Family | Peaches Prattlings

{March 22, 2014} And so it begins…Happy Happy Birthday EJS!

I told you there would be more to talk about starting today!

The day started off too early, for the day, not for the lovin! I must have been expecting it, because as soon as I heard the little feet hit the top of the stairs of the basement, I smiled.

They got to the bed and EJS gently touched my arm and said, very softly, I might add, “Auntie J, it’s time to get up”. I said “Is that the birthday girl?” She jumped on the bed, hugged me and I covered her with kisses. MGS tried her best to get on the bed by herself [side note, it’s a blow up mattress on top of a pull out couch, the top of the bed came up to her neck!] so I grabbed her aned pulled her onto the bed, got my hugs and covered her with kisses!

We all stayed under the covers for a bit, then EJS left and MGS played for a while and then headed upstairs, I guess it was time to get up. I went upstairs for a quick shower and checked out EJS’ room, her daddy had decorated it with all sorts of shiny ballons including a giant 7! Can you believe it?!

For her birthday, EJS wanted to go to Starbucks for breakfast and away we went, with enough time for treats and then back home in time for the school bus. After she left for school, we had about 40 minutes before we had to be at her school as well. We were going to see her first grade class recite poetry! An elementary school poetry slam, so to speak!

We were greated by two classmates and escorted to her classroom, where we were treated to a lesson about poetry, then they recited two poems together, a song, then EJS read two poems that she wrote, one called ” I come from” all about family and what she likes to go and see and places she likes and movie, you name it, she wrote about it. The second poem was call “Cars”, it was short and sweet, just like her.

After all the kids read their poems, some one and others two, then they sang two songs, it was fantastic! I took some videos and some photos, boy does EJS look like her mommy! We had a great time, so proud of our poet!

Then it was home to get some work done, I ran some errands and then dad and LaLa got here and eventually, we went to pick up EJS from aftercare and we headed to meet ACS and MGS, along with ACS’ “big brother” S and his wife B at EJS’ restaurant of choice, The Cheesecake Factory. Luckily the company was terrific, because the service was awful! I did my thing and told the waiter that it was EJS’ birthday and of course, when we ordered dessert, it came out with a candle and serenade, she loved it.

After dinner, we walked a little, headed home and it was time to open presents. An Easy Bake Oven from Auntie J, books and clothes from LaLa, books, games and puzzlers from Papa, tomorrow we are going to American Girl after her party for Papa’s next gift! And last but not least, for tonight anyway, Frozen from mommy and daddy! BIG hit! MGS had some treats of her own, games, puzzles and books, a great night all around!

Then it was story time, new books for night night and lights out, well, for the girls.

The grown ups went downstairs, dad and LaLa bade us good night, I made some brownies for the party tomorrow and GES and ACS chilled for a bit, then said goodnight.

Told you it was going to be a jam packed day! Gotta get some sleep because tomorrow is packed: Birthday party, more shopping, birthday brunch for dinner with all the March birthdays in the family and extended family, it’s going to be another crazy day!

Sweet dreams and Happiest of Happy Birthdays to my wonderful, smart, caring, funny, sweet SEVEN year old niece, EJS. I love you!

{March 20, 2014} writer’s block…or maybe I’m just tired

What to talk about?

It’s 1:15am, I got to Boston a few hours ago, GES picked me up, we were able to catch up just the two of us for the ride home, it was great. I saw ACS when we got to the house, we caught up a little, eventually, they went up to get some sleep, I did a little laundry and here I am sitting talking with you. I have a lot to say, but I can’t think of one thing to talk about.

You should see the way they decorated EJS’ room for her birthday tomorrow, well, today! She’s going to be so very excited when she wakes up in a few hours!

I’ll have much more to tell you over the weekend! There’s a poetry reading, birthday dinner, birthday brunch, going into the office and then back to Michigan on Sunday, whirlwind! Of course, maybe with some Muppets Most Wanted thrown in…I can’t wait to be woken up by my two favorite wee tots in a few hours! Gotta get some sleep!

Good night!

{March 4, 2014} LB is three!

Can you believe it? I can’t!

I remember the day I first met her, it was at her first birthday party, what a cutie! I had known about her before she was here, when DCM first told me that her mommy was expecting. We had been dating a few months when she was born and I hadn’t met his kids just yet. I had been wanting to meet LB for a long time and I still remember the day that he gave me an envelope and when I opened it, it was an invitation to her first birthday party! Really? Oh boy! I couldn’t wait!

