tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16235812095939554602024-03-13T16:52:52.429-04:00Confessions of a Curvy GirlWe'll make you laugh, cry and carb-load.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15285225809576811477noreply@blogger.comBlogger299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-86209524815775552572014-01-20T13:46:00.000-05:002014-01-20T13:58:47.842-05:00Forgiveness<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">January 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> would have been my mother’s 78<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nine months ago, she passed
away suddenly from a massive heart attack while riding in the back seat of a
taxi cab en route to a standard doctor’s appointment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The emotions surrounding my mother’s death are still
unpredictable and sometimes surprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She and I had grown apart by the time of her departure, but the
underlying ties that bind; these threads of my very existence sway from a
non-existent tether of mother/daughter to a nagging tug of a heart string, to a
jarring jolt of reality. <span id="goog_1229844584"></span><span id="goog_1229844585"></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PoTR8J_X5nU/Ut1uVjKjapI/AAAAAAAADcE/C_g5G_N0Hfs/s1600/no+escape+accept+and+forgive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PoTR8J_X5nU/Ut1uVjKjapI/AAAAAAAADcE/C_g5G_N0Hfs/s1600/no+escape+accept+and+forgive.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As mentioned in <a href="https://www.blogger.com/(http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/04/rip-mom.html)">RIP Mom</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">,
my relationship with my mother was drastically different than your typical mother
and daughter union.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mother’s mental illness did not allow her to
have a standard relationship with me or my half-siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout my lifetime, my mother was on the
outs with any one of her three daughters at any given period in time; with me being
the most recent (and at my choosing to keep her at an arms-length for MY
sanity).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ironically, I was also the closest
to her out of her three children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The harsh words delivered regularly by my mother (i.e. “You
want to know why you are fat……”) are now cushioned by memories of positive occasions
with my children instead (i.e. “Did you know that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blueberry Hill </i>was Grandma’s favorite song?”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The searing pain of the large wooden dowel
cracking down my backside and across my skull, slowly being faded by happier
thoughts (i.e. “Kids, I bought you some Stella D’Oro cinnamon twists!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, just like grandma used to share with us!”).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pain from the multiple beatings from one of my mother's bi-polar downs is etched into my brain and scarred onto my body. The sadness of not knowing why or how a mom could hurt her own child remains confusing to me and may have more of an explanation of some of my less than stellar character traits.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMZYKDyxNY0/Ut1uU6hD3qI/AAAAAAAADb0/Gprf0QOfFwE/s1600/apology+never+received.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMZYKDyxNY0/Ut1uU6hD3qI/AAAAAAAADb0/Gprf0QOfFwE/s1600/apology+never+received.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mother’s death, and her recent birthday, just reaffirmed
that sometimes I just want my mommy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, my mother was not that person for me but it’s an euphemism for my
desire of having that normal mother/daughter relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several women around me have strong bonds
with their respective mothers, of which I am envious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, instead of lingering in my past, I
am applying the facets, incorporating the pieces, and establishing the kind of
mommy I want to be to my own children.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGk-xeZ6cvY/Ut1uU8m5ffI/AAAAAAAADb4/2QCj_lEw6Kw/s1600/forgiveness+warm+heart+cool+stingh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGk-xeZ6cvY/Ut1uU8m5ffI/AAAAAAAADb4/2QCj_lEw6Kw/s1600/forgiveness+warm+heart+cool+stingh.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am tough and I set high expectations for my children in
basic family values such as displaying good manners, succeeding in school and
in their activities, and being compassionate and caring human beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I am soft, cuddly (ask my youngest
about my “figgy pudding” – aka squishy belly) and offer them unconditional
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am their friend who laughs about
farts, burps, inappropriate Seth Rogan movies and wrassles with them until we
are all out of breath and pleading for a reprieve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am their parent who can dish out a
frightening “Momma face” and they know that their actions or words better cease
immediately as I do not hesitate to dole out a consequence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be their biggest cheerleader
throughout their lives, I will help them cushion their blows, and I will be
their Mommy when they may need it most.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZEpZdiwRQo/Ut1uU58CFbI/AAAAAAAADb8/RU-ctfcMcwE/s1600/forgive+fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZEpZdiwRQo/Ut1uU58CFbI/AAAAAAAADb8/RU-ctfcMcwE/s1600/forgive+fortune.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps forgiveness is key. In 2014, one of my goals is to face my fears head on. Perhaps, one of the deepest fears is by letting go of the way my mother treated me that I will absolve her of her actions and words. However, with my mother's recent passing birthday, I have realized that this is not about my mother and post-death, it is irrelevant whether or not her actions are absolved by me but rather, forgiveness of my mother will allow me to move on and create a new chapter.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-42064900263429147392014-01-07T09:11:00.000-05:002014-01-07T14:27:18.445-05:00She Said What?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qje_xuFQozY/UswKkcbzIkI/AAAAAAAADZg/he-W3kZjMZI/s1600/physical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qje_xuFQozY/UswKkcbzIkI/AAAAAAAADZg/he-W3kZjMZI/s1600/physical.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The day after my 40<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
birthday, I had a scheduled annual physical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know, what better time to get on the scale after a couple of weeks
of Christmas, New Years and birthday celebrations and libations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Birthday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the past decade, the scale
has NOT been my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alright, what
woman IS friends with her scale?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear
you moaning and groaning in agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Further, </span>I
hear my scale moan when I step on to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am confident that I am NOT one of those women bound by the numbers on
the scale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have no desire to weigh the beautifully perfect and lithe 135 lbs that
I was at my absolute most fit self in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I recognize that returning to a range of 145-155 would be ideal and a
dream come true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> However, </span>I will publicly
announce that I get on the scale nearly every…..single…..day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, it bellows at me each time with a
consistent reliability).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnjthBgz5XY/UswLAMEZlbI/AAAAAAAADZo/8A4NT0BSV2M/s1600/scale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnjthBgz5XY/UswLAMEZlbI/AAAAAAAADZo/8A4NT0BSV2M/s1600/scale.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I finished the third and
final batch of chemotherapy, the medical staff informed me that the weight I had gained
as a lovely side effect would indeed be more challenging to remove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really wish they would have told me it
sticks to your bones like freaking wallpaper paste and it is nearly impossible
to remove EVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, I have tried to
steam it off in the hottest, most rocket fueled showers ever).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In any event, after questioning
my oncologist about the stubborn Michelin tire that remains around my middle,
despite regular works outs and low glycemic nutrition, he simply said, “You
will be one of those people that this is always a challenge for.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BOOM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knocked my ass to the floor with a dose of harsh reality; but I took
that as a literal challenge and dropped about 25 pounds before getting stuck in
yet another plateau.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As life will have it, more
curveballs came my way and I have come to realize that I am an emotional eater….or
rather an emotional over-eater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those aforementioned
25 pounds lost, yeah, well, they “snuck” back on as I dealt with the skeletons
in my closet……the emotions I *think* I know how to cope with,
but rather I find it easier to shove those ugly emotions way down into your deepest core (which creates the
Michelin tire affect around your mid-section).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would not recommend it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">People ask me, with some
trepidation, how I can be the size that I am with all the working out and the
healthy eating I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had a doctor
tell me it is in my genes; I am genetically pre-disposed to being a giant
because of my Welsh/Polish and Russian heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had a doctor tell me, “Your parents
are fat, therefore, you will be fat.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember, my oncologist even said it was chemo and just the way it
was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, at my physical the new
doctor I saw asked if I had any other concerns after announcing my clean bill of
health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spelling out the reality of my habits,
including a refreshed 2014 perspective on clean eating for my training regimen and
upcoming races, I asked her if there was anything else I could/should be doing
and if there is any truth to the lamest of excuses people have been offering me
(“It’s hormones, women at your age have NO metabolism and hormones screw it ALL
up!”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked me square in the eye
and said, “Can’t you just be happy that you are healthy?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BOOM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was speechless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I had nothing to counter her response
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not know how I should process this
question/statement this new doctor had just uttered to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Am I happy that I am
healthy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You bet your ass I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry, but once you have had cancer, a
healthy body is the most compelling desire you would ever wish for. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I thankful every day that my amazing body
continues to function and perform well enough for me to carry out my daily
activities AND to work out in multiple types of exercise?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You bet I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do I wake up every morning and count my blessings that my heart is
ticking, my lungs are compressing, my blood is surging…….yes, my blood is
surging as I think about that statement more and more from this physician.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As fit as I am, regardless of the
miles I can run or the monstrous weights I slam around, I am <strong><u>overweight</u></strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as I am overweight, my perspective
is that I have the ability to be even
healthier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those extra 20-25 pounds that
seem to come off and sneak back on, come on – we all know they are an added
burden to my heart, to my lungs, to my bones……..yet, she thinks I simply need a perspective re-alignment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that, I am kicking this weighted
(pun intended) negativity out the door – these ugly emotions will not be shoved
down into the tire for added girth this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once again, the challenge is accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I refuse to ACCEPT the carelessly tossed statement from a medical
professional that I should basically give up and be happy with my current state
of health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will not focus on losing weight
this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I will focus on how
this powerful body needs optimal fuel to perform and that is by clean
eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have switched to a local farm
for our meats (</span><a href="http://www.kalonfarm.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.kalonfarm.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">), so
that I know my HORMONES are not being affected by hormone-laced meats tainted
with antibiotics and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the
cold, harsh New England winter when my CSA is not available, we make the trek
to Idylwilde Farms in Acton (</span><a href="http://www.idylewildfarms.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.idylewildfarms.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
for fresh, vibrant and full of flavor vegetables and fruits to make it through
the Artic Vortex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will continue to push my
personal limits of strength, endurance and resolve at my local gym with the
trainer that motivates me beyond any one before him and with the friends who
share blood, sweat and tears by my side through grueling workouts (</span><a href="http://www.crossfit978.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.crossfit978.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will run my long runs with my music
pumping at hearing damaging levels (hey, I’m already hearing impaired) and enjoy the
solidarity of the mental break these routes afford me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will run the Boston Marathon a good deal
lighter than I am right now, because honestly, I do not wish to carry an extra
25-30 lbs through 26.2 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
walk into that doctor’s office again in a year and simply say “Boom!” because no
one shall set limits for me nor do they tell me to give up or become complacent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever been told something
silly by a medical professional?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did
you react?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever been told to give
up on something in your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did
you do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-17274316047391879182014-01-03T11:29:00.001-05:002014-01-03T11:29:32.397-05:0040 - Are You Ready?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="usercontent"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"I like living. I have sometimes been
wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all
I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."</span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<br />
<span class="usercontent">--Agatha Christie</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do like living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did it take me to 40 years of age to
realize this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, it did not take that
long, but it certainly took desperate and trying times for me to swallow that
wake-up pill in my thirties.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two days from now, I will be forty
years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>F..O..R..T..Y.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was a child, forty seemed so OLD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad was forty when he had me and my mom
thirty-seven (but turned thirty-eight some ten days later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forty should not have seemed ancient to me
when my parents were just starting their lives with me in their fourth decade
of living.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much like the recent cliché, I do
believe that forty is the new thirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of my friends are just now kicking off “living” their lives in
their forties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our children enter
their double digits, the constant restraints of littles at home gets a wee bit
easier (and our time constraints are more bound by the endless taxiing of these
big kids to their activities).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
marriages are more grounded and the ability to focus on activities for
ourselves is balanced between spouses with said older children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention my husband has realized active
wear is my preferred look and he seems to find it sexier than stilettos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, have you seen my confidence as I
strut in my favorite Athleta pants?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much
more exuberant than watching me try to tip-toe through sky high heels, with
arms out plane-style for balance coupled with the idiotic, psychotic giggling
as I try to walk with some sense of balance - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>much as I imagined our evolutionary ancestors
did on two legs for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v9Hm09pQOJM/UsbjJfpLsXI/AAAAAAAADY0/f_U2-1GCSYw/s1600/evolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v9Hm09pQOJM/UsbjJfpLsXI/AAAAAAAADY0/f_U2-1GCSYw/s1600/evolution.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The aforementioned confidence is something
that comes hand in hand with turning forty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am less afraid to try new things at forty than I would ever have been
at twenty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At forty, I know it is not
what have I got to lose, but it’s I’ve got everything to lose!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My life is nearly half over and I am AFRAID
of the clock winding down, ticking out before I have had the chance to
accomplish as much as I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sure, staring that cancer monster in
the face is more than an enlightening moment – not unlike the scene from “Scrooge”
and being paid a visit by the Grim Reaper as the Ghost of Christmas Yet To
Come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it is true that it took me
getting a bitch slap in the face by cancer to realize that I was merely
existing and not living. I took my amazing body for granted for thirty-something years. No more. I will be living proof that this body will be the best it has ever been by the end of 2014!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My thirties really did suck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no better word that describes the
rawness of the decade other than it was rotten beyond the core.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the in the sandwich generation and
caring for elderly and sick parents is an unfortunate reality for many of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add a cancer diagnosis and nearly a
full year of treatment and you have a less than textbook chapter for your
memory banks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The positive out of my
thirties is I had an unexpected pregnancy, a child that saved my life so I may
sit here and embark about what a trip my forties will be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Children, please sit and watch as
your Momma takes on the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Limited
only by money and adult responsibilities (aka work), no experience should be
left undone in this decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Ahhh, well,
I have not quite yet decided if something like sky-diving is on my bucket list….and
that tattoo………).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4T4kjqKFpw/UsbkQhbvztI/AAAAAAAADZI/7hOb18Ggb10/s1600/she+believed+she+could+tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4T4kjqKFpw/UsbkQhbvztI/AAAAAAAADZI/7hOb18Ggb10/s320/she+believed+she+could+tattoo.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Yes, that's what I am considering......thoughts?)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friends, please join me for the ride
through the Fanabulous Forties, literally and figuratively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are YOU waiting for? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there an experience you have considered but
have yet to undertake?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You name it, let’s get ‘er done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are some of my adventures I am
committed to thus far in 2014:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cupid’s Undie Run<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disney Princess
Half-Marathon<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Boston Marathon<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reach The Beach
Relay<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Warrior Dash<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Huff & Cuff
5k<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Multiple PRs at
Crossfit978<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Putting the exercise related goals
aside, I do hope to do a better job of balancing my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will ALWAYS be a breast cancer advocate as
long as this disease is a threat to my community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We CAN do better and we have been making an
impact on the lives of so many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2013,
we collectively made a difference and continued to pave the way for change in
the world of pink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My passion for
spreading the lesson learned (I totally ignored my symptoms of my disease) will
be louder than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I must
balance my advocacy with work commitments and my young family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My goal is to enhance my friendships
and do a better job of spending quality time with close friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of a busy life, I often tend to wait
for others to ask me to get together and instead, I hope to do more of that myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pro-active instead of reactive in 2014 and
finding friends who not only love me unconditionally but those who fuel my
inner Goofy Goober (or give me a run for my money).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Watching my best friend from childhood battle cancer herself has reinforced my desire to kick off this next decade with a fierce ambition. Therefore, </span></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will share my forties with
you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my adventures, my triumphs, my
slips and my falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this new year of 2014,
I will be launching a new blog:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Authentically
Bold: Rebecca” for you to journey along with me, if you choose (and I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">*really*</b> hope you will or I will bat my
eyelashes at you relentlessly until your power is weak).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are
you ready? I am open - so let's run, let's climb, let's paint, let's dance, let's laugh, let's cry (okay, not really, I hate crying), let's conquer the time we have and let's make our lives spectacular.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="usercontent"><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Let’s be alive together.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <strong>You in?</strong></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBEVxusrHo4/UsblP24aKeI/AAAAAAAADZQ/BAlxToohFcc/s1600/crayons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBEVxusrHo4/UsblP24aKeI/AAAAAAAADZQ/BAlxToohFcc/s1600/crayons.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-74461768646217883652013-12-30T10:57:00.000-05:002013-12-30T22:55:53.171-05:00Beauty in 5 Minutes- Guest Blogger- Kate<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I was just drying off from my shower. Naked. Glancing at myself in the mirror. Hearing the familiar voice start up in my head about what I am not doing or what I am over doing. Or it may have been the lament of "Time" this go round. How years, gravity, and wear and tear...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Ev, my 8 year old, walks in. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I was surprised and caught in the headlights. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">White blinding light of: Now what? Cover up? Stand, revealed? A mix of the two maybe with a dangled towel here and there? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She was just looking in my eyes at first, talking to me. Then her eyes started roving. She stared at my belly button region that raged a war, time and again. Her hand went to her own extremely tight and etched gymnast abdomen. My hand went to mine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"This is where you guys lived, nice and cozy."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She giggled.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"You are soft." was her reply.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"In some ways. But that is good for a hug. In other ways I am hard." and I mocked yelled at her, reminding her of how tough I can be. Breaking the intensity with a laugh as always.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Unabashedly she kept looking and I went about my getting ready.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"If you are too muscley- your hugs wouldn't be good." she decided.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Well, a hug has all that love to help keep it soft, too."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Yeah".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My thighs were wiggling into pants. She watched.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I gathered all the back flesh I could into the front of my bra with what remains of my breasts. She watched.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Why do you even wear that?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"It gives me some shape up top. Most people wear them to support their breasts."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Why bother wearing it at all? For you? I wouldn't bother."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I do."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She kept standing there. I was basically clothed, but my openness and vulnerability, even with my own child, had reached it's max. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I asked why she didn't run along and play. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She shrugged. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I didn't know how to end the scene. I don't know why I thought it needed an ending other than my discomfort and feeling of being on a very vulnerable limb of exposure, openness, and responsibility to show myself as a real body with no shame or disparaging remarks, all the while not putting down a body toned, tight, and different than my own. No doubt the body she will have.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So, I just said, "And that is me getting dressed."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And she said, "You are beautiful."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She left happy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I was left winded.</span>Katelairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487464260545542647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-78889913654250024812013-12-05T11:19:00.001-05:002013-12-05T11:19:20.034-05:00Better, Not Bitter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQSTFi97odg/UqCncPXihNI/AAAAAAAADYk/GYDDi3gfRC8/s1600/better+not+bitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQSTFi97odg/UqCncPXihNI/AAAAAAAADYk/GYDDi3gfRC8/s1600/better+not+bitter.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adversity is something we all face at various points in
