The Squishable Baby

The Squishable Baby

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Wool and Bamboo Squishiness

Since becoming a cloth diapering mommy - about 4 years ago - I have really come to know the many benefits of wool and bamboo.  I love them so much, I could just swaddle myself in it!

Not only is it sustainable and 100% natural - they are both antibacterial and anti fungal.  If I leave my cotton diapies in the pail too long, they will begin to mold.  Not the case with my 100% bamboo diapers.  Plus they are so easy to take care of.

Bamboo is much more absorbent than cotton, so less layers are needed to get higher absorbency.  So, that makes for what?  Trimmer diapies!  Yes, you still get a cute little fluffy butt - but not as big as a fluffy butt!

Wool, is absolutely amazing.  So easy to take care of, and with lanolin, makes any diaper bullet proof.

Cloth diapering aside, wool and bamboo make excellent choices for pants, shirts, long under ware, blankets and the like.  The high absorbency properties and breathability makes the person wearing it cool in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter.  They are durable and can stand up to the most active rough and tumble play!

It's awesome!  Really.

Check out these hand dyed pants I made from bamboo and wool! 






The Merino wool pants are on the left (natural with a special green trim).  The bamboo and wool pants are on the right (bamboo with a Merino wool upper).

These pants were made from the Apple Dumpling Gear pattern.

L
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Happiness is - Week 4

Happiness is....


Being able to do the things I love.

Only with thanks to my Mother, having the ability to build a business.

The Visiting Teaching Program.  Having a visit from Relief Society Sister over a cup of hot chocolate, to deliver a divine message, and to just talk about how we are doing.  We talk about the things that are wrong and right in our lives.  Knowing that (in this world) somebody genuinely cares about me and how I am doing.

 Being able to snuggle with my super squishes in bed.

Getting up  when it's dark (without an alarm) and not having to get ready and rush off to a 9-5 job.  Instead, being able to sit in a nice and quiet house - and ponder the things which make me happy.

Tell us what makes you happy.  What is happiness for you?  Visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting and leave a link at the bottom to a blog post, Instagram photo, Twitter or Facebook Update.  Make sure to follow along using #happiness on Twitter and Instagram.  Don't forget to visit often, click on a couple and like, retweet and share the love and happiness with others. 
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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Showing Appreciation

The Site of Armageddon after clean up!

 I was awakened by my 8 year old at 2 AM this morning.  He said he had thrown up and was running around (like a chicken with his head cut off) complaining that his mouth was burning.

     <Still not sure what that was, but if you have any insight, please let me know>

Anyway, I calmed him down and laid him on the couch.  I couldn't do any "hazard waste" clean up cause he kept throwing up - and I had to attend bucket duty.  After the stomach pains started, I decided to wake my husband, so he could tend to the bucket while I cleaned up the bedroom floor, mopped, put all the sheets in the washer, call the doctor, etc.

Plus, I was a nervous wreck and needed some support (which I didn't really get).  My husband just kind of sat there in a daze.  I get so nervous when my kids are sick. 

UGH.

So things have calmed down - for the moment anyway - so I decided to sit down and do the blog "enjoying" - which I didn't get a chance to do yesterday.  I wanted to get some sewing done- so I had to choose.

I realized that being up (in the middle of the night) is one of Heavenly Father's blessings.  I read Gilly Cannon's Blog Post and it had a major impact on me.  I am sure that because of the situation (the sick kiddo) that I was really able to digest this post.

You know, with the baby, I don't think I hug the two bigger kids enough.  I just need to hold them closer more, you know?  Not necessarily when they are sick, but all the time.  With the daily grind, running from one place to another or doing school, or whatever - things get lost.  I always have to feed the baby, or hold the baby, or otherwise tend to the baby.  I need to make a conscience effort to make more time for the other two. 

It's important.

I need to be a better mother.  Can you tell me how to do that when I need 30 hours in a day?  And how do you do that on very little sleep?  I'm not asking - I'm begging.  Please do tell me, because I desperately want to know. 

