tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72080255872316599332024-03-13T23:22:50.016-05:00Faith, Hope and ArtRandom and Mildly Interesting Musings from a Mom of 3 girls, a Teacher, a Sometime Artist and Runner.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.comBlogger887125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-11820844173345287202017-02-22T16:48:00.001-06:002017-02-22T21:20:34.913-06:00Redirection!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I set up this blog to be redirected to my new blog.. but then I needed to see an old post, and I couldn't!<br />
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UGH!!<br />
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So, you will have to take yourself over to my current and updated website yourself!<br />
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Thanks. And sorry.<br />
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Please follow me to: <a href="https://emilymaxwellmclemore.com/">https://emilymaxwellmclemore.com/</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-28342682524787138042017-01-12T06:13:00.002-06:002017-01-12T06:13:26.024-06:00My Working Space<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm still trying to figure out how to get this blog to automatically send you over to my one spot that I am updating.<br />
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But until then.. here is my newest post.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://emilymaxwellmclemore.com/2017/01/12/my-working-space/" target="_blank">My Working Space</a></span></div>
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Go check it out!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-56302420258106319152017-01-03T21:30:00.000-06:002017-01-03T21:30:22.319-06:00Simplifying is Sometimes Really Hard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been a very sporadic blogger over the last year or so. It's time to reformat and simplify things. But it's hard. Faith,Hope and Art has been with me a long time. But, in an effort to simplify life and to move forward, I have decided to stop blogging from here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ouch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That hurt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, if you would like to keep up with various things about me and my world, make sure you check out:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">emilymaxwellmclemore.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My goal is to get myself back on track and blog about life, work, and all the rest from one location.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for joining me in my faithhopeandart journey. I appreciate it.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-78614254030110052822016-11-16T10:25:00.001-06:002016-11-16T10:25:14.909-06:00Progress made.. I found a rug<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The final touches of the home renovation (ie decorating) are taking forever.<br />
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But we finally found a rug that we liked, could afford and was available!<br />
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So yay!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-38933599480939636152016-11-16T09:47:00.002-06:002016-11-16T09:47:57.963-06:00Are you an "inch deep and a mile wide" or a "mile deep and an inch wide" person?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have read even a couple of my blog posts, you know that I have a great love of learning and that I am all about figuring out something new. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have recently figured out that not everyone thinks like this.. :) And this got me thinking and wondering.. </span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Are you an "inch deep and a mile wide" </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">or a "mile deep and an inch wide" kind of person?</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This "inch deep and a mile wide" philosophy guides my teaching style as well. I really want my students to experience all kinds of art so that they can move into the next phase of their lives saying that while they may not know much about something, they at least have had first hand experience with a technique or art medium.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To that end, I am having one of my art 1 classes learn how to make slip, pour molds and make ceramic pieces.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v6zTeMuFRVU/WCvC7g21xVI/AAAAAAAASH8/WU_DTPSMvrgDyNR-5951GGEzurwpbAO_ACLcB/s1600/IMG_8074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v6zTeMuFRVU/WCvC7g21xVI/AAAAAAAASH8/WU_DTPSMvrgDyNR-5951GGEzurwpbAO_ACLcB/s320/IMG_8074.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is messy and fun and so cool to watch students who have been given the freedom to learn, create, FAIL and then finally succeed!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWXecaBfS6I/WCvC9GQB7dI/AAAAAAAASIA/O2Q6Z5x9VMMrb4aNcUmxL-ciNP55dA9cACLcB/s1600/IMG_8069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWXecaBfS6I/WCvC9GQB7dI/AAAAAAAASIA/O2Q6Z5x9VMMrb4aNcUmxL-ciNP55dA9cACLcB/s320/IMG_8069.jpg" width="295" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe that is why I am such a proponent of the "inch deep and a mile wide" philosophy... When you are willing (or required) to learn new things, you have to understand that failure is part of the process. But if you only do what you already know how to do, you don't have to worry about the possibility of failure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's not to say that choosing to get really good at one thing is bad. We need both kinds of people to make the world work. But my question for those of you who are "mile deep and an inch wide" people is.. don't you get bored? It's a real question. I'd love to know your insights!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-72656117394096766952016-11-01T09:52:00.000-05:002016-11-01T09:52:05.181-05:00My Amazing Middle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parenting is hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many days I feel like I am barely keeping my head above water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last few weeks have been worse than normal. Maddie had a horrible October, as most of her October's in her life have been starting with her very first one at five months old sixteen years ago! She was sick every day of October. It was scary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the midst of this, my healthy girls get less than the best of me. It's not that they get forgotten, but everything slides. Homework, chores, bathtime.. the routine goes out the window and we all suffer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WdljbrjtuMc/WBikM3CzYcI/AAAAAAAASGg/i8fbwl4GcMM8QMOQztbc6eRk5M49vXzLgCLcB/s1600/IMG_7655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WdljbrjtuMc/WBikM3CzYcI/AAAAAAAASGg/i8fbwl4GcMM8QMOQztbc6eRk5M49vXzLgCLcB/s320/IMG_7655.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You would think by now I could have figured out how to parent a chronically ill child as well as how to parent healthy children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart's desire this fall is to learn how to be a better all-in mom to my middle child. Lexi is my "mini-me" and she is at a crucial age that needs me to be focused on her. Sixth grade is tough enough on a kid without having a mom distracted by the continual health needs of an older sibling and a vocal little sister!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So how am I going to be all in? I don't know. But I'm going to start tonight by inviting my girl to go out for Starbucks after I teach my evening class. It may just be a few stolen minutes here and there, but I have to be intentional about these moments or the years will pass and I will miss the opportunity to get to know my amazing middle.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-49184615624057413952016-10-17T20:08:00.002-05:002016-10-17T20:08:45.446-05:00I fixed our broken recliners!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm rather proud of myself. I fixed the two broken recliners on our couches. Sidenote: my side is just fine. Doug has broken his side on two couches! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were so frustrated with them that we were looking at new furniture. But it wasn't in the budget. So I decided to try to fix it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who knew it would be that easy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And should he break another one in another 6 months, no biggie. A $10 fix is all it takes!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xt7Dzx1A5sQ/WAV1so7VFhI/AAAAAAAASFo/fAbMzrQ0gX4yVJwDsfjz1GlxJpcYvSJjQCLcB/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xt7Dzx1A5sQ/WAV1so7VFhI/AAAAAAAASFo/fAbMzrQ0gX4yVJwDsfjz1GlxJpcYvSJjQCLcB/s320/IMG_7031.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so excited about it that I made a snapguide tutorial. I haven't done that in probably 2 years!</span></div>
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<span class="sg-embed-wrapper" data-format="wide" data-height="474px" data-slug="fix-a-broken-recliner" data-url="//snapguide.com/embed/v2/guide/fix-a-broken-recliner/" data-width="516px"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out <a href="http://snp.gd/hbu7fe">How to Fix a Broken Recliner</a> by <a href="https://snapguide.com/emily-mclemore/" target="_blank">Emily McLemore</a> on <a href="https://snapguide.com/">Snapguide</a>.</span><script src="//snapguide.com/load-embed.js"></script></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-84579378556946903982016-10-12T21:11:00.001-05:002016-10-12T21:11:32.106-05:00Nail Polish Flowers.. Not a simple Pinterest Project!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't spend much time on Pinterest. I am too busy. However, while looking for something else, I saw "nail polish flowers" and really liked them. I have quite a few art 2 students that are not gifted drawing or painting students, so I am looking for ways to reach them using non-traditional means. I'm also looking for cheap and simple projects that can have a big wow factor. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyNms4XSFGk/V_7oLp5mULI/AAAAAAAASEk/6x093zdLJSEIc7wGtVzslj0Ogi9w_L3WQCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-10-12%2Bat%2B8.48.10%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyNms4XSFGk/V_7oLp5mULI/AAAAAAAASEk/6x093zdLJSEIc7wGtVzslj0Ogi9w_L3WQCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-10-12%2Bat%2B8.48.10%2BPM.png" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nail polish flowers seemed like they might be a cool project that wasn't too hard and looked great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knowing that the way things look on pinterest and real life are often not even close, I looked up a couple of tutorials and found that tacky glue was a necessary, yet left out instruction on most of the pinterest pins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't have any tacky glue. So I tried Elmers. Don't. It doesn't work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I bought some tacky glue. I already had wire and nail polish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made a simple wire flower with petals that were about an inch long. This is not a big flower.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_NzfQFV9do/V_7m1j39pOI/AAAAAAAASDw/2k-A2cgUKiwLXFdBlSZuCKhmQ1x2Li1wQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_NzfQFV9do/V_7m1j39pOI/AAAAAAAASDw/2k-A2cgUKiwLXFdBlSZuCKhmQ1x2Li1wQCLcB/s320/IMG_6956.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I STRUGGLED. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was not easy. The center worked because it was rather small so the glue didn't have much space to span. But filling the petals was hard!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzrRqrRcQqU/V_7m0mpr12I/AAAAAAAASDs/FwvC06YTjK8_iD9_2G-xoUTXesP0G4FjACLcB/s1600/IMG_6958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzrRqrRcQqU/V_7m0mpr12I/AAAAAAAASDs/FwvC06YTjK8_iD9_2G-xoUTXesP0G4FjACLcB/s320/IMG_6958.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn't impossible, but it took me almost 2 hours to get five petals filled with glue. Crazy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7bntkc5V2c/V_7m3eSEeAI/AAAAAAAASD0/LevIxUnZ9sICd-npX-0cnHYjUypud4NwgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7bntkc5V2c/V_7m3eSEeAI/AAAAAAAASD0/LevIxUnZ9sICd-npX-0cnHYjUypud4NwgCLcB/s320/IMG_6960.