tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39276077738057605092024-02-21T10:22:02.120-06:00Marla's Lemonade StandWhen life hands you lemons...start making lemonade!Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-77560025228341466962013-08-09T12:39:00.000-05:002013-08-11T21:19:36.542-05:00Thursday Travels: Gazing Out of A Car Window<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, I do realize it is not Thursday. But the urge to write is upon me, and the category fits, so...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer: Please restrain children properly. :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been busy lately planning our next trip. Just the finishing touches really. It is a fairly big trip, lots of arrangements to be made...my favorite kind! I am sure we will have a wonderful time and head home with many cherished memories...and a much lighter wallet! While filing documents away in my trusty travel binder, I began reminiscing about past travels, specifically childhood travels. Perhaps it is the fact that we are headed to the Northwest that brings these memories to the surface. As child my earliest travel memories were of the Northwest.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.nwemployeelaw.com/PortlandOregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://www.nwemployeelaw.com/PortlandOregon.jpg" title="http://www.nwemployeelaw.com/PortlandOregon.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My maternal grandmother lived in Portland, Oregon. I also had an aunt and cousin living there. By the time I was an adult I had an additional aunt & uncle, and more cousins, living in the area. My grandmother came to visit relatives in Kansas and Oklahoma every other year. The years she did not come to the Midwest we went to visit her for a week or two. Occasionally, due to special circumstances, we actually went to visit 3 years in a row.</span><br />
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<a href="http://wkow.images.worldnow.com/images/22546996_BG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://wkow.images.worldnow.com/images/22546996_BG1.jpg" title="http://wkow.images.worldnow.com/images/22546996_BG1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now these trips were in the 60's and 70's, and my parents were frugal people. We did not fly the 1,775 miles to Oregon. Oh no. We drove it...often straight through...over 24 hours! According to today's trip planners this would be a 26 hour trip. That may be, but my earliest memories are of a longer trip, more like 30 hours. See, the wonderful interstate highway system we enjoy today was a work in progress in the 60's and even the early 70's. There were towns and cities you had to slow down for, and mile upon mile of road construction during the summer months. I learned a lot about patience gazing out of a car window.</span><br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/April_17_2005_Multnomah_Falls_Oregon_United_States.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/April_17_2005_Multnomah_Falls_Oregon_United_States.JPG" title="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/April_17_2005_Multnomah_Falls_Oregon_United_States.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My brothers were much older than myself and my memories of these trips are that of an only child. No siblings to help make the time go faster, or to distract me from the panorama unfolding outside my car window. And for that I am grateful. I had nothing to do but to gaze at the scenery and observe everything we encountered on the road. It was wonderful. Plains, mountains, buttes, mesas, sand dunes, lakes, and waterfalls. I learned a lot about the geology of the western United States by gazing out of a car window.</span><br />
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<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Travel/Late_offers/pictures/2010/10/28/1288278571753/Galloway-Forest-park-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Travel/Late_offers/pictures/2010/10/28/1288278571753/Galloway-Forest-park-006.jpg" title="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Travel/Late_offers/pictures/2010/10/28/1288278571753/Galloway-Forest-park-006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we traveled at night I went to sleep staring up at the night stars. You could thousands of bright stars, and even the Milky Way itself. I remember having a chart of the stars and locating the different constellations. Watching comets and meteors flash across the sky. I learned a lot about our universe gazing out of a car window.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bnsf.com/intermodal/images/home/slideshow/train-truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.bnsf.com/intermodal/images/home/slideshow/train-truck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truckers were a common sight. I learned to pump my arm to get them to honk for me and they would always wave back to the little blond girl madly waving at them as we passed them by. We stopped to eat at truck stops, because my dad insisted the truckers ate where the best food was. I recall my parents talking about what they were hauling and where it was going. We also raced along side trains hauling their goods. We talked about how much more of the interstate system was finished since our last trip, and watched road crews busy at work. I learned a lot about our transportation system gazing out of a car window.</span><br />
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<a href="http://thesomewhere.com/images/2011/05/Farmers-Market-Cherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="214" src="http://thesomewhere.com/images/2011/05/Farmers-Market-Cherries.jpg" title="http://thesomewhere.com/images/2011/05/Farmers-Market-Cherries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While we stopped every morning for breakfast, my dad's favorite meal of the day, the rest of our meals were provided by the cooler that I shared the backseat with. Homemade ham sandwiches, boiled eggs, dill pickles, cheese, carrots, & tomatoes. All packed by mom and myself prior to the trip. The big treat was stopping for fresh fruit at the roadside stands that littered the old highways prior to the interstates. At night a thermos was filled with piping hot coffee that my parents drank as they took turns driving through the night. I learned a lot about preparation and frugality gazing out of a car window.</span><br />
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<a href="http://assets.mensjournal.com/img/essential/road-trip-rules-pack-a-map/618_348_road-trip-rules-pack-a-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="http://assets.mensjournal.com/img/essential/road-trip-rules-pack-a-map/618_348_road-trip-rules-pack-a-map.jpg" title="http://assets.mensjournal.com/img/essential/road-trip-rules-pack-a-map/618_348_road-trip-rules-pack-a-map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the day I always had a map in my hand. I always said I learned to read a map before I learned to read a book. My favorite book on these trips was an atlas! I understood mile markers, highway signs, and map legends by the age of 5. I learned a lot about navigation gazing out of a car window.</span><br />
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<a href="http://newenglander.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-2011/Diversion-Dam-April-9-2011/i-S4PSR3J/0/L/IMG_6106c-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="197" src="http://newenglander.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-2011/Diversion-Dam-April-9-2011/i-S4PSR3J/0/L/IMG_6106c-L.jpg" title="http://newenglander.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-2011/Diversion-Dam-April-9-2011/i-S4PSR3J/0/L/IMG_6106c-L.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We passed town after town on these trips. I discovered how important a source of water was to these western towns. I learned how a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">railroad could change the entire future of a town. I saw grain elevators, wheat fields, mining towns, orchards, and fish hatcheries. I even saw old trail ruts and signs for the Santa Fe, Chisholm, Mormon and Oregon trails, long before video games were available. I learned a lot about the history of the western United States gazing out of a car window.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo79XhX4vLYj6Pk5QaNvWhB_bEgeYbfexPWlb2GT9Q93jH2dfx6pPtMacnoMKaoqMUMOt1WdR0oHbnFaVkRJP4Ee4paT8X0fv06kEZNKkF7pHaP_3MTUQvfC8HElUL0oOpVleOl9YXUBP/s1600/78325_4821289567357_549759430_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo79XhX4vLYj6Pk5QaNvWhB_bEgeYbfexPWlb2GT9Q93jH2dfx6pPtMacnoMKaoqMUMOt1WdR0oHbnFaVkRJP4Ee4paT8X0fv06kEZNKkF7pHaP_3MTUQvfC8HElUL0oOpVleOl9YXUBP/s320/78325_4821289567357_549759430_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally we would arrive, bone weary, but excited to see relatives that we only saw once a year, at the most. Hugs and kisses where exchanged, food and drinks offered, naps taken, and then good conversation and a week of family time. My parents made these trips with nary a complaint, scrimping to save the money needed to buy gas to make the trip. I learned a lot about sacrifice and the importance of family...all while gazing out of a car window.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bon Voyage ~Marla</span><br />
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-19835984644034204602013-07-06T17:31:00.000-05:002013-07-07T20:27:47.471-05:00Once Upon a Pond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/files/29902display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/files/29902display.jpg" title="http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/files/29902display.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Once upon a time there was a queen.
As a young princess the queen </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">had loved fish and marine life. She had a large
tropical fish tank and spent a great deal of time tending to her cute little
fishies. Once the queen had married and had her very own castle she decided to
put in a little pond. After all, ponds are so much more attractive than the
typical moat! She started small with a tiny partially submerged pond. Pretty
goldfish swam happily among the water plants. A small pump kept the water fresh
and circulating. No nasty algae found its way into her perfect little water
world. Little frogs came to visit the pond and mosquitoes were quickly eaten by
the pond dwelling residents.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTYi05vxgAsvdVLrChDYDYDgVSUf0WNufpsORGWy1ahMrumC4c6Qw7cXjMATMixoA2kng4PTyrvMeiIhwSjV5Qo94StTyDTiRojFDvYYXDQ3GyNrksVEk-LwlbXsRU1y0xPtCsjgh2jQ0/s1600/2010+pics+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTYi05vxgAsvdVLrChDYDYDgVSUf0WNufpsORGWy1ahMrumC4c6Qw7cXjMATMixoA2kng4PTyrvMeiIhwSjV5Qo94StTyDTiRojFDvYYXDQ3GyNrksVEk-LwlbXsRU1y0xPtCsjgh2jQ0/s320/2010+pics+271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Emboldened by her success in the pond world, the
queen decided it was time to take the next step. After all, bigger <i>is</i> always better, right? The queen
pestered her handsome king until he caved to her charming ways, and excavation
began. The king and their princely son dug until a pond sized hole was made on
the outskirts of the castle patio. Soon the new, larger, <i>better </i>pond was teaming with pretty Koi. The queen surveyed her
kingdom with content. “Ah,” she sighed, “Now I can sit for hours gazing upon my
beautiful pond!”</span><br />
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<a href="http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/biting_mosquitoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/biting_mosquitoes.jpg" title="http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/biting_mosquitoes.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then mosquitoes discovered the pond. Soon the only way to
enjoy the royal garden was with eau de bug spray slathered upon oneself. “More
fish,” cried the queen, “they will eat the bugs!” Soon the pond began to look
somewhat cloudy. Ugly Darth Vader like algae eaters were brought in to alleviate
the problem. Soon a larger filter and pump joined the castle expenses. The
royal pond soon became a royal pain</span>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One day, as the queen sat surveying her
pond, wondering how to keep her future grand princess from falling in and
drowning, she had an epiphany! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNNStyIuMqcz6k1kxS3eoXoTpCSRAWEd9wkOXROvBSLCsMArzjW_I00TobTqH7zwcoPpGdsLVRHCjK86hK3seSm54k7QnU3EBUkFUtJ_jOzvNTTx-K5EraymVVKyrWbJ9YWoAAJtitul1/s1600/Chloe+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNNStyIuMqcz6k1kxS3eoXoTpCSRAWEd9wkOXROvBSLCsMArzjW_I00TobTqH7zwcoPpGdsLVRHCjK86hK3seSm54k7QnU3EBUkFUtJ_jOzvNTTx-K5EraymVVKyrWbJ9YWoAAJtitul1/s320/Chloe+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Fire! “I must have fire near my patio,” shouted
the queen! The king once again sighed and busied himself doing the queens
bidding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Now the queen and the rest of the royal court enjoy evenings sitting
by the fire, talking and enjoying s’mores. And they all lived happily ever
after! ….Hmmm….I wonder if a chicken coop would fit in that corner of the yard…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">~ Marla (aka, the Queen)</span></div>
Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-20129157546612239412013-05-03T17:54:00.000-05:002013-05-03T17:55:02.912-05:00For Today, It Is Enough<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For today, it is enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/radiantskies/radiantskies1211/radiantskies121103750/16602951-abstract-word-cloud-for-chronic-pain-with-related-tags-and-terms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/radiantskies/radiantskies1211/radiantskies121103750/16602951-abstract-word-cloud-for-chronic-pain-with-related-tags-and-terms.jpg" title="http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/radiantskies/radiantskies1211/radiantskies121103750/16602951-abstract-word-cloud-for-chronic-pain-with-related-tags-and-terms.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Living with a chronic illness or medical condition is a life
altering experience. Coping with the changes it brings can be challenging at
best, seemingly impossible at worst. If the illness or condition has a pain
component, these challenges become amplified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For me it all depends on the day, or maybe even the hour.