our life, correct?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you call it one
of the following terms instead:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Misfortune, ill luck, bad luck, trouble, difficulty, hardship,
distress, disaster, suffering, affliction, sorry, misery, tribulation, woe,
pain, trauma or more. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However you describe your challenges in life, it is safe
to make the assumption that our hardships certainly mold our characters and our
suffering changes our life path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me,
my traipsing through life in thirty-nine years has afforded me a great deal of
misfortune, if you will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My “bad luck”
has crafted my inner-being to nearly define resilience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like to take that journey with me?</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In <a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-did-you-say.html">"What Did You Say"</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">,
I shared briefly the story behind my hearing loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the age of four, my parents realized I was
having a hard time hearing when I asked them to turn around so that I could hear
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had adapted and learned how to
lip read so that I could hear the world around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On my fifth birthday, January 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>,
1974, I received two hearing aids – alas, the gift of hearing but that “gift”
also came with a mound of limitations placed upon me by the medical profession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, the true gift was courtesy of my
parents , the support that I could literally do anything I set my heart on –
regardless of restrictions imposed upon me by others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hearing loss was an affliction, but then
unknown to me, this particular adversity early on would be the concrete
foundation that paved my strength for difficulties in later years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a child of a parent with a mental illness, the pain is
two-fold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a young child you do not
ever understand why your parent, the one who is supposed to love you
unconditionally, goes on rages and beats you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As you nurse the welts, the bruises and wipe up the blood, you try to
understand and you try to justify the outbursts for your parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flip side is you feel immense guilt and
embarrassment once you start to learn that other families do not beat their children
and you are shamed into keeping quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
<a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2012/09/not-all-mothers-are-created-alike.html">"Not All Mothers Are Created Alike"</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">,
I share more of the details of the abuse I suffered at the hands of my own
mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, the trauma of wooden
Dr. Scholl sandals crashing down upon my youth limbs, the searing pain of
wooden dowels making forceful contact with my skin, the sickening clang of cast
iron pots against my bones…..has added to the firmness of my core’s strength
for the years that lie ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not unlike many of us as children, I was bullied as a
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Namely, because my hearing aids
were so large and so uncommon that name-calling and jokes flowed regularly from
my peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once people got to know us,
my mother’s behavior and my subsequent bruises became a focal point for
rudeness and for public inquiry by social service agencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time and time again, the strength of my
character was built upon through adversity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My half-sister abandoned her children, three boys, and my
parents took my nephews in permanently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, the abuse I had experienced as a young child was now
repeating itself as my mother tried to parent twin twelve year old boys and a
small six year old boy who all came with a myriad of issues from an unsettled
and dysfunctional home pre-abandonment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a teenager myself, my role in the family immediately shifted and my
responsibilities included caring for my three nephews as my parents both worked
full time to support the additional family members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times I lost out on some typical teenaged
activities because I had to babysit my instant three “brothers” and cook not
only for three mouths but now six.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
misfortune was converted into maturity and again added to my resilience in
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Somehow, despite the abuse as a young child and my
tumultuous teen years, I firmly believed that my relationship with my parents
was important and I took them in as my dad’s health declined for the
worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a large enough home with
an in-law space and I envisioned my parents living their golden years whilst
making terrific memories with my children, their grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My grandparents died when I was young, so I
longed for my children to have that relationship with all of their
grandparents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was grossly naïve as my
mother’s mental illness was still in full force and the upcoming four years
would be akin to living in hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nursing my parents through dialysis, a kidney transplant,
MRSA, countless cellulitis infections, weekly ambulance visits, regular falls
with injuries, poop everywhere……and more, after balancing a ridiculously
demanding full time job and two little children was about the limit of distress
I could handle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Little did I know then, but I now understand that all of
these tribulations were little preparatory missions for what would be, by far,
my hardest challenge yet:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a fight for
my life in the war against cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I
not had enough misfortune in my life but I would be the one to be diagnosed
with an aggressive form of breast cancer while pregnant with my third
child?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geesh, what the heck wrong did I
do in my former life to deserve all this adversity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kill a pope? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my character enhancement (as I like to refer to it),
the same lesson I keep learning throughout all of this woe is that regardless
of any limitations set on me by said challenges, I can come out on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am strong, I am powerful and I do believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As part of my desire to destroy the boundaries placed
upon me, I was a stellar runner in high school and I dreamed, like many other
runners do, of someday running the Boston Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 26.2 mile course from Hopkinton to Boston
is more elite than running the Olympics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each year during college and beyond that I went to watch the race, I
felt empowered and promised myself that I would someday be a runner on that
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I was sixteen years old, I
have dreamed of doing the race and have yet to add that to my list of barriers
I have broken through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about
it often, but I let the excuses get in the way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I work, I have kids, I cannot qualify therefore, I have to raise money
and I cannot do that, I am getting too old…..yadda, yadda, yadda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LifbgMcwNm0/UqCmX9dm5tI/AAAAAAAADYY/KnwjUv8qwCA/s1600/130415160314-boston-marathon-explosion-04-horizontal-gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LifbgMcwNm0/UqCmX9dm5tI/AAAAAAAADYY/KnwjUv8qwCA/s320/130415160314-boston-marathon-explosion-04-horizontal-gallery.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">April 15, 2013 was a day that most of us in Massachusetts
will never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in Florida on
April vacation with my family and during the day at the beach, I checked my
phone to see who won the marathon only to get a news alert that there had been
a bomb at the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disbelief and shock
set in as I devoured the news and realized the severity of what had happened in
my home state that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two bombs,
hundreds injured, fatalities including a young child, oh, my god……….what has
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother died suddenly two
days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I had previously
grieved for the loss of my mother during the fall out of her behavior when I
needed to fight for my life and my baby’s life, her death took me by complete
surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had driven to Florida, so on our very long ride home,
my mind tried to process the ugliness of the week – the authorities had
captured the remaining terrorist who tried to destroy our city and I would be
coming home to put absolute closure to the emotions I had about my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind swirled and twisted after the endless
miles back up Interstate 95.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it
was an epiphany, but I decided at that point – somewhere in South Carolina,
that I was going to run the 2014 Boston Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not yet know how, but the factors of
why I needed to were overwhelmingly compelling:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My five year chemoversary was June 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better test of my health and the control
over my life that I had not only survived cancer but I was thriving?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My 40<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> birthday will be January
2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not too old to accomplish my
bucket list!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How dare some deranged terrorists think they can
dismantle and inject fear into MY city, OUR city, Boston?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they not have a clue about just how STRONG
we Massachusetts folks are?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">26.2 miles of reflection – 26.2 miles of
shirking off limitations -26.2 miles because I can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guf3b4yZvxk/UqCl4SoVBFI/AAAAAAAADYU/tctjTF4OgRY/s1600/massachusetts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guf3b4yZvxk/UqCl4SoVBFI/AAAAAAAADYU/tctjTF4OgRY/s1600/massachusetts.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few friends have asked me how I am so strong,
especially when I do not use a religious faith in my darkest hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have years of experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My foundation has been built and reinforced
time after time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My life path was paved first
with me losing my hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that, I am honored and blessed to be a part of Team
Eye & Ear for the 2014 Boston Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was chosen to represent what Boston Strong truly means to so many of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Massachusetts Eye & Ear was one
of the fine facilities to treat many of the injured last year after the catastrophic
day of events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, it is very
fitting that I will be representing an institution that provides care for the
very type of afflictions that first set my life path in place – and I have
chosen the fundraising dollars I obtain to be funneled into their ear clinic –
for research and patient care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will run because I can, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have dreamed about this day for twenty-four
years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will run because I can, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My body is healthy, cancer free and an
amazing machine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will run for my best bud, Karen as she battles for her life against leukemia. She rode her bike for the PMC Challenge to honor me during my cancer, so now, I will run to honor her and show her just how strong life after cancer can be.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will run because I can, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will run for every person affected by the
bombings last year because I have two very capable limbs to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will run because I can, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will run for you, to represent that fear is
not a limitation that we will allow to control us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be BOSTON STRONG in 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QH14foD36rs/UqClbZTmrpI/AAAAAAAADYI/6EcuKCHb5Qw/s1600/boston+strong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QH14foD36rs/UqClbZTmrpI/AAAAAAAADYI/6EcuKCHb5Qw/s1600/boston+strong.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will run because I can, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resilience is my middle name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am better, not bitter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjLcMd0ZIM4/UqClQc3qGMI/AAAAAAAADYA/ql-JlPtmFhg/s1600/she+believed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjLcMd0ZIM4/UqClQc3qGMI/AAAAAAAADYA/ql-JlPtmFhg/s320/she+believed.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help me believe, please support me because you can by donating
here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/teameyeandear/fundraiser/rebeccasoulliere">Rebecca's Page - Team Eye & Ear</a></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-57460741115402359172013-11-12T09:39:00.004-05:002013-11-12T10:21:13.108-05:00Strongest Girl I Know<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>, my life forever changed – yes, yet
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received a phone call from my
best friend telling me she had just been diagnosed with cancer at the age of
39.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overwhelming feelings of that
phone call nearly knocked me to my knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My heart broke into pieces that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My stomach hurt as if it were internally on fire and being pummeled by a
heavyweight boxer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bowels
seized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brain ran into overdrive and
subsequently turned to mush at the very same moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were in a parking lot getting food for the youngest while
waiting to go to my eldest daughter’s varsity soccer game that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, our car would not start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, my world had just ceased – totally stopped
in time - with the utterance of a few short words from the girl I consider a
sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As my frustrated husband started panicking about the car, I simply
grabbed my youngest daughter’s hand, took off and started walking to the field
about one-half mile away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in the twilight
zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond the teary words my buddy
had just voiced to me about leukemia, my ability to comprehend anything was
non-existent and a total blur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Karen and I became best friends our freshman year in high
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met the year prior, after I
moved to Massachusetts from Oklahoma, but we solidified our bond during Mr.
Morano’s freshman English class and during band practice.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y1p-Xd_AeQ/UoI7QX1VCUI/AAAAAAAADXQ/-DWQIzZWXlo/s1600/karen+rjs+band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y1p-Xd_AeQ/UoI7QX1VCUI/AAAAAAAADXQ/-DWQIzZWXlo/s320/karen+rjs+band.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(She will likely kill me for sharing this picture, circa 1988.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prior to the internet and cell phones, Karen and I spent at
least two hours on the old-fashioned telephones with the stretched out cords
talking to one other every single day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot recall
all that we talked about, but I do know the time was filled with non-stop
laughter over boys, farts, music, sports and other then-relevant thirteen year
old topics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Karen was an athlete even back then, excelling in swimming by
gliding through the water like the most aero-dynamic fish I had ever laid eyes
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the now defunct YMCA, I often
tried to swim with her, even though my sport was running, and I literally sank
to the bottom of the pool much like a runner would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Karen was also a champion at Tae Kwon Do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this first-hand because she always
practiced her non-contact sport on ME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Countless
times, I ended up on the ground nursing a striking blow from Karen as she
practiced her<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> karate chops</span> using
me as her “dummy” .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her direct hits to
me were always softened by her ensuing giggling at my subsequent ass-dropping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The friendship between Karen and I has always been enhanced
by the fact that we both do not like boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We both go all out when we tackle the facets of life; especially
Karen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of us friends have always
pushed our personal limitations in our respective lives, a unique trait that
always permits us to circle back to one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both admit a sick sort of fascination in not
only partaking in these adventurous experiences but in sharing the sordid
details with one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both recognize
that the other one truly understands our respective insanities, without
justification and explanation, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and we
continue to cheer one another on in our escapades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDLlvsBIqck/UoI7w5KEUcI/AAAAAAAADXY/rilpA9NYq54/s1600/karen+and+rjs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDLlvsBIqck/UoI7w5KEUcI/AAAAAAAADXY/rilpA9NYq54/s320/karen+and+rjs.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 3in; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 4in;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Rebecca\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Karen was there for me during my own cancer battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend indeed, reminding me that I was a
kick-ass warrior and there was nothing I could not do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karen was present during the actual birth of
my third child, a miracle delivery placed smack dab in the middle of my treatments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In typical Karen-style, she fist pumped and yelled something
like “rock on” after I pushed my baby out in two pushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was disappointed that the birth happened
so quickly that she had to stand by my stubble growing head instead of holding
my leg and being upfront and center in the action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moments after the exhausting and marvelous birth, Karen
wasted no time to remind me – in between her now infamous aforementioned giggles
– that I screamed “F^^^^^^^^CCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK!” right into the doctor’s face
in that last push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Karen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Hey, I give birth with zero pain meds
people……….something’s got to give!><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhNHJKhtzlc/UoI8Hi-J5LI/AAAAAAAADXk/MM5IVZjnaUY/s1600/family+reece+birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhNHJKhtzlc/UoI8Hi-J5LI/AAAAAAAADXk/MM5IVZjnaUY/s320/family+reece+birth.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How is it some five years later, I am there for Karen in HER
cancer battle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">STOP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two best friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both having to battle cancer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has got to be a nightmare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no possible way this story, this
version of events, can be true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My emotions ran very rampant and very high this past month
as my best buddy battles for her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
range from “WTF!” (rather frequently) to tears of utter sadness, to supreme
confidence and back around again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part
of the healing from my own cancer experience has witnessed me struggling with
my emotions when those I know are battling a different variety of the disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man, WTF.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After I completed my battle, I believed with an
utmost confidence that no one close to me would have to battle cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like the token child, the sacrificial
lamb….I went through this horrible suck-fest so that no one else I love would
have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On October 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>, life
pulled that giant rug out from underneath me and I landed squarely face down on
some pretty hard concrete terms of reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How could this be happening?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Karen is the strongest girl I know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How is she now battling for her life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Leukemia?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bleeding
internally?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel dizzy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am nauseous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart aches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a few months earlier this year, my personal superhero
competed in the Patriot Half Ironman; she not only finished, but finished
second overall for the women!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s NO
way this girl has cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Refusal to
believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I do know, what I firmly believe, without a figment of
doubt is that Karen will not only beat cancer but she will kick the tarnation
out of it and come through unlike anyone before her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart continues to break into smithereens
as I watch her suffer, yes, SUFFER through many of the similar side effects of
cancer treatment that I dragged myself through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish that I could take that pain away for her, even knowing how awful
it was for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With her immune system
depleted by chemotherapy, it takes every ounce of strength and will power for
me to refrain from holding her, loving her and helping caress her through these
dark days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My memory returns to the days of my bald head, the ugliness
I felt when Karen’s husband Jeremy shaved my head in anticipation of the
fall-out from my own chemotherapy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
recall Karen crying and complimenting me on what a beautifully shaped head I
