Daffodil's
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Why I Love Homeschooling 1. Flexible schedule 2. Time spent learning with my kids 3. Teaching our kids in a biblical fashion 4. Getting to be there when something clicks and experiencing that with our kids 5. Our kids get to learn at their speed, level, etc. 6. I can customize the curriculum we use for our kids learning style, etc. 7. Gym Day! 8. The joy of reading with our kids 9. Feeling apart of God's plan for our family...connectedness... 10. l Love it when my kids hug me and tell me they love what I do for them. Books We Are Currently Reading Anne of Green Gables The Curious Clubhouse The Pathfinder The Trumpet of the Swan The Wheel on the School My Personal Reading List Come, My Beloved by Pearl Buck To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Several Christmas Craft Books ~Spiritual Growth~ Does anyone else experience growing pains? I have been studying kindness in the Bible (Prov. 31: 26) about how the virtuous woman spoke with the law of kindness. It seems I have trouble speaking kindly when I am aggrevated, frustrated, overwhelmed, etc. And for the most part, I take that frustration out on my family. When I acknowledge an area of my life that I need to work on, and try to do so, it seems, that is when I fail. I say what I don't want to say... I let my emotions get the best of me...and my mouth rattles on...and I end up hurting someone's feelings. GRRR! I am trying to learn to keep my mouth shut, and take my aggrevation to the Lord.
I realize too, that part of my frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed are due to poor planning, unexpected events, etc. I can control part of the cause of my feelings, and deal with that accordingly. I can prepare better and not allow myself to get in a "time crunch" by procrastinating, thus eliminating that type of frustation. And then I won't lash out in frustration at my family. Sounds good, right? I guess I am learning to do my part and trusting God to help me with the rest. One way I can learn to speak kindly under pressure is to put scripture in my mind. One verse I am trying to memorize is Proverbs 12:4...A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. I hope I can keep myself from behaving poorly and causing shameful feelings in myself or for my husband. Like a lot of things, choosing to do good and renewing my mind with scripture, I pray will help me to learn to speak kindly first or not at all, when those feelings of frustration come.
Merry Christmas! |
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Dizzy and Trying to Find My Balance Since I last blogged, life happened. My family experienced a mild crisis, and I found myself in a whirlwind of busyness. But I think that everything is calming back down. Life sure can set things spinning! I felt like our lives were getting off balance, and I was getting dizzy with all of the busyness. It's amazing how our priorities can take a beating. But I believe order is within reach! This Mama is going to set our life back on it's axis, and pray that there aren't any more crisises in the near future. Today's Focus Today we are going to do our lessons and try to get in every core subject. (It's a goal, we'll see how we do!) I also need to give some attention to cleaning out the frig.....where are the cleaning fairies when you really need one? And the laundry is screaming out my name. I am going to enlist the troups for that job, though! Then we have church this evening. I am also going to watch the presidential debate tonight. I am planning on multi-tasking, and do some ironing while tuning in to the debate. Have a Blessed Day! |
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Time Is Running Out.... I have a huge list of things that need to get done before we begin school. I still need to file a few things from last year, not much though. So that won't take long. But it just seems that the days are ticking away, and I'm not getting everything done I would like to. I am going to have to manage my time better. It seems as though the household demands/garden/kids who want to eat/etc. consume my time. I need to make a detailed list and devote the time to complete it and rally the troops and get it All done! It seems as though I tend to want to do a job and not enlist the "little people" in the home to help. Then I get grumpy with what didn't get finished, and no one wants to be around me. So.....I have written all of that to say, I am going to work on being kind even when I don't feel like! I will speak in a kind tone, keep my emotions under control, and pray, pray, pray for the grace to do so. And tackle the work that needs to be done cheerfully and do what I/we can do. I have 2 and 1/2 weeks, and I know we can do it. So, here's the list. Things to Do Speak Kindly Laminate posters Clean/Organize my desk File Kids' papers Make DD's handwriting sheets Make School's daily schedule Make Menus Clean out School Cabinet Make DS's Reading List Clean House Top to Bottom Laundry: wash, dry, iron, put away Visit Library for Books on China for Olympics Make curtains for schoolroom Well, I'm going to roll up my sleeves, enlist help and get busy! We will begin the school year organized and ready to go! Off I go... Have a Blessed Day! |
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Thank You, Lord! God has blessed our family! I have prayed for a new computer for some time, and I now have one! It is so wonderful to use it. And it will be so great to use it to teach the kiddos the skills they will need. I am so excited! I can't wait to teach them to put together a power point presentation. It's going to be great. And using it to record the kiddos school hours will be so much easier now. It won't take forever to log the hours. Thank you, God! Books We'll Be Reading for School The Pathfinder by James Fenmore Cooper Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery We'll start the year with these books for individual reading, and for reading time together, I'm not completely sure what we'll begin with. I'm leaning towards reading Pilgrim's Progress. Making Ready The next few weeks we will be working on organizing, decluttering, and overall cleaning to get ready for school. I find that if I am organized to start the year, it makes everything go better. So here's our schedule for today to start the process. Finish cleaning out kitchen cabinets Take down old computer Organize & clean school room 4 loads of laundry Get items ready for laminating I'll start with these items, and if all gets done it'll be a good day.
