Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Taking Care of Mom

Check out the website and get your ticket NOW!
Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2009
Expo Week is June 1-5
But the preview chat are going on NOW!

so

Grab your ticket today!!

I am still listening to all the free stuff I got from last years Expo and this one is going to be more Ultimate than that. This year's chat includes 6 classes just for your kids. Use them now for the end of the year, use them this summer to keep the fire of learning going when the kids get bored, or use them next year. Since everything is online you can access it Forever!

In honor of the expo Cindy allowed me to give away some freebies... if you missed them go here to get them:

Previous Post with Freebies

She also allowed me to share this article she wrote.
This is a time of year when mom's and kids can be burnt out with all the things they have been trying to do to finish up the school year so this article is very timely.

Read,
Enjoy
,
and do something to take care of yourself Today,
some of them are fun to do with your kids!!!


50+ Ideas for Taking Care of Mom!
By Cindy Rushton
Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2009


Tired? Weary? Need some fresh ideas for taking care of mom? Feeling that push and pull on you as you balance all of the many demands in your life? Are you great about taking care of others, yet not quite so good about taking care of YOU? Has it been a long, long time since you have done the little things to just fill your cup back up? How about a few fresh ideas for filling your cup and ministering to your heart! I promise that these will be easy for you to do! Here goes:

--> Grab Your iPod and go for a long, long walk! I LOVE my iPod. I have it filled with great Praise and Worship music, teachings and workshops, podcasts, tutorials, etc. My iPod has become my “pocket pal” when I work on my chores, take care of business duties, or even get out for my walk. Talk about my best investment of 2006!

--> Laugh! Just sit there right now...laugh! Start small...just a little giggle! Then...laugh about laughing! Roll on the floor laughing! Feel better?

--> Begin a new Bible Study. Either find a Bible Study guide...or dig out Words to study on your own! For Word Studies, I LOVE my Strong’s Concordance. It helps to find all of the references of a certain word of interest. I also love my Vine’s Dictionary. I use it to look up the meanings of the words AND it also has other references for uses in Scripture. Another great help for Word Studies is my good old faithful Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. I LOVE it as a reference to deepen the studies. Usually it helps me to also find OTHER great studies to dig into also! Dig into the Word! It will feed your heart and soul during this tough time!

--> Meet a friend at the park and let the kids play while you visit.

--> Go for a drive around the city—look at the lights! Look at flowers. Look at the seasonal changes.

--> Look at photo albums. Remember the silly stories!

--> Watch the sunrise! Or, not an early bird? Watch the sunset!

--> Collect jokes and funnies! Barb Johnson...Chonda Pierce...Becky Freeman are just a few of my PERSONAL favorites! Get one of their books or videos. Then, snag some mom-time to just kick back and enjoy!

--> Chocolate! Chocolate Candy...Chocolate Bars...Chocolate Shakes...Chocolate Latte’s...CHOCOLATE! REALLY! Chocolate helps to release endorphins in the brain—plus! It tastes great to boot! So, why not grab a bit for mom-time!

--> Watch an old movie! Curl up under a great big quilt—even if you have to turn the air down COLD! Don’t forget to turn down the lights and turn off the phone!

--> Look at your old school albums! Your HAIR! Ha! Enough said.

--> Got a grassy hill nearby? Go to the top and just roll down it! Like a child! (Snowy? Get a sled! And SLIDE!)

--> Take the kids to the park—just WATCH them! They are adorable!

--> Begin a “Quote Book.” Collect quotes that encourage you to keep on, keeping on! Keep them in a special journal dedicated only to keeping your special quotes.

--> Memorize your favorite Psalm. Try out Psalm 91...or Psalm 61...or Psalm 35...or Psalm 37...Oh! Enjoy!

--> Begin a Tea Ministry. Doing for others ALWAYS lifts even the heaviest spirit. Get a tea basket to keep your goodies in...visit a shut-in...bless them. Then! Watch the blessing boomerang! You won’t be able to leave without a blessing.

--> Take the kids to a candy store—sample the Jelly Bellies...or Sweet Tarts...or Sour Gummy Worms.

