tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69257959680823661382024-03-05T06:12:26.060-06:001and1makes6the equation of a family, or...adding up the ordinary into something extraordinary, or...what you get when you add a guy, a girl, 4 kids, a dog and a cat, a little chaos, hours of music, lotsa faith, a dash of crazy, and oodles of love.Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-69991926113312811662016-01-28T23:01:00.000-06:002017-08-28T23:02:13.409-05:00Things That - I don't understand….<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">mommy wars</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the need to label <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">women as "plus-size" m<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">dels</span></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the salaries of pro-athletes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the salaries of teachers</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the sizing of women's socks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">fantasy football</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">scream-o music</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the need to use the f-word</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">puppy love</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how airplanes fly</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how submarines sink</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">TV chefs who don't use a microwave for anything</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">TV chefs who squeeze lemons/limes with their hands. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">why I don't have one of those BFF kind of friends</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">mean girls (they come in all ages!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sushi - raw fish but tastes so good! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">racism</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">$50,000+ cars and the people who drive them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">people who use physical punishment on their animals (e-collars, invisible fences, force) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-9408368287375324972015-08-24T20:11:00.001-05:002015-08-24T20:11:41.796-05:00Really?!?<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I originally started this post in 2009. I saved it as a draft 'cuz I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to actually promote on my blog. Plus I write A LOT that I never publish. I had forgotten all about it until the media storm of the past week involving this website. So here's goes.....</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">(Originally composed July 2009)<br /><br />'cuz this is <b>JUST</b> what our society needs. The </span><strike style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">whack job</strike><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> CEO and founder of Ashley Madison (dot) com</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> was on The View today and I sat stupefied in my chair as I listened to him spew his amazingly wiggy, completely mind-blowing logic as to the need for on-line dating service for MARRIED people.<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Really. Yes that's right...married people.<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It's an online dating service for unhappy married people looking to have an affair. He claims 70% of all marriages will involve some sort of infidelity and they should have somewhere to turn after all, other than on-line dating services geared for singles.<br />
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The very charming tag-line on the website is "Life is short. Have an affair". Really!<br />
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Not to mention that the print ads and TV commercials are borderline p0rn*gr@phic.<br />
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The CEO claims that monogamy is hard and that people should have their own safe, discreet place to find that special someone if they are unhappy in their present marital relationship. He says the concept of marriage is undergoing tremendous change in the 21st century and they are just a vehicle to help move people thru that change. The saddest part is right now, they are boasting 3.72 million registered members.<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <span style="color: black;">(UPDATE!!!! Now in 2015 it boasts 39 million users! 39 million people seeking to have an affair. REALLY!!!) </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Here's the blurb from the website...</span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Ashley Madison is the most famous name in infidelity
and married dating. As seen on Hannity, Howard Stern, TIME, BusinessWeek,
Sports Illustrated, Maxim, USA Today.<span>
</span>Ashley Madison is the most recognized and reputable married dating
company.Our Married Dating Services for Married individuals Work. Ashley
Madison is the most successful website for finding an affair and cheating
partners. Have an Affair today on Ashley Madison. Thousands of cheating wives
and cheating husbands signup everyday looking for an affair. We are the most
famous website for discreet encounters between married individuals. Married
Dating has never been easier. With Our affair guarantee package we guarantee
you will find the perfect affair partner. Sign up for Free today."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Really??!? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Really. </span></span></span><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">Hebrews 13:4 (NIV) </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I Corinthians 7:3-5 (NIV)</span> The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. </span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28476" style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;" value="4">4</sup><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28477" style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;" value="5">5</sup><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">God help us.</span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-68343020591804755112014-07-08T11:45:00.001-05:002014-07-08T11:45:16.268-05:00Catching up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are a few things that have been happening here in the Hinterland since the first day of spring....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>In March...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jewel injured her ankle, keeping her from competing at the Level 7 State Gymnastics meet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wren competed at the Level 6 State Gymnastics Meet and took 2nd place across all ages on bars. Second best </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in.the.state.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">on bars! woot! </span><br />
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<a href="webkit-fake-url://41314AF1-9212-4083-B977-007323255519/image.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="webkit-fake-url://41314AF1-9212-4083-B977-007323255519/image.tiff" width="289" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jaxon (youngest) broke his arm...a clean break of the radius about an inch above his left wrist. 4 1/2 weeks in an over-the-elbow cast. He managed the whole deal so well. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-rw560FbLckng-QTMccAg2NNtUzRx73ZPxC5N246keKlk7IlB0eitsJcZr_FH4lOzrqsb3P0QMGBm2VGPs6SUm5-xHXGTiNnw93TH-V8YetA3bZo14wr43egk_FWelvTd2sHRkPsZ9s/s1600/IMG_5491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-rw560FbLckng-QTMccAg2NNtUzRx73ZPxC5N246keKlk7IlB0eitsJcZr_FH4lOzrqsb3P0QMGBm2VGPs6SUm5-xHXGTiNnw93TH-V8YetA3bZo14wr43egk_FWelvTd2sHRkPsZ9s/s1600/IMG_5491.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>In April...</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It snowed. 'nuff said. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coleo (</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">oldest</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">) enlisted in the National Guard. He will attend the monthly drill weekends for the next year and will attend basic training and his AIT job training after he graduates high school next June. Scary, exciting and oh so proud of him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclqgl6Gq64K-f65NjQhtxgXHCrWqnDx-THWBRLl17LyJ_-dMQ37q6UCSYriNyWfB27k5RHB2eRK_tR3rD5iydqMYWyGqciETrXRaeTM6tZWrxtAGyCZal-pfzXUMxJdfu5aMoxUi9i7g/s1600/Cole+enlisting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclqgl6Gq64K-f65NjQhtxgXHCrWqnDx-THWBRLl17LyJ_-dMQ37q6UCSYriNyWfB27k5RHB2eRK_tR3rD5iydqMYWyGqciETrXRaeTM6tZWrxtAGyCZal-pfzXUMxJdfu5aMoxUi9i7g/s1600/Cole+enlisting.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coleo also injured his shoulder, which caused a condition called "winged scapula" resulting in weekly PT for him. We are hoping to avoid surgery...</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>In May...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wren made the decision to move on from her 5 yr career as a </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">gymnast. Here's a<a href="http://www.justarobot.com/2014/05/ready-to-fly.html"> post My Robot</a> wrote about that...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jaxon ran 1 mile a day for 25 days at school, in preparation for a "kids marathon" with said broken arm and a flair of up plantars fasciitis. He stuck with it to run the final 1.2 miles on the day of the marathon with his schoolmates. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My 12 year tenure serving on the board of my local mothers of multiples group came to an end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I re-enrolled the girls in public school for 8th grade this fall after spending two years doing school at home with a local K12 online program.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>In June...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jewel saw her pediatrician who then referred us to orthopedics for her ankle, a new behind-the-knee pain and on-going headaches she gets when executing back walkovers. She will begin PT in a few weeks to strengthen her ankle. We are on rest with actvity restrictions for the knee and have been seeing a chiropractor for the headaches (not helping). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wren began to pursue other things, now that she isn't spending 20-24 hours a week in the gym. Theatre, music, drama and choir! Makes this singing-drama momma so excited!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other interesting things...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In February, my Robot began traveling to Austin, TX for work - a week at a time about every 5 weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We began to contemplate making a move to Austin, TX. All things were pointing to it, and then all of a sudden they weren't. Will sit back and wait for a few more open doors or "signs" to stay put or go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">School let out, none too soon. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd4iEzZAYST6dkcd-gzv9TrRDWmSUyD8wG7kTcsSg8EMzmUT4oBCLmMmz-OsjY8ISeCFBo-dquHW8t117459MLu06V9mh7OJR0Pr9CFuTR10vMAU_k9aZTgL6ne0CqcU-poCUHmQBsg4/s1600/IMG_5891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd4iEzZAYST6dkcd-gzv9TrRDWmSUyD8wG7kTcsSg8EMzmUT4oBCLmMmz-OsjY8ISeCFBo-dquHW8t117459MLu06V9mh7OJR0Pr9CFuTR10vMAU_k9aZTgL6ne0CqcU-poCUHmQBsg4/s1600/IMG_5891.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Orchid Jane Isabelle Mary continues to be the cutest, smartest pup on the planet....here she showing us she is the 30lb dog that likes to pretend she is small enough to sit on the back of the couch like the kitty boy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(and just for good measure, here's another <a href="http://www.justarobot.com/2014/06/the-art-of-war-and-fetch-view-from-pup.html">post</a> from the Robot himself all about how awesome a dog she truly is...and I like to share his stuff </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">because he's just a better blogger than I am) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So yeah...there's a little catch up from our little corner of the world. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-84027382917368872992014-04-20T09:00:00.005-05:002014-04-20T22:01:49.454-05:00Happy Easter!<div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>He is risen! He's alive! Hallelujah! He's alive!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!'" Luke 24:1-6 (NKJV)</span></span></div>