Have a Blessed Day! |
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I Can't Believe It's the Middle of June! This spring was pretty busy for us. We've finished up school and now we are just getting into the swing of soft/baseball season. The season lasts until mid-late July. So pretty well a full summer of ball! And hubby is playing too!
So, we'll be spending a lot of time at the ball park! Not only that, but it's Bible Camp time! This is a fun, but somewhat stressful time. We'll be at camp for a week, come home, and the next day head out for vacation. Whew! Can you say laundry, laundry, laundry? We'll have to get laundry done in one afternoon and repacked for the long weekend vacation. But it will be worth it. We'll have a blast on vacation. I am so looking forward to spending some time with our kiddos & hubby. And I am looking forward to a long soak in a whirlpool tub! MMM....hot water and jets! My achy joints can hardly wait! I'll need it to after spending a week sleeping on a hard, unsupportive bunk bed at camp. (Hee hee!) Getting Ready for Fall
I am going to set aside the month of July for preparing for the next school year. I usually don't spend a great amount of time preparing lessons ahead of time, but this year I am going to try to do some extra work on our lessons. And I have decided that I will be "unavailable" to any outside extras that want to creep in and steal my time away from what is necessary. I have a weakness for getting myself into things and then being stressed out as I try to juggle homeschooling, outside activities, keeping house, church responsibilities, etc. And taking time for myself. Can this really be done? I believe so, I just have to learn to say no to those alluring things, and not feel guilty for doing so. My main priority is being an excellent wife, a healthy woman, and a great mom, and a fairly decent homemaker. I pray that God will help me to keep the goal of educating our kids top priority and not let outside influences distract us.
Well, I want to write some about our garden, but I've spent enough time at the computer, so it'll keep until next time. Have a Blessed Day!
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Teaching Obedience
We have been reading in I Samuel about Saul and how he didn't obey God's commands when he fought against the Amelkites. Saul was told to utterly destroy every person and beast, but he chose to capture Agag the king, and let the people take the best of the animals for a sacrifice. For his disobedience, God rejected him.
I have been pondering about our children's obedience. For the most part they do well, but it seems to me they obey with "half of their heart". What I mean by that is, that they do just enough to get by. They obey when they feel ready to, unless I am standing right there specifically making sure they are obeying to the "T". I have realized that I have not taught them well. I have allowed them to follow their own pleasures, and they no longer have the "heart" to obey my voice or their father's. So, here's the game plan....First, I have asked forgiveness of God for the manner in which I have been teaching our kids. I will have to confess to our kids that I have not taught them well, and seek their forgiveness. Next, we are going to have some "obedience" exercises. For example, I am going to be in another room and call them to me. I will instruct them that they are to stop doing whatever they are busy with, and come to me immediately. And with a sweet attitude, ask me how they can help me. The reason I am having them do this, is so that they can learn to listen for my voice and immediately come. The spiritual implication here is that they will recognize God's voice when He speaks and will already be used to "tuning into" authority and will be willing to listen to His voice. Then after they are used to coming when I call them, I will then give them instructions to complete tasks. The goal here is to give them the instruction once, and they complete the task per the instruction. This will take listening skills and learning to prioritize. The goal for teaching this obedience is so that they will cultivate hearing God's voice and doing what He says for them personally. And to obey with a cheerful heart. (Personal note to self--go take off the pants you have on, and put on a skirt!) Cosy Corner Reading Family Reading Robin Hood My Reading Family Driven Faith Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons & Daughters Who Walk With God by Voddie Baucham, Jr. Secrets of the Heart Mail Order Bride Series by Al & Joanna Lacy Bible Reading Family Reading I Samuel My Reading: The book of First John Have a Blessed Day! |
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Hang On To Your Hats! It's windy here today. I think there is supposed to be rain moving in tonight. The wind is blowing in from the south, and it can be strong at times! We are having a good time with our lessons today. We are taking a break, so I am getting in some blogging time.
