tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36885238924549083412024-03-12T23:59:40.515-05:00Macaroni and Chicken Fingers. . .LAUGHING OUR WAY THROUGH PARENTHOOD, ONE MEAL AT A TIMEMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.comBlogger634125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-24219495882245476642013-06-07T17:56:00.003-05:002013-06-07T17:56:55.901-05:00Friday Farewell<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Readers, </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sure you've noticed, but Karen and I haven't been blogging as much lately. It seems that other things in life have taken over. Jobs that pay money tend to do that! After talking about it for some time, Karen and I have agreed that it's time for Macaroni and Chicken Fingers to be finished. (Sigh). It doesn't mean we won't ever blog again. I mean, Writers write, right? It just will be in a different format, at a different blog, in a different space. We'll let you know if that space is ever found. And you can STILL find our Caregiver Organizers at our website.: </span></span><a href="http://www.thecaregiverorganizer.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.thecaregiverorganizer.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> By the way- LAST CHANCE SALE!!! Last chance to get the first printed edition for only $7.95 plus shipping! (MSRP: $27.95 That a 70% savings!) </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've enjoyed sharing our journey thus far with you. We wish you much happiness, love and peace. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, thankful for the journey,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Karen & Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-65107901319029207092013-05-27T21:31:00.000-05:002013-05-27T21:31:15.406-05:00Monday Madness-Because I Can<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I sat at the lake today, taking in the stillness, the serene moments between water skiers and kayakers.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because I can. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I ate bbq and laughed with my children.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because I can.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I slept in, and my body still took two long overdue naps.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because I can.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How, you may ask, am I able to say this?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because someone who didn't know me, understood that they valued more what was behind them than they were afraid of what lie before them.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you, to every single vet. To every family who sent them, supported them and welcomed them home and stood by them when they came back half the memory they were but twice the men and women that most of us never could be.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you, especially to the WWII generation. Selflessness and hard work are your well worn badges of honor. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May we ever honor you and may we never forget,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Celebrating and honoring this Memorial Day,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-8785949820491121062013-05-25T08:58:00.000-05:002013-05-25T08:58:58.786-05:00Saturday Sass- WHEN is it MY turn? Anyone? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing up, we had one television. One. It was rather large, no remote. And programs came on at specific times. You know the drill. Being the third child of four, I pretty much had no claim to any form of preference of what to watch because I was fifth in line. MAYbe on my birthday, but that <i>still</i> was subject to <s>The Head Honcho's </s> my father's preference for the evening news. And even though I could try to fight for control with my siblings, it was usually a lost battle. I was shorter and smaller. By the time I was able to be left on my own, I was too busy to watch TV.</span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fast forward to present day. This morning, I wake up, come downstairs because I know the <s>hooligans</s> kids will be getting up soon and I would like to have a few minutes of peace and quiet. It's Memorial Day Weekend (Thank you, sincerely, to everyone who has served and laid down their lives for our country!) and so things are pretty relaxed (read: absolutely NO structure) in The B House. The Z Kids come down shortly after I do and begin laying around, watching TV and getting breakfast. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note 1: There are THREE (much to my chagrin, yes, I said chagrin) TVs in The B House. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note 2: The Z Kids have been banned from the TV in the master bedroom due to the jumping on the bed which always ensues. (And no, I cannot comment on the fact that there is a TV in the master bedroom. Another rant entirely. Trying to limit my rabbit trails here. Which is also another rant entirely. But I digress.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So back to The Z Kids and TV. We're all on the main floor. Z1 decides he needs a little more <s>destruction</s> action than whichever the chosen cartoon may be and opts to blow things up on The Wii. I'm enjoying my coffee in the kitchen. Z2 takes over the TV in the family room. After about 30 minutes, coffee has kicked in and I decide it is time for the news. Z2 had put in a movie.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, you must know, growing up, when my father walked into the room, if you were in "his seat" you got up immediately. If you were watching the TV, your program went by the wayside without question, comment or complaint. Period. Here was this morning's conversation:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me, in a quiet, patient voice (yes, I actually have one of those and it comes through occasionally): Z2, I'd like to watch the news.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Z2: But I just started this movie and Zach is doing the Wii downstairs and blabbityblabbityblabbityblahblahblah (insert 10 more sentences to which I did try to listen but was unsuccessful).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me: (still patient) Yes, I understand, but it is time for me to watch the news with my coffee. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Z2: But I want to watch The Help and (insert 8 more sentences of ten year old "But I want MY way!!!" debate.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me (less patient): Yes, I know, but I would like to watch the news and you have seen this movie twice and it can wait a little bit.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Z2: BUT (insert 12 more sentences of age ten debate. She'll make a good lawyer one day. No joke.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me (no patience, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the voice of Left Ear from "The Italian Job" when he says: I HAAAD a BAAAD Expier'ence.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: <b>IIIIII. am WATCHIIIIIING. The NEEEEEWS. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Z2: (Roll eyes, sigh loudly, huff and mutter) Exits room.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It IS my house, right? I mean, I write the mortgage check every month. When's it my turn to hold the remote? Unequivocally?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, enjoying my coffee and news before I go downstairs to sort The Z Kids out,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-11635289299298089462013-05-08T15:24:00.003-05:002013-05-08T15:24:41.608-05:00I WON'T BE SHOPPING HERE...<img alt="Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Explains Why He Hates Fat Chicks" class="aligncenter" src="http://elitedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/article-2196498-14C6C309000005DC-131_634x409.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Did you know that Abercrombie and Fitch's largest woman's size is 10? Apparently their CEO, Mike Jeffries, doesn't want "fat chicks" wearing his clothes. He only wants the "in crowd" to be seen in them. In fact, he says, "We want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don’t market to anyone other than that.” WOW!!! He will, however, sell XL and XXL sizes for men, but only to attract large, athletic types, not the fatties.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have SO much to say on this topic, but I fear that I'd be at my computer all night, so I'm going to let Jeffries say it all himself. You MUST click on this link to be absolutely amazed: </span><a href="http://elitedaily.com/humor/the-10-most-ridiculous-things-mike-jeffries-ceo-of-abercrombie-fitch-has-said/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The 13 Most Ridiculous Things Mike Jeffries, CEO Of Abercrombie & Fitch, Has Said.</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have fun! Hope you are as outraged and amused and I was!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Karen</span><br />
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498305999776139804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-7327526332065743042013-04-15T16:07:00.000-05:002013-04-15T16:07:00.784-05:00Monday Madness- A Month Already? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello there. May I introduce myself? My name is Melissa and my blog lives here. I know, it's a little dusty in here. That's what happens when one doesn't visit for a while. It's not that we've forgotten you, dear readers, it's just been such a busy season and some things got put on hold for a little bit. Yes, hardly earth shattering news in the light of today's bombing in Boston. (Who DOES that kind of thing anyway? I just can't wrap my mind around what they hope to accomplish. I mean, I know whomever did this is angry, but aren't we all? But I digress...)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you're new here, welcome to Macaroni and Chicken Fingers. Karen will be on vacation (Yes- that phrase enters her vocabulary MUCH more often than mine these days, but I'm not bitter. ;) ... away at her annual Sisters Trip somewhere in Mexico. So don't expect to see her here this week. But she does still exist. Truly. Hang around long enough and you'll get to meet our kids and sometimes The Hubs pops in. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today's madness? I spent an hour and a half in my car in traffic trying to get to my class on time in traffic and heavy rain. It never happened. And from the looks of what my students left for me in my mailbox? Half of them didn't make it through the traffic either. And of course those Monday meetings and book keeping and emails and such. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But you know what? I'm gainfully employed doing something I love. I have healthy children and a loyal spouse who adores me. Looking at the news on Boston, I'm a pretty lucky girl. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you back here by Friday (maybe even Wednesday if Karen has not blogged ahead of time!). I'm sure I'll have something funny to tell you by then.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, counting my lucky stars, </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-44778964769772650762013-03-18T16:04:00.004-05:002013-03-18T16:05:24.380-05:00Monday Madness- Realationships<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Realationships.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yep. I know there's a typo in there. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's curious to me. I've always been a pretty good speller. I have a deep love for words and their meanings and and how they morph from the root to other words. I pride myself on spelling. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oEAEBDnNJ8U/UUeBNgVjKLI/AAAAAAAAAe4/2qG9MmrGqek/s1600/relationships.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oEAEBDnNJ8U/UUeBNgVjKLI/AAAAAAAAAe4/2qG9MmrGqek/s320/relationships.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What strikes me as odd is that I've repeated that typo at least three times in the last 48 hours. Is my subconscious trying to tell me something? I mean, I </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">KNOW </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> how to spell the word re-la-tion-ships. But when I noticed what I kept doing repeatedly, I paused. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I really love about Karen is if she is your friend, she is your real friend. There's no covering things and you always know where you stand and you don't have to guess how she feels about something. She just tells you. Graciously. (Well, mostly graciously. Unless we are in The Pool of Truth. Then all bets are off.) But...What if all my re-lationships got real? What if they really were REAL-ationships? Then where would we be? What if we were friends with people, not for what they could do for us, not for company politics or ladder climbing or buddying up to me to sell me something, but friends because we were better people for having known each other? What if we had REALationships because we made each other think and just got along and knew how to laugh together? </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if we just got REAL?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, considering what makes a friendship a REALationship,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-28776979891657856342013-03-11T23:41:00.000-05:002013-03-11T23:42:03.921-05:00Monday Madness-Because It's Monday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you have an idea how much I enjoyed Karen's last post? I'm finally getting some respect around here. ;) </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7IuZJQ7yjI/UT6xqVLjwDI/AAAAAAAAAeo/KpJxsT9vapE/s1600/Vanderpump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7IuZJQ7yjI/UT6xqVLjwDI/AAAAAAAAAeo/KpJxsT9vapE/s200/Vanderpump.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It IS hard to be a working woman with a husband and kids. In my case, I have two part time jobs which equal to more than one full time job. And I'm married. With two children. Sometimes I'm caught up on laundry. Most often I'm not. Grocery shopping kills me. To be perfectly honest, after a long day of working with people, the last thing I want is to go to the store and be around more people. Lately, I've found myself just wanting to come home (my sweet, sweet haven) and be in complete quiet. Well, with the occasional guilty pleasure of Real Housewives or Shahs of Sunset. Talk about perspective! I mean, seriously, have you ever watched them? Farthest thing from reality, ever. But I digress...