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Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-77353485842757819282014-01-15T11:29:00.001-06:002014-03-22T20:17:41.277-05:00too real?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wow. I just this read <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2014/01/if-youve-ever-regretted-a-little-vulnerability.html" target="_blank">this blog from Kristen over at <i>Chasing Blue Skies</i> </a>and boy did it hit home. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's my story and how I can relate….</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"I think I'm too real for you", she said. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I stood there not having any clue how to respond. (in my head I am thinking "what the fresh hell?) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were on the sidewalk, enjoying the warm fall sunshine and waiting for our kids to come out of school at the end of the day. I had just apologized and lamented about how bad I felt that life had been so busy up to that point that we hadn't met for a morning coffee since school had started back up, but that next week was looking good. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And she says, "I think I'm too real for you".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She is working thru some stuff, some pretty deep, unimaginable but very REAL stuff. I get that. She has openly shared some of it with me. She said when someone is sick with disease or cancer it's easy for people to care for them, but when it's head and heart stuff, past physical and emotional pain or mental health, she said people don't know how to care for you. They don't bring you meals or offer the same kind of help as when someone is physically ill. Except that I would, if I thought she would accept it. I have offered to pick up her kids, to just come and sit and be with her over coffee, to be a friend who is willing to just listen. She talked her way out of any help every time. And s</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he had already canceled on me twice since school started. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Perhaps if I was a better friend, I wouldn't let her talk her way out of it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My dilemma is that </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I counted her at the top of a pretty short list of women who I called friend. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And she says, "I think I'm too real for you". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have no idea what she was trying to say to me in those 7 words. If she is "too real" for me, is she saying that I am am NOT? not real enough for her? Not authentic enough? Not vulnerable enough? Not transparent enough? Or is she saying she doesn't think I can handle the things she is struggling with? I don't think I have ever judged, or acted or said anything to give the impression that the things she has shared with me make me uncomfortable or I wish she hadn't shared them in the first place. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just prior to this statement, she had also said something about how she gets that some people are handed different lots in life, that some people just have it better, easier... whatever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I realize NOW that was another slightly backhanded commentary on my life compared to hers. I do have it good. I know that. I have an amazing husband who loves me, is unselfish with his time, works hard and strives for excellence in all he does and has his priorities straight. We both come from families of faith and commitment and long marriages. We have great relationships with our extended families. We don't have generational cycles of addiction or abuse in our past. We are financially stable, have worked our way out of minimal debt; we get to travel and do fun things without much trouble. Our kids are decently smart and make good choices (most of the time). We are connected and have an awesome church family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I know it appears on the outside that I must "have it better" than others, that things have somehow come more easily for me. But I am lonely and struggle with self-esteem issues; I second-guess just about every choice I make - nearly everything I say, do and wear. I am 30 lbs overweight. I question my "friend-ability" nearly every day. Most days I feel pretty insignificant and that anything I could possibly contribute outside the walls of my own house wouldn't make a difference. I wonder, especially now that I am in my 40's, what my purpose is - the big picture and greater good of what my life really means. I am very lazy in my walk with God - neglecting time spent in prayer and reading the Word more days than not. I question my parenting, yell at my children too much and am terribly impatient. I can be really (really) lazy and procrastination is one of my love languages. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So no, I really don't have it all; I don't have my act together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But, I also think I am pretty darn "real". I am loyal to a fault. I know how to laugh and cry. I see things for what they are and have a pretty good gut instinct that I have learned to trust. I trusted her. I made time and invested in this friendship. Does she think I am too good for her? or not good enough? I am sad that she has chosen to cut me off like this because I truly with my whole heart thought we were the real deal…she was THAT friend (the one my heart aches to have) Even still, nearly three months later, replaying those words over and over, I don't know what she truly meant. My gut is to forget it and not look back. But then am I proving her right? Was it a test? Was she testing my "realness"? My loyalty? To see how I'd react and if I'd stick it out? She has pushed me away before. She is a complicated person and I have tried to stick it out, but this has thrown me for a loop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I just wonder how many times does one get pushed away before you just stop reaching out? Do I go to her and tell her I miss her friendship and ask her what she meant? Was it a "bluff" that needs to be called? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I just don't know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I thought she was a "safe friend", the friend I have prayed for, and I know I was trying to be one to her, but now...I just don't know. </span><br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-26885084408094559472013-11-28T11:23:00.000-06:002014-01-15T11:26:05.558-06:00Thankful Thursday ~ Thanksgiving edition<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today I am thankful</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">…</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...for a comfortable albeit chaotic home that can host my whole family, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...a new oven, and my first-ever turkey that turned out nearly perfect. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...for a newly discovered pinot grigio that was super cheap at Trader Joes. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...for music, parades and the tears I shed while watching marching bands and the Rockettes. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...for family and friends-old and new. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...for good health, even though I so easily neglect daily habits that I know would help keep me healthy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...for my amazing husband who washed every dish in the sink on Thanksgiving Day. (and most other days) </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...for all the other grownups in my children's lives -teachers, coaches, youth leaders, friend's parents who love them like their own. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">…for a God who doesn't give up on me even when I can so easily go a whole day without acknowledging Him. </span></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-46096877204829586342013-11-01T12:12:00.000-05:002018-10-31T10:52:06.778-05:00quotables from "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VDjezSv8Y6w0QUlqsTO27mBeJG-nKGAEI9CddDw3RSwIhPRXHMXGwTXWcGxZViwrIyaU3_h2p5Vlb3oSW-uTtv88wfErsf_3w87TZKmMkh_01MZMqXLlA2bkXI-RXi90qSXcvMQeFns/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VDjezSv8Y6w0QUlqsTO27mBeJG-nKGAEI9CddDw3RSwIhPRXHMXGwTXWcGxZViwrIyaU3_h2p5Vlb3oSW-uTtv88wfErsf_3w87TZKmMkh_01MZMqXLlA2bkXI-RXi90qSXcvMQeFns/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker. ~Linus</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I don't mind your dishonesty half as much as I mind your opinion of me. ~Charlie Brown </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">must have been put on the wrong list. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~Lucy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I got a rock. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~ Charlie Brown</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have a reputation to think of you know. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~Sally</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well, that's nothing compared to the fury of a woman who has been cheated out of trick-or-treats. ~Linus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: Religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin. ~Linus</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A person should always choose a costume which is in direct contrast to her own personality. ~ Lucy</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-27536831573224368742013-09-03T12:16:00.000-05:002013-10-02T12:17:59.136-05:00things I learned in August...<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">going for it again...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. I am learning I really need to start a draft of this at the beginning of the month so I have a place to keep track of the things I learned throughout the month. ahem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. When you start dreaming and shopping for things that cost a lot of money (i.e. new appliances), and then start buying those things...lots of other things go wrong that can cost a lot more money to fix (i.e. car repairs, wet basements) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. I need to figure out how to be a better friend. I have a set of people that I realize I have done a pretty lousy job of being a good friend to, and I miss them. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Being a good friend is HARD!! It's takes time and investment and being selfless. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I blame my busy life but isn't everyone busy? Turns out I think I am just lazy and selfish. And now I am scared. Reaching out means they could say too little too late, and that's scary. But I need to send that email, or message on FB, or pick up the phone. I pray they will give me a second chance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. On this same note, per my past "things I learned" posts, I am realizing that not everyone appreciates me or my contributions to this
world and I am finally deciding that that’s okay. I am learning that I can't be everyone’s favorite or
best friend. I want to be liked, well thought of, and loved, who doesn't? This is
especially true when I see women I know and like having fun together on
Facebook (I hate how much that bothers me).
