tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65973096224414602222024-02-02T10:50:58.297-06:00...another day on my Heavenly HillSandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-65910410708672024752014-11-03T16:08:00.003-06:002014-11-03T16:57:38.079-06:00 " Loving Out Loud "<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....this girl is fearless!</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Usually coming up with
a title for my blog posts is the easy part. This one not so much. I wrestled
with several before deciding on “THE” one… pretty much because this post is a
tiny example of how it feels to be inside my manic mind.. *Never still *Too
many thoughts to fully process one at a time *My emotions start there and move
down & outward *Liable to go off on a tangent at any given moment *and
quite frankly pretty AWESOME…</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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I made a collage with these pictures of Maddie I seen this
morning and felt overwhelmed ….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Overwhelmed with many emotions. It’s partly because it’s
just that time of year for me <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>( Bi-Polar manic phase coming on with this
weather change)</i></span> and partly because I am always so taken back with just how
awesome my Grandchildren really are .<o:p></o:p></div>
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Looking at the world through my grandchildren’s eyes is a
blessing and a gift that I can’t thank God enough for every single day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All that imagination,
creativity, energy, untainted trust and love is bundled up in such beautiful
little packages that only my God can do. <o:p></o:p>Watching & listening to them play can be more
entertaining than you can imagine. Their laughter literally makes my heart feel
warm and I can’t help but smile back when one of them smiles at me.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Loving them is like getting to Love my children all over again,
but this time with freedom.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Freedom from the responsibility of raising them. Freedom
from having to make the hard choices as parents we had to make every minute of
every day. Freedom to have one on one moments with each of them without
worrying about getting dinner cooked or preparing for school the next day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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God gave me 4 beautiful children to love & raise and I
believe I did my job the best to my ability with what I had and I feel pretty
good about it. The love I have for them is indescribable, but I believe they
know because they’re the only ones who knows what my heart sounds like from the
inside…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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I lived a large part of my life “living” for my children. They’re all grown now, having children of
their own. They are just now beginning to understand what it takes to be a
parent. The things you have to sacrifice, give up and move away and forward
from in order to raise those babies into happy healthy children.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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........................... Now, at this phase in my life I’m “living” for Me.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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At first glance that sounds really selfish… so I’ll explain. I take care of me so that the ME that everyone else gets is me at my best.</div>
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*My husband gets the best wife. I’m able to fulfill his
needs and wants so that he doesn't even think of going elsewhere. He has a
cook, a maid, laundry service, a therapist, a soft shoulder to lay on, a friend
to laugh with, a fun travel companion.. it’s all here at home, and I’m happy to
do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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*My children get what they need from me as their only
Parent. Unconditional love, meaning even though I don’t always agree with them
and sometimes I can be unhappy with them, there’s nothing they will ever do
that will make me stop loving them. Friends and others will come and go
throughout their lives but Mom will always be here and I’m never more than a
phone call away. I’ll always have tried & true advice for just about any situation,
and it will always be their free will as to take it or not. I will always have
their back. As long as they are doing their best and traveling a right path I
will drop whatever and bring it. It meaning.. a ride, a second opinion, a
shoulder to cry on, a pair of boxing gloves ( kidding..not kidding )<o:p></o:p></div>
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*My family gets the best Sister, Daughter, ect… If it’s in
my power I will be there for you. All you have to do is ask. Life’s too short for
drama and distance and in our family that’s 2 things that are non-existent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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*My True Friends get the best of me also. I’ll always be
there for you. If you have made me a part of and a priority in your life then you
should know that I’m doing the same for you. Our time is precious to me and my
only regret is that I never seem to have enough of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For my family & friends, I feel sad and a bit lost when
time has slipped by and I realize that we have not seen each other for a time but
I have to remind myself that Life happens and it’s not intentional. We all make
room for what’s important to us. With that said, you’re very important to me
and if you ever feel less than, then I need you to let me know that and I’ll do
the same <o:p></o:p></div>
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Funny, this Blog post actually started out as me writing down
how that picture of my Granddaughter Maddie made me feel and it just kind of
took off from there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It made me feel happy, warm, reminiscent and love… lots
& lots of love....<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m grateful for each day that I continue to thrive here on
this Earth and feel blessed with all that I have earned and been given. I look
forward to making so many more memories with my Grandkids.</div>
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<o:p></o:p>My own memories of me & my Nanny are some of the most
treasured things I own. Nothing outrageous or mind blowing. Nothing that I can
take out of a wrapper and show you. The most precious ones, the ones that make
me smile and giggle when I think about or talk about were never bought. It was
Nanny spending her time and attention with me. Making me feel special,
important and loved. I only hope that I leave such a legacy with my own
Grandbabies.... God willing I will <3</div>
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<br />Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-2540797130592871272013-11-01T13:21:00.001-05:002013-11-01T13:30:14.751-05:00A Family Tree<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli";">A Family Tree…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli";">Hi everyone… recently my family had a reunion
of sorts. It was very bittersweet being there. On one hand I got to see family
I haven’t seen in a while, family I don’t get to see that often and family that
I met for the first time. Any time our family gets together under those
circumstances we are going to have a good time, we just roll that way! Between
the talking and laughing we manage to put away some good food and give &
receive lots of hugs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A special
part of this gathering was the old home movies playing on the stage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we ate and visited you could watch and
hear different family members say, “LOOK! It’s </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(insert name here)</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">!!” “Wow,
look at all the hair he had back then, haha” or “AWw, look at how little </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(insert
name here)</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> was back then! Oh how they’ve grown” I loved it!! So many
changes…the good ol’ days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I said at
the beginning that for me it was bittersweet, because as much as I enjoyed it ,
I found myself looking around the room, the same place we have gathered on
& off for over 2o years </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(Scottsboro Community Center)</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> and
realizing how many faces were missing. Some who couldn’t make it and some who
were hopefully there in spirit. I watched the home movies with giggles and
holding back a few tears at times when the TV screen filled with our loved ones
that have moved on to Heaven… gone but definitely never forgotten <3 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">My cousin
Gail Williams has been working on our Family Tree for some time now and her
hard work was on display that day. Let me tell ya, our roots are deep, our trunk
is wide and the branches are plentiful! Glory to God! Let me say that I am
honored to be included on one of those branches……..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like
a tree, a family is a living thing. It flourishes in the Summer, sheds its
Autumn glory, endures the rough Winter and lives to grow again. For me that
means when we gather, whether it be 2 or 82 of us, we <u>Flourish</u> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">(</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">to sustain continuous
steady strong growth) </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We <u>Shed</u>
God’s glory on one another for we are all embedded with the belief in Christ as
our Savior, We <u>Endure</u> our heartbreaking loses & troubled times by
leaning on one another, literally and in Prayer </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">(people, Prayer is
AWESOME!) </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">and
each year we have tiny new additions that keeps our tree alive & growing</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Without roots and that enduring love & support we
wouldn’t be who we are or where we are. There is a little piece of each and
every one of us growing upward in our Family Tree. So from me to ALL of you I
say Thank you and I Love you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-49139408142009800252013-08-13T16:15:00.001-05:002013-08-13T16:15:15.920-05:00Seasons Change….<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">FYI..
the 1<sup>st</sup> day of Fall isn’t until September 22<sup>nd</sup> but for
some reason, myself and quite a few other people I’ve come across seem to be
ready for it now</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">as in TOMORROW !</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">Other than letting
our legs grow their winter coats or at least attempt to do so</span> (</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">hubby has
his limits</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">) <span style="font-size: large;">there are many more
reasons we love to see Autumn taking place. Not much unlike the way we feel
about the transition from Winter into Spring. Change is inevitable, whether it
be seasons, our lives or ourselves</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: large;">For today’s Blog let’s
focus on the seasons….maybe tomorrow I’ll take on the others :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">SPRING<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>AUTUMN/FALL………….. they are both equals as far as I’m concerned. So when
I say VS. it’s more of a highlight on each one rather than a competition.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">Summer is great and
Winter can be a wonderland, but there’s just something about Spring & Fall
that sends me into a tizzy… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Webster’s
dictionary defines “Tizzy” as: A highly excited and distracted state of mind.
So yeap, they send me there, literally. My manic phases show their creative
& hyper little selves during the transitional months of March, April &
May and then again during August, September & October.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">The following things
could be listed as triggers, signs or favorite things… never the less, they are
all cues that a change is a comin’…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#1. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Birds chirping <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geese flying South</b>.. There’s nothing like
getting woke up in the morning to that sweet sound of the first chirps of
Spring</span>… </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">until
the new wears off and we threaten to throw rocks at those same birds 2 weeks
later</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">..and what a beautiful
sight to see how the geese form those perfect V’s every Fall as the head deeper
South</span>… </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">until
the black birds decide to follow suit in flying South in droves and rest in the
trees by your house leaving a poop field behind.</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#2. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trees budding & flowers blooming <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaves changing colors & Mums for sale</b>..
How excited we get when seeing the beginnings of plant life every Spring!</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">.until it’s
time to trim the trees & the darling little children pick all your Heirloom
Iris’s …sorry Mama/Jean Morgan, I promise they will grow back and
Maddie-Layla-Ethan won’t do it again..hopefully :) </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh,
how beautiful the Fall colors are and how lucky are we to live in Tennessee to
witness the awesomeness of this event each year!</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">well, until
it’s time to rake all those leaves up and bruise</span> <span style="font-size: small;">ourselves to pieces from
slipping and tripping on all those various fallen nuts</span></span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">. I also love Mums…</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">except they
are too expensive and they dry up and die before Fall is even over</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#3. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fresh cut grass<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tobacco barns smokin’</b> … Breath it all in…aaahhh.. Oh how I love the aromas
of both of those things! Talk about an easy peaceful feelin’..makes me smile
& feel warm inside</span>… </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">also makes me sneeze, eyes water & gives me a
sinus infection every time</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#4. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Birds building their new nests<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Squirrels gathering nuts for the winter</b>…. How cool is it when you
see those tiny little bluebirds building their nests out of twigs, grass &
pieces of discarded string</span> …</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">until after they lay their eggs and become the
most territorial and aggressive birds around. Just look at what they did to my
car!</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">Those squirrels..