--> Fly a kite!

--> Take a ride in the country. Turn up your praise music...roll the windows down...sing to the top of your lungs!

--> Watch a funny video! Elisabeth and I LOVE to watch old movies like If a Man Answers. It is one of our “chick flicks” that we always watch together. We love it! SO FUNNY! Chonda Pierce is another one of my picks. She is just totally hilarious. My children LOVE old comedy shows like I Love Lucy or The Three Stooges. Oh, you may want to watch anything! Just find something that will make you laugh hard!

--> Scrapbook! Pick photos that you MUST tell the story behind! Kick up your favorite music...spread out your goodies...and Scrap till you drop!

--> Read a biography of a GIANT in the faith! My favorites are Corrie ten Boom...Hudson Taylor...George Mueller...Amy Carmichael...Jim and Elisabeth Elliott...etc!

--> Get today’s newspaper and read the comics!

--> Get a yo-yo! PLAY!

--> Make Chocolate Chip Cookies with the kids! On a diet? Take them to someone who blesses you! Include a note of thanks and encouragement for all they do to bless you!

--> Go out and sit on your boat—watch the stars! (Oh, watch the sunset or sunrise, if you can too!)

--> Dig into the Bible and study what God says about trials...suffering...faith...death...depression...oppression...warfare...battle…

--> Read a new book! Normally ready non-fiction/how-to’s? Get a fiction book for a change! Normally read fiction? Get a humorous book! Renew your weary heart and mind!

--> Take a break and go for a long ride on a motorcycle! Don’t forget your headset and praise music!

--> Take a hike! Really! Find a nice nature trail OR go for the tough stuff!!

--> Go to the mall with your teenager! ENJOY!

--> Buy a Mp3 Player and some great praise music—turn it up! I LOVE my iPod! I have my iPod loaded with all of my favorite CDs. My favorites are Michael W. Smith’s Worship CD’s AND Hillsong’s Praise and Worship! The moment you enter into worship, you will enter into the very presence of God—so, turn it up and devour the presence of our precious Lord!

--> Pull out that old sewing machine and make some of those goodies that you have been wanting—new purse/tote...outfit...home decorations...doll clothes...etc!

--> Buy a “whoopee” Cushion...or “Bubba” teeth... At least your family will laugh!

--> Write out the funny family stories! Reminisce! Enjoy!

--> Go skating!

--> Try an afternoon of “Laser-Tag” with your teens! Get um!

--> Make Homemade Bread—KNEAD yourself!

--> Plan a regular Mommy Getaway. This is not an extra! It is essential! I plan getaways for different purposes: to just get alone with God to hear Him, to plan, to work on my homeschool and business projects, to just fill my cup back up. Decide what will fill you up. What do you need right now? Decide what will help meet that need. Gather your goodies: Bible, journal, iPod, camera (I love taking pictures of little treasures along the way), your planner, your computer/Idea Notebook, etc. Pull aside and take that time to just get-away and fill your cup back up!

--> Get a pet! My bird, Harley, has ministered to my heart MORE than I could remember! He is just SO funny! HE had the idea to “boogie” for Jesus! I had not danced for years! AND it is decent! Elisabeth’s new puppy, Pooh, is a TOTAL delight! I say all the time that she is JOY in fur! She has become my little buddy. She loves to sit with me while I work and follow me around while I am doing my chores. She keeps me in stitches. Struggling? Get a pet just for YOU...see that puppy in the window??

--> Take the day to go for a flight! Look at the whole world from a different perspective!

--> Dance! Turn up your favorite music and dance! Dance your heaviness away! Dance till you laugh! Dance in worship to the Lord! Jump! Lift your hands in praise and worship!

--> Clean out your house (only if this is NOT your struggle! Ha!). Attack those closets...cabinets...dusty bookshelves...paper piles!

--> Go out for a cup of coffee...tea...or a good old Coca-Cola! Meet your sweetheart or a mommy pal! Or...take your Bible and make it a special time with the Lord!

--> Find some silly-putty or slime—PLAY!