I just need to be at peace with it all, be myself, and not worry; be
true to who I am and the right people will be there (right?) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. The older you get the faster time flies. It is seriously the first week of
September? I was JUST shoveling snow in
March (and April and May). And here we
are starting school again. uff.dah.
Someone please tell me how to slow this high speed train of life down??</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. I love reunions. I was delighted to be a part of the committee to plan our 25th Class reunion. Love being valued and appreciated, love contributing and mostly love getting to know a whole new group of people. I love seeing people re-connect and it makes for great people watching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7. Still love this puppy girl, even when all she wants to do is bark her fool head off...but I certainly couldn't post without a photo of her! </span><br />
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Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-38996599843227977562013-06-19T23:23:00.000-05:002013-06-24T11:34:01.854-05:00right now ramblings....<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hate it when my family is every which way but together. At this moment - my robot and oldest are on their way to very north of the Hinterland for a 4 day canoe trip. Roughin' it at its best (not in a million gajillionty years would I ever do this). My puppy girl is at a friend's house; the smallest of the small ones will spend Thursday and Friday at ANOTHER friend's house, and the girlies and I will head to a neighboring state for a 2 day gymnastics camp. ack. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's bad enough when the hubs travels and I am left home flying solo with 4 kids and a dog and a cat. and a fish. But this?? I hate this </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">separation crap. I am a big baby. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I need to stop caring about stuff I no longer need to care about. When a very small group of supposed grown women make it clear that I am no longer "needed", that my contributions are not valued, and my history and knowledge are no longer appreciated, I need to walk away. Why the hell is it so hard to just.walk.away? 12 years that's why. But it's no longer the group it once was. It's filled with pettiness and cliques and immaturity, vying for importance and power and drinking - so much drinking. I don't get it!!!! But I gotta figure this one out and quick if I am gonna stay sane tho. Every time I think about it, my stomach gets all gnarled and that cannot be good for me. I seriously need to let this go and find something new to pour my gifts/talents/energy into where I can find value and love again. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love my little puppy girl more than I ever thought possible. Uffdah. It's bad. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Some dear friends just experienced a lay off - from the same company my husband works for. So hard. Why him? Why not hubs? And what the blazes would we do if he had been one of the 20% that were "resourced" out? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ok...that's it. I wish I was more eloquent, could see the "lesson" or moral of the story in any of this - but it helps to just write with hopes it will clear my head of it all. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Except for that puppy girl....need to fill up with more of her. I mean seriously...would you just look at her? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you're welcome.</span><br />
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Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-35057630130934298922013-06-07T11:10:00.002-05:002013-06-07T11:10:58.324-05:00things I learned in May...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">gonna try this one again since it made for an easy post last month...ahem. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. I am pretty certain I would never survive as a working full-time mom ever again. I recently worked three days; my house was a mess - I didn't cook a single meal - kids were wearing their cleanest dirty clothes - I missed my husband, and I felt like I hadn't hugged my kids in a week. I am not ashamed to admit I am a well-kept woman (aka blessed to be a SAHM) and love that my time is mostly my own, esp with all 4 kiddos in school full-time. I have the utmost respect for any momma out there that is juggling home and full-time work all at the same time....bended knee to you. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. The end of school cannot come soon enough. can.not. Here's another lovely lady's take on things... </span><a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever">http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever</a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and another.... </span><a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2013/05/welcome-to-summer/">http://wearethatfamily.com/2013/05/welcome-to-summer/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. It needs to stop raining. We had only 5 days in the entire month of May that did not involve some kind of precipitation. 5 days out 31. I am not a math person but them ain't such good percentages. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Appliance shopping is mind-boggling! So many choices - so similar yet so different, so many reviews and opinions. I fear for when we start looking at countertops.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> ACK!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunshine, birds chirping, Caribou vanilla zebra mocha, along with a little impromptu garage-saleing with a dear friend is just plain good for the soul. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. I am still and forever a nail-biter. While this isn't something I have actually "learned" it's time to realize that I have been and always will be. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">I can go years at a time and be fine and then one becomes ragged or weak and away I go chewing and picking at every little raggedy edge. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;"> I am currently chewing 4 of them.... the index and middle fingers on both hands. I hate it about myself. hate. it. It will take my months (or longer) to "get it out of my system" and be able to let them start growing again. And yup, I have tried every method to "stop".... </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;">7. I love (LOVE) Caribou coffee. Specifically, vanilla white/dark(zebra) mochas. I don't drink "coffee" but I do drink this. Just the thought of maybe getting one can totally make my day. Especially if it means a date with my husband or a friend...and especially when they treat me with a few extra beans. Isn't it lovely?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;">Now if they could only make them zero calorie. hmmmmm.... </span><br />
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<br />Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-88615934572779679382013-05-02T22:40:00.003-05:002013-05-13T14:18:56.178-05:00things I learned in april...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So it's been over 4 months now since I last posted...came across an <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2013/04/29/12-things-i-learned-in-april/" target="_blank">interesting post idea</a> from one of my <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/about/" target="_blank">favorite bloggers</a>....thought I'd play along...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><i>Things I learned in April</i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Puppy love is awesome. Not the mushy teenage kind. Actual.puppy.love. <a href="http://www.justarobot.com/2013/04/dog-faith-come-when-called.html" target="_blank">So many lessons</a> wrapped up in this bundle of fur and energy. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dFq_WDmab9kAVzjtCXdf6dEy2IzyocZnHe6T7hbvHireRuZxmwR3pI7tG0CBitCNhfgv_v-oHgyytwQU3sgoWP-c1KOZlMKhZ7ZCpc8LkMEMTXnuHxlDcfPvsIM6I35sr0kxCYLaVQU/s1600/IMG_4026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dFq_WDmab9kAVzjtCXdf6dEy2IzyocZnHe6T7hbvHireRuZxmwR3pI7tG0CBitCNhfgv_v-oHgyytwQU3sgoWP-c1KOZlMKhZ7ZCpc8LkMEMTXnuHxlDcfPvsIM6I35sr0kxCYLaVQU/s320/IMG_4026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is 6 1/2 mo old Orchid Jane Isabelle. we love her.