had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 168pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 244.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Rebecca\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMYBLZIG1a0/UoI8Ka_B7UI/AAAAAAAADXs/bP0R75DDNLc/s1600/rjs+reece+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMYBLZIG1a0/UoI8Ka_B7UI/AAAAAAAADXs/bP0R75DDNLc/s320/rjs+reece+pool.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, five years later, I sit here crying myself and
complimenting Karen on what an absolutely beautiful woman she is and what a
perfectly shaped dome she has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor
Jeremy, probably never comprehending his skills of shaving heads would apply
not only to his wife’s best friend, but his own gorgeous wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 177.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 237.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3sqKiYsB9g/UoI8aojTRpI/AAAAAAAADX0/VNu2TiYuQLM/s1600/bald+karen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3sqKiYsB9g/UoI8aojTRpI/AAAAAAAADX0/VNu2TiYuQLM/s320/bald+karen.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In typical rock-star style, Karen reassures me through her spirit that the warrior IS deeply embedded within her very core and she will
prevail in this latest challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karen
will come out ahead and stand on the grandest podium there is – the grand
podium of life and knowing she crossed that finish line in the race against
cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will have long since moved
aside from my spot on said podium, but I will remain very closely behind her every inch of the way. I will cheer her through the fight of her lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I fret, as I worry, and as I know that Karen’s latest
competition is fierce, somehow with her indomitable spirit and in these dark days of cancer, Karen
is still taking care of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She is the <strong><u>strongest</u></strong> girl I know.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-6529577113064637552013-11-07T10:31:00.004-05:002013-11-07T10:31:41.822-05:00Inspiration: Even You Can
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">in</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">·</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">spi</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">·</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ra</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">·</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tion<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">noun</span></i><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> \</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ˌ</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">in(t)-sp</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ə</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ˈ</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">r</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ā</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-sh</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ə</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">n,
-(</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ˌ</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">)spi-\<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: something that makes someone want to
do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create : a force
or influence that inspires someone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: a person, place, experience, etc.,
that makes someone want to do or create something<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: a good idea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif";">(Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merriam-Webster Dictionary)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all have that ability to deliver a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gift -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>you know - something given involuntarily without payment in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, continue reading – there are so many
ways to deliver a gift and I hope you will engage me in considering what gift
you will distribute today, this week, this month and this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are an inspiration!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have the ability to
influence someone’s day, is that not empowering?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine, for a moment, our world, our people
filled with gift-giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really IS
that easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question is why do we not
do it more often?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A gift is not necessarily a purchase of a commercial product
to present to someone as a present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
gift may be in the form of a few choice words, wrapped with a figurative bow
and transported to a deserving recipient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Think about it, when is the last time you conveyed a message to someone
that was kind, supportive, uplifting, and maybe just the very sentence that
warmed that person’s heart that day?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s a favorite quote of mine:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMh3nBtp9W4/Unuxkjz7AYI/AAAAAAAADWw/rCb0JpvPUo8/s1600/be+kind+battle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMh3nBtp9W4/Unuxkjz7AYI/AAAAAAAADWw/rCb0JpvPUo8/s1600/be+kind+battle.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Battle may be very loosely defined and may differ not only
from person to person, but from day to day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are surrounded by those who are fighting for their lives from disease
and it seems easier to step up the kindness at those times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, what about the other battles?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mêlées of daily life that often knock us
from the safety zone of comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often
times, the individuals wading through the muck of life are the most perfect
recipients for an inspirational gift from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Humans, by default, seem to be keener on knocking each other
down instead of lifting each other up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Newspaper
headlines reflect such cruel behavior on daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>November elections clearly bring out the
worst in people – when toxic verbiage spews from one political party to another
and the mission shifts from rallying a favored candidate to being down-right,
viciously malicious to another human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Such behavior that has me asking why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why do we publicly cast such irretrievable words at each other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The efforts to convey kind words take exactly the same
energy that it takes to emit vile verbosity; in fact, it may be less effort on
the former.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we that naïve?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we so hard-wired to swing to the negative
side of verbal engagements that it takes a conscious action to engage on the
positive end of the spectrum? Are we seriously just pre-disposed to complaining <a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/10/seriously.html">(Seriously?)</a> that it seems unnatural to focus on the positive of our discussions?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Circling back around, we all do have the ability to be an
inspiration. YES, WE DO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Being an inspiration is not unattainable nor does it require exhaustive measures to achieve the end result. Embracing my best Uncle Sam, I am here to say, "I WANT YOU!"</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvPTE64uB7M/Unux17EKCEI/AAAAAAAADW4/LqXeYmQd3Yw/s1600/uncle+sam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvPTE64uB7M/Unux17EKCEI/AAAAAAAADW4/LqXeYmQd3Yw/s1600/uncle+sam.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like many other facets in our lives, any action that is done
regularly certainly becomes habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
us use our ability to inspire, to provide the gift of kind words to one another
on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start by casting a
smile at those you encounter on a daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Expand those smiles into affirmative words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of staring at the Dunkin Donuts menu
while you wait your place in line, give the person next to you a warm
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be surprised at their
reaction and often times get a gift of a smile in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(You may possibly be deemed crazy, but that
is good fun as well).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that smile,
perhaps you may compliment that person on their cute sweater or their
hair-do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop laughing at the thought
and do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise you, it is so very
worth-while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your kind words may start
that person’s day on a better note and you will feel so good about delivering
such a gift; a gift that cost you absolutely nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Toss the stone of kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Watch the ripples as your friends mimic your behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be proud as your children exhibit compassion
to their peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Receive the benevolence
as it comes back around to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErywqFNmyFs/UnuyFjnGufI/AAAAAAAADXA/WJ5CrXAvZZQ/s1600/stones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErywqFNmyFs/UnuyFjnGufI/AAAAAAAADXA/WJ5CrXAvZZQ/s1600/stones.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be an inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-30674123297634562902013-11-01T10:57:00.001-04:002013-11-01T11:14:21.206-04:00Never Too Old<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halloween 2013 in my home was greeted with a nearly sixteen
year old, a thirteen year old (who looks sixteen) and a five year old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halloween is great fun in our family, as it is
my favorite and we cover much of the inside of our residence with a variety of decorations
to reflect the season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our fall was so overly packed with extra-curricular activities and an
international wedding, that it was October 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> before it dawned on
me we had yet to get costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
one of those – the cluster of people in the local Halloween store the night
before the event itself. My usually organized self has been way behind the eight ball these past few months.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout the store, all three of my
children were oohing, ahhing, laughing and being grossed out by the left-over,
picked through assortment of costumes remaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait, a minute.....what? A thought crossed my mind: are my oldest two children too old to partake in the candy mooching this year?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
A sophomore in high school and her brother, who in 7th grade is climbing just shy of six feet tall and sprouting facial hair.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, they are
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I used the excuse that we were going to our old neighborhood
for Trick-or-Treating, therefore, they both could “get away” with walking the
streets and collecting candy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see,
it was not about the candy collection for my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I watched my children pick their respective costumes, their eyes were
lit up with that innocent child-like behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I understand this joy as their own Momma loves the excuse to dress up as
something we would otherwise never be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
watched the exuberance come from their bedrooms as they slid the polyester over
their growing bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reveled in the
laughter as they checked one another out and tried to decide what the orange
skin-suit on my newly minted teenage boy really made him look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3g7X0gorMc/UnPBIt8bbYI/AAAAAAAADWg/7J0ppjGQ3DU/s1600/Jake+halloween+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3g7X0gorMc/UnPBIt8bbYI/AAAAAAAADWg/7J0ppjGQ3DU/s320/Jake+halloween+(2).jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we watched the collections of kids that made their rounds
through the neighborhood last night, I realized that my children are not too
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not tell them they cannot
trick-or-treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will respect them when
they decide they have outgrown the custom, but I will not issue a cease and
desist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life goes by way too fast as it is, why should we encourage
our young ones to stop doing something they enjoy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should this not apply to us adults as well?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, I find myself saying certain behaviors of mine or
certain actions of mine are perchance unbecoming of someone about to be my age
(that fortieth birthday is looming just over the horizon).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, upon a moment of consideration, I
realize if it’s something I enjoy who says I should stop doing it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are we so caught up in our adult-hood that we are missing
out on the very moments that we enjoy, that keep us young at heart and bring
grins to our faces?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what that those awesome Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle knee
socks are marketed towards kids/tweens/teens – I like them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michelangelo was my favorite (yes, because he
was orange) and I want a pair!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who cares if snow angels were meant for over-bundled little
kids who fall and cannot get up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
world needs life-sized angels, too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tell me you do not enjoy trying to count how many licks a
Tootsie Pop takes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(*I lose count after
three…)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it matter if during a long run, a particular song just
forces you to break out into a little jiggity-jig in your pace down Pleasant
Street?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that passerby just needs a
little giggle/smile today after your running bust a move!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of a run, experiencing the Electric Run (a 5k “race”
throughout Gillette Stadium) wearing loads of glowing things:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>glow sticks, glow necklaces, glow bracelets,
glowing fiber optic mohawks, and more affirmed for me that no one is ever too
old for fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Never.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Never ever too old for fun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There has got to be something you enjoy that is perhaps not age-appropriate...so tell me....what is it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Disclaimer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I
did, in fact, try on my son’s orange skin suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No, it was not the least bit flattering (when is spandex EVER?) but the
ensuing laughter from each respective member of my family made me consider
going Trick-or-Treating myself next year (no, I will not but the thought was
fun).<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-39900459018425321782013-10-18T10:01:00.002-04:002013-10-18T10:18:52.778-04:00Seriously?<span style="font-family: Calibri;">October is a crazy month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children and their schedules are in full
centrifugal force with mothers and fathers engaging in their best juggling and
balancing acts, hanging on for dear life with gas fumes in their cars on the
non-stop commutes and last minute meal plans at odd hours of night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professional workloads seem to ramp up in
anticipation of the looming holiday season and festive periods on the
horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of us in the world of
PINK, October is a month-long to-do list of advocating, fund-raising, public
relations and a mission to change the “awareness” into action.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">October is also apparently the
month of complainers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, I said it out
loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoa, did I miss the memos and the
memes announcing October as the month to air all grievances?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>National Bitch About Everything Month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s my disclaimer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>maybe I am a bit frazzled and frayed around
the edges due to the aforementioned non-stop days filled with fifteen hours of responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little “things” are like subtle
sandpaper rubbing with gentle friction until my nerves are screaming: out<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“SERIOUSLY!?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our local prelude to the Mayoral
election in early November is getting pretty messy and the cesspool is enlarging
by day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Politics is ugly; always has
been muddy and always will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
an incumbent who has done a pretty decent job since 1994 – nearly twenty years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man has a pretty sordid personal life,
one that would certainly make fodder for reality TV fans and spawns much of the
town drama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is a public servant subject
to the same rules of morality in his ability to do his job?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would not want to be judged on my ability
to do my career based on the skeletons in my closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I am good at what I do in my day
to day means of earning a living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it
my boss’s business what I do behind closed doors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have my own heavy judgments on said incumbent
candidate, but as an “educated” voter, is it not my duty to weigh the pros and
cons of each candidate and determine who the best person for the job is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the campaigning began, I
knew very little of the opponent – the person brave enough to face the long
term resident of the mayoral office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have been doing my research and soaking up more information about this
relatively unknown person who has actually been sitting in a civil seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the election ramp up has become a
vat of uber-toxic mud-wrestling and frankly, I have had enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very eager to hear both sides and listen
to the debates; but unfortunately, the negative campaigning has overruled any rational logic. My
thoughts of moving to a deserted island, where none of this “BS” exists, is surmounting and immensely appealing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Seriously?<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nd7kJLNpO-s/UmFCXystKgI/AAAAAAAADWQ/cwSbpQ3gIQQ/s1600/bitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nd7kJLNpO-s/UmFCXystKgI/AAAAAAAADWQ/cwSbpQ3gIQQ/s1600/bitching.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How about we stop the complaining? Instead of steamrolling one another
with what we do not like about the opposing party, how about we start cheerleading for
the candidate we think is best?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I love Mickey Mouse because he's such a leader and always comes to the rescue. More palatable than Donald Duck sucks because he wears no pants and mumbles in that grating voice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I
really dislike being told what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, telling me not to vote for the incumbent because you think he’s
a scumbag or that he’s a typical politician does not sway my vote one way or
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Telling me that I should not
vote for the relative new-comer because she’s a bitch, not invested in our
community and is a scapegoat for another candidate down the line also does not
sway my vote on the matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me why
your candidate is the best person for the job!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell me why your candidate can continue to make my home town community
the stellar place it is! Otherwise, I
may simply turn my hearing aid off and start singing, “Puff The Magic Dragon”
(which, by the way, my thirteen year old son informs me is “stupid” and “about
drugs”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHAT?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved that movie as a young child, it’s not
about drugs!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, as I continue my
personal efforts to make a change in my society through my charitable
endeavors, the complaints rifle through my pretty pink pathway as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phrase, “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished” is
ripe and relevant as we surge through the third week of the month of breast
cancer causes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The critics, the
nay-sayers, the haters, and local friends are mouthing off about so much……..um,
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I apologize if my eyes
involuntarily roll up backwards into my head as the simultaneous toxic
verbiage spews out of your mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do
not intend to be disrespectful whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I simply choose which negativity gets any of my attention or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Usually the latter).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps my own “adventure”
through cancer land has given me a different set of tools in which to navigate
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I am working on the
eyeball roll thing (I know it’s not flattering), I am about as clichéd as it gets
and I do not “sweat the small stuff”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While the complainers may be sitting high on their bitching bandwagon, I
prefer to go my own way, even alone if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, after my own oncology visit,
I quickly scooted over for a visit with a loved one who is currently waging her
own war on the hematology oncology floor at the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While my friends are engaging in verbal
battles of town politics; or blaming others for what makes them angry at life –
my world stops so I can take in a warrior simply trying to stay alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Side effects from the very poison that will
keep her alive are raging rampant on her body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her now non-existent immune system does not allow me my nurturing nature
of wanting to hold her, rock her and comfort her with my human touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The strongest girl alive is now
weepy because she does not feel well and in fact, she hates to admit that she
feels so very weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart breaks off
into a million little pieces and my own eyes are filled to the brim with
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suffered horrifically during my
cancer treatment so that no one else I loved had to ever face the same awful
torment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, here she is – falling apart
– so that she can come back together again, stronger and more beastly than ever
before……but she has to experience it and we have to watch it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Seriously?<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhzjw2lMFVQ/UmFCVXaQz6I/AAAAAAAADWI/a_LZdTTupN0/s1600/bitching+revolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhzjw2lMFVQ/UmFCVXaQz6I/AAAAAAAADWI/a_LZdTTupN0/s1600/bitching+revolution.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My perspective has been
re-aligned, yet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I was feeling angry about the
trend of the recent weeks becoming 2013’s Bitch-Fest, I was
overwhelmed with the task of calibrating my feelings and emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all the good going on in the world, my
rose-colored glasses were fogging up and fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I needed help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then it came.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A fellow soccer mom showed me her
young daughter’s social media post in which she talked about being inspired to
make positive change in her world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I was about to lose some of my own hope while nursing my broken heart, the
bright light lit me up and filled my very being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on my own personal choices and the roads
I choose to embark upon, a young girl thanked me for showing her the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, my vigor is re-fueled and I know
what I have to do......what a gift from her to me!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">October is a beautiful month,
filled with changing leaves and comforting stews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Yes. </span>Life is also a spectacular opportunity to embrace
change and comfort one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here's a great way someone else started: <a href="http://now.msn.com/diner-picks-up-tab-after-overhearing-bad-news-in-boston-restaurant">http://now.msn.com/diner-picks-up-tab-after-overhearing-bad-news-in-boston-restaurant</a></span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-77421977929051115142013-10-03T10:24:00.004-04:002013-10-07T08:52:47.634-04:00A Graphic Look at PINK<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do not hate pink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, I find it to be a flattering color for me and the several
