tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321991132024-03-05T05:47:56.239-06:00Keeper of the House AdventuresBecause everyday is an adventureJODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.comBlogger1005125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-47262367315265185932020-12-23T21:51:00.000-06:002020-12-23T21:51:05.660-06:00Christmas Is Not Lost
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19Rw77DApO9vtYlJLWEls_vc1HYzcM9zh" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19Rw77DApO9vtYlJLWEls_vc1HYzcM9zh" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last month I enjoyed an extended Thanksgiving break while school was keeping everyone home to self isolate in hopes to bring down the number of quarantine and positive cases in the buildings. I feared the struggle of returning would be so real that pulling myself from my warm bed, along with bus attendance duty on a 20° morning would feel like a death sentence. I haven’t had an [outdoor] duty in 10 years. Turns out being outside regardless the temperature is a refreshing addition to the early morning of my day. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I found myself those last three days before returning to the office just sitting with a cup of coffee in the morning, staring at the Christmas tree, thinking about all the things that I will miss this holiday season. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I long to sit inside Powell Hall for a symphony performance of Christmas music. Just the thought of watching the violin bows all in sync with each other as they play, Mmmm, ahhhh. My heart ached for mine and King Ralph’s yearly Christmas date to The Rep theater to see a Christmas themed play. I missed an evening of strolling the Botanical Garden for the Garden Glow. I miss the idea of all the cousins, nieces and nephews together in one room sipping cocktails, filling plates with delicious foods and laughing while playing games. I will miss my winter break coffee and breakfast dates with friends. Instead, I have gotten my symphony music piped through my house via Alexa, replaced the theater with endless Christmas movies on Netflix. The Garden Glow was replaced with drives through neighborhoods to enjoy house displays... As for the cousins, nieces and nephews, we had a “Christmas Tree Walk.” We spent an evening blowing up our group text with photos of our trees adorned in lights and ornaments. We saw trees with vintage garlands and one with a most magnificent train board. There were real trees that’s p<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;">ine scents almost transcended the cell towers. The love for, the longing to be together as a family was evident in each picture of a tree. </span></span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My humble abode bursts with the look of Christmas. My tree stands tall and adorned in lights and ornaments that remind me of the places we’ve traveled as a family. The vintage ornaments I inherited from grandma are peppered throughout the tree. The defuser puts out a lovely pine scent making the artificial tree feel ever more real. The house eves and shrubs glow in the night with multi-color lights. All that and still there’s a quietness to the holiday season. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This holiday season is different. This year is different. King Ralph can often be heard saying “Jodi it’s just one year.” He’s right. One year. One year of loving extended family and friends from a distance. One year of masked faces. One year of altered holiday fun. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We can all handle alterations to celebrations for one darn year. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is one thing that won’t change—the love we share with our girls. If they’re our safety bubble of celebration I’ll take it! </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This girl softly smiles and says, “Happy Christmas to all, season of lights and love.” </span></font></span></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-47374011914316752652020-03-28T12:21:00.001-05:002020-03-28T12:21:40.120-05:00And It All Went Quiet
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1uhgevKIEPkLXdGvxjNLTnwoa1VM8Luaq" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1uhgevKIEPkLXdGvxjNLTnwoa1VM8Luaq" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have worry. Is worry fear? I do not know, but I do have worries. I think we all have some, or a lot. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> I worry about my husband going off to the police department each day riding in a vehicle shared by others. I worry about my friends who are nurses. I worry about the women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, needing surgery and treatment. I worry about the health of my Make-A-Wish kids that I’ve helped to grant their wishes. I worry about my daughters, my son-in-law....</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And while I worry I also miss things, simple things. I miss sitting close to a friend, sipping wine and sharing laughs. I miss hugging my children. I miss kissing their cheeks over and over again until they laugh and giggle and tell me to stop. I miss standing in line at Starbucks for a coffee treat chatting with complete strangers about whatever is happening that day. I miss running into a friend at the grocery store and stopping to chit chat. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What I’m not missing out on is the opportunity to be more intentional, even at a distance, with the people that mean something to me. Whether it’s a text message or showing my friend for the first time in all of her years of owning an iPhone that she can FaceTime. My best work friends and I have had a great time this week with Marco Polo by having show and tell every night. We showed off our most fabulous shoes, showed off our most amazing earrings, showed off our favorite products...adults being silly, laughing. That is tending to mental health. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My lifelong best friend and our six daughters have a group Snapchat that we entertain each other with. A snap might be my BFF’s oldest daughter sharing the beautiful landscape from her home in Arizona...or it might be all us sharing our poorly pedicured feet. We reply with lots of laughing emojis. We share texts of virtual teaching, confused faces of remote working, the nurse uniformed to care for the contaminated, and lots of general silliness. These are a group of girl pictures of: connected by love. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Keeping routine, now that keeps you healthy. I wake up every morning and I make my bed, make some coffee, open all the blinds in the house so the sunshine pours in, I apply mascara and lip gloss and every day at 11am I go for a walk with my lunch buddy— just like we would on any other Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Except we are not walking side-by-side. Nope. Instead we send each other a picture of ourselves and say “go!” and go we do for 30 minutes. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, life is different. Life is still. Life is quiet. But what life isn’t [for me] is lonely. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Even in this unprecedented time that I hope I, that we, never have to experience ever again...I found a way to let God‘s blessings of good friends shine on me each and every day. Stop, look around, listen to the birds sing, notice neighbors taking walks. Don’t look past your mailman, grocery clerk or your trash man...be thankful for their service, their commitment to us all. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One day we will wake up and the world will have it’s arms open, ready to embrace us all again. And we will forever be changed by one thing—a virus. </span></font></span></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-31731558914041075222020-03-16T07:29:00.000-05:002020-03-16T07:29:25.219-05:00Mountains or Beach?
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When asked the question mountains or beach, I will always reply mountains. That’s not to say that I don’t love the beach, because I do. What’s not to love about the beach...staring out at water that looks like it goes on forever and ever, or that you could swim out to the edge of earth? I do love the beach for about four straight day...not seven, not fourteen. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I grow weary of sand weighing down my swimsuit bottom, or sitting idle for hours. So you might find it odd that every year for spring break King Ralph and I pack up “The Vessel” heading down to the beach in Alabama for seven days. That is exactly what we do every year. We go to warm our winter bones. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The great thing about camping at Gulf State Park is that it is so much more than just sand and water. There’s a great pool, playgrounds for the kids, tennis courts (mostly used to play pickle ball), shuffle board and trails.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We spend a great deal of our time riding our bikes. The morning weather is glorious...it’s mostly sunny, but not super hot. The days that are cloudy make it a ride without breaking a sweat. The trails change from paved and canopied by trees dripping of moss to boardwalk over the marsh...where an alligator is likely to be spotted. We bike in the morning to a favorite coffee shop. Then we bike to Walmart to rent a Redbox. Sometimes we just bike to clear our minds and fill our souls with peace and serenity. After we bike, only after we bike, we head to the beach to grab a couple of hours of sun and sand. I always laze about in a chair with a book in my hand, feet in the sand, and my body dosing itself with Mother Nature’s natural source of vitamin D. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here’s what is exciting to me about this trip</span></font></span></p>
<ol class="ol1">
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last year I was healing from cancer surgery, my boobs held together by stitches and sterie strips. I could not just plop right down in the sand, or rotate myself like a chicken on a rotisserie. Nope. I had to set in a chair, careful not to get sand in my wounds. I was bronzed on my front, white on my back. I looked like yin and yang. This year I’ll have a full balanced sun kiss body.</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Escaping to a state where there is no confirmed cases of COVID-19. Hopefully people aren’t packing their RVs full of toilet paper and bottled water. If they are, no worries, I stocked The Vessell with its season’s worth of RV quality biodegradable toilet paper. </span></font></span></li>
</ol>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">*********************************************************************</span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I drafted this post prior to hitting the road. I can report that the sun shines, the bike trails are lovelier than ever, the beach was bursting with weddings (three to be exact) and children were flying kites (including me). I can also say, sadly, this state has fallen prey the toilet paper craze (as the news shows). </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While people continue to fight for toilet paper....my skin has a sun kiss, the pages of my new book has sand granules sprinkled on the pages and margaritas taste better in a Yeti cup with feet in the sand. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Happy spring break! Stay well friends. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-30361316992207842222020-01-11T22:32:00.001-06:002020-01-11T22:32:22.027-06:00Snow
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is easy for so many of us to say we loathe the coldness of winter, but it’s hard to deny the beauty that comes with snow. Even if the weatherman swears there won’t be snow, the snow will be so far west it will miss us or it won’t stick. Regardless the (flopped) weather report, snow comes with the slightest shift in the barometer and somehow it sparks the heart. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love snow at night...looking outside at the brightness...the moon shining down on the whiteness below. The atmosphere is eerily quiet, as if time is standing still. It somehow feels very magical. It gives everyone permission to pause. To laze about in flannel jammies, huddle under afghans, sip cocoa, and watch old movies. The neighborhood streets fall silent. That is magic of snow. </span><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BYtnPtwizsB_vbxZD4W70DT6anzMLL-7" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BYtnPtwizsB_vbxZD4W70DT6anzMLL-7" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></span></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-83171977032388127582019-12-30T19:48:00.000-06:002019-12-30T19:48:44.349-06:00Peace Out 2019 <div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rQI4IK6aTl517IJLj_TFTagC86UQ8Gt5" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rQI4IK6aTl517IJLj_TFTagC86UQ8Gt5" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How to reflect on the year 2019, that is my big self question? </span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2019 is a year that I have never been so excited to say goodbye to. I am throwing the smelly bag of memories to the curb and moving on. Instead of reflecting on the struggles and hardships...I am choosing to snapshot the things that helped me to escape my reality, brought joy to <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;">my heart, and filled my soul.</span></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">January: Sledding in the park with King Ralph, M and her guy</span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1KwZm9laTr_aYJTcMHw_EEWatkrv98d9-" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1KwZm9laTr_aYJTcMHw_EEWatkrv98d9-" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">February: Traveling to Washington DC to meet my great nephew</span><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1uHvdc0Noe2t86TCTZ2J3IqvndNIbvzRc" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1uHvdc0Noe2t86TCTZ2J3IqvndNIbvzRc" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">March: A spring break trip south to the beach in “The Vessel” to soak up the sun renewed my fighting spirit </span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1N6Rk6t2wg-yylfHO95h6F0l7o1eWlga5" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1N6Rk6t2wg-yylfHO95h6F0l7o1eWlga5" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">April: The Make-A-Wish 5k that I walk every year with my constant walking pal was tiring for me, but it was for cause nearest and dearest to my heart</span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1n7v9olqIG71ttYXQieWSCBLh-rCW-j3w" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1n7v9olqIG71ttYXQieWSCBLh-rCW-j3w" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">May and June: Cashing in our Christmas gift request of “the gift of time”</span><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1B1nha8iLkcJ7mIFKyzid8Yh4Gkgr8w5_" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1B1nha8iLkcJ7mIFKyzid8Yh4Gkgr8w5_" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1G98cy8sl_KwowQA5MJYrBavspfwUMdKO" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1G98cy8sl_KwowQA5MJYrBavspfwUMdKO" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">July and August: Seeing all the wedding planning come together, with a shower and the wedding on Jekyll Island</span><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jjwJQZkVmIepBwWrqvWZZHKbI2_FynDM" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jjwJQZkVmIepBwWrqvWZZHKbI2_FynDM" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br class=""></span><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qBAV9nayAZBgVJAy881IQ0EOtzbEHPyx" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qBAV9nayAZBgVJAy881IQ0EOtzbEHPyx" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">July also gave us some escape time to chase lighthouses in the U-P of Michigan and to get in some hiking </span><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XmPVwq8Kc4p9stI9D4GHrf44n6yXZGJu" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XmPVwq8Kc4p9stI9D4GHrf44n6yXZGJu" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">October: Celebrated D turning 25 years old in our traditional fashion of dinner and the theater</span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rnusFolQU4KGYijsS0bMbPmA72uomlq5" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rnusFolQU4KGYijsS0bMbPmA72uomlq5" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">November and December: The months were all about family…and food! </span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=180LUaPpCEpzwOKhXkpm_jPWnDHEM3J-C" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=180LUaPpCEpzwOKhXkpm_jPWnDHEM3J-C" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If I were to say I’d never look back at 2019, well that would be a fib. As hard as this year has been it taught me to appreciate my friends more, love my family bigger and pause to soak in the small things. I stop to dance in the bathroom when I am readying for work, spend hours putting a puzzle together, </span><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1IdUNg2vQByZvK3jTHvEA83dshLk3bqsv" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1IdUNg2vQByZvK3jTHvEA83dshLk3bqsv" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">watch a bit of frivolous television, walk to the coffee shop and read under the sun in a lawn chair...you know pause to love life just a little more...reminding myself the joys of being a survivor.</span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br class=""></span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With that said, I look forward to making more memories being made in the new year. So bring on 2020! </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ready or not here I come! </span></font></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-23448483464203740382019-11-02T20:20:00.001-05:002019-11-02T20:20:58.921-05:00Strike. Tag. You’re it.
