tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88577789441870387522024-02-07T14:27:51.269-05:00green ramblingsTired of living through others' blogs, here are my words.MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-25675253235503886852009-11-05T09:24:00.002-05:002009-11-05T09:27:22.742-05:00How it all went down<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; font-size: small; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; ">So...here is my birth story. It didn't quite play out the way I imagined, but got my healthy bundle of joy nevertheless! Not upset in the slightest because our wishes were respected. After rereading what I wrote, I realized that the way I write is very systematic and not touchy feely at all, so this may read more like something from a textbook.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />The morning of Sunday, October 18, I woke up to find that my water was broken (slow leak). However, I didn’t have any contractions. I called my midwife to let her know. She recommended taking the cohosh herb combo to stimulate labor. I started the herb combo at 9PM and took it for two hours before going to bed. Contractions started at 1AM Monday morning. By 4AM they lasted about a minute each and were spaced between 6 and 10 minutes apart so I texted my midwife to give her an update. I had no trouble sleeping between contractions the entire night.<br /><br />The next morning my contractions fizzled out. I started doing all different things to get things started again: walking, stairs, squatting. Nothing. At 4PM I started the herbs again – this time for a three-hour stretch. Around 8PM, my contractions started again. They were mild still, and about 15 minutes apart. Around midnight they started to get more intense. They were about 2 minutes each with 6 minutes between them. Darren filled the birth pool to get it ready and the midwife told us she would get ready to head over.<br /><br />A little before 3AM, I got the urge to bear down and push. I fought the urge and my midwife arrived a bit later to check on me. Turns out I was only about 4 cm dilated, but baby’s head was really low, which was creating the need to push. The midwives checked me sparingly (because they didn’t want to risk infection since my water had broken two days before), and each time my stubborn cervix refused to thin out. They couldn’t believe that the baby’s head was so low, but yet the cervix refused to move out of the way (even with the midwife trying to move it aside). For the next 12 hours, I alternated between the shower, the toilet, the bed, and finally the pool fighting the urge to push. Darren really worked with me to breathe through each contraction. I’ve never wanted to push so badly and the pain was getting unbearable. As one last final resort, I was told to push while the midwife worked on pushing the cervical lip aside at the same time. She couldn’t pull it back though, so we decided to talk about plan B.<br /><br />I had been seeking shadow care from a CNM at North Fulton Hospital. We talked about going there, but it was a good 40-minute (without traffic) drive away and I didn’t think I would be able to make it. My contractions were so strong and they were 2-3 minutes apart, so I knew I would be even more miserable in the car. South Fulton Hospital is only one exit away from us; we decided to head there. The plan was to tell the L&D staff that my water had broken that morning (so as not to alarm them into giving me a C-section). My midwife recommended that since I was so exhausted, I should consider the epidural to ease my pain, and also get pitocin to hopefully get that last piece of cervical lip out of the way. I agreed. My midwife’s assistant went to the hospital with us as our doula.<br /><br />I got to the hospital around 3:30PM, and when the on-call OB finally arrived to check me, she was surprised that the baby was so low but I wasn’t fully dilated, but at least I was about 8 cm by that point. We presented our birth plan (which my doula had written up while waiting). One of the items was the delayed chord clamping. The OB had never done that before and was confused. I told her that I just wanted a few minutes with the baby on my chest with the chord still attached. After much persuasion she agreed to a 3-minute delay. In the meantime, my contraction pains were still strong as ever. I received the epidural around 7:30. I have to say that the anesthesiologist had incredible bedside manner and I felt really comfortable with him and his expertise. About 15 minutes later I was hooked up to the pitocin. At that time, the OB came in and told me that she would give me two hours, and if nothing happened, then they would have to C-section me. We were all in kind of a shock as she said this. After she left the room we got a game plan together on how we would refuse the section if it came to that. We are so lucky that our doula was so involved and this helped us tremendously in our courage to speak up.<br /><br />Over the next two hours, the pitocin-induced contractions got stronger and stronger and I asked the nurse not to increase the dosage anymore. The OB got caught up in another birth and was delayed coming back to me by about 30 minutes. This may have been the break we needed, because when she checked me, she said that I was just about fully dilated and she thinks I should push while she pushed the remaining cervical lip aside. Four contractions later, I pushed our baby girl out and the doctor put her on my chest. What an amazing feeling! After four minutes of cuddling with her on my chest, the doctor clamped the chord and Darren cut it. Darren kept a close eye on Kora during her examination and made sure that she didn’t receive anything we didn’t want.<br /><br />Even though this wasn’t the birth I had planned for, I know that sometimes medical intervention is necessary in extreme situations. I trusted my midwife and her assistant to offer the best birthing guidance and they delivered.<br /><br />On a side note: after the birth the OB said, “I am so glad you didn’t have to have a C-section. I really want to get home and watch The Amazing Race that I Tivoed.” This just reaffirms my belief in the home birth model.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And...presenting our cute little one:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfQH_BosOlOBNQHpX6xGS_5WzRAKG_JD6AZlLLj2t5x8nDWuC5IbYW3NrV7MDFGalmvbcxYMRSci4l6qeOxTgimxVwlexcqUM-Qqix7zUNmsQKAqFsiCHUnPTx_sBN66cxQp5KjKZezBg/s1600-h/photo-1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfQH_BosOlOBNQHpX6xGS_5WzRAKG_JD6AZlLLj2t5x8nDWuC5IbYW3NrV7MDFGalmvbcxYMRSci4l6qeOxTgimxVwlexcqUM-Qqix7zUNmsQKAqFsiCHUnPTx_sBN66cxQp5KjKZezBg/s320/photo-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400625739499458626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-52688774616448583442009-09-10T18:24:00.004-05:002009-09-10T18:59:04.440-05:00What kind of birth do you want?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So I admit, I had no idea there was any alternative to hospital births before I got pregnant. Then somehow I found www.mothering.com, and my world opened up. There are birth center births, water births, home births, unassisted births, taxi-cab births (well maybe not intentionally). This forced me to ask myself, "what kind of birth do you want?".</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To be honest, the image of a woman lying down on a hospital bed with a needle in her spine, an IV in her wrist, her legs hoisted up high and a doctor peering in her hoo-ha waiting to catch the baby was never appealing to me. It looked so...so </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">unnatural</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Why do women give birth this way? And then you have the whole C-section thing. Turns out Piedmont and Northside hospitals have the highest C-section rates in the state - both almost 40%! WTF? That is major surgery...for childbirth!