tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15900232202287942342024-03-12T17:27:21.407-07:00Am I a mess?Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-10641996263151047372018-04-10T12:25:00.003-07:002018-04-10T12:58:25.098-07:00don't be a lookdownJust last week, while on vacation with my family, we visited the lovely Monterey Aquarium in Northern California. The place was sprawling, full of unique and beautiful sea life. One display really struck me and continues to haunt me. I learned that there is a species of fish called The Lookdown. They have a very distinct flat, grey disk-like body and apparently got their name because as they swim, they look down over their upturned nose. I guess you could call them the "snobby" fish of the sea. But, what I found slightly depressing as I gazed at this display, was that they were swimming in a small funnel type case, round and round in circles. Going nowhere. Looking down. All day long.<br />
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The next week as I was working out at the gym, I saw another thing that was a bit depressing and made me think back to the "lookdown" fish that I had previously learned about. I was on the elliptical machine, above the gymnasium and basketball court. A young man, most likely of high-school age, was practicing his basketball shots. I watched him for about 15 minutes. During this time, he checked his phone exactly 10 times. I calculate that to be every 1.5 minutes. Disengaging from a healthy, physical activity every one and a half minutes to check his screen. What he was looking for is beyond me. I mean, he wasn't exactly swishing each and every shot, so pretty sure he wasn't waiting for a text from his agent! But, each time the ball bounced out of bounds or went across the gym, he would take his phone out of his pocket and glance down at the screen while he strolled lazily across the gym floor. It was almost a "knee jerk" reaction. It was like he couldn't bear the thought of walking across the gymnasium without checking his phone. Most times, he would just look down and put the phone back in his pocket.<br />
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A few minutes later, a couple of younger boys showed up. The high-school boy asked to join them. What I observed in the ensuing 10 minutes, was that the same exact boy who was addicted to the screen moments earlier, was now engaged and completely oblivious of the technological tool buzzing away in his pocket. It made me happy. And sad. All at once.<br />
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Sad because it illustrates how addicted our kids have become to their phones; that our children have never been more disconnected than they are now. They make friends over Snap Chat but, rarely talk to those same people in real time. They can't find their homework but, you can bet they can see where their best friend's second cousin is spending Spring Break, thanks to Snap Map. Our kids are obsessed about how many "likes" their latest Instagram post received yet, fail to hear the accolades and praise of their own parents because they are too busy checking texts. They have become so dependent on the instant gratification provided by technology that they don't even know how to spend their recreational/down time without it.<br />
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Our world has never been more broken. Our children have never been more mislead. Our job as parents has never been more important. We are losing an entire generation to this high tech, man-made monstrosity that we call smart phones. Hmmmm. Doesn't sound very smart to me.<br />
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So, why did this same scenario give me hope? It gave me hope that maybe, just maybe there is a solution to this subdivide among our youth today. And it's an easy fix. Won't cost a dime. It's called real, face-to-face interaction. Oh, I know! This is a novel, newfangled and fanatical idea! But, what if we put it into practice? Think of the lives that could be saved, changed and enhanced.<br />
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And this is where parenting comes in. We have got to teach our kids by example. Go outside and say hello to our neighbors, instead of texting them. Go up to someone in the breakroom and invite them to an event in person, not by sending them an Evite. Tell someone you like their new outfit, hair do or car by actually saying the words NOT by clicking a button. Our kids are watching! We have to bridge this ever-growing, gaping hole between real, personal interaction and what we are doing now.<br />
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This whole concept of the "lookdown" fish made me think of a few other times in life where simply looking up could save our lives.<br />
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When driving, "look up, not down". It could literally save your life.<br />
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Upon waking, "look up, not down". Okay, it may not save your life, but I promise it will make your day go smoother.<br />
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Only when we look up, can we begin to see each other for who we really are and finally gain a deeper connection. But, until that happens, our youth will continue to slip further and further away from us. Going nowhere. Looking down. All day long. And, I don't want that to be on me.<br />
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<br />Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-19765709722251209462018-02-02T14:21:00.000-08:002018-02-02T17:17:38.034-08:00How my kid earned a Varsity letter without ever stepping foot on the playing field<div dir="ltr">
Yep! You heard me right! My daughter has never been an athlete. That is not to say she's never tried. Oh, she tried all right! She even played lacrosse on an all-boys team (because it was new to our region and no other girls showed up!) She played softball, basketball, soccer, took years of dance, even ran track in middle school because it happened to coincide with the same time that I took up running! (To say I had an influence on her going out for that sport would be a major understatement.) I even talked her into running a 5k with me and to this day, that remains one of my greatest accomplishment as her mother. Well, it was The Color Run and we wore tutus and were covered in colorful powder at the end!! Oh yeah, and it wasn't timed. So, truth be told, it was really more like a party than a race! No wonder I talked her into it!</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div>
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Anyways, back to my daughter's non-athleticism and how she earned a varsity letter. Sports have never been her thing. That is until freshman year when she walked into Health & Fitness class and the teacher, upon learning her name, asked her if she would like to do the track timing like her brother did. She replied "sure" but, not really very sure that this whole thing would ever come to fruition. Because sports really weren't her thing. </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div>
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Fast forward to the spring of her freshman year when this coach made good on his offer and introduced her to the track timing system. She worked alongside the lead timing person for the entire season, honing her skills as a "photo finish expert". And, she loved it. The following year, there was an opening for the lead timer. So, the coach proposed that she take over and this is what led to her earning that varsity letter. How you may ask? I think the better question is why. And the answer to that WHY is because an amazing coach/teacher/human being believed in her. Because he saw something in her. Something that no one else had ever bothered to see. And that "something" was that she is smart, dependable, capable of much and not afraid of any stage being too big or too small. He took a chance on her and made her the Team Manager and subsequently part of the team. But, in doing that, he did so much more. He built that girl up, not because she was a star athlete but, because he saw something in her. And he believed in her. He believed in my girl.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div>
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So, one day last spring, my daughter came home with a certificate in one hand and a varsity letter in the other and one giant smile on her face! That moment will forever be etched in my mind and on my heart. Because that coach took the time to believe in my girl, she now believed in herself. And, that folks, is how my daughter earned a varsity letter without ever even breaking a sweat! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY859wjVAhubuzijlCyJtyEFQ5bU6zz8SMxB_1fguKpPhdDiaRXug8FRiKdRj1wfHBS6OCgcCfS8gFw9KBK5vY-eBWmdK4PmtFpff_cdZMNIZY9P8zYgJc6jPt2eQH087lSzB8mYIkOWSl/s1600/1517620299689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY859wjVAhubuzijlCyJtyEFQ5bU6zz8SMxB_1fguKpPhdDiaRXug8FRiKdRj1wfHBS6OCgcCfS8gFw9KBK5vY-eBWmdK4PmtFpff_cdZMNIZY9P8zYgJc6jPt2eQH087lSzB8mYIkOWSl/s640/1517620299689.jpg"> </a> </div>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-61569090339390940852018-01-10T10:45:00.001-08:002018-01-12T00:03:23.036-08:00What it's really like to do a Juice Cleanse<p dir="ltr">So, you wanna do a Juice cleanse? Wanna give your sorry ol' liver a little break? Wanna wipe the slate clean and start over? You may want to read this first!!!</p>
<p dir="ltr">I just finished my third Juice Cleanse. I feel like I've kind of got this thing down by now but, man oh man, I could've used some pointers my first time around!!!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Here are 10 helpful tips from a girl who's been there and done that:</p>
<p dir="ltr">1. Grab a friend. Everything is easier when done alongside a friend! Believe me, you will want someone who is in the trenches with you. Someone you can ask questions to and commiserate with. Errr...I mean, celebrate with! When its over.</p>
<p dir="ltr">2. Know before you "go". Seriously, why didn't the brochure warn me about the cabernet colored explosions I'd experience on Day 3 or the distinct changes in the shape, color and length of...well, you get the idea!! Also, plan to spend more time going #1 as well. Better yet, you may want to camp out in your bathroom for 3 days. Just kidding. Kind of.</p>
<p dir="ltr">3. Eat some real food already. Drinking nothing but juice for 3 days makes a girl extremely hangry!!! The first time I did my cleanse, I didn't eat a thing! I have no idea how I survived without biting my own arm off. The second and third time, I got smart! I took the advice in the brochure and added in whole, clean foods throughout my day. Roasted veggies, raw veggies, apples, berries, bananas, a few nuts here & there. Having something to sink my teeth into made all the difference between merely surviving and actually enjoying a cleanse. Well, maybe the word "enjoying" is a bit of a stretch!!</p>
<p dir="ltr">4. Get your rest.</p>
<p dir="ltr">5. Keep reminding yourself "it's only 3 days!" You can do anything for 3 days. Right?</p>
<p dir="ltr">6. Pamper yourself in other ways. Sauna and Epsom salt baths are suggested as additional detox tools but, maybe go a step further and get a facial or pedi to really take your mind off it. It does help.</p>
<p dir="ltr">7. Count your blessings. Some folks go to bed hungry nightly. Some don't have enough money for groceries at all. And a whole lot of people would say spending $100 on 3 days of juice is just plain cray-cray. So, embrace the fact that a.) you are capable of doing this physically & financially and b.) that you will eat regular food again. Sure puts things in perspective.</p>
<p dir="ltr">8. Avoid Food Network or any other food related shows or magazines while cleansing! Trust me on this.</p>
<p dir="ltr">9. Follow up with clean eating. A juice cleanse is a great way to jump start weight loss! I've lost up to 5 lbs doing them but, if you go back to  your old ways, so will your waistline!</p>
<p dir="ltr">10. Pat yourself on the back. Better yet, print up a diploma that says "I can do hard things." Because you did. While you're at it, also print one up that says, "I am a Badass!" Because you are.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Good Job! You did it! Congrats! Your liver thanks you! You, my friend, are a rock star!</p>
Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-52602796325680606852018-01-03T10:03:00.001-08:002019-01-02T08:02:16.555-08:0010 reasons to give up drinking in the New Year<div dir="ltr">After the holidays last year, I decided to take a break from drinking so, I set an intention to do a "Sober January". I liked it so much I've decided to "give dry a try" again in 2019! And, this time, my hubby is on board!</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Here is a short list of all the benefits I've found from stepping away from the bottle...</div>
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1. It will save you money. No more growler fills, bar tabs or bottles of wine in your grocery cart? This could add up to hundreds each month!</div>
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2. Your heart will thank you. Research has shown that drinking alcohol can raise your blood pressure which in turn can be a risk factor for heart disease and heart attack. </div>
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3. It might just save your marriage. With any vice or addiction, we tend to spend more time on IT than the things that really matter. Put down the bottle and go for a walk with your hubby, replace happy hour at the bar with a group snowshoe hike, spend time with those you love by being totally present and aware. You will reap benefits you have never imagined.</div>
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4. You will have a ridiculous amount of extra time on your hands. And by extra, I mean productive. It is crazy how much wasted time occurs when we drink. <i>No pun intended.</i> From the actual time spent drinking to the entire next day when we are in recovery mode, there is so much time lost. Time you will never get back. Now, you will have time to reorganize that closet or pantry, write that blog, stick to a workout routine or volunteer your time in a soup kitchen.</div>
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5. You will look and feel 10 years younger. This is absolutely the truth. I always say that "not drinking" is the secret to staying young. Forget botox or lipo, laying off the booze reduces fine lines, redness/puffiness in the eyes and face and gives your skin a glow that no face cream can match.</div>
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6. You will be happier. Sure, enjoying a few beers after work helps you relax and unwind but, we all know alcohol is a depressant. Drink too much and you may find yourself in a world of hurt the next day and I'm not just talking about the pain between your ears.</div>
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7. Your kids will be happier. Seeing mom on the couch with a glass of wine does something to a kid. Even if it's actually 5:00 where you are. Putting down the bottle and spending quality, good old fashioned "face time" with your kid will do wonders for everyone.</div>
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8. You might just be saving yourself from a devastating disease like Alzheimer's and Dementia. Drinking creates memory loss. Memory loss is an early warning sign of Alzheimer's. Its not brain surgery folks, it's basic math.</div>
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9.You will lose weight. Alcohol contains all kinds of empty calories and slows metabolism. It also causes us to make poor food choices while drinking, as well as the days to follow. Why is it that a cheeseburger with fries and a soda sounds so much more desirable than a plate of roasted veggies and quinoa when you are hung over? Drop the booze, drop the weight.</div>
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10. You might really like taking a walk on the sober side - even temporarily! I always say that I love NOT drinking almost as much as I love drinking. And, after just a few days of it, I find the euphoric feeling that I get from a glass of wine being replaced with the europhic feeling I get when I wake up clear-headed and raring to go! I'll drink to that, however, at the moment, I'm not quite sure when that will be.</div>
Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-53610337391709078982017-12-23T14:41:00.001-08:002017-12-23T14:47:36.101-08:00the one thing Alzheimer's cannot take away<p dir="ltr">Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. It takes folks to lunch and then robs them blind - of the memory of what they just ate. It takes them to a movie and then leaves them cold - sitting and wondering what the heck they just spent 2 hours watching. And even worse, it makes their own children seem like vague, distant relatives.</p>
<p dir="ltr">My sweet mama is one of the 5 million people in the US suffering from this awful, awful disease.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It has been difficult to watch my mom go from the bubbly, talkative, social, outgoing person she was (when I was growing up), to a mere shadow of her former self at times. Sometimes, she is unable to form words or sentences. Sometimes, she sleeps for an entire day. Most times, she recognizes her children and husband of 63 years but, is unable to call them by name.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As Alzheimer's progresses, it takes a lot from a person. But, the one thing it absolutely cannot grab hold of is the way that person<i> feels </i>about people and the way that others make them <i>feel</i>. You see, regardless of whether my mama knows my name on any given day, she knows I am someone she loves and someone who loves her back. The look in her gorgeous blue eyes and the smile on her perfect face when I walk in her room, tell me everything I need to know. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Some days she greets me with "Oh, I'm so happy to see you," "I'm so glad you are here" or "I thought you would never get here." It doesn't matter that she doesn't know my name. She knows I am someone she loves and enjoys seeing. Recently I showed her a photo of 7-year old me (because I know people with Alzheimer's often remember things from long ago) and she said, without hesitation, "That's my baby girl." </p>
<p dir="ltr">Sometimes when I sit with my mama, there is simply no need for words. She holds my hand in hers and runs her thumb along the edge of my hand. Just like she did when I was little and needed consoling. Often, she will tuck my hair behind my ear as we sit in silence. Just like she did for 7-year old me. It's moments like these that assure me that my mom is still here.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Alzheimer's may have stolen her memory of how to speak, her ability to perform daily activities or her physical strength to walk but, it will not take away my mama's heart. And, quite honestly, that's the part of her I want most.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"<i>People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, b</i><i>ut people will never fo</i><i>rget how you made them feel.</i>"  - Maya Angelou</p>
Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-40370152376418236292016-02-16T05:01:00.000-08:002016-02-16T05:47:47.068-08:00Clean EatingIt was just an ordinary day. Shortly after the new year had begun, I was watching my daily dose of "Live with Kelly & Michael" when I saw something. Something that I had no idea would change my life and the way I relate to food. It was a special section devoted to a New Year/New You. There was this doctor and he was talking about a 2 week food cleanse. Well, automatically, my ears perked up because I had heard of all-liquid cleanses - heck, I'd even tried a few before - but, this sounded intriguing. A 2 week cleanse designed to reset the vicious cycle of my poor eating/drinking/excerise habits. And it involved actual food. I was on board!<br />
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The name of the doctor was Dr. Ian K. Smith and the cleanse was the Shred Power Cleanse. I ran right out and bought the book. I read it while on an airplane to visit my sister. I wasn't ready to start it just yet, after all I had a weekend of wining & dining ahead of me...but, I wanted to read all about it and be ready for it when I returned home.</div>
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Now, to be fair, I did do my annual 3-day juice cleans upon returning home. I thought it would be a good way to jump start my weight loss. And boy was it ever! I lost 6.6 lbs in 3 days. This time around, I had added in fresh fruits and veggies so it wasn't a strict juice only cleanse. The body does amazing things when it doesn't have to process alcohol, refined sugar, meat or dairy. I immediately felt lighter, clearer-minded and had a sense of peace and contentment that was difficult to explain. </div>
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Well, if I had done just the 3-day cleanse as I had in the past, that feeling would have been short-lived and I would have packed back on the pounds and returned to my old habits in no time. But, this year was different. Different because I had discovered Dr. Ian K. Smith. </div>
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Now, I am a person who loves structure and routine in an eating plan. I am "all or nothing" so, I would rather give up ALL of my bad habits, than just one. For some odd reason, that works for me. I've always said that I just want someone to tell me what to eat and when to eat it. And this program did just that!</div>
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This program also taught me the proper way to exercise. It introduced to me the concept of HIIT workouts. Higher intensity in a shorter amount of time. I had heard of these before, but it wasn't until I read this book and began doing them, that it finally made sense. I felt like I had unlocked the secret to weight loss.</div>
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Let me back up for just a minute. I am a 50 year old woman, in the midst of menopause and I have been living with MS for 17 years. I honestly thought I could not lose weight at this point in my life. I had sort of resolved myself to the fact that my skinny jeans would never fit properly and my belly would always hang over the top of my waistband. The term "happy belly" was just the name of a healthy juice from my cleanse, not something I thought I could ever actually attain. Oh, how wrong I had been!</div>
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Once I started to eat healthy - and by that I don't just mean changing the quality of my food - but also the quantity - good things started to happen. In the past, my problem was not eating too MUCH food, it was eating too LITTLE food. Eating too little actually sabotages weight loss and metabolism more than you realize. </div>
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I cannot tell you how much this program of clean eating has improved my life. It has changed the way I look at food, it has changed the way I exercise and it has given me a sense of well-being that is beyond explanation. I just want to shout from the mountain tops how exciting and easy this way of life really is. For those of you who have ever struggled with making good food choices or seeing results from all your hard work at the gym...this is the plan for you! Give it two weeks! I promise it will change your life. And those skinny jeans? Well, you may just have to go out and buy them a couple sizes smaller!</div>
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<b>Don't miss my next blog</b>: 10 Things I've learned from a Month of Clean Eating</div>
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Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-22601239375470680562016-01-08T15:53:00.000-08:002016-01-08T16:30:01.622-08:00Dear Running,I've decided it's time to take you back. I can no longer drive into my garage and pretend that I don't see the wall of bibs and smiling photos staring back at me. Or see the facebook memories on my daily feed and not feel a tinge of regret. I don't even really know where things went wrong - it was like I turned 50 and decided I was too old for you. Well, now I know that was silly. Because you don't stop running because you're old, you get old because you stop running. I needed this break to be able to see how much you truly mean to me and appreciate you more. You know, the whole absence makes the heart grow fonder bit.<br />
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Now, before you get too excited, we need to lay down a few relationship ground rules:</div>
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1. We have to start slow. I don't want to hear any mention of training runs, tempos, fartleks or tapering. It's just too soon. If you want this to work, you have to be patient with me. You have to let me go at my own pace. Last time, I got way too obsessed way too soon and it wasn't good for either one of us.</div>
