simply vintageous...by Suzan

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Simply Vintageous revisited

Good ( halfway through the day ) Morning everyone!!!!!
For me?

It's the most laziest day of the year
With my hair a big mess
and with sauce on my dress
I had too much cheer
But now it's the laz - laziest time of the year...........................

John's napping - the house is quiet - somewhat clean - and the whirlwind is over -
I stumbled out of bed at 10.30 this morning in a panic - It's Wednesday - time for
house hunting - and then I thought -NO - no one wants to house hunt today anyway, right?

So instead I'm going to bore you with my top viewed posts of 2012 - because it's the most
laziest day of the year - which really does mean I'm too lazy to come up with an original post.
Hoping some of you are new enough that these posts will be fresh for you - and for those of you that
have been following for awhile I'm hoping you're feeling too lazy today to care!
( that's a lot of lazy for one post - how many? don't know - too lazy to go back and check )

These makeovers had almost 10,000 hits

Before

After

If you missed the post - you can read it HERE

And then there was my bedroom dresser - the post can be found HERE

My Armoire seemed to be a big hit too :) I still cringe when I look at the before on this one

what a difference a day makes - 24 little hours..................you can read about this transformation
HERE

And the top John says - Suzan says

Using branches for decorating - our conversation
Using tissue pom - poms for decorating - our conversaton
Supercalifragilisticispialidocious - our conversation
Forever Young - our conversation
Baby it's cold outside - our conversation
Stencilling a butcher block - our conversation

My Menopause post seemed to get a lot of hits - you can read it HERE
And my ARTIST post you can read it here

And that's all I'm going to bore you with today -
Hoping you all had a beautiful Christmas - and that you're feeling LAZY today - and that you're actually ABLE to BE lazy today - you all deserve it
Much love
Many kisses
Tight hugs
( and I'm off to join John for a nap - I've been up a couple of hours after all )

Saturday, December 22, 2012

When one door closes.....................

Sometimes ( if you're lucky - and I was ) out of the blue another one definitely opens - much much wider................
So as some of you know I was asked to go to a customers house as a favor to work the whole day Friday helping someone paint furniture - and I RAN because of the potential business this could lead me to -
Well this is huge folks -
First of all the house I arrived at is ( literally ) like one of the houses I showcase on I WANNA live there Wednesdays - the most beautiful home you can imagine - my photography skills are not the greatest as you know - but I promise to post photos of the house as I go - BECAUSE I ( little ole me ) have been asked to help with the interior decorating - plus all the furniture - plus this woman owns a store on a very expensive la di da street here in Montreal and wants to start showcasing my furniture in the Summer of 2013...................
( she currently sells designer clothing - but has a space she's thinking of using for furniture )
She told me just before I left - " Suzan - you are going places - I am going to make sure of that - I know talent when I see it "
OMG - OMG - OMG -
Someone pinch me - go ahead - pinch me until I have a big fat black and blue bruise on my arm!!!

First item I worked on was this -

This customer just found out about chalk paint - and was over the top excited after seeing a show on it -
And the colors she purchased happened to be my favorite 2 colors to combine( Paris Grey and Pure White )
Almost forgot to take a before - so this is the best you get, sorry about that!

and then I staged it for her - she's never changing it, she says, lol
but a pretty easy thing to do when all around you there are the most gorgeous things to choose from, really.

Omg - she says - Who taught you how to do that?
Nobody, I laughed -
She was over the top excited about it - dancing - literally dancing around her kitchen - so I started dancing with her
She grabbed me and hugged me
I hugged her back
She told me she loved me
I said - Whoa Evita - so soon?
YES - she screamed - Yes - it's true - you never heard of love at first sight?

Then she danced into the dining room - and said I want this painted too!

So here's where the story gets interesting - I've been cropping out what sits on top of this piece - but here it is

The most spectacular looking piece you can imagine -
PAINT IT she says
Oh Evita - I don't know if I should
What will your husband ( who was somewhere on one of the 5 floors ) say?
Oh he doesn't care what I do - the house is my department

and then I got to the back of this beauty - are you freaking kidding me Evita?
can all of you see what this says ?
I've never painted a piece of furniture this old Evita - I'm really uncomfortable
I want it painted - please Suzan please..................
Vintage? This piece was vintage by 1900!!!