well aren’t they just the cutest things! Trying to carry all those nuts and
acorns around, scurrying all over the yard</span>…. </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">and dropping them all over
the top of your house at 4:30 in the morning which sounds like mini bombs going
off on your new metal roof and fighting each other for the one that rolled away</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">#5. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ocean Breeze & Sunflowers candles<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pumpkin Spice & Cinnamon Potpourri..</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">What? ...that’s all…nothing
more to see hear…move on…….</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#6. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Getting the swimming pool ready<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS. Getting the fire pit ready</b> ……<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody is all anxious about that first
swim of the season! Buying oils, sunblocks & floats. Planning family BBQ’s
and waiting for the temps to get in the 80’s</span> …..</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">but then you realize you “forgot”
to lose that extra ?pounds during the winter and the sunburn you’re gonna get
because you forgot to reapply the lotion…oops :(</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMq_sU7ezW6cZdAdO8FXnGPsxIvoEADX7UzMMHXPthKaaex1VbIhezPSIF-BZ9JLaTadPVyCPJmHBzZF3g7lRAWve_TzfCpjTpDU1xGfS0pMbMfWrMlQsgfOiKGRsjpeSy910UI_0ZiMp/s320/lotion+on+its+skin.jpg" width="268" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">…. And that first
fire </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Kristen ITC"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Kristen ITC"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;"> a little wine, some hotdogs and all the
makings for those yummy melty smores..yuuuummmm</span>… </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">then you remember how much
your clothes are gonna reek from all that smoke from the fire because your
hubby used some old oil & gas to start it and there’s always “somebody”
that has one glass of wine too many and drops 5 out of the 12 hotdogs you have
into the</span> <strong><span style="font-size: small;">FLAMING ROARING</span></strong> <span style="font-size: small;">fire, by the way, it’s</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><strong>FLAMING & ROARING</strong> now
because one of the <strong>MEN</strong></span> <span style="font-size: small;">decided it wasn’t a big enough fire so they threw some
more gas on it!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT114YdYHTefdjr3iIYf5RYj5w-8sU28ek_v7vvUjahkNUb65mywd6y9ILW1oMpiaOiUUOMM9bqmzt9TNA-VwQZU1-7NwOkvazWT8p5Z-m1nE7nVysr0SCrNWh5J6SnsaQMzT_-srrt3Lm/s1600/thCAMOTL2T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT114YdYHTefdjr3iIYf5RYj5w-8sU28ek_v7vvUjahkNUb65mywd6y9ILW1oMpiaOiUUOMM9bqmzt9TNA-VwQZU1-7NwOkvazWT8p5Z-m1nE7nVysr0SCrNWh5J6SnsaQMzT_-srrt3Lm/s1600/thCAMOTL2T.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Oh,
and the smores you’ve been waiting for, well the same wino that dropped the
hotdogs in the fire has gotten the munchies and eaten most of the chocolate
leaving you with broken graham crackers sticky marshmallows</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">(sticky
due to their spilt wine)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#7. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tank tops<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>VS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chunky sweaters</b> …. Warm
weather, WOOHOO! Time to pull out the summer clothes!</span> <span style="font-size: large;">….</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">until you
see how your arms look in those sleeveless shirts forcing you to either start
lifting weights and doing thousands of arm circle exercises or say, “I don’t
care!” and throw caution to the wind</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">
</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">(just
like your upper arms every time you get excited and raise your arms high in the
air and clap or wave at folks!)</span></span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">….As far as the chunky sweaters, well there’s
no real downside to them. If you’re a Skinny </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">heifer</span></s><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Girl then you are just as cute & comfy
looking as can be and if you’re a Healthy</span> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">plump</span></s><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"> <span style="font-size: large;">Girl then big ole sweaters are great camouflage
:)</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDJdiC6vS8wHipNsLZrZD_zgO-UapKM1fdFwqZpQkEsgRWCaQTNszGJRoE_eKDIzSeDE38FrHrDjjZaJ3zH6aF0a0l6OIXMmmffW8U9oOy3UiEK5FretLRfGwk_dmQecj2zGAoAdz3pwy/s1600/Comfy+sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDJdiC6vS8wHipNsLZrZD_zgO-UapKM1fdFwqZpQkEsgRWCaQTNszGJRoE_eKDIzSeDE38FrHrDjjZaJ3zH6aF0a0l6OIXMmmffW8U9oOy3UiEK5FretLRfGwk_dmQecj2zGAoAdz3pwy/s320/Comfy+sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#8. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Boat rides down the river<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hayrides down the back roads</b>… Time to crank up that motor and head
down to the lake! We can’t wait for the smells of the outdoors and feel the
rush as we tube down that river</span> ….</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">but then you get smacked with the
stench of waste from all the spring floods and speaking of smacked, wait till
one of those dang Asian Carp jumps up out of the water and smacks you right
upside the head! Yeah folks, they’ve begun their Tennessee invasion! Google it :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">Everybody loves
a Hayride! Jumping on that trailer with your family & friends grabbing the
blankets and hot cocoa, telling ghost stories or singing campfire songs…. </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">yeah, it’s
all fun and thrills until that crazy Uncle in the family jumps out & scares
the kids and you have to spend the trip back to the house consoling them and
reassuring them there is no such thing as MONSTERS</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#9. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Picking peaches<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS. Carving pumpkins</b> … ain’t nothing like
a good ole Georgia peach, even the ones from Alabama are pretty juicy</span> …</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">just don’t
get too carried away and buy 6 bushels of the things and panic because there’s
no way you’re ever gonna be able to can them all before they rot !</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";">Those pumpkins… so many
things you can do with those pumpkins. Eat them, decorate them, decorate WITH
them … </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">just
don’t forget that they are organic in nature so they will spoil & rot!</span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">(that’s for you folks that insist
on leaving them on your front porches until Christmas time)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_4mnUENBrACtFqtgDnAZdZI7F7oZY92mgAOR7ovjIAPjWNBfKdrgW53OFPGBiOZh8xhh6yktB54lmcUV6SHuGSTUIT8LFTbv_6CY4zGDCyjk4vy7jfJoURxALPBD4BoVIihexxtiv79k/s1600/mooning+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_4mnUENBrACtFqtgDnAZdZI7F7oZY92mgAOR7ovjIAPjWNBfKdrgW53OFPGBiOZh8xhh6yktB54lmcUV6SHuGSTUIT8LFTbv_6CY4zGDCyjk4vy7jfJoURxALPBD4BoVIihexxtiv79k/s1600/mooning+pumpkin.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">…….And last, but not
least<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">#10. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Opening up all the windows to let that
fresh air in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washing
all the comfy quilts & throws to cover up with because of the chill in the
night air</b>……</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; line-height: 115%;">What?
…… you expected me to have a negative twist to these 2 things… ain’t happenin’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">So… there’s my Top
10 List of things concerning Spring & Fall… In all seriousness, I LOVE both
of those times of year. It’s when I feel at the top of my game, it’s when I
feel like anything and everything is possible.. it’s when I feel most ALIVE, the
electricity that flows from the inside to the out is awesome and those around
me can see it themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-N_6Ll3EArTXHQIoG4l96DK1_TAKSuJBjrd3i9uNmDmfsNti6lMnNar-OCXENl5Svl1snja7Ua56zHt4tQCzakvnudjExzKFBmOYaYtqfvPUNAkWiEgM_S3ubeowksJg96w0KzibxzKJ/s1600/keep+calm+awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-N_6Ll3EArTXHQIoG4l96DK1_TAKSuJBjrd3i9uNmDmfsNti6lMnNar-OCXENl5Svl1snja7Ua56zHt4tQCzakvnudjExzKFBmOYaYtqfvPUNAkWiEgM_S3ubeowksJg96w0KzibxzKJ/s1600/keep+calm+awesome.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">There’s a Ying &
Yang to everything, even seasons. I’ll take it, because without one you couldn’t
have the other and I would probably just melt away like Frosty the Snowman or
become frozen in ice like a woolly mammoth during the winter</span> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">no I do NOT
think I am a mammoth thank you very much <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></s><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">if</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I couldn’t re-charge my batteries twice a
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have been blessed abundantly in so many ways… Our home here on Heavenly Hill is
just one of those blessings. It’s here that I have finally found peace and it’s
here that I get to enjoy EVERY Season of the year!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ok, but Spring & Fall are still my
favorites. Don’t tell Old Man Winter or Sonny Summer, they wouldn’t understand :)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">Spring time on
Heavenly Hill….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGZxGBov8CjWufxnuZI3vJFOOif9z-4O7JUxF0dgxstvuJZXZCANPuOTDWBKJP87jMPTUW4ckpp_dPSEi4VEsl4RTR-tIn6b4pWtKHI5ru6rUdCDtzHv4zI4Hz60VDfeA0-XlYsvKxihC/s1600/spring2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGZxGBov8CjWufxnuZI3vJFOOif9z-4O7JUxF0dgxstvuJZXZCANPuOTDWBKJP87jMPTUW4ckpp_dPSEi4VEsl4RTR-tIn6b4pWtKHI5ru6rUdCDtzHv4zI4Hz60VDfeA0-XlYsvKxihC/s320/spring2.jpg" width="320" /> Our Butterfly Bush :)</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC";"><span style="font-size: large;">Autumn time on
Heavenly Hill….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC8PCC1owQUtMRTPJLHJuRJLjXKjl1oBb7kgHMVpzWq8y0EpMjQhXqyf4AbR6pNlOYh5DFxg3CKEj-OM_np5vbgMhnudAQ8LcD_02qztiN1lx5QfBeqd3MvcR0CJ6fy5xjhzRi64L_wyS/s1600/Fall+2009+%252C..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC8PCC1owQUtMRTPJLHJuRJLjXKjl1oBb7kgHMVpzWq8y0EpMjQhXqyf4AbR6pNlOYh5DFxg3CKEj-OM_np5vbgMhnudAQ8LcD_02qztiN1lx5QfBeqd3MvcR0CJ6fy5xjhzRi64L_wyS/s320/Fall+2009+%252C..jpg" width="320" /> View off my back deck </a></div>
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A small piece of our front yard <3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7s94pPZ3uBVBjuok3JTzF9jSkXQmSsKpSSAaZMBEXckhoBvReE3cCsIA4rDDZjoSI-tfZ1e-Gaf1INuEw3aIgUl-TbfWus3beEV44r0mzDRuY30-RiWSI3gK8nrL7hRXAjobtgNHWHj9/s1600/Fall+2009..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7s94pPZ3uBVBjuok3JTzF9jSkXQmSsKpSSAaZMBEXckhoBvReE3cCsIA4rDDZjoSI-tfZ1e-Gaf1INuEw3aIgUl-TbfWus3beEV44r0mzDRuY30-RiWSI3gK8nrL7hRXAjobtgNHWHj9/s320/Fall+2009..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-28587922480213029262013-07-12T16:00:00.001-05:002013-07-12T16:00:31.932-05:00Happy Wife…Happy Life…..huuuummmm?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoI7stKHeS_vGOim0AREXxS5a03gSMWE-oaB9sJWhQoi9FK6kP9yzp0L8JhZ_kAEe7gdJAaH_SVC-EGrb8onQa8A2Ty5QjBJ1Yxh-AWRtsX-ypIzuqS3tiJ4OM_4PHn1a283vZCUhvxLe/s1600/mood+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoI7stKHeS_vGOim0AREXxS5a03gSMWE-oaB9sJWhQoi9FK6kP9yzp0L8JhZ_kAEe7gdJAaH_SVC-EGrb8onQa8A2Ty5QjBJ1Yxh-AWRtsX-ypIzuqS3tiJ4OM_4PHn1a283vZCUhvxLe/s320/mood+ring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is true ya know… we definitely set the mood for our home and those
who are in it. So it’s in the husband’s best interest to keep a smile on your
face. Not an easy task always, I’ll give them that much.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">Sometimes it’s the simplest of things that makes us so darn
happy happy happy… things like taking out the trash before it’s overflowing,
putting the toilet seat down as opposed to leaving EVERY seat up in EVERY
bathroom in the house, grooming the dogs so that they don’t shed all over the
carpet immediately after you’ve JUST vacuumed, listen to our endless chatter
about our day of grocery shopping and how much you wanted to smack that lady at
the store for talking on her cell phone & rudely blocking the isle to the
Weight Watchers ice cream selections, </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli";">and
speaking of that honey I am starting a new diet! Now let me tell you all about
that for the next 35 minutes</span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">… You get the point<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">There’s other ways they make us happy.. they show enthusiasm
when we seem to be all giddy about a new project we are starting </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli";">(even if they are sure it’s another phase and we’ll
quickly grow bored of it)</span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">
They tell us how much they love us and how much better they are for having us
in their life </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli";">(even though we drive
them absolute batty at times) </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">They make you feel like you’re pretty and desired even when you are
feeling bloated and hideous… They make you feel like, uh, well “A Natural Woman”
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">Too cheezy? Sorry … I digress </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">My point to all of this is we
need & want them, </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 10pt;">We=
us womens Them= our mens</span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">,
to do those things for us, and there’s nothing wrong with that...But in return we
need to keep in mind that they to need & want from us also. Because …………… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli";">A
Happy Husband Today is One that will Stay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">…… Ok, sorry, I’ll stop with the one liners…</span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 10pt;">even though it’s fitting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">I’m all for equality and women’s lib and all that jazz.
