tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47625242620254426792023-11-16T07:05:11.706-04:00The Blog of Cindy RuleI'm not weird. This is my version of normal.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-1930943922270724402018-01-01T16:45:00.000-04:002018-01-01T16:45:37.644-04:002017: Let's Break it Down!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Hello patient Blog Fans<br />
<br />
<br />
I've signed onto my blogger account to recount this past year's events much like I did last year. It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge that my blogging took a mighty dip last year. I have only 4 posts, and most of them involve my uterine situation. I'd say I will vow to blah blah blah...write more blah blah...but I just don't know if I can keep writing promises. Anyway, I can try. I have a project in mind for the coming the year and my blog will be a part of that project. But for now, it's time to go over the year that was 2017.<br />
<br />
<b>January 2017:</b> It often feels like the years go by so fast, like everything happened feels like it just happened, which they do in some ways, but as I sit here in my living room thinking about the past year, I'm having trouble remembering January 2017 with a lot of clarity. At least the beginning of it anyway. The end of January was memorable because of an ice storm that hit our area of the country. It was an experience I hope to not repeat this year and not even necessarily for my sake. Losing power for three days wasn't terribly fun, but we had offerings from many generous friends to come over to their place and get warm or use their showers and so we survived it quite fine. It's the trees I worry about. There was so much damage that not all of it has been cleaned up. When you drive south, you can see the evidence of the storm in the still bent birch trees. There are homes around my neighbourhood that have trees, half broken, on the lawn. If we get another ice storm this year, well...I fear the compounded damage will be evident for years to come.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNjIzwAV7bs-jObrmihD2xIDFihppNFqwCcoEE9_YFNbM6wyc7nCsg8TN_AxUCIETuP8UagWcwpPnZEsZrPN8FUCjNeRgJVYAG2xylEqdcaMbH2vCwna994oLE-eARRE7-NJPOXRVIpU/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNjIzwAV7bs-jObrmihD2xIDFihppNFqwCcoEE9_YFNbM6wyc7nCsg8TN_AxUCIETuP8UagWcwpPnZEsZrPN8FUCjNeRgJVYAG2xylEqdcaMbH2vCwna994oLE-eARRE7-NJPOXRVIpU/s200/IMG_0802.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our One Tree: It's much smaller now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So basically when I think of last January, I think of <b>ice</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>February 2017:</b> My birthday month. This month is usually a difficult one as it's one of the coldest of the year. I took my birthday off as I usually do and when I returned to work the next day, my cubicle was all decked out in Skeletor. It was delightful. I was not a He-Man fan when I was younger. Granted I wasn't the target audience but I just didn't get it, or enjoy it. What a fool I was! A fool! But thanks to Netflix, Sean and I started watching He-Man and I discovered that the best character on the show, by a huge margin, is Skeletor. He's so into evil that it's more like he doesn't have a choice but to live out his life as an evil being. He simply can't help it. He was born this way. He doesn't know how to be nice. He's sure footed and confident when it comes to being evil and frankly, it's inspiring. One of the best Skeletor quotes that I've heard to date is, "He-man, have you never considered doing anything evil?" See? This guy, he's the best!<br />
<br />
To keep me inspired, I hung up a few pictures of him in my cubicle, much to the amusement of some of my team mates and so for my birthday, they added about 30 more Skeletor pictures to my area. I was still finding pictures of him on my desk things 10 months later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRCgakKK_CfK1hUvWQlAciBZzNFGmJRp2XwJVx4S3G1GxFOQEDHkZ7SINXV7xcxJiTPNTOFhX_r3_od8PUvuwbsA1mR5DYLXA-g3VEcRb5gPdYoak8O88AXQ73Jy0PeKvMXogr08Xn-w/s1600/fab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="500" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRCgakKK_CfK1hUvWQlAciBZzNFGmJRp2XwJVx4S3G1GxFOQEDHkZ7SINXV7xcxJiTPNTOFhX_r3_od8PUvuwbsA1mR5DYLXA-g3VEcRb5gPdYoak8O88AXQ73Jy0PeKvMXogr08Xn-w/s200/fab.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damn right I do!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So yes, when I think of February I think of <b>Skeletor.</b><br />
<br />
<b>March 2017: </b>Spring Break! Well, not really. The kids get a break the second week in March, at least a week before technical spring. (I say technical spring because the date on the calendar that announces, "Hey! Hey! Spring is here!" is not at all accurate for this part of the country. It's a lie! A lie I say!) And, for a break away from it all, Sorcha and I went to PEI. It's not far and it's pretty and it was REALLY cold. However, it was lovely. My bear is growing up so fast and it won't be long before she's out on her own. I truly treasure all the time we spend together. <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/AVvXsEg9nUFB4iVU_UYScSa2kw5MWPazbZX27Y8xg1kUkIomh0AfmVK0tN9rpRuW71oGhLG-4IK1dZWSltLxx-2cNDwx25X07hCT3EtMJ7DnduaDphFVVia4yqB5mQ2OK2OrBP4sE0mMiXPtH7s/s1600/heartlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="950" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nUFB4iVU_UYScSa2kw5MWPazbZX27Y8xg1kUkIomh0AfmVK0tN9rpRuW71oGhLG-4IK1dZWSltLxx-2cNDwx25X07hCT3EtMJ7DnduaDphFVVia4yqB5mQ2OK2OrBP4sE0mMiXPtH7s/s200/heartlight.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do NOT own this album.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I believe Sorcha's favourite part of the trip was trying to prevent me from going to every single kitchen store and listening to Neil Diamond on satellite radio until we heard the hit, "Heartlight": the oh, so moving ballad about boy and his wee alien friend who has a glowing heart that advertises his mood and whether or not he's alive. Adorable.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
In all seriousness, we did have a nice time. So when I think of March, I think of <b>Sorcha, and Neil Diamond.</b><br />
<br />
<b>April 2017: </b>This month...well, Sean was in the play, "Peter Mitchell, Canada's Forgotten Father". It was a very good play about New Brunswick's role in Confederation. It was written by local writer and performer Shawn McCarthy in honour of Canada's 150 year anniversary. Originally, I too was in, but unfortunately had to back out of it due to health reasons. (see 3/4 of my 2016 posts for more details)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOv6zj2A-qXY-Fchnc8_WteJAjmXQCRbKcMI4Qa1LY0Q3o-Uhyphenhyphenk6V818H4Y5n7V9f_j3ZHfeYa2HYz4wjEjpLiki8YPUL55ANoZ6jOFCDq-B55tH0DdwVoHaGIXmO78x1BPbN_lmsuTg/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOv6zj2A-qXY-Fchnc8_WteJAjmXQCRbKcMI4Qa1LY0Q3o-Uhyphenhyphenk6V818H4Y5n7V9f_j3ZHfeYa2HYz4wjEjpLiki8YPUL55ANoZ6jOFCDq-B55tH0DdwVoHaGIXmO78x1BPbN_lmsuTg/s200/IMG_1047.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean (L), Tilley (R)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since January, Sean had been growing a beard. I know, right? Big news. I should have put it in my January memories. Ok, that was a bit sarcastic. He looks nice with a beard, but he was growing it for the role in the play as Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley. Back in his day, Tilley didn't have a beard but he had AMAZING breezers. You know, mutton chops, side burns; whatever you're comfortable calling them. So, when the big day arrived, Sean shaved the beard into his delightfully large breezers. He fluffed then out and ended up looking so much like Leonard Tilley that it was a little frightening.<br />
<br />
I'm sure there were was more memories from this month, but honestly, I'm having trouble recalling April.<br />
<br />
So, when I think about April, the top memory is <b>"The Tilley Breezers"</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>May 2017: </b>So...this will be short. When I think of May, I think, <b>Hysterectomy</b>. End of passage.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh296wnj_KQuPhZupZ_uQffeFjiwQwi0fTsxkOOc1ueVDT4iAIE4UmnWaamFeezOKmQeS-7zXdiUoPaAuTA1SbKP-N4hEQij9Y8Q6w-T3GklZRX2JdTM0oCpXFbN9GQvKOuFd-NLd2-qZY/s1600/IMG_1071.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1041" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh296wnj_KQuPhZupZ_uQffeFjiwQwi0fTsxkOOc1ueVDT4iAIE4UmnWaamFeezOKmQeS-7zXdiUoPaAuTA1SbKP-N4hEQij9Y8Q6w-T3GklZRX2JdTM0oCpXFbN9GQvKOuFd-NLd2-qZY/s200/IMG_1071.PNG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Nuff said!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>June 2017: </b>Sorcha finished up grade 10 and did very well on her exams. Sean got to reprise The Tilley Breezers again, but this time not in Miramichi, but on the Playhouse stage in Fredericton. I spent a lot time resting and recovering from my surgery. It was quite a nice month, really...even with the recovering. I did very little and when I did things, I did them very slowly. Also, I wrote a couple songs that I am particularly proud of.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IrRHYE5QLB4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IrRHYE5QLB4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aeSjXtw-V4w/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aeSjXtw-V4w?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>July 2017:</b> I...somewhat reluctantly, returned to work. It was rough. So...positive note? I felt great. It was wonderful no longer being at the mercy of my uterus.<br />
<br />
AND, this is the month that I became completely obsessed with My Chemical Romance. <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/AVvXsEgV_gYdzQoYpEV573ZH-x-QuxHd2Q8iA4DX5YPMyFZRRjoVfTWtX5S_OpH74cZ6yjmJi7nutse4j4j1Ip4jvqW8Rljn9vFdRmytSZu_AmaqnafxWZRvfQI_I4hVOOMEuFz5S4hAEnvgwc0/s1600/mcr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_gYdzQoYpEV573ZH-x-QuxHd2Q8iA4DX5YPMyFZRRjoVfTWtX5S_OpH74cZ6yjmJi7nutse4j4j1Ip4jvqW8Rljn9vFdRmytSZu_AmaqnafxWZRvfQI_I4hVOOMEuFz5S4hAEnvgwc0/s200/mcr.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Black Parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You know, the sometimes EMO/punk/ rock band that broke up in 2013? I also got into comics thanks to the lead singer of the broken up 4 years before, MCR, Gerard Way. I started listening to their album, Danger Days, after Sorcha bought it earlier in the year, but I didn't become a super fan until July.Now, I don't want to get into this new obsession too much because I will sound crazy, but I will ask ask aloud, what cave was I in when they were at their peak? They were very popular and yet, I barely knew they existed until 2017! However, I now celebrate their entire catalogue and listen to them A LOT.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI-WQLvYfggYz3tPYUGdG_evT8nHRQT8aNN9y9jEuXuHDM6J00XAD-87J9yF3geBbyew9cH0I0glV-g5x6g0hKcgFgsA6WD6GM76hdbExAKcL5mLwdzXQnOkzMn7ydO_0Ywd2StjZGC0/s1600/umb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="279" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI-WQLvYfggYz3tPYUGdG_evT8nHRQT8aNN9y9jEuXuHDM6J00XAD-87J9yF3geBbyew9cH0I0glV-g5x6g0hKcgFgsA6WD6GM76hdbExAKcL5mLwdzXQnOkzMn7ydO_0Ywd2StjZGC0/s200/umb.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming soon to Netflix!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also celebrate Gerard Way's entire comic catalogue meaning ones he has written (Umbrella Academy, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, Doom Patrol) and the ones he's curated. For those of you who are into comics and care, Gerard Way started and is in charge of <a href="http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2016/09/14/young-animal-comics-for-dangerous-humans" target="_blank">The Young Animal line at DC Comics</a>. I strongly advise you check this line of comics out if you're into a style of comic that is not at all mainstream. Ok, I'll stop now. Starting to sound like a creepy fan girl.<br />
<br />
So, when I think of July, I think of <b>My Chemical Romance, Comics</b>, <b>and</b> <b>Gerard Way</b>...sorry honey.<br />
<br />
<b>August 2017: </b>This month was the beginning of a busy travel season for the Rules.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgMyjiZ8GrnY-Z96r3emmFEEEgrdwT33VX-BEDbDztxuIkYGungR1gb8-fxlhGJeZGBkyiwpuleR3VWBfNgShMdbkFy0zKiM7_y_oCPc85_RZHkytO7vj3EamaRNPCDyZJW08hQ8PXQs/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgMyjiZ8GrnY-Z96r3emmFEEEgrdwT33VX-BEDbDztxuIkYGungR1gb8-fxlhGJeZGBkyiwpuleR3VWBfNgShMdbkFy0zKiM7_y_oCPc85_RZHkytO7vj3EamaRNPCDyZJW08hQ8PXQs/s200/IMG_1579.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family hanging out with Sir John A.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We took some vacation time at the end of the month and went over to PEI to visit with Sean's sister and her family. They rented a lovely cottage not far from Charlottetown and we had an enjoyable 2 days with them. After that we ventured to Sydney, Nova Scotia where we'd never been. It's very pretty and we stayed right downtown.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CIoVknFQJQnTbYsFBx8X8K5pCX8BMQ5D9lEl-Ey_0kS0dUNk1dygeyNr_CCGJMhZ3duskXJe2EZzeMBdNOjdiyEZMKNUZFAPWRRYNp0xY0E0BpX7Gx-5Fi13NY6qGsqx8ymCnYhgMqs/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CIoVknFQJQnTbYsFBx8X8K5pCX8BMQ5D9lEl-Ey_0kS0dUNk1dygeyNr_CCGJMhZ3duskXJe2EZzeMBdNOjdiyEZMKNUZFAPWRRYNp0xY0E0BpX7Gx-5Fi13NY6qGsqx8ymCnYhgMqs/s200/IMG_1606.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Cindy with Fiddle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We saw the big fiddle, took many walks around town, bought LOTS of books, and discovered a GIANT mural of our friend Frank on the back of a newly renovated theatre...like you do. We also went to an absolutely beautiful contemporary dance show with Frank and Jennie. It was very moving. I cried...a lot...I do that.<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/AVvXsEjHQ_Q62SBTawGrr6oD5xO6WUsXuulmmnH0E6hjgAyIF9ARhtBq6mulX5wd-H-DXev9vLpecYNfVNQWXGv6w7y1UWgu6VHnjUymCUEvIbI70ObiyLusj4Z3hWscCeqUyfjMK8g1p_m7Pmk/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ_Q62SBTawGrr6oD5xO6WUsXuulmmnH0E6hjgAyIF9ARhtBq6mulX5wd-H-DXev9vLpecYNfVNQWXGv6w7y1UWgu6VHnjUymCUEvIbI70ObiyLusj4Z3hWscCeqUyfjMK8g1p_m7Pmk/s200/IMG_1626.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. McKibbon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We also visited Fortress Louisbourg. It's pretty cool and really interesting but, after I while I got historical buildinged out and so took advantage of the historical benches while Sorcha and Sean took a look at more historical houses. I also enjoyed sightings of historical geese and historical chickens.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, when I think of August, I think <b>East Coast Road Trip</b>.<br />
<br />
<b></b>
<b>September 2017: </b>and the start of grade 11. Sorcha began her second to last year of high school. Gulp. Too fast...too fast.<br />
<br />
And we went on family trip number two to Hal-Con; Halifax's awesome version of Comic Con. This is the event that we attempted to go to 4 years previous, but due to over selling of weekend passes, we actually never made it in as the fire chief kicked everyone out. This time we successfully made it in and had a blast! Sorcha had worked on her cosplay outfits all summer and I, for a few weeks. We each had 3 outfits, all very different. Sorcha dressed up as a cartoon character called Star, a character named Metaton from a video game, and Gerard Way (Ya! She likes him too! It's not just me!) as his Danger Days character, Party Poison. She received many enthusiastic responses and picture requests.<br />
<br />
As for myself, I picked a theme for my cosplay and the theme was "Characters with Glasses". I really need my glasses to, you know, see and so picked 3 characters who sport specs. Yes, I could have gone as anyone and put my glasses on, but it just didn't feel right.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C5DeF-ax_7e4SccGklpSu-gIQDsg6VBnKT_lf_Jh5sf-rfIt2GLvo7j2H1MtRAbDg29xdDibQXupY6km7NMUmajHQ3rk_1oxtKbLRq9OqCCUMvgXEnZQSxjKqPz3IAandzPU3Ewnx44/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="476" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C5DeF-ax_7e4SccGklpSu-gIQDsg6VBnKT_lf_Jh5sf-rfIt2GLvo7j2H1MtRAbDg29xdDibQXupY6km7NMUmajHQ3rk_1oxtKbLRq9OqCCUMvgXEnZQSxjKqPz3IAandzPU3Ewnx44/s200/IMG_1889.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalek meets Grunkle Stan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, I went as Milhouse's Mom, Luann Van Houten from the Simpsons (Crickets. No one asked me who I was and I received confused looks), Grunkle Stan from Gravity Falls (Awesome response from fans) and Mable Pines from Gravity Falls when she is dressed up as Boss Mabel...the only time she is wearing glasses (A couple people knew who I was).<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/AVvXsEiOlym6iM0VdEuTdm5AQerV72UiKC45B5knV_uFpN1IK91anzrgMD0efdYbf_Wy8XZlTJCjWUDOm0Vo9JHomEj93mGQLqo1bycqHRNPDoMcMqPmwXJ19rQxPbURAbE5h1_JxNVhgrxfH04/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlym6iM0VdEuTdm5AQerV72UiKC45B5knV_uFpN1IK91anzrgMD0efdYbf_Wy8XZlTJCjWUDOm0Vo9JHomEj93mGQLqo1bycqHRNPDoMcMqPmwXJ19rQxPbURAbE5h1_JxNVhgrxfH04/s200/IMG_1897.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Mitch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It was a great weekend. We went to panels, and got to meet Bobby (Jim Beaver) from Supernatural and Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) from X-Files / Samuel from Supernatural.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Went to a dance where, as background visuals, they played the Star Wars Holiday Special. It was painful. No, I couldn't hear it, but it was still on of the worst things I've ever unintentionally seen and have avoided for years. No offense to super, die hard Star Wars fans, but wow. It hurt.<br />