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. I am too old and life is too short to try to get certain people to like you. But it's painful to realize an entire group of supposedly grown-up women, some of who I thought were honest to goodness friends, have the ability to send me right back to high school. It's even harder when they make me feel like my contributions and participation in an organization I have been part of for many years are un-needed and not valued. I need to surround myself with people who truly want to be around me and act like grown-ups. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Sunshine makes me happy. Here in the Hinterland (read upper midwest) we have had the most miserable spring on record. 20+ inches of snow in March alone and lots of wet dreary days in April. We have had exactly 5 days with temps above 60 degrees so far. Those have been glorious, the rest of it? meh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Peanut butter doesn't stick to freshly-washed (still damp) celery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. It's really really ok to let the phone go to voicemail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Cold sores suck. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I have known this for many years now unfortunately, but haven't had one for over two years so this latest flare up was especially sucky - plus the timing could not have been worse)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7. </span>Snow in May is awesome and dreadful all at the same time. It's May 2nd and there is now 12+ inches on the ground with the potential for more before the storm is done. seriously?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGJiN7TsTSfA0GB8vkp3VtvHrr-_PXlbF9CdTikmriAKUpBUzdpHm9FQgHy6pxkmKSF11QYl2N3TLWriiKELbgKsdr8Aor68Mh3kNsF07nPlYoqBurT3iYQXKr9YG9sKjy_gfCxgLb-4/s1600/2009+June+Greg+Misc+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGJiN7TsTSfA0GB8vkp3VtvHrr-_PXlbF9CdTikmriAKUpBUzdpHm9FQgHy6pxkmKSF11QYl2N3TLWriiKELbgKsdr8Aor68Mh3kNsF07nPlYoqBurT3iYQXKr9YG9sKjy_gfCxgLb-4/s320/2009+June+Greg+Misc+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">May 15, 2009 </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cqTuyBTUlyW17G58YLBNmW1f0goGrog_RHTZSDeCBG_4GYK318NBX9L7MmcP_6ZU5LVj8FvsU1hxKgGxncqKeWBvOMg1cJ13LfimN5GpchmM9aiIX0u8NfUc0Pnr7ra-1XGbaW_DyrA/s1600/may+2+snow+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cqTuyBTUlyW17G58YLBNmW1f0goGrog_RHTZSDeCBG_4GYK318NBX9L7MmcP_6ZU5LVj8FvsU1hxKgGxncqKeWBvOMg1cJ13LfimN5GpchmM9aiIX0u8NfUc0Pnr7ra-1XGbaW_DyrA/s320/may+2+snow+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> May 2, 2013</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seriously??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8. Parenting a teenager is also dreadful and lovely, and hard, and fun and scary all at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9. S</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ongwriter/worship leader</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Laura Story is a most awesome lady....real, authentic, vulnerable, inspiring, oh so talented. It was a pleasure to worship with her (and 1100 other women) at a conference recently. A delight for the soul to hear her sing and get a chance to say hello. (I'm not sure why my face is so flushed!)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzelMsIKyGKUu9CJjEwFW9kR7xt96bMUNYS6EOYYMrKGcB1LpAdI_L6yta_lufwbsTKVKiXBUrB1dcKxdDnTuDAB3ElCoM2uKG3-d9pOCktuIG9T3Hi3tchTZXN_uDjqcVSbAScYtih4/s1600/laura+story.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzelMsIKyGKUu9CJjEwFW9kR7xt96bMUNYS6EOYYMrKGcB1LpAdI_L6yta_lufwbsTKVKiXBUrB1dcKxdDnTuDAB3ElCoM2uKG3-d9pOCktuIG9T3Hi3tchTZXN_uDjqcVSbAScYtih4/s320/laura+story.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10. Been sitting at 9 for a whole day now....not sure I can think of anything else. So that's it! </span></div>
Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-69934714160146533712012-12-25T11:43:00.001-06:002012-12-25T11:44:37.720-06:00a very merry christmas...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrLp1SCyNBA1cBcireLvu0BXCqWF-rEruOWMnP0sHUSa15urHaxBYoTgTFteFdhRwX8w4vGKYTT4jENBDFWJERn9zE5R2KbSW0Vye-kuevUmE3P7gAabM-AXWqlcJOH-HO8SSeYMIllY/s1600/merry+christmas+verse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrLp1SCyNBA1cBcireLvu0BXCqWF-rEruOWMnP0sHUSa15urHaxBYoTgTFteFdhRwX8w4vGKYTT4jENBDFWJERn9zE5R2KbSW0Vye-kuevUmE3P7gAabM-AXWqlcJOH-HO8SSeYMIllY/s400/merry+christmas+verse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-75373417898455730052012-11-04T00:21:00.002-05:002012-11-04T00:22:57.427-05:00A few of my favorite things...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm not sure how he does it, every single time...but he creates something so meaningful out of something so simple. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Go check out my crazy awesome husband's blog (favorite thing #1) to read about our crazy awesome son's crazy awesome drumline (favorite thing number #2)....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.justarobot.com/2012/11/what-i-hear-between-drums.html">http://www.justarobot.com/2012/11/what-i-hear-between-drums.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Enjoy! </span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-191790864613651942012-09-25T14:07:00.000-05:002012-09-25T15:05:55.674-05:0019 years and counting...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My Dear Husband,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today we celebrate 19 years of marriage. 19 years of marriage and 26½ years of being
together. There were so many of those
early days before we were married when we were far apart - separate schedules, separate cities, and
sometimes separate countries. But through it all, there was truly never a day (even when I was
making stupid choices and <b>thought</b> I didn’t need you) that I pictured my
life without you in it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaZiTiZjg3lUI2HH-TJf4y2PlZS8m0h3heeVCiHlDUQeQwf1N9sC2ACmIFIWyJVrlsDns_klVETFQ1e8FP9T7J_QPJ3Wv2AVQFQFQBCkoqT166flNYh3WKopHq5nyESlvhv_VjmQXqaY/s1600/me+and+greg+1992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaZiTiZjg3lUI2HH-TJf4y2PlZS8m0h3heeVCiHlDUQeQwf1N9sC2ACmIFIWyJVrlsDns_klVETFQ1e8FP9T7J_QPJ3Wv2AVQFQFQBCkoqT166flNYh3WKopHq5nyESlvhv_VjmQXqaY/s1600/me+and+greg+1992.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 1992<br />
(just a couple weekends before we got engaged!) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love growing old together - side by side - hand in hand -
laughing and crying and yelling and smiling together. The added creases around our eyes and smiles
reminds me of all the fun and silliness and inside jokes we share. The
grey in our hair shows me all the trials and stresses that have only brought us
closer and make me so thankful for all the goodness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love the way you love me. I love when you tell me I look pretty. I love the way you love and care and provide
for our crazy, beautiful family. I love
the music you create and I love sharing that music together. I love how crazy smart you are. I love how you
pursue excellence in everything you put your mind too. I love how focused you can be when something gets into your brain. I love holding your hand; it makes me feel
safe. I am thankful for the hard days because they
make the good ones even better. I am so
