Check out the new bling!

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Ok peeps, check out the pretty new bling I have on the left hand side of my blog. It's green and yellow and right under the followers.

I completed Camp Nanowrimo with a total of 51, 681 words!!! YAY ME!!! The story isn't finished yet so I'll still be working on it for the next week or so.

I just have to decide if there are another 50,000 words in me for August. What do you think? Should I atttempt it even though tomorrow is the first of August and I have to go back to school soon.

Note to self: You really need to find out when school starts so you don't miss the first day.

Since this story is almost finished I'll start sharing it with you soon. That means if you want to know what happens with Ginger and Alden and all of her crazy friends---you'll have to buy the book. (Don't you love how that worked out? lol!)

You know you want to know the ending!

Anybody care to join me for the August version of Camp Nanowrimo? I'm not sure if I've got the words or the time, but I figure I have nothing to loose. The worse thing that can happen is I don't reach 50,000 words.

It would be cool to get some more bling for the old blog though.....

Seriously?!?!

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First it was the burned out light in the kitchen, then it was the broken air conditioner and now.....

a broken pipe...in the closet. UGH!

I seriously deserved the margaritas I had this evening!

The Day Ginger Snapped part 36

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After three days of sleeping in the chair by Alden's bed I awoke to find him sitting up staring at me. Most of the swelling was gone from his face and the bruises were fading. He smiled as my eyes focused on him and there was only a small hint of the pain that had been so obvious a few days earlier.

"Is everything okay?" I asked looking around the room to see if anyone else was there.

"I'm doing much better. The doctors say they'll be sending me home soon. How are you? Sleeping in that chair can't be too comfortable."

"Oh, I just nodded off. I wasn't really sleeping." I lied in an attempt to play off how worried I had been.

"Ginger, every time I've woken up in the past couple of days, you've been right there."

We stared at each other as I searched for something to say. Something to explain why I was there. It was Alden who broke the silence.

"Thank you."

"You don't...you don't have to thank me. I didn't do anything."

"You came to see me. You stayed here. You didn't have to do either of those things."

"Well, I kind of owed you for taking care of me the last time I was in New York." I said as I looked down at my hands. The memories of that night with Kyle still made me feel sick.

"Hey, they want me to try walking around for a little while. Are you feeling up to keeping me company?"

"Sure." I stood and held my hands out to give Alden a lift off of the bed.

"I may need to hold your hand and lean on you as we round the corners." Alden joked.

"No problem. I run a first class, full service patient walking service. I'll even let you know when your backside is showing through that lovely hospital gown of yours." I laughed as I held onto Alden's arm and led him out into the hallway.

"Oh, so you're admitting that you're going to be checking out my backside?"

"It's a tough job, but someone has to do it." I laughed.

I love how this man can always make me laugh.

We walked to the far end of the hall and found an empty room with snack machines and cushioned chairs. I helped Alden lower himself into a chair close to the door and took the seat next to him. Alden never let go of my hand.

“I missed you when you left New York the first time. I was hoping to spend some more time with you.”

“Yea, I just kind of needed to get as much space between myself and Kyle’s messed up family as I could.”

“You didn’t say good-bye or anything. I thought you were upset with me.”

“No, I could never be upset with you. You’re my Prince Charming.” I bumped Alden’s shoulder with mine and laughed.

“And you’re my Cinderella, but I don’t think I’m going to feel like dancing anytime soon.” Alden leaned his forehead in and rested it on mine.

“Hey, that’s not a problem. I know a large, tattooed, bald headed guy named Mary Ann and I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to dance with me.”

We both laughed then sat there in a long comfortable silence.

Serenity by Shel Belle Scraps

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You're going to love the beautiful soft colors in Shel Belle Scrap's newest kit. It's called Serenity and the name fits the kit perfectly! The types of pictures you can scrap with this kit are just endless! Take a look at the preview...

You can also purchase a set of cardstock and/or worn papers to compliment the kit.

Here are a couple of layouts I made using the Serenity Kit...

This layout was made for the quote challenge at Stuff to Scrap...

Check out Shel's blog for more layout inspiration and visit the Shel Belle Scraps store at Stuff to Scrap to buy the Serenity kit as well as the matching cardstock and worn papers!

Much better!

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Last night's sleep was much better thanks to the fixed air conditioning. I am such a wimp. lol!

The fajitas tonight were good too! lol!

Oh boy...

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Man oh man, I've really been MIA this month and I wish I could say it was because I've been busy living it up with George Clooney, but sadly I haven't been. *sigh*

I've really been working on finishing my 50,000 words for Camp NaNoWriMo. I thought I was going to make it yesterday, today at the latest, but the world and my air conditioner conspired against me. I will get there though! I will! I will!