 After we finish up the lessons, then we are going to do some quick clean up time, and then hopefully take a walk. It'll depend on how well the cleaning goes. Then this afternoon, my piano students will come & then we'll grill burgers for supper tonight.  Okay, something is bugging me. Yesturday, I took our kiddos to see Horton Hears a Who. Everything was going okay, and then the Mama Kangaroo portrays homeschooling in a negative manner. GRRR! I wish that movie producers would not put in an agenda in the movies that they make. Here I am thinking that this will be a great Dr. Suess movie, and I have to sit through some hsing bashing (IMO) and evolutionary thinking. Guess I am going to have to screen every movie before we go spend money on it! I was told by some reliable sources that the movie was cute. Well, I guess my idea of cute is different.  Oh, well....VBS Planning
I am working on our church's VBS to be held in June. I am teaching 2 classes for 3 days. As part of the lessons, I am trying to memorize the whole book of 1 John. I have chapter one down (just 10 vereses). I am currently working on writing chapter 2 on index cards to take with me when I go out to practice memorizing it. I need to get that done asap, so I can go on to the other chapters. But I am enjoying it! I also need to write some verses on poster board for the kids. I plan on doing that next week.
Cozy Corner Reading Family Rading: Robin Hood Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raisie Sons & Daughters Who Walk With God by Voddie Baucham, Jr. Secrets of the Heart Mail Order Bride Series by Al & Joanna Lacy Bible Reading: Family Reading: I Samuel My Reading: I John 2 |
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Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today we have had fun learning about St. Patrick and Ireland. We made shamrock language arts books and read about the potato blight that happened in 1845. We ate corned beef and cabbage ( a first for us!) and listened to Celtic music. It was fun and we learned something too!
Plans for Tomorrow
We are going to hit the books, go to piano lessons, and get some much needed house cleaning done. We are doing well with our lessons, and I want to keep it rolling along. Last week we were all sick with the flu, so it's nice to be back in the swing of things.
The weatherman says it's going to be a rainy day tomorrow, so we'll probably finish reading The First Four Years in the afternoon. That will be great to get the Little House series finished. We have really enjoyed the books, but I am ready to start something new. I just havn't decided what yet. I think I am going to look for something that my son will enjoy. Have a Great Evening!
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Yippee! The weatherman said we're in for 6-8 inches of snow, possibly more! We have been waiting for snow this winter (a big one) and there's a good chance will get it tomorrow night! So today we are doing lessons first and then head out to stock up on some items. We're going to the library, then the grocery store and I havn't decided where else. We may try to squeeze in something fun too. We will probably go eat lunch out...the kids will love that!
Let it Snow!
 Have a Blessed Day! |
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Maple Sugaring Time This weekend we started collecting the sap from the maple trees. We've only tapped 4 trees, and we have collected 3 1/2 gallons of sap so far. We have never done this, so this is a new experience for our family. We are hoping to get some good maple syrup once we're ready to cook it down. It should be fun for us.
I've been doing some research about the process in the book Back to Basics. I am also going to do an online search and see if I can find some good sites on the topic. Our girls think they are just like Laura & Mary when they did the maple sugaring. They are excited about making some maple candy just like they did in Little House in the Big Woods. Life has been pretty quiet around here. We are just enjoying each other and waiting to see if we're ever going to get a big snow. We'd like at least one good snow & then it can warm up for spring. I've been planning the garden some in my mind, but havn't gotten anything on paper yet. I like to plot out our garden on grid paper, but havn't done so yet. They say we might get some winter weather over the weekend, so we'll wait & see.
Have a Blessed Day!
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I'm Trying NOT to be Grumpy There have been some minor things going on that I am trying not to let get the best of me. I wasn't so good at it last night. I grumped to my SIL and my DH. I was asked to do something by a family member which consists of taking some of my time and energy. It's nothing too hard, just interfers with our school day. And it's a minor inconvience. But I let it bug me, and I grumped about it. I don't know if I'll ever learn to love like Jesus loves. He gave of Himself so willingly. His time wasn't His own, people thronged Him, He worked and gave of Hisself even when He was exhausted. And I don't believe He ever got snappy at those around Him for the inconvience. He was doing His Father's will, and did it well even through tough situations. And all with compassion. I am so glad that God gave us Jesus. He knows how I feel, and yet He continues to love me when I don't feel like loving others. I love this verse...Philippians 2:13...For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. I am grateful to know I have God's love, mercy, and grace of His Spirit to work in me what He wants me to be. I am not left to myself to become what He wants. Praise God!
I am glad He can make Mama Grump into a Mama That Loves (with a smile on her face & compasssion in her heart). Have a Blessed Day!
