It’s Important For Your Kids to Feel Safe on Winter Road Trips

January 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Winter road trips present a host of challenges. Of course, the weather can be a factor, considering where you’re driving, but there are so many other elements to consider as well. Especially when you’re traveling with your family and with your children, it’s important that everyone feels safe to have a smooth and seamless road trip.

 

Safety is one of the basic fundamental human needs, and children are especially affected by this need. Here are the main reasons why it’s important for your kids to feel safe on winter road trips.

 

Safety encourages rest

 

When kids feel truly safe, they are able to relax and rest. In the case of road trips, this means they’re able to sleep, or just relax to a level of calmness that keeps everyone happy. Especially when you are driving long distances, it’s necessary that kids find time to sleep – and this can only really happen if they are incredibly tired, as well as if they feel safe.

 

So, make some preparations to make sure that your kids feel safe and comfortable. Encourage them to bring along their favorite books and toys, bring some familiar snacks, play soothing and enjoyable music. Especially for the first hour or so in the car, creating an environment of safety and support is crucial. Bring travel-friendly pillows and blankets as well (or maybe their favorite pillow or stuffed animal), so your kids feel as safe and secure as possible.  

 

Safety encourages happiness

 

When you feel safe, you are then able to experience a broad range of other emotions, including happiness. The same applies to children. While road trips, especially road trips with children, are not typically an experience that we associate with happiness, there’s no reason why your winter road trip can’t be a happy one!

 

Take extra steps to find the joy in embarking on a road trip as a family. Practice mindfulness and be open to making memories along the way. Safety is your primary concern, but don’t forget about happiness. Plus, if you have young children and can teach them early on that road trips are fun and something to look forward to, then this will help create a long-term positive association.

 

Safety creates a calm environment

 

There are many things you can do ahead of time to make sure your road trip goes as smoothly and calmly as possible. For example, when you plan out your route, make sure you have at least one or two backup routes in case of inclement weather and road closures. This will help prevent last-minute frustrations that can then stress all car passengers.

 

Another important thing to do before hitting the road is to make sure your car has been recently serviced and is fully prepared for any environmental hazards that may come up as a result of your winter road trip. Make sure that your tire pressure is sound, and that tire treads are up to par for winter conditions. Quality vehicles will set up you up for the best safety conditions, but even they need to be serviced regularly.

 

You should also bring necessary supplies with you: This means bringing tire chains, windshield cleaners, and even packing an emergency road kit like this one recommended by AAA just in case. Wherever you happen to be traveling, be aware of all potential winter elements that you could encounter, and prepare accordingly.

 

Another thing that’s important to do is not over-pack the car. This can be tough on winter road trips, especially if you are bringing along ski equipment or other winter gear, but you need to find a balance of how much stuff is “too much stuff” in your car. When you over-pack, stored items can impede on passengers’ personal space, which creates an underlying sense of annoyance and frustrations that are likely to bubble over at some point. Prevent this from happening by packing strategically, and investing in a rooftop carrier is needed to transport all your winter items safely.

 

When children feel safe, they are able to function, flourish and grow at their highest capacity. Prioritize safety as a fundamental need in life, and especially any time that you are traveling with your kids.

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Upgrading Your Kids’ Room – How Often is Too Often?

January 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Living with kids often means having to adapt your lifestyle to certain changes that you may not be prepared to deal with. For example, the way you handle your own rooms might not necessarily work too well when it comes to the rooms your kids will live in, especially if you live with more than one child. You’ll want to plan ahead when it comes to upgrades and possibly even repairs, and you should always evaluate each situation carefully to figure out whether it’s appropriate to disturb the child’s current life.

Kids Don’t Like Frequent Change

One thing you should understand as early as possible is that kids simply don’t enjoy having their environment changing too often, especially in major ways. You might like thinking about upgrades and other changes to your own room, but when it comes to the ones your kids live in, you should not be too quick to spring into action.

Room improvements inevitably mean having to rearrange things temporarily, and even if it’s for a short while, that might seem like quite the long time to your kids themselves. It’s not just about finding an alternative room for them to stay in during the repair – this kind of disturbance is going to affect their mood more than you might like.

