French Country Homes Pictures

I am looking for good ideas for a modern French Château look for our house, any pictures or suggestions?

We are looking to do a total makeover for our home. We want a modern Château look, and we don’t want to overdo it on the wood look. Think the Ritz, rather than a country style. Thanks!

What do you think of this UCAS application personal statement?

Understanding cinema and television as the unbounded global media that it is has always intrigued me. Even after watching some of my favourite films I immediately purchase them in script form in an effort to understand why these motion pictures can captivate an entire group of spectators in cinemas and homes across the world.
Gaining entry to the course would open up a whole new world of knowledge and information , however, the biggest aspect of the course for me would be the chance to work with and learn from experienced individuals who have worked in an industry in which I hope to one day participate. This Degree would undoubtedly give me the confidence and ability to succeed in this industry and also give me the tools needed to write creatively for film and television, either as an individual or as part of a team.
Although I have no previous involvement in this subject and have been absent from full time education for over five years, I do exhibit good learning abilities. This can be shown by my HND in Electronics and in the completion of various training courses and ongoing appraisals I currently undergo, which have ensured I have remained in a learning environment which has taken me to the peak of possibilities available in the field in which I work.
I have researched the subject I am applying for thoroughly through the prospectus and on-line information from the Faculty of Arts .Having worked in the west end of Glasgow, I am familiar with the area, the University and the bohemian atmosphere that it creates and have a desire to be involved in this lively area that pulses with a multicultural heartbeat.
In my current profession, I work alone as part of a specialist team covering the latest products and also covering most of the central belt of Scotland. Working somewhat autonomously requires great self motivation and reliability which is coterminous with the trust in the individual shown by the management.
At school I was involved in various extra curricular activities, but the one I am most proud of was the assisted reading program that endeavoured to help younger students with a learning difficulty by improving their reading on a one to one basis. Over the past few years however, the window for these types of activities has been closed mainly due to the fact that my father suffered a near fatal heart attack. Helping him through the first difficult year of recuperation and rehabilitation was the catalyst needed to prompt me to take advantage of company policy and apply for a years career break in which to travel and reassess some personal goals and ambitions.
I am fairly active in any free time that I do have and enjoy various sports including playing football twice a week and cycling three times a week. When it gets to winter I enjoy snowboarding with friends over the weekend. Having done some research I am aware that the university has various clubs and associations and, if I am successful in gaining entry to the course, I will be actively looking to join a winter sports club. I love travelling which gives time to pursue my other hobby of photography. I have visited France a few times which has given me the opportunity to brush up on the little French I know, and once drove across the whole country. I have also visited Holland, Belgium, Greece, the Czech Republic and most recently on my career break spent a few months in Australia.

Would this be your perfect country?

We’ve decided we’re leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we’re taking the other Blue States with us.

In case you aren’t aware, that includes Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and the entire Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New California.

To sum up briefly:
You get Texas, Oklahoma, and all the slave states.

We get stem cell research and the best beaches.
We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole’ Miss.
We get 85 percent of America’s venture capital and entrepreneurs.
You get Alabama.
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue; you get to make the red states pay their fair share.

Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the Christian Coalition’s, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of single moms. Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-war, and we’re going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they’re apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don’t care if you don’t show pictures of their children’s caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we’re not willing to spend our resources in Bush’s Quagmire.

With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80 percent of the country‘s fresh water, more than 90 percent of the pineapple and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation’s fresh fruit, 95 percent of America’s quality wines (you can serve French wines at state dinners) 90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cal and MIT.

With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88 percent of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the tornadoes, 90 percent of the hurricanes, 99 percent of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.

We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.

Additionally, 38 percent of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62 percent believe life is sacred unless we’re discussing the death penalty or gun laws, 44 percent say that evolution is only a theory, 53 percent that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61 percent of you crazy bastards believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties. Wow…takes your breath away……….

By the way, we’re taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt weed they grow in Mexico.

why are the french still crying about losing the 06 world cup?

man the italians really proved what big babies the frogs are.there are still going on about zidane this zidane that…..didnt he blow it in the world cup? man at least materazzi did something for his country and team…..what you say? bringing home the world cup you idiot!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahaha “question” after seeing zidanes wifes picture..would you do her? ya know if she offered?

Drapery Colour Ideas for Dining room and Living room/Office?

New home in the country – large diningroom and using the livingroom as an office/sitting room. Need the right drapery for both. Most of the house is done in dark taupe with white trim.

I have a white electric fireplace in my office which we brought from the last home (no it can’t be painted nor do I want to). The office & dining room will be the only rooms in the house looking feminine. I love shabby chic & French country, but because the pets are everywhere I am instead of going for white duck covers for the loveseat & wing chair I covered in prairie blue. I want to use existing and new artwork. The diningroom furniture is glass table with espresso legs and buffet which I know is neither shabby or French. I am thinking of trading 2 or all the 4 chairs for faric to floor parson’s chairs.

There are vast windows in each room with gorgeous views of the garden I want to frame.