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now, I'd always loved my gynecologist. It was a pleasant office to go to once a year for my annual exam. I liked my doctor and the P.A. However, during my first OB visit, I timidly inquired about midwives and if I would be able to have one. My doctor rolled her eyes at me (towards the med student sitting in on our consultation) and said, "no. We only have doctors deliver babies." Basically I would have to leave their practice if I wanted a midwife!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I couldn't believe it. I wasn't sick; I was only pregnant. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So, after a lot of searching, I found a practice that had a very highly recommended midwife who would do waterbirths (the midwife's epidural, I've heard it called). I started seeing her and was pretty happy the first few visits. Now, I'm not going to get into all of the OB vs. Midwife politics in Atlanta, but there was some stuff brewing and I knew my midwife was not happy at her practice (which is run by a doctor). Her attitude reflected this, and my pre-natal visits were pretty short, which is more typical of an OB, not a midwife. This didn't seem like the right choice for me, either.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At that point, I really started thinking about giving birth at home. My two main constraints were my age (ripe old 35 - "high risk"), and money (since insurance won't cover the home birth). I realized that my age has nothing to do with a healthy birth as long as my body is healthy. The second constraint was a bit harder to overcome. It's not like we don't have the money; the issue was that I had already decided to leave my job prior to the birth and we can't just be throwing our savings out the window. My very loving husband gave me the "out" I needed. He told me that having the birth I wanted is more important than money, and to pursue a home birth.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We interviewed a few home birth midwives, and decided on one that is capable, experienced, convenient, and just happened to be a few hundred dollars cheaper than the others (and comes with her own birth pool!). We now have our one-hour pre-natal visits at our home. I continue to do shadow-care with my hospital midwife so that insurance will cover any additional lab work that needs to be done. I'm super excited.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So far only D's family knows about the home birth. I've composed an email that I will send out in the next couple of days. Text is below. I would recommend the resources below to everyone. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dear Family,</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We want to give our family an update on the pregnancy. We are due towards the end of October and beginning of November. We’re getting excited about meeting our little one!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some of you may know that we are planning to birth at home. We interviewed and selected a professional midwife that has 17 years of experience, mostly in Michigan. She is very capable and we feel very comfortable with her. We are doing pre-natal visits with her, but in addition to that, M is continuing her pre-natal visits with a certified nurse midwife that is affiliated with a hospital. This allows for all lab work to be covered by insurance, and also ensures complete monitoring of this pregnancy, which so far has been healthy!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No doubt some of you may feel concerned about the safety of a home birth, so we would like to allay your fears with some suggested reading and videos. Please rest assured that M has put in no fewer than 50 hours of research (reading, going over statistics, talking to mothers who had homebirths, etc.) prior to making this decision.</span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Suggested Movie/Videos:</span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Business of Being Born – available on Netflix. This is a very good documentary. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Natural Born Babies Part 1 - </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7DrP4-po5U"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7DrP4-po5U</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Natural Born Babies Part 2 - </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvONLKYfaIA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvONLKYfaIA</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You Have a Choice - </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nmKL86MoWU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nmKL86MoWU</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Suggested Reading:</span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Born in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> by Marsden Wagner</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pushed</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> by Jennifer Block</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> by Ina May Gaskin</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Recent article that came out about the safety of home births.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/08/31/home-birth-with-midwife-as-safe-as-hospital-birth.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/08/31/home-birth-with-midwife-as-safe-as-hospital-birth.html</span></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If for some reason the pregnancy ends up not being completely normal, then we will deliver at North Fulton Hospital, where the hospital-based midwife is. If there is an issue during labor, we will transfer to South Fulton Hospital, which is a 5-minute drive from our house. We are preparing for a possible hospital transfer, while hoping that it doesn’t happen. If anyone has any questions about our decision, please don’t hesitate to call and ask.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As for birth-day, we feel that this is an intimate time for our family, and we would like to preserve a very calm and relaxing atmosphere to allow for an easier birth. We will contact everyone as soon as we’re able to receive visitors. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thank you for being supportive!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-50893234406479430572009-09-10T17:48:00.003-05:002009-09-10T18:21:58.002-05:00News and such<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gosh, it’s been a really long time since I’ve updated. Since my last post there have been some very important milestones in my life that need to be mentioned, in, of course, a list fashion.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I got pregnant.</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What? Isn't that enough?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Just kidding. There's more.</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I found out I was pregnant about two weeks later, after having consumed enough alcohol in the prior two weeks to do some severe damage to my liver. I mean, I drank a lot for even <i>me</i>. Yikes.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Like clockwork, immediately after finding out I was pregnant I was sick every day for the next four months.