I want to walk BY my husband’s side not behind him. I want my opinion to count
and to be heard. I don’t wear petticoats and I don’t always shave my legs </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 10pt;">(you know so that I don’t poke
him to death at night) </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">I
don’t always have on a fresh coat of paint when he rises in the morning </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 10pt;">(you know, so I don’t scare him
silly) </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">I mean, he
did marry me for better or for worse </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">What I do have is a genuine interest in HIS day and sit
patiently listening to all the details of how so&so didn’t do his job
correctly and that put extra work on his plate and how this machine needed a
new thingymabob and that machine broke it’s axel and he had to build a
whatchmadoosey. I don’t nag the dickens out of him about the left up toilet
seat and the water he left all over the bathroom floor after his shower or
about the fact that he washed the dogs using my expensive hair conditioner… ‘cause
sometimes ya know, it’s the simplest of things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">There are other ways I make him happy..I show him
enthusiasm when he talks about his new project car or garage he’s gonna build </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 10pt;">(even though I’m sure it’s
another phase and he’ll soon move on to another project) </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">I make sure I tell him often how
much I love him and how so very much better my life is with him in it </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 10pt;">(even though there are times he
drives me batty </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 10pt;"> ) </span><span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">I let him know how handsome I
think he is and give hugs & kisses out to him like candy. I let him know
that I feel blessed when I think about “Us”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">“A successful marriage requires falling in love many
times.. but always with the same person” …Marriage is NOT 50/50, sometimes it’s
60/40 or 80/20 but a good one will always balance itself out. It’s important
not to become apathetic or inattentive to your husband… for if you do, you may
just not like what you end up with. And for you hubbys out there same goes for
you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">Love one another deeply, Laugh often, Hugs & Kisses
should be given without having to be asked for… if you’re not “feeling it” then
you need to address it and fix it…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MV Boli"; font-size: 14pt;">Aaahhh.. it’s so great having gained all this knowledge
along with my ever appearing gray hairs and weakened eyesight otherwise known
as aging :P<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">**DISCLAIMER** the thoughts and opinions expressed
in this Blog are those of an Extremely satisfied & happy wife. They may or
may not reflect those of another woman. If you find this insightful, helpful
and or funny then I wish you all the same happiness as I … if you find any of
this offensive, demeaning or blah then please call 555-kis-grits<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-86733881507034667112013-07-10T07:23:00.002-05:002013-07-10T07:23:46.865-05:00My Daddy....<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">July 10th .... Today is my Daddy's Birthday, he would have been 66 years old and we would've had a celebration for him with lots of food, silliness & gifts <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(and he would have told us, "y'all shouldn't have done this" )</span></em> .... but not this year, we lost Daddy this past December.. So, instead of celebrating his birthday today I'm going to celebrate the Life he lived & the Love he gave.</span><br />
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<em>The loss of a Daddy is a heavy burden to bear,</em></div>
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<em>He's a source of quiet strength that is so missed when he's not there.</em></div>
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<em>We take comfort that he's in Heaven looking down & shining through,</em></div>
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<em>He'll be there through the coming years, watching over us and guiding to.</em></div>
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<em>He's our very own Guardian Angel, and he'll be with us till the end.</em></div>
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<em>When we meet again in Heaven and our broken hearts will finally mend....</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Daddy was serious, yet silly. He was firm, yet yielding. He was strong...Strong in strength, mind & heart. He was a loving husband, Daddy, Pawpaw, brother and friend. Although he wasn't without flaws, in my heart he made up for it tenfold. There were many demons he had to fight through in his lifetime and I think he succeeded in doing so. I believe if he had been given the choice to stay or go he most definitely would have stayed because he loved us so much. But life doesn't work that way and his time on Earth was done. So now we have a special Angel in Heaven... Our Daddy <3</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OnaLuna-7WcQjzUrWoH_Sb1RMCW5vHno4JFSkwvzFBR-0erIfRkZnVbN-gRBgiufirp6U1TTtMhdDylh-QGjiLZ31ShAma-WhCIZ6y3aRISFPn1i807n1SpuW1dYJRW3I_b154AdatjW/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OnaLuna-7WcQjzUrWoH_Sb1RMCW5vHno4JFSkwvzFBR-0erIfRkZnVbN-gRBgiufirp6U1TTtMhdDylh-QGjiLZ31ShAma-WhCIZ6y3aRISFPn1i807n1SpuW1dYJRW3I_b154AdatjW/s200/031.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy worked as a Drywall man for many years. I remember wondering how in the world did Mama keep getting all that drywall mud washed off his clothes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy could play the guitar & sing very well. He even wrote a song that was produced & published by another singer, "Let's Go to God's House for Christmas" . He couldn't sing that song without making us girls cry..... <em>"Let's go to God's house for Christmas, daddy please don't cry, it ain't so far away. Let's go to God's house for Christmas. Then we'll be there with mommy, to spend the holiday".... <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'm pretty sure he wrote this song in memory of his mama)</span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy liked to hunt, and was quite good at that also. I remember one time, he had shot a deer in the woods behind the house and couldn't drag it out by himself so he had to run all the way up to the house to get mama to help him. He was so out of breath from excitement and running that mama thought he was having a heart attack. <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">hahaha</span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy liked to fish to, especially with my Uncle Earl, his best buddy. Lots of Fish Tales & Waffle House stories between those 2 I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Daddy was a very smart man. He was book smart and street smart. No one could beat him at Trivial Pursuit<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (the original one in the blue box, the really hard one!)</span></em> Some people know a little bit about a lot of stuff, but Daddy knew a lot of stuff about a lot of things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our Daddy was a Vietnam Veteran. He was very proud to have served and to be a Veteran of the United States Navy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy bought himself a Karaoke system and loved to have Karaoke night at his house! He just loved having his sisters, Brenda, Sheila, Joyce & June to come over and sing all those Do-Whap & Oldie but Goody country songs. He also like it when me & my sisters were there singing to. Daddy would tell me how beautiful my voice was and how that we sounded like Angels singing.. <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(although I can carry a tune, I definitely wouldn't use beautiful or Angelic when describing my voice..but hearing my Daddy tell me that was the best thing!)</span></em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy LOVED the ocean, Gulf Shores was his favorite. In 2010 our whole family got a huge beach house in OBX and that's a vacation I will always remember...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Daddy LOVED Mama, that was for sure. They had 42 years together xoxoxo</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy sure did Love us girls to.. I feel that he had comfort in knowing that we were all doing well in life and that he had helped to raise 4 Great Daughters..... <em>(<span style="font-size: x-small;">even if I do say so myself :)</span> )</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The list of who all has been loved by Daddy goes on & on.. his Grandkids & Great Grandkids were all sparkles in his eyes....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is an entire year of "firsts" for me, my sisters & mama. It's proving itself to be a hard one. I have my good days and my not so good days.....</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">today is a mix of both. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday Daddy... I hope your spending this day surrounded by love, music and laughter. I love you Daddy <3</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If tears could build a stairway and thoughts a memory lane,</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Since you'll never be forgotten, I promise you today,</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A special place within my heart is where you'll always stay...</span></em> </div>
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Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-35018630841918149842013-06-29T00:25:00.000-05:002013-06-29T00:25:28.381-05:00If you really knew me....<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...you'd know that I'm a Reality Show junkie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I'm just not that "into" Politics, and you'd know that I don't care if that's PC or not</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that my taste in music is quite eclectic and that just about every song I like has special meaning to it for me, weather it be good, sad, happy or bad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I can't stand the taste of coffee but the smell of it brewing makes me Happy Happy Happy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I'm a "dog person" to the core except for our Charlie, who was the most Awesome cat ever... RIP Charlie <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I have a tattoo and where and why</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I have insane Insomnia and without medication I could stay awake for days </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you'd know that growing up I wanted to be 2 things, A secretary and a Mommy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I LOVE riding my bicycle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I've had 10 different surgeries </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I am obsessed with picture taking and hanging them all over the place</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I'm terrified of getting Alzheimer's and that is part of why my pictures are so important to me....pictures are little memories squeezed onto a piece of paper <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that laughing is one of my most favorite things to do :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I LOVE being a MiMi !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I believe Family is of most importance in a person's life and that my heart aches for those who don't know what that feels like</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I believe in God with all of my being</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I am a procrastinator, but that when I get started I aim to finish...and DO</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that in all of my 44 years of life there's only been 1 day that I felt absolutely Beautiful... March 27, 2004</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I am soooooo scared of heights</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...you'd know that I have some weird form of Dyslexia (my diagnosis) and see curse words in place of the actual words on some billboards & signs and when I read aloud I often add, take away or replace words in whatever it is I'm reading, without knowing that I'm doing it apparently</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I am very impatient but can't stand it when others are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I have Bi-Polar Disorder and there are months during the year that my Manic phase kicks in and I become Miss Creativity and OCD</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know what a God send I think my husband has been to me, my sanity, health & overall well being</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I'm a Cancer Survivor</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I LOVE singing Karaoke</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I'm an avid Goodwill / Thrift store shopper and can find treasures like nobody's business</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that something from my Bucket List was checked off in 2010 when our family went to OBX, seeing the wild horses run on the beaches </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...AND you'd know that was the best vacation I've ever had to date</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">...you'd know that I lost my Daddy this past December and that a day hasn't gone by that I don't think of him, talk about him, miss him so very much and cry just a little bit every day, even if it's sweet tears...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, for those of you who didn't really know me... maybe now you can just a little bit more :)</span><br />