shades of pink represent so much more for me in my life post-cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do hate the way pink is used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pinkwashing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have you heard of it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell
me<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you have not walked into any box
store in the month of October and you have not been drowned in pink as it is
everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pink has been branded into a
commercial enterprise of its own; namely for many corporations to jump on the
breast cancer “awareness” bandwagon and ultimately, reap the benefits of its
bottom line profit margin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dl4MOR8LOuE/Uk19tXB4NUI/AAAAAAAADVo/ciTqOVaCG-E/s1600/football+pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dl4MOR8LOuE/Uk19tXB4NUI/AAAAAAAADVo/ciTqOVaCG-E/s1600/football+pink.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Debates abound with some die-harders telling me that a pink
ribbon on their bucket of fried chicken does make them stop and think about
their breast health for a moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgKafQlTPuU/Uk19tXJmYJI/AAAAAAAADVk/rylF9O4nwfo/s1600/pinkwashing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgKafQlTPuU/Uk19tXJmYJI/AAAAAAAADVk/rylF9O4nwfo/s1600/pinkwashing.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Insert my most dramatic, sarcastic
eye-roll right here!></em></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seriously, is it not infuriating that the pink ribbon – a
symbol of a horrendous disease and a cause to “cure” the same – is somewhat misplaced
on a bucket of obesity inducing fried chicken?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How does that pink ribbon on a bag of cat food or cat litter help women with
their breast health?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I have
seen the ribbon on everything from toilet paper, bubble wrap, Italian sausages,
yogurts, duct tape, and countless other items of merchandise for sale.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We KNOW, we KNOW, we KNOW breast cancer exists. Can we all safely say we are very AWARE that breast cancer is a profound problem currently today? Um, yes. Do not even get me started on "the cure".....that is another blog post in and of itself.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you read the label to see how much of your “donation”
by purchase of said item actually goes to the purported cause?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe ten percent, or maybe ten cents or
maybe the disclaimer is as vague as “a portion of the proceeds from the
purchase of this product goes to a breast cancer charity (or to breast cancer
research).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait, what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where is YOUR money going?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buying pink does not necessarily do anything for the
hundreds of thousands battling breast cancer each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, many of the so-called pink items
actually contain ingredients that may CAUSE cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay for a cure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Come on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Insert
my most dramatic, sarcastic eye-roll right here!></em></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We CAN do better than this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can, we can, we can!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me tell you a little about breast cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your brain will permanently etch the sound
waves of your surgical oncologist calling you to tell you that you have
cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will hear that voice in your
head for the remainder of your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
will never, ever forget the dread, the fear, and the pit in the bottom of your
innermost core knowing you have a disease that may possibly take your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your eyes will never erase the image of a nurse donning all
but a HazMat suit to come administer the insanely toxic and potent poison right….into…your
veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fear of watching the
gelatinous “Red Devil” (aka Adriamycin) arriving in the largest syringe you
have ever laid eyes on (bigger than a turkey baster, people) being slowing
pushed into the IV port and the feeling of the cool toxic substance surge into
your body is similar to what you envision being tortured may be like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will also panic at the sight of a
technician coming in with a metal lockbox containing the radioactive isotopes
they inject INTO YOU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything that must
be under lock and key in a protective safe and deemed *radioactive* (I think Chernobyl
if you will), must not be thrust into your bloodstream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, yes, it does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite drinking gallons of liquids to counter the effects
of the noxious chemicals soaring through your system, you will not forget the
feeling of not being able to poop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You insist to yourself that
what goes in MUST come out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
trying to poop on chemotherapy is nearly impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You actually consider an emergency room visit
because it….just…..will…..not……come…..out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your breasts will never be the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not only will you show hundreds of different people your boobies on a daily
basis, you will not be able to pull off the name Misty Rain and get tips in
your thong for displaying these beautiful mounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, did I mention that about ninety-five
percent of these people who gawk at your boobs will also touch them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Men and women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young,
middle-aged, and old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot help
but wonder how many boobs they touch every day in their professional
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, your mind goes there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your armpit will be scarred and lymph nodes taken for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your breasts may be one or all of the
following: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>scarred, misshapen, lopsided,
tattooed, puckered, dimply, discolored, numb, plastic, radiation-induced firm,
mis-matched nippled, lumpy, filled with scar tissue or fatty necrosis or even
reconstructed from tissue from somewhere else on your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your emotional outlook on how your feminine
breasts are now far from how you were made naturally may take a huge hit
causing you to hide your breasts from your husband or not want to date for fear
of disgusting them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bone pain from the other poison, called Taxol, will make
you contemplate suicide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take the pain
of childbirth and delivery but maximize that by 1000% and pretend you are
getting run over by a gigantic Mack truck crushing all of your bones
slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will ponder if death is a
more palatable alternative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will have countless side effects long after the treatment
has commenced and your support teams have dispersed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The emotions shift daily and as if on a
roller coaster in the Marianas Trench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The residual bone and joint pain makes you shuffle like a ninety year
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phantom striking pains in all of
your surgical sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fog brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, you will not remember anything like you
used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words you know will be stuck…..somewhere…..as
you try to complete your sentences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Welcome, my friends, this….is……PINK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In an effort, myself, to do better about the world of pink
and to make the lives of my fellow cancer counterparts more comfortable, I had
to find a way to ensure that change was being made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not ask people for donations to
support pink and not be able to tell them where their money was truly
going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a passionate cancer advocate
who has bulldozed change herself, we founded <a href="http://www.pinkrevolution.org/">PINK Revolution Breast Cancer Alliance</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our mission was to ensure that
monies that come into our pink world actually go right back out in its entirety
(yes, 100% of those monies – no skimmed fat executive salaries of these
so-called NON-PROFITS; no operating expenses to cover extravagant five star
hotel functions to “rally the troops”; no cents of the dollars actually coming
back to the ultimate cause) to help patients you may very well know
yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlrNu7f6yvE/Uk193pr5Q4I/AAAAAAAADV4/JrA69zxQ5Yc/s1600/NEW+PRLOGO+HotPoutlinesm+little.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlrNu7f6yvE/Uk193pr5Q4I/AAAAAAAADV4/JrA69zxQ5Yc/s320/NEW+PRLOGO+HotPoutlinesm+little.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How can a woman try to fight for her life when she has no
disability insurance and cannot work because of the aforementioned “side-effects”
of chemotherapy and surgeries; and the assistance she is given through our
local social programs is $27/month in food stamps?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh sure, what little she will try to eat
given the projectile vomiting and constant nausea may amount to $27/month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>Come on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Insert
my most dramatic, sarcastic eye-roll right here!></strong></em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our world has become a fast and furiously paced place to
live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we are all humans and we
all have the capacity to love one another and to help one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us bring back the human touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us take a moment from our busy lives to
care for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly does take
a village, so let us bring that back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Donations are immensely helpful and help PINK Revolution
fund a number of necessities – from local research at <a href="http://www.umassmed.edu/cancerbiology/index.aspx">UMass Memorial Medical School Research</a>, to leading edge technology (one of five in the world sophisticated
tomosynthesis (3D) machines for betting diagnostic imaging) at <a href="http://www.umassmemorial.org/our-care/cancer-center-of-excellence/breast-cancer-overview">UMass Memorial Comprehensive Breast Center</a>, to improved patient care and funding for items
such as wigs, lymphedema sleeves, prosthetics and so much more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NEk0yOe8ffA/Uk19tUPb19I/AAAAAAAADV0/LCi3pn7tTCQ/s1600/pink+dollars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NEk0yOe8ffA/Uk19tUPb19I/AAAAAAAADV0/LCi3pn7tTCQ/s1600/pink+dollars.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Make your pink dollars count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know with confidence that your donation is
making a huge difference in the life of a very real breast cancer warrior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you cannot make a donation, there are
endless other ways to pay it forward:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>make a meal for a family going through cancer treatment, give a patient
a ride to their chemotherapy, mow their lawn, rake their leaves, watch their
young children, clean their house and set the ripple of pervasive change in
place for our future generations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Let us all be passionately pink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></em></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Let us all be the start of pervasive change.</span></em></strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-37364743864298952192013-09-26T03:30:00.000-04:002013-09-26T03:30:03.607-04:00KNOCK YOU DOWN!
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Success has been and continues to be defined as
getting up one more time than you’ve been knocked down." <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmo52HYZ50g/UkMLsHgDz6I/AAAAAAAADVM/wKiU8ccBUfs/s1600/fall+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmo52HYZ50g/UkMLsHgDz6I/AAAAAAAADVM/wKiU8ccBUfs/s1600/fall+down.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who hasn’t been knocked down in
the book of life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes bad things
happen:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you lose your job, your spouse
leaves you and your children, your health is compromised, and you lose a loved
one prematurely in an accident or whatever the case may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often there are no explanations for the
trials in our lives, but there is always a lesson to be learned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In thirty-nine years, the
universe has handed me what I like to refer to as more than my fair share of sucker
punches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, loss of my hearing
by age four <JAB!>;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a mentally ill mother who beat me bloody,
bruised and hurt me to my deepest core <POW!>;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a very aggressive stage two breast cancer
diagnosis at fourteen weeks pregnant <KERPOW!>; the sad, slow,
degenerative death of my father <GGGGGG-GOISH!>,the harsh reality of
massive life down-sizing post-cancer <pull…the…rug…out!>; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the sudden, instant death of my mother
<BAM!> and now another *minor* health bump that will redirect my very
near future plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQWvw74LAxo/UkMHxQ3V3LI/AAAAAAAADUw/bbrGeZ9EYQY/s1600/bang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQWvw74LAxo/UkMHxQ3V3LI/AAAAAAAADUw/bbrGeZ9EYQY/s1600/bang.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Should I be bitter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I be a cynic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few rounds in the ring with forces
stronger than Muhammad Ali, you bet I could be angry and miserable at the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I am not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My lesson learned (and learned
and learned and learned and learned yet again, oh, and for added measure
learned again) is that my personal success will be determined by being knocked
down and getting back up again (and again and again and again and again and
again…….).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, what else would I
do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would I give up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my choice to lay down defeated, or
instead, get myself right back up and hope no one really saw that fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AGA_MjDNwLY/UkMHFl3VtrI/AAAAAAAADUo/X7epXek6AhE/s1600/fall+7+stand+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AGA_MjDNwLY/UkMHFl3VtrI/AAAAAAAADUo/X7epXek6AhE/s320/fall+7+stand+8.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember mapping out my life my
senior year with my high school bud, Karen:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We would both wait until age 30 to be married, we would both own red
convertible BMWs, I would be a doctor, she a physical therapist and we would
have THE life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality, for me, is
that I married at 22, had my first child by 24, I ended up in the legal field
and now reside in consulting, AND I have yet to own a BMW or a convertible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, I spent many of my
twenty-something years planning my life out to the most finite of details (all
but the bathroom breaks, people). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I literally
mapped it out by year, by age and some other irrelevant planning details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recall
my previous posts that touch on those wild curveballs of life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Um, yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Master planner or not,
there are side-winders that threaten to de-rail you off your very pathway on a precise,
yet irregular, basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ScTxAwqPLwQ/UkMINQKw2OI/AAAAAAAADU4/vWqvmE2dE54/s1600/agenda.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ScTxAwqPLwQ/UkMINQKw2OI/AAAAAAAADU4/vWqvmE2dE54/s1600/agenda.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In any event, as a parent, I now
witness the moments of impact for my children in their own treks through their
young lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The balance of being a
super good momma, by providing my children with my advice to foster their own
lessons learned and not being a smothering helicopter parent, is super fragile
and immensely easy to tip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Providing guidelines
to your child on how to handle the unfairness in life is a must and watching
them employ your advice is empowering for both you and for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when life still throws up vomit in
their face and knocks them down, it is increasingly difficult to watch your
child get back up and dust herself off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, what else should I teach my children to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, they need to stand back up again
and this time, even taller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What other
choice is there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world is a vast
place and there are an awful lot of boxing gloves waiting to take that sucker
punch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lead by example, I say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There will always be nay-sayers
who say you cannot do x, y, or z.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t
we be programmed to automatically respond with:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Well, here is x, y, z and for that matter, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I,
j, k, l, m ...? “ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There will always be instances of
life going a full 180 degrees opposite of what we expected or how we had
planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t we take a deep breath
and simply embrace the different view?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps, like my own journey
through life, yours will be (is) chock full of speed bumps – some harder than
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally tighten my own
seatbelt, holdthe safety bar and release giggles amongst the “Yahoooos!” and know
that I will fall down again in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, you can
bet your last dollar that I will rise again (even if it means rolling over onto
all fours first and going vertical with a grand groan)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cjg_WCM96Bs/UkMIteUx4jI/AAAAAAAADVA/V6K5m695CBk/s1600/calm+and+hold+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cjg_WCM96Bs/UkMIteUx4jI/AAAAAAAADVA/V6K5m695CBk/s1600/calm+and+hold+on.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-63570091150884017992013-09-19T12:12:00.001-04:002013-09-20T09:09:46.314-04:00New Adventures in Diarrhea Pants<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Early July, I was scared to
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was beyond nervous, so much so,
that an entire flock of butterflies were fluttering around in my tummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bowels rumbled and gurgled with anticipation
and a near pre-diarrhea anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
about to embark on a new adventure and for a gal that is not easily ruffled, I
was quoting Scar from "The Lion King” (minus the sarcasm) with, “I quiver
with fear!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IyVHdWbqH0/UjseqXGeUpI/AAAAAAAADTs/dPXzbej0qOM/s1600/scar+quiver+w+fear.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IyVHdWbqH0/UjseqXGeUpI/AAAAAAAADTs/dPXzbej0qOM/s1600/scar+quiver+w+fear.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walked into the old plastic
factory that had recently been converted to the latest trend of fitness enthusiasts’
idea of a playground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind had stereotypes
running rampant and I instantly categorized each of the people then present in the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rubber floor had chalk marks on it
reminiscent of grade school scribbling, but in an alien-like gibberish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room, despite being very large, had very
little equipment in it and I found myself questioning what type of gym this
could be. I stared at the ropes hanging
from the ceiling and pondered what I had gotten myself into.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVFQKHQ2sZw/Ujse3XFA6XI/AAAAAAAADT0/dU-DzKJpeds/s1600/crossfit+ropes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVFQKHQ2sZw/Ujse3XFA6XI/AAAAAAAADT0/dU-DzKJpeds/s1600/crossfit+ropes.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Uncomfortably so, I started foam
rolling because that’s what everyone else was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly, people starting saying “hi” and
making me feel slightly less out of place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let me remind you that every single person in the space in these early
days was extremely fit and had definition of muscles on their muscles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promised myself to keep an open mind, a
very wide-open mind and to let myself experience the opportunity of something
new. I also started tormenting myself, telling myself I did not belong here nor would I be able to keep up with these beautiful people.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Welcome to CrossFit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Within a couple of workouts, I
realized that the people are insanely nice, very welcoming and the team atmosphere that
CrossFit encourages is awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure,
you are working out with some incredibly strong folks and some amazingly fit
athletes, but you are truly only competing against yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are pushing yourself to your limits and
you have an instant cheering squad alongside of you in your fellow CrossFit
groupies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You are setting new personal records for YOURSELF! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>People accuse CrossFit of
being a cult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say, why yes, it is a
cult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cult of people with similar
fitness goals you share; an automatic support team to encourage you to meet those goals and
obstacles, head on through both thick and thin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am ALL
in!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been working out for a few
years now, trying a vast multitude of training regimens and different gym environments to keep me interested
and to namely keep me feeling strong and HEALTHY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only sense of control I have over my
health after a tough cancer battle is by engaging in a variety of workouts to
push my body to the opposite limit. I have known the ultimate weakness in health and my mission is to now know the ultimate strength in my OWN health.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a brain that still thinks it
is a sixteen year old track star and a now nearly 40 year old body, the ability to
mesh the two smoothly has become quite the challenge and often results in
frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning how to run at my “happy”
pace is akin to me wanting to conquer a roller coaster but instead sitting idly
at a snail's pace on the red line from Leominster into Harvard Square.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In previous posts of mine, you
have met “Spike”, my gremlin who gets into my head and you have learned of my
insanely high expectations of myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of you have offered sage advice, such as “You are WAY too hard on
yourself!” or “You set your goals to unattainable limits!” or “You are doing
it, cut yourself some slack!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry,
Charlie – these words do nothing to console me and I have come to terms that I
am just different. (Okay, okay, I am insane!) I am a goal setter and I am overly ambitious, but I also have that ability to get what I want. Many of us have that ability but we fail to engage it, let alone use it on a regular basis in life.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Welcome to CrossFit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In two months’ time, I have found
a “home” when it comes to MY happy place; a location where I come out feeling
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, you read that right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had my ass handed to me at the
discreet Jytek Park location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
sweated enough in one session to grossly wet the floor around me (yes, I clean it up for the next person behind me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have made new friends and I have found quite a few
former gym-rat friends who have shifted here to reconnect with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have nearly puked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have built
a lot of muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have improved my form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have broken through those damn tight hip
flexors and gotten my squat down, down, down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