And just as I finished the top - her husband walks downstairs - takes one look at what I'm doing - turns around whispers something to his wife - quite furiously - and storms out of the house - I felt sick to my stomach.....................really sick to my stomach.

Don't worry about him - she says - he'll back and forget all about it -
AND HE DID - he came back - told me it looked beautiful - go figure
( please please no negative comments about this particular project - it's her house - her furniture and at the
end of the day, only HER business )

Standing there looking at the alcove where it fits into - I said "what would you think of painting your alcove a dark gray to make the white pop" - and I swear to you the ladder was out and she painted it in 15 minutes!

Also in her living room she had these 3 gorgeous mirrors -

Evita - can I make a suggestion?
Yes - please do!
Can we take those mirrors and put them in your dining room?

and at the end of the day - this was the " new look for the nook " in her dining room

the rest of the walls are going to be painted as white as possible -

those mirrors look so perfect on either side of the niche/nook - and are almost the same color as the grey wall.

Her drapes are gorgeous - this photo does not do them justice at all! Evita made them -
( hmm - we may have to barter a little for my services if she can do things like this )
The fireplace will be painted white -my suggestion - but shhh - don't tell her husband - the brass trim around it will go black - the mantel will be gray to go with the niche.....................
Do you see that ceiling peaking through the mirror? That will most definitely stay wood -
Oh My God - I was just swooning over it all

but that may have been due to the bottle of red wine she opened as we were finishing off....................

I'm back at her house on the 27th - much more work to do - more photos to follow -
You're going to help me with the whole house right Suzan?
Yes Evita - with more pleasure than I can tell you !!!

Shopped this morning - wrapped 32 gifts this afternoon - more shopping tomorrow - more wrapping tomorrow.
Now I have to run and finish off the pallet trees I'm giving as gifts - and bake bake bake.

I just went in the kitchen to take photos to do a tutorial for the Pallet trees and John surprised me by making all of them - all sitting pretty and waiting for me to stencil

Suzan says - WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
Suzan says - OMG - I was supposed to take photos for a tutorital
John says - I can't win - can I - I just can't win
Suzan says - You know what? You're the best - absolutely John - but after the holidays we'll have to make one more so I can do a step by step
John says - yeah yeah - sure - anything for the blog..........................

Love to all

Partying with!
Knick of Time
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.ca/2012/12/welcome-back-to-knick-of-time-tuesday-i.html
Savvy Southern Style
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/12/wow-us-wednesdays-98.html
Have a daily cup of Mrs. Olson
http://jannolson.blogspot.ca/2012/12/share-your-cup-thursday-38.html
A Diamond in the Stuff
http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/2013/01/time-to-shine-party-no-100.html
Homework
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-inspiration-board-link-party-83.html
PJH Designs
http://pjhdesignsoneofakind.blogspot.ca/2013/01/transformed-tuesday-19-and-features.html
DIY by Design
http://diybydesign.blogspot.ca/2013/01/winter-blues-wednesday-its-party-98-new.html
Domestically Speaking
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/01/158th-power-of-paint-party-beachy-crackle-goodness.html
My Romantic Home
http://romantichome.blogspot.ca/2013/01/decorating-with-lemons-show-and-tell.html
Miss Mustard Seed
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/01/furniture-feature-friday-best-of-2012/
Finding Fabulous
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/2013/01/frugalicious-fridayfor-all-time-clock.html
Beyond the Picket Fence
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.ca/2013/01/under-100-linky-party_16.html
Common Ground
http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/01/be-inspired-123-january-fun.html

Friday, December 21, 2012

Oh I had plans for today - finish shopping - groceries - wrapping - but out of the blue last night I received the following email! ( the sender shall stay anonymous for ever more lol )

"A lady wants 5 pieces of furniture painted (along side of her kind of like a helper) before Xmas. she is offering double pay. Help just for 1 day .

thought I would throw it out to you. Just you never know!

let me know if you are my gal. LOL.