This story won't be completed in 50k words. So, once I reach that goal I'll keep writing until it's finished. I just won't have the timed pressure to keep me going. Maybe I need to rethink August.....lol!

This story is sad. It's much, much better than the last one I wrote, but it's also sad...really, really sad. I was on the forum and people were posting about the discoveries they have made since they started writing. Everyone was posting about their characters. They said things like...

"I discovered my main character is really funny."

"I discovered that the character I thought would be my main character's love interest isn't"

"I discovered my main character has a secret family."

BLAH....BLAH....BLAH

Then I come along and very honestly post that I discovered I might need counseling. *sigh*

Seriously, why else would I be writing something so sad that I cry as I write it?

Watching Big Brother has also taken up a lot of my time lately. However, if they don't get Rachel out of that house soon it won't continue to take up my time. I just can't take her anymore! I really, really can't! Whoever reads the CBS twitter page knows that I can't take her anymore, too. I haven't been holding anything back. lol!

Orange Croc Guy has been back in New Jersey since the 12th of this month and I haven't had him around to pick on or to do the things I don't want to do. Like change light bulbs!

Seriously, the day he left the light in the kitchen went out. It's an old fluorescent light fixture and I needed to get the old bulbs out so I would know what kind/size/brightness to buy. The first problem I encountered is that I'm not nearly tall enough to reach it. My little kitchen step ladder doesn't even make me tall enough to reach it. I managed to get the lights out though and I did it all by myself! YAY ME! I'll spare you all the details and just say that it took a coffee table, a chair, a whole lot of praying and a little bit of cursing, but I got it done.

Bright and early the next morning I head out to Home Depot to buy the new bulbs and it was about as complicated as getting the old ones out. Of course, what I need is at the very top of the aisle. Five different store employees came out to confirm that it was on the very top of the aisle. At least I think that's what they were doing but they mostly spoke in Spanish to each other so I'm not really sure. I'll spare you all the details and just say that it took half an hour, 5 employees, one large machine, one closed aisle, a whole lot of praying and quite a bit of Spanish but I was finally able to make my $5 purchase and head home.

For some reason getting the new bulbs in was harder than taking the old one out. How does that happen? With the help of my coffee table, chair prayers and cursing I finally got the new lights in and they work perfectly! I don't think I'll ever get a job as a demonstrator at Home Depot though.

Saturday, I noticed that it was warmer in the house than it usually is. I just wrote it off to the extra hot days we've been having and ate some ice cream while I waited for it to get better. It didn't get better...it got worse!

So Sunday, I pull out my trusty coffee table and chair and stick my arms up as high as I can while standing on my tip toes to feel the air coming from it vent. It wasn't cold! It wasn't cold at all! My air conditioner had betrayed me! I turned the air off and ate some more ice cream.

I didn't get a good night's sleep. You know how that is don't you? When it's just too hot to sleep. I had a fan going and even put a bowl of ice in front it. The ice melted pretty quickly, but it was good while it lasted.

This morning I made a quick phone call and was told that I would have a repair here around 3PM. I wasn't planning on hanging around that long, so I took a cold shower and made plans for the day. I let security know that a repairman was coming and to let them in (The joys of condo living!) and I set off for Wellington to meet up with a friend that lives higher up the coast. Wellington is about the halfway mark for us and they have a decent mall. lol!

After shopping and having lunch she headed north and I headed south toward home. I returned home to a nice cool place!

OCG will be back on Wednesday so I'm ordering fajitas on Tuesday. lol! Then Wednesday night I'll let him take me out to dinner while he listens to how well I handled the burned out light bulbs and broken air conditioner while he was gone. He's going to be so proud!

Right now, I'm really tired and need to get some sleep to make up for the sleep I missed last night. I'm also really, really cold! I should adjust the temperature setting, but after being so hot on Saturday and Sunday I just can't bring myself to it. *sigh*

7-25-11

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Christmas in july Sale at STS!

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I just got some good news and wanted to share it with you! Today and tomorrow there is a 30% off Christmas in july sale at Stuff to Scrap!

You can click on the sale ad to go to the store! Happy Shopping!

7-24-11

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7-23-11

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The Day Ginger Snapped part 36

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Click on book preview to buy your copy!

I quietly pushed the door to Alden's hospital room open. If he was sleeping, I didn't want to wake him. I could have used a nap myself. I came straight to the hospital from the airport. My suitcase was sitting at the nurse’s station and I'm sure I looked horrible, but I just had to see Alden. I can't explain why, but I needed to know that he wasn't hurt too badly. I needed to know that his wounds would heal and that he would be okay.

