tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50457920495201097082024-02-19T05:01:43.930-05:00A Productive EndeavorThis is APE central… my space on the internet as I journey along in life attempting to make it a productive endeavor.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.comBlogger597125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-4489642078159165312023-08-20T19:09:00.004-04:002023-08-21T17:29:37.557-04:00My grandmother Marlene P. Brown 2/20/1939 – 8/19/2023<p style="height: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal">I lost my maternal grandmother yesterday, and the last of
that generation in my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With her
departure it feels like I’ve lost my grandfather all over again too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially since growing up, it was always “Nan
and Gramp”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been gone almost 12
years but since I don’t live there, it’s hard to think of him gone to be honest,
and now Nan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have lived away from my
hometown for 30 years and due to distance and covid, I haven’t been back to
visit in almost 6 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During that
time my grandmother's health declined quite a bit and she passed after her organs shut
down; her body was tired.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSX1MBCh3yorTmujtCJn8q5YcZ3C_0L7l_jU_4HrqOqJxQasOJZemmLclJyeGtt5nkWIhlM5TRrPQ36WJ6Flk2Wi6Xp5-4AsAYcXirA4dEBJ3arpiNmbwrZW1Gwgk0QmLoPPUmqZnqcwA9SWThBxtqAeZ45QIDcBIIvlKqMYtLmNkhQqWrtf5fidb72o/s960/IMG_8481.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSX1MBCh3yorTmujtCJn8q5YcZ3C_0L7l_jU_4HrqOqJxQasOJZemmLclJyeGtt5nkWIhlM5TRrPQ36WJ6Flk2Wi6Xp5-4AsAYcXirA4dEBJ3arpiNmbwrZW1Gwgk0QmLoPPUmqZnqcwA9SWThBxtqAeZ45QIDcBIIvlKqMYtLmNkhQqWrtf5fidb72o/s320/IMG_8481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>2002</i></div><p class="MsoNormal">My grandmother was 38 when I was born and she wasn’t too
pleased about being a young grandmother. Ha ha... too bad! Look how cute I was!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStLIlXuJqXk7QUMoTm-olPZe9-R5X7-veXmOy7YuhwJqk_KcWo8ZVt1hBARWRtHf6xZgeIk0lS22lv83FWZq8gqsKMK_ygbbHVmHsmixuKCiIG5KvbfIpiiic4AME6sgZo-BTn4wLF1fKe2Vlo8H3AFrAXf1W3CobjGrceB2wz_gWZn2AiTAigRjTT1o/s263/nan%20xmas%201977.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="263" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStLIlXuJqXk7QUMoTm-olPZe9-R5X7-veXmOy7YuhwJqk_KcWo8ZVt1hBARWRtHf6xZgeIk0lS22lv83FWZq8gqsKMK_ygbbHVmHsmixuKCiIG5KvbfIpiiic4AME6sgZo-BTn4wLF1fKe2Vlo8H3AFrAXf1W3CobjGrceB2wz_gWZn2AiTAigRjTT1o/s1600/nan%20xmas%201977.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">It all worked out because when my
daughter was born, we were 5 generations alive and got this great photo! How cool that Gramp got to see his granddaughter's daughter have a kid. {Two in fact!}</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqInWDoTNQwJBK2Ku39gnJamOggwm_nNKiB6pOvgzhYKRkUJc54D-HNw2ep1B3lcey20JGu7ddDvMif-1POZSPHAxb1sJkuoyOm2LScaGBxdLdpjT0hfNFChHJTutjIlNlw8abUeqr_u9tj3obSq7FGGkII_GW52EP_ij8_n565uQy-xfcfeCxAFP2CYw/s604/IMG_8486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqInWDoTNQwJBK2Ku39gnJamOggwm_nNKiB6pOvgzhYKRkUJc54D-HNw2ep1B3lcey20JGu7ddDvMif-1POZSPHAxb1sJkuoyOm2LScaGBxdLdpjT0hfNFChHJTutjIlNlw8abUeqr_u9tj3obSq7FGGkII_GW52EP_ij8_n565uQy-xfcfeCxAFP2CYw/s320/IMG_8486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>My great-grandfather, my grandmother, <br />my mom, me and my daughter in 2006.</b></i></div><p class="MsoNormal"><i><b><o:p></o:p></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">My grandmother used to host Christmas every year for our
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have fond memories of being
there Christmas Eve to watch her and Gramp open Christmas gifts and then we’d
eat something yummy that she cooked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I loved</span> the nuts and chocolate she had in the basement on the coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We all went back the next day because s</span>he always hosted Christmas dinner for my mom, her two sisters and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those moments were some of my favorite childhood memories. Nan was known for her pies, especially her
strawberry and strawberry rhubarb. She was always cooking and I can’t
smell boiling potatoes or fish frying without thinking of her. {My mom said she was baking pies last week before her passing!}<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbn7ES3sKkijsSQPdxEGxXT59ZrJ-sf_6OYpegMCYiRrXqFDB5kqTKmVVrorTCxbwXO640XEuOVx7HyoQQYroq9yoK-8kJ2Guk-_dfNVD-6Das2UA9oeyfaveo9WsR4zl2PYLjhdjtjDwaLSlRicwv2Ofv8LJbOY_XDvlutOeRBs3pRcq8ihhhNP0yqI/s3716/IMG_8513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="3716" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbn7ES3sKkijsSQPdxEGxXT59ZrJ-sf_6OYpegMCYiRrXqFDB5kqTKmVVrorTCxbwXO640XEuOVx7HyoQQYroq9yoK-8kJ2Guk-_dfNVD-6Das2UA9oeyfaveo9WsR4zl2PYLjhdjtjDwaLSlRicwv2Ofv8LJbOY_XDvlutOeRBs3pRcq8ihhhNP0yqI/s320/IMG_8513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Nan always had her nails done and I used to play with her nail polish bottles, pretending they were little people. She took me to a work party when I was a kid where Santa gave out gifts to the children. {The gifts were purchased by the families.} I was thrilled that she got me a Michael Jackson doll! He and my Barbies had a great time! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">She took me to visit different family members and friends like my great-Aunt Grace, my godmother and her mom, Leah & Lynn, Dick, my great-greatfather, who are just a few who come to mind. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I moved away at age 15 and returned at 19. I lived in my
hometown a year and a half before leaving again at age 20. During the time I was there Nan and I bonded
over Days of Our Lives. I went to Bingo
with her back in the smoky days with old ladies and lucky troll dolls. She loved her yard sales and always looked
for a bargain and that spirit lives strong in me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJBLtgAK-vUlIaSjG_2igmJnzSWsayIiWO1cKtyNtvGQqJ3UT-FOemwkRLE04xkcsfxs_ydIr26nHekhjwwQEQlKJVJLWym2p1Q-JRQKuDF36TIV5s6G1-HNNDHzpAGsbX7BvXmKP_KOziCld5esN6r7t8ojq_t4YUMNczymKZ9iyBtdayx_TLkrvmJA/s675/IMG_8487.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="658" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJBLtgAK-vUlIaSjG_2igmJnzSWsayIiWO1cKtyNtvGQqJ3UT-FOemwkRLE04xkcsfxs_ydIr26nHekhjwwQEQlKJVJLWym2p1Q-JRQKuDF36TIV5s6G1-HNNDHzpAGsbX7BvXmKP_KOziCld5esN6r7t8ojq_t4YUMNczymKZ9iyBtdayx_TLkrvmJA/w195-h200/IMG_8487.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When she was younger, Nan enjoyed quilting and I still have
my baby blanket from her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her later years
she used Facebook and I was impressed with her getting on there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I haven’t seen her in years, I am
grateful for the phone chats and the ease of sharing pictures on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The last time I visited was in 2017 before we moved from the east coast to Arizona. My sister hosted a party for the whole family and this is a super special memory for me. I met my nephew and cousin's baby. I got this fun group shot and there's Nan sitting center left. All of us gathered, started because of her and Gramp so many years ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8Q5XH1E6Ly0EVZJ0sjQFkMm1rAskU9-2ANTsyB5fN5NA-k02QPfpfBayV_acS5V033KMXUlhwPE-PE-JdWKomfNgdEznSSNbf8KKnhcrAX9I5chGEfuEuJ-040e2c_JjiGPgYTbBxY9PNNj_O6Tobb51i9r2WRuUgYI7qBD-WyE6uIfPUY-3crNxpW8/s927/IMG_8488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="927" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8Q5XH1E6Ly0EVZJ0sjQFkMm1rAskU9-2ANTsyB5fN5NA-k02QPfpfBayV_acS5V033KMXUlhwPE-PE-JdWKomfNgdEznSSNbf8KKnhcrAX9I5chGEfuEuJ-040e2c_JjiGPgYTbBxY9PNNj_O6Tobb51i9r2WRuUgYI7qBD-WyE6uIfPUY-3crNxpW8/s320/IMG_8488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Our last picture together 2017</b></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When we lived in CT, we traveled to New
Brunswick as much as we could and I treasure the photos of her meeting each of
my babies during those trips. She didn't leave Saint John much. In fact I asked her why she didn't travel and she said, "Why would I ever leave? Saint John has everything you need!" haha! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2B8PzACsfJ4Xk5J9ZfziTq2W4z1XArTTebTdxioYvY4m8Kg_agD-46BpFu-cYkiyyWR-LuY8fh4gXHu5RcWGY9TdMCPZjgY2OlCOe0I_6t4uXrCVPyhFrcndyNG8Lcsh5cYwY0wNBZre8AGrb7zfi1zyEWy9bZ3cgXg5VSBvDl6P3UukHoCB-Ih5S654/s3397/IMG_8514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3397" data-original-width="2303" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2B8PzACsfJ4Xk5J9ZfziTq2W4z1XArTTebTdxioYvY4m8Kg_agD-46BpFu-cYkiyyWR-LuY8fh4gXHu5RcWGY9TdMCPZjgY2OlCOe0I_6t4uXrCVPyhFrcndyNG8Lcsh5cYwY0wNBZre8AGrb7zfi1zyEWy9bZ3cgXg5VSBvDl6P3UukHoCB-Ih5S654/w136-h200/IMG_8514.jpg" width="136" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ApV7PQgrKkycgH2VjCqdqYElzQc26I_ADFjb4Ga0WeXBadrCl1Eb2AXDrtx79fs-Mi9CjPzeAVDQyIm0nusTrPl-JgF8B7Y-U29jsbwF-GSd2vOdy5QN1XiaCx0Q61oPj5iKhn5spvVx9aGL0vctQ9fvlsvAWu5vRuQBLVAmAm7bqMWuL1WLHU7_cOw/s812/2007%20meeting%20lance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="581" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ApV7PQgrKkycgH2VjCqdqYElzQc26I_ADFjb4Ga0WeXBadrCl1Eb2AXDrtx79fs-Mi9CjPzeAVDQyIm0nusTrPl-JgF8B7Y-U29jsbwF-GSd2vOdy5QN1XiaCx0Q61oPj5iKhn5spvVx9aGL0vctQ9fvlsvAWu5vRuQBLVAmAm7bqMWuL1WLHU7_cOw/w143-h200/2007%20meeting%20lance.jpg" width="143" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBByZL4jZ28RUnBUyCnTPSAuAohkugn16XYgGTSWUygYcqetslDmQgJ8KNL2nVaIPnMEkIkbUKW6NEsU_hPYZSgsRp7Jm3YMxR_f5qBhJSasqWSUEJrC1b7zcjqh45wHMvZAHbEMPp8z9SeXNzn8Jltu8gJFYHkK6lKPFa9o9sOohTkQtmyJoVrjLJCg/s1258/2010%20meeting%20colin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1258" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBByZL4jZ28RUnBUyCnTPSAuAohkugn16XYgGTSWUygYcqetslDmQgJ8KNL2nVaIPnMEkIkbUKW6NEsU_hPYZSgsRp7Jm3YMxR_f5qBhJSasqWSUEJrC1b7zcjqh45wHMvZAHbEMPp8z9SeXNzn8Jltu8gJFYHkK6lKPFa9o9sOohTkQtmyJoVrjLJCg/w200-h148/2010%20meeting%20colin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Top left is Vienna 2005. Top right is Lance 2007. And bottom is Colin 2010.</b></i></div><p class="MsoNormal">One of my favorite things about Nan is that she always sent
me a card for my birthday. No matter where I lived, or how far away I was from
her, she got a card to me. I love the
cards from the early days where it was personalized with my age or “granddaughter”.
Her consistency and tangible reminder
that she was thinking of me contributed to my love of cards. Back before the long-distance plans we have
now, she was faithful in writing me letters and keeping in touch. Those little gestures meant so much to me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKa4r7l9CaJZFS1qh7-Yrn0jF0yE2uE6LiIrEnyxWb4bChLcY65W4dbE3U83e78TfEEQjyZ5O6QpZCIJjO39XRwZD7h0gnDeqAa6CuYjvuVkhrAgckceg-hrRNt9CX1BaV-6suzrl9OleQsmnLHJ-Pb3lsPV-RAQDs5aFg9Stinl8cwQTsUY9j5qMUkY/s4032/IMG_8491.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="4032" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKa4r7l9CaJZFS1qh7-Yrn0jF0yE2uE6LiIrEnyxWb4bChLcY65W4dbE3U83e78TfEEQjyZ5O6QpZCIJjO39XRwZD7h0gnDeqAa6CuYjvuVkhrAgckceg-hrRNt9CX1BaV-6suzrl9OleQsmnLHJ-Pb3lsPV-RAQDs5aFg9Stinl8cwQTsUY9j5qMUkY/s320/IMG_8491.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>I have almost all the cards she sent me. Just a couple got lost over</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>the years but I love that I have my 1st birthday card!</b></i></div><p class="MsoNormal">Nan had been housebound since the years of restriction due
to the covid pandemic and her deteriorating health. She lived in her own home
til she took a turn for the worse and went to the hospital only a few days ago. She had wonderful caretakers who helped
her. I am also thankful that my mom and my
two aunts were always there for her and helped her with her finances, shopping
and having tea with her. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGvBUdajo5XkiLgMCS3InF-ZpWkVSTvR8ousm7crodQnHRUhg94FhIYRK4-eOggSBl8fTTuW9G4Fol0J2nzjECe7ll8tFpLJ6lj-cXy1gUBDAnQYAEw2KgFI6UM9bVWdDWrecMAtR0WQmrOt6Ee8O1tUYVZqGoUR6r3FSZBWP52cUYl7zcTivAQvTFOo/s1224/IMG_8484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGvBUdajo5XkiLgMCS3InF-ZpWkVSTvR8ousm7crodQnHRUhg94FhIYRK4-eOggSBl8fTTuW9G4Fol0J2nzjECe7ll8tFpLJ6lj-cXy1gUBDAnQYAEw2KgFI6UM9bVWdDWrecMAtR0WQmrOt6Ee8O1tUYVZqGoUR6r3FSZBWP52cUYl7zcTivAQvTFOo/s320/IMG_8484.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The best advice Nan ever gave me was when she was having
health problems years ago before her stroke and subsequent decline, was that us
young people take our health for granted.