--> Get up earlier (or take regular breaks throughout the day!) for your quiet time! You may feel SO weak that you can barely concentrate—if so, just turn on praise music and lift up your arms in praise and adoration. Watch what happens! Make a list of your heartaches—lift them to the Father (then, hide them in your Prayer Journal—later they will be a praise record!). Dig into the Word for comfort...perspective...and hope for tomorrow! Really tough days? Well, when the Israelites had very HOT days, they had to gather MORE manna—in the heat of your battles and toughest trials gather a surplus! It will help you survive your struggle.

--> Make a quilt. You can EVEN cheat by making it on the sewing machine! ENJOY!

--> Take an afternoon to go to the movies. Get a big bucket of popcorn...a super-HUGE Coke...sour Gummy Worms (unless you are due a BIG DOSE OF CHOCOLATE!). Take your sweetheart...or a friend if you want to share! Pick a movie that will make you laugh like crazy...OR CRY your eyes out! ENJOY!

--> Ride three-wheelers! Get MUDDY!

--> Treat yourself to a leisurely afternoon (or a bunch of afternoons!) at the pool...park...or creek.

--> Try your hand at BOWLING. Take some friends!

--> Take time for tea—each day.

--> Exercise. Swim...walk...jog...hike...go skating...aerobics. Relieves stress AND boosts your health to boot.
Learn a new hobby! What have you been putting off that you have ALWAYS wanted to know? Pottery? Quilting? Flight Training? Smocking? Scrapbooking? Jewelry Making? Sewing? Crochet? Horse-back riding? Go for it! Now is the PERFECT time.

--> Treat yourself to a nice looooonnnnnngggg Bubble Bath! Don’t forget to set up your favorite music to play during your Bubble Bath. Also...be sure to fix a nice cup of tea (or a Latte!) or a nice big Coke that will last till the water gets cold! ENJOY!

--> Go to the park and just swing—HIGH!
Go get an ice-cream cone—with a double dip!

--> Do a “Promise” hunt in Scripture. Keep in a “Promise Notebook” of your very own! KNOW that they are yours.

--> Snuggle up for the afternoon to read a great book!

Got some fresh ideas? Don’t let this limit you! Let your brain GO! Find some things that will fill you back up and take care of you all along the way.

This is not an extra. This is an essential. Carve out time on your calendar today to just take care of mom!


****************************************

Need MORE Help?

How about the ULTIMATE mom-time? Yep! Check out our Ultimate Homeschool Expo! Cindy Rushton is the hostess of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo, the very first online homeschool convention. She is recording Preview Chats for the Ultimate Homeschool Convention RIGHT NOW! Join her wonderful guests as they count down to the Ultimate Homeschool Expo June 1-5, 2009--BUT! NEVER ENDING because it is an ONLINE Convention! Check out all of the details here:

Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2009


With every online event that Cindy plans, she builds a private, exclusive Membership Site that includes everything from the UHSE in one place--it has audios (from all of the sessions and from the bonus gifts that her speakers give to us), ebooks, complete unit study guides, articles, printable notebooking pages, cookbooks, on and on. I can't believe all of the things that we receive for only $39.95. It is truly ULTIMATE!

Take my word for it, you will WANT a ticket to this event
and access to all of the wonderful resources.

At the link below you can take a look at all the speakers
and the topics they will be covering!
There are going to be 6 classes for kids this year, too!!!

See it all and Grab your ticket here:
Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2009

I hope to "see you" at the Expo!
Expo Week starts this coming Monday June 1st (but she is recording preview chats this week too). If you buy a ticket you get access to all the audios, even the ones you missed that have already been recorded.

If you want to, come back and leave me a comment after you buy a ticket so I can look for you at the Expo! I won't publish your comment if you don't want me to.

We can even set it up so we can meet at a session and then we can chat!

Get your ticket today so you don't miss out on one more session!!!

Oh, and on the website at the link above there are preview chats as samples.
There are four of them. They are in a little Blog Talk Radio box at the bottom of the first yellow section that lists the speakers and topics.
Check those out too!