L


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Monday, January 28, 2013

January 28th Blog Shoutout Day!


Being a new blogger, I have read many many blogs and many many tweets looking for articles/recipes/crafts that support the "coming together" of families.  These are articles that advocate bringing your children closer together/spending more time with them - or recipes that are easy enough that you could cook together - even with younger children.

You'll hear me say this over and over again - but a healthy happy family life is central to everything.  If your family is sick - all aspects of your life will not work - whether it be work or play.  If you are having problems with your spouse, don't you think it will affect your work?  Of course it will.

So, here are some excellent articles for Mom and Dad and, crafts and recipes for even the smallest of little hands!

Articles
Here is an excellent article from Hip Homeschool Moms eliminating the myth "I don't have the patience to homeschool".  It speaks to the way we view children in our society.  Loving this article.  It's worth reading - even if you don't homeschool.

Recipes
Jungle Trail Mix from Living in the (mom)ent 

Nutella Donuts from Crazy Adventures in Parenting   

Crafts
 The Do-It-Yourself Inspiration board by There's Magic Out There

Tell me what you think of these.  Do you like them?   Please tell me, cause I do want to know!

L

Thank you Crazy Adventures in Parenting for the Good looking picture!  YUM!


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Sunday, January 27, 2013

Pinewood Derby - a Happy Ending

Yesterday, my little Wolf


had his Pinewood Derby race.  (Like the pink Wii remote?  That right there tells a lot about him!)

He worked on his car with his Dad.





His is the one with the nickles on it.  Dad figured out the attachment with the Velcro that we got at CVS on our way to the race.

People are really crazy about the Pinewood Derby.  Really crazy.


Fancy, eh?

Before the race, I had the "talk" with Hadyn.  I tried to explain that it's not winning that is important - but the process.  He spent a lot of time with Dad making and painting the car.  Both had a lot of fun with it.  That's what's important.

So, when it was our time to race, all the other cars made it down the track, Dad got very nervous.  He wanted our car to do well.  Well, our car stopped dead in the middle and looked like jumped the track.  All the other cars made it to the end - in record pace, of course. Needless to say, Hadyn came up to me with sad eyes.

       <Here we go>  UGH.

So, they raced the cars again changing tracks, and our car still stopped in the middle and jumped the track.

Haha!  I thought it was funny.  Dad was sad.  Hadyn had sad eyes.  Everybody was trying to comfort Hadyn.

So funny.

So, they ran his car a few times by itself to see what was wrong - which was really nice of them to do.  One Dad thought it might be the wheels, so we had a pit stop during the race to see if we could work on the wheels.

Once they worked on the wheels, we ran the last race.  The person who started the race gave our car an extra little push...and we came in second!  Dad with yelling, Hadyn was yelling and cheering!  Everybody was cheering for our car.  Everybody was happy.

I just took in the moment, looked around and smiled.

Hadyn got a blue ribbon for the most improved car!



A happy ending to a very poor beginning!

Initially, I was extremely hesitant about participating in this race.  So much competition.  I believe in cooperation not competition.  In reality, you can't get anywhere in this world alone.  But, it was cooperation which got our car down the track - the best lesson of all!

See, there was really no need to worry.  Although, next time, I need to make sure I have the "talk" with Dad.

What do you think about competition?  Should I have been worried about the race?  Would you have been?  Please comment and tell me - because I really want to know!

L


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Saturday, January 26, 2013

Roger Federer


He is handsome, isn't he?

Oh...la...la!!!!!!!!!!!

This blog is going to be everything positive about family.  Strengthening the family unit is what is important to me.  In my opinion, it is whats going to save this world.

So, what does a handsome tennis player have to do with family - you might ask.

Glad you asked!  I am going to tell you!

Roger is 31 years old, and number 2 in the world.  He's on the top of Men's professional tennis - and undoubtedly the best to ever play the sport. He is a great ambassador to the sport and for the world at large.

