tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64363475733595558952024-03-05T20:55:26.856-07:00Sugar Bear DiariesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-66956061325171249302012-01-01T13:47:00.000-07:002012-01-01T16:44:04.570-07:00Keep On Movin' On...<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It’s hard to write this blog sometimes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sometimes I feel like I put too much of myself out here, I cuss a lot, and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">sometimes my subject matter is really</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">sad. And even though these things </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">are happening in real life, and this is my life, I feel the really absurd </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">need to be profound on this blog. My life is not profound.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I feel like if I were to talk about <a href="http://www.rockstarronan.com/" target="_blank">Ronan</a> one day and then the cookies I </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">baked the next, that my focus may seem all over the place and insincere. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I’ve also re-read some posts that I have written and I feel like this blog </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">is my</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">security blanket, in the fact, that I am always saying what I’m gonna </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">do—at a later date. I always feel like I can’t commit and this blog is </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">just a way for me to drone on about the things that I only WISH I could do </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">in my real life. Some might think, well… just change your focus and keep </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">going on under SugarBear Diaries, but much like the vibrancy you feel when </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">you cut of your hair, I need a rebirth. I’ve been thinking about this for </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">a long time. This will be the last post of Sugar Bear Diaries.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Don’t fret (mom), I am starting a new blog. <a href="http://www.ohsugarbear.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">OhSugarBear</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I want my life to be accomplished big and small…not just a daydream or a </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">wish. I also have some things on the horizon that I feel warrant a less </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">personal approach to social media. I don’t mind sharing some details, but </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">others need to be reserved for my close personal friends and family. I </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">want my blog to be a source of inspiration for others, and I want the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">attitude of my blog to be jovial. I don’t want people to come to my blog </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">and feel the like they’ve just happened upon <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Downer" target="_blank">“Debbie Downer’s”</a> page. Do I </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">want my life to appear perfect on the blog? No, because it surely IS NOT, </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">but I don’t want to be a completely open book either. It just isn’t </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">working for me anymore.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As I approach 35, I want my online space to reflect things that are </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">positive and fun and inspiring. I have a penchant to get sucked into the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">“Why me?”, “I wish”, “Maybe one day” crap, and that does not need to be</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">portrayed on my blog. It just doesn’t. I want to be excited to write my </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">blog, because it does bring me joy, but for some reason I thought if I </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">shared anything less than everything on SugarBear Diaries I was not being</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">authentic. I’ve realized there are no rules to blogging, but I do not want </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">my blog to be a diary where I share everything. It feels too open, too </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">raw, too intimate. Kinda like when you meet someone for the first time and</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">you know their whole life story: good, bad and indecent in one </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">conversation. No thanks.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I hope if I have readers left you will join me at my new spot: <a href="http://www.ohsugarbear.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">OhSugarBear</a> .</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Happy New Year!</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-16858806227770438032011-10-25T00:40:00.001-07:002011-10-25T00:40:27.325-07:00Perfectly Imperfect<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes life calls for an old sheet, your favorite finger foods, and the magic that comes with having a driveway picnic.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlROZ1n9MMwO_mmhqMK2nND-9flCDI43Dczs9vX20G1tTgZbjDoQPKBR2BJUR36U828Fc8N7B4Ap7e_T9-ka3VWMKXG_ZPP9xzZOMKKj4HCUIri2_oLbOJe8yq7VWlg-kisCwWy3_2EA/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlROZ1n9MMwO_mmhqMK2nND-9flCDI43Dczs9vX20G1tTgZbjDoQPKBR2BJUR36U828Fc8N7B4Ap7e_T9-ka3VWMKXG_ZPP9xzZOMKKj4HCUIri2_oLbOJe8yq7VWlg-kisCwWy3_2EA/s640/heart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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♥</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;"> ♥ </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">♥</span>
OliviaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-61916777464096300612011-09-28T12:10:00.001-07:002011-09-28T12:10:24.850-07:00Am I In The Wrong Job?My "notes" from an Email Etiquette meeting this morning.
It is 2011, right?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ae2Ii0XQLFu43aRLaN6Xae780J5gX_GHBY4q2z3vlmEd1YCgYgtajH24GpEtSm7Dz_w57PG0yvDrYv_zsLSjn8nLq3S8HHPPUfH1hzFu0JLmVy0pphGksYHjZ-48WxFkMdA9ULZg5LU/s1600/newjob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ae2Ii0XQLFu43aRLaN6Xae780J5gX_GHBY4q2z3vlmEd1YCgYgtajH24GpEtSm7Dz_w57PG0yvDrYv_zsLSjn8nLq3S8HHPPUfH1hzFu0JLmVy0pphGksYHjZ-48WxFkMdA9ULZg5LU/s640/newjob.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
♥ ♥ ♥
Olivia
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-21438747853384370512011-09-21T00:21:00.000-07:002011-09-21T00:21:54.239-07:00One Step At A Time...<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2730912158333048" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I didn’t know him very long, but he changed my life. He changed me as a person. He broke my heart and healed it all at once. He lit a fire in my soul to change the world that I didn’t even know existed. </span><br />
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<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/AVvXsEhDxJqQfHraSLmLFPGvAS0J9VM8BfeUW8luBJ3rnZ1OF4ZBXDD1WT77f0l5JZvRNGpZQFl923fqZwf1ErXK1grBix9xAjTHINJQzMfmUAYYOpWGip6ciTXgF9ka9RwIeta4YzG3bS6wVZE/s1600/ro+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxJqQfHraSLmLFPGvAS0J9VM8BfeUW8luBJ3rnZ1OF4ZBXDD1WT77f0l5JZvRNGpZQFl923fqZwf1ErXK1grBix9xAjTHINJQzMfmUAYYOpWGip6ciTXgF9ka9RwIeta4YzG3bS6wVZE/s640/ro+baby.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarronan.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.rockstarronan.com</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theronanthompsonfoundation.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Ronan Thompson Foundation</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He died.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">They make me want to change the world. To break down doors, to bust down barriers, to not take no for an answer. I want to make them proud of me. I want them to grow old with their own beautiful families. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAE1SE9pylCsoxVQqdCxaxF5Gre9vx8h9NzmuCHUhyphenhyphenaA77XwGGzwR8Uu9yyYU93deNz6KJbdY7bLMU6cS5zNZshiL7qw3rvC-bb6QaOJo7lZA7uxIbbmtzzimfPcFsij_AooFmrhTlCQ/s1600/Christmas+2010+3+8x10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAE1SE9pylCsoxVQqdCxaxF5Gre9vx8h9NzmuCHUhyphenhyphenaA77XwGGzwR8Uu9yyYU93deNz6KJbdY7bLMU6cS5zNZshiL7qw3rvC-bb6QaOJo7lZA7uxIbbmtzzimfPcFsij_AooFmrhTlCQ/s640/Christmas+2010+3+8x10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>I do not want them to die before me.</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Children’s cancer research is grossly underfunded and it’s time for it to stop. Our babies deserve a voice, they deserve us to never stop fighting for them. They need advocates, and it’s our responsibility as an older generation to never give up on them and FIGHT, because they cannot do these things on their own. We brought them into this world, we must never give up on them. We owe this to them.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I don’t need an urn full of ashes to make me want to fight. Imagining it...fuck...that is gut-wrenching enough for me to want to DO SOMETHING.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I found this website </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Who We Are</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) is the world’s largest, cooperative children’s cancer research entity. It brings together treatment centers, physicians, laboratory scientists, nurses, psychologists and others working to beat cancer in children, adolescents and young adults. Through collaborative research, the Children’s Oncology Group has improved rates for children’s cancer at a pace much faster than any one individual or single institution could accomplish alone. The Children’s Oncology Group research has turned children’s cancer from a virtually incurable disease 40 years ago to one with an overall cure rate of 78 percent today.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Despite major advancements in recent years, much work remains to find treatments and cures for children’s cancer. Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children and two-thirds of patients have life-altering and life-threatening side effects from the currently available treatments. Children’s Oncology Group research efforts are focused on many types of cancer including those that are hardest to treat, as well as reducing complications that result from treatment. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Children’s Oncology Group is chaired by Peter Adamson, MD. Dr. Adamson is Chief of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Director of the Office of Clinical and Translational Research at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Susan Blaney, MD is vice chair of the Children’s Oncology Group. Dr. Blaney is Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and Deputy Director of Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers. </span></span><br /><h2 dir="ltr">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What We Do</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Children’s Oncology Group:</span> </span><br /><ul>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">designs and conducts about 100 clinical trials annually to find the best treatments for children and adolescents with cancer; </span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">conducts laboratory research that will translate into more effective treatments with reduced side effects; </span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">looks for the causes of childhood cancer with the goal of one day preventing cancer; </span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">conducts research to improve quality of life and survivorship; and </span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">seeks international partnerships, when necessary, to fulfill its mission. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our History</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Children’s Oncology Group was formed in 2000 when four pediatric cancer clinical trials groups joined forces. Comprised of 210 treatment centers in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, COG includes more than 6,500 individual members. The COG receives funding from the national non-profit foundation, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer which receives grants from the National Cancer Institute and raises funds through philanthropic donations from individuals, special events, corporations and private foundations.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Children’s Oncology Group hospitals treat 90 percent of children with cancer in the United States, providing the unmatched combination of global expertise and local care. This means that every child and care team has complete access to the latest research and world-class treatments at hospitals within close to home. </span></span><br /><h2 dir="ltr">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why is Collaborative Research Important?</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While nearly 13,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year, there are many different kinds of children’s cancer. When divided into the specific cancer types, the number of children with each is relatively small. In research, large numbers of patients are critical to ensuring that study results are meaningful. By enrolling patients from many hospitals in the same trial, the results become statistically significant. This approach is called collaborative research and is how the Children’s Oncology Group functions. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Get Involved! </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On the curesearch.org site (click <a href="http://www.kintera.org/site/c.8hKOI3MFIjI2E/b.6380479/k.BF93/Home.htm)">here</a>)</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> you can join (free) the advocate group. Once you fill in your info, it gives you the contact info for your local congressman. You can set aside time each week to contact your congressman. They work for us! It’s time WE tell THEM what we WANT.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m on a personal quest, although my journey is for millions. Help me. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>DO SOMETHING with me.</strong> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">With all this being said, I’m walking in the CureSearch Walk for Children’s Cancer in February of 2012 in Phoenix. Right now, I’m a one-man team. If you’re local, I’d love for you to join my team: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One Step At A Time</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. My team goal is $5000. If I can raise this $5000, it goes directly to Children’s Cancer Research…all of it. Not just 3%, not just 50%...it all goes to the kids. I know times are tough, but if you could just give up one treat for yourself (a coffee, a meal, a mani/pedi, etc. and donate it to this great cause, I would be forever grateful. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Together we can make a difference. <strong>One Step At A Time</strong>.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go here to donate: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.curesearchwalk.org/phoenix/dosomething"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.curesearchwalk.org/phoenix/dosomething</span></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><em>In the words of Ben Lee...</em></strong></span></em></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><em>What’s in your heart<br class="kix-line-break" />What’s in your head<br class="kix-line-break" />It’s one or the other these days<br class="kix-line-break" />The quick or the dead<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Sometimes we gotta fight<br class="kix-line-break" />So don’t you complain<br class="kix-line-break" />Cuz I never promised this would be easy babe<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />You and me gonna</em></strong> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">rise</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">up</span></em></strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>And they will be surprised yup<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Everything’s weird<br class="kix-line-break" />Soon they’ll be gone<br class="kix-line-break" />Cuz our whispered words<br class="kix-line-break" />Are louder than bombs<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />So don’t you lose faith<br class="kix-line-break" />And say it’s no fun<br class="kix-line-break" />Cuz we’ve come too far to stop<br class="kix-line-break" />Before we’re done<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />You and me gonna </em></strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">rise</span><strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">up</span></strong></em></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>And they will be surprised yup<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Sometimes we get lost<br class="kix-line-break" />But soon we’ll be found<br class="kix-line-break" />This is far too important<br class="kix-line-break" />To turn back now<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />You and me gonna </em></strong></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em>rise up</em></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>And they will be surprised yup</em></strong></span></span><br />
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<br /><br /><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">♥</span> ♥ </span><span style="color: #f1c232;">♥</span><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Olivia</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-16138762980734889772011-06-26T19:28:00.001-07:002011-06-26T19:32:51.706-07:00Highway Of Regret<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's always on my mind. Sometimes hidden underneath layers of faux confidence, sometimes screaming right in my face. But it is always within reach.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My weight.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've never been thin. Yes, I have been a lot thinner then I am now, but even at my fittest, I was solid muscle - no waifish figure here, and the scale still registered on a number that most women would cringe at. I was healthy though. No fat on my stomach...for the first time in my life. My legs were rock hard, no cellulite, my arms had definition. And the best...no back fat. Clothes slid on to my body and I didn't have to suck it in, or do squats to stretch a piece of clothing out. This was post boot camp body. No, not as in some cheesy "boot camp" class at your local gym. I'm talking real-life-kick-your-ass-ARMY boot camp. Of course I was in the best shape of my life. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have an addiction. And at first it doesn't seem like it's a real "addiction" like heroine or meth, because my over-eating doesn't directly effect anyone. By that I mean, I don't steal from my family to support my habit, I don't beat my kids when I come off a high or because I can't get my fix. But, my addiction to food is real, and it's painful, and at times all-consuming. For thin people who have never been fat I don't think it's comprehensible to understand or even tolerate. Much like it's hard for me to understand how someone can be an alcoholic or a drug addict.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm quite certain I can pin-point various events in my life that have led to my behavior. I'm not going to share those here, and I'm not blaming my food addiction solely to these events, as I am still the one who puts the fork to my mouth. However, my past has been peppered with specific instances that have literally changed my way of thinking, and now I have to find the real Olivia that I know exists...she's just hidden under layers of fat and self-deprecation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone who has ever lost weight has the same story: "Finally one day I just woke up and realized enough was enough."</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had many false starts in my life, and each and every time I fail, I think that maybe I'm just destined to be a fat person. But, there is some part of me that always is rebuking this in my head..."Go fuck yourself! You're just lazy. It's easier to be defeated than to get your lazy ass off the couch and actually DO SOMETHING. You owe it to yourself. You owe it your husband. You owe it to your children." Usually the devil in me wins and I don't do a damn thing.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">34 has come and hit me like a fucking freight train. I have aches and pains that I'm quite certain should be reserved for someone at least 15 years older than me. I am broken down and I've had enough. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had started hiking a mountain with some co-workers on our lunch breaks. It felt good and I felt determined, and I even lost a little bit of weight. I hadn't really worked on my eating because "one thing at a time" you know. Then I have been plagued with some back and hip problems and I've been sidelined and it sucks.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I went to see my chiropractor. He gave me some solid advice. He told me I need to really stop focusing on the physical aspect of losing weight and getting in shape. He told me to just start walking, and really focus on my diet. Regardless, if I cut the crap in my diet, even with minimal exercise, I will lose weight. He also said I need to start lifting weights to get more strength as well. I need to do all this before I really get going on running, hiking, etc. So, instead of going all gung-ho with physical crap, I'm going to really focus on my diet and do a little soul-searching to see why I eat what I eat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've become a person, a mom, a wife that I never wanted to be. You know the kind of mom who rarely does her make-up, maybe just for special occasions, I don't do my hair...just throw it back in a fucking "mom pony", pick from my crappy selection of "business casual" wear and go about my day. Well, I don't like what I see in the mirror. I haven't for a long time, but I've been defeated, until today. I'm not sure what my plan will be, but I know I'm going to take one day at a time, and maybe even at times it will be minute by minute or hour by hour.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I read the following quote by <a href="http://www.joybauer.com/">Joy Bauer</a> in a magazine today. I love it.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YAP6KyinEfIyNtgyPBiXO6_eHegKpHsH_8TMw46xN5EhsRtQAm8dHK5dHcQk9VB6h99qzprzfMCx5N288Ax1NAqWkC9xw3ZhLK4WVrec_L3ib5seDiFSH9b9NU8RREwzzt9tU-miT2Q/s1600/sunset+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YAP6KyinEfIyNtgyPBiXO6_eHegKpHsH_8TMw46xN5EhsRtQAm8dHK5dHcQk9VB6h99qzprzfMCx5N288Ax1NAqWkC9xw3ZhLK4WVrec_L3ib5seDiFSH9b9NU8RREwzzt9tU-miT2Q/s640/sunset+copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">The storms are raging</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">On the rolling sea</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">And on the highway of regret</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">Though winds of change</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">Are blowing wild and free</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">You ain't seen nothing</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">Like me yet</i></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥ </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ♥</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-35002033625012973312011-06-22T22:23:00.000-07:002011-06-22T22:23:50.294-07:00Thinfully Inspired<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Melissa. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1uZoJ3N3RTJFjDUpGC0sQ2kAGzj9zkdLbuUndkZFtGFh2quHIrOr65YfRmCJR4dF_cJ62R87FjprVmHPaySI2FqeDYLX-_wLf1c4oJStjjOwQP_2hJFTcDoQOQB5pJOiuTjjGNzua6Y/s1600/Melissa+156+Brownie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1uZoJ3N3RTJFjDUpGC0sQ2kAGzj9zkdLbuUndkZFtGFh2quHIrOr65YfRmCJR4dF_cJ62R87FjprVmHPaySI2FqeDYLX-_wLf1c4oJStjjOwQP_2hJFTcDoQOQB5pJOiuTjjGNzua6Y/s640/Melissa+156+Brownie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may remember her from <a href="http://sugarbeardiaries.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-melissa.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa lost a person (120+ pounds) on her own. No fads, no gimmicks, just A LOT of hard work.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm totally jealous. Not in a bad way! I still haven't had my "a ha" moment...I'm eating coffee ice cream right now as we speak. But I know once I do, I'll have Melissa there cheering me on.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa started a blog earlier in the month called <a href="http://www.thinfullyinspired.blogspot.com/">Thinfully Inspired</a>. Click <a href="http://thinfullyinspired.blogspot.com/">here</a> to bookmark it. Melissa is funny, encouraging without being cocky, inspiring and very down-to-earth. Her blog is a place of reflection, honesty, encouragement and all around helpfulness when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off. She'll show you the little tips and tricks (actually indulging in M&M's along the way) that she stuck to while on her own weight loss journey. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, I want to stress (because I'm so proud of her) that she lost all this weight on her own...no fad diets, no pills, no surgery, nothing. She even posts about the day she rocked a bikini after being a size 24!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and she's a smart-ass and throws the occasional F Bomb in for good measure.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah, a girl after my own heart!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥ </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ♥</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-23640162670029559302011-06-20T16:16:00.000-07:002011-06-20T16:16:01.080-07:00 Could Get Used To This...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At home with a sick baby and one big sister who wanted to tag along and stay home as well. She's his little nurse maid...taking his temp (w/a digital thermometer), checking on him all the time, getting him water, and helping him off the bed to go potty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here they are all snug on our bed. Wasn't your parents bed the safest most comfortable place to be when you're sick as a wee one? Greg and I both remember that cozy feeling when we were little and sick and our moms would let us lay in their bed. Ahh..heaven.</span><br />
<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/AVvXsEjpEqB1Wjj_zYwusMHmM4hq0QWFGTtWwksf2yWP8gC6deytlASRcT87Pw-W0ZIehVx8Tp8XMzfWYAOidlvk3_Q0bwB40OmqsaHEKRk-QBSweiNxIQ6CYqEkDPIF7GABHXtbTQM6GWZkVT8/s1600/sick+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEqB1Wjj_zYwusMHmM4hq0QWFGTtWwksf2yWP8gC6deytlASRcT87Pw-W0ZIehVx8Tp8XMzfWYAOidlvk3_Q0bwB40OmqsaHEKRk-QBSweiNxIQ6CYqEkDPIF7GABHXtbTQM6GWZkVT8/s400/sick+kids.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">::bad cell phone picture::</span></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They have every pillow, blanket and stuffed animal in the entire house on my bed. Since last Thursday, Greg has been banished to Penelope's bed, while the sick-o's stay with me. It's just easier that way for midnight water requests, lots of bathrooms trips for a potty-trained toddler who has to make the grandest spectacle of every little sprout he can muster because, "Mama! I go potty!!" has to be announced at all times regardless of hour or how sick you are, lots of "Mama, I throw up!!", which will wake any sleeping mother out of the deepest sleep and have her snap to attention as if she were back in boot camp, only to be met with a few spits in the toilet which resemble nothing of vomit, and lots of temperature checking, and medicine giving. My little Junior Mint has been quite sick, and this virus has given us a run for our money. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greg took Friday off to take care of the kids and I thought for sure we'd be on the mend by today. Quite the contrary, last night was one of the worst nights yet for Junior Mint, and I called in today and took the rug rat back to the doctor. This time, his strep test still showed negative, same as Saturday's visit to Urgent Care, but he now has an upper respiratory infection. Awesome. So, we are on a powerful does of antibiotics. I just hope they make my little man feel better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though Junior Mint is not feeling well, I am still preparing a nice meal, one of which would normally grace the weekend table. I'm baking muffins, AND, prepare yourselves, doing laundry. Best yet, I'm loving every single second of it. I love the idea of making a home and in all honesty I wish I didn't have to work. My working isn't necessarily a "have to", more of a "choose to". We could make it without my salary, but the questions is, do we want to? Maybe someday, but right the now the benefit (savings, fun money, retirement) of me working still outweighs me not working. But, you better believe, I am super jealous of all the mamas and wifeys that get to stay at home and work from there. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would totally rock the June Cleaver role...I might even serve dinner in a dress <strong><em>with</em></strong> pearls on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Happy Monday!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">♥ ♥ ♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-77262649524500772792011-06-13T22:54:00.001-07:002011-06-13T22:55:37.464-07:00ser·en·dip·i·ty <span class="pg"><span id="hotword"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="function anonymous()
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<div class="luna-Ent"><span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="function anonymous()
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<div class="dndata"><span id="hotword"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="function anonymous()
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<div class="dndata"><span id="hotword"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="function anonymous()
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</div><div class="dndata"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="dndata"><span name="hotword" onclick="function anonymous()