I took that to heart and because of her comment, I know to appreciate
what I have and to take care of my body best I can.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1p9gy1JYeQOI14PHjg_9_gIELW5arlgRtDiI6ohdc73s_uF3wHJdv5eO2s8iVbkXfsExGe4pvGD7jpNkwFE1vhJJV8fhcgGKWwo0Qa-VA4IMY5B5PyWhmy-OU0BFgGyljCfnqKBkkon7bDY-BRfD33uL287X40-4wbh4HfG-R3934Wc4YDGKEfX-sbU/s769/IMG_8483.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="769" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1p9gy1JYeQOI14PHjg_9_gIELW5arlgRtDiI6ohdc73s_uF3wHJdv5eO2s8iVbkXfsExGe4pvGD7jpNkwFE1vhJJV8fhcgGKWwo0Qa-VA4IMY5B5PyWhmy-OU0BFgGyljCfnqKBkkon7bDY-BRfD33uL287X40-4wbh4HfG-R3934Wc4YDGKEfX-sbU/s320/IMG_8483.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> My grandmother was not known as a great woman of faith,
however, she was the one who bought me first bible before getting me set up to take
confirmation classes in the Anglican church when I was 9. She was the only family member I remember
going to church at Christmas. She never
talked about her beliefs with me but I pray that she found comfort in her last
days and felt peace knowing where she was going. Here’s a sweet picture of her holding me at my
baby baptism in our old church, St. Jude’s.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiSfPaLN1I5lIa4MfOmA9qgPGZTCX3_9xFrkMimyo8sxQnw8jEAHyBsvI6QvzY8G01tIRe0YDGOer3nnlA-bzOeIXm6Amnibbu1Jn19uocV0OBlz_p5La5WKxSy90QG-Ij_nRYjaBmWx4e52EEtX1V1WPWKDasd6MpWD9e5kCCzbOhpdkmROWsD1MYvw/s257/nan%20baptism.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="253" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiSfPaLN1I5lIa4MfOmA9qgPGZTCX3_9xFrkMimyo8sxQnw8jEAHyBsvI6QvzY8G01tIRe0YDGOer3nnlA-bzOeIXm6Amnibbu1Jn19uocV0OBlz_p5La5WKxSy90QG-Ij_nRYjaBmWx4e52EEtX1V1WPWKDasd6MpWD9e5kCCzbOhpdkmROWsD1MYvw/s1600/nan%20baptism.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I am going to miss her but am glad she is now at peace and
reunited with my grandfather. Nan and
Gramp together... the way it always was and the way it should be.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QZUfIoEWceHw7d8EOxYRMgiCz0OvfW4q3usxaB0nMjeHigedL-mEFApiV7-XA_IjbKBqBC-YVgg54y2wQCu7pECmmiAn5eBYqLC5pVDtTfJyj85302IjBhjmfeLlNfVxDQpoYLeUI9sw_TDg_ks_KkNnFMSs-krJDIbPbuz0-AAkfNdSMulokTzVOTg/s365/nan%20xmas%201977%20couch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="365" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QZUfIoEWceHw7d8EOxYRMgiCz0OvfW4q3usxaB0nMjeHigedL-mEFApiV7-XA_IjbKBqBC-YVgg54y2wQCu7pECmmiAn5eBYqLC5pVDtTfJyj85302IjBhjmfeLlNfVxDQpoYLeUI9sw_TDg_ks_KkNnFMSs-krJDIbPbuz0-AAkfNdSMulokTzVOTg/s320/nan%20xmas%201977%20couch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-YIg3gVONBYNMWiCVA1kPPTHhmX2iTWg_6L6rs5uj8QwcyFkrhfOULig1Q3icj8iDkHMWD9YeCM97tYaQsIVOOS4450HXZkFjtOKqhvcRB3gwHGLV3hmtqZXhOaLeWuI8DUWWdwnZ-J1vabkMvx8BsTZNnMACjVdTm5lOyerLi6RK5zX5FZqdKXnyPU/s2677/IMG_8517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2677" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-YIg3gVONBYNMWiCVA1kPPTHhmX2iTWg_6L6rs5uj8QwcyFkrhfOULig1Q3icj8iDkHMWD9YeCM97tYaQsIVOOS4450HXZkFjtOKqhvcRB3gwHGLV3hmtqZXhOaLeWuI8DUWWdwnZ-J1vabkMvx8BsTZNnMACjVdTm5lOyerLi6RK5zX5FZqdKXnyPU/s320/IMG_8517.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>I love you Nan.<br />I can hear her reply, "I love you too dear."<div><p></p><div>XO</div><div>Thanks for swinging by,<br />Mary</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc3YLVKXH32v38PO5Ob5ksIeFTrA10GFLi4WKtub1XJVTUqs5KANgDntH_e3WaaQWSnE6tbM1ucYqupo3Ow5OaPuDtTrmz9L3VKbKZbKSsBOjKeftfGVZs_lTAyyrhZyE7n0r44nKMH4nRyH3-EwJcAx6WNA3zAZMTw1R_n5DWbHTb9LW9GUQSyEKydQ/s1642/369255402_6364636520331572_7175244612105710834_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1642" data-original-width="926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc3YLVKXH32v38PO5Ob5ksIeFTrA10GFLi4WKtub1XJVTUqs5KANgDntH_e3WaaQWSnE6tbM1ucYqupo3Ow5OaPuDtTrmz9L3VKbKZbKSsBOjKeftfGVZs_lTAyyrhZyE7n0r44nKMH4nRyH3-EwJcAx6WNA3zAZMTw1R_n5DWbHTb9LW9GUQSyEKydQ/w360-h640/369255402_6364636520331572_7175244612105710834_n.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-24497384218481955512021-01-29T16:45:00.004-05:002021-01-29T17:05:35.316-05:00My Aunt Bunny Patterson 12/18/50 - 1/28/21<p>My Aunt Bunny unexpectedly passed away yesterday from a heart attack. She is my dad's older sister, #2 of 4 siblings. She is the mother to my two cousins Richie and Jason, who I grew up with like brothers. It totally stinks that I can't be with my Dad, cousins and family during this time. I live in Arizona and even if I could drive home, the international border is still closed because of COVID. </p><p>I have lived away from my hometown now for almost 30 years so most of my memories of Bunny are from childhood. She worked overnight as an nurse and slept through the days but still helped my mom out by babysitting me one whole summer. I have so many memories playing with my cousins, watching many movies because she had First Choice and recorded everything on old VHS. I remember watching Beverly Hills Cop as a kid and there was a scene were the man talked about being a virgin. I asked her what that meant and she told me to ask my mother! hahaha! </p><p>Most people who know Bunny know of her incredible talent sewing, knitting and crocheting. She made many, many Halloween costumes for many family members and friends. She never used a pattern and they were incredible. She was also humble and generous, never taking any money for anything! She made me 2 costumes that I wore over and over again.... a devil costume and a blue fairy costume. Here she and I are in 1986 where I won a costume contest at the Boys & Girl Club!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjWI9VdUCrn60sx0IJjL32xnT4sGNCZNhhmZGD2RwaoCm8Hld5TVvDFyJQI4rVKziW0afiV-PZtOCD6EATIdq3Za6DrLGo2BSCG7GwNNHvOe5JNHhEKwZsnihy8tyKB_KE_SygNLro9g/s2048/IMG_3993.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjWI9VdUCrn60sx0IJjL32xnT4sGNCZNhhmZGD2RwaoCm8Hld5TVvDFyJQI4rVKziW0afiV-PZtOCD6EATIdq3Za6DrLGo2BSCG7GwNNHvOe5JNHhEKwZsnihy8tyKB_KE_SygNLro9g/s320/IMG_3993.jpg" /></a></div><p>That summer she, her boys and I took the VIA train from Saint John to Ottawa to visit my Dad, who was stationed there with the Air Force. She bought me a Disney coloring book to stay busy on the trip and I still have it. She was always thoughtful and generous.</p><p>Years later I took my younger sisters out for Halloween. She let me borrow a costume as I took them door to door.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZB7UAEOyDSmj3WvlKWVWF1m2-ZxJFrZpZxpQJ1wpSOCW0trwlnI8MMWZrb80R_lnqUlDyj3zGLX0QpIiWHNLmqxMCZfV74k0Iwfb8MBS4IfLxZU79vUW5efMwxc7TO_GsVJrz_vVIj8/s2048/IMG_3994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZB7UAEOyDSmj3WvlKWVWF1m2-ZxJFrZpZxpQJ1wpSOCW0trwlnI8MMWZrb80R_lnqUlDyj3zGLX0QpIiWHNLmqxMCZfV74k0Iwfb8MBS4IfLxZU79vUW5efMwxc7TO_GsVJrz_vVIj8/s320/IMG_3994.jpg" /></a></div><p>I moved away and went many years without seeing her. But on a couple trips home we connected. She only met my kids twice:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzIgqnP8J-Rvf4eabWHnL5KCF-C_XccA51DIOMWFbkKkcbRKraEcNrdDwKVO3UBN95vJlXRhFA-mkpN7E3WKnPKcYTeFixD2dbHi9taBUW5SiBS87GsZgbdA1ujMls05tHwT8uPFE1L0/s1280/DSC08322.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzIgqnP8J-Rvf4eabWHnL5KCF-C_XccA51DIOMWFbkKkcbRKraEcNrdDwKVO3UBN95vJlXRhFA-mkpN7E3WKnPKcYTeFixD2dbHi9taBUW5SiBS87GsZgbdA1ujMls05tHwT8uPFE1L0/s320/DSC08322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When my first two were 1 and 3.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2MMZOTgd_suEqcOnhn-UJPRBah49y8X_GRPvtImRvKCwxZOCuxE_-e4ji3D74DTFG5u05jMNh3-EQsBQeafTUvC83SMdYDIWhTwBMcEzhIegeyZzWI7AFwckxXXgmTC3qu06vN5oixI/s1280/DSC08333.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2MMZOTgd_suEqcOnhn-UJPRBah49y8X_GRPvtImRvKCwxZOCuxE_-e4ji3D74DTFG5u05jMNh3-EQsBQeafTUvC83SMdYDIWhTwBMcEzhIegeyZzWI7AFwckxXXgmTC3qu06vN5oixI/s320/DSC08333.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DHWeBVFYvqN7U1xpPcOPNPR7GdojpndvJMkCNaMiAWmtxJgGjS9XXW_SEoHxwF53YQc1qyokytthWvzBKAMEulOzTA_0Osg_QEtj0XMfpKzjndGQldKW8OE-n3qL61eXE2wkNRo9NnI/s1280/DSC08335.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DHWeBVFYvqN7U1xpPcOPNPR7GdojpndvJMkCNaMiAWmtxJgGjS9XXW_SEoHxwF53YQc1qyokytthWvzBKAMEulOzTA_0Osg_QEtj0XMfpKzjndGQldKW8OE-n3qL61eXE2wkNRo9NnI/s320/DSC08335.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The last time I saw her in person was in 2015 when we had a BBQ at my cousin's house. This was the only time she met Colin who was 5 at the time. (We haven't been to my hometown since Nov.2017.) She scolded me teasingly for taking her picture but I told her to never mind, it wasn't for her anyway. Glad I have it!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWP0wnhLUn1zsPdNGoshRRmqaaNhXa1CZuSNqdAE6rMPh7YYFD1xaqMg2tim3K77hD-HGwOYT9nqnW4epYDZJME9GJGjnPTBlFLcNfU8kwXWov9e7hog83jsy8FrtVKveaL8imGhkGHA/s6016/Bunny+july+2015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWP0wnhLUn1zsPdNGoshRRmqaaNhXa1CZuSNqdAE6rMPh7YYFD1xaqMg2tim3K77hD-HGwOYT9nqnW4epYDZJME9GJGjnPTBlFLcNfU8kwXWov9e7hog83jsy8FrtVKveaL8imGhkGHA/s320/Bunny+july+2015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The last time I saw her was at Christmas via video on Facebook Messenger when my cousin called me and Bunny was there. I am so glad he took the time to call me then and I had those moments of laying eyes on her.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's really hard to not be with family during these hard days.... to give hugs... to reminisce together. I am comforted to know that she knows the Lord and we will be reunited in Heaven one day. Til then she is hanging out with her parents and brother, surely celebrating their reunion.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my mind, I will always picture her with this smile.... (This was taken at my cousin's wedding as she watched his bride walk down the aisle.)</div><div><br /></div><div>{And I can't see Garfield without thinking of her.}</div><div><br /></div><div>Til we meet again.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2SA6g_CPaKmUPU87FCSoJoDuC0YAgQp2y5H_wk5OvsmmXRnfOBmlFDIB_dB5214cgLpPbqdr-3-LLIXgTGF_O53a2gjmn-6XEyxx7CjT0y6YOeC-vlh2KU38t2gb10sRYJ9RkwyIc9Y/s1452/Bunny+wedding.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="981" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2SA6g_CPaKmUPU87FCSoJoDuC0YAgQp2y5H_wk5OvsmmXRnfOBmlFDIB_dB5214cgLpPbqdr-3-LLIXgTGF_O53a2gjmn-6XEyxx7CjT0y6YOeC-vlh2KU38t2gb10sRYJ9RkwyIc9Y/s320/Bunny+wedding.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><h1 style="background-color: white; color: #001489; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1; margin: 0.67em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Obituary of Assunta "Bunny" (Melanson) Patterson</h1><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;">It is with great sadness that the family of Assunta “Bunny” C. Patterson (Melanson) announces her passing which occurred on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born December 18, 1950, in Saint John, NB, she was a daughter of the late James and Vera (Robichaud) Melanson.</p><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;"> </p><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Bunny worked as an RN at CentraCare and the General Hospital until her retirement. She was a member of the women’s axillary for 50 years having served as former President of #2 Branch which is now #64 Branch. She had received a Palm Leaf badge for her service there. Bunny was a devoted mother to Richard and Jason, and she adored her grandchildren. A staunch Christian, she was always fun-loving, always looked at the bright side of things, always went out of her way to help others in need, and she was loyal to her family who she loved so dearly.</p><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;"> </p><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;">She is survived by her two sons, Richard Patterson (Cynthia) and Jason Patterson (Amber); sister, Geralda “Gerry” Stevens (Frank); brother, James “Jay” Melanson (Pamela); sister-in-law, Debbie Melanson; eight grandchildren, Skylar Patterson, Samantha Patterson, Reilly Patterson, Noah Herbert, Emma Herbert, Tanika Bourgoine, Frankie Goguen, Samantha Dean; great-grandson, Ralph Whittaker; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.</p><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;"> </p><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;">In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Richard D. Patterson, and her brother, Bernard “Bernie” Melanson.</p><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><br /></p><p class="Body" style="background-color: white; font-family: Rubik, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Copied from: </p></div><div><a href="https://paradiserow.brenansfh.com/tribute/details/24821/Assunta-Bunny-Melanson-Patterson/obituary.html#tribute-start">Obituary of Assunta "Bunny" (Melanson) Patterson | Brenan's Paradis... (brenansfh.com)</a></div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-56344505275067577602020-05-14T21:01:00.001-04:002020-05-14T21:03:33.734-04:00Endurance<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">
I read a good blurb on endurance (as it relates to parenting and posted below for your reading pleasure)... and man is it applicable to me at this point in my life.</div>
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When my kids were little I was so good at doing a lot with them. But now they are older and I don't have to keep them alive or worry about their safety every minute, not so much. Long gone are the days of the panic that settles in when there is nothing but silence!</div>
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In fact the silence and being left alone is quite welcoming, not gonna lie. (Hang in there mamas of young ones, your time will come!)</div>
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Kids have their hobbies and each other. Mama can do her own thing now. Youngest is 10. It's nice.</div>
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But what this devotional reminded me is that we are NOT to disengage our kids just because they are older and out of hair. If anything, this is the time we need to push for connection. They still need direction, coaching and wisdom spoken into their lives.</div>
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We've been in quarantine for over 60 days now. Kids have been doing school and keeping in touch with their teachers through computers. They're on them for entertainment too. We watch a lot of TV. We have Netflix, Hulu, Prime, Disney+ and RightNow Media, never mind YouTube on our smart TV. </div>
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<b>But I'm convicted. </b> </div>
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I miss spending time with my kids. Now that we don't go anywhere together we aren't hanging out like we did before. We used to eat out regularly before and explore Arizona, (where we moved 2 years ago). </div>
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And they need me. It's not time to thrown in the towel.<br />
And I need them. I'll be an empty nester before I know it!</div>
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We as parents need to endure and persevere and show up. </div>
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They are worth it and it's what we are called to do.</div>
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Even if they roll their eyes at us, right?</div>
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Page 28 Bible Promises for Moms by Heidi St. John</div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for swinging by,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary</span><br />
<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-39540548679423696592019-11-14T10:44:00.002-05:002019-11-14T15:13:15.916-05:00Being Fake on Facebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hi everyone!</span></div>
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I haven't posted in quite some time but what's funny is that I have searched through my archives to share posts with people every now and again. I love what a treasure of memories this online journal has become for me, never mind the fact that I love to write (aka brain dump). </div>
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Every now and again I get ideas for a post and let the moment pass but today I was rather inspired. I wanted to share about one of my favorite topics... <b><span style="font-size: large;">social media</span></b>! ha! People have strong opinions about it don't they? ...Don't you? I hear people complain a lot about Facebook and how "<b>fake</b>" people are. How people make their lives look so much better than everyone else's. After a quick Google search I found these "funny" ecards. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6yTl_2pnatZcq6Qj78YeCpk6AygzoNGWTXXs4k67MvUmFUwBIbgWHlAJhbuxHrF47E_uuSJOg1j_UYEEWKaxXQFjH7jlN0FxDBEQTlsV2a-LeMWX-_WqfQQbJ9NVIvDAzKZkyS09_PE/s1600/fb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6yTl_2pnatZcq6Qj78YeCpk6AygzoNGWTXXs4k67MvUmFUwBIbgWHlAJhbuxHrF47E_uuSJOg1j_UYEEWKaxXQFjH7jlN0FxDBEQTlsV2a-LeMWX-_WqfQQbJ9NVIvDAzKZkyS09_PE/s1600/fb1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCX2DhXrx5W-znp6VneSxAKNqUxBccF7Dp3_XzorBDHgYbkHoBwUAPyYPJx9RQ9OxMbcqHmxwxY0Qm5uVTKJZ34JTCNiv1JVZmzeq1PjMvbCZv3lN-WuRa4xkoHqgT6bjA45oDACwipw/s1600/fb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCX2DhXrx5W-znp6VneSxAKNqUxBccF7Dp3_XzorBDHgYbkHoBwUAPyYPJx9RQ9OxMbcqHmxwxY0Qm5uVTKJZ34JTCNiv1JVZmzeq1PjMvbCZv3lN-WuRa4xkoHqgT6bjA45oDACwipw/s1600/fb2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>What do you think about that?</i><br />
<i>How do you think you're perceived on Facebook?</i><br />