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When I was trapped in my mother-in-law’s sewing room on a warm summer day for eight hours I found trash (tons) and treasures. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One (wo)man’s junk is another (wo)man’s treasure. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That age old saying had me loading trash bags and boxes for never ending hauls to the dumpster. King Ralph was on the move faster than I could sort through the hoard. That day was physically hard on me...that’s a story for another day, but I found one item that I knew would become an ongoing source of laughter to us girls. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The. Doll. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My girls are totally creeped by old dolls! So when I came upon a doll of no value I knew it was time the prank train began. The doll is only made creepier by the exaggerated eye shadow, blinking eyes and blush, her poorly coiffed hair, along with her 1950s era under garments. The creepy doll started showing up in places none of us expected. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The night we arrived home from Princess A’s wedding I was crawling in bed completely exhausted when I noticed the doll staring at me. The doll had been wedged behind the wall mounted TV, it’s creepy head staring at me. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The doll has been tucked into beds, left in a car’s backseat...and today I stuffed it in M’s puppy’s tote bag. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was hours after M was home that I got a text with the picture of the creepy doll and the word “bitch” typed below. I just laugh. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=129jz5ZopsQhoJzjTA7qrepwF2AhO6cBn" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=129jz5ZopsQhoJzjTA7qrepwF2AhO6cBn" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Till dolly strikes again. </span></font></span></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-64152120409810413702019-11-01T06:25:00.001-05:002019-11-01T06:25:17.695-05:00You’ve Got to Live With A Smile
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I often wonder these days how people can let self created anger and despair rule their life, emotions, ability to function.... </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I question why people believe physical things, instead of memories keep a person “alive.” (I’m not talking genuine memento like a family heirloom). </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why holding onto useless, unwanted items has meaning, but no purpose. It’s such a sad, sad state of being to be stuck in...such a dark place...to chose to be weighed down by physical items. To think, to believe, all those items will weigh down the very thing(s) that is altering the ability to live, really live, live with genuine happiness and purpose in life. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is exactly what we don’t feel...this exactly how we don’t live our lives here in our meager castle. This is, however; how people we are directly connected to are living their lives. Because of this, their saddened state has put us in a turmoiled holding pattern. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To alienate one’s self and make everyone else desire to alienate themselves from you can make for a lonely life. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To die young and tragic I can see stunting life. To have lived long with unhealthy life practices should not be viewed as tragic or unexpected. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where there’s life death is the inevitable. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where there is life, live...with purpose, with understanding, with joy. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While some are over in a corner with the lights off, you’ll find King Ralph and I, and our princesses, out exploring the light of the world. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You have to live with a smile to die happy. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just saying. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="file:///Attachment.png" alt="Attachment.png"></span></font></span></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-32137429418995581302019-10-20T10:16:00.000-05:002019-10-20T10:16:07.423-05:00Laughter and Love Some days, gloomy days, it is nice to just reminisce.
Reminisce I do. <div><br></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Qtq359wA4XVYuZi_2lW3lsbWP6bUzgvD" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Qtq359wA4XVYuZi_2lW3lsbWP6bUzgvD" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-54905987985063921412019-10-15T21:10:00.000-05:002019-10-15T21:10:57.820-05:00Temporarily Interrupted
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-Lf8163a9wYRj0GV7An9pMuP940qQrau" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-Lf8163a9wYRj0GV7An9pMuP940qQrau" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I drafted this post in late June. It has sat idle in my notes for months. While it’s sat there life has had its highs: Princess A married her Prince Charming. It’s lows: King Ralph lost his mother. It’s had its questionable too. All the while I still occasionally question the questionable. Then I pause to reflect. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">—————————</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was the last day of the school semester, a half-day for students. I concocted this plan to bounce out of work early by scheduling a mammogram. It was a brilliant plan! An easy excuse to get winter break rolling a bit early. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Or was it?</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had skipped over, consciously I might add, my female wellness care the previous year. No real reason, just wasn’t in the doctor kind of mood. So when I was informed of the need for a 3-D mammogram and possible ultra sound, I chalked it up to my dense breast tissue.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How do you put into words that one thing in your life that you never want to hear, and when you hear it it is like taking a punch to the gut? I don’t know that I’ll ever have the words to graphically describe my sweet young</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> doctor telling me I had breast cancer. Actually what I heard was “invasive ductal carcinoma” followed by “breast cancer.” I’m guessing saying it like that feels a little less jarring than just saying “BREAST. CANCER.” Because when I heard that diagnosis its volume really came across in slow motion caps—BBBBRRREEEEAAAASSSSSTTTT CANNNNCERRRRR. Not the softness of calming lowercase letters—ba-rest can-cer. I completely sensed the dread in my doctor’s tone. She was springing this on me just after we met. As my previous doctor was in the retirement process. She completely sensed my tears. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> I was home alone when I got that news. While still listening to my doctor I tapped on our family group text and sent a message— “I’m crying.” Nothing more. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I cried that night till the skin under my eyes burned. No amount of cool packs eased the burning sensation my tears had left on my skin. No amount of hugs comforted my aching and confused heart. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was the next day that the ball started rolling...scheduling doctors appointments, followed by more testing, blood draws, flashing my boobs like a stripper to just about anyone who walked through a door. I was collecting doctors like some people collect coins or stamps. Then before I could blink a hunk of my boob was sliced away and the other boob got an overhaul to match up. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Three days after surgery I took the bandages off...I felt like Dr. Frankenstein had gotten to me. It was Frankenstein’s best work I’d say, but still, I was a sea of sutures and sterie strips. I started wondering if I wore sleeveless or strapless tops if my sentinel node scar would draw attention. By day six I started to think these scars will be my trophy of a battle conquered. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here’s what I learned while battling cancer: people are innately kind. I was overwhelmed, at times almost embarrassed, by the kindness I received. Meals delivered to me. Gift cards. Bracelets reminding me to “warrior” on up and “keep fucking going.” Some gifts were meant to make me laugh, reminding me (as I practiced between tear spells) that laughter is the best medicine. A dozen boob cupcakes were delivered on the day I came home from the hospital and left me with no choice but to laugh. Even simple cards with notes of thought and encouragement filled my mailbox. All this from the select people I chose to share this gut punch with. Even co-workers who learned of my cancer as I rolled into surgery supported me. I closed my eyes and counted the blessings of having good friends, kind co-workers, a loving family, a supportive spouse and daughters in my life. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There was a month of radiation. I worked while going through treatment. Rushing every day from work to the Cancer Center. The experience I told my radiation techs was a cross between being a page out of the children’s book “Harold and the Purple Crayon” and feeling like a geriatric stripper. I was a sea of purple makings with my scarred bits on show every day at 3:30pm. The fatigue of that experience I liken to pulling a log behind me while going uphill. I had days were I fell into bed for 13 hour sleeps. There was radiation rash, my nipple swelled and one blister. Through it all I pulled that log up and over the hill. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The day of my last treatment I walked in the house fighting back tears. Why did I have this urge to cry? I’d cried enough prior to surgery and the weeks after (although those tears were shed in private, mostly in the shower). Then it hit me. I wanted to cry tears of relief. A cathartic cry. The hard part was over. But you know what? I refused to allow myself to release the flood gates. I chose instead to smile. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then the calendar flipped another month. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I met with my radiation oncologist one last time and she released me. I was given my cancer survivor plan. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I. Am. Cancer. Free.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Feels so good to say!</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A few weeks ago I attended the breast cancer walk for the first time. Not only was it for the first time, but I was attending as a survivor. I grappled with the idea of asking every friend and family member who supported me to join me. To sport my creatively constructed t-shirt. Then I decided, with careful thought, to walk with my hubby (the shoulder I leaned on most), my daughters (who’s medical history has been changed by me) and their guys and my best friend (who told me she cried as hard for me the day I got the news as I cried for myself). I wanted to ripple the waves of emotions I wasn’t sure how to navigate with just those few select people. I wanted to learn how to stand amongst so many other women in a club none of us chose to join. It is stirring to the heart of hope to stand by those other women. There was even tears of joy and guilt. My guilt was that I stood a survivor next to those walking to commemorate a loved one’s battle lost. A battle I conquered.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the next five years every time I pop a pill in my mouth, go to the oncologist or breast surgeon or get a mammogram, or massage my lymphedema, I’ll be reminded of my breast cancer. I’ll think in my mind,maybe even say aloud in a questioning kind of tone, “ I had breast cancer.” </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Breast cancer shaped me. It does not define me. It’s a disease I had to embrace, a life speed bump I had to roll over. It was an experience that taught me the lesson and importance of a mammogram. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One last question. Have you had your mammogram this year? </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here’s my questionable. I have had many friends who, because of my diagnosis, scheduled their overdue mammograms. I gifted my friend who had lapsed twelve years at her yearly mammogram a t-shirt that read “Mammograms Matter.” Before I could gift another of my friends who lapsed one year at her mammogram a t-shirt...I instead find myself holding her hand and giving her the same support she gave me. Although our journeys are different and each our own, their sameness is: breast cancer. But like me my friend will warrior up and conquer the battle. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Please join me (and my friend) in wearing pink this month as we recognize this disease and aim towards a cure. </span></font></span></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-45827045742706759682019-10-13T20:25:00.001-05:002019-10-13T20:25:15.994-05:00They Had Me at Paris
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They said “come with us to Paris for the weekend!” Paris? For the weekend? Why not! Live life with spontaneity we told ourselves. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Visions of lattes sipped at sweet outdoor cafes, while noshing on croissants slathered in rich creamy French butter, and saying “merci” to the wait staff danced in my head. Scarves draped delicately around my neck in the fashion only a Parisian can do so effortlessly. Visiting museums full of history and art. The night ending with a glass of bold red French wine, staring out at the Eiffel Tower glowing under a full moon. Aaaahhhh, Paris. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well...wrong vision. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Turns out M and her man needed clean acceptable accommodations for a wedding they were invited to in—Paris, MISSOURI. In all my years of living in Missouri I had never heard of Paris, Missouri. M claimed the only motel in town was a “roach motel” and could we please go camping with them so they could have five star accommodations. King Ralph’s soft spot for his daughter had the RV loaded and rolling down the highway on Friday by 3:45pm. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Paris of our weekend was mugs of Starbuck’s French roast coffee brewed in the Mr. Coffee pot sipped by a morning campfire, pancakes cooked on the Blackstone with tabs of Land O’Lake butter. There was definitely a scarf around my neck as the fall temperatures took a plummet. And...the best resemblance of an Eiffel Tower in Paris, Missouri was the water tower. </span><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1K0XD9ktiVwmQPYTOc5PEYqWST91c4-5U" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1K0XD9ktiVwmQPYTOc5PEYqWST91c4-5U" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While not the Paris I first envisioned...this Paris was perfect. The company was good. There was the unexpected-came-upon a Missouri Historical Site—the birth place and two-room cabin of Samuel Clemons aka “Mark Twain,” in Florida (Who knew you could trek to Florida in Missouri?). The cabin was moved and preserved inside the building which was resurrected around the cabin. Mark Twain’s life was interesting. I learned a lot...more than I thought I knew about him. We took in beautiful views of Mark Twain Lake on a few short walks. Our exploring time was limited as there was a wedding to ready for.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1570uGf-j9R_30RRSZw0EjFN6WOAhGAu-" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1570uGf-j9R_30RRSZw0EjFN6WOAhGAu-" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(giving literal meaning to “glamping”) </span><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">King Ralph and I played country Uber drivers on Saturday night. Woke on Sunday with a lazy, but relaxing intent to the day before packing up to head home. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qd3IbVGUNo2xH79XO0n5fFQWHp65CI7v" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qd3IbVGUNo2xH79XO0n5fFQWHp65CI7v" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just like that our weekend in Paris was over. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Paris, jusqu'à ce qu'on se revoie.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="file:///Attachment.png" alt="Attachment.png"></span></font></span></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-89339929003925757252019-10-08T19:48:00.001-05:002019-10-08T19:48:51.712-05:00The Escape Plan
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><p><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: center; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YbL_VC9U4Katdhr03V6W3r3-YT62cqhx" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YbL_VC9U4Katdhr03V6W3r3-YT62cqhx" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></span></font></p></p><p class="p2"><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last week King Ralph and I decided we reached our limit of dealing with the stresses of life. Stresses that we didn’t create, nor invite into our lives, but there they were weighing us down. We needed to escape to the woods. As luck would have it we scored a last minute campsite reservation at our favorite state park campground. If that wasn’t enough luck, Mother Nature decided to let fall feel like fall. Friday night was heavenly! The air was crisp and the sky twinkled with stars. Saturday the morning was cool and the afternoon was warm sun. It’ll be weeks before fall looks like fall due to a very wet summer. I will gladly take the feel and wait patiently for the look. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We packed sweatshirts, sweatpants and shorts. King Ralph loaded us up with firewood. I tossed foods from the house (no special meals planned, no grocery shopping required) into The Vessel’s frig. I grabbed a six pack of Octoberfest beer and a bottle of red wine and we hit the highway. It felt spontaneous and rebel-like...throwing all cares to the wind.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had a crazy work week (when is middle school not crazy?). Friday started on a very static note, escape was calling my name. As the sun set on Friday, campfires sparked. The most beautiful campground vision is looking out to see fire after fire after fire glowing in the dark night. Then to see fall morning fires burning, smoke billowing in the air as campers lazed in chairs with a hot beverages in hand, moms with messy buns and ponytails.... </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mmmmm I love fall camping. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love smoking salmon over red glowing embers of an evening fire. I love the smell of bacon in the morning air cooking on Blackstones and Coleman stoves. I love watching kids ride their bikes and swivel boards around and around, families playing yard games or cards on a picnic table.... Why is playing outside a play form lost these days?!</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A couple walked by our site on Saturday afternoon asking, “are you two having a competition of who can be the laziest?” That question alone let me realize our weekend goal was met! </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are refueled and ready to take on the week.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Till the next campground...