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXBo4aiY2vA/V_7nGFwh2ZI/AAAAAAAASD4/LXUKhOy-eC8XEFpdeXX3BRGiQCnmVi4FwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXBo4aiY2vA/V_7nGFwh2ZI/AAAAAAAASD4/LXUKhOy-eC8XEFpdeXX3BRGiQCnmVi4FwCLcB/s320/IMG_6961.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lzSP9pxLck/V_7nIDQP8II/AAAAAAAASEA/9VZdHAPIp4UEQxtJfjPvNXRaaPzm2d8DwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lzSP9pxLck/V_7nIDQP8II/AAAAAAAASEA/9VZdHAPIp4UEQxtJfjPvNXRaaPzm2d8DwCLcB/s320/IMG_6964.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZn1tWv3iuw/V_7nHomwvhI/AAAAAAAASD8/a_TwVQgynF8jBrfMQQZCxs88Ysqr0YbKQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZn1tWv3iuw/V_7nHomwvhI/AAAAAAAASD8/a_TwVQgynF8jBrfMQQZCxs88Ysqr0YbKQCLcB/s320/IMG_6966.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After I finally got all of the petals filled, as they dried, the largest petal broke. I refilled it and left it a little thicker this time!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kn4RXNi19Yk/V_7nYeW2ZoI/AAAAAAAASEE/1pDnZORczMIq2BSxNIxrjZpMlDpoXkKcACLcB/s1600/IMG_6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kn4RXNi19Yk/V_7nYeW2ZoI/AAAAAAAASEE/1pDnZORczMIq2BSxNIxrjZpMlDpoXkKcACLcB/s320/IMG_6967.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After giving the petals an hour or so to get mostly dry, I decided to go ahead and paint the petals before something happened to my flower!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was surprised at how simple this step was.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ed1kz1x4YTk/V_7nYUPO0MI/AAAAAAAASEI/4X1kzZVwTlM5vuJsti694hcDC_CXvIcUACLcB/s1600/IMG_6968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ed1kz1x4YTk/V_7nYUPO0MI/AAAAAAAASEI/4X1kzZVwTlM5vuJsti694hcDC_CXvIcUACLcB/s400/IMG_6968.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzTibNO8Lr8/V_7nYyavsoI/AAAAAAAASEM/98HFHng-uFEokwhkNgSMA8EYj2uLq4eMQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzTibNO8Lr8/V_7nYyavsoI/AAAAAAAASEM/98HFHng-uFEokwhkNgSMA8EYj2uLq4eMQCLcB/s320/IMG_6969.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpm83tNSq4s/V_7nooQSspI/AAAAAAAASEQ/iBGdpWkI7kMmdlqIlSEf6rlmvQRJdWUUwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpm83tNSq4s/V_7nooQSspI/AAAAAAAASEQ/iBGdpWkI7kMmdlqIlSEf6rlmvQRJdWUUwCLcB/s320/IMG_6971.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GR26tzePHXk/V_7nqEtLG4I/AAAAAAAASEY/EAqhfgwBE_AvMhi1Sl1-jqZws6qH_T2sQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GR26tzePHXk/V_7nqEtLG4I/AAAAAAAASEY/EAqhfgwBE_AvMhi1Sl1-jqZws6qH_T2sQCLcB/s320/IMG_6972.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah9hhW93qSk/V_7n1pn96XI/AAAAAAAASEc/mHATunG2GPohZX6uFIJUgmGPItWg-mTnwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah9hhW93qSk/V_7n1pn96XI/AAAAAAAASEc/mHATunG2GPohZX6uFIJUgmGPItWg-mTnwCLcB/s320/IMG_6975.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUjawYCvYJc/V_7nqJMJbbI/AAAAAAAASEU/cwN3VwrlFvs7kk6HQeHV-6F38lf9Q8PNgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUjawYCvYJc/V_7nqJMJbbI/AAAAAAAASEU/cwN3VwrlFvs7kk6HQeHV-6F38lf9Q8PNgCLcB/s640/IMG_6974.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there you have it. One simple nail polish flower made from a little wire, some tacky glue and nail polish.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ho1pjt1tlbw/V_7n3ml_6OI/AAAAAAAASEg/t0a-mcOv7GYZQpOAGwhk6tjyZzvNP_OrQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ho1pjt1tlbw/V_7n3ml_6OI/AAAAAAAASEg/t0a-mcOv7GYZQpOAGwhk6tjyZzvNP_OrQCLcB/s320/IMG_6976.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And is this a project for my students? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well... I haven't decided. Getting the glue to stick to the wire in one think film was hard. I don't know that I am ready to hear my name and help together that many times in one class period! But man I can see in my mind the incredible projects that could be made with this process!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nevertheless, I learned something new today and ultimately, that is my goal. One new thing everyday! I'd say "who would have thought" my new thing would be making a nail polish flower, but really for me, it fits! Now I have to go finish my bouquet!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-74647235163947872072016-09-20T21:21:00.002-05:002016-09-20T21:21:39.268-05:00Some of our DIY Home Renovations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The work at our house is amazing. I'm saving the pictures of the work being done by the pro's for later. This post is about our personal DIY efforts.</div>
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We started with finishing the trim work in the girls room. This was the last step in their redo's. Having the carpet replaced (added in Ky's) made a huge difference! Doug did the prep work and I painted.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jm_cgchxJlI/V-HioNzJADI/AAAAAAAAR-E/Sxee78RSnt0sXJ_-kTShottuKL3uDJqZwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jm_cgchxJlI/V-HioNzJADI/AAAAAAAAR-E/Sxee78RSnt0sXJ_-kTShottuKL3uDJqZwCLcB/s320/IMG_6127.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-beTx5L5Nups/V-HmQh18FDI/AAAAAAAAR_c/_U_B9e7WbWc6hhBcENgueulVGVhMYJ2qACLcB/s1600/IMG_6062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-beTx5L5Nups/V-HmQh18FDI/AAAAAAAAR_c/_U_B9e7WbWc6hhBcENgueulVGVhMYJ2qACLcB/s320/IMG_6062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We then moved on and painted the living room and hallway. The problem here is that now the fireplace looks dingy... guess I know what's next.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cPLQM4FlKrw/V-HmA5sP4aI/AAAAAAAAR_Q/zA33Lrt0T1QFxiS8yYwx3oIOYfqsj-bYwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cPLQM4FlKrw/V-HmA5sP4aI/AAAAAAAAR_Q/zA33Lrt0T1QFxiS8yYwx3oIOYfqsj-bYwCLcB/s400/IMG_5958.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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I desperately want to change out the doors.. but that is not in the budget this time around.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqBLmqk22NQ/V-HmB4NviMI/AAAAAAAAR_U/h6qU0nXICPkHes5CBPUrXwVZzyn6UUR4ACLcB/s1600/IMG_5952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqBLmqk22NQ/V-HmB4NviMI/AAAAAAAAR_U/h6qU0nXICPkHes5CBPUrXwVZzyn6UUR4ACLcB/s320/IMG_5952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Maddie helped out by working on my bedroom painting while I worked on her bathroom. So thankful for her sweet worker spirit!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDaG9J6GMcI/V-HmSI6J0HI/AAAAAAAAR_g/EpzeiPEliEgFXgQ7E1vI6yC0Dkcrw5hgACLcB/s1600/IMG_6125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDaG9J6GMcI/V-HmSI6J0HI/AAAAAAAAR_g/EpzeiPEliEgFXgQ7E1vI6yC0Dkcrw5hgACLcB/s400/IMG_6125.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I've also worked on the laundry room. It was BAD. I looked to see if there was a before picture. Nope. It was that bad. Here are my in progress pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GU5RINcQsVw/V-Hi17OTgdI/AAAAAAAAR-U/EuL6vxCThHcxm0xDl9QKPLmRl7rHaiVBgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GU5RINcQsVw/V-Hi17OTgdI/AAAAAAAAR-U/EuL6vxCThHcxm0xDl9QKPLmRl7rHaiVBgCLcB/s400/IMG_6137.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CrvVmz6MXSg/V-HjE1hN9nI/AAAAAAAAR-g/lPMoKDVEzbMeaxZcn1d_MtMBy98TysEdgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CrvVmz6MXSg/V-HjE1hN9nI/AAAAAAAAR-g/lPMoKDVEzbMeaxZcn1d_MtMBy98TysEdgCLcB/s400/IMG_6149.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And then I decided to tackle Maddie's bathroom. The floors were being redone and I knew that while I wanted to renovate it, I couldn't afford to right now.. so I painted (am painting) the tile. It is incredibly stinky.</div>
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The before.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zA4si_Aqd4g/V-Hit3LTS_I/AAAAAAAAR-M/aWhEUCDcNiUN37W_G1JZrY28FOEtwxusgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zA4si_Aqd4g/V-Hit3LTS_I/AAAAAAAAR-M/aWhEUCDcNiUN37W_G1JZrY28FOEtwxusgCLcB/s400/IMG_6133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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During.<br />
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The paint that I used previously for a tile project was a little different, so it took a while for me to get my groove. I should have started on the wall behind the toilet! Where the inconsistency didn't matter. ugh. Now I have to go back and sand paper the drip marks. But oh well, it looks soooo much better already!!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUHJmYQLRcA/V-Hi6vknUvI/AAAAAAAAR-Y/J4C6uyCPwi4xSA_aKa4mjeqwbCaF5uMHQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUHJmYQLRcA/V-Hi6vknUvI/AAAAAAAAR-Y/J4C6uyCPwi4xSA_aKa4mjeqwbCaF5uMHQCLcB/s320/IMG_6138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is truly stinky stuff.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrcPJnHiSn0/V-HizrnoDzI/AAAAAAAAR-Q/IzxvUMzH7lY5pIJjjoggNGg8LTLhWus8QCLcB/s1600/IMG_6144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrcPJnHiSn0/V-HizrnoDzI/AAAAAAAAR-Q/IzxvUMzH7lY5pIJjjoggNGg8LTLhWus8QCLcB/s320/IMG_6144.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And here we are after the first few coats.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQflnMOozSI/V-HjDLV8kaI/AAAAAAAAR-c/MO7d9Gj-iY0nyHTg1LR_rl7k7X4Cg0yMwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQflnMOozSI/V-HjDLV8kaI/AAAAAAAAR-c/MO7d9Gj-iY0nyHTg1LR_rl7k7X4Cg0yMwCLcB/s320/IMG_6147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7h3Ce18K8M/V-HjJynhlOI/AAAAAAAAR-k/Q_7nXgJ5cWoZxL6Tug8JYlOs6JS8SDD2ACLcB/s1600/IMG_6156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7h3Ce18K8M/V-HjJynhlOI/AAAAAAAAR-k/Q_7nXgJ5cWoZxL6Tug8JYlOs6JS8SDD2ACLcB/s320/IMG_6156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I am in love.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocTtGdbTPvA/V-HjzQvZQzI/AAAAAAAAR_A/DCNLA7zpG0kj5yztvOosJwO6X4QbWGkNQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocTtGdbTPvA/V-HjzQvZQzI/AAAAAAAAR_A/DCNLA7zpG0kj5yztvOosJwO6X4QbWGkNQCLcB/s320/IMG_6293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm hoping that a new counter will just magically appear on Maddie's counter. If not, we will wait till the next round of renovations!<br />
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What a difference.<br />
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That's pretty much been my mantra these days I have been spending around 8 hours each Saturday and Sunday working on the house. It will be totally worth it. But in the meantime... I'm tired.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-71064692544192417142016-09-15T22:04:00.000-05:002016-09-15T22:04:02.230-05:004:22am is a random time to get up, but that is my sweet spot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get up early.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used to think 6am was early. I still do, but now, 6am is sleeping in...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nowadays I get up at 4:22am three or four days a week. Sometimes five days, but I do really try to sleep in at least one work morning a week! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mANymx5LDg/V9tanvukNlI/AAAAAAAAR8E/gdj4JQGVye8o34efXOVD1qrM0yJCq66YwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6081.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mANymx5LDg/V9tanvukNlI/AAAAAAAAR8E/gdj4JQGVye8o34efXOVD1qrM0yJCq66YwCLcB/s400/IMG_6081.PNG" width="223" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As with everything, there are seasons where I am more committed to early mornings than other times. But 4:22am seems to be a consistent time for me the last couple of years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why do I get up that early? Well, cause I work out early. By 5am I am either in the gym or on the road. I used to just get up and go, but with age comes a cup of coffee before heading out! 4:22am just sort of evolved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14364806_10154449058085675_6578600002219752324_n.jpg?oh=bbeaf5331d1abc644b564482a7eaaf74&oe=587351B2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14364806_10154449058085675_6578600002219752324_n.jpg?oh=bbeaf5331d1abc644b564482a7eaaf74&oe=587351B2" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is interesting is that even on the mornings that I am not working out, 4:22am is a routine wakeup time for me. It's the sweet spot I guess. While others would consider the next 2 hours prime sleep time, these are prime morning hours for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">UGH.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really do like sleep. Which means I have to go to sleep early.