Don’t Postpone Repairs

On the other hand, repairs are not something you should put off. Even little things can add up quite quickly when you’re living with young children, and small issues in their day-to-day life can easily reflect back on you and make your own experience miserable. If something goes wrong, you should take the time to repair it as early as is convenient.

As long as you stick to what we mentioned above about avoiding any too frequent changes, you should be fine. If possible, group repairs together so that you can get more done in one go and not disturb your kids’ lives too much. Also, consider the option of setting things up in a way that minimizes potential damage in the first place. Invest a little more into sturdy furniture that will be resilient to damage, and this can make a big difference.

Quality of Life Upgrades

There are some things that your kids are definitely going to appreciate though, even when it means having to wait a little to get back into their room. Some kinds of improvements can matter a lot, especially to younger children. Giving them the ability to sleep better is one of those things, and even something as simple as taking the time to seek out the best mattress on the market can make a huge impact in the long run. There are various guides available on the Internet that can assist you with this, and it’s in your best interest to familiarize yourself with them as early as possible.

Don’t underestimate the amount of thinking and planning you should be putting into this though, as sleep is easily the number one factor that affects the moods of children on a regular basis. Ensuring that they have a comfortable time each night when they put their heads to rest is going to make a huge difference.

Keeping the Room Flexible for the Future

Don’t forget that this isn’t always going to be a kids’ room. Whether you want to accept the fact or not, your children are going to grow up one day. And even if you have new ones at some point, and they take over that room, it’s still going to be temporary. The point is, it’s not a bad idea to start thinking about what you could do with that room once the kids have moved out, even if it seems like it’s going to be a while until you get there.

The truth is, time flies when you’re raising children, and before you know it, that day will already be here. It’s much better to have something planned and know what you can do, rather than having to think about a solution on the spot. You might enjoy the idea of having an in-house office for your work though, so it might not be as bad as it looks. And if you want to make the transitional process as smooth and quick as possible, you should start setting things up from early on.

It’s true that you’ll have to change your way of thinking in some ways if you want to live with kids, but it’s not as difficult as some people make it out to be. All it takes is a little advance planning, knowing what’s available on the market, and of course, the right kind of communication with the little ones. The rest mostly comes down to common sense and having access to the right kinds of resources for each idea that pops up into your head.

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Living a Healthier Lifestyle Now

January 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Living healthy is something that’s definitely within reach. That said, this is also something that’s more than simply a fad, it’s a way of life and often takes time to reach your goals. However, there are things that you can do right now that will make you healthier today than you were just yesterday and will set the course for a healthier tomorrow as well.

Here’s a quick look at some tips for healthier living that can give you a jump start.

Put the Fires Out

If you’re aware that you have a chronic health issue, whether it’s something like arthritis, depression, diabetes, heart disease, or any other condition, one obvious priority for healthier living is to get treatment for it. The same goes for behaviors that are risky, like smoking, mixing antidepressants and alcohol, or using drugs. Seeing a professional and starting on a treatment plan is the best start to a healthier you.

Take Stock

One of the best things that you can do to get yourself as fit and healthy as possible is to get a grip on your current health status. You should make appointments with both your dentist and your doctor. Catch up on things like immunizations and routine screenings. Make sure that you ask your physician any questions that you may have.

Other things to do in this category include things like:
• Take stock of your weight and BMI
• Assess your activity levels
• Begin and keep a diary for what you eat
• Check your energy and mood

Use these things to set goals to meet on your way to healthier living.

Manage Stress

There are a couple of ways that you can get a handle on your stress. One of them is routine maintenance. To that end, you should develop skills for coping that are positive, like visualization and meditation. You can also be on the lookout for different activities like exercise or yoga that will maintain your baseline stress level.

Then you have to deal with breakthrough stress, which comes from situations that can happen without warning. For example, if you have a stressful meeting during your workday, you may want to run up and down the stairs a couple of times in order to burn off any anger. You might also just take a trip to a quiet stall in the bathroom so that you can take a few deep breaths and get focused again.