</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-10109165642224489792018-01-23T19:44:00.001-06:002018-01-23T21:49:41.288-06:00And the Oscar goes to...To know me means you know my obsession with the Oscars. I love the movies! Every year I make it a mission to see every film nominated for best picture. I'm terribly sad The Greatest Showman did not make the list. I adored that movie. I adored it as much as I loved La La Land...which lost out to that dreadfully painful movie Moonlight. <div><br></div><div>I will try, without great effort, to see a few of the movies which garnered best actor and actress nods. I'm torn on I, Tonya. Is it wrong that I feel a sense of the movie glamorizing Tonya Harding? I mean she wasn't completely innocent, in my opinion. She wasn't exactly received well (or with applause) when Allison Janney announced at the Golden Globes, as she accepted her prized statue, that Tonya was in the room. With that said....</div><div><div><br></div><div>People I'm on a roll. </div></div><div><br></div><div><div>Best Picture Nominations 2018 </div><div>(⭐️ = my present favorite film) </div><div><br></div><div>Call Me By Your Name</div><div><br></div><div>Darkest Hour</div><div><br></div><div>Dunkirk ✔️</div><div><br></div><div>Get Out ✔️</div><div><br></div><div>Lady Bird</div><div><br></div><div>Phantom Thread ✔️</div><div><br></div><div>The Post</div><div><br></div><div>The Shape of Water ✔️</div><div><br></div><div>Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri ✔️⭐️</div></div><div><br></div><div>For the love of God can the accountants of the PwC accounting firm get it right this year?!</div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-29707378275686577832018-01-18T21:20:00.001-06:002018-01-20T20:41:07.871-06:00Text Time<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Te</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">xting. It's how we all seem to communicate these days. I'm guilty of face timing D over the Christmas break from my bedroom upstairs to her in her bedroom downstairs. Pathetic, I know! Actually I was just harassing her because I then face timed M who was across the hall in her bedroom. My face time was me just staring at them, not saying a word until I started laughing. Me just being a goof. </span></div><div><br></div><div>My favorite is texting with Princess A. She no longer dwells in our castle. I can't just come home and tell her my stories. So I text. </div><div><br></div><div>Here is Monday's text: </div><div>Me: When I was checking out at the grocery store from buying mucho antibacterial products, I told the checker she may want to use some hand sanitizer after checking out my stuff, everyone at my house has the flu, but me and my husband. The checker says to me the bagger, who was a 70-year-old man, and I quote her--"he just told me he had the flu last week and had diarrhea so bad he couldn't even make it to the toilet." I just looked at her and said "TMI." Why?! Why did she need to tell me that?!!! </div><div><br></div><div><div>Alee: Lol she’s just being personable </div><div><br></div><div>Me: Personable? Personable is "How are you today? Did you find every thing you needed?" Not--the bagger shit his pants last week. LOL </div></div><div><br></div><div>Here's Tuesday's text:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yDMwBZhZX2oEPiuDN9FKWCodhm2BoRB3PsJp-mSgs_3QIJt-7o0rSF56ybrCAPIL9T_WwaKuJX9dUTBupWR23bsBaEuah6wgyd3tVwvj5-S5XMcn-9xftO6-SKQSIEQ7h6jNCg/s640/blogger-image--509601637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yDMwBZhZX2oEPiuDN9FKWCodhm2BoRB3PsJp-mSgs_3QIJt-7o0rSF56ybrCAPIL9T_WwaKuJX9dUTBupWR23bsBaEuah6wgyd3tVwvj5-S5XMcn-9xftO6-SKQSIEQ7h6jNCg/s640/blogger-image--509601637.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY1k5Ns-gUXJYfpn-kKJDnPFLQwQYqsK4pyITgnfjVIHsmKPmYG2Dc8qBurge2eLjhdVX3LlALGJvHB9vNgSKByU9tUfFwUrAOgOGDpT32vv1dP6ICnBgdbMJnodxMDAhxJHkvw/s640/blogger-image-1864904237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY1k5Ns-gUXJYfpn-kKJDnPFLQwQYqsK4pyITgnfjVIHsmKPmYG2Dc8qBurge2eLjhdVX3LlALGJvHB9vNgSKByU9tUfFwUrAOgOGDpT32vv1dP6ICnBgdbMJnodxMDAhxJHkvw/s640/blogger-image-1864904237.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6wPOxxxb8A7WU8hzGHJrEI0esO1o5FGpD5XYgNCMoTzspxbC9veMkAcumz6j9YVrrgj4rJ3ngQNQWJ4VkRYo1zvpmOxOfDBJT_VHzTYmLaUsNbllb3SvZSFnm7mu_Iv0UsiKJA/s640/blogger-image-1871275367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6wPOxxxb8A7WU8hzGHJrEI0esO1o5FGpD5XYgNCMoTzspxbC9veMkAcumz6j9YVrrgj4rJ3ngQNQWJ4VkRYo1zvpmOxOfDBJT_VHzTYmLaUsNbllb3SvZSFnm7mu_Iv0UsiKJA/s640/blogger-image-1871275367.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U6416PTqt6If5JbHFE-NTfL0vaWPddG7NedkxKMrA0_ak-a7Uo3woH62BKwLNZmrsjW0COBX90ZydZXl__jFm-HUS95ntDi9DPchvPutCHMpW2VqoOBMPsMeq21qJ1yk04ALhw/s640/blogger-image--758665012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U6416PTqt6If5JbHFE-NTfL0vaWPddG7NedkxKMrA0_ak-a7Uo3woH62BKwLNZmrsjW0COBX90ZydZXl__jFm-HUS95ntDi9DPchvPutCHMpW2VqoOBMPsMeq21qJ1yk04ALhw/s640/blogger-image--758665012.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAUrLi3tMm-DfR9UWfn_Ymyhc0ZiIVMg4yd-UV3cn6towQJcJzzKcGB6bb1n-RiPD4SuyJ9401oN48NOsm6nISThSTD68zqM0dQJdUqZtvJFWUYD91gtEEp004_S3smMgZ8_t0w/s640/blogger-image--573592036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAUrLi3tMm-DfR9UWfn_Ymyhc0ZiIVMg4yd-UV3cn6towQJcJzzKcGB6bb1n-RiPD4SuyJ9401oN48NOsm6nISThSTD68zqM0dQJdUqZtvJFWUYD91gtEEp004_S3smMgZ8_t0w/s640/blogger-image--573592036.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIdUmtkwd5WEhm-sr2HW91HufZku7Df35yunV78EVfBmKyznusN-Lt1hGqt__Y3xFaMBP0F34aktOUSl472PIJhHBrN3caqM1yp7zl3quHjSNPs-JsZeLBnfzhOdaUG3ZGY3ZrQ/s640/blogger-image-226046639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIdUmtkwd5WEhm-sr2HW91HufZku7Df35yunV78EVfBmKyznusN-Lt1hGqt__Y3xFaMBP0F34aktOUSl472PIJhHBrN3caqM1yp7zl3quHjSNPs-JsZeLBnfzhOdaUG3ZGY3ZrQ/s640/blogger-image-226046639.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdF-5U2mOJ-yCcrILECRAaZ8aQRYTqzs67ueh1V-wYc1ESrMAw87kLX5hbnExLQUcKzy4eZdH-JHlfo35mR0iVFmofJCLFJ-MmyCnREobYP5WnKZ_RKLSMe0KvMv3g30iysQvLcg/s640/blogger-image--1079020204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdF-5U2mOJ-yCcrILECRAaZ8aQRYTqzs67ueh1V-wYc1ESrMAw87kLX5hbnExLQUcKzy4eZdH-JHlfo35mR0iVFmofJCLFJ-MmyCnREobYP5WnKZ_RKLSMe0KvMv3g30iysQvLcg/s640/blogger-image--1079020204.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm happy to report the germ couch dwellers are upright, back to work, and still coughing. Their function meter is slow. M said she was tad crabby towards her students, but overall they survived. I survived! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-14377784793144849442018-01-15T13:01:00.001-06:002018-01-15T13:37:04.534-06:00If Only<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CQPNRAGUgKoAM93AMqLg-QC4dl-BlhbYVbC1KqTAuquJFix9e99KdNCYf3fIhWDNyWhYvIZl1NsVry52SyEApEe-jAgtsIDJSh6HF6YdPoX4oSV6ljPmsLBjXOdRy1dzbvPNPg/s640/blogger-image-1784820383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CQPNRAGUgKoAM93AMqLg-QC4dl-BlhbYVbC1KqTAuquJFix9e99KdNCYf3fIhWDNyWhYvIZl1NsVry52SyEApEe-jAgtsIDJSh6HF6YdPoX4oSV6ljPmsLBjXOdRy1dzbvPNPg/s640/blogger-image-1784820383.jpg"></a></div>Today's one of those days I would've called my grandma. I can hear her voice in my head. She'd pick up the phone. I'd say, "Hi, Grandma", all cheery. She'd say in her feeble worn out voice, "Oh, Jodi, what's new with you?" I'd start by telling her it snowed less than an inch last night and she'd tell me it snowed 3-4 inches by her and how pretty it looks out her window. Then we'd talk till it exhausted her and my heart would be full.<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I miss that so much. </span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I miss her so much.<br></font><div><div><br></div><div>Today I just really want to tell her how, while King Ralph, Prince Charming and I are avoiding the flu, the girls are going down one by one. First Princess A last week, then M on Saturday night and D today. It's a near epidemic here in Missouri. The girls are now part of the staggering statistic. Telling my grandma about the girls--good or bad news--filled her too. </div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I just drove D to the doctor to be tested. We both had on masks. Although the heater was on, the windows were cracked--letting fresh-freezing-feels-like-12*-outside-cold-air circulate the germs right out the window! Then I went to the store stocked up on Lysol wipes and spray, disposable hand towels for the bathroom and Kleenex. Lots and lots of Kleenex. </div><div><br></div><div>In this fantasy phone conversation I would have with my grandma I'd tell her I already made a crock pot of soup this morning. Soup is the mom's medicine. My grandma would tell me exactly what she ate for breakfast. She'd then tell me how the flu was running through Manor Care and they were quarantined for at least two weeks. Because every winter we'd have that same conversation--about her meals and the flu. Then she'd tell me she loved me and I say I loved her. Then she'd say tell the girls to take care and she would say "love you" once more and I say I would call next week.</div><div><br></div><div>Would. </div><div><br></div><div>Wish I could.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But I can't. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And that's alright. Its life. I have memories. Beautiful, beautiful, heart warming memories. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This is where this story has to end. Because, well, I've got to get to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription of Tamiflu. <sigh> </span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-85936917935447461442018-01-14T18:21:00.001-06:002018-01-14T18:42:42.752-06:00Enter At Your Own Risk<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1VDbN5Sz02c-4IhB3TE1Nr0KosKe4uVIJKbOVZQ0auWiTzS7UgJSFBzR7rMKVxuJvHNghe05qr727dkZgeFZ__CVnO4TIS04L5HnHa4ymBIxQ1p51lrghXn81Y1yZU5vwNAcYQ/s640/blogger-image-1275444326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1VDbN5Sz02c-4IhB3TE1Nr0KosKe4uVIJKbOVZQ0auWiTzS7UgJSFBzR7rMKVxuJvHNghe05qr727dkZgeFZ__CVnO4TIS04L5HnHa4ymBIxQ1p51lrghXn81Y1yZU5vwNAcYQ/s640/blogger-image-1275444326.