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</div></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-80248807814536178992011-06-08T00:57:00.000-07:002011-06-08T00:57:45.489-07:00Extreme?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, my friends...I may be one step away from becoming an obsessive extreme couponer!!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OH MY GOD!!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The money you can save. I don't know about you, but I love me some free scratch!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I caught the show <a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/extreme-couponing-videos/">Extreme Couponing on TLC </a>and I'm hooked. My hubby is even on board. I mean we watched one chick rack up $2,000 in groceries and then after all her coupons she spent $90 bucks!! WTF?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know what you're thinking, because I was thinking the same thing to: Who the fuck needs 72 bottles of mustard (for real, she bought 72 bottles of mustard)? All that stuff is processed, crap food. I don' t need anything or use anything that has a coupon. I don't have the time. Oh my lord, I don't have the patience, yadda, yadda, yadda.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took my new interest further and started to search the Internet on extreme couponing. I found a few sites that I really liked like <a href="http://www.supercouponlady.com/">Super Coupon Lady</a>, <a href="http://www.couponkeri.com/">Coupon Keri</a>, and <a href="http://thekrazycouponlady.com/">Krazy Coupon Lady</a>. These sites do not go to the extreme like the people on TLC do. Their goal is save anywhere between 60-85% off their grocery bill when they go. It's doable. Their sites are filled with examples, tons of up-to-date-info, tutorials, and videos showing you how to coupon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, first of all I had to rethink my strategy. Usually, I make a menu each week and I rarely get much on sale. Now, I realize you buy things to "stockpile" when they are on sale, so that you never have to buy regularly used items full price again. It really does make sense. Toilet paper, tooth brushes, toothpaste, deodorant, health & beauty items, vitamins, dog food, etc. are always on sale. I use all of these things daily, and I'm sure you do too, wouldn't you like to save money while doing it? I do, and now I'm addicted.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The size of your stockpile is really up to you. I've seen some that take up multiple rooms in homes. That is not for me. Usually stores run about a 6 week cycle on their sales items, so the things on sale this week, will go on sale again in about 6 weeks, so you would want to stock up for about 6 weeks at the super sale prices to avoid you spending full dollar for these items. I understand this may not be everyone, but as a working mom who is looking to make big changes in the next few years which may include not working at all, learning to maximize my dollar is essential. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the basic equation to super couponing is this: Store Item on sale - a store coupon for this item - a manufacturer coupon for this item = smoking deal. This is also called "stacking". Most stores will allow you to use one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon for each item. This is where you strike gold if you can get it right. It's an art form, and I'm still learning.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here are a few examples of how I'm learning to save:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My family are meat-eaters, but I like to be picky about what kind of meat I do buy. So, last week my local health food store had their locally grown, daily ground, family packs of ground beef on sale for $1.99. Normally it is $3.99 a pound, so I stocked up and bought 10 pounds worth. I got home and broke it down to 1 pound packages and put them in the freezers. Now, in the grand scheme of things $1.99 isn't super cheap, but it is for what I'm buying and what I normally pay. So, for me, this is a great deal. This week my store has their locally grown chicken on sale for 50% off, so I will be stocking up. Now my freezer is getting full, and I have choices about what to make for dinner for a few weeks. This is where shopping sales and couponing saves you some moolah.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bought 4 Sunday papers to get the coupons. Most papers have deals where you can get the Sunday paper only and for cheap, so that is what I do. I want to maximize the deals and that requires multiple coupons for the same item. </span></li>
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For example: At Walgreen's they had my deodorant on sale for a $1.99 (normally $3.99), then in the latest ad, they had a Walgreen's coupon to bring it down to $1.49, and then I had a manufacturer coupon taking another $0.75 off. So my $3.99 dollar deodorant cost me $0.74. I had 4 sets of these coupons, so I got my 4 deodorants for less then what it would cost for one at full price! Shut the front door!! See!!! Now, those 4 deodorants will surely last me until they go on sale again. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also bought vitamins at Walgreen's that were normally $16.99 a piece. Right now, they are BOGO (buy one get one free). In the past, I would have been happy with just this deal. BUT...I had a Walgreen's coupon for $2.00 off and then I had a manufacturer coupon for $2.00 as well. So I got my vitamins for $12.99! I got a 2 month supply that normally would cost $34 for $12.99! Now, I have another set of these coupons that I plan to get again soon before the BOGO sale ends and then I'll have a 4 month supply for cheap! And, it will last me until they run a good sale again.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Iams coupons for $3.00 off each. Since, I'm buying two bags of dog food, I can use 2 coupons. Essentially, I saved $11 ($6 off plus the $5 gift card) just because I used a coupon. I have 3 more sets of these coupons allowing me stock up and not have to pay full price for my dog food for awhile. Score!</span></li>
</ul></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love a good deal! Let me know if you coupon, or if you have been thinking about it! Also, if you have good tips, leave them in the comments!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Saving!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥ ♥ ♥</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-76177249503335554212011-06-06T19:54:00.000-07:002011-06-06T19:54:11.313-07:00The Story of Otis<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Story of Otis.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2001-2011</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Otis Potis</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Odie Podie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Booger Face</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Booger Toog</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Booger McToogs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fucking Dog (only when he was really bad :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had many nicknames for Otis, but Otis Potis was the one I always used and the one that would make his tail wag the most.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Otis died on the morning of April 15th, 2011 around 7:30 a.m. It was sudden, totally unexpected, and utterly heart wrenching. I’m hoping one day that my instant thoughts of him are not of the ones where he was gasping for his last breaths and there was nothing I could do but hold him and tell him that I loved him. I’m not certain he knew I was there, but I’m praying he did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">June 2001 – Back story</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greg and his brother Steven owned a house and the “girlfriends” (Norma and I ) lived with them. One day Greg told me I could get a dog. We had been debating about getting one, and then finally one day over breakfast he gave me a paper and told me to find a dog. YES! I knew I wanted a boxer. So I found an ad in the paper and off we went. The four of us. Steven and Norma were not getting a dog, but they wanted to come a long anyway. Fast forward, I see my dog, my perfect little puppy, my Milo and I knew he was destined to be mine. Yes, you are reading this correctly, Otis Potis was not my dog…in the beginning. Unable to resist the boxer puppy cuteness, Steven and Norma also picked out a puppy of their own…Milo’s best buddy and brother, Otis. Off we went. Our happy little family grew by two furry balls of love. Yeah, I just re-read that, shhhh! I’m not changing it. That very statement, is so totally me…always saying something so completely inappropriate, but totally innocently. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No lie, within 24 hours Otis displayed symptoms of Parvo. We’re pretty sure other people visiting the dogs had spread the disease. I was sure they were going to have to put Otis down. I mean I’m not from the country or the farm, and I knew a few people who just put their dogs down when they got Parvo because it was just too expensive and they assumed it was an automatic death sentence. As I was freaking out, my future hubby literally laughed at me. He said, “We are not putting him down. We’ll get him better.” Off to the country vet we went…the same vet for the last 10 years…the same vet that compassionately told me to bring his body in when I was a blubbering mess on the other end of the line. The Country Vet confirmed it was Parvo and told us that he could charge us about $1000 to keep Otis there for about 10 days (with no on there overnight) or he could teach how to give an IV hunchback, and shots. So, there we were learning how to basically give a dog an IV on their back neck area (hunchback), and give shots. We nursed him back to health…all four of us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved Otis as if he was my own dog, and was so sad when Steven and Norma moved out to get started on their own family. About 4 months went by as they lived in their apartment while their new house was getting built. Milo suffered, shit we all suffered through Milo’s separation anxiety. About the time we got used to life without Otis, we got a frantic call from Norma. Otis had jumped their brick wall and was missing. He went missing for 3 days. He did not like their new home. So, back home to us he came, and there he stayed until he was called Home for good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Otis was a dense dog with his googly eyes and too-big tongue that often stuck out of his mouth, but he was a lover, and if you let him, he would literally lay on the couch and wrap his legs around you and “cuddle”. I miss him. I could always count on his big head looking out the window when I drove up from work. Everyday when I don’t see it, my heart twinges in pain as I realize once again he just won’t be there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We think Otis had some variation of cardiomyopathy, which is very common in big dogs, but especially in Boxers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He came in that morning huffing and puffing and at first I thought him and Milo were just outside playing. Literally the night before he was fine, they were playing, he was begging for food, he was fine. When he looked at me he was scared, I could see it in his eyes. He was pale. You’re probably wondering how you know your dog is pale. Trust me, you’ll know. His lips, tongue and gums were white as paper, I pressed hard on his gums…nothing. I knew he had barely any circulation. I’m assuming he was having a heart attack. He was stumbling and disoriented. I got him out to our laundry room where he collapsed. I kissed him and told him I would get him to the vet. I ran in frantically woke Greg up and he urgently told me to get dressed and get the kids dressed ASAP. We had been asleep so we were all disheveled. We got dressed as fast as possible, got the kids dressed, and went to get Otis. He had made it to his favorite sunning spot. I knew he wasn’t going to leave that spot. I could see his breathing had all but ceased. I lost it. My Penelope saw it all, but there was nothing I could do. I wanted to push her away, but she would not have it…she wanted to be with Otis. She knew too. Greg yelled at me to stop wasting time and get him to the vet. I yelled at him to let him die in peace. We didn’t know what to do. Greg just didn’t want to give up. Greg ran into the house to search the Internet on how to give dog CPR. It wasn’t pretty watching your four-legged pal gasp for his last breath and watch as his body convulsed as his system failed and death set it in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t know how to successfully say what I feel. I would never put the dogs before my children, but I had those dogs before children were even an option in our world. It was like a little piece of Greg and I were dying…not in a bad way…in the way life happens. It’s inevitable…people and animals you love will die. I just was hoping it would be like normal: you know it’s time, you take them to the vet, you give them pink juice and they die peacefully, content, pain free in your arms. It was chaotic for us. And in some bizarre way, that I haven’t even fully processed, or can eloquently put into words, I’m glad I saw that. I’m glad I went through that. I still don’t know why. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I write this, we just barely got his ashes back this weekend. Greg asked why I wanted them. I guess because I can’t bare the thought of him being discarded. I can’t bare the thought of burying him in a place that may become insignificant to us in the future. Soon I’ll find a fitting resting place for him, and at that time I will let him go and be free. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until we meet again Otis Potis, your paw print will be forever etched into my heart. I hope you heard me that morning, but if not, I love you, and I’m so glad you were my dog…in the end.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigtuX3ZEg9rre0Z1oRn709XlVnfWdk3sJUuqfoQAhiK3oYc5jFN1jfNiIoWbHxfst5HBf9qYmiF0BzQ7tSptngi5NAe2-uI557tLlyAWMfTvr_vTFBLJWt-C7KC01-l8T2yo0nKD19SE/s1600/otis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigtuX3ZEg9rre0Z1oRn709XlVnfWdk3sJUuqfoQAhiK3oYc5jFN1jfNiIoWbHxfst5HBf9qYmiF0BzQ7tSptngi5NAe2-uI557tLlyAWMfTvr_vTFBLJWt-C7KC01-l8T2yo0nKD19SE/s640/otis.jpg" t8="true" width="640px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥ ♥ ♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-36216445206118426222011-05-18T18:30:00.000-07:002011-05-18T18:30:51.729-07:00i carry your heart with me ( i carry it in my heart)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this poem by E.E. Cummings. I have for a very long time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This poem says exactly how I feel about my husband any my babies.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someday I think a tattoo of "i carry your heart with me ( i carry it in my heart)" will be a must. I'm working on designing it myself. I also found a beautiful piece of jewelry with the poem on it. I can't wait to get it.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a sentimental sap to the billionth degree and this poem gets me every time.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsOtx-l8jgLPdEMm5h8a70cIMYqT5D8KCUS9Xsy5N9Xtt5QUbTWDKWkfWikJOR7Fjsmp8Q2M1q0E3C5d2gSIntdqoouKCmSrTxbiT3i_MRoHV9ShLGiElfIJR8yK90sBD_5hxQK15euo/s1600/kids+i+carry+your+heat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsOtx-l8jgLPdEMm5h8a70cIMYqT5D8KCUS9Xsy5N9Xtt5QUbTWDKWkfWikJOR7Fjsmp8Q2M1q0E3C5d2gSIntdqoouKCmSrTxbiT3i_MRoHV9ShLGiElfIJR8yK90sBD_5hxQK15euo/s640/kids+i+carry+your+heat.jpg" width="424px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> ♥</span> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">♥</span> <span style="color: #073763;">♥</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-4540428223910939322011-05-17T14:00:00.004-07:002011-05-17T14:00:00.182-07:00Samara<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I <span style="color: red;">♥</span> the Internet. I <span style="color: red;">♥</span> blogging.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="background-color: purple; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Internet + Blogging = Samara</span></strong></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've known </span><a href="http://www.linkadventure.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Samara</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for a few years now. We've chatted through our blogs, email and Facebook for a very long time. At one point, I'm quite sure besides my mom, that Sam was the ONLY person reading this blog.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I only met Sam face-to-face a few weeks ago. What a surreal experience...to feel like you know someone, but you've never physically met? Well, it was fabulous. We had a little photo shoot, and below is the beauty of Samara.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She helped me see that photography truly is a passion of mine. One that I'm going to pursue again <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(see my photography tab at the top of the blog),</span> the way I like, on my own terms, no looking back or second guessing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you Samara for everything ♥</span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL2gzF1whfoWoAgob-irrl1g8nzAmaDjVg-z9LDo-F6M-pm_v8VLbsVH0he8sq8-94-_kk1cZ62JdRAK0L8wDX_cEYPUirIbiqKFO440_vDyQnGmEfzTsuBjJBG6hwzFkQj29KOlH-Q8/s1600/162+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL2gzF1whfoWoAgob-irrl1g8nzAmaDjVg-z9LDo-F6M-pm_v8VLbsVH0he8sq8-94-_kk1cZ62JdRAK0L8wDX_cEYPUirIbiqKFO440_vDyQnGmEfzTsuBjJBG6hwzFkQj29KOlH-Q8/s640/162+copy.jpg" width="424px" /></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span> <span style="color: #ea9999;">♥</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-85226235576389592632011-05-16T22:26:00.000-07:002011-05-16T22:26:12.130-07:00Full Cup<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em><strong>“Death is a part of life. Rejoice for those around you…” </strong></em></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-family: Courier New;">~Yoda</span></em></strong></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rockstarronan.com/">Ronan’s</a> memorial was yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was dreading it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve only been to a few funerals in my life and they were somber and dreadful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly I was terrified going because Ronan is just a babe, and as a mother, I still can’t wrap my head around any parent losing a child.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, it was one of the most beautiful nights I have ever been a part of. This was a celebration of Ronan’s life. We were to remember his fiery independent spirit, and not dwell on the fact that he is no longer here. It was amazing. Nothing short of breathtaking. To see everyone wearing all shades of white, cream, and splashes of pale purple, was gorgeous. The air was thick with love, and when we released balloons in the air, you couldn’t help but feel a quiet peacefulness that no one has felt in a long time. Through out the night I’d feel little gusts of wind whipping around, and I couldn’t help but think it was Ronan. It made me smile. I am forever grateful and changed by Ronan and the journey of the Thompson Family. I’ve been searching for a cause to fight for, and now I have one. Children’s cancer is so grossly underfunded and I’m determined to help change that.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBgPU7fGIYvmlPFAjfFfmB_uE9fuDGIHrfRcz583g2xK0J6BRt5WpHBUWkba9QxsQ7hL8w_fKvQ8mQqnVCWgJikBLrxm7YIlRSOUSm-ElaJTTW88og9dcTfWA77GVjYpuQeSmlx3JsRM/s1600/balloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBgPU7fGIYvmlPFAjfFfmB_uE9fuDGIHrfRcz583g2xK0J6BRt5WpHBUWkba9QxsQ7hL8w_fKvQ8mQqnVCWgJikBLrxm7YIlRSOUSm-ElaJTTW88og9dcTfWA77GVjYpuQeSmlx3JsRM/s400/balloons.jpg" width="300px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know in my previous post I was up in arms about Facebook and all the negative feelings I was feeling, but after last night, I am truly thankful for it. After the service, about 10 of us from our hometown of Kelso/Longview, WA went to dinner at a fabulous restaurant under sparkly lights on the outdoor patio with a gentle desert breeze, shared a great meal, a few glasses of sangria, many memories, and a loving toast to Ronan. I couldn’t have thought of a better way to end this part of the journey, than with a group I’ve know since childhood. And for that, I have to give all the thanks to Facebook. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sat back and watched us all interact with each other for a moment. I couldn’t help but feel happily overwhelmed by watching us…taking nibbles off each other plates, sharing a look, squeezing a hand. There is a level of comfort and familiarity among people you grew up with regardless of how much time has passed. Each and every time I experience this; it overwhelms me, and makes me thankful of where I came from. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol-tS64HxvG-WFuGi4d4d0Ui6KZhnGMYRiZ3ED7RxuxjhjLNPaaOllbpOFoMP8b38fSdoFs0gbrbohHIjFPnyzWQJlmU_IeiRSpkhQNJMl6QL2hpPsUM4VRkFbnpI9G3TsUkwn7QrHlU/s1600/chelseas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol-tS64HxvG-WFuGi4d4d0Ui6KZhnGMYRiZ3ED7RxuxjhjLNPaaOllbpOFoMP8b38fSdoFs0gbrbohHIjFPnyzWQJlmU_IeiRSpkhQNJMl6QL2hpPsUM4VRkFbnpI9G3TsUkwn7QrHlU/s400/chelseas.jpg" width="400px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, my mood is light and I feel love. I feel like after going through this, that I have truly realized what matters in life and what doesn’t. I know I won’t take things for granted anymore. I know to be happy and thankful for what I have and where I’m at in life. I know that it is foolish and a waste of time to dwell on what I don’t have. I have been blessed to find true love, to be a mother to two beautiful children, to have an incredibly supportive family, and to be friends with some amazing people. Seriously, what more could one ask for?