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On Facebook, I recently shared this beautiful picture of a rose from my front yard. I moved to Arizona last year and the change in climate and what grows at different times of year still amazes me. It's mid-November...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjgDAmwQQ1UfrtKtHi-nrkX4v6-r64K0udzgO-zU5bD886Vse82Qvpz1ygdk4JulRO1onpjiwHJfCA9MrEKzu7OBiwTvtb4WpEtCyuAdfuV_zLcaCdxeVr5K5pOX4bCyn1vdSpJaW2LA/s1600/rose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjgDAmwQQ1UfrtKtHi-nrkX4v6-r64K0udzgO-zU5bD886Vse82Qvpz1ygdk4JulRO1onpjiwHJfCA9MrEKzu7OBiwTvtb4WpEtCyuAdfuV_zLcaCdxeVr5K5pOX4bCyn1vdSpJaW2LA/s320/rose2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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What was interesting is that someone commented on my picture and said how healthy it looked. And it make me realize that by my posting that zoomed in rose, I misrepresented reality. I mean look at the bush zoomed out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg-SrsMAEvOmV4woX1aRwi1yX4wj33QwLMgwldp7C_Xx9szxLPHoGvfuwSEbu3NH-Z7cmIbKyyyTN6cOEDeGs6DzzAr4SKz73y42WVMNg11c_2WFLMlh1pyTMo7tQdVmCCDYg-Zi3RRo/s1600/rose3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg-SrsMAEvOmV4woX1aRwi1yX4wj33QwLMgwldp7C_Xx9szxLPHoGvfuwSEbu3NH-Z7cmIbKyyyTN6cOEDeGs6DzzAr4SKz73y42WVMNg11c_2WFLMlh1pyTMo7tQdVmCCDYg-Zi3RRo/s320/rose3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Far from healthy! Dead blooms all over. It needs to be pruned desperately. I have no knowledge on how to do this so have to google it and it's low on my list priorities right now.<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>But that wasn't why I posted it. I didn't post it to pretend to be an amazing gardener. I posted it because I admire the absolutely gorgeous bloom on such an overgrown mess! I appreciate beauty. </b></span><b style="color: #e06666;">Does that make me fake?</b><br />
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It got me thinking about all my other posts. I do a lot with my family. We love exploring and doing things together, especially living in a new part of the country.<br />
But what I DO is not how I FEEL.<br />
I'm not posting my feelings all over Facebook.<br />
I save those for those who take time to talk to me in real life. {Or those who read my blog. *wink*}<br />
Why do we as a society think that people are being fake when they share things they do?<br />
Or why would people think that people like me are trying to be better than everyone by posting pictures of our adventures?<br />
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Anyway, that rose bush is pretty symbolic of my life right now. My kids are 14, 12 and 9... nuff said - ha! I have been away from home in the Northeast for a year and a half. I miss my besties more than ever. I haven't been to my hometown in 2 years and miss family more than you could know. My husband works shift work so I'm a single mom a lot. I have culture shock. I've had some minor medical issues. And the list goes on.... BUT I choose to focus on the ONE GORGEOUS bloom in my overgrown garden of life. It's Jesus. The one consistent, beautiful, steadfast, loving, never-changing, wise, example for me Jesus. Like the rose's aroma drifts beyond the bloom, His love spreads over my life. Through Him, I can see and appreciate the new friendships, my cozy home, the time we do have together as a family among other blessing blooms. This doesn't make me fake; it makes me grateful.<br />
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So there ya go. Perhaps a reality check for the insecure. Facebook isn't necessarily people being fake. It's people sharing what they're <b><span style="font-size: large;">doing</span></b>. If you want to get to know what they're <b><span style="font-size: large;">feeling</span></b>, call, get together and TALK. The only fake thing I see is people who never reach out but call you a friend.<br />
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Thanks for swinging by,<br />
MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-26501026635491277992019-01-07T20:15:00.003-05:002019-01-07T22:09:03.075-05:00My inspiring great-great aunt Grace Wilson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On January 5th, my great-great Aunt Grace passed away. She was 100! The last time I saw her was at my cousin's wedding in October 2014. Here she is with me, her brother Warren, my mom and my kids:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNiC4Q1YRtMszZ_zluW4st_m9ie_ODbceJEcKGJ4qlDZl-yYfnsMrFrOkeL_1BemghxLkiNMg59wmYxp360w5WUKB0Wkzx9RVZkbaeajr3nVpSZJGRPEEQ5cYYkPzhwxMVPx1qrnvFPI/s1600/010719+grace+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNiC4Q1YRtMszZ_zluW4st_m9ie_ODbceJEcKGJ4qlDZl-yYfnsMrFrOkeL_1BemghxLkiNMg59wmYxp360w5WUKB0Wkzx9RVZkbaeajr3nVpSZJGRPEEQ5cYYkPzhwxMVPx1qrnvFPI/s400/010719+grace+pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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She was my grandmother's aunt and sister to my great-grandfather who I blogged about <a href="https://aproductiveendeavor.blogspot.com/2008/10/in-memory-of-my-great-grandfather.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<b>I was named after her. (Mary Grace) </b></div>
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And she is the one who planted the seed for my love of cards, stickers & sending love in the mail.</div>
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Every year I would check my mailbox the week before my birthday because she always sent me a card. I always got excited because that card was an indicator that my birthday was really coming! The envelope had stickers on it and was festive plus there was money in that card. Nowadays, I really love stickers and love to decorate envelopes too - passing it on! I remember how it felt to see that envelope! Definitely a happy memory to think about. </div>
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(I might still have my childhood sticker book. And I might still have stickers she sent me.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJlCUUg9ksGwsHQoJ1ng755-efReKpTUB6LQOQHDotNPQ7lNAusDpA-X0OwUu7sWONpz079-79zg7GSmEDqXObqnkPEH6jUj0vfaf5yBJx0936x0boLW_V4eJI9G8HqJRXAG0g6V-ahk/s1600/010719+stickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJlCUUg9ksGwsHQoJ1ng755-efReKpTUB6LQOQHDotNPQ7lNAusDpA-X0OwUu7sWONpz079-79zg7GSmEDqXObqnkPEH6jUj0vfaf5yBJx0936x0boLW_V4eJI9G8HqJRXAG0g6V-ahk/s320/010719+stickers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am sentimental about SOME things! #packrat</td></tr>
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The other thing that was great about Grace is that she'd take the time to write a note in her cards, often writing on the back. I always appreciated the extra time she took to do that. I want to share one here for anyone who knew her... she mentions her brother, and her husband Stan in this note who passed away years prior. She had no kids. (Marlene is my grandmother who will be 80 next month.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06ZNmXkLmA55X2wMuRseI4UvLunSPWmKYpXgVc0uOIR2Ke6Kymsg6srPjuui_c38gL0gXZn0ASKd2hyXTD5m0xuje5O1FZggv7rpF6eKtYBkuILi0AA1vLB9S4FJNq1zfBD21_5L_sXE/s1600/Grace+1.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06ZNmXkLmA55X2wMuRseI4UvLunSPWmKYpXgVc0uOIR2Ke6Kymsg6srPjuui_c38gL0gXZn0ASKd2hyXTD5m0xuje5O1FZggv7rpF6eKtYBkuILi0AA1vLB9S4FJNq1zfBD21_5L_sXE/s640/Grace+1.tif" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have moved a lot and got rid of many cards and notes but did save these two. I suspect they were the last she sent me. Above was a birthday card. In 2010, I had my third child and sent her a birth announcement. She replied and told me about moving into the assisted living facility where she lived til her last day. I love that she played the piano and seemed so grateful for her care!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-qD0xs9LpUUzT9opdoE-wZLhC5rvepAkCOmAXIJ1kEGxFfYqSQ0y6H63KNhDbJMj5ZkVwK6tKcgC33Su-Z7C3j3osCoTBsoUCIZ1V1qR5NtCe7dBEgh4nwrAHO2BusvO4inLkxfeTF8/s1600/Grace+2.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="875" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-qD0xs9LpUUzT9opdoE-wZLhC5rvepAkCOmAXIJ1kEGxFfYqSQ0y6H63KNhDbJMj5ZkVwK6tKcgC33Su-Z7C3j3osCoTBsoUCIZ1V1qR5NtCe7dBEgh4nwrAHO2BusvO4inLkxfeTF8/s640/Grace+2.tif" width="434" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDc0WknsKgGI6oj8xjEjazqYHAk_G9LwYN6ErPRJzm-ngLDfo0XL4qC8mB9xIJqBZ7_ac5sDcTWetlz99pCs1C2g3Fee5xWZUyMWuWqY-1XCOYZDShyewtasR-0Zw74OR81HxrVQPx8s/s1600/Grace+3.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="873" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDc0WknsKgGI6oj8xjEjazqYHAk_G9LwYN6ErPRJzm-ngLDfo0XL4qC8mB9xIJqBZ7_ac5sDcTWetlz99pCs1C2g3Fee5xWZUyMWuWqY-1XCOYZDShyewtasR-0Zw74OR81HxrVQPx8s/s640/Grace+3.tif" width="446" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdJQvVNsqKHkCsPYFq3cAM5NQ-wEQ3J2WImntbwcKScH0mP2bIYD09OpBxbDeqcMgEcnI-7WqgL9iXBKzpzmve77__jIMGdk-lD9E-SelKNphI6Y2whl6j_7ke9Nd2Hlbk6guFvaZLxo/s1600/Grace+4.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="837" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdJQvVNsqKHkCsPYFq3cAM5NQ-wEQ3J2WImntbwcKScH0mP2bIYD09OpBxbDeqcMgEcnI-7WqgL9iXBKzpzmve77__jIMGdk-lD9E-SelKNphI6Y2whl6j_7ke9Nd2Hlbk6guFvaZLxo/s400/Grace+4.tif" width="270" /></a></div>
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I left my hometown when I was 15 and was never really close to Grace but I just love who she was and always wished I spent more time with her. She was thoughtful, kindhearted and oh so chatty! I'm so glad that I was able to receive a little piece of her generosity through her cards. And I love that we share the love of them and writing notes. </div>
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She lived life well to the end. She will be missed. Here is her obituary from the Telegraph Journal:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdAQjabEnct0n-TeRTPUr0mEgrGSsMa7sRr9oJ00IIHNF7v1ZpLBp3E_PMItmOA3QI8qUP5P8aXeYqLbXkeD7NkEUd3Jx0P3p-T02MGWaEWFT3g6QxWCm-lbTimNwsMhA1ptH-QAXw1A/s1600/010719+grace+obituary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdAQjabEnct0n-TeRTPUr0mEgrGSsMa7sRr9oJ00IIHNF7v1ZpLBp3E_PMItmOA3QI8qUP5P8aXeYqLbXkeD7NkEUd3Jx0P3p-T02MGWaEWFT3g6QxWCm-lbTimNwsMhA1ptH-QAXw1A/s640/010719+grace+obituary.JPG" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://obituaries.telegraphjournal.com/book-of-memories/3691958/grace-wilson/obituary.php" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Thanks for swinging by,<br />
<div>
Mary<br />
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Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-33103058583420782212018-11-26T21:55:00.003-05:002018-11-26T21:55:55.991-05:00Christmas stressing you out?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I listened to a really great Podcast I wanted to pass on called Loving My Actual Christmas with Alexandra Kuykendall. It was on the Focus On The Family broadcast. Here is the link:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/relishing-the-christmas-season">https://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/relishing-the-christmas-season</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This
is an excellent Podcast to listen to if you are stressed about Christmas in any
way at all!</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I definitely related to the
guest, author Alexandra Kuykendall because there have been years that I too
have been anxious to the point of being resentful.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As she says, we
women are often the </span>orchestrators<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> of the holiday and our task lists are
lengthy.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This conversation was filled
with great insight and reminders to shift my focus back to what is good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">My
first take-away was that Christmas is messy and imperfect and it was that way
since the day Jesus was born!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary
probably didn’t want to travel pregnant or give birth in a barn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em></div>
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Alexandra:<i> “So Christmas entered humanity’s story when things weren’t
perfect. And the holiday enters our lives every year when life isn’t perfect.”</i><span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">My
second take-away is that Christmas accentuates the struggles of our lives that we feel all year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we’re lonely, we’re lonelier at
Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If money is tight all year,
it’s even more so at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family
struggles peak during the holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
think that perspective was something so good to point out! <o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">They
talked about expectations and opinions (including the kids’) and traditions and
how we want them to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wrote a book
where she looks at hope, love, joy and peace and what those words really mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are often just words decorated on pillows
but they have a deep meaning especially this time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a really thought-provoking
conversation and I would encourage you to listen to it (and probably read the book if this all hits a nerve.)<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Here
is the last bit I really liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather
than risk losing its meaning with my paraphrase, here is what Alexandra said:<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alexandra:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well,
the good news is that we have good news, right? So the Christmas story is God
entering in the middle of grief. He enters the world for us, especially for us
that are grieving. He came for the brokenhearted. He didn’t come for the people
who already had a joy-filled heart. He came for the brokenhearted. So that - if
you think about the characters in the Christmas story, there was a lot of grief
in there, a lot of disappointment, a lot of unmet expectations…”<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">And
later she says: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You know, this is a crazy time for me, too. I’ve got all
the same to-do lists that you do. But I am living under this umbrella of peace
because my heart knows that I am loved and because I remember that the reason
we do this whole crazy making in the first place is because God changed the
trajectory of humanity when He stepped on to Earth as a baby, and we celebrate
that now. And that is what gives me peace, even though I’ve got a lot of
wrapping still to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thrilled to learn that she also has a Podcast called "Open Door Sisterhood". I subscribed to it because I like how she words and packages things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anywho... just wanted to pass this on in case anyone else is feel anxious about the upcoming holiday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for swinging by,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mary</span></div>
Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-17639104562818925542018-09-27T01:12:00.000-04:002018-09-27T01:12:48.828-04:00Roses and thorns<br />
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I’ve been attending a moms group and we played Rose and
Thorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a game where you share
something good and something bad from your week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really liked that idea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great to share a little good and get a little
real too about the hard parts of the week.<br />
I am also attending a weekly bible study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re studying 2 Corinthians and today in chapter 12, we read where Paul
talks about having a thorn in his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
With roses on my mind, it got me thinking how they are a good representation
for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all live among a garden of roses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days we dwell
on the thorns and are sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days the
thorns prick us and we bleed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days
we see the buds of hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And other days
the bloom is open and fragrant. <br />
I think we need to be careful to not get too down because of the thorns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be hard to not focus solely on them,
especially when we’ve been hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
hard to look up and see the soft petals that bring us so much joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
To add… we receive flowers from people as a way to know they love us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blooms sooth our souls and brighten our day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roses are a gift, even with their thorns attached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see the whole of them and they’re
beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think our lives are like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gift from God even when painful
and we get hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Roses are the most romantic and well known flower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just think about the occasions we give them…
The ones where people’s love are at an all-time high… proposals, weddings,
Valentine’s Day yet they are the ones that hurt us if we don’t handle them
carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Same with our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll hurt us too if we don’t handle things
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we dwell on the negative, play
victim and sit in our misery.<br />
So today I’m thinking about my rose and thorn of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be sure to always think about both
parts and not just the thorns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My prayer
this week is that I’d focus on the big picture of what’s going on in my life
and not get hung up on the snags or thorns that can really frustrate me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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haha... I want to stop and "smell the roses". </div>
