Farm Bill, Farm Bill, Farm Bill…oh my!! We hear about it in the media, but how many people in our country know what this GIANT bill does? Well, this historically bipartisan bill is a major piece of legislation known as the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, the FARRM Act. For the sake of sanity, I will refer to it from here on out as FARRM. I had no idea how complicated this bill was until I did a policy analysis on just one section of FARRM, specifically the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps. SNAP is the oldest and largest nutrition assistance policy that exists in the U.S. to reduce the social problem of food insecurity and hunger. You might be thinking, “What is SNAP doing in legislation about agriculture?” I thought this at first :)
Well, there are many systematic causes of food insecurity in our world, such as contradictions in food production, policy, and distribution that are often regulated by FARRM. For example, even as we cannot feed people in our own country, the United States feeds much of the world through the trade and export of our agricultural surplus.[1] See my small list below of other systematic causes, to name a few...
Government subsidies for commodity and feed-lot crops (ex. corn, wheat, rice) rather than for specialty crops (ex. fruits and vegetables)
Today, FARRM has incredible power and control in many aspects of public health and our local, national, and global food systems. This is important policy for all of us to at least kind of understand so that we can begin to advocate for the well-being and sustainability of humans and the environment! Let’s start with HISTORY to get some basics -------------------------->
Imagine yourself living during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930’s. The U.S. was in social, economic, political, and environmental upheaval. Overproduction of crops, surplus commodities, collapsing agriculture prices, and high levels of unemployment across the country led the government to enact a series of reactionary laws and programs. Enter the first FARRM. This legislation was originally called the Agricultural Adjustment Act and was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. The intent of the bill was to support failing rural economies by:
Creating a medium to disperse surplus commodities to rural and urban communities experiencing hunger and poverty
Ultimately, in 1939, Roosevelt formalized the food distribution policy within FARRM as a key component of the New Deal. This initiative, called the “Food Stamps Plan,” allowed individuals and families to purchase blue and orange paper stamps that they could use to buy food, household items, and surplus goods at affordable costs.[2] A variation of this program still exists today – SNAP.
Today, FARRM has purposefully been turned into a large, intimidating, and complex mass of national food and agriculture policies. It is reauthorized every 5 to 7 years. While the latest reauthorization was muddled with conflict on all sides, politicians ultimately pushed through the FARRM Act of 2013, all 15 titles in tow. Please scroll through the document below to check out specific Titles and the policies they cover:
Ahhhhhhhhh, holy mackerel! So what does all this mean for us common folk? To summarize…they want us confused :) Collectively, the programs represented in FARRM directly and indirectly impact the types of crops grown, nutrition assistance for those struggling with hunger, control of animal diseases and waste generated, labor needed, bio-fuels and energy, and chemicals used to produce our food. All of these policies work together and seriously impact the health and well-being of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems worldwide!
Until the latest reauthorization in 2013, FARRM has been considered a bipartisan bill suggesting a “political marriage” of farm and food policy to work together to address concerns about nutrition and support rural health.[3] But this time, the House of Representatives wanted to separate SNAP from FARRM, which was met with stern objections from many leaders. Some sources of conflict included the high cost of SNAP at a time when deficit reduction is needed, and assumptions about the worthiness of SNAP recipients. Chances are many of us know people who use SNAP because, in 2012, 46.2 million people, or about one in seven Americans, were enrolled in SNAP to meet their food needs.[4] Nearly 50% of these beneficiaries were children.[5] Below are some interesting links to FARRM policy and news within the Senate and House of Representatives:
While there may be some positive changes in FARRM 2013, many have grave consequences including the $9 billion in cuts towards SNAP over the next ten years; the provisions that consolidate and cut numerous farm subsidy programs, and use this money to fund crop insurance programs; and the new subsidy programs for corporate farms/agribusiness that support further production of commodity crops rather than specialty crops.
To be honest, part of me was a little disappointed when SNAP did not split from FARRM because I saw this as an opportunity for the largest nutrition assistance program to move into a more appropriate committee, such as the United States Department of Health and Human Services. However, this is not reality. So, perhaps we have to work together to create new opportunities for FARRM to act as a public health tool by strengthening environmental protection and fighting for social and economic justice. We can do this at the local level by taking control of our own food system again through local community gardening and agriculture!