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Oh, My Aching Shoulder! I believe I have crossed over the threshold of being middle aged. This morning I woke up with my right shoulder aching, my hips hurting, and thinking to myself that this must be what it feels like to get older. There is a weather front of colder air coming and I am feeling it in my shoulder! Saturday we raked leaves at a church member's house whose been ill, and my hip joints and back are sore from that. I guess that's not really related to getting older, just from being out of shape.
Anyways, I'm kind of feeling my age. I'm not old, just begining to feel the effects of age. Today's Schedule
Lessons Laundry Declutter the living room Take meat from freezor to fridge to thaw Get ready for appointments Dentist Appt. this afternoon Sit with my Grandma this evening Have a Blessed Day! |
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...To A Fun Day Today we are going to what we call "Gym". A local church lets us use their facilities and a group of home schoolers come and the kids play and have a good time. It is also a time for the moms to chat and relax. We havn't gotten together since before Christmas, and I am really looking forward to it! I think I am more excited than the kids are. It is just really nice to be around people who think like you do. And understand where you are coming from, and not look at you like you have three heads. The kids have been jumping on the trampoline and having a ball! The weather has been warm and somewhat dry, so every chance they get they head out to jump, jump, jump. It has been good for them. I think getting regular exercise has helped their school work to. I can't prove it, but they seem more ready to work and willing to get to it. I think the exercise helps them to feel good, and then that has an affect on their overall attitude. Plus they enjoy keeping track of how many hours we are getting done. They love to know how close we are to 1000 hours we are to get in for the year. We are doing really well. The core hours need some more work, but it is coming along. I Need a Change!
I am feeling a little frumpy and old looking. This weekend I will be turning 37. I have decided some time last month to loose weight. I am working on that goal, but I am now ready for a new hair cut. I grew out my hair over the last couple of years, and this fall I cut it some. Now I am ready to get a "cute" cut. Something with layers and that will make me look younger. I want to look and feel how I feel on the inside. I feel young on the inside, so I want a cut to reflect that. But my dh doesn't want it too short, so we'll have to see. Well, I am off to get the kiddos up, chores done, lessons started, etc. etc. Hope you all have a fun filled day. Have a Blessed Day!
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Woo Hoo! Don't you just love it when everything goes well with the lessons for the day? The kiddos are working hard and getting a lot done this morning. I am so proud of them. We are going to be done with today's lessons early, so we should be able to do something fun this afternoon. And I am getting laundry done in the process! Even better! Thank you, God, for such a great morning!
Have a Blessed Day!
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A Psalm for Today IT is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. ~Psalm 118:8 Today's Agenda We are going to work on our lessons then, I hope to start cutting out DD2's pattern for her rag doll. We havn't done that yet. I am not sure how long that will take, but hopefully not too long.
Let's see, then I need to go get a few things at the store. Then we are to go SIL house for our neice's 13th birthday celebration. We're going over for cake & ice cream. I have to remember to get dn a birthday card! I also need to do some laundry. Never ends! But it is a lot better than it used to be! I am getting lots better at keeping the house presentable and the laundry washed. Tomorrow I am going shopping with a group of ladies from our church. I am planning on going to a used book store. I think I can stay there for most of the day! I want to get some good books for our personal library. Cozy Corner Reading
Little Town on the Prairie George Washington Carver My Reading List When You Look Like Your Passport Photo It's Time to Go Home by Erma Bombeck The Book of Judges in the Bible The Hidden Word Scripture Memorization that I'm working on 2 Corinthians 10: 5 Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Have a Blessed Day! ~~ Daffodil |
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Will You Be My Friend? I have only one friend. Does no one else read my blog? Why would I think anyone else does? I want some friends in the blog world. I feel a little lonely and left out. Everyone else has a hundred friends, I have only one. But she is a good friend. I guess as Frosty the Snowman says, "Only one friend is plenty". Guess I'll quit moping now and go and spend some time with my one friend.
Have a Blessed Evening!
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Remind me, Lord! Ever have one of those days where you needed reminding why homeschooling was a good idea & that God knew what He was doing when He gave you the desire to do so? Well, yesturday was like that for me. DS and I struggled to get through math. Let's just say that giving birth to him wasn't as frustrating as that math lesson yesturday! It was more painful, but not near as frustrating! But, today is a new day, and things are going to be better! (I made sure he went to bed early so he'd be more rested for today's lessons. Hee, hee)
Today's To Do List Fuel Up Wood Stove Lessons with kiddos Bake the Turkey Do 3 loads of laundry Have kids clean up the living room Sweep & mop the kitchen & dining room Practice the piano (everyone) Make phone calls Unit Study
We are going to start the history unit study today on George Washington Carver. I am basically writing my own unit study. I have gotten 4 books on GWC and a video at the library. We are going to read them and then do some activities. Then we are going to do a lapbook which will demonstrate what the kiddos have learned. I'll give more detail to the unit study when I have finished with it.