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How about you? What are your rose and thorns this week? </div>
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Thanks for swinging by,<br />Mary</div>
<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-1772094382498724542018-08-07T15:02:00.000-04:002018-08-07T15:02:09.185-04:00Book Review: The Magnolia Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
When I stayed in a hotel for a month I had cable (what a treat!) and watched <b>Fixer Upper</b> for the first time. Oh my word, I love that show! I never saw a designer whose style I liked more than Joanna Gaines! And her clothes! Oh wow… love her look too. I might have recently bought new sandals with her in mind! Ya... and posted it on Instagram! #dork<br />
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<br />
I recently read <b>The Magnolia Story</b> and love them even more! The book is written by Joanna with add ins by Chip. It was a fun book to read, so much so that I read it in a few hours one day. <br />
<br />
The way these two interact is fun. Chip, who has big ideas reminds me of my husband. Her “go with the flow” attitude is one I admire and envy. I really want to be more like her when I grow up!<br />
<br />
<i>(I realize I am waaaay behind the times since they wrapped up the series and most people are watching reruns, but hey… I’m a little slow sometimes and newly obsessed!)</i><br />
<br />
If you’re looking for a fun read and you are a fan of their work, then definitely check it out. Thanks Kim for the recommendation!<br />
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Thanks for swinging by,</div>
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Mary</div>
Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-86845021936885016672018-07-26T16:14:00.001-04:002018-07-26T16:14:12.932-04:00Book review: Present over Perfect<br />
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I recently finished reading Present over Perfect by Shauna
Niequist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her story is quite different
from my own but I enjoyed the book and got some nuggets from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked away with some things to think about
as I settle in the southwest after moving cross-country… and before getting involved
in too much again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She was a very busy woman with a full schedule and ended up
getting physically sick from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My situation</span> wasn’t
that severe but at some point a few years ago, I recognized that I too had too
many commitments outside my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
left me with little white space on my calendar so I purposefully stepped back
and slowed down to focus on my home and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What this book brought to my attention is that while I slowed down, I
stayed task-oriented and didn’t shift my attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let my lengthy to-do list overwhelm me and
I didn’t find ways to get alone time to recharge, even though my overall schedule
was better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shauna said:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I felt that in many
ways I was making good progress, inching toward a life marked more by presence
and connection and less by exhaustion and competition. But this vein of inner
darkness remained. If anything, maybe it became more visible once I slowed down
a little.” P.68</span></i></blockquote>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes that sounded familiar!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She wrote about how she used to believe in the power of silliness until
she became responsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahhh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That made a lot of sense to me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am often focused so much on what needs to get
done that I forget to have fun in the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When my kids were smaller it was easy to be silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d turn music on and dance but now that
they are older, it’s different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re more serious and self-conscious and they’re a tougher audience to
perform for!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My biggest take away is to remember to be goofy and laugh more
often!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss my silly side and my husband
always says, “A happy wife is a happy life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully my kids won’t get eyeball damage rolling their eyes at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Moving is great for fresh starts!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks for swinging by,<br />
Mary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-79484150212322779472018-07-19T18:08:00.001-04:002018-07-19T18:08:40.038-04:00Traveling Cross Country<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Heeeey!!! It’s been 2
months since we left Connecticut and I have my computer set up again and wanted
to share about our crazy road trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
me just say that is it so.much.easier to travel with older kids!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did make travel binders for 2 kids who
wanted them, but they entertained themselves with gadgets and movies most of
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only issue with this trip was
that my husband and I each drove a vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish we were together to talk and point stuff out but thankfully we
had radios!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They proved very useful
because we drove through many areas that didn’t have cell service! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
We left our home of 8.5 years in CT on May 26.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Here's our last picture together in front of our house before we left. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
drove through NY, PA, OH, WI, IN landing in North Dakota 3 days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a bee line for the state and didn't stop to explore because my
husband had to report for training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did
stay in hotels with pools so the kids got swim time and that was nice. And it was neat to see the landscape change as we drove east to west.</span></div>
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We were in ND for almost month and we enjoyed the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was beautiful although we lived
through a tornado warning one night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
sirens went off and the sky looked scary!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Alerts popped up on TVs and cellphones. Reminded me of our time living in the South! Eeek!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Overall our time there was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We explored playgrounds, met friends in the hotel, swam, joined a
fitness center that had an indoor water park complete with water slides, went
to the library, shopped, hiked and enjoyed wifi and cable TV in the hotel! It was a relaxing time for me and the kids although my husband was working!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When we left
ND to travel to our new home in Arizona near Tuscon, we took the scenic route
and made that our vacation.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Day 1: <span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">We were on the road about 13hrs! We
drove from northeast ND to southwest SD. The scenery was flat til SD and it
turned to rolling hills with crops and cows. Even saw three gorgeous horses
galloping. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We drove through rain with lightning and that was cool to see off in
the distance before we hit it. We drove thru the Badlands and it was beautiful!
The lighting was amazing after the storm combined with the glow of pre-dusk.
And then the sky at sunset - oh wow so mesmerizing! We saw a bunny, deer and bison too! It was sooooo
awesome and breathtaking!!! </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God’s creation is aaaaaazing!!! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We pulled
over multiple times to walk around and take pictures.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’ve never been but it reminded me of a
little Grand Canyon.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The rocks were
beautiful and so different from anything we’d seen on the East Coast.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Day 2: We saw Mount
Rushmore.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">They didn’t allow dogs in the park so we
left ours in the van in a shaded parking garage.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We were there early enough that it was still
cool too.)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We didn’t stay long because it
was sooooo crowded.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We were there no
more than 30 minute just to lay eyes on it and take pictures.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The area was done up well for vacationers
though and there was lots to do. I can see why people travel there.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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We drove through the Black Hills and it was like the setting of a fairy
tale!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the trees and forest
floor! </span></div>
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We saw the Crazy Horse monument (what a goal – look it up if you don’t know
about it!) and although there was a museum we didn’t stay long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It was hot by this point and we had the
dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took turns as a family going
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very thankful that as a
military family we had a free National Parks pass, otherwise those quick stops would have been
costly!</span></div>
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We drove through beautiful landscapes through SD into Wyoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw snow on the ground and had to stop to
take a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I couldn’t believe
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turned out it was hail from a storm
that passed though earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We felt like
we were on a different planet at times!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just so vast and you could see for miles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was incredible!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On Day 3 we
were on the road from WY to Moab, UT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t know anything about this area but my husband researched and planned our
whole trip and I learned lots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove through Colorado
but didn’t stop… just appreciated the Rockies on our drive through the ever
changing landscape!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (This country is huuuuge!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On this day we
checked into our hotel early, leaving the dog there in his crate so we could
explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had an awesome supper at a
sit down restaurant (which we avoided to this point because of the dog).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And again, dogs were not allowed in the
Arches National Park so leaving him in the hotel was a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove on the side of cliffs to get in and
out of the park and I was a nervous wreck staring forward the whole time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove so everyone else could look out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, the rocks were so beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were there until after sunset and were
amazed by all the scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
nothing like any of us had seen before!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it seemed impossible to capture event a fraction of it on camera!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G2ph9tn6Mid5aaMU8pRkojYJyETQL2phWJ0m9vCOo5zvWPU_gmOmKCaUGEX0zxyA5sEEjM73MWj6yVK6nh4WmSEz4OvSwBVPlvpKpZnIuwgB5PrwTZ_hL3rlje3hW1pFVEt5TosqF84/s1600/6200moab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G2ph9tn6Mid5aaMU8pRkojYJyETQL2phWJ0m9vCOo5zvWPU_gmOmKCaUGEX0zxyA5sEEjM73MWj6yVK6nh4WmSEz4OvSwBVPlvpKpZnIuwgB5PrwTZ_hL3rlje3hW1pFVEt5TosqF84/s320/6200moab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Day 4 was a
drive from UT to Northern Arizona.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
stopped to explore more in Moab before leaving.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Again so stunning!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87eyT3goPInGV7Hbg5j1D9fKkMTsvpLn2sd4aWR79hjparXgyCTQdqRD6l7fuvxDf8V5c9wdEqAvlUm4FNtPydjNvmWifMiQYaHQsp2SVjeTCBk8Q-yOg8CJ_1mfMXTzK_gBJkCD-dG0/s1600/6169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87eyT3goPInGV7Hbg5j1D9fKkMTsvpLn2sd4aWR79hjparXgyCTQdqRD6l7fuvxDf8V5c9wdEqAvlUm4FNtPydjNvmWifMiQYaHQsp2SVjeTCBk8Q-yOg8CJ_1mfMXTzK_gBJkCD-dG0/s320/6169.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When we got to
Flagstaff, we again left the dog in the hotel so we could eat and explore.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We ended up at a beautiful forest and walked
a trail.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It was a nice night and we enjoyed our time
together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7VfdqsYMO8-Y8A-7NWJ-ufuCG_jWm4V4-Ypeto7CkZjtwcJHEG3_4UEFY9-M5IfN45e7voDWYBCehOqe9aGfha2LInB4V_wJGIwE2gGeo3ef_MSGSQ0eywfcWvlRin8qQiC_Thg7yZ0/s1600/6228watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7VfdqsYMO8-Y8A-7NWJ-ufuCG_jWm4V4-Ypeto7CkZjtwcJHEG3_4UEFY9-M5IfN45e7voDWYBCehOqe9aGfha2LInB4V_wJGIwE2gGeo3ef_MSGSQ0eywfcWvlRin8qQiC_Thg7yZ0/s320/6228watermark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Day 5: We
drove through more of Arizona and arrived in our new town on June 26!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How funny… we left CT on May 26 so that was
exactly one month on the road!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very happy to not have to load and unload our cars anymore!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And we were excited to see bigger cacti and have a new place to explore. The landscape is soooo different from the Northeast!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNq1iRx1b_MdP50sTwSeMFvMczKJQOCVpp6PT83Ow6vl17chlCrZbQbvlJGqQcruOekMo_VQNGKrI4KFFKk6Byoplwc6uZ_NTcMe1R0SMZK0f2ux7OdWqc3_MMq7xcKhj5TxtfbZRFbM/s1600/6248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNq1iRx1b_MdP50sTwSeMFvMczKJQOCVpp6PT83Ow6vl17chlCrZbQbvlJGqQcruOekMo_VQNGKrI4KFFKk6Byoplwc6uZ_NTcMe1R0SMZK0f2ux7OdWqc3_MMq7xcKhj5TxtfbZRFbM/s320/6248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Our POD didn’t come til July 2 so we had
pretty much camped in our house til we got our household goods. It's mid-July now and we have most of the boxes unpacked but are still settling in. We've done a little exploring but it's the warmest time of year and expect to do more outdoor things when it cools some. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After driving about 51 hours and 3440 miles in a month, we're ok with relaxing a little too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thanks for swinging by and checking in about our trip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Happy July,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mary</span></div>
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<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-30815809852825376682018-05-10T14:28:00.003-04:002018-05-10T14:40:14.984-04:00Chill out As mentioned in a previous post, I am in the process of packing for a big cross-country move. I am packing all but the kitchen myself and purging all that we don't need along the way. It's been an emotional process for many reasons...<br />
<br />
Leaving the east coast and our family & friends.<br />
Parting with decor and "things" that have helped to make our house homey.<br />
Deciding what is financially wise to keep or buy again later (like beds).<br />
Keeping my house clean for showings.<br />
Having buyers back out and needing to show it again.<br />
Packing while deciding what to keep in the cars with us... always thinking many steps ahead.<br />
Still needing to homeschool a child.<br />
Still have 2 kids in Middle School with Spring concerts and projects. (Unpacking boxes a couple times looking for materials!)<br />
Keeping up with the laundry.<br />
And housework.<br />
And kids' messes AFTER doing housework.<br />
You know, normal life stuff on top of it all!<br />
<br />
All this to say that I have been very stressed out. For weeks. Well months actually. You know that feeling when you're holding back tears? I feel like that a lot. I've cried more in 2018 than the past decade and if you know me, you know I'm not a huge crier. To help reduce my stress, I've been learning to meditate. The "<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/calm/id571800810?mt=8" target="_blank">Calm</a>" app is where I started.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBtiB1KRp2DgbIsvu4UchmmEOdeo2VmaqdRPXLaF7lnb3rzpjSjoQV1plW9DpVlwWGrFLnZFUD4ukWjHszo6fW1-VaP3dzqfvVvIxnfqCqYD1QGwdB_S3XdaXGWj9aHKX3wl9CFN6Clw/s1600/300x0w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBtiB1KRp2DgbIsvu4UchmmEOdeo2VmaqdRPXLaF7lnb3rzpjSjoQV1plW9DpVlwWGrFLnZFUD4ukWjHszo6fW1-VaP3dzqfvVvIxnfqCqYD1QGwdB_S3XdaXGWj9aHKX3wl9CFN6Clw/s320/300x0w.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