The American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation’s largest farm lobby, is one of the biggest supporters of SNAP! They strongly encouraged law makers not to split SNAP from FARRM legislation during the reauthorization, because less money going to individuals and families through SNAP is not in the best interest of corn farmers and big businesses - because consumers will have less money to buy what is affordable – processed, sugary, fatty foods.
Thank you for reading. Don’t forget to buy your tickets for TGP’s Food For Thought Film Fundraiser!!! Hope the rest of this lovely short month flies by, ushering us into spring with energy and joy!
Happy 2014 and welcome back to The Growing Project’s blog! Over the next few months, I will follow current events, talk to community members, learn from inspiring local organizations, and take a closer look at some of the tough problems our communities are facing. I hope you choose to stay tuned for future posts that will dive into the contradictions and complexities of our food system, food insecurity, and food waste. Ultimately, I hope to learn together how we can achieve global food justice!
So what exactly is food insecurity? According to the USDA, the social problem of food insecurity is defined as poverty-related insecurity around the physical and economic lack of access to adequate food for an active healthy lifestyle.[1] This can cause life threatening physical, neurological, psychological, and social consequences. If most of us think back, we can recall at some point learning about Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory. In order to move up in the pyramid, you must achieve the previous level.[2] See below for a quick refresher!
Like our need for water and air, FOOD is a critical physiological need that humans must fulfill before they can begin to feel any sense of safety and security in their world. Because of this, I believe that access to healthy, fresh food is a human right. So shouldn’t I be grateful that we live in a world where there is more than enough food to feed everyone an adequate amount every day?! Unfortunately, injustices in the system do not allow this. Hunger and food insecurity persist at staggering rates world wide and in the United States. With over 7 billion people who NEED food to survive, the numbers below are scary.
In 2012, 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or 1 in 8, were suffering from chronic hunger/undernourishment. [3]
In 2012, 50 million people, or 14.5% of all United States households were experiencing chronic food insecurity. Of this, about 20 million were children, which is 22.5% of the entire U.S. child population!!![4] This equates to about 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 4 children.
Consumers, retailers, and restaurants throw away more that 100 billion pounds of edible food each year![5]
Even here in Larimer County Colorado, 13.5% of the population or 40,080 residents, and 17.7%, or 11,200 children under the age of 18, are struggling with chronic hunger.[6]
So what can we do to turn this trend around? First and foremost, education and awareness are key! Many local organizations, such as the Larimer County Food Bank, are spreading just that. Click on the links below to check out facts from the Map the Meal Gap Study and an interactive map that will show you just how pervasive national hunger is:
In my opinion, the Divided States of America has a desperate need at this time to let go of our incessant individualism. I think it is making us a stagnant, apathetic nation. We must come together, practice collective compassion, and begin to build strong communities where people look out for one another. And what better way to start to do that than to make sure that everyone has their fundamental need for food met! I am excited to practice this through my internship with The Growing Project (TGP) where I get to be part of social, political, and environmental action. Through five diverse programs, TGP ensures that people get to participate in community-growing efforts, have access to healthy nutritious fruits and vegetables, learn therapeutic gardening techniques, and are getting outside having fun in nature! Ultimately, I think we can work collaboratively to create strong, sustainable local, national, and even global food systems that view food not as a commodity, but as the necessity for life that it is. TGP hopes to work with any and all of you along the way to reduce food insecurity and food waste simultaneously!
Hi, my name is Carolyn. I am currently in my second semester of graduate school as a Masters of Social Work student at CSU. Over the next semester, I get to complete a field internship with The Growing Project! I am so excited! I am from Albuquerque New Mexico originally, but so far I love Fort Collins and Colorado in general! In my free time, I love to rock climb (mainly outdoors, but the gym is ok), as well as camp, hike, and garden. I love to bake, ride horses, and play with my composting worms. I have never written a blog, but I am excited for the opportunity! Read at your own risk, for opinions may be shared :)
The Hangout loves the families who visit us during the summer season each year. They are at the core of everything we do.
This year we wanted to find a way to say thank you to our visiting families and are pleased to announce our “Endless Summer Vacation Giveaway.” This vacation has been precisely designed to afford one lucky family the opportunity to extend everyone’s favorite season with an incredible all expense paid trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama in September or October 2016.