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2. This will NOT be an exclusive relationship. If I want to share you with walking (a ménage au troi, let's say) then you have to be okay with that. If I decide to hop on the elliptical or ride the stationary bike, you gotta embrace it and be like "you go girl - variety is the spice of life" without a smidge of jealousy. </div>
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3. We have GOT to learn to have a little more fun together. Last time we tried this, things got way too serious! It became more about the RUN and not enough about the FUN. We got all caught up in race times and splits and PRs and shit...and somehow forgot to stop and take selfies and smell the roses. I do not want to make that mistake again. </div>
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4. Last, but definitely not least, promise me that you WILL NOT HURT me! I've had enough bruised shins, skinned knees, swollen hands and chafing to last a lifetime. I'm over it. If you want me back, this is non-negotiable. I'm tired of getting hurt. And quite frankly, too old.</div>
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So, what do you think? Do we have a deal? Can we make this work again? If not...<br />
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Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-63823021650048044152015-10-19T05:09:00.000-07:002017-11-28T10:45:27.708-08:00The bubble of Alzheimer's <p dir="ltr">My sweet mama has Alzheimer's. She has had the disease for close to 10 years but, just recently it has become full blown. A year ago, we moved her into a resident care facility because it had just become too much for my 80 year old father to take care of her on a daily basis.</p>
<p dir="ltr">After recently spending time with my sweet mama, I began to get a feel for what it must be like to live with Alzheimer's. I think it must be somewhat like living in a bubble. Never really experiencing life in 3D but rather looking through a blurred lens and  never quite being able to grasp your reality. I got the feeling she didn't think her home was hers, but that it was hauntingly similar to hers. She would look out the window and say, "Do you see that house across the street? It's just like the one across from my house." Or as we would drive around our old neighborhood she'd say "I know I should remember this but I just don't. None of this has anything to do with me." There were also many times she would say things that made no sense - a sort of rambling or unrelated series of words.</p>
<p dir="ltr">My mom has difficulty walking. She has to hold onto something at all times. She can't walk very far before she is out of breath. I began to think that it probably feels like walking through one of those "fun houses" at an amusement park. Only, it is so NOT fun. I imagine it feels a lot like walking across a river on narrow log. You take every step ever so gingerly for fear of falling into the water. I've experienced that feeling a few times and cannot imagine going through every moment of my life like that.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It breaks my heart to watch my sweet mama, a once vibrant, optimistic, sunny- dispositioned lady become a mere shadow of her former self.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Mama no longer knows me by name but, I have to believe that she knows that I am someone who loves her and someone that she loves back. The smile that breaks out across her face when she sees me, the way she runs her fingers gently across my hands as we visit (like she used to when I was little), the way she lights up when we sing old songs together. All of these things assure me that my mama is still here - the most important part of her is still here with us - her heart. <br><br><br><br></p>
Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-89520678144932224462015-04-25T14:14:00.000-07:002015-04-25T15:24:34.694-07:00How running saved my lifeAfter a long run this morning, I casually mentioned to my running buddy that I really think if I hadn't started running at the age of 45, I may not have made it to see my 50th (which is just a little over 3 weeks away!) She chuckled and even I had to stop and think if that was really a true statement but, truth be told, running has saved my life.<br />
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Not to mention my sanity, my health, my marriage, my mood, my faith, ...Uh, you get the idea.<br />
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The thing about running is that it affects your entire life, encompassing everything you do and everyone you come in contact with. You may not even realize it at the time but, running plays a key role in every decision you make. Wether that decision is to finish off the entire bottle of wine or change your perspective on a situation, running usually helps making that decision a little easier.<br />
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I have often joked that running is my therapy. But, truly that is no laughing matter. I cringe to think what I would have spent these past 5 years in psycho-analytical counseling sessions if it had not been for running. I can't even imagine how much weight I would have put on over the course of 5 years if it hadn't been for running. Or how high my already high cholesterol would be. And God knows, my almost 25 year marriage would not be what it is today if I did not have running in my life.<br />
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Even though my zest for running has slowed down a bit since I ran my first half marathon back in 2011, the benefits are still ever-present in my life. If I was to conduct a scientific study and chart my daily moods as well as my daily runs, I know that I would find a direct correlation between the days that I am on top of the world to the days that I was down in the dumps simply by wether I ran or not. Believe me, my co-workers can tell from my first "hello" wether I ran that morning or not. Recently, I saw a T-shirt that said "I run because pinching people is socially unacceptable". Case in point.<br />
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Running is the cherry on top of the sundae, it's the rainbow in the storm and it's the secret to my happiness. To stop running would be to stop breathing. Sure, the rate at which the race bibs go up on my garage wall may slow down, I will not stop lacin' it up and hittin' the road until they carry me off!<br />
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"You don't stop running because you get old.</div>
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You get old because you stop running."</div>
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I have no intentions of getting old so, for now, I've got no choice but to keep on running!!</div>
Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-69524145269631613392015-02-28T20:05:00.001-08:002015-02-28T20:13:15.735-08:00Who you calling passive aggressive?I love the fact that as I approach the ripe ol' age of 50, I can learn new things and more importantly, I can actually put them into action!<br />
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My latest project is overcoming Passive Aggressive behavior. Now, let's be honest, everybody has a little of this behavior unless maybe you are Mother Theresa or Pioneer Woman but...chances are if you are reading my blog, you have a little "PA" in you!<br />
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Lately, I've done a little research on the subject and I'm happy to report that I come by this trait honestly! What I've learned is that if you grew up in a traditional family where one parent was dominant and conflict was usually avoided, well then, you may have inherited a little more than the family rear end! (And for the record, yes I got that too!) Lucky Me!<br />
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Passive Aggressiveness is described as "sugar coated hostility" and boy, does that hit the nail on the head! Anytime you say something other than what you'd like to actually say, that is "PA". Anytime you respond with a sarcastic remark, you are being "PA". Anytime you post a status or photo with a slight intention to piss someone off...yep, you got it: "PA"! Give your hubby the silent treatment much? Yup! (They say the worst "F" word to come out of a woman's mouth is "Fine!") This little gem takes on all kinds of forms but any way you slice it, it's sour puss pie!<br />
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The real problem with sour puss pie is that the more you eat it, the more it harms you. The person you are mad at continues along their road in life without a care in the world, while you are seething with anger, frustration and resentment. Nothing will ever get better if you continue to eat from this "not so humble" pie, because the very thing that is causing you pain is the thing that you can't let go of. It's like continuing to down a fifth of whiskey and wondering why you have such a killer headache! You can't conquer your demons if you aren't willing to acknowledge them. Plain and simple. Face the demon. Free yourself from it's grasp. It really is that easy.<br />
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So, if it's that easy, why do we continue to do it? Because it's much easier to be angry than to face conflict. There are those who are so afraid of conflict that they will do just about anything to avoid it. Sounds crazy, huh?<br />
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The best thing you can do for yourself, for your health and your entire quality of life is to face your fears no matter what they are. One moment of discomfort is worth a thousand moments of bliss. Once you release whatever it is that is bothering you, you will suddenly feel a lightness, a joy that is indescribable. You gotta feel it to really appreciate it but, it is oh so sweet!<br />
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And the best way to avoid this thing in the future is to address problems as they arise. Nip it in the bud. Cut it short. Don't let it fester. No good comes from that.<br />
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In the end, you will suffer way less if you let it all out than if you hold it all in. And if you let it out little by little, even better! And remember:<br />
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<i>"Comfort is the enemy of achievement"</i></div>
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<br />Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-56092769422260572582015-02-16T10:00:00.000-08:002015-02-16T10:58:44.294-08:0050 things I want my kids to knowAs I approach my 50th birthday, I have been doing a lot of thinking and making a lot of lists! I've made "bucket lists", "to do lists" and "already done lists". Just the other day, I thought of another list: "things I want my kids to know." I think it's important to share bits of wisdom with our children - a sort of living legacy if you will - before they go out into the world. I may not know it all in my "almost 50 years" but, I do know this much:<br />
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<b>1. Treat others the way you want to be treated. </b>Yep, the Golden Rule never goes out of style.<br />
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<b>2. Celebrate the little things. </b> Because in the end, that's what really matters.<br />
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<b>3. Do what you love and the money will come.</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>Don't ever take a job for the money alone because you will forever be a slave to it. Follow your heart and your job will never feel like work.<br />
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<b>4. Work hard. </b>"The way you do anything is the way you do everything" means that you set your own standard of work from the get go so, be sure to give it your all.<br />
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<b>5. Eat caviar. </b>Or "be fancy" once in awhile.<br />
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<b>6. Go to confession once in awhile. </b> Nothing feels better than a clean slate.<br />
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<b>7. Climb a mountain. </b>The air really is cleaner up there!<br />
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<b>8. Listen to country music. </b><br />