Feeling good has its own set of problems, as in over extending myself, either
physically in the moment, or taking on commitments without considering the physical
consequences.</span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">After 2 ½ years of chronic back and leg pain I have finally come
to grips with a simple truth. For today, it is enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is enough? Whatever I have managed to accomplish that
day. On some days that can be a great deal. Laundry and dishes are done and put
away. Pain meds are avoided and a clear mind prevails. I can drive myself
wherever I want to go. Other days simply getting up to fix myself a can of soup
for lunch is a major achievement. Pain meds are needed and my mind feels
muddled. If I have to be somewhere, I have to find someone to drive me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are the facts of my life. Things that if I let them can
cause guilt, shame, or even depression.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">My home will never be as clean as I would like it
to be.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">I will have days I cannot attend something I had committed
to.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">I cannot make long term plans without the possibility
that pain will interfere.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">I cannot make plans for six hours from now without
the possibility that pain will interfere.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">I will at times let others down because of my
physical condition.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">I will have to rely on others for things that I
used to be very independent about.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">There will always be those who will not, or refuse
to, understand my limitations.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">I will always have a to-do list full of unchecked
items.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you know me well, you know these are all difficult things
for me. I am slowly learning flexibility and patience, and most important…acceptance.</span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For today, it is enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-49474491070811249862013-04-11T17:57:00.000-05:002013-04-11T18:36:35.705-05:00From Candy Dish to Jewelry Holder<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-MUZbO44qOOPhvDOML4OXrwU-fMITgy95XrARlRAI-muMCIt2cNPYQWm02v414F_2fNb6m-aEufYM_fVqseIF8ZS8rYiOVD-3li7ZBJSrSntgMJf0z7I0TtsM6T_St3JrmDOqnXFZqtE/s1600/Phone+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-MUZbO44qOOPhvDOML4OXrwU-fMITgy95XrARlRAI-muMCIt2cNPYQWm02v414F_2fNb6m-aEufYM_fVqseIF8ZS8rYiOVD-3li7ZBJSrSntgMJf0z7I0TtsM6T_St3JrmDOqnXFZqtE/s320/Phone+031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just a fun little post today to show off my latest vintage
find! I found this beautiful vintage candy dish on a swap site I frequent. I
admit it was an impulse buy…but at $10 I just had to splurge a little. Once I
got it home, finding a place for it became a challenge. I did have some room in
the master bedroom…but did I really need a candy dish in there? Well, yes in
fact I did…once it found a new life as a jewelry holder!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J0vz5e6z-mYF0znM2psR5CFa_lcVlNBeX4ETyybHeophMQc9ofL4BTLiGpXKACV5HxrSwAsXQupYRW-mgNE-4djiW-i_LH6aqkMH88PW1x3LOVkhDpmz6q_jCxv2bEXbnkj9XnOt7-3n/s1600/Phone+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J0vz5e6z-mYF0znM2psR5CFa_lcVlNBeX4ETyybHeophMQc9ofL4BTLiGpXKACV5HxrSwAsXQupYRW-mgNE-4djiW-i_LH6aqkMH88PW1x3LOVkhDpmz6q_jCxv2bEXbnkj9XnOt7-3n/s320/Phone+029.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love dangly earrings, but they don’t fit so well in my main
jewelry armoire. I also have a few watches and bracelets I like to have out in
the open and easy to grab and put on. My newest treasure works perfectly as a
holder for these! Love it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_6y6bLthyLowo0WtHeD65Sr82rYke-2OB21T9J9jJBIxtfiAL7S5ehVnN3YaiDCCi7Ex4-ZQXq47JDqL_-beP9Vt6C-HdMIuuEB4f0j787UB7DYV0p3M-D95k7w1qjdFJ3WjhFynGjUA/s1600/Phone+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_6y6bLthyLowo0WtHeD65Sr82rYke-2OB21T9J9jJBIxtfiAL7S5ehVnN3YaiDCCi7Ex4-ZQXq47JDqL_-beP9Vt6C-HdMIuuEB4f0j787UB7DYV0p3M-D95k7w1qjdFJ3WjhFynGjUA/s320/Phone+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On a side note…the beautiful yellow earrings and bracelet were
made by one of my Prayer Warrior buddy’s. Check out her online store at
<a href="http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/DeSignsByDarce/1/7/267593//" target="_blank">DeSignsByDarce</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-87467568003667500812013-04-10T17:23:00.000-05:002013-04-10T17:23:02.122-05:00The Choice Is Yours<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi7T-mlqEYBDCvh-07e_bb2O8xzinAHTl66Ciu9Pj3m1MyEsmt5IBFF4O5KRg4RhdQFP0lT9uEfubRih6IjXsTv_Q8wF3qW25QhkXZ4u2D8APr9pyFG2WA0o-nzqrRdInO5wCi0D4pybX2g_0jYzP20xW85_cw69gFrNQ4JRQQYc8UXyudXcA=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi7T-mlqEYBDCvh-07e_bb2O8xzinAHTl66Ciu9Pj3m1MyEsmt5IBFF4O5KRg4RhdQFP0lT9uEfubRih6IjXsTv_Q8wF3qW25QhkXZ4u2D8APr9pyFG2WA0o-nzqrRdInO5wCi0D4pybX2g_0jYzP20xW85_cw69gFrNQ4JRQQYc8UXyudXcA=" title="http://mesfilmclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Movie-Audience-2.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I was in high school there was a rather popular movie
made. I loved this movie and watched it many times. This is significant because
this was during the late 70’s. No HBO, no Netflix, no streaming on the
internet, and very few VHS players. To see a movie more than once involved
spending money at the movie theater, which I willing did. And then… I bought
the record album, and sang to it constantly. Yep, I was hopelessly devoted…have
you guessed the movie by now? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhU8n6S6OJfDLkOLxkm4l4Ps6dDXXHWAUlL1ve3su3Ulb20Doyg6SdJgymFDwEsZDGUEhOREcuWezf4pdz4acEEeI_CLPcYgMuDh7zymWTWE1cvNmc0Q3MxGFBqoP9CSG9FEo3D9MDL1r3kzNsK9KE0veMiO5TR-ngMTVgRq536Yw3obIDFVS8=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhU8n6S6OJfDLkOLxkm4l4Ps6dDXXHWAUlL1ve3su3Ulb20Doyg6SdJgymFDwEsZDGUEhOREcuWezf4pdz4acEEeI_CLPcYgMuDh7zymWTWE1cvNmc0Q3MxGFBqoP9CSG9FEo3D9MDL1r3kzNsK9KE0veMiO5TR-ngMTVgRq536Yw3obIDFVS8=" title="http://img2-1.timeinc.net/ew/i/2012/02/27/Grease-Sandy-makeover_610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, Grease was the word back then, especially for young teen
girls who wanted to <i>be</i> Sandy. The
sweet, wholesome girl who had met a sweet, wholesome guy on vacation…and then she
discovers he is a shallow pig who is willing to brush her off so he can hold on
to his bad boy image in the local gang community. Obviously she should count
herself lucky to have seen his true nature and move on to a boy with more
substance of character! But no, she instead jumps on the shallow bandwagon
herself and transforms herself into…well, honestly? Not the type of girl I would
want my teenage son to date!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhkQpsF3gtoak1GUAwT-s3nuv_L7cVEe_75EN4xcqx0W3fCUSTnIwZXVM-t_ENxgweaOHnD940cIhvSlPKFWnNoHxZAmYM72q4Xe23inzfFBZELfsUPIlHm-glNPifGYQslfDNadIVgZr-0rNOIRzgonvbJHaQk2HqgNDDXDp0qmqj1Fw=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhkQpsF3gtoak1GUAwT-s3nuv_L7cVEe_75EN4xcqx0W3fCUSTnIwZXVM-t_ENxgweaOHnD940cIhvSlPKFWnNoHxZAmYM72q4Xe23inzfFBZELfsUPIlHm-glNPifGYQslfDNadIVgZr-0rNOIRzgonvbJHaQk2HqgNDDXDp0qmqj1Fw=" title="http://thekovies.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/wholesome-girl-001.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ah, such is youth. But what about that idea of “wholesomeness”?
Is it an antiquated notion? Something that is laughable in our modern world?
Would you want someone to call you wholesome? What if someone called your 12,
14, or 16 year old daughter wholesome? Hmmm…it may not sound so bad after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According to most dictionaries, wholesome means;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Conducive
to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being, or conducive to or
promoting moral well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, I want to take that just a little bit further. Proverbs
15:4 states;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A
wholesome tongue is a tree of life…”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ouch! I just hate it when the tongue gets involved! Which is
why the book of James is the most worn part of my Bible, I have to read it a
lot to stay on track! But author Rebecca
Barlow Jordan says it far better than I ever could…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wholesomeness
is choosing to participate in only the things that are helpful and spiritually
uplifting in my life. It is a decision I can make to let God speak through me
only those words that will edify and help others.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A decision <i>I</i><b> </b>make. <i>I</i> have a choice of whether to build others up, or tear them down. <i>I </i>decide whether to participate in
things that are uplifting and bring glory to God, or that which pulls others,
and my own faith, down. Should it really be such a difficult decision to choose wholesomeness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Him ~Marla</span><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just over a year ago someone asked me the following question, “So
are you taking up knitting now? What do you do now that you don’t work?” I
admit I did not appreciate the tone in which the question was asked, especially
as I was on Prednisone just to be able to walk down the aisle at my son’s
wedding without a horrible limp. That aside, it was a valid question. What was
I doing with all my “free” time? Going from working full time as an R.N., to
staying at home full time (with physical limitations), was a massive change in
my lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://theyearofwonderfulweekends.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/bird-feeders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="264" src="http://theyearofwonderfulweekends.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/bird-feeders.jpg" title="http://theyearofwonderfulweekends.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/bird-feeders.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing I have enjoyed greatly is having time to feed and
watch the birds. Today as I watched the birds, I started
thinking about yesterday’s sermon at church. It had to do with the church and
the importance of gathering together as a body of believers. Now, I love going
to church…even if it is a morning service, which my body sometimes does not
appreciate. So, as I watched the different birds at the different feeders, my
mind began to consider what we, the people who make up the church, have in
common with these little winged creatures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://viettes.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/cardinalpair.jpg?w=500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="228" src="http://viettes.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/cardinalpair.jpg?w=500" title="http://viettes.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/cardinalpair.jpg?w=500" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have Cardinals who use my feeder year round. They like the
sunflower seeds and nuts…the meat. And they are willing to work for that meat,
cracking the outer shells and going after the nourishment. These are the mature
Christians…willing to take the time and effort to get to the meat of God’s
Word. Dedicated, they frequent the feeder year round. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://images.northrup.org/picture/xl/dove/zenaida-macroura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="225" src="http://images.northrup.org/picture/xl/dove/zenaida-macroura.jpg" title="http://images.northrup.org/picture/xl/dove/zenaida-macroura.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Equally dedicated, but maybe a little more hidden, are the
Mourning Doves. They are more than happy to clean up the mess under my feeders.