Get Better Sleep

This should be on everyone’s list of ways to live healthier. Not all of us can fall asleep as soon as our head hits the pillow and remain asleep all night. If you fall into that category, there are a few things you can do that might help you.

• No screens for a minimum of 2 hours before going to bed
• Don’t exercise too close to the time you hit the hay
• Take a relaxing, hot bath
• Set a regular schedule for sleeping and stick to it
• Don’t count on catching up on sleep on the weekends
• Pay attention to chronic sleep issues
• Make good sleep a priority

All of these things are things that are easy to do. However, you can easily overwhelm yourself if you try to tackle them all at once. Pick a few to start with and add others gradually, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier life.

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Best Places To Take Paid Online Surveys

January 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment

This is a fact that having more money makes you feel more secure. You will also sleep better at night. But sometimes, employers hate giving raises, or maybe overtime at work has become scarce. If this is the case, then you need to look for unorthodox ways to earn money in your spare time. And one of the best ways to earn money is through paid online surveys. Taking paid online surveys is totally free. It is easy as well as completely flexible. You can take these surveys at any time and anywhere with your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Believe me, if you enjoy doing the crosswords or puzzles, then taking such kind of surveys could be a form of entertainment for you. Probably the reason why you have landed on this page is because you are looking for the best places to take paid online surveys. Believe me, you are reading the right article. Nowadays, there are various sites that are offering paid online surveys for money. That is why this article tends to highlight a brief review of some legitimate paid survey sites. For more in-depth details of these best places, read on.

1- Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie hits the top position in the list of the best places to take paid online surveys. This platform is quite straightforward as it tells you that you will not get rich instantly from taking paid surveys for money. We all know this fact, but people say that it is quite refreshing to see some transparency!

This great platform works on a points system. These points can be converted into cash. Moreover, Survey Junkie offers 1000 points as the payout threshold which is equal to $10. To use Survey Junkie, first, you have to create an account. You can also sign up with Facebook. After creating an account, browse different categories and pick a survey that you like. Once you have completed the survey, points will be added to your account which you can cash out via PayPal after reaching the $10 threshold.

2- Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the largest and most reliable paid survey sites. It is a great platform that offers rewards for playing games as well as watching videos. At Swagbucks, the amount per survey is 70 points. You can receive cash, vouchers and prize draw as rewards. After completing a survey on Swagbucks for around 10 minutes, you can earn around £2.40. This paid online survey site also offers to complete surveys from multiple providers. Moreover, it gives consolation points as well when you do not qualify for a survey.

Swagbucks is, in fact, the most respected company in the online survey space. People love Swagbucks and they have positive remarks about it!

3- Toluna

Toluna is another website that is working on behalf of leading companies. Actually, these companies want to know what people think about their products, services, and issues. In return, people get rewarded with PayPal payments, Amazon as well as high-street vouchers. At Toluna, you can get 2000 – 50000 points by completing one survey. A single survey on this site takes about 15 minutes to complete. In this way, it will take approximately 4 hours to earn a £15 voucher.

4- InboxDollars

InboxDollars is a survey site that offers free $5 bonus just for signing up. You simply have to answer a few basic questions such as income level, race, education, and health. After some time, you’ll have $5 into your account. That’s pretty cool, isn’t it?

Just go for any of the above-mentioned site to get the most of paid online surveys.

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How to Use Walkie Talkies When You Travel

January 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment

travel with kids

Walkie Talikes—or two-way radios, if you want to be “technical”—offer a variety of uses when traveling. While many regard these little beauties as relics from the 90s, walkie talkies actually still possess great relevance for today. 

1. Children 

Do you remember being a kid? You didn’t have a cell phone. Maybe your parents were strict. Maybe it wasn’t in the budget. Maybe mobiles didn’t even exist! But for whatever reason, if your family was using the internet, you had only 3 methods of communicating with your friends. 

There was: the fake telephone, A.K.A. two cans on a string; running to their front door; and of course your handy dandy walkie talkies. 

Now obviously many kids today have cell phones, but what happens when your family is hiking in the woods and little Timmy takes a wrong turn? 10 times out of 10 there will be no service. Why? Because your service is spotty? No. Because service ALWAYS disappears whenever you need it most. Remember Murphy’s Law. 