All you have to do is enter here and your family might be the one we pull out all the stops for! The contest runs from Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 27) through Labor Day (Monday, September 5). We’ll randomly select the winner (computer generated) on Tuesday, September 6 so that the winners can start making their plans for their incredible “endless” summer vacation.
The winner will be selected randomly (via computer) at the sole discretion of The Hangout Restaurant and cannot be disputed.
The winner will receive hotel or condo accommodations for 3 nights and 4 days. (Exact travel dates will be worked out with winner, but must transpire prior to Oct. 31,2016.)
If the initial winner does not claim his or her prize within 48 hours after notification, or is unable or unwilling to accept all the rules above, a second winner will be selected on Friday, Sept. 9 – and this process will continue until a winner is established (if need be).
Winner will be notified via email and phone. (Entrants who do not supply both will be disqualified.)
Prize was designed for a 4-person family, but The Hangout Restaurant will work closely to meet the needs of any family with more than 4 immediate family members. (Value of prizes will not be increased regardless of family size.)
Employees of The Hangout, Surf Style, or lodging partner Brett-Robinson are not eligible to participate.
Winner will be required to sign a hold-harmless agreement that indemnifies the Hangout Restaurant and affiliated companies from any damages or claims.
Prize winner will be required to complete W-2 form prior to accepting prize. (This is standard operating procedure for all such sweepstakes or contests.)
New Delhi : India and Israel both survive in a very hostile neighbourhood and with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to the Jewish country, the two democracies are seeing a new high in relat...
Haifa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the Indian cemetery in the Israeli city of Haifa and paid homage to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the World War 1 while protecting ...
New Delhi: Ahead of his visit to Israel starting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his trip will bring the people of the two countries closer."I will be visiting Israel on July 4...
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Iran not to threaten Israel after Tehran said it launched missiles at Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria."One message to Iran: Don't th...
New York : President Trump's upcoming visit to Israel and Palestine—during which he hopes to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process—will go nowhere unless he fully understands the complexity of ...
Washington : President Donald Trump is personally committed to resolving the long-running Israeli- Palestinian conflict and will never compromise on the safety and security of the Jewish State, US Vic...
BENGALURU: State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) received a fresh order from the Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) to supply eight sets of cargo doors for the main deck of Boeing 737, said an off...
Jerusalem: Ministers in Israel have approved a bill - dubbed the "Facebook bill" - that seeks to compel social media providers such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube to immediately remove contents from ...
United Nations: Defying heavy pressure, the US today allowed the UN Security Council to pass a resolution demanding Israel to halt settlements in Palestinian territory as it abstained from wielding it...
Despite inclement weather, the 68th Republic Day was celebrated throughout Haryana with great enthusiasm.The contingents of police, home Guards, NCC and others took part in the parade held at various ...
New Delhi: India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) developed indigenously made their maiden appearance at the Republic Day parade here on Th...
Burj Khalifa tower, the world's tallest building located in Dubai, was lit up in the colours of the Indian National flag on Wednesday to celebrate India's 68th Republic Day, a media report said.The LE...
New Delhi: India today celebrated its 68th Republic Day with a customary parade showcasing its military might, rich cultural heritage and its economic and social achievements. President Pranab Mukherj...
Cincinnati: Former world number one Novak Djokovic won his second match of the day on Friday to set up a semi-final clash at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters with Marin Cilic. Djokovic, a five-t...
Singapore: A Singapore DJ has filed a court challenge against a colonial-era law that bans gay sex in the conservative city-state, his lawyers said on Wednesday, following India's scrapping of similar...
Pune: Just a few days after the Supreme Court gave a landmark judgment by decriminalising homosexuality, Chief Justice of India (CJI), Dipak Misra said that each individual has the right to life as we...
United Nations: A landmark ruling in India that decriminalises gay sex has been welcomed as a "ground-breaking decision" by the UN agency leading the fight against HIV/AIDS. India's Supreme Co...
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday submitted a notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to move a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for a...
The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were paralysed for the ninth consecutive day today as several parties, including NDA constituent TDP, continued their noisy protests over various issues, including the...