I am down fifteen pounds.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKHqcRlCcBo/UjsfTNCUEDI/AAAAAAAADT8/kNsPCX24xmg/s1600/backsquat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKHqcRlCcBo/UjsfTNCUEDI/AAAAAAAADT8/kNsPCX24xmg/s1600/backsquat.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(That's NOT me, but damn, that WILL be me!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The difference: every....single......workout I have come
out of, I have a grin on my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I thank my trainer for the workout that I just did! </span>My body
is buzzing and alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel STRONG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned an entirely new lingo and I
still giggle like a thirteen year old boy every time the trainer says key words
like:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“snatch” “clean and jerk” “thrusters”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have wet myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, you read that right and apparently, it’s
not because I have had kids!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
building definition in my own muscles. Those fears of not fitting in or being able to do the
workout have been replaced with fears of starting to look like a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Actually, when I see the super fit women at
my CrossFit, I envy them and count down the workouts until I can mold my body
into a similar physique - see picture above).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Actually, I am still afraid.....of rope climbs, of pull ups, of muscle ups, and of sharting myself.....but I have a newfound confidence that this body, my body, may be able to accomplish a lot more than I ever thought possible - cancer or no cancer, upcoming 40 years of age or not and limitations are still clearly meant to be surpassed.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inasmuch as CrossFit is not for
everyone, I have realized it IS for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cannot afford the monthly payments, but yet, I have promised myself to
do so for as long as I can financially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is always a way and cuts can be made in other places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My health is critical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My workouts are so very important to my
well-being both physically AND mentally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the first time in a very, very long time, I feel strong, I feel
powerful, I feel healthy and that is my happy place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now able to cross-train including my
running, hiking, and CrossFit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
any future bad runs I have will be coddled by a dose of slamming some weights
around and running around the industrial park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you CrossFit 978.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xcYiiBd94U/UjsfvGCn_RI/AAAAAAAADUE/UL38Y62ux9Q/s1600/crossfit978.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xcYiiBd94U/UjsfvGCn_RI/AAAAAAAADUE/UL38Y62ux9Q/s320/crossfit978.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now tell me: Where is your happy place in the
world of exercise?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Are you open to trying new forms of exercise? What scares you about some forms of exercise? Do you exercise for health, for vanity, for peace of mind? Are you willing to surpass YOUR limitations?</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-9541756930344288172013-09-11T11:37:00.000-04:002013-09-11T13:11:04.960-04:00To My Fellow Humans - On 9/11<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been thinking again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><Oh no, here she goes again!><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, over-analysis is quite my thing; my thought-process may
be shifted, sorted, reviewed, researched, molded, plied, and manipulated from a
couple of brainwaves to an extended period of cranium-induced exercises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Doesn’t she have an off-switch?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geesh.><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, my mind does circular donuts around the date:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>September, 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been twelve years since the horrible terrorist
attacks on our U.S. soil that forever changed our innermost beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us remember precisely where we were
and what we were doing at the very moments each plane crashed into the
respective World Trade Center towers, into the Pentagon and into the field in
Pennsylvania.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I remember most about the significant date of 9/11 is
the humanity that shone through and carried on for the weeks thereafter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Civilization came together and humans helped
each other by digging through rubble; and further by hugging each other for the
losses of security, memories of what was and of the countless lives affected that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmpi25oUB30/UjCK3TSoSpI/AAAAAAAADTA/Xv8ZSqUM728/s1600/9-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmpi25oUB30/UjCK3TSoSpI/AAAAAAAADTA/Xv8ZSqUM728/s1600/9-11.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, we witnessed unbelievable acts of heroism and courage
on April 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> of this year, when Boston was bombed during its
biggest sporting event of the year, the Boston Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People came together immediately to help our
fellow humans again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood, sweat and an
awful lot of tears were shed and mixed as we cast aside the “Why?” and we simply
loved our respective beings, strangers or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QweUacEVGI/UjCM3G6QgjI/AAAAAAAADTM/NMto-FZ_ZQ4/s1600/130415160314-boston-marathon-explosion-04-horizontal-gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QweUacEVGI/UjCM3G6QgjI/AAAAAAAADTM/NMto-FZ_ZQ4/s320/130415160314-boston-marathon-explosion-04-horizontal-gallery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One element that makes me most proud to be an American is
our ability to come together in times of great strife and turmoil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Differences are most certainly cast aside
without a second glance, sleeves are rolled up and we band together as one to
care for each another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our pasts are completely
irrelevant for a brief period: our socio-economic backgrounds and demographics
temporarily irrelevant, our religious affiliations and our personal beliefs immaterial
for the time being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People helping
people in the most basic, and yet, the most essential and necessary ways – and why
do we not do this on a regular basis?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
mind ponders why - why only in tragedies do we cast aside our differences and resort
to the crucial need of humans helping humans?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In an effort to not disregard the thousands that do help one
another on a regular basis, there are many who support their fellow villagers
by fund-raising for those who are ill; by helping with childcare for those
strapped by employment restraints or challenging home situations; by supporting
those who have fallen upon hard times and providing for them in their time of
need; by lending an ear or a heart for someone who’s had their heart broken; or
even by the very professions that allow specialized people to care for another as
their daily job requires whether it is by fire-fighting, police work, medical
skills or more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My thoughts continue to bounce around in my mind, not unlike
the Roomba vacuum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of cleaning
my brain, the views I ponder simply bounce off the constraints of my skull and
answers remain elusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do we not
undertake caring for our fellows as a way of life, said actions carried out like the tasks we perform for work and at home regularly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do we not teach our children these
actions are just as important as the pleases and thank-yous?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We buckle up for safety in our cars
regularly, but when is the last time we embraced a friend or acquaintance for a
similar protective snugness in the ride of life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In these twelve years, post-September 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, I
have learned that there is nothing quite stronger than the bond of
humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When humans act together, I am
quite sure even diamonds are not stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An act of helping your fellows does not have to be grand in nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, there is a cliché that says every
small rock casts a ripple, which creates a larger ripple and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine, a world where your small act of kindness may set
off such a chain reaction!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1z-28EfiIc/UjCNsTO6p5I/AAAAAAAADTU/sX8kuqJN2NY/s1600/ripple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1z-28EfiIc/UjCNsTO6p5I/AAAAAAAADTU/sX8kuqJN2NY/s1600/ripple.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many acts of kindness are circulating lately, but what about
if we did not pay for the coffee behind us and what if we did not send a caring
letter to a friend, but instead, we simply incorporated acts of caring beyond
those ideas?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Right!><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SAY IT LOUDER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><RIGHT!!!!!!!!><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week, I asked you to take inventory of your friends
<a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/09/who-are-your-friends.html">(Who Are Your Friends?)</a> and ask yourself what you really wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week, I am challenging you to stop and
make a list of five (yes, only five, you can do it!) kind acts you can do for
your fellow neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, and any other person you may
see on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe you bring the trash and recycling bin in
for the mother who has her hands full of kids, groceries and backpacks upon her
return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps you send a backpack fully loaded with
school supplies to your child’s teacher knowing they will put it to a child who
needs it (info can be found here: <a href="http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_23943789/teachers-legacy-childrens-charity">Cara's Kids</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe that friend on Facebook has been putting
on a brave face despite her challenges at home and she needs a bag of apples
from your local orchard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps your elderly neighbor could use some
frozen meals to easily defrost and prepare for himself as his children live out
of state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe the boy on your son’s soccer team just
needs a gentle hug and a ride home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps your boss could use something sweeter in
her life, so bring her a plate of cookies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe you mow the grass of the neighbor next
door as he tries to balance his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teach your children by your actions, not your directives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us pave the way for future generations
starting now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list of ways to help
each other is endless; your imagination is without boundaries and your ability
to support your village is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>always</u></b>
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">How will you help another human being today?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-79399630944454981162013-09-05T10:30:00.003-04:002013-09-05T10:30:59.178-04:00Who Are Your Friends?
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you ever pause and take stock of your friendship
bank?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you pondered the character
and depth of the people who are in your life for one reason or another?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you feel confident you have nurtured and
coddled your best relationships?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you
neglecting a friend or two?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLnrF5wvzQ0/UiiSVwROy1I/AAAAAAAADSM/-TXlMSrUizY/s1600/friendship+bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLnrF5wvzQ0/UiiSVwROy1I/AAAAAAAADSM/-TXlMSrUizY/s1600/friendship+bank.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the years, my relationships with my friends has
certainly morphed and changed, not unlike the colors of a chameleon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sit and wonder:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>does time change relationships or is it
simply an occurrence of people changing over time, myself included?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I moved around quite a bit as a young child until I was
thirteen and settled here in Massachusetts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cannot say that I have a friend from the second grade that I am still
super tight with in this present day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thankfully, social media forums like Facebook have allowed me the
opportunity to reconnect with some grade school friends from Oklahoma, so that
is a unique treat and often affords me warm, delicious and tasty morsels of childhood
memories every now and then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have my lifetime friends from age thirteen on – those friends
that regardless of how frequently we talk; I know that if I pick up the phone
and call them in distress, they would be there for me in a flash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes weeks pass by in our busy lives
that we do not connect in some form, however, I do know that our relationship
is concrete enough to withstand the brief delays in communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in 2013, a brief text conversation
allows us the connection of friendship and affords the ability to gently push
aside the guilt for not having enough time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EWJCy78Uaus/UiiSV26crcI/AAAAAAAADSQ/J7CYAWQJbJw/s1600/friendship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EWJCy78Uaus/UiiSV26crcI/AAAAAAAADSQ/J7CYAWQJbJw/s320/friendship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my early thirties, I struggled greatly with one-sided
friendships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I queried myself
relentlessly about why so-and-so always wanted and needed something from
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, so-and-so rarely gave back in
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a giving (and giving and
giving and giving) person, my heart stung and my brain could not comprehend the
short end of the stick in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I exhausted
myself in providing friendship and stressing about the emptiness I could not
fill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nearing my forties, and after a life changing and ever so cliché
cancer battle, I literally do not sweat the small stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, we need to clear the clutter from
our lives, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A regular inventory
check of friendships has become a new type of “spring cleaning” if you
will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love hearing all the stories, the trials and tribulations of others,
the depth of character from various families, the parental diatribes, and the
stuff that comes along with living life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
However, I also want quality over quantity - my time has to count these days. As many working moms, we do not get much time away from our family responsibilities, therefore, time spent with people outside of the inhabitants of my household has to be worth it.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My children comment regularly on how many acquaintances I
have <and usually chastise me for not being able to go anywhere without
talking endlessly with someone…..> but I have to stop and consider at times,
am I, myself, nurturing all of these relationships?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are some acquaintances actually friends that need some more of me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are some of these friends feeling neglected
by me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I need take inventory on my
own personal contributions to these relationships?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A couple of people have indeed called me out on not being
involved enough with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately
feel horrible for not being there when they needed me; shame on me for not
making the time regardless of my insanely full schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when I come back down off my panic
pole, I realize that these same folks have not afforded the same effort that
they accuse me of failing. Interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I do from here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Let’s bring it back to center, people.</span></em></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stepping back from my so-called inventory of friends, I
analyze even deeper and I delve further into my own character pool….what do I
want from my friends?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-scw-4kXuie0/UiiVMhxCgzI/AAAAAAAADS0/29J5rFz94gk/s1600/friends+wealth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-scw-4kXuie0/UiiVMhxCgzI/AAAAAAAADS0/29J5rFz94gk/s1600/friends+wealth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Basically, I want friends to laugh with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughter and silliness is indeed still the best
medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love game nights where
rampant laughter has caused sore abs and tight jaws the day after an
inappropriate game of “Things” or “Telestrations”. Friends who will laugh AT me when I get a rare night out and suddenly become a super-charged Energizer Bunny who may make quite a fool of herself.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want friends who know I am full-blown nuts and love me more
for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want absolutely insane friends
who encourage me to be more of a lunatic and entice me into actions I may (or
may<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not) regret. I want friends who will surpass me in my attempts to cram my life full of memories and out of the box ways to get there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want friends who simply take a moment to think of me and
send me a text with a “Hey, how are you?” or an “OMG, I just farted so loud my
cat jumped!” or a “My child just had the best game of his/her life!” or a “Bec,
I need your help, my mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer, would you talk
to her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want friends who say let’s get together for a pumpkin beer
tomorrow, or let’s go for a hike to be followed by a pumpkin beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Tee hee, yes, I like pumpkin beer). I also like friends who say, "I tried kale today and it was not bad but what else do I do with it?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want friends who are not afraid to open up and tell me
just how much their husband is driving them nuts this week, or perhaps, their
child is struggling in school or with a bully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want a friend to
say, I cannot handle the stress of my life right now and I have just knocked down an entire pint of
Ben & Jerry’s – help me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oECZDqcXBi0/UiiVMqokXyI/AAAAAAAADSw/eEPX1wQQmRQ/s1600/friendship+million.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oECZDqcXBi0/UiiVMqokXyI/AAAAAAAADSw/eEPX1wQQmRQ/s1600/friendship+million.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that I have compiled my list of a million desires from my friends,
I will ensure that I offer some of the same to those I call my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will thank each and every one of you for
being my friend, regardless of capacity or “depth” in friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will only hope that I provide you with
laughter, insanity, thoughtfulness, an ear <or probably two in my case since
both ears do not quite work right>, and last but not least my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRT65D35v4g/UiiVEhFrDgI/AAAAAAAADSg/KZKQgoQTVY4/s1600/friendship+gift+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRT65D35v4g/UiiVEhFrDgI/AAAAAAAADSg/KZKQgoQTVY4/s1600/friendship+gift+open.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-22580932427080587902013-08-29T08:53:00.000-04:002013-08-29T08:53:35.787-04:00FAT Expectations
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RK7VyR98Daw/Uh9DSlnAH_I/AAAAAAAADRg/ZkDVsugt1Ig/s1600/dangerous+expectations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RK7VyR98Daw/Uh9DSlnAH_I/AAAAAAAADRg/ZkDVsugt1Ig/s1600/dangerous+expectations.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you have fat expectations?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the sky is the limit, do you have expectations of yourself, of your
family, of those around you and do you hold everything to a higher standard?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Previously, I have touched upon how many of us have such
high expectations of ourselves, including myself and here we are <strong>again</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people have chastised me <ack, the
horror!> and they have instructed me to cut myself some slack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My knee-jerk reaction is always, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If I don’t hold myself to the highest
expectations, then who will?”<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reflection has allowed me the opportunity to trace some of
my Type A+++++++++++ personality and my “need to exceed” back to my
childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents, namely my dad,
set the bar very high for me and all that I was to accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the by-product of a second marriage for
both parents and my much older siblings made quite a few mistakes along the way
(as did my parents); so my parents were determined to get it “right” with their
baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there are many memories of
when I complimented myself for a job well done, and yet, I recall my father
telling me I could do better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You got an A- on your
report card?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want that to be an A+!”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I questioned my father’s irrationality with
an angry and frustrated, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What MORE do you want from me?”</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny that I now use this irrationality in my
own head towards myself, and yet, I never question myself, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MORE </b>do you want from
me?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sure, all the trials I have experienced in my life catapult
me at warp speed into the whole fat expectations thing– remember how I lost my
hearing young <a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-did-you-say.html">(What Did You Say?)</a>, remember how I battled cancer while pregnant
<a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-rebirth.html">(Rebirth)</a>, remember how I dealt with an abusive mother <a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/04/rip-mom.html">(RIP Mom)</a>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am just USED to surpassing expectations and
limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s58pF3cuYPk/Uh9EMfBUAJI/AAAAAAAADRw/hHqje3_Oaw4/s1600/exceed+expectations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s58pF3cuYPk/Uh9EMfBUAJI/AAAAAAAADRw/hHqje3_Oaw4/s1600/exceed+expectations.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what happens when I do not meet nor exceed my
expectations?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am fat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, please
do not argue and shake your head that I am not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I weigh much more than any one of you could even guess for a million
dollar prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not ready to publicly
disclose that overweight number to you all yet, no way José – I am still a girl
and I have waaaaaaay too much pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
you know you are fat when the nurse at the doctor’s office always remarks on
how well you hide your weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first counter argument I get when I call myself fat
is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you are so fit!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I fit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, I am getting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
incredibly strong, but I struggle with my favorite form of exercise –
running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy the down time I get
from running:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no kids, loud music,
beautiful scenery, and a chance to try and turn off my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, because of my aforementioned need to
exceed, my head games often put me in a dark place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wait?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy go-lucky, smiley me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do go to dark places?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, that dark place is IN my
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember "Gremlins" <a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/01/meet-spike.html">(Meet Spike)</a>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, instead of relishing
all that my body CAN do, I focus on all that I *think* my body cannot do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Come on, move your fat ass!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If you weren’t so heavy, your runs would be faster and your body would