I learned that meditation is not emptying your mind but instead focusing on the immediate here and now. Being present in the moment. With practice, one can become more resilient to stress and that's what I need! It actually retrains your mind to respond in a healthier, stable way. Oh to slow my brain down sounds amazing!<br />
<br />
So to add to all that my sister told me about a podcast from The <a href="https://www.mindfulmamamentor.com/" target="_blank">Mindful Mama Mentor</a> that she thought was interesting. After hearing about what she learned, I asked for the link to listen myself. My kids have really seen the worst in me the past couple months and I have a lot of regret about that so love a good parenting podcast. Here's the link:<br />
<a href="https://www.mindfulmamamentor.com/blog/love-more-care-less-118/">https://www.mindfulmamamentor.com/blog/love-more-care-less-118/</a><br />
<br />
It was exactly what I needed to hear! It's excellent for parents on a normal day but for me, now, where I am, it was very timely. My kids are still going through their normal selfish growth stuff even as I go through a very stressful time. They aren't going to be magically extra better behaved because Momma is on edge! So my response should be kinder. It shouldn't be one laced with venom as they've been. My big take away from the podcast was so simple that I made a phone screensaver:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRtSVfBy1lCLdY1X_8Yv1JbDtz2AbEBGWiTn8hAhnV8VwtoCNsWnlaW6MBL7Do2GJHtGryXqjfRu-M46kAhicHqX0ByoiIukfWJ_D1KJ0jIyOLa4w-fJQUVHoA9REfa6tJ0RAx8eNw8I/s1600/051018.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRtSVfBy1lCLdY1X_8Yv1JbDtz2AbEBGWiTn8hAhnV8VwtoCNsWnlaW6MBL7Do2GJHtGryXqjfRu-M46kAhicHqX0ByoiIukfWJ_D1KJ0jIyOLa4w-fJQUVHoA9REfa6tJ0RAx8eNw8I/s320/051018.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made by me for iPhone screensaver. <br />Feel free to use!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And in order to chill out, I need to spend more time being STILL and teach my brain to respond better. BE STILL & CHILL! ha! I think that as a Christian it's easy to pray and read your bible. Yes that helps but at some point we also have to do work to make the change happen. Just like reading cook books doesn't make you a great chef.... You have to get in the kitchen, test out flavors. Some days will be successful and other days a flop, but the end goal is to be a good chef so you keep going.<br />
<br />
The bible verse that keeps coming to mind is:<br />
<b>Be still and know that I am God. </b> <i>Psalm 46:10</i><br />
<br />
So that's where I am today.<br />
I have to be still. Meditate. Breathe. And be present.<br />
<br />
<i>(Oh and pack boxes too! haha!)</i><br />
<br />
Thanks for swinging by,<br />
Mary<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-62726590412745645542018-04-25T12:36:00.000-04:002018-04-25T12:36:00.085-04:00Moving Soon!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyjZWnHP4oEEH9LMcqzMaNoE86CqdLIDLiq5-Y-uzc_wLIkIvhPCHwBRUmeRYVfrp5fKDdFMrwGxX5o8zcRrFqhC088OatGShi6KUycV8VOKJz52qEFNaUh7jZjXjc-4m3-_CAY_3HYA/s1600/042518+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="771" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyjZWnHP4oEEH9LMcqzMaNoE86CqdLIDLiq5-Y-uzc_wLIkIvhPCHwBRUmeRYVfrp5fKDdFMrwGxX5o8zcRrFqhC088OatGShi6KUycV8VOKJz52qEFNaUh7jZjXjc-4m3-_CAY_3HYA/s320/042518+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="https://pixabay.com/" target="_blank">Photo from Picabay</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I am a month out from our departure. We are using a <a href="https://www.pods.com/" target="_blank">PODS</a> storage container since we don't know where we'll be living yet. They deliver it. We pack it. They take it away AND they can store it til we're ready to have it delivered. PODS has amazing customer service and recommended a company to help me with packing and loading. I'm packing the whole house myself except for the kitchen. I plan to use it til the day the container is loaded and thought paying them for my most delicate stuff would be wise. (I have gotten rid of tons of stuff but still hope it all fits!)<br />
<br />
I am also thinking about all that I want to bring with me for the road trip! We'll be taking a detour and exploring the Midwest before making our way to the Southwest. We are trying to focus on the adventure instead of what (and who) we are leaving, because honestly, it's hard to think about that! <br />
<br />
We have some serious travel plans ahead and I will be sharing our journey as we go. So my old mom blog is going to turn into a travel blog for awhile! Whoda thunk?<br />
<br />
Thanks for swinging by,<br />
Mary<br />
<br />
<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-38864042211520499782018-04-06T18:18:00.002-04:002018-04-06T18:18:27.133-04:00I miss bloggingThis might be the longest I've gone without writing.<br />
Honestly...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2yNHV3hDm-j-1_v94DNdVESQh5Za4QgvmtMPYueKY47wfMCnMB3wsTrrbr60BV2dwOuUdiB6ngyVMI3xUbig7Rh_aNXIFmCHMI9TrZrZvOUxPtmrIOH4iw6QJWSFRY8MEe8IvL0ng08/s1600/040618+miss+blogging+title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2yNHV3hDm-j-1_v94DNdVESQh5Za4QgvmtMPYueKY47wfMCnMB3wsTrrbr60BV2dwOuUdiB6ngyVMI3xUbig7Rh_aNXIFmCHMI9TrZrZvOUxPtmrIOH4iw6QJWSFRY8MEe8IvL0ng08/s320/040618+miss+blogging+title.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
I do. I miss it.<br />
And I have so much to say but my priorities have been elsewhere this past 6 months since my last writing.<br />
We are moving from New England to the Southwest. What?! Soooo this Canuck from the Maritimes in Eastern Canada can't believe the culture shock we're about to face.<br />
<br />
I'm prepping the house for sale.<br />
Purging our belongings to make the cross-country move easier.<br />
And hibernating as the winter won't let go.<br />
I'll be back.<br />
Soon.<br />
And with a new bloggy vision. <br />
(Thanks blogger for not removing my inactive blog!)<br />
See ya back here soon!<br />
MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-59870588498163498022017-10-26T22:23:00.001-04:002017-10-26T22:23:16.463-04:00Friendship for Grown-Ups<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwHILtV_gElhg8y4eNB7g60NTLIo-cLkN8wqBV3i4Dh59E85nFCbHggOm9J17Cpyjz1qDY3yhyeH5_mbptVGqXplfYGmDmkAWN9RxRBwuaNEwBezL6BQOGYMYLXFdHj3gVrtSwMlSEv0/s1600/102617+friendship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="960" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwHILtV_gElhg8y4eNB7g60NTLIo-cLkN8wqBV3i4Dh59E85nFCbHggOm9J17Cpyjz1qDY3yhyeH5_mbptVGqXplfYGmDmkAWN9RxRBwuaNEwBezL6BQOGYMYLXFdHj3gVrtSwMlSEv0/s400/102617+friendship.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">TURNING 40<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've had
a really hard year emotionally. I turned 40 in March and didn't get to celebrate as I
wanted. All I talked about doing for months, maybe even a couple years
prior, was going out dancing for my big 4-0. Instead I had a reality check… I
had no one to go dancing with…. Ok that
is little lie. I did have one friend who
was willing to go with me but she lives an hour and a half away and logistically
that wouldn’t have worked because of our kids and pets. But she offered. Instead I felt sorry for myself. Even though my husband took the day off work
and we spent the day eating out and shopping, a little dark cloud hung on my
heart. And even though my bestie and I got together for breakfast and she got a me a great t-shirt, it was my only gift and I felt sorry for myself. Oh cursed Facebook {and why I cut back} you gave me a little hurtful jab when I saw people getting together and doing anything fun, especially dancing or celebrating birthdays or posting their little collection of thoughtful gifts from people who care about them. Nothing like social media to feed your worst insecurities and hormonal moods!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>CHANGE IN FRIENDS</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Something in my life had
changed and I didn’t know why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I used to have a very
active social life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When you
and your friends start having families, it's fun getting together in those
early days for play dates and momma breaks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But as
the years go on, getting together with friends is harder. Never mind all
the kid activities, there is a shift that happens when kids age. They
want to hang out with their friends who may not be the children of YOUR
friends. Suddenly you find yourself only catching up at birthday parties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then you
stop inviting each other to those parties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And the
months pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And the
years pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And you
realize that you haven't spent any time recently with people who used to be so
important in your life and were fun to be around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Sound familiar?? I've
talked to a few people about this and I discovered that I'm not the only one
who feels this way about their friendships. There is a change for some as
their kids’ age. Not everyone has a tight-knit group that does life together.
<b>Some relationships were just meant to be a chapter of your life not a part of
your whole life. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been
challenging for me as I transitioned from one church to another.... As we've
gone from public school to homeschool back to public school and now
homeschooling one. With that I recognize and mourn the distance now between friends
from previous seasons: the MOPS group, the Military MOMS group, bible study
groups, preschool moms, homeschool co-op and field trip friends, old church
friends, etc. I used to do so much! I was busy and knew lots of people to do things with. <b>I used to bring my kids out and about; now
they bring me.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">THE BOOK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was
processing all this and got a box of give-aways from a friend which contained Lisa
Whelchel's book "Friendship for Grown-Ups". </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b55ay3FHtKpOnDGAcK2KsWapGL0R_2TxIeeHTn8frRVmBNIz2RmVChJmjl6uo34kd4QUdh77Gtn1kEr1IZUmCdMqMl6bps2x4lsTvAPi8WwJyUokbRFP_K9IZheYIqJuJsIuYzw1dEs/s1600/102617+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b55ay3FHtKpOnDGAcK2KsWapGL0R_2TxIeeHTn8frRVmBNIz2RmVChJmjl6uo34kd4QUdh77Gtn1kEr1IZUmCdMqMl6bps2x4lsTvAPi8WwJyUokbRFP_K9IZheYIqJuJsIuYzw1dEs/s320/102617+book.jpg" width="231" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It helped me to see some things that I need to work on, and in
other ways it simply encouraged me. My biggest take away is that I’m
needy, and that’s ok! I want to be
vulnerable with people and have deep friendships. That’s just how I am. So when those friendships seemingly end, I get sad sometimes. Part of this is tied into feeling
rejected and some of it is because I just miss certain people and their
companionship. Reading this book helped me understand what Lisa went through and how so many other woman go through these various seasons of friendship too. It's perfectly normal! *what a relief!* I am trying really hard to invest the time I do have into the people who give back. There are certain people that always reach out to me if they don't hear from me and vice versa. That's where I need to put my energy. Especially since I'm an </span>initiative<span style="font-family: inherit;"> taker and I appreciate when people reciprocate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">CONFESSION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's hard
to write this because I don't want to sound pathetic. I also
don’t want the people I know in real life to feel guilty, but I felt really led
to write this out. {I actually rewrote this whole
post because I knew I had to share this message instead of what I had planned.} I think there are a lot of people going
through a similar thing and I just wanted to put this out to say you are not
alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And I wanted to be a little transparent and share an update.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, if</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> you know me and are
local to me and want to read this book, you can have my copy. A friend
gave it to me and I'd like to pass it on. Please message me if interested!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for swinging by,<br />
Mary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-27641496685499667092017-09-15T13:45:00.002-04:002017-09-15T13:47:18.044-04:00Book recommendation: Love & LogicBack in the Spring our local elementary school hosted a seminar with this catchy flyer that got my attention!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1StcOw6Gta4w8PrWg9bWSObTnZM0Xco_oVNn-IipvP6pjMOGoAedz1XJxn7IG9AJdTZ8vhS69-j38_yw-vsPTPBnRuzm9MmeUGjhngCgMT0Pui8AX7obMk5hrK2WoYwD2iQJhamR_Z0/s1600/090917+love+logic+flyer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="737" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1StcOw6Gta4w8PrWg9bWSObTnZM0Xco_oVNn-IipvP6pjMOGoAedz1XJxn7IG9AJdTZ8vhS69-j38_yw-vsPTPBnRuzm9MmeUGjhngCgMT0Pui8AX7obMk5hrK2WoYwD2iQJhamR_Z0/s400/090917+love+logic+flyer.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Flyer posted on school website}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
LESS STRESS?! YES PLEASE! <br />
The seminar was based on the book Love & Logic which was on my "must read" list. I learned a lot that night and now am the happy owner of these two books. The original is orange and the green is for teens. {They also have one for preschoolers which was recommended at the seminar if you have younger kids.}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdridiXqMqnRQgJgDyuzviJOaVPHVCx8QGneQUg0MUJTdZIyw_Ot_SnWQgn_Noo0mdkCa0btJINV-O-N6_N5Db4efVzyQpLKV2b7s340QbSStPzkEDU2FTNm12UfwpM-vz1PuSbb4Dh8/s1600/091117+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdridiXqMqnRQgJgDyuzviJOaVPHVCx8QGneQUg0MUJTdZIyw_Ot_SnWQgn_Noo0mdkCa0btJINV-O-N6_N5Db4efVzyQpLKV2b7s340QbSStPzkEDU2FTNm12UfwpM-vz1PuSbb4Dh8/s320/091117+books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the teachers at the school read the original book and tested the concept in her classroom. After a year of success, she presented it to her team and now the whole preschool program uses it. The quick of it... It's all about having the kids make decisions and teaching them to be responsible for the consequences of their choices. <br />
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I love the concepts presented in the books! They introduced me to what's called "consultant style parenting". They wrote: "<i>As children grow, they move from being concrete thinkers to being abstract thinkers when they are teens. Children need thoughtful guidance and firm, enforceable limits. ..... Because of this important change in cognition, parents must adjust the way they parent to meet the needs of the new thought processes taking place in their adolescents. They step back a bit from being the enforcer of limits and let reasonable, real-world consequences do the teaching</i>." {Orange book, pg.27}<br />
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I really think that is why so many people butt heads with their teenagers! They try to make the kids do as they say and it doesn't work anymore. I know the teen years are full of emotions from hormones to growing in independence but I don't want to go through them battling every day. I really liked this book and it gave me lots of practical ideas as they outlined a bunch of scenarios. I have tons of tabs and plan to refer back to them! I'm so grateful for parenting books like these!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-20041353218534684442017-08-20T21:18:00.001-04:002017-08-20T21:18:28.097-04:00Schooling Changes<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we get ready for a new school year, we look forward to some changes! </span><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRc75Tf5QexxDoZtn3ul5ybyaKnWPXuYQtaCynXDkJS4oa14CLHlY2iFIxAoqGeE7G9UtgdRGYkYyNVmfUb7BgIVLYHTB5e9y3HntahlAuEKxWvTgP_CpKZZQ_44omtIscySseU24NHo/s1600/082017+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRc75Tf5QexxDoZtn3ul5ybyaKnWPXuYQtaCynXDkJS4oa14CLHlY2iFIxAoqGeE7G9UtgdRGYkYyNVmfUb7BgIVLYHTB5e9y3HntahlAuEKxWvTgP_CpKZZQ_44omtIscySseU24NHo/s320/082017+school.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our eldest, Vienna will be starting grade 7, our 10 year old Lance goes off to Middle School with his sister {eek.. it starts in grade 5 in our town!} and our youngest Colin will be staying at home with me for grade 2. He's been wanting to homeschool since last summer but we encouraged him to stay in public school especially since he had one of the best teachers ever imaginable last year. Even so, his desire to be at home with me remained. His sister was homeschooled for grades 2, 3 & 4 and Lance was homeschooled for K, 1 & 2. Colin was a toddler and preschooler at the time so he dove right in public school for kindergarten. He has been a great student in school so it's definitely not because he has had any problems. In fact, our elementary school is pretty darn awesome. But I'm keeping him home for a couple simple reasons.... We live in a country with many options and we can! I want more time with my baby! </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He never really had the chance the be at home with me and man does time fly! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other two were very supportive and both want to remain at their school. One actually said that this will be good for Colin because he doesn't remember all the things we used to do together. I look forward to the time I get to spend with him exploring and learning together. He doesn't remember the Children Museums we frequented and I want him to have time to create and play and use that big imagination he has. Thankfully, Middle School gets out at 2:20pm so I'll have all my kids home pretty early. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time flies and we continually pray for guidance while raising these kids. We are open-minded to homeschooling the others if that's what God leads us to do. We always try to do what is right for them but right now this is what we have in front of us. We are excited about the changes and I love the advice I heard.... Schooling decisions aren't permanent decisions. We take it year by year and this year is no exception.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To everyone getting ready for a new school year, good luck! I know there are so many emotions this time of year for parents and kids. Good bye my freedom! LOL! I shall look back at the past two years with fondness. haha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for swinging by,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mary</span></div>