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But Vanderpump Rules? Wow. Just, wow. The victimization and drama. And the way the others will chase after one particular person. What kind of power does one person have over the rest of the other people? How do people do that? </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes I wish I knew. But then again, I really don't. I'm just not built that way. And I'm okay with that. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, toddling off to bed now,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-56081775645034074622013-03-06T08:02:00.001-06:002013-03-06T08:02:10.094-06:00HATS OFF TO WORKING MOMS!<p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">I have a new job. It’s a wonderful job, and I love being back in sales <em>(really, really love it!).</em> But if I THOUGHT I had a problem with time management before I started working, now I KNOW I have a problem.<a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=rf7udu_Kk0k-CM&tbnid=rEI7RXmj9kUZ4M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aaramblog.com%2F2011_03_01_archive.html&ei=Kks3UcXeKsqj2QXnh4GwAw&bvm=bv.43287494,d.b2I&psig=AFQjCNEK-zzy1ulN7HKmmhxTBt9xEItfSg&ust=1362664481703330"><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RT-aGhCwEL4/TXNLEd_KpMI/AAAAAAAAAO4/a0K2GhMiOfw/s1600/A%2Bstressed%2Bmom%2Bneeds%2Baaram%2Bshop.jpg" width="248" height="248" /></a></font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">How do working moms do it? And I’m not even working full-time! Yet I feel like I’m failing miserably at juggling my work schedule and my family time and everything else I need to do. Oh, and forget about working out at the gym. I have NOT figured out how to fit that in yet. I mean, I barely have time to get my nails done. <em>(C’mon, I HAVE priorities!!!)</em></font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">So I’m working on this. I’ll figure it out eventually, I’m sure. And if not, I’ll end up either being the worst mom, the worst wife or the worst employee. But hopefully not all three!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">So here’s to my renewed respect to Melissa and all the other working moms out there. I’d give you a high five, but my nails look awful! </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma"></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#9b00d3" size="7" face="Lucida Handwriting">Karen</font></p> Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498305999776139804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-14771021266617225592013-02-18T08:30:00.000-06:002013-02-18T08:30:04.116-06:00Monday Madness- When did THIS Happen?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's Monday. I'll be brief.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1.) He's turning 12 this week.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.) She's turning 10 in 6 weeks.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3.) I can no longer rest my chin on top of his head without having to stretch my neck.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4.) Karen is moving to Florida. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5.) Two of my musician friends, whom I love each so dearly, are moving on to different dreams within the next 5 months. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6.)Yes, I'm a mess.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of change going on all around me. Better get in there and enjoy every single minute while I can- even in the middle of the madness!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, soaking up every minute of it,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS- Happy President's Day! If you have not seen the HBO mini-series <i>John Adams</i> with Paul Giamatti, you absolutely need to watch the entire thing. It will give you a much needed/deeper appreciation for what our founding fathers went through to set up this great nation. </span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-92178495559038937422013-02-13T08:09:00.001-06:002013-02-13T08:09:24.389-06:00WE’RE MOVING TO FLORIDA!!!<p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Yep, it’s my hubby’s dream to live in Florida, so we’re gonna do it. Not for a while yet, but in the summer of 2014, we’re packing<img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZj3DdqdKFymFtcQFLF7b95ad8rQ-f5VliCPIz2NWnWbBhBpc2" /> up and leaving St. Louis. It hasn’t been an easy decision for me. </font><font size="4" face="Tahoma">After all, I’ve lived in the Lou <em>(as Melissa calls it)</em> my entire life. Everything I know is here. But he’s been working on me for years now, chipping away at my resolve, until I finally cracked.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Then, last weekend, we went down there. By ourselves. No kids. And I might add here that even though the boys will be 12 in a few weeks, this is the very first time we’ve gone away together, without them, since they’ve been born. The Very. First. Time. Did we miss them. Um, no, not really! <em>(Do I feel like a bad mom? Um, no, not really!) </em></font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">But I digress. So we went down there, in the middle of winter, and people were ON THE BEACH!!! That pretty much made up my mind that living in Florida is a GOOD thing!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">The first thing we did was look at the schools to try to figure out where to start looking at houses. We’re moving to the Tampa/Clearwater area, and I’m pretty sure we’ve narrowed it down to Palm Harbor. <em>(Does anyone out there live in that area who can give me any insight? I’d appreciate it!)</em> Then we looked at some homes just to get an idea. Hmmm, no basements. That’s going to be an adjustment. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">But the homes were beautiful, the schools were huge and clean <em>(even the lockers were outside, can you believe it!),</em> the weather is amazing. What’s not to love about Florida?</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Oh, I know. Melissa’s not there.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cIiS0W3fR1o/URuekPkxYvI/AAAAAAAAA4s/UOMb-7Nf1qY/s1600-h/melissaandkaren2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="melissaandkaren2" alt="melissaandkaren2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PxdtoV0RcMA/URuekkJPRMI/AAAAAAAAA40/DyFI5Gn4vGE/melissaandkaren2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="7" face="Lucida Handwriting">Karen</font></p> Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498305999776139804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-50579074193323574022013-02-08T14:08:00.001-06:002013-02-08T14:08:24.815-06:00Friday Funny- And There's a Flag on the Play<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flag on the play!!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Penalty: 15 yards for illegal use of movie quotation!