not hurt as much!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If you took better care of yourself when your children were really
young, you wouldn’t be this pathetically overweight right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If you chose to deal with your emotional problems when your parents
lived with you, instead of finding comfort in food or drink, you would be that
much further ahead of the game!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Stop making excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just suck
it up and do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one has ever died
from trying too hard.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The excuses:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They go
on and on and on and on and on in my noggin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My need to set goals for myself is not unlike goals that many of you set
for yourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, my desire to
not only meet said goals I have arranged, but surpass my own expectations often
results in a crippling mind-game and I am deflated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tecMaS69wM/Uh9D64daeAI/AAAAAAAADRo/mk9JFCBVotA/s1600/disappoint+expect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tecMaS69wM/Uh9D64daeAI/AAAAAAAADRo/mk9JFCBVotA/s320/disappoint+expect.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are some of
us pre-programmed and hard-wired to be so upset when we do not meet our own
objectives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does a bad run on one
day completely derail me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does it
feel like it has to be all or nothing in the land of Rebecca?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is it really difficult to be in a “happy place” and just go
with the flow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People ask me why I beat
myself up or why I am so hard on myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In my mind, I am not that hard on myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth is I find it motivational most of the
time, but I do not know how to handle it when I go to that dark place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the EXPERT at helping YOU when you are
facing something similar and I can offer great words of advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I fail to take my own medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regularly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know that my husband struggles when his day does not go
quite as expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find that my oldest
is genetically hard-wired like her Momma and gets frustrated when her
performance is not up to her own level of pre-determined excellence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Smack….ouch…..nothing like a bit of your
behavior with a mirror-like reflection from your own offspring.><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My question to you, is this simply a bad “habit” that can be
unplugged and re-circuited?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this need
to exceed an addiction or compulsion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
setting the bar so high a bad thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps, identifying large goals for oneself is a basic life lesson in
learning how to cope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What are your thoughts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you struggle with something similar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do you manage? I cannot be the only one out there...........so tell me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-51639964370591329572013-08-21T21:52:00.002-04:002013-08-21T21:52:42.123-04:00The Anti-Bucket List by RebeccaEarlier this week, I stumbled across something on the internet that was titled, "The Anti-Bucket List". I will be fair and say I did not get to read more than the brief excerpt about how it was the opposite of the ever-so popular Bucket List that folks, including myself, have been sharing compiling for years - all the great places I would love to visit, the activities I dare myself to undertake, and the good-will I seek to deliver during my time here on Earth.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcq1NQ4ZxrQ/UhVsK4Qgx_I/AAAAAAAADQs/8GD6vdhdU48/s1600/anti+bucket+list.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcq1NQ4ZxrQ/UhVsK4Qgx_I/AAAAAAAADQs/8GD6vdhdU48/s1600/anti+bucket+list.png" /></a></div>
<br />
What about your "Anti-Bucket List"? Do you have a list of things you would NEVER do in your lifetime? I instantly thought the list would be challenging for me, as I am one to NEVER say NEVER. However, upon some additional thought, I realize there are indeed things to do, places to go, activities to undertake that I would honestly not ever make a priority - EVER. <br />
<br />
Are you ready? Here we go:<br />
<br />
1. I would never want to visit the Middle East. Honestly. I am SURE there are so many beautiful countries that run rampant with history and cultural lessons over there. However, going anywhere near the Middle East is not in my top ten, nor my top 100 list to go before I die. Don't get me wrong, I love Middle-Eastern food - falafel, grape leaves, kibbee.......but I can get delish fatouche here! There are so many other places I would rather go first, so the Middle East is just on the very bottom of my Anti-Bucket List. In fact, I would be very happy to bring home all of our Americans from over there. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
2. I will never go "noodling". No. Nope. NO thank youuuuu. All set with that. Have you heard of the show, "Hillbilly Handfishin'"? Yeah. I grew up with a bunch of folks during my Oklahoma days that did indeed go "noodling". Um, I am totally A-Okay, good with that if I never stick my hand or my foot down a very deep whole in a very dark, red colored creek bed to try and capture a gigantic catfish. What's wrong with using a fishing pole, people? I intend to die with all ten fingers and all ten toes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7eUtuF3_78/UhVtMkEI9mI/AAAAAAAADRA/avkq6dpnRdc/s1600/catfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7eUtuF3_78/UhVtMkEI9mI/AAAAAAAADRA/avkq6dpnRdc/s1600/catfish.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
3. I would not tour with Andrew Zimmern, of "Bizarre Foods". I would love to visit many of the cool places he does go (not including my aforementioned #1 above). However, the older I get, the more intense my gag-reflex gets. I have a very open mind; except when it comes to very bizarre body parts out of very bizarre living creatures or perhaps something that has been fermenting for a few too many days. Testicles? Keep them for procreation and for men to aimlessly scratch for no good reason. I do not view animal balls as good eats.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-cH-j4gm5Q/UhVtj4DnOKI/AAAAAAAADRI/Eodrn-OkqyM/s1600/balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-cH-j4gm5Q/UhVtj4DnOKI/AAAAAAAADRI/Eodrn-OkqyM/s1600/balls.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
4. I will not rally with any group of people that limits the rights of another group of people. Period.<br />
<br />
5. I will most likely never use any religion as my faith to help me get through my trying times. I am open-minded and will listen to most anyone as they share their beliefs with me. I will go to any church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or religious grounds to learn more. However, I do not put my life, my trust nor my hands into any set religion. I have a hard time explaining it friends who have inquired. How do I get through the hardest times that I have experienced to date without prayer? I do not know. I use the power of positive thinking, much like that in "The Secret". I do not read the Bible. I do not pray to God. I do believe in a higher authority, but I do not ask said higher authority to help me through my troubles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
6. I will never go to a Justin Bieber concert. I have been to Aaron Carter. 'Nuf said.<br />
<br />
I keep thinking about what is on my BUCKET LIST so much so, that I struggled greatly with this Anti-Bucket List! What else am I missing?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tell me - what is on your Anti-Bucket List? </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-8381159815990544352013-08-15T10:43:00.000-04:002013-08-15T11:11:06.398-04:00Throw Away The Key?<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ftjh34UN2CY/Ugzo4Aw8aUI/AAAAAAAADQc/4HaKCaJ-eWI/s1600/key.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ftjh34UN2CY/Ugzo4Aw8aUI/AAAAAAAADQc/4HaKCaJ-eWI/s320/key.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I cannot get away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Part of me wants to lock up the past and throw the key away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other part of me accepts that this is the
new me and I am better, so much better, for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet, the lingering essences of my darkest nights loom as if freshly
applied yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can you get away from the labels, the stigmas and the badge
of courage after a cancer diagnosis?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Would you want to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why wouldn’t
you want to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">August marks the month that nearly almost six years ago
(yes, it has been THAT long), I was hiding in my master bathroom with a pit in
my stomach waiting for my surgical oncologist on the other end of the phone
line to deliver the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nausea
intensified and the hydrochloric acid in my esophagus bubbled higher and higher
up into my throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children knocked on
the bathroom door, curious as to why their father and I were hiding in the
bathroom, unavailable to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart
nearly palpitated out of my chest and then nearly stopped beating when the
words were uttered:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you have cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honestly, it took me a full twenty-four hours to process
those words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and over and over
again, my sweet doctor’s voice replayed in my brain; as if I could possibly
change the meaning of the linguistics of that one sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It took me a full year after my diagnosis to finish my
course of treatment; as having a baby in there certainly changes all standard
protocols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not ready to share my
story then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, I remember
being embarrassed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Embarrassed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had not quite figured out why I had cancer; despite a number of
theories synapsing through my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was not a fan of the new look I was sporting – at the time, I had not yet had
my “reconstructive” surgery so my chest consisted of a very large DD mammary
coupled with a then misshapen half-a-boobectomy sized C boob (that was now
cancer free).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hair was coming back in
with a vengeance:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a head full of
black, jet black, squirrelly, kinky, unable to tame pubic hair…….hello…….ON…..MY……HEAD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, I recall the number of days where
I felt mandated to put a pair of skivvies up on my skull to tuck it all in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NIDIeYGOSPw/Ugzk1kcakhI/AAAAAAAADPk/JGFl8uupI-c/s1600/crazy+hair+chemo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NIDIeYGOSPw/Ugzk1kcakhI/AAAAAAAADPk/JGFl8uupI-c/s320/crazy+hair+chemo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Slowly, with time and with some encouragement, I began to
share my story and I began to see the positive in being the poster child for
what NOT to do when you find a lump in your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also became a sort of cheerleader that
despite being handed a deck full of poop, you can outlast, outwit and outplay
with the right attitude and a change of lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a very cute, very personable new born
into toddler during this time certainly helped warm the public to my, let’s say
“exotic,” look at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnKCFNv-M5c/UgzlgF05tEI/AAAAAAAADPs/Yk3CzyjE0Eo/s1600/family+reece+birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnKCFNv-M5c/UgzlgF05tEI/AAAAAAAADPs/Yk3CzyjE0Eo/s320/family+reece+birth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two and three years after my entry into the war zone, I was
angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People were dying all around me at young ages
from cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five deaths in a one year
period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the fudge?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time I stepped into the funeral home to
pay my respects, my emotions grew vastly and more intensly out of check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nausea was back in full force, the shaking
began in my very core and the tears, okay, by the fifth one, the wailing was inconsolable
and I was back to embarrassment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
dare I feel this way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family is just
feet away from me and I am a blubbering, incoherent, snotty mess?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot explain it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, these tears were not only for the
loss of my friends, but perhaps, finally, salt water shed for my own sense of
loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, I spent so much of my
remaining energy being strong for those around me, that I very rarely grieved
for myself during the countless days I was hanging on for dear life: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>vomiting, rolling in excruciating pain and nearly
praying for a relief from this awful torture via death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fast forward to the present day and recent celebrations of
winning the cancer lottery – having met that five year cancer free, no evidence
of disease, milestone just two months ago and my mind is swirling (no, I will
answer your question here – my mind never stops).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What do I do from here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do I close this chapter and lock up the key?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of me says yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My cancer battle was really not unlike a very
long road race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My finish line has come
and gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I surpassed the finish line
after a very long, very drawn out test of perseverance and endurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was awarded the ultimate medal:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the gift of life and a place holder in my
very own record book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set a PR in my
game of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But aren’t people sick of
hearing about my experience with cancer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay, okay, you all GET it by now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other part of me says no, it is unrealistic to shove my
experience away in the memory banks of road races, wedding, childbirths and
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cancer is a terrifying experience
and I know with a solid affirmation that truly, one does not understand someone
going through cancer like another cancer survivor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All experiences of cancer are vastly
different, including the same exact types, no body reacts the same as another
but knowing that someone else has the same feelings as you did or reacted the
same way to the toxic poisons that actually end up saving you – there’s great
comfort in sharing stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our society thrives on labels for some reason or
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I transition out of wearing
my cancer badge on my bosom and now, neatly tucking it away in my memory box, I
realize I am in no need to lock up my past and throw away said key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite my label and despite the cancer now
being well in my past, I am embarking on my newest chapter and my journey I
have yet to experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though my body still struggles with the side-effects of
cancer, the ensuing treatments, the countless surgeries, all these years later –
my body is truly an amazing machine and I have to compliment this machine for
all that it does accomplish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou9idFQ-vGI/Ugzl7DZyaaI/AAAAAAAADP0/tW8qOpcYO3Y/s1600/cancer+race+bib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou9idFQ-vGI/Ugzl7DZyaaI/AAAAAAAADP0/tW8qOpcYO3Y/s320/cancer+race+bib.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4cekXa7Xki8/Ugzl7Hl_toI/AAAAAAAADP8/WlzCsyly5_Q/s1600/pink+haired+reece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kkC5zVBd8e0/Ugzl7bBexUI/AAAAAAAADQM/bxKxWW1hFXw/s1600/winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kkC5zVBd8e0/Ugzl7bBexUI/AAAAAAAADQM/bxKxWW1hFXw/s320/winner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband now counters my complaints of the limitations and
restrictions I face through this battered body with a new excuse that incites
me like none other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stops me
mid-sentence in my rant about how my feet are still struggling with neuropathy
and how my left arm is weak from my surgeries, to remind me that perhaps AGE is
starting to be more of a factor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
quickly shift from feeling sorry for myself and being angry that I cannot do
what my mind thinks I should do, to feeling my fists ball up and subsequently hurling of insults to
my beloved husband - how he’s about to get his @$$ kicked for saying such a
thing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AGE?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gently remind him that neuropathy means I
lack a lot of feeling in my feet; therefore, they will make the perfect weapon
in beating him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;-)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just like that, my mind is no longer worrying about my past or
being labeled (now perhaps a domestic abuse badge?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I return to my regularly scheduled
programming of being a mom, a wife, an auntie, a daughter-in-law, a sister, an exercise
enthusiast, a kale devotee, a philanthropist (even without my yet to be made
millions), a friend, and a lover of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-26875303627930822202013-08-07T09:38:00.001-04:002013-08-07T09:46:23.209-04:00CIRCLE OF LIFE<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It's the
Circle of Life<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And it
moves us all<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through
despair and hope<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through
faith and love<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Till we
find our place<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the
path unwinding<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the
Circle<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Circle of Life"</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My heart aches heavily as the words move from my brain down
into my fingertips and onto the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How does one console their child when they are hurting from that deepest
reservoir of emotion within their innermost core?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No number of hugs is able to absorb the pain,
despite my attempts to inhale and withdraw the agony from my eldest child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No words formed and delivered from my mouth
comfort the endless stream of tears, nor give her the hope she so desperately
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am at a loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My inability to do the right thing brings me
added grief over the fact that <s>our</s> her beloved, but rapidly declining,
eighteen year old cat has not come home since he was lying in the warmth of the
sun on the deck early yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We adopted Simba along with Penny in April 2003.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We paid a visit to the kitty sanctuary, The
Pat Brody Shelter, with the mission of getting one short-haired cat as a family
pet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we made our way through the
visiting room with dozens of cats, I turned to discover my oldest child, then
five years old, literally making out with a long-haired calico cat named
Penny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their faces rubbed against each
other, their bodies smushed into each other and it was love at first sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my husband and I watched this love affair
blossom, I quietly muttered that from my previous online research of the
shelter, I believed that Penny was one of a pair of cats that had to be adopted
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yikes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I asked to see the other cat that belonged with Penny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was escorted to the kitty infirmary because
I was informed that Simba had a cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Upon approaching the large cage, I was instantly greeted with sniffly
love and affection from a beautiful butterscotch colored lion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In between sneezes, Simba melted my heart and
yes, it was love at first sight but this time for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We went home with not one short-haired, young cat – but instead
two long-haired beauties:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penny was
twelve and Simba was eight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Riley, my
daughter, was newly five and Jake, my son, was two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our family was then complete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cats were instantly a hit with the family, acclimating
instantly and claiming our home as their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both Penny and Simba were very social and integrated themselves into our
myriad of activities at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, in
September 2006, Penny died from breast cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We found a lump near one of her nipples when I was giving her a shave
down in the hot month of August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A visit
to the vet revealed a tumor, which had already spread to her lungs, her bones
and was starting on her brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
fifteen years of age, coupled with the amount of metastasis, we chose to let
nature take its course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_XXI1ukoRoI/UgJI8zcuI2I/AAAAAAAADPE/K1bilulqUPM/s1600/riley+%2526+penny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_XXI1ukoRoI/UgJI8zcuI2I/AAAAAAAADPE/K1bilulqUPM/s320/riley+%2526+penny.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One day, Penny did not return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to explain to our than eight year old
and then five year old, that sometimes, when cats know they are dying, they
disappear to die privately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The message
was not well received and Riley spent three days crying when her beloved cat
did not come home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We assumed the worst
and tried to help our daughter with the devastating life lesson, the circle of
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The pain grew as Riley was relentless in checking Penny’s
bush – a beautiful white hydrangea bush that Penny spent a great many hours
lounging underneath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine the excruciating
call I received at work one afternoon from a hysterical child who found her
beloved cat, dead, underneath her favorite bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penny had returned home to die and knew where
we would find her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now seven years later, at the age of fifteen, the agony has
returned as we ponder Simba’s whereabouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Has he gone off to pass away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did
he just spend the night under our neighbor’s porch since we were at a soccer
game late and unable to let him in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Simba’s health has been declining rapidly:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he’s lost a great deal of weight, his vision
is very poor, his hearing is not all there, his appetite has been waning, his
arthritic body has been increasingly difficult for him to move around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I have been discussing in
recent days when is the right time to make the decision – we do not want our
beloved cat to suffer; but when IS that “right” time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our memories surge:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the cat that was more dog-like in nature; the cat that followed his
beloved Riley ON TO the school bus (yes, he climbed up the steps behind her and
had to be taken off by her); the cat that ran up the street alongside of Riley on her bike,
as her dad let go for the first time without training wheels; the cat
that would sit bum to bum to bum as Riley and her dad sat on the curb watching
traffic go by; the cat that would come running like a dog when called and as
Riley puts it, “the cat that has been with me through EVERYTHING.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-VQ-Lzt-D8/UgJI9enKYPI/AAAAAAAADPU/EY-Zo9YyW1w/s1600/simba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-VQ-Lzt-D8/UgJI9enKYPI/AAAAAAAADPU/EY-Zo9YyW1w/s320/simba.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Simba was the source of comfort for Riley as she watched her
mother battle breast cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time
the uncontrolled chemo-induced vomiting would surface, Riley found comfort by stroking her
buddy’s fur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Riley was bullied in
elementary school, that big fluffy guy knew when to sit in her lap and purr her