I can't explain why I flew across country to see this man, but here I am about to walk into his hospital room. Hoping that he'll remember me. This man that I barely know. This man who wants to write a story about my dysfunctional love life. This man who took care of me when I got so drunk that I couldn't remember my own name. This man who held my hand and kissed my
forehead. This man that I wish I knew better

The hospital room looked just like every other dreary hospital room in the world. There was a window that looked out onto a wall and allowed very little natural light to enter the room. The fluorescent light overhead added to the dreariness of the place. There were machines with colored lights making low noises as they monitored the heart beats and breathing of the figure lying in the bed.

The figure in the bed wasn't moving, but the slow even breathing sound let me know that he was sleeping. I stepped closer and gasped in horror at what I saw. The figure in the bed was Alden. His beautiful face was swollen and bruised. There was a bandage over his left eye and his upper lip was cut. His arms were covered with scratches and there was a cast on his right hand. A
knee brace was wrapped around his left knee.

I slowly inched toward the bed and placed my hands on the bed railing. I stood there, for what felt like an eternity, watching Alden sleep. I reached out and touched his hair then before I knew what I was doing I leaned down and kissed him softly on the side of his mouth that wasn't cut and swollen.

I fell back into the only chair in the room feeling stupid. I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have kissed him like that. I leaned forward and covered my face with my hands as I cried silent tears. Tears for myself and tears for this nice, beautiful, beaten and bruised man.

Just as I had decided to leave. Decided to get out of his room and out of New York before he woke up and realized that I had been there, I heard him speak.

"Cinderella, is that you?"

I lifted my head, smiled through my tears and stood back up leaning over Alden so that I could see his face. "Oh my God, you're awake. Are you Okay? Do you need anything?"

Alden tried to smile, but the grimace he made let me know that the pain wasn't worth the smile. "I think I have everything I need, Cinderella. But isn't it supposed to be my kiss that wakes you?"

I smiled and touched his hair again. "Actually, I think you’re supposed to bring me a glass slipper. It sounds like you know your fairy tales about as well as I know my
sports.”

I kept rubbing Alden’s hair with my hand as I asked, “Didn't anyone ever tell you that when someone wants your wallet this badly, you should just give it to them?"

"Normally, that's what I would have done, but I promised that crazy friend of yours that I would get you into a hospital and I always keep my promises."

I wanted to kiss him all over again. "Now, I just want you to promise me that you're going to be okay."

"I promise." Alden said as he drifted back off to sleep.

New Kit by IvoryKeys Digital Dreams!

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Susan of IvoryKeys Digital Dreams is releasing the second kit in her birthstone series kit today! This kit is all about April and diamonds with pretty shades of pink. Here's the preview...

There are 30 elements, 15 papers and a full alpha!

I've made two layouts using this...so far. lol! Take a look...

I made this first layout for one of the challenges at Stuff to Scrap

Head over to Susan's blog for some more layout inspiration and visit the IvoryKeys Digital Dreams store at Stuff to Scrap to buy this beautiful kit!

It's a Challenge!!!

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OK guys, you have to head over to the IvoryKeys Digital Dreams blog and check out the challenge she had posted. It looks super easy and everyone who enters wins a prize!

All you have to do is download the super cute template she has posted and use it to make a layout with one of her kits by July 31st. After you've done that post your layout on your blog and/or your online gallery and put a link to it in the comment section section on the challenge post.

Everyone who enters will receive a 30% off discount to the IvoryKeys Digital Dreams store and one lucky person will get a $5.00 gift certificate! Cool, huh?!?!

Head over to Susan's blog to snag the template and check out her store to see all of her kits. She's got lots that will fit this template perfectly.

PLUS.....there's a new kit being released tomorrow and it is GORGEOUS!!!

April the Scrapaholic is having a sale!!!

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Click the image below togo to her blog store. Make sure you enter the code at checkout to get the discount!

7-20-11

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A Day On The Lake by FlowerScraps

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Deanna of FlowerScraps went on vacation with her family and then made this super cute kit to scrap the pictures. It's an awesome kit called A Day On The Lake with over 30 elements, 12 papers, a full alpha, and lots of word bits. There's also a set of matching cardstock paper. Take a look at the preview...

Even though the kit has a lake theme it's perfect for all your outdoor water pics. I scrapped a couple pics of Chrissy, my friends daughter. These were taken down in the Keys. The guy in the first picture is her boyfriend Ashley. He's a college baseball player and has already had the scouts come around. So, keep an on him. We may see him in the big league someday.