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Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-83758919079193386632017-05-25T14:25:00.001-04:002017-05-31T15:52:34.296-04:00Family-friendly media optionsMy kids are 12, 10 & 7 so I am careful to limit what they are exposed to and keep things age appropriate. Here are some great resources if you are in the same boat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho5dvBCCPokuJUDdCEbRwkQMVCXAQAb_jZJg3FgfBPMdR_xvoiwPXMfI3tklXOiJb0tdDo3OTbQJBBKFbwz0SWv3a19LXaRaolsSsZXu-JOnfwrKkhT3KPqYlZwE-bTidD21P9pmvPCQ/s1600/052517+movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho5dvBCCPokuJUDdCEbRwkQMVCXAQAb_jZJg3FgfBPMdR_xvoiwPXMfI3tklXOiJb0tdDo3OTbQJBBKFbwz0SWv3a19LXaRaolsSsZXu-JOnfwrKkhT3KPqYlZwE-bTidD21P9pmvPCQ/s320/052517+movie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>NETFLIX</b><br />
Each child has their own profile. Within that, there are different levels of access they have.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsa6KGjBTJM50SYVRacPsPIwxUW95TDMttos7s3ISmR9pVfxBbtqByxrdJu8OKPRGgsbmMYO1-lbuXGuTjqB5b0dEy0tds56EzqixFB_gur6Ddu4FZDr4e7JFqENVsoNhrlcV-02i1J4/s1600/1+netflix+profiles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1041" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsa6KGjBTJM50SYVRacPsPIwxUW95TDMttos7s3ISmR9pVfxBbtqByxrdJu8OKPRGgsbmMYO1-lbuXGuTjqB5b0dEy0tds56EzqixFB_gur6Ddu4FZDr4e7JFqENVsoNhrlcV-02i1J4/s320/1+netflix+profiles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is my 12 year old's profile. She can view anything rated for teens and below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIPslzdWE3qiKa9ZEg0sK6rpzCl3zoN_BXM68RgKL63T1rvMXmeVeay_NdVe1BQKapnmYvoshtRQJX2k-gLhpqmbzR5j-RW2YzC-v_TiSGThB8bOVIyrrfwtY-fRPnCE6fCpThcEON5s/s1600/1+kids+profile.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="725" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIPslzdWE3qiKa9ZEg0sK6rpzCl3zoN_BXM68RgKL63T1rvMXmeVeay_NdVe1BQKapnmYvoshtRQJX2k-gLhpqmbzR5j-RW2YzC-v_TiSGThB8bOVIyrrfwtY-fRPnCE6fCpThcEON5s/s320/1+kids+profile.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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For added security, we have a passcode for anything rated R or above. <br />
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<b>PURE FLIX</b><br />
Another option is <a href="https://pureflix.com/home" target="_blank">Pure Flix</a>. It's a faith-based and/or family-friendly streaming service with a <a href="https://pureflix.com/home" target="_blank">wide variety of Christian movies</a>. I'm not going to lie... sometimes the acting is a little hit or miss but I really enjoy the messages of many of these shows. They offer a free month-long trial so it's worth checking out! We're doing the trial now and have enjoyed "Bear with Me" which was a good movie that all my kids liked, which is a rarity! My daughter and I watched "Touched by Grace" and it had a good message {I may or may not have cried}. She and I watched "Jig" which was about Irish dancing, following specific dancers and we liked that. The boys have watched VeggieTales. There are documentaries and lots of other options. I recommend taking a look using the trial! Can't go wrong with that!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TySrMkeFJ-SCsd7niDdVFoFOCc2R1em6Fvh46FRjmLFVoy_x8uveJSjOHZ3fqNGEwbcZXAZr7drzH5YDkySvTHiKf8G2Utwr4kz-wOzNCwt8LnBqqXsT_oHSX18Y6FrWJVbj5krTOpA/s1600/1pureflix.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="551" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TySrMkeFJ-SCsd7niDdVFoFOCc2R1em6Fvh46FRjmLFVoy_x8uveJSjOHZ3fqNGEwbcZXAZr7drzH5YDkySvTHiKf8G2Utwr4kz-wOzNCwt8LnBqqXsT_oHSX18Y6FrWJVbj5krTOpA/s320/1pureflix.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pureflix.com/home" target="_blank">Pure Flix</a></td></tr>
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<br />
<b>JELLY TELLY</b><br />
When my kids were younger, I used to subscribe to Jelly Telly which is produced by the creator of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer. It has any faith-based shows for little kids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhCylHqA-O0-G-FjftII0QTnDmzu3-nQMuTy8CDiRxduPBHm77FC8MypOCngMT7pNbzW26_pz8lzh95ng4l1QY5E446X8vo9PJmJvK0PeCsgbKRzWRIQvjVTGboGyDMN8F_HaXQQYZHI/s1600/1jellytelly.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1595" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhCylHqA-O0-G-FjftII0QTnDmzu3-nQMuTy8CDiRxduPBHm77FC8MypOCngMT7pNbzW26_pz8lzh95ng4l1QY5E446X8vo9PJmJvK0PeCsgbKRzWRIQvjVTGboGyDMN8F_HaXQQYZHI/s320/1jellytelly.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>PLUGGED IN</b><br />
Sometimes we have movie night and I love this resource! It's for movies, TV shows, books, music and games but I definitely use the movie info the most. I love that it gives a synopsis of the movie and outlines the various elements of concern. We each have our own convictions so you may not care about language but want to know about a movie's violence or sexuality content. The categories are clearly labeled in an easy to read format. They review new movies playing in theaters too so this is a very up-to-date resource.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFI6lHt7s3ne264qHOwu9cSsba8h4DnSw0QQDSiELVEgs_nUVyuMZJkBegGwvyRAN3gQiBoJJwaBclYECyRC2Tn1DQBE-hwKBOCEQHFnW0e7frF15RQWaXTmY9Fz1_KelZzT8xTBuSivY/s1600/1plugged+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="60" data-original-width="587" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFI6lHt7s3ne264qHOwu9cSsba8h4DnSw0QQDSiELVEgs_nUVyuMZJkBegGwvyRAN3gQiBoJJwaBclYECyRC2Tn1DQBE-hwKBOCEQHFnW0e7frF15RQWaXTmY9Fz1_KelZzT8xTBuSivY/s320/1plugged+in.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>INTERNET </b><br />
Sometimes the kids want to watch things on YouTube. I keep restricted mode on but even safer is "<a href="https://kids.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube Kids</a>" or even "<a href="http://www.godtube.com/" target="_blank">GodTube</a>". They have tons of video clips that kids love watching. Also on my computer, I have <a href="http://kiddle.com/">Kiddle.com</a> set as my home landing page. It's a kid safe search engine powered by Google.<br />
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I used to have filter on my computer but found it was too slow. If anyone has a recommendation on a great computer filter that'd work on a PC and apple gadgets, I am definitely interested. Or if anyone has other resources that are family-friendly, please leave a comment and let me know! I appreciate it. We can't be too careful when everything is just a click away!</div>
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♫<i> Be careful little eyes what you see. </i></div>
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<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" height="65" src="https://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-57764951625796547812017-04-18T22:18:00.001-04:002018-04-28T16:58:26.797-04:00What? Pregnant after vasectomy?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><b>THE BIG ONE</b><br />It's true! It happened! I <a href="http://aproductiveendeavor.blogspot.com/2012/01/pregnant-after-failed-vasectomy.html" target="_blank">blogged</a> about it 5 years ago and wanted to summarize some fun moments since then. So welcome to anyone visiting for the first time! </span><br />
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>TURNING 7</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This month is a special month! Our 3<sup>rd</sup> child who was conceived after a
"successful" vasectomy is turning 7! Say what?! Yes! I
got pregnant months after the procedure!
I never expected to be a mom of three especially after we “finalized”
things. As much as we joked about getting pregnant, we never thought it’d really happen! Number 1 and number
“done” we’d say referring to our daughter and son who were 4 and 2 at the time.
But God had other plans for our family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">PREGNANT AFTER
VASECTOMY</span></b></span></div>
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Jay had a vasectomy in January 2009 but I got pregnant months after getting the
“all clear” from his urologist. I was certain that his vas deferens
grew back. He went to his urologist in September 2009 to get retested
so we could fix the problem. The doctor called Jay to tell him that he
didn’t have any live sperm in his lab work. He did have one dead one but
a normal sample would have millions and he couldn't get someone pregnant {said
the doctor – ha!}. After my husband got off the phone and filled me in, I
called them right back and spoke to a nurse because I was utterly
confused! I wanted to know if Jay could get an ultrasound or something to
double check. She said it wouldn’t be necessary because the vasectomy was
a success based on the lab results. I asked why there'd be one dead
sperm? She responded that it probably got hung up somewhere. {How
does THAT get hung up for months?} I asked her what I was supposed to do
for birth control as I didn’t want to have kids til I hit menopause! Her
response was and I quote: “This sort of thing doesn’t happen unless
someone else is involved.” I was too shocked to reply. I was just
accused of infidelity! Again my kids were 4 and 2 and I had hardly any
energy for one man let alone two. That’s absurd! I didn’t need a
man for THAT! {I needed a personal chef or a housekeeper though!} Besides, my man is HOT!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">SECOND OPINION</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In March 2010, we went
to a different urologist for a second opinion. The lab results came back
and Jay had zero sperm in his lab work confirming that it definitely was a
“successful vasectomy”. *Insert blank stare* Ok seriously though...
why was I pregnant??? Most people get pregnant because they didn’t wait
for the all clear after the procedure or their vas deferens grew back... but neither
happened to us. Urologists say that vasectomies are 99.9% effective but
no one has ever collected our data so I question that statistic now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">DNA TEST<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I get that most people
reading this don’t know me and may think there must be another man and my
husband is a fool. Before we could tell this story, we decided to have
DNA testing done for credibility. Colin is indeed Jay’s son. {Now
he jokes that he’s not sure of the other two. Haha!} Thankfully our marriage was in a good place
and he chose to trust me even before the DNA test. I'm a very honest and direct person and he said that I had never
given him any reason in our history of marriage to doubt me.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">SINCE MY 1ST POST<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our son was born in
April 2010. I first blogged {<a href="http://aproductiveendeavor.blogspot.com/2012/01/pregnant-after-failed-vasectomy.html" target="_blank">here</a>} about being pregnant after a successful
vasectomy in January 2012. A reporter at the Huffington Post found it and
had me on Huff Post Live {<a href="http://aproductiveendeavor.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-huffpost-live-interview-recap.html" target="_blank">my recap here</a>} in August 2014. A producer for The Doctors saw
that clip and invited my husband and I out to Hollywood, CA to be on the
show. So off we went to share our story with the world which aired in
October 2014. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You can watch the clip {</span><a href="http://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos/pregnant-despite-vasectomy" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">}</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> but the last minute was cut from what actually
aired. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqZCTqq9YmeAYNpRYpNFGzZZvW93tGdiAVf6Tto67jBd9FI5COf1o_jGXtwwepQdxTSBGgq4O8TS-qmjYvmrUkoJW4Nvk9nefQyPxX4GLtDsKO-LXFBOCwp-ZXTZ5Fq4jV8t2eyLwOjo/s1600/DSC01382+us+w+docs+w+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqZCTqq9YmeAYNpRYpNFGzZZvW93tGdiAVf6Tto67jBd9FI5COf1o_jGXtwwepQdxTSBGgq4O8TS-qmjYvmrUkoJW4Nvk9nefQyPxX4GLtDsKO-LXFBOCwp-ZXTZ5Fq4jV8t2eyLwOjo/s320/DSC01382+us+w+docs+w+watermark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Below is the last bit transcribed to read after you watch the
clip. I like how Dr. Travis recaps it:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Travis: So this is rare enough that if people are at
home, they’ve had a vasectomy and they’re thinking “Oh my gosh do I need to
start using a secondary form of birth control?”</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Spitz: Ya</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Travis: You’re not telling people to do that right?</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Spitz: The incidents of this is about 1 in 2000. And interestingly
in my personal experience I’ve encountered a patient or two who’s had a
scenario of a pregnancy after a vasectomy, more often than not they’re grateful
they have the child.</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Travis: And what’s cool about this story is Mary and Jay I
think you’re saying loud and clear, this was meant to be and this was in the
end a blessing.</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mary: Absolutely.<br />
Jay: Absolutely yeah.</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Travis: And that’s what matters.</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Spitz: Watch that child. He’s got a bright future.</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">{The Doctors show aired 10/3/14. This is last minute that was cut
from the segment of the show that’s posted on their website.}</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He does have a bright
future, as do all our children! I can't imagine NOT having them all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today we share our story again not just
because it’s a 7<sup>th</sup> birthday but to participate in an Honest Moment
c/o The Honest Company. My son’s
conception story is just one of those moments that changed us and our family
forever. We also know we aren't the only ones to go through this. W</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">hen we did an internet search after our mystery conception, there was only one other person we found in a similar situation. When I reached out to her she said she couldn’t talk to me because she was involved in a lawsuit. They were suing her husband’s doctor for “wrongful birth”. We had no desire to pursue that course of action but we did want others to find us so they would know that it does happen and they aren’t alone! I have received a few comments on that original post and it’s a hard thing to go through especially when the medical community tells you that it’s highly unlikely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Check out <a href="https://www.honest.com/honest-moments" target="_blank">The Honest Company</a>. And enjoy this beautiful
video that celebrates the gift of pregnancy, birth and life. Because whether planned or a surprise, it's pretty amazing!</span><br />