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVVf2AQPGVhuT3CPndVUIqg_TuevpgcEagz6FTwGoCqR0XuooFZkwaW7QjMC61X16IASHYVTLgJuYmSiIqp9A9wTdCLwcoUbLDT6SfnFO8pKxttoOEhlUmBKax0alMmi4hjhA4PH_ZM0/s1600/me+%2526+jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVVf2AQPGVhuT3CPndVUIqg_TuevpgcEagz6FTwGoCqR0XuooFZkwaW7QjMC61X16IASHYVTLgJuYmSiIqp9A9wTdCLwcoUbLDT6SfnFO8pKxttoOEhlUmBKax0alMmi4hjhA4PH_ZM0/s400/me+%2526+jen.jpg" width="297px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My cup is full and my heart is happy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥ </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">♥</span> </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-5176698331748200542011-05-10T04:43:00.000-07:002011-05-10T04:43:19.102-07:00Lots Of Shit<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, this is my 100th post. Yay. Whatever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My <a href="http://www.rockstarronan.com/">friend's son</a> died of cancer yesterday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm thinking about deleting Facebook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Random stuff, but it's all intertwined. Not sure if I'll clearly explain what I'm feeling, but here it goes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't sleep. Previously in my life, when I'm stressed, sad or frustrated, my body just goes into sleep mode. I'm not one to sit and worry myself out of sleep. Quite the opposite. So, now something has changed...I've been awake since 2:45, and I don't think sleep is trying to find me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've posted about the little <a href="http://www.rockstarronan.com/">Rockstar Ronan</a> I know, and his courageous fight with Neuroblastoma since last August when he was first diagnosed. Little Ronan Sean passed away peacefully yesterday morning in his mama's arms. I still find it surreal, and I hurt selfishly on a level I didn't even know existed. I keep asking myself, "How can I hurt so badly for a child that isn't even mine?" At work yesterday I was a complete mess. Everyone was asking what was wrong, and when I told them, they cried with me. Ronan has touched that many people. For that I will be forever grateful, but I always believed he would make it. I never let myself believe that death would be the final outcome. Maybe I was naive, or maybe I just believed that if I had enough faith, thought only positive thoughts, that that would somehow will the outcome I had wanted. I hurt for my friend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This has all lead me to deleting my Facebook page. I haven't done it yet, but I posted last night that I was and left my email for those people who wanted to keep in contact. Ever since then I've been wrestling with that. Because Facebook has brought a lot of people back into my life who I totally enjoy. But it's brought a ton of sadness as well. And I'm not the type of person that can separate myself from it. I feel for people on a level that sometimes I wish I didn't. Maya's son got cancer and died. Before Facebook, Maya and I hadn't talked since I graduated. Amy's husband died suddenly and left her and 3 children behind. He was 36. I hadn't talked to Amy since graduation. Dave's sister was murdered by her ex-husband. I haven't talked to Dave since he graduated. Do you see what I'm getting at? These people's lives through Facebook have directly and indirectly affected mine in such ways I wish selfishly weren't possible. Only because I feel like I'm in a constant state or sorrow, sadness, anger, etc. because of the posts on Facebook. I don't think about these people as adults...I transport myself back to a time when we were kids and how carefree we were, and how we all had these hopes and dreams, and the above experiences would never have been a part of that. I know life is hard, and shit happens, but I'm a super emotional twit, and sometimes I think I just feel too much, and it sends me on a emotional roller coaster that effects everyone around me, and that isn't fair either. Sometimes I feel like I can't post funny stuff to Facebook because it really isn't important when people are dying. So my rash decision is to delete Facebook. As I write this, I don't think I will delete it, but rather suspend it for a while...clean out my "friends" list...get my priorities straight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've missed this blog of mine, but lately haven't felt like what I have to say really matters. But, this is my little space that I truly enjoy and I'm going to keep it that way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please keep The Thompson Family in your thoughts and prayers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be happy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-55614179112119186262011-04-07T20:26:00.001-07:002011-04-07T20:26:20.215-07:00Uh...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have major "blog block". You know, kinda like writer's block.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will be back soon...hopefully with something interesting to say.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-91457601236419692052011-02-24T11:30:00.002-07:002011-02-24T11:30:00.217-07:00My Sweet Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNq46vjdrMpq-LqL_MQyeTnCxYE6EepGsv0Heaj5cU60VEGyJ_XSptWb5kova1lcK8ZMKtuHkhkttn7nvVPbpMYFOmdarfiNJrPSQ4cZC-WPATsakbfpU4paHqLsgY5PrTRaRjq11SKK0/s1600/penelope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNq46vjdrMpq-LqL_MQyeTnCxYE6EepGsv0Heaj5cU60VEGyJ_XSptWb5kova1lcK8ZMKtuHkhkttn7nvVPbpMYFOmdarfiNJrPSQ4cZC-WPATsakbfpU4paHqLsgY5PrTRaRjq11SKK0/s640/penelope.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbc55cHdV8WrB51-FCMv282a5Q4YWzA4sVB051TQ-Ri7UTeiw2nZoS_x0ottBQMZ_aCX41iChHHBrtuhAcAVJe71s3NNMmGxxgJxmtyR0Ii52ZBjlcc52HVr415uhpU63MTgB4Ul5AI8/s1600/peepers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbc55cHdV8WrB51-FCMv282a5Q4YWzA4sVB051TQ-Ri7UTeiw2nZoS_x0ottBQMZ_aCX41iChHHBrtuhAcAVJe71s3NNMmGxxgJxmtyR0Ii52ZBjlcc52HVr415uhpU63MTgB4Ul5AI8/s640/peepers.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-zYXVAvAI8D8KPF_XHUB9vASoUmMKB3hUdL1XdLKxQARP39rO97VobK5ieCJX_EwX2X5W1mW2SP14wgDK9caI2CX1pbsuGjmakylAjvsW7ARhhzZX_JS3ZRe6b1KPaUksZCQnSxcUiw/s1600/drum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-zYXVAvAI8D8KPF_XHUB9vASoUmMKB3hUdL1XdLKxQARP39rO97VobK5ieCJX_EwX2X5W1mW2SP14wgDK9caI2CX1pbsuGjmakylAjvsW7ARhhzZX_JS3ZRe6b1KPaUksZCQnSxcUiw/s640/drum.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out that outfit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's all my baby girl.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won't lie, for a split second I cringed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But then she said, "Mama, don't I look cute?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One look in those beautiful brown eyes, and I gushed with love.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no purple in her dress. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She doesn't care. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She likes the way the purple looks with her pink and yellow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those boots...she just loves them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She doesn't care that they don't really match. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She likes the way they look with her dress.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pink leggings underneath. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her hair...she did it herself.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is 5.5. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing so quickly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although it's hard for me to let go...to not pick out matchy-match outfits, to not make sure every hair is in place for her...I know it's important for her to march to the beat of her own drum. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> She gains confindence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She gains independence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's bittersweet, but I wouldn't trade this for the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love that she doesn't want to follow the crowd...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope it stays like this always.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've said it before...she lights every dark corner of my heart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love my baby girl.</span></div><span style="color: magenta;">♥</span><br />
OliviaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-66192391873013022082011-02-23T14:59:00.000-07:002011-02-23T14:59:54.682-07:00One Word Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEzyLcsfp6SnLMbXyjYa6_8Ldb1AXzkK0rCMERI8e4EWvJZbX0ZjNoe2xYsTuLyd_QFk9IgZ2WPOB7MQY_QSouV8hKfUHkXkszz07vqoHg_7JSVzwfaXEM81HyIPuBuBZhVnkWZsagfk/s1600/baklava+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEzyLcsfp6SnLMbXyjYa6_8Ldb1AXzkK0rCMERI8e4EWvJZbX0ZjNoe2xYsTuLyd_QFk9IgZ2WPOB7MQY_QSouV8hKfUHkXkszz07vqoHg_7JSVzwfaXEM81HyIPuBuBZhVnkWZsagfk/s640/baklava+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-90555786773660683332011-02-22T14:00:00.000-07:002011-02-22T14:00:00.107-07:00Church<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You probably think I don't go to church or believe in God because I say fuck a lot, huh? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do go. Try to every Sunday. It's been off and on...mostly off for years, until lately. We found a church I truly adore, and it fits for our family. So, I try to go every Sunday. It brings me peace and renews my faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Faith. That is tricky concept for some. I get it, many many times my faith has been shook, but at the end of the day, it's there. I can't explain it. The logical thinking part of me could accept an agnostic or atheist point-of-view given the mere fact I'm believing in something I can't see. Then just as easily as I can "get that"...it leaves my brain. And I believe with all my heart in God and His power. My husband calls <em><u><strong>that</strong></u></em> Faith. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bad things happen to good people all the time. And we wonder, "Why would God let that happen?" I don't know. I don't have those kind of answers. But I do have Faith, and I know His plan is not my own, and I do accept that. Wholeheartedly. Every single time in my life, when something bad has happened and I have questioned why God would do that to me, or someone I love, it is always revealed to me in His time. It doesn't mean that it hurts any less, but it is part of my story nonetheless. It teaches me a valuable lesson, it deepens my Faith, deepens my love. Deepens me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The message at Sunday's mass was to live perfectly as God is perfect. Of course, we can't live perfectly...we are human...falable. But, the point is to <strong><em><u>try</u></em></strong> to live perfectly. Put others first, live compassionately, let anger and jealousy go, choose to do the right thing in all situations, even when you want to be spiteful, hurtful, or want to seek revenge. It's not easy to do. But, just think about how much better your life could be. How awesome our world could be if we all tryed to live this way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whether or not you believe in God is up to you, but trying to live perfectly is a lesson we could all learn regardless of our individual beliefs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if there is any question, me and my blog serve the Lord. Yes, God is aware of my cussing problem, and I am quite certain He still loves me anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-37392583572655624152011-02-22T10:00:00.009-07:002011-02-22T10:00:07.579-07:00Pesto<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not a food blogger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love food bloggers though.