Check out FlowerScraps blog for more layout inspiration and head over to the FlowerScraps Store at Stuff to Scrap to buy A Day On The Lake!

7-18-11

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QP Contest & Freebie!

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The July QP contest at CSD is underway and the pages being made and given away are GORGEOUS!!!!! Of course, it helps that we were given such a gorgeous kit to work with. This month we were given the kit Happiness by PrettyJu. Take a look at the preview...

Here's the preview of the QP I made. The image is linked to 4shared for your download.

Make sure you check out the QP contest in the forum at Cool Scraps Digital! You'll find lots of beautiful and free quickpages made using this kit.

The voting for favorite QP hasn't started yet, but when it does you know I'll be begging for votes. lol! In the mean time, please visit the QP contest gallery and leave a comment for me. There's also a prize for the QP with the most comments. THANKS!!!!!

The contest gets bigger every month, so hopefully you'll even join in on the fun next month.

7-17-11

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Attention Carla!

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Carla!

I just wanted to let you know that the font you were asking about is called Be Safe. Sorry it took me a couple of days to let you know!

The Day Ginger Snapped part 35

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"Ginger, is that really you? Where are you? Why aren't you returning our calls? We've been so worried!"

"Yes, it's really me." The cheers I heard coming through the phone were so loud that I had to hold it away from my ear.

"Can you hear that? You wouldn't believe how many people are here. More and more come every day. You're practically famous now!" Bonnie shouted into the phone and I could hear the happiness in her voice.

"Oh Bonnie, I'm glad that you're having fun, but I don't want to be famous. I just ... I just want to be happy."

I could hear more voices than I could ever count saying things about how sweet that was and how happiness would find me when I least expected it to.

Bonnie tried to talk louder than the crowd that was surrounding her. "Well, I don't think it matters if you want to be famous or not because you are. They're talking about you on the news and the radio every day. People are driving from hours away just to come to the bar. Everyone wants to be able to say that they were here when you called."

"Oh, Bonnie." I exhaled loudly. "You really are having fun, aren‘t you?" I asked wondering how everything had gotten so out of hand.

"Are you kidding? I'm having the time of my life! We all want you to come home though. We miss you."

"Bonnie, I need to tell you something..."

"Oh no, Gail's pushing her way through the crowd and she looks pissed. I think she's about to let you have it."

“No! Bonnie, don’t…”

I heard shouts and lots of movement as Gail wrestled the phone away from Bonnie. I considered hanging up, but before I could Gail's voice came booming over the phone.

"Ginger, just what do you think you're doing? We haven't heard from you in days! You can't keep refusing to return our calls. You're out of your mind and we need to be able to contact you!"
I noticed that for the first time, there was no background noise at all. Gail had managed to scare an entire bar into being quiet and now she was directing her wrath toward me. I was scared, too!
"Gail, I'm not out of my mind. There just hasn't been anything new to report."

"I don't care if there is anything new to report or not. We care about you not your stupid old boyfriends. You have to take our calls. Or, at least call us back so that we know you're still alive."
I could feel the tears building up and tried to fight them. "Gail, I want to tell you that..."

"Oh crap, here comes that guy from the news again. I don't know why he keeps showing up, cause I've warned him to stay away. Well, if he thinks I'm going to stand by while he does another report about how crazy you are, he's mistaken. Here talk to Linda!"

"Gail! Listen to me..." I tried getting her attention, but it was too late. The only thing I heard was her yelling at the poor guy from the news as the phone she had been holding fell to the floor.

"Hello? Are you still there? Ginger, is this you?" Linda's voice came over the line.

"Hey, Linda, it's me. What is going on there?" I questioned.

"Well, I'm not really sure right now. I was late getting here. It looks like Gail is trying to beat up the cute guy from the news. There are tons of people watching and cheering her on. Can you hear them?"

"I think I can. Linda, can we talk, seriously?"

"Oh, you have no idea how seriously we need to talk? Hang on a minute. Let me get somewhere that I'll be able to hear you better."

I heard the sounds of Linda pushing her way past other people, then there was a knocking sound, a door opening and the distinct sound of a toilet flushing.

"Okay, can you hear me?" Linda asked.

"Linda, are you seriously going to try and talk to me while you're in the bathroom?" I demanded to know.

"Why would you say that? I'm not in the bathroom!" Linda tried to sound indignant.

"I heard the toilet flush!"

"Oh my God, okay, so I'm in the bathroom. Big deal! I'm not inside a stall or anything. I just ducked in here because I didn't think you would want anyone to hear what I had to say."

"Linda..."

"Okay, so I am in a stall, but that's just because I don't want anyone to see me in case you start crying or something." Linda explained.