The day of the party, I met LB AND the family I hadn’t met yet, Oh boy! It was great, they all made me fell incredibly welcome and I appreciated that so much. LB wasn’t sure about me, but you could tell she loved her grandpa and oh boy, the moment she was born DCM was done!

Since meeting her, we’ve spent time together, playing, dinners even some one on one time with just DCM and I in Las Vegas, so much fun and what a ball of energy! Facetime has been great for us to see and chat with her, sometimes when I was still in Georgia, DCM would Facetime with me and I’d see LB. I had this tissue box with Cookie Monster, Elmo, Ernie and Big Bird, I can do all the voices, so I did and then after a few times, as soon as DCM would get on FaceTime, her first question “Elmo?” uh oh, better get it!

Eventually, now when she gets on Facetime, if I’m not there, “Where’s JJ?” how much do I love that? We love Facetiming with LB, she’s all over the place, reading to us, playing games, informing us of things we might not have known, ratting out her parents, that’s always fun. She is a card!

Happiest of happy birthdays to a great little three year old who has let me into her life and her heart, of course she has invaded my heart and given me the new role of a grandma, which I am la la la loving! Here’s to another year of living, learning and loving! You’re awesome!

{February 27, 2014} Parents are our biggest cheerleaders

I am always amazed at what our parents will do for us and how we turn around to do the same for our kids.

This post was inspired today by the group that is staying at my hotel this weekend; they started showing up in droves yesterday and have taken over quite a few rooms. They are the parents of a swim team for a college in town for a big meet; they have coolers and lots of ‘hooch’ and food, put mats outside their doors, tables with food in the hallways, posters with their son’s photos on the doors. They are wearing purple tu-tus, hats with bells, feather boas, it’s like Michael’s craft store exploded in the hotel!

Our parents are our biggest cheerleaders, it starts when we are little kids, encouraging us to walk, talk, laugh, clap, read, thrive. Then we’re kicking, running, jumping, hitting, spiking, tumbling, diving, reading, spelling, singing, dancing, acting, you name it, if there is a sport, there is a child participating and a parent supporting them.

Sometimes it may seem like some parents go overboard, we’ve all heard about the fights at little league games, hockey matches, you name it. On the other side, sometimes we might see the cheerleader moms as going overboard as well. There are the curls, personalized bows, hairspray, gift bags, I have a little experience with this as the mother of a competition cheerleader. I also had a football player/wrestler/soccer player.

There were the fundraisers we asked our parents to help us with and then we turn around and help our kids, asking our friends and neighbors to buy whatever we/they are selling.

There were meets and games and competitions to go to, sometimes all in the same day! Go to one event, after their go, we got in the car and went to the next event, back and forth all day, weehoo.

Parents are fantastic and until we are in their shoes supporting our kids, many of us don’t realize just how much our parents give, showing that support.

I’ve seen my sister and friends on the path for their kids, I know I’m a cheerleader for my nieces, my friends kids and when my grandkids start whatever it is, I’ll be on the sidelines cheering my heart out!

I was lucky enough to realize it and I know my sister was too. Our parents were at every one of our soccer games, my mom and I would go to my dad’s basketball games to watch him coach sometimes, that was fun. Since my dad was coaching his own soccer team, my mom was at our games.

And…there were games that our school played against his school, then he got to see us play and cheer us on. It was funny when GES or I would do something well, even scored a goal and he screamed and cheered and ran onto the field to hug us, guess how happy his team was!

As we get older, if we’re lucky, the support and cheerleading doesn’t stop with the school sporting events, school projects, theater productions, competitions, national competitions, you name it, our parents are there for us. And if we are as lucky to turn out to be half the people and parents they are, we pick up where they left off and do the same for our children.

I know that for me, my dad is still my biggest cheerleader and for that, I say thank you thank you thank you!