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<b>9. Learn how to shoot a gun. </b><br />
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<b>10. Remember where you came from. </b>See #8 & #9.<br />
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<b>11. Learn from your mistakes. </b>There's nothing wrong with making mistakes just try not to make the same ones over and over. And over.<br />
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<b>12. Travel while you have the chance.</b><br />
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<b>13. Stay in school. </b>Duh.<br />
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<b>14. Remember whatever you post on the internet, lives there forever!</b><br />
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<b>15. Some good deeds go unpunished. </b>Contrary to your father and mother's favorite saying, it really is worthwhile to do good.<br />
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<b>16. Don't base your self worth on how many "likes" or "friends" you have.</b><br />
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<b>17. Don't call in sick unless you are. </b>#smalltownproblems<br />
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<b>18. Remember that true character is who you are when nobody is watching. </b>(aka, who you are when you're not on social media!)<br />
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<b>19. People will like you more if they think you like them. </b>This really does work! If there is someone you would like to like you more, simply show an interest in them. Careful what you wish for though, because you will have a friend for life.<br />
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<b>20. Do crosswords (and not just the Monday ones!) </b>Strive to constantly sharpen your mind - be it puzzles, podcasts or a paradigm shift!!<br />
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<b>21. Don't forget to be awesome. </b>Self explanatory, I hope.<br />
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<b>22. Learn to run! </b>Preferably before the age of 45!<br />
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<b>23. Practice moderation. </b>Preferably before your 50th bday!<br />
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<b>24. Choose your mate wisely. </b>Time only accentuates a person's true character. Think about that<br />
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<b>25. Don't sleep your life away. </b>Yes, it's true that the early bird gets the worm -- or atleast a better view of the sunrise!<br />
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<b>26. If you get a chance to spend some time on a golf course, do it! </b>The lessons you learn on a golf course will stay with you for life.<br />
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<b>27. Take chances. </b>Most of the things you will regret in this life, will be the things you DIDN'T do!<br />
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<b>28. Always be kinder than you feel. </b>You know the old adage "everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about"...well, it's true!<br />
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<b>29. Volunteer your time. </b><br />
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<b>30. Excercise most days of the week.</b><br />
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<b>31. Read your bible.</b><br />
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<b>32. Practice what you preach. </b>No one likes a hypocrite or a poser. Be who you say you are and stand your ground.<br />
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<b>33. Give something up. </b>Nothing feels better than giving something up that will allow you more freedom or time or money. Try it!<br />
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<b>34. Don't keep track of wrongs. </b>It will steal your joy.<br />
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<b>35. Don't hang out with buzzkills - or 'hoodlums! </b>'Nuff said.<br />
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<b>36. Help those who cannot repay you. </b>Remember: "The best excersise for your heart is reaching down to help someone up!"<br />
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<b>37. Spend time with the very young and the very old.</b><br />
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<b>38. Take care of yourself. </b>You only get one body, treat it well.<br />
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<b>39. Stay up and watch the sunrise.</b><br />
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<b>40. Splurge once in awhile. </b>On a bottle of wine, a new pair of shoes or a once in a lifetime trip!<br />
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<b>41. Learn how to fish. </b>See #10.<br />
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<b>42. Grow something.</b><br />
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<b>43. Always use spell check! </b>And just remember you can always hit the edit button once you have misspelled something.<br />
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<b>44. Don't believe everything you read.</b><br />
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<b>45. Have a favorite book.</b><br />
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<b>46. Read a classic. </b><br />
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<b>47. Listen to your gut.</b><br />
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<b>48. Don't just pray when you need something. </b>Just like you don't like it when a friend calls you only when he's in trouble, neither does God!<br />
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<b>49. Everyone deserves to be validated. </b>Even the jack asses!!!<br />
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<b>50. You can always go home. </b>Preferably just to visit. But, know that the door is always open and your bed will always be unmade.<br />
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<b>Love, </b><br />
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<br />Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-70883708602424850942014-10-30T15:41:00.002-07:002014-10-30T21:43:44.961-07:00MS, PML and other fun acronyms Well, the time has come to make a decision. A very important decision. Perhaps, a life and death decision. I have been living with Multiple Sclerosis for 16 years and I would have to say that it has, overall, been a pretty easy journey. I have always been happy, if not thankful, that God chose this cross for me to bear. There are a lot worse things than having MS. Don't think for one minute that I don't know that.<br />
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Over the years, I have tried all kinds of treatments and drugs to combat the devastating effects of this (lovely) disease! In the very beginning, I chose positive mental attitude (PMA) and prayer (otherwise known as OYK - or "on your knees"). That was followed up with a dose of better eating, lots of exercise and a bottle of bleach. It was great: I lost weight, I embraced my "inner blonde", I felt like a million bucks! I truly felt like MS had been a wake up call to live a better life! The life that God had intended me to live! Apparently, God thought I looked better as a blonde too!<br />
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A few years later, I started experiencing some numbness and balance issues. My doctor wanted me to consider Avonex, an intramuscular injection self-administered once a week. The only caveat was that they don't recommend getting pregnant while on this drug. My husband and I discussed it and decided that we should try for Baby #2. We'd give ourselves 6 months and if I wasn't pregnant by summer's end, we would close that door for good and I would begin my new treatment. Well, as luck would have it (just kidding, I know it was all God!) we were pregnant by Memorial Day! We were thrilled! AJ was going to have a little sister and our lil' party of three was about to become a foursome!<br />
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Marlee was born in January and just a few weeks after she was born, I began having exacerbations which would cause me to lose my balance more easily and my limbs to go numb. I remember being thankful that I was in a season of my life where I was almost always sitting on the couch (nursing) or pushing a stroller or grocery cart so, that I could sort of "fake" it if I needed to! But, I knew I needed to get started on my treatment ASAP! I knew that this meant I needed to wean my baby sooner than I had planned and get serious about fighting this fight. (Studies show that the sooner a person with MS starts treatment, the better their prognosis.) It was a tough decision but, time was not on my side and I had to act fast!<br />
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For several years, I was happy with the Avonex. Thankful, again that there was a miracle drug on the market and even more thankful for a husband that wasn't afraid to administer it! He will always be my hero for rising to that occasion. Our wedding vows had said "in sickness and in health" and clearly, he had meant every word.<br />
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But, like all good things, it came to an end...an MRI showed new lesions in my brain and my doctor wanted me to "amp it up" where my treatment was concerned. So, we switched to Rebif, another shot type drug but this time, instead of intramuscular, it was subcutaneous (which meant just below the skin) and was to be administered not once but, 3x a week. Oh joy!<br />
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Rebif worked for quite awhile, probably 5 or so years. But, in early 2011, I started experiencing dizziness and vertigo, rendering me unable to work and drive, limiting my daily functioning greatly. Again, my doctor ordered an MRI, got me started on multiple days of steroid infusions and started talking to me about this new drug called Tysabri. Tysabri was a once a month IV infusion that had seen great successes but, unfortunately had also seen unfortunate outcomes. Several people on the drug had died from a rare brain infection called PML or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy! Phew! Aren't you glad they just call it PML for short?! Anyhoo, the idea of a once a month IV (or as I like to call it "a mommy time out") sounded fabulous! No more shots! No real side effects to speak of, well other than the possibility of that "PM-whatever it was" so, I jumped on that train faster than a sneeze through a screen door!<br />
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So, I have been living happily ever after on Tysabri ever since!<br />
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If only that was the end of the story.<br />
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A few weeks ago, my doctor ordered a few routine blood tests and another MRI. The MRI, thankfully, came back very good - no new lesions! Yay me! However, they also tested me for the antibody that causes the JC Virus, which is a major player in this whole PML Russian Roulette game! And, I tested positive.<br />
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So, back to that decision that I have to make. My doctor wants me to consider going off of Tysabri and try a new oral pill (taken twice daily) but, I'm not so keen about the side effects or the stuff that is in the pill. It is made from a chemical that has been used in furniture cleaner! What?<br />
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I, on the other hand, am not so ready to jump off the Tysabri Wagon just yet. I actually look forward to my monthly infusions as it is seriously one of the rare times in my busy life that I get to recline in a chair, cover up with a cozy blanket and either close my eyes or do a crossword, read or just chill for 2 hours! It's about the closest thing to a spa day that I get on a regular basis!<br />
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Besides that, here is what I do know:<br />