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Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-33909587131427151312013-06-17T01:33:00.000-05:002013-06-17T01:33:33.397-05:00Southern Fried & Southern Pride<div align="justify">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey Y'all .... I know it's truly been a hot minute since I last Blogged. It hasn't been for a lack of subject matter I can promise you that. Lack of time & motivation would be more like it. So very much has happened in & around my life over the last 9 months that if I tried to fit it all in one Blog the content would be removed and condensed into a mini novel...seriously...no kidding. So hopefully this will be the beginning of more Blogs to come. My new goal is to complete at least one a week....</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana;">This Blog will be the lighter side of things, well actually the HEAVY......</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana;">Today I went to lunch with some family (<span style="font-size: x-small;">another Blog in the works</span>) we ate at a restaurant called Caney Fork River Valley out by Opryland Hotel. Trying to decide what to order off their menu was not easy. Trying to decide what to order off their menu that was Healthy was dang near impossible, geeezzz. Your choices were fried this & battered that or smothered in gravy & cheeses. Listen folks, their house burger was named, "Cholesterol Buster" !!</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana;">I'm looking at the menu, watching the waiters bring baskets full of deep fried corn fritters covered in confectioners sugar to all the tables, refilling our HUGE glasses of sweet teas & cokes before we could even finish the first ones, and then.....I had an epiphany....</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana;">Southerners are not meant to be skinny! It's just not in our DNA anymore. I think we are expected to be fat & jolly, pleasant & plump, Yeah...big ol' thangs with a sweet Southern twang. Well you know what? You can KISS MY GRITS!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean, think about it... if it can be fried, we gonna fry it and eerrrrbody knows we love a good tempura batter and who ain't been down to the awful Waffle and ordered themselves a big ol' helpin' of some Smothered & Covered with a side of chili... and Sweet Tea, honey we make & drank that stuff by the gallon. And if that ain't enough for ya then how about this summer we go down to one of our county fairs and get ourselves some Deep Fried Oreos, Twinkies, Snicker bars,or Butter! Yes Ma'am, you heard me right..Deep..Fried..Butter. Um UM Um Um GoOOOoD! Aw heck, they'll even deep fry you some Kool-Aid. What, you doubt me? You shouldn't... I know such things :)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I have been dealing with <strike><span style="font-size: x-small;">losing</span></strike> the Battle of the Bulge for some time now, and just when I feel like "I've Got This!" it all falls to pieces on me <span style="font-size: x-small;">(wish's it were pieces falling OFF of me)</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I mean, I try... I promise I do. I buy fresh this and organic that. Low calorie, complex carbs, flax seed, chai seeds. I eat clean, stay away from the fast food & the easy peesy isle at the Super Wal Mart </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcp4vaPvohYjbJY8zWsuJPb4fYBS3EFFtS5LS3HBfQ4XiBR1qNfFWDCzGY4MmuR6hcqJAsU0uRRHru1F0k1eAb6XfkAaJKkNnGTNnBA-_B23Q2EJEC0GM4fmRvWZnShdNH_PEkH8xacHq/s1600/thCAAYLAUQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcp4vaPvohYjbJY8zWsuJPb4fYBS3EFFtS5LS3HBfQ4XiBR1qNfFWDCzGY4MmuR6hcqJAsU0uRRHru1F0k1eAb6XfkAaJKkNnGTNnBA-_B23Q2EJEC0GM4fmRvWZnShdNH_PEkH8xacHq/s200/thCAAYLAUQ.jpg" width="187" /></span></a><span style="color: black;">( I curse you Wally World and your super low prices!...gonna smack that yellow smiley face into next week on of these days..)</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">WHY? WHy Why why is it so hard to eat right & get tight? Maybe, just maybe it's because for the last 44 years I've done the complete opposites of ALL I'm trying to do now. Who knows... what I do know is that I won't quit trying. You should never EVER stop trying to do better in all that you do and all that you are...but, I AM going to stop beating myself up when I find myself not "on top of it". I'm gonna quit playing hide-n-seek with the bathroom scales, which by the way I've put away and will NOT be using since I refuse to allow a Number determine whether or not I'm worthy of being allowed outside during daylight hours amongst other human beings that may or may not judge me. I'm not the Hunchback of Notre Dame and I don't have horns protruding from my forehead. SO, if you're looking at me I guess that you find me to be quite Awesome and extra sparkly that day! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(sparkly like glitter, not Edward Cullen from Twilight)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I know I'm not alone in this never ending saga because, like sands through the hour glass...these are the <em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Days of Our Lives</span></em>...and hopefully <em>The Guiding Light</em> will keep me on the path to health & fitness, for if not, I could wind up at <em>General Hospital</em>. I do understand that I only have <em>One Life To Live</em> and that I can't always be like I use to be, you know...<em>Young & Restless</em>. I feel that surely <em>As the World Turns</em> I can and will choose to be <em>Bold & Beautiful</em>.............</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">.....<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">cue the sappy music</span></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Along this journey of mine I've made some new friends. Two of whom I've grown oddly fond of... Paula Dean & Jillian Michaels... and these two heffers had better learn how to get along 'cause some days I may spend time with both of them and some days I might just wanna spend a little more time with one rather than the other</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As for today, me & Paula are at home wearing our comfy pants, eating a little bit of Belgian Milk Chocolate Gelato, watching one of my favorite chick flicks and thinking up new ways to cook with butter..</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Maybe tomorrow I'll spend some time with Jillian doing lunges, planks, crunches and sweating like a pig..........</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black;">........Uhm, maybe</span> </span><br />
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Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-47271813924583796832012-09-11T19:26:00.000-05:002012-09-11T19:26:05.571-05:00Confessions....My Love Affair & Addiction<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">I believe the title is what catches the eye. You know, like when a ray of light hits something shiny and the reflection catches your eye…and then maybe you look over at what it is with the intention of just getting a glimpse but whatever it was holds your attention for more than just a moment…. Well I hope I can hold your attention longer than just a moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Everybody’s got a story and a past and as much as they are different, they are the same. Mine today is about my Love Affair & Addiction with Food….What, you were thinking I meant something else?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Weather you grew up skinny or chubby. Weather you grew up well off or poor as church mice. Weather you grew up in a dysfunctional family or no family at all. If you listen intently to another person’s story you’ll start to find similarities between you & them. My hope is that by reading mine you’ll find things to relate to and when you’re finished you’ll go away with feelings of excitement and empowerment and make some positive changes for yourself. That’s what happened to me recently after reading a friend’s Blog post about her struggles with weight loss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">It’s a Blog similar to mine. She writes for the enjoyment of it, and it’s pretty much intended for her family and friends so that they may check in and see how she, her husband and 2 beautiful children are doing. It just so happened that when I realized she had a Blog and decided to check it out on that particular day it was about, well like I said, her struggles with weight. I actually am not a believer in coincidences. I feel everything happens for a reason, that there is an intended purpose for all things. I feel I was guided step by step that day……. And it goes a little something like this<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After reading her Blog post and commenting on it she then turned me onto someone else who had an even bigger impact on me, Mama Laughlin! </span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="font-size: small;">(we will have to discuss her at a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>later date) </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">which in turn sent me to a Facebook group, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mama Laughlin’s Fit Club</i>. You have to be “invited in” and THANK YOU <u>Brittany Bucher</u> for the part you’ve played in changing my life from that day forward! </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">**please know that I did then and still am thanking God first and foremost**</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> This FB group was started by “fans” of Mama Laughlin and I’m not sure exactly when the group started but it grows and grows every day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just joined a couple of weeks ago and it has doubled in size, the members, not me HA! This group of women has turned out to be another blessing. I’d like to thank them all like I just did Brittany but there are too many to even BEGIN to list, but Thank You Camp Counselor (Jen) for starting the group and doing all that you do there!! (</span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="font-size: small;">yet another topic you will most definitely hear about at a later date & post)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Anyways… as I said above<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,” I do not believe in coincidence”</i>. I had just been to my doctor, again, for the 3<sup>rd</sup> time in just a couple of months for this very reason, <u>my weight</u> and <u>how to get rid of the bulk</u> of it. I left there feeling angry, depressed and hopeless. I had been in search of, not the Fountain of Youth (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">cue the choir and halo of lights)</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> BUT,“THE FOUNTAIN OF SKINNY”..…..can I get a Amen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had tried just about every over the counter slimming, detoxing, fat burning, appetite suppressing drink, drop, pill, elixir that I could buy, with the exception of Ali ‘cause I just couldn’t fathom the thought of going around all day with greasy farts. Too much information? Sorry but that’s what happens when you take that stuff hAhA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">I had FINALLY convinced my doctor to put me on Phentermine, don’t judge, yes Phentermine. It used to be PhenPhen but they took one of the Phens out so it was only half as dangerous </span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">(cue crooked smile).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Of course it didn’t work for me! I got a tiny rush for about an hour after taking a pill and an irritating 24/7 headache… no appetite suppressing going on here. So I stopped taking it after 2 weeks and went back to the doc. Let me say this first, I like my doctor. I respect him and trust him as my Physician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find him to be very knowledgeable and up to date on current medical know how…with that said, when I left him that day I would have punched him right in the face had it not been for my wonderful, caring, supportive husband being there with me….holding my hand…tightly….so that I wasn’t able to form a fist to punch with!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The NERVE! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My doctor had the gall to tell me, “Sandra. If you really want to lose the weight and get into shape you are going to have to eat better, measure everything, count every calorie and implement some real exercise into your life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHAT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought you were going to give me a prescription for that secret stuff that all those fit & toned people take. Instead you’re telling me I have to work for it AND WORK HARD!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate you. I hate skinny people. I hate this fat girl dress I’m wearing. No George, I DO NOT want to go get some lunch! I hate lunch. I hate food. I just want to go home and get under the covers and not move from there, EVER! </span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> ‘Cause I’m too fat to move anyways!WAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaHHHHHHHHHHhhh!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Taking a deep breath now</i>…….)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">So I’m kinda goin’ full circle with this… after I did get home, calm down and ate me one last fat girl meal I had decided to get online and start looking into healthy living and instead I went to Facebook first which is where I came across a conversation that had nothing to do with me. It was a conversation between Brittany and another person. But in the posting Brittany had mentioned writing in her Blog. I was like” hey, cool, I have a Blog also Brittany. You should check mine out sometime. I’m gonna go look at yours”…. And now I’m pretty much back at where I started writing to begin with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">I have always loooved food. I love the way it looks, the way it smells, the way it taste. How a good piece of chocolate can make you feel happy. How a warm bowl of soup can make your tummy feel good. How a fork full of spicy & sweet scrumptiousness can feel like a party in your mouth. Ok, you get the picture….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I titled this Blog Post Love Affair & Addiction because that is what I feel like my relationship with food was</span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="font-size: small;">, <u>**note that I said WAS**</u>,</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> Instead of appreciating food for what it is intended for I had taken it to a whole new level. I looked at food as if it were something I wanted, not needed. I’m ashamed to say that I have lusted over food before…seen a creamy dish of alfredo and tortellini or a slice of chocolate cake with chocolate ganosh & chocolate icing and imagined how good that was going to taste and all the flavors that was going to melt in my mouth…. Yeah, I call that lusting. The affair part comes into play for all of the times that I have hidden food, from my kids, from my husband, co-workers… for reasons that are shameful also. Maybe I didn’t want to share. Maybe I didn’t want to be seen eating ANOTHER piece of cake. Maybe I didn’t want to be seen sneaking food at 11:00 at night when I should be sleeping instead of eating or maybe I just didn’t want to be judged…either way it was wrong. The addiction part is the hardest part. I have eaten so that I wouldn’t be sad or mad or bored. I have eaten even when I wasn’t hungry just because the people around me were eating and I didn’t want to be different. I have eaten because I was lonely. I have eaten because I didn’t want to waste the food… so to all of a sudden NOT eat for these reasons is a foreign thing to my mind & body and I have to treat this & battle this just as I would had it been drugs or alcohol, even more so. Because when you fight addiction you are not just quitting but you are removing that addiction from your life. You can’t do that with food… food is an absolute necessity…. Let me make myself very clear. I, in no way claim to be a nutritionist, psychologist or expert any<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>field other than my very own life and how I lived and how I am choosing to live now. I just know what has worked for me and what hasn’t and if someone can benefit from any of this then it makes writing all of it and putting my business out there worth it for me. So where do I go from here? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I do this? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">I’ve told you about why I started doing this so I will tell you how I did this and when to start……You start today, not on Monday or after the big family get together, TODAY and you start with your mentality. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You start by telling yourself every day, 100 times a day if you need to, that food, although it <u>can </u>be enjoyed, is NOT for your enjoyment! By no means am I implying that you can’t enjoy your food, Please, Enjoy it! Enjoy creating recipes and taking them from paper to plate. Enjoy shopping for your food, preparing a meal and being told how delicious it is! Savoring different spices and foods from all over the world…and so on and so on…I actually think all of that is a good thing. What I am saying is that when you are shopping, preparing, serving or eating you should….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">#1.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> Acknowledge that you are giving your body what it needs NOT what it wants, there is a difference. Your body & mind <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>need </u></b>healthy, clean, nourishing ingredients to function properly, but if you’ve been living like me then your mind is going to say I just need FOOD. Period. I don’t care if it’s grilled, fried, baked, covered in bacon grease or thawed out and microwaved, JUST GIMME SOME!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you’re going to find yourself<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sluggish, tired, depressed, overstressed, irritable, constipated and overweight just to name a few. So you have to learn to make better choices, healthier ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">#2.</b> Start taking the time to look at labels. Did you know there are ½ the amount of calories in plain low-fat Greek yogurt than there is in sour cream and that plain low-fat Greek yogurt taste the same as sour cream? That’s just one example of a thousand on what you can learn by reading labels. p.s. I like the low-fat Greek Yogurt even better than sour cream<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#3</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">. If you are wanting to lose weight that obviously means your overweight, and weather it’s 10 lbs. or 150 lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are going to have to admit to yourself that your choices and how you view things have not been working for you or else you wouldn’t need to lose anything. So choose the salad over the burger & fries. Choose the lower calorie ingredient instead of the thick full flavored one and start measuring EVERYTHING! Use measuring cups, spoons, scales EVERYTHING!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your “judgments” on how much a ½ cup or 1 Tbs. is, well I think I can safely say you’re WRONG. I bet, if by using your judgment you poured into a bowl what you thought to be ½ cup of milk and 1 cup of cereal is and then used actual measuring cups to do the same you would be quite surprised at the difference. Or with you judging you cut yourself a 6 oz. piece of meat to put on your plate and then weighed it on a food scale, again, surprise! When you are counting calories, which is what you need to be doing to lose the weight, then you cannot rely on how you’ve done things in the past because EVERY CALORIE MATTERS when you’re working towards weight loss. 10extra here 15extra there it all adds up at the end of a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">#4.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> Track your calories. ALL OF THEM. Sistagirl if it goes in your mouth then track it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many different ways to do this. The most popular seems to be My Fitness Pal and Fit Click. You can sign up on-line, they are free and they both have Aps for your smartphones. I personally chose to do an excel sheet on my computer. It doesn’t really matter at all how you do it, just do it. It’s good for many reasons. It holds yourself accountable for what you are putting into your body and gives you a reference as to where you are spending all your calories. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I personally try and stay between 1100 – 1300 calories a day right now and I try and make those calories count and spread them out throughout the day, my body likes it that way</i>) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">#5</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">. Get rid of SUGAR! Either start using all natural sweetener like Honey or Agave or what I did was go to a Zero Calorie sweetener, Splenda. Actually I use the WalMart brand of it and I like it better than real Splenda. Use it in your drinks, recipes, ect… It’s ZERO calories and I think it sweetens better than sugar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">#6.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> Drink Water..drink drink drink… the “recommended amount is ½ your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 200 lbs. you should drink 100 ounces of water a day. I try my very hardest to do that. I am hardly ever successful, but so what! I am still drinking water like I’ve never drank it before. Actually I don’t drink just water, I drink lemon water. I buy lemons buy the bag, wash them up and slice ‘em and keep a bowl of fresh lemon slices on hand all the time. It’s just as much a staple in our home as milk is (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">FYI… I drink Silk Lite Vanilla or Coconut Milk or Almond Milk</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">) I would list the benefits of the lemon water but that would take up another page.. Google it or Bing it, so worth it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">#7.</b> Fresh Fresh Fresh!! When at all possible, and it’s usually possible, Buy Fresh, Cook Fresh & Eat Fresh. Veggies, Meats, Fruits.. it makes a difference with the calories, the nutrition, and how your body processes it. I’ve not turned into a Vegan or 100% Clean eating </span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="font-size: small;">(look it up)</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> but it doesn’t change the fact that fresh is best all-around and no, it isn’t <u>always</u> possible to do things that way BUT when it <u>IS</u> possible, then just do it </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become so accustomed to fast food, can goods, hamberhelpers in a box, store bought frozen meals. Everybody is so busy. Work, little kids, sports games after school running late for dinner… I know just a well as anybody else how “convenience” can be a lifesaver and when you’re over worked and sleep deprived it can be just what you need in your life… as much as that is the truth so is this, all that quick, fast and convenience has turned us into a horribly obese country. Maybe you don’t want to hear that. Maybe you’re like I was and resistant to change and maybe you’re like me and overweight and sick of being that way? ….….just sayin’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">#8. </b>EXERCISE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look, anything is better than nothing BUT, if you are looking to lose weight then you have to get your heart rate up. You have to get some cardio going. That can be done in so many ways. Exercise videos, running outside, a tredmill…whatever you like, but the heart rate has to go up to a certain number and you have to keep it there for a certain amount of time for any results. Here’s a quick reference : According to the AMA (American Medical Association) this is a guide to finding your “Target Heart Rate”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>220 and subtract your age from it and that gives you Max Heart Rate. Take that number and multiply by by 0.5 = this will be the low end of your Target Heart Rate. Take 220 and subtract your age from it. Take that number but this time multiply it by 0.75 = this will be the high end of your Target Heart Rate. So those two numbers are what you strive for during exercise to burn those calories. The higher the heart rate the more calories you burn. Here are my numbers for examples:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">220 – 43 yrs = 177 (max)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">177 x 0.5 = 88.5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(low end)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>177 x 0.75 = 132.75 (high end)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">So for me to even start burning some good calories or burn those bad boys to pieces I need to get & keep my Heart Rate at between 88 – 133 beats per minute<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that it needs to stay in your range for at least 20 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">It’s actually easier to do than you think. I mean I just exercised the heck outta your brain with all these numbers haha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously though…. a jog outside or on the treadmill, a good workout DVD (Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred or Ripped) those are just two of many ways to get you going. Play around with it all and find stuff you either 1, really like or 2, can live with doing it </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND I wouldn’t be very responsible if I didn’t mention that before starting any exercise routine you should check with your doctor first, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or old injuries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Can you tell that I am excited about all of this and how committed I am to changing my life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just in case you haven’t picked up on all of that I AM!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">I could seriously go on & on about all of this but then it would become a book…..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"><span style="font-size: small;">(note to self, scan internet for How To’s on getting a book published haha) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">The fact of the matter is it’s up to you on what you do and how you do it. I don’t want to mislead anyone. All of this counting and measuring and reading and tracking can become a bit of a nuisance. But I will PROMISE you it is so worth it! You will see & feel the difference. </span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Not everything works for everybody, but all of this… It’s working for me. I went back to my doctor yesterday. This time I walked in feeling great and I walked out feeling even better. In right under a month I’ve lost 9 lbs. and 10 ½ inches from this 43 yr old body of mine and it just keeps getting better every day. I know I will have days here and there when I’m off task, but that’s ok. Because see, this is not a quick fix. I’m not on any diet nor will I ever be again. This is a complete <u>Life Style Change</u> for me & my hubby, yeap I said hubby. He’s in this with me and is 100% supportive in all that I’m doing, but I will tell you something, I would be doing this even if he were not because I’m not doing it for him or anyone else. I’m doing it all for me. Well that’s not totally true I guess because I want to be around for a long, long time…for my husband, my children, my beautiful granddaughters. I want to be able to be that healthy, happy, spunky, get out & go Wife, Mother and Mimi for many years to come and I just don’t think it would happen like that if I didn’t make these changes. I quit smoking almost 2 years ago now and I thought that was hard… that was a walk in the park compared to doing what I am doing now. But I did it and I am doing this! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">I hope that you’ve been able to relate and if not then I hope you have found it a good read at least </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> …..and for those who can relate and are going to give it a try I wish you the best !! Search the internet, look for more inspiration, Google or Bing everything, get new recipes, tweak your old ones and by all means if you ever need anything please let me know. I am always here for family or a friend <3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Bing or Google ideas are endless. Here’s just a few to get you started :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">Mama Laughlin , My Fitness Pal , Fit Click , Target Heart Rate , Cardio exercise ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clean eating ,Why Doesn’t Sandra Ward Have a Best Seller , Benefits of drinking lemon water</span><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';"> …….</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MV Boli';">ok, maybe I threw an extra one in there haha :)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_24DiCLvmVGx3eKWewHeQuBOFd9SVo3K_dJ9coX9OkVfKZksjbK4HG4V1oVqxPonmRYTxVAKOAxWZgtD1ELF_t9KAauJgkmoWmQbN7QiVQMSn1qXRZmQB8uXLLhlusU21cdVCC22Z0S4/s1600/LifeStyle+Change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_24DiCLvmVGx3eKWewHeQuBOFd9SVo3K_dJ9coX9OkVfKZksjbK4HG4V1oVqxPonmRYTxVAKOAxWZgtD1ELF_t9KAauJgkmoWmQbN7QiVQMSn1qXRZmQB8uXLLhlusU21cdVCC22Z0S4/s320/LifeStyle+Change.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