I know you are busy with your own stuff. I know the answer is NO but Out of guilt I have to ask otherwise I feel like I am lying to my customers.

talk soon"

And so that's what I'm doing today -

Angels come in all forms - their wings are invisible - but they have them - most definitely - they have them - tucked away where no one can see them - and I'm so thankful that I was chosen for this particular job - the connections it can bring are priceless - I couldn't buy this kind of advertising and so I'm dropping all my scheduled plans and leaving in about an hour................

Here's a laugh for Friday - well my kind of laugh anyway

Husband lays dying, with his Wife by his bedside.

He says in a weak voice, "There's something I must confess."

"Shhh". Said the wife, "There's nothing to confess. Everything's all right."

"No" the husband replied "I must die in peace. I had affairs with your sister, your best friend, her best friend and your best friend's mom!"

"I know," she whispered "That's why I poisoned you, now close your eyes

Y'all have a good day now, y'hear?

( be back tonight with a tutorial on Christmas Plank Trees for Carolyn ( you old Crow ) and for anyone else who might be interested )

and an up to date on the chaos in my world - and by tonight there should be plenty more lol

Thursday, December 20, 2012

More Glitz anyone?

Hi Everyone!
Are your wallets depleted yet? Mine is ( well mine was depleted when this business of ours became a victim of the economy - but this too shall pass - and I don't want to cry " poor me " so..........................)
I was frugal this year with decorations - and Frugal and I have never been friends - I just never knew the art of trying to save money - I was a shopaholic until this happened - but you learn as you go - and I am so proud of me I can't tell you!
I didn't buy one decoration this year - not one! That must be a first - so far the only cost has been the tree and some potted greenery to sit on the veranda Christmas eve.
Now to be perfectly honest - and I guess I should be - the shopaholic days have left me with an over the top
abundance of Christmas stuff - so I didn't have to dig too deep really - but still - did I mention that I didn't buy one decoration this year?
I had tons of this glittery and pearl garland that I used to crown the top of the beadboard in my hallway

What to do with them this year to change things up? ( and also because I was really too lazy to attach them to the beadboard - a lot of work actually because they had to be pinned into place every few inches )
I just strung them into glass vases and a wine glass
and topped them with spray painted pine combs

they sit on top of my secretary - which is place in a little niche between the dining room and living room
( this month anyway - it goes from my bedroom to this spot quite regularly )

an antique leaded glass window I purchased many years ago rests on the other side - with silver leaves - a star and a Christmas card....................

Isn't the card beautiful? It comes from John's son in England - that is the only sad part of Christmas with our blended family - one is always missing -

I hung a sparkly wreath over the mirror that rests on this secretary

Someone remarked last Christmas that it was like walking into an Ice Castle -
I like that - since I've always believed that I was meant to live in a castle - honestly - I did the
test once - I put a pea on my bed and I COULD FEEL IT - ( I didn't put it under the mattress - just
rested it on the bed, but still, it was very uncomfortable) So for a few weeks every year I get to live in a miniature one - and once Christmas Eve arrives and all the kids show up - I truly am a blessed princess - living in my Castle.

I wrote a poem once - which is framed and sits on my sideboard normally - I can't find it now because everything was moved for the holidays
But I know it by heart.....................

" SET YOUR TABLE FOR KINGS AND QUEENS
LET GOOD FOOD AND MUSIC ABOUND
FOR WE ARE SURROUNDED BY ROYALTY
WHEN FAMILY AND FRIENDS SIT DOWN "

And there is nothing more royal then having those we love fighting over drumsticks - really - there's nothing like it at all.................................
Life is good - even when it isn't
Life is really good.

Much love,

O ( MG ) Christmas Tree!

Good morning!!!
Murphy's back everyone ( as in Murphy's law ) in full force.
First of all we brought the tree home - it's such a pretty tree don't you think?

The house has been cleaned - sparkling clean and all I have left to do in the decorating department is the tree!
ok - lets string the lights on it, shall we?
Oh - they're not here - or there - or there - or anywhere
so we'll use the wrap around lights - you know the ones that come in one big piece and you simply wrap them around the tree?