very thankful to be your partner in this life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB2le4BrTy-EHBXaVFQj1W3ixw9WrxnlQ8uff6Md5DRKFl0q5_BcrZVedh7g3D2oEp4UUD_ebLEjYYkbsNr4wbho53KtmI-czDvO_UXGfZnagd7QXLfGN6AWP1GE3ZiHuigThE7MshTI/s1600/me+and+greg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB2le4BrTy-EHBXaVFQj1W3ixw9WrxnlQ8uff6Md5DRKFl0q5_BcrZVedh7g3D2oEp4UUD_ebLEjYYkbsNr4wbho53KtmI-czDvO_UXGfZnagd7QXLfGN6AWP1GE3ZiHuigThE7MshTI/s320/me+and+greg.jpeg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today, I thank God for making you and me into “us”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ily.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-55670985789665189972012-08-16T16:37:00.000-05:002012-08-16T16:37:22.599-05:00in which I try to explain my absence<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">let me count the ways...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...multiple 22 mile roundtrip drives each day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...multiple 14 mile roundtrip drives each day. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...an active 8 yr old begging for playdates and attention </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...the usual laundry, dishes and feeding hungry children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...Attempting to prepare for the journey of teaching my 11 yr old/6th grade twin gymnastics crazy girls at home via an on-line school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...car repairs x2. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...a broken dishwasher. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...the Olympics. ahem. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...not having learned the lesson of saying "no" more often ~ I am seriously in over my head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Days gone by too fast...too busy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even more than missing writing the occasional blog, I have missed the chance to sit on a friend's back deck with coffee. She has a beautiful back yard sanctuary. I have missed the chance to read more than one book. (Does the one on CD I listened to each day in my van count as reading?) I have missed garage-saleing. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have missed opportunities to spend time with friends. We kinda sorta owe at least three friends dinner out. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have made it to the pool, but missed out on campfires. And there have been too few naps in the shade. My flowers are all dying because I forget to water. Our 1st attempt garden produced exactly 4 tomatoes and 2 zucchini. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So much to do and so little gets done...how is that possible? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let me count the ways. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ps...</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We head out for vacation next week, which will be fabulous, but takes me away from home. My comfort. Away from the friends we want to spend time with. Away from our kitty. Away from the list of projects that were waiting for summer to be completed. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-38140205569408261582012-07-04T19:59:00.001-05:002012-07-04T19:59:37.935-05:00Happy Independence Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's a FB post from our good friend James that expresses some pretty concrete feelings I share about the current state of entitlement in the US...and what that means for us today on this 4th of July. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I learned the most about what it means to be an American during my time as an exchange student in Beijing. It was 1987, China was different then, but seeing how the freedoms I had always taken for granted were nowhere to be found in a Communist country was truly eye opening. And if that wasn't enough, the number of Chinese who would ask us to take them home to the US certainly was. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">We are in no way a perfect union. But once you realize just how free we are here, harsh and unrealistic criticisms become the foolish whining of the woefully ignorant. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Warts on our face and all - God bless the USA."</span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiA0UIWCEkXBeRmxjyqulw5v_bGheBzi8Bw0Iu2wC2SpzBFgyg3vNbCwZnVHyyh1QWeuWnP3M0ZMzJH1LsheE2pEZ19yL2d58Z_zzxF6870VMd3QAS6CkdW4rHceFtx-1J0BIw-C5cj8o/s1600/IMG_3009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiA0UIWCEkXBeRmxjyqulw5v_bGheBzi8Bw0Iu2wC2SpzBFgyg3vNbCwZnVHyyh1QWeuWnP3M0ZMzJH1LsheE2pEZ19yL2d58Z_zzxF6870VMd3QAS6CkdW4rHceFtx-1J0BIw-C5cj8o/s320/IMG_3009.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">(The view from my front door)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">~ Happy Independence Day ~ </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">where we are truly the land of the free because of the most brave.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-49666972449335776442012-06-18T18:55:00.000-05:002013-06-07T11:13:28.350-05:00I wonder, as I wander...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">while sitting at Caribou coffee (instead of grocery shopping like I should be) I wonder...</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">what is it that makes a coffee shop so magical - how it is that simply walking thru the door can make all the chaos of your day simply fade away. Even if it's just for a moment.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKUOv5x2S6KJIHaEB92j4LtBjoTNVRjA4XlyNNYd60Y0c5bRLiDKdU2UiWBbwUlny2QUBhTcKjHY3f3S-WAVt892V-fPo5QGiG-gG-47chjOPs-zN1TJTCidR-6C4gnjTsrwYNIP79R4/s1600/emptyroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKUOv5x2S6KJIHaEB92j4LtBjoTNVRjA4XlyNNYd60Y0c5bRLiDKdU2UiWBbwUlny2QUBhTcKjHY3f3S-WAVt892V-fPo5QGiG-gG-47chjOPs-zN1TJTCidR-6C4gnjTsrwYNIP79R4/s320/emptyroad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">while hitting the road for the third time today to deliver/pick up one of my children from some activity....I wonder how it is that a mom can be so willing to do and sacrifice so much. And how can it be that it seems they appreciate so little. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">while sitting at my computer having a short FB message chat with an old friend, I wonder... how can I possibly answer his question "how's your heart?" truthfully, knowing I have so little time. Right now, that kind of question would require hours over coffee...and he and his lovely wife and family live 20 hours away in Utah. I pray for the opportunity to sit over coffee (or beer) together with them someday soon. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(in case you're wondering...I told him my heart is good. But really my heart is weary and my head is filled with schedules and logistics and I wonder how I can possibly sustain this for the rest of the summer when I am already tired 6 days in?)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and I wonder, while praying for my son and his fellow "missionaries" serving the hungriest and homeless in our nations's capital (how can that be?? another blog post all it's own perhaps)...I wonder, how can I do right by him, help him understand what it means to truly follow Jesus, be like Jesus....when often times I look and act like *I* don't? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wonder about the power of friendships, the impact of relationships, why they are are so hard, require so much to foster and develop, how crummy of a job I do sometimes. But I am trying. I am grateful. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And right now, as I sit here and edit and re-read, and tweak this post at 6:30pm on a Monday, I wonder, what on earth am I making for dinner? That's the $100,000 question here in the Hinterland most days, esp in the summer when the mere thought of turning on the oven on a 90 degree day makes me break out in a sweat. I wonder how we could work it to afford to just eat out most nights...or hire a cook? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wander.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wonder.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then I seem to wander some more. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What do you wander and wonder about? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-27317289620863759462012-05-24T18:30:00.000-05:002012-05-24T22:01:48.213-05:00in which I discover a new appreciation for everyday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ptEDDpkSvoFn9B7fQ7RxGdP4wp3XYBQJLUGEDFc4JsGOJIWKdngEe0SYj02pl6ctxSphLP6-MGCU_i_EBUqgrtyXrpRZdYrXgJM-cxf-nEl8DPbXubfKiNPTR73B9eHiZnqFFtWrM5Y/s1600/IMG_3949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ptEDDpkSvoFn9B7fQ7RxGdP4wp3XYBQJLUGEDFc4JsGOJIWKdngEe0SYj02pl6ctxSphLP6-MGCU_i_EBUqgrtyXrpRZdYrXgJM-cxf-nEl8DPbXubfKiNPTR73B9eHiZnqFFtWrM5Y/s320/IMG_3949.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had a scare. It involved words like cyst, mass, ultrasound(3 in all) and biopsy. It kept me awake at at night and plagued my thoughts and kept me from sleep when I woke up earlier than necessary. It cast a shadow over an amazing beach vacation with my family. It also made it so much more meaningful and intentional. For 14 days, I heard too many references to cancer, death and young women leaving their families behind and thought they were speaking directly to me like a message in a crystal ball. I saw a truck that delivered oxygen products and wondered if I would need one of those someday. I prayed, I cried, and I wondered how on earth I would ever communicate to my already most amazing husband and crazy awesome dad what it is I do as CCO (Chief Chaos Officer) for our family. How could he truly know all the crazy details that make up my job as full-time wife and momma - how would he ever manage this beautiful crazy mess we're in all by himself? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wondered how my sweet young boy would fall asleep at night without our secret kiss....or how my girls would learn what it means to be women of faith without their momma...or how my oldest son would learn the ins and outs of what it means to take a girl out on a proper date. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I feared what losing me too soon could do to my husband's faith. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As it turns out, the mass was nothing, at least nothing that wasn't supposed to be there at a certain time of the month. <i>ahem.</i> I will go back for one more follow-up ultrasound in a month, just to be sure. But as of now, all Drs. involved are certain we've got an all clear. All that worry and stress and fear for naught. But was it?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So what now? It means I am changing how I live. I know it sounds cliche, but it has. I am no longer concerned about doing the things that I think other people think I should be doing, and trying to focus my energy on things that matter to me, my family and relationships and my faith. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It means I am holding my husband's hand more even if we are just sitting on the couch or we stand in the kitchen hugging in the middle of making dinner. It means I play hooky and re-schedule appointments to spend the day drinking Caribou coffee and garage-saleing with a friend. It means making my own health and wellness a priority, eating more healthily, losing some weight and exercising more. It means spending money out-of-pocket to visit a chiropractor to help my body function better and heal itself. It means pursuing God more faithfully. It means saying no to things that don't have any lasting meaning and yes to everything that does. It means more campfires, and ice cream and cheesecake and good steaks. It means stepping out of my comfort zone. Singing more, worrying less. Smiling more, nagging less. It means getting my house in order, but comparing it to the pictures in magazines and blogs and pinterest less. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Letting go and hanging on for dear life all at the same time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It means contentment and gratitude. everyday. That's what it means. And it's good. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ps...pop on over to <a href="http://www.justarobot.com/2012/04/in-time-we-have-left.html">my husband's blog </a>to see what all this has meant to him....he's amazing. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-2213872508938983112012-05-22T22:33:00.000-05:002012-07-29T21:57:46.026-05:00in which I teach you how to eat a cupcake...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aren't these pretty???</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzkkB7TIh5sUXvzzp8AyD2gitmbhDDXTAUoWSXywenxqJQ9BcRZl82QQXB8g2UxPDwFz92yzioVOVXFhuyoH6ZOKgC1rJ5rGYbIYlnQSimlNljXGtR7ilDgejUjeozLj7g85SdPFbBhw/s1600/IMG_2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzkkB7TIh5sUXvzzp8AyD2gitmbhDDXTAUoWSXywenxqJQ9BcRZl82QQXB8g2UxPDwFz92yzioVOVXFhuyoH6ZOKgC1rJ5rGYbIYlnQSimlNljXGtR7ilDgejUjeozLj7g85SdPFbBhw/s320/IMG_2725.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> First, pick your favorite flavor...I love any and all flavor cupcakes, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(except anything with coconut)</span> but chose the vanilla this time. Unwrap it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I was able to snitch a chocolate one a little later that was leftover on another table...yum!!)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbvbSuiPWO1XmjxSemtsqOKqM55F4g5Bwx_828j_WGvG9uOxG2tHvWAkW-8-OTvWqlBGEZpdj0eAm8PtLMkcHlCoBKK5oAV25iior0MapwBAyWXdiPKtLkIK54HFskwUQx1SmGswuvKQ/s1600/IMG_2726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbvbSuiPWO1XmjxSemtsqOKqM55F4g5Bwx_828j_WGvG9uOxG2tHvWAkW-8-OTvWqlBGEZpdj0eAm8PtLMkcHlCoBKK5oAV25iior0MapwBAyWXdiPKtLkIK54HFskwUQx1SmGswuvKQ/s320/IMG_2726.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next, carefully twist off the bottom half of the cupcake...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(See the yummy raspberry filling? I love surprise fillings!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next, place that piece you broke off, on top of the frosting, sandwiching </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the frosting between the two pieces of cupcake goodness.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMj8gUJjVcomKzLsgjeMMykHT8KhMmwfz_CTIDES9_-_OuSC-gYGhq5PD3-ZnHka8zo1juwmDmdO0cCO9RszFYiOplLxIOqCIVYiK7b-LWojEvzUEmL1pWMVPORhiRCdAtMMOTicjJWE/s1600/IMG_2728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMj8gUJjVcomKzLsgjeMMykHT8KhMmwfz_CTIDES9_-_OuSC-gYGhq5PD3-ZnHka8zo1juwmDmdO0cCO9RszFYiOplLxIOqCIVYiK7b-LWojEvzUEmL1pWMVPORhiRCdAtMMOTicjJWE/s320/IMG_2728.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Voila! You get equal amounts of cake and frosting with each bite. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvwkKkLrxDrQ-IZ1aYXwhlhdFXIKQkwGdfJOVYvorGsmyUJaiDB7aK_cQqv0VSLgTfcoCBSyPWayXwcj8NRJmGaUzBYFtlQUDHZemZMOzs5FthRgUdEd6UVqKUdlvk1AF194x3zlad_Q/s1600/IMG_2729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvwkKkLrxDrQ-IZ1aYXwhlhdFXIKQkwGdfJOVYvorGsmyUJaiDB7aK_cQqv0VSLgTfcoCBSyPWayXwcj8NRJmGaUzBYFtlQUDHZemZMOzs5FthRgUdEd6UVqKUdlvk1AF194x3zlad_Q/s320/IMG_2729.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And that my friends, is the perfect way to eat a cupcake! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-25013531922532738212012-03-01T22:30:00.003-06:002012-03-18T21:16:21.985-05:00a month of choices<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(editors note: this post has been sitting in draft form since the last day of February. The author fully intended for this to be a month-long daily posting - one daily choice at a time; OBVIOUSLY that did not happen. better late than never. ahem.) </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A few months ago, I completely cut myself off from drinking soda. I wasn't a HUGE soda drinker, not even really one a day, but after reading some horrors of what the chemicals do to the human body, I realized it was one small change I could make. One Small Choice. I needed to show myself I could feel empowered and choose something for the better. And aside from the occassional sip, my last full serving of soda (Diet Coke was my poison of choice) was the first week of November (we won't mention the one 20oz Diet Coke I consumed with my Rocky Rococo pizza at the end of December. ahem.) </span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then, after the stern talking to I received from my Dr. (about not losing the weight she told me to lose 3yrs ago) at my (semi) annual check-up on the 3rd, I decided that February needed to be my month of making many changes. I needed to do something. Big or small, I needed to make some changes. And for me change is all about choice. I chose to give up soda and have succeeded; I thought, what else could I choose?? </span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So now, I have decided that the easiest way to do this would be to track my choices for all to see, for better or worse, as a way to make myself more aware....so here goes. February - my month of choices. </span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1st - I chose eat a huge salad for lunch over everything else.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2nd - I chose to go to church for a morning exercise session.."SHE moves". It felt great. The alternative would have been curling up on the couch with my tea and the TODAY show and most likely falling back to sleep at some point. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3rd - I chose to NOT buy a coffee - passing both a Starbucks AND Caribou during my outing to Target. So hard! (I really wanted coffee!) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4th - I chose to eat whatever I wanted - we were invited to friend's for an evening dinner/birthday celebration. It was good. It was fun. It was a good choice.