{February 8, 2014} Tour of Boulder, the Offices, Pizza, the Mall and some Olympics

Am I wrong in not watching the Olympics religiously? I didn’t know when the opening ceremonies were, I thought Friday, then I thought I saw Thursday, turns out Friday. I’m so confused. We watched some events yesterday, then today we watched some skiathalon and boarding and figure skating, but that’s about it. DCM and DCM [tee hee hee] have been watching consistently since we got home, I’ve been packing and getting things ready for this week, prepping Valentine’s stuff to be shipped out, but I haven’t been that keen on watching. Something wrong with me? [Don’t answer that!]

Today was a nice, relaxing day. We got up leisurely, slept until about 9am, wow! Then eventually got up, dressed and out the door. We ran a few errands then headed to the Boulder office to show DCM around, very proud of her dad! Abo’s pizza, YUM! [watched a little Olympics there] then down to Pearl Street to look and explore, got some candy from Rocket Fizz, on to the Boulder Solar array, the Mall, shakes, sorbet and gelato for everyone.

It’s been great having DCM here, getting to spend time with her, laughing, sharing, having a good time, it’s meant a lot and I’m looking forward to the next visit.

We got home, they sat down to watch the Olympics and I got going on printing paperwork, checking in for my flight, packing, laundry, yes, in that order, got Valentine’s identified and ready to go, now I’m talking to you and that’s all she wrote!

Tomorrow or more likely Monday I will tell you about my newest and most exciting adventure!

[is it surreal for you too? I’m blogging before midnight, 10:00 even? I think I need to lie down!]

Go USA!

{February 8, 2014} Activity…fun, realization…bah, visit…yeah!

I know, please explain.

I went skiing today…fun and realized I was an adult…bah. I knew I had a few hours before the visit, and I knew I wouldn’t have a chance to go until next weekend, so I suited up, got in the car and Annie and I headed to Keystone.

We were about (ha ha, when I was telling DCM I said we, he said who did you go with? Annie of course!) thirty minutes from Keystone and hit some traffic, took a less traveled road with a bunch of others to bypass the traffic then got back on the highway. Right before the Eisenhower Tunnel, we all slowed down, there was ice and snow, no where to turn around, so just keep going. On the other side, same thing, slow going, ice and snow, but I was about ten miles from Keystone, I figured I’m here, might as well still go.

It took me about 2.5 hours to get there, not turning around! I geared up, the boots went on much easier this time! Of course, it helped when I realized they were on the wrong feet! Oh brother! My shins are a little bruised from the boots, but I kept going. I got on the gondola, made it to the top, put on my skis and pushed off.

This is where I had my realization. As I started down the mountain my body started to inform me it was not completely happy with me. My shins hurt, my knees were protesting. Now, if I was younger or had purchased a one day ticket, I would have said forget it and kept skiing, all day. Here I was, in a little discomfort, it started snowing, which looked very pretty by the way and I knew I had to drive home.

Grownup me said, when I get to the bottom, I’m done, going home. Pook. I’ve had a few defining moments, well, not monumental moments, but for me they were defining moments, I was a…ugh, don’t say it…Grownup! I went to Savanna once and went on a tour of the city, voluntarily! The first time I went to Epcot on my own and enjoyed the science and learning stuff, heaven forbid! I’m a big kid at heart, but I’m starting to listen to reason, sort of.

So, down I went, enjoyed it, admired the view, the snow and then headed to my car. Activity, fun…realizing I’m a grownup…bah.

Got home, took Annie to the car wash, she was sooo happy! finished straightening up, blew up the new air mattress, made the bed with new sheets and comforter, hung a curtain and we were good to go! DCM got home and we were off to the airport to pick up…DCM!

She just spent the last two weeks in Las Vegas with her sister, brother-in-law and LB and her sister LSS! DCM requested that his daughter bring his granddaughters with her, but for some reason she didn’t listen! However, LB was so distraught when her aunt Pow Pow, you know her as DCM, left, she cried at the airport, all the way home and for about an hour after that! She didn’t want her Pow Pow to leave and wanted to come to see Grandpa and JJ! So sad, cute and sweet at the same time!

We got there in time to wait for her to come up the escalator, then wait on her luggage, apparently there was a back up in holding. We headed to the car, dinner at Fazolis, a fast food Italian restaurant that we all used to go to in Atlanta, no longer, so it was a nice treat. On to the new CEC sales office, great job by the team headed by JS and TT for her fabulous mural, very cool. (Sorry, I forgot to take pictures!).

Then home, meet the kitties, get a five cent tour of the apartment, settle in and get comfy.