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<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" height="65" src="https://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-17758357833314596402017-04-07T14:47:00.003-04:002017-04-07T14:47:40.006-04:00Good Morning Girls break and ideas to keep you going<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Many of you know that I have been faithfully doing <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/" target="_blank">Good Morning Girls</a> for the past 5+ years. Today Courtney blogged that she is taking a break. Click <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/2017/04/walking-faith-future-unclear-whats-next-gmg/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read her words. She doesn't know when she will start back up again, therefore I'll be ending my GMG Facebook group studies too.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Since the beginning I have been a facilitator of my own private Facebook group that I called "Morning Glory". I advertised each new session on my Facebook page and various friends would join me. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">At times in the past 5 years I felt led to start groups with "strangers" and ladies found me through the forums on the Good Morning Girls website. They often lasted only a couple sessions but they were a blessing. It was awesome to have a place to chat with ladies after doing our reading and studying.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbKlKmhFIZg5SKvTH1xxGJHs02RHTeK32YBVGh3KtkpcmwxHiVJ6gQaK1MQznBLFqIfAUH0qnjD1IF0k0cH3lQkg3FAc8hcDdu63SLYHVMXTVPDSiqHncmvVYunOl4OWeTU1FYHsfXnM/s1600/Committed+to+Him+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbKlKmhFIZg5SKvTH1xxGJHs02RHTeK32YBVGh3KtkpcmwxHiVJ6gQaK1MQznBLFqIfAUH0qnjD1IF0k0cH3lQkg3FAc8hcDdu63SLYHVMXTVPDSiqHncmvVYunOl4OWeTU1FYHsfXnM/s320/Committed+to+Him+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm so appreciative of t</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">he various friends and "girls" who have joined me on my journey. The accountability has given me a richer bible study time and I love starting my day in God's word. I am grateful for the format that has helped me form good habits and I couldn't have done it alone! GMG has been the highlight of my Facebook use! I'll miss that time but look forward to a new bible study study format offline. I like change and starting fresh!</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If you were a part of GMG and don't know what to do, here are some ideas! Or if you stumbled on my blog and want to grow in your own faith too, then keep on reading. </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>LOCAL CHURCHES</b>: Check out your local churches! Nothing beats getting together with women in person!</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /><b>READ DEVOTIONAL BOOKS</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Bookstores are super fun because there is an abundance of options out there but </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I love </span><a href="http://www.jesuscalling.com/" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">Jesus Calling</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> and </span><a href="https://utmost.org/" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">Utmost For His Highest</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. Many people start with the free one called <a href="https://odb.org/" target="_blank">Our Daily Bread</a>. You can read some of these online or subscribe by email if you don't want to buy the book.</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>FIND ONE ONLINE. </b></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">There are many options online but, I know of these ones:</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/" target="_blank">Proverbs 31 Ministries</a> is doing Listen, Love, Repeat by Karen Ehman right now.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.hellomornings.org/" target="_blank">Hello Mornings</a> helps you get a "life giving" morning routine going. You can plug into a small group online.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://ifgathering.com/who-we-are/" target="_blank">IF Equip</a>: IF conferences are popular but IF also have tools to help you grow spiritually & connect with people daily.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://lovegodgreatly.com/" target="_blank">Love God Greatly</a>: An online bible study that can plug you into groups too.</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>APPS</b><br />There are so many apps that you can use! Here are two of my favs:</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.youversion.com/" target="_blank">YouVersion</a> Bible app not only has the bible in dozens of translations, but you'll find an abundance of devotions and bible studies! The options are amazing!</span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://first5.org/" target="_blank">First5</a> app lets you start the day with God before anything else! There is a community of believers you can network with too.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I hope that is helpful to someone! I am a little sad that we are on an extended break with Good Morning Girls but Courtney has been at this a long time and it's a lot of work! She needs a break! I'll be praying for her and her ministry because God has definitely blessed her with an incredible talent to learn and teach and love and reach so many women. In the meantime, let's all keep learning, growing and walking with the King {Courtney's sign off phrase}.</span><br />
<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" height="65" src="https://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-58200132054520914722017-04-04T14:08:00.002-04:002017-04-04T14:08:42.759-04:00TobyMac Hits Deep Tour I took my kids to the <a href="http://tobymac.com/" target="_blank">TobyMac</a> concert on the weekend and it was amazing! My son just turned 10 and it was his first concert. It lasted over 4 hours and was soooo good! There were EIGHT artists performing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Seth & Nirva not pictured}</td></tr>
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First was <a href="http://iamhollyn.com/" target="_blank">Hollyn</a>. Seriously if you want to listen to a great album, especially if you have girls, then check out her music. If you have Amazon Prime, you can listen to her album there. The song she sings with TobyMac, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmaQeXybres" target="_blank">Light Shine Bright</a> is my cell phone ring tone. Love that song! She has a fun pop vibe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2WxPqeFrMdce3c-G3gYerSjiHEV7ExZm6N4zEZ-JCsxD2uW-rQ2c5ccofU4unUwKNkkqVUulSs4K1MO37b9nq7lpOu7ug2guPkkPoT-i_5TkoulRr_BD64V5QmPtiAmwWQtVqnp1C8c/s1600/1+hollyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2WxPqeFrMdce3c-G3gYerSjiHEV7ExZm6N4zEZ-JCsxD2uW-rQ2c5ccofU4unUwKNkkqVUulSs4K1MO37b9nq7lpOu7ug2guPkkPoT-i_5TkoulRr_BD64V5QmPtiAmwWQtVqnp1C8c/s320/1+hollyn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.capitalkingsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Capital Kings</a> performed and it was awesome! I love electronic dance music {EDM} and although I didn't know their songs I did know the band from my Pandora Station! Definitely recommend them for anyone looking for an EDM hip hop sound! Crank it when the kids have to clean their rooms!<br />
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The lead singer from <a href="http://www.thirdday.com/" target="_blank">Third Day</a>, Mac Powell was there with his friends. They do country music between his Third Day albums and were really good! They sang country stuff but of course had to play some popular Third Day tunes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn6IcelRmtCfv1i2OAvquzcoZ2N358SfWFwVSeJIw2aUVjN1Ttt35FqYyhnvS-u_ztS3KMEHPRgOWoD4JmdnoQMQjhIa3ZekyVWbwZzovO9avZ5k2CH2jl4iIQG_utXhf0MoIoLOjAOk/s1600/1+Mac+Powell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn6IcelRmtCfv1i2OAvquzcoZ2N358SfWFwVSeJIw2aUVjN1Ttt35FqYyhnvS-u_ztS3KMEHPRgOWoD4JmdnoQMQjhIa3ZekyVWbwZzovO9avZ5k2CH2jl4iIQG_utXhf0MoIoLOjAOk/s320/1+Mac+Powell.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.mattmahermusic.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.mattmahermusic.com/" target="_blank">Matt Maher</a> and <a href="http://www.ryanstevensonmusic.com/" target="_blank">Ryan Stevenson</a> where there and I knew their songs from the radio but had no idea it was them. It was a real treat to sing along and hear them live! They were so good! Ryan Stevenson's Eye Of The Storm opened with a boom of thunder and lightning. And Matt Maher rocked it out on the guitar and piano! Their vibe is more contemporary Christian/worship and their lyrics are incredible.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mandisaofficial.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.mandisaofficial.com/" target="_blank">Mandisa</a> was there too! I remember her from American Idol and LOVE her Overcomer album, which I own. She shared a story about her struggle with depression and sang a new song. It was so inspirational and good! Her dancers were fabulous. They were happy and jumping all over the place. I really enjoyed her set and I love her upbeat Christian pop music. Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw" target="_blank">Overcomer</a> if you need a great workout song!<br />
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In February I discovered <a href="http://sethandnirva.com/" target="_blank">Seth & Nirva</a> when I was looking for Christian duos {inspired by Us The Duo's amazing vibe}. I had no idea they'd be at the concert and they sang <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8rU4hTHS58" target="_blank">Brother</a> which is a really good song! I couldn't get a good shot but didn't care too much because I just wanted to enjoy their music. Oh so good!<br />
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TobyMac came out and sang all the songs we knew. One of my favs is Speak Life which I blogged about four years ago! Click <a href="http://aproductiveendeavor.blogspot.com/2013/02/speak-life.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read what that song means to me. I just love his music because it's upbeat and sounds like something you'd hear on a regular radio station. He has has a reggae vibe in some of his stuff which I LOVE. I especially love his Eye On It and This Is Not A Test albums because they are upbeat and I can dance to 'em!<br />
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We had really good seats right between the two stages and in front of the walkway between the two. We knew other people who went so got to say hi during the break. My daughter said she enjoyed this concert more than the Pentatonix concert we saw last fall!!! We knew all the songs and everyone was so happy and there was worship time. It was just soooo good and great night out. So worth getting home at midnight! My youngest stayed home for a "Daddy Day" but I'm grateful to have older kids so we can do this sort of thing together! Looking forward to when we can all go as a family of 5!<br />
<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" src="http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" height="65" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-60320898925425035232017-03-25T22:27:00.001-04:002017-03-29T06:56:02.508-04:00My Mandy Memories<b>Welcome... You can read my post below or listen to me read it to you by clicking <a href="https://soundcloud.com/mary-blogger-newman/my-mandy-memories-3-26-17" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</b><br />
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Last week, on Tuesday March 21st, Mandy Kelly, her husband, her 9 year old daughter and her 10 month old son all died in a tragic house fire. Her 16yo daughter and 12yo son escaped along with her husband's mother. {<a href="http://www.wltx.com/mb/news/local/4-dead-in-lexington-co-house-fire/424170601" target="_blank">News video link here</a>.} I am in shock. I know her through <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/goodmorninggirls/" target="_blank">Good Morning Girls</a> {GMG}, which is the online bible study I've been a part of for over 5 years. She was a gifted blogger at <a href="http://worshipfulliving.com/" target="_blank">Worshipful Living</a> so in honor of her memory, many of us bloggers are coming together to share what we've learned from Mandy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Mandy's Facebook page</td></tr>
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<b>HOW I KNOW MANDY</b><br />
Since joining GMG, I have been on a private Facebook group for leaders. It's a great resource and a wonderful support system which I've been pretty active on from the very beginning. Courtney Joseph is the creator of Good Morning Girls but for the past couple years she's had four women help with running the online outreach portion. At one point those girls needed extra help so I, along with some other ladies were their support; we were called "Helping Hands" {HH} on the Leadership Group. We answered people's questions, shared helpful links, commented on our daily reading and offered prayer support. The leadership coordinator was Mandy Kelly. Because of my role in the leaders group and HH, Mandy and I had many private conversations. One of the first was when she wanted me to be on the HH team! I was honored!<br />
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One of my responsibilities was helping with the prayer requests. I had an organized system for tracking them all and Mandy asked me to write a guest post on her blog explaining my method. {Click <a href="http://worshipfulliving.com/2015/06/12/organizing-and-tracking-prayer-request/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read about it on Mandy's blog.}<br />
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<b>PRAYING FOR MANDY</b><br />
I prayed for Mandy through many things, from GMG leadership concerns to personal requests like waiting to adopt a baby. {Just to give a bit of background, Mandy was single for a long time and married Scott, a widower with three children. They married but felt led to adopt a baby.} One night a couple years ago I sent her a private message to say I was praying:<br />
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That was back in 2015 when she was "matched" with a girl. The birth mom ended up changing her mind right after the birth and Mandy had already met the baby. It was a heart-breaking but Mandy always trusted God's timing. You can read the blog post <a href="http://worshipfulliving.com/2016/05/04/redeeming-mothers-day/" target="_blank">HERE</a> where she wrote about how she felt after this happened. Despite the pain, Mandy trusted that God was at work and we all continued praying for His perfect timing for her family to grow. God answered all our prayers last year! Little Judah was born, and it was awesome to see her get the longing of her heart fulfilled via adoption.<br />
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<b>MISSING MANDY</b><br />
I never met Mandy but I am going to miss her so much. The GMG leaders group is not going to be the same without her. She was such an encouragement, and people are sharing lots of stories of what she meant to them. Many stories on her Facebook profile are from people she knew in real life but there are a bunch of us online who never met her. Similarly, we have "Mandy Memories" to add to her treasure box o' influence! She invested TIME and put out lots of love even with little comments like this that made me smile when I was having a bum day.<br />
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<b>WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM MANDY</b><br />
One thing I've learned from Mandy's early death is that I too have LIMITED time on earth. I don't know when my last day will be so when I tuck my kids in each night, it will be with more love and not so rushed. {The fire happened through the night so I want my last moments with my family to be good.}<br />
I want to live my life WELL like she did. I want to LOVE the people in my life better too. The stories and photos that are all over her Facebook profile and blog page are so sweet and encouraging. She really poured God's love into everyone she knew! She paid it forward if you will!<br />
And lastly, just a little lighter... I've been praying for direction with my blog and I know now that I want to continue to write. I enjoy it and if something does happen to me sooner than later, it's nice to know that this could be like a memory album for my kids and family.<br />
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<b>WORSHIPFUL LIVING</b><br />
Mandy's blog is Worshipful Living and what a treat her posts are now that she's gone. She posted tons of videos if you wanted to hear her speak. I told her I liked her voice... rusty little tone to it. Her Facebook page is good too and she scheduled a bunch of posts so they are still publishing even though she's gone. Some have been oh so applicable. She encourages us on earth even though she's left us! <br />
Website: http://worshipfulliving.com/<br />
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WorshipfulLiving/<br />
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All she wanted to to do was sow seeds of faith wherever she went. She definitely touched my life as a wonderful example of a faithful follower of Jesus. She loved God with her whole heart and it overflowed to everyone she met, in person and online. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Mandy... I will worship with my life too. Thanks for being a great example!!</span><br />
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<b>HOW YOU CAN HELP</b><br />
Please pray for the kids left behind. Mandy was their 2nd mother. They lost their birth mom a few years ago so they and their whole family have been through so much loss already. Thankfully they are leaning on God for strength.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you wish to support the Kelly Family, their church is accepting donations. <br />Go to: </span></span><a href="http://www.tbccayce.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.tbccayce.com/</a> </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Click on the green "Give" button and designate your donation for The Kelly Family. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">I appreciate you reading my thoughts as I wanted to contribute to the treasure of "Mandy Memories" that are being passed around. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Rest well good and faithful servant.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Starting March 29th, feel free to read other's post about their own "Mandy Memories":</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=705505" rel="nofollow" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up</a><br />
Click the icons above or check out the list of participants below! What a mark she left in the blogging world!<br />
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<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" height="65" src="https://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-11753990488209656602017-02-23T14:33:00.003-05:002017-02-23T14:51:46.105-05:002017 Volume 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Read the post below or listen to me read it to you on SoundCloud: {<a href="https://soundcloud.com/mary-blogger-newman/a-productive-endeavor-blog" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>}</div>
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Where has the time gone?! February is zipping by as fast as January! I have been so busy but I wanted to share some updates before the month was gone.</div>
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I mentioned before about trying to eat healthy but I struggle with consistency. Remember that clean eating challenge? Ya.. failed miserably. Doesn't help that my schedule got busier! I just default back to what I know, and what I know isn't the best. Still decent but much room for improvement. I'll keep chugging along on that endeavor but am not obsessing about it. </div>
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We got snow and the kids enjoyed playing in it. I dreamed of a mudroom or a nicer entry way because my living room often looks like a closet exploded. I'm trying to not freak about it but umm... about once a month, I blow a gasket. Darn hormones. I had hoped my kids would be magically cleaner as they got older but it's complete opposite. All those nights tidying before bedtime have amounted to NOTHING! Even with the kids ages soon to be 12, 10 & 7, they pretty much need their life threatened to clean up around here! We've had a monetary system in place for a couple years but that doesn't motivate them unless there is something that are itching to buy. </div>