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Went to Maine on vacation with my hubby during the brief time I actually felt okay during the pregnancy (my glorious second trimester only lasted 3 weeks).</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Like clockwork, immediately after coming home from vacation I started to feel really fat and tired.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Quit my job (yeay!!)</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And here I am, with less than two months to go until EDD (estimated due date for you novices). Baby is pounding away on my bladder, ribs, and anything he/she can get a hold of.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If I sound a bit negative about the pregnancy, it's because <i>it sucks.</i> I'm sorry I'm not one of those women who feels healthy and sexy during their pregnancy. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So far, I have lost the ability to do the following: cut my toenails, shave my bikini area, sit still, stand still, lay on my back, go for longer than 3 hours without peeing, go for longer than 10 minutes without yawning, bend over, pick something up from the floor without straining, and once in a while, I lose control of my emotions and my eyes tear up with a vengeance over something trivial.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now, I do appreciate the fact that I am pregnant, as there are so many women who try and try to become pregnant and would gladly trade places with me. I am extremely blessed by the Gods in this regard. That doesn't mean I have to be fake and pretend like it is the greatest feeling in the world, does it? Hey, I tell it like it is (for me).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have to mention D has been really amazing throughout this ordeal, uh, pregnancy. He even cut my toenails yesterday! The biggest thing he did for me was to not give me a guilt trip about quitting my job. He's been so supportive. Of course, he does expect me to make some money selling insurance from home at some point. I'm committed to not letting him down.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So that's what's been going on.</span></span></div></div><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-32300433603798251562009-02-28T10:36:00.004-05:002009-02-28T10:47:01.145-05:00keeping up with the joneses<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">I've noticed a new trend: keeping up with the Joneses. I know, this has been around for a while right? </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Well, not the kind I've seen recently. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">(overheard)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">A: We've been living off one income for the last year. I feel sorry for people who need two incomes to stay afloat.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">B: We haven't had much work lately, but thank goodness we have six months of emergency savings to hold us over.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">A: Yeah, we accumulated </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">nine</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> months worth, just to be safe.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">B: Our mortgage is pretty low; we've been paying it down so that we don't have to worry too much about paying it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">A: I know what you mean. I would hate to be one of those families who have two mortgages on their house with housing values dropping like they are.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">(and so on and so on)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">People are no longer under pressure to have the latest and greatest to be the envy of your neighborhood. It's become hip to be cheap. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Of course this is a good thing. But when did it become so common for people to discuss money and their financial situations? Why are Americans so competitive with everything?</span></span></span></div></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-22842883352792354232009-01-20T08:49:00.001-05:002009-01-20T08:51:46.640-05:00<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No matter where you stand politically, you have to admit that it is amazing to think that, beginning today, we will have a Black first family in the White House. How far we've come.</span></span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-26688290279402109422008-12-01T14:26:00.006-05:002008-12-02T16:46:36.688-05:00Sadie Pence 7/3/2000 - 12/1/2008<div align="center"><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Some of you may have known that our sweet Sadie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer almost 4 weeks ago. The cancer had already spread to her other organs and we knew she only had a few weeks left. The last few days proved to us that the pain she was suffering was overwhelming, so we made the decision to put her to rest today. We miss her so much already.<br /><br />The pictures below were taken 3 days after her diagnosis. Such a sweet brave girl.</span></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274906666727954018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvshlBwwUNG8cUb_ke7RisaKDmaO9fW85JWnP8zigHAHfVv236B24dVsXHkrnZoBswipSNgdxBnInFI_pAh3L_s0qNzqaKqNdwkQ3k64J1QWzNmfq5mCofTfKNmo01cRdkVLMJwSnlByn/s320/three+of+us.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274906806359430258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeOYXyRmXXPCUGkdxGNTGZ1Ztl3joE_SisPB_EFJXhbamEblAYNp8PV5RKeWMS3yZpaCo4d9z4EzMqZ7JV523M8GsmTw-0zOv_gt_zEb3kIEZOOF4xM0DsNMXjjZvaZSbUHtsh6Kv7zij/s320/Sadie.bmp" border="0" /></span><br /></div><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em>This is how we'll always remember her.</em></span></p>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-5290360888351936592008-10-28T13:10:00.006-05:002008-10-28T13:27:16.504-05:00A semi-intelligent political conversation<p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>An email to my coworker after an earlier conversation:</strong></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I decided to do some research on what you said about Barack being Arab. I could not find anything except for a few blog posts about it. Where is your source? I would like to read it. In my mind, he is still African-American. His father (who more than likely is of Arab descent) was born in Kenya, and is Kenyan. Barack's mother is white, and he has never denied this, so your comment that he doesn't acknowledge that he's half-white completely blows my mind. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Anyway, I am more than happy to review any reading material you can provide. It's not going to change my mind about my vote, but I know that you would never expect that anyway. Just know that I will not engage in any war of words about the candidates with you. It is not the environment in which I want to work, and you never seem to talk about issues anyway.