Sending out a strong message that it won't allow players to interfere in selection matters, the AITA, on Sunday, brought back old warhorse Leander Paes in the Davis Cup team despite 'reservations' fro...
Bijnor: At least 17 people were feared drowned when a boat capsized in the Ganga in this district of Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
Official sources here said that about 32 people hailing from Debalgarh were returning from a jungle area after collecting fodder for their cattle when the tragedy struck due to strong currents near Charharwala village.
About 15 people managed to swim out with the help of bundles of grass, while 17 others went missing. Survivors told police that the number of women passengers was more than men. Seven injured have been rushed to a hospital. Police teams, along with local swimmers, were searching for survivors and rescue operations were on in full swing. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed concerned over the incident and instructed district administration officials to provide immediate relief to affected people. UNI
Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is set to tap Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for development projects under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme.
This is the second instance when the Yogi government is seeking corporate funds for development projects. Earlier, the state had planned to utilise CSR purse for its proposed 100-meter tall Lord Ram statue on Saryu banks in the Temple Town of Ayodhya.
The government has offered about 85 tourism projects of total worth Rs 2,700 crore across 10 major towns, including Varanasi and Gorakhpur, to companies looking to contribute out of their mandatory CSR spend.
Apart from the Lord Ram statue (estimated to cost Rs 300 crore), corporate funds are also being eyed for the proposed development of new Ayodhya near Saryu river which is estimated at Rs 350 crore. The state government had published a special tourism booklet detailing various proposed projects on offer under CSR. The booklet was distributed among participants at the two-day UP Investors Summit, 2018 in Lucknow on February 21-22.
Mr Adityantah has directed the Urban Development Department to channelise corporate funds under CSR for ongoing projects under AMRUT Yojna.
He has directed convening an early meeting with representatives of corporate entities and banks to take this agenda forward. Official sources here on Sunday said that "the government is of the firm opinion that proposal to harness CSR fund would encourage private companies to partner with the state for projects aimed at socio-economic development."
"This would not only help the government in mobilising additional resources for funding projects under AMRUT, but also build bridges with corporate sector since it is working hard to translate investment proposals received during Investors Summit," the sources claimed.
With the 2019 Lok Sabha polls less than a year away, the state government would be liberally spending on development projects, eyeing the voters. This would leave the state with little financial leeway for remaining projects and in this regard, CSR funds were expected to bridge the gap.
AMRUT scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June, 2015 for creating sewage networks and water supply infrastructure for urban transformation.
The Yogi government provided Rs 2,200 crore for projects under AMRUT covering 60 towns of the state so far. UNI
Imagine a bucket in your office and your putting cash into it every week. How quickly will it fill up?
Use the calculator below to see how much you need to trow into that basket on a regular basis to ensure you'll have a financially stress free retirement.
A personal pension plan is available to any person who does not have a pension provided by their employer or is a self-employed individual. They are a tax efficient method of funding for income in the years where you will no longer be able to work due to age or ill health.
In return for the monthly contributions that you pay, the insurance company will invest the money in a tax-free fund over the years to your retirement date. The accumulation of your contribution and the investment return gained on your behalf are credited to your plan. This is known as the pension fund cash value.
At retirement date this cash fund is used to buy an annuity or pension for you. If you are married at this stage you can opt to have a pension paid to your wife after your death in retirement. The growth of your fund over the years is entirely tax-free but your pension income will be taxable.
Lump Sum contributions can also be made separately or in conjunction with a regular monthly or annual contribution.
You can decide to take your retirement benefits at any time between age 60 and 75. You may be able to retire early for reasons of serious ill health. The Revenue Commissioners may allow retirement before age 60 if you are permanently unable to work.
You may decide to take your pension fund in cash at retirement. In that case the fund value is taken out less an income tax deduction. The client is then free to invest the money where they like. Under the ARF/AMRF option a sum of €63,500 must ne invested in an AMRF until age 75. The balance of funds can then be invested in an ARF and left to grow until the client wishes to draw money as an income.
Additional funding may be added to provide benefits for Widows on the member’s death in service or in retirement. The maximum widows pension is 44.44% of final salary.
Contribution protection can also be included. This ensures your pension contributions are insured and continue to be paid in the event of long-term absence from work.