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</o:p></span>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-55836251214030615572012-04-27T16:35:00.000-05:002012-04-27T16:35:12.995-05:00My Favorite Feeling.....<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>I don't have a favorite season... I have a Favorite Feeling.</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>It's the car windows down, quiet back roads and dirty barefeet feelin'.</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>It's the curtains dancin' around the room 'cause I have all the windows in the house open. </em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>It's the sunset after suppertime and the thick green grass as my pillow. </em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>It's the hum of lawnmowers and the sound of the rain falling against my metal roof. </em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>It's pockets of shade down a gravel road with birds chirping and butterflies fluttering all around.<br /> It's playing outside all day with my GrandDaughters, </em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>having peanut butter and jelly picnics then catching fireflies in jars that night.<br /> Yeah, I don't have a season.... I have a Favorite Feeling <3</em></span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFTcSj27etprPSeObZgkAf0RYbMXai_ktcm1IpCP_T-6Vmfz4iwlEUXPGNMcH-esvATC3Z98TMY_S92Qlh675x09kfxpntn40U6zhKRUgFYeQek8wDpDd-ly-tjD8nGkD23ThzU33K738/s1600/fireflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFTcSj27etprPSeObZgkAf0RYbMXai_ktcm1IpCP_T-6Vmfz4iwlEUXPGNMcH-esvATC3Z98TMY_S92Qlh675x09kfxpntn40U6zhKRUgFYeQek8wDpDd-ly-tjD8nGkD23ThzU33K738/s320/fireflies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-61344391121712569562011-08-23T10:29:00.000-05:002011-08-23T10:29:18.890-05:00Forgiveness........<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">A couple of months ago I had a friendship break down. I was hurt and irritated, so much so that I wasn’t able to just move on. I had sleepless nights, many long talks with other friends and family and even blogged about it. I think I had to mourn the loss of this friendship for a while before I could begin to move into the next phase, Forgiveness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">I realized I was going to have to forgive her in order to have peace with what had happened. I searched my soul, the internet and then the Bible… maybe I should have started with the Bible first </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">Forgiving someone is a physical act involving your will, your feelings and your conscience. As a Christian your forgiveness is also motivated by God.<o:p></o:p></span></o:p></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><u>Colossians 3:13 – Be gentle and forbearing with one another and if one has a difference or complaint against another even as Christ forgave you, you must also do.</u></em></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">Reading scripture like that can surely put things into perspective…. If God can & has forgiven me for things that I have done & said then who am I not to do the same for another human being? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">Obviously there are varying degrees of pain & hurt where we find ourselves in the position of needing to forgive. We may find it a little easier to forgive someone for hurting our feelings rather than dish out the “I forgive you” to someone that has removed our trust in them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Whatever the reason, when you find yourself put in the position of needing to forgive someone there are many more reasons to find a way to do that rather than to hold onto it. I say “put in the position” because that’s what the offending person has done to you. Whatever their actions were that has caused you pain, you didn’t ask for it or bring it upon yourself, and realizing that fact is usually what makes us feel anger or hostility. That anger can turn into anything from harsh words to making yourself ill, literally. You can find yourself becoming somewhat obsessed with all of that anger, allowing it to rule your daily life… your thoughts, activities, family time, sleep, appetite, health, other relationships…the list goes on & on. So for those reasons and many more, forgiveness is very important.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><em><u><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">“Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize that prisoner was you</span></b><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">”</span></span></u></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> {I love that quote} another quote I heard about forgiveness that I liked so well I wrote it down and put it on my refrigerator months ago…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">“Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past could have been any different”</span></u></em> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">You have to find a way of letting go, and using your logical side over your emotional one is sometimes a huge help in doing that. That’s why those two quotes have helped me in forgiving. Just like reading the scripture, it’s true and logical </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p></o:p></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">How do you know if you’ve really forgiven?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">A sign that you really have forgiven someone for something is when you can look back on “it” and recognize it as an experience that you’ve moved on from and learned from without feeling lingering anger or pain.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">I also think it’s also important to know there is a difference in Forgiving and Forgetting. You don’t have to Forget in order to be able to Forgive.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">When you’ve been wronged or hurt I don’t believe you ever forget. Whatever was done to you made enough of an impact to place a marker in your mind and on your heart for always, but it’s what you do with the memory that makes a difference. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">I choose to use my old wounds as learning experiences, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">“never agains”. By doing this I accomplish several things. I move forward, I don’t remain stuck in the muck of what someone else has caused, so in turn I’m finding pleasure in what life has to offer and loving every moment of it. I also don’t let those same things happen to me over & over. Whatever it was that caused me pain & hurt was not my fault so I use the memory as a reference, this allows me to keep it from ever happening to me again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">Letting go of things allows joy & peacefulness to enter your life… clinging to the pain & anger blocks out those good things and holds in stress and destruction. <o:p></o:p></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">Forgiveness is not easy. Sometimes it will be one of life’s hardest tasks, but I’m here to tell you it’s possible. Like any other goal, if you set your heart & mind to it then you can do it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-2155844708667536952011-08-02T11:28:00.001-05:002011-08-02T11:34:12.582-05:00Things That Would Irritate a Sane Person... and Me :)<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Everybody has a mental list of those little things that seem to just get under your skin. They are silly if noted out loud but when it's actually happening it can make you just wanna slap the pickle out of somebody's hand :) Here are just a few of mine</em>.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* People who drive 68 mph in the left hand lane</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* Tractor Trailer drivers that get in the left lane and slow down traffic just to pass the ONE semi in front of them</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* People who come up out of nowhere and fly up on your rear doing 90 mph in the left lane</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">........... Yes, I do think I own the left hand lane <strong>:)</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>{</strong><em>sidenote: ever notice if someone's driving too slow it's irritating and if they are driving too fast it's just as irritating? I'm just sayin'</em>...<strong>}</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Anyways</em>...........</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* You slice your tongue licking an envelope</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* When you open a can of soup and the lid falls in</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>* When you are in need of a salesperson you can't find one anywhere, but when you want to be left alone they are everywhere</strong> and asking you, "Are you finding everything Ok?" </span><span style="color: #741b47;">One day I'm gonna reply, "No I'm not. I seem to have lost my marbles" or maybe I'll just carry a bag of peanuts so when the 5th salesperson in a row asks me, "Is there something I can help you with?" I will take them from my purse and say, "Could you hold my nuts for me while I look through this rack of jeans?" ...did I go too far? hehe</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* When you had that pen in your hand a minute ago and now you can't find it ANYWHERE!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* When the person that is in line BEHIND me at the store runs AHEAD of me when they open up a new line</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* When you have to try on sunglasses at the store with that stupid plastic thingy in the center of them</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>And to top it all off</em>....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><strong>* You step in dog poop and don't notice until you've gotten in your car and are driving down the road!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well I hope I made you giggle a little today. If you want to leave some of your own "little irritations" in comments feel free<strong> :)</strong></span></span>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-55016731355376678972011-07-26T20:22:00.000-05:002011-07-26T20:22:12.220-05:00Fun in the sun!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hi everyone! I've had a pretty busy day... had to go have a crown put on this morning (the in the mouth tooth kind, not on my head jeweled kind) Then it was off to meet Heather at her mother in law's to swim with my girls. Thanks again Marty for letting us cool in your pool! I brought Miss Lala home with me so we've been busy here at the house cleaning, playing Princess, watching SpongeBob SquarePants (whom I can not stand) and cooking spaghetti for dinner so pappy can eat it all up when he gets home (Layla's words).</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The plan for tomorrow is get up, eat breakfast, pack the cooler, grab the sunscreen and we are headed to Tie Breaker Aquatic Center. It's a water park in Hopkinsville, KY. Heather & I are taking the girls and meeting Marty & her grandsons, Colin & Noah.... this should be fun ;) The kiddies only out number us by one so we should be ok.... right? (nervous giggle)</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So... with all the kiddie activity you'll understand if I don't get too deep in my blogging for the next day or so.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll be posting pics from our adventures on Facebook so you'll have to check them out. Hope everyone's days are as fun filled & blessed as mine!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgwAPSvVnBqQddmujbh_S1fHGcwyv-qngYxxHhbieHXM4eUVVF2y6hf-5LBfYD_jAVr2rCZoPGSpb_IQmC3a6a2BV_A6d59xhIS1hr6BK6E1RhR__QaRNaBUMNKw4p2Pq9DQm8zSvVrJL/s1600/Photo0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgwAPSvVnBqQddmujbh_S1fHGcwyv-qngYxxHhbieHXM4eUVVF2y6hf-5LBfYD_jAVr2rCZoPGSpb_IQmC3a6a2BV_A6d59xhIS1hr6BK6E1RhR__QaRNaBUMNKw4p2Pq9DQm8zSvVrJL/s320/Photo0111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNoCxTjQys6csgkRVe-Mvsqy3JfKbdIlA7fDWWASFbJAUFABYj5r-gh3uKIO7thCBnCv7FqmWZQpCmbL27jkuTMeb89rXbUSD0-QLTgQ6GNRhGJlpCiz-MsQl4YlF1Jbk8Gcjiv7Ph-4G/s1600/Photo0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNoCxTjQys6csgkRVe-Mvsqy3JfKbdIlA7fDWWASFbJAUFABYj5r-gh3uKIO7thCBnCv7FqmWZQpCmbL27jkuTMeb89rXbUSD0-QLTgQ6GNRhGJlpCiz-MsQl4YlF1Jbk8Gcjiv7Ph-4G/s320/Photo0091.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-72442897696922880712011-07-25T13:37:00.002-05:002011-07-25T16:34:45.856-05:00Birth Order, Smirth Order.... Whatever!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>My sisters and I had a sleepover this past weekend (mama was there to :) </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>We talked, laughed, ate lots of junk food, had a little wine, watched a chick flick and played a silly game called Bezzerwezzer... fun fun Sister Time.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>It was great and I can't wait to do it all over again! I love my sisters and if you're lucky enough then you have a sister or two yourself that you adore! I feel truly blessed to have the 3 that I have. When we get together we're unstoppable. We seem to be as entertaining to others as we are to ourselves.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>When I take a step back and observe my sisters interacting with one another I definitely can see how the whole "Birth Order Theory" may come into play...</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I am the oldest of us 4 and tend to be bossy or somewhat in charge. My two middle sisters tend to mediate and get us on point, more centered. Then the three of us tend to treat the youngest like, well ..uh, the Youngest. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>When you put us all together we are like a perfect cocktail, not one flavor stands out above the rest, a perfect blended smoothie :)</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I was looking up sisters on the internet which eventually led me to Birth Order so I thought I would check it out. There are several "Birth Order Tests" you can take and not one of them pegged me as the oldest?</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>The first test labeled me as the Middle Child and the two others said I was the "latter born" and third child... WHAT? Along with those labels were the personality traits, none of which fit me at all, and yes I was being open minded and objective.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>So it got me to thinking, "Are all of these tests wrong or are we not the typical siblings?" I mean, don't all sisters get along 98% of the time? Don't all sisters join together when one is in need? Don't all sisters cheer when the others are up and pray when one is down? Don't all sisters jump at the chance and opportunity to get together? .... if not, maybe you should</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I decided it's not the test that's wrong, it's just that my sisters and I are NOT typical.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>We are truly Unique :) Not unique - one of a kind but unique - not common. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I'm not saying this to be boastful or pompous. I'm just so thankful and so proud of our family.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Some people wistfully wish for world peace. I would wish for all siblings to be able to have what we have. Our family is a gift from God, but our closeness is something we have worked on our whole lives and each one of us had made it a conscience choice to make one another a priority in our busy lives. Sometimes it's not easy or convenient to get together and spend time with one another, but we do it. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>It's you that decides what's important in your life, hopefully you're prioritizing your list correctly because the way I see it everything you do & choose today will effect all of your tomorrows.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>So no, my sisters and I don't fit into any commonplace description of "Sisters & Birth Order", and for this I say thank you Heavenly Father for I feel truly blessed.