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-42OL-07dEj4/URVbGVfx-CI/AAAAAAAAAeU/XELnIhJRoLM/s1600/Disturbance+in+the+force.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-42OL-07dEj4/URVbGVfx-CI/AAAAAAAAAeU/XELnIhJRoLM/s320/Disturbance+in+the+force.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were in the car (why does everything always happen in the car, anyway?) driving along when my tween son, sitting shotgun, looks at me and says with great urgency:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Z1: Mom! I feel a great disturbance in the force!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me: Really? Wha-</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before I could even begin to finish my query, Z1 rips one so loud and ferocious it may have registered on in the Richter Scale. Z2 and I could not hit the window buttons fast enough.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bill Filer would be extremely proud. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yours, hoping the force is now settled,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Melissa</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-10567625952403130432013-02-04T16:18:00.002-06:002013-02-04T16:23:52.898-06:00Monday Madness- Super Bowl Wha? Just Stop It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxKqU-KnsdE/URAzp-g0c7I/AAAAAAAAAeA/mDtF5BYh87Q/s1600/super-bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxKqU-KnsdE/URAzp-g0c7I/AAAAAAAAAeA/mDtF5BYh87Q/s320/super-bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Super Bowl ~ I love a good football game as much as anyone, and last night's game was pretty good! I didn't have a true affection for either team, just wanted to see a good game. They nearly lost me in the first half. I thought it was going to be an absolute blowout. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of blowouts, there was the whole mess with blowing the breaker and the lights being out for 34 minutes. (Thanks, Beyonce.) There was plenty of once a year foods at The B House, because, seriously, I could eat those Cuban Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches every day of the week. The only problem? I would be buying new clothing every week because I would be splitting out the seams. But I digress. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I admit, I went to bed before the game ended last night (some stupid running injury agitating me). This morning I turned on the news during my exercise time and there it was:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XHqs4ybAoQ" target="_blank">Baltimore Ravens Fans looting the local 7-11..... in celebration??? Wha??? </a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I somehow missed that stealing/looting/destroying someone's business is a form or celebration. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please, someone help me understand in WHICH culture is this acceptable? I know it's not acceptable here. Or in Asian countries. Europe would have a problem with it. And in Arab countries? Yup- they cut your hand off. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So please, Raven Fans who were acting a fool last night, stop making America look bad go back to that business owner and make it right. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You say you only took a bag of chips? A couple of beers? Well guess what, so did you and a hundred other people. So when the owner has to make a claim on his/her insurance for all of the stolen good and the damage in his/her store, his insurance rates will go up. And then he will have to raise his/her prices. And then who is paying for it? Everyone. Simply so you could act a fool and steal a little something in the name of Super Bowl Celebration.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if you don't feel guilty or convicted, may whatever you took and ate rot in your stomach for at least a week.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is all.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, hoping at least one person is decent enough to go back and make it right,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XHqs4ybAoQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XHqs4ybAoQ</a></span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-45910821129602276242013-02-01T07:30:00.000-06:002013-02-01T07:30:01.403-06:00Friday Funny- Mama Don't Like Lyin'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So Z1 is experiencing some growing pains. This usually happens about this time every year. But this one is a little more difficult because he is looking me in the eye and telling me lies. So I started busting him. You see, in this age of technology, it's a little bit harder to get away with things. Want to know his test score? What he had for lunch? What he did on the computer after school? All I have to do is look it up. </span></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6q1lCyXb2r0/UQigicLnClI/AAAAAAAAAds/mqTlxoTmU5c/s1600/lets_have_a_come_to_jesus_meeting_tshirt-p235505740032811807zvzpe_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6q1lCyXb2r0/UQigicLnClI/AAAAAAAAAds/mqTlxoTmU5c/s320/lets_have_a_come_to_jesus_meeting_tshirt-p235505740032811807zvzpe_400.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After a recent bout of attitude, he found himself grounded from video games and TV. Yes, it can be a pit of a punishment for me as well, but I'm willing to do it to drive my point home. Now, I was attempting the honor system with him until I figured out he had been sneaking games and such when I wasn't around.It perturbed me, as I have always been able to count on him telling me the truth. Poor kid has always been honest to a fault. Since that seems to have shifted, I decided to get proactive this morning. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After he went to school, but before I left for word, I made sure to logoff the computer. Then I turned all of the cable channels on the TV to the Religion station where they show mass for 24 hours. I turned my TV in my room to The Weather Channel. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And then I hid every single remote. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's my long day, so I don't get home for a bit. In fact, The Hubs will make it home before I do. And I didn't tell the sitter where they are, either.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mama. Ain't. Playin'. You wanna watch? Go right ahead. We may not be Catholic, but maybe somethin' will happen while he's watching mass. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yours, uppin' the ante,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-12668966714060695142013-01-30T07:56:00.001-06:002013-01-30T07:56:30.037-06:00What To Say and NOT To Say When A Spouse Dies.<p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">A lot of us have been there. A friend loses a spouse and we  want to say the right thing, but we stumble over our words and don’t quite know what to say to make her feel better. Will<a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=I5DOlfRXgNKYgM&tbnid=ep036d7Zy8hZZM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotesfromthecouch.com%2F2011%2F12%2F21%2Fwhen-our-loved-ones-get-sick%2F&ei=YiYJUdjYGYXS9QTo54DgDQ&bvm=bv.41642243,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNGfE6xLT0dVOavp_ZmNkgkHK_RFrA&ust=1359640489458674"><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="http://notesfromthecouch.