<br />
We also met some really inspiring writers like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_North" target="_blank">Ryan North</a> (writes Squirrel Girl and more) and<a href="https://www.comixology.com/Conor-McCreery/comics-creator/4500" target="_blank"> Conor McCreery</a> (writes Kill Shakespeare and more) and artists like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_(cartoonist)" target="_blank">Gerhard</a> (artist for Cerebus the Aardvark and more ) and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kovalic" target="_blank">John Kovalic</a> (illustrator for Apples to Apples and many Muchkin games and more) and we caught up with friends we hadn't seen for a while. It was a really fun weekend and we hope to go in 2018 too!<br />
<br />
And not long after we returned from Hal-Con, Sean and I were off to Stratford, Ontario, but I'll talk about that more in my October rememberings.<br />
<br />
So, when I think of September, I think of <b>Hal-Con.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>October 2017: </b>This month was full of ups and downs. A very big up is that Sean and I celebrated our 20th anniversary on October 3rd. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH2ANjxvx2PeR3o2HGqj1zbCtcqCWhHAHmc1ZjDxwiHr1esUFlVjtR55kdY3f5yS4OSE3vycCP56_FsfxvLxmqBSZjt6XPedibxboS6iUyAo0bIIMRTgpC-CH52PC92_ws3SpAl5UEd4/s1600/IMG_1961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH2ANjxvx2PeR3o2HGqj1zbCtcqCWhHAHmc1ZjDxwiHr1esUFlVjtR55kdY3f5yS4OSE3vycCP56_FsfxvLxmqBSZjt6XPedibxboS6iUyAo0bIIMRTgpC-CH52PC92_ws3SpAl5UEd4/s200/IMG_1961.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festival Theatre, Stratford, ON.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our celebration started in Stratford, Ontario, where we attended 3 plays at the Stratford Festival, and then continued to Niagara-On-The-Lake, where we attended 2 plays at the Shaw Festival. See, Sean and I met in theatre school and had always wanted to go to the Stratford Festival, so this was all very fitting. Both towns were beautiful, all the plays were wonderful, both B&B's we stayed at were comfortable, clean and accommodating. (<a href="http://legacyhouse.net/index.php" target="_blank">The Legacy House</a> in Stratford and <a href="http://www.brucemanor.ca/" target="_blank">Bruce Manor</a> in NOTL)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4ALKDgRMdzbCCUEFOJxp9t-RxQjE7Iui6l7zBnwC-E5tXdInvEMha6WVJi7IqBi4z0QYgomROK0afzROW2IyZiXWMoppFL0jR-r4VgNLc_qAgz24UKjCmxWpJBtks037tYFj63xkSXk/s1600/IMG_2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4ALKDgRMdzbCCUEFOJxp9t-RxQjE7Iui6l7zBnwC-E5tXdInvEMha6WVJi7IqBi4z0QYgomROK0afzROW2IyZiXWMoppFL0jR-r4VgNLc_qAgz24UKjCmxWpJBtks037tYFj63xkSXk/s200/IMG_2010.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating 20 years in Style.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We ate at some lovely restaurants, went to Niagara Falls on our anniversary, visited with family, and met some really interesting people along the way. It was a beautiful way to celebrate our 20 years, so far, together.<br />
<br />
<br />
However, as happens in life, even when things are at their best, something tragic can happen right in the middle of it. While we were away, a very dear friend of ours, Lloyd Cameron died. It was awful. He was a wonderful man who loved art, travel, and wine, his family and friends, and being a life long educator. His passing has left a huge hole in our community. Not being from this part of Canada, I did not have the privilege of having Lloyd as a teacher in high school, but I was fortunate enough to work with him on 4 plays since 2014. I will miss working with him and I will miss his energy and enthusiasm for theatre. He brought out the best in people, made them raise their bars a little higher than they thought possible, and he was also encouraging even at times when you felt at your worst.<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/AVvXsEgFURqigdSKc_sx8WQ_Vfz3585qT2mMiLqW9f2qcO9jGAi_xakgcnuY3szr7HVuNKdfu2zKrsamQKbxX0hhLZkgJX62TnUFvrPz8qkGEfd0cflH2Q75B4Ui-gEjfye2Gz0f4DlpwJ9LWBo/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFURqigdSKc_sx8WQ_Vfz3585qT2mMiLqW9f2qcO9jGAi_xakgcnuY3szr7HVuNKdfu2zKrsamQKbxX0hhLZkgJX62TnUFvrPz8qkGEfd0cflH2Q75B4Ui-gEjfye2Gz0f4DlpwJ9LWBo/s200/IMG_2099.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A Lantern for Lloyd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At Lloyd's funeral Reverend Charlene asked us to take a moment to think about our favourite moment with Lloyd. I didn't have to think that hard. My mind immediately went to our second night of performing "Waiting for the Parade" back in November 2016. My character, Janet, had to play the opening of "God Save the King" (it took place in WWII so yes, it was King) and just as I began my brain suddenly reminded me that 200 people, including my parents, were watching me play the piano (something I never did for anyone) and I screwed up. The chords came out wrong. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. It was very messy. I turned to the audience and said, in character, "You know, we're going to try that again". I put my hands back on the piano and played a few more chords that didn't belong to the song I was trying to play and decided screw it, let's get on with my monologue. I got up an announced, "Well, that was supposed to be..." and went from there.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmmIGoDZ_TZMXkieEI5mRLqRcX46Dk12wV3fqYczwvlS3nZ7ZyCoJkcvvgOLY3yYGPF6n_iJKQ8lJrv5G74PalBCz9xee4e6fGFej4a7war8340K_Yj3U7WVVEtuIjabjfkzkXAPA2gQ/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmmIGoDZ_TZMXkieEI5mRLqRcX46Dk12wV3fqYczwvlS3nZ7ZyCoJkcvvgOLY3yYGPF6n_iJKQ8lJrv5G74PalBCz9xee4e6fGFej4a7war8340K_Yj3U7WVVEtuIjabjfkzkXAPA2gQ/s200/IMG_2066.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken at the Shaw Festival.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once my scene was over, and I got back stage, I mentally punched myself in the face, and may have said a few choice words. I was devastated and embarrassed and felt like I'd let everyone down. Apparently, this was not the case. At intermission, Lloyd came back to congratulate us on a good first act. I apologized for my mistake and he smiled and hugged me and said it was fine. He said that no one had noticed. I didn't entirely believe that, but the next night, Lloyd told me that at a party he'd been to after the show the night before, there was debate about that moment. Half the people there thought it was on purpose, and the other half figured it was a mistake. Lloyd didn't tell them which is was and thought the debate was so interesting that he asked if I could do it again; purposely play the song wrong. I said that I'd prefer to play it properly if at all possible, but I was deeply moved. Here I had been at a very low point, I'd made a huge mistake, in front of a sizeable crowd and because I'd carried on, Lloyd thought it was wonderful and was proud of me. <br />
<br />
That is my favourite personal memory of Lloyd because it shows the kind of man he was. He wasn't about perfection. He honestly was about doing your best or, when you need to, making the best of perhaps a bad situation because that, in a nutshell, is life.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wD74drOFn2IddI1NCszTNiJFxzlhG_VDlZLbaoTocGX_mfsF7jb1-gDuzYPV8no1_onYHStVCLNbHkvZzzqjEvqBZWxVUvguskaBJfNHy3TLUaZFqcRulgNX6JW6jDWTHQ4vzRznZv8/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wD74drOFn2IddI1NCszTNiJFxzlhG_VDlZLbaoTocGX_mfsF7jb1-gDuzYPV8no1_onYHStVCLNbHkvZzzqjEvqBZWxVUvguskaBJfNHy3TLUaZFqcRulgNX6JW6jDWTHQ4vzRznZv8/s200/IMG_2197.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall Out Boy Concert with Sorcha.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And as a quick side note, at the end of October my bear turned 16! We celebrated with a quick trip to Toronto where we visited friends, went to see Fall Out Boy, went up the CN Tower at night and where we received a very special, personalized video greeting from the incredible and much beloved Canadian TV personality, Rick Mercer.<br />
<br />
So, as hard as this month was, when I think of October, I think of <b>life: the beautiful and the tragic</b>.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>November and December 2017: </b>I'll wrap these last 2 months up quickly. They were full of ups and some very low downs for many reasons. However, the highlights include:<br />
<br />
- Our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wordsonwatermiramichi/" target="_blank">Words on Water</a> Event at the Rodd, honouring many local veterans.<br />
<br />
- Eyes on the Steeple: A really fun play I was involved in to help raise money to get the steeple off lawn of St. Patrick's church in Nelson, NB and back onto the church.<br />
<br />
- Completing the November National Writing Month where I finally took the time to write about our 2015 trip to London, UK.<br />
<br />
- Finally getting the change I desperately needed at my job.<br />
<br />
- Being involved in a tribute to Lloyd.<br />
<br />
- Celebrating the holidays with family and friends.<br />
<br />
- Finding real joy in a very up and down year. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb23xnuSZfYxFPbLGqTYjKdIPIurQ9DMj9BE8dC8Zvx-kWdjlMPSpBsUgW-cNei2dmvz2qfCkSXrA12-gnCqGNLGakJgoUM4gooQTmaOIW0fHinW00x_weYmf63O-durjBP6g3f0iEHOs/s1600/IMG_2039.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb23xnuSZfYxFPbLGqTYjKdIPIurQ9DMj9BE8dC8Zvx-kWdjlMPSpBsUgW-cNei2dmvz2qfCkSXrA12-gnCqGNLGakJgoUM4gooQTmaOIW0fHinW00x_weYmf63O-durjBP6g3f0iEHOs/s200/IMG_2039.JPEG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So, when I think of November and December, I think about <b>happiness</b>.<br />
<br />
And when I think about 2017, I think about how <b>grateful</b> I am for all that I have and all that I am able to do.<br />
<br />
My best to you all.<br />
<br />
And here's to 2018. <br />
<br />
Cin<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-48705884491980605262017-07-16T12:31:00.000-03:002017-07-16T20:58:33.504-03:00Sometimes, you really don't know what you got 'til its goneHello All!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's begin this post with a picture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOhbsD78aiceEuHN-Yig9o2IBK9N8rmfb3YMSibwpktlr2Qbd8FFrngmJAjJEQTzyBX2eWlfshcW6eCqhN7G2YvmnES3d1c14zaH2ao-5XtexixWpEyUbH29gApeUy_SA_9iVID1dX9M/s1600/confuterus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1183" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOhbsD78aiceEuHN-Yig9o2IBK9N8rmfb3YMSibwpktlr2Qbd8FFrngmJAjJEQTzyBX2eWlfshcW6eCqhN7G2YvmnES3d1c14zaH2ao-5XtexixWpEyUbH29gApeUy_SA_9iVID1dX9M/s320/confuterus.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There. Now the stage is set. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tomorrow marks 7 weeks since my hysterectomy. A few days ago I had my post-op, hey how you doin', follow up. After my Dr. asked me how everything was and if I was feeling good, she said, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"So, we did a biopsy (of my uterus)."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Oh, ok." ( I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise that they did this, but I hadn't really thought about it so it was)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"AND," pause, "You had massive amounts of fibroids!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I followed this up with a blank stare and some shocked silence. Eventually I said, "What? Really?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Yes, that was a surprise!" said my Dr. with real honestly and strangely over the top enthusiasm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"So, I had fibroids <i>and </i>andenomyosis?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She glanced at my file, "No, just fibroids."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After few more seconds of trying to take my new diagnosis in, she said something along the lines of fibroids, the kind I'd had, presenting very similar to andenomyosis and that it can be very hard to diagnose. Well, clearly, or not clearly as turned out to be the case, it was a misdiagnosis. After all, she had been sure that I didn't have fibroids. During my appointment in November 2016, she had said that all the bits of things in the muscle of my uterus were most definitely andeomyosis, not fibroids.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, I'd run with that. I took that condition on. I researched it, joined a group, wrote posts about it, got along with most of the symptoms of adenomyosis AND THEN, turns out I didn't have it at all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't know why, but I felt like a fraud. It was like I'd run around telling everyone that I believed Batman was real guy, and had convinced other people that he was a real guy, only to find out that he wasn't a real guy and I should never have believed in Batman. (Don't worry...I don't really think Batman is a real guy. Or do I?) I was shaken by the misdiagnosis to the point where, by the time I got in the car, after she released me from ever having to see a gyno again (unless my ovaries go nuts), I was half crying, half laughing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I got home I looked up fibroids, and the type of fibroids I had (Intramural fibroids if you're curious.), all the symptoms were spot on with adenomyosis. As well, the only for definite sure-ies way to get rid of them was a hysterectomy. So while I don't regret having the hysterectomy, I truly do wonder if I would have waited longer, or if I would have tried a different treatment approach before saying yes to a hysterectomy. I was left with a feeling of, not regret, but a touch of frustration that my decision to have surgery was based on a condition that I didn't even have. </div>
<br />
In the end, when it's all said and done, I'm feeling MUCH better than I did before my surgery. I probably would have made the same decision since my time of the month was taking up most of my month, my social life, my energy, my well being.<br />
<br />
Besides, what can I really do about it? I've had the hysterectomy. My abnormally large uterus that commanded respect, like Batman, is but a legend. I guessing I really would have just liked knowing the real state of things instead of finding out what I got until after it was gone.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's end with a short video.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dybLRJMo0sv9W5Fr38iIC1hQdPDitAR9A3DLkdC-tZAWLKHAfLJa64w7WTGwTtVYzkHF7OieaYAu1UPsseqyQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Until next time,<br />
Respect!<br />
Cin<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-26122843941179835792017-06-05T16:31:00.001-03:002018-04-16T06:56:44.846-03:00Post-Op Post<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A week ago at this time I was somewhere between naps.
Currently I’m trying to find the right words to describe
surgery, my short stay at the hospital and my on-going recovery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What can I say really? I went into the hospital on May 29,
2017 with a uterus and came home on May 30, 2017 without one. I assume by now it's been incinerated and tiny particles of my uterus are now part of a cloud and will soon rain down on strangers in a distant land.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or on friends and family here in Canada...sorry about that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you read my
post about my diagnosis of adenomyosis you already know that previous to my hysterectomy I was the owner of an
abnormally large uterus, a fact that my gynaecologist/surgeon reminded me of not
once, not twice, but three times during my time at the hospital. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we were
having our pre-op chat she asked me, much as she had at my appointment in
February, if we had discussed Mirena, a type of IUD. I said yes we had but
that she had said it wouldn’t work for me because my uterus was too large.