"Good grief! Why would I cry and why would my crying make you hide?" I was exasperated.

"Chad is back."

At the exact moment Linda announced this it started raining harder. I stared out the window and tried to swallow the tears that were building up at the mere mention of his name. Chad. The man who caused the heartbreak that led me on this ridiculous journey.

"Ginger, did you hear me? I said that..."

Cutting Linda off before she could say his name again, I yelled, "I heard you!" After taking a breath to calm myself down I asked, "How do you know he's back? Have you talked to him?"

Linda lowered her voice and said, "No, I haven't talked to him, but his truck is back at your house and I've driven by to see the lights on inside. It has to be him, doesn't it?"

"Yes, I'm sure it is him. He's probably just getting the rest of his things out while I'm away." I tried not to sound too disappointed at the thought of him removing all aspects of himself from my life.

"I don't know. I think he's staying at your house. Oh, what if he's moved in with the new girl? Do you want me to check it out for you"

"I just don't care anymore." I said as tears slid down my face.

"If you don't care, why does it sound like you're crying?" Linda wanted to know.

"There's something I need to tell you. It's about my trip to Seattle..."

"Are you having a fabulous time? I've heard it's beautiful out there! Wait, Grace just came in. Here talk to her while I pee."

I could hear Linda handing the phone to Grace and Grace announcing that she would be in the hallway. Thank goodness Grace got the phone out of the bathroom!

"Ginger! It's Grace! I think Gail may be getting arrested for beating up the cute news guy. Do you want me to take the phone outside so you can hear her yelling at the cops?"

I didn't want to laugh, but I couldn't stop myself. "No, that's alright. But if she does get arrested, could you make sure she spends the night in jail before you guys go bail her out?"

"For you? Sure, we can do that! Hey, my boy toy is motioning for me to come to the bar. Here, talk to Brent."

"Grace, wait..."

"Too late, Ginger. It's Brent. You aren't going to believe what I learned from the blog today."

"I've already heard. Chad's back and living in my house." I closed my eyes and squeezed the bridge of my nose as I waited for Brent to confirm that Chad had moved his new girlfriend into my house.

"What? Chad's back? When did that happen?" Brent sounded genuinely surprised.

"Isn't that what you were going to tell me?" I opened my eyes to see that it was raining harder than ever.

"No, I was going to tell you that the writer guy you met, Alden, got mugged in New York."

I sat up straight in my chair. "Alden? Alden got mugged? Oh my God, is he alright?"

"I don't really know. I think he got beaten up pretty badly. Someone posted it on the blog I started. He's in the hospital."

"Brent, I have to go..."

"Wait, I need some kind of update for the blog. Have you found the guy you were looking for in Seattle?"

"Oh God, Brent, I can't get into this right now. I have to go. I'll be home in a few days and I promise to come clean about my Seattle trip then."

"OK, but what are you going to do now that Chad..."

I didn't hear the end of Brent's question. I had already hung up the phone and started packing my suitcase.

Alden was hurt and in the hospital. I needed to get to New York. I needed to know that the man who had taken care of me was being taken care of too. If he would let me, I would be the one to do it. I would take care of him.

Beachy Keen by Scraps of Ellay

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Scraps of Ellay is adding a wonderful beach kit to her store today called Beachy Keen. Take a look at the preview...

Don't you just love those colors?!?!

There are over 70 elements, 25 papers and a full alpha. Don't forget that you can also pick up the matching cardstock and glitter paper!

Here are some of my layouts...

Check out Ellay's blog for more layout inspiration and visit the Scraps of Ellay store to buy the kit.

I didn't know....

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I had no idea my blog was messed up and you had to scroll down so far to read anything. Guess that shows you how much attention I've been paying to things lately. lol!

Hopefully it's all fixed now. Please, let me know if there are any more troubles!

SORRY!!!!!

Speed Scrap at Stuff to Scrap

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You guys should check out this speed scrap tomorrow. Everyone who participates will be given a $5 gift certificate to the Scraps of Ellay store!

*That gift certificate will come in handy when you see the awesome kit she is releasing tomorrow!*

7-14-11

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If you love me...

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I love lighthouses! I love the stories and the history connected to them. I love that they're a welcoming beacon on a stormy night. I love visiting them and climbing to the top of the ones tha you're allowed to climb. I love taking pictures of them and I love the collection of Harbour Lights that I have.

Now, if you love me and happen to have several thousand dollars lying around that you're not doing anything with you can buy a REAL lighthouse for me.

Check out this article. I promise I'll send you a thank you card and an open invitation to visit if you buy me one!

7-12-11

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7-11-11

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