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Friend-consoling-friend.jpg" width="267" height="181" /></a> ANYTHING we say make her feel better, we wonder. Perhaps not at the moment, but there’s a lot of things that will make her feel worse, I assure you!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">My sister’s friend lost her husband the other day. He was only 42, the exact age of my first husband when he passed away. It brought up some memories for me, including the things that well-meaning people said to me. Yep, there are some doosies!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma"><strong>What NOT To Say:</strong></font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">1. <strong>You’ll marry again soon.</strong> Really? REALLY? This woman just lost the love of her life and you’re already thinking about marrying her off again? NUMBER ONE WORST THING TO SAY!!!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">2. <strong>Thank goodness you had time to say good-bye (if it was a long illness) or Thank goodness he went quickly and didn’t suffer (if it was sudden).</strong> Either way, he’s gone. There isn’t enough time in the world to say that last “Good-bye” or “I love you” and if it was sudden, there are so many things left unsaid. BAD, BAD, BAD!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">3. <strong>You’re so young, you have a whole life in front of you (if she’s young) or You were so lucky to have had so many years with him (if she’s older and had been married for many years).</strong> If she hadn’t been married very long, she’s mourning the loss of their dreams and their future together. She can’t imagine a future without him. If she’s older, she’s mourning the loss of all those memories with him and still, she can’t imagine the rest of her years without him.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Those are the 3 worst things to say. (Believe me, I could go on and on!)</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma"><strong>What to say (and do):</strong></font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">1. <strong>Talk about him.</strong> Bring him up whenever you can and it’s appropriate. Tell funny stories about him. Make her smile, remembering the good times with him. I can’t stress this enough. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO BRING UP HIS NAME. It will not make her sad.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">2. <strong>Let her cry.</strong> And cry and cry and cry.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">3. <strong>Don’t ask what you can do for her, just DO IT.</strong> Bring her dinner. Tell her you’re going to the grocery store or discount store when you’re on your way and ask her what she needs. Pick up her kids and take them out for a couple of hours. You get the idea.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">4. <strong>Do not abandon her.</strong> Don’t be there for the first month or so then figure she’s okay, because that’s what others will do. Be there for as long as she needs you. It could be years. Don’t leave her…please. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Those are the main points. This doesn’t only apply to somebody losing a spouse obviously, so use it as you wish. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">And if you are in the situation and you can’t remember what I’ve told you and you think that you might be on the verge of saying something inappropriate, STOP! Close your mouth, hug your friend and don’t say a word. </font><font size="4" face="Tahoma">That always works!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma"></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#9b00d3" size="7" face="Lucida Handwriting">Karen</font></p> Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498305999776139804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-58965250838156248802013-01-28T16:45:00.002-06:002013-01-28T16:45:37.751-06:00Monday Madness- About those 2013 resolutions... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good afternoon, dear readers. It's a balmy 74 degrees here in St. Louis ~and it's January 28th. Tomorrow the forecast calls for lots of rain that by Wednesday will turn into snow showers. My jonquils are so confused. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only a few days left in January. How are your New Year's Resolutions coming? Somehow, it's been easier to begin foreign language lessons and get a new hairstyle than it has been to learn to forgive completely and hold to healthy boundaries. (Can I get a witness up in here?!) The healthy boundaries with people is getting easier. I'm learning to say,"No thank you" and "Maybe another time". I've even said,"You know, I just don't think that's for me," and went on to the next thing. I'm a little proud of me. </span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex3vji7EuSg/UQb_XBJGpdI/AAAAAAAAAdY/B3ouHas3lwg/s1600/forgiveness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex3vji7EuSg/UQb_XBJGpdI/AAAAAAAAAdY/B3ouHas3lwg/s320/forgiveness.jpg" width="241" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think the more I am able to hold to the healthy boundaries, the easier forgiveness will come. And sometimes, I just have to let go what sometimes sneaks back in. And oh, unforgiveness can be sneaky. But forgiving is easier than signing up for swimming lessons. I guarantee it. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whatever your resolutions are, I hope you are holding to them. 2013~still 11 months left to make it happen!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, living with an open hand,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-16871072055307514452013-01-21T07:24:00.000-06:002013-01-21T07:24:55.703-06:00Monday Madness- Thanks, Stan<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gWZFtq9yRA/UP1BGLGa8YI/AAAAAAAAAdE/-HTuZ8VypmU/s1600/Stan+Musial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gWZFtq9yRA/UP1BGLGa8YI/AAAAAAAAAdE/-HTuZ8VypmU/s1600/Stan+Musial.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">St. Louis lost a treasure this weekend. It's not that we really "lost" him. We will always have the memories, the stories, and most importantly, the standard he set. He set it, not for being one of the greatest hitters of all time, but for beyond that. He set it by the way he lived his life. For anyone a part of The Cardinal Nation, we all come together to remember Stan "The Man" Musial. And what a man he was. The New York Times says it best here: </span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/sports/baseball/stan-musial-substance-over-sizzle.html?_r=0" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Star Who Stood Out By Not Standing Out</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. That's our Stan. May he rest in peace.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And lest you think we have forgotten, Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Take a little time to do something to make a difference!