After a quick scan at my chart she said, “Oh yes that’s right. It is very large
and quite wide. The poor Mirena would be lost up there and wonder what it was
doing in this monster.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In our post-op, hey you can go home now chat, she said everything went well, but that they'd discovered I did indeed have fibroids as well as adenomyosis and that my uterus was (emphatic hand gesture) "quite large". (I didn't ask for details, or if they'd had to use a truck and cable to get it out. I just nodded and smiled.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now here I sit, or rather recline on my bed like a lady
of leisure in my room, without my monster -sized uterus, contemplating my recovery. Aside from a bit of
pain, mild discomfort, and times of fatigue I feel okay. I have a month off work
and I really hope to make the most of it. Over the last year and a half my life has been interrupted more than once by my condition. I have said no to
many things, events and people that enrich my life. I have turned down roles in
plays, dinner dates and phone calls with friends, put off writing stories and
playing music because I was in pain or tired or had simply run out creative
energy. I truly hope to get my life back to where I want it to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to
write more, act more, play more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to be more than I am right now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s a lot of pressure isn’t it, Cindy? Yes, you are
right. It really is. A few weeks ago, I asked my husband what happens if I don’t
live up to the freedom of not having a uterus. He just shook his head and asked,
“Who is putting this pressure on you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nobody but me.” I
said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I go back to work
not having done anything except finish all of Silicon Valley or read two or
three books or sat on my front deck and watch the clouds drift by will I have
failed my new-found freedom? Or will I simply taken that freedom and used it to
give myself a break from feeling like I always should be accomplishing
something?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or worse, what if I really don’t have anything to say, to
write about, to learn on the ukulele that hasn’t already been done by 1000
other people and I no longer have an abnormally large uterus to hide behind and use as an excuse to
not do anything? What if this is it? My creative drive has actually dried up and
I may as well get used to my future accomplishments being things like catching
up on Suits. (which is a great show! I mean no disrespect!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, I know I'm just being silly. That last paragraph was self-indulgent nonsense. While in the next month I may
not write an epic saga or become an expert on the ukulele I know that my
purpose here and now, no matter how big or small the project, is to be creative. It
is the force that drives me. My new-found freedom and need to be creative is not new-found
at all. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s just been hiding for a while behind an abnormally large monster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr1ESdMYduWm8bOjbe1ztQn0Io4FoKWCYGV7KRaZMJxcgTdWgaRc3r0GPC4Ix88gfeYCng1v9zbGHxkxUWdLj8M28z27JlnOmvUWT0gRxgeZF7zJ3R6TR5qhcE9xYVq8qVG2RZWgBfSI/s1600/Respect.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1041" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr1ESdMYduWm8bOjbe1ztQn0Io4FoKWCYGV7KRaZMJxcgTdWgaRc3r0GPC4Ix88gfeYCng1v9zbGHxkxUWdLj8M28z27JlnOmvUWT0gRxgeZF7zJ3R6TR5qhcE9xYVq8qVG2RZWgBfSI/s320/Respect.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best to you,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cin: Now uterus free.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-58461081555436542812017-02-15T19:37:00.000-04:002017-03-29T16:24:48.029-03:00Massive Hysteria<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t mean to brag but, I have an abnormally large uterus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or at least that’s what my gynaecologist told me last
November as she studied with, dare I say, intense awe at my uterine ultra sound
scans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s hard to know how to respond to a statement like that. And
she said it not once, but twice! Emphatically,
along with “It’s huge! And very chunky!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of saying, “Oh go on with you! I’ll bet you say that
to all the girls!” I just said, “Okay…" <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The inspection of my scans continued in between glances at
my file and explanations of what I didn’t have. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You do not have fibroids!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to my file.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your ovaries are fine!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to my scans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You had an endometrial biopsy! Who gave you that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to my file.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to my scans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Andenomyosis!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is that?” I
asked. The word meant nothing to me except that it sort of sounded like endometriosis
and as it turns out, sort of is like endometriosis. You see, while
endometriosis is when the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus in all
sorts of places, adenomyosis is when the endometrial tissue, instead of just
growing in the uterus like good endometrial tissue is suppose to, grows in the
muscle of the uterus. So, every month, when my uterus gets rid of the tissue in
its painfully dramatic fashion, it also gets rid of the endometrial tissue in
the muscle of my uterus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I listened to my gynaechologist give me the story of adenomyosis and
all the issues that come with it, my symptoms suddenly made perfect sense and I
was flooded with relief. I wasn’t crazy! It’s not all in my head! My pain is
real and I have good reason to feel miserable a great deal of the time!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the explanation she immediately launched into a talk about treatments. They
were four-fold.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One! You could have an ablation, but I would not recommend
it (didn’t she just do that?). It won’t work and you will come back to me
saying you’re in more pain!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Two! You could get an IUD that would release progesterone
into your uterus thereby slowing the bleeding! But, in a uterus of your size
(thanks?) I wouldn’t recommend it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Three! We could try pain management with a stronger pain
killer and continued use of Tranexamic Acid to slow the bleeding.” (You know, the
stuff they prescribe to people after they’ve had dental surgery? To stop the
bleeding?)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Four! A partial hysterectomy. What would you like to do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat quietly for a few seconds, mulling over my situation
and the four, but really two, options laid out before me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Um…” I said, “Let’s try pain management first and then if
that doesn’t work…a hysterectomy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ok!” she said as grabbed her prescription pad and started
writing. "I'll prescribe enough for three months and then you can come back in for a follow up."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thanked her very much but before I left I needed to have a peek at my scans. I leaned over her desk to get a good look
at my large, chunky uterus. The endometrial tissue was <i>all</i> over it, peppering
the entire surface. It looked like a constellation with a concentration of
stars in the top left corner of my uterus. I pointed that area out to her and
said a lot of my pain seemed to be focused right there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She said, “Well yes! Look at it! This area…”and with a
gesture akin to jazz hands she exclaimed, “This area commands respect!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did not laugh. I did not say, “Damn right it does!” but
smiled because it was one of the best things, regarding my physical self, that I’d
ever heard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now, here I am on my 44<sup>th</sup> birthday. Last
week, after three months of not so much pain management as much as learning
that stronger meds don’t really help, and my life is still being interrupted by
being bouts of stabbing pain, I’ve decided to have a hysterectomy. I am
nervous, but I know, once it’s all said and done, I will feel a whole lot
better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I will look back fondly at the girl who once had an
abnormally large uterus that commanded respect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-72978962545604297192017-01-01T12:07:00.000-04:002017-01-01T12:36:16.729-04:002016: Let's Break It Down!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Hello Everyone and Welcome to 2017! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
2016...am I right?<br />
<br />
Yes, sir before the clock struck 12 last night, a<span lang="EN-CA"> lot of people said they would be very pleased to see the back end of 2016. Once midnight hit they let out a soul wrenching “Happy New Year”, or texted a meaningful “Happy New Year”,
or screamed nonsense to the night gods and swore they will never drink again and
please for the love of all that’s holy, do not move me from this snow bank. You
know, normal new years stuff.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
then, after the cheering faded away, and the attempted singing of Old Lang Syne
lost its luster, they let out deep sigh of relief that 2016 was over and now
hope with every fiber of their being that 2017 will be grand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"> 2016...not the best year, but was it as horrible as some people are saying? All years have tragedy, heartache, events that make us shake our
heads. Every year we all go through a myriad of ups and downs with both the world
and in our own lives. Every year we look at each other and ask, “Gah! When will this year end?” or say, “Fast the way the old year passes,
fa la la la la”, and yet, when we think about last January, it’s hard to
remember what we did, or what happened in the world. A year is a long time.
Good things will happen. Bad things will happen. Events you planned, will come
to fruition. Happenstances that you never thought would happen, will happen.
People you thought were funky keen on January 1<sup>st</sup> could quite
possibly be your enemy come December 31<sup>st</sup>. (It’s good to have goals
right out the gate.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Well, whatever the reasons, I’m not going
to dwell on the negative. A lot of sadness occurred, and events that I refuse
to talk about because they send me into a white-hot rage took place. In my personal
work bubble, I’m just going to say that I, and most of my co-workers, have found
this year to be somewhat challenging. We all hope that work wise, 2017 will not
be a repeat of 2016.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">So, in celebration of hope, I’m going to go
through my year and list positive happenings from every month. This is for me,
mainly, but I join you to stick around and share in my reflection of 2016, the
year many people were itching to say goodbye to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>January:</b> I’ve got my calendar beside me,
the big one we keep in the kitchen with all our what’s happenings on it…And…wow,
the memories are foggy. OH, a lovely man who has now directed me 4 times asked
me to be in 2 plays this year. That was very flattering and I was happy to
accept.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>February: </b>Oh boy…ok, not going to lie…this
was a dark month. I’m struggling here. Right, on February 7<sup>th</sup> I went
crazy and bought tickets for myself, my daughter Sorcha and her friend Cas for a
Supernatural (as in the TV show) Convention. It was happening in October in
Toronto. It was something to look forward to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>March: </b>I had a couple days off to
myself, but they weren’t supposed to be. They were supposed to be spent with my
daughter, during March break, but March break turned out to be the week after. This may seem mean to be happy to have time alone, but sometimes you just have to binge watch something silly to feel that all is right with the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>April:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On April 15<sup>th</sup>, I went to a play that had many people in it
that I like and have worked with before, but this one was extra special because
my husband was in it. Sean and I met in college in a drama program and we
worked together in and out of school a lot, but the last time Sean had been on
stage was almost 20 years before. I was so proud of him and I’m excited because this we get to be in a play together. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>May: </b>Through the Writers’ Federation of New
Brunswick, I received an honourary mention for a short story I’d written
called, “Falling Into”. I’m very proud of this story, but honestly, I wrote it to get rid of some demons and wasn't sure if anyone else would connect with the tale of a young lady who wakes up
one morning to find that her spine, her metaphorical spine, has left her to go do all
the things she doesn’t have the courage to do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>June:</b> At work, I took the plunge and
joined a particularly challenging team. It almost broke me, and I only lasted 8
weeks, but I learned a lot and don’t regret it. It may be strange to find
something that brought a HUGE amount of bone crushing stress to my life to be
somewhat positive, but it was. I won’t do it again. Don’t make me go back, but
it was.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>July:</b> Very good friends of ours from
Toronto came to visit for a weekend. They are some of our favorite people and
always bring happiness and good vibes into our lives. It was lovely. Also, Sorcha and I took an overnight trip to Moncton to spend time with great people.
These friends are always a breath of fresh air and it’s always nice to spend
time with them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>August:</b> This is the month my year got
better and it was in large part to going on a road trip around the east coast with one of
my oldest and dearest friends. It was exactly what I needed to break from a lot
of the stress chains that were preventing me from seeing how much good I have in
my life. I can’t thank Kim enough for that trip. It was beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>September:</b> Sean and I had a getaway to St.
Andrews, New Brunswick. We went whale watching, ate at some great restaurants,
stayed at a beautiful spot, saw a friend I hadn’t seen in a few years and
bought 2 of her beautiful paintings. If you’ve never been to St. Andrews drop
what you’re doing and go now. You won’t regret it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>October: </b>This month is usually our best
month of the year and once again, it did not disappoint. I could go on and on
about our trip to Toronto for the Supernatural Convention, but in brief I'll say it was an incredible experience. Not only was the convention itself a great
time, but we had perfect weather, saw lots of good friends, and went to the
Royal Ontario Museum. It was an exhausting, but highly memorable and exciting 5
days. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>November:</b> This was the month of plays. Both
my daughter and I were involved in productions and they went up only a
week apart. The play she was in, “The Lion King”, was an absolute joy. All the
cast and crew worked so hard to put on this much beloved musical. It was
beautiful and I was, and am, so proud of all of them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The play I was in, “Waiting for the Parade”
was on of the best plays I’ve been in. It was perfectly written, with well developed
characters and it was a challenge I needed in my creative life. I’ve been
playing around on the piano since I could sit at one. I took lessons off and on
in my teens, but had only played publicly once. (I was 14, it was a recital, I'm sorry Anne Murray for butchering one of your tunes.) In the play, my character played
the piano and sang and ordered people around all at the same time. I was
nervous, and thought I'd maybe taken too much on, but after I enlisted the help of the very talented and inspirational
Margaret Craig, my confidence grew and I did it; I played the piano
on stage, in front of people, and survived. Not only that, I screwed up, big
time one night, and survived. And while I did a bit of...ok a lot of...ego beating back stage,
once I’d settled down, I felt prouder of myself than I’ve possibly ever felt. I'd
messed up in front of a live audience, I'd had to quickly find a way out of it, not melt
down and stay in character. It was an actor’s nightmare and I lived it in front
of 200 people and pulled through. What's that universe? Why yes, I'll take that high five. Thank-you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">And finally, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>December:</b> A look at our calendar shows that
the Rule’s were a social bunch! It was month of dinners, phone calls
to loved ones, parties and long chats with great friends. Last night, New
Year’s Eve was full of laughter and absolute silliness, a perfect ending to any
year!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Other events, unfortunately trying ones, peppered our year and gave
it a hue of stress that made for some tough times. My Mum suffered an injury so
severe last February that we weren’t sure if she’d ever be able to walk
properly again, but she healed and overcame a lot of odds. She’s a pillar of
strength and I admire her beyond words. My job is beyond crazy, but I made it.
I’m still standing and come January 3, 2017 I’ll be back at my desk, working
away, hoping things will get better. My daughter has had her ups and downs too
and Sean, but we’re a close family and we stick together. We have each others
backs. We’re each others rocks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Strong family, wonderful friends, good
fortune and a happy home. We had them at the beginning of 2016 and we still
have them now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">So while for some 2016 was a year to forget, it gave us a lot to remember and to cherish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">2016...am I right? It was a pretty good year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Cin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-43955397974485478232016-08-19T10:41:00.002-03:002016-08-19T10:41:38.746-03:00The Long Road of Memories<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMfHLmHaCv8_UEoUJXV-BWkde5FUUJC0oEfOKzZQB7L0ZBbYZ29w1haSo4I3zzqX_zQ-3l-X-OHYTbNtuJanS7rfsx-PYuhijOmjlETuN551I8SZ0-PIAmul4PM9lXEFoe5weEqfhxds/s1600/4+of+us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMfHLmHaCv8_UEoUJXV-BWkde5FUUJC0oEfOKzZQB7L0ZBbYZ29w1haSo4I3zzqX_zQ-3l-X-OHYTbNtuJanS7rfsx-PYuhijOmjlETuN551I8SZ0-PIAmul4PM9lXEFoe5weEqfhxds/s320/4+of+us.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Cynthia, Liza, and Kim: June 1988</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Almost 30 years. That's how long we've known each other. Of whom do I speak? Well, I'll tell you.<br />
<br />
In September 1987 I started grade nine. We had just moved to Ottawa, I didn't know a soul, and my new school had close to 2000 kids. My grade nine class alone, had close to 900 kids; more kids than were at the junior high school I'd left behind in Victoria.<br />
<br />
I floundered through my first day in a sweaty haze, never quite shedding the embarrassment of having my book bag on the lap of a boy I didn't know for the bus ride to school. ( My bus was crazy full. 3 kids per seat, and those of us at the last stop, in the aisle. My bag had no choice but to cozy up to a stranger.)<br />
<br />
I remember sitting on the front step of the school at lunch time, not being able to eat because of the ever tightening knot in my stomach and wishing I was anywhere but there. Most of the kids had at least had tour of the school before they'd started, knew at least one other person, but I was hopelessly alone and often that day, completely figuratively and literally, lost. It would have gone down as one of my worst days if it hadn't been for Liza.<br />
<br />
After school both she and I stood outside the entrance closest to the office. She looked nice, and like me, lost. We started chatting, wondering out loud really, where on earth we went to catch the buses home. Through a series of quick questions, I discovered that like me, she was new to Ottawa and knew no one. I immediately clung to her like a life raft and desperate not to have my second day be like my first, asked her if we could hang out the next day.<br />
<br />
As we made our way to where we thought the school buses might be, we saw Cynthia. She was in striped pink top and leaning on a wall. Liza introduced us. She and Cynthia were both a year older than me and had met in few classes earlier that day. Like Liza and I, Cynthia was new and knew no one.<br />
<br />
We three then walked until we found the buses and that's where Liza introduced me to Kim. She was in grade nine, like me, but not new. However, she and Liza were on the same bus and became fast friends and often during my grade nine year, she would hang around with Liza, Cynthia, and I. Come the next year, Cynthia and Liza moved, and Kim and I started to hang out on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
So, why am I telling you this? Well the reason I'm sharing this tale is because high school is crazy. Friends come, friends go, friends become enemies one minute, best friends the next. I've stayed in touch with a few people from high school days and these three girls, the first people I became friends with on my first day of school almost 30 years ago are still in my life. They are still my friends.<br />
<br />
Liza, I've not seen since 1990 and we had a gap of many years where we weren't in touch, but when I reconnected with her through social media 10 years ago, anyone listening to our long overdue phone conversation would never know it had been at least 10 years since we'd spoken.<br />
<br />
Cynthia and I see each other every couple years. Her wonderful and talented daughter Kylah is my Goddaughter. When Cyn and I meet up, we fall right back into our friendship as if we lived next door to each other.<br />
<br />
Kim is a world traveler. She comes back to Canada every few years but mostly lives abroad and travels more than anyone I know. She stays in touch though. Christmas cards and emails, visits here and there, including an amazing meet up in London, UK last fall.<br />
<br />
And tomorrow, the two of us are going on a road trip. Kim is flying in from Ottawa and we are heading to PEI. Ever since she was very young, Kim has been an Anne of Green Gables fan. Red headed and spirited like Anne, Kim read all the books, collected souvenirs , and has an autographed picture from Megan Fallows, the actress who portrayed Anne in the mini series from the late 1980's, BUT she has never been to PEI. I've said to Kim, "I have picture in my hallway of you with a camel, standing in a desert in India. I can't believe you've never been to PEI."<br />
<br />
To commemorate this occasion, to celebrate our friendship, I'm calling this the, "We've known each other for almost 30 years East Coast road trip." I'm beyond excited to share with my lovely friend the joys of the east coast, to be witness to watching her see places she's never seen, just as she watched me meet London and what in had to offer last October. It will be a week making memories with someone who has already been a part of so much of my life and I couldn't be happier.<br />
<br />
And Liza and Cynthia? You're coming too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLbROjvpxeBgkMzz4QVquFat1jut9WR_GSqAU4-0FO88LplQT93_hgy8_TWkfsUa54qEBg2UDSIOK9Qr-LKV-9Eyp6ta_dAx8SNFz4QILmO7NHoY0v4-3otWEAHHyxn46PfDnXQXq_fs/s1600/IMG_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLbROjvpxeBgkMzz4QVquFat1jut9WR_GSqAU4-0FO88LplQT93_hgy8_TWkfsUa54qEBg2UDSIOK9Qr-LKV-9Eyp6ta_dAx8SNFz4QILmO7NHoY0v4-3otWEAHHyxn46PfDnXQXq_fs/s320/IMG_0671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's ready for a road trip??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-19555405465614785022016-07-07T00:00:00.000-03:002016-07-07T00:00:18.803-03:00Kim Fletcher, your Birthday Blog Post is Ready!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:6.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
text-indent:.5in;
line-height:150%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just over a week ago I had a nice, long, catch up chat with
my good friend Kim. It had been a substantial amount of time since we'd talked,
but like I knew it would be, it was fine; exactly as if we'd never skipped a
day without talking to each other. It's a comfort, a constant, and I never take
that kind of connection for granted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the middle of our call Kim said, "I graduated from
high school 25 years ago today." I responded with, "Wow, you're
right. That means 25 years ago at this time I was traveling back to Victoria
with my family." Kim then said, "That means that we've been friends
for almost 25 years."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I moved back to Victoria after living in Ottawa for 4
years everything had changed. My friends had grown up, some of my friends had
grown apart, and many of my friends had grown away from me. I was adrift in sea
of awkward circumstance that honestly, I had never considered would be a
possibility. I had assumed that everyone would be so excited to see me! That
people I'd known since I was 5 and professed to have missed me in the letters
I'd received over the 4 years would be happy I was back. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was not the case. They were pleased to see me at first,
but then, they weren't. No one was mean, no one was cruel. We just didn't fit
anymore and it was with a very heavy heart that I began the second chapter of
my life in my home town. Everyone had made plans for their future, but I wasn't
in them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone that is except for Wendy. We'd stayed close during
my stint in the nation's capital and while I was a bit chocked when I found out
she was going to go to Simon Fraser University in Burnaby instead of going to
University of Victoria with me, our friendship remained intact. And before she
headed across the Juan de Fuca straight she gave me a great gift: Kim.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kim and Wendy had become close friends in high school.