Cozy Corner Reading
Little Town on the Prairie Nancy Drew book #4 Robinson Crusoe (We've got to finish it soon!) 4 books about George Washington Carver Mom's Reading List When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time to Go Home by Erma Bombeck The Book of Judges in the Bible Have a Blessed Day! ~~ Daffodil |
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Achoo, Achoo, Achoo! It seems as though that's all I have been hearing around our house lately. My hubby was up and down all night blowing his nose & the kiddos woke up this morning sneezing. Hopefully it won't last long.
Today's List Back to School Kids' Chore Schedule Begins Grocery Shopping Meals to be Prepared Happy Birthday, Weed! Cozy Corner Reading Little Town on the Prairie Nancy Drew book #4 Robinson Crusoe Biographies on George Washington Carver The Hidden Word (Scripture I am working on memorizing...Psalm 119:11) 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Have a Blessed Day! |
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Busy Day Planned Today We will be going to Sunday School and church this morning. Before we go, we'll have to load up the car with presents for Christmas at my mother's house today. I baked two pecan pies to take for dessert for lunch today. We're having smoked ham and turkey, party potatoes, veggies, sweet potatoes and dessert. I am hoping I don't gain too much from all the holiday feasting we've been doing! I think it's going to be a pretty good day. My family is looking forward to going. And I think my mom is excited about it too.
Plans for Monday
My hubby has to work today, so it'll just be me and the kiddos at home. We are going to work on cutting out a rag doll pattern for our youngest daughter. If all goes well, we should begin sewing on it too. I am planning on taking some time to read to the kiddos. I want to do some laundry. And this is the week that the kiddos take over doing their own laundry. Each one has been assigned a day for their laundry. On days that aren't their laundry day, they have other chores. We are going to try to give them $5 a week for allowance. We have never done this before, but now seems to be a good time to start. I told them that they have to do their chores without being told and in a timely fashion. (They can't wait until the last minute of the day to do them and expect their allowance. Or to be able to do any fun stuff.) Basically all chores, except laundry and dishes, need to be done before school.
We will be going back to my mom's for New Year's. She has a new JJ Jasper video she wants us to watch, and we're going to play games. But all the activity will be over around 10 pm and we'll go home. They are having a get together at church then, too, but I don't think we'll stop by. Since hubby has to work, he'll probably be ready to come home & go to bed! Have a Happy New Year
& a Blessed Day! |
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Oh, The Joys of Parenthood... Our kiddos just went outside to dry off the trampoline and jump on it. I noticed on dd trying to knock off other dd's shoe from the side of the trampoline to the ground. I didn't think much of it. Then youngest dd gets her shoes and puts them back on the edge of the trampoline. Older dd begins to knock them back off of it. Laughing all the while! I get so aggrivated when my children are not nice to each other! I know that they are going to have their differences, but to deliberately do something just to be mean to each other just gets me. I immediately told her to stop and that they should all be nice to each other. She began pouting and sat down on the trampoline and hid her face in her hair and began sniffling. It's like she is doing it for attention. I have tried to ignore it, but she is still doing it. So, I've sent her in for a little talk.
Well...it seems she feels bad because she got into trouble. The little stinker was pouting not because she did something unkind to her sister, but because she got caught doing it! I hugged her and told her I loved her, and then I said "Dry it up. Quit acting like a little girl and go and enjoy the trampoline while it was dry outside. No more pouting!" It's really not a big issue, but I really don't like pouting and whining. Just one of those things that grate on my nerves. Last night my dh told me that he doesn't want me to start school again until Wednesday. So, our regular schedule won't start until then. We are just being lazy until then. Later this afternoon we are going to take down the Christmas Tree, vacuum the carpet, and hopefully play a game. Or maybe take a nap! I'm kind of sluggish today. I'm not sure if the cloudy, dreary weather has anything to do with it, or if I am run down from all the Christmas excitement. As I am typing this, I see the sun trying to peek through the clouds! That would be a welcome change! The kids still want a big snow, and I kind of want one too. But nice warm days of Spring would be great. But that won't happen for at least 2 more months. Having the sun shine will help though! Well, I guess I am going to go put the laundry in the dryer and watch my kiddos and niece jump on the trampoline. Maybe read a little too. Have a Blessed Afternoon!
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