Modest Stitch Fix – Box #2

I've only written about Stitch Fix once before. I tried it last year and wrote about it here in A Modest Skeptic's First Stitch Fix.

I wasn't sure if they would have modest clothing to send me that would fit my style, but I was very happy with what they sent. I didn't end up keeping anything from the first box just because it was nothing I particularly needed.

However, I finally got another box a couple months ago, and again I thought they did a wonderful job picking up on my style and sending things that I liked.

Want to see what was inside my box? Maybe it will inspire you to give it a try if you've been on the fence!

1. I loved the little twist detail on the bottom of this shirt! Anything that adds a little uniqueness to clothing is right up my alley. I was so close to keeping this shirt, but ultimately sent it back because the neckline was really loose on me which made it look a little frumpy.

2. This skirt was so soft and comfortable. The quality of everything they sent was just above and beyond low end clothing. I can't explain how buttery and soft all of the fabrics are. I liked how they coordinated this skirt, the navy top, and the denim jacket in the next photo. I sent this skirt back because I was just not crazy about the color red. I put that on my notes in my account so next time they'll know it's not my favorite color.

3. I like this denim jacket, but didn't keep it because I already have a nice denim jacket. Like I said above, I did think it was nice that they coordinated this outfit. I also appreciate staple pieces that can be mixed and matched with lots of different things. This would have been a valuable piece if I had needed it.

4. I LOVED this dress, and wanted to keep it so badly! The stylist really nailed my personal taste with this one! I was disappointed because it was just a tad shorter than what I was comfortable wearing. I tried it with leggings underneath, but I wasn't really comfortable with that either, at least not until I lose a few pounds. Kinda makes me sad looking at it again. It's so pretty, and it was so soft!!/

5. This maxi dress was the final item they sent. (I was in a hurry, so I didn't do my hair or makeup. I apologize for the thrown-together pictures.) I wasn't sure about this one because it seemed a little “blah”, like there wasn't anything to make it special or unique.

But after putting a denim jacket over it, it seemed perfect!

It is so difficult to go clothes shopping. I can't drag a bunch of kids into the dressing room, and if I'm out on date night, I don't really want to use up all our time trying on clothes!

While Stitch Fix can be a little pricey, it is definitely worth splurging on quality clothes occasionally, especially when you consider the convenience of not having to go from store to store to find clothes that fit well or work with your personal standards of modesty. The more specific you are with the notes to your stylist, the better they are about sending things that are a perfect fit for what you need.

If you sign up through my referral link, you'll also get a $25 credit to go towards your first purchase!

I listed these pros and cons in my first post about Stitch Fix, but I'm going to list them out again here, just for your convenience:

Pros:

• Easy to order
• Super easy to return what you don't want
• My stylist did an awesome job trying to understand my needs and likes.
• I liked that they sent pieces that could mix and match so I would get the most bang for my buck.
• No shopping required!  With a houseful of kids it's hard to get out very often!
• It's great for the fashion challenged because you have someone who knows what they're doing picking outfits that will work for you.
• Each Stitch Fix comes with a styling guide that shows you what other pieces of clothing you can wear with what they sent you.
• The pieces match common pieces anyone would have so you would most likely have things to match already.
• They have modest clothes!  When you go shopping you have to dig and dig to find things that are modest.  I love being able to say “send me modest” clothes, and boom, there they are!
• Receive as few or as many boxes as you want.  If you are in desperate need to build a new wardrobe, you can set it up to send you a new box every month (maybe even every two weeks?)  Or you can set them to come farther apart, or you can just order them only when you specifically want to.
• It helps you try things you wouldn't have thought to try.  It's interesting to try on things that I didn't think I would like and find out I like them.

Cons:

• It is expensive, especially for someone who has always been a thrift store girl!

I set the budget to the lowest priced items, and the prices were still between $30 and $65 per item.

So yes, while there are many more pros than there are cons, money carries a lot of weight for a lot of us.  I never, ever, ever want to encourage any of my readers to spend money they don't have.

Less is more when it comes to clothing, so spending more on a few quality pieces that will mix and match is not really all that expensive in the long run.  But still…please don't spend money you don't have.