</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>His response:</strong></span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">He’s African-American in your (and many other people’s) mind, but he does not have one single drop of African-American blood in his body…and precious little African blood. To me, it’s dishonest for him to proclaim he’s one thing when, in fact, he is something else entirely. Yes, he does acknowledge that he’s half white (frankly, how could he not); that was a poor choice of words on my part. In fact, he grew up associating mainly with whites and even choosing to go by the nickname Barry. It wasn’t until college that he chose to abandon his whiteness and become black. I find this change interesting at best, deceitful at worst, but suspicious most of all. Why did he choose to be black when that’s the smallest percentage of his ethnicity? I could care less what color someone is, but <span style="font-family:verdana;">it’s strange to me when someone tries to change it. Then I have to ask why. I believe his change was to further his own cause but I’d be happy to be wrong about that.</span></span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I like to discuss multiple “issues,” mainly out of the office (frequently, there’s not enough time to discuss serious issues in the office). I don’t discuss them with you because you’ve repeatedly said you don’t want to discuss them; however, I’d be happy to any time you’d like. I consider you an intelligent, thoughtful person and am always willing to hear such people out. For example, I’d like to hear why it is that you are a proponent of the Fair Tax.</span> </p><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>My response to his response:</strong></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">You know my mom is Vietnamese, and my father is white. You may not know, but I went through an identity crisis also. It is very very hard to grow up in many American towns if you look different, act different, and are named differently. I don't think you understand what it is like to grow up mixed. I'll give you some examples:</span><br /></div><ul><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">When I was 8 I lived in Southern California for about 3 months (my mom was about to give birth). We lived in a poorer neighborhood in Westminster, CA. One time some Vietnamese boys at school found out that I was half-Vietnamese, and they followed me home, taunting me. It really scared me.</span></div></li><br /><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">When I moved to Louisville after living in Taiwan for 5 years, I tried to change my name to Melissa (actually I went through a baby name book and circled a few names, but Melissa was the one I eventually chose). I saw how different I was from everyone in the school and I just wanted to be the same. Luckily, the name never stuck. I was 14 at the time, just starting high school.</span></div></li><br /><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I had a friend in college who is half black half white. I noticed that most of her pictures were of friends who were black. I asked her about it, and she told me that while growing up she had some white friends, the black community accepted her more easily than the white community. That's where she felt most comfortable.</span></div></li><br /><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">After living in Taiwan for so long, I identified more with Chinese people than with Vietnamese people. After I moved to the states, most of my Asian friends have been Chinese, and not Vietnamese.</span></div></li><br /><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">In the early 1990s, I lived with my mom and siblings in Marietta. Our next door neighbor's sons would take any opportunity to make fun of us. Once my mom and I were in the driveway doing a perfectly normal American thing - washing our car - and they stood there the entire time calling us names (chinks, gooks) while we tried to ignore them. I'm surprised with my mom's temper that she didn't turn the hose on them. Eventually the neighbors moved away. Once again, this was East Cobb in the 90s.</span></div></li></ul><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I can probably come up with more examples, but I am pretty tired right now. My main thing is just to let you know that growing up different (15 years ago and even further back, especially) is not easy. Now I see my uniqueness as an asset. But know that I did not always feel that way. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">What I can say with certainty is that many people of multi-cultural backgrounds did not have an easy time growing up. I am not going to pretend to know what was going through Obama's head as he made certain decisions, but people change and grow with their environment, especially in their formative years. Have you seen his H.S. basketball team photo? He was the only black guy there! No<span style="font-family:verdana;"> wonder he wanted to fit in and change his name. And I'm sure you remember in college how segregated blacks and whites were. Why wouldn't you think that it is the same for him at his college, 10 years earlier? If blacks were willing to accept him, why wouldn't he embrace that?</span></span></p><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I appreciate your compliment. I know we don't agree on quite a few issues. I tune you and Paul out most of the time just to stay sane in the office. You may have noticed that I've been working from home more often. That'll probably continue into November. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">My reasons for supporting a consumption tax may differ from yours. I think that it might help curb the over-consumption in our society. I don't know though..I have to finish that damn book. When I do read it, I'll talk it over with you.</span></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-67083293010843150132008-09-28T16:38:00.006-05:002008-09-28T18:07:28.911-05:00From one beauty queen to another<div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I know it's not fair to compare these two clips, but it is just too funny to ignore. The mishmash of words thrown together to try to sound informative is funny in a teen USA contestant </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">, but downright scary in a VP candidate during a one-on-one </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ9bP_AqHPg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">interview</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ9bP_AqHPg"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww"></a></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-635441374831166812008-09-28T15:33:00.010-05:002008-09-28T16:26:24.064-05:00Daily P & P<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">As the election draws closer, I have a new challenge at work that is disrupting, not only to my work, but to my sanity. I refer to it as my daily P&P with Paul & Michael. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Yep. Porn and Politics.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Every morning I have to listen to them go back and forth about the latest left-wing gaffe over and over again. I admit, with Biden on the ticket, we are not short on verbal gaffes. However, the Rebublican ticket is no image of perfection either. Of course, Paul and Michael never mention any of the mistakes made by McCain or Palin.