 4^th November 2009, Mrs Peace and Mrs Burrow led an assembly about the Christmas shoebox appeal. We spoke to the children about why we take part each year, where the boxes go and what to put in the boxes. The children asked lots of questions about the children that they would be helping. We asked the children to cover the boxes in festive paper, then decide whether they were going to provide gifts for a boy or girl. 

The children managed to collect 62 boxes…a fantastic total! Thank you to all the children and parents for making such a difference to the lives of less fortunate children.

We started the day with all of the children and staff participating in a non-school uniform event. Everyone gave a donation of £1. 

Each class took it in turns to visit our huge drawing of Pudsey Bear and cover him with the pennies that we had brought in from home. By the time we had finished, we couldn’t see him! 

We are really happy that we were able to raise so much money…a grand total of £202. Well done everyone who took part!

Here’s a few tips and tricks I’ve either come across, or used myself in preparing for Thanksgiving.  Hopefully there’s something in here for first-timers and veterans alike!

1. Do as much as you can ahead of time.

I know this seems like a no-brainer, but there are some things you may not have considered.  Aside from your regulars (dessert, cranberry sauce, etc) try chopping potatoes the night before, and placing them in the pot you plan to boil them in.  Cover the potatoes with water, adding a little bit of salt, then cover the pot, and put it in the fridge.  The salted water will keep the potatoes from oxidizing (turning brown), and you can save yourself about 10-30 minutes of potato prep on Turkey Day.  You can also cook most of the stuffing ingredients the night before (celery, onion, sausage, etc).  Once they’re cooked, put them in the fridge.  Let them warm up to room temperature the next morning, and go on combining them with the bread cubes, chicken stock and other ingredients that would otherwise get mushy sitting overnight.

2. Plan, plan, plan.

Plot out what can be made ahead of time, what needs to go in the oven and what can be cooked on the stove, how long each item takes to cook, as well as what (if anything) can be baked in the same oven as the turkey.  Or, if you live in a temperate area, think about grilling your turkey instead.  Not only is this a hot culinary trend, grilling it will free up your oven all together; just remember to have your meat department either butterfly it, or segment it for you.  If grilling your turkey, check out the link for more info and recipe ideas: http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=grilled+turkey&fnSearchType=site Only cooking a turkey breast this year?  Think about using your toaster oven.  And don’t be shy about asking people to bring things.  If you know you won’t be able to bake fresh rolls, see if someone else can make them, or pick them up on the way over to your house.  Not enough room in your fridge to keep that salad cold?  Have someone else bring it along or, if it’s cold outside, cover and set out on your porch.  The less stress for you, the better!

3. Don’t forget some of the most under-utilized Thanksgiving cooking tools: the microwave and slow cooker.

A couple of companies now make steamer bags, perfect for microwave steaming veggies.  Dice up a vegetable medley and throw in some herbs instead of the usual oven roasting.  I’ve even tossed potatoes in there to soften, then mashed them up with milk and garlic paste afterwards.  My microwave mashed potatoes were done in 10 minutes; much quicker than if I’d had to wait for them to boil.  Also, candied yams can be done in the slow cooker.  Here’s a link to a recipe from RecipeSource.com: http://www.recipesource.com/fgv/vegetables/yams/00/rec0004.html You can transfer the yams to another baking dish, then pop them in the oven while the turkey is resting. You’ll get that nice, browned marshmallow topping and no one will know the difference.  Plus, clean up is a snap when you use a slow cooker liner.

4. Make other people do your dishes.

You’ve served the meal, and everyone is fat and happy.  When the inevitable offer arises to help with the dishes, say yes.  After all, you’ve been cooking for two days at this point.  You deserve to undo that top button, sit back, relax, and let someone else do the dirty work.

Enjoy!!!

Hello-Hello and greetings from a rather frenzied Prepatorium!

We jump right in today with a look at some of the young ladies making their debut this weekend at the Bal Crillon in Paris, always a fascinating event filled with pretty people and stunning party frocks. (Previous participants include Lauren Bush, Scout Willis, Victoria and Vanessa Traina, and Lily Collins.)