So Stitch Fix is for you if:

1. You can set aside some money in the budget for quality clothing.
2. You don't have the time to go digging around in the stores to find something that is both modest and flattering to your body type.
3. You want someone else to do the work of finding outfits for you and you're not afraid to try new things.

Want to give it a try?  Sign up here to get started.

Helpful notes:

When you sign up, be sure to leave detailed comments about what you like to wear and why. I tried my best to define my version of “modest” so my stylist would know what to send.  I also made sure to create a Pinterest board of modest clothing that I like so she could see exactly what types of things I like.

Sign up for Stitch Fix here.

Family Presents: 10 Unique Gifts for Everyone to Share

As our family grows (both our immediate family and our extended family), it becomes more and more expensive and time-consuming to shop for Christmas gifts. Plus, when each child receives multiple gifts from us and from their extended family, the house quickly becomes cluttered with way too much stuff.

We like to do a lot more family presents these days rather than a ton of individual gifts. Not only does it cut down on shopping time, expense, and clutter, but it also helps us to prioritize spending time together.

When we purchase a gift that the whole family can enjoy, we are encouraging quality time together, which is so much more important than just giving and receiving a bunch of stuff.

We've also agreed with our siblings that we will give gifts to each other's entire family rather than purchasing something individually for each niece and nephew (there are a lot and none of us can really afford it.) Giving family gifts provides all of us with the opportunity to express thoughtfulness for each other without breaking the bank.

Here are 10 unique gift ideas for the entire family to enjoy.

(Note: If you have an ad-blocker running, you may not be able to see all of the embedded images and links. Turning off your ad-blocker on this page will allow you to see all of the gift ideas included.)

Disclosure: I was provided with products to facilitate this post. Some of the links included are affiliate links.

1. ArmoGear Laser Battle

This is the perfect gift for the competitive family who is always playing together. Rather than dropping a nice chunk to go play a game of laser tag, they will be able to play any time they want in their own back yard. ArmoGear Laser Battle comes with vests and guns (you can purchase either a 2 player game or a 4 player game.)

Purchase ArmoGear Laser Battle here.

2. Family movie night package

Set up the family with everything they need for a family movie night: a popcorn popper, bowls, a cozy blanket, and an Amazon Prime video subscription.

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3. Family game night package

If your budget is tight, family games are always a hit! I've included some of my favorite family game suggestions below.

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And favorite games for the little ones:

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4. Ice cream night!

This soft serve ice cream maker is a huge hit with families! Pair it with some bowls and ice cream toppings.

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5. Indoor snowball fight

Want to bring the most unique gift to the party? How about supplies for an indoor snowball fight?

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6. Outdoor activities

The most clutter free gift for families is a gift that stays outside! Treat the kids to hours of outdoor fun with one of these outdoor toys:

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7. Camping Gear

For the outdoor loving family, a gift of camping gear makes a unique and thoughtful gift.

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8. Game room/Play room gear

Another great family gift is an item for the game room (or play room if the kids are still little.) Some good ideas below:

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9. Slam Ball

This game is one that my extended family members love playing together. It is highly competitive, offering loads of fun for the adults and kids alike!

10. The Adventum Audio Drama

“Mom, this is…amazing.” That's what my oldest son told me about this set of audio dramas. These audio depictions of Biblical events are an investment into the spiritual life of your children, and are so enjoyable for the whole family to listen to together.

Click here to learn more and listen to a trailer.

For our Clutter Free Gift Ideas for Homemakers, Click Here.

5 Prayers for the Overwhelmed Homemaker

In this article: Scripture based prayers for the homemaker who feels overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed.

Anxious.

Panicked.

Frustrated.

Discombobulated. (How do you like that word?)

These are all words that have defined how I feel about homemaking at some point or another.

Do you ever feel:

• Like you don’t know where to start
• Frustrated that no one is helping
• Confused as to why you got nothing done today
• Defeated that you can’t seem to run the household smoothly

You are not alone!

I spent years struggling with these things.

And although I've grown and learned over the years so that I do not feel chronically overwhelmed anymore, the reality is that the road of life will always have some bumps and roadblocks.