Before I moved back to Victoria I'd heard about her from Wendy. I was a bit,
not going to lie, jealous of this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kim</i>
as she'd been the special friend who'd got to experience the ups and downs of
high school with Wendy while I only got to hear about it letters and late night
phone calls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDO4JdRhBqhQgW2zp94PMHxH6onCO4yj862APUFjH6S8oAKIEeAgNhRhH0AYdkeXIq85TB366DHmAK00CVwKTCn_o_n11mP0HaCXui3uUlBhIux2GeDEXSHSotoT4b9xKik8WhVRrDyxk/s1600/woe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDO4JdRhBqhQgW2zp94PMHxH6onCO4yj862APUFjH6S8oAKIEeAgNhRhH0AYdkeXIq85TB366DHmAK00CVwKTCn_o_n11mP0HaCXui3uUlBhIux2GeDEXSHSotoT4b9xKik8WhVRrDyxk/s200/woe.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's lot of hair in this picture...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, when I finally met this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kim</i> at the movies (Beauty and the Beast) in August, a couple weeks
before University started, all my jealousy melted. I liked her immediately. She
was fun, smart, and kind. Plus she laughed at my stupid jokes, which is always a
good path to my heart. I hoped that we would be friends, but wasn't sure if
we'd meet up and figured our paths would only cross when Wendy came home from
university on holidays.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first day of University was nerve wracking to say the
least. I was scared and nervous about my future. When I hopped on the city bus
to the big school, I thought was going to be sick. But then I saw a familiar
face: Kim. She was sitting alone, looking a little anxious and invited me to
sit with her. For the entire bus ride to UVic, I talked her ear off. I don’t
remember what I talked about. I just remember being so happy that I wasn't
experiencing my first day alone and I a strong feeling that we were going to
become good friends.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we did. By the time Wendy came home for Thanksgiving, we
were inseparable and anyone would think Kim and I had known each other for
years. Many Friday nights, I would be found watching taped videos off of Much
Music at Kim's place. I don't know how many times we watched those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">World on Edge,</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bryan Adams</i>, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roxette</i>
videos, but they never got old. We bonded over them and movies like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shawshank Redemption</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gleaming the Cube</i>. (Kim worked at video
store. It rocked!</div>
<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/AVvXsEjfcPBhALnVetRHJp3-YpQpvxRhmy4j8-NB5htpWZHBSRSGTb0yFtSwwPJQCq6gs1zERS9BENTK-j7B20uIaqUsgzYI8uh6rZqNZsHANzfTHEXBJZQoVb9UpZphw39ZNjchKD6ra-jygno/s1600/CS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcPBhALnVetRHJp3-YpQpvxRhmy4j8-NB5htpWZHBSRSGTb0yFtSwwPJQCq6gs1zERS9BENTK-j7B20uIaqUsgzYI8uh6rZqNZsHANzfTHEXBJZQoVb9UpZphw39ZNjchKD6ra-jygno/s200/CS.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my...how we swooned.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After our first year at UVic, we both decided it wasn't for
us and for the next while, we kind of lived parallel lives. We both took a year
off, we both moved to Ontario a year later, we both went to college in Ontario
where we both met Ottawa boys whose fathers worked for Bell Canada <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> knew each other. (The fathers knew
each other, not our boys).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both of us married our Ottawa boys and settled in B.C. At
first Kim was in Victoria and I was in New Westminster, but not long after, she
was there too and moved to apartment not very far away. We both got pregnant in
2001 and had daughters only 6 and half months apart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, it wasn't in the cards for our paths to continue
running side by side-ish. In 2006, my family and I took the plunge and moved
across the country to Miramichi where my husband had found a job in his field
of animation. As Kim and I hugged goodbye and wiped away tears, I felt the 15
years of friendship and memories fill my heart to the breaking point. She had
been with me through so many tough times, happy experiences, embarrassing
scenarios that I'd care to not remember, and here she was again. Supporting me
and helping me to embrace a future that was as uncertain and scary as it had
been that day I'd seen her on the bus to UVic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtrj5f9UUvDuECAWmZNTAWbnLY_ozrNutJMqYEvsHN_PQrhUWy7w4qz5GmR02etzcgQv9TbnDaS2ypw13wOC_wf_vExBXFszJ05x2dUJAG8ofS7MLeWVPLf-sAO39URkV2G1ZpUSEK-k/s1600/DSCF3972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtrj5f9UUvDuECAWmZNTAWbnLY_ozrNutJMqYEvsHN_PQrhUWy7w4qz5GmR02etzcgQv9TbnDaS2ypw13wOC_wf_vExBXFszJ05x2dUJAG8ofS7MLeWVPLf-sAO39URkV2G1ZpUSEK-k/s200/DSCF3972.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim and I in Ottawa, July 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last 10 years have gone by in the blink of an eye. Our
kids have grown, we've suffered losses, celebrated gains and while we haven't
experienced these things together, they haven't created a distance between us.
We have grown up, but not grown apart and I think in 25 years one of us will
say to the other, "We've known each other for almost 50 years."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kim, this one is for you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-84451761058635759682016-01-06T21:34:00.000-04:002016-01-18T20:28:26.061-04:00So...the thing is...the play?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:6.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
text-indent:.5in;
line-height:150%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->The play, Hamlet; it's what got us to London. <br />
<br />
I've thought of that sentence many times over the last few weeks, but not what would come after it. My intention upon returning from our two week trip to London was to write, write, write. Not just about our trip, but new stories inspired by what I saw and what I experienced. I was so sure the desire to get down on paper, or screen, every detail of our trip would be present because I would want to remember everything, right? I would feel new, fresh and creative once again, right? <br />
<br />
But that hasn't happened. We've been home for over two months and I've written one completely unexpected blog post about one moment of our trip. For the most part the words have not wanted to leap out of me like some sort of crazed beast. Instead they've stayed trapped behind a wall of routine. I often grab a notebook and a favourite pen, hold it too tight and stare at the blank page, but try as I might, the words don't come. The will to write fades and is quickly replaced with an achy sleepiness that is unfortunately becoming a state where I live out most of my days. <br />
<br />
There is so much I could say about London but honestly a lot of our trip is still the "feelings", many things done and seen are still locked in a place of emotional experience not ready for words. And what tales I could put into words, I just can't find the energy to write it all down. <br />
<br />
This is sad. This is frustrating. This is not me. Over the last few years I've taken to writing much like I've always taken to acting. It became a part of me. It kept me going. I needed to write. And now…it's slipping away. <br />
<br />
It is a painful for me to acknowledge, as obvious as it is, that over the last year my creative writing has come to almost a standstill. London aside, there's a lot I would like to say, but I just can't. Like exactly why I'm very angry, often. This anger that I can feel living inside me, eating away on my nerves and sense of reason. Yes, this anger, I'm so very tired of it. It's like a poison. It's suffocating and it's hard to breath creativity into life when are gasping. <br />
<br />
There is a lot I need to let go of, I just wish I knew how. <br />
<br />
Or rather, that I had the courage to let go. <br />
<br />
Because you see, the play, it was the most amazing thing and one day, I hope to be able to tell you why.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-57916166072606446612015-11-11T13:01:00.000-04:002015-11-11T13:01:38.927-04:00London Called: Remembrance Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
London remembers the wars. Everywhere you go, the streets of
London remind you that the city was once victim to the wrath of war and evil.
Monuments, scarred buildings, plaques, statues, these reminders not only mark
the punishment the city took for standing up to those who thought they knew
better, they also tell the world that no matter what you throw at London, she
will rise above it. It takes a lot of strength to stand up to the bully and when
you do, the fall out is often negative, but it's a price worth paying if you're
going to remain true to yourself. London, like many cities, did this and the
reward was to remain standing.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfqf2s8brn7orkgZlyY1_sNOz_uQfhMMZVy5AqwyOS29g-uCI_uPqWnn-hOSgSYBVnj9B7Lm4D0hYHlOFm9L5jCEy6R1w_BpLxxr-2tsNzO58hHB969slleQMaZcg1qMbcNfp7X4o5CE/s1600/DSCF4846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNncxTEkFW01wOfOTcDajpDQ338xbohpWkiasL4khARWqnN0lQnZbPKySRoFQto_jWznxkiveAwPvQDjDWxef2nePcNNAs_93UDRzgSlYEnOhb_TnNp664VKWAN5Be9YFjQG5vmybaFMs/s1600/DSCF4846.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/AVvXsEgNncxTEkFW01wOfOTcDajpDQ338xbohpWkiasL4khARWqnN0lQnZbPKySRoFQto_jWznxkiveAwPvQDjDWxef2nePcNNAs_93UDRzgSlYEnOhb_TnNp664VKWAN5Be9YFjQG5vmybaFMs/s320/DSCF4846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I was moved by all markings of wars in London. I too had
family who served and lived through World War II. I too had family who served
and died in the same war. My family is much smaller than some because of that
war, uncles never known to my mother, gave their lives for their country. I
knew a woman who proudly served in the WRAF and was in London during the Blitz.
She would tell me the stories without fear, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Perhaps time enough had passed to take the edge off the horror it must have
been to live through. Or maybe, during that time, she blocked out the fear,
stood fast, took shelter, and waited it out in a stoic, calm manner of the
English people around her. I will never know because I knew her at time when my
own life experience wouldn't have drawn the questions from me. I assumed she had
been scarred, because who wouldn’t have been, but now I've a feeling it was
something else. An emotion generated in war that there is no word for, but a
word only people who have served in war know.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of our days in London took us to St. Paul's Cathedral. I
could try to describe its beauty, its splendor, its majesty to you, but it
would only paint a rough picture of what is it really like. It's a place that
needs to be felt first and then seen and I've not the words or skill to
describe it. A lot of its wonder blended into a sense of awe with a few
specifics rising out of that feeling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To the left of the Dome, there are two corridors that lead
to the North Transept. Going down the further <span id="goog_765096617"></span><span id="goog_765096618"></span>one, leads you to a stunning
painting, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Light of the World, </i>by
William Holman Hunt. There are chairs for you to sit and contemplate the
painting, and find your own meaning. Selfishly, as I had been in the musical <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Godspell </i>only months before, the song of
the same name as the painting immediately popped in my head. However, the
memory was pleasant and when I connected it with the painting, it gave the
production I'd been in more meaning. Not a bad thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I then moved on and walked to the first corridor and after I
turned the corner I came face to face with a <span id="goog_765096620"></span><span id="goog_765096621"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
most beautiful alter cloth.
Encased in glass, this "art from war", as described on the St. Paul's
Cathedral website, was created by over a 130 injured soldiers recovering in
hospitals all over the country during The Great War. Soldiers from the UK,
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa were encouraged to contribute
to the High Alter tapestry as part of their recovery process. The display says
that, "Embroidery was a classic device for the rehabilitation of soldiers
during WWI, because this intricate close work greatly helped to reduce the
effects of shell shock".<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is an exquisite piece of artwork and to know that it was
created by men who had faced horrors that most of us will never know gives it a
deep, almost holy beauty. While living with great pain, coming to terms with
their forever emotion and physical afflictions, mourning the loss of fellow
soldiers, and missing their home and families, they added colour and magic to
the world. Their time in the trenches and the front lines, all the suffering
they witnessed and lived through did not take away the ability it rise above it
all and make art from war.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm8HVg7l1EpgGDFDgsQmnDRRlt6ZOo0GzvkX0ItMu6PcuCF9DLySOIorb4VAydXZxLb1nNpsXKXVf8xaByyRZI8ut50f3ZXEsun7Yt28l7h3_ZEfZFxkH5eSr-c8RvX_0XcEepCZb6dQ/s1600/DSCF5272.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/AVvXsEjzm8HVg7l1EpgGDFDgsQmnDRRlt6ZOo0GzvkX0ItMu6PcuCF9DLySOIorb4VAydXZxLb1nNpsXKXVf8xaByyRZI8ut50f3ZXEsun7Yt28l7h3_ZEfZFxkH5eSr-c8RvX_0XcEepCZb6dQ/s320/DSCF5272.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It gave me pause; it brings tears to my eyes when I think
about it. I've been very lucky in my life but I've had sufferings, and yes,
they have been on smaller scale, but they are my sufferings. While going
through a rough patch this past summer, and wondering if I'd done the right
thing by speaking my mind, my husband, frustrated but supportive said, that
when you stand up for yourself, you have to be prepared to deal with the
consequences. He said London stood up to Hitler and paid a heavy price for
doing so, but it had to be done. He was in no way comparing my issues to the
Blitz, but the parallel of not backing down was clear. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our lives are precious and fleeting and we can waste so much
time wishing they were something else and not appreciating what we have.
However, days like Remembrance Day should remind us that a lot of what we have
is because of the men and women who have served our country. And like these
brave souls, and in particular like London and the alter cloth, we can all find
a way to rise above our pain, our sufferings, and give the world something
beautiful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:6.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
text-indent:.5in;
line-height:150%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-1825864650018208152015-09-08T20:31:00.003-03:002015-09-08T21:27:41.637-03:00First Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:auto;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:auto;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">There is a story that I cannot tell without
crying. It doesn’t matter where I am, or who I’m telling it to, my throat
tightens, my eyes tear up, and I cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is the story of my daughter’s first day of school. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">She was only 4 when she started school.
We’d had the option, because her birthday is in late October, to hold her back
a year. But she was ready for school and had been since she was 3. Holding her
back was not an option. She was eager for her beginning and we were happy to
share our child with the world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dxt0B590KTOKX-Snf0eFUq7SQSv5PBnslR4m8TDeWPLh5hjL6JqlCoiswYNIzIw1nF8JtEJFBXKX9wZKeYd15UUMyc8wzyjYjuCOrnmXQeZFIxDWRbVG8BOaeC19IjaSS8lCZ_Mjk-c/s1600/Dscf0011.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/AVvXsEj0Dxt0B590KTOKX-Snf0eFUq7SQSv5PBnslR4m8TDeWPLh5hjL6JqlCoiswYNIzIw1nF8JtEJFBXKX9wZKeYd15UUMyc8wzyjYjuCOrnmXQeZFIxDWRbVG8BOaeC19IjaSS8lCZ_Mjk-c/s320/Dscf0011.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 7, 2006</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">We took first day of school picture. Her
big smile looked perfect with her pig tails, new sweater and skirt set from her
great aunt, and brand new back pack. Both Sean and I walked her to the bus
stop, but it was I who took the first day of school ride with her while he
followed us to the school in our car. Immediately, the smell of the bus, the
feel of the seats took me straight back to all my bus trips, but it was new for
our daughter and I thought she might be scared. However, Sorcha’s smile continued
as she scanned the bus, the kids, the scenery out the window with no trace of
the nervousness many other children around her showed in their hunched
shoulders and shy eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Sean met us at the school door and together
we walked our skipping girl to her kindergarten room. We’d met her teacher the
week before, and she greeted us with familiar kindness while she showed Sorcha
her to her seat. Other names, Kale, Mikale, and Jack had been placed at the
same table. Sean and I shared a smile not even needing to express our amusement
that Sorcha, on her first day at school, would be sitting with all boys. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">As we said goodbyes to Sorcha, who was
already deeply involved in a Pooh Bear colouring page, her teacher handed us a
Ziploc bag with a few items inside that we examined later. We drove away from
the school, a mix of emotions swirling in our hearts, one of them being pride.