I want to tie in existing expensive artwork. The colours in the art are mostly blues, greens and pink (ie. pink peony and anopther has a blush pink mat) and are pictures of old stone buildings with gardens and window boxes full of pink petunias.

Flooring is walnut coloured hardwood.

The rooms are both large and the diningroom if fairly sparse so I think full curtains may warm it up.

So, does this give you enough info for suggestions?

If the country were to split into blue states and red states, where would you rather live?

Here’s the case for the blue states. You can definitely count me in!:

In case you aren’t aware, that includes Hawaii, Oregon, Washington,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and all the Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New California.

To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states. We get stem cell research and the best beaches.

We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole’ Miss.
We get 85 percent of America ‘s venture capital and entrepreneurs.
You get Alabama . We get two-thirds of the tax revenue; you get to make the red states pay their fair share.

Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the Christian
Coalition’s, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of
single moms.

Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-war,
and we’re going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If
you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they’re
apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they
don’t care if you don’t show pictures of their children’s caskets coming
home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we’re not willing to spend our resources in Bush’s Quagmire.

With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80% of the country‘s fresh water, more than 90 % of the pineapple and lettuce, 92 % of the nation’s fresh fruit, 95 %of America’s quality wines (you can serve French wines at state dinners) 90% of all cheese, 90% of the high tech industry, most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.

With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with
88 % of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92 % of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the tornadoes, 90 % of the hurricanes, 99 % of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100 % of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.

We get Hollywood and Yosemite , thank you.

Additionally, 38 % of those in the Red states believe Jonah was
actually swallowed by a whale, 62 % believe life is sacred unless
we’re discussing the death penalty or gun laws, 44 %say that
evolution is only a theory, 53 %that Saddam was involved in 9/11,
and 61 % of you believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties.

By the way, we’re taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt weed they grow in Mexico .

Peace out,
Blue States

BTW, Grump56, I’ve made it all the way to age 62 without EVER having used pot at ANY time in my life, in spite of living in the midst of a thriving university community in he 1960′s! The last statement is simply for those who CHOOSE to partake. It’s none of my business if they do–nor yours.

What would be inside your dream home?

**How many rooms?
**What would they be used for?
**How many bathrooms/kitchens/etc.
**Every room must have a purpose. And it can be any purpose you want.
**What would be in your back yard?

*Mstr Bdrm-Black, white and chrome-POP art all over,
Computer, TV, HUGE bathroom, balcony
*Daughters room-red, yellow,oranges-NO PINK-fort with her bed in it
*Guest Room- Marilyn Monroe, black white and leopard accents, bathroom with jacuzzi tub
*Game room-velcro wall,xbox/wii (GHIII, Rock band) bowling lanes
*Kitchen-an island, old french country decorated, tuscan colors, wine racks
*Lvng/Dng Room- Moulin Rouge colors (purples, reds, golds), french art (fluer de lis, old french movie posters, Huge rotal purple sofa
*Office-a Mac and a PC-video equipment, photo editing studio, pictures of family and friends, BOOKS
*Home Theatre-Stadium Seating, every dvd you can think of, popcorn machine
*Backyard-Natural stone pool, slides, waterfalls, koi pond
*And in the back- A TATTOO Studio

BNG…includes pictures!?

You are (1) _______, and you have just moved to Boston for your new job. While walking through your apartment building with boxes, you hear a man (2) _______ ask if you need help. You thank him and he asks you to return the favor by letting him take you out. 6 Months later, you are still together and going steady. His job gets moved to London, England. You go with him, where he lets you pick out a house of any size in all of England (post a picture).
You & Boyfriend: http://www.inmagine.com/rds105/rds105155-photo

After you move, he proposes. (3) Where do you get married? A short while after the wedding, you discover that you are pregnant. You go in for your ultrasound to find that it is twins. They are born healthy, both girls having blonde hair and green eyes. You give them French names with traditional or family middle names. (4) _____& _____.
Twins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/an-magrittlerfald/2696809330/

After the twins turn four, you find that without an infant things feel lonely. You and your husband decide to try for another. 9 months later, you give birth to a healthy baby boy, with thick black hair and dark eyes. His first name pertains to nature, while his middle is Italian. (5) ______
Twins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/an-magrittlerfald/2714416767/in/set-72157594538949982/
Boy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/910800015/

After 4 years pass, you decide to go back to work, (6) What is your occupation? However, right after you get back into the flow of things, you find that shortly later you will be on maternity leave again! Apparently you’re pregnant with twins again! Oh my! You give birth to a healthy baby girl & boy. They must be given names that are NOT in the top 100. Their middle names must be the most common middle names you can think of. (7) _______ & ________
Twins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jardesigns/3526702102/
Twin girls: http://xae.xanga.com/e1b860f6c4400234139367/z72502003.bmp
Boy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/langleyphoto/3036537278/in/set-72157610756765735/

As the newest additions to the family grow up, life becomes more difficult than ever. (8) You move to a new home, back in the US. Where is it and what is it (post a picture)? You also are granted the opportunity to take a 2 week vaca by the doting grandparents and aunts and uncles. (9) Where do you and husband go? While you are there, you come across a small girl who needs a home desperately. Her name must be of the country that you adopted her, with the middle being your first name. You adopt her (10), ______, please post a picture. You & your husband are finally content with the size of your family, and decide not to expand any further.