So even though I recommend being wise with our routines and learning ways to take the overwhelm out of homemaking, it’s even more important to recognize our need for the Lord. Circumstances beyond our control remind us the He is in control.

We ought to spend more time seeking his face and casting ourselves upon Him in complete dependence than we do in trying to control our circumstances to become less overwhelming.

With that in mind, I want to share some scripture-based prayers for the homemaker who feels overwhelmed:

1. Pray that your thoughts would be clear and undistracted.

When you don’t know where to start or how to organize your day, pray that God would direct your steps and give you wisdom to know how to prioritize things.

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Proverbs 16:3)

 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalm 37:23)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

2. Pray for physical health and strength.

If you suffer from any type of chronic illness, you are well aware that the brain fog and fatigue that accompany it contribute to feeling completely overwhelmed. When you can’t think clearly and when you’re always behind on the housework because you are physically unable to take care of it, things can become so out of control that you don’t even know where to begin.

Pray that God would grant you just enough strength to do what He wants you to do today (and remember that might look different than what you would like to get done today.)

Give us this day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11)

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

3. Pray that you will be diligent in your work.

Perhaps you’re behind and overwhelmed because you just haven’t been as diligent as you ought and now things have piled up. Pray that the Holy Spirit would remind you to be diligent today as you take care of your home and family.

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. (Proverbs 13:4)

 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. (Proverbs 10:4)

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. (Proverbs 14:1)

4. Pray that you will not be distracted by things that do not matter.

So many things fight for our attention throughout the day. Some of them are important, some not so important, and some are somewhere in between. As you seek the Lord above all, all of the other things will fall into place. Pray that you would remember to focus on Him above all else and not to stress about the rest.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:33-34)

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

5. Call out to the Lord in complete dependence upon him.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psalm 61:2)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

I am certain that God hears and answers prayer, and I am certain that when you call unto him, he will answer you (Jeremiah 33:3.)

A Kid-Friendly Weekend Getaway in Sevierville, Tennessee

Family time is important to my husband and me.  Spending quality time with our children is one way we can get to know them better, show them how much we love them, and bond our hearts together.

But life is so busy that spending time together doesn't always come easily!  The daily necessities of life take up so much of our time that time spent together often consists of folding laundry together on mom and dad's bed.  And while there's most definitely a place for that kind of time spent together, it's also good to have focused, set-aside time together where we're not distracted by the next item on our to-do list.

A weekend getaway is a fantastic way for us to spend distraction-free time doing nothing other than making memories as a family.

Since we live only a few hours from the Smoky Mountains, a convenient place for us to take a weekend getaway is in the friendly town of Sevierville, Tennessee.

Located in eastern Tennessee, Sevierville is in a centralized location to much of the eastern United States.  Its location, combined with the wide variety of family-oriented activities it offers, makes it a perfect destination for a family weekend getaway.

Watch the video for a speed version of our own kid-friendly weekend getaway in Sevierville, then read all the details below.

(Full disclosure: This trip was sponsored by the city of  Sevierville. Our accommodations and attraction tickets were provided to facilitate this post.)

This video shows our weekend in a nutshell:

FULL TRIP DETAILS:

Thursday P.M.

Arrive at our destination.

Since Sevierville is only a few hours away from us, it's easy for us just to hop on up there after my husband gets off work.  Staying over on Thursday night maximizes the time we get to spend enjoying our weekend.  Being there on Friday morning gives us HOURS more time to spend enjoying the day instead of spending travel time that day.

We stayed at the Oak Haven Resort, which offers cabins suitable for various family sizes.  I prefer staying in a cabin when we travel as a family for several reasons:

1. We don't all fit in one hotel room.
2. A cabin has a kitchen, which means I can bring healthy food instead of eating out at every meal.
3. A cabin is much more kid-friendly than a hotel, with plenty of things to keep the children occupied even if we're not out on the town.

Our cabin at Oak Haven Resort

The view from our cabin

What kinds of things does Oak Haven Resort offer?  A lot!