Who knows what’s on for tomorrow, I’m sure it will be fun! I’ll keep you posted!

{February 3, 2014} It’s time to say goodbye and flying etiquette, or lack there of.

Today it was time to head back to Denver, I would miss my family, but I will see them again soon and I’m missing DCM. Shhh…don’t tell, but I like him a little, ok, a lot!

I got up when the girls were getting ready for school and when the bus came, EJS ran out the door, not even a good bye, sigh. She was excited for school and…got her first report card today, according to her teacher, she loves science and social studies! No slouches in this family!

When it was time for MGS to go to school, she refused to hug, kiss or even say goodbye to dad and I. I wasn’t upset because I remember going through this with EJS, there was a time she refused to say goodbye and then stood at the front door waving! It’s a good thing.

Then dad headed out, snowstorm heading towards New York, he wanted to get ahead of it and he did. He also treated me to a car service to the airport, thank you daddy! It was very nice, door to door service.

When I left, it had been snowing for a few hours and everything was pretty, blanketed in snow, made me want to light a fire and listen to christmas music!

At the airport, got a free bag check, took it! Was able to rearrange some things thanks to the new bag from COF, thank you! I had made some lunch, so I had something to carry it in.

I get to the gate, we start to board, then we’re delayed about thirty minutes, not sure if they were cleaning the wings or what, but we took off eventually. Here’s the kicker, I’m not a fan of changing planes, only because you are at the mercy of everything else. When I booked the flight, I chose the shortest total travel time as well as shortest layover.

We arrive in Dallas late, my flight is due to leave at 7:45, we land about 7:30. They announce over the intercom, as they always do “if you do not have a connecting flight, please stay seated to allow those with connections to make their flights”. Think that happened? Not a chance!

I finally get off the plane and book it to the gate. Originally, we were coming in at Gate 33, I had to go to Gate 37, no worries, I’ll make it. Then…gate change, we come in to Gate 9! What? I make tracks once I get off the plane, I make it in about 5 minutes, .22 miles, so my watch picked up, I think it picked up late, but it’s funny that it starts tracking.

I get to the gate, which had said on time on the board…leaving 40 minutes late, so I take a breath. We were waiting on the crew, that happens, but…when I get on the plane, guess who the crew was? My Boston-Dallas flight crew! How funny is that?

Flight was uneventful, I was just ready to get off the plane, the first leg was four hours, this was going to be two, I was just about done. So those were my flights, I watched 2.5 movies, not to shabby.

Here’s where the flying etiquette comes in…

Chat with people if you want, be pleasant. I told you about the woman I sat next to last week, well, today, on the first flight, the girl next to me was very pleasant. Small world, she is a nurse in the emergency department at a hospital in Dallas using Epic: ASAP for the electronic medical records, which is what I am credentialed in and about to start training again (.more about that later). The woman on the other side was nice, she got me napkins when I spilled my drink and didn’t balk when I asked her to move so I could use the facilities.

Next flight, I’m in an aisle seat. The guy across the aisle was the treasure…he was a larger guy, not a big deal until we landed. Then he was out of his seat like a shot, leaning over into his seat with his rump in my face, he almost elbowed me twice, hit me with his coat when he put it on. You just need to have a little awareness of you surroundings when you’re in a tight and confined space.

After all that, I was just ready to get off the plane and I did and everything ended on a high note. DCM was waiting at the top of the escalator for me, gave me a great big hug, which I needed and wanted, a bottle of water in the truck and at the apartment… flowers the Last Vegas DVD. The perfect ending to a long day.

Now, as LaLa says to the girls, “it’s Betty Boop time.” I bid you a very good night!

{February 2, 2014} Another crazy day!

It’s not a normal day at the S house if it’s not packed to the nines with things to do!

Hold the phones, I slept in, all the way to 9am! oooooh! I think I heard people rousing, but put my head back under the covers, so there! I gathered my things and made my way upstairs, all better after a shower and brushing my teeth, that seems to make things better.