Debbie

Monday, May 25, 2009

Blast From The Past - Memorial Day

Blast From the Past Blog Button - mom

You will find the rules for participating as part of my first Blast by clicking this link

Blast From The Past


My Blast From The Past for this week is Memorial Day Past and Present. I will not bore you with endless photos I will just do a couple from a few past years and a few from this year. I will probably do a more detailed post about this years Memorial Day Parade and activities Wed. or Thurs. so watch for that then. For now enjoy...

Memorial Day Past

Memorial Day 1993
Left to right
Me, Jessica, Rachel, my husband's friend Olin



Memorial Day 1998
Christopher


left to right
back - My Mom and Rachel
in front - Nathan, Christopher, and Jessica



Me, Court and Nathan



What is better than seeing a Parade???
Being In One!!!
Memorial Day 2001

I will not bore you with all the names of people you do not know I will just tell you
my son Nathan is the second from the left... the first little boy
trying to keep up with the big boys




Jessica is the one in blue
Rachel is the third from the left
Rachel's dress looks all white but actually the dress is pink



Memorial Day 2007



One of our traditions each year is to buy fresh cut flowers and take them and put them on the graves of my family members, especially my Dad.
My dad died 33 years ago in 1976 when I was only 14.
I still miss him.
I will do some pictures of him soon.
For now here are the kids and my mom working on making
bunches of flowers to put on the graves.




My dad's grave marker
as you can see he was a veteran of WWII





Us at this years parade
Rachel, Mom, Me, Court, Christopher and Nathan
My Mom bought us the new chairs with the awning over them. We got 15 comments about them. One from a lady walking by and 14 from people in the parade. It was hysterical. There are these people in cars and some of them veterans, some of them with old cars and they are leaning out their windows, waving to us in the crowd and making comments to us about our "cool" chairs. It was so funny. My son kept track of the comments so we could put it on the blog.



Rachel, Mom and Jessica (Jessica sitting on ground in front)



Part of the Parade



The Cemetery







Putting flowers on the graves










I hope you enjoyed my Blast From The Past for this week.

I hope some of you will join me!

Now go and do your post and then come back here. Mr. Linky does not seem to be working this morning so you will have to just leave a comment so can all visit each others Blast From The Past. Don't forget my Blog button (it's on my sidebar) and tell other to click the button and/or leave them a link to my post for them to find me and join us.

Have a great week,
I hope you made some memories and/or participated in some traditions for your family this past weekend. If you don't have any traditions for Memorial Day... plan to start some for next year,

and make sure you check out my post on the

Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2009

and get your ticket TODAY

Debbie


The Simple Woman's Daybook for the week of May 25, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday, May 25, 2009

Outside my window... cloudy and humid

I am thinking... I need to get dressed and ready to go

I am thankful for... those who in the past and in the present fight to help us and others earn or keep our/their freedom

From the kitchen... the food and drinks are ready for us to depart for the parade

I am wearing... my p.j.'s but soon to be replaced by red, white, and blue clothing for the parade

I am creating... memories with my family

I am going... with my kids, husband and mom to the town where I grew up for the Memorial Day parade, then to my dad's grave to honor him on Memorial Day (he was a veteran but did not die in a war) and also putting flowers on my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins graves that are buried near my dad, then out to lunch, then take mom home after a week at our house

I am reading... Hidden Treasure of Glaston

I am hoping... it won't rain on our parade!!!

I am hearing... sounds of people moving about, getting ready for the parade

Around the house... nothing today we will be gone all day

One of my favorite things... time with my mom and kids at the parade every year, memories of days gone by

A few plans for the rest of the week: starting on summer schedule, lots of projects, working on plans for next year

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Memorial Day 1998

Left to right
Nathan, Christopher Jessica in front
My Mom and Rachel behind them

Our Hostess The Simple Woman's Daybook


Have a great day
spend time with your family

Debbie

Happy Memorial Day


Remember those who gave their lives that we might live free!!!