These are the dedicated workers of the church, often unseen, but what a mess it
would be without them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/images/hummingbird-feeders-and-orioles-21510288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/images/hummingbird-feeders-and-orioles-21510288.jpg" title="http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/images/hummingbird-feeders-and-orioles-21510288.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Interestingly enough, the most beautiful birds to frequent the
feeders are the nectar seekers. Ah, the colorful Hummingbirds and Orioles. They
have quite a following amongst the bird watchers. It is always exciting to see
them…yet their season is short. These are the less mature Christians, often
using flowery words and ideas, bright and charming; they only want to hear the
sweet words, never working for the meat, perhaps encountering something that
tastes bitter to them in the process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://visitcranelake.com/images/blog2012/grackle,common-feeding-fledgling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="264" src="http://visitcranelake.com/images/blog2012/grackle,common-feeding-fledgling.jpg" title="http://visitcranelake.com/images/blog2012/grackle,common-feeding-fledgling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some of my feeder birds are obnoxious! Loud, unpleasant in
voice, and sometimes in appearance too! These are the Jays, Grackles,
Starlings, and Blackbirds. I sometimes toy with not putting out the peanuts and
suet that attract them, but then I realize that they deserve to be fed as well.
We have all encountered these people. The ones you silently judge and wish
would move on to another church…though deep down you know they deserve to be
treated the same as a child of God. The people who stretch us to become more
like Christ by accepting them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_682/13344208884SiO3O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_682/13344208884SiO3O.jpg" title="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_682/13344208884SiO3O.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Squirrels! Every person who feeds birds tries vainly to keep
them away, usually to no avail! If you own a feeder it is pretty likely a
squirrel will attempt to feed there…eating all your food, so that your birds
feel forced to find another feeder. Then off the squirrel will go, always in
search of a bigger and better meal to devour. It is unfortunate that many of us
have experienced these people, the ones who leave a wake of broken or split
churches behind them. Often on to the next church that will feed their ego
instead of their soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bird-x.com/filebin/images/products/full/sparrow-feeder-2_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="290" src="http://www.bird-x.com/filebin/images/products/full/sparrow-feeder-2_full.jpg" title="http://www.bird-x.com/filebin/images/products/full/sparrow-feeder-2_full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No feeder is complete without the bevy of Song Sparrows that
frequent them. They have a pleasing song, though perhaps not standing out much in
appearance. Yet our feeders would be quite bare without them. These people make
up the bulk of our congregation. Many simply come to be fed and fill the pews…not
a bad thing…but perhaps not growing much either. Not quite ready to step out on
faith and serve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, in the style of Barbara Walters, ask yourself…if I were a
bird, what kind would I be? Is this the bird you want to be? The great thing is…we
are not birds…we can change, grow, and mature. And finally, give your Pastor,
the one desperately trying to keep all the feeders full, a big thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Him ~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-35669890860177557742013-04-01T13:58:00.001-05:002013-04-01T14:23:54.089-05:00Hearing Voices<br />
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<a href="http://www.jasnaburza.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/voices-in-my-head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="186" src="http://www.jasnaburza.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/voices-in-my-head.jpg" title="http://www.jasnaburza.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/voices-in-my-head.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hear voices…all the time. Do you hear voices? I imagine so,
especially if you are a woman. These voices are intrusive at times, other times
they are quite helpful. The trick for me is learning to orchestrate these
voices. The music of my brain is under my direction…I just have step up and
pick up the conductors wand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3XjUFYxSxDk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For women this can be particularly difficult, more so than
with men. Why is this? I have attached a wonderful short video that everyone
should watch. It is a great description of the male and female brains by Mark
Gungor. I promise it will make you laugh, but it does explain why women in
particular allow stressful, negative thoughts to run amok through their heads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://workersadvisor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/worried-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://workersadvisor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/worried-1.jpeg" title="http://workersadvisor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/worried-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My biggest problem is allowing the voices of negativity and
worry to take over the airwaves in my head. They tend to be the loudest and most repetitive
of all the voices swarming around in my brain. They also tend to have a great
amount of perseverance. Beating them into submission is not an easy task.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://aaronbagwell.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/look-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="http://aaronbagwell.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/look-up.jpg" title="http://aaronbagwell.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/look-up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So what to do when these negative, stressful thoughts come knocking
at my door? Turn to Him…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Set
your minds on things above, not on earthly things<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> ~Colossians 3:2 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://artandseek.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ALONDRA10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="http://artandseek.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ALONDRA10.jpg" title="http://artandseek.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ALONDRA10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once I have done that, be it through prayer, reading God’s
word, or singing His praises, I find the negative voices have receded. Filled
with His Spirit there is no room for the negative, and peace can be found. My
brain may still be filled with the notes of voices…but ultimately I control the
direction the music takes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Him ~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-14720924553342506822013-02-19T11:54:00.000-06:002013-02-19T14:00:01.799-06:00Good and Faithful Servant<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Sa-9sSVhJ_s8QyMFvAgm4mM1TfdgLFBIVqcIY3esxnkzA3iWUmVuGiuNt7I1Ci5FNMvDK4Ae3WkHVa8jItvIxHVSJqvqzOwDSuBm48PwX4874-Or_GnX9t5NoI6reUwHPRm8g5MguH0J/s1600/lisa+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Sa-9sSVhJ_s8QyMFvAgm4mM1TfdgLFBIVqcIY3esxnkzA3iWUmVuGiuNt7I1Ci5FNMvDK4Ae3WkHVa8jItvIxHVSJqvqzOwDSuBm48PwX4874-Or_GnX9t5NoI6reUwHPRm8g5MguH0J/s1600/lisa+case.jpg" title="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=hays&GSfn=lisa&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=2011&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=82384439&df=all&" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=hays&GSfn=lisa&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=2011&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=82384439&df=all#.USPYzL4tZbY.blogger" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Lisa A Miller Hays (1961 - 2011) - Find A Grave Memorial</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last night I learned of the death of another high school
friend. This is not the first friend of my youth I have lost, but this was the
first from a tight knit group that I spent many hours with. She was a member of
my high school youth group. In high school these people were my very best
friends. Almost every activity I participated in included them. Our group had
so much fun together that we grew to have about 35 high school kids in a church
where the size would have dictated half that many members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lisa was one of the more serious in our group. She had a deep
founded faith even at a young age. I remember going to the local swimming pool
with her and noticing her modesty. In the late 70’s this was not really the
norm. She did not seem to worry at all what the world thought of her. This at
an age when most of us cared far too deeply what others thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After high school Lisa went to a nearby Bible College. It was
shortly after this that many of us lost contact with her. In thinking back on
this I wonder if the young people of today realize what a wonderful thing
social media is when it comes to staying in touch with people. Granted, there
are some people you may not <i>want </i>to
stay in contact with, but it does make it so much easier to keep up with each others lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last night I had an enjoyable phone conversation with another
youth group friend I have not spoken with in over 25 years. It was during that
conversation that I learned of Lisa’s death, just over one year ago. I learned
she had married and that she had two children. Also, that her husband was a
minister at a Church in southeast Kansas. And that she died of lung cancer,
though she never smoked a day in her life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I nosed around the internet a bit and found a memorial page at
<a href="http://findagrave.com/">FindAGrave.com</a> that included her obituary and a picture of her. She was a little
older looking, with hair a bit darker and shorter, but undeniably Lisa. I then
found a Facebook page for her church. She was in a couple of photos, working
with the youth, looking happy and healthy. I read the posts that chronicled her
journey. From the surprise diagnosis of cancer, to the final journey to the
hospital. This gave me a tiny glimpse into her life, a life spent in service to
Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a woman of faith, I have no doubt about where Lisa is now.
Home. And I think about what the first words she heard were, and I think for
Lisa they must have been…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well
done, good and faithful servant! ~Matt.
25:21<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Him ~Marla<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Please visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LunchForLisa?sk=wall" target="_blank">Lunch for Lisa</a> for more information.</span></div>
Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-10772874470227995492013-01-19T20:37:00.000-06:002013-04-01T14:00:21.967-05:00Homemade Hand Lotion<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXaFvhsFPJ4pTygmXwM0rw783SNYbW-T_w12xQQQO7Zrb52TwqHJvSeUtgbfgyZItKV-MFsXGWRxGaO8GQumFHxU_Qt1fqZB99pJTNy5zUOLqFrecoYe-XHZrbBbnmHDoD8yXMWkX8ud1/s1600/pm+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXaFvhsFPJ4pTygmXwM0rw783SNYbW-T_w12xQQQO7Zrb52TwqHJvSeUtgbfgyZItKV-MFsXGWRxGaO8GQumFHxU_Qt1fqZB99pJTNy5zUOLqFrecoYe-XHZrbBbnmHDoD8yXMWkX8ud1/s320/pm+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back in December I received an email from my cousin containing
a recipe for homemade hand lotion. Now, my hands get pretty dry in the winter,
so I kept the recipe thinking it might be worth a try. A few days ago I finally
got around to gathering the ingredients and making a batch. Let me tell you…this
is GREAT lotion!! Not only do my hands feel wonderful, it lasts through a
couple of hand washings as well! I did halve her original recipe, and my recipe still
fills a quart jar. Here is the recipe if you want to give it a try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0px7G1sHc3MVZgeCR9RSNMhvrBmUyzRnpjODwWgvDN2OIooFBTdE1-_x6uNSCdQT78nKwRRklA7T1wz1tT68smZz_UD6frxv2wc3yDKjXKSER9EsG1lrAcMMBGY7LllHAs4bxerdx-iXy/s1600/pm+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0px7G1sHc3MVZgeCR9RSNMhvrBmUyzRnpjODwWgvDN2OIooFBTdE1-_x6uNSCdQT78nKwRRklA7T1wz1tT68smZz_UD6frxv2wc3yDKjXKSER9EsG1lrAcMMBGY7LllHAs4bxerdx-iXy/s320/pm+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Homemade Hand Lotion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8 oz. jar of vitamin E cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">15 oz. baby lotion (I used the nighttime variety because I
love the lavender scent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">½ of a 7.5 oz. jar of petroleum jelly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few drops of essential oil if desired<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe5fJBTFP5kALZdaC2FNKcUwQGDbhIKhO364Yh1FHUCFJJzZWBWELWl28KMcfGoFBCVxK9YafX-ZoAbDFlSuCsuCQ3HF5CHal9MwuO8Q3V6dCVHp85VGzOobyyOnR5pHizgGRbGQQH-at/s1600/pm+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe5fJBTFP5kALZdaC2FNKcUwQGDbhIKhO364Yh1FHUCFJJzZWBWELWl28KMcfGoFBCVxK9YafX-ZoAbDFlSuCsuCQ3HF5CHal9MwuO8Q3V6dCVHp85VGzOobyyOnR5pHizgGRbGQQH-at/s320/pm+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Simply soften the petroleum jelly for about 30 seconds in the
microwave and then whisk all the ingredients together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I said, I love lavender, so I added some lavender essential
oil to boost the scent. My vitamin E cream was yellow, so the hand lotion has a
buttery hue to it, which I rather like. This lotion goes on with a slight
greasy feel, but that goes away very quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Enjoy ~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-76535447096049963862013-01-18T09:22:00.001-06:002013-01-18T09:23:19.936-06:00Multigenerational Living<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VrvaKPOsEmbRxacyGONvfOL9qoORlcnWwBNS7fFOk4RADKenAo65VxIRk8vB5_dNwXPthW9Ja9SvXG84W2cNQaG5f_EMWVS06jAW_vIxKqzMcvqv_A42nDDPuCtrdgFn04EKofJ2Ksn-/s1600/Taylor+Family+&+Maxine,+May+2001,+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VrvaKPOsEmbRxacyGONvfOL9qoORlcnWwBNS7fFOk4RADKenAo65VxIRk8vB5_dNwXPthW9Ja9SvXG84W2cNQaG5f_EMWVS06jAW_vIxKqzMcvqv_A42nDDPuCtrdgFn04EKofJ2Ksn-/s320/Taylor+Family+&+Maxine,+May+2001,+2+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I promised in my last post to give you a little more insight
to the growing trend of multigenerational families. First let me say, this is
not my first experience living in a multigenerational home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIR4fErMh8G2OyYBQ99Wf_QRG2LXFv3j5DLM3-ZmsxplQQzmc1CqeRRKstT_WvOM6jH3q3rWzcl27kvjWJztlJapgINmo0aGe7RtxUQrZcxw-QpJtpqGAwG-2a3Y729gLz4_5D_uufSrN/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIR4fErMh8G2OyYBQ99Wf_QRG2LXFv3j5DLM3-ZmsxplQQzmc1CqeRRKstT_WvOM6jH3q3rWzcl27kvjWJztlJapgINmo0aGe7RtxUQrZcxw-QpJtpqGAwG-2a3Y729gLz4_5D_uufSrN/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we moved into our current home in 2001 it was
specifically in order to move my mother in with us. Her health was failing and
we felt she needed additional care. We found this home to be ideal for two
families living together. With 3 living areas, 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, a HUGE
storage room, and a large game room that could really be whatever we needed it
to be, the home could easily accommodate several people without feeling like we
were constantly bumping into one another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogher.com/files/images/offers/caring_for_elderly_parents.jpg?1306848399" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="197" src="http://www.blogher.com/files/images/offers/caring_for_elderly_parents.jpg?1306848399" title="http://www.blogher.com/files/images/offers/caring_for_elderly_parents.jpg?1306848399" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our experience was one I will always cherish. I loved having
my mom with me. My husband, always gracious, enjoyed it as well. Our children
learned an important lesson about sacrificing for the ones we love and taking
care of our elders. In fact my daughter often talks of the impact it had on her
growing up, watching me take care of my mother. This is something she wants to
instill in her own children…a love of family. I admit that I am honored my
children want to be physically close to us as adults. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://brasilmagic.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="279" src="http://brasilmagic.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/family.jpg" title="http://brasilmagic.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But what do the experts say about this? Surely it can’t be
good for our relationships to all be under one roof! Well, actually, it can be.