Our little girl was on her way, starting a path that we would guide her on, but
one that would ultimately lead to a place she wanted end up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Last week, I talked about this day to a
co-worker whose little girl is staring kindergarten today. I said, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“In the bag were three items: one herbal
tea, a cotton ball, and a note. The note said that the tea was to drink as you
thought about your child on their first day of school and the cotton ball was
to hold as you drank your tea and to remember the softness of the hand of your
child as you led them to their first day of school. ” I paused to wipe my eyes,
“And that was 9 years ago and it’s gone like that.” A snap of my fingers didn’t
really do justice to how fast the time has passed, but it’s all I had.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Today is Sorcha’s first day of grade 9. The
back pack is bigger than her first one, the clothes are her own <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/AVvXsEhA7R54ek3LyXjk5cAM3lDkrEdMSGrx0rGO7pbZhFWJSly3fWqCqpT74s3yLH4vz4JR6OtWL9Gs-OwquyCT-Y_9EJ2Q1eLyzNT2P47IEnRS6gtP_V2hRuIS3jyt-pmCpd3rT4OIfcBw58E/s1600/2015+first+day+of+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7R54ek3LyXjk5cAM3lDkrEdMSGrx0rGO7pbZhFWJSly3fWqCqpT74s3yLH4vz4JR6OtWL9Gs-OwquyCT-Y_9EJ2Q1eLyzNT2P47IEnRS6gtP_V2hRuIS3jyt-pmCpd3rT4OIfcBw58E/s320/2015+first+day+of+school.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 8, 20015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
style and
choosing, and her hair has purple streaks without the pigtails. She only has 4
years of required schooling to go and while the path is not terribly clear,
we’re still proud of her. No, she doesn’t skip to school anymore, and she’s
often more nervous and anxious than happy, but she’s her own person, with her
own goals. She’s got passion, creativity, and a brain that will take her far.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">And maybe that’s why I can’t tell the story
without crying because it has gone so fast. I can remember that first day, that
cup of tea that I drank on a bench down by the river, and the softness of her 4
year old hand in mine as if it was yesterday. It was a precious moment, letting
her go, being proud of her, not spoiling her happiness with our tears. She took
that moment, let go of our hands, and embraced her future. That moment in the past
created a time loop, a point of such breathtaking beauty that I will happily
live it out every time I tell the story and every first day that we share
together.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Even though it makes me cry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Cin </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-68554434918919936112015-06-02T07:35:00.002-03:002015-06-02T07:36:21.980-03:00For the Love of...Combining with Jo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wuFwv9h-rIWxQ87KgbUxNpJhyObOD2a94gRANdGimTnXhv6ba7-RT83P3BoQ5tPB1ZLIo74quD0lk1oXnl9kLkqcknFDyuHqML3imhOhl-wBZPg77PtdyS_cthmaLypWqQTqlRnzRg8/s1600/Blog+Mistress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA">Good Tuesday Everyone!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA">My guest today on this slightly, not exactly, regularly scheduled For the Love of...post is my friend Jo. Like many of us she has a lot of interests and aspires to make a living doing one or the other, or in Jo's case, combining everything she loves and rolling it into one lovely, workable, ambitious,and productive package. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA">If you're a writer looking for solid, reliable, smart, and friendly promotion, Jo is your girl...or should I call her something else? Well, you'll just have to read her post to find out!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-ZA">***</span></div>
<span lang="EN-ZA"></span><br />
<br />
<i>Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by to visit. I love being asked to visit blogs… as a natural introvert, it's one of the easiest ways of being social from the comfort of my sofa *grin*. I have been trying to figure out what to tell you all about myself, which sounds silly, but it's far more complicated than you might imagine. Here in the real world I am an event manager – a job which I love. I love coming up with a great idea and then assembling all the elements that I need in order to make it real. I enjoy the challenges and even the stresses that are all part of the process. There is something about standing back on the day (usually in the last hour or two of the event) and looking around at everything, knowing you've succeeded in what you set out to do. Many of my events are also charity fundraisers and this gives the sense of achievement a whole different, and altogether more satisfying, spin. <br /> </i><br />
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyDe666GqvcX2llInBzwjCqmE-D4gPt5InTf1eHOuJcGHgMUOAMlhIQhcV9eUI6tCAtQot4BMeDs5mCUsBIxKJNTuf9J7CB84hHbBCjxgSfQ1QfyF5B97rJ474fYlpz9u_r6BkQJX9_s/s1600/rose-764267_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyDe666GqvcX2llInBzwjCqmE-D4gPt5InTf1eHOuJcGHgMUOAMlhIQhcV9eUI6tCAtQot4BMeDs5mCUsBIxKJNTuf9J7CB84hHbBCjxgSfQ1QfyF5B97rJ474fYlpz9u_r6BkQJX9_s/s200/rose-764267_1920.jpg" width="200" /></a>Away from the real world I have a secret life as a writer. I've loved writing ever since I first learned how to </i><i><i>string letters together to form words. At school, my essays were
always just a little too long because I kept getting swept up in the
story. I'm currently working on a fantasy novel, a romance story and a
collection of children's stories. Yes, I have a wide range of interests
and it's great to be able to shift genres when I feel like I'm hitting a
wall in any of my manuscripts. </i><br /> </i><br />
<i>For the past two years I've been very fortunate to be able to marry my love of books with my love of organising things in my role as Marketing Director for Breathless Press, a small Romance and Erotica publisher which recently closed. As part of my job I discovered that I really enjoy organising blog tours for authors and being part of their journey. When Breathless Press closed, I saw an opportunity and decided to pursue it. Thus, my new freelance blog tour and promotions business – The Book Mistress - was born! <br /><br />My aim is to provide authors with affordable blog tours as well as audio extracts that they can share on their websites and through their social media. I'll also be offering to provide guest posts for authors to use on their blogs, social media assistance and author PA services. It's an ambitious project, but one I feel strongly about. Authors love writing, they're not always so keen on the marketing side *grin* and unfortunately while there are some great, affordable marketing options out there (aside from doing it themselves which is free), there are sadly some businesses out there that are hopelessly over priced! <br /><br />Step one, to set up all the online "stuff" for the new venture, is done. I have a few tours booked for June and now I start the real work of promoting my services. The only way to make this work is to connect with as many authors as possible. </i> <i><br />So… here goes. Hello world, I'm The Book Mistress and I'd love to help share you with the world. <br /><br />Cheers, </i><br />
<br />
<i>Jo </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wuFwv9h-rIWxQ87KgbUxNpJhyObOD2a94gRANdGimTnXhv6ba7-RT83P3BoQ5tPB1ZLIo74quD0lk1oXnl9kLkqcknFDyuHqML3imhOhl-wBZPg77PtdyS_cthmaLypWqQTqlRnzRg8/s1600/Blog+Mistress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wuFwv9h-rIWxQ87KgbUxNpJhyObOD2a94gRANdGimTnXhv6ba7-RT83P3BoQ5tPB1ZLIo74quD0lk1oXnl9kLkqcknFDyuHqML3imhOhl-wBZPg77PtdyS_cthmaLypWqQTqlRnzRg8/s200/Blog+Mistress.jpg" width="113" /></a><a href="https://meetthebookmistress.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Book Mistress on Wordpress</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Book-Mistress/543201862487119" target="_blank">The Book Mistress on Facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/_BookMistress" target="_blank">The Book Mistress on Twitter</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX9gOSrmF_A6HKdl5Oke1Zg" target="_blank">The Book Mistress on You Tube</a><br />
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/TheBookMistress/" target="_blank">The Book Mistress on Pinterest</a><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/43478052-book-mistress" target="_blank">The Book Mistress at Good Reads</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'd like to give a big thanks to Jo for being on my blog today. Finding a way to help others while doing what you love is a position in life many of us would like to be in. I really admire Jo and I hope you've found her post to be inspiring!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Until next time,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cin</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-78762532534384826692015-05-11T07:16:00.002-03:002015-05-11T07:20:38.432-03:00For the Love of...Writer Friends with Mary CorralesHello Hello<br />
<br />
Welcome to May 11th! It's time for another For the Love of... post.<br />
<br />
A few years ago through blogging and what not, I met an author named Mary Corrales. She's sweet, kind, funny, supportive, and very talented. And before you read her post, please know that I had no direct influence over her topic other than asking her to be a part of my blog. :)<br />
<br />
Enjoy and please welcome Mary Corrales.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq74MiMZW1_2VMkYRTxhq5iYrUkWMVO-3IbIg5leZ7SbuwZv3SyiGaylccS9euxi-PcEepqAfaabc_dKcATSSyDWbdndJfCHD8Z4kGxaSQDKLaS8JWynJxhGJYC0hObnTHJYQoTvG5Av4/s1600/journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq74MiMZW1_2VMkYRTxhq5iYrUkWMVO-3IbIg5leZ7SbuwZv3SyiGaylccS9euxi-PcEepqAfaabc_dKcATSSyDWbdndJfCHD8Z4kGxaSQDKLaS8JWynJxhGJYC0hObnTHJYQoTvG5Av4/s200/journal.jpg" width="200" /></a><i>For the Love of…Writer Friends <br /><br />Every friend has a role in your life. Writer friends are no different. We have similar struggles throughout our writing careers that we share with one another, and hope for some inspiration or help. We're like daisies the way we spring up and cluster together in the sunshine. <br /><br />When one of my publisher had to close shop, I turned to a writer friend, Kari, to figure out how to deal with rights reversal and covers. She'd assured me, since she'd been through something similar, that it'd all work out. Indeed it did and I'm okay now. <br /><br /><span id="goog_226218161"></span><span id="goog_226218162"></span>Kari and I have been through a lot together and, from writer's conferences to personal tragedies, we've never wavered in our friendship. While she lives in a different city than me, the distance has not changed the friendship. That's the essence of writer friends. We're always there for one another through emails, even when we can't spend time together in person. <br /><br />Similarly, my lovely friend Cindy, inspires me with how much she writes and how fast she turns out stories. She has no end to her creativity. It's amazing. She reminds me how great life can be when you let your creativity flow. She's also one of the kindest, most caring people I've ever had the honor of being in contact with. Whether we ever meet in person or not, I know I have a true friend in her. Thanks for that, Cin. :)<br /><br />Friendships should enhance your life, make it better. I've known people who have toxic friends and it's tragic that these toxic people are given are much value as a good friend. None of that for me, thank you. I hope none of that for you either. While life happens, I hope you maintain a circle of friends around you that supports you in your pursuit of dreams and lends you their strength when you need it. <br /><br />Everyone deserves one good friend. I'm lucky enough to have two. <br /><br />Thanks Cin for this opportunity to share what's been in my heart very strongly. Sometimes, we just don't say it enough how much it matters to have friends that understand, support, and commiserate on what it is to be a writer. The act of writing may be a solitary undertaking, but writer friends make being a writer the best profession in the world. <br /><br />Happy Reading, <br /><br /><a href="http://www.authormaryc.com/">Mary Corrales</a> <br /><br />Mary Corrales is a multi-published romance author who writes in several genres. </i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Many thanks to Mary for being a part of my post today. I think, in this day of being to meet people all over the world through our various internet ways, that many of you out there can relate to this topic in that I know I 'm not the only one who has become good friends with people I've never met in person. It doesn't seem to lesson the bond. You're friends or your not and with Mary, there's no doubt that we're friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Until next time,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Find your love, and share it with me! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thanks for stopping by,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cin</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-88347607559865166512015-04-27T08:13:00.000-03:002015-04-27T08:14:01.099-03:00For the Love Of...the Little Things with Sharleen HawcoHello and happy Monday<br />
<br />
It's dreary, rainy day where I'm at. The kind of day that, in all honesty, makes me want to call in blue and sleep the day away.<br />
<br />
However, that would be fool hardy. The day, no matter how dark it may appear, always has a silver lining or at least a glimmer of it silver lurking somewhere in something.<br />
<br />
Today, my lovely friend Sharleen Hawco shares with us the beautiful reminder that there is happiness in finding a love for the little things.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For the love of...</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>When Cindy asked me to write a post I wasn't sure what to
focus on. Everyone has something that brings happiness into their
lives. For me it is the little things. </i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>This winter was long and dark making it hard to find your
way. Through the storm of it all you can find the brightest path by
choosing love. In the Springtime it is always easier to see the light. </i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>To me it is the little things put together that bring joy; but, it is these little things that we often pass over and miss.</i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIDZqFgS28mETb0aRJiTx7GZWbGg_ElikSxd7vt7MYg4oTccDQwbLXTOEKuLYqdpQ-uDKcabed_8g88Z6ICRcECNE4Eam_Filqf9ne3EU3HkBaxDueJfuamhUPXbk37QjFtyjHikj0CA/s1600/P6240010.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/AVvXsEjFIDZqFgS28mETb0aRJiTx7GZWbGg_ElikSxd7vt7MYg4oTccDQwbLXTOEKuLYqdpQ-uDKcabed_8g88Z6ICRcECNE4Eam_Filqf9ne3EU3HkBaxDueJfuamhUPXbk37QjFtyjHikj0CA/s1600/P6240010.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For seeing those beautiful moments that bring love into your life.</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For the love of choice, of change, of recognizing what needs to be changed, of being able to get unstuck.</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For little ripples that become waves.</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For finding glimpses of peace and moments of stillness. </i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For friends with wisdom, with patience, who give back with more than you've given, who fill you up.</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For rays of sun and drops of dew. For budding branches and
emerging bugs. For spotting the first lady bug as the weather warms. For
rainy days and rubber boots. For muddy gardens and seeds with growth. </i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For prisms that make rays of sunshine transform into dancing rainbows on the wall.</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For paint brushes and palettes of color. For blank paper to capture design.</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For the curiosity and brightness of three year old eyes. For endless questions and for delight in the answers. </i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For dragons and bears dancing in wispy clouds. </i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbTjO9-7n1EyjUFF4AaThxdOhxUlXqosCQw0pv9CI9BUyMKRmPir5ZFQisCoL1tDIiydntz2EkOqaoqPyhn1E3avzsplQPCb_j5lUE-a-w9SSYtQk2htfd0zICEwphfGzN3UBJpDq-J8/s1600/BW+Sean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbTjO9-7n1EyjUFF4AaThxdOhxUlXqosCQw0pv9CI9BUyMKRmPir5ZFQisCoL1tDIiydntz2EkOqaoqPyhn1E3avzsplQPCb_j5lUE-a-w9SSYtQk2htfd0zICEwphfGzN3UBJpDq-J8/s1600/BW+Sean.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/AVvXsEisbTjO9-7n1EyjUFF4AaThxdOhxUlXqosCQw0pv9CI9BUyMKRmPir5ZFQisCoL1tDIiydntz2EkOqaoqPyhn1E3avzsplQPCb_j5lUE-a-w9SSYtQk2htfd0zICEwphfGzN3UBJpDq-J8/s1600/BW+Sean.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i> </i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For all of these things and many more that bring delight and joy to every moment.</i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i>For choosing happy.<br />
For choosing now.<br />
For being present.<br />
For being mindful.<br />
For seeing potential in everything small and everything big.</i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<i>***</i></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
Thank-you so very much to Sharleen for being on my blog today. As you go about your day, in those moments where you have a second to reflect, think about the little things in your life that bring you the happiness that really matters and makes your life special.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
Sharleen is right. There is potential happiness in so much around us.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
Here's to choosing to see it and to being happy.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
Cin</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-70549167455042531002015-04-13T06:45:00.000-03:002015-04-13T06:45:24.614-03:00For the Love Of...Zumba with Erica FitzpatrickGood Monday Everyone!<br />
<br />
Yes, we're back! It's another For the Love Of...day!<br />
<br />
Have you ever tried Zumba? Currently in Miramichi on Sunday evenings at 6:00, a group of ladies get on out and get on up at the Seaman's Hospital to shake their groove thangs! Today my guest is Zumba instructor Erica Fitzpatrick and she's here to talk about why she loves to shake it. Take it away Erica!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
<i>For the love of...ZUMBA!!!!</i>
<i><br /> </i><br />
<i>Ok, so here’s the thing – we are not all lucky enough to LOVE
exercising. If you are anything like me, the entire time that I am at
the gym I am focused on the clock wondering if I’ve been there long
enough that the people working the front desk are not going to judge me
when I leave. We all need to move our bodies and get our hearts pumping
enough that the sweat ruins our make-up, but for me it was something
that I would have to make myself do. It wasn’t fun. I didn’t smile.
And I sure as hell didn’t want anyone looking at me while I was doing
it. But that all changed to me after my first Zumba Fitness(R) class.<br /> </i><br />
<i>It was 3 months after the birth of my third little girl. I was big,
bloated, cranky and leaking (Moms you know what I mean). I didn’t go to
class that night because I was ready to get healthy again, I went to
get out of the house alone for the first time in months. I walked into
class expecting to see a room filled with fitness models and to my
relief there was every size, shape, age and every fitness level there.
When the Latin music filled the room, I followed the instructors lead
and felt like a fool. I was moving my body, shaking my booty and even
doing a few shimmies. But after a few songs I realized that I was
having fun! I was laughing and singing and sweating! Man was I
sweating! It didn’t feel like everyone was watching me dance terribly,
it felt like we were all doing it together. Some moves we rocked and
some moves we would attempt and fail miserably. When class was finished
I couldn’t believe I had just spent a whole hour not thinking about my
kids or husband or feeling bad about myself or my body. It was an hour
of pure JOY!! And best of all – it was exercise!<br /> </i><br />
<i>It was only 2 months after that I became a Zumba instructor. I went
from not wanted anyone to look at me, to loving my body enough that I
could stand in the front of the room and shake it! I couldn’t wait to
spread this joy with everyone I know. I have been instructing for 4
years now and I still feel that exact same joy in every class. Zumba
brings on that natural high. You get lost in the music and let your
body move while you burn a ton of calories (between 500 and a 1000
Calories to be exact). It really is fitness in disguise.<br />
</i><br />
<i>As an instructor I also benefit from the joy that my students
experience. Everyone has their own reasons for going to Zumba. I’ve
seen clients lose weight, battle depression, gain confidence, make
friends, rehabilitate after surgery or illness. We Zumba freaks usually
have such an emotional attachment to our classes that it has turned us
into a wonderful Zumba family. Members come and go and come back and
bring friends and family and we welcome and support each person. It
really is the most wonderful experience.<br /> </i><br />
<i>Everywhere I go people call me “The Zumba Lady” (or “The Crazy Zumba
Lady”), and I am so incredibly proud of that title. Zumba has changed
my life and the lives of so many people that I love and care about.