The cabin was equipped with a game room downstairs which included arcade games, a pool table, Foosball, ping pong, and a hot tub on the porch.  One small touch that was greatly appreciated by the smallest of our crew was a set of Mega Blocks.  Since our 2 year old is not old enough to play ping pong or Foosball, and since the 4 year old wasn't all that interested, they were perfectly content to play with Mega Blocks any time we were staying at the cabin.

Resort guests also have access to a playground, a basketball court, a swimming pool, a lake with catch-and-release fishing privileges, and several walking trails.

We arrived into town about 5 pm on Thursday, stopped at Chipotle for a quick supper, and spent the rest of the evening enjoying our cabin before bed.

Friday, 8:30 AM

We had a busy day planned, so we ate out at Flapjack's Pancake Cabin for breakfast.  The food there is so good!  We definitely plan on making a trip here for breakfast any time we are in Sevierville.

Waiting for our yummy omelets and pancakes

Friday, 10:00 AM

After breakfast we headed over to Rainforest Adventures.  I'd heard a lot about it on previous trips to Sevierville, but we had never had the chance to take the kids.

Being the homeschooled nerds they are, they were telling me all sorts of interesting things about the animals that I didn't even know.  My least favorite part was the snakes, and I scooted past them as quickly as I could.  I didn't want to even look at them!  The kids didn't seem to have a problem with them, though.  They were posing for pictures in front of them just so they could watch me squirm.

There was also a petting zoo out back where the kids fed goats, donkeys, and sheep.

Feeding a baby goat at the petting zoo

Friday, 12 PM

After we finished at Rainforest Adventures we went to Sevier Air Trampoline Park and Ninja Warrior Course.  Friday morning was an amazing  time to go!  The Sevierville schools were already in session, so my homeschooled kids basically had the whole place to themselves! Since it was so empty, the staff went ahead and gave everyone unlimited arm bands, which meant we didn't have to worry about leaving right after our hour time slot was up.

I was really impressed with the park.  There were lots of activities to keep everyone busy.  Our whole family was able to jump and enjoy the activities together.

Enjoying one of the many activities at Sevier Air Trampoline Park and Ninja Warrior Course| Photo credit: Chad Branton

Friday, 1 PM

Next it was time to feed the hungry crew!  We ate lunch at Five Oaks Farm Kitchen. It's a little on the pricey side, so plan your budget accordingly if you have a large family to feed, but the southern fare was delicious, and the portions were huge!

Enjoying a fluffy southern biscuit at Five Oaks Farm Kitchen

Friday, 3 PM

The plan at this point was to spend the rest of the day at Nascar Speed Park, which the kids had greatly  been looking forward to, but it had begun to rain while we were inside the restaurant, and the little ones were starting to get tired anyway.

But we're flexible!

We headed back to the cabin instead, where we all took a nap, then we took advantage of the game room and hot tub for the rest of the evening.

I popped some hamburger patties into the oven for an easy supper, and we all just relaxed and hung out together until bedtime.

Relaxing at the cabin

Saturday, 10 AM

Option A: One fun way to spend your weekend in Sevierville is to get a day pass to Wilderness at the Smokies Wild WaterDome indoor water park.  Since it's open year round, this is a great way to have some family fun regardless of the weather.

Option B: (What we did)

Since we hadn't taken the kids to the Nascar Speedpark the day before, we spent most of the morning there.  There are go-kart tracks for just about every age (the only one who didn't ride was our 2 year old.)

Her first ever go-kart ride

They also have a whole bunch of kiddie rides.  The oldest 2 kids drove go-karts all day, and the younger 2 went back and forth between driving go-karts and riding rides.

Enjoying one of the kiddie rides

As it got closer to lunch time, the heat was beginning to get to us, so we headed back to the cabin to get some lunch and cool off.

After lunch, we headed outside to explore the nature trails at the resort.

(Our original plan for this day was to spend some time hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but the kids (and adults) really didn't want to skip going to the Nascar Speedpark.  However, we did also want to get in some nature time, so we opted to explore the nature trails at Oak Haven Resort instead.

After a  stop by the playground and basketball court, the little ones were sufficiently worn out, so we headed back to the cabin for a nap.