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I know that testing positive for the JC Virus puts me at a much higher risk for developing PML (1 in 500 I am told) but, I also know that there are other MS patients who continue to take this drug even after receiving a positive result. I also know that I feel 100% better since I've been taking Tysabri than I ever have while living with MS. I know that life is unpredictable in and of itself and I am willing to take my chances. I know that the God that I believe in already knows how my life on earth will end, and if PML is part of His plan, then so be it. I know for sure that I would rather live a more quality life right now than to have a life where I wasn't able to enjoy the things I enjoy doing. It's about living in the NOW. Yes, I am worried about the possibility of developing PML but, what scares me more is picturing my life without the strength in my legs to run a 5k or the vision to see things clearly and be able to do the work I love. Tysabri has given me a new lease on life and it would be awfully ironic if the very thing that saved me, ends up killing me. But, then again, God works in mysterious ways and who am I to second guess Him?<br />
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*on a side note, I love the book Jesus Calling so much that I have it programmed into my phone under the acronym JC so, every time I typed in those two letter that is what popped up! Kinda funny! I just hope it doesn't mean "Jesus is Calling me home!" <i>Not just yet anyway!</i><br />
<br />Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-64557625260945460612014-10-18T11:02:00.003-07:002014-10-18T11:07:51.119-07:00life's little luxuries It's true what they say. It's the little things that really matter. I just read one of my favorite blogs by Kristin Armstrong (Mile Markers on the runners world website). It was all about little luxuries and it made me stop and think about what my little luxuries or escapes from the chaos of my life are...<br />
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I decided to jot down a few in my journal and ended up filling an entire page (probably could have written much more!) below are a few of my faves...<br />
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<i>Bubble baths. Chamomile tea. Fuzzy socks. Firepits. Perusing Goodwill. Cold Chardonnay and crab. Walking in the snow. Monday crosswords. Waking up before the sun. Making lists. Crossing off lists. Crafts. Perusing Pinterest. Taking photos. Pike place in my keurig. Sitting by the fire. Writing letters. Reading blogs. Hiking. Pedis. Bloody Mary's. Tailgating. HGTV. A crisp fall day.</i><br />
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It is actually therapeutic to write down all the things that make you feel content and bring you joy - those little things that make you tick! Sometimes the most mundane or ordinary things can do just that. When we think about the limitations that some people face wether it is physical or cultural or by their own choice, it really changes our perspective. It makes us stop and realize just how blessed we truly are.<br />
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<i>"Enjoy the little things in life, for someday you will look back and </i></div>
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<i>realize that they were the big things."</i><br />
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What are your little things?</div>
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Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-41943420049117356022014-09-01T18:24:00.000-07:002014-09-01T18:42:29.432-07:00Back to school faves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ahhh...Fall! My favorite time of the year is just around the corner! And with that comes </div>
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Oregon Duck football games, pumpkins, cooler days, boots & knee highs and Back to School! </div>
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I wanted to highlight some of the other things I am excited about as we enter the new season.</div>
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Sort of an "Aunt Fab's Fall Finds" if you will.</div>
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Here goes:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap1L-60ATXg/VAUNFW3-v0I/AAAAAAAAFeo/ZWXX-kT-L3M/s1600/14%2B-%2B2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap1L-60ATXg/VAUNFW3-v0I/AAAAAAAAFeo/ZWXX-kT-L3M/s1600/14%2B-%2B2" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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My Rolling Cart ($30, Staples).</div>
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I love this thing!! I can put everything I need in it for my work day (lunch bag, lesson plans and materials, etc.) and then, just roll on into work with ease! In addition, I added a little caribeaner (a couple bucks for a pack of 3 at Storables) to hang my purse on and a cup holder ($1.79 at IKEA ) for my morning latte! This way my hands are free as I negotiate my keys into the building...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xlXGF1sEFNU/VAUNFd0G3GI/AAAAAAAAFeo/ikQlWVk27ZM/s1600/14%2B-%2B4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xlXGF1sEFNU/VAUNFd0G3GI/AAAAAAAAFeo/ikQlWVk27ZM/s1600/14%2B-%2B4" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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My closet organizer ($14, Target).</div>
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I actually stole this idea from my 13 year old daughter!</div>
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She lays out her outfits for the week and it makes it so much easier to get dressed in the morning.</div>
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It has just enough shelves to plan a week's worth of outfits!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TL_m2vKOaJA/VAUNFVmbRqI/AAAAAAAAFeo/bOu0cg3oYoo/s1600/14%2B-%2B3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TL_m2vKOaJA/VAUNFVmbRqI/AAAAAAAAFeo/bOu0cg3oYoo/s1600/14%2B-%2B3" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Single serve coffee maker ($44.95, Eagle Bargain Outlet).</div>
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I am so excited about this find!!!</div>
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I have been looking all summer for one to have at work but, they were $70-90 </div>
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and I didn't want to pay that much!</div>
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I came across this one at an outlet store in Portland and it was the only one like it on the shelf! </div>
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I guess they get items that have been returned and they cannot sell in the stores so, </div>
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they are marked down quite a bit...</div>
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Yahoo!</div>
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I even found some discounted K-cups to use in it!</div>
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54 pods for $27! What a deal!</div>
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I should be set with coffee 'til Thanksgiving break!!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw6YUk5g3p8/VAUNFdpN7cI/AAAAAAAAFe4/BSEHJ6qxELo/s1600/14%2B-%2B6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw6YUk5g3p8/VAUNFdpN7cI/AAAAAAAAFe4/BSEHJ6qxELo/s1600/14%2B-%2B6" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Okay, here's another idea I got from my teenage daughter</div>
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(from all the you tube videos she watches!)</div>
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It's a Mason Jar Salad...and it is so fun and easy to pack for lunch -- </div>
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not to mention, super healthy!!<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ui1zh2IXYE/VAUNFTASfJI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/8vMpe0yL2Cg/s1600/14%2B-%2B7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ui1zh2IXYE/VAUNFTASfJI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/8vMpe0yL2Cg/s1600/14%2B-%2B7" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSrUmZbhWo8/VAUNFZllBlI/AAAAAAAAFgc/KhPlxTRULIA/s1600/14%2B-%2B8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSrUmZbhWo8/VAUNFZllBlI/AAAAAAAAFgc/KhPlxTRULIA/s1600/14%2B-%2B8" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
All you do is layer your salad makings (putting dressing on the bottom </div>
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so the lettuce doesn't get all soggy!) and then put the lid on and pack it in your lunch box!</div>
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When you are ready to eat, turn it upside down and </div>
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shake all the ingredients together and pour in salad bowl!</div>
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So yummy!!!</div>
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HAPPY FALL!!</div>
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<br />Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-28973820169018558312014-08-21T13:46:00.000-07:002014-08-21T20:23:56.854-07:00Eugene Half<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRddFOwjX6X7A1pLeF5A2dCYI4YY9Crv2HmNdsk_moXekvPjIU7GVPJTWF3eZysUkWPHmki6O5vF-YuASigImp0FCXzePfS8FQit_CAS0Bxy-uH6cPtNhV4PKFTXSsRflwTt0PgpkYPmF/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRddFOwjX6X7A1pLeF5A2dCYI4YY9Crv2HmNdsk_moXekvPjIU7GVPJTWF3eZysUkWPHmki6O5vF-YuASigImp0FCXzePfS8FQit_CAS0Bxy-uH6cPtNhV4PKFTXSsRflwTt0PgpkYPmF/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's been almost a month since I ran the famed Eugene Half Marathon that I've had on my bucket list for some time now. It was the BEST and the WORST race I have ever run!</div>
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The best because I got to run it with my awesome husband (we are both Ducks!!). I got to run past some very cool and meaningful places (my old dorm, my son's fraternity, Autzen Stadium, etc.!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKeZvhbRP8wngYLtYkr_6_a109iQwJVccZx0s_ghWEUnc7PTB2GD6CBRPUmar2GONruvLgc748VUn9EyD3kVSdgrv1xiFBCxCZPikWw8aJox0pJ8bFSLqPNncvfgtSw6nKVFZ9OJ0J9BI/s1600/IMG_4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKeZvhbRP8wngYLtYkr_6_a109iQwJVccZx0s_ghWEUnc7PTB2GD6CBRPUmar2GONruvLgc748VUn9EyD3kVSdgrv1xiFBCxCZPikWw8aJox0pJ8bFSLqPNncvfgtSw6nKVFZ9OJ0J9BI/s1600/IMG_4367.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The best because I got to finish on the historical Hayward Field, the same place Steve Prefontaine trained and where Ashton Eaton broke some records!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLQP0pdYA_xN7BdR9-gQjFZXBcZSkw3s8tLtbxoItsI4Up1YVnDBuGeICc__6LwjB9keW5y8UxK-xTh9PhWFAAydH-x6fH7kveumSNwRZ_wTiIvxR1a112TG9BZXWjFuAsunzsdK4a9CH/s1600/IMG_4368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLQP0pdYA_xN7BdR9-gQjFZXBcZSkw3s8tLtbxoItsI4Up1YVnDBuGeICc__6LwjB9keW5y8UxK-xTh9PhWFAAydH-x6fH7kveumSNwRZ_wTiIvxR1a112TG9BZXWjFuAsunzsdK4a9CH/s1600/IMG_4368.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN34nnYw4esba7WOJRFLHLYSOUBbz-3nuixioo4NqVwCmHYbXE1y_5G_WEqg2f7F5cO-TW9cVCGx98UxlLH2A3gnFvfpK5LpPpKRLAnsGMNVb2I8dt0o6DtAlLiJ-qxyb3Euu3IH9asR2I/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN34nnYw4esba7WOJRFLHLYSOUBbz-3nuixioo4NqVwCmHYbXE1y_5G_WEqg2f7F5cO-TW9cVCGx98UxlLH2A3gnFvfpK5LpPpKRLAnsGMNVb2I8dt0o6DtAlLiJ-qxyb3Euu3IH9asR2I/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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But, the very best part was running the race for our dear friend, Missy who is running her toughest race. Against cancer. It was my husband's idea to dedicate our race to Missy (she lives in Eugene and is a fellow Duck!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HbhQRzjCGSs1ohlqMKUlAcuIxe8vDr3CUSxIzQr1aBHpJQIlMlL4dWXIgw61tDivCuAaDJCEVC8JQc8w3_79VnCykPtiOfKXsQu0GT9cuHb5rWhqjKWKyHb2VXJiwJe8SSguFXhpaYSg/s1600/IMG_4372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HbhQRzjCGSs1ohlqMKUlAcuIxe8vDr3CUSxIzQr1aBHpJQIlMlL4dWXIgw61tDivCuAaDJCEVC8JQc8w3_79VnCykPtiOfKXsQu0GT9cuHb5rWhqjKWKyHb2VXJiwJe8SSguFXhpaYSg/s1600/IMG_4372.JPG" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