Zumba is good for the body but more importantly, Zumba is good for the
SOUL! If you ever meet me, I will probably try to talk you into coming
to class sometime. I can’t help it. I honestly would just love for
everyone to feel that joy that I felt from my first Zumba class...and
every class since.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>***</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i><br />I've taken Erica's amazing Zumba class a couple times and I can tell you, it feels incredible. When you let yourself go and get into music you really do forget you're at an exercise class. You'll laugh, you'll sweat, and you'll feel beautiful. Our bodies are not meant to be stationary and even if you arrive thinking you can't do it, I guarantee that after a few minutes, Erica, or an instructor who loves Zumba like she does, will make you think differently. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thank-you to Erica for being on my blog today. If you live here in Miramichi, track this lady down and get to one of her classes!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And thank-you for stopping by.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now get out on up and DANCE!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cin</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-83419388064854181122015-04-02T08:28:00.000-03:002015-04-02T08:28:28.517-03:00Lyndsey Turner, SFP: Please Make My Pipe Dream Come True!<br />
Hello Blog Fans...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today it's a VLOG. Enjoy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y-3qnurIIHM/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-3qnurIIHM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That's it. That's all. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Keep reaching for those pipe dreams!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cin</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-4052125584711575592015-03-23T08:46:00.000-03:002015-03-23T08:46:04.585-03:00For the Love Of...Whales with Kari UnderhillGood Monday everyone!<br />
<br />
And welcome to another For the Love Of...post. Today, my good friend Kari Underhill is here to share a love, a great big love if I may, with us. Kari is a Marine Biologist and has a love for whales. Whenever she can, she'll get up close and personal with her giant friends as well as many other kinds of marine life. As someone who prefers her marine life experiences narrated by someone with a lovely British accent (I have bit of a fear of things that live in the deep), I admire her immensely.<br />
<br />
Without further rambling, please welcome Kari.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*** </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xtFU31DbXcDWbL_vU4vCRa99frr2dclE4b9y2nzscqgXvFRjb7FDRjCO5T9B8mbH5g8JVu1y_RXkjsbw0-RTW9mv0wWa6wToVM4GjYnwP1_zMsvMSddWT5HZCJon-HhkxCvUfZbmsB8/s1600/46933_427229929372_7607878_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xtFU31DbXcDWbL_vU4vCRa99frr2dclE4b9y2nzscqgXvFRjb7FDRjCO5T9B8mbH5g8JVu1y_RXkjsbw0-RTW9mv0wWa6wToVM4GjYnwP1_zMsvMSddWT5HZCJon-HhkxCvUfZbmsB8/s1600/46933_427229929372_7607878_n.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari with a Southern Right Whale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
border:none;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<i>For the love of<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">…</span>Whales!</i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<i>That's right, I said whales. Marine mammals that range from over
2m in length to over 30m and spend the majority of their life underwater in our
vast oceans! Not exactly cute and cuddly, but intriguing nonetheless, for me
anyways! </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<i>Why whales you ask? I<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>ve always been an animal lover and
biology was always my fave school subject so I guess it's not a HUGE surprise
given that I also love water. I love observing animals in their natural
environments and I grew up being outside and fishing. Whales though, that was a
big (and perhaps random) jump. Fishing in a river is VERY different than being
at sea. Oh and did I forget to mention I get sea sick?? But with persistence,
and imported gravol at the start, I overcame that barrier too :) On paper I
have my Master's Degree in Marine Mammal Science, but under all that scientific
mumbo jumbo I am a real and true certifiable <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>whale hugger<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMLRD34VDIL5GRPxKq-9XUQT0LuRIGAzyYge3j_aAq5HnYpumoFi3qH1jcTQxyYoZj2Cnzf1HyzjY8NV2MM46_k3_D0MCRMr-MrXxLdxEF2mJi5TNl-_kesXs2yiS30itCd7wQ3UgKfA/s1600/602493_396243107100879_565383924_n.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/AVvXsEhnMLRD34VDIL5GRPxKq-9XUQT0LuRIGAzyYge3j_aAq5HnYpumoFi3qH1jcTQxyYoZj2Cnzf1HyzjY8NV2MM46_k3_D0MCRMr-MrXxLdxEF2mJi5TNl-_kesXs2yiS30itCd7wQ3UgKfA/s1600/602493_396243107100879_565383924_n.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bryde's Whale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body">
<i>This whale persona began when I decided to study <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>whales<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">
</span>in Wales! I moved to the UK for a year to learn about everything whale. (PS-
have I mentioned that at this point in my life, I had never actually seen a
whale in the wild before<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">…</span>?) <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">…</span>Yes, let's just say
when I decide to do something, I <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>go big or go home<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span>!
This led to me studying dolphins (whale cousins!) in the Mediterranean Sea for
3 months. Following more hours at a computer than I like to remember finishing
my thesis, I came back to Canada to decide my next move. And only a few months
later I was jetting off to South Africa (remember, <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>go big or go home<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span>)
to work on a whale watching boat. Working <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>one whale season<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">
</span>turned into 4.5 years living in South Africa and being privileged enough
to see Southern right whales, humpback whales and Bryde<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s whales regularly.
And not to give all credit to the whales, while there I was fortunate enough to
add multiple sightings of 6 species of the dolphin family, including 2 AMAZING
sightings of Orcas (yes they are dolphins and not technically whales). The last
2 rendered me speechless, which if you know me, means A LOT. </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<i>Working on a whale watching boat is a pretty sweet <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>office<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">
</span>but as with any job has its perks and not-so-perks: tourists who have NO
clue about boat safety/marine life, people who have ZERO appreciation for
amazing wildlife (<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>why aren<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>t they jumping like
on TV?!<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span>), some pretty nasty sea conditions (hair raising in a few
cases), not to mention watching people go green in the face, including me on my
first day! Haha! That being said, I have never had a job which I was so excited
to go to each day. Every day was a new day with new weather, clients, and of
course the whales, none of our trips were EVER identical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <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/AVvXsEi0-Cz8LeccQL_Uksigy_dI4ci-66eXCmGZpyjnhM_We-Eu4rRNt31hYop493fcPuaJZ4__T2y8wsDnslD7BWc8BT7yERJ5RabSeCb4cf9c_6sUSnL64dzLvaxcG5t7Sv62eMOYm5r49mc/s1600/74739_10150884673664373_868660124_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-Cz8LeccQL_Uksigy_dI4ci-66eXCmGZpyjnhM_We-Eu4rRNt31hYop493fcPuaJZ4__T2y8wsDnslD7BWc8BT7yERJ5RabSeCb4cf9c_6sUSnL64dzLvaxcG5t7Sv62eMOYm5r49mc/s1600/74739_10150884673664373_868660124_n.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Orca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<i>One of the biggest things you must learn when working with
wildlife is that you take the amazing days with the not-AS-amazing days. We
live in a high tech generation where people watch endless TV shows highlighting
the best of the best of wildlife, and in the commercial breaks they never
mention the weeks, days, months, and sometimes years involved with getting
those breathtaking sightings. Each day was a privilege to get even the quickest
glimpses into the behavior of these underwater giants! </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<i>I was often asked by tourists <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>Do you ever get
bored of your job<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span>and <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>How do you still
get so excited each time you see a whale<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span>, and honestly my
response is <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>How could I not!!!??<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span>.</i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="Body">
<i>If you have EVER witnessed a whale in the wild, it is a truly
special moment. The way they move so gracefully through the water, those
special moments when the whale is just as curious about the boat as we are
about them, the Kodak moments when they breach out of the water, and the
heartwarming moments between a mother and calf. Who can pick a favourite?!!? I
am the crazy whale lady and proud of it! I am now back in Canada and although I
currently have fewer opportunities to get out and see whales, I am always
counting down the days until the season begins/my next chance at hearing and
seeing <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>my big babies<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span>. :) </i></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkOu8DFMjsOCXsUy1ZaMJwP-lD3Mw7rbs6RYCz8USb4lRzDc2g1VLc81ZuTytoIAjV0OTXwCDbaBDLAmO4AC5RkeoXqince8IAsM7moyQJZj0gvvkpbxbBw5mL92jVGljDnliDQ6IcOs/s1600/563971_420217984703391_331084277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkOu8DFMjsOCXsUy1ZaMJwP-lD3Mw7rbs6RYCz8USb4lRzDc2g1VLc81ZuTytoIAjV0OTXwCDbaBDLAmO4AC5RkeoXqince8IAsM7moyQJZj0gvvkpbxbBw5mL92jVGljDnliDQ6IcOs/s1600/563971_420217984703391_331084277_n.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A breaching Southern Right Whale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Thank-you very much to Kari for being my guest today. The closest encounter I've had, in the wild, with large marine life is the time my grandmother and I were surrounded by porpoises while we were trolling for salmon. There were 6 or 7 of them and if I could go back, I would uncover my eyes and enjoy the experience instead of crying in the boat because I thought they may be sharks. I don't think my grandmother ever forgave me for ruining that experience with my screams of terror. Perhaps one day Kari could take me on a whale tour and lesson my fear of our friends beneath the ocean.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Thanks for stopping by!</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Be Happy,</div>
<div class="Body">
Be Creative,</div>
<div class="Body">
Be Yourself.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Cin</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-66056364026310992902015-03-09T07:40:00.001-03:002015-03-09T07:41:09.679-03:00For the Love Of...Pipe Dreams.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Monday Everyone!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's "For the Love Of Day" and my guest today is, well, me! I’m writing a post for
a column I normally reserve for guests because the lovely lady who was going to do a post for me for today had a very busy week and needed to reschedule, but this gives me an excuse to write about something I love; Pipe Dreams! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the past couple of years around my birthday, just for fun,
I have a written a blog post detailing impossible and yet possible creative
dreams. The list had/has five goals divided into three parts: Realistic Goal,
Pipe Dream, and Extra Big Pipe Dream. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In February, I turned 42 and a lot has changed since I
updated my list on my 41<sup>st</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve experienced heartbreaking personal loss, great success career wise,
and while I know I’ve made strides creatively, I haven’t matched them up against
my list in quite a while to see exactly how things are going.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s take that journey together shall we?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
1.) Regarding Playwriting</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Realistic Goal: </b>Write another play and get it published.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pipe Dream:</b> Have a play that I managed to write and get
published picked up by a producer or director of a major theater company. I
would then be invited to help in either a very specific or general capacity and
of course be invited to the star opening night and then...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>EXTRA BIG PIPE DREAM:</b> I will be commissioned by Brett Butt, Michael J. Fox, Rick Mercer,
or another Canadian entertainer I admire, to write a play or a pilot of a TV
show that they will star in. I will also be asked to star along them because
they find me just so darn irresistible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Reality of the Playwriting Goal:</b> This year, while I have written,
I have written exactly no plays. Why? Well, I just wasn’t feeling it I guess. I
attempted to turn a short story I penned a while back into a play, but only got
one scene written before I got distracted by a bee or something. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result of a play not being written, I was
not commissioned by anyone to do anything thereby not achieving the realistic
goal or the pipedream. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
HOWEVER, my Extra Big Pipe Dream did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sort</i> of come true. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DbPjXwcrkUCTC4erwhRDiKUb5WOLwAMdMlgU7lQ6TMTFXS9W6LyKuOR1WcZS3EmdzAopYh41oX0Etbzi_7_n9B1n4P0YIW-f1U8H7E-Phm_OfMiuY-mrv49aZvp6DjbPiSrurwV4Rvg/s1600/TS+Fam+1.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/AVvXsEj6DbPjXwcrkUCTC4erwhRDiKUb5WOLwAMdMlgU7lQ6TMTFXS9W6LyKuOR1WcZS3EmdzAopYh41oX0Etbzi_7_n9B1n4P0YIW-f1U8H7E-Phm_OfMiuY-mrv49aZvp6DjbPiSrurwV4Rvg/s1600/TS+Fam+1.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OH yes, it's Rick Mercer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In September I went to Toronto to visit one of my dearest
friends who took me down to CBC where she introduced me to her brother who
introduced me to one of the Canadians I admire the most, Rick Mercer. Not only
did I get to meet him, I got to watch him rehearse and then film a skit, chat
with him, and get my picture taken with him. A couple years ago, when my friend
went to a taping of The Mercer Report, she got me an autographed picture of
Rick Mercer which I hung in my kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About 3 years ago, my family and I posed in an ad for the <a href="http://www.campingmiramichi.com/treehouse.html" target="_blank">treehouses at Camping Miramichi</a> and last summer it was featured in the NB Tour Magazine. I brought a
copy of the ad with me, sighed by my family and I, and told Rick that because I
have a signed picture of him, he must want one of me. He liked it, asked why we
were in a magazine and said he would hang it up. I’ve yet to find out from my
friend’s brother if it’s hanging in Rick’s office, but fingers crossed, it is. </div>
<br />
<span id="goog_1397448365"></span><span id="goog_1397448366"></span>It was an amazing day and because I got to meet one
of my heroes, I’ll say that even though Rick didn’t ask me to be in a show with
him, I came very close to accomplishing an Extra Big Pipe Dream.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
2.) Regarding Novel Writing</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Realistic Goal:</b> Finishing a Nano <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">(National Novel Writing Month)</a> novel that I managed to get to the set goal of 50K, but never finished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pipe Dream:</b> I believe, if I recall correctly that I was
hoping to get this novel published by a major publishing house and then...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>EXTRA BIG PIPE DREAM:</b> have it picked up by Hollywood where
it would be made into a hilarious film and become the comedy of the year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Reality of the Novel Writing Goal:</b> Writing a novel takes
time and energy that I just didn’t have in 2014. The novel I wrote for Nano
2012 was a ridiculous comedy of nonsense called “Top Dog: Wiener Takes All”, a
showdown, throw down between two wiener companies competing for the number one
spot in small town America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was epic,
full of comedy, family drama, and songs. I may take another look at it because
it all seriousness, it was a lot of fun to work on and you never know, it could
go somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure Will Ferrell and
Jack Black are itching for a new project involving song, dance, and wieners.</div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
</h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
3.) Regarding Music</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Realistic Goal:</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
first crack at this goal, I said that I would write five songs in a year.
Didn't happen. The next year, I think I set the same goal for myself, again,
while I didn't reach my goal, I did write at least one parody song about memes
and I did quite a few covers. It’s all laid out in grand technicolour on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Incruleable" target="_blank">YouTube Channel “Incruleable”.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pipe Dream:</b> I believe I had expressed a desire to be asked
to write a song for or have a song I wrote performed by a musician I really
admire which would then lead to...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>EXTRA BIG PIPE DREAM:</b> me performing on stage with one of
these amazing musician types.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Reality of the Music Goal:</b> Well, as I mentioned above, I’ve
not written anything totally my own this year, but I’m very happy with my cover
songs and will continue to bust those out, and not just on the guitar. No, no blog
fans, I’ve got a new instrument friend! I recently purchased the most adorable
Ukulele and took it out for a show a mere three days after said purchase where <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JptussW2LOo" target="_blank">I used it to perform “I’m Sexy and I know It”</a> (like you do) to a fortunately amused crowd of
co-workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact it went over so
well, they wanted me to perform another song! However, I wasn’t prepared and
stood by the adage (slightly adjusted):</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>“Leave them wanting more, not wanting that moron to leave.”</i></b></h4>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
</h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
4.) Regarding Chat Shows</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Realistic Goal:</b> This has to be the silliest of my goals.
It’s highly unlikely that I will ever be on one, but the first time I wrote
this list I said that I would like to write a play based on or around the
premise of a chat show and I think that still holds true. A friend of mine does
host a local chat show, but unless I get a novel or play published, I can’t see
being asked to be on it...unless of course they need a band that consists of a
girl who can sort of play the ukulele.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYW1uXZyLQPZaH5l8Y8-_X0tlW87JORjfULJhrzoCDA5OHWdYpgJTuieCt8Br-6E5ZtTHJqHMLfyzq2CrSc_yS23nxRFuNMGCNNLk_oJrRt2ULzL7bz96PGM_C46gOotYP8kCJPZ2qq8/s1600/62551c9f60daf7efb16d8ed6f4949b43.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/AVvXsEjqYW1uXZyLQPZaH5l8Y8-_X0tlW87JORjfULJhrzoCDA5OHWdYpgJTuieCt8Br-6E5ZtTHJqHMLfyzq2CrSc_yS23nxRFuNMGCNNLk_oJrRt2ULzL7bz96PGM_C46gOotYP8kCJPZ2qq8/s1600/62551c9f60daf7efb16d8ed6f4949b43.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny, king of the photobomb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pipe Dream:</b> A couple years ago, this pipe dream was “Be
invited to be on a chat show” and specifically a <span id="goog_1397448383"></span><span id="goog_1397448384"></span>British Chat Show and more
specifically Chatty Man with Alan Carr or Graham Norton’s chat show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m<span id="goog_1397448388"></span><span id="goog_1397448389"></span> invited, that would mean I’d done
something pretty fabulous like get the role of Ophelia in Hamlet opposite the
delicious Benedict Cumberbatch. That’s still a possibility you know. As of the
writing of this post, they haven’t announced which lucky actress is going to be
Ophelia. I really, really strongly believe it should be me. I’m not kidding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>EXTRA BIG PIPE DREAM:</b> This is just crazy talk, but hey, go
big or go home, right? BUT, if I was ever invited onto a chat show, the only
way that pipe dream could be better is if I was on the chat show with Benedict
or David Tennant<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or Tom Hiddleston<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or any other actor that makes me forget my
own name...or that I’m married to a perfectly lovely and supportive man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Reality of this Chat Show Goal:</b> I MAY be able to go to a
chat show, perhaps Graham Norton, when we’re in London, UK in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time I may not try very hard to
though go to a taping since to be in his audience you have to be 18 and I
wouldn’t want to ditch Sorcha to go. Yes, I’m that nice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And finally, </div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
</h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
5.) Regarding Performances</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Realistic Goal:</b> This goal remains the same every year
whether I write a blog post about it or not: perform as much as I can, time
permitting of course. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pipe Dream:</b> To be paid to act and not just for one
performance, but to be cast in a play that was running for a while and to be
paid to be in it for the entire run. That would be heavenly and a dream job
that I don’t feel, in some ways, is a Pipe dream since I’m only in my early 40’s
and who says I couldn’t have a blossoming acting career once Sorcha moves out?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>EXTRA BIG PIPE DREAM:</b> I begin my professional acting career
now and get cast as Ophelia in Hamlet opposite Benny. I know I’m repeating
myself and this isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned it on line, but I’m really
hoping if I say it enough, I’ll get noticed and cast. Sigh...if only it were
that simple...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Reality of the Performing Goal:</b> Last year I had the
opportunity to be in two plays and this year, I’m in at least one. I’m always
up for more. No matter what other creative endeavors I pursue, acting remains
the one I love the most. It’s crazy to think I’ve been acting for 33 years.