As adults, your children look like:
Twin girls: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabibas/2277950257/
Boy: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/09/15/magazine/17lover_slide01.jpg
Twins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33829208@N07/3516029545/
Adopted girl: (11) you post the picture
My answers:
1. Marie St. Claire Hawthorne
2. Seamus Ryan Hawthorne
House: http://i.treehugger.com/files/th_images/english-house.jpg
3. English ivy covered garden house.
4. Vivienne Elise & Amélie Antoinette Hawthorne
5. Forrest Luca Hawthorne
6. Interior designer
7. Eden Marie & Milo Thomas Hawthorne
8. Huntington Bay, NY (close to my home city NYC). http://www.prudentialelliman.com/Listings.aspx?ListingID=2156649&rentalperiod=&SearchType=li&Region=LI
9. We go to Ireland.
10. Niamh St. Claire http://www.babynamesofireland.com/images/products_140/baby_girl.jpg
11. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazzar/2832815006/

should men be aloud in the delivery room?

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Page last updated at 11:59 GMT, Wednesday, 25 November 2009
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Should dads be in the delivery room?

By Clare Murphy
Health reporter, BBC News

Dad and baby
Would it have been better if he wasn’t there?

It was once imparted to the father over the phone, yet now it’s men themselves who often tell their exhausted partner the sex of the child she has just delivered. But could men be more of a hindrance than a help in the delivery room?

French obstetrician Michel Odent says yes, and even blames fathers for an increasing rate of births by Caesarean section.

At a debate hosted this week by the Royal College of Midwives, Mr Odent will argue against what he dubs “the masculinisation of the birth environment”.

The presence of an anxious male partner in the labour room makes the woman tense and slows her production of the hormone oxytocin, which aids the process of labour, so the French doctor contends.

This, he says, makes her much more likely to end up on the operating table having an emergency Caesarean section.

“Having been involved for more than 50 years in childbirths in homes and hospitals in France, England and Africa, the best environment I know for an easy birth is when there is nobody around the woman in labour apart from a silent, low-profile and experienced midwife,” he says.

“Oxytocin is the love drug which helps the woman give birth and bond with her baby. But it is also a shy hormone and it does not come out when she is surrounded by people and technology. This is what we need to start understanding.”

He will be debated by Duncan Fisher, a leading advocate for fathers, who, while pressing for more preparation for fathers, argues they are there because women want them to be – “and we should trust mothers’ instincts”.

Here we come

Certainly men’s appearance on the labour ward does co-incide with a rising number of caesarean births – although ironically their arrival was in part a backlash against doctor-led, highly-medicalised care in favour of a more woman-centred approach.

In the 1960s only about a quarter of men in the UK attended the birth of an infant, today it is well over 90%.

There are many reasons why the number of emergency Caesarean sections has risen …none of which have anything to do with the presence of dads
Patrick O’Brien
Consultant obstetrician

It is seen as an important rite of passage for any involved father, as well as a marker of social progress – the less developed a country, the more likely childbirth is to be seen as a woman’s business best conducted behind closed doors.

“But I think the other issue is the lack of one-to-one care of women by midwives,” says Winnie Rushby of Doula UK, an organisation which provides birthing support from experienced, but non-medically trained women. “Fathers have been called on to provide that help.

“Some of them are very attuned to the emotional and psychological needs of their partner. But if they are shocked by bodily fluids and very agitated by the pain they see her in, this could play on her mind and stop her psychologically entering the place she needs to be to deliver the baby – the birthing ‘zone’, if you like.

“We’ve gone from men not being there to virtually all men being there. We need to find a new medium, where there is no shame in discussing whether the father should be there or not. Women need to start asking if they really do want him there – and if so, is he prepared for what will go on.”

Staying home

In fact, the greatest advocate of putting men in the mix was US doctor Robert Bradley, who in 1962 published Father’s Presence in Delivery Rooms. This was a review of 4,000 cases when husbands were present.

Some partners will not feel comfortable themselves in providing physical and emotional support during labour
Elizabeth Duff
National Childbirth Trust

He concluded, quite contrary to Dr Odent, that the husband’s presence as a so-called “birth coach” actually helped the woman to relax. “With husbands coaching, we have more than 90% totally unmedicated births. No other approach comes near to that figure,” he wrote.

Iran only recently allowed fathers into the delivery room after the health ministry in Tehran asked doctors to reduce the number of Caesarean births.

At 70% it has been among the highest in the world, and has been explained largely by women’s fear of childbirth. Bringing in the men, it was hoped, would provide women with the reassurance they needed to deliver their baby without surgery.

Whether some men do in fact aid or