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, by getting up early, I have the opportunity to see and hear the world while most people are still asleep. The world is quiet at this time of the morning. I get a chance to meditate and process life before most everyone else is even up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So for all you naysayers and poo poo-ers out there, try it. Set your alarm for 4:22am, get up, have a cup of coffee and see what you can accomplish before the world wakes up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You might be surprised!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-49055755821526551702016-09-14T21:32:00.002-05:002016-09-14T21:33:25.852-05:00We Run For A Reason.. We run for the special 1%<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doug and I have joined <span style="font-size: large;">TEAM KIDNEY </span><br />and are <span style="font-size: large;">Running for Reason </span><br />in the Houston 1/2 Marathon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://charity.marathonguide.com/HoustonMarathon/Donate/PersonalPage.cfm?MID=16040&CRID=39" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13662334_10154310170390675_4038762688202687041_o.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You all know our reason.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maddie.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://rootedinlovephoto.com/blog/page/2/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LyEeN6sls44/V9oAq8VMHqI/AAAAAAAAR60/wnHUi9mzRA87i7C-_aNxGpCNAkMTAQj-gCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-14%2Bat%2B8.58.43%2BPM.png" width="424" /></a><span id="goog_1155912418"></span><span id="goog_1155912419"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maddie's primary diagnoses are <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/981516-overview#a6" target="_blank">IgA Nephropathy</a>, Thin Basement Membrane Disease, Asthma, and severe allergies. However she has a number of other chronic medical issues that greatly impact her life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is strong.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is a fighter.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is courageous.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is also an anomaly to the medical field.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As one of her specialists commented at an appointment a few years ago, we can only hope that one day her symptoms and issues will all be brought together and it will have a diagnosis that doesn't bear her name.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So Doug and I RUN FOR A REASON. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so few people that have the combined kidney diseases that Maddie has that very little research is being done on them. <span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to get any press when <a href="http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/17/3/813.full" target="_blank">only 1% of the population is affected</a>. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sad. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Very sad, but that is the reality when faced with rare diseases.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we run for Maddie and others like her... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the nameless other children and teens whose diseases will never get headlines and research dollars cause there just isn't enough of a them to bring attention to their plight.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We invite you to join us in our efforts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cause Maddie deserves a cure.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Your tax deductible donation goes to The National Kidney Foundation. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://secure.marathonguide.com/HoustonMarathon/Donate/Donate.cfm?MID=16040&CID=673" target="_blank">Click here for the link.</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBwKSiUBcas/V9oGmsnP3_I/AAAAAAAAR68/_rYYPx3RP7IGoiyJm4SB7cdnp66fd1yugCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-14%2Bat%2B9.24.38%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBwKSiUBcas/V9oGmsnP3_I/AAAAAAAAR68/_rYYPx3RP7IGoiyJm4SB7cdnp66fd1yugCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-14%2Bat%2B9.24.38%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-59914421969204091282016-09-14T21:32:00.001-05:002016-09-14T21:33:03.716-05:00We Run For A Reason.. We run for the special 1%<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doug and I have joined <span style="font-size: large;">TEAM KIDNEY </span><br />and are <span style="font-size: large;">Running for Reason </span><br />in the Houston 1/2 Marathon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://charity.marathonguide.com/HoustonMarathon/Donate/PersonalPage.cfm?MID=16040&CRID=39" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13662334_10154310170390675_4038762688202687041_o.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You all know our reason.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maddie.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://rootedinlovephoto.com/blog/page/2/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LyEeN6sls44/V9oAq8VMHqI/AAAAAAAAR60/wnHUi9mzRA87i7C-_aNxGpCNAkMTAQj-gCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-14%2Bat%2B8.58.43%2BPM.png" width="424" /></a><span id="goog_1155912418"></span><span id="goog_1155912419"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maddie's primary diagnoses are <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/981516-overview#a6" target="_blank">IgA Nephropathy</a>, Thin Basement Membrane Disease, Asthma, and severe allergies. However she has a number of other chronic medical issues that greatly impact her life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is strong.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is a fighter.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is courageous.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is also an anomaly to the medical field.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As one of her specialists commented at an appointment a few years ago, we can only hope that one day her symptoms and issues will all be brought together and it will have a diagnosis that doesn't bear her name.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So Doug and I RUN FOR A REASON. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so few people that have the combined kidney diseases that Maddie has that very little research is being done on them. <span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to get any press when <a href="http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/17/3/813.full" target="_blank">only 1% of the population is affected</a>. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sad. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Very sad, but that is the reality when faced with rare diseases.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we run for Maddie and others like her... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the nameless other children and teens whose diseases will never get headlines and research dollars cause there just isn't enough of a them to bring attention to their plight.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We invite you to join us in our efforts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cause Maddie deserves a cure.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Your tax deductible donation goes to The National Kidney Foundation. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://secure.marathonguide.com/HoustonMarathon/Donate/Donate.cfm?MID=16040&CID=673" target="_blank">Click here for the link.</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBwKSiUBcas/V9oGmsnP3_I/AAAAAAAAR68/_rYYPx3RP7IGoiyJm4SB7cdnp66fd1yugCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-14%2Bat%2B9.24.38%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBwKSiUBcas/V9oGmsnP3_I/AAAAAAAAR68/_rYYPx3RP7IGoiyJm4SB7cdnp66fd1yugCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-14%2Bat%2B9.24.38%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-65794170468598871682016-09-09T15:40:00.000-05:002016-09-09T15:40:28.735-05:00The Digital Native MYTH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a myth about kids and technology and it is called Digital Natives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8IK556efNk/V9LDg3N3tiI/AAAAAAAAR1I/xVQHX4FHrN0ns_IYJYzC6JCSZlt4RWNYACLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-09%2Bat%2B9.13.07%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8IK556efNk/V9LDg3N3tiI/AAAAAAAAR1I/xVQHX4FHrN0ns_IYJYzC6JCSZlt4RWNYACLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-09-09%2Bat%2B9.13.07%2BAM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This myth says since students have been using digital devices since they were born, they know more about computers than parents and teachers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THIS IS CRAP!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This generation knows all about phones, apps and how to use snapchat. But they do not have BASIC technology and computer skills.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAMD3uCZiXA/V9LEGHMk5LI/AAAAAAAAR1Q/PN9oRTOu-EE2Uc_omjfqJc9lEnLWQxF9wCLcB/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAMD3uCZiXA/V9LEGHMk5LI/AAAAAAAAR1Q/PN9oRTOu-EE2Uc_omjfqJc9lEnLWQxF9wCLcB/s320/IMG_0797.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How can I make a blanket statement like this? EASY. I am living this world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My personal children can create anything on an ipad or a phone. My seven year old has her own You Tube channel for the videos she makes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But if you ask these "digital natives" to find a file outside of their "my documents" folder they flounder. Ask them to step it up and use a remote location like Google Drive or Dropbox, download it to a computer, edit the file, make a copy and rename the file and then load it back to original location you might as well be speaking a different language.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cost of the touch technology is that today's students don't know how file directories work. They don't know the importance of a file name or location. If the file that they need isn't found when they touch the photo app icon, then they can't find it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ofuSirwM_4/V9LGYxKWNLI/AAAAAAAAR1c/oEkx8BLOq50dmB-1Frm1Eosfkn_CDZ-IQCLcB/s1600/photos-app-icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ofuSirwM_4/V9LGYxKWNLI/AAAAAAAAR1c/oEkx8BLOq50dmB-1Frm1Eosfkn_CDZ-IQCLcB/s1600/photos-app-icon.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a teacher who is desperately trying to get students to use technology in a purposeful way in my classroom, this is beyond frustrating. With 150 students using Photoshop and working in the Google Classroom, I spend the majority of my day not teaching design skills or even advanced software specific skills, but simple skills like working a task bar, how to save to a specific location and even opening and sending emails!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what is my point to my rant?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I think educators and parents have bought into the myth that we are out of touch and that we have to learn something new and fancy to be "cutting edge" and to "keep up!" This myth has caused considerable angst among teachers and has started lots of conversations about retiring because teachers feel overwhelmed by their perceived lack of digital knowledge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The reality is very different. The reality is that students are distracted by the new and shiny and that being able to create a thousand funny pictures using snapchat is not a job skill!! We as educators and parents are challenged to ground our students and children in foundational skills, even when these skills seem outdated like addition, subtraction and "save as"!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-88848348863513249222016-09-08T21:40:00.000-05:002016-09-08T21:40:12.871-05:00Our Rallying Cry.. the reason we can renovate NOW!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over labor day, instead of living it up by the pool, we moved out of our house into a rental down the street.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0N5LEJrxWA/V9IVIQbrYSI/AAAAAAAAR0Q/XtO7d5_uXSsIZBqkAyvV9sGJ3okP5UgKQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0N5LEJrxWA/V9IVIQbrYSI/AAAAAAAAR0Q/XtO7d5_uXSsIZBqkAyvV9sGJ3okP5UgKQCLcB/s200/IMG_5802.