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5th - Don't remember anything significant.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6th - I again chose to NOT purchase a coffee in the throes of my afternoon sleepys - saving money and calories. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">7th - The choice was made almost a month ago, but today I had my first mammogram. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8th - Spent the whole day at school running a bookfair - I chose joy and smiles, despite the fact that I did not want to be at school all day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">9th - I chose a grilled chicken sandwich and SMALL fries over a Quarter pounder with cheese and regular fries. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">10th - I chose to eat only half of my baked chicken penne for dinner - and then chose to eat a small dish of ice cream with raspberries before bedtime. </span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">11th- I chose to eat ice cream and not feel guilty - we had a family date night to a show at RCT and a treat at a local ice shop that is one of our favorite places. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">12th - I chose to make my kids french toast for dinner, with bacon and eggs. I only had two pieces instead of three. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">13th - I chose to pray over my pending ultrasound instead of being worried about the potential of cancer. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">14th - Happy Valentine's Day! I chose to be a fun mom today - making heart shaped brownies and yummy dinner from scratch. I even bought presents. (Lunch and shopping with the hubby, plus receiving a very special gift didn't hurt either!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">15th - I chose to accept an invitation to have lunch with a friend, even tho it meant ANOTHER entire day of not being home. I love hanging out with her esp sitting at her kitchen island - it was worth it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">16th - I chose to not fold laundry, I now have 4 very full baskets calling my name. I also chose the "grande" size caribou coffee. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">17th - I chose to "go lite" all day, so that I could enjoy our dinner out with friends at Outback. I ordered the 'Rita Trio (a delightful trio of the tastiest margaritas around) a steak and shrimp dinner AND cheesecake for dessert. dee-lish. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">18th - I chose to make the best of a long day - being cheerful and smiley. It was a day that started very early and with a good-bye to my Robot as he journeys to Shanghai for 7 days. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">19th - I chose to go to bed at a decent hour last night so I could make thru another long day without a nap. I also chose to worry when I didn't hear from Greg when I kinda sorta expected to. I am good at that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">20th - I didn't really have the opportunity to make any choices today....big or small. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">21th - Today, I chose a chocolate frosted glazer for breakfast, joy and smiles (despite spending nearly 4 hours in the car driving a 12 mile loop over and over again), a SMALL (not large) Caribou coffee, and treats at Kwik Trip for the kiddos following an hour at the orthodontist. I also chose a nap. </span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">22th - I chose to eat a giant salad for dinner. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">23th - I chose a medium vanilla white/dark choc mocha with skim instead of a large.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">24th - I chose to smile and laugh (after the intitial realization of the situation and one curse word) instead of cry the ugly cry when I ran out of gas this morning with 3 kids in the car. I also chose an apple fritter for breakfast, but skipped a large Caribou. I also chose to not have ice cream. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">25th - I chose to treat the kids out to lunch - wasn't in the mood to make it or clean up after it so close to when Greg was due to arrive home. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">26th - I chose to get up earlier than necessary in order to do my best to be ready to go on time for our long day at a gymnastics meet - I was and we did! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">27th - I don't remember my choices for the day.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">28th - I chose to get up and go exercise with women from church - a new group called SHE moves. It's good for the body and soul. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">29th -I chose to Leap into March on this Leap day - I chose to save a little bit of gas and not go home in between volunteering and needing to be back afterschool. (It meant I got to have an impromptu coffee date with my guy) I chose a medium instead of large latte. I also chose to laugh and smile when I was once again stranded, this time outside of school with a dead battery - yes in the middle of carpooling and on the way to gymnastics. </span></div>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-53809945313818460252011-12-11T23:33:00.004-06:002019-10-09T23:35:43.436-05:00In which I throw myself a perfectly respectable birthday pity party<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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So today was my birthday. </div>
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It pretty much sucked. </div>
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No gifts. </div>
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No cake. (we have one - we just didn't eat it)</div>
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No ice cream. </div>
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Lots of lovely birthday wishes on Facebook; that was nice. </div>
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But that was it. </div>
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Church in the morning where I had more people wish me happy birthday than my own family did. </div>
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The hubs suggested we go out to lunch - I suggested the mall so everyone could choose their own from foodcourt...'cuz that's the kind of mom I am. I had Teriyaki and sushi…that was good. Pretty much the only good. We were there less than an hour and it ended with kids being frustrated even though they promised not to ask to buy anything. When truly? I was kinda in the mood to shop and spend some money. What is that all about??? </div>
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Helping J&R with homework...math homework no less. My husband barked at me – I snapped back – more than once. </div>
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Camped out on FB to comment back on every.single.birthday wish. They were all so lovely. </div>
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Short nap – that worked for a moment. </div>
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Argument with the smallest of the small ones about finding clean jeans and him all of a sudden not liking a certain kind of boxer short. Really??? </div>
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Concert at church tonight. Should have been more excited about it – but mostly feared I would be too jealous of the lead singer to enjoy it. She is so freakin' talented. (I fear I am no longer the vocalist I think I used to be.) </div>
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Husband’s running sound. So he had to go up to church early. He left with us still angry/frustrated with each other.</div>
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Shouldn’t feel so alone on my birthday. </div>
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Take the Littles to McDonald's for dinner since it’s just the 4 of us. McDonald's for my “birthday dinner.” Hoo-rah.</div>
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More birthday wishes at church. More fake smiles from me. A church full of people and I have no idea who I should glom onto to find a spot to sit. (husband is up running sound in the booth.) I shouldn’t feel so alone in a church full of people. </div>
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Won’t the day just end? </div>