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love their pictures, their buttery prose about their latest dishes, their ingenious styling.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alas, that is not me. My dumpy kitchen with suck-tastic light and my lack of patience means you get one picture on this here blog. The finished product. Take it or leave it baby. I am no <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">Pioneer Woman</a>. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I give you the recipe, and one picture, deal?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great, onto my latest invention. I mean I didn't invent this, but I didn't follow a recipe either.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Roasted Walnut Garlic Pesto</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5Z5NWQT5TBuPFeTvt9c6N_EqTw2gMybzZ1NF6YykZZ_FwnLLqt3FfeSX9DqjaBKBY6TeFjb8PSLzpi9hcQyify6c593Huy6NOZjpzP3ZbMd97fo0Yfrk-mZT6P9s-OCdmX6rTYPAT48/s1600/pesto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5Z5NWQT5TBuPFeTvt9c6N_EqTw2gMybzZ1NF6YykZZ_FwnLLqt3FfeSX9DqjaBKBY6TeFjb8PSLzpi9hcQyify6c593Huy6NOZjpzP3ZbMd97fo0Yfrk-mZT6P9s-OCdmX6rTYPAT48/s640/pesto.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what I did:</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toasted walnuts - be careful...there is a fine line between toasted and burned. I found that out. If I had to guess how much, about a 1/3 of a cup.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Roast a head of garlic - take a whole head of garlic, cut the tops off, drizzle olive oil it all, wrap in foil and throw in the oven at 350 degrees. Roast until your kitchen smells divine. When done, the garlic will "spread like buttah". Seriously, I don't time it. Just smell and check.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A bunch of fresh basil. Don't know how much. I bought one of those containers of it from Trader Joes' and used the whole thing. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Probably two cups.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About a 1/4 cup of parmesean. *GASP* I used the canned stuff...didn't have any fresh on hand. Deal.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olive oil to drizzle in. Probably about 1/3 cup.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Juice of one lemon - next time I'll only use 1/2 the lemon. I suggest starting small and adjust to your taste.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salt & Pepper</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pulse all that stuff up in your food processor.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slather on hot buttered french bread for sensory overload!</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put in glass container and store. Don't know how long it keeps...I plan to eat it fast.</span></div></li>
</ul><ul><li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Use it on pizzas, sandwiches, on hot pasta, on hot french bread, right off the spoon out of the fridge...yeah I went there.</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-41637221819230461432011-02-21T23:33:00.000-07:002011-02-21T23:33:50.465-07:00Changes<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I've been desperately trying to give up Diet Coke. I've been drinking it for years. As I type this, my mouth is watering. But, I know how bad it really it is for you, so I'm trying to give it up. I feel like if I swear to never drink it again, I'm just setting myself up for failure. So, let's just say, I'm working in other options, in hopes that the luster of the Diet Coke can fades quickly.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First of all, I hate plain water. I mean if it's hot and I'm doing some sort of physical activity...or, more realistically, I've eaten bacon in the last few hours, then I dig some water. Other than that...gag. I just can't force myself to drink it.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is until Spa Water. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EFYoTx41oOYb69QeNqpL_U0mQO9aiCfVs5V8WqMuvC2Pku8zvq8eEDDweLun3fC0IPKoRh8WtWeW27sglyJtEVFmX01eHI5__y_gfcW-5-LHxaoLV-ZY5phzquCUBDTDrDDbq-JiqZ8/s1600/Spa+Water+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EFYoTx41oOYb69QeNqpL_U0mQO9aiCfVs5V8WqMuvC2Pku8zvq8eEDDweLun3fC0IPKoRh8WtWeW27sglyJtEVFmX01eHI5__y_gfcW-5-LHxaoLV-ZY5phzquCUBDTDrDDbq-JiqZ8/s640/Spa+Water+copy.jpg" width="411" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Delicious. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been to two spas in my life and at both, they served this yummy water. I can drink like a gallon in one sitting with some cucumbers and lemon floating in there. Give it a try!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I ain't gonna lie. I still need...want...need caffiene. And, I do love coffee, but it does not love me. No matter how I take it, I always end up with heartburn and the burps. Gross. With that, I've decided to exlusively drink tea for my caffiene addiction. It has enough so I don't get a headache, but not as much as Diet Coke or coffee. Win win. I've been reading </span><a href="http://www.aurajoon.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aura Joon's</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> blog for quite some time and she drinks tea all day long. I've been reading about the health benefits of drinking tea, and I definitely think it's better than me drinking Diet Coke all day long. I found the </span><a href="http://yhst-64477706453472.stores.yahoo.net/gulabikalmitea.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">loose leaf pure Indian tea</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> that Aura drinks at a local Middle Eastern market called </span><a href="http://www.haji-baba.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Haji Baba</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in Tempe. The tea is so good! Now, it tastes just like tea, but the only word that comes to my mind is fresh. It just tastes fresher. I usually drink it without any sweetner, but if I feel like a little sweetness, I'll add agave nectar or pure honey. Simple goodness!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYyQ_M_kcJK69AC1K6jSe7c0qptxGBAptVHOd-ScYCwEEok9TbpCiMzsQHTdM6VBtQhyphenhyphen5QlxGxud1iDklnN8GGvtZK3eZ5sWnpsvTfiNIythhiZ_m_B1BIHb8Nn5_bDfo1PH7cDVrcbs/s1600/tea+stuff+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYyQ_M_kcJK69AC1K6jSe7c0qptxGBAptVHOd-ScYCwEEok9TbpCiMzsQHTdM6VBtQhyphenhyphen5QlxGxud1iDklnN8GGvtZK3eZ5sWnpsvTfiNIythhiZ_m_B1BIHb8Nn5_bDfo1PH7cDVrcbs/s640/tea+stuff+copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't you just love my new tea cup? I love the little lid that goes on top while the loose leaf tea steeps in the little ceramic basket inside the cup! So freaking cute!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oh, at Haji Baba there was a simple sign above the order counter that read:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfvdB55bPw2nRvpPR5gjKmOyyJY13PWPfnZ1fIF1ttsMHtcaKkPxhkoYTAUq_pms7jNCpk5zVKuX0Z9r32lUh77AN7agKjZObVXLSP68on2oh2y1vy0EBRPDmw2TmFV4UAskg0WaEk_g/s1600/peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfvdB55bPw2nRvpPR5gjKmOyyJY13PWPfnZ1fIF1ttsMHtcaKkPxhkoYTAUq_pms7jNCpk5zVKuX0Z9r32lUh77AN7agKjZObVXLSP68on2oh2y1vy0EBRPDmw2TmFV4UAskg0WaEk_g/s640/peace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Amen.</span></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #e06666;">♥</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-23203519517524616642011-02-16T15:48:00.000-07:002011-02-16T15:48:53.873-07:00Death By Thin Mints<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh no.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KTaoQfrjOfO33ul_oj4oHFm3GtdE4LCohATyqjWXmRoTRq0N2uQ54v5KiF06yr-ZfXSA5HWurCNbLjdJUMOnfhV1sBlX8ii0oY8dSzqvfVqF0VZ7G-cjqka5oYZ0K5KAFwO5pYEdFAc/s1600/nutrition_info_2009_2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KTaoQfrjOfO33ul_oj4oHFm3GtdE4LCohATyqjWXmRoTRq0N2uQ54v5KiF06yr-ZfXSA5HWurCNbLjdJUMOnfhV1sBlX8ii0oY8dSzqvfVqF0VZ7G-cjqka5oYZ0K5KAFwO5pYEdFAc/s1600/nutrition_info_2009_2010.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: red;">♥</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-57300837715994226132011-02-11T10:00:00.002-07:002011-02-16T16:11:21.016-07:00The Farm<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am in love with <a href="http://www.thefarmatsouthmountain.com/the-farm-at-south-mountain-the-farm-kitchen.php">The Farm</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everytime I go there, I swear I'm going to change my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eat better. Live Better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's that good. The food is that yummy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I went with my friend from work...she got the Egg Salad and I got the Farm Fresh Sandwich and then we switched each other a half, and it was D.I.V.I.N.E. I also had a side salad with their house dressing which I could've drank from a cup. The best way I can explain it is homemade ranch with basil. So good!! I also had a peach pie turnover...oh yeah...I went there...and it gooooooooooooood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was perfect weather. Lots of people were out. Moms and babies...and play date groups...and people with their dogs...perfect place to lay out your blanket and enjoy your food picnic style.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's an outdoor restaurant, and they have regular dining tables, bit I prefer the picnic tables out in the old pecan groves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1frnpycSLRXfBadzM-GXw7hC7MM-NLOduouq935vLRxFTXtlS-EJzZsrqh8QyeA1qSbCEsUZWHUv6VpT82JKg1b4X89vNz3ehqIgCLZ378W0zZaJINscao57ohKrG63LIAL6VTX-ffE/s1600/the+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1frnpycSLRXfBadzM-GXw7hC7MM-NLOduouq935vLRxFTXtlS-EJzZsrqh8QyeA1qSbCEsUZWHUv6VpT82JKg1b4X89vNz3ehqIgCLZ378W0zZaJINscao57ohKrG63LIAL6VTX-ffE/s1600/the+farm.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't gone, you simply must go!