This year’s group includes Francesca Eastwood, daughter of Clint Eastwood, seen on the right in the photo below; younger sister Morgan is on the left.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Also entering society, Lady Kitty Spencer, seen below on the cover of Tatler, (she was named the magazine’s ‘Girl of the Year’).  The young Lady is the daughter of Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother.

Seen in a more casual photo, this debutante will be wearing British couturier Bruce Oldfield, a favorite designer of Princess Diana’s.

Frederic Nebinger/ABACAPRESS.COM

Also making her official entry into society, Autumn Whitaker, daughter of Forest Whitaker and actress/model Keisha Whitaker.

Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

Today’s story in WWD about the Bal notes that Miss Whitaker will be wearing Jason Wu and shares a bit more on her escort:

“Friend William Bellingham, who can trace his ancestry back to Sir Anthony of Bellingham, 8th Baronet of Castlebellingham.”

A young lady who happens to be a delightful blogger is also part of this year’s class, Jane Aldridge.

Frederic Nebinger/ABACAPRESS.COM

Miss Aldridge writes the Sea of Shoes blog and has also designed two capsule shoe collections for Urban Outfitters. We are guessing the teen is probably more concerned about her hair than she is about shoes at this time; here is part of Saturday’s post from her blog:

Courtesy Sea of Shoes

Miss Aldridge will be wearing Chanel Haute Couture.  We can only hope the poor child’s hair turns out as she hopes.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The holiday season increases the amount of merchandise described as ‘preppy’, with most merchandise labeled this way resembling nothing most readers would own, but it is that time of year.  We were pleasantly surprised when perusing the Prepster gift guide at PlazaToo suggesting this Shearwater Boot from Sperry.

On the flip side of the coin, a new boot debuting this Friday, created jointly by Ralph Lauren and Ronnie Fieg.

The new Ranger “Cookie” boot will only be available at hip shoe emporium David Z and its online site.  Clearly not for us, but the David Z site does have some fabulous markdowns on footwear for those in the mood for a little harmless shoe surfing. (Ahem.)

We move to another Ralph Lauren-related item, one of today’s updates to our Black Friday listings.  The Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Outlet Stores offer a 20% discount on purchases of $150+ after midnight Thanksgiving night/Friday morning.

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

We enjoyed the helpful suggestions included with a portion of the copy detailing this year’s Midnight Madness event, tips on how a “well-planned excursion creates a more enjoyable environment” and remembering the “generous spirit of the season”.

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

Ah, an effort at bringing civility to a rather uncivil occasion, laudable on PLR’s part.

We also have an update on Lacoste; this retailer is not waiting until after Thanksgiving to start its sale.

Lacoste is offering 30% off all merchandise as of now; use promo code THANKS09 at checkout to receive the discount.

Eddie Bauer is promoting its Thanksgiving Weekend sale; like Lacoste’s promotion, the Bauer sale is also in progress.  Yesterday’s post offers more Preppish Sales and Savings information.

Finally, we close with a look at our “9 Under $10“.

This was actually supposed to be “10 Gifts Under $10,” but someone here at the Prepatorium is clearly incapable of performing the most rudimentary math functions. (That would be yours truly, most assuredly not The Consort.)

At any rate, our idea was to make a quick and easy list of preptastic gift ideas for Christmas, Hanukkah, whatnot, all of them under $10. Friends who visit us on Polyvore may have already seen this little effort, but we want to blanket the Planet (heh-heh) as part of our ongoing efforts to Protect Your Pocketbook. The Seaside-themed Notecards, Custom Key Fobs, Magnet Packs and everything else you see is fiscally friendly, $10 or less.

With that shameless self-promotion, we say G’Bye until next time, may everyone enjoy a perfectly splendid evening!

It was absolutely disgusting!! The crackers I made were okay in a funky kind of no taste way but the loaf with the dates did NOT work out.