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I had heard of people doing "prayer bands" during long races and dedicating each mile to a certain prayer, petition or person. I loved the idea so, I took to the internet and googled the idea! One great suggestion I found was to grab some pace bands at the Race Expo (Usually the ClifBar booth has them). Well, with neither my husband or myself being competitive or fast, we had NO idea what a pace band was actually used for, but we were very happy to turn them into our prayer bands for sweet Missy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUDzA0rDpPZcWqZ6mHIlZS2fXrIIYJtXhgpcOAdnTrUqt_IPELQTvg_WG1e1itaOce08-iX-ZApGS9hAgPGt34F7m-ou7Mz3MiLvOMU-D9FhqzB1-pLg9MEfgfTITGT3PJdsH-nnWJLcl/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUDzA0rDpPZcWqZ6mHIlZS2fXrIIYJtXhgpcOAdnTrUqt_IPELQTvg_WG1e1itaOce08-iX-ZApGS9hAgPGt34F7m-ou7Mz3MiLvOMU-D9FhqzB1-pLg9MEfgfTITGT3PJdsH-nnWJLcl/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's what they looked like. Each mile was a different prayer for our friend. Courage, Strength, Healing...13 prayers in all. I later told Missy that I was a little selfish with some of the prayers, particularly Strength, when I hit Mile 9 and a huge hill. She didn't mind one bit that I "double-dipped" that mile's prayer!</div>
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So, why was it the worst?</div>
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Well, for starters, I did not train as hard I had for my previous two halves. I think my longest run was somewhere around 8 miles. I remember asking one of my "running mentors" if he thought it'd be okay to skip the longer runs and he said, "It just depends on how sore you want to be!" And, boy was he right! I felt really good up to about Mile 7 and then my body started retaliating -- especially my knees! I have never had problems with my knees before, but this was an excruciating pain! </div>
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All I could think about was crossing the finish line at Hayward Field and prayed that my legs would carry me that far! I no longer cared about my goal time of 2:30 but, rather just about being physically able to finish the race, get my medal and my well deserved pancake! </div>
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(The race is sponsored by Krusteaz!)</div>
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In the end, I finished in 2:36:22 and my husband beat me by 3 minutes (who did not train at all, by the way!) I did not set a new PR, I had, however, just set a new record for the longest I'd ever run at one time and that felt pretty good! I was so happy to be done that I was on an emotional, adrenaline rush for the rest of the day! I had accomplished a very special goal and had run a very special race!</div>
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Yep, that's what I did!</div>
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<br />Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-28281273055564969422014-07-21T13:48:00.000-07:002014-07-21T13:52:43.265-07:00this is 145<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpQCC1Xo8-EZAPgjsYJpCIYIchPSP0BdJ3EJXPxYWsklmTZ2WNXKl5u7ypOiXEc-lWE8Q7xGc2L0EJnDMA4Dmh1o5UiEZQnA3gogj1LEQ0CXNed12sJEJLKZ6rSY8kgUxPXhiutQ9H8S5/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpQCC1Xo8-EZAPgjsYJpCIYIchPSP0BdJ3EJXPxYWsklmTZ2WNXKl5u7ypOiXEc-lWE8Q7xGc2L0EJnDMA4Dmh1o5UiEZQnA3gogj1LEQ0CXNed12sJEJLKZ6rSY8kgUxPXhiutQ9H8S5/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
145 pounds. No matter how much I diet or eat or run or don't run, my scale somehow always ends up at this magical number. I guess that is just where my body settles and I'm okay wih that. My friends often tell me they can't believe I weigh that much (which I have always taken as a compliment, sort of!) Apparently, I have heavy bones or a lot of muscle! Or maybe both! So, you wanna know what 145 feels like?<br />
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It feels like waking up at 530am most days of the week and heading out for a run or fitness workout.<br />
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It feels like being able to run 13.1 miles all at one time without dying (or better yet, barfing. Or stopping.)<br />
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It feels like being strong enough to work 7-8 hours a day at a physically and mentally tough job and still have something left for my family at the end of the day.<br />
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It feels like maximizing your weekends by hitting the slopes, hitting the bar AND making it to Sunday morning yoga and Sunday night church.<br />
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It feels like visiting your son at college and feeling like YOU are the college student!<br />
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It feels like looking MS right smack dab in the face and laughing, while saying "Oh, and you thought I'd back down? Ha! Obviously, you haven't met me!"<br />
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Yeah, so that's what 145 feels like. Strong. Confident. And Tough.<br />
I would happily take that any day over 125 pounds of "Not-so-sure-if I-can-hack it"!<br />
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BOOM!!!<br />
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Oh, and just in case you are wondering, this is what 145 LOOKS like...<br />
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145's Not so bad, right? Well, truth be told I originally wrote this blog about 6 months ago, shortly before menopause took ahold of me and shook me to my core. And now, I am fighting to stay below 150! Oh, what I wouldn't give to weigh 145 again!!<br />
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Oh well, as long as I can approach my 50th birthday with strength and determination to be the best I can be, I'll take 145, 150 or beyond. Afterall, it's just a number!<br />
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And I've never been one to let a number define me.<br />
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<span id="goog_1752429084"></span><span id="goog_1752429085"></span><br />Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-88690106068644531452014-05-06T19:25:00.000-07:002014-05-06T19:57:01.481-07:00B.O.D., Baby!Lately, it seems as if I have been on the defense an awful lot. It's as if every time someone says or does something, I automatically jump to the conclusion that they are out to get me. It's ridiculous, really and I don't like it. Not one little bit.<br />
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So, I did what I do every time something is troubling me - I prayed about it. After mulling it over with Him, I came up with this idea: every time my mind starts to go to that dark place, instead of thinking the worst, stop and give that person the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they don't plan their day around making my life miserable, maybe they don't wake up in the morning and say "I really want to mess with her " and maybe, just maybe, they didn't even stop to consider how their actions would affect me at all. Maybe people are basically good and honorable and just. Maybe they don't have a secret agenda. Maybe some people don't deserve the benefit of the doubt. Give it to them anyway!<br />
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So, I have begun to train myself to give others the benefit of the doubt - or B.O.D.as I like to call it! When my mind wanders, I immediately think or say to myself "B.O.D., baby"! It somehow takes the sting out of it and I find myself chuckling to myself and suddenly whatever it was that was bothering me is now forgotten and I've moved on. It no longer has the power to upset me because I have taken away it's control. It's actually pretty cool!<br />
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I remember reading somewhere that you should treat everyone you meet with kindness because everyone is fighting some sort of battle you know nothing about. So, the next time someone pisses you off in traffic, imagine that they are headed to the doctor's office to get a second opinion on their cancer or the next time someone is rude to you, imagine that they are pre occupied because they just received some horrible news. Life is short. Don't go through it mad or angry or resentful. Just give others the benefit of the doubt. It will add immense joy to your life and maybe even a few years!<br />
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<i>"Train your mind to see the good in every situation"</i><br />
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Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-22952411611319269852014-04-04T18:24:00.001-07:002014-04-04T19:43:58.285-07:00no good deedIf ever there was a saying that rings true, it is this one:<br />
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<i>"No good deed goes unpunished</i>!"<br />
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It happens to be one of my husband's favorite sayings - and even though I had no idea what it meant the first time I heard it, it is now one of my favorites as well. Because it just fits so many situations!!<br />
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Here are a few scenarios that describe it a little better:<br />
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•My good friend teaches Sunday school at her church/One evening after teaching. she slips on ice in the parking lot and breaks her wrist.<br />
•My husband picks up flooring boxes that blew out of a neighbors garbage can on a particularly windy morning and puts it in our garbage can/Another neighbor later berates him for not doing a better job of securing "our flooring boxes" in our garbage can.<br />
•I offer to drive my daughter and her friend to the mountain/I roll my car on the way home.<br />
•You run in a charity race/You get run over by a bus.<br />
<i>Okay, so that last one didn't really happen...but, you</i> catch my drift, right?<br />
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Well, recently I experienced my own kind of "good deed punishment"!! I recently bought tickets for my daughter and I to see one of her favorite "you -tubers" perform live. I decided to splurge and buy the V.I.P tickets so, we could have better seats AND meet her after the show!! Later, I invited my niece to the show but, there were no V.I.P. seats left so, I just bought her a G.A. ticket, figuring she wouldn't mind since she really didn't know the performer anyway.<br />
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When the day of the show arrived, my daughter and my niece were so excited and it became clear to me that they needed to have the V.I.P. tickets! I mean, I didn't really need to meet and greet this 20-something "you-tuber" but, the two of them would have a blast posting pics to Instagram and telling their friends! So, I happily gave them the tickets. Unbeknownst to me, V.I.P.ers got in 15 minutes early to the show. So, I waited in line with them and once they were let in at the door, the ticket collector informed me that I needed to get back in line and wait with the other G.A. folks outside. Okay, no problem. How bad could it be? Well, just as I walked outside, the skies opened up and it began to pour. Down. Rain. I was suddenly wishing I'd packed an umbrella or at the very least, a garbage bag to put over my head!! I was suddenly reconsidering my decision to wear sandals and capris (to show off my new pedi and tan from spring break!!) Ugh. As if this wasn't bad enough, I saw that the line wrapped around. A. Huge. City. Block! So, there I was standing on a street corner feeling just a wee bit sorry for myself!<br />
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The only thing I could think of as I stood there with raindrops bouncing off my OPI bubblegum toes, was "no good deed goes unpunished!" I took a selfie of myself standing in the rain with a sad face and that very caption and sent it off to my husband! He knew exactly what I meant!<br />
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<br />Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-34066281150799692322014-02-05T21:30:00.001-08:002014-02-05T21:30:43.981-08:00maryI go to the public swimming pool once a week. as part of my job (working with special ed kids). A few weeks ago, I met a gal named Mary in the locker room! I liked her immediately. She was spry. She was witty. She was sharp as a tack. And she is probably around 85 years old, give or take a few years! We chatted and laughed like old friends. I saw Mary again this week and I still can't get the image of her out of my head. She stood there, next to me, completely naked, just chatting up a storm, meticulously drying herself off. She laughed as she did, saying, "my skin is too big for my body now!" A huge smile in her voice and on her face. You see, I was trying hard to look at her face, not at the naked body beside me! But, part of me just wanted so badly to look at her body, to get a glimpse of what I might look like in 40 some years! I've never really seen a naked 80 year old, so I was curious! I finally lowered my eyes to take it all in and all I could think was "Man, I hope I look like that when I'm her age!" I think what I was actually thinking was "God, I hope I live to be her age and have the kind of confidence she has!" I mean, I still drape a towel modestly around myself when I dry off in an all-women's locker room and here she was, just letting it all hang out! And I do mean "letting it all hang out"!!<br />