The invariable solution to this potential issue is the walkie talkie. Not only are these items battery powered, but their functionality is not relegated to clear skies or corporate efficiency. Since walkie talkies are their own little entity, you have much more control over how you stay in contact with your children while you’re traveling—whether they forget their phone, you’re in the woods, or the labyrinth of a resort is just so stinking huge. 

2. Abroad 

The second greatest use for walkie talkies while traveling is if you’re going abroad. Whether you’re backpacking across Europe or lounging on the Japanese coastline, walkie talkies are the ideal way to avoid expensive roaming costs. 

Walkie talkies are an excellent way for you to stay in contact with your traveling partners. Keep in mind though, these little devices do not offer a way to stay in contact with authorities or other entities abroad. Walkies are best used in hiking or site seeing 

3. Road trips 

Lastly, walkie talkies are the perfect traveling companion for taking long-distance road trips with a caravan (or more than one car). Walkie Talkies provide a quick, easy access way to contact your traveling companions in the other car to coordinate directions, warn of accidents, ask questions, and of course, hold car-to-car competitions of the Alphabet game. Using walkie talkies also keeps you from fumbling with a touch screen on your phone while you’re driving. This promotes safety and security for you and your passengers. And of course, it sets a better example for your children. 


Walkie talkies offer a variety of influential ways to enhance your travel experience. While walkie talkies cannot replace cell phones entirely in their functionality, walkie talkies do provide several advantages to cell phones in short-range travel. The convenience of reliable service alone makes them the ideal addition to any travel pack. Ultimately, having walkie talkies in your travel arsenal provides you with safety, convenience and a fun way to stay in contact with your travel companions.

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Top 10 Reasons You Should Buy Robotic Cleaners and Vacuums for Your Above Ground Pool

January 14, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Who would not want to own above ground swimming pools? They cost less and occupy a smaller space than inground pools. Having one is all fun until it is cleaning time. The need to keep the water sparkling clean is high and as a pool owner, you would only want a pool cleaner that could give you the best results.

Some owners spend a lot of money and time to keep their pool clean and even hire professional pool cleaners, whilst others invest on built-in filtration systems. There are different types of pool cleaners: the suction-side, pressure-side, and robotic cleaners.

Many above ground pools come with built-in filtration systems.  Lately, though, a lot of people have been shifting to using robotic cleaners.  Here are ten reasons many pool owners are choosing them.

1. Convenient to store

Robotic cleaners remove as much as 2 microns of external pollutants. Aside from the pool bottom and waterline, they also clean your pool’s side walls, preventing algal build-up and avoiding possible bacterial growth. Robotic cleaners also filter floating and large debris, which basic pool filtration systems could not. At the same time, these robotic cleaners save you from the dreadful wires and hoses other types of filtration require. Plus, they provide you the convenience in terms of storage.  They require less space in your garage.

2. Cost and energy efficient

Whilst robotic pool cleaners cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000, they carry longer warranties. These little mechanical wonders consume less power, with a voltage of 70 watts per hour cycle up to 200 watts for the whole cleaning cycle.  This could save you a total of 5 cents per hour cycle on your electricity.

Unlike pressure-side cleaners, robotic pool cleaners do not require additional booster pumps which could cost you more. Robotic cleaners have their own filtration system, which means they do not need a built-in pool filter.  This prevents wear and tear on the part of the filter, given the large volume of debris collected; thus, prolonging its life. Studies also show that robotic pool cleaners are 93% more energy efficient than standard pool filtration systems.

3. User-friendly

Robotic pool cleaners are easy to use and no assembly skills are required. All you need to do is just plug them to the power source, drop them into the pool, and let them do what they are supposed to do. Some models even have scheduling and timed cleaning features.

However, some effort would be required to remove the filter and empty the mesh out, although that would basically be all the labour you’ll have to do. True to their name, robotic cleaners do most of the work and bring additional comfort for you.

4. Environmentally-friendly

Robotic cleaners also do not release harmful chemicals and gases whilst cleaning your pool. Pretty much all they do is just vacuum small to large debris whilst consuming less energy.