Studies show that 75% to 80% of families find they actually grow closer and
have better relationships in a multi-generational household. Why? The following
excerpt from Ladies Home Journal may provide some insight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In a multigenerational household, seniors find respite from
loneliness, kids learn history firsthand, and those sandwiched in between get
reliable childcare, help with bills and chores -- and a little less squeezed by
modern life. "They're realizing families are stronger together than
apart," says Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United, a
Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that focuses on intergenerational cooperation.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/625445433/roommate_agreement_music_shot_glass.jpg?color=White&height=460&width=460" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/625445433/roommate_agreement_music_shot_glass.jpg?color=White&height=460&width=460" title="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/625445433/roommate_agreement_music_shot_glass.jpg?color=White&height=460&width=460" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So what are we doing to make this work for us?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We sat down and discussed how things would work
ahead of time. This included designation of living areas, private areas, chore
delegation, parking, how bills would be divided, etc.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We wrote it all down! Yes, we have a “Roommate
Agreement” a la Big Bang Theory! Actually it helps prevent misunderstandings
and serves as a resource if something comes up at a later date.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/d5/7/AAAADCc9QvMAAAAAANV8lA.jpg?v=1277559064000" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/d5/7/AAAADCc9QvMAAAAAANV8lA.jpg?v=1277559064000" title="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/d5/7/AAAADCc9QvMAAAAAANV8lA.jpg?v=1277559064000" /></a></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have designated private areas. We have private
bedrooms and bathrooms for each “family.”<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have designated living areas for each “family.”
This allows for personal decorating and even added privacy.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We respect each other’s privacy. We knock. As
parents, my husband and I are more than happy to have our kids plunk down on a
sofa and watch TV with us. But I always ask before doing the same with them. As
a younger couple, without children, they are used to a little more privacy.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have a designated cook…me! Luckily I love to
cook and am happy to do it. I post a menu and try to stick to it. Of course my
son-in-law likes to grill, so that will give me some nice breaks in warmer
weather.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We communicate. I am working on this one…but
generally things should be addressed immediately to avoid further problems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The list above is not at all
conclusive, but it does give a little insight to how we are handling our
changing lifestyle. Keep an eye out and I will post updates occasionally on how
we are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-24791590410299325132013-01-16T12:07:00.000-06:002013-01-16T13:02:08.354-06:00A Baby Changes Everything<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I am having a lot of difficulty with today’s post. Not because
it is a hard subject to address, or because it is personally painful. No, it is
simply I don’t know where to begin. In less than 2 weeks my husband will be
working in the Oklahoma City area. We originally thought that by now I would be
preparing to move with him. Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men…</span></div>
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<a href="http://blogs-images.forbes.com/mikemyatt/files/2012/11/decision-making-processes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="http://blogs-images.forbes.com/mikemyatt/files/2012/11/decision-making-processes1.jpg" title="http://blogs-images.forbes.com/mikemyatt/files/2012/11/decision-making-processes1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we first discovered that his job was to be transferred we
had some big decisions to make. Would he accept the transfer offer? Or leave
Boeing and try to find other employment in a Wichita economy that was not in an
upswing. Would he commute on the weekends? Renting a studio apartment in OKC
and driving the 2½ hours back to Derby each weekend. Or would we jump in with
both feet, and leave a town we had both been raised in, and move? Leaving our
married children, an elderly father, and a church we loved behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At first we both liked the commuting idea, but then I felt
this was selfish on my part. My husband has 3½ years before early retirement is
an option. That did not seem so bad, but the reality was that staying with
Boeing until full retirement age made the most sense. Commuting for 13 to 15
years? Not a pretty picture. So moving it was…until December.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By December we were pretty discouraged. Only one offer had been made on our
home, and it had been a joke. We felt we had chosen the wrong realtor, the
wrong time to sell, and were trying desperately to understand God’s plan for
us. My daughter admonished me at one point for my lack of faith, saying “The
buyer isn’t ready yet.” At this point we began making plans for my husband to
move without me. A prospect that worried me as I depended on him to help me
with things my back wouldn’t allow me to accomplish on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, as always, God is sovereign. On a December evening we received
the joyful news that we were to become grandparents! My daughter was unexpectedly
pregnant! While happy, they were concerned. They had hoped to be in a larger
home before having children, in fact they often commented they wished they had
a large enough down payment to buy our home. No one remembers who mentioned it
first, but suddenly the idea was flying around the room. Move in here, sell
your home, and save for the down payment needed. My husband would commute for
the time being and I would remain here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is not a solution for everybody, and six weeks later there
have been a few little bumps…mostly dealing with having 2 extra dogs in the
household. But I believe it is the ideal solution for us. Everybody was on
board, and in fact excited about the changes. We all feel prayers have been
answered. My daughter and son-in-law will be able to provide me the help I
need, while in return I get to help with a little one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Think we are making a mistake? This will ruin our
relationships? Wait for my next post…you might be surprised what the research
shows. ~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-15496147919924930642013-01-10T14:56:00.000-06:002013-01-11T00:21:07.032-06:00Thursday Travels: The Voyager of the Seas<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In 2011 we took a cruise that was a departure from the norm
for us…a cruise minus our adult children. Our DD had married in the summer of
2010, and preferred to cruise sans parents for her honeymoon…I have no idea why…we
are a lot of fun on a cruise! Our DS was starting a new job in law enforcement
and chose to opt out as well. I admit this left me feeling a bit uneasy about
cruising with just my DH. Now don’t judge…I love my husband dearly! However, 20
plus years of marriage had convinced me that we do not always see eye to eye on
what constitutes a good time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Luckily we did not have to contemplate this situation long! A couple
we are friends with, E & D, came to our rescue and booked the same cruise.
We had “Cruise Buddies,” yay!! It was made extra exciting as E had never
cruised before…and I love sailing with newbies! We had almost as much fun planning our
trip as actually taking it. It included a road trip, as we were sailing out of
Galveston, and included a stop in Dallas to meet with a missionary family our
church supports.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The trip to Galveston was a long day, but the stop in Dallas
helped the drive seem shorter. I drove, of course…because I have control issues
and hate it when other people drive as my life constantly flashes before my
eyes. There…I have stated it publicly…don’t expect me to change…just move over
and give me the wheel!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our visit with our Albanian missionaries was wonderful, if
short. They were in the USA for a few years while the husband attended Dallas
Christian & obtained his masters degree. We visited and enjoyed an awesome home
cooked Albanian meal. If you know what a foodie I am, you know I was in heaven!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once in Galveston we checked into our hotel…and then made a
bee line to a store on the beach that sold comfortable flip flops. E had made
the mistake of choosing fashion over comfort for the 10 hour car ride. Her dogs
were barking away! I just shook my head and wondered how she tolerates me as a
friend. My idea of being fashion forward is when I wear jeans to the store
instead of sweats! Then on to Joe’s Crab Shack…yes, I am sure there are better
places to eat seafood in Galveston…but I am a Joe’s girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next day a very friendly taxi driver took us to the port
and we began embarkation. It was painless as always…except for the confiscation
of D’s pocket knife, which he had checked to make sure he could bring. For our
safety Royal Caribbean kept it tucked away until the last night of the cruise…when
in their wisdom they felt the danger of D running amok and murdering us in our
sleep had passed, and returned it to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Next Thursday Travels: Introducing the Voyager of the Seas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bon Voyage! ~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-27165262270169028172013-01-09T14:58:00.000-06:002013-01-11T00:19:33.566-06:00The Inspirational Life<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-091009-inspirational-women/ss-091009-inspirational-women-Mother-Theresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-091009-inspirational-women/ss-091009-inspirational-women-Mother-Theresa.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motherteresa.org/" target="_blank">Mother Teresa</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Inspirational – To offer something valuable, or uplifting,
which in turn motivates others to bring out the best in themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have been thinking about this word a lot lately. What does
mean to be inspirational? What must one do to become inspirational? What
characteristics do inspirational people share? Why do individuals find
different types of people inspirational?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRP6AE5ydbAkjXSAB_sx-wkbnNVLEsSxv-sESxTn79LMgTDRw0v4Csr-1nim3N8BnWT9GSNkQ74LpN6j_I1_N20JVf0-sOHGwOnUBjhDeXbofsy7gpabUxgZcS5_I6-2zyYl-axveBEyZ/s1600/124904589635771464_z1t8g02A_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRP6AE5ydbAkjXSAB_sx-wkbnNVLEsSxv-sESxTn79LMgTDRw0v4Csr-1nim3N8BnWT9GSNkQ74LpN6j_I1_N20JVf0-sOHGwOnUBjhDeXbofsy7gpabUxgZcS5_I6-2zyYl-axveBEyZ/s320/124904589635771464_z1t8g02A_c.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.audreyhepburn.com/menu/index.php" target="_blank">Audrey Hepburn</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One person may be deeply inspired by a favorite athlete.