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y16ge16h2jM/V9IVIHseCdI/AAAAAAAAR0M/kOXZ2Xiejbcmgq9zo-OUDyLfvU9gIOvGgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y16ge16h2jM/V9IVIHseCdI/AAAAAAAAR0M/kOXZ2Xiejbcmgq9zo-OUDyLfvU9gIOvGgCLcB/s200/IMG_5803.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOSIFwi2v_w/V9IVPSqnsRI/AAAAAAAAR0Y/Jh1rLGKA9eYdZsX6t4tjeHJgOMZE3Av6wCLcB/s1600/IMG_5804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOSIFwi2v_w/V9IVPSqnsRI/AAAAAAAAR0Y/Jh1rLGKA9eYdZsX6t4tjeHJgOMZE3Av6wCLcB/s200/IMG_5804.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-oIkDRNKQw/V9IVp3ubluI/AAAAAAAAR0c/b7yWxQd1p_oN__96tbU5E0ZRGa_4JQdeQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-oIkDRNKQw/V9IVp3ubluI/AAAAAAAAR0c/b7yWxQd1p_oN__96tbU5E0ZRGa_4JQdeQCLcB/s200/IMG_5807.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why? Because instead of building a house, we decided a while back to just renovate the house and make it the home that we want and need. Our location is ideal and the house is great. It just wasn't OUR house... it was my parent's home. That's one of those weird things that I never thought about until living in the house I grew up in as an adult and parent!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, while the start of the school year is the absolute worst time of the year to start a home renovation, we are doing it. I really started back in the summer with the girls rooms and have been slowly building to the level of insanity we are at now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But we are surviving. Primarily cause we are good at living in chaos. ;) But more than that, we are surviving because we have a plan and a rallying cry!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A what? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A RALLYING CRY!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doug brought home the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Three-Big-Questions-Frantic-Family/dp/0787995320" target="_blank">The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family</a> by Patrick Lencioni</span><br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51l4Mki-JeL._SX333_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51l4Mki-JeL._SX333_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This book was the difference maker. I read it in one sitting and then ran out to staples and bought our white board!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doug and I bounced ideas back a forth a couple of days and ended up with this as our family board.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TlCm4e0qyTA/V9IcliUgbRI/AAAAAAAAR0s/Au6KiPGy1KIbnik8-4c83pSD7uWY5KrNwCLcB/s1600/rallying-cry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TlCm4e0qyTA/V9IcliUgbRI/AAAAAAAAR0s/Au6KiPGy1KIbnik8-4c83pSD7uWY5KrNwCLcB/s640/rallying-cry.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a great experience and really got us on the same page so that we could move forward together. I often feel like while we are on the same path and absolutely on the same journey, we are often taking turns leading and following, rarely walking side by side.. hand in hand. And maybe that is exactly what we are supposed to be doing within the the give and take of a relationship, but I truly enjoyed hashing out our family rallying cry with Doug!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With "Make the House Our OWN" as a rallying cry, it was easier to walk into the insanity of packing our entire house and moving us four houses down the street for 4-6 weeks. I want to see our plans and dreams fulfilled. And how do we know that we are on track? Well, the defining objectives are things that we want to accomplish along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kid's rooms are done: CHECK! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because the moving out to renovate we used this as a chance to simplify and sort for a garage sale. So CHECK and CHECK!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only piece that we are struggling with right now is the Plan the Week objective. That will get better, but it is hard to plan the week and prep meals in the middle of the start of school and moving!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And since I am sure you are wondering, the Standard Objectives are things we want to do or continue no matter the goal or rallying cry. These are the things that we value as a family and don't want to neglect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday morning the renovation started.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Bm25jvJ_xM/V9IfQWxluTI/AAAAAAAAR04/FRySgAMo2RcovcONmr01iq3fcRVixFmfgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5929.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Bm25jvJ_xM/V9IfQWxluTI/AAAAAAAAR04/FRySgAMo2RcovcONmr01iq3fcRVixFmfgCLcB/s320/IMG_5929.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's going to be very different. I'm not sure yet if that is good or bad...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but it will be OUR home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I guess mid October we will be looking for a new rallying cry. Hopefully this next one won't involve a move!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-10793975482036722212016-09-02T23:15:00.000-05:002016-09-02T23:15:43.152-05:00The Only Way to Get to Brilliance is through Mediocrity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's an age old fight between teacher and student... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To push through mediocrity to get to brilliance.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I10q-zPd7WU/V8pAE4OgJyI/AAAAAAAARyw/82ESSDCM-zMgo1brumOw9C7XBYo0-rWJQCLcB/s1600/hb_1987.455.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I10q-zPd7WU/V8pAE4OgJyI/AAAAAAAARyw/82ESSDCM-zMgo1brumOw9C7XBYo0-rWJQCLcB/s320/hb_1987.455.12.jpg" width="218" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.8px; line-height: 28px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The Berggruen Klee Collection, 1987</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a fine arts teacher, I am probably more aware of this constant struggle than the typical teacher of core content. To be honest, while teaching Economics, I was not concerned with pushing my students to forge their own path and to become the next great economist. My interest was getting the students to pass the mandated tests, get their credit and to graduate. While not a noble goal, it was a necessary one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, the fine arts require teachers to strive for the noble goals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being a mediocre artist, musician, singer, dancer or performer isn't enough. Being mediocre won't get you a college scholarship, a first place or even a job in the chosen field. The world is full of mediocre artists that failed to fulfill their potential who are now using their skills and talents in other career paths. And thank goodness for that, cause without creative, collaborative, out-of-the-box thinkers in all careers, we would be IN TROUBLE!! But that's a post for a different day...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">by Zhang Xiaogang</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, over the last week or so, I have had a number of conversations with students about the type of art they love creating. If you know any emerging artists 22 years of age and younger, you can guess what is said.. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to force myself to not roll my eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And since it's a new school year I have a whole new crop of art students. In fact, I have double the number of art 2 students than I have ever had. My classes are maxed out and twice during the day I run concurrent advanced classes while also teaching art 2.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With over 50 students that have chosen art to be their path to graduation via the state "endorsement" track, I am daily fighting with my Art 2-4 students to push past mediocrity and find their own brilliance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And that's not an easy task.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I use myself as an example. I don't hide my mediocrity from my students. Here is what I have learned about myself. These lessons were not easy and I don't list them now flippantly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. I am a mediocre actress.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gb3uR5OZ8x8/V8pHiDMhpoI/AAAAAAAARzQ/yi34LJCv904tcQdwqf7YrH3HSZK5o2cHACLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gb3uR5OZ8x8/V8pHiDMhpoI/AAAAAAAARzQ/yi34LJCv904tcQdwqf7YrH3HSZK5o2cHACLcB/s400/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" width="283" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was cast as Juliet in college. It wasn't due to talent or passion.. I fit the dress. This was probably one of the hardest lessons to learn. I LOVE theatre. I have two degrees in theatre... but this has not made me a brilliant actress. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I am brilliant at in theatre is Managing. I am hands-down one of the best stage or house managers around. I learned that my gifts could be used and honed in this part of the theatre.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. I am a mediocre artist.</span><br />
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<a href="https://emilymaxwellmclemore.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/img_2444-e1387806058771.jpg?w=1400&h=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://emilymaxwellmclemore.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/img_2444-e1387806058771.jpg?w=1400&h=" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the visual arts. The enduring memories of my childhood revolve around the world of commercial art. I love to dabble in all art forms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can mimic the best painters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can copy to coolest contemporary artists. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But that does not make me a brilliant painter or artist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love printmaking. I'll even say that I am good at printmaking.. but not brilliant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I am brilliant at motivating people to work hard<br /> and to manage their fear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyday I work with students and push them beyond their comfort zone to do bigger and better work than they thought possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a fight. Every. Single. Day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mediocrity doesn't want to be replaced with the unknown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mediocrity likes being in charge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mediocrity strives for the status quo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the only way to get to Brilliance is through Mediocrity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mediocrity isn't a bad thing. In fact, I believe it is a good and healthy thing.. as long as that is not the destination. For when Mediocrity is achieved, Brilliance is possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So welcome to that place that comes after mediocrity... it's gonna be an interesting journey.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-86770202492119519472016-08-04T20:55:00.000-05:002016-08-04T21:08:21.465-05:00I LOVE Style By Katy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a creative artsy person it isn't easy to say this.. but I hate home decorating. I love the results of a nice home design, I just roll my eyes at the work. I just am not patient and and don't enjoy the process of picking out the stuff to make a room look nice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This stems from the fact that I never like the results and it seems like I always end up buying the wrong color, style, or whatever 15 times before I get to the right thing. So I don't. I end up with a room that isn't finished or is "finished" badly and live with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the flip side, my sister Katy LOVES home decorating. She designed the decor of my old house and the results were stunning. But she has been uber busy with her children and life and work so I didn't want to bother her with my pathetic decorating needs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But those days are OVER! Katy is now staying home with her young children and has started a home based business using her love of decorating and her savvy shopping skills. YES!