In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

John McCrae, 1915



Have a great day.
Watch for pictures from Memorial Day parades of the past
here tomorrow on

Blast From The Past

Debbie

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Blast From The Past - Christopher Eating 1998

Blast From the Past Blog Button - mom

Welcome to the Blast From The Past Carnival
First my post for today
Then the spot where you can find the rules for participating if you need them.
Then Mr. Linky

Today I am featuring my Son Christopher
He is now 12 years old.
These pictures are from 1998 and Christopher was 15 mos. old

I'm a good boy! I cleaned my plate!



It's all on me now!



This may have been his first Ice Cream Cone, I am not sure!
Whether it was or not he sure enjoyed it.




Peanut Butter and Jelly anyone???







Help!!!



How did I get myself into this mess???



Is someone going to help me or are you just gonna keep takin' pictures???

Well, that was a look back at Christopher

I hope you enjoyed my Blast From The Past for this week.

I hope some of you will join me!

You will find the rules for participating as part of my first Blast by clicking this link

Blast From The Past

Now go and do your post and then come back here
and sign Mr. Linky so we can all visit each others
Blast From The Past. Don't forget my Blog button (it's on my sidebar) and tell other to click the button and/or leave them a link to my post for them to find me and join us

Have a Great Week,
Debbie


Monday, May 18, 2009

Winterthur Today

Well, I promised you some pictures and a rundown of how my day with my friends went at Winterthur. Well she arrived and we set off for our morning field trip. My Mom, ds Nathan and dd Rachel were in my Mom's car and I was driving. My dd Jessica and ds Christopher followed us in my Friend Michele's car and her dd Rachel was with them too.

We got to Winterthur and I pulled in to the entrance and the guards booth had a sign out that said Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org

"What," I thought, "why is that out Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org "

then as we passed, without stopping, Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org

it dawned on me. Oh NOOOO! Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org

Winterthur is closed on Mondays!!! Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org

My friend was very gracious and we all laughed a lot for a minute Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org

then... what shall we do now???

Let's go to a park we know of nearby someone said!

Great Idea. I was sure I knew where it was! We had been there a couple times and though I never drove there (and did not pay much attention to the exact directions) I was sure it was just down " this" road.

Well, we drove and drove and drove and we never did find the park. When we went to make a u-turn my friend rolled down her window and asked, "What now???"

"I can't find the park!", I said.

More laughing. Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org

Let's just go home!

So we went to my house. The kids played games and made cookies and my friend and I went out to lunch as planned. We are going to try the Winterthur thing again on Friday... we hope!!! If we have success I will post pictures.

Hope you had a more successful day than I did! although lunch and the long talk with Michele went as planned and was Great!

Debbie

The Simple Woman's Daybook for the week of May 18, 2009


To join us or read the other Daybooks click the Daybook picture above or click the link at the bottom after you read my post.


FOR TODAY... Monday, May 18, 2009

Outside my window... cloudy and cool, I thought it was supposed to be sunny today all day, what is up with that weather men??

I am thinking... When will Michele and Rachel get here.. we have plans together for today! I can't wait!

I am thankful for... friends, my growth group, the ladies Bible study I am able to go to every 1st and 3rd Friday.

From the learning rooms... some lapbooks to glue together and other projects to finish up but we are done our 180 days.

From the kitchen... hmmm... no idea... again... need to meal plan badly!

I am wearing... my p.j.s and bathrobe, but will be getting dressed soon.

I am creating... nothing... but many projects in the works for this summer. My mom is visiting this week so that will be the focus for this week, entertaining Mom.

I am going... to Winterthur with my kids, my Mom and my friend Michele and her daughter. They have never been there before. We are taking them all with our member passes for free.

I am reading... Haven't had time to read lately, Spring cleaning last week, Mom here this week. Next Fiction to read is The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello. I am reading other things... see my shelfari... I still have to add the summer reading books to the list. Though I am thinking of making a seperate shelfari for school books... have not decided yet.

I am hoping... it clears up some... it is so cloudy and I wanted it nice for our walk at Winterthur.

I am hearing... doors shutting, people showering, my daughter inturrupting with questions about when our friends will get here ... now back to finishing this.