After you take your tax-free cash you can use the balance of your fund to buy an annuity. An Annuity provides you with a guaranteed income for the rest of your life. When you buy the annuity you have several additional options including guaranteeing the period of payment, automatic increases to allow for inflation and providing a pension for dependants.
The options you choose to include will affect the amount of pension your fund can provide. You may use your fund to buy an annuity with any Company you choose.
Approved Retirement Funds (ARFs) and approved Minimum Retirement Funds (AMRFs) are Funds managed by qualifying fund managers in which you can invest the proceeds of your pension fund when it matures.
After you have taken your tax free lump sum, €63,500 or the remainder of the pension fund if less,must be transferred to an AMRF or used to buy an annuity payable to you. Any balance over €63,500 can be invested in an ARF or withdrawn as cash. Any cash withdrawn at this stage will be taxed as income.
The maximum tax-free lump sum available is 25% of the fund value. I will always recommend that if my client is married at retirement date that the pension be taken on a guaranteed 10 years basis. This means that in the event of my client's death during the first 10 years of retirement his wife will receive his pension cheque for the balance of 10 years. She then will receive a pension of 66.66% of her husband's income for the rest of her life.
If you die before reaching your retirement date the full cash value of your pension fund is payable to your wife or to your legal representatives. In the early years the fund will be low but it will build up to a large lump sum. You can add life assurance cover to the pension, which will give a guaranteed minimum level of lump sum coverage to your family in the early years. Tax relief is also available on life assurance cover when added to a pension plan
It is possible to insure your pension contribution if you are out of work due to illness or accident lasting more than 13 or 26 weeks. The insurance company will pay your premium for as long as you are out sick over this initial period and up to your selected retirement date if necessary.
It is possible to have your income insured in the event of loss of work due to illness or accident. The maximum level of salary that is insurable is 66.66% of your salary and is payable after 13 or 26 weeks of illness. The benefit can increase by 5% p.a. whilst claiming. The benefit is payable for the duration of the illness or up to the selected retirement date.
If you don’t have a pension you are paying more tax than you need to. Have you even thought about when you are going to retire? How much will you need when you do retire?
We know how much the state will give you and we make sure that your pension will make up the difference between state and your present income. And we how to do this and save you tax!
Personal Pension Plans are available to an individual who is in non-pensionable employment or does not have access to an employer's pension plan.
An Executive Pension is available to the owners of their own limited company or as employee of a limited company.
These rates are for the self employed and non pensionable employees. Applies to personal pensions and PRSA's.
These rates are for the self employed and non pensionable employees. Applies to personal pensions and PRSA's. Please note these rates do not apply to Compnay directors
** The 30% limit applies, regardless of age, to certain categories of person that typically retire earlier than usual, such as athletes, jockeys, etc.
Want all your options explained? - Know what to do with your AVCs? Know how to budget so you can access funds at different stages in your retirement as you require .
Leaders -- President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (left) and Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika (right), welcome former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan (center) prior to the opening of the 9th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) in Nusa Dua on Thursday. Jokowi and Annan discussed humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya people in Myanmar. (Antara/Nyoman Budhiana)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo held a meeting with former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday to discuss humanitarian aid for the Rohingya people in Rakhine state, Myanmar.
The 30-minute bilateral meeting took place before the President officially opened the ninth Bali Democracy Forum, in which Annan, who served as UN secretary-general from 1997 to 2006, became the keynote speaker.
Annan, who founded the Kofi Annan Foundation, is now the head of the Advisory Committee for Rakhine State. During the meeting, he explained to Jokowi his findings during his visit to the conflict area and advised countries to take urgent steps to help victims of the humanitarian crisis.
"Indonesia will soon dispatch humanitarian aid for the Rohingya people. I have ordered the relevant ministers to prepare the necessary logistics, especially food and blankets," Jokowi said after the meeting.
Accompanying the President at the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Annan appreciated the Indonesian government for taking prompt action to provide humanitarian assistance for victims in the troubled state.