5. Low maintenance

Robotic cleaners do not need a lot of maintenance. This means they do not impose heavy burden on you in terms of cost, assembly, or parts replacement. All you need to do is remove and restore the vacuum filters of these cleaners. Most robotic cleaners have filter bags on top for easy access. In addition, these cleaners provide you with a quicker cleaning time compared to others.

6. Durable and long lasting

Robotic pool cleaners are durable when properly used. Know that spending extra dollars on a durable and high-quality cleaner is a smart move. You’ll surely appreciate this feature when you’re not having it fixed every once in a while.

7. Water saver

Compared to the suction-side cleaner which is popular in Australia, robotic pool cleaners reduce water wasting and can save you at least 33% of backwash water. Alongside reducing the need for backwashing, they also work to improve hydraulic function by lessening pressure build-up on the main filter system.

8. Less chemicals

Robotic pool cleaners efficiently remove large and small debris from the pool, allowing the main filter to more freely collect microscopic particulate matter. Most of the dirt and debris are no longer breaking down, as they are collected by the cleaners. This then reduces chlorine burnout, positively affecting the chemical balance of the water.

9. Better water circulation for chemical balance

Some robotic pool cleaner models allow the water to move around as they clean. Water circulation helps maintain the chemical balance, so the water stays within a constant pH or acidity level.

10. Low noise

Compared to other pool cleaners, robotic cleaners operate under low noise levels.

Do not be afraid to spend a few extra dollars to make your life more convenient and hassle-free. You can purchase durable but affordable robotic pool cleaners from OutbaxCamping. Make pool cleaning easier, quicker, and more enjoyable. Visit the site today!

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7 Gorgeous Rustic Home-Decor Ideas to Make Your Home Unforgettable

January 14, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Always loved the look of a beautiful country home and want to recreate it? Rustic decors are always a trend in home designs because they’re simple and they make any space cozy and inviting. Natural elements such as wood and other organic textures are the center of any good rustic home design.

The beauty of rustic home decors is that you can easily make pieces of your own without buying or spending too much. It doesn’t matter if you live in the center of the city or in the heart of a country; you can always recreate the feel of a simple country lifestyle in your home.

Of course, you can always buy rustic decors for your home if you want the convenience and if you want to instantly transform your space into a little charming cottage. They’re functional too, so they’re useful for additional storage on top of being a beautiful aesthetic.

If you already have the tools and the know-how of using different tools for big DIY projects like home decors, you can make them yourself. Check the list below for ideas.

Wooden Bath Caddy

This is a project you’ll enjoy if you’re good at woodworking and if you have a bathtub you’re fond of using at home. You’ll be needing a reclaimed wood board, screws, handy SDS drill, saw, and a waterproofer. You need to take measurements of your bathtub to cut the wood into the correct shape. It needs to be snug in order to prevent sliding.

Once the bath caddy is complete, make sure to paint it with a sealant to prevent water damage. You can fashion the caddy however you like by putting a slot for your wineglass or maybe a little compartment to hold little things.

Enjoy unwinding at the end of the day in the bath without worrying about having things wet, so put some candles, soap, or even your favorite book on it. 

Jute Twine Organizer

This is one of the easier DIY projects as you only need jute twine and a glue gun. To make a container, all you need to do is glue the twine together upward to make it look like a holder. You can make it in various shapes; square, rectangle, and circle are popular choices.

Once the twine wall is high enough, secure it by using more glue. You can make several of these and use them as organizers for decorative items or for personal items like shampoo and toilet paper.

Rustic Mason Jar Holders

Mason jars are wonderful glass jars that have a lot of uses. If your kitchen needs more storage or if you’re looking for ways to display utensils for convenience, then mason jars are great for this project. Paint the jars in earthy colors like soft, earthy brown, cream, and warm gray.

Decorate with twine by tying a piece near the mouth of jar once dry. You can also put the jars in a wood box if you want to secure them. You can also put labels on the jars to designate which utensils go to which bottle as well.