That’s almost as long as I’ve been wearing pants.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing, however, s a great love, is a close second. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And on that note, I will leave you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that you out there too have
pipe dreams. I love them because they keep me hoping and reaching for more than
I can realistically achieve. I do not believe in setting goals so low you trip
over them. I believe in setting them so high that they can become part of the
stars and be wished on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pipe dreams, like many kinds of dreams, can come true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep Pipe Dreaming,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-83037497633772785472015-02-23T07:11:00.000-04:002015-02-23T07:11:30.597-04:00For the Love Of...Socks with Leona deVinne<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
Good Monday Blog Fans!<br /><br />Two weeks has flown by and it's another For the Love Of Monday! Today's guest has a message that speaks right to my heart. Often when people ask me what I want for my birthday or Christmas I will say funky socks. I love having colourful feet. It makes me smile to wear bright, bold patterns or socks with cute owls on them. <br /><br />Leona deVinne, starter of the <a href="http://accendoconsulting.ca/joy-socks/" target="_blank">Joy Socks Movement</a> also finds happiness in a pair of decked out feet and she's here today to tell us why.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">For the love of…Socks, yes-
goofy, joyfilled, wee moments of happiness; SOCKS</span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I love the ancient proverb that says,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> “How wonderful are the feet of those that bring good news”</span>
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I want to spread some good news, with some socks on your
beautiful feet!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Our world is in dire need of some joy…would you be part of
helping spread some?</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">My
desire is to start a Joy sock movement</span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wear some fun socks and take a photo of your feet doing
something or being somewhere; on a fire truck, park bench, hanging from a tree
(safely, please), out of the top of skates, you get the idea.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(heck, paint your feet, go bare, I don’t care) </span> Then‘Friend’ me on instagram, <a href="https://twitter.com/leonadevinne" target="_blank">twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/leona.verburg" target="_blank">facebook, LeonadeVinne</a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">,and post your picture on social
media and tag it<b> #joysocks</b></span>
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Each month a fave pair of feet will be chosen and $50 will
be donated to a charity of your choice-how yummy is that!</span></div>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Why
socks you ask? Why not!</span></h2>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3v10YmjX_LaVJsMDnp5TyDoUKr9fBFkIp5wF3oQ0W3amKAz82i-gWQw574MAGlJwumqMdYNxgFeG6X0BhkKOAlwaRLGbIK-tiMiPe4r2MtBx87CyFN36ts1Akd6QbeQgyQBVYWypdYGo/s1600/photo(3).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/AVvXsEg3v10YmjX_LaVJsMDnp5TyDoUKr9fBFkIp5wF3oQ0W3amKAz82i-gWQw574MAGlJwumqMdYNxgFeG6X0BhkKOAlwaRLGbIK-tiMiPe4r2MtBx87CyFN36ts1Akd6QbeQgyQBVYWypdYGo/s1600/photo(3).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I remember years back I was going through some tough
times, exhausted, going through a divorce, working hard and not feeling much
happiness at all. One day when I came home I noticed that I was wearing 2
different socks and it made me laugh! </span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A wee bit of levity amidst my life that felt like a slog
fest-yes please!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Science has been confirming that the happiest people are
the ones that find joy in the smallest moments.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2 years ago I started mailing out goofy socks to random
people and it was so fun, so I started giving them to people I knew were
struggling and they said it brightened their days when they wore them. Heck
even if people weren’t struggling I handed them out…they started sending me
photos of their feet with the “joy socks” on them and that gave me such joy!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It’s pretty much a never ending circle of goodness for me
since then ☺</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So thus the sock idea started to bloom and blossom.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I started to call them joy socks and so did they ☺</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I need people to help me with
this joy spreading, happiness movement – I need YOU!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each month someone
will be chosen to win the #joysock photo contest-craziest/funnest/goofiest/joyfullest
shot!!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The winner can choose a charity of their choice for a
donation of atleast $50 or (all the profits from the socks I sell* -whichever
is greater) to be donated to a charity of their choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How delicious is that!!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">AND</span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Your delightful feet will end up on a feed with all the
joyfull feet in the world!! YES!! (Even this is getting me joyed up!)</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">January’s winner was Sara Verburg who chose make her
donation to Haven’s Way of the<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/AVvXsEj3qfhrsg7SCkwhYlyCtKc2uZfDnZoRgiPr4CrZ_VE1LGQX5rDSPZVhC10fuFeAAIhXq7QmIQo-jPsEp-asyPg1oiruDou_FlATrvodiyvQdvsVq8yDraeLDL-PjZh0uj9McbzumcmwQ2g/s1600/photo(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qfhrsg7SCkwhYlyCtKc2uZfDnZoRgiPr4CrZ_VE1LGQX5rDSPZVhC10fuFeAAIhXq7QmIQo-jPsEp-asyPg1oiruDou_FlATrvodiyvQdvsVq8yDraeLDL-PjZh0uj9McbzumcmwQ2g/s1600/photo(4).JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Joy Socks Winner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Boys and Girl’s Club, for her photo, poolside in
Chile-bikini and joysocks poolside at over 35 degrees!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So will you please tell your friends and join me in this
goofy, fun filed movement.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“friend” me on facebook or instagram at Leona devinne, and
post a pic of your delightful feet with the #joysocks-lets get this party
started!!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I’m a coach, entrepreneur and chief joy injector at <a href="http://www.accendoconsulting.ca/" target="_blank">AccendoConsulting </a> where I help others launch their purpose
filled work into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d love to
connect with you-drop me a line and let me know what brings you joy or if you
want help creating more joy in your life and business-call, email or send me a
message in a bottle </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can be reached at Leona@accendoconsulting.ca</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">*For my Canadian friends, you will be able to buy some of
my favourite socks on this page - www.joysocks.ca (coming soon) and I will
donate the profits from each pair of socks to a charity, every month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(check out the styles on <a href="http://www.socklady.com/">www.socklady.com</a>, while I am working on my
sock page, and if you are in Canada I can get what you’d like)</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">M</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ay the joy be with you!!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Leona~ox</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br /> I would like to thank Leona very much for being a guest on my blog today. Please share in the joy of socks an post your awesome socks picture to Leona via one of her social media outlets or post it on my facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cindyruleswritingpage" target="_blank">Cindy Rule's Writing Page</a> and I'll share them with Leona. <br /><br />
Be daring<br />
Be spontaneous<br />
Be joyful<br /><br />
Cin<br /> <br />
<br /><br /> <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-5108981227191324242015-02-09T07:25:00.001-04:002015-02-09T08:42:49.869-04:00For the Love Of...Body Love with Morgan Lee<br />
Good day everyone and welcome to For the Love Of...<br />
<br />
Today my guest is the inspirational Morgan Lee. She is the founder of Morgan Lee Wellness and in her own words she is a <i>"Transformational Nutrition Coach, Spin Instructor Mad Woman and dedicated motivator and cheerleader for anyone who’s interested."</i><br />
<br />
The post Morgan has sent me is one that many of us can relate to. We are all very good at complementing each other, seeing the beauty in those around us, but how good are you at being kind to yourself?<br />
<br />
And now, please welcome, Morgan Lee.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*** </div>
<br />
<i><br />For the love of…Body Love </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>How many times a day do you tell yourself something nice about your body? How many times do you mutter something negative about yourself? I’m willing to bet that the latter is more common. <br /><br />How did it become this way? Why is shaming and bullying your own body the norm now? A recent study found that more than 80% of women are unhappy with their bodies. It’s gotten to the point that we can’t take compliments and we shy away from the nice things that people say about us by responding with an insult towards ourselves. <br /><br />We work out because we hate our bodies, not because we respect them. If we over-indulge in something, we punish ourselves for days and starve ourselves. We compare ourselves to strangers and work to achieve the impossible for our body type. <br /><br /> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjXHbjHmfSfWS3XkUcksOgrl9mKbYaK2t20DLDQocijGL2oTmp8RdZl7E6fnIHNt0mreW7HsAHW_hsEa4yAXmkcQeSeq8p4twHg-ssfWUC9jOw7I1r6oC7rHAdwR2EJRX45H5vnw6HFM/s1600/morganlee006.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/AVvXsEhCjXHbjHmfSfWS3XkUcksOgrl9mKbYaK2t20DLDQocijGL2oTmp8RdZl7E6fnIHNt0mreW7HsAHW_hsEa4yAXmkcQeSeq8p4twHg-ssfWUC9jOw7I1r6oC7rHAdwR2EJRX45H5vnw6HFM/s1600/morganlee006.jpg" height="200" width="145" /></a></div>
<i>I started Morgan Lee Wellness because I was tired of hating myself. I was tired of starving my body or binging. I was tired of running 5 miles when I actually HATE running. I thought I was being so good to my body. Pushing it to the limit and such. I started this company because I was tired of all the body hate and punishing that women are doing to themselves. <br /><br /> How good would it feel to wake up and look in the mirror and be genuinely happy with how you look. To love the way your hips curve and your thighs giggle. To truly not want to change one piece of you. To not picture someone else’s body, wishing that it was yours. <br /><br />Loving your body. I mean truly LOVING your body is not a faraway impossible reality. It’s about re-shaping your thoughts. Negativity breeds negativity and positivity breeds positivity. You get to CHOOSE which outlook you want to grow and strengthen. The change isn’t going to happen overnight. After years of self-shaming and self-hate, it’s going to take a while to quiet that voice and allow for the other one to blossom. But the time it takes is worth it. <br /><br />You only get one body. You don’t get to trade it in and hand-pick everything you’d like. So it's time to start finding things you love about your physique. Start small. Look in the mirror and identify things you find beautiful about yourself. Maybe it’s your eyes or your hair or even the shape of your ears. It takes baby steps to grow your positivity muscle. <br /><br />For the love of body LOVE, show yourself compassion and you’ll be surprised at how happy you’ll feel.</i><br />
<i><br /> </i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>***</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you live out the Calgary way, Morgan is giving a <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/free-nutrition-and-body-love-workshop-tickets-15547904200?aff=efblike&fb_ref=Default" target="_blank">Free Nutrition and Body Love Workshop on February, 21st. </a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You a can also find out more about Morgan though these various forms of social media</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.morganleewellness.com/" target="_blank">Website: Morgan Lee Wellness</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/morganleewellness" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/morganleewell" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'd like to thank Morgan very much for joining me on For the Love Of...As someone who used to see only the awful when I looked in the mirror, I can really relate to this post. A couple years ago, I made started being nicer to myself after hearing someone I love very much say, "Good morning Ugly" when she looked in the mirror. It broke my heart. How could she be so mean when she was so lovely? And then I took a close look at how I treated myself and realized that if I was going to set a good example of body love for my daughter, I had to stop hating myself. Now, two years later, when I look in the mirror, I don't see my flaws. I see a mother, a writer, a wife, an actress, a friend, a daughter. I see the good in myself and I'm happy with and love who I see.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Morgan is right, it takes time, but you're worth it. All of you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Join me on the 23rd when my guest will be Leona deVinne. She's here to make the world a better place with <a href="http://accendoconsulting.ca/joy-socks/" target="_blank">Joy Socks!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Be happy,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Be beautiful,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Be yourself.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cin</div>
<i><br /> </i><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-73150229683794651662015-01-26T06:24:00.000-04:002015-01-26T06:26:20.459-04:00For the Love Of...Home with Judy Bowman<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4669" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4668" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Good Monday Everyone!</span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4668" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">And welcome to another edition of For the Love Of...</span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4668" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Home is not always where you expect to find it and sometimes it's more than you expected it to be. Today, my good friend Judy Bowman describes in her beautifully expressive way her journey to finally finding home.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4668" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">*** </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4668" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">For the love of... </span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4668" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">There are so many ways to finish that phrase and it
is difficult for me to pick just one. So, when I mapped all of them out on a
page, I discovered that my family, friends, the stars, the trees, the river in
all seasons, sunrise and sunset, and my gardens and rocks are all elements of
Home, that each plays a part in my sense of belonging. </span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4674">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4685" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4684" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Family and friends.
My children are grown, and grandchildren fast growing through childhood.
They consider my house home even though they’ve never lived here. Even Nick Ma
who stayed with us for four months last year tells me he is coming home for
Christmas while he studies in Canada. When my friend Cindy comes out for tea
and a rave, she is family. I feel the house lean in, listen and laugh. It is probably
our Mrs. Loggie, dead but not departed, eavesdropping and wondering, “what in
the world are they talking about?” as Nick did when he was learning English. “Do
you understand anything we say?” We’d ask. He shook his head, spread his arms
and said,” Drama! Lots of Drama!”</span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4667">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4687" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4686" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The other element that contributes to my sense of place
is the unique construction of this old story and a half. George Loggie built this house over 100 years
ago.<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4695"> </span>He must have been a short man. Perhaps men of different heights helped him. Judging
by the varying height of the doors, I estimate these carpenters to be less than six feet tall and surely toddled
around on tiny feet. My son has to duck through
the doors and half his foot hangs over each step.<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4696"> </span>He’s always tripping on the short, thirteen-step
stairway. There isn’t a right angle or level
floor.<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4697"> </span>Depending on the room, the slant slides
north, south, east and west. <span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4698"> </span>Rule is: don’t leave anything that can roll on a
table.<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4699"> </span>If you do and it goes missing,
look in the far corner. Or, ask Mrs.
Loggie to find it, as we do on a regular basis. She is reliable. That
said, I am all slanted and crooked in many ways and not perfect but
comfortable.</span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4700">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4666" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4665" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Until I moved into this house, the longest I had
lived anywhere was six years. My husband
and I owned three homes during the course of our marriage but all in the same
area of Waterloo so my children could stay in one school and keep the same
friends. This was very important to me. My parents were gypsies, not Rom, but
transient. Sometimes we moved several times a year. At final count, I changed
schools 22 times. My siblings and I were blessed that we could
count on my grandparents to fetch us when health issues and other troubles
caught up with my parents. And they did without fail. In foster care in Lachine
Quebec, I used to dream of just crossing the street and I would be at my
grandmother’s house. That image sustained
me when I was on the road with my parents heading to the next Promised Land. My
grandmother’s house is still very much part of me. I can smell the wood, the cellar, the air in
June and see the moon path on the river. Because of those memories of home, I’ve
tried to create a haven for grandchildren. </span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4663" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4664" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The legacy of my transient lifestyle is to be
restless several times a year. Since I wasn’t
changing homes as often, I moved the furniture several times a year. I still do.