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">What's interesting is that usually when I hear them guffawing back and forth about a particular issue (actually to refer to these things as issues really just belittles the word), I just get on hannity's or boortz' websites and do some reading. I usually can find what they're saying, word for word, in writing. I can't believe that not only do they not have original thoughts of their own, but that they feel the need to repeat it back and forth between them. One of them will say something he thinks is awfully clever, then the other one, on cue, will agree wholeheartedly and laugh. It's sort of like their daily affirmation. They really seem to get a kick out of it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">On top of the politics is the daily dose of porn I get. Now, I have nothing against porn, but I do believe that the office is not the place for it. Like middle school boys, they go back and forth between their computers snickering. I once even walked in on one of them just sitting there watching what appeared to be a blowjob (in my defense it was very closeup and I immediately looked away). </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">My office is very close to both of theirs, so I am unfortunately right smack dab in the middle of their playtime. They know where I stand politically, so they take plenty of opportunity to come into my office to 'educate' me. I'm not very good at debating, and anyway I refuse to take part in this kind of talk. I usually just smile and ignore them.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">If someone were to convert me to be a conservative it sure wouldn't be these two clowns. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">They both complain almost daily about their home lives, and particularly their wives. Neither of them seems particularly happy. One has a closet tobacco problem; one is a crotch-grabber (his own). One is a fervant anti-islamist; one claims to be Christian but I fail to see any Christian-like behaviour.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The only good that has come from this is that I find myself working from home a lot more. Maybe I'll take the entire week of Super Tuesday off.</span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-65538697341363873812008-06-28T16:38:00.004-05:002008-12-11T03:32:49.037-05:00Cute Cuke<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">So here's our first cucumber for the summer harvest. Actually it's the only vegetable that has presented itself so far. The other plants (tomatoes, peppers, squash) all look big and healthy, but nothing edible yet.</span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3uCruKpEmxkTnFkyg-APXXu5qPhwpL4PcmG7iIenTZI3d76_tRvgKeIuBQeRXmnwDvc6rnef3F8seusKyk_K6m0yRJhH_6DKWtP0eTJTiRctdNQVU2Tt3nR_6lH2turREOvAltwg3hEp/s1600-h/DSC04941.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217050364692665522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3uCruKpEmxkTnFkyg-APXXu5qPhwpL4PcmG7iIenTZI3d76_tRvgKeIuBQeRXmnwDvc6rnef3F8seusKyk_K6m0yRJhH_6DKWtP0eTJTiRctdNQVU2Tt3nR_6lH2turREOvAltwg3hEp/s320/DSC04941.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> Kind of cute, no?</span> </div><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Hopefully we have a better time with summer than we did with winter veggies. Out of the cabbage, lettuce and broccoli, all we had was a little lettuce that we ate. We'll just keep trying! Not buying that farm yet though!</span></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-4399225652651450692008-06-28T16:33:00.004-05:002008-12-11T03:32:49.546-05:00Would you snitch on grandma?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6H4kZ15PDNP0jQgIqYZR6PORC7Uxb_BrNy51o88UYrJx3laPf6vUrWTNDbu7rmQwLq6nUnsA7emb87emHi9-owe3p2HBO4vgCLnYMtC-7PMCJpfW59-pr5HhY_6lxn7QrAADTZQDyhSY/s1600-h/DSC04944.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217049234099400930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6H4kZ15PDNP0jQgIqYZR6PORC7Uxb_BrNy51o88UYrJx3laPf6vUrWTNDbu7rmQwLq6nUnsA7emb87emHi9-owe3p2HBO4vgCLnYMtC-7PMCJpfW59-pr5HhY_6lxn7QrAADTZQDyhSY/s320/DSC04944.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXp8cR-lD-Wrntnn7bjGhKbTMKpK6M5eY4MTlOcntCJdK18Nldtbclig1chdXZb-59EPh3655DrOEBLiAO_KswXCvF72qjdyMSxDOlh3fA9HZQdYLMDAy3vEdLR34pjp8aCtsmPD92PL0/s1600-h/DSC04945.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217049051892604082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXp8cR-lD-Wrntnn7bjGhKbTMKpK6M5eY4MTlOcntCJdK18Nldtbclig1chdXZb-59EPh3655DrOEBLiAO_KswXCvF72qjdyMSxDOlh3fA9HZQdYLMDAy3vEdLR34pjp8aCtsmPD92PL0/s320/DSC04945.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I know the pictures aren't of the best quality (I was trying to be discreet), but our neighbor is <em>washing her house</em>! In a drought! Today isn't even her day to water her plants, let alone her <em>entire f'ing house</em>. I know she's like 80, but come on.</span><br /><div></div></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-1631570655579057602008-02-29T15:43:00.002-05:002008-02-29T15:50:02.636-05:00Here’s a little unsolicited right-wing propaganda for ya<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Let me just preface this post by saying that I am crazy about my father-in-law. However, in true Pence fashion, if you’re going to dish it, you’d better be able to take whatever’s coming. I know he reads my blog from time to time…<br /><br />This week my father-in-law printed out an article to give to me and Darren. It was printed, one-sided, on five sheets of paper (all that methane gas released as it decomposes; what was he thinking?). I think he was afraid that if he emailed it, we might just hit ‘delete’ and not bother to read it. But I digress. The article can be found <a href="http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/02/25/lorne-gunter-welcome-to-the-new-ice-age.aspx">here</a>. It basically states that environmentalists are crazy opportunists who will take any research and use it to their left-wing agenda (right-wing extremists never do this, of course).<br /><br />It is no secret that Darren and I are concerned about the environment. I go to great lengths to do things which I believe will limit my impact on the earth. I don’t consider myself better than everyone else, and by no means am I perfect. I try to do the ‘live by example’ thing. I endure ridicule by my conservative coworkers because I recycle my office paper. I put up with the smells on MARTA three days a week so I don’t drive so much. I spend more money on food because eating organic is important to me.<br /><br />Darren and I are not activists. We don’t preach to friends, family or co-workers. We really only share our beliefs if someone asks. If someone asks, though, we both can get pretty passionate on the topic. I think that we are both pretty open-minded, too. If you tell me that I am absolutely wrong (yes it does happen), I will acknowledge that I should research the subject more. <br /><br />D’s dad, however, feels the need to express his opinion on the environment a lot. I think it’s the ‘offensive defensive’ approach. I don’t think he really thinks he’ll get us to change our crazy hippie ways, but just likes to insert a jab now and then to see how we respond. We usually don’t (but today’s his lucky day!).<br /><br />Anyway, my point is that I really don’t care how much research people are doing to prove or disprove global warming. You can spin anything. You know what, I don't even care if there is no global warming. That is not my motivation for being conscientious of how I treat our environment. <em>I don’t think anybody can argue that doing things that conserve a little of what is limited on this great Mother Earth can do any harm</em>. However, I cannot say the same for the status quo.</span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-57173470292551127112008-02-05T13:22:00.000-05:002008-02-05T13:50:23.264-05:00vampires beware<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I finally caught a cold late last week. I say finally because Darren has been sick for what seems like the last month and I think I got it from him. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Last night I made myself a concoction of hot water, lime juice (because I don't have any lemons), honey and cayenne pepper. Then I cut up a clove of garlic, and threw that in, too. Tasty. After I drank it up, I ate half of the garlic. Garlic is supposed to have some incredible healing properties. Now maybe my body was already healing itself, but I feel tons better today! So good, in fact, that on my way to pick up lunch, I couldn't help but stop at the Pier One store closing sale and look around. Didn't buy anything, but it says a lot that I actually stopped to shop.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">So I would highly recommend the above recipe. Warning: the garlic does linger. I ate it last night and since then brushed my teeth twice <strong>and</strong> gargled with mouthwash. Still Darren could smell it when I kissed him goodbye this morning. How embarrassing!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">On another note, below is a list of the ten fruits/veggies that have the most and least pesticide residue. If you must buy non-organic produce, make sure they're on the second list.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><strong>HIGHEST PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION:</strong><br />1. (worst) Peaches 100 (highest pesticide load) </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">2. Apples 96 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">3. Sweet Bell Peppers 86 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">4. Celery 85 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">5. Nectarines 84 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">6. Strawberries 83 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">7. Cherries 75 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">8. Lettuce 69 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">9. Grapes - Imported 68 </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">10. Pears 65</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">LOWEST PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION:</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">10. Cabbage 17 </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">9. Bananas 16 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">8. Kiwi 14 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">7. Asparagus 11 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">6. Sweet Peas-Frozen 11 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">5. Mango 9 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">4. Pineapples 7 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">3. Sweet Corn-Frozen 2 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">2. Avocado 1 </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">1. (best) Onions 1 (lowest pesticide load)</span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-71782362702908365582008-02-01T21:15:00.000-05:002008-12-11T03:32:49.726-05:00Into the Pink<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Monday evening I found myself sitting in a hotel meeting room with about 30 other women, waiting. Anxious, I started chitchatting with one next to me. “So why are you here?” I ask. Before she could answer me, a tall curvy woman with Texas-style hair (come on, you know what that is) came strutting in. She eased her fur off of her body and onto a chair, then walked to the front of the room. “Welcome to Mary Kay! I am so delighted to see such a wonderful group of professional women in the room!”<br /><br />Okay okay. It’s not like I sought Mary Kay out or anything. Please. The only Mary Kay product I’ve used is eyeliner I bought from a friend in the late-nineties (scary thing…I only recently threw it out). Especially since I have been using mostly ‘natural’ products (Terressentials, Aveda, Aubrey Organics), I really have no use for MK.<br /><br />The reason I was there is this: I fell for a dumb pickup line.<br /><br />Flashback to a week ago. I was walking into Whole Foods and a woman stops me. “May I just comment that you have an incredible look, so poised. What kind of work do you do?" I’m thinking, man those modeling classes I took in college finally paid off! “Sales”, I say out loud. “I’m not surprised”, she tells me, “you just have a great look.” She then goes on to say that she works for Mary Kay, some director position, and that with 20,000 of their workforce retiring over the next 10 years, they really want to bring in some new blood. “Forget everything you know about Mary Kay.” Suckered, I give her my phone number.<br /><br />Two days later, she calls. I don’t pick up. A day after that, she calls again. I pick up. “Hi! It’s Michelle from Mary Kay. I was wondering if you would be interested in meeting with me to see if this is an opportunity you’re willing to explore.” I explain to her that I am actually interested in leaving sales, not getting into another sales job. “Oh, this isn’t sales, this is more training.” So now I’m thinking, oh this must be a corporate job. I’ll just meet with her. We schedule a meeting for Monday night at the W Hotel. She even sent me an email beforehand stating that she was able to ‘rearrange her schedule’ so we can meet.<br /><br />That, my friends, is how I found myself listening to a 2 hour presentation Monday night. I felt deceived by Michelle, thinking that she actually wanted to talk to me personally. All she was trying to do is recruit me so that she would get a percentage of what I bought and sold for Mary Kay. It is nothing more than a pyramid scheme!! I found <a href="http://www.pinktruth.com/">this anti-MK website </a>that is very interesting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Anyway, after the presentation, Michelle tried to talk to me about my $100 investment to become a Mary Kay gal. I told her that I needed to talk to my husband and got the hell out of there. I emailed her the next day to say thanks but no thanks. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">That is the last time I fall for some dumb compliment.</span><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">**BTW, THIS is Texas-style hair (coincidentally, this is the woman who spoke)</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepT_2nhTiFyDe7gCcDSwwsV1rO9Af-QbrFzF6-vMAzchK0f5Qu8ZA41fHNRAnpk4wMUKTGAFwCqXXNCOFEb_vFPHzfeUl34HMoU26l4TtDDstMRZA60zTEY9TZsAx7fpGvV4TFKBZewM0/s1600-h/shannonindex.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7phjdWXmT_VxFTjBMgzkOnR9YrqImpyhroIIfqi3WGa7gA4qPkVcQfL-gsC4hFbYZOREU0M_MZxo2YnM-mPHpUqjTiz_RCHsvbVS7LhN1K0YgQQwV0PfyxIRIiDwsI2IQi2KwQ2bl0RN/s1600-h/shannonindex.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162206982294364642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px" height="270" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7phjdWXmT_VxFTjBMgzkOnR9YrqImpyhroIIfqi3WGa7gA4qPkVcQfL-gsC4hFbYZOREU0M_MZxo2YnM-mPHpUqjTiz_RCHsvbVS7LhN1K0YgQQwV0PfyxIRIiDwsI2IQi2KwQ2bl0RN/s320/shannonindex.jpg" width="173" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-48263625184270420752008-01-23T22:50:00.000-05:002008-12-11T03:32:49.908-05:00Where have I been?<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">So I just found out that Burt's Bees was purchased by Clorox in November. I have not used Clorox products for years (ever since I've rid my home of most toxic products) so I am still not sure how I feel about this. I don't use that many Burt's Bees products (mainly lip balm which rocks) but now I wonder if I should stop using them all together. Sure maybe Clorox is trying to become more 'green' but are they thinking with their hearts or their pocketbooks? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Some alternatives that I already use: Aubrey Organics shampoo and conditioner, Toms of Maine soap, Terressential (only online at <a href="http://www.terressentials.com/">http://www.terressentials.com/</a>) lotions. Now if only I can just find a lip balm that is as good as Burt's...