Another person may find a great person of faith to be inspirational. Some may
find inspiration in the day to day struggles of a treasured friend. The same
individual may find all of these people to be inspirational, though for very
different reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I took a look at my Pinterest Board “<a href="http://pinterest.com/ksobgynrn/people-who-inspire-me-3/" target="_blank">People Who Inspire Me</a>.”
What I found was a very eclectic group of people. Some were well known, Mother
Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Helen Keller. Others, not so much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Relief_and_Development/US_Disaster_Relief/" target="_blank">My Niece & Friends, Joplin, MO.</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What are missing are the people who have inspired me the most.
My maternal grandmother, my mother, my niece who has made volunteer work a
lifestyle, dear friends who have battled illness or disability, friends on the
mission field who rely wholly on God for their every need. Though you won’t
find their pictures on my board, and perhaps I should remedy that, they are my
rocks, the inspiration I need to get through some difficult days. To make more
of myself as a person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I look for the common threads that run through this very
special group of people, I find these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdziR55WeCiWrGLcC-I_Bgftb514lJAzVrNXNCXRKxQBmT-71sTZrjgudyfLcpuc3zDOlA4PI_Sp-SmvZ-bgOFitqGEo2vx-Ka0o3N14knUjntN2fPGubFX3W7OQJAGBF3U7DLr86LFyfy/s1600/169096160978911220_MoHZO2Vq_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdziR55WeCiWrGLcC-I_Bgftb514lJAzVrNXNCXRKxQBmT-71sTZrjgudyfLcpuc3zDOlA4PI_Sp-SmvZ-bgOFitqGEo2vx-Ka0o3N14knUjntN2fPGubFX3W7OQJAGBF3U7DLr86LFyfy/s1600/169096160978911220_MoHZO2Vq_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.derekredmond.com/" target="_blank">Derek Redmond</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Perseverance – Simply stated…They Carry On. No matter what is
thrown in their path, they continue on. Does this mean they never falter or
stumble? Absolutely not! But when they do they pick themselves up, brush
themselves off, and continue down the road in front of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Goal Oriented/Ambitious – They know where they are and where they want
to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fim-carol.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carol @ Female in Motion</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hard Working – It takes effort to accomplish goals and ideals.
They are willing to put in the time and effort needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Humility – With possibly the exception of a few of the
athletes…they do not see their walk as being anything special, and they
certainly do not see themselves as special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Acceptance – They accept what has been placed before them, in
fact, they often embrace it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6RHWrjIhwCtdXlPT-RO3oYf-L9jC5jKZczbGsRJb3txW_gLbiaLlRmfL0m8_BNAn7_PwMsdzAe3Ps4LOtK0GNruOi7lbJuKIZKFzgZ9yZQY6IQpyYCsiplC5N2aMYEqtBen4N-0-uhyq/s1600/546607_10150968546174187_1759749916_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6RHWrjIhwCtdXlPT-RO3oYf-L9jC5jKZczbGsRJb3txW_gLbiaLlRmfL0m8_BNAn7_PwMsdzAe3Ps4LOtK0GNruOi7lbJuKIZKFzgZ9yZQY6IQpyYCsiplC5N2aMYEqtBen4N-0-uhyq/s200/546607_10150968546174187_1759749916_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blackpurlsknitpickings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alida @ An Expat Journal</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Giving/Sharing – They give to others. Whether reaching out to
help monetarily, supplying physical labor, or simply sharing their story, they
open themselves to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Adversity/Courageous – While this does not apply to all, I believe it
does to most inspirational people. Most are overcoming some sort of adversity.
Even if it is as simple as the sacrifice of pleasant living conditions and
exposure to disease to help out in a third world country. They show courage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/265008759293768941_Pxx5DBCb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/265008759293768941_Pxx5DBCb_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joniandfriends.org/" target="_blank">Joni Erickson Tada</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Positive Attitude – Possibly what makes them truly exceptional.
Through trials and tears, they maintain a positive outlook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">My challenge to you is to take a moment and think about the
people who inspire you. What traits do you see? What changes can you make to
become an inspiration to others?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~Marla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-15745318026814124972012-11-13T18:11:00.000-06:002013-01-11T00:22:56.403-06:00Tasty Tuesday: BBQ Green Beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pickyourown.org/beans/beansdone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://pickyourown.org/beans/beansdone.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband and I both grew up in homes where green beans were a frequently served vegetable. My mom canned her own home grown green beans. In the summer, if I sat down for any reason, a pan of green beans would magically appear in front of me for my snapping pleasure. Small price to pay for home canned green beans year 'round!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We still eat green beans frequently, but over time I have collected a few recipes that give a new twist to the rather tired looking store bought canned beans. The following recipe is from an old church cookbook. I have been making this for over 25 years and they are always well received. The recipe can be tripled and heated in a slow cooker for a large crowd or a pot luck event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BBQ Green Beans</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 14.5 oz cans green beans, drained</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 can tomato soup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 cup brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6 bacon slices, diced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 cup onion, diced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brown diced bacon & onion in skillet, drain well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place green beans, brown sugar, & tomato soup in casserole dish and mix together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stir in bacon & onion. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKKjHJsDXuvJ6J26VmE4lIDL0bFO2WhvUgWiFSAoSLr0ZxmSDZ4hQhZhvIHgDhLYoYo4Am3yGWsSQbuHJvu6-ugHNgyDKSvs5-boAyl51actHG90o1aj7iFwUfbFmo56a-9U__XQrYqa_/s1600/Droid+295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKKjHJsDXuvJ6J26VmE4lIDL0bFO2WhvUgWiFSAoSLr0ZxmSDZ4hQhZhvIHgDhLYoYo4Am3yGWsSQbuHJvu6-ugHNgyDKSvs5-boAyl51actHG90o1aj7iFwUfbFmo56a-9U__XQrYqa_/s320/Droid+295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For pot luck I triple the first 3 ingredients, use 1 pkg of bacon, and 1 whole onion. I place into a slow cooker and cook until heated through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know this sounds very different, but it really is a delicious recipe. Give it a try.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bon appetit! ~Marla</span></div>
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-88037176659517872422012-11-12T15:10:00.001-06:002013-01-11T00:24:34.508-06:00Angels in Diguise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsJzbkUj7jn7_7DhKrLheD3SynG7DxVgGaQwP9nBIjSxJu8CWFpcX6KPafPj5YBmp5dX7s6_wqDuIrXTIP7dkFxQC2xGFCKsZP7SOzVbFOLZ1MRkv_uYO9lppAYxSQqKNAISjc8tr6w5h/s1600/531077_443558752370985_347537612_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsJzbkUj7jn7_7DhKrLheD3SynG7DxVgGaQwP9nBIjSxJu8CWFpcX6KPafPj5YBmp5dX7s6_wqDuIrXTIP7dkFxQC2xGFCKsZP7SOzVbFOLZ1MRkv_uYO9lppAYxSQqKNAISjc8tr6w5h/s1600/531077_443558752370985_347537612_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I’ve seen and met angels wearing the disguise</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> of ordinary people living ordinary lives.</i></span></div>
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<i>- Tracy Chapman</i></div>
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Angels in disguise. I have seen them, have you? Just the other day, at the airport, a kind employee bumped me to First Class seating. I had not asked about different seating, and when he handed me my new boarding pass and commented that it was a better seat, I still did not understand it was in the First Class area. What a wonderful, unexpected gift! Today I want to share a particularly wonderful story from someone close to me. It is about her angel in disguise.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4p04Xc1okVMr_9r8eq0FIi8t2mHs-tfpp0sXO7I4MeDw0Sqx_hNnxWm9Po8fFyrPtL_j1wtzsdlTRHxXIWNjg1IolIwS4bmBITisjXZLEs5HxKHftGU5FY389fpsWbHXlSE4PlV3FOEI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4p04Xc1okVMr_9r8eq0FIi8t2mHs-tfpp0sXO7I4MeDw0Sqx_hNnxWm9Po8fFyrPtL_j1wtzsdlTRHxXIWNjg1IolIwS4bmBITisjXZLEs5HxKHftGU5FY389fpsWbHXlSE4PlV3FOEI/s320/1.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; text-align: start; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30244A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> ~Hebrews 13:2 NIV</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a particularly difficult morning. Things were piling up one upon the other. Finances had been an issue for awhile now, but today was especially bad. A cashed check that was to be held for awhile had sent the checking account into a tailspin. Checks began bouncing right and left, and the fees began stacking up. She owed money to the kids school and money on a student loan. The charges from the bounced checks had people calling her as well. How was she to pay any of these things when the money was simply not there? Topping it off were the family medical issues, including the surgery of a loved one that very day. How could one person be expected to bear so much?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE54-UZ8LfyV1VNYgOMAHJqdxbP22MXpYZkbfZ6gv-Yb4zWn6r0TY0E4AZ2RuOmbH_zGTcSxq_hZ8OpBzokszPmxqMPQ79YvfmpjdUARV061JjnfLjzQeLZaOQxp_QFhCGKGznLmhMitS/s1600/Woman_Crying_Phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE54-UZ8LfyV1VNYgOMAHJqdxbP22MXpYZkbfZ6gv-Yb4zWn6r0TY0E4AZ2RuOmbH_zGTcSxq_hZ8OpBzokszPmxqMPQ79YvfmpjdUARV061JjnfLjzQeLZaOQxp_QFhCGKGznLmhMitS/s320/Woman_Crying_Phone.jpg" width="228" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />As she ended a cell phone call from yet another person demanding payment, she began to give in to the despair. Standing in the hallway of her children's school, her world seemed ready to crumble. "Are you alright?", the voice asked. Looking up she saw the face of another parent. "Yes, I'm fine.", she answered, her face belying the truth. "No, really, I want to know if you are alright.", the woman said. And so the words began to pour out, along with the tears. She shared everything with this woman she barely knew, and accepted her arms to comfort her as well. Her story told, the woman asked a question, "What can I do to help?" She began to refuse the kind woman's offer, but the woman was persistent. "No, I am serious, I want to help. I can help you.", she stated. "My checkbook is at home. Let's go there and discuss this.", said the woman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Upon arriving at the kind woman's home, she was asked a question, "How much do you need?" Surprised, she said, "I don't know when I can pay you back." "Who said anything about paying me back?", asked the woman. "Name a figure, don't be afraid. What do you need to get back on your feet?" Stunned, she replied, "About $2000." Without blinking an eye the woman began to write the check. In explanation the woman simply said, "I was feeling sorry for myself this morning. My husband has a long commute to work, and I was resenting that. Meeting you and hearing your problems put my own into perspective. It helped me feel better."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You never know when or where your angel will appear, or when you can be an angel for someone else. In Him ~Marla</span></div>