How do you think he's able to achieve that?

      <Inquiring minds want to know>.

Inherent talent?  Yeah, that probably has something to do with it.  I can't imagine he would be anywhere in tennis without some degree of talent.

Who do you think is sitting in the front of his players box year after year, country upon country - cheering him on?  His wife and his children.  9 times out of 10, Mirka is there cheering for him.  She has been ever present in every stage of his career - the wins - the losses - the everything.  His Mom and Dad are also always there.  If not both, one is always representing.  He has the undeniable support of his family.

And at 31 years old, he is still winning grand slam titles.

Interesting how that works, isn't it?


Where ever they go, Roger ensures that his family is comfortable - by renting nice houses and such.  Yeah, no doubt he has the money - no denying that!  But, he puts forth the effort.  It's not easy traveling with kids, even with nannies.  So, it's a two way street - as relationships should be.

How can anybody be successful without the love and support of the people who are closest to them?


So, tell me, how your family supports you in what you want to do.  Please do tell, because I want to know!

L
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Friday, January 25, 2013

Planning and Designed Obsessed

My wedding biz is called Elegant Event Planning and Design - and there is a reason - that has just been made clear to me.

I'm planning and design obsessed. 

Totally!

I so love embarking into unknown territory.  This blogging thing has become all brain encompassing.  Truly.

Can I tell you how excited I am about the design?  I was thinking about posting it, but nah.  I want it to be a surprise!  YAY!  When the designer sent me a few concepts - it was a EUREKA moment!  It's just want I was thinking - with a few slight tweaks! 

So now the the designing part is well on it's way, the planning part comes into play.  So I got this...


Editorial Calender from Amazon.com.

So, I am going to spend the weekend and next week planning out my posts.

With sewing and planning - I'm not going to have much time left!  But this is exciting!  I have never been afraid of starting new things.  I have always embraced the road less traveled - in exchange for a better life down the path.

How about you?  What new adventures are you excited about?  What unknown roads have your traveled or want to travel? Please do tell, because I want to know!

L
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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! Or Not

Good morning friends!  What a beautiful day!

I laid in the bed thinking that we had homeschool co-op classes for Hadyn today.  Oh joy!  Ava, Grayson and I get to sit in the car - in the freezing cold - for 4 hours while Hadyn attends band and classes.

So, I got up, looked out and saw this

I just adore snow, but there is not much of it.  Didn't really think anything of it.  It's just 2 cm of snow - literally.

I fired up the ipod - and found out that the public schools have been delayed and the homeschool co-op classes were cancelled!  Hooray!  YES!  Woo-Hoo!

Oh.

Bummer!  Hadyn will be so disappointed that we have a full day of regular school today!  Math...phonics...cursive...oh my!

I find it amazing how little it takes to delay the school system.  Must be icy out there or something.  I don't know, I am staying here, in my warm house.

So, I settled down with another cup of rich hot chocolate

at my chaotic table and tended to the Shrimp Chowder - that I got found in the Jess and More part of the blogosphere -  in one of my daily blog reading sessions a few days ago.


I haven't yet put the shrimp in - but it tastes AWESOME!  Thanks Jess!

And I write - and I read!

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

I am So Happy to be up at 3 AM

The baby kicked me in the head at 3 this morning.  He was hungry.  I was so thankful he did that.  There are so many wonderful things you can see and do at 3 in the morning that you cannot see and do during the day.

So, for me - this week - Happiness is waking up at 3 AM, so that I have the opportunity to...

Look out of the back deck and see a beautiful orange Moon


 Watch Federer play Tsonga


Have a quiet cup of hot chocolate

 Being okay with the utter chaos


Read awesome blogs from some amazing women and learning what happiness means for them



 Watching my healthy kids sleep peacefully

Being loved and sharing love

Being able to exclusively breastfeed - and bond in one of the most intimate ways possible.

 Seeing yet another beautiful sunrise!