There - how does that look?
Can I leave it alone?
Of course not - I find the lights look too " uniform " ( and really someone in a "uniform" should come take me away - seriously - I need a nice long break in a straight jacket of some sort )
Down they all come -

Suzan says - John I think you have to go to the storage unit
John says - Why?
Suzan says - My string lights are there I think - I can't find them anywhere
John - WHAT ARE YOU DOING? - YOU JUST HAD LIGHTS ON THE TREE
Suzan says - I hate them - they make the tree look like it came off of an assembly line
John says - When do you need them for?
Suzan says - Well let me see I have 5 days to bake - shop - wrap - and decorate the tree -
ummm - now would be good if you don't mind - and then you don't have to do anything else -
you can lay down and watch t.v. all night if you want
John says - It's almost 10.00 at night - by the time I get back it'll be 10.30 - you're being very
generous with my spare time - thank you.

And he came back with 4 more boxes of Christmas supplies - who has 10 large boxes stuffed to the brim
with Christmas paraphernelia? It's insane ( you see, I really do need that straight jacket )
With everything except my string of Christmas lights in them.................
OMG - he never had to go - they were at home the whole time - and I swear to you I will never tell the
poor man that - never.

Ok the lights are now strung - all beautifully hidden inside the tree - and it's been sprayed with fake snow
Looking good?

Time to decorate!

hmmm - maybe now would be the time to tell you that this is the second round of decorating -
COMPLETELY. The first round was all Fuschia Pink - AND I'm still not " feeling " this one either - but I'm tired and it'll have to stay

Just about finished - lets turn on the lights and see my master piece

that's right - a whole string of lights burned out - LOVELY -
I'll just fix that up and hop into bed - I'm absolutely exhausted -
and my sparkling clean house looks like this once again

if you notice that's not the same mess that was on my dining room table 2 days ago - THAT mess was entirely cleaned up - this is tonight's mess
but I'm really exhausted at this point - so I'll just get up extra early and clean it all up - at least the tree's done

And off I go to bed - lean over to turn out the lights - and CRASH BANG SMASH CRACK -

John says - what the hell was that?
Suzan says - It's Murphy - I just know it's Murphy
John says - what the hell are you talking about?

But I have a sick feeling in my stomach - a real nauseating sick feeling...........................that Murphy just snuck into the living room

Could you weep for me? Bet you already are

John says - Grab one side
John says - where are you going?
Suzan says - to get my camera
John says - OH FOR GOD SAKES - WHAT THE HELL DO YOU NEED A PICTURE OF THIS FOR?
Suzan says -
because
no
one
absolutely
no
one
would
believe
this
otherwise....................

One more time - so I started off with all pink decorations - then went to all blue - what the hell, for finish
I'll use both this third and final time.

5 days left?

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap- happiest season of all

straightjacket - a garment similar to a jacket that is used to bind the arms tightly against the body as a means of restraining a violent person

Do you think they come in PINK?

Sharing with:
Beyond The Picket Fence
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.ca/2012/12/under-100-linky-party_19.html
Common Ground
http://www.commonground-do.com/2012/12/vintage-inspiration-119-counting-days.html
The Vintage Farmhouse
http://www.thevintagefarmhouse.com/2012/12/creative-things-thursday-features_20.html
A Little Knick Knack
http://www.alittleknickknack.com/2012/12/ebtks-link-party-features_20.html
French Country Cottage
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.ca/2012/12/feathered-nest-friday_20.html
Shabby Art Boutique
http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.ca/2012/12/shabbilicious-friday-link-party.html
One Artsy Mama
http://www.oneartsymama.com/2012/12/shine-on-fridays-59-link-party-with.html
Bloom
http://bloomdesignsonline.blogspot.ca/2012/12/link-party_19.html
Becoming Martha
http://www.becomingmartha.com/2012/12/keep-calm-link-up-party-20.html
NIfty Thrifty Things
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/2012/12/nifty-thrifty-sunday-90.html

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

uh I TAKE THAT BACK!!!