to a happy place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Riley’s
grandparents were ill and times were tough in our household (we all lived together),
Riley found comfort in sleep with that big lion cuddling her backside - he literally had her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Riley’s grandparents subsequently passed
away, again, the long-haired, orange guy was there for her when she needed him
the most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzQLUx_hdKM/UgJI8tulB_I/AAAAAAAADOs/C2zAQLBxFoM/s1600/Riley+%2526+Simba+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzQLUx_hdKM/UgJI8tulB_I/AAAAAAAADOs/C2zAQLBxFoM/s320/Riley+%2526+Simba+deck.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">While not to leave out my other two children, my husband nor
myself, as we are all heavily grieving for the fear of what may be in Simba’s
absence; the relationship between a girl and her cat is just profound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loved him through every vein in her body
and his love for her was reciprocal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Simba certainly had a fondness for my husband, but it was his girl that
stole his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wsax-dWtvSo/UgJI9LxZUWI/AAAAAAAADPI/wXjPHTN_FSU/s1600/riley+video+simba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wsax-dWtvSo/UgJI9LxZUWI/AAAAAAAADPI/wXjPHTN_FSU/s320/riley+video+simba.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My tears flow as I struggle with helping my family to cope
with this dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of me hopes that
Simba has gone on to pass privately – I do not want my family to see his
lifeless body and I despair having to make the choice for euthanasia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the other part of me hopes he comes
home to die – so we have that closure, so we may say our goodbyes to our
beloved family member properly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lives are born and love is grown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lives pass on, but the love becomes embedded
into the very being of who we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pain never goes away, but it does ease with time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Please Simba, come home to your family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It's the
Circle of Life<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And it
moves us all<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through
despair and hope<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through
faith and love<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Till we
find our place<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the
path unwinding<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the
Circle<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #8844aa; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Circle of Life"</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-62535002781792178622013-08-02T09:17:00.003-04:002013-08-02T09:17:38.963-04:00Nervous NellyI have struggled with a post this week. Honestly, my mind is ALL over the place and I cannot seem to hone my focus in enough to collect my thoughts. I am feeling anxious about a number of things going on currently. I have yet to figure out how to tame my anxiety but figured perhaps vomiting these thoughts up onto paper may help.<br />
<br />
My youngest is going to kindergarten in one month. How did that happen? No, seriously, I am asking you HOW....DID....THAT....HAPPEN? Just yesterday, I was bald and still weak from chemotherapy, being forced into an early labor and scared beyond my worst fears about the baby I was about to give birth to. Would she be missing toes? Would she glow in the dark from the bright red, gelatinous chemotherapy that coursed through my veins and probably across that placental barrier through her veins? Suddenly, my silly fears of a neon baby are a distant forlorn memory about to be archived for new memories of a still little peanut, with her toothless smile, boarding that giant yellow school bus to be carted off to a land of strangers. (Yes, all deliveries of tissue boxes will be accepted starting now until after Labor Day).<br />
<br />
My oldest has been begging me to take her driving. Yes, she will be sixteen in February and she is ready to get behind the wheel and practice driving a two ton vehicle around. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? Oh, she will be the best of drivers but I have to somehow grow a pair of balls big enough to withstand the thought of my precious big girl on the road with all the other idiot drivers? Oy, where can I purchase some testosterone stat?<br />
<br />
My middle is returning to middle school but with a newer sense of confidence. He has informed me that "swag" is no longer cool; he and his buddies are now men with "class". (Excuse me while I vomit). He has been taking longer to get ready by styling his hair....just......so. His clothes look good. He smells good. Not only are the days of footed "warm and toasty" pajamas gone, as well as the arguments to get into the shower a distant memory, sports apparel and new music take the place of Legos and dinosaurs in his room.<br />
<br />
My anxiety resumes with those pesky things called bills. I have NOT been watering them, yet, they seem to grow from every crevice faster than bacteria on a petri dish. What....the.......will I ever get out of this umbrella of owing everyone? Hearing aids, braces, old credit cards, sports fees, taxes, taxes and more taxes, insurance, medical bills, medical co-pays, car payments, oral surgeries and more to come, when does it end????????? I am anxious about retirement monies, have we even begun to save a fraction of what we will need? How much DO we need? Who can really predict that? <br />
<br />
The clutter. How did my house get so cluttered? Every place I look lately, I see clutter. I have been off-loading items on the online yard sale on Facebook. Craigslist is my newest best friend. How come, in two years, my house seems to resemble certain episodes of "Hoarders"? <br />
<br />
Serenity now.<br />
<br />
I remind myself this is life and I am here to enjoy it. We are all present in some aspect of anxiety about ever-changing milestones and non-stop financial leashes. Anxiety is simply a state of mind and being anxious about any and all of this "schtuff" is unhealthy. With that, I am taking a deep, cleansing breath. I am setting out to enjoy one of my last Fridays off with my kids. These are the moments that count for a lifetime. Anxiety will have to wait for simply another day. Counting my blessings and embarking on making memories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-70812419639004940302013-07-25T09:45:00.002-04:002013-07-25T09:45:12.628-04:00Made For TV - A True Reality Show<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Early this cool morning, I am sitting and watching a myriad
of children playing with each other with giggles, vivid stories, and extreme
silliness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the weather is
shifting, the mad rush to the beach is on hold during this family vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cooler air and wafting fog affords a
couple of hours of parental amusement, as seven children, ranging in age from
sixteen to five, unleash their imaginations – yes, they are shooting each other
as zombies (both boys and girls), they are sharing funny videos from their
handheld devices (so cute watching heads crowd around a small screen), and
they are making memories to last them an entire lifetime.<o:p></o:p></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpaNOSUXr5Y/UfEq_jqM4KI/AAAAAAAADMI/SAghILNsq9I/s1600/computer+gather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpaNOSUXr5Y/UfEq_jqM4KI/AAAAAAAADMI/SAghILNsq9I/s320/computer+gather.jpg" width="320" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpaNOSUXr5Y/UfEq_jqM4KI/AAAAAAAADMI/SAghILNsq9I/s1600/computer+gather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
<br />
</div>
</span><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Within a five mile radius, there are more cousins – the sleepyheads
who will bound upon the seven already here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are in-laws and aunts/uncles within the same quaint little
town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Familiar faces<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that can all be given the same label as they
share a similar strain of the gene pool:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My grand entrance to this family started twenty-two years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 1991 and I was at a high
school house party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kind of party
that your parents tell you not to go to and somehow, you end up socializing and
drinking beer with a large assortment of other young teens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be honest, I do not remember who’s house we were at; it
was an older (*ack* college student) kid’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was there with a few of my good friends and
I remember walking around aimlessly taking in all the sort of unknown
faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at this party that an
older college boy took an interest in me and I was instantly curious…..”Ooooh,
a college boy!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had recently graduated
from high school, but I was a mere 17 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Long story later, I dated this boy for a little while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was kind and like me, he was going to
return to his college campus later that summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With my new adventure of embarking off to college, getting into a
relationship was the last thing I would envision in the lazy days of the summer
of ’91.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It all happened at an eventful July 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> party
that the sweet boy invited me to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
asked to bring my two best friends because I would not know anyone (again, a
much older group).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the party, I
noticed the very handsome older brother of this sweet boy I had been meeting up
with over the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This older brother
was very funny and intriguingly gross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
few beers later, this cute man was asking me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind swirled because I was at the party
with the sweet, younger brother of this cutie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sweet, younger brother and my best friend were becoming taken with
each other; they were nowhere to be found but people say they were out on the
paddle boat for hours (*disclaimer – they will both recount a slightly
different version of events at this part of our story).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cutie that had asked me out was also with
someone else that he had brought with him to the party from his work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is NOT a soap opera, but real life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doug and I agreed to go running together and see how it went
from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still reluctant to get
into a relationship a mere few weeks before college; but dang, this guy was
hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went running together multiple
times a week and we hit it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would
easily bang out a three mile run and follow that up with a strawberry shake
from McDonald’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLwBeQofPBs/UfEp-SX2lpI/AAAAAAAADL0/VFOACbYZ_6Y/s1600/doug+becca+92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLwBeQofPBs/UfEp-SX2lpI/AAAAAAAADL0/VFOACbYZ_6Y/s320/doug+becca+92.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jeff and Cheryl also hit it off and began dating, despite
different colleges, jobs and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twenty-two years later, all four of us have been married
seventeen years:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug and I tying the
knot in May of 1996 and Jeff and Cheryl in August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are seven children amongst us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were the nay-sayers who shook their
head when I got married at the immature age of twenty-two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, something in my deepest core told me
even back then, that this course of action was my destiny and my fate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I continue to sip on my coffee and type, the noises
continue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pop-Tart wrappers being torn
and thrown by giant teenaged boy bodies; various mutant sound effects coming
from imaginary play with bows & arrows and stick on mustaches; and the best
sound of all – the laughter, the giggles, all emitting from the gaggle of kids
that started with a young, summer romance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TRJ2K8Wicfk/UfEq_jJCpfI/AAAAAAAADME/8PWxbDvNmLw/s1600/justin+mustache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TRJ2K8Wicfk/UfEq_jJCpfI/AAAAAAAADME/8PWxbDvNmLw/s320/justin+mustache.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPlvM_oYBow/UfErALgvi6I/AAAAAAAADMY/yJaUoOxz4lQ/s1600/riley+mustache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPlvM_oYBow/UfErALgvi6I/AAAAAAAADMY/yJaUoOxz4lQ/s320/riley+mustache.jpg" width="240" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At its best.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzzyjRN1XNI/UfEq_4Tr_mI/AAAAAAAADMM/jh0yRqwd-d0/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzzyjRN1XNI/UfEq_4Tr_mI/AAAAAAAADMM/jh0yRqwd-d0/s320/family.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-23071084096907305842013-07-18T10:45:00.004-04:002013-07-18T11:33:09.708-04:00Survival Guide for Men<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dearest Men:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You have no idea what it is like to be a woman. Oh, no, you clearly do not have any figment of an imagination to experience the vast geographical mental and emotional diversity of female-land. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Let me explain to you what it is like to wake up suddenly and feel like this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnyPc_rBNRo/Uef3fCh841I/AAAAAAAADK0/m9FfQZ-uXCA/s1600/biscuits.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnyPc_rBNRo/Uef3fCh841I/AAAAAAAADK0/m9FfQZ-uXCA/s1600/biscuits.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, any woman will tell you precisely how she went to bed fine and woke up bloating out of her room, let alone her pants. That muffin top she has been diligently working off at the gym has magically quadrupled in size. Your wife suddenly, and strangely, looks five months pregnant. No, it is NOT a beer belly and no, she does NOT have to take a dump. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1SKtv0e5ts/Uef31Nvs0rI/AAAAAAAADK8/wr9aHJR-T0M/s1600/can+of+biscuits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1SKtv0e5ts/Uef31Nvs0rI/AAAAAAAADK8/wr9aHJR-T0M/s320/can+of+biscuits.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one likes to talk about it but seriously, we women become mutant creatures that we cannot even control for that one week a month. Be forewarned, keep your distance but do what we ask of you - your very life may depend upon it. We are all over the place emotionally. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N12PArKggjo/Uef5kBLv0SI/AAAAAAAADLM/EuJeTxhVHps/s1600/pms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N12PArKggjo/Uef5kBLv0SI/AAAAAAAADLM/EuJeTxhVHps/s320/pms.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">How do I explain to you the reality of what we go through? You men are fans of horror movies, right? We women are not a fan of blood and gore, not just in the movies but in real life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Imagine this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udWCsSUDYPo/Uef5zb-4mbI/AAAAAAAADLU/9eyIx5nVQ1Y/s1600/sneeze+on+period.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udWCsSUDYPo/Uef5zb-4mbI/AAAAAAAADLU/9eyIx5nVQ1Y/s320/sneeze+on+period.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It IS gross. This picture is precisely how we FEEL. You know how you cannot focus on us when the football game is on and all you hear is, "Blah, blah, blah!" - well, when you are wondering why we might not be in the mood or we seem a tad bit unhappy; simply visualize the image above and give us an empathetic ten foot by ten foot buffer zone for about three to four days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Howeverrrrrrrrrr (much emphasis added here), do not venture too far from that ten foot "Stay the F Away" zone - if it's 9 pm at night and I am wishing for some ice cream, the very best thing for you to say is, "Honey, I will go get you some ice cream!" Know that I really do NOT want you to go for ice cream but I do want you to offer, so do it. Pick up the keys and put your shoes on, but do not go. I will tell you to not go but I will appreciate your offer. I will also subsequently kill you fifteen times over in my head in a very violent manner. I will curse your very stupid being and be angry at you, for not planning ahead (dumbass bastard, have you NOT figured out my cycle yet in all these years of marriage) and for not stopping on your way home to prepare for the Bloodacalyspe by buying me some Ben & Jerry's. You will NEVER survive the zombie apocalypse if you have yet to document and predict my monthly uterus explosion. Honestly, you should be thankful that you awaken each morning after I have asked you for salty French fries and sweet sugary ice cream and you have failed to deliver. In my dreams, I have stabbed you in the eyes, I have peeled your skin off layer by layer, and I have punched you in the head with a variety of household objects. Ahhhhh, estrogen and progesterone you wicked, wicked hormones.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkjgyJ9Nlqo/Uef_NFzt4LI/AAAAAAAADLk/Qy6dhNjRYQQ/s1600/bitchy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkjgyJ9Nlqo/Uef_NFzt4LI/AAAAAAAADLk/Qy6dhNjRYQQ/s1600/bitchy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Men, just remember that for your bad day at work, we women may have also had a bad day at work (professionally and/or at home) coupled with needy (or whiny) children, a hungry husband who has disappeared for fourteen hours to "cut the friggin' grass", while trying to scrub the toilet bowl (oh, why bother - the boys of the house will try to pee the poop stains off and I can just wait until next week when the blood is also gone), while trying to keep up with the laundry, while cleaning up cat puke, while paying the bills, while not burning dinner, while planning car pools for activities, while bathing the youngest, while getting books for and subsequently demanding that summer reading get done, while trying to exercise ourselves without giving our gym-mates real life nightmares of the movie "Carrie".................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Just get us the damn ice cream (and while you are out, stop at CVS for an extra box of Always Infinity Diaper Sized pads). Congratulations. You have survived another month.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sincerely yours,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Women of All Womenkind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-80819256625577841942013-07-11T09:33:00.005-04:002013-07-11T09:40:16.343-04:00Are You A Bra?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHzTO3_Lq9c/Ud6x3M9L1LI/AAAAAAAADKA/bKpiQ3J6yVY/s1600/friend+like+a+bra.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know that saying, friends are like a bra – they offer
you support when you need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
happens when your friends start to lose their elasticity or their underwire for
you has poked through and been cast aside?</span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the past couple of months, three of my friends have been
very much less than supportive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I refuse
to engage in drama, so despite the twinges of pain I felt in my heart from the
crushing words these gals delivered to me; I simply nodded, put a figurative band-aid
across my ticker and gave myself positive affirmations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I actually whispered the words, “Screw
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will prove to you that I can do
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, myself and I.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Putting me aside, however, my brain ventured down the path
of over-analysis, much as it does on a daily basis and I began pondering (for
the millionth time), why are women not supportive of women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every week I witness some form of
degradation, some demeaning words delivered, some jealous actions played out
and all of this by fellow females to other females.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What…..the……????????<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your fellow estrogen carriers, the women who experience many
of the day to day tribulations of being mothers to young children, daughters to
aging parents, wives to busy husbands, homeowners, employees, employers – we ALL
struggle to do our best with the weight of our own individual worlds on our
shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who has any right to try to
pull that rug from underneath a fellow pair of boobs?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wheels in my grey matter continue to grind and generate
thought after thought after thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last weekend, still tossing around the bad taste of being undermined by
my peers, I moved on from analyzing this as an issue unique and specific to
womankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stories from the news
permeated my outer-being and I was forced to comprehend that humans in general
are simply not kind enough to each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What….the….?????????<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you strip us from all of our quirks, from all of our
social groups, take away our religious belongings, ignore the thousands of
shades of skin-color – what is left over?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cripes, people – we are ALL human beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is wrong with us?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not naïve enough to suggest that we all have to like
one another, because honestly, we do not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do not expect everyone to like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have a strong personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
few friends have suggested, I am bold, I am authentic, I am fun and full of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am passionate about many things
in life and I will fight to the end for those things that I hold absolutely
closest to my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will support
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, because of everything that I have
on my plate, I am not the best in being there for everyone that I should be
there for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, on the flip side –
these are usually the friends that may need more than I, alone, can offer or perhaps these are the friends who offer little or nothing in return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am also not asking you to give constant, all out support and words of accolades regardless of circumstance. Really, please do NOT support me if I decide to jump
off a bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may absolutely,
without a doubt, just give me a solid bitch-slap up against the side of my head
and chastise me for being a downright fool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The older I get, the fonder I become of my rose-colored
glasses, indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying to make a
habit of practicing what I preach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
only preach the act of kindness towards our fellow human beings because I have
viewed with my own eyes the very consequence of such acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large or small, simple benevolent gestures
may change the path of another lovely person:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>that smile you just gave away – it may just offer a sad woman some hope
for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think before you speak;
perhaps a minor adjustment in your delivery and choice of words may not derail
the emotional being of another but in fact, give him the boost of confidence to
reconsider his choice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjvw44_YLFY/Ud6xrj1hHuI/AAAAAAAADJw/y36dl1cuolc/s1600/be+kind+for+everyone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjvw44_YLFY/Ud6xrj1hHuI/AAAAAAAADJw/y36dl1cuolc/s320/be+kind+for+everyone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For you women readers, think of how amazingly comfortable
and supportive your best bra is – you can always rely on the support, the very
fabric of your best bra keeps you contained and where you need to be at all
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your best bra is dependable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Imagine if we were all as reliable and uplifting as people, as bras are to women?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Be a bra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never
know who may need you on any given day.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RepL9ERvyQs/Ud6xwFfXJGI/AAAAAAAADJ4/FCnE1sWeD0c/s1600/be+the+change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96R-PSIt7R8/Ud6x_ODkloI/AAAAAAAADKI/tjwwysWMa7s/s1600/support+bra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96R-PSIt7R8/Ud6x_ODkloI/AAAAAAAADKI/tjwwysWMa7s/s1600/support+bra.jpg" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-32911139818857467222013-06-27T03:30:00.000-04:002013-06-27T07:44:54.412-04:00What Did You Say?<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I lost my hearing around the age
of four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fifth birthday consisted of
a gift of hearing aids:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>January 5, 1979,
I was fitted with technology that would allow me to hear closer to the level of
my peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, with my aids, my left
ear was only capable of hearing sounds and not deciphering the words
spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My right ear was nearly 70
percent with my aid and my world suddenly became vivid.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mzu5C_MF7II/UcsEVWZ4s9I/AAAAAAAADI8/QkGd7Rfy0cU/s1600/hearing+aid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mzu5C_MF7II/UcsEVWZ4s9I/AAAAAAAADI8/QkGd7Rfy0cU/s1600/hearing+aid.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was not born hearing