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The process was amazingly easy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are some pictures of our first project together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Take pictures of the space. I started with our hall bathroom. It is an eyesore with good bones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boA2J9f1f9Q/V6M2WN8K2SI/AAAAAAAARbM/iwB-GSyrdZAxmnle1lUoNaW1bNp15NWEACLcB/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boA2J9f1f9Q/V6M2WN8K2SI/AAAAAAAARbM/iwB-GSyrdZAxmnle1lUoNaW1bNp15NWEACLcB/s320/IMG_4211.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2LRNS8uy6M/V6M2WdVIDKI/AAAAAAAARbQ/8P_eWHJolHgsvbKYKAwj-Zh-Z1F238hwwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2LRNS8uy6M/V6M2WdVIDKI/AAAAAAAARbQ/8P_eWHJolHgsvbKYKAwj-Zh-Z1F238hwwCLcB/s320/IMG_4214.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-g_si7-IOo/V6M2W0SP7sI/AAAAAAAARbU/rhemlenqQyYgM6iYEmfWipej3bIHMbDagCLcB/s1600/IMG_4215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-g_si7-IOo/V6M2W0SP7sI/AAAAAAAARbU/rhemlenqQyYgM6iYEmfWipej3bIHMbDagCLcB/s320/IMG_4215.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aGd-VnR5YZU/V6M2gyqLwMI/AAAAAAAARbY/P2D1nOD8H-QNa3KWf5Hn2hlcbdZDNWqLACLcB/s1600/IMG_4216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aGd-VnR5YZU/V6M2gyqLwMI/AAAAAAAARbY/P2D1nOD8H-QNa3KWf5Hn2hlcbdZDNWqLACLcB/s320/IMG_4216.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajlOGMq--zo/V6M5vhtw1VI/AAAAAAAARbo/q2eXWs5AHeMJzNnKfd77u2pUJE2En2MYQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajlOGMq--zo/V6M5vhtw1VI/AAAAAAAARbo/q2eXWs5AHeMJzNnKfd77u2pUJE2En2MYQCLcB/s640/IMG_4219.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I gave her my parameters. The fixtures couldn't be changed, the flooring is going to be changed in a couple of months to a dark ash grey color and I really wanted to keep the canvas that I liked so the colors needed to work with that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrWtJWQavkE/V6M8w-IKAlI/AAAAAAAARb0/QV4eFp98qUE2CHJswme_SXht6oWpuRmzACLcB/s1600/IMG_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrWtJWQavkE/V6M8w-IKAlI/AAAAAAAARb0/QV4eFp98qUE2CHJswme_SXht6oWpuRmzACLcB/s320/IMG_4171.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After asking my preference on a few items, she sent me a design board along with all of the links to purchase the items from Etsy, Target and Lowe's. It was soo easy!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZE__MpSMHE/V6PqZ1px6qI/AAAAAAAARd4/FBKaRcgLNMMClvEgSlktUQ6xZI99RHSNgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZE__MpSMHE/V6PqZ1px6qI/AAAAAAAARd4/FBKaRcgLNMMClvEgSlktUQ6xZI99RHSNgCLcB/s640/IMG_5073.JPG" width="496" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And so I began. Almost immediately I could see the paint was going to transform the room.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDywHJ3VC0A/V6M9aD4LBFI/AAAAAAAARcI/YLI1a_E94HgLmHoJC7M6B88ExmxxZv9OwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4417.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDywHJ3VC0A/V6M9aD4LBFI/AAAAAAAARcI/YLI1a_E94HgLmHoJC7M6B88ExmxxZv9OwCLcB/s400/IMG_4417.PNG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I got to the new little shelves, I wasn't sure where to put them, so I sent Katy the picture with the options and she replied.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0O3fD5Hb6UY/V6M9YE2I7lI/AAAAAAAARcE/pRodCwJAMjwxiPIBypf35I8icE1IHpTwgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4657.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0O3fD5Hb6UY/V6M9YE2I7lI/AAAAAAAARcE/pRodCwJAMjwxiPIBypf35I8icE1IHpTwgCLcB/s400/IMG_4657.PNG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And while I loved the print that she suggested in the first place, I ended up getting another one that she picked out as an alternate because a different Etsy store was having a 20% off sale!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNDXHC5Ckec/V6M9HPRPCxI/AAAAAAAARb8/1y__d8woVUgbxpi6kLYJR6xsfjrkIzWTACLcB/s1600/IMG_5023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNDXHC5Ckec/V6M9HPRPCxI/AAAAAAAARb8/1y__d8woVUgbxpi6kLYJR6xsfjrkIzWTACLcB/s640/IMG_5023.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And there you have my hall bath makeover. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is my spending summary:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Painting supplies for the walls, the cabinets (I went ahead and did a refresher of them since I was painting..) and the mirror: $55.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soft Goods (including towels, bath mat, shower curtain, liner: $100</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hardware (shower rod, shelves) $40</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Window shade: $20 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Accessories: $30</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Total: $245 plus the $100 design board</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Would I do it again if she wasn't my sister? YES!! I already have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can't wait to show you Lexi's bedroom. It is AMAZING!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And here is my take-away... while it's hard to spend $100 on a design board that you can't actually use in your decorating. It is totally worth it! I have spent way more money on mistake decorating purchases over the years! A decent quality shower curtain is easily $40 and it doesn't matter the quality if it looks bad in the room!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So yeah, I'm sold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Katy,I am so proud of you and what you are doing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can contact her at info.stylebykaty@gmail.com to start your own home decorating project.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-78140518880437839802016-07-07T08:04:00.004-05:002016-07-07T08:04:43.168-05:00I found freedom and grace in Weight Watchers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I rejoined Weight Watchers.. again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last month or so I have really been battling a head game and I while I needed the consistency and accountability of tracking my food, what I saw yesterday is that I needed the freedom and grace more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know. FREEDOM and GRACE while tracking food??? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is why. When I'm just doing my thing and going with the flow, unless I am hard core shake in the morning, and totally healthy choices for lunch and dinner, in my mind, I have failed on the food choices that day. I start beating myself up over the cookie(s) that I ate or the whatever and I immediately go into a negative head space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Weight Watchers, I don't do that. I track my food and at the end of the day when I sit down with my glass of Pinot Grigio (4 points) I enjoy it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So yes, I am back on the Weight Watchers wagon. I really like the updated app and options. I totally think that the WW mindset would be great for those that want to gain weight as well as for those that want to lose/maintain weight. Tracking food can be overwhelming and for people like me with obsessive personalities, counting calories can be addictive and push us into a negative head space as we use calories as a means of control. not good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a screenshot from my dashboard. With the latest WW update I get more points each day even though I weigh the same that I did in January when I deleted the app from my phone! I like more points. :) </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g29StEKqTuI/V35LgIR0S7I/AAAAAAAAPf0/7w2FM-QhDqo1J-IIoK5QPpAZSZ5b6nAkgCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-07-07%2Bat%2B7.27.27%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g29StEKqTuI/V35LgIR0S7I/AAAAAAAAPf0/7w2FM-QhDqo1J-IIoK5QPpAZSZ5b6nAkgCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-07-07%2Bat%2B7.27.27%2BAM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also really like the updated activity log. I am a very active person and I never felt like the old activity counter truly recorded my daily life. But for example yesterday, I shoveled and hauled dirt around the pool for a long time. I recorded 65 minutes of hard labor and earned 16 points for my efforts. I like that! I set my goal to earn 55 FitPoints each week. I figure that is a very doable goal for me. Even with a stress fracture on my left foot and no running. (bummer, but soon I hope!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there you have it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in case you were wondering, yes I am still using <a href="http://emilymclemore.isagenix.com/" target="_blank">Isagenix products</a>. The IsaLean Shake is 7 points and that is a lot for me for breakfast, but totally worth it as I feel good and stay full during the morning. In fact, if I wanted to do Isagenix hardcore with Weight Watchers, I totally could as a shake for breakfast and lunch with healthy snacks during the day would leave me with more than enough points to have a quality evening meal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So there you have it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyBvX7mcN80/V35Pd0XDgvI/AAAAAAAAPgA/NmRXRbZ5F3MnSoh49ICb_1GyK75I6hvXACLcB/s1600/IMG_3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyBvX7mcN80/V35Pd0XDgvI/AAAAAAAAPgA/NmRXRbZ5F3MnSoh49ICb_1GyK75I6hvXACLcB/s640/IMG_3053.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll keep you posted on the journey. For now, I'm going to go enjoy my cup of coffee with my 2point creamer. Yes, that is a splurge I will take every time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and want to know what my goal is? To drop my body fat percentage by 7%. yep. Sounds crazy doesn't it. But, my body fat percentage is too high. yuck. And it lives on my abdomen, thighs and the underside of my arms. A 7% drop won't even put me into the "fitness" category for body fat.. it will just be in the middle of the acceptable range! OUCH! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In order to lose the body fat I know that I will lose some on the scale too, but that isn't my motivation this time around. I'm not worried about what the scale says, nor am I interested in dropping clothes sizes. I really like my size 6. I just want to be healthy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for joining me on this path.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-21904288913012053952016-06-17T08:52:00.000-05:002016-06-17T08:53:16.941-05:00Art, Theatre and Photography Camp 2016. Done!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Art, Theatre and Photography Camp. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a hard four days, but so worth it! The kids have a great time and the parents are always amazed at what we are able to produce from the campers in such a short amount of time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year's theme was "Broadway Battle."</span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12473933_1099215780150763_6651063324747953138_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12473933_1099215780150763_6651063324747953138_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had 116 campers spread out over a morning session and an afternoon session. That is a LOT of kids. Especially when close to 30 of those kids are 3 and 4 years old! </span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13346636_1152071731531834_8933534741001549045_n.jpg?oh=57267ca484deb167e6e1369df8929fee&oe=57E0630A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13346636_1152071731531834_8933534741001549045_n.jpg?oh=57267ca484deb167e6e1369df8929fee&oe=57E0630A" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also have a dozen or more teenage volunteers. We couldn't run the program without them, but they add a level of "drama" to the camp as well. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a panorama right before we started the production. All of those orange shirts... yeah, that's a lot of bodies to manage!