Around the house... windows still to wash, a little straightening up before our friends arrive, much school stuff to be organized for next year.

One of my favorite things... special times with my mom and/or daughters... watch for the Mother/Daughter banquet picture coming here soon! maybe tommorrow with the Blast From The Past... my blog Carnival here on Tuesdays... join me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Winterthur today, taking Mom to her Needlework Guild on Thursday, entertaining her the rest of the week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Since we are going to Winterthur today here is a picture we took there this time last year, Azalia Woods

Join us at The Simple Woman's Daybook blog page

Have a great week,

Join me for my blog carnival tomorrow,

Blast From The Past (blog and post any picture(s) from you or your families past

Debbie

Friday, May 15, 2009

Busy Week - Spring Cleaning

You may have noticed I have not posted much this week. That is because all this week we have been doing Spring Cleaning.


Last week was our last week of school so this week was Spring Cleaning week.


Monday we did some of the windows upstairs. That is quite a feat. If you have seen the amount of stuff on the table in my room then you know what I am talking about. If you have not seen it you can look at this post if you want. The whole thing had to be cleaned off and it was all piled up on my bed. I wish my daughter or I had thought to take a picture of the pile that would have been a great photo. Sometimes you have to make a big mess in order to clean and organize things.
Nathan helping clean my windows


We have to do the upstairs windows first because in order to clean the tracks of the window we poor water in them and it drips down onto the windows of the first floor.

While I had the table empty and moved I also vacuumed behind and under it before putting the boxes back under and then organized my Scrapbook stuff.


While Nathan, Jessica and I were doing that Rachel was cleaning the Laundry room.

Rearranging the shelves wiping the appliances and mopping the floor.





On Tuesday we did the Living room (sorry no pictures). We did the windows, dusted and polished the piano, cleaned up the kids computer desk, and did general cleaning and organizing. Rachel also organized the bookshelf at the landing of the steps to the basement which hold our dvd's.



Wednesday was the biggest cleaning day. We did the Dining room and Kitchen.
Rachel emptied and wiped off each of the shelves in this closet.


Then because the shelves are particleboard we had to flip them because over time they bow.


So we flipped them to even them out. That was not as easy as I thought and it took Rachel and I and a hammer to get it done.



Then Rachel wiped some of the stuff, organized it and put it all back.





While she was doing that Jessica and I started on the drawers and cabinets in the kitchen. I am not sure what the red stuff was on the bottom of this drawer but I think it was cherry extract. It actually ate through the particle board a little.

While we were doing that Nathan started cleaning off the bookshelf we keep in the Dining Room for our school stuff.


Then I cleaned out one of the bottom cabinets and I needed to reach something in the very back corner. This cabinet goes way back to the wall and has only this one door as access. Jessica took this picture of me trying to reach waaaaaay back.


Then Christopher "climbed" in to wipe it out!
LOL


LOLOL



ROFLOL!!! Too Funny!!!




This is one of the cabinets Jessica cleaned and organized.



When Rachel was done the closet in the Dining Room she cleaned out this cabinet.
and had a great time organizing her sprinkles




Christopher worked on the school bookcase a little.



I wiped the wall behind the stove. It gets splattered with grease.



Thursday Morning Rachel had knitting class, so we did not do much cleaning.


Today the boys have been working on their room, and the did a little bit yesterday.
Here is the mess they have to tackle!!!















They are mostly playing around and blaming each other for not working.
When they get it done I will post some after pictures.


This morning I had Bible Study and this afternoon we were getting ready to go to my Sister's (my Mom lives with her) for dinner. Rachel, Jessica and I are staying over and going to a Mother/Daughter banquet tomorrow. Then we will be home and my Mom is coming with us. We still have a few windows to do, and we have the basement to clean up. I have some more to do in my bedroom but those will have to wait.

Well, that was our week. I will post pictures of the Mother/Daughter Banquet early next week and the pictures of the boys clean room. I will also be brave and post before and after pictures of our basement.

Have a great relaxing Saturday and a God filled, blessed Sunday
Debbie

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