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It was a lovely concert and brightened my spirit - but I am crazy jealous of her…singing for a living. Singing so phenomenally, so authentically. And really? All I dream about is being a backup singer for someone like her. </div>
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Attempts to schmooze with the lovely vocalist…bleh. </div>
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Kids home late – to bed late - on a school night. Will make for a tough start to the week. </div>
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Nothing purposeful, nothing intentional. The day came and went pretty much by accident. I hate that about our pace of life right now.</div>
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Happy birthday to me. </div>
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Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-68960628175895238132011-11-22T23:05:00.003-06:002011-11-22T23:07:03.565-06:0030 days of Gratitude - Day 22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQHDm9l7GhEAQpLYYAEL6HZNdfH_wdfp1PC3TPi36pmlG4fNKO2O95ZiVyOTpMULuJ0vngog9QKhIzJJiJFigo4RriNzhcRWU5aeQnbSpdH7jxafzA9_NM5AyD2BlBLnNeY7BoA_jl6U/s1600/gratitude.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQHDm9l7GhEAQpLYYAEL6HZNdfH_wdfp1PC3TPi36pmlG4fNKO2O95ZiVyOTpMULuJ0vngog9QKhIzJJiJFigo4RriNzhcRWU5aeQnbSpdH7jxafzA9_NM5AyD2BlBLnNeY7BoA_jl6U/s320/gratitude.gif" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: #e8f8e8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of my <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/" style="color: #245461; text-decoration: none;">favorite bloggers</a> is doing a daily challenge for the month of November... thought I'd join in. She is going to post one thing she is thankful for everyday as a way to not cruise through the holidays without pause and gratitude...she said it will just be a sentence each day or maybe even just a word. For me, it might one thing...or six.</span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Day 22 - I am thankful for all of the awesome adults in my children's lives - teachers, school principal and support staff, coaches, a piano teacher, small group leaders, sunday school teachers...thank you.</span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-50929014788586801962011-11-21T21:20:00.000-06:002011-11-21T21:20:49.689-06:0030 days of Gratitude - Day 20-21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0ejHJyXM6I2FGF5rhp2vplIUo0RfYuKidf4Byr0koLP_b65i9qlmeiwdo87fhRlRxI4eSaRGSNA7c4pQU0BYnoVFp8K-rAt1Zo9oJheY7AJLbdsJQvLDNB7sIH-b1clnBavS2erLXJE/s1600/gratitude.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0ejHJyXM6I2FGF5rhp2vplIUo0RfYuKidf4Byr0koLP_b65i9qlmeiwdo87fhRlRxI4eSaRGSNA7c4pQU0BYnoVFp8K-rAt1Zo9oJheY7AJLbdsJQvLDNB7sIH-b1clnBavS2erLXJE/s320/gratitude.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8f8e8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px;">One of my </span><a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/" style="background-color: #e8f8e8; color: #245461; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">favorite bloggers</span></a><span style="background-color: #e8f8e8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px;"> is doing a daily challenge for the month of November... thought I'd join in. She is going to post one thing she is thankful for everyday as a way to not cruise through the holidays without pause and gratitude...she said it will just be a sentence each day or maybe even just a word. For me, it might one thing...or six.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #e8f8e8; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Day 20 - I an thankful for the gift of God's amazing grace and promise of salvation thru him and eternity in His presence. Miss Jodi - your love for others and heart for God will be missed. See you on the other side , dear friend. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Day 21 - I am thankful that my lack of preparedness didn't not hinder a delightful evening out with our youngest and 4 of his best buddies to celebrate his 8th birthday. {parenting tip of the day - Chuck E. Cheese pizza on a Monday night over dinner is a pretty great place to throw an impromptu birthday party esp with on-line coupons that got us 2 large pizzas, 150 token and 8 drinks for $50} </span></span></div>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-65826602713304290412011-11-19T23:41:00.001-06:002011-11-20T00:58:05.279-06:0030 days of Gratitude - Day 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFXAgJ2FEfbW2wbdl6ttBC34u-V3tqYlJPpXVWoTljwtVa3XF-JiFVXqeN-tdnZ16J7ZoYOeLaNYdNERj19flpcjHzFIZYJ96S3BOTFKjWsLqfw2gvVAsoWUFoV1OaryBg-Thv2Sg7oU/s1600/gratitude.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFXAgJ2FEfbW2wbdl6ttBC34u-V3tqYlJPpXVWoTljwtVa3XF-JiFVXqeN-tdnZ16J7ZoYOeLaNYdNERj19flpcjHzFIZYJ96S3BOTFKjWsLqfw2gvVAsoWUFoV1OaryBg-Thv2Sg7oU/s320/gratitude.gif" width="320" /></a><i style="background-color: #e8f8e8; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: #e8f8e8; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">One of my </span><a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/" style="color: #245461; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">favorite bloggers</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"> is doing a daily challenge for the month of November... thought I'd join in. She is going to post one thing she is thankful for everyday as a way to not cruise through the holidays without pause and gratitude...she said it will just be a sentence each day or maybe even just a word. For me, it might one thing...or six.</span></i></i></i></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Day 19 - I am thankful for safe travels thru our first spell of "winter weather" for the season as we traveled to the Big City for the day. I am also thankful for Wren's safety and spirit of perseverance at her last attempt to qualify for the State Gymnastics meet. (she didn't) But she stuck it out - following up a rough bar routine with her best beam routine yet. Love you, Wren! </span><br />
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</span>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6925795968082366138.post-82918981993907173022011-11-18T23:42:00.004-06:002011-11-19T23:55:17.374-06:0030 days of Gratitude - Day 13-18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgEDRxWt0yqr5GOXDHcpsybb9FSywwQD1XImjFYFfW_-5p3-0-aI2zpbz0TUBNo5dVXLIIZ-ZzlKcvFS4Dr0HcHLORa2yAZWdKOIGHA2-UpxgYfHWAShOsXSslFtmtBNYrj_ekgqBMYw/s1600/gratitude.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgEDRxWt0yqr5GOXDHcpsybb9FSywwQD1XImjFYFfW_-5p3-0-aI2zpbz0TUBNo5dVXLIIZ-ZzlKcvFS4Dr0HcHLORa2yAZWdKOIGHA2-UpxgYfHWAShOsXSslFtmtBNYrj_ekgqBMYw/s320/gratitude.gif" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: #e8f8e8; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">One of my <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/" style="color: #245461; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">favorite bloggers</span></a> is doing a daily challenge for the month of November... thought I'd join in. She is going to post one thing she is thankful for everyday as a way to not cruise through the holidays without pause and gratitude...she said it will just be a sentence each day or maybe even just a word. For me, it might one thing...or six.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">(Playing catch- up here....)</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Day 13 - I am thankful my family arrived home safely from their Rendezvous. I am thankful for a husband willing to take our three youngest on a weekend getaway all by himself.<br />
</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Day 14 - thankful for Netflix. and a quiet day to watch several episodes of a show that I stopped watching several seasons ago.<br />
</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Day 15 - Thankful for the talent and willing hearts within the artists at my church.<br />
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Day 16 - Thankful for a great group of fellow "mothers of multiples" to share this crazy journey with. </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br />
Day 17 - I am thankful for the wonderful teachers and support staff at my children's school. For their passion for their students, for their desire for each of them to be excellent.<br />
</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Day 18 - I am thankful for "SHE" - the new women's ministry at our church. </div>Karhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13869918787541234364noreply@blogger.com0