Did I call John a scrooge yesterday? Did I, even for one second grumble about his unwillingness to help?
Did I actually post THIS ?

How horrible of me - especially since he cut all of these for me!

Suzan says - Oh Thanks so much John - you're the best!
Suzan says - Now I can put on some Christmas music - and we can paint them together
John says - Don't push it Suzan........................
Suzan says - ok - I won't -

I quickly painted them with Annie Sloan Pure white - sloppily
Used my stencils and sharpie to write out the words - tossed some spare berry garlands around it and
Voila - I have my pallet Christmas Tree

I know they're spaced out too far apart and a little crooked - but I'm a novice at this - next years will be much better! Who am I kidding - it's driving me nuts - but..........................
I have enough to make 2 more like this one - and John's gone to pick up 2 more pallets from Home Depot because I need to make 6 more in total ( gifts )
There were some smaller pieces left over - so I made a mini one for the kitchen - I'm leaving this one raw wood because I think it goes best with all the exposed brick in there and this one I absolutely love

isn't it the cutest little thing?
you think I'm on top of my game because I have all kinds of time to work on these projects, right?
Well just to let you know how out of my league I am here in blogland - I'm not finished shopping - I haven't wrapped a single gift - I haven't baked a thing - the tree is bare - ( smallest tree I think I've ever had but it still needs to be decorated )

but I've got my little pallet trees.......................
and the house is decorated and I still have 6 days if you count today and Christmas eve - and that's enough time, right?
Right?
RIGHT?
RIGHT? especially if I don't sleep, than it's like 12 days really - almost 2 weeks - plenty of time -
piece of cake
RIGHT?
AGGGHHHHHH!

Sharing With
Have a Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson
http://jannolson.blogspot.ca/2012/12/share-your-cup-thursday-37.html
I Gotta Create
http://igottacreate.blogspot.ca/2012/12/wildly-original-link-party-31.html
The Charm of Home
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.ca/2012/12/home-sweet-home-98.html
Common Ground
http://www.commonground-do.com/2012/12/vintage-inspiration-119-counting-days.html
The Vintage Farmhouse
http://www.thevintagefarmhouse.com/2012/12/creative-things-thursday-features_20.html
A little Knick Knack
http://www.alittleknickknack.com/2012/12/ebtks-link-party-features_20.html
French Country Cottage
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.ca/2012/12/feathered-nest-friday_20.html
Craftionary
http://www.craftionary.net/2012/12/friday-link-party-48.html
Shabby Art Boutique
http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.ca/2012/12/shabbilicious-friday-link-party.html
One Artsy Mama
http://www.oneartsymama.com/2012/12/shine-on-fridays-59-link-party-with.html
Bloom
http://bloomdesignsonline.blogspot.ca/2012/12/link-party_19.html
Becoming Martha
http://www.becomingmartha.com/2012/12/keep-calm-link-up-party-20.html
Funky Junk Interiors
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2012/12/sns-168-your-best-diys-of-2012.html
The Shabby Nest
http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.ca/2012/12/frugal-friday_28.html
Classy Clutter
http://www.classyclutter.net/2012/12/spotlight-saturday-45-link-party.html
Life on Lakeshore Drive
http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/2012/12/last-bouquet-of-talent-party-16-of-year.html
Setting for Four
http://www.settingforfour.com/2012/12/linky-party-12-30-2012-its-party-time.html
Domestically Speaking
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/01/158th-power-of-paint-party-beachy-crackle-goodness.html
Funky Junk Interiors

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Living with Scrooge!