Little ones enjoying the playground

Daddy and the boys enjoying basketball

While the little ones were resting, I put some dinner in the crock pot and enjoyed putting my feet up to read while it cooked.

Saturday, 6 PM

We had planned to spend the evening enjoying a Smokies baseball game together, but it had begun to rain while the kids were taking their naps.

We waited until the last minute, but it was still pretty wet outside when it was time to leave for the game, so we opted to stay in out of the rain.

We spent more time enjoying the game room at the cabin.  Finally the weather dried up, so we decided to take advantage of the unlimited arm bands we still had from the Nascar Speedpark.

It was getting dark and late by this time, but it was vacation, so why not?!

The kids enjoyed several more rides before we finally headed back.

Night time ride at Nascar Speedpark

Waiting for one last ride on the Scrambler at Nascar Speedpark

Everyone was sighing those “happy, tired, satisfied” sighs.

Check out from Oak Haven Resort was not until 11:00 the next day, which meant we could still sleep in before we headed for home.

It had been a wonderful, much-needed time away to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Many thanks to visitsevierville.com for planning a perfect itinerary for our family.  Click here to check out the Visit Sevierville website for ideas on planning your own kid-friendly weekend getaway to Sevierville, Tennessee.

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How to Find Joy and Contentment as a Homemaker

It was an ordinary evening.  I was unloading the dishwasher while dinner was heating up on the stove.  My toddler was  “helping” me, while the older kids were reading books to their younger siblings at the table.  As I worked, I enjoyed chatting on the phone with my husband during his drive home from work.

I stopped to take it all in, and I realized I was having the time of my life!

It wasn't a special holiday.  Everything that was going on was very ordinary, but I was enjoying myself immensely!

I could have this much joy every day if I would only choose to.

I don't need to wait for something special to happen to enjoy  life.  I don't have to have the perfect house or the perfect family to find joy and contentment.  I can choose to enjoy every moment.

When I'm cooking an “ordinary” supper, I can stop and thank the Lord that I have food to prepare for my family and a stove on which to prepare it.

When I'm doing an “ordinary” dishwasher unloading, I can be thankful I have the luxury of owning a dishwasher.

When I'm changing an “ordinary” diaper I can be thankful for these little ones God has entrusted to me.

If I stop and think about the blessings God has given me, the ordinary things seem so much more special.

Just since that evening a few days ago, I have tried to stop and think throughout the day about God's blessings and to make a conscious choice to enjoy what He has given me – not just on the special days.

What will you enjoy today, my friend?  The enchanting smell of a candle?  The sound of beautiful music on the radio?  The way the sunlight looks as it sends its rays through a window?  The love of your family on this ordinary day?

Stop.  Look.  Listen.  Enjoy.

Everything we have is a gift from God.  He loves us, and has given us “richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

So let's enjoy what He's given.

Other Christian homemaing posts you may like:

The Perfect Homemaker

What I've Learned About Homemaking from the Older Generation

Letting Go of Homemaker's Guilt

10 Scriptural Ways to Pray for the Father of Your Children

Do you desire a deeper prayer life?  Do you know you should be praying more, but aren't quite sure what to pray for?

As father's day approaches, I've been thinking about some specific ways I can pray for my husband, the father of my children.

The more specific we are in our prayers, the more specifically God can answer them!

Coming straight from scripture, here are 10 ways to pray for your children's father:

1. Pray that he will be a man of integrity.

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. (Proverbs 20:7)

2. Pray that he will teach his children gently yet faithfully.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

3. Pray that he would encourage rather than discourage his children.

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)

4. Pray that he will lovingly discipline his children.

 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (Proverbs 13:24)

5.  Pray that he will teach his children the truth of God's Word.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 1:4)

6. Pray that he will train each of his children according to their unique needs. 

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

7. Pray that he will lead his children in serving the Lord.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

8. Pray that he will notice opportunities through daily activities to teach his children God's Word.

 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deutoronomy 6:6-7)

9. Pray that he will be strong in the Lord and always keep his spiritual armor on.

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:10-18)

10. Pray he will remember that his children are a blessing and a gift from God.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. ⁴ As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. ⁵ Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5)

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