                                                            

Take some time to tell us what happiness means to you.  Lisa at Crazy Adventures in Parenting has started a weekly series called "Happiness Is_____" Take some time to tell us what happiness means to you. Every Wednesday she will be having a link up for others to share what Happiness is to them. So go check that out and link up! You can also follow others along with the hashtag #HappinessIs on twitter and Instagram. Hope to see you there spreading the happiness! 

Orange moom courtesy of home.hiwaay.net


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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The Things that Get My Goat

The Guide to getting on Lisa's Last Nerve!

I pride myself as being a very easy going - generally agreeable person.  Just like anybody, there are some things that get me all my ties tied up in knots.  You know, like fingernails running along a blackboard?

Here is a small list of some of my "things"

Chapter 1 - Family Life

1.  Whining - Self explanatory.   I just can't stand the constant whining - especially at the end of the day - after spending 15 straight hours with the kids.  UGH.

This is my new badge.

PERFECT!


2.  The blame game.  It goes something like this

      Son - Mom, where is my Nintendo?
      Mom - I don't know Son.  Where did you put it?
     Son - I don't know <pause>, can you help me find it?
     Mom - You need to find a place to put it so that you know exactly where it is.
    Son - Well, my sister took it and hid it from me.
    Mom - Son, you need to accept responsibility for your things.

Can I tell you how much I hate that?  Over and over again.  The same conversation.

3.  The repetitive.

     Mom...Mom...Mom....Mom...Mom.

Chapter 2 - Business

1.  Wanting payment in advance.  Ummmm, that's not happening - period.  My questions...what if I don't like what you do?  What if I can't stand you?  What if I don't like your ideas?  What if you don't complete the project?

I will pay a deposit to start the work, and then the rest will be upon finishing. 

Just looking at blog designers, I am absolutely flabbergasted on how many say they require payment up front - and people actually do it.  Doh! 

2.  Not sticking to a schedule.  I have things to do, as does everybody.  If we have a schedule in place - especially one that you set and I agreed to - then I expect that you are going to stick to it. I understand that things happen, but just don't ignore me.  Talk to me...I am very agreeable (see above).  

If you say you are going to be here by a certain time, I expect that you will be here - plain and simple. Even though I try, it's really hard for me to respect a person who has total disregard for my time.

If you are constantly late with deadlines, my patience runs thin - agreeable pounds the pavement, and so do you.

Chapter 3 - Worldly Matters

Big one for me.  Stereotypes

Neighbor, friend, acquaintance, stranger - Wow, that's a big strapping boy you have.  He can play basketball or football and pay for your retirement.

Mom - <as nicely as possible with a smile on her face> My boy uses his head for more than putting a helmet on it.  Even though it sounds really nice, it's not his responsibility to fund my retirement.

I absolutely refuse to allow my sons to play football or basketball.  This is one of my "things" and I feel very strongly about it.  My kids will go to good colleges, be well educated, be experts in the written and spoken word.  They will absolutely not play basketball, and only over my dead body, will they ever play football.

They can do - anything - anything else.  Tennis, soccer, golf, croquet - all okay.  Football and basketball are no-go's.  Wrestling and hockey would give their old Mom a heart attack.

What are the things that get your goat?   Please do tell me, cause I wanna know.  Maybe we have some things in common.

L

   
 

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Monday, January 21, 2013

Oh So Squishable Green

One thing I do not like about living in the DC area, is that everybody is in such a hurry.  It's like - really?

Nobody has any time anymore.  When I am at a red light, people are beeping at me if the light has been green more than a nano-second.  It's like, yes, it takes about that much time for the signal to go from my eyes to my brain back to my foot to push on the pedal.  Sheesh.

It has gotten so bad, that nobody has any time to stop for a red light.  Just two days ago, some dude ran through a light - that had been red for well over a minute.  He was driving - and kept on driving.

Scary.

It's no wonder this country has a high heart attack rate.  Nobody can slow down.