</span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13416990_1152100951528912_2122823441875480299_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13416990_1152100951528912_2122823441875480299_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the four days, I probably took close to a thousand pictures. No kidding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below are a few of the highlights from the art portion of camp!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I LOVED working with the kids on their paintings. Given that they had only about 45 minutes total to work on them, I think they did great! Their paintings were done over three days.</span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13413709_1152033984868942_7048703522525357911_n.jpg?oh=77c0df2882819f88dc8581214e75879e&oe=57D118B8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13413709_1152033984868942_7048703522525357911_n.jpg?oh=77c0df2882819f88dc8581214e75879e&oe=57D118B8" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Sidenote.. Bleeding Tissue paper is the WAY TO GO if you want a really cool, cheap and easy background for a watercolor painting!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13419136_1152100321528975_4633933902008376227_n.jpg?oh=83a2c01ccc24878b642101d7b0cee42c&oe=57DDDADB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13419136_1152100321528975_4633933902008376227_n.jpg?oh=83a2c01ccc24878b642101d7b0cee42c&oe=57DDDADB" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13423712_1152100404862300_2685390477944716767_n.jpg?oh=0b751f27d58c7984c9e5d5fd4492a487&oe=57D44E60" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13423712_1152100404862300_2685390477944716767_n.jpg?oh=0b751f27d58c7984c9e5d5fd4492a487&oe=57D44E60" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also screenprinted. Of course we did. I guess that's my signature event! It is messy and crazy and the kids LOVE it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at Kylie's concentration. The memories.</span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13450918_1151272074945133_86580468703934317_n.jpg?oh=7b2f86b6ef48b51b95d6f688ba0a6183&oe=57E80BA1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13450918_1151272074945133_86580468703934317_n.jpg?oh=7b2f86b6ef48b51b95d6f688ba0a6183&oe=57E80BA1" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And how can Lexi be this big? </span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13407269_1151272198278454_2904986560110554111_n.jpg?oh=78ed431f5d6ed020d06e10d8ecd1cc2c&oe=57E118D1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13407269_1151272198278454_2904986560110554111_n.jpg?oh=78ed431f5d6ed020d06e10d8ecd1cc2c&oe=57E118D1" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They also made scratch art. One of the workers mentioned that he couldn't believe that the kids were willingly without a fuss painting black over their drawings and "ruining" them. I explained that the kids have learned over the years to go with the flow! </span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445809_1151308124941528_8367078264400976774_n.jpg?oh=f005c0b2162f86a055e9ce057048d124&oe=57E64C65" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445809_1151308124941528_8367078264400976774_n.jpg?oh=f005c0b2162f86a055e9ce057048d124&oe=57E64C65" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13406955_1151308598274814_1496638717541068534_n.jpg?oh=aeb61aa6a071dfb8e956699b685568b8&oe=57E32FF3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13406955_1151308598274814_1496638717541068534_n.jpg?oh=aeb61aa6a071dfb8e956699b685568b8&oe=57E32FF3" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Sidenote.. making your own scratch art is fun and messy. scratching off the black is REALLY messy..)</span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445737_1152034284868912_6575175061688563966_n.jpg?oh=3cbcc34adba167dac4cf5666f228f307&oe=57DD3A18" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445737_1152034284868912_6575175061688563966_n.jpg?oh=3cbcc34adba167dac4cf5666f228f307&oe=57DD3A18" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also did weaving. I changed to weaving with pipe cleaners this year. Less mess. And they can create a 3d weaving project. It was really fun!</span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445410_1150592035013137_5578332986890722051_n.jpg?oh=ad9e4784223b4b3f76d1aafed0b7b76e&oe=57C447BA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445410_1150592035013137_5578332986890722051_n.jpg?oh=ad9e4784223b4b3f76d1aafed0b7b76e&oe=57C447BA" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there you have it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another year complete. My take away this year is the realization that one of my goals for the kids is the gift of artistic surprise and to be willing to experience new things. My goal each year is to push the campers out of their comfort zone and force them in a fun way to try new things. Even if it means utter failure in a project. I try to get them to understand that the PROCESS is the goal, NOT the product!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This isn't an easy task. These kids expect their work to be perfect. They are not used to being told that "failure" is actually a win. And this is the reason we have to have events like this camp. So much of our kids lives are wrapped up in "doing things right" and working toward a perfect product. This mindset ends up freezing the kids mid-project and I have to work with them to just keep going. You would not believe how many projects are thrown in the trash as soon as camp is over, not by the parents, but by the kids. Sadly, they have bought into the lie that unless it is perfect, they don't want it. And I'm talking about 4 year olds!! Ouch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So my gift to the campers is the opportunity to explore and create in a safe place that is not tied to a test a grade or an expectation. My mantra that I say over and over is the only failure is refusing to try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I know it's working. You just have to look at these kids faces!</span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445593_1152100611528946_3431004761223620027_n.jpg?oh=d21d65af72582a3b50d976c513581fd1&oe=57E53874" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445593_1152100611528946_3431004761223620027_n.jpg?oh=d21d65af72582a3b50d976c513581fd1&oe=57E53874" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13450940_1152099954862345_2429185047226338152_n.jpg?oh=681f388fb2a400e82f719bf3cb30494a&oe=57E6125B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13450940_1152099954862345_2429185047226338152_n.jpg?oh=681f388fb2a400e82f719bf3cb30494a&oe=57E6125B" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Want to see more photos? Check us out on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/artandtheatrecamp/</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-24591481887275724072016-05-31T12:52:00.000-05:002016-05-31T12:52:20.058-05:00My Runniversary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another Healthy Lifestyle and Runniversary!</span></div>
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In honor of my journey.. I like to look back and see the consistency and dedication to making myself a priority in the craziness of life.<br />
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In May of 2012 I decided that enough was enough, but it took me a month to get in the right mind frame for a complete lifestyle overhaul. I consider the Tuesday after Memorial Day to be my anniversary of a healthy life!<br />
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May 29 2012<br />
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<li>Weight.. over 170 maybe 180... </li>
<li>Clothing Size: 14/16 pants, large/xlarge shirt</li>
<li>1.96 miles at a 14:17 pace.</li>
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May 27 2013<br />
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<li>Weight: 145</li>
<li>Clothing Size: 6/8 pants, medium shirt</li>
<li>4.69 miles at 11:06 pace.</li>
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May 24 2014<br />
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<li>Weight: 143</li>
<li>Clothing Size: 6 pants, medium shirt </li>
<li>4.3 miles at 10:46.</li>
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May 25 2015 <br />
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<li>Weight: 140</li>
<li>Clothing Size: 6 pants, medium shirt</li>
<li>4.5 miles at a 9:50 pace. </li>
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May 28-31 2016<br />
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<li>Weight: 137</li>
<li>Clothing Size: 4-6 pants, small shirt</li>
<li>Saturday: 9 miles at an 11:05 easy pace</li>
<li>Sunday: 11 miles on the bike and 30 minutes of heavy weight training</li>
<li>Tuesday: 3.14 miles at a 10:07 pace</li>
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I have to remind myself is that the difference between last year's pace and this year's pace is negligible due to the humidity and that I am stronger and leaner than I have ever been. Even when I was "skinnier" (in high school and college) I was starving myself and had little muscle tone.<br />
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My goals for this year? I'd like to lose another 10 pounds and I'd like to run a 25 minute 5k. I guess the question is, do I want it bad enough?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-53428437446010013732016-05-07T11:02:00.001-05:002016-05-07T11:02:20.405-05:00Finding Strength<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me be blunt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week has been HARD.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I say this not to get a woe is me. But to just be honest about the struggles we face in our house. I feel like all week I have been on the constant verge of tears. I'm holding on by the tiniest wisp of a thread.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well. Maddie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week at this time, we were at Disney World with the band. It was touch and go up until we left on Thursday morning if we would be able to go as Maddie had been really sick. But with lots of meds and a couple trips to doctors leading up to the trip. We went.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We rented a scooter for Maddie and she rode her chair all around the parks. It was exactly what we needed as Maddie couldn't even walk around the resort without help. We even did breathing treatments before and after the plane rides in the airport with her sitting in a wheelchair. Yes, she was that sick. And yes, I know we took a big risk letting her go on the trip, but quality of life is important too. And being able to go on a trip with her peers was one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips!</span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13139034_10156853707160057_836670725598116773_n.jpg?oh=7512fd86902638cd17891570e6bbc611&oe=579D880C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13139034_10156853707160057_836670725598116773_n.jpg?oh=7512fd86902638cd17891570e6bbc611&oe=579D880C" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doug and I went along as well as Maddie's support team.</span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13119810_10154073098055675_5960579580104577269_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13119810_10154073098055675_5960579580104577269_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a lot of fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But this was the price.