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours, pouring my second cup,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-31626894845415245692013-01-16T21:12:00.001-06:002013-01-16T21:12:24.687-06:00PARENT OR CHILD?<p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">When did our parents become our children? How is it we find ourselves talking to them as though we are the parent and we know what’s best for them?</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Sadly, this is the situation many of us are finding ourselves in. We don’t want it. We never asked for it. But here we are. And<img style="display: inline; float: right" alt="" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDacwJHWrhdOlMmJ91hm9LuruPNue364Ioh8b4DfMex6-rq1Ho" width="253" height="211" /> we’re suddenly making life decisions for our parents that we don’t want to make.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Who among us wants to see our parents as weak, child-like individuals? We want to remember them as the strong people we looked up to, even feared sometimes. Back when we were kids, we didn’t even think about talking back to our mom or dad, or punishment would be quick and severe. The words “Just wait until your dad comes home from work” would send us crying to our rooms in anticipation.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">But now, we see our parents needing us as we once needed them. They need us to make the decisions for them that they cannot. To know what’s best for them, while preserving their dignity. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">It’s hard for us and it’s hard for them. It sometimes can seem like an impossible situation. But we do the best we can. There are many, many resources out there: websites, groups, books, companies, etc. One just needs to look; the help is there.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">(I often post articles about this very subject on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiverorganizer" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> if you want to “like” it!)</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Here’s to being the parent and the child. It’s not easy, I know.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma"></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#9b00d3" size="7" face="Lucida Handwriting">Karen</font></p> Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498305999776139804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-56511575063413889182013-01-14T19:02:00.003-06:002013-01-14T19:03:02.036-06:00Monday Madness- Open Letter To Congress<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear President Obama, Vice President </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Biden</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, Speaker </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boehner</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, all the Democrats and Republicans, Lobbyists, Special Interest People, Majority Leaders, Minority Leaders, Party People, Non-Party People, and anyone else on Capitol Hill who is involved in running our country,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you haven't noticed lately, it seems that America is in a bit of a mess. I'm not sure what you're doing up there, but from here, where I can kinda see what I THINK is going on (or, whatever the media chooses to report), it looks like things are ready a good ole Spring Cleanin'. No matter the issue- economy, spending, debt ceiling, gun control, mental health, health care, foreign policy, foreign aid- you name it, it looks pretty messy.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, running a country of nearly 312 million people is bound to get messy. Probably pretty ugly most days, actually. I mean, people are people, right? And while most of us want the good, decent, right thing, when you are dealing with over 300 million people, there are going to be some real rotten apples. I get that. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been doing a lot of thinking, especially since the Sandy Hook Tragedy. Words cannot define or describe that day. There were, and continue to be, a lot of heated reactions. A lot of emotional outpourings. And of course, what America does best, a lot of compassionate giving. We give when we hurt because somehow, we just want to make things better. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I think that's at the heart of every single issue we are facing as a country right now. We just want to make things better. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know, there are a lot of coaches, captains of industry, iconoclasts of creativity who have turned what looked like utter failures into gleaming examples that now inspire many on a daily basis. I've read a lot of their books, listened to a lot of their speeches, watched a lot of the documentaries. There seem to be two words that are an overriding theme:</span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FRdGZcP9_88/UPSqRfH6RCI/AAAAAAAAAcw/K23PtEdScMQ/s1600/Coach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FRdGZcP9_88/UPSqRfH6RCI/AAAAAAAAAcw/K23PtEdScMQ/s320/Coach.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Basics.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When a team does not work together, they do not function. So what does the coach do? HE MAKES THEM DO THE BASICS UNTIL THEY GET IT RIGHT. I know, it's really not rocket science. But sometimes, even the smartest of us need to review. Even the best of us still have to do our exercises and warm-ups or we fail to carry things out with the best technique and performance. What if we went back to some fundamental, basic, sensible thinking? Common sense, keeping it simple? I know our founders didn't deal with a lot of the things we deal with today, but wow, they gave us a pretty good framework. What if we just said,"We don't have it? Then we can't spend it." I know. Super basic. But that's how so many people I know have gotten back on track. I mean, it's not like what we're doing right now is working. What's keeping us from giving this a try?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Balance.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a reason why our government was set up with a system of checks and balances- to keep us from going to far one way or the other. Again, not rocket science. Balance is a beautiful, beautiful thing. Entire cultures are built on the concept. I wonder what that would mean for American Society, instead of judging everything as "That ROCKS!" or,"That SUCKS!" we could find merit and worth in the middle. HECK- how about meeting in the middle, reaching across the aisle and getting something done for a change? Novel idea, but I still think it can be done. Then again, I have been called a dreamer.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know everything I've written here is simplistic. Let me put it to you another way: THIS COUNTRY CANNOT TAKE FOUR MORE YEARS OF BICKERING, POLITICKING AND ASININE STALEMATING BY PEOPLE WHO WANT MORE MONEY AND WANT TO GET THEIR WAY WHILE THE REST OF US GO DOWN THE TUBES. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BASICS. BALANCE.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are 311 plus million people depending on you to get it done. Please don't let us down. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sincerely,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa R. Bishop</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-70850374676876781382013-01-11T09:28:00.003-06:002013-01-11T09:29:10.832-06:00Friday Funny- Confessions of The Lolanator<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is Lola's Birthday. Can you believe I'm actually considering making her a "treat cake"? What has HAPPENED to me? I'm falling apart! I've never been much of a pet person. Before Lola, when the kids would ask for a dog, I would flatly reply,"If I need another living, breathing thing to care for, you will get a sibling. And I can tell you right now with great certainty, that will take an act of The Almighty." And now, while I don't fawn over her, I will admit that I love her and I'm happy she is here. Today, the Lolanator is two (fourteen) years old! In honor of the Lolanator, I'm posting some doggie confessions, most of which she could easily accomplish if we were not so diligent. And some of which she has absolutely done. (Yes, she's lucky to have made it to age 2!) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, Happy Birthday Lola!</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uritkaC20GA/UPAvODkk8gI/AAAAAAAAAa8/0wJmB57-eqk/s1600/ATT516446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uritkaC20GA/UPAvODkk8gI/AAAAAAAAAa8/0wJmB57-eqk/s320/ATT516446.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now, back to business,</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-33075260591322507562013-01-09T19:28:00.001-06:002013-01-09T19:28:47.848-06:00I’M BACK ON THE WAGON!<p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">So between the holidays and out of town guests and quitting my job at <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/" target="_blank">Weight Watchers</a>, I’ve been a bit, well, not just falling off the wagon, but underneath it and run over. Several times.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">But I’m back on it. I’ve brushed myself off, put my work-out clothes back on, downloaded the WW app on my new phone and purged my kitchen of everything I could without my family killing me. I’m back, baby!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Here’s what I’ve learned, with a little help from an article written by David Kirchhoff, President and CEO of Weight Watchers.<img style="display: inline; float: right" alt="" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQY9lB4oEPUNJIgW8uVc51k1gXCp21frXQLDzxSZPxU_AvWsvJ9" width="230" height="157" /></font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">1. We make over 200 food decisions per day. And those of us trying to eat healthy probably make way more than that. This can be overwhelming, so keeping a food diary makes me more mindful of what I’m </font><font size="4" face="Tahoma">eating. I’m not always great at it, but I do my best!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">2. If I deprive myself of what I really, really want, I’ll never succeed. That doesn’t mean I can eat an entire package of Oreo cookies, but it does mean I can have one or two.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">3.  Whatever I eat, I own it. Period.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">4.  I don’t surround myself with my “trigger foods.” I try to manage my environment as much as I can, given I have a husband and two growing boys in the house with me.<img style="display: inline; float: right" alt="" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkIUORzuuQWCD5wcFVszca6i6xuO20MwO59B1N2i6Y4HuWXyLw" width="275" height="183" /></font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">5.  I try to have a plan as much as I can when it comes to meals and snacks. If I “wing it,” I’m setting myself up for failure.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">6.  Routines work. Yes, they can be boring sometimes, but they help me stay in control.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">There you have it! Even though I’m not a Weight Watchers leader anymore, I’m still a Lifetime Member, and right now I need them more than ever! But whether you go to WW, another diet place, or just want to eat healthier, I applaud you. And don’t let those New Year’s Resolutions drift off by mid-February. This is your life, take control!!!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma"></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#9b00d3" size="7" face="Lucida Handwriting">Karen</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma"> </font></p> Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498305999776139804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-40118324465186735222013-01-01T19:20:00.001-06:002013-01-01T19:20:46.509-06:00Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year! A brand new year, with new hopes, dreams and aspirations. Last night, the B House welcomed the New Year with our simple traditions- dinner, movie, games (Guitar Hero kicked my boot</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">y</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! The Hubs, however, rocked it.), watching Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve and a champagne toast to 2013. As I sat contemplating my 2013 resolutions, I thought through all of the usual: drop 15 pounds, clean out my closets, get organized, sell The Caregiver Organizer, write songs.... the list was endless. And then I realized, I was not making resolutions, but thinking about goals. So I dug deeper. I wanted to do some things that really mattered, something that might truly make a difference. After much thought, here's what I have resolved to do:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1.) In 2013, I resolve to be slow to be angered/offended and quick to forgive. Completely. Complete forgiveness means not holding on to the grudge. To the resentment and bitterness. Forgiving completely means letting go of the hurt, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">holding on to the lesson</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and allowing the wound to heal. And from there, moving forward.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.) In 2013, I resolve to hold to healthy boundaries. I have a tendency to hold on to relationships and places a little longer than I should. Let's face it. Some people are poison. I don't mean it in a judgemental way, simply matter of fact. Maybe a better way of saying it is they are crazy-makers. And no matter how much I do the right things, continue to love them and try to keep everything at peace, it won't work until they make the change. It's okay for me to let go. It doesn't mean that I've failed. It just means they're crazy. ;) And it's okay for me to let them go. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3.) In 2013, I resolve to be unafraid to fail. Fear of failure has paralyzed me in certain areas for far too long. Time to kick that nagging "what will people think of me if I fail?" fear to the curb.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4.) In 2013, I resolve to not worry about what what other people think, what other people are doing or worry about what other people are going to say. I've got things to get done. And I can't do it and please everyone all at the same time. Never happened. Never will.