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>.....when friends betray you ( the true & good ones don't ), or men leave ( the loyal & good ones don't ), or your favorite pet goes away ( sadley they all do at some point ) hopefully your blessed enough to have a sister whose only a phone call away to help lift you up..*This Wish I Wish For You*</em></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIA5VpSflfXmlm1iCbmIMBQQKK53xK0e4KSGEreJQe6uJz1QijIsu0mOQQJZJNPLt9TQM2YQ1Zp_VkaDKyqRU8cM-RnXOluyg2f-ispfRgWxjB-aUVWX_nbufM8yYomgXGUHkxR1IjPVN/s1600/Christmas+2009+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIA5VpSflfXmlm1iCbmIMBQQKK53xK0e4KSGEreJQe6uJz1QijIsu0mOQQJZJNPLt9TQM2YQ1Zp_VkaDKyqRU8cM-RnXOluyg2f-ispfRgWxjB-aUVWX_nbufM8yYomgXGUHkxR1IjPVN/s320/Christmas+2009+045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrWNCyQilL65iBGjXo3xwqIZbYr8Rqq7leZXrogML03PFmy9ZnO55hfZHDLtVuj6NaFJ1Y90anFffAuUu0DS1klajzsw4NLRsNMMsaJjfqTorraFHbhoeq_NJgAypPxlvtjDznF_Jgxmu/s1600/us+girls+mom+dad+from+mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrWNCyQilL65iBGjXo3xwqIZbYr8Rqq7leZXrogML03PFmy9ZnO55hfZHDLtVuj6NaFJ1Y90anFffAuUu0DS1klajzsw4NLRsNMMsaJjfqTorraFHbhoeq_NJgAypPxlvtjDznF_Jgxmu/s320/us+girls+mom+dad+from+mom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-61523667861394210102011-07-22T12:13:00.000-05:002011-07-22T12:13:17.153-05:00I'm Resigning......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I hereby officially give my resignation as an Adult</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year old again.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to go to McDonald's and think that it' the best place to eat, EVER!</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to think that M&M's are better than money because you can eat them, except for the green ones :)</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to spend all morning getting the stuff together to open up a Koolaid stand and sell it for .25 cents a cup, end up with $2.75 at the end of the day and think I'm rich!</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to play in the dirt and run around on my Nanny & Granddaddy's hillside and look for Indian money in their driveway then go down to my cousin Gail's and play on the bridge that seemed SO BIG at the time.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to return to a time when life was simple....</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>When all you knew were your colors, times tables and silly knock-knock jokes, but it didn't bother you because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care. All you knew was to be happy, because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to play outside with my friends all day long, from sun-up till sun-down. Ride our bicycles while singing those songs from the 70's at the top of our lungs, only stopping to eat PB&J sandwiches then cool off by spraying each other with the garden hose while the mama's yelled, "Turn off that water! Your wasting it!" then sneaking back later to do it again.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to believe that anything is possible and that wish you make when blowing out your Birthday candle really WILL come true if you don't tell anybody what your wish was.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to be oblivious to how hard life really can be and get overly excited by the little things again.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to play games like Hide & Seek, Red rover-Red rover and Duck Duck Goose!</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to build tents in the living room using kitchen chairs and bed sheets.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want life simple again.....</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, depressing news, gossip, illness and loss of loved ones.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I want to believe in the power of smiles & hugs, truth & justice, peace, dreams and my imagination.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>S0... I am officially resigning from Adulthood, and if you would like to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, cause.....</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>TAG! You're it!</em></span><br />
</div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-86909712223857167832011-07-21T09:11:00.000-05:002011-07-21T09:11:01.390-05:00People and places, milestones and phases…….<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>A milestone is one in a series of markers that we place in our minds as we travel the road of life. We use it as a reference point. It indicates an important event or turning point in your life.</em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>A phase is a stage of development, a clearly distinguishable period of one's life in progress, the development of something.</em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>All phases have a beginning and an end. The end of a phase usually leaves you with a milestone. I believe the milestones and phases of our lives help make us unique individuals.</em></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>The older I get the more I seem to accumulate these markers & stages...milestones & phases. There are so many...too many to recall in one sitting. I think maybe that's why we can sit and talk and talk about "Back in the day" or "The good ole' times" or the infamous "I remember when.."</em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>If you listen to someones story weather it's short or long it's always being told with the help of milestones and phases. These things take up most of the room in our memory banks. I personally think we are always evolving and going through new phases in our life. Some good, some not so good...</em></span></span></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">This past year has been no different than any other year in my life, VERY eventful to say the least. I was thinking about a few of my own milestones and phases...</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I had two grandbabies turn two years old, Madeleine & Layla. They're not babies anymore, they're Mimi's little girls AND we celebrated the addition of a new granddaughter, Farrah Elizabeth.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I've watched my oldest son move away to Florida while I'm watching my baby get ready to start his last year of high school.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I've nursed my husband after arm surgery and battles with kidney stones and waited nervously to hear the good news that my Daddy's cancer had not returned.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I've said many a prayer for my sisters this past year, each one of them dealing with fears & tears that I've battled with myself in the past.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I put an end to a 13 year friendship. Definitely one of the hardest things I've gone through but I have no regrets in doing so, it's what was best for me emotionally, mentally & physically. People move in and out of your life all of the time. Sometimes you're left wondering why they were even there to begin with. If you ask yourself that question often enough you will eventually figure it out. It really isn't that big of a mystery once you look back over the relationship.... I'll save all that for another day, another blog.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I quit smoking! 8 months now! I'm so proud of myself! (yes ma'am I am tooting my own horn, but for this I think you'll agree it's justified)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I've started working again. I haven't worked in 7 years. It feels really good to be out in the workforce again.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I really could go on & on but I don't think I have enough blog space to hold it all :)</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Century Schoolbook;">Those are just a few of my own milestones & phases. I seriously would love to write it all down someday and make a book out of it. It wouldn't matter if anyone other than myself read it, although I think you would find it interesting enough to hold your attention. It's held mine for 42 years........</span></em><br />
</div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-3340529836734631362011-07-13T12:03:00.000-05:002011-07-13T12:03:44.382-05:00Things our Mothers never told us...<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I have come to realize that I am not my mother, but close enough like her to proudly say I am her daughter :) </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I used to think that I didn't really learn alot from my mama. That who I was, what I did and how I lived was all me, but I'm finding out more & more every day that's just not true. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>My husband told me the other day what a great cook he thought I was and how did I learn to cook so well? I told him "practice I guess?" Then I got to thinking and said, "from my mama."</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> She never gave me any type of cooking class per say but I watched her...watched her cook meal after meal for our family. Even after working 12 hour shifts at the hospital she would come home and cook. Meatloaf, spaghetti, pork chops, fried potatoes, pots of beans in the pressure cooker (do they even make those things anymore? Pressure cookers, not beans lol)</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Anyways.... I watched and I learned. As little girls my daughters asked me, "How did you learn to put on makeup?" Well, it started by watching my mama. She never wore much but definitely always had on her mascara. How did you learn how to pray?... from watching my mama. How did you learn how to be a friend, how did you learn how to be a loyal & faithful wife, How did you learn how to be a mama..... I've learned it all from watching my Mama.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I bet when she was cooking, carefully applying mascara to her eyelashes, saying our bedtime prayers, visiting with Delores or Pat, washing my daddy's work clothes and taking us to the Madison Library on Old Hickory Blvd., she never really knew how much she was being watched and what lessons she was teaching us. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I can only hope that my very own daughters have learned some of those same values from me when I wasn't looking, but they were watching.... </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>We need to remind ourselves that motherhood is HARD! and that there are NO perfect mothers. We all make mistakes. There is no one single way to parent a child, especially since each child is different weather it's yours, mine or theirs.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I'm so very thankful for the Mother that God choose for me. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I love you Mama <3</em></span><br />
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<strong>Martina McBride has an absolutely beautiful song that I LOVE and recommend you check it out on Youtube "In My Daughters Eyes" {view the one with words scrolling}</strong>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-50750729839037934852011-07-11T13:06:00.000-05:002011-07-11T13:06:53.914-05:00Big Brother is watching...........<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No, actually we are the ones watching :) Big Brother, season 13 has begun! It started last Thursday evening and again last night. Looks like it will have it's regular schedule. Wednesday nights are for the "Veto" competitions. Thursday nights are for "Eliminations" and "Head of Household" and Sundays are left for "Nomination Ceremony" along with the "Have or Have Not" competition........ </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you're wondering what in the world I"m talking about, then you obviously aren't a fan of one of the most popular and highest rated shows on T.V.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Big Brother could be described as part game show part reality show. Game show in the fact that these people are competing to win a half of a million dollars and reality show since the contestants are living together in the secluded Big Brother house and their every move is being taped. The only "semi-privacy" they have is sitting on the toilet and taking a shower (you can hear them, just not see them) Viewers have a chance to watch the action not just during the three 1 hour episodes of game play and chaos but each evening from 11pm till 2am on the Showtime channel and you can subscribe to their live feed on the Internet which runs 24/7...... GOOD GRIEF!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've actually thought of trying to get on the show myself, even printed out the online application one time. Then I thought, "Humm..Do I really want millions of people watching me eat, sleep & play? </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...not to mention watching me burp, fart, pick my nose, clean out my ears, have mini versions of mental breakdowns while I cry in the Diary Room about how much I miss my family and how much I can't stand Evil Dick" , he's one of the Houseguest. (Houseguest are what the contestants are called)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyways.... If all of this sounds crazy, but entertaining, well...It is! Most of my family watches this show each week and then we call each other to compare notes.... "OMG! Did you see what Rachel did? oh No she didn't! Jeff and Jordan should have voted her off! Yeah, well I can't believe Evil Dick just said that to his daughter! Really? I can. He isn't called Evil for no reason. hahaha!"</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you want to begin to understand that conversation then you'll have to tune into channel 5 and watch it along with the rest of us :) If you're already a fan then mama said we should do a Big Brother night at her house!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">{sidenote... Ok,Ok. I know it's not PBS or Hallmark Channel. It's a pretty cool show though. It's fun & entertaining. I for one enjoy anything that gets my family to chatting and giggling about some nonsense and can take our minds off of our own crazy reality for a few minutes here and there}</span>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-69671182290071723082011-07-06T17:52:00.000-05:002011-07-06T17:52:43.495-05:00My Mother is on Facebook! .........and everybody else<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I read a headline the other day, “Facebook will no longer exist after February 2012” …users have from now until February 2012 to contact old friends, stay in touch with relatives or social network in general". WHAT! NO WAY! They can’t do that. What are we going to do without Facebook???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> OK, calm down. It was just a bogus rumor that had been started, totally untrue. But….. it got me to thinking, “What would happen if Facebook went away?”