</span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13147375_10154073097935675_883814713962294625_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13147375_10154073097935675_883814713962294625_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got home from Disney on Sunday night and Maddie went to school on Monday. She had missed a number of days prior to the trip and then one school day for the trip, so she was really behind and knew that she couldn't miss another day. As she struggled to make it through the day, she came to the realization that there was no way she would be able to try out for the leadership team for her colorguard group next year. She was just too weak to practice the routine that she had created and been practicing for months. That was hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday she went to school even weaker than she was Monday. And then the shakes started. Her poor left hand and arm just shook. And not like tremors. These shakes were jerky spasms. Convulsions. By 6pm she was not good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I took her to the ER. They immediately took her back and got her hooked up to monitors. Her heart rate was jumping from 60 to 300 then down to 150 and up to 240 and so forth. It was very scary. And it lasted for a couple of hours! It took the combination of a big dose of steriods, a very potent breathing treatment and a dose of Benadryl to get her body to slow down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The doctor we had was absolutely the most compassionate ER doctor we have ever had. (And we have seen a few..) Maybe the most compassionate doctor Maddie has ever seen. She was exactly the doctor we needed. Thank you <a href="https://www.texashealth.org/provider/marilyn-k-brister-md-emergency-medicine" target="_blank">Dr. Brister</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After running a number of tests and such, the doctor just sat down next to Maddie's bed and smiled at her and patted her hand and said, "when you get sick, your entire body just gets really sick." I realize that doesn't mean much to most people, but given how many times we hear, "all the tests look good" and "your symptoms don't match what we know about ______" it was nice to just have Maddie's place in life validated. No judgement. No aside comments to me. Just validation to Maddie that she is sick and Maddie is not responsible, nor can she control her body's response to illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later, after making sure that Maddie felt okay, we went home. With no answers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day (Wednesday) was Maddie's 16th birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She spent it in bed. Alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the afternoon she felt well enough to sit on the back porch for dinner. </span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13130996_10154074452925675_2436607964825505986_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13130996_10154074452925675_2436607964825505986_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday she was back in bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday I took her to the specialist in Dallas to have a "challenge test" with the antibiotic she had been on. Because she is so highly allergic to other antibiotics, we had to make sure that she wasn't allergic to this medicine as she felt like this drug was what caused Tuesday's problems. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, she's not allergic to the drug. But the drug can cause the side effects that sent her to the ER.. of course these are very rarely occurring side effects, but that is Maddie's world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is Saturday and she hasn't been on the drug since Tuesday. She's feeling better. The infection in her body is still there, but too bad until at least tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cause tonight is PROM. And she is going. And she is going to be able to enjoy it. I am DETERMINED!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday she is back to Dallas to see the cardiologist as this latest tacychardia episode is the second in two weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in the midst of all of this? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lexi and Kylie participated in the colorguard minicamp that Maddie wasn't able to go to. They performed on Thursday evening and were adorable! Maddie sat in the bleachers while her friends led the campers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, Lexi had field day on Friday and her two individual races. And I wasn't there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I'm doing 20 loads of laundry and I need to clean house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a snapshot of what my entire house looks like.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abbp9HYFP-c/Vy4QPScbBAI/AAAAAAAAN0Y/X1Wz-uRaejAQ-_fn4Lgq21UTGa2lIaXigCLcB/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abbp9HYFP-c/Vy4QPScbBAI/AAAAAAAAN0Y/X1Wz-uRaejAQ-_fn4Lgq21UTGa2lIaXigCLcB/s640/IMG_0874.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yeah. Ugh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the dishes and the dirt can stay. Cause today my sweet 16 is going to feel like a princess and that is worth more than a clean house any day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in a life defined by struggles, pain and illness, today is PROM and she will find strength for it. And so will I.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-85532870709268752102016-04-25T19:53:00.000-05:002016-04-25T19:53:05.528-05:00Annual Spring Pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Last week between thunderstorms, I had the girls quickly put something on that looked okay together and ran them out to a friend's field for our annual flower pictures. I hadn't worried about it much as we were set to get family pictures done, but the weather ruined our plans and we rescheduled for June.. and all of the flowers will be dead by then.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I took matters into my own hands and got some pictures so that I will have this spring documented in the scrapbook!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm pleased with the pictures given the circumstances and the photographer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds5RpzPyOWw/Vxzu4U3659I/AAAAAAAANvI/NnG5FKCtJoIeie53uSe3YQ8Xh3xned28gCKgB/s1600/DSCF0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds5RpzPyOWw/Vxzu4U3659I/AAAAAAAANvI/NnG5FKCtJoIeie53uSe3YQ8Xh3xned28gCKgB/s320/DSCF0673.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13062505_10154041763570675_2113411646416039541_n.jpg?oh=5a6e7eb812a7f2f80d1bb73fb813f207&oe=57B220A4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13062505_10154041763570675_2113411646416039541_n.jpg?oh=5a6e7eb812a7f2f80d1bb73fb813f207&oe=57B220A4" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YtNpSNn8sEU/VxzvOxr1UMI/AAAAAAAANvY/xfiJ9gi1e_cGr3Gf7dMC29ZkFRn4x-sjACKgB/s1600/DSCF0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YtNpSNn8sEU/VxzvOxr1UMI/AAAAAAAANvY/xfiJ9gi1e_cGr3Gf7dMC29ZkFRn4x-sjACKgB/s640/DSCF0688.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/13062107_10154041763745675_6551845101807934450_n.jpg?oh=e9259d35293d21d8945a6430bf5c0773&oe=57B6C8E0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/13062107_10154041763745675_6551845101807934450_n.jpg?oh=e9259d35293d21d8945a6430bf5c0773&oe=57B6C8E0" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12993473_10154041763655675_4661885243520097820_n.jpg?oh=9c957fc75855c3fc4d0ecf76575fec7e&oe=57A161BA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12993473_10154041763655675_4661885243520097820_n.jpg?oh=9c957fc75855c3fc4d0ecf76575fec7e&oe=57A161BA" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my compromise photo for Maddie. She was sick and willing to pose for the group shot, but really didn't want a picture of just her. So we did a back shot with her new flag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13062489_10154041763700675_7914112723833250017_n.jpg?oh=07b5cc44d9982622606bb36d0d97c499&oe=57A01988" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13062489_10154041763700675_7914112723833250017_n.jpg?oh=07b5cc44d9982622606bb36d0d97c499&oe=57A01988" width="488" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And Lexi took some pictures too. I LOVE this picture I got of the two of them!</span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/v/t1.0-9/1935924_10154041763605675_3186788532680979895_n.jpg?oh=fe91fab013a98cb200c7874cf3ed72d1&oe=57732F0E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/v/t1.0-9/1935924_10154041763605675_3186788532680979895_n.jpg?oh=fe91fab013a98cb200c7874cf3ed72d1&oe=57732F0E" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Here is one of the pictures that Lexi took. She did a great job!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96krngscY0I/VxzvVPL3XkI/AAAAAAAANvA/t1ZmC9IpUb42IQEbos0oDaPgEff__jOiQCKgB/s1600/DSCF0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96krngscY0I/VxzvVPL3XkI/AAAAAAAANvA/t1ZmC9IpUb42IQEbos0oDaPgEff__jOiQCKgB/s400/DSCF0694.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that's that. Another year of spring pictures with a sick kid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But just for grins, let's reminisce about how big they are getting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table 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://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SHz5GPkXyCs/S9UFt8MJw_I/AAAAAAAABVQ/48crfwkLNBs/s1600/bluebon+family%5B3%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SHz5GPkXyCs/S9UFt8MJw_I/AAAAAAAABVQ/48crfwkLNBs/s640/bluebon+family%5B3%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010</td></tr>
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<table 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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ualsN13uhjY/TZkZqIYtduI/AAAAAAAACJk/cWw-9KPvc6g/s320/girls+together_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ualsN13uhjY/TZkZqIYtduI/AAAAAAAACJk/cWw-9KPvc6g/s320/girls+together_c.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjwTu3nf1uY/T3b2vdGP9uI/AAAAAAAACnU/98YRKgM7WFU/s320/girls+standing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjwTu3nf1uY/T3b2vdGP9uI/AAAAAAAACnU/98YRKgM7WFU/s320/girls+standing.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rR_Z9NEwXM/UWnXhArGJjI/AAAAAAAAFl8/iqVwwNK2Jg8/s1600/girls+c4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rR_Z9NEwXM/UWnXhArGJjI/AAAAAAAAFl8/iqVwwNK2Jg8/s1600/girls+c4.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">2013<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/6432_10152284066650675_5541578239136064512_n.jpg?oh=f7e7adb16ebb7759450401e3f310008c&oe=579EF080" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/6432_10152284066650675_5541578239136064512_n.jpg?oh=f7e7adb16ebb7759450401e3f310008c&oe=579EF080" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/s960x960/11080345_10153129275210675_6066754089362632141_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/s960x960/11080345_10153129275210675_6066754089362632141_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wow.<br /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-65726048707389789802016-04-18T21:40:00.000-05:002016-04-19T06:56:17.190-05:00A Successful Lifestyle for Busy People<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've come a long way. We've established that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I wish I had tried Isagenix a couple of years ago when I first started considering it and I first started losing weight, I don't begrudge my journey. I have learned so much about health and wellness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And it's a journey that I will continue tomorrow and into the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why? Because I feel better. And specifically, I feel better using Isagenix products than when I don't. I have more energy, stamina and less aches and pains.</span></div>