My house and belongings are in an uproar of a mess but I actually feel
comforted by this and as I sort and organize, I feel better. Right now I am in the process of changing
rooms and furniture and complaining about the mess, but as I am writing this, I
see that this is a way of restructuring and renewing. I should be good until September. </span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4708">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4651" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4709" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">When my husband and I moved here over twenty years
ago, I had a difficult time settling in as I always did.<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4718"> </span>The culture, though Canadian, is very
different. I mentally had my bags packed for at least 12 of those years because
this was not my idea of home.</span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4710">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4653" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4652" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">A wise woman said to me that home is a place we
carry inside, not a place on a map. I
would say that is partially true, because where and how we live helps grow the
sense of home within.<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4726"> </span>I credit my
family, friends and landscape to helping me root and grow here. Every part of my life matters. </span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4654">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4656" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4655" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">It is in writing about the love of home that I
realize that I am in that place. I love driving up the lane after work. Every morning I run down to get my coffee and
go back to bed and drink it as daylight comes. It is a sacred time for me. Now,
in winter, I see the sunrise at the horizon. In summer I wait until it tops the
leafy trees. </span></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4657">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></i></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4659" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">In the summer, I plant a garden and hover like a new
mother over the seedlings. Just watching
carrots grow is a lesson in patience because it takes months.<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4740"> </span>Being in the garden reminds me of a larger
sense of belonging, that I have a small place on this earth and here for a long
while yet, I hope. But who knows? The
main thing is I’m home now.</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">*** </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Thank-you to Judy for being a guest on For the Love Of...Judy is a very talented writer and poet who also has her own blog. Find Judy and her some of her writings at... </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://judybowman2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">My Handcrafted Life</a>.</span></div>
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">If you know someone who has a love they would like to share, or if you would like to share a story about something you love, please drop me a line at </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">cindy.rule73@gmail.com.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Thanks for stopping by. On Monday, February 9th, my guest will be <a href="http://www.morganleewellness.com/" target="_blank">Morgan Lee</a>, whom I've only met virtually, but I know she'll have a wonderful story to share with all of you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Here's to whatever you love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4658" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cin</span></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4739">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1422059912119_4660" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-32442132978072190702015-01-22T20:35:00.000-04:002015-01-22T20:35:01.416-04:00This One's for My Sean<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-CA"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">There are two very specific things that I remember about the morning after Sean’s 20th birthday; he looked absolutely awful and I couldn’t wait to make fun of him. He’d been out late the night before, imbibing too much with his friends, and as he lay moaning on a table in our drama classroom, blocking his vision from the nasty lights with one arm, I took great joy in teasing him. To be honest, it made me happier than was appropriate since I was dating someone else at the time, and I always tried to ignore the butterflies that danced in my stomach every time I talked to him. <br /><br /> A year later, less 2 days, at a surprise party for Sean, thrown for him by yours truly, he held my hair back as I spent some quality time with the toilet after having imbibed too much with his friends. (Side note, don’t drink with Sean’s friends.) He didn’t scold me as I whined. He didn’t tease me, even though I deserved it. I had never felt so cared for which is probably why I knew that it was the perfect time to tell him, for the first time, that I loved him. Thankfully he returned the sentiment in kind and continued to sit with me until I felt better. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, Sean is 40. For the last 20 years we’ve learned, grown, embraced, fought, changed, loved, challenged, struggled, cried, cared, wondered, hoped, dreamed, laughed, celebrated, and grieved together. We’ve moved seven times, (twice across the country) bought a house, a car, between the two of us worked at least 30 jobs, and are now raising the most incredible daughter. We are healthy, have lots of friends, and good families. Life, in short, has been and continues to be good to us. <br /><br /> Last night, when Sean was chatting with a friend, I overheard him paraphrasing Tolkien. (Yes Sir, I was dropping eaves.) He said something along the lines of having once read that Tolkien said that you don’t really know that you’ve married the right person until you’ve been together for around 20 years, walked the long road with that person. For myself, I knew Sean was the right person for me, was my forever the moment I first asked him on a date. The last 20 years have only confirmed and strengthened this certainty. He is the most giving person I've even met. He is very intelligent and a deep thinker. He is loving, absolutely hilarious, more talented than he'll ever admit, and incredibly brave. The longer we walk our road together, the longer I want our road to be. He’s my best friend, my life, my everything. Every day I feel a true sense of happiness that he is mine and ever beautifully mystified, but grateful, that he chose me to walk the long road with me. <br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Happy 40th Birthday to my love, my heart, my forever reason to dance. <br /><br />Happy 40th Birthday to my Sean.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-7910606348242066742015-01-12T06:36:00.002-04:002015-01-12T06:36:54.343-04:00For the Love Of...Balance with Lisa Savage<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: large;">Hello and Good Monday to you all!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am so lucky and proud to have my very, very good friend Lisa Savage on my blog today. Lisa is my third guest on, For the Love Of...She's here to share how trying something new can teach you a lot about yourself and find balance even in a very busy life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Everybody please, give a warm welcome to Lisa.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I have, what I consider to be, a pretty busy life. With two young children, a day job as a social worker, a home to maintain, and all of the other day-to-day things that life entails, I sometimes feel like I am juggling more tasks than I can handle. This feeling has been especially strong since this past fall as I was feeling like nothing I did received 100% of my attention or ability, and I was really seeking balance in my life and something outside of the day-to-day tasks to focus on. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining; I love my family, I like my job, I'm happy with my life, but sometimes you just need something a little bit different to change your outlook or your focus and get you outside of your normal routine. That’s when Jamberry came along. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>If you've never heard of Jamberry well, let me tell you, it is amazing!! Jamberry nails wraps are heat activated vinyl wraps, kind of like nail stickers that you apply to your fingernails or toenails and they last for over a week on your fingers and up to six weeks or more on your toes. I have never been one to focus on my nails or to want to have them painted all the time but from the first time I tried Jamberry I have been in love. It was in November when my friend Kari, who is also an Independent Consultant, posted on her Facebook page that she was looking for people to join her team and become consultants that I thought maybe this could be an option for me. If you know me well, you know that the direct sales approach is not really something that I lean toward naturally. After all, I don't even like to ask people for money and I certainly hate to feel like I am bothering somebody, and promoting myself and my product and is a little bit of a step outside of my comfort zone. However, I have come to discover that this is a good thing and it's something that I think I needed at this time of my life. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ffJ8t7CJV5REljnuAlafSstxen4xZi2Y7i34auRiHZ7fNwd2TMvb21V1SEX8Lc89InpaUMzKRwkfMRls7hLNcVmX2982oq0Pgo_rz-YyHWoNom-7eDOQsMLSzX1D4B1pea6Ac4EclQI/s1600/Jams.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/AVvXsEg8ffJ8t7CJV5REljnuAlafSstxen4xZi2Y7i34auRiHZ7fNwd2TMvb21V1SEX8Lc89InpaUMzKRwkfMRls7hLNcVmX2982oq0Pgo_rz-YyHWoNom-7eDOQsMLSzX1D4B1pea6Ac4EclQI/s1600/Jams.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>One of the things that I love about selling Jamberry is when people are kind of skeptical at first and seem to be thinking, they’re silly nail stickers, how great can they be?! Then they try a sample and they're amazed at how long they last, how good they look, and how much they like them. I love to see people realize that this is a really great product and something that they would love to have. One of the best parts of becoming a Jamberry Independent Consultant is how much closer Kari and I have gotten through this whole process. She has been an unending source of support and encouragement and an amazing leader and friend to me. If that's the one thing that I take away from this Jamberry experience than that is enough. It's only been a couple short months since I've taken on this new challenge in my life but I’ve already learned a lot about myself and I'm grateful for that. Sometimes it can be a little stressful to have added this new challenge into my already busy life but every time I complete another task related to Jamberry whether it be an online party, a home party, learning something new, I feel a renewed sense of pride and a feeling of positivity that I was able to do it. I never realized that going outside your comfort zone (ie: direct sales for me) could be a scary, yet good feeling and seeing results, monetary and otherwise from my hard work, in such a short time makes me feel really proud and pleased to be a member of the Jamberry team. The emphasis on a team approach is very strong among Jamberry Independent Consultants and there are so many consultants willing to help, provide resources and information, and lend a hand so each of us can succeed. </i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><i>I think I’ll always remember the night I decided to be a Jamberry consultant. Not that it was really profound but it was a different kind of decision than one that I would usually make. I had been considering Kari's post on Facebook and while she was visiting one evening we talked about how I was thinking about joining the team and my apprehensions about it. Cindy was also there and both of them were very encouraging even though I was being indecisive (a normal thing for me) and not sure what to do. I felt so much support from both Kari and Cindy during the whole discussion. Right before Cindy left that evening she said to me, go ahead and do it; your work life is really busy and hectic maybe it would be nice to have something different, something positive to focus on. At that moment I decided I would take a chance and give it a try. I guess it was the fact that two of my closest friends were encouraging me and had faith in me that really made me feel like I could take the plunge and take a chance. I am so glad that I did. </i></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><i>So this is all to say that it's not just the fact that I started selling “nail stickers” that that has been a positive change in my life, but it's what it has brought to me personally that I am grateful for. And even though my day-to-day life has become even busier since taking on this extra “job”, somehow I feel like there is greater balance in my life…I'm not even sure how that's possible…but I feel like the need to find time for family, relationships, and myself has taken on an even more important role and I have found a way to put more emphasis on each of those things since I've added Jamberry to my life. </i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank-you Kari and Cindy for encouraging me to take on this positive new challenge! Thank you also, Cindy, for asking me to be on your blog! It's been another challenge to think of how to put all of this into words but it's a been a nice reflection for me and I'm grateful for the opportunity! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you all for reading this as well and if you’re interested in these nail wraps that I am always gushing about check out my... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Facebook business page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Savage-Jamberry-Independent-Consultant/724995137591815" target="_blank">Lisa Savage Jamberry Independent Consultant</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Or my website: <a href="http://lisasavage.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Lisa Savage Jamberry Nails</a> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>***</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks again very much to Lisa for popping by today. I can't agree more that finding balance in one's life helps you to focus on what means the most to you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you know anyone who would has a love you think people should know more about, please write me at cindy.rule73@gmail.com. I'm always looking for guests for For the Love Of.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's to what <i>you</i> love,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cin</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">PS: Jamberry's are pretty cool. Even Batman likes them. </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUmDWb9wbysSIYW10ZctMVPL2UnjiqiVYN3dJQJOpUXz4pe3aQ8e9erxo_JdWaQCyH06AJy9BtmNBW53pQJpQNVwKW50mJGU6GDAtI2SxOpHA8Q66cFkcxJRq1h_EK1A7xQdCs4gaEMc/s1600/batjams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUmDWb9wbysSIYW10ZctMVPL2UnjiqiVYN3dJQJOpUXz4pe3aQ8e9erxo_JdWaQCyH06AJy9BtmNBW53pQJpQNVwKW50mJGU6GDAtI2SxOpHA8Q66cFkcxJRq1h_EK1A7xQdCs4gaEMc/s1600/batjams.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-16851198591289713172014-12-22T06:00:00.000-04:002014-12-22T06:25:29.472-04:00For the Love Of...Code with Christina Workman<span style="font-size: large;">Hello Blog Fans</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And welcome to another edition of For the Love Of. Today, I'm so very happy to have my delightful and talented sister-in-law Tina (or Christina) as my second guest. When I asked her to write a post about something in her life that she felt passionate about, not only was a post about writing code something I had not expected, but I also discovered that reading a piece about the love one can have for code or coding, will make me cry.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So please, enjoy. I don't expect everyone to cry like I did, but I think this post will make you look at the combination of computers and math a little differently.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">***</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAMB0X_vJJOd2usymWSmYyaNEr8OIm8rbOGqkHpV4_rFU44-Hu-ZpaaOuQxCRC46wrHnJo8hHur3w4cOSm3zCYOJcCeAirIr6BEiud69k0_1JGZedq_E9YCisBo4w0b_8gr7ilyFebVI/s1600/christina-3-small.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/AVvXsEhfAMB0X_vJJOd2usymWSmYyaNEr8OIm8rbOGqkHpV4_rFU44-Hu-ZpaaOuQxCRC46wrHnJo8hHur3w4cOSm3zCYOJcCeAirIr6BEiud69k0_1JGZedq_E9YCisBo4w0b_8gr7ilyFebVI/s1600/christina-3-small.jpg" /></a><i>A few years ago, I left the security of the corporate world and steady paychecks to start my own business. As it turned out, that particular business was not right for me, but the journey led me to where I am today. And I mean that about as literally as one could...I am sitting in a comfy chair at my computer with my mini fireplace going and my dog by my side. And I get paid to do this every day! <br /> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I flip flop constantly about what to call myself, but basically I'm a web designer and content manager. Generally, I love all things internet and if there's a way to do something online, I'm on board. If someone needs help with their website, social media, blog, etc, I'm over the moon when I get to be the one to come to the rescue. My newest motto is "Let me be your geek!" </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The thing I love most about making websites is the code. Creating the design is fun, but I can get lost for hours playing around with the code, manipulating </i>un<i>til it
produces exactly what I want it to. It took me a long time to realize
that this is what I love doing, and once I did, I was amazed I hadn't
figured it out earlier. Computer code is essentially a combination of
math and language, and those were my two favourite subjects in school. I
even majored in languages at university. How I never put two and two
together sooner, I'll never understand...especially given my love of
math!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I wish I knew how much I loved coding
earlier in my life. I did have a few brief encounters with coding basics
as I grew up, but there were no formal learning paths back then. Even
now a lot of code education is self-taught online rather than via formal
school programs. Recently, I started thinking about a new phase in my
adventures with coding. I know there are lots of kids out there like me,
who might love coding but not realise it yet. They probably haven't
even been exposed to it. So I am working towards creating an
extra-curricular coding program for elementary school students. </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Earlier
this month I had the immense pleasure of teaching computer coding to
the entire grade three population at my son's school as part of an
initiative called <a href="http://hourofcode.com/ca" target="_blank">Hour of Code</a>.
It was so exciting to watch these 8 year olds figure out the basics of
coding a computer game. Watching their faces light up as they made the
Angry Bird catch the evil pig because they programmed it to move and
make decisions is priceless. </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Coding with my
son's classmates reinforced how much there needs to be a coding program
available to them, and how much I want to be the one to bring that
program to life. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>***</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">See? Don't you want to try a bit of coding now? Also, I'm going to put it out there even if Tina didn't her in post, but if you're looking for a web designer or other things internetish, Tina's your girl. Here's the link to her site.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amethystanswers.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amethystanswers.com/" target="_blank">Amethyst Answers</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to thank Tina very much for being a guest on For the Love Of...today. If you know of someone who has a love they should share, or if you would like to talk about what gets you out of bed in the morning, please drop me a line at:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">cindy.rule73@gmail.com</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. This year has not been easy, but we've had a lot of love and support and we've appreciated every bit of it.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cin</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-44066249931656586562014-12-08T06:00:00.000-04:002014-12-08T06:00:03.367-04:00For the Love Of...Dance with Angela Howe<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-34cd98c5-24fa-7905-727f-2c89d6267e67" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello Blog Fans</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And welcome to the premier posting of my new blog feature "For the Love Of..."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I am very happy to welcome to my blog, Angela Howe. Angela and I met a few years ago when I started doing theatre in Miramichi. She is a woman of<i> many</i> talents, but today she's going to talk to us about her love of dance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Take it away Angela!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*** </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The love of dance started when I was two and a half years old, when my parents enrolled me in the Doris MacDonald Dance Academy in Cape Breton. When I was a teenager, I began Highland Dance with the Breton Batherson Dance Troupe. Dance was a huge part of my life growing up. I had many amazing experiences, and met a lot of wonderful people. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>After becoming a school teacher and moving to the Miramichi, I still wanted to stay connected to dance. I found opportunities to choreograph for my husband’s high school drama club, and local community theatre. When our daughter Ella was born I had a mission to have her dancing as soon as she could. She began dance class when she was three years old. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>However, last spring, her teacher was unable to continue providing classes. After much thought, I knew that this could be my opportunity to teach dance on the Miramichi. My current day job involves working for Anglophone North School District as a coordinator for students with special needs. As much as I enjoy my job, I am not directly teaching in the classroom anymore. So, dance would also help me stay connected with teaching – another passion of mine. </i></span><br /> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsFA-AieHX_3akI-aFajohxjHgxyz-3WjhNzjr2pm0LQL4V06LL9SftL9uvkLKbHJRos3O-foTwFGFUjb5zQPdmkJF8HJ3rTRnxSvjIRPGRzgpEYiVmo-ezXI-Zm3lYx47GeZApO1NK0/s1600/Angela+and+ella.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/AVvXsEiYsFA-AieHX_3akI-aFajohxjHgxyz-3WjhNzjr2pm0LQL4V06LL9SftL9uvkLKbHJRos3O-foTwFGFUjb5zQPdmkJF8HJ3rTRnxSvjIRPGRzgpEYiVmo-ezXI-Zm3lYx47GeZApO1NK0/s1600/Angela+and+ella.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.christopherlovegrove.com/mp_client/gallery.asp?siteversion=HTML" target="_blank"> Christopher Lovegrove Photographer Ltd.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>In September 2014, the “Howe To Move Dance School” was formed. I wanted to start small, so I have two classes of dancers between the ages of three and six years old. I teach at the Dr. Losier Theatre on Tuesday evenings, and it has been a great location for us. This semester, I have taught ballet and jazz. We have had a wonderful time learning basic positions and choreography. My goals are to expose young dancers to dance, learn technique, and have a lot of fun in the process! <br /><br /><br />Our term ended with our first-ever “Show What We Know” class for friends and family. I was very proud of the dancers for performing on stage (some for the first time), and showing everyone what they have learned thus far. We also were able to collect items for the local Food Bank, and we were overwhelmed with the donations provided.<br /> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>In January, we begin tap dancing, and I am looking forward to seeing how the dancers progress. We will be performing a show in the spring to highlight the dancers’ accomplishments for the year. It is my hope that I will continue to foster the love of dance in young children – so that they have an experience similar to mine growing up. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>*** </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank-you very much Angela for coming on The Blog of Cindy Rule to talk about your love of dance and why you like to share the experience of learning dance with others. I wish you continued success with "Howe to Move Dance School".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you any of you in the Miramichi area have a little one who is interested in dance and would like to contact Angela to see if she has space available you can contact her at:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> howetomovedanceschool@gmail.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Is there someone in that you know who has a talent or love that you think people should know more about? Do you yourself have a side you'd like to make people more aware of? If so please contact me at</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">cindy.rule73@gmail.com. I'd be happy to feature you or someone you know on "For the Love Of..."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's to the love,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's to being creative.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cin </span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #3366bb; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762524262025442679.post-73131957596285475522014-12-07T12:03:00.000-04:002014-12-07T12:03:37.622-04:00The Desire To Do Something PositiveGood Sunday to you blog fans<br />
<br />
If you pay any attention to the news, or even just glance over the headlines from time to time, it's hard not to get the feeling that there is nothing happy going on the in the world. Or at least, nothing happy that people feel should be reported.<br />
<br />
We live in a culture of fear, anxiety, and pain. It is reported to us via every channel possible, every moment of the day. I often feel like I am drowning in the negative noise of our planet and some days I have trouble seeing the beauty and happiness that is still in the mix of all the bad things that happen in the world.<br />
<br />
Please don't think I'm dismissing the tragedies or saying we shouldn't know about them, but I think it's very important to remember that we are all positive and negative. We all have hardships to deal with and moments to celebrate, and I believe that when we focus more light on the positive aspects of all our lives, it will actually give us more clarity and strength to face the negative and be a part of great change.<br />
<br />
Over the last 8 years I have become part of a community. I have found a variety of ways to express myself and share my creativity with many people. And I have also been very fortunate to connect with many wonderful people who have passions that they may not shout from the rooftops, but passions, or a love for something that drives them and helps them to keep a positive outlook in life.<br />
<br />
On Mondays on this blog, maybe one Monday a month or more than one depending, I would like to feature someone who has love or a passion for something. It could be a love for dance, acting, writing, carpentry, food, whatever! I just want to learn more about what gives people that drive to be positive what they are doing to make their lives and the perhaps the lives of others, a happier place.<br />
<br />
I have a list in my head of people I'm going to hit up to be featured on "For the Love Of...", but if yourself would like to be featured, or you know someone who you think should be featured, please drop me a line at<br />
<br />
cindy.rule73@gmail.com<br />
<br />
Come back tomorrow for the premier post of "For the Love Of...". Angela Howe will be here to talk about her love for dance.<br />
<br />
Here's to being creative,<br />
CinAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295313479729231501noreply@blogger.com0