</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are definitely lots of pros to having this form of communication at our fingertips. I personally have been in touch with friends and even some family that I haven’t seen or spoken to in years thanks to FB. I’ve been able to find out how they are – what they are doing now- if they have kids, grandkids. – I’ve even found out through FB that we’ve lost a few sweet souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facebook is a great way to get in touch with a whole group of people all at once. Maybe you’re having a party or reunion. Maybe you’re planning a wedding or baby shower. It's definitely a great way to share your cool vacations photos or those sweet little baby pictures.</span></span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But what if..... what if it went away... What ever would we do?</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, maybe we would start calling people again in order to see how they've been and if everything is going good for them and their family. Maybe we could go back to the old fashion way of inviting people to an event or gathering. (paper invites and phone calls) </span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Remember when people would come over and visit and sometimes you would pull out the ole' photo albums with all the pictures, old & new.</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm not trying to insinuate that Facebook is a bad thing. It's not. I myself use it quite often. I used it to inform you all about this Blog I'm doing. I guess what I am trying to put out there is that we shouldn't allow technology in any form become so much a part of our lives that without it we feel lost.</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I left my cellphone at home yesterday when George and I headed into town.. I nearly panicked! I almost made him turn around and go back to get it even though it would have put us late for our appointment. {we did not turn back} I feel naked without my phone by my side. I feel like something bad or good even, will happen and I won't be able to know about it. How absurd is that? I mean, there once upon a time was A TIME when we didn't have cellphones. It wasn't even that horribly long ago.</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So I'm thinking, maybe we need a technology vacation. One day a week where there's no such thing as cellphones, computers, xbox, playstations { housephones and TV's are fine, they've been here forever. Ok, not forever but long enough} No GPS telling you in that weird computer voice, "Turn Left in 1.2 miles". Yeah, even that thing has taken over. On two separate occasions I asked someone the best way to get to "such & such" and was told, "Haha. You know, I'm not sure. I just use my tomtom or garmin and go with it." WHAT!</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm gonna give it a try by golly.... well not today obviously since I've been on this computer checking my Facebook and writing my Blog while talking on my cell phone to my friend I haven't actually visited in over a month and programming my Direct TV to remind me that one of my favorite shows is on at 9pm tonight and then........</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maybe I'll start tomorrow? I need to check my electronic calendar first ;)</span> </span></span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-28481750428047834342011-06-30T17:28:00.001-05:002011-06-30T17:32:31.620-05:00What does Independence Day mean to you?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To <span style="color: #0b5394;">me, July 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup></span> is time of a pride I have in my Husband & Daddy and all servicemen for loving us all, <span style="color: #0b5394;">America</span> to, so much that they were and are willing to go out and defend us. I also feel as a patriotic holiday it’s a time to remember those who gave their lives for our freedoms.</span><br />
<o:p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I can’t imagine I’m the only one who’s eyes well up with tears anytime you hear, “America, America. God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea.”</span></o:p><br />
<o:p><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you are reading this blog I<span style="background-color: white;"> HIGHLY recommend</span> when you’re done to visit the website scoutsongs.com and read all of the words to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>America The Beautiful ! Talk about making your heart swell !!</span></span></o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well I hope I’ve got your Red, White & Blue blood pumping for the holiday weekend. I’ll leave you today with these interesting tidbits I found. GOD BLESS AMERICA, my home sweet home. I wouldn’t want it to be anywhere else here on earth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">** On July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States of America.</span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></o:p><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">** John Adams, whose influences help make this all happen wrote this letter to </span></span></span></o:p><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">his wife Abigail: <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This day (July 4<sup>th</sup>) will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. <strong>It ought to be</strong> <strong>commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty</strong>. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of it’s continent to the other, from this time forward for ever more.</span></span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">**The Flag Salute**</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America / and to the Republic for which it stands / One Nation under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all </span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Pledge of Allegiance was composed in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Interestingly the phrase, "of the United States of America" wasn't added until 1923. Even more interesting to me was finding out that the words, "under GOD" were not added until 1954.... </span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">***There have been many lawsuits filed in court since then to try and have the words Under GOD removed, so far with no success. </span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">**The salute to our flag we have now, right hand over heart, isn't the original. In 1942 Franklin D. Roosevelt changed it to this because the original, called the Bellamy Salute. Arm outstretched, Palm down then Palm up was adopted by the Nazi's.... Thank you Franki D. !</span></span></span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflOmNyhufVY6jGWCqPMQokPtY9QhKjf_-so_ChGR9uXoFyoLg2jVRycQykntzfsRhORY1CrsfSqKgY_uTtzCRa3M4LRoylvbYpCzluNWXF7UlqIA51KpJz_JvbVHN9o_Sl7lCypQ05D2u/s1600/in+God+we+trust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflOmNyhufVY6jGWCqPMQokPtY9QhKjf_-so_ChGR9uXoFyoLg2jVRycQykntzfsRhORY1CrsfSqKgY_uTtzCRa3M4LRoylvbYpCzluNWXF7UlqIA51KpJz_JvbVHN9o_Sl7lCypQ05D2u/s1600/in+God+we+trust.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-48852481278037682742011-06-29T12:34:00.000-05:002011-06-29T12:34:26.175-05:00Those were the days....... Thank You Edith & Archie Bunker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>If I said it once then I've said it a million times, "I wish things were like they used to be." Simpler Times. I think that has been said generation after generation and usually after we've grown up and had a child or two and we're looking back at our own childhood. </em></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I remember back when you didn't dare whine about being bored to your mother, 'cause she was sure to find something for you to do {high chances were it was gonna involve some type of work!}</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Childhood obesity wasn't an issue. Most in part because you went outside to play, from sun up till sun down. You rode your bicycle, which has been replaced largely by motorized scooters. You walked to your friends house even if they did live a mile up the road, which you can't do as much now in fear of some child predator lurking about. You and your friends built tree houses or playhouses in the woods and spent all day sweepin' the dirt floor & decorating them with things you snuck out of the house or garage, which has been replaced by souped up video game systems, computers and games like Farmville or Cityville where you just sit and type up a world you want to create instead of participating in the Real World that is wasting away right before their eyes.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Remember when.... we used to write letters to friends & family, on actual paper using stamps that cost a little more than a piece of gum to send them through the mail that took a few days but then you had the joy of retrieving that letter you'd been expecting out of an actual metal mailbox? Which has all been replaced by a click of a few buttons. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>.....I could go on & on about the "remember whens". If you post to this blog or you're a member on Facebook maybe you could share some of your own "Remember When" moments :)</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>In the "revised" words of Archie & Edith Bunker....</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Boy the way the Eagles played</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Songs that made the Top 10 great</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Oh yeah we had it made</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Those were the days...</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> And you knew who you were then</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Girls were girls and Men were men</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> You bet that we could use a man</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Like Martin Luther again.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Didn't need Forecloser rates</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Life was actually pretty great</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Gee our Oldsmobile run great</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Those Were The Days..................</em></span><br />
</div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-55618193290341234752011-06-28T18:29:00.000-05:002011-06-28T18:29:55.643-05:00What kind of a friend are you?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I used to think there was two kinds of friends. Friend #1...this person you could hang out with have a laugh now & then, a see ya, when I see ya kind of friend. Obviously you could have many of those friends. Friend #2..this person was your "go to" friend. When the chips were down and the world was collapsing around you OR if you needed to vent or just share what kind of a week you were having and of course in return you were that kind of friend for them. ........like I said, I used to think that.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Thanks to someone in my life, I see there are many types of friends and even though someone may be one kind of friend in your life, at any given time or circumstance that friendship can change and evolve into a whole new & different one. Close friends can become closer, and some of your dearest friends can get farther away. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>When you call yourself someones "Best Friend" then you should take that to heart and treat as such. It should never be one sided or taken advantage of. One reason being you're likely to hurt the one who's been there for you when no one else was. Second of all that very person you hurt, the one who's always been there in the past , is likely not to be there in the future.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Toby Keith, a country singer, has a song that reminds me of the type of person I'm talking about. "I wanna talk about me, wanna talk I , wanna talk about number one OH my, me, my. What I think. What I like. What I know. What I want . What I see..... I like talkin about you,you,you,you USUALLY. But Occasionally, I WANNA TALK ABOUT ME!"</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>If your gonna call yourself a Best Friend. If your gonna represent yourself as a Best Friend...then BE ONE. The friendship should be two-sided. Yes, sometimes one sides needs are greater than the other..Sometimes. When it becomes ALL of the time then there is something wrong on one end and if that needy end refuses to recognize that fact then you may have what some call a Toxic Friendship.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> If your unsure of the job duties, then ask around, look it up, observe others that are. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Yes, I said job duties. Just like being a mom, sister or a wife... a Best Friend is somewhat of a Job. It's something that needs constant tending to. Worked at, not thrown on a shelf somewhere to get dusty or forgotten. If you cherish that friendship then you wouldn't want to neglect it, so don't.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>At 42 years old, I know what it is I want in my life and what I don't want. I want to be useful, not used. Needed but appreciated. I want to hear all about your day, then will you listen about mine? I wanna be able to trust that when I call upon "you" that you'll be there, just like I would be there for you......</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I know that God in Heaven is all of these things for me. But there's nothing wrong with having a Friend on Earth helping him out down here</em></span> :)</div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597309622441460222.post-26649011746243582592011-06-27T11:07:00.001-05:002011-06-27T11:27:18.992-05:00Once Upon a time...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It seems that everyone nowadays has a blog. The best I can figure is that this "blog" thing is like an <br />
on-line diary of sorts? Ok, maybe not a diary since I'd like for people to actually READ the entries. Maybe a journal.. yeah, that's it, a journal. I wish I could zip back in time and gather all the journals I had discarded and misplaced over the years. What a collection that would be! <br />
Since 2006 I've kept all of my date/calendar books. I've always referred to them as *My Brain*. I had finally figured out in order to have any order in my life I needed to keep one of those things in my purse with me at all times. Originally I started it for appointments and such but soon figured out I could write down all kinds of things in there. Everything from a to-do list, doctor appointments to what I did that day or what eventful thing may have taken place that day. Those books have actually come in handy on more than one occasion, from everything to "When was my pap smear done last year?" to "What was the date of that big snow we had in 2009?" I refer back to those books more than I ever thought I would. <br />
That has got me to thinkin', "If I had written down in a journal my day to day life and all that it entails for the last several years I could SO have turned that into a book!!"<br />
Better late than never...... here we go. </div>Sandra Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01459433141229290613noreply@blogger.com3