KP was back to visit GES for the morning before she left for the airport. EJS, MGS and ACS were at swim lessons, they came home shortly and then got ready for Sunday school. Everyone walked to the temple, MGS and I stayed behind to play, we went outside, it was warm, still snow on the ground, but warm! A heat wave! We played in the front yard, she shoveled, got bored, wanted to play catch, got bored, then we headed to the backyard, we swung, slid, played hide and seek, snowball fight, what could be better? Before going inside, we saw COF and her middle daughter, JF, on their way to VISIT A COLLEGE! Where did the time go??? Inside to change intro dry clothes, throw some laundry in, get cleaned up and get snacks.

BR came to pick up GES and I to go off for a little pampering, claws and paws, [manis and pedis for those of you not in the know] and it was delightful, we caught up, chatted, laughed and were pampered, what could be better? A quick stop off at Trader Joe’s for last minute supplies, then to the house.

We straightened up, got some things ready for people to come over for the big game, the Super Bowl, just in case you were wondering. Amidst all of this, discovered that Phillip Seymour Hoffman was gone, very sad, an incredible talent over his career, of course, I will always remember him best as Dusty from Twister! The difficult/interesting part was trying to discuss it with EJS asking the tough questions about what happened, death, things like that. I think we handled it well.

All of a sudden, there were people in the house…RG came with her twins, S&A, love those two! A just donated ten inches of her hair to Locks of Love two weeks ago, what a big girl! A&K S and their lovely daughters H&B, also known as ‘the baby whisperers’ came over [they are AMAZING with kids!].

RG brought my new kicks with her! New Mizuno Wave Runners, she works at a local running store and got me a great discount! OMG! I’m stoked! Perfect timing for me to get new shoes before I go to Disney in a few weeks to run a race! THANK YOU!

We sat down to watch the game and commercials. Well, they did, I was in and out, not a football fan, as most of you know, but I’m always game for the commercials, but like the game, they weren’t all that great. What a sad game it was. [Muppets were top of my list, go figure!]

Are you with me on that? Everyone wanted to know if the Broncos showed up yet, DCM said maybe they missed their flight. Bottom line is, they made it that far and were in the game, so kudos to them for making it to the Super Bowl. Kudos to Seattle for winning. There, I’m done talking about the game.

This was a little weird for me, it’s the first time in about seven or eight years that I was not at JT’s house for the Super Bowl party, miss ya my friend!

Here’s the interesting thing…We started off the game with lots of energy and noise in the house, along with the players and as the game wore on, the crowd got smaller and smaller and the game seemed to get worse and worse, as everyone was commenting. In the end, it was me, GES, ACS and dad watching the end of the game, very subdued. Interesting parallel.

After everyone else went up, ACS and I watched Shark Tank for a few minutes and then Shrek The Third, then he was off to bed, tomorrow’s a work day.

For me, I needed to check in for my flight back to Denver tomorrow. I purchased my ticket on Orbitz, flying US Airways here and American Airlines back, even though they merged, they’re not completely merged, so I still have to check in on American. I go to American, sign up for their frequent flyer program and guess what they can’t find…my reservation, really? Ok, so I have to check in at the airport, whatever.

So, here I sit, everyone is tucked snug in their beds and I am writing to you. Time for me to log off and pack my bags to get ready to head out tomorrow. [hopefully my day of travel will be uneventful]

I hope you had a great day whatever you did!

{February 1, 2014} What a day! Skiing, friends and visiting

As the title states…what a day! It is non-stop around this household!

Up about seven when my brother-in-law, ACS [I had to start using his middle initial!] came downstairs to the basement to get his skis and boots and turned on the light, really? Lucky for him, I had woken up about three minutes before that!

EJS and ACS were heading to Nashoba, http://www.skinashoba.com/, for ski lessons for EJS, MGS had her lessons later. So there was the packing of the bag, getting dressed, getting the skis in the car and evenutally, out the door, I was beat by then!

The plan was for ACS to take EJS to the mountain for her lesson, then dad and I would bring MGS to the mountain, meet ACS and EJS for lunch, then MGS would have her lesson at 1:30, sounds good. Dad and I were informed that we would be working as a team to take MGS to the mountain, sounds good.

Next it was time to get MGS set, first layer on, next layer on, last layer on. It takes a little longer because she is three and change and needs to examine everything she is doing, taking the time, piece by piece, to look at it, discuss it and then put it on. Then she was dressed and ready to go. I forgot to mention that while we had a few hours since the others left, we played games, made masks, just had some fun.