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-33168489710960678562012-11-11T20:40:00.000-06:002012-11-11T20:40:51.733-06:00Tater Tot Casserole, Updated<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cCadlTaLoOD9cyrdyM8oSPe8BUK027bnNfuPS_O6dLCGbssdTtVa9HDnwMMv5JBSjiyyU63Qm-iTuPTwd5XyU0qhpfZkKD7jL6Ykj1liB642374mBkFOqs2lxK5N3tOYYg22kW1UVUtM/s1600/Food+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cCadlTaLoOD9cyrdyM8oSPe8BUK027bnNfuPS_O6dLCGbssdTtVa9HDnwMMv5JBSjiyyU63Qm-iTuPTwd5XyU0qhpfZkKD7jL6Ykj1liB642374mBkFOqs2lxK5N3tOYYg22kW1UVUtM/s320/Food+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is not my first post for Tater Tot Casserole, but this is an updated version that fits my family a little better. This recipe is based on the Duggar's Tater Tot Casserole. With a few tweaks I have made it my own, a little higher in lean protein, and a little lower in carbs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tater Tot Casserole</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 lbs lean ground beef &/or ground turkey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nature's Seasons Seasoning Salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 lbs frozen tater tots</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup shredded cheese</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 can cream of mushroom soup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 can cream of chicken soup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 can evaporated milk</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyAHmkqT0XYv-7s8UCkrrpvpET4LAVvdijsEb1W4-MyxId3T25svygRxbNluoDfggf-wzJM1Ijlp_1aZUf_TY2PSK72bgd4IdKekic74zkTd-7JFvAU-Kvo8QUBgPzWGZ-oFyBfVkDxUu/s1600/Food+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyAHmkqT0XYv-7s8UCkrrpvpET4LAVvdijsEb1W4-MyxId3T25svygRxbNluoDfggf-wzJM1Ijlp_1aZUf_TY2PSK72bgd4IdKekic74zkTd-7JFvAU-Kvo8QUBgPzWGZ-oFyBfVkDxUu/s320/Food+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove tater tots from freezer. Brown and season meat to taste. Drain any fat and place meat in the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 baking dish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sprinkle with shredded cheese, variety of your choice, I like a 3 cheese variety. Cover evenly with tater tots.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoBGUtQC_gabdiP6jJCbV76f9s8UOg21mSKcr65OkVG-kU7uka9VNVBkarlH02YrrIlLa_EowoJj1yDIW90V-_y3uxKqU3yl6xYqVU49INIrGvc-lK0SGWLlhAplcbCoz6dvdkdZU3LYC/s1600/Food+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoBGUtQC_gabdiP6jJCbV76f9s8UOg21mSKcr65OkVG-kU7uka9VNVBkarlH02YrrIlLa_EowoJj1yDIW90V-_y3uxKqU3yl6xYqVU49INIrGvc-lK0SGWLlhAplcbCoz6dvdkdZU3LYC/s320/Food+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Mix soups and milk in a bowl and pour evenly over tater tots. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Serves 8-10.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVwkmY2etQOcLe9ppIEzyinWHAHZC5Ep0OS4oygBsVsROk9uuT7vC6e0y6JEkEi8EfydH_T5aQRr4Vi1uACqv0-hTSCOHm5qYpoOyE-6LE0sQ2PJgSFDQ-5n6qmJeqgVCi_vXKLjJCWkO/s1600/Food+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVwkmY2etQOcLe9ppIEzyinWHAHZC5Ep0OS4oygBsVsROk9uuT7vC6e0y6JEkEi8EfydH_T5aQRr4Vi1uACqv0-hTSCOHm5qYpoOyE-6LE0sQ2PJgSFDQ-5n6qmJeqgVCi_vXKLjJCWkO/s320/Food+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy! ~Marla</span></div>
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-90064092284027285632012-10-24T14:57:00.001-05:002012-10-24T14:58:43.737-05:00Life in the Bipolar Lanes: The Seeds of Guilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianbusinessdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Shame-and-guilt-e1290532577385.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.christianbusinessdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Shame-and-guilt-e1290532577385.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guilt. It is a powerful emotion isn't it? At least in most people. I am often amazed by the lack of guilt some people seem to feel. You know the ones...people sitting stoically in a courtroom as a verdict is read that proclaims them guilty of murder, child abuse, or some other heinous act. And yet, there they sit, seemingly without any remorse. It boggles the mind. </span><br />
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<a href="http://zerotolerancetonegativethinking.com/Healthy-guilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://zerotolerancetonegativethinking.com/Healthy-guilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I myself have the opposite problem. I can bring up memories over 45 years old and feel the guilt as if it was only yesterday. That is a lifetime of guilt, and it is a heavy burden to bear. A lot of time and therapy went into vanquishing some of this guilt. Some I have simply learned to keep at bay...most of the time. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.inhomegallery.net/image/grandfather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.inhomegallery.net/image/grandfather.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first experience with guilt occurred at the tender age of 3 years old. Yes, I have memories of my life at this early age. Remember, memories are kept because they hold significance for us. The significance of these early memories are for the most part because they focus on my grandfather, Frank. Frank was actually my step-grandfather, but I do not believe I even knew that at the time. To me he was simply Grandpa Frank, a wonderfully kind man who loved and doted on me and gave me Dentyne gum when I came to visit. And the visits were often. See, Grandma & Grandpa Frank lived in a trailer next door to us, so I saw them at least once a day, and usually much more often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My memories of Grandpa Frank are memories I have clung tightly to over the years. His smiling face, things he gave me, the time he took his teeth out for me! He was the perfect Grandpa. Unfortunately I only had 3 years with Grandpa Frank. During that time my Grandma was a shadowy background figure in my memories. Grandpa Frank took center stage. Grandpa Frank's death would change all of that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprBjnuY1EeeXxxiS-9cQbol7QlycLZoYlTH77h2cdOv2KdtgzF9H1WQ1vY4dqzwhR5WjPaHYxUAyfDSDWMWBgoap59UBabyjR7_UcGBwq4Wo1fpv-tdKU89kYTMCB6pf0sSyk3cH3gGT-/s1600/guilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprBjnuY1EeeXxxiS-9cQbol7QlycLZoYlTH77h2cdOv2KdtgzF9H1WQ1vY4dqzwhR5WjPaHYxUAyfDSDWMWBgoap59UBabyjR7_UcGBwq4Wo1fpv-tdKU89kYTMCB6pf0sSyk3cH3gGT-/s320/guilt4.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was fall, and my mother told me that Grandma wanted to talk to me. Grandma took me outside to the front yard. She asked if I had noticed that Grandpa Frank had been gone for a few days. She then proceeded to tell me that Grandpa Frank was never coming back. He had died. The remainder of the conversation was to be seared into my 3 year old brain for the rest of my life. Me, "Why did Grandpa have to die?" Grandma, "I don't know, probably because you were so mean to him."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Marla</span>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-3901629444236833242012-10-16T11:40:00.000-05:002013-01-11T00:27:23.205-06:00Tasty Tuesday: The Smells of Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/12/07/NXSP01_Mulled_Cider_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/12/07/NXSP01_Mulled_Cider_lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What makes a house feel like a home? For me it is the aroma. I have heard of people comment on how they love the smell of Pine Sol or bleach, denoting a freshly cleaned home. Other people enjoy the fragrance of fresh cut flowers or floral candles or room fresheners. My favorite aroma for a home are the fall smells. Apples baking in pies, nutmeg and cinnamon simmering in a pot of cider on the stove, a pumpkin pie and banana bread cooling on the counter, wood burning in the fireplace. When I experience these aromas I am transported...suddenly the house feels cozy, inviting, homey. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTGp0D0nqpN4UPXMF4p81H4MWvRRJf80K8P2234CjYX66Bt4JYATCH2Wn9gq7ozsXTBT8WpUYEWr1_eWXBxa3GHJxiMviP7wa8h4LaK8B-KqRhjTjh0qdelMD1cI79I-6ap7ZhdLinU66/s1600/apple+crisp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTGp0D0nqpN4UPXMF4p81H4MWvRRJf80K8P2234CjYX66Bt4JYATCH2Wn9gq7ozsXTBT8WpUYEWr1_eWXBxa3GHJxiMviP7wa8h4LaK8B-KqRhjTjh0qdelMD1cI79I-6ap7ZhdLinU66/s320/apple+crisp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the fall the baker in me comes out to play. It cools off enough to use the oven again, and the spices of fall beckon. One thing I do enjoy about showing my home in the fall is the ability to add to that homey feeling for the potential buyer by putting out breads and having a big pot of spiced cider on the stove top. It is so welcoming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a recipe to get you started on that fall baking, a yummy apple crisp from Betty Crocker! Bon appetit! ~Marla</span><br />
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/french-apple-dessert/c69cdcea-d35a-42fe-8958-b78f1a4802ef" target="_blank">French Apple Dessert</a></span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="RecipeIngredientHeader" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_IngredientGroupListView_ctrl0_IngredientGroupNamePanel" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; margin: 5px 0px; text-align: start;">
Streusel Topping</div>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">1</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">cup Original Bisquick® mix</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">1/2</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">cup chopped nuts</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">1/3</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">cup packed brown sugar</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">3</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">tablespoons firm butter or margarine</dd></dl>
<div class="RecipeIngredientHeader" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_IngredientGroupListView_ctrl1_IngredientGroupNamePanel" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; margin: 5px 0px; text-align: start;">
Filling</div>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">6</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (4 to 6 medium)</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">1</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">cup granulated sugar</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">3/4</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">cup Original Bisquick® mix</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">3/4</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">cup milk</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">2</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">tablespoons butter or margarine, softened</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">1 1/4</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">teaspoons ground cinnamon</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">1/4</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">teaspoon ground nutmeg</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;">2</dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">eggs</dd></dl>
<div class="RecipeIngredientHeader" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_IngredientGroupListView_ctrl2_IngredientGroupNamePanel" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; margin: 5px 0px; text-align: start;">
Topping</div>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<dt style="color: #cd6219; float: left; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;"></dt>
<dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;">Ice cream or whipped cream, if desired</dd><dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><br /></dd><dd style="color: black; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><ul class="instructions" style="color: #666666; list-style: none; margin: 14px 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="padding-bottom: 15px;"><span class="recipeStepHeading" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.bettycrocker.com/Shared/Images/recipe_images.png); background-position: -160px -120px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: white; display: block; height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 4px 0px 0px 67px; width: 16px;">1</span><span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl0_StepDescriptionItemLabel">Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with shortening or cooking spray. In small bowl, mix 1 cup Bisquick mix, the nuts and brown sugar. Cut in 3 tablespoons firm butter with fork or pastry blender until mixture is crumbly; set aside.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="padding-bottom: 15px;"><span class="recipeStepHeading" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.bettycrocker.com/Shared/Images/recipe_images.png); background-position: -160px -120px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: white; display: block; height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 4px 0px 0px 67px; width: 16px;">2</span><span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl1_StepDescriptionItemLabel">Spread apples in baking dish. In medium bowl, stir remaining filling ingredients until blended. Pour over apples. Sprinkle with topping.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="padding-bottom: 15px;"><span class="recipeStepHeading" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.bettycrocker.com/Shared/Images/recipe_images.png); background-position: -160px -120px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: white; display: block; height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 4px 0px 0px 67px; width: 16px;">3</span><span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl2_StepDescriptionItemLabel">Bake about 55 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean; cool slightly, about 30 minutes. Serve warm if desired with ice cream.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="padding-bottom: 15px;"><span class="stepDescription instruction"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