</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158888853770232258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 117px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="158" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25juIrletoG_qEsGFRU4TQq_g6a2VO-IFDFvGpFPnjAG9qUsC_fcuh865ZIfwnq4eurfkZZax8ayIza7jUJnLOfKqBROVEnJ0k7_sTuVMsKp74HkO4y9jRqnYOol-pUjC0At3d7UM9XJU/s320/burtsbees2.jpg" width="145" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-3590555312348720672007-12-10T18:14:00.000-05:002008-12-11T03:32:50.158-05:00how i spent my day<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I was summoned to report for jury duty today, so naturally I spent all day reading a book. Not going to bore you with the details of the jury selection. But I will highly recommend the book, especially if you're a fan of all things Chinese like I am. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142530780482203378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBBQw3oK9HonghyDNLadLwbCJFaVxnh8wpK78xeE0seWUNXqdC-860tRoW3jm9c64FjgqVq0nEV_yTBf2JBYyxh0lXROu-Tjd6IuVBFVIMMe06Dc9ZcCoEMCSyubASyFNueUGAvOPxfel/s400/polly-bookcover.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Obviously, it's the story of an American who goes to the Shaolin temple to, among other things, learn kungfu. D liked it okay, but I absolutely loved it. I finished the book today and I was actually sad that it was over.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Tomorrow at the courthouse I will have to continue reading Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything. This is another great book. However, I stopped reading it to read Shaolin because it was getting a bit depressing. I'm one of those people who the more she knows the more she thinks and worries about the things she knows. I swear I was so much more carefree in my twenties when I didn't know anything. No wonder I'm getting more wrinkles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">So Bill goes through humans' quest for knowledge of all things (chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography, among others). He did tons of research and is very good and dumbing it all down for the reader. He actually makes learning fun. What is so depressing is that he also talks about global warming, threatening earthquakes, deadly meterorites, and how Yellowstone is actually one humongous supervolcano waiting to blow and kill everyone. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Looks like I have more to worry about than whether or not I'm selected for jury duty.</span></p>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-12488322834260264602007-12-08T12:47:00.000-05:002008-12-11T03:32:50.507-05:00Yeay! It's Christmastime.<div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">It's so much fun to decorate our house. I love our house, and I love making it beautiful and festive for different occasions. I try not to go overboard; D and I both like the 'less is more' or minimalist look.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Today we finished putting ornaments on the tree and I put some other Christmas decorations around the family room.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141661092554436290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlr5WIurCS5xju-oi1d1Lzw99YMD6Jw-45WNQoT51C6dTwdWUL1meyBd9nUkCBhV_ngCydD_IoW4Vv6pEfkXZSGEjPlr_RgPVjh93YkXirlXw6P3-rHFMa_nUWMlLb6M4APtMjGQzuHLE/s400/DSC04726.JPG" border="0" /></span></div></div></div><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141661663785086690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeadBk1xCn2uJTJ5zDJeiRZ95H4c5MtEa-wq0aB09yVthqMlvYgP6dgXH-A3CFLwsyV9_VJhAqeqGg0HySbwNPbsJ1acXo0log3D5kwtuQc_mSKHfh_OHoMsNm7ok307m0ZDm4-SgJEg-/s400/DSC04729.JPG" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">We didn't have a tree last year because we just moved into the house in December and it was too much trouble. About half of the ornaments we opened I would ask "is that new?" like I never saw it before. I guess that's part of the fun of decorating the tree</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">; you forget where some of the ornaments came from and each one has a story</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> (if you can remember it). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">We do have a minor complaint. For some reason our frasier fur tree doesn't smell. Nothing. Even going right up to it and sniffing the branches gets you nothing. Why is that?</span></p>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-38711047772261085012007-11-23T14:51:00.001-05:002007-11-23T23:23:40.201-05:00how we don't spend our money<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">A family member recently made a comment about how 'it must be nice' to take such nice vacations. Yes, I understand that D and I do go on some awesome trips. Besides Croatia earlier this fall, we went to Chile in November 2005 and China/Thailand in August 2004. Taking trips like that is important to us. We both really enjoy visiting new places and meeting new people, not to mention eating new foods. It's a time to unwind, relax, enjoy each other's company, experience something new together. So what if we spend more money on these trips than other people?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">We actually didn't spend that much on our most recent trip. I was surprised to find that we spent just under $5000 for both of us over three weeks. Yes that is a lot, but when you think about how much we experienced during this time it really doesn't seem that much to us. Besides, we make little "sacrifices" (in quotes because they may seem like sacrifices to some people, but to us they are things that don't matter) in order to be able to do what we truly love.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Here's how we can afford it:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">We cancelled our cable TV about 6 months ago. That's <strong>$540/year</strong> in savings.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I take public transportation to work about 3 times a week. That's about <strong>$700/year</strong> in gas savings.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Our mortgage payment is lower than a typical household of our income level. It's at least <strong>$7000</strong> less per year.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">We have low home energy costs. Our power bill averages about $72/month. Our gas bill averages about $47/month. The average American household spends about $2100/year on home energy. That means we are saving <strong>$670/year</strong>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">That is not even considering the fact that since we don't have kids, we have a lot more disposable income. Children are expensive! We also only have one car payment, so while it may not be a savings per se, we have a lower insurance premium and lower car costs in general.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Anyway, adding all that up brings us to almost <strong>$9,000/year in savings</strong> just by altering our lifestyle a little bit. Small price to pay for such huge rewards.</span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-76666249337186179962007-11-15T13:46:00.000-05:002007-11-16T09:48:14.415-05:00I want I want I want<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Marketplace has been running a week-long series called "Consumed". I just love Marketplace. I love Kai Ryssdal's voice; it is so soothing and reassuring. Sigh!