A warm Hello from the home of sunshine and happiness lol - just a few vignettes of Christmas in our home......................I'm taking a break from I WANNA live there this week - too many holiday things to post about!

a home made Christmas Cloche - made with an oversized glass vase turned upside down

I did this tray that sits on an antique sled that Johnny Boy found in the garbage (he hates it when I call him that - so today I'm calling him that - he peed me off royally tonight - tell you why at the end of the post )

and this one is really significant for me - because I placed 20 small ornaments and 6 large ones...................
to honor the Sandy Hook victims and to keep them close to me for Christmas. To the wandering eye they're just a tray of pretty ornaments - to me however they're so much more than that.
Tobey from tobey's trash or treasure did a Christmas Tribute in her home too - take a peak at hers too, it's so lovely.

wreath in our bedroom - I tried to strategically place my watermark so you couldn't see that my bed's not made - who has time to make a bed this week?

ornaments sits on dressers ( hmmm - think I'll put that happy picture of us face down tonight lol )

John says - What's with all the ornaments in glasses and bowls all over the house?
Suzan says - They're decorations John
John says - Yeah - but aren't they meant to go on trees?
Suzan says - Are you serious?
Suzan says - Don't you know how to use your imagination?
John says - Ok Ok - God you're testy
( and I am - like I said I'll tell you why at the end of the post )
John says - I think they look a little silly to be honest with you
Suzan says - So don't be honest with me
John says - you've even got them sitting on sconces and picture frames
Suzan says - Isn't there any golf on t.v. or something?
John says - what are you going to hang on the tree? can't wait to see this
because you won't have any ornaments left to hang on it........................
Oh I can think of a couple of ornaments I'd like to hang on the tree this year

Ok here's why I'm peed off
I want to make one of these

Wood and Wool Stool

Aren't they just fantastic? They're all over the place and every time I see one I know I have to make one.
I HAVE the planks all ready to be sawed down to size - ( and before you say I can do the sawing - trust me I cannot - I have a shoulder that's been causing me a lot of pain ) And I pictured us happily working on this
project together - side by side with Christmas carols playing in the background - snow falling gently outside
and instead this happens.........................

Suzan says - John could you cut me some of those planks we have from the pallet we found this summer
John says - WHY?
Suzan says - I want to make a pallet christmas tree
John says - Dear God - isn't the ladder enough?
Suzan says - Could you just please cut me the planks
John says - NO ( ohhhh - I don't take to that word too well ) and to be honest he doesn't say it all that much
Suzan says - What do you mean, NO ? What kind of reply is that?
John says - It's overkill - we've got the ladder - I think the dirty pallets are just too much
John then goes to lie on the bed - with the converter in his hand - legs crossed - and there's
something about this particular position that can make me lose my mind.
There's still a million things to do after all - and making a pallet tree is one of them. Top Priority actually.
And the longer he lays on that bed - the bigger a priority it becomes for me.
Suzan says - standing in the doorway - Do I have to call someone to come cut the planks for me?
John says - NO - give it up already - where the hell are you going to put it?
Oh I can think of the perfect place I'd like to put it.
John says - Are you making supper?
Suzan says - NO
Suzan says - I'll be too busy trying to cut pallets with my bad arm
Suzan says - Supper is overkill - you ate last night
Suzan says - eyeing his belly - Where would you put it after all?

But I am going to keep bugging until those planks are cut!
I will have myself one of those pallet sign trees - I will, I will, I tell you I will!
( stamping my feet like the spoiled baby I am and there's nothing worse than a
53 year old spoiled baby - it loses its cuteness somehow to pout when you have wrinkles )

AND - I'm NOT making supper tonight - it's the only bargaining tool I have left
and I aim to use it folks.......................he's not going to bah humbug his way out of this one.
Sunshine and happiness to all :)

Oh and I wanted to relay a comment I got from Carolyn -OLD CROW if anybody is wondering what to do in light of Friday - please read this - what an incredible idea - and something I would have been overwhelmed by as a young mother when everything I bought for Christmas was on lay away....................Carolyn - you are the farthest thing from an Old Crow that I know - much love

"As with another blogger that I follow on Pinterest I really thought today my in box would have no messages but there were and they were words of hurt, pain and sorrow so that's OK. What I propose since we are so strong in the blog world as in the real world that we something more and it's something we can do everyday of our lives and that's Pay it Forward. If you can, go to Target, K-Mart, Walmart and pay for a layaway or just give a smile to someone homeless standing on a corner. Let's all strive to Pay it Forward and maybe, just maybe we can change the world. Thank you and bless each of you. I'm having a hard time dealing with 20 little children being killed so in order for me to heal I think I need to Pay it Forward. Thank you all."

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