"In the longer term, we will also support Myanmar in terms of providing capacity building in the field of good governance, democracy and human rights. We have started these programs and will continue to do that, because it is very important," she explained, citing results of her recent discussion with Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Delegations from 94 countries and observers from several organizations are attending the two-day conference to discuss democracy, religious tolerance and pluralism and strengthen global cooperation. (ebf)
When the season changes to the cooler, crisp weather, and our homes become cozy little havens, I often tone down my music to something more mellow, and something more appropriate for the vibe that Mother Earth sends to all of us. Wrap up in a blanket or sweater, grab a hot drink, and put this on repeat. I've created this playlist to echo how I feel this time of year. It may still be warm where we live right now, but I can pretend it's fall in my mind. Happy listening!
The complexity of global and regional security threats and their convergence in Afghanistan has begun to seriously worry regional and extra-regional stakeholders. Some of these actors have called for stepping up efforts to reinvigorate Afghanistan’s stalled peace process.
The Afghan government welcomes any genuine efforts by its immediate and near neighbors, which help put an end to years of imposed war and violence in Afghanistan that daily claim innocent Afghan lives in their cities and villages. But it should be an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned Peace Process, wheresuccess in this endeavor will not only stabilizeAfghanistan but will also ensure regional security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday objected to Moscow’s proposed talks on Afghanistan said that any talks for peace should be carried out under the leadership of the Afghan government and the people.
In a statement issued on Thursday, MoFA said that although it appreciates the efforts by Russia for peace in Afghanistan, it stated that the Afghan government expects its regional and international partners to pave the way for intra-Afghan dialogue.
“Afghanistan will not attend a meeting where there is no commitment by the Taliban to enter direct talks with the government. The government would attend talks with Taliban at any location but that these would have to be direct talks,” MoFA’s statement read.
According to the statement, the Taliban has defied the goodwill gesture of the Afghan government for peace and stated that participation of the group at the Moscow talks would not hold any importance while it rejects regional and international principles for peace.
The National Unity Government (NUG) is the legitimate, elected government of Afghanistan — representing all Afghans with equal rights under the country’s progressive constitution. The NUG enjoys the support of the Afghan people, who remain a strategic asset in the fight against terrorism and extremism. That is why the Taliban lack the national and moral legitimacy to represent the Afghan people, who reject terrorism perpetrated by the Taliban and their foreign terrorist allied networks in the name of Islam — a religion of peace, tolerance and coexistence.
The Afghan government firmly believes in peace and has made every effort to reach reconciliation with those armed groups, which have demonstrated a genuine willingness to renounce violence, cut ties with terrorist networks and state-sponsors of terrorism, and opt for peace through a result-driven dialogue. In this regard, the Afghan government reached a successful political settlement with Hezb-e-Islami, through an intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiation process, which took place in Kabul.
Indeed, this is a clear example of the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and how Afghans can proceed ahead. The Afghan government appreciates all regional and international efforts for peace in Afghanistan but asks all the stakeholders to respect the sovereignty of Afghanistanand pave the way for intra-Afghan dialogues.
Attending meetings where there would be no commitment by the armed groups, would not have any impact on the ongoing war and would also undermine regional efforts for peace. Therefore, it is essential to consider Afghanistan’s key role in all such meetings, as Afghan-led and own process is key to lasting peace in the country.
After having my first child, who was a complete surprise, my husband and I decided we would decide when we were going to have our next. So when Jack was 2 years old we decided it was time to try again. It only took about 2 months of "trying" before we tested positive. That was around the middle of November-- we were living with my husbands parents at the time and it was really hard to keep it a secret. (Easier for my husband because he was always at work or off building our basement apartment in my parents house.) We decided we would give the secret away as an early Christmas gift and sent my 2 year-old upstairs wearing a shirt that said, "I'm going to be a big brother!"
When I had my first doctor's appointment they did all the regular stuff. I got to hear a heart beat, got all my tests, and told them when we thought the due date was. Then she measured fundal height and said I was measuring a bit big. I have a history of twins in my family (my mom has identical twins, her only brother has identical twins, and my maternal grandpa was a twin just to name a few. All twin boys) so I should have guessed right away, but I thought I probably was just bigger because I'd already had a baby. We set up the next appointment and went blissfully home. When I told my mom, however, she was convinced it was twins and decided we should go to the mall to a gender ultrasound shop. I was a little leary-- I'd be getting an ultra sound at the doctor's office in a few weeks anyway-- but I couldn't stand not knowing. We went in early January. I even let my twin brothers tag along, even though the entire way there I kept insisting I wasn't having twins. (It skips a generation, right?) I was called back and the tech put the gel on my stomach. When she put the wand on my belly to spread the gel around the first thing we saw on the moniter was two little heads and she swept it back and two little boys! Within 10 seconds I had answers to both questions.