I fell into the trap just this morning.  I was dyeing some wool (which I normally do on Saturday, but had no time).  My husband had to wash his clothes.  So, instead of waiting the entire day (which I should have done) I decided to throw everything in the wash all together.  It will be fine, I thought.

Famous last words.

In the middle of the load, I saw it.

Oh boy, I got an "OH SO SQUISHABLE" green!

          def OH SO SQUISHABLE -  (adjective) A color different than anticipated.  
         Unbeknownst to Lisa.  A color that cannot be replicated.   
         Unknown how was produced.  A color so unique, it's beyond words
         syn:  Unique, special, and breathtaking   
        Antonym: Normal, regular, Anything recognizable

Well, the OH SO SQUISHABLE green is very pretty, just not what I thought it would be.  It is, however a beautiful spring/summer color and will look great with my other spring colors.





Pretty colors for the spring and summer.  Can't wait to make those longies and shorties!

Things always work for the best, don't they?

L
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Sunday, January 20, 2013

When I am Baptized

I have a lot of hopes and dreams for my kids.  A lot.  I just want the very best for them - whatever that is.  I don't want them to suffer through life.  I want them to soar through at great heights - at heights that are not even imaginable to me.

Right now - more than anything - I want...


My oldest son, I know understands the importance of Baptism.  He has told me that he has already chosen to be Baptized.  He knows the gift of the Holy Ghost and wants the guidance through the rest of his life.  He's ready.

I hope as the other two grow older - they also know this and want it for themselves.

I really want my kids to know and feel the love of Christ everyday and in every way - and in turn, love him back.  I want them to live a life of love and of service.  I want them to love everyone - especially the unloved, the downtrodden, the scared and the lost.

I want them to have compassion and to be kind and patient.

I want them to love the Church more than I do.

I want them to know and to love The Temple.  I would like them to continue their spiritual progression with their spouses and their children (if they so choose to follow this path).

More over, I want them to be happy.  To experience absolute joy in the minute blessings that we receive everyday.

I want them to love life.

L


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Saturday, January 19, 2013

Squishable Baby Wool Longies

I have been working really hard on getting my Squishable wool to the market.

These were hand dyed and sewn by me from the Apple Dumpling Gear Pattern.





The Merino Wool started out natural in color, which I dyed and then made into a beautiful pair of wool longies - perfect to cover cloth diapers or just play in.  Wool is easy to take care of, hardy, waterproof (with lanolin), cool in the summer, warm in the winter, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.  It is the perfect fabric!

I'm also very excited as more squishiness is coming soon in the form of wool soakers, wool shorties and wool diaper liners - in a variety of colors!  In the spring, I will be coming out with bamboo longies, bamboo shorties and more!

Stay tuned because a lot of this squishable goodness is going to be given away to some very lucky readers!

L


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Friday, January 18, 2013

Cheaper by the Ton

I walked into an urgent care clinic one day because one of my kids got sick.  So, the doctor walks in and comments - WOW, you have a ton of kids.

Really? 

A ton? 

I walked into another doctors office.  She was like - wow - is this all of them or do you have more?

What the? 

And, what is it with doctors????

I never thought about 3 being a ton.  I was thinking more along the lines as a few, so this got me thinking - why in the world would these people think I have a ton of kids?  They were not being loud or obnoxious.  My kids are actually pretty obedient and kind.  The office was pretty small - so maybe it looked like there were a lot of people there - but still, a ton?

With three, have I officially become - a baby maker?


So please tell me what you think.   I really do want to know. 

How many kids do you think is a ton?



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Thursday, January 17, 2013

I'm Just a Mom

So, I am looking for a new design for my blog.  I want to be a successful blogger  - so I must conform, right?  I want comments and such - just like any blogger would- so I suppose my blog "must" fit in.

So, steps one and two in the process are - one - look for the blog designer - and two - create a look and feel for the blog.

Okay, so I have found a designer that I "dig".  She has a website that has the right balance of elegance, simplicity, creativity and pop.  Certainly she can help me create the look and feel I'm looking for.