</dd></dl>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; margin: 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">
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</dl>
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Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-82410983000811935972012-10-15T21:35:00.000-05:002012-10-15T21:35:10.361-05:00Perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhnjjxaQeF4cPzMSxl2Fu8G53DgII_GTwvKAVHSo4MbhHGxETekbCLJntY4x5FjFiUrGW_a0TDkWpAJ7MsC0pJakq9y3y-XPF0PoMd_-2BLw0XZj_-frYRHypBar-3V2IaHtQlNafSwiP/s1600/pity-party_OM-Times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhnjjxaQeF4cPzMSxl2Fu8G53DgII_GTwvKAVHSo4MbhHGxETekbCLJntY4x5FjFiUrGW_a0TDkWpAJ7MsC0pJakq9y3y-XPF0PoMd_-2BLw0XZj_-frYRHypBar-3V2IaHtQlNafSwiP/s200/pity-party_OM-Times.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know this is shocking...but occasionally I throw little pity parties for myself. Woe is me, life is not following my perfectly choreographed plans. Really! I have this all figured out God! Can't you see how perfect my plans are? Why must I suffer so? And then God lets me in on a little secret...my life is amazing! My problems are nothing compared to so many around me! My plans do not enrich my life one little bit!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPIEHep3ZcKWYeumDxKj3PKe24eBAkwuH6cLmYxz4qZ1npT1S6wU_lzGXGuQ6RpD1P26lA6syzJDGEdjz0XeR0EszV9fAx0zGol_QVwsndgmvg2ih_YoqK0tiNqcy2E23kLTSqZk21GKx/s1600/anxiety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPIEHep3ZcKWYeumDxKj3PKe24eBAkwuH6cLmYxz4qZ1npT1S6wU_lzGXGuQ6RpD1P26lA6syzJDGEdjz0XeR0EszV9fAx0zGol_QVwsndgmvg2ih_YoqK0tiNqcy2E23kLTSqZk21GKx/s320/anxiety.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what to do when you are focusing way too much on your on life? When you forget how very blessed you are. My anxiety level was slowly climbing up and up. What could I do to take my mind off myself and start focusing more on others, and Him? Pray. Simple enough. Devote that time and energy towards something positive.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.elca.org/~/media/Images/What%20We%20Believe/Prayer%20Center/PrayerCenter_Main.ashx" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://www.elca.org/~/media/Images/What%20We%20Believe/Prayer%20Center/PrayerCenter_Main.ashx" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prayer is a wonderful communion with God for someone of faith. A chance to turn your eyes <i>upward</i> instead of inward. A chance to reach out to someone hurting or afraid. A chance to make a difference in the lives of others. You can touch the life of someone you may never meet, and they may never know of you...but you can reach out in prayer.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.fragrantincense.ca/storage/bowl%20of%20incense%20smaller.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1249071486801" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fragrantincense.ca/storage/bowl%20of%20incense%20smaller.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1249071486801" width="263" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prayer doesn't have to be eloquent, or even grammatically correct. God hears your prayers with His heart, not His ears. He feels your prayers...and they bless Him. Wow! He covets our prayers...what an amazing concept!</span><br />
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<i><span class="text Ps-141-2" id="en-ESV-16279" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">Let <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16279A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>my prayer be counted as incense before You, </span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Ps-141-2" style="position: relative;">and <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16279B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>the lifting up of my hands as <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16279C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>the evening sacrifice! ~Psalm 141:2 ESV</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Him ~Marla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-27942486831223406392012-09-28T06:55:00.000-05:002013-01-11T00:28:44.522-06:00Praising Him in the Hallway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzVTm-OThiQassARRMM64zF0HNQpPjssNmk35XJUgl8aWgXlW9vWmfW3bw_icmffcqrrCxh4boIhkFoeTWmbQ_i4CO-XD2ToCj9-BHLdW54OYPY2LrWSUZ5J2OCel2ohUF5i6GIIpeW3h/s1600/freelancing-struggle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzVTm-OThiQassARRMM64zF0HNQpPjssNmk35XJUgl8aWgXlW9vWmfW3bw_icmffcqrrCxh4boIhkFoeTWmbQ_i4CO-XD2ToCj9-BHLdW54OYPY2LrWSUZ5J2OCel2ohUF5i6GIIpeW3h/s320/freelancing-struggle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When do you struggle most? What circumstances cause you the most stress? When is your faith, be it in God or fellow man, tested the most? Ask five people this question and you are likely to get five very different answers. For some it is during times of illness or loss. For some it is during financial difficulty. For some, oddly enough, it is when life is on a high, when suddenly they feel no need to rely on God or others. For me, it is in the hallway. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6_OObhC3ER-zr2A2GY0_f92IbAA3If4NgNoiZa-87aeOzRwF4QmpRC5Gy-aVKbcTGkD8iW3D3BH1zwxP8zBg0K3XKGFjBqz67i-3U0bLNRhpuXLmEH_eI-rsErDXdX6DTILZURwf_kCx/s1600/2012.06_laxtunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6_OObhC3ER-zr2A2GY0_f92IbAA3If4NgNoiZa-87aeOzRwF4QmpRC5Gy-aVKbcTGkD8iW3D3BH1zwxP8zBg0K3XKGFjBqz67i-3U0bLNRhpuXLmEH_eI-rsErDXdX6DTILZURwf_kCx/s320/2012.06_laxtunnel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hallway. One door has closed, another yet to be opened, and so I wait. The hallway has no windows. It is easy to lose ones sense of direction in the hallway. With no sunlight, day and night can seem to blur and become one on the hallway. When the doors remain closed it is easy to imagine the hallway has no end. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTug4UqFMESiEiz9WSgs6-_Oc3aXeUawgMbRefLsjSpGQ9jsM-N9bPt6VfSp6Fx5szjKoZCFr9zQNFRYnFHRMYsE6ns0hXrmqamTDy_tKhmmk8URThscob5YXMkmjIFZjABAaO9D3myK6/s1600/hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTug4UqFMESiEiz9WSgs6-_Oc3aXeUawgMbRefLsjSpGQ9jsM-N9bPt6VfSp6Fx5szjKoZCFr9zQNFRYnFHRMYsE6ns0hXrmqamTDy_tKhmmk8URThscob5YXMkmjIFZjABAaO9D3myK6/s320/hallway.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet at some point a door will open. I will walk through and be able to look back and see the hallway for what it really was. A passage of the perfect length to lead me to my next destination. Until then...I will praise Him in the Hallway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Him ~Marla</span>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-16406132857832333012012-08-15T12:52:00.000-05:002012-08-15T12:52:29.830-05:00Life in the Bipolar Lanes: Early Childhood Memories<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaS9iEtnlaLZzu_WS07ffUdyEJgGhHCfTYrQTreyxUJGN1xiiYgIcv4-hkbFk2D9NRWUjKDf8-H3qGbIUiaFzoJ4Shg0pBnBq4k6s4ERA3EdPok5RefPAPQYnd19FnhzR7fvNtN1RsKJwy/s1600/Tibbetts+Family+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaS9iEtnlaLZzu_WS07ffUdyEJgGhHCfTYrQTreyxUJGN1xiiYgIcv4-hkbFk2D9NRWUjKDf8-H3qGbIUiaFzoJ4Shg0pBnBq4k6s4ERA3EdPok5RefPAPQYnd19FnhzR7fvNtN1RsKJwy/s400/Tibbetts+Family+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Family</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Early childhood memories.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> The wispy bits and pieces of our 2, 3, or 4 year old selves that continue to live on inside us. We all have them to one extent or another. For some they are easily recalled, others find them elusive or nonexistent. Often they are attached to events of significance. Events that were significant to the child we once were, not necessarily significant to those around us. These memories mold us in incredible ways, at times shaping us into the person we will become…or at least the person we perceive ourselves to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BRPOn3B1tP8REmsVNSQMON2tPyP-o4WvRGVSTp_FzhRvkJhuaJvpmLXvBytORhR9tkcbcVb2hpi5fI7DTeL4v1FoXNAyKXAcQLytAYbjgWBQO_SlZNPeBhkOUwgmFXE_Qb8-TM_dNK_V/s1600/17940_1329724969537_1027902_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BRPOn3B1tP8REmsVNSQMON2tPyP-o4WvRGVSTp_FzhRvkJhuaJvpmLXvBytORhR9tkcbcVb2hpi5fI7DTeL4v1FoXNAyKXAcQLytAYbjgWBQO_SlZNPeBhkOUwgmFXE_Qb8-TM_dNK_V/s320/17940_1329724969537_1027902_n.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I learned something important in therapy as an adult. The past can indeed hold the key to the present. My childhood memories were skeletons that needed to come out of the closet and be addressed before healing and change could ever occur. As I write about my journey I will need to talk about my family. I want to do this honestly. If you are a family member you may recognize yourself in my memories. Please understand these are memories through a child’s eyes, not an adult’s. Additionally, some of my extended family may learn some unpleasant facts about someone they looked up to and loved. Just because this woman was unlovely to me does not mean she was a bad person, but understanding her role in how I perceived myself was a key part of learning to cope with those feelings and overcome them. Writing this will take time. It is difficult for me to write about without bringing up old feelings. Something I do not want to do on a daily basis. Please be patient with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/174373816792432015_Gly17amm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/174373816792432015_Gly17amm.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">There are many, many, children who have had childhoods more difficult and unhappy than my own. Not all these people end up with a mental illness. I do not believe my childhood led me to become bipolar. What I do believe, is that it exacerbated certain symptoms and made coping more difficult. Anxiety has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and that very definitely had its roots in my early childhood. Guilt and feelings of worthlessness were early companions as well. These were set in place as early as four years old, and not addressed until many years thereafter. By that time the negative reel in my head had been looping over and over for a very long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">You are too shy, you are mean, you are a liar, you are lazy, you are stupid, everything is your fault, you only think of yourself, you are afraid of everything, you are unlovable, you are selfish, you just want attention, you are ugly, you have no self control, why can’t you be like “them.” You are a bad person.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">~Marla</span></span></div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-27552324010067985162012-08-14T11:48:00.000-05:002013-01-11T00:31:30.187-06:00Tasty Tuesday: Pinterest Cooking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mindcomet.com/wp-content/uploads/Pinterest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://www.mindcomet.com/wp-content/uploads/Pinterest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you Pin? If not you are missing out on one of the most addictive internet activities available. I love Pinterest, it totally satisfies my urge to rip out magazine pages and save them. What? You've never done that? I confess, if I am scanning a magazine and come across an idea or recipe that I want to try...rip, out it comes. Pinterest is much the same, but with no mess. Instead everything is neatly organized into categories of your own choosing. Heaven!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkBZcuuroXpxTISnkACU_6XToRmoCmkz4DqW8rIEgVoFHFQj-jLXfCnWvuVnCyTxGetfYtyWRkec53WHlo_nnrKA1lWp1bAQjX92CETnRvI2B4tTSw7AMye94hpBt7GQUgJWPlE5MwI_9/s1600/safe_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkBZcuuroXpxTISnkACU_6XToRmoCmkz4DqW8rIEgVoFHFQj-jLXfCnWvuVnCyTxGetfYtyWRkec53WHlo_nnrKA1lWp1bAQjX92CETnRvI2B4tTSw7AMye94hpBt7GQUgJWPlE5MwI_9/s1600/safe_image.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I digress. This post is specifically about some of the great recipes I have tried from my Pinterest collection. Enjoy! And to get you in the mood, here is a great remix in honor of the great Julia Childs 100th birthday.<a href="http://youtu.be/80ZrUI7RNfI" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/80ZrUI7RNfI</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/195977021255065387_Kldxv476_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/195977021255065387_Kldxv476_b.jpg" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, while not technically a recipe, this is by far the most amazing thing I have discovered through Pinterest. I will never boil an egg again! I now<b> bake</b> my hard cooked eggs! So much easier! 