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Standing there, talking with Mary and trying not to gawk, I realized something. I realized that we women spend our whole lives, not to mention our hard earned money to look good, to appear younger and to stay in shape...but, someday, we will be Mary's age and what will it really matter? Will it really matter that we gave up carbs for months on end only to end up gaining all the weight back anyway?Or deprived ourselves of delicious treats just to fit into a bikini for that vacation? Will it matter that we did or didn't get that boob job? Or Botox? Probably not. The point is that we are so hard on ourselves, constantly striving for that perfect ideal, that fountain of youth that we fail to realize that real beauty lies in a life well lived. A body that has withstood all of life's battles and storms and is still standing. A face that reveals a joyous, happy life, complete with the smile lines to prove that you laughed a lot! I honestly had never seen anything quite as beautiful as <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 15px;">what</span></span> I saw in Mary that day.<br />
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"Real beauty isn't about symmetry or weight or make up, it's about looking life right in the face and seeing all of its magnificence reflected in your own. " -Valerie MaloneMargiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-10815306815119898812014-01-18T08:07:00.001-08:002014-01-18T08:23:30.110-08:00Today's wavesI was reading my daily devotional, Jesus Calling the other day and this passage totally struck me. It was talking about not looking too far into the future and letting God do His job. Now, I've heard this put many ways before bit, somehow this time it really made sense and stuck with me.<br />
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Here is the passage:<br />
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"there are treacherous looking waves in the distance...by the time those waves reach you, they will have shrunk to proportions of My design. I am always beside you, helping you face today's waves."<br />
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I love the whole visual of this! Staring out at the ocean, looking at the giant waves and imagining them crashing up against the shore and swallowing you up! When we obsess about the future, that is exactly what we start to feel like. Stop. Slow down. Breathe. And let God do His thing. I read this a long time ago and it has always stayed with me: "worrying is taking on a responsibility that belongs to God." I don't know about you, but I don't want to step on the Big Guy's toes!<br />
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I started thinking about this idea and how it relates to every single aspect of my life. First of all, my MS. If I were to sit and worry about my future with this disease, I would surely succumb to debilitating fear and not want to get out of bed each day. Instead, I choose to take it a day at a time and trust God enough to handle it when the time comes.<br />
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Secondly, my running. I am signed up for a half marathon in July and frankly, the idea of running 13.1 miles again scares me to death! But if I focus on "today's waves" and put in my time training, I will be able to reach that goal when the time comes!<br />
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So, I guess the moral of my story is to stop worrying, concentrate on what you can do today and leave the rest up to God. He's got this!!Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-1653563563932358782014-01-11T17:59:00.001-08:002014-01-11T19:00:26.476-08:00My Mean CleanSo, I'm doing The Game On Diet for the 4th time. (See June 25 blog for more on that). One of my favorite things about this plan is the good/bad habit. At the beginning of the diet you must pick a bad habit to give up and a good habit to start...and do it everyday! If you fail to do them, you lose 10 points a day and if you change your habit part way through, you have to take a 50 pt. penalty so, it's pretty important to chose well.<div><br></div><div>This time around I am giving up complaining and negative talk. Just like the saying "you are what you eat", I believe "you are what you speak." I read in The Happiness Project, that if you share something negative about someone else, you will actually be associated with that thing yourself. Scary, isn't it?</div><div><br></div><div>I don't think of myself as a chronic complainer, in fact I pride myself on being fairly optimistic...but, when I told my 12 year old daughter that I was considering giving up complaining for 28 days, you would have thought I'd just bought her a $500 gift card to Sephora! (Apparently, I'm not quite as balanced as I'd like to think I am!)</div><div><br></div><div>My goal is to rid myself of any negative talk or thoughts. I don't want to waste another minute thinking about things that do not bring me joy or worrying about what others think of me. I don't want to utter a single word about another person unless it is pleasing. I want to think and say positive stuff only! After only 4 days of doing this (and taking point deductions 2 of those 4 days), I have realized just how hard this is and how much I do complain - it has been very eye opening!!</div><div><br></div><div>I have finally told my husband not to tell me about the (ahem, stupid) things he does because it can only lead to my complaining or worse, berating. I just don't need to know. At least not for the next 24 days! </div><div><br></div><div>All kidding aside, I think abstaining from negativity is just as important as abstaining from sugar or alcohol...it poisons your soul and hardens your outlook on things. Life is so beautiful if we would just look at it through different lenses once in awhile.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi8I8MFHGsDQGbrXmiG-1oco6CwVipqp1qAK-6R00lSlgBSJ6PThm8W3aqwHKIU0dPxfbGN9X1aABO3Fms0zQ6abm8G8A5vIPeHS_sgfOhFuSkMkUDGtckVnlWSX8REAkoR4FEgUaQwzl/s640/blogger-image-2103860808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi8I8MFHGsDQGbrXmiG-1oco6CwVipqp1qAK-6R00lSlgBSJ6PThm8W3aqwHKIU0dPxfbGN9X1aABO3Fms0zQ6abm8G8A5vIPeHS_sgfOhFuSkMkUDGtckVnlWSX8REAkoR4FEgUaQwzl/s640/blogger-image-2103860808.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pretty powerful, huh?</div><br></div>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-23993997936472924502013-12-31T18:55:00.001-08:002014-01-03T08:04:10.351-08:00Looking back on 2013<span style="font-family: inherit;">The year isn't quite over yet but, as I sit by the fire with a glass of wine on this New Years Eve, I am feeling nostalgic. My brand new journal sits on my bedside table, crisp and ready for all my new adventures and feats in </span><a href="tel:20142013" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors="true"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2014</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">! 2013 was a good year, nothing life changing or altering but, a journey worth taking nonetheless. Some friendships were strengthened, others were tested. Some goals were reached, while others had to take a back seat. Family bonds were tightened through weddings, momentous birthdays, shared holidays and of course, facebook! All in all, a fantastic year.</span><br />
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Here is a recap of the highs and lows ...</div>
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<b>Single best moment of 2013: </b>There are so many little moments of joy that happened this year. Life really is all about the <em>little</em> things - and someday we will look back and realize that those little things were really the <em>big</em> things. I guess if I had to narrow it down and name 3 great moments of 2013, I'd say: Celebrating my Mama's 80th birthday with all of <span style="font-family: inherit;">my family in the same room, Going to my 1st Mom's Weekend at my son's college and Watching my kids serve dinner to homeless folks on the streets, on Christmas Eve.</span></div>
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<b>Single worst: </b>Probably the day I sat in the dermatologist office and heard "we need to schedule surgery for this." Thank God it was benign.</div>
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<b>Favorite race: </b>Far and away, the iconic Bay to Breakers in San Francisco ON my birthday!! 3 girlfriends, 2 states, 1 open road -- priceless!!</div>
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<b>People who stood by my side this year: </b>My hubby of 23 years is my absolute rock. He is my best friend, my biggest fan and continues to be the best man I've ever known (next to my dad, of course). Lord knows, I haven't always given him reason to love me but, he has stood by me through it all and I am so glad he did!</div>
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My running partner who has shown up morning after morning at "dark thirty" - at the track or on the street halfway between our houses. She pushes me to be the best I can be, she talks me into running when I'd rather sleep in and she never ceases to amaze me with her quiet wisdom or good advice. I am so thankful for the time spent running alongside her - it is truly food for my soul.<br />
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<b>Best thing we did as a family this year: </b>Building a fire pit in the backyard. It is true when they say "build it and they will come." And by "they" I mean <em>precious family memories</em>. We spent so many wonderful nights sitting around that fire pit, roasting marshmallows and talking about our day. This next summer , I want to have a sign made that says: "<em>Welcome to our fire pit, where friends become family and family become friends</em>". Just like those ooey, gooey s'mores, this is the good stuff in life!! </div>
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<b>Scariest thing that happened this year: </b>I'd have to say our family boat outing for AJs birthday at Lake Billy Chinook on August 26th. We were in the middle of the lake, swimming and having fun in the sun, when a freak thunder and lightning storm came out of nowhere! The ride back to shore (and safety) seemed to last for hours! But, my amazing hubby got us all there safely and we had some great video footage to post on Facebook!<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Greatest lesson learned: </b>That life is all in how you look at it. The glass is either half full or half empty ALL the time - it just depends on how you look at it. If things look bleak, just change your perspective. Things could ALWAYS be worse, someone is always worse off than you. Count your blessings not your problems. Focus on the good in the world. A grateful heart doesn't have time to feel sorry for itself.</div>
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<b>Best book read: </b>Hmmm...I guess I'd appear pretty shallow if I said the "50 Shades of Grey" trilogy, right?! I read some good books this year but, probably my favorite was Wild by Cheryl Strayed. The second best would be Past Forgetting, a book my dad gave me, which was a memoir written by Eisenhower's mistress. My goal for this next year is to read more. There is nothing better to me than curling up in bed with a hot cup of tea, cozy socks and a good book on a cold winter night!</div>
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<b>Well, that sums up my year! It was fun to take a look back. Hope you enjoyed it. Wishing you all a safe and happy New Year's Eve spent with those you love...and a very, very blessed 2014.</b></div>
Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-69525530910654733272013-12-27T09:34:00.001-08:002013-12-28T10:48:30.690-08:00We don't twitter we don't tweet we just live on Flanders streetI feel kind of bad because I am stealing a fave saying of my dear 81 year old dad for the title of this blog but, I love it! My dad is known for funny sayings (most of them old adages like "no use crying over spilled milk" and "don't burn daylight"). But, this one is a real Burke original and deserves a place all it's own!<div><br></div><div>Last summer when my sister and I were going to the wedding of an old family friend, my dad told us "if anyone asks about your mother and I, just tell them: We don't twitter we don't tweet we just live on Flanders street!l" We thought that was pretty funny and clever (and didn't have the heart to tell dad that twitter and tweet are basically the same thing!)</div><div><br></div><div>The thing about my dad is that he is a very wise man and many times throughout my life, he has given me words to live by. When I was a kid and somebody hurt my feelings, he'd make me feel better by saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but, names will never hurt me." When we would go on a road trip, he'd say to all of us kids in the back seat before we left home, "speak now or forever hold your pee!" To this day I still say that to my kids!</div><div><br></div><div>One of my favorite "Burk-isms" is when he says "Nobody goes there anymore cuz it's too crowded" when referring to a popular restaurant. Again, we don't have the heart to tell him that somebody must be going there! We just smile and nod in agreement! </div><div><br></div><div>I love that my dad's words of wisdom have become part of who we are as a family and I love it when my kids repeat something he has said or say "grandpa comes up with some pretty funny stuff." Makes me think of simpler times when families passed things on from generation to generation. A time when families sat around the dinner table and actually talked to each other. Or danced around the coffee table to old Nat King Cole Christmas tunes playing on the record player. When they went on long Sunday drives or drove to Disneyland without a single handheld device or a portable DVD. They didn't twitter or tweet...and man, life was sweet!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-18397769866388734132013-11-26T15:37:00.001-08:002013-11-26T15:37:52.092-08:00party of threeWhen my son left for college last year, I had visions of all kinds of new-found freedom for my husband and I. After all, our workload had been reduced by 50%, we were down to just one kid. We would have tons of alone time, many romantic getaways, all kinds of spontaneous nights out...Right?<br />
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Wrong!<br />
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What I failed to take into the equation is our 12 year old daughter. Sure, she is plenty old enough to stay home by herself. Heck, she can even babysit other people's children now! But, given the choice between staying home by herself (B-O-O-O-ORING with a capital "B"!) or join us for a dinner out, you can probably guess which one she chooses! Yep, more often than not, the smiling hostess greets us saying, "Untermeyer Party of 3, your table is ready!"<br />
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I guess we could just make plans and not give her a choice in the matter. But, the fact of the matter is that I don't really mind her tagging along. I look at it like we probably have 1, maybe 2 more years left where she thinks it's cool to hang with her parents! I don't want to wish that away. She will be gone in the blink of an eye so, why not enjoy this time we have with her? My son had 6 1/2 years with us to himself, why shouldn't she have the same opportunity? <br />
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I have friends who will invite us out to dinner or a late movie, and I have to turn them down, saying "I don't want to leave (our daughter) at home all evening by herself." They sort of roll their eyes or text back "k" but, I can tell they think I am being silly. I don't care. We only get our kids at home with us for a short while and I know the heartache of sending a child off to college so, I'm not in any hurry to let her go. My husband and I will have plenty of time once the nest is empty for those impromptu, romantic rendezvous' with each other. My daughter, on the other hand, will only be a little girl for a little while longer. Pretty soon, our dinners out will be competing with her social calendar, friends, boyfriends and job responsibilities. We will be begging for her to come spend an evening with us!<br />
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So, for now, we will enjoy the extra person at the table. The funny looks we get when we arrive at a fancy restaurant with a bottle of wine (that screams "special occasion") in one hand and our daughter holding the other. We've grown to love our little Party of Three. It's quality time with our daughter that we won't get back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtN2TdKoba5aNvxKRi9F6UK_3U3wrcSp27VOxL2Zm25HScpYb2l0TGuKNGhb9k54v5udmqXkLGGdvcSX34qeTV9YP75gNWl3ffBBhJVZ3ElTnDBz-B7JzeE7eW5rF0vuZCPNuhvkSE4Ekf/s1600/zydeco.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtN2TdKoba5aNvxKRi9F6UK_3U3wrcSp27VOxL2Zm25HScpYb2l0TGuKNGhb9k54v5udmqXkLGGdvcSX34qeTV9YP75gNWl3ffBBhJVZ3ElTnDBz-B7JzeE7eW5rF0vuZCPNuhvkSE4Ekf/s320/zydeco.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another added bonus?</div>
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We have our own photographer to capture special moments</div>
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(like our 23rd anniversary dinner last weekend!)</div>
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Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590023220228794234.post-45298608023454109742013-08-23T21:59:00.004-07:002013-08-23T21:59:47.297-07:005 Fab Finds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pnRaWJxxdL5uTmh00BFlz8zKeCfMRPlWqzhs2ij0NDbR6MatbUVkwFlgngWzBuGWBTSlL-d63QkSCNkOCHi8a0KT8udIx1TMSVBMEJV-VM5wTib1CvLD2EgiZhVzn1bY1roOLBKFhntY/s1600/P8170002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pnRaWJxxdL5uTmh00BFlz8zKeCfMRPlWqzhs2ij0NDbR6MatbUVkwFlgngWzBuGWBTSlL-d63QkSCNkOCHi8a0KT8udIx1TMSVBMEJV-VM5wTib1CvLD2EgiZhVzn1bY1roOLBKFhntY/s320/P8170002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Love this skirt!</div>
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I got it at TJ Maxx on sale for ten bucks!</div>
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It's made by Cynthia Rowley, 100 % Linen,</div>
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Fully Lined.</div>
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Brown and White Striped. </div>
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It's pleated at top with pockets and sort of puffs out!</div>
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I thought it was fun and whimsical and you could dress it up or down!</div>
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<strong>$10.00 TJ Maxx</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-MNVeGC0fAytl5vAVI6gceL5V25yVT5PXYXfKPaqdXA1wLubGVw4gmnYqa8qqWsnsgynaY5pYbhGaUUvn8pODqtlweG_CWELfF4JcxDJbe9teGJiqNDDGsOS-y1sU26Y0ncddLdGeQGO/s1600/P8180027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-MNVeGC0fAytl5vAVI6gceL5V25yVT5PXYXfKPaqdXA1wLubGVw4gmnYqa8qqWsnsgynaY5pYbhGaUUvn8pODqtlweG_CWELfF4JcxDJbe9teGJiqNDDGsOS-y1sU26Y0ncddLdGeQGO/s320/P8180027.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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2.</div>
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Salad To Go Bowl by Systema.</div>
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This is a great little bowl to take salads to work in.</div>
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It has a top divided section that you can put toppings in and a lower</div>
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section for the lettuce. Plus, a lil' salad dressing cup and collapsible fork and knife. </div>
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How cool is that?</div>
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<strong>$7.99 World Market</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOMAXQmmUt7RdwW5MG8RyeYFVDbKMS0_AvbdPRFhSE1gsj_D3BI5dbPoi7Nlj0IIF7jYE7RePACTFX99bPa5cyK6BWWWnVueZFTjkMMVi2LVSA_A6gFuM0yANzRjzEXUQmdMiND8okFIQ/s1600/P8210172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOMAXQmmUt7RdwW5MG8RyeYFVDbKMS0_AvbdPRFhSE1gsj_D3BI5dbPoi7Nlj0IIF7jYE7RePACTFX99bPa5cyK6BWWWnVueZFTjkMMVi2LVSA_A6gFuM0yANzRjzEXUQmdMiND8okFIQ/s320/P8210172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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3.</div>
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I love this sign for so many reasons! </div>
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I came across it when I was downtown the other day.</div>
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It was on the sidewalk in front of a fun sports bar called JC's!</div>
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I just love it and I totally agree!! :)</div>
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<strong>FREE</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv7xgzLbxGmgO-xwdYKOf_ovgnTTg0ykOLfJg6DYubtYVprK4JgCoLgw1RDwmtyCzpa50CJZu9Txz5g5iorCmnh0-I-P-ftlDCNrbQsjupYMhvuf4ZQFBJkH2y6Qu0QIVpkY-JHEAT-dM/s1600/P8230213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv7xgzLbxGmgO-xwdYKOf_ovgnTTg0ykOLfJg6DYubtYVprK4JgCoLgw1RDwmtyCzpa50CJZu9Txz5g5iorCmnh0-I-P-ftlDCNrbQsjupYMhvuf4ZQFBJkH2y6Qu0QIVpkY-JHEAT-dM/s320/P8230213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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4.</div>
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This is hard to read, but it is a Scavenger Hunt.</div>
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The top section lists things to take pictures of and </div>
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the bottom is a list of things to do.</div>
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A few weeks ago, our local paper printed up a bunch of fun</div>
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scavenger hunts for kids to do in the summer.</div>
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I saved it and had it laminated!</div>
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When my niece and nephew came to stay this week, </div>
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we went downtown one day and did it! </div>
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It was a lot of fun finding all the cool things in our town, taking pictures of things and</div>
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then comparing notes when we were done!</div>
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We walked around town for 3 solid hours and didn't spend a dime!</div>
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<em>Since it's laminated, it's easy to write on and you can use a write on/wipe off pen</em></div>
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<em>and re-use it over and over!</em></div>
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<strong>FREE</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOAkaXeQiBI0Y7CcHo6rxdoC1fANbierdiW3dm69WOSA6GgtseVOob8WLQHcjUo6CwDCd2Jc1NITgC0P6W_Z3tIBZIfU4xkV4Lp6rlqhc9ZofTbzrzhJ6V39sn9jfS4oThyiJQsGxfxqJ/s1600/P8230212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOAkaXeQiBI0Y7CcHo6rxdoC1fANbierdiW3dm69WOSA6GgtseVOob8WLQHcjUo6CwDCd2Jc1NITgC0P6W_Z3tIBZIfU4xkV4Lp6rlqhc9ZofTbzrzhJ6V39sn9jfS4oThyiJQsGxfxqJ/s320/P8230212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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5.</div>
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YUMMY!</div>
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I saw this recipe on facebook or pinterest.</div>
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It is such a great alternative to a sandwich with bread!</div>
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You take half a cucumber and cut in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds,</div>
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spread laughing cow on it, put tomatoes, avocado, green onions on top</div>
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and add turkey slices.</div>
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Then, top it with the other cuc half OR eat it open faced.</div>
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So deeeee-lish and healthy!</div>
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I will be taking these in my lunch when school starts up!</div>
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<strong>Around 180 calories for 2</strong></div>
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Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06818080706939875002noreply@blogger.com0