Wooden Coasters

There are many uses for wood slices, and one good project you can make out of them is to use them as wooden coasters. This is a good project if you have big fallen branches on hand, but if not, you can scour your neighborhood for some. Choose a branch that is thick in diameter, something wide enough to hold a mug or a cup.

You will need a hand saw to cut pieces and then sandpaper to smoothen the edges. Once you have your wood slices, coat them with clear varnish. You’re ready to impress your friends and guests with your wooden coasters.

Crate Bookshelf

Make use of old crates, and instead of letting them rot somewhere or putting them in the wood chipper, turn a bunch of them into your very own bookshelf instead. Since crates have certain size dimensions, you can make the bookshelf as high, as low, or as big as you want it to be.

You’ll be needing some sandpaper to smoothen it out and wood stain if you want it to appear darker. Put everything together using a drill and some screws, and reinforce it with a couple of L-brackets.

To complete the rustic-bookshelf look, put a lot of books in it. You can put hardbound books and even customized board books of your family, especially children. The nice thing about personalized board books is that you can create it according to your preferences and have as many as you like. You can one for pictures for your baby’s first year, for drawings, memories, and even one for coloring.

Driftwood Planter

Succulents are great plants for people who want to have something green and alive in their home but have no gardening experience. These plants are great because they don’t require much maintenance and need only to be watered once every couple of days. An alternative way to display these plants apart from their cute little earthenware pots is to put them inside a driftwood.

The number of succulent plants you can use for this DIY will depend on how large the driftwood piece is. You’ll also be needing moss and some floral glue; if you don’t have the latter, a hot glue gun is fine. You’ll be attaching the plants on the wood using glue and moss, and the finished project will look good on the mantel or on a wall-mounted shelf.

Keep It Simple

The beauty of the rustic home design is that it is easy to achieve, and that is why most beginner DIYers prefer this style. If you’re not that confident in your skills, keep your design simple. Once you get the hang of building things for your home, you can always go for intermediate to expert mode involving a lot of tools like saw cutting and even metals.

What is your favorite doable home design? Share your thoughts below.

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Stopping Your Home From Losing Its Cool

January 12, 2019 by Leave a Comment

A stuffy, stifling home is not something you want to come home to, but during the hottest weather – it’s almost a certainty. Taking the right measures to keep your home cool can help you feel more comfortable and able to relax in your home. There are lots of different things you can do to keep your home cool, and hopefully, the following will give you some inspiration no matter what your budget is.

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Block out the sun during the day

Having the sun blaze down on your home all day will make it extremely hot by the time you get home at the end of the day. Help to block out the sun by opening your windows – especially the ones that are out of reach and use blinds or curtains to provide some shade.

Try the fan and ice method

Having some fans around your home can be a great idea to keep your home cool. However, if the air within your home is warm, all they’ll be doing is blowing warm air around. Try some fan tricks that will help you to make the most of your fan. Placing your fan in front of a bucket of ice is ideal for creating your own makeshift AC, giving you a portable option you can move around your home!

Keep your bedroom cool

Long, hot nights make it very difficult to get to sleep. Some of the tricks for getting to sleep in the heat include spraying your bedding with cool water before you get in it, putting your bedding in the freezer and filling a hot water bottle with cold water. The materials you choose for your bedding and nightwear can also make a difference, so look for breathable fabrics like cotton to help you survive those hot nights.

Take a cool shower before bed

A cool shower before bed could be just what you need to help you sleep more comfortably. It will bring your body temperature down, ready to help your body sleep.

Upgrade your A/C system

Many people choose not to use their A/C because of concerns over costs. If you upgrade your system, however, you could end up with something that’s a little bit more economical but still keeps your home nice and cool. If your A/C breaks down, be sure to get home A/C repair in straight away – you’ll soon miss it during those summer months! Thanks to timers and smart systems, you can control your air conditioning from wherever you are, helping you save money while also making sure your home is cool when you need it. Make sure you protect your AC unit to help you avoid unnecessary problems.

Keeping your home cool can sometimes be more difficult than keeping it warm. Follow some of the steps above to help you make it through those sweaty days to ensure a happier home for everyone.

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