One of my sister’s college roommates, KP [that’s how she will always be to me], came in to town to visit her and was staying at SR’s house, they came over just as we were leaving and it was an interesting transition, but someone, not saying who…was smart enough to grab the iPad and say “Hey, MGS, how about Despicable Me2?” Perfect, she loves those minions! WIthin ten minutes of being on the road, she was fast asleep.

It was a nice drive for dad and I up to Nashoba, only about 40 mintues, we chatted, listened to the radio and all of a sudden we were there! I did miss a turn off from the round aout, but that’s the great thing about round abouts, just go around about again!

We got to the ski area, found a place to park, grabbed the sleeping munchkin who wrapped her little legs and arms around me, snuggled down and oh brother, what a feeling!

We went into the lodge, waited for EJS and ACS to join us. After her lesson, they went skiing together, they had such a great time! Side note…I don’t think I told you, my sister and brother-in-law met at a ski house they both had time in, so you know these two girls are going to ski!

We had lunch, not bad for what it was. Then it was time to put on layer after layer after layer on MGS and take her out for her lesson. The three year olds are SO cute! They wear a harness that has a handle on the back so you can pick them up easier if they are on the ground and then there is a stick, looks a little like a pogo stick that the parents use to pull the kids. TOO CUTE!

After watching about fifteen minutes, dad, EJS and I left to head towards the car, well, apparently that was the wrong thing to do, here comes ACS and MGS, she had had enough. We got belgium waffles from the waffle hut and headed to the cars and home.

When we got there, SR and KP were still at the house, we hung out for a while, then everyone by ACS and GES went to SR and LR’s house to see their kids, S&E, LOVE those little guys! EJS and MGS love playing with them, we went to the attic play room they had just finished and played for a while.

When it was time for S&E to have dinner, we all came back to the house, had dinner ourselves, then it was bath, games, books and bed time. For the kids, the grownups thought about going to sleep, we were wiped out by then, but we stayed up.

We went downstairs, had something to eat, SR and KP came back to visit and then they were gone and now everyone is upstairs in bed, except for ACS, who is at a birthday party and yours truly who couldn’t go to sleep without first telling you about my day!

Tomorrow is swim lessons, Sunday school, valentine card making, then the SuperBowl [go Broncos!], then a nap?

Are you tired yet from reading this? Sweet dreams!

{January 30, 2014} Auntie J’s day

Yesterday it was Auntie J all the way!

Mommy and daddy had an appointment, so it was me, EJS and MGS all day. I set the alarm for six am, apparently it went off, it was quiet when the girls woke me at 7:20, actually, they didn’t actually wake me, they walked in the room and I knew they were there.

They told me it was time to get up, that I needed to take a shower and they were ready for breakfast. EJS asked if I would put a braid in her hair for school, of course! well, if I get hugs and kisses, I’ll get out of bed, I’m not above bribing!

I walked into MGS’ room and EJS was helping her get dressed! We both tried to tell her that her shirt was on backwards, but she was happy with it! She was dressed! We all went I to mommy and daddy’s bathroom to brush teeth, wash hands, brush hair.

Then it was downstairs for breakfast, I prepped the pancakes while they watched TV. I went to take a shower and when I came back downstairs, made lunches, got snacks and it was time to take MGS to school.

When I got here on Monday, MGS informed me that I was allowed to take her to school “one day only” and this was the day!

We piled in the car, iPad at the ready, put on Rio and headed to school without incident, except for an occasional sharing violation. Got to school, walked MGS in, then EJS and I headed out, we stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a treat.

We headed for EJS’ school, she had a late start for her school day. I dropped her off, went home, took care of a few things, had a great lunch with TRS and her youngest, SS, then we went to pick up her big sister, SS from school.

The evening was the most fun, when MGS and I picked up EJS we made a plan for the evening..and it was great!

As soon as we got home, we all went to our rooms and put on our jammies, I set them up with a movie, one guess! I made us egg, cheese and spinache sandwiches on English muffins, yes, my own egg mcmuffins! While we sat on the living room floor and had a picnic!

Someone, not me, had her sandwich, her little sisters and then oatmeal, good girl! Then it was strawberries and grapes for dessert and in a few minutes we were heading upstairs to read books and play games and guess who came home at that particular moment, perfect timing!

Upstairs we went to read books and play games and then bed.

It was a good day, a good day with my girls and Auntie J!

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