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The series addresses Americans' over-consumption habit. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">D and I try not to consume too much, but sometimes we're not that good at it. He loves outdoor gear and clothes, and I get caught up once in a while in a clothing shopping 'frenzy'. Still we try.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Our friend Magali hit the nail on the head with her <a href="http://www.lebouderfamily.canalblog.com/">most recent post</a>. People just want to buy buy buy. How much stuff does a baby need? I am adamant that if and when we have a baby, I am going to insist on getting everything used (except for maybe a breast pump!). There is no need to register for stuff, no need to make such a big deal and spend hundreds of dollars buying stuff and no need to spend time and money doing over-the-top decorations for the baby's room. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Another example is Christmas. No longer a day for enjoying family and the spirit of giving, it is now spent opening one present after another. There is not even time to look at a present for more than a second before attention is turned to the next wrapped box. What is going on here?? Our children are no longer grateful; they're demanding and expectant.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Off of my soapbox...anyway, the "Consumed" programs have been extremely enlightening and alarming. I now have even more to worry about in the middle of the night. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://marketplace.publicradio.org/projects/project_display.php?proj_identifier=2007/11/08/consumed">Check it out.</a></span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-85649934787772668092007-11-14T18:42:00.001-05:002007-11-14T18:42:36.740-05:00By the Way...<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Is it terribly apparent that I love lists?</span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-20999831203304448082007-11-14T18:30:00.001-05:002007-11-14T18:37:02.982-05:005 things I do that help the environment<ol><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I don't buy bottled water. I bring my own (filtered tap water) in my very own SIGG bottle. Doesn't leach and doesn't go into landfills!</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I don't rinse dishes off before putting them in my awesome energy-saving dishwasher. And I don't heat dry, I air dry.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I don't use bleach or other harmful chemicals while cleaning my house or my clothes. All natural, baby!</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I take MARTA (the crappy public transportation here in Atlanta) about 2-3 times a week to and from work. It's sometimes hard because I actually have to travel around the city for my job.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I recycle like a madwoman. I even have my own recycle bin at work for office paper that I have to take home in order to recycle.</span></li></ol><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Now that I've tooted my own horn, of course there are so many things I do that are not so good...but I'm working on them!</span></p>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-23179436694854588922007-11-14T18:23:00.001-05:002007-11-14T18:29:49.067-05:005 things I do that don't help the environment so much<p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">with my justifications...</span><br /></p><ol><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">My last car purchase was not a hybrid or a compact. It was a wagon. (justification: It is actually a Subaru Outback, and their environmental record is incredible as far as car companies go. I also take public transportation a lot)</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I travel by plane quite a bit. (justification: I need a break, man!)</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">My showers sometimes take a little longer than they should. (justificaton: I put big bowls at my feet to save some of it!)</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Sometimes I forget about food in the fridge and end up throwing it away (justification: OK, I don't really have a justification for this just an excuse. I really don't like leftovers! But I'm getting better.)</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I am running a space heater at my feet right now. No justificaton. I am just damn cold here.</span></li></ol>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-69855437923395777232007-11-10T17:50:00.000-05:002008-12-11T03:32:51.096-05:00HH the DL<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I played hookey from work on October 22nd, for a once in a lifetime experience.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131348439447281090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41RB8C0bpwose6gJLH8fsDGr3ZR9U8qz5ZkWBsPkkp1wqtohlAKnxgfT_Tbo_MyrQIVU9Fe-tjePYbvkYuCRkLaaiVV49j3m9jkbpooIhTqBHQlur6UGAQUcGYQK1z1wWH0tZEvo0H2zO/s400/Dalai+Lama+on+screen+med.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131348761569828322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrCaBj4IybjT2LjggtNq3ZZxLy12RA8PUi57dMpMqOJJzyYs9KrNtsmhrpo72KzUPnXhK9-xHvSKI3tKbCOPnjnhzaHrGE05ZQ6E286gtcvHIRV5HnxdJzdfYC0T-WU16IF8edKE0Vsps/s400/DSC04674.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131348731505057234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPl_g-L6FAGA4eneh9xwypnE-G1ETrpaIc-nYukTFKDfu0HROqL6nRI17XgZ5Sh7GvHFQ1hLBPe26bTdgQbKzIYQgfs6-3mu-UWSMwEmdKfRTG1c5VByj-pETvF74W5Ildf9NnXjs_EAkO/s400/Dalai+Lama+on+screen+with+intrepreter+med.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">He is humble, funny, smart, amazing at the same time. I'm so glad I went.</span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-2998876575846359662007-10-15T20:43:00.001-05:002008-12-11T03:32:51.180-05:00There<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSs1fjTk-fS9ALlahf9wRn69sQ3DbkLWWAliyWniVMD4MRq3gCth86e7avSvokdWN0Ku12xpNMTH6ds_P2YMqNkkdQdDrAC5CUNFECZXixL6bJIgB7WkfsNzbK3ztmo8y_A2nsXll4vEU/s1600-h/DSC04666.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121744422794625010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSs1fjTk-fS9ALlahf9wRn69sQ3DbkLWWAliyWniVMD4MRq3gCth86e7avSvokdWN0Ku12xpNMTH6ds_P2YMqNkkdQdDrAC5CUNFECZXixL6bJIgB7WkfsNzbK3ztmo8y_A2nsXll4vEU/s320/DSC04666.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">We've finally planted vegetables in our garden!</span></div><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Our garden is located in our side yard along the garage. It's nice so we don't have to walk too far to water and check on things. It also makes the side yard look a bit nicer! We planted broccoli, white cabbage, red cabbage, bibb lettuce and lavender. You can see Sadie's new favorite place on the deck. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span> </p><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"></div>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8857778944187038752.post-8359335181152340772007-10-14T10:10:00.000-05:002007-10-14T10:14:09.528-05:00Five awesome things that happened on my vacation<span style="font-family:verdana;">5. Learning the basics of sailing<br />4. Buying a Playboy magazine in a foreign country<br />3. Hanging out with such kickass people<br />2. The FOOD!<br />1. Getting to spend quality time with the love of my life</span>MAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16594596158021008016noreply@blogger.com0