So now, figuring out what I want.  That's the harder part.  I have seen a lot of blogs - many...many...many blogs.  I have noted the aspects that I like - and many of the aspects I don't like.  What it comes down to, I think, is the question - who am I?  After all, I can look at as many blogs as I want - but those were made for other people.  I'm me, so of course my blog has yet to be created.

So, who am I?  Well, my life is made up of 37 years of "growing" experiences.  Is that who I am?

Okay, so I have basically done science and math for 3/4 of my life.  So, I suppose I am a geek. Thanks to The Big Bang Theory - geek is now the "in" thing to be.

I have a BA from





and loved it!

And an MS from

 Brown University
in Cellular and Molecular Biology.

And hated it!

It wasn't me.

You know what?  I think I just figured out who I am not.  I am not a scientist - at least a laboratory scientist.

So, who am I?

Right now, I think, I'm just a Mom.  I really enjoy being a Mom.  It's a cool thing to be!  I make mistakes and learn from them - but all in all - I think I am a pretty good at it!

Simply put, I am a woman who loves her kids more than anything else in the world,

So tell me - Who are you?

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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

What Makes You Happy?

Advertisers spend millions and millions of dollars trying to convince the American public that their products will make them happy.

So, lets review.

Dandruff shampoo.  The people always look so happy while they are shampooing their hair - don't they?



Beer.  And, the way it's advertised - doesn't it look so cool and refreshing - especially on a hot summer day? 

Wonder if it is as cool and refreshing coming up as it was when it went down?

Ok...


This is a gorgeous purse.  I would love to have a purse like this.  This would certainly make me happy.  But to make me even happier, I would need a pair of cute shoes to go along with it.


Hum?  Think the passion will wear off after a few days?  I don't know, those shoes are really super cute! 

Thoughts?  It's a very nice watch.  Gold and platinum - nice!

Ahhh, how about this...

With this, you can buy all this and a lot more?  Does this make you happy?

One more. 

How bout this?



Definitely, not enough advertising dollars spent to support this.  And out of all the stuff listed here, this is the one thing that is failing at alarming rates all over this country.

So, please, do tell me - what are the things that make you truly 100% happy. 



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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Bubble Family

Well, the Flu has gone to nuclear levels in our house.  My daughter is the last one to fall - and my baby boy is getting better.  I'm still miserable.

The little one seemed to feel so much better that he decided to get up and watch a bit of tennis - at 1 o'clock in the morning.


 
He was wide awake. He and I were at severe odds.  He wanted to play and I wanted to sleep.

Drat!  I guess another one in the kids column.

Needless to say - it was a very long night of playing.

The sad part of this is that I was thinking about today's blog - and decided to snap a picture.

I have also come to the conclusion that I'm putting myself and the kids in a bubble.  What do you think?  Should we put ourselves in a bubble?


 At least during flu season.

L
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Monday, January 14, 2013

Up With Baby

Being up in the middle of the night with a sick and teething baby is not so bad when there is something to watch on TV.  I just






The



Oh yeah!  Love seeing Hewitt give Tipsy a run for his money!  I am so glad Hewitt, the counter puncher, beat all those power hitters last week in Kooyong.  Hehe!

Ahhhhh, just looked at the score - guess Hewitt lost his two break lead to loose the second set.

Well, despite not minding being up (because of tennis), it is very painful to see your baby so uncomfortable.  We thought the fever broke yesterday, but alas....  Poor little guy.  I hate giving medicine in any form, but hate it more seeing him so uncomfortable.

The fever is low grade, he seems to be breathing well - not hearing any wheezing, and his stomach is not tugging - so I will continue what I'm doing.  Lots of breastfeeding, skin to skin contact and cuddling with the other kids.  We will be taking the day off school today - one of the many benefits of homeschooling.

Seems like a good day to snuggle with the kids and to watch

   
and just recover from all the crustiness (literally and figuratively).

L
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