I'll skip ahead here. I went to a TON of extra appointments and couldn't go to the midwives I was planning on, but they actually had a doctor in the midwife clinic for high risk people like me so I still got the midwife like visits. They are 10 times better than a regular OB just in case your wondering. I was told 37 weeks was full term for twins, but since I had to be induced 2 weeks past my due date with my first and my mom went 1 week over with her twins I pretty much just moved my date back to mid August so I wouldn't be depressed when I didn't have them sooner.
When I was six months along and out shopping people would stop me and say, "You're due any day now, huh?" and I'd just laugh and say, "Nope." It's really amazing going around talking to people when your going to have twins. Everyone has a story to tell you about so and so and their twins. I went to the zoo when I was 36 weeks and pretty much scared everyone that saw me out of being pregnant ever again. I was that big. (I could put a dinner plate on top of my stomach with room to spare.)
When I was 36 and 3 days pregnant I was out with my family having lunch at my favorite mexican place. At some point during the meal everyone noticed my belly would tighten up at regular intervals. I really hardly felt anything. In fact I would miss most of them if I didn't have my had resting on my belly. My mom said I should go to the hospital to get checked. I was less enthusiastic to make the journey for them just to send me home. She finally convinced me, but I told her, "I'm not taking my bag, because they're going to send me home."
I got to the hospital and did all my pre-check stuff. I wasn't in any pain so I think they were more humoring me than really believing I would stay. The first nurse to check me decided I was almost a 4. I was shocked! My first was a long hard labor that hurt for hours before getting this far. About twenty minutes later my doctor came in and checked me too. He said I was closer to a 5. I was staying! I sent my mom home with my son to get my hospital bag while my husband and I walked the halls a little. I was floating around so excited! I could feel the contractions now, but still no pain.
We got all set up and the doctor convinced me I should have an epidural-- just in case things went south during the delivery. I got scared and said yes. That was the most frightening part of the whole process! Things progressed rapidly after that. My husband got all suited up and we moved to the operating room where they deliver all twin pregnancies. (I totally understand that too because when I got wheeled in there I counted 10 people and that was just the staff on hand for my babies! I had enough feeling to know when to push and if I had been able to push when I was ready I would have had my babies on July 18th-- making every 4th day in july a birthday in my family-- but I took a little longer because of all the set up so Myles Tavis was born at 12:05 July 19th weighing 6lbs 0oz. and Andrew Thomas weighing 6lbs 6oz at 12:07 (born breech because the doctor just reached in and grabbed his feet and pulled him down.) We found out afterwards that they had experienced a small amount of twin-to-twin transfusion and Andrew's red blood count was really high. But they were beautiful and so tiny! They lost about a pound in the hospital so when we all left 2 days later they only weighed 5lbs and 5 lbs 6 oz. Considering my first was 8 lbs 10 oz this was TINY! We had to place them in 'light suitcases' for their jaundice, but they grew like weeds and nursed like champs! Andrew is now the smaller of the two always trailing his brother by about a pound, but they are both happy and healthy. And we decided we liked surprises rather than planning them out-- because planning came with a surprise baby anyway!
A definite TNP favorite, Freeman’s is a gem of a spot on the lower east side aptly hidden in a tiny alleyway. The quiet colonial tavern-like setting is perfect for a first date, and the simple rustic American food is to die for. Make a Reservation.
Polish GDP to grow 4.8% in 2018, 3.7% in 2019: European Commission - Radio Poland :: News from Poland
The European Commission has raised its forecast for Polish GDP growth this year to 4.8 percent from a previous estimate of 4.6 percent.
The European Union’s executive maintained its projection that the Polish economy would expand by 3.7 percent in 2019.
According to the International Monetary Fund, Poland’s economy is likely to grow around 4.5 percent this year, followed by 3.5 percent next year.
The Polish economy grew 4.8 percent in 2017, the country’s Central Statistical Office (GUS) said last month, revising upward its previous estimate of 4.6 percent.