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Number of daughters: 3<div>Number of daughters who got their flu shots: 2 </div><div>Number of daughters who got flu shot that tested positive for type A flu: 2 </div><div>Number of daughters who didn't get flu shot who remain healthy: 1 </div><div>Number of daughters who live at home that tested positive for the flu: 1 </div><div><br></div><div>And their mother. She remains quarantined in her bedroom ordering additional surgical masks off Amazon.</div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-65783807894070197522018-01-05T20:53:00.001-06:002018-01-05T21:25:42.166-06:0017 to 18. Goodbye, Hello.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0HtNcvgm9wYlUzrCuCmOI5WFW9cx6XddotX_zpV8l4DD8f5jE6JZ3hAj4MrxsL4Q6fkSP5B6Ssfh6UQ4gTequwSgz4R49xnJ-xqYY7PAns386uHgz-q78rbhcoen4S0-u-u7HA/s640/blogger-image-1461994977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0HtNcvgm9wYlUzrCuCmOI5WFW9cx6XddotX_zpV8l4DD8f5jE6JZ3hAj4MrxsL4Q6fkSP5B6Ssfh6UQ4gTequwSgz4R49xnJ-xqYY7PAns386uHgz-q78rbhcoen4S0-u-u7HA/s640/blogger-image-1461994977.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNuxha01mwh6GDI1WesUUIJgaTWnRTQqM9gvVEGDkobXqMLyu9VFaK1-kR3ZnMKyNH9sbI0KKg1TchXWl5VqDD_oP4vW3vw3mO8fQbG_1T3xrx4VtpKvM6NFndgle8Jgzf8hDHw/s640/blogger-image-697922772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNuxha01mwh6GDI1WesUUIJgaTWnRTQqM9gvVEGDkobXqMLyu9VFaK1-kR3ZnMKyNH9sbI0KKg1TchXWl5VqDD_oP4vW3vw3mO8fQbG_1T3xrx4VtpKvM6NFndgle8Jgzf8hDHw/s640/blogger-image-697922772.jpg"></a></div>2017 where did you go? You came and went in the blink of an eye. You brought the bad and the good. You brought triumph and celebration. You brought us to the top of mountains and down into canyons. You brought laughter and tears. You gave and you took.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm laying here on the couch gazing at our Christmas tree that will come down this weekend. We keep the tree up till Epiphany. The mere idea of the tree coming down leaves me longing for it to be Christmas again. I know some are probably thinking <i>why would anyone wish for it to be Christmas again </i>with all the added stresses the holiday can seem to bring. I don't know why, except to say Christmas allows me to reminisce, it allows to build and store fresh new memories. Memories of my childhood Chicago Christmases at my grandparents's house or the ornaments that hang on our tree that we've collected along our world travels offers reflections of great times, and now the vintage ornaments I inherited from my late grandmother hang carefully on our tree. All those things warm my heart. Watching Hallmark Christmas movies with my daughters, while King Ralph moans "they're all different, but the same" enduring every last one with a [pained] smile. Shopping for carefully thought out gifts for our daughters, Prince Charming, nieces and nephew...each gift wrapped with hand made bows. Watching the excitement of them each opening something they hoped for or the pure joy of something totally unexpected. Planning our traditional Christmas Eve dinner--using the china dishes and crystal glasses, dressing up...celebrating styled like the Rockefeller's. Burning an almost unending supply of pine scented candles that fills the house with an aroma liken to standing in the forest. Lights strung that glow on the eve of the house, wreaths that hang on the windows and front door. Just as December 25 came and went in the blink of an eye, all the holiday decor will be boxed up and neatly tucked away. The lights will go dark and the wreaths will come down. We will be left waiting for Christmas 2018. </div><div><br></div><div>Here we are five days into 2018...please be as good, if not better to us! Let work feel less like work and more like a job. Let hearts heal loss and defeat. Let the conflicted souls that of recent seep into our once comfortable world find the courage to seek out professional help. Let us spend more time with friends. Let us laugh and love more. Let us explore new lands, enjoy cocktails by a campfire and hikes on grounds our feet have never touched. Let us feel rich, but not in money. (Although if we win the lottery I wouldn't mind. lol) </div><div><br></div><div>Then I will close my eyes, open them and boom the bright lights of Christmas will glow once again...and another year will pass. </div><div><br></div><div>If I pass by and say to you "Happy New Year!" Know I mean every ounce of the word "happy!" </div><div><br></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-74638481304626885902017-08-27T08:44:00.001-05:002017-09-17T11:50:20.730-05:00Wander on WanderlustIt's time for summer vacation adventure stories! <div><br></div><div>After leaving the beautiful Grand Canyon NP we rolled The Wanderlust up and over the mountains to Zion National Park. We stayed at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch. The RV sites were a tad tight, but the ranch amenities were fabulous. We actually didn't take advantage of many of them...mainly just the pool, hot tub, complimentary pool towels and the laundry room (which needed about five more machines to match the size of the ranch vs guest ratio). <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYneCMErhho1FKD6t9fB6leXjGJP_Vy1ltMP_H3G66H86t11zQ3REVxvRjc9UKvDgwdMWjUpdV3ReCJd08DrOiJhxj1wlrruYSFKoGRDQjaey1-MXgQlTaTr7jyPcD6jenO1MQQ/s640/blogger-image--1268675844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYneCMErhho1FKD6t9fB6leXjGJP_Vy1ltMP_H3G66H86t11zQ3REVxvRjc9UKvDgwdMWjUpdV3ReCJd08DrOiJhxj1wlrruYSFKoGRDQjaey1-MXgQlTaTr7jyPcD6jenO1MQQ/s640/blogger-image--1268675844.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now that's a campground pool! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We spent most of our time inside the national park that was just down the road from the ranch. As soon as you pass the entrance kiosk Zion grabs the heart! The rock formations are magestic cathedrals, stealing all the oooo's and aaaahhh's that project from mouth. The mountain's peaks are the land's earthly steeples. Sometimes we even had to remind ourselves to breathe because the beauty surround had us holding breath. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One hike inpaticular really gave me cause to hold my breath: Angel's Landing. I knew heights were involved so I didn't allow myself much advance in depth research. I was going to just go in with my FDR quote that I keep tucked in my heart and mind, as I always do in the spirit of conquering my fear of heights--"the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." The Walter's Wiggles portion was strenuous elevation gaining switch backs--like most mountain trails. We all stopped from time to time to gaze out at the views AND catch our breath. Next was Scout's Landing. A nice large flat mountain top ridge to really take in the view and hydrate. Then onto Angels Landing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvxxVKXOK6g9c5DN1ctnMF564lUN243MetfYkV2qpy2_pV-BZXpjXTrFP15YMNBnvE7HcJSGROdZogg1igjRsrh2SCh3sHsdCSiA8YpxgbKR17FWYvqVAi7DbTqPrfVETZxRZ5A/s640/blogger-image--1899433470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvxxVKXOK6g9c5DN1ctnMF564lUN243MetfYkV2qpy2_pV-BZXpjXTrFP15YMNBnvE7HcJSGROdZogg1igjRsrh2SCh3sHsdCSiA8YpxgbKR17FWYvqVAi7DbTqPrfVETZxRZ5A/s640/blogger-image--1899433470.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWukTAYrgfbqiaSLuQqGkmi9xteRSYfswHyWt_ATe4cGbzKUirg01snCWEIkNdnhjO7ca1NH848Xgi379m99qxj5jGZThYTg7BmMyuMGPyNtIloXzC_RtjiyfcZBFFVjFKI663Q/s640/blogger-image-1827719712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWukTAYrgfbqiaSLuQqGkmi9xteRSYfswHyWt_ATe4cGbzKUirg01snCWEIkNdnhjO7ca1NH848Xgi379m99qxj5jGZThYTg7BmMyuMGPyNtIloXzC_RtjiyfcZBFFVjFKI663Q/s640/blogger-image-1827719712.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The girls went first with the gumption of youthful spirit. King Ralph position himself behind me as we took to the chains. The chains. Eek. There we were grabbing tightly to chains hammered into the side of the mountain. I made it two chain sections in--about 20 ft, when my senses told me, NO! And I turned around. It wasn't going to matter how many times I chanted the FDR quote to myself, it wasn't going to happen! M and D made it all the way! D said it was M who kept her going because turning around was constantly flashing in her mind. She said she wasn't leaving her sister alone up there. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn1Q4l2wqd-xmiPGrQnbmRcobEa70crhKz1NPYWE1Sf8H2W4hk6XHcT9SI5qunMDxjcw6NPdSddt7IhQ5yGd7D876sEmB0A9R66hY8jqFTizFu3fSpZTlE0nhQ1O7P_xp4YWaDA/s640/blogger-image-433257591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn1Q4l2wqd-xmiPGrQnbmRcobEa70crhKz1NPYWE1Sf8H2W4hk6XHcT9SI5qunMDxjcw6NPdSddt7IhQ5yGd7D876sEmB0A9R66hY8jqFTizFu3fSpZTlE0nhQ1O7P_xp4YWaDA/s640/blogger-image-433257591.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was when we returned home to STL that I finally watched YouTube videos posted of the trail. Yep. Turning around was smart for me! I can't even watch the videos a second time. They creep the ^*+= out of me!!! To think my girls made the summit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also hiked The Narrows. The beauty of the slot canyons and hiking in the river is breathtaking! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwmlWxE4JdPMgWj_DBzAElpwE0tDnmjus-BC9gF0ORLLkqhC70brlG1dRNwbMqt9uwcPC0VREolbnGKRSkmyMaPOGl2QLcpT7jZx7swy1N8nGAMUnXSk52TiJsxW63hXwEk92Qg/s640/blogger-image--1623358028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwmlWxE4JdPMgWj_DBzAElpwE0tDnmjus-BC9gF0ORLLkqhC70brlG1dRNwbMqt9uwcPC0VREolbnGKRSkmyMaPOGl2QLcpT7jZx7swy1N8nGAMUnXSk52TiJsxW63hXwEk92Qg/s640/blogger-image--1623358028.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But nothing, nothing, compared to the strength of courage given to Angels Landing. Even when you don't make the summit. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Before leaving Zion M treated us to a day of ATVing in the dessert of Utah's Sand Hollow State Park. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxz3Efq2KKAzU3yU0Q5TCTXDjpHBWenUvyW-RBnF-JWx963uIbQJk3wGcqd5Q8iUrMdz9GhJG5fAV3ZxLKDG8N7IvncNOVaBEIhDhEx2DH-dUsXPkgAbfQ1lYNYddZgiWddCRdw/s640/blogger-image--1674897262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxz3Efq2KKAzU3yU0Q5TCTXDjpHBWenUvyW-RBnF-JWx963uIbQJk3wGcqd5Q8iUrMdz9GhJG5fAV3ZxLKDG8N7IvncNOVaBEIhDhEx2DH-dUsXPkgAbfQ1lYNYddZgiWddCRdw/s640/blogger-image--1674897262.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYOEHKqovaXYAFfjCaLbtIjifWUIiaERaYwmOinhPIjB_K6jI585ngM6ACQvxvjlQo1FK2ynQE-7iE4K1m4pSklQcnaW24D0qCh1uIU8hBuVg02A1fwTE_gmo2tQbWB5mS7iPag/s640/blogger-image-15518710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYOEHKqovaXYAFfjCaLbtIjifWUIiaERaYwmOinhPIjB_K6jI585ngM6ACQvxvjlQo1FK2ynQE-7iE4K1m4pSklQcnaW24D0qCh1uIU8hBuVg02A1fwTE_gmo2tQbWB5mS7iPag/s640/blogger-image-15518710.jpg"></a></div></div> It was such an awesome experience it made it easy to forget the temperature reached 107*. After, we sipped local craft beers on a patio with a beautiful view of Zion's mountain scape <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdC5FE1jRI7Jd2EZ-pc63qNZ-ZT87CQJ-KmR_BA40AhCdsBlvNho4iL8pWIQQyXl9mX4gK3jebdP_lVxZ9NIoTxpxXMyMY2ZnkvNO0i7mss_-3bLUjIiCZhN1dhD9AXeURkamIQ/s640/blogger-image--502881791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdC5FE1jRI7Jd2EZ-pc63qNZ-ZT87CQJ-KmR_BA40AhCdsBlvNho4iL8pWIQQyXl9mX4gK3jebdP_lVxZ9NIoTxpxXMyMY2ZnkvNO0i7mss_-3bLUjIiCZhN1dhD9AXeURkamIQ/s640/blogger-image--502881791.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then it was time to wander again....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-29792186241012410662017-07-24T16:57:00.001-05:002017-07-24T16:57:10.076-05:00Vacation Stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Wanderlust has been unpacked, scrubbed clean and is back to the storage lot. As soon as I finish the laundry, and sweep up the desert sand that tracked us home, I'll tell you stories of great adventures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroy3q5JCYSTSTsNsIHTRvOOsh_75vT1IZOl7O5pMbPtKF3M39Zu4Jwkcd-M482i76W45NiPbhxKPenl-QAdAZ9SSiRcg5ynWnEkGcNxK0FYYzeruDBR5uQSdTxkFAkpHkLxEHfw/s640/blogger-image--92725476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroy3q5JCYSTSTsNsIHTRvOOsh_75vT1IZOl7O5pMbPtKF3M39Zu4Jwkcd-M482i76W45NiPbhxKPenl-QAdAZ9SSiRcg5ynWnEkGcNxK0FYYzeruDBR5uQSdTxkFAkpHkLxEHfw/s640/blogger-image--92725476.jpg"></a></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-7618825794187906122017-07-24T16:53:00.001-05:002017-07-25T15:31:28.214-05:00The Wanderlust Goes West to the CanyonsWe set out on the road three days later than planned. We were able to land a site in Amarillo at the campground we canceled on and missed one national park stop (Petrified Forest NP). We squeezed in a few roadside America stops. First we revisited The Groom Cross (D was not with us on our first visit) <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpVBPOC5obGskDpQApv-18dqWcS7xTTrZqCUjHGuCtmIDk8Q36i_uIIyuxKMQ87Od072yMIza3HvoQDP5VtmYmDprkJ-pTLU9kIPcqQl-SosvKY-7EyB6yo0a3BDCGTU6wIN_qg/s640/blogger-image--1870628173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpVBPOC5obGskDpQApv-18dqWcS7xTTrZqCUjHGuCtmIDk8Q36i_uIIyuxKMQ87Od072yMIza3HvoQDP5VtmYmDprkJ-pTLU9kIPcqQl-SosvKY-7EyB6yo0a3BDCGTU6wIN_qg/s640/blogger-image--1870628173.jpg"></a></div> and by "standing on the corner of Winslow, AZ." Completed only by a loud speaker blasting The Eagles tunes, of which we gals sang along to. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHyZJVBVBPkYvynLIB0mbHsHHk9EKQuZrdYS0u0XTTopN3fExr8FscE-wzYShCiHSO3-gSjksRXSE-etGAm2WNKygsoXPV8K8Z7scjEHqOWq6Ffy3V7cQNjCGwK1IQ4Bja1PyEQ/s640/blogger-image--690747770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHyZJVBVBPkYvynLIB0mbHsHHk9EKQuZrdYS0u0XTTopN3fExr8FscE-wzYShCiHSO3-gSjksRXSE-etGAm2WNKygsoXPV8K8Z7scjEHqOWq6Ffy3V7cQNjCGwK1IQ4Bja1PyEQ/s640/blogger-image--690747770.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We managed to get back on schedule and celebrated the Fourth of July at the Grand Canyon. No there weren't fireworks, but there burgers on the grill and potato salad...and old fashion sister silliness. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnO6-TD0iqtft7raVo0vu9qrf-5Z35pG60lt1h4WwDIKnhLHBtlMbmwbhFsowDYU3UvXSZS4fBCTEiWtvFExpaR1ficwZfGyxg2TyPGJLc7cMHeiqh8TAbbAL20UShltGD-s3CA/s640/blogger-image-2068131863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnO6-TD0iqtft7raVo0vu9qrf-5Z35pG60lt1h4WwDIKnhLHBtlMbmwbhFsowDYU3UvXSZS4fBCTEiWtvFExpaR1ficwZfGyxg2TyPGJLc7cMHeiqh8TAbbAL20UShltGD-s3CA/s640/blogger-image-2068131863.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div>The next morning we woke early to beat the summer heat and afternoon monsoon rain to hike the South Rim Trail. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUK_mlaL3irwzy9MHpPUSSiIp5ZWRyOWwbVCNrqD6yF_sk6m4ZGd0BlCOFaJIPzvvF3_aCR9HKiTDObNiiERBXDuAMN1LRQN-fqB-9r5EIDd4G6p2wnmd7UFilCOnDV3fUZVLKiw/s640/blogger-image-235331473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUK_mlaL3irwzy9MHpPUSSiIp5ZWRyOWwbVCNrqD6yF_sk6m4ZGd0BlCOFaJIPzvvF3_aCR9HKiTDObNiiERBXDuAMN1LRQN-fqB-9r5EIDd4G6p2wnmd7UFilCOnDV3fUZVLKiw/s640/blogger-image-235331473.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UlA-QM1AHmfoGcFJ6rO1ANFMCnnkvVQBGJBC7WeMq_UhZaEQ4MGbp8uVgjF97ULLe57Y7u8hm6sRahCyEzGKw9QlgMOaKtchc9yLk32tmJmuKnSa2L5xpdHKm4Y6LlWrv37VOA/s640/blogger-image--966633322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UlA-QM1AHmfoGcFJ6rO1ANFMCnnkvVQBGJBC7WeMq_UhZaEQ4MGbp8uVgjF97ULLe57Y7u8hm6sRahCyEzGKw9QlgMOaKtchc9yLk32tmJmuKnSa2L5xpdHKm4Y6LlWrv37VOA/s640/blogger-image--966633322.jpg"></a></div>(Hopipoint Overlook) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We agreed that hiking into the canyon was priority. So we woke the at 3:30am to hit the Bright Angel Trail into the canyon. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We knew we could only hike three miles in due to increasing summer heat and afternoon storms. We needed to be out of the canyon by 10am, per the park ranger. As we descended into the canyon we all began to realize how insignificant we are in this world. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdLWs5gGlSFCNBuvf2HfJE9EDoJOwMYYlnYPh3DA-MnUF3i5MRcDrygoU3jgDGqOSOuqnvCMBnuAs6hJq4vHROzIxbGlw0JQVflNpids5G4OYYmL2TT-S-b4Fg9ghkL7gDRv2CQ/s640/blogger-image--279967708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdLWs5gGlSFCNBuvf2HfJE9EDoJOwMYYlnYPh3DA-MnUF3i5MRcDrygoU3jgDGqOSOuqnvCMBnuAs6hJq4vHROzIxbGlw0JQVflNpids5G4OYYmL2TT-S-b4Fg9ghkL7gDRv2CQ/s640/blogger-image--279967708.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">M and D were a few steps ahead when they were greeted by a long horn sheep. King Ralph and I quickly reminded M of the trick we learned in Glacier--clap your hands and the big horn will move along. So we all clapped and he scurried down the cliff's edge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBlKBvHKtLk1Wm4wKl44_3coZ71Wrn1IwCrbmJQs93I5jQZyLGHGphiNASISj59YVlCmFERfXyXZcoRQw6immkJS6WC9NLfr7dsY0DjRNZqlIpwxiEROosxEVkHjBFUvMRpXZWA/s640/blogger-image-1888401329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBlKBvHKtLk1Wm4wKl44_3coZ71Wrn1IwCrbmJQs93I5jQZyLGHGphiNASISj59YVlCmFERfXyXZcoRQw6immkJS6WC9NLfr7dsY0DjRNZqlIpwxiEROosxEVkHjBFUvMRpXZWA/s640/blogger-image-1888401329.jpg"></a></div>Seeing animals in their natural habitat is one of the coolest things to experience while hiking! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just as instructed we were out of the canyon by 10am...with five minutes to spare. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hiking always offers some good footwear watching. People confuse hiking with park strolls. Bright Angel is a steep switch back trail. Good hiking shoes are a necessity! I'm not even sure I'd wear tennis shoes. But I'd take those over the German visitor in leather dress Oxfords. And the oxfords over the German woman in her one dollar Old Navy flip flops. The oxfords needed a good polish at the end of the hike. I'm glad I didn't have to see the flip flop gal ascend from the canyon...not to mention she started her poor footwear trek at the time they warned to be out of the canyon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On our final day at the Grand Canyon we woke early (again) to hike a small portion of the South Kaibab Trail. This is the trail M coined our canyon hiking motto: down like a beer, up like a hangover. Kaibab is STEEP! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We watched the sunrise that morning over the South Kaibab. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EmD50ujOyN5b6FKVSOAc_8T8Znvhd9pCw7mHHMTE48Nw-41IQs7FV3VYVS7kcqcg6FEptnjJUVU0jNw42H4zdMpxntdbvI1WM5nAbdGGX8UulLyHICQXhL19mwDayuFz4FbZFg/s640/blogger-image-353865146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EmD50ujOyN5b6FKVSOAc_8T8Znvhd9pCw7mHHMTE48Nw-41IQs7FV3VYVS7kcqcg6FEptnjJUVU0jNw42H4zdMpxntdbvI1WM5nAbdGGX8UulLyHICQXhL19mwDayuFz4FbZFg/s640/blogger-image-353865146.jpg"></a></div>The view at oohaah point was spectacular! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1pfSsH-OPbT-Esc_O5fXoldWM0DAKBaajAhVxNZgi1N0Mzk2k17HHQYFJQm3o9-tTxI5X9WLTpp8E6Ima3LAMEuQzshdrKHHPA51lAeKEAU0Xsg3VnRJLfJNTYpNnjrJhzpHbA/s640/blogger-image--1886821452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1pfSsH-OPbT-Esc_O5fXoldWM0DAKBaajAhVxNZgi1N0Mzk2k17HHQYFJQm3o9-tTxI5X9WLTpp8E6Ima3LAMEuQzshdrKHHPA51lAeKEAU0Xsg3VnRJLfJNTYpNnjrJhzpHbA/s640/blogger-image--1886821452.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We finished the day with a drive over to see the Desert View Watchtower. Climbing to the top creeped me out! I called it quits one floor from the top. The family trudged on up and I happily descended back to ground. Oh my God was it HOT at Desertview! Beautiful area, but super hot!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotz2ToQOildzqDfuBzSWrV1SPXrX8i6Ug-XDsfLIqzppQMroZO1jcHSWcVXmDW2qoQyHz8-mkheW-Au1eoccO1TX057_a8HYsoud0Uv4ittuG6Wdg_PImjLbejEzP18_vmEC1kg/s640/blogger-image--1549207723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotz2ToQOildzqDfuBzSWrV1SPXrX8i6Ug-XDsfLIqzppQMroZO1jcHSWcVXmDW2qoQyHz8-mkheW-Au1eoccO1TX057_a8HYsoud0Uv4ittuG6Wdg_PImjLbejEzP18_vmEC1kg/s640/blogger-image--1549207723.