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-77459457181193942782011-02-10T08:00:00.005-07:002011-02-16T16:14:12.581-07:00Christmas Presents<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that Christmas is done and over, I can share the pictures I took for my in laws for Christmas of all the grand kids. I loved how they all turned out. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: red;">♥ ♥ ♥</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/AVvXsEienbC3GF7gDlU6rIFD0WxlCn0KYk6gkZkcewClMAR6H94Ist2ZRwzUIuSwfbs2pqUc4Hq6-SmaPQs2FuLiaBuHr87ttbW3O9ilWZXmOrSvbRSIqWCDGDCadM_mlfnUEw3z4oz6m1D-LBs/s1600/Christmas+2010+2+8+x+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienbC3GF7gDlU6rIFD0WxlCn0KYk6gkZkcewClMAR6H94Ist2ZRwzUIuSwfbs2pqUc4Hq6-SmaPQs2FuLiaBuHr87ttbW3O9ilWZXmOrSvbRSIqWCDGDCadM_mlfnUEw3z4oz6m1D-LBs/s640/Christmas+2010+2+8+x+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Father-in-Law calls them The Untouchables.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My nephew Isaac "Ikey"(5), My Niece Bianca (8), Jr. Mint (2), Penelope (5)</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <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/AVvXsEi_-IirKEsdSQpsULP11N3lD0K1r6f-qmuFuxxDyJUPIYi4tiG_eVzHpWQtniKj-q0r7heOVjwOAkmcu-VGV0coleWLam9ByDVUePIfk-a3MoIMZGqs_YsxTJUsqgiwy5rAAShUDd2C4sI/s1600/Christmas+2010+3+8x10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-IirKEsdSQpsULP11N3lD0K1r6f-qmuFuxxDyJUPIYi4tiG_eVzHpWQtniKj-q0r7heOVjwOAkmcu-VGV0coleWLam9ByDVUePIfk-a3MoIMZGqs_YsxTJUsqgiwy5rAAShUDd2C4sI/s640/Christmas+2010+3+8x10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Junior Mint rules this little roost. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Bianca is the the Mother Hen. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Penelope & Ike are Double Trouble. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I refer to them as The Twins as they are only 4 months apart.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <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/AVvXsEgxNGy1CdCZBJOqYhgErEuHZFhgbKCqetJBvzt_v-n2Hiz4pE3qPQ4uyfpIbi1S-2IURK7BXTLlidXTkrOXpMNwJ8qgseHnK1t6gSn1jNg2onohJ8mQLg13Gu_Hc0HdmKrpOXbo56VrY-g/s1600/Christmas+2010+4+8+x+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNGy1CdCZBJOqYhgErEuHZFhgbKCqetJBvzt_v-n2Hiz4pE3qPQ4uyfpIbi1S-2IURK7BXTLlidXTkrOXpMNwJ8qgseHnK1t6gSn1jNg2onohJ8mQLg13Gu_Hc0HdmKrpOXbo56VrY-g/s640/Christmas+2010+4+8+x+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Best Friends.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Junior Mint is looking for his escape.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <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/AVvXsEheUlVXzQUHF-9vJhMC-IIZFLdFqlSfFspo5NiG1BI1AO0IhbTfD4bLDxNv9Vy_ZWYwGuL2ORuO6IV2ao5jT1cDXyMnH7xDuz2ibjoVmFmpgol0buQSFdptmpO2bJev5me9w9ppdgGCVaQ/s1600/Peepers+%2526+Bianca+1+5+x+7+bw+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUlVXzQUHF-9vJhMC-IIZFLdFqlSfFspo5NiG1BI1AO0IhbTfD4bLDxNv9Vy_ZWYwGuL2ORuO6IV2ao5jT1cDXyMnH7xDuz2ibjoVmFmpgol0buQSFdptmpO2bJev5me9w9ppdgGCVaQ/s640/Peepers+%2526+Bianca+1+5+x+7+bw+copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Cousins...but more like Sisters.</em></span></td></tr>
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</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/AVvXsEhkkBiQ_k7TocSqk62ljagFWiI9snVeY4-ut6eQJTaJz2A9qYHkt6HiLtvuBJnt_9jUlscIGwV_qGbkoICw2L0_pEl6s-wVf8aSPS1Yb9ySNmLPOThcJaKuH2cIS8TrIWlpBvgl2sgnMdw/s1600/Christmas+Kid+pics+and+house+2010+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkBiQ_k7TocSqk62ljagFWiI9snVeY4-ut6eQJTaJz2A9qYHkt6HiLtvuBJnt_9jUlscIGwV_qGbkoICw2L0_pEl6s-wVf8aSPS1Yb9ySNmLPOThcJaKuH2cIS8TrIWlpBvgl2sgnMdw/s640/Christmas+Kid+pics+and+house+2010+078.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Fast Forward to when they are 18 & 15.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Locking them up.</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80K2Z80O-oTqBFdF9E-3QXTz0P-FxdmhtgElxACqALSwyBmEd6F8Xr8EvuSSQvRdjqCcCxxe85RM808PEIbiMFA9gwyX_uVdfW17Sx5EOdbfAcO5tVp4LeVjjNj26Rvagjj3wB8PBN9A/s1600/peeps+and+ike+sequence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80K2Z80O-oTqBFdF9E-3QXTz0P-FxdmhtgElxACqALSwyBmEd6F8Xr8EvuSSQvRdjqCcCxxe85RM808PEIbiMFA9gwyX_uVdfW17Sx5EOdbfAcO5tVp4LeVjjNj26Rvagjj3wB8PBN9A/s1600/peeps+and+ike+sequence.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">♥ ♥ ♥</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Love, love, love this sequence. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Not planned.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Just them.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Cousins...more like brother & sister.</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHDf_grbU2E4ByPLGhoL8RpNrKHT14QAKXviYvQNhakK2WjZyG84k-TsYl5Tv1FN5UiJF1URSdsG_oQoSWNvIAIXbVvkmypRzTAHb4b6h4qZeqLTa2yme90odxAvD7RJ-SwhcP4TbQR0/s1600/Christmas+Kid+pics+and+house+2010+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHDf_grbU2E4ByPLGhoL8RpNrKHT14QAKXviYvQNhakK2WjZyG84k-TsYl5Tv1FN5UiJF1URSdsG_oQoSWNvIAIXbVvkmypRzTAHb4b6h4qZeqLTa2yme90odxAvD7RJ-SwhcP4TbQR0/s640/Christmas+Kid+pics+and+house+2010+070.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>My girls.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <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/AVvXsEgYiTUzGz7lfj84d9w7oYb4xJPAkHej2HVGNlOBAQdYOKNIT92BDNyA3oNkzM_50U6XUs6_SQVkgdQFCrqT0hZhyTO57hk7MP-fPkm7QfaGAHxAe9BaUH4yCYJ3BdDfgEFk-SV367JGAtE/s1600/Christmas+Kid+pics+and+house+2010+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiTUzGz7lfj84d9w7oYb4xJPAkHej2HVGNlOBAQdYOKNIT92BDNyA3oNkzM_50U6XUs6_SQVkgdQFCrqT0hZhyTO57hk7MP-fPkm7QfaGAHxAe9BaUH4yCYJ3BdDfgEFk-SV367JGAtE/s640/Christmas+Kid+pics+and+house+2010+060.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>My boys.</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYtkI8Em1Ezye9goCqrfdiNxL9B0V63B8HPEq87PuFLTrR_nk9p2rckm53-93NZ7eSDMyyNMScWdzmR4N40TCBLOTOveDrYqNDScELs1jdKxkP153HI5ccM1bGRmUMcxg8veb90bSvLc/s1600/Christmas+Kid+pics+and+house+2010+273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYtkI8Em1Ezye9goCqrfdiNxL9B0V63B8HPEq87PuFLTrR_nk9p2rckm53-93NZ7eSDMyyNMScWdzmR4N40TCBLOTOveDrYqNDScELs1jdKxkP153HI5ccM1bGRmUMcxg8veb90bSvLc/s640/Christmas+Kid+pics+and+house+2010+273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Inseparable.</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_nQaBpXKfWwDFn1Q7Av8Ikp0zStc0nT-xWSJNvZe_mo3x7N3KSzFodkuw9HhGiM69gYTiMGxcOWjkVGKfXzIIE7hyphenhyphens2mcc-FSYjFGR8pfstqDelKI_y7N2e3FgxIbHLEa3omGbusS_E/s1600/christmas+2010+1+8x10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_nQaBpXKfWwDFn1Q7Av8Ikp0zStc0nT-xWSJNvZe_mo3x7N3KSzFodkuw9HhGiM69gYTiMGxcOWjkVGKfXzIIE7hyphenhyphens2mcc-FSYjFGR8pfstqDelKI_y7N2e3FgxIbHLEa3omGbusS_E/s640/christmas+2010+1+8x10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>So close. So sweet. So them.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> ♥ ♥ ♥</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">♥</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-19341798616327193722011-02-09T16:30:00.007-07:002011-02-16T16:14:49.547-07:00One Word Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs0JjXv5iIOFH0-QZSe1iTuFTIGMoJti9tN4e_iUhyphenhyphenUsVgp5K4Nc0W9jdFdvrIQBK44IzQJVv7CdqpEs1TD44DMV2VS7eoJOGprmJ9jUc_j-jOUuHhhlg4A5jBCZEcpP_by4Yi9DG4n0/s1600/guerilla+art+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs0JjXv5iIOFH0-QZSe1iTuFTIGMoJti9tN4e_iUhyphenhyphenUsVgp5K4Nc0W9jdFdvrIQBK44IzQJVv7CdqpEs1TD44DMV2VS7eoJOGprmJ9jUc_j-jOUuHhhlg4A5jBCZEcpP_by4Yi9DG4n0/s640/guerilla+art+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6436347573359555895.post-69416306361712940502011-02-09T10:30:00.006-07:002011-02-16T16:15:15.793-07:00Pinterest<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've stumbled onto another time suck called </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Love it. You can "pin" things that interest you from all over the Internet. You can make your own boards, pin your own things, repin things other people have pinned. So, I think I'll start a feature called Pin Pin on this little space of mine for you to see my pins. Start an account and we can pin together! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Pinning!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">♥</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olivia</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">P.S. Here is an easier code for the hearts: &hearts;</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP5U3quNim8lTBCZr6QNLmEk4zpU6p87ar8BV2HF55tD8ajNoNrdZowF1pb6YjmpMqEFT79E4X9tleCNsKSRiwpTKQbls3qCouGogYO15CnAMz0KkpOQcY91_KJElApPT7yqf9TTjdZ8/s1600/pin+pin+template+2-8-11+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP5U3quNim8lTBCZr6QNLmEk4zpU6p87ar8BV2HF55tD8ajNoNrdZowF1pb6YjmpMqEFT79E4X9tleCNsKSRiwpTKQbls3qCouGogYO15CnAMz0KkpOQcY91_KJElApPT7yqf9TTjdZ8/s640/pin+pin+template+2-8-11+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">click to enlarge</span></em></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #b4a7d6; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Sources:</u></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Great present for the important dude in your life - </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67400635/deluxe-eco-friendly-shaving-kit-with?ref=sr_gallery_18&ga_search_query=orange%2Bfuzz&ga_search_type=handmade"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Orange Fuzz</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on Etsy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Tile Cookies (too pretty to eat!!) - by </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/41079269/delft-tile-cookie-gift-box-vanilla-1?ref=fp_featured_item"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whippedbakeshop</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on Etsy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Bloom Vinyl Tape (I would use this on everything!) by </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55080324/bloom-pattern-vinyl-tape"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">joannarutter</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on Etsy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Pink Shingles (yes, please!) - originally blogged by </span><a href="http://www.bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bleubird Vintage</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - first pinned by </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/gen/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Genevieve Beaulieu</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Vintage Pyrex Collection (totally collect vintage pyrex...love it!!) by </span><a href="http://pyrexcollective.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pyrex Collective</span></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674846365187629834noreply@blogger.com2