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<a href="http://emilymclemore.isagenix.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWk6dHHc6hI/VxU2UGMpv4I/AAAAAAAANkw/KFyvgFHDzAUExsxRehwl-yPaWkQn4zwZACLcB/s400/IMG_9629.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I haven't made a big deal about Isagenix to my friends because I feel like I haven't been committed enough to be a good role model.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I realized today while talking to one of my friends, that it is my real crazy busy life story that allows others to consider the possibility that they could have a successful weight loss journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cause here is the deal. Since January, I have changed my eating habits a little, but I still have fast food and donuts a couple of times a week. I haven't changed my workout schedule and I haven't given up my nightly glass of wine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But here is what I have done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a glass of Ionix Supreme first thing in the morning. (It's kind of like green tea..) I take my Natural Accelerator pill. (I don't know what this pill does, but it doesn't make me shaky or feel like I'm on caffeine.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those things I do every morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then about 4 mornings a weeks a week I have a shake. I make my shake with a scoop of IsaGreens, a banana and sometimes a teaspoon of peanut butter. I drink this on the way to school and during my first period class. I also take my vitamins during this time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then I eat a healthy lunch (well 3 out of 5 days and a couple of times a week I remember to take my 2nd Natural Accelerator pill). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I eat a pretty healthy dinner as Doug is a great cook and we eat at home most of the time due to his and Maddie's food restrictions. Then I have my evening glass of wine and a 100 calorie dessert. I top it all off with my nightly dose of IsaFlush and a glass of water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And that is why I haven't made a big deal about what I am doing, cause I don't feel like I am working hard enough at it to brag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But here are my results so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since I started Isagenix on January 11th I have lost 11.5 pounds and 28 inches with 3-4 inches off each thigh, my abdomen and my hips! I have even lost .5 off my neck. Crazy huh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Did you read that? 11.5 pounds lost and -28 inches off my 5'3" frame. Wow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So yes, I love Isagenix and would love to share my journey with you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can go to <a href="http://emilymclemore.isagenix.com/en-US/products/categories/systems-and-paks/thirty-day" target="_blank">my website </a>and check it out for yourself. They have a money back guarantee. Credit Cards work great. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was hard to "bite the bullet" and sign up as an "associate with auto-ship." Really hard. But looking back just these few weeks, I am so thankful that I did it. I think you would be to.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And just in case you need a reminder.. both of these are me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edited to add that I do rock the Cleanse. I haven't done one every week, but I have done one most weeks and one two day. I feel like this is my strong point!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-35915891569527318092016-04-18T15:32:00.001-05:002016-04-18T15:32:43.903-05:00Our 7th Kidney Walk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 2016 Fort Worth Kidney Walk has come and gone. This was our 7th year to participate in a kidney walk and it really is such a special day for families whose lives are touched by kidney disease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year we had Maddie's Colorguard instructor and some of her colorguard friends join us along with some other good friends. It was really nice to have friends as our family was scattered and couldn't attend.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05MXNwWnktg/VxU7A8x6OKI/AAAAAAAANlQ/ILEIXugYheUhZD15vefHSyKle86-p2CAgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05MXNwWnktg/VxU7A8x6OKI/AAAAAAAANlQ/ILEIXugYheUhZD15vefHSyKle86-p2CAgCLcB/s640/IMG_9521.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best part of the Kidney Walk is remembering that we are not alone in this journey. So much of our life is defined by urinalysis and blood work. Here, every family and every team understands our walk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were so many people! I didn't even want to start my pace tracker as we had to walk so slowly getting started!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I really loved seeing this. Maddie with her tribe. Makes a mom smile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They messed up the course and the volunteers didn't seem to know how to get us going in the correct direction, so instead of being a 3 mile walk, we ended up with only a 1.3mile walk.. But you know, for us, that was okay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maddie had never completed the walk. She had never been able to walk under the finish sign. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, because they didn't have us turn around and walk back the correct distance, she was able to finish!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was a big deal! And since it was such a big deal, we sent her back through with our different friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> We finished the day with Kylie getting her face painted.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8PcKgpmPSSo/VxU7GdmrIbI/AAAAAAAANmg/NxA075oCJzkfymqlhbEhgngJgfj1Jk_jwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8PcKgpmPSSo/VxU7GdmrIbI/AAAAAAAANmg/NxA075oCJzkfymqlhbEhgngJgfj1Jk_jwCLcB/s320/IMG_9570.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdr3RQvKLXc/VxU7GwVFeJI/AAAAAAAANms/4VcSP1g8PvMgXXcdb9TFSlrn4nyxVFl0QCLcB/s1600/IMG_9577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdr3RQvKLXc/VxU7GwVFeJI/AAAAAAAANms/4VcSP1g8PvMgXXcdb9TFSlrn4nyxVFl0QCLcB/s320/IMG_9577.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YJ0xGXwDoE/VxU7HL4tzSI/AAAAAAAANmk/NShLZMATN4ojRbadS55jdJLOXwURqFKHQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YJ0xGXwDoE/VxU7HL4tzSI/AAAAAAAANmk/NShLZMATN4ojRbadS55jdJLOXwURqFKHQCLcB/s640/IMG_9579.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all, it was a really nice day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next year, maybe Maddie can walk the entire 3 mile course.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-33600750366828477982016-04-09T17:13:00.000-05:002016-04-09T17:13:20.858-05:00Another Isagenix Milestone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hit another <a href="http://emilymclemore.isagenix.com/" target="_blank">Isagenix</a> milestone this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm rather pumped about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I completed my first 2 day cleanse and with it am feeling stronger and leaner than I have since longer than I can remember.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In fact, to be honest.. when I was starving myself at age 16 and wearing a GIRLS size 12/14, I might have weighed less, but I wasn't confident and I wasn't strong. I was weak and broken and hiding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I am proud of who I am and where I am going!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was me on Wednesday of this week. I had just taken 2 minutes off my 1/2 mile swim time!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJFwV70nEHo/Vwlz_rZGYvI/AAAAAAAANXo/ANw5BU6YXPgylpJm9Zr5cJ4dawPPpUYQw/s1600/IMG_9464%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJFwV70nEHo/Vwlz_rZGYvI/AAAAAAAANXo/ANw5BU6YXPgylpJm9Zr5cJ4dawPPpUYQw/s320/IMG_9464%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That night I was a vendor at Tarleton's Kinesiology expo for a thousand students. I didn't go prepared. I really wasn't sure what to take or what to do. But what I found out about myself through this is that I am really proud of my progress and who I have become. I didn't sell anything at the fair. ( I didn't have product to sell! I only had the product Doug and I use everyday!) But I was able to inspire a few others and give hope to others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lifelong fitness is a journey for EVERYONE! </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpwDQCDNCRY/Vwl0Ig8vUjI/AAAAAAAANYM/45VJquCNdy0vUjYtf9GK1G58FETEr_NTA/s1600/IMG_9468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpwDQCDNCRY/Vwl0Ig8vUjI/AAAAAAAANYM/45VJquCNdy0vUjYtf9GK1G58FETEr_NTA/s320/IMG_9468.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday morning I got up and ran 4 miles with friends. After a 2 day nutritional cleanse. I realize it's hard to even fathom. I can't explain how it works either... I just follow the guidelines and I don't feel crazy or even all that hungry for that matter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I took measurements... and smiled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the 2 days I lost 4.5 pounds and 13.75 inches! While I LOVE the pounds lost.. I am more excited about the inches. With the scale victory I am now pretty much the same size as when I got pregnant with Maddie.. and she turns 16 in a few weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the inches lost, my BMI goes down and my lean muscle mass goes up. How exciting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so here I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://emilymclemore.isagenix.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AO0jK3EaWIc/Vwl1OMem9AI/AAAAAAAANYM/yVgL9qi0ScEqRd2A9YeaMEE-UJT5e4MAw/s320/IMG_9471.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dreaming of the future.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7208025587231659933.post-63674904860440747472016-04-09T16:50:00.002-05:002016-04-09T16:50:50.806-05:00Family Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the midst of lots of deadlines and busy stuff, I have been enjoying some plain ole fun family time. No agenda, just outside togetherness. Maddie works on her leadership routine for Colorguard tryouts, Lexi shoots baskets and Kylie rides her bike, roller skates, or scooters!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Da5x8LOEX_U/Vwly7wem-NI/AAAAAAAANWk/Vwzj5_b76UYidhxcx7QDls2z7jxu1XJ2Q/s1600/IMG_9406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Da5x8LOEX_U/Vwly7wem-NI/AAAAAAAANWk/Vwzj5_b76UYidhxcx7QDls2z7jxu1XJ2Q/s320/IMG_9406.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b2uWAIO89Q/VwlzIl0f7pI/AAAAAAAANWs/WaW7n0fsonYWgFa74V3-Wk9SXc576L8eQ/s1600/IMG_9409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b2uWAIO89Q/VwlzIl0f7pI/AAAAAAAANWs/WaW7n0fsonYWgFa74V3-Wk9SXc576L8eQ/s320/IMG_9409.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sit and watch, take pictures, "help" with the routine, get in Lexi's way, and chalk with Kylie. Kylie even learned how to fly a kite by herself this week!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNidw_2-PnY/Vwlzdz3aiiI/AAAAAAAANWg/Xe9k05KVCkQM6GngY4wXzCVS0DjU2jVZQ/s1600/IMG_9424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNidw_2-PnY/Vwlzdz3aiiI/AAAAAAAANWg/Xe9k05KVCkQM6GngY4wXzCVS0DjU2jVZQ/s320/IMG_9424.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VWR4czuuw7U/Vwlze4hUBZI/AAAAAAAANXY/LIaxd5b15V8nckVXlNSBzQvfzB5BxtZmw/s1600/IMG_9420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VWR4czuuw7U/Vwlze4hUBZI/AAAAAAAANXY/LIaxd5b15V8nckVXlNSBzQvfzB5BxtZmw/s320/IMG_9420.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last weekend, Kylie and I went down to the trail and she rode her bike while I ran with/behind her. She made it the entire 3 miles! I was so impressed! And she didn't even have to stop and rest for awhile at the halfway point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doug was out riding his bike and met us on the trail for a photo op. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmiI661dwU4/VwlzVUlmjSI/AAAAAAAANXI/bGQnsKJpwuoSSltGYIYKTM1PRbd7gj3NQ/s1600/IMG_9415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmiI661dwU4/VwlzVUlmjSI/AAAAAAAANXI/bGQnsKJpwuoSSltGYIYKTM1PRbd7gj3NQ/s320/IMG_9415.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kylie rode faster with her daddy. I ran faster trying to keep up! </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ncfzhe2QHw/VwlzRZ01-OI/AAAAAAAANW8/cYNFyUcazO4FmiQUxcQOEZHvsrixN3Wmg/s1600/IMG_9414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ncfzhe2QHw/VwlzRZ01-OI/AAAAAAAANW8/cYNFyUcazO4FmiQUxcQOEZHvsrixN3Wmg/s320/IMG_9414.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the time we made it back to the starting point, we were hot and tired! It was an 80+ degree day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud2p5feltd8/VwlzTQLDCBI/AAAAAAAANW8/1na04LUjOtwd0I7B43W3muiJFtHsgheuQ/s1600/IMG_9419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud2p5feltd8/VwlzTQLDCBI/AAAAAAAANW8/1na04LUjOtwd0I7B43W3muiJFtHsgheuQ/s320/IMG_9419.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have also started playing in our backyard again! Three cheers for our new gardener (retired neighbor) who has made our yard incredible! It is so nice having a place to play. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And yes, that is a hay bale on the ground in the middle of the yard. That is our "chia pet." It is Lexi's roping dummy, but the hay bale got left in one spot too long and is now part of the yard!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7VTgWzQkn0/Vwl1KlKzFTI/AAAAAAAANYI/MzOuacGH57MEc2SWdCXaA8BEK2ZUI43WQ/s1600/IMG_9486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7VTgWzQkn0/Vwl1KlKzFTI/AAAAAAAANYI/MzOuacGH57MEc2SWdCXaA8BEK2ZUI43WQ/s320/IMG_9486.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that is what I have been doing in my free time. Nothing! This is the perfect time of year in Texas. We have to enjoy these high 70's/low 80's afternoons while we have them!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227974692425333141noreply@blogger.com0