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then it was off to the visitors center to claim a prize. The first of the trip's Jr. Ranger badges. It's a quest that started at ages six and four, and continues at 24 and 22 years old. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuZWx1xPbO3eG3ygvCnMDc9L5s8RaI00OQjLVxeWrBATv_5o6E2rI8GtNIcFiDtYVPLbz7BZu6C2rxzWQD_5u8EP4mfNmQS_meDKDAaqrmjSQ78JozJNFn3h0g1z7tFL8RPsDzQ/s640/blogger-image-1439197087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuZWx1xPbO3eG3ygvCnMDc9L5s8RaI00OQjLVxeWrBATv_5o6E2rI8GtNIcFiDtYVPLbz7BZu6C2rxzWQD_5u8EP4mfNmQS_meDKDAaqrmjSQ78JozJNFn3h0g1z7tFL8RPsDzQ/s640/blogger-image-1439197087.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then it was time to pack up The Wanderlust...moving along to find new territory to explore. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">PS It was a stiff bodied ride for me. The Kaibab kicked my arse! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-75174744657693753542017-07-19T22:15:00.001-05:002017-07-19T22:15:28.198-05:00Top Ten List<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsujkZ4twDU5SRiAqojjGgzTziPwAWZGO25rB9alq2Dx2x53AN7QQCSrQT8fWDaFviG_ZykSU0dh0z22NH-BkSjo_HO3bueQgc4J64bbLaDFWdsQC_GULRqtiZga1TR_r7RcFwg/s640/blogger-image--1177435277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsujkZ4twDU5SRiAqojjGgzTziPwAWZGO25rB9alq2Dx2x53AN7QQCSrQT8fWDaFviG_ZykSU0dh0z22NH-BkSjo_HO3bueQgc4J64bbLaDFWdsQC_GULRqtiZga1TR_r7RcFwg/s640/blogger-image--1177435277.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Reasons our three week RV trip needs to end <div>1. We've run out of laundry detergent </div><div>2. We've run out of quarters for the laundry </div><div>3. We've run out of toilet paper (I nabbed a partial roll from a national park bathroom in case we couldn't find a store mid travel...I'm going to Hell!)</div><div>4. The Wanderlust's traveling bar is dry </div><div>5. Mine and King Ralph's hiking shoes have expired as of today </div><div>6. My hair has a grey stripe down the center. (I need hair dye! BAD!!)</div><div>7. I can't drink another ounce of Gatorade...even to curb desert heat dehydration</div><div>8. Waking daily between 4-5am to hike and beat the desert heat has grown old</div><div>9. Folding up the kids bed to make it back into a couch </div><div>10. Review reasons 1 through 4 </div><div><br></div><div>Now ask if I am really ready to go home? </div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-24197394427058793032017-07-02T05:27:00.001-05:002017-07-02T05:28:17.654-05:00Wanderbust<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YIPPE-jubbzD8e3hJ0NSwf4oOvudz5PWgnCykA7zfyIBqLgCQb-jGAuDq1riD0XhbHRLOw2s2lpkq2L_zR5GhqZ-xKztMMJmLFqnthjiIUxf7SDTOWnaHcEJSCHwiz0FwJAVUA/s640/blogger-image--61717406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YIPPE-jubbzD8e3hJ0NSwf4oOvudz5PWgnCykA7zfyIBqLgCQb-jGAuDq1riD0XhbHRLOw2s2lpkq2L_zR5GhqZ-xKztMMJmLFqnthjiIUxf7SDTOWnaHcEJSCHwiz0FwJAVUA/s640/blogger-image--61717406.jpg"></a></div>It's funny how life happens. You can plan and plan, but sometimes the unexpected happens. Last Friday morning we were suppose to be starting our vacation in The Wanderlust...things changed. King Ralph's step-father passed away on Thursday morning. When we returned from King Ralph's mother's house that's when King Ralph titled this year's Wanderlust trip the "Wanderbust."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's so heart breaking watching my mother-in-law's grief. She herself is not in the best of health. Seven years ago two brain surgeries have left her...well with her thoughts jumbled from time to time. She's going to need her family now more than ever. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday D and I called her to go over the funeral music. I explained how she needed to eat, that her body needs fuel to keep going. The tears kicked in and she said "you know what I need?" I knew. I told her I knew she wanted her husband of 39 plus years, but he was gone and he'd want her to take care of herself. She says things like "he was my honey" or "he was my pal" or "we were suppose to go together." Her husband was a kind of crotchety old sole, but their love for each was deep. What more can one ask for in life than to be truly loved? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today will be a long day. Some tears likely will be shed. And maybe, perhaps, Wanderlust 2017 will happen after all. </div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-39285241207741276292017-06-20T06:19:00.001-05:002017-06-20T07:22:21.170-05:00AlohaWell, we did it again! My friend and I got to grant another Make-A-Wish wish. It is such a feel good moment in life when you get to do something for someone else. Especially a well deserving child. Like the sweet adorable teen with an infectious positive personality that we selected and is a joy to be paired with! <div><br></div><div>This is Katie and I on the evening we met 13 year old E. E suffered a form of cancer known as rhabdomyosarcoma. Happy to say she rang the bell--symbolic that treatment is over and cancer is in remission. Making her year-long courageous battle and fight to win over cancer worth a wish! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJTyTornJbpKG5YuSrf4ckboEhROcBpcnqZhu_uMaWU_Px0pK0mIYBPvFnEHXiIsnIWu6mRx2LFP9iBY7gtrHnMTCnWB90UqCKHbovKOa2EX_zJ7E2IQUAkhaQnAe3uA1m0n8zw/s640/blogger-image-147231821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJTyTornJbpKG5YuSrf4ckboEhROcBpcnqZhu_uMaWU_Px0pK0mIYBPvFnEHXiIsnIWu6mRx2LFP9iBY7gtrHnMTCnWB90UqCKHbovKOa2EX_zJ7E2IQUAkhaQnAe3uA1m0n8zw/s640/blogger-image-147231821.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When we met E she was excited and conflicted about what she wanted her wish to be. Did she want to be a makeup artist, meet a YouTube sensation, go to Hawaii? After Katie and I played a little game to help her select her one true wish she narrowed it down to Hawaii. But not before E schooled us in all things YouTube. You know who the "it" people are on YouTube and why they're so popular. That evening we had E write her wish on a tag and sail it into a wishful sky on a silver star balloon. I know balloon releases piss of the eco friendly people of the world...too bad this kid fought and beat some bad ass cancer! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqAqaQTWE012oc5Eg5kgTLandCygaImndVMMkzQsacUCimo6jih45tE0qpceEZk1Uq2sJOeV_gKrFjuiEwLUKomFNSWuH813mOcWPTALwPyN8scHpbuRA3BpoRc6gnURzKjwMSQ/s640/blogger-image--467686366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqAqaQTWE012oc5Eg5kgTLandCygaImndVMMkzQsacUCimo6jih45tE0qpceEZk1Uq2sJOeV_gKrFjuiEwLUKomFNSWuH813mOcWPTALwPyN8scHpbuRA3BpoRc6gnURzKjwMSQ/s640/blogger-image--467686366.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fast forward. Last week we got word that E's wish was granted, and that we could reveal the wish-come-true to her. Katie and I knew all along how we were going to reveal--a parody of one of E's own YouTube postings titled, "Lies We All Tell." You know the little white lies we tell ourselves...eat only one more chip, be productive, do homework right after school.... With the help of M and her video editing program we made a spoof of E's whole video and at the end revealed a "it's no lie" she really is going to Hawaii!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then last night we enlisted the help of D to play special messenger and deliver a strawberry daiquiri in a pineapple cup, a card with a link to our parody video and a bag filled with a grass skirt, a Hawaiian Lei, a pair of sunglasses and a sign that read "Aloha". We instructed E to make a Boomerang video for us wearing the getup. Here's D right before she made the delivery <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXI9_l3iDDAxhH5C9b9hO_u-3LreLgedVyImaqZ7Bsgiguzehgtx47UaiCc8v78ArrxKeINvz4tf5ohxfR2XnplQ27Wne8V9Y15z1DONuGOs4Y5fX8czd1KXSNlOuDaAKHD3DcQ/s640/blogger-image--1169994830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXI9_l3iDDAxhH5C9b9hO_u-3LreLgedVyImaqZ7Bsgiguzehgtx47UaiCc8v78ArrxKeINvz4tf5ohxfR2XnplQ27Wne8V9Y15z1DONuGOs4Y5fX8czd1KXSNlOuDaAKHD3DcQ/s640/blogger-image--1169994830.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">D got back in the car and reported that it was such a feel good moment. That E said "this is the Make-A-Wish people", with a huge smile plastered across her face. Perhaps the leis D wore and the pineapple drink cup might have tipped her off. LOL D got to feel what Katie and I feel every time we play wish granters-pure unadulterated joy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is our parody reveal <a href="https://youtu.be/UnjeW2dxnVE" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">https://youtu.be/UnjeW2dxnVE</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Till our next wish...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvyEp5t2c773IlfLZRrVUQh1e2yTtzdpHRIaY5PidoIharhmnDbMPQSS1Adz6o_NWYke9XcPXUiD6koSwmPXvfYxBpkvVoV7RmmaxJhp6pFn_zkWPTwHvoM-7LgMdkW5lxJJ5ZQ/s640/blogger-image--426228921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvyEp5t2c773IlfLZRrVUQh1e2yTtzdpHRIaY5PidoIharhmnDbMPQSS1Adz6o_NWYke9XcPXUiD6koSwmPXvfYxBpkvVoV7RmmaxJhp6pFn_zkWPTwHvoM-7LgMdkW5lxJJ5ZQ/s640/blogger-image--426228921.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-76937329220141619102017-06-13T21:11:00.001-05:002017-06-13T21:11:07.398-05:00Good Times and See Ya LatersLast Friday I racked up more than 20,000 steps cleaning my house, mowing grass, and doing the stuff that my damn job gets in the way of me doing. Gosh I LOVE my summer hall pass!! I'm back in my routine of morning chores, binge watching Grace and Frankie (two episodes per day) on Netflix, reading and sunning (at the same time) for 30 minutes--twice a day. Then I exercise...whenever I feel like squeezing it in. And squeeze it in I do! <div><div><br></div><div>This past weekend King Ralph, D and I did what we do every year on my first weekend I've been set free (yes set free, because some school year's actually feel like a jail sentence...like this year, lol)--we attended Shakespeare in the Park. There is nothing we love more than a beautiful evening in the glen, near art hill in Forest Park, getting our Shakespeare on. This year: The Winter's Tale. I loved the first half...D thinks I'm nuts for liking the tragedy portion more, but I did! We spread out our blankets, noshed on Italian sandwiches, potato salad, chips and homemade chocolate chip cookies, while sipping spiked seltzer drinks. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjGYj667zkLN1tRtmGywmBxbvWP0oYorEY_hZZTRCZe4c8phsOqxhWeFh5Jdi8MU-4NzYsV0GK-7FpVYk6-LgbfaFwGbBx1e_JRwMJiNXo8weU2rtepWOrOoXm6ozRIKltpKauQ/s640/blogger-image-1802136616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjGYj667zkLN1tRtmGywmBxbvWP0oYorEY_hZZTRCZe4c8phsOqxhWeFh5Jdi8MU-4NzYsV0GK-7FpVYk6-LgbfaFwGbBx1e_JRwMJiNXo8weU2rtepWOrOoXm6ozRIKltpKauQ/s640/blogger-image-1802136616.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once the sun set the stage lit up in a gorgeous soft hue of color. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQQ4IrGhwvqr6LFfMBXSDAzlgwG2ociFwQ8GHcCKlY-5olUZ2Sq6KFKVswQjN6XwXqF5u_Rs7F5uLvY4SPszGDgM17PxjOE7_1Eh1pDXVv1B0YpeVlNbUMFgsho74_o7A8Uyfwg/s640/blogger-image--702113467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQQ4IrGhwvqr6LFfMBXSDAzlgwG2ociFwQ8GHcCKlY-5olUZ2Sq6KFKVswQjN6XwXqF5u_Rs7F5uLvY4SPszGDgM17PxjOE7_1Eh1pDXVv1B0YpeVlNbUMFgsho74_o7A8Uyfwg/s640/blogger-image--702113467.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Saturday took us to The Wanderlust to tend to some necessary tasks. We are weeks away from wandering about this great country. Then if was off to our nephew's going away party. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Since the Air Force base is minutes down the road from his house Princess A, D, King Ralph and I decided to stop at the base first for the air show. We waited in line for 40 minutes to see the nephew's "office." This is the beast he flys <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7OIzpCf9kXSHInem4Ux32CDWcKT9YxvR7UnHUF2czbs8YrWMUZnW11kxwH5WMXjNMGV_3DdE8OXiAUv5LdG0jXhKzUfDyHZ7rgoA-iZwzOv5OuOWjGxEEtPyOsfNQivrzTkORw/s640/blogger-image-877280926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7OIzpCf9kXSHInem4Ux32CDWcKT9YxvR7UnHUF2czbs8YrWMUZnW11kxwH5WMXjNMGV_3DdE8OXiAUv5LdG0jXhKzUfDyHZ7rgoA-iZwzOv5OuOWjGxEEtPyOsfNQivrzTkORw/s640/blogger-image-877280926.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's impressive! So many buttons and gadgets it makes the average person's (us) head spin. Now we have a good picture in our heads of what he is doing when he's flying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next the party! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My nephew is off on a year long deployment to Qatar. That calls for a party. This is not his first trip to the "sandbox." It is however; the first time in his military career that he has been stationed close to home where we can actually be together to say see-you-later. As protocol has it we took a cousin picture...this time minus the customary name signs of the (two) missing cousins...we instead threw in the spouses for good measure. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIW0CH2DPpHKnWQbwD1eNVfWmmE2x33lvpu18xBfUw_E5vmvTHZ3FvNEAtH0w-tzuAegnHoAP3U4cv_UZOEtU1gCVrH9qLqjAXYPueCFf5nE658Sq2Mw_eW_5OmHpdrURXAhgDQ/s640/blogger-image--2035364279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIW0CH2DPpHKnWQbwD1eNVfWmmE2x33lvpu18xBfUw_E5vmvTHZ3FvNEAtH0w-tzuAegnHoAP3U4cv_UZOEtU1gCVrH9qLqjAXYPueCFf5nE658Sq2Mw_eW_5OmHpdrURXAhgDQ/s640/blogger-image--2035364279.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These cousins love each other. One will sorely be missed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was good weekend! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This morning I woke up at 6am and sent my nephew a text. I told him safe travels. Next I told him we are proud of him, his service and dedication to preserving our freedoms. Then I reminded him what I told him on Saturday--use sunscreen and Goldbond powder. That no one wants a sunburnt, chaffed squadron commander. He text me back that those goods were indeed packed and gave me the Qatar weather report: 114*. Folks that's not dry heat either, it's humid as hell in Qatar. I felt a little tear in my eye. When we finally had him close by for the last two years it's easy to get use to having him at family functions all the time. It's not going to be easy to get unuse to him not being around again. It just isn't! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-18576635722423896402017-06-09T12:57:00.001-05:002017-06-09T16:02:25.438-05:00SummatimeThis happened yesterday at 3:25pm <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTHwFUeVe9tiFHvYjDGqqoobjB0caib1am-U30vQbUjMOniJ2aC5ehYDh3L0IQYGKteTtsSpmsmVN17p1bl87OPcxPnI9zJopMb3D5_iah0oEJetra4C-UtlHhcKtpXm0kJajkw/s640/blogger-image-886010574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTHwFUeVe9tiFHvYjDGqqoobjB0caib1am-U30vQbUjMOniJ2aC5ehYDh3L0IQYGKteTtsSpmsmVN17p1bl87OPcxPnI9zJopMb3D5_iah0oEJetra4C-UtlHhcKtpXm0kJajkw/s640/blogger-image-886010574.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While the kids and teachers started summer on May 26, I didn't get my summer hall pass till yesterday. You should know there was smoke coming off my heels and a giant ole' smile smeared across my face as I left the building. It was the second or maybe third hardest school year for me. I was more than happy to bid it farewell! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Best part of summer is doing chores on my time...not dictated by the hours off work. This morning I woke and cleaned the family room, unloaded the dishwasher, mowed grass, showered, walked to Starbucks, started laundry...all by 10am.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While the towels churn in the washer this how I'm taking my morning break</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk6UB_uUxY-X_BlJrosGULnTdlvYRNF96mgIzY97v54Daqdm0FXu7ShLVE0TC_nPzXjGZxN4ex7kguFGRSGfxR3nVFttO9ZTsoPIK0D5pacu0fqiazfV8sgWNjODNokvOtCYgtQ/s640/blogger-image-73099805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk6UB_uUxY-X_BlJrosGULnTdlvYRNF96mgIzY97v54Daqdm0FXu7ShLVE0TC_nPzXjGZxN4ex7kguFGRSGfxR3nVFttO9ZTsoPIK0D5pacu0fqiazfV8sgWNjODNokvOtCYgtQ/s640/blogger-image-73099805.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Summer hall pass how I've missed you! </div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32199113.post-34055292959011096922017-06-04T11:51:00.001-05:002017-06-04T20:56:42.810-05:00Thirty Years Strong<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg1oTu7Q8WnP3-rRj0ygOPoQKu97OL1PeMjX65Zh4bCqzroJ4UB_mN3eLxSSETqdYW5ivfbO9odd-qMux5HHFsujVLElHbf9EOIleI26OgeBKmRd-22lbUi58SVHh66f_y6ujDA/s640/blogger-image-77072912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg1oTu7Q8WnP3-rRj0ygOPoQKu97OL1PeMjX65Zh4bCqzroJ4UB_mN3eLxSSETqdYW5ivfbO9odd-qMux5HHFsujVLElHbf9EOIleI26OgeBKmRd-22lbUi58SVHh66f_y6ujDA/s640/blogger-image-77072912.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I fall in love with you a little bit more every day... in you i have found my soul mate...my best friend...my lover...my partner...my safe place...you are my great love story and our story is just getting started. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>May 30,1987, King Ralph and I gathered in the sculpture park at 10:30am with our 19 guests, two strangers and a dog to say our "I do's." We had a toast of champagne and peaced out in the direction of Caribbean sun and sand. It was a simple ceremony. It was exactly what we wanted...still reflecting back on the day as it being perfect for us. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUrQOV7nkcTTKZSXAgiHE9DDKgpMWuEEx7_O6blwpLNAmrG1LFqffciabCcjSlk6vinAh7Jk7p7JcECnR6ZZpq6kwXcvlXnbCesqiQkAH37_3y6tUSORAZU4Kep-FKsvrMIyu6g/s640/blogger-image-1142734985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUrQOV7nkcTTKZSXAgiHE9DDKgpMWuEEx7_O6blwpLNAmrG1LFqffciabCcjSlk6vinAh7Jk7p7JcECnR6ZZpq6kwXcvlXnbCesqiQkAH37_3y6tUSORAZU4Kep-FKsvrMIyu6g/s640/blogger-image-1142734985.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div>This past Tuesday we celebrated beating those 50 perfect odds with the kids at dinner and toasted with champagne again...this time to 30 great years! Bonus: the restaraunt gifted us our toast. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0oj_fiWorTHpZKA-Wplhh3tuvuwFx7iVqIaNjjie_UZC6xLVB98T_0FNNoWYaHQE9L3vG3InygFowG93fZFGoLnL8tD6vu6-qKosbuD8tcRSVAEJcfttBqYz809jEjq97UByhA/s640/blogger-image-1985157765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0oj_fiWorTHpZKA-Wplhh3tuvuwFx7iVqIaNjjie_UZC6xLVB98T_0FNNoWYaHQE9L3vG3InygFowG93fZFGoLnL8tD6vu6-qKosbuD8tcRSVAEJcfttBqYz809jEjq97UByhA/s640/blogger-image-1985157765.jpg"></a></div>We have weathered ups and downs...more ups than downs. We have rejoiced in bringing new life into the world--times three. We've stressed over buying (two) houses, numerous campers and a couple of dogs--building family memories. We delight together in our daughters's successes. In other words we are a team through thick and thin, tried and true.</div><div><br></div><div>One thing we did not have at our wedding 30 years ago was cake. The girls surprised us with a cake. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ3lfkgTTz8PqTQLUbQTFi8VJJtdKrIwSkvob2OnNn4yk4-oIf1tt-x-HQCKaeRgeNY0VptpRF6LEcwHijfDBJUOpyGFfgpFoSS4GUixYJuPPjCaya_aXZi8uLivTRFXbZq1EcA/s640/blogger-image-2116593381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ3lfkgTTz8PqTQLUbQTFi8VJJtdKrIwSkvob2OnNn4yk4-oIf1tt-x-HQCKaeRgeNY0VptpRF6LEcwHijfDBJUOpyGFfgpFoSS4GUixYJuPPjCaya_aXZi8uLivTRFXbZq1EcA/s640/blogger-image-2116593381.jpg"></a></div>While King Ralph surprised me with a gorgeous pearl/diamond ring (thirty years is the pearl anniversary).</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was as perfect an evening of celebration as it was a morning of commitment 30 years earlier. </span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>JODIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200377715733843284noreply@blogger.com0