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So Momma copes by eating, making cards and making her nails pretty with glitter. Oh and wine. Did I mention that I buy it by the box now? *wink*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab2MMlmq6B9kDWXxmrDVYnLHpMcJGUXk1n363uJlDQV0sIGpPgU4Sxuasdxs4_aKoXMRm3ZMjaJpOj3X5R04lX6vdpH5xymr1Wjq9gSzXptt8S8xqFZ3bZugMOjEWciP-H6B0FXzcMhc/s1600/1+IG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab2MMlmq6B9kDWXxmrDVYnLHpMcJGUXk1n363uJlDQV0sIGpPgU4Sxuasdxs4_aKoXMRm3ZMjaJpOj3X5R04lX6vdpH5xymr1Wjq9gSzXptt8S8xqFZ3bZugMOjEWciP-H6B0FXzcMhc/s320/1+IG.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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I got this great shirt below from Walmart of all places! I love it! I felt happy in it all day. I want to dress happier. Kimmy Schmidt from Unbreakable inspires me. I might not go all out 90s but a splash here and there of color and whimsy is on my mind! <br />
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PEOPLE, He-man and She-ra are on Netflix!!! I watched an episode of each with my sick son a few days ago and it was pretty funny. What's with He-man's hair? And Skeletor called someone a boob which actually made me laugh. Oh 80s, you make me smile.<br />
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We got snow. We live in CT. Snow is almost gone. My little garden gnome "Hal" {short for jalepeno - bc of his hat} popped up through the snow. He's braving it outside all year round because his owner is lazy and didn't clean up in the fall. Meh... maybe next year. Hope he survives.<br />
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I went on a date with my hot man last weekend! We went to see Us The Duo at Mohegan Sun. They opened for Pentatonix who my daughter and I saw back in November. I fell in love with their music and was THRILLED they were touring. I took lots of pics and posted my favs on Instagram because they always pic a fan's photo to share on their feed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CWc-Dn477GGbf_MbvQmA1k1f2lZJKNIDBxyWNyzcvbr1k6K8Q05TkhNtlBB_F0c7MjnouKK7SXWwf3kxzcKK33WIiUrnAILoJS_qm_FeSAZNcp8tPVROtWhLSeKt-VqDPEFdFv2WRTc/s1600/IG+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CWc-Dn477GGbf_MbvQmA1k1f2lZJKNIDBxyWNyzcvbr1k6K8Q05TkhNtlBB_F0c7MjnouKK7SXWwf3kxzcKK33WIiUrnAILoJS_qm_FeSAZNcp8tPVROtWhLSeKt-VqDPEFdFv2WRTc/s320/IG+2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
They didn't choose mine but they did like and comment on my pics! They are sooo good with connecting with their fans. They genuinely are so grateful for our support. They are a married couple with beautiful harmonizing voices and they both many multiple instruments. You gotta check them out! {links below}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgWx3YrIR783rJPub8Q0Vjz5eHTpsMHOkMd-Byh2blnnLnrGxxbdriJm-MIBxQoPxxZoS1X5PRUVIQABAQfeNYOupZmfIe_Rk62X7md_43wGYUcOwLKILTzrkDA2ZMyIBG6DaYkKaftM/s1600/3+IG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgWx3YrIR783rJPub8Q0Vjz5eHTpsMHOkMd-Byh2blnnLnrGxxbdriJm-MIBxQoPxxZoS1X5PRUVIQABAQfeNYOupZmfIe_Rk62X7md_43wGYUcOwLKILTzrkDA2ZMyIBG6DaYkKaftM/s320/3+IG.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
Well that's about it for this volume o' updates. Hope you are staying cozy wherever you are.<br />
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<b>LINKS TO THINGS I MENTIONED:</b><br />
My card page on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/APEmadebymary/">https://www.facebook.com/APEmadebymary/</a><br />
My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aproductiveendeavor/<br />
Us The Duo: http://www.ustheduo.com/<br />
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<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" height="65" src="https://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-52523243947298031612017-01-24T13:53:00.002-05:002017-01-24T13:53:33.024-05:002017 Volume 2What!? Can you believe the end of January is almost here? I can't even get over how fast time is passing. Woah slow down! Here's an update as inspired by my Instagram feed...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEW3Z6ylmvpSHspm5F7usTmvJIYGq7Y8saWiZg6XBae4py09WT1-hlN0QxoN0qmGTfNjM4PXM6CxHbPuzndlCzie3KmLH7qjS1KrA_R2MIwRAE7P2ppX5hl013vveeHVPKntDwXdYaXkI/s1600/012417a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEW3Z6ylmvpSHspm5F7usTmvJIYGq7Y8saWiZg6XBae4py09WT1-hlN0QxoN0qmGTfNjM4PXM6CxHbPuzndlCzie3KmLH7qjS1KrA_R2MIwRAE7P2ppX5hl013vveeHVPKntDwXdYaXkI/s320/012417a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although we are eating more good food and healthy meals, I might have bought Oreos last week! We are far from perfect but we are eating more fruit and veggies and reading more labels so that's progress! I am also avoiding drive thrus and we as a family are eating out much less. I bought a frozen pizza for those nights I don't want to cook and eventually we'll upgrade to making homemade, but for now, I am not stressing out about things. I've made things like homemade chicken soup, coconut lime sauce on chicken, homemade tomato pasta sauce, BBQ chicken, and Indian curry in the past week for supper. <br />
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I posted three pictures about my kids. When I checked on them before going to bed, I found one with his little foot sticking out over the edge of the bed. First of all, I would NEVER sleep like that! Something might grab it! Haha... childhood fears live on. And second of all, why is it that innocent moments like this just make my heart want to burst with love? <br />
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I am so grateful to raise these kids but man do they drive me crazy with their bickering lately! They respond to one another with disdain and impatience. There has been a shift in my home. The kids all have birthdays coming up and they'll be 12, 10 & 7. They don't play the way they used to with one another or do imaginative play as much. (Well the youngest does! He's the master when it comes to creativity!). They are getting older and as they grow, our family dynamics are changing. I sat them down this weekend and pointed out the changes. I also told them that they are driving me crazy with how they interact. I don't want to live in a home where we are all fighting and competing with one another. I reminded them that they are each my child and I love them and it hurts my heart to hear how they treat one another. Inspired by my youngest's homeroom teacher, I decided to implement a clip chart. Simple but hey I made it in like 5 minutes with an extra tape measure I had.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji34LnmZKwQhsj0vpqeo-XxtiqaO4bpXotX-XIjTSfEiQTBTiebyByNnscHSEtTj1GHGbsnOxM9Yrfv_XO3wkB97vQvA-ZaR96YNrgT9n29lpLdQRd3myjsM_3THbuU4nPDSThxCUFhuQ/s1600/012417b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji34LnmZKwQhsj0vpqeo-XxtiqaO4bpXotX-XIjTSfEiQTBTiebyByNnscHSEtTj1GHGbsnOxM9Yrfv_XO3wkB97vQvA-ZaR96YNrgT9n29lpLdQRd3myjsM_3THbuU4nPDSThxCUFhuQ/s320/012417b.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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They clip up an inch when I see them getting along and being respectful. If they fight, they clip down. And because I have my own issues to work on, they get a bonus of clipping up if I loose my cool. I can't expect behavior from them if I don't model it myself. I also suggested we come up with a physical sign we can do if we are feeling frustrated rather than yell. Lance came up with sticking out our tongue while giving the thumbs up on both hands. It looks ridiculous but we've been doing it and it certainly cools the atmosphere. LOL! I 've been doing it too except I clasp my hands together. I told them that I want to remember to pray during those times because I can't do it on my own. I need God's strength to relax and be calmer. As for rewards, when they get to 30, we get to do something fun together... Read on...<br />
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I mentioned that the kids don't play like they used to. They don't get lost in imaginative play like before so they are "bored" more. Their demands for game and gadget time has increased. I am trying to limit their electronic time after reading articles from sources like Dr. Dunckley {link below} who writes about the affects it has on kids brain development. So if I want to keep them {and myself} off screens, then we have to DO more preferably away from the house. I took them out last weekend to open play at a local gymnastics center. It was a really great time. Things cost money so that is why I started the clip up chart too. They have to earn the outings that cost money like bowling, ice-skating, rollerskating, open gym, etc. I have a million things I can do at home so it's good for me to get out too. Plus I really like my family and want to spend more quality time with them but you just gotta be intentional with this stuff. Time passes too quickly with nothing to show for otherwise! <br />
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The picture of the Starbucks cup was taken at Target. I needed a few things but since we had nothing going on, I let the kids hang out in the toy aisles. Weekends when my husband works can be lonely so sometimes I do stuff like that just to pass the time. Ironically, we bumped into friends so had a great visit while the kids played. <br />
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The picture that says: "<b>A heart of gratitude is a heart of worship</b>" was one that I made after my quiet time today. I read 1 Samuel 12:24 that reads, "Be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve Him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you." In the thinking of the wonderful things, I was just stirred to remember how important it is to have a heart of gratitude, no matter your circumstances. We lost power and I thanked God for a house sheltered from the elements and kids who didn't wake up afraid. In moments like that I find myself praising God for His provision rather than cursing Him for what I'm lacking. That principle can be applied to so many things and I want to be sure to carry that attitude of gratitude with me wherever I go.<br />
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That's the quick of it around here. A Parenting Endeavor! Hope you all have a great week and here are links to things I mentioned:<br />
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Links<br />
<a href="http://drdunckley.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Dunckley</a><br />
<a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/category/good-morning-girls/" target="_blank">Good Morning Girls bible study</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aproductiveendeavor/?hl=en" target="_blank">My Instagram Account</a><br />
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<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" height="65" src="https://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-70080645754266468662017-01-10T10:22:00.000-05:002017-01-10T10:22:12.579-05:002017 Volume 1Welcome to 2017! As the years pass by and times and technology changes, I feel that my blog might be evolving too. I still don't know how it's going to look but for now I thought I'd share what's going on by posting a peek at my Instagram posts. Instagram is so easy! I love photography and it's a SIMPLE way to share! No multi-step, multi-page busyness that leaves my brain feeling scattered. {My profile is listed below if you wanted to follow me.}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzS1pXOVCs36zp1xLqRFBqWWPmgDBgBRAxfhONZJE4AVsKr0RpOi_f0dciVQwll6oSwyZ0UP47UfPi4InxFSO8qThgBzX4EgwMfdZ-N2R9p9Q_BarlpyaKLxjasG06ic5kFWQSu8Rrnmw/s1600/011017+IG+sum+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzS1pXOVCs36zp1xLqRFBqWWPmgDBgBRAxfhONZJE4AVsKr0RpOi_f0dciVQwll6oSwyZ0UP47UfPi4InxFSO8qThgBzX4EgwMfdZ-N2R9p9Q_BarlpyaKLxjasG06ic5kFWQSu8Rrnmw/s400/011017+IG+sum+watermark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My friend Becky {link below} has created a photo challenge with a theme a day. This gives some focus to my Instagram posts. I am not doing it every single day. If inspiration strikes then great, but I'm not putting too much pressure on myself with this one! I really like the key words she came up with though.<br />
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I have signed up to cut out processed food with Lisa Leake of "100 Days of Real Food". My goal isn't to eliminate it at this point but to greatly reduce it and find healthy alternatives to the way we eat. I have been doing lots of things in the past few years but I have so much to learn! Check out her website {listed below} for free recipes and lots of food ideas! I've been following her for a couple years but now own her cookbook and am using more of her recipes.<br />
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I am cooking and baking A LOT more. More time in the kitchen is key to eating better. Last weekend I made cinnamon rolls from scratch for the first time. I didn't roll them tight enough and they popped up in the center but they were still delicious!<br />
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I get most of my groceries at ALDI. They have a growing organic section so when I get a chance to "vote" between two options, I try to choose organic. I am not doing this 100% of the time but am making more healthy choices every day. I see progress so I can easily down four Oreos and not feel guilty!<br />
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We got lots of snow recently after a rather brown winter. I am in awe of God and His creation whenever I look out my window.<br />
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On Monday, I started another bible study with the online group, Good Morning Girls. January marks five years that I have been doing this format! I am grateful for my little private online Facebook group and the girls who encourage me along the way.<br />
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That's the scoop for this week! <br />
I hope everyone stays warm and healthy!<br />
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Links I mentioned:<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aproductiveendeavor/" target="_blank">My Instagram Account</a><br />
<a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/" target="_blank">100 Days of Real Food</a><br />
<a href="http://beckylmccoy.com/" target="_blank">Becky L McCoy</a><br />
<a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/" target="_blank">Good Morning Girls</a><br />
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<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" height="65" src="https://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045792049520109708.post-37690924423504641042016-11-17T20:49:00.001-05:002016-11-18T06:52:03.378-05:00Shop incognito<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPfaQB1ULeKYMSoUjDE3KgWmQK1OEm1P0bYS7AztXONv_gLZKKeGJMIvwmeRg9kNbWIeha1ghDonScTeH-DpFyAm9Q0lgkXHRiH_h9uytqNW_Gh1z0zx8V18C0Xm1DZ0XPgKOpeS13_g/s1600/111716+incognito+title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPfaQB1ULeKYMSoUjDE3KgWmQK1OEm1P0bYS7AztXONv_gLZKKeGJMIvwmeRg9kNbWIeha1ghDonScTeH-DpFyAm9Q0lgkXHRiH_h9uytqNW_Gh1z0zx8V18C0Xm1DZ0XPgKOpeS13_g/s320/111716+incognito+title.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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Don't you hate it when you shop for something on Amazon and then the next time you log onto Facebook, the exact item is on the side bar? It's creepy {that's another post} but especially annoying when a wide-eyed child that you were shopping for says: "Mom why is that toy there? That's the one I want!!" It's hard to keep secrets around birthdays and Christmas with the online spies watching our every move and revealing it to the next person on the computer!</div>
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A friend gave me this tip awhile ago and let me tell you, it is soooo helpful this time of year, especially since the kids use the computer so much these days and are smarter than me in some ways! </div>
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With Christmas on the horizon, I've been looking for gifts for my kids online so before I do a search, I open an "incognito" window. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvg2wkng-i9Gvw0gHsdC8PYwUPe9luxnZvoxzNPcAMwpHU2MPV-lQi_05L8-UPFC2s8o4Wspa6-5u-RwTyVPwvlwkvT4tHSciL4zNzGHCtxmDZZa39Z1fM2NiTBnMcAT3XTjHN84LPkg/s1600/111716+incognito+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvg2wkng-i9Gvw0gHsdC8PYwUPe9luxnZvoxzNPcAMwpHU2MPV-lQi_05L8-UPFC2s8o4Wspa6-5u-RwTyVPwvlwkvT4tHSciL4zNzGHCtxmDZZa39Z1fM2NiTBnMcAT3XTjHN84LPkg/s320/111716+incognito+2.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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It allows me to browse without keeping track of my activity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepguyv2S67uEPrVmtiSwTjKutY158B1RFkYXPP4sNhl_EHXwWC9Z7SkpeXGXXoYIrUAwwU8aIO9fnWlj7sgznzh9CTAg62ESvs2lxkFI1xsg7H0dWyot18p6GvegZarlMpooN3NIcH-s/s1600/111716+incognito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepguyv2S67uEPrVmtiSwTjKutY158B1RFkYXPP4sNhl_EHXwWC9Z7SkpeXGXXoYIrUAwwU8aIO9fnWlj7sgznzh9CTAg62ESvs2lxkFI1xsg7H0dWyot18p6GvegZarlMpooN3NIcH-s/s320/111716+incognito.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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So just a little tip in case you didn't know! Happy shopping!<br />
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<a href="http://s124.photobucket.com/user/newman122199/media/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="sig. oct 2015 photo signature oct 2015_zpskqpepnv4.png" border="0" height="65" src="https://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/newman122199/signature%20oct%202015_zpskqpepnv4.png" width="200" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042984166803797015noreply@blogger.com0