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt so much better about the promise of 2013 after I made this list. Yes, I will still set goals. ( I WILL learn to swim this year!) But I resolve (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to reach a firm decision about</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ) to be a better me in a much, much better way.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish you every happiness and every success in 2013.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year!</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></span></span><br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-58882540899305904092012-12-25T11:28:00.000-06:002012-12-25T11:28:41.411-06:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's here! Christmas Day! All the planning, scheduling, shopping, baking, cleaning, the extra rehearsals and Christmas services... all worth it today. From Macaroni and Chicken Fingers, we wish you a very merry, joyous, peaceful Christmas. Hold close the ones you love. Forget about the things that trouble you. Rest, relax and enjoy the day. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much love,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Karen and Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-65112358841517708402012-12-19T17:46:00.001-06:002012-12-19T17:46:16.441-06:00(UNHEALTHY) HOLIDAY EATING TIPS!<p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">This is technically a guest post, although she doesn’t know that she’s posting. My sister, Margee, sent this to me the other day. I’m telling you this so that you don’t think that I, a Weight Watchers advocate, would pass along this advice. Let me say that again: THESE ARE NOT MY EATING TIPS!!! Nevertheless, they made me laugh, and right now, we can all use as many laughs as possible, so here is Margee’s guide for Holiday Eating:</font></p> <p align="justify"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTuaoPYRjrA3VFkQzAz6ETT25uiltxPP0sJzcxMN_7w2JtrecZj" width="242" height="207" /></p> <p align="justify"><b><font size="3">10 diet tips to get through the holiday season:</font></b></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it’s rare. In fact, it’s even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can’t find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Happy Holidays – and happy eating!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Thanks Margee!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#9b00d3" size="7" face="Lucida Handwriting"></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#9b00d3" size="7" face="Lucida Handwriting">Karen</font></p> Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498305999776139804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-22921958917011419102012-12-12T11:15:00.001-06:002012-12-12T11:15:02.602-06:00DOGS V. CATS<p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Most people are either Dog People or Cat People. I am a Dog Person, although I also have a cat. Her name is Sophie. I did not want her. Actually, neither did my husband. But we found her under a bush when she was only a few weeks old, and she was so dang cute, we all fell in love with her. Then she grew up into a cat, and that pretty much ended the love affair. Now we all just pretty much tolerate one another.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Here are Sophie and Bismark:</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gha3P46l4-k/UMi7jw6tLAI/AAAAAAAAA4I/H0f4AmOdkX4/s1600-h/biz%252520and%252520sophie%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="biz and sophie" border="0" alt="biz and sophie" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wIha8gE_afM/UMi7kbVa52I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/_VQHhmw8fqI/biz%252520and%252520sophie_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="186" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">See the size difference? Guess who’s afraid of who? Ha! Yep, my 100 pound dog is terrified of my <em>(maybe)</em> 12 pound cat. If she’s laying in a doorway, or on the steps, he’ll just stand there and wait for her to move rather than go around her. If she’s drinking water, he’ll wait until she’s done. But I can tell she deliberately takes her time, just to annoy him. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">This video beautifully illustrates the difference between cats and dogs. It’s hilarious!</font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 451px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:daa26be4-b882-4047-897e-ed9840babcf5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="16e8e626-4b0d-43be-aa19-2bbcba9e2833" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbycvPwr1Wg" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-es299HjTUAw/UMi7lEJGf7I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/tag1TKz0WrU/video5bdfe6f89856%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('16e8e626-4b0d-43be-aa19-2bbcba9e2833'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"451\" height=\"253\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/GbycvPwr1Wg?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/GbycvPwr1Wg?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"451\" height=\"253\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Hope you enjoyed that as much as I did!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma">Oh, and by the way, I do love Sophie, just in a different, cat-like way!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="Tahoma"></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#9b00d3" size="7" face="Lucida Handwriting">Karen</font></p> Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15498305999776139804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688523892454908341.post-61703750218472497542012-12-10T10:00:00.000-06:002012-12-10T10:00:15.264-06:00Monday Madness and Minutiae<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We did a little bit of Christmas shopping this weekend. It's been good for The Hubs and I to get out together. Christmas is a team effort. It has to be. You see, hour-wise, musicians work year around. But it just happens that a LOT of those hours occur in December. Believe me, I'm not complaining. I am absolutely 100% grateful that I get to do what I LOVE and earn a paycheck. But The Hubs and I have learned to approach this season with military tactic and strategical planning. To underscore this mentality, he bought me one of my favorite signs while we were out as a pre-Christmas present:</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j_xohlOHn9I/UMYGYGNaXzI/AAAAAAAAAaI/fCUSCbGgf6Q/s1600/keep-calm-and-carry-on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j_xohlOHn9I/UMYGYGNaXzI/AAAAAAAAAaI/fCUSCbGgf6Q/s320/keep-calm-and-carry-on.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Hubs gets me. That's why I keep him around. ;)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gotta love that man!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yours, keeping calm and carrying on,</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Melissa</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06029129476715181100noreply@blogger.com0