impaired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother always provided me
with the same recollection in how I lost my hearing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had middle ear infections, not unlike any
other child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not respond to the
antibiotics and the doctor simply said, “Give the meds time to work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother was adamant that by the time I was
taken to a specialist, it was too late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I suffered severe nerve damage and the hearing loss was irreversible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do not remember much about
losing my hearing, aside from being squirted with the cool, slimy, Pepto-Bismal
colored pink play-doh like material in my ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The pink play-doh would form into my ear and ear canal to ensure a
properly fitting ear mold which would attach to my hearing aid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do remember my parents being
distraught as the specialist informed them both that I would likely never play
sports, never play a musical instrument or enjoy music, and never live a fully
functional, normal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remember, it was 1978-1979 and
times were very different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My maternal
grandmother insisted to my mother than perhaps the right answer was
institutionalization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are days
where I feel the need for a padded room at an institution but it has nothing to
do with the amount of hearing that I do, or do not, have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In recent years, I have
determined that my mother’s version of events is not entirely accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several doctors and specialists have
questioned my medical history and my loss of hearing; however, it was not until
I went to a new audiologist that she gave me the likely version of what
happened to my ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is not typical to suffer nerve
damage due to a middle ear infection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was floored to this possible un-truth from my mother, but have since realized
that my mother had a mental illness that allowed her to create her own set of “truths”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My audiologist asked me if I ever suffered
from high fevers as a young child and the light bulb turned on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YES!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had several febrile seizures as a young child, some that sent me to the
hospital – so it appears far more likely that is the culprit behind my hearing
loss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvQwNos3LEk/UcsF_nGc06I/AAAAAAAADJM/Y95wypEiOqg/s1600/fever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvQwNos3LEk/UcsF_nGc06I/AAAAAAAADJM/Y95wypEiOqg/s1600/fever.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Regardless, I focus back on the
ignorant doctor(s) that doomed me to a life of no activities because I was now
hearing impaired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These doctors recommended
I go to a week-long “camp” with other hearing impaired children to learn to
acclimate in my new world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did my
parents know, it was a camp for children who were completely deaf and used only
sign language to communicate to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I soon found myself in a middle world – I was not entirely of the
hearing world, nor was I of the deaf world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I circle back
repeatedly to the prognosis the doctors gave to me when I was five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have come to realize that I do not like
being told I cannot do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By restricting my
ability, you give me further ambition and drive to set out and accomplish
whatever it is that you think I cannot do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have traced this back to my five year old me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did play sports; all of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I excelled at soccer and then
running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I played the flute from
elementary school until sophomore year in high school (when one time, at band
camp, it was suddenly deemed uncool).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
absolutely love music across any and all genres and I tend to blast my iPod at
an unsafe decibel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live a fairly
functional and normal life, coupled with a healthy endurance of hearing
impaired jokes at my expense (no, Cheryl, the “Wanna buy a duck” joke is still
NOT funny).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do not know sign language; only
the swear words and the alphabet (thanks to my friend, Tara).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do read lips, so when you cover your mouth,
intentionally or not (thanks to the Iacaboni boys for torturing me), I may not “hear”
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may need you to repeat something
for me, as I may not have caught it the first time you said it, due to the
amount of background noise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"What did you say?"<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, please know that if you
ever tell me I cannot do something, for whatever reason, you may find yourself
sitting back in awe because I will seek to demolish that limitation you have unfairly
placed upon me. Again, I will ask, but with a very different meaning:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"What did you say?"</span></span></em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have used this perseverant trait to teach
my children that they are able to accomplish their goals, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When someone else tries to limit you, you
take that boundary line and you surpass it. You alone can define what is possible for yourself; especially if you
want something badly enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My oldest has recently used this
message and she has used it well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
strong girl has been confined by others in her most favorite sport for
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has been hearing the message
that she is good, but not quite good enough, over and over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have taught her to use this negative
messaging: keep her head down and to work even harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perseverance is a trait that courses <strong><u>fiercely</u></strong>
through our veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My oldest has just received an
offer to join a team that participates at a very high regional level and
focuses on prepping players for collegiate and professional play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The opportunity to play at the Elite level is
the precise reward for her continued dedication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My girl has pushed herself to improve year
after year, to discredit the naysayers that kept telling her she was not quite
good enough or she could not play at a higher level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiGVunPK91c/UcsG8wiLePI/AAAAAAAADJY/mRy9-yn0eDQ/s1600/she+believed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiGVunPK91c/UcsG8wiLePI/AAAAAAAADJY/mRy9-yn0eDQ/s320/she+believed.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She
believed she could, so she did.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
power in a simple phrase, the ability to believe in yourself so you can
accomplish your goals; it is an undeniable empowerment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would we not arm ourselves with a certain
confidence and a belief that we can attain what we set out to accomplish?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">With that, what will you believe
in yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>What will you do to
accomplish that goal?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQIkYWRGJys/UcsHC-GDU6I/AAAAAAAADJg/JMoE46kqQ5c/s1600/possibl3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQIkYWRGJys/UcsHC-GDU6I/AAAAAAAADJg/JMoE46kqQ5c/s1600/possibl3e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong> Anything is possible!</strong></span></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-85090234862189716272013-06-19T21:19:00.002-04:002013-06-19T21:19:32.748-04:00Where's Jillian?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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When Confessions of a Curvy Girl was born, the main idea
behind it was three very different women sharing their thoughts on body image, nutrition,
and the endless list of issues that the female gender can go on and on and on
and on and on and on and on and on and on and…..oh, you get my drift.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N6G6UfWgdrs/UcJX7Gm4DlI/AAAAAAAADIU/i1D2N6tv79g/s1600/body+image+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N6G6UfWgdrs/UcJX7Gm4DlI/AAAAAAAADIU/i1D2N6tv79g/s1600/body+image+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, I was blatantly reminded of the origins of Curvy
Girl when I went to try on some shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know, summer is arriving here in New England (oh gosh, so we hope)
and I decided I could use a new pair of shorts or two.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bad idea.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first pair of shorts got hung up around my hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay, so this particular brand runs small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly discard it to the “no thank you, I
will pass” hook in the dressing room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
try to convince myself I did not really like the color anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Second pair of shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whoa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the ugliest pair
of shorts I have ever seen in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*Toss*
on the discard pile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Third pair of shorts move up my thighs and around my
buttocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get excited as I may have
found a pair to fit my er, um, eh, curvy figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I move my hands together to hook the waist
band of the canvas shorts, I start to break out into a hot sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did someone turn the thermostat up or do the fluorescent
lights just emit a radiant amount of heat after five minutes in the dressing
room?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy mother…..the waist band
closed, however, the ensuing muffin top, okay……..the flabalanche that ensued
and came rolling up and over the ridge of sewn fabric was enough to make me
shudder with horror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rescued myself
from the dangers of that natural disaster by removing the Dockers in 2.2
milliseconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Survival training at its
best.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shorts 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rebecca 0.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHjbpobDM8o/UcJYBy1IHTI/AAAAAAAADIc/VE2hrZ9KF24/s1600/dressing+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHjbpobDM8o/UcJYBy1IHTI/AAAAAAAADIc/VE2hrZ9KF24/s1600/dressing+room.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The anxiety started to build.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked the labels of all three previously
discarded shorts – had I erred and simply picked up the wrong size?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Um, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could they NOT fit?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew I had gained a little bit of weight this winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea it was flabalanche worthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I proceeded to go out and look for the next
pair because I just do not give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And
NO….the idea of getting the next size up was not even an option….no way, no
how, absolutely not going to happen).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my search for shorts, my husband decides to interject and
assist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, honey, those are granny
shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me remind you I am only 39
years of age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elastic waistbands,
although they may fit, are unacceptable and unallowable in my wardrobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nooooo, honey, those are “juniors” shorts and
have a 3”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inseam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you can stand camel toe and attack of
the inner thigh in that adorable pair of hot pink shorts, then please put them
back on the rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, honey, I wear
athletic shorts a lot…..like a lot a lot, so please, I would like a “real” pair
of shorts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I almost started to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What happened to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How did I get this way again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
work out regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eat healthy 80
percent of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pressure in my
chest started to mount and the tears were about to bubble over…in public.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband senses my momentary weakness and inquires
within.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I explain to him my
frustration, he gently says, “Well, the weight has a way of sneaking on.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Busted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Confirmation
that my fear of gaining weight over the winter was indeed just validated by my
sweet husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goddammit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started a new workout called “Insanity” the very next
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LYYB_vjlPM/UcJYW__8uuI/AAAAAAAADIk/ngkKKpRwdwQ/s1600/insanity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LYYB_vjlPM/UcJYW__8uuI/AAAAAAAADIk/ngkKKpRwdwQ/s320/insanity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started a strict monitoring of my caloric intake, reducing
the number low and I promptly started punishing myself for the recent weight
gain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I KNOW what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very successful two years ago in taking
off weight and was at my peak fitness in a very long time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I KNOW what sets me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I really do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go in spurts with
meal planning, advance food preparation, and diversions for when stress kicks
in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I KNOW what exercise I love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I really do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love cross fit type workouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not love to swim but I appreciate the
alternative workout it gives me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what is my problem?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I do know that I will pick up the momentum and work hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hundredth time since marriage and kids and work and life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perseverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is one of my greatest traits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime, does anyone know Jillian Michaels?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could use some time with her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YlBPMXvQC0Q/UcJYmAxocXI/AAAAAAAADIs/AbvYtuwnBxY/s1600/jillianmichaels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YlBPMXvQC0Q/UcJYmAxocXI/AAAAAAAADIs/AbvYtuwnBxY/s320/jillianmichaels.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623581209593955460.post-9320704998193420072013-06-13T06:42:00.000-04:002013-06-13T06:42:39.261-04:00The Midnight Hour<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k5FEXGm2hD0/Ubh7QRG-CyI/AAAAAAAADH8/5kGy-jhZgK0/s1600/midnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k5FEXGm2hD0/Ubh7QRG-CyI/AAAAAAAADH8/5kGy-jhZgK0/s1600/midnight.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The midnight hour:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is that hour not something for young
twenty-somethings, who have just begun their social activities?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
many of us relate to the midnight hour as that last feeding, the time when our little
one would sleep a solid five or so hours (we prayed) before arising again with the hungry
cries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it about aging, that
staying up to midnight is about as appealing as that annual nether-region doctor
appointment?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Having said all of that, who on
EARTH would consider a midnight run?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
literal run:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>jogging on two feet, in
the darkest dark of night for exercise, blinking and moving for entertainment,
and solely for fun?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, that would be me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
BUT, kindly<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>let me tell you about it, how one midnight
run forever changed me, how the miles offered me a freedom like I had yet to
experience in my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Remember in <a href="http://curvygirls2012.blogspot.com/2013/05/girls-night-out-rtb-style.html">Girls Night Out: RTB Style</a>, I signed up for the crazy race that consisted of 200 miles
over 24 hours with 11 other teammates?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, I know you do, as you shook your head and mumbled what a nut I
am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep going back to one of the three
legs I had to run; and with reflection, I keep savoring the path I followed
that evening……wait, morning…..oh heck, smack dab middle of the night run.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At one of our planning meetings,
I realized that I was in van #2 and the first runner in said van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly began trying to guesstimate the
approximate times I would be running during this 24 hour period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I determined that my first run would be
around 3-4 pm on Friday, my second run likely 1 am on Saturday and my last run
around 11 am on Saturday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Who runs in the dead middle of
the night?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, that would be me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fast-forward to Friday, May 17<sup>th:
</sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was eagerly anticipating the text message
from my teammate, the text that would let me know what time the runner would be
coming in to pass the baton to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Van
#1 is filled with lithe women who run REALLY fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, for a “fun” race – they were flying
in ahead of schedule with each passing leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was given a warning that I should expect runner #6 in about 11:45 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took off at precisely 12:08 am into what
was supposed to be a 6.5 mile run, the longest of my three legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The conditions that early morning
were perfect:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was 50 degrees and
dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was blinking like the bad guy Dynamo in the Arnold
Schwarzenneger movie, "The Running Man".</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWj_gXDvxUs/UbhuT1yl1dI/AAAAAAAADHU/uTpZ3Ol8NFE/s1600/runningman_dynamo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWj_gXDvxUs/UbhuT1yl1dI/AAAAAAAADHU/uTpZ3Ol8NFE/s320/runningman_dynamo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
From
head to toe I was lit up:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>headlamp, now THAT is a sexy look; blinking
boobie light; blinking back light and a reflector vest that would make any DPW
worker envious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was NOT going to get hit by a car in the
middle of the night (but my teammates thought I might get eaten by a bear or
perhaps sprayed by a skunk).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I started out on my run on a main
road somewhere in Hopkinton and quickly diverted onto a country bumpkin-like
road where it was literally PITCH BLACK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My heart started to race a little more than intended for a jog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked ahead as far as I thought I could
see and there was only darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
turned and looked behind me to see the light pollution of the lone gas station
fading away in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
NO one else around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rolled my
ankle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dang, this road was laden with
pot-holes and divots, all unseen to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried running with my head down a bit to light up my way, but I
realized that would be unwise for another six miles and took my chances as the
road started to wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjVoBJB1ya4/Ubhum88PNAI/AAAAAAAADHc/qU3mmA0iJsM/s1600/running+at+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjVoBJB1ya4/Ubhum88PNAI/AAAAAAAADHc/qU3mmA0iJsM/s1600/running+at+night.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Suddenly, I looked up and I was
struck by the clarity of stars in the sky above me; highlighted by the light of
the nearly full moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moon would
guide me to the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart was calmer
as my mind took in the absolute beauty of the middle of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overwhelming smell of spring lilacs
filled the air as my breaths became steadier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the road became a bit more populated and more residential, I saw
blinking lights on runners ahead of me in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon thereafter, I would start to hear
regular pounding of approaching footprints behind me, followed by affirmative
words of praise:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i>“Good job!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep going!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i></b></div>
<b><i>
</i></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i>“You’ve got
this!” </i></b></div>
<b><i>
</i></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i>“What a
beautiful night for a run!”</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It was a beautiful night for
a run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I followed the yellow reflector
arrows to ensure I was on the right path and on my way to my transition
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept running and running and
running and running.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I had set my GPS on my phone in
the event that somehow, I should get lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was incredibly happy when I realized I had passed the six mile mark,
only a half mile remained between me and the next runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I enjoyed running the midnight
hour, I was getting tired and 60 minutes in, I was ready to pass the
baton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept running and running and
running and running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I soon became a
little freaked when I realized I passed the seven mile mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I had not missed the transition area
because there were signs everywhere and runners around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to panic because now, mentally, I
was done – my mind was prepared to run six and a half miles and I was at seven –
with no transition area in sight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My feet got heavier; they started
to pound and scuff the pavement below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My toes were feeling the friction of my super cool, but super
uncomfortable Wonder Woman socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
team was waiting for me and I had told them I would be done over ten minutes
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I could no longer see the stars
or the moon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, when a fellow
runner encouraged me to run alongside of him and finish together, I was rather
curt and asked where the damn transition area was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When I finally crossed the
transition line, my GPS said a total of 7.69 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
whopping 1.19 miles LONGER than I had I had anticipated for my long run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed it (we will exclude that rant from
the past half mile).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time
in a very long time, I felt free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
managed to “escape” my world for a little over an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no children needing me; there was
no stack of bills to pay; there were no work deadlines; there was only me,
myself and I present in that journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was free.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DdzM0big6qE/UbhwhE0DEqI/AAAAAAAADHs/38e13riHhng/s1600/flying+free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DdzM0big6qE/UbhwhE0DEqI/AAAAAAAADHs/38e13riHhng/s1600/flying+free.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Have you ever felt complete
freedom (even if momentarily, like my experience above)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, tell me about it.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15353205536892171692noreply@blogger.com1