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes...and they peel easier as well.<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/283797213988836056/" target="_blank">http://pinterest.com/pin/283797213988836056/</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/40954677831135549_hhLTdkSY_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/40954677831135549_hhLTdkSY_b.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Need a great recipe for Chicken Enchiladas? This one is definitely a winner! <span id="goog_579515661"></span><span id="goog_579515662"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://joyful-mommas-kitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/white-chicken-enchiladas.html" target="_blank">http://joyful-mommas-kitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/white-chicken-enchiladas.html</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/283234264034923826_m2UoyxQj_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/283234264034923826_m2UoyxQj_b.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found a great Beef Stroganoff recipe...the beef is super tender.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://secretingredientislove.blogspot.com/2012/02/beef-stroganoff.html" target="_blank">http://secretingredientislove.blogspot.com/2012/02/beef-stroganoff.html</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/81909286942775710_4JW8vCXV_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/81909286942775710_4JW8vCXV_b.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the cooler recipes I have discovered is for Artisan style bread, baked in a dutch oven. I am not normally a bread maker...but this is super easy, and came out perfect on my very first try!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://simplysogood.blogspot.com/2010/03/crusty-bread.html" target="_blank">http://simplysogood.blogspot.com/2010/03/crusty-bread.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully this gives you a few ideas for dinner, as well as what Pinterest has to offer. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bon Appétit ~Marla</span>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-35232474771532216312012-08-13T14:03:00.000-05:002012-08-13T14:03:05.000-05:00Simply Overwhelmed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1ViIISz3yZWMcmFOOXZOv261Z9zc8vZl6wMhe3MiqKZe7hLYzgBIJt6NzRneFzdl7Qhu4rD1vvZp8q5CjE9mFDIp8uA4magEyi1lXv4s1sPdGH_5XwMYHODsT5RpGIkpaQEIs1fyL18-/s1600/romans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1ViIISz3yZWMcmFOOXZOv261Z9zc8vZl6wMhe3MiqKZe7hLYzgBIJt6NzRneFzdl7Qhu4rD1vvZp8q5CjE9mFDIp8uA4magEyi1lXv4s1sPdGH_5XwMYHODsT5RpGIkpaQEIs1fyL18-/s320/romans.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't been writing much lately as I have been too overwhelmed to sit and put my thoughts into coherent words. I realize there are many people who thrive on stress; I am not one of them. Too much stress has the opposite effect on me...I simply shut down. That has been the last few weeks of my life. All the hoopla of getting the house on the market and beginning a search for a new home has made it difficult for me to function. When it gets to be too much a nap seems the best solution to me. Bipolar and Anxiety Disorders tend to go hand in hand...and it is not a happy partnership.</span><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38Dxt4xBV2ARp3epttXUISiTMvhcV3agXTb8mHScE77KLWbgrhBjHzrE4rUJeuREoAYIZzQqjP5YJtl-p9Xp1XVZfsvChiwzP4FZ7OO9YtgBaMkjUz9NpI7QolpBFtpPwUobqUZRvA_MS/s1600/Therapy+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38Dxt4xBV2ARp3epttXUISiTMvhcV3agXTb8mHScE77KLWbgrhBjHzrE4rUJeuREoAYIZzQqjP5YJtl-p9Xp1XVZfsvChiwzP4FZ7OO9YtgBaMkjUz9NpI7QolpBFtpPwUobqUZRvA_MS/s1600/Therapy+2.png" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So today I am just reaching out for a little help from my friends. If you have a moment to spare, please say a little prayer for me. I would really like to have this entire move behind me and perhaps begin to function a little better again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Marla</span></div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-41187751939965935532012-07-23T11:33:00.000-05:002012-07-23T11:33:27.729-05:00Life in the Bipolar Lanes: Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cherished79.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/mental-illness-strange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cherished79.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/mental-illness-strange.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is hard to talk about your mental health issues in a public forum. Want to know about my back issues? No problem, I can comfortably talk about that. Want to know how I am coping with Diabetes? I'd be glad to share with you. Want to talk about what it is like to live with a mental illness. No way, much too uncomfortable. But that is in fact what I feel called to do. I am going to step out on faith here and share my story. I will try to share as much detail as possible, beginning today with an overview. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.autismafter16.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_large/article-images/Leaving%20Normal%20Sign.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://www.autismafter16.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_large/article-images/Leaving%20Normal%20Sign.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though our society is far more accepting of mental illness than it was 50 years ago, it still carries a stigma. Everything from crazy to lazy gets thrown in there. I write this to be an advocate for others who struggle with mental illness. I want people to understand the profound struggle that it can be to appear "normal" when "normal" is the last thing you feel. Additionally my hope is that others will not wait as long as I did to seek help.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlZN05FpWi0IWGLX2u59RtgunISEybSC-x4i206dYbtzGhwTTM2rfEnY7CnMSywuS6vssTNtVEhMO93fLOa9ozK8UZoyenjfFRf1l0F_ydjq99Q-3uNXXopZNAcj2QE4X7-7xlfh1fTQ/s1600/sad-girl-teddy-bear1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlZN05FpWi0IWGLX2u59RtgunISEybSC-x4i206dYbtzGhwTTM2rfEnY7CnMSywuS6vssTNtVEhMO93fLOa9ozK8UZoyenjfFRf1l0F_ydjq99Q-3uNXXopZNAcj2QE4X7-7xlfh1fTQ/s320/sad-girl-teddy-bear1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first inklings of problems came as a child. By the time I was 10 years old I was seeing a child psychologist. At that young age I already had profound feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and self hate. I don't have any idea if my 5th grade classmates knew where I went when I was dismissed from class for my appointment every week. But in my mind I was sure they did. I did not know of anyone else, adult or child, who saw a psychologist. Instead of helping, I felt even more an outsider looking in at all the "normal" kids. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rlv.zcache.com/i_can_t_stop_talking_magnet-p147130974033023825b2gru_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/i_can_t_stop_talking_magnet-p147130974033023825b2gru_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By my early twenties I had changed my primary doctor and hid my mental illness with lies. Though by this time the Bipolar symptoms were full blown, I had learned to live a lie pretty well. Probably only family were aware of my issues, and much of it was put down to simply having a temper. What they saw as anger or being energetic or talkative was actually a manic state being played out. And when the depression hit? I was simply moping or being "sensitive." If any of them suspected mental illness they kept it to themselves.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZhyphenhyphen1po7qXflj6pcANUY3HV9Kn2ZeZqWBiWiQtDRshCUkdbtl1_XAChQptiBQUcbUng2gHQRqXW0uA_VGiTpVBW6MRlSOGajJQ9NuWA03LwHLpxoceSEAIvDhKhU6eiB3zGDuEtv9o9zZ/s1600/woman-yelling425ah110509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZhyphenhyphen1po7qXflj6pcANUY3HV9Kn2ZeZqWBiWiQtDRshCUkdbtl1_XAChQptiBQUcbUng2gHQRqXW0uA_VGiTpVBW6MRlSOGajJQ9NuWA03LwHLpxoceSEAIvDhKhU6eiB3zGDuEtv9o9zZ/s320/woman-yelling425ah110509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By my thirties I realized I had to get some help. My illness was affecting my parenting in a big way, and my rages were scaring even myself. My doctor was more than happy to prescribe Zoloft for PMS symptoms. Once again the lie to save face...after all PMS was all the rage, and my issues were worse at that time of the month. For some reason I had this incredible need to look as if I had my act together. Though how many saw through the charade I don't know.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.instablogsimages.com/1/2011/11/10/mental_disorders_xqe2v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.instablogsimages.com/1/2011/11/10/mental_disorders_xqe2v.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was in my forties when it all came crashing down around me. I no longer had children or parents to care for. Nothing to stay strong for. Finally the bottom dropped out. The visit to the ER was not pleasant, but for the first time in my life I told someone everything. No lies, no excuses. I was broken.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Marla</span>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927607773805760509.post-7360294930287574022012-07-20T14:29:00.000-05:002012-07-20T14:29:27.221-05:00WHY ARE WE SO ANGRY?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://kampus.unikom.ac.id/s/userassets/10107227/blog_images/image_4d2b9064ed67b5e20832228401f4e2cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://kampus.unikom.ac.id/s/userassets/10107227/blog_images/image_4d2b9064ed67b5e20832228401f4e2cb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, my title is in caps on purpose. I felt shouting the question was a way to get my point across. We are an angry people. You need only watch today's news to see this. Invariably the people who commit such heinous acts are angry. They may not be overtly angry, but the anger is there, sometimes quietly simmering away. Anger in itself is not a bad thing, in fact in some cases it is entirely appropriate. However, more and more it seems that people are angry all the time. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thriftyninja.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/108297566008975562_cc4cc5nn_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://thriftyninja.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/108297566008975562_cc4cc5nn_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Case in point...angry Facebook posts. More and more I see posts by people wishing for "karma" to befall their enemies. I wonder about this. They obviously do not worry about their own "karma", yet by wishing ill upon someone else, perhaps they should. Then there are the thinly veiled threats posted in joking way. We wonder why our children bully or experience bullying? Because many adults are still acting out that same behavior, albeit in a less confrontational way. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAO2fiWl9P4/TZSnq1ImJuI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/v-SwRMraBJk/s1600/Intolerance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAO2fiWl9P4/TZSnq1ImJuI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/v-SwRMraBJk/s320/Intolerance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We call people names who don't believe as we do, who don't vote as we do, who don't live where we do. We call people intolerant without realizing that the moment that word comes out of our mouth, we become intolerant as well. We judge people instead of showing compassion and understanding. Leave the judging to God, and pray for mercy for those you believe condemned, so you may be spared as well. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/christianity/1/0/0/A/WWW04Respect400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/christianity/1/0/0/A/WWW04Respect400x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I come from a family with wide ranging beliefs and lifestyles. I have friends very different from myself. I do not agree with their opinions all the time. What I do try to do is love them regardless of our differences and show them respect.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/phillyburbs.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/01/6010ce62-d434-11e0-a698-001a4bcf6878/4e5ed6cf9a536.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/phillyburbs.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/01/6010ce62-d434-11e0-a698-001a4bcf6878/4e5ed6cf9a536.image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have Facebook or other social media site that you post on, I have a challenge for you. Look at your posts for the last week. What percentage of your posts are positive or uplifting? What percentage are negative and meant to